We're Wizards, Not Warriors: What If
Volume 7:
Chapter 29: Duels and Revelations
Luke's X-wing and the Ebon Hawk race through thick clouds toward Cloud City.
Sam said, "I'm sure Vader is here. I want most of you to stay here on the Ebon Hawk after we land. Wait for me to return."
Ahsoka asked, "are you sure?"
Sam said, "I want you all to stay safe during this."
Ahsoka hugs Sam.
Sam said, "before we land, there's something I want to do, Mama Soka."
Ahsoka looked a bit confused.
Sam pulled out Obi Wan's saber and said, "kneel, please."
Ahsoka knelt down.
Sam ignited his saber and did the same gestures as Yoda.
He said, "by the right of the council, by the will of the force, dub thee I do, Jedi Master. Rise…. Master Ahsoka Tano."
Ahsoka slowly rose up from the ground and she smiled at Sam.
She said, "thank you so much, Sam."
"You deserve the title of Master, Mama Soka", Sam said.
Ahsoka hugged Sam again.
Sam smiled as he returned the hug.
HK said, "statement: we're approaching a landing pad, Master."
"Thanks HK", Sam said.
Sam and One-One got ready to disembark the ship.
Sam's husbands and wife all hugged him.
They whispered, "be careful."
"I will", Sam said.
Sam gave them each a kiss before he and One-One left the ship. They saw Luke and R2 disembarking the X-Wing.
Sam asked, "ready?"
"Ready, little bro", Luke said.
The two brothers walked side by side….
….
Meanwhile….
Chewbacca is in a Cloud City prison cell. The stark room is flooded with hot light. To add to Chewie's misery, a high-pitched whistle screeches loudly. Chewie is going mad. He hits the wall with giant fists as he paces back and forth across the cell floor. The upper lights go off abruptly. The prisoner rubs his eyes and moves to a wall, where he listens for a moment. Then, moaning to himself, he moves to a platform where the disassembled pieces of C3-P0 lie. He picks up the golden droid's head and meditates on it for a moment, barking a few philosophical remarks. Chewie sticks the robot's head on its torso and starts adjusting wires and circuits.
Suddenly, the lights in C3-P0's eyes spark to life as Chewie touches two connectors together. C3-P0 immediately begins to speak, but his voice is so slow and so low as to be nearly unintelligible
C3-P0 said, "mmmm. Oh, my. Uh, I, uh- Take this off! I, uh, don't mean to intrude here. I don't, no, no, no…. Please don't get up. No!"
Chewie looks at C3-P0 in bewilderment, then scratches his furry head. He gets an idea and adjusts some connections, whereupon C3-P0 immediately begins speaking normally.
He says, "Stormtroopers? Here? We're in danger. I must tell the others. Oh, no! I've been shot!"
….
We then see Padme and Kane in a room.
Padme was cradling her baby boy. Kane babbled at his mother. Padme smiled down at him.
That's when the door opened. Vader walked in. Padme glared at him. She held Kane close.
Vader sighed as he sat down across from Padme.
Padme asked, "what do you want, Vader?"
Vader said, "me? I want to let you all go. Malakis wants me to lure our son's here. Fett wants Captain Solo."
Padme asked, "what? How do I know you are not lying to me?"
Vader sighed and said, "I wouldn't blame you…. After everything I've done, I honestly wish Obi Wan had finished me off on Mustafar…. That way I could've spared you and our son's so much pain…."
Padme now had a shocked look on her face.
She was so shocked that she didn't notice Kane slipping out of her grasp to the floor. Kane waddled towards Vader.
Padme gasped in fear as Vader looked down at Kane.
Kane then hugged Vader's leg as he smiled up at him.
Padme and Vader gave shocked looks.
Kane babbled in joy as he kept smiling at Vader. Vader was utterly surprised by how innocent Kane was. He was hugging the leg of the most feared man in the galaxy.
Kane cooed as Padme carefully got up and picked up her son.
Kane whined a little, but Padme quickly pats Kane's head to calm him down.
She and Vader glanced at one another.
Then Vader got a call on his comlink.
He answered, "hello?"
"Lord Vader, Lando Calrissian wants to speak with you", Piett said.
Vader said, "I'll be there soon."
Vader then stands up.
He said, "I'll have you and your wife escorted to the others. If any of them harm you, they'll be reprimanded."
Padme didn't say anything.
Vader turned around and was about to walk away, when he heard Padme say, "thank you."
Vader froze and looked at her.
Padme was holding Kane close to her, and Kane still kept smiling at Vader.
Vader couldn't help but smile under his mask as the child before he left.
….
We then see Lando and he sees Vader approach him.
Lando said, "Lord Vader."
Vader asked, "what can I help you with, Carlrissan?"
Lando said, "Fett wants Han. Hoping to collect Jabba the Hutt's bounty."
Vader wanted to stop Fett from taking Han…. But if Malakis found out….
He said, "I cannot stop him from taking Captain Solo. However, I'll leave his companions in your care. You may allow them to leave when the Empire leaves, but tell no-one of this."
Lando looked surprised, but he nodded his head.
….
Chewie now has a little more of Threepio back together. One arm is connected, but the legs are yet to be attached. There is one small problem, however. It seems the Wookiee has managed to put the droid's head on backwards.
C3-P0 said, "oh, yes, that's very good. I like that. Oh! Something's not right because now I can't see. Wait. Wait! Oh, my! What have you done? I'm backwards, you stupid furball. Only an overgrown mophead like you would be stupid enough-"
Threepio is cut off in mid-sentence as Chewie angrily deactivates a circuit and the droid shuts down. The Wookiee smells something and sits up.
The door to the chamber slides open and a Han Solo is shoved into the room by two stormtroopers. Barking his concern, the huge Wookiee gives Han a big hug.
Eda, Padme and Kane entered next.
Han sits on a platform and then turns as the door slides open revealing Leia. The troopers push her into the cell, and the door slides closed. She moves to Han, who is lying on the platform, and kneels next to him, gently stroking his head.
Eda asked Padme, "what happened to you and Kane?"
"Vader came to see me and Kane", Padme said.
Eda asked, "did he hurt you?"
Padme shook her head and said ,"no, he said that he actually wanted to let us go…. But he couldn't due to the Emperor threatening him."
Leia asked, "are we talking about the same Vader?"
"Yes…. And Kane actually went to hug Vader's leg", Padme said.
Eda asked, "he did WHAT?!"
Padme nods her head and Kane lets out cooing sounds.
Han asked, "are we talking about the same guy?"
"Yes…. Kane didn't show any fear when he hugged Vader", Padme said.
Eda said, "this is crazy."
Kane babbled in joy.
The cell door slides open. Lando and two of his guards enter.
Leia said, "Lando."
Han shouted, "get out of here Lando!"
Lando said, "shut up and listen! Vader has agreed to let Leia and the others leave once the Empire does."
Leia asked, "what about Han?"
Lando said, "Malakis is forcing him to give Han to Boba Fett."
Leia now looked worried for Han.
Leia asked, "why does he want us here?"
Lando said, "Malakis wants some men called Skywalker."
Padme went wide-eyed in fear.
Lando said, "Vader said he doesn't want them anywhere near here, but that they're most likely on their way."
Padme said, "no…. We have to stop them from coming here!"
Lando said, "I'm sorry. They're on their way…. I've done all I can to keep anyone else from getting hurt."
Han hauls off and punches Lando. The two friends are instantly engaged in a frantic close-quarters fight. The guards hit Han with their rifle butts and he flies across the room. Chewie growls and starts for the guards. They point their laser weapons at the giant Wookiee, but Lando stops them.
Lando yelled, "stop! I've done all I can. I'm sorry I couldn't do better, but I have my own problems."
Han groaned, "yeah, you're a real hero."
Lando and the guards leave. Han wipes the blood from his chin as Leia and Chewie help him up.
Leia dabs at his wound, "you certainly have a way with people."
….
Four armor-suited stormtroopers stand at the ready in a large chamber, which is filled with pipes and chemical tanks. In the middle of the room is a round pit housing a hydraulic platform. Vader and Lando stand near the platform.
Vader said, "this facility is crude, but it should be adequate to freeze the Skywalkers for their journey to the Emperor. As much as it pains me to say that."
"My lord, the Skywalker twins are on their way", an imperial officer said.
"Good", Vader said bitterly.
The soldier bows and leaves the chamber.
Lando said, "Lord Vader, we only use this facility for carbon freezing. If you put him in there, it might kill him."
Vader said, "no it won't. I've borne witness to people being carbon frozen with only hibernation sickness as a result. But regardless, Fett has requested we due this to Captain Solo."
Lando's face falters.
….
We see Sam and Luke walking through the halls.
Sam adjusts his bow on his head.
Sam said, "keep an eye out for any troopers."
Luke nods his head.
The two approached a corner.
And they looked to see if there were any stormtroopers and to their dismay…. There were stormtroopers.
Sam muttered, "oh shit."
Luke whispered, "what can we do?"
Sam whispered, "I've got an idea."
….
The Stormtroopers were doing their rounds of guarding the hallways…. When they rounded the corner and saw Sam there.
"It's Skywalker", one trooper said.
But what Sam did next took the Stormtroopers off guard….
He gave them the puppy dogs eyes while holding his saber cutely in both hands.
The Stormtroopers couldn't resist it.
They all went, "aw….."
"Hello!"
The troopers were all sent flying into the walls.
They were all knocked out in a matter of seconds.
Luke stood there with his hand extended.
Sam then stopped making the puppy face and he let out a grin.
He said, "nice work."
"Ahsoka was right…. You have the gift of being adorable, little bro", Luke said.
Sam chuckled.
The Skywalker brothers then continued on their path….
….
There is a great activity on the carbon-freezing platform. Six Ugnaughts frantically prepare the chamber for use. A special coffin-like container is put in place. With Boba Fett in the lead, a squad of ten stormtroopers brings in Han, Eda, Padme, Kane, Leia and Chewie. Strapped to Chewie's back, with only his head, torso, and one arm assembled, is C3-P0. His head faces the opposite direction from Chewie's and the droid is constantly twisting around in a vain effort to see what is happening. His one attached arm is animate and expressive, intermittently pointing, gesturing, and covering his eyes. The remaining pieces of his body are randomly bundled to the Wookiee's back so that his legs and other arm stick out at odd angles from the pack.
C3-P0 said, "if only you had attached my legs, I wouldn't be in this ridiculous position. Now, remember, Chewbacca, you have a responsibility to me, so don't do anything foolish-"
Eda groaned, "shut up, Threepio."
Han asked, "what's going on buddy?"
"You're being put into carbon freeze", Lando said.
Boba Fett moves away from the group to Darth Vader.
He asked, "what if he doesn't survive? He's worth a lot to me."
Vader said, "he will survive. Now let's get this over with. Put him in."
Realizing what is about to happen, Chewie lets out a wild howl and attacks the stormtroopers surrounding Han. Within seconds, other Imperial reinforcements join the scuffle, clubbing the giant Wookiee with their laser weapons.
Vader yelled, "stop!"
The troopers quickly stop.
From the instant of Chewie's first move, C3-P0 begins to scream in panic while he tries to protect himself with his one arm.
C3-P0 shouted, "oh, no! No, no, no! Stop, Chewbacca, stop…!"
Han shouted, "stop, Chewie, stop! Do you hear me? Stop!"
C3-P0 said, "yes, stop, please! I'm not ready to die."
Han breaks away from his captors. Vader nods to the guards to let him go and the pirate breaks up the fight.
Han said, "Chewie! Chewie, this won't help me. Hey!"
Han gives the Wookiee a stern look.
Han said, "save your strength. There'll be another time. The princess; you have to take care of her. You hear me?"
Han winks at the Wookiee, who wails a doleful farewell.
In a flash the guards have slipped binders on Chewbacca, who is too distraught to protest. Han turns to Princess Leia. They look sorrowfully at one another, then Han moves toward her and gives her a final, passionate kiss.
Leia said, "I love you!"
Han said, "I know."
Tears roll down Leia's face as she watches the dashing pirate walk to the hydraulic platform. Han looks one final time at his friends, and then, suddenly, the platform drops. Chewie howls. Leia turns away in
agony.
Lando winces in sorrow; it makes a life-changing impression on him.
Instantly, fiery liquid begins to pour down in a shower of sparks and fluid as great as any steel furnace. Holding Leia, Chewie half-turns away from the sight, giving C3-P0 a view of the procedure.
C3-P0 asked, "what…. What's going on? Turn round, Chewbacca, I can't see. Oh…. They've encased him in carbonite. He should be quite well-protected- if he survives the freezing process, that is."
Chewie is in no mood for technical discussion; he gives the droid an angry glance and bark.
A huge mechanical tong lifts the steaming metal-encased space pirate out of the vat and stands him on the platform. Some Ugnaughts rush over and push the block over onto the platform. They slide the coffin-like structure to the block and lift the metal block, placing it inside. They then attach an electronic box onto the structure and step away. Lando kneels and adjusts some knobs, measuring the heat. He shakes his head in relief.
Vader asked, "did he survive?"
Lando said, "yes, he's alive. And in perfect hibernation."
Vader turns to Boba Fett and says, "he's all yours, Fett. Reset the chamber."
The Imperial officer said, "the Skywalkers have just landed, my lord."
Vader said, "thank you. Direct them towards here if you can. Calrissian, take the others to somewhere safe."
Lando nods his head and begins to lead the group to a safer place….
….
As Luke, Sam, One-One and R2 move carefully down a deserted corridor, they hear a group of people coming down a side hallway. R2 lets out an excited series of beeps and whistles. Luke glares at the tiny droid, who stops in his tracks with a feeble squeak.
Sam whispered, "knock it off you two."
Boba Fett enters from a side hallway followed by two guards pushing the floating, encased body of Han Solo. Two stormtroopers, who follow, immediately spot the four and open fire on them. The youth draws his weapon and blasts the two troopers before they can get off a second shot. The two guards whisk Han into another hallway as Fett lowers his arm and fires a deadly laser at the group, which explodes to one side and tears up a huge chunk of wall.
Luke rushes to a side hallway, but by the time he reaches it, Fett, Han, and the guards are gone. A thick metal door blocks the passage. Luke and Sam turn to see the others, and Lando being herded down a second hallway by several other stormtroopers. Leia turns just in time
to see her brothers.
Leia shouted "Sam! Luke! Don't- it's a trap! It's a trap!"
Before she can finish, she is pulled through a doorway and disappears from sight. Luke and Sam race after the group, leaving little R2 trailing behind.
One-One suddenly hears something and starts rolling towards it.
Sam noticed and said, "One-One! Wait! Come back!"
Sam then ran after his droid.
He and Luke went down different halls.
Luke runs into an anteroom and stops to get his bearings. Leia and the others are nowhere to be seen. Behind Luke, R2 scoots down the corridor toward the anteroom when suddenly a giant metal door comes slamming down, cutting off Luke's exit. Several more doors clang shut, echoing through the chamber.
….
R2 stands with his nose pressed against the giant metal door. He whistles a long sigh of relief and, a little dazed, wanders off in the other direction.
….
Luke cautiously walks forward among hissing pipes and steam. Seeing an opening above him, he stops to look up. As he does, the platform he stands on begins to move….
….
Meanwhile….
Sam finally caught up to One-One.
Sam said ,"One-One don't run off like that!"
One-One said, "sorry. I heard something…. Familiar…."
Sam asked, "what do you hear?"
"Probably me!"
Sam gasped as he saw someone standing at the other end of the hall…. It was Kylo Ren!
Kylo Ren said in a teasing tone, "did you miss me? Admit it, you missed me!"
Sam growled, "like a staff infection, kriffer."
Kylo Ren let out a dark chuckle.
Kylo Ren said, "I see the curse has changed your appearance quite a bit…. Did it make you weaker, Skywalker?"
Sam growled, "no….", as his horns grew longer and he activated his lightsaber, "it made me stronger."
"Oh…. That's rather disappointing", Kylo Ren said as he tilted his head.
Sam growled, "happy to disappoint."
"Well then", Kylo Ren said as he cracked his neck, and then he pulled out two lightsabers, activating them, "let's rumble Skywalker!"
The two ran at one another!
Their lightsabers clashed against each other.
Sam growled at the man who'd cursed him.
Kylo Ren then jumped over Sam, intending to strike him in the back…. But Sam quickly activated his second lightsaber and blocked it!
Sam smirked and said, "too slow."
Kylo Ren growled in anger as he kicked Sam in the back. Sam did a flip to turn himself around.
He said, "you're getting sloppy."
Kylo Ren let out a roar of anger as he used the force to throw crates at Sam.
Sam stopped them all in mid-air.
He then threw his lightsaber to slash them all in half.
Sam said, "predictable."
Kylo Ren ran towards Sam as he shouted in anger.
Sam easily dodged his strikes.
Kylo Ren shouted as he used the force to freeze Sam in place.
Sam groaned, "cheating. What a shock?"
Kylo Ren then slammed Sam against a wall.
Kylo Ren growled, "I'm going to enjoy gutting you like a fish."
Kylo Ren then ran towards Sam with his two lightsabers.
Sam closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Just as Kylo Ren was about to strike Sam…. The wall behind Sam fell.
Kylo Ren growled, "how!?"
Sam smirked as he revealed his two floating lightsabers.
Sam said, "gotcha, bitch!"
Kylo Ren shouted ,"ARE YOU KRIFFING KIDDING ME!?"
Sam quickly sent Ren flying back and said, "nope."
….
Luke rises into the chamber, borne by the platform. The room is deathly quiet. Very little steam escapes the pipes and no one else seems to be in the large room. Warily, Luke walks toward the stairway.
Steam begins to build up in the chamber. Looking up through the steam, Luke sees a dark figure standing on a walkway above him. Luke holsters his gun and moves up the stairs to face Vader. He feels confident, eager to engage his enemy.
Vader said, "the Force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi yet."
Luke ignites his saber in answer. In an instant, Vader's own blade is lit. Luke lunges, but Vader repels the blow. Again Luke attacks, and the sabers of the two combatants clash in battle.
….
We then see Leia, Chewie, Eda, Padme and Lando. C3-P0 was on Chewie's back as the group reached an intersection where Lobot and a dozen of Lando's guards stood at attention.
The guards immediately aim their weapons at the startled stormtroopers. Taking the stormtroopers' weapons from them, Lobot hands one to Leia and one to Lando.
Lando said, "well done. Hold them in the security tower, and keep it quiet. Move."
As Lando's guards quickly march the stormtroopers away, Lando begins to undo Chewie's binding.
Leia asked, "what do you think you're doing?"
"We're getting out of here", Lando said.
"I knew all along it had to be a mistake", C3-P0 said.
Eda asked, "why should we trust you?"
Lando said, "because Vader told me where Fett's ship is. And I'm gonna lead you there."
Leia couldn't believe what she heard, but then she said, "let's go rescue Han."
The others nodded and raced off.
….
The two guards slide Han's encased body into an opening in the side of the bounty hunter's ship. Boba Fett climbed aboard on a ladder next to the cargo hold.
"Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold", Boba Fett said.
And with that, the door slams shut.
….
The group run down a Cloud City corridor when suddenly they spot R2 who rushes toward them, beeping wildly.
C3-P0 said, "Artoo! Artoo! Where have you been?"
Chewie turns around to see the stubby droid, causing C3-P0 to be spun out of sight of his friend.
The droid said, "turn around, you wooly….! Hurry, hurry! We're trying to save Han from the bounty hunter!"
Whistling frantically to C3-P0, R2 scoots along with the racing group.
C3-P0 said, "well, at least you're still in one piece! Look what happened to me!"
An elevator door slides open and the group races for a large bay overlooking the East Landing Platform.
Just as they arrive, Boba Fett's ship takes off against a cloudy sunset sky.
In wild anguish, Chewie howls and starts firing at the ship
C3-P0 said, "oh, no! Chewie, they're behind you!"
A laser bolt explodes near the princess. Everyone turns to see what C3-P0 has already spotted coming from the other direction; a squad of stormtroopers running toward them. R2 peeks out from the elevator.
Eda yelled, "I've had it with these mother kriffing Imperials in this mother kriffing city!"
Eda, Leia and Chewbacca start firing at the troopers as Lando makes a break for the elevator. Laser bolts continue to explode around the group, but they refuse to budge. Lando sticks his head out of the elevator and motions for the others to run, but they barely notice. They seem possessed, transported, as all the frustration of captivity and anger of loss pour through their death-dealing weapons.
But after a few moments, they begin to move through the rain of laser fire toward the elevator. Once they are inside, the door slams shut and the stormtroopers race forward.
….
Luke and Vader are locked in combat on the platform overlooking the chamber. Their swords clash, the platform sways. Luke aggressively drives Vader back, forcing Vader to use defensive tactics.
Vader said, "you have learned much, young one."
Luke said, "you'll find I'm full of surprises."
Vader makes two quick moves, hooking Luke's sword out of his hand and sending it flying. Another lightning move at Luke's feet forces the youth to jump back to protect himself. Losing his balance, Luke rolls down the stairs to the circular carbon-freezing platform. There he sprawls on the floor, surprised and shaken. Just in time he looks up to see Vader, like a giant black bird, flying right at him. Luke rolls away as Vader lands. Crouching, Luke keeps his gaze steadily on his enemy.
Vader said, "Your destiny lies elsewhere, Skywalker…. Away from me."
Luke was slightly confused by Vader's words.
Luke asked, "what are you talking about?"
Behind Luke the hydraulic elevator cover has opened noiselessly. All the while, Luke slowly, cautiously moves back, away from the Dark Lord.
Suddenly, Vader attacks so forcefully that Luke loses his balance and falls back into the opening. There is a rumble, and in an instant freezing steam rises to obscure Vader's vision. Vader turns aside and
deactivates his saber.
Through the steam behind Vader something blurs upward. Liquid metal begins to pour into the pit.
Vader turns around and then looks up. He sees Luke, who has leaped fifteen feet straight up and who now hangs from some hoses on the carbonite outlet.
"Impressive…. Most impressive", Vader said.
Luke jumps down to the platform where he is separated from Vader by the steaming carbonite pit. He raises his hand. His saber, which had fallen on another part of the platform, swiftly jumps into his outstretched hand and is instantly ignited. Vader immediately lights his saber as well.
Vader said, "Obi Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear…. Now control your anger."
Luke is more cautious, controlling his anger. He begins to retreat as Vader goads him on. As Luke takes a defensive position, he realizes he has been foolhardy. A quick sword exchange and Luke forces Vader back. Another exchange and Vader retreats. Luke presses forward.
Breathing hard, Luke jumps in the air, turning a somersault over Vader. He lands on the floor and slashes at Vader as the room continues to fill up with steam.
Vader retreats before Luke's skillful sword. Vader blocks the sword, but loses his balance and falls into the outer rim of pipes. The energy Luke has used to stop Vader has brought him to the point of collapse. Luke moves to the edge and looks down, but sees no sign of Vader. He then deactivates his sword, hooks it on his belt, and lowers himself into the pit.
Moving through a tunnel-like entrance, Luke cautiously approaches the reactor room. He ignites his sword and moves into the room and toward a large window as Vader enters.
Luke raises his saber and moves forward to attack.
Behind Luke, a large piece of machinery detaches itself from the wall and comes smashing forward toward his back. Luke turns and cuts it in half just as another machine comes hurtling at him. Using the Force, Luke manages to deflect it and send it flying as if it had hit an invisible shield.
A large pipe detaches and comes flying at Luke. He deflects it. Sparking wires pull out of the wall and begin to whip at the youth.
Small tools and equipment come flying at him. Bombardment from all sides, Luke does his best to deflect everything, but soon he is bloodied and bruised. Finally, one machine glances off his and goes flying out the large window. A fierce wind blows into the room, unmoving, stands the dark, rocklike figure of Vader.
A piece of machinery hits Luke and he is knocked out of the window.
Luke falls onto the gantry, rolls, and hangs over the edge, holding his deactivated sword in hand. He puts the sword on his belt and begins to scramble up.
….
The group come round a corner and head for the door to the landing platform. They glimpse the Millennium Falcon for a moment before the door slams shut. The group ducks into an alcove as stormtroopers arrive at the end of the corridor. The troopers send a rain of laser bolts at the group. Chewie returns their fire as Lando punches desperately at the door's control panel.
Lando said, "the security codes have been changed!"
Padme groaned, "oh great!"
C3-P0 said, "Artoo, you can tell the computer to override the security system."
C3-P0 points to a computer socket on the control panel. R2 beeps and scoots toward it. Lando meanwhile has connected up to the panel's intercom.
"Attention! This is Lando Calrissian. The Empire has taken control of the city. I advise everyone to leave before more Imperial troops arrive", Lando said.
Artoo takes off a computer cover and sticks his computer arm into the socket. Suddenly, a short beep turns into a wild scream. R2's circuits light up, his head spins wildly, and smoke begins to seep out underneath him. Quickly, Chewie pulls him away.
"This way", Lando said.
The group fled down the corridor. As he scoots along with them, R2 sends some angry beeps Threepio's way.
C3-P0 said, "don't blame me. I'm an interpreter. I'm not supposed to know a power socket from a computer terminal."
….
In a panic, Cloud City residents are trying to get out of the city. Some carry boxes, others packages. One guy carried an ice cream maker! They run, then change direction. Some are shooting at stormtroopers, others simply try to hide.
….
Other stormtroopers pursue Lando and the others, who are firing back at them. R2 works on another door to the landing platform while C3-P0 berates him for his seeming ineptitude.
He yelled, "what are you talking about? We're not interested in the hyperdrive on the Millennium Falcon. It's fixed! Just open the door, you stupid lump!"
The heroes retreat along the corridor. A triumphant beep from R2, and the door snaps open.
C3-P0 said, "I never doubted you for a second. Wonderful!"
R2 lays a cloud fog, obscuring everything, as the group dashes outside.
They race for the Millennium Falcon as a battalion of stormtroopers reaches the main door. Lando and Leia hold off the troops as the droids get on board with Chewie. As Chewie bounds to the ship the Threepio on his back, Threepio hits his head on the top of the ramp.
C3-P0 said ,"ouch! Oh! Ah! That hurt. Bend down, you thoughtless…. Ow!"
That caused Kane to giggle at C3-P0.
Padme and Eda ran up the ramp.
Chewie starts up the ship. The giant engines begin to whine as Lando and Leia race up the ramp under a hail of laser fire.
Lando said, "Leia! Go!"
….
R2 drags the partially assembled C3-P0 down the corridor of the Falcon.
C3-P0 said, "I thought that hairy beast would be the end of me. Of course, I've looked better."
R2 beeps understandingly.
….
Chewie works the controls as Leia sits in Han's seat and Lando watches over their shoulders. As Chewie pulls back on the throttle, the ship begins to move.
….
The Millennium Falcon lifts gracefully into the twilight sky and roars away from the city. Troops fire after it and TIE fighters take off in pursuit
….
Sam and Kylo Ren's fight was still going on.
Kylo Ren blocked a strike from Sam's yellow lightsaber.
Ren growled, "you're not gonna stand in my way any longer."
Sam asked in anger, "what do you have against me? Why did you curse me when I was just an innocent baby!?"
Ren yelled, "I knew you'd start to bring your father back to the light! And I had to stop that!"
Sam then force pushed Kylo Ren away.
Sam quickly ran at Kylo Ren, intending to slash at his mask.
Kylo Ren attempts to defend himself…. But Sam managed to slice a chunk of the mask off!
Kylo Ren snarled in anger as he covered his face for a moment…. Then he turned around.
Sam gasped as he saw the face of…. Malakis….
This entire time…. Kylo Ren was actually the Emperor in disguise….
Sam growled, "you…. It's been you the whole time…."
Malakis's yellow sith eye glowed as he glared at Sam.
He hissed, "you and your brother turned Vader from my dangerous enforcer to a lap dog…. He's been defying me since your infernal mother returned."
Sam went wide-eyed when he heard that.
His father…. Really was making a change?
Malakis then took that chance to sneak off. Sam quickly raced after him! He had to get him!
….
Luke moves along the railing and up to the control room.
Vader lunges at him and Luke immediately raises his lightsaber to meet Vader's. Sparks fly as they duel, Vader gradually forcing Luke backward toward the gantry.
Vader said, "you are beaten. Please lay down your weapon."
Luke answers by rolling sideways and thrusting his sword at Vader so viciously that he nicks Vader on the shoulder. The black armor sparks and smokes and Vader seems to be hurt, but immediately recovers.
Luke backs off along the narrow end of the gantry as Vader comes at him, slashing at the young Jedi with his sword. Luke makes a quick move around the instrument complex attached to the end of the gantry. Vader's saber comes slashing down, cutting the complex loose; it begins to fall, then is caught by the rising wind and blown upward.
Luke glances at the instrument complex floating away.
Luke stands still as he holds his lightsaber in a defensive mode.
Vader says, "please. Stand down."
Neither notice a figure high above them.
Luke growled, "why should I trust you? You've done nothing but hurt my family!"
Vader said, "I've truly regretted everything I've done. I wish Malakis hadn't forced me to lure you and your brother here. Please listen to me."
Luke yelled, "no! I'll never listen to you! You killed our father!"
Vader said, "you mean…. Obi Wan never told you what happened to your father?"
Luke growled, "he told me enough! He and Sam! They told me you killed him!"
"No…. I am your father", Vader said.
Shocked, Luke looks at Vader in utter disbelief.
He cried, "no…. No…. That's not true! That's impossible!"
Vader said, "search your feelings. You know it to be true."
Luke sobbed, "no! No! No!"
"Luke", Vader said.
Luke looked at Vader with tear filled eyes.
"Become the Jedi I couldn't be", Vader said softly.
Luke went wide-eyed when he heard this.
Vader was telling him…. To become a Jedi….
But then before Vader and Luke could react…. A lightsaber flew through the air and came down across Luke's right forearm, cutting off his hand and sending his saber flying in front of Vader. In great pain, Luke screams and squeezes his forearm and moves back along the gantry to its extreme end.
Vader shouted, "LUKE!"
Vader moves forward as he grabs his old saber.
The wind subsides. Luke holds on. There is nowhere else to go.
Luke whimpered in pain, "who threw that lightsaber?"
Luke and Vader looked up to a higher platform.
Malakis stood there, calling his lightsaber back into his hand.
Before Vader or Luke could say anything, they saw Sam running towards Malakis.
Sam nearly sliced the dark Lord's head off!
Malakis then kicked Sam away from him.
Sam growled, "you're weak, Malakis. You face a master, not a youngling. You have no power over me."
Malakis had an angry look on his face.
He hissed, "then why was it so easy for me to curse you?"
Sam growled in anger, "I was a baby, you dick!"
Vader and Luke were shocked to hear all this.
The Emperor was the one who cursed Sam?
Malakis then noticed the two on the lower level.
Malakis then saw Luke and he used the force to push him off the gantry.
Sam and Vader both yelled, "Luke!"
Sam glared at Malakis and he tackled him.
Sam started punching Malakis in the face over and over again.
Vader began to run where Sam and Malakis were….
Sam growled, "you monster!"
Malakis then kicked Sam off him.
He had kicked Sam into a window. Sam landed in another room as Malakis ran off.
Sam groaned in pain as he fell unconscious.
Vader burst into the room and ran to Sam.
He saw Sam had various cuts on his body and was bleeding. Vader saw a medkit on the wall and quickly grabbed it and began attending to Sam's wounds. That's right as One-One rolled into the room.
One-One yelled, "Master Sam!"
Vader said, "you, quickly, help me apply this bacta."
One-One helped Vader apply the bacta on Sam.
Vader whispered, "this should hopefully help stop the bleeding."
Sam groaned in pain as he was still unconscious.
Vader said, "I need to get him somewhere safe…. Away from Malakis."
"I'm afraid that won't happen, Vader."
Vader froze as Malakis walked in.
Vader held Sam close to him.
One-One hid behind Vader.
Malakis' hands began to spark with Force lighting.
Vader quickly turned away with Sam in his arms.
"Here is what you are gonna do Vader….", Malakis said.
Vader turned to look at Malakis.
Malakis growled, "you're going to keep that little brat in your fortress under constant watch, or else I'll slit his throat here and now."
Vader glared at Malakis, but he knew he had to do what the Emperor told him…. Or else his youngest son's life is in danger.
Vader sighed and said, "very well."
Malakis smirked and said, "good."
Malakis began to take his leave.
Vader looked down at his son and he touched Sam's cheeks.
He whispered, "I'll bring you back to your friends as soon as I can…. I promise."
Vader then began to walk back to his ship with Sam in his arms.
He hoped he could get his son back to the people who deserved him soon….
….
Meanwhile, with the others….
Leia seems to be lost in a fog, her expression troubled. Chewie is busy operating the ship. Lando stands next to the Wookiee, watching a readout on the control panel.
….
The wind soon fades and the wounded Luke drops fast, unable to grab onto anything to break his fall.
Suddenly Luke is sucked into an exhaust pipe in the side of the shaft.
Luke tumbles through the exhaust pipe.
He slides to the end of the slickly polished pipe and stops as his feet hit a circular grill and knock it open. Luke claws at the surface of the pipe, trying to keep from sliding out into space.
Unable to hang onto the pipe, Luke tumbles out, emerging at the undermost part of Cloud City. Reaching out desperately, he manages to grab onto an electronic weathervane.
He groans, "Ben…. Sam…. Please…."
Luke tries to pull himself up on the weathervane but slips back down. He hooks one of his legs around the fragile instruments. All the while, a powerful current of air rushes out at him from the exhaust pipe.
Luke muttered, "Ben…. Sam…. Leia!"
There is an ominous cracking sound from the base of the weathervane and a piece breaks off, falling into the clouds far below.
Luke grounded, "hear me! Leia!"
….
Leia said, "Luke…. We've got to go back."
Chewie growls in surprise.
Lando asked, "what?"
"I know where Luke is", Leia said.
Lando asks, "but what about those fighters?
Chewie barks in agreement with Lando.
"We have to go back and save Luke", Padme said.
Eda said, "Chewie, just do it."
Lando asked, "but what about Vader?"
Chewie turns on Lando with an ominous growl.
Lando said, "alright, alright, alright."
….
The Falcon makes a graceful banking turn back toward Cloud City.
….
Vader enters the landing platform with Sam in his arms and One-One under his cape and watches as the speck that is the Falcon disappears. The wind blows at his cape.
He turns to two aides who are standing near the entrance to the landing platform.
He said, "bring my shuttle."
One-One began to send a transmission to the Ebon Hawk.
….
Back on the Ebon Hawk….
Everyone was starting to get worried.
That's when they got the transmission.
"It's One-One", Hunter said.
Verosika asked, "what's going on?"
"Hello, everyone? I have some bad news", One-One said.
Ahsoka asked, "what happened?"
"Master Sam is being taken by Vader to his fortress…. Because the Emperor is threatening Vader that he will kill Master Sam", One-One said.
That was a lot to take in.
Everyone on the ship shouted, "WHAT!?"
Prime asked, "Malakis is gonna kill our hubby if Vader tries to let him go?"
"I'm afraid so", One-One said.
Hordak asked, "what do we do now?"
One-One said, "I'll be with Master Sam. As soon as we and…. Lord Vader…. Find a way for him to escape."
Lucifer asked , "but can Vader be trusted?"
One-One said, "considering he told Luke to become a Jedi, I think there's some hope."
Ahsoka had a shocked look on her face, when she heard that.
Was Anakin…. Truly still in there?
One-One said ,"you all have to go now! The Falcon already took off!"
Hunter said, "alright. Keep us informed about everything that happens."
"I will, i promise", One-One said.
That's when the transmission ended.
The Ebon Hawk then took off into the sky….
….
Nearly unconscious, Luke hangs upside-down on the weather vane as his body shifts in the wind.
The Falcon dives to the underside of the floating city. Three TIE fighter close in on the starship.
Leia tries to remain calm.
Lando said, "look, someone's up there."
Leia said, "it's Luke. Chewie, slow down. Slow down and we'll get under him. Lando, open the top hatch."
Lando rushes out of the cockpit.
Luke hangs by one arm from the crossbar of the weathervane. He slips from the bar and grabs onto the pole of the vane as the Falcon banks toward him. The Falcon positions itself under Luke as Lando moves up through the opening of the hatch. Luke begins to slide and finally falls from the vane into space. Out the cockpit window, Leia sees Luke falling from the bottom of the city. The ship gains on him.
"Okay, easy Chewie", Leia said.
The Falcon closes in on Luke.
Three TIE fighters race toward the Falcon.
The hatch pops open with a hiss of pressure. Lando reaches out to help the battered warrior inside the ship.
Flak bursts all around it as the Falcon banks away from the city. Leia and Chewie struggle with the controls.
Leia asked into the intercom, "Lando?"
"Okay, Let's go", Lando said.
The Falcon races away. It is closely followed by three TIE fighters.
The TIE's keep up a heavy laser assault on the fleeing starship.
….
Explosions erupt all around the cockpit, buffeting the ship wildly. Chewie howls as he frantically tries to control the ship.
Leia, Padme, Eda and Chewie turn to see Luke, bloody and battered, enter the cockpit supported by Lando. Leia and Padme jump up and hugs him while Chewie barks in joyous relief.
Luke muttered, "mom. Leia."
Lando said, "alright, Chewie. Let's go."
Leia and Padme help Luke from the cockpit as another huge blast rocks the ship.
The Falcon, still followed by the three TIE fighters, races away from the cloud-covered city.
Luke rests on a cot, his injured arm wrapped in a protective cuff. Leia gently wipes his face, Padme pats Luke's head, The ship lurches again.
Leia said, "I'll be back."
She leaves the quarters.
All over the ship muted alarm buzzers sound. Lando anxiously watches the flashing lights on the control panel and hurriedly adjusts some switches. Seated next to him, Chewie points out a new blip appearing on the panel. Leia, watching over their shoulders, recognizes the shape.
She and her mom said, "Star Destroyer."
Lando said, "alright, Chewie. Ready for light-speed."
Leia said, "if your people fixed the hyperdrive."
Another explosion rocks the ship. Leia notices as a green light on the panel next to her flashes on.
"All the coordinates are set. It's now or never", Leia said.
Chewie barks in agreement.
Lando said, "punch it!"
The Wookiee shrugs and pulls back on the light-speed throttle. The sound of the ion engine changes…. It is winding up. Faces are tense, expectant. But nothing happens, and the engine goes off. Chewie lets out a frustrated howl. The flak still violently rocks the ship.
Eda groaned and said, "oh why this again!?"
Lando said ,"they told me they fixed it. I trusted them to fix it. It's not my fault!"
Chewie gets up from his chair and starts out of the cockpit. He gives Lando an angry shove as he storms past him.
In the distance the TIE fighters continue their chase, still shooting lasers. Vader's Star Destroyer moves behind them, determinedly following the Falcon.
….
Malakis stands on the bridge looking out the window as Admiral Piett approaches him.
Piett said, "they'll be in range of our tractor beam in moments, my lord."
Malakis asked, "did your men deactivate the hyperdrive on the Millennium Falcon?"
Piett said, "yes, my lord."
Vader, "good. Prepare the boarding party and set your weapons for stun.'
Piett said, "yes, my lord."
….
The Ebon Hawk is then seen flying alongside the Falcon.
Hunter said, "let's hope Luke and Artoo are with them!"
Bendy shouted, "watch out!"
The ship avoided some blaster fire from a TIE Fighter.
Alastor and Lucifer quickly manned the guns.
….
Back on the Falcon….
Beeping while he works, R2 is busy connecting some wires to C3-P0 who now has one leg attached.
Chewie enters through the doorway, grunting to himself.
C3-P0 said, "noisy brute. Why don't we just go into light-speed?"
R2 beeps in response.
C3-P0 responds, "we can't? How would you know the hyperdrive is deactivated?"
R2 whistles knowingly.
C3-P0, "the city's central computer told you? Artoo-Detoo, you know better than to trust a strange ! Pay attention to what you're doing!"
Chewie is in the pit. He is trying to loosen something with an enormous wrench. Frustrated, he uses the wrench like a club and hits the panel….
Leia and Lando, seated in front of the control panel, are suddenly sprayed by a shower of sparks.
….
We see Vader as he attends to Sam.
Sam groaned as he was still unconscious, having bandages applied to his wounds.
Vader pats Sam's head.
He whispered, "I won't let him hurt you…. You'll be with the others again soon…. I promise…."
Sam kept groaning in pain.
Vader sighed as One-One sat by his foot.
….
Luke then felt both his little brother and…. Father through the force
He whispered, "Sam…. Father…."
….
"Luke…. Don't worry, Sam is safe", Vader said.
….
That gave Luke some sense of relief.
But then Luke's thoughts were on why Obi Wan and Sam lied to him.
Did his mom know the truth as well?
Did Ahsoka know?
Who else knew?
He whispered, "why didn't they tell me?"
….
Lando and Leia are at the controls of the Falcon. Meanwhile, in the ship's hold, Chewie continues to work frantically on the hyperdrive mechanism. Eda is working the guns as Padme holds Kane on the couch.
Lando yelled, "Chewie!"
….
The Falcon races through space followed very closely by the TIE fighters and the huge Imperial Star Destroyer.
….
Luke enters the cockpit and looks out the window. He is almost unconscious with pain and depression.
"Luke you should be resting", Padme said to her son.
Luke groaned, "Vader and Sam are on that ship…. So is Malakis…."
That got Padme and the others worried.
Luke revealed, "Malakis was the one who cursed Sam."
Everyone gasped in shock.
The Emperor had cursed Sam!
….
Back on Vader's star destroyer….
"Alert all commands. Ready for the Tractor beam", Piett said.
….
R2 races to a control panel and starts working on a circuit board. Furious, C3-P0 stands on one leg, yelling.
He said, "Artoo, come back at once! You haven't finished with me yet! You don't know how to fix the hyperdrive. Chewbacca can do it. I'm standing here in pieces, and you're having delusions of grandeur!"
R2 moves a circuit on a control panel. Suddenly, the control panel lights up.
Leia and Lando are thrown into their seats as the Millennium Falcon unexpectedly shoots into hyperspace.
Eda flies across the ship as Padme and Kane cling to the couch.
The ship tilts up and R2 topples into the pit on top of Chewie.
C3-P0 yelled, "oh, you did it!"
….
The Falcon soars into infinity and away from the huge Star Destroyer which seems, by contrast, to stand still.
Admiral Piett and another captain glance at Malakis in terror. Malakis turns slowly and walks off the bridge, his hands held behind his back in a contemplative gesture.
….
Vader feels Luke and the others have managed to escape getting captured.
He sighed in relief and turned to look at Sam. Vader swore he'd keep Sam safe from Malakis.
Vader placed his hand on Sam's cheek.
He sighed sadly….
….
The Millennium Falcon is attached to a huge Rebel cruiser by a docking tube. Rebel fighters move about the giant cruiser, and a Rebel transport ship hovers near the fleet.
….
Lando sits in the pilot's seat as he talks into the comlink. Chewie busily throws a variety of switches in preparation for takeoff.
"Luke, We're ready for takeoff", Lando said into the comlink.
Luke said, "good luck, Lando."
Lando said, "when we find Jabba the Hut and that bounty hunter, we'll contact you. And if we manage to find Sam, we'll bring him back to you."
….
Luke speaking into the comlink as a medical droid works on his hand. Leia stands near him while C3-P0 and R2 look out the window.
Padme is cradling Kane as Eda sits next to her.
HK-47 stands in the corner.
Ahsoka stands with Hunter and their kid.
Luke said, "I'll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine."
"Princess, we'll find Han. I promise", Lando said.
"Chewie, I'll be waiting for your signal", Luke said.
Chewie's wail comes over the comlink.
"Take care, you two. May the Force be with you", Luke said.
Luke looks down at his hand. A metalized type of bandage has been wrapped around his wrist. The medical droid makes some adjustments in a tiny electronic unit, then pricks each one of Luke's fingers.
Luke yelped, "ow!"
Luke wriggles his fingers, makes a fist, and relaxes it. His hand is completely functional.
He gets up and walks over to Leia. There is a new bond between them, a new understanding. Leia is thinking about Han; Luke is thinking about his uncertain and newly complicated future. Together they stand at the large window of the medical center looking out on the Rebel Star Cruiser and a dense, luminous galaxy swirling in space.
Luke puts his arm around Leia. The droids stand next to them, and C3-P0 moves closer to R2 putting his arm on him. The group watches as the Millennium Falcon moves into view, makes a turn, and zooms away into space.
Everyone else comes over as they all stand, looking out the window of the star cruiser, two escort fighters join the large ship. Slowly, the cruiser turns and moves away into space.
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: same here. One of my all time favorite moments.
….
