Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
As he approached the large doors to the throne room where the Emperor is, he couldn't help but feel a rising sense of nervousness and fear. Despite all of his determination to not turn to the Dark Side, what if he was tricked? Then he would end up in just the place where he doesn't want to be. Ben said that Darth Vader was seduced by the Dark Side. Did that mean that his father, Anakin Skywalker, was lured by some promise that eventually led him to where he was today? Did he think he was doing what was right at the time?
When Luke entered the throne room, his thoughts quickly evaporated and focused on his current situation. A coldness that seemed to penetrate into everything surrounded the Emperor. When they stopped right in front of the Emperor, the guards were dismissed. As his father kneeled down, Luke couldn't really say he was surprised since with all the stories he had heard from Leia and other people along with his father's total adherence to the orders from his master, he had anticipated the gesture of humility and obedience. As for Luke himself, he refuse to submit to this ugly old wrinkled person, so he gathered as much of the Force as possible with his current skills, and shielded his mind as best he could and stared defiantly at the Emperor.
"So this is young Skywalker, eh? Lord Vader, you have done us a great service by bringing in the Son of Skywalker. He he he..."
He turned and stared at Luke with those power-hungry, but cunning yellow eyes. His cracked and dry mouth slowly slipped into a smile. "I've been waiting for a while, young Skywalker. You can become great like I am now if you allow me to finish your training in the Force. What is your answer?"
"I am sorry, your highness, but you'll find me a lot harder to turn then my father was. I serve the light side of the Force and will never have anything but pain and sorrow if I turn to the Dark Side." Luke said with determination shining in his eyes, his whole body stiff.
But the Emperor would not be put off so easily.
"On the contrary, young Skywalker, I think that you will be grateful to me once you have felt for yourself, the power of the Dark Side, and how weak you Light Side is in comparison. But, I do not need an answer now, Son of Skywalker, you will be allowed to think this over, and once you have the Truth and not those Jedi lies, you will change your mind." The Emperor's face stretched into a sickly grin.
"You are wrong. I will never turn." Stated Luke firmly although in his mind he was wondering what he meant by the Truth and Jedi lies.
"Lord Vader, take your son and show him to his quarters. You are dismissed." Said the Emperor lastly as he swung his chair to face the large viewing glass looking out into space.
After he was shown to his room, his father left without another word. Looking around, he could see everything was covered in black, silver, or both. Nice decorating team they have here. Thought Luke despite the situation he was in. But as quickly as the thought came, he became extremely tired from the events of the past few days. I wonder what Leia, Chewie, and the others are doing. He glanced around the room once more. All of the furnishings were top quality and the latest style. He laid down on his new bed.
A bird trapped in a gilded cage...
She was creeping up to her goal. She can almost reach the mechanism that will free him. Just a few more inches... There! The carbonite wall decoration was heating up. But it was no ordinary decoration. It was Han Solo trapped in carbonite being used as a wall decoration for Jabba the Hutt's amusement.
Leia's plan has worked so far since she didn't see any guards coming up, but everything can still go wrong if she makes just one mistake. One tiny mistake and they would be found out, and the Rebellion will be put at risk. Leia wondered what she was going to do to Jabba the Hutt after this whole war was over for putting the man she loved up as a wall decoration, gloating over the fact that he had bested Han Solo. But that is for later, this is now, and she turned her attention to the now visible Han Solo, fully separated from the carbonite just as he fell over into her arms.
"Wh-who are you?" he questioned weakly as he lay shivering in her arms. "Where am I?"
"You are in Jabba's Palace. You must be as silent as possible for Jabba will not be lenient if he catches us. You have just been freed from your prison of carbonite." The disguised princess said as she cursed silently because her voice senthizizer made her voice seem devoid of emotion.
"I-I can't see." Stuttered Han as he reached out a hand.
"You are suffering from Hibernation Sickness. You sight will be restored to you in due time. There is little time. We must get out now." Urged Leia as she helped him to his feet. "Introductions will be made at a later time."
Lando should have gotten Chewie out by now. Now they were entering their last stage in their plan. Leia quickly rushed Han out the palace without any mishap and met up with Lando and Chewie. They then quickly covered up the rescue as much as possible and entered hyperspace as soon as the coordinates were set.
Han was put down on one of the cramped spaces of the Millennium Falcon that resembled a bed. Leia loathed leaving Han for a second, especially with him in this state. But she quickly decided to just have a change out of those stinky bounty hunter clothes and into her respectable ones.
All through the night Han Solo slept with Leia watching over him. Little did they, or the current pilot and co-pilot, know, that on the clothes that Leia had tossed haphazardly, there was a tiny device tracking their every location... right to their destination, the Rebel Base...
Jabba the Hutt was pleased. Yes, he had been very angry when he saw that the bounty hunter that had came into his palace had collected his money and then freed and stole away his favorite decoration, the one who owed him a large amount of money, Han Solo. But, the other bounty hunter, Boba Fett had managed to put a tracking device on the retreating figures. He had offered a new deal. Bring Han Solo back to him and the beings who had a hand in rescuing him. He would make them pay! All other information the notorious bounty hunter finds, he can keep, if he wants.
Han Solo will be punished most severely to dare challenge him again. No doubt the people who rescued him were people that cared about him, all except that bounty hunter. Jabba shifted thoughtfully. Then he decided. The bounty hunter is very resourceful. He will forgive him if he agrees to be employed under his service. He could do with a person of such cunning and brilliance. Especially since while the Empire has not harmed him, but contributed to his business, the bounty hunter is a useful tool if the Empire decides something that will not be his advantage.
Yes, yes... that is what he will do... As for now, the twin suns of Tatooine has begun to rise.
Another day has come...
AN: There! Just in time before the deadline too. Whew! Thanks for all the reviews for last chapter. That encourages me a lot. I had a bit of trouble deciding whether or not Jabba would capture Leia, Chewie and the others. Decided on this line of story. Couldn't fit Mara anywhere comfortably into the story. Sorry. I'll do it soon though. Just have to find the right place. Due to some difficulties with the computer, I cannot put down the replies to the reviews. I'll put them up with the next chapter as soon as possible. Thanks.
