Chapter 65
AN: Please read and review so I know people are still interested!
Ari wasn't certain how long she stayed like that, watching the snow fall. All too quickly the tauntaun's footprints had disappeared in a swirl of white. The weak, sick sunlight that barely gave any warmth was quickly setting. Dark clouds seemed to come closer, encompassing the entire area as the wind picked up speed.
It got colder too. Ari was rubbing her arms, toes already numb from the cold, but she wouldn't move from her post. Even as her teeth chattered and her lips started to go numb, she refused to leave.
What if Luke was dead? What if Han died too? What if she never saw either of them again? What then? It scared her immensely to think of that.
"Ari?" a voice asked, almost hesitantly.
Turning, Ari's blue eyes met with brown ones that mirrored her own worry.
"Princess," Ari murmered in acknowledgement, giving Leia a small nod.
"You should be resting," Leia remarked as she walked a bit closer, now standing beside Ari. They both were very different. Ari with wisps of her blonde hair dancing in the wind, most hidden underneath her hat, while Leia's dark brown hair was braided and pinned in military fashion. Ari also was taller than Leia by a few inches, but seemed smaller with her arms wrapped around herself, shivering from the cold. In contrast, Leia stood, arms crossed as well, but she looked strong and in control, the only hint that she wasn't, was in her eyes. The same worry that both woman wore was apparent in their eyes, and their bond as comrades was stronger because of it.
"I don't think I can rest. Not with this going on," Ari answered.
"I could order you to," Leia started, and Ari turned, giving her a look, surprised. "But I won't," she added.
"Thank you," Ari replied, gaze traveling back to the deserted land of snow and ice.
"You at least need to take a break. Maybe get something warm to eat, or at least give yourself a chance to warm up. Your lips are starting to look a little blue," Leia spoke up after a few minutes.
Ari paused about to protest, but could almost hear Luke's voice, scolding her for not taking care of herself. And for arguing even when she knew Leia was right.
"Will you contact me as soon as they hear anything?" Ari asked, eyes pleading though her voice was strong.
Leia nodded. "Of course."
Ari turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, she paused midstride and looked over her shoulder at Leia. "What about you?"
"I had something small. I will keep post until you come back, but take your time."
Ari nodded, taking this in before starting for the cafeteria. She gave a few nods to those in her command as she passed them. Most of them wanted to talk, but she kept words to a minimum, thanking them for their concern and promising to talk to them later.
She finally got to the cafeteria, and due to the lateness of the hour, she was about to take her light meal to a small table where there was no one else. She didn't feel like talking to others.
She ate automatically, mind far away, amid the shifting dunes, much like Tatooine, except that instead of warm sand, it was cold snow.
"Can I sit here?" a voice spoke up and Ari gave a start, looking up at the man who had spoken. In surprise, she got to her feet, and was pulled into a hug.
"Cal…I am glad to see you," she told him as she pulled back.
Cal looked at her for a moment, a bit perplexed but stood until Ari sat back down again.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, motioning for him to take the other seat.
"At one hundred percent," he replied, still looking at her closely. "What about you though? I heard about what happened."
"I'm fine, just worried…" she trailed off, realizing that he didn't mean Luke's disappearance. "I'm fine. Getting better," she quickly replied.
Cal shook his head though, not letting it go. "Worried? About what?" He reached a hand over, placing it on hers.
"Well, Luke," she admitted.
"Oh…" Cal's gaze fell for a moment as his hand slid off of hers. "What about him?"
"He's missing," Ari answered, feeling her throat tighten at the thought again. She also found herself wishing she hadn't eaten the few bites she had, as her stomach felt like it was flipping.
"He's missing?" Cal asked, concerned, which Ari could tell was genuine.
For his part, Cal was surprised, and worried. He knew how much Luke meant to Ari. He wasn't sure about her feelings towards Luke, but knew that they had been friends basically all their lives.
"And Han went out after him, but we haven't heard from either of them."
"And the storm is moving in," Cal added with a nod.
"How long until it is here?" Ari asked, pushing her tray away, not able to even think about taking another bite.
"I am guessing not long," he replied. Before she could ask how he knew, he added, "I was over talking to some of the officers about the storm."
Ari nodded, biting her lower lip before quickly getting to her feet. "I am sorry, Cal. It is good to see you just…I…I have to go," she managed before she turned and rushed out of the cafeteria.
Cal watched her go, sighing to himself. If for nothing else, it was for Ari's sake that he hoped Luke would fight to stay alive out there.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ari was almost running, and the strain on her lungs was almost refreshingly familiar after being bedridden for so long. She knew that in time, the feeling would only come after a hard workout, and not running through the base.
Not seeing Leia at the door, she almost ran right into C-3PO who was talking to himself it seemed. "…quite alright," he was saying as Ari barely managed to miss colliding with him.
"Mistress Arianna. Is everything alright?" he asked, seeing that she was breathing harder than normal.
"Where is Princess Leia? Has she heard about Luke yet?" Ari asked
"Ah, no, the Princess is talking to Chewbacca now. It seems he is insistent on going after Captain Solo."
"He is?" Ari asked, though not very surprised. She had assumed that Chewie would want to go with Han.
"Yes, but Princess Leia is trying to convince him to stay. Chewbacca would not get far on foot, and he is unable to right a tauntaun," Threepio replied.
Ari had to give a small chuckle, envisioning the large Wookie riding a tauntaun. It was ridiculous.
"Where is Arfour? And Artoo?" Ari asked, scanning the area for the two droids.
"Well, Arfour is with Princess Leia, while Artoo is attempting to scan the area for Master Luke."
"Has there been any luck?" Ari questioned, hoping there was at least some sign of either Luke or Han."
"Artoo's range is not very large," Threepio answered, not answering Ari's question directly. However, there was no need to. Ari knew that it meant. It meant that no one had heard from Luke or Han since they had left. Looking back outside, she saw that the wind had picked up, and that the snow was falling even harder.
Saying a quick goodbye to Threepio, Ari decided to face some of the elements, stepping outside the relative safety of the shield door.
The wind whipped at her skin, cheeks going cold then somewhat numb and she shoved her hands into her pockets to keep them warm.
Her eyes fell onto R2-D2, who was stationed out there, radar scanning the area.
"Hey there R2," she greeted the droid, who just gave a low, sad beep in return. "Still no luck…" Ari sighed, more of a statement than a question and she was greeted by the same depressed beep as before.
The two stood that way for another a few moments, and a tear that Ari felt escape seemed to almost be freezing onto her cheek and she brushed it away. She knew that they would have to close the shield door soon, even if Luke and Han were still there. The storm was getting worse, and if the doors were stuck open all night, it was possible the whole base could freeze.
Biting her lip, Ari spoke up, having to raise her voice a bit louder than she intended over the howling of the wind. "There is nothing else we can do Artoo. Come in before you freeze," she instructed the droid
For a moment, it seemed as if Artoo was going to argue with her, and Ari wasn't sure if she could persuade the droid to leave his post, since it was taking all her willpower to keep telling herself to go back inside.
Luckily, after another quick scan, Artoo retracted his radar, and, with a few mournful beeps, he went back inside.
Ari waited a few more moments, scanning the area with her own eyes. Hoping against hope to see both of them walking back to base. They would both be laughing at how worried everyone was, and then she would be upset at Luke. Or at least attempt to be. She never could stay mad at him for long. Sighing, dejectedly, Ari followed Artoo's example, entering the base.
She saw Leia then, leaning against one of the X-wings, with two other Rebels speaking to her. Threepio was there too, and Ari felt her heart sink. Whatever they were discussing couldn't be good.
Chewie was there and the large Wookie patted Ari on the head affectionately, and while Ari couldn't tell exactly what he was saying, she could only assume, from his tone, that he was glad that she wasn't lost as well.
Ari could only give him a sad, forced smile back, unable to talk past the lump in her throat.
Chewie continued walking, going to the group by Princess Leia and he leaned his head against one of the X-wing's support.
It was then that Ari knew what was going to happen. They were going to close to shield doors. Even though she knew there was no other choice, a few tears escaped and she brushed them away quickly. This couldn't be happening! They had to come back!
Ari trotted towards the group, and then froze as she heard the familiar grinding sound as the shield doors started to move. It was a sickening sound, and the cold seemed to reach to her bones. Fighting a shiver, all she could do was watch as the space became smaller and smaller until the doors locked with a loud, resounding clang.
At that same moment, Chewie gave a loud howl, head thrown back, and Ari could relate, wanting to do the same thing. However, she didn't. She stood rooted in her spot for another few moments. She could hear Threepio speaking to Leia, but didn't catch what was being said. For a moment, she was a grateful, knowing that it was probably something she didn't want to hear.
Even as Ari tried to pull herself away from the door, she couldn't, imagining Luke and Han outside, freezing to death as they all stood inside, helpless. How long she stood there, she was uncertain, unable to shake those vivid images.
"Ari?" a familiar voice spoke up and she didn't even have to turn to know it was Leia.
"I'm not going to leave this area," she told Leia. "I can't." Then she felt something warm being put over her shoulders. Glancing over at Leia, she noticed it was a blanket. Curling into it, Ari noticed that Leia had one too.
"We don't have to leave just yet, but I will order you to get some sleep before this night is through, because it is going to be a long night. And I fear…." Leia let out a deep sigh before continuing. "I fear that we will need our strength for what tomorrow brings."