Who Are You?

Aboard the Stolen Shuttle

Padmé sat uncomfortably in the stolen ship, she felt awkward and severely out of place. Luke didn't seem to notice how coldly his friends were treating her, he was too busy working on the back control panel. Han was piloting, but Padmé still noticed the occasional glares he sent her way. Chewbacca and Leia weren't much better,

I get that they don't trust me, Padmé thought to herself, all they have to go on is Luke's word...but would it hurt them not to treat me like a criminal!

Suddenly, Han called out to Luke.

"You got her warmed?"

"Yeah," he answered, "she's comin' up."

Chewbacca growled, startling the already anxious Padmé.

"No," Han said in a rather annoyed tone, "I don't think the Empire had Wookiees in mind when they designed her Chewie."

Padmé watched a bit as Chewbacca messed around with a few switches, only to notice Leia moving past her.  Quietly, she observed her daughter as Leia nudged the distracted Han.

"Hey," she softly asked, "are you awake?"

"Yeah," he answered calmly, "I just got a funny feeling.  Like I'm never gonna see her again."

Padmé unwittingly stared at the couple, and even detected a subtle change in their moods.

"Come on, General, let's move." 

Seemingly reinvigorated by the conversation, Han shouted back at the awaiting Chewbacca,

"Chewie, let's see what this piece of junk can do.  Ready everybody?"

Luke excitedly yelled,

"All set!"

Threepio dropped his head slightly and whined,

"Here we go again."

"Alright," Han announced, "hang on!"

Padmé held on slightly as the ship suddenly sped up,

I trust Han as a pilot, yet...I'm terrified!  I wish Anakin was flying-

Padmé nearly jumped out of seat when she felt a hand on her shoulder,

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?"  Luke whispered.

Padmé slowly nodded her head, Luke looked down, in almost shame,

"Yeah, I find my own thoughts drifting to him as well."

Luke...please don't be upset

It's alright I'm fine, Mother.

Padmé reeled back slightly, as did Luke.  Awkwardly, he stuttered out an apology under his breath.  Padmé would have said something, she wanted to more than anything, but her mouth was frozen shut. 

Luke...he just called me Mother...what does this mean?!  Is he seeing me as his mother, or was that just a slip up?  Maybe he was just caught up in the moment, wait, why was he reading my mind?  I don't really recall that being a Jedi power-

Suddenly, the ship was surrounded by TIE Fighters, Star Destroyers, and other imperial starships.  Padmé watched they drew closer to a Super Star Destroyer, along with an enormous...moon?

"What, what is that?"  She questioned while staring in awe.

"That's the new Death Star, of course the old one was nearly this large."  Luke solemnly explained while staring at it as well.

"Unfortunately, if they don't go for these codes, we're gonna have to get out of here quick Chewie." 

Chewbacca growled back at Han in agreement, immediately after, a voice shouted over the communicator.

"We have you on our screen now.  Please identify."

"Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of the deflector shield."

"Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code for shield passage."  The voice demanded.

"Transmission commencing." 

"Now we find out if that code is worth the price we paid,"  Leia said, not sounding too optimistic.

Han looked back, "It'll work.  It'll work."

Padmé noticed how Luke stared blankly at the Super Star Destroyer, his eyes seemed to glow in the shadow of the looming ship.

"Vader's on that ship."

Padmé nearly fell off of her seat,

V-Vader?!  He can't be!  I don't even know what-

"Now don't get jittery, Luke.  There are a lot of command ships.  Keep your distance though, Chewie, but don't look like you're trying to keep your distance."

Chewbacca barked loudly in question,

"I don't know.  Fly casual!"

Padmé looked back at her son, who kept the blank expression,

"I'm endangering the mission, I shouldn't have come."  He turned to his worried mother and whispered, "Be prepared."

"It's just your imagination, kid.  Come on.  Let's keep a little optimism here!"

Chewbacca didn't seem to share his friend's attitude, barking worriedly.