For a moment, Valance, Applejack, and Doctor Whooves stared at the Others on the beach.

"It's the Others." Said Whooves."It has to be."

The man with the brown hat brought out a gun that looked a little similar to Billy Handsome's revolver Valance had seen when he had shot that polar bear. He shot Valance in the chest but the bullets didn't affect him.

"The fuck?" The man with the hat said.

Valance raised his palm blaster. But before he could fire, Count Dooku shot lightning right out of his fingers, hitting Valance.

Valance felt intense heat in what he could feel. The cyborg screamed in pain as it kept going. Finally, after such a long time, the lightning stopped coming. Valance fell to the ground, panting.

"Don't move!" The Clone Commando with blood on his helmet pointed a DC-17m blaster at Applejack and Whooves.

Dooku looked at the man with the brown hat."Take them to the pit." He ordered.

The man nodded and she pushed Applejack and Whooves. The Clone Commando carried Valance's body.

"Hey, where's ma' sister?" Applejack asked them as they were taken into the jungle. The two earth ponies were then pushed into a pit while the Clone Commando just kicked him down there.

"Where's ma' sister?!" Applejack yelled before they closed the bamboo hatch.

The man then fired his gun and shot a light behind Vanto."Do you want him to die? Put it down."

Vanto looked at Tarkin."Is this what you were talking about, Tarkin? Is this your destiny? All roads lead here?"

Flashback

On the Death Star, Tarkin found himself wishing once again that Daala were here. It surprised him how much he missed her company. She had military responsibilities at the Maw Installation, of course, but the truth was that the nature of that area of space, in which a congeries of black holes orbited one another in an elegant, complicated dance, made casual passerby unlikely in the extreme. And if that weren't enough, the four Star Destroyers on duty there were more than capable of discouraging any errant, ships, Rebel, or otherwise.

And now that the station was being constructed here in the Horuz system, the importance of the work at the Maw was somewhat less than it had been. It was true that Qwi Xux's other projects, the Sun Crusher, the World Devastators, and other potent superweapons, were still in development there, as well as the installation being full of valuable scientists and technicians, but if Daala were to leave for a week or two, there would be no problem whatsoever with her captains maintaining security in her absence.

Of course, Daala had officially been given express orders to maintain her post until relieved, since there had to be a ranking admiral in charge. But there were orders and then there were orders, and since both sets came from Tarkin, he could alter them as he deemed necessary. As the Galaxy's only Grand Moff, he had extensive leeway in how he ran his portion of the navy. Nobody could question him, save the Emperor, and as long as he got the job done, the Emperor wouldn't care what he did to accomplish it.

Tarkin stared out the viewport at the partly assembled battle station and thought about it.

The standing protocols at the Maw Installation were not open to interpretation. If a non-Imperial ship happened by and managed to avoid being swallowed by one of the many singularities surrounding it, the ship was to be captured and the crew interrogated as to how and why they were there. Failing the ability to capture it, there was but one other option: The vessel was to be blown to atoms. There were no exceptions and any deck monkey with a rudimentary brain could follow those protocols. There was no need for Daala to be standing over the gunners repeating what they all already knew.

Abruptly, Tarkin made his decision. He went to his quarters and engaged his personal communications holo-unit, then sat back and waited for the connection. It was not long in coming.

"Wilhuff! How good to see you!"

The image of Daala over the holoplate was life-sized, and the resolution was very sharp. It wasn't the same as her being here, but the holo did capture her facial expressions, as well as her cold and haughty beauty, well enough. Like him, she sat in a command chair.

She was happy to see him, he could tell, and that pleased him.

"And you, Daala. How are things at the Installation?"

She made a dismissive gesture."Less than exciting. You have news?"

Due to the secret nature of the experiments being done at the Maw, outside communications were, for the most part, forbidden. With the exception of this circuit, Daala and her crew were cut off from the rest of the Galaxy save for the Emperor himself, and perhaps Darth Vader. Tarkin could justify this contact for reasons of security and, if you couldn't trust a Grand Moff, then who was trustworthy?.

"Nothing that concerns your command," He said."We are winning the war."

"Of course," She said with a knowing smile.

He smiled in return."We have had some small problems here. But they've been rectified, fortunately, with the help of a certain Imperial representative of whom you are no doubt aware."

Daala nodded. She certainly knew to whom he was referring, though she would not speak Vader's name aloud, either. This was supposed to be a secure circuit, the signal encoded and encrypted on both ends, but neither Tarkin nor Daala trusted that. Vader had ears everywhere, and what one technician could hide, another could uncover.

"However," Tarkin continued."I need to give you a...personal briefing, and to that end, I would have you pay us a visit."

"Really? When?"

"Whenever your duties make it convenient."

Both of them smiled at that one. They both knew that, at this point, her "duties" were about as exciting as a dish of curdled droat milk. The crews could do disaster and battle station drills in their sleep.

"Well," She said."I expect I can get away starting...what time is it now?"

He chuckled. Daala was the only person in the Galaxy who could make him laugh. Aside from her beauty, ambition, and brains, it was one of her most endearing characteristics.

"Let me know when you depart. I look forward to seeing you, Admiral Daala."

"And I you, Grand Moff Tarkin."

After he disconnected, Tarkin felt something surge in his breast. Happiness? To be sure. But something more as well, something he could not quite put a finger on. Daala was an exciting woman in many ways, not the least of which was her physical attractiveness. But her ruthlessness also called to him. She was the highest-ranking female in the Imperial Navy due in large part to his machinations, of course, but Tarkin did not doubt that she would have eventually risen on her own. When people did not know she was female and judged her on performance scores alone, she could contend with almost any male officer in the service and had done so.

Perhaps she would not have so far, so quickly, without his aid, but without any doubt, a woman of her skill and talent would not be held back. He would not have been attracted to any woman less capable. If a man could not have an equal as a mate, at least it was good to find one who could run with him.

He looked around his quarters. Was it a bit dusty in here? He'd have the cleaning droids come in and put it in sparkling order straightaway. Daala was coming, after all. Things must be perfect or he would know the reason why.

He smiled. They called him behind his back, but he had fire left in him. He was sure his subordinates would be surprised if they knew just how hot that fire burned.

On the Island

"Vanto, calm down," Tarkin said calmly.

The man then moved behind Tarkin."Lower your gun or I'll blow his damned head off, brother!"

Vanto's eyes widened when he saw the man's face.

It was Desmond from the stadium.

"You." Vanto said. He quickly shook his head to focus."Where's Luna?!"

In the vent, Indiana Jones crawled until he saw the vent gault. He quietly jumped down onto the floor and saw he was in a new room. He was surprised to see MP40s and Luger pistols and other german guns.

Are the nazi's on this Island? He wondered. He would have to ask the man in the hatch about that.

Indy grabbed a MP40 and put the long mag in. He slowly walked over to where they were.

"Put it down." Said the man.

"I'm not putting down anything," Vanto told him.

"Calm down." Said Tarkin."It's okay."

Indy got closer and used the butt of the gun to hit the man holding Tarkin at gunpoint right on the head, causing him to shoot at the white box on the desk. The man fell to the ground, dropping his gun.

Vanto went over to him, holding the man down."Do not move." Vanto looked at Indy."Where's Luna?"

"In another room. I'll go open it." Indy left to open the door.

Vanto, Tarkin, and the man, named Desmond, looked at the computer that had been shot to see that it was now smoking.

"What did you?" Desmond said, looking scared."What did you do? We're all going to die. We're all going to die."

He tried getting up."I have to fix it."

Vanto kept holding him to the ground. He looked at Tarkin."What the hell is he talking about?"

"Listen, if you do not let me up, we are going to die!" Desmond yelled.

"Stop moving or I will shoot you!" Vanto warned, his gun aimed at him.

"Look at the wall!" He pointed above them. Vanto did and finally saw a countdown timer."You see that?! That's a timer! It's counting down! I've got to enter the code! I've got to push the button!"

"Or what?" Vanto asked, wondering why this was so serious.

"Vanto, you should let him up." Tarkin suggested.

Vanto looked at Tarkin."Don't tell me what to do!" Vanto had just yelled at a Grand Moff but he was more focused on the man right now.

He turned to Desmond."Or what? What's going to happen?"

He stared at Vanto for a long moment."Do I know you?" He asked.

Tarkin looked at Vanto, surprised and confused.

Indy and Luna then went over to them. Vanto looked at the alicorn."Are you okay?

Luna nodded."Yes, I'm alright."

Vanto looked at Indy, who was still holding a gun that he didn't recognize."You got him?"

Indy nodded, aiming his gun at the man. Desmond got up and ran to the computer."Bastard." He said.

Tarkin was still looking at Vanto."What?" Vanto asked him.

"Nothing." Tarkin shrugged.

Desmond then ran out of the room and over to the bookshelf, Indy still pointing the gun at him.

"I don't think you need that," Tarkin said to him. He turned to Desmond."Whatever you're looking for, maybe I can help."

"Can you fix a computer?" He asked.

Tarkin shook his head.

"Then you can't help me, can you?"

"I think Zuud might know how to fix it." Said Luna.

Tarkin nodded."Go and get Zuud."

"Can you get back up that rope?" Vanto asked her.

"I won't have to. There's got to be a front door in this place."

"Down the corridor to the left." Desmond instructed her."Be persistent, the wheel sticks."

"Go with her," Vanto said to Indy. Luna and Indy then left.

Desmond finally found a jar of components for the computer behind some of the books. The man ran back to the computer and put the jar on the desk. When he did, Vanto quickly took it.

"Now, you're going to tell me what's going on." He said to Desmond.

"Vanto," Said Tarkin."We don't have time for-"

"We're taking a time out."

"Please," Said the man."Just let me-"

"Look, you want to get to work, you're going to tell me how you got here.'

Desmond sighed."It was 3 years ago. I...I was in your galaxy...and then I teleported here by accident. On was on Mon Cala on boat when I teleported to this Island and crashed here. And then Yularen came."

Both Vanto and Tarkin's eyes widened in surprise."Wullf Yularen?" Said Vanto."But that's impossible. He died on the Death Star..." He slowly at Tarkin.

"I thought I heard about that too but he was alive. Anyway, Yularen, he comes running out of the jungle, "Hurry, hurry, come with me." He brings me down here. The first thing he does, because there's beeping already, he types in the code, he pushes the button, and it stops. What was all that about, I say. Just saving the multiverse, he says."

"The...the multiverse?" Vanto said.

Vanto had always heard theories about worlds beyond their Galaxy. The Grysk may have been from another Galaxy. Luna and the other creatures from Equestria must have been from another Galaxy, along with other people who woke up on the Island.

Tarkin thought about what Applebloom had told him before she had left on the raft.

"Don't open it, Mr. Tarkin. Don't open that thing or else something bad will happen to the multiverse."

"His words, not mine. So I started pushing the button, too. And we saved the world together for a while, and that was lovely. Then Yularen died and now here I am all alone. The end."

There was silence for a moment before Vanto gave him back the jar. Desmond went to work on the computer.

Vanto looked at Tarkin."Don't tell me you believe this."

Tarkin was silent.

"This is crazy. You think that makes sense? Pushing a button? You're going to take his word for it?!"

"His word is all we have, Vanto."

"You don't have to take my word for it. Watch the film." Desmond said as he worked on the computer.

"What?" Vanto looked at him.

"The bookcase. Top shelf, behind "Turn of the screw". Projector's in the pantry. There's also the radio if you want to listen to it. Also on the top shelf of the bookcase."

Vanto and Tarkin set up the projector. They had a film that said "Orientation" on the side of the canister.

Winona, Applebloom's dog, was on the beach with Stuhlinger when the sun started to rise. Everybody was going back to the beach.

"Get the fuck away from me!" Stuhlinger yelled at the dog, afraid of it when it only wanted to play.

"What's wrong?" Asked Ocellus.

"I have...bad experiences with dogs." Stuhlinger said, thinking of the Hellhounds he had fought in Siberia.

"Zuud!" Luna yelled, running over to the Imperial Officer."Zuud, we need your help!"

Valance, Applejack, and Whooves were in the pit, Valance asking Whooves questions.

"What do you know? What did they do to you? Who the hell are they?"

"Did you see Applebloom?" Applejack asked.

"How many were there?" The cyborg asked.

"I don't know. I was blindfolded." Whooves said.

"Well, they have to be the Other's that French woman was warnin' us about." Said Applejack.

Valance sighed."They can't be the Others. One of them was a Clone Commando and the other was Count Dooku!"

"Slow down. Who's...Dooku?" Applejack questioned.

"He's a Sith Lord. But don't worry. He's not the first Sith Lord I've been up against."

"I'm assuming you didn't win against the first Sith Lord either?" Said Whooves, looking at his injured body.

Valance remembered the team he had gathered to try and kill Darth Vader.

He had been so close to killing him. More close than any of the Rebels.

"The lightning surprised me." He said."I heard rumors that Emperor could shoot lightning from his fingers but I didn't think they were true..."

"What exactly is a Sith Lord?" Whooves asked.

Valance shrugged."I'm not exactly sure. Right now, we need to get out of here."

"Well, ah recognized that pony on the beach." Said Applejack."Ah think that was Suri Polomare."

"Who?" Valance asked.

"She was this terrible pony who nearly ruined my friend's chance to win a fashion contest. They must have also taken ma' cousin, Fiddlesticks." Said Applejack. Her cousin had gone missing in the jungle."We need to find her and ma' sister when we get out of this pit."

Suddenly, the cover was opened and they saw the Clone Commando throw someone down into the pit. They moved back and saw it was a woman who was unconscious.

The human woman had black hair and looked young.

"Who is she?" Said Applejack.

Vanto and Tarkin were setting up the film.

"You want to tell me what was going on down here before I showed up, Tarkin?" Vanto asked.

"Luna was tied up, Desmond had a gun on me. I think you pretty much caught the gist of it." Tarkin told him.

"Desmond..." Vanto whispered to himself, thinking of the man he had met at the stadium.

"He wanted to know a lot about us, how we got here, if we were sick."

"You didn't ask anything about him?"

"He was the one with the gun."

"You sure seem calm for someone who believes the entire multiverse is going to end in 45 minutes," Vanto noted.

"He'll fix it." Said Tarkin.

"You understand that what he's saying...It's-It's insane. It's impossible."

"Why is it Insane?" Tarkin asked.

"Because I doubt a computer like that could save the multiverse."

"Is the reason you're so upset because he said he recognized you?"

Vanto was silent.

"Because that would be impossible," Tarkin told him.

He then finished setting up and started the film.

They saw the logo that said 935 like it did in the tunnel. They also saw something that said DHARMA.

The film then showed a man with grey and black hair and glasses. He was looking at the camera.

"Welcome. I am Leonard Church, director of Project Freelancer. This is the orientation film for Station 3 of the DHARMA Initiative. In a moment, you'll be given a simple set of instructions for how you and your partner will fulfill the responsibilities associated with the station. But first, a little history." Church said.

Church's accent reminded Vanto of Applejack's accent.

"The DHARMA Initiative was created in 1970. But it has allied itself with other organizations such as Group 935, the Cylo Directive, Project Freelancer, and many more. We also have Group 935 to thank for bringing us the polar bears."

The film showed a picture of two polar bears.

Well, that explains them. Vanto thought.

"You and your partner are currently located in Station 3, or the Swan, and will be for the next 540 days. The Station 3 was originally constructed as a laboratory where scientists could work to understand the unique electromagnetic fluctuations emanating from this sector of the Island.

"Not long after the experiments began, however, there was an incident." Church seemed quiet for a moment."And since that time the following protocol has been observed: every 108 minutes the button must be pushed. From the moment the alarm sounds you will have 4 minutes to enter the code into the microcomputer processor induction into the program. When the alarm sounds, either you or your partner must input the code. It is highly recommended that you and your partner take alternating shifts. In this manner, you will stay as fresh and alert-" The film spliced."-utmost importance that when the alarm sounds the code be entered correctly, and in a timely fashion. Do not attempt to use the computer-" The film spliced again."-For anything."

Church smiled."Congratulations, until your replacements arrive, the future of the project is in your hands. On behalf of Ludvig Maxis, Cylo, and many others, thank you. Namaste. And good luck."

The film then ended. Vanto and Tarkin stared at it for a long time.

"He was telling the truth..." Vanto whispered, remembering how Stuhlinger had been talking about Group 935. But he hadn't believed him.

"I think we should listen to that radio," Tarkin suggested.

Flashback

Daala came down the ramp looking every centimeter the Imperial admiral. She didn't just walk, she swept, and it was a joy to watch her stride. Strong, smart, ambitious, dedicated, funny, and beautiful. What more could a man possibly want in a partner?.

Well, a bit more proximity would be good. But they were both creatures of duty, and Tarkin knew that wasn't apt to change anytime soon. Certainly not until the battle station was finished and unlimbered. Perhaps not even then. He knew that Daala looked upon him with much favor, but the relationship had always been secondary to her career. He understood that. More, he admired it. He wouldn't want a woman who thought any less of herself. That was the ultimate paradox, of course.

"Grand Moff Tarkin. So good to see you again, sir."

Tarkin held his smile in check. One had to be proper about such things out in plain sight."Admiral Daala. The pleasure is mine. I trust your trip was uneventful?"

"Yes, sir. Nothing untoward whatsoever."

"Excellent. Allow me to show you to your quarters. Your suite, as it happens, is right next to mine."

He saw a flicker of anticipation cross her face, hardly enough to notice unless one was standing right in front of her. In a very quiet voice, without moving her lips, she said, "How convenient, Wilhuff."

He couldn't keep from smiling, despite his best efforts."This way, Admiral." He extended one hand to show her the direction.

She gave him a military nod and they moved off past the honor guard. As they walked, she stared about the hangar, impressed."I knew it would be huge, but the reality of it hadn't quite come home."

"Save your awe for when it's finished and operational. Which will be quite soon now."

"The Rebel Alliance won't know what hit them."

"Oh, they'll know, my dear. Everyone will know. That's the point."

She had cut her hair shorter than when last they had been together. It was flattering on her, but then, he'd never seen her with a hairstyle that wasn't flattering. There weren't really any regulations about how female admirals should dress or groom themselves. Daala was the only one, after all, and who would dare to tell her?.

She had risen on merit alone but certainly, her ascent to the command ranks had caused some speculation about her relationship with Tarkin and how that might have smoothed the way. Nobody speculated about it in earshot of him, of course. Not anymore, because those foolish few who'd done so had their ashes scattered to the four solar winds. Tarkin had not reached the unique rank he held by allowing his enemies any quarter whatsoever. Yes, Daala had been his protege, and yes, he had opened doors for her a bit sooner than she might have managed on her own, but she had made flag command without his help. There were plenty of male admirals unfit to polish her boots.

They soon reached the door to her quarters."Shall we go inside and discuss this further?" He murmured to her.

"By all means, Grand Moff Tarkin."

Before the door had slid completely shut behind them, she was in his arms.

On the Island

Vanto and Tarkin turned on the radio and listened to it.

"Log entry: 1434. Date: July 1st, 1945. Dear diary, the new arrivals came here today. I don't like them."

"Anyway, I will need to return to Siberia soon to continue the experiments there. We have also built the two Panzersoldats. They seem to be working fine. I do not like how one of Hitler's SS officers, Heinrich Landgraf, is still here to continue watching our experiments on the Island. I hate him more than I hate the new arrivals.

"NEIN! Put that monkey down now!"

The radio then turned off.

Like what they did with the film, Tarkin and Vanto stared at the radio for a long time.

When the young woman woke up in the pit, she looked at the three and quickly backed away, scared.

"It's okay," Said Applejack, calmly.

"Are you alright?" Asked Valance.

"Who are you three?" She said, frightened.

"Ah'm Applejack. This is Whooves and Valance. We woke up on this Island."

"What?" She said, surprised.

"Yeah, there are other people on this Island that also woke up here." Valance said."Have you been out here by yourself all this time?"

She nodded."I've been trying to find food, making my way, hoping to find somebody. And then, yesterday, they found me."

"Who are they? And what the hell is Count Dooku doing on this Island? Wait...are you from my galaxy?" He asked.

The young woman stared at his face. Half of Valance's face had synthetic skin while the other half was just metal.

"I think we are." She told him."But I have no idea why Dooku is here. I don't know who those are people."

"Did ya' see ma' sister, Applebloom? She's yellow and has a red mane." Applejack said to the young woman.

She shook her head."No, I'm sorry. I'm Olee Starstone." She introduced herself.

"Well, Olee Starstone, we're about to be the best thing that ever happened to you," Valance told her.

"How's that?" Starstone asked.

"Because the next time that clone opens the cage," He showed her his palm blaster."He's gonna get a little surprise."

Vanto was watching Desmond fix the computer.

"Are you in contact with the people that made the film? Are you in contact with anyone?" Vanto asked.

"Do you think I'd be here if I was?"

"How is it that you didn't know about the Arquiten cruiser crashing on the Island? About us?"

"I push this button every 108 minutes. I don't get out much."

Vanto sighed."So, these replacements?"

"Yularen died waiting for his replacements."

"So, you don't get out, you don't see anyone. Where does your food come from?"

Desmond just worked on the computer.

"You really think this is happening," Vanto said, surprised.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Desmond asked.

"It says "quarantine" on the inside of the hatch to keep you down here. To keep you scared. But you know what? We've been up there for over 40 days and no one's gotten sick. You think that this is the only part of it that's true?! Do you ever think that maybe they put you down here to push a button every 100 minutes just to see if you would? That all of this - the computer, the button, it's just a mind game?! An experiment?" Vanto yelled.

Desmond looked at him."Every. Single. Day. And for all our sakes, I hope it's not real. But the film says this is an electromagnetic station. And I don't know about you, brother, but every time I walk past that concrete wall out there, my fillings hurt."

He then stopped working on it and looked at the computer."Right." Desmond took a deep breath and flipped the switch on the computer.

Suddenly, the power went out.

"Oh no."

"What happened?" Tarkin asked, coming into the room.

"It's over." Desmond said, worried. He walked past them.

"What do you mean it's over?" Tarkin said, confused.

Desmond grabbed a backpack, opened it, and put some food and bottles and an injector in there.

"What are you doing?" Tarkin questioned as he started to leave."Wait. We can fix the computer. Zuud is coming. She knows-"

"Give him my best." Desmond interrupted, opening the door.

"Where are you going?" Tarkin asked.

"As far as I can run, brother." He then left.

Tarkin turned to Vanto."What should we do?"

"Nothing." Vanto said."We do nothing. It's not real. None of it's real."

Tarkin shook his head."This isn't-this isn't what was supposed to happen!"

"What was supposed to happen?" Vanto asked. He went to the door.

"Don't leave me." Tarkin said.

"Bye, Tarkin."

"Vanto." Tarkin said to him.

But Vanto closed the door and left.

"Vanto! Vanto!" Luna yelled as she, Zuud, Stuhlinger, and Ocellus walked into the hatch.

"Holy shit!" Stuhlinger said when he saw the machine that said Speed Cola."No fucking way!"

"You know what that is?" Luna asked. Stuhlinger nodded, still looking at it. Luna then found Tarkin near the computer.

"What is this place?" Said Zuud, shocked to see all this on an Island.

"Tarkin, where's Vanto?" Luna asked him.

"Vanto's gone." He looked at Zuud."I need your help."

Zuud told them to find the breaker box by following the conduit lines.

Stuhlinger was following the lines when he saw a room full of food.

Stuhlinger stared at all the food in there, surprised to see it.

"Alright, here's what we're going to do," Valance said to them."Whooves plays dead, you call for help."

"Sick prisoner?" She said, skeptical of his plan."Are you serious?"

"Do you have a better idea?" Valance asked her. He turned to look at Applejack when the cover of the pit opened up.

Valance quickly turned around and aimed his palm blaster at the clone.

The young woman then raised her hands and somehow pushed Valance into the wall of the pit.

She can use the Force! Valance realized.

The human woman then, using the Force, jumped up, out of the pit and next to the clone.

"Who are they?" The Clone Commando asked her before he closed the cover.

Desmond was running through the jungle when he tripped and fell.

Vanto finally caught up with him and pointed his gun at him."Stop." He said to him.

Desmond looked at him."Oh, right. The code, yeah?"

"What?"

"Listen carefully. If by some miracle you manage to get the computer working again you've got to enter the code: 1, 1, 5, 9, 3, 5, hit execute. Again: 1, 1, 5-"

"Shut up!" Vanto shouted.

"Sorry?" Desmond said, confused.

"Nothing is going to happen. Some man takes you down there, shows you a movie, and you push a button on, on faith alone? Nothing is going to happen!"

"In about 15 minutes you're either going to be very right or very wrong, brother. You want to shoot me?! Shoot me! But I'm not-"

"Why are you running?" Vanto asked."You don't even know what you're running from?!"

Desmond then stared at him for a long moment."I remember you..." He said, finally recognizing him."Running...I know you. I met you on Zarby IV. I was training, yeah? You twisted your ankle-"

"Stop," Vanto said, not wanting to remember.

"There was this girl, you were worried, you said, you said you failed her. That was you."

"It doesn't matter."

"Was she okay, the girl?"

"It doesn't matter."

"What happened to her?"

"It doesn't matter."

"How can you say it doesn't matter?"

"I married her!" Vanto yelled, almost immediately starting to cry. He thought of Vah'nya...

"Right, and you're...you're not married to her anymore, then?"

Vanto lowered his gun. Desmond went to grab his backpack. He looked at Vanto.

"See you in another life, yeah?" Desmond nodded before running away.

The timer showed five minutes left.

"Can you fix it?" Tarkin asked Zuud, who was still working on the computer.

"This man, whoever he was, replaced the motherboard. The power transformer is blown." She said.

"Don't you need to know why?" Tarkin asked her, curious.

"All I need to know is that the timer is counting down to something and that this computer needs to be repaired. I'm sure you'll tell me why once I've done so."

Luna finally found the breaker box. She flipped the switch and the lights turned on.

Suddenly, they heard the beeping. Stuhlinger and Ocellus went into the room.

"Zuud!" Tarkin yelled.

"Working on it." She told him.

Zuud finally stopped working and turned it on.

"Okay...so what now?" Asked Luna.

"There was a code. He made me enter it." Tarkin said.

"What code?" Asked Stuhlinger.

"Do you remember what it is?" Zuud asked.

"1, 1..." Tarkin started typing it into the computer.

"Wait a minute..." Said Stuhlinger.

"5, 9..."

"Dude, seriously, stop," Stuhlinger said, scared.

"Stuh, this is not the time or place," Tarkin told him.

"Yeah, well, I think it is."

"3..."

"What is this thing? You don't even know what it does! I mean we need-"

"3..."

Stuhlinger noticed how got that last number wrong."You know what? Forget it, go ahead, do your thing."

Tarkin was about to press execute.

"It's not 3. It's 5." They all looked to see that Vanto had returned."Desmond just told me. The last number's 5."

"You're sure?" Tarkin asked.

He nodded."Yeah, I'm sure."

Tarkin put it in 5 and was about to press execute but stopped. He looked at Vanto."You do it."

"What?"

"You have to do it." Tarkin stood up from the chair.

Vanto shook his head."You do it yourself, Tarkin."

"No, you saw the film, Vanto. This is a two-person job, at least."

"This argument is irrelevant," Zuud said. She was about to press it.

"Zuud, don't," Vanto said to her.

"Vanto," Zuud said.

"Don't. It's not real." Vanto looked at Tarkin."Look, you want to push the button, you do it yourself."

"If it's not real, then what are you doing here, Vanto? Why did you come back? Why do you find it so hard to believe?!" Tarkin questioned.

"Why do you find it so easy?!" Vanto shouted.

"It's never been easy!" Tarkin yelled.

Tarkin thought of the Force. About how the Jedi and Darth Vader used it. About how they believed in it. Believed in something.

And now Tarkin believed in something.

The alarm became louder.

"Maybe you should just do it." Luna said to Vanto.

Vanto shook his head again."No. It's a button."

"I can't do this alone." Tarkin said to him."I don't want to. It's a leap of faith."

Vanto stood there for a few seconds before he went over to the computer.

He pressed the button when the timer was just at 1 second. It then reset to 108.

Tarkin sat down."I will take the first shift."