AUTHORS NOTE: Thanks to all who read and reviewed my story, your patience as well as you tips(which were quite helpful), helped me in continuingthis story. A very special thanks to DarthGladiator45, and Vamperezgurl for Beta reading for me. Your help and tips were greatly appreciated and very much welcome, as were all the coments.
P.S. I do not own nor will I likely inthe future own any of these characters in this story. No money was made or exchanged. George is the only one that can do that.
VADER: MIA
Chapter 11
Activating the Falcons long distance scanners, Han began scanning the area they had just entered. Continually adjusting the scanners for floating debris and other space junk, he started to get a little bored, turning to Chewie he asked.
"What is it exactly we're supposed to be looking for?"
Chewie shrugging his shoulders answered, "I would think an Imperial ship of some distinction."
"That narrows it down to about a thousand different types of ships." Han returned still adjusting the scanners
"Patch into the local comm traffic, maybe we can get a drop on where they're searching for this Vader character." Han ordered.
Chewie following the order began shifting through the different Imperial frequencies, but most were scrambled, and the ones he was able to listen in on were coming from Kessel and were just landing directions. Turning to Han he asked, "Han why don't we try one of the transponder codes we have, maybe we can fly closer to Kessel and get a fix on things that way?"
"Not a bad idea Chewie," Han answered pulling one of his many codes from the computer, "load this into the transponder, then make way for the garrison moon; maybe we'll find something there." Han suggested.
They hadn't gotten far when the voice of an Imperial officer crackled over the comm.
"Unidentified ship, this is Commander Eddooc'a of Kessel station, you will shut down your engines and remain where you are, I have a squad of Tie fighters coming to escort you, if you come any closer to this station, or if you should try to run, you will be destroyed..."
"Commander Eddooc'a, I have used the correct transponder code please cease any hostilities. I am here on a rescue mission for the Emperor." Han whispered as he covered the communication microphone, "That should give them a little scare, huh Chewie?"
"Unidentified ship you will remain where you are..."
Was all that came through the comm before hit the switch turning it off, he started powering up the ships shields, then turning to Chewie he yelled.
"Chewie! This is gonna get ugly real quick, start computations for micro jump, while I get us the hell out of here."
Hitting the thrusters Han banked the Falcon on a hard turn to port. Once turned he pushed the throttles to full, and dialed up the compensators, he thought he'd gotten the jump on the Imperials when internal alarms sounded, signaling that several marks were coming in fast to the aft of the ship.
"Ok Chewie now would be a good time for the jump, punch in the co-ordinates so we can get the hell out of here!"
"Just a few more minutes there boss; this is a little harder with the Maw just around the corner." Chewie shot back.
"We don't have a few minutes, there gaining on us and quick," unlatching his harness he jumped up from the pilots seat ordering, "power up the port quad guns, and check to see what we got in the stores, for anything that might act like a mine. Maybe I can buy you that extra time with a little explosion."
"I'm on it boss," Chewie answered.
Climbing into the seat of the port side quad guns, Han activated the targeting computer and set the guns to full spread, buckling in he screamed back at Chewie, "Anytime you got that little surprise ready let me know, then jettison it."
He turned back just in time to see the first of the Tie fighters bear down on he and Chewie, grabbing the triggers of the guns he started firing hoping that by luck he'd at least hit one or two of them before they got past. Luck following him like it usually did the Tie fighters just flew by; sizing him up, as they passed Han got a target lock on the rear most Tie fighter, squeezing the trigger the Tie exploded into a brilliant golden ball of fire. So bright and close to the Falcon that Han covered his eyes from the glare, while the shock wave from the blast jostled the ship around.
"That was a little close...boss," Chewie complained through the internal intercom system.
"Hey at least I got one, what's the status on the jump?" Han shot back.
"Moment please..." Chewie calmly answered.
"This is not time for jokes... oh shi... Never mind," Han screamed as the remaining Tie fighters returned, and this time firing first.
Han had just locked on to one of the fighters when Chewie signaled that he needed to come back up and strap in for the jump.
"Ah... this is not a good time Chewie, I'll wait till they pass, then I'll be right up." He answered.
Squeezing the trigger the subsequent shots went harmlessly into space; as his shots missed, the tie fighters shots found their mark hitting the Falcon, but dispersed against the Falcons shields.
"Ok Chewie here I come, lock down the quads and hit the switch for the jump as soon as I hit the seat." Han yelled climbing out of the port gun turret.
Barely having enough time to grab his harness Chewie hit the switch sending the Falcon into hyperspace.
"Chewie, as soon as we finish this jump start the comps for the next one, were not gonna have a lot of time to warn Luke and get out of here before the Empire will be hot on our tails."
"Way ahead of you boss already done and just waiting to be punched in." Chewie answered.
"Already done, Chewie I'm impressed, put yourself in for a raise." Han chuckled.
Several minutes later, the Falcon returned to normal space and Chewie started loading the data for the next jump. Han immediately setting the comm frequency contacted Luke.
"Hey kid you out there?"
"Yeah I'm here, and you're not going to believe this," Luke answered very tentatively.
"Luke! Are you out of your mind? You come all the way out here to get this Vader guy, and because he says, he's your father, we're friends; Lord Vader is the number two guy for the Empire, and you believe this poodoo he dishin' out. Did you do a space walk without a suit on or something, or maybe you have space sickness?" Han asked disparagingly.
"Han, I don't expect you to believe anything. Its something to do with the force, I just know he's telling the truth, I ask that you trust me." Luke answered.
"Oh the mumbo jumbo thingy again," Han sat staring at the comm panel for several seconds, and then answered, "It goes against the grain and my better judgment, but you got it kid, just tell your father, that if he tries anything tricky, he's dust."
Poised at the edge at the Maw a Lambda class shuttle, and the Millennium Falcon prepared to enter hyperspace, Lord Vader sat next to Luke adjusting the ships consoles, when Han contacted them.
"Um Hello there are some Imperials coming for us, we don't have a lot of time here," Han chimed in getting impatient.
"Retrieve the co-ordinates from the nava computer for our trip my son, and tell Captain Solo he has nothing to fear from the Imperials, they are under strict orders to stay clear of this area." Vader informed, "I have one final message to deliver to the Emperor, before we leave."
Turning in his seat, Luke smiled and did as his father requested.
Activating the holo-net, Vader waited for the connection, several seconds later a twelve-inch image of the Emperor appeared in front of Vader.
"Ah Lord Vader, I trust you have young Skywalker in hand?" The Emperor asked with a smirk.
"No, My Master, I do not, I have in fact decided that I do not wish him to suffer as i have done...at your hands, I am therefore returning with him to answer for all my crimes against them." Vader replied.
"What! What is this nonsense; you will explain yourself my servant." Emperor Palpatine returned quite agitated.
"I will explain nothing, but I will tell you what I think you need to know." Vader retorted.
"Lord Vader, you have deliberately disobeyed my orders, I demand an explanation immediately." Palpatine ordered.
"No, the only explanation I owe is to my son for betraying him and his mother all those years ago. But as I said I will tell you what I think you should know: for too many years have I done your bidding, only to be, belittled by you at every turn. Now I find out, by your own words that I have a son, and you wish me to turn him over to you as a final sacrifice to the Dark Side." Vader continued, his breathing now becoming more rapid.
Luke sitting by reached over placing a hand on his shoulder saying, "Father, calm; he's not worth the trouble."
Vader taking his eyes from the image of Palpatine replied, "You are right my son, but I must say what needs to be said."
Turning back to the Emperor, Lord Vader continued, "I will not turn him over to you, look what serving you has done to me; I am more machine, than man. I will not allow you do this to my son. I leave you with these words Emperor," Vader said leaning close to the image, "As one final pledge to you my former Master, I will come for you. Nothing and no one will stand in my way of getting to you."
Not giving the Emperor a chance to answer Anakin reached over deactivating the system.
"Now my son, I have a lot to tell you before we reach our destination." Anakin said placing his hand on Luke's shoulder.
Emperor Palpatine watched as the Image of Vader disappeared, turning he said.
"It appears that we were right my new apprentice, he has betrayed me."
Kneeling to the side of the Emperor, and just out of sight of the holonet transmitter, a woman watched with interest what had just transpired.
"Worry not, my Master" she started to say.
"You think I worry," the Emperor said raising his hand send a bolt of force lightening through her body, "Let this be your first lesson; I worry about noting, everything that has happened has done so at my will," he finished, releasing her.
Regaining her composure she answered, "Forgive me, my master, this servant is not worthy, but I ask that you give me the chance I will gain their confidence... and when the time is right... I will rid the galaxy of the Skywalkers once... and for all..."
FINI?