In the Hands of the Force

by Darth Pipes and ami-padme

Sequel to In the Hands of Time. The Skywalker family reunites to face their final showdown with Palpatine and the Empire.

10. Chapter 10

IN THE HANDS OF THE FORCE
(Part 10)
by Darth Pipes and ami-padme
joesw77@aol.com, ami_padme@yahoo.com

"Your Highness, you must recognize the truth of what I'm saying," Fey'lya continued.  "The Alliance simply cannot go on this way.  Something needs to be done now."

Leia rolled her eyes.

"You'll excuse me if I'm boring you," he sniffed, "but our people are out there killing one another.  I had thought that you might care enough about that to get something done."

"Right," she replied.  "Something like stepping aside and allowing you to become Alliance leader.  How convenient for you."

"It is not convenient when a Bothan is killed for no reason," he snapped.  "Of course, you may not care particularly about it –"

Leia stood and shook her head.  "Fey'lya, no one is around to hear your nonsense now.  Are you taping us?  Otherwise, who are you putting this display on for?"

"I beg your pardon –"

"Don't bother.  We both know you couldn't care less about what happened today.  We both know that you aren't going to do anything to help fix it.  While I've been out making sure that the people responsible for this are being held, and trying to calm everyone and make them feel safe again…" She sighed and shrugged.  "You've been out thinking up new and inventive ways to exploit this.  Go ahead.  But don't come into my office and pretend for a second that I'm going to be intimidated by this nonsense.  Save it for the cameras."

He looked genuinely stunned, and glared at her angrily for several seconds.  "This was not for show," he said in a low voice.  "We both know that after this incident, there's no chance you will beat me…it is best for the Rebellion that you step aside.  You can accuse me of taking advantage of situations all you wish, but it seems as though you are willing to drag this out, rather than concede."

Leia walked over to her door, and stood beside it, hoping he would simply take the hint.  But he didn't move, and she threw up her arms in frustration.  "I'm not quitting.  I'm not going to hand you the Rebellion.  Go out there and stir up all the trouble you can squeeze out of this.  Once the Alliance Council reaffirms my status as leader of the Rebellion, you won't be able to do that any more.  I suggest you get your fill now."

A tiny smile tugged at his mouth, and he made his way over to the door.  Leia hit the button to open it, but he quickly hit again to shut it.  "Your Highness, I'm surprised at you.  Usually, you're a bit more diplomatic than this."

"Actually, I was never very diplomatic to begin with, Fey'lya."

"I think, perhaps, that the pressure of everything that's happened is getting to you.  It's perfectly understandable.  Not everyone can lead in times like this."

Leia smacked the button on the door, and this time, it stayed open.

"I think," he continued, "that I should go speak with the other Bothans.  I don't think you were very effective in allaying their concerns…or those of any other non-human in our fleet."  He nodded to her in a mock show of respect.  "These are dark times for the Alliance, Your Highness.  But I believe they'll be over soon."

"They will be, Fey'lya," she said quietly.  "I'm going to personally make sure of that."

Another smirk, and then he left.

Leia shut the door, and slid down the wall, bringing her knees up under her chin.  She was still sitting there, her head swimming, when someone hit the buzzer and requested entrance.  She didn't move.  Not even after the person knocked instead.

"Leia?" Han's voice said from the other side of the door.  "It's me.  Are you in there?"

"No," she said.

He keyed in the code and let himself in, almost tripping over her as he entered.  "Whoa! What are you doing?  Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  My people are killing each other and the Rebellion's falling apart.  But I'm fine."

Han crouched down, and then sat beside her.  "I heard about the fight.  Gilmua's always been crazy anyway…and the Bothans are always upset about something.  I know this isn't helping but –"

"Han, please," she interrupted.

"What?"

"Don't try to make this seem better than it is.  Don't make it seem like some minor little problem that's just going to go away somehow.  We both know that's not true, and it won't make me feel any better."

He blinked at her and then turned away in agitation.  "Here we go again."

"Excuse me?"

"Is there anything I can say to you any more?  Is there any way you think I can help?"

"Han –"

"Leia, what is it you want me to do?"

She gave him a blank look.  "What…what do you mean?"

"I know I'm not a politician.  I know I'm not a Jedi.  And maybe I'm not the best person for you to go to with all of these problems.  But do I fit in here at all?" He hit his head lightly against the wall.  "Everything I do is either irrelevant or annoying to you."

"That's not true," she said, turning to face him.  "Things are difficult now, but it's not because of you."

"Hey, sweetheart, I'm just going by the way you act."

"Han," she began, and then she stopped and shrugged, tired of this conversation already.  They had had it before.  "I don't know what you want me to say."

"I would like you to say that you think I have something to contribute here."

"Of course you do."

"What?  Tell me so I know."

She put her hands over her face.  "Why are we doing this now?  I don't need to be fighting with you about whether or not you're helping me.  Doesn't that seem a little counterproductive anyway?" She stretched out her legs, and then stood up slowly.

He gazed up at her and then ran his hand through his hair.  "I only asked you what I can do.  I don't think that's so hard to tell me."

"Han, there isn't much you can do…things are so crazy now with the Alliance and my family…"

He gave a short, bitter laugh, and pulled himself to his feet.  "Fine.  That's pretty much what I figured anyway.  Whenever you're finished and you think my presence might be required again, let me know, okay?"

"Oh, for Force sake!" she snapped.  "I don't know what you want me to do.  I'd love to hold your hand through this, but I don't have the luxury of doing that right now.  Don't you understand that?  Can't you cut me a little slack for now?"

"I was about to ask that exact same question," he replied, also yelling.  "I don't need you to hold my hand, but it would be nice not to feel completely ignored every once in a while.  Just say the word, Leia, and I'll get out of your way."

"If you can't see that I've got other things to worry about –"

"Of course I see that.  But we used to get through things like this together."

"This is different! Are you going to help finish training me to become a Jedi?  Are you going to go to the Council and get me elected?  These are things I have to do.  There are too many people relying on me for me to waste time on arguments like this."  Her fingers rubbed her temples roughly.  "I'm not saying this to hurt you, Han.  I'm really not.  I wish I could be with you all the time, and not worry about all of this…I really do.  But it's not possible now."

Han looked away from her, and then turned towards the door.  "Fine, Leia, if that's how it has to be now, fine."

"Han –"

He was already out the door.

Leia had a mind to follow him and chase him, but her legs wouldn't move.  She found herself sitting against the wall again, her head down on her knees.


Luke and Anakin watched grimly as the medical droid, Too-Onebee, lifted up a white sheet to reveal the body of the late Commander Petarius.

"Commander Petarius," Too-Onebee said, the droids voice cold and mechanical.  "Found dead in his quarters two standard days ago.  Cause of death was massive head trauma, the direct result of a blow to the head."

"Any suspects?" Luke asked, not really expecting an answer.

"None so far, General," Too-Onebee said.  "Alliance security is still investigating."

Luke turned to his father.  Anakin met his look, saying nothing.  The two Jedi had spent the last day looking for the Rebel spy.  It was hoped that if they found him, they might bring themselves one step closer into discovering the identity of the traitor.  They searched places in which Petarius was known to inhabit.  Each of them was met with dead-ends.  When that failed, they tried the Medical Frigate.  If they could not find him, then it was most likely because the man was dead.  That fear had unfortunately come to fruition.

Luke sighed and turned back to the droid.  "Very well.  If you uncover anything, notify us immediately."

"Yes, sir," Too-Onebee said.  "Good luck."

Luke simply nodded and along with Anakin, exited the medical facility.  The two Jedi walked down the long corridor, saying nothing.  Once they reached the end, they stepped inside the turbo-lift.

"Hanger deck," Luke said.  The turbo-lift doors closed and the lift was on its way.

"It appears as if we have reached a dead-end, Father," Luke said.

Anakin nodded, once again saying nothing.

"I had hoped that we would be able to find something we could use," Luke said.  "Still, I can't say I'm surprised by what we did find."

"The traitor has gone to great lengths to cover his tracks," Anakin said.  "That does not surprise me.  The people Palpatine aligns himself with are very intelligent and very crafty.  They know how to work from the shadows.  I know he is behind all of this…that is why we are unable to find our traitor."
Luke nodded.  "Meanwhile, the Alliance is beginning to tear itself apart."

"Anger and fear has taken over," Anakin said.  "It's not just the brawl in the mess hall.  There have been reports of fights breaking out all over the fleet.  Fleet commanders are finding it more difficult to deal with the members of their crew.  The very leadership of the Alliance itself is being challenged.  If we do not find this traitor soon, I fear the Alliance will erupt into civil war."

"But Leia and Mother would never allow that to happen," Luke said.

"I know that," Anakin said.  "But they may have little choice in the matter."

Before Luke could say anything more, the turbo-lift stopped and the doors opened.  Luke and Anakin stepped out onto the hanger deck.  There they waited for their shuttle to take them back to the Best Destiny.  Once again they would have to start this investigation from the beginning.  If there was only some way to…

Suddenly, Anakin's comlink began to beep.  He pulled it out of his robe and clicked it on.

"Yes?"

"Master Anakin, Master Anakin!" Threepio's excited voice broke through.  "I did it! I did it! I have…what are you babbling about, Artoo?  Oh...oh all right.  Fine! We have done it.  Arrogant little garbage disposal, always begging for the spotlight.  You know, Artoo, it hasn't always been you who…"

"Threepio!" Luke and Anakin both yelled into the comlink.

"Oh, that's right," Threepio said.  "I'm sorry, masters.  What I meant to say was that we both, Artoo and I have done it.  We have discovered the identity of the traitor!"


Luke and Anakin stood quietly in the darkness of Borsk Fey'lya's personal quarters on the Bothan flagship, Bothawui.  Using the Force, they were able to cloak themselves from detection by the various security devices inside the lavish quarters.  Their presence concealed, the two Jedi waited patiently for the traitor to step inside.

Just a short time ago, they had learned the identity of the traitor.  After hours of searching through the Alliance's communication system, Threepio and Artoo had stumbled across a series of hidden messages.  The messages were encrypted inside of a complex code but the droids had managed to break through it.  Inside was a series of messages from the traitor to the Empire.  The traitor had given the Empire detailed Alliance military secrets and tactics.  With that knowledge, the Empire was able to use it against the Alliance at the Battle of Sullust.  The messages had also revealed what both of the Jedi had feared; that there was a network of Rebels whom had conspired with the Empire.

The whereabouts of the traitor had been unknown at the present time.  Working quickly, the Jedi were able to discover a pattern in the traitor's messages.  They knew that in a matter of moments, he would again be ready to contact the Empire and reveal their location to them.  Luke and Anakin were determined not to allow that to happen again.

Father, Luke said through the Force.

Yes, my son, Anakin answered.

I can sense a presence nearby…it's the traitor.

Prepare yourself, Luke.

As Luke and Anakin moved deeper into the shadows, the doors to Fey'lya's quarters slid open.  A lone figure, the traitor, walked in and the doors quickly slide shut.  Through the Force, both Luke and Anakin watched him carefully.

The traitor took out what appeared to be a tricorder and began to scan the room, looking for any signs of life within.  As expected, nothing showed up.  Smugly confident, the traitor shut off the tricoder.

Ready?  Anakin asked his son.

Ready.

"Lights" the traitor called out in the darkness.

The lights roared to life, illuminating the vast quarters of Borsk Fey'lya.  The traitor smiled, seemingly secure in the knowledge that he was the only person in the room.

"Looking for something, Baron?" Luke asked.

The smile quickly evaporated from Baron Durak'lya's face as the forms of Luke and Anakin appeared before him.  The head of the Bothan spynet's only eye went up in shock, and he jerked backwards, looking to get away from the two Jedi.  He turned around and headed for the doors.  He slapped the control panel but the doors wouldn't open.

"You're not going anywhere, Durak'lya," Anakin said calmly.

Durak'lya swung around and faced the two Jedi, his face a mask of contempt.

"How dare you do this to me!" Durak'lya cried out.  "I demand to know what this is all about! I have urgent business with Borsk Fey'lya and I must be…"

"The only business you have is with the Empire," Anakin said.

Durak'lya looked to protest but a stern look from Luke cut him off.

"We know that it was you who contacted the Empire," Luke said.  "We've uncovered your hidden messages.  The Best Destiny's computer has verified that the voice on those messages is yours."

Durak'lya just stared at the Jedi, saying nothing.  Luke continued.

"We know it was you who revealed classified information to them.  We know it was you who revealed the Alliance's location to the Empire."  Luke moved closer to Durak'lya and looked directly into the Bothan's eye.  "It was you who betrayed the Rebel Alliance."

Durak'lya continued staring at the two men.  Suddenly, he lips curled in a coy smile and he shook his head.

"So it was, General.  Congratulations, my good man you have solved your investigation," Durak'lya said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Luke and Anakin ignored the sarcasm, their eyes continuing to bore into the Bothan.

"Now that you've found me, what is it that you want?" Durak'lya asked.

"Answers," Luke said.  "Why?"

"Why, General?  A man like myself has his reasons…I think you can easily answer that one."

"We know that you weren't the only one, Durak'lya.  Who else was involved?" Luke added the last part with great emphasis.

Durak'lya just stood there, smiling smugly.

Anakin stepped forward and waved his hand.  "Who else was involved?"

Durak'lya let a loud laugh.  "Jedi mind tricks won't work on me, Anakin Skywalker."

Anakin's eyebrows rose in surprise at the mention of his name.

"Oh, I know who you are, Skywalker," Durak'lya said.  "I know what you are.  I can tell you now that your days - and that of the Alliance - are coming to an end.  You may have discovered my identity but it's already too late.  Events have been set into motion and it is only a matter of time before you are destroyed.  The Empire will stand alone in the galaxy.  My…colleagues will see to that."

"Your overconfidence is your weakness, Durak'lya," Luke said.  He reached into his robe and grabbed his comlink.  It was time for security to take the Bothan away.

"Of course," Durak'lya said.  With speed that defied his large body mass, Durak'lya pulled a blaster out of his uniform jacket and fired at the Jedi.

Dropping his comlink, Luke instantly pulled out his lightsaber and ignited it.  He easily deflected the blaster fire that came his way.  The blasts ricocheted harmlessly into the walls of Fey'lya's quarters.

Durak'lya watched in shock as the young Jedi deflected the blasts.  He knew that there was no chance to strike them down.  Backing away, he began to re-program the weapon.   With any luck it would overload and destroy the two Jedi.   In an instant the blaster was jerked from his grasp.  The weapon flew across the room and landed in Anakin's waiting hand.

Desperate, Durak'lya charged the elder Jedi.  Anakin stood motionless as the heavy Bothan got closer and closer.  Durak'lya swung a powerful fist at Anakin's skull.  At the last moment, Anakin caught the Bothan's fist.  Using his other hand, Anakin grabbed the Durak'lya's tunic and using the Bothan's own momentum, flung him across the room.  Durak'lya's body flew the length of the room and slammed through a glass table.  The Bothan's body remained there, motionless.

Alliance security came rushing into the room.  On Luke's orders, they lifted Durak'lya off the ground.  The Bothan was dazed and barely conscious as he was shackled.  Luke and Anakin made their way towards him.

"Baron Durak'lya," Luke said.  "By the power invested in me by the Alliance Council, I am placing you under arrest for conspiracy and treason."  He turned away from Durak'lya and towards the guards.  "Take him to the prison barge.  Keep a close eye on him; he may try something."

"Yes, sir," the lead guard said.  He motioned for the other guards to carry out their duty.

"Skywalker!" Durak'lya called out.

Luke motioned for the guards to hold up as he and Anakin turned to Durak'lya.

The Bothan had blood running down his face from where his face had impacted on the table.  Still, the Bothan spymaster managed to let out a cryptic smile.

"I warned you both not to look for any answers.  It's only a matter of time now before Palpatine comes down and crushes you.  May the Force be with you…"

He let out a loud laugh as Alliance security took him away.  Luke walked over to Anakin and stood next to him.  The two Jedi were silent for a long time, not quite knowing what to say.  Finally, it was Luke who spoke up.

"That was too easy," Luke said.

Anakin nodded.  "I don't think our investigation is over yet.  Durak'lya is an intelligent and ambitious man but he is not behind all this.  Only a man of great power could carry out a plan such as this.  A man whose ambitions are so great that he would sell out his own people for it."

"Fey'lya," Luke said, not asked.

"The evidence points in his direction," Anakin said.  "I believe this election of his is just a ruse, set-up to distract the Alliance Council to his true intentions."

"We'd better contact, Leia," Luke said.  "I believe it's time for the final confrontation with Borsk Fey'lya."


Amidala sat in a corner of the main hangar, taking a break from her latest inspection of the fleet.  The work had gone better than she expected – for once, repairs were ahead of schedule and there were nearly enough supplies to go around.  It was the first bit of good news for the Alliance in quite some time, but it was so minor that Amidala doubted it would make much difference to anyone.

With that dreary thought, she stood up to go back to her quarters and get some rest.  But she had barely taken a step forward before someone brushed by her and almost knocked her over.  She thought she heard a terse, "Sorry," but the person didn't spare her so much as a backward glance.  He almost disappeared behind some stacks of equipment, but Amidala got a decent look at him…as he stormed up the ramp to the Falcon.

Han.  She immediately followed him, wondering if something new had gone wrong or if anything had happened that she should know about.  Not that he looked like he was in the mood to talk, of course, but it was worth asking.

She stepped cautiously up the platform and into the cockpit, and found Han in the pilot's chair, brooding.  "Han?"

He jumped and whirled around to face her.  "Amidala!  Do you need something?"

"Well, you nearly ran me over out there in the hangar," she said with a smile.  "I wanted to check that everything was alright."

"I'm sorry…I didn't even see you."

She waved it off.  "Is something wrong?  Did something happen?"

"No, not really."  He turned in his chair so that he was facing the console again.

"Okay," she replied, a suspicious tone in her voice.  She waited for him to say something more, but he was back to glowering.  "I didn't mean pry.  I can leave you alone now."

When he didn't answer, she decided it really would be best for her to leave and turned to head out.

"Amidala?"

"Yes, Han?"

He face was creased with frustration.  "How do you and Anakin do it?"

She glanced at him curiously.  "What do you mean?"

"Don't take this the wrong way…but I'm finding it a more than a little depressing that Darth Vader can make a relationship work during all this and Leia and I can't."

Amidala didn't even bother pretending she wasn't taken aback.  "Well…"

"Nevermind.  I probably shouldn't have phrased it that way."

She took the co-pilot's chair and turned it to face him.  "Don't worry, I'm not easily offended."  Amidala looked at him thoughtfully.  "I really shouldn't get too involved in what goes on between you and Leia, of course, but…I know the look on your face."

"Look?  You mean the 'I'm ticked off at everyone and everything' look?"

"No, I mean the 'I'm in love with a Skywalker' look.  Trust me, I originated it."  She gave him a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, well…you and Anakin just seem to relate better.  I'm sure you must have problems, but you don't show it."

"If you had seen us before, when we were at the same stage in our relationship that you and Leia are, I don't think you'd say the same thing.  We always loved each other, but his stubbornness and mood swings weren't nearly as…endearing…as they are now.  And his Jedi training and responsibilities didn't help either.  I wouldn't trade those times for anything, but the ease you're talking about wasn't always there."

Han seemed to consider that.  "I'll bet Leia is as 'endearing' as Anakin ever was."

"Probably more so," she admitted.  "Whoever winds up with Luke will get the least demanding role of all of us, I think."  She sighed and leaned back in the chair.  "You just need to be patient with her, Han.  It'll be worth it in the end."

"Patience was never one of my strong suits.  I'm trying, I really am, but I don't know if it's going to be enough."  He looked at her gravely, and struggled with his next words.  "And if it isn't enough…I worry sometimes…"  He cleared his throat.  "I don't know exactly what happened to Anakin before.  And I don't want to make myself out to be so important – like, if she lost me, everything would just fall apart, or the same thing would happen to her –"

"But you know she's not immune to it.  That no one is," Amidala finished for him.  "But I see a strength in Leia that maybe Anakin didn't have.  I don't think she's in the danger he was in back then.  Still," she continued, "you should know that you are very important, Han."  She sighed sadly.  "I don't like thinking about it, but I've always felt that under different circumstances, I could have saved Ani, and I would have made a difference when other people simply couldn't.

"She loves you, and that means you have a special connection to her, a way to reach her that's unique.  That's something both of you need to always cherish."

Han smiled.  "Do you always give good advice?"

"Not always.  You're lucky."

"Thanks, Amidala."

"Any time," she replied.


"Princess Leia," Borsk Fey'lya said, glaring directly at her.  "Let me see if I understand.  General Skywalker found Baron Durak'lya in my quarters…unauthorized mind you and now you are accusing me of betraying the Alliance?"

Leia stood her ground, meeting his glance with equal force.  The two were now face to face once again in the Best Destiny's war room.  Leia had called an emergency meeting of the Alliance Council to reveal the results of Luke and Anakin's investigation.  The entire Council had gathered in the war room, eagerly anticipating what the Princess had to say.

Standing before the Council, Leia revealed to them everything the two Jedi had learned.  See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo had discovered that Baron Durak'lya, the head of the Bothan spynet, had contacted the Empire just days before the attack on Sullust.  Using Borsk Fey'lya's personal communication system, he revealed to the Empire the military secrets and defense codes used by the Rebel fleet.  The Empire had been able to use these against the Alliance to conceal their ships on their way to Sullust.  As a result, the Alliance had no idea of the Imperial attack and was nearly destroyed as a result.

Once in custody, Durak'lya admitted to Luke and Anakin that he had been merely following orders delivered to him by Borsk Fey'lya.  The Bothan Councilor had given him his personal access codes and all the information his spies had learned about the Rebel fleet.  According to the Bothan spymaster, it had been Borsk Fey'lya who had betrayed them all along.

Silence reigned on the Alliance Council as they were told what had been discovered.  Borsk Fey'lya had taken the news as well as could be expected.  Outwardly, he remained calm and collective.  He had shown no signs of concern save for the perspiration he had wiped away from the fur on his forehead.  He continued glaring at the Princess, his face rapidly twisting with contempt and hatred.

"That is exactly what I'm accusing you of, Fey'lya," Leia said.  "Baron Durak'lya has submitted to a series of tests that have confirmed what he was saying is true.  This, combined by the other evidence that General Skywalker has discovered would seem to point the arrow of guilt to one person…you."

Fey'lya looked at the princess for a long time, saying nothing.  Finally, a smile broke through Fey'lya contemptuous face and the Bothan let a soft laugh.

"Well, Your Highness," Fey'lya said, clapping his hands.  "I have to admit that I underestimated you.  I never thought someone of your stature would descend to this level and begin making baseless accusations at your political enemies.  It is apparent to me that you are so desperate to remain in power that you are willing to say anything."

"I would never stoop to your level, Fey'lya," Leia said.  "The fact of the matter is…"

"The fact of matter is, Princess," Fey'lya interrupted.  "That you have no evidence to go on accept the word of a traitor."

"That traitor is the head of the Bothan spynet," Leia said.  "As well as a member of your senior staff."

"I never ordered him to betray the Alliance.  Therefore, I cannot be held responsible for the Baron's actions."

"Councilor," Luke said, rising from his seat and walking towards Fey'lya.  "Where was your flagship during the Imperial attack?"

Fey'lya looked at Luke, surprised at the question he had been asked.  "I answered that question long ago, General.  The Bothawui was with the Bothan front, fighting the first wave of Imperial TIE fighters.  Our records indicate this."

"Yes, your records do," Luke said.  "But the records of the ships that make up the Bothan front tell a different story.  According to those records, the Bothawui was nowhere near the Sullust sector.  As a matter of fact, your whereabouts were unknown for more than a day after the battle."

Fey'lya was taken aback at what Luke had just told him.  He quickly recovered and gave the Jedi an amused look.  "Our ships took considerable damage in the battle.  It is likely that the records were effected by this."

"What about your ship, Councilor?  Damage reports indicate that your ship was fully functional.  There wasn't even a scorch mark on the hull."

Now Fey'lya just looked at Luke, not knowing what to say.

"Councilor Fey'lya," Leia said.  "Since you have returned to the fleet, you have done nothing but try to stir up conflict.  You have been uncooperative and very difficult to deal with…"

"I have not been uncooperative, Your Highness!" Fey'lya cut in sharply.  "I offered you the services of the Bothan spynet…"

"The Bothan spynet that was run by Baron Durak'lya, a man who was just arrested for treason!" Leia said.  "I want an answer, Fey'lya.  Did you betray the Alliance?"

"This is ridiculous!" Fey'lya snapped, breaking away from Leia.  "I refuse to answer your question."  He turned his attention to the Alliance Council.

"My friends, it is clear to me now that Princess Leia's investigation is politically motivated.  General Skywalker, who we all know is a close ally of the princess, has carried out an investigation that has one objective.  It was not to find out who the traitor was.  No, it's purpose is the complete destruction of Borsk Fey'lya.  The evidence they have presented is ludicrous and based on the word of the real traitor.  But this does not have to continue.  My comrades, I ask you now to use the power given to you by the Alliance charter to put an end to this debacle of an investigation and commence with election of the new leader of the Rebel Alliance."

The war room erupted with the voices of the Alliance Council as the debated Fey'lya's request.  Fey'lya turned back to Luke and Leia and gave them a confident smile.  The Bothan was fully confident that the Alliance would grant them his request.  He had begun to pick up support these past few days, especially with what had occurred in the Alliance mess hall.  Luke and Leia knew that if the Alliance granted his request, it was very likely that Fey'lya had the support he needed to become Alliance leader.

After several minutes of heated debated, the voices of the Council quieted.  Councilor A'Kla, senior member of the Council, rose from his seat and faced Fey'lya.

"Councilor Fey'lya."

"Yes, Councilor A'Kla."

"The Alliance Council rejects your request."

Fey'lya jaw dropped in shock as A'kla announced his verdict.

"We believe there is sufficient ground to continue the investigation," A'Kla continued.  "You will answer the Princess' question."

Fey'lya looked around the war room, looking frantically for one councilor to give them their support.  He found none.

Fey'lya turned to face Leia.  Sweat covered the fur on his face.  Through the Force, Leia could tell that heartbeat and fear increased rapidly.  He knew he had been cornered and that his time was running out.

"Councilor…did you betray the Alliance?" Leia asked again.

Before Fey'lya could answer; a siren rang out from the war room's communication's console.

"Princess Leia," the communications officer said.  "We have an emergency communication from Commander Antillies."

Leia and Luke shot each other a surprised look.  Were they under attack?

"Punch it in immediately, Ensign," Leia said.

The chief carried out the order.  In a matter of moments, Wedge's voice rang out through the war room.

"Princess Leia?"

"Go ahead, Commander Antillies."

"Rogue Squadron has just intercepted a message buoy.  It appears to have been heading for the fleet."

"A message buoy?" Leia said.  The sector they were in was supposed to be sparsely populated.  The nearest Rebel outpost was light-years away.  "Who is the message from, Commander?''

There was a long silence on the intercom before Wedge answered again.

"The Emperor."


It took several minutes for the message buoy to be brought to the Best Destiny's war room.  The buoy was a Camen-class Imperial drone ship, spherical in form.  The Camen-class ships were of the newest design, used to transmit messages into the deepest reaches of space.  It stretched nearly three meters in length and was marked with the oppressing insignia of the Empire.  A second insignia marked the ship much more prominently.  The insignia was a saber, covered in a deep crimson red, thrust through a planet.  It was the royal crest of the Emperor.

Silence once again reigned in the war room as the communication teams began work on accessing the message.  The mood of the Alliance Council had once again changed.  A short time ago, there had been an excited anticipation at the news that the Rebel traitor had been found.  Now that anticipation had turned to absolute fear.  To the members of the Alliance, the Emperor was just as terrifying as the Death Star.

Anakin didn't share those feelings of fear.  He had been in the war room since Leia had called for the emergency meeting.  He had stayed quietly in the background as Luke and Leia confronted Fey'lya with the results of the investigation.  Fey'lya had been caught off-guard by the damning evidence he and Luke had uncovered.  The Bothan had tried his best to discredit the two and end the investigation but to no avail.  Just as Fey'lya seemed to be on the verge of admitting his guilt in the betrayal of the Alliance, the meeting was interrupted with the reports that a message buoy had been discovered.  Once it was learned just what Rogue Squadron had found, Anakin had emerged and had taken a place at the front of the war room, just inches away from the drone ship.  This was something that Anakin had been expecting for a long time.

Although he wasn't afraid, there was a nervous anxiety that ran through the elder Jedi.  Following Anakin's return from the dark side, the Emperor had gone into a deep seclusion.  He had been silent for a long time, plotting his next moves from the shadows.  The Rebel Alliance believed that the Emperor was weakening.  His iron grip on the galaxy wasn't so tight anymore.  They had weathered the Empire's assaults after Hoth and managed to stay one step ahead of them.  Once they had gained access to the secret plans to the Death Star and learned that Palpatine himself would be aboard it, the Alliance believed it was only a matter of time before the tyranny of the Empire was destroyed.

But Anakin had known better.  More than anyone else in the galaxy, he knew how the Emperor functioned.  Palpatine was more brilliant than any military tactician.  He had lured the Alliance into a false sense of security by allowing the plans to the Death Star to fall into their hands.  By that time, he had infiltrated their highest levels.  Once again, the hand of Palpatine had crushed them.

Now, after days of chaos, Palpatine once again emerged.  It was time for him to execute the next step in his master plan.  It was this that made Anakin nervous.  Whatever Palpatine had planned, he knew the effects would be devastating to the Alliance and quite possibly his family.

As the teams finished connecting the ship to the main projector, Anakin turned to his wife.  Amidala met his glance with one of her own.  Her face was as regal and calm as ever but Anakin could tell that she was just as concerned as he was.  She knew how manipulative Palpatine was, how he planned every move as if he were playing a game of chess.  Palpatine had used her almost as much as he had used Anakin in achieving his goals.  She didn't know just what he would say but she knew the effects it would have.

Anakin took Amidala's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.  She smiled and did the same.  At least this time they would be facing the Emperor together.

"Your Highness," the communications chief said, standing in front of Leia.  "The final connection is complete.  We can play the recording whenever you're ready."

"There are no signs of explosives or viruses in the buoy?" Leia asked.

"None.  Everything checks out clear."

Leia shot a quick glance over at Luke.  Her brother nodded his head, affirming what the chief had said.  Leia turned back to the chief and took a deep breath.

"Very well…play the message."

The communications began to download the message from the drone ship.  In a matter of moments, the main projector in the center of the war room roared to life and a large, holographic image formed.  The image was transmitted in a light blue color and stretched all the way to the ceiling.  There was no doubt in anyone's mind whom it was.  The Emperor Palpatine.

Anakin watched the image of the Emperor very carefully.  You couldn't get a reading through the Force of a hologram but one of the first things Obi-Wan had taught him was that you could learn almost anything you needed to know just by a simple appearance.  He watched Palpatine very carefully, or what he could see of Palpatine.  As usual, he was dressed in his dark black robe that covered his body and most of head.  Much of his ruined face could be seen though.

The last time Anakin had seen his former master was on Coruscant six months earlier.  He appeared via holographic image on that day but even then, the Jedi could see the fear on his face as he once again found himself confronting Anakin Skywalker.  Still, he had promised the Jedi that it would be him that brought final balance to the Force.  The dark confidence seemed to be with him once again as his image smiled confidently over the members of the Alliance Council.

Anakin also noted that the lines on the Emperor's face weren't as deep.  His face was still ruined and decayed but not to the extent Anakin had expected.  Having served the Emperor for more than two decades, Anakin closely watched how his extensive use of the dark side had ravaged his body.  Once healthy and vigorous, his body had shriveled and decayed rapidly.  The fact that this continuous destruction had come to a stop meant only one of two things.  Either the Emperor had lessened his use of his powers (which Anakin severely doubted) or he had finally found a way to control the abuse the dark side had inflicted upon him.  If he had found a way to do so, then the Emperor could be more powerful that Anakin could possibly imagine.

"Greetings, Rebels," the Emperor said, his image casting a large shadow over the Alliance Council.  "It is beneath me to converse with beings such as yourselves.  However, events have forced me to descend to your level."

The confident, arrogant smile once again formed on Palpatine's ruined face as he continued.  "A few days ago, my forces crushed your ragtag fleet in the Sullust sector.  Those of you who survived have been sent fleeing across the galaxy, foolishly believing that you could escape my grasp.  I warned you that my hand would crush your pitiful, little band of traitors.  I believe the…little exercise of my force was enough to convince you of this."

Palpatine chuckled before continuing.  "Of course, I cannot take full credit for your defeat.  My apprentice, Lord Vader, was very helpful in providing me with the information I needed for my fleet to crush you."

A collective gasp broke out from the members of the Alliance Council.  Shock now set in among the members.  They could not believe what the Emperor had said to them.  Darth Vader had been reported dead six months ago.  How could the dead grasp of the Dark Lord of the Sith reach out and take hold of them now?

The image of the Emperor waited, no doubt anticipating the uproar that would be caused by the Council upon learning his news.  "I'm afraid the reports of Lord Vader's demise are a little premature.  My apprentice has been among you for these last six months.  Perhaps you know him best by his true name…Anakin Skywalker!"

A second collective gasp, more powerful than the first broke out.  The fear within the Council now exploded as panic voices erupted, demanding answers.  Anakin tried to fight down a surge of anger but was unsuccessful.

Damn you, Palpatine!

What he had done had been no surprise to Anakin.  It was a classic strategy that the Emperor had employed.  Why take the effort to destroy your enemies when your enemies can destroy each other?  Now, his cover had been blown and the Alliance Council would be looking for answers.

Amidala sensed Anakin's anger and place a reassuring hand on his shoulder.  Even her touch was not enough to calm down him down.  They both knew what the consequences of Palpatine's words might mean to them, and more importantly their children.

The arrogant smile quickly faded from the Emperor's face and was replaced by a cold expression of deadly seriousness.

"The only reason you have survived this long, Rebels, is because I allowed it!  I did not concentrate my full attention on suppressing your little insurrection.  No more!"

Palpatine's image seemed to grow even larger as he leaned forward, his ruined face moving closer to the members of the Alliance Council.

"The Rebel Alliance has four standard days to surrender themselves to me unconditionally.  If you fail to do so, I will use the full power of the Death Star to destroy every world that harbors a rebellion."  Palpatine stopped, allowing his words to sink in.  The apprehension in the war room grew more and more with every moment Palpatine remained silent.

Palpatine's face softened, and once again he displayed a confident smile.  "Oh yes, I did forget something, did I not?  I am sure you would like to know the location of the Death Star.  However, I believe I will allow Lord Vader to do so himself."  Palpatine's eyes narrowed and he leaned even closer to the Council.  "You have four days, Rebels.  Do not make me destroy this galaxy."

With that, the Emperor's image flickered and then dissolved.

A powerful silence reigned in the Best Destiny's war room for a long time.  Nobody wanted to do or say anything.  A wave of darkness was now hovering over them.  Darth Vader was among them, and now the Emperor was prepared to unleash their worst nightmare upon the galaxy.  They all wondered just where the Death Star could be.  Was it hovering over one of their homeworlds now?  Would there be a second Alderaan?  Was there any possible way they could get out of this?

"Skywalker!"

Both Luke and Anakin turned their heads at the sound of Borsk Fey'lya's voice.  The Bothan made his way towards Luke and Leia.  Only a short time ago, Fey'lya had sweating, stumbling mess in front of the Alliance Council.  He seemed to be on the verge of revealing his involvement in the betrayal of the Alliance.  Now, he walked boldly towards the two siblings, his somber face hiding his jubilation.

"General Skywalker," Fey'lya said.  He turned his head towards Anakin for a moment before facing Luke.  "Is what the Emperor said true?"

Luke just stared at the Bothan, saying nothing.

Fey'lya smiled.  "Nothing to say, General?  I thought you had all the answers."  He walked passed Luke and headed towards Amidala.

"Councilor Amidala, former Queen of Naboo," Fey'lya said, bowing before her.  "Maybe you could help us."  The Bothan turned his attention to Anakin and looked him directly in the eye.  "Is this man your husband?"

"Fey'lya!" Leia snapped.  Fey'lya turned and faced the Princess.  "What is it you hope to accomplish?"

"I believe the answer is obvious, Your Highness.  I want to know if this man is indeed Anakin Skywalker…or should I say Darth Vader.  I would take it from silence I have been met with that he is."

"You are out of line, Councilor Fey'lya," Councilor A'Kla said.  "Mind you that we only the word of the Emperor to go on."

"I agree," General Dodonna said.  "That man could not possibly be Anakin Skywalker.  Skywalker died just after the Clone Wars.  I read the reports myself."

"Did you, General?" Fey'lya asked.  "I have read those reports as well.  They only state that Anakin Skywalker was presumed dead.  It was never confirmed.  More so, they also state that Anakin Skywalker had been on a secret mission at the time of his 'death.' Fey'lya turned his attention back to Anakin and shot the Jedi a deadly look.  "Could it be that this mission led him straight into the mask of Darth Vader and resulted in the betrayal of the Republic?!"

Voices rose immediately in response, some in defense of the Skywalkers, others demanding an answer to Fey'lya's question.  Anakin watched the carnage around him.  It was going just as Palpatine had planned.  He could not allow this to go on.

"Aaaaaaaaaahhh!!!" Anakin screamed as a wave of pain engulfed his head.  The scream had been so loud that the councilors had stopped arguing among each other and turned their attention to Anakin.  The pain overwhelmed the Jedi and he collapsed to the floor.

"Anakin!" Amidala screamed.  She, Luke, Leia, and several of the councilors ran to Anakin's unconscious form.  The Jedi lay completely motionless.  His breathing stopped and for all intents and purposes, he appeared to be dead.

Anakin opened his eyes but found nothing but darkness.  He immediately got to his feet but could still see nothing.  He felt cold and he could sense strong…and very familiar emotions all around him.  Anger, fear, aggression…he was surrounded once again by the dark side of the Force.

But it wasn't his darkness.  No, he had purged himself of that on Dagobah.  But it was the darkness of a man that he knew quite well.  A man whose soul was so black that no light could penetrate it.  Loud laugher broke out all around him.  The laughter was strangely powerful, and threatened to overtake him again.  When he finally recovered, the image of Emperor Palpatine formed in front of him.

"How easy it was for me to take control of your mind, my former apprentice," Palpatine said.  "The truth is, I know you better than you know yourself."

Anakin tried to lash out at him but could not move.  Palpatine laughed at his attempt.

"I'm afraid you cannot harm me here, Skywalker.  It is I who controlled this game."

"What do you want?" Anakin spat.

"I believe you know what it is," Palpatine said.  He moved closer to Anakin until the two of them were face to face.  "The Rebels are defeated, they no longer pose any threat to me.  You know this to be true.  In four days, I will unleash the power of the Death Star and destroy an entire world.  After that little demonstration, I will be forever in control of the galaxy."

"Not if I have anything to say about it!"

Palpatine smiled.  "Precisely.  You are the only one left standing in my way.  It is time for us to end this struggle.  I challenge you, Anakin Skywalker to confront me onboard the Death Star.  Only then will the true Chosen One emerge and bring balance to the Force."

"I accept," Anakin said.  "Tell me where you are hiding, Palpatine?

Once again, the Emperor smiled.  With a simple wave of his hand, the planet Coruscant formed right in front of Anakin.  Anakin's eyes went up in shock as he also saw the image of the Death Star orbiting the capital world.  That was the world that the Emperor was going to destroy!

"Yes, Skywalker," the Emperor said.  "I plan to unleash the Death Star upon Coruscant.  The death toll will be one hundred times greater that that of Alderaan.  Once it is destroyed, nobody will dare oppose me again.  The galaxy will truly be mine.

"I look forward to seeing you again, my former apprentice," Palpatine said.  "We have much to discuss…and to settle."

The darkness of Palpatine's presence was slow to dissipate and swirl away.  In the last moments of their connection, his former master sent him a vision of Coruscant's destruction, and Anakin saw the capital of the Galaxy destroyed as effortlessly as Alderaan had been.

Anakin had shut himself off as best he could while on the first Death Star…he knew that he couldn't bear the suffering of all those people.  Leia's anguish alone had been quite disturbing.  But now, even though it was little more than a dream, Anakin felt the pain and horror of every being in the city.  And, he felt Palpatine thrill at it, at such a powerful, destructive manifestation of the dark side.

The Emperor wouldn't hesitate to do what he said; Anakin had little doubt of that.  To rid himself of the threat of the Chosen One, to remove the last obstacle that lay before him, Anakin was certain he'd destroy a dozen worlds.  As long as he felt it would draw his enemy out.

"Anakin…Anakin, please, answer me.  Wake up!"

Amidala's voice was panicked, and she was shaking him slightly.  He slowly became aware of the rest of the room before he opened his eyes.  There was yelling and arguing throughout.  He could hear Luke and Leia trying to calm down many of the others, to little success.

"Ani?"

He opened his eyes but otherwise remained still.  With Amidala leaning over him, no one noticed that he had regained consciousness, and the fighting in the background continued.

"Are you alright?" she whispered.

"I had a vision," he replied quietly.  "It was…from Palpatine."

"What?  He can still – I mean, you still –"

"I don't really know how to explain it."  He risked glancing over her shoulder at the twins.  She instinctively moved to cover him up.  "Am, I have to leave.  I have to face him."

"Now?  Alone?"

"Yes.   He's prepared to do anything to find me, and I won't allow any further suffering on my behalf –"

Before he could finish the sentence, Amidala was pushed aside by Fey'lya, who then grabbed Anakin by the collar and shook him.  Anakin's first instinct – to reach out and catch Amidala – caused him to shrug Fey'lya off hard, and before he could figure out what was happening (or see if Amidala was okay), it seemed that everyone was grabbing and shoving one another, and the yelling increased in volume.

"STOP!" Luke shouted.  He began trying to split people up, but it seemed a fight was inevitable.

At least, until Fey'lya spoke again.

"Yes, General Skywalker, let's stop the fighting so we can get answers to our questions," he snapped, ripping his arms away from those who were holding him back.  "Don't think for a second that you're going to be able to avoid this."

Luke glanced at his father before responding.  Anakin nodded to him.  "We'll be happy to address this – all of this – with the Alliance Council immediately.  But we can't let this lead us into mayhem."

"You are no longer in a position to give orders, Skywalker.  No one here should have to take the word of a traitor."

"He is not a traitor," Leia said quickly.  "And this will be explained."

Fey'lya sneered.  "What explanation is there to give?  Either the Emperor's claims are true, or they're not.  And this man –" Fey'lya pointed to him, and Anakin tried to remain steady "– this man is either Darth Vader or not.  There is nothing else to say."

An eerie silence fell over the room.

"Maybe there is."  Another Bothan moved forward and into the crowd.  "Palpatine's going to destroy another world, and if you are who he says you are, you know where the Death Star is.  You have to tell us."

The image of Coruscant flashed in Anakin's mind again, and he pushed it aside with great effort.  "I agree with Luke, this is a matter the Council must decide."

"This is a matter for every member of the Rebellion!" Fey'lya retorted.  "We won't allow your desire to hide cost us the lives of so many innocent people."

"No matter what he said, it is not the Rebels that Palpatine is truly interested in.  As you probably already know."

"What does that mean?"

Anakin stood directly in front of him and said, "It means, that no matter who you think I am, it doesn't change the fact that you've betrayed the Rebellion, or that you've been in league with Palpatine for quite some time.  So let's not pretend that you don't know that the Emperor would gladly lead the Alliance and the Galaxy to slaughter to find me.  I won't allow you to help him."

For a lingering minute, the two simply stared at each other tensely.  "Whatever you think of me," Fey'lya replied, "we know that Palpatine is after you because he misses his apprentice.  Which world will be the first to be destroyed because of you?"

"The Death Star is headed for Coruscant," Anakin said quietly, hearing gasps of shock.  "But it will not be destroyed.  Palpatine will be stopped before that can happen."

One of the members of the Council finally spoke out.  "This is insane.  I want guards on Fey'lya and Skywalker until we can begin to sort this through."

Several people on both sides began to object, but the efforts were futile.  The Councilor kept speaking.  "Clearly, the Alliance has suffered an utter subversion of our leadership on multiple fronts.  And we have four days to settle this."  He glared at both Fey'lya and Anakin, as several guards moved in around them.  "Nobody leaves, nobody goes near a communicator, nothing.  The Council must discuss this."

With that, the shaken members of the Council slowly left the room.  Anakin's guards had their blasters trained on him, but their prisoner didn't intend to make a move.  At least not yet.

Amidala and the twins gathered around him.  "Father, what can we possibly do now?" Leia asked.

"I must go to Coruscant.   No matter what the Council decides."

"If they believe that you're Vader, you'll be lucky to live through the night," Luke responded.  Amidala shuddered and he sighed.  "I'm sorry, Mother…We'll protect him, of course.  But this news is going to tear the Rebellion apart."

"And give Fey'lya control," Leia added.

Anakin closed his eyes.  "I don't know how to do this without damaging the Rebellion.  If there's a way, we'll take it."  He re-opened them.  "But I know what my role in this must be," he said with finality.