Rescuing Ryoo was child's play for Obi-Wan. The trick was keeping the impulsive Pooja in check.
The guards were of low caliber. Obi-wan guessed the other guards were at the Naberrie house.
They reached Ryoo in no time. "Took you guys long enough." She said, embracing Pooja and Obi-Wan.
"We need to get out of here." Ryoo said. "I managed to steal the plans for the Death Star."
Obi-Wan knew he should pretend not to know what is was or disguise the fact that Rebellion had been feverishly trying to find the plans. Ryoo is a lot like Padme… can stumble upon great aids to the Rebellion.
"That is a critical piece of information." Obi-Wan paused. Vader on Naboo… I never thought he would come here…this will make Luke's job easier.
There was no doubt in Obi-Wan's mind that Luke would have detoured to rescue Leia. I only didn't pay Han to take him there for Padme's sake. I can make this even easier for Luke… buy him time to get away.
"Ryoo, you know where the Pride is berthed and its information."
Ryoo nodded. "Pooja, you are the faster pilot. Ryoo and Pooja go. Go to Yavin."
"What about you, Obi-wan."
"Do not worry about me, go." Obi-Wan said, gently. My time has come.
"Old man." Vader wheezed. "It has been a long time. The last time we met I was the apprentice and you were the master. Now I am the Master."
"Only the Master of Evil Darth."
After 'defeating' Obi-Wan, Vader went to the Death Star where bad news awaited him. "The Queen, milord, she has escaped."
"Did you at least put a tracker on the ship?" He snapped.
"Yes, milord." Tarkin said, coming up.
"Well, then today will be a good day."
"Commander, fire at Naboo." Vader said. The planet had served its purpose, Obi-Wan and Padme's memorieswill bedestroyed. "There is no better way to get back at the Queen for escaping."
"So now to Alderaan?" Han asked, as they flew away.
Before Luke and Leia could answer, a green beam distracted their attention. "No." Leia said, horrified, but at the same time unable to take her eyes away.
Leia collapsed against Luke, who resolved to be strong for Leia.
"Yavin." Leia and Luke said in answer to Han's earlier question. "Alderaan is too densely populated."
"The only thing on Yavin is the rebel base."
Han was still in shock. "Fly, captain." Luke snapped. He knew the longer they were there, the more it would hurt Leia.
"I hope Ryoo, Pooja, and Obi-Wan got away." Leia said, once the shock of the force-backlash passed.
Luke squeezed his eyes shut. "Luke tell me."Leia said, her voice commanding.
"Obi-Wan is dead."
"Can this day get worse?" Leia asked, trembling.
Luke decided not to speculate that Ryoo and Pooja were alive. In case they are not…
"There is a ship at the edge of hyperspace. Likely, it waited seeing the carnage." Han said, his voice soft for the first time.
"The Pride!" Leia said, thankfully. "Solo, comm.. that ship.'
"Solo!" Leia said, when he did not.
"Luke, Leia, is that you?"
"Ryoo, Pooja."
"Oh my gosh." The cousins wept to each other, sharing their grief until Luke said, gently. "We need to go. We must warn planets."
"I-"
"Comms can be intercepted." Luke said, warningly.
"See you then." Pooja said.
"If we just could have found a way to destroy it." Leia said to Ryoo and Pooja once they disembarked.
Ryoo smiled mischievously. She waved a datapad. "The plans, milady."
"Give them over quickly." Leia ordered, "I think we were followed."
Just then Bail rushed over and hugged Luke and Leia. "We feared the worst, truly."
"The worst could still happen, Uncle Bail, the ship was followed."
"The Falcon, no way." Han argued.
Leia gave him a withering look. "I will start to prep the fighter pilots." Luke said, glad to have something to do. "I will come with you."
"I will browbeat technicians." Leia said and Ryoo followed.
"My payment." Han called.
"Ryoo, you handle that." Luke said, trying to avert the inevitable fight.
"No." Leia said, frostily.
Luke sighed, but Ryoo and Pooja gave him amused smiles.
Leia returned slightly triumphantly when Jan Dodonna said, "Commander Luke Naberrie shall lead a team and Commander Pooja Naberrie another, Perkins shall lead a third."
Leia and Ryoo flashed good luck at their siblings.
The alarm went off then. "Nice to fly with you again, Luke." Wedge Antilles said as they raced to the X-Wings. All the Naberrie children had fought with the Rebellion.
Luke smiled at Wedge, who would be his wingman.
Wedge introduced him to Biggs Darklighter who would also fight with him.
"Luke Naberrie, call-sign Gold Leader."
"Nice to meet you, Goldy."
Luke smiled, he could tell Biggs would be a good friend.
A few minutes into the conflict the Rebellion had an upper hand. Then a new TIE fighter came into the fray. Vader! Luke thought. He had to damp down on his force usage. He had been using the force to aid him.
"Vader is there." Leia, who was in the Coordination room said.
"How do you know." Madine asked.
"Uh… my brother told me. None of you heard the comm..?"
Ryoo knew the drill. "I did." She lied.
"Sorry." Leia said to Ryoo in Nubian.
"Watch it in the future."
The Rebellion's leaders watched tensely as Vader destroyed many Rebel fighters. Finally, after even Pooja had been forced to land with damages and Luke was one of few fighters left Leia started to panic. Stop worrying about Vader and go! She sent.
"Luke.' Ryoo said, noticing the number of TIES, including Vader's, on his tail.
"YEAAH. You are clear knock it in kid."
Sorry Obi-Wan. Luke turned off his targeting computer and fired.
Good. Leia, Pooja, and Ryoo thought.
Chapter 2
"I guess they think the best way to inculcate me in the rebellion is to give me tasks." Leia said, after she finished the medal ceremony.
Leia admitted to herself, though, that it was a good idea. After all, she was the elected queen of Naboo. Therefore, she was the highest ranking person there and… she thought, allowing herself a little vanity, the best looking.
"That was awesome, Lei." Pooja said, coming in to her cousin's room.
"Where are Ryoo and Luke."
"I am not good enough for you." Pooja teased. "They are planning the memorial services."
Leia got up and went to her elder cousin. "Yeah." Pooja said, trying to pretend she had not been crying. "I just came to get you because I felt you should be in on it."
"Thanks for thinking of me, I guess my brother didn't."
"Lei, he wanted to spare you the pain."
"I know." Leia had retreated behind her 'queen mask'.
Pooja was the opposite, shewore her emotions on her sleeve, which Leia supposed, was why she had become a pilot and not a diplomat.
Leia and Pooja joined Ryoo and Luke.
"Hey." Luke said.
Leia whacked her brother on the head for good measure and Luke decided that was a sign to apologize. Luke apologized, but Leia was only slightly ameliorated.
"So where are we so far?"
"Well, Bail and Garm said the base will be invited to the ceremony."
"Duh." Leia said, "if that is all the planning-"
"I want to fly to the remains of Naboo install a memorial yard."
"A nice way to get back at the Empire. Show they can never destroy all of Naboo." Pooja said, warming to the idea.
"But only us." Leia said, "No one else needs get hurt for our craziness."
"I have started work on the memorial stone." Luke said, leading his siblings to the back where he had started the engraving procedure. "The Naberrie family: Ruwee, Jobal, Sola, Darred, and Padme Amidalla. You are remembered and loved. You gave your lives to the galaxy and Naboo, and we will never forget. We remember and take up your banner. FREEDOM. PEACE."
"Nice, Luke." Leia said, the words were ones they had agreed on for a memorial ceremony.
"I wanna plant some Lily flowers." Ryoo said. "Mama and Auntie Padme loved them."
"Yeah, and some Jasmine for Grandma." Luke said.
Pooja hugged Luke and Leia, Ryoo.
"Drat us, we can't even get through crying.
"All right, the memorial service is planned for tomorrow night." Luke said.
Leia looked at him, "Uncle Bail said we need to abandon Yavin soon and we won't be able to plan there because we don't know the temperature of Ord Mandell. We leave in 2 nights and I did not want the ceremony to be rushed by imminent departure."
"Where the next base is." Leia explained to Pooja.
"Fine, but then we stay and plan now." Ryoo said.
Bail came in a few minutes later, and the Naberrie kids hid the memorial stone.
"Plans?"
"We will leave to get food, flowers, and other materials." Ryoo said, daring Bail to argue, "then tomorrow at 1600 people will gather outside, where we will have holographs looming. Luke, as the Jedi, will speak some prayers. You wanted to speak, and then I, as the eldest, will speak for all the Naberries, and then we will eat."
"Good plan. Decorations?"
"Lilies, Jasmine, and a few roses." Pooja said.
"We plan to stay awake all night getting them ready." Luke added, smiling.
"Especially since you have to buy them." Bail said, he got the hint that the Naberries wanted to do this alone. "Can I help?"
"Just try and see the people who come are sober." Ryoo said, trying to lighten the mood.
Bail winced. "Getting Garm to come sober will be a trick."
"Is Mon Mothma all right with not making a speech." Leia asked.
Bail paused. The Naberrie kids looked at each other. "Can she keep it to a minute or so?"
"I will make sure." Bail said.
Ryoo got up, "Naberries, move out. Pooja, you are with me. Luke-"
"I hate to interfere, but especially at this critical juncture… we need to mix the two of you."
"You are right, Uncle Bail, we should have thought of that." Luke said. "Ryoo, you are with me. Leia and Pooja. Uncle Garm is loaning us some Corellian freighters. Get in them and turn out!"
"When are we putting the memorial yard up." Ryoo asked.
"Let's see how much stuff we can get. Don't forget we need to dodge Imps."
It ended up taking the Naberries, even split up, until next morning to get everything they needed.
"When do we put up the memorial yard." Pooja asked when they got back to their quarters.
"Right after the memorial service-" Luke began.
"-everyone will be expressing condolences. We leave 2 hours after the service." Leia and Ryoo said together.
"We have garlands to weave people."
"And the fighter pilots stay away from them." Ryoo said. "Luke, you especially. Last time you had to sort wool…"
The laughter was muted by the fact that the last time they had done such a task was for Padme's birthday… at home… on Naboo.
"Group hug." Luke pronounced.
Luke and Pooja set forth constructing an altar and revolving holograms.
The work was productive and fast. It was interrupted only by occasional crying spells. "I don't know how I would have done this without you all." Ryoo said, and everyone knew she didn't mean put on a celebration.
After a few minutes, Ryoo said, "As the oldest I order everyone to bed."
Leia, who was the youngest, threw a pillow at Ryoo but everyone climbed into his/her bed and slept until 2 hours before the ceremony, except for Luke who got up four hours earlier.
"I got food for everyone." Luke said, when he noticed everyone was awake.
"My favorite brother." Pooja said, grabbing for it.
"Sith!" Ryoo said, looking at a chrono.
"It is all right," Luke said, comfortingly. "The setting up is all done as well."
"My favorite brother." Leia said.
"You guys owe me big." Luke said.
"Next time Evelyn Mirkenstein calls, we'll pay up." Pooja said. Evelyn Mirkenstein was a Technician who had a crush on Luke.
Luke nodded seriously. Once everyone had eaten, Luke rushed them to the fresher.
They came out looking somber in mourning white, but gorgeous all the same. They formed up around Ryoo, who as the eldest, was the official Naberrie family representative.
"I thank you all for coming." Ryoo said, as everyone gathered around the altar in Republican style. "The Naberrie family welcomes you to this memorial where we shall remember, our Grandparents Ruwee and Jobal, mother Sola and though she was our Aunt, we considered her our mother-Emine."
As each name was mentioned a holo went up. For Emine, the holo that went up was Padme disguised as Emine.
They were all great people who will be missed.
Leia, as the youngest, lit the flame of remembrance though there were no bodies they could cremate.
Luke led the Nubian prayers. "Aaali aanina, Appa parivar Nabierre. Loutan deena. Beena, meena, reena. Ruwee Jobal, Sola, Emine-non obliviator."
Then Luke started the Jedi remembrance. "Though it is hard for us to think of this now. They are with the Force. This is a natural progression. What is born must die. What comes, must go. They died as they lived, in service to the light."
"May the Force be with them and with us."
Everyone in the room repeated. "May the Force be with us. Always."
At this everyone took a seat, except for the Naberries.
"I ask Sen. Mon Mothma, and a Councilor of the Rebel Alliance to come forward and say a few words." Ryoo said.
Mon Mothma, as was custom, stopped at the flame to incline her head before stepping in front to speak. "The Naberries have had a long standing tradition of speaking for freedom. Queen Amidalla, otherwise known as Padme Naberrie, at the age of 14 stopped an invasion. She stood forth and said no. Then as a Senator, she opposed the Emperor. She had the courage to give the Emperor a petition, in person, asking him to stop the raid on the constitution. Giving her life, finally, for the Republic. I know she would have been a great asset to this rebellion. The other Naberries stood strong during the Imperial invasion of Nabboo, refusing to give in or allow the Empire to destroy them. They took in and protected Naboo, at their own expense. We must remember the Naberrie family as we fight."
Ryoo and Mon bowed at each other as Mon sat down.
"I know ask Viceroy Bail Organa, of Alderaan and a close family friend of the Naberries, to come forward."
"I have known and treasured my friendship with the Naberries. I have enjoyed Ruwee's cooking and Jobal's kind words. I have retreated there when life got tough. When my head was not on straight and I thought maybe Palpatine was right, it was Padme who reminded me of what the Republic stood for. It was Sola who stepped forth and told me, I know what Padme told you-now do it. Be worthy of her legacy in the Senate. It was Emine who made me laugh. Emine, had the hardest job of them all, to come in as an outsider. To shelve her own pain and help raise the children… The children you see in front of you, Pooja, Ryoo, Luke, and Leia are the Naberrie legacy. What a legacy! Ryoo stood in front of the Senate and got Palpatine to believe that being a Naberrie she wavered. Then she stole the Death Star Plans. Pooja and Luke refused an order to fire on Gungans, and instead protect the Gungans from the xenophobic Empire. Then Luke, as you all know, destroyed the Death star. Leia, her Majesty Queen of Naboo, faced down Darth Vader himself. Refused to give information. Refused to sell all of us out. Were it not for her courage, we would all be dead. What a legacy the Naberries have. I started my speech with the everyday lives of the Naberries, because I know that is what they would want to be known for-their actions in peacetime. They were a peace loving, loving, family that I will sorely miss."
"Now, I speak for the Naberrie kids." Ryoo said, after bowing to Bail. "I start with a Nubian phrase, Parivaar hai uttam, parivar hai sab kuch. Family is best, family is everything. The Corellians think they have the monopoly on family-I say we do." Everyone laughed, surprisingly Han Solo did not retort. "I learnt not only this phrase, but the meaning behind this phrase from my family. I don't say we are perfect, we are not. But my grandparents, aunt, and mother came close. They taught me that I am first a Naberrie. I am first a daughter, sister, niece, and granddaughter. Then I am a Nubian and a member of this galaxy. My family lived this. Everyone knows and has heard of my aunt's exploits. My mother did her duty to her family, even after the Empire killed my father in their invasion of Naboo, she held strong for us. My aunt Emine was our second mother." Quite literally, Ryoo thought. "She was the one who hugged as when we got hurt, who told us stories and pushed us. I know I would not have accepted the responsibility of the post in the Imperial Senate as someone opposed to the regime without her."
As Ryoo went on, focusing on the personal aspects, Luke held Leia and Pooja, feeling their deep anguish.
After Ryoo finished the Naberrie children rose as one and bowed to the flame. "We cast of mourning here and now." The said the ritual phrase, removing their white veils, for the girls and head scarf for Luke, of mourning and casting them into the fire. "We turn the mourning into honoring them and their legacy. We shalt not fail you."
The four children helped each other up. "We will be fine." Luke whispered.
"I request that all guest adjourn to the side room." Garm said, speaking for the Naberries as Ryoo did not.
"Are you all right." Bail said, coming up the four, as Garm ushered the others out.
"Sorry." Ryoo said, eyes downcast.
"Don't be sorry for missing your family. Turn that sorrow into anger."
"Turn that sorrow into determination." Luke said.
"This isn't the last memorial." Leia said, her lip twitching.
"I can handle the Naboo memorial." Bail said.
"Thank you, but it is my responsibility as the Queen of Naboo." Leia said.
"Just remember I, Garm, and Mon are here to help." Bail said.
"I thank you for that." Leia said, her voice softening.
"We neglect our guests." Ryoo said, interjecting.
Bail nodded and allowed the Naberries, who were anxious to leave for Naboo, to go attend to their guests.
"If I hear one more person say they are sorry about grandma, grandpa, mom, and Aunt Padme who doesn't actually mean it-" Pooja said, breaking off as the Naberrie children set fly in The Pride.
"They are trying to help." Ryoo said, to try and calm Pooja.
"I-It- It is just hard." Pooja said. "We can't even openly remember Aunt Padme!"
"We will give them a proper remembrance. That is one thing this memorial yard allows us to do" Luke said, calmingly.
"Let's all get some sleep." Leia said, half an hour later.
"I will man the controls." Pooja and Luke said at once.
Leia and Ryoo left Pooja and Luke to sort out who would fly when.
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"You will not believe what I found." Luke said, waking up Ryoo, Pooja, and Leia.
Pooja laughed, hysterical laughter to be joined by both Ryoo and Leia when they looked out the nearest viewport. "The Empire could not destroy it."
"No matter how many times they tried." Luke finished.
"I cannot believe so much of it is intact." Leia said, getting out to inspect the house.
"Well, at least enough to put up a good memorial garden." Luke said, he sensed something…. "Let me inspect it first, you guys get the materials together."
Pooja made a face at him. "My project, my idea, my rules." Luke said, firmly.
Leia sensed her brother's determination, she put a hand on Pooja's arm. "Come on."
Ryoo followed Leia and Pooja followed after a last glance at Luke.
"All done, master. " Pooja said, coming out.
"You have your guarded face on." Pooja said after inspecting Luke's face.
Luke inclined his head, he was not going to reveal what he found, especially not given what he had sensed.
"What did you find." Leia asked.
Luke turned away. "Trust me, you don't want to know."
"Share the burden, Luke." Pooja pleaded.
"I am the oldest, I order you to tell us."
Luke laughed a laugh with no humor in it. "Make me." Oh I don't want anyone else to have the knowledge that I do. To see the sight that I did, my mother, the one who cared for us so lovingly, dead... of SMOKE INHALLATION! I'd rather they hate me than know that.
"Luke!"
"The Empire does not know about our mother being alive longer than they thought." Luke said, finally, figuring that Leia would get it out of his brain and some point.
"How do you know that?"
"I found Mother, she was…hidden." Luke's eyes showed his anguish. "She survived the initial massacre, but when they burnt the house she died… smoke inhalation."
"You know who set fire to the house."
"Darth Vader." Luke's eyes burnt with hatred until he controlled it.
Pooja put a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Let's cremate her body then."
"She-she wasn't in good condition. I wanted to spare you all that last sight."
"Stop it you two!" Pooja snapped, when Leia was about to retort.
"Don't start fighting now." Ryoo added, her voice softer. "We need to hang together, not separately."
After a moment, Luke and Leia hugged. "Well, I did leave lighting the pyre until we were all together." Luke said.
"Leia, this is yours." Ryoo said, softly.
Leia gulped, lighting a pyre was much harder when the body of a loved one was on it.
Leia did and years of diplomatic training stopped her from breaking down completely.
"Beloved mother, beloved aunt. We shall miss you." Ryoo said, her voice clear.
"I shall not miss you." Luke said, his voice clear, "for I know you will always be with me and me with you."
After allowing everyone to grieve for a few moments Pooja said, "come on. We need to hurry."
The four worked quickly and hard at constructing the memorial garden until Luke looked up. "Someone is following us." He said, his voice distant.
Pooja raised her blaster, but Luke pushed it down. "Solo, come out." Luke said.
Han Solo meandered into the scene. "What are you doing here." Leia asked, furious.
The other three exchanged patient looks, they knew Leia would take her grief-induced anger out on Solo. I guess it is better than her taking it out on us...
Luke tuned them out as they bantered after hearing that Bail had hired Solo to follow them and make sure they did not get themselves into too much trouble.
"Let's continue our work." Luke whispered to Ryoo and Pooja.
Fifteen minutes later, Leia returned to the task of building with Solo lurking. "Insufferable…. NERF-HERDER!"
Surprisingly, the insufferable nerf-herder quietly lent them a hand later on. When Leia looked at him, surprised, he spoiled the moment saying, "It'll help us get outa this asteroid belt faster."
Luke, however, suspected there was something else motivating his work, especially when Han asked, "Do you guys know who did this."
"Vader." Luke replied.
"That Machine needs to get what is coming to him."
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On Coruscant- Vader knelt before Palpatine in his private throne room.
"The destruction of Naboo served its purpose, Lord Vader." Palpatine said.
"Yes, my master." Darth Vader said, he hesitated.
"You would like to search for-your son." Palpatine said, cackling "Yes Lord Vader, I know about that."
"With your permission, my master." Vader said. I should have known, Palpatine is strong in the Dark Side.
"Do not worry yourself about him." Palpatine said, caressing the arm of his throne. "He will come to us."
"Still-my master."
"Go now to Dantoine and destroy the vestiges of the rebellion." Sensing Vader's hesitancy Palpatine cackled. "Do not worry about your son, he shall come to us. Now go!"
Vader bowed. "Yes, my master."
"Luke will come, especially given this piece of art." Palpatine pushed the button on the arm of his throne and cackled, as it came into sight.
"I will come straight back after Dantooine and then ask the Emperor permission to go after Luke again." Vader thought.
A report, however, made Vader detour after the mission was complete, to the ruins of Naboo.
"She loved this place and now its gone." Came to him, unbidden.
Vader quashed those feelings. "It was a hotbed of rebellion."
"Where is this reported memorial." He asked, a nervous Lieutenant.
The Lieutenant pointed to an asteroid, the one with the sense of Padme all over it.
The struggle made Vader even angrier. "Come along then." He said.
He went to the asteroid and found the memorial garden.
"Destroy it." He said to a group of stormtroopers and marched back to the Executor.
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"At least the memorial lasted that long." Pooja said to Luke, as Luke, Pooja, and Ryoo sat in their common area.
"Yeah, it served its purpose." Luke said, gazing into his cup of Kaffe.
"We will build a great memorial once this war is over." Ryoo said, putting her hand over Luke's and Pooja's.
"Where is Leia." Pooja asked.
"Arguing with Solo." Luke said.
"They need to admit they like each other." Pooja grumbled
The three winced as they heard the loud Corellian and Leia come closer to the common area.
"I am being sent to Ord Mantell with him!" Leia said, outraged as she came in, thankfully without Han. Leia turned on Ryoo, "did you know about this?"
Ryoo had been invited to be part of the Inner Council. Ryoo knew they were considering inviting Leia as well and she had been pushing for that.
"Leia, you want to be on the inner council? You need a big mission to 'prove' yourself. Ord Mantell could do that for you." Ryoo said, "Captain Solo knows the terrain and has a fast ship."
Leia consented, angrily sitting down. But then she sat up. "Oh, I have exciting news too!"
"What." Luke asked, when Leia did not continue.
"Someone rebuilt the memorial!"
"Ha!" The three said.
"On that note, Luke and I need to leave for exercises." Pooja said, getting up and stretching her legs.
Luke got up as well. "Leia, I am going to be one of your back-up's at Ord Mantell, if that makes you feel better."
Leia threw wadded paper at Luke, knowing that meant he had known Solo was going to be sent.
Luke's deep laugh resounded after he and Pooja had left the room.
"I got it!" Leia announced, excited coming in. "I was invited to join the Inner Council."
"Congratulations." Luke said, moving to pull out the chicilote cake with fizzberies, Leia's favorite. Luke had had it ready, knowing Leia would be invited. She had to be for multiple reasons.
"It is a shame your first decision is going to be where to move the base." Pooja said, commenting on the fact that Imperial incursions had increased drastically.
Leia shifted on the bed, but her expression of excitement did not decrease. This, for her, was validation. It was validation of her work and her efforts. The fact that she spilt some cake on her favorite white gown also could not dampen her spirits
Ryoo re-plaited Leia's hair to calm herself. "How does the Empire keep finding us."
"We will be fine, Ry." Leia said. "Truth and justice are on our side."
"You sound so much like Aunt Pad when you say that." Pooja said. "She was convinced the rebellion would win."
"It will." Luke said, trying to convince everyone in the room, his earnest blue eyes touching on all of his siblings.
Leia started humming an old Nubian folksong and after a moment Ryoo joined, then Luke and finally Pooja. In Basic the folksong goes Truth and Justice. Oh, if I have truth and justice what else do I need. If I have truth and justice and am severed, I'll be put whole again. Truth and justice stay with my Naboo so I'll never have to worry 'bout her again.
"If life were folk-songs." Pooja said, still pessimistic.
"I thought you could fly circles around any Imp." Luke said, trying to tease her out of her pessimism.
"It's the second Imp I worry about." Pooja shook her head, and her black hair with brown highlights swatted Leia. "Sorry, Leia. Congrats. Sorry you guys, I think patrol tonight will be good for me."
Pooja walked out. "I'll go after her." Luke said.
"Give her some time." Ryoo said.
A tingling sensation in the force, led Luke to reiterate,"I think I will go after her. I'll just follow at a distance."
Luke went to where Pooja's X-wing was usually berthed.
"Lieutenant Naberrie
"Red 3 leaving base." Luke heard Pooja call.
Luke ran to his own X-wing. "Commander Naberrie." A syrupy sweet voice, accompanied by a clovey smell caused Luke to internally groan as he reminded himself of Jedi patience.
"Ms. Mirkenstein."
Luke tried to subtly shrug her off as she came close enough to touch him.
An alarm went off just then. "Sith!" Luke exclaimed, forgetting Jedi patience.
"Forgive me, Ms. Mirkenstein." He said, trying to remember what Obi-Wan and his mother had taught him of 'gentlemanliness'.
"Evelyn." Evelyn Mirkenstein said, a wistful look on her face as Luke took off.
"Commander Naberrie, this is base." Ryoo's voice came. "Return now."
Luke pretended he hadn't heard. "Luke, you cannot help her." Leia's pained voice came. "That is the Executor out there."
Luke continued to fly towards Pooja's surrounded X-wing. He increased speed as he saw the X-wing trapped by a tractor beam.
"No." He whispered.
Luke used his connection with Pooja, having grown up with her, and knowing her Force sense to follow her, not caring that Darth Vader was on the ship with her. He ignored the fact that doing this would mean Darth Vader would know that he was a trained Jedi.
He followed her to a planet called Mustafar. As Luke got closer he sensed deep betrayal and anguish. The dark side was strong on Mustafar… Nevertheless he landed carefully and followed her sense. "Vader has left her alone." Luke said, elating, though part of him knew it was a trap.
"Pooja!" He said, thankfully, seeing her across the pool of volcanic fire.
"It's a trap!" she said.
"That's okay." Luke said, somersaulting to her and setting her free.
It was after he somersaulted with Pooja back to the main rock that he felt Vader. He remembered practicing a maneuver like this at the age of 5. "Pooja, run to my X-wing." He said, "I will be fine."
Pooja looked like she was in double minds, "Go!" He said, taking out his lightsaber.
Now I will be able to avenge Naboo… no, revenge is of the dark side. Control Luke. Control.
Vader unleashed a barrage of force-lightning, forcing Luke to leap towards the pool of fire. "Pitiful. Maybe you are not as strong as the Emperor feared."
Luke leaped upward from the rock he had hidden on. "Perhaps. But only time will tell." He said, raising his lightsaber to meet Vader's saber.
Luke turned and deflected a lightsaber attack from the other side. "Perhaps you and the Dark side are not as strong as you thought." Luke said, after disarming Vader.
"Child, you have yet to learn the power of the Dark Side!"
Luke ducked as Vader sent a rock towards him and then responded with his own rock. Vader unleashed a barrage of force lightning.
"Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father."
"He told me enough." Luke said, unable to control his anger at this. "He told me you killed him."
"No. I am your father."
Luke looked at that man; so different from anything he thought his mother could love. He looked at that man and thought of the pain that his mother had endured. He looked at that man. A worse thought hit Luke then… his mother, grandmother, grandfather… his entire family had lied to him. "No!"
They were not even alive for him to question them.
"Embrace your destiny Luke. You will join me. The Emperor and I have foreseen it."
"Even Obi-Wan knew this to be true. Why do you think he lied to you? He knew you could be the most powerful Jedi ever. Son, look around you. This is where I discovered Obi-Wan's treachery. The treachery of one I loved…. This is where I realized, there is only one thing, power."
Luke felt Leia coming closer. The thought gave him some comfort. "I will never join you!"
He leapt off the rock as Vader swung and severed his right hand. "Son, you will join me. Together, we will defeat the Emperor and install a new world order. One with peace."
Luke found this idea attractive, but at that moment he remembered the shards of Naboo, his mother… He knew Vader had killed her. That final moment of betrayal had confused him before, but now he knew… it was betrayal because Vader was her husband and he killed her.
"Never." He leapt even lower.
"Suicide." Vader said, contemptuously. "Maybe you really are weak. Not a fitting legacy to me."
Vader turned and walked to his ship as if nothing had happened.
"Over there." Leia said, directing Han. "I said there you…"
"Your worship, we are on Mustafar. A planet of fire. This means something-it means we have to fly cautiously!" Han said, his voice a little less sarcastic than usual.
"Never thought I would live the day when you were advocating flying cautiously." Leia grumbled.
"Leia, I see something!" Ryoo exclaimed.
"Pooja's ship." Leia said, "Han put us down."
"You said it, Chewie." Han grumbled, but he complied.
"Luke… fighting Vader." Pooja said, seeing Leia and Ryoo.
"What." Leia gasped. "He isn't ready for that!"
"Ah!" Leia said, collapsing.
"What." Han asked, scared.
"Luke…" Leia gasped, holding her head and then her right arm. "So much pain…"
"Chewie, will you please get Leia aboard The Falcon." Ryoo said, taking charge.
"How will you find Luke?" Leia asked, her voice fainter than usual.
"We will follow in The Falcon." Han said, his voice devoid of any humor.
Leia looked at him surprised, and that look shocked him out of his serious mood. "I wouldn't want a queen collapsing now would I, your Majesticness?"
Leia flared up. Ryoo diverted the fight, "let's go then."
Ch3They found Luke dangling off the side of a cliff, his expression unlike anything they had ever seen on Luke-filled with a deep despair.
"Luke." Leia said, hugging her brother tightly.
Leia was startled as to how stiffly Luke hugged back.
Leia muted a gasp as she noticed the stub without the hand. "Vader." Leia asked.
Luke nodded, not saying anything more than that… not needing to.
Han came to Luke's rescue. "Come on, your Naberrienesses, let's get the kid to bed. He looks like a Wampa came after him."
Luke pretended to sleep soundly and pretended to miss Han saying. "All right, I need everyone to choose a gunport. We have Imps on our tail."
-I am coming for you, son.-
"No." Luke moaned.
Leia crinkled her brow. "Darth Vader is sending to my brother."
Pooja, Ryoo, and Leia exchanged dark looks. "This mean he knows."
"Luke's not going to like this." Ryoo sighed, "but he is getting relegated to base duty or at least sticking undercover."
'That is not going to do anything, Ry." Pooja argued. "Vader will search him out and it will antagonize Luke."
"Something is deeply bothering Luke." Leia said, wrinkling her brow, sensing Luke's feeling that everyone was wrong.
"Later!" Han snapped, bringing Leia back to the present.
"Where is Luke." Ryoo asked, seeing Leia in their common area.
"Early morning patrol." Pooja responded for Leia, joining her sisters. She took off her large winter overcoat, as Leia kept the room warm somehow even though they were on Hoth.
"He still hasn't shared what is bothering him." Leia asked Pooja.
Pooja shook her head sadly. Ever since they returned from Mustafar, Luke had been distant from all of his siblings. He had taken on many solo missions and retreated into himself.
"Well, I have to talk with the Mon Calamarians." Ryoo said, getting up.
"I have a patrol in a little bit." Pooja said, "but shall we meet for the midday meal?"
"Same place as usual." Leia said, smilingly.
"Where in the universe is Luke." Leia said, worriedly when he did not show up even by the time that they had finished their meal.
Pooja got an idea. "Meet me in our common area in 15 minutes."
"Uh oh." Leia said to Ryoo. "Pooja is steaming."
"He took a leave of absence." Pooja said. "Garm said he thought we knew."
Leia narrowed her eyes. "I hope you return all right, Luke. Once you do, I will kill you."
On Naboo- "How could you have married Vader?" Luke asked, gazing at the memorial yard and the ruins of the house he grew up in.
Luke broke down. "You always said I had my father's genes. Is this what you meant? Am I fated to be Vader?"
Luke hugged the memorial stone, realizing how futile it was to hug stone.
He remembered his mother's smiling face. He remembered her determination and her sadness. Her sadness…. was a result of his father's betrayal, Luke realized. "That means Vader was not always Vader… he was at a time, Anakin Skywalker."
"And a good friend." Obi-Wan said, softly, appearing.
"You lied to me." Luke said, whirling on Obi-Wan.
"I told you the truth… from a certain point of view."
"From a certain point of view." Luke said, slightly angry.
"Luke, you will find that many of the truths we cling to, depend on our point of view."
Luke laughed, slightly.
"Besides, I think your recent thoughts are on the right track. What of your mother's memory? What are you doing to her commitment to keep her family together by disregarding yours? What of the pain you are causing Leia, Pooja, and Ryoo."
Luke ducked his head, ashamed.
"Go back to Hoth, and do your duty to your family." Obi-Wan said, adding to himself, "Your solo mission will come soon enough."
"Thanks Obi-Wan." Luke said.
He sat and meditated lightly for a few minutes, and then left, leaving only a flower at the base of the memorial garden.
"Luke is back." Leia said, waking Ryoo and Pooja later that night. "Better yet, his sense seems a lot lighter."
"So maybe he did need that leave of absence and it did him good." Pooja said.
"He is heading to leave a message for the Inner Council." Leia reported, somewhat disappointed. "But he says, he will be with us in a minute."
Luke was true to his word, and came back. "Leia, Pooja, Ryoo, I am truly sorry for the way I have been acting for the last month." Luke said, without preamble. "Vader told me something on Mustafar that… unhinged me."
"Why trust anything that murderous liar says."
"Because I knew it to be true." Luke paused, but knew he would get no better opening. "He is Leia and my father."
Leia physically recoiled. "No." She said.
Luke hugged her. "But, when in dealing with that I went to Naboo… I realized and Obi-Wan affirmed, this does not change who we are. It does not diminish the work we have done. We do not answer to Vader's legacy."
"Plus… Aunt Padme would never had married a Vader." Ryoo said, softly. "Who was he before he was Vader."
"A good man named Anakin Skywalker." Luke finished.
Leia was quiet, and Luke and the others knew they had to give her some time to deal with it.
As the Force would have it, the next day the Inner Council assigned Luke to a mission. "Commander Skywalker, this mission would put you in harms way." Mon Mothma said.
"Understood, ma'am."
"Especially now that, as a rumored Jedi the bounty on your head has been increased." Garm added.
Luke nodded. "I am ready sirs and ma'am."
"All right then." Admiral Ackbar wheezed. "There are rumors that the Empire is building another superweapon. The plans are located on a secret bunker at Endor."
"Break in and steal them." Mon Mothma added.
Luke did not miss the look Garm shot at Mon Mothma.
Luke, however, said nothing. He simply bowed and left.
He commed Pooja, the only sibling who would be unaware of this. "I gotta go to Endor. See you when I get back."
"Be safe." She said, Luke felt that her sense was worried.
Luke clicked his comm… then got in his X-wing. "Ready for an adventure Artoo?"
Artoo beeped the affirmative.
Luke flew to Endor. As he got closer, a weird sensation hit him. "Focus, Luke." He told himself.
Luke landed his X-wing in a forest, which caused him to have a couple close calls. "All right, Artoo." Luke said, once he finally landed the craft on the densely forested planet, "I may be awhile, guard the ship."
Artoo bleeped an affirmative and wished Luke luck. Luke snickered as his astromech unit informed him that it had no desire to tell Luke's family that he was dead.
Luke was struck by the word family—less than a year ago his world had been ripped from under him. His Aunt, mother, grandparents, his mentor and his life had been stolen. Yet now, his world had stabilized to an extent. He did not have them but he had his siblings, friends, and a cause.
Luke shook his head, this was not the time. He snuck right up to the building, using his force powers to divert animals. This saved him time, and limited the need to kill any animals. Luke knew, especially with the Empire's penchant to tag animals, that he would have otherwise had to kill many animals or risk being caught.
Luke reached deep inside of himself and used the force to map the position of the stormtroopers inside.
He then used his lightsaber to cut a hole in the wall. He crouched in the knee length grass and waited as three stormtroopers came to check on the noise. He waved a hand and convinced them that the hole did not exist. "Drat… animals." The stormtrooper said, observing what he thought was a wall. The stormtrooper captain activated an animal trap as he did not want this incident repeating itself when the Emperor came to visit.
Once they left Luke knew he only had a few minutes to get in, get the plans, and get out. Luke was so focused on this that he almost missed the animal trap, leaping over it just a second before it caught him. Well, that actually buys me a few more minutes.
Luke walked softly to the sideroom where the plans were being kept. Once again, the Empire's paranoia helped the Rebellion. The Empire attributed the loss of the plans the previous time to traitors. Therefore, the Rebellion had learned, the real plans were in the side room.
The Empire had felt since the perimeter was well-guarded, the best security for the plans was to keep them away from human hands—put them in a side room that was locked at all times. The mainroom, that the Empire thought the rebellion would target for the plans, was heavily guarded with troops inside and out.
Locks don't keep Jedi out. He used the Force to sense the last numbers that were pressed.
He smiled grimly, as if he needed more evidence that his father-the erstwhile Jedi was involved-the numbers reorganized corresponded to the location of the largest Jedi massacre.
The doors hissed open. Luke walked in. He looked at the time, he had only two minutes to get the plans and get out. Luke frantically looked through the boxes and cartons. He found the datacard. 30 seconds to get out of here.
He raced quickly through the halls, and leapt through the hole.
As Luke raced away, the lieutenant on base commed Imperial Palace. "Your Majesty, Skywalker just left."
Palpatine cackled, "Excellent. He does not suspect a trap?"
"No, your majesty. I have scrambled Imperial walkers with orders to kill, but the pilots I sent are incompetent. They will not succeed. Even with Jedi powers, Skywalker will sense no deception."
"Excellent."
Palpatine closed the connection. Things are going according to plan. In a few minutes Skywalker would discover…
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"I am fine, Artoo." Luke said, trying to comfort the distressed droid after they entered space. "Just a little scraped. Nothing I am not used to."
Luke tuned out the droid once they reached hyperspace, a stray feeling he had not had time to analyze in the thick of battle reached him.
"Get your hands off me." A lady said imperiously.
"Come now, your ladyship, you should be glad to escape the fortune of the rest of your family." A man in Imperial uniform said.
"Put her in." He ordered the stormtroopers holding her arms.
The lady lifted her chin and displayed no fear as they put her in a carbonfreezing chamber."
Luke gasped. "Aunt Sola!"
Luke reached out and remembered where this had come to him. He knew that this was most likely where she was being held.
His first instinct was to charge to his Aunt's rescue. "I must first get these plans to the rebellion and tell Leia."
The more he thought about it, the more he realized that the Empire wanted him to pursue Sola… not the Empire, the Emperor.
Luke realized that Palpatine sensed him as a threat and wanted to neutralize him and Leia. Leia was untrained, and with the turmoil she was feeling over their father she could not be trained as a Jedi for the moment. The death of her brother would compound this, driving her to the dark side.
Therefore the Emperor saw Luke as the only threat to his supremacy, and therefore wanted to lure him with the promise of his Aunt.
"Artoo," Luke said softly.
Artoo beeped in return.
"Record location 23x24 planet-Endor. If, after I leave I do not return for some reason- give this location to any Naberrie remaining, and if none of us remain give it to Bail Organa."
Artoo beeped an affirmative.
Luke would have said Garm as well, but since the death of his mother Garm had retreated into grief especially as friction had developed between him and Mon Mothma.
As Luke neared the rebel base on Hoth he commed the inner council asking to meet with them immediately. He then commed Leia. "Lei, get the fam together. I need a word after I am done with the inner council."
Luke sensed Leia's emotions-happiness, as she sensed Luke was in less turmoil, and then confusion over his odd request.
"See you soon, sister." He said, his voice soft.
He clicked the comm. and then turned it off.
He landed, "Commander Knight Naberrie, the inner council is ready for you." A tech, thankfully not Evelyn Mirkenstock, said.
"Thank you." Luke said.
Luke gave Leia and Ryoo at the back of the room a reassuring smile, he had not taken the time to clean the grime off of himself.
Luke gave Garm Bel Iblis the plans. "I have retrieved the plans. However, the plans were in a sense a trap."
Luke did not elaborate even when asked. "The trap must be sprung by me. But, I ask the inner council keep my discovery of the trap secret. I am sure the Empire realizes I was on Endor and have taken the bait, the plans."
Luke did not add that the true bait was something else.
"I think the best plan would be to coordinate the two operations, yours and the dismantling of the second death star," Admiral Ackbar said.
Luke sensed an urgency, the Force told him that he had to move before the rebellion moved against the Second death star. The Emperor's calculations relied on Luke coming to him before the Death Star operation, therefore if he did not they would not need Sola anymore. Luke did not want to take that risk. Plus, giving him Sola's location was a distraction, Luke was sure the Death Star would be ready before the plans said they would be. Luke was supposed to go after Sola first, and it would be better to pretend they had fallen for that.
"Once I leave, call together the rebellion and announce the operation against the second death star." A plan came to Luke, "pretend you do not know I have left—put me in the battle plans, etc. Let the Emperor think I have sacrificed myself…"
Mon looked like she was going to argue, but Bail recognized the look in Luke's eyes. It was one both Padme and Obi-Wan had often worn, it signified a well-thought out plan.
"I think that sounds good." Bail said, before Mon could intervene.
Bail knew Garm would vote with him against Mon Mothma, and he could count on Leia and Ryoo's vote, though Admiral Ackbar might vote with Mon she would still lose.
"Please, inform me whenever the plans are about analyzed." Luke said, his voice indicating that he felt it was urgent he leave soon.
Luke bowed and took his leave.
He went to the common quarters where Pooja was waiting. Pooja came towards him and they saluted each other, laughing. "I'll shower, then hug you." Luke said.
"Like I want you to hug me." Pooja said, smiling.
Luke laughed, which was a welcome sound to Pooja. She had not heard him laugh whole-heartedly since Mustafar.
Luke took a shower, and then came out. By this time, Ryoo and Leia were back. "What is it, Luke?" Leia said, "Not that I am unhappy that you are over Mustafar but what prompted the change."
"I have reason to believe Aunt Sola is alive." Luke said.
The other three rose, hope shining on their face. "Wait," Leia said, suspicion building, "she is the real bait for you then."
"Yes." Luke said. "The Emperor is holding her at a storage facility, with the expectation that I will come after her."
The hope died. "I can do this." Luke said, earnestly. "Obi-Wan told me that for my last test I had to face… my father, and this will be that time."
"We are coming with you." Leia said, her face set.
"No." Luke said, then he reconsidered. "Pooja, can you cover me?"
Leia got angry. "Why her and not Ryoo and I?"
"Someone needs to watch the rebellion." Luke said, seriously. "Mon Mothma is a great lady, but she likes control a little too much for my taste. I claim no ownership over the rebellion-"
"-but someone needs to make sure the rebellion stays true to the principles set at its outset. Make sure it stays a Rebel Alliance." Ryoo said, seeing where Luke was going.
Leia was not completely mollified. "Leia, if they defeat me-you are the only hope." Luke said, looking deep into her eyes. "Only a Skywalker can defeat Vader and the Emperor."
Leia looked away. "Leia," Luke commanded, "look at me."
Luke did not want to say the next part aloud. "Anger, aggression, fear –they are the dark side." Luke sent. "There is no such thing as righteous anger. You may attack with anger for revenge over a wrong, but in attacking for revenge you lose the purpose. Always remember that sister dear. Your family is always with you."
"Don't do that you two!" Pooja said, in annoyance. "It is like listening to half a conversation."
Luke got the vague sense that someone was spying on them, but brushed it off especially as he sensed no malicious intent around.
Luke ate a hearty meal and meditated until his comm.. rang. "It is time." He said, quietly. "Pooja."
Luke and Pooja hugged Ryoo and Leia. "Pooja, stay back." Luke instructed, as they took off. "I will approach and go in. If I do not come out in 3 hours, bomb around the perimeter. If I still do not come out-bomb the facility, Artoo will give you the coordinates."
"Assassinate the Vader and Emperor." Pooja said.
Luke was silent. He knew regardless of how resolved he was, there was always the risk… "Assassinate you in case you have turned dark."
"Yes." Luke half-whispered. "If I am not out in 3 hours I am dead, in some way shape or form."
"Luke…"
"Promise me, Pooja. Promise me you will not let me, or them, wreak havoc over the galaxy. I don't want Leia to have to face a dark father or me."
"I promise." Luke sensed her reticence, but also her resolve, she would do it.
As agreed, Pooja fell back a parsec away from Endor whereas Luke landed. He pretended not to know the Emperor would allow him into the throne room in the storage facility.
He, therefore, made the battle with the Red Guard look real and then blew a hole in the side of the wall.
He was surprised, however, that the Emperor allowed him to get to Aunt Sola.
"You are destructive towards Imperial property." The Emperor said, cackling.
"You refer to me melting the wall in both the storage facility here and half a kilometer away." Luke said. "Yes, Your Majesty, I know it was a trap. You did not lure me here, I willingly took the bait."
"Regardless…I knew the carbon frozen Sola, would be bait enough."
"And I counted on you wanting to save your poor sisters the pain in case you were wrong." Palpatine said.
"You have failed, young Skywalker." Palpatine continued, "soon you will be dead-and then your aunt- then your sisters."
Luke smiled, softly. "We shall see." Luke said.
Palpatine's face distorted, Luke's sense promised resolve. He launched a volley of Force lightening at Luke. Luke deflected it, easily.
"I shall not be destroyed so easily, your highness." Luke said.
"You shall join the dark side, or die." Palpatine said. "That was merely a taste, boy. How long do you think you can deflect the power of the Dark Side!"
A danger sense reached Luke. "Pooja!" He screamed in his mind, trying to dampen it.
Palpatine smiled broadly. "Yes, Lord Vader is pursuing your cousin. She is woefully overmatched."
"Join me, young Skywalker, and you will never have to worry about family dying. You will never have to worry about the raw pain of conflict." He said, his voice soothing. "You can keep them all safe."
Luke found himself entranced for a moment. Then images of his mother, Obi-Wan came to him. His mother quietly and firmly establishing a rebellion, giving herself to the galaxy and her children. His mother's eyes… so sad, that sadness was put there by the Empire! His sisters' sorrows-caused by the Empire and the Dark side. "LIES!" His brain screamed at him.
"Never." He said, shaking himself out of it. "You have failed, your highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me. A warrior for the light, like my mother before me."
He deflected another force bolt, feeling himself weaken. He reached out with the force and hit the switch that began to unfreeze Sola. If I die, this way she will still be free and I will still have succeeded. So be it. Jedi." Palpatine said, unleashing a torrent of force lightening.
Luke ignored the pain, reaching out instead to his father. Images of his mother had given him an idea… -Father!-
-Finally, you accept me…-
-I always accepted Anakin Skywalker, even when I thought he worked for the Empire as a functionary.-
Luke sent images of Sola, Padme, Jobal, and Ruwee playing with him and Leia.
-Padme was alive?-
Luke felt his father was distracted from his pursuit of Pooja. -Yes, Father. You burned her alive yourself.-
Luke sent what he had sensed on Naboo.
Then he sent the images of Sola frozen in Carbonite.
-this is how you and your Empire reward one who cared for your family?"-
Luke felt his father's fury grow. -Help me, father! Help your family.- He said, as he weakened.
He, unwillingly, cried out in the Force in pain.
Even if I die now, Luke, who was incredibly weak, thought, I have done good. I have restored my father to the light side.
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Luke felt his father's fury at the Empire. -Anger is of the Dark Side, Father. Rejoin the light. Regain your family.-
Anakin Skywalker snickered gently in the force. My son, lecturing me about the nature of the force.
He flew fast and furious to the surface of the planet. "Now, you die." Palpatine exulted.
"Not so fast, my master." Vader said.
"Lord Vader, what a surprise." Palpatine said.
'No so pleasant a surprise."
'I did as you wished, I delivered your son to you."
"Half maimed."
Luke sensed his father was going to attack in anger. -Wait! Attacking in anger has unexpected consequences. The last time you did it, you killed one you loved. The same will happen again-Anakin Skywalker will die again if you attack in anger.-
But, the moment of hesitation, while Vader cleansed his mind, allowed Palpatine to launch a volley of force lightening at Vader.
Luke felt remorse, that the hesitation he mandated hurt his father. -Do not be sad, son. You saved me. You gave me peace.-
Luke knew what he had to do. He reached deep inside himself and got up. He waved his lightsaber in front of his father, deflecting the Force Lightening which then rebounded and hit the Emperor.
The Emperor crumbled as the force lightening reflected over all of his face.
Luke cringed as the Force Impact of Palpatine's Death hit him.
He turned to his father, only to find Anakin Skywalker was already dead. "Be at peace, father."
Luke, however, was at peace. He had restored his father to the light side.
Luke then remembered Aunt Sola, whom he had unfrozen. Before he could look for her, he collapsed. "Easy there, kid." A welcome voice, drawled.
"Han." Luke asked. "Tell Pooja-"
"I sent her back to base. I said it didn't take two of us to babysit two kids." Han drawled. "Her ship was obviously too small for the two of you, and there is an attack imminent if you didn't know."
Luke relaxed as he felt Chewie pick him up. "I'd appreciate if you'd tell the lady we are friends, she's been fightin' like crazy since we took her out of the middle of the fighting."
"Aunt Sola!" Luke said, tears coming to his eyes.
"Luke, that you?"
"Yes." Luke said.
"Neither of you is strong enough to go to the other right now." Han said, pushing Sola down and allowing Chewie to push Luke.
Luke felt Sola start at hearing the unfamiliar voice. "It's okay Aunt Sola, he is a friend-Captain Han Solo."
"A friend who expects to get paid well." Han said, not asking why Luke was calling Sola "Aunt". More than not asking… Luke sensed that he was not surprised that Luke was calling the woman everyone thought his mother, Aunt.
"You were the one spying on us!" Luke said, everything clicking.
"You'd best be glad I was!" Han said.
"I am." Luke said, blacking out.
"Great." Han grumbled. "Chewie, get the kid. I'll see if I can carry her ladyship."
"Sola. Sola Naberrie." Sola interjected. "Thank you Captain Solo."
"Han." Han said, feeling uncomfortable.
"Thank you, Han."
"Yeah…" Han said, strangely finding that he liked this spunky lady. He liked the fact that she respected him enough to call him by his title until given permission to do otherwise.
Han took the two to the Command cruiser. "Thanks Han." Luke said, getting up on his own. The healing trance, as short as it was, healed him for the shortterm.
"Oh thank goodness." Leia said, racing towards The Falcon.
Leia reached Han first and kissed him full on the lips. Luke was glad he was behind Han, else Leia would have slapped him, since he could not hide the smirk that came to his face.
Luke exchanged a 'finally' look with his other sisters. To everyone, including his own, surprise Han did not say anything except kiss back.
"Nice thing to come back to." Sola said, once Luke whispered what happened into her ear.
A blushing Leia hugged Sola, followed closely by Ryoo and Pooja.
"Lady Sola," Mon Mothma said, bowing deeply, "we are so pleased to see you alive."
Bail hugged Sola and Garm placed a hand on her shoulder. 'This is good luck to launch an attack to."
"Is that all you think about Garm." Sola asked, his eyes twinkling.
"No… I think about the day the Empire is defeated too." Luke was pleased to sense Garm's sense lightening, albeit a bit. The defeat of the Empire should take care of the rest.
Everyone broke out laughing.
"The attack must commence." Admiral Ackbar said.
"With your permission, Admiral. I would like to fly." Luke said.
Ackbar looked torn. "Are you well enough?"
"Yes sir."
"All right, why don't you take joint command with Major Naberrie."
Pooja and Luke grinned at each other.
"I must get to the command room." Leia said, looking at Ryoo who seemed unable to leave her mother.
"I should go to." Ryoo said, reluctantly.
"I am coming."
"Mama!" Ryoo and Pooja said.
Sola gave them a look that reminded everyone present that Sola Naberrie was the elder sister of Padme Naberrie. "I will get a repulsor chair." Bail said, recovering first.
"I thank you, Viceroy."
Sola gave Pooja and Luke a hug. "Remind the galaxy that Naboo may be destroyed, but the Nubian spirit is not."
The attack had already been named, the Revenge of Naboo.
"My call sign is Padme." Pooja said.
"Mine is Naberrie."
Sola laughed as she got the full meaning. "And you have joint command."
Luke nodded. 'We need to get going."
As he had last time, Luke slapped Wedge Antilles on the back. "Ready to take on another Death Star?"
"Always, boss."
Luke laughed.
"Flight Revenge of Naboo, are you ready?" Luke asked.
"Roger that."
Luke waited as each ship checked in. "Wait for my go." Pooja said.
Luke waited until Admiral Ackbar commed him. "Launch!"
"Go!" Pooja commanded.
They took off in perfect formation, only to find the Imperial fighters in disarray.
"The Emperor's death must have done this." Luke mused.
Luke felt pity for the Imperial fighters. "Imperial fighters, this is Rebel Alliance Flight group 1. If you surrender now—you will be taken into custody and then released, pending Alliance rules."
"This applies to individual pilots, so don't think if you are the only defector you will not be accorded this courtesy." Pooja added, supporting her brother though she felt less sympathy for the Imperial fighters.
Luke and Pooja said, "hold the attack, rebel forces."
More than a few Imperials commed surrender. "Land on Endor." Admiral Ackbar instructed the surrendering ships.
Admiral Ackbar sent Leia to coordinate the surrenders.
Once this was taken care of, the unofficial cease fire was broken. "Alliance fighters, form up. Alpha 2" Luke commanded.
"Red 1." Wedge said, the first to be shocked out of the surprise at the formation Pooja called for.
Each alliance fighter checked in until they made a pincer and surrounded the Imperials.
Luke again called for the Imperials to surrender. This time many more did.
Luke privately commed Pooja. "As you take care of this, I will get the Death Star. It would not do for the Imperials to regroup. The ones on the Death Star are currently in even more disarray than the ones out here."
Pooja clicked her comm..
Luke wanted an excellent pilot for his back-up. "Captain Solo."
"On your tail, kid."
Pooja blocked Luke from sight as she led the dogfight against the remaining Imperials.
"On three." Luke said, launching himself into the Death Star.
Luke flew hard, having to maneuver around the obstacles Jerrejod had installed after the Rebellion had destroyed the First Death Star to prevent a repeat. Well, we are about to prove that his efforts were in vain. The Death Star is still vulnerable
Luke gave himself completely to the force and then launched the assault.
"We are good, kid." Han, who had fallen behind to take out the few batteries that were operating, said. "Let's get outta here."
Luke followed Han out, this time he was the one taking out the batteries that were operated by soldiers who would rather die and take out the rebels than surrender.
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Epilogue-"A new era dawns on us." Mon Mothma announced. "One that will be ruled by peace and justice."
Sola tuned out the speech, and instead concentrated on her daughters, niece, and nephew.
Luke was limping only slightly, having exacerbated his injuries by flying.
Leia looked radiant, having recovered from her brush with sorrow and grief. Finding her Aunt alive had restored her confidence in the good in the galaxy. "Finding love, has not hurt either." Sola mused.
Leia was practicing her speech, Mon Mothma had named her Minister of State. This warmed Sola's heart, as it told her that regardless of differences with Mon Mothma in the past, the woman recognized the worth of the family. Ryoo confided that she felt Mon Mothma had more calculated interests. Since Leia and Luke's relationship to Padme had been revealed—there had been an outpouring of support. Ryoo felt that Mon Mothma had recognized this and felt that if she didn't appoint Leia Minister of State, Mon could lose the next election.
Regardless of any self-interest involved, Sola was glad for Leia and thankful to Mon Mothma. She was especially thankful that Mon had given Leia, and the others a vacation. Sola planned to cherish the time the family had together.
Once the vacation was over, Leia's official duties were to help Luke set up the Jedi Academy on Yavin. Yavin would be Sola's home too. The sorrowfully few Nubian refugees were being given shelter on Yavin. Sola was the acting queen, having been elected as, well, she ran unopposed.
This was not a job Sola had ever wanted, but she was a Naberrie. She would never shirk her responsibilities to Naboo. Plus, this position would allow her to give the children a stable home when they had time from their responsibilities. Not to mention care for any grandchildren….Maybe it was time to 'subtly' hint to Han and Leia that they should think of marriage.
The end.