Luke blocked Vader's attacks again and again; the duel seemed to go on infinitely with neither one gaining any ground. Luke felt himself begin to tire and knew that Vader sensed it also. Yoda had taught him some dueling techniques, but he had never had an actual opponent before.

"It is pointless to resist the power of the Dark Side," Vader said.

Luke did not reply, but Vader could sense his anger grow.

"Together, think what we could accomplish for the Empire!"

"I hate the Empire and I hate you!" Deep down inside, Luke realized how childish he sounded, but he was too angry to care.

"Why?"

"You killed my father!"

"No, Luke. I am your father."

**********************

"Han!" Leia shouted, running over to where he and Chewie were standing knee-deep in swamp water, trying to figure out how to remove the Millenium Falcon from the swamp, where she was slowly but steadily sinking under the muck.

Chewie roared in reply.

"We have to leave now," she ordered. "There's a Jedi in trouble, I gotta go help him."

"In case you haven't noticed, the Falcon is sinking," Han snapped back. "And I don't have the time to chauffer you across the galaxy."

"Fine. Let's make a bet. I know how much you love to gamble."

"And what if I do?"

"If I can get your ship out, you take me where I want to go."

"What if you can't?"

"You can leave me here when you decide to leave."

"Deal."

"Move."

"What?"

"You deaf?" Leia shouted angrily. "Get outta my way!"

As Han and Chewie stepped out of the swamp, Leia reached out her hand and reached out in her anger to touch the Force. She felt strong, more powerful that she had ever felt before. She sensed the ship begin to rise out of the swamp as Han stared in silent stupor.

*******************

Yoda closed his eyes and shook his head as he felt Leia's use of the Dark Side. "Begun, it has."