We're Wizards, Not Warriors: What If
Volume 7:
Chapter 15: That's No Moon….
Meanwhile….
Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.
….
Inside the Death Star….
Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen displaying a small green planet.
Motti said, "we've entered the Alderaan system."
Alatu, Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her hands are bound.
Leia growled, "Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board."
Vader thought, 'jeez, sounds almost as bad as when I said, 'I don't like sand….''
Tarkin said, "charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it signing the order to terminate your life!"
Leia said, "I'm surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself!"
Tarkin said, "Princess Leia, 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 Empire now."
Leia said, "the more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
"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 said as he had an evil smile on his face.
Leia had a scared look on her face after hearing that.
"No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no weapons. You can't possibly….", Leia pleaded.
Tarkin said, "you would prefer another target? A military target? Then name the system", Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia, "I grow tired of asking this. So it'll be the last time. Where is the Rebel base?"
Vader said, "that's enough, Tarkin-"
Tarkin didn't listen and growled, "where…. Is…. It?!"
Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to Alderaan.
Leia lowers her head and whispers, "Dantooine. They're on Dantooine…."
Tarkin smiled evilly and said, "there. You see Lord Vader, she can be reasonable", Tarkin then turns to address Motti, "continue with the operation. You may fire when ready."
Leia and Vader actually both yell, "what?!"
"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 said.
Vader said, "Tarkin! You can't do this! There are innocent people on Alderaan!"
Tarkin and Alatu both glared at Vader.
Leia was shocked by Vader's words.
This wasn't the Vader she had heard scary stories about when she was little.
Vader was a ruthless man who cared about nothing.
So why was he acting so…. Selfless and caring now?
Alatu growled, "you've gone soft, Vader…. Your son has made you weak."
Leia froze as she heard this.
They were talking about Sam!
Vader felt his anger towards Alatu grow at the mention of his son.
Vader growled, "I refuse to be a part of this needless destruction…."
Alatu let out a growl of anger.
He then made a sign to Tarkin to continue the operations.
Leia gave a terrified look.
"Commence primary ignition", Tarkin said.
A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever. Another lever is pulled. Alatu reaches for still another lever and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A huge beam of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area and converges into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan. The small green planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.
Leia gasps as she backs into Vader, who gently holds her shoulder.
….
Meanwhile, on the Falcon….
Sam and Obi Wan watch Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker" robot. The older Jedi suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters, seems almost faint.
Satine asked, "daddy?"
Sam asked, "dad? 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", Obi Wan said.
Ventress and Sam began to feel it too.
"We feel it too", Ventress said.
Sam said, "something terrible has happened…."
Obi Wan rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then he fixes his gaze on Luke.
Obi Wan said, "you'd better get on with your exercises."
Han Solo enters the room.
He said, "well, you can forget your troubles with those Imperial slugs. I told you I'd outrun 'em."
Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.
Han said, "don't everyone thank me at once."
Satine said, "thank you Mr. Solo."
Han gave a small smile.
C3-P0 watches as Chewbacca and R2 who are engrossed in a game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move along a chess-type board.
Lola and NED-B sit nearby.
Han said, "anyway, we should be at Alderaan in about oh-two-hundred hours."
Verosika said, "let's hope this Senator Organa has somewhere to rest."
Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-covered arms over his head.
"Now be careful Artoo", C3-P0 said.
R2 immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures to walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny droid. C3-P0 intercedes on behalf of his small companion and begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.
"He made a fair move. Screaming about it won't help you", C3-P0 said.
"Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookie", Han said.
"But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid", C3-P0 said.
"That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their socket when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that", Han said.
Chewie rested his hands behind his head.
C3-P0 said, "I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, Artoo. Let the Wookiee win."
R2 beeped in irritation as Lola chittered and NED-B rolled his optics.
Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his head. Sam, Ventress and Obi Wan watch him from the corner, studying his movements. Han watches with a bit of smugness.
Obi Wan said, "remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him."
Luke asked, "you mean it controls your actions?"
Ventress said, "partially. But it also obeys your commands."
The training droid floats to one side of the youth. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy, then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood red laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing him to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid", Han said in a smug tone.
Luke asked, "you don't believe in the Force, do you?"
"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.
Sam said, "well then; you're an ignorant jackass."
Han asked, "excuse me?"
Sam called over a nearby wrench into his hand and said, "the force is one hundred percent real, ya twit! I mean, you're like thirty! The Jedi were thriving before I was born; during the clone wars!"
Han had a look of surprise on his face.
As did the others.
Sam said, "plus, correct me if I'm wrong dad, but didn't Master Yoda and mom, Ahsoka, know a Chewbacca during the war?"
"Yes, they did know Chewbacca", Obi Wan said.
Han said, "Chewie? You knew TWO Jedi?"
Chewbacca let out a few growling sounds as he nodded his head.
Han asked, "we've been traveling together for like ten years and ya never thought to mention that?"
Chewbacca shrugs his shoulders.
Sam's boyfriends face-palmed.
As did Verosika.
Obi Wan said, "let's get back to training…."
"Try again Luke", Sam said.
Obi Wan places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his eyes.
"This time, let go of your conscious self and act on instinct", Obi Wan said.
Luke said, "with the blast shield down, I can't even see. How am I supposed to fight?"
Obi Wan said, "your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them."
Obi Wan throws the seeker into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around, blindly missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt that hits Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful yell and attempts to hit the seeker.
Sam said, "stretch out with your feelings."
Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker makes a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he manages to deflect the bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original position.
Obi Wan said, "you see, you can do it."
Han said, "I call it luck."
Obi Wan said, "in my experience, there's no such thing as luck."
Han said, "look, going good against remotes is one thing. Going good against the living? That's something else."
Ventress said, "try dealing with battle droids and call me."
Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the control panel.
Han said, "looks like we're coming up on Alderaan."
Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.
Luke took off the helmet and said, "you know, I did feel something. I could almost see the remote."
Obi Wan said, "that's good. You have taken your first step into a larger world."
Sam said, "keep it up, and you may one day be as revered as the best Jedi in history."
Luke smiled at his younger brother.
….
Back at the Death Star….
Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin, Darth Alatu and Darth Vader.
Tarkin asked, "yes?"
"Our scout ships have reached Dantooine. They found the remains of a Rebel base, but they estimate that it has been deserted for some time. They are now conducting an extensive search of the surrounding systems", Officer Cass said.
Tarkin yelled, "she lied! She lied to us!"
Vader said, "I told you she would never consciously betray the Rebellion."
Tarkin growled, "terminate her…. Immediately!"
Vader growled, "no! I forbid it!"
"You are not in command, Darth Vader", Alatu growled.
Vader glared at Alatu.
….
Back with the Falcon….
The pirate ship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange surreal light show surrounds the ship.
"Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut the sublight engines", Han said.
Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit window stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed, then stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and violently shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them, battering the sides of the ship.
"What the…? Aw, we've come out of hyperspace into a meteor shower. Some kind of asteroid collision. It's not on any of the charts", Han said.
The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing cockpit.
Luke asked, "what's going on?"
Han said, "our position is correct, except…. No, Alderaan!"
Luke said, "what do you mean? Where is it?"
Han said, "that's what I'm trying to tell you, kid. It ain't there. It's been totally blown away.
Sam burst in and asked, "how the Hell is that possible!?"
Obi Wan enters the cockpit.
Obi Wan said, "destroyed…. By the Empire!"
"The entire starfleet couldn't destroy the whole planet. It'd take a thousand ships with more firepower than I've….", Han said before he stopped talking as a signal started flashing on the control panel and a muffled alarm started humming.
Han said, "there's another ship coming in."
Prime said, "maybe they know what happened."
Obi Wan said, "it's an Imperial fighter."
Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts outside the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A tiny, finned Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit window.
Hordak groaned, "oh great, it followed us!"
Obi Wan said, "no. It's a short range fighter."
Han said, "there aren't any bases around here."
Alastor asked, "then where did it come from?"
The fighter races past the Corellian pirate ship.
Luke said, "it sure is leaving in a big hurry."
Lucifer said, "if they identify us, we're in big trouble."
Han said, "not if I can help it. Chewie…. Jam its transmissions."
Obi Wan said, "it'd be as well to let it go. It's too far out of range."
Han said, "not for long…."
The ship flies after the Imperial TIE fighter.
The tension mounts as the Falcon gains on the tiny fighter. In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter until it is obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben stands behind Chewbacca.
"A fighter that size couldn't get this deep into space on its own", Obi Wan said.
Luke said, "it must have gotten lost, been part of a convoy or something."
Han said, "well, he ain't going to be around long enough to tell anyone about us."
The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger ship as they race forward and disappear overhead.
The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or planet.
Adam said, "look at him."
Luke said, "he's headed for that small moon…."
"I think I can get him before he gets there…. He's almost in range", Han said.
"That's no moon! It's a space station", Obi Wan said.
Han said, "it's too big to be a space station."
Luke said, "I have a very bad feeling about this."
Revan muttered, "you and the rest of the universe."
Chewie growls and Han says, "yeah, I think you're right. Full reverse! Chewie, lock in the auxiliary power."
The Falcon shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates away toward the gargantuan battle station.
Luke said, "why are we still moving towards it?"
Han said, "we're caught in a tractor beam! It's pulling us in!"
Verosika said, "but there's gotta be something you can do!"
Han said, "there's nothin' I can do about it. I'm in full power. I'm going to have to shut down. But they're not going to get me without a fight!
Obi Wan puts a hand on his shoulder and says, "you can't win. But there are alternatives to fighting."
As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which the helpless Millenium Falcon is dragged.
The helpless ship is pulled past a docking port control room and huge laser turret cannons.
An intercom goes, "clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are opening the magnetic field."
The Millenium Falcon is pulled in through port doors of the Death Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers stand at attention in a central assembly area.
An officer yelled, "to you stations", he said to another officer, "come with me."
Stormtroopers run to their posts.
A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirate ship in readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons ready to fire.
The officer said, "lose all outboard shields! Close all outboard shields!"
….
In the Death Star conference room….
Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz and says, "yes."
A voice replied, "we've captured a freighter entering the remains of the Alderaan system. Its markings match those of a ship that blasted its way out of Mos Eisley."
Vader said, "they must be trying to return the stolen plans to the princess."
Alatu said, "she may yet be of some use to us."
….
Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.
"Unlock one-five-seven and nine. Release charges", a voice said over the intercom.
"There's no one on board, sir. According to the log, the crew abandoned the ship right after takeoff. It must be a decoy, sir. Several of the escape pods have been jettisoned", the officer said.
Vader asked, "did you find any droids?"
The officer said, "no, sir. If there were any on board, they must also have jettisoned."
Vader said, "send a scanning crew on board. I want every part of this ship checked."
The officer said, "yes, sir."
Vader said, "I sense something…. A presence I haven't felt since…."
Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.
The officer said to a trooper, "get me a scanning crew in here on the double. I want every part of this ship checked!"
A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In a few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant officer giving orders finally fade.
Three floor panels suddenly pop up revealing Han Solo, Sam and Luke. Obi Wan sticks his head out of a fourth locker.
Luke said, "boy, it's lucky you had these compartments."
Han said, "I use them for smuggling. I never thought I'd be smuggling myself in them. This is ridiculous. Even if I could take off, I'd never get past the tractor beam."
Obi Wan said, "leave that to me!"
Hab said, "damn fool. I knew that you were going to say that!"
Sam said, "my dad has an old saying, 'who's the more foolish…. The fool or the fool who follows him?"
Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca agrees
….
Outside the ship.
The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.
"The ship's all yours. If the scanners pick up anything, report it immediately. All right, let's go", a trooper said.
The crewmen enter the pirate ship and a loud crashing sound is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.
"Hey down there, could you give us a hand with this?"
The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of gunfire is heard.
In a very small command office near the entrance to the pirate ship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.
The Gantry Officer, "TK-four-one-two. Why aren't you at your post? TK-four-one-two, do you copy?"
A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirate ship and waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear indicating his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his head in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an annoyed look.
He says, "take over. We've got a bad transmitter. I'll see what I can do."
As the officer approaches the door, it slides open revealing the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a momentary state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone-chilling howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one blow. The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is blasted by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper. Obi Wan, Lola, R2, C3-P0 and One-One enter the room quickly followed by Luke, Sam, Verosika, Hordak and Prime, also dressed as stormtroopers.
The others were still on the ship, making sure it was safe.
Luke quickly removes his helmet and says, "you know, between his howling and your blasting everything in sight, it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here."
Han said, "bring them on! I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around."
Hordak said, "stealth is sometimes the best option."
"We found the computer outlet sir", C3-P0 said.
Obi Wan feeds some information into the computer and a map of the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it carefully. C3-P0 and R2 look over the control panel. R2 finds something that makes him whistle wildly.
"Plug in. He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial computer network", Obi Wan said.
R2 punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.
"He says he's found the main computer to power the tractor beam that's holding the ship here. He'll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor", C3-P0 said.
"That's good news at least", Prime said.
The computer monitor flashes readouts.
"The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave", C3-P0 explained.
Obi Wan studies the data on the monitor readout.
He said, "I don't think you boys can help. I must go alone."
Han said, "whatever you say. I've done more than I bargained for on this trip already."
Luke said, "I want to go with you."
Obi Wan said, "be patient, Luke. Stay and watch over the droids."
Sam said, "but dad-"
Obi Wan told the siblings, "the droids must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer the same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny lies along a different path than mine. The Force will be with you…. Always."
Sam then hugged his father.
He said, "I love you dad."
"I love you too my son", Obi Wan said as he hugged his son back.
As the hug ends, Obi Wan adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps out of the command office, then disappears down a long gray hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head in agreement.
"Boy, you said it Chewie", Han said.
Han turns to look at Luke.
Han asked, "where did you dig up that old fossil?"
Sam said, "my father is a great man."
Han said, "yeah, great at getting us into trouble."
Luke said, "I didn't hear you give any ideas…."
Han said, "well, anything would be better than just hanging around waiting for him to pick us up…."
Prime said, "who do you think-"
Suddenly, R2 begins to whistle and beep a blue streak.
Luke goes over to him and asks, "what is it?"
"I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir. He says 'I found her', and keeps repeating, 'she's here'", C3-P0 said.
Luke asked, "well who has he found?"
R2 whistles a frantic reply.
"Princess Leia", C3-P0 said.
One-One and Sam exclaimed, "Leia?!"
Luke exclaimed, "the Princess!? She's here?!"
Han asked, "Princess? What's going on?"
"Level five. Detention block A A-twenty- three. I'm afraid she's scheduled to be terminated", C3-P0 explained.
Sam growled, "not on my watch!"
"Sam's right, we got to do something", Luke said.
Han asked, "what are you talking about?"
Sam said, "the droids belong to her."
Luke said, "she's the one in the message…. We've got to help her."
Han said, "now, look, don't get any funny ideas. The old man wants us to wait right here."
Verosika said, "but he didn't know she was here."
Hordak said, "look, will you just find a way back into the detention block?"
Han said, "I'm not going anywhere."
Luke said, "they're going to execute her. Look, a few minutes ago you said you didn't want to just wait here to be captured. Now all you want to do is stay!?"
"Marching into the detention area is not what I had in mind", Han said.
"But they're going to kill her", Luke said.
"Better her than me", Han said.
Sam then got angry upon hearing that.
Luke suddenly had an idea and said, "she's rich…."
Chewbacca growls.
Han asked, "rich?"
"Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you were to rescue her, the reward would be….", Luke said.
Han asked, "what?"
Luke said, "well more wealth than you can imagine."
Han said, "I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit!"
Prime said, "you'll get it!"
Han said, "I better."
Verosika said, "you will…."
Han said, "alright. But you'd better be right about this."
Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.
Luke said, "alright."
Han asked, "what's your plan?"
Luke asked, "uh…. Threepio, hand me those binders there will you?"
C3-P0 hands Luke the binders. Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.
He said, "okay. Now, I'm going to put these on you."
Chewie lets out a hideous growl.
Luke backs up and says, "okay. Han, you put these on."
Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.
Han said, "don't worry, Chewie. I think I know what he has in mind."
The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face as Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.
Sam said, "One-One, you stay here with Lola, Threepio and Artoo."
One-One nodded.
C3-P0 asked, "Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for asking…. But, ah…. What should we do if we're discovered here?"
"Lock the door", Luke said.
"And hope they don't have blasters", Han said.
"That isn't very reassuring", C3-P0 said.
The group puts on their stormtrooper armor as they head off….
….
The group tries to look inconspicuous in their armored suits as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops, bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious glance.
Finally a small elevator arrives and the group enters.
"I can't see a thing in this helmet", Luke said.
Verosika said, "the only thing good about this armor? My ass looks amazing in it."
Sam, Hordak and Prime found themselves staring down at Verosika's shapely rear.
They blushed.
Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end of the hallway, a passing flash of Obi Wan Kenobi appears, then disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion. No one in the hallway seems to notice him.
The group step forward to exit the elevator, but the door slides open behind them. The giant Wookie and his guards enter the old grey security station. Guards and laser gates are everywhere.
Han whispers to Luke under his breath, "this is not going to work."
Luke asked, "why didn't you say so before?"
Han groaned, "I did say so before!"
The elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches the trio.
He asked, "where are you taking this…. Thing?"
Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to shut up.
Luke said, "prisoner transfer from Block one-one-three-eight."
"I wasn't notified. I'll have to clear it", the Officer said.
The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in the information. There are only three other troopers in the area.
Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.
Suddenly, Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with one of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han's laser rifle.
Han said, "we've got to find out which cell this princess of yours is in. Here it is…. Cell twenty-one-eight-seven. You go get her. I'll hold them here."
Luke races down one of the cell corridors.
Han speaks into the buzzing comlink, "everything is under control. Situation normal."
A voice on the intercom asked, "what happened?"
Han asked, "uh…. Had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh, everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?"
"We're sending a squad up", the voice on the Intercom said.
"Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor leak here now. Give us a few minutes to lock it down. Large leak…. Very dangerous", Han said nervously.
The voice on the intercom asked, "who is this? What's your operating number?"
Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.
Han groaned, "boring conversation anyway…. Luke! We're gonna have company!"
Luke and Sam stop in front of one of the cells and blasts the door away with a laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees the dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping and is now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on her face. Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and stands staring at her with his mouth hanging open.
Sam cringed at Luke's reaction.
Leia said to Luke, "aren't you a little short to be a stormtrooper?"
Luke says, "huh? Oh…. The uniform….", he takes off his helmet, coming out of it, "I'm Luke lSkywalker. I'm here to rescue you."
Leia asked, "Skywalker? Wait, as in…."
Sam took off his helmet and said, "hey Leia!"
Leia exclaimed, "Sam!"
Leia ran over and hugged Sam.
She asked, "what're you doing here?"
Sam said, "we're here to rescue you. We've got your Artoo unit. We're here with my dad!"
Leia asked, "Ben's here? Where is he?"
Luke said, "come on!"
….
We then see Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the far end of the conference table.
Alatu had left to deal with other matters.
Vader said, "he is here…."
Tarkin said, "Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you think so?"
Vader explained, "a tremor in the Force. The last time I felt it was in the presence of my old master."
"Surely he must be dead by now", Tarkin said.
"Don't underestimate the power of the Force", Vader said.
"The Jedi are extinct, their fire has gone out of the universe. You, my friend, are all that's left of their religion", Tarkin said.
Vader said, "I beg to differ…."
There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.
"Yes", Tarkin asked.
"Governor Tarkin, we have an emergency alert in detention block A A-twenty-three", a voice on the Intercom said.
Tarkin exclaimed, "the princess! Put all sections on alert!"
Vader said, "Obi Wan is here. The Force is with him. And my son will not be far behind."
Tarkin said, "if you're right, he must not be allowed to escape."
Vader said, "escape is not Obi Wan's plan. I must face him alone."
...
An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the elevator door.
"Chewie", Han shouted.
Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.
"Get behind me! Get behind me", Han shouted.
A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge.
Han and Chewie fire laser pistols at them through the smoke and flame. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting up with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.
"Can't get out that way", Han said.
"We'll have to find another way out", Sam said.
"Looks like you managed to cut off our only escape route", Leia said to Han.
Han said, "maybe you'd like it back in your cell, your Highness."
Hordak groaned, "dear force…."
Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as they continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their way down the corridor.
Luke yells, "See-Threepio! See-Threepio!"
C3-P0 replied, "yes sir?"
Luke said, "we've been cut off! Are there any other ways out of the cell bay…. What was that? I didn't copy!"
….
C3-P0 paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small comlink
transmitter.
"I said, all systems have been alerted to your presence, sir. The main entrance seems to be the only way in or out; all other information on your level is restricted", C3-P0 said.
Someone begins banging on the door.
"Open up in there", a trooper shouted.
"Oh no….", C3-P0 said.
….
Luke, Sam, Verosika and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han, Prime, Hordak and Chewbacca are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay at the far end of the hallway. The laserfire is very intense, and smoke fills the narrow cell corridor.
Luke said, "there isn't any other way out."
Han shouted, "we can't hold them off forever!"
Hordak yelled, "now what?!"
Leia said, "this is some rescue. When you came in here, didn't you have a plan for getting out?"
"He's the brains, sweetheart", Han said as he pointed to Luke.
Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.
"Well, I didn't….", Luke said.
The princess grabs Luke's gun and fires at a small grate in the wall next to Han, almost frying him.
Han asked, "what the Hell are you doing?"
Leia said, "somebody has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, wise guy!"
She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca look on in amazement.
Verosika said, "I like her…."
Sam yelled, "everyone down the shute!"
Sam and his lovers jump down!
Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and says something.
Han said, "get in there you big furry oaf! I don't care what you smell! Get in there and don't worry about it."
Han gives him a kick and the Wookiee disappears into the tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work their way toward the opening.
Han groaned, "wonderful girl! Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her. Get in there!"
Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han fires off a couple of quick blasts creating a smokey cover, then slides into the chute himself and is gone.
Han tumbles into the large room filled with garbage and muck. Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit. He finds a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It won't budge.
"Oh! The garbage chute was a really wonderful idea. What an incredible smell you've discovered! Let's get out of here! Get away from there….", Han said.
"No wait", Luke and Sam shouted.
Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room. Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a rather grim look on her face.
Luke said, "will you forget it?"
Hordak said, "we already tried it. It's magnetically sealed!"
Leia growled, "put that thing away! You're going to get us all killed."
Han said, "absolutely, your Worship. Look, I had everything under control until you led us down here. You know, it's not going to take them long to figure out what happened to us."
"It could be worse….", Leia said.
A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser pistols drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the walls.
Han said, "it's worse."
Luke said, "there's something alive in here!"
Han said, "that's your imagination."
Sam said, "something just moves past my leg! Look! Did you see that?"
Han asked, "what?"
Verosika asked, "what did you see?"
Suddenly, Sam is pulled under the garbage!
Sam shouted, "help!"
Verosika, Hordak, Prime and Han yelled, "Sam!"
Solo tries to get to Sam. Sam surfaces with a gasp of air and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped around his throat.
Leia yelled, "Sam!"
Leia extends a long pipe toward him.
She yelled, "Sam! Sam, grab a hold of this!"
"Blast it, Leia", Sam shouted.
Luke, Leia and Han asked, "where?"
Sam yelled, "ANYWHERE!"
Solo fires his gun as Sam is pulled back into the muck by the slimy tentacle.
Sam's lovers yelled, "Sam!"
Suddenly, the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly quiet. The others give each other worried looks as Chewbacca howls in the corner.
With a rush of bubbles and muck Sam suddenly bobs to the surface.
His lovers quickly ran to him as Han yelled, "Sam!"
Leia asked, "what happened?"
His lovers quickly ran to him as Han yelled, "Sam!"
Leia asked, "what happened?"
"I don't know, it just let go of me and disappeared….", Sam said.
"I've got a very bad feeling about this", Han said.
Prime said, "you and the rest of the universe."
Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble and edge toward the Rebels.
Luke shouted, "the walls are moving!"
Leia yelled, "don't just stand there. Try to brace it with something!"
They place poles and long metal beams between the closing walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant trash masher rumbles on. The situation doesn't look too good….
"Wait a minute", Luke said as he pulled out his comlink, "Threepio! Come in Threepio! Threepio! Where could he be?"
….
A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for C3-P0 can be heard on Threepio's hand comlink, which is sitting on the deserted computer console. Lola, R2, One-One and C3-P0 are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great explosion and the door of the control tower flies across the floor. Four armed stormtroopers enter the chamber. One bumps his head in the doorway.
"Take over! See to him! Look there", the trooper said as he pointed to the dead officer.
A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door slides open. The droids are inside. R2 follows his bronze companion out into the office.
"They're madmen! They're heading for the prison level. If you hurry, you might catch them", C3-P0 said.
The officer said to his troops, "follow me! You stand guard."
The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to watch over the command office.
C3-P0 said to R2, Lola and One-One, "come on!"
The guard aims a blaster at them.
C3-P0 said, "oh! All this excitement has overrun the circuits of my counterpart here. If you don't mind, we'd like to take him down to maintenance."
The trooper said, "alright."
The guard nods and C3-P0, with the others in tow, hurry out the door.
….
As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller. Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his giant paws. Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is snapping and popping. Luke is trying to reach C3-P0.
Luke said, "Threepio! Come in, Threepio! Threepio!"
Verosika, Prime, Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a pole. Leia begins to sink into the trash.
Han exclaimed, "get to the top!"
Leia yelled, "I can't!"
Luke groaned, "where could he be? Threepio! Threepio, will you come in?"
"They aren't here! Something must have happened to them. See if they've been captured", C3-P0 said.
R2 carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from the tiny droid.
"Hurry", C3-P0 said.
….
The walls are only feet apart. The others are braced against the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at each other. Leia reaches out and takes Han's hand and she holds it tightly. She's terrified and suddenly groans as she feels the first crushing pressure against her body.
Han groans, "one thing's for sure. We're all going to be a lot thinner!"
Sam yelled to Verosika, "get on top of it!"
She yelled back, "I'm trying!"
….
C3-P0 asked, "thank goodness, they haven't found them! Where could they be?"
R2 beeps something to C3-P0.
"Use the comlink? Oh my! I forgot I turned it off", C3-P0 said.
….
Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his head above the rising ooze. Luke's comlink begins to buzz and he rips it off his belt.
Muffled sounds of Luke's voice over the comlink can be heard, but not distinctly.
C3-P0 asked, "are you there, sir?"
….
"Threepio", Luke said.
….
"We've had some problems", C3-P0 said.
Luke shouted, "will you shut up and listen to me!? Shut down all garbage mashers on the detention level, will you? Do you copy?"
….
Sam yelled, "shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level."
Hordak yelled, "you heard them! Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level!"
….
C3-P0 said to R2, "no. Shut them all down! Hurry!"
C3-P0 holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible screaming and hollering from Luke's comlink.
He said, "listen to them! They're dying! Curse my metal body! I wasn't fast enough. It's all my fault! My poor master!"
Luke replied, "Threepio, we're alright!"
….
The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief. The walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace.
Verosika, Prime and Hordak hold Sam close.
"We're all right. You did great", Luke said
Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a number.
He said, "hey…. Hey, open the pressure maintenance hatch on unit number…. Where are we?"
Han said, "three-two-six-eight-two-seven."
As they waited for the hatch to open, Sam picked up a box and said, "look at this! Who throws out half a sandwich?"
Prime and Hordak stood near a couch and the latter said, "and look at this couch! Somebody threw out a whole couch, and it's in great shape!"
"That's the empire for ya", Han said.
Prime said, "I mean, clean this thing up a little, and it'd look great on a ship."
Verosika said, "you two are not thinking of taking that couch with you, are you?"
Hordak said, "look, I know we've got a dangerous mission going on, but…. We're taking this. We're taking this couch."
Sam and Verosika face palmed.
This mission just got crazier….
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: I'm glad you enjoyed how this chapter turned out. And agreed, I like how we made Vader more sympathetic.
….
