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Author	Topic: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
lazykbys Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 5/6/06 6:50am Subject: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	Title: My Only Hope Author: lazykbys Timeframe: ANH, shortly after escaping the Death Star Characters: Leia Genre: vignette, angst Keywords: Summary: Leia blames herself for Obi-Wan's death. Notes: Inspired by Arcalian's post in another fic of mine. My Only Hope Leia sat alone in the Millennium Falcon's hold, staring blankly at the wall. The adrenaline rush of battle was wearing off, leaving behind the sickening feeling that it was all her fault. Before being rescued, she had finally convinced herself that she was not to blame for the destruction of her home world. Tarkin had wanted a demonstration of the Empire's newest terror weapon and Alderaan had been convenient. It would have made no difference had she told him the true location of the Rebel base. Yavin was still too far away from the normal hyperspace lanes. And with that thought, she had made peace with her demons and resigned herself to an Imperial execution. It had sickened her to think they would use her death for their evil purposes, but there really was nothing she could do. Then she'd been rescued by a smuggler and a - a boy who still had stars in his eyes. It wasn't even a proper rescue. They had stolen some stormtrooper armor, barged into her cell, and made it painfully clear that they had no idea what to do next. If Leia hadn't taken things into her own hands, all three of them would be killed or captured by now. All four, a voice inside her head reminded her. Obi-Wan Kenobi was there, too. General Obi-Wan Kenobi, who had fought to preserve the Republic in the Clone Wars. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Negotiator, who could end wars with a few carefully chosen words. Obi-Wan Kenobi, her only hope . . . And now he was dead. And it was all her fault. If her tongue hadn't slipped and mentioned the Death Star's name to Lord Tion, he never would have guessed she and her father Bail were Rebel sympathizers. If she hadn't accidentally killed Tion in the fight that followed, they would have had more time to formulate their plans. If she hadn't noticed that Tatooine was close to Toprawa. If she hadn't remembered that General Kenobi lived on that desert planet. If she hadn't thought to bring a genuine Clone Wars hero into the Rebellion - Then, perhaps, Obi-Wan Kenobi would still be alive. Like all terrible ideas, it had seemed brilliant at the time. Leia had always wondered why her father hadn't enlisted the Jedi Master's help in fighting the Empire. Or, for that matter, why the Jedi lived in self-imposed exile when the galaxy needed him. But whatever his reasons, she had been confident the Death Star's threat would bring him out of retirement. Not that she thought one Jedi could solve the galaxy's problems with a wave of his lightsaber, of course. She was too much of a realist to believe that old myth. But in the past year or so, the relationship between the Rebel Alliance's leaders - especially Senators Mothma and Bel Iblis - had steadily grown more and more tense. Her father had been stuck in the middle, forever trying to smooth things out between the two with only partial success. If this continued, it was only a matter of time before they parted their ways. Leia had hoped that Obi-Wan would keep them together. If nothing else, his presence should have been enough to remind them of what they were fighting for and who the enemy truly was. That was why she had insisted on going in her father's place. As important as acquiring the Death Star plans was, it took second priority to convincing Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to join their cause. She had been confident she would succeed where her father had failed. And she had, from a certain point of view. Obi-Wan Kenobi had left Tatooine, after all, to meet Bail Organa on Alderaan. It wasn't his fault the planet had been destroyed by the time he got there. Neither was being captured; it was a miracle this ship could fly at all. As for his getting killed so that they could escape . . . It was the only way, the coldly rational voice said. The others were no match for Vader. "Neither was Obi-Wan," Leia muttered under her breath. But she had to admit her inner voice had a point. The smuggler and his Wookiee were good fighters, but good wasn't nearly enough. She had seen holos of Vader striding toward a squad of soldiers, effortlessly deflecting their blaster bolts with his lightsaber. As for the boy - He has a name, you know, the voice reminded her. "I know," she said. He had introduced himself back on the Death Star. "Luke. Luke Sky-something." Skywalker. As in . . . Jedi Anakin Skywalker, the Hero Without Fear. "General Kenobi's partner," Leia said out loud, just to hear herself say the words. So . . . perhaps the boy was Jedi Skywalker's nephew. Perhaps Obi-Wan had been watching over the boy, protecting him from the Empire. Perhaps he had taught him the ways of the Force. Perhaps . . . Leia shook her head. Luke was clearly no Jedi. His movements were too awkward, too bumbling. He might become a good soldier with training, but a Jedi? Even if he had the potential, who would teach him now that Obi-Wan was dead? She winced as her guilt took the question and stabbed her in the chest with it. Obi-Wan had died to save them. There was no getting around that fact. . . . or was there? Something made her turn the sentence around and around in her head, until it became: Obi-Wan had died to save him. What had he seen in the boy that she couldn't? He wasn't the Negotiator she had been hoping for. He wasn't even a Jedi Knight. But he was the one Obi-Wan had given his life for. "Help me, Luke Skywalker," she said softly. "You're my only hope." The words sounded ridiculous to her ears. Yet they sounded right, in a way she couldn't quite put her finger on. Then again, her idea of contacting Jedi Kenobi had felt right, too. She wasn't about to make that mistake again. Her mission was to deliver the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance. Until then, she had to put her hopes aside. -----signature----- I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism you can give me. Please feel free to PM me with your comments. . by the same author (click and scroll dowwwn): http://boards.theforce.net/m/b1/17609715/r17736763
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 5/6/06 7:14am Subject: RE: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	This was an awesome melding of logic and the facts that we know from the Zahn trilogy, the Original Radio Dramas and the Original Trilogy. It invokes a strong reaction. -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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obsessedwithSW Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 5/6/06 8:19am Subject: RE: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	Good post! I like the line that she turned the sentence around till it became Obi-Wan had died to save him. What did Obi-Wan see in the boy that she didnt. I also like that she picked out that Skywalker was related to the general's old partner. Only three people outside of Sideous knew of Anakin being Vader. So the thought would be a positive one not negitave. -----signature----- Yes Darth Maul -bring sexy back! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW8kOYvwVng Avid SiriWaner ! Stories in Bio
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Star_Angel Registered: Jan '06	Date Posted: 5/6/06 1:33pm Subject: RE: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	Wow, this was incredible. I loved it. I think that all those ifs is very common for anyone in a situation like this, poor Leia. Again, thank you for this fic info and the pm , gave me chance to read it and I’m so glad that I did, great job lazy . -----signature----- “It’s not our abilities that shows us what we truly are, it is our choices” – Albus Dumbledor (CoS) <- fanfics/fanart + a funny video in bio SWEDEN HOCKEY forever
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lazykbys_left Registered: Feb '05	Date Posted: 5/6/06 2:11pm Subject: RE: My Only Hope (ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette) [replies to readers]
	DarthIshtar: This was an awesome melding of logic and the facts that we know from the Zahn trilogy, the Original Radio Dramas and the Original Trilogy. I'm indebted to Star Wars Timeline Gold - again - for information about the radio dramas. It invokes a strong reaction. That's nice. I'll take a strong reaction to no reaction any day. obsessedwithSW: I also like that she picked out that Skywalker was related to the general's old partner. Glad you liked it. This vig started out with Leia trying to work out how Obi-Wan and Luke "fit", so to speak, and evolved from there. It was fun seeing GFFA history from the viewpoint of someone who lived inside it. Star_Angel: I think that all those ifs is very common for anyone in a situation like this, poor Leia. I love survivor's guilt. Again, thank you for this fic info and the pm. [frantic disclaimer] I sent her the PM because she's indexing this week's new Saga stories. That's the only reason I did it, honest! [/frantic disclaimer] Thanks for reading, everyone! - lazy -----signature----- "You're like some kind of link machine." - rhonderoo It didn't stop being magic just because you found out how it was done. DARK SIDE FHTAGN lazykbys fanfic index (click and scroll dowwwn): http://boards.theforce.net/m/b1/17609715/r17736763
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anakin_luver Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 5/6/06 2:21pm Subject: RE: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	The words sounded ridiculous to her ears. Yet they sounded right, in a way she couldn't quite put her finger on. I love that line. And I love how Leia described Luke. A mere boy, who was indeed "bumbling." I'm glad finally someone is coming out and saying that they couldn't see Luke as a Jedi. You're characterization was brilliant. Great job! -----signature----- PRISON BREAK mrs. s <scofield> <sparrow> <skywalker> COME ON CANADA! YOU CAN DO IT!
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slow_dawn Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 5/6/06 2:37pm Subject: RE: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	Leia seems very "in-character" here. Like anakin_luver said, it's interesting to see someone who sees Luke as just a boy who might make a good soldier someday. -----signature----- O, Life! That persistent struggle which rises slowly with with the warmth of dawn but fades quickly in the twilight of dusk! The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker??? The Vig Challenge Board - http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28176650/p1
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brodiew Registered: Oct '05	Date Posted: 5/9/06 10:14am Subject: RE: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	ANH takes time to give us Luke's greif of Obi-wan's death, but never really goes into Leia's. This is an interesting look at Leia's pain and guilt. After all, she is the one who set this whole adventure in motion. Like all terrible ideas, it had seemed brilliant at the time. Leia had always wondered why her father hadn't enlisted the Jedi Master's help in fighting the Empire. Or, for that matter, why the Jedi lived in self-imposed exile when the galaxy needed him. But whatever his reasons, she had been confident the Death Star's threat would bring him out of retirement. I also liked how Leia questioned Ben's exile. Why was he hiding out there? Good job, lazykbys! Thanks for giving us Leia's side. -----signature----- Drabble Babble the Third: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29083113/p1/?23
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Laine_Snowtrekker Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 5/9/06 11:19am Subject: RE: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	Ooh, this was a great vig! It was awesome! -----signature----- Stealth and subtlety work well, but for making lasting impressions, a blaster does just fine. -Han Room full of gold and jewels, and Dr. Daniel Jackson finds the one book. -Cam Palso's #1 Fan JO: RS1, Admiral Fanfic link in bio (esp. 08 Diary Challenge)
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VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 5/9/06 12:59pm Subject: RE: My Only Hope [ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette]
	Perfection! It was the only way, the coldly rational voice said. The others were no match for Vader. "Neither was Obi-Wan," Leia muttered under her breath. But she had to admit her inner voice had a point. The smuggler and his Wookiee were good fighters, but good wasn't nearly enough. She had seen holos of Vader striding toward a squad of soldiers, effortlessly deflecting their blaster bolts with his lightsaber. As for the boy - He has a name, you know, the voice reminded her. "I know," she said. He had introduced himself back on the Death Star. "Luke. Luke Sky-something." Skywalker. As in . . . Jedi Anakin Skywalker, the Hero Without Fear. "General Kenobi's partner," Leia said out loud, just to hear herself say the words. Leia gets an A! I loved this exploration of her thoughts after the chaotic events she's just endured. Lovely, absolutely perfect! -----signature----- Someone who loves me carries an M16. My baby boy wears combat boots.
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lazykbys_left Registered: Feb '05	Date Posted: 5/10/06 5:29am Subject: RE:My Only Hope (ANH; Leia; angst one-post vignette) [replies to readers]
	anakin_luver: I'm glad finally someone is coming out and saying that they couldn't see Luke as a Jedi. Well, this is before the Battle of Yavin. Afterwards, I'm sure she saw Luke in a different light. Your characterization was brilliant. Thank you! I only wish it was intentional. slow_dawn: it's interesting to see someone who sees Luke as just a boy who might make a good soldier someday. Like I said, this is pre-Death Star trench run. I'm sure most of the Rebels (the seasoned veterans, surely) saw him the same way. brodiew: ANH takes time to give us Luke's grief of Obi-Wan's death, but never really goes into Leia's. It might be fun to write the OT from Leia's point of view. Not that I'm volunteering, BTW. Really. I mean it. I also liked how Leia questioned Ben's exile. Why was he hiding out there? Maybe it's because Obi-Wan, unlike Anakin, likes sand. You never know . . . Laine_Snowtrekker: Ooh, this was a great vig! It was awesome! Thanks! Glad you liked it! VaderLVR64: I loved this exploration of her thoughts after the chaotic events she's just endured. Leia is 1) fighting survivor's guilt, 2) trying to find a way that means all hope isn't lost, 3) wanting to believe Luke is a Hero, 4) being too much of a realist to actually believe it, 5) but wanting to believe anyway . . . and so on. Or so it occurred to me as I re-read it a few minutes ago. Thanks for reading, everyone! - lazy -----signature----- "You're like some kind of link machine." - rhonderoo It didn't stop being magic just because you found out how it was done. DARK SIDE FHTAGN lazykbys fanfic index (click and scroll dowwwn): http://boards.theforce.net/m/b1/17609715/r17736763
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