A Parallel SW Universe

Leia marched down the hallway of the Imperial Palace, trying to look as if she belonged there. She hadn't felt nervous until she left the detention levels. She had decided against stealing a ship, since most of the available figters were TIE fighters and bombers with no hyperdrive engines. Leia wanted to get as far away from Coruscant as she could. Which meant she needed enough credits to buy passage off the planet. Which meant she needed to steal something worth selling. She knew that some dealers in the lower levels of the city would buy stormtrooper armor, but that wasn't nearly enough. A speeder bike, however, would be.

Leia found a patrol of troopers ready to change shifts with an incoming bike patrol. She quietly fell in step with them hoping that no one would notice an extra. She listened to the officer in charge hand out assignments. Finally he came to her. "And you will take sector 12." Leia nodded and saluted to the officer. Leia hopped onto her speeder and rode out of the garage.
*************************************
Leia found a deserted alley way several levels past the reputable part of Imperial City. She removed most of the armor, having no desire to be mistaken for a stormtrooper here. Theoretically, they were still the law even in the lower levels, but the residents had their own ideas. Leia found a nearby cantina, with a neon sign that flashed its name, "The Headquarters." Outside stood a burly Trandoshan, who looked thoroughly disreputable. "Nice bike you've got there," he growled.

"It's for sale," Leia offered. "I've got a good set of trooper armor to go with it too. Hardly damaged." She let her hand rest on her blaster. Let him think she'd shot the trooper for his bike.

"Let's go inside and discuss price over a drink," the Trandoshan suggested.

"And let your friends steal my bike while were inside. I don't think so." Leia had the pleasure of seeing the Trandoshan grind its teeth in annoyance. Plainly he thought she was stupid. "We'll talk price here. 5000 credits."

"5000! It's not worth half that. 1500 and that's being generous."

"4000. It's almost new." Leia returned. Their bargaining went on for another ten minutes, until they finally agreed on a price. Leia only hoped that it was enough to get her off the planet without having to go steerage class. The first thing she did with her new wealth was to buy some less conspicuous clothes. She shuddered to think where the tunic and pants had been before they reached the second hand store, but they definitely made her less noticeable. She tied back her hair in a loose braid and went off in search of a pilot.

As she walked, Leia contemplated her next destination. Once the word had gotten out that she'd escaped, the first place the Imperials would check was Alderaan. She wouldn't endanger her family that way. Yavin, likewise, was out of the question. It also needed to be close, for her meager funds would get her there. Sudden inspiration struck Leia. Correllia.

 

"Still no word from Leia?" asked General Jan Dodonna.

"No. Our spies traced her to Imperial Center, but they were unable to determine her exact location," replied a young Rebel officer.

"She's been gone too long. I fear that the Empire has gotten all the information out of her that they need, and then . . . gotten rid of her. If this is so, then they probably know where we are. Begin preparations for the evacuation."

**************************************************

The giant red planet of Yavin appeared out the viewport as the Death Star came out of hyperspace. "The Rebel base is on a moon on the far side of the planet," an Imperial officer informed Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin.

"Begin orbiting the planet," ordered Tarkin.

As the Death Star moved toward its target, Tarkin thought of all the time and effort he had put into the battle station. It was all worth it, for this. Today we will finally see the end of the Rebellion.

After 15 minutes, Yavin IV appeared from behind the planet. "You may fire when ready."

As Tarkin looked on, a green superlaser shot toward the jungle moon. The laser hit its target, and the moon exploded into billions of pieces. Tarkin smiled, but his expression quickly became one of surprise when he saw a fleet of ships that had been hidden by the moon's presence. Before he could give any orders, the ships disappeared into hyperspace.

 

Han Solo sat in a grubby looking cantina attached to one of Corellia's sleazier spaceports. Chewbacca growled at him as he reached for the bottle of Sulllustan gin <Don't you think you've had enough?>.

"I'll let you know when I've had enough," Han grumbled as he poured himself another. How many had he had anyway? He'd lost count. For the first time in a very long time he was without a ship. Han thought it had been worth trading the Falcon to get off of Dagobah and away from the crazy old man and the even crazier little green alien, but now he wasn't so sure. He missed her more than he would have thought possible.

Lando had offered to take him to Bespin and set him up with another ship. Han refused, though. He didn't want charity from Lando, especially when Lando's last friendly good deed cost him the Falcon. He'd thought about going back to Nal Hutta. He had friends there, and work was always plentiful for pilots and smugglers. But Jabba undoubtedly still had a bounty on him, so Nal Hutta was out of the question. He decided to go back to Corellia-- home, at least as much as any place could be home.

So here he was looking for work without success in sleazy dives like this place. Han took another long swallow of gin and stared out the long transparasteel window that faced the main concourse. Another transport ship had just landed, and a stream of weary travellers passed through. The ship was a modified freighter that treated passengers only slightly better than cargo, and it showed on their faces. Han watched them pass disinterestedly until he caught sight of a woman who stodd ou from the crowd. Though she was dressed in the same drab clothes and looked as tired and dirty as the rest, she had an air of dignity about her. Han stood up. "c'mon, Chewie, let's go."
*********************************
Han caught up with the woman just outside the spaceport. She had no luggage, not even a small bundle, and she didn't seem to know quite where she was going. Han put on his best charming expression. "Hi, there," he said. "You look like you could use a hand."

The woman didn't look charmed or even pleased to see him. In fact, she looked at him the way a princess might regard a particularly scruffy nerf herder. Han tried again. "I'm Han Solo," he said extending a hand. She took it gingerly. "Leilia," she answered after a moment. Han grinned back at her. It was a start.

 

Leia looked over her unexpected assistant. She knew that she had to be very careful, because Imperial spies could be anywhere. This man's half-drunken state, however, told her that he probably wasn't one.

"So, uh, you new around here?" he asked.

"Actually, I am," she replied. Just then a brown-furred Wookiee walked up behind the man and growled. "This your friend?" Leia asked.

"Yeah. So, do you need any help with anything?"

"Maybe." Leia doubted that this stranger could be of any help to her, but still . . . there was something about him that she liked.

 

.

[This message has been edited by Jeff 42 (edited 05-10-99).]

 

Meanwhile, back in the Dagobah system...

Vader again stretched out with his senses. After an hour of searching, he let himself relax, but was still frustrated.

"I cannot sense kenobi's presence, or that of the boy. Perhaps they too left with Solo for Bespin."

"Admiral!" Vader barked.

"Yes, m'lord?"

"it would appear that there is no trace of Kenobi or the boy here. Order the scouting crews back at once, and we will leave for Bespin, where we will continue our search."

Suddenly, a viewscreen fired up to life. "Lord Vader!" the logistics officer on the screen appeared on the screen.

"Report."

"We have decoded the signal. It came from Alderaan."

"Excellent. But that then leaves the question, who received the signal? Lieutenant, send a signal in the same frequency directed towards the planet below."

"Yes, Lord Vader."

Vader stepped away from the viewscreen. "Be prepared to determine the exact coordinates of the receiver."

--------------------------------------------

Obi-Wan suddenly came out of his meditative trance when he heard the beeping for a signal being beamed in to his comm equipment.

"Perhaps Bail has news about Leia. There is still hope after all." He walked over, and turned on the equipment. What appeared was...nothing. A white wall. Nothing else. A couple seconds later, Ben heard from off-screen, "We have a lock!"

Rapidly, a dark, foreboding figure appeared on the screen. "I have you now, Kenobi."

 

In the black silence of space, on the edge of the Outer Rim, Boba Fett slowly scanned the leads he had collected for that new bounty, Luke Skywalker.

Apparantly Darth Vader had left Imperial Palace in an attempt to find this Skywalker himself. Fett found that very interesting. If only he could find him before Vader...

Then Fett straightened in his chair as he looked at the last lead he had. Skywalker had hired Han Solo, Fett's old rival, to fly him somewhere, some planet Fett didn't have on his charts. But the Millennium Falcon had been spotted several days ago on a landing pad at Cloud City on Bespin. If he followed this lead, which seemed very likely, he could not only capture Skywalker but possibly even the score with Solo...

 

As the Rebel fleet travelled through hyperspace, Jan Dodonna thought about their destination. So little data was available on the system, and he knew that that could be good or bad. He knew that there was an inhabitable planet, but not much more. The lack of information made it unlikely that the Empire would look there, but it could also mean there were unknown dangers lurking. Dodonna knew that having most of the fleet rendezvous there was awfully risky, but he had a feeling that it was a good decision. If he was wrong, he would find out soon enough . . .

**************************************************

"Prepare my shuttle for landing. I want a full squad of stormtroopers to accompany me, and . . ." Darth Vader was suddenly interrupted by an alarm that echoed throughout the Star Destroyer's bridge. "What is it?" he asked.

"Rebel ships have come out of hyperspace. We pick up three frigates and six corvettes," said an officer.

"Interesting," said the Dark Lord. "Charge up the turbolasers, and begin launching fighters. They should be no match for us."

"Yes, m'lord."

Vader strode to the viewport to survey the scene unfolding in space. The Rebel ships, obviously outgunned, were starting evasive maneuvers. Suddenly, some more ships appeared and new alarms sounded.

"Our sensors pick up four more frigates, five more corvettes, and a Victory-class Star Destroyer!" exclaimed a worried officer.

"We are outgunned. Recall the fighters and set a course for Imperial Center," said Vader. "But first, launch a homing device and attach it to the Star Destroyer's hull."

**************************************************

Ben Kenobi was discussing their dilemma with Yoda, when the problem suddenly disappeared. "I no longer sense Vader's presence," said Ben. "He must have left the system."

"Yes," replied Yoda. "And arrived have more ships."

"If their arrival caused Vader's departure, perhaps they are friends. A Rebel fleet, even. We should attempt to contact them. And if they are indeed with the Rebellion, maybe it's time that Luke and I left."

"Hmm. Learned much has Luke. Dangerous path lies ahead. Ready, is he?"

"I believe that he is," said Ben.

[This message has been edited by Jeff 42 (edited 05-11-99).]

 

***OOS: Nice way of getting out of that one Jeff.***

 

The scruffy Corellian and his Wookiee friend led Leia through the maze of shops on Treasure Ship row. She wtill wondered whether it was a good idea to trust the half-drunken pilot, but she had to admit having chewbacca as an escort made it easier to get through the throngs of shoppers. They turned a corner into a district of shops that seemed marginally less rundown than the rest. "Here we are," Han said, "the Bothan district. Told you I knew my way around Treasure Ship Row, didn't I?'

"you certainly did," Leia agreed. "Now I don't suppose you know the location of Dey'sel's glasswares as well?"

Han wrinkled his forehead in thought. "Dey'sel's...hmmm. Chewie, you know where it is?" The Wookiee growled a response. "He thinks it's on the south edge of the district."

Leia shrugged. "Lead the way." She would have been a little concerned if they had known much about the shop. Dassk Dey'sel, the shop's owner, was part of the Rebel's Bothan spynet. He used the shop as a way to gather information from the Rebels on Corellia. She'd never been there, but had learned about it when dealing with the Corellian Rebels who stole the plans for the Death Star.

Surprisingly, Dey'sel's was actually on the south edge as Chewbacca predicted. The Bothan shopkeeper looked up as they entered the store, decidedly unimpressed with his new customers. "A day of peace and prosperity to you," he said flatly. "May I help you?"

"Yes," Leia said, hoping she could remember th code phrases. Winter, of course, would have had no problem. "I'd like to see some Phen-Taun glasware, please."

Now Dey'sel looked interested. He drew a small pitcher out from under the counter. "Is this the type you're looking for?"

"That's it exactly," Leia answered. "How much?"

"21 credits."

"But I can only pay 15," Leia said, relieved that the exchange had gone as it should have. If Dey'sel accepted her offer, then she knew he recognized her as a member of the Alliance. "Very well, "Dey'sel said. "15 it is." She counted out the credits as Dey'sel wrapped the pitcher. As she took it and was about to leave, the Bothan called out to her, "A moment Miss, you've forgotten your receipt." He pressed a small tag into her palm. Leia glanced at it. There was a message on it. "The Alliance meets here tonight. WE would be honored by your presence."
******************************************
Leia thought she would never get rid of Han. She finally pleaded illness and arranged a room at a lodging house where she hid until sunset. It wasn't that she didn't like him, but she couldn't very well take him to a meeting of the Rebellion. She carefully made her way back to Dey'sel's. He greeted her warmly. "forgive me for not recognizing you at once Princess."

"And how exactly did you identify me," Leia asked him. "I hardly thought I was looking like myself."

the Bothan smiled "A spy never reveals his sources Princess." He ushered her into the back of the store with the others, but before the m eeting could begin, there was a commotion. A burly looking Bothan came in dragging a human with him. Leia gasped when she saw that it was her friend from the marketplace, Han Solo. " I found this guy snooping around outside," the Bothan growled. "What do you want me to do with him?"

 

Biggs Darklighter was relaxing in his cabin aboard the Victory Star Destroyer Phoenix when he heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?" asked Biggs.

"It's Wedge. Can I come in?"

"Sure." Biggs pressed a button to open the door. His friend and fellow pilot Wedge Antilles walked in with a grin on his face.

"There's some excitement down in Docking Bay 3 right now," said Wedge. "I think you'd be interested."

"Okay." As Biggs followed Wedge down the Star Destroyer's corridors, he wondered what the young Corellian was talking about. I guess I'll find out soon enough. The two pilots stepped onto a turbolift and Wedge pressed the button for Docking Bay 3. After a short ride, the door slid open. Biggs was amazed at what he saw.

"Luke!" Biggs ran to greet his friend. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm joining the Rebellion, Biggs. I told you I'd make it someday."

"Yes, you did. It's so great to see you again!" Biggs and Luke shared a warm embrace, then stepped back to look each other over. Even though it hadn't been much more than a month since they'd last seen each other, Biggs noticed a remarkable change in his friend. Luke was clearly no longer a simple farmboy. He now seemed to be surrounded by an aura of quiet confidence. Biggs wondered what had brought on this change, and how Luke had come to be in this remote part of the galaxy. "We have a lot of catching up to do," said Biggs.

"You've got that right," said Luke.

"Come on, I'll take you to my quarters," said Biggs. "But first, there's a friend I'd like you to meet." Biggs led Luke to Wedge Antilles, who was waiting nearby.

**************************************************

Ben Kenobi sat in a large room with a group of Rebel officers, discussing the current situation. "We recently received a copy of the Death Star plans," said Jan Dodonna. "They are being analyzed right now in the hopes of finding a weakness."

"Very well," said another officer. "In the meantime, what will we do? We cannot stay in this system much longer."

"Rebel Intelligence agents have located a possible system where we could set up base," said an officer. "It is the Srinadoisi system. The fifth planet has two moons with suitable conditions for a base."

"We will go to the Srinadoisi system, then. Get the word out to the Rebel factions across the galaxy," said Dodonna.

At this time Ben spoke up. "Any word yet on Leia Organa?"

"Our spies report that she is no longer on Imperial Center," supplied an officer. "She may have been taken elsewhere, or she may have been terminated. There is also a small chance that she escaped."

**************************************************

Leia was startled to see Han dragged in by the Bothan. She stared at his face, trying to determine what he could have been up to. He took on a pleading expression and said, "I was just watching out for you, Leilia. This place can be pretty dangerous for a woman by herself."

Leia was amused by this, but she did not show it. She concentrated hard on the man being held across from her, and she somehow recognized that he was telling the truth. "This man is innocent," she said. Then she said something that surprised even herself. "He can stay here. I believe he could be of help to us."

[This message has been edited by Jeff 42 (edited 05-14-99).]

 

Lando Calrissian reclined in the lounge of the Millennium Falcon, his new ship. Lando smiled, glad to have his old ship back. He had arrived on Bespin just a few days ago.

"I wonder how Han is?" Lando pondered aloud. He had been angry at the Corellian ever since the problem they had during the raid on Ylesia. But Han seemed sorry enough. Maybe he was just being hard on Solo.

"Snap out of it," Lando told himself. Solo usually wouldn't risk his precious neck for anyone, so why should Lando?

Lando picked up his comlink, and called Lobot. "Lobot? Can you get any information on where Han is now?"

Lobot's creaky voice came back over the comlink. "Intelligence says he departed for Corellia."

"Thanks, Lobot. Calrissian out." Only a split second after he had turned off the comlink, it suddenly detonated in his hand. "What the heck..."

Boba Fett stepped out from a corner of the lounge. "Calrissian...you are fortunate I do not mix business with pleasure. I am going to find Solo." Fett aimed his blaster rifle at Lando. "And you are going to help me."

 

"I don't know where Han is," said Lando.

"Really?" replied the bounty hunter. "Then what is his ship doing here?"

"It's not his ship anymore." As Lando spoke, he slowly moved his left hand, which was not visible to Fett because of a table, to a hidden button.

"Not his ship? Don't play games with me, Calrissian."

"I'm not playing games. Han was here, but he left, and I don't know . . . "

Just then a blue stun-beam appeared from behind Fett. The bounty hunter fell to the floor. "Guards!" called Lando. Two blue-clothed men appeared. "Take him to a holding cell."

**************************************************

Another Bothan walked into the room. "We've just received a priority message." The furry alien glanced at Han.

"It's all right. You may continue," said Leia.

"The Alliance is assembling in the Srinadoisi system. The Death Star plans have been recovered. They request that the leaders of our Corellian underground meet them there."

"Uh, do you need a pilot?" asked Han.

Leia rolled her eyes. She realized, however, that Han would have to stay with the Rebels, because he knew too much. She didn't think he would go to the Imperials, but he might be captured and interrogated for some reason. "I guess we could hire you," she said.

"Great. I'll just need to call Chewie, and I'll be ready to go."

**************************************************

Han maneuvered the Morning Star away from Corellia. It wasn't the Falcon, but he'd flown worse ships, too. This was, however, his most dangerous cargo. He'd smuggled spice before, but never a bunch of traitors against the Empire.

 

***Jeff, I would just like to say that you made me a happy person by having Fett taken out so easily. Thank you. =)***

 

"There, you see," Jan Dodonna pointed to a small shaft, barely visible on the Death Star plans. "That is our weakness. Apparently the Empire doesn't consider a small one man fighter much of a threat."

Obi Wan Kenobi nodded thoughtfully. "An X-wing would be just the right size tohandle such an attack." As the two looked over the schematics, dodonna's comlink sounded. "General, there's an incoming transmission for you. It's from Princess Leia." Dodonna and Kenobi were both startled. "Leia?!? patch her through at once."

"General Dodonna?" Princess Leia's clear voice came through the comm system.

"Leia! It's so good to finally hear from you. We had feared the worst."

"The Force was with me," Leia answered. "I was able to escape from Vader and make my way to Corellia, where I met up with Dassk Dey'sel and the other Alliance members. They've come with me in answer to your request."

"Very good!" Dodonna said. "We'll be awaiting your arrival."
**************************************
The Morning Star set down on a small landing field on Srinadoisi. True to his word, General Dodonna was waiting for Leia when she and the others disembarked from the ship. He greeted her warmly and ushered the Corellian rebels, Han and Chewie into the base as she told him about everything that had happened to her since the Tantive IV was captured. "That is truly an incredible story!" Dodonna remarked. "As you say, the Force was with you. Ah, and here comes someone else who will be glad to see you, " the general added as an older man in a brown robe came towards them. A young, blond man in a flight suit followed him. "Leia, this is Obi Wan Kenobi."

Leia took his hand. "General Kenobi, I'm honored to finally meet you. My father speaks very highly of you."

Kenobi smiled. "Thank you, Princess. I'm glad to have Bail's respect. And I'm glad to see what a resourceful young woman you've grown into. Your mother would indeed be proud of you." Leia frowned. Kenobi knew her mother? Before she could ask, the young man standing behind Obi-Wan waved at someone in the group of corellian Rebels. "Han? Han Solo, is that you?"

The Corellian pilot walked over, with his usual cocky grin. "Hey, kid," he said. "Great to see you again. You too, old man," he said darting a glance at Obi-Wan. His grin faded somewhat as he said it. Kenobi raised his eyebrows. "It seems Yoda was right about you, Han."

"You've all met before?" Leia asked feeling as if the situation had gotten away from her completely. "Yeah, we're all old friends," Han said. "Me, Old Ben, and Luke here." He gestured to the young man, and Leia looked at him closely for the first time. There was something familiar about him, something she couldn't quite identify.

 

"Any word yet on the Death Star's location?" asked Jan Dodonna.

"No. It was last seen in the Yavin system, and we all know what happened there," replied a Rebel officer.

"If there is any word, report on it at once. Our best bet to take it out will be a surprise attack, and hopefully we can do it soon before Tarkin sees a reason to use his toy again."

"Yes, sir."

As the officer left the room, Obi-Wan Kenobi walked in. "Do you have enough pilots for the attack?" asked the old Jedi.

"Yes, more than enough, in fact. It's not easy for us to get starfighters that are in decent shape, you know. We're working on a few right now, but we still have more pilots than ships. Why do you ask?"

"There's someone I think should be included in the assault. Luke Skywalker."

"Skywalker. Is he related to . . . "

"Yes," came Kenobi's prompt reply. "The boy has no experience flying starfighters, but he was an excellent skyhopper pilot back on Tatooine. And he has something none of your other pilots have. Luke has been trained as a Jedi Knight."

"A new Jedi." Dodonna was astonished at this. When Palpatine had seized control of the galactic government, his minions had hunted down the Jedi and killed them off. To the Rebel general's knowledge, very few were left, although one of them was standing not two meters away. If Luke was indeed a Jedi, he could very well be a new hope for the galaxy. "I'll see to it that he is included in the attack, if and when it takes place."

**************************************************

Grand Moff Tarkin watched as Darth Vader walked down the ramp of a shuttle. "What brings you here?" he asked.

"When I encountered the Rebels at Dagobah, I was able to place a tracking device on their flagship. Yesterday, I received word that they had gone to the Srinadoisi system. We will go there now and destroy them."

"Very well." Tarkin smiled. The Rebels had barely escaped him at Yavin. This time they would not be so lucky.

 

Don't let this thread die! This story is just getting interesting!

 

Leia, Han, Chewbacca, and the young man that Han had called Luke sat in the Rebel base's mess hall, sipping weak vine caf as the men recounted what had happened since they last saw her. Leia told them her story as well. She thought tha Han was going to fall off his chair when she told them that she was Princess Leia Organa. He gave her an accusing look. "You told me your name was Leilia."

"I could hardly have told you who I really was. I'd just escaped from the Emperor and for all I knew you could have been an Imperialist who would cheerfully have turned me back over to him," she pointed out. Han looked slightly appeased. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Luke, on the other hand, looked more confused than ever. "What's wrong?" Leia asked him.

"Well, it's just that I had the strangest feeling that we'd met before," he answered with a frown. "I don't suppose you've ever been to Tatooine?"

"Not that I recall. And you probably haven't ever been to Alderaan."

He laughed wryly. "Not likely! You may be a princess, but I'm just plain old Luke Skywalker, moisture farmer from the Outer rim." Now it was Leia's turn to frown. Skywalker.... where had she heard that name before. Suddenly, she heard the voice of the Emperor saying to her "Search your feelings, daughter of Skywalker." And she knew why Luke seemed so familiar to her, and she to him. Leia didn't realize she was staring at him until Luke flinched under her gaze. "Is something wrong?" he asked uncomfortably.

Leia shook her head, as much to clear her mind as anything. "No.... no, nothing's wrong. " she stood. "Will you excuse me? I need to speak to General Kenobi."
*********************************************
Leia found Obi-Wan speaking with Jan Dodonna in the command headquarters. They looked up as she entered. "General Dodonna, excuse my interruption," she said," but I need to speak with General Kenobi on a personal matter. I'm afraid it's rather urgent." Dodonna nodded. "Of course, Princess. General Kenobi, we can continue this discussion later."

Obi-Wan glanced at Leia. "What did you wish to talk about?" Leia decided to be blunt. "You knew mey parents, my real parents." She hardly waited for his nod of acknowledgement before continuing. "I have to know? is Darth Vader my father?" Leia expected him to look surprised or indignant at her question, but instead the older man merely lookeed sad. "So he told you, did he? This is most unforunate."

"Unfortunate?!? Unfortunate that I know the truth?" Leia retorted.

"No, unfortunate that you had to find out under such circumstances. Believe me, had there been time I would have come to Alderaan to explain your heritage to you. There is still much about your father that you do not know," Obi Wan told her.

"And have you told Luke about our heritage as well?" Leia asked. She hoped, in a way, to ruffle Kenobi's unflappable calm, however she didn't succeed. She was surprised when he merely smiled. "Your instincts serve you well Princess. Luke is indeed your brother, your twin, in fact. Like him, you are strong in the Force, and I hope that soon I will have the privelege of teaching you the ways of the Force as I am teaching him."

 

Luke Skywalker was looking over his X-wing fighter when he felt a familiar presence approaching from behind. "Ben," said Luke without turning around. "What is it?" As he said this, the young Jedi sensed a hint of surprise in his elder.

"I have something very important to tell you," said Ben. Luke turned to face the old Jedi Knight. "I believe that now is the right time for you to know."

Suddenly, alarms sounded through the Rebel base. "The Death Star has come out of hyperspace!" said a voice over the speakers. "All pilots to your fighters immediately!"

Luke climbed up into the X-wing's cockpit. "You can tell me when I get back."

**************************************************

Grand Moff Tarkin gazed at the huge planet that was in the Death Star's path. It was striped in shades of yellow and tan, and a vast ring system circled it. And the Rebel base was on one of its moons.
"Sir," said an officer. "Our data on Srinadoisi indicates that there are two moons which could hold the Rebel base. They are the third and fifth moons of the planet. Both are currently on the opposite side of the planet. If we orbit in an eastward direction, Srinadoisi III will be in firing range in 25 minutes and Srinadoisi V in 34 minutes. If we go west, V will be in range in 28 minutes, and. . . . "

"The Rebels are on Srinadoisi V," interrupted Darth Vader."

"Are you sure?" asked Tarkin.

"Yes, I am sure."

"Very well. Begin orbiting the planet in a westward direction."

**************************************************

Luke followed the other X-wings in formation as they moved around the massive gas giant. He had never flown a starfighter before, but he was quickly adjusting to it. "All wings report in," said Red Leader over Luke's speakers.

Luke listened as some other pilots spoke up, then said, "Red Five standing by." As the last member of Red Squadron checked in, the Death Star came into view.

"Look at the size of that thing!" exclaimed Wedge Antilles.

"Cut the chatter, Red Two," said Red Leader.

As the X-wings neared the Death Star's surface, Luke saw swarms of TIE fighters being launched from the space station. He turned his fighter to face the enemy craft and increased his throttle. Four TIEs were heading straight toward him. He calmly shot down the first, then slightly changed his course and took out the second. The third was taken out by another Rebel pilot. As Luke passed the fourth TIE he looped his ship around, got on the TIE's tail, and destroyed the enemy fighter. "Good shooting, Five!" said Red Leader. "Are you sure you've never flown one of these before?"

"Hey, Luke's just a great pilot," said Biggs, Red Three. Luke smiled as he headed toward another group of enemy fighters.

**************************************************

"Those Rebels are doing surprisingly well," observed Grand Moff Tarkin. "We will still easily overwhelm them, of course." He turned to look at the black-suited figure standing beside him, but Vader did not reply. He appeared to be staring off into space.

Finally, the Dark Lord of the Sith spoke up. "I sense something," was all he said before he strode off toward the turbolift that would take him to the fighter bays.

**************************************************

As Luke skimmed the Death Star's surface, three more enemy fighters appeared on his sensors. They were heading toward Luke's group of X-wings. Suddenly, a strange voice sounded in Luke's head. "The Force is very strong with you, young Skywalker."

Luke was puzzled. "Who are you?" he said aloud.

"You do not yet realize how important you are," said the voice. Luke was becoming distracted, and his fighter began to drift away from the Death Star's surface.

Then Luke heard another voice, this one from the speakers in his helmet. "What's going on, Luke?" It was Leia. Luke had been thinking about her a lot lately. He hardly knew the princess, but he felt a connection between the two of them unlike anything he had experienced before.

"I'm all right," answered Luke. He corrected his course and

 

"What are you talking about?" asked Luke. "Who are you?!?"

"Darth Vader. I believe you've heard of me," said the voice.

"You killed my father!" In a fit of rage, Luke turned his X-wing around and began attacking the three TIEs that were pursuing him. He quickly destroyed the two normal TIEs, but the bent-wing craft--Vader's--had no trouble evading him. The two fighters looped around each other through the cold vacuum, each trying to gain an advantage, neither succeeding.

**************************************************

Wedge Antilles blasted another TIE Fighter, then checked his sensors. One of the X-wings had gone completely out of formation. "Red Five?"

"Luke, what are you doing?" said Biggs. There was still no response.

Then Red Leader's voice came crackling over the com-system. "Gold Squadron is setting up an attack run on the main target. Let's make sure no fighters bother them." Wedge turned his X-wing to follow, then clenched his teeth as yet another swarm of TIEs emerged from the giant space station.

 

Kenobi felt a disturbance in the force. As he focused, he realized what it was. Vader was trying to distract and confuse Luke. And Luke was giving into his anger.

"If only Luke would have let me tell him before he left..." thought Kenobi.

Kenobi dropped to his knees, and concentrated. He put all of his power into trying to shield Luke from Vader.
Leia watched Kenobi with curiosity. She had no idea exactly what he was doing, but he looked like he couldn't do it on his own. She knelt beside him, and took his hand. Leia focused all of her energy on Old Ben.

Leia heard Ben's voice IN HER HEAD. He was speaking to Luke.

"Luke, I tried to tell you. I'm sorry. Please, listen to me now. Don't give into hate and anger. They will only put you on the path to the dark side. I don't want what happened to Vader happen to you too...
You must put aside your anger and trust me."

*********************************************

Luke snapped his head up, and listened to Kenobi's words...he fought through his tears, and turned his X-Wing to face Vader...

 

IT'S BACK!!!! Oh joy!!!!!!

Biggs Darklighter saw Luke pull out of formation to fight the strange TIE fighter. "Luke, what are you doing?" he asked over the X-wnig's comm system, but there was no answer. Biggs could see his friend was out matched. As good a pilot as Luke was, the Imperial was better. He turned
away from the the Death Star's main trench. "Red five, where are you going? Stay on target!" the Red Leader's voice crackled through the comm unit. "Sorry, Red Leader," Biggs answered. "My friend's in trouble."

Luke aimed his laser canons at DarthVader's ship again. Twin bursts of fire raked across the TIE fighter, but did no more damage than the blast before or the one before that. He clenched his teeth and fired another round at his father's murderer, ignoring Obi Wan's voice in his head. Dimly he was aware that another X-wing had joined him and was firing on Vader as well. This time the laser fire struck the fighter solidly, sending a shuddering jolt through the ship. Vader's ship dropped into a tight roll and came up beside the other X-wing, though it tried to evade him. Green lasers lanced out, and the X-wing's side burst into flames. "Luke, I've been hit!" a voicce came over the comm. "I can't control the ship!" "Biggs?!?" Luke said out loud. Suddenly taking revenge on Vader seemed less important. He couldn't bring back his father, but he could save his friend. He reached out with the Force, trying to pulll Biggs' X-wing out of its death spiral before it crashed into the Death Star's surface.
******************
Meanwhile, the Gold Wing was preparing for its attack. Han Solo, Gold Three, wondered how he'd let himself be talked in to this one. He wasn't in it for the Rebellion, and he certainly wasn't getting any money for this stunt. Which left just one thing. Leia. Hemust be going soft, he'd never taken these kinds of stupid chances for any other woman. Still ther was something special about her; she had a lot of spirit. Chewbacca's growl came through his commlink, bringing Han out of his reverie. "Yeah, I'm ready," he told his wingman. He still didn't know how they'd managed to fit Chewie into the cockpit of an X-wing. "You just keep the Imps away and let me worry about hitting the vent." The target was coming closer, and Han was beginning to realize how small the 2 meter vent really was. Han was a crack shot with a blaster, but this was something else entirely. No, he told himself, it's the same thing, just different weapons. It's just like fighting Gallandro, and you beat him....well, almost. Han took a deep breath, lined up his shot, and fired. The torpedos disappeared into the vent. "YEEEEHAAAAA!!!!" Han exclaimed. "Come on Chewie, let's get out of here before this place blows!"

 

<Jade - I was wondering why you didn't respond after my 5-30 post. Oh, well. BTW, Gold Squadron was in Y-Wings.>

Luke concentrated on Biggs' nosediving X-wing, and slowly its course began to change. Soon it was no longer headed for a collision and was instead flying parallel to the space station's surface.

Now that I'm done with that . . . As Luke began to turn his fighter, Vader's voice interrupted his thoughts again. "Luke! You cannot defeat me. But there is another way."

Luke did not respond. Instead, he continued his attempts to get a good shot off at Vader. "Obi-Wan's story about your father's death was a lie. I could not have killed your father, because the truth is . . . I am your father!"

"What?" How could that be? "Ben?"

Just then Red Leader's voice came over the com-system. "All fighters, move away from the Death Star. Its destruction is imminent."

Distracted, Luke did not notice Vader looping around to get on his tail. Before Luke could react, an ion beam washed over his X-wing. His ship was dead in space.

 

Kenobi jerked forward suddenly, falling forward. Leia fell almost on top of him.

"What," Leia wanted to know, "what's wrong?"

"I can no longer sense Luke," Kenobi replied, "I now fear the worst for him..."

*********************************************
Vader's TIE hovered in space directly behind Luke's X-Wing. He could sense the strength of the Force in this boy. He also sensed the anger.

Vader realized that there was only way to bring his desires to fruition. Luke would be the most powerful ally he could hope for. And he liked the idea of father and son, restoring order and ruling the galaxy. Yes, he must make Luke his ally.

*********************************************
Luke felt a dark coldness fill his cockpit. He sensed anger, but also fear.
His own anxiety erupted over him. He didn't know what to do. Then, he saw Biggs' craft rising in front of him. Biggs was yelling in Luke's earpiece. Luke didn't know what danger Biggs' could possibly be talking about. His hate rose. His fear rose. He was angry at everything. He was angry at Kenobi. He was angry at Vader. He was angry at Biggs for leaving him on Tatooine. Yes. Biggs LEFT him there. To rot. A cold smile enveloped Luke's face as the power to his cannons came back on line...

 

Luke suddenly sat forward in his cockpit, and saw Biggs' face across from him...

"Biggs..."

Luke reached for his firing mechanism. And stopped, shaking his head...

"What am I doing," Luke said out loud, "What is going on?"

[This message has been edited by tabhwd (edited 06-27-99).]