Rating:
PG-13
House:
The Dark Arts
Ships:
Ginny Weasley/Harry Potter
Characters:
Harry and Hermione and Ron
Genres:
Crossover Alternate Universe
Era:
The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Half-Blood Prince
Stats:
Published: 05/24/2006
Updated: 06/04/2007
Words: 91,458
Chapters: 67
Hits: 75,013

Harry Potter and the Dark Lord of the Sith

LunaIsCool

Story Summary:
On Christmas morning in their seventh year, a flying accident causes the Trio to vanish. They reappear in a galaxy far, far away... where a war against the Galactic Empire rages.

Chapter 17

Posted:
11/04/2006
Hits:
1,183


Chapter 17.

Han rose. "I'm going to shut down everything but the emergency power systems."

"I'm almost afraid to ask," Threepio said, worried, "but does that include shutting me down?"

"No," Han flipped, "I need you to talk to the Falcon, find out what's wrong with the hyperdrive."

Rumbling was heard inside the asteroid. The ship quaked; Ron grabbed hold of the navigator's chair to stop himself from falling.

"Sir," Threepio turned to Han. "It's quite possible that this asteroid is not entirely stable."

"Not entirely stable?" Han repeated. "I'm glad you're here to tell us these things. Chewie, take the professor in the back and plug him into the hyperdrive."

"Oh," the droid whined, "Sometimes I just don't understand human behavior. After all, I am only trying to do my job..."

Ron followed Chewbacca. "Need help?" he asked.

The Wookiee made a pleasant-sounding growl. Threepio began to translate, but Ron waved him away. Over the past three years, he learned to understand Shyriiwook, as the alien's language was called. He couldn't speak it, but that didn't impede their communication.

Chewbacca removed a panel from the ceiling and picked up the toolbox. Then he climbed into the opening, and pulled Ron up. He growled at Ron.

"That's easy to fix." Ron smiled. "Lumos!"

Chewie made a bark of gratitude and began untangling cables.

"Oh, where's Artoo when I need him?" they heard Threepio's voice from below. "Sir, I don't know where your ship learned to communicate, but it has the most peculiar dialect. I believe, sir, it says that the power coupling on the negative axis has been polarized. I'm afraid you'll have to replace it."

"Well, of course I'll have to replace it!" Han retorted. "Chewie," he whispered, "I think we'd better replace the negative power coupling."

Chewbacca nodded and prepared to climb back down.

"Wait," Ron told him. "Where is it?"

The Wookiee pointed to a coil of cables lying in the back.

"Accio!" Ron said, and the coil leaped at him. He caught it. "Here," he handed it over. "This, right?" he pointed to an almost identical part above him. Seeing Chewie nod, he began removing it.

"Would you please stop calling me that!" Leia shouted.

"Sure, Leia," Han replied, and then the voices got too quiet for them to hear. Chewbacca made a quiet howl.

"I'd be more worried for all of us," Ron said. "It may be a good thing if they have something going between them. Maybe Han will stop trying to run to the other side of the galaxy." The Wookiee nodded and got back to repairs. With his next bark, he changed the subject.

"I'm sure they're a lot better off than we are," Ron replied. "They're probably wondering where we are... and worrying."

Chewie closed his eyes. "It's all right," Ron said. "We'll see them again--if we can get this ship to fly. Let's get back to work."

XXXXXXXX

The rest of Rogue Squadron sitting around the lounge of the Future, and they were talking to a large alien of a species Hermione hasn't seen before. It had a domed head with huge protruding yellow eyes. Its skin was salmon-colored, and seemed to have a texture similar to an amphibian's. Its large webbed hands ended with long fingers with no visible joints or fingernails. It was dressed in a simple, sleeveless gray outfit, and was obviously excited about whatever it was explaining.

"Yes," Wedge told her, "that's a Mon Calamari."

"Who is... he?" she whispered, guessing at the gender of the alien.

"She," Wedge corrected. "Nelir is the primary designer of these new warships."

"Hello," Hermione said, slightly embarrassed. "I'm Hermione Granger."

"I am pleased to meet you," said Nelir. Her voice was had a resonating, musical quality to it. "Do I understand correctly, that you were part of the group that destroyed the Death Star?"

"Yes," Hermione told her. "Wedge and I were there. But I didn't do that much. Luke Skywalker actually destroyed it."

"Still, I am honored," Nelir said. She gave them a short bow and turned back to her explanation.

"Boss," Wes Janson called out to them, "do you know what these ships will mean?"

"What?" Wedge looked at his partner.

"It means we won't have to sleep in our X-wings anymore."

Hermione laughed along with most other pilots. Saying that sleeping in a starfighter was uncomfortable was like saying that the sun was warm. They sometimes had to do that even when they had a base ship, like the Future, since they didn't want to risk not being able to get to their fighters before the cruiser was destroyed. Hermione hoped that Wes was right about the new ships changing all that.

"With these ships, the Rebellion will finally have something that can stand up to the Empire's Star Destroyers," Nelir said.

"It doesn't look that powerful," Hermione looked at the ship that resembled a giant eyeless fish floating in space.

"It is a warship, but we didn't want to make it look like a warship," Nelir explained. "Most of its weapons are disguised--which also serves a purpose, of course, since the enemy doesn't know exactly where a shot may come from. We won't know for sure until it goes into battle, but it'll probably be about an even match against a Star Destroyer--one on one, that is. Our ships are faster at sublight and have better shields, while the Imperials outstrip us in firepower and hyperspace speed. But," she raised her arm, "you are going to tilt the balance in our favor."

"Us?" Hermione stared at her.

"Yes, you. The MC80A star cruiser can carry up to ten squadrons of starfighters versus the Star Destroyer's six. So if you're at least as good as the Imperials--" She couldn't finish due to a massive eruption of jeers from the group. The Mon Calamari engineer smiled.

"In three days, the ship will be completed enough for us to offer you a tour. It would be an honor if you attended," she said. With that, she walked around and shook the hand of each pilot. In the doorway, she turned back. "And in case you have to leave us before we meet again, may the Force be with you."

The pilots dispersed. Hermione and Wedge remained at one of the windows, looking down at the ocean world.

"It must be nice to live there," Hermione suddenly said.

"Maybe..." Wedge nodded.

"Maybe I should visit. Who knows when I'll get another chance? Will the Mon Calamari let me?"

"Of course they will. Do they look paranoid?"

"No..."

"Ever heard Mon Calamari music?"

"Can't say I have... what's it like?"

"You'll have to hear it with your own ears. There's a concert tonight. Among the performers will be Altnel Suimir."

"I've never heard of him."

Wedge raised his eyebrow. "Be careful not to tell that to any Mon Calamari. You might end up in serious trouble. Hearing Altnel perform on his aquatrumpet is a... memorable experience."

The information intrigued Hermione, but now she realized what was happening. "Wedge! Are you asking me out?"

"Is something wrong with that?"

"With asking? No. I'd just prefer you do it directly."

"Okay, Hermione. Will you?"

"It's a date, Wedge." Then she gasped. "But... I don't have anything to wear."

The other pilot laughed. "Yes, leaving dress uniforms behind on Hoth was a crime. Will you relax? It's not a formal ball. Just wear something clean and presentable."

Hermione giggled at his quip about the dress uniforms. "All right..."

"Major Antilles?" a new voice from behind them said. They turned around. Standing there was a woman, a little shorter than Hermione, with her light brown hair wrapped in a ponytail. She wore a plain uniform of the Alliance Army, with no decorations of any kind. Hermione glanced at her insignia. A major, like Wedge. What would an Army major want with us?

"Yes?" Wedge looked at the woman.

"Are you in command of Rogue Squadron?" she asked.

"Currently, yes," he said. "What can I do for you, major--?"

"Jan Ors," the woman introduced herself. She looked at Hermione. "And you are?"

"Lieutenant Hermione Granger," she said.

"I thought Rogue Squadron didn't admit women."

"We admit anybody who qualifies. Lieutenant Granger definitely qualifies," Wedge defended his unit. "That's not what you came here for, Major Ors."

"No," she replied. "I work for Intelligence. We've discovered something very serious, and we need your help."

"You're aware that we're at less than half-strength right now, major? We lost three pilots at Hoth, one wounded, and three left to go elsewhere."

"Yes, I know. You're still the best we've got."

"Right," Wedge said. "I'll have the Rogues assembled in," he glanced at his chrono, "a half hour."

"Good. I'll see you then." Jan Ors left the lounge. Hermione looked at Wedge. He nodded.

"Looks like our date gets postponed, Hermione. I'm sorry."

"Weren't you just telling me that I shouldn't apologize for things beyond my control?"

Wedge looked embarrassed. "You don't miss much."

"No." With that, she headed away. "I'll see you at the briefing." She needed to relax and calm down the torrent of thoughts going through her head before that briefing started. Wedge likes me, she thought. They had been good friends in the past three years, but he never before gave a hint that he was interested in her like that. Why did he have to do it now? But she knew the answer to that, of course. There was a place to go, and there was time... or so they thought. I wish I could discuss this with a friend. But Wedge was her closest friend around. Come on, Hermione, she had to tell herself. You're acting like you're afraid of him. That thought made her laugh at herself for being so silly. Afraid? No, she decided. But she had no idea what about the prospect of going out with Wedge made her tremble.