Months later
The 21st Empire Day
Millennium Falcon
In outer reaches of the Alderaan system, in space near Delaya
Han Solo stepped into the main cabin of the Falcon and stopped. For a long moment, he regarded Leia Organa. She was sitting comfortably on one of the benches, intently reading a datapad in her hands. She was wearing a white pantsuit, her hair was twisted in a casual braid and her legs were stretched out in front of her. She looked relaxed. Han smiled slightly to himself. She worked far too hard and rarely had down time, so he was happy for this enforced break, however short.
In the background, mounted against a wall, was a large holoscreen showing an Imperial talking head. Solo made his way over to the princess and sat down next to her.
"So, old Dressellian Prune Face still hasn't made an appearance?" he asked.
Leia looked up and smiled a little, then glanced at the holoscreen.
"No, 2 hours late on his big announcement now. The Imperial hosts are looking rather strained at this point. Palpatine is such a pompous egotist. I'm sure he's waiting just for the pleasure of having all those hapless courtiers and troops stand around waiting on him."
Han nodded idly, "Any idea what this big announcement is about? I'm all for a little break before our mission to Delaya, but it is hard to believe that it will be vital for us to know it immediately, whatever it is."
Leia sighed and put her datapad down. She put her hand out, and Han took it. It was so small in his own work-hardened one.
"It might be about Vader," she said quietly, "He disappeared more than a year ago and while Palpatine has steadily refused to make an announcement, at this point most people assume he is dead or … discarded, or something. If the Emperor has gotten rid of Vader, he may announce the ascension of a new second-in-command. And if so, we need to know immediately. It might have an effect on our mission to Delaya."
Han nodded and sighed. Vader's disappearance was all to the good, but it had coincided with the disappearance of Luke Skywalker.
Their friend had been captured more than a year ago on Sedratis and vanished. With no word of him, and no obvious intel leak from him, the assumption was that he had been quietly executed after refusing to provide information.
(It haunted Han, some nights, wondering how long his friend had held out before the end. And sometimes Leia's eyes grew weary and sad, and Han wondered if she was following the same grim hovertrain of thought.)
Though against that was the reality that Luke's name was still at the top of the Most Wanted charts.
The whole thing was puzzling at some level, but mostly it was heart breaking. Han had admired and liked Luke Skywalker a great deal, even though they'd only known each other for a few short months.
And Leia, too, had bonded tightly with the young farmboy from Tatooine. His disappearance had drawn his remaining friends closer together, and Han was grateful that he and Leia were now close friends. Maybe even more than friends. But he wished it hadn't come at such a cost.
It was a war, and in war good people died. But it still hurt like crazy.
"Ok, looks like the Emperor is finally going to grace us with his august presence," Leia said sarcastically, breaking into his thoughts.
She touched the remote and turned the sound back on.
/
Imperial Press Room
Imperial Palace
Imperial Center
Cray Shifton took a deep, cleansing breath as Relinka Spetzv, dressed in dark blue with matching blue hair, rattled on next to him.
He seriously thought he was close to going mad, but he was grateful for his co-host, who could and did spew out inane commentary in her sleep.
Two plus hours waiting for the Emperor, after an entire night without sleep because yes, it had taken that long to prepare the lighting and the audio and the Press Room to the liking of Palpatine's yapping sycophant of a media director.
And while the Emperor had kept them waiting in past years, he had never delayed this long. The only succor was that Cray was certain Sate Pestage was equally frustrated. The Imperial Grand Vizier had been waiting with increasing impatience in an alcove next to the small but elegant Imperial Broadcasting Center where Relinka was currently holding forth about the glories of the Empire in general and Emperor Palpatine in particular. Shifton knew Pestage was waiting for a signal, and then the doors halfway up the wall behind them would open dramatically, and a ramp would lower, and the Imperial Royal guards would stalk down, and the Emperor would appear in all his glory, and say a few words.
Shifton hoped it was a few words, anyway.
And then, assuming nothing went wrong and he and Relinka were still alive, Shifton would go home and get smashingly drunk. He really did not like interacting with the Emperor in any way; the man, ancient and wrinkly and skeletal, totally gave him the creeps.
Finally! A small beep sounded in his right ear and he caught Relinka's eye. She finished her glowing accolades of the latest black octagonal holograph being displayed in Palpatine's personal art museum, and turned it over to Shifton.
Cray turned toward the camera and gazed solemnly at the billions upon billions of viewers watching, "It is my honor to now introduce Imperial Grand Vizier Sate Pestage. The Grand Vizier!"
He and Relinka stepped back and Pestage strode forward, turned to the vids, and began his prepared speech.
Once again, the glories of the Empire were touched upon, and then Pestage spent five apparently heartfelt minutes describing the man who would be shortly appearing. Emperor Palpatine. Glorious leader. Wise counselor. Benevolent master. Powerful savior of the galaxy after the devastation of the Clone Wars and the evil plots of the malevolent Jedi.
Blah blah blah, Cray thought irritably.
"And now, fellow citizens of the galaxy, it is my honor, my pleasure, my privilege to introduce our most august Majesty, Emperor Palpatine."
They all turned toward the back of the reception hall. The door halfway up the wall opened, the ramp lowered automatically, and …
A tall, grim figure appeared at the top. Two meters tall, black robes, heavy black mask, rhythmic respirations, and a lightsaber at his waist.
The Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader.
Shifton felt his eyes widen and nearly pop out, even as he heard Relinka gasp beside him.
Cray shot a stunned look at Pestage. The Grand Vizier was looking pale as well, and it was obvious from his dilated eyes and slightly slackened jaw that he had not expected this twist in the usual Empire Day ceremonies.
Vader strode down the ramp with his arms behind his back, the long cloak flowing behind him.
Shifton noted, absently, that no red guards were with the Dark Lord, but they would no doubt descend the ramp when the Emperor appeared.
When Vader reached the bottom, he stepped forward until he loomed a meter from the Grand Vizier.
There was an awkward pause. Shifton was not saying a word, no way. And Relinka, for all her predilection for incessant talking, apparently had the sense to be quiet too.
Pestage finally spoke, "Lord … Lord Vader, this is truly a … surprise … I mean, a pleasure, and a privilege for the many viewers of this most glorious celebration of Empire Day. We have been deprived of the honor of your presence for far too long. Perhaps you have a message for the galaxy before the Emperor arrives?"
"Indeed, I do," the Dark Lord rumbled loudly and clearly, "It is a great pleasure for me to announce to the galaxy that the reign of Emperor Palpatine is over, permanently."
The Sith moved his right hand from behind his back and raised it up. In his large prosthetic hand was an object, wrapped in a black cloth. Vader's hand unclasped, and the object floated in mid-air, untouched by human hand.
Shifton found himself filled with a combination of excitement and dread. Suddenly, hideously, the black cloth fell away, revealing a severed head. Cray sucked in a shocked breath. The head had furious yellow eyes. A thoroughly wrinkled, ancient, and ugly face. Short gray hair. It couldn't be. It couldn't be …
"Emperor Palpatine is dead!" Vader announced dramatically, "Long live Emperor Vader!"
Cray Shipton heard a soft shriek escape his lips even as the world wobbled in his vision.
He fainted with one last thought in his head.
This was ratings gold.
/-
The Millennium Falcon
Han and Leia stared in disbelief at the screen for more than a minute.
"Is that …" Han began
"What we think it is?" Leia finished.
Chewbacca, who had come in during Vader's stunning announcement, howled in excitement.
/-/
Emperor Vader's palace
A couple of hours later
"Wasn't that kind of dramatic, Father?" Luke Skywalker asked.
"The general populace appreciates drama, my son," Vader responded absently, busily analyzing intelligence reports, "It gives them something to talk about."
"Yeah, I'm guessing your showing the severed head of your previous master on the Holonet will give people something to talk about."
Vader nodded, "That was most definitely my intention, Luke. It is best to strike fear into those who might oppose us foolishly, and nothing imparts visceral fear like a severed head."
Luke frowned a little, "It's too bad it was cauterized, really. Wouldn't dripping blood be even more dramatic and scary?"
Vader chuckled, a strange sound through the vocoder, "Perhaps. There are limits even to what we can do. Lightsabers are not messy weapons."
"Oh well," Luke said, then yawned hugely even as he rubbed his arms.
Vader's attention focused in like a laser beam on his son, "Has your pain increased, Son?"
The boy looked exasperated, "I'm fine, Father. You had me checked out. He only hit me a few times."
Vader stared at Luke directly. It was true that his son had not been bombarded with Force Lightning for long, and furthermore that Vader's private med droid had checked him thoroughly and applied the appropriate treatment. It was hard not to worry, though.
"Go to bed, my son," he finally said, "It has been a very busy and exhausting day, and tomorrow will be strenuous as well."
"Ok. I love you, Father."
Vader hesitated. He had never responded in kind but …
"I love you as well, my son."
He was rewarded with a surprised smile of delight, and his son patted his armored shoulder as he wandered off to his sleeping quarters next door.
/-/
Main Conference Room
Rebel Cruiser Liberty
Gama System
2 days later
"As far as we can tell based on analysis of the holo, it truly was Emperor Palpatine's decapitated head," Major Blet said firmly to the group of Alliance leadership around her.
There was a long pause, and then Mon Mothma shook her head incredulously.
"Well, I admit I did not see that one coming," she murmured, then shook herself, "General Cracken, please give us an update on the current situation on Imperial Center and the Core?"
Cracken rose to his feet, "Emperor Vader has consolidated power by arresting and possibly executing many of Palpatine's inner circle of advisors. A number of Star Destroyers arrived in orbit around Imperial Center within minutes of Vader's dramatic announcement of his coup, which leads us to believe that he has been planning this takeover for some time. There is unrest in the Rim Worlds as battle fleets under a variety of admirals determine their loyalty. With the galaxy in upheaval, the Alliance has new opportunities. We will continue to gather information as rapidly as possible for Alliance High Command."
"Thank you, General Cracken," Mothma said, "Leia, you have something to say?"
Leia hesitated, then spoke, "Do we have any idea where Vader has been the last year? Has any information about his whereabouts during that time been uncovered."
Cracken shook is head, "None at all, your Highness. Planning an uprising, obviously. Why?"
The princess raised a hand to cover her eyes, "It's just that … he disappeared around the same time as Skywalker. I was hoping for some closure."
Mon Mothma exchanged looks with Cracken and then reached out a gentle hand, "I'm sorry, Princess …"
The door slid open, revealing an aide.
"Members of the Council, the Emperor is making an announcement on Imperial Center."
/-
Darth Vader's Palace
Media Center
Imperial Center
Emperor Vader stood tall and stately, staring directly at the camera, disdaining such plebian props as a podium.
"There will be a number of substantial changes in the structure and goals of my government compared to that of the former Emperor," he said in his well known bass voice, "Details of these modifications will be promulgated by my advisors and staff in the next few weeks.
"On this occasion, however, I wish to make an important personal announcement. I loyally served Emperor Palpatine for 19 years as his second-in-command. It was a little more than a year ago that I discovered Emperor Palpatine lied and betrayed to me about the most important event in my life. It was this deception, this treachery, which led to my decision to destroy the Emperor and take the throne."
"Sentient Beings of the Galaxy, it is my honor, and my privilege, to introduce my living heir and son. I present to you, Prince Luke Skywalker."
/-
Main Conference Room
Rebel Cruiser Liberty
Gama System
"Moons of Iago," Mothma murmured.
"I can't believe it," Rieekan said in an incredulous voice.
"Oh Luke! Luke!" Leia cried out in a heartbroken voice.
/-
Leia Organa's Quarters
Rebel Cruiser Liberty
Gama System
7 days later
Leia looked up as her door chimed. With a sigh, she rolled to her feet and opened the door. Han stood there.
She smiled at him, and he at her even as he noted the dark circles under her eyes, the additional pallor of her face. The last seven days had been exhausting and stressful for everyone, but most of all for Leia.
Because of Luke Skywalker. Because the youth they had both liked, even loved, was someone different now.
"Come in," she said with a welcoming gesture, and sat down on the couch. Han dropped beside her.
Leia found herself looking at a still of Luke for the hundredth time in the last week. It was taken from the press conference announcing his position as the Heir to the Emperor, as Darth Vader's son. He looked older, more muscular, but underneath it all …
"He still looks so much like our Luke," she murmured softly.
She put her hand out to clasp Han's, "It just doesn't seem right. He should look different somehow. Evil or something …"
Han hesitated, trying to think of something to say. Finally realized there was nothing that would help. Instead, he let go of her hand and wrapped his arms around her.
Not for the first time this week, Leia Organa cried.
An insistent beep interrupted her sobs. Han, exasperated, stabbed at the com with his finger, "The princess is busy!"
There was a startled pause, and then the voice of Mothma's aide, "Captain Solo, I have orders from Mon Mothma that the princess needs to attend an emergency meeting in 10 minutes."
Han scowled hideously, though of course he couldn't project that grimace through the com, "Is it necessary?"
Another pause, then the subdued voice of the aide, "We have updated information on the situation on Kashyyyk."
Leia and Han exchanged worried glances. Four days ago, an Imperial Fleet had moved in over Kashyyyk and there had been a complete communications black out ever since.
"I need you to get me into this meeting, Leia," Solo said abruptly, "If it's bad, I want to be the one to break it to Chewie."
Leia rose to her feet and went into the refresher to wash the tears off her face, "I will make it happen, Han, I promise."
/-
The Liberty
Conference Room #4
10 minutes later
Mon Mothma wore her professional look, but underneath her stiff demeanor Leia sensed amazement, "This is Major Klinder. He's been a double agent for the Alliance for the last year, and was stationed on Kashyyyk. He just escaped the blockade and has provided us with much needed intel. First, let's run the vid, Major, and then we'll discuss the situation."
"Members of the Council, Captain Solo, this is a secret holo taken 4 days ago in Governor Tarkin's main office. Major Klinder was able to install spybots there some time ago."
Leia heard herself gasp, "Tarkin?"
Klinder nodded even as he rolled his eyes, "Yes, a distant relative of the Grand Moff who died on the Death Star. He legally changed his name in an attempt to use the Tarkin name for advancement. Not as smart, but just as cruel as his more famous namesake."
Solo lifted a cynical eyebrow, "Well it seems to have worked. He's been running Kashyyyk like his own private fiefdom for a couple of years now."
"Not anymore," Klinder said cryptically, and started the holovid.
/-
Governor Melton Tarkin's main office
Imperial Base Prime
Kashyyyk
4 days earlier
Tarkin's aide, Leuitenant Yan, spoke gravely, "There is still considerable upheaval on Imperial Center, Governor, but it is unlikely that it will affect the situation on Kashyyyk in the near future. The Empire will still need wroshyr trees and food for the troops. We should continue our usual operations …"
The door to Tarkin's office suddenly slid open and the four men at the table turned abruptly even as the 6 guards lifted their weapons.
Governor Tarkin was on his feet an instant later, "How dare you break into my private meet …"
His voice trailed away as he observed the intruder.
A short, slim, blond youth, dressed in black, with a lightsaber hanging at his waist. Really a mere boy, and not menacing at all. Except that Tarkin recognized this young man. Prince Luke Skywalker.
So yes, not personally menacing, but behind this stripling was the most powerful man in the Empire, Emperor Darth Vader. This was quite an interruption, and an unwelcome one at that.
General Tarkin had a good thing going here on Kashyyyk and the last thing he needed was someone from Imperial Center to interfere. And especially not the Heir.
Obviously he couldn't blurt those words out at the moment. He'd come a long way in this galaxy by using honeyed phrases at the right time.
"Your Royal Highness," he exclaimed as soon as he had regained his balance, "This is an unexpected pleasure. We are honored by your presence."
Skywalker took three more steps forward and then spoke, his voice cold, "You may dispense with the pleasantries, Governor. I'm here to shut down your operation."
Tarkin blinked, "I don't understand, your Highness. I assure you that my men are working as hard as they can. If the Wookie slaves are not performing to the Emperor's satisfaction, we can provide additional incentives to them. I do warn you, however, that they are nearly working at their physical limit, and we are already losing a substantial number to illness and overwork. If we are to get even more production, we may need to increase the food supply to the slaves slightly …"
"No," the youth's voice broke in, with durasteel in his tones, "No, I mean that your governorship is at an end. The work camps are at an end. Slavery, on Kashyyyk, is at an end. I, with my father's approval, am here to free the Wookiees."
There was an incredulous pause. Tarkin stared at that young face even as he heard the gasps of his three underlings, even as he heard the uneasy shifting of the six guards around him. The guards were his own, and loyal only to him …
The Governor prided himself on his quick decision making. Obviously the new Emperor was changing the status quo in unacceptable ways, and the Heir would be a perfect hostage to convince Vader to accede to Tarkin's demands.
"Take him," he ordered his troops, "Set for stun."
There was only the slightest hesitation as the guards switched to stun and raised their blasters.
That hesitation was more than enough for Skywalker, however. Instantly, the lightsaber was off his waist and in hand, turned on, buzzing blue. The blade moved faster than the eye could see, blocking stun shots, cutting through bodies, through limbs. Tarkin stumbled back in terror toward the com in an attempt to call for help, but before he could reach it, something grabbed him by the throat. He clutched at his esophagus, struggled for air. Just as unconsciousness beckoned, the unseen grip eased and he found himself on the floor, gasping, heaving, relishing in the oxygen entering his lungs.
When he rolled to a sitting position, it was to find his guards dead, as well as two of his councilors. The only one still alive, Lieutenant Yan, was on his feet, hands up, eyes wide with terror.
The door to the office was open now, and several unfamiliar officers had moved in.
"Are you injured, your Highness?" inquired a man with the officer bars of a Commander.
"Of course not, Tregast," Skywalker said with a smirk, "In fact, I think I'm insulted that you would even ask."
The officer, who had been looking nervous, looked more nervous briefly, then relaxed as Skywalker's smile broadened.
"Just making sure, sir," the Commander responded, "The Emperor made it clear that your well-being was my highest priority."
The youth sighed, "He's rather over protective. I definitely can handle this lot."
"This is absurd," Tarkin managed to gasp as he rose shakily to his feet, "Ridiculous! The Wookiees are barely sentient, and their sole reason for existence is to serve their betters …"
Again, the breath seized in his throat.
This time, it was released more quickly.
"The Wookiees," the Heir said with narrowed eyes, "Are as sentient as you and I, and deserve the same rights to life and liberty. I would kill you for your crimes, Governor, but we may need your retinal scan. Captain, see to it that the governor is kept alive and unharmed until I decide we no longer need him."
Skywalker turned to Yan, whose eyes were, if possible, even wider now.
"Name?"
"Uh, Lieutenant Yan, your Highness."
"Well, Lieutenant," the youth said with a casual slap on the man's shoulder, "You have a couple of options. I can lock you up, or you can help us by providing intel on the day to day operations here on Kashyyyk."
The lieutenant didn't hesitate for a moment, "It would be my honor to assist you, your Highness."
/-
The Liberty
Conference Room #4
4 days later
The spyvid faded to black and the members of the Alliance Council stared blankly at the dark screen for a full minute.
Solo broke out of his stunned reverie first and gazed slowly around the table. All but Klinder still looked like poleaxed shaaks. Klinder had no doubt seen the vid before, but he still looked amazed.
"So," Solo said, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention, "Can I ask what happened after this vid? Do you know, Major?"
Klinder cast a surprised look at this man dressed in Corellian bloodstripes as opposed to Alliance officer garb, but spoke nonetheless, "I was on Kashyyyk for the next two days. The work for the slaves ceased. Food allotments were increased substantially and medical treatment began for the ill. Skywalker has been tearing around meeting with various Imperial officials and Wookiee leaders, and is working to get families who had been torn apart back together again. "
"What about the collars?" Solo demanded.
Mothma roused herself from her apparent reverie, "Collars?"
"Shock collars," Klinder explained with grief on his face, "Set high to control the Wookiees. Set so high, indeed, that it killed some of them when they rebelled, or even failed to perform with sufficient speed and strength. They haven't been removed yet though they were entirely disabled on Skywalker's orders."
Rieekan frowned, "Why not remove them entirely if the Empire truly is freeing them?"
"I believe," Klinder said gravely, "That the process of removing the collars is a dangerous one. The Wookiees are naturally enraged at the treatment of their people and it is challenging for an Imperial trooper to get them off without potentially getting himself choked to death in a Wookiee death grip. And the tools used to remove the collars were specifically designed so that only humans could use them."
"So," Rieekan said thoughtfully, "The delay on removing the shock collars doesn't necessarily mean that this is some kind of elaborate set up and the Wookiees will be enslaved again on a moment's notice."
Klinder shook his head doubtfully, "I do not know, General. This whole situation is well out of my experience …"
"Stop it, all of you," Leia said, speaking for the first time, "Forget the collars, forget the potential treachery for just a few minutes. What about Luke? What in all the star clusters is happening with Luke?"
Klinder frowned, "Luke, your Highness?"
Mothma rose to her feet now and moved over to press a gentle but restraining hand on Leia's shoulder, "Skywalker, Major Klinder. Princess Leia was a close friend to Skywalker, and his ascension to the title of Crown Prince of the Empire has been a difficult one for her. Indeed, for us all."
"But this," Solo said firmly, "Puts a new spin on it, doesn't it? The Empire under Palpatine enslaved the Wookiees and now Luke is out there freeing them? That has to mean something."
"He's acting like a Jedi, not a Sith," Leia agreed, "Freeing the slaves like this."
There was a long pause and Mothma said gently, "But Sith and Jedi do not work together, Leia."
Another stretch of silence, and then Rieekan spoke up, "Or perhaps they do, when they are father and son."
/-
Leia Organa's quarters
The Liberty
30 minutes later
Leia leaned up against Han Solo, "It's possible, isn't it, Han?"
Han put his arm around her, kissed her gently on the cheek, "Leia, we just don't know."
Leia sighed, "I think maybe we do know. I didn't want to admit it myself, indeed I really wanted this to be some elaborate scheme to entrap Luke. However, given Vader's truly bizarre behavior since Luke disappeared, and his even more bizarre behavior since Luke re-appeared, I have to wonder if it is true. If Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader and Luke really is … is his son."
Solo shook his head, "It's hard to believe, but yeah, maybe? I poked around a bit about Anakin Skywalker …"
"So did I," Leia said, "And I'm sure we came up with similar things. Hero With No Fear. Disappeared in the early days of the Empire, presumed dead. But maybe …"
The doorbell chimed.
"Oh stars, who can it be now?" the princess yelped in exasperation, "I'm tired and upset and stressed and it is the middle of the night. I just want to drink more alcohol than I should and go to sleep!"
Solo grinned at this short diatribe and removed his arm from around her.
"I'll get rid of whoever it is," he said, standing up and moving to the door.
He hit the switch and the door slid open.
Luke Skywalker stood outside, a hesitant smile on his face.
"Um, may I come in?" he asked.
Author Note: One more chapter after this one. Thanks to those of you who have read and followed and favorited and reviewed. It's all gold and incredibly encouraging. And thanks to my wonderful husband for beta'ing!
