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As before, not all that long ago, Ray leads the way up to his room. The door opens to a room decorated in blue and brown and the occasional bit of silver. The carpet is dark blue, the bedspread a lighter one (it's a bed for two people, clearly); the desk is wooden and brown and stacked with papers. And there are the bookshelves- wire things, silver wire, stacked with reference volumes and the occasional novel and quite a few slim, very neat cases.

"That's the video disc collection over there," Ray says, pointing towards the cases. "The books are mostly reference works, not fiction. Those papers tacked to the wall over there are the blueprints and deck plans for a Firefly class interstellar freighter- I'm very proud of those. That's my crystal-growing rig in the corner, which I mostly use these days for turning silicates and water into synthetic opals for paying my Bar bill..."

Comments

[gone_byebye]

"Nah," Ray says. "The robots in this galaxy are generally pretty well programmed about that kind of thing. I don't think there's any hint anywhere about the droids ever actively rebelling against humans, or aliens, either. There's battle droids in another one of the movies, but they're not in revolt or anything. Keep in mind that the golden one's really out of his environment. He's supposed to be assigned to diplomats and stuff. And the other one's acting under orders."

Meanwhile, Threepio reveals that Artoo ran off. Luke scrambles off to look for him, but gets called back before he can manage it. Come the morning Luke heads off in his speeder, Threepio beside him, to look for R2. From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs the gun before it can be fired. There is an argument; they head for their huge furry Banthas-

There are two Banthas down there but I don't see any...wait a second, they're Sandpeople all right. I can see one of them now.

And even as he's saying that something crosses his view, and the Sandpeople attack.

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Preston flinches at the attack and you can tell he's fighting the battle himself, as if he were Luke Skywalker.

"Shouldn't have gone without support Luke." Preston says quickly, "Or at least you should be familiar with staff fighting..."

All he knew about staff fighting was learned at the monestary at the age of twelve but don't tell him that..

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It really doesn't go well for Luke at all, or for his speeder, either. Even the droids are trying to hide as the kid gets knocked unconscious.

And then-

A great howling moan is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the Sandpeople fleeing in terror. Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and leans over Luke.

Hello there! Come here, my little friend. Don't be afraid.

He puts his hand on Luke's head gently.

Don't worry, he'll be all right. And Luke wakes.

What happened?
Rest easy, son, you've had a busy day. You're fortunate you're still in one piece.
Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to see you!
The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly. Tell me young Luke, what brings you out this far?
Oh, this little droid! I think he's searching for his former master...I've never seen such devotion in a droid before...there seems to be no stopping him. He claims to be the property of an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he's talking about?

Perhaps a little shocked, Ben ponders this, scratching his scruffy beard.

Obi-Wan Kenobi...Obi-Wan? Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time...a long time.
I think my uncle knew him. He said he was dead.
Oh, he's not dead, not...not yet.
You know him!
Well of course, of course I know him. He's me! I haven't gone by the name Obi-Wan since oh, before you were born.
Then the droid does belong to you.
Don't seem to remember ever owning a droid. Very interesting...

They head for Ben's hut with the droids, since the Sandpeople are only going to get more numerous.

No, my father didn't fight in the wars. He was a navigator on a
spice freighter.
That's what your uncle told you. He didn't hold with your father's ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten involved.
You fought in the Clone Wars?
Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father.

Ray smiles. He can't help it.

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Preston studies the old man, "He's a Jedi?" Preston's voice is understandably skeptical, "There's no...age limit?"

he thinks for a moment, "When a Cleric reaches a certain age he is promoted to vice cleric or allowed to retire to a specific area-they...don't do that?"

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"He's in better physical condition than he looks," Ray says, pausing the DVD. "And in this galaxy there are multiple different sapient species. One of the most potent Jedi Masters ever is a fellow named Yoda, who lived to about nine hundred years old. But no- Jedi who retire normally do so after they've become Masters, and they go back to teaching the young ones instead of being out in the field. Thing is, there are almost no Jedi left by this point in time. Obi-wan here is very nearly the last one."

He restarts the movie.

I wish I'd known him.
He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I understand you've become quite a good pilot yourself. And he was a good friend. Which reminds me...

And now Ray's grinning, a bug damn fool smile as Ben digs out a short handle- silvery- with a number of gadgets and sections attached to it.

I have something here for you. Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic crusade like your father did.
What is it?
Your father's lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not
as clumsy or as random as a blaster.

Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam of blue-white light shoots out about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across the ceiling.

An elegant weapon for a more civilized time. For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire...

Luke hasn't really been listening.

How did my father die?

Bitterness crosses Obi-Wan's face.

A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.

The Force?

Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together....

"And before you ask, no, I have no access to it. I went through with the training anyway because of what they stand for."

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Preston considers this for a moment, "That's a system similar to how the Monestary works." His mind is making the connections between this particular warrior order and his own, "When a Cleric reaches a certain skill level he takes on a second-class cleric to train and vice versa..."

The part about a young jedi hunting down good and noble anakin skywalker makes Preston grimace, shaking his head, "Brandt in the Future huh?"
But of Course Ray can't know who Brandt is, so Preston shrugs.


The dark side is completely lost on him, he's heard to mutter, "metaphorical drivel, similar to father's propaganda" before leaning forward to watch-

Ray's remark throws Preston for a loop and he studies his friend, "The force is...what gives them the ability to choke others? Surely it could be mastered-or-Well-"

Fumble preston. fumble.

"What...is it?"

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Ray opens his mouth to answer, remembers that he's not supposed to know who Brandt is, and closes his mouth again. He doesn't try to speak again until Preston's confusion appears, and then he taps the pause button once more.

"Darth Vader is capable of choking his opponents to death, one on one, using nothing but the Force- from meters away. He doesn't have to be in physical contact with them to do it. The ability to sense and call upon the Force is an inborn, genetic potential so far as I can tell, and I've been studying it like mad ever since I got here and found real Force users whose abilities I could analyze. The reason I get shot so often when I'm using the training remote is because I'm not guarding myself the way a Jedi would. Their link to the Force gives them momentary premonitions; they sense danger coming and they're not there when it arrives, or they meet it with the appropriate means of deflection. A fully trained Jedi surrounded by twenty men armed with blasters or other firearms, and carrying only her lightsabre, wouldn't need gunkata to get out of there alive, because the Force would be enough to keep her aware of where the next shots were coming from. If her 'sabre was knocked from her grip she could reclaim it at a distance, because the Force makes it possible to move objects through will and thought alone. I've seen it done and I've got the numbers from my PKE meter to prove it. She could distract unwary opponents by influencing their minds to think they'd heard something or seen something that wasn't actually there. She could leap across gaps completely impossible for someone of her size and strength, probably even if she was physically blinded."

"When the combat was over, she could still sense the presence or proximity of other Jedi. She could sense emotions at a distance, and possibly encourage them in others, specific ones, if need be. She could be one of the best pilots who ever lived, because if she trusted in the Force enough, she'd be able to retract to obstacles and problems before she was even aware of their presence- before they even existed. She'd know."

"And if people- her species or any other species- were to die en masse, she would feel it- because life, living organisms, living people are part of the Force, and that many deaths would cause such a disturbance that she would know about it even if she were thousands of kilometers away. If not more."

"Essentially, it can't be mastered unless you have the ability to sense it and interact with it first. A Jedi Master like Qui-Gon Jinn, here, would be able to tell if that ability existed in a person- and it doesn't in me." He shrugs a little. "I'm no more capable of using it than you are of digesting chromium steel. That's just how it works."

Not that he isn't a little disappointed, but eh, reality is reality, y'know?

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Preston takes this explination in stride, "It would be possible to re-create some of these affects with special effects however. "Preston says, pointing to the image frozen on the screen, "I am definately more interested in this Jedi Order."

He's curious about the similarities to his own and the like.

"So people are chosen based on their genetic predisposition to this force ability to join this order?"

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The special effects thing gets a nod; he is, after all, quite correct in saying so. On the other hand, given the number of Jedi present in the bar, a demonstration may come up sooner or later.

"To a certain degree, yeah," Ray says. "In the days of the Old Republic- before the Empire- they were often chosen when they were barely older than infants. The Jedi wanted to be able to teach the children while they were still curious, before the feeling of fear had time to really root itself in their psyches. Luke is actually pretty old for taking up the learning, here. But the little kids' parents had a choice as to whether or not their children would join, and Luke has a choice here..."

He pushes the play button again. Kenobi turns to R2D2.

Now, let's see if we can't figure out what you are, my little friend. And where you come from.
I saw part of the message he was-

Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face. Kenobi's eyebrows go up. Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers before his eyes.

I seem to have found it.

And Leia speaks.

General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

There is a little static and the transmission is cut short. Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.

You must learn the ways of the Force if you're to come with me to Alderaan. Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan. I've got to go home. It's late, I'm in for it as it is.
I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I'm getting too old for this sort of thing.
I can't get involved! I've got work to do! It's not that I like the Empire. I hate it! But there's nothing I can do about it right now. It's such a long way from here.
That's your uncle talking.
Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever going to explain this?
Learn about the Force, Luke.
Look, I can take you as far as Anchorhead. You can get a transport there to Mos Eisley or wherever you're going.
You must do what you feel is right, of course.

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Preston absorbs this silently, "...the old man knows something about the girl and the boy and..."

No, it's not the force, it's just being preceptive as hell.

"...I don't follow it, but otherwise why would he have wanted the young man to go with him? you can tell in the way he's looking Skywalker in the eye, he's..."

Preston frowns, Ray's Presence completely forgotten.

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Ray just smiles a little. The scene changes- they're back in space now, and a Star Destroyer approaches the Death Star's massive bulk. The camera shifts to the interior, a scene of eight men in uniform around a table.

Until this battle station is fully operational we are vulnerable. The Rebel Alliance is too well equipped. They're more dangerous than you realize.
Dangerous to your starfleet, Commander, not to this battle station!
The Rebellion will continue to gain a support in the Imperial Senate as long as-

The thin, pale Grand Moff Tarkin enters, followed by Vader.

The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us. I've just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.
That's impossible! How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?
The regional governors now have direct control over territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station.
And what of the Rebellion? If the Rebels have obtained a complete technical readout of this station, it is possible, however unlikely, that they might find a weakness and exploit it.
The plans you refer to will soon be back in our hands.
Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a useless gesture, no matter what technical data they've obtained. This station is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use it!

Vader's voice rumbles as he turns his full ire on the commander who speaks.

Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.
Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the Rebel's hidden fort-

The man's words are cut off mid-sentence, and his eyes start to bulge. Making gagging, choking noises he reaches helplessly for his throat. Vader is holding out one hand in his direction, making an implacable choking gesture from well over two meters away.

I find your lack of faith... disturbing.

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Call it Faith. You have it I assume?

Preston barks out a brutal and harsh laugh at the news that this mysterious emperor has dissolved the governing body. It's a laugh of someone who's heard the same story many times before, Although not for the same reasons.

"...They didn't go into hiding at least." as it was said the United States government did, "They didn't just abandon their people, least the emperor was taking-"

He is interrupted by Vader's speech.
How is it Cleric that you have not located them yet?
I shall double my efforts sir.

As Vader waxes on faith, the man in thrall before him, Preston shakes his head.

Call it Faith. You have it I assume?

"Yes." Preston says, his voice barely above a whisper, "I have it."

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Ray would raise an eyebrow if he could, but he can't, so he just nods and goes on watching. There's some more Imperial discussion, and they're back on Tattooine. The crawler that had held the droids has been reduced to a wreck. Luke speculates about the Sandpeople. Ben disabuses him, pinning the blame firmly on Stormtroopers. And Luke realizes that the troopers were after the droids, not the Jawas-

If they traced the robots here, they may have learned who they sold them to. And that would lead them home!
Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.

The warning comes too late. Luke's already in his speeder, and before you know it he's at the smouldering, smoking remains of the farm. Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and uncle. Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new resolve comes over him.

The camera cuts to space again. Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.

And, now Your Highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden Rebel base.

The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.

Back on Tattooine, Ben and the droids are burning the Jawa corpses as Luke returns...

There's nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there. You'd have been killed, too, and the droids would be in the hands of the Empire.
I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing here for me now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father.

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Smoldering bodies left out in the waste like that...humans beings treated in such a way...

A cold fist of fury has implanted itself in his stomache.

"How can you possibly find that entertaining?" Preston says. There's indignation and a bit of horror mixed in there, "How could they-they show such a thing? What sort of cruel and thoughtless writer would...cause such unspeakable...

At the torture Robot Preston stands up suddenly, looking away for a firm moment before returning his gaze to the small screen.

"No one survives Clinical Interrogation." Preston says bluntly, "That will be the last we see of her."
how many times have I stood over someone like that? Where are your compatriots? What materials have you collected, How many arms have you gathered, why did you turn against father, why, why...


He's no longer watching the Screen.

[gone_byebye]

Ray pauses the DVD.

"It's not supposed to be entertaining, this part," Ray says. "It's supposed to show that they're not kidding. That the Empire genuinely is evil. The Empire wants to maintain power and sustain its own existence even at the cost of uninvolved, unknowing human life. This kind of atrocity is the kind of act it takes to get someone who previously had no grudge against them to decide for himself that he won't let their evil stand. It takes a lot to make someone leave the only life they've ever known and pit themselves against something as massive and oppressive as the Empire. They have to have a reason." Ray nods at the screen. "That's the reason."

He shakes his head slightly. "She's stronger than she looks," he says, "and Vader doesn't go through with the whole spectrum of interrogation. He has another technique in mind to get the information out of her. I assure you, she lives."

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Ray's words fill Preston with a...strange new feeling that replaces the cold fist of Rage and hatred in his chest.

Hope?

I could do it by god...
The evil's comitted in the state's name. Mary's face swam up before him, pure and innocent, alive yes but dead. Dead to his world, never to see their collective universe again and...

Surprised, Jurgen's visage swims before his eyes.
that's why you're a godsend to us Preston. You're the only person who can get through Father's Security. Without you we've lost everything.

He looks to Ray, it's a look of confusion mixed with fear, and maybe a little nervousness.

without you-we're doomed.

"Is it...hard for them?" He gestures at the figures on the screen, "Will it be hard for them?"

Yes. Preston can't make it through Star wars.

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Ray looks at the screen. "It's hard," Ray admits. "And they learn things along the way that they never even imagined. But-"

He remembers something he thought, the last time Romana was away this long. The phrase turns over a couple of times in his head before he actually says it.

"Nothing worth having is ever done easily."