5 Chapter 005
The gantry officer swiftly issued commands to his subordinate, "Take over. We've got a bad transmitter. I'll see what I can do."
As he approached the door, it slid open, revealing the towering figure of Chewbacca. The gantry officer, caught off guard, stumbled backward in momentary shock.
Amid the tense encounter, Chewbacca unleashed a bone-chilling howl and, with a single powerful blow, flattened the officer. The aide, quick to react, reached for his pistol, only to be blasted by Han Solo, who was disguised as an Imperial stormtrooper.
Han thought as he took off his helmet, 'These are the most uncomfortable pieces of armor I have ever put on. It feels like a clunky inefficient sauna suit.' Everything was going as planned so far. Luke sent the signal to generate the distraction, all that matters now is to prevent Obi-Wan from fighting Vader alone.
"We found the computer outlet, sir," C3P0 reported.
Ben fed some information into the computer, and a map of the city appeared on the monitor. He began to inspect it carefully. C3P0 and R2 looked over the control panel. R2 found something that made him whistle wildly.
"Plug in. He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial computer network," Ben instructed.
"Ugh, these gloves are killing me. Doing anything with sweaty hands pisses me off." Han stated as he frustratingly ripped off the stormtrooper gloves.
Luke and Chewie laughed at this, getting over their previous frustration with Han for being loud upon their infiltration of the room. R2 punched his claw arm into the computer socket, and the vast Imperial brain network came to life, feeding information to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeped something.
"He says he's found the main computer to power the tractor beam that's holding the ship here. He'll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor," C3P0 translated.
The computer monitor flashed readouts.
"The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave," C3P0 continued.
Ben studied the data on the monitor readout.
"I don't think you boys can help. I must go al-," Ben said before being abruptly cut off by Han.
"You've lost your goddam mind, I'm going with you and there won't be anything you can say or do to deny it," Han remarked with complete seriousness.
"Captain, confidence is an admiral trait, but confidence applied poorly will only end in disaster. I must do this alone." Ben said with a hint of wisdom and authority.
"I'm. going. with. you." Han stated with conviction, 'There is no chance in hell I'm letting this sack of knowledge die, Ben staying alive has too many benefits.'
"I want to go with you," Luke insisted. The kid just can't help himself, that's Luke Skywalker for you.
""No"", Ben and Han said in union. Glancing at each other, Han's conviction and unwavering decision left the old Jedi no choice but to accept.
"Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch over the droids," Ben advised.
"But he can..." Luke started.
"They must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer the same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny lies along a different path than mine. The Force will be with you... always."
Ben adjusted the lightsaber on his belt and silently stepped out of the command office, Han followed suit, but said to Luke "He's not wrong, it'll be with the both of you. Trust me on this one kid, he's in good hands." Chewbacca barked a comment, and Han shook his head in agreement. He then disappeared down a long grey hallway along with Obi-Wan.
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"You know he's here, don't you?" Han questioned Ben, from his memories it was revealed later on that Obi-Wan knew full and well that Darth Vader in him would come into contact.
"He would've slaughtered every one of our friends in that Imperial chamber, you don't know what we're dealing with. Most do not, which is why I planned to come alone." Ben said with a glare, but not of anger, but of sorrow and remorse. He didn't want Han or Luke to get hurt.
"Dealing with a Sith alone is a suicide mission, even if someone like yourself is the challenger. You're old Ben, don't think I don't know what you planned to do." Han said with a slight smirk and narrowed eyes.
Han and Ben climbed the miniature flight of stairs and found the tractor beam and both slid behind the respective sides of the machine to reach the switch. Knowing what Ben would do next, Han takes the opportunity to steal the limelight and extends his hand toward the incoming troopers. Both stop and approach the other direction after thinking they heard something down the hallway.
Ben reluctantly smiles at Han and flips the tractor beam switch downwards, effectively turning it off. Han whispers "What now, that was a piece of cake?" Ben once again smiled but ignored the confident captain. Ben sees an opportunity to slip by whilst the two stormtroopers are chatting incredulously about the status of their orders.
Han being on the side closest to them, does what any Star Wars fan with force abilities would do. He extends his hand and pushes both off the bridge, making them both fall to their deaths. Their screams only reached the atmosphere for a split second, and then it was gone.
Ben giving him a disapproving stare only made Han grin harder, "Come on, it's like they were practically asking for that? These gifts deserve to have comedic relief every once and a while, eh?"
"You're an enigma captain, it's quite refreshing but also disturbing," Ben said in a flat tone. Han Solo reminded him too much of Anakin, it was starting to unsettle the dustly seasoned Jedi.
"You remind me of an old friend, that is neither a good or bad thing." Han knew he was talking about Anakin, so he was flattered but also offended. He wasn't that immature.
Han plays along and feigns ignorance, "Thanks I guess, anyways, we should get back to ship soon. C3P0 and R2 have signaled me letting us know they've got the princess."
Han and Ben had been coming up on the docking bay, Han knew what would come next. But the nerves started to kick in and then he felt it....the cold
