Chapter 2 – The Empire's Most Wanted
The Hoth System was located in the Outer Rim, far from the reach of the Empire. Its third planet was the only one that could sustain life. Ironically, it was also the most inhospitable planet in its system. Also referred to as Hoth, the planet's crust was composed completely of ice, and the frigid atmosphere was almost constantly obscured by blizzards. Some life-forms had managed to acclimate to this bizarre climate, such as the monstrous wampas and the smelly tauntauns, but no intelligent life had ever settled there.
Not until now. The planet's inhospitality made it the perfect hiding place for the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Following the destruction of their base on the fourth moon of Yavin, the rebels established a new base on Hoth. Codenamed Echo Base, the complex was a series of tunnels and caverns dug into an ice ridge. The only features that could be seen from the outside were two hanger doors on either side of the base and a large shield generator shaped like four disks standing on their sides. On the inside, Echo Base was fully equipped with hangers, medical bays, command centers, and internal heating that made the temperature at least bearable.
As Luke Skywalker walked through the narrow hallways carved in the ice, he surveyed the many different types of beings he passed. Not only were they of so many different species, but they were of different ages, genders, and backgrounds. The only thing they had in common was their resolve to fight for the dissolution of the Empire. That had been the Alliance's goal for twenty years, ever since the Republic was overthrown and the Empire declared. The rebels fought for the freedoms that had been taken from them and their people. The Rebel Alliance had been steadily growing over the more recent years, and was quickly becoming a serious threat to the Empire.
Luke had joined the Rebellion because of the atrocities of the Empire. Just a year ago, he had been a farm boy on Tatooine. Everything changed when he became entangled in Princess Leia's mission to deliver the stolen Death Star plans to the rebels. Luke's aunt and uncle were killed and his home burned, giving him the courage to follow exiled Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to fight alongside the rebels. Luke learned that his father had been a Jedi Knight who was killed by Darth Vader, who later killed Obi-Wan in front of Luke's eyes. Luke escaped from the Death Star with Leia and the secret plans, and flew a starfighter in the attack on the space station. It was Luke who, against all odds, fired the proton torpedo that blew up the station, saving the rebel base from destruction.
Some of the rebels Luke passed in the hallways acknowledged him in appreciation, which Luke still hadn't grown accustomed to. He didn't feel like a hero, or a commander, or even a Jedi. He saw himself as nothing but a young man who had seen and done big things, even though he had friends to encourage him. Leia strongly believed in Luke and was willing to do anything for him. C-3PO and R2-D2, the droids who had carried the Death Star plans, were extremely loyal to Luke.
Han Solo and Chewbacca, on the other hand, weren't as supportive. Luke knew that Chewbacca cared about Luke, but he didn't always show it, mainly because of his loyalty to Han. Even though they were friends, Han never truly believed in Luke. He regarded Obi-Wan as a crazy old wizard, and dismissed the Force as a hokey religion. He continuously maintained that Luke couldn't take care of himself, and he didn't fully believe in the rebels' plight. Despite all this, Luke knew that deep down, Han really did care, and that he would one day show it.
Luke entered the main hanger of Echo Base, where many X-Wing and Y-Wing starfighters were maintained constantly by mechanics and flight crews. The hanger was also the temporary home of Han's ship, the Millennium Falcon. The Falcon was an old YT-1300 spice freighter that Han had heavily modified to become the fastest ship in the galaxy. Its technical abilities came at the cost of the ship's appearance. The disk-shaped grey hull was covered in scorch marks and patched holes, an oversized sensor dish was affixed to the top, and two military-grade quad-laser cannons had been installed on the top and bottom of the ship. On the inside, most of the wall plating was missing, exposing a vast network of wires and pipes. Many of the consoles and systems were secured with tape, and some weren't even compatible with each other.
Han and Chewbacca were in the middle of one of the Falcon's constant repairs. Han stood atop one of the two forward mandibles, tinkering with the ship's systems with a variety of tools. Chewbacca, a brown-furred, 2.25-meter-tall Wookiee, sat in the cockpit, situated against the starboard side of the ship. Han called to Chewbacca, "Well, something has to be wrong! Did you check the propulsion systems?"
Chewbacca let out a series of angry roars, to which Han responded, "Okay! I'm sorry! I was just checking. Are there any leaks in the coolant tank? Check it! Whoa, wait! I didn't mean right now! I need you to stay in there and start the ship when I'm finished!"
Luke walked up to the Falcon and asked, "Do you need any help?"
Han looked down and replied, "No thanks, kid. This is some heavy-duty stuff."
"Well, you know, I did work with a lot of machines back home."
"I'm sure you did. Chewie! Try to map out the power grid. Find out if there's anything that's getting either too much or not enough." Chewbacca howled, to which Han replied, "Figure it out! I'm going to replace some wires."
Luke suggested, "Maybe there's a problem with a hyperspace function. I know the inertial dampeners tend to suck up power."
"Look, kid, this requires professionals. Why don't you go bother the princess?" Han looked down into the mandible and surveyed his work. "Besides, I think I found the problem. Now, where is that wrench?" Han began looking around for the tool he was looking for.
Luke shook his head and sighed before turning and walking away. He stopped, however, when he stepped on something. It was the wrench Han needed. Luke picked it up and was about to call out to him, but he decided to make the situation an exercise. He could try to use the Force to telekinetically lift the wrench onto the ship. Luke hadn't been able to learn much from Obi-Wan in the short time he had known him, but he was practicing what he did know.
Luke held the wrench on the palm of his hand and closed his eyes. It was important that he empty his mind of all other thoughts so that he could concentrate on moving the tool. After much effort, and a bit of straining, Luke felt the wrench leave his hand and gradually float higher. Pretty soon, Luke sensed that he had cleared the top of the ship. Now all he had to do was move it over and set it down…
"Okay, Chewie! Try it now!"
On Han's command, the ship's engines fired up, causing Luke to lose his concentration and drop the wrench. Immediately afterward, a horrible grinding sound emanated from the mandible, accompanied by billowing smoke and a shower of sparks. Han jumped backwards and screamed, "Turn it off! Turn it off!" Panicking, Chewbacca roared as he began throwing switches. When the engines stopped, Han reached into the mandible and pulled out the wrench, which had become blackened and twisted. Luke realized that he must have accidently dropped the wrench into a set of gears or a turbine, causing even more damage. Han declared, "On second thought, tell the princess we might be here awhile."
Princess Leia Organa was infuriated. "What is his problem? Does he have any idea what's happening around him?"
Luke answered, "Don't let him get to you. You know he doesn't mean it."
Luke had been friends with Leia since he had rescued her from the Death Star. As the former senator of Alderaan and daughter of one of the Alliance's founders, Leia was an influential figure in the organization and strongly devoted to the rebels' cause. She was tough and beautiful at the same time, and she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. She spent much of her time in the Echo Base command center, which was where Luke was speaking to her. The command center was composed of several computer stations against the walls and in the middle of the room. A large display screen protruded from the top of each station so that, even though each station was manned by a controller, the rebel commanders could monitor the entire base with ease.
Leia continued, "I realize that, but he could at least be a little more understanding given the circumstances." She began to walk around, checking the computer screens as she spoke. "Just because we destroyed the Death Star doesn't make things any better. In fact, things are becoming worse. The Empire is going to even greater lengths trying to find us, and they're building their army. I'm not sure how long we can hold out here. Sooner or later, they're going to find us, and when they do, I hope Han helps us." Leia leaned against the wall and sighed in frustration.
Luke rested his hands on her shoulders and said soothingly, "I think you're stressing yourself out too much. You need to relax and trust everyone else."
"I do trust…"
"No, you don't," interrupted Luke. "If you really trusted everyone, you would let them do their own jobs and look after their own charges. You're trying to be everywhere at once so you can make sure for yourself that everything's being done right."
As much as Leia wanted to object, she nodded and said, "You're right, Luke. I'm just so worried."
"Well, if there's anything I can do for you, please, let me know. Anything at all."
Leia hesitated before confessing, "Actually, Luke, I'm not so much worried about Han or the Empire as I am about you. The entire Empire is hunting for you since…" she looked around to make sure no one was listening before adding in a whisper, "…since you destroyed the Death Star."
"You don't have to whisper it," said Luke. "These are officers who have been with us for a long time. They probably already know, and they're not going to tell anyone."
Leia shook her head. "You can never be too careful these days. The Empire is sending spies to enlist in our ranks and feed them our intel. Right now, you're Imperial Enemy Number One. If they find out about you, or even your identity, Vader will be coming after you. If there's one thing you can do for me, it's to please, please be careful. I can't imagine losing you." The two friends hugged each other – just as the door opened and Han stepped in.
Luke and Leia quickly let go of each other as Han laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You're not interrupting anything," responded Luke defensively. "I was just promising Leia that I would be careful."
"Careful with what? Your magic tricks?" Han placed his hands on his hips and glared angrily at Luke. "Yeah, I know about that."
"It was an accident!" pleaded Luke.
"Aw, like hell, it was. Look if you didn't want me to leave all you had to do was say so. You didn't have to try to blow up the ship. Also, you owe me a new wrench."
Leia stepped in front of Luke and said, "Leave him alone, Han. He's already got enough trouble on his hands. You know, I'd feel much better if you actually helped us."
Han laughed. "Good luck with that, sister. I'm not here to stay. I've gotta pay back Jabba the Hutt before he sends his goons after me."
"Oh, of course," replied Leia sarcastically. "Because you only care about your heartless self, and you don't care what happens to us."
Suddenly offended, Han yelled, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! 'Heartless?' 'Heartless,' you say? Well, let me tell you a story…"
"No!" exclaimed Luke. "I know where you're going and I don't want to hear it."
"Oh, do you? How do you know? Your mind powers?" Han accented the last two words by touching his index fingers to his forehead.
Luke pointed at Han threateningly and said sternly, "First of all, they're not 'mind powers.' And secondly, no, I just guessed because I've heard it before. You were going to tell the story of how you used to work for the Empire, and then decided to disobey orders and free the Wookiee slaves."
"Yeah, that story," confirmed Han. "You think a heartless guy would do that? Chewie sure doesn't think so. Why do you think he's stuck around with me for all these years? He owes me a life-debt for rescuing him and his friends. Also, you wanna know why I've stayed here this long? It's because I knew someone had to look after you, kid, since you can't look after yourself." Han playfully ruffled Luke's hair. "Now call me heartless and see how that sounds."
Leia groaned. "Just get out of here and fix your ship!"
Han bowed sarcastically and said, "As you wish, Your Worshipfulness!" before turning on his heel and marching back to the hanger.
Leia called after him, "Don't call me that!"
Luke held up a hand to calm her and said, "Don't worry about him. He really does care, and one day soon, he'll show it."
Leia sighed. "I hope so, Luke. I really hope so."
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