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 Twelve

Trip Home

Luke wakes when he hears the cot shift near him. He is awake in an instant, staring up at me as I rise from the cot. He is about to say something but his voice dies as he spies the lightning at my fingertips.

My vision is tinged with black, the darkness within me the only thing that keeps my body moving. I recognize others around me, dimly, as I leave the tent.

Outside the tent something slams into me, knocking me to the ground. I feel teeth clamp down on my shoulder, the stinging pain of blood soaking into my shirt.

The pain helps me focus and I grab onto it with my mind. A heavy, furry weight drops down onto my body and the warmth permeates my body and mind, driving back the darkness.

Samantha! Come back! Don't make me do it. Please. Komiak yells into my mind, her teeth sinking a bit deeper. I contemplate it a moment. Simply letting go. Letting the darkness take me. Letting Komiak end the fight. It would be so simply.

Another is there, resting a gentle hand over my eyes.

Suddenly my vision turns white and I hear Luke calling to me. Ahead of me I see him clearly, and he reaches out to me.

Come back.

I don't want to. I'm tired of fighting. I state, hugging my arms around myself. Please just let me go Luke. Please.

I can't do that. He replies, coming closer. You can fight this.

How would you know! I yell. You don't know the darkness within me, you don't know how seductive the dark side is, how easy it is to fall. I've been fighting for nearly my whole life. What would you know?

I have known the darkness. Luke says quietly. I have succumbed to the dark side before. I fought it. If I came back, so can you. This stops me and I stare at him, not sensing any lies or deception in his voice. Please, come back. He says again, holding out his hand.

Slowly I reach out to take it. As my fingers touch his I feel as if I am falling, and my world goes dark once more.

When I open my eyes my shoulder is killing me and Luke is leaning over me, both hands cupping my face. The soft leather of his gloves are warm against my cheeks as I stare up at him. For a long moment there is nothing said, then Luke suddenly leans down and pulls me up at the same time, embracing me. His body shakes as he cradles me against him..

He does not say anything, merely holds me and rocks me slightly. Nearby Komiak joins Leia and Han, in her human form now, speaking to them in a low voice.

"Don't you ever do that again." Luke whispers in my ear. "Don't you ever give up like that again. I'm not giving up on you, so you can't either."

"Luke." He stops rocking and shifts slightly to look at me. "I can't breathe." He chuckles slightly and loosens his grip on me as Komiak appears beside up.

"I'll get her back in the tent Luke. Go help Leia and Han pack up camp." He nods, reluctantly shifting me over to Komiak before rising. I watch him as he leaves, and not once does he look back.

In the tent Komiak sits me down and immediately pulls my shirt up and over my head, examining the bite wound on my shoulder. As she touches my skin she jerks back, staring at me.

"You're really burning up." She whispers. I chuckle.

"And I thought it was just the snow that was making me cold." Komiak gives me a look before reaching for a med pack near the foot of the bunk. I stare at it. "When did that get there?"

"I brought it in last night, after you got here."

It does not take long for Komiak to tend my shoulder, the tent silent the entire time. After putting my shirt back on and slipping into my coat I take my cloak that I had been wearing yesterday and fold it, draping it over my arm. Komiak watches me, following me from the tent.

It does not take long for the tent to be broken down and put away. I watch from where I stand with Nakita, leaning against her. I can feel the sweat running down my neck as I shiver, huddling down further into my coat.

We will get you home soon. Nakita sends reassuringly. I simply pat her neck.

"Samantha?" I turn as Han approaches. "How you holding up kid?" I smile slightly.

"Just dying to get home." I comment. Han doesn't crack a smile at my attempted joke. Instead he reaches out and lays a hand flat on my forehead. I don't try to move away as he rests his other hand at the base of my neck.

"You're running a pretty high fever." I nod as Han backs away step. "We're ready to leave. Let's get you up onto Nakita." I turn, swaying slightly and Han catches me. I try to draw away but he stops me. "Komiak?"

She trots over, in wolf form, glancing at me before turning to Han.

"Luke is going to ride with Leia. Hold her up until I can get up." Komiak nods, sidling up to me as Han boosts himself up into the saddle. He helps me up into the saddle in front of him and sits me before him, wrapping his arms around me.

"Han, you don't have to ride with me." I say quietly. Han merely takes up the reins.

"You can't ride alone and you need someone you can touch. Luke's fine riding with Leia." something brushes my leg and I look down. Komiak is beside us again, a blanket atop her head. I laugh and bend down, pulling the blanket off her head and she shakes herself, shooting a glare back toward where Leia and Luke are before trotting off toward the woods, letting off a sharp bark.

Han waits until I have the blanket draped over myself before urging Nakita forward.

"According to Komiak we're taking the shortest route home. We should be there sometime tomorrow night." Han says quietly to me as I lean back against him. "Try and get some sleep."

"I slept all night." I argue. Han merely laughs, guiding Nakita through the white forest.

Despite my arguments Nakita's smooth movements and the quiet around us lulls me back to sleep.

When I wake next we are already in the forests of the foothills.

"Well hi. Sleep well?" Han asks. I nod, glancing around us. The forest around us is deathly quiet, no birds or small animal sounds. I reach out to touch Nakita's mind and she responds instantly.

Nakita, what's going on?

The white Talar has been trailing us ever since we left. I sigh.

I knew they would. "Han, could we stop for a bit? I'm starving and I need to stretch my legs a bit." He laughs even as he pulls on Nakita's reins slightly.

"What ever happened to those jedi muscle relaxation techniques?" I don't answer, sliding down off Nakita. I have to hold onto her saddle for a moment before I can trust my legs.

"What's going on?" Luke asks as he reins in his mount. Han answers for me as I stretch my legs out, wiggling my toes inside my boots.

"She's hungry and she wants to stretch her legs." Han asks, shrugging as he slides of Nakita's back. Luke helps Leia dismount, but I can feel his eyes are on me. I ignore him, instead reaching out to the woods around. Weakened as I am, my reach is not far, but I easily pick up the presence of the white Talar moving in.

Near me Nakita gets skittish, dancing. Komiak glances at her and I can tell they are speaking, then suddenly Komiak's mane spikes and she growls deep in her throat. The pack is instantly on alert, then Komiak jumps as I lay a hand on her shoulder.

"Easy Komiak. She's hear to talk with me. That's all." Komiak calms slightly but her hackles are still raised as Han turns to me.

"Who?" I hear Luke cry out in alarm, a lightsaber blazing to life behind me as Han curses, drawing his blaster. I turn, knocking the blaster from Han's hand.

"Stand down now!" I yell, using the force to amplify my voice. The wolves whine, a few covering their ears and even Luke flinches. Luke's lightsaber dies and they all stare at me. "She is here for me." I say, somewhat more reserved. "You ALL will remain here." I say, stressing the all as I glance at Komiak. "I will be right back."

"Samantha wait!" A hand suddenly grabs mine and I turn to find Leia griping my wrist. "It's dangerous." I simply stare at her a moment, then smile slightly.

"I'll be fine. Get yourself something to eat. I want to be home as soon as possible." So I can get you and the others safely off planet. I finish in my mind as I turn away. Leia lets my arm slip from her grasps and watches, unmoving, as I follow the white Talar.

Not far off I stop and she does as well, turning to me.

"Why are you here?" I ask aloud. She merely stares at me so I sigh. Why are you here?

I was sent to ensure you return home safely.

To keep tabs on me. The female chuckles.

Yes. And to keep you alive. I frown at her as she comes forward. I hold my ground as she leans her head down. It takes all my will not to strike her as her forehead brushes my chest near my shoulder.

Suddenly the residual ache and the bone deep cold within me abides, dimming until it is completely gone. She backs away, and I swear her eyes are smiling.

I have most of the same abilities as Nakita. I can heal you, just as she and the she-wolf does.

But you are of the dark side. I state. She nods.

Nakita and Komiak are not enough now. You need me in order to survive. I stare hard at her, then it clicks.

That's why we escaped from the base so easily. That's why they never came after us.

The loss of the she-wolf was nothing. The loss of Nakita not much more. But you are vital. The female sends. Croviack knew they could not properly instruct you on the light side of the force with a ll the dark jedi around so they simply let you go. They knew the dark side would eventually win, and that was why I was made. She pauses, lowering her head to my level. I have been waiting for you.

I stare at her a long moment, all those close brushes with the imperials over the last several years flashing through my mind.

After a long moment I reach out to her. She holds her ground as my hand finds her muzzle.

I reach deep within her mind, letting the darkness inside me roam free. It does not lash out angrily, but flows much like the light side used to within me. She simply stares at me as I delve deeper and deeper into her mind. Finding what I seek I link my mind to hers, building the connection through the force.

Done, I let her go.

Take that as my oath of faith to this agreement. I send. Please, retreat for now. My comrades will make it difficult if you should stick around.

I live to follow you. I start at her statement and she almost smiles. I am under orders from Croviack that as soon as you were to bridge that gap between us, I am yours to command, as well as all the Talar at the base. I nod, turning back toward camp.

Fine, now get out of here. I will meet you and the other Talar at my home at sunset tonight.

When I return to camp Luke and Komiak corner me. Luke and Komiak immediately start interrogating me and I back up against a tree. My legs tremble as my mind keeps going over what the female had told me, and their voices fade as I clutch at the tree for support. The ache that had disappeared when the female had touched me starts to return, the disorientation and weakness sweeping in on me.

I hear Komiak's harsh tone suddenly cease, then startled cries as my legs give out. Someone catches me, lowering me to the ground. Looking up I see Luke standing over me.

"Samantha, are you all right? Did she hurt you?" He demands. I can feel the anger rising in him but I reach up, laying a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"I'm fine, just tired." He stares at me, seemingly shocked by my simple answer, then helps me to my feet. "Everyone saddle up. The sooner we get home, the better." I call out. Something tickles the back of my mind and I turn to see the white Talar standing near Nakita. The mare is surprisingly calm despite having the immense Talar so near to her. They are staring straight at each other, as if having a staring contest. After a few tense moments both nod .

Seeing me looking at them the Talar bows her head and departs soundlessly, Nakita ambling over to me. She does not speak nor meet my gaze as I talk to her, patting her neck. She only responds to Han's voice as he mounts up, bringing her head up and tossing her mane, eager to leave.