Of Spies and Sabacc (Pre-ESB/Leia, Han, Luke, Chewie) Thanks for the Noms!

Cheveyo: Welcome to the story. Glad you like it.

Kirana_Ti: Buckle up your seatbelt.

Next postie soon...

 

?Well, pretty good job of flying if I do say so myself,? Han commented as Leia and Chewbacca joined him back in the cockpit.

Leia rolled her eyes. ?Where are we going, now??

?Just a short hop to Pindarell. Then I thought we could attempt to contact the fleet, and find out where they are.?

The rongo gave a bark.

Han stiffened and turned in his seat to look through the open cockpit doorway. ?What the hell is that thing doing here??

?He must have come on the ship after us,? Leia said as she unstrapped herself from her seat and headed toward the rongo who was sitting in the lounge.

Mishi gave an excited bark and wagged its tail.

?You realize that Daram is dead,? Leia said as she approached the rongo.

Mishi barked again.

?Ahem, Mistress Leia,? C-3PO said, ?Mishi says that since his old mistress is dead you are his new mistress.?

?Ha!? Han said skeptically as he stood in the doorway of the cockpit ?You?re his new source for Imperial information. This is just great. We?ll probably be greeted by some more Star Destroyers as soon as we come out of hyperspace. I say we throw the thing out of the cargo hold.?

Chewbacca seconded Han?s suggestion.

Mishi gave an alarmed whimper and then barked some more.

?He says his loyalties are all yours, now,? Threepio translated. ?Furthermore, he says he carries no tracking beacons or the Empire would have found the Alliance fleet long ago.?

Leia tilted her head, considering, ?That makes some sense.? She looked clearly worried by what Han had said, but also seemed reluctant to do what Han suggested. ?If we aren?t followed at Pindarell, we could take him down and have diagnostics run on him.?

?Why the hell would you want to waste valuable time with this?? Han asked.

?Well, I know you?re worried he?ll give our secrets away, but he could also turn out to be a valuable source of Imperial information,? Leia argued. ?Didn?t Daram say that Mishi was able to receive information from Imperial frequencies that we can?t? He could be a great source for counterintelligence! Mishi might even have other Imperial information stored in his databanks. We can?t just throw him out until we?re sure.?

Han gave an unconvinced snort and then returned to his seat. ?When we?re all slaves together in the Spice mines of Kessel, don?t say I didn?t warn you.?

Leia permitted herself a little smile and then turned her attention to Mishi. The rongo was large, nearly a meter in height, and over a meter in length with large flanks. ?So, what other features do you have??

Mishi gave a lengthy bark, and then showed his computer access arm, which was hidden in his left flank as well as the computer access panel hidden in his right flank.

?Look!? Leia announced, ?Too bad Artoo isn?t here or he could run diagnostics on Mishi right now.?

?Probably a trick panel that would just fry all of Artoo?s circuits,? Han countered. ?We?re coming up on Pindarell. I?m going to send out a message as soon as we come out of hyperspace.?

Leia shook her head and continued her investigation. She knelt down and found another panel hidden under Mishi?s belly. The rongo-droid gave a wheezing bark, almost like a laugh as Leia felt around there, and then reached its head back and gave Leia a slobbering lick on her cheek. ?Ugh! Okay, I?m glad you like that but this is not necessary.? Leia pushed his head away, ?Wow, whoever designed him really did a good job with this synthetic surface. He feels so real!?

?That?s the real reason she can?t get rid of him,? Han muttered to Chewbacca, ?He?s just too cute!?

Chewbacca growled and shook his head disgustedly, and adjusted the controls as the ship came out of hyperspace.

Ignoring Han and Chewbacca, Leia opened the panel and peered inside. ?Oh, stars!?

Hidden inside the rongo-droid?s lower storage compartment was a well-stocked emergency pack. Among the items stored there were food, water, lightsticks, flares, power packs, blaster clips, and even detonators: three thermal, three electromagnetic, and three proton grenades.

Leia rea

 

Oohhh, Leia's first sign of her Force connection with Luke.

*Passes out popcorn*

 

Great job! I can hardly wait for more!

 

::gladly accepts the popcorn::

Hmmmm so that is why she is so ready in ESB to turn around and get Luke. .. LOL Han is great. . . .


and of couse you would keep that dog. . . what a wonderful peice of tecnology! it's a soft and cuddly computer. . . you can hug it and pet it and look up information on it tooo. . . .

I want a rongo!!!

But . .. I'll gladly settle for an interactive Artoo Detoo.. . Ohhh Santa. . . .

 

*takes some popcorn, passes around some coke*

Han better have the hyperdrive working when he goes into that asteroid field around Cordenia.

inez

 

RebelMom: Well, they've been kind of intuiting each other all along...

--pauses to take some popcorn.

Thanks!

LovelyLea: More on the way...

maramijade: Yeah, I'd like a rongo, too.

inez: thanks for the Coke...have any Diet?

 

Yay Leia!!!! Wooohoo!!! Time to go get Luke!!!

Hm... I have a bad feeling about that rongo too... don't u think the Empire would've anticipated their spy being caught and, along with her, the rongo? Yes... rongo is definitely bad....

In case any of you did engineering... I hate Structures!!! No, it's not hard, but when you're sleep deprived, vectors are not that much fun... damn... can't wait until this one is over...

Kirana Ti

 

Kirana_Ti: Unless you're saying something like, "Chewie plot that ship's approach vector", please don't ever say that evil "V" word again. I may have a heart attack and then you'll never know the end of the story.

...did I mention I nearly failed multivariate calculus? Even now, 11 years after college I still wake up at night with my heart pounding because I dreamt that I forgot to study my math homework and I have a final coming up tomorrow...

 

Chapter Thirty

Luke climbed out of the cockpit of his X-wing. Artoo was lowered out of his compartment, and landed on the red dust, beeping agitatedly.

?I know, it?s not the best situation to be in, Artoo,? Luke said, ?but we?ll just have to wait and hope the Alliance sends someone to rescue us, soon.?

More alarmed beeps.

?I know it?s night, Artoo. Why don?t we go find a cave and get some shelter for now??

Artoo beeped his acquiescence. The X-wing was at the foot of a craggy mountain range; a hundred feet away, the ground rose almost vertically into high, rocky mountains. The mountains had all been mined of their parelite but treacherous mine shafts and trenches remained in and around the area.

Luke climbed back into the cockpit and pulled out his survival pack. From the pack, he pulled out his lightstick and turned it on. He climbed down, aiming his lightstick toward the mountains. Artoo aimed his searchlight forward, and they slowly headed toward the towering peaks, searching for the nearest cave.

Since dusk had fallen, the air on Cordenia V had chilled. Luke buttoned his jacket, and then shivered, but the shivering had very little to do with the temperature. Vader is coming, Luke thought, sensing the presence of the Dark Lord, and sensing that he was coming nearer by the minute.

There was an old, dusty trail leading to a gap between two of the nearest mountains. Luke trod slowly along the trail, careful to avoid any holes in the ground. Luke and Artoo followed the path for several minutes as it wound between the mountains and past several cave-like mine shaft entrances. Many of the entrances were blocked by fallen rock and debris. Finally, Luke reached a mineshaft entrance that seemed to be in good condition.

?What do you think, Artoo??

The little droid beeped and they headed into the mine. As they entered, a light wind blew past them. Luke shivered again, feeling that he was being watched.

As the lights from Luke?s lightstick and Artoo?s searchlight receded in the distance, several small creatures each approximately a meter in height peered out silently from behind the rocks and rock formations. Watching.

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

The Dark Lord?s shuttle landed on the surface of the planet. As Darth Vader disembarked, he was met by a squadron of storm troopers.

?Sir, we?ve traced the descent of an unauthorized one-man fighter to the hills over in sector seven-one-three.? The storm trooper raised his arm and pointed in the distance.

?How long ago did it land??

?About twenty minutes ago. We?ve sent troops to investigate.?

?Get me a speederbike,? Vader ordered.

?Yes, sir,? the storm trooper turned to his comrades, ?Lord Vader needs a speederbike. Get speederbikes for his escort??

?No,? Vader countermanded. ?No escort. I will go alone.?

?Yes, sir,? the storm trooper responded as a speederbike was brought out.

Vader mounted the speederbike, and turned on the controls. With a roaring screech, the speederbike flew off toward the mountains in the distance.

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

Sitting in the cave-like mine entrance with Artoo, Luke felt his heart beating faster as the minutes ticked by. He?s coming, he?s coming, he?s coming. The thoughts beat themselves out in a frantic rhythm. Ben, Ben! What am I going to do? Help me!

Still no answer.

Luke took a sip of water from his flask and cursed into the darkness of the cave. A petulant thought flashed across his mind: When I?m trying to take a well-deserved rest, he comes at me with croakings of doom and gloom. Then, when I really need his help, he?s off enjoying life in the hereafter!

Almost immediately, Luke reproached himself for those thoughts. Ben, I didn?t mean it! Ben, help me, please!

Finally, Luke stood up. ?I can?t stand this waiting any longer, Artoo,? he told the astromech droid. ?I?m going to go outside and walk a bit. You stay here.?

Artoo beeped in alarm.

?I?ll be all right, Artoo,? Luke assured the droid. ?Just wait f

 

LP checks in and gasps in HORROR!

Great Sith! Where is everyone?

She closes her eyes and lets the fear, anger and aggression slowly ease out. Deep breath, allows the Force to come in....























Eyes open - hand upstretched (just like Yoda) to levitate this thread to the top.

One more hand gesture, beckoning readers in...

 

I'm here

OOooohhhhh Vader on a speeder bike. . . I like that Idea


Oh dear. . . my imperial boyfreind and SJade's fanfics are rubbing off on me. . . .

I like Vader

 

I have a degree in Chemical Engineering, myself, but I did have a 'structures' class. I kind of liked it really. Don't get me started on calculus though.

Anyway, great post. I can't wait to see how Luke and Vader face off. Just for clarification...Vader knows Luke is his son, but Luke doesn't, right?

inez

 

maramijade: LP smiles serenely as she sees that her use of the Force has worked! More Vader tomorrow.

inez: You're absolutely right about Vader/Luke. Lightsaber duel tomorrow. Hope you enjoy.

- oh, and one more thing, inez--in the last post in your story, you said that Luke and Leia can only hear each other within the same star system! Is that true? Did you read that somewhere?

* LP turns down the light, and passes out the popcorn and soda. *

 

Actually, LP, I made that up. I wanted to emphasize that Mara supposedly can project and hear thoughts better than most others. There was a scene in that KJA/Callista book (Darksaber?) where Luke projects a thought throughout the Force and Leia hears him from halfway across the galaxy and another in Crystal Star where Leia 'follows' her kids through the galaxy in a similar way. However, neither of those books are high on my 'reliable resource' list for Force knowledge.

inez

 

Hello again... I definitely like the idea of Vader on a speeder... Darth Maul looked so cool on his speeder-like vehicle in Episode 1, and he wasn't even half as evil and menacing as Vader... very cool...
And I really wonder how Luke's gonna get out of this one...

Lady Padme: I do apologize. There is definitely a certain amount of trauma associated with that V word, isn't there? I had an excellent calculus teacher in highschool so the calculus part of our course I find I much enjoy... it when I have to sit down and figure out where/how the forces are acting that I get annoyed... and hey, multivariable calculus, eh? Wasn't that the course John Nash was "teaching" in A Beautiful Mind when he met his wife? Ah, the throwing out of the textbook probably made many, many students happy...

inez: Chemical engineering, eh? I hear that you people make a fair amount of money. A friend of mine is doing a double major in Mathematics and Chemistry (yes, I too think there is something wrong with her ) but wouldn't make the move to Chem Eng. For me, I'll just stick with my Architecture... only one horrible class... but next semister I get to do acoustics...


Alright all, enough of the scary subjects... can't wait until the next post!

Kirana Ti

 

inez: thanks for clearing that up.

Kirana_Ti: sorry for the vehemence. Just hearing that *shudder* word made me nauseous--

Anyway, good luck on the rest of your exams.

More story later.

 

Yes, ChemE's do make a lot of money, but alas, I am not employed as such... Don't really want to be actually. That's why I can't decide what do with my life...

Depressing? Not so much really. I really like lab work, so I'm thinking about straight chemistry. Who knows?

inez

 

Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith approached the clearing and stopped as he saw the young man. The youngster was clearly frightened, but was fighting that fear valiantly. Vader knew just how to manipulate that fear, to use it toward his own advantage. But Vader?s thoughts were not on the task at hand. He was magnetized by the young man?s face. He looked at the dark blond hair, clear blue eyes and the pure features. It could have been his own face; his own face from nearly a quarter century ago. The face of the young Anakin Skywalker before he?d been betrayed by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Before that battle with his first Master that left him scarred and mutilated. Before he offered up his soul to the Sith, the true Master of the Universe. The sight of that face and the feel of Luke?s distinctive Force-signature brought home to Vader?s mind the final betrayal. Padmé. You never told me.

Vader let those thoughts wash over him. The thoughts fed into his hatred, fed into the Dark Side and gave him strength.

This is my son. The son of a Dark Lord of the Sith. He is strong in the Force, but his strength came from me. I will take him and mold him in my image. He will become the greatest of all the Sith, and it will be Obi-Wan?s final failure. This will be Luke?s destiny.

?Luke Skywalker,? the Dark Lord?s voice boomed into the still night. ?It is a pleasure to finally meet you.?

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

Luke?s hand went straight to his lightsaber. ?Vader,? Luke said in return.

?You are strong in the Force, young one,? Vader said. ?We would welcome one with your talents.?

?We??

?Your strength in the Force. It is immense,? Vader said, his voice coaxing, almost mesmerizing in its dark charisma. ?But it is unharnessed. Come with me, and I will teach you how to use the Force; to become the greatest of all the Sith.?

?You?re crazy if you think I would join you. You?re evil,? Luke said, fighting to keep his voice steady.

?You don?t seem to realize how limited your choices are, young Skywalker. You can come with me or you can fight me and die.?

Luke?s heart began to pound. You will be confronted with three choices. You must be careful in your choice. But Vader only mentioned two choices. What was the third? Luke pulled out his lightsaber and with a snap-hiss the weapon was activated.

The snap-hiss of Vader?s red lightsaber answered him.

?Don?t be a fool, Luke,? Vader said, in that coaxing, lulling voice. ?You have no idea of the power of the Dark Side.?

?And I don?t want to know!? Luke said, as he raised his lightsaber and began to attack.

Vader easily parried the blow. Luke pulled back his lightsaber and feinted low. Again, Vader blocked the blow. Then, Vader pulled back and attacked, swinging the lightsaber parallel to the ground, at the level of Luke?s neck. Luke leapt back just in time to avoid being decapitated.

?Impressive,? Vader said, as he brought up the lightsaber again. ?Your Force-reflexes are very good. You?re channeling the Force well. But you have much to learn.?

?Never from you,? Luke said, as he parried Vader?s blow. He pulled back. Remembering what Ben had taught him in his dreams, remembering what he had practiced for hours every chance he could Luke swung forward with a volley of blows. Vader easily parried the blows.

?Obi-Wan taught you this.?

Luke was amazed at how the electronic voice could simulate such subtle mockery. ?He taught you as well, you traitor!?

?What would you know of treachery, young one? Obi-Wan was the master of treachery and deceit. He only cloaked himself in the Light. He has deceived you, as well.? Vader brought his lightsaber down.

?I don?t believe you!? Luke parried again, blocking the blow, but he was starting to get tired. All this was taking so much effort, and yet, Vader, a man who depended on machines to live appeared to be fighting effortlessly. Luke even sensed that the Dark Lord was holding back. That Vader was testing him.

?Yes, I have been testing you,? Vader said. He sliced low, a

 

wow, great action. *munches popcorn*

A bit of real life kept me off last night (not to mention the boards were down when I was on)
After hearing you all talk about math, I'm glad I was a history major.

 

Looking good!

 

Yeah I'm sure I'll have all the math I'll ever want.. . I'm a business major, I'm just hitting calculas. . . I thought Matricies were hard enough. . . . sith. . . . but once I get it down it's not that much of a problem. ..well except for factoring quadratics. . . ughhh. . . .

anyway. . . mathematics aside. . .


That was a great post LP!!

I loved how Vader held back and his internal thoughts about Luke. .

I also really liked how Luke was able to pull up Obi-wan's advice.... It was a nice touch. .

Can't wait for more!

 

Hee, hee, I tend to find action sequences humourous. Especially Luke telling Vader "You're evil." haha, so Luke-like, such an understatement. Next he'll tell the Emperor "You do bad things"

Ah well. Yes, RebelMom, history is fun. I've had a course on the history of architecture for the past two years and it has certainly been good.

Marimijad: Matrices, eh? Ah, I loved those back in the day. And factoring quadratics... meh, it just takes practice. I've spent more hours doing that than I'd care to imagine. But why in the world would you need that for business? Matrices I can see, but not quadratics...

Well two more exams to go. Anyone have any idea what would be on an exam in the theory of architecture? That one has me a bit scared...........


And let's get some more Leia/Han action! I can't wait for them to find Luke... but I would like something to happen before then, so that there's a tension between them that Luke senses.... yes yes, I know, I will write my own fanfic. If you're lucky, I'll write one over this winter break. Just give me another week and we'll see if I've started yet.
And I seem to be especially long-winded today....
Kirana Ti

 

oohh! Poor Lukie, always getting maimed, etc.

Anyway, I think I can see now how this will not be AU. Good job, LP.

inez

 

RebelMom: Thanks!

* Pauses to take another handful of popcorn - Yum! *

LovelyLea: Thank you. primps a little before mirror

maramijade: Glad you liked the Luke/Vader encounter. I always liked Vader a lot, too.

Kirana_Ti: Nice to know the action scene brought some enjoyment.

As for the H/L tension etc...hmm...I'd like to see your version of events. How long is your winter vacation? (hint, hint!).

Hope you did well on all your finals.

inez: Whew! Sighs in relief that this can still be considered canon!

Poor Lukie, always getting maimed, etc.: At least the poor boy gets some action these days. In my original concept of the story he wasn't going to be in it at all!