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

Chapter 27. The Lost Hope

Han had never been more frightened in his life, not even when Darth Vader captured him and his friends on Bespin, no not even being frozen in carbonite was as frightening as this.

Han automatically assumed Vader had taken Leia captive. And with a mindless friend holding a lightsaber to his neck, well things seemed pretty hopeless at the moment as Leia watched the stars, seeming to be waiting for the Rebel Fleet and what trap Sidious had planned.

***

Chewbacca roared as blasterfire erupted in the confined hall space, but the rebels had the element of surprise, shooting down their foes with ease before taking over.

Chewbacca roared at Bullseye who only shook his head in confusion. "I don't speak that, man."

"He said get the charges set you dimwit." Hacky said as she walked by Bullseye, smacking the back of the sniper's head.

Bullseye grumbled and grabbed the charges, helping Giddy set them up.

Chewbacca roared in approval, everything going according to plan as they quickly retreated from the base, charged set and ready to blow.

The rebels ran out, taking cover with the other Wookiees and Ewoks before Chewbacca pressed the detonator.

The base and shield generator went up in a brilliant fiery explosion, just in time too.

***

Lando piloted the Falcon out of lightspeed along with the rest of the rebel fleet.

"Let's hope Han got that shield down or this is going to be a real short offensive." Lando commented grimly.

***

Leia bit her lip as the Rebellion came out of lightspeed, what was she supposed to do? She could easily summon her lightsaber from its resting place by Sidious, she could bring it down on him and end this. But Luke still held Han captive, what if killing Sidious only insured Han's demise at the hands of his friend? Leia could not risk that, she was here to save both Han and Luke.

Sidious smirked at Leia's hesitation. "Anger swells in you, now witness your precious Rebellion's end."

Leia balled her fists as a whole Imperial star fleet suddenly came out of hyperspace to defend the Death Star, causing the Rebel freighters to adjust their course hastily to stay out of range of Imperial bombardment.

Han bit his lip, shifting slightly under X-1's grasp as the space battle commenced between the Rebels and the Imperials. "Come on Lando." Han thought desperately as TIE Fighters and X-wings began to dogfight in the sky, trying to protect their larger ships.

***

Lando attempted to get to the Death Star, but Imperial TIES came to the battle station's defense heavily, forcing Lando to retreat.

"We need to take care of these TIES and star destroyers before making a run on the Death Star." Lando decided, flying the Falcon expertly to avoid the TIE Fighters ceaseless fire.

Wedge Antilles agreed with Lando, staying on the Falcon's tail to cover Lando's blind spots.

"Watch those TIEs." Wedge warned as Lando was hit by a minor blast.

"Thanks Wedge, I hadn't thought of that." Lando replied with sarcasm, garnering a grin from Wedge as he opened fire on the enemy.

***

Sidious smirked. "Your fleet will soon be destroyed, there will be no victory for you Jedi."

Leia turned to the Sith, anger boiling but then she caught a glance at Vader, he was slowly beginning to face X-1, his hand raised ever so slightly.