"So, who were you talking to back there...for real," Zip says pointing to where he first saw Gideon.
"This guy. He showed up out of nowhere, telling me I'm supposed to win some huge battle," Gideon replies.
"Battle? You in some kinda trouble? Anything I should be concerned about?," Zip asks.
Gideon sighs. "Do you know what planet you're on?"
Zip shakes his head. "No."
Gideon starts to say something, but stops, unprepared for Zip's answer.
"Wait...really? That was a rhetorical question. Everyone knows what planet they're on."
"Not me. In case you didn't notice the pile of rubble I used to call my ship back there, I'm new here," Zip says with a dash of sarcasm.
Gideon nods. "Lucky you. You've crash landed in the furthest place from good in the entire galaxy. Sith rule here. Evil emanates from the very ground. The Empire...the huge, massive, planet-destroying Empire...they're too scared to come here. Left us alone long ago. Chaos rules these lands."
Gideon looks to the east, towards a group of tents on the horizon.
"My clan is just ahead. An evil Sith Lord, with an army that makes the ground shake and the trees tremble...has set his sights on us. On our lands..."
Gideon picks up a rock and hurls it into the field in anger.
He yells, "And I'm told, by some mysterious man frolicking about the fields, that this army will run. They will flee at the very sight of me and my men. An army of thousands, versus farmers and sheepherders with...with torches and clay urns!"
He turns to Zip, fear in his eyes, and asks, "You tell me...does that make any sense? If I provoke the snake, it will only strike at me faster."
Zip replies, "Back in the Pilot Academy during survival training, we learned that the smaller group had one thing the bigger group didn't."
Gideon shakes his head and mutters, "And what's that?"
Zip smiles. "The element of surprise."
****
Evening has set in and Zip walks around Gideon's camp, watching them prepare for a battle their faces say they cannot win. As he watches them, he sees Gideon walking and talking with someone who is not there.
As Gideon continues, Zip slowly approaches, careful not to be noticed.
Gideon continues to apparently talk into the air, "The Force? We aren't Jedi. And no Jedi has come to our aid for as long as I can remember. Why should I trust one now?
Gideon appears to listen intently to someone, or something, nodding his head in understanding. CRASH! Gideon turns around to see Zip standing there, picking up a broken urn he accidentally knocked over while eavesdropping.
Zip tries to cover his tracks. "I was just...taking a walk. How are you? You good? Hungry?"
Gideon asks, "I take it you heard me talking to that same man from earlier?"
"Well, not exactly. I saw you, but...not...anyone...else," Zip replies with a cringe.
Gideon rubs his hands through his hair, and after a moment, smiles.
He throws his arms into the air and exclaims, "Then it's true. He was telling the truth! We are saved!"
Zip is kinda lost in all the celebration. "What?"
Gideon shakes his head, "No time! Come with me!"
Zip is then dragged by the arm into the center of camp as Gideon calls for all the men to come forward. He needs to speak with them. And as the men come forth, some with spears and swords in hand, Gideon begins to tell them of the conversation he had.
"As you all know, war is on the horizon. The Sith are at our door. They want to take what is ours, and spread their wicked, perverse ways. They know nothing of compassion. Only hate. They know nothing of justice and fairness. Only greed. Well now I say to you, that ends here!"
Some applause and "hoorahs" and "Gideon!" erupt through the crowd. Gideon holds out his hand to silence them.
"The Sith Lord's army is great. Numbers far surpassing our own. I ask that any man here has but one seed of fear and doubt in his heart that we may not succeed, that he lay down his arms and head home."
Murmurs spread throughout the crowd. Men look around at the other men, seeing if any will leave. Soon, one man lowers his shield and drops his spear. And like dominoes, hundreds follow his lead. Droves turn and leave, heading back to their homes and families. Preparing for the worst.
Zip watches them leave, then steps over to Gideon who remains steadfast in his decision.
Zip leans in and asks, "So your invisible friend...this part of his plan?"
Gideon places his hand on Zip's shoulder and smiles, "Watch and see."
****
That night, Zip is tinkering with the ATV when he sees three hooded men sneak into camp. He picks up his wrench, and starts for the men, about to club one of them over the head when...
"Lo, friend. Wait!"
One of the hooded men reveals himself to be...Gideon. He motions for the other men to removes their hoods to show Zip that they are from the Gideon's camp.
Zip asks, "Why the sneaking around?"
"We have returned from the Sith camp and heard one of them remark about a dream he had in which a bail of hay set afire destroyed his tent."
Zip shrugs, "And this means...what exactly?"
Gideon replies, "The Sith are, by nature, superstitious. Further, they worship the Dark Side of the Force, which often gives them the power to see the future. This was no dream. It was a sign."
****
Early that morning, Gideon gathers the remaining soldiers for a last minute speech before going into battle.
"Earlier, I told any of you men that feared death to lay down your weapons and go home to your families. I applaud those who stayed by my side. I have been told this battle will be won. Although it seems impossible, our Faith must not be swayed."
The men yell out "Gideon!" and "Victory!" Gideon then points to a stream that runs alongside the camp.
"Now I ask that you men drink from the stream. Quench your thirsts. The day will be long under the burning sun."
The men do as Gideon asks and drink from the stream. Most of the men lay down and drink face-first from the stream as do dogs. The others kneel down by the water and cup it in their hands, sipping it as if out of a bowl.
Gideon turns to Zip and motions for him to walk with him over to the stream to speak with the men. As they stand before the water, Gideon commands...
"Those of you who lay on your bellies and lap at the water like dogs are to go home to your families. Your battle is not today. Those who cupped the water in your hands, shall be the soldiers I require for victory."
The men, both those who must go, and those that are staying, look at Gideon like a fool.
Zip whispers to Gideon, "I hate to ask. But did you have another conversation with your buddy when I wasn't looking? You may have...what...300 men left? Your odds of winning are getting worse by the second. Your pal better know something I don't."
Gideon nods at Zip and smiles. He then turns back to the men, some of which are starting to leave. He points to a pile of torches and clay urns nearby.
"To those men staying, trade in your swords and spears for these clay urns and torches. These, and your trumpets, are all that you will require."
"Are you insane?!" One solider asks. "A handful of men with clay urns and torches against the Dark Side. Against black magic? Against an army of mercenaries?"
Gideon replies, "It's not for you to question my judgment, or that of the One who guides me. In addition to your urn, torch and trumpet...bring also with you your faith."
Some soldiers begin to trade in their weapons as others leave to head back home.
****
The same morning, while the sky is still dark, Zip, Gideon and his 300 men surround the Sith camp. Each man hiding the light of his torch inside the urn. The slowly creep closer towards the tents while the Sith army sleeps until...
"FOR GOD AND FOR GIDEON!!!"
All at once the soldiers smash their clay urns, revealing the light of their torches, and sound their trumpets aloud as they stand around the camp, watching the frazzled Sith soldiers, still half-asleep, beginning to attack each other in the early morning chaos.
Gideon turns to Zip and motions towards the mayhem, smiling. "My pal knew something you didn't."
Zip nods, "Introduce me sometime, will ya?"
Gideon laughs and slaps Zip on the back as the two men watch the Sith army destroy itself. The remaining Sith soldiers begin to flea in terror, not knowing who their enemies are in the morning melee.
Gideon sees this and turns back to Zip, extending his hand. "The army fleas, and I must follow them. Glad you were able to witness this first-hand."
Zip grabs his hand and shakes it. "Wouldn't of believed it if I hadn't. Like one of those stories they tell in the cantinas back home. 'Legends of long ago' stuff."
Gideon commands his men to chase the fleeing Sith. Waving goodbye to Zip, who jumps on his ATV and looks in the opposite direction, into a world he now knows is full of treachery at every turn.
VVVRRROOOOMMM! He fires up the ATV and speeds off towards the rising sun.
As he goes...
"That bounty still good for Rebel soldiers on this planet?"
Out from behind a tent steps the infamous bounty hunter, Boba Fett. He's speaking into a wrist radio as he watches Zip drive away.
(Check out Issue #3 for Zip Blank's next adventure, and see if Boba Fett can collect that bounty!)
