Four
(The Enemy Of My Enemy)

"Communication from the Alliance flagship, sir," the comm officer announced.

"Put it through," said Piett.

A life-size hologram of Admiral Ackbar appeared a few steps away from Piett on the command walkway. "What is the meaning of this?" the alien demanded indignantly.

Grand Admiral Thrawn approached, stopping next to Piett. "Is there a problem, Admiral?" he asked.

"An Imperial battle group just dropped out of hyperspace on the edge of the system!" Ackbar exclaimed. "My sensor officers count over fifty ships, including at least one Super Star Destroyer! Why have you summoned additional battleships?"

Thrawn's blue-black brows drew together. "We have called for no reinforcements, Admiral," he said. "We are just as committed to this conference as you."

Ackbar's image turned to the side as information was relayed to him on his own bridge. "Our patrol craft are being fired upon!" He turned back to Piett and Thrawn. "Imperial treachery! You have violated the cease-fire!" He half-turned to shout orders. "All craft, battle formations! Prepare to engage the Executor!"

Thrawn took a step forward. "Admiral!"

But Ackbar cut the transmission.

"Did we summon reinforcements, sir?" Piett asked.

"No," said Thrawn, his eyes narrowing as he crossed to the tactical display screen. "Those ships are not acting on my orders."

Piett joined him, studying the sensor profiles of the incoming Imperial ships as they were relayed in by the outer-system sensor drones. He raised a hand to point at the largest vessel. "That's Director Isard's personal ship, the Lusankya," Piett said.

Thrawn swiftly turned to the crew pit. "Are the incoming ships making any transmissions to the Rebels?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," the comm officer reported. "Patching it through."

The tactical display screen switched over to display the transmission. "This is Darth Nova," the dark-haired young man on screen declared. "If your ships do not stand down and deactivate their weapons systems immediately, I will order my fleet to destroy you."

The screen split, half of it displaying the face of Admiral Ackbar. "We are here under a declaration of cease-fire by the Emperor himself for diplomatic negotiations. Your request is illegal and in violation of the Emperor's declaration."

Darth Nova smirked sardonically. "I am afraid you are mistaken," he replied. "Lord Vader's declaration is no longer valid. He has been removed as Emperor for dereliction of his duties." He leaned closer, displaying his teeth in a fierce grin. "I am the Emperor now."

Piett turned wide eyes upon his commanding officer. "What's going on here?"

Thrawn's eyes narrowed dangerously. "A mutiny, Admiral," he said, genuine anger in his voice.

The Grand Admiral did not hesitate for even a moment before issuing his next orders. "Inform Lord Vader of this, if he does not already know," he barked to the comm officer. He turned next to the tactical station. "Reprogram the computer; all Alliance vessels are to be re-designated as 'friendly' units, while every ship in the mutineers' fleet is to be immediately designated 'hostile'."

The tactical officer blinked in surprise, but quickly bent to his task.

"Sir?" Piett said in shock.

Thrawn pointed at the screen beside them, which had switched back to the tactical display. "Darth Nova is here to depose Lord Vader, Admiral," he said quickly. "His only intentions here can be assassination of the Emperor and destruction of this vessel. Therefore, the Rebel forces are the only defense we have in addition to the flagship. Signal Admiral Ackbar immediately to let him know that this attack is not sanctioned by either Lord Vader or myself, and that the Executor will be joining the fight on their side."

"Shall we summon reinforcements, sir?" Piett asked.

Thrawn shook his head. "Unfortunately, Admiral, we do not know who we can trust among our own fleet right now. For Nova to gather a fleet of that size for this strike, he had to have been planning this for months at least. Besides, the nearest battle group is more than twelve hours away." He took a few steps along the command walkway. "For now at least, the Rebels are the only allies we have here."

"I never thought I'd hear that," Piett muttered to himself. Only when one corner of Thrawn's mouth quirked in a small, grim smile did he realize he'd said it out loud.

Luke Skywalker could feel the fury rolling off of his father in waves as the news was relayed to the conference room, where the delegations from both sides had gathered. At his side, Malysa Kolos stared in shock at the screen, and even a few of the stormtroopers and Royal Guards, though their faces were hidden by their helmets, were obviously going through the same reaction.

The Alliance delegation was no less surprised; the room was completely silent as they watched Darth Nova demand the surrender of not only Admiral Ackbar and the Rebel fleet, but the Executor as well.

A comm transmission came into the conference room in the Royal Palace, and Vader quickly ordered it to be let through. Grand Admiral Thrawn's face and the white shoulders of his uniform replaced Darth Nova and Ackbar on the screen.

"My lord, the flagship is at battle readiness. I have taken the liberty of ordering Nova's ships designated 'hostile' in our tactical computers, and-"

Vader cut him off with an impatient wave of his hand. "Yes, go!" he shouted. "Attack him!"

Mon Mothma spoke up from the other side of the table. "Grand Admiral, I will relay to our fleet that the Executor is to be designated 'friendly' in our own computers."

"Never thought I'd hear that," Han Solo muttered next to Luke.

On the screen, Thrawn nodded once and ended the transmission.

Vader's fists were clenched so tightly that Luke could hear the servomotors in his father's mechanical hand whining under the strain. His natural eye was turning a very odd color, a mottled combination of blue and yellow as his anger surged up within him, bringing the Dark Side with it.

"So what are we going to do?" Mara said to Luke.

Vader answered for him. "We will take the Corellian's freighter, since it is the most heavily armed and maneuverable vessel down here on the surface, and we will go to Nova's flagship, where we will board it and I will kill him myself."

"Whoa, now!" Han objected. "You're not taking my ship anywhere without me!"

Vader turned a venomous look upon the smuggler. "I am not asking, Captain Solo," he said dangerously. "You may pilot your vessel if you wish, but you will take me to my apprentice."

Han took a step back from the sheer fury in the Sith Master's glare. "If you insist," he said.

Any further discussion was interrupted by the comm screen flaring to life again, this time displaying the face of Darth Nova, smiling arrogantly. "The time has come, Lord Vader," he said triumphantly, "for the Apprentice to overthrow the Master, as it has always been with the true Sith. If you surrender yourself to me, I will spare your crew, your children, and the people of this insignificant little world. If you refuse, I will ignite this system's sun into supernova and destroy you all."

Luke sensed his father's rage flare up at this, accompanied by calculation as the Sith Master quickly formulated a new plan.

"Are you too much of a weakling to face me yourself?" Vader challenged, glaring up at the screen. "Are you so assured of your own inferiority that you must come here with overwhelming force?" Vader sneered. "For all your posturing, I can tell you are still afraid of me!"

"I do not fear you!" Nova shouted, leaning closer. "I merely assure my own victory, as a true Sith would!"

"If you were a true Sith," Vader said derisively, "you would face me in single combat to prove which of us is worthy of the mantle of Sith Master, instead of launching this cowardly ambush."

Luke waited for a tense moment, seeing how Nova would respond to his father's taunt.

"Very well, old man!" Nova snarled. "I will descend to the surface and eradicate you myself!"

"No," Vader replied. "Not here. I will not risk this world against your treachery."

"Where, then? Aboard your ship?"

"We will go to the world of Korriban," said Vader. "And there we will settle your challenge in the way of the ancient Sith Lords."

Nova grinned savagely. "So be it!" He raised a hand to point at Vader. "I will have my personal ship accompany your shuttle there, to ensure that you do not flee."

Vader said nothing in reply, and terminated the connection by forcibly overloading the transmitter with the Force. A number of stormtroopers and Alliance soldiers scrambled back away from the screen as it shot sparks in all directions. When Vader turned away from the pyrotechnic display, Luke saw that his natural eye was entirely yellow now, rimmed with red.

"Ready my shuttle!" Vader barked at one of his aides, who immediately rushed off to obey.

"I'm going with you," Luke said, moving towards his father.

Mara stepped up next to him. "And if he's going, so am I." Her tone left no room for argument.

"I will stand with you, as well, Lord Vader," said Malysa Kolos. Her dark eyes flicked to Luke's for just a moment, accompanied by a sense of reassurance through the Force; she was going along more to fight at his side than his father's, Luke sensed.

"This will be a battle between Nova and myself," Vader warned. "Any outside interference is forbidden."

Mara snorted derisively. "He showed up here with fifty ships, planning to kill you from orbit," she said. "Do you really think Nova isn't going to bring a few friends of his own?"

One of the stormtroopers approached and saluted. "I also request to join your honor guard, Lord Vader," the man said, his voice filtered and rendered flat by his helmet.

Vader peered curiously at the man. "What is your designation, trooper?"

"TK-421, sir," the stormtrooper replied.

Vader's eyes flicked between the stormtrooper and Malysa Kolos, though it was so quick Luke almost didn't catch it. He wondered at the significance of this.

"Very well," the Sith Master replied.

Vader glanced at Leia, but did not ask if she wanted to go along as well. Leia looked back at him, and stirred as if she was about to say something, but Vader spoke first. "Stay here and keep your mother safe," he said. "Please," he added as a reluctant afterthought.

Leia nodded silently in reply.

"I will leave immediately," Vader stated with finality, turning to head down to the hangar level. Luke saw him pause to glance once at Padmé, but he said nothing further before leaving the room.

She watched him go, looking like she wanted to call out after him, but she hesitated, and remained silent.

"You don't have to do this, kid," Han said, stepping half in front of him. "You oughta just let him go alone."

Luke shook his head. "I can't do that, Han," he said solemnly. "There is still good in him, and I know I can bring it out. If he fights Nova alone, he will only fall further into darkness. If I'm there with him, there's still a chance I can save him."

"What if he's not worth saving?" Bail Organa demanded exasperatedly from across the table.

Luke looked over at him. "Everyone is worth saving," he said seriously. "Even him."

With that, he turned and left the room, following his father.

Piett approached Thrawn at the tactical station. "Lord Vader and Nova have agreed on terms," he announced, relaying what he had just been told by the comm officer. "Both fleets will remain here while the two of them go to a world called Korriban for some sort of ritual combat."

"Korriban?" Thrawn said curiously. "That was the capital of the ancient Sith Empire. Has he asked us to dispatch any ships to go with him?"

Piett shook his head. "No. The terms are that only one shuttle each will go to Korriban, with no others but the observers accompanying them. Both fleets will remain here for the time being to await the outcome."

"Ritual combat," said Thrawn, his expression one of mild distaste. "How uncivilized."

Piett nodded in agreement. "Yes, sir." He paused. "There was one other thing in Lord Vader's communiqué, sir. He said to tell you that if he does not return, you are to take the Executor to somewhere called 'Vanguard Base Alpha' and assume command of the operations there."

Piett almost didn't notice the nearly imperceptible tightening of Thrawn's face at this. "Were there any further instructions?" the Grand Admiral asked calmly.

"No, sir."

Thrawn nodded once. "Very well. Maintain full battle alert until further notice."

When Luke entered the Royal Palace's starship hangar, he found C-3PO and R2-D2 waiting for him next to Darth Vader's massive gray shuttle. The grim Imperial ship seemed out of place here among the softer lines and colors of the Royal Palace's architecture, and was especially contrasted with the elegant silver ship parked on the other side of the hangar, the one belonging to the Queen.

"We wish to accompany you, Master Luke," said Threepio. "Well, Artoo does at least. I accessed the files on Korriban, and it sounds like a ghastly place. Are you certain you want to go there?"

Luke smiled at the droids. "Yes, Threepio, I'm sure," he said. "This is something I have to do."

Artoo twittered, and the golden protocol droid translated for his shorter, barrel-shaped companion. "Artoo says that he wishes to accompany his master," said Threepio. "Both of them." The taller droid turned to his squat counterpart. "What do you mean, 'both of them'?" he asked. "Mistress Leia certainly isn't coming with us. She has the good sense to stay here where it's safe."

"Artoo can come," Darth Vader said from the top of his shuttle's ramp. "The protocol droid stays here."

Threepio took a step back, away from the Dark Lord. "Oh, my!" he exclaimed.

Vader merely glanced at Threepio for a moment before he turned his attention to his son. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes, we are," said Mara, walking up beside Luke to look up at her former master.

Luke ran an amused eye over the array of weapons Mara was either wearing or carrying. "We're going to Korriban to observe a duel, Mara," he said, "not occupy the planet."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Sith Lords," she said in explanation, tapping a bandolier of thermal detonators. "Tell me I'm being too cautious."

Luke had to smile. "Yeah, you're right. Is it too late to call Han and ask to borrow one of the Falcon's turrets?" he asked teasingly.

Mara grinned back. "If you think you can weld it on here fast enough, sure."

"If you two are finished," Malysa Kolos said with a smirk as she passed them on her way up the ramp, "we're ready to go."

Luke gestured up the ramp. "After you," he said.

Mara leaned over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You're such a gentleman," she said, green eyes twinkling. Luke replied with an exaggeratedly formal bow as he followed her.

Artoo twittered amusedly as he trundled up the ramp after them.

"Please be careful!" Threepio called as the ramp began to raise.

The golden protocol droid seemed so forlorn as he watched them go that all trace of humor vanished from Luke's mind. He did not know what he would find on Korriban, or even if he would return from that place himself, but he knew he had to go along.

If his father fell in his duel with Darth Nova, Luke privately resolved as he took his seat, he would himself engage the Starkiller. Darth Nova could not be allowed to leave Korriban alive, could not be allowed to seize control of the Empire, for even though Darth Vader was considered a tyrant, his Sith Apprentice would be far worse. Of that, Luke was sure.

As if she had sensed his thoughts, Mara reached over and touched his arm. He sensed a similar determination from her, a silent reassurance that she would fight by his side if it came to that.

In the cavernous hangar deck of Lusankya, Darth Nova stood in front of Director Isard to issue some last-minute instructions. He watched as Tamith Kai and more than thirty of his most loyal followers boarded the shuttle he was taking to Korriban. No matter what the outcome of the duel, Darth Vader was not leaving the ancient Sith world alive. Of that, Nova would make sure.

"Wait two hours after our shuttles have left the system," Nova said to Isard. "Then order the fleet to destroy the Rebels and the Executor. Raze the planet, as well."

"Are you certain it is wise to destroy Naboo?" Isard asked. "It will gain us nothing."

"It will gain us fear," Nova replied. "Fear of your wrath keeps those inferior to you submissive. I would think you already knew this, Madam Director." He turned back to watching his black-robed disciples board the vessel. "The people of this galaxy have become far too bold in speaking out against their rightful government. Perhaps an example will show them the error of their ways."

Isard nodded once. "Very well," she said.

Nova turned to face her again. "I am not taking all of my followers," he said warningly. "The Sith remaining on this ship will see to it that my orders are carried out."

Isard narrowed her eyes, but said nothing, only inclining her head in acquiescence.

Aboard his shuttle, Nova sat back in his chair and smiled in satisfaction. After the events of today, he would be uncontested as Emperor, and the galaxy would be his to shape according to his own whims.

Rumors quickly filtered through the royal city of Theed that Padmé Naberrie, who had once ruled the planet as Queen Amidala and then later served it as a Senator, had been seen in the royal palace, having been returned to life by some mysterious Jedi ritual. As the rumors grew and spread, it was widely said that Luke Skywalker had been the one to do it, though no one had a clear explanation as to why. This of course only fueled speculation, which grew ever more wild and fanciful as the rumors spread.

After the short-lived negotiations between the Alliance and the Empire adjourned, the reigning Queen, Kylantha, asked to meet with the woman rumored to be one of her predecessors, in order to confirm or deny the rumors.

Leia and her mother met with the Queen in the throne room of the Royal Palace, where the tall, elegant woman was waiting. Kylantha's clothes were reserved and dark-colored, as a show of protest to the Empire's occupation of her world, and her long blonde hair was also styled conservatively, as opposed to some of the more colorful and ornate fashions sported by other Queens in the past.

As they walked along the wide, expansive hall, with its soaring ceilings and slender stone columns, Leia noticed that her mother seemed to be trying to see what had changed since she had last walked these halls herself.

"It doesn't seem all that different," she remarked to Leia.

"Emperor Skywalker has left Naboo mostly undisturbed during his reign," Queen Kylantha said as the other two women approached. "Until his arrival several days ago, we had never seen Star Destroyers in orbit above our world or soldiers in our streets." She looked for a long moment at Padmé. "Is it really you, Your Excellency?"

"I suppose I'm no longer a Senator," said Padmé. "There's no need for formal titles." She stopped next to one of the chairs in front of the throne. "Yes, I really am Padmé Amidala," she said. "I do not fully understand it myself, but I have been brought back to life with the Force."

The Queen was speechless for a long moment. Finally, she composed herself. "May I release a public statement?" she asked. "The people are very curious about the events in your mausoleum, and I would like to inform them of the truth, if they will believe it."

Padmé nodded once. "Of course. However, I would like to visit my family first, while I am here."

"Certainly," the Queen replied. "I believe your parents and your sister still live here, though your niece Pooja, who serves as our Senator, is currently off-world."

"Pooja's the Senator now?" Padmé said with a smile. "I'm very glad to hear that."

Leia watched her mother's expression, wondering to herself what it must be like to come back to the world after more than twenty years away from it. It must seem like an overwhelming change, though Leia knew Padmé had witnessed the birth of the Empire, and so would have known what was coming. What would the galaxy be like, Leia wondered, if her father had listened to her mother instead of to Palpatine? What would the galaxy be like if Anakin Skywalker had never fallen to the Dark Side, if he had instead left with his wife to raise his children?

What would the galaxy be like if her father had had more concern for others than for himself, as the Jedi were supposed to?

What would life have been like for her and Luke if they had grown up with their parents on a world like this?

Leia's thoughts and her mother's conversation with the Queen were interrupted by an aide who rushed into the throne room, out of breath.

"Your Highness!" the young man called. "The ships in orbit are firing at each other!"

Leia and Padmé jumped to their feet, followed immediately by the Queen.

"Troop transports are on their way down!" the aide went on. "The Imperials are landing dozens of ships all over the city!"

"Which ship did they launch from?" Padmé asked.

The young man stared at her in confusion. "Why does that matter?"

"Which ship?" Padmé repeated firmly.

"The other Super Star Destroyer," the aide replied. "The one that just arrived today, the Lusankya."

Padmé looked over at Leia, who looked back at her grimly. "It's an invasion," said Leia. "They're probably going to try and capture the Alliance leaders on the surface before they raze the city from orbit."

Queen Kylantha gasped. "Do you think they would really do such a thing?"

"Darth Vader might not have," Leia admitted, "but Darth Nova certainly will. He's much more aggressive than his master."

Padmé turned to the Queen. "This is very important," she said. "Tell the Security Force troops to carefully monitor any dropship landings. They must allow any vessels launched from the Executor to land; Darth Vader's personal troops are on our side."

At the Queen's incredulous look, Padmé went on. "The other Imperial ships that arrived are mutineers," she explained. "Darth Vader's Sith Apprentice is trying to seize control of the Empire. For today at least, those aboard the flagship are our allies."

"Very well," said the Queen. "I will inform our troops, and I will also launch several squadrons of fighters to assist in the space battle." She turned to the aide. "Activate the planetary shields, as well."

The man rushed off to relay her orders.

Leia turned to leave, looking back at her mother. "We should get back to the others," she said. "If any Imperial troops make it to the surface, their first objective will be to destroy the shield generators. The Alliance troops here can help in the defense."

Padmé nodded. "Let's go."

As Darth Vader's shuttle hurtled through hyperspace toward Korriban, Luke mostly passed the time by meditating, trying to center himself in the Force before visiting a planet so strong in the Dark Side. Korriban had been a Sith world for millennia, though it had been mostly abandoned and desolate for the last several centuries.

Once, when he emerged from meditation, he found Malysa Kolos sitting cross-legged on the floor across from him, methodically disassembling her lightsaber. He was about to ask her what she was doing when he saw her carefully remove the red crystal from its mountings inside her weapon and set it aside. In its place, she set an azure-blue gem, and once it was connected, she smiled in satisfaction.

Malysa looked up at him, and Luke felt a light touch against his mind through the Force, a request to 'speak privately' as only Jedi could. He accepted, meeting her eyes.

When all this is over, I would like to go with you, Malysa 'said' inside his mind. You intend to rebuild the Jedi Order, don't you?

I do, Luke replied. You are most welcome to come with us.

Thank you, she sent back. You cannot imagine how much I want to get away from the Sith.

I might have some perspective on that, Mara commented wryly, joining in.

Though her physical expression did not change, Malysa's sense in the Force shifted slightly into the mental equivalent of an ironic smile. Perhaps you might. She sobered. What do you think we will find on Korriban? she asked.

Evil, Mara 'said' bluntly. And plenty of it. I'd watch your step if I were you. The Sith left all kinds of nasty little surprises behind the last time they abandoned Korriban. Vader had me investigate the place once, but I didn't stay very long. All I found were bones and empty tombs, but there was a… presence there, one that let me know in no uncertain terms that I wasn't welcome.

What kind of presence? Luke asked.

I'm not sure, Mara replied. I didn't stick around long enough to find out. But regardless of whatever else is there, both of you should stay ready for a fight. This is supposed to be just between Vader and Nova, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Nova has a backup plan in case he starts losing.

"We're coming up on the Horuset system," an Imperial trooper relayed back from the cockpit. "The pilot says we should be touching down on Korriban in two hours at the coordinates Lord Vader provided."

"Where's that?" asked Mara.

"A place called the Valley of the Dark Lords," the trooper replied.

Mara flicked a glance at Luke. "Well, doesn't that sound cheery?" she said dryly. "I'm starting to think we should have stayed on Naboo."

-/\-

Author's Note: You know you're evil when Ysanne Isard has to serve as the voice of reason in a conversation with you. ;) Major thanks to my beta readers, Silverwolf05 and Desteni, and also to all readers and reviewers. Starting Friday, my 'net access may be intermittent for a week or so, so it may be a bit longer between updates for a little while. I'll do my best to keep posting every other day, though. Thanks for reading!