Denz made his way through the ice tunnels of Echo Base toward the control room. Though he was glad to be back on the ground, he did not enjoy the new rebel base location. Rubbing his hands together attempting to warm them, he dodged oncoming rebel personnel as they passed through the narrow tunnels of the base.
"Excuse you," he sassed as one of the intelligence agents bumped into him and continued without a word of acknowledgement. He hated Hoth. There was nothing to do since they had arrived but wait. Rya assured Denz she would have another mission for the crew shortly, but it seemed as though it was taking forever. In reality it had been a week.
The others had taken to Echo Base with ease. Riq had become one of the lead maintenance workers which was essential since everything froze over within twelve hours. Jules took to monitoring incoming and outgoing transports with the gusto of a stormtrooper. Nothing was getting in and out of Echo Base without her knowing about it. As for Lee, he had taken a special interest in the younger soldiers who were assigned to the trenches. He had hardly seen him over the past week. Denz was glad to see his friends doing well, but their focus only reminded him of his boredom which ultimately resulted in him feeling lonely, something he never coped well with.
"Hey Ry," Denz greeted loudly as he reached the control room. Rya quickly turned around frowning and held her finger up to her lips to quiet him. She intensely looked over to Princess Organa who approached a computer control station to answer a call from Han Solo.
"Afraid there's not much left," Solo said over the intercom. He and his copilot Chewbacca had gone out to investigate a strange signal they had detected earlier that day.
"What was it?" Leia asked, taking a seat. Rya moved within ear shot to catch Solo's report.
"Droid of some kind. I didn't hit it that hard, must have had a self-destruct." Solo reported. Rya's heart sank. This was not good. She knew what kind of droid it was from her time on Lothal during the Occupation.
"An imperial probe droid." Leia confirmed. Denz walked closer to Rya and placed his hand on her shoulder. They both knew what this meant. They would need to evacuate immediately.
"It's a good bet the Empire knows we're here," Han said grimly.
"We better start the evacuation," General Rieekan told Leia. Rya immediately turned back toward her computer station and began to transfer her information to a data pad.
"Well on the bright side we get to leave this icebox," Denz cheerfully said.
Rya nodded, barely acknowledging Denz's comment which was usual. Something was not right. Denz had noticed in the past month she was quieter than usual. He knew that her and Lee had had their ups and downs over the years and he had been there for both of them through it even with the awkwardness of their past. He knew her too well to let it slide.
"Everything alright?" Denz asked.
"Of course," Rya lied. She swiftly changed the subject to avoid any more of Denz's questions,"I suppose you'll have something to do now with the evacuation. Riq's in the Ion Cannon control room doing a maintenance check, which will be vital to clear a path for transports. Lee's out in the trenches trying to boost morale among the boys though now I guess we'll see if it actually pays off. Any idea where Jules is?"
"You know as well as I do, I'm the last person that Twi'lek would tell," Denz replied, watching Rya's hands shake. He took hold of them to steady them. "Hey. What gives?"
"Denz stop that," Rya pulled her hands away and unplugged her data pad as she shut down her computer. She rushed into the tunnel headed toward the hangar. Denz followed closely beside her."If you want to be helpful, find Jules and help organize the evacuation boarding groups. High ranking officials first."
"Ry," He cornered her, forcing her to stop. "Come on, I've known you since we were kids. You're fearless. What's giving you the shakes?"
"Mind your business," She said, trying to move past him but he blocked her. She glared up at him. The two of them went far back and she could remember. He had been her first friend, first love, and considered him family. But she couldn't tell him what she was dealing with. "I haven't told Lee yet."
"Told Lee what?" Denz asked densely. "You two fighting again?"
"I can't," she said, finally moving past him. "Somethings are just between me and him, ok?"
"Yeah well good," Denz yelled loudly in frustration. His voice echoed through the tunnels causing the pilots and others scurrying through the passageway to look back at him. "I'm getting tired of being your guys' therapist!"
"Go find Jules! That's an order!" She yelled back.
She entered the Hanger flustered. She hadn't told anyone what was going on. She hadn't come to terms with it herself. She feared she was starting to show signs of her dilemma. In her denial she had been taking more risks than usual. Signing up for any mission or intel operation she could. She had convinced herself that if she put all her efforts into the alliance she would somehow end the war. Then she would be ready for the biggest change in her life. As Rya stood in the middle of the freezing Echo Base hangar she realized she had been foolish. Even if the war ended today, she wasn't ready to become a mother. She didn't want everything to change. She didn't want to bring a child into this terrifying galaxy. Most importantly she wasn't sure what Lee would do once she told him.
Lee's transmitter began to blink. It was orange which meant the base was preparing to evacuate. He had a feeling they wouldn't last long on Hoth. He tucked his transmitter away and smiling knowing Denz would be glad about the move. The snowy trench filled he was stationed at was filled with young rebel soldier awaiting for order. Lee had become familiar with them well over the last few days and appreciated their eagerness but also knew they were scare of what they would have to face. Checking the perimeter with his monoculars, he scanned the terrain for any disturbances that would delay their evacuation. Luckily everything looked calm for the moment.
"Writing to your mother again, Jobin?" Lee asked one of the young soldiers who he particularly fond of.
"Yes Captain," Jobin answered, shivering.
"Call me Lee," he corrected the soldier and removed his scarf from his neck handing it to Jobin. He didn't like being addressed as Captain by the soldiers. He wanted them to feel he was one of them.
"Thanks Captain. I mean Lee," Jobin said gratefully, wrapping the scarf around his neck. "Lee? Does it ever get easier?"
"The fighting? Afraid not," Lee admitted. "But that's the way of it. It's good actually."
"How'd ya figure?" Jobin asked, puzzled.
"Well the minute it becomes easy, means you've become numb to it all," Lee said thinking of Jules as he spoke. He was deeply worried about his friend. She had been distancing herself more and more from the crew and was intent on taking part in any ground missions with corps or special forces. "War should never be easy or a sport. Loss and destruction should never be something you tolerate but it's unavoidable during these dark times. Having difficulty bearing the hardness just reminds you the thing you're fighting for is worth it."
"When I die, I'll know my life will have meant something," Jobin nodded.
"Don't speak of your death Jobin, it's bad luck on the battle line,"Lee patted the young soldier on the shoulder and proceeded down the trench line. "Alright men, attention. Echo station has issued an evacuation code. So far we're clear for departure, but keep sharp and ready. If we're lucky, we'll move out to the rendezvous locations without much excitement."
"Captain! Look!" a soldier pointed away over the Echo Base trench to a group of rebel soldiers running toward them. Lee looked through his monoculars and saw it was Beta and Delta squads running from a group of tall hazy shadows that seemed to be slowly moving.
PEW! PEW! PEW! PEW!
"WALKERS!" Lee yelled as he saw AT-ATs step into focus firing at the men in retreat. The soldiers in the trench rushed to their positions and readied their blaster rifles. "Fire at will! And be careful not to hit our men!"
PEW! PEW ! PEW!
"Lee!" Jobin yelled through the rain of fire. "Our blasters are nothing to those AT-ATs!"
"Keep firing!" Lee took cover and crouched down calling back to the base. "Echo station, this is Echo Ten. AT-ATs have breached Beta and Delta. We can't hold them."
"Echo Ten, sending T-47s for support. Transports on their way. Hold steady, repeat, hold steady," Echo base answered.
"Those T-47s aren't gonna make a difference," Lee muttered and stood again aiming his rifle at the AT-ATs firing hopelessly.
PEW! PEW ! PEW!
BLAST!
Jobin pulled Lee back to avoid the blast that hit the inside of the trench. Before he could thank the young soldier T-47s flew overhead sending the squad into a cheer. As Lee predicted, the blaster fire from the T-47s did nothing to the heavily armored AT-ATs. Lee repositioned his rifle and continued to fire. As he gauged the situation, a T-47 launched a tow cable and circled the legs of an AT-AT. Once the cable was tied and released, the walker took an additional step and collapsed to the ground. The T-47s circled back and fired causing it to explode.
"Yeah!" The trench cheered. Lee knew even with the small victory it wouldn't turn the battle in their favor. He wouldn't let his men remain in the trenches to be slaughtered. He needed to move them out against Echo Base's orders.
"Jobin, gather the squad and follow me. We need to secure the Ion Cannon." He said. He slung his rifle over his shoulder and addressed the remaining fighters. "The rest of you get to your transports!"
"Ready Captain," Jobin said. Lee nodded and led the way out of the trench toward the ion cannon.
"Riq!" Lee called over his comlink. "Riq come in! It's Lee! Backup headed your way."
"AT-ST!" Jobin alerted the squad as they turned the corner to the entrance. Everyone scrambled taking cover as the AT-ST fired its guns toward them. Lee grabbed his knapsack that was tied around his waist. He dumped the contents on the ground and activated six detonators. He shoved the detonators into the bag and tightly tied the top.
"How's your aim?"Lee asked Jobin. Jobin without hesitation grabbed the bag and chucked it at the head of the Walker.
BOOM!
"Inside! Go! Go! Go!" Lee motioned for the squad to move into the station. They entered the cannon with their blasters ready. As they moved for the control room Lee saw Riq lying on the ground along with other rebel alliance members. "Man down. Cover me."
Lee knelt down and checked Riq's vitals. His face was full of blood and his eyes were glass.
"Riq!" Lee shook him trying to revive him "Riq!"
It was no use, he was dead. Lee took a deep breath. He closed Riq's eyes as gently as he could and moved his body off to the side. A rush of anger filled his heart. He wanted to scream in rage, but he couldn't lose his cool. He had to stay strong and collected for the soldiers he was leading. Oddly, ge heard Cassian Andor's voice loudly and clearly as he looked on Riq's lifeless body:
"You're in this? Are you sure? Because it may cost you all your friends."
"Snowtroopers have the cannon. We need to retake it if the transports are gonna have any chance of escape. Jobin you head for the fire button, Conroy you head for the intercom. Alert the station Imperials are in the base. The rest of you, with me. Take out anyone wearing an imperial patch. We're taking no prisoners today."
Lee walked ahead of the squad slowly toward the control room. He felt the rush of pain and sadness in his chest. He would use it. As he readied his blaster he could see the Imperial Snow Patrol taking hold of the canon controls. He gave the signal to the squad to advance and thought to himself, This is for you Riq.
PEW! PEW! PEW!
The squad rushed the Imperial Snowtroopers. Jobin darted straight to the control panel that held the fire button while Conroy buzzed the intercom.
"Imperial Troops have entered the base! Imperial Troops have–" Conroy gasped for air as a snow trooper choked him from behind. Lee pointed his blaster and shot the trooper in the head. Conroy fell face first to the floor with a neck broken. Lee gave the signal for the squad to continue firing.
Jobin reached for the fire button but was attacked by a trooper. He grabbed the top of an icicle, breaking the top off and stabbed the trooper in the eye. He pushed the button firing the Ion Cannon as his fellow soldiers continued to shoot until every snowtrooper was dead.
PEW! PEW! PEW!
"Well done men," Lee said as he looked around the control room that was lined with the lifeless bodies of snowtroopers on the ground. Echo base had fallen and he feared they wouldn't have time to get off the planet before the Imperials closed in on them."I'm afraid you're all late for your transports. I suggest you try the south side or the east rendezvous points to see what you can catch. It's been an honor serving with you. Good luck and may the force be with you."
"Lee!" Jobin yelled before Lee left. "You're not coming with us?"
"Afraid I can't," Lee placed his hand on his shoulder. "I'm going into the station to go get my wife. You got the squad from here."
"Yes sir," Jobin nodded. "Alright men. With me!"
"Rya! Let's go!" Denz yelled as he pulled her from the hangar tunnel.
"Just wait! Lee and Riq should be here soon!" She protested. She had been watching the door as soldier after soldier arrived.
"They have rendezvous locations. We gotta go," Denz argued.
"Trying to steal my wife?" Lee joked as he ran to the two of them. Rya threw her arms around him.
"Trying to save her, but she's more stubborn than you," Denz retorted. "Where's Riq?"
"Riq's dead," Lee said sadly. "We will be too if we don't move it."
The three of them followed the others headed toward the south entrance. As they made their way through the rumbling tunnels a blast hit the base causing a small avalanche to seal off their pathway. Denz and Lee quickly tried to dig through it with their hands but seized when they heard blaster fire.
"Is there another way out?" Denz asked Rya.
"This way," Rya said and opened a door cutting through control room after control room headed toward the east side of the base. As they made their way, Lee began to feel ill. His stomach turned and he began to feel cold. He felt a heavy presence, one he had sensed before. He felt the same way he had at the end of Scarif. Evil was near.
"Lee hurry up," Denz yelled. Rya turned and saw the horror in his eyes. Lee caught out of the corner of his eye, a tall dark caped figure accompanied by a loud ventilated breathing– It was Lord Vader.
He lunged at Denz ans Rya and pulled them into a doorway to hide. They stood silently trying not to move a muscle. Vader didn't notice them or didn't care as he continued his way on down the tunnel followed by a unit of snowtroopers. They were headed to the south hangar where the Falcon was. After a few moments, Lee bravely took a step forward to peek around the corner. It looked clear. He pulled his blaster pistol out and approached the turn in the tunnel prepared to fire.
"Hey Cappie," Lee turned quickly with his blaster drawn. "Need a lift?"
"Dash? I'd thought you got your payment and left," Lee lowered his blaster with relief.
"You can chat all you want aboard the Outrider. Let's go," Rendar said, Lee turned and motioned to Denz and Rya to follow. The four boarded Dash's ship and left Hoth.
"So where can I drop you?" Rendar asked as he adjusted his controls with his droid Leebo to his right.
"Lothal," Lee said without hesitation.
"Lee that's not one of the–" Rya began before being interrupted.
"Rya, it's time we went home." He looked at her. "I think it's the best thing for us right now."
"We can't leave the rebellion," Rya protested. Dash shifted anxiously in the pilot chair as they debated.
"Look, can you two love birds make up your mind so I know which way to point my ship?" Rendar interjected.
"Lothal," Lee repeated sternly. "It's our home. And I want our kid to know it."
"Kid?" Denz began to piece together the reason why Rya had been acting so strangely. She was going to have a baby. He knew Rya didn't want to bring children into an Imperial Ruled galaxy. He wished she had confided in him so he could put her mind at ease. He knew Lee would do everything he could to be a good father and if he fell short he wanted her to know he would step in when needed.
"How did you know?" Rya asked, shocked and embarrassed.
"You're my wife," Lee said, taking her hand. "Some things you don't need to tell me."
"I second that," Rendar chimed in again. "Congratulations and all, but this conversation is getting a bit too intimate for my taste. So take a load off and relax. I'll get you home faster than a Kessel run in12 parsecs."