Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
So, this is one that I think you will enjoy, and will feature the return of another old friend from the first story. Let's get to it.
7roop3r: Yes, Hall will face Vader at some point.
Hank: Well, it's actually pretty easy for me, and I actually had most of the chapters posted so far written a few months ago. Plus, with being in quarantine, I have a lot more free time.
Wolfshark: Well, Terran infantry mostly just uses the same uniforms they do in the real world. The body armor I mentioned is experimental body armor used by special ops units and worn under the outer uniform. So, they were slugthrower type M4s.
Guest DCDGojira: Yes, they probably will sense Kenobi's death. Yes, Luke will still destroy the Death Star.
Peter Hong Kong: The Alliance uses both blasters and normal firearms. It mainly depends on which type of weapon the individual soldier prefers to use.
pervy sage: Adams may be present, but not decided. And no, Luke's love interest won't be Mara Jade.
Guest: The Vietnamese wouldn't have had the knowledge or resources to reprogram any battle droids. I may make some mentions of other actions by the Vietnamese, but I'll mainly cover it on the wiki page.
Guest 101: Those are some good ideas, and I may use one.
CT7567Rules: Well, I love Tom Clancy, so I may check that out.
Guest: I don't think it would be as easy to capture the Death Star as you'd think.
CC-7567: I saved them mainly because I've had a number of my readers asking for them to live, so I decided to save them.
Chapter 8- Encounter in Mos Eisley
Luke pulls his speeder up to the cantina. As he climbs out, he asks Obi Wan, "You really think we'll find a pilot here who will take us to Alderaan?"
"Oh, most of the best freighter pilots can be found here. Only watch your step. This place can get a little rough," he says.
Obi Wan, Luke, 3PO and R2 make their way into the cantina. Inside, the cantina band is playing a tune.
Obi Wan and Luke look around the cantina. Individuals from a lot of different species are milling around the cantina. Obi Wan walks down the stairs and over to the bar, where a Wookiee is standing.
Luke and the droids start to walk down the stairs. Suddenly, the bartender calls over to them, "Hey. We don't serve their kind here."
"What?" Luke asks.
"Your droids. They'll have to wait outside. We don't want them here," the bartender says.
Luke turns to 3PO. "Why don't you wait out by the speeder? We don't want any trouble," he says.
"I heartily agree with you, sir," 3PO says before turning around and walking back outside with R2 following him.
Luke walks over to the bar beside where Obi Wan is standing. He reaches out and taps the bartender on the back. "I'll have one of those," he says. The bartender nods and hands Luke one of the drinks he's preparing.
Luke glances around the cantina, looking at all the different aliens around the cantina, wondering if any of them is a pilot that can help them get to Alderaan. As he does, Obi Wan is still conversing with the Wookiee.
Suddenly, a Aqualish beside Luke grabs him and turns the boy to face him, making a number of grunts. Luke kind of shrugs it off and turns away. However, a moment later, he feels a tap on his shoulder, and turns around to see a man with a rather disfigured face looking at him.
"He doesn't like you," the man says.
"I'm sorry," Luke says
He tries to turn away, but the man turns him back around and says, "I don't like you, either. You better watch yourself. We're wanted men. I have the death sentence on twelve systems."
"I'll be careful," Luke says.
He starts to turn away, but the man whips him back around and says angrily, "You'll be dead!"
Obi Wan turns to look over Luke's shoulder. "This little one is not worth the effort. Come, let me get you something," he says.
The man cries out angrily as he shoves Luke aside. He and the Aqualish reach to draw their blasters. But, before they can, each of them suddenly feel something made of metal pressed against their backs as a voice says, "Well, if you two have the death sentence, I have no issues doing this."
Then, there are two loud bangs, and the man and the Aqualish both collapse, dead. Behind them is standing a man wearing what looks like some kind of desert camouflage suit, holding two slugthrower pistols. He looks to be in his early 50s, with graying hair.
The man twirls his pistols around his fingers before returning them to their holsters. He then smiles as he walks up to Obi Wan and says in a low voice, "Good to see you again, General."
"Tyler Hall. It is so good to see you again too," Obi Wan says. He then walks over to Luke and helps him back to his feet.
Luke looks at Hall and asks, "Who are you?"
"A friend," Hall says with a grin. He then looks at Obi Wan and says, "Adams has been captured by the Empire. I'm here to help. I'll wait by the doorway, but you're not leaving this planet without me."
"Understood," Obi Wan says. Hall then heads to wait by the door, while Obi Wan leans in to Luke's ear and whispers, "Chewbacca here is first mate on a ship that might suit us."
Chewbacca, the Wookiee, leads them over to a table. A moment later, a man comes and sits down across from the, next to Chewbacca, and says, "I'm Han Solo, captain of the Millenium Falcon. Chewie here tells me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system."
"Yes, indeed, if it's a fast ship," Obi Wan responds.
"Fast ship? You've never head of the Millenium Falcon?" Han asks.
"Should I have?" Obi Wan asks in response.
"It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. I've outrun Imperial starships. Not the local bulk cruisers, mind you. I'm talking about the big Corellian ships. She's fast enough for you, old man," Han says. He looks between Obi Wan and Luke before asking, "What's the cargo?"
"Only passengers. My self, the boy, two droids, our friend over there by the door, and no questions asked," Obi Wan says, leaning forward a little bit to say that last bit.
Han chuckles and asks, "What is it, some kind of local trouble?"
"Let's just say we want to avoid any Imperial entanglements," Obi Wan says.
Han leans back a bit and says, "Well, that's the real trick, isn't it? And it's gonna cost you something extra. Ten thousand, all in advance."
Luke looks astonished at the price. "Ten thousand? You could almost buy your own ship for that!" he exclaims.
"But who's gonna fly it, kid? You?" Han asks skeptically.
"You bet I Could. I'm not such a bad pilot, myself," Luke responds before looking at Obi Wan and saying, "We don't have to sit here and listen…"
Obi Wan puts a hand on his arm to calm him down, then looks at Han and says, "We can pay you two thousand now, plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan."
"Seventeen?" Han asks intrigued. Obi Wan just nods.
A slight smile appears on Han's face as he says, "Alright, you guys got yourself a ship. We'll leave as soon as you're ready. Docking Bay 94."
"94," Obi Wan says to confirm it.
Han nods, then glances behind them and says, "Looks like somebody's taking an interest in your friend."
Obi Wan and Luke look over to see two stormtroopers walk up to Hall and start talking to him. Suddenly, before anybody including the stormtroopers can react, Hall lashes out and wraps his arms around their necks, choking them as he drags them out of sight.
"We'd better get going," Obi Wan says. He stands up and walks over with Luke towards the spot where Hall disappeared.
As they come around the corner, they see Hall hiding the stormtroopers. "They're just unconscious for now. Hopefully they'll stay that way for a little while. But we've gotta move," he says. Obi Wan just nods and follows Hall out.
As they walk out, Obi Wan says, "You'll have to sell your speeder."
"That's okay. I'm never coming back to this planet again," Luke says.
Luke then looks at Hall. "So who are you?" he asks.
"Lieutenant General Tyler Hall. Commander of the Anti-Sith Assault Team of the Terran Alliance," he says.
Luke looks at him in amazement. "The Terran Alliance? It's real?" he asks, having only heard some stories of the Terran Alliance, which were held as just tall tales by many in the galaxy by now.
"Yes, it's real. I've served as the leader of the Anti-Sith Assault team for several years now. A short time ago, I was asked to come find Obi Wan here," Hall says. He then says, "We'd better take care of your speeder, then get on our way to that hangar."
The group of three make their way through Mos Eisley, trying to find a buyer for the speeder. Finally, Luke finds an alien who is interested.
Unfortunately, the price offer is not quite what Luke had hoped for. But, he knows he's not going to get any better. "Alright. Give it to me, I'll take it," he says, and the alien hands over the money.
"Look at this. Ever since the XP-38 came out, they just aren't in demand," he says.
"It'll be enough," Obi Wan says. He and Hall walk away, Luke following close behind. None of them see a cloaked and hooded figure following them at a careful distance.
After a few minutes, they find 3PO and R2 waiting for them in a safe place. The droids begin following them.
"If the ship is as fast as his boasting, we ought to do well," Obi Wan says as they round a corner and head towards the entrance to the hangar. Chewbacca is standing in front of the door, waiting for them.
Following Chewbacca through the door, they walk down the stairs and into the hangar where Han's ship, the Millenium Falcon, is waiting.
"What a piece of junk!" Luke exclaims.
"She'll make .5 past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself. But, we're a little rushed, so if you'll just get on board, we'll get out of here," Han says. Obi Wan and Luke board, followed by 3PO and R2, as Chewbacca settles in the cockpit, preparing to leave while Han makes a few final checks outside the ship. Hall stays outside the ship, an M4 assault blaster in his hands, standing guard just in case.
Hall's caution pays off, as a squad of stormtroopers hurries into the bay, and one shouts, "Stop that ship! Blast them!"
The stormtroopers begin firing their weapons. Han and Hall quickly return fire, killing several stormtroopers.
"Get on! I'll cover you!" Hall shouts. Han hurries onto the ship as Hall continues to lay down cover fire with his assault blaster. Once Han is on board, Hall rushes on board as Han shouts, "Chewie, get us out of here!"
Hall hurries up to the cockpit as the Falcon takes off and flies up out of the bay, climbing up and out of the atmosphere of Tatooine.
As Hall settles into a chair behind Han. Chewie growls a few things to Han.
"Looks like an Imperial cruiser. Our passengers must be hotter than I thought," Han says.
"You guys hold them off. I'll make the calculations for the jump to lightspeed," Hall says, already working with the navicomputer.
More beeping echoes, and without taking his eyes and hands off his task, Hall says, "Two more Star Destroyers coming in. They're gonna try and cut us off."
Luke and Obi Wan hurry into the cockpit. "Why don't you outrun 'em? You said this thing was fast," Luke asks anxiously.
"Watch your mouth or you're gonna find yourself floating home. We'll be safe enough once we make the jump to hyperspace. Besides I know a few maneuvers. We'll lose 'em," Han says.
Turbolasers begin exploding around the ship. Han grins a bit and says, "Here's where the fun begins."
"How long before you can jump to light speed?" Obi Wan asks.
"I've almost got the coordinates from the navicomputer. Give me just a few more moments," Hall says.
"Are you kidding? At the rate they're gaining?" Luke cries.
"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops, boy. Without precise calculations, we'd fly right through a star or bounce too close to a supernova, and that would end your trip real quick," Han says.
"What's that flashing?" Luke asks as he points at a flashing red light.
"We're losing a deflector shield. Go strap yourselves in. I'm gonna make the jump to light speed!" Han says urgently.
"Coordinates set!" Hall says. Han then pulls the throttles, and the ship jumps into hyperspace.
As they settle in for the trip to Alderaan, Hall says, "Excuse me, Captain Solo. I need to make a transmission. Once I'm finished, I'll watch the cockpit for you."
"Thank you," Han says.
Hall makes his way out of the cockpit and finds a secluded spot to transmit.
Setting down his communicator, a hologram of General Martin Dempsey comes up. "High General Dempsey, it's me," he says.
"Lieutenant General Hall. What's your situation?" Dempsey asks.
"General, I've located Obi Wan Kenobi on Tatooine. We have the droid R2-D2, who has the plans for the Death Star. Not only that, but Kenobi is accompanied by a boy who I believe to be the son of Anakin Skywalker. We are currently on our way to Alderaan," Hall says.
Dempsey is quiet for several moments before saying, "Excellent work, General Hall. Remain with Kenobi and the boy, then I want you working on trying to track down Adams."
"Understood, General. I will report back as necessary," Hall says before the transmission cuts off, and Hall heads back to the cockpit.
(Death Star)
Adams stares ahead with a stony expression as several stormtroopers lead him through the halls, with Vader following behind him.
As they enter the command center, Adams sees a man standing in front of the viewport up ahead. As he approaches, the man turns around, and Adams recognizes his him.
"Tarkin. Of course. I shouldn't have expected any other b*****d to be in charge here," Adams says.
"Captain Adams. Or Admiral Adams, as I now understand your current rank. It has been a long time. I must admit, I've been looking forward to this day for a long time," Tarkin says.
"So have I," he says. Right then, he pulls his hands forward, having undone his binders, and punches Tarkin right in the face.
Tarkin stumbles back as the stormtroopers leap forward and restrain him. Adams smirks at Tarkin, now sporting a little bit of blood coming from his nose. "I have wanted to do that since I first met you, so SOB. I never should've saved your life that day at the Citadel. And you guys really should know by now that me and my old teammates can get out of cuffs rather easily. I would've thought you'd have designed cuffs meant to hold us by now," he says.
Tarkin's calm mask slips for a moment, and a look of anger at Adams comes over his face before he reigns in his emotions.
Right then, Leia enters the room, escorted by several troopers. "Governor Tarkin. I should've expected to find you holding Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board," she says.
Tarkin smirks slightly before he says, "Charming, to the last. You don't know how hard I found it signing the order to terminate your life."
Adams glares at Tarkin as Leia says, "I'm surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself."
Tarkin walks a few steps away as he says, "Princess Leia, before your execution, I would like you and Admiral Adams to be my guests at a ceremony that will make this battlestation operational. No star system, even the Terrans, will dare oppose the Emperor now."
"You sure about us Terrans?" Adams asks.
"The more you tighten your grip Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers," Leia says.
"Not after we demonstrate the power of this station," Tarkin says. He then walks back towards them as he says, "In a way, you have determined the choice of the planet that will be destroyed first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the rebel base, I have chosen to test this station's destructive power on your home planet of Alderaan," finishing by looking at the viewport at Alderaan.
A chill runs through Adams as he looks out at Alderaan. He knows that Bail is on the planet, and finds himself wondering if he could break free and find a commlink if he could warn Bail.
"No! Alderaan is peaceful! We have no weapons. You couldn't possibly-" Leia begins to say.
"You would prefer another target, a military target? Then name the system!" Tarkin demands.
Leia looks out at Alderaan, and Tarkin steps forward so he's right in front of her and asks, "I grow tired of asking this, so it'll be the last time. Where is the rebel base?"
Adams stares at Leia as she looks out at her home planet. After a few moments, Leia says, "Dantooine. They're on Dantooine."
Adams keeps his expression neutral, but internally breathes a sigh of relief. He knows that there was a rebel base on Dantooine some years ago. Perhaps, if the Empire finds it, they'll believe the rebels evacuated it before the Empire could arrive.
"There. You see, Lord Vader? She can be reasonable," Tarkin says to Vader. He then turns to Motti and says, "Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready."
"What?!" Leia exclaims.
"You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration, but don't worry. We will deal with your rebel friends soon enough," Tarkin says.
"No!" Leia says, but a stormtrooper holds her back.
"You SOB!" Adams shouts, and he lunges towards Tarkin, but Vader uses the Force to restrain him.
The gunners begin powering up the superlaser. The process takes a minute. Finally, the eight tributary beams fire out of the shafts, meeting together outside the dish, and the single beam streaks out through space, connecting with Alderaan and completely blowing it to pieces.
Adams stares at the expanding cloud of debris in shock, then a feeling of great anger wells in him. Again he lunges for Tarkin, but one of the stormtroopers stuns him, and he falls to the ground.
And, I'll end there. Hope you liked this chapter.
So, now Hall is in the mix. He'll be joining them on the Death Star. I hope you guys liked how I brought him in.
So, there's a chance the next chapter may not be up until Wednesday, as I've got a lot of homework to complete before I can get started on it. Until it is up, please leave a review and stay tuned.