Ground fighting had never really been Wedge Antilles' thing. He preferred a space-driven firefight with his joystick in his hand and his squad mates in his ear as an astromech beeped out binary commands through the computer and directed his flight pattern and weapon control. Unfortunately, that was not his mission at the moment. This mission would be far more important than any old space battle in his X-wing.

This was it. The opportunity the Alliance had been waiting for for over two decades. It could either deal a significant enough blow to the Empire to cripple the government and allow Chancellor Mothma to overtake power, or it could be the battle that dealt a blow hard enough to destroy the Rebellion completely. Either way, none of this would've been possible if not for the faint and distant distress call they had received. The ominous message had been replayed at the mission briefing on a loop, so similar to the message the princess had sent to Ben Kenobi back during the days of the Death Star when she had been captured by the Empire. Luke had told him how he had gotten the cryptic message from his astromech back on Tatooine and had immediately wanted to help the the princess despite not knowing who she was or why she was in trouble. But Leia's newest cry for help seemed to be worse as all of High Command had paled listening to the breathless voice shouting through the staticky comm of the Falcon. The failure of Luke, Leia, and Han to show up at the rendezvous had caused a bit of alarm, but the message was the last thing they expected to receive. But again, Leia's determination and stubborn will had gave the Rebellion hope once again, a chance to catch the Empire off guard.

Well, that was only if the stupid stormtrooper helmet sitting on his head would stay in place. He yanked the armored covering further down his face, grumbling out a few Corellian swears as the ocular lenses of the helmet provided him no visibility whatsoever. Not to mention the fact that his Alliance uniform underneath barely fit underneath the heavy armor and was squeezing against his limbs, slowing his movements. He took a deep breath and ignored his complaining mind, sweeping the corner with his blaster and continuing forward.

Walking around an Imperial detention complex, especially the one on Imperial Center, made him decidedly nervous, but he knew High Command had chosen him for a reason. As he approached the cells, he took a deep breath, looking out for heavily armed guards. Vader wasn't stupid to have someone like Luke locked up with mere amateur stormtroopers. A Jedi was difficult to capture, especially Luke, but even his luck had to run out at times.

Wedge was beginning to get desperate as he combed hallway after hallway and found nothing, the entire area like a never-ending labyrinth. He began to fumble for his comm to contact Admiral Ackbar before he heard the shout, "T-3802, what the hell is happening?" A devilish grin of hope spread on Wedge's lips underneath the helmet and he pressed up against the wall with his blaster gripped firm. He peeked around the corner to see two arguing troopers standing before a cell. Wedge couldn't see into the cell, but he knew it had to be exactly who he was looking for. Making sure his safety was off, Wedge spun on his heel and marched forward in standard Imperial fashion. Memories of his time as a TIE pilot sent all regulations and procedures flowing back into his brain and he played the part flawlessly.

"What are you doing down here, trooper?" One of them questioned to him when they noticed him approaching.

"We need more troopers out there, sir, we're getting massacred, a complete surprise attack," Wedge explained in a monotone.

The second trooper reached for his blaster instinctively, his eyes no doubt narrowing behind his helmet. "We're under strict orders from Lord Vader himself to have these prisoners under the highest of guard."

Wedge didn't even flinch, "I'm aware, sir, but Lord Vader did not expect an attack of this scale I'm sure. We need as many fighters as we can get...unless you want to refuse a direct order from Admiral Piett," The confidence in his tone almost convinced himself and he tried not to react to the negative memories of his time in the Imperial Academy.

The troopers were silent, staring Wedge down before one of them sighed, the sound distorted through his mask. "I'll go, but you stay here with him and help keep watch over these prisoners. They're high-priority and smarter than you think. Lord Vader will have your head personally if they get away so," the trooper stepped up into Wedge's face, his blaster held up in a gesture towards the cell, "don't. screw. up."

Wedge's hand shot up in a salute and he straightened his posture before calling, "Yes, sir!" The trooper seemed satisfied and nodded at his partner before darting back from where Wedge had come from to assist in the outside battle. Wedge almost sagged in relief before the other trooper snapped at him, sounding annoyed.

"Stand here and remain silent, don't let the prisoners aggravate you."

"Understood," Wedge commented before moving to the side of the cell. After a minute of silence, he risked a glance inside the cell, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the scene. Luke, with healing bruises on his body and donned in Imperial-issued clothing, sat curled in the arms of an older brunette woman. She shushed him as he whispered incoherently with panic-stricken blue eyes. The princess sat in the corner with Han, Chewie, and a man Wedge didn't recognize. However, if he was locked up with them, he must've been sympathetic to the Alliance or tried to help the group escape. Leia noticed his staring and looked up, her brown eyes folding into slits as she focused a deadly glare his direction. Wedge swallowed, knowing Leia didn't know who he was, so he took the opportunity provided.

"Hey, shut him up," He barked, gesturing towards Luke. The other trooper looked surprised to hear him talk and then shook his head in annoyance. He must've deemed arguing unnecessary and decided to side with the man he thought was on his side.

"You heard him, shut him up or we will,"

"Luke, sweetheart, it'll be alright, you need to focus on me," the older woman whispered hurriedly but with gentleness in her melodic tone. Leia shot to her feet and moved towards Luke, brushing back his puffy blonde hair and closing her eyes. Luke relished in the warmth of his sister and mother's Force presences, almost calmed before a sudden snapping echoed through the Force and jerked the trio back. Luke's blue eyes went wide, his jaw unhinged and his hands beginning to tremble.

"He did it," The older woman whispered, her voice shaky.

"Hey, what'd I say about talking?" the trooper shouted angrily, banging his fist violently against the door. Wedge knew that whatever Luke was going through was the perfect distraction. Therefore, before the other man could react, Wedge lifted his blaster and shot a bright azure ring of light straight into the trooper's helmet, the stun bolt stiffening the man's body before his knees buckled and he collapsed backwards, unconscious. The group in the cell looked up at him in shock and confusion and Wedge almost laughed before reaching to remove his ridiculous helmet. He shook out his raven locks and smirked, winking at Luke, who let a laugh escape through his tears.

"Wedge!"

"Come on, we don't have much time," Wedge insisted, moving towards the auto-lock on the door and watching the bars slide up to free his friends. Luke rushed forward and wrapped his arms around the Corellian's neck, laughing and thanking him frantically. Wedge chuckled and patted the shorter boy's back warmly.

"I'm assuming you got our message?" Leia asked with a knowing smile, moving in for a hug from the pilot as well.

"Yeah. It really freaked us out, but you know High Command. When it comes to you three, we need you guys. We weren't going to leave you behind. Besides, this was the perfect opportunity to take the Imperials off guard."

Leia breathed out a sigh, "Well that's good to hear. I was worried my message never went through, but this assault plan? Genius."

"You can thank Mothma for that. All her planning."

"Hey, as great as it is to see you Antilles, you got an escape plan?" Han asked, raising an eyebrow at the other man and getting a roar of agreement from Chewie.

Wedge rolled his eyes, "I'm thoroughly offended Solo. Come on, follow me, the Falcon's waiting for ya."

They began to move right as the unconscious trooper began to stir. "Kriff. Alright, let's move!" Wedge let the group run before him, sparing another glance at the stirring trooper before leading in the rear of the group.

"Hey!" the trooper shouted, reaching for his discarded blaster and firing at the group fading away in the distance. Several deadly bolts fired around the group and they ducked, turning a corner and approaching a hall with two pathways. Wedge turned back for just a second and fired yet another stun bolt, this time with more power, into the fallen trooper. The soldier crumpled bonelessly and his blaster fell from his grip. Hopefully they wouldn't be followed long enough for them to escape.

Panting, Wedge moved back towards his friends and pulled off the last of his armor, "The Falcon's down that hall. Make another right, a left down a long hall, and then you'll be at the docking bay. As soon as you get there, you leave. Don't worry about the battle and get to the rendezvous, got it? That's orders from Mothma herself,"

"We're not helping fight?" Leia demanded, looking baffled.

Wedge sighed, "I'm afraid not. You guys have been through quite a lot these past few days. We need you prepared for any fight that might follow this one. Vader and the Emperor won't be forgiving if they find you've escaped. The best way to deal with that is to have you all far away from here."

"He killed my Master, I think we can stay away from Vader without problem," Luke whispered bitterly, catching a concerned glance from the older woman.

"I hate to say it, but I think Antilles is right," Han admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. Lando nodded and clapped him on the shoulder in reassurance.

Leia slumped, "Fine, but I don't have to like it."

"Leia, remember what I said. We need to be ready to face Vader again," the woman whispered, Leia nodding slowly.

"May the Force be with you, Wedge. Be safe," Luke said, smiling up at his fellow pilot. Wedge nodded, stepping back towards his pathway.

"You too, all of you. I'll see you back at base and we can properly discuss what exactly happened since you've been gone." He turned to move before shouting in sudden remembrance, turning back. "There's a weapons room near the docking station, try to arm yourself in case any troopers find you,"

"Will do," Luke said, wishing he had his saber but knowing a blaster would have to suffice for the time being.

Wedge smiled one last time before darting away, his form disappearing down the hall as he went to brave the firefight, ever the soldier. "Well, what're we waiting for?" Lando called, already starting to move. The others began following, the hall longer than they expected but thankfully no opposition as of yet. They were barely halfway there before Padmé's steps hesitated slightly.

"We need to move faster. Vader's back and he knows," she said darkly, her voice conflicted.

"Knows?" Han asked.

"That we've escaped," Leia said simply, a scowl blossoming over her features.

"He can't possibly catch up to us, we've come too far," Lando cried in disbelief.

"Don't underestimate him. You've seen what he can do. When it comes to his family...he's relentless and possessive, animalistic even," Luke choked out, still trying to focus on his situation. He was pumped with adrenaline yet he still felt weak, pieces of him missing inside. Leia looked at him from the side of her eye, his feelings and thoughts echoing into hers.

Chewie roared deeply, Han looking up at him with a frown, "Yeah buddy, don't remind me."

"It shouldn't be much farther. We'll make it," Leia ushered, the optimism in her tone as fake as could be.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Padmé whispered despite herself. Anakin's face flashed in her mind and she shuddered, holding back tears.

'Come back to me, love.'

As always, there was no response but the cold, hollow knife that was a long snapped Force bond.

***

A/N

ok, it's really building up i promise. i'm going on vacation next week and i have my driver's test this week but i should get back to writing soon. i'm angry that this is short but this is what i have for you guys at the moment. not my best work but it's more of a filler chapter tbh. the next chapter is the real deal i promise. love you guys and your patience!

*space kisses*

May the Force be with You,

- lucky_ducky_123