Ewoks and Revelations
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The Ewoks took the captive Rebels to their village of wooden huts built high atop the trees. Luke, Han, Chewbacca and Artoo were all tied to poles while Threepio was sat in a wooden chair that several Ewoks carried. Upon arrival at the village, Han was strung from two wooden posts over a pyre, while the others were left nearby. "I've got a really bad feeling about this." Han muttered as several Ewoks began building up the pyre beneath him.
The Ewok chieftain said something to Threepio, who replied in their language.
"What did he say?" Han demanded
"I'm rather embarrassed, General Solo, but it appears you are to be the main course at a banquet in my honour."
Chewbacca promptly gave out a roar of horror, while several Ewoks started putting kindling onto the pyre beneath Han as several others began playing tribal drums.
Suddenly, Leia came out of a hut. "Leia!" Han and Luke exclaimed as they saw her.
Leia rushed forward to intervene but the Ewoks stopped her. "Your royal highness!" Threepio gasped in relief at the sight of the Princess.
"But these are my friends." Leia told the Ewoks, then she turned to the Protocol droid. "Threepio, tell them they must be set free."
Threepio quickly told the Ewok chieftain to release the prisoners, but the chieftain just shook his head and signalled for the tribe to continue preparing the pyre.
"Someone I got the feeling that didn't help us very much." Han snarked
Fortunately, Luke knew what to do. "Threepio, tell 'em if they don't do as you wish, you'll become angry and use your magic." he said calmly
"But, Master Luke, what magic?" Threepio protested, "I couldn't possibly..."
"Just tell them." Luke persisted
Threepio complied and told the Ewoks what Luke had suggested. However, it seemed that the Ewoks weren't convinced and the chieftain ordered for the pyre to be lit, so two Ewoks advanced towards Han with lit torches. "You see, Master Luke? They didn't believe me, just as I said they wouldn't." Threepio moaned. Luke just closed his eyes and used the Force to levitate Threepio's chair. The Ewoks began panicking and squawked amongst themselves. "Put me down! Help!" Threepio wailed pathetically, but no one paid much attention to him, "Somebody help! Master Luke! Artoo, Artoo! Quickly! Oh, oh, oh!"
Luke gently lowered Threepio to the floor again. The Ewoks thought all this was Threepio using magic, so they obeyed and released their prisoners. Artoo rather unceremoniously toppled over as his bonds were undone. Two Ewoks helped him up and the Astromech droid promptly zapped them with his static discharge port in retaliation for them trying to eat him and his friends.
Once Han was free of his bonds, Leia hurried over to him and kissed him. "Thanks, Threepio." Luke called as he was released.
"I never knew I had it in me." Threepio said shakily.
~8~
That evening, the Ewoks were all gathered eagerly around Threepio as the droid told them about the Rebels' adventures so far. "Woochana makawartas, woochana makawartas." Threepio said in the Ewoks' language, "Princess Leia wasay Artoo. Oos batata rundi Darth Vader!" He mimicked Vader's distinctive artificial breathing sound. "Un Chenko baskimo quertonto Death Star." He mimicked the sounds of a TIE Fighter's engines. "Wos michi un Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi. Ee manu machi Vader konyono." He impersonated the hum of a lightsabre blade.
Artoo beeped something to Threepio.
"Yes, Artoo, I was just coming to that." Threepio told him, then got back to his story. "Torron togosh." He impersonated the stomping of an AT-AT walker. "Master Luke ahchiminie choodoo." He impersonated an X-wing's engine sound, followed by the sound of a proton torpedo being fired and an explosion.
The Ewoks were enthralled and chatted excitedly amongst themselves.
"Uta Millennium Falcon ahchiminie Cloud City." Threepio continued, and impersonated the sound of the Millennium Falcon's engines, "Oos nooch Vader." He impersonated Vader's breathing again. "Han Solo. Tiklo carbon!" He impersonated the sound of a carbon freezing chamber. "Un dekochna gooboo Sarlaac." He did another lightsabre impression.
One of the Ewoks came over to Han and Leia and hugged the General's leg. Han just rolled his eyes and concentrated on Leia, who was snuggled up next to him.
"Haonna keenie chetoo toomoo maneta." Threepio finished his story
The Ewok chieftan began talking to some of his warriors, apparently discussing something important.
"What's goin' on?" Han asked Leia
"I don't know." Leia shook her head
The Ewok chieftan said something to Threepio. "Wonderful. We are now part of the tribe." the droid told his friends.
"Just what I always wanted." Han grunted as a couple of Ewoks swarmed excitedly around him and Leia.
Luke meanwhile had been lost in thought all throughout Threepio's storytelling but came back to reality when one of the Ewoks gave him his lightsabre back. He muttered his thanks and stepped away to be alone for a moment, something which Leia noticed.
Chewbacca growled his concerns at the Ewoks' attention.
"Short help's better than no help at all." Han told him, and went over to Threepio, who was talking to the chieftain.
"He says the scouts are going to show us the quickest way to the shield generator." Threepio told Han
"How far is it?" Han asked impatiently, "Ask him. We need some fresh supplies too." Threepio turned to the Ewok chieftain and started to speak but Han interrupted, "Try an' get our weapons back." Threepio tried to resume his talk with the chieftain but Han interrupted again, "Hurry up, will you? I ain't got all day."
~8~
Leia found Luke standing alone on one of the village's wooden walkways. "Luke, what's wrong?" she asked. She'd noticed that Luke had been troubled ever since he got back from Dagobah.
Luke turned to her, deciding that now was the best time to tell her the truth. "Leia, do you remember your mother... your real mother?" he asked tactfully
"Just a little bit." Leia replied, "She died when I was very young."
"What d'you remember?" Luke pressed
"Just images, really. Feelings."
"Tell me."
Leia gave a sigh. "She was... very beautiful. Kind... but sad. Why're you asking me this?"
"I have no memory of my mother." Luke murmured, "I never knew her."
"Luke, tell me. What's troubling you?" Leia coaxed
"Vader's here. Now. On this moon." Luke told her
"How d'you know?"
"I felt his presence. He's come for me. He can feel when I'm near. That's why I have to go. As long as I stay, I'm endangering the group and our mission here. I have to face him."
"Why?"
Luke looked down, hesitating for moment, then he answered Leia's question, "He's my father."
"Your father?" Leia stared
"There's more." Luke continued, "It won't be easy for you to hear it, but you must. If I don't make it back, you're the only hope for the Alliance."
"Luke, don't talk that way. You have a power I-I don't understand and can never have." Leia told him.
"You're wrong, Leia." Luke said gently, "You have that power too. In time, you'll learn to use it as I have. The Force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. And... my sister has it." Realisation spread across Leia's face. "Yes, it's you, Leia." Luke told her
Leia looked down for a moment, processing this revelation. "I know." she murmured, "Somehow... I've always known."
"Then you know why I have to face him."
"No!" Leia burst out, getting to her feet, "Luke, run away. Far away. If he can feel your presence then leave this place. I wish I could go with you."
"No, you don't." Luke said, getting up as well, "You've always been strong... just like Malia is."
"But why must you confront him?" Leia asked, fighting back tears.
"Because... there is good in him, I felt it." Luke told her, "He won't turn me over to the Emperor. I can save him. I can turn him back to the good side. I have to try."
Leia nodded her understanding and Luke hugged her, before turning and walking away into the night. Just then, Han approached Leia. "Hey, what's goin' on?" he asked
"Nothing. I-I just wanna be alone for a while." Leia waved him off, turning away from him.
Han wasn't fooled. "Nothing?" he questioned, walking over to her and sitting down, "Come on, tell me. What's goin' on?"
Leia turned to face him. She wanted to tell him what she'd just learned but she was still reeling from all these revelations and just couldn't think of what to say. "I-I can't tell you." she choked out
"Could ya tell, Luke? Is that who ya could tell?" Han asked snidely, getting the wrong impression.
"I..." Leia began shakily, turning away from him.
"Ah." Han grunted, getting up and starting to walk away in a huff. He then heard Leia sniffling and stopped. "I'm sorry." he sighed, turning back to Leia.
"Hold me." Leia sniffed, and collapsed into Han's comforting arms.
~8~
The Imperial shuttle Revan touched down gently on the landing platform at the Imperial shield generator just as an AT-AT walker arrived back from patrol. Darth Vader disembarked from the Revan and made his way towards the lift, while the walker pulled up at a gangway and some passengers disembarked. Vader stepped out of the lift and made his way down the corridor just as the door at the other end opened and an officer and two Stormtroopers stepped out, escorting Luke Skywalker.
"This is the Rebel that surrendered to us." the officer reported to Vader, "Although he denies it, I believe there may be more of them and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area. He was armed only with this." he finished as he handed Vader Luke's confiscated lightsabre.
"Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring his companions to me." Vader ordered
"Yes, my Lord." the officer bowed, and he and the Stormtroopers returned to their walker.
Father and son were left alone. "The Emperor has been expecting you." Vader said as they both began to walk down the corridor.
"I know, Father." Luke replied matter-of-factually
"So, you have accepted the truth." Vader commented
"I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father." Luke replied
"That name no longer has any meaning for me." Vader said pointedly, stopping abruptly.
"It is the name of your true self. You've only forgotten." Luke told him, "I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully." He turned away from Vader and looked out of the window. "That was why you couldn't destroy me. That's why you wouldn't bring me to your emperor now."
Vader was silent for a moment, then he ignited Luke's lightsabre and examined it carefully. "I see you have constructed a new lightsabre." he said, "Your skills are complete." He turned the lightsabre off and turned away from Luke. "Indeed you are powerful as the Emperor has foreseen."
Luke turned back round. "Come with me." he encouraged his father
"Obi-Wan once thought as you do." Vader said, and turned back to face Luke. "You don't know the power of the Dark Side. I must obey my master."
"I will not turn." Luke said defiantly, "And you'll be forced to kill me."
"If that is your destiny." Vader said simply
"Search your feelings, Father. You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate." Luke encouraged
"It is too late for me, son." Vader sighed, genuine remorse and regret in his voice, then he seemed to remember himself and motioned for some Stormtroopers to enter the room. "The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force." he told Luke, "He is your master now."
Two Stormtroopers arrived to take Luke to the shuttle. "Then my father is truly dead." the Jedi said gravely as he let the Stormtroopers take him away.
~8~
At 06:00 hours next morning, the Rebel fleet was preparing to move out to Endor. In the hanger of Home One, Malia was giving her squadron their final briefing before battle. Blue Squadron was the smallest of the five fighter squadrons that were to take part in the attack, comprising of only eight members. In addition to Malia, there were two other Humans, three Mon Calamari, a Sullustan and a Feeorin. "Right, I think that covers all the basics." Malia said as she finished the briefing, "Now, I know the Death Star's weapons aren't operational, but it'll probably have plenty of fighters on hand so watch yourselves."
"We will, boss." the Human male Blue Four acknowledged
"They don't know we're coming, we've got the element of surprise." the Feeorin Blue Six added
"Maybe so, but watch your backs." Malia told them, "If there's one thing I've learned, then it's expect the unexpected. All of our luck sounds too good to be true for me."
"Do you think it's a trap?" the Human female Blue Seven asked
"I don't know, but we'd better be ready for all eventualities." Malia replied, "Now, I have complete faith in all of you, and I know that whatever happens, you will all do your best."
"We will." all pilots responded
"And remember, the Empire might have a Death Star, but we have an even more powerful weapon on our side." Malia continued, "We have an unbreakable spirit to win. A tenacity that will help us to hang on while there's breath left in our bodies and power in our ships. You don't get that with Stormtroopers and Death Stars. You get that by standing up for what you believe in. So come on, boys. Let's show the Empire what they're up against!"
"Yeah!" all pilots chorused, roused by Malia's speech
"For the Rebellion!" Malia crowed, putting her hand out
"For the Rebellion!" her squadron chorused, each one putting their hand out on top of Malia's.
Malia smiled at her squadron's dedication. "Alright, Blue group... scramble!" she ordered, and they all slapped hands then hurried off to where their B-wings were waiting.
Malia was just getting ready to jump into her cockpit when Wedge Antilles came hurrying over to her. "Hey, Malia. You got a minute?" he asked
"Yeah, sure." Malia replied
"I heard what you said to ya boys back there." Wedge said, "Well said, 'Lia. I couldn't have put it better myself."
"Yeah, well, I was just doing what Luke would do." Malia shrugged, "He always gave us a pep speech before a mission, so I thought I'd do the same."
"And it works." Wedge said, "Ya know, four years ago, another young woman stood before the Alliance council and gave them a great speech about standing up and taking the fight to Empire. When I saw ya talking back then, you reminded me so much of her."
"Hmm, that was Jyn Erso, wasn't it?" Malia said, "I've seen the holo-vid of her speech and she was right. We have no choice but to stand up for what's right and stand our ground."
"Hear, hear." Wedge smiled, "You've grown so much from that bright-eyed young woman I met in the hangar on Yavin four years ago."
"I grew up." Malia shrugged, "I was still naïve back then."
"Naïve, yet beautiful, brave and a brilliant pilot." Wedge smiled, "And look at you now; even more beautiful, an even more brilliant pilot and now a brilliant leader."
Malia blushed. "Are you flirting with me, Wedge Antilles?" she giggled
"Maybe." Wedge smirked, "I was thinking, if we get outta this alive, could we go for a drink or something?"
"Hmm, I don't see why not." Malia smiled, "I don't think I've had a drink with a handsome man in four years."
"Oh, I'm handsome am I?" Wedge smirked, puffing his chest out.
"Oh, give over!" Malia giggled, "Go on, haven't you got ya own squad to command... Red Leader?"
"Yes, ma'am... Blue Leader." Wedge replied cheekily, and began to head over to where his X-wing was waiting.
"Oh, Wedge?" Malia called after him, "May the Force be with you."
"You too." Wedge nodded, and both squadron leaders hurried off to their stations ready for the battle ahead.
Author's notes: And so we've another chapter completed. Note that I added an original scene with Malia and Wedge. I just couldn't resist it. The scene with Luke and Vader meeting on Endor was enjoyable to write as that was a great scene in the movie. Mark Hamill and James Earl Jones completely nailed their performances in that scene. Oh, how I miss the days when Star Wars was as good as that! So, hope you like this chapter and see ya next time!