Rescue for a Sith Princess

Chapter 2

The Millennium Falcon descended onto the planet of Alderaan. Luke admired the beautiful, lush landscape surrounding them. This was the first planet he had ever seen besides Tatooine.

"Head for the landing dock by the Palace of Aldera. That is where Viceroy Organa resides," Ben directed Han.

Han scoffed. "I figured." He got in contact with the palace's security. He briefly went over in his head the coded message Obi-Wan had given him.

"Please state your reason for landing here, sir," the voice on the other end said.

Han proceeded to say, "Hello, I have been granted permission by Viceroy Bail Organa to land for a meeting discussing the economics on Coruscant."

There was a slight pause on the other end, then the voice replied. "Landing permit granted. Prepare for arrival."

Han glanced over at Obi-Wan. "Do you think the viceroy remembers the arrangement? Like why you're actually here?"

"Definitely," Obi-Wan stated confidently.

After landing, Obi-Wan, Luke, Han, and Chewie all emerged from the Falcon to be greeted by the kind face of Bail Organa.

The man's face softened even more upon seeing Obi-Wan.

"General Kenobi! My old friend, it is so lovely to see you again!" Bail wrapped Obi-Wan in a tight hug while Luke and Han mouthed the words "General?" to each other.

"It is wonderful to see you as well, Viceroy, although I wish it were under better circumstances."

"We can forget about titles, can't we? Please, call me Bail. And may I meet your friends?"

"Of course. This is Han Solo, Captain of the Millennium Falcon." Obi-Wan gestured towards Han.

Han walked up to Bail and shook his hand firmly. "A pleasure to meet you, sir," Han said.

"The pleasure is mine, Captain. I can never thank you enough for transporting Obi-Wan here."

Han shrugged and grinned. "No problem, really. This is my co-pilot, Chewbacca."

Chewie came forward and garbled something in his native dialect. Just as Han was about to translate, Bail responded to Chewie. Everyone's jaws dropped.

"You understand Shyriiwook?" Han asked incredulously.

Bail nodded. "As a senator, it is useful to be able to communicate in various languages."

"That's amazing!" Luke exclaimed.

Bail chuckled and approached the young farmboy. "And who might you be?"

"I am Luke Skywalker! Former farmboy, soon-to-be Jedi Knight!"

It took Bail all of his strength not to yelp and stumble over. However, not even his diplomatic poker face could keep a hint of shock from flickering through his eyes.

Bail cleared his throat. "L-Luke Skywalker?"

Luke nodded and right before he asked what was wrong, Obi-Wan intervened.

"How about we get the meeting started? We certainly have a lot to discuss."

Sensing Obi-Wan's anxiety, Bail said, "Of course, of course. Will you join me inside please?"

Han motioned back towards the Falcon and said, "Well, Chewie and I will just wait for you on the ship. Do you want to come, Luke?"

"Oh no, I want you all to join me."

~~~

"These plans are exactly what we need to destroy the Death Star. Thank you so much everyone. I will never know how to repay you," Bail said after the group had studied the plans for a solid half hour.

"Thank your daughter, Viceroy. She was the one who retrieved them from the grasp of the Empire," Luke said in response.

A wave of sadness passed over Bail Organa's face. "That segues us into our next topic of discussion. My daughter never returned from the mission, and I am afraid that she may have been captured by Vader on the Death Star."

Luke leapt out of his seat. "What?! The princess? Ben, we've got to help her! Who knows what's already happened to her!"

"Keep calm, Luke. Stay at peace. What can we do to help?" Obi-Wan placed a comforting hand on Bail's shoulder.

Bail sighed. "Although I hate to, I need to stay here to run the Rebellion. I was hoping that you could fly to the Death Star and find her. And bring her home."

Now it was Han's turn to leap out of his seat. "Whoa, now wait a minute! This fun little adventure ends here for me and Chewie. I only agreed to dropping your friends off here, then I get paid and I return to Tatooine. I don't want to get involved with your crazy crusade."

Luke turned furiously to Han. "Do you ever think of anyone but yourself? The princess is in trouble and all you can think about is paying off Jabba and returning to your lousy smuggling job! How are we supposed to get to the Death Star without a pilot?"

"I will pay you a hefty reward if you do it, Captain Solo. I need my daughter back, no matter the cost."

Han spun around to face Bail Organa.

"You mean it?"

The viceroy nodded his head in a calm, sagely manner. Chewie grumbled something in Han's ear.

"All right, Chewie, yeah, I know, I know," Han said agitatedly. "Fine, we'll do it."

~~~

"Yes, good, my apprentice. The anger flows strongly through you. Do you feel how it makes you powerful?"

Darth Vader watched as Leia aggressively threw rocks against the wall with the Force. Upon contact with the wall, the rocks crumbled into millions of tiny pieces. An evil smile graced Leia's lips.

"Yes, Master. It is the most amazing feeling I have ever experienced. I feel...unstoppable."

"And you will be, with time. You learn fast, Tochter. Soon, I will have your own lightsaber constructed for you."

Leia looked up at Vader with gratitude. "It is too much, my Master. You are so kind to me."

"You should be grateful I am training you, and not the Emperor."

Puzzled, Leia asked, "Why is that?"

"Let's just say the Emperor is not as...forgiving as I am. He would certainly punish you for any mistake you made."

"Some people learn best from pain," Leia said simply.

Vader let out what semi-resembled a sigh through his mask. "I am all too aware, my apprentice." His mind recalled the last twenty-five years of his life, and a small part of him hoped his daughter wouldn't have to experience as much pain as he had.