The Rise of the Empire

Chapter 20

I ran to the platform and got in a ship. I had a plan to get inside the base, but I had to be pretty quick.

The ship I picked was an empty cargo ship. That way, the pirates in space would be tempted to climb on board. While the pirates were being pirates, I would sneak across on board their ship. The pirates would then bring my ship to the planet below to do a thorough search, letting me in their complex without any problems.

All went according to plan. I made it inside the base without any trouble. I used the force to quiet my steps as I ran to the door. There was no one in the hall, which worried me. The pirates never gathered in one area unless.....unless they were torturing a prisoner in the banquet hall. Great.

Master Skywalker has told me all about his little excursion with Master Kenobi here. They were in that same situation until the power went out. I guess the only way to free Lux was to get rid of the power which is not an easy task.

I jumped into the ventilation shaft and crawled towards the power line. The shaft stopped at the end of the building where the power cables connected to the building. I used the force to push one of the poles supporting the cables over. Once it fell, I dropped out of the shaft and ran towards the banquet hall. Pirates started swarming towards the exits.

Next came phase two: get back in the vents near Lux's individual prison cell. It took some concentrating to find it, but I knew which one to go to. I waited. After some time, they brought Lux into the cell and stationed a guard at his door.

I jumped out of the shaft and used a mind trick to convince the pirate to open the door and leave the room. I rushed inside.

"Lux!" He smiled weakly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks for coming back for me. I wasn't sure that you would."

I kissed him lightly on the cheeck. "I will always come back. Trust me."

"What's the escape plan?"

"Are you strong enough to walk?" He stood up and almost fell over. "I take that as a no. Here." I helped him up and we walked towards the exit.

I reached out into the force. I could hear pirates coming this way, but I couldn't go any faster with Lux. That made it difficult.

I started to pick up the pace gradually. We reached the door and made our way outside.

I felt the pirates before I saw them. The door closed behind us, and Hondo and his men were there, guns pointed at me.

"Do you really think I would let you and my profit escape, hm? Not today!"

The prirates started firing at us. I ducked behind a ship and helped Lux down. When he was secure and safe, I drew out my sabers and began to delfect each blast.

I was doing ok until I realized that thre were people shooting behind me. I panicked. I wasn't fast enough, and a blast knocked my saber out of my hand. Seeing no other option, I brought my hands up and created a wave using the force as I brought them back down. The pirates fell over.

I retrieved my sabers and helped Lux up. I ran as fast as possible towards the nearest ship and took off. I didn't relax until I'd made it into hyperspace.

When we landed on Alderaan, I helped Lux in to the medical section of Senator Organa's lovely place. We said goodbye, and I went to go find Senator Organa.