Death Star, Landing Bay #6

2 hours later

Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa stood, side by side, at one side of Landing Bay #6 on the Death Star.

It was a scene of controlled chaos. Troops were landing and disembarking. Other ships were taking off. The traffic was mostly between Darth Vader's Devastator and the Death Star, though a few ships departed and went into lightspeed to unknown destinations.

Behind the twins was an honor guard of eight members of Vader's 501st, the so-called Vader's Fist. Leia, who knew far more about the 501st than Luke, smiled wryly at the irony of being protected by members of this most infamous of stormtrooper legions.

To her right stood her brother, blue eyes filled with anticipation, the tan in his skin fading after days away from Tatooine's twin suns. Leia looked at him and felt a surge of intense love in her heart for her brother. He had sacrificed much to keep her safe, and to keep their Mother safe. She had thought she would lose them both. To be here, an honored guest instead of a prisoner, a daughter and sister instead of an orphan and bereaved sibling, was far more than she had hoped.

Her biological sire was still a major problem, but she was thankful for what she had.

Her brother, obviously picking up on her mood, reached out with his left arm and gave her a hug.

"I'm thankful too," he said, then looked up, "I sense them coming, Leia!"

Leia stepped forward a few steps, and was vaguely irritated when her honor guard stepped forward too. It felt rather like she was still a prisoner, but Vader had said, in a voice that brooked no argument, that since they were his children, he would ensure they were protected when in public places. Furthermore, if they didn't submit to being guarded, he would lock them up. She had exchanged a few verbal barbs with him, but then had given in with poor grace.

"It's the Millennium Falcon!" she said in surprise, peering at the ship which was entering the vast landing bay.

"What's that?" Luke asked curiously.

"It's the ship we hired to take us from Tatooine to Alderaan, crewed by a Corellian smuggler and his Wookie co-pilot. I don't know why Captain Solo is still hanging around. He apparently had some debts to pay off and I know my parents recompensed him."

Luke stared in disbelief at the incoming freighter as it gracefully lowered itself onto the floor of the bay.

"You came in that thing? Leia, you are even braver than I thought."

"Yeah, she's a total piece of junk," Leia agreed, "And the pilot is an arrogant scoundrel. Still, I admit she's fast and maneuverable. He managed to evade pursuit leaving Tatooine, though partly that was your doing. They didn't send all that many ships after us."

"Father was rather distracted," Luke agreed, though in a quiet enough tone that their honor guard couldn't hear him.

Leia was even quieter, "I wish you wouldn't call him that, Luke."

Luke opened his mouth, then shut it. This wasn't the place for that conversation.

The landing ramp lowered. Leia and Luke both approached quickly (with honor guard in tow) as Bail and Breha Organa, and Owen and Beru Lars, came cautiously down the ramp and onto the landing bay.

"Leia," Breha cried out joyfully, and ran forward to throw her arms around her daughter. Bail followed, looking equally delighted.

Beru Lars swiftly enfolded her nephew in a hug, while Owen Lars tagged along behind, looking uncomfortable but relieved.

There was a brief babble of confused talk, limited by the public venue to loud small talk and a few whispered words about the critical events of the last few hours. Both of the elder Organas were experienced politicians, generally able to conceal their emotions. The news, however, that Alderaan had been within minutes of destruction drove the blood from both their faces, and the news that Vader had been the one to intervene left Breha astonished and Bail extremely thoughtful.

Owen and Beru Lars looked suitably confused and uncomfortable. Their nephew felt a stab of sympathy at their predicament. It was quite a change from Tatooine's dusty and remote plains, and they had every reason to be concerned about Vader.

"Don't worry," he said vaguely, but reassuringly.

Owen frowned, but Beru spoke quickly, "We won't, Luke. I promise. How is your mother?"

"She's doing very well. I was hoping you'd be willing to go spend time with her, though. I need to attend a meeting and she would benefit from time with familiar people. She has an excellent doctor and an equally devoted medic looking after her, but there is nothing like family."

Tears fell from Beru's eyes, and even Owen's eyes looked bright.

"Of course we are delighted to help with her," Beru said and Owen chimed in, "We are glad you are safe, Luke, and your mother too."

Luke nodded and gestured to one of his troopers. The man stepped forward and, after Luke explained the situation, said, "If you'll follow me, sir and madam."

Bail and Breha Organa were also leaving with a guard guiding them, though Luke knew that they were going to the Death Star command center to consult with Vader and Kenobi. (Somewhere in his brain, he contemplated the insanity of the upcoming meeting. Kenobi and Vader, working together? Who would have ever thought that possible.)

"Are you ready to head up to the command center?" Leia asked, still with her arm around her brother. There was a sudden shout from the Falcon, which caused both Luke and Leia to look up.

Luke saw a tall, handsome, dark haired man in a white shirt, dark vest, and Corellian bloodstripes who had descended the ramp to the landing bay floor. He looked to be in his early 30's.

"Hey, Princess, would you be so kind as to give me a minute of your valuable time?"

Luke heard Leia huff with exasperation, but she nonetheless strode quickly towards the Corellian.

"Yes, Captain Solo?" she demanded, "What can I do for you?"

"You," Solo responded snidely, "Can remove your blasted protocol droid from my ship. It's bad enough I'm parked on this monstrosity. If I have to listen anymore to that tin plated translator I will go entirely mad, or blast him into pieces, whichever seems more appealing at the time."

"C-3P0 is a valuable resource to House Organa," Leia responded frigidly, "And I would appreciate you not threatening his well being."

"I'm sure we can take him off your hands, Captain Solo," Luke said, intervening. He cast a curious glance at Leia. Through their twin bond, he was sensing some powerful emotion roiling in his sister, and it wasn't all exasperation.

"Thank you," Solo responded sarcastically, "And you are?"

"I'm sorry," Luke responded, holding out his right hand, "I'm Luke Skywalker, a close friend of Leia's."

An odd expression flitted across Solo's face, and he turned to Leia, even as he shook hands with Luke, "A friend, huh? I didn't think an ice princess like you would have a boyfriend."

Luke and Leia both jerked, equally repulsed expressions appearing on their faces.

Leia blurted out, "No, it's not like that at all, he's my…"

"Leia!" Luke said warningly. They were keeping their twin relationship a secret for now, for fear that Palpatine would make Leia a target if he found out.

She looked at him apologetically, and continued more moderately, "Luke is just a really good, trusted friend. It is not a romance."

"Definitely not," Luke found himself adding with a mutter.

Solo's eyes narrowed curiously, and Luke realized there was a great deal of intelligence in those eyes.

Leia interrupted Solo's ruminations by continuing, "I fail to see what business it is of yours, Captain Solo, anyway. And why are you here? You mentioned debts. I would have assumed you would have cleared out as soon as you got your money, and I know my parents paid you. You will no doubt promptly run up more debts, but it would be an interesting and unusual experience to be at financial peace with the galaxy, would it not? Even for a day?"

Solo smiled roguishly, "Indeed they did pay me, Princess, the full 17,000 credits as promised. But your mother asked me to stand by for possible transport since the known ships of House Organa might not be the safest way to get away from Alderaan. Of course, I didn't really expect to end up on this space station, but if the credits keep flowing I can wait on Jabba for a while."

"I wouldn't suggest waiting too long," Luke responded, "The Hutts can be bitter and malicious enemies. I spent most of my life on Tatooine, and we tried to avoid antagonizing them."

Solo looked at him with interest, and said, "I can wait a little longer. I hate to say no to a Queen."

"Very well, Captain," Leia said crisply, "Thank you for your offer of assistance. I would strongly suggest that you stay aboard your ship until we arrange for suitable lodgings on board this space station. It would be a pity if a trigger happy stormtrooper put a shot through that handsome head of yours."

"They'd be way more likely to get their own heads blasted off, Princess," Solo retorted.

One of the twins' guards stepped forward and Solo put up a placating hand, "Just saying I'm a good shot, fellows. I won't cause any problems."

"See that you don't," came the altered voice of the trooper through his helmet, "And now, sir, I suggest you return to your ship."

Luke and Leia watched as Solo turned around and casually reboarded the Millennium Falcon. A moment later, a fussy and distressed C-3PO waddled down the ramp.

"That man drives me mad," Leia said quietly, even while beckoning to C-3PO.

"So I can see," Luke said with an amused grin.

/-/-/-

Concurrently, in the Death Star's Command Center hub

Vader turned away from the viewscreen and spoke, "Captain, send an order to all Death Star personnel, except for the 501st, that due to a security issue Protocol C32 is now in effect. All personnel designated non-station essential must return to their personal quarters and remain in their specific pods until further notice. Meals and sleeping shifts will continue on normal schedules. Essential personnel will work an additional 4 hour shift at their current locale and then will be relieved by the next shift."

"Yes, my Lord," responded the 501st officer.

"General Tagge and Admiral Motti are secure?" Vader continued.

"Yes, my Lord, and the rest of the command staff have been detained per your orders."

"Good work, Captain," Vader replied, "Check passes of all those entering the Command Center and detain anyone without personal authorization from Commander Tregast."

Tregast was one of his most faithful and loyal officers, with experience and intelligence beyond his years.

"Yes, my Lord," the captain replied.

Vader glanced over at the Death Star superlaser controls, now in pieces due to close encounters with an active lightsaber. It wouldn't take long to repair, but for now, no one would be able to creep on board and fire the weapon.

With an internal sigh, Vader strode over to a small conference room connected to the main control room of the Command Hub.

He paused at the door to the conference room, stilled himself, and walked through the door.

The room was empty except for one person, but that one person was Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi himself. Vader's balled his hands into fists, but he managed to maintain at least a semblance of tranquility

Kenobi looked up at his entrance, his face a mask of annoying Jedi calm. He then looked back down and continued tucking in to a substantial, if not very appetizing, meal, washing it down with draughts of water.

With Kenobi studiously avoiding his gaze, Vader felt free to stare. It had been 19 years since they had fought at Mustafar. He was now a human cyborg. His former master, while still possessing all limbs and other body parts, was old. His hair was white, his face thin, his skin tanned and wrinkled by the desert wind and heat. He had aged more than 19 years during his time in exile.

Vader looked down at his belt, now with not one but three lightsabers hanging on it. It felt odd. He had always wielded but one saber, though others (Ahsoka…but no, he didn't want to think of her) fought with two.

He had his collection of lightsabers, yes, ones that he had taken from those many Jedi who had fallen to him. They were trophies, memories, whispers from the Dark of his own power and ability to conquer those who opposed him. But of all the sabers in the galaxy, these three lightsabers meant the most. One, the red one of his current life. Another, the blue lightsaber of his old life as Anakin Skywalker, and the one that he had used when he fought against the owner of the third saber. Slowly, almost mesmerized, he lit that third saber. It was this blue bladed weapon, wielded by Kenobi, that had resulted in the loss of three limbs, followed by his baptism in the lava flows of Mustafar. It was this saber that made him more machine now than man.

Kenobi spoke, and Vader looked up to find his former teacher gazing at him with quiet compassion, "If you are going to kill me, Vader, I suggest you do it before your children arrive."

Vader shut down the saber, and took a step towards Kenobi, though they were separated by the table, providing both physical and emotional distance.

"I will not kill you, Kenobi," he said, forcing himself to speak calmly, "But only because my children, Luke in particular, have made it clear they care for you. If it wasn't for my son, you would already be dead."

Kenobi nodded and said, "Then I am most grateful to Luke."

There was an uncomfortable pause and then Kenobi stood up slowly, making it clear that he was not intending any threat.

"I'm sorry, Anakin."

"That is not my name!" Vader snapped.

"Vader then. I am sorry. Sorry for not supporting you when you were experiencing those nightmares about Padme, sorry for Mustafar…" Kenobi's voice choked before adding, "You truly were my brother, and I loved you. I thought you had completely turned Dark when you attacked Padme…"

"DON'T" Vader snarled, then calmed himself when his former master's face showed startled surprise, "Don't say that again. My entire family reminds me repeatedly that I nearly killed them all. I nearly did kill them all. For nineteen years I thought I had killed my wife and my child, and now I find that she lived, though she is not well, and my two children, my twins, are alive and healthy and vibrant and intelligent..."

Obi-wan's brow furrowed and he said, as if in surprise, "You care deeply for your family."

Vader snarled softly, then paced again for another minute before turning back to Kenobi, "Does that seem impossible, that I would be capable of…of caring for my own flesh and blood?"

(It occurred to him, after the fact, that his phrasing was ironic. He was short a great deal of his own flesh and blood, thanks to Kenobi.)

"Bluntly, yes," Obi-wan replied, "It's obvious that I was wrong about you, Vader. Your wife believed there was good in you, your son refused to participate in any attempts to kill you, and your actions today in saving Alderaan show that there is still good in you."

For a moment, the Dark Lord felt a surge of rage at this accusation, but then forced himself to take stock. Like it or not, Kenobi was right. There had been a dramatic shift in the Force towards the Light, felt across the galaxy (and certainly by his Master), and he was at the epicenter of it. Yes, his glorious twins were partially responsible, but he too was changing. He was not willing to give up the Dark Side, but the love and care and compassion he felt for his family was not suitable, reasonable, or normal for a Sith Lord totally devoted to the Dark Side.

He sighed softly, so that it wouldn't be picked up the vocoder, "The only reason I protected Alderaan was because of my daughter Leia, Kenobi."

"Then I am most grateful to Leia," Obi-wan responded with a slight smile.

Vader could only glower at him, through opaque eye plates.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/

In Stormtrooper pod 163, the trooper designated 2984 excused himself from the late night sabacc game, pleading exhaustion.

He had spent the last two hours listening carefully to conversations; now he surreptitiously checked com logs and sources that were way above what should have been his security clearance.

The results blew his mind. But he didn't have to face down Darth Vader himself, just let the Emperor know what was happening.

Quickly, quietly, he put together a report and sent it by encoded frequency to Imperial Center.