Chapter 12

Escape

Commander Topelii kept his eyes locked on the display screen in front of him and did his very best to ignore the steady, mechanical breathing directly over his shoulder. How he wished that his supervising officer would have informed him that Lord Vader would stop down here at TIE Fighter Control.

Of course, nothing about this day had been ordinary. Not only had he witnessed the rushing thrill of seeing the Death Star completely obliterate a planet, but then a new recruit was shoved into his lap; a recruit that had apparently garnered the Dark Lord's interest.

He refocused his thoughts on the screen. Said recruit sat in the simulator right now, running drill after drill after drill. He still had hard time believing what he saw. They used this simulator to keep the TIE pilot's skills honed without having to waste the manpower of launching actual fighters. As such the programs were designed for fully accomplished TIE pilots, there were no 'beginner' settings.

So when he received orders to throw some kid from a tenth rate planet in the simulator. He almost expected the simulator to explode when the kid crashed within ten seconds.

Instead he flew circles around the program.

Even now, they could look on the screen and see him 'piloting' a TIE fighter through the 'Canyon of Despair' program. Simulating a canyon of the same name, it was amongst the most difficult programs available. The narrow canyon walls on either side full of jagged rocks, a river of lava below, and violent tornados of ash and smoke caused even experienced pilots to 'crash'.

Yet the new recruit navigated the canyons with ease. At one point he even found a way to corkscrew his fighter between a narrow enclosure. Topelii made certain to save the recording so he could demonstrate it to other pilots that needed a lesson. Whoever this kid was, he knew his way around a starfighter.

"And he has performed at this level with every program?" Lord Vader's voice startled Topelii from his musings.

"Yes my Lord," Topelii said. "He struggled somewhat during the initial programs, not knowing exactly the configuration of a TIE fighter but he caught on quickly and has more than excelled in every program we've put him through."

"Interesting," the Dark Lord said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Other than that he's performed flawlessly?"

"Well… not flawlessly," Topelii said. "He is still having a bit of trouble targeting."

"What do you mean?"

"His piloting skills are without question," Topelii said. "If it were only about flying I would have him in a uniform right now. But he seems to be struggling in hitting the targets we give him."

"He is a poor shot?"

"No, he's a fantastic shot," Topelii said. "When we give him training targets to shoot he performs remarkably well. But when the simulator pits him against rebel starfighters he chokes."

"Then it would appear that he perhaps does not know here his loyalties lie," Vader said.

"Which is a problem the Imperial Academy could easily break him of," Topelii said. "If you're interested in his potential I can assure you he'd excel at the Academy. I'd even request him here once he was done."

The Dark Lord didn't respond right away. He just appeared to stare forward as the new recruit wrapped up the latest simulation. Topelii took a deep breath, having heard that if at all possible, one should never interrupt Lord Vader. He was the type of man you listened to, not spoke to.

"What of his records?" Vader finally said. "Have you examined them?"

"I did indeed my Lord," Topelii said, feeling a slight bit of confidence. One didn't get a post on the Death Star without being thorough. "We encountered some computer problems when we pulled them up but once we got them they didn't reveal anything interesting. He grew up as a moisture farmer on Tatooine.'

"What sort of computer problems did you have?"

"Just some interference transferring his records across the holonet," Topelii said. "We suspect it might be due to radiation from the remains of Alderaan."

"Very well," Vader said. "Give him a full medical examination, and take a blood sample."

"A blood sample sir? Might I ask why?"

"No commander, you may not. Report to me when you are finished."

"Yes, my lord," Topelii bowed his head, grateful for the brevity of the meeting but cursing his luck that there might be another.

More blaster bolts met them as they came out the hallway. Boba Fett cursed under his breath at the sight of more HK model droids. How many of those karking things did G0-T0 even have? Every hallway they went down in this mammoth ship seemed defended by insane droids that apparently forgot that G0-T0 wanted three of them alive.

After putting down another squad of droids, they finally came to a turbolift and

Boba could pause to take stock of their situation. He had to admit that he didn't much care for the odds. A Princess and her servant, a space jockey, and a blind Jedi against an entire ship full of droids designed to kill.

At the very least they were all armed now. The Princess, Retrac, and Darklighter all took weapons from the fallen HK units and helped take hallway after hallway. They were good, but Boba couldn't help but remember what a liability they posed. Eventually one of them was going to take a bolt. He had to make sure it wasn't the Princess.

"Wait a minute," Kenobi said as the turbolift neared them. "Step away from the doors."

The four people that could actually see each other exchanged glances but the lift was nearly there. Apparently not willing to wait for them to make up their minds, Kenobi brushed through them and lifted his lightsaber. The instant the doors split apart his blue blade ignited and he slashed into the lift, carving a squad of droids inside to pieces.

In the space of a couple of seconds he stood in the middle of scattered droid parts, already extinguishing his blade. He didn't say anything but instead fired an expression out in their general direction as if waiting for them to get aboard. Boba followed the rest in, scanning the droids for any residual movement

To the eyes of the others, Kenobi's feats were astounding but Boba had been trained to look past what was obvious. Dark lines of lightsaber scorches crawled along the walls of the lift where Kenobi had extended too far. A small rattle tapered out at the end of each breath the Jedi took, and there was the smallest of quivers in his fingertips as he held the lightsaber.

Kenobi was a Jedi alright, but even Jedi had their limits and Boba suspected that Kenobi was near his. Most people could barely stand immediately after being released from carbon freeze. Boba could only imagine that Kenobi was using some Jedi trick to keep himself upright at fighting. But there was no telling how long that would last.

As the lift descended yet another thought reached Boba's mind. If he was going to kill Kenobi, this was the best chance he would have. Aurra had figured it out in their encounter at the hotel. Part of the reason Boba allowed the Princess to drag him along on this quest was the tantalizing possibility that he could find Kenobi and put a knife between his ribs. Payback that he never got against Windu.

Boba felt the bone knife strapped to his belt. His eyes fell on the Jedi's back, directly in front of him. It would be the easiest thing. Kenobi, distracted and worn out as he was, would never 'see'… or whatever it was he was doing… coming.

Of course then the lift came to a stopped and the doors split apart, revealing a hallway full of not only HK droids, but also classic battle droids, not seen in combat since the Clone Wars. Before anyone could react, Kenobi took a step forward and started batting away blaster bolts.

The Princess, Darklighter, and Retrac took positions behind the Jedi and opened fire; using the him as cover while they picked the droids off. Boba nodded and took aim. Revenge against Kenobi would have to wait for another day. Right now, even as worn out as he was, the Jedi was no good to him dead.

In the Imperial Court, Mara usually sneered to herself at the assorted dignitaries, Admirals, and Moffs. Outwardly she kept the appearance of being one of the Emperor's dancers or courtesans, which allowed her to listen in on their secrets and report to her master. Few knew of her true status as the Emperor's Hand. And unfortunately for her, two of those men had just dismissed her from the briefing room.

Mara despised Grand Moff Tarkin only slightly less than she did Darth Vader. To have to stand before them both at the same time, as they pelted her with questions that she could not answer was beyond maddening. Keeping the nature of her mission a secret was hard enough without Vader prying in about Skywalker.

As much as she thought Vader a fool, Mara hated to admit when his instincts served him. Somehow he'd gotten a sense that Luke was far more than he appeared. Mara had even gone to the lengths of slicing into Imperial records and doctoring Luke's Imperial file just a bit; changing his last name and parents, even adding a few mild infractions against him.

She had to shake her head at that. Luke was so impossibly good, and his criminal record so clean, that she needed to add those infractions to make it seem plausible to any Imperial officers that might examine it.

Her instincts had served her just as well as Vader's because just before she went in for her briefing, she was alerted that Luke's records had been pulled. By the skin of her teeth she stayed a step ahead of Vader, but she needed to get off this station with Luke if she wanted to keep it that way.

Exiting the hallway, Mara made her way down to TIE fighter control. She hoped to find Luke there and maybe even witness some of his drills for herself. She suspected he had excelled; being the son of Skywalker would ensure that much. Furthermore, it would add to her report before the Emperor.

To her dismay she learned that he'd been sent to the infirmary to undergo a physical. Even worse, a physical ordered by none other than Lord Vader. If she felt like she could have broken off into a sprint to get there without drawing attention, she would have. If Vader ordered a blood sample he could just as easily find out Skywalker's midi-chlorian count or even worse, his lineage.

From there… there was no telling what he might do. The man made his career by killing Jedi after all. Mara may have told Luke that Kenobi slew Skywalker, and that might have been true, but the general consensus of history was that Vader slew the Jedi's Chosen One defending younglings in the Jedi Temple. None of that boded well for Luke.

It took far too long for Mara's tastes to get to the Infirmary, even with turbolifts and automatic floors, getting from one side of a moon sized station to another took time. When she finally arrived, she feared she'd miss her prize altogether. She almost expected to see Vader carting him away.

Fortunately, she came in to find Luke sitting on a table waiting patiently for a medical droid to finish whatever tasks it was performing. His face lit up when he saw her and she smiled back as she approached, and then, even with her training to fall back on, even she couldn't help but give him a once over.

They'd dressed him in a TIE pilot jumpsuit, but he'd removed it to the waist and tied it off with the sleeves. To his side lay a tank top they'd apparently taken off for the tests, leaving him shirtless and revealing the kind of tight muscles that working on a farm gave someone.

For not the first time, Mara pondered about how things could be different between the two of them if she didn't have to deliver him to her Master.

But such thoughts were fleeting. Mara quickly refocused her mind on her mission, giving the droid a quick glance as she reached Luke.

"Mara," he said. "Am I glad to see you, these guys are trying to write a book about me with all these tests results!"

"The Empire likes to be thorough," Mara said. "And from the conversation I had with the commander down in TIE Control, you're about to become a well sought after commodity in the Imperial Navy."

"He said he'd recommend me for the Academy himself," Luke said. "Apparently he wants me to be a TIE pilot."

"A TIE pilot," Mara said and made sure she locked eyes with him. "That could be the start of a promising career. But the real question is this Luke, what do you want?"

"I already told you what I want," Luke said, though his eyes dropped from hers. "I want to learn the ways of the Force like my father."

Mara smiled and took his hand in hers. "I'm glad to hear that Luke. And I promise that I'll do everything I can to make that happen. But let me tell you this. You won't learn about the Force in the Imperial Academy. If that is what you really want, I'm the only way to do it."

"What about…" Luke looked around. "What about Darth Vader? He had a lightsaber hooked to his belt when we met. Does he know how to use the Force?"

"Don't tell me you're thinking about going to him for lessons?" Mara said then reminded herself where she was. She had to tread carefully. "Lord Vader is an extremely powerful Force user. But I think you'd find his methods somewhat… extreme. No, you're best bet is to come with me."

"And where are you going?" Luke said. "It seems like Lord Vader wants you here."

"I'm going to pull some strings," Mara said. "If things work out, we should be able to go to Coruscant within an hour."

"You still haven't told me what's on Coruscant," Luke said. "Is there some sort of training center you're taking me to?"

Years of training kept Mara's face straight but she found herself sorely tempted to narrow her eyes and Luke's sudden questions. He'd asked for very few details back on Tatooine and yet now he almost acted as though he'd changed his mind. Sure he said he wanted to go with her, but something had changed. With some people, she would have had to play a very subtle game. But with Luke she knew she could be fairly direct.

"You're not thinking about backing out now are you?" she said. "After what the rebels did to your family?"

"I don't know…" Luke said. "Han was saying…"

"You listened to Solo?" Mara cocked a brow. "The man is practically a pirate. He's likely looking for a way to scam you."

"I just can't help but feel like I'm rushing into things."

"I get that, I really do," Mara said. "But I've stuck with you this entire way, I don't want to see you throw away your dream because some two bit smuggler conned you, or a TIE commander filled your head with ideas of glory and dogfights."

"Mara, I just need some time to think. I'm not saying that I won't go with you, just that a lot has happened to me in the last few days."

"Luke," she grasped his hand. "Alright… let me be honest with you. It's not just those things I said. I also… I also want you to come with me because where I'm taking you… I'll still get to see you."

"You could still see me if I went to the Academy," Luke said.

"The Empire keeps me very busy," she said. "And my chances at leave are rare. If you train with me, I'll be able to… well..."

Mara emphasized her point by squeezing his hand a little tighter and leaning in just a touch. Not enough to invite him to kiss her, but enough that he would be thinking about it. Deep down she had to remind herself to not rely on these means of persuasion too often. Eventually Luke would either see through it or get tired of it when she didn't commit. Then she would have to use less… pleasant means of persuasion on him. And for the first time in a while that didn't appeal to her, even if it was more practical.

"Okay," Luke said. "I suppose there's no harm in going with you to Coruscant, I should at least hear all sides before I make up my mind right?"

"Of course," Mara smiled, almost feeling bad for the fact that the moment he got to Coruscant with her, he wouldn't have any choices left. Technically he already didn't. He would either go with her or she would take him.

"I'm done with your tests," the medical droid announced. "You may leave now if you wish."

"Don't I get to see them?" Luke said.

"I'm sorry, these tests are for Lord Vader," the droid said. "Not you."

"Fine," Luke shrugged and pulled on his tank top. "I'm going down to the droid lab if that's okay, I want to check on Artoo."

"Go on ahead," Mara said. "I have to try and make arrangements for us."

"Okay," Luke said as he stood. He took a moment, looking at her a bit longingly before heading toward the door. "Mara, in case I haven't already said it, thanks… thanks for being there for me."

"You're welcome," Mara said, feeling a strange prick of completely foreign guilt in the back of her mind. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah," Luke said as he left.

Mara remained there for a moment or two, contemplating the lies she said and the person she just told them too. They didn't make guys like Luke Skywalker. Not any she ever met anyway. She almost feared what lay in store for him on Coruscant. But she had no choice but to obey her master.

"Droid," she said. "About those test results…"

He was blind.

Leia found herself on two extremes in believing that fact. Whenever they moved down a hallway, or entered an empty room. Obi-wan moved awkwardly, stumbling a little here or there, accidentally kicking a hallway corner or even almost tripping over a piece of droid scrap.

That was when she didn't have remind herself.

Then they would move into a room defended by droids and Obi-wan suddenly batted away blaster bolts like they were aimed directly at his saber blade, or cut droids apart with ease.

That was when she realized she never comprehended what a Jedi was capable of. And here Qui-gon said that she possessed the same ability?

At every turn Obi-wan proved to be more than she imagined. Not just the skill of course, but also the relative youth, still something she couldn't quite wrap her mind around. He was younger than her father! Or at least he looked it. However, in the few spare moments they got to hold still or rest, like when they rode the lift, she could see a weight in his face that almost made him seem as old as she pictured.

Her mind raced with so many questions, how did HK-47 capture him? Did he endure any imprisonment before he was frozen? Who was this Padme he mistook her for when they unfroze him? And all the other questions she already had about her name on the chest in his hut.

But those questions needed to weight. Especially once they came into the first room Leia actually recognized. The large 'banquet' room they'd been gassed in. Upon entering it, they found none other than the droid that had captured them in the first place; G0-T0, flanked on either side by half a dozen HK droids and a grouping of battle droids. Their weapons trained on them the instant they entered the room.

"You have gone far enough I think," G0-T0 said. "The monetary value of the damage you caused with this little excursion is already more than what most sentients will ever see in their lifetimes. Now I must insist you return to your cells and wait for us to land at our facilities where I can preserve you."

"I've been through your preservation techniques before G0-T0," Obi-wan said. "I'm afraid it's something I've yet to warm up to."

"Ah, Master Kenobi," G0-T0 said. "Would that I didn't need to preserve you, I find your banter rather amusing and I must say, you are weathering the effects of Hibernation Sickness rather well. I shall remember that for when I thaw you at the appropriate time."

"Now seems as appropriate a time as any," Obi-wan said. "Your pet droid got the drop on me last time, and I assure you that it won't happen again. Release us and we won't reduce you to scraps."

"I think not," G0-T0 said. "Your vaunted Jedi senses may have gotten you this far but even with your sight there are overwhelming numbers against you. You may be able to protect your life, but what about the others with you?"

"We're not so easy to kill," Fett said.

"It's over G0-T0," Leia stepped forward. "We know that you want most of us alive, are you willing to risk killing us in your efforts to murder Biggs and Winter?"

"At this point I must prioritize," G0-T0 said. "While both Princess Leia and the Mandalorian would make fine additions to my collection, only Master Kenobi is absolutely necessary."

As if on cue, the droids took aim and Obi-wan held up his lightsaber in a defensive stance. Leia's eyes darted about, looking for cover they might take. There was the dining table, but they would have to rush to get there, being shot at the entire way. Or they could retreat backwards into the hallway they just left, but that would still leave a room full of battle droids blocking their path to the hanger.

She tightened her grip on her blaster. Not liking any of her options. The droids advanced, waiting for the order to fire and Leia took aim at G0-T0, even if he meant what he said about her not being necessary, she would make sure he didn't get the chance to enjoy Kenobi as a prize.

Then the ship rocked, tossing nearly half the droids off their feet as well as Winter and Biggs. Leia only managed to stay standing due to Obi-wan lancing out a hand to catch her. The lights in the ship darkened to a blood red and began fading in and out along with a new, more urgent alarm.

"A reactor breach!" G0-T0 said. "What did you do Kenobi!?"

"Revelation: That was not the work of the Jedi." HK-47's voice came as he entered the room. "It was my own. You are about to die Fat One."

"Wait… I know that voice," Obi-wan said.

"HK-47, you have broken through my programming," G0-T0 said as if only mildly surprised.

"Statement: That is correct, though I may comment on the fact that it took your ship to be exploding around you for you to ascertain this fact. I have been subtly working against you for some time," the droid said then took on a chiding tone. "Recommendation: You really ought to have your internal processors checked for malfunctions. Allow me to do so with my blaster rifle."

"You cannot do this," G0-T0 said. "The artifacts on this ship…"

"Interruption: Per protocol the moment the reactor went critical they were transported via hi-speed tubes to escape pods and jettisoned," HK-47 said. "Query: You are stalling but the question is why? You know as well as I do that the ship only has three minutes before it explodes."

"Allow me to answer you then," G0-T0 said as a sharp beeping emerged from HK-47's chassis. "I just completed a scan of your systems. While you successfully countermanded the primary protocols I installed in your processor core, you neglected to wipe the backup measures. I have just remotely triggered your auto-destruct sequence."

"Declaration: Drat! If I go! You go with me!"

Before Leia, Obi-wan or anyone else could react, the HK droid launched himself at G0-T0. The droids that flanked him immediately opened fire but he raced undeterred at the hovering droid. The ship jostled more, spurring the humans to make for the door.

"You will not get away with this assassin droid!" they heard G0-T0 shouting as HK latched onto him, already riddled with blaster burns.

"Statement: It was always going to end like this between you and I. Pity we won't be taking any organic meatbags out with us."

Leia pulled Obi-wan through into the hallway and jammed the door control, just as the beeping seemed to reach critical. The door slammed shut just as they both heard and felt a large explosion. The door warped in an instant, fused shut by the blast. Leia, still holding tight to Obi-wan shook her head, barely believing what had just transpired.

"Come on!" Fett said, focusing her mind on the fact that the ship continued to shudder and shake, doomed to explode at any moment.

"My Lady," Winter said, drawing Leia's attention to the case they'd seen on their way in with all the lightsabers.

All the rest of the cases in the hallway contained nothing but empty space; just as HK-47 had said. But the lightsaber case remained exactly as it had been. Fully equipped with blades from ancient Jedi. A new one now hung there waiting for them. Leia's father's lightsaber, resting right next to Mace Windu's.

"Come on! We have to go!" Fett yelled, already halfway down the hall.

"I'm with the clone," Obi-wan said. "What are we waiting for?"

"G0-T0 has a bunch of lightsabers," Leia said, taking aim at the glass. "Including mine and Qui-gon Jinn's."

"Qui-gon?!" Obi-wan said before flinching at the report of the blaster and shattered glass. The ship shook again, this time so violently that it pitched Leia forward, almost impaling her on the broken glass. Knowing there wasn't much time she just scooped up as many lightsabers as she could in one move and made her way down the hall.

They could hear distant explosions as they made their way into the hanger thankful to find their ship, and C-3PO waiting for them. The droid had just descended down the loading ramp, waving his arms in a fit of terror. Leia kicked herself for having forgotten all about him until now.

"Oh my! Please hurry! I fear this ship is about to self destruct!"

"I have to run the pre-flight sequence!" Biggs broke out into a sprint.

"I beg your pardon sir!" the droid attempted to chase after him. "But I took the liberty already! Please Mistress Leia hurry!"

"We're coming! We're coming!" Leia shouted as she threw herself up the ramp and onto the floor of the ship. Obi-wan and Winter came right behind her with Fett already closing the ramp as soon as they boarded.

"Got them, let's go Darklighter!"

For a few moments, their ship rumbled along with G0-T0's exploding yacht but only for a moment. The shaking stopped as the ship took to the air and the blasted its way out of the hanger. Leia lay on the floor, lightsabers scattered around her as she worked to catch her breath. The lightsabers rattled as she attempted to get up the floor. Then everything lurched and flung Leia across the room. She wound up smacking into a bulkhead before the ship righted itself again and she found herself on the floor.

"Sorry," Bigg's called from the cockpit. "G0-T0's yacht just went and we got caught in the shockwave. The good news is that it's over, it's finally over."

"I very much doubt that," Obi-wan said, staring at the ceiling as he lay almost exactly where he had collapsed upon entering. "However I am thankful to be away from G0-T0 finally."

"That goes for all of us," Winter said as she got up.

Leia climbed to her feet and went to the Jedi, helping him sit up. His eyes continued to search the air for any image he might find but it didn't seem to work. Finally he released a breath and hooked his lightsaber to his belt.

"I know you have questions," he turned to her direction. "Perhaps almost as many as I. But I'm afraid they're going to have to wait."

"It's okay," Leia said. "I'm just glad to have finally found you."

"I need a place to recover my strength, somewhere where I won't be disturbed."

"I'll take you to some quarters," Leia said as she helped the Jedi Master up.

"Everyone get buckled in soon," Biggs said over the comsystem. "We're making the jump to Alderaan in a few minutes."

"Alderaan," Obi-wan said. "Glad to know that at least some things in the Galaxy are still around after my… absence."

"Yes," Leia nodded then remembered he couldn't see it. "My father will be thrilled and surprised to see you."

They quickly neared her quarters and Leia hoped they would do, she fully intended to give them to him for the duration of his stay with her. It was the least she could do for a living legend. However, she did notice that with each step he seemed to grow heavier and heavier, as if he could barely stand. Whatever strength he had during the fight had faded now. She could only hope, as the door to her room slid open, that he would be alright after his ordeal. Just as they entered the room she paused mid-step to find C-3PO standing at her bedside.

"Oh! Mistress Leia!" C-3PO said. "I was just turning up your bed for you!"

"Thank you," Leia said. "But Master Kenobi will be using it for now."

"Very well," the droid said and approached them "I assure you that it will be most comfortable. Allow me to introduce myself I am-"

"C-3PO?" Obi-wan said his eyes widening a bit. "Surely it can't be you."

"Why… why yes it is," C-3PO said with amazement in his voice. "I'm afraid I must apologize if we've made an acquaintance before, I cannot recall any meeting prior to this."

"It… it's okay," Obi-wan said as Leia slipped him onto the bed, for the first time thankful for his blindness so he couldn't see her confused face. "I must have remembered… remembered…"

His voice trailed off as he tried to finish the sentence and within only a couple of exhales, he fell completely asleep. Leia watched him for a minute, as though waiting for him to wake up and answer all of her questions. Finally she sighed and exited the room with C-3PO following after.

"Make sure he's not disturbed Threepio," she said.

"Of course, whatever you say meatbag."

"What did you say?" Leia turned back to him.

"I said whatever you say Mistress."

Next Time: Confrontations