Chapter 111


AN: The first post of 2006! Hope you all enjoy it!

The walk to the back entrance to the bunker was not a difficult one since it was not too far and they did not meet with any resistance. The hardest task was to keep everyone quiet and that had become almost second nature to them.

Upon reaching the backdoor, Han, Chewie, Leia, the droids and two of the Ewoks snuck closer while the rest of the group spread out around the area, in case there were traps or other Imperials around. Ari was fairly close to the others and could see four Imperial scouts outside the bunker with their speeder bikes nearby. Due to her proximity, she could also hear some of the conversation that occurred, though only by voices, not their exact words since they were talking quietly.

She saw Han and Leia discussing something, head somewhat close together and saw that Threepio was then translating and explaining what was being said to the Ewoks as well.

Then she saw one of the Ewoks slip away from the group and start toward the bunker. Ari's gaze went from the Ewok to Threepio who had just exclaimed, "Oh! Oh, my. Uh, Princess Leia!"

"Quiet," Leia ordered him. Threepio's voice lowered and Ari saw them all turn to watch the Ewok casually walk toward the entrance.

"Where are you going, little one?" Ari whispered under her breath. She did not think the Ewoks would turn them in, in fact, she did not sense any malice from them. However, she couldn't help but wonder what this one was up.

She, along with the others, watched as the Ewok, Paploo she thought was his name, as he continued toward the stormtroopers and speeder bikes. However, once he reached the speeder bikes, he stopped and climbed onto one of the speeder bikes.

Ari was surprised by this. After all, she did not even know if the Ewok could reach the controls or if he knew how to handle such a vehicle. She hoped he would be careful and also hoped that he knew what he was doing.

The roar of the speeder bike's engines caught everyone's attention, including the stormtroopers. They gave shouts and rushed toward the Ewok, who was now flipping switches and Ari could almost certain that even from a distance, that he was pleased.

However, the rest of the group was not as pleased. Ari saw the look of distress that crossed Han's face. She knew that he had been hoping to sneak up on them and that this was definitely not sneaky.

The scouts were getting closer. "Do something," Ari whispered under her breath. She knew that stormtroopers would not think twice about killing him.

As if hearing Ari, Paploo touched the controls and the speeder bike shot forward. He was going so fast, that the furry creature could only grip on with his paws, no longer sitting, body horizontal to the forest floor.

"Look! Over there! Stop him!" a trooper ordered, pointing after the Ewok.

Three of the Imperial Scouts leapt onto their speeder bikes and took off in pursuit. This left only one trooper, who went back to his post by the door.

"Not bad for a little furball," Han remarked and Ari had to smile. It was more than just 'not bad'. It was impressive. It had been dangerous, but Paploo had managed to take three of the troopers away from their posts without raising any alarm. He also could take them all around the forest, if he was able to steer the speeder bike.

Ari watched as Han and Chewie nodded to one another and then made their way toward the bunker. Leia, the droids and the other Ewok, Wicket, stayed behind, watching them.

Seeing this as a good opportunity to move forward, joined Leia, almost silent as she crouched beside the Princess.

"Let's just hope they don't step on a branch or anything," Leia remarked and Ari had to give a small smile at this. That had been the reason for a lot of trouble the previous day and she knew that while they did not want a repeat, more importantly, they could not afford such a mistake.

Bren came up beside them and gave a small nod of his head to motion that they should go a bit closer and then shifted his weapon ever so slightly to show that they should have theirs ready. The two women nodded, and then shared a quick glance. They exchanged small, half smiles. They were nervous and anxious. However, they would push past that and do the job. Luke's words came to her mind at that moment, telling her to be safe. She was going to do everything she could to make sure that she kept that promise.

Most of the Rebels all got into position on one side of the bunker, with hardly any sound. The others were still around the area in case the others showed back up. Ari caught Cal's gaze for a moment, but neither of them could even give a smile. This had to be just right, or alarm could be raised.

While Ari could not see Han or what he was doing, she had her weapon raised and watched as Han dashed around from the front of the bunker to the side where the rest of them were all waiting.

Less than a second later, the Imperial Scout followed. Unlike some of his other comrades, who might attempt to shoot one of them, this scout dropped his weapon and Ari watched as a few Rebels went up to him. They checked him for other weapons, took away his communicator, and then forced him to put his hands on his head. He was watched by two strike team members in case he tried anything foolish.

Ari moved a short distance, scanning the area for any other white armored beings when she heard what sounded like a metallic thump and then a screeching sound. She turned around and saw the doors were open. Han, Leia, Chewie and the other Rebels were there and Ari hurried to join them. Almost silently, they slipped inside. It took a moment to have their eyes adjust to the dim light, but as soon as they did, the doors shut and it became even a bit more difficult to see. No one used a glowlight though, nor did they say anything to one another. They just focused on moving quickly and quietly.

They were not stopped by anyone or anything as they made their way to the control room. However, Ari felt a brief and somewhat faint wave of fear and surprise. She didn't sense it coming from close by and just bit her lip, hoping that Luke was still alright. She did not know for sure if that feeling came from him, but there was no other explanation.

At the doors to the main control room, Han held up a hand then held up one finger, lifted another and on three, they stormed through the door.

"All right! Up! Move! Come on! Quickly, Quickly!" Han ordered, blaster raised at the Imperials who had been at their posts. However, seeing the number of Rebels there, all who had their weapons raised and ready, they got up and allowed themselves to be forced to the side. "Chewie," Han called and the Wookie, with two Rebels went to the side to guard their newest prisoners.

Leia, who had been looking at some of the information on one of the screens, spoke up next. "Han! Hurry! The fleet will be here any moment." She, like Han, had a roughness in her voice that sounded authoritative. Ari knew it was more than that though. Timing was everything and they were cutting it close. Ari gave her head a shake. She remembered when they had flown against the first Death Star and she could not imagine such another disaster.

Taking all that into account, she did not take offense when Han shouted to her, calling for the charges which she had been entrusted with. He was very impatient, even though Ari had them out and ready in just a moment. Since she was not close, she tossed them to him, which he caught without any problem.

Ari felt the warning through the Force just mere moments in advance. "Han, Leia," she spoke up, but that was as far as she got when an Imperial officer, noted as such by the uniform he wore, appeared with a blaster. "Freeze," he ordered.

Before anyone could move their blasters, Han swung the bag of charges at him and the man fell over the railing, to what, Ari was uncertain. She did not have time to even think about it though as stormtroopers poured in from all sides and through the entrance that the group had just entered through.

Turning, Ari saw yet another officer whose blaster was pointed directly at Han. "Freeze! You Rebel scum." His voice was rough, much like the Empire itself.

Then Ari felt her weapon being pulled out of her hands and could hear Chewie growling, certainly being overtaken as well. She hesitated, knowing she could use the Force to keep a hold of her weapon, or she could pull out her lightsaber. However, if she continued to hold onto her blaster, the Imperials might hurt or kill another one of the Rebels, and in such tight quarters with so many people, she worried that her lightsaber might hurt one of her comrades as well.

That meant that surrendering was the only thing that Ari could do and as her blaster was taken away, she exchanged a look with Bren and then Cal. There was nothing they could do. They were captives.