A/N: Hey all; thanks for being so awesomely patient in waiting for the last few chapters. I was super happy (and relieved) to see that uploading multiple chapters seemed to make up for the wait. But, Luke is finally on Hoth, and Vader is on the hunt! So, let's continue :) Onward!
**As always only the AU plot and OC's are mine; duh, right? LOL...
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SW Ep. V: Jedi Assassin Ch.21— Precipice
Luke allowed himself to settle into a routine over the subsequent weeks, it kept his mind focused on what was necessary and not too much on...well, the rest.
It lingered in the back of his mind that Kenobi and the other Jedi had answers to yet provide him from what Vader had implied in their last few conversations, but Luke was a professional; he knew that they were hiding something from him, and clearly had not willingness to share at present.
But, far more importantly, whatever it was, Luke was still wrestling with, as Pru put it: "being compromised." Hoth had given him a place to center and collect himself, to restore his flawless edge. So, in the end it made no difference that the Jedi were not ready to provide the answers, because Luke was not yet ready to ask the questions.
So, each morning he rose early, dressed in his rebel fatigues, and then over-see his duties.
Frankly, aside from the Bothan liaisons, there was no one equipped to join this 'covert team,' that Luke was supposed to be in charge of, and he had told the rebel leadership in no uncertain terms that if his 'covert team' was to be covert then he couldn't walk around in a general's uniform, it was too conspicuous.
Ergo, Mon Mothma had suggested he oversee as a 'cover' the running of the base, which would free up Garm for more tactical duties, which he preferred. Luke had wondered if perhaps Leia had noticed his unease and thought the task would help settle his mind, but at length he'd agreed simply because it made sense.
This was why he was now in one of the tunnels they'd been expanding over the last few days, crouched over the mangled body of a rebel who'd gone against orders and decided it'd be fun to venture off alone.
Or rather, what was left of the boy.
Luke sighed; it didn't take much to figure out a predator had gotten the child.
Probably a juvenile itself too; the older, more experienced predators typically dragged their prey off to a secluded place to eat it.
Luke sighed, pulled off his long jacket and draped it over the body.
The rebels around him were all pale. War was one thing; the realization you're being hunted merely for food was entirely different.
"Send for the medic; have him perform an autopsy."
He had to have it done just to be certain.
Procedure and all.
One of the enlisted men nodded and sprinted off. Luke rose.
"I'm going to do a sweep of the tunnels myself," he soberly told the others, "until then, I want all unfinished tunnels sealed and every worker to report to their Commanding Officer. I want everyone accounted for in the next 60 standard minutes. Understood?"
The group of men nodded. No one pointed out to him that going off alone was dangerous.
He'd blow up the Death Star and dog fought against Vader, after all.
He pulled out a large, tricked out blaster and strode off.
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Vader watched from the bridge of his ship as the monolithic creation bombarded a section of the planet Sullust where the spy had reported the location of a rebel base.
Vader smiled grimly, sensing in the Force the rising wave of cries, of painful, hideous deaths; the full catastrophic glory of Imperial might unleashed against those misguided fools who thought hiding from the Sith constituted 'freedom.'
Only the dark side offered true freedom; there was no other path.
Beside him, the agent stood, straight and rigid.
"You have done well, Shira Brie."
"Thank you, my lord."
"There will be Jedi survivors; we have no need for rebel prisoners."
He felt more than saw her cold smile. "As you wish, my lord."
She turned and purposefully headed for the hangers.
Admiral Ozzel stopped to his left. "Lord Vader, the troops being dispatched to the world's surface report from our spies that the rebel base is all but razed and there are only a handful retreating into the surrounding vicinity."
Vader nodded once. "Good. We only need the Jedi to live...for the moment." He turned away. "I shall lead the final phase myself. Have my shuttle prepared."
He marched away before Ozzel could even reply.
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He felt Shira Brie near, watching from the shadows and quietly killing any stray rebels that slipped through the net his storm troopers had created.
Around him pandemonium reigned. The rebels had foolishly built their base in the thick of a forest beside a string of active volcanoes. Apparently their 'logic' had been the Empire would never think to uncover a base in a geologically active area.
They had been partly right, until Brie had been ordered to locate them on her own, which she did.
The Jedi had been called upon by the rebels there to assist in recruiting new members from the local sector; about seven or eight Jedi had arrived to help.
And of them, only two had yet to be impaled by Vader's blood red saber.
Vader stood over the unfortunate two now, the forest around them roaring with blaze, the shattered fragments of the former rebel base laid in rubble heaps a short distance off before him. Troopers had broken into groups to take down the escapees; even now Vader could detect blaster fire over the hungry flames.
At his feet lay a mortally wounded Jedi; a human man with a muscular figure and long beard.
Vader recognized him from the Temple-and from the wars.
Arligan Zey.
The Jedi was softly gasping his final breaths, blood dribbling form his left cheek and lower lip. A massive shoulder wound poured blood into his tan Jedi robes; his right leg was mostly torn from his body at the knee.
Vader could sense Zey had little time left; but in his final moments the Jedi would be of use to him.
He plunged his lightsaber into Zey's right arm, between the shoulder and wrist; the Jedi screamed.
To Vader's left was the other Jedi; a boy only, a Padawan. He couldn't have been older than 18; Vader had slashed both of his legs already with his lightsaber during his 'battle' with the boy and his master.
Neither of them had offered any real challenge; Vader smirked at the memory of it.
"Now then, Jedi," Vader hissed, "you and your...Padawan, have left the company of the central rebel base on your failed recruiting mission. The young assassin, called the Specter is with them, is he not?"
Both Zey and his Padawan stilled at that. Good; it meant Vader wasn't supposed to possess that information.
It also meant that they'd seen the boy; perhaps even spoken to him.
What secrets could they provide him with then?
"The boy is Force sensitive," Vader avowed, catching the Padawan's eyes widen at that, "what is he called? What name does he go by?"
Zey only glared up at him defiantly. Vader's anger rose all around him.
The dark side howled that the Jedi held a snippet, a valuable secret.
Vader would pry it out of them one way or another.
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Whatever it was, Luke could smell it.
He stalked the icy corridors, blaster ready, melding into the shadows as though he were part of them.
He would slowly inhale every minute or so, taking in the wild, untamed scent of...whatever it was. Careful scrutiny of the 'walls' revealed a stray white hair or two stuck to the ice.
Slash marks where claws were sharpened were to be found too, in one of the dark passages. And by the size of the marring, said claws were large.
Very large.
Which meant an even larger predator.
He felt a familiar presence come up behind him.
"What do you sense, Fade?"
Vague impressions only, friend. But the princess worried for you, when the soldier arrived and informed her you'd gone off alone. What did you learn of this planet, before deciding it to be the base?
"Only that it was isolated," was the grave reply, "I assumed the rebels would do more research. I never told them I was versed in this world; I chose it because it's so isolated."
I cannot help but think that perhaps they assumed you knew more.
Luke sighed in annoyance. This was the problem with such a loose, yet large command. There wasn't always the much needed continuity-
-and efficiency.
"Well," he mused resolutely, "I guess we're gonna do some research now."
He sniffed again. "I smell something wet."
It also feels a bit warmer up here; I detected it while traversing this tunnel.
"Hmmm," was all Luke returned with as they pressed on.
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"Speak, boy," Vader ground out, pressing the dark side against the young Padawan from all sides.
He'd forced the boy to watch as he dismembered Zey one piece at a time, all the while keeping the old master alive and conscious.
So his screams could break down the Padawan.
However, it was a feint. The boy, of course, would not wield the sort of knowledge Vader was looking for. Yet, Zey would.
And with every drop of pain the old master's mental defenses were weakening.
Neither of them manipulated the Force to the level Vader did. He smiled.
Or his future apprentice, who even now shone to him in the Force, vast and brilliant.
Over the last hour, the Padawan's resolve had diminished; too abhorred by what Vader had done to his master to maintain his Jedi composure.
Vader wanted to snicker; yes, he was too attached to his master- tsk, tsk: a Jedi flaw.
Tears streamed down his face at seeing his master's mangled body. Vader dug his saber into Zey's leg for effect; the master's weak, soft wail of pain did the child in.
"Luke," the boy whispered at length, "Master Kenobi calls him 'Luke.'"
Vader ground his teeth. "Kenobi? Has he taken the boy as an apprentice?"
Blast that meddling old man!
A shake of the head. "M...my master said Specter turned their offer down. Master K...Kenobi is very attached to him though; he treats him like an old friend." He peered up at Vader, his face cautiously hopeful that would appease the dark lord and save his master.
Something...portentous lifted in the Force all around Vader, as though some singular revelation just unfolded...but what?
Vader pulled his saber out of Zey and released his dark side hold on him. The Padawan sighed in relief, convinced Vader was mollified.
Until the effects of Vader's torturing the old Jedi took over and the man's body went limp.
Dead.
The boy gaped. "No! You said you'd spare-"
Vader brought his saber down and took the boy's head off before he could finish.
"I make no deals with Jedi," he rumbled as he walked away.
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When Luke and Fade reached the tunnel's end, it suddenly ascended up a very steep 'hill' and opened like a yawning mouth.
The stalactites only helped to make it appear like a fanged mouth.
Luke grunted softly as he found good footholds and pulled himself up the icy formation to see what lurked on the other side.
A familiar noise greeted his ears as he peered over.
Before them sprawled out an immense cavern; Luke couldn't even see the end of it. Within the cavern numerous hot springs bubbled, steam slowly rising in misty tendrils and around each pool, greenery flourished.
Therefore it didn't surprise Luke to catch sight of about 20 or so taun-tauns grazing on the large leaves and vines wound around the stalagmites.
Those taun-tauns the rebels found when first arriving here must have gotten separated from this herd, Fade guessed.
Luke nodded. He let himself slide back down to the ground.
"If there is prey this close to us," Luke said, "we'll have to seal this cave. Whatever is here must be hunting this pack. We can't let the rebels be the backup food supply if these animals get away."
Fade nodded soberly.
An intuition crept up the back of Luke's neck. He sighed. "Let's go; I have a theory—and I hope I'm wrong."
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Admiral Ozzel was waiting for Vader when he returned to the ship.
"My lord," he excitedly said, "the rebel base is no more, but we have news, from Imperial Center."
Vader's eyes narrowed. Was it the Unknowables? Had they struck again?
"The Emperor has received report from…a source that stated there is another rebel base; this one in the Vergesso Asteroids; His Highness wants us to destroy it immediately, there is word a Jedi is there as well."
Vader smirked. All the better. But, wait….
"You said, 'a source' provided this Intel?"
Ozzel paled ever so slightly. "Y…yes, my lord."
"Who was the source? Was it one of our agents?"
Ozzel's lips pursed nervously. "No my lord," was the muted reply, though to his surprise Vader saw Ozzel held his gaze as he said it, "it was Prince Xizor."
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Xizor. That insufferable criminal.
As Vader entered his chambers, he recalled ordering Ozzel to take his ship to Vergesso at once, before the Jedi departed. The rebel base was of no matter.
The fact that another Jedi had emerged from hiding was.
Another Jedi who could reveal more information about the Specter.
About…Luke.
As Vader settled into his meditation chamber and the seal closed, the dark lord mulled over the bizarre coincidence that the strange Courtier was called that by Lady Dresheōnie. Granted, with him it had clearly been a nickname, but nonetheless, it was peculiar.
However, Vader had sensed when the Padawan told him that for Specter, this was his given, his birth name.
Luke.
Vader smiled as the mechanical arms overhead reached down to remove his helmet. As the pod's arms did their work, Vader deeply inhaled the condensed and medicated air.
He'd long since forgotten what fresh air smelled like. It didn't matter.
All that mattered now was he was halfway there; he had the Specter's first name.
Now, the more important half: the surname.
It aggravated Vader that the blood test had come up negative. Vader had felt so certain the boy must have been related to a Jedi.
As he settled into the large, black chair, now sans the helmet and face mask, Vader allowed his thoughts to settle into a meditation exercise.
Moray's competency was not to be questioned; the man was an expert among experts, the greatest medical genius there was.
That was why Vader had let him live after; well, no matter, Moray's past has long since been forgiven—and forgotten—by the Empire.
By Vader.
However, when Vader had handed the blood sample to Moray, he'd felt the dark side shudder in glee, as if some grand unveiling were about to take place.
Why then, if the blood didn't match the records?
A boy of that unmatchable power, of that seemingly incalculable potential, had to have been the son of a Jedi? At least one parent had to have been so, if not both.
Vader thought it more likely both, considering the boy's power.
Yet, once again the boy proved cagey, shrewd, and elusive; once again the boy seemed to find a way to escape detection….
Vader stilled. No; that could not be the answer. He sat up.
Such a cunning and inventive child, with a network, no an army of hackers, computer geniuses and tech adepts, could he have found a way to alter the records?
Vader had to discover if so.
He rose and reached for his helmet.
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Luke stood at the top of a large, snowy hill, looking over the expanse of Hoth below him.
Fade hovered beside him, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Luke could understand.
In the short time he'd been on Hoth, with the rebels, he'd felt himself relax; his usual inner tautness have tapered off, salved by the friendship overtures from the rebels and Jedi, the familiarity of a routine, and he'd gone weeks without having to kill or maim someone.
Ghost had commed him a few days prior, saying she was going into comm-silence for a while, due to a breakthrough in her investigation she'd unraveled. There had been no time to tell Luke in detail, but she assured him it'd only be a few weeks, and warned him harshly that if he knew what was good for him, he'd stay out of trouble.
He'd actually laughed at that, having never experienced such a length of time before where he'd not been in constant peril, ending a day (or starting one) with blood in his hands and clothes, and not planning 'jobs.'
It was as close to 'normal' life as he'd ever known. He took in a chilly breath and gazed out over the stark ice-scape, glaringly bright in the full midday sun.
It was so wide, with sweeping valleys and mounts all bathed in the golden wash of a vibrant sun.
Luke had never stood in a place where there was so much light; the sun splashed it abundantly on every slope and rise he could see.
There wasn't a creature in sight, but the planet still felt so alive—from the light.
Luke snickered at the irony; him: a shadow worker, an assassin, reveling in a place filled with light.
His tight muscles and rigid frame loosened under the brightness though; he couldn't deny it. His eyes actually lifted to the sun, just barely obscured by some thin, hazy clouds.
He found himself pining for more of it, the luminosity, and the brilliance of it.
The light broke all over Hoth, most of it golden but numerous icy outcroppings and formations scattered the radiance in all sorts of hypnotizing arrays.
It was a like a symphony, a celebration, a sacred dance; silent, but glorious.
He let out a happy, reposed breath.
Your realm has many beauties, my friend; I am pleased for you that you enjoy them.
Luke chuckled. "Why is that?"
Because it reminds you that you still have a heart, a soul and a craving for the Light.
Luke stilled, his throat closing. He'd not thought of that, not in a great while.
Specters can't exist in light; only shadow.
There were nights he could still smell the blood of them; his victims.
This morning he'd been woken by Han again—for screaming in his sleep.
At length, he nodded, putting his head down. "I guess I do crave it," he quietly admitted.
But, was that the problem? He was growing comfortable here, and the nightmares had only begun after arriving at Hoth, when he'd let himself repose somewhat.
He didn't fully understand what it was about his world that seemed to calm him so, was it the presence of so much light? Was it the arriving at a world bathed in incandescence that seemed to awaken his desiccated and mangled soul after so many years in the dark?
Yes, friend, it is, Fade quietly supplied.
Luke let out a long breath, but couldn't stop the grin forming when the chilled breeze nipped playfully at his face.
This world, with its raw, un-tempered beauty, had reminded him he could still feel.
He sighed, guilt seeping into him. He only wished the rebel they'd found was still alive to enjoy it too.
Fear not, little friend, he is happy where he is now.
Luke reeled on Fade. "You can see the rebel's spirit?"
A nod. He has merged with the other side; he is happy and content. It was his time. We are not all of us meant for old age, only if our purpose merits it.
Luke stilled. "Can you…see Tank?"
Her face fell. No; I do not understand why. I cannot always see though; only sometimes. Remember, this is not my realm, so my powers are…imperfect.
Luke nodded, disappointed. "It's all right, Fade; I know you can only do your best." He patted her head to show he understood. Her tail swished thoughtfully.
Behind them, Luke heard the snow crunching.
Someone was coming.
He reached out, and two presences reached out in return.
He didn't move as Obi-Wan and Mace Windu came up on either side of him and Fade.
He couldn't stop the grin. "I didn't know Jedi took time to absorb the ambiance."
Windu grinned in return. "We do like to remind ourselves why we're Jedi: to preserve the Light, to preserve life, and all that is good."
Ben smiled in agreement, but then his face became mournful. "We were sorry to hear about the young man, Luke."
Luke nodded. "Fade and I searched the tunnels. We didn't find predators; prey yes, but not what hunts them." He gestured wide. "We came up here to get a better lay of the land, try to understand since there are predators around, where they'd take refuge."
Mace appeared thoughtful. "There are some other thermal springs on the other side of the base; the rebels are using them for power and geo-thermal heating. While they can't heat the bases in the truest sense of the word, it at least takes the edge off."
Luke nodded. "We'll search those areas later."
Whatever danger that was around them, for now, he sensed, had passed.
He gazed up at Master Windu, realizing he'd never asked the man an obvious question, and was therefore probably the only person in the base who didn't' know.
"I don't believe I've ever heard how you survived, Master."
Windu shifted just noticeably; Luke guessed he hadn't seen the abrupt change in topic coming.
Mace peered up at the sun; Luke surmised he was guessing the time. "Well, young Luke, let's head back to the base and I can tell you then?"
They were serving the midday meal when they returned. Biggs and Wedge were sitting with the pilots and Luke and the others retrieved their meals and sat down with them.
"How many Jedi survived Order 66?" Luke asked as he cut up his slices of roast.
Mace chewed contemplatively. "Enough," he said, "enough to matter. Most of the Jedi who lived went into hiding and formed factions, like the Jedi Underground."
Luke nodded, taking a bite. The gravy was slightly tangy, with the perfect blend of spices. "Did you join them? The Jedi Underground."
He'd heard of them, but as one covert organization to another, allotted them their space.
Professional courtesy and all that.
"I did," Mace said, "in the very beginning. In part, we have Senator Amidala to thank for it."
Luke didn't allow himself to react, though his insides were screaming in shock.
Of course Mace knew who his parents were, as did Obi-Wan; Han only knew his father had been a friend of Kenobi's, a Jedi.
The rebels didn't know more than his father had been a Jedi, or that was what most assumed.
The less information the better, Luke had told the leadership.
"And how was she involved?" Luke casually asked.
Mace glanced at Ben, who offered Luke a small smile. "One night, near the end of the wars, Senator Amidala asked me to her apartments. She told me, in secret that many of the senators were putting together an organization to oppose the Chancellor and his imminent takeover. I informed Master Windu and Master Yoda, and the three of us, began the Jedi Underground which was meant to complement the then, pre-rebellion."
Luke was floored. His mother was part of the rebellion's earliest movements, he knew, but the fact that she'd inadvertently stirred up rebellion in the Jedi too? He swallowed.
Ben nodded, no doubt gleaning his thoughts. "The Senator had told me she wanted the Jedi to join their group, but the other Senators were hesitant then. So, we Jedi formed our own, until we were able to merge our efforts."
Mace scooped up some vegetables. "The important thing is, we were also able to recruit citizens of Coruscant, like Obi-Wan's friend, Dexter, who ran a café near the Temple."
Ben smiled at the memory. "He saved your life."
Mace was grim. "Yes, yes he did."
"How?" Luke asked.
Mace put down his fork. "Well, the night…a Jedi discovered that the Chancellor was a Sith Lord, myself and three other Masters confronted him in his offices. We had intended to arrest him and let the Senate decide his fate."
Luke was relieved to feel truth in Mace's words; he'd heard the propaganda tales after all about the Jedi attempting to 'assassinate' the Chancellor.
"Palpatine killed the three, and it was only him and me; we fought, our lightsabers destroyed the transparisteel wall that lead to outside…and a significant drop. I was caught off guard and my arm was cut"—he showed the deep scar and Luke bit his lip—"that's when he shot me with the Sith lightning."
Luke sighed. "So, there is such a thing then."
Mace and Ben both glanced at each other, their faces shadowed.
"Luke, there are horrors in the dark side that even you cannot imagine," Ben gravely stated.
In his peripherals, Wedge and Biggs paled and looked worriedly at each other. Luke massaged his brow. The Jedi both knew what he'd seen, experience…and done. And Jedi were not in the business of exaggeration.
Which meant they were trying to warn him.
"I see," he said eventually, "so you fell?"
A nod. "But, thankfully you can slow a fall considerably using the Force. I did so, and managed to use the Force to steer myself into a garbage barge that was flying by." He smiled self-depreciatingly. "Not my most impressive…or fragrant feat; but I lived."
Luke grinned at his modesty. "You battled a Sith and lived, that is impressive."
Mace only stirred his food. "It wasn't my time yet; after exiting the barge, I found Dexter; he had seen the fire from the Temple and came to investigate; I sensed him nearby and he got me to a medic before the lightning's damage finished me. Together he and I traced other Jedi afterwards and grew the Underground…right under Palpatine's nose."
"Coruscant is so populated," Luke put in, "even a Sith Lord should have trouble sifting through so many presences."
Mace nodded, taking a bite of brown bread. "It did—does—help us. Vader is still hunting us, but the Emperor has mainly brushed us aside. His overconfidence is his weakness now."
"One that we'll use," Luke added. "I heard a Jedi named Saber runs the Underground now."
Mace sipped his drink. "Most of us Jedi took code names after the war. Mine is Saber."
"Oh; but the Underground is still alive?"
"It is; a Jedi codenamed Solace is heading it up now. We faked the deaths of several Jedi so they can operate now with anonymity. It even allowed us in the early years to help the rebellion."
"But you try to function separately now?"
"We find it's better that way. Typically only Sith hunt us; they leave the stormtroopers for the rebellion."
Luke got the message.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Looking up, his eyes met Leia's. He smiled. "Not at all." He moved over.
"We sealed up the tunnel like you asked," she began, spreading something that looked like berries on her bread, "I wish…," she sighed and sipped her tea.
"I know; that kid shouldn't have been killed. If it's any consolation though; Fade saw him in the other side and said he's happy."
Leia impaled him with a dumbfounded look. "She," she deliberately kept her voice down since Fade was still only known as "Luke Solo's pet feline," "she can do that?"
"Sometimes."
Even the Jedi looked amazed. But everyone feigned normalcy again before any of the rebels around them noticed.
"Anyways, did you find anything?" she asked.
Luke shook his head. "I'm going to take a taun-taun later today and do a wider search." He rubbed his brow; suddenly not feeling well, "I think I should meditate first though; clear my head."
Leia nodded. "It seems to help you."
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Once Luke was back in his private quarters, he tapped his right temple.
"I need a status update, guys."
"Oh, hey boss," Link's voice came back, "all right, so which of the million projects you have us doing at once would you like an update on?"
Luke sighed; behind him, the door slid open.
"Hey kid."
Han.
"Just give me whatever you've got, Link."
A too dramatic sigh. "Well, with regards to killing Jabba, we've got a local operative involved in that one. He's getting updated schematics of Jabba's palace, finding out which guards can be bribed, how many slaves in the palace, how many monks, etc., etc., etc."
Han shifted nervously, still not liking the plan.
"The best part is, we've located nearly every account Jabba uses fake ID's to keep his credits in."
Laughter and the sound of someone sitting down.
"So, Link gave ya the good news?" Mouse. "We're gonna 'confiscate' Jabba's credits! How much jail time do you suppose we'd get for that!?"
He sounded far beyond ecstatic.
"You wouldn't," Han bluntly put in, "you'd get life on Kessel and then a slow, tortuous death."
Silence, then: "Hoorah!"
Han gaped. "Are you two nuts!? Why are you cheering!?"
"Because," Mouse put in, "we've always wanted to break into Kessel's database, it's so expertly put together—not to mention massively illegal—it might even be a challenge!"
"Yeah," Link added with a pout, "we don't get those much anymore!"
"I'm not even sure if I remember what they are!" Mouse.
"I know," Link conspiratorially said, "let's make a data-base, super cutting edge in every way, and then break into it!"
"Oh! That's an awesome idea!"
"That's a stupid idea," Han countered dryly.
"Puh," Mouse reproved, "we're just trying to stay the best, Solo; once you get there it's a matter then of staying there…not that you'd know anything"—
"Hey, hey hey," Han cut off, raising a hand. "Junior's got questions, remember?"
Luke rolled his eyes.
"Okay," Luke went on, "what else?"
"We haven't heard from Ghost for a while, but we've contracted some…old friends, to retro-fit those ships we got!"
"Yeah, and we're looking for more," Mouse amended, "so that armada you wanted is coming together, boss!"
Luke let out a relieved sigh. "Great news you two. See? It's not so bad, right?"
"Not so bad being the best? Or being beyond the best?" Link snarked.
Mouse laughed.
"Okay," Luke said after a moment, "keep me informed if Ghost makes contact. Spek out."
He turned to Han.
"Kid, we gotta talk about your Jedi buddies," the man said.
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It was difficult after talking to Han to settle into his meditation, Luke reflected.
His friend had, per usual, come right to the point:
"Kid, you know they're keepin' stuff from you, right?"
"Yes, Han, I've known for some time now."
"So, why don't you speak up? You saved their hides; they owe you the truth." He then turned away and muttered something about 'Jedi being so in love 'truth,' or so they say.'
Yes, Han's jaded outlook hadn't changed a bit. Luke had only sighed.
"Whatever it is Han, I'll find out in due course; we've got other things to focus on now."
Han threw him a deadpan look. "Kid, has the thought occurred to you that they're using you?"
Luke froze at that. "What?"
Han sighed and raised his eyes to the ceiling. "Kid, they failed to stop Vader, to stop the Emperor; the rebellion had no chance till you came along—and neither did they." He gripped Luke's shoulder. "Now, I know this Kenobi guy says your father was his good friend, but how do you know that? How can you be so sure that they just don't want to pit you against the Sith and hope you succeed where they failed? I mean, they didn't see their own extinction coming. And since the wars most of them are dead or in hiding. Now, all the sudden the Specter comes to the fore and the Jedi decide now to do the same? Nat-ah," he gestured dismissively, "this to me smells of 'set-up.' Train the kid, pit him against the Sith and hope he wins, nothing more."
Luke sank into a chair, dug the heels of his hands into his closed eyes. "Han, of course they want me to train, to join, they said so after the Death Star."
"Yeah, and now one by one they're being assigned by the rebels to recruit or to do this-or-that-mission, but Windu and Kenobi are still here, with you; why is that?"
"Because the leadership is here."
"Because you're here; they haven't given up trying to reel you in, kid."
Luke's shoulders dropped. He met Han's very serious gaze. "It was your idea for me to hide here, Han."
Something like guilt crossed the other's face. "Yeah, and now I regret it. But I didn't think the Jedi would..." he let it trail off.
No; Luke hadn't either actually. The thoroughly virtuous Jedi weren't supposed to even look twice at an assassin.
But Luke had felt sincerity in Ben's words, and there was no fooling Fade.
"Han, I realize the Jedi hope I'll be their hero," Luke pensively admitted, "but we both know I'm not the hero type. I'm not the noble, honorable Knight who saves the day." He sighed, his arms propped on his knees. "Even if I were to agree to train, Han, what kind of Jedi would I make?"
One corner of Han's mouth quirked up in a grin. "Kid, you'd be the best there is; un-hero or not."
Luke gave Han a wry look at that. "I can't be a Jedi and an un-hero Han; there's no such thing. So, what's left? Be a Jedi-Assassin?"
Han dipped his chin in a way that said: works for me, kid.
Luke only sighed. "There are no Jedi-Assassins, Han; never will be."
Luke leaned his back against his sleep cot; Han long since gone back to his ship to 'fix' and yell at it some more.
Poor Chewie; having to deal with that, still it was a huge improvement to slavery.
Luke winced.
Luke took several deep breaths, let his thoughts quiet, and unknotted his muscles.
The Force, like a still spring pool, hummed all around him, filling his head with a warm haze.
He let it; it was a healing blanket, soft, comforting.
His thoughts trailed back to Hoth; it's untamed vistas, its dazzling luster.
On top of that hill, he'd felt alive…free.
His soul seized that memory, embracing it tightly.
A prisoner in my own body.
Luke blew out a breath forcefully, coerced his thoughts to quiet again.
Hoth; like a home….
He recalled his conversation on Vjun with Vader, about homes.
Something in his heart wrenched…his body went lax when it hit him it was pity.
Pity for Vader.
That wasteland was the world he associated with. Why? Did he see himself in that desolation?
Luke thought it likely. He wondered though, with what Vader had implied on Coruscant, when he spoke to the dark lord as Lair Uumdomnien, what role Vader had played in the wars.
Had Vader been a Jedi? A Jedi General who felt betrayed by his Order?
It was no secret that Jedi over the millennia did leave the Order; Dooku had been one of them.
And Dooku had gone from Jedi to Sith Lord, under Palpatine no less.
A heavy weight settled onto Luke. So, it was possible then.
But, if so, which Jedi had Vader been?
For Vader to command the rank, wealth and power he held now, he had to have been a leading member of the wars, one of the most important figures.
Luke chewed his lip. But, there was another matter.
The Emperor.
Palpatine had given Vader his status as the One of Two and his Imperial power as well; yet it was no secret—now anyways—that the Emperor despised the Jedi Order.
The arch-nemesis of the Sith cult.
So…who among the Jedi Order would Palpatine be willing to give so much to?
Luke rubbed his brow; it made no sense. Even so, did the Jedi know? Was it one of the secrets they were keeping from him?
Or was it a mystery to them too? So many Jedi had been killed; perhaps they just assumed the man who was now Vader was perhaps someone Palpatine trained in secret before his sudden appearance in the war's end.
But Luke knew better. Vader had admitted otherwise.
Luke leaned his head against the sleep pad's edge. He was suddenly woozy, like the energy was abruptly snatched from him.
And then—darkness.
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A/N: Well all; that's it for now, please enjoy and leave a review!