The Alliance

Another major turning point in my life came with my decision to join the Rebel Alliance.

Obviously, mentioning specific details about this event and the process involved in joining that group would not be wise. There are those who deny the very existence of the Alliance, and many others who would not hesitate to execute any member of its ranks that they discovered. Therefore, I'll have to remain rather general about this topic.

My decision came when I finally realized that the Empire was having a direct impact on my life and business, and that the problems it was causing myself and my fellow citizens would not go away on their own. The constant harrassment in Imperial cities like Bestine was bad enough -- some days, it seemed that I couldn't take a step without being scanned for contraband spice or sliced weaponry. Rarely did they find anything, but the searches continued regardless.

But the restrictions on business, travel and virtually all other aspects of life on Dantooine were tainted by the Empire. Temple City, although technically an autonomous city-state, was nevertheless required to pay kick-backs to the Dantooine Imperial Command -- a percentage of our shuttleport travel fees and vehicle repair services. The fees were considerable, and would have been even greater if we hadn't elected to forgo all taxes entirely, sparing our citizens at least some of the expense and thus dodging some of the financial bullets through a loophole in the system.

Worst, however, was what I learned when I ventured to a secret Imperial research facility called The Warren with my friend and fellow citizen, La-la Kla-Eha. La-la told me that The Warren was something that I, as a person in a leadership role, needed to see. She had been there before, and served as my guide through the facility.

I regret that I must also remain vague on this point as well. Criticism of the Empire is frowned upon almost as much as loyalty to the Rebellion. Suffice it to say, the Empire's control of the facility was less than satisfactory, and many lives had been irrevocably altered because of their neglect. The Warren was a fearsome, dreadful place, to which I never wish to return.

I am thankful to La-la for showing me this facility, which laid the nature of the Empire out to me in the plain light of day. Prompted by these new-found realizations, I followed up on a few rumors that I had heard and journeyed to an undisclosed location on Corellia, where I was able to speak with some key Alliance recruiters. I underwent an initiation of sorts, which found me performing duty missions for several different commanders as my loyalty was tested. For a time I was under the command of Admiral Ackbar. Later, I did some side jobs for Han Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot, Chewbacca.

Finally, I was given the singular honor of lending my service to the legendary Luke Skywalker himself.

I cannot disclose any information about that meeting. Master Skywalker is too precious to the cause to risk it. I can say, however, that it was extremely life-changing. Master Skywalker counseled me in the nature of the Force, imparting me with a great deal of information that was overwhelming in its significance.

This meeting with Luke Skywalker convinced me that joining the Alliance was furthering my Path toward my personal enlightenment, whatever that might be.

Master Skywalker's last piece of advice before releasing me to general duty and declaring me a sworn member of the Rebel Alliance was to visit the homestead of the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, on Tatooine.

He would not tell me why it was so important that I go there, but he insisted that I promise to do it. He spoke with an urgency that implied he knew something about me that I did not. I agreed, vowing to seek out the hermit's hovel as soon as I could.