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Special thanks to my Beta reader Dolphinsplash12!
Misguided Light
Chapter 12
"Mom, I want an explanation," Princess Leia demanded, following the leader as they approached the control room.
Padmé sighed. She had not planned on explaining anything to Leia. Sweet, kind, and cheerful Leia who had so much of her father in her, that at times, Padmé felt herself do a double take. Leia deserved to know the truth about her father, Padmé could admit that. But, she didn't have the heart to admit to Leia why things had gone so horribly wrong.
Why did Luke, Leia's twin end up with Vader? Why did Obi-Wan refuse to assist the Rebel Alliance by declining chances to fight Vader? Why is Luke so torn apart emotionally?
Why did Anakin leave Padmé and get replaced by the monster that was Darth Vader?
Padmé didn't know. And she wasn't willing to admit that to her daughter and have Leia live with all those whys echoing in her head.
"Mom."
"Leia," Padmé turned around to face her flesh and blood, "I know you're confused, but-"
"Darth Vader's son rescued me from the Death Star and now wants to help save the day," Leia snapped, "I'm sorry if I'm having trouble keeping up."
"Don't you use that tone with me," Padmé hissed, "I am your mother and we will only speak to each respectfully." Leia looked startled at that.
"I'm sorry."
"I know," Padmé said, calming down, "I just need you to focus on the job at hand for now. After that, we can talk."
"Mom," Leia insisted, "I can feel your stress resonating all around you. Please, let me in."
"Leia," Padmé said, once again, but this time begging, "Please focus on Luke. Keep your mind open to him."
"Why? Mom, I know we should give everyone an equal chance, but this boy is actual sith spawn! I'll give him a chance, but I don't know why we need to make such a big deal out of him!" Leia suddenly got suspicious. "You don't want me to marry him do you?"
"Force no!" Padmé cried.
"Then what's going on?!"
"Leia," Padmé began, "things are confusing now, I understand how you are feeling, but you need to trust me. I am doing what's best for the Rebellion and our family. I hope you will understand that eventually."
Leia looked defeated, but nodded in agreement with what Padmé said. Padmé leaned in and hugged Leia tightly. When she stepped back, Leia could swear she could see her eyes watering, but when Leia blinked, Padmé appeared as strong as ever.
oOoOo
Luke enjoyed the rush of a pre-battle hangar bay. True, the rebel's hangar was less pristine, not as organized, and certainly nowhere near as impressive as an Imperial hangar, but it still had the vibe.
Men in orange jumpsuits were running to their X-wings and Y-wings. Mechanics were lowering astromechs into the fighters and doing last minute repairs. The impressive stone slabs made the technology and starfighters seem out of place. The whole room seemed to be a mixe of the past and the present.
Luke was used to modern. He was used to the newest ships and the newest technology. The Rebels relied on durability. The Empire would update TIE fighters every two year in an attempt to look impressive and create jobs at the same time. Imperial pilots looked intimidating and impressive in sleek, black helmets and flawless flight suits.
The Rebels opted to dress in orange sacks.
The orange jumpsuits looked ridiculous and Luke was so glad he wasn't wearing one. The one thing the Empire did better than the Rebels was fashion. Luke had practically lived in his black flight suit when he had served as his father's wingman. That was before the Emperor decided that Luke was too talented to be wasted as a pilot. After that, Luke was required to wear clothes similar to what Vader wore. Luke assumed it was an attempt to make him more like a Sith, but the closest thing to a Sith Luke ever had been was an emotional preteen who was convinced no one understood him.
"Hey, kid!" An unfamiliar voice called behind him. Luke spun around, silently fuming about being called 'kid' continuously.
"What do you want?" Luke demanded, taking in the pilot in front of him. He was a little taller than Luke, with dark brown hair and striking eyebrows.
"I'm Wedge Antilles, second in command of the Red Squadron. I was told you'd be flying with us today." Luke blinked at Antilles, not quite understanding the words coming out of his mouth.
"I'm flying with you?" He finally asked.
"Well, in our squadron. I even picked up a helmet for you," Antilles held out said helmet. Luke wasn't sure how to feel about the man in front of him.
"Thanks," he finally said, taking the helmet.
"We'll get you fitted with a flight suit before the next mission." Luke was about to tell Antilles that his arrangement was a one time event, but he paused and realized his future was about as clear as Tatooine was wet.
"So where is my X-wing?" Luke asked.
"You'll be flying as Red 5," he replied, "Have you ever flown an X-wing before?"
"I've done simulations before," Luke replied, thinking back to the long hours of training he had done for every ship type before his father would let him take to the sky.
"Well," Antilles laughed, "simulations aren't quite like a real battle. Just stay close to me and you'll be fine." It was Luke's turn to snicker at that.
"I think I can handle myself."
"If you say so," the pilot shrugged.
Luke let Antilles lead him to the X-wing Artoo was being loaded into. Antilles clapped Luke on the shoulder, wished him luck, and headed off to his own ship. Luke Force-leapt into the cockpit and sat, staring at the helmet in his hands. Not long ago, he and Mara had joked about using Rebel helmets as bowling balls. Now he would be wearing one.
Mara was going to kill him.
A smile crept onto his face. He actually found himself looking forward to it. He placed the helmet onto his head and began switching on the controls.
"Is everything ready to go, Artoo?" He asked the droid. Artoo whistled an affirmative.
"Luke." Luke turned his head and saw his mother standing on the ground next to his X-wing. His mother.
"Yes?"
"May the Force be with you," Padmé said, with a small smile. Her arms were crossed across her chest and for a second, she looked like she wanted to say more but decided against it.
"Thanks," he replied, "I'll see you soon." Padmé nodded, and made her way across the hangar, towards the control room. Her long, brown hair fell loosely down her back, swaying slightly as she walked.
Luke closed the hatch to the cockpit and turned on the headphone in his helmet. After the go ahead, the red squadron flew out of the hangar and into the bright blue sky.
A thrill went through Luke as he adjusted to the controls. X-wings were not as precise as TIE fighters, but they were good, reliable ships. And Luke loved flying. He always had. Even the cramped cockpit and his potential death couldn't override the joy of freedom that flying brought. When Luke flew, he didn't have to worry about pleasing the Emperor or what his future would bring. He could just let the Force take over his movements and fly far away from everything.
Or he could fly towards a battle station.
"All wings report in," came the Red Leader's voice over the headset.
"Red Ten standing by."
"Red Seven standing by."
"Red Three standing by."
"Red Two standing by," Luke heard Antilles say.
"Red Eleven standing by."
"Red Five standing by," Luke sounded. The Death Star was looming into view, a massive sphere that called attention to itself. Luke could sense his father's anger radiating from the station.
"Lock S-foils in attack formation," Red Leader instructed. Luke was grateful that Vader had drilled all the defensive and offensive formations into his head before Luke was old enough to even be in a cockpit.
"We're passing through their magnetic field. Hold tight!" Red Leader instruct. Luke adjusted his controls slightly. "Switch your deflectors on. Double front!" Luke did as instructed, which probably was a first for him.
He didn't usually take orders from people unless they happened to be a Sith Lord. As Vader's son, Luke was considered the third most powerful person in the Empire. He flew as his father's second in command and often gave orders when his father was busy. Luke had been born and raised to lead.
"Look at the size of that thing!" Antilles cried in awe. Luke chuckled at that. It was exactly how he reacted when he first saw the Death Star.
"Red Leader, this is Gold Leader. We're starting for the target shaft now."
"We're in positions. I'll try to draw their fire."
Luke watched a squadron of pilots head off to the surface of the massive weapon. As they left, a group of TIE fighters appeared.
"Hold on, Artoo," Luke called. The droid whistled and Luke took a nosedive. Before the TIE's had a chance to direct at him, he pulled up sharply from the dive and fired at the under bellies of the fighters. Two TIE's exploded and the rest of the Red Squadron managed to handle the rest.
"Stay in formation, Red Five," the leader chided. Luke rolled his eyes and fired on another TIE that was heading towards the Gold Squadron.
"Heavy fire, boss. Twenty degrees," Wedge informed.
"I see it. Stay low."
Luke suddenly felt very odd. He was picking up someone else's emotions. Someone who was very strong in the Force and very worried.
"Leia," Luke breathed. He grabbed on to her presence and sent soothing feelings in towards her.
"Watch it!" Antilles cried. Luke was pulled out of his thoughts by incoming fire. The surface of the Death Star was coming closer and the fighting was becoming intense.
"This is Red Five," Luke said, "I'm going in." Artoo whistled as Luke dove into the trench. Luke let go of every emotion and focused on the Force. He drew on it and pulled it around his senses, heightening each one until Luke was dodging blaster fire with ease. Things were going great until Luke lost his concentration. A blaster bolt struck his X-wing and Luke instinctively rolled out of the trench.
"You okay?" Antilles asked.
"Yeah, just scorched." Luke was silent for a minute, trying to determine what had distracted him.
Suddenly, Luke realized what it was. It was the death of the other Rebels. Usually in battle, Luke drew on the Dark Side for focus, so death didn't affect him. But Luke had avoided the Dark Side, and as a result, he could feel death.
It was suffocating and terrible, but Luke couldn't break away. He felt each presence fizzle out as fighters went up in flames. It was horrific and sickening, but Luke couldn't stay away from them because he had nothing to shield himself with. He was raw and exposed in the Force and he felt everything.
"Snap out of it," a voice cut through his mind. It was Leia. Her sweet, comforting and demanding voice filled his head. "The Alliance needs you. Once you're done thinking, get back into that trench!"
"Thanks for the motivation," Luke sent back wryly.
"TIE fighters incom-" the voice was cut off as the pilot's ship blew up. Another presence filled Luke's mind. This time, it was cold and horribly familiar.
Vader had joined the fight.
Author's Note: I am so so so so so so so sorry for not uploading sooner! I had no idea it's been five months! I can't believe I made you all wait so long and I feel terrible. I hope you can forgive me. I've been focusing on school and grades for the past few months, but things have died down a bit.
Next chapter will hopefully be up in a week or two, but it might be a short one.
