Chapter 24: Next Moves
The day had passed on Dagobah, taking the rains with it and leaving a fog in its wake. Luke was currently climbing up a vine in the middle of the forest, reduced to a tank top and his pants, drenched in sweat and with Yoda on his back in a harness. He reached a solid platform on a tree, grabbed another vine and swung on it to the ground. Ue paused for a moment before breaking into a run.
"Yes! Run!" Yoda encouraged, "Yes. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware the Dark Side. Anger, fear, aggression, the Dark Side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will! As it did Obi-Wan's apprentice."
The audience became ominous at the mention of Vader as Obi-Wan's apprentice, not sure when this individual showed up at their lives that caused their demise.
Anakin looked at his metal arm and considered the words. If he hadn't been so rash, it wouldn't have happened, and they would have ended the Clone Wars before they even began and he acted before thinking. And it cost him, permanently.
"Vader." Luke said as he stopped to breathe. "Is the Dark Side stronger?"
"Don't get any ideas, Luke", Anakin quickly said upon hearing this while the rest felt startled at the thought of Luke actually using the Dark Side.
"No, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive."
The rest became agitated, as many of their own had fallen to the side they sought to avoid. Dooku had been an example, Barriss and Ventress as well.
"But how am I to know the good side from the bad?"
"You will know! When you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never attack."
All the Jedi mentally agreed at Master Yoda's statement that could provide Luke the basic knowledge he would need if he is to become a Jedi like his father before him.
"But tell me why I can't- "
"No, no. There is no why." Yoda sighed. "Nothing more will I teach you today. Clear your mind of questions." He hummed as Luke caught his breath and put down his pack.
Yoda sat on a log as Luke went over to his jacket. He frowned as he put it on.
"There's something not right here." he said. "I feel cold… death."
"That place," Yoda pointed at a cave a few dozen feet off with his gimmer stick, "is strong with the Dark Side of the Force. A domain of evil it is. In you must go."
Yoda's eyes widended, suppressing the shock within him as he recognized the cave. He had seen visions of it during one of his meditations, particularly one with Qui-Gon Jinn guiding Anakin to face his fears. Nowadays, he wondered what life could had been for the young Jedi Knight if he were trained under Qui-Gon's watchful eye
"Do what now?" Caleb said.
"It may some kind of test." Depa assured him.
"What's in there?"
Yoda looked down. "Only what you take with you." Luke put on his belt, planning on taking his blaster and lightsaber with him. "Your weapons. You will not need them." Luke did so anyway.
"Smart choice, kid." Rex muttered. It was always smart to go into dangerous situations with every tool and advantage you could.
The cave went on for several feet before ending in a six foot drop lined with dried vines and sticks. Luke carefully made his way down, his breathing evening out as he did. The sensation came on suddenly, his entire body feeling like it was slowing, and the world around him with it. He continued further into the cave, ignoring the wildlife around him.
He heard it first, the familiar rhythmic breathing. Then came the source, Darth Vader in all his intimidating glory. Luke remained calm as he ignited his lightsaber and brought it up in the ready Obi-Wan had showed him. Vader did the same and crossed his red blade with Luke's blue blade.
Anakin's eyes widened in horror for a moment, as did Obi-Wan and Padmé but they soon realized that Vader is the embodiement of Luke's fears.
Vader struck first, aiming for Luke's legs and then his head and finally his chest. Luke blocked the first two with ease, but struggled on the third of Vader's hammerblows. He pushed the blade away and capitalized on Vader's compromised guard, slashing at his helmet. It came off in a shower of sparks and rolled as it hit the ground. He looked upon his work, unable to believe he had done it, when suddenly the helmet exploded.
When the smoke cleared, Luke saw his own face gazing up at her from behind the partially destroyed mask.
The audience became nervous at this. It had shown that Luke's fear was becoming a Dark Side user like Vader, replacing him as a result.
However, Obi-Wan felt a terrible pang of Deja Vu, somehow knowing what is wrong with this.
Meanwhile, Vader's flagship had broken off from the rest of the fleet, setting up to patrol the area of the asteroid field where their prey had entered. The bridge was more crowded than usual, though a good portion of the occupants were anything but Imperial.
"Bounty Hunters." One of the officers scoffed. "We don't need their scum."
"Wait, they're still operating?", Obi-Wan widened his eyes in surprise at seeing the familiar faces before them. The audience recognized the faces of Bossk, Dengar and the green Mandalorian Warrior they saw earlier from the first holovid.
"It would seem so", Mace agreed with him, though the appearance of the Mandalorian in front of him was like a haunting memory coming back to him. "But whatever happened to Embo, Cad Bane, and Aurra Sing is still unclear"
"Yes, sir." One of his subordinates agreed, "Those rebels won't escape us."
"Sir, we have a priority signal from the Star Destroyer Avenger." A comms officer told him.
"Great, another bounty on Solo and his group", Ahsoka said, finally getting her wind back.
"And one sponsored by the Empire to hunt down." Plo Koon chimed in. "If Vader was this obsessive in hunting down the Falcon, he would set up a Bounty for the highest bidder."
Meanwhile, Vader was briefing the bounty hunters.
"There will be a substantial reward for the one who finds the Millenium Falcon." he said, pacing in front of them, "You are free to use any methods necessary, but I want them alive. No disintegrations." he said to one green armored bounty hunter in particular.
"As you wish." He said in a familiar voice.
The audience recognized the voice, and while glancing at Rex, they knew that they were looking at Boba Fett, another clone and son of the template, Jango Fett.
"He has indeed taken up his father's torch at Bounty Hunting", Mundi said, impressed at how Boba went this far.
"Knowing how notorious Jango was back then, I am certain that Boba carried his skill as well", Mace added, though he was still shocked at seeing his would-be assassin helping the Empire, no less.
"Lord Vader." The officer said, walking up to him. "My Lord, we have them."
And indeed they did. The Falcon was currently on the run from a Star Destroyer that had seen them leaving the field. It maintained suppressing fire on the ship, which was desperately avoiding it.
"Let's get out of here." Han said, "Ready for light speed?"
Chewie growled in reply.
"One… Two… Three!" Han pulled the lever, but nothing happened. Leia lowered her head when she heard the powering down sound. "It's not fair."
Chewie roared in frustration.
"Transfer circuits aren't working." Han said, "It's not my fault!"
"No light speed?" Leia asked.
'Yes', everyone mentally said at the screen, not liking the situation one bit.
The ship rocked from another laser blast. Han sent them into a dive in order to avoid the full brunt of the Star Destroyer's guns.
"Captain, we've just lost the main rear deflector shield." Threepio reported. "One more direct hit on the rear quarter and we're done for."
"Turn her around." Han ordered while Chewie growled in protest. "Just turn her around! I'm going to put all power in the front shield."
"You're going to attack them?" Leia asked incredulously.
"Ma'am, the odds of surviving a direct assault on an Imperial Star Destroyer- "
"Shut up!" Leia ordered of Threepio.
"She's got a plan." Anakin said, "I can tell."
"It had better be a good one." Rex added.
On the bridge of the Star Destroyer, Captain Needa and his executive officer watched as theFalconturned their way.
"They're moving to attack position." Needa realized. "Shields up." The Falcon raced along the length of the Destroyer, but didn't fire it's weapons. Instead, it blazed past the bridge, making everyone near the front of it duck instinctually. "Track them." Needa ordered. "They may come around for another pass."
"Captain Needa, the ship no longer appears on any of our scopes." One of the lieutenants reported.
"What in the world?"
"They can't have disappeared. No ship that size could have a cloaking device."
"Well, there's no trace of them sir."
"Captain, Lord Vader demands an update on the pursuit." One of the operators called out.
Captain Needa sighed, knowing what was to come of him. "Get a shuttle ready." He told his officer, "I shall assume full responsibility for losing them and apologize to Lord Vader. Meanwhile, continue to scan the area."
"Nice knowing you Captain", Anakin called out. As much as they disapprove of that statement, they had seen what Vader could do to failures. Ozzel is the proof of it.
A new day had dawned on Dagobah, and Luke was still shaken by what he had seen in the cave. He stood on his hands, with Yoda sitting on one of his feet as he extended the other and one of his arms outward.
"Luke is doing well so far", Shaak Ti commented for the young man.
"And he will be, I can tell", Anakin assured her.
"Use the Force." He whispered to him. "Now, the stone." He watched as a large stone lifted off the ground and hovered in the air. "Feel it." The stone lowered onto another.
Suddenly, Artoo began beeping in alarm as Luke's X-Wing began to sink further into the bog. Luke lost his control, tried to regain his balance but ultimately fell, taking Yoda with him. He stood and saw that all but the tip of a single wing was now submerged.
"Oh no," he waded up to his ankles, "We'll never get it out now."
"So certain are you." Yoda said, shaking his head. "Always with you it cannot be done. Hear you nothing I say?"
"Master, moving stones around is one thing, but this is totally different."
"No! No different! Only different in your mind. You must unlearn what you have learned."
Luke shrugged. "Alright, I'll give it a try."
"No! Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try."
Many of the Jedi had conflicting thoughts of what Yoda had said, they often disagreed with that statement. They cannot do something or fail to do so without first trying.
Luke nodded and turned back to his ship. He took a deep breath, stretched out his hand and closed his eyes. He reached out with the Force and gripped the ship, willing it to rise up from the swamp. It responded at first, shifting upwards, the water bubbling around the wing tip. Yoda watched with wide eyes; he was actually doing it.
"It's working!", Ahsoka pointed out.
"No...", Mace interjected. "Not yet..."
Luke's face contorted into a frown, and Artoo started beeping again as the X-Wing sank fully into the swamp. Yoda closed his eyes and sighed. So close.
Luke flopped down beside him on his back, his chest heaving.
"I can't do it." he panted. "It's too heavy."
"Size matters not." Yoda told him. "Look at me. Judge me by my size do you? Hmm?" Luke shook his head. "And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. It's energy surrounds us, and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you. Here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere! Even between the land and the ship."
Luke rose and looked down at his teacher. "You want the impossible." he walked away and took a seat on the ground underneath a gathering of trees.
"Nothing is impossible with the Force, Luke", Obi-Wan commented. "You just have to be patient."
"That is unfortunately a trait that he and his father lacked", Mace pointed out.
Yoda shook his head again and closed his eyes. He stretched out his hand, his face the picture of serenity. The swamp water began to bubble again, and Artoo started beeping to get Luke's attention. With an exasperated sigh, Luke exited his hiding place and his eyes widened instantly.
He watched as his ship rose from the swamp, water draining out of it and plant life clinging to it. Yoda moved slowly, guiding the ship to a nearby clearing. Luke's mouth was agape as the ship lightly set down right in front of him.
"Alright, that's impressive." Rex admitted.
"The difference between master and student laid out right in front of you." Ahsoka agreed.
He walked over to Yoda. "I don't… I don't believe it."
Yoda nodded solemnly. "That, is why you fail."
Yoda closed his eyes in deep thought. Luke indeed had great potential, he is aftet all the son of the Chosen One. However, like his father, he was impatient and impulsive in his training.
Back with the fleet, the ships began to move away from the asteroid field on Vader's orders. Captain Needa fell to his knees, clutching his throat and gasping for air before he finally expired at Vader's feet.
"Yep, it was nice knowing him", Anakin uttered.
"Even Viceroy Gunray has better policies than that." Luminara said.
"Which isn't saying very much." Obi-Wan added.
"Apology accepted, Captain Needa." he sarcastically said, walking around his corpse. He signaled for a pair of troopers to dispose of the body while he approached Piett.
"Lord Vader," he said, coming to attention, "Our ships have completed their scan of the area and found nothing. If the Millennium Falcon went into light speed, it'll be on the other side of the galaxy by now."
"Alert all commands. Calculate every possible destination along their last know trajectory."
"Yes, my Lord. We'll find them."
"Don't fail me again, Admiral." The way he pointed at Piett told everyone present who would be the next to go if they did.
"Alert all commands. Deploy the fleet." he ordered.
Unbeknownst to every Imperial in the fleet, the Falcon was actually under their very noses, stuck to the backside of the bridge they had buzzed. Han, Chewie and Leia watched the movement of the Star Destroyers, while Threepio was busy berating them. Han specifically.
The audienced had varying reactions, some were gobsmacked yet impressed by this maneuver, others were downright shocked and some gasped upon seeing this. Saesee Tiin and Plo Koon laughed at this, seeing that Solo had his own tricks at his sleeve.
"Okay, I admit. Solo is one sneaky bastard. An impressive one at that", Anakin stated, couldn't help but be impressed at this course of action as well. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Does that mean you'll approve of him now, Master?"
"No"
"Captain Solo, this time you have gone to far!" he exclaimed while Chewie howled at him. "No, Chewbacca, I will not be quiet! Why doesn't anyone listen to me?"
"Because you spent most of the time whining, blaming Artoo, and little to no help?", Luminara snarked at him.
"The fleet's beginning to break up." Han noticed. "Go back and stand by the manual release for the landing claw."
Chewie stepped out, on his way.
"I really don't see how that it going to help." Threepio said, "Surrender is a perfectly acceptable alternative in extreme circumstances." Han sighed and looked pleadingly at Leia. Leia obliged and quickly switched Threepio off before he dug his scrap pile any deeper.
The audience breathed out, not wanting to hear the protocol droid at the moment.
"Thank you", Han said dramatically.
"So, what's the next move?" Leia asked, leaning forward on the control console.
"Well, if they follow standard Imperial procedure, they'll dump their garbage before jumping to light speed, and we'll just float away."
"With the rest of the garbage." Leia nodded, "Clever. And after that?"
"After that, we gotta find a safe port somewhere around here." Han switched on the navicomputer and took a look at their position. "Any ideas?"
"Dunno. Where are we?"
"The Anoat system."
"Anoat system. There's not much out there."
"No, there isn't. Well, hang on, this is interesting. Lando."
"The Lando system?"
"Lando's not a system, he's a person. Lando Calrisian. He's a cardplayer, gambler. Scoundrel, you'd like him."
"I have conflicting emotions of having another scoundrel to tue group", Obi-Wan uttered.
"Thanks." Leia drawled.
"Bespin." Han thought about it. "It's a bit far, but I think we can make it."
Leia looked at the screen. "A mining colony?"
"Yeah, a tibanna gas mine. Lando conned somebody out of it. We go a long way back, Em and me."
"Can we trust him?"
"No. But he's got no love for the Empire either, I can tell you that."
'I doubt that would be enough', was everyone's thought, knowing how crafty they were when it comes to negotiations.
They felt the ship move somewhat and Han sat up in his seat, Leia sitting back in hers. "Alright, Chewie, get ready. Detach."
They watched as the Falcon pushed off from the ship, letting momentum carry them away from their hiding place. As the cockpit swung back towards the Destroyer, they saw a large hole behind it where large pieces of scrap metal were floating out, just as Han had planned.
"You do have your moments." Leia commented. "Not many, but you do have them." She gave Han a small peck on the cheek.
Anakin rolled his eyes at the sight.
They waited until all the ships had made the jump to light speed before they fired up their own engines and flew the other direction. However, they didn't notice another ship do the exact same thing behind them. From the cockpit of his one-of-a-kind ship, Boba Fett followed behind them, keeping just far enough away to stay off their radar, but keep them on his.
"Looks like someone had the same idea as them." Kit Fisto sighed.
"With the son of Jango Fett after them, this will not end well", Mundi added.