//------------------------------// // Dagobah // Story: Cinematic Adventures: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strike Back // by extremeenigma02 //------------------------------// Having successful escaped the Empire’s attack on Hoth, Luke Skywalker, Storm Shield, and the girls were now in the midst of traveling to the Dagobah system. Luke’s tiny X-wing sped toward the cloud cover of Dagobah, closely followed by Storm’s Republic starship. R2, riding the back of the fighter, turned his head back-and-forth with some anxiety. Just then, Storm’s voice came over Luke’s intercom. “Looks like we’re coming in on the planet pretty hot Luke,” He said. “If you don’t want to crash and explode, I’d slow down.” “Will do Storm,” Luke responded. Luke pulled back on the controls, slowing his fighter down to a cruising speed as R2 started beeping. Luke watched R2’s words as they are translated and screened on the computer scope. “Yes, that’s it,” Luke confirmed, via commlink. “Dagobah.” R2 beeped a hopeful inquiry. “No, I’m not going to change my mind about this. I’m not picking up any cities or technology.” “There’s something alive down there,” Storm spoke, through intercom. “Scanners are detecting massive life-form readings.” R2 beeped in response, this time with a slightly worried question. “Yes, I’m sure it’s perfectly safe for droids,” Luke reassured. “Nevertheless, never a bad idea to take precautions,” Storm warned. “I’d watch your six, take it slow and keep her steady. I’ll wake up the girls.” “Roger that.” <> Storm Shield once more set the ship to autopilot. Once the systems were set, he casually worked his way from his pilot seat and drew his way through the ship. It did not take long for Storm to reach the compartment where the girls were still asleep. Most of the girls had their own place to sleep, with Spike nestled atop of Twilight. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, on the other hand, were comfortably snugged together in one bed. “Wakey-wakey girls!” Storm called out, rapping the walls. “We’re landing.” The girls stirred themselves awake upon hearing Storm’s voice. The girls picked themselves up from their bunks, stretching out their limbs (Some of whom actually cracking). Rarity removed an eye mask from her eyes as a cute yawn escaped, while Twilight carefully lifted and dropped Spike upon the floor as he shook himself awake. Rainbow Dash rolled herself out of the bed, while Applejack lifted herself up and reached around for her Stetson hat. “Ahem!” Applejack tiredly opened her eyes to find Rainbow Dash holding the hat toward her. The rainbow haired teen’s eyebrows motioned up and down with a cheeky grin. Applejack just smiled back and swiftly took her hat back. Pinkie Pie was the last to wake up as she eyed around the ship. “Is it breakfast time already?” Pinkie asked. “I don’t think so,” Fluttershy sighed. “C’mon girls,” Twilight beckoned. “We’d better be ready when we land.” <> The X-wing and the Republic Starship continued their flight through the twilight just above the cloud-covered planet. Luke saw the cloud race by as he took his craft closer to the planet. He knew he needed to operate his controls carefully since the cloud cover completely obscured his vision. The same had to be said on Storm’s part, as he once more assumed the controls of his ship while the remainder of the group looked on. “You sure pick the most dreary places to meet with old acquaintances,” Rarity observed. “Wasn’t my idea,” Storm shrugged. “But given this planet’s among the last places to find a master Jedi, it’s no wonder he’d want to make a home here.” “When we do meet this master of yours, how will we know it’s him?” Spike asked curiously. “He won’t be difficult to recognize I’ll say that much. Let’s just say he’s very unique, as he is famous.” “And how much longer is it going to take to land?” Rainbow complained. “We are pretty high Rainbow,” Twilight pointed out. “But we have to be very careful. I don’t like the look of these clouds.” Suddenly, alarms started to buzz in the background. The group looked down toward the control panel to a flashing red light. Fluttershy’s eyes went wide with fright. “That’s not good…” Fluttershy whimpered. In Luke’s ships, R2 beeped and whistled frantically. “I know, I know!” Luke answered, via commlink. “All the scopes are dead. I can’t see a thing! Just hang on, I’m going to start the landing cycle…” “Right behind you Luke!” Storm called out. The blast of the retrorockets were deafening, drowning out R2’s electronic squeals and the screams from some of the girls. Suddenly, there’s a cracking sound as if limbs were broken off trees and then a tremendous jolt as the spacecrafts came to a halt. Luke pulled a switch and his canopy popped open. The mist-shrouded X-wing fighter was almost invisible in the thick fog. Luke climbed out onto the long nose of the spacecraft as R2 popped out his cubbyhole on the back. The young warrior surveyed the fog, which was barely pierced by the ship’s landing lights. About all he could make out are some giant, twisted trees nearby. Luke took notice of Storm bringing his ship down into the midst of the clearing of trees. He just managed to bring it down along the bank of the swamp, as the rear cargo hatched opened allowing the girls and Spike to exit. Eventually, with the ship shut down, Storm Shield was the last to emerge. “Boy this place gives me the creeps,” Spike replied, looking around. “I hear ya,” Applejack nodded in agreement. From Luke’s ship, R2 whistled anxiously. “No R2, you stay put,” Luke informed. “We’ll have a look around.” “Probably for the best we scout around,” Twilight agreed. “We have no idea what’s on this planet.” “Unless… you wouldn’t happen to have some crazy stories you have to share about this place, Stormy?” Pinkie asked hopefully. “I wouldn’t know… this is my first time coming here too,” Storm replied. “’First’ time?” Fluttershy repeated. “Oh boy…” R2 let out a short beep. As Luke moved along the nose, R2 lost his balance and disappeared with a splash into the boggy lake. “R2?” Luke asked. The group turned to the side, just as Luke knelt and leaned over the plane looking for R2. But the water was still revealing no sign or trace of the little droid. “What happened?!” Rainbow called out. “R2 fell in!” Luke shouted, peering down. “R2! Where are you?” “R2!!!” The group called out. Just then, a small periscope broke the surface of the water, and a gurgling beep was heard. The periscope started moving toward shore. The group sighed with relief, while others rolled their eyes with a shake of their head. Luke, in particular, started running along the nose of the fighter to its tip. “R2! You be more careful,” Luke spoke, annoyed. “And I’d get out of there little buddy,” Storm advised. “This isn’t the kind of place you’d want to take a swim in.” Fortunately, the outline of the shore was only ten feet away. Luke jumped off the plane, into the water and scrambled to shore. The rest of the group followed suit as they kept watch over R2. The periscope still steadily moved toward shore/ “R2!” Fluttershy called out, pointing. “It’s that way.” Suddenly, through the thick fog layer, a dark shape appeared, moving toward the little droid. Spike turned his head for a second and spotted the dark, sinuous bog beast diving beneath the swampy water. “Uh… Twilight…” Spike spoke worriedly. “What is it Spike?” Twilight asked. She looked toward Spike, who shakenly pointed toward the water. Twilight turned toward where R2 was just nearing the shore. Suddenly, something made a loud clunking noise against R2’s metal hull. The droid disappeared from sight, uttering a pathetic electronic scream. “R2!!!” Twilight shouted. Holding their ignited lightsabers, Luke waded a few feet into the murky pool while Storm Shield stood by the edge with his saber pike aimed at the water. The rest of the group gazed their eyes for any sign of their little friend. “R2!” Luke called out. “Where is he?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “A sea monster ate our Droid!” Spike panicked. “A sea monster ate our Droid!” “Oh, not if I can help it!” Rainbow frowned, removing her shoes. “Rainbow, hold up!” Storm shouted. “Don’t jump into the—” *SPLASH!* The water broke as Rainbow Dash’s form dove into the water and vanished deep into the murky depths. The rest of the group stared with horror as the water started to settle until all was still. “—the water,” Storm finished. “Oh, Rainbow…” Applejack moaned, looking around. They kept a cautious watch over the black surface, which was as still as death itself… until a few bubbles began to appear. *PHHEEWAAT!!!* “YAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” The runt-size robot and a screaming rainbow-haired teen shot out of the water, made a graceful arc, and crashed along a patch of soft gray moss. “Oh no!” Twilight gasped. The group quickly raced toward their friends, Applejack quickly skidding to her knees and lifted Rainbow Dash onto her lap as the girl spat swamp water out of her throat. “Rainbow, are y’all all right?” Applejack asked. “Don’t… go in… the water…” Rainbow gasped. “You’re lucky you don’t taste very good,” Luke replied. “Anything broken?” Luke helped R2 to his feet and began wiping the mud and roots from his round metal body. R2 responded with feeble, soggy beeps. “If you’re saying coming here was a bad idea, I’m beginning to agree with you,” Luke sighed. “Oh guys, what are we doing here?” “At this point, I don’t even know anymore,” Twilight answered. “We barely escape one planet trying to escape a posing threat out to kill us. Now we find ourselves in another place where everything’s likely to kill us.” “You mean like Australia?” Pinkie asked innocently. “Yeah… let’s go with that,” Twilight sighed. Luke Skywalker looked around this unfamiliar landscape trying to make sense of their location. “It’s like… something out of a dream or… I don’t know. Maybe I’m just going crazy.” “All I know is this Master Yoda guy better make this trip worthwhile,” Rainbow muttered. “Of course he is,” Storm Shield reassured. “If we stand even the slightest chance of turning the war in our favor, we just have to find Yoda. Otherwise we’ve come all this way for nothing.” “Then that does beg the question darling,” Rarity spoke up. “Where do we go to find him?” The group glanced around the spooky jungle swamp surrounding them, while R2 ejected a stream of muddy water from one of his cranial ports. Spike looked down where the water shot out and turned back toward the droid with a slight glance. “Nice…” <> In the meantime, an Imperial shuttle flew quickly through vast space until arriving at the transport hangar of the Devastator. Coming down for a soft landing, inside Darth Vader’s personal Star Destroyer, the rear hatch of the shuttle opened up allowing Darth Seraphina and her dark syndicate to emerge. Many of them were banged up from the battle on Hoth, all of whom extremely upset. “Those pitiful rebel scum!” Grievous growled angrily. “Like parasites they infest this galaxy and flee like cowards!” “If I haven’t said it enough already, I hate those pathetic creatures!” The Fourth Sister seethed. “Worry not my sister,” The Fifth Sister assured. “There’s only so many places they can hide. Soon enough, we will wipe the Rebels off the face of the galaxy.” Just then, an Imperial soldier raced toward the entourage with an urgent message. “Lady Seraphina,” He spoke. “Lord Vader requires your presence in his personal chambers immediately.” Darth Seraphina gave no response, only nodding her head in understanding. While the rest made way toward the other parts of the ship, Seraphina stalked slowly through the halls toward Vader’s personal chambers. Coming up toward the desired location, she noticed Admiral Piett waiting in the entryway to Vader’s private cubical. Seeing the Sith lady approaching quickly, Piett stood at immediate attention. “Lady Seraphina,” He acknowledged, in respect. “At ease Admiral.” “Yes, my lady.” Piett relaxed his demeanor as they both entered the chambers. Darth Vader, his back turned, was silhouetted in the gloom on the far side of the chamber. A black, insect-like droid attended him. Among the various apparatuses surrounding them, a respirator tube now retracted from Vader’s uncovered head. The head was bald, with a mass of ugly scar tissue covering it. The black droid lowered the mask and helmet onto Vader’s head. When in place, the Dark Lord turned to face Piett and Seraphina. “Yes, Admiral?” Vader spoke. “Our ships have sighted the Millennium Falcon, lord,” Piett informed. “But… it has entered an asteroid field and we cannot risk…” “Asteroids do not concern me, Admiral,” Vader interrupted. “I want that ship and not excuses.” “Yes, lord.” Piett departed from the chamber to execute the dark lord’s plans. When he was completely out of sight, Vader turned to his fellow Sith Lord. “We have succeeded in securing the planet Hoth for the empire,” He informed her. “How lovely for you,” Seraphina snipped. “Yet here I stand without the blood of Twilight Sparkle coating my lightsaber.” “If I were you, I’d alter your attitude Seraphina,” Vader warned. “You may be the Emperor’s Fury, but do not forget I am his Hand. That means in his absence, you take orders from me. Never forget your place.” Serphina was set with fury and anger, contemplating slicing that respirator off Vader’s body. However, she knew that was impossible for a few reasons. First, Vader far exceeded her in ability and power. Second, the Emperor would most likely kill her if she impeded his plans of conquest. Finally, she actually needed Vader in hopes of exacting her revenge. She drew a deep breath and steadied her emotions. “My apologies Lord Vader,” She said. “I long for my revenge on Twilight Sparkle. Now that she and the others have escaped, I fear how long I must wait.” “A Sith fears nothing.” “Of course,” Seraphina groaned. “Now, what is it you called me for?” “The Emperor has requested our present to update him on our progression,” Vader explained. “Lead the way.” Vader slowly made way from the chamber with Seraphina following closely behind. <> Later, the pirate starship rested in a dark, dripping asteroid cave. It was so dark the cave’s exact dimensions are impossible to determine. Han and Chewie busily shut down the engine and all electronic systems. 3PO and Leia watched worriedly, while Starkiller was hardly paying attention. Instead, he casually leaned along the wall looking at the ceiling with his arms crossed. “I’m going to shut down everything but the emergency power systems,” Han informed. “Sir, I’m almost afraid to ask, but…” 3PO spoke up, nervously. “Does that include shutting me down, too?” “Is that a trick question?” Starkiller replied. Chewie barked ‘yes’, but Han thought otherwise. “No, I need you to talk to the Falcon,” Han instructed. “Find out what’s wrong with the hyperdrive.” Suddenly, the ship lurched, causing all the loose items in the cockpit to go flying. Chewie howled, while Starkiller looked around. “Sir, it’s quite possible this asteroid is not entirely stable,” 3PO pointed out. “Not entirely stable?” Starkiller repeated. “Glad you’re here to tell us these things.” “You… be quiet,” Han warned, turning to Chewbacca. “Chewie, take the professor in the back and plug him into the hyperdrive.” “Oh! Sometimes I just don’t understand human behavior,” 3PO muttered. “After all, I’m only trying to do my job in the most…” The sliding door sealed behind the indignant 3PO, as Chewie moved him back to the hold. Suddenly, the ship lurched again, throwing Leia across the cabin into Han’s arms. Then abruptly, the motion stopped as suddenly as it started. With some surprise, Han and Leia realized they are in each other’s arms. “Let go,” Leia ordered. “Shh!” Han hushed. “Let go, please.” Starkiller briefly turned toward the pair, he can see the princess’s face flushed. And she’s not exactly fighting to get free. Still, the young man can see that Han was blowing whatever plan he had in mind. “Don’t get excited,” Han spoke. The anger rose in Leia just as quickly. “Captain, being held by you isn’t quite enough to get me excited,” Leia retorted. “Sorry, sweetheart. We haven’t got time for anything else.” Han grinned wickedly at Leia as he turned and left through the door. Leia’s confused emotion showed clearly on her lovely face. But that changed when she saw Starkiller, the young man standing by staring the whole time. “What’re you looking at?” Leia asked, annoyed. But it was difficult to read what Starkiller was thinking. He just looked at them with a very blank, emotionless expression. Whatever thoughts coursed through his head he was not giving them away so easily. “… Nothing,” Starkiller answered, simply. And just like that, Starkiller turned away and strolled away from the cockpit. Leia eyed Starkiller with a look of suspicion and yet for some reason she suddenly can’t help but feel… sympathy for the young man. <> The mist dispersed slightly, but still leaving a very gloomy-looking swamp. Luke pulled an equipment box from the shore to the clearing. He ignited a little fusion furnace and warmed his hands before it. Taking a power cable, he plugged it into R2’s nose-like socket. “Ready for some power?” Luke asked R2. “Okay. Let’s see now. Put that in there. There you go.” The droid whistled his appreciation. Meanwhile, Rarity frantically tried to scrub the murky water and mud off Rainbow’s face much to the latter’s annoyance. “I can’t believe you’d risk jumping into that muck with who knows what swimming in there?” Rarity complained. “Actually, I take that back… I canbelieve it! Urgh, you know Dash, there comes a time and place when you can stand for careful planning.” “Careful… planning…” Rainbow Dash raised a brow. “Do you even know me?” Rarity groaned, as she kept scrubbing Rainbow’s face clean. Luke soon opened a container of processed food and sat before the thermal heater. “Now all we have to do is find this Yoda… if he even exists.” “Oh, he exists all right,” Storm replied. “The force wouldn’t go through all this trouble just to have us come here.” “Has this ‘force’ ever been wrong before?” Twilight asked, curiously. “Not to my knowledge.” The group looked around nervously before the foreboding jungle. “Still… there’s something familiar about this place,” Luke spoke up. “What do you mean, Luke?” Fluttershy asked. “I feel like… I don’t know…” “Feel like what?” The group jumped out of their skin, R2 and Fluttershy screeched in terror. Storm and Luke grabbed their lightsabers and spun around, looking for the creature. Mysteriously, standing right before the team was a strange, bluish creature (Possibly greenish), no more than two feet tall. A wizened little creature dressed in rags, motioning toward Luke’s sword. “Like we’re being watched!” Luke finished. “Wut in tarnation?!” Applejack gasped. “Back off, slimy mutant!” Rainbow threatened, on guard. “Away with your weapon!” The creature begged. “I mean you no harm.” After some hesitation, Luke put away his weapon, though he really didn’t understand why. R2 watched with interest, while Storm’s expression immediately settled down which caught Twilight’s curious attention. “I am wondering, why are you here?” The creature asked. “We’re looking for someone sir,” Twilight spoke up. “Looking? Found someone, you have, I would say, hmmm?” The little creature gave out a laugh, while Luke tried hard to keep from smiling. “Right…” Luke replied. “Excuse my friend, mister,” Fluttershy spoke up kindly. “What Twilight means to say is… there’s someone in this strange place we’re supposed to meet. We were just wondering, since you must know this place better than we do, could you help us find him? If you’re not too busy that is.” “Help you I can,” The creature nodded. “Yes, mmm…” “I don’t know about this Flutters,” Rainbow replied uncertainly. “We’re asking him to help find a great warrior.” “Ahh! A great warrior,” The creature chuckled, shaking his head. “Wars not make one great.” “I see your point,” Twilight understood. “But it’s very important we see him right away.” With the aid of a walking stick, the tiny stranger moved over to one of the cases of supplies. He began rummaging around. R2 moved to the edge of the case—standing almost eye level to the creature who is carelessly handling the supplies—squeaking his disapproval. Their tiny visitor picked up the container of food Luke ate from and took a bite. “Put that down,” Luke ordered annoyed. “Hey! That’s my dinner!” The creature spat out the bite he took, making a face. “How you get so big, eating food of this kind?” The creature asked. “I’ll have you know good sir we’re not fond of processed food ourselves,” Rarity replied. “Besides, we’re mostly vegetarian and we turned out just fine.” The creature flipped the container in Luke’s direction, reaching into one of Luke’s supply cases. “Listen, friend, we didn’t mean to land in that puddle,” Luke spoke. “And if we could get our ship out, we would, but we can’t, so why don’t you just…” “Aww, cannot get your ship out?” The creature teased. The creature spotted something of interest in Luke’s case. Luke lost patience and grabbed the case away. The creature retained his prize—a tiny power lamp—and examined it with delight. “Hey, you could have broken this!” Luke argued. “Don’t do that. Oh… you’re making a mess. Hey, give me that!” “Mine!” The creature shouted, retreating with the lamp. “Or I will help you not.” Clutching its treasure, the creature backed away from the group, drawing closer to R2. As Luke and the creature argued, one of R2’s little arms slowly moved toward the power lamp, completely unnoticed by the creature. “We don’t want your help,” Luke argued. “I want my lamp back. I’ll need it to get out of this slimy mudhole.” “Mudhole? Slimy?” The creature repeated. ‘My home this is.” “And I’m sure it’s a, um… ‘lovely’ home,” Fluttershy assured, kindly. “Not the word I’d use,” Rainbow muttered. R2 grabbed hold of the lamp and the two little figured immediately engaged in a tug-of-war over it. R2 beeped a few angry, ‘Give me that’s. “Ah, ah, ah!” The creature cried out, whacking the droid. “R2, just let him have it!” Luke groaned. “Ooh, that looks like fun!” Pinkie squealed. She too reached for the Power Lamp and tugged on it. The creature, annoyed, took his walking stick and whacked the opposing pair. “Mine! Mine!” The creature shouted. “Pinkie Pie!” Twilight groaned. “Mine!” The creature shouted. “No mine!” Pinkie shouted. The creature let go with one hand and poked R2 lightly with one finger. R2 reacted with a startled squeal and let go. Pinkie Pie released her own grip as well. “Mine!” The creature declared. “Now will you move along, little fella?” Luke demanded, fed up. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.” “No! No, no!” The creature chuckled. “Stay and help you, I will. Find your friend, hmm?” “Honestly, I wouldn’t reckon he’s any friend of ours,” Applejack answered honestly. “He’s supposed to be some Jedi Master.” “Oh… Jedi Master,” The creature nodded. “Yoda. You seek Yoda.” “Wait! You know him?” Spike asked. “Mm… take you to him, I will,” The creature declared, chuckling. “Yes, yes. But now, we must eat. Come… good food… come.” With that, the creature scurried out of the clearing, laughing merrily. Twilight turned toward Storm, realizing he’s been quiet the whole time. “What’s the matter Storm?” Twilight asked. “You haven’t spoken a word since he showed up.” “It can’t be…” Storm spoke quietly. Then to Twilight’s confusion, Storm raced off after the creature in the dark. “Hey Storm! Where you going?” Twilight called out. Twilight and the girls, along with Spike, immediately followed Storm while Luke stared after them. All he could see was the faint light from the small power lamp moving through the fog. Luke made his decision to start after the creature, knowing the group are with him. “Come, come!” The creature called in the distance. R2, very upset, whistled a blue streak of protest. “Stay here and watch after the camp, R2,” Luke instructed. R2 beeped ever more frantically. But as Luke disappeared from view, the worried little droid grew quieter, and uttered a soft electronic sigh. <> While Luke was catching up to the others, Storm and the girls quickly raced through the swamp. The group stayed close to Storm, watching his tracks as he carefully crossed through the murky path. Eventually, Storm reached the spot where he saw the little creature sitting casually along a tree branch. “Keeping to yourself, are you?” The creature smirked. “Something you like to share, you must.” “Forgive my silence,” Storm bowed. “It’s just really great to see you again, master.” “MASTER?!?!” The group shouted. “SHH!!!” Storm hushed, looking around. Storm seemed to be making sure that Luke wasn’t close by or anyone else in particular. “You mean to tell us this little guy’s supposed to be the fabled Master Yoda?” Rainbow whispered harshly. “A fable, I am not,” Yoda smirked. “Looks deceive you so and not very good habit, think not. Hmm?” “But I don’t understand,” Twilight spoke, confused. “How come you didn’t say who you were before?” “Asked not,” Yoda smiled. “And… he said he wanted to see your reaction for himself,” Storm shrugged. “What about Luke?” Spike asked. “When are we going to tell him the big secret.” “Wait and see, we shall,” Yoda advised. “See what happens, we will.” “Believe me when I say this,” Storm reassured. “If years of training have taught me anything, it’s that you ‘never’ question Master Yoda. He has his reasons.” The group looked toward each other, with a look of uncertainty. But if Master Yoda had a plan in mind that involved Luke and considering they needed his help with certain matters to fix, they decided not to question either of their judgments. And not a moment too soon, as they could see Luke Skywalker’s figure slowly making his way to them. <> Back in the Millennium Falcon, 3PO whistled and beeped a strange dialect into the control panel in front of him. The control panel whistled back a few mystifying beeps. “Oh, where is R2 when I need him?” 3PO muttered. Han entered the hold area, kneeling along the floor near the control box. “Sir, I don’t know where your learned to communicate,” 3PO spoke up. “But it has the most peculiar dialect. I believe, sir, it says that the power coupling on the negative axis has been polarized. I’m afraid you’ll have to replace it.” “Well, of course I’ll have to replace it,” Han remarked. He handed a wire coil toward Chewie, who was working near the ceiling. “Here! And Chewie…” Chewie brought his head back through the trap door in the ceiling and whined. Han glanced back at 3PO, then spoke quietly so only Chewie can hear. “… I think we’re better replace the negative power coupling,” Han continued silently. Leia finished welding the valves she has been working on and attempted to reengage the system by pulling a lever attached to the valve. It doesn’t budge. Han noticed her struggled and moved to help her. She rebuffed him. “Hey, Your Worship,” Han argued. “I’m only trying to help.” “Would you please stop calling me that?” Leia retorted, struggling. But Han heard a new tone in her voice. He watched her pull on the lever. “Sure, Leia.” “Oh, you make it so difficult sometimes,” Leia groaned. “I do, I really do,” Han replied, watching her. “You could be a little nicer, though. Come on, admit it. Sometimes you think I’m all right.” She released the lever, rubbing her sore hand. “Occasionally…” Leia admitted, slightly smiling. “… when you aren’t acting like a scoundrel.” “Scoundrel?” Han chuckled. “Scoundrel? I like the sound of that.” With that, Han took her hand and started massaging it. “Stop that,” Leia snipped. “Stop what?” Han asked. “Stop ‘that’!” Leia flushed, confused. “My hands are dirty.” “My hands are dirty, too. What are you afraid of?” “Afraid?” Leia remarked, looking in his eyes. Han looked at her with a piercing look. He’s never looked more handsome, more dashing, more confident. He reached out slowly and took Leia’s hand again from where it’s resting on a console. He drew it toward him. “You’re trembling,” Han observed. “I’m not trembling,” Leia replied. Then, with an irresistible combination of physical strength and emotional power, the space pirate drew Leia toward him… very slowly. “You like me because I’m a scoundrel,” Han replied. “There aren’t enough scoundrels in your life.” Leia was now very close to Han. As she spoke, her voice became an excited whisper, a tone completely in opposition to her words. “I happen to like nice men.” “I’m a nice man.” “No, you’re not. You’re…” He kissed her now, with slow, hot lips. He took his time, as though he had forever, bending her body backward. She has never been kissed like this before; it almost made her faint. When he stopped, she regained her breath and tried to work up some indignation. Only to find it difficult to talk. Suddenly, Starkiller appeared in the doorway. “3PO asked to inform you he’s isolated the reverse power flux coupling,” Starkiller informed. Han turned slowly, icily, from their embrace. “Thank you…” Han muttered. “Thank you very much.” “You’re perfectly welcome,” Starkiller nodded. The moment was officially spoiled. Han marched out past Starkiller, who turned and walked down another hallway leaving Princess Leia alone. When Starkiller was a good distance away, he released a sigh and clutched his chest, near his heart. A single tear threatened to escape his left eye, which he struggled to fight back. “Sunset…” Starkiller spoke.