Thanks to Shawn Provoncha, Wasted21, JadeAlmasy, SunSoarer, Sara, Mara look-a-like, Pandora-moo, and DarkMoon90 for your kind reviews! They are much appreciated!
Oh, and I decided to do Force-talk now with bold and italicsso it will look like that. Eventually, I'll settleon something for that...maybe by the time this is finished.
Han Solo shifted uncomfortably on the hard seats in the briefing room onboard Home One. He managed to stifle a yawn that threatened to escape, while ignoring Chewbacca's knowing look at the same time. The big Wookiee was well aware that his partner had not gotten a good night's sleep in over two months, ever since the night a certain female had shared his bed and slipped away in the wee hours of the morning. Han felt like that was merely a coincidence. He was simply worried about Luke and Mara. Yes, that was it.
Han waved to Wedge sitting with Rogue squadron across the way and then turned to grin at Lando as the former Baron of Cloud City fell into a seat beside him. The two had finally come to an understanding of sorts about the events at Bespin. He and Lando would never have the close bond of brotherhood that Han shared with Chewie or with Luke, but they could be friends and Han was satisfied with that.
"Well, look at you. A general!" Han teased as he poked Lando's shoulder.
Lando grinned at him in return before saying, "I guess someone must have told them about my little maneuver at the Battle of Taanab."
"Hey, don't look at me. I just told them you were a fair pilot. I had no idea they were looking for someone to lead this insanity." Han had been flabbergasted when he'd found out that Lando was going to be leading the fighter pilots in the assault on the Death Star. It didn't sound like the Lando that he remembered from years past, but then Han himself wasn't the man he used to be either.
"I think I'm just the guy for the job. It's going to require someone with panache."
Han sobered for just a moment. "Flying against a Death Star ain't exactly a walk in the park, buddy. You'll have your work cut out for you."
Lando returned the solemn look, the expression on his face telling Han how relieved he was that the two of them were comrades once again and that Han cared enough to be concerned for him. "I can handle it, Han. I want to do this. The Empire owes both of us, and plenty other people, a lot and I like the idea of being the one to make them pay."
"Just watch your back out there, okay?" Han said gruffly, a little embarrassed at getting so sentimental. Chewie growled his agreement with Han's warning and Lando nodded at them both, promising to be careful.
The meeting came to order then, Mon Mothma and other members of the High Council explaining the plan of attack for the second Death Star. A murmur of shock and excitement rippled through the room at the news that the Emperor himself would be aboard the weapon. Han, usually bored to tears at inaction for any lengthy period, tuned out most of the meeting.
He perked back up when Madine looked at him and asked, "General Solo, is your strike team assembled?"
Lando and Chewie both turned to gaze at him in shock and Han realized they must have gotten to the part about him taking the stolen shuttle down to the forest moon of Endor. He grinned, somewhat abashed at all the attention.
"Well, my team is assembled, but I don't have a command crew for the shuttle," he admitted.
Chewbacca gave an affronted howl.
"It's gonna be rough, pal. I didn't want to speak for you."
(The life-debt is a matter of honor, Han. I would dishonor it if I allowed you to go without me,) the Wookiee grumbled, at once offended and touched at Han's consideration for him.
"That's one," Han said, feeling a surge of relief at Chewie's response, although he hadn't really doubted his co-pilot.
"We're with you, too," a voice spoke up from the doorway to the briefing room.
All heads turned to see Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade standing there, hand-in-hand, matching smiles on their faces. Han leapt up and moved towards them as Luke and Mara started down the stairs. They met in the middle as the meeting around them broke up, others taking the opportunity to say good-bye to friends they might not see again.
Wedge, Lando, and Chewbacca joined them as the group exchanged hugs and questions about what had been going on with each other while they had been separated. Han watched in silence for a moment as Luke talked quietly with Wedge, noting the outfits that the two Jedi-in-training had chosen to wear…all black. This was the first time he had really seen Luke well and up and about since the incidents on Bespin and he was a little startled at the change in his friend.
There was a maturity and a kind of serenity about Luke that had certainly not been there when he'd picked the boy and the old man up on Tatooine, or even as recently as when the Alliance had fled Hoth. While a part of Han was glad that his friend was all right and seemed to have mostly recovered from the trauma at Cloud City, another part of him missed that brash, eager, young farmboy.
Luke turned to look at him then, a knowing expression on his face, and he grinned at Han, seeming for just a moment like that farmboy once again.
"So, Kid, did you learn everything you need to know about this wonderful Force of yours?" Han said, only a little sarcastically.
"Somehow, I don't think I'll ever know everything I need to know, Han. But I learned enough to do what I need to do," Luke replied quietly.
Han glanced down to see the gleaming metal cylinder that hung at Luke's waist. He pointed to it, stopping short of touching it, some of his uneasiness about the powers that Luke seemed to have still coming through.
"Where'd you get the lightsaber? Thought you lost yours at Bespin?"
A sadness crept over Luke's face and Han regretted bringing the subject up, but the young Jedi answered him anyway.
"I built it myself."
"No kidding? Well, that's pretty impressive, Junior. Reckon that'll come in handy when we head down to Endor," Han said, wincing inwardly at the inane comment. There was something else he wanted to ask, but he didn't know if he quite had the nerve. Plus, he really didn't want to give everyone else more ammunition for the ribbing he was already taking about her.
"No, I don't know where she is," Luke said, quietly enough that the others didn't hear.
"Kriff, will you stop that!" Han shouted.
Dead silence. Han flushed and ducked his head, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. He looked back up in time to see Luke staring intently at Mara, who stared back for a moment and then nodded her head, almost as though they were talking to one another somehow, which really creeped Han out.
Mara turned to Chewie, Wedge and Lando.
"C'mon, you guys, Luke and I haven't gotten anything off the shuttle yet. You can help me get started," she said, while gently ushering them in the direction of the exit.
When they were alone, all the other Alliance members having trickled out of the room as well, Luke started to speak.
"Han-"
"Look, Kid, sorry about yelling. I've just been kinda worried about you and Red, that's all," Han said, trying to play it down. Luke just gave him that knowing gaze again, which was really beginning to get on Han's nerves. Who was the big brother figure here anyway?
"It's hard, isn't it? When things change, I mean."
"I'm not sure what you're talking about, Kid," Han said stubbornly. "And if you give me that look one more time, I'm gonna deck you, I don't care if you do have a lightsaber," he snapped.
"What look is that?" Luke asked, but Han could see the twinkle in his eyes.
Han merely glared at him and Luke chuckled, before getting serious again.
"I can understand what you're feeling, because I'm feeling the same thing. Everything's changing so fast, it's like I can barely keep up with it. You liked being the big brother-"
Han's glare intensified into a fierce scowl. "Are you doing it again? Lookin' into my head?"
Luke's face took on a slightly embarrassed grimace. "Well, I don't mean to-"
"You'd better figure out a way to stop it, that's all I have to say," he muttered. "I don't need anybody but me inside my head, you got that?"
"I'm still learning, okay? And if you want, I can sort of show you how to block me a little."
"But that would mean you messing around in my head, right?"
Luke sighed noisily. "Han, I would never try to read your mind without your permission. Not only would it go against everything I've learned as a Jedi, it would go against everything I've learned in being your friend…and your little brother."
Han's anger deflated rapidly and he looked away from Luke, somewhat embarrassed at the surge of emotion he felt. Luke reached out and put a hand on Han's elbow, drawing the Corellian's attention back to him.
"Look, I need your guidance just as much as I needed Master Yoda's guidance. I can't begin to express how grateful I am for everything you've taught me. You, Wedge, Chewie, Mara, you're all my family now and I…well, I love each and every one of you."
Han gave a nervous little cough, touched by Luke's heartfelt words and yet, at the same time the smuggler in him was very uncomfortable with such overt displays of sentiment. Luke seemed to realize this as he gave a cocky little grin that was very reminiscent of his big brother's.
"Of course, I love Mara in a very special way," he said with a smirk.
Han laughed, the tension between the two of them melting away. He tousled Luke's hair roughly and gave him a gentle shove. "Better not let her hear you say that, pal."
"Why do you think I waited until she left the room?"
"Hey, you did learn something from me after all!"
"I never thought I would see the day," Mara mused quietly.
Luke looked up from where he was stowing his gear on the stolen Imperial shuttle Tydirium in preparation for their mission to the forest moon of Endor, and then followed her gaze to where Lando and Han stood talking, both men gesturing elaborately. A grin crept over his face as a few of their words drifted over to the Jedi.
"I want you to take her. She's the fastest ship in the fleet!"
"Han Solo, willing to let someone else fly the Millennium Falcon. Are we sure the galaxy's not about to end?" Mara said.
"Nah, Han understands how important this is, that's all. Plus, I think it will be a point of pride for him if the Falcon is one of the ships that blow this Death Star. It helped take out the first one after all," Luke said as he straightened and casually draped an arm around her shoulders.
Mara reached up to take hold of his fingers with one hand, giving him a knowing look at the same time.
Establishing your territory still? she sent wryly.
Luke blushed slightly but didn't remove his arm. Mara Jade had been chased after by more members of the Alliance than just Luke Skywalker. Ever since they'd returned from Dagobah, Luke had pointedly let everyone know the exact nature of his and Mara's new relationship. Stubbornly, he leaned down to press a brief kiss to her lips.
Absolutely. I have to keep my eye on you, Ms. Jade, he sent back.
They looked up to see Han walking towards them, a vaguely worried expression on his face. A few paces away, he paused and turned back towards Lando Calrissian.
"I've got your word, right? Not a scratch?"
"Would you get going, you pirate!" Lando laughed as he walked up the ramp to Han's beloved ship.
Chewbacca grumbled as he joined Luke and Mara.
(That was not one of your better ideas, Han.)
Luke glanced up at Chewie with a sympathetic gaze. Wookiees didn't forgive easily and Han's partner still held some resentment for his 'cub' being placed in carbon freeze.
"Oh, can it, you big furball. It was the right thing to do and you know it. It's not like we'd be able to fly the Falcon on this mission. If Lando didn't take her, she'd just be sitting here in the docking bay."
(That may be true, but if he dents our ship, I'm going to dent him.)
Luke and Mara burst out laughing, but Han just managed a sickly kind of smile. The Corellian sighed and gave one last longing look at the Falcon as her engines began to fire up.
"What is it, Han?" Luke asked softly, feeling the anxiety of his friend even through the Force.
"Ah, I've just got a funny feeling, like I'm not going to see her again," he muttered.
Mara stepped up to him and kissed him on the cheek. Luke mockingly glared, bringing a reluctant grin to Han's face, while Chewie chuckled. Mara turned and put her arm through Han's and then did the same with Luke, pulling them close to her. It felt incredibly good for the three of them to be together the way they had been at the start.
"Come on, boys, let's go topple us an Empire," she said with a wink.
The Imperial shuttle glided into position nearby the SSD Executor. Behind that, the crew of rebels in the cockpit could see the incomplete Death Star, even more massive than the first one they had destroyed. It cast a pall over the tiny cabin and they waited nervously for the SSD to contact them after Han's hail.
"We have you on our screen now. Please identify," the impersonal voice crackled over the comm.
"This is shuttle Tydirium, requesting deactivation of the deflector shield," Han said tersely.
"Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code for shield passage."
Han took a deep breath and murmured, "This is it," before replying to the Imperial controller. "Transmission commencing."
Luke's mind drifted as he heard Han and Chewbacca sniping at one another, the Executor filling his field of vision. Something else filled his senses as he could clearly detect his father's presence, the two of them separated only by the void of space between the two craft. Neither of them reached out for the other, satisfied for the moment with just a hint of acknowledgement. Luke was unsure what this meant, for himself as the instrument of Vader's desire to overthrow his Master, or for the mission to Endor.
Mara's hand on his arm startled him slightly, and Luke became aware that Han and Chewie were worried now. The controller had unexpectedly asked them about their cargo and destination. Although Han had a ready answer, it was taking too long for the Imperial controller to grant them passage through the planetary shield. He turned his head to find Mara's gaze on him and saw that she was worried as well, but about him instead.
"Vader is on that ship." The words slipped from his mouth before he realized it.
Mara gasped sharply, her hand reaching down to take his, squeezing it reassuringly. Her presence brushed against his over their bond, offering comfort and support, which he gratefully accepted.
"Now don't get jittery, Luke. There's lots of command ships," Han said, but Luke could easily hear the stress in his voice as well as sense it in the whole of the cockpit.
"I'm endangering the mission. I shouldn't have come," Luke said quietly.
"That's the biggest bunch of bantha poodoo I've ever heard, Kid. And I think we've got bigger problems right now, cause they're not going for this. Chewie, get ready to-"
"Shuttle Tydirium, deactivating shield. Continue on your present course."
"See? I told you, nothing to worry about!" Han said smugly, even as Chewie rolled his eyes.
Luke's stare was still locked onto the Executor and Mara's apprehensive gaze was still locked on him. Vader was on that ship, whether Han chose to believe it or not. His father's presence called to him; subtly, yet strong enough that Luke had the urge – just for a moment - to instruct Han to dock with the SSD. And Lord Vader knew that his son was aboard the shuttle that he had just allowed through their shields to land on the forest moon. Luke was confused. Were they heading into a trap?
Do you think it's a trap? Mara's voice came over their bond, making Luke realize he wasn't shielding his thoughts as well as he'd assumed he was.
I'm not sure. Even if it is, we can't afford to give up this chance to destroy the Death Star. We'll never get this close to it again.
Is your…is he really on that ship?
Luke grimaced slightly at Mara's reluctance to even admit what Darth Vader was to him. That situation was going to be difficult for her to deal with for some time, another reason that Luke was reluctant to tell her of his plan to try and bring Anakin back to the Light Side of the Force.
Yes, I'm sure of it. He may still want to use me against Palpatine, so perhaps the Emperor himself doesn't know we're here. If it is a trap, it's probably just a trap for me.
Mara didn't reply to that thought in words, merely sent a flurry of worry and concern for him over their connection. Luke turned to look at her and brought their joined hands up to his mouth for a soft kiss, sending her as much reassurance as he could back over the bond.
"All right, you two. Cut out the mushy stuff back there. This is serious business," Han said in a teasing voice, obviously trying to relieve some of the tension that had built in the Falcon in the last few minutes.
Mara snapped back with a smart remark about Han's parentage and lack of social skills, causing Chewie to burst out with a barking laugh. Luke smiled along with them, but part of his mind was still swirling with possibilities as to why Vader had let the ship pass, none of them good.