Consequences

Chapter 17 - Endor

By the time we finally arrive back at the Rebel Fleet, I know that we're definitely late for the meeting. Unlike usual, there's hardly a soul in sight. Everyone must already be assembled.

"We better get moving," I mumble, picking up the pace as we hurry through the ship towards where the meeting is behind held.

At long last, we arrive and silently make our way into the room. Now, it's time to figure out what we missed. Hopefully, it wasn't anything important.

Mon Mothma is speaking from her position near the front of the room. "The data brought to us by the Bothan spies pinpoints the exact location of the Emperor's new battle station." Oh, so this meeting is about the destruction of the Second Death Star they're constructing. I didn't realize the meeting was about something so important. "We also know that the weapon systems of this Death Star are not yet operational. With the Imperial Fleet spread throughout the galaxy in a vain effort to engage us, it is relatively unprotected. But most important of all, we've learned that the Emperor himself is personally overseeing the final stages of the construction of this Death Star."

"The Emperor will be there?!" exclaims Luke in shock. I'm equally stunned. That's the last thing I would have expected to hear. The murmurs and exclamations throughout the assembled crowd show that the same goes for everyone.

"This is certainly going to be our chance," I murmur, as we make our way through the room to where Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and Lando are sitting. They still don't know that we're back.

"Many Bothans died to bring us this information," continues Mothma, "Admiral Ackbar, please."

The Mon Calamarian – who really doesn't look much different from when I last saw him during the Mon Calamari civil war – steps forward, pointing at the holos of the Death Star and the nearby moon, Endor.

"You can see here the Death Star orbiting the forest Moon of Endor. Although the weapon systems on this Death Star are not yet operational, the Death Star does have a strong defense mechanism. It is protected by an energy shield, which is generated from the nearby forest Moon of Endor." Always an extra complication, isn't there? But it's nothing we can't handle, or we probably wouldn't be having this meeting right now. "The shield must be deactivated if any attack is to be attempted. Once the shield is down, our cruisers will create a perimeter, while the fighters fly into the superstructure and attempt to knock out the main reactor."

Murmurs of concern run through the room. It's a risky plan, but what else can we do? It's our best option right now. And the sooner the Death Star is destroyed, the better. We do not need any more destroyed planets – even if it won't really have happened when I get back home.

"General Calrissian has volunteered to lead the fighter attack," Ackbar continues. Interesting. I didn't really expect to hear that Lando was going to do that. I see our group of friends exchange comments as we approach them, still unnoticed.

"General Madine," calls Ackbar, stepping back. The General steps forward and picks up on the planning.

"We have stolen a small Imperial shuttle. Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret Imperial code, a strike team will land on the moon and deactivate the shield generator." Doesn't sound too hard, as long as whoever is sent knows what they're doing... and doesn't promptly run into a large Imperial force. If the shield generator for the Death Star is there, it's bound to be well protected.

Murmurs pass through the assembled crowd.

"Sounds dangerous," frets Threepio.

"I wonder who they found to pull that off," comments Leia to Han, not noticing the smirk on his face.