STAR WARS

Conversations Through The Force

A Return Of The Jedi Short Story

Navigating through the vast expanse of starry space "Home One", a MC80a, the Mon Calamari Star Cruiser is the current Rebel Alliance headquarters. On board the flagship, members of the Alliance are briefed and are preparing to make a stand against the Empire by attempting to destroy its nearly completed second Death Star, orbiting the sanctuary forest moon of Endor. Princess Leia Organa, General Han Solo, the Wookie Chewbacca, a selected Rebel Strike Team, the Droids: C-3PO and R2-D2 along with Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker are tasked to take a small stolen Imperial Lambda-class Shuttle to the moon's surface. Their mission is to take out the Shield Generators, shielding the battle station against the pending Rebel strike…

Now. The quarters of Luke Skywalker, Two Hours before departing for the moon…

Luke Skywalker was about to go through some final equipment checks when R2-D2, Luke's Astromech, beside him beeped and whistled, signalling an incoming holo feed.

'Is that an incoming transmission from the stolen Imperial shuttle? Is it from Threepio?' Luke asked and R2-D2 beeped and whistled an affirmative.

'Okay Artoo, put it through. Han did say it would take less than an hour or two to make some final checks on the shuttle. 'General Solo' must be getting impatient, or if you ask me, he could be getting a little anxious about leaving the Millenium Falcon with Lando.'

R2-D2 chortled, then turned on the transmission. A pale static translucent 10 inch figure of Protocol Droid C-3PO beamed out from the holo projector on Luke's bed.

'Master Luke,' The Protocol Droid began. 'General Solo has an urgent message for you, and he has requested me to ask you, against my logical input I might add, if he should send a Tauntaun or a Bantha to come and get you and Artoo to the shuttle, he then exclaimed and I quote: "We don't have much time, the Bantha will be quicker".'

Luke sighed and smirked amusingly at the mid-air holographic statue. The droid's head tilted, then photoreceptor eyes blinked in what equated to a puzzled look.

'You can tell Han I'll be there shortly Threepio. I'm just about ready.'

Han Solo shouted from somewhere in the background of the holo-feed, as a startled C-3PO turned most of his droid body in the direction of Han's shouting.

'Dank farrick Goldenrod! Not that! Do you want me to give you the "Greedo treatment"?! Or! Do you want Chewie here to rip your arms off!'

There came a Wookie howl in the background from where Han was shouting that sounded like enthusiastic agreement to Han's threat towards the Protocol droid. Han then continued. 'Tell Luke the other thing! Tell him the General is on her way to see him!'

'Oh my!' C-3PO exclaimed sheepishly. The droid retreated to his normal statuette self, then turned back to face Luke and R2-D2.

'Ah yes. Yes, of course, the message! General Hera Syndulla is on her way to see you, Sir. She will be accompanied by a "Commander Rex"... He seemed to know me very well, and you too Artoo, and yet my memory circuits can not retrieve data of any such encounter with a "Commander Rex".'

R2-D2 rocked, whistled, and beeped excitedly at the news.

'Well, I'm glad you're excited to meet him Artoo. Once was quite enough for me, thank you. He was rather off putting towards me.' C-3PO said, sounding miffed. To this R2-D2 burbled a terse comment directed at the Protocol droid. In turn C-3PO replied… 'Oh, Artoo-Detoo, whatever do you mean I've met him more times than I have had an oil bath? Honestly! I swear your memory circuits are starting to degrade much like your manners!'

C-3PO then turned his attention only to Luke to address him.

'As I was saying Master Luke. Neither General Syndulla nor Commander Rex have ever formally made your acquaintance, and have requested to meet with you personally before we all depart for the moon. They should be with you at any moment, Sir.'

'I'll be ready to receive them, thank you Threepio,' Luke said with a kind smile, then continued. 'I've heard a lot of great stories about the General and Phoenix Squadron. I would be honoured to meet with them. Oh, and Threepio, tell Han I'll be at the shuttle as soon as I'm done with my guests and gathering my equipment. There's no need to send a Bantha.'

The Protocol droid looked puzzled again at Luke's last comment. R2-D2 snickered in chitters and then abruptly ended the transmission.

While waiting for his guests, Luke continued checking his equipment. He then picked up his Lightsaber and inspected the hilt. Luke then held it outward stretched with both hands. The Astromech beside him whirred worriedly, before Luke activated the sword. The weapon of the Jedi ignited with a snap hiss.

'Don't worry Artoo. I'll take only what I need.' Luke said to the little Astromech.

Luke gently swayed the green thrumming laser blade this way and that, in a similar awe as when he first held the now long lost lightsaber of his father. The lightsaber Ben Kenobi gave him on Tatooine years ago. Luke remembered the old Jedi's words and voice like an echo. 'A civilised weapon, for a more civilised age.'

Just then, the door announcer to Luke's quarters chimed, snapping him out of his reverie.

'That must be them. Artoo, would you be so kind?' Luke asked.

R2-D2 boop-beeped a 'certainly' and started rolling towards the door, then prodded the keypad on the wall, allowing the door to slide open. A green skinned Twi'lek woman stepped into Luke's quarters with a physically impeccable elderly man close behind her. Luke nearly mistook the elder man "Commander Rex" he surmised, for another Rebel Strike team member named Nik Sant. The Twi'lek woman, General Hera Syndulla, suddenly stopped short then went wide-eyed staring at the young man in front of her. Hera's green eyes were deceiving her, because she wasn't seeing Luke Skywalker. Instead, she saw "Specter One"... Her Jedi, Her Love... holding a lightsaber. The vibrating hum of the laser sword was the only sound in the room as Hera stood transfixed blankly staring at the ghost in front of her for a few seconds, then attempted to speak, but Hera faintly managed one word, one name... 'Kanan.'

The elderly man stepped forward ahead of Hera with outstretched hands ready to greet Luke with a hand shake. Luke did likewise with his mechanical right hand, he powered down his lightsaber in his left and clipped the hilt onto his utility belt so that both hands could be free to meet the elder man's handshake. R2-D2 suddenly rolled in between the men, faced the elder one, warbling and beeping excitedly.

'Oh Artoo-Detoo! What's gotten into you?' Luke gently chided the Astromech droid, then he turned his attention to his company. 'I apologise for my droid. He seems to be more excited to meet you, than I am. Sirs, I am Luke Skywalker, hello there.' Luke greeted awkwardly as he and Rex formally shook hands as Hera slowly stepped forward still deep in her trance.

'I am always excited to see him too.' The old man said to Luke. Then smiling down at R2-D2. 'It's been many star cycles though, but we go way back.' The old Commander's attention turned to Luke. 'Well… allow me to formally introduce ourselves. This is General Hera Syndulla of Phoenix Squadron, and I am Commander Rex, Strike Team Leader.'

Gathering not quite all of herself, Hera took Luke's hand in greeting.

'Commander Skywalker. It's an honour to finally meet you.' She said managing a cordial smile. R2-D2 then rolled out from between the three.

'General Syndulla, Commander Rex, Please call me Luke,' The young man offered then went on. 'Believe me, it's my honour to finally meet both of you and anyone from Phoenix Squadron or the legendary "Ghost" crew. The stories I've heard from, -'

Rex noticed Hera was still staring at her ghost, then he interjected.

'Please forgive the General kid. It's been a long time since she... Sorry, I mean, We, saw a Jedi.'

Luke sensed an uneasy sadness take hold of his guests. Then he suddenly realised why.

'Kanan Jarrus… Ezra Bridger... Lothal.' Luke said somberly. 'General Syndulla, I am so sorry. Wedge,... I mean, Captain Wedge Antillies told me the stories. You've lost so much. Seeing me with my lightsaber, it must have,... I went to Lothal once to find a Temple,... There was nothing there,... There's nothing left.'

Hera composed herself fully and met Luke's attempt to mend his shame for unknowingly bringing up the wave of emotions she was feeling. In Luke's last statement, Hera noticed a sense of loss in the young man too, as if He had just lost someone close to him. With a comforting and reassuring smile she told him. 'It's okay, I'm fine Luke... And you may call me Hera. You are wrong though, we still have something left.'

Luke, Hera, and Rex stood in quiet reflection. Hera momentarily placed her hand over her mid section when a Comms Officer announced over Home One's speaker system. It was a request for General Syndulla to urgently meet with Rebel Alliance Leader Mon Mothma, and Rebel Fleet Commander Admiral Ackbar. Hera produced a backpack she had with her and handed it over to Luke and said. 'Luke, this is for you to further your training and, hopefully, possibly someday, you will use it to train our future Jedi. For now,' she said, addressing both men. 'I need to get going. Rex, Luke... May the Force be with you. May it be with us all.' Bewildered, Luke took the backpack from Hera, then he watched her exit his quarters.

'So "Skywalker" hah?' Rex asked with an assessing gaze. 'And you say Artoo is yours now? Aah... Trust this little guy to find a "Skywalker".' R2-D2 whistled proudly as Rex smiled down at him then he continued.

'Yeah this Astromech and I have seen plenty of action back in the Clone Wars. I'm glad he's still around and as loyal as ever. Though, I can't quite figure out how the golden droid made it this far?' The veteran was stroking his white beard in recollection, while Luke was taken by Rex's revelation. The younger man found himself asking the older man a familiar question. 'You fought in the Clone Wars?'

'Of course.' Rex answered proudly then continued. 'Son, I'm a Clone.' 'My Brothers and I once numbered in the millions, and the Jedi… Our Commanders and Generals numbered in the thousands.' The proud expression in Rex's face vanished and a sombre one crept in. 'Then the war ended, and the dark times of the Empire came. Now,… We… Are all but extinct.' Taking back some of that lost pride for himself, Rex said… 'My designation number was CT-7567. But as you know, I go by Rex, or these days… "Gramps".' He said with a chuckle. 'I was an Arc Trooper once, a Captain of the 501st legion of Torrent Company, for the Grand Army of the Republic under the command of General Anakin Skywalker... Your Father.'

Luke was astounded for several seconds. Not only was he meeting a Clone for the first time, but also this Clone claimed to have known his father. Luke collected himself and then asked another eerily familiar question. 'You knew my father?'

'He was the best Star pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior,' The Clone said with a tone of reverie then looked at Luke with a proud smile and said. 'I understand you've become something of a good pilot yourself.'

Luke smiled with every bashfulness of the Tatooine farm boy he somehow forgot he still was, but then quickly realised what he was hearing. Luke and Rex then both said in near perfect unison. 'And He was a good friend.'

Luke gasped. Rex had a touch of confusion at the strange moment they just shared.

'Wait, that's exactly what Ben said!' Luke exclaimed.

Looking even more confused, Rex asked. 'I'm sorry kid? Who's Ben?'

'Ben Kenobi,' Luke answered. 'I mean Obi-Wan Kenobi. The day we met, the day I left Tatooine, before the first Death Star, Obi-Wan used those exact words when I asked him about my father. I think I may have asked the same questions, too.'

'So General Kenobi was alive?' The Clone started asking, but then the question in his mind turned into a revelation. 'Obi-Wan was alive!'... 'Hah!' He exclaimed. 'Bridger was right! Wait... but then why didn't Ezra bring him back? Why didn't the General come back and fight?... Unless! Yes! This all makes sense now. General Kenobi was watching over you kid. Keeping you safe, protecting you from the Empire, from the Emperor, from Darth Vader.'

Luke's demeanour suddenly went from surprise to a cold fear, then into sadness Rex noticed. It wasn't only Luke, R2-D2 made a mournful whirr as well. Then Rex realised something himself and pointed at the backpack Luke was holding.

'Luke, that backpack Hera gave you before she left. I need you to take out what's inside.'

Near a minute later Luke was fascinated by the Jedi trinkets and artefacts he was taking out of the backpack. He sprawled them out on his bunk bed save for three near identical box-shaped objects Luke was familiar with. He carefully placed them in a row on the workstation desk nearby, then Luke said. 'These are Jedi holocrons. I have collected a few of my own.'

'Good, then you know how they work. All three of them are Holo recordings. Two of these three holocrons belonged to Kanan. The one on the right is a lightsaber technique holovid made by your father, the other one…'

Rex said, then pointed at the holocron on the left. '...This one here, I want you to open this one.'

Luke took a relaxing breath, then closed his eyes and concentrated on the holocron Rex pointed at. Luke reached out into the Force. The holocron lit up brightly, it began to levitate from the workstation desk. The cube shape of the holocron deconstructed itself in activation, revealing an octagonal sphere of illumination. A holo image recording of Ben Kenobi. No, not 'Ben Kenobi', but beaming to life out from the holocron was a much younger 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'. Luke was taken by the youth of the Jedi Master. Just then a memory flashed inside Luke's mind. This same face visited him before as a young boy on Tatooine. The face in the ignited memory was more worn and aged from the years spent under the Twin Suns, a face that was kind with a warm smile as a young Luke was gifted a toy. Luke's AT-16 Skyhopper. The young Jedi Master's face in the holovid though, was worn too Luke could tell. It was a face worn with deep sorrow, but then Obi-Wan Kenobi resolved himself as diplomatically as possible as he began delivering his message.

'This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic have fallen, with the dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi. Trust in the Force. Do not return to the Temple. That time has passed. And our future is uncertain. We will each be challenged. Our trust... our faith... our friendships. But we must persevere. And in time, a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you... always.'

Grief hung like a light mist in the air as Rex, Luke, and R2-D2 were silent in it for the next minute after the holo recorded message ended and the holocron deactivated. Then Rex started speaking and grief's mist slowly dissipated.

'You know Hera once told me that Kanan once shared with her a story of when he was a Padawan in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during the Clone Wars. Master Kenobi told him and his fellow students that the signal used in that message was meant to call all the Jedi spread across the galaxy home to Coruscant if there was ever a threat to the Jedi Order or the Republic... A beacon of Hope.'

Luke saw a hint of guilt cross the old Clone's face as Rex paused for a moment reflecting, and then went on telling the tale.

'Kanan also said he asked the General if that same signal could also be used with a message to warn the Jedi away from Coruscant. His fellow students laughed at him. But, Kanan saw Master Kenobi take in the question, then addressed both the Masters and young Padawans gathered in the class that day. He told them to obey the message, no matter what.' Rex ended the story, then said.

'HOPE'... Yeah, I hope we end the Emperor, his Empire, and Vader today, or someday. We start to put an end to this war today, for the Rebellion, for the Republic, and for all those we've lost.'

Then the Clone Wars veteran grabbed Luke firmly on the shoulder.

'Son, if this is the last time I ever go into battle, I'm going to be at your side. With a "Skywalker", the way it ought to be. My strike team is ready and waiting on that stolen Imp shuttle.'

R2-D2 let off a sequence of excited beeps and whistles. Luke then embraced the old man.

'Commander Rex,' Luke said. 'I may or may not be the last Jedi left, but on behalf of those who came before me, I thank you for your service and the service of your Brothers. Thank you for your loyalty and your friendship. It would be my honour to be accompanied by you.'

The old man couldn't help but tear up at what Luke just said. Rex then quickly stood at attention with every resolve of the soldier he always was and said. 'Good soldiers follow orders, Sir.' Luke replied in comfort and kindness. 'No, my friend. Good people do what they can, to do what is right.'

Rex relaxed and stood at ease. Instantly thereafter a Comms Officer announced, calling for both Commander Rex and Luke Skywalker to get to the Hanger Bay area of Home One. Both men looked at each other with urgent seriousness. Rex stood at attention, saluted, then turned and made his way to the door of Luke's quarters.

'Commander Rex, wait!' Luke called stopping Rex as he nearly exited the doorway as it automatically slid open.

Luke hurried over to Rex, then pointed the Clone's attention to the row of holocrons on the workstation desk.

'You mentioned earlier that two of the three holocrons belonged to Kanan Jarrus. To whom did the one other holocron belong?' Luke asked.

Rex pointed at the holocron in the middle of the other two and answered the young man.

'That holocron belonged to Anakin Skywalker's Padawan. However, I like to think, She was an apprentice to both your father and Master Kenobi.

She possessed their finest qualities. A Commander in her own right during the Clone Wars. She was my friend. Loyal to my brothers who served with her.

She was like family to us all, a kid sister if you will... Even to your mother Padmé Amidala. That holocron belonged to the very best of Us... Ahsoka Tano.'

Luke stood and stared silently stunned hearing his birth mother's name for the first time, as well as the brief account Rex gave of his father's apprentice. Then Rex took Luke's hand in his own once more and said.

'If we go out there, and we try to hurt the Empire,... When we survive,... I will tell you everything you need to know. May the Force be with you, Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight.'

Luke felt a rush of calm flow all around him as he replied in kind. Oh Rex , "There is No Try". So I am looking forward to it. May the Force be with you too.'

In that moment, Rex could have sworn he heard a whispered echoe of Ahsoka's voice paired with Luke's saying the aeons-old Jedi sentiment. He smiled at Luke, nodded in appreciation, and was about to leave through the half open doorway when Luke stopped him yet again.

'Commander Rex, one more thing, could you please tell the great "General Solo" and my Sis-, urh-uhm, I mean Leia that I'll be at the shuttle in just a moment. I know they must be getting impatient.'

Rex eyed Luke curiously, for several seconds then made a comical face, looked down at R2-D2 and then up at Luke and said . 'Roger Roger.'

A giggled chitter came from R2-D2. Luke looked slightly confused at the Astromech and the old Clone. Then Rex gave Luke a nod, he then finally left the young Jedi's quarters. As the doorway automatically slid closed, Luke couldn't help a small chuckle at whatever that last thing was Rex said. Then he made his way to his workstation desk. Luke centred himself, closed his eyes and concentrated on the middle holocron, and reached out into the Force to activate it. When the holo image beamed to life in front of him, Luke gasped. It was a holo recorded message from a young Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker to his Apprentice Ahsoka Tano.

23 Years Earlier. Near the end of the Clone Wars…

Aboard the Republic Venator-class Star Destroyer, The Tribunal, Anakin Skywalker felt a presence he hadn't felt in a long time, or so he thought. The presence he thought he felt was that of Ahsoka Tano, when a Nebula-class freighter accidentally flew into the military lane above Coruscant's skyline. It was clear Anakin missed his friend and former Padawan deeply. He needed her to know that, but how could he when he didn't know where in the galaxy she was. For now, Anakin decided to make a holo recording and store it on a Jedi holocron. For some reason, it seemed as if the Force was guiding him to leave the holocron, and a small memento he had carried with him for some time now, in Ahsoka's old quarters aboard this ship, rather than leaving the items either back at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant or, on his fleet's flagship, The Resolute. Anakin then hoped that if Ahsoka did find her way back to him, or even this very ship, the Jedi data cube would let her know someday, just how much he missed her.

Some Few Months Later. One Hour before the "Siege of Mandalore"...

Ahsoka paced back and forth, alternating between putting her hands on her hips, to crossing her arms in front of her chest. She was deep in thought, worried for what was to come. Ahsoka was in her quarters aboard the Republic Star Destroyer, The Tribunal. She then stood still for a moment, and decided to find something to do, an attempt to occupy her mind with something else. The thought occurred to her that she could no longer call it "Her" quarters, or even the one she used to have on her former Master's flagship The Resolute. It was once her home away from home at one point in her life, fighting a war. "Home" of course, used to be the Jedi Temple on Coruscant when she used to be part of the Jedi Order. 'A Jedi Order that wasn't even supposed to have flagships or even be a part of any sort of warfare.' Ahsoka thought darkly. Then she realised the quarters were left just as she remembered it the last time she was on board this Star Destroyer with Anakin, when they went off to stop one of the countless Separatist threats against the Republic. Ahsoka immediately shook off the thought of Anakin, the Jedi, and the dangers happening over Coruscant right this very moment several parsecs and hyperspace lanes away.

Ahsoka needed a distraction for now. She proceeded to go through her old things, which wasn't much. But then, a whisper in the Force guided her to find something stored away in the bed stand compartment.

Ahsoka found a holocron, and the honorary small medallion neck chain, a medal awarded to her by her people, the Togruta, for her role in liberating them from the Zygerrian Slave Empire.

'Oh, "Skyguy". This is you, isn't it.' Ahsoka said with a sardonic half-smile, and an eye roll.

Ahsoka then retrieved both items, first putting the medal around her neck and tucking it away safely, then sat down on her bunk bed. She scanned the cube in her hands as if it were one of those colour puzzle cubes, contemplating for at least a minute or two whether or not she should activate the Jedi data cube, before deciding she might as well. Ahsoka placed it on the stand, then sat upright on her bed in the familiar meditation pose and concentrated reaching into the Force. The holocron activated. When Ahsoka opened her eyes, she found Anakin standing still, well, as much as the pale translucent static holo image of him would allow. Anakin's arms were crossed, like hers were, just a minute or two ago. Ahsoka wondered, when in her apprenticeship did she copy this from her former Master, but then dissolved that thought when she noted the holo-image of Anakin was too still and feared the holovid recording may be corrupted. But when Anakin moved, Ahsoka let out a small sigh of relief the exact same time Anakin exhaled a deep sombersim breath. Then Anakin began to speak to her.

'Ahsoka... I've been missing you a lot lately, so much that I thought I felt your presence in the Force earlier, I guess that's why I'm here in your quarters making this holovid recording. It's not just me... Padmé, our Droids, Rex, the 501st, and even Jar Jar. They miss you, Ahsoka. I hear them talk about you. Many times, they're trying to discuss how to get you to come back. We all wonder what you're up to and hope you're safe. I try to reassure them by telling them and myself that my training and guidance have taught you to be safe. Wherever you are right now, I have faith that you are safe. Obi-Wan misses you too, although he only said it once. Ahsoka, you mean a lot to them, and I know they do to you too.

They mean a lot to me, too. I'm worried about your safety, and I'm worried about there's as well. Padmé's work in the Senate is becoming more dangerous with the war raging on. Rex is always at risk on the battlefield.

The Republic and the Council have failed you... I have failed you. They have failed us both.

Sometimes, I feel if I was given the rank of "Master", then alongside Obi-Wan, we could persuade the Republic or the Council to help find you, and bring you back. But enough about that... That doesn't matter anymore.

I have wondered if I have always been the best master for you. Maybe... maybe I pushed you too hard. I'm sorry about that, and I hope you can forgive me?

I've been reflecting on a lot of the choices I have made, and will make. One choice I have made is to stay with the Jedi Order until this war is over. These days, I'm sensing the war will be over soon. I've even had visions of the war ending, but they were clouded, so maybe it's just wishful thinking, I don't know.

Speaking of choices... It took me a while to come to terms with why you left the Jedi Order... why you left me, but I want you to know I understand. It wasn't an easy decision to make. I respect and support your choice, and I trust your judgement. You were an incredible Padawan. You were becoming a true Jedi, one who understood the best teachings of the Jedi way, the important work we do as Jedi, and trusting the will of the Force. During your time as a Jedi, you have helped bring HOPE to a Galaxy of Worlds and Peoples who needed it. You made a difference Ahsoka, and you will continue to do so out there. You may no longer feel like a Jedi, but you still are... To me, you still are. I consider you my family. I will forever be grateful that you came into my life... Our lives.

I hope we can see each other again someday, or at the very least, this recording finds you. I take solace in the fact that we are all connected, open "Conversations through the Force", if you will. I have no doubt that you will continue to achieve great things in the future. Take care of yourself, trust your instincts, trust in the Force, and may the Force be with you, always Snips.'

The holovid recording ended. Anakin's projected holo image, and the light it emitted disappeared into the holocron when it reassembled itself to an idle cube form. Ahsoka sat silent for a while, taking in everything Anakin's message conveyed and the wave of emotions it brought up in her. She took a deep breath inward to let the force wash over her, then exhaled calmly. She got up from her bunk bed, then picked up the holocron and placed it in a carryon bag she brought with her when she boarded the Star Destroyer. Suddenly The Tribunal's klaxon started wailing. The ship jerked as it dropped out of Hyperspace, signalling that it had arrived at its destination... The Mandalorian system, over the planet Mandalore. Finally feeling focused and fully prepared, Ahsoka clipped on her old, now refurbished lightsabers, then exited her old quarters and headed to the starship's bridge. Mandalore's People needed saving from the Sith Lord,… Darth Maul.

Now. Before the Battle of Endor. The quarters of Luke Skywalker. One Hour before departing for the Moon…

Luke stared at the deactivated holocron intensely. The emotions he was feeling in that moment were deafening. It took R2-D2 a string of mournful whirrs and three nudges to Luke's leg to shake him out of it. Luke refocused himself, looked at the little droid beside him, and then back at the Holocron cube. Luke spoke to the holocron, addressing the now gone holo-image of his young father.

'Father... There was so much good in you. I hope I'm ready to confront the thing you are now. If there is still a small chance that a part of Anakin Skywalker still exists, then there is still Hope. Emperor Palpatine and the Dark Side have not won yet.'

Luke then gathered everything he had taken out of the backpack Hera gave him and put them back in, closed it then tucked it away securely under his bunk bed. Luke then draped the Alliance issued poncho over what he was wearing, grabbed the helmet hat, cloaked his head under the poncho's hood, and then finally slung a BlasTech A280 Blaster Rifle over his shoulder. Luke walked towards the exit of his quarters only to realise his Astromech unit wasn't following. Luke turned back, smiled, and motioned to the little droid to come along. 'Oh, Artoo, I know you're scared, I am too. I also know I can't do this without you.' R2-D2 made a low anxious whirr and then confidently beep-booped. The pair exited Luke's quarters and made their way to board the stolen Imperial shuttle.

The End.

Written By:- Reuben Oliver.

Disclaimer: This work is purely fan fiction. "Star Wars - Conversations through the Force - A Return of the Jedi Short Story" the main story takes place between scenes at the 1:24:36 and 1:24:37 hour/minute of Star Wars Episode 6 Return of the Jedi. The two other tie-in stories take place during Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7. In order to enhance this fan fiction story I have borrowed direct lines of dialogue from the Star Wars films and the Star Wars animated series as well as make reference to events that take place in them. In addition, I have also referenced events that take place in Star Wars print media. This entire story is in no way affiliated with actual Star Wars properties owned or created by Lucasfilm Ltd, STAR WARS and The Walt Disney Company.

Notes and Credits: Ever since the news broke that the Clone Trooper known as "Rex", "Captain Rex", a beloved character of the two animated Star Wars series: Star Wars The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, was involved in the "Battle of Endor'', which takes place in Star Wars Episode 6, Return of The Jedi, I was thrilled like many Star Wars fans. I have done my own fan fiction story based on this information like so many Star Wars fans have done. In order to make my fan fiction story as canon as possible, I had to do extensive research. Wookieepedia was a good source for Star Wars canon details not taken directly from the Star Wars films, animated series, or any other media. But, I would like to the most thanks and credit to Star Wars Meg, a brilliant and talented Star Wars YouTuber. I have learnt so much from her videos, because she does excellent informative Star Wars video content. Such as the Star Wars news, theories, and many other great things. Thank you, Meg! I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Star Wars fan family I have found on Star Wars Meg's YouTube channels and the Discord community she hosts. This Star Wars fan family includes other Star Wars YouTubers and Discord Community hosts such as: Star Wars Santa or Santa's Covert, Vader's Lair or Shiev the Wise to name just a few. All of you have inspired me greatly in part to write this story. So this is my love letter to Star Wars and all of you. I thank you. May The Force Be With You, Always.