The Empire's Fall (Pt.1)

Chapter Ten: Celebration and Aftermath

"Great shot, kids. That was one in a million." Han says over the intercom.

I start to feel at ease, and my eyes start to close. Then... I hear Ben and Ila again,

"Remember, the Force will be with you both... always."

We start to race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.

Once we get there, I climb out of my starship fighter at the same time Luke does. We're met by the cheering ground crew and pilots. We climb down the ladder as Leia rushes toward us.

"Luke! Leeda!"

"Leia!" we both say together.

She throws her arms around Luke and I and hugs us as we dance around in a circle. Then Han runs in toward Luke and I, and we all embrace, before the boys slap each other on the back.

"Hey! Hey!"

"We knew you'd come back!" I exclaim. Then Luke continues for me,

"We just knew it!"

"Well I wasn't gonna let you two get all the credit and take all the reward."

We all look at one another, as Han playfully shoves at Luke's face, and my shoulder. Then Leia moves between us.

"Hey, I knew there was more to you than money."

Then I look back at my ship, Luke does the same.

"Oh no!" we say together.

Little Artoo's fried form is lifted off the back of my fighter and carried off under the worried supervision of Threepio. Who says,

"Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say something! You can repair him, can't you?"

"We'll get to work on him right away."

"You must repair him! Sir, ma'am, if any of my circuits or gear will help, I'll gladly donate them."

"He'll be all right," I say, at the same time as Luke.

Luke, Han, Chewie, and I enter the huge ruins of the main temple. Hundreds of Rebel troops are lined up in rows. Banners are flying and at the far end Leia and several other diplomats are standing. All four of us walk solemnly up the long aisle and stand before Leia. From one side of the temple marches a shined-up and fully repaired Artoo. He waddles up to our group and stands next to an equally pristine Threepio, who is clearly rather awestruck by this whole event. Chewie just looks confused.

I'm somewhat jealous of Luke and Han since they get to wear pants and a jacket, but Leia has forced me to wear a dark blue dress. It looks nice, but dresses aren't really my thing. Though she looks lovely in her long, white dress.

She rises and places a gold medallion firstly around Han's neck. He winks at her, that action makes me roll my eyes. She then does the same with Luke, before turning to me. We grin at each other, in the time between when we rescued her and now, Leia and I have become quite good friends. She places the medallion around my neck, before the boys and I turn and face the assembled troops, who all bow before us. The attention is a little bit much for me, but Chewie growls and Artoo beeps his happiness.

After the ceremony is over we all start to pack up. Since the Empire knows that we're here now, they'll be coming back to try and wipe us all out before too long. So tonight will be the first and last night Luke and I spend on Yavin IV. I'm almost afraid to sleep tonight. But, oh well.