Tarkin frowned as he digested the news. Apparently the freighter that had blasted free of Tatooine had just arrived right in their lap. Of course, a score of Stormtroopers and guards were sent to investigate and a scanning crew was sent but the whole situation didn't make sense to Tarkin. "Sir, we just received word that Lady Jade will be here within the hour. Apparently she was pursuing the ship herself."

Tarkin considered the officer. "Very well, Commander. I want anyone aboard that ship in the detention center before she arrives. I have proven my command of this station to one of the Emperor's precious children. I will be sure to do that to the other as well. Even these ridiculous religious sycophants have to recognize that nothing can over power the technological masterpiece of this station."

It seemed like hours as the Stormtroopers trudged through the ship above them while Luke, Han, the droids, Ahsoka and Chewie all huddled in the hidden cargo compartment. When the last pair of boots clanged down the boarding ramp, they stood and Luke breathed a sigh of relief. "It's lucky you had these compartments."

Han nodded, listening hard as he replied, "I use them for smuggling. I never thought that I'd be smuggling myself in 'em. This is ridiculous. Even if I could take off, I'd never get passed the tractor beam."

Ahsoka's head appeared over the rim of her compartment and she shot him a wink. "I'll take care of that."

Han snorted. "I knew you'd say that, crazy lady. You succeed, I'll kiss you."

"No ya won't;" said Ahsoka dismissively. Chewbacca gave a gruff ruff ruff ruff noise which Han said, "Oh I'm glad your amused, fur ball."

Suddenly, a pair of technicians trundled up the boarding ramp and froze. Waving her hand, Ahsoka hissed, "Sleep!"

Both fell to the ground. Han's eyes widened. "Hey, I just had a thought;" said Ahsoka. "Solo, give the two guards at the bottom a call."

He was about to question why but then thought better of it and called out. "Hey down here, can you give us a hand with this?"

Up came a pair of Imperial Stormtroopers. With a wave of her hand, Ahsoka slammed them hard against the wall and essential shut down their minds. "Did you kill them?" asked Luke. She didn't answer, saying instead. "Solo, Luke, get changed into the armor. Congratulations. You've been drafted into the Stormtrooper Corp. Hurry up."

They managed to struggle into the armor and almost as soon as he was suitably disguised, Luke's comms went off. "TK-421, why aren't you at your post?"

Almost panicking, Luke hissed, "They're talking to me! What do I do?"

"Go down the ramps and tap your helmet;" said Ahsoka. "That's how the clones used to tell each other they had a bad comms set."

Shaking in his armor, Luke staggered down the ramp and looked up towards hanger control. A man in a black military uniform was gazing at him and, his heart pounding, Luke tapped the side of his helmet. The officer nodded and gave him a salute in acknowledgement and disappeared. With a rustle and some clanking, Luke's companions hurried behind them over to the corridor and up the ramp to the hanger control room, reaching it just as the guard opened it. The Wookiee gave roar and Han's blaster rifle blazed.

Luke hurried over, annoyed at them both. Shutting the door behind him, Luke yanked his helmet off and snapped, "Between his howling and your blasting everything, it's a wonder the entire station doesn't know we're here!"

Han's eyes widened and he retorted, "Bring 'em on. I prefer a straight fight to all this sneakin' around."

Before the argument could get worse, Threepio said, "Sir, we have found a computer outlet."

Ahoska hurried over to the monitor screen. "Plug in. He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial network."

Artoo extended a plug and inserted it, tweeting and whistling as he went. After just a few moments, Threepio said, "He said he's found the main controls to the power beam that's holding the ship here. He'll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor."

Several images flashed on the monitor as the golden droid continued. "The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ships to leave."

Ahoska nodded. "Alright, sit tight, boys. I'll handle the beam and come back for you."

Han chewed a lip, seeming uncomfortable with the idea. Luke protested. "But I want to go with you."

Ahsoka put a hand on his shoulder. "I need you to keep an eye on the droids and the pilot of our ride off this station. Those droids are infinitely important. Keep them safe."

She hustled off and Luke shut the door, feeling dejected and anxious. Chewie gave a growl and Han looked at him in surprise. "How exactly do you know her, Chewie?"

After another series of growls and rumbles, Han nodded, clearly interested. "Apparently Chewie knew Ahsoka Tano back during the Clone Wars. They helped each other out of a situation involving Trandoshans and bounty hunters. He says that time has changed her quite a bit."

The Wookiee gave another series of roars and Han rolled his eyes. "Not everyone changes, Chewie. Maybe just crazy hermit ladies in the desert do but not everyone does."

Luke bristled. "Hey, she's risking her own life right now."

"I'd be happy to tag along - anything but staying here would be great."

Suddenly, Artoo began to beep and whistle frantically. "What is it?" asked Luke. Threepio said rather resignedly, "I'm afraid I'm not sure, Sir. He says, 'I found her' and keeps repeating, 'she's here'."

Luke walked over and asked, "Well who? Who has he found?"

The droid whistled and Threepio said, "Princess Leia;"

"The Princess? She's here?" asked Luke, suddenly excited. "Princess?" said Han, looking at Chewie, suddenly confused. "Where is she?" demanded Luke.

"Princess? What's going on?" demanded Han, getting irritated. No one answered as the droid continued to beep and whistle. Finally, Threepio proclaimed, "Level 5, Detention Block AA-23. I'm afraid that she's scheduled to be terminated."

"Oh no;" gasped Luke. "We've gotta help her!"

Han shook his head. "What are you talking about?"

"The droids belong to her! She's the girl from the message! We've gotta help her!"

Han lifted his hands and said, "Now look, don't get any funny ideas. Ahsoka told to wait right here."

"But she didn't know that princess was here;" said Luke before turning to the droids and said, "Just find a way back into that detention."

"I'm not going anywhere;" said Han, plopping down almost petulantly in a chair. Luke gritted his teeth and all but pleaded the smuggler captain. "But there gonna execute her! Luke a moment ago, you didn't want to wait to get captured, now all you want to do is stay."

"Marching into the detention center is not what I had in mind."

"But there going to kill her!"

"Better her than me!" snapped Han with finality. Luke turned away, gritting his teeth when an idea came to him. Turning back to the captain, he murmured softly. "She's rich."

That predictably caught the scoundrel's interest. "Rich?"

"Uh-huh;" said Luke, resisting the urge to smirk. "Rich, powerful, if you were help the reward could be-" and he shook his head as he tried to articulate his message. "What?" asked Han, the gears turning in his head. "Well, more well than you can imagine."

"I dunno;" said Han, still skeptical. "I can imagine quite a bit."

"You'll get it;" said Luke confidently.

"I'd better!"

"You will;" said Luke, knowing he had won the argument. Han lifted a finger and said, "Alright, you'd better be right about this, Kid. Now, what's your plan?"

Luke looked around, his mind racing quickly. "Threepio, can you hand me those binders there?"

When he had them, he went over to the towering Wookiee and said, "Okay now, I'm going to put these on you."

The Wookiee bellowed, flashing his white fangs. "Okay;" Luke said, taking a double quick step back. "Han, you put them on him."

With a smirk, Han said, "Don't worry, Chewie. I think I know what he has in mind."

Threepio lifted an arm. "Pardon me, sir, but what should Artoo and I do if we're discovered here."

"Lock the door;" replied Luke.

"And hope they don't have blasters;" said Han wryly.

They both barely heard the droid reply rather tersely, "That isn't very reassuring."

Lady Mara Jade brought her shuttle into the landing bay. Most of the time, she had teams of pilots to bring her wherever she wanted to go. Now, however, she had needed to get here. During the flight, she had felt the death of Alderaan and she was angry - more than angry. Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand, was livid. How could Tarkin pull such a monumentally bone headed move? How could Galen have let him? If anything would inflame the people of the galaxy against the Empire, wanton genocide would do it. "Lady Jade;" said one of the techs, bowing. "Where are Governor Tarkin and Lord Starkiller? I need to see them. Now!"

The tech licked dry lips and replied, "I believe that Lord Starkiller has left to go to Coruscant. Governor Tarkin is most likely meeting with the stations command staff in the main conference room off the observation tower."

"Thank you;" she said as she hurried to one of the rail systems. It would take her to the proper sector of the station and the lift there were quickly bring her to the proper level. She had memorized the stations rail and lift system while the battle station was being constructed.

Han and Luke exited the lift into the detention block security center. Several guards and officers halted their work and stared at them. One of them looked balefully at the Wookiee. "Where are you taking this... thing?"

"Prisoner transfer;" said Luke, sounding almost cheerful, he was so nervous. "Cell Block 1138."

"I wasn't notified;" replied the officer. "I'll have to clear it."

Two guards approached with drawn blasters. Suddenly, the Wookiee was free. "Lookout, he's loose!" said Han, hoping to spread confusion as he and Luke began blasting Imperials. After the first few were taken out, Luke shifted fire to the cameras and other various surveillance equipment. One piece after another went up in fire and smoke.

When the room was finally clear, Han snapped, "We need to find out which cell this princess of yours is in. Here it is- 2187. You go and get her, I'll hold them here."

Luke dashed off, hearing in the background the Han was nervously trying to deflate the situation on the comms unit. Luke doubted that it would work as he ran down the hall, checking the cell numbers as he went. He was half way down when Han yelled to him. "Luke, we're going to have company."

Luke moved faster, sweating in his armor as he tried desperately to find the right one. Finally, he did and opened the hatch. On the prison bench lay a girl, probably his own age, all in white with her hair done up in an elaborate, if slightly unfamiliar style. "Aren't you a bit short for a Stormtrooper?" she said dryly. For some reason, that confused Luke. "Huh? Oh, the uniform."

He yanked the bucket off his head and said, "I'm Luke Skywalker and I'm here to rescue you."

Leia sat up, incredulous. "You're who?"

"I'm here to rescue you. I have your Artoo unit and I'm here with Ahsoka Tano!"

"Fulcrum?" she gasped, standing quickly. "Where is she?"

"Come on;" said Luke, motioning her out the door.

It would seem that Han had started the party without them. Stormtroopers were pouring into the control center of the cell block and Han and Chewie had both been forced to fall back into the cell corridor itself, blasting away as he went.

Mara Jade stormed into the conference room. Apparently whatever meeting was going on had ended because it was just him now. "Tarkin;" she snapped, "what the force forsaken hell were you thinking, destroying Alderaan?"

Tarkin gave her a cool smile and stood to his feet. "A pleasure to see you as always, Emperor's Hand. Alderaan was a demonstration of this station in all its power. It was necessary to show exactly what the Empire is capable of."

"Are you out of your mind, Tarkin?" demanded Jade, striding around the table and getting right into his long, gaunt face. "Do you realize what you have done?"

"I assure you that I am well aware of my actions, Lady Jade. Now, if you'll excuse me, there are rebels or smugglers or something loose on this station. The freighter that escaped Mos Eisely has been captured and its crew are apparently running a muck."

He turned to leave but Mara said coolly, "No."

He froze and turned. "I beg your pardon, Emperor's Hand."

"I will not excuse you, Tarkin;" she sad, her voice icy and dangerous. "Let me explain something to you, and I will do so slowly so that there is not chance of you misunderstanding. I am the Emperor's Hand - his investigator in the matters of treachery and incompetence and the moves you have made since this station's completion have greatly concerned my father. He wonders if your illusion of power has gone to your head. Now, my brother, though I'm sure father would have only chastised him lightly for the action, did not have the authority to execute you. I have that authority. Should I decide that your actions here at Alderaan were a sign of either corruption or incompetence, I could put a blaster bolt right through your skull and my father would simply shrug his shoulders. Am I clear?"

Tarkin glared at her coolly. This is not how he had hoped the conversation with the Emperor's Hand would turn out but she was clearly correct in her assertions and caution was by far better than bravado at this point. "I said, am I clear, Governor?" hissed Jade again, her emerald eyes narrowed.

Tarkin bowed. "Of course, my lady. I will give a full accounting for my actions but there is a clear and present threat here and now. These beings are loose on the station and have gotten to the detention block where the princess is being held. I'm afraid they may be attempting a rescue operation."

Mara furrowed her brow. "That would be brazen indeed. Under the best of circumstances, a rescue would have a very small probability of success. Continue overseeing the matter, Governor and know that I will have my eyes on you from now until you go before my father and I will suggest a full punishment to him for your foolishness."

Tarkin resisted the urge to grit his teeth. "As you will, my Lady."

With that, she was gone, her cloak flapping in the stillness of the corridors.

"Can't get out that way;" muttered Han.

Leia couldn't help but snort. "Looks like you managed to cut off our only escape route."

Han could almost not believe his ears. "Well maybe you'd like it back in your cell, your highness."

Luke managed to get Threepio on the comms. "Are there any other ways out of the cell bay? We've been cut off."

After a very long moment, Luke put up his comlink and announced amidst a storm of blaster fire. "There isn't any other way out."

"I can't hold them off forever!" snapped Han. "Now what?"

"This is some rescue;" snarked the princess. "You came in here and you didn't have a plan for getting out?"

"He's the brains, sweetheart;" retorted Han. Without hesitation, Leia grabbed Luke's rifle and blasted what appeared to be a grate just behind Han's legs. "What the hell are you doing?" demanded Han.

"Somebody has to save our skins." she snapped.

She strafed sideways, laying down her own volley of blaster fire as she did before tossing Luke the rifle and ordering, "Into the garbage chute, flyboy."

And she jumped in. Chewie ambled up to go next, only to growl. "Get in there, you big furry oaf. I don't care what you smell! Get in there."

The Wookiee hesitantly jumped after the princess. As he and Luke continued to trade fire with the Stormtroopers, Han seemed to be regaining some of his bravado. "Wonderful girl!" he called over the blaster fire. "Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her."

Luke shot him a glance before squeezing off a few more shots. "Get in there!" ordered Han and Luke dove into the chute. Behind him, he heard a lowed whoop as Han followed.

As soon as he landed, Luke dove to the side just in time for Han to miss landing on him. "The garbage chute was a really wonderful idea. What an incredible spell you've discovered!"

The princess shot him a look but he just ignored it. Chewie was over by the hatch and Han ordered, "Let's get outta here. Get away from there."

"No! Wait!" Luke objected but he was too late. Han squeezed off a shot. The blaster bolt ricocheted off the door - then the wall - then the other wall. Finally, it blasted into the junk pile. Luke was irritated. "Will you forget it? It's magnetically sealed."

Leia jumped in too. "Put that thing away before you get us all killed."

Trying to hide his embarrassment, Han snapped, "Absolutely, your worship. Look I had everything under control until you lead us down here. Ya know it's not gonna take long for them to figure out what happened to us."

Leia rolled her eyes and snapped back. "Well it could be worse."

Suddenly, there was a loud clanging somewhere in station and it wasn't far away. "It's worse;" muttered Han. Luke looked down into the waste. "There's something alive in here."

"It's your imagination, kid;" snapped Han briskly.

"Something just moved passed my leg!"

They all began looking down even more intently into the sludge and trash. Luke pointed, "Look! Did you see that?"

"What?" asked Han, on the verge of panic. Chewie roared and began slamming his hands against the door. Luke, Han and Leia were still looking around in the garbage. Suddenly, something wrapped around Luke's armored leg and yanked him under the surface of the murky water. "Luke!" yelled Han and Leia over and over again while Han swiped away at the debris, trying to see through. In a shower of filth, Luke emerged, wrapped in tentacles. "Luke grab hold!" said Leia, trying to offer him a rod of some kind.

"Blast it! My guns jammed!"

"Where?" asked Han, grabbing a hold of his forearm. "Anywhere!"

Han began to blast into the water. Moments later, Luke was yanked under the water again and he didn't emerge. Suddenly, there were more loud clangs and Luke appeared again, gasping and coughing. "Luke! What happened?" asked Leia and she and Han helped him up. "I dunno. It just let go of me and it disappeared."

Before they could say another word, there were more clangs and Han couldn't help but mutter, "I have a bad feeling about this."

With a loud clang and no other warning, the walls began to move and that's when they realized that they were in deep trouble. "The walls are moving!" said Luke as if they hadn't notice. "Don't just stand there, try and brace it with something!"

They struggled and tried to use long pieces of bar and piping to brace the walls but it was to no avail. The walls continued to press towards each other. Nothing they tried worse. Suddenly, Luke reached down to his belt. "Wait a minute."

Pulling his comlink off his belt and said, "Threepio! Come in Threepio!"

There was no answer. "Where could he be?"

They struggled and fought but the walls kept getting closer and closer and a most disgusting, painful death seemed to be in their future. Suddenly, Luke looked down and grabbed his link, "Threepio?"

After just a moment, he yelled, "Just shut up and listen to me. Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level, will you. Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level."

Threepio seemed to be dithering so Luke yelled louder and more desperately, "Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level."

The walls were only meters apart now and it looked as though they could be too late. Spreading his arms, Luke could have touched both walls. The end was near when the walls suddenly stopped. It took a second to realize that they had stopped. "What?" said Luke in exhilaration. They all began laugh and hug. "We're alright! Hey, open the pressure maintenance hatch on number... where is it?"

They looked above the door, brushing off the sludge. "3263827!"

Mara looked at the run down freighter. It was the ugliest thing she had ever seen but she had to appreciate the modifications. It didn't look pretty but it was probably fast and those quad laser cannons were no joke. As ugly as it was, the ship was a work of custom built art. That's why the Corellian Engineering Corporation's YT series of freighters were so popular - with everybody. The rebels used them, pirates used them, legitimate business men used them and, apparently, smugglers used them too.

The Emperor's Hand turned away and headed towards one of the corridors. Someone strong in the force was on board and since her brother wasn't here, she was the only person qualified, trained or equipped to deal with a force wielder. For the first time in quite awhile, she pulled her lightsaber from her belt with the intent, not to train but to fight an enemy.

Ahsoka had slipped through the Death Star with ease, using the force to avert the interest of any Imperials she came across. When she had felt the arrival of another being strong in the force, she went with even greater care and speed. It had taken more time than she would have liked but she finally reached tractor beam regulator terminal. With a quiet snort of amusement, she began to shut the tractor beam down. Imperial hardware had changed very little from the Republic's hardware during the Clone Wars. Space station tractor beam generators were powered almost exactly the same as on Star Destroyers.

Finished with her task, she scooted around the pylon that the terminal was connected to and saw a pair of Stormtroopers. They were relaxed, discussing the escape and whether it was real or just another drill. With practiced ease, Ahsoka slipped right on by and into one of the adjacent corridors heading back towards the Millennium Falcon.

Updated 12.12.2017