into the chaos! → luke skywalker ✓

vi. stories from ord mantell and hoth

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IF ANYONE WERE TO ASK CAPTAIN CASSIA TARIN, the past three years had both flown by and dragged on. So much had happened, yet so little at the same time. On one hand it felt as if everything had changed, but on the other it felt as if nothing had at all. They were still on Hoth and Han was still around in spite of his insistance that he would be leaving any day, but they had been on countless missions since the Battle of Yavin and the war was escalating. The Rebellion was in a better place, their first victory boosting their cause more than ever before, but they were still essentially losing.

Cas's job hadn't changed, but the way she operated did. When serving in the Alderaan Security Forces, she spent some of her time in her uniform, acting as a show of force on behalf of Alderaan when standing by Leia's side. Other times she'd dress as a handmaiden or aide to hide in plain sight. Many of her missions had been diplomatic, at least on the surface, but with no more Alderaan all of their missions were purely in the name of the Rebellion. The risk level was significantly higher, and Cas was often in regular clothes, blending into society but participating actively in the mission. Her primary goal was to protect Leia at all costs, but she figured she'd do better at that if she actually helped out. It was odd, she had to admit, and she was still getting used to it, but she was starting to understand why Leia loved the fight so much.

Luke had changed in some aspects, but not all of them. He was still kindhearted and awkward and a little whiny, but he had grown up in those three years fighting for the Rebellion. He knew how to take charge and wasn't afraid to do it. He was a commander at that point, and he deserved the title more than anyone else Cas knew. He led missions and rallied the troops in a way that just seemed so natural to him—yet he still couldn't look her in the eye for an extended period of time without blushing. Furthermore, he occasionally attempted to train himself in the Jedi arts, which went about as well as their speeders in the intense cold. He was, however, growing a tad more disciplined, which showed in the way he carried out missions and such.

Cas hadn't really changed. She was still uptight and protective and kept her feelings close to the vest, but that could now be blamed on the secret she was forced to carry with her. Every time she wanted to let her guard down or confide in Leia or Luke, she was reminded of the danger they were in and her walls would go right back up, wanting nothing to distract her from protecting them. She knew it was unhealthy, and that it was eating away at her friendships, but she needed to keep them safe and if she had to sacrifice her happiness for it, then that was what she would have to do. After all, the fate of the galaxy very well could depend on it.

Luke and Leia—the twins, as they were—could tell something was getting to her. They hated seeing her so closed up, but they knew they couldn't just force her to put down her walls, especially not when there was a war going on. They hoped it was only the war that was bothering her so much, and in a way they weren't wrong, but they had no clue what was really getting to her. As far as Cas was concerned it had to stay that way, at least for as long as possible.

Han had changed; he wouldn't admit it, but he had changed. He still put up his tough-mercenary-who-doesn't-care facade, but the others were able to see right through it. He was a good guy at heart, and he really did care about the others—quite a bit, as a matter of fact. He could be gentle at times, when the situation required it and he wasn't busy going back and forth with Leia, who he clearly had true feelings for.

Together, the group had accidentally become one of the Rebellion's most trusted squads. Han, Leia, Luke, Cassia, Chewbacca, and the two droids were sent anywhere the Ghost Crew wasn't; they had been sent to destroy Empire property and to gather supplies and recruits alike. They were fast and efficient, albeit a little...unconventional. They didn't always get along (which was no surprise) and they were all still learning how to be part of the Rebellion, but they were still one of the best crews around.