The Adventures of the Crimson Hawk, Part 23

The Takodana Inn was bustling. It was less than five days before the Diamond Gala Ball. The Inn was bursting with guests, many of them members of the Rebel Society or the League of the Crimson Hawk. Two airships were parked in a wide clearing a few meters away in the woods, camouflaged by leaves, sticks, and debris. The Ghost was on the water, a different name plate hiding it's original identity.

Henry Solo was right in the middle of it, looking over maps of the Endor area with Duchess Leia Organa and Charles Bacca in the main parlor room. He was so glad Dr. Kalonia finally gave him a clean bill of health the day before. Even his eyesight was back to full power. Cedric hung over their shoulder, occasionally offering tidbits of information on the languages and culture of the area or the people coming in.

“That's Admiral James Ackbar, the oldest Naboo naval officer still plying the waters.” He pointed out a weather-beaten old man in the orange and white Naboo uniform, the brass and gold buttons shined and perfectly polished. “That pockmarked orange skin does make him look rather like an old squid, but no one knows more about the Calamari River than him and his men.”

“He and Hera could keep an eye on the Harbor while the rest of us are at the Ball.” Leia tapped the blue line on the map. “I imagine there will be patrol boats around, making sure no one tries to disrupt the festivities from that angle.”

Two gloved fingers tapped Henry on his shoulder. “Am I interrupting anything?”

“No...” Henry looked up, grinning at Langdon's purloined officer's uniform. “Well, hello there! Look at you. Wearing the general's uniform and all. What, is this your costume for the ball?”

Langdon chuckled. “Someone must have told them about my little maneuver when we raided the Island of Tanaab years ago. They want me to wear it while we take down the Death Star II.”

“Well, don't look at me, pal.” Henry nodded at the Admiral and several other old Naboo officers. “I just told them you were a fair pilot. I didn't know they were actually looking for someone to lead this raid.”

His friend smirked. “I'm surprised they didn't ask you.”

“Maybe they did,” Henry admitted as Mon Mothma came into the room, “but I ain't crazy. You're the mayor, remember? I just run a business.”

Henry helped Cedric and Leia gather the maps. Mon Mothma turned to the large ensemble. Ahsoka stood with with Cassian, who took notes, and Jyn, who was spreading her photographs out over the table Henry and the others had vacated. Henry leaned back in the couch and fought the urge to put his arm around Leia and snuggle with her while her aunt was reclining on a flowery chair just inches away.

“Prime Minister Palpatine has made a critical error,” the Senator stated. “The time for our attack has come. The Diamond Gala Ball and unveiling of the Death Star II Airship is less than a week away. With Vader sending his men to the far corners of Naboo in an effort to trace us, Nabarrie Palace should be relatively unprotected. The Prime Minister himself will be there, to be crowned king and launch the Death Star II's maiden voyage. Thanks to Palpatine's rushing, many systems on the Death Star II are not yet fully functional, including the weapons.” She nodded at the rough, elderly man with the shiny bald head and large, fish-like brown eyes behind her. “Admiral Ackbar.”

“The Khyber crystals used in most airships come from the country of Endor, on the northern wooded side of the Aldra Mountains. There have been rumors there of the citizens, many of whom have been forced to work in the mines, fighting back. We will be sending a group to Endor to contact these people and find out if they'd be willing to aid us at the Ball.” He waved his hand at a younger man with a thick gingery beard and snappy dark eyes who sported a similar Naboo naval uniform. “General Madine.”

“Thanks to the efforts of Sir Skywalker, Duchess Organa, General Langdon, and their group, we have stolen a luxury yacht, originally named the Paradise. Arriving in Lothal Harbor under the name the Aurora Belle, a group will pose as a rich family and enter the ball, bringing our men as their bodyguards and servants. Half of this group will distract the troops at the ball. The other half, who are towing the Death Star II to the palace, will board it as crew members and deactivate the shield before it takes off.”

Cedric gulped. “Sounds dangerous.”

Leia nudged Henry. “Wonder who they found to pull off all that?”

“General Solo,” Madine started, “is your strike team assembled?”

“The main team is ready,” Henry began. “I don't have a crew yet for the Aurora Belle.”

Charles was the first to raise his hand. “You'd better believe I'm going, mate.”

Henry patted his friend's shoulder. “That's one.”

“General,” said Leia with a smile, “count me in.”

“We're with you, too.” Everyone looked up as Luke, Wedge, and Rusty made their way through the crowds. Rusty went right to Cedric. Wedge went to his friends after giving Luke a kiss on his cheek.

Leia put her arms around Luke, giving him a big hug. Luke looked...tired. Older, somehow. Wiser. 'What's wrong?”

His grin was weary, but happy. “Ask me again sometime.” He laughed as Charles threw his arms around him. “Hi, Charles. I'm glad to see you, too.”

“You came back right on time, Junior.” Henry rubbed Luke's shoulder. “We're going to Endor to figure out who's mining those Khyber crystals for Vader.” He gave his guardian his famous lazy grin. “Then, Golden Eagle, you're going to have to break out the good uniform. The League of the Crimson Hawk is going to crash the biggest party of the year.”

The younger man laughed. “I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

Rusty gave Cedric such a big hug, his friend could barely breathe. “Ain't this excitin', Goldie? The whole team's back together! We're gonna give the Coruscant Empire a run for it's money now!”

“Exciting,” gasped Cedric, “is hardly the word I'd choose!”

~*~*~*~*~*~

“I want you to take her.” Henry and Langdon were standing out by the Falcon and Rogue airships. “You'll need all the help you can get. She's the fastest airship there is.”

“All right, all right.” Langdon laughed. “I know what she means to you. I'll take good care of her. She won't get a scratch. Honest.”

Leia and Luke came over to give him a hug. “Thanks again for helping me rescue Henry.” Luke patted his shoulder. “We couldn't have done it without you.”

“Anytime, Luke.” Langdon looked over the slightly simpler black suit he now wore. “Next time we see each other, we'll talk clothes. I need to introduce you to my tailor in Bespin.”

Luke chuckled. “I'd like that.”

“It's too bad you can't go to the ball.” Leia gave him a smaller hug. “You'd be the best-dressed man there.”

“I'll be there. I'll just be above it. Maybe I'll even drop in after we take the Death Star down.” He followed his friend Niem, a small, hang-jawed fellow from Sullustia, to the Falcon.

Henry saluted him, trying to ignore the worry in his gut. “Good luck.”

The former mayor just laughed. “Would all of you get going?”

Leia put an arm around Henry as they climbed into the slightly rickety carriage that would take their group to Endor. “Hey, are you awake?”

His eyes never left his beloved Falcon, parked across the way from the metal battle carriage. “I just got this funny feeling, like I'm not going to see her again.”

Maz and Leia followed on either side of him. “We know how much the ship means to you, Solo.” The elderly woman shook her head. “It'll be fine, and so will you. You are all destined for great things. I can see it in your eyes. You thought you wanted to do things your way. Perhaps you just needed to find others who can do things the same way, too.”

Leia gazed down at the older woman. “Aren't you coming with us?”

“I'm afraid not. I have an Inn to run.” She lead them to the heavy metal coach. “I did give the Senator the carts my boys stole when the were in town the last time. She'll have an escort all the way to Alderaan.”

The Duchess turned to Maz as Charles helped her in the carriage. “How can we thank you, for the carriages and for the use of the Inn?”

“Get rid of Palpatine and Vader, and then, we'll talk.” Cedric was the last one in. Henry and Charles scrambled on the driver's seat. She climbed into the driver's seat and gave Charles a kiss before he could stop her. “You be careful. I want you to come back with all your fur intact.”

Henry smirked. Charles was turning bright red, even under that thick beard. “I will, Maz. You take care.”

His employer took the reigns, still smirking. “You got something going on with ol' Maz?”

“What can I say? She likes me.” Charles nudged him. “Let's just go, before the Coruscant army gets wind of all this.”

Charles could still see Maz waving out the corner of his eye, even as they bumped and rattled down the dirt road to Naboo. He continued to blush well after they'd left the Takodana Inn far behind.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Vader was among the men at the military barracks on the border between Naboo and Endor when the armored carriage came rattling along. Admiral Piett, his top assistant, was with him. Vader felt the two Force presences in the vehicle right away. One was his son. The other...was familiar. It felt like his, yet it was different from the boy's power. More willful, angrier...and just as strong.

The group in the carriage was literally sweating it out. “They're not going for it, Charles,” Henry muttered for the sixth time since arriving in Coruscant territory.

“Now we find out if that code is worth the price the Society paid,” Leia added softly.

Henry sounded more assured than he felt. “It'll work. Trust me.”

Piett leaned out of the heavy wooden door. “State your business.”

Henry stuck his head out. He wore one of the helmets and goggles that belonged to the Coruscant soldiers. “We're bringing parts and explosives for the miners in Endor.” He repeated the code that Mon Mothma had told them before they left.

Vader hissed as he hovered over Piett's shoulder. “Do they have a code clearance?”

“It's an older code, sir, but it checks out.” Piett shrugged. “I was about to clear them.”

Inside the carriage, Luke had gone pale. “I'm endangering the mission,” he moaned. “I shouldn't have come.”

“Don't get jittery, Junior. As long as Vader doesn't want to look inside, we'll be fine.” Henry leaned over and stroked one of the nervous horses. “Keep your distance, Charles, but don't look like you're keeping your distance.”

Even Charles was a bit on edge. “How do you want me to handle this? The horses are about ready to bolt. They aren't fond of Vader and the noise he makes.”

“I don't know,” Henry grumbled. “Ride casual!”

After what seemed like hours, but was really not more than a few minutes, Piett leaned out again. Vader was nowhere to be seen. “You may proceed, Captain.”

“Thank you, sir.” Henry saluted him, then moved on. He threw off the headgear and turned to the others behind him. “See kids? I told you we'd do it!”

Charles snickered. “Sure you did, mate.” Leia shook her head, her eyes still focused on Luke and his palatable unease, as the carriage made its way up the winding, rock-strew cliffs.