PART 4: PILOT
CHAPTER 13: Decisions
"I'm not such a bad pilot, myself." —Luke Skywalker, A New Hope
****
The alarms started to blare just as they stepped outside the Imperial Palace. A Wookiee waiting in a speeder nearby growled at them to hurry, and Han made a slight 'after you' bow and gestured for them to pile in. As Luke and Opakwa did so, a trio of Stormtroopers ran outside to hinder the group's progress. Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber and sent a blaster bolt back to one of the Stormtroopers, while Han took out his blaster and quickly took care of the other two.
"We don't have time for this," the space pirate grunted as he jumped into the vehicle. Obi-Wan got in after him.
As they sped away from the site, Luke allowed himself a small sigh of relief. They'd been able to make it out of the Palace without too much trouble, though they'd had to bluff their way through a conversation with one curious man who said he hadn't seen them in the Palace before.
They hadn't achieved much distance between themselves and the Palace when a pair of blaster bolts zoomed past their heads. The Wookiee growled in frustration, starting evasive maneuvers, while Han turned around in his seat to send his own pair of blaster bolts at the Imperial speeder behind him. Both blasts missed, and he started a long string of Corellian profanities. Their pursuer managed to land one shot on their speeder, taking a gouge out if it and causing Han to curse even more. The smuggler's agile finger touched his blaster trigger several more times, and one of his shots hit the driver, who slumped in his seat. The driver's panicked companion crawled over him to push him aside and get at the controls, but Han managed to hit him in the shoulder. The Imperial speeder began a nosedive.
"Nice shooting," Luke couldn't help but note.
Han grinned and turned back around to face the front of the vehicle. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, kid."
Minutes later, they arrived at Han Solo's ship. It was a beat-up freighter called the Millennium Falcon (though Luke personally thought it should be called the Crippled Hawk), and they all piled in without further ado. As it lifted off from the docking platform, they contacted the planetary authorities, only to find that the permission they'd received earlier was no longer valid. All ships were commanded to stay on-planet until an escaped prisoner was located, they were told.
Blatantly ignoring their orders, they continued ascending. Coruscant Space Traffic Control was not amused by this rebellious maneuver, and a man's voice boomed over the freighter's speakers. "Cease your movement, freighter, or you will be treated as a hostile craft and shot down."
Han threw a sideways look at his Wookiee companion and then muttered something to the traffic controller about equipment malfunctions. Unsympathetic, the man repeated his warning. "Cease your movement or be fired upon, freighter. There are no exceptions."
"Hit it, Chewie," Han said as his fingers danced over the ship's controls. A moment later, the Falcon was lurching forward with a boost of speed.
Several air traffic vehicles pursued the ship, firing off a volley of blasts, most of which the surprisingly agile Corellian freighter narrowly avoided.
"That rear deflector shield still up, Chewie?" the ship's pilot queried, getting a roar of affirmation in response. Both Han's and Chewie's hands were flying across the controls, and Luke, though impatient, held his tongue, knowing that even though they were almost out of Coruscant's atmosphere, they would still need to give the navicomputer time to calculate a course through hyperspace.
The Millennium Falcon banked hard to the right, causing its pursuers to briefly falter before they got back on course. The traffic control crafts were less maneuverable in space than the atmosphere, but they were still rather formidable.
As the Corellian freighter went into several gut-wrenching spins, Obi-Wan closed his eyes. A few seconds later, there was a drop of perspiration glistening on his forehead and the air traffic control vehicles had left off their pursuit.
Han, who seemed to have been enjoying the brush with danger, frowned at this new turn of events. "Why'd they just stop?"
Chewie growled at him that the calculations were almost ready, which turned the pilot's attention away from the mysterious circumstances of their escape. A few seconds later, the ship was in hyperspace, and Han Solo was giving himself several congratulatory pats on the back. Luke didn't want to feed this man's ego, but he knew that he was indebted to all three of his rescuers, so he remarked quietly, "Thanks for getting me out of there."
"Not a problem, kid," Han said with a smirk. "It ain't every day I get to break out high-priority Imperial prisoners."
"He is going to be well paid, I can assure you," Obi-Wan told Luke dryly. His eyes were open now, and he no longer seemed to be under the strain that he'd been under before.
Luke, who was sitting in the cockpit next to him, gave him a curious look and then smiled. "Well, nonetheless, you all have my gratitude."
"And mine as well," Opakwa added. "I must say I'm not very fond of Darth Vader."
Chewbacca whuffed something that sounded amused.
"We're going to Alderaan," Obi-Wan informed Luke, "though we can only be there briefly. When it's found out you're missing, Alderaan will probably be the first place Vader looks."
Luke nodded in agreement. "You're right. I shouldn't stay on Alderaan for long."
"Bail Organa should be willing to provide us with an unmarked vessel," Obi-Wan noted. He hesitated briefly. "I wonder if you would be willing to go with me somewhere to learn about the Force?"
Luke's face was a blank, but his mind was working frantically. The Force, it seemed, was not something he could avoid. Whether for ill or good, the Force was in his blood. To have to choose between the ways of the Sith and the ways of the Jedi when months before he'd been hating both of them—it was as if Fate were playing a cruel joke on him. But after reading up on the Sith while he was Vader's prisoner, he knew which path he could never follow.
Still, he wondered if maybe—just maybe—he would be able to avoid the Force if he tried hard enough.
But no—he would be fooling himself if he truly thought he could avoid something that was apparently so intricately tied to his destiny. Looking down at his hands, he said quietly, "Tell me about the Jedi."
Though the young man wasn't meeting his eyes, Obi-Wan gave him a gentle smile. "The Jedi Knights were guardians of peace and justice during the days of the Old Republic. We were the Republic's protectors, its dedicated servants. A Jedi gets his power from the Force."
"What exactly is the Force?" Luke queried, finally turning his gaze toward the Jedi. He knew, sort of, but he didn't really know.
"It's an energy field surrounding and binding all life forms together," Obi-Wan told him. "The Force can enable one to levitate objects, read the intentions of others, influence the weak-minded, predict the future...It is a terrible weapon when in the hands of evil, but in the hands of good it is a valuable tool. The Sith reach out to the Force with anger and hate—they use fear and aggression as tools to access the Dark Side. A Jedi touches the Force when he is calm, at peace, using it for defense but never for attack."
"The Jedi sound noble," the young man commented thoughtfully, "but they let their power go to their heads."
Obi-Wan gave a sad nod. "The Jedi became too assured of their power, and it clouded their judgment. That was why Palpatine's true nature was not discovered until it was too late."
Luke closed his eyes, deep in thought. The Force was everywhere—there would be no hiding from it. He hated it—he wished it didn't exist—but it was a tool, and didn't he owe it to the galaxy to try to use the powers it gave him for good? Was this what the Jedi had wanted—to use the Force as a tool for good to counteract those who used it for evil? It would be best if the Force didn't exist—yes, he still believed that—but it did exist, and it wasn't possible to just banish its existence. He'd tried with the ysalamiri, but they weren't immortal creatures. They had their limits.
The young man opened his eyes and gave the Jedi Master a keen gaze. Obi-Wan looked back at him calmly, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his eyes and mouth. The man's blue-gray eyes seemed filled with warmth. He did not wish to pressure Luke. Somehow, Luke knew that.
Luke bowed his head out of respect for the Jedi, having just made one decision out of the many facing him. "I think you are a good man, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I would be honored to learn from you."
The older man smiled. "If you do not mind leaving Alderaan with me, Luke, I know a place where we can hide and you can learn more about the Force."
"I don't know if I will commit to the Jedi way," Luke told him honestly, "but I will learn some of what you have to teach me before I make my decision."
Obi-Wan looked a little troubled at the restraint in the boy's answer but nodded nonetheless.
****
Luke Skywalker was gone. The knowledge of that stung in more ways than one.
Mara cursed herself for her foolishness. She should have stood guard at his door—she should have realized that as a politician he had friends in high places. But now he was gone (she had no doubts that the Corellian freighter which had defied Traffic Control and escaped into hyperspace was in possession of his person), and she had to let Darth Vader know.
It was with the liberal use of encryption and highly classified codes that she was finally able to contact him. She had hoped that she wouldn't be able to—that he would be refusing all communication due to his location and his business—but that hope was in vain.
Vader had not declared himself Emperor yet, but Mara knew that he thought of himself as such. And so, when his hologram appeared before her, she bowed and said, "Your Highness."
"I trust you have a suitable reason for disturbing me here, Jade." The Sith Lord's voice was dark. If he'd noticed the change in her appellation for him, he did not show it. She had considered calling him 'master,' but that implied a connection with him which he had never encouraged. And so, she used the title fit for the galactic emperor. But all the titles in the world would not make the task before her any easier.
Mara swallowed and braced herself. "The...prisoner has escaped the planet, Your Highness."
For a period which seemed to stretch almost to infinity, the only sound coming from the Sith Lord was the rhythmic noise of his respirator. When at last he spoke, his voice was colder than Hoth. "I trust you have an explanation for this."
Somehow, in this moment, Mara found herself fearing Vader more than she had ever feared Palpatine, and she wondered if there ever was a more powerful force than that of a father's anger. "The security cameras showed that he escaped with help, Your Highness. His allies were a Wookiee and two human males. A Stormtrooper who survived an encounter with them has reported that one of them used a—a blade of light...Your Highness, I fear that man was a Jedi."
The Sith Lord was afflicted by stony silence yet again. Mara could detect his fists clenching at his side, and she suspected, though a few seconds before she would not have thought it possible, his anger had risen twofold. His next words were bit out individually like sharp shards of glass: "A Jedi has my son?"
Mara knew the question was rhetorical, and, rather than replying to it, she said quietly, "We are investigating his disappearance, Your Highness." Inwardly, she recoiled at the revelation that there were bonds of blood between Vader and Skywalker. The Sith Lord's obsession suddenly made sense.
"I suspect the prominent citizens of Alderaan have their hands in this incident," Vader growled. "When the Death Star is finished and my son is recovered, that planet will be its first target."
"Yes, Your Highness," Mara said quietly. She would prefer it if the Death Star were not used at all—the idea of a planet-destroyer sent chills down her spine. She recalled her conversation with Skywalker—he had asked why the Emperor would not just destroy every planet with potential dissenters on it. And she wondered—what was there to stop a galactic emperor from doing so? But the answer was clear. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"I doubt my son is foolish enough to stay on Alderaan. Nevertheless, make sure the planet is thoroughly investigated. Keep me informed of any new leads." The Sith Lord's image disappeared.
Mara stood there for perhaps a minute in thought before leaving to look into Skywalker's disappearance. She could not help but wonder—how much longer would Vader need her? If he converted Skywalker, would she then become disposable? Would she then be killed? The anger Vader must feel now with her must be immense. It did not bode well for her future.
****
What Mara didn't know was that thoughts of her position were furthest from Vader's mind. Vader's anger was directed instead at the Jedi, at Alderaan, and at himself. He should never have left his son—he should have known better than to let the boy out of his sight.
That the Jedi were not all dead filled his heart with a black rage that threatened to consume him. Had this Jedi been hiding on Alderaan the whole time, watching over Luke until the day that he could be corrupted by the Jedi Order's ways? He knew that when his important business was done he would likely need to go to Alderaan himself. Mara Jade would probably not be able to get all—if any—of the answers he wanted. It would likely require brute intimidation and a liberal use of the Dark Side, both of which would best come from him.
Vader suddenly realized that he should have asked to be shown an image of the man with the lightsaber. Who was it that had survived the Jedi Purge? Could it perhaps just be someone who had picked up a lightsaber as a relic of old days and was not a Jedi at all?
Somehow, he doubted it. He suspected he was doomed to forever be plagued by the Jedi. But they would pay for taking his son away from him. He would make sure of it.
And even if he had to rip the galaxy apart at the seams to find Luke, he would.
The boy was destined to join his side.
****
The Millennium Falcon managed to make it to Alderaan. As they were landing, however, a few things started sparking (much to the captain's loudly expressed frustration), so Chewbacca stayed behind with the ship to make the necessary repairs. Obi-Wan, Luke, and Opakwa were taken to meet Bail Organa by Han (who didn't trust them to make it to the Alderaanian's side in one piece without his help), though out of concern for safety their meeting did not take place at Bail's home but at an Alderaanian park. Han Solo had changed into some worn pants, a light-colored shirt, and a black vest, while Obi-Wan and Luke changed into some Alderaanian-style clothing which Bail had provided Han with to give to them. Obi-Wan much preferred his Jedi garb, having worn little else in his life, but it was best to not be conspicuous on a planet which was suffering from a heavy Imperial presence.
Bail Organa was sitting on a stone bench reading a datacard when he looked up and saw them. He and Han Solo had agreed that there should be no prior communication regarding their meeting, so he had timed his appearance at the park as best as he could, taking into account the time it would take to get to Dagobah and then to Coruscant before the group's return to Alderaan, provided everything went relatively smoothly. He had still been anxiously waiting for them for a few hours, but he didn't mind—he liked being out in the fresh Alderaanian air. Though, he must admit, it was hard to enjoy it when he was on pins and needles as he was.
He smiled at them, a strong sense of relief washing over him, and gestured for Luke and Obi-Wan to sit down. As they did so, brushing past a patch of some beautifully overgrown Alderaanian flowers, Han Solo—knowing his payment for the mission would soon be dropped off at his ship by Bail's people, if it hadn't been already—gave Bail a slight nod and then walked away, his duty done. Opakwa stood a few feet away from the bench, having been earlier told he needed to watch for any approaching sentients once they found Bail Organa.
The Alderaanian prince studied Luke for a few seconds before speaking. Now that he was looking, he could definitely see a few traces of Anakin Skywalker in the boy's face. Leia had taken more after Padmé—she was even going to take on the title of senator soon. The boy's full head of hair had been shaven during his imprisonment (Bail knew the young man would not have done so of his own accord), but Bail could remember the way it had been months ago, and, now that he thought about it, it had really looked much like Anakin's had before—well, before...
"It is good to see you again, Luke," the Alderaanian prince said warmly. "I am just sorry that it must be under such difficult circumstances."
"I am glad to see you again, too, Your Serene Highness," Luke returned with a slight sideways bow.
Bail smiled. "Come on, Luke. Your mother never stood on that ceremony, and neither should you. The House of Antilles is just as noble as that of Organa. Call me Bail, like your mother did."
The young man's lips quirked upward. "All right...Bail."
"We were wondering if you would supply us with a transp—" Obi-Wan began.
"I've already prepared one," Bail interrupted with a minute nod.
"Sirs," Opakwa said warningly.
A young couple was approaching. Bail nodded to them as they walked past, speaking again once they were out of earshot. "I take it you're going to Dagobah?"
"Yes," the Jedi affirmed. He placed a hand on Luke's shoulder. "He should be safe there."
"I should imagine so...Oh! I almost forgot!" Bail began fumbling in his pocket. "Your mother left you something. Well, she left you half of her money, of course, but you can't exactly access it right now without bringing the Empire down on your head. However, you can take this." He brought out a small box and handed it to Luke.
Luke opened the small container and stared at the glowing fire opal ring inside. His mouth formed a smile, but there was a sadness in his eyes. "I saw this a few times when I was younger," he noted quietly. "Mother said that she had always admired it when she was a little girl and that her mother had left it to her when she died...It meant a lot to her."
"She's been buried now, Luke," Bail said gently. "Because of the Empire, we can't bury her in the—the Royal cemetery...But I made sure she had a decent burial, Luke."
The young man turned to him, no longer trying to hide his great sorrow as he requested, "May I...go visit her grave?"
The Alderaanian looked to Obi-Wan, who hesitated slightly before nodding. They should be able to spare a few more minutes. Prince Bail Organa stood. "Follow me."
The two others got to their feet, Obi-Wan picking up the satchel he'd set down on the ground.
They took Bail's speeder to the gravesite, which wasn't too far away. After they exited the vehicle, the Alderaanian leader gestured Luke forward while he himself stood back.
"Keep an eye out still," Obi-Wan told Opakwa.
"Yes, sir."
The young man took a few small steps, swallowing due to emotion, and then moved the extra few feet toward his mother's grave. He dropped down to his knees in front of it and bowed his head. The box containing the ring was clenched in his left hand.
Obi-Wan and Bail remained silently together for a few seconds before Obi-Wan commented, "You seem ill at ease." The Jedi turned his head to look at the Alderaanian prince, who gave him an uneasy smile.
"You Jedi always were too perceptive," Bail remarked.
"What's wrong?" Obi-Wan prodded.
The other man studied him for a few moments. He knew he could trust Obi-Wan—how could there be any doubt about that?—but it was engrained in him to be cautious. Still, if there were one person Bail would trust with Rebellion secrets, it would have to be this Jedi Master. "The Empire has a great weapon, Master Kenobi," he said at last. He glanced around briefly for potential listeners, but the graveyard was empty. "The Rebels plan to...destroy it."
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. "How?"
In a low voice, he said, "A weakness...has been found. I want to oversee the operation, but the Empire's been suspicious of my activities for a while, and I must remain here to avert suspicion."
"What's the probability of success?" the Jedi asked quietly.
"It's going to be difficult," Bail sighed. "A fighter flying at high speeds will have to drop two proton torpedoes into a two-meter wide thermal exhaust port. Our sources say the space station is nearly complete, save for some of its outer shell. Its protective turbolasers should be functional, and we know that it is protected by Star Wings, which will be a roughly equal match with our Y-wings and B-wings. Star Wings are, however, too slow to compare with our X-wing and A-wing fighters, fortunately. We suspect that by now the space station has been assigned several other fighters. We hope surprise will give us an advantage; however, even with the advantage of surprise, it will still be a rough battle."
Luke chose that moment to stand up. He turned and walked toward them. There was a look of determination on his face, and both Obi-Wan and Bail realized he had heard them. "I want to help," the young man said.
"Luke—" Bail said uneasily.
"I'm a good pilot," the young man insisted. "And it's what my mother died for. It's what we were working for, Bail. It's—it's what that whole senator business was about."
"I know, Luke." The Alderaanian bit his lip. "Your mother left a datacard for me explaining everything."
"Then you know why I have to do this."
Bail Organa turned to look at Obi-Wan.
"It will be a very difficult shot," the Jedi noted honestly. "I don't think a targeting computer can hit a target that small at the necessary speed...With the Force, Luke can probably do it."
Luke's face darkened a little at Obi-Wan's words. Would he really be made to rely on that mystical energy field to destroy that monstrosity? He and his mother's goal had been to see to the destruction of the Death Star, yes, but they had raged all the while against the Force users who would create such a monstrosity. Of course, his mother had never really hated Force users for what they were—she'd just hated what they'd done to her life...And he knew she would want him to do anything he could to take down the Death Star.
"He can teach me about the Force on the way to the rendezvous," the young man pointed out.
Bail knew he couldn't refuse the boy, and he nodded, pushing through his misgivings. "All right, then. I will give you coordinates to the base and some clearance codes." He looked at Obi-Wan. "You were a general in the Clone Wars—I imagine it might be possible for you to ride as passenger on one of the capital ships, if you'd like. Perhaps dispense a little advice to some inexperienced officers?"
The Jedi shook his head gently. "I'd prefer to simply wait at the base for Luke. My days of being a general are over."
"Very well." Bail nodded, looking as if he'd expected as much. "Let them know I gave the authorization for Luke to be given a fighter. But you should leave Alderaan now. There isn't much time." Bail Organa gestured toward his speeder.