Chapter Six

            As the imperial shuttle drew closer towards a Star Destroyer and the new Death Star Chewbacca let out a low growl. The roar caused Emily’s eyes fluttered open quickly. Her head was still resting on Luke’s shoulder.

“You’re awake.” Luke whispered in her ear, she looked up at him smiling slightly.

“If they don’t go for this we’re gonna have to get out of here pretty quick, Chewie.” Han said looking at the Death Star.

“Arrrr!” Chewie said responding to his copilot.

A voice then came over the shuttle’s radio. “We have you on our screen now. Please identify.” A commander aboard the Star Destroyer asked.

“Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of the deflector shield.” Han said looking back at his crew. Leia and Luke were focused upon the Star destroyer and the Death Star while Emily just had her head resting on Luke. Han then turned back around as they drew closer to the Star Destroyer.

“Shuttle Tydirium transmit the clearance code for shield passage.” Said the voice over the radio.

“Transmission commencing.” Han said turning to look at Chewie quickly.

“Now we find out if that code is worth the price we paid.” Leia said keeping her gaze at the command ship and Death Star.

“It’ll work. It’ll work.” Han said turning back to reassure Leia.

“Vader’s on that ship.” Luke said sensing his father.  Emily was now up and looking directly at him. She rested her hand on his shoulder to calm him. Leia turned to face them both.

“Now, don’t get jittery, Luke.” There are a lot of command ships.” Han said taking a small gulp. Chewbacca growled. “Keep your distance though, Chewie but don’t look like you’re trying to keep your distance.” Han said taking a quick glance at the Wookie.

“Arrrr?!” Chewbacca questioned turning to Han.

“I don’t know. Fly casual.” Han said suggestively.

“For once Han Solo doesn’t know what to do.” Emily said smirking as Han turned to her.

“Watch it!” Han growled pointing a finger at Emily. “Why don’t you go back to cuddling Luke back there.” Solo said smiling until Leia quickly reached up to punch him in his right arm.

The radio voice then spoke up once more before Han to speak to Leia. “Shuttle Tydirium, what is your cargo and destination?”

“Parts and technical crew for the forest moon.” Han responded.

“I’m endangering the mission. I shouldn’t have come.” Luke said.

“It’s your imagination, kid. Let’s keep a little optimism here.” Han said taking a glance at Luke.

Emily turned Luke’s face to hers. “Don’t talk like that.” She said stroking his cheek. Luke took her hand away from his face, he gently kissed her hand.

“I’m endangering you. I’m endangering you all.” Luke said putting Emily’s hand down.

“Hey, we could crush them. Together.” Emily said smiling up at Luke then looking at Leia.

Luke smiled a bit “You don’t understand Emily. If anything ever happened to you—any of you—I’d never forgive myself.” Luke’s smile had now faded.

The imperial shuttle was almost past the Star Destroyer when Han spoke up. “They’re not going for it, Chewie.”

Chewbacca began to pull away when the radio spoke up once more. “Shuttle Tydirium deactivation of the shield will commence immediately. Follow tour present course.”

“O.K. I told you it was going to work. No problem.” Han said turning back to his crew. Emily looked at Luke she could tell he still had an uneasy look upon his face.

            Once the shuttle landed upon the forest moon, the Rebels quickly gathered together to discuss the plan. After the prepping they all headed out into the thick forest. Han led the group as Emily and Luke stayed close together. Solo looked back every so often to look at the two.

Han then came to a stop and held up his hand to hold. The Rebels quickly got down to take fire. “Oh, I told you it was dangerous here!” 3PO said complaining to R2.

Han, Leia, Luke, Emily and Chewie all crouched behind a fallen tree. The five peered over the log to see two scout troopers.

“Should we try and go around?” Leia whispered.

“It’ll take time.” Luke whispered back to her.

“This whole party will be for nothing if they see us.” Han said turning to the others, Chewie let out a quiet roar.

“Well Captain Solo, what’s your plan?” Emily asked turning to face Han.

Han thought for a moment then turned smiling at Emily. He then looked at Chewbacca. “Chewie and I will take care of this. You stay here.” He said looking back at the other three.

“Quietly. There might be more of them out there.” Luke whispered to Han.

“Hey, it’s me.” Han said winking then smirking.

Luke gave Leia a look then saw Emily gripping her lightsaber tightly. Luke shook his head. “This is Han we’re talking about.” She hissed.

Han and Chewie hid behind trees as they braced for their attack. Han had his blaster raised as he silently began to approach he troopers. He walked silently behind one until a twig snapped beneath his feet. The scout quickly turned to him punching him backwards causing Han to fall to the forest floor.

“Go for help! Go!” the scout yelled to the other, who quickly ran.

“Great. Come on!” Luke yelled pulling Leia up. He searched around for Emily to see that she was nowhere in sight. Deciding now wasn’t the best time to start a search party, Luke kept going.

Han rose up and grabbed the scout’s arm catching him off guard. Han threw him back into a tree. By now the other scout had hopped upon a Speeder Bike. Chewbacca shot at the trooper, the blast directly hit the engine of the bike causing it to explode. The trooper fell off and rolled onto the forest floor. Han once again swung the scout into the tree.

Luke and Leia were making their way to help Han when Leia looked over to see two more scouts. “Over there! Two more of them.” Leia said as the two scouts took off on Speeder Bikes. Leia dashed towards a Speeder Bike.

“I see them. Wait, Leia!” Luke said running after her. He took one more look around for Emily. As Leia hopped upon the bike Luke jumped onto the bike with her. The two quickly took off.

“Hey, wait!” Han yelled as the scout got back up and put his arm on Han’s shoulder. Solo quickly grabbed his arm and threw him over his shoulder. Emily then came out of the woods with her lightsaber in hand as she approached Han. She quickly killed the scout who was attempting to get back up.

“I saw a sniper aiming at us while you were down here. I got him, and sort of ran into a few more. Where’s Luke?” Emily said looking concerned.

“He and Leia just took off after two more scouts on Speeder Bikes.” Han said catching his breath from the fight.

“Great! I’m stuck here with you until they return.” Emily said rolling her eyes.

Han turned to her “I’m not so excited about being stuck with you either.” he spat back.

“Your thoughts betray you. You love me! That’s why you couldn’t kill me after you caught me stealing from you. That’s why you made excuses to visit the cantina to see me. And that’s why you’re jealous of me and Luke!” Emily said now inches away from Han’s face.

Han smirked then quickly pulled Emily in kissing her. Emily pushed him away. “Why you!—“ Emily said outraged.

Han smirked once more “You know, you’re even hotter when you’re mad.” He said laughing. Emily swung at him directly hitting him in the face. She then stormed off into the forest in search of Luke.