Hey you guys, and welcome back.
I still can't figure out the HTML and won't worry about it anymore, it's not worth typing over. Sorry for the wait., personal things have arisen and I am relying heavily on my two Vanilla cokes. I would just like to thank you all for the reviews: Yes Reader, I had first posted this story there. Council person.. (Shudders) Hopefully it will be better and (cough)complete(cough) this time. And thank you Moyima, for the constructive criticism. :) Frankly, I believe I need all the help that I receive and I'm going to try to take things off here. So thanks to everyone. :) I shall do my best on this story, I promise.
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Chapter III
All storm troopers stood aside silently, watching the Millennium Falcon lock in descent on the docking bay floor. Many stood rigid, unmoving in the presence of their dark lord as many others slowly turned their heads to see the ship that had continually defied Vader, himself. Vader stood on a catwalk, well above the docking bay, and well out of range.
All was silent on the Falcon, as well, as all six passengers felt themselves slowly finishing their descent. Lando stood the nearest to the door, blaster rifle in hand. *'Ready' if you can even call it that..* The traitors on Cloud City had found the smuggling compartments during their sabotage. They wouldn't do any good to hide in, not that Vader didn't already know very well that the ship was not unoccupied.
Chewbacca stood in front of Leia blaster rifle against his chest. Han's words echoed in his mind. Han.. he was gone. He would get him back somehow, but now he was concentrating on protecting Han's love. Now he would do something for his lost friend. Now was the other time that Han had mentioned in the freezing chamber, and wookies didn't break their word.
Leia stood tensely, waiting. Hell. It had all gone to Hell. What would Vader do to them? Would he try to have her executed again? There would be no rescue this time. She didn't think that he would harm the droids or Chewie, nothing good would come out of it. If he wanted to see her suffer, he could do that directly. Lando, on the other hand.. Him helping them escape was the last thing she had expected to see. He had crossed Vader, himself, in the process. As confused as she was, and angry at Lando to betray Han, she didn't want the possible ally to die.
Leia nervously stumbled, catching herself on what turned out to be a spare compartment on the side of the ship. She had managed to grab on to the handle, opening it. It seemed that Han was as prepared as a smuggler on the run could afford being. Two spare blasters had tumbled out of the compartment. She muttered something silent that sounded like a thank you, now being able to back-up Chewie and protect Luke until he noticed. He was going to need it. Leia looked up in his direction to see him looking at her with concern glazing his eyes, and she gave him the second blaster..
*What the-- what does Leia think she's doing??* Luke Skywalker indignantly stepped off to the side. He would have no one standing in front of him. He too held his blaster close and tried to gather his thoughts to help protect his friends. Now he wished he had never set foot on Cloud City.
Vader.. Ironically, the one who had betrayed himself, according to Ben, and had murdered so many.. had been the one to finally tell him the truth. And it was a slap in the face.
Threepio stood next to Artoo, his golden hand supporting him on Artoo's domed head, making up for the absence of his leg. Artoo had his electo- jabber ready. Any second.
All was silent as they silently touched down...
Four soft, shallow breaths could be heard along with a quiet "Oh my.." and a barely audible questioning beep... *FLASH!!*
In a shower of sparks and a crash the Millennium Falcon's hatch burst open and crashed down to the floor.
The tension was immediately shattered and replaced by pure adrenaline rush as about ten Imperial storm troopers rushed in, blasters aimed high and set for stun. Before one shot could be fired, a clang and a yell could be heard from a one-legged C-3P0 who had started to balance as soon as the hatch had been blasted open. Startled, the Imperials made a critical error with brief foreign pause.
"What the-"
*BLAST BLAST BLAST!* were the flying noises heard as Lando, being the first one to recover fired, face squinting from the smoking door and brute force of the blaster rifle jerking back, shots going directly in to the white armored mass.
Then the dam broke loose..
The remaining seven troopers took no hesitation for looking at their fallen comrades, and returned fire. There was a whole ship of others just like them, behind them. Brief flashes of sparks from shattered circuitry, and the infamous haze of smoke smeared the scene from the blaster fire, which came in both in red blazes and cold, blue expanding rings to be avoided; For they meant the doom of defeat. C-3P0 lay, helpless, on the floor constantly shouting in fear and flailing his limbs about as if he were a grounded fish with appendages. He only succeeded in wailing and tripping those who were not wary of the placement of their feet. The boarding party of storm troopers was at an immediate, but never the less small disadvantage with their blasters set on stun, against rebels with nothing to hold back with capture imminent.
The orders from Vader would not be ignored for a quick death by blaster fire to some was better than the slow and sheer agony of his infamous strangling.. The rebels were putting up a surprisingly good fight, as outnumbered as they were, and more storm troopers had to be rushed in.
Every single member aboard the Millennium Falcon had known what was coming the minute they started to move backwards, from the onslaught. The results were not pleasant. Lando had advanced ahead of all of them, un-noticed, before any of the crew could protest. He turned to see if they were all right, never seeing the icy ring that connected brutally with the back of his head. He was the first to go down.
Luke cursed and rather ungracefully fired with his left hand, as best he could manage. R2-D2 did just the opposite of C-3P0, and wheeled in a kamakazi run, screeching with his little sparker giving off blue flashes, as his master and his friends defended themselves, desperately.
In the beginning, Leia had only needed those few frenzied shots to be fired by Lando, before she too snapped out of it and had fired herself, trying with all her might not to hit the large wookie that had rushed ahead of her almost immediately..
C-3P0 had continued to only assist by tripping many more soldiers. "Ouch! Watch it! I am down here you know!" he yelled, catching the view of at least one storm trooper, in the haze of fire.
"Down there!" the trooper yelled to another. "Get him!" his friend responded.
"No, no, that's quite alright. Wait! Put me down you plastic oaf! Help!" Threepio could only yell in vain as he was carried out of the ship, in a flustered heap, by the two storm troopers, thankful to have one of the rebels, if you could call him that, and to get out of the cross-fire.
His arms were in held, one in each hand, by one trooper, and the other had moved to attempt to restrain the droid's one flailing leg. Another trooper, then exited the ship. He had wanted a piece of rebel scum for a long time, and even though it was just a pathetic droid, he could not resist to throw what had just gone down in his face.
"Hey, Goldy! We'll get you and your friend a real nice place in the garbage bin!" he said mockingly, bearly audible over the resounding and continuing blaster fire, as he wheeled out the familiar form of R2-D2. The perseverance of an astromech droid could have would probably be remembered by more than one trooper from this day, as he was wheeled off inactive, with more than a small shock to his overloaded circuits. However, that was not nearly equal to how much he had given off in his short "run".
Chattering, horrified, Threepio pulled his good leg back and succeeded in knocking the trooped in the waist, toppling him over. His one yell of brief success was cut short when the first trooper gained some common sense, and shut him off at his neck.
Chewbacca was the next to be captured. He had thrown quite a few storm troopers into the controls of the Falcon before he was stunned, repeatedly from behind.
Leia had taken down quite a few until troopers had all but taken control of the ship. She didn't see Artoo and she heard a wail and turned just in time to see Chewbacca fall. She dropped down to Chewie's side protectively, draping over Han's loyal friend and trying to crouch for cover. Luke had continuously fired the best he could along the side of Leia. This time, the only thing to fear was failure, which was guaranteed in this short battle. It had been certain the second they had been caught in the tractor beam.
The battle had only gone on for a few minutes and this time, the reinforcements had their weapons set on kill and fired a warning shot past Luke and Leia, bearly missing their heads, and burning into the Falcon's wall. They were bluffing, but both Luke and Leia knew that they were well outnumbered. Storm troopers were lousy shots; That had been proven with the success of their last escape from the first Death Star. Even though they were in no position to help anyone right now, dying would certainly not do any good.
Reluctantly, they both put down their blasters and rose slowly, hands raises high in the air.
Several storm troopers had to literally drag the large, unconscious wookie out of the ship and put him in binders. It was a viewing show of who had betrayed the Empire, as the armed and ready storm troopers all seemingly watched. Vader had came down from his position, for this event, eyeing each of the prisoners.
The next to come was the lovely princess Leia. Definitely, as the late Tarkin had put it, charming to the last,as she was escorted in binders,with a trooper on each arm. She only looked forward, boldly and icily refusing to acknowledge Vader as she was walked away to a holding cell with all her prestige. After all, she was still the princess of Alderaan.
Vader just casually looked at the unconscious Calrissian, as he was half drug and carried past. It would've been more satisfying to see the traitor awake, but he would most certainly be later, when he had the time, patience, and pleasure to deal with him personally.
With one hand missing and a med cuff on, the binders proved ineffective and were not used as two storm troopers escorted Luke Skywalker out of the ship, in similar fashion to that of Princess Leia. With a battered face and blue eyes seemingly lifeless, he simply looked up as he passed Vader, as if he wanted to see. Then, almost as if it pained the dark lord to even see the sight of him, is own son looked forward again. Not that his son would dare to share anything with him, yet.
He would see about that.
Lord Vader had passively watched, as the five traitors with his accomplice son were escorted, carried, and drug away to their various holding cells, for now, at least. His slow breaths did not hitch as he, again, spied an unconscious Lando Calrissian. Surely he knew the consequences of his double- crossing not just the Empire, but himself directly. That seemed to be something that the former administrator excelled at.
Yes, Vader would enjoy Calrissian's face when he learned of his fate. At least he would have been among "old friends". Vader used Lando's words mockingly in his head, against him. *"I thought we had a deal"..*
Vader refused to look at the shut-down protocol droid, apparently now with some decent armor. He was just another pitiful creation made by a long dead child called Anakin.
Without registering it, he began to venture into thought again. How he had ever wound up in the mess, let alone with his son's little band, he would never know. Most likely from Tatooine. Could that bastard half brother of his be involved with this? He didn't even want to think about it.
His thoughts turned to when his son suddenly turned had face him. Seemingly in slow motion, straight in the mask, that was the only time when Vader felt his mechanized breaths would stop. He seemed to be regarding him for the very first time with defeat/confusion/sadness in his eyes. The vibrant colors of the galaxy were forever dulled to him through the yellowish brown lenses installed in his intimidating mask. But he could tell his eyes were blue; Just as his were. He hadn't seen himself in years. The Jedi were notorious liars but they knew when to trust their feelings and his feelings had been telling him he didn't want to see himself if he could. And just as suddenly as if it hurt to even look at him his own son turned away to face forward. Maybe he just wasn't up to the almighty Jedi standards apparently still passed on to every deceived padawan.
He was not the only one. No doubt the princess would not even consider to speak to him words equivalent of spitting in his face. She should be thankful. He should have let Fett shoot the damn wookie and sent the princess out of the freezing chamber. That would have been sweet vengeance. Instead, he had let Solo and the princess say goodbye.
She was a traitor, as he had told her aboard her own ship, himself, and he normally had every intention of tearing them apart. But her eyes. The desperateness had shone through as she almost begged with them for the smuggler pirate not to accept his fate on the platform. 'Her' eyes begging him not to leave her. *"Please don't do this Ani.."* Vader's thoughts abruptly stopped, startled.
NO. NEVER AGAIN!
He was brought back to the present, the six prisoners long taken away. He turned to Piett, who had since recovered from his shock of the successful capture of the rebels. "Admiral." He stated. "Yes, Lord Vader." It was never truly a question but a statement of compliance for accepting any given command. "Arrange for communication with The Emperor and set course for a return to Cloud City." "Yes, my lord." The response was unquestioning. Darth Vader left to go to the communication bay. The Emperor would be pleased.
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Lord Vader had a lot on his hands. The droids would be easy to take care of. The golden one would have its leg restored and serve as an interpreter of some sort. He could hold valuable rebel information. Either way, he would make good use of the droid, before he disposed of him. He did not know why he bothered. It was just lucky for him that he had once more, utterly locked all traces of the past from his mind.
However, if the golden one continued to prove him self the jittery, rambling pile of scrap metal he is, then he will become just that, scrap metal. The astromech might serve well. He had al ot of.. spirit. Very devoted. A quick memory wipe for both and maybe some reprogramming for the protocol should serve well enough. It was business, no time for feelings. Not that he would even consider caring.
So Skywalker was the only real liability. He was wounded and on the shaky side for now, but the Force was a powerful ally. There was no doubt in his mind that despite Skywalker's weakened condition, he could manage to use the force in his favor with the locks or to use mind tricks on the storm troopers. That was where Cloud City would come in. Let him jump out of the chamber with his friends on the line..
The wookie had no trouble showing his own distaste for the Empire. Perhaps he would like to join Captain Solo? The greedy hutt would pay handsomely to have Solo's accomplice and best friend in chains. For the wookie, Fett, Jabba's little call boy would probably come over for free and give him a share of the profits just to get the reward. But, no.
Fett would come regardless, and when he did he would receive another little gift for Jabba. The wookie might prove useful. How? He did not know yet.
But be certain that he would find out.
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The bounty hunter had seemed angry at the short notice of return. He would be here in a day or two. No matter they both had things to do. And.. Ah, Princess Leia. He would enjoy waving all of this head traitor in the rebellion's face.
In the communications bay, Lord Vader waited for the emperor's ghostly image to appear in the air. His master's voice sounded irritated. "Yes, yes what is it?" he snapped.
The kneeling Vader looked up in acknowledgement. "We have Skywalker and his friends, my Lord." The emperor's voice suddenly changed to almost joyous. "Good, good. You will bring Skywalker to me?" "Yes, my master. But in order to capture him, we had a confrontation." "Confrontation? I trust he is not permanently damaged?" "No, my master but his right hand has been severed." The emperor raised a non-existent eyebrow. "Was this necessary?" He did not want him damaged for no reason. "Yes, and we have his friends except for one that was useless, sent to Jabba the Hutt." "I trust you will then put his friends to good use and bring Skywalker to me?" "Yes, my master." "Good." Palpatine ended the conversation. The transmission blinked off and Vader rose. Even as they were on their way to Cloud City, he still had business to take care of.
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Lando Calrissian was just waking up stiffly. As he looked around, he took in his new surroundings with little surprise He didn't expect to be just left on the floor of the Falcon. Vader always used all his chips. He put a hand to his throbbing head, wincing in thought of what had happened to everyone else.
As he slowly sat up on the metal bench that doubled as his bed in his small cell, the door opened. He was not surprised when Darth Vader, cape flowing, entered and just plainly stood, ominously, after he had entered the doorway, allowing the cell door to hiss closed, behind him.
Although Lando would be damned if he would give Vader the satisfaction of seeing fear come across his newly put on poker face, he suppressed the urge to scoot back into the wall he hoped that at least Vader's cape got stuck in the door when he left, if he was alive to see it..
Lando was the first to talk. "What do you want?" Vader didn't answer and that made Lando uneasy, his hand almost ready to go to his throat on instinct, but still not wanting to give Vader the pleasure. Finally, satisfied, Vader spoke. "You are no longer of my concern." Lando was somewhat startled at the bluntness of this. "What do you mean?" he asked, confused. "You can now have all the time that you wish to apologize to Captain Solo, though he won't be able to hear you. You are to be a gift to Jabba the Hutt." With that, Vader left with the door immediately clanging shut behind him.
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Cloud City was deserted and eerily quiet. Long gone were the various cloud cars that had zoomed past. Now night was upon them. The hallways were left with papers, strewn and trampled clothing, and even abandoned toys by a child.
No one had to tell Luke Skywalker where they were headed. Vader's or father's.. his words came back to haunt him. *"There is no escape."*
The last time he had been here, he had been wondering where Han was. When he got a good look at Leia aboard the Falcon, he just knew. They had tested it on him. On Tatooine, everyone knew of Jabba the Hutt, even off the planet, almost everyone knew of Jabba the Hutt.
Some said he took the ones he despised to the Pit of Carkoon.. Running from Jabba the Hutt while collecting money to try to pay off his debt as fast as he could wasn't anyone for Han to live. But now he didn't have a life to live. But now.. frozen forever in a rock.
For the first timec Luke regretted Han not leaving the rebellion as soon as he could. Luke silently promised himself. He would find some way to fix this and return to Master Yoda to complete his training. He would become a Jedi and never put anyone to risk like this again. If Vader was he father.. Luke shuddered. He felt absolutely sick all over again and his burnt wrist throbbed in phantom pain.
Then, Vader and the storm troopers holding him and pointing guns into his back stopped at a door. Vader spoke. "Leave us."
The doors opened and inside was the freezing chamber. A chill went down Luke's spine. "I assume you know what will happen to you?" Luke cringed involuntarily for Han. "Yes." Vader stared at his son for a moment. "The Emperor will be very pleased with you." "I will not turn. I will not help you." Vader almost ignored him and turned to stare down the boy. "You do not yet realize the power of the dark side." His son was shaken. Luke just needed time to think things through. Vader, what he had said.. Was he truly his- "It is your destiny."
Re-opening the door Vader called in the storm troopers and they escorted his son, bound by his upper arms, behind his back. He stood still, his eyes could not meet Vader. He was too weak.. As the platform lowered and the icy pain and desperation of it all sunk in with a shattered breath. Darth Vader almost closed his eyes in conflict..
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Suddenly the door to Lando's holding cell hissed open to reveal a group of storm troopers, all with blasters trained on him. "Get up." one of their voices came through their helmet. Lando knew this wasn't going to be a pleasant trip.
No one could have guessed what lay across the Dune Sea on such a miserable planet beyond the small tradings and towns. Overlooked by the higher powers of the galaxy, a cold shadow known to the planets inhabitants and a potential reputation booster for most smugglers and bounty hunters sat the grand 'palace' of Jabba the Hutt. A smoky texture was lightly strewn through the air as the various aliens and low-lives conversed. Jabba was in a jovial mood pulling on Oola's chain as she danced for him to Max Rebo's band and the vocals. Sy Snootles was singing accompanied by her close spike yellow haired Rodian friend named Greeta, and an exotic orange haired half- breed named Rystáll. Like some other more up-beat songs that were played, the large nozed Yuzzum, Joh Yowza would occasionally accompany the number by pushing out a note full scale from his vocal cords.
Things had been going good in Jabba's little smuggling world, especially lately. The Empire and rebellion were a mere squabble in his rather small mind. But hutts were not to be fooled. That squabble created a nice veil for smuggling to continue and far be it that now, of all times, some one on this pathetic backwater planet would stand up to him. The Empire was indeed growing but what interest would they have with Tatooine? He was no match for them but as a gangster lord he had to have connections. Today, in fact, was actually a bit of a celebration. His new favorite decoration hung in agony, on his wall.
Han Solo's frozen and sealed in carbonite was placed up for all to see, especially Jabba. Solo had had such a promising future too. He didn't care about anyone but himself and of course that damn wookie. Even with Chewbacca, he was a loner a heart, the Hutt liked to believe.
The very thing that had made him a good smuggler had eventually begun affecting his performance. He owed money for that cargo he had dumped to avoid being caught by a star ship and payments towards his debt began dwindling.
Word even had it that Solo had helped in the rebellion! Surely the boy was not that stupid. He had endangered the business and fallen behind. Jabba was a hutt with standards in his business to set, in a way Solo had double- crossed him. So instead of paying with cold hard credits, his recent half- empty promises for them, he had paid with himself in the end.
But it was a pity to lose such a promising young man.. maybe after a deserving sentence.. he could be reformed? But for now the music was loud, the party was illustrious and nothing could be better until that wookie was caught or- *CLANG!!*
The music stopped abruptly and all was silent as a bounty hunter entered the throne room. The crowd slightly parted as Boba Fett walked up to Jabba's flat platform/throne pushing a man in wrist binders by the left arm, who was one step to the right and in front of him while Fett held a blaster to his back.
Jabba then spoke in Huttenese. ("What is the meaning of this?")
It was rare to hear Fett talk but his voice sounding almost mechainical through his helmet said "I have brought you Lando Calrissian. He is a, or was, a friend of Captain Solo, until he betrayed him."
Suddenly the palace erupted in laughter along with Salacious Crumb's cackle. Through the midst of itc Jabba continued to speak. ("So, this is who I have to thank.")
Fett just slightly bristled at the joke as the Hutt had yet to thank him for all his service and Lando stared Jabba down in his globule's face while inside, he was erroding with shame. Jabba then dismissed Fett. ("You continue to give me best, one thousand credits extra; I like this one.") Then he waved the bounty hunter off to Bib Fortuna to receive payment.
Lando just stood there as two Gammorean gaurds were then called in to take him to his next cell. *At least it wouldn't be different from the past few days.* Lando recoiled as cold, almost slimy hands gripped both his arms and started to escort him away. And Han put up with creatures like this for how long? It was too late for sorry now; Lando would have to take matters into his own hands, but how? Oh, what the hell had he done? Jabba watched as Solo's former friend was taken away. He would have to keep him in mind.. He had told the boy time again that his only true friends lied within his palace.
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As the cell door slammed shut on Lando Calrissian, he turned around banged it once with his fist in frustration. It was certainly too dark to see, and only minimal light infiltrated through the tiny squared window, with bars, on the door. The placed reeked of decades of mold. *At least I hope that's mold..*
Putting his head down, Lando didn't see the form coming up behind him, or was even aware of its presence until it sneakily poked him on his shoulder.
Lando quickly spun around on his heel, and punched whatever it was in what he assumed to be its gut area. "UAH!" was the sound emitted loudly and surprised, followed by foreign and vibrant cursing. "Ay ke tohl vis secta et eunga!!!"
Lando just stared as a pair luminous yellow eyes, seemingly attached to two stalks by the way they were up in the air, lit up, slitted downwards in severe peevment. Then, the creature spoke in Basic. "What was that for!?"
"You surprised me." Lando stated dryly.
"Fool, you act that way around everyone or anything that surprises you around here and you will be dead before..!" he stopped his ranting advice. "Never mind that." What sounded like a he, said quickly. "What are you doing here?"
Annoyance came from Lando's voice. "Isn't it obvious!? I" The creature sighed but was persistent.
"I mean what did you do?" Lando couldn't believe this. Out of all the nosy.. fine. He'd humor the thing.
"I'm a gift." Lando spat out, exaggerative, throwing his hands grandly into the air.
"Some gift.." the creature said sardonically.
The scuffing of his fine black shoes could be heard as Lando whipped around, pointing his finger towards the alien. "Hey, watch it." He said. Then he tried to make conversation with the.. well whatever he was.. It was dark! "So.. what's your name?"
"Steve." The creature replied, to his surprise.
"Steve?" he asked, incredulously.
The creature's bulbous eyes slanted again, just like in holovid animation, and Lando couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
"It's exotic." the alien stated almost defensively. "When is the last time you heard someone with a great name such as Steve? What's that I hear? Never?"
Then mumbling was heard. "There's a good reason for that.."
"What??"
"Nothing. Oh and my name is Lando; Lando Calrissian." Lando sighed.
"Well, Lando Calrissian.. Perhaps we could reach a deal.."
Lando was wary of this game. But maybe the alien could help him get out of here.. Or help Han? He would watch it this time. There was only one way to find out.. "What kind of deal..?"
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I've tried my best to take my story away from movie quotes and the plot of The Empire Strikes Back, and I hope I've succeeded at least somewhat. If you decide to review, please be honest in what you think; It's the only way I'll learn. :)
You know where you can reach me. Once more, thank you for reading and I'll hopefully see you in Chapter IV.
I still can't figure out the HTML and won't worry about it anymore, it's not worth typing over. Sorry for the wait., personal things have arisen and I am relying heavily on my two Vanilla cokes. I would just like to thank you all for the reviews: Yes Reader, I had first posted this story there. Council person.. (Shudders) Hopefully it will be better and (cough)complete(cough) this time. And thank you Moyima, for the constructive criticism. :) Frankly, I believe I need all the help that I receive and I'm going to try to take things off here. So thanks to everyone. :) I shall do my best on this story, I promise.
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Chapter III
All storm troopers stood aside silently, watching the Millennium Falcon lock in descent on the docking bay floor. Many stood rigid, unmoving in the presence of their dark lord as many others slowly turned their heads to see the ship that had continually defied Vader, himself. Vader stood on a catwalk, well above the docking bay, and well out of range.
All was silent on the Falcon, as well, as all six passengers felt themselves slowly finishing their descent. Lando stood the nearest to the door, blaster rifle in hand. *'Ready' if you can even call it that..* The traitors on Cloud City had found the smuggling compartments during their sabotage. They wouldn't do any good to hide in, not that Vader didn't already know very well that the ship was not unoccupied.
Chewbacca stood in front of Leia blaster rifle against his chest. Han's words echoed in his mind. Han.. he was gone. He would get him back somehow, but now he was concentrating on protecting Han's love. Now he would do something for his lost friend. Now was the other time that Han had mentioned in the freezing chamber, and wookies didn't break their word.
Leia stood tensely, waiting. Hell. It had all gone to Hell. What would Vader do to them? Would he try to have her executed again? There would be no rescue this time. She didn't think that he would harm the droids or Chewie, nothing good would come out of it. If he wanted to see her suffer, he could do that directly. Lando, on the other hand.. Him helping them escape was the last thing she had expected to see. He had crossed Vader, himself, in the process. As confused as she was, and angry at Lando to betray Han, she didn't want the possible ally to die.
Leia nervously stumbled, catching herself on what turned out to be a spare compartment on the side of the ship. She had managed to grab on to the handle, opening it. It seemed that Han was as prepared as a smuggler on the run could afford being. Two spare blasters had tumbled out of the compartment. She muttered something silent that sounded like a thank you, now being able to back-up Chewie and protect Luke until he noticed. He was going to need it. Leia looked up in his direction to see him looking at her with concern glazing his eyes, and she gave him the second blaster..
*What the-- what does Leia think she's doing??* Luke Skywalker indignantly stepped off to the side. He would have no one standing in front of him. He too held his blaster close and tried to gather his thoughts to help protect his friends. Now he wished he had never set foot on Cloud City.
Vader.. Ironically, the one who had betrayed himself, according to Ben, and had murdered so many.. had been the one to finally tell him the truth. And it was a slap in the face.
Threepio stood next to Artoo, his golden hand supporting him on Artoo's domed head, making up for the absence of his leg. Artoo had his electo- jabber ready. Any second.
All was silent as they silently touched down...
Four soft, shallow breaths could be heard along with a quiet "Oh my.." and a barely audible questioning beep... *FLASH!!*
In a shower of sparks and a crash the Millennium Falcon's hatch burst open and crashed down to the floor.
The tension was immediately shattered and replaced by pure adrenaline rush as about ten Imperial storm troopers rushed in, blasters aimed high and set for stun. Before one shot could be fired, a clang and a yell could be heard from a one-legged C-3P0 who had started to balance as soon as the hatch had been blasted open. Startled, the Imperials made a critical error with brief foreign pause.
"What the-"
*BLAST BLAST BLAST!* were the flying noises heard as Lando, being the first one to recover fired, face squinting from the smoking door and brute force of the blaster rifle jerking back, shots going directly in to the white armored mass.
Then the dam broke loose..
The remaining seven troopers took no hesitation for looking at their fallen comrades, and returned fire. There was a whole ship of others just like them, behind them. Brief flashes of sparks from shattered circuitry, and the infamous haze of smoke smeared the scene from the blaster fire, which came in both in red blazes and cold, blue expanding rings to be avoided; For they meant the doom of defeat. C-3P0 lay, helpless, on the floor constantly shouting in fear and flailing his limbs about as if he were a grounded fish with appendages. He only succeeded in wailing and tripping those who were not wary of the placement of their feet. The boarding party of storm troopers was at an immediate, but never the less small disadvantage with their blasters set on stun, against rebels with nothing to hold back with capture imminent.
The orders from Vader would not be ignored for a quick death by blaster fire to some was better than the slow and sheer agony of his infamous strangling.. The rebels were putting up a surprisingly good fight, as outnumbered as they were, and more storm troopers had to be rushed in.
Every single member aboard the Millennium Falcon had known what was coming the minute they started to move backwards, from the onslaught. The results were not pleasant. Lando had advanced ahead of all of them, un-noticed, before any of the crew could protest. He turned to see if they were all right, never seeing the icy ring that connected brutally with the back of his head. He was the first to go down.
Luke cursed and rather ungracefully fired with his left hand, as best he could manage. R2-D2 did just the opposite of C-3P0, and wheeled in a kamakazi run, screeching with his little sparker giving off blue flashes, as his master and his friends defended themselves, desperately.
In the beginning, Leia had only needed those few frenzied shots to be fired by Lando, before she too snapped out of it and had fired herself, trying with all her might not to hit the large wookie that had rushed ahead of her almost immediately..
C-3P0 had continued to only assist by tripping many more soldiers. "Ouch! Watch it! I am down here you know!" he yelled, catching the view of at least one storm trooper, in the haze of fire.
"Down there!" the trooper yelled to another. "Get him!" his friend responded.
"No, no, that's quite alright. Wait! Put me down you plastic oaf! Help!" Threepio could only yell in vain as he was carried out of the ship, in a flustered heap, by the two storm troopers, thankful to have one of the rebels, if you could call him that, and to get out of the cross-fire.
His arms were in held, one in each hand, by one trooper, and the other had moved to attempt to restrain the droid's one flailing leg. Another trooper, then exited the ship. He had wanted a piece of rebel scum for a long time, and even though it was just a pathetic droid, he could not resist to throw what had just gone down in his face.
"Hey, Goldy! We'll get you and your friend a real nice place in the garbage bin!" he said mockingly, bearly audible over the resounding and continuing blaster fire, as he wheeled out the familiar form of R2-D2. The perseverance of an astromech droid could have would probably be remembered by more than one trooper from this day, as he was wheeled off inactive, with more than a small shock to his overloaded circuits. However, that was not nearly equal to how much he had given off in his short "run".
Chattering, horrified, Threepio pulled his good leg back and succeeded in knocking the trooped in the waist, toppling him over. His one yell of brief success was cut short when the first trooper gained some common sense, and shut him off at his neck.
Chewbacca was the next to be captured. He had thrown quite a few storm troopers into the controls of the Falcon before he was stunned, repeatedly from behind.
Leia had taken down quite a few until troopers had all but taken control of the ship. She didn't see Artoo and she heard a wail and turned just in time to see Chewbacca fall. She dropped down to Chewie's side protectively, draping over Han's loyal friend and trying to crouch for cover. Luke had continuously fired the best he could along the side of Leia. This time, the only thing to fear was failure, which was guaranteed in this short battle. It had been certain the second they had been caught in the tractor beam.
The battle had only gone on for a few minutes and this time, the reinforcements had their weapons set on kill and fired a warning shot past Luke and Leia, bearly missing their heads, and burning into the Falcon's wall. They were bluffing, but both Luke and Leia knew that they were well outnumbered. Storm troopers were lousy shots; That had been proven with the success of their last escape from the first Death Star. Even though they were in no position to help anyone right now, dying would certainly not do any good.
Reluctantly, they both put down their blasters and rose slowly, hands raises high in the air.
Several storm troopers had to literally drag the large, unconscious wookie out of the ship and put him in binders. It was a viewing show of who had betrayed the Empire, as the armed and ready storm troopers all seemingly watched. Vader had came down from his position, for this event, eyeing each of the prisoners.
The next to come was the lovely princess Leia. Definitely, as the late Tarkin had put it, charming to the last,as she was escorted in binders,with a trooper on each arm. She only looked forward, boldly and icily refusing to acknowledge Vader as she was walked away to a holding cell with all her prestige. After all, she was still the princess of Alderaan.
Vader just casually looked at the unconscious Calrissian, as he was half drug and carried past. It would've been more satisfying to see the traitor awake, but he would most certainly be later, when he had the time, patience, and pleasure to deal with him personally.
With one hand missing and a med cuff on, the binders proved ineffective and were not used as two storm troopers escorted Luke Skywalker out of the ship, in similar fashion to that of Princess Leia. With a battered face and blue eyes seemingly lifeless, he simply looked up as he passed Vader, as if he wanted to see. Then, almost as if it pained the dark lord to even see the sight of him, is own son looked forward again. Not that his son would dare to share anything with him, yet.
He would see about that.
Lord Vader had passively watched, as the five traitors with his accomplice son were escorted, carried, and drug away to their various holding cells, for now, at least. His slow breaths did not hitch as he, again, spied an unconscious Lando Calrissian. Surely he knew the consequences of his double- crossing not just the Empire, but himself directly. That seemed to be something that the former administrator excelled at.
Yes, Vader would enjoy Calrissian's face when he learned of his fate. At least he would have been among "old friends". Vader used Lando's words mockingly in his head, against him. *"I thought we had a deal"..*
Vader refused to look at the shut-down protocol droid, apparently now with some decent armor. He was just another pitiful creation made by a long dead child called Anakin.
Without registering it, he began to venture into thought again. How he had ever wound up in the mess, let alone with his son's little band, he would never know. Most likely from Tatooine. Could that bastard half brother of his be involved with this? He didn't even want to think about it.
His thoughts turned to when his son suddenly turned had face him. Seemingly in slow motion, straight in the mask, that was the only time when Vader felt his mechanized breaths would stop. He seemed to be regarding him for the very first time with defeat/confusion/sadness in his eyes. The vibrant colors of the galaxy were forever dulled to him through the yellowish brown lenses installed in his intimidating mask. But he could tell his eyes were blue; Just as his were. He hadn't seen himself in years. The Jedi were notorious liars but they knew when to trust their feelings and his feelings had been telling him he didn't want to see himself if he could. And just as suddenly as if it hurt to even look at him his own son turned away to face forward. Maybe he just wasn't up to the almighty Jedi standards apparently still passed on to every deceived padawan.
He was not the only one. No doubt the princess would not even consider to speak to him words equivalent of spitting in his face. She should be thankful. He should have let Fett shoot the damn wookie and sent the princess out of the freezing chamber. That would have been sweet vengeance. Instead, he had let Solo and the princess say goodbye.
She was a traitor, as he had told her aboard her own ship, himself, and he normally had every intention of tearing them apart. But her eyes. The desperateness had shone through as she almost begged with them for the smuggler pirate not to accept his fate on the platform. 'Her' eyes begging him not to leave her. *"Please don't do this Ani.."* Vader's thoughts abruptly stopped, startled.
NO. NEVER AGAIN!
He was brought back to the present, the six prisoners long taken away. He turned to Piett, who had since recovered from his shock of the successful capture of the rebels. "Admiral." He stated. "Yes, Lord Vader." It was never truly a question but a statement of compliance for accepting any given command. "Arrange for communication with The Emperor and set course for a return to Cloud City." "Yes, my lord." The response was unquestioning. Darth Vader left to go to the communication bay. The Emperor would be pleased.
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Lord Vader had a lot on his hands. The droids would be easy to take care of. The golden one would have its leg restored and serve as an interpreter of some sort. He could hold valuable rebel information. Either way, he would make good use of the droid, before he disposed of him. He did not know why he bothered. It was just lucky for him that he had once more, utterly locked all traces of the past from his mind.
However, if the golden one continued to prove him self the jittery, rambling pile of scrap metal he is, then he will become just that, scrap metal. The astromech might serve well. He had al ot of.. spirit. Very devoted. A quick memory wipe for both and maybe some reprogramming for the protocol should serve well enough. It was business, no time for feelings. Not that he would even consider caring.
So Skywalker was the only real liability. He was wounded and on the shaky side for now, but the Force was a powerful ally. There was no doubt in his mind that despite Skywalker's weakened condition, he could manage to use the force in his favor with the locks or to use mind tricks on the storm troopers. That was where Cloud City would come in. Let him jump out of the chamber with his friends on the line..
The wookie had no trouble showing his own distaste for the Empire. Perhaps he would like to join Captain Solo? The greedy hutt would pay handsomely to have Solo's accomplice and best friend in chains. For the wookie, Fett, Jabba's little call boy would probably come over for free and give him a share of the profits just to get the reward. But, no.
Fett would come regardless, and when he did he would receive another little gift for Jabba. The wookie might prove useful. How? He did not know yet.
But be certain that he would find out.
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The bounty hunter had seemed angry at the short notice of return. He would be here in a day or two. No matter they both had things to do. And.. Ah, Princess Leia. He would enjoy waving all of this head traitor in the rebellion's face.
In the communications bay, Lord Vader waited for the emperor's ghostly image to appear in the air. His master's voice sounded irritated. "Yes, yes what is it?" he snapped.
The kneeling Vader looked up in acknowledgement. "We have Skywalker and his friends, my Lord." The emperor's voice suddenly changed to almost joyous. "Good, good. You will bring Skywalker to me?" "Yes, my master. But in order to capture him, we had a confrontation." "Confrontation? I trust he is not permanently damaged?" "No, my master but his right hand has been severed." The emperor raised a non-existent eyebrow. "Was this necessary?" He did not want him damaged for no reason. "Yes, and we have his friends except for one that was useless, sent to Jabba the Hutt." "I trust you will then put his friends to good use and bring Skywalker to me?" "Yes, my master." "Good." Palpatine ended the conversation. The transmission blinked off and Vader rose. Even as they were on their way to Cloud City, he still had business to take care of.
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Lando Calrissian was just waking up stiffly. As he looked around, he took in his new surroundings with little surprise He didn't expect to be just left on the floor of the Falcon. Vader always used all his chips. He put a hand to his throbbing head, wincing in thought of what had happened to everyone else.
As he slowly sat up on the metal bench that doubled as his bed in his small cell, the door opened. He was not surprised when Darth Vader, cape flowing, entered and just plainly stood, ominously, after he had entered the doorway, allowing the cell door to hiss closed, behind him.
Although Lando would be damned if he would give Vader the satisfaction of seeing fear come across his newly put on poker face, he suppressed the urge to scoot back into the wall he hoped that at least Vader's cape got stuck in the door when he left, if he was alive to see it..
Lando was the first to talk. "What do you want?" Vader didn't answer and that made Lando uneasy, his hand almost ready to go to his throat on instinct, but still not wanting to give Vader the pleasure. Finally, satisfied, Vader spoke. "You are no longer of my concern." Lando was somewhat startled at the bluntness of this. "What do you mean?" he asked, confused. "You can now have all the time that you wish to apologize to Captain Solo, though he won't be able to hear you. You are to be a gift to Jabba the Hutt." With that, Vader left with the door immediately clanging shut behind him.
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Cloud City was deserted and eerily quiet. Long gone were the various cloud cars that had zoomed past. Now night was upon them. The hallways were left with papers, strewn and trampled clothing, and even abandoned toys by a child.
No one had to tell Luke Skywalker where they were headed. Vader's or father's.. his words came back to haunt him. *"There is no escape."*
The last time he had been here, he had been wondering where Han was. When he got a good look at Leia aboard the Falcon, he just knew. They had tested it on him. On Tatooine, everyone knew of Jabba the Hutt, even off the planet, almost everyone knew of Jabba the Hutt.
Some said he took the ones he despised to the Pit of Carkoon.. Running from Jabba the Hutt while collecting money to try to pay off his debt as fast as he could wasn't anyone for Han to live. But now he didn't have a life to live. But now.. frozen forever in a rock.
For the first timec Luke regretted Han not leaving the rebellion as soon as he could. Luke silently promised himself. He would find some way to fix this and return to Master Yoda to complete his training. He would become a Jedi and never put anyone to risk like this again. If Vader was he father.. Luke shuddered. He felt absolutely sick all over again and his burnt wrist throbbed in phantom pain.
Then, Vader and the storm troopers holding him and pointing guns into his back stopped at a door. Vader spoke. "Leave us."
The doors opened and inside was the freezing chamber. A chill went down Luke's spine. "I assume you know what will happen to you?" Luke cringed involuntarily for Han. "Yes." Vader stared at his son for a moment. "The Emperor will be very pleased with you." "I will not turn. I will not help you." Vader almost ignored him and turned to stare down the boy. "You do not yet realize the power of the dark side." His son was shaken. Luke just needed time to think things through. Vader, what he had said.. Was he truly his- "It is your destiny."
Re-opening the door Vader called in the storm troopers and they escorted his son, bound by his upper arms, behind his back. He stood still, his eyes could not meet Vader. He was too weak.. As the platform lowered and the icy pain and desperation of it all sunk in with a shattered breath. Darth Vader almost closed his eyes in conflict..
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Suddenly the door to Lando's holding cell hissed open to reveal a group of storm troopers, all with blasters trained on him. "Get up." one of their voices came through their helmet. Lando knew this wasn't going to be a pleasant trip.
No one could have guessed what lay across the Dune Sea on such a miserable planet beyond the small tradings and towns. Overlooked by the higher powers of the galaxy, a cold shadow known to the planets inhabitants and a potential reputation booster for most smugglers and bounty hunters sat the grand 'palace' of Jabba the Hutt. A smoky texture was lightly strewn through the air as the various aliens and low-lives conversed. Jabba was in a jovial mood pulling on Oola's chain as she danced for him to Max Rebo's band and the vocals. Sy Snootles was singing accompanied by her close spike yellow haired Rodian friend named Greeta, and an exotic orange haired half- breed named Rystáll. Like some other more up-beat songs that were played, the large nozed Yuzzum, Joh Yowza would occasionally accompany the number by pushing out a note full scale from his vocal cords.
Things had been going good in Jabba's little smuggling world, especially lately. The Empire and rebellion were a mere squabble in his rather small mind. But hutts were not to be fooled. That squabble created a nice veil for smuggling to continue and far be it that now, of all times, some one on this pathetic backwater planet would stand up to him. The Empire was indeed growing but what interest would they have with Tatooine? He was no match for them but as a gangster lord he had to have connections. Today, in fact, was actually a bit of a celebration. His new favorite decoration hung in agony, on his wall.
Han Solo's frozen and sealed in carbonite was placed up for all to see, especially Jabba. Solo had had such a promising future too. He didn't care about anyone but himself and of course that damn wookie. Even with Chewbacca, he was a loner a heart, the Hutt liked to believe.
The very thing that had made him a good smuggler had eventually begun affecting his performance. He owed money for that cargo he had dumped to avoid being caught by a star ship and payments towards his debt began dwindling.
Word even had it that Solo had helped in the rebellion! Surely the boy was not that stupid. He had endangered the business and fallen behind. Jabba was a hutt with standards in his business to set, in a way Solo had double- crossed him. So instead of paying with cold hard credits, his recent half- empty promises for them, he had paid with himself in the end.
But it was a pity to lose such a promising young man.. maybe after a deserving sentence.. he could be reformed? But for now the music was loud, the party was illustrious and nothing could be better until that wookie was caught or- *CLANG!!*
The music stopped abruptly and all was silent as a bounty hunter entered the throne room. The crowd slightly parted as Boba Fett walked up to Jabba's flat platform/throne pushing a man in wrist binders by the left arm, who was one step to the right and in front of him while Fett held a blaster to his back.
Jabba then spoke in Huttenese. ("What is the meaning of this?")
It was rare to hear Fett talk but his voice sounding almost mechainical through his helmet said "I have brought you Lando Calrissian. He is a, or was, a friend of Captain Solo, until he betrayed him."
Suddenly the palace erupted in laughter along with Salacious Crumb's cackle. Through the midst of itc Jabba continued to speak. ("So, this is who I have to thank.")
Fett just slightly bristled at the joke as the Hutt had yet to thank him for all his service and Lando stared Jabba down in his globule's face while inside, he was erroding with shame. Jabba then dismissed Fett. ("You continue to give me best, one thousand credits extra; I like this one.") Then he waved the bounty hunter off to Bib Fortuna to receive payment.
Lando just stood there as two Gammorean gaurds were then called in to take him to his next cell. *At least it wouldn't be different from the past few days.* Lando recoiled as cold, almost slimy hands gripped both his arms and started to escort him away. And Han put up with creatures like this for how long? It was too late for sorry now; Lando would have to take matters into his own hands, but how? Oh, what the hell had he done? Jabba watched as Solo's former friend was taken away. He would have to keep him in mind.. He had told the boy time again that his only true friends lied within his palace.
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As the cell door slammed shut on Lando Calrissian, he turned around banged it once with his fist in frustration. It was certainly too dark to see, and only minimal light infiltrated through the tiny squared window, with bars, on the door. The placed reeked of decades of mold. *At least I hope that's mold..*
Putting his head down, Lando didn't see the form coming up behind him, or was even aware of its presence until it sneakily poked him on his shoulder.
Lando quickly spun around on his heel, and punched whatever it was in what he assumed to be its gut area. "UAH!" was the sound emitted loudly and surprised, followed by foreign and vibrant cursing. "Ay ke tohl vis secta et eunga!!!"
Lando just stared as a pair luminous yellow eyes, seemingly attached to two stalks by the way they were up in the air, lit up, slitted downwards in severe peevment. Then, the creature spoke in Basic. "What was that for!?"
"You surprised me." Lando stated dryly.
"Fool, you act that way around everyone or anything that surprises you around here and you will be dead before..!" he stopped his ranting advice. "Never mind that." What sounded like a he, said quickly. "What are you doing here?"
Annoyance came from Lando's voice. "Isn't it obvious!? I" The creature sighed but was persistent.
"I mean what did you do?" Lando couldn't believe this. Out of all the nosy.. fine. He'd humor the thing.
"I'm a gift." Lando spat out, exaggerative, throwing his hands grandly into the air.
"Some gift.." the creature said sardonically.
The scuffing of his fine black shoes could be heard as Lando whipped around, pointing his finger towards the alien. "Hey, watch it." He said. Then he tried to make conversation with the.. well whatever he was.. It was dark! "So.. what's your name?"
"Steve." The creature replied, to his surprise.
"Steve?" he asked, incredulously.
The creature's bulbous eyes slanted again, just like in holovid animation, and Lando couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
"It's exotic." the alien stated almost defensively. "When is the last time you heard someone with a great name such as Steve? What's that I hear? Never?"
Then mumbling was heard. "There's a good reason for that.."
"What??"
"Nothing. Oh and my name is Lando; Lando Calrissian." Lando sighed.
"Well, Lando Calrissian.. Perhaps we could reach a deal.."
Lando was wary of this game. But maybe the alien could help him get out of here.. Or help Han? He would watch it this time. There was only one way to find out.. "What kind of deal..?"
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I've tried my best to take my story away from movie quotes and the plot of The Empire Strikes Back, and I hope I've succeeded at least somewhat. If you decide to review, please be honest in what you think; It's the only way I'll learn. :)
You know where you can reach me. Once more, thank you for reading and I'll hopefully see you in Chapter IV.