Chapter 5 – Destiny Received
Dark Lady Viaan's Star Destroyer Compliance entered the Bolraan system just moments after the Death Star Omega obliterated the planet. She was furious.
"What do you mean, Omega has already cleansed the planet?!" screamed Viaan. "I'll have their whole crew skinned alive for this!" she fumed. More disturbing was she really meant it, and her crew knew it. They all busied themselves, trying to avoid any immediate retribution.
As she stalked menacingly towards the nearest member, her fury building, she stopped mid stride, suddenly distracted.
"It's here," she said mysteriously. A smile broke across her gaunt face. Turning to the captain, she ordered, "Head towards... there." And she pointed at a point in space with no obvious significance.
"Yes ma'am," replied the captain, relaying the command on to his navigator. Within moments, the Star Destroyer altered its heading from the Omega towards the point Viaan was intently studying through the observation window.
"Finally," muttered Viaan to herself. "Yes, yes, finally. I can feel it. So strong. But what is it?" she puzzled to herself. As she watched and felt the anomaly, using her dark powers of the Force, it vanished, leaving a small, ancient spaceship in its place. "Quickly, Captain," she ordered brusquely, "it must be something in that ship!"
"Ma'am," he responded cautiously, "The Death Star Omega has failed to return our hails. Should we not return there first to investigate? Emperor Vader has explicit orders regarding any potential problems with the Death Star Fleet."
Without turning to look at him, she simply clenched her fist silently, willing a small amount of the Force to concentrate within her grip. "No, Captain. I want that ship. The Omega can wait." And she emphasized the point by reaching out and grabbing the captain's heart with her power. The man convulsed involuntarily, spasming awkwardly until he fell to his knees onto the deck plates.
Just as she released her invisible grip on the captain, a series of green fiery lines sped past the observation window. The Death Star was attacking them! The blasts got closer and closer, until one actually landed a hit on the large craft. Smoke poured out from below the vessel, blotting out the view from Viaan's window.
She span about, incensed. "Do something!" she yelled at the blue faced captain.
"Yes, my Lady," he replied, coughing slightly as he regained his composure and turned to his crew. "Take us about! Prepare to jump!"
The Compliance slowly turned, its huge bulk difficult to move in tight manoeuvres. More shots rained down from the Omega, the small blasts from the Death Star strong enough shake the Star Destroyer without actually hitting it, such was the power of the weapon it possessed.
"No, what are you doing?!" cried Viaan. "I need that ship!"
But the captain knew a greater wrath faced him - and his family - if Vader's Lady should die under his command. "I'm taking us out of here, ma'am. We can't fight the Omega."
"You will do as I order, captain. Is that clear?" And she reached out her hand towards him again.
Before Viaan had could stop him, the captain gave his last order, "Jump..." And the Compliance disappeared into hyperspace as one last bolt from the Omega crossed its bow and Viaan's observation window lit up a brilliant glowing green colour.
(-O-)
Several rebel craft drifted amongst the many hundreds of refugee ships in orbit about Bolraan. As the Death Star Omega approached from beyond the small moon of that world, Jobe and his men co-ordinated a stealthy and cunning misdirection, sending some ships away from the huge menace, while others span in circles, in apparent panic. All the while, a small select group of ships plotted an indirect course to the Death Star, with Jobe in the lead craft.
With so many ships genuinely panicking as well, the small number of rebel ships went virtually unnoticed. Just like hiding a tree in a forest, he thought. The Omega came ever closer, and the rebel craft just drifted towards it. If any Imperial gunners saw the craft from the Death Star, they apparently didn't consider them a big enough threat to destroy. Let them collide with the station's bulk instead. Either way, they'd be destroyed. And besides, shooting too early before the main attack on Bolraan would possibly give the Death Star away. That was what Jobe had hoped their thinking would be. And he'd been right. None of his small group was engaged or fired upon.
The Omega grew in size before the rebels. This was the closest any of them had been before. It was immense, although not as large as the original Death Star, now designated Alpha, as the design had been streamlined over the intervening generations. Nevertheless, it was an awe inspiring sight. None could speak as the huge, grey bulk filled their entire view. A few moaned slightly as they were buffeted by the outer shields of the station. But with their own shields up, they managed to slip through the outer defences unscathed.
The rebel craft then felt the pull of the Omega's gravity. Much of the effect was artificially generated, but the sheer size of the station added a very real addition. Jobe had heard reports of several worlds and many asteroid belts stripped clean in the construction of this Death Star Fleet. Grand Moff Tarkin's vision had been an expensive one. What a pity he never saw it completed, thought Jobe with irony. The newly proclaimed Emperor Vader had no desire to share his power with the Grand Moff, and had watched his lungs being crushed aboard the Alpha shortly after defeating Emperor Palpatine in a mysterious battle of the Force. Just who had crushed Tarkin was a point of discussion amongst his men. That same day, news of the Dark Lady Viaan had first come to light. Was it her or the Emperor that had killed Tarkin? No-one knew for certain, other than the Emperor and her. It had been a busy and monumental day in the Empire.
The rebels fell towards the Death Star until they were almost at the same level as the highest gun towers. Then suddenly they applied their thrusters and flew off along the station's surface. They dared not signal one another, and so remained in comm silence. Not that they needed to communicate, as they all knew their destinations all too well, having studied the latest intell reports for weeks, surreptitiously obtained by various small rebel pockets throughout the system.
Each craft held twenty to thirty men and munitions. Most of them would assault the command centre of the Death Star Omega, while others would engage other vital areas of the station, such as the engineering section and, of course, the main laser control. It would have been impossible to take the entire station, but they had a chance if they could be stealthy and smart and take these key areas.
Jobe's craft landed, and within seconds they had cut and blasted an impromptu entrance into the side of the uppermost level of the bridge. The ensuing blaster fight had been fierce, but amazingly quick. The attack had come as a great surprise to the bridge crew, including the commander of the station. None were left alive by the time Jobe and his men had finished.
The other assault teams had faired much the same. All successful, even though they had sustained many casualties. The one, true regret was the attack on the main laser weapon station. It, unlike the command centre, was located much deeper below the 'surface' of the Death Star, and it had taken them a while to reach it. That delay had been dear, as it cost the entire population of Bolraan their lives.
Even so, it was a tremendous victory for the rebellion. A Death Star captured! Finally a difference might be made if they acted swiftly.
As the rebels hastened to learn the instruments and control systems of the Omega, the rest of the Death Star personnel began their own assaults upon the pockets of rebel held positions. The fight was far from over. There were many, many Imperial Stormtroopers assailing their doors, trying to blast their way in. It would be a long and bloody battle before Jobe could be sure they had truly won. But he was sure that they could do it. They must hold on.
Finally he got reports back from the main laser weapon assault group. They had gained control of the system and now had use of the most destructive force man had ever built! Jobe quickly made use of it, ordering salvos to be launched at an approaching Star Destroyer that had suddenly appeared before them. Second after second he waited for the laser to fire, until it burst forth a torrent of small, but deadly laser fire. The Star Destroyer, now mysteriously turned about and heading towards a small void in space not far from where Bolraan had once been, managed to escape any direct hits. But eventually the new rebel gunners managed to slice into the big craft, cracking its underbelly slightly and making it pour out toxic looking black vapour.
It wasn't long before the Star Destroyer retreated into hyperspace, and Jobe discovered a small and ancient ship floating where the weird void had been moments earlier. He put two and two together and signalled the ship, "This is Commander Q aboard the Rebel Death Star Omega. Hailing Biggs Darklighter on the Hope Remains. Come in, Mr. Darklighter."
(-O-)
Several weeks passed as Biggs and Charii drifted from system to system, aimlessly wandering the stars with no real destination or purpose in mind. They simply wanted to disappear.
Rumours reached their ears of the captured Death Star Omega's appearances in various locations throughout the Empire, and beyond. Apparently there had been an attack on Coruscant, just as Jobe had intended. But the Emperor's home world had survived, as they were met by three other Death Stars. Omega had fled, and was pursued by the rest of the Death Star Fleet. But it managed to evade them and had apparently been seen attacking smaller Imperial installations. At least two Imperial weapon construction worlds had been hit, one totally destroyed, the other made uninhabitable.
Worse still were the stories of Vader's retribution. Over one hundred worlds were destroyed in retaliation! The Death Star Fleet had been very active, annihilating any world where the Rebellion was suspected of having any influence. The remaining worlds were quickly becoming overcrowded with refugees. It was horrendous.
Charii had suggested they consider using her heirloom to go further into the future. Escape the calamity; the insanity. Biggs pondered the option with her, but wondered what the future would be like. Could it be even worse? There may be nowhere else to live! No worlds left to settle on. It just wasn't worth the risk. Not yet, in any case.
So he suggested they try one last world. He wasn't sure how he knew of it, as it had come to him in a dream the night before as they slept aboard the Hope, in between star systems. In fact, when he'd consulted the navicomputer for its location the following morning, it had been unable to locate it. And yet, Biggs knew its location. So he had put in the co-ordinates himself, amazed at how he could be so sure they were right. But they were.
The small ship popped into existence right above the planet, and Charii was amazed to discover no ships in orbit, and no signs of intelligent life or civilization obvious on its surface. And yet there was life. Lots of it. Animal life and plant life in abundance.
"Just where are we, Biggs?" she asked him.
Biggs looked down at the world as they approached, answering, "I believe it's called... Dagobah." And he held up a hand, "Just don't ask me how I know that. Until last night, I'd never heard of it."
Charii looked at him, bemused and a little over-awed. He'd explained the dream to her sheepishly, obviously not sure what it was all about. It was an insight bordering on the supernatural. Something her people called foresense. Her grandmother had had visions such as these. Even before that strange visitor had left her the heirloom.
Charii shivered.
"What I want to know is why there aren't any people here. With liveable worlds in short demand, this would be a prime candidate for emigration."
"I don't know," said Charii, looking back at Dagobah. "Let's take a look and find out, shall we?"
"Yes, indeed." And Biggs took them into the atmosphere.
(-O-)
The three landing skids touched down one at a time onto the uneven surface of Dagobah. Biggs did the best he could, but was unable to prevent the ship from finally lurching sideways as it settled onto the ground. Rain drizzled across the cockpit windows. In the distance could be seen the many thunderstorms tearing across the surface of the planet. This had been the only place not currently assaulted by the storms and also clear enough of trees to land. Even so, it was wet, windy and rugged.
Biggs released his grip on the controls. He'd been flying hard. The winds in the upper atmosphere had been turbulent to say the least. Tatooine had some pretty strong winds, especially high up, but nothing as rough and unpredictable as Dagobah had to offer. He didn't dare tell Charii how close he had come to losing control several times on the flight down. But each time he felt it slipping from his command, suddenly a break would appear in the clouds, or the wind would suddenly ease up, and he would regain control.
Almost like something - or someone - was looking after them. Weird, and a little scary.
Don't think about it, Darklighter, he told himself. Bad enough you dreamt this place up in the first place. Do go making it worse.
He shook himself from his reverie. "Okay, guys and droids, let's check out our new home," he said cheerfully, masking his misapprehension.
"Anything you say, oh cap-i-tan," laughed Charii in return. "Anything to get out of this 'molecule-shaker' for a while."
Biggs looked at her meekly, "Sorry about that. Hoped you wouldn't noticed how rough that was."
She just laughed in return. "Biggs, you're an amazing pilot! Just how you got us through that, I can't even begin to imagine," And she kissed him. Biggs took the opportunity to kiss her back, but with a little more passion than he'd done before. Charii, in turn, showed him her feelings by making it even more intimate.
George stood at the hatchway, looking back at the cockpit and the strange ritual taking place. "Humans," he said to himself, and went outside to survey the area.
(-O-)
It had been an interesting, and very hard few months since their arrival on Dagobah. Clearing enough land to build their cabin, and then the construction of that same dwelling had taken a lot of effort on all their parts. George had been the life saver. With his years of experience and multitude of programs for farming and such, he had made the process much smoother than either of the humans would have been able. In this age of technological dependency, neither of them really knew that much about 'living on the land'. Worse still for Biggs was his desert upbringing. It was very different here.
The small house now stood to one side of a generous clearing in the jungle. The trees they had cleared had been used to construct the perimeter fence, which prevented the many animals native to Dagobah from eating or destroying their newly planted crops. Even so, they would often test the fence's strength, nudging and charging it. The creatures had no fear of man nor droid, and had to occasionally be 'encouraged' to leave by a well placed blaster stun-shot into their hind quarters.
Their crops were now reaching maturity. George had hand planted every seed himself. Looking at him tending them, the two humans swore they caught him talking to each seedling as it sprouted through the very fertile soil. Apart from his father-like care of the crop, it was all thanks to George that they even had the seeds to plant in the first place. It had been he who had produced the tiny packet of Bolraan seeds from within his concealed compartment not long after they arrived. All those weeks ago, when Charii had requested to hide her family heirloom within his very body, he had suggested using a packet or two of seeds to act as cushioning. A very fortuitous suggestion.
The Hope Remains had been concealed behind the house. They had constructed a simple structure around the craft to disguise it and protect it from the frequent rains. Power leads from its energy systems ran into the main house, supplying them with some creature comforts, such as lighting, heating and cooking facilities when they first arrived. But they used it rarely now, relying on old fashioned wood fires and makeshift candles, afraid the Empire might stumble across this world and scan for signs of civilized life.
After their small supply of rations had run out, and before they could benefit from their crops, Biggs and Charii had been forced to revert to hunting as a means of survival. Charii was particularly good at tracking and shooting some of the smaller creatures in the surrounding area. One particular favourite of hers she called the Rancoon. It was a small, scaly creature with dangerous teeth. Fast and wily at times. And it was delicious.
Biggs had one cooking now as Charii came in with George. It was getting dark and the rain had started again.
"That smells good," Charii exclaimed as she came up behind Biggs, wrapping her arms about him. She kissed the back of his neck, and pressed herself against him. Biggs turned about in her embrace and gave her a wicked smile.
"So do you," he replied, kissing her face to face, putting his arms about her in turn.
A mechanical rumble from behind them paused their actions, as George said, "Excuse me ma'am, but you promised to connect me."
Charii gave Biggs a last peck on the cheek and turned about to the droid. "Yes, of course George. You deserve it after the work you've done today."
And she slipped from Biggs' grip. "I need to fire up the Hope to recharge our handsome droid, here. Is that okay, Biggs?"
"No problem. But just be sure you shut it down as soon as he's done." And he turned back to the meal he was preparing. "And then we can eat, too."
"Thank you, sir," George said. He followed Charii out the door again as she ran lightly to the ship.
Biggs smiled to himself as he set about the task of preparing their meal. I'm domestic, he thought to himself, and laughed out loud.
But less than a minute later, Biggs had lost his smile and was running full speed out of the house, grabbing a blaster hung close to the door.
Charii had screamed! And she sounded terrified!
Biggs bolted around the house to the shelter they'd built for their ship. It was getting dark out, and he had trouble seeing clearly in the dusk. But when he turned the last corner, an eerie glow instantly caught his attention. Charii was there, standing dead still in front of two ghostly figures. He instantly thought of her heirloom and the odd visions they had each time it was used. Was it happening again? Had it suddenly activated itself?
But no, there was no indication of that. It was still dusk, and the stars above were steady, not streaking by as he would have expected. Also, the figures were different this time. It was usually three individuals of roughly the same size, but here were two very different sized 'ghosts'. One was human sized, the other was tiny in comparison. Almost child sized.
He grabbed Charii and pulled her behind him, waving his blaster at the apparitions. "What do you want?!" he screamed at them, unsure if they would even understand him. But they certainly did, and the small one raised his hand in appeal. His other hand seemed to be holding a small walking cane.
"No need for your weapon, there is," he said. "We mean you no harm. No."
The two groups just looked at each other for a short time. The humans incredulously; the apparitions patiently. Biggs finally lowered his blaster and studied the larger of the two glowing figures.
"I... I know you, don't I?" he said, not really believing it as he said it. "You're that hermit from Tatooine. Old Ben, isn't it?" The ghostly man smiled and nodded silently in reply. "But how can this be? Just what are you?" Biggs asked.
"Messengers, we are," replied the small one. "Yoda, am I. This is Obi-wan Kenobi, my former padawan. Jedi's we both were once..." He paused, seemingly for dramatic effect,"...when we were alive!"
Biggs looked at Charii in disbelief. But she was staring straight at the one called Yoda. It was almost like she was trying to see inside him, so intense was her examination. She spoke, "You're him. I know it. The one who left that relic with my grandmother, all those years ago. A hundred years ago."
It was Yoda's turn to smile and nod in reply. "The same. Old I am, but even I could not live forever."
She shook her head, "How can this be? Two ghosts from our past. Are we hallucinating?" she pleaded to Biggs.
Ben Kenobi spoke for the first time, "It is the Force, young Charii. You have heard of it, I'm sure, but never believed it. Especially you, Biggs Darklighter."
"Well, yes, I've heard of it. At the Academy it was rumoured that Darth Vader was a disciple of that religion. But that's all I know."
"Vader, yes," Kenobi muttered to himself, a frown crossing his face before continuing. "But it's no mere religion, Biggs. It's very real, binding the whole galaxy together. Planets, stars, people... and Time itself. All are part of the Force, each with its own part to play." He waved his glowing hand in dismissal, "But you need not worry about that for now. All you need know is that you are part of it, as are we, and must listen to what we have to say."
Charii grabbed hold of Biggs' hand and said, "Then tell us, please. What is so important you have to come back from the dead to scare us half to death in the dark?" A look of frightened determination was visible on her face.
"I have something to ask of Biggs," said Ben. "An old friend of yours needs you," he said, staring at him intently.
"Who? Everyone I know is dead... or long gone. How can I help 'him'?" Biggs implored.
Ben approached him, taking his arm in a ghostly hand, "Come, and I will tell you." And Ben led Biggs away.
Before Charii could utter a word, or try to follow, Yoda reached up a hand to Charii, having appeared right in front of her as she started to trail the others. "Lovely Charii. As beautiful as your grandmother, you are. Explain something to you, I must. Please?" he asked her imploringly; insistently.
"Yes, okay," she agreed as she tore her eyes away from Biggs walking into the night. The two walked in the opposite direction.
The droid George, left unnoticed beside the Hope Remains, intoned to himself, "I'll just stay here, then, shall I?" He sat down beside the craft, reached in and plugged himself in awkwardly. His systems went into standby as the ship charged his depleted systems. Unnoticed to even himself, the droid slowly fell to one side, toppling to the ground. Hours later, when he had finished recharging, he got up and grumbled to himself, "This is why I prefer others to plug me in..."
(-O-)
Yoda took Charii's arm and stopped her before him. She knelt down to see him more clearly. But he looked suddenly sad when he said, "Child, I am sorry to have done this to you and your family. Choices I had, hmm. But none were perfect. Best was this one, I am afraid."
"I don't know what you mean," she said, bemused. "If you mean that object you gave us, it has saved our lives! On more than one occasion! Don't be sorry, Yoda. I'm very grateful."
But Yoda put up his hand in denial. "No, child. If not for that object, you'd be in a very different place right now. A different time. Your own time. I have brought you here with young Darklighter for a reason. To show you a future none of us wants. A time when the Empire has gone mad. When the Emperor's child could very well destroy the entire galaxy in her madness! This must not be, no, it must not."
He paused a moment, looking into her eyes. "Also, you are here, on this world, my home, to live what life you can. As best you can. As long as you can. But the Force is in motion. The Dark Side is quick and powerful, and will not allow you much rest. No, little peace for you and Darklighter. Enjoy your short time here, you must. For what else do we fight the evils of this universe if not for some joy and peace?"
Charii asked, "What do you mean? I... I don't understand." She looked away briefly, uncertain she wanted to hear.
"I think you begin to, yes." And Yoda patted her hand. "A sacrifice must be made. Darklighter and you, both. Each must make one." A tear ran down her face as Yoda went on, "Young Darklighter's will be a noble one. Easy for him, once he knows. He has a quality to him. You know of what I speak, yes?" She nodded. "Of course you do. Special, he is. More so to you now, I suspect." She nodded again, the tears flowing across her cheeks. "Love him, you do." He looked into her dark eyes. "Then your sacrifice will be much more personal. You must lose the man you love. Allow him to fulfil his promise."
Wiping the tears from her face, she stood up angrily, "No! How dare you?! I will not lose him. I won't... I won't..."
Yoda looked up at her. "Look at this galaxy, you must. Worlds destroyed, people lost. Darklighter must be allowed to stop this. It is his destiny." Charii slumped again, the anger a brief reflection of her denial, gone, replaced by sorrow. "Enjoy what we have given you, lovely Charii. A small time of peace for you both. You must accept this."
With that, Yoda was gone. Charii stood in the darkness, alone. She didn't move for an age.
(-O-)
When Charii returned to the cabin, Biggs was there, trying to salvage the burnt remnants of the Rancoon. Charii went up to him, and they hugged silently. They gripped each other fiercely, not wanting to let go.
Without uttering a word to each other of the news they'd each received, they made their way to their bed. They made love there and then. A fierce, hot, passionate love they'd not experienced before. A desperate love. They cried, they moaned, they even laughed. But they spoke not a word.
(-O-)
The two ghostly blue figures stood on the outskirts of the clearing, looking at the cabin as Charii entered. Moments later, the lights within dimmed and went out.
Obi-wan Kenobi spoke, "Biggs took the news well, I feel. He was concerned for the girl, naturally. But we can rely on him to do his part, now that he understands the consequences." He looked down to his companion. "Master Yoda, you look concerned."
"Yes, Obi-wan, concerned am I. The Callite girl loves him deeply. Such emotion can cloud a mind. She may not easily let him go, when the time comes."
"Is there anything we can do?" enquired Kenobi.
The small figure shook his head. "No, we have done as much here as we can. The Force will look after the rest. But badly I feel for them, yes. Like this girl, I do. She will go though much pain, not just her anguish." He slumped his shoulders. "We must go."
And the two faded into the night.
(-O-)