Hello everyone!

Thank you so much for your patience and for sticking with this story for so long. We have now reached the very momentous chapter 40! Which feels so strange to say out loud. This story has gotten very far, but we're only getting started.

I will now answer all your great reviews, before letting you get on with the chapter:

-TheEmeraldMage: so happy you enjoyed that moment between 3PO and R2. I love their relationship so much, and any opportunity to flesh out their dynamic is awesome. Glad to know that the characterization of Thrawn came through well. As the story progresses it means having a lot of characters to keep up with, but also having to keep the story moving, so I'm glad what little time we spend with some characters feels impactful. Hope you enjoy one more chapter without action before we get into the final act :)

-RKF22: glad you like it! Hope this chapter gets you excited for what's to come next!

Thank you for these great reviews, and without further ado, on with the chapter!

The first thing Lando Calrissian had done after landing on the Rebel cruiser, was head straight to meet with Rebel High Command, which now only consisted of Mon Mothma, Gial Ackbar, and Jan Dodonna. Leia was still recovering from carbonite sickness, and Crix Madine had given his life so that the mission on Tattooine could be a success.

Lando gave his report quickly and succinctly. All members were already aware of Madine's death, but hearing it again from Lando's mouth did not make it any easier to bear. Everyone kept their composure, but it was clear his loss cast a large and painful shadow.

"And to conclude my report," Lando said. "General Madine gave me this holoprojector on Tattooine and told me it should be played if anything were to happen to him."

Lando produced the small disk and placed it down on the large round table. A heavy silence passed over the room until Mon Mothma nodded for Lando to activate the holoprojector.

A large blue hologram of Crix Madine projected into the room. He was dressed in his combat fatigues, no doubt minutes away from entering the shuttle that would take him to Tattooine; to his death.

His voice was calm and assured, just as they all remembered him from his time in the High Command:

"Hello. If you are viewing this message, then I am either dead or severely out of commission. Despite my best efforts to make this mission as effective and comprehensive as possible, I fear our losses will be great. I pray that we will be successful in our objectives. And if I must forfeit my life for victory, so be it. I've always believed in a soldier's death, and I also believe this Rebellion's mission should not be impeded by my passing. Upon my authority as a member of this High Command, I ask that Lando Calrissian be appointed as my successor and be granted the rank of general. I have reviewed his past accomplishments, and feel he is more than qualified for the job. His past as a smuggler and criminal should hold no bearing on his appointment, just as my own past held no bearing on mine."

The faintest smile made its way to Crix's face.

"My friends… it was an honor and a privilege to work and serve alongside you. I believe if we are successful today, this Rebellion will enter a decisive chapter in its history, one that will soon see the end of the Empire. Though my light may have died out, I know it burned bright till the end, and I know that others will carry forth this light better than I ever could. Long live the Rebellion. May the Force be with you. General Crix Madine, signing off."

With a final salute, Crix ended the hologram.

The deferential silence lasted a few seconds, after which Mon Mothma gestured for Lando to come closer.

"I second General Madine's final wish to make Lando Calrissian a member of this council," she spoke calmly.

"As do I," Admiral Ackbar added.

"As do I," Jan Dodonna's support was unexpected, but most welcome.

And since there was no doubt how Princess Leia would vote if she were here, that was all it took to make Lando Calrissian a member of Rebel High Command.

"So does that mean I'm… a general?" the former smuggler asked, disguising a proud grin.

"We will have to conduct a separate ceremony to make it official," Ackbar explained. "But in effect, yes. Welcome, General Calrissian."

Ackbar gestured to the chair to his right. Crix Madine's former seat.

"This holds the weight of many expectations," Jan Dodonna warned. "If you aren't prepared to meet them, you still have time to change your mind."

Lando paused, but it was only for a moment. In a few decisive strides, he was in front of his new seat, with a determined gleam in his eyes.

"Let's get to work," he said.

Mothma, Jan, and Ackbar all shared a knowing smile.

"This session of the High Command is now in session," Mon Mothma announced. "Please, be seated."

"Wait… what?!"

Han said out loud what Leia kept to herself.

And this was the second time Yoda had told them what was going on.

"Luke and Leia are…"

"Yes," Yoda replied, trying not to let irritation creep into his tone. "Quite clear I have been. Separated at birth you were, to prevent the Emperor from finding you."

Han and Leia had recovered well from their carbonite imprisonment. Doctors had examined them for over an hour and found no possible signs of long-term effects.

They were now in a private room reserved especially for Leia and Han. They had not left each other's side since being unfrozen, and in a very real sense, they had not left each other's side since Cloud City.

The Rebellion usually preferred romantic relationships between its members to be kept discreet so as to not distract from day-to-day operations. But no one had yet to reprimand Leia or Han. For some reason, no one wanted to lodge a complaint against a de-jure founder of the Rebellion and one of its most respected generals.

Leia was surprised, but not as much as she thought she would be. Now, with hindsight, her relation to Luke made so much sense. They had had such an intuitive connection when they first met, and whenever they were separated, she had always had strange feelings that told her how he was doing. Back then she had dismissed it as being sleep-deprived or paranoid, but now, and with what she knew of the Force, it had in fact been their sibling bond.

"Where were we born?" Leia asked.

"Polis Massa," Yoda replied. "An asteroid field in the Outer Rim."

Han was pacing around the room, trying to hold back the barrage of questions he had. He decided to start with the biggest one :

"Why didn't you tell them when Luke joined the Rebellion? Seems like something that would have been nice to know a lot sooner."

"They couldn't risk the news getting out," Leia answered for Yoda. "We wouldn't have been able to make the most of that information at the time. And if word had gotten out to Palpatine, he would have put even more resources into eradicating the Rebellion."

"Correct," Yoda said. "A useful protection, ignorance can be. But now, both ready for the truth you are, Leia Amidala Skywalker."

"Amidala…" Leia could not believe it. "Are you saying my mother is…"

"Senator Padmé Amidala," Yoda confirmed with a solemn bow. "She died soon after your birth. Entrusted Obi-Wan and myself to keep you safe, she did. Senator Organa offered to take you in. And to Tattooine Obi-Wan brought Luke."

Han and Leia were quiet for a few seconds. The smuggler was trying to think of something reassuring or funny to say, but he was drawing a blank. Luke and Leia were the people he cared for most in the entire galaxy, other than Chewbacca. He was happy they now both had family they could rely on, but he knew that as long as the Empire stood, their lives would be even more in jeopardy.

"And why are you sharing this now," Han asked cautiously. "I feel like you're preparing to ask her to do something."

Yoda could not help but crack a small smile. Han was much more perceptive than people gave him credit for.

"Correct you are," Yoda acknowledged. "Troubled, Skywalker is—"

"Wait, which one?"

Han's cheeky interruption earned him a deadpan stare from Yoda and a soft chuckle from Leia.

"Dead his aunt and uncle are," Yoda resumed, mournfully. "Killed on Tattooine. Cut himself off from the Force he has."

"Oh no," Leia said quietly. "Where is he?"

"His room," Yoda replied. "Not spoken to anyone he has."

Leia stayed silent for a few seconds before standing up, resolute.

"I'll go talk to him."

Yoda nodded gratefully. Leia shared a look with Han and gave her one of his patented smirks.

"It'll be fine, Han. It's me."

"Well when you put it like that," he replied with a laugh. "I'd believe you could put the Emperor in a headlock."

Leia exited their room, leaving Han and Yoda alone.

The awkward silence did not last long.

"Are you going to train her as a Jedi?" Han asked. His protective tone was evident.

"A choice only she can make," Yoda said, facing Han. "Potential she has, but a choice it is to become a Jedi. Never an obligation."

"I've heard and seen what Luke has had to deal with," Han ran his hand through his hair as he recalled. "And if those things come after Leia now, she won't be ready."

"Hmmm," Yoda had also wondered about these things. "Take after her mother she does. Senator Amidala, a brilliant politician she was, but never afraid to defend herself."

Before Han could respond, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Han called out.

A junior officer entered the quarters, giving a quick salute to Han and Yoda.

"Captain Solo. General Yoda," he greeted. "The Rebel High Command requests your presence. As well as Commander Skywalker and Princess Leia."

"We'll follow you," Han said, throwing on his jacket and securing his blaster holster to his hip. "They'll meet us there later."

"Understood," the officer said curtly. "This way."

As they followed the junior officer, both Han could not help getting a bad feeling about this.

At long last, this infernal Sith Hood would finally be removed from Obi-Wan's head. He knew something big was happening when he saw around thirty Imperial personnel file into the space in and around his cell.

Four Imperial Shock Troopers and two Imperial Guards encircled Obi-Wan, aiming their weapons right at his face. The formation was certainly impressive, but Obi-Wan could not help but feel it could result in them shooting their comrades by accident.

The woman leading the proceedings had introduced herself as…

"I am Warrant Officer Leenus Homlee," her very sophisticated accent was not unlike Obi-Wan's; perhaps they were from the same home worlds. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, the date of your execution for high crimes against the Empire has been set."

Obi-Wan did not need to sense any apprehension amongst the many Imperials surrounding him; most of them wore it quite obviously on their faces. He could make out some Stormtroopers, junior officers in the background, and what looked like Imperial contractors a bit further back.

"I'm afraid I've yet to stand trial for my alleged crimes," Obi-Wan replied politely. His accent was indeed eerily similar to that of the warrant officer. "How am I to be condemned for a crime that I have no knowledge of committing."

To her credit, warrant officer Leenus took no sadistic pleasure in this gross miscarriage of justice. She had been tasked with carrying out this execution, and she was determined to see it through with as much civility as possible. The value of this execution was mostly in its use as a propaganda tool, but she did not care. She had orders and they would be carried out properly.

"Your affiliations with the traitorous group, formerly known as the Jedi Order, is in no doubt," Leenus answered him unflinchingly. "As soon as you aligned yourself with this faction, you forfeited all your rights as a citizen of the Empire, which includes the right to a fair trial by a jury of your peers. Your conviction and sentencing were carried out at the discretion of a military tribunal, which found you guilty on all counts and unanimously decided on the death penalty."

Obi-Wan could only grimly respect the commitment to this elaborate theater piece. It saddened him that his fellow human beings could cosign on such a blatant disregard for basic human rights. But then again, fear and misplaced loyalty were what kept most of them in line.

"I understand," Obi-Wan acknowledged with a small nod. "Am I able to lodge a formal complaint regarding the unjustness and inhumanity of my sentencing?"

A few dismissive snorts were heard in the back, which Leenus quickly silenced with a hard glare. She took a long look at Obi-Wan's clear blue eyes peeking out from underneath the Sith Hood, before giving a short nod to one of her aids.

"Your complaint has been lodged," Leenus said curtly. She was surprised when she saw those blue eyes crease from a smile.

"Thank you, warrant officer," Obi-Wan spoke with deference. "I am ready to serve my sentence."

The soldiers around him steadied themselves and switched off the safety catches on their blasters. Warrant Officer Leenus took out a holopad to review the exact protocol to follow.

"We will now remove this hood," Leenus explained. "These soldiers have shoot-to-kill orders if you attempt anything that might be construed as an escape attempt. Do you understand?"

"Of course," Obi-Wan kept a smile when he answered.

Leenus reached around the back of the hood, undid the fasteners, and after many long weeks, Obi-Wan's face was finally unobstructed. Being able to fully feel the Force again was such an amazing gift. He felt rejuvenated.

Some of the Imperials wondered if their eyes were playing tricks on them. It looked like lines and wrinkles were disappearing from Obi-Wan's face before their very eyes. The energy in the room was halfway between awe and extreme wariness.

"Thank you," Obi-Wan said gratefully, locking eyes with warrant officer Leenus. "It's nice to finally see again."

Leenus did not acknowledge his thanks. She gestured over to one of the Imperial contractors, who came through the crowd with his carrying case. He was somewhat shorter than Obi-Wan and did not wear an Imperial uniform. He was dressed smartly, with a nameplate that identified: Gui Haary, make-up specialist.

"What do you need?" Gui whispered to Leenus.

"Defeated but not mistreated," Leenus whispered back. "And make it fast. We're on a tight schedule."

Gui nervously nodded his head and got to work. He barely acknowledged Obi-Wan as he humidified and ruffled his hair. He cleaned up parts of the old Jedi's face and used a small brush to make his unkempt beard even scragglier. Using a pair of safety scissors, Gui cut off one of the sleeves of Obi-Wan's jumpsuit, fully revealing his severed arm. He finished it up with some light distressing work on the rest of the outfit, to make Obi-Wan look like someone who took poor care of himself.

When he was finished, Gui took an emphatic step back, like an artist admiring his work.

Obi-Wan could not resist doing a slow spin so Gui could get a better look. The Shock Troopers brought their weapons dangerously closer to his head, but Leenus kept them in check.

"What do you think?" Obi-Wan asked humorously to Gui, Leenus, and any other Imperial that crossed his gaze. "Ghastly?"

"I can make him look more sinister if you'd like," Gui spoke in a hushed tone with Leenus.

"That'll do," she said dismissively. "We're already late. Get him on the shuttle. Let's move!"

The two Imperial guards each gripped one of Obi-Wan's shoulders, as the Shock Troopers kept their weapons trained on him, and escorted him out of his cell.

All the Imperials made space for them to pass. Leenus led the way through the corridors, where they did not run into anyone else. She led them straight into a hangar where a Lamba-class T-4a shuttle was waiting for them. More Stormtroopers were waiting around, weapons trained on Obi-Wan.

He did not have much time to get his bearings before he was thrust into the shuttle and pushed down into his seat. The Shock Troopers securely fastened him into place and trained their blasters back onto him when they were finished.

Warrant Officer Leenus exchanged a few words with the pilot, and not long after, they were taking off. In only a matter of seconds after exiting the hangar, the shuttle had jumped to lightspeed.

"We will reach Coruscant in around twenty minutes," Leenus said as she took her seat.

"May I ask you a question?"

Obi-Wan's request caught Leenus off-guard. The Shock Troopers and Imperial Guards gave her a look, silently asking if she wanted them to shut the prisoner up.

Her training wanted to ignore him, but her instincts got the better of her.

"You may," she acquiesced, taking a seat across from him, a few feet away.

"What do you see when you look at me?" Obi-Wan asked genuinely.

"A traitor and a terrorist," Leenus replied without hesitation.

"No, no what do you see," Obi-Wan pressed, despite the nasty looks he could feel he was getting from his captors. "If you ran into me on the street, saw me for just a few seconds… who would you see?"

Leenus could tell where he was trying to lead her with this question. But it would not work. Despite her young age, she had been drilled in the art of warfare and politics. She had frequented her fair share of immoral, twisted, and evil lifeforms. And she could tell, Obi-Wan Kenobi was not some sinister psychopath.

"A charming old man," she answered honestly. "But one who has aligned himself with a flawed and selfish ideology. And who joined an organization that commits terrorist attacks and undermines peace and order in the galaxy."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly, hiding his small smile in his beard. He hoped that this warrant officer was not an anomaly in the ranks of the Empire. She played her part well and was skilled at disguising her critical thinking, but she could not hide her heart from the Force. Without the Sith Hood, Obi-Wan felt so much more tuned in to everything around him.

"Will you be my executioner," he asked Leenus.

"Yes."

"Is that what you'll use?"

He gestured with his chin at her sidearm. Leenus removed the DC-17 blaster pistol from its holster and held it up so Obi-Wan could see.

"I didn't know the DC-17 was still a standard issue," Obi-Wan remarked, recognizing Rex's favorite model of pistol.

"I was granted an exceptional authorization," Leenus explained, as she professionally manipulated the blaster. "I find it much more reliable than the SE-14. And if this is going to save my life, I want it to always fire when I need it to."

"I see I'm in capable hands," Obi-Wan mused. "I only hope you weren't planning to parade my corpse through the streets of Coruscant."

"Your body will be left on the gallows, with the ruins of the Jedi Temple as a backdrop," Leenus spoke rhythmically as if suddenly rehearsing from a script. "It will be left there for two rotations. After which, your remains will be sent to an Imperial facility for study."

That last comment robbed Obi-Wan of his light and humorous mood. He sank back into his seat, looking far away towards the ceiling, allowing his vision to travel far from here.

Leenus holstered her pistol and got to her feet to join the pilot.

She tried to stop herself from asking this question, but her heart got the better of her.

"Do you fear death?" Leenus did not face Obi-Wan, and he did not turn to look at her.

"I don't fear what I understand," he replied calmly, finding the energy to smile once again. "Just you do not fear who you understand, Leenus."

Mara had not expected this High Command meeting to be so packed with people. Around one hundred Rebel Alliance members were crowded into the viewing auditorium around a holoprojector table.

Mon Mothma, Jan Dodonna, Gial Ackbar, and Lando Calrissian were whispering amongst themselves in a huddle. Ahsoka and herself were seated around the back of the room.

Cody entered the room, spotted the two Jedi, and went over to sit with them.

"How's Ezra?" Ahsoka asked, concerned.

"He's asleep," Cody said, removing his helmet. "Poor kid's exhausted. I sent one of the medical droids to keep an eye on him in case he needs help."

More people were streaming into the auditorium until two notable arrivals caught everyone's attention: Han and Yoda.

As soon as they entered the room, applause broke out across the room. Officers, pilots, and soldiers shook Han's hand, welcoming him back to the fight. Yoda politely waved off the applause directed at him and went to sit with Ahsoka, Mara, and Cody.

"Must be a while since applause was heard on this ship," Mara remarked.

Han crossed eyes with Lando and shot him a confused look when he saw him talking with members of the High Command. His confusion only grew when he saw the insignia of a general pinned to his chest.

"A general?" Han asked in disbelief.

"Madine must have learned about my little maneuver at the Battle of Tanaab," Lando said with a self-satisfied smile.

"I mean you were always just a decent pilot," Han quipped. "Maybe it's better to keep you on a bridge and out of harm's way. Keep me from catching any friendly fire."

"That was one time," Lando said defensively. "And you survived, didn't you?"

"I didn't survive the bill from the mechanic," Han fired back, genuinely offended. "You nearly destroyed my catalyzer! I'd just had it installed."

Mara watched with amusement as the two men argued about something she could not hear. Eventually, they seemed to resolve, or momentarily put aside their argument, and Lando led Han away to talk in private.

The room slowly quieted down when Mon Mothma approached the holotable and the lights began to dim. Everyone leaned in closer to hear what she had to say.

"Events are unfolding must faster than we had anticipated," Mon Mothma's calm, radiant voice projected perfectly across the room. "General Obi-Wan Kenobi's execution on Coruscant and the destruction of the Jedi Temple will be taking place within a single planetary rotation."

Gasps of disbelief broke out across the room. The three Jedi present kept their emotions in check, but the news troubled them.

"In addition," Mon Mothma was quick to recapture the attention of the auditorium. "The data brought to us by Bothan spies pinpoints the exact location of the Emperor's new battle station."

As she spoke, a hologram of a large green planet appeared, with a small red Death Star orbiting around it. With a few key presses, Mothma brought up a holoprojection of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, placing both projections side by side.

"We know that the weapon systems of this Death Star are not yet operational," Mothma resumed. "With the Imperial fleet spread throughout the galaxy it is relatively unprotected. Our information also suggests that the Emperor will be present at General Kenobi's execution, and soon after will leave to return to the Death Star."

"We have decided to assemble two strike teams," Admiral Ackbar stood up to take over the briefing. "One will go to Coruscant to rescue General Kenobi and attempt to eliminate Emperor Palpatine. The other will land on the forest moon of Endor and deactivate the energy shield protecting the Death Star. This will allow our cruisers to create a perimeter, while the starfighters fly into the superstructure and attempt to knock out the main reactor."

The holoprojection of the Death Star exploded in dramatic fashion, while a holographic shuttle swooped over the holo Jedi Temple, mimicking Obi-Wan's rescue no doubt.

"The nature of both of these missions is extremely risky," Jan Dodonna took the stage. "But if one must succeed, it has to be the destruction of the Death Star. That is why we will only be able to commit a small force to rescue General Kenobi."

"I'll go," Mara called out, standing up so everyone could see.

"So will I," Ahsoka said.

"And I," Yoda added.

"You can count me in too, generals," Cody said, standing to attention. "And I know Captain Rex will want to go with us as well."

"I'm with you too!"

All eyes turned to the new voice, as Luke Skywalker entered the auditorium, followed closely by Leia. He looked like a new man. His Force presence felt strong and steady. Han rushed to give Luke a warm hug, which the young man returned.

"It's good to see you, kid," Han said endearingly, patting his shoulder like an older brother. "Thanks for coming for us."

"Always, Han," Luke replied with a smile. "You would have done the same for me."

"Yeah... and that's why I need my head examined," the former smuggler joked.

"Captain Solo and I can lead the strike team on Endor," Leia offered to Mon Mothma. "We have a friend who can help us communicate with the locals."

Just as C3-PO was getting ready to step introduce himself, he was booted out of the way by Chewbacca, who rushed into the auditorium and wrapped Han in a massive hug.

"Chewie?!" Han was in shock, both emotional and physical. "Chewie, you're crushing… everything!"

As the two friends rejoiced at being back together, Mon Mothma recentered the focus of the briefing, gesturing to Luke and Leia.

"Commander Skywalker, I believe you are the right man to lead this rescue," she acknowledged. "And Princess Leia, we are certain your mission will be successful. Everyone else, your division leaders will brief you on your exact assignments. You're dismissed. May the Force be with you."

Everyone slowly cleared the room, leaving only Luke, Leia, Mara, Ahsoka, Cody, Han, Yoda, and the members of the High Command. Chewbacca, C3-PO, and R2-D2 had left, mentioning something about a holochess revenge match.

"And what exactly do you all have planned to get the old man back?" Han asked the group of Jedi. "If the Emperor is attending, Vader won't be far behind. Not to mention it taking place on the Empire's home world."

"Your enthusiasm is infectious, Han," Luke said with a glint of sarcasm.

"It was once said that a Jedi could take on a thousand soldiers," Ahsoka stated calmly. "They won't have four thousand Stormtroopers protecting Obi-Wan."

"Face Palpatine, I will," Yoda said. "Mara, Ahsoka, prevent the Temple from being destroyed, you must."

"We'll get it done, master," Mara nodded.

"And I'll make sure Obi-Wan is safe," Luke concluded. "We'll get him back, save the Temple, defeat Palpatine, and make it to Endor in time for the fireworks."

"It's good to have you back," Mara said tenderly, laying a sweet kiss on Luke's cheek.

"After so long," Ahsoka said. "Jedi will be back to the Temple."

"They'll call it the Return of the Jedi," Han snuck in, only to be met with groans of disapproval for his terrible pun.

Thank you so much for all your support and hope you enjoyed this chapter!

DOn't forget to review and favorite if you enjoyed! Can't wait for chapter 41 :)