New Blood Strikes Back

By Michael Weyer

Message Delivery

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The chill in the air at Echo Base wasn't just from the night sky outside. Xander was standing by the Falcon, staring out at the huge metallic doors by the cave entrance. Willow was next to him, worry on her face. "Still nothing?" she asked.

Xander shook his head. "No word." He glanced at the chronometer on his wrist. "They're going to have to close the doors."

"They can't," Willow hissed. "If they do…"

"If they don't, the whole base is going to feel this storm," Xander told her. "The longer they're open, the more the chance they'll get stuck and then we'll all freeze. I don't like it either but they'd understand."

Willow crossed her arms, looking to where Leia stood nearby, her own face drawn. An officer came up to speak to her and, after a short pause, Leia nodded. The officer turned and called out. "Seal the doors!"

A loud roar echoed as Chewbacca stormed forward toward the man. Xander, Mara and Willow all rushed forward to try and pull the Wookie back, a difficult task at best. "Chewie, Chewie, come on!" Xander yelled as he leapt up to wrap his arms around the being's neck. "This isn't helping!"

"I've…never regretted…an order more, Chewbacca," the officer gasped as he backed out of the large furry paws.

"Chewie, he shuts the doors or we all die!" Leia snapped. "You want that? Would Han want that?"

That seemed to get through as the Wookie backed up. Xander let go and backed up as the huge metallic doors groaned and started to shut. Threepio moved up to Leia to softly speak. "Artoo reports that the chances of survival in a storm such as this are 725 to 1." He paused. "Of course, he has been known to be wrong. From time to time."

He turned to walk off as Leia began to march away. Willow went to follow but she just held up a hand. "Not…not now, Willow."

"You…"

"Not. Now." The Princess went off, leaving Willow behind. Xander came up behind her to rub her shoulders. "It's ok," he softly said. "You know Buffy, she's a survivor."

Willow shivered. "I know but…I can't help but think…"

"Will…come on. She's survived vamps, demons, Stormtroopers, Snyder and my chili. She can survive a snowstorm."

Willow smiled. "You still have that gift for making me feel better even when I know you're lying." She nodded before heading back to her quarters. Xander stood, watching as the doors finally sealed shut. As they did, Chewbacca threw back his head and let out a long and loud howl.

"I know how you feel, buddy," Xander said as he headed back to the Falcon. Mara was by the ramp watching him with a somber expression. "You ok?" she asked.

Xander sighed. "I'm worried about them."

Mara shrugged. "Odds are pretty bad. A snowstorm like this and with them spread out…"

"You don't know Buffy," Xander remarked. "If anyone can survive, it's her."

"You trying to convince me or yourself?"

Xander brushed past her to head back into the ship. "I need to get some repair work done."

"Want me to help?"

Xander shook his head. "No. I mean real repair work before I get to bed." He walked in as Mara stared, realizing how serious this was. She was struck by how she actually felt some pain at the idea of Luke, Buffy and Han not coming back. It made no sense. Her job was to be a spy, to undo this whole Rebellion, she should be ecstatic at the loss of three prime players. But she almost felt sorry for them.

She shook her head. "In the game, Jade," she muttered before following Xander in as the storm raged more outside.

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Buffy no longer noticed the cold or the way the blue horizon seemed to envelop her. All she noticed was the sight of her mother before her, that warm smile on her face as she gazed at Buffy. "Mommy?"

Joyce Summers smiled at her daughter. "Hello, honey."

"I…am…I dreaming?"

"Not quite."

"Am…I dead?"

"You're not." The way Joyce said that struck Buffy, a frown on her face…followed by understanding.

"No….no…" She moaned. "You can't be…"

Joyce nodded. "I am. Brain tumor, if you can believe it." She chuckled. "Ironic that I'm one of the few people in Sunnydale to pass away from natural causes."

Buffy felt her eyes water. "Mom…I'm so sorry I wasn't there…"

Joyce smiled. "I know…but don't blame yourself. That's the first thing I'm telling you. Do not blame yourself, this was not your fault one bit."

"How…how are you here?"

"I'm not sure myself," Joyce admitted. "I guess I'm here through this…Force to talk to you…to let you know about me…and what you have to do."

"Wha…What do you mean?" Buffy was finding it hard to talk for some reason.

"You have a destiny here, honey. I don't really understand it, but you do. It's time to follow it through all the way. No matter what it takes, no matter what stands in the way."

Buffy felt her eyes getting heavy as she tried to reach forward. "Mom…"

Joyce seemed to fade but her voice remained strong. "I love you. And I am so very, very proud of you. Never forget that. Good-bye, baby…"

"Mom…Mom!"

"MOM!!"

Buffy's eyes shot open as she took in a sharp breath. She glanced around to see some sort of dark surface over her head. She tried to move her hand but it felt like it was covered in pure lead.

"Take it easy." Buffy managed to turn her head enough to see Han next to her. His hood was still up as he checked on the body next to her. Buffy started as she realized it was Luke, his face covered in ice flakes and almost pure white.

"Han?" she croaked out. "Wha…what happened? Where are we?"

"Emergency shelter," the smuggler answered as he checked a small med-pack at his side. "Actually, two of them I managed to wrap together to fit all of us. My tauntaun froze just as I found you two snoozing in the snow."

Buffy did her best to sit up, wincing as she felt her ribs scream in protest. She sniffed, becoming aware of the foul odor filling the shelter. "What the hell is that smell?"

"That would be you," Han said with a dark smile. "I had to cut open my tauntaun with Luke's lightsaber to give you two something warm while I put this thing up."

"Guess you can cancel my social engagements for the rest of the evening," Buffy remarked as she lay back.

"How are you feeling?" Han asked.

"Like the Yeti just smashed my ribs," Buffy said with a wince. "Other than that, hey, why don't we go out and get some calestethics in before it gets too dark?"

"Nah, I hate fresh air," Han said. "Let me see if you need another stim-shot."

"No…save them for Luke," Buffy said. "Trust me, I heal quick."

Han seemed doubtful but shrugged. "What happened to you guys anyway?"

"Not totally sure," Buffy said. "Seems one of those ice beasts the survey teams warned us about killed Luke's mount and took him captive, probably for a meal later. I followed but he was a bit too quick."

"How very rude, as Threepio would say. Hope you killed him right back."

"Seemed the best idea," Buffy said as she lay back and stared up at the shelter's ceiling, listening to the wind howling outside. "You sure this thing will hold?"

Han made that half-smirk of his that drove Buffy nuts. "I was kinda hoping for the best."

"Picked a great time to field test it." She looked to Luke. "How is he?"

"Not too bad," Han said. "We just need to get him to the med-center." He looked up at Buffy. "You sure you're ok? You were both mumbling and stuff when I found you."

Buffy looked away. "It's…nothing." Trying to change the subject, she forced a smile. "So what's your excuse this time?"

"Huh?" Han asked, confused.

"For rescuing us. You can't claim it was the money this time."

Han shrugged. "I'll think of something."

Buffy was silent, lost in her own thoughts as the wind continued to hit outside.

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As she entered the command center, Willow didn't need to ask if Leia had bothered sleeping the night before. The dark lines under her eyes showed she hadn't and Willow knew it wasn't because her room was still partially soaked. Leia held the weight of so much on her shoulders as it was. Adding this to it could be crushing.

"Are the pilots out?" she asked as soon as Willow was in earshot.

The redhead nodded. "They're going into search patterns now in all directions. If they're out there, the speeders will find them."

Leia nodded, her eyes fixed on a screen. "The chances of them okay after a night out in a blizzard like that…"

"Aren't that much more than us managing to rescue you from the Death Star and escaping," Willow pointed out. "Believe me, Buffy has always managed to beat the odds before her. After all this, a snowstorm isn't going to take her out."

Leia sighed. "It's not just her. It's Luke and Han too."

Willow nodded slowly. "Huh. And which of them are you more worried about?"

Leia turned to her, frowning. "What do you mean?"

Willow made a small smile. "Well, there's Luke, who's more the little brother type in some ways or Han, who's…"

"Obnoxious, rude, belligerent, disrespectful, self-centered, arrogant-----"

Willow cut her off quickly. "But still willing to risk his life to help Luke. Don't forget that."

Leia rubbed her temples. "I'm not. It's just…" She shook her head. "Complicated."

"So is life," Willow noted. "You can't help who you fall for, Leia. That's beyond even the Force."

"I suppose it's comforting to realize something is," Leia intoned. "But we can at least have faith it can help us."

"Amen," Willow said as she looked to the scopes.

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"Solo to Echo Base. Solo to Echo Base. Are you really looking for us or are we just a hobby for you guys?!" Han barked into the communicator he had set up. Buffy was watching him, Luke still lying with eyes closed.

"Tell them to bring some room service," Buffy intoned. "I'm starving."

"I'll take some juice," Luke groaned. Buffy and Han were both surprised to realize he was awake, his eyes fluttering a bit.

"How are you?" Buffy asked.

"Horrible," Luke answered with a cough. "I think it's time I asked for a raise."

"Just rest," Han said. "I can't give you any more stim-shots, you're at the limit as it is."

"Right," Luke said sourly. "I'll need all my strength when all that ice on the roof causes it to collapse on us."

"Don't be depressing," Buffy said. "I can depress enough for all three of us."

Luke sighed. "I'll take a Tatooine sandstorm over a Hoth blizzard any day."

"I said take it easy," Han said. "We'll be going back soon."

Luke snorted. "Still bad at rescues, Han…"

"How'd you like me to gag you, kid?"

"With or without Chewie's help?" Luke managed to retort.

"That's it!" Han said, trying to rise in the cramped space. "You think I want to be here? I was planning on flying out by now and-----"

There was a burst of static and the radio suddenly filled with the voice of a pilot Luke recognized as Zev. "Echo Base, this is Rogue Two. I've got something. Not much but we're heading in."

"Not much?" Buffy snorted.

"Don't knock it," Han said as he lifted the radio up. "Good morning! Nice of you guys to drop in!"

Zev's voice was filled with relief as he spoke. "Echo Base, I've found them! Repeat, I've found them!"

Han laughed as he reached over to unseal the opening of the shelter and Buffy could have never imagined the sounds of engines being better than any music.

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Echo Base's medical center was one of the first areas the Rebels had put together when the facility was constructed. As such, it was well-maintained with top-of-the-line supplies, a large bacta tank and a set of droids programmed to help out. They were methodical about it, even when the patient wasn't in the mood.

"I tell you, I'm fine," Buffy said as she hopped off the bed. She did a set of jumping jacks, barely wincing. "See? Fine?"

Too-Onebee, the thinly constructed medical droid that appeared to have a mask on its face, cocked its head a bit. "Your injuries were sizeable. Two ribs were broken, two others bruised. You need bed rest for a time."

"I said, I'm fine," Buffy intoned as she moved to the other side of the medical bay. "I heal fast."

"Nonetheless-----"

"Better let her go, Too-Onebee," Xander said as he entered the bay, followed by Willow and Mara. "Buffy hates hospitals as it is. You don't want to make her stay here."

"I can vouch for her lack of bedside manner," Luke said from his bed nearby. Like Buffy, his color had returned to normal and only a few cuts on his face showed his injuries. "At least in the bacta tank, I had some peace and quiet."

Buffy glared at him. "Don't think because you're in a bed, I can't hurt you."

"Wow, that was an opening," Xander muttered.

Mara moved over to Luke, looking him up and down. "Not bad, farmboy. Can't think of too many people who can tangle with a wampa and live."

"Is that what that thing was?" Buffy asked.

Mara nodded. "Yep. Seems our digging has riled them up a bit, not to mention given them a new source of possible food."

"They given us any more trouble?" Luke asked.

"Some," Mara said. "But we're managing to contain them. Your little droid has figured out the frequency to lure them in."

As if on cue, Artoo and Threepio entered, Threepio excited to see Luke. "Master Luke, Mistress Buffy! It so good to see you both fully functional once more!"

"Thanks, Threepio," Luke said.

Threepio turned to the medical droid. "Too-Onebee, you are a credit to all droids!"

"Thank you," it responded.

Mara rolled her eyes. "Great, same programmer."

"Leave him alone, Mara," Buffy said with a slight edge to her Willow and Xander noted the way Mara glared at her, struck once more by how there seemed to be some sort of tension between the two women. Luckily, Han and Chewbacca picked that moment to enter the med center.

"Hey, kid!" Han said. "See, Chewie, I knew he'd come through. He's strong enough to pull the wings off a gundark." The Wookie barked and Han grinned as he translated. "Chewie says you wouldn't have needed any of this if you had the sense to grow a fur pelt like him."

"I'll keep that in mind," Luke dryly stated.

Han looked to him, then Buffy, and held up two fingers. "That's two you guys owe me now."

"And I'm sure you've got it on a bill," Buffy dryly stated.

Xander rubbed his head. "Well, I guess we should count ourselves lucky that we hadn't taken off yet."

"Oh, yeah, real lucky," Mara sardonically stated. "Now we're locked down on the base."

"Yep," Han said as he looked toward the doorway. "Seems you found a way to keep me around after all, your Highness."

Everyone looked to where Leia was standing, a bemused expression on her face. "I had nothing to do with it and you know it. General Rieekan thinks it's too dangerous for any ship to leave until we activate the defense shield."

"Nice story," Han said. "But I just think you can't bear to let a gorgeous guy like me out of your sight."

Leia just shook her head in true amusement. "I don't know where you get your delusions, laser-brain."

Han glared at the others chuckling around him. "Laugh it up. You don't see us alone in the hallway the other day." He came forward and grinned as he put his arm on Leia's shoulder. "She confessed her true feelings to me."

Leia just stared, her face turning red with rage. "Why you…you…stuck-up…half-witted…scruffy-looking nerf herder!" She pushed his hand away and quickly walked away.

Han just frowned, more confused than hurt. "Who's scruffy-looking?"

Leia glared at him. "I guess you don't know anything about women, do you, Han?" She paused as she looked to Luke briefly. Then, suddenly, she turned, marched up to Xander and placed her lips on his. The kiss lasted five seconds as everyone stared with various reactions, from Willow's amusement to Luke's surprise to Mara's outright hatred.

Leia pulled back and threw a smirk at Han. Without a word, she headed out of the medical bay. Everyone looked to Xander, who just had a mute expression on his face. He seemed ready to smile but a glance at the icy eyes of Mara persuaded him otherwise. Another glance at Han's stony expression confirmed it so he decided the best course of action was to simply go.

Han followed, muttering under his breath with Chewbacca chuckling behind him. Mara just looked to Luke. "Thought for a minute she'd give you the kiss, Farmboy."

Luke shrugged. "Maybe she figured I was in enough medical trouble already."

Mara shook her head. "Some days, Farmboy, I just can't figure you out."

"Than we have something in common," Buffy said. "I mean, you seem dedicated one day and the next you're stand-offish. You want to know details, then you don't want to take part in operations. Just why are you here, Mara?"

Jade shrugged as she headed to the door. "Just finding a place to fit in, Summers, like most of us." She walked out of the bay and Buffy sighed as she moved to the door herself. "I've gotta get to my quarters," the Slayer said. "I'll check in with you soon, Luke."

As she exited, Luke looked to Willow. "She's hiding something."

Willow nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I know she is." She marched to the door. "Time to be the good friend."

Buffy's quarters weren't too far away and Willow knocked on the metal door before it opened. She saw her friend sitting on the heated bed, gazing down at the floor. "Buffy?" Willow asked with concern. "Are…are you okay?"

Buffy looked up, a light sheen of tears in her eyes. "My mom's dead."

Willow's jaw dropped open. "Wh…what?"

Buffy nodded. "I…saw her…through the Force, when we were on the ice."

Willow bit her lip. "Are…are you sure? I mean, you were injured and the cold, it could have been a hallucination."

Buffy shook her head. "No…I know it's true. I felt it. I've always felt her alive but now…" She wiped her face. "I know she's gone."

"Oh, God, Buffy…" Willow moved in to embrace her friend. The contact was enough to allow the floodgates to loosen and Buffy buried her head into Willow's shoulder and started to cry. Willow just held her, her own tears flowing as she thought about how wonderful a woman Joyce Summers had been and how it felt to lose her.

Buffy wasn't sure how long before her tears finally stopped. She wiped at her face as she sat up. "Thank you."

"I'm sorry," Willow said again. "I know it's hard. I mean, my mom and I didn't get along but being away from her…"

Buffy sighed. "I never really got a chance to say how much I loved her…I figured I'd have time but…"

Willow rubbed her back. "It's okay..she knew."

"Yeah, she told me." Buffy rose up and paced the room. "Just hurts still."

Willow sighed. "I can't say I know what it feels like cause I can't. But…you still have me and Xander and Luke."

Buffy smiled at her. "Thanks, Will. I know you guys can help."

Willow nodded slowly. "So…you and Luke…"

"Don't start," Buffy sighed, rolling her eyes. "Not now, ok?"

"You've just spent a lot of time together…"

"And you've hung around Kasen Moor a lot," Buffy fired back. "I'm not asking you if you're interested in her."

Willow looked away quickly. "Okay, point," she mumbled. "I'm sorry to bring this up now but maybe you should consider-----"

Before she could continue, the door opened and Mara entered, her face drawn. "We've got problems," she announced. "They picked up some odd signals from a ridge. Han and Chewbacca went to check it out and they found some sort of probe droid."

"Imperials?" Buffy asked, instantly alert.

"Seems that way," Mara answered. "The droid was near the shield generators and transmitted out of the system. Which means they know we're here and they're coming."

Buffy and Willow exchanged concerned looks as Mara headed back out. Willow watched her, then looked to Buffy. "You still don't trust her?"

Buffy shrugged. "Nothing I can put my finger on. But something about her…just feels wrong."

"Xander trusts her."

"And that's a key reason why she should be suspicious."

"True." Willow brushed back her hair as she looked around. "Damn. I'm gonna miss this place."

"Really?"

"Nah, not really."

"Good, me neither."

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Several light years away from Hoth, in the space above an otherwise quiet and unassuming planet, hung an armada of death.

Six Star Destroyers floated about, each on a set pattern as TIE fighter roared past with their distinctive engine whine. Each Destroyer packed enough firepower and troops to lay waste to a planet. Each was enough to cause fear in any opponent.

So one can imagine the effect the Super Star Destroyer Executor had upon first-time visitors.

It was the largest spacecraft ever constructed, longer than three regular Destroyers placed point to end. Its triangular outer shell surrounded its inner structure, which, like regular Star Destroyers, resembled a hill of building moving up to the large command tower with its power reactors on either side.

On the bridge of the ship, its master stood gazing through the large windows at the fleet around him. Even standing still, Darth Vader was a chilling figure. He was motionless, the mechanical breathing echoing as he gazed out through his black helmet, his black cape flowing over his equally dark armor. He stared outward, his thoughts his own and none dared wonder what they were.

None, that is, save one.

"Do you want me to go over there and tell Lord Vader you don't know anything?" the dark-haired man asked the two Imperial officers near him. Admiral Ozzel, commander of the fleet, and General Veers, head of the military forces for ground assaults, both tried to keep straight faces before the mood of the man before them.

Darth Scourge had earned a reputation as being even more unpredictable than Vader, which many thought impossible. He did not go into the open field as much as Vader did, preferring to stay in the shadows. Rumor was that he was often sent to take care of "secret missions" that coincided with multiple deaths in horrible manner. In person, he seemed to have a cold humor that could turn to murderous rage without a pause. Even more than Vader, Scourge was the reason the "officer death pool" had become a popular pastime in the fleet.

His outfit was unique as he wore a black jumpsuit beneath a flowing black coat. While it appeared normal, in truth it was made of the finest mico-armor available, affording him protection from blaster bolts and other weapons. His lightsaber hung at a belt on his hip and his hands were encased in black gloves, tightening as he gazed at the two men.

Ozzel cleared his throat before speaking. "Lord Scourge," the portly, mustached officer said in a tone reeking of arrogance. "We have spread the probe droids out per the orders we were given. We are narrowing it down but there is still a wide area to cover."

Angelus wished he could just rip this bastard's throat out. In the period since he'd fallen in with the Emperor, he'd been taught more of this Force and found it a pretty handy tool. He'd also realized he had more in common with the Empire than he first suspected and it seemed a good way to fit in for a time.

He wasn't sure what he was going to do in the end. He knew he couldn't bow and scrape to that old geezer forever. At the same time, taking over as Emperor wasn't in the cards either. For one thing, it was just way too much work running a whole galaxy and keeping order had never been among Angelus' traits.

For now, all that mattered was finding the Rebels. Because finding them meant finding that Slayer and that was something Angelus wanted very, very badly.

He glared at Ozzel before speaking. "But you still haven't found anything."

"Perhaps if more units were assigned, we could saturate the region and------"

"Empire's a big place, Admiral," Angelus cut him off. "It has to be maintained and planets kept…pacified. But, hey, if you can't do it yourself, we can always find someone else." Despite being made in an offhand way, the threat was clear and Ozzel stiffened at it.

"We will find them, my Lord. You'll see."

"Oh, yes, I will," Angelus added.

"Sir?" The three looked to where the captain of the ship was heading toward them. Piett's stride was steady as he came up. "We found something." He nodded to a nearby monitor as the men came over. "It's only a fragment from a probe droid in the Hoth system but it's the best lead we've had."

Ozzel scowled. "We have thousands of probe droids spread throughout the galaxy. I want proof, not leads!"

"But Admiral…and Lord Scourge," Piett added to Angelus. "The Hoth system is supposed to be devoid of all life forms. Plus, the transmissions of our droid ceased suddenly, indicating it was destroyed."

"You found something, Captain?" Everyone started as Darth Vader came up. Once again, Angelus wondered how an armored figure with such a distinctive step and breathing could sneak up on him. Piett recovered to motion toward the monitor.

Vader leaned in to look at the outline of a large shield generator and the flying craft swooping by it and straightened. "That is it."

Ozzel coughed and Angelus couldn't believe how condescending his tone was. "Lord Vader…there are so many uncharted settlements, so many fly-by-night mining operations. It could be smugglers, it could be-----"

"That is the system!" Vader snapped at him. "The Force tells me so. The Rebels are there and Skywalker is with them." He turned toward the hardened man nearby. "General Veers, prepare your troops for cold-weather warfare. Admiral, inform the fleet to go to battle status and set your course for the Hoth system." He marched away to leave the men to follow their orders.

Veers tried to maintain some chain of command respect by nodding to Ozzel before going. The admiral glared at Piett, who simply returned the look calmly. As he marched away, Angelus moved to Piett. "So….just how long were you waiting to drop that little announcement?"

"I don't know what you mean, my Lord," Piett calmly said.

Angelus snorted. "Right. You just happened to tell us about it just as Vader was around, right?"

"I merely relayed the information, my Lord," Piett said, his face giving nothing away although Angelus could hear his pulse jump a bit. "As for Admiral Ozzel's feelings toward me, I merely do my duty, I try to stay out of politics."

Angelus grinned. "No wonder Vader likes you." The smile faded as he gazed to where the man had marched away. "He's really got it in for the Rebels now."

"With respect, Lord Scourge," Piett carefully began. "I have noticed that since he discovered it was this Skywalker who destroyed the Death Star, he has become more obsessed with finding him."

"Hmm….yeah, he has," Angelus said, stroking his chin. "Something to think on…" He walked away, allowing Piett to let out a breath. As loyal as he was to the Empire, Piett couldn't help feeling that two Sith Lords on one ship was a disaster waiting to happen. He just prayed he wasn't around when it finally went down.

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This one ended up a bit longer than I expected. Next one will be the Battle of Hoth with a couple of twists for our Scoobies there. Hope it won't take as long as this did.