Starlight - The Third Book in the Starchild Series

Chapter 4

***Elska's POV***

I hold my breath as I hear footsteps, then slowly let it out as they pass. I'm still stuck in the prison cell, but Vader hasn't come yet. And I hoped to keep it that way. The longer that Darth Whooping Cough stayed away, the better. That gave me more time to survive, and more time to escape. Only problem is, they've got me tied down pretty good.For the time being, I'm trapped. Also, there's this weird aura around my wrist restraints that keep me from using the Force. So it's not like I can just magically unlock the restraints and get out of there, and the air vent that is actually in there is pretty small. I couldn't fit in it. So the best thing I could do is hope for the best.

No one's been coming in or out. I know that there is at least one guard outside the cell, but other than that, the area's pretty sparsely populated. Maybe that's a good thing. But one thing is for sure - I'm not getting out of here anytime soon.

One thing that I've been thinking about is my parents. I know that they said they would never be truly gone. And every time I close my eyes, even though my Force - signature is pretty much gone, it's like I can feel them. And it comforts me to know that they are still there.

***Darth Vader's POV***

I stand in front of the holoprojector on my shuttle, bound for the Death Star two. I had just ended a call with my Master about that girl. She was awake. And, just like my Master said, I was going to put her right back to sleep. We had just had a conversation. He would be coming soon to inspect the battle station, and then he would personally execute her.

As we neared our destination, I felt her faint signature recoil. No doubt she knew I was here. But soon, she wouldn't be able to feel anything at all. She would be asleep. And my mistake last time was making her coma too light. She got into the Land of the Force. This time, she would be in such a deep sleep, she wouldn't  be able to enter that land. And I wouldn't put another shadow in. That was a mistake. It just made her stronger when she defeated it. I watched the streaking stars go by, And I knew that she knew she was doomed.

***Luke's POV***

I was flying back to Dagobah, going through hyperspace. Questions fly though my mind as I recall my last conversation with master Yoda - the last one before he died. Before his passing, Yoda had revealed to him that yes, Darth Vader was his father, and that he had a twin sister. And somehow, he had known it all along. They were separated at birth so that Vader wouldn't know of their identities and attempt to kill them.

Leia was my twin sister. That struck quite a chord within me. Somehow, like I said, I had known before. Like, when - I  - met - her - on - the - Death - Star - before. There had been something familiar about her that I couldn't quite place. And now, I could place it, because she was my twin sister.

Now that that matter was resolved, one burning matter remained - Elska. She was still in Imperial clutches. And with that message she sent for me, I was more desperate than ever to get to her before they killed her. I was sure that this was all an elaborate trap set up by Palpatine to lure me right to him. But I couldn't leave Elska at the mercy of the Empire. There was just one problem - where was she being held? No matter how hard the Rebellion tried, no information surfaced. Weeks later, people were still trying, and still nothing.

But all that was about to change. I just didn't know.

When I docked my X - Wing, I went to my quarters and sat down dejectedly. Yoda was dead, Elska was who knows where, and the Empire was still in control of the galaxy. So many bad things. They always outdid the good. Someone knocked on my door, and Leia's gentle voice called, "Luke? Are you in there?"

"Yes." I said, without much emotion. "You can come in." The door slid open, and Leia walked in. She sat down beside me, and said, "You're thinking of all your problems, aren't you?" "Yes." I said. "Luke, focusing on your troubles only feeds them, giving them deeper roots into your soul. The only way to uproot them is to focus on something that can be accomplished. Even the smallest victory can drive back the shadows of dread" She said. I looked up at her. She smiled. I smiled back. She was right. If I focused on all of my troubles, my troubles would take over my life. I would just be sad all the time. But if I focused on the now, on the things that could be accomplished, I could be happy instead. "Thanks Leia." I said. "And good news - we've discovered Elska's whereabouts." "Really!?" I say, barely able to control my excitement. "Come to the meeting, and you'll find out." said Leia. I didn't wait. I practically flew out the door in excitement. And I knew that victory was close at hand.

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Another Gameknight999(Mark Cheverton) quote! Can you find it?

                                                                                         - CMW