CHAPTER 14
The two Jedi faced the two inquisitors while the three others faced the dozen troopers. The imperials were first to attack. The Jedi clashed with the inquisitors in a lightsaber battle. The three faced the dozen troopers with a heavy fire rounds. The candidates chose to leave the hall. Leia clashed with the tenth brother while Cal clashed with the fifth brother. Leia and the tenth brother clashed with great ferocity. Leia attacked with her raw strikes from the form VI Namaan. She deflected the attacks of the tenth brother. Cal was at ease with the fifth brother. The aggressiveness of Leia often caught the tenth brother off guard. Leia didn't notice the times the tenth brother let down his guard. Cal toyed with the fifth brother. Luke used his skills he learned while on Tatooine and bought down three guards. Stunning them wasn't difficult but shooting them down was. Nora bought down two while Han bought four. Artoo on the other hand managed to bring down the rest without being noticed. Nora suffered a tiny cut on her arm; while the boys had nothing of that sort. Leia who was now fueled with rage conducted a final aggressive attack and ended the tenth brother. Cal on the other hand sliced the inquisitor in two parts without any struggle.
The five stood there, Han waiting for someone, Nora was confused, Cal looked at Leia and so did Luke. Leia then stepped forward and spoke. "I know few of you are afraid, few are confused and few are angered by our actions. But believe me or not, this fight is just the beginning. The rebels fight to rectify a mistake which has been made. Only if you view the rebels from another perspective, only if you do, you shall see my point. Few are absolute with their opinions on the rebels. I do not ask you to join the rebellion, I only ask you to not be aggressive against it. Be patient and we shall leave you alone. I know you think that I am trying to manipulate you into joining the rebellion. But I do not wish to do something like that. I just wish to help you and your people. You and I all now that there are only two options for the people under the rule of the empire; choosing the empire or death. Nobody wants to choose death, so they choose the empire but we, the rebels, want to show a third option. I know how it feels to betray something which you swore to serve, trust me I know it better than anyone. But you all do know how it feels to have all opportunity to show your talent be shut on your face. We fight against the empire to earn the one right which we voluntarily gave away; liberty. We don't fight for the leaders but we fight for the people. We don't rebel because we don't like the empire's color, no. We rebel because we know we need to. We rebel because we are willing to correct our mistake. I rebel because I want my own liberty as a citizen. We shall leave now. Join us if you wish to. This is General Leia Skywalker and I am a rebel, let the galaxy know it." She said before turning to the window which was blasted open by Han. Outside the window, the Millennium Falcon was waiting. Luke, Cal, Han, Nora and Artoo had climbed the ship. Luke held out a hand for Leia. She turned to face the eighteen candidates a last time before climbing the Falcon. Just as they were to leave they heard a voice call out. "Wait." The voice said. Leia and Nora turned to find Kane coming towards them. "I join the rebellion." He declared before climbing on the ship. Soon more people joined. The nine candidates who stayed just glared at them. "The rest who wish to stay, suck the balls of the emperor." Cal declared before signaling Han to take off.
"So where to Leia?" Han asked as he was setting the coordinates.
"To Alderaan." Leia said as they leapt into the hyperspace.
"Hit it Chewie." Han declared.
The next day everyone felt as though a great burden had been removed from their shoulders. Leia was discussing with Cal and the other leaders of the rebellion.
"But Leia this adds more problems for Alderaan." Bail Organa said.
"I know senator but I have a plan." Leia replied in a whole new General way.
"What sort of plan General Skywalker?" Mon Mothma asked.
"I decided it would be better if we split the rebellion into small pieces and send them to different parts of the galaxy."
"But wouldn't that be more dangerous General?" Riyo Chuchi asked.
"I do not understand your question senator."
"I mean, wouldn't the rebellion be an easier target if split up?"
"No it won't, smaller groups of rebels spread throughout the galaxy, would only mean more problem for the empire. They wouldn't be able to concentrate on us that much. If there is the presence of the rebellion in each and every planet, we can help the people see the right picture. Smaller groups with stronger resolve can defeat the empire. This will catch them off guard as there will be no dormant base for the rebellion. In this manner we are not only protecting countless systems but we are also becoming a difficult target for the empire. We need to make sure that these groups are not dormant and are active all the time. We could involve the Jedi who survived the Purge for our mission. In this way we can also change the negative perspective of Jedi which the emperor has set." Leia finished. The senators exchanged glances and nodded their heads.
"You have been trained well Leia." Mon Mothma said before turning to leave and announce the decision. Leia walked along with Cal towards her brother.
"So what did they say?" he enquired the moment they came.
"They accept. I have to admit though if it weren't for your collective thinking we couldn't do this." Cal pointed to the twins as he said this.
"Of course Cal of course. Luke, get father's Jedi starfighter ready. We are going to Tatooine."
"And Artoo?" Luke asked innocently.
"They will need her." Leia replied nodding towards the senators who were addressing the rebellion. "She indeed is a good droid." Leia said as she pet her dome.
"The most loyal one, a person could ask for." Luke said as he too pet her dome. Artoo beeped in happiness. Cal then sighed and moved. "What about you?" Luke asked as he saw him leaving.
"Oh I just will hang on with my rebel group on some planet. Searching for answers and helping the rebellion." He replied before turning and leaving. Leia then turned and moved towards the senators. Luke followed her, so did Artoo. She stood behind them and waited for them to finish addressing the rebellion. Five minutes later, the senators turned to face the twins waiting along with Artoo. The Alliance Chancellor Mon Mothma addressed them formally.
"General Skywalker, Luke, how can I help you both?"
"Senator Mothma, I need to talk to Senator Organa in private."
"So be it." Mon Mothma said before leaving with the other senators. Senator Organa stood back. He then moved forward.
"Leia or shall I call you General Skywalker?" He asked her.
"Anything you want to dada."
"Leia it is then."
"Luke and I are going to Tatooine."
"Fine, how are you going?"
"Anakin Skywalker's Jedi starfighter. I made my own modifications to it."
"Well that is fantastic."
"I will meet you soon."
"May the force be with you."
"May the force be with all of us."
Saying so the twins moved towards the starfighter. Before leaving Leia visited a last visit to the candidates. Leia spoke a few words with all of them and boarded the fighter. Luke seated himself in the gunner's seat, Leia in the pilot seat. The two left for Tatooine.
It was a quick trip to the sandy planet. "I do not think I will receive a warm greeting." Luke commented.
"Oh don't worry, neither of us are." Leia replied.
The two landed near Obi-Wan's hut. The two got down and walked towards the hut. Leia moved forward and knocked on the door. The door was opened by Ahsoka. The moment she saw Leia she froze.
"L-Leia. You came back. And so did Luke." She said before giving Luke a stern look which suddenly turned into a smile as she dragged them both for a hug. Her eyes let the stream of memories flow. The three cried as they hugged each other. Obi-Wan stood behind them calming himself. He then lifted his head and noticed Anakin's starfighter. On seeing it, he too let the tears flow from his eyes. Ahsoka too got up and moved towards the starfighter. She placed a hand on the starfighter and let all the memories fill her again. She remembered the time she met Anakin for the first time. She remembered the words he spoke after the battle; you're too reckless, young one. You would have never made it as Obi-Wan's Padawan but you can make it as mine. Ahsoka remembered looking up at his face and smiling. She remembered the time they spent together. She remembered how supportive he was during her trial for the wrong deed. She remembered the time she left the order, the words he said; I understand wanting to leave, I do. She replied, I know. She remembered walking away from him while he stood over there looking at her go. She remembered it as though it were yesterday. She remembered meeting him for the last time before she left for Mandalore. She remembered seeing her brother, before he fell. She remembered the time he gave her the lightsabers which she used in her duel against Maul. She remembered those finely carved lightsaber, made by her older brother. She remembered bidding farewell to one of those lightsabers. She remembered her last duel with her brother who had assumed the title Darth Vader. She remembered what she told him; I won't leave you not this time. He replied after a long time; then you shall die. It hurt, it hurt more than anything.
Obi-Wan sat on the ground as he saw the starfighter. As soon as he saw it the memories flooded him like a river which flowed over its banks. The first time he met him, the first word Anakin said was; You're a Jedi too, nice to meet you. He smiled and shook his hands with the young Anakin. He also remembered the time he accepted Anakin as his Padawan. He remembered the young tender face of his staring at Qui-Gon's pyre. Ten years later he remembered the battle of Geonosis. He remembered the 'rescue' he and Padme had tried. He remembered the feeling he got on seeing Anakin brought for execution. His heart was in his throat. He remembered how the battle had ended with the clones arriving and helping in the victory of the republic. He remembered how his heart almost came tearing from his rib on seeing Anakin being thrown by Dooku through the force. He remembered all the time Anakin almost gave his life burning his heart on the fire of fear during the clone wars. He remembered what Anakin had told him once; You are the closest thing I have to a father. If something happens to you I don't know what I would do. He remembered the times they fought together. Suddenly the memory of Mustafar came floating to his eyes. The memory of fighting his brother, his piece. He remembered jumping on the bank and declaring; It's over Anakin, I have the high ground. Anakin then replied; You underestimate my powers. He then replied; Don't try it Anakin. He remembered when Anakin jumped over him and he sliced his brother and left him to burn in the banks. He remembered the pain radiating through him. His part, his brother, his son, his Anakin was burning and he couldn't do anything. He remembered the final words he ever heard; I hate you. Obi-Wan loved him, cherished him, cared for him, he feared for him. Anakin was everything to him after losing his master and his lover. He couldn't, he just couldn't lose him. He lifted his head to see Ahsoka. She was on the floor. He gathered his strength and moved towards her. Leia saw as he moved towards Ahsoka. He slowly placed a hand on her shoulder and suddenly collapsed besides her. Ahsoka was too lost in her thoughts to notice. Luke moved towards them but was stopped by Leia. She shook her head and moved towards the hut. Luke followed her inside. The twins sat inside and waited.
After an hour or so, the two; Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, had entered. They sat besides the twins. Ahsoka then spoke, "Luke your training shall start tomorrow along with Leia." Obi-Wan nodded in silence. Leia was confused. Here was the man who asked her to consider her former master and her identity dead nodding his head to the topic of her training. As though he heard what she was thinking Obi-Wan said, "Leia I shall train you in the art of Soresu while we all can see how to help Luke." Leia nodded her head in silence. Luke just stared at the wall in front of him.