Millions of bits of rock and ice floated slowly about in the area of space know as the "Graveyard". This was all that remained of the once beautiful and lush green planet that had been know as Alderaan. Alderaan had been a planet of peace. Technology and nature married together on an elegant and awe inspiring scale. Tropical forests had merged seamlessly with grassy plains and wide ocean vistas. Now, what remained, drifted about in a dark and cold sea of stars.

Tycho brought the Shuttle in to a parking orbit near one of the larger pieces of his now lifeless home. The ship came to a stop and he sat back, staring into the void. Memories of his family, friends, and his love flooded over him. Over the years he had become accustomed to the pain of his loss. While he truly never stopped grieving, he had learned to go beyond, he had the future to look towards. Or at least, he use to.

Ugh rolled up and tooted in a mournful tone as he plugged in and took over ship operations while Tycho stood and stretched. Tycho could not help but smile at the droid and he patted him on the dome as he walked out of the cockpit.

"Keep an eye out for me. I'll be back in a minute or two."

Ugh turned his holographic eye towards Tycho and watched him depart the cockpit and head for the cargo hold. When he reached the hold area Tycho opened a panel locker and got into his flight suit. Then he pulled out the pieces of a hard vacuum suit and began strapping them on. Once finished he checked the readouts on the HUD in the helmet as he sealed it up. Stepping into the airlock he sealed the door behind him and vented the lock. Keying a sequence into the exterior door lock, the seals broke and the door slid open.

The thrusters on the maneuvering pack hissed slightly as Tycho glided from the Shuttle into the womb of space. Ugh had warned him earlier about the dangers of space walking in an active asteroid field. Micro meteorites from debris impacts could penetrate the suit and kill him in an instant. The little R2 Unit had told him. But Tycho would listen to none of that, after all, he was already dead.

He continued to slowly edge the thrusters forward, flying closer and closer to the largest piece of debris. He marveled at the way the systems Sun struck the water that had frozen and encrusted on the surface of the giant rock. It sparkled and glistened with an array of colors that boggled the mind. He wept openly.

Several minutes had passed and Tycho found the strength to continue on, soon, he was with in mere inches of the surface of the giant asteroid that he once called home. He reached out with a gloved hand and placed fingers softly on the hard cold stone. Tycho began to converse in his mind...

... Mother....Father..... How I wish I could have been there. I never should have left you all. I failed you all. My family, my friends......and my love. I should have listened to you my love.....you never wanted me to leave for the academy. I swore I would come back to you, but I failed. My skin crawls to think that I ever pledged my allegiance to your murderers."

"I know in my heart that in the years since I have done well. I know with all my being that I have since made you all very proud of me. I just hope that soon, you all will allow me join you, forever in the flow of the Force. I have come to accept my fate, and I welcome it. Soon.......I will be with you all, but I feel I still have things to do. I will come back to rest with all of you soon, I promise. I love you all."

While it has been said the R2 Units are devoid of emotion. No one who has been partnered with one would agree. Tycho noticed in Ugh's tones when he came back on board that the little guy was visibly relieved that he came back and without a scratch. Tycho resumed his seat in the pilots position and placed a small rock on the top of the control panel.

"Just wanted a little piece of home." Tycho told his droid.

Ugh whistled a question towards Tycho didn't respond for a moment. He powered up the main drives and gracefully swung the Shuttle around towards and escape vector out of the Alderaan System. Soon, they were clear of the debris field and clear to maneuver. Tycho punched coordinates into the Nav Computer and oriented the craft on the new heading. The Hyper Jump light turned green and Tycho slid the lever forward. The pinpoints of starlight elongated into streaks as the ship leapt forward into a swirling tunnel of blue white light, leaving Alderaan far behind. Ugh sent his query to Tycho again.

"You'll see Ugh....you'll see." Tycho said as he leaned back and closed his eyes. His mind occupied with memories of the past.

*******END*******