Lead the Way: A Star Wars/She-Ra Story

Chapter 37: Operation: Star Destroyer

Adora's comlink went off.

Adora asked, "Catra?"

"You guys gotta come here to Bright Moon, right now", Catra said, sounding scared.

Adora, Sam and Hordak looked at one another as they piled into the ship and raced towards Bright Moon castle.

They soon got to Bright Moon castle.

Frosta was there waiting for them.

"You're here, follow me", Frosta shouted.

Hordak asked, "how many were injured?"

Spinnerella approached and said, "more than a dozen injured, mostly clones. Ani was among the injured. His injuries were caused by Barriss Offee. But she vanished after the fight."

"Barriss? Not her again", Sam said with a groan.

Adora asked, "what about the rest of the Jedi?"

Spinerrella replied, "Shaak Ti, Luminara and Fisto received heavy injuries. They're unconscious, but they're stable. Obi Wan is conscious, but needed a lot of bandages."

The group then made it to the medbay.

And they saw more than a dozen clones on beds.

Shaak Ti and the other injured Jedi were in healing tanks.

Ahsoka, Leon, Bane, Ashla and Prime were all sitting around Ani's bed.

"Oh my god", Adora said softly.

Catra asked, "how is Ani?"

Ahsoka said, "he's unconscious. They don't know when he's gonna wake up. They had to bandage everywhere they could where he was impaled."

"Don't say that honey, he's going to live", Leon said as he held his wife's hand.

"I can't believe…. That bitch…. Tried to murder Ani", Sam growled.

Ashla said, "and the sad part is, even after Barriss did that to him, Ani begged us not to kill her."

Prime added, "as if he saw good in her that none of us did."

Ahsoka did not see the twins, and she asked, "Sam…. Where are Luke and Leia?"

"Yeah, I don't see them", Hunter said.

Rex asked, "are they back at the temple?"

Adora shuddered as Catra saw the frightened look she had.

Sam said, "Vader…. He has them…."

The room was silent for a few minutes...

"WHAAAAAAAT!?"

Sam then broke down in tears, Hordak then hugged Sam.

Adora said, "he took the twins when fighting us. He has Luke and Leia."

Hordak said, "and we're going to get them back."

Leon asked, "but how? How are we gonna get onto Vader's Star Destroyer undetected? We'd need someone who's been on the ship, and has a way to get on!"

"But the Executor has already left, Vader is probably taking them back to Coruscant", Echo said in a worried tone.

Rex said, "it doesn't matter what we have to do. We've gotta find a way to get the kids back."

Wrecker said, "if only we knew someone who could help us get on one of those ships…."

"Perhaps I can help?"

Sam and Hordak turned around to see who it was.

Everyone stepped back as they saw Barriss standing there, a bandage wrapped around her stump.

Wrecker instantly grabbed her and held her against the wall.

Wrecker looked at the others and said, "give me the signal, and I'll break her neck for hurting the kid."

"I have…. Not…. Come to…. Fight", Barriss choked out.

Ahsoka growled, "coming from the witch who stabbed my son, betrayed her friends, and tried to steal my husband away!"

Leon said, "give us one good reason to let you live!?"

Barriss choked out, "I…. Have access…. To an entire…. Star…. Destroyer."

"Which one?" Sam asked.

"The Executor…. Vader's flagship", Barriss choked out.

The others all looked at one another.

Sam said, "Wrecker, put her down."

Wrecker replied, "you've gone soft."

Barriss fell to the ground, coughing up a storm.

Ashla asked, "how do we know you are telling the truth?"

Barriss said, "your boy…. Despite what I did to him…. He begged you to spare my life. It…. It made me question everything. How someone could show me mercy after the terrible things I've done. I figured, if I help you rescue those children, my debt to him will be squared. After that, you'll never hear from me ever again. I can promise you that."

Prime asked, "can we trust her?"

Hordak and Sam could sense Barriss was telling the truth.

Sam said, "she's telling the truth. But we're not taking any chances. We're taking a team to get on that ship, and no one takes their eyes off of her."

Hamill then came running into the room.

Hamill started to beep.

Bow asked, "woah, woah calm down, what's wrong with Hamill?"

"He's saying…. Luke and Leia have made contact", Sam said as his eyes went wide.

Artoo quickly rolled in and showed a hologram of Luke and Leia. They said, "Uncle Sam! Uncle Hordak!"

"Luke! Leia", Sam said as tears were in his eyes.

Adora asked, "are you two okay!?"

Leia said, "we're fine."

Luke added, "we managed to give Vader the slip. We're hiding from him."

Hordak said, "hang on you two. We're coming to save you."

"It's impossible, we were barely able to pass by the guards", Luke said.

Sam said, "we have a way to get onto the ship undetected. We aren't letting you kids stay on that ship longer than you have to."

"We could use Melog. It can turn us invisible and we could easily sneak onboard the ship", Catra said.

"That's a great idea", Omega said.

Leia said, "Vader will be monitoring ships that arrive. You need to find the perfect time to get aboard without him suspecting anything."

"We have to be extra careful when we get onboard", Slash said.

"Don't worry my little angels, we are coming to save you", Sam said with a soft smile.

"How sweet."

Luke and Leia gasped in horror as they saw their father enter the room.

Vader called the communicator they were using into his hand and growled, "take a good look at them…. Because you'll never see these two again. At least…. Not as Jedi…."

Vader then grabbed the twins by their wrists.

"Uncle Sam! Uncle Hordak", Luke and Leia shouted.

"No, leave them alone", Sam shouted in fear.

"Let us go", Leia yelled as she struggled to free herself.

"Luke! Leia", Adora shouted.

"Silence", Vader shouted.

"Help us", Luke shouted in fear.

"Let them go, you bastard", Hordak shouted in anger.

Vader said, "oh, I'm afraid not. I'll be spending some quality time with my children after they spend a week in cells!"

"Mom, help us", Leia shouted to Adora.

Adora yelled, "just hang on kids! Mommy's coming for ya!"

"What's this? How dare you call yourself their mother", Vader growled.

Adora growled, "I'm more of a mother to them than you are their father!"

"You lost the right to be called their father when you abandoned your family for the dark side", Sam shouted.

"Uncle Sam is right, he and the rest of the rebels are our true family", Luke shouted.

"Family always supports one another", Rex said.

Vader yelled in rage as he said, "well then, say goodbye to your, 'family!'"

Luke and Leia screamed in fear, "UNCLE SAM, UNCLE HORDAK, MOM, WE NEED YOU!"

"No! Don't harm them", Sam screamed in fear.

Vader growled, "I will do what I must. Goodbye, and good riddance."

….

Executor

"Don't worry we will save you-", Hordak shouted before Vader crushed the communicator.

Vader turned his angry gaze to his children as they backed away in utter fear over what he would do.

Luke and Leia were hugging each other.

Vader then grabbed the two by their wrists.

"No, let us go", Luke shouted in fear.

Vader yelled, "silence! You two will learn discipline. And my methods will burn it into your heads!"

"We will never give in to the dark side", Leia shouted as her father dragged her and her brother.

"You're evil and cruel! you don't love us! If you did you wouldn't be putting us in cells", Luke shouted in anger.

Vader growled, "it's called tough love. And maybe you'll learn some respect while you're in these rooms!"

Soon, they arrived in the prison section. The cells looked different than other ones on Imperial ships, with all of them being made of ray shields.

"No", Luke and Leia cried in fear.

Vader tossed his children into a cell and locked them in, saying, "Let's see how long you can stomach this before you're ready to listen."

Vader stalked away, leaving Luke and Leia to look at the other prisoners around them.

Luke's gaze was drawn to the cell right next to theirs.

Inside was a young girl sitting by the wall.

She had vibrant red hair, and tattered purple clothes. She was the same age as Luke and Leia. And she was the most beautiful girl Luke had ever seen.

She was crying softly.

Luke asked softly, "hey…. Are you okay?"

The girl turned to look at them.

She stuttered, "I-I'm scared. My family's gone. They took me here and locked me up. I-I- I'm scared."

Luke said, "don't worry. We're all gonna get outta here. Our uncle has a plan to rescue us. We won't leave you behind."

The two sat in silence as the girl pondered Luke's words.

Luke said, "I'm Luke. This is my sister Leia. What's your name?"

"Mara Jade", Mara said with a soft tone.

"Nice to meet you Mara", Leia said.

Mara asked, "why were you two captured?"

Luke replied, "our uncle is one of the key members of the rebel alliance. Vader wants us because of our connection to the force."

Leia said, "but our friends and family are coming for us. All of us."

"And also because, Vader is our father", Luke said, a bit sad.

Mara asked, in shock, "your father is the Emperor?"

"Yes…. But it's a long story", Leia said.

"Well….I have all the time in the world", Mara said as she was still sitting beside the wall.

Luke and Leia sighed, before Luke said, "it all began on the planet of Tatooine…."

….

1 hour later

"And that's how we ended up here", Leia said as she sighed.

Mara said, "woah…. You guys have been through quite a lot."

"I know…. But once our family gets here,you can come with us", Luke said with a smile.

Mara asked, "r-really? You'd let someone like me join you?"

Leia responded with, "our group is full of people like you. Those who have lost so much because of the Empire and the Sith."

"Thank you." Mara said with tears down her face.

….

Etheria

The group had decided they were going to head to the planet Tython.

"It's a good thing, one of the Jedi Cruisers was not destroyed", Rex said.

Slash replied, "yeah. It's still weird leaving Etheria after so much time there."

The other clones agreed.

Sam and his newfound family from Etheria had taken the Ebon Hawk alongside them.

Entrapta asked, "so, what's the plan again?"

Sam replied, "we're sending in Barriss and a select few of us to sneak onto the Star Destroyer and find Luke and Leia. And when the time is right, we commence a rescue mission."

Catra asked, "but who will we send in with her?"

Hordak said, "people Vader has never met. Those of us who can pose as the enemy."

Ahsoka asked, "and who are these people we are sending?"

Catra said, "I'll go. Vader's never seen me, and I have a lot of experience with tricking people."

Double Trouble said, "I can easily take on any form, so I'm going as well."

"That's a great plan, that way we can get the twins out of there", Sam said.

Scorpia asked, "what about the rest of us?"

"We need to head to Tython and speak with the rest of the Rebels and Jedi", Leon said.

Ahsoka said, "the sooner, the better. We can't let the twins be on that ship for too long."

Adora asked, "okay, is the rescue team present and ready?"

Barriss, now with a robotic hand, stood with Catra, Double Trouble, Bow and a reprogrammed Imperial droid the rebels had gotten their hands on.

"Ready", they all said.

"Okay, here's the plan. Barriss and Double Trouble along with the imperial droid will go inside the ship first. Melog will turn Darla's ship invisible so they can be ready to escape with Luke and Leia", Hordak said.

Glimmer added, "Bow and Catra will pose as Imperial guards for Barriss, as a way to keep track of her, and to help in the rescue mission."

"If you as so much do something Barriss…. I will cut off your head myself", Sam said with a growl.

Barriss said, "understood."

Catra extended her claws and said, "don't worry Sam. My claws will take care of her if she tries anything."

"Okay, let's go", Adora said.

….

Executor

A ship had just landed inside the hangar bay of the Executor.

The ramp opened, and out came Barriss with three stormtroopers, and an Imperial droid.

An officer came forward and asked, "Mistress Offee. Where have you been?"

Barriss replied, "my troops and I have trouble with our engines. The repairs caused a delay in our return."

The officer nodded his head.

Barriss and the three stormtroopers and the Imperial Droid all walked forward.

When they reached a room, the three stormtroopers took off their helmets.

Catra asked, "okay, so how are we going to find Luke and Leia?"

"The droid could plug into the system and check where the twins are", Barriss said.

The droid said, "very well. Give me but a few moments to do so."

The droid plugged himself into a nearby console.

Bow asked, "what're we gonna do with that droid once all of this is over?"

The droid said, "I would much prefer not to be deactivated. And you do not have to call me, 'the droid', all the time."

Bow asked, "well what should we call you?"

The droid replied, "I much prefer the name, Kit, because it is an anagram for my operating number; K3T0."

Catra asked, "okay, Kit, how much longer do we have to wait?"

"I found the cell where the twins are being held", Kit said.

"Okay, lead the way", Double Trouble said as they put their helmet on.

(Another title drop!)

Catra put hers back on and said, "I can't wait to get this armor off. My ears and tail feel cramped to all Hell and back."

"I know", Bow said as he put his helmet back on.

"Come on", Barriss said as they went back into the hallway.

The group then made it to the prison section.

"Okay, let's find the twins", Catra said.

The group began walking down the cells, seeing the countless prisoners kept there.

Men.

Women.

Even children.

On their private chatter, Bow said, "we gotta free all of these people, along with Luke and Leia."

Catra said, "agreed."

Double Trouble asked, "which cell is it?"

"This one", Kit said.

"Someone should stay here and keep watch", Bow said.

Kit and Catra stood guard as Bow and Barriss stood in front of the cell.

Luke and Leia glared at them as Luke asked, "what do you want?"

Bow lifted his helmet slightly to show his face and said, "it's me! Bow!"

"Something's...not right." Barriss said.

Double Trouble asked, "what do you mean?"

Luke repeated, "what do you want?"

Bow gasped and said, "these aren't Luke and Leia!"

Catra asked, "what's happening?"

Barriss said, "he's put holograms in place of the twins! He knew someone would come to save them!"

Bow asked, "so, where are they!?"

"According to the video, Vader has taken them to Coruscant", Kit said.

"No! That can't be", Catra said.

Double Trouble asked, "now, how are we going to rescue them?"

Barriss said, "I need to somehow convince Vader to let us get close to them."

Catra said, "easier said than done."

"All of you free the prisoners", Barriss said.

Bow asked, "what are you going to do?"

"The Imperial palace is guarded at all times and I'm afraid you won't have a chance at sneaking inside without getting caught. I'll try to convince Vader to allow me to look after the twins and I'll keep you updated on his plans and the twins", Barriss said with a soft tone.

Catra asked, "and how do we know we can trust you?"

Barriss replied, "because I'm your only chance at saving them."

The others all looked at one another in worry. It was a risky move, but it was their only chance at saving Luke and Leia.

They relented, and Bow said, "good luck."

Barriss nodded as she ran off.

Kit quickly plugged himself into the controls to the cells and unlocked them all. The prisoners all got out as Catra said, "follow us."

As the prisoners followed Catra, Double Trouble approached the last prisoner who stood there in fear.

Mara.

"Come on, we are here to save you", Double Trouble said softly.

Mara then stood up.

Mara asked, a bit scared, "are you Luke and Leia's friends?"

Double Trouble nodded and said, "you know them?"

Mara replied, "they told me all about you. They said you could help me."

Bow said, "we will. We promise."

"Come on, before the alarms sound", Catra said.

The group ran through the hallways until they reached the hangar bay.

"Blast them!"

"Hurry get inside", Bow said to the prisoners.

The prisoners all began running into the ship as Bow and Catra blasted at the troopers.

Double Trouble quickly grabbed Mara in his arms and ran her into the ship.

Once all the Prisoners were on the ship,it took off.

"Have to make sure if they didn't place a tracking device on the ship", Double Trouble said as they took off their helmet.

Kit plugged into the ship's systems and said, "I detect no sign of a tracking device on the ship. It is safe for us to flee."

Bow said, "now it's up to Barriss…."

Catra said feeling sad, "how are we going to tell Sam…. That we couldn't rescue the twins?"

….

Hamill beeped.

"We are approaching Tython", Sam said as he stared at the viewport.

Hordak said, "I'm eager to see these other friends of yours. Especially this Master Yoda you all speak of. He sounds like quite a powerful man."

The other Jedi snickered at the description.

"He doesn't know Master Yoda is...", Ahsoka asked Sam.

Sam shushed her, wanting to see how this would play out.

Soon, the ship landed on Typhon.

The group was greeted by the smiling faces of the various rebel groups and surviving Jedi.

Aayla first approached and said, "it is good to see you alive and well, Sam."

Sam replied, "you too Aayla."

Leon and Ahsoka helped their son out of the ship, the boy limping and wincing from his injuries.

Adora and the others were amazed by the large number of allies Sam had.

Sam said, "everyone, meet my friends from Etheria."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Aayla Secura", Aayla said with a smile.

"My name is Bly", Bly said.

"I'm Ezra bridger", Ezra said with a smile.

"Sabine Wren", Sabine said with her mask off, showing she had dyed her hair orange.

"Zeb, pleasure to meet ya", Zeb Orillios said.

"Kanan Jarrus, or Caleb Dune, if you prefer", Kanan/Caleb said.

"I'm Hera Sindulla, leader of the Ghost Crew", Hera said.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Cody", Cody said.

"Asajj Ventress", Ventress said to them.

"I'm Lando and this is Chewie", Lando said

When Chewie saw Han, he nearly squeezed the life out of his best friend.

"Nice to see you Chewie", Han choked out.

Plo koon asked, "and you all are?"

Glimmer replied, "I'm Glimmer. Princess of BrightMoon, and I'm to be the senator for my people."

Perfuma said, "I am Perfuma. And this is Scorpia. My…. Girlfriend."

Scorpia picked Perfuma up and said, "yes I am!"

The other rebels chuckled.

"I'm Frosta, princess of the kingdom of snows", Frosta said with a smile.

"And I'm Mermista, princess of Salineas", Mermista said as she yawned.

Sea Hawk said, "I am Sea Hawk. And forgive my little tidal wave, she's a little tired."

Mermista grumbled as Sea Hawk hugged her.

Spinnerella, "I'm Spinerrella. Nice to meet you all. This is my wife, Netossa."

Netossa said, "a pleasure."

Entrapta was sitting above Emily as she walked over to Obi Wan and hugged him.

"And I'm Entrapta, princess of Dryl", Entrapta said with glee.

The other Jedi all looked at Obi Wan and said, "it's a very long story."

Adora said, "and I'm Adora. Protector of Etheria, and wielder of the sword of protection. Many know me as…. She-Ra."

Aayla asked, "so you're the warrior we've heard about?"

Adora nodded and said, "I am. Although I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my friends. Especially Sam, Hordak, and my girlfriend, Catra."

Sam blushed as he hugged Hordak.

Lando asked, "so, what's up with that hug, Sam?"

"Well…. Hordak and I are…. A couple and…. We are engaged", Sam said as his face was red.

Everyone grew wide-eyed as their gaze went to Hordak, who said, "it's amazing to meet all of you. Sam has spoken quite fondly over all of you. Especially this, Master Yoda. Where might I find them?"

Yoda said as he walked forward, "heard my name, I did?"

Hordak couldn't stop the slack jawed and bug eyed look he gave upon seeing the old Jedi Master.

Yoda and a few others chuckled.

Yoda said with a small laugh, "Adora, you must be? She-Ra, I know you are. Sam and Hordak, the Dyad in the force, you two are?"

Sam said, "indeed, Master Yoda. It's an honor to see you again."

Hordak asked, "you're Master Yoda?"

Yoda chuckled and said, "expecting, what were you? Hmm? Hehehe."

Hordak blushed a little.

"It's an honor to meet you Master Yoda", Adora said as she bowed.

Yoda bowed back and said, "and an honor to meet you, it is. Much to discuss, we have, hmm?"

"Yes, we need all the help we can get…. Luke and Leia have been kidnapped by Vader", Adora said with a worried tone.

The whole group gave a worried look.

Aayla said, "this isn't good."

Ventress added, "she's right. With those two, Vader could have the entire galaxy on its knees."

"No…. Luke and Leia will never give into the dark side! I know they won't", Sam said.

Plo Koon replied, "regardless if the children turn to the dark side or not, we cannot let Vader have them any longer than he should. They need to be rescued."

"Don't worry, a few of our friends went to rescue them", Glimmer said.

"Speaking of which, we should contact them", Frosta said with a frown.

Sam pulled out his communicator, and said, "Catra, Bow, does anyone copy?"

Bow asked, "Sam, is that you?"

"Yes, it's me", Sam said.

Catra asked, "are you guys on Tython?"

Ashla asked, "yes we are, how did it go?"

Catra said, "we've got good news and bad news."

Hordak asked, "what's the good news?"

Bow said, "the good news is, we were able to save all of the prisoners on the ship."

Sam said, "great! What's the bad news?"

Double Trouble replied, "that is, everyone except Luke and Leia."

There was silence for a few moments until Sam began to cry as Hordak held him.

Hordak asked, "how? How could you not save them?!"

Catra replied, "Vader knew someone would come to save the twins. He had them moved somewhere else on the ship. We only had one option."

Kit said, "they left the one known as Barriss to fund the children and coordinate another rescue attempt."

"What?! What if Barriss tells Vader of our plan", Ahsoka shouted.

Leon asked, "how can you be sure that she will keep her word?"

Catra said, "there weren't any other options! They were onto us, and we had to free the prisoners."

Kit said, "if it makes you feel any better, I detected a 97 percent chance she would not betray us."

Slash said, "how is that supposed to make us feel any better!?"

"Well, we are on our way now", Bow said.

"But Kit was able to view the logs and Vader plans to take Luke and Leia to Coruscant", Double Trouble said.

The Jedi all looked at Sam as he gave a thoughtful look.

Hordak asked, "Sam? What is it?"

Sam, after a few moments, said, "we've been working on a plan for years. One to finally take down the Empire at the heart of it all. With Luke and Leia on the line, it may be the time to enact this plan."

Aayla asked, "Sam? Are you saying…?"

Sam nodded and said, "it's time that the rebel alliance takes back Coruscant."

….

Reviews:

SuperSentai199: well, you'll have to wait for the next chapter for that!

….

Oooohhhh! I'm so excited to get to the next chapter!

It looks like the Empire's days will soon be numbered!