Mastermind

Part Three

As Han was hung over an unlit fire, Luke and Chewbacca resided close by with Artoo while Threepio was sat in a chair which was supposed to be his throne. The chieftain of the natives wooped and cheered as Luke's lightsaber was shown to them, curious as to what it was when Threepio conversed with the chieftain. 

"What did he say?" Han asked Threepio impatiently. 

"I'm rather embarrassed, General Solo, but it appears you are to be the main course for a banquet in my honour?" Threepio answered, gobsmacked. 

Chewbacca roared as he was prodded by tiny spears while four natives set the fire with logs. It was there, that Leia discovered her friends' captivity and attempted to save them but was held back by the natives who refused to let her pass any further. 

"Threepio, tell them they must be set free!" Leia implored the protocol droid. 

Threepio spoke to the chieftain to attempt to have his friends released, but was not for him to decide. 

"Somehow I got the feeling that helped us very much." Han jeered. 

"Threepio, tell them, if they don't do as you wish, you will become angry and use your magic." Luke said persuasively. 

"But master Luke, what magic?! I couldn't possibly--" Threepio protested. 

"Just tell them." 

Threepio did as he was told which made all the natives cease their activities to hear about his 'four temper and evil powers'. This caused the natives to speak in their native tongues when a native with a lit torch walked past Leia towards Han. It was then that Luke used the Force to levitate Threepio that caused a panic amongst the natives until they finally did as Threepio demanded and all were freed. After a feast was held - sparing Han, Luke, Chewbacca and Artoo from being roasted over a fire - Threepio told the natives all about them and their mission to destroy the Death Star and to get rid of the trespassers who invaded their land. 

"Luke, what's wrong?" Leia asked a silent Luke Skywalker who stood on a balcony alone. 

Luke turned around to face her and spoke softly back to her. "Leia, do you remember your mother? Your real mother?" 

"Just a little bit. She died when I was very young." 

"What do you remember?" He asked as he toyed with her, leading up to a twist. 

"Just... images, really. Feelings." 

"Tell me about them." 

"She was, very beautiful. Kind. But, sad. Why are you asking me this?" 

"I have no memory of my mother," said Luke sadly. "I never knew her." 

"Luke, tell me. what's troubling you?" She insisted. 

"Vader's here. Now. On this moon." 

"The Force?" 

"I've felt his presence. He's come for me and Erda. He'll feel when I'm here, that's why I have to go. As long as I stay, I'm endangering the group and our mission. I have to face him." 

"Why?" 

Luke paused and broke eye contact from Leia. "He's my father." 

"Your father?" She said in disbelief. 

He looked back at her and continued on. "There's more. It won't be easy for you to hear it, but you must. If I don't make it back, you're the only hope for the Alliance." 

"Luke, don't talk that way. You have a power I-I don't understand! And could never have. Despite Erda telling me about the Force before Alderaan was destroyed, I failed to understand his religion, your religion." 

"You're wrong, Leia. You have that power too. In time, you'll learn to use it as I have. The Force is strong in my family. My father has it, I have it, my sister has it..." 

As he said that, Leia looked at him in shock at this revelation. How she never expected to have a brother like Luke was beyond her, until now that a feeling deep inside her felt right, she knew that he was telling the truth. 

"I know... Somehow, I've always known." 

"Then you know why I have to face him." 

It was then that Leia argued with him. "No! Luke, run away. Far away. If he can feel your presence then leave this place. I wish I could go with you." 

"No, you don't. You've always been strong." 

"But why must you confront him?! Were you planning on sending Erda with you too?!" 

"No. This is not Erda's fight. There is good in him, I've felt it. He won't turn me over to the Emperor. I can save him, I can turn him back to the good side. I have to try." He insisted, despite her protests, his mind was already made up. 

Luke said goodbye and took his leave, leaving Leia conflicted once again when Han came along to check up on her before she told him that she wanted some time to be alone. In his mind, Han thought that whatever she was talking with Luke about involved Erda. Seeing as how she cared about him a lot, Han set himself his own quest to find Erda in hopes of cheering her up. In the dark of the night with only the moonlight and a torch to light the way. Fortunately, Erda was closer to salvation than he thought and was fortunate to survive a long night of hiking through the forest after a mild shower. Whatever lurked in the forest was no longer his concern when Han found Erda and brought him to safety, to Leia's relief. 

"You're back! Oh, thank goodness you're alive!" Leia exclaimed in relief and threw her arms around his neck. 

"Leia, Leia, Leia! Let go! I'm sore all over! I think, I think I need a medic." Erda groaned when she let out a faint gasp as she instantly released her grip on him. 

"Threepio! Can you get a doctor?!" 

"R-Right away, m'lady." The golden protocol droid replied quickly and walked quickly away to find a doctor. 

Erda was able to be treated by the doctors in the native camp he was in while Leia sat by his side in the bed he was rested in. During that evening, Luke had already gone to confront Darth Vader in hopes of bringing him to the Light Side of the Force whereas he was trying to convince Luke to turn to the Dark Side. The fate of the galaxy and the Rebellion rested in their hands. With only nineteen hours until the Rebel Fleet arrived outside Endor, it all depended on disabling the shield generator. It was all on them now.