Author's notes: And here we get to Endor! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, I appreciate it. And just so you know – Miraluka are a humanoid species born without eyes. They often wear elaborate veils over the upper half of their faces, though otherwise, they look completely like humans. And they can see through the Force… which is often better than normal eyesight.
Mara look-a-like – certainly not! Still rather DS, but also rather confused.
Amylion– much less sarcasm now that we get to the good stuff. Here you go. Thanks.
Doreen – thanks. Here you go.
X X X
Chapter XII
X X X X
The Imperial shuttle drifted through hyperspace, dropping out of it near the Death Star… and the convoy of Star Destroyers and cruisers patrolling nearby. The command ship was probably going to hail us – I immediately moved closer to the speakers, shoving Solo out of the way, though only slightly. Not enough for him to notice, I guess, since he was staring at the fleet with obvious fear. I didn't blame him. The Imperial fleet is huge… I don't suppose the Rebels expected this.
"If they don't go for this, we're gonna have to get outta here pretty quick, Chewie." Solo muttered, in case the holocom would activate suddenly.
As the Wookiee growled quickly… "We have you on our screen now. Please identify." An officer's voice said, quite tonelessly. Compared to the usual barking, it sounded quite friendly, really.
"Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of the deflector shield." Solo reported. I was surprised such a comedian could speak in such formal tones.
"Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code for shield passage."
"Transmission commencing."
I began typing in my code when Organa put a hand on Solo's shoulder, stopping him from asking me what the hell I'm doing. Shows how much attention he was paying during the meeting. Anyone very, very close to the Emperor should recognize it as my signature, you could say.
"Let's hope your code is intact." Organa muttered, and I sensed she was glaring at the command ship.
"It'll work. It'll work." Obviously, Solo was trying to assure himself of that, but there was no need for fear. All the arrangements have been made.
"Vader's on that ship." Skywalker suddenly noted, matter-of-factly, gazing at the command ship with fear. I, too, sensed the darkness that was there. Being a strong telepath (and proud of that), I could sense Vader's surprise and confusion. The first meant for Skywalker. The second, for me.
He wasn't able to project his thoughts most of the time, but I sensed little anger. No more than usual.
"Now don't get jittery, Luke." Solo said blithely, as if Skywalker were a lunatic. "There are a lot of command ships. Keep your distance though, Chewie, but don't look like you're trying to keep your distance."
Chewie barked a question.
"I don't know. Fly casual."
But Skywalker kept being ominous. "I'm endangering the mission. I shouldn't have come." He glanced at me.
"Easy, farmboy." I muttered, "Keep your hair on."
"It's your imagination, kid. Come on. Let's keep a little optimism here." Solo added.
It took just a few seconds from then, until a slightly nervous voice spoke. "Shuttle Tyridium, requesting report from agent Reid." All eyes were on me. I was also a bit stunned, really. Vader remembered that old codename I used two years ago? Surprising. He has really been keeping track of me and my actions, even though I assumed the Emperor never desired the two of us to be in one room for too long, let alone unite against him.
I shoved Solo out of the way fully, taking control of the ship. "Here Reid. I'm supervising technicians en route to the moon of Endor." There was an echo of mixed emotions passing through the Force. But Vader didn't want to confirm Skywalker´s hunch. He chose to speak only through others. Puppets. Like I once was. But he had no idea he remained one.
"They're not goin' for it, Chewie." Solo muttered after a moment of tension. I was quite relaxed – now that Vader confirmed it was me, he knew he had no authority to shoot the shuttle down. Even more so when his precious son was aboard. But he feared for Skywalker´s life, even if he wouldn't admit it to himself. I could tell. It was for the first time I ever sensed something like that from him. He hid it well, but it was very distinct. Almost unnatural when coming from him.
"Shuttle Tydirium, deactivation of the shield will commence immediately. Follow your present course." The officer replied after a tense minute.
"Piece of cake." I said to myself with an amused smirk – all sighed in relief since we were allowed to pass. All except Skywalker.
"One day, you're gonna have to explain what all that was about, 'agent Reid'." Solo noted with a grin – yep, he was back. "Scratch the 'i' and we have a new nickname for you."
"Don't make me create a nickname for you, Solo." No smirk. No grin. No smile. I take my work very seriously and even though my sarcasm is somewhat of a defense system, I know when to stop. There are times when you can mock and laugh and humiliate… this wasn't it.
X X X
The forest moon of Endor was a primitive little rock… from what the galactic databanks could tell you. A primitive species inhabited it, no industry, no nothing. Just the forest. If we'd ever be in need of wood, Kashyyyk and this place would be on top of the list of places where to get good, quality material.
Once we landed, the shuttle was abandoned – we and the small band of Rebels that were the contingent made our way up a steep trail. Organa and Solo were slightly ahead of us, as if competing for the leader position. But then they signaled us to drop to the ground. I quietly crawled to them to see what caused the shock. Two Imperial scouts with swoop bikes. Well, if they'd get away before we'd have a chance to kill them, this little party would be ruined.
"Shall we try and go around?" Organa asked, keeping her eyes on the Imperials. Her focus was good, really. I wouldn't want to be her opponent in a court trial. You could immediately see why the woman got so far.
But Solo shook his head. "It'll take time. This whole party'll be for nothing if they see us." We began crawling towards them, the rest of the team remaining on the spot. The edge of the clearing was the perfect spot – an attack from there would be easy. "Chewie and I will take care of this. You stay here".
"Quietly, there might be more of them out there." Skywalker warned, ominous once again.
Solo grinned, "Hey... it's me." And the pair began making their way past the bushes, toward the scouts. Organa and Skywalker exchanged slight smiles – obviously, this has happened before.
But I was worried. Stealth was my specialization and asking an untrained Wookiee to do it wasn't exactly good. Well, Solo was no better. Especially when he stepped on a twig and one of the scouts hit him hard. And naturally, he shouted at the other scout to get help. I slapped my forehead. Amateurs.
"Great. Let's go." I was surprised. Farmboy was capable of sarcasm? Two points for him. The twins took off, blasters drawn. Organa spotted some more scouts and went for the only swoop bike left. Skywalker hardly managed to jump on it before she managed to start the engines and take off. I raised my eyebrows and nodded. Not bad.
"Hey, wait!" Solo called before flipping the remaining scout to the ground. I kicked him, just fore good measure. He wasn't going to wake anytime soon. "What the hell are those two thinking? Swoop bikes in the forest!? That's suicide!"
"I wouldn't underestimate Organa that much if I were you." I noted, still gazing in the direction they took off to.
"And Luke?"
"Decent enough."
Solo laughed, causing my eyes to immediately move to him. "Do you have some serious matter you wish to discuss, or will you just keep making jokes or giving insane options?"
"I still don't understand what kind of relationship there is between you two. First, you're talking like friends, then you make fun of him. It's interesting to watch."
I was startled. 'Relationship'? There was none! Nothing beyond partnership, for the time being. Certainly no romantic interest! I might as well fall for a Wookiee… wait, rather not say that out loud. "I have no idea what goes on in your head, Solo, but it's interesting to watch how you make the wrong conclusions all the time."
He rolled his eyes, "The kid's almost drooling over you, Jade! Even a Miraluka would see it! Don't tell me a beautiful woman like you has never had guys looking at her like that."
"Like you look at Organa?" I hit a nerve with that one – he lowered his gaze, trying hard to avoid a mischievous grin… or something else, perhaps. "No, I never have. I never wanted such a relationship."
"Neither did I." He noted, still not looking at me, and silently walked away to the troopers.
