Star Wars: Remix version
Chapter Seventeen: Destruction of Alderann
Admiral Motti entered the quiet control room and bowed before Governor Tarkin, who stood before the huge wall screen displaying a small green planet.
"We've entered the Alderaan system." Motti announced. At that moment Sky and two stormtroopers arrived with Princess Anna, whose hands were bound.
"Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding Sky's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board." The fifteen year old rebel princess scoffed.
"Charming to the last" Tarkin said. "You don't know how hard I found it signing the order to terminate your life!" Anna rolled her eyes.
"I'm just surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself!" She snapped.
"My dear Princess Anna, before your execution I would like you to be my guest at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now." Tarkin told her. Anna sighed.
"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." She said softly.
"Not after we demonstrate the power of this station. In a way, you have determined the choice of the planet that'll be destroyed first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the Rebel base, I have chosen to test this station's destructive power on your home planet of Alderaan." Tarkin smiled when he saw the horror on Anna's face.
"No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no weapons. You can't possibly..." Tarkin cut her off.
"You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name the system!" He snapped, staring her down. Tears filled Anna's eyes. "I grow tired of asking this. So it'll be the last time. Where is the Rebel base?" Anna looked out the window at her home planet. Her parents were there as were millions of people.
"Dantooine." She said, lowering her head, trying to keep the tears from falling. "They're on Dantooine." Tarkin smiled in satisfaction.
"There. You see Lord Sky, she can be reasonable." He turned to Motti. "Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready." Anna's head snapped up, here tearstained face horrified.
"What?" She gasped.
"You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration. But don't worry. We will deal with your Rebel friends soon enough." Tarkin smirked at her.
"No!" Anna shouted. She watched in horror as the planet was blown to smitherines. She collapsed on the floor crying.
In the Milleniun Falcon, Ben and Leia watched Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker"
robot. Ben suddenly turned away and sat down. He faltered, and seemed close to fainting. Leia placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"What's wrong?"
"I felt a great disturbance in the Force...as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened." Ben said, almost in a daze. "You'd better get on with your exercises." He told Luke. Han Solo entered the room, after putting the Falcon on autopilot.
"Well, you can forget your troubles with those Imperial slugs. I told you I'd outrun 'em." He said smugly. Leia rolled her eyes as Luke was once again practicing with the lightsaber.
"Don't everyone thank me at once." Han said disgruntled. Leia gave a small smile and turned her attention to the game Chewbacca and Artoo were playing. "Anyway, we should be at Alderaan about oh-two-hundred hours."
Chewbacca, Artoo and Threepio sat around the lighted table covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca seemed very pleased with himself as he rested his lanky fur-covered arms over his head. Leia took a seat beside him.
"Now be careful, Artoo." Threepio warned.
Artoo immediately reached up and tapped the computer with his stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures to walk to the new square. A sudden frown crossed Chewbacca's face and he began yelling gibberish at the tiny robot. Threepio tried to intercede on behalf of his small companion and
began to argue with the huge Wookiee.
"He made a fair move. Screaming about it won't help you." Threepio said.
"He's right" Leia agreed. Han interupted just then.
"Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee." He said.
"But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid." Threepio protested.
"That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their socket when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that." Han replied. Leia hid a smile as Threepio gulped.
"I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, Artoo. Let the Wookiee win." He advised.
Meanwhile Luke was standing in the middle of the small hold area; A humming lightsaber was held high over his head. Ben watched him from the corner, studying his movements. Han watched with a bit of smugness.
"Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him." Ben reminded him.
"You mean it controls your actions?" Luke asked.
"Partially. But it also obeys your commands." Ben replied.
Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a "seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae, hovered slowly in a wide arc. The ball floated to one side of Luke then the other. Suddenly it made a lightning-swift lunge and stopped within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke didn't move and the ball backed off. It slowly moved behind him, then made another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood red
laser beam as it attacked. It hit Luke in the leg causing him to tumble over. Han and Leia let loose with bursts of laughter.
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han said. Leia frowned at that but said nothing.
"You don't believe in the Force, do you?" Luke asked, standing up.
"Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me believe there's one all-powerful force controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field that controls my destiny." Han said shortly. "It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense."
"I suggest you try it again, Luke." Ben said, placing a large helmet on Luke's head which covered his
eyes. "This time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct."
"With the blast shield down, I can't even see. How am I supposed to fight?" Luke protested.
"Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them." Ben replied.
Han skeptically shook his head as Ben threw the seeker into the air. The ball shot straight up in the air, then dropped like a rock. Luke swung the lightsaber around blindly missing the seeker, which fired off a laserbolt which hit Luke square on the seat of the pants. He let out a painful yell and attempted to hit the seeker. Leia hid a giggle.
"Stretch out with your feelings." Ben instructed.
Luke stood in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker made a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect the bolt. The ball ceased fire and moved back to its original position.
"You see, you can do it." Ben said, encouragingly.
"I call it luck." Han said, crossing his arms.
"In my experience, there's no such thing as luck." Ben said. "Now, Leia, it is your turn" Leia stood up and took the lightsaber from her brother.
Han noticed a small light flashing on the far side of the control panel.
"Looks like we're coming up on Alderaan." He said as he and Chewie headed for the cockpit.