Chapter 103

After a few minutes in route, the tension was growing. No one spoke much and Ari wondered how long it would take to get to Endor. While she was nervous, she would prefer to be there sooner rather than later. She did not like just sitting there, doing nothing. At least on Endor they could scout the area so that their attack on the shield generator would be successful. Instead, they were cramped together in a stolen Imperial shuttle.

Due to the silence, Ari did not have anyone to talk to. No one was speaking to each other and she did not want to be the one that started conversation. Due to this though silence, she found her mind racing. A number of thoughts went through her mind, some of the worries she refused to speak about, the hopes and dreams she had if they succeeded, as well as the parts they all had to play. All of a sudden she thought back to what Luke had said in her room earlier that day. They had not talked more on that part of the conversation, but she wished they had. He was going to face Vader again. That settled on her mind and as much as she tried to push it away, she could not. She did not know where Vader was, but had a feeling that if the Emperor was near, Darth Vader not be far away. How could she just sit by and watch Luke run off again, perhaps to win, or perhaps be killed? She couldn't. Her gaze fell over the troops. They were all counting on her as a leader. Ari felt herself becoming torn inside and then he gaze fell on Major Bren Derlin. Why had he not been given the position? Even though Han had gotten her the position, shouldn't Derlin have been the one to receive such an honor? He had more experience and was more skilled in scouting as well as with weapons. The answer came to Ari almost as quickly as the question had. She was Force sensitive and had some training from Jedi. With that, along with Han's request, would allow others to overlook her rank. This realization settled on her and she absentmindedly played with her bracelet, thinking this over.

The tension in the cramped area was so thick that it felt like you could cut through it with a knife. Finally, Ari decided she needed to move, even if it was not far. She slid away from the others and entered the cockpit. It was already crowded, so she sat on her knees in the entryway.

"How is it back there?" Han asked when he saw her enter.

"They are all tense. Very tense," she admitted with a sigh.

"Well, at least the trip to Endor is not too long," Han replied and Ari felt a little bit of relief. The longer she was couped up in here made her even more tense and jumpy.

"We will have a lot of work to do, surveillance, creating maps and setting up perimeters," Leia spoke. "Ari, do you think you can divide the team into the appropriate groups?"

Ari paused, and then shook her head. "No, but Major Derlin can."

At this, everyone turned to her and even Luke looked slightly surprised at this announcement. "What do you mean?" Leia asked her. They all thought they knew, but Leia was making sure.

"Major Derlin is much better as the one to be in charge of the team. He has a lot of experience in the necessary areas. He has also been a supporter of the Rebellion for a long time. He would be much better than I would. He also does outrank me," she pointed out.

"Are you sure you really want to give it up?" Leia asked.

"It is an honor," Han pointed out.

"And a great responsibility. I am not afraid of work, but I would be doing all of those troops back there a great disservice if I did not let someone who is better qualified take the position. I am thankful for the opportunity, but I am not the right choice."

There was a silence that followed, everyone taking that in and Ari wondered if maybe she had said too much.

"I think it is a very noble thing you are doing," Luke finally spoke. "You are doing what you feel is best for the group." He gave Ari a small smile and that was all Ari needed to know that she had made the right decision. She did not mention anything about her fears of Luke's confrontation with Vader. That was something they would have to deal with when it came. She also did not think her friend would approve if he knew that he was one of the reasons she had done this.

"Thank you, Luke," she gave him a small smile back.

"Well, you should probably make sure that the Major agrees," Han pointed out. He seemed to have nicknames for everyone, though only Leia seemed to be frustrated by the various names he addressed her by.

"Good point." She slid out of the cockpit, getting to her feet. She did not know why Major Derlin would say no, but there was always that possibility. Ari would take the tasks that came along with the position if Bren rejected the idea. She just felt he was a better choice.

She found the situation mostly the same. It was still tense, but there was some whispered murmuring between the troops. It faded for a moment when she entered then resumed. However, it was still very quiet. It was as if the Rebels feared to speak more than a few words at a time, and at any level louder than a whisper.

She walked over to Major Derlin, stopped at his side, and waited until he noticed her before she crouched down so she was at eye level with him.

"Is everything alright?" he asked her.

Ari nodded. "Yes, but I really must speak to you."

Luckily, Bren was on the end of the row, so Ari was able to get into a more comfortable position by sitting down beside him. It was more comfortable and it also meant they would talk in low tones with their heads next to each other without everyone overhearing them. Ari preferred it that way. They would find out soon enough if leadership was going to be handed to another.

"Major, I know I was given the position of leadership of this squad, and while I am honored by it, I do not feel it is right to accept it," Ari started. When Bren did not reply, except to give a nod of his head, she continued. "You have much more experience than I do in such a situation. You also outrank me."

"That may be true, but rank is not always important," Bren replied.

"I know, but I do feel that it can make a difference. You have much more experience. I know that I can help with the team in my own way, and if you do not want this position, I will uphold to all the responsibilities. However, I truly feel you are the better candidate."

Bren looked at her for a few moments and then nodded. "I feel you would have done well, but I gladly accept."

Ari gave him a small smile as she stood up. "I know you will do well. I will be right back, I just have to inform the others of the change," she nodded her head toward the cockpit. "Oh," she paused. "We will have a lot of work to do, and will have to divide the team into surveillance, creating maps and setting up perimeters. I can help with that, but you know a number of the troops, I figured you could decide on the task leaders."

"I already have a few in mind," he nodded, glancing over the troops assembled there.

Ari slipped back into the cockpit and stood in the archway. "He said yes. He is already starting to plan out the task leaders."

"He is a good leader," Leia replied.

"I know. He will do a good job," Ari said.

Silence fell in the cockpit for a moment and Ari could feel Luke's gaze on her. She turned to look at him and her eyes met his. The look she saw in his blue eyes was a strange one. It seemed far off, as if he was looking into the distance, yet she felt as if he was closely studying her.

"Are you okay?" she mouthed to him. This look made her feel uncomfortable, which was something that had never happened before. When they were younger, they used to have staring contests. Even then, the look in his eyes had not made her squirm. He now looked like an old soul, one tormented by demons he was not very willing to share.

He nodded in response and then sighed deeply. He looked very tired and Ari realized that none of them had had a time to rest for more than a few minutes at a time. He blinked and turned his gaze away and she noted that his eyes traveled to Leia.

"Did you tell her?" Ari mouthed. She hoped he had, but had a feeling that if so, they would all be acting differently.

Luke shook his head. The look in his eyes told her a hundred things in just a glance. Asking Ari not to say anything about Vader or about Leia being his sister. That now was not the time for such an announcement. That he would when the time was right, but that he was the one that had to tell her. Ari couldn't agree more and she gave him a small smile to show that she understood. He returned it and gave her braid a tug in response. She had done it that way to keep it out of her eyes, something extremely important since they had to be very aware of their surroundings. Even with the Force, she might miss something if she had to keep tucking her hair back.

When she saw Luke steal another glance at Leia out of the corner of her eye, she realized that things had changed forever. Even though Leia did not know yet, Luke would tell her soon enough. Then what? She knew that things between Luke and herself would be different, but in what way? She hoped it would only be good. They had all been through too many dark periods to continue to have them.

She glanced over at Leia as well. She could see some similarities between Leia and Luke, Ari noted. They also both were very similar in spirit. Unbreakable and strong. They never gave up even when the odds were against them.

Her mind quickly went to Jett and she felt a dull pain grow a bit, but she pushed it back. She often wondered how he would have turned out. Would he have joined the Rebellion? She guessed he would have. He was a fighter and she knew he also disliked the Empire. No, Ari forced these thoughts back. She would probably never truly get over the deaths of her family, but she could not let those thoughts distract her now.

"Ari?" Luke's voice tore her from her thoughts. "Are you okay?" He was whispering, like the Rebels in the back were doing.

The Naboo native nodded her head. "Just a lot on my mind," she admitted. She shifted her body slightly so her knees were still bent but her weight was no longer on them, since they were starting to feel cramped.

"I am not surprised. We all do," he answered. "But soon enough this will be over."

"With us victorious," Han added, flashing them a smile before turning back to look at the instruments.

Ari leaned her head against the side of Luke's chair, feeling the now familiar hum of a ship's engines. She had gotten used to space travel, even though she had not been in one for at least half her life. Now it was comforting with its familiar rumble. With her ear next to the chair, the hum muffled the sound of Han talking to Chewie. They were keeping their voices lower than usual.

Ari closed her eyes slowly. Even though she was on the floor, it was not entirely uncomfortable. It was slightly cool in the cockpit, so she pulled her knees a bit closer to herself. Dimly, she heard Leia say something, but she did not pay attention to it. Her last conscious thought was of what a planet with such large trees would look like from the ground.