The fierce battle on the vast snow plains of Hoth raged on. The Imperial walkers continued their slow, steady assault on the Rebel base, firing lasers as they lumbered ever onward. In the snow trench, Rebel troops fired large bazooka-like guns and dish-like ray guns as explosions erupted around them. A gun tower was struck by a laser bolt, instantly exploding. Another blast destroyed a ray gun.
As all this went on, things turned incredibly bad for the Equestrian group. Darth Seraphina and her dark entourage just landed at the entrance of the base and were ready to begin their assault.
“KILL THEM ALL!!!”
Together, Grievous, the Dazzling Inquisitors, and Demitria leapt into action as they ran rough shot through the base. Any rebel troopers unlucky enough to get in their path were instantly killed by the nefarious group. Seeing the carnage unfold before their eyes, Storm and the girls knew they couldn’t just stand around and do nothing.
“Alright… let’s do this,” Storm said determined.
Quick as a whip, the Jedi prince quickly sprinted towards the ongoing battle and made a beeline for General Grievous. Storm used the force to propel himself through the air toward the cyborg general, but Grievous’ sensors tracked his approach. Acting quick, Grievous whipped around and blocked an incoming attack with one of his own lightsabers as Storm landed before him.
“General Grievous…” Storm growled.
“Master Storm Shield…” Grievous chuckled darkly. “Still meddling in affairs of no concern for you I see. I may not have had the opportunity to end your miserable existence before, but I’ll be sure to rectify that now.”
“You talk too much…”
Storm Shield charged at Grievous, swinging his saber pike with such intensity. But Grievous easily blocked Storm’s attacks as if having the ability to calculate his moves. The reengineered war machine went on a vicious onslaught as he swung all four of his sabers one after another at the young Jedi. Thankfully, Storm had been trained immensely for situations like this and successful in blocking every blow.
While this went on, Twilight and the girls quickly rushed to grab a few blasters to defend themselves against the attack. Just then, the three sisters emerged, and the Third Sister ignited her own lightsaber.
“Bringing guns to a sword fight…” The Third Sister replied. “Sisters, I’d say these kids have made a most unfortunate mistake.”
“Actually, I think you got your ‘P’s and ‘Q’s mixed up,” Pinkie Pie pointed out. “The expressions is meant to be, ‘Never bring a sword to a gun fight’…”
“NEVER INTERRUPT ME!!!”
Pinkie Pie quickly shut her mouth as the group held their guns at the ready, prepared to fire in case the three Sisters made their move.
“You girls were very clever to hide from us these past three years…” The Third Sister continued. “Unfortunately, your meddling ends right here. Especially you… Twilight Sparkle…”
Twilight Sparkle held her ground as she stood beside her friends. Spike stood in front of her, growling fiercely toward the masked Inquisitors. A dark chuckle emerged from the Third Sister as she just glared through her mask.
“There’s someone who’s been just dying to see you…”
The Sisters slowly stepped aside as Darth Seraphina stepped forward. Twilight Sparkle felt a twinge of fierce magic emanating off of her being. Darth Seraphina stared at Twilight fiercely, as the latter could feel her fingertips twitched slightly off the trigger of her gun.
“Twilight Sparkle…” Darth Seraphina growled. “I’ve come for you…”
“D-D-D-Do I know you?” Twilight asked, frightened.
“No… and you never will.”
Darth Seraphina drew her own lightsaber out from her hilt, igniting the crimson red blade as she took a fighting stance.
“And today… I finally get the chance to kill you after everything you’ve done.”
“Not if we can help it!” Rainbow threatened, firing her gun.
But to their shock, Seraphina quickly raised a hand and the blast exploded before it contacted her. Rainbow’s eyes turned to pinpricks seeing how powerful this adversary turned out to be.
“My quarrel is not with you,” Seraphina spoke, turning to the Sisters. “Deal with the ‘vermin’, but Twilight Sparkle is mine.”
“As you wish…” The Inquisitors said, in unison.
Quickly, the Inquisitors charged forward as Darth Seraphina slowly stalked from behind the trio. The halls exploded with fire, as the Equestrians fired their guns toward the Sith most of their blasts brushed aside by lightsaber strikes as the four figures made their way close to the group. While Demetria, on the other hand, stood her ground waiting to strike on command.
<>
Meanwhile, General Veer studied the various readouts on his control panel in his Imperial Snow Walker.
“All troops will debark for ground assault,” Veers instructed. “Prepare to target the main generator.”
<>
Luke’s speeder and Rogue Two flew in formation, banking from right to left and flying above the erupting battlefield. Flak bursts all around them. Luke, glancing over, could see Rogue Two on his left. His ship shuddered as flak bursts nearby.
“Rogue Two, are you all right?” Luke asked, through commlink.
“Yeah. I’m with you, Rogue Leader,” Zev answered, through commlink.
“We’ll set harpoon. I’ll cover for you.”
The two speeders raced across the horizon toward the giant walkers.
“Coming around,” Zev informed.
“Watch that crossfire, boys,” Luke warned.
“Set for position three,” Zev informed his gunner. “Steady.”
“Stay tight and low,” Luke instructed.
Luke’s speeder moved in formation with Rogue Two, when suddenly Zev’s speeder was struck by a laser bolt. His ship bucked violently under the impact and the cockpit exploded in a ball of flame. Spewing smoke, the speeder hurtled toward a looming walker. Before they collide, Rogue Two exploded in a million flaming pieces.
Desperately, Luke worked the controls of his flak-buffeted ship. Suddenly, the speeder was rocked by a huge explosion. Luke struggled with the controls with a look of terror on his face. The speeder filled with smoke, as electrical sparks jumped about the cockpit.
“Hobbie, I’ve been hit!” Luke called, into commlink.
<>
Apart from the distant thunder of laser blasts, the corridor was strangely quiet and empty. Running footsteps echo through the freezing hallway when Han appeared. Cracks appeared in some of the walls and some pipes have been broken, sending hot steam billowing into the underground hallways. Han hurried into the command center. The whole place was in shambles, but some people are still at their posts. As he entered, a gigantic cave-in almost obliterated the entire room. He found Leia and 3PO near one of the control boards.
“You all right?” Han asked.
Leia nodded, surprised to see him.
“Why are you still here?” Leia asked.
“I heard the command center had been hit,” Han answered.
“You got your clearance to leave.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll leave. First, I’m going to get you to your ship.”
“Your Highness, we must take this last transport,” 3PO suggested. “It’s our only hope.”
“Send all troops in sector twelve to the south slope to protect the fighters,” Leia commanded, to controller.
A blast rocked the command center, throwing 3PO backward into Han’s arms.
“Imperial troops have entered the base,” The announcer informed, through loudspeaker.
“Come on… that’s it,” Han pushed.
“Give the evacuation code signal,” Leia instructed the head controller. “And get to your transports!”
Leia looked exhausted, as Han grabbed her and started to lead her out. As Han, Leia, and 3PO raced out of the command center, the code signal could be heard echoing off the corridor walls.
“K-one-zero… all troops disengage!” The Head Controller announced.
“Oh! Wait for me!” 3PO called out, waddling behind.
<>
Amongst all the chaos in the base, one of the doors slid open. A figure slowly emerged for a peak. Starkiller, barely recovered, stepped away from the room and leaned his head out. He could feel the familiar wave of the force flowing through the halls, powerful beings have already made their way into the base. With a look of determination, Starkiller slowly made his way down the hall drawing his lightsaber hilt.
<>
Rebel troops make to retreat under the awesome Imperial onslaught.
“Begin retreat!” An officer called out.
“Fall back!” The second officer shouted.
Troops flee from the battle, the ground exploding around them. Three of the giant walkers, firing lasers, advanced toward the Rebel headquarters. Continuing their retreat, the Rebels could see the walkers looming ever nearer.
On the battlefield, Luke watched as a walker foot rose and moved over him. He looked up at the underbelly of the huge walker, passing overhead. Running beneath the monstrous machine, Luke fired his harpoon gun at the walker’s underside. A thin cable followed the projectile from the gun. The magnetic head and cable attached firmly to the metal hull. Still running under the walker, Luke attached the cable drum to his belt buckle. Soon he pulled his way up the cable, dangling just underneath the walker.
The walker’s giant feet continued to pound onward across the frozen snow. Stray laser bolts whistled by Luke as he climbed up the cable to the walker’s hull, reaching a small hatch. Hanging precariously, Luke cut the solid metal hatch with his laser sword. He took a landmine from around his neck and threw it inside the Imperial machine. Quickly, Luke started down the cable and crashed onto the icy ground far below. He laid unconscious as a giant rear leg passed by—just missing him.
The giant walker stopped mid-step. A muffled explosion came from within—and then the walker’s mechanical insides spewed out every conceivable opening. The machine sat dead in its tracks, smoking like a locomotive on stilts.
<>
Veer’s walker continued to advance toward the Rebel base. The smoldering walker Luke exploded stood smoking just right of Veers’ path. Inside his walker, General Veers prepared to fire on the Rebel power generators.
“Distance to power generators?” Veers asked.
“One-seven, decimal two-eight,” The pilot informed.
Veers reached for the electro-orangefinder and lined up the main generator.
“Target. Maximum fire power,” Veers commanded.
<>
The Rebel troops continued their desperate retreat, pushed back by the relentless Imperial assault.
<>
With 3PO lagging behind, Han and Leia raced through the crumbling ice corridors. Suddenly, there was an explosion.
*BOOM!!!*
Han turned, grabbed the princess, and pulled her to the wall as a tremendous cave-in blocked their path. He took the commlink from his pocket.
“Transport, this is Solo,” Han called out. “Better take off—I can’t get to you. I’ll get the princess out on the Falcon.”
Han and Leia turned and raced down the corridor.
“But… but… but… where are you going?” 3PO called out. “Uh… come back!!”
<>
As they were dealing with their precarious situation, the Equestrians were still in the midst of their own issues. While Storm and Grievous continued their epic battle, the rest of the girls tried to fend off the Inquisitors. Rainbow Dash and Applejack in particular faced a difficult time with one Inquistor, who instead of drawing her blade, she blocked all the blasts with merely her hands. The two kept firing desperately until the Inquisitor drew forward and grabbed the guns by the head and crushed them with her own hands.
“Whoa!” Rainbow gasped. “Talk about being really good with your hands.”
Tossing the damaged guns aside, the Inquisitor lunged out and slammed the girls to their stomachs knocking the wind out of them. Then with great force, she sent the girls toward the walls with a grunt. Applejack stumbled forward and the Inquisitor took her down with a vicious swinging kick to the face knocking her out. Enraged, Rainbow cried out and lunged a series of fists toward her, but the Inquisitor smoothly dodged and brushed aside each strike. Rainbow leaned close when the Inquisitor grabbed her right arm, slammed her fist viciously under the armpit before twisting around with a spinning elbow to the side of Rainbow’s head knocking her out.
Meanwhile, there was a heavy grunt as Twilight Sparkle landed on the cold floor as Darth Seraphina loomed over her. The fiery Sith lady stared toward the princess through her mask, as she held her saber dangerously close to her throat.
“I’ve waited to do this for three years,” Seraphina said triumphantly. “Though I never expected this moment to be… disappointing. I hoped you’d work up more of a fight than this. Nevertheless, it’s high time I ended you once and for all. Goodbye, Twilight Sparkle.”
Seraphina raised her dual saber high above her head, ready to strike Twilight down. The rest of her friends saw what Seraphina was doing but could not get to her due to their dealings with the Inquisitors. Just when the blade came down, rather than striking Twilight, it collide with another blade of crimson red. Seraphina growled angrily and Twilight looked up with shock as Starkiller stood with his own saber clashing with hers.
“You…” Seraphina raged. “I thought we’d seen the last of you after shooting you into space.”
“I’m not easy to kill,” Starkiller responded.
Using the force, he pushed backwards by a few feet. She quickly regained her balance and stood at the ready again.
“You destroyed the only person I truly cared about,” Starkiller continued. “I won’t let you kill anyone else.”
Before Starkiller or Serpahina could act, Demetria leapt over Seraphina and stood in defense of her master. She too held her lightsaber drawn and ready to hack and slash.
“No one touches my master,” Demetria threatened. “Especially ‘traitors’ to the empire…”
“Two against one?” Starkiller asked, raising a brow. “I’ll take those odds.”
Together Seraphina and Demetria lunged toward Starkiller, who swung and blocked their ongoing assault with his own lightsaber. A two-on-one fight took place as the Sith and her apprentice took the fight to Starkiller, giving Twilight Sparkle time to recover. Everyone was in action, with Rarity thrown aside by the Third Sister as Fluttershy looked on from a hiding space.
With one of the girls disposed momentarily, the Third Sister stalked toward Pinkie Pie who looked around nervously. Acting quickly, she reached into her hair… and drew out a Qutluch in defense.
*SLASH!*
The Third Sister sliced the blade in half. Pinkie Pie again reached into her hair… and drew out a whip. She tries to hack the Third Sister…
*SLASH!*
The Third Sister merely slit the whip in the center. Pinkie Pie once more reached into her hair… and drew out a chainsaw. The Third Sister shook her head and simply tapped the lightsaber against the chainsaw… literally dismantling the chain as sparks flew before Pinkie’s eyes. She looked at the now damaged chainsaw and dropped it on the ground. She chuckled nervously toward the Inquisitor.
“Uh… parley?” Pinkie smiled.
“Wrong universe…” The Third Sister replied.
Just as The Third Sister lunged out, she felt a set of teeth clamp her leg.
“OWWWWWW!!!” The Third Sister cried out.
Dropping her lightsaber, The Third Sister looked down and saw Spike gnawing against her leg with his teeth. She tried to shake off the dog, but Spike fiercely hung on with all his might. The other Sister quickly came to the Third Sister’s aid and grabbed Spike by the collar, pulling him off. Spike waved his paws and growled trying to free himself as the Inquisitor merely looked at Spike.
“Aw, aren’t you just the cutest thing…” The Sister replied. “And… now I’m bored…”
She carelessly hurled Spike into the air sending him crashing into the wall. The pup plopped to the ground unconscious much to the shock and horror of Fluttershy, witnessing it from hiding. Suddenly, her right eye started to twitch… her nostrils flared out. Breathing heavily, Fluttershy emerged from hiding and charged toward the Inquisitor with a growl. Seeing Fluttershy, the Sister tried to use the force, but Fluttershy tackled into her before she had a chance and knocked her down with a squeak. She found herself holding her arms in defense, as Fluttershy rammed her fists against her enemy.
Seeing her sister in trouble, the Third Sister reached out to help when Pinkie Pie quickly came from behind and slapped her on the head. Suddenly, the Inquisitor started to twitch and shake as if she were struck by electricity. Pinkie Pie held onto her helmet for a few more seconds until she let go and the Third Sister crashed to the floor unconscious. Pinkie Pie held her palm out to the fallen Inquisitor, revealing a hand-buzzer.
“Can’t beat a classic…” Pinkie smiled.
Meanwhile, the unarmed Inquisitor saw her fellow Inquisitor in trouble and Fluttershy beating her down with her fists. The sister quickly raced to her aid as Fluttershy turned, her eyes partly glowing red. The Sister swung her fist toward Fluttershy, who quickly blocked with an arm and the two women found themselves firing a barrage of fists toward the other. The fallen Equestrian Heroes were still recovering when they saw the fight before them, staring in awe and shock.
In unarmed combat, Fluttershy and the Sister switched between fists and kicks. Fluttershy jumping over a leg sweep and the Sister ducking a spin kick. Neither blow managed to make their mark, yet surprisingly the Sister found herself backing away. Finally, Fluttershy managed a kick to the Sister’s stomach pushing her back and she turned… right into a pair of Superkicks to the face by Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The Sister stood there for a moment until she fell back onto the snow. The two girls looked down in triumph before seeing Fluttershy, who started to calm down slightly… before she too falls forward in exhaustion and the girls barely catch her.
Meanwhile, Starkiller and Storm Shield found themselves backing away while their enemies were pushing them back with their lightsabers. Both combatants blocked with their lightsabers, preventing their enemies from attacking them. Eventually, the two young men found themselves backing into each other. One quick look and they quickly formed a plan. They switched places, and Starkiller fired force lighting toward General Grievous, sending a shockwave through the cyborg’s circuits as the general growled in agony before bending to the floor. Storm Shield quickly sent a force push against the two Sith, knocking them backward onto the ground. As Storm struggled to hold them down, Starkiller approached Twilight Sparkle and helped her up.
“You… you saved me?” Twilight asked.
“I did not do it for you,” Starkiller answered. “I did it for her.”
Then Starkiller quickly took off past Twilight and made his way toward Storm Shield.
“Get the girls out of here,” Starkiller instructed. “Do not let them take the Princess.”
“You’re not coming with us?” Storm asked.
“You know why…”
“… I do,” Storm nodded, understanding. “Look for the Millennium Falcon. Captain Han can get you out of here.”
Starkiller nodded before he raced off down the hall. Storm released the force and lead the girls away, with Rainbow Dash & Applejack helping Fluttershy and Rarity lifting an unconscious Spike in her arms with Pinkie close behind. A growl escaped Seraphina’s lips, as Demetria raced to help her master.
“Don’t help me!” Seraphina shouted. “Stop him…”
Nodding in response, Demetria took off after Starkiller as Seraphina slowly picked herself up. She slowly marched down the pathway, passing the down General Grievous and leaving the other Inquisitors behind to recover. Only one thing was on Seraphina’s mind right now… getting Twilight Sparkle at all costs.
<>
Meanwhile, Imperial troops reached the base. As they pushed through the blocked passageway, Darth Vader strode behind them.
<>
Han and Leia raced toward the entrance of the main hangar where the Millennium Falcon was docked. 3PO still lagged behind.
“Wait! Wait for me!” 3PO called out. “Wait! Stop!”
The door to the hangar closed on his face.
“How typical!” 3PO exasperated.
Quickly, the door reopened as Han reached out and pulled the golden droid through.
“Come on!” Han grunted.
Chewie paced under the shelter of the Millennium Falcon’s landing gear. The giant Wookiee pat the underbelly of his beloved ship, barking a few reassuring words. As he searched worriedly for his captain, something at last caught his eye. Chewie released a relieved shriek seeing Han and Leia run toward the ship. The Wookiee raced out into the falling ice, releasing a howl, and ran up the ship’s ramp. Han and Leia ran up the ramp after him, closely followed by 3PO.
“Hurry up, goldenrod!” Han called out. “Or you’re going to be a permanent resident!”
“Wait! Wait!” 3PO shouted.
<>
Imperial troops run through the base corridors. Vader surveyed the place. A huge chunk fell, almost hitting him. But he calmly, purposefully, continued around it.
<>
A distant, huge explosion rocked the hangar deck. Ice crashed down along the Millennium Falcon. Inside, Han stood before a control panel and busily flipped switches as Chewie watched a troublesome gauge. A worried Leia observed their efforts.
“How’s this?” Han asked Chewie.
The Wookiee barked a negative reply.
“Would it help if I got out and pushed?” Leia asked sarcastically.
“It might,” Han remarked.
3PO clanked into the hold.
“Captain Solo, Captain Solo…” 3PO spoke up. “Sir, might I suggest that you…”
Han gave the golden robot a devastating look.
“It can wait.”
They move to the cockpit where Han flipped some more switches. Leia watched him, impatient and disbelieving.
“This bucket of bolts is never going to get us past that blockade,” Leia argued.
“This baby’s got a few surprises left in her, sweetheart,” Han remarked.
Han and Leia looked out the cockpit window and spotted a squad of stormtroopers rushing into the far side of the hangar. Quickly, Han strapped himself into the pilot’s seat and Leia into the navigator’s chair.
Stormtroopers hurriedly set up a large bazooka-like weapon. Behind them, the giant hangar doors opened slowly. And suddenly, a blast of electricity ignited the stormtroopers from behind them and they scattered about in all directions. Han looked out through the window and saw Starkiller slowly make his way through the scattered remains of his former comrades his eyes toward the ship.
“Room for one more!” Starkiller called out.
Without another word, Han opened the door into the ship and Stormkiller quickly made his way into the ship as the door sealed behind him. Chewie rushed into the cockpit amidst all the chaos while Han tried to get the ship started.
“Come on! Come on!” Han called out. “Switch over. Let’s hope we don’t have a burnout.”
A laser hit the window near Chewie as he settled into his chair. More Stormtroopers were coming toward the ship. Letting out a loud whelp, Chewie quickly pulled back on the controls and the first stage of engine fire could be heard. Han flashed a big grin at Leia.
“See?” Han spoke.
By then, Starkiller made his way toward the cockpit and Leia was not the least bit happy.
“You?! What’s a Sith doing on the ship?” Leia argued.
“This ‘Sith’ happens to be the guy saving your life,” Starkiller argued. “They’re coming into the Hangar and it’s not Stormtroopers I’m worried about.”
“He’s a good kid, Princess,” Han vouched. “We can trust him.”
“Someday you’re going to be wrong,” Leia warned. “And I hope I’m there to see it.”
“Punch it!” Han ordered Chewie.
The roar of the Falcon’s main engines blasted out everything as the ice-cave wall rushed by outside the cockpit window. Starkiller gazed toward the window as they made their escape, as more stormtroopers raced into the hanger. Followed closely are Demetria… and Darth Vader. Hearing the roar of the Millennium Falcon’s engines, Vader looked toward the main hangar doors just in time to see the Falcon lift up and disappear outside the cave. But he feels something in the force inside that ship, as he and Demetria looked on.
“Marek…” Vader spoke.
<>
In the meantime, Luke and the two other pilots looked up as the Millennium Falcon raced above them, flying very close to the ground. The three pilots turned and trudged onward toward their X-wing fighters, each going to their own ship. Luke waved farewell then headed toward his own fighter. R2, seated on his cubbyhole, chirped an excited greeting as Luke climbed aboard the spacecraft.
“R2! Get her ready for takeoff!” Luke ordered.
From his ship, Luke saw Wedge in his own X-wing, preparing for takeoff.
“Good luck, Luke,” Wedge waved. “See you at the rendezvous.”
Luke smiled with a nod toward Wedge, then lowered himself into the cockpit of his X-wing while R2 waited in the cubbyhole, beeping impatiently.
“Don’t worry, R2. We’re going, we’re going.”
The canopy over the X-wing lowers and eventually snapped shut. Luke’s fighter, its wings closed, sped away from the icy planet. Before disappearing into the stars.
<>
All the while, Storm and the girls were finally able to fully regroup once they escaped from a major threat. They took notice of Luke’s fighter speeding off into space.
“Looks like he’s on his way to Dagobah,” Storm pointed out.
“How are going to follow him now?” Twilight asked.
“All the speeders were destroyed in the assault,” Rainbow added.
“And that Starkiller feller is on the Falcon with Han and Leia,” Applejack spoke up.
Storm took a look out toward the oncoming Imperial forces quickly making their way towards the base. Thinking quickly, he remembered something he hid away years ago in an event he’d return here.
“I have just the thing,” Storm declared.
With a quick snap of his fingers and a bright flash of light, a giant ancient Jedi starship appeared at the entrance of the rebel base.
The girls and Spike looked wide-eyed and with mouths agape toward the giant ship before Rainbow turned to Storm.
“You have a speeder and a starship?” She asked in disbelief.
“Jealous?” Storm asked smugly.
“Kinda…” Rainbow mumbled, under her breath.
“What are we waiting for?!” Rarity yelled. “Let’s get out of here before those creepy Sith guys get us!”
<>
In his own X-wing, Luke, looking thoughtful, suddenly reached a decision. He flipped several switches. The stars shifted as he took his fighter into a steep turn. The X-wing banked sharply and flew away in a new direction. The monitor screen on Luke’s control panel printed out a question from the concerned R2.
“There’s nothing wrong, R2,” Luke spoke, through his commlink. “I’m just setting a new course.”
Suddenly his commlink buzzed as a new signal reached out to him. Luke adjusted the commlink to answer the call.
“Taking a slight detour, Luke?” Storm asked.
“Storm?” Luke answered. “You made it! Are the girls all right?”
“We’re all here. A few scrapes and bruises but we made it. The group is taking a rest while I’m taking the old girl for a spin. Look out your cockpit.”
And Luke did just that as he saw Storm’s ship following at a close distance behind him. R2 beeped excitedly at the site.
“Now… are you going to tell your friend about our little change of plans?” Storm asked. “Or else I should tell him?”
“He’s right, R2,” Luke confirmed. “We’re not going to regroup with the others.”
R2 began to protest, whistling an unbelieving, ‘What?!’. Luke read R2’s exclamation on his control panel.
“We’re going to the Dagobah system,” Luke answered, into commlink.
“There’s someone in that system we’re supposed to meet,” Storm added. “If he’s still alive, he has the tools we need to handle the Emperor and the Sith that are after us.”
Luke checked his readouts and made a few adjustments. He rode along with only the soft hum of the instruments to break the silence. Finally, R2 chirped up.
“Yes, R2?”
R2 uttered a soft, carefully phrased stream of whistles.
“That’s all right,” Luke chuckled. “I’d like to keep it on manual control for a while.
The little droid released a defeated whimper. Luke smiled, as he continued his course with Storm’s ship not far behind.
Meanwhile, in the comfort of his own ship, Storm Shield set his ship to autopilot. With the ship in forward motion, Storm climbed out of his seat and approached the other girls, he found them settled into whatever space they could find to rest. The poor girls had been through so much in the course of a single day and needed as much rest as they could get. Storm stood over Twilight Sparkle, lightly brushing a hand over her hair as she released a sigh yet remained undisturbed. Storm soon went back to the pilot seat and stared out toward the stars.
“Good luck Han and Leia,” Storm spoke to himself. “Stay safe…”
<>
The Millennium Falcon sped away from Hoth, closely followed by one huge Star Destroyer and four tiny TIE fighters. As it pursued, the Falcon raced toward two very bright star-sized objects.
Inside the cockpit, Chewie let out a loud howl. Han checked as the ship was buffeted by exploding flak. He appeared to be doing six things at once.
“I saw them!” Han shouted, harried. “I saw them!”
“Saw what?” Leia questioned.
“Star Destroyers,” Starkiller answered. “Two of them… they’re coming for us.”
3PO bumped and banged his way into the cockpit.
“Sir, sir! Might I suggest…”
“Shut him up or shut him down!” Han ordered Leia, facing Chewie. “Check the deflector shield!”
Chewie barked a reply as he readjusted an overhead switch.
“Oh, great. Well, we can still outmaneuver them,” Han sighed.
“True… but not for long,” Starkiller warned, looking out.
The Millennium Falcon raced toward one of the huge oncoming Star Destroyers. Suddenly, the Falcon started for a deep dive straight down, closely followed by four TIE fighters. The underside of the Star Destroyer continued on a collision course with two oncoming Star Destroyers. Slowly, it started veering to the left.
Out the front window of the bridge, the two approaching Star Destroyers veered to the left.
“Take evasive action!” The Imperial Officer shouted.
Alarms sounded all over the huge ship. Two other Star Destroyers got closer, one of them moving over the bridge so close that it makes brushing contact with it.
The Millenium Falcon raced away from the colliding Star Destroyers, still followed by four TIE fighters. Laser bolts spark the pitch-black skies.
Things have calmed down a bit, but the race isn’t over yet. Chewie barked at Han, while Leia was still trying to recover from the steep dive. Starkiller forced himself to stay balanced while the ship was buffeted by laser fire.
“Prepare to make the jump to light-speed,” Han announced.
“But sir!” 3PO called out.
The buffeting of lasers become louder and stronger.
“They’re getting closer!” Leia spoke.
“Oh yeah?” Han asked, a gleam in his eye. “Watch this.”
Expectantly, they looked out the cockpit window… but the stars don’t go into hyperspace. They just sit there. Han and Chewie looked at each other, thrown into an acute state of concern.
“Watch what?” Leia asked.
Han tried again… still nothing.
“I think we’re in trouble,” Han confirmed.
“You think?” Starkiller asked.
“If I may say so, sir,” 3PO spoke up. “I noticed earlier that the hyperdrive motivator has been damaged. It’s impossible to go to light-speed!”
“Why didn’t you say anything in the first place?” Starkiller asked.
“I tried!”
“We’re in trouble!” Han groaned.
Their worst fears are confirmed as the explosions become heavier. The Falcon raced into the starry vastness, followed by the four Imperial TIE fighters and an Imperial Star Destroyer. Stars race by as flak burst outside the Falcon’s window.
Han worked furiously at some control panels while giving various orders to Chewie.
“Horizontal boosters… (Chewie barks)! Alluvial dampers…! Well, that’s not it (Chewie barks). Bring me the hydro-spanners!”
Chewie hurried over to the pit, placing the tools on the edge.
“I don’t know how we’re going to get out of this one,” Han spoke.
Suddenly, a loud thump hit the side of the Falcon, causing it to lurch radically. Chewie barked as the tools fell into the pit atop of Han.
“Ow! Chewie!”
More turbulence rocked the ship.
“That was no laser fire!” Han observed. “Something hit us.”
“Han, get up here!” Leia called out, over commlink.
“Come on, Chewie!” Han shouted.
Han climbed out of the hold like a shot. Both he and Chewie raced out of the hold and toward the cockpit. Out the front cockpit window, they see hundreds of asteroids racing by.
“Asteroids!” Leia pointed out.
Han changed places with Leia who has been at the controls, and Chewie got into his chair. Han worked his controls as a chunk of rock crosses in front of the ship.
“Oh, no! Chewie, set two-seven-one,” Han instructed.
“What are you doing?” Leia asked. “You’re not actually going into an asteroid field?”
“They’d be crazy to follow us, wouldn’t they?”
“Crazy is the more polite term,” Starkiller replied. “But it could slow them down.”
Another asteroid thumped against the ship and Leia winced at the jolt.
“You don’t have to do this to impress me,” Leia remarked.
“Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately three thousand, seven hundred and twenty to one,” 3PO calculated.
“Never tell me the odds!” Han shouted.
The Falcon turned into the asteroid storm, as the ship completed its turn. Asteroids started coming straight at the cockpit windows.
A large asteroid tumbled away from the Falcon’s path at top speed. Several smaller asteroids crash into the big one, creating small explosions on its surface. Other asteroids of all sizes passed every direction, some colliding and exploding. The tiny Millennium Falcon veered around the big asteroid and raced past it through the rain of rocks, followed by four TIE fighters, which bobbed and weaved around the asteroids.
One of the pursuing TIE fighters connected with an asteroid and exploded. The other fighters pelted with a steady stream of smaller explosions. Two huge asteroids tumble toward the Millennium Falcon, which quickly banked around both of them. The three TIE fighters followed in hot pursuit until one of the fighters scraped an asteroid and tumbled out of control into deep space.
The massive Star Destroyer blasted oncoming asteroids as it followed the Falcon. Smaller asteroids explode across its vast surface.
The Falcon twists on its side as it raced around an oncoming asteroid. Two TIE fighters followed in the distance, coming from either side. Asteroids raced by the cockpit window as Han piloted his trusty craft through the dangerous field.
Looking out the cockpit window, the Falcon crew saw a big asteroid drop past the window, narrowly missing their ship. Chewie barked in terror as a slightly smaller asteroid comes especially close—close to—and bounced off the Falcon with a loud crunch. 3PO’s hands covered his eyes. He managed a short peek at the cockpit window. Princess Leia sat stone-faced, Starkiller a good distance away, both staring at the action. Han gave her a quick look.
“You said you wanted to be around when I made a mistake,” Han remarked. “Well, this could be it, sweetheart.”
“I take it back,” Leia muttered. “We’re going to get pulverized if we stay out here much longer.”
“Because there’s just no pleasing you is there,” Starkiller replied, dryly.
“Shut up…”
The group watched as more asteroids raced by outside the window.
“I’m not going to argue with that,” Han replied.
“Pulverized?” 3PO spoke worriedly.
“I’m going in closer to one of those big ones.”
“Closer?” Leia questioned.
“Closer?!” 3PO repeated.
Chewbacca barked the same word, only louder.
“There’s no other choice,” Starkiller spoke. “Beats ducking around and risk getting torn apart.”
The Millenium Falcon dove toward the surface of one of the moon-sized asteroids. There was a continued display of explosions against the starry void as smaller asteroids collided with larger chunks of rock. The two remaining TIE fighters followed the Falcon to the large asteroid. The Falcon skimmed the surface of the giant asteroid as, all the while, small asteroids exploded on the surface of the ship.
The TIE fighters approached the Falcon, but a giant asteroid hurtled directly into their path. As the asteroid continued on its way, it left remains of the two exploded TIE fighters tumbling into deep space.
Rattled by the violent rocking of the starship, 3PO was nearly in hysterics.
“Oh, this is suicide!”
Han noticed something on his main scope and nudged his faithful Wookiee with a single finger pointing.
“There. That looks pretty good.”
“What looks pretty good?” Leia asked.
“It’ll have to do for now,” Starkiller confirmed.
“Excuse me sir, but where are we going?” 3PO asked Starkiller.
“If we’re lucky… out of harm’s way.”
Out of the cockpit window, they see they are skimming the surface of the enormous asteroid and neared a large crater. The Millennium Falcon dove into the huge crater and disappeared.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Leia spoke.
“Yeah, me too,” Han nodded.
“And what are we going to do about him?”
The crew looked toward Starkiller, who merely stared at each of them with a blank expression. All the while the Falcon raced into the crater. The walls barely visible as the ship sped through the tunnel-like opening. A small cave appeared on one side of the crater, and the Falcon turned, slowing, and scooting into it.