Imperial Memories and Forgotten Dreams

I do not own anything Star Wars. Han, Leia, and Luke are all borrowed characters, obviously, with Samantha Heart and Komiak being my own creation.

I wrote this a LONG time ago so please be patient as I "update" it...lol. Enjoy!

Chapter Five

Midnight Ride

I slip out of bed long before dawn, a little wobbly but able to walk. I dress silently, pausing occasionally to make sure Luke is still asleep. I change out of my old clothes and slip into my riding clothes, the soft leathers well worn from riding the mountain trails with Nakita. I grab up my boots and slip out of the room silently.

I am surprised to find Han downstairs, poking at the dead fire and grumbling to himself. He does not hear me slip up behind him and he jumps as I chuckle at a rather inventive curse.

"If helps if you put some kindling in it first." He jumps up and turns, yelping in surprise. I drop my boots and kneel before the fire, Han watching me. Soon I have a small fire started. I stand slowly, sitting in the nearest seat and pulling my boots toward me. "All you have to do now is keep throwing logs on it and making sure it doesn't go out." He grumbles something, running his hand through his already mussed hair.

"I still cannot figure out how you live like this. This has got to be the most out of date planet in the galaxy." I laugh.

"It probably is. We are so far from anything that the inhabitants have chosen this lifestyle though. The towns are much more up to date though."

"You ever thought about heading toward a more civilized planet at some point?" I shake my head.

"I haven't been off planet since I was brought here. I don't think I could make it in the capitol or most of the places you have been." I glance up at him, smiling slightly as I lace my boots. "I don't do good around people."

"I hear ya kid. Where you going? It's not even daylight yet." I stand, stretching slightly and heading for the coats near the door.

"I am going to go out and check on the pack and talk with Nakita and Komiak."

"You sure your up to that? You still look a little tired." I nod, slipping into my long winter coat.

"I'm fine, really."

"Where's Luke?" Han asks, stopping me as I reach for the door.

"Upstairs asleep."

"Don't do anything rash." I stop, turning back to him.

"What?" Han stares at me from where he kneels before the growing fire, his dark brown eyes watching me.

"The kid likes you, I can see that. Any fool can see that." I sigh, slipping my hands into my pockets.

"I know."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing." I reply quietly before slipping out the door.

Standing out on the porch I see several moving bodies around the lawn, the wolves pacing restlessly. They stop, watching as I cross the distance between the house and the barn.

Inside it is warm, the large stone fireplace at the opposite end easily heating most of the barn. Several pack members are lying spread out around the center part of the barn. Komiak rises and meets me half way, draping the blanket she had been wrapped in over a stall door as she meets me. I hear Nakita shifting around in the hay in her stall.

"Are you almost ready?" I ask. Komiak nods.

"Yes, the pack is restless to go. To be truthful I am too. We haven't had a pack run in a while." I nod.

"Nakita's eager to go too." I add as Nakita whispers in my mind.

Perhaps you should stay. You still weak.

I'm fine Nakita. I reassure her. Once we're out and in the woods I will be much better.

"Do Han and Leia know our plan?" Komiak nods.

"I discussed it with them yesterday while you were asleep. We will scout the route today while they get ready, then we'll return tonight and decide when to leave from there."

"Does Luke know about the plan?" Komiak shakes her head.

"No, Han and Leia are going to fill him in when he wakes today." I nod, heading for Nakita's stall.

"Good. Let's get out of here before he wakes up." Komiak smiles slightly before starting to strip her clothes, laying them out on the blanket over the stall door.

I find Nakita already saddled, my two traveling packs already secured to her saddle. I stop and shake my head slightly.

Did you have Komiak saddle you? I ask accusingly. Nakita somehow appears sheepish, which is a feat for a horse.

I know you are to weak to lift the saddle. I snort slightly.

Never stopped me before. I retort as I retrieve Nakita's reins, leading her from the stall. Komiak is already changed, the pack gone from the barn as I boost myself in up into Nakita's saddle. I lift my hood as Nakita walks from the barn, making sure to tuck all of my hair inside the fur lined hood. I find my gloves tucked into the gap under the saddle horn so I slip them on, flexing my fingers before I find the reins again.

Komiak steps beside me, resting her head on my leg a moment.

I will stay with you. The pack will stay either ahead of us and behind us the whole way. We stop when we reach the cliffs. I nod, scratching her ear. She growls slightly, stepping away and shooting me a dirty look as the pack groups around us. A nod from Komiak and they seem to almost melt into the woods around us, leaving the two of us alone.

The door to the house opens and Han steps out, watching us. I urge Nakita forward, Komiak shifting toward the trees a bit.

When I reach Han I lean forward in the saddle a bit.

"We will be gone all day and probably well into the night. Anything in the house or barn you think you could use, take it. Pack light. And for heavens sake, keep Luke here. We don't need a repeat of last time." Han chuckles slightly.

"We'll do our best but you know how he can get." Behind him the door opens and Leia steps out, fully dressed and wrapped in one of the coats I loaned to her.

"Be careful." I nod, patting Nakita's neck.

"Don't worry, she won't let me do anything to stupid." Both laugh as Nakita bobs her head, reaching around to gently bite the top of my boot.

I try but you have a mind of your own. She sends to me heatedly. I scratch her neck in her favorite spot and she arches her neck to the side a bit. I take up the reins, turning her toward Komiak but the she-wolf is gone. In the distance I hear one of the pack call and I frown slightly. Han and Leia listen a moment, then Han pats Nakita's rump.

"Go on kid. We'll see you tonight." I nod, leaning forward in the saddle.

Let's go Nakita. She nods, prancing beneath me a moment before heading toward the woods at a fast clip.

The wolves have already found something. She sends to me as we plunge into the woods.

What did they find? I ask, dodging low branches.

Several scent trails, all Talar and all close to each other. I frown.

Talar never travel in packs. Komiak?

Yes, I know already. I count at least five. She replies grimly. These ones stink of that base. I pull Nakita to a halt abruptly.

The base?

Yeah.Beneath me Nakita dances nervously.

Komiak, call the pack back to me. We do not spread out from now on. I want all of the pack within half a click of me at all times. Ahead of me and through the trees I see Komiak stop, lifting her muzzle to the sky.

Nakita, can you pick up the scents of the Talar?

Yes, but I sense none of them nearby. I nod, turning my attention to behind us.

Leia.It takes moment for her to respond, her voice sounding slightly distant, her command of the force not as strong as her brothers.

I'm here.

We've got an issue. When Luke wakes send him out to lock up and secure the barn. The three of you stay inside at all times, not matter what happens.

What's going on?

I'll explain later. I send as the pack starts to group around us, Nakita becoming more agitated beneath me, shifting nervously. Just what ever you do, stay inside the house. I break contact with her, focusing on the group around me. All the animals are skittish, continually scanning the woods around us.

I don't like it that they are so close to the house. I send to Nakita and Komiak. Both nod. Komiak, can you send two pack members back to the house so stand guard?

You want to keep going? If we're caught and attacked by that pack, it will get bloody. I nod.

You are right. All of you head back. Komiak's head whips around and she pins me with a glare.

Absolutely not.

I have a better chance of getting there and back without all of you. I state. Komiak glares at me a moment longer then nods.

All right, the pack will go back to the house, but I'm going with you.She states firmly, making it clear that she will not allow any arguments. I sigh and pat Nakita's neck.

Are you all right with this? I send to Nakita. She turns her head to stare at me.

The she-wolf is right, but there are other ways there. I frown at her, then look up. Over the foothills where I live are the taller, older mountains, their peaks jutting up high over us. Clouds hang low, obscuring the tops of the mountains and promising more snow.

We can't take the high trail this time of year. And that pass would put the base between us and the nearest town

The others can make the trip, and you know I can. She says, referring to the other two horses. I contemplate a long moment, staring up at the mountains.

Komiak, change of plans. Leave the pack members at the house. The three of us are taking the pass. Komiak suddenly changes, placing her hands on her nude hips.

"What?" She asks, obviously quite miffed.

"That pack is prowling all over the foot hills." I reply, leaning down slightly in the saddle toward her. "If we take the higher pass, the Talar pack will most likely not follow. They can't take the cold well. It is before the heavy snows hit so we should be able to make it around and down out of the pass before the winter snows hit."

"I will send two scouts up there to check the pass but you and I are not going anywhere near that pass yet." She states. I sigh, staring down at her. I can tell the memories of our last trip through the pass are flashing through her mind.

"We either take the foot hills and risk getting slaughtered by that pack of Talar or we head for the pass and it only takes two more days to get there. They won't expect us to approach from that direction anyway." The pack still sits all around us, some watching the exchange, others scanning the woods. Komiak almost starts to growl before she nods.

"Fine." She changes back, communicating to the pack as I lean back in the saddle slightly.

Samantha?I jerk when I hear Luke's voice in my mind.

Is something wrong? I send, trying to ignore the feelings stirring in me at the sound of his voice. Strangely, the touch of his mind on mine does not awaken the dark side within me, the dark side remaining almost dormant in me.

Leia told me what you said. Is everything all right?

We've discovered that there is a pack of Talar in the foothills now. At least five or six animals. We are sending the pack back to guard the house. You, Leia, and Han stay inside the house.

What are you going to do?

Komiak and I are going to scout another path. It will take longer but it should be safer. I send, noticing dimly that the pack is leaving. Beside me Komiak heads for the trees, lifting her nose every few feet to test the air. We will be back some time tonight.

I should come with you.

No.I state flatly. I want a Jedi at the house. Han has his blaster but that won't work on a Talar unless you hit in just the right spot. You are the only one with a lightsaber there. You need to stay there to protect Leia and Han. I smile despite myself. I'll be fine Luke, really.

Come back tonight. I frown slightly at his statement.

What?

Come back tonight. I want to sleep beside you again tonight. I feel my eyes go wide and my face suddenly turns bright red at his frank statement. Ahead of me Komiak turns, studying me a long second before she grins, her tongue hanging out as she gives me a wolfish-grin, knowing who I am talking to. I look away, hiding my face with the fur around the hood.

I'll join you tonight. I send before severing the contact. Beneath me Nakita shifts, eager to go so I tap her with my heels, praying I can use the cold as an excuse for my red cheeks. Thankfully Komiak stays silent, following beside us as we head deeper into the woods.

We traverse the woods of the foothills on high alert, constantly scanning the woods around us with eyes, ears, and the force. The only signs we see of them are the occasional tracks through the woods. Once I sense them, the pack paralleling our path just outside of my range.

Once the snow begins to coat the ground I sense them fall back, leaving just the three of us as the snow piles grow larger on the ground, soon coating the land in white. The air grows colder as we head up, and soon we take a rest high above the forest. I remove the saddlebags but leave Nakita's saddle on, joining Komiak near the edge of the cliff near us. Snow coats the ground in a thick blanket. I snuggle deeper into my warm jacket as I crouch down beside Komiak.

"Any sign we were followed?" I ask aloud. Komiak shakes her head, leaning against me. Crouching down as she is, she is easier taller than me. She shakes her head.

No, not that I could sense. We should head back. It is already past mid day and the sun will set soon. We do not want to be in the forest after dark.

I nod and rise, about to turn when something catches my eye. Ahead of us the snow shifts higher up on the mountain. I watch for a long moment then head for Nakita.

Komiak, start heading down the mountain now.

What's going on? She asks, already starting to head down the trail.

A Talar behind us, higher up on the mountain.

I didn't see it. I nod, swiftly hoisting myself up into the saddle as Nakita turns to follow Komiak.

That's because it is white.

We are back in the woods before Komiak addresses me again.

Talar are never white.

I know. I send as Nakita winds her way through the trees.

So what are we going to do? Keep to the foothills or take the mountain route? Komiak asks, trotting slightly ahead of me.

Let's return to the house then discuss it with the others. Beneath me Nakita balks then surges forward, Komiak barely dodging the horses charge.

Nakita, what's wrong? What's going on? I send, hanging on desperately to the saddle.

Pack behind us! She sends, her hooves pounding the ground. Behind me Komiak is running flat out to keep up with Nakita. A howl suddenly rips the air as Komiak calls.

Hope you're enjoying the story so far. I'm having fun writing it. )