HI EVERYONE! Sorry about the long...long...LONG delay in updates.I won't make excuses or things of that nature. AllI really want to say in this A/N is - ENJOY THE CHAPTER!

Key:

thoughts

memories

dreams, nightmares

(((holo-images, computer data, translated R2 units)))

Also when I capitalize the word Forced or Forcing, it means used/using the Force

Chapter 6: Captured Again

Vara lay on her back looking up at the metal ceiling. The shuttle she was in would be landing soon and to be honest she wasn't too thrilled about it. Vader – who had finally come to except Vara as his daughter – was greatly disappointed. Actually he was enraged. His anger swelled in the Force sweeping over Vara like a wave of fire.

Somewhere in the midst of that anger she heard him call for her. Sighing, Vara stood and exited her quarters. Within a few moments she was standing onboard the bridge watching as the incomplete Death Star grew closer. The wings closed in as the ship was caught in the tractor beam. A clink of metal hitting metal and the Y-wing was settled in the hanger bay.

The ramp lowered and Vader exited the ship. His mechanical breathing echoed in the quiet bay sending chills through everyone. Behind him stood Vara, cloaked as usual and menacingly quiet.

"Lord Vader, this is an unexpected pleasure," Commander Jerjerrod said giving a slight glance at Vara though showing no other acknowledgement of her presence. "We're honored by your presence."

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Commander." The Sith Lord said with a wave of his hand. "I'm here to put you back on schedule."

"I assure you, Lord Vader, my men are working as fast as they can."

"Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them."

Jerjerrod halted and the two Sith followed in suit. "I tell you, this station will be operational as planned."

"The Emperor does not share your optimistic appraisal of the situation."

"But he asks the impossible," the commander whispered as though it was a secret. "I need more men."

"Then perhaps you can tell him when he arrives."

"The Emperor's coming here?"

"That is correct, Commander. And he is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress."

"We shall double our efforts."

"I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am." With that threat hanging in the air Vader and Vara left the hanger. The Dark lord's anger was slightly less, though Vara kept her mouth and thoughts quiet.

The trip to their shared quarters was a short one and almost as soon as they got there, the holo-projector lit up showing the emperor's head as large and commanding as his presence. At once, his two followers fell to their knees.

"What is your command, master?" Vara asked her hand over her heart and her head still bowed.

"The air onboard the Death Star is quite different from what I last felt. The Commander did not take well to your visiting?" The air of mocking in his voice made Vara's lips twitch into a smirk.

"No, my master."

"Good. Await further orders. And Vader…make sure this tension does not die. I rather enjoy it."

"Yes, as you wish."

The image flickered out and the two were left in darkness.

"Vara," Vader said after a moment. "I have no time for the petty matter s of keeping them on schedule. You will be in charge of them. Bring any miscreants to me."

"Yes, father. As you wish." The girl nodded and swept out of the chambers taking a long stride to the command center. Jerjerrod paused in his pace upon spotting her and crossed his arms behind his back.

"Does Vader desire something?" He asked with no real respect in his voice.

"Yes, your head on a platter, but since that is not available…my control of your progress will do."

"Your control? A simple servant-" His voice vanished as her saber found its way to his neck.

"A servant? I think you mistake me for someone else."

"My apologies. I thought - "

"It's quite obvious what you thought."

"Forgive me. You are a Sith Lord then?"

"Yes. My name is Lord Vara. Remember it."

"Yes. Of course."

The Sith pushed him to the side with blow from the Force making her way to the command center. At her entrance the workers paused leaving only the sounds of the machinery.

"You have all been working on this station for far too long, so now it has been pressed upon you that you finish in time for the emperor's arrival, " there were murmurs at this, obviously the rumor had been confirmed. "I think it hardly need to be stated what will happen should you fail but for those who think the Emperor is a nice and forgiving man, know this…the pain Vader and I could inflict upon you is but an ounce of the Emperors. For your own sakes finish this…or perish." Vara turned, grinning at the effect of her threat and took a seat in the commander's chair.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Days passed, the station making slow but noticeable progress. Vara's leadership – which had originally been challenged – was now a threat that loomed over them day after day. Her methods of dealing with miscreants and those who could not stay on task often left them emotionally scarred for days. Some even feared her more than they did Vader who had shown his face on occasion only to check on the progress.

On the fourth day after their arrival on the horribly incomplete Death Star 2, Jerjerrod, Vader and Vara walked slowly yet purposefully toward the landing bay. There in threatening magnificence stood the emperor's shuttle, exit ramp lowering in a cloud of steam.

At the sight of their leader the three dropped to one knee, heads bowed.

"Rise, my friends," came Palpatine's voice from underneath his large hood. In response his two followers stood, Vader falling in step with the emperor, Vara trailing behind. Even further back trailed Jerjerrod who was completely forgotten.

"The Death Star will be completed on schedule," Vader started filling the empty silence between himself and his master.

"You have done well, Lord Vader," Palpatine said giving a slight nod to Vader. "And now I sense you wish to continue your search for young Skywalker."

"Yes, my Master." Vader's response came slowly not sure if he should vocally admit his feelings.

"Patience, my friend. In time he will seek you out. And when he does, you must bring him before me. He has grown strong. Only together can we turn him to the dark side of the Force."

"As you wish."

"Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen." He laughed to himself as they continued their way to the door. Behind them, Vara lowered her head thoughts racing through her mind. Luke…you must join us…

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The stars outside seemed to mock her as they twinkled brightly. Inside, Vara kneeled patiently at the Emperor's feet. His golden eyes calmly analyzed her and she allowed him to sift through her thoughts, testing her power in his secret yet satisfying way. Finally he spoke. "Lord Vara, I have a mission for you that is of great importance to the Empire."

The young girl paid rapt attention to his words. "Yes, master."

"The rebels who seem to think that they can overcome us are preparing a strike against this station. Among them, as I'm sure you know, is your old friend: Princess Leia Organa." He said the name with disgust and Vara nodded. "I want you to infiltrate them as a last test of your loyalty to the Empire."

"Yes, my master. Though…"

"Why do I need you if I already know what they are planning?"

"Yes."

"As I said. A test of your loyalty to the Empire."

"Yes, my master. I understand." She nodded and rose giving one last bow before exiting the room. He thoughts once again raced as she calculated what she would need.

That night, dressed and packed she stood in front of a standard transport shuttle. No one save those who part of the control team were in the room with her as she boarded. Giving a nod to the men behind her she started the transport and dropped into space speeding through the stars. As she traveled a thought struck her that nearly made her loose control of the ship for a moment. If Leia is still a part of the rebellion…she will still consider me… She shivered in disgust blocking her mind from that until she finally saw the barge hovering in front of her.

Just as she neared, two fighter pilots swarmed her and led her to the loading bay. She smiled as they did so though quickly played out the idea she had been hatching. Pressing a few buttons on the console she opened a link between herself and one of the pilots. "Please!" She screamed making her voice seem frightened. "I was captured by the Empire! I just escaped! Please! Help me!"

"We're leading you in. Deal with what happens there…" the voice that spoke back to her seemed almost sympathetic. Vara smirked and replied with a soft 'ok' following the two until they were safely inside the bay. Ruffling her hair and tearing a few strips of her clothes Vara stood and admired her I-just-escaped appearance before quickly running from the shuttle and into the arms of the first person she saw.

"Please. I don't know…they might come for me…" She looked up into the eyes of young man who gently led her to a cell. "Please. I promise…" She looked around apprehensively. "Leia!" She shouted as the man turned. "Princess Leia…I know her! She can…prove my innocence." She looked at him with wide eyes. "Please…" She sank into a chair in the corner of the room and closed her eyes.

The man turned and watched her for a moment before sighing softly. "What's your name? I'll tell the Princess."

Vara shuddered as her fears came to realization and as she said her name. "Ariala." Almost instantly she felt bile in the back of her throat and a sweep of helplessness wash over her. Four years wasn't really that much but to her it was a lifetime. She had been reborn as Vara and now she was Ariala once again. It was almost as though Vara was dying. "My name is Ariala." She said louder. The man nodded and walked off as Vara gave a heave of disgust whispering 'Vara' softly over and over again as though to cleanse her tongue of her old name.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Upstairs and through a long hallway, the rebels buzzed around with excitement. Races of all kind that despised the Emperor's rule mingled as though at a party. Flittering around like a hostess giving information and the occasional 'good luck' was Princess Leia. The young princess glowed in her element as she ran through the battle schematics passing tidbits onto those who would need it or were simply too anxious to wait for the formal presentation.

As she did this, the young pilot who brought Vara, walked over and tapped Leia lightly on the shoulder. "Princess. There is something that I think you should see."

"Is it important? My hands are already full."

"We intercepted an Empire Shuttle coming toward the station." Leia turned sharply. "The pilot says she has just escaped from the Empire." Leia opened her mouth to speak only to be cut off. "She is now being held weaponless in cell C-16."

"Take me to her." Leia demanded forgetting the beeping console. As they walked she gently yet frantically interrogated the pilot. "Did she say anything else? Where are her weapons? Did she look like she was followed?"

"No. She seemed alone, but to be sure we have doubled the X-wings circling the frigate." He pulled out a cylinder object. "This was the only thing on her and she said her name." He paused in his speech trying to think. "Aril…no…Arala…"

As he stumbled through names, Leia took the object and froze eyes pasted to it. The familiar cool metal under her fingers sent her heart into frenzy. Curious she clicked on the weapon watching as a long thin amethyst sword or light shot from the hilt. The buzzing caught the pilot's attention and he turned just in time to hear her whisper a name. "Ariala…"

"Yes! Ariala. That was it."

At this confirmation, Leia looked at the pilot for a few silent moments before de-igniting the light saber and rushing past him. Her mind raced nearly as fast as she did. Hope, fear, worry, curiosity, happiness and sadness surged through her being causing her heart to hammer with adrenaline. Yet the second she reached level C her heart skipped a beat before returning to a steady yet echoing rhythm. "10…12…14…16…" She counted quietly pausing at the door the read C-16.

Taking a few calming breaths she opened the door with a nod to the officer in charge and looked with wide eyes to the girl slumped in the corner. "A-Ariala?"

The girl raised her head. "Leia…"

For an instant, time seemed to stand still before the two embraced Leia letting tears stain her cheeks. "I didn't think I'd see you again…" She started as she pulled back to look at her long lost friend. "… I'm sorry. I tried to save you…but I couldn't. I'm sorry."

"It's ok, Leia. I would have done the same. One of us had to keep the rebellion alive and you were the best choice."

"I know but - "

"No buts." She started walking dragging the girl behind her. As they walked the Vara gagged mentally at having to dig so deep as to remember how to be nice and caring about something. Once again she felt as though her Sith self was dying and shivered lightly at the emotion.

Once they reached the main deck, however and Leia dragged her over through the conversing people, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of what was coming to them.

A few people conversed around her and Leia managed to catch their attention in time for the room to be brought to silence. The group took a seat on the first row and listened as a middle-aged woman began to speak.

"The Emperor has made a critical error and the time for our attack has come." The room stirred at this interesting opening comment and Vara couldn't help but raise an eyebrow suddenly interested. As she did so, a holographic model of the Death Star, the Endor moon and the protecting deflector shield in the center of the room.

Once the room quieted, the woman continued. "The data brought to us by the Both an spies pinpoints the exact location of the Emperor's new battle station. We also know that the weapon systems of this Death Star are not yet operational. With the Imperial Fleet spread throughout the galaxy in a vain effort to engage us, it is relatively unprotected. But most important of all, we've learned that the Emperor himself is personally overseeing the final stages of the construction of this Death Star." The rebels erupted into conversation knowing what this meant while Vara only sat back and crossed her arms giving slow nods. "Many Bothans died to bring us this information. Admiral Ackbar, please."

A fish type creature stepped forward with bow before addressing the once again quieting room. "You can see here the Death Star orbiting the forest Moon of Endor." He pointed to the moon, which appeared as he spoke. "Although the weapon systems on this Death Star are not yet operational, the Death Star does have a strong defense mechanism." Now the shield appeared. "It is protected by an energy shield, which is generated from the nearby forest Moon of Endor. The shield must be deactivated if any attack is to be attempted. Once the shield is down, our cruisers will create a perimeter, while the fighters fly into the superstructure and attempt to knock out the main reactor." Yet again, and to Vara's annoyance, the room grew noisy. "General Calrissian has volunteered to lead the fighter attack." Applause followed his name and he gave soft smile to a man next to him at his partially sarcastic "Good luck."

Yet another man took the center as General Ackbar stepped back. He responded to General Madine. "We have stolen a small Imperial shuttle. Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret Imperial code, a strike team will land on the moon and deactivate the shield generator."

Vara shook her head and before she realized it, clearly said, "Your code won't work." The entire room looked at her many of them not knowing who she was and causing a few murmurs. She lowered her head only to be called out.

"And who are you?"

"She's my friend," Leia said suddenly commanding the room as was so easy for her. "Ariala. And I think we should listen to her."

"Alright then." Madine turned to Vara. "Why won't it work?"

"The codes change…regularly. Almost daily. Unless you stole a new code…they will find something wrong. It's too risky." Once again murmurs filled the room stopped by Mothma's voice. "It is all we have. It has to work."

Vara shrugged and sank back into her seat. Next to her she saw Han lean over to Leia. "Kinda pessimistic ain't she?"

"General Solo," Madine called out into the bustling room. "Is your strike team assembled?"

"Uh, my team's ready. I don't have a command crew for the shuttle."

Next to him, Chewbacca raised his paw and volunteered.

"Well, it's gonna be rough, pal. I didn't want to speak for you," Han replied yet the faithful friend waved the concern off.

"That's one."

"Uh, General... count me in," Leia added smiling at Han. "I'm with you, too!"

The rebels turned to the doorway looking as the un-owned voice spoke. Strolling down the steps, clad in black came Luke who wore a warm smile as he embraced his friends. From her seat Vara sat erect and couldn't help but stare. Finally smiling she raised her hand. "I'm in as well."

Leia turned, stepping back as she did so that the two old friends' eyes met. With a smile and a shrug, Vara stood and embraced Luke.

"Ari?"

"Who else?" The girl pulled back and smiled pointing to the lightsaber at his waist. "Ben still training you?" She asked feigning innocence despite the fact that she knew the answer.

"Oh…you don't know." Luke pulled her aside while the meeting carried on. "Ben…is dead."

A shadow crossed her face as memories overwhelmed her but she quickly regained her poise. "Oh…so who's been training you?"

Just as he was about to answer a loud cheer went up and the rebels poured out giving each hopeful clasps on the shoulder. "Later." He laughed to a few of the pilots before following behind Han and Leia. "Come on."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Han, Leia, Luke, Chewbacca and Vara, still playing the role of Ariala, sat in the cramped cockpit of the shuttle. They watched as the stars evened out and the Death Star came into view. The incomplete orb hovered magnificently and Vara shivered with anxiousness. Below the Death Star, a command ship moved along slowly cutting off the direct path Han was taking.

"If they don't go for this, we're gonna have to get outta here pretty quick, Chewie." Han said as they came within range of the Star.

Over the radio the voice of a worker echoed through. "We have you on our screen now. Please identify."

"Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of the deflector shield."

"Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code for shield passage."

"Transmission commencing."

The console buzzed as the code was transferred. "It's not going to work," Vara whispered and stood frustrated stalking toward the back of the cockpit upset that she had very little stalking room.

"Calm yourself, princess, it'll work."

Vara huffed and flopped into the chair watching as the group floated in space unable to move too much.

"Vader's on that ship." Everyone turned to Luke whose eyes were glued to the command ship.

Vara smirked. He's gotten better. A few moments passed until the voice came back asking for the details of their shuttle. Han answered and once again silence filled the cockpit. Not many tense seconds later, "Shuttle Tydirium, deactivation of the shield will commence immediately. Follow your present course."

A collective sigh save from Vara -who sat shocked glowering at Han's cocky glance - and Luke - who despite the success looked worried - as the shuttle began its descent onto Endor.

"Once on planet," Leia started pulling out a geographic map and pointing to several various marked spots. "We'll meet up with the strike teams h ere. We are a full day ahead of the Death Star team so we need to use this time to figure out an attack plan based on the security down there." She looked up. "Everyone got it?"

The group nodded as the shuttle clinked lightly on the metal landing platform. The young Sith eyed the planet curiously. In all the times she had been to the Death Star, she had never come to the moon and was quiet curious to see if her command would work here. Unfortunately, she thought as they walking. I have to play goody-goody. Vara scoffed lightly, and looked around at the men slowly filing into their group. Quite a couple of them were afraid and shook as they walked though others seemed to be at perfect ease in the tense time.

Luke followed Vara's eyes mistaking her shivers of disgust for ones of fear. "Are you sure you want to be here?" he asked pausing laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Vara nodded, "The Emperor kept me captive, pressuring me to reveal secrets of the rebellion, torturing me." She shivered again, Palpatine's actions running through her mind. "I want payback," She lied with a false determined glance.

Luke smiled, sad but understanding while a few feet ahead, Han looked back all too clearly hearing Vara's announcement. Raising his hand for a halt her made his way back to her. "What did you say?"

"I want payback," Vara repeated.

"Not that, smarty," He drew his blaster and pointed it at her. In response, Vara drew and ignited her saber.

"You sure you want to do that?"

Han looked down at the bright sword then up to her eyes, which held her Sith-like blood lust. After a moment of tension he turned off the blaster and huffed back toward the front of the line. With a smirk Vara also lowered her weapon giving cold glares to those who watched her.

Back at the front of the lines, Han continued to look back at Vara hand close to his blaster. "I don't trust her," Han said forgetting who was next to him.

"You don't trust anyone," Leia responded absentmindedly.

"And for good reason."

Chewbacca barked in agreement.

"Besides," Han continued. "She was in the Emperor's grasp. How do we know she's not going to kill us all or give away our location to the Empire?"

"She's - "

"Not the same person, princess. I know she's your friend but people change. She's a risk to our mission. It'd be better to kill her now."

"No! I don't care what you think. Ari hasn't changed. She's not working for the Empire."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because, unlike you, I trust her." Leia crossed her arms and stalked ahead.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Vader stood for a while, gazing out toward the Endor moon. The arrival of the Tydirium shuttle lingered on his mind. As soon as the ship was in range he had felt Lord Vara. Yet within her sculpted power lay another, similar though brighter and it was not one the Sith Lord would forget. Luke. The name echoed in his mind and for a moment he rather enjoyed it. Then, without warning, he turned suddenly to the nearest personnel. "Prepare a shuttle to take me to the Death Star."

"Yes, sir" The man hurried off as Vader made his way slowly to the hanger bay. Almost as soon as he arrived, he was able to walk onto the shuttle and exit the Ship.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Once onboard the Death Star, he took his time stepping into Palpatine's self proclaimed throne room.

"I told you to remain on the command ship," came Palpatine's annoyed greeting.

"A small Rebel force has penetrated the shield and landed on Endor," Vader stated.

"Yes, I know."

"My son is with them." Vader pressed on.

"Are you sure?"

"I have felt him, my Master." The stress that he put on the words slowly faded as the importance of his words dawned on him.

The Emperor watched him with a look of disbelief and doubt. "Strange, that I have not. I wonder if your feelings on this matter are clear, Lord Vader."

The dark Lord, had he not been covered by his life sustaining mask, would have glowered and glared at the Emperor. The implied question was insulting to the man who had given up everything. He took a few metal breaths to stabilize his raging emotions. "They are clear, my Master."

Satisfied, Palpatine stood and went deep into thought accenting each word with a movement of his wrinkled hands. "Then you must go to the Sanctuary Moon and wait for him."

"He will come to me?"

"I have foreseen it. His compassion for you will be his undoing. He will come to you and then you will bring him before me."

"As you wish." Vader answered with a bow before striding out of the room.

His mind raced with thoughts of betrayal and conflict. Luke was his son. Already Palpatine had ensnared one of his children. He would not allow his only other to suffer being only second best. But then again…if Luke did not turn, the Emperor would surely kill him. There was no doubt in that. The boy was too strong to remain a threat. He would have to be eliminated. Vader sighed mentally unable to change his mechanical breathing as he walked back onto his shuttle. "Endor." He ordered sharply to the pilot who jumped at the implied sharp tone.

"Yes, sir." The ship took off as Vader slipped into the back cabin. You must, my son. This is your only path now.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The tension in the little crowd was thick as the rebels squatted below the shrubs of a deep tree. In front of them, Han crept behind a storm trooper quietly giving a nod of assurance to his friends. Yet as he did so, the echoing sound of a snapping twig rung in their ears and the surprise was lost instantly. The trooper turned with a yelp and fired at the man. The shot missed signaling to everyone that it was time for a serious fight.

The hiding rebels leapt to their feet led by Luke, Leia and Vara who sped into the fight weapons lit. Vara slipped into the battle comfortably swinging at those who attacked with the grace she took so long to acquire. From somewhere she heard Luke's voice call for Leia and she looked up just in time to see the two vanish behind an escaping trooper. The speeder they were on clinked with the travel and she sighed. "Idiots…if they get themselves killed…" She retracted the blade of her saber as the last few troopers were taken down. With another sigh of boredom she leaned against a tree and looked around. Her eyes scanned her surroundings landing briefly on Han whose skeptic glance locked with hers.

"Hey! You!"

Vara raised an eyebrow at the call but didn't move. "I have a name."

Han sighed and stalked over. "Okay, so what's the catch, princess? Why are you really back?"

"I told you. I came back to fight in the rebellion. No catches."

"No one comes back from the Emperor unchanged. Your hiding something little girl." He pointed a finger at her chest and scowled. "I'm gonna find out."

"Look all you want, Solo. You won't find anything…because even if I was hiding anything…" She smirked and once again her eyes slipped into a gold hue; something that Han caught easily. "...You'd never find out." Her eyes retained their natural color and she looked past him to the soldier who was gesturing down. "Someone's coming."

The rebels slipped into a cautious squat and watched as Luke came dodging around a tree. With a sigh of relief, the group lowered their weapons and stood. "Luke! Where's Leia?" Came Han's greeting.

"What? She didn't come back?"

"I thought she was with you."

"We got separated." At this the two men exchanged a worried glance. "Hey, we better go look for her." Luke stated, voicing what the pilot had been thinking. Nodding, Han signaled to one of the officers. "Take the squad ahead. We'll meet at the shield generator at 0300."

"Come on, R2. We'll need your scanners." In response to Luke's command, R2 beeped and chirped as he followed the group.

"Luke!" Vara called and pulled her brother back.

"Ari, we need to go - "

"I know, " she started cutting him off. "But I needed to remind you about something." She placed her hand over his eyes.

"What are you doing? I can't see -"

"My point exactly. You're a Jedi Luke, act like one. Stop depending on these technologies of the world and focus on the Force." She took her hand from his eyes and looked into the blue orbs. "Feel Leia's presence. I know how you feel for her. Use that, Luke. Use it."

The Jedi boy watched her for a moment before smiling. "You sound just like Ben." He tapped her shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry, Ari, I haven't forgotten." He gave a reassuring smile and rushed off to follow Han who was already fading from sight.

She watched him vanish off, before turning to follow the rebels.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Leia's head swam with confusion as her eyes slowly peeled open to the bright world around her. A jabbing stick in her side brought her further into consciousness and she brushed it away with a sharp reprimand. With slow but steady push she managed to sit herself up and look at her attacker. She blinked for a bit before rising fully and walking over to a log.

The little creature jumped and chattered at her in a foreign language waving his decorated spear. After a bit of kind yet disciplinary words from Leia, the teddy bear-like being joined on her the log only to be scared off by a new scent. Suddenly a laser bolt came out of the foliage and exploded on the log next to the princess. She and the creature rolled backwards off the log and hid behind it. Taking hold of her own gun, Leia watched the foliage with a careful eye.

"Freeze!" Came a sharp and partly mechanic voice. "Come on, get up!"

Leia obeyed sighing away her shock and handing over her weapon. The scout who had surprised her gave an order to another who disappeared behind the plant life. Once again shouts and blasts erupted and a few moments later the odd little creature came chattering from behind the tree just in time to lead Leia off into the brush.

As they walked Leia allowed her mind to wander. She knew that she was a good distance away from any rebel encampment and that her friends would soon come to look for her. "Hey," she called, pulling on the creature's arm. "Hold on. Where are you taking me? What's your name? Where are we?"

The little being uttered an answer in his native tongue that Leia was completely unable to understand. She sighed heavily and instead focused on the wild gestures and caring tone in that he was making. With a slow nod she continued on. I hope I know what I'm doing…

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The sky above Vara glowed with the rays of early morning. The creatures of Endor awoke slowly as the rebel party shifted their tense muscles. They had stationed themselves only a few yards away from the shield generator and sense then were sitting quietly in the brush. The female Sith sighed and stood. "I'm sick of waiting around. We should just strike now or forget it."

"Captain Solo told us to wait for him," Officer Hagen started. "So we wait."

"Correction: Solo said he'd meet us at 0300. And in case you have yet to notice, it's 0400." She smirked and leaned against one of the nearest trees.

"…Well we can't continue without them…" He peered at a device thoughts forming as he did so. " We have a 3 hour gap before the others arrive..." he whispered.

"That's all the time I'll need." Vara stood erect and secured her saber onto her belt.

"All the time you need for what?"

"To find them." She smirked and without waiting for an answer walked off. To be fully honest she wasn't worried or too interested in looking for the rebels yet her boredom has gotten the best of her. Sitting around waiting was never something that she did well and if the solution to her problem involved searching for her lost siblings – then she would do it.

Pausing in her stride she glanced up to the brightening sky. The rays of pink and orange slowly faded into a soft blue lightening her surroundings. "No matter what planet your on, the sun will always rise with the same colors." With a smile at the memories that flooded her mind she closed her eyes and let the Force encircle her. Images quickly replaced the memories and it wasn't too long until a fuzzy Leia came into view.

Snapping open her eyes, she smirked and took off in the direction that the Force pulled her.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Han stood silently looking out on the trees below him. The wood-plank bridge he stood on swayed gently in the dawn breeze, contradictory to his rushing mind. Behind him, in a small Ewok hut, slept the cause of his worries: Leia. With a sigh he dropped into a sit and ran his calloused hands through his hair. "What is she hiding from me?" He glanced back and shook his head just as a warning horn erupted.

Suddenly, he was on his feet blaster drawn and powered. From the cloth doorway a small crowd - including Leia and R2 - emerged and prepared for whatever was coming.

Silence filled the trees as even the animals stood tensely watching the other end of the bridge. A cloaked figure appeared and walked purposefully down the bridge. The shadows hid the face yet it was easy to see by the stride, that it was a woman. "Don't try to fight me, little ones. You wouldn't stand a chance," She started with a familiar yet foreign voice. One that held power. "Lower your weapons."

"You wish," Han retaliated and lifted his blaster to aim. "Who are you?"

"I'm insulted, Solo." She lifted her hand and pulled the blaster from him. "I just knew you'd remember me."

"Ari," Leia sighed from behind the pirate as her friend stepped further into the moonlight. "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to find you." She stepped up to Han and placed the blaster into his open palm. As she did so her brow furrowed, eyes scanning the group. "Where's Luke?" She asked with a minute sense of worry. She had noticed earlier that the Jedi's presence had faded but thought it was only his burring of his power. Yet as she searched for him, she found that she was wrong.

Leia gripped her friend's forearm gently and pulled her aside as everyone else readily went back inside. "Ari…"

"Where is Luke?" She asked again.

Leia took a deep sigh. "He went to confront Vader."

Vara turned angrily and let out a frustrated sigh. I wanted to see that fight. She thought as she looked down over the bridge.

"I know you're worried," Leia continued. "But he had to go. I can't tell you why, that's something he should do, but he had to go."

"I'm not worried," Vara sighed. "He'll do exactly as he was meant to do." She gave a reassuring smile. "Now as for the rebellion."

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Alright! That's it for Chapter 6! WooHoo! Sorry (again) that it took FOREVER to update. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review! They help me to continue!