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 Six
Departure
As we reach the house Komiak stays in her human form as I guide Nakita into the barn. The entire pack is in the barn, all watching us wearily. I practically leap of Nakita's back and hurriedly strip her of her saddle and tack, leaving just her blanket on her.
Nakita, remain here in the barn with the others and keep everyone quiet. I send as I join the pack. Komiak, leave most of the pack in the barn. I want the horses protected. Komiak nods, growling slightly.
They are outside. I crouch beside her, peering outside. Seven Talar move slowly, methodically around the yard.
Luke, keep Han and Leia away from the windows. The three of you get upstairs now. Get in my bedroom and shut the door.
What's going on? Luke responds.
The pack of Talar are in the yard outside the home. Komiak, the pack, and I will take care of them. Stay clear of the windows.
Something nudges my back and I turn to see Nakita behind me.
We fight as one. She whispers in my mind. I scowl but nod, knowing that I cannot dissuade her. Beside me, Komiak nods in agreement.
Luke suddenly bursts into the living room, grabbing Han's shoulder as he sends to Leia. She rises, clapping a hand over Han's mouth before he has a chance to argue as Luke drags him upstairs. In the bedroom Luke and Leia let go. Luke lowers his voice, motioning the two of them closer.
"Talar are outside. Stay here." Leia and Han nod, watching as Luke disappears from the room.
Leia and Han are upstairs. Luke sends to me. I'm staying downstairs in case any of them make it into the house.
Fine, just stay quiet. I reply sternly and cut contact with him. Behind me a few of the pack members growl, a low sound.
They know we're here. They are circling the barn. Komiak sends, rising and turning to her pack. I rise as well, meeting Nakita head on. She stares at me.
On me. I shake my head.
On our own. She bumps me, blocking my path.
You can't fight alone. We fight together. She states. I sigh and reluctantly mount up, sitting easily on her back, bareback except for the saddle blanket. Komiak watches me, nodding slightly before heading toward Nakita's stall. In each stall is a second door leading outside and Nakita pauses long enough to let a few wolves ahead of her before I slip off her back, positioning myself to the door. I hesitate, gathering the force around me before throwing the door open.
The wolves stream outside as I jump back up onto Nakita's back, slipping my lightsaber from it's place on my belt as Nakita launches herself out the doors.
Nakita stops so quickly that I almost hit my head on her neck. The wolves all stop in their tracks, scanning the area around the house and the barn, several glancing at Komiak and I. Komiak remains frozen, only her eyes moving as she searches the area.
Samantha, where are they? They all suddenly disappeared.
Watch my back. I send as I slide down off of Nakita. She stays beside me despite my pushing at her shoulder. Komiak moves to stand on the other side of me as I close my eyes, releasing myself to the force.
Instantly I am aware of everything around me. Every living animal I can sense, seeing in my mind.
Suddenly they are there, the entire pack about half a click inside the woods. They all stand close together, not moving. As I see them in my mind, the white Talar I had seen in the mountains turns, staring at me directly before the link is suddenly gone.
I am slammed back into myself and I find myself on my hands and knees on the ground between Nakita and Komiak. The she-wolf is in her human form now, holding me up as she pats my cheek.
"Samantha?" She demands. I twitch slightly then pull away from her.
"Where are they?" Komiak asks.
"About half a click away and moving back into the hills." I reply as I stand. Nakita bumps me.
I will carry you back to the house. I nod, pulling myself up onto Nakita's back again.
The trio meet us on the porch, Luke slipping his hands around my waist as I slide down. I rest against him a moment then pull away.
"The Talar have left. They are heading back into the mountains." I say as we head inside, Nakita and Komiak heading back for the barn.
"Why come here and not attack?" Han asks as the four of us settle onto the couches in the living area.
"They were only on surveillance, checking to see what we were doing." I reply, lying back on the couch.
I know Luke watches me worriedly and I do my best to ignore it. "We will have to be extremely careful from here on out. We can't leave straight from the house now either. They will know where we are going." Han shrugs.
"So what if they know?"
"They are working for the base." Han and Leia share a glance.
"What?" Leia asks, sitting forward slightly.
"The Talar were genetically engineered by the base and released into the woods as weapons. They are controlled by the Jedi at the base."
"So it would be safe to say that they have more." Han states. "Most likely at the base." I shake my head.
"No. All the Talar are outside the base. It would be to easy for the Jedi to use the Talar against the base personnel so they are all kept outside the base walls." I lever myself up and walk around the couch, heading for the stairs. "I need to rest for a bit. If anything happens, wake me." They three nod as I turn, heading up the stairs.
Inside my bedroom I strip down to my shirt, the bottom hem almost down to mid-thigh. I am about to crawl into bed when I hear a knock at the door. Komiak comes in quietly, shutting the door behind her.
"Everyone is settled in the barn, including most of the pack. The rest are scattered out in the woods around the house and barn." I nod, sliding beneath the covers. "So what are we going to do now?"
"Head to the nearest town first, then head toward the base from there. It will add time but the Talar would not go anywhere near the town." Komiak nods.
"That includes the pack too." I nod.
"You and the pack will remain safely away from town. I will take them in, then when it is safe we will head back out." Komiak nods and sighs heavily, sitting on the bed beside me.
"What are we going to do without you?" She says, slightly humored. I smile.
"Have a more quiet and peaceful life?" Komiak laughs and pats the curve of my hip.
"Yeah right. Life would be to boring." I roll my eyes as there is another knock on the door. Both of us look up as Luke pokes his head in. Seeing Komiak he seems almost embarrassed.
"Sorry." He is about to duck out when Komiak rises.
"It's all right. I need to get back to the pack." She winks at me before heading out the door, shutting the door as Luke steps in.
Luke pauses by the doorway, watching me. I watch him from where I lie facing the door. He is quiet for a long moment then he clears his throat.
"How are you feeling?" I nod against the pillow.
"Good. You?" He nods.
"Fine."
"What are you doing in here?" I ask softly. Luke shifts slightly, obviously uncomfortable.
"I just wanted to check on you. See if you are all right."
"I'm fine, really. I just want to get some sleep." Luke nods, turning toward the door.
"I'll leave you alone then."
"Wait. Did you even sleep at all last night?" Luke turns back, smiling a slightly crooked smile while running his hand through his hair.
"A little." I shake my head slightly and reach out to Leia.
Leia, I plan on leaving tonight, after dark. I will fill in everyone this afternoon. For right now I suggest everyone get some sleep.
I'll find Luke. She replies.
He already knows. I send back. If you could go tell Komiak I'd appreciate it. Leia chuckles.
Of course. Across the room Luke stares at me, watching me.
Go get some rest. We will all need it. I send to him. He seems a bit hesitant at first, then nods, turning toward the door. He pauses, his hand on the door knob. He turns his head slightly, as if to say something, but stops, slipping out the door and shutting it behind him silently.
I wake a few hours later, staring at the dark ceiling above me The sun still has a few hours to go before it sets behind the mountains, the sky still a pale blue. Resolved at the fact that I won't get back to sleep any time soon I rise, slipping on my riding pants I had set aside earlier for the trip to the base. I stare out the window a moment, studying the woods around the house, watching for any movement as I stretch my mind out into the woods, searching. I pick up several members of the pack but nothing more.
Hearing the floorboards creak outside my bedroom door I focus inward, following Han as he heads down the hall toward the stairs. Luke is still in his room asleep further down the hall, Leia shuffling about in her room.
I collect my things, packing them into the small saddlebag I keep in my room before grabbing my riding jacket. Slinging the saddle bag and jacket over my shoulder before leaving the room.
I slip out the front door without Han noticing, pausing only briefly to greet the pack as I enter the barn.
Nakita is ready and waiting for me, nickering as I approach.
Time? I nod.
Yes, it is time. Before I get to her stall she leans out, lipping the latch and swinging the door open. I merely shake my head as she trots out, tail high and prancing like a colt. You are in high spirits considering the danger we are riding into.
This place bores me. She states, going still as I stop beside her. I chuckle.
We go to town, so you and the others will run with the pack while the others and I are there.
There are only three of us and four people. She states. I nod.
One will carry two people. Nakita almost seems to glare at me. What?
Two and two, one supplies. She states. I sigh, knowing that she is right.
Fine. I state rather grudgingly, tossing the saddle blanket over her back.
After securing Nakita's saddle bags, including my smaller pair, I saddle the other two horses as well. I am finishing the last, a roan, as Komiak walks in.
"Shouldn't you still be sleeping?" I laugh.
"Yeah right. You know I can't sleep for more than four or five hours a day." Komiak laughs.
"Yeah, just thought I'd say it anyway." I shake my head and start toward the equipment locker. Komiak watches me, suddenly solemn.
"You're going to use those?" I nod.
"I want the horses protected as well. We can't afford to lose any of them. You know that." Komiak nods and joins me as I pull out the armor.
The plates are made from hardened Talar skins, the animals I had slain and skinned for their hides years before. I begin strapping Nakita's armor on, the different plates colored for each animal. Komiak helps, and soon we have all three horses fitted. Once done I signal Komiak out and link my mind to Nakita's.
From now on, constant contact. I want you to keep contact with the the other two horses and me or Komiak from now until this is over. Nakita nods. Wait here. We will mount up here and head out as soon as I get back. I send as I slip out of the barn behind Komiak.
Once back in the house I find Han and Leia downstairs in the living room.
"Do you have everything you need?" Both nod. "Where is Luke?" Leia glances at the stairs.
"He hasn't come down yet."
"Komiak, stay with them." I state as I head for the stairs.
Leia watches her go and glances at Komiak.
"What's going on?"
"Samantha is just a little on edge right now, that's all. She'll be fine." Leia studies her a moment before letting the subject drop.
I knock lightly on Luke's door, the door swinging open as I hear Luke beckon me in.
"Are you ready?" Luke nods, clipping his lightsaber into place on his belt before turning to me. He has traded his cloak for a black jacket, his entire outfit is black, down to his mid-calf high boots. He grabs up his pack and slings it over his shoulder.
"So, how do I look? Han said I should ditch the cloak." I chuckle.
"You look like Han. Let's go rake." I say teasingly. Luke chuckles, trying to look aghast at the comment that he might look like Han. It doesn't work.
I lead them out to the barn, Komiak taking up the end. She secures the doors behind us and the three stare at the waiting horses.
"What are they wearing?" Han asks as I take his pack.
"Talar hide. When it is hardened it can deflect blaster hits. It protects the horse wearing it, kind of like armor." I secure their packs to the roan and turn to face them. "All right, here is what is going to happen from here on out. You will listen to me. If you have any questions, wait until I'm done talking first. Got it?"
"We got it." Han states, looking slightly miffed at my tone.
"Right. We will be riding double. Nakita, Han, and I will take point. Luke, you and Leia will stay in the middle, the pack horse will take up the rear. Komiak will stay with us and the pack will stick to us but further out into the woods. It will take all night and nearly half the day to reach the nearest town. We will only stop to water the horses. At no point are you to dismount. When we get to town I will explain what we're going to do from there. Any questions?"
"Why am I riding with you?" Han asks. I stare at him and he chuckles slightly. "No offense."
"I want Luke on the other horse with Leia because Leia does not have a good command of the force. I can communicate easier with Luke then Leia and also I want Leia protected." Now it is my turn to chuckle. "No offense Han, but you're kind of the odd man out here." He frowns, kicking at some straw at his feet and mumbling something. I glance at Komiak and nod. She steps into a stall, more for the others sake than mine, and stips, changing quickly. Seeing their leader change the pack rises from where they lay all around us, rising to the ready.
"Luke, Leia, mount up." I say as I secure the pack horse to Luke's horse. After they are mounted up I open the barn doors just enough for Komiak to nose it open. She waits, staring up at me.
Are you sure about this?
There is no going back now.
I'll bring you back. I stare at her and she stares back, then nuzzles me comfortingly, curving her massive head over my shoulder, pulling me against her chest. I hug her neck briefly a moment before moving away.
If something does happen, you have to get them out first. I pause. If something happens to me, Komiak, leave me behind. She is about to argue, her ears pinning back when I reach out and touch her thick black fur lightly. Please? Her ears relax slowly and she nods before glancing back at Nakita.
Go on. Nakita's getting anxious. I smile slightly and pat her shoulder before turning and heading to Nakita. I mount up, giving Han a boost to sit behind me. Taking up the reins I glance around.
"Are we all ready?" I ask, sending it verbally and mentally. Everyone, wolf, horse, and human alike nod. Turning to Komiak I see her staring at me almost sadly before she nuzzles the door open, disappearing into the gathering night.