Star Trek: Ranma's Story 77 – 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.
Special note: It's feedback time! Since there are some reviewers who are "anonymous", I will address those people within my chapters (since there is a reply function installed on the website). So…
To "Adyen", I spotted the errors you listed, except the part where you said that Ranma was hiding in the 'Falcon. I just can't see it. As for why he didn't slice up Vader…well, as I tried to indicate throughout Ranma's retelling of the "Star Wars" saga, while he hated what Anakin did, Ranma still has a soft spot for him. And he didn't want his death to affect his kids' futures. Besides, Anakin was cocky when they fought on Mustafar; he's a lot more cautious these days. I hope that helps.
Part 77
"With the Rebellion at full swing, Usagi and I went about our business in trying to do what we can to help along. We helped to move the main Rebel base to the ice planet Hoth, where we could avoid Imperial scrutiny. Of course, no Darth Vader's obsessive tendencies, he combed the entire galaxy in an effort to track the Rebellion down. As for Usagi and I, we continued to train Luke and Leia in their skills, though Luke's training was out in the open. Ami had recovered her full set of memories by the time we spent our 18th month on Hoth, which Han thought of as weird. Behind the scenes, we brought Padme out of suspended animation, sans her memories, and placed her in the care of Hoshi Sato. We felt that she would need to slowly re-adjust to the new 'era' before she returns to Naboo. Previously, Queen T'Pol was already making plans retrieve Padme, when an Imperial assassin murdered her husband Simon. As a result, we chose to place Padme in Hoshi's care for the time being."
Location: Hoth.
While on patrol riding "taun-tauns", Luke and Usagi encountered a large "wampa" that tried to use an incoming ice storm for cover. After Luke dispatched the creature, and Usagi used her "air elemental magic" to do away the storm, the two Jedi stopped to train.
"What are we going to do?" Luke said, as he prepared to take out his lightsaber.
"We are going to do some footwork," Usagi said, as she tapped the ice floor. "Yep."
"Yep, what?"
"Use your senses."
Luke did as he was told. He then realized that they were over a frozen lake.
"Uh…"
SNAP! Hzzzzz…
"Prepare yourself, young master."
SNAP! Hzzzzz…
"Here I come, dumpling head!"
Luke took the imitative, and charged. He performed a thrust, while Usagi merely sidestepped the attack. Luke tried to stop himself, but the slippery ice made his footing difficult.
"Whoa!"
"Easy, Luke. You have to control yourself."
"Okay," Luke said, remember what Usagi said about using one's momentum to your advantage.
The whole point of the exercise was to teach Luke to be in control of his movements. In a deadly duel between lightsaber users, all it took was one move to end a fight.
With a huff, Luke managed to make contact with Usagi with his 'saber.
BLAM! BLAM!
"Not bad," Usagi says, as she twirls her weapon. "You might make it out of this yet."
Meanwhile, Leia, having taking her break from her administrative duties with the Rebellion, was training her body in the gym room. She had a block of ice put in, so that she can practice her vacuum blade technique.
"Ha!"
At this point of her training, she was learning how to be precise.
Ftt! Ftt! Ftt-!
"There," Leia said, as she admired her handiwork.
It was a statue of her father Bail.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
"Nice job," Ranma said, as he entered the room. "You got Bail's likeness."
"What do YOU want?"
Leia was still mad at Ranma for learning that he was really Lady Ranko, her nanny.
"Leia…"
"You LIED to me, 'Ranma'. All my life, I wanted to be like you…and you took it all that away."
"Leia, I was your nanny to protect you from the Emperor. And since what I looked like was already known, I had to live as a female."
Leia looks Ranma, and then shakes her head.
"I…need some time…"
"Sure. Take all the time you want."
After Leia leaves, Han shows up…
SPLASH!
"What did you do that for?" Ranko fumed. Already, she was feeling the affects of her highly sensitive body.
"Ah, just wanted to see YOU again," said Han, as he stood close to the redhead.
"Quite kidding around. What do you want?"
"Just wanted to say good-bye, 'red'. Ami doesn't want to go, but, well, with that bounty on my head…"
"I thought we paid off that reward?"
"Jabba upped the ante, I'm afraid."
"Well, you got to do what you have to do. Just be sure to say something to Usagi before you leave."
"Sure, sure…"
Suddenly, Han gave Ranko a kiss on the lips.
POW!
"Jerk! It ain't like that!"
"Ah, the memories…"
On the way back, Usagi and Luke came across an Imperial probe, which spotted them.
"Usagi-!" Luke said.
Usagi reached out, and crushed the probe using the Force.
"'Echo Base', this is General Tsukino. We have a problem."
Sure enough, the imperial forces landed its forces on the surface, prompting an emergency war room session.
"Okay," Ranma began. "We have a two-prong situation. We will use the transporters to beam all of non-organic equipment to the transport ships on the opposite side of the planet. The rest of us will deal with personnel."
Ranma turns to Usagi, Luke and Wedge Antilles.
"General Tsukino will lead the ground forces against the approaching Imperials. They will run interference long enough to prevent the Imperial from taking down the power generators. Princess?"
Princess Leia looks at Ranma, and nods.
"We are counting on you to do your best. We have faith in you. Good luck, and may the Force be with you…"
Usagi steps forth.
"Gold, green, red and blue squadrons…MOVE OUT!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Later, Usagi gets into the cockpit of her snow-speeder. It was a craft geared for low atmospheric in arctic environments. When she gets in, she sees-
"Ami!"
Ami smiled.
"You need a navigator, right?"
"But what about Han?"
"The repairs are almost done."
Usagi shakes her head.
"Alright. Just…keep your eyes open for those Imperial Walkers."
"Right!"
Usagi taps her microphone.
"Commander Skywalker, this is General Tsukino."
"This is Skywalker. Ready?"
"Affirmative. I'll take Gold Squadron, while you lead Red. Commander Antilles will lead Green Squadron. General Saotome is on Blue Squadron, and will take on the approaching Imperial fleet."
"Understood."
"And Luke, DO be careful, okay?"
"Sure thing! Skywalker out."
The battle with the Imperials was to allow Echo Base time to evacuate its personnel to Rebel fleet's secondary hideout. The 'Walkers were large, metallic behemoth that were walking weapons platforms.
"Hang on, Ami!" Usagi said, as she piloted her snow-speeder between the legs of the walker…
The gambit proved to be a success. With the delay caused by the defending
Rebels, the Rebel Alliance transport ships took off from Hoth.
Meanwhile, Usagi and Ami went back to Echo Base.
"Will Luke be alright?" Ami asked, as their snow speeder coasted to a stop.
"Yeah, he will be," said Usagi, as she opens the hatch. "Get to the 'Falcon. I'll meet you later at the rendezvous site."
Ami nods, and hops off the snow speeder.
"Good luck!"
Usagi waves her hand, and leaves the hanger bay.
As Ami heads back to her quarters, before running into Han…who was running away with Princess Leia.
"Run!"
Ami frowned, and sees Snow Troopers heading her way…
SNAP! Hzzzzz-
SLICE!
Ami takes out her lightsaber, and began to hold off the attack.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
"AMI!" Han cried out. He knew that his "Kid Sister" could take care of herself, but…she was STILL family.
"Coming!"
In another section of the base, Darth Vader strove down the hall with his soldiers. Suddenly, the hall ceiling burst open behind them.
SNAP! Hzzzzz…
SLICE!
SLICE!
SLICE!
When the enemy soldiers fell dead, Usagi stood, with her purple lightsaber blazing.
"So…we meet yet again, Lady Usagi," says Darth Vader, as he drew his light saber.
SNAP! Hzzzz…
"You've always had the grasp of the obvious, Vader," Usagi replied, as she readied herself. "Ranma told me to keep an eye on you, when he spotted you transport leaving your destroyer."
As predicted, the Imperials were able to bring down the shield generator.
However, thanks to Luke and his fellow pilots, many lives were saved. Ami helped to jury-rig much of the Millennium Falcon's system for flight capability. She only hoped that Han's piloting doesn't get the 'Falcon hit too many times.
Otherwise, the hyper-drive might go out. Again.
Essentially, Usagi put her 'speeder on autopilot, making the enemy think that she had already left, and snuck back into Echo Base.
The two Force users traded heavy blows, moving at speeds that made them a blur.
Unfortunately, Vader had improved somewhat from his encounter with Ranma, both in strength and will. Usagi found herself being thrown into the walls, while Vader found himself being pummeled as well.
"You're good, Ani."
"My name is VADER!"
Vader delivered a Force-blow that knocked Usagi backwards.
"Ranma may have dismissed me, but YOU shall be the one to pay the price."
Suddenly, Mecha Thumper burst through another wall.
"Well, my ride is here, Vader," Usagi said, as she got up, while deactivating her weapon and hopping into Thumper's armored body. She had mentally contacted Thumper as soon as she had put her speeder on autopilot. "Be seeing you."
With that, Usagi was gone.
"Of that, I have no doubt," replied Vader, as he deactivated his weapon.
Once Thumper had switched to ship-mode, Usagi signaled Luke, who was waiting for her.
"So, are we following Han and the others?"
"No, change of plans," Usagi said, as she tapped her microphone. "They'll be fine…I think."
"Okay, so, where are we going?"
"We're going to the Dagobah System for more training. Hang on-!"
And with that, Thumper and Luke Skywalker's X-Wing went into hyperspace.
Meanwhile, the Millennium Falcon was having trouble of its own.
"Ami, can't you get the manifold align!" Han yelled.
"I'm doing the best I can, Han!" Ami replied.
"Hey!" Leia interjected. "Stop picking on Ami!"
"Oh, where are you, Usagi!" Luna wailed.
Chewie merely growled in frustration.
Suddenly…
"This is Ranma-!"
Leia took a microphone and placed it on her head.
"Ranma? Is…that you?"
Since going into battle, Leia was worried about her friend.
"Yeah. My fighter is damaged, and I don't know how long my life-support will last…"
"Han, we got to do something!"
"I'm on it," Han said. "Ranma, prepare for an up-close pass…"
At the last minute, Ranma jettisoned himself into space…
ZING!
The Millennium Falcon's mini-transporter activates long enough to bring Ranma on board.
"Ranma!" Leia cried, as she hugged him. Tears were streaming down her eyes.
"It's okay…snowflake. It's okay…"
SPLASH!
"Hey!" Ranko said.
"Han!" Ami yelled.
Han merely chuckled, as he tosses his buckle to the side.
"Shhh!" Leia says. "Let me have my 'Ranko' for a while."
"Sigh."
"I had gotten space sick from being in sudden decompression, so I had to rely on Leia for help…"
"Just lie still, and get better," Leia said, as she covered Ranma with some blankets. "We'll get you some help as soon as possible."
"Thanks. And Leia?"
"Yes…Ranma?"
"I promise that I'll always be there for you."
"Thanks."
Leia left "Sickbay", and went to the cockpit. Bad enough that they couldn't jump into hyperspace…
"Where are you going?" yelled Leia. Bad enough to be separated from her friends…
"We're heading-"
BANG!
"-There," Han said, as he pointed to the incoming asteroid field.
"Are you out of your MIND!"
"I must say that the odds of piloting through an asteroid field is very slim,
Captain Solo," C3-P0 interjected. "Perhaps we should surrender-"
"Quiet!" yelled Han. "I got enough to worry about!"
"RRROWRL!"
"I know, I know! Just navigate, will ya!"
Deftly, the 'Falcon made its way through the asteroid field, and even found a spot on one of the largest rock. Unfortunately, the situation was a close one.
"How long are we going to be stuck in this rock?" asked a perturbed Leia, who could hear the sounds of Imperial bombardment overhead.
"Well, you can always meditate or something…or whatever you 'Jedi' do."
"I think I'll do just that. Humph!"
Leia went to one of the few places aboard the 'Falcon that served as a spare room, which was about the size of a broom closet. When Leia found her meditation spot, she began her mental exercises. Ever since she was six years old, Ranko…no, RANMA had been teaching her a powerful form of martial arts. She was trained in the use of a variety of weapons, including the use of the lightsaber. Now that she has learned of her former nanny's past, she was thinking of seeking training to be a Jedi. Oh, well.
Flowing with The Force, Leia felt…something. She tried to focus on the source, but she couldn't get a lock on it. Leia then expanded her consciousness outward, and it was then that she made a horrible discovery. At the same time, C3-P0 made its own discovery as well.
"OH! What is that?" the droid said, as it saw yet another creature of some type flew by.
Ami looked up from her repairs with Chewie, when she notices her Mercury Computer's alarm.
"Huh?" replied Han, who looked up from his repairs.
"RROWRL!"
"Fine! I check it out then-"
"HAN! We got to get out here!" Leia said, as she entered the cockpit
"It's only a few things out there. I'll simply remove- hey! What do you think you're doing, 'princess'?"
"Trust me, when I say that we got to get out of here NOW!"
"Big Brother, she's right," Ami said, as she hurriedly reconnected the systems.
"Alright, alright. Chewie? Fire her up."
Luna ran to the cockpit with C3-P0 in tow.
"Captain Solo!" Luna cried. "They're monster out there!"
"Then sit down and hang on. We're leaving."
With the roar of the engines, came tremors of some kind. As the 'Falcon came upon the entrance of the cave, it began to get smaller and smaller….
WHOOSH!
CHOMP!
Han then realized that he had piloted the 'Falcon into a giant space worm of some kind.
"'We'll be safe in here' he says," Leia said mockingly. "Riiight."
"Aw shaddup!"
"So, bright boy, any new ideas?"
"RRROWL!"
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking…Ah ha!"
"What?"
"I know an old friend who can help us. And he's not far from here. Chewie? Plot a course to Bespin."
"Hopefully, you're friend won't set up a trap where we get captured by Imperials or something."
"Hey, trust me, I know what I'm doing."
"Isn't that where Mr. Calrissian is working these days?" asked Ami.
"Sure is."
"Who is this Calrissian fellow?" asked Luna.
"He used to own the 'Falcon."
"Oh."
Sure enough, Han piloted the ship to the cloud city at Bespin. The port served as a depository for the miners from down below, and also served as a market for that sector of space. As soon as the 'Falcon touched down, Han and company debarked.
"Okay, leave it up to me."
A tall, dark and suave gentleman was the first to greet the rogue pilot.
"You got some nerve coming here."
Then with a feint, the man rushed Han, forcing him into a defensive position.
"Hahahahaha! Got you."
"Yeah, right."
Then the two men embraced.
"Han, old buddy! It's good to see you."
"Same here."
"And I see you decided to bring MY ship back."
"YOUR ship? I won her fair and square."
"That I doubt very much. What brings you here?"
"The 'Falcon needs repairs, and so-"
"You're looking for a freebee. Fair enough. With your piloting skills, I wouldn't be surprise if the damage done to her is fairly extensive."
"Ha. Ha."
Lando then sees Ami.
"Ami!"
"Lando!" Ami said, as she hugged the man.
"How's it going, kid?"
"The usual."
"Oh, so Han's been getting into trouble again, eh?"
Han rolls his eyes.
Then Lando sees Leia.
"Well, well, well. So who's this fine woman?"
"This is my friend Leia Organia. Leia, this is my friend Lando Calrissian."
"Charmed," Leia replied. She felt that there was something off about Han's "friend".
"My house is your house," Lando said, as he kissed Leia's hand.
"So, about the 'Falcon…?"
"Sure. I'll get my people on it right away. But in the meantime, please, make yourself comfortable."
"Mr. Calrissian, we have a friend who needs medical attention," Leia says. "He is aboard the 'Falcon."
"Of course. I'll have a medical tech and droid tend to your friend's need.
Are you sure it's safe here? Leia thought telepathically to Han.
Yeah, I'm sure, Han responded. It felt weird speaking to Leia like this.
Thankfully, he's gotten used to the process since becoming friends with Usagi and Ranma a long time ago.
I hope so, because I got a bad feeling about this place…
Unfortunately, Leia's foreboding proved to be an accurate assessment. Of course, being a "newbie" in the ways of the Force, she had to give Han's friend the benefit of a doubt. But, the next day…
"So, what do you think of this place so far?" Lando asked, as he showed the place around to his friend Han.
"You got a sweet set up, Lando," Han said. "I'm very impressed."
"RRROWRL!"
Meanwhile, C3-P0 noticed that a similar protocol droid was in the hallway.
"Hello. My name is C3-P0. What is your designation?"
The droid simply ignored him.
Normally, C3-P0 would simply note this. However, curiosity got a hold of the droid. So it followed the silver protocol droid into a room. When C3-P0 turned the corner, the droid saw something familiar.
"What are YOU doing here?"
"Oh! Oh my-!"
BOOM!
"RRROWRL!"
"I DON'T know, Chewie. Maybe he needs a tune up or something."
"I'll go find him," Ami says.
"Well, hurry back! I don't want you to get lost."
"Don't worry about it, Han. I'll have my people take care of things. By the way, there's something I have to show you…"
Leia had been on edge somehow, as if something dark was lurking about. As she and the group got closer to Lando's conference room, she had the urge to flee very quickly.
"Han, don't!" Leia suddenly cried.
Just as she gave out her warning, the door opened, revealing the dark lord himself: Darth Vader.
Han immediately drew his blaster and fired upon Vader; Vader responded by raising his hand, which blocked the shot. Then, quite casually, Vader "pulled" the weapon out of Han's hand. Han immediately pressed his wristwatch, warning Ami of what's going on. It was something that was developed in case something was up.
"I'm sorry, but the Imperials came before you did," Lando said coolly.
"A friend of yours?" Leia asked sarcastically.
"I used to think so."
"RRROWRL!" Chewbacca said, just as he was about to shoot Vader.
"I would not do that if I were you, Wookie," Vader quipped. "Come, and sit. We have much to discuss, starting with the whereabouts of Lady Usagi and her apprentice."
"Sir," said a storm trooper. "We are unable to find the Jedi Miss Mizuno or her Master."
"No matter," Vader said. "As long as we have their ship, there is no where those two can go."
"No matter," Vader says. "As long as we have their ship, they cannot leave this city."
Some place else…
"Ranma, come on," Ami said, as she helped a limping Ranma Saotome. "We have to keep moving."
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Ranma says, as he limped along. Ami had snuck into the medical wing to retrieve him, after recieving the warning from Han. Unfortunately, he was still sick from being in space. "Where's Leia?"
"She's being held prisoner."
Ranma nods his head, as he suddenly moves his hands over Ami's body.
"Ohhhhhhh…"
"I'm sorry, Ami," Ranma says, as he carries Ami's limped body. "I have an obligation to meet."
Ami was then placed in a nearby utility closet. Afterwards, Ranma disappeared in the woodwork.
An hours later, Vader found out two things. One, Leia has great potential in the
Force, and, two, she was being trained in the ways of the Force by those Jedi. While this makes things frustrating, it did bring up a perfect opportunity.
"I will not turn over Usagi or Ranma, Vader."
"While I am impressed with you're apparent Jedi training, especially in being elusive in our interrogations. I am very impressed indeed. But that will not help you."
"What do you mean?"
"You have potential, and I am willing to overlook your rebellious ways…for a price."
"Doesn't matter what it is. No deal!"
"Oh, I think you will appreciate this deal. You WILL be my student, or your friends will DIE."
"I would never do that. NEVER."
"Take a look, then."
On a monitor, Leia could see Han being tortured. Shhe knew that Han, in spite ofher high-profile status within the rebellion, he knew nothing vital. Well, except where Usats and Luke were at the moment. But Vader didn't know that.
Still, with the destruction of the planet Alderaan, Leia was sensitive about life.
"Please, he doesn't know anything!"
"You are probably right, Princess. Then again, you might be lying. Until you agree to my terms, the interrogation continues."
Leia continued to look at the monitors. Then, she came to a decision.
"I…I accept," Leia said, as her aura died.
"Excellent."
Later on the Cloud City of Bespin…
"Okay, papers please!" said the Imperial storm troopers.
Usagi, who wore a beige duster, looked up. She had Luke make a holding patter while she snuck aboard an incoming transport ship. With a smirk, she, through ahole in her coat pocket, dropped a live grenade onto the ground and kicked it to a nearby regiment of troops…
BOOM!
With that distraction out of the way, she back fisted one sentry, and punched another. She used the Force to augment her blows, causing both of their armorsto crack. Before the last sentry went down, she took his weapon and began firing upon the incoming troopers.
As a precaution, she had Thumper teleport to Luke's fighter after she got on the transport.
Luke, you should have a clear shot on the other landing bay, Usagi thought. I'll meet you halfway.
I hear you, Luke thought back.
Meanwhile, Leia was both mourning and fuming that Han was placed in carbonite and that Boba Fett was now delivering his "coffin" to the gangster Jabba the Hutt. Then, she saw Luke.
"Luke, run! It's a trap!"
"Leia! Thumper, R2- Go find Usagi. Go!"
"BEEP-BEEB-bee-orr!"
"YeeOW!"
"I'll be fine. Go!"
Once the droid and the cabbit went into the other direction, Luke followed where Leia went.
SHOOP!
And down Luke went.
While Luke went to meet his destiny, Lando, thanks to a change of heart, had been able to free the wookie. Chewbacca wanted to tear him apart, but Usagi arrival stayed his hand. Lando was pleasantly surprised to see Han's old running buddy.
"Usagi, you made it!" Ami cried. She woke up in time to hear the commotion caused by Usagi's actions.
"Ami, what's up?"
Ami told Usagi everything that she knows.
"Great," Usagi said. She then turns to Lando. "Lando…long time no see."
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to find Han and the others. Seen them around?"
"Heh. Well, you see…"
Luke slid down a hole into the bowels of the Cloud City. Already, he felt a very strong presence. Once he finished his descent, Luke picked himself up and sought out the source of the disturbance.
"Hello, Skywalker."
Luke turned to see Darth Vader standing menacingly. He then put away his blaster, and pulled out his light saber.
"Darth Vader. Where's Leia?"
"Still concerned for the Princess, even though you have to face me? Interesting.
Rest assured, she is well…at the moment."
Snap! Hzzzzzzzz…
"I'm ready for you. You WILL face justice, Vader."
Snap! Hzzzzzzzz…
"We shall see. After you submit, I shall go after your master Usagi."
And thus the battle was on.
Meanwhile, Usagi and the others managed to catch up with Boba Fett, as he was about to transport the frozen remains of Han Solo. Once they arrived, Usagi signaled the group to stand back. Boba, who saw Usats coming, lowered his weapon slowly.
"Jedi Usagi Tsukino."
"Boba. Still following your father's footsteps, eh?"
"What can I say? It's a family business. What do you want?"
"I want Captain Solo."
"Can't do that. Jabba called in the bounty on Solo's head."
"I see."
Usagi pulled out a briefcase from pocket space, and tossed it to Boba, who caught it after he slung his weapon. Keeping an eye on Usagi, Boba opened the case. Everyone saw that a glow was emitting from the inside of the case.
"Well, I call and raise. What do you say?"
"This doesn't end the bounty, but it will buy Solo some time. Take him."
And with that, Solo was wheeled out.
"Where did you get that-"
"Don't ask."
Usagi turns to Lando.
"Lando, you and Chewie get Han onto the 'Falcon. There's someone who I need to rescue."
"Leia?"
"No. Leia's not on Bespin."
"Then, who?"
"Luke."
The battle between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader was a savage affair. A couple of times, Vader used dirty tricks to carbonite Luke.
POW!
Vader side-kicked Luke into the carbonite machine. Before the machine could activate, Luke leaped out just in time before he was "carbonated".
"Where's Leia?" Luke demanded.
"The Princess? Here."
Vader took out a small device and threw it in the air. Immediately, a holographic image formed around the device.
"Luke, run! It's a trap!" the image mouthed.
"You should have used your senses to determined the validity of this 'person',"
Vader smirked.
"Bastard!" Luke yelled, as he sliced Leia's image, rendering the device useless.
PLOOP!
"You'll pay for that!"
As predicted, Vader WAS stronger than ever, having parried every blow that Luke mustered. Luke swung left, Vader blocked. Luke thrust, Vader parried. However, the battle got intense when Vader picked up a girder with his power, and slammed it Luke. Luke pushed back, and nearly got his head cut off for his efforts.
"You are stronger than I anticipated. Excellent!"
"Thank Lady Usagi for her efforts."
"Of course, I will. But your lesson from me has not been concluded."
Vader waved his hand, and the machinery around moved together, forming some sort of golem like creature.
"As they say, two are better than one. Attack!"
The creature rushed Luke, who jumped and weaved out of its grasp, only to block additional sword attacks by Vader.
Damn! Luke thought to himself. This is like that plant thing Usagi was telling me about! Got to remain calm…
Luke, in desperation, willed that the physical laws around the golem adjust slightly, by suddenly affecting the gravitation constant of the universe. The result was that the creature was now weightless, and was unable to move. Thus, it floated towards the ceiling of the metal construct.
"Very good. Let us take this battle outside," Vader said, as he raised his palm towards Luke.
ZAP!
By hurling a bolt of dark energy, Luke was knocked into a nearby window, and out into the inner cavern of the city. Thankfully, Luke had enough practice in telekinesis to prevent himself from falling to his death. Seeing a nearby railing, Luke floated down and grabbed it.
"Whew!"
Then Vader appeared, as he phased up the floor.
"We are not done yet, young one."
"Oh, boy."
The battle continued in earnest. Each sword stroke was more dangerous than the next. With Luke caught on the defensive, he tried to hold his own. Under normal circumstance, Vader's relentless pounding would have ended up with Luke getting his hand severed. However…
Whrrrrrrrr-!
FZZZZZZ!
Vader leaped just in time to block a thrown saber. The purple saber returned to Usagi's hand.
"Vader, Vader, Vader. Trying to cut off my student's hand? Shameful."
Usagi floated down to the walkway, putting Luke directly between her and Vader.
"Ah, my old friend. I am glad that you are here."
Vader deactivated his weapon, and walked towards Luke.
"Luke, you have much potential in the ways of the Force. Join me, and we can defeat the Emperor. Together, we can bring order to the galaxy!"
"Luke, don't listen to him!" Usagi yelled. Don't make the same mistake HE made!"
"I'll never join you! YOU KILLED MY FATHER!"
"Really? Did your 'master' tell you the tale?"
"Vader…" Usagi warned.
"What do you mean?" asked Luke.
"I did not kill your father, Luke. I AM your father!"
"…"
"Vader, you should not have told him that!" Usagi yelled, as she raised her weapon for battle.
"No. NOOOOOOO! It's not possible!"
"Trust your feelings, my son. Why do you think that I never went after Usagi on Tattooine? Or, why do you think that I have searched for your location since the fall of the Death Star? There are hundreds of rebel bases to choose from, to initiate the will of the Emperor. Why did I bother to look for you and ONLY you?"
"…"
"Son, join me…" Vader said, as he reached out.
In sheer panic, Luke leaped over the railing and fell straight to the core.
"Luke!" Usagi yelled, as she leaned over the railing.
Vader simply leaned over, and then looked at his foe. Usagi looked at Vader expectantly. However, Vader simply turned away, and began to walk in the other direction. Then he suddenly stopped.
"Go save him, Usagi. Our business can be concluded at another time."
With a nod, Usagi leaped over the railing as well. She went dove straight down, using her body weight and size to maneuver. At the same time, she mentally contacted her Padawan.
Luke, hang on! She thought. She really hoped that what Vader said didn't affect her relationship with her Padawan. Long ago, she made a promise to her friend
Padme, and she would be damned if she didn't fulfill that promise!
A short time later, after Han used the 'Falcon to rescue Luke and Usagi…
"Luke, you got to snap out it!" Han yelled, as he was trying to maneuver the
'Falcon out of harms way. Luckily, being carbonated didn't affect his vision long enough to hinder his vision much. "I need you to man the blasters!"
"…"
"Luke, please," began Usagi, who was busy trying get the hyperdrive up and running with R2-D2's help. While Lando assisted Han in the cockpit, Chewie was trying to put C3-P0; Thumper was doing his best to assist the wookie by getting whatever tool he needed. "I don't know what's going on in your hand, but I need you to man a gun."
"You lied to me."
"Luke, it's a bit complicated. Look, as soon as I can, I'll explain everything.
Besides, we need to get ready before we face Vader again."
"Why? What's the point?"
"He still has Leia. Remember?"
Luke didn't want to admit it, but he knew that Usagi was right. As long as Leia is in the clutches of Vader, the Rebel Alliance was in danger of loosing an important asset.
"Fine. But when this is all over, you owe me an explanation."
"Of that I promise."
Meanwhile…
"You will never get that unit operational," the protocol droid complained.
"BEEP-beep-bee-rr-BEEP!"
"Guys, hang on!" Lando yelled. After Vader threatened to "Change the deal
FURTHER" in their dealings, Lando knew which side he needed to be. If he had to be with this bunch, he might as well make himself useful.
Thankfully, Ami and R2-D2 had gotten the engines fixed.
Wrrrrrrr- BOOM!
"Lord Vader? The rebel ship as escaped," the commanding officer said nervously.
Vader simply turned away from the main viewing window, looked at the officer, and walked away. When he got to his chambers, he went to a nearby wall and looked up.
"Soon, your training will begin," he said to the carbonated Leia Organia. He found it much better to deliver the Princess to the Emperor in this manner.
Meanwhile, Ranma was stashed in the hull of Vader's ship. He was more than determined to free the girl who he helped to raise to adulthood.
And he was more than ready to deal with the Emperor himself.
A few days later, Lando, Chewbacca, Ami and Han get ready to separate from the convoy of rebel ships.
"Now you four stay out of trouble," Usagi said, while wearing her white robes.
She had been in meetings all day, so this little break was much needed. "And Ami is going to let me know if you DO get into trouble, Han. So deal with that Jabba situation as soon as you can."
"I'll do that, Usagi!" Ami says.
"Hey!" replied Han "I know what I'm doing!"
"Bloody unlikely!" Lando interjected. "Because of you, I lost my operation!"
"RRROWRL!"
"What HE said."
"Lando, old buddy, you were never meant to be an administrator. I'm doing a favor, don't you know."
"Yeah, right."
"And Han," Usagi began, "We'll find Leia…and Ranma. Trust me."
"I always do, old friend. I don't know why…"
"Hey!"
And with that, the 'Falcon was gone.
Luke? Thought Usagi.
Yes? Luke replied likewise.
"I know that what Vader said is shocking, but you have to trust me. When the time comes, I'll tell you everything. Please?"
"Okay."
"Luke, I…"
"Yes?"
"Never mind."
As the two looked outside at the stars, Usagi wondered how Luke would take to knowing the entire truth.
At any rate, what Darth Vader said was only a half-truth. As complicated as that may be, it will get even more so when Luke learns that he has a sister.
Tbc.
Author's note: Hopefully, you are all satisfied with this outing. We wrapped things up next time, though it won't follow the pattern EXACTLY. Later!