Chapter 9
It was only a few minutes after Kira, Worf, and Julian had returned to the Runabout, when they got a message, that Vader wanted to talk to them. The Stormtrooper that gave them the message, led them to the entrance of Vader's quarters, and stood at attention, as the door slid open. Kira moved in, Julian, who she already knew Vader could not touch with his strange power, followed her. As the two of them moved into the room, they noticed a large dome in the middle of the room, which began to open, revealing, Darth Vader sitting in the center, on a chair that sort of reminded Kira of a throne.
"I am pleased that you excepted my invitation to speak Coronal." Vader told Kira, he then looked at Julian, who was standing right next to her, "And you as well Doctor." Vader then stepped out of the dome, and stood in front of them. He then gestured to a table off to the corner. "Please, sit, make yourselves at home." All three of them sat down in a chair, and as they sat down, Kira noticed a small device, cylindrical and completely black, with a few buttons on it hanging from Vader's belt. But there was something else, the device almost looked like it was the handle to something. "Now, I am sure that you have some questions," Vader said, breaking Kira's thought, "And I thought that we did not answer enough of your questions last night at dinner."
Julian could not resist the opportunity that was before him, "Very well then," he began, looking Vader squarely in the helmet's eye pieces, "How did you do that little trick last night, with my tricorder?"
Vader looked back at him. "I used the Force to bring your device to me."
Julian looked at him, obviously confused, "The Force?"
"Yes," Vader began, "The Force is an energy field that is created by life itself. Certain people are born with the ability to tap into this energy field." Julian leaned forward on to the table, fascinated by what Vader was saying, "When the Force was first discovered, it was found that those who could tap into its power, could attain great abilities."
"Namely?" Kira asked interested in the conversation as well.
"Our powers range anywhere from the ability to heal other, to levitation, which you saw last night, basic mind control, and enhanced reflexes and insight." Vader continued to tell Kira and Julian about the Force, and its vireos uses. After they finished talking about the Force, Vader told them about the Empire, and about the Rebellion. Not the same story that they had heard from Ozzel only a short time ago, but a version that would make anyone that had not already learned the true version of the story, make them outraged at the Rebellion for all that they did to the Empire. Then came the part that Kira and Julian had been waiting to hear. "I would like to ask something of you." When they nodded he continued, "This Rebellion is pointless. and I ask your help to end it once and for all."
Kira looked at him, "And what would you like for us to do?"
"All that I ask is that you help us to set up a meeting with the Rebel leadership, so that we may be able to end this pointless war, and bring peace to the galaxy."
Kira's face showed an expression of thought on it, and then she looked right at Vader, hoping that these Force senses that he had told them about would not tell him that she was lying to him. "Of course Lord Vader, we would be more than happy to help you out in any way that we can."
Vader stood up, and Kira followed suit along with Bashier. "Then I thank you for your time. The Stormtrooper outside will escort you back to your ship. Have a safe trip Coronal."
"Thank you Lord Vader." Kira said, and the two of them watched Vader return to his chamber, and retake his seat as the top came down.
Chapter 10
Princess Leia Organa stood outside the door to the quarters of the alien that Han had brought back to the base. She knocked on it, and got no answer, and knocked again. When no answer came again, she put in a command to override the lock, and entered the room. Inside, Leia did not find in the room. But what she did see, was a pool of ooze of some sort. "Hello," Leia said out loud, "is anyone here?"
She stepped over the pool of ooze, and walked towards the refresher area. Leia then heard a noise of some sort behind her, and when she turned around, she saw the ooze take shape into a man. Once it had taken the shape, it-changed color, and standing before her was Odo. "I believe that you were looking for me" Odo said. Leia looked at him, with the expression that everyone had when the saw him transform for the first time, astonishment, mixed with a touch of fear.
"As a matter of fact yes, I was." Leia told him, letting out a touch of her astonishment. She then continued, "If you feel up to it, we would like to ask you a few questions."
Leia appeared to be about to say more, but Odo stopped her. "No need to explain, I am a security officer myself, Princess, if I am not mistaken."
Leia smiled, and indicated a table towards that center of the room. She took a seat at one end, and Odo took one across from her. "Back in the hanger," Leia began, "you said that you would tell us the story about how you ended up on the Millennium Falcon."
Odo took a deep breath, and started to tell Leia the story about how the Aries and her crew ended up in this dimension, and how he had ended up on the Falcon. And also watched as the story began to sink into Leia, who was more than curios about the whole thing. When he finished the story, he paused for a moment, "And that is how I got here." Odo then considered what to say for a moment, "I wish that I knew what happened to your Driod Princess, but I only saw him once before I left the ship with that other driod."
Leia looked at Odo, and just nodded. "I understand that Odo, but that does not help us any." Leia paused for a moment, "R2 was supposed to get some valuable information about Empirial activities in the sector of space that we will be working in next."
Odo returned her stare, and thought for a moment. Suddenly, he remembered something from his time working with the Bajorans, and their resistance against the Cardasian Empire, during the Occupation. "Princess Leia," Odo began, "For a few years, early in my career as a security officer, I worked with members of a resistance. And it was my experience that they usually had someone that worked on the inside." Odo paused for a moment, to study the expression on Leia's face. And as he suspected, a worried look began to spread across her face. He then continued, "Now I would assume that you have and operative inside of the Empire." Leia began to open her mouth, but Odo stopped her, "You don't have to worry, I won't ask you to tell me who it is."
An expression of relief spread across Leia's face, "Thank you, for not insisting that I do that. He is an old friend of my families."
Odo smiled at her, and continued on with his assessment. "No problem. But I take it that he is extremely resourceful." Leia nodded, and Odo continued. "Then I have a feeling, that he will make sure that your driod finds a way to get here. And I also feel that I will be united with my friends at that same time."
Leia smiled at Odo, and got up from the table, and started to walk towards the door. She stopped at the door, and turned around to face Odo, "I know that you are right about our operative, and I sincerely hope that you are correct about you friends being with our driod." Odo nodded to her slightly, and she left the room. And once he was alone, he returned to his gelatinous state, and fell into a deep sleep.
******
Han had never seen the Ax Pick closed before. But then again, there was always a first time for everything. Luckily, he knew of a well-placed back door, which he had used several times himself. He turned to Chewbacca, who was right behind him, "Chewy, wait here, I am going around to the back." Chewy grunted his acknowledgement, and took up a position right beside the door.
Han walked around to the back of the bar, and found what he was looking for, a pile of what appeared to be nothing more than junk, and opened a small hidden panel. He pushed in a sequence of buttons, and closed the panel. Almost immediately, the pile began to rise up, reviling a stairway under it. As he walked down the stairs, he noticed that there was a light in the tunnel at the bottom.
Once he got to the bottom, Han saw that the light was coming from a Glow Rod that was hanging from the ceiling, and that there was now a cot set up in the tunnel. As Han moved in closer to investigate, he heard a sound from further down the tunnel, and then out of it walked the owner of the Ax Pick, Jason Lambers, one of the oldest and most trustworthy friends that Han had, or so he thought anyway, because as soon as Jason saw him, he drew out a blaster, and aimed it right at Han's head. Han raised his hands, in surrender, "Hey Jason, don't shoot, it's only me, Han Solo."
"Why do you think that I am aiming this at you Han?" Jason asked.
Han looked at Jason, "And just what do you mean by that Jason?" He asked, more than a little curios of the answer.
Jason just looked him square in the eyes, and asked Han, "Does the ID number IG-88 mean anything to you Solo?"
Han thought for a moment, and it hit him, "You mean the Bounty Driod?" Jason nodded his head, and then Han realized what was going on, "Jaba's bounty on me. And I bet that IG-88 paid you a little visit."
Han thought back, to just before the battle at Yavin, when he was smuggling a load of spice to from Kessel to Tatooine, for the gangster Jaba the Hut. On rout you Tatooine, the Imperials somehow got wind of what he was up to, possibly from that slimy toad Moreth Dule, who ran the spice smuggling operation out of Kessel, and was forced to drop his entire load. Needless to say, Jaba was not to happy and told Han that he had to repay him or else. Right after that, he and Chewy had gotten a job that would help him to pay off his debt to Jaba, and make a little extra on the side, and all that he had to do was to transport a wide eyed kid, a crazy old man, and two driods to the planet Alderaan. He was able to get Jaba to give him an extension of the deadline for the payment, with the treat that if he did not fulfill his end of the bargain, Jaba would put a price on Hans head so big, that he would not be able to go to show his face in any inhabited system again.
But what Han had never expected, was that that charter flight to Alderaan would change his life forever. That was the first time that he had met Luke Skywalker, Ben Kanobi, the driods R2-D2, and C-3P0, and Leia Organa. And he still could not understand why he did not take his money and head straight back to Jaba to pay him off, instead of flying strait to the battle with the Death Star, nailing two Tie Fighters, and crippling one, saving Luke's life, and allowing him to make that historic shot that destroyed the Death Star once and for all. He had then decided to join up with the Rebellion, and has been with them ever since.
Han's thoughts were interrupted, by Jason, "You had better believe that it did, and he blew away Min Corens who was also on your tail." Jason informed Han, "I never saw this place clear out so fast, and I lost one of my best bartenders, who quit almost right after that damn driod left." Jason paused for a moment, and then asked Han, "So you tell me, why I should not blow you away myself, for what you have done to me and my business, and collecting that reward that Jaba is asking for you myself."
Han looked right at Jason, "I can give you several reasons why." Han took a deep breath. "First, Chewy is right outside of this building, do you really think that you could sneak my body past him," Jason nodded, and Han continued, "Second, even if you were able to get past Chewy, once word got out that you had killed Han Solo, you would be the target of every bounty hunter in the galaxy." Han paused, letting that reason sink in, "And finally, the third reason. You forgot that I gave you that blaster, and I know that it does not work, because you explicitly asked me for just that, so that you could scare people, and not hurt them." Taking another deep breath, Han smiled, "Do those reasons satisfy you?"
Jason thought for a moment, and then lowered the blaster, and through it on the cot. He then looked back up at his friend, "I am sorry about that Han, but I did not know what else to do."
Han just smiled back at Jason, "Apology excepted, now, if you don't mind, I would like to get those supplies that you were supposed to get for us."
Jason returned Hans smile, and the two men, after letting Chewy in, went to the storeroom and went to work getting everything out onto Han's hovercar.
******
Bounty Hunter unit, IG-88, stood on top of the roof, right across from the Ax Pick. It was there, that it saw the Wookie known as Chewboka, who always flew with Han Solo. After a few minutes, the Wookie was let inside, and a mere moments later, it finally saw it's prey, Han Solo, exit from the tavern, with a box full of supplies, being followed out by the bars owner, and the Wookie, both of which were carrying large boxes as well.
The driod was about to jump down to the street and claim it's prize, when an indicator light went off, indicating that it needed to shut down in order to recharge it's batteries. 'Maybe', it thought, 'I still have enough power to capture Han Solo, and his Wookie.' As it debated this, the hover car lifted up on its repulsers, and drove away. IG-88 then vowed, 'another time, Captain Solo', and deactivated it's self, in order to recharge.
******
The hanger of the Emperors Pride was quiet for once, with the exception of those officers that were assembled to see the Aries off, including, Admiral Ozzel, Captain Piett, and General Veers, and a man that they had never met before, that Kira knew had to be Tycho Celchu. Captain Piett, walked up to Kira, and extended his hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you Coronal Kira, I hope that we will meet again."
"We look forward to it Captain Piett." Kira said. Ozzel and Tycho waked over to them.
"Coronal Kira," Ozzel began, indicating Tycho, "May I present Tycho Celchu. As requested, he will be your guide until you find a way to return to" Ozzel paused considering his next statement, "wherever it is that you came from."
Tycho looked at Kira, "It will be a pleasure to represent the Empire in this endeavor." He then extended his hand, and Kira took it.
"Well," Kira started, "Let get on board.", and turned to board the ship. Tycho followed her, and as they both entered the ship, the hatch closed.
******
The air lock closed behind Tycho, as he entered the ship, and he then followed Kira into a cramped command area. It was there that he immediately saw the Astromech driod, R2-D2, standing in the middle of the room. He then took a look around the room, and immediately came to the conclusion that this was a more advanced race than he had been told. Kira then took a seat in what appeared to be the pilots seat, and turned it to face the viewport.
A little alien that had big ears, walked out from behind. "Lt. Celchu," the little alien said to Tycho, "if you will please take a seat, until we get underway." As he said this, the alien indicated a seat that had been set up in the corner. The Alien then took a seat at one of the consoles, while Tycho immediately sat down in the seat, and started to listen to what was being said.
"Mr. O'Brian," Kira said, "has the bay master given us clearance to take off."
"Affirmative Coronal," the man in the co-pilots seat said, "Beginning launch sequence now."
Kira then turned to face another alien that sat behind her. "Mr. Worf, weapons status."
Worf worked his controls, "Phasers are at 90%, Photons, are operational, but automatic targeting systems are still off line."
O'Brian looked up from his controls for a moment, and leaned back, "Just like that time on the Defiant, when we were stuck in that nebula with two Jemadar ships." That got a slight chuckle from the rest of the crew, including Kira, who shook her head as she did do.
She then turned to face the other side of the ship, "Doctor, Nog, how about sensors and communications?"
The human, looked at his board, and reported, "Short range scanners are operational, same with long range."
Nog then answered, "Communications are at 100%. Both ship to ship, and subspace."
"Very good." Kira said, and then turned back to the front of the ship, and her console. "Mr. O'Brian, take us out, and after that, take us to warp 4, until we are out of the Emperors Pride's sights, and then take us out of warp."
"Yes Sir," O'Brian said, as the ship moved out of the hanger, and off into space.
******
The Hand watched, from the cockpit of her modified Tie Interceptor, as the strange alien ship left the hanger of the Emperors Pride, and went into hyperspace, or so she thought. She brought up her nava-computer, and tried to figure out were they were going to. She knew that they would fly out of range of the Super Star Destroyers sensors, and then come out of hyperspace. But the trick was figuring out exactly where that was.
The Hand reached out with the Force, searching though space, until she found them, about 3 light-years way, in an almost dead stop. She then made the calculation for the jump into hyperspace to catch up with them. Once that was done, she brought her engines on line, and pulled the lever that
would take her into hyperspace.
Chapter 11
Luke Skywalker was running late. He had been practicing with his lightsaber in the hanger, and had lost track of time. He was now sprinting to the briefing room. As he got to the door, Luke stopped to compose himself for a second, and then walked up to the door, which opened to reveal all of Rogue Squadron, looking in his direction. Luke entered, and saw that the leader of the Rebel Alliance herself, Mom Mothma was in the room, for the briefing. Sitting next to her, was the Mon Calimarian, Admiral Ackbar, and General Crix Madine. Madine looked at Luke, an amused expression on his face, "Commander Skywalker, you are late."
Luke thought that he heard a light chuckle come from Dack Ralter, Rogue Squads youngest, and greenest pilot. He threw Dack a look, and he immediately stopped, and returned his attention to the front of the room. "Sorry General, but I was in the middle of some practicing, and lost track of time." Mom Mothma, nodded to Luke and he took a seat next to Wes Janson, one of the finest gunners that Luke he had ever had the privilege of serving with.
General Madine, stood up, and walked over to the display screen. "Unfortunately, our little excursion against Moth Seerdon, is put on indefinite hold, until we can find Skywalker's Astromech, and get the info that we need." There were a number of audible groans of disappointment, from most of the Rogues, most notably, from Kasan Moor, who considered Seerdon a mentor, until she found out that he was more ruthless than the Emperor. Madine continued the briefing, "Instead, Rogue Squadron is going to be sent on a reckon mission to the Endor system." Madine paused for a moment, then indicated Ackbar.
Admiral Ackbar, stood up, and took Madine's place in front of the Rogues. "Bothan slicers, have discovered that the empire has began construction of some sort of massive project." Ackbar took a deep breath, "Rogue Squadron will be assigned to the newly built Home One, which shall act as Alliances new flag ship." Ackbar took another deep breath, "There has been some rumors flying around, that the Empire is attempting to construct a new Death Star." Taking another deep breath, "We believe that they are using Endor, in order to keep it quiet." Ackbar took another deep breath, and before he could continue his briefing, the door opened, and Leia walked into the room, with a look of urgency on her face.
Mom Mothma stood up, "What is it Leia?", the older woman asked, as Leia moved up to the front of the room.
"I have some urgent news," Leia began, as she got to the front of the room, "Our scanner satellites, have picked up a ship that has just come out of hyperspace, on the outskirts of this system." Leia looked around to make sure that everyone was following her, "When we sent out a scout ship from the furthest moon, the description that the pilot gave, matched the one that Odo gave to us for the ship that he came from." Leia paused for a moment, then continued. "They then contacted us, and transmitted a code, that only one being has."
Genuinely interested, Wedge Antilles, asked, "And who is that being"
Leia began to open her mouth to respond, but Luke said it first, "R2-D2."
Leia smiled, "Correct Luke, they are bringing R2 back to us."
******
Miles O'Brian, worked his controls, and brought the Aries out of warp, and to a full stop. "All stop Coronal", he then reported to Kira.
Kira then turned around, and looked a Tycho, "Lt. Celchu, how do we access the info in this driod now."
Tycho stood up, and walked over to R2. "R2-D2, recognize voice command, Ozzel 2275." The driod beeped, in acknowledgement, and Tycho continued, "Project a holo of the location of the Alliance base that you are to go to." A light emerged from R2's dome head, and a projection of a star system appeared. Tycho looked at the projection, and reached out to touch a part of it. "This is our destination, it is a planet known as Ord Mantel." Tycho studied the projection, and then pointed out a few other spots on the map, "These must be check points, no doubt they have snub fighters set up there to slow down any enemy ships that may happen upon them."
"Then how do we get past them," Jake asked.
Tycho thought for a moment, and then turned back to R2. "R2, do you have your own clearance code." The image disappeared, and in its place, appeared the word 'Yes'. "Good," Tycho said, "It is as I thought," he turned back to the rest of the group, "This Astromech, belongs to the Alliances most celebrated hero, Luke Skywalker. And in his own right, R2 here is a hero to."
Julian, nodded in understanding, "And because of that, they gave this driod its own code, in case something like this ever happened."
"Correct Doctor," Tycho said, "and that code is our ticket to getting past the Alliance check points."
Kira thought this over, and then decided, "Ok, Lt. Celchu, can you give Chief O'Brian the coordinates to Ord Mantel?" Tycho nodded, "Good," She tuned to O'Brian, "Chief, as soon as you get the coordinates, lay in a course, and engage at the ships maximum speed."
O'Brian nodded, "Ewe Coronal" And set to work at his console, with Tycho standing right behind him.
Kira then turned her attention to Worf, "Worf, have Phasers standing by, just in case."
Worf nodded, and set to work. O'Brian then called from his console, "Ready Coronal".
Kira nodded, and took her seat next to him. "Ok Chief, lets get going." O'Brian nodded, and pushed the buttons to take the craft into warp.
******
The Hand entered the system, just as the runabout warped off. Cursing a little, she once again reached out with the Force, and began to search for them. After a few minutes, she finally found the ship, and immediately entered the information into the nava-computer. She then pushed a button that would record a message, "This is Empirial intelligence officer, code number 332102. This message is to only be played for Lord Vader." The Hand took a deep breath, and continued, "I have tracked the ship to about three light years from the position that the Emperors Pride was in when the two ships parted. And now they are headed on a course that will possibly take it to the outer rim territories. I am attempting to pursue them at his time. I will leave more messages as I follow them." The Hand deactivated the recorder, and played the message. She nodded, and then transmitted it to the Emperors Pride. After the message was sent, she reached for the lever that would take her to Hyperspace, and pulled it. The Tie Fighter, then jumped into hyperspace, in pursuit of the Runabout.
******
Tycho Celchu had never seen such a sight before. As he watched, the crewman that he had learned was named Jake, walk up to a small hole in the wall, "Computer, Orange Juice.", and a glass appeared out of thin air, with an orange liquid in it. Jake took a sip of the liquid, and then noticed
that Tycho was watching him. "Do you want something Lt. Celchu?" he asked.
Tycho stood up, and walked over to the hole. "What is it?"
Jake looked at him, and then realized why Tycho had asked that question. He took a deep breath, "This is a food replicator. So long as what you want is on record, this device will be able to produce it."
Tycho had never heard of such a thing, but decided to try it out anyway. He looked at Jake, "I doubt that any of the food that I am used to are in the computers memory banks. Can you give me a suggestion on what to order?"
Jake smiled, and then turned to the replicator. "Computer, Sisco's Cajun Jambalaya, with a glass of water." Jake could have sworn that he had heard Nog chuckle a little bit from his seat, as a bowl of steaming hot jambalaya appeared, with a glass of water next to it. Pulling the bowl from the slot, Jake offered it to Tycho, and the pilot excepted it.
Tycho took a sniff of it, "It smells good", and took a heaping spoon full of it and put it in his mouth. He chewed it, and then swallowed. He took another spoonful, and then another, until he was finished with the entire bowl. He then took the glass of water, and drank it down slowly.
Jake stood there open mouthed, just staring at him. "How did you do that?" Jake let out, as Tycho handed him the bowl and glass back.
"What do you mean?"
"The Jambalaya," Jake told him, "nobody has ever been able to eat all of my Grandfathers Jambalaya that fast, and still sit there like you are doing. It is one of the hottest chili's in the Federation."
Tycho looked up at Jake, and started to laugh, "I take it that you don't know, that my Home planet of Alderaan, used to grow the hottest spices in the galaxy. Compared to them, your Grandfathers Jambalaya, is mild."
Jake looked as if he was about to say something, but was stopped by O'Brian, from the front of the ship. "Coming out of warp."
Kira turned around to face Tycho, "Lt. Celchu, it's your show now, what do we do." And as if by command, a small ship, that was shaped like a Y pulled out from behind an asteroid.
Kira was about to order for shields to be raised, when Tycho told them, "Take no hostile action. That is a century ship. Can you give me a Comm channel to it?"
Kira looked back at Nog, who was already working his board, "Channel open."
Tycho stood up straight, "This is Lt. Tycho Celchu, to Y-Wing, we have on board this ship, the Astromech Driod R2-D2, who I believe that you are familiar with."
A response came over the speakers immediately, "Lt. Celchu, This is Gold Squadron Leader, can you give us the special codes that this driod carries?"
"One Moment, we are going to have him give you the codes." Tycho then looked at the driod that had just come into the room. "R2, it is up to you."
R2, put out a series of beeps and whistles. When he had finished, there was a moment of silence, and then came the voice of Gold 1, "My own Astromech indicates that the code is correct. Please allow us to escort you to Ord Mantel."
"That would be appreciated Gold 1, Tycho out".
The Y-Wing then turned around, and headed off in one direction. Tycho looked at O'Brian, "There is you course heading Chief O'Brian." Tycho then went back to his seat, and sat down.
******
The Super Star Destroyer Emperors Pride, cut through space. In his private chambers, Darth Vader, looked at the hollo cube that sat in front of him. He then activated it. "This is Empirial intelligence officer, code number 332102. This message is to only be played for Lord Vader." Vader
listened to the message, and then activated his view screen. Captain Piett's image appeared on the screen, "Captain, I have just received word, that the Rebels may be hiding out in the outer rim territories. Take us there at once."
Piett stood at attention, "At once my Lord." And the screen went blank.
Chapter 12
Luke walked up to the door to the room that housed the strange shapeshifter, Odo. Luke knocked twice. When there was no answer, he hit a button on the control panel located next to the door. The door opened, and he entered to find that the lights were not on. Luke walked into the room slowly, stretching out with his mind as far as he could, and felt that Odo was still in the room. As he walked in, he did not feel any danger, but he still drew his lightsaber, and held it at the ready.
Reaching to the switch next to the door, he turned on the lights, and found that the room was empty. He then remembered when Leia telling him about when she had come in here earlier, and how Odo had transformed from a puddle of ooze that was on the floor. Luke once again reached out with the force, and found a hint of a presence. Suddenly Luke felt a hand on his shoulder, and he spun around, to face Odo. "Can I help you Commander Skywalker?"
Luke replaced the lightsaber on his belt clip, "Yes, you can." Luke then went on to explain about the ship, that had just entered the system.
"That sounds like the Aries." Odo told Luke when he finished the description of the ship.
"Leia and Mom Mothma asked me to bring you to the control room to confirm if it is your ship."
"Very well", Odo told Luke, and indicated that he should lead the way. Luke walked out of the room first, with Odo on his tail. As they walked, Odo looked at the device that Luke had clipped to his belt. "Commander," Odo began, "is that some kind of weapon?"
Luke looked at Odo, "Yeah, it is. And please call me Luke." he said, as he unclipped the lightsaber from his belt and held it up. "It is called a Lightsaber." Luke twisted it around in his hand, and then handed it to Odo. "It used to belong to my father, who was a great Jedi Knight." Seeing that Odo was about to touch the activation button, Luke put a hand out to stop him. Odo looked at Luke not understanding what he almost did, "That button activates it." Luke then stopped walking, and looked around. He then took the Lightsaber back from Odo, and pushed the activation switch. A green blade of energy emerged from the handle, and Odo could hear a light humming noise coming from it. Luke then hit the button again, and the blade vanished.
"Impressive," Odo said, "in all the years that I have been a security officer, I have never seen anything like this."
The two of them started walking again, "That's because only Jedi Knights know how to construct them."
"Interesting," Odo said, as then turned into the control room, "You will have to tell me more about this weapon and these Jedi Knights later, that is if you don't mind."
A smile spreading across his face, Luke just looked at Odo, "Of course I don't, it would be an honor." Luke paused for a moment, and saw that Leia and Mom Mothma had spotted them, and were waving them over. "But I have to warn you, I really don't know much more than what I already told you." The two of them walked up to the table that the two ladies were standing in front of, and took up a place across from them.
"Constable Odo," Leia began, "I would like for you to meet Mom Mothma, the leader of the Alliance." Odo bowed his head slightly to acknowledge her, and turned his attention back to Leia. "Luke told me that you might have spotted the Aries."
Mom Mothma, pushed a button, and a hologram appeared over the table, and Odo smiled, as he immediately recognized the holo. Mom Mothma smiled as well, "Then I can assume that this is your ship."
"Yes you can." Odo said, "Have they attempted to contact you yet?"
"Yeah," Luke began, "but none of your people contacted us." Luke paused "Instead, an Imperial Tie Fighter pilot named Tycho Celchu made first contact with our patrols. And it would also appear that they have R2 with them, because his codes were used to get past the patrols." Luke looked at
something on his board, and then looked back up. "Our escort ships should be meeting up with them right now Leia."
"Good." Leia responded.
"Escort?" Odo asked.
"Standard procedure," Leia assured him, "The Mountains in this area are tough to navigate through at times, and we want to make sure that your people don't get killed on their approach."
******
"This is Gold Leader to Aries." The voice of the Y-Wings pilot came over the speakers, "This is where we part, and a special escort takes over. Please hold your position until they arrive."
Kira keyed the Comm button, "This is Aries, we understand, and will hold position. Thank you for the escort this far."
"Don't mention it Aires, Gold One out." The transmission cut out, and they watched as the Y-Wing turned around, and headed back to his post.
Just then, three ships came into view. All of them had a narrow section that started with a nose, and ended with 4 engines. Attached to those engines, was a set of double plated wings, with some sort of laser attached to it. There was a small window in the center of it, just large enough to see a head sticking out of it. Behind the pilot, sat an Astromech driod. Tycho walked up to the view port, and looked at the ship. "X-Wings."
"Why do they call them X-Wings? O'Brian asked
Tycho pointed out to each of the wings, "See how the wings are double plated," He saw O'Brian nod, "well, they are also known as S-Foils, or Stabilizer Foils, and in a battle, those wings split apart, to form an X shape. It makes the fighter more maneuverable in battle when they are opened, and when they are closed it gives them more speed. I always wanted to know what it was like to fly one of those things. Now I guess is my chance to find out."
Just then the Comm board lit up. Nog hit the controls, and a voice with sort of a British accent, came over it, "This is Lt. Wedge Antilles, X.O. of Rogue Squadron, to Federation Runabout Aries, do you copy?"
Kira looked at Nog, who in turn hit a button on his board. "This is Coronal Kira Nerys, to Lt. Antilles, we read you."
Wedges voice came over the speakers again. "Federation Runabout, our ships will escort you to the base. Follow me, and don't deviate from that course. Rogue's 4 and 5 will fly on either side of your ship, while I take up the lead."
"Achnoleged, Rogue X.O., we will stay with you. Aries out." Kira looked back at Nog, and he cut the transmission.
"Well, I will be damned," Tycho said, as soon as the transmission was cut, "Wedge Antilles." Tycho could see that the others clearly did not understand, "Wedge Antilles is one of the three survivors of the Death Star battle that I am sure that the Admiral told you about. It does not surprise me that he is a member of Rogue Squadron."
"Why is that?" Asked Nog.
Tycho considered what he was going to tell them for a minute, "Well Ensign Nog, Rogue Squadron was only formed a few months back, but they already have a reputation that rivals the oldest Squadrons out there." Tycho paused, searching for the right words, "They are literally the best of the
best. And from what I've heard, and from what I have heard, they specialize in the missions that no other squadron can do." Tycho then looked out the viewport again, and watched, as the Runabout entered the planet's atmosphere.
******
The modified Tie Interceptor, reverted back to normal space, a few seconds before the timer hit zero. The Hand did not need to user her abilities in the Force, to know that if the Federation was making contact with the Rebels, that she would come upon a patrol or two. As it was, she came out
of hyperspace, just behind a moon. It was there that she saw 3 Y-Wings, waiting for anyone to come into the system, and either stop them, or delay them, until the Rebel base could be alerted to the danger.
The Hand reached out with the Force, and touched each of the pilot's minds, projecting the image, that all was clear. She then took her Interceptor out into the open, and passed right in front of the Y-Wings, without any problems, and made for Ord Mantel, before anyone else came along.