Hi everyone! Welcome back to Part 2 of this alternate story of Leia Skywalker and Prince Luke Organa. I don't have really anything else much to say other than I hope you enjoy! As always I own NOTHING. This is for fan-purposes ONLY so PLEASE don't sue! Enjoy!
Mos Eisley…
Leia had only been to Mos Eisley a couple of times in the past to run a few errands with her parents. They didn't tend to stay for long though because as Ben Pointed out when they were nearing the area, you could never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. At the same time, however, they still needed a pilot to take them to Alderaan and seeing as how neither Leia nor Ben had any credentials or ships that they could pilot themselves, they would have to try and convince someone else down here to take them off-planet.
As Leia drove towards the entrance, she mentally said some swears as some stormtroopers were standing there taking identification of anybody coming in. Leia could tell they were after the droids as her finger twitched on her small blaster she usually used to shoot womp rats. However, Ben put an assuring hand over hers and smiled.
"Leave it to me." He told her.
Leia nodded and drove up to the stormtroopers before stopping. The commander looked at the droids as Leia tried to act natural. She hoped Ben had a plan for this.
"How long have you had these droids, ma'am?" The commander asked her.
"About three or four seasons." Leia quickly lied.
"Why do you ask?" Ben said, as if conversing with an old friend, "Do you wish to purchase them?"
"Lemme see your identification." The commander asked.
Ben gave a very soft chuckle before slowly waving his hand.
"You don't need to see her identification." He assured.
"We don't need to see her identification." The commander repeated as Leia sat there keeping calm but wondering what was going on.
"These aren't the droids you're looking for." Ben told him.
"These aren't the droids we're looking for." The commander repeated again.
"Move along."
"Move along." The commander told them.
With that, Leia drove in at a normal speed but when she stopped, she leapt out of the landspeeder and looked at Ben amazed.
"How did you do that?!" She asked, shocked.
"With the Force." Ben answered, "In time, you will learn how to do that too. Among its many powers, it allows force-users influence over others. It's a powerful ally, but it must be used properly and for the light side, rather than the dark."
Leia nodded, imagining what it would be like for her when she was a Jedi. It sounded like a bright future and she once again wished both her real parents and adoptive parents were alive to see her now.
With that, Leia, Ben, and the two droids entered the local bar and Leia understood why she was never allowed in one of these places. It reeked of scoundrels, thugs, and bounty hunters alike who were all mingling together some in obnoxious ways indicating they were drunk or drugged beyond repair.
"Are you sure we can find a pilot here?" Leia asked Ben as quietly as she could, not wanting to start a conversation with anyone here unless it was the pilot they needed.
"Many of the most talented starpilots have been found in this Cantina." Ben told her, as the old Jedi moved towards the bar with Leia and the droids following close behind, "Watch yourself, Leia. This place can be quite rough."
With that, he went over to a creature Leia recognized from some holos she watched as a Wookie and began conversing with it. How Ben understood the words the giant walking carpet was saying, was unclear to Leia.
"We don't serve their kind here."
Leia turned back to see the bartender looking at her sternly.
"I'm sorry?" Leia asked, confused.
"Yer droids." The bartender sneered, pointing at Artoo and See-Threepio.
Leia sighed and looked at them apologetically.
"Just wait outside by the speeder." Leia told them, "If anyone shows up that looks like they're looking for you, hide."
Threepio nodded and soon left with Artoo. As Leia went back to look at what the bar had, she figured she should see if she could buy anything for the trip to Alderaan since she didn't know how long it would take or how long she'd be there for. As her eyes surveyed the different drinks and other services, she felt a finger tapping her shoulder. Turning around, she was met with an Aqualish standing next to a horribly deformed mad who seemed to have a hunchback, one open eye, and wore clothes that were stained and ripped. Additonally, based on the scent these two were giving off, Leia had a bad feeling about what was going to happen, but nonetheless maintained her upright position, as the Aqualish said something she couldn't understand. Leia went back to focus her attention on what to get, when the deformed man tapped her on the shoulder again, and she looked around at him.
"Can I help you?" Leia asked.
"He really likes ya." The deformed man said.
"Okay." Leia said, turning back to look at what she could purchase which she hoped would make the two go away. Unfortunately, the deformed guy tapped her on the shoulder and spun her around to face him again.
"I really like ya also." The deformed man said, smiling as he revealed some nasty rotten teeth, "Let us buy you a drink, dearie."
Leia stumbled backwards, accidently knocking into an intimidating man.
"Here." He said, "Let us help you up. We're wanted men, but that doesn't mean we're not gentlemen."
"Is something the matter?" Ben asked, walking in front of Leia as she got back on her feet now relieved that her new mentor was back.
"Yeah, Grandpa." The deformed man said, "Is this one yours?"
"She happens to be a good friend of mine, and I would appreciate it if you left us in peace." Ben said simply.
The two guys rushed at him, but with a flick of his wrist, Ben drew his hidden lightsaber, and sliced the Aqualish's arm off. Everyone stopped and looked at Ben who glared at everyone else, as if inviting them to try and take him. A few seconds later, everyone returned to what they were doing as Ben withdrew his saber and motioned for Leia to follow him as the followed the Wookie Ben had been conversing with.
"This is Chewbacca." Ben introduced, "He's the co-pilot of a ship which I think will meet our needs and help us get to Alderaan. He's agreed to let us talk to the ship's pilot so we can ask if he'll be willing to do the job."
Soon, the group was in front of a table where a lone figure sat very smugly with both feet on the table, keeping one on top of the other and both hands on the back of the bench which he sat on. He was a tall Corellian with long brown hair, probably a few years older than Leia by the looks of it, and he wore a long-sleeved beige shirt and blue pants along with a sleeveless black vest. On his left hip was a blaster holster with a small blaster gun secured within it. Despite his obvious scoundrel attire, he seemed quite friendly, if not a bit cocky by the way he was presenting himself as well as a smile he flashed at the young farm girl which made her feel a tad uneasy. Was this guy trying to hit on her?
"Han Solo." The man introduced, getting up to shake Leia and Ben's hands, "Captain of the Millennium Falcon."
With that, the group sat down at Han's table to discuss the business at hand.
"Now," Han told them, "Chewie here tells me you're looking for safe passage to the Alderaan system?"
"That's right." Ben answered, "If it's a fast ship, that is."
Han chuckled looking at Chewie who looked just as confused as Leia was. Or perhaps that was him laughing. Again, Leia wasn't sure as she wasn't that familiar with Wookies. Han turned back to them, keeping one arm on the table and grinning.
"You never heard of the Falcon?" He asked, as if it were common knowledge.
"Should I have?" Ben asked.
"It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs." Han explained, getting more serious, "I've outrun Imperial starships; and not those big bulky cruisers. I'm talkin' 'bout the big Corellian ones. I think she'll be fast for ya, old man."
Han took a deep breath and recomposed himself so he was a bit less sarcastic when he spoke again.
"What's your cargo?"
"No cargo." Ben explained, "Just passengers. Myself, the girl, and two droids. Plus, no questions asked."
Solo raised an eyebrow and cracked another smile.
"No questions, huh?" He asked, "Is it local trouble?"
"Let's just say we'd like to avoid any…Imperial engagement." Ben told him.
"Well, that's the real trick, ain't it?" Han asked, before looking at both of them, "All right then. Ten thousand. All in advance."
"Ten thousand?!" Leia demanded with a small yell, standing up, "We could almost buy our own ship for ten thousand!"
"Oh, yeah?" Han asked, sarcastically, "And who's gonna fly it, sweetheart? You? You and your grandfather can try to leave, be my guest but…"
"Shut up!" Leia demanded, "Just shut up! First off, he's not my grandfather. He's a good friend of my father who died along with my mother before I was even born. Today, I've lost my adoptive family, and the Empire killed them because they want something we have. Ben here is the only connection to my family that I have left and I'd be safer with either of us flying it, thank you very much. Because I'm going to get to Alderaan and fight the Empire no matter what. So, Captain Solo, seeing as how you only care about money…"
"Woah!" Han called, getting up and looking at her regrettably, "Look, kid. I'm sorry. I really am. I grew up without any parents myself and I don't have a thing on me to tell who they were."
He turned to Ben.
"Is it really that important?" He asked, "Is she really willing to go this far?"
"I have no reason to believe she wouldn't go even further if she had to." Ben told him.
Han sighed.
"All right, sister. If you have that amount of determination and if you're really willing to go through with this, I'll cut it in half."
Leia gave him a smile which told him 'thank you.'
"However," He said, "If this is for the Rebellion, I expect to get something extra when we get there. It doesn't have to be money, but it has to be something that'll make this trip worthwhile."
"I'll see to it that you get your due, Captain Solo." Ben assured.
"Then you've got yourself a ship." Han told them, "Docking bay ninety-four; we'll leave as soon as you're ready."
Ben thanked Han and got up but quickly turned Leia around when he saw the Stormtroopers entering the bar. They turned around and saw Han having a conversation with a green alien with antennas and bug eyes. Ben hid behind the wall as Han gave them a small nod letting them know he'd be okay.
"You think that he'll really be able to get us to Alderaan?" Leia asked.
Before Ben could answer, the alien Han was talking to got upset about something. Without missing a beat, Han quickly grabbed his blaster and shot the alien before he could even reach for his own weapon.
"You might want to get out of here." Han noted, gesturing to an exit behind him.
"Much obliged." Ben thanked.
With that, they left and went to pick up the droids. Afterwards, they arrived at docking bay ninety-four which was where Leia's eyes first fell upon the ship. It was a truly a sight because Leia could not see how this thing was still standing upright without falling apart. And waiting there, was Solo looking just as smug as ever.
"What a hunk of junk!" Leia declared.
"She may not look like much." Han admitted, "But she's got it where it counts. I've made a few modifications to her as well. She'll make point-five past lightspeed, I think she's fast enough for you, sweetheart."
Leia got right in his face and pointed her index finger at him while her eyes shot daggers at the pilot.
"Don't call me that." She warned, before walking onboard the ship.
"Cute and feisty." Han declared, as if this were some game, "I like it. You know, it would help if I knew your name!"
Leia stopped and turned back to look at him.
"It's Leia." She explained.
"Well, Leia." Han said, "Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, and I'm sorry that I didn't know what happened to your folks. Believe me; I truly am. I don't want you thinking that I'm some kind of self-centered ego, I just do what I have to in order to stay alive, okay?"
"Fine." Leia said, calming down a little.
"There." Han declared, "Now isn't that…"
"HEY!"
They all turned to see a group of stormtroopers gathered at the entrance they had arrived from.
"Go!" Han ordered taking out his blaster and shooting down a couple of the troopers. Once the others were in, Han quickly followed, closing the ramp entrance and then speeding into the pilots seat where Chewbacca was already settled into the co-pilot's seat with Leia and Ben sitting behind them, and Threepio and R2 just standing there.
"Chewie get us out of here!" Han demanded.
Chewbacca growled and pressed some buttons as the ship began to rise.
"Oh my," Threepio said, wearily, "I've forgotten how much I hate space-travel."
Soon the Falcon was already in space, but the group could already see some Star Destroyers closing in.
"Looks like an Imperial cruiser." Han said, "Try to hold them off, Chewie. I'll try and make the calculations for the jump to light-speed."
Chewie roared in response as Ben turned to Leia.
"By the way." He said, "You need to learn to be nicer to others. Hatred is the way to the Dark Side."
Leia wanted to ask why Ben was telling her this, but if he sounded serious about it, Leia had no reason to doubt him. Turning back to Han, she still had a few questions, but she would try to be as polite as possible to him.
"Stay sharp." Han told Chewbacca, "There are two more coming in and they're going to try and cut us off."
"Can I ask why you don't just outrun them?" Leia asked, "Not to be rude, but you did say this ship was fast."
Han looked like he was going to scold her at first, but when Leia added that last part, he simply groaned and continued pressing buttons.
"It's not fast enough to get past them now. If we go to light-speed now, we could end up straight in an asteroid field. Don't worry, though. I know some maneuvers. We'll lose them."
With that, the Falcon nose-dived and began spinning around as Leia was thankful she and Ben had the seat-belts on. Threepio and R2 were just thrown around the place before the Falcon was face-up again.
"I think…" Threepio said almost exhaustedly, "I think we'll be going to the back of the ship."
"You do that." Han said, "Now brace yourselves, I'm about to make the jump the light-speed."
With that, he threw a lever and the ship blasted off to light-speed leaving Tatooine and the Imperials behind.
"That's better." Han said, "We got a few minutes to kill now before we get there, so if you gotta stretch your legs now's the time."
"That works perfectly." Ben told him, "Leia, I think it's time I began training you."
Leia looked up and smiled.
….
The Death Star, Currently Orbiting Alderaan…
Tarkin smiled as Prince Luke Organa was brought into the control room where they stood. Leading him were a couple of stormtroopers and Darth Vader himself. Tarkin was confused why Vader had let the Prince live for so long as he had been causing problems for the Empire for years and today was the day Organa's immunity ran out, but Vader said it was of a feeling he had.
The Force more likely. Tarkin wasn't a non-believer of the Force, he had even worked and fought with many Jedi during the Clone Wars and had seen first-hand the power it possessed both from the past and the present whenever Vader was around. Yet, he believed there were times when things should have been done the old-fashioned way. Still, Palpatine himself had approved of Vader's request to keep the Prince alive at least until they found the Rebel base where the plans were brought to, but now Tarkin had an opportunity to show Organa first-hand the full power of this battle station.
"Governor Tarkin." Organa said, as soon as he saw the man, "I thought I smelled your body odor as soon as I was brought on-board."
Tarkin only gave a smug smile. He wasn't going to let Organa have the satisfaction.
"Prince Luke Organa." Tarkin announced, "I must say that I'm quite impressed with you. You've managed to resist our best interrogators, our probe droids, and even Lord Vader himself has been unsuccessful in getting a response from you."
"You'll never break me no matter what." Luke assured.
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure." Tarkin smiled, "You see, Prince Luke Organa, I've invited you here to witness a demonstration of the Death Star's full potential. Since you have been uncooperative in providing us the location of the rebel base, I've decided to test this station's capability on your home planet of Alderaan."
Luke's eye went wide with horror.
"No!" He demanded, "You can't! There are innocent families on Alderaan, you can't do this!"
Luke elbowed a stormtrooper in the face, causing him to stagger backwards. However, he then felt his neck tightening which began slowing his breathing down. Luke was then hoisted into the air by an unknown force before he saw Vader there, with his right hand stretched out.
"It is pointless to resist." Vader said, as he dropped Luke who began to take in air again.
"Would you prefer another target?" Tarkin suggested sarcastically, "Perhaps one with military importance to the Rebellion?"
Luke finished taking in his air and looked up at Tarkin sadly.
"Dantooine." He said, trying to sound convincing, "They're on Dantooine."
"There." Tarkin said, "You didn't have to be so violent, Lord Vader. Sometimes, it helps to discuss things in a civilized way."
He smirked before turning to some of the technicians.
"Continue with the operations. You may fire when ready."
"What?!" Luke said, horrified, "But you said…!"
Luke suddenly felt his body restrained by Vader once more as Tarkin gave him a smug look.
"You're far too trusting." He explained, "Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration. But don't worry. We will deal with your rebel friends soon enough."
Luke was about to argue again, but then he heard a loud humming sound. Looking out the window, he watched in horror as a large green energy beam fired from the Death Star and struck Alderaan. Within a second, the planet exploded, effectively killing everyone still on the planet.
Luke felt as if a hole had been formed in his chest as the stormtroopers took him back to his cell. There was a black void somewhere that he wished he could crawl into and die along with the planet he had been raised on his whole life. Now, not only was the Empire aware of his tricks, but they had proven that they could make a devastatingly crippling blow to any Rebel base, and would not stop until they destroyed Yavin IV where the Rebels would regroup to now in order to face the Empire. He only hoped that there was someone out there now who could help make things right.
For now, Luke swore he would show no mercy on the Empire. For his people, his family, his home, he would not break, even though he was now beginning to doubt his leadership as one of the Rebellion's most prominent leaders. If he had to, he would go down taking as many imperials if he had to.
….
The Millennium Falcon…
Leia tried to keep her focus as she held her lightsaber upright. Ben had started training her with a little droid he had brought with him which would fire lasers at random and she would have to block them. Han was worried at first that the blast might damage the ship, but Ben assured him that the blasts were not strong enough to damage anything onboard the ship.
However, Leia was having a hard time concentrating as it seemed every time she got the upper-hand, the droid would just blast her where and when she least expected it.
Finally, she seemed to get the hang of it, and managed to block a couple of shots.
"Leia." Ben instructed, "Your cuts are a bit choppy. Relax a little."
Leia nodded, letting herself feel a bit more at ease.
"Remember." Ben noted, "A Jedi can feel the force flow through them."
"So it controls you actions?" Leia asked, blocking a few more bolts while maintaining her relaxation.
"Partially." Ben noted, "It also obeys your commands."
With that, Leia noted her blocks were becoming more precise.
"Well done, Leia." Ben acknowledged.
"Congratulations, Kid." Han added, "Though for me personally, hockey religions and ancient weapons ain't no match when you got a blaster by your side."
Leia rolled her eyes, as she continued to block the blasts with ease, trying to keep her mind focused on the task before her and not on Han. She wondered if he was actually hitting on her since they met.
"Leia." Ben reminded, as she snapped back and quickly deflected a number of blasts that came quicker than she anticipated. Leia reminded herself she had to stop acting like a two-year-old, and thankfully it paid off as she finished deflecting.
"Good, Leia." Ben noted, "But remember, you must be focused at all times."
"I'm sorry, Ben." Leia apologized, withdrawing her lightsaber and turning to Han, "You don't believe in the force, do you, Han?"
"Nope." Han noted.
"Here, Leia." Ben told her, tossing her a helmet with a blast shield, "Put this on. Let's see how you adapt to your senses rather than what's in front of you. Just remember, focus and relax."
Leia nodded and put the helmet on. She could hear the droid starting up again and closed her eyes, focusing and relaxing at the same time. Suddenly, a sort-of sixth sense kicked in and Leia could hear the laser getting ready. Without missing a beat, Leia raised the lightsaber blocking the first one. She then lowered it and blocked another aimed at her leg. She kept blocking until she heard Ben turn the droid off and with that, deactivated her lightsaber.
"Well done, Leia." He congratulated, removing her helmet, "You're a faster learner than anyone I've seen before."
"Thanks, Ben." Leia smiled.
"Pfft." Han snorted, "I could do better."
Leia gave a mischevious look and turned to Ben.
"Say…Ben?" Leia asked, innocently, "Can we let Han have a go at this…I mean seeing as how he said he could do better than me."
Ben gave her a playful smile. There were times in the Jedi order when humor was allowed and seeing as how Leia was learning discipline, focus, and relaxing quicker than her father had, he figured he'd give her this one moment to celebrate.
"It's quite all right." Ben said, as Han looked at them shocked.
"C'mon, Han." Leia said, tossing him the helmet, "You said you could do better."
Han studied the helmet, but nodded proudly at her.
"All right, I will." He said, putting the helmet on and taking the lightsaber.
With that, Ben started up the program as Han switched stances, trying to act like a professional.
"Focus…" He said, softly, "Focus... Foc…"
He was cut off when a laser hit him in the knee. He went to block there, but by then the droid shot him in the arm. From there, Han tried to block where he had been struck, not thinking to try and predict where it would fire next.
"All right." Leia said, "That's enough, I don't think I can argue with how well Han's handled himself now."
Ben turned the droid off as Leia removed the helmet, and Han shut off the saber and handed it back to the farm girl.
"What the hell?!" He asked, "I thought you said this thing couldn't damage anything."
"Oh, I did." Ben assured, "What you felt is no worse than getting punched in the face. Besides, you seemed so confident."
Suddenly, Ben felt dizzy and Leia caught him.
"Ben!" She declared, "Are you all right?"
"I am." Ben admitted, "It's just…I felt a disturbance in the Force. As if millions of voices screamed out, and then were silenced…forever."
Han was about to shake something when the ship shook violently.
"What was that?!" Leia asked.
"I don't know!" Han replied, honestly.
With that, the group got back in the cockpit and saw an asteroid field before them.
"What's going on?!" Leia asked.
"I dunno!" Han admitted, looking at the controls, "This should be Alderaan!"
"There must be something wrong!" Leia insisted.
"No…" Ben stated, "It's been destroyed by the Empire."
"Destroyed?!" Leia asked, shocked, "But what kind of weapon could the empire have that would be capable of doing such a thing?!"
"There's another one coming in!" Han said as a TIE Fighter soared past them, "It's heading for that small moon."
He pointed at the place where it was headed. Leia saw Ben's face suddenly grow cold.
"No." He stated, "That's no moon. It's a space station."
He turned to Han.
"Turn this ship around!" He ordered.
"Right." Han agreed, "We're getting out of here! Put her n' full reverse, Chewie!"
Chewbacca nodded, but as the Wookie pressed buttons on the controls, the Falcon shook violently and continued heading towards the station.
"What's going on?!" Leia asked, worryingly.
"They've got us caught in a tractor beam!" Han answered, "Like it or not, we're going in!"
"Then there's nothing we can do?!" Leia demanded.
"Not unless we wanna tear this ship apart, fighting against that kind of tractor power." Han replied.
With that, The Falcon was pulled into the hangar bay where it was brought down to the floor of this space station.
"Got any ideas?" Leia asked.
"Yeah." Han replied.
Chewie growled something as Han turned to Leia.
"We got cargo holds in the floor. If the Empire's goons are as stupid as they appear to be, we can hide in there until they think there's no one onboard, knock em out, steal their gear, dress up and pretend to be them, and find a way to deactivate this beam and get us out of here."
With that, he led them to a hallway where he and Chewbacca opened the floors.
"Okay." He said, "Chewie and Ben you go in one and Leia and I will take another."
Leia rolled her eyes.
"Are you using this as an excuse to get close with me?" She asked.
"Leia!" Ben warned, "Don't argue."
Leia sighed and nodded. Ben turned to the droids.
"Don't worry." He assured, "I'll make sure the troopers don't take you. Just remain calm."
With that, they all dropped into the holes and the Falcon pilot and co-pilot placed the metal floors back into place before hiding. Everything was silent as they heard footsteps approaching. Above they could see the troopers feet. They were talking about doing a full-sweep of the ship as Leia silently prayed they wouldn't be found. Leia was pressed close to Han due to the enclosed space that she felt partly embarrassed. Looking at Han, he smiled and mouthed It'll be alright to her. Leia nodded and mouthed I hope so. Han gently squeezed her hand and Leia almost blushed.
Nervous? Han mouthed.
A little. Leia replied, bitting her lip.
Don't worry. Han assured, Me an' Chewie have been through tougher situations. We'll get past this.
With that, they heard some of the troopers move past them, ordering two to stay behind and Leia saw Han give that cocky grin.
Showtime. He announced.
They waited until they heard two helmets being clunked together and then the two got out to see Chewbacca and Ben standing over the unconscious troopers.
"Great work, Chewie." Han said, before quickly removing their helmets and shooting them in the head. With that, Han tossed the bodies in the compartment and then handed Leia the armor.
"Put this on." Han said, "Sorry they don't make female uniforms. Fortunately, I think Chewie can rig up the voice modulator so you'll at least sound like a guy. Right, Chewie?"
Chewie growled and nodded his head up and down.
"Okay." Leia said, "How are we going to take out the tractor beam?"
"Leave that to me." Ben assured, "The rest of you try to find out what you can about this station.
"That's what I was afraid of." Han replied, sarcastically.
"Hey." Leia said, ignoring Han's sarcasm.
"Yeah?" Han replied.
With that, Leia gave him a small kiss on the cheek surprising the smuggler.
"Thanks." She said, "For making me feel better."
"Uh…you're welcome, Kid…" Han replied, feeling a bit unsure of himself.
Ben just stood there. He was worried about Leia's attachments, but fortunately the Force told him she would be all right.
Once the two were dressed as stormtroopers, they lead Chewie and the droids to a nearby service terminal saying they were prisoners, while Ben used the force mind-trick to convince them that there was nothing wrong, and thus they managed to slip past them until they were inside the terminal, Chewie wasted no time in subduing the people inside while Ben continued to make everyone believe that there was nothing wrong. Once finished, Threepio, Ben, and Artoo began to look for somewhere where they could get a better reading of the ship while Leia glared at Han.
"You know." She pointed out, while Han shot the unconscious troopers "Between his howling and your blasting, it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here."
Han glared at Leia.
"Bring 'em on, Sweetheart." Han suggested, "I prefer a straight fight rather than all this sneaking around."
Leia felt her blood boiling.
"I told you not to call me…" She began.
"We've found the computer outlet, ma'am!" Threepio called.
Leia and Han looked back at him as Ben inspected the outlet.
"Artoo," He said, "Plug in and you should be able to interpret the entire imperial network."
Artoo did so before beeping and chirping again as Threepio translated for them.
"The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in several locations." The golden droid explained, "A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave."
Ben nodded, after inspecting and turned to his friends.
"I don't think you three can help." He said, "I must go alone."
Leia put her hand on Ben's shoulder.
"I want to go with you." She insisted.
"No, Leia." Ben smiled, "Your destiny lies among a different path from mine."
"But…" Leia began.
Ben silenced her by putting his hand over the one she was holding his shoulder with.
"Leia." He insisted, "Stay with the droids. They must be delivered to the Rebel Alliance safely or other systems will suffer the same fate as Alderaan." He smiled softly at her, "Remember, the Force will be with you. Always."
With that, Leia let go and watched as Ben disappeared. She said a silent prayer hoping Ben would come out all right.
"Wow." Han whistled, "Where did a girl like you dig up an old fossil like that?"
Leia crossed her arms.
"Ben's a good man." She said, sounding so sure of herself.
"Yeah." Han chuckled, "He's good at getting us into trouble."
"He's a better man than you are." Leia pointed out.
Before Han could respond, Artoo began beeping and whistling as the group looked at the small blue droid.
"What is it?" Leia asked.
"I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, Mist…Leia." Threepio corrected himself, before continuing, "He says 'I found him.' He keeps repeating 'he's here.'"
"Who?" Leia asked.
Artoo beeped again as Threepio looked at them all.
"Prince Luke." Threepio answered.
Leia gasped.
"The Prince?" She questioned, "He's here?!"
"Woah, woah, woah!" Han explained, "What's this about a prince?"
"Don't be jealous, Solo." Leia said, playfully.
"I'm not jealous." Han grumbled.
Chewie growled something that sounded reminiscent of a laugh.
"I'm not, Chewie!" Han insisted.
"Where is he?" Leia asked.
"Level five." Threepio answered, "Detention block A A 23." He turned back to face them, "Apparently, he's due for execution soon."
"No!" Leia said, horrified, "We have to help him!"
"What are you talking about?" Han demanded.
"The droids belong to him." Leia explained, "He's the one who gave the message."
She looked at Han with pleading and desperate eyes.
"Han, please." Leia begged, "We have to help him!"
"Woah!" Han declared, "Don't get any funny ideas, sweetheart. The old man said to stay right here."
"But Ben didn't know the prince was here!" Leia insisted, "Please, Han. We have to help him! We can find a way back to the detention block!"
"I'm staying right here." Han said, putting his foot down.
"But they're going to execute him!" Leia cried.
"Better him than me." Han said simply.
Leia took a deep breath and tried a different approach.
"Look," She said, calmly, "A few minutes ago you said you didn't want to wait here to be captured…"
"Running into a detention cell to rescue you prince in shining armor is not what I had in mind." He interrupted.
"Look." Leia pointed out, keeping a cool head, "He's rich."
Han's head perked up as he raised an eyebrow.
"Rich?" He asked.
"Yep." Leia nodded, "And if you help, there'll be another reward in it for you besides the one Ben's offered. That is why you took us to Alderaan, isn't it?"
Han thought about it and sighed.
"Alright, fine." He groaned, "But that reward better be damn worth it if we're doing this."
Leia stepped close to him, her face upturned and her brown eyes looking into Han's eyes.
"It will be." She smiled, "I'll make sure of it."
"So what's the plan…Leia?" Han asked.
Leia just smiled, an idea already forming in her mind.
"Alright." Leia said, "Here's how it's going to go down…"
….
Later…
"This'd better work." Han said, "Chewie's starting to feel really constricted in these cuffs."
Leia's plan was that they would pretend to be taking Chewbacca to the prison cells, then break in, get Prince Luke, and get back before Obi-Wan even knew they were gone. Chewie had been resistant at first, but Han assured Chewie it wouldn't last long. Right now, they were in the turbolift and almost at the prison cell. Leia bit her lip again and prayed everything would work out. It had so far, and nobody questioned how Leia was so small. She assumed maybe it was because she was subconsciously using a Jedi mind trick, but then again, she understood the Empire's goons weren't the brightest.
Whatever the case, the Elevator beeped indicating they had reached their destination. Stepping out, the three were met with a handful of stormtroopers and one Imperial officer.
"Where are you taking this…thing?" The officer asked, looking over Chewbacca.
"Prison transfer." Leia lied, quickly improvising a cover, "From cell block TS-138."
"I wasn't notified." The officer said, "I'll have to clear it."
With that, he went over to the controls, but Chewbacca broke free and began causing the riot that they had discussed. Quickly taking Han's rifle, the smuggler and the farmgirl ducked behind the controls as Han yelled out to cause panic.
"Look out!" He screamed, grabbing an Imperial's gun while he was distracted, "He's loose!"
"Everyone run before he tears you to shreds!" Leia added grabbing a gun for herself.
With that, the three fired taking out the security cameras then the troopers, and finally, they were the only ones left in the room. The two fake stormtroopers removed their helmets and checked the map on the control panel. Soon, Han had the cell they needed.
"There he is." Han explained, "Cell 2187. Go, Chewie an' I will hold them off here."
"You sure?" Leia asked.
Han gave that cocky grin of his.
"Trust us." He said, "Go get your Prince. Hurry, I'll try to clean this up."
Leia nodded as she ran down the corridor, looking at the numbers. She was halfway to cell 2187 when she heard Han yell out to her after the sound of a blaster rifle going off echoed from behind her.
"LEIA!" He called, "WE'RE GONNA HAVE COMPANY!"
Leia understood and went faster until she found cell 2187. Quickly opening it, Leia was relieved when she found Prince Luke inside twiddling his thumbs. When he saw her, he looked up confused. Leia saw that unlike Han, the Prince was beautiful because he appeared and dressed like a true gentleman. Something that he managed to do despite being held captive by these Imperials.
"Aren't you really shot to be a stormtrooper?" He asked, with an amused glint in his eyes, "Like, really short?"
Leia realized she had her mask back on which she must have subconsciously done while running away.
"I resent that statement." Leia said, trying to one-up him, as she removed her helmet. The prince seemed shocked that such a face like hers was hiding behind a mask like a stormtrooper's. Leia felt her stomach churn as he seemed to be rather stunned by her looks. Getting back to the matter at hand, she quickly made introductions.
"I'm Leia Skywalker." She introduced, running her hand through her hair to get it straightened back out after hiding it in the helmet for so long, "I'm here to rescue you!"
"You're who?" Luke asked, as Leia noticed he was better-looking in person than he was in the hologram.
"You heard me!" Leia insisted, motioning for him to follow her, "I'm here with your droids and Ben Kenobi!"
"Ben Kenobi?!" Luke asked, his eyes widening and then becoming full of determination.
"You heard me!" Leia smiled, and with that, Luke smiled back and followed her out into the hallway…
Only to be met with gunfire from more stormtroopers who were arriving the way they came in. Fortunately, Luke knocked them both out of the way just in time before they could be torn to shreds by the laser blasts.
"Thanks." Leia breathed, joining Han and Chewbacca in shooting down the stormtroopers while tossing Luke her own blaster which he used and proceeded to shoot down more stormtroopers with. It actually seemed like he could handle this on his own until more troopers showed up and began firing back at them faster than they could handle.
"Looks like you blocked off our only escape route!" Luke pointed out, as Chewbacca let out a war cry, "Some rescue this is!"
"Maybe you'd like to go back in your cell, your highness!" Han sneered.
"Just call me 'Luke.'" Luke groaned, "Any ideas?!"
Leia looked around and saw a nearby garbage disposal. Quickly shooting it open, she motioned to her friends.
"C'mon!" She called, "Into the garbage chute, flyboys!"
With that, she dove straight in. She slid down until she landed head-first in some murky water. Around her was trash and an awful stench. Apparently, they were in a large metal room with a steel door that appeared locked shut. Soon, Han, Chewie, and Luke landed and got to their feet, just as disgusted as she was.
"Nice new smell you've discovered, Skywalker." Han said, sarcastically.
"Hey, leave her alone." Luke demanded, showing great kindness for a royal prince standing in trash, "It worked, didn't it?"
Han replied by shooting the door, only to have it ricocheted off everywhere. Everyone ducked until the blast dissipated.
"Put that away!" Leia demanded.
"I had things under control!" Han argued.
"Everyone stop!" Luke yelled, "Look, things could be worse, okay?"
There was a groaning sound as Leia felt something brush against her, causing her to give a sort-of girlish scream. The three males looked at her, as she looked at them seriously.
"Something just brushed past my leg!" She declared.
"It's worse." Han said, without missing a beat.
Before she knew what was happening, something pulled Leia down underneath the water. She struggled as she heard Han and Luke calling for her up above the water. Eventually, Leia managed to claw her way back up as a tentacle of some kind wrapped around her neck.
"Shoot it!" She wheezed, "SHOOT IT!"
Han and Luke wasted no time and shot repeatedly into the water. Eventually, the tentacle released itself and Leia could breathe again. It was then that they heard a loud groaning sound and realized that the walls were closing.
"Dammit!" Leia swore, looking at the three, "Don't just stand there! Brace it with something!"
Luke and Han began piling stuff together to try and block the walls and keep them open, while Leia took out her communication link which she had established with Threepio, and yelled into there.
"THREEPIO!" She screamed, "THREEPIO, COME IN! WHERE ARE YOU?! THREEPIO!"
"One thing's for sure." Han pointed out, "We're all gonna be a lot thinner soon."
As much as the group tried, the walls kept closing in. In one last vain attempt, Leia brought the communicator to her lips again, and cried out one final time.
"THREEEPIOOOOOO!" She screamed.
"Oh, Mistress Leia!" Threepio's voice responded, much to her relief, "My apologies. We were having some communication difficulties."
"THREEPIO!" Leia screamed, as the walls got even closer, "Listen to me! Shut off all garbage units on the detention level! Do you hear me?! Shut of all garbage units!"
Leia prayed this plan would work as the walls got tighter. She closed her eyes, preparing for the end…
And then the walls stopped. Opening them, they began moving away as she, Han, Luke, and Chewbacca began celebrating.
"Oh, listen to them, Artoo!" She heard Threepio's voice call out, "They're dying! Curse my metal body! It's my fault! My poor master!"
"Threepio!" Leia smiled, as Han, Luke, and Chewbacca pulled her into one big hug, "We're fine. Listen open the pressure maintenance hatch on unit number…"
She looked at the others.
"Where are we?" She asked.
"Three-two-six-three-eight-seven-two." Han answered.
"Three-two-six-three-eight-seven-two." Leia finished.
…
Later…
Leia and Han finally ditched their stormtrooper disguises as they figured there would be no further need for them. As the group hung around the entrance to where the hangar was, Leia spoke back into her communication link, making sure to keep herself and the rest of her group back due to their being a greater number of stormtroopers there.
"Threepio? Where are you?" She asked.
"We had to change hiding places, Mistress." Threepio explained, "Can you see us?"
"No." Leia said, "We'll have to find another way around. We'll meet you back at the Falcon as soon as we can. Understood?"
"Understood, Mistress Leia." Threepio responded, "Good luck."
"Thanks." Leia said, "We're certainty going to need it."
With that, she shut her communication off and began thinking of ways to get back to the ship. Meanwhile, Luke took this moment to stare at the ship in surprise before turning the corner to avoid detection.
"You came in that thing?!" He declared, softly.
"She's got it where it counts, kid." Han replied, looking at his ship.
"It's a pile of junk!" Luke argued.
"Everyone's a critic." Han mumbled.
Just then a number of stormtroopers spotted them, but before Leia could do or say anything, Han ran off screaming at the top of his lungs as Chewie followed. Sure enough, the stormtroopers gave chase to them. Luke Organa just stood there dumbfounded.
"Where does he think he's going?!" Luke demanded.
"He's creating a distraction." Leia responded, pulling his arm, "C'mon! Let's find another way to the Falcon before more of them show up."
Luke looked at her funny as they ran.
"What?" Leia asked, confused.
"Do you…like him?" Luke asked.
Leia suddenly realized she was partially living every girl on Tatooine's dream; she was sharing a conversation with a prince who had high royalty. Of course, no girl ever dreamed about doing it while defying the Empire, but Leia suddenly realized the Prince was taking a great interest in her. Leia suddenly blushed, but it was replaced with fear when Luke held her back which prevented her from falling over a ledge to nowhere but down into the abyss bellow.
"I think we took a wrong turn." Leia said, her voice echoing throughout the area.
"Ya think?" Luke asked sarcastically with a snort which seemed so un-gentlemanly-like of him. Taking Leia's blaster, he shot the door, as Leia pointed out another one on the far side of a gap.
"Any ideas?" Luke asked, as the sounds of blasters from the other side of the door was heard.
Leia looked at him as if he were mad.
"What?" She asked, "I thought you were the so-called military genius here?"
"Really?" Luke smirked, "I thought you were the brains of this rescue operation."
Leia blushed again as nobody other than Ben gave her that kind of compliment. The moment was broken up however as they saw a group of stormtroopers emerging from the door on the other side of the gap. Leia swore in Huttese and shot one of them in the abdomen. The stormtrooper staggered and fell down the large shaft.
"Nice shot." Luke noted, firing at some more troopers, "Watch the language though."
"Thanks." Leia smiled, "So, any ideas?"
Luke quickly looked around. The stormtroopers on their side would be through soon, but then he spotted Leia's belt which she had forgotten to remove from her stormtrooper disguise. Luke grabbed her belt, startling Leia and making her begin to worry that Luke was a pervert, but then she saw him grab a grappling hook from there. Luke swung the grappling hook around and then threw it upwards as it attached to a pole above them.
Luke looked at Leia and smiled.
"Would you do the honors…Leia?" He asked with a grin.
"How about you?" Leia asked.
"I got a better idea." Luke said, putting both their hands on the rope, "How about together?"
Leia blushed and nodded. As they prepared themselves, Leia gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and smiled.
"For luck." She said.
With that, the two ran up and jumped, swinging across the edge and landing safely on the other side. Leia looked at Luke and smiled.
"We made it!" She declared, happily.
"C'mon!" Luke declared, "Let's head back to the Falcon."
"Right." Leia agreed, "Hopefully Han and Chewie are already there."
….
Soon…
Eventually, they made their way back to the hangar where sure enough, Han and Chewie were waiting for them.
"What took you?" Han asked.
"We ran into some friends." Leia explained, "How's it looking?"
"The same." Han grumbled, as they saw the stormtroopers still there, "Luckilly they haven't blasted or taken apart anything yet."
"Look!" Luke pointed as the stormtroopers began to move away.
"Now's our chance." Han declared, "C'mon!"
The group did as they were told as Leia noticed Threepio and Artoo emerging from an alcove opposite of the side they had hidden in originally. They were halfway to the ship when Leia noticed what had attracted the stormtroopers. In another hallway, was Obi-Wan Kenobi, locked in a lightsaber battle with a tall dark figure wielding a red lightsaber. Leia had no reason to doubt that this was the Darth Vader that she had heard so much about. Yes, she felt cold as she sensed nothing but evil from the dark figure.
"Ben…?" She asked.
Somehow Ben heard her, and gave a soft smile to her. Turning his attention back to Vader, the old Jedi simply held his lightsaber up. Leia then watched in horror as Darth Vader swung his lightsaber right into Ben's body. As soon as it hit, Ben disappeared completely, leaving behind only his cloak and lightsaber.
Leia suddenly felt really cold and horrified. This man…Darth Vader…not a man, she told herself, this being of pure evil who had taken away her family before, now took away the last connection she had to them. It was as if someone grabbed her heart and lungs until they exploded. Ben was more than a friend to her. In the short time that she knew him, Ben had become the father she never had. If her real father was here, she imagined he'd be proud of looking after her and just as saddened to see his friend die.
Suddenly, Leia whipped out her blaster.
"NO!" She screamed, almost in pain, "BEN!"
With that, she began firing rapidly and faster than she ever had before. She took a few stormtroopers heads off, as Vader began blocking them. However, Leia only increased in her firing speed and eventually, one blast hit Vader in the leg and then one in his shoulder. Leia wanted every one of the stormtroopers to pay, and she was personally going to make them pay.
"LEIA, COME ON!" Han yelled.
Leia… A familiar voice called in her head, Run, Leia! Run!
Not asking questions, Leia obeyed and got inside the ship as it took off. Luke grabbed her as she sobbed away while the Falcon left the Death Star, and the remains of her mentor, behind.
Goodbye, Ben. She thought, May the force be with you…wherever you are.
Meanwhile, back on the station, Vader was getting to his feet. The Dark Lord sensed something about the girl. Something similar to what he had sensed in the prince. Ignoring it, he turned to his stormtroopers.
"Find them, and bring them back to me!" He declared.
The stormtroopers did as they were told, and left. When he was certain that he was alone, Vader raised his foot and then crushed his former master's lightsaber underneath his boot.
Well, there you go, everyone! Hope you enjoyed! Tune in tomorrow for the stunning conclusion, and be prepared as I'll try to put up my own takes on both Empire and Jedi hopefully in the near-future. Hope you enjoy! As always reviews and suggestions are appreciated. Once again, I own NOTHING. This is for FAN-Purposes only, so PLEASE don't sue!