Chapter 110

AN: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I am glad everyone liked the previous chapter. Happy Holidays everyone!

Ari gave a small sigh as she felt something shake her shoulder. "What?" she asked, voice barely a whisper. The shaking continued and she slowly opened one eye. She gave a small start seeing an Ewok, Wicket if she remembered his name correctly.

The Ewok said something in his own language and then pointed. While she did not know exactly what he was saying, she had a feeling that he was motioning to where the shield generator was located. It was still somewhat dark out, but from the slightly purple hue Ari could see through the now opened doorway, she knew the sun would be rising soon.

Looking around at her comrades, she saw that while Bren's mat was empty, the others were still asleep. Pushing back her blanket, shivering from the slight chill in the air, she pulled on her boots that had been beside her.

Ari had not slept long, in fact she did not know if she had even slept. She had returned to the Ewok Village and saw that everyone was already getting settled for a few hours of rest. She had joined the other members of the strike team, laying her small mat and blanket in a free area, most of the others asleep after receiving the good news and a decent meal.

The young woman had laid down on her mat, blanket pulled over her but she could not sleep. Whenever she closed her eyes she saw Luke in her mind's eye. The last glimpse she saw of him before he disappeared into the shadows. Her worry for him did not allow her body to relax enough to fall asleep.

After this happened numerous times, she opened herself to the Force to try and meditate. She knew she could last through the night without sleeping since she had gotten some rest before they had landed. However, she knew she would have to be focused on the attack on the bunker. Worrying about Luke would not help him and it might lead to any of her other comrades being hurt or killed. She did not know if she had fallen asleep while meditating or if she had been brought out of meditation by the Ewok.

Sliding out of the small hut, she heard Wicket speaking again, most likely to wake up the rest of the Rebels. She looked over to where a small group had formed. There was Han, Leia, Chewie, Artoo, Threepio and Bren. She went over to the group and gave a small nod to them as a form of greeting. "Good morning."

They all greeted her in the same way, already getting focused for the upcoming battle. Their expressions were serious, yet she saw hope as well.

"We are going to have to leave soon and scout out the area. The fleet is going to be here soon and if the shield is still up…" Leia trailed off, looking at all of them. Everyone nodded solemnly and even Artoo let out a mournful sound.

"Commander Skywalker will not be joining us?" Bren asked and glanced at the group. Ari saw Leia avert her eyes and saw Han looking at the Princess. He seemed worried about something.

Seeing they were not answering, Bren turned to Ari. "No, Sir," Ari answered. "He had a different mission to undertake."

"I am guessing it was not one that was covered in a briefing," Bren remarked, seeing how now Ari even avoided his gaze for a moment.

"You are right. However, it is still very important," Ari replied. Everyone was silent for a moment and as if by some agreement, they changed the topic.

"The troops should all be awake by now. We can leave in about ten standard minutes," Bren remarked.

"We will meet on the ground, by that tree," Han pointed to one close to the ladder they had climbed up.

The others nodded in agreement then went their own ways to get ready. Bren and Ari reentered the hut and started to pack their things, rolling up their mats and blankets. "I hope you are all ready for a big day," Bren spoke up as he glanced at all the Rebels who were in the various stages of getting ready. "This day will be the day that decides the fate of our cause. What happens today decides whether we free ourselves from the Empire's hold, or if the Rebellion is crushed. I do not say this to bring down your hopes, but rather to remind you all to keep alert at all times. I know we can win. Just stay sharp out there," he told them. The Rebels nodded and gave a few remarks of encouragement to each other.

"Are you ready?" came a voice beside Ari. She turned and saw Cal there, a serious look on his face.

Ari nodded. "I guess I have to be," she replied. "Are you?"

"As ready as I will ever be," he answered.

"Well, then," she shrugged her bag over her shoulders, and then shifted it slightly. "I guess it is time to go take down an Empire."

Even though they had been surrounded by forest since they arrived, Ari still enjoyed walking among them. Other planets she had been to had trees, but it was still nice after living on Tatooine all those years.

The procession was silent, even the usual chatty Threepio was strangely silent. Everyone seemed on edge and tense. They were alert, weapons ready. Like the others, Ari carried a blaster, though she preferred her lightsaber in battle. However, she had good aim when it came to blasters.

Finally, Han held up his hand to motion for everyone to stop. All the team members crouched down and scanned the area. Han, Leia, Chewie and Wicket snuck closer to get a look at the area. Ari already knew what they would see. A large, heavily guarded shield generator with white armored Imperial troops all over. At least with the white on, it would be hard for the stormtroopers to hide among the foliage, unlike the camouflage the Rebels wore.

She saw them whispering lowly with one another and could only guess what they were saying. It would be hard, but they could somehow pull it off if they planned everything just right.

At that moment she felt a shiver go through her. There was something chilly and yet familiar about it. It was a strange sensation that carried a mixture of feelings. Hope yet hopelessness. Warm yet cold, light yet dark.

Then, as if the answer was shouted to her, she knew who it was. Luke was on that shuttle. That was not all though. Darth Vader was there too. He had willingly turned himself over to his father, a Sith.

Not only that, but she knew where they were going and it made her heart skip a beat. Luke thought he could turn his father back, and yet he was being taken to the soon to be completed Death Star. To place where the Emperor was, which was the same place that the Rebel fleet would soon be attacking.

"Luke…" she whispered and tightened her hold on her gun slightly. The thought of him never returning hurt her deeply. She couldn't imagine it, even though she had feared for him. She had hoped that somehow he was right and that he would return, saying that he had saved his father.

That had not happened though. Ari could only imagine what the Emperor would do to him. It worried her greatly. Luke was strong, but what would happen when he faced the two most dreaded beings in the galaxy? "Luke, come back to me," she whispered so quietly she was not even sure if she had spoke the words aloud. She was acutely aware of the light weight of metal on her wrist from her bracelet at that moment. She had tucked it under her sleeve so that the gleam of metal would not be seen, but since she had gotten it back, she had not taken it off. She wished she had gone with Luke, but he had been right. He had to go alone. He was not exactly alone though. The Force was with him.

She watched at the shuttle got smaller and she followed it with her eyes as it disappeared from sight. She could faintly hear the others speaking, but could not hear their words. She also could not pull her gaze from the shuttle until it was out of sight.

Sighing, Ari looked over at the others. The Ewoks seemed to be quiet excited about something. That had to be good. She watched as Threepio translated and then Han, Chewie, Leia, the Ewoks and droids came back to the group.

"Apparently the little fuzzballs know if a secret entrance on the other side of the ridge," Han announced.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Ari asked. She had to stay alert now and keep her mind on the mission. "Let's go."