star wars - Was Luke Skywalker technically a deserter in ESB?

After re-watching The Empire Strikes Back after many years, I noticed that as Luke flies away from Hoth, he says to someone (probably Wedge Antilles)

I'll meet you at the rendezvous point

Or something like that (I might be confusing the words from when he tells Lando he'll meet him on Tatooine, but he definitely said something like that). Even in Princess Leia's briefing to the fighter pilots escorting the transports:

When you've gotten past the energy shield, proceed directly to the rendezvous point.

It doesn't sound like there's any room for interpretation there. The fighters are to head straight for the rendezvous point as soon as they're clear of the Imperial blockade. Even R2-D2 is under the impression that Luke's orders are to proceed to the Alliance's regroup point, and is surprised when Luke tells him they're headed to the Dagobah system.

Was Luke technically AWOL? Is there any canon evidence that can clear him of the charge of desertion (with Alliance equipment, no less)? Did he get clearance from anyone at all to go to Dagobah?

Answer

This is covered in the film's official novelisation. As a Commander in the Rebel Alliance, his rank evidently to grants him the authority to countermand orders as he sees fit, presumably with the proviso that the new orders are still in the best interest of the Alliance's larger goals.

Artoo then gently beeped a reminder about Princess Leia’s order. Exasperated, the young pilot exclaimed, “I’m countermanding that order! Now, be still.”

The little droid fell silent. Luke was, after all, a commander in the Rebel Alliance and, as such, could countermand orders. He was making a few minor adjustments on the controls when Artoo chirped up again.

Comments

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