*******************************************
Chapter One: The Time Has Arrived
*
A fleet of star destroyers moved through the blackness of space like an unstoppable behemoth that nothing could stop. Amongst the huge ships were smaller craft, Imperial TIE fighters, which moved like gnats in swarms around their larger counterparts. The largest of these massive Imperial warships was a super star destroyer that acted as the command ship of the fleet.
Within the command ship, a cloaked figure stepped into a large holo-communication room. Under the black cloak was the yellowish hue of a Miralian face, and the cold stare of a Sith Lord. Darth Hister approached the holo-projection device, and kneeled before it. A large projection of Emperor Palpatine appeared before him.
"You have summoned me, my Master?" said Hister, with his snakelike voice.
"Yes," said the Emperor. "I sense that your search of the Dantooine system did not produce any results?"
"None, Master," said Hister. "The Rebels have eluded us, but I will find them again."
"I have a better idea," said the Emperor. "We have been trying to capture Skywalker, but with no success. He, his family, and their pitiful Rebellion evade our finest troops, and my own apprentice. But, I have a plan that, if successful, will bring Skywalker to come to me willingly. Attend, Lord Hister. This is what you shall do."
**
Four figures riding on camel-like animals called tan-tans moved toward the open hanger of the Rebel base on Hoth. The animals moved through the snowy ground without difficulty, but with some whines of complaint about the weight of the humans that had been on their back for three hours. The animals and the figures mounted on them entered the Rebel hanger, a cavernous room filled with ships, equipment, and people busily at work.
The leader of the group of four people returning from patrol on the tan-tans dismounted and removed his protective goggles and face mask. Anakin Skywalker's face, now revealed, took in the room for a moment before turning to his men.
"Good patrol, gentleman," said Anakin. "Get warmed up and get some chow. We'll go out again at mid-day tomorrow."
"Yes, sir," replied the three men, as they turned and made their way to their quarters.
"Ani!" said an excited female voice from behind Anakin.
Anakin smiled. Only one woman had that voice, and only one person in this whole universe still called him Ani. He turned just as his wife, Padme Skywalker, rushed into his arms. They embraced each other for a few moments, while the hustle and bustle around them did not stop.
"Hi," said Padme. "You cold?"
"Yeah," said Anakin. Then, with a playful smile, he added, "care to warm me up."
"Mmmm," said Padme, leaning in to kiss Anakin passionately on the lips. After a few moments, they broke the kiss. "Better?"
"Much," said Anakin. "Care to warm me up some more?"
"Sure, lets..."
"General Skywalker!" said a man's voice from the distance.
Anakin looked and saw a Rebel officer approach him. "General Skywalker, sir," said the officer. "Sorry to disturb you, sir, but General Kenobi would like to see you in the control room."
"Very well," said Anakin. "I'll be there presently."
"Sir," said the officer, before turning to go back the way he came.
"Guess our warm up will have to wait until later," said Padme, with a disappointed expression.
"Duty calls, I'm afraid," said Anakin. Then, he kissed Padme on the cheek. "See you later."
Anakin walked out of the main hanger and made his way through the ice walled corridors of the Rebel base. The Rebellion had to carve much of this base out of the solid ice and rock of the mountain the base was located in. It wasn't the most homely of bases, but it did conceal their location effectively from any Imperial patrols that might enter the Hoth system.
He entered the control room, and saw his former Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, speaking with one of the Rebel leaders. Anakin approached them from behind, but Obi-Wan sensed Anakin's presence as soon as his former Padawan learner entered the room. Obi-Wan said a few more words to the Rebel official, before turning to Anakin.
"How was your patrol?" asked Obi-Wan.
"We ran into one of those creatures again," said Anakin. "He tried to have one of my men and tan-tans for dinner, but I talked him out of it with my light saber."
"That's unfortunate," said Obi-Wan. "Those animals are natives to this environment, while we are the intruders. We can't really fault them for hunting in their territory, but our people's safety must also be protected."
"Yes, well, we can send a donation to the Hoth Wildlife Fund later, I suppose," said Anakin jokingly. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "Walk with me."
The two Jedi left the busy control room, and walked down the corridors in a more quiet section of the base. Only a few Rebel soldiers and officers past them in the hallway as they walked.
"I wonder why you insist on going on these patrols, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "You're a General now, and that's more of a job for a Junior officer."
"You know me," said Anakin. "I've always been rather hands on about things. You knew that when you recommended the Rebel council promote me."
"Well, whatever you think best," said Obi-Wan. "Now, let's talk about more pressing matters, specifically relating to your Padawan learner."
"Luke," said Anakin. "Is this conversation about what I think it is?"
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "You know I've been evaluating your son's progress for a year now. You've trained him well, my former apprentice, but now it is time for him to face the trials. It is time for him to become a full Jedi."
"Shall you conduct the trials?" asked Anakin.
"That is not my place, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "But I will participate. Luke is the first Jedi Padawan to undertake the trials in decades, since the purge that wiped out almost our entire order. That order is now dead, but a remnant remains. Luke represents a change in generations. He will be the first of a new breed of Jedi Knights who will hopefully be the guardians of a restored Republic one day. But for that transition to be complete, for the traditions of the Jedi to be fully observed and passed on, I feel that only one living being can conduct the trials."
"Master Yoda," said Anakin, saying the name of the former leader of the Jedi Council with automatic reverence. "He is to oversee the trials of my son."
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "I have been in contact with him through the force. He knows we will be coming soon."
"Is he still on Dagobah?" asked Anakin. "It still perplexes me why he hides there, when we could use his wisdom and guidance here."
"Master Yoda has his reasons, my former apprentice," said Obi-Wan. "We must trust in them. Now, I thought you should be the one to tell Luke of what is to come. We shall leave for Dagobah the day after tomorrow."
"I shall tell him, Master," said Anakin. "Thank you...for your confidence in him, and me."
"You should be very proud of him, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "He shall become a fine Jedi Knight."
***
"LEVLIN!" yelled Commander Wedge Antilles into the comm unit of his fighter. "Levlin, can you hear me?"
Both his ship and another were under heavy attack by four Imperial TIE fighters. They had been ambushed coming out of the atmosphere of a small planet on the outer rim a few minutes ago. Now, Wedge and the man he was calling to were fighting for their lives.
"I'm here, Wedge," said Levlin over the comm. "But I won't be for long! My main stabilizer's been hit. I'm not going to make it! You must go alone! Bring her to our people! She is the only one who can help them!"
"Dammit, Levlin! I can't leave you behind!" replied Wedge.
"You must," said Levlin. "Go! Bring her to them! I'll hold them off!
Wedge was silent for a moment as he watched Levlin's fighter turn and head straight towards the TIE fighters, firing madly at the Imperials. "Goodbye....my old friend," said Wedge, with a tear falling from his eye. He then increased speed and set an evasive course to Hoth. None of the Imperial fighters pursued him, and Wedge saw a bright flash behind him. The experienced Rebel pilot did not have to look to know that Levlin had overloaded his own engines, causing his ship to explode and probably take the Imperial fighters with him.
"I'll bring her to them," thought Wedge. "Don't worry, Levlin. Your death will not be in vain."
Chapter One: The Time Has Arrived
*
A fleet of star destroyers moved through the blackness of space like an unstoppable behemoth that nothing could stop. Amongst the huge ships were smaller craft, Imperial TIE fighters, which moved like gnats in swarms around their larger counterparts. The largest of these massive Imperial warships was a super star destroyer that acted as the command ship of the fleet.
Within the command ship, a cloaked figure stepped into a large holo-communication room. Under the black cloak was the yellowish hue of a Miralian face, and the cold stare of a Sith Lord. Darth Hister approached the holo-projection device, and kneeled before it. A large projection of Emperor Palpatine appeared before him.
"You have summoned me, my Master?" said Hister, with his snakelike voice.
"Yes," said the Emperor. "I sense that your search of the Dantooine system did not produce any results?"
"None, Master," said Hister. "The Rebels have eluded us, but I will find them again."
"I have a better idea," said the Emperor. "We have been trying to capture Skywalker, but with no success. He, his family, and their pitiful Rebellion evade our finest troops, and my own apprentice. But, I have a plan that, if successful, will bring Skywalker to come to me willingly. Attend, Lord Hister. This is what you shall do."
**
Four figures riding on camel-like animals called tan-tans moved toward the open hanger of the Rebel base on Hoth. The animals moved through the snowy ground without difficulty, but with some whines of complaint about the weight of the humans that had been on their back for three hours. The animals and the figures mounted on them entered the Rebel hanger, a cavernous room filled with ships, equipment, and people busily at work.
The leader of the group of four people returning from patrol on the tan-tans dismounted and removed his protective goggles and face mask. Anakin Skywalker's face, now revealed, took in the room for a moment before turning to his men.
"Good patrol, gentleman," said Anakin. "Get warmed up and get some chow. We'll go out again at mid-day tomorrow."
"Yes, sir," replied the three men, as they turned and made their way to their quarters.
"Ani!" said an excited female voice from behind Anakin.
Anakin smiled. Only one woman had that voice, and only one person in this whole universe still called him Ani. He turned just as his wife, Padme Skywalker, rushed into his arms. They embraced each other for a few moments, while the hustle and bustle around them did not stop.
"Hi," said Padme. "You cold?"
"Yeah," said Anakin. Then, with a playful smile, he added, "care to warm me up."
"Mmmm," said Padme, leaning in to kiss Anakin passionately on the lips. After a few moments, they broke the kiss. "Better?"
"Much," said Anakin. "Care to warm me up some more?"
"Sure, lets..."
"General Skywalker!" said a man's voice from the distance.
Anakin looked and saw a Rebel officer approach him. "General Skywalker, sir," said the officer. "Sorry to disturb you, sir, but General Kenobi would like to see you in the control room."
"Very well," said Anakin. "I'll be there presently."
"Sir," said the officer, before turning to go back the way he came.
"Guess our warm up will have to wait until later," said Padme, with a disappointed expression.
"Duty calls, I'm afraid," said Anakin. Then, he kissed Padme on the cheek. "See you later."
Anakin walked out of the main hanger and made his way through the ice walled corridors of the Rebel base. The Rebellion had to carve much of this base out of the solid ice and rock of the mountain the base was located in. It wasn't the most homely of bases, but it did conceal their location effectively from any Imperial patrols that might enter the Hoth system.
He entered the control room, and saw his former Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, speaking with one of the Rebel leaders. Anakin approached them from behind, but Obi-Wan sensed Anakin's presence as soon as his former Padawan learner entered the room. Obi-Wan said a few more words to the Rebel official, before turning to Anakin.
"How was your patrol?" asked Obi-Wan.
"We ran into one of those creatures again," said Anakin. "He tried to have one of my men and tan-tans for dinner, but I talked him out of it with my light saber."
"That's unfortunate," said Obi-Wan. "Those animals are natives to this environment, while we are the intruders. We can't really fault them for hunting in their territory, but our people's safety must also be protected."
"Yes, well, we can send a donation to the Hoth Wildlife Fund later, I suppose," said Anakin jokingly. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "Walk with me."
The two Jedi left the busy control room, and walked down the corridors in a more quiet section of the base. Only a few Rebel soldiers and officers past them in the hallway as they walked.
"I wonder why you insist on going on these patrols, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "You're a General now, and that's more of a job for a Junior officer."
"You know me," said Anakin. "I've always been rather hands on about things. You knew that when you recommended the Rebel council promote me."
"Well, whatever you think best," said Obi-Wan. "Now, let's talk about more pressing matters, specifically relating to your Padawan learner."
"Luke," said Anakin. "Is this conversation about what I think it is?"
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "You know I've been evaluating your son's progress for a year now. You've trained him well, my former apprentice, but now it is time for him to face the trials. It is time for him to become a full Jedi."
"Shall you conduct the trials?" asked Anakin.
"That is not my place, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "But I will participate. Luke is the first Jedi Padawan to undertake the trials in decades, since the purge that wiped out almost our entire order. That order is now dead, but a remnant remains. Luke represents a change in generations. He will be the first of a new breed of Jedi Knights who will hopefully be the guardians of a restored Republic one day. But for that transition to be complete, for the traditions of the Jedi to be fully observed and passed on, I feel that only one living being can conduct the trials."
"Master Yoda," said Anakin, saying the name of the former leader of the Jedi Council with automatic reverence. "He is to oversee the trials of my son."
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "I have been in contact with him through the force. He knows we will be coming soon."
"Is he still on Dagobah?" asked Anakin. "It still perplexes me why he hides there, when we could use his wisdom and guidance here."
"Master Yoda has his reasons, my former apprentice," said Obi-Wan. "We must trust in them. Now, I thought you should be the one to tell Luke of what is to come. We shall leave for Dagobah the day after tomorrow."
"I shall tell him, Master," said Anakin. "Thank you...for your confidence in him, and me."
"You should be very proud of him, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "He shall become a fine Jedi Knight."
***
"LEVLIN!" yelled Commander Wedge Antilles into the comm unit of his fighter. "Levlin, can you hear me?"
Both his ship and another were under heavy attack by four Imperial TIE fighters. They had been ambushed coming out of the atmosphere of a small planet on the outer rim a few minutes ago. Now, Wedge and the man he was calling to were fighting for their lives.
"I'm here, Wedge," said Levlin over the comm. "But I won't be for long! My main stabilizer's been hit. I'm not going to make it! You must go alone! Bring her to our people! She is the only one who can help them!"
"Dammit, Levlin! I can't leave you behind!" replied Wedge.
"You must," said Levlin. "Go! Bring her to them! I'll hold them off!
Wedge was silent for a moment as he watched Levlin's fighter turn and head straight towards the TIE fighters, firing madly at the Imperials. "Goodbye....my old friend," said Wedge, with a tear falling from his eye. He then increased speed and set an evasive course to Hoth. None of the Imperial fighters pursued him, and Wedge saw a bright flash behind him. The experienced Rebel pilot did not have to look to know that Levlin had overloaded his own engines, causing his ship to explode and probably take the Imperial fighters with him.
"I'll bring her to them," thought Wedge. "Don't worry, Levlin. Your death will not be in vain."