The forest was silent, silent... silent...

"Boo!"

A little scream blurted out and a young Togruta suddenly appeared out a log, escaping the grasp of a tall woman of the same species. This victory was short lived however as the adult moved swiftly and caught the child up in her arms, eliciting squeals of glee as they spun around a moment.

"You cheat! You cheat!" The little girl exclaimed once she was set down on top of the log, her voice so high and joyful despite the accusations she threw at the innocently smug woman.

"And when have you ever not cheated, hmm Tallis?" She asked so innocently.

Tallis crossed her arms. "I'm just lucky Mama, you know it, you named me it!" She said matter-of-factly.

The older Togruta laughed in amusement and nodded. "That I did, little talisman. Would you like your birthday present?" She asked curiously. Tallis responded with an eager bobbing of her little head as her mother sat down on the log beside her. Achingly slow to tease the eager child, she produced from her belt carrier a small, wooden box.

Gently, Tallis took it and smiled in gratitude before opening the little box, big green eyes widening all the more at the beautiful little trinket inside.

A small, gold talisman on a gold chain. Circular and tiny so as to be well hidden, crafted with little good luck charms engraved in the gold.

"This was your father's, and he gave it to me so I could give it to you one day." Her mother explained as Tallis carefully took it from the box and handed it over so that her mother could put it on.

"He said those who wear it will have good luck. Do you think you're old enough to keep it safe?"

Tallis nodded readily. "I won't lose it, ever Mama! I'll take the bestest care I promise!"

Her mother chuckled as Tallis turned around, proudly wearing her father's charm necklace. "I know you will Tallis, I know."

~~~

Tallis Tano gently ran her hand over the log, sitting in the exact same spot as she had almost nine years ago on her tenth birthday. The necklace still hung around her neck and under her dress, never leaving as she'd promised. However Tallis had long decided it was of sentimental value, and did not bring her any such luck. A childish story was all that was.

But reminiscence was not what she was here to do, Tallis thought to herself as she returned her attention to the little flute she was carving from wood. And all the while, throwing glances at Luke Skywalker as he battled his astro droid, Artoo-Detoo.

The young man stumbled through the forms she had just run over with him, but his form was improving. Tallis had to give him that as he blocked a bolt of electricity, only to get hit by Artoo as the droid suddenly and very rapidly fired upon the human.

"Artoo!" Luke cried out. "Stop that! I wasn't ready!"

Artoo bleeped something that was definitely sarcastic.

Luke shook his head. "I know, I know."

Tallis perked up. "What'd he say?"

Her friend rolled his eyes. "The enemy isn't going to be 'fair', so training can't be 'fair' either. That's what I got from him anyways."

The blue Togruta cracked a rare, devious grin and shrugged. "Artoo isn't wrong. Just, remember that the Force is everything, remember the meditation lessons Master Kenobi has instructed you in. Use your instincts, like the Death Star."

Luke sagged. "But I didn't do that one on my own, you and Ben helped too."

A soft smile replaced the devious grin as Tallis stood and shook her head. "It was a group effort. Your instincts told you when to trust the Force. We just helped you touch it. And you can do so again without my help, I know it."

Slowly, Luke nodded and offered a small smile of his own. "Thanks, I'll give it another shot." Turning back to Artoo, Luke raised the noble blue lightsaber into a fighting stance, and he was back at it again as Tallis returned to her log to continue her own little project.

Hours past as Luke worked tirelessly to improve his saber abilities. He was as stubborn as they came, that's for sure. And Tallis admired that as she stood and headed over to the speeders to check a their comms.

Seemed like luck, because suddenly her comm began to blink and beep insistently just as she checked. Tapping it, Tallis leaned it to speak. "Tallis speaking, what's up?"

The voice Leia Organa came over the radio. "Tallis, we need Luke back at the base immediately." The Princess sounded crisp, strained, sharper than she usually was. Concern was already building as Tallis leaned closer.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

Leia did not immediately reply, and when she did, it was prompt and vague yet again. "Just get here, we will explain everything after."

The comm cut off, leaving Tallis befuddled, but nonetheless ready to comply as she went back to fetch Luke.

"What's up?" Luke asked as he noticed Tallis coming back to him with a rushed, urgent sense about her.

Tallis only shook her head. "I don't know, but Leia wants us back right away."

Luke seemed to straighten a bit at the mention of Leia, to which Tallis couldn't help a grin towards as they rushed over to the speeders and strapped Artoo to the back of Luke's before taking off for the Great Temple.

~~~

Luke tried his best not to twiddle his thumbs as he sat at the round durasteel table. On the other side sat Mon Mothma, General Dodonna, and Commander Willard, some of the main heads of the Rebel leadership. People to be revered. And suddenly, being a hero wasn't enough to make Luke feel tall as he glanced to the only person he wasn't terrified of.

Leia sat closest to him, the other seats empty as this was apparently becoming a very important, and secretive matter. And Leia did not look happy. She had been here when Luke entered from the turbo lift, and though she smiled so beautifully and led him to his seat, Leia did not seem as happy and carefree as she had been trying to act. Now such a demeanor was replaced for a pale, worried expression as General Dodonna spoke.

"I must apologize for such short notice, but our intelligence has picked up several new transmissions from Imperial channels."

Luke straightened up in his seat even more, clasping his hands together. "I don't understand," he began slowly, and respectfully, "why are you tell me this?"

"You are the reason. The Empire's intentions towards Yavin are still unknown, which is why we will need to find a new base soon." Dodonna explained. "But when it comes to you, personally, well . . ." The general walked around the table, and Luke quickly got out of his seat as Dodonna offered him a datapad. The first thing Luke noticed was the Imperial insignia in the top center, below a blank picture frame, and below that . . .

Luke felt his mouth grow dry for several seconds before he looked to Leia. "They're after me? A bounty and everything?" He asked incredulously. Sure Luke had always thought fame would be cool, but he hadn't thought there were consequences to it.

Leia nodded, sitting straight against her chair with her face slightly scrunched up. "The one thing on our side is that the mission has been classified. Only the rebels on Yavin 4 know you were the pilot, and they understand secrecy better than many."

Luke frowned. "Then why are you worried? If they don't know who I am then this isn't going to hurt me." He reasoned.

Mon Mothma spoke. "Nevertheless, you are in danger whether they know who you are or not. Precautions as Leia has said are always underway." Now Mon Mothma stood, her creamy pale skin all the fairer in contrast to her dark red hair, and her dark eyes pierced Luke's soul. "You are a very great part of the Rebel's moral, if you die, I fear for many of our soldiers and their courage. Whatever you do, you must be vigilant and take every caution until the bounty is lifted."

"How long could that take?" Luke ventured warily.

Mon Mothma sighed. "You have struck a critical blow to the Empire's power over the Imperial populace. It may be decades before they stop looking for you."

Luke set his jaw, the grimness finally settling in for him as he looked down at the bounty. A million credits for the Death Star's destroyer. And yet a part of him could only scowl. Who would put a bounty on the Empire for what happened to Alderaan? This was all sick.