It's What Goes On In Here That's Hard (Star Wars AU Fanfiction)

Chapter 24. Dealing With Darkness

Landing the shuttle was relatively easy before two of the rebels disguised as Imperials flew the shuttle to the Imperial landing platform, so as to keep suspicion off of the rebels. Now their mission began.

They had to find a way to deactivate the shield generator, but first they would have to infiltrate the base.

Endor was a beautiful world, trees grew tall and thick, vegetation flourished on the ground and the weather was cool.

The rebels trekked for miles, Threepio complain every now and then to Artoo who only beeped softly in response.

Leia, Han and Chewbacca led the way when Leia signaled for everyone to stop, sensing life up ahead.

The rebels stayed behind as Leia, Han and Chewbacca went ahead to investigate.

"There's some of our friends." Han whispered sarcastically as they came upon three stormtroopers, speeders close by.

"We should go around." Leia reasoned, biting her lip in thought.

Han shook his head. "That would take too long, we can take care of them." Han urged, Chewbacca nodding in agreement with his friend.

Leia sighed, wanting to argue but Han was right, trying to avoid these troopers would take time they didn't have. "Fine, follow my lead." She ordered, getting a nod from her friends before they started towards the troopers.

Leia led the way, drawing her lightsaber suddenly as she ran into the clearing, the nearest trooper cried out as Leia sliced him across his chest, Han and Chewbacca drew their blasters, shooting down the two other troopers with ease.

Leia frowned though as the sounds of a speeder could be heard nearby. They had missed one.

Horrified Leia ran to the nearest speeder, activating the engine she raced away before Han could even register what she was doing.

The speeder was fast, but Leia was not one to be messed with when it came to driving speeders of any kind. Many often underestimated her skills, and paid the price.

She raced on, finding the rogue speeder ahead she quickly jammed it's comms before opening fire on the trooper, she couldn't let it get away.

The trees were a mere blur as the chase continued, Leia finally landing a glancing shot on the trooper's speeder, causing it to wobble slightly. But the trooper was able to keep control.

Leia cursed under her breath, about to shoot again when there was movement in the Force, suddenly the trooper jerked to the right, the trooper screamed in terror as his speeder crashed into a tree, fire erupting as a small explosion was caused by the fuel combustion.

Leia frowned as an other speeder came into her view and stopped, a dark figure aboard the vehicle.

Leia hit the brakes, stopping just a few yards from the person who had assisted her pursuit, Darth Vader.

***

Chewbacca whined as Han returned, having tried to find Leia before going back. He couldn't leave the Rebels without a leader.

"Don't worry, she'll be back." Han said with certainty, Leia could take care of herself now. And if she failed to apprehend the trooper then the rebels had to work quickly to take out the shield generator.

Han led the way. Little did he know that they were being watched.

***

Leia slowly dismounted her speeder, watching Vader warily, her hand hovered over the lightsaber at her side as Vader dismounted his own speeder just as slowly, not wanting to alarm Leia.