Saga The Way of the Force - (L/M, H/L, Vader, Palpy, Yoda, Rogues) - COMPLETED March 18

Jade eyes: I think Luke and Leia are very similar in many ways, but not when it comes to Vader.



ginchy: I feel so badly for Luke and Leia, but the image of them holding hands as they exit the hut is a strong one. At least they have each other.

Yes! I don't know if Luke would have survived everything that's happened if he didn't have his sister.

Ahem. I also like how Anakin-like she was in the coversation with Obi-Wan, especially her under-her-breath "I could" on killing Vader. But don't tell her I said that.

Hehe. It's such a morbidly funny line.



Hazel: Thank you! Recreating the trilogy moments has been challenging, but I like the way it's all come out so far.



Briannakin: And that's the irony...Leia hates her father and she's the most like him of the twins.



volk-eu: Hey there!

Darillian missed his chance to be decoration on ceiling of Corvette bridge (courtesy of the Wraiths), but he won't be missed.

Dear Face will just have to impersonate a different captain.

I hope that this time he will know at least how to deflect Force Lightening and not to lose his saber.

Hehe...Obi-Wan and Yoda MAY have instructed him on that little tidbit. Or, it may go down in a way that Luke doesn't throw away his lightsaber at all. We'll just have to find out, won't we?

onder just what Rogues have helped him to unload? Maybe some special shipment, like hold full of Ysalamiri or Corellian brandy and gifts for twins' birthday?

Oh nothing so exciting, just regular supplies. Although I'm sure Han managed to smuggle in some alcohol.

I like Vader's introspection, full of regrets - it seems that here he will be a lot more conflicted than in RotJ. I think the fact that Luke faced same choice as Anakin, and yet chosen differently affected him greatly.

Yes, I think he's gone back to being completely hopeless.

Mara is very conflicted either, i don't think she will seriously try to kill the Jedi. She will go mostly for answers from Luke, not revenge, and clear the air between them, at last.

Hmm. We'll find out in Chapter 8.

Has she gone to the Dark Cave? She needs a good shake to stop lying to herself; i think you will make stop denial in final confrontation with Vader, when she'll try to kill him in anger.

She has not. Good insight! I don't see Leia going into the Dark Cave - she's not as "mystical" as Luke is, if that makes sense. You think she'll try to kill Vader? Hmm. Possibly. Or she might try to kill somebody else. We'll see.



kataja:

Yeah, well, no one'll live that long, Luke-my boy... Not even you...

So many mistakes.

And here I'm crying like a child - thsi was so beautiful!!!

Awww, thanks!

This is just perfectly revised canon!!!

Glad to hear it! I had to change things around a little based on this AU, but I would've changed it anyway based on what we know in the prequels.

I probably shouldn't laugh at that, but I can't help myself

Good. Gooooood.

Yeah - nothing less will do, of course. That just makes it the double of what he had to do in ROTJ - may the Force be with you Luke wink At least your writer and readers love you!

You know I do! C'mon, if things were easy for him then it wouldn't be exciting!



Ocelotl:

the Leia/Luke matchup vs. Vader/Palpy and wildcard Mara

Hmm, nice prediction. Wildcard Mara? Yes, where WILL she end up...



Curtis: Thank you!



FelsGoddess: Luke/Mara needs death threats.

Right?? It's not just the same without them!

Well, if anyone can tell the Force what for, it's Leia.

Isn't THAT the truth? Thanks!



Luna: I love that Leia has an integral part in this too.

Return of the Jedi is my favorite Star Wars film, but I always disliked that Leia never got to have closure with Anakin. She, even more than Luke, needs it. So I definit

 

CHAPTER 6





It had been a quiet and uneventful trip back from Dagobah. Luke and Leia spent the time talking about their past, and what things might have been like had the Empire never been formed. How different would their lives be had they been allowed to grow up together? Would they be the same people, or have completely different personalities? Leia felt that she truly knew her brother now?sometimes she thought she knew him better than she knew herself?but she would always wish that things had been different.

She?d had that wish for close to four years now.

As they came out of hyperspace and few toward Home One, Leia couldn?t deny that she was excited to return to the Alliance. Despite her months of training on Dagobah, and the words of wisdom from Yoda and Obi-Wan, she still didn?t feel cut out to be a Jedi. She could use the Force well enough, but she?d never have the same dedication as Luke.

There was no doubting, however, that she had been born to be a politician. From the time she was young, Leia looked up to her father and wanted to be like him. As soon as she was old enough, Bail had begun to teach her about politics. While the people frustrated her at times, she loved it. And now, after learning about her mother, Padme Amidala, Leia believed more than ever that she belonged in the Alliance.

Luke glanced to her as he maneuvered the shuttle into the docking bay. ?Excited?? he asked with a teasing glint in his eyes.

Leia shrugged her shoulders. ?I don?t know what you?re talking about.?

Luke cocked a brow and looked at her hands, which she was wringing together in her lap. They were nearly white. ?Really??

Leia huffed. ?Okay, so maybe I am.?

Luke merely smiled.

She couldn?t deny it; she was excited to see Han. One year ago they?d finally opened up to each other, which allowed them to come to terms with all their differences. They still bickered like crazy?but she wouldn?t have it any other way.

Leia was out of her seat as soon as they landed. She forced herself to remain in the cockpit, not wanting to be rude and leave Luke alone to go through all the shutdown procedures, not to mention with all their supplies. But then Luke placed a hand on her arm and gestured toward the viewport.

A welcoming committee had formed in the hangar, including Chewbacca, Lando, the droids, the Rogues, and Winter. But the only person she could focus on was Han. Luke squeezed her arm and nodded to her. ?Go.?

She intended to have a modicum of decorum as she greeted her friends, but once their eyes met all her plans were thrown out the window. She rushed past a very excited Threepio, grabbed Han by the vest, and kissed him square on the mouth. He smiled against her lips while she drank in his taste, and his musky scent that she?d missed for several long months.

?Well! That was very rude.?

In the back of her mind, Leia was aware of Threepio?s offended quip, but she didn?t really care. She just kept kissing him until she needed oxygen. Then she broke away from Han?s lips, wearing a chagrined expression. Han, on the other hand, looked entirely smug. ?Hey,? he said softly.

She smiled and lifted one hand to his cheek. ?Hi.?

There was a loud cough from behind her, and she turned around. Luke stood there, looking highly amused, while Artoo and Red both vied for his attention. ?I?m sorry, Han, but I don?t have that enthusiastic a greeting for you.?

Han grinned and waved a hand. ?Ah, you?re just jealous.?

Luke wrinkled his nose. ?Actually, I?m really not.?

Han snickered, along with the rest of the Rogues. ?You sure about that, kid??

Luke rolled his eyes in a combination of embarrassment and disgust. He held out his hand. ?It?s nice to see you too, Han.?

Han accepted his handshake and clapped Luke on the back. ?Of course it is. You?ve been stuck in a swamp for the past several months.?

Luke smiled and turned his attention to the rest of the group. They all exchanged hellos, and Leia gave everyone a huge hug, including Janson, who blushed a bit afterwa

 

Ohhh! If it wasn't for Han and Leia, and the Rogues, I'd be hiding for the remainder of this fic. Poor Luke, you can tell he really misses Mara and is determined to get her back. Atleast he has the Rogues, Han and Leia to cheer him up a bit.

 

not-so-merry band of Bothans.

I don't want to know who's Maid Marian in this Bothan scenario.

Okay, so wonderful update and I (yet again!) did not need the brave hat. WHO are you and WHAT have you done with our author??? You're just lulling me into a false sense of security, I see your evil scheme, lady!!

The beginning is so bitter sweet in a couple of ways. First the idea of all that L/L have lost in not having grown up together. She says she knows him better than she knows herself, but that should be even further ingrained, being twins as they are. Secondly, it's bittersweet because someone is missing at the homecoming.

I love H/L's reunion, however. And Leia's new position! There's no one better for it and it's part of her first steps into a larger world.

And I love that Tycho believes in Mara as much as Luke. And now it seems that maybe something could be done about it...???

 

Luke squeezed her arm and nodded to her. ?Go.?

She intended to have a modicum of decorum as she greeted her friends, but once their eyes met all her plans were thrown out the window. She rushed past a very excited Threepio, grabbed Han by the vest, and kissed him square on the mouth. He smiled against her lips while she drank in his taste, and his musky scent that she?d missed for several long months.
Bravo, Leia! Bravo!


Leia gave everyone a huge hug, including Janson, who blushed a bit afterwards.
Heh! He's full of hot air, he is!

?Already?? Leia said. Not that she minded getting straight to work. She preferred that, actually. She just would have liked to spend a little more time with Han.

Alone.
God - she's learning honesty ...even with herself


?What are you doing??

?Coming with you.?

?Ah.? She appreciated the thought, but really didn?t need an escort, and told him just that.

Han smiled at her. ?Oh, I?m not escorting. I?m attending.?

She nearly stumbled. ?You?re attending??
She's up for a surprise


?I think?that you should come with me to my quarters so we can celebrate our new positions.?

Han winked at her. ?I thought you?d never ask.?
Awwww


If it had been a planet in the Core, Luke would have understand the Chimaera arriving to restore order. But Mara had stayed far away from the Rim planets and the Rebel Alliance wreaking havoc there. No matter what had happened between the two of them, Luke didn?t believe that she would ever bring the fight to the Alliance. No, something else was going on. ?I guess that?s possible,? he murmured, deep in thought. A plan began to take shape in his mind?
Yess!!! Can't wait to read how this will go! And I love to see Luke so quickthinking!

 

Luke's plan - I already like it, even if I don't know it.

Fun reunion too!


I have a question though - when Mara was captured she had a plan, is this all part of it or has it gone astray?

 

Loved the camaraderie and understanding tone with the Rogues and Luke You can feel them pulling for him

And Han and Leia together and with Fey'lya.

Smarmy yuppers, that's the word

 

Awww. It's always nice to see Fey'lya bested. So is it going to Rogues this time, or are things going to start coming to a head and not just jump between areas of plot development?

 

Myu favorite part aside from the snide Bothan... is the how much KP duty was assigned... ha ha

 

She rushed past a very excited Threepio, grabbed Han by the vest, and kissed him square on the mouth.
Poor 3PO.

How much kitchen duty have you given Wes? How much bacta has Hobbie used up? Has Kasan fully corrupted Avy, or is there still a chance to save her?
Love that those are his priorities.

Great update.

 

Briannakin: But Han and Leia and the Rogues make everything funny! I promise things will get better. But they might have to get worse, first.



ginchy: Okay, so wonderful update and I (yet again!) did not need the brave hat. WHO are you and WHAT have you done with our author??? You're just lulling me into a false sense of security, I see your evil scheme, lady!!

Meeeee????

And I love that Tycho believes in Mara as much as Luke. And now it seems that maybe something could be done about it...???

Well, Toprawa is in the Outer Rim...just saying...



kataja: Bravo, Leia! Bravo!

She's done playing hard-to-get, all right.

--Leia gave everyone a huge hug, including Janson, who blushed a bit afterwards.--
Heh! He's full of hot air, he is!

Don't forget - she kissed him in NMF, so he's still a little scared of Han! But yes, he is.

--?I think?that you should come with me to my quarters so we can celebrate our new positions.?

Han winked at her. ?I thought you?d never ask.?--
Awwww

I got you to "awww" at a H/L moment. Hooray!!!

Yess!!! Can't wait to read how this will go! And I love to see Luke so quickthinking!

Well, you know, when it comes to Mara the lightbulbs are always going off.



Hazel: Luke's plan - I already like it, even if I don't know it.

You should.

I have a question though - when Mara was captured she had a plan, is this all part of it or has it gone astray?

Well, all will be revealed in time. But no, she did not expect herself to be in the position she is right now.



Jade_eyes: Loved the camaraderie and understanding tone with the Rogues and Luke rose You can feel them pulling for him

They are the true definition of friends.

Smarmy yuppers, that's the word

Nobody likes Fey'lya. Poor guy!



Curtis: So is it going to Rogues this time, or are things going to start coming to a head and not just jump between areas of plot development?

The answer will come in the next chapter, but I think we'll be getting some action very soon.



Ocelotl: Luke knows the things that are truly important! Punishments and kitchen duty! (And whoever marries Wes Janson will always have one very clean kitchen.



FelsGoddess: Poor 3PO.

The original buttmonkey!

Love that those are his priorities.

Well, you know. When you're Rogue Leader...



Thanks to everyone sticking out with this fic. I know that things have gotten depressing but hopefully the Rogues and Han/Leia are able to lighten the mood a bit. Things with L/M will start to pick up very shortly. Don't worry. Or maybe you should?

To all my lovely readers.

 

Just a reminder to those not reading regularly, I'm now posting twice a week, on Sunday and Wednesday.

I am sending out A LOT of PMs each week. If you no longer need one, please let me know.

In a few weeks the boards will be down during migration, but you can still catch the fic being updated regularly on FFN!

---

[u]CHAPTER 7[/u]





It felt good to be back with the Rogues, Luke thought as he stood at the podium in the briefing room, going through some notes on his datapad while the other Rogues slowly filed in. Returning to Dagobah had been an important step for him on his journey, and he?d grown even stronger in the Force in his time there. But he was still a flyboy at heart, and he couldn?t deny that the Rogues brightened his spirits in ways that all the Jedi training in the worlds could not. He?d been back for barely a week and was already feeling optimistic about the future.

There were still challenges, of course. The Rogues were flying well below a full roster. Luke hadn?t had time to fill out the empty spots on the squadron after Hoth, and Wedge hadn?t wanted to step on Luke?s toes while he was away. And after Mara?s capture, the last thing on his mind was selecting new pilots. But even though they were still half a squadron, he wasn?t worried. The Rogues had once functioned as a six-person group, and they could do so again.

Now, it was time for another mission.

?Ahem.? From the front of the room, Luke cleared his throat and the conversation quickly died down.

Wes jumped to his feet and snapped a salute. ?Welcome back, Commander Skywalker! Might I say that I am so glad for your healthy return, and I will do anything in my power to help you in your leadership.?

Luke allowed himself a laugh. ?Don?t bother, Wes. Your punishments from Wedge are still in effect.?

Wes groaned and sat back down. ?Aw, come on!?

Sitting in the row in front of him, Avy turned around and rolled her eyes. ?You know you could just behave yourself and avoid these punishments all together. You?re an adult; it shouldn?t be that hard for you.?

Wes flashed her a brilliant smile. ?Obviously you don?t know me very well, my dear. Perhaps we could fix that.?

Avy scowled, blushed, and turned around.

?Ignore him, Avy,? Kasan said. ?He never grew above the emotional age of eight.?

Wes gasped in shock. ?How rude! I?ll have you know that I am [i]all[/i] adult. I could show you if you ever decide to reevaluate your proclivities.?

?I?ll reevaluate my fist in your face if you don?t leave me alone!?

Wes grinned. ?Feisty?just the way I like ?em.?

Luke met Wedge?s gaze and raised his eyebrows. Wedge shrugged his shoulders as if to say, ?They?re all yours again.?

Luke shook his head and sighed. Merry band of reprobates, indeed, and he wouldn?t have it any other way.

He let them bicker for another minute before raising his voice above the chaos. ?If you would all quiet down, we can discuss our next mission!?

That did the job, and within seconds everyone was silent. Luke smiled gratefully. ?Thank you. We?re in luck, Rogues?we get to blow stuff up.?

Hobbie punched a fist in the air. ?Success!?

Luke nodded. ?I certainly hope it will be. Our mission is to the planet Toprawa. As you know, the planet was razed by the Empire several years ago, as punishment for their involvement in obtaining the plans to the first Death Star.?

?That our fearless leader blew to pieces.? Wes glanced around the room, gesturing proudly at Luke, as if nobody else was aware of his accomplishments.

Luke rolled his eyes. ?Thank you, Wes, but your punishments are still in effect.?

?Dammit!?

Luke ignored him. ?Since that time, the Empire has established several weapons factories on the planet. Now our part of the mission is simple. We will be arriving in the Toprawa system via the cruiser [i]Glory[/i].? Wedge and Tycho looked suspicious at the mention of Toprawa, but did not interrupt. Luke continued on with his prepare

 

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa BRAVE HAT ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew you were lulling me into a false sense of security.

But I do like how the Force is lining things up here... Luke's going for Mara and Mara's lying in wait for Luke. I sense fireworks are going to take place very, very soon.

I love Luke with the Rogues and Wes trying to get out of his punishments.

And Luke and Leia's talk was fantastic. I like that they have each other.

And I think I've mentioned it before, but no one writes an ensemble cast like you do!

*Edited cause ginchy can't spell.

 

Wow-- she actually wants to kill Luke!

 

Wonderful talk between LUke and Leia. She really knows him better than anyone else at this stage and as for Luke's burden - I don't know if that's what it is, but it has and remains Mara's choice to stay or leave.

 

Well, Wes had to try.

Hmm, going to be an interesting battle here--both the actual fighting and the mental/emotional mix.

 

Wes is always good for a laugh.


But she no longer cared about all that. She didn?t care that she was doing exactly what Palpatine wanted. Skywalker had left her. He had never really loved her at all. She was back serving the Emperor because of him.

If only for that, he deserved to die.

NOOOOO!!!!

 

Lol! You gotta love Wes.

BUUUUT NOOOO! Ginchy! Is there room under the brave hat for me!?

I say Nanci posts every day so this fic wont be effects by the move! (JK, I'll just have to swoop to FF.net during the move).

 

Loved the banter between all the Rogues, Luke, and Leia, and especially liked Han and Leia's reunion. I love that it seems we're coming to a meeting between Luke and Mara. Looking forward to it--I expect this battle will be quite exciting. Great update!

 

FFN isn't behaving itself, so I'm over here to review! I feel so uneasy about the whole Luke/Mara situation! Luke leaving her was the right thing to do otherwise they'd both be the Emperor's slaves by now but it still hurts so much for poor Mara! The Rogues were great here and I loved seeing where Mara is coming from here.

Much love

 

ginchy: You might need a brave coat for the next chapter.

I sense fireworks are going to take place very, very soon.

Fireworks? Hehehehehe.

And Luke and Leia's talk was fantastic. I like that they have each other.

Yes, no matter what happens, they have each other. It is comforting.

And I think I've mentioned it before, but no one writes an ensemble cast like you do!

Aww. You are so sweet.



Ocelotl: Yes! She does! But will she?



Jade eyes: Mara will be learning many things soon that change her entire outlook.



Fels: Hey, can you blame Wes?

Hmm, going to be an interesting battle here--both the actual fighting and the mental/emotional mix.

Ohh yeah. It's mostly emotional stuff here. But it packs a punch, I think.



Hazel: I love Wes. He's the best comic relief - him and Han.

[image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110411070016/halofanon/images/7/79/Meme_-_Vader_No.jpg]



Briannakin: Perhaps we should set up a brave tent?

I say Nanci posts every day so this fic wont be effects by the move!

Ha! That wouldn't work anyway, as I'm not done editing yet. [face_tongue



Luna: Oh, I hope it's exciting! Thanks!



LVB: FFN isn't behaving itself, so I'm over here to review!

Yeah, I updated but then FFN ate it!

I feel so uneasy about the whole Luke/Mara situation! Luke leaving her was the right thing to do otherwise they'd both be the Emperor's slaves by now but it still hurts so much for poor Mara!

Yeah, it's a lose/lose situation. Luke would lose himself or lose Mara.




Thanks for reading, everyone! The next chapter is a biggie - the reunion you've all been waiting for/dreading. I hope you like it.

 

I'm BACK!!!
And yeah, I think I can manage to follow this fic without PM's. You don't need to send me.


Returning to Dagobah had been an important step for him on his journey, and he?d grown even stronger in the Force in his time there. But he was still a flyboy at heart, and he couldn?t deny that the Rogues brightened his spirits in ways that all the Jedi training in the worlds could not. He?d been back for barely a week and was already feeling optimistic about the future.
That's completely how I see it too!!!

Wes flashed her a brilliant smile. ?Obviously you don?t know me very well, my dear. Perhaps we could fix that.?


Merry band of reprobates
Exactly!!! We only miss the Sherwood forest!

Luke felt her inner turmoil and reached out to clasp her hand. Leia accepted it gratefully, and Luke could tell that she was relieved he hadn?t lashed out at her or said that she couldn?t possibly know how he felt. She was right, after all. He wasn?t the only person who had lost Mara.

But he was the only person who could get her back.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing Luke particularly - but Leia too, so mature!!!! Reading this, I realkize how extremely RARE that it! Both in pro- and fanfic!!!


Promise me that you won?t get hurt.?

?I promise,? he said automatically. But they both knew that his words meant nothing, because that promise had already been broken long ago.
So much understated pain in this writing - and absolutely no drama! Beautiful!!!


She closed her eyes, and let herself fall into the Force. As always, she heard the seductive call in the Dark Side, but would not answer. She didn?t need it anymore.
Both comforting and intriguing. Really how much is Mara on the DS? You've managed to leave us without an answer... - which probably was your intention too.


But she no longer cared about all that. She didn?t care that she was doing exactly what Palpatine wanted. Skywalker had left her. He had never really loved her at all. She was back serving the Emperor because of him.

If only for that, he deserved to die.
Ta da da daaaah..... I'll enjoy the skyline of dark, dooming clouds until tomorrow!

 

kataja: Hi! Where'd you go? Any place fun?

And yeah, I think I can manage to follow this fic without PM's.

Awesome!

That's completely how I see it too!!!

I think that Luke can be a loner when he has to be, but he genuinely prefers being around his friends. And who couldn't smile while hanging around the Rogues?!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing Luke particularly - but Leia too, so mature!!!! Reading this, I realkize how extremely RARE that it! Both in pro- and fanfic!!!

I couldn't do it any other way! They've gone through so much in this fic that I couldn't imagine them not being there for one another. Every bit of anger and resentment and sadness and hurt got out in that fight on the Falcon, and since then they've banded together as brother and sister. I don't think even Han or Mara could understand the bond they have, and it bothers me that profic didn't pick up on that. I loved the scenes in Backlash when Leia could sense Luke's presence for just a moment, but I wish there'd been even MORE. So anyway, yeah, the point of this rambling is that as long as Luke and Leia have each other, they can get through anything.

So much understated pain in this writing - and absolutely no drama! Beautiful!!!

Thank you! Even though I just said Luke and Leia can get through anything as long as they're together, even Leia can't understand what he feels about losing Mara. She senses a little bit of it, but for Luke...oh, why am I so mean to him???

Both comforting and intriguing. Really how much is Mara on the DS? You've managed to leave us without an answer... - which probably was your intention too.

Meesa???

Ta da da daaaah..... I'll enjoy the skyline of dark, dooming clouds until tomorrow!

At least somebody appreciates my wickedness.




So, after twenty very long months...they meet again. /nervous

 

CHAPTER 8





The Glory burst out of hyperspace practically on top of the planet Toprawa. Less than thirty seconds later, twelve X-wings and a YT freighter dropped out of the main hangar bay and fanned outward into formation. The Millennium Falcon took the lead, with Rogue Squadron forming a defensive screen around the Corellian ship. The Glory would remain in orbit, ready to fight against any Imperial ships that arrived.

?Stay sharp, Rogues,? Luke told his pilots. ?Toprawa control is on the alert. Lock S-foils in attack positions.? The other eleven ships did so, and then the Falcon dove into the atmosphere, heading straight toward the first of several factories they?d be destroying.

They faced little resistance at first, mainly ground-to-air missiles that were easily evaded. Then the local Imperial forces must have scrambled their pilots. Luke captured one of the enemy ships in his sites, then red laserfire erupted from his X-wing. It tore the enemy ship into pieces. Luke didn?t even take a breath before moving on to the next target. Soon every opposing ship had been eliminated, and the Rebels approached the first factory without resistance. Between the Falcon?s concussion missiles and the X-wings? proton torpedoes, it did not take long until all but two of their targets were destroyed.

Suddenly, Luke heard a monotone voice from the comm. ?Millennium Falcon, this is the Glory. The Star Destroyer Chimaera has just dropped from hyperspace. We are engaging now.? Translation: hurry up and let's get out of here.

?We copy,? Han said. ?Kid, we?ve made contact with the Rangers. We?re breaking off to drop off Page?s group.? The rendezvous point was nearby, under the cover of forest.

?Acknowledged. Rogues, stay in the designated formation.? He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. This was the moment he?d been waiting for?the moment he?d been planning for. Now was the moment of truth. Could he really do this?

He closed his eyes and thought of Mara. Then he opened a private channel to Wedge?s X-wing. ?Wedge, I need you to lead for the remainder of the mission.?

Wedge paused, and Luke could almost hear the thoughts running through his friend?s mind. ?What?s up, boss??

?Nothing. Just follow the plan, do you copy?? Luke didn?t give Wedge another chance to protest. The Chimaera was here, just as Luke hoped. He?d waited a year for this moment?when he could apologize. When he could explain himself. When he could start to fix things.

He had no choice but to go to her. He could only hope that she would listen.

With determination, Luke shut off his comm and pulled back on his flightstick. The X-wing veered around in a tight curve. He climbed high into the atmosphere, keeping an eye on his instruments. Soon, he saw several TIEs on his scope. Twelve ships broke off and headed toward the other Rogues. But one ship stayed on a straight course, heading directly toward him.

It hit him like a bolt of lightning. ?Mara,? he whispered to himself. She was here.

And green laserfire rained down from her TIE fighter, on a collision course with this X-wing.

He swore and pushed the stick forward, diving down underneath her TIE. It overshot him, but she was on him again in an instant.





Mara pursued her prey relentlessly, failing to give up even though Skywalker was the much better pilot by far. None of their old sim scores or kill records mattered anymore. Nothing did. Now it was just her and him, her determination against his, and there was no way that she would lose this battle.

She kept her TIE practically on top of his X-wing, not wanting to give him a moment to think. She wanted him to act on instinct, to shoot back at her, to give her the fight that she wanted. But he didn?t. He evaded her laserfire and jinked and juked out of her crosshairs, but he would not pull around behind her, would not send fire back to her. She growled to herself, unwilling to accept suc

 

I'm first? I'm first!!!!

Nice for a change


He?d waited a year for this moment?when he could apologize. When he could explain himself. When he could start to fix things.
Oh, those Skywalkers!!!

Mara pursued her prey relentlessly, failing to give up even though Skywalker was the much better pilot by far. None of their old sim scores or kill records mattered anymore. Nothing did. Now it was just her and Luke, her determination against his, and there was no way that she would lose this battle.

She kept her TIE practically on top of his X-wing, not wanting to give him a moment to think. She wanted him to act on instinct, to shoot back at her, to give her the fight that she wanted. But he didn?t. He evaded her laserfire and jinked and juked out of her crosshairs, but he would not pull around behind her, would not send fire back to her.
So perfectly those two!!!


?I?m going to kill you.?

He finally looked away and blinked at her red blade, as if he was noticing it for the first time. Then he looked back up at her, and did something she didn?t expect?he moved closer. ?Are you really??
Awwww!!!!

She?d been a fool then, believing that such a thing as love could exist. She should have remembered Palpatine?s lessons?that there was no such thing as love; that people would turn on you at the first opportunity; that you could only trust yourself.
So that's what she's been thinking! Yes, it makes sense...

He started to have doubts about his plan. Perhaps she did not desire to be saved, or rescued?especially not by him.
A bit belated, Lukie, my boy, but still...


Instead, he said the one thing he?d been longing to say for so long: ?I?m so sorry.?
Awwwww!!!!!!

she didn?t want to kill him before she?d said what she needed to say.
Gotta love her feist!


He could say no more as her fist came flying toward him and connected firmly with his face.
And as much as it hurt him, I can almost feel it felt good to her...



Mara stared in disbelief at Luke?s unconscious form. She?d disobeyed a direct order. From Palpatine.

In the past year, she had never once disobeyed him. Not once. Sure, she?d spoken her mind and protested against certain plans, but in the end she always did his bidding. She believed it impossible to defy him, thanks to her time in the Lusankya.

That fear had always hovered over her like a fog?that if she ever tried to escape the Empire, something would flip in her mind. That she would pursue her old friends and kill them without a second thought. That she?d send information to the Empire without realizing what she was doing, working as a shadow agent.

Yet she?d just disobeyed her master. She could defy him after all. So what in the galaxy would she do now?

She called her lightsaber to her hand. There was only one thing she could think of to do, only one person in the galaxy who could give her the information she wanted.

She turned around and walked back to her ship.
Now, I'm in complete dark. What will she do?!?? This is awesome!!! Absolutely awesome!!!



As he docked with the Glory and reunited with the other Rogues, Luke could only think of one thing?she couldn?t do it. She couldn?t kill him. She had defied a direct order from Palpatine, and that meant only one thing.

Mara was still there, buried deep inside Lady Jade, the Emperor?s Hand.
Luke, beaten and happy - all as it should be

Amazing, amazing chapter!!!