into the chaos! → luke skywalker ✓

xviii. the ewoks

⋆☆* ✧✰.✦

THE MISSION TO ENDOR was to happen as soon as possible. It had been a few days since Mon Mothma briefed them that the council approved a full-scale assault of the new battle station, and they wasted no time in gathering the troops to get all final preparations in order. They still needed the location, but it was only a matter of time before they got their hands on it.

Cas busied herself in any way she could; she was desperate to help, desperate to keep another Death Star from destroying any more planets. She hated flying, but part of her almost longed to be part of the air assault team; there, she'd be able to take out the dreaded weapon herself. But it wasn't that simple, nor was it attainable, and once she reminded herself of those facts she was grateful to have volunteered for the ground team.

She wondered where Luke would be if he arrived in time for the mission. Would he choose to be among the stars in his X-Wing, or on the ground with his squad—with his friends. Leia, his sister, was leading the mission; Han, his best friend, would be right there with them; Cas, whatever the hell she was to him, would ensure not only their safety just as she had always done, but also that the mission went according to plan. Luke was always with them, but he had been the one to blow up the first Death Star...

Bells chimed, signaling the start of the pre-mission briefing. The Rebellion fleet was at its peak and all available fighters were sitting in the command center, eagerly awaiting their orders and assignments. Honestly, Cas didn't need to pay too much attention seeing as she knew the plan already, but she listened intently, as if hearing it all over again would help ensure its success.

Lando was tasked with leading the air assault while Leia was to lead the troops on the ground. She already had a set of volunteers prepared to follow her—Cas included—but needed a few more bodies to act as the infiltration shuttle's command team, and she explained as much to the group of fighters and officials alike gathered in the command center.

"Count me in," said Han almost before she could even finish with her request. Chewie roared in agreement, and his old friend looked to him, speaking in a quieter voice.
"Well I didn't wanna speak for you, it's gonna be dangerous." As expected, the Wookiee brushed him off, saying something about how he wasn't going to let all of them go without him. Cas found herself wearing the smallest of smiles.

"Me too." Her gaze snapped to the doorway, and it felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. There stood Luke, smiling in a way where it didn't quite meet his eyes; he was happy, but something was weighing down on him. Leia stood and was quick to embrace him, and she was grateful because she honestly didn't know what the hell to do. She was concerned for him, but she was also relieved to see him again. Leia, as it turned out, felt the same way she did.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked him quietly, Cas just barely hearing her from across the command center.

"Ask me again sometime," was his reply. She returned to her seat and the briefing continued, but Cas's attention was elsewhere. She watched as Luke's gaze wandered, soon falling right upon her. Their eyes met for the first time since their conversation back on Tatooine, and he pushed his shoulders back in a way that was almost imperceptible—almost, and Cas found it adorable. She kept her feelings at bay though, letting her surroundings ground her and keep her present. She gave him a nod, another minuscule smile sneaking through despite her attempts to keep it hidden. He returned the gesture, wearing a little smile of his own. They'd talk later, perhaps before the mission but more likely after it was all said and done, but that was all right. Really, Cas was just glad to have him back.