Missing and Presumed Dead

Family Ties

Since Artoo was the only being on board who had actually visited the Jedi Master, Leia listened closely to his instructions as she guided the ship through the landing sequence.

"Does this planet feel wrong to either of you?" she asked as they entered the upper atmosphere. The entire view port was blocked with fog, which in her mind was never a good sign, but it was more than that. Though Dagobah was classified as uninhabited, she could practically feel that they weren't alone. It was as though eyes were watching them descend, and they weren't happy to be disturbed.

Artoo whistled a response and Threepio jolted back in horror. "Oh my ," he turned to face her, "Princess, perhaps we should turn around. Artoo says Master Luke crash landed here and that a swamp monster almost ate them!"

Conveniently, Luke had left that bit out when he'd told her what he'd been doing here. Typical. "Oh wonderful. Let's not crash land or get eaten, shall we?"

"That is not what I had in mind..."

She ignored him. There was no way she was turning back now. There were answers she needed, not just to save her friend's life, but...

She didn't finish that thought.

She managed to find a safe landing spot in a clearing surrounded by thick, towering trees, hairy vines, and an ominous-looking swamp. Even if Artoo hadn't said anything, she would have wondered how Luke could have landed safely--it was a miracle she had. So maybe she wouldn't chew him out for not telling her the full story.

That is, if she found him again.

She powered down the engine and stood. "Threepio, it's probably best that you stay here."

Threepio appeared relieved. "I will be more than happy to look after the ship, Your Highness."

She glanced at Artoo, her question from earlier once more rattling around in her brain, She had half a mind to ask him to stay as well. She didn't even know how he'd be able to get around on such unstable, swampy terrain, but she knew better than to ask. Artoo tended to do whatever he pleased--which saved their lives more often than not. "Come on. Let's go find this Jedi Master of yours."

Dagobah's atmosphere was just as inhospitable as it looked, and she instantly understood why no one wanted to live there. The stale, musty air smelled strongly of rotten soil and decaying lifeforms. Though they were on solid ground, her boots squished deep into the mud. It was so humid, she was certain that she looked like she'd taken a disgusting shower five minutes after leaving the ship. The jungle was alive with the cries of creatures, big or small, and she felt as though their every move were being watched. As she'd expected, Artoo moved slower than usual, but he somehow managed and, to her knowledge, didn't complain.

Eventually, they came upon another clearing where a domed hut stood, practically blended into its surroundings.

"That it?" she asked, her voice low. But even as she asked it, her eyes caught sight of a small, hobbled creature in a ratty robe, leaning on a knobbed cane. Watching her.

When it noticed she'd seen it, it called out. "Greetings!" The voice was definitely ancient and garbled, but soothing and kind. So at odds with the permeated sense of darkness she felt from the rest of the planet. "Who comes to visit me in my humble home, hmmm?"

Leia stood still, hardly breathing, taking in what was now clearly Yoda from Luke's descriptions. He was as small and strange looking as he'd told her. Yet even she could see the wise set of his amber eyes. "I believe you already know, Master Yoda," she replied finally, squaring her shoulders. She didn't actually know if he did know, but it felt right saying that.