Bab 39: Star Wars : Chapter 39: Next Moves I
The day had passed on Dagobah, taking the rains with it and leaving a fog in its wake. Luke was currently climbing up a vine in the middle of the forest, reduced to a tank top and his pants, drenched in sweat and with Yoda on his back in a harness.
He reached a solid platform on a tree, grabbed another vine and swung on it to the ground. Ue paused for a moment before breaking into a run.
"Yes! Run!" Yoda encouraged, "Yes. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware the Dark Side. Anger, fear, aggression, the Dark Side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will! As it did Obi-Wan's apprentice."
The audience became ominous at the mention of Vader as Obi-Wan's apprentice, not sure when this individual showed up at their lives that caused their demise.
Anakin looked at his metal arm and considered the words. If he hadn't been so rash, it wouldn't have happened, and they would have ended the Clone Wars before they even began and he acted before thinking. And it cost him, permanently.
"Vader." Luke said as he stopped to breathe. "Is the Dark Side stronger?"
"Don't get any ideas, Luke", Anakin quickly said upon hearing this while the rest felt startled at the thought of Luke actually using the Dark Side.
"No, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive."
The rest became agitated, as many of their own had fallen to the side they sought to avoid. Dooku had been an example, Barriss and Ventress as well.
"But how am I to know the good side from the bad?"
"You will know! When you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never attack."
All the Jedi mentally agreed at Master Yoda's statement that could provide Luke the basic knowledge he would need if he is to become a Jedi like his father before him.
"But tell me why I can't- "
"No, no. There is no why." Yoda sighed. "Nothing more will I teach you today. Clear your mind of questions." He hummed as Luke caught his breath and put down his pack.
Yoda sat on a log as Luke went over to his jacket. He frowned as he put it on.
"There's something not right here." he said. "I feel cold… death."
"That place," Yoda pointed at a cave a few dozen feet off with his gimmer stick, "is strong with the Dark Side of the Force. A domain of evil it is. In you must go."
Yoda's eyes widended, suppressing the shock within him as he recognized the cave. He had seen visions of it during one of his meditations, particularly one with Qui-Gon Jinn guiding Anakin to face his fears. Nowadays, he wondered what life could had been for the young Jedi Knight if he were trained under Qui-Gon's watchful eye
"Do what now?" Caleb said.
"It may some kind of test." Depa assured him.
"What's in there?"
Yoda looked down. "Only what you take with you." Luke put on his belt, planning on taking his blaster and lightsaber with him. "Your weapons. You will not need them." Luke did so anyway.
"Smart choice, kid." Rex muttered. It was always smart to go into dangerous situations with every tool and advantage you could.
The cave went on for several feet before ending in a six foot drop lined with dried vines and sticks. Luke carefully made his way down, his breathing evening out as he did. The sensation came on suddenly, his entire body feeling like it was slowing, and the world around him with it. He continued further into the cave, ignoring the wildlife around him.
He heard it first, the familiar rhythmic breathing. Then came the source, Darth Vader in all his intimidating glory. Luke remained calm as he ignited his lightsaber and brought it up in the ready Obi-Wan had showed him. Vader did the same and crossed his red blade with Luke's blue blade.
Anakin's eyes widened in horror for a moment, as did Obi-Wan and Padmé but they soon realized that Vader is the embodiement of Luke's fears.
Vader struck first, aiming for Luke's legs and then his head and finally his chest. Luke blocked the first two with ease, but struggled on the third of Vader's hammerblows. He pushed the blade away and capitalized on Vader's compromised guard, slashing at his helmet. It came off in a shower of sparks and rolled as it hit the ground. He looked upon his work, unable to believe he had done it, when suddenly the helmet exploded.
When the smoke cleared, Luke saw his own face gazing up at her from behind the partially destroyed mask.
The audience became nervous at this. It had shown that Luke's fear was becoming a Dark Side user like Vader, replacing him as a result.
However, Obi-Wan felt a terrible pang of Deja Vu, somehow knowing what is wrong with this.
Meanwhile, Vader's flagship had broken off from the rest of the fleet, setting up to patrol the area of the asteroid field where their prey had entered. The bridge was more crowded than usual, though a good portion of the occupants were anything but Imperial.
"Bounty Hunters." One of the officers scoffed. "We don't need their scum."
"Wait, they're still operating?", Obi-Wan widened his eyes in surprise at seeing the familiar faces before them. The audience recognized the faces of Bossk, Dengar and the green Mandalorian Warrior they saw earlier from the first holovid.
"It would seem so", Mace agreed with him, though the appearance of the Mandalorian in front of him was like a haunting memory coming back to him. "But whatever happened to Embo, Cad Bane, and Aurra Sing is still unclear"
"Yes, sir." One of his subordinates agreed, "Those rebels won't escape us."
"Sir, we have a priority signal from the Star Destroyer Avenger." A comms officer told him.
"Great, another bounty on Solo and his group", Ahsoka said, finally getting her wind back.
"And one sponsored by the Empire to hunt down." Plo Koon chimed in. "If Vader was this obsessive in hunting down the Falcon, he would set up a Bounty for the highest bidder."
Meanwhile, Vader was briefing the bounty hunters.
"There will be a substantial reward for the one who finds the Millenium Falcon." he said, pacing in front of them, "You are free to use any methods necessary, but I want them alive. No disintegrations." he said to one green armored bounty hunter in particular.
"As you wish." He said in a familiar voice.
The audience recognized the voice, and while glancing at Rex, they knew that they were looking at Boba Fett, another clone and son of the template, Jango Fett.
"He has indeed taken up his father's torch at Bounty Hunting", Mundi said, impressed at how Boba went this far.
"Knowing how notorious Jango was back then, I am certain that Boba carried his skill as well", Mace added, though he was still shocked at seeing his would-be assassin helping the Empire, no less.
"Lord Vader." The officer said, walking up to him. "My Lord, we have them."
And indeed they did. The Falcon was currently on the run from a Star Destroyer that had seen them leaving the field. It maintained suppressing fire on the ship, which was desperately avoiding it.
"Let's get out of here." Han said, "Ready for light speed?"
Chewie growled in reply.
"One… Two… Three!" Han pulled the lever, but nothing happened. Leia lowered her head when she heard the powering down sound. "It's not fair."
Chewie roared in frustration.
"Transfer circuits aren't working." Han said, "It's not my fault!"
"No light speed?" Leia asked.
'Yes', everyone mentally said at the screen, not liking the situation one bit.
The ship rocked from another laser blast. Han sent them into a dive in order to avoid the full brunt of the Star Destroyer's guns.
"Captain, we've just lost the main rear deflector shield." Threepio reported. "One more direct hit on the rear quarter and we're done for."
"Turn her around." Han ordered while Chewie growled in protest. "Just turn her around! I'm going to put all power in the front shield."
"You're going to attack them?" Leia asked incredulously.
"Ma'am, the odds of surviving a direct assault on an Imperial Star Destroyer- "
"Shut up!" Leia ordered of Threepio.
"She's got a plan." Anakin said, "I can tell."
"It had better be a good one." Rex added.
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