Luke sat beside Leia, who, in turn, sat beside Han. They were in the debriefing room aboard the main Rebellion ship.
"With the information Admiral Piett has given us from the time he served for the Empire, we have found the location of the Emperor's new Death Star.
"The Jedi Knight, Bethia Hughting, has also given us information and we have found that the time to act is now. We know that this Death Star is only half completed and is not yet fully functional.
"I have word that the Emperor himself is personally overseeing the final stages of the construction of this battle station. General Madine," Mon Mothma called upon, stepping back.
"As you can see here, the Death Star is orbiting the forest moon of Endor. It is virtually defenceless but a strong force field protects it. Our plan is to send a strike force down to the moon's surface to destroy the power generator for this force field before any attack upon the Death Stark can take place.
"Once the force field is taken out, several fighters will fly into the Death Star and destroy the main reactor.
"At the same time, Admiral Piett and another strike team will penetrate the defences of the Executor and turn this against any other star destroyers in the vicinity. We have good reason to believe that Vader, too, will be somewhere near the Death Star."
Leia leaned over to whisper in Han's ear, "I wonder who they got to pull that other job off?"
"General Solo—" Leia's jaw dropped. "Is your strike team ready?"
Leia looked at him and her face showed her surprise. Han just gave her his cocky smile and said, "My team's ready, I just don't have a flight crew for the shuttle."
Chewie roared from the other side of Han. Han turned to him. "I didn't want to speak for you, buddy."
Chewie roared his reply to that and made Han smile. "Well, that's one."
"General, count me in," Leia said.
"I'm with you too," Luke added.
"That's settled then," Han smiled again. Soon everybody was filing out of the briefing room. Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie and Piett were the last ones to leave the room.
"Do you think it will work?" Beth asked her companion quietly.
"The Force is always in motion, young Master."
Beth couldn't help but smile and shake her head. "Master Ikrit, my name is Beth. I don't need the formalities. At least, not yet. I'll have to get used to it some day."
Beth stood up and prepared to leave the room when Admiral Akbar and Mon Mothma walked back into the room. They were clearly looking for someone, and Beth knew who when they saw her.
"Admiral Akbar," Beth greeted. "Mon Mothma. I'd like you to meet my companion, Ikrit."
"Welcome back, Beth," Akbar said in return. "I was waiting for your return. I was hoping to catch you before the meeting."
"I'm sorry I wasn't here before the meeting. I arrived back with Ikrit with just enough time to get here on time."
"That doesn't matter too much. As long as you're back for the attack on the Death Star. Which brings me to the topic I wanted to see you about. I'd like you to lead the attack."
Beth thought that over slowly and looked down at Ikrit. He didn't say anything, but stared back at her. She nodded. "I'll do it. As long as someone looks after my daughter." Beth turned back to Ikrit and asked a silent question. He nodded in reply. He would look after Myrrha.
c d
Piett was looking both shuttles over before giving the clearance for both ships. He didn't' really want to be interrupted from his thoughts, but he was.
"Admiral Piett," he heard a feminine voice call to him from behind. He sighed as he turned to see who had called to him.
His mind was on the only woman who had taken ownership of his heart. Any distractions from that, he was just not interested. The woman he saw coming to him was almost at his side. She had a grin on her face.
"Bethie!"
Beth's smile grew. "Come back to me, will you?"
"I could ask the same of you. Why don't you come with me?"
"I can't. I've been asked to lead the Rouges and the others into battle."
"That's insane! Can't someone else do that?"
"No. I was the only choice, according to Akbar, but I think Lando just doesn't want the responsibility of full command under Akbar himself. And don't forget who's flag ship the Executor is. You know, the one you are boarding."
Piett sighed. "You've got a point."
"And if I go with Luke and Leia, I'll endanger that whole strike team. Besides, there's nothing Vader can do if I'm in a Star fighter."
Piett nodded and pulled her into his arms, tightening them around her. "I want you to be careful, Beth. You're my whole world."
Beth returned his embrace. "I want you to be careful, too. I don't want to lose you to Vader."
He leaned down and softly placed a kiss on her lips. Releasing her, he said, "I'll do it for you."
"Well, you better go. I have to find Luke and Leia before they go."
Piett nodded. "I love you with my whole heart," he whispered before turning to board the shuttle his strike team was boarding.
Beth walked to the other shuttle and waited for Luke and Leia to arrive. She spotted Lando and Han talking a little way away, when she sensed Luke approaching. He saw her as she saw him. "Beth! You're back!"
"I arrived back just before the meeting."
"Are you coming with us?"
"No. I'm staying here to fight. You and Leia have to face him without me. Let's see the lightsaber."
Luke unclipped the lightsaber from his belt and handed it to Beth. She took it and looked it over. Nodding, she handed it back to him. Luke knew what she wanted him to do. Thumbing it on, he showed Beth the blade in action. Its colour was a deep sea-green and Beth smiled in approval. "Good work." Leia had now appeared by Luke's side and Beth turned to her. "Let's see your blade now."
Leia handed her lightsaber to Beth, who looked it over. Her first thought was that of a well-pleased teacher. Each lightsaber was unique. "Very good. Now lets see the blade."
Leia smiled as she took the cylinder off Beth and thumbed it on. It was green, lighter than Luke's blade, but still a work of art.
"Very good to the both of you. Your last task is set before you." Beth could see a question in Leia's eyes. "No," she answered. "I'm not going with you. You have to face this yourselves. Vader will be ready for you to face him, Luke, but you will not be facing him alone." Sighing, Beth told them to go. "Whatever you do, be careful!"
"We will."
"And you might want to use this code. I had to use it to get off Naboo. It's one of the more recent codes."
"Thank you, Aunt Beth," the twins replied in unison.
Beth frowned and then left them to find Myrrha and Ikrit.
c d
Piett moved to the cockpit of the shuttle and sat in the pilot's seat. He watched as Beth moved to talk to Luke and Leia. Soon, she left and they disappeared into the shuttle.
He turned to the other crewmembers and said, "We need to go." Flicking a few switches on, he started up the shuttle to be going on his way. He didn't want to spend much longer away from Beth if he could help it. The month apart was now taking its toll on him. He knew in his heart that they had spent too long apart – far too long.
"Let's go," he whispered hoarsely. The co-pilot nodded and took off.
c d
Han looked out the view port of the shuttle at his ship. Leia, behind him, squeezed his shoulder. "Hey, you awake?"
Han turned to look at her. "Yeah. I've just got this feeling." He turned to look at the Falcon. Continuing, he said, "Like I'm not going to see her again."
Leia softly kissed his cheek. "Lets go, Han."
Han nodded. "Yeah. Okay Chewie, lets see what this piece of junk can do."