CHAPTER 13
It had been two days since they had left Tatooine. Luke, Han, Chewie and Cal received the spice package and transported it to the exchange. They received their payment and were on their way to Coruscant.
"Are you sure about this Luke?" Cal asked.
"Yep. A hundred percent sure."
"Okay so how do you want to do this?"
"Umm, I actually have no plans."
"What? So do you just want to burst in and drag Leia and go?"
"No, definitely not."
"Then?"
"I-I'll come up with a plan."
"WHEN?"
"Now, later, soon."
"Luke, we can't just burst in the place, drag the best candidate and be gone with it."
"Give me some time please."
"Fine." Cal said before going to take some rest.
Luke sat there confused. He never planned on how to do this. He could not just burst in. How was he supposed to do it? He sat there thinking. He then came up with a plan. Of course it was reckless, but it would do.
Leia sat in the library. She was reading a magazine which praised the empire. She was disgusted but there was no other magazine. Every single media was ordered to only praise the empire and its methods. There was a lock on the liberty of media too. There was a lock on liberty everywhere. It was just as her mother had told; the death of liberty comes by the hands of the people not their leaders. As she was lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Nora coming inside the library to where she sat. She had one look on her face; fear.
"Leia." She whispered. Leia reacted suddenly. It caught Nora off guard. It took her a while to calm down.
"It's okay, it's okay. Now tell me what happened?" Leia spoke as she dragged the girl outside slowly.
"Th-They a-are throwing out the candidates." She managed to wheeze out.
"What?" Leia blurted out.
"They are throwing out people who are below the rank of fifty." Nora managed to squeak out.
"WHAT? No they can't do this."
"They are doing this." Nora said in a high pitch voice which was not of her own.
"Well that is just bad. Don't worry; you are in the second rank."
"Yeah." Nora said normally.
"Look you are fine now." Leia said cheerfully. Nora only smiled at this but was caught off guard again when she heard high pitch screams. The two went to check it, while Nora was wheezing again. They moved to the corridor to find that candidates were being dragged out by the stormtroopers. Leia moved forward and asked a stormtrooper regarding the incidents.
"Yes drag them out. Don't leave rank number thirty-two. Right there pick her." He was commanding.
"Commander, this is princess Leia Organa. I wish to know what is going on."
"Oh we are just following the new orders of the emperor."
"Which is?"
"To remove all the candidates below the rank of twenty. Oh also the exams have been bought forward. They are two months after today."
"What? Why though?"
"Rebels, my lady, they have been troubling the empire for a long time."
"But I heard that they have been dormant for a while."
"Those slimy bastards are never dormant ma'am."
"Language, commander, you stand before a higher authority."
"Sorry ma'am just came out of the tongue. The point is the rebels have been attacking imperial bases in the mid rim few months ago. They might be dormant. But they do not know when to stop."
"They fight for one right which they gave away commander. That right is liberty."
"What good would it do anyways?"
"What good would your independence do? Do you think that people will be happy if their choices are limited and all doors of opportunity are shut?"
"That is the point ma'am. What good is it to fight for something which you have given?"
Leia was left dumbstruck by this question. She never questioned the reason the rebellion fought.
"You asked me whether people were happy to find all their independence and opportunity sucked out or not. The answer is definitely no but as I said why fight for something when you gave up in the first place? What good is it to fight for a lost cause? There are only two options for people now; choosing the empire or death, and nobody wants to choose either but nobody wants to die too. Let me ask YOU one question; what is the rebellion fighting for? Can you answer me?" the stormtrooper continued. Leia couldn't answer the question because she didn't know. "You can't answer because you know somewhere inside that I am right. Anyways good talk ma'am." He said before walking away.
Leia stood there in the light of her discovery. What was the rebellion fighting for anyway? Liberty was given by the people themselves and now the rebellion claimed to be fighting for it. She turned to face Nora who too was stumped by this. She too never stood back to realize it. All they knew and were told was that the rebellion fought for a good cause. From a certain point of view the rebellion was what the commander called them; terrorists, slimy bastard terrorists.
The point of the rebellion was the so called liberation of the galaxy. But nobody stood back to ask the liberation of the galaxy from what? This questions now haunted Leia, she was so blinded by the cause they fed her that she never stood back to question the actual reason they fought for. The galactic rebellion fought or a lost cause. A liberty submitted into the hands of the emperor by the ones who are fighting for it. Then why was the rebellion resisting the empire? Why doesn't it accept the drastic change which was bought so smoothly that nobody noticed it? Why though? Was it because its leaders weren't profited by the empire? Was it because they weren't ready for the empire? Was it because of the massacre of some religious leaders who were fighting for a failing democracy? Was it because the corruption which devoured the Republic was devouring it too? She didn't know. She needed her time to think about it. She needed answers and she knew she needed to be patient for it.
There was one day left to reach Coruscant and Luke was sitting with Han, Cal and Chewie in the cockpit. He finished explaining his plan and received beautiful reactions.
"Luke it isn't late to go to a doctor." Cal said with a serious face.
"You know, as for suicides, you are the best one to come up with a plan for." Han commented. Chewie just roared in acceptance with Han's statement.
"Hey guys, calm down. It is a good plan." Luke said.
"Luke, as Han said, it is a good plan but for SUICIDE. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is?" Cal started.
"Okay, mom." Luke replied. At this point Chewie roared something in caution. The three turned to the viewport.
"We are earlier than we should have been." Han explained.
"I thought you said that the hyperlane traffic would slow us." Cal started.
"Yeah I know but seems like it was clear. Must be wrong readings. So how do we do this again?"
"We will go in accordance to Luke's plan."
"I thought we agreed on something."
"I know that. But something tells me it is the only plan we shall need."
The millennium falcon then landed on one of the illegal landing platforms of Coruscant. The three landed on the platform. They moved forward and located three stormtroopers discussing with each other.
"You sure about this?" Han asked.
"Uh-uh." Luke replied.
Leia sat in the hall. In the recent days the security was tightened. The rumors flew that the reason was that Darth Vader was arriving to visit the twenty final candidates. Another rumor was that the emperor himself was COMING to visit the candidates. It was a laugh for Leia. She knew that the two couldn't come. They wouldn't. She knew it. The new security was strict. You couldn't move to any place without strict supervisions. The only place safe was the bathrooms and bedrooms. Lucky for Leia Artoo would always shoo away any troopers who tried to come into her room. The security was tighter than a Victorian corset. If anyone wanted to escape, it would be bloodshed.
It was late in the afternoon. The classes were cancelled. One year in the academy and two months later every candidate would be taking the exams. Time went through really quickly. It was just like yesterday that Leia entered and it felt like she would leave tomorrow. She suddenly felt a ripple in the force. She turned her head to face a stormtrooper behind her. The trooper was looking at her; she felt it. She got up and started to leave and as she expected the trooper followed her too. She walked towards her room with the trooper in trail. She then opened her room door and entered. The trooper as surprising as it was followed her.
"Who are you?" Leia asked with sheer venom.
"Hey that's kind of scary." A familiar voice came."
"I asked you a question." She replied. At this point the trooper entered her room without her permission and bolted the door from inside. Leia steeled herself and was in self defense position. The trooper then turned around and removed his helmet. Leia gasped in disbelief. It couldn't be.
"I'm Luke Skywalker and I am here to meet my sister."
"Luke." Leia squealed before running to hug him.
"Steady, steady. I just came." Luke said as he too hugged her. The two siblings hugged each other tightly. They were relieved to find that the other was fine and alive. Leia was beyond pleased to see her brother. As she hugged him she let the streams of past escape her eyes. All the pain, anger and emotion which she buried could now be removed. Luke hugged his sister and felt the love emanating from her. He too let the streams of regret flow from his eyes. All the regret he felt for not being there with his sister when she desperately needed him was now surfacing through the tears. Artoo had been deactivated as Leia had to charge her. Leia and Luke hugged each other and felt each other's tears fall on them.
"How did you come? Why did you come? Is Ahsoka there with you?"
"No Leia I came with Cal, Han and his new co-pilot."
"Han got a new co-pilot?"
"Yep it's a Wookie called Chewbacca. We call it Chewie for short. Cal too is in a stormtrooper guise. So is Han. The Wookie is with the ship."
"You guys came in that Mandalorian cruiser? For what?"
"No, no Han got a new ship in some bet which he won. It's called the Millennium Falcon."
"All right but why are YOU doing here?"
"I need you Leia."
"What?"
"Leia, my force-sensitivity is going weaker day-by-day. I can't even lift a rock nor defend myself with a lightsaber."
"Luke, are you telling me that you just came to get me to train you in something Ahsoka could do better in?"
"Well from a point of view, yes."
"Luke!" Leia called out in anger. "Get out." She hissed.
"Leia listen to me. That is not the only reason."
"Then what is IT?"
"It is YOU, Leia. I came to rescue you."
"From what?"
"From the emperor."
"Luke do you think the emperor will bother to come and see me?"
"Don't you guys watch the holo-news?" he said before striding towards Artoo and switching her on. Artoo beeped in alarm and recognition as she saw Luke. "I am fine Artoo. Turn on the latest news." A reporter had arrived in the screen; the headline was pretty terrifying for Luke.
TOP TWENTY SENATORS TO BE PERSONALLY TRAINED BY LORD VADER AND THE EMPEROR.
It has come to the latest notice that the top twenty candidates would be personally trained by the emperor and his right hand. This has been confirmed by Grand Moff Tarkin himself in a recent press conference. This shall be one step towards the destruction of the rebels and two steps towards the betterment of the galaxy. The reporter finished.
"This is five days ago. This was yesterday." He said before nodding towards Artoo. Artoo beeped in terror as she played the clipping.
REBEL BASE IN ALDERAAN?
According to the recent information provided by a source in the empire's top management, we have discovered the fact that the rebel base might be in the lush green hilly planet of Alderaan. It has been a flying rumor ever since. The empire's officials have declared that they would investigate in the matter. To start with the investigation, they will question Princess Leia Organa in the said matter.
Leia was left dumbfounded. That guy told it to the press out of everyone. Leia sat dejectedly on her bed. Luke moved forward and sat besides her comforting her. Leia placed a hand on her forehead. Luke sat besides her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Before he could say anything there was knock on her door. Luke then suddenly moved and placed the helmet on his head. He then stood behind her. But Leia told him to go to the bathroom and stay there. Luke protested but was silenced by Leia. He then walked past and stayed in the bathroom. Leia washed her face and wiped it. She then opened the door to face a bunch of stormtroopers. Five of them entered her room without her permission. Then one trooper dragged her out of the room. "HEY, stop." She said as she was being dragged. Luke then jumped in and said, "Hey I think they are going to need some help with the droid. Go and check on it. I will question the princess."
"Do you know what the questions are?" The trooper asked him.
"Of course." He said before grabbing Leia from the other arm. "Let us go ma'am" He said before dragging her to an empty room. "Did it hurt?" He enquired as he saw Leia rubbing her hand the place where the two men held her.
"You want to know?"
"Hey I am sorry all right. Look if you stay here, I can go and get the others and we can leave."
"With all the security around us?"
"Well that IS a problem. What do we do now?"
"I have a plan. But Alderaan will be in danger."
"Don't worry they have evacuated a bunch of Alderanian people anyways."
"Fine. Follow me."
The troopers were ripping out everything in Leia's room. Three were fidgeting with Artoo. Suddenly the trooper who was sent to question Leia came in panting. "The princess, s-she RAN away."
"WHAT? How did this happen?" The commander asked in disbelief. All the six troopers walked out of the room and stepped into the corridor. As soon as they stepped in the corridor, Leia who was holding a blaster stunned them all. Luke was standing there seeing this with awe. He had never seen his sister actually fight. She then nodded to him and Artoo. Artoo ran forward towards the hall. She then closed her eyes and reached out to the force. She was searching for Cal. Cal, Cal can you hear me? She said.
Yes I can. Leia where are you? Are you fine?
I am. I need you to listen to me. She then informed him regarding the plan which she had.
But Alderaan. Cal said.
I know, it will be a necessary sacrifice. Anyways many people have been evacuated.
Leia I-I don't know what to say.
I know. Just do as I say.
All right. And so the connection made through the force was cut. Luke and Leia moved towards the hall. On the way they found out that every trooper lay down unconscious, but not dead. They moved further and Leia nodded to Luke who then took the blaster and walked behind her as she placed her hands behind her head.
"Move it, you rebel scum, move it." He said loudly as they entered the hall. Everyone stood up the moment they saw what they were meant to see. Artoo was in the shadows contacting someone. Leia walked down the hall and went on her knees. Luke then announced, "Sir she killed all the troopers in the corridor. I managed to capture her."
The commander who spoke with Leia came forward. "Well, well ma'am I have to say, you rebels do not know when to give up. GET HER UP." He roared. Luke and another trooper lifted her up. Luke had removed his helmet back in the corridor. Nobody other than the three people he knew recognized him. Leia showed initial resistance and then told. "You asked me why the rebellion fought right. Let me tell you why, because we were the ones who gave up liberty and now we are the ones who realized that it was a mistake. CAL NOW." She called out loud. Suddenly a trooper ignited a lightsaber and started attacking the troopers. He made sure that they were injured badly but not dead. Another stormtrooper then lifted his blaster and started stunning the troopers. Leia grabbed the blaster from Luke and stunned the commander and other troopers. Luke then picked up another fallen blaster and stunned the troopers. Artoo too joined them. Seeing her best friend fight Nora too picked up a blaster and set it to stun and shot the troopers. Every single candidate who was there stood in either horror or confusion. Soon enough all the troopers lay unconscious. Leia then put down the blaster. She then turned to face the candidates. She gave them a brief look. Few were afraid, few were angered, and few were confused.
At that time she and Cal turned towards the main door. Both of them exchanged glances. Darkness was emanating from the door. Soon two red lightsabers were ignited.
"Inquisitors." Cal said under his breath. Luke then reached to his utility belt and removed a lightsaber. He then gave it to Leia who ignited it and stood ready. The two inquisitors faced the two Jedi. "Well, well looks like senators can be Jedi too." One of them sneered at Leia.
"Well I was never a politician, but I was a Jedi all the time." Leia replied clutching the lightsaber. Behind the inquisitors a good bunch of stormtroopers emerged. Luke, Han, Nora and Artoo were ready to face them. The two Jedi faced the two inquisitors.