**********************************
Chapter Six: The Enemy Closes In
Luke Skywalker was deep in meditation in a clearing not far from Yoda's small house on Degobah. The sounds of the jungle around the Jedi Padawan were a distant distraction from the young man's intense concentration on the force.
It had been a strange couple of days for Luke, ever since Yoda became ill. He hadn't seen the old Jedi Master since that time. Obi-Wan stayed with Yoda in the dwelling, while Anakin supervised Luke's continuations of the Jedi Trials. No one told Luke anything about Yoda's condition. Instead, Anakin kept Luke focused on his trials, and did so with some since of urgency. It felt to Luke that time for his trials seemed to be running out, but why he could not fathom.
When a Jedi feels confused, he or she invariably does one thing: meditates. "The force," said Yoda, "is the one constant in a Jedi's life. Trust in it, ponder it, maintain your connection with it, you must. Sometimes, the force is the only ally you shall have."
So, Luke meditated, focusing his thoughts on the force. For some reason, the force guided Luke's thoughts to the cold, vague realm of the future. The future was always difficult to see in the force, and usually what is seen are strong images of emotion. Sometimes, these emotions are linked to a particular person.
In this case, Luke's impressions of the future seemed to be related to his Mother. He saw his Mother being pursued, hunted, but by who and where, Luke could not tell. Then, more disturbing impressions came to Luke through the force. Pain and fear. He felt his Mother enduring some kind of torture. Luke saw his beloved Mother screaming in agony, and the image shook Luke out of his trance.
He jumped up from the ground and began running towards Yoda's home in one quick motion. Luke was moving on emotion, on the feeling that permeated through the young man that his Mother was in eminent peril. All he could think of was to get to his Father, to tell him.
Luke burst through the door of the small house. He saw his Father and Obi-Wan, and began to speak to them. But then, he saw Yoda, lying on his bed in an extremely weakened condition. The image startled Luke into silence, temporarily forgetting why he had rushed into the dwelling in the first place.
"Luke," said Anakin solemnly. "I was just about to come for you."
"What's happened?" asked Luke, slowly coming over to join Anakin and Obi-Wan by Yoda's bed side.
"I'm afraid, Padawan, that Master Yoda's illness was far more serious than we first suspected," said Obi-Wan quietly. "He's...he's dying."
Luke thought he might have heard Obi-Wan wrong. "Wait, did you say....did you say Master Yoda...he is dying?"
"Yes, I'm afraid he is," confirmed Obi-Wan.
"But how can he be dying?" asked Luke.
"Not yet gone am I," said Yoda weakly. "Ugh, speak to me you can, Luke."
"I'm sorry, Master," said Luke, bending down beside Yoda's bed.
"Answer your question, I will," said Yoda. "Dying I am, young Padawan. Before I die, speak with you, I must."
"But, Master Yoda, you can't die," said Luke.
Yoda smiled slightly. "Strong am I with the force, but not that strong. Long have I lived. Productive life, it has been. Been good to me, the force has. Now, I must pass from this life. But, before I die...must see to one final task. Luke, pass the trials, you have. A Jedi Knight, you now are."
Normally, Luke would have felt like celebrating such news. He had worked almost his whole life to become a Jedi Knight. And now, Master Yoda, the last of the Jedi Council, has just proclaimed him a Jedi Knight. But, with the impending death of that same Jedi Master, Luke's reaction was more placid. A small smile was the only sign of happiness he outwardly showed.
Yoda smiled as well. "Happy, I am, to have proclaimed a new Jedi Knight, one last time. Come forward, Anakin Skywalker."
Anakin came forward, and kneeled before the Jedi Master's bed.
"Trained your Padawan well, you have, Master Skywalker," said Yoda. "Proud of you, I am."
"Thank you, Master," said Anakin. "I only hope that you can...forgive me for all that I did wrong along the way."
"Not perfect, we are, Skywalker," said Yoda. "Yet....still sense some darkness in you, Anakin. Always be there, it may. Continue to control it, you must."
"I won't let you down, Master," said Anakin.
"Obi-Wan," said Yoda.
Obi-Wan joined Anakin and Luke in kneeling beside the bed.
"Yes, Master," said Obi-Wan.
"You, Anakin, and Luke. When gone am I, the last of the Jedi, will you be. The hope of the galaxy, the hope of restoring balance to the force, lies with the three of you."
Yoda, turned his head to face the ceiling, and closed his eyes. The old Jedi Master took his last breath, and soon after, his body disappeared. Yoda had become one with the force.
**
The Imperial troops moved through the woods of Triall, several miles from the Naboo encampment. Leading them was Darth Hister himself, a black contrast to the white armor of the Stormtroopers that surrounded him. They moved through the shadows without making a sound. These were some of the best troops the Empire had, trained for stealth and for deadly efficiency.
"Sir," said one of the troopers to Hister. "We've captured an enemy scout."
Two storm troopers dragged a Gungan before Hister. "What is your name?" asked Hister.
"Gringnot," said the shaking, frightened Gungan. He had heard about Darth Hister, the right hand of the Emperor himself. Never did the Gungan believe he would actually see him, which would have been fine with him.
"Is Amidalla in the camp ahead?" asked Hister, with his snakelike voice.
"Mesa...mesa not knowing what yousa talkin..."
Before the Gungan could finish, Hister grabbed him by the throat with one hand, and lifted Gringnot into the air. Hister clenched his fist down on Gringnot's throat to choak him, but not enough to keep the Gungan from speaking.
"You have one chance to live," said Hister. "Tell me what I want to know. Is Amidalla in the camp?"
"Mesa...not knowin...." Hister choked out the last breath from Gringnot, and threw the Gungan's dead body into a tree. The body impacted with the tree, then bounced off it to the ground with a thud.
"She is there," said Hister. "He thought it in the moment before his death. Commander," he said, turning to an Imperial officer. "Prepare your men for the assault. Set your weapons for stun. I want them taken alive!"
"Yes, Milord."
***
"Milady," said Wedge Antilles to the sleeping form of Padme Skywalker. "Milady, please wake up."
"What..."began a half-conscious Padme, as she was shaken out of her sleep.
"Milady, Imperial troops are moving to attack. We must leave, now."
"What?" said Padme with a start. She quickly rose from her bed, and grabbed her blaster from the table next to her. "No, I'm not leaving my people. I will fight with them."
"No, you can't do that," said Wedge. "You are too important."
"How am I more important than any of these people, Wedge?" asked Padme with consternation. "I won't leave them."
"Oh, but you are important," said a man's voice.
Padme and Wedge turned and saw a man standing in the doorway, holding a blaster. It was one of the men who spoke out in support of Padme when she addressed the crowd the day she arrived.
"What are you doing?" asked Wedge.
"I am taking Lady Amidalla prisoner, for my employer when he arrives," said the man.
"Your employer?" asked Padme.
"Lord Hister," said the man. "He has paid me good money to make sure you were here when he arrived. I intend to make sure you stay here until he moves in with his troops, then present you to him."
"He wants me," said Padme.
"The Emperor does," said the man. "Therefore, Hister does. Therefore...I do."
A shot rang out in the darkness of the corridor behind the man. A look of pain appeared on his face, just before he collapsed to the floor dead, a blaster wound in his back. Standing behind him was Ralla, blaster in hand.
"Traitorous scum," said Ralla with venom. "Come, Milady, Grandfather told me to get you out of here."
"She's right, Milady," said Wedge. "You must go. Hister is here for YOU. If you fall into the Emperor's hands, the Rebel Alliance will be put in great jeopardy."
"What about my people?" asked Padme.
"My Grandfather is going to organize a defense now," said Ralla. "They will hold off the troops while you escape. They will protect you with their lives, Lady Amidalla."
"No, I can't allow that," said Padme. "I will go to Hister, and I will lead them away from the camp so that my people will be safe."
"No..." began Wedge.
"Wedge," said Padme. "Go with Ralla. Tell Governor Bibble to get my people out of here, and get them to safety."
"But, Milady, I can't let you fall into..."
"I don't intend to," said Padme. "Leia and Han are expected back within a day. I can take care of myself and hide until then, and at the same time lead away Hister's troops."
"No, I won't..."began Wedge.
"Wedge, as Lady Amidalla-Skywalker of Naboo, I ORDER you to obey my command," said Padme, her voice filled with practiced authority. She knew that Wedge would obey her. But to her surprise, she was wrong.
"Not this time, Milady, I'm sorry," said Wedge.
"I'm sorry, too," said Padme. She raised her pistol and fired twice, knocking Wedge and Ralla to the floor. Her blaster was set for stun, so they were only knocked out.
"I will not let my people be harmed because of me," said Padme to the unconscious forms. She then made her way past them, and ran out the door of the shelter.
****
Hister and his troops got closer to the camp. They would be there in minutes. Through the force, the Sith Lord knew their presence had been detected by scouts from the encampment. The Imperials had captured a few more of these scouts, and Hister ordered their execution. He knew now that Amidalla was there.
"She won't run," thought Hister. "She is stubborn, and won't leave her people. She will stay, and we will get her."
He reached out with his mind to locate Padme Amidalla-Skywalker. He had been in her presence before, in the Rebel base on Yavin, just before he was interrupted by Jedi Master Windu. Hister smiled as he remembered battling the aging Jedi, then decapitating him. It had been a satisfying kill, but he had lost his prize. Not this time.
When Hister located Padme with the force, he was surprised to find that the woman's presence was much closer to him than the camp, and getting closer. "Is she giving herself up?" thought Hister. "To save her people. This will make things much easier."
Just then, a shot rang out through the forest, and one of the storm troopers fell to the ground dead. Another shot rang out from the woods, and killed yet another trooper. Then, a woman's voice called out, "I'm here, Hister! Come and get me, you son of a bitch!"
It was Amidalla's voice. "So, the little lady wants to play games," thought Hister. "This should be fun."
"Commander," he said. "Have your troops spread out and find her. Remember, weapons fire on stun only. I want her alive."
"Yes, Milord," said the Commander.
-Well, kind readers, what do you think? If you've got a moment, I'd love to get feedback. Are you breathless with anticipation? Don't worry, I'll try not to keep you waiting as long this time for the next chapter.
Chapter Six: The Enemy Closes In
Luke Skywalker was deep in meditation in a clearing not far from Yoda's small house on Degobah. The sounds of the jungle around the Jedi Padawan were a distant distraction from the young man's intense concentration on the force.
It had been a strange couple of days for Luke, ever since Yoda became ill. He hadn't seen the old Jedi Master since that time. Obi-Wan stayed with Yoda in the dwelling, while Anakin supervised Luke's continuations of the Jedi Trials. No one told Luke anything about Yoda's condition. Instead, Anakin kept Luke focused on his trials, and did so with some since of urgency. It felt to Luke that time for his trials seemed to be running out, but why he could not fathom.
When a Jedi feels confused, he or she invariably does one thing: meditates. "The force," said Yoda, "is the one constant in a Jedi's life. Trust in it, ponder it, maintain your connection with it, you must. Sometimes, the force is the only ally you shall have."
So, Luke meditated, focusing his thoughts on the force. For some reason, the force guided Luke's thoughts to the cold, vague realm of the future. The future was always difficult to see in the force, and usually what is seen are strong images of emotion. Sometimes, these emotions are linked to a particular person.
In this case, Luke's impressions of the future seemed to be related to his Mother. He saw his Mother being pursued, hunted, but by who and where, Luke could not tell. Then, more disturbing impressions came to Luke through the force. Pain and fear. He felt his Mother enduring some kind of torture. Luke saw his beloved Mother screaming in agony, and the image shook Luke out of his trance.
He jumped up from the ground and began running towards Yoda's home in one quick motion. Luke was moving on emotion, on the feeling that permeated through the young man that his Mother was in eminent peril. All he could think of was to get to his Father, to tell him.
Luke burst through the door of the small house. He saw his Father and Obi-Wan, and began to speak to them. But then, he saw Yoda, lying on his bed in an extremely weakened condition. The image startled Luke into silence, temporarily forgetting why he had rushed into the dwelling in the first place.
"Luke," said Anakin solemnly. "I was just about to come for you."
"What's happened?" asked Luke, slowly coming over to join Anakin and Obi-Wan by Yoda's bed side.
"I'm afraid, Padawan, that Master Yoda's illness was far more serious than we first suspected," said Obi-Wan quietly. "He's...he's dying."
Luke thought he might have heard Obi-Wan wrong. "Wait, did you say....did you say Master Yoda...he is dying?"
"Yes, I'm afraid he is," confirmed Obi-Wan.
"But how can he be dying?" asked Luke.
"Not yet gone am I," said Yoda weakly. "Ugh, speak to me you can, Luke."
"I'm sorry, Master," said Luke, bending down beside Yoda's bed.
"Answer your question, I will," said Yoda. "Dying I am, young Padawan. Before I die, speak with you, I must."
"But, Master Yoda, you can't die," said Luke.
Yoda smiled slightly. "Strong am I with the force, but not that strong. Long have I lived. Productive life, it has been. Been good to me, the force has. Now, I must pass from this life. But, before I die...must see to one final task. Luke, pass the trials, you have. A Jedi Knight, you now are."
Normally, Luke would have felt like celebrating such news. He had worked almost his whole life to become a Jedi Knight. And now, Master Yoda, the last of the Jedi Council, has just proclaimed him a Jedi Knight. But, with the impending death of that same Jedi Master, Luke's reaction was more placid. A small smile was the only sign of happiness he outwardly showed.
Yoda smiled as well. "Happy, I am, to have proclaimed a new Jedi Knight, one last time. Come forward, Anakin Skywalker."
Anakin came forward, and kneeled before the Jedi Master's bed.
"Trained your Padawan well, you have, Master Skywalker," said Yoda. "Proud of you, I am."
"Thank you, Master," said Anakin. "I only hope that you can...forgive me for all that I did wrong along the way."
"Not perfect, we are, Skywalker," said Yoda. "Yet....still sense some darkness in you, Anakin. Always be there, it may. Continue to control it, you must."
"I won't let you down, Master," said Anakin.
"Obi-Wan," said Yoda.
Obi-Wan joined Anakin and Luke in kneeling beside the bed.
"Yes, Master," said Obi-Wan.
"You, Anakin, and Luke. When gone am I, the last of the Jedi, will you be. The hope of the galaxy, the hope of restoring balance to the force, lies with the three of you."
Yoda, turned his head to face the ceiling, and closed his eyes. The old Jedi Master took his last breath, and soon after, his body disappeared. Yoda had become one with the force.
**
The Imperial troops moved through the woods of Triall, several miles from the Naboo encampment. Leading them was Darth Hister himself, a black contrast to the white armor of the Stormtroopers that surrounded him. They moved through the shadows without making a sound. These were some of the best troops the Empire had, trained for stealth and for deadly efficiency.
"Sir," said one of the troopers to Hister. "We've captured an enemy scout."
Two storm troopers dragged a Gungan before Hister. "What is your name?" asked Hister.
"Gringnot," said the shaking, frightened Gungan. He had heard about Darth Hister, the right hand of the Emperor himself. Never did the Gungan believe he would actually see him, which would have been fine with him.
"Is Amidalla in the camp ahead?" asked Hister, with his snakelike voice.
"Mesa...mesa not knowing what yousa talkin..."
Before the Gungan could finish, Hister grabbed him by the throat with one hand, and lifted Gringnot into the air. Hister clenched his fist down on Gringnot's throat to choak him, but not enough to keep the Gungan from speaking.
"You have one chance to live," said Hister. "Tell me what I want to know. Is Amidalla in the camp?"
"Mesa...not knowin...." Hister choked out the last breath from Gringnot, and threw the Gungan's dead body into a tree. The body impacted with the tree, then bounced off it to the ground with a thud.
"She is there," said Hister. "He thought it in the moment before his death. Commander," he said, turning to an Imperial officer. "Prepare your men for the assault. Set your weapons for stun. I want them taken alive!"
"Yes, Milord."
***
"Milady," said Wedge Antilles to the sleeping form of Padme Skywalker. "Milady, please wake up."
"What..."began a half-conscious Padme, as she was shaken out of her sleep.
"Milady, Imperial troops are moving to attack. We must leave, now."
"What?" said Padme with a start. She quickly rose from her bed, and grabbed her blaster from the table next to her. "No, I'm not leaving my people. I will fight with them."
"No, you can't do that," said Wedge. "You are too important."
"How am I more important than any of these people, Wedge?" asked Padme with consternation. "I won't leave them."
"Oh, but you are important," said a man's voice.
Padme and Wedge turned and saw a man standing in the doorway, holding a blaster. It was one of the men who spoke out in support of Padme when she addressed the crowd the day she arrived.
"What are you doing?" asked Wedge.
"I am taking Lady Amidalla prisoner, for my employer when he arrives," said the man.
"Your employer?" asked Padme.
"Lord Hister," said the man. "He has paid me good money to make sure you were here when he arrived. I intend to make sure you stay here until he moves in with his troops, then present you to him."
"He wants me," said Padme.
"The Emperor does," said the man. "Therefore, Hister does. Therefore...I do."
A shot rang out in the darkness of the corridor behind the man. A look of pain appeared on his face, just before he collapsed to the floor dead, a blaster wound in his back. Standing behind him was Ralla, blaster in hand.
"Traitorous scum," said Ralla with venom. "Come, Milady, Grandfather told me to get you out of here."
"She's right, Milady," said Wedge. "You must go. Hister is here for YOU. If you fall into the Emperor's hands, the Rebel Alliance will be put in great jeopardy."
"What about my people?" asked Padme.
"My Grandfather is going to organize a defense now," said Ralla. "They will hold off the troops while you escape. They will protect you with their lives, Lady Amidalla."
"No, I can't allow that," said Padme. "I will go to Hister, and I will lead them away from the camp so that my people will be safe."
"No..." began Wedge.
"Wedge," said Padme. "Go with Ralla. Tell Governor Bibble to get my people out of here, and get them to safety."
"But, Milady, I can't let you fall into..."
"I don't intend to," said Padme. "Leia and Han are expected back within a day. I can take care of myself and hide until then, and at the same time lead away Hister's troops."
"No, I won't..."began Wedge.
"Wedge, as Lady Amidalla-Skywalker of Naboo, I ORDER you to obey my command," said Padme, her voice filled with practiced authority. She knew that Wedge would obey her. But to her surprise, she was wrong.
"Not this time, Milady, I'm sorry," said Wedge.
"I'm sorry, too," said Padme. She raised her pistol and fired twice, knocking Wedge and Ralla to the floor. Her blaster was set for stun, so they were only knocked out.
"I will not let my people be harmed because of me," said Padme to the unconscious forms. She then made her way past them, and ran out the door of the shelter.
****
Hister and his troops got closer to the camp. They would be there in minutes. Through the force, the Sith Lord knew their presence had been detected by scouts from the encampment. The Imperials had captured a few more of these scouts, and Hister ordered their execution. He knew now that Amidalla was there.
"She won't run," thought Hister. "She is stubborn, and won't leave her people. She will stay, and we will get her."
He reached out with his mind to locate Padme Amidalla-Skywalker. He had been in her presence before, in the Rebel base on Yavin, just before he was interrupted by Jedi Master Windu. Hister smiled as he remembered battling the aging Jedi, then decapitating him. It had been a satisfying kill, but he had lost his prize. Not this time.
When Hister located Padme with the force, he was surprised to find that the woman's presence was much closer to him than the camp, and getting closer. "Is she giving herself up?" thought Hister. "To save her people. This will make things much easier."
Just then, a shot rang out through the forest, and one of the storm troopers fell to the ground dead. Another shot rang out from the woods, and killed yet another trooper. Then, a woman's voice called out, "I'm here, Hister! Come and get me, you son of a bitch!"
It was Amidalla's voice. "So, the little lady wants to play games," thought Hister. "This should be fun."
"Commander," he said. "Have your troops spread out and find her. Remember, weapons fire on stun only. I want her alive."
"Yes, Milord," said the Commander.
-Well, kind readers, what do you think? If you've got a moment, I'd love to get feedback. Are you breathless with anticipation? Don't worry, I'll try not to keep you waiting as long this time for the next chapter.