The Scroll: Episode III

Leia Organa-Solo visits her former colleague, Pooja Naberrie on the world Naboo. Where Leia reveals her recent discovery and the connection between their families.

This is the long awaited next installment to The Scroll and also Niece series. It is probably the final since the plan is make a trilogy. Actually, I had originally just planned one story. Then the sequel sprung and so forth.

Characters featured will be Leia Organa Solo, Luke Skywalker, and the Naberries. Including Pooja, Ryoo, and a few other surprises.

** Also just a word of warning, this does not include the current canon. This story and its previous installments are connected with Legends.

Chapter One

Pooja

Thirty six years after the Battle of Yavin

Naboo

Pooja Naberrie sat in her office of Theed University. Finishing up a massive pile of mid-terms. The now sixty two year old former Senator shook her head.

Sometimes grading these papers made Pooja miss the political arena. At least, there, she actually felt like she was accomplishing something. Instead of trying to teach stubborn, young minds that didn't seem to care.

Her desk comm chimed, "Madame Naberrie," it was her secretary Milla. "Leia Organa Solo wishes to speak with you."

Leia?

That was unexpected, but a pleasant surprise.

A smile came across Pooja's face, "Send the message through."

Her former colleague's image came across the projector.

"Leia, it's great to see you again."

"Likewise Pooj," Leia was grinning.

Pooja silently noticed the images and holo vids on the HoloNet were accurate. Leia had hardly aged. She silently envied it.

"By Shiraya!" She did the math in her head, "It's been...too long." If she had done the mathematics right it had been over thirty‑thirty-five years, though she preferred not to say. The thought alone made her feel old.

"A long time," Leia smiled. Thirty-six, almost thirty-seven long years. The pair hadn't seen one another since before Emperor Palpatine dismantled the Senate just before the Battle of Yavin.

Pooja had remained still was a member of the Alliance, but rarely went off her home world after that. Busy with her family life. She did however, keep up with the business of the Alliance through discreet comm channels. She also great assisted in Naboo's joining of the New Republic and other business deals.

"Are you planning to visit?" Pooja didn't think so, but one could always hope.

"Yes," Leia gave a small smile. "I will be visiting in a two standard days."

"Jedi business?" Pooja guessed. Leia probably needed contacts on the planet. Also, wisdom with dealing with any Nubian politics and other business. Which Pooja didn't mind one bit. She could use a break from her students.

"No, this is more...personal." Leia said with something in her voice. "Actually it involves you."

Me?

This was...unexpected. Pooja raised a brow, "What is this about?"

"It's..."

Pooja noted Leia's hesitation. Strange. She couldn't recall a time Leia paused.

"A matter that should take place in person, not over communications."

Pooja raised her brow again, "Very well," She couldn't think of anything else to say, except, "I will see you in two standard days."

The former Imperial Senators then made plans to meet at Theed Spaceport in the early afternoon.

"Well, see you then."

Leia nodded and smiled, "Bye."

Pooja returned the smiled "Bye." And her finger turned the projector off.

So much had happened to Leia since Pooja had last seen her friend.

She had been captured by the Empire. Became one of the leading figures in the New Republic. Married and had a family. And had even received training as a Jedi.

But all those things paled in comparison to a revelation sometime after the Empire began to fall.

Was it really true? Was Leia the daughter of Lord Vader?

Pooja couldn't see how that rumor was possible. She knew everything the Imperial media churned regarding Lord Vader was true.

Vader was a monster.

His never-ending height. His dark armor and cape. His monstrous mask. And the thing most intimidating of all‑his breathing. Worse than any villain she ever imagined as an adult or a child in those bedtime tales her parents or grandparents would tell her as a child.

And Leia...Leia was anything but the monster she had met.

Yes, Pooja had...met and spoken with Vader in her time at the Senate. In five cringe-worthy, horrifying meetings.

The Emperor essentially, sent Lord Vader personally several of those times to meet with her. She didn't understand why. The business could be dealt with over communications or through one of his goons‑ Mas Amedda, Sly Moore, or perhaps Grand Vizier Pestage. Those times she often feared it was a subtle, perhaps not so subtle message that he knew of her dealings with the Alliance. That he was sending his dark assassin to kill her.

Actually, her meetings with Vader were fairly short. And Pooja thanked the Nubian goddess of Safety and the Force each and every time afterward.

Vader terrified her like any sane being. Though through all her political training she did her best to never show it.

Though according to some, she seemed to have no reason to be afraid. Not because he attempted to intimidate her. In fact, Vader did not even the make the slightest effort to do so. That was all according to her bodyguard, Kima Nazith. She often noted Vader acted very differently around Pooja compared to most.

"Like you, he seems to want your meetings to conclude as quickly as possible," Kima had once said. Weeks, or was it months before she...she was murdered by Vader's hand. But really it had been Pooja's fault.

Pooja never noticed, she didn't care. She just wanted him as far away from her as possible.

Nor could Pooja couldn't fathom any possible reason why Vader would act or treat her any differently. Why would he? Why would he? Did he...care about her? No, he had no reason to, and what did he care about? Really care about? He slaughtered thousands. Ten to hundreds of thousands, probably. So power, blood, killing, and power she supposed. Her beloved aunt, former Queen and Senator Padmé Amidala was believed to be one of those innocent victims.

Her mother, Sola also still firmly believed to this day that he was the murderer of her late aunt. And Pooja had strongly suspected her mother may be correct. However, there had never been in any proof in the sham of the investigation.

Palpatine had claimed the Jedi murdered during their so-called "rebellion", though they and many others believed it to be a lie. Further proof needed for his extermination of the Jedi

Not that Pooja needed proof that Vader could have killed her beloved Aunt. She had witnessed and felt Vader's wrath first hand.

It was during one of her meetings with the Sith Lord. Kima and Kolbé accompanied her like they usually did. And Pooja had said something to him. She didn't entirely remember the words exchanged. She probably said something incredibly stupid. What she really remembered were the noises. Screams. And the most...awful crunching sound she ever heard.

Vader had naturally been excused from murders. Ruling it self defense since her bodyguard and handmaiden reached for their weapons earlier in the meeting. Though the idea that Vader would ever tried or even convicted of a crime was a complete joke.

Though Pooja didn't entirely blame Vader for their deaths. Still to this day, she blamed herself. She was the one that opened her big fat mouth. It should have been her that died on that day. Not them. Why couldn't Vader have killed her instead?

Pooja still didn't understand.

Nor would she ever she came to accept. Whatever the reason he did or did not. Pooja did not believe it was out of the goodness of his heart. Assuming the cyborg still had one.

That was one reasons Pooja didn't believe Leia was Vader's child.

Could that be what Leia...

Pooja supposed it was possible, but knew not to get her hopes up. Especially her mother's or anyone else's. At least not until she knew for sure.

However to Pooja none of those things mattered. Even if Leia truly was...and if Vader truly had…Pooja did not plan, nor would she ever treat her former colleague any different. Leia was still her friend. And she always would be.

Pooja and the rest are in for one big surprise. How's Leia? Pooja?

I've had this written for awhile and I'm embarrassed to say it, but I forgot about it. Got busy with real life and my other stories and I'm tired of having the file just sit there. Also I imagine most were tired of waiting on this story assuming most haven't forgotten about it. The story is not completely finished, but I figured if I start posting some of it, I'll start working on it again. Don't worry not giving up on The Supreme Commander and the Grand Vizer, which will come first.

Trivia: Kima and Kolbé died in Niece: Part II.

I'll also warn you I'm including mostly Legends in this story. I had this in the works long before December 18, 2015. I mean I could include the newer canon stuff, but I still feel we're getting to know our newer characters and canon. Plus The Force Awakens takes place only 30 years after Return of the Jedi. This would take place a few years after that. So yeah, it wouldn't work timeline wise in the new canon.

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