Chapter 5

Tensions were running high in the Great Massasi temple as pilots dashed around, readying their fighters and themselves for battle. Technicians and mechanics looked over every nook and cranny of the amassed Starfighters, making sure they were in top condition for the impending battle. Squadron leaders briefed their pilots on tactics and strategy, all the while playing down the fact that many of them would not be returning. Though it wasn't addressed, that feeling of finality hung over the mammoth hanger like a dark, looming storm.

Kasya pushed her way through the throngs of people in a desperate search for Luke's assigned X-Wing. She was running out of time and if she didn't get to see him before he took off...No! She couldn't afford to think that way. Luke would come back, he had to.

She found him a few minutes later just as he was climbing the ladder toward his ship's cockpit. "Luke!"

His head spun at the sound of his name, thinking Biggs had come back for some reason. He was surprised to find Kasya standing at the bottom of his ladder, her hand grabbing his leg. "Kasy, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in the control room with Leia."

"I know, I know. I just..." She fought to find the words and eventually just gave up and threw her arms around her cousin's neck. "I'm only going to say this once, so pay attention," Kasya pulled back and leveled a stern gaze at her cousin; Luke was slightly taken aback by just how much she looked like Aunt Beru in that moment. "Up until a few days ago, I had never lost anyone in my life. And now...now you're all I have left. You have to come back to me."

"I will, Kasy."

"Promise me!"

Luke hesitated, knowing what she wanted to hear but not wanting to make promises he couldn't keep. "Kasy, I promise you that I will do everything to come back to you."

She nodded, seemingly accepting his words even if it wasn't what she wanted to hear. "I love you, Luke."

"Love you too, Kasy." He embraced her again then pushed her back gently. "Now get back into the control room. Leia is probably going nuts looking for you."

"I doubt it," Kasya huffed. "She's in command mode and completely oblivious to anyone else's presence."

Luke took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Whether she says it or not, Leia will need you at her side. She could use a friend right now. Trust me."

Kasya nodded softly and with one final kiss to her cousin's cheek, turned on her heel and headed back toward the command center. She refused to look behind her, not wanting Luke to see the lone tear sliding down her cheek. She needed to be strong.

Leia looked the perfect picture of a cool-headed commander on the outside, but inside she was a bundle of nerves and tension. She was so intently focused on the display before her that she nearly jumped out of her skin when Kasya sidled up beside her and spoke her name.

"What? Oh, sorry Kasya. I suppose I was in another galaxy."

"I can see that," the younger girl grinned. "Have we heard anything yet?"

"The Death Star will be within firing range in a few moments," General Rieekan commented off-handedly, his eyes glued to a datapad in his hands.

Kasya was surprised by the older man's calm demeanor. Apparently years of military service did wonders for one's nerves in battle situations. Kasya hoped to never develop that particular characteristic.

Reports started coming in from the pilots of those snub fighters heading off to battle, some so full of technical jargon that Kasya barely understood what they were saying, and some just the astonished musing of young pilots facing their first real taste of combat. Their voices wavered with not-so-well hidden fear as almost certain death loomed before them in the guise of the Empire's newest weapon.

As she listened to the reports filing in, Kasya stared down at the display before her. The colorful holographics showed the Death Star as it orbited the gas giant known as Yavin. With each passing second the super weapon came closer and closer to the point where it would be able to fire upon the planet which housed the Rebel's impromptu base, killing thousands and doing irreparable damage to the morale of the Alliance. But Kasya wasn't worried about the Alliance, she was worried about herself and Luke…and maybe Leia and Han and Chewie.

Her musings were shunted when she heard a familiar voice cutting through the radio chatter.

"I'm all right, just a little cooked."

'Luke's hurt?' Suddenly every muscle in Kasya's body was poised for action.

Sensing her riled state, Leia laid a firm hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "He's fine. Those ships can take a beating."

"I'd prefer it if they didn't."

Leia nodded curtly and returned her attention to the display. The ships were beginning their runs on the main target, bringing a hushed anticipation to the room. The tension could be sliced with a dull vibroblade. The first attempt failed outright, cut short by Imperial TIE fighters lurking in the shadows. The second held a little more hope, even deploying its proton torpedoes, but in the end was thwarted just the same. It was beginning to appear hopeless and Leia wondered if she shouldn't start evacuating some of the base's personnel. There was no sense in getting everyone killed.

She turned to the young woman standing next to her. "Kasya, you should get to one of the transports."

Kasya's eyebrows rose so far they almost met her hairline. "Leave? You think I would leave and just abandon Luke here? No."

"Look—"

She held up a hand. "Leia, it's not going to happen. The only way I'm getting on a ship is if Luke is with me. Save your breath."

Leia was shocked by the girl's forwardness—and slightly impressed. She was strong willed that much was obvious. She reminded Leia of herself at that age and filled her with an odd sense of pride. Maybe Kasya would survive this after all—maybe they all would.

"I'm starting my run."

Both Leia and Kasya braced themselves as Luke's voice echoed around the command room. Moments ticked by before a shrill pinging sounded.

"He's turned off his targeting computer. Luke, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm okay."

Kasya looked to Leia for some sort of reassurance but found only a mirror of the anxious look she knew was on her own face. She reached over and grasped the other woman's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. They both leaned in, ears perked as the comm played a live feed from Luke's frequency. The entire room seemed to freeze in anticipation. Hearts skipped beats when one of the pilots had to forgo the assault because of damage to his fighter. That fighter peeled away from the trench leaving Luke to fend for himself against his enemies.

Kasya mumbled words of encouragement beneath her breath, confident that he would hear them. Seconds ticked by in slow motion as everyone held their breath.

And then a voice that nearly brought tears to Kasya's eyes echoed through the room.

"All right kid, let's blow this things and go home."

And just like that it was over. The Death Star was destoryed and the immediate threat to hundreds—if not thousands—of lives was gone. Kasya let out her breath and let the tension of the last few hours drain from her body. She felt ten times lighter, but she wasn't completely relaxed yet. That would come when she actually got to see Luke and make sure for herself that he was in one piece.

"Come on."

She let Leia drag her from the command room and through the winding, twisting halls of the Rebel base. The hanger was slowly filling up with the first returning star fighters, their engines humming as repulsors set them carefully down on the ground. Pilots jumped out of cockpits and were immediately greeted by their surviving comrades with whooping cheers and tight embraces. Ship after ship landed, but Kasya was waiting for just one. She felt a wave of happiness wash over her when the familiar shape of the Millennium Falcon entered the hanger. Luke's X-wing should be right behind it.

And sure enough it was, ducking into the hanger and coming to rest on the duracrete floor. The landing struts were barely touching the ground before Luke was bounding out of the cockpit. He was met with a crowd of well-wishers and admirers, but there was one particular face he was looking for.

"Luke!"

"Kasy!" And then she was in his arms and being lifted from the ground in a massive embrace.

"I'm so glad you're okay," she sobbed, finally allowing the emotion that had been bottled up over the last few days come to the surface. "I was so scared."

Luke set her back on her feet and met her eyes with his own. "I promised you I'd come back," he whispered, swiping at a stray tear with the pad of his thumb. "And you know I always keep my promises."

Kasya's witty comeback was lost in the sound of a shriek as she was nearly tackled from behind by a pair of long, hair arms. "Hey Chewie!" She turned in the arms and wrapped her arms around his middle—at least as far as they would extend.

"That was some impressive flying up there, kid."

"Thanks, Han."

"I knew you'd come back." Leia looked awfully comfortable tucked beneath the older pilot's arm. Perhaps in all the celebration she'd forgotten to raise the barriers that were usually in place.

"Well I couldn't let the kid get all the glory," Han explained.

Leia glanced up at him as if she wanted to say something, but thought better of it. "I'm glad you did."

"Me too," Luke laughed.

"Me three." Chewie added his own growl to this chorus earning a laugh from all assembled. "I take it that means he's happy as well?" Kasya guessed.

Han smiled at the girl. "You'll be an expert in Shyriiwook in no time, Squirt."

"You look good, hero."

Luke spun around, drawn out of his reverie by the chiding voice. "You think so?" he held his arms out and turned in a slow circle to show off his new outfit. "It's a long way from Tatooine, that's for sure."

"It suits you," Kasya commented. She felt her eyes tearing up and quickly wiped away the moisture. "They would be proud of you." She needn't explain who she was talking about; she was certain Luke understood.

Sensing the fresh wave of melancholy washing over the young girl…woman, he corrected…Luke stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. "They would be proud of you too, Kasya."

"For what?" Her voice was muffled against his chest. "I didn't do anything."

Luke pushed her shoulders back until he could look into her eyes. "You stepped up when most people your age would have just crumbled. That takes bravery."

"But it's not like I flew against the Death Star or anything. I'm not a hero."

A wry smile touched Luke's lips. "If I thought for one moment you would be able to handle an X-Wing without crashing it, I would have let you fly. But I'm not stupid; I remember what you did to my speeder."

"That bantha came out of nowhere!"

With the tension effectively broken, Kasya gave Luke another quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before hurrying out of the room. She wanted front row seats for the award ceremony, barely finding a spot among a long row of pilots—some of whom she recognized as part of Luke's new squadron—before a loud overture began to play from the back of the room. The great doors opened allowing Luke, Chewbacca, and Han to enter. The trio paraded down the long aisle, each of them looking more uncomfortable than the one before them.

Except Chewbacca, who woofed and shook his head in a triumphant manner; apparently the Wookiee had no problem with the attention.

The trio of heroes approached the dais where Princess Leia and General Dodonna waited for them. Kasya couldn't see their faces, but she could more than imagine the blush rising on Luke's cheeks and the cocky, lopsided grin Captain Solo was wearing. She wasn't sure which of those brought the grin to Leia's face.

Medals were placed around their necks and a roar of applause accompanied Chewbacca's own. Kasya laughed, letting the feeling of delight spread through her body.

Maybe she could get used to this life.

And now all that's left is the epilogue, which I'll admit is my favorite chapter out of all of them. That should be up by the end of the weekend!