Star Trek: Ranma's Story 76 – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 76
"Having been pushed underground, we 'Jedi' set up a network from which we could undermine the now EMPEROR Palpatine. How he was able to convince the Galactic Senate that he should become a dictator says to me that there were more people involved in his ascent than just him and Anakin…no, 'Darth Vader'."
"Why the distinction in names?" Uhura asked.
"Sigh. I was there for Anakin since he was a little kid. I watched him grow up into a man that I could be proud to stand by in combat. But when he became Vader, he ceased to be the man who I would call 'friend'."
"Oh."
"Anyway, those who remembered the…'Old Republic' were dispersed in a variety of ways.
"As I said before, I ended up as a nanny for Leia on Alderaan, while Usagi watched over Luke as 'the Hermit Girl'. We played those roles as a means of testing the twin's potential in the ways of the Force…
Location: Alderaan.
Aldreraan is a mountainous world that with snow-capped hills. It was once a colony of Naboo before gaining its independence nearly
"Leia, I told you that girls shouldn't fight," Senator Bail Organa said, as he admonished her daughter. Princess Leia was scraped and bruised with torn clothes. Apparently, someone insulted her about having a nanny at her age.
"Well, 'Winter' started it!"
"Leia, you need to stop acting like a tomboy."
"Why won't you accept me for what I am, Daddy? I hate YOU!"
As Leia runs out of the room, Bail sighs. Leia did have her biological mother's spirit, after all.
Meanwhile, Leia ran into the family's private gymnasium, where her nanny, Lady Ranko of Naboo is training in martial arts.
"Ranko!"
Ranko stopped her katas, and turned to face her ward.
"Leia, what's wrong?"
"Daddy doesn't understand me," Leia cried, as she ran into Ranko's arms.
Ranko hugged the girl, whom was like a daughter to her. She should know, since she was her birth mother.
"Your father is just concerned that you won't be able to one day become a Senator like him. That's all."
Leia, with watered eyes, looks at her nanny.
"Father…doesn't hate me?"
"Of course not! He is proud of you, little one."
Leia sniffles and nods her head.
"Leia?"
Leia and Ranko turn to see Bail standing at the entrance of the gym room.
"Father!" Leia says, as she run into Bail's arms. "I'm sorry for…for…"
"It's okay. Look, you better get cleaned up for dinner."
Leia nods her head, and runs out the room.
"Just like Padme," Bail chuckles, as he looks at her departing foster daughter.
"Bail, have you thought of my proposal?" Ranko says, as she towels herself off.
Bail sighs.
"Is taking her on a ten-year training journey really necessary?" Bail asks.
"Well, you did say that you wish that she takes your place as the representative of Alderaan someday," Ranko replies. "What a better way of preparing her for THAT role while in the midst of training? And it's not like she will be away from home forever…just during the designated vacation period outside of school session."
"Hmmm. And I'm always off world on Senate business. It could work, my friend."
"It had better work. Leia may be the only chance all of us has, if the rest of us fail in ending the reign of the Sith."
Location: Tattooine.
"Pull!
BANG!
"Yeah!" said young farm-boy Luke Skywalker, as he and his buddies cheered at Luke's successful shot. While on break from chores at the Lars farm, collecting moisture, Luke and his friends were "skeet shooting".
"That was a good shot, Luke!" said one of his friends.
"I'm the best!"
"Hey, Luke!" Usagi says, as she comes running up to Luke and his friends. Every harvest, Usagi comes down from the mountains to test Luke's potential while working on Lars' farm. "Luke, your Aunt wants you to go to town to pick up supplies-"
"In a minute. Say, you want to try and take a shot?"
Usagi looks at Luke, his friends and at the skeet shooter.
"Okay…"
"You handle a blaster of this type before?"
"Please. I live out in the desert, remember?"
"You never told me why, considering the fact that Tuskin Raiders live out there."
"Let's just say that I am strong in the ways of the Force."
"Yeah, right!"
Usagi went to the skeet shooter, and turned it on setting "11".
"'11'? You think you're going to make that shot?"
"Humph. Never think…KNOW. Pull!
A multiple barrage of disks fly up in the air…
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM-!
Usagi made the target.
"Lucky shot!"
"Oh?" Usagi said, as she puts on her bandanna over her eyes. "Pull!"
Another barrage of disks fly up in the air…
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM-!
Usagi made her target.
"Whoa…"
"Hmmm. I made it."
"Anyway, T'Pol ended up marrying into the Amidala family, and became the Ambassador of Naboo. Her service to Naboo was distinguished enough that she received the chance to be elected 'Queen'. Her temperament allowed Naboo to whether the Emperor's consolidation of power, and thus kept that world safe from harm.
"Hoshi Sato remained on Tattooine as Watto the Junkman's manager. She was basically Usagi's eyes and ears, since Usagi more or less stayed out in the desert.
"Ami was severely wounded, so much so that not even Usagi's various healing spells could bring Ami out of her coma. So…she elected to have her 'reborn' on the trading world of Corellia…"
Location: Corellia.
"Ah, man!" said the young Han Solo, as he wanders the streets of the planet's largest port. While he was good to be home, he hated the fact that he was home because he had been thrown out of the Imperial Academy. It wasn't HIS fault that the home planet of the academy's moon was accidentally blown up! Still, he was glad that he wasn't thrown into prison.
Han wandered the streets. He didn't have many prospects, and he certainly didn't have a family to go to. Maybe he should take up on that offer his friend Lando had, well, offered to him.
Han would have remained in deep thought, had he not heard the wailing of a baby.
Curious, he went to investigate the sound…and discovered-
"A baby?" said Han, as he peeked behind the dumpster. Sure enough, there was a baby lying in a basket, wrapped in a blue blanket.
"What am I going to do with you?" Han mused. "Surely, there's a nice family that can pay handsomely for-"
The baby had grabbed Han's finger, and cooing contently.
"Oh, no," Han said. "Don't get attached to me, kid."
The baby giggled.
The only identifier was a bracelet with the name "Ami Mizuno" etched in the metal, as well as some weird, short and blue, rod that had an equally weird, metal symbol ornament on it; there was also a then metal box that was apparently a timed lock on it. It read: "To be opened upon Ami's sixteenth birthday". Plus, stashed within the basket was a bankcard and note asking whoever found Ami to take care of her. If Han did accept the responsibility, the bankcard will be replenished on a monthly basis.
"Alright, kid, let's go," Han said, as he picks the basket up. He wasn't sure if the note was legit or not, but he'll do his best to carry out the wishes of the note. And unknown to him, a certain meatball-headed girl was watching Han at a distance, before leaving the scene.
"We all did our part to lay low for a while, secretly undermining Palpatine's efforts, until Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila chose to openly defy Palpatine. I had worked with her before, so I knew that she would make a good leader for the Rebellion. T'Pol's position as queen of Naboo did much to shield Mon from Imperial scrutiny for a long time, before even she had to disassociate her court from Mon's activities…at least, officially, that is. At any rate, when I left Alderaan to join Usagi on Tattooine, Leia had enough will, clout and skill to take Bail's place as Senator of Alderaan. During that time, Mon introduced Leia to what we were secretly doing, and thus joined the Rebellion as a courier. And it was during that time that the blue prints for the 'Death Star' were 'acquired'.
"'Death Star'?"
"It's basically like a Dyson's Sphere, but designed to be a planet killer. Anyway, somehow, DARTH Vader tracked her down to Tattooine, where Usagi and I officially left retirement."
"What happened?"
"Leia placed the plans for the Death Star within an astromech droid named "R2-D2". With the protocol droid 'C3-P0', they went down to the surface of Tattooine, where Luke and the Lars family acquired them. Apparently, Bail told Leia where Usagi and I lived, so it was not a coincidence that R2 tracked us down…with Luke in tow. Of course, Luke just HAD to end up in the middle of a Tusken Raider hunt when we found him. Luckily for him, WE were hunting those 'Raiders who were getting too close to our property."
"What was the problem?"
"We had installed a major supply depot underground, as a fail-safe measure, for the needs of the Rebellion. Not even the Hutts knew about it, and their intelligence network was nearly as good as the Emperor's. We couldn't run the risk of having the 'Raiders stumble upon it. So anyway, after we scared off the intruders, we introduced Luke to his Jedi heritage, avoiding mentioning the fact that it was his father that betrayed the Jedi Order. With Leia's message, we knew that Bail wanted help in getting the Death Star's plans to Alderaan, so we chose to leave the planet. We wanted Luke to come with us, but he felt that his obligations to Owen and Beru took precedence. That changed when the Emperor's Imperial Storm Troopers came to visit…"
Location: The Lars Farm, Tattooine.
"Where are the droids?" demanded the squad leader.
"I don't know what you are talking about!" Owen said, as he shielded his wife Beru from scrutiny.
"Well, then, you and your woman serves no purpose!" the squad leader said. "Take them down!"
"NO!" Beru screamed.
SNAP! Hzzzz-
SLICE!
Every one of the troopers was sliced in half.
Owen and Beru looks up to see Usagi holding her purple/violet light saber at ready.
"You guys alright?" Usagi said, as she shuts down her weapon. Thumper, her pet cabbit, was on her shoulders.
"Uncle Owen, Aunt Beru!" Luke said, as he hopped off the roof with his rifle. He was providing cover for Usagi. Luke, Usagi and Ranma had used their Federation transporter technology to get to the Lars farm, after Usagi felt a premonition of Owen and Beru's demise. In fact, that technology has served as an edge of sorts for the Rebellion.
"Luke!" Beru says, as she hugs her nephew. "You are okay!"
"Sorry for leaving you without letting you know where I went," Luke says meekly.
Ranma comes running into the area at tremendous speed.
"I took care of the others," Ranma said, as he holstered his lightsaber. "Guys, we have a problem."
"Of course we do!" Owen says. "With those troopers dead, there's bound for more to show up!"
"Don't you have family on Corellia?" Usagi asks.
"I do…"
"Then you are leaving," Ranma says.
"But how?" Luke asks.
"Thumper?" Usagi asks.
The cabbit nods, jumps off Usagi's shoulder and-
"TH-OW!"
-Transform into his 'starship' form.
"Whoa," Luke says…
"We couldn't run the risk of having all of us leave at the same time, especially since Usagi, Luke and I needed to get to Alderaan with the droids. So we set up a meeting, through one of Hoshi's contacts, with a freighter captain named Han Solo, whom Usagi and I have worked with Han many times in the past…unfortunately."
"'Unfortunately'?"
"Let's just say that there is a planet out in the universe whose bio-spheres enhances the female form for greater 'recreational activities', for the sake of the nearest male…and I had been in female form at the time."
"Oh."
"Well, it took me weeks to shake off most of the side-effects of being on that planet, but not the memory of what went down while searching for a fresh supply of crystals to make more 'lightsabers'. No wonder the Jedi AND the Sith avoided that world. Ugh."
"So…"
"So anyway, we acquired the service of Captain Solo, his co-pilot "Chewbacca of Kashyyyk and their technician Ami-"
"Ami?"
"Yeah. Ami was apparently found by Solo, and adopted her as his younger sister. She didn't have her full memories back at that point in time, so she believed that she was from Corellia like her 'brother' Han. At any rate, after leaving Tattooine under duress, we were on our way…
Location: En route to Alderaan.
During the flight to Alderaan, Usagi decided to begin her instruction on the
Jedi teachings. After all, way back in the day, Ranma and Usagi played a game of "Rock, Paper & Scissors", and came up with Luke as HER prize.
"Can I…can I watch?" Ami asks.
"Sure," Usagi says. "Maybe you can learn a thing or two."
"This is a teaching tool designed to test your intuition skills," Usagi said, as she revealed a metal sphere. "Incidentally, even a small child can connect with the force."
"Easy enough," replied Luke
"Oh, and one more thing."
Usagi tossed a helmet to Luke.
"Put this on. With the blast shield."
"But Usagi-"
"When we are in training, address me in a proper manner."
"Yes, Mistress Usagi."
"She's a 'mistress' alright..." Han chuckled, as he recalled how she and that red-headed girl behaved on that one particular planet, way back when…
"Han, don't you have a ship to pilot, or something?"
"Naw, everything checks fine."
"Fine, so be quiet. School's in session."
"You teaching the kid this nonsense?"
"Hey, the teachings of the Jedi aren't 'nonsense'!" yelled Luke.
"Easy, Padawan," said Usagi. "People have the right to speak their mind."
"Thank you-"
"And some people ought to learn not to stick one's foot into their big mouths, jerk!"
Han merely rolls his eyes in response, before checking his ship's instrument panel.
"Now, Luke, lets begin our exercise. Be in control of your surroundings. Do not control your surroundings."
The metal sphere danced around Luke, as he tried to hit it.
Zap!
"Hahahahahaha-!"
"Han!"
"I'm sorry. Hehehe..."
"Big brother, stop being mean!"
"It's hard!" cried Luke, as he rubbed his sore spot.
"Of course it is, but you can do it. Trust me. Now, let's do this again. Do not think about your actions. Flow with the movement of the sphere…"
Luke immediately loosened up. Now, he can sense the sphere's movements. There-!
PING!
Luke was able to score a direct hit. Happy, Luke took off his helmet, while the sphere went back to Usagi's hands.
"See? That wasn't so difficult."
"But it was. I mean, I understand now, but…"
"Trust me when I say training to be a Jedi is a lot easier than trying to be a
Jedi. I know."
"But you haven't said anything about your training," said Luke.
"Oh, I didn't, did I? No, the point is that you have to have the desire to take chances, when it comes to being a Jedi. I certainly took a lot of chances in my life," Usagi said, as she thumbed Han. Of course, she wanted to give another finger sign to the smuggler, but she had a Jedi image to maintain. And Ami was around. "And training shouldn't be seen any differently. In other words, you have to let go of your emotions."
"In other words, be impulsive."
"No, you have to trust your instincts in doing the right thing."
"Well, as much as this philosophical debate is interesting," Han said, "But we're coming up on Alderaan."
"About time," Ranma said, as he got up. Observing his friend's antics could induce a coma…
Suddenly, Ranma felt that there was something off…
"You okay, Ranma?" Usagi said.
"I'm not sure…"
"We'll continue this later. No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you."
With everyone secured into the cockpit, the Millennium Falcon left hyperspace.
"Arrgh!" screamed Usagi painfully.
"Usagi, are you all right?" asked Luke.
"I'm…okay," Usagi said, as he turns his head towards Ranma, who was in the throes of pain himself. "But something's wrong. Very wrong."
"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing," commented Han.
"Han, I'm never wrong about these things."
Suddenly, the 'Falcon was rocked by a series of asteroids.
"Han, are you SURE we're heading for Alderaan?"
"Sure I'm sure. These are the coordinates."
"RRRAAAWWWRRRL!"
Ami checked the sensors.
"I think there's something wrong, Han," Ami said.
"Hey, there's a moon up ahead!" said Luke.
Ranma looked, and frowned.
"Wait a minute. THAT'S no moon!"
The object up ahead loomed larger, as the 'Falcon came closer to it. From her vantage point, Usagi could tell that it was, in fact, a huge battle station.
"Han we better get out of here," said Usagi urgently.
"On it!"
The 'Falcon began to buck and twist, as Han tried to steer the ship into a new direction. Usagi was about to assist, when she received a premonition.
"Usagi?" asked Luke.
"Han, cut the engines," Usagi said.
"What? Are you out of your mind?" exclaimed Han.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
"…"
"No, really."
"Grrr…ALRIGHT. But if this is another crazy scheme of yours…"
"Now, Han. Have I let you down?"
"…"
"…Lately?"
"Fine. Kid, do exactly what I say. Chewie?"
"RRROWRRLL!"
Han turns to Ami.
"Just stay in the hidden cargo bay."
"But big brother-"
"Please! I don't want you to get hurt."
Ami nods.
The Death Star's tractor beam pulled the Millennium Falcon into one of its hanger bays. Immediately, once it landed, the ship was surrounded by Imperial
Storm troopers. Both Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin went down to do a casual inspection of the craft before order a thorough detail on the craft. Only Vader was apprehensive about leaving it behind so soon.
"I sense…a disturbance in The Force," said Vader.
"I'm sure it is a residual from Alderaan's destruction," Tarkin replies. "Come, we still have a search to conduct."
As soon as they left, a search of the 'Falcon began.
"Hey, I think I need a hand," yelled a voice from inside.
The two remaining storm troopers rushed inside from their positions…
BAM!
A few minutes later, two storm troopers were leading a handcuffed wookie and two robbed figures away from the ship, followed by two droids. After passing through a checkpoint, the group went to a control room, and closed the door behind them.
"Whew, that was close!" said Luke, as he took off he helmet.
"Yeah, no thanks to YOU," said Han to Usagi, as he took off his helmet.
"Well, you smell like canned meat!" Usagi said, as she stuck her tongue at the smuggler.
"Whatever."
"RRROWRRL!"
"I must say that their bickering is most fascinating."
"Beep-beep Peeo-Beep!"
"Alright. We're here. Now what?" Han asked.
"We are here to rescue Princess Leia of Alderaan," Ranma says, still feeling the emotional loss at the destruction of Alderaan. "According this databank, she is being held in a holding cell."
"How do you know they're here?" asked Luke.
"Hey, when I'm good, I'm REALLY good."
"And when you're bad, you suck," Usagi says.
"Anyway," Ranma begins with a glare. "We better formulate a plan."
"Hey, best idea I've heard all day."
"Whatever. Anyway, I want you, Luke and Han to find and retrieve the princess with
Artoo's help, while C3-P0 monitor the communication lines."
"Master Ranma, but I do not have such a capability."
"You do now," replied the Jedi, as Ranma tapped key ports in C3-P0's chassis. "Anyway, I have to shut down the tractor beam generator, so I better get going."
"But how are we suppose to free the princess?"
"Improvise," Ranma replied, as he left the control room.
Ranma was successful in disabling the tractor beam generator, which was easy enough to do.
At the same time, Usagi and the gang were successful in getting to the holding cell, where Princess Leia was being held.
"Princess Leia?" Luke said, as he went into Leia's cell…
BAM!
Leia was immediately on top of him, as she held Luke against the bulkhead.
"You seem too short to be a trooper," Leia says, as she held her fist at ready, as it began to glow. She was a student of the Anything Goes Martial Arts style, and survived Darth Vader's interrogation techniques. "Not that it matters…"
"Leia, wait!"
Leia turns to see Usagi standing there.
"Lady Usagi," Leia says, as she unceremoniously drops Luke. "Did Lady Ranko sent you?"
"Actually, we got your message from your astromech droid."
"Oh."
Just then, Han steps forth.
"Guys, we got trouble!"
Squads of storm troopers began filing into the corridor.
"Let's get out of here!"
And with that, the gang went down a landing chute…and into the garbage disposal.
"Ewww!" Usagi said, as she waded through garbage. She then smacks Han up the back of his head. "Smooth move!"
"I had no choice, dumpling head!"
"Guys," Luke said, as he moved around quickly. "I think there something down here!"
"RRRRROOOWLRRL!" Chewie replied.
Leia turns to a long piece of jagged metal.
"I'll be back," Leia says, as she places the long piece of metal between her teeth…and dives right in.
"Princess!"
There seemed to be a violent struggle within the muck. Finally, Leia pops back up.
"All done," Leia says.
"Whoa."
"Now what?" Han says.
Suddenly, the walls began to close in.
"Oh, just great!"
"Everyone, stand back," Usagi said, as her eyes glowed green. "RRRAGH!"
Within moments, Usagi became a green-skinned "She-Hulk", bursting out of her clothes, while her modesty was strategically covered up.
"LUKE! GET A HOLD OF R2, AND GET HIM TO DEACTIVE THE COMPACTOR."
Usagi used her great strength and will in the Force to keep the trash compactor. The more focus she became, the stronger she became.
Han was just enjoying the free show.
SMACK! SMACK!
"Ow!" Han and Luke said in unison, as they rubbed the back of their collective heads.
"Perverts!" Leia said.
Sure enough, the trash compactor ceased operations.
"LET'S GO!" Usagi said, as she broke out of the room.
Later…
As Ranma made his way back to the Millennium Falcon in the hanger bay, he couldn't help but chuckle at the predicament his friends were in.
He knew that they would be all right, since he knew that R2-D2 was monitoring the situation. And he was monitoring the situation through the "bug" he planted on Han.
Then, he felt a familiar presence.
It was a VERY familiar presence.
"So…we meet again Master Saotome."
Ranma lifted his head to see the Dark Lord himself. He wore his imposing, full suited, black armor, thanks to the wounds Ranma had inflicted on him years ago.
"Lord Vader…I presume?"
"Of course.However, happy times are over for you."
"I don't think so, you traitorous bastard-"
"Enough." With that, Darth Vader activated his light saber.
"This ends NOW."
"So be it, Anakin."
"Do not call me THAT name. He died a long time ago."
Usagi and crew were able to make it to the hanger bay. They all see Ranma dueling Darth Vader.
"WE WILL NEED BACK-UP," Usagi said, as she began to contact Ami telepathically…
Ami.
Meanwhile, Ami was hiding in the cargo bay, when she receives the message.
Is…is that you…Usagi?
Yes, Ami. What I am about to tell you…to SHOW might be a bit much to handle. But if you do what I say, you can help us.
Ami nods in reply.
Do you still have your wand?
Wand? Ami asked, as she takes out the weird rod from her pocket. For as long as she can remember, it has served as something special to her.
Ami takes the wand out. It seemed to pulse with power.
Now, when I give you the word, say the first thing that comes to mind. Okay?
I…I understand.
Now, Usagi thought telepathically.
Ami gets out of her hiding place, and holds up her wand.
"Mercury Planet POWER!"
FWOOSH!
Old memories began to flood Ami's mind.
She remembered her first life, as the Princess of Mercury during the days of the Silver Millennium.
She remembered her days as a Japanese student.
And she remembered her days as a Jedi Knight, who fought alongside her Moon Princess.
She remembered who she was.
She was Sailor Mercury, the Senshi of Ice…and she was BACK.
Han Solo notices the flash of light. Was Ami okay?
"Mercury Bubble Blast!"
Suddenly, everything was covered in a fog bank.
"Hurry!" said Sailor Mercury, as she ran down the gangplank.
"Ami?" said Han.
Meanwhile…
"You seem a bit distracted, old friend," taunted Vader, as he swung a deadly arc of light and energy.
"I'm fine, no thanks to YOU," Ranma replied, as he deflected the blow.
"Vader, I have had enough of your traitorous ways. This time, you are at the end of your rope!" With that, Ranma became like a fierce warrior, forcing Vader to take a defensive posture…
Suddenly, he disappeared.
"What-?" Vader wondered.
"I hate to end a fight at the last minute, but I have to go," Ranma smirked, as he turns to leave. He had moved at "invisible speed" at the last minute, thus faking a disappearing act.
"This fight is not over!"
"I know it's not. I just got more important things in mind."
With that, Ranma leaped over the throng of trooper
Darth Vader looks on, while Ranma and his friends boarded the freighter and left the docking port of the Death Star.
"I will have to train, then," Vader says, as he turns to leave…
"We managed to leap into hyperspace, after a run-in of TIE-Fighters. And after we dealt with THEM, we went to the main base of the Rebellion on Yavin 4. Upon reaching that moon, we discovered a tracking device on board the Millennium Falcon, thus giving the location of the base away. Mon Mothma welcomed the notion that Usagi and I are out in the open finally. Whatever. At any rate, our commissions were officially reactivated, and thus led the charge against the approaching Imperial forces."
Location: Yavin 4.
With the approaching Death Star to Yavin 4, the Rebels prepare for a final assault, thanks to the stolen Death Star Blue prints. Luke, though saddened by the lost of his master, was determined to do his part.
"You sure you don't want to stay and fight with us?"
"Hey, I've done my part kid," Han says. "Besides, I've got bills to pay."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, thanks anyway."
"Hey, kid?"
"Yeah?"
"May the Force be with you."
"Thanks, Han."
After Han takes off…
"Please, Big Brother!" Ami says. "You got to help them! It's what Usagi would have wanted!"
Han looks into Ami's eyes.
"Chewie, turn around."
"RRRRRROWL!"
Meanwhile…
"This is 'Gold Leader'," Ranma says, as he and his attack squadron led the way. "Ready to engage."
"This is 'Green Leader'," Usagi says, as she and her attack squadron got underway. "Ready to run interference.
Ranma and Usagi were more than qualified to lead the squadron, based upon their flight records. At any rate, Gold Squadron would soften up the defenses of the Death Star, while Green Squadron would prevent reinforcements. That leaves Red Squadron the task delivering the payload into the exhaust port of the Death Star.
"This is Red Leader'," Garven Dreis says. Luke was assigned to Red Squadron, since there was space available. "We're ready."
"Alright, people," said Ranma. "Let's take this thing out…"
Once the Rebels are on their way, the forces of light are met with heavy
Imperial resistance. Still, the Rebels were making great strides in getting to the Death Star's exhaust port. Unfortunately, it was down to Luke to make the shot, and his mind wasn't clear.
Luke.
"What-?"
Luke, trust your instincts!
Was Luke's master dead…?
"I'm not dead, you jerk!" said a familiar voice on the communications signal. "Just keep your eye on target! Ranma is on his way to help you…"
Just then, Darth Vader's fighter squad comes rolling up from behind.
"Now you are mine!" says the Dark Lord.
Then, he was being attacked by blaster fire from the Millennium Falcon and a Rebel fighter…
"Ya-hoo!" yelled Han, as he activated his blasters.
"Surprise, aren't you, Vader?" says Ranma, as he piloted his "X-Wing" besides the 'Falcon.
"ARRRGH!" said Vader, as his craft spun out of control, and into space.
"Han? Ranma?" Luke was pleasantly surprised to see his old friends
"You're all clear, kid!" Han yelled.
ZAP!
A moment later…
BOOM!
With the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebel forces received a needed relief in their pursuit for justice.
Usagi stayed far from the celebration that Luke and Han were experiencing. A smiled was plastered on face. She could sense a palatable sea change in the fortunes of the Rebel Alliance.
"Lady Usagi?"
Usagi turns to see Ami standing there. There was a palatable tension between Usagi and the girls.
"Yes, Ami?"
"Why did you not tell me the truth about you?"
"I did so because it was my fault that you were hurt. I was so focused in completing my mission that day, twenty years ago, that I lost sight of what's important."
Ami hugged Usagi.
"It's okay, Usagi," Ami says. "I understand, please, Princess, don't keep any secrets from us."
"I promise, on my honor, I'll do just THAT."
As a result of the Rebel's victory, a celebration went under way. Ranma and Usagi, now dressed in their Jedi Robes again, received medals for their actions, along with the others. With the two KNOWN Jedi to be in existence was a dubious honor. Unfortunately, now Palpatine and Darth Vader know of their active involvement in the Rebellion as well. Regardless, Usagi played a role in restoring a new hope in a galaxy torn by conflict, even though the battle for freedom has only just begun.
Tbc.