Chapter 24: Joining the Alliance

Mara pulled her son close to her, still wanting to protect him even though the threat had passed. After hearing Leia's story of how she had found Ben, Mara had been irate. She had specifically told him to wait for them with the Darklighters. Now, Ben had nearly been taken by stormtroopers and the entire Darklighter family had been killed with the exception of Gavin. Mara pulled her head back to look Ben in the eyes. He had to know that she meant business. "Why did you run off like that?"

Ben looked at his mother with his innocent blue eyes and Mara could feel her ire slipping. Her son just had to inherit the same heart warming eyes as his father. The boy could get away with anything with the right look. "I wanted to help you mommy."

Mara turned her gaze away from Ben, unable to continue her lecture about obedience. Shaking her head, Mara muttered to herself "He's too much like his father. Now I'm going to have to keep them both out of trouble." Hoping Luke would be more capable of disciplining their son, Mara turned to find him. She looked down the corridor to see Luke sitting next to Gavin Darklighter against the wall. It could wait.

Luke looked toward the distraught young man next to him. 'This is my fault. If I hadn't brought Ben here, his family would still be alive.' He turned to Gavin and placed a supportive hand on the young man's shoulder. "I'm sorry. This is all because of me. If there's anything I can do…"

The young man looked at Luke through his tears. Nothing could be done to change what had happened. "You did all you could. My parents knew they were taking a risk by bringing your son in. They respected you and what you're doing. I just wish there was something I could have done. I feel so helpless."

Luke looked upon the young man upon him, remembering his feeling when he returned to find his home burning and aunt and uncle murdered four years ago. "I know how you feel. I thought the same thing when my aunt and uncle were killed, but there was nothing you could have done. But you have to go on with your life and make their memory mean something. There's not much left for you here and I can't guarantee that the Empire won't be back. If you want, you could come with us and join the Alliance, but it's your choice."

Luke could see the excitement in the Gavin's eyes through his tears. He was obviously enthusiastic about the opportunity before him, but Luke could still feel some doubt from Gavin through the Force. "You want me to join the Alliance. Will they even take me? I'm only sixteen."

Luke gave the boy a small smile. He could deal with those kinds of doubts easily enough. "It just so happens that minimum recruiting age is sixteen. I've seen you fly. I'll put in a good word for you. We always have room for a good pilot."

Gavin stood silent for a moment. He would have to leave his home, but there was little reason to remain here after what had happened. It was time for him to strike out on his own and do some good in the process. Perhaps, he would be able to find a new home on the way. Gavin's words were resolute as he made his decision. "I want to come with you. My family will not have died for nothing." Gavin paused and a curious look came over his face as he looked at Luke. "Does this mean I can take a spin in your X-Wing?"

Luke chuckled at Gavin's enthusiasm. He would fit in just fine with the other pilots in spite of his age. "First you need to log some time in the sims, but with that kind of attitude, you'll be flying with the Rogues in no time."

Luke sat in the conference room aboard Home One seated across from Alliance High Command, debriefing them on what had occurred during his absence. He had thankfully been given a few days to settle in after rejoining the fleet before returning to his full duties in the Rebellion. Admiral Ackbar had been more than accommodating in finding quarters for the returned Jedi and their companions, as well as giving Gavin the shot at piloting Luke had promised. But now, Luke had been forced to deliver his bad news. The Empire was going to be after them with its full fury once more.

Admiral Ackbar folded his arms in front of him and his gravelly voice was grim as he spoke. The information the Jedi had uncovered during their hiatus was disturbing. He had hoped to never see one of the Empire's superweapons again in his lifetime, but that didn't look like it was going to happen. "Commander Skywalker, if what you say is true, we could have little chance against this new Death Star."

Luke turned his gaze to his commanding officer. He knew that the admiral, along with the rest of the Alliance's High Command, was hoping that his news was simply a rumor. He regretted having to dash their hopes, but this was a threat that had to be addressed. "Admiral Ackbar, sir. Our source is reliable and I can't say this surprises me. The Empire is not about to allow all the time and research that went into the first Death Star to go to waste. And I don't think we can count on being able to exploit a similar weakness this time. We have to find it before construction can be finished or the chances of victory will become slim."

Luke turned to face General Madine as the former Imperial addressed him. He had wondered who would choose to address the other threat they had learned of. "And what of these rumors of a dark Force army? What do you suggest we do there?"

Luke took a deep breath and folded his hands in front of his face for a moment. It was time for him to let the Alliance know of his recent decision and hope things turned out for the best. Luke folded his arms in front of him and surveyed the members of the Alliance High Command across the table from him. "They aren't rumors. Vader is already well known and we encountered two others on Tatooine who were seeking out my son. I can feel the darkness in the Force slowly growing. The Emperor is gathering Force sensitives for his own purposes. The only chance we have against them is to train new Jedi to counter their threat." Luke sat up as straight as he could before continuing. "I am resigning my post as commander of Rogue Squadron. Commander Antilles has been a more than capable leader during my absence and will have no problem taking over my duties. My place now is rebuilding the Jedi. I seek the Council's approval of my decision and would like to request the Alliance's aid in my rebuilding efforts, but I will take on this task on my own if I must."

The room was silent for a moment. Luke was by far the best pilot they had and his leaving the ranks of the fighter squadrons would hurt them in missions, but he was also a trained Jedi Knight. If anyone stood a chance in front of Vader and whoever else the Emperor found, it was Luke Skywalker. Finally, Mon Mothma rose from her seat and spoke, stating what she felt would be the council's decision without wasting time debating the matter. "We are sad to lose your leadership and skills as a member of Rogue Squadron. But I believe I speak for the whole council when I say that we approve your decision and will give you what aid we can in your task. The Jedi were once a great power for good in the Republic. I'm sure they will be once again under your guidance."

Luke nodded gratefully to the leader of the Alliance as he sat back down in his seat. It would be much easier for him to focus on his task of teaching new Jedi with their support. "Thank you, Mon Mothma." Before the meeting could continue, however, the door opened to reveal a worried Wedge Antilles. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but we need Luke to come to the hangar now." Now worried himself, Luke quickly left his seat and hurried to follow his friend to the hangar.

Luke entered the hangar to see a number of security personnel forming a perimeter around a Corellian YT-2400 transport Luke did not recognize. Stepping through the line of security, Luke found the guards' blasters trained on a tall, blue eyed, brown haired man dressed in a grey flight suit holding his hands up in the air as he came down the ramp of his ship. Seeing the man, Luke wondered why Wedge seemed to think it was important that he handle the situation.

Luke's question was answered when he took a look at the man's belt. Standard lightsabers hung from each hip and a pair what appeared to be smaller versions of a lightsaber hung from his belt at the front. In addition, what Luke thought he recognized as a double bladed lightsaber was hooked to the back of the man's belt at both ends.

Luke reached out with the Force to get a gauge on the man. As Luke suspected, the mystery man was Force sensitive, but, thankfully, Luke did not feel darkness around him although he could feel some fear in the man. Luke turned to the security guards and told them not to fire unless he told them to and finally made his way to the ship's ramp. The man smiled when he saw Luke and offered his hand. "I'm Cort Abryan and I think we may be able to help each other out."