Rest evaded the young girl as she lay on the couch. Her eyes were closed, but her mind refused to shut off. Leia's words were eating away at the young girl. Even though she definitely needed the rest, she couldn't bring herself to fall into sleep. She lay on her side on the couch, her hair falling around her neck and along her shoulders. Once in a while, she'd open her eyes, only to see that nothing had changed. She felt as though she was in a stasis, coming off of the adrenaline highs of Tatooine. However, the only thing she could think about was Luke.

He didn't have much time to waste. The window was not that big, and Anna had no idea how much training he had left, and if it were to take any longer, he would not be able to come the mission. She was torn over what to do. She did not believe very much in what Yoda had told her about the Jedi restrictions. As far as she was concerned, the Jedi restrictions were no longer valid because of the circumstance they found themselves in. It wasn't really that she thought she would be distracted. It was because of her greatest fear.

One of the things she had learned to overcome was attachment. In her past, she had never really had much to live for, and anything that she had found herself growing attached to, she always lost. Luke was no exception. He was Palpatine's main objective, and Anna knew that if she was associated with him, she was putting herself in danger as well. If she could, she would leave, and be away from Luke. She was not protecting him, at least in her view.

However, what Leia had told her, about Han, was what was keeping her awake. Even though they weren't Leia's words, they were Mon Mothma's, there was a valid point. If she gave up on Luke because of the Empire, Palpatine would have claimed a major victory, one not decided by two sides. Instead, it would be evidence of the Rebels starting to turn on each other. He would take those victories all day long.

Sleep finally came to her, but she was only able to sleep for a few hours before she was awoken again. Leia was already up, and pacing. Anna sat up and stretched. "How long?" she asked. Leia turned.

"About an hour," she said. "Why?"

Anna stood up. "Just wanted to know how much time I can spend in the refresher."

Leia smiled. "Don't be lagging," she warned. "Mon Mothma is not the kind of person to take to late newcomers very kindly."

"I'm sure I can handle her," Anna said as she walked to the back of the room.

The briefing room of the Home One was filled with hundreds of Rebel commanders, from all different races. Everyone looked to be in much better spirits after returning from Tatooine, most notably, Han. Luke was still not there.

Anna and Leia walked into the room, seeing that Han and Chewie were already sitting down, waiting for the briefing to start. Anna walked over to them, smiling as she drew her dark cloak in around her. Han watched her carefully as she sat down beside him.

"You wear that thing all day?" he asked.

"It's comfortable," she answered. "Also, it's what the old Jedi used to wear, though theirs were always brown. I still need to blend in a little bit."

Han shook his head. "I will never understand you or Luke," he said. "But I guess that's what makes you perfect for each other."

Anna just turned away. "You have no idea," she said. Beside Han, Chewie gave a little growl. Although she couldn't understand Chewie, she could understand the basics of what he was saying.

"Exactly, Chewie," she said with a smile. She scared the room, searching for a familiar face. There was one that she had never met before, but she knew exactly who it was. Slowly, she stood up and made her way over to him.

"You must be Wedge," she said as she approached. The pilot turned to her.

"That I am," he said. "Who are you? I've never seen you here before."

"I'm a… friend of Luke's," she said. "Anna."

"Nice to meet you," he said. "If you know Luke, you must know of his training, then?"

"Oh, I know all about it," she said. "I'm a knight myself."

Wedge was clearly impressed. "You don't look like one," he said. "But then again, Luke doesn't really look like it either."

"You're just not used to them," she said with a smile, and he smiled back. "Luke's told me about your flight skills."

"He would be one to do that," Wedge responded. "He's not to shabby himself."

Anna smiled. "I know," she said. "I've experienced it firsthand."

"You fly at all?"

"Used to."

"Why not anymore?"

"I don't have a ship anymore."

"What happened to it?"

Anna kept her voice hushed. "I crash landed on Dagobah," she said. "It's how I met Luke, actually. He saved my life. I was probably only a few hours away from death when he found me."
Wedge nodded, clearly unsure as to what to say. He then turned to the front of the room. Anna turned as well, to see a beautiful woman standing at the front of the room, conversing with some high-ranking military generals.

"Mon Mothma," Wedge said. "She's the Alliance leader."

"So I've heard," she responded, then caught Lando walking through the crowd. She turned to look at Wedge again. "Good luck."

"Same to you," he said with a smile, and she turned to walk back to where Leia, Han, Chewie, and the droids all stood. Han smiled as he saw Lando walking over, sporting a brand new insignia on his chest.

"Well look at you, a general, huh?" Han asked. Lando was smiling as well as the two old friends talked.

"Oh, well, someone must have told them about my little maneuver at the battle of Taanab," Lando responded. Anna sat dow beside Leia, who was listening to them talk.

"Well, don't look at me, pal, I just said you were a fair pilot," Han said, his sarcasm not going unnoticed. "I didn't know they were lookin' for somebody to lead this crazy attack."

"I'm surprised they didn't ask you to do it," Lando said with a smile.

"Well, who says they didn't, but I ain't crazy," Han said, sitting down. "You're the respectable one, remember?"

At the front of the room, Mom Mothma signalled for attention. Everyone fell silent, watching her. Even though she was very beautiful, her aura was very stern, and Anna was impressed.

"The Emperor has made a critical error and the time for our attack has come," she said, looking out over the room. There was a notable stir in the room, but Anna kept her eyes forward, eager to know what was going on. In front of the Alliance leader, a hologram of the new Death Star, surrounded by a deflector shield, and the moon known as Endor, began to revolve.

"The data brought to us by the Bothan spies pinpoints the exact location of the Emperor's new battle station," she continued. "We also know that the weapon systems of this Death Star are not yet operational. With the Imperial Fleet spread throughout the galaxy in a vain effort to engage us, it is relatively unprotected. But most important of all, we've learned that the Emperor himself is personally overseeing the final stages of the construction of this Death Star."

Everyone in the room seemed to be engaged at that moment, and began to talk in amazement. Chewie barked, but Anna didn't move. There was another reason that the Emperor was overseeing the construction of the battle station. She looked out of the room to one of the small windows of the outside corridor. Palatine knew that there were two people that know stood in his way on the other side, and they were powerful enough to overthrow the Empire. Anna turned back toward Mon.

"Many Bothans died, to bring us this information," she said, her voice carrying a mournful hint. She then turned away from the room. "Admiral Ackbar, please."

Admiral Ackbar stepped forward to the hologram in front of him, pointing at it.

"You can see here the Death Star orbiting the forest Moon of Endor. Although the weapon systems on this Death Star are not yet operational, the Death Star does have a strong defense mechanism." He took in a breath before he continued. "It is protected by an energy shield, which is generated from the nearby forest Moon of Endor. The shield must be deactivated if any attack is to be attempted." The hologram turned to one that displayed the Death Star, and the plan of attack. "Once the shield is down, our cruisers will create a perimeter, while the fighters fly into the superstructure and attempt to knock out the main reactor."
The room once again began to vibrate with the sounds of concerned voices.

"General Calrissian has volunteered to lead the fighter attack," Ackbar continued. Han glanced up at his old friend with respect.

"Good luck," he said.

Lando turned and nodded to him in thanks. Han made a sarcastic face, but kept his voice serious.

"You're gonna need it," he said.

"General Madine," Ackbar said, and stepped away for the hologram, while the general walked up to take his place.

"We have stolen a small Imperial shuttle," he began. "Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret Imperial code, a strike team will land on the moon, and deactivate the shield generator."

The room began to talk once again, but this time, those around her were a part of it.

"Sounds dangerous," Threepio said in his usual cautious tone.

"I wonder who they found to pull that off," Leia said to Han, but didn't look over at him.

"General Solo, is your strike team assembled?" Madine asked, looking right at Han.

Leia looked at him, a startled expression on her face. Anna too looked surprised. It wasn't like Han had been out of carbon freeze for very long, but he seemed to ignore the stares.

"My team's ready; I don't have a command crew for the shuttle," he said. Beside him, Chewie raised his paw with a little growl. Han looked over at him, lowering his voice.

"Well, it's gonna be rough, pal; I didn't want to speak for you," Han said. Chewie just growled, and Han smiled, turning back to face Madine. "That's one."

"Uh General," Leia said, grabbing Han's shoulder. "Count me in." She was smiling, and Anna too raised her hand to volunteer.

"I'm with you too!" a voice called from outside of the room. Everyone turned to see a young man in black walking out from the corridor and into the briefing room. There were some cheers, and Leia stood up, walking over to him and hugging him with a smile. Han too looked delighted to see the young Jedi.

Leia pulled back from him and her expression changed from one of happiness to one of concern. "What is it?" she asked.

"Ask me again sometime," he said, his voice hushed.

Han, Chewie and Anna stood up, walking over to Luke as the assembly began to stand up.

"Luke!" Han said, smiling.

"Hi Han," Luke responded. "Chewie."

Behind her, Artoo beeped, and Anna looked back at the two droids, smiling.

"'Exciting' is hardy the word I would use," Threepio said, and Anna smiled, turning back to Luke. He caught her gaze, and jerked his head over to the right, subtly. She nodded back to him, and turned to Leia. "I'll meet up with you in a while," she said, and Leia smiled.

"Unfinished business?" she asked.

"Something like that," Anna said, and watched as Luke walked out into the corridor. "I just need a minute to let everything sink in."

"Alright," Leia said. "Meet us at the docking bay in an hour. We should be ready to go by then."

"Sounds good," Anna said.

"Hey, Anna," Han said, stopping her. She turned to face him.

"You don't have to do this, you know," he said.

"I know," she said. "But I'm not going to stay here while you have all the fun, am I?"

Han smiled at her. "I like you," he said, giving her a pat on the shoulder. "Just don't be late; I'm not waiting for you!"

I'm now on Christmas Break, which means I have some more time to write between doing some studying for my January exams. I've been trying to get these updates out quick, at least one per week, since we're getting close to my favourite part.

The next part should be out tomorrow, since it's short, but it's a scene I've wanted to include ever since I started this story.