Eye's narrowing as he sensed his newest servant's reluctance in naming this unfamiliar individual, Palpatine nevertheless kept his tone even as he voiced his curiosty to the suddenly nervous boy.

"I must admit, that name is not familiar to me. Perhaps you can explain why you decided to bring this...person to my attention, and why you feel ill at ease for bringing this person to my notice".

Knowing that he had to tread carefully if he was to not only keep himself from suffering the Emperor's wrath, but also save probably the only Rebel who was neither a hypocrite or a homicidal wackjob, the boy managed to somehow keep his tone even as he addressed the glaring Sith Lord.

"The reason is because despite the rather crucial role he plays in both the Rebellion, and the fight against the Imperial Remnant, their exists another way for you to keep him from siding with your enemies besides simply executing him on the spot".

Hearing this argument, the Emperor began to sneer at the boy's defence of a potential terrorist before he remembered the rather convincing argument of using the deactivated droid armies to further the Empire's growth rather than resorting to the enslavement of the Wookies. While he had been initially upset with the boy for his liberally minded idea, he had to admit that his alternative solution was more practical.

Curious to discover just how the boy would convince him to show mercy this time around, Palpatine waved his hand for the boy to continue. But not without a word of warning.

"I admit my boy, you have piqued my curiosity, especially since you appear to be rather keen on saving this future rebel when you were rather eager to propose a loyal, if incompetent, Imperial officer for execution. Perhaps first you should first tell me what this man...Han Solo did you say, is capable of BEFORE you list the ways in which he can be bound to the Empire".

Bowing his head to show that he was grateful for the chance to explain himself, and deciding to gloss over the fact that it had been thanks to the future smuggler's interference that the Empire kept loosing their world destroying super weapons, the boy listed the qualities that made Han Solo such a likeable character for even the most enthusastic Imperial fans.

"Well for starters, for a non force user, his piloting skills are phenmoal. Using only a heavily modified YT-1300 freighter, Solo is not only able to outmaneuver the overwhelming numbers of the Imperial Navy, but at least on one occasion, he is able to get the drop on Lord Vader, who you'll be happy to know retains all of his piloting skills despite his..injuries. In addition to that, he's well adapt at infiltration missions that are highly important to the Rebellion, and always manages to survive any dangerous encounter no matter how much the odds are stacked against him".

Having provided a general outline of what Han was capable of, the boy waited with a growing anxiety as Palpatine took his time to consider these traits before asking a question that he had hoped to avoid answering.

"Impressive. Most impressive. I assume that a man of his undeniable talents managed to rise through the ranks of the Rebellion"?

Doing his best not to cower in the face of the Emperor's searching gaze, the boy nevertheless managed to find his voice as he quickly moved to ensure Solo's continued survival.

"Y...yes he did. But I should tell you that the reason why he joined the Rebellion is because his life took a turn for the worse after he was discharged from the Imperial Military".

Motioning for the boy to continue his defense of this future Rebel leader, Palpatine listened with detached interest as the boy provided a general outline of Solo's life before he joined the Rebellion.

"I forget how he entered the system, whether it was because he was forced to join thanks to some state run program, or because he joined to follow a friend, but Han Solo proved to be an exceptional member of the academy, despite his...difficulty in following protocol. But after he refused an order to skin a couple of slaves just because they wounded the pride of some narrow minded officer, Solo was court marshaled, and was forced to make a living by working for Jabba the Hutt as a smuggler. He was good at his job too, and quickly became the Hutt's favorite, but after falling foul of a Imperial patrol, he incurred a heavy debt, and was forced to work for some people who had rebel sympathies".

Steeping his fingers as he contemplated the previous destiny of the fallen officer, the Sith Lord decided to see just what solutions the boy had come up with in order to spare his candaited from an early death.

"I admit my boy that you have piqued my curiosity. For as your no doubt aware, I have quite the interest in cultivating servants who chose to utilize their exceptional talents rather than letting them go to waste in an attempt to be like everyone else. However since you have made it clear that Solo's individuality will inevitably cause him to be drummed out of the military, I'm curious as to how we can utilize his abilities while keeping him firmly loyal to the Empire".

Happy that he had somehow managed to convince the Emperor to considering sparing the TRUE owner of the Millennium Falcon, the boy decided to voice an opinion that had been building his mind ever since his favorite comic publisher decided to do a series on his favorite force user. And if he played his cards right, he would be able to not deny the Rebellion its greatest pilot, but would also be able to ensure that Vader got his most competent servant much earlier.

"Well, and this is just a theory that I have, if you were to place the...I think he's 10 years old at this point..young Solo, as well as another unique individual in the care of one of your more capable servants, preferably one who is tough but fair, then not only will you be able to rob the Rebellion of their perhaps their greatest pilot, Vader's son doesn't count because he mostly relies on the Force and thus can not pass on his skills, but you will be enhancing the abilities of the Empire to deal with any foreseeable threat that might come its way. Though I stress that in order to cement that loyalty, you probably should have Solo involved in various public relations campaigns, like for example, freeing the slaves of Hutt Space from their slug like masters, or wiping out the drug cartels and other threats to the internal stability of your rule".

Well versed in the art of wearing the visage of a kind and patient teacher, though he admitted that it would be rather difficult now due to aftermath of his duel with the Vaapad practicing Jedi, Palpatine agreed with the boy's idea, but couldn't help voicing his curiosity once again.

"Your idea has much merit my boy. Though I am curious as to which of my servants you think would be suitable in raising such a troublemaker, as well as the identity of this other unique individual you mentioned".

Happy that he had changed the direction of Solo's fate, the boy happily revealed the identity of the two individuals he had in mind.

"Well the other brilliant individual I had in mind is a girl named Chelli Aphra, whose technological abilities are more than skilled enough to impress even the harshest taskmaster. And what's even better is that she is a firm believer in the what the you proclaimed the Empire to represent. Safety and Security. And as for who I think would make an excellent care giver for those two, I was thinking that Lord Vader would make for an excellent parental figure for 2...4 if you decide to reveal to him where his children are, child prodigies who could benefit the Empire".

Choosing to conceal the fact that Vader would probably use his former...or was it future associate since he had no clue how the new Dr. Aphra comic series would turn out, to try and elevate himself so he could take control of the Empire, the boy continued moved on to inform the Emperor about the future Rebel leaders.

All the while unaware that the Sith Lord had come to the decision that the time for eradicating loose ends had just about arrived.

...

ANNNNNNDDDD That's enough for now I think.

Apologies for the shortness of the chapter, as well as the cliff hanger, but I feel that I am coming down with a severe case of writers block...so wanted to get this out while my mind is still fresh lol.

Hopefully you all liked how I managed to save Han. I admit the idea stems from what I saw in the Darth Vader Comics (i.e. having a eccentric/competent person who has authority issues devoting themselves to the Empire) And rest assured, the chapter when the boy meets Vader is coming :D. But Im hoping you like having Dr. Aphra get involved in this story...much more likeable than Leia in my opinion lol.

If you have questions...put them in your reviews...for next chapter I will be answering your questions in the authors notes in order to keep everyone in the loop lol.

Look forward to some action scenes next chapter (Thinking its time to see the effects of what the boy has done, and to remind everyone that the Empire is not to be messed with lol)

Til then, keep reading this story, and offering your comments, to ensure the continued existence of the FIRST GALACTIC EMPIRE!

Han solo (spare him idea...give him special training..unorthodox but l oyal (i.e. Agent Kallus type) elite trooper type..or give him to vader like aphra

Orbital strike against dagoba (can yoda sense universe/Sidious due to the force on the planet?)