Mustafar-Shuttle
Leia had dressed the part in the black outfit and the mask with Vader piloting the shuttle to the Executor. She had little to carry and Threepio in tow. They had powered him down for the journey to keep him in the dark of the operation.
"Upon arrival on the Executor, you will be directed to your room by the Admiral. Only the Admiral will be aware of your presence and you will be known as Zia. Is that understood?" Vader commanded.
Leia spoke, "I understand."
"You will be given your own codes. It may be possible there may be an emergency or you may have to return to the Executor alone. The prefix will direct them to Piett, so they will override any other order," Vader commanded. "Piett is not aware of your true identity. I trust it will be in your best interest that you keep that to yourself. He will only think that you are one of the inquisitors, or security from Mustafar, or as some kind of assistance to me. Do I make myself clear."
They turned into the hanger with the tractor beam and only Piett was standing as all staff had been directed elsewhere.
"Lord Vader, what are your next orders, sir," Piett asked stiffly.
"Set a course to Coruscant," Lord Vader demanded as he moved towards his quarters. "Follow me," he directed towards Leia.
They entered Vader's private chambers, where Leia saw a large open sphere-like object, and several different consoles and a holoprojector. Vader pressed a button, and a slat came out of the wall. "You may rest here," he directed.
"Well, it doesn't look very comfortable," Leia smirked and took a seat.
Darth Vader stood looking at her, "There are far worse things than trying to find comfort. Stay there and out of sight. I shall contact the Emperor. Say nothing!"
"Leia just put her palm up flat and then started to lie back. This she had to watch. Darth Vader began to kneel then pressed a button. "My Master," he spoke.
"My apprentice, I knew you'd come around eventually. I assume you are on your way to the palace. See that you don't take long." The Emperor's large looming head in holo form put shivers through Leia's mind. She got the sense he had no idea she was in the room. "You will be pleased to know that I have Skywalker," The Emperor spit out.
"I am pleased, my master. He will join us or die," Vader answered.
"We shall see about that," the Emperor said menacingly.
"Yes, my Master," Vader replied dutifully.
"I will be expecting you shortly, my friend. That is all," the Emperor said as he faded away.
Leia watched as Vader clicked off the holo and looked and walked away.
"Watch your hostility, princess," Vader warned.
"Zia, here, don't forget that. My hostility? I'm just sitting here watching. Join or die? Really? Why is it that you are so concerned with me? Am I to join or die as well?" Leia laughed.
Vader caught himself. Why was he concerned? Did he not hope that this powerful individual would join with him in overpowering the Emperor and recruit Skywalker to his original intentions of order in the galaxy? Something inside of him did not want her to turn. Not the way he had. Though she seemed to be a beacon of light, she had somehow figured out how to use methods that the Jedi themselves frowned against, such as frustration, and passion. She was selfless to almost a fault, though she had her weakness and Vader knew them. Those friends on that ship for instance, and Skywalker seemed to be a sore spot for her. Compassion for complete strangers who were enslaved and the strange reaction she had to the killing of the inquisitors. She certainly did not care for them, and he would even guess she didn't even like them. He destroyed them because he could, or was it that they had become a threat to her existence. Why was he protecting her? She was his child, this he had become aware, but she had no feelings for him other than wanting him destroyed. He couldn't deny her the reasons why. She was so patient, and controlled, and unnerved by anything.
"I will be in my meditation chamber. I suggest you get some rest and do not touch anything! If you do, it will sound an alarm and those on the ship who you will wish were not aware of your presence will be alerted to it. Do you understand?" Darth Vader stared at her and pointed his finger in warning.
She sat there with a stony stare. "The Emperor has Luke."
"He does. It does not please me," Vader said turning his back towards her.
"So, the Emperor is drawing you towards him and using Luke as the bait?" Leia asked.
"It should not concern you," Darth Vader turned again towards her.
"My priority will be to get Luke out of there. He's too important. I'll take care of the Emperor another time. You've already given us the information. I can get back to him, or you. Let me take care of Luke," Leia suggested.
Vader put his fist up to his helmet and thought,"Hmmm. Not a bad plan. I will deal with the Emperor. You free Skywalker by any means necessary."
"I take it I didn't get my intelligence from you then?" Leia laughed attempting to damage Vader's ego.
Vader paused. "We will not speak of this."
"Sore subject. I take it." Leia said leaning back on her slat.
"You have interest in learning about your mother?" Vader asked almost curious.
"My mother was the Queen of Alderaan, but if you remember, she isn't here anymore," Leia said sitting back up and with a smirk.
"Your real mother was an angel," Vader said softy turned around quietly.
"So that answers that then. The boy, the angel?" Leia said stiffly.
"ENOUGH!" Vader shouted. "I'll be in my meditation chamber. Meditate, sleep, just be prepared."
Leia leaned back with her hands behind her head looking up at the ceiling with a quiet smile.
Vader descended into his chamber, the dome closed, the suit taken off of him, and the helmet as well. The breathing device here wasn't as calming as the one in his fortress on Mustafar, but the maintenance on his body still occurred at the same rate. It was never soothing. It was never meant to be. The pain would always be there, and the pain would always give him strength. His bond to the Emperor was becoming less binding than before and that both concerned him and gave him joy. As he drifted into meditation, he thought of the demonstration he had given earlier with the execution of the inquisitors who had been on Mustafar. It did not give him joy, or pain, but only power. It was necessary. He went deeper and deeper and then he heard the voice.
"Anakin," it called.
"You!" he called back in anger.
Qui-Gon spoke softly, "Does it not occur to you why you've been so protective of Leia?"
"She is a useful tool, nothing more," Vader answered. "Get out."
"And the boy?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I hope to use him as well," Darth Vader insisted.
"He doesn't know. The truth. He doesn't know who he is. Who his father really is," Qui-Gon stated.
"Get out. Leave!" Vader commanded.
"Should I have left you in the desert so long ago?" Qui-Gon asked softly.
"GET OUT!" Vader shouted.
He came out of his meditation quickly and after the dome opened and Leia was sitting on the slat watching, "You're loud when you meditate," she quipped then stood up.
"What did you hear?" Vader asked as soon as he left the chamber.
"You were yelling at someone to get out. Did you want me to leave? Because I will, gladly. Or was someone else in there with you?" Leia asked pacing back and forth.
"I was not speaking with you. Something entered my meditations," Vader explained.
"Like you did mine?" Leia shook her head.
Leia thought to herself that this would be a long trip, but it suddenly became shorter than she expected.
Admiral Piett buzzed for entrance, "Lord Vader, you may want to see this." He then approached the monitor in Vader's chambers.
"Interesting, most interesting. I sense a presence I haven't felt in a long time. Bring it on board," Vader demanded. "Clear the hanger, and notify the bridge."
/
Millennium Falcon
"Strap in," Han ran in to tell Yoda who was napping at the holochess table.
They were coming out of hyperspace some distance from Coruscant. Han wanted to casually enter the space outside in the hopes of not being discovered. Yoda assured him not to worry, but since his ship had gotten well known and somewhat infamous, and it being a core world, they were taking quite a risk. There were a lot of ships in the space, so he thought he could just blend in. YT-1300 freighters were old, but there were still a few of them around, enough that it might not draw attention right away. He tried ducking behind larger, non-imperial ships waiting to join the line up and had his codes ready for when they got there. That's when they saw it, the star destroyer, and it saw them. He knew it. He was too far away from the planet to do anything about it and they were already in the tractor beam.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Han said with a sigh.
Chewie roared.
Yoda let out a "Hmmph."
"This doesn't worry you?" Han said looking at Yoda.
"Trust in the Force I will," is all Yoda said.
"Easy for you to say," Han huffed turning off all the engines and putting his arms across his chest.
Han looked up through the cockpit as they were drawing closer to the star destroyer. It was definitely bringing them on board.
"You might want to hide in the secret compartments," Han said pointed out of the cockpit.
"No need I will have," Yoda said calmly.
Chewie roared.
Han wiped his brow. Yoda stood behind him, his eyes closed, and Chewie had his bowcaster ready. The ramp was lowered by no act that Han or Chewie had done. Han and Chewie were racing out of the cockpit with Han's blaster ready, Yoda slowly following them. At the base of the ramp was Darth Vader, Threepio, and no other Imperials or stormtroopers. A small human dressed in all in black with a hood over the head and a mask of gold around the eyes, ran up, unarmed tearing the mask off.
Han relaxed put his blaster down and caught her as Chewie came in for a group hug.
"What about him? Down there? Waiting?" Han asked quietly.
"He said he won't harm you as long as I comply with whatever he wants," Leia answered.
She then noticed Yoda standing behind eyes closed. Leia whispered, "He shouldn't be here."
"He insisted on coming," Han answered. "So Luke's really here?"
"Yes, I think the Emperor is luring Vader here, but the priority is to get Luke out. Maybe you should stay here," Leia answered
"On an Imperial Star Destroyer!" Han argued.
"Yes, Vader will take care of the Admiral. We may need you to get us out of here. We are going on Vader's shuttle. Just stay in the Falcon. Don't leave," Leia pleaded.
"I don't like this. And you trust him now?" Han said pointing out at Vader.
"No, I don't, but he needs me and I need him right now. You can't leave anyway, you might as well stay in here with Chewie. And take Threepio on board, too." Leia said biting her lip.
"Threepio? Oh this is getting better and better. Anyway, I'm glad you are alright, but this is crazy!" Han said pacing a bit and putting his hands on his head.
"I know, but we need to rescue Luke," Leia answered.
"Take this comm. Who knows. If you need me, call," Han said giving her the device.
"I will," She spoke, then kissed him and hugged Chewie.
Master Yoda finally opened his eyes. Darth Vader was making his way up the ramp. They eyed one another and said nothing. Yoda took a defensive stance, and Vader held out his hand to block.
"In need of me you will be. Here to help Skywalker escape," Yoda stated.
"I have no need of you, and no time with which to deal with you," Vader answered.
"Battle the Emperor I have. Attention to me he will give. Distraction I may be," Yoda pointed out.
"Unsuccessful you were with your attempts as well. Perhaps you should join us. Odds are you will not live," Vader states bluntly.
Leia gasps.
"Matters it does not," Yoda answers making his way down to Vader.
With the shuttle waiting, Vader, Yoda, and Leia climb aboard for Coruscant.
/
Coruscant- Emperor's Palace
"Sergeant Kreel, how goes the training with young Skywalker?" the Emperor asked looking down at him from under his hood.
"It's going very well. I have to remind him a few times that he isn't the one in charge, but I believe he's getting the message," Kreel grinned a sinister grin.
"More sparing. Sparing is what I've brought you here to do. Though it pleases me you are showing Skywalker his place, his skills will not develop without practice," the Emperor pointed a crooked finger at the man in chastisement.
"Yes, Your Excellence," Kreel said bowing as he left.
As he entered Skywalker's room, he saw the boy was laying still on the floor. He gave him a swift kick. "Get up!"
Luke slowly got up and Kreel undid the binders he had placed on Luke's hands, not knowing that Luke had them off the entire time Kreel wasn't in the room. When Luke had heard Kreel's footsteps, he replaced the binders and went to lay on the floor. Luke had been planning though, going through his mind. Trying to stay calm as Yoda taught him, but the constant torment he received from Kreel was making him angry. He tried hard to keep it from letting it get to him. He would survive this somehow he knew he would. If he could only get close to the Emperor. Close enough that the Emperor would start to trust him, and then he would strike. He had not forgotten his mission. Killing the Emperor would be a great win for the Rebel Alliance and score points in Leia's mind as well. He was sure of it.
Kreel lit his lightsaber. Luke called his lightsaber to his hand and lit it and then as if possessed by something in his mind, started coming for Kreel. Kreel was defensive with his moves. Luke was getting more and more aggressive with his, and then he leaned into Kreel, blades locked. He kept pushing until Kreel landed on the floor. Luke unlit his lightsaber and Kreel pushed the button, putting small shocks through Luke. Luke fought them then crouched down looking angrily at the man.
/
Landing on Vader's private spaceport caused less suspicion and made for a more discrete entrance for both Leia and Yoda, though they were almost certain that Palpatine would know Vader was here, and perhaps Yoda, even with the shielding. Leia he most likely would not detect, as he was only familiar with her as far as being a senator, and her shields were quite strong that even Vader had trouble sensing her. There were little staff in Vader's private quarters on Coruscant, and even those present, Yoda was able to handle using a Jedi mind trick. Leia sensed exactly where Luke would be located, and she pointed the way.
Darth Vader walking through Coruscant would not draw suspicion, in fact, those that would see him would tend to go in the opposite direction or stiffen up with tension. They would not be drawn at all to the young woman in black. She could be anyone that Vader had with him as far as they were concerned, his presence taking up most of the notice. Yoda went in a different direction. He had other matters to attend to, which did not include Luke. He thought to finish his conversation he had with Palaptine so many years ago to offer a distraction. Yoda had no fear of what was to come, and he felt that the last twenty three years had built up to this moment.
Leia pointed to a door.
"Luke is in there," Leia whispered. "I know it, I feel it."
"Very well," Vader answered. "You are to get him off Coruscant by any means necessary."
Leia nodded.
Inside the room, Luke called his lightsaber to himself again, and Kreel was ready. Standing tall, Luke circled the man before striking out at him.
"Good, distraction helps while fighting," Kreel acknowledged taking a defensive stance.
Luke continued to strike out at Kreel. Very aggressively. Luke knocked the control device to the chip in his head from Kreels belt and flung it across the room, crushing it.
"You should not have done that!" Kreel yelled and started getting more aggressive, upset at losing his leverage over Luke.
Luke's technique was getting more aggressive. The blades joined and they pushed and pulled each other in various directions. Both men were sweating. Luke was getting angry, and Kreel was coming at him more aggressively. Luke kept thinking to himself to remain calm, to remember the Force. Kreel was obviously not a Force user, merely skilled with the lightsaber. It was then it happened. Kreel had lost his power over Luke as Luke was ready to strike, so he struck Luke on the wrist, not only disarming him, but cutting off Luke's hand. It was at that moment that Darth Vader entered the room. Brandishing his red lightsaber he went after Kreel with great fury. Slicing his limbs as he watched, and fell to his knees, then decapitated him.
Luke was dumbstruck by what he saw. Darth Vader powered down his lightsaber and looked down at the boy. The large man in black then reached his hand out to Luke. "Come with me,"
"Never!" Luke yelled with passionate conviction, tucking his mutilated arm under his other arm.
"It is your destiny. Together we can defeat the Emperor," Darth Vader tried to explain.
Luke's vision was getting blurry. He noticed a small human in black coming closer with gold eyes. He was trembling.
"Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father, Luke," Darth Vader explained still reaching for the boy to come up off the floor. The small human moving closer to Luke.
"He told me enough! He told me you killed him!" Luke spit in anger.
The small human in black tried to pull Luke up, but he fought her, and he shook trying to keep his position on the floor.
"No, I am your father!" Darth Vader spoke.
"No! That's not true! It's impossible!" Luke cried out. The figure in black tried to hold him, but he fought her.
She whispered in his ear, "It's me, Leia. I have to get you out of here."
As she helped him walk, Vader called Luke's lightsaber to him and handed it to Leia who nodded.
"You didn't have to blurt it out like that," Leia whispered to Vader in anger.
"Get him aid as soon as possible! I'll deal with the Emperor. We will be in touch," Vader called back turning with a swoop of cape and moving quickly out of the room.
Leia ignored him and walked Luke out of the room.
"Leia? Why are you here?" Luke asked confused and in a bit of shock.
"Luke, it's a long story. We need to get you out of here. I can take you to a shuttle," Leia said softly.
"I didn't recognize you, and I can't see so well," Luke said softly.
"I'll help you. Stay with me," Leia soothed him.
"Artoo! He's on my ship!" Luke remembered.
"Where?" Leia asked, "We can get it."
"Spaceport by the shipping lanes," Luke answered.
Leia walked with Luke in that direction. She had to hide in dark corners a few times, and then used the mind trick when encountering stormtroopers who got a bit too curious about the injured young man. They finally got to the ship and Artoo beeped frantically.
"Rest here. I'll get you help soon," Leia said settling him down on a seat and strapping him in.
Leia then pushed the comm for Han. "I have Luke. He needs help, get the medical equipment ready. He's in shock."
"We'll take care of the kid. How are you?" Han answered back.
"I'm fine. Luke got that hidden ship from that jungle planet. I'll be coming in that. Get the Falcon ready, we are going to have to get him off and leave immediately. Vader gave me some codes, but it might only take them a few minutes to close the shields. We are going to have to move before they do that," Leia called in getting the ship ready for take off.
/
Throne room
"Expecting me you have? No?" Yoda said coming out of a dark corner in the Emperor's direction.
"Ah, if it isn't Master Yoda. Have you had enough of life and are now ready to die?" The Emperor smiled.
"See we shall," Yoda answered standing with his hands reaching out in front of him.