Not a lot of action in this, just some fun stuff, and more of a bridge chapter. Some exciting stuff coming up though.
Chewie was right, the room was tiny. Luke was simple, he just needed a place to sleep and keep what few things he had, but it was tight with he and Artoo, and not enough room to turn around. The cot wasn't very big either, and if you turned over, you could fall on the floor if the wall on the other side of the room wouldn't keep you from doing that. He shared a common fresher down the hall with some of the other crew, which wasn't bad, but many of those guys didn't have the luxury of privacy either. The benefit of having friends in high places, a private room. He couldn't even imagine Chewie getting in here to put his things away. Well, he didn't expect to be spending much time in the room anyway.
He had been asked by Leia to catch a shuttle to Home One for breakfast, then he had a few meetings. Mon Mothma herself made an appointment to talk with him personally which he didn't understand. She had visited him once on the Redemption, and inquired about his health more than once. Luke knew she was close to Leia, but he hadn't really known her much except for her being their leader and the gatherings at meetings. He had to wait for a timed shuttle for those who needed to get to transfer to the ship, though he knew Leia could just call for one and get it immediately. There were ten others on the shuttle heading for the ship and one had been someone he had flown with from Hoth, but hadn't seen since then. She had been in recovery and were being reassigned. He didn't really know her well, but it was nice to see a familiar face, and one who had spent time in the hospital on the Redemption.
He wasn't looking forward to the meetings. He didn't know what he was going to tell them about his time on Coruscant, or Dagobah, but he thought maybe breakfast with Leia, Han and Chewie could help him come up with a plan. He knew Leia wasn't too eager about it either, and she had her own secrets. For instance, Luke not knowing that Leia had been on Mustafar.
He got to the Falcon in Home One's hanger, with the ramp down and bounded up where Leia came up to him and gave him a big hug. With the larger fleet ships being so huge and kind of sterile with cramped quarters, the Falcon was more like visiting a warm and cozy home, and since he hadn't been there since he arrived, it felt good to meet his friends there. Not to mention they had real food, though the fleet had been getting in some fruit lately which was nice.
Chewie roared and hugged Luke.
Leia came up to hug Luke and gave him and a peck on the cheek. "Luke, I told Chewie last night about us being twins. Mon knows as well. No one else does. It probably is better that way for now."
"Yeah, especially with the other thing," Luke said quietly.
Chewie nodded his head and roared a question.
"Oh, Chewie, it's just Luke means about our father being a Jedi, and the being separated. That's all," Leia said not sure to spill the 'Vader is my father' information.
"I've been trying to reach Yoda. Not sure where he is, but at least we know he is alive. I just wonder if there is some way I can find him. Here, they are putting me on light duty. It's a good idea, really. Wedge has the Rogues now. I don't really have too many I know on the Redemption, but I'm sure it will work out. I'll have Artoo," Luke said as he sat down. "I really don't know what I'm going to tell them about where I've been."
"Mon knows it was that stormtrooper that wielded the lightsaber, so you could work with that," Leia offered.
"I guess. I really don't want to talk about it much to be honest. I'm on light duty, maybe I can get some time off. I'd like to find Yoda," Luke said leaning in and nesting his head in his hands.
Han came in with greasy hands and googles on his head, "Luke! Glad you could make it."
"Well, I want to see you guys as often as I can before they split us up, and I have a meeting with Mon Mothma in a while, so I'll be here anyway," Luke explained.
"Lando said he might show up, too," Han mentioned. "That is if he isn't busy with other things," he said quietly.
"What other things? I thought he was on a mission?" Leia said taking a bite of food.
"He just got in last night, but I know Lando..." Han started then stopped. "He kind of well, hooks up with someone occasionally."
"It's not General Syndulla I hope," Leia mentioned, remembering the gossip from the other day.
"Oh, no," Han said waving his hands. "Just drop it."
Chewie roared.
"What was that?" Luke asked.
"He wondered if Lando had a mate on board," Leia translated.
"Oh, she isn't his girlfriend or anything Chewie, it's just, you know," Han laughed.
Chewie roared and shook his head.
"Chewie really doesn't understand casual sex with humans. Wookiees just kind of grab someone and that's their partner for the most part," Han explained as he started to clean himself up.
Chewie roared and shook his head and waved his arm at Han.
"Hey, I know it's usually something special. I didn't mean it like that, Chewie," Han said trying to calm Chewie down. "I know you miss your family."
Chewie did a soft roar.
"I got that impression when we were traveling together. I felt like Chewie was judging me," Luke said taking a bite. "Hey Chewie this is good!"
Chewie roared.
"It's some of that fruit mushed up on some sweet bread. It does make a nice breakfast," Leia noted.
"Why didn't you bring Artoo? Could have used him. Would like him to read the ship before we leave," Han asked pouring some caf.
"I'll bring him next time. It gets crowded on those shuttles," Luke explained. "So what do you think Mon Mothma wants? I hope she doesn't ask me about what happened with the Emperor."
"She doesn't know about that. I told her I wasn't on Alliance business, though she tried to drill information out of me. I really haven't told you everything anyway," Leia explained sipping her caf. "It's a long story."
"Why were you there?" Luke asked. "You rescued me?"
"I told you, I just knew you were there. Do you remember anything else besides what we already discussed?" Leia asked.
"It gets cloudy after losing my hand. I remember telling you about my ship, and Artoo. And meeting the Falcon somewhere. It was inside?" Luke asked wondering if his memory was right.
"That's about right," Leia said almost glad that Luke didn't remember the rest of it.
"You were hiding?" Luke asked. "It just seems there's something else to it. I can't put my finger on it. I know you aren't saying everything..."
"Luke, not now. I will alright. It's just...I'm alright. Nothing bad happened, well at least not to me," Leia explained.
"Lando's coming," Luke warned.
"I'll lower the ramp," Han said getting up.
"Hey, hey!" Lando came in with a big grin.
"Mission go alright?" Han asked returning to his seat at the table.
"Sure did! Got a few more ships to join us. And maybe some illegal weapons. Had a few contacts on Nar Shaddaa hook me up!" Lando boasted squeezing in.
"That's fantastic!" Leia said getting up and giving more room, since she was finished eating. "You've really seemed to fit in, and your resources have been a great assets for us. I hear a lot of praise about you, especially from Ackbar and Mon."
Han choked a little.
"You alright, drink something," Luke said patting his friend on the back.
"No, I'm OK," Han said smiling and taking another bit of food. Lando shot him a stern look, then grinned from ear to ear.
"Yeah, they got me doing some ground troop work in a few days, I can't really talk much about it," Han mentioned. "You know how that goes."
"Yes, I certainly do. Let me know that you made it out alright, send a message if you can. Looks like I'll be based off this ship a while. They are sending me on missions, but I guess I'm not the target you and Luke are apparently," Lando said looking at Leia.
"We will. We'll have direct contact on the ship," Leia noted.
"I really should get going. Chewie, thanks for fixing breakfast," Luke said getting up.
"Try and find me later, when you're finished, Luke. Just comm me, and I'll let you know where I am," Leia pleaded.
"Sure will!" Luke said as he left the ship.
Luke's first stop was to see General Dodonna. Dodonna wanted to go over Luke's abilities while in recovery and see what work he could do to keep him busy.
"General, I'm fine, I'm starting to learn to use my hand. It almost feels like it's always been there," Luke explained.
"I understand, but occasionally cybertechnic parts take some time to adjust to the biological aspect of a person. We just want to make sure it's the right fit, and that it will work as a permanent solution for you. We've had some be rejected after just a few weeks. After that, we'll put you back on your regular duties," Dodonna explained. "Plus, losing a hand, there is some psychological elements we need to consider. I'll keep you busy though, I promise you. I may even send you on a light mission or two, just to keep you from growing bored. Nothing too elaborate, but it will get you off the ship."
Luke just nodded.
"We value you greatly, and you are an important asset to the Alliance, but I want you to know, that we also care about your well being and won't be taking that for granted," General Dodonna stressed.
"Thank you, General. I may need to take some time away, personal business," Luke said rubbing his head, hoping not to make Dodonna mad.
"Just give me a heads up, and we'll see," Dodonna said gruffly. "I just don't want you to have any run ins again that will cause missing limbs. Though I'm well aware you are able to handle yourself."
Luke laughed, "Understood, General."
"Dismissed, Commander Skywalker," Dodonna ordered.
Luke then went down to wait with Mon Mothma's assistant for their meeting. Others filed in as well waiting, so at least he had someone to talk to, even if he didn't really know them well. After what seemed like forever, but was probably just an hour, Mon had Luke come in and have a seat at her conference table.
"Thank you for meeting me here, Commander Skywalker. First of all, how have you been doing with your recovery?" Mon said standing there still looking at some charts.
"I'm doing alright, Ma'am. Leia said she told you about our relationship," Luke said looking up at the same chart that Mon was, but not really making sense of it.
"Yes, and it explains a few things about her. When she rescued you from Bespin," Mon said turning off the chart and having a seat next to Luke.
"I was there, but not really there, Ma'am," Luke stated.
Mon laughed, "Yes, I imagine that you weren't. Her use of the Force."
"The Force?" Luke stated.
"Yes, she didn't tell you? I imagine it's not my place, and I know how she just lets things pretty much roll off her back, but she apparently took you away from Darth Vader with use of the Force. At least from what our spies uncovered I could make an educated guess. She all but confirmed it. Of course, I wasn't there, and this is all heresay, but it sounds like she pushed Darth Vader out of the way and took you out with little else," Mon said with a great seriousness.
"I wasn't aware of the specifics. I know she uses it, I just didn't know she could do that," Luke said with his eyes wide.
"Luke, I want you to know you can discuss anything with me. If something is bothering you, or if you need someone to talk. I know that you may have some trouble adjusting to a few things, but I want you to know that I'm here. I may keep you waiting, and yes, my assistant gets on me about that, but just know that you can always talk to me," Mon said taking his hand. "I remember your mother quite well, actually. I was discussing this with Leia. I'm certain she was your mother at least."
"Really?" Luke said sitting up and wondering what kind of person would have children with Darth Vader of all people.
"Yes, we worked together often, in the Senate, with Leia's adoptive father, Bail. I'm positive she was your mother. She was a senator from Naboo. You knew your father was Anakin Skywalker and they were quite close, and she was expecting before she died. Though there were whispers it was never discussed who the father was. Jedi didn't have families, but if General Kenobi had you on Tatooine with him, and the timing of her death, it would make a great deal of sense. I imagine Bail knew all of it as well," Mon shared with a smile.
"What was she like?" Luke asked
"She was very remarkable, I admired her a great deal. I believe she would have been part of the rebellion if she had lived. Her thumbprint is on a lot of our earlier movements. It was she who told Bail and myself to play along in the Senate and still fight for the rights of others. My first instinct was to rebel right there when the Emperor took over, but I was able to do a great deal by heeding her words. I would not be here today if I had not," Mon explained.
Luke thought to himself. Mon has no idea what happened to his father. And it seemed his mother was the exact opposite, against the Empire, or the fall of the Republic, or whatever it was back then. He made a mental note to ask Yoda.
"Leia, I've known her most of her life, yet I didn't even know that about her until she told me. I did know she was adopted. Of course, her father would have taken in one of her twins. Force sensitives and Jedi were hunted by the Emperor. Bail had resources that could hide that as far as Leia was concerned. I'm sure it was a safety issue, why you were separated. Bail was the one who sent for General Kenobi to take him to Alderaan, and that was when you ended up on the Death Star. I did know he was in hiding, Bail had told me that. When Kenobi showed up with you, and you said who you were, it made sense you were her son, but I wasn't sure until Leia told me you were twins," Mon said still holding Luke's hand.
Luke shook is head.
"Now, where were you when you lost your hand, Luke?" Mon asked bluntly.
"I'd rather not say, Ma'am. If it's all the same. Let's just say I ran into some enemies when I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had been with Yoda, before that. I know you know that about Leia, so I know I can share that with you. It's not official information right?" Luke said wondering if he should have told her.
"Of course not, that would be very risky. Your secret is safe here. I only wish that Yoda would have joined us, he could have been very useful to us. I'm glad you could share it with me though. I can sign off on some report and it will make Draven and Dodonna and anyone else happy and if not, well, so be it!" Mon smiled. "Speaking of Draven, I see you have a meeting for a debriefing? I'll take care of that."
"Thanks, I wasn't looking forward to that one," Luke said sheepishly.
"You may return to your ship if you like. If there is anything you need, send it by my office, and we'll make sure it's taken care of. Dismissed," Mon said standing then grabbing Luke's shoulder.
Luke got Leia on the comm, and though she was in a meeting, she found an excuse to get out of it, so they met for lunch in the commissary. It wasn't as good as eating on the Falcon, but it was like getting out a bit and there were a few familiar faces around.
"Mon was really nice. She got me out of the meeting with Draven," Luke whispered. "She told me something about you though."
"What?" Leia said a bit startled.
Luke got up next to Leia's ear, "You used the Force to get me away, when I was frozen. She said she had a report on it."
"Luke," Leia sighed.
"It's alright. We should talk about it sometime though. I'd like to know more about it is all," Luke questioned her.
"It's nothing, and I'll talk about it later," Leia said drinking some caf.
Luke then got up in her ear again, "Mon told me about our mother."
"Luke, really, people are going to talk. Look over there. They're staring at us," Leia said pointing with an angry look.
"So?" Luke said taking another bit of the fruit. "Let's give them something to talk about then?"
Luke takes a piece of fruit, smushes it, and throws it in Leia's face. Leia stands up, "What are you doing?"
Leia picks up a slice of the fruit and smushes it in Luke's hair. Luke laughs then smears some on Leia's shoulder.
"That's going to stain!" Leia laughs and takes a bigger piece and squashes it all over Luke's face.
Everyone is watching and laughing. Luke whispers in her ear, "Imagine if we grew up together?"
"I'd never get away with this at home," Leia whispers in Luke's ear.
"Me either, we wouldn't have this to waste!" Luke laughs not whispering.
"We shouldn't here either, it's not common we have fresh fruit," Leia is still laughing.
People are still laughing and pointing. Leia takes a bow.
"I still have a meeting to go to," Leia cackles.
"You'd better clean up then," Luke said. "I'll contact you later."
Leia walks to the fresher and runs into General Cracken on the way, fruit on her face. "General", she says in a very serious tone.
Cracken's mouth just gapes open.
Luke wipes his own face, with fruit still stuck in his hair and catches the next shuttle back to the Redemption. While he boards, he runs into the girl who had visited him with Riza the other day. He didn't remember her name, but she was giving him a funny look and then he realized it.
"The hair! Oh, a little accident in the commissary," He laughed. "I'm sorry, I don't remember your name."
"Ciley,"she replied. I do some of the dispatching work in the hanger on the Redemption. I had to come over here for a meeting."
"Me too, and visit some friends," Luke said as they sat down and buckled in.
"It's so humid on this ship. I can't wait to get back to the Redemption, it's not as bad over there," she said stretching her clothes a bit.
They were clinging to her from the sweat, Luke had noticed.
"Say, we have a little get together later in the hanger. Do you have anything going on tonight?" Ciley asked smiling.
"Not really. I don't know too many on the Redemption to be honest. That would be nice," Luke said trying to subtly pick some of the fruit out of his hair.
Ciley reached up and did some of it for him. "Oh, I hope you don't mind?" She laughed.
"No, I'm kind of embarrassed. It was fun though, little food fight in the commissary," Luke laughed and combed his hair a little with his fingers.
"Really? They still do that?" Ciley shook her head.
"Well, I did and a friend, it's nothing really. I imagine throwing protein paste or ration bars wouldn't have the same effect, but squishy fruit, it just seemed to be the thing to do." Luke said shrugging.
"I wonder what the other guy looked like then when it was over," she said in a flirty tone.
"Oh, it was a girl. I mean, It was Princess Leia. We're just friends, it wasn't you know," Luke said realizing she might be fishing that he was with a girlfriend.
"Really? You smushed fruit all over Princess Leia? But she's part of High Command," she laughed hysterically.
A junior officer next to them overheard and butted in. "I was there. That was hilarious."
"I imagine she's mortified at her meeting. With stained clothes," Luke chuckled.
"Yeah," Ciley laughed.
"So, later, what time?" Luke asked as the shuttle pulled into the hanger.
"Oh just show up anytime. It's nothing big, just something to let off a little steam. When the last timed shuttles are in for the cycle." Ciley said grabbing his arm as she got up.
They walked out together and Luke waved as he went left for his room.
Back at Home One, Leia, cleaned up save for the stain on her shirt and knowing she had no time to go back and get another one, waltzed into her meeting with Admiral Ackbar and Mon Mothma on the bridge of the ship as if nothing was wrong.
"Princess, I do hope are are alright?" Ackbar said with a bit of a frightful gruffness.
"Yes, I'm fine. Why?" Leia said looking down knowing it was the stain, and then realized the stain was the same color as blood. "Oh, it's just a stain! A little accident in the commissary with the fruit."
"Well, that is a relief," Mon said very dramatically and a bit standoffish.
"Princess, your ship will depart in two cycles," Ackbar said laying out the plans for the ship. "You will be escorted by two other vessels, as well as having three vessels on board. The vessels will take turns escorting the ships, with the exception of the Millennium Falcon. The patterns will be given to your Captain, who has yet to be assigned, and further instructions will be given to you as far as other orders and assignments. I hope you realize that it is important to keep you moving for the time being. The risk is too great, and we hope to bring the fleet back together at some point soon in another location."
"I understand," Leia nodded.
"Leia, I know you are not happy with this arrangement," Mon said grabbing her shoulder.
"I'll be fine, Mon. It would be nice to get planetside, any planetside at some point," Leia said with a controlled laugh.
"We'll see," Mon said worriedly. "Walk out with me."
They left the bridge together and Mon leaned in and said quietly, "I spoke with Commander Skywalker earlier. I think we had a nice chat."
"Yes, he mentioned he was coming to see you. We had breakfast this morning, then met for lunch, but he did mention you talked," Leia said then laughed. "Actually, he put the fruit on my clothes."
Mon had to laugh. "We talked about..." Mon thought a moment in case there was anyone listening then said, "his mother."
"Oh," Leia said quietly and stiffly.
"I don't believe anyone ever told him anything about her. It seemed to comfort him. He never having known her," Mon replied. "If you'd ever like..."
"Yes, thank you. I know that would be of some comfort to him. He was in good spirits when I saw him, obviously, you can tell by the clothes," Leia said trying to change the subject.
"Leia is something the matter?" Mon asked wondering why Leia's mood had suddenly changed.
"I'm fine, Mon. I think I'll go change. It's been a busy day," Leia answered.
Mon nodded. "I'll see you again before you leave."
"Yes, you will," Leia said walking away.
The conversation was getting uncomfortable to Leia, and she didn't want to dwell on it. She knew that probably did help Luke in some way. If the woman was someone that Mon had thought highly of, it would be of some comfort to Luke, after having the revelation he had in the way he had been given it. Leia knew a little about her, from that long description ghost Obi-Wan gave, that she admitted she must have glazed over, and the bits and pieces she knew on a historical level from her father, her father that raised her. But she couldn't help remember that Darth Vader had referred to her as an angel. And her own parents, the real ones to her that loved her and made her who she was by raising her. That growing more complicated relationship she had with Darth Vader of mutual need and uncomfortable loathing. She felt more uncomfortable with the fact she was beginning to feel a little sympathy for him. The man who tortured her. "Ugh!" she said out loud.
"Princess?" one of the officers walking through the halls said out of concern while passing by.
Leia smiled and just said, "Stress. That's all. Sometimes you just have to let it out."
The man laughed, "I know how that goes."
Leia just picked up her pace. She just wanted to get back to the Falcon for a while and forget about all of this. She almost thought about flying away from it all. Then the sense of honor would sink in and the duty she felt she had to continue in the name of her parents and her home planet.
Luke took Ciley up on her offer and went down to the hanger to see if he could find the get together. It wasn't hard, there was a small crowd near the mechanic's room with a bit of noise. When he walked in, Ciley came up to him and pulled him in. He already knew Riza, who had her arm on some tall fellow he didn't know, and there were about twelve others crowded in the room. Ciley introduced him, and while everyone seemed to know who he was, he didn't know them and it was hard to keep their names straight. Still they were friendly and someone passed him a cup of some home made something that didn't taste really good, but they swore that didn't matter after having a couple of them. Luke, remembering some of the trouble he had gotten into before with Chewie, thought he would take it slow and not drink too much of it. They got into a few games and he saw more than a few pair off and leave for a bit.
Ciley whispered, "They are taking turns with the shuttle."
"What?" Luke asked.
"You know, the shuttle? It's the only private place we have, so they use it to have some privacy for a bit," Ciley laughed.
Luke shook his head and remembered he rode on that shuttle just that morning, twice. He wasn't thinking, then he said, "I have my own room."
Ciley's eyes got wide. "You do? Where? Can I see it? I'm in a room with nine other girls all stacked like crates and no head room."
"Sure, we can talk if you want. Come on," Luke offered showing her the way.
When they got to Luke's tiny little room, Artoo beeped in greeting.
"Wow, this place is tiny!" Ciley exclaimed. "Where's the fresher?"
"There's a common one down the hall, ladies are on the left," Luke noted.
"Be right back," Ciley said grabbing the bottom of his chin.
Luke looked at Artoo. "Hey Artoo? How about taking a walk down to the medical ward. See if you can be of assistance to anyone and report back? Alright?"
Artoo gave him an annoyed beep, knowing he was trying to get rid of him, and took off down the hall. Luke wasn't sure what was going to happen with Ciley, but it was be nice to have a friend, or at least someone to chat with, and Artoo made it seem like he was a third wheel sometimes. Ciley returned a few minutes later, and since there wasn't really too much space, they both found themselves sitting on the bed.
"This is nice," Ciley noted looking at the cramped room.
"It's alright, I mean, I'm not really here much except to sleep," Luke shared. "I've only had it a couple of days."
"Still, when you are sharing with so many others in a cramped barracks, it's nice to have the space," Ciley smiled leaning back.
"How long have you been with the Alliance?" Luke asked trying to make small talk.
"About three years. I joined after Alderaan. I suppose a lot of us did. I used to work on Mon Mothma's ship as part of the crew, but then I found myself here when the fleet grouped here," Ciley explained. "What about you?"
"Around that time, I started at the battle of Yavin," Luke explained.
"Oh wait, you're that Luke? Luke Skywalker? I had no idea," Ciley said with disbelief.
"Yeah, that's me," Luke laughed.
"Riza just said, 'You have to meet Luke'. She didn't say it was you," Ciley laughed. "No wonder you get your own room."
"I think it's just because of my injury. Still technically in recovery," Luke answered showing his hand.
"What happened to it?" Ciley asked looking at it.
"Touch it, it's not real," Luke said uncomfortably, and with a forced laugh.
"Wow, that looks really good. You can feel with it and everything?" Ciley said in awe. "Hey, got anything to drink in here?"
"Just some water, we can go get something down at the commissary if you like," Luke said standing up.
"Oh no, water is fine. Actually after that jet juice, some water is perfect," Ciley said leaning back against the wall.
Luke poured her some and gave it to her.
"You know you're really cute. You seem so nice," Ciley said. "Can we just talk? Do you mind?"
"No, that's alright. I don't have many friends on the ship, really. Not yet, most of the guys I know are located elsewhere," Luke explained.
"And you know Princess Leia enough that she puts fruit in your hair?" Ciley laughed playing with Luke's hair.
"Yeah, she's one of my best friends," Luke explained caressing her cheek.
Ciley backed off a bit.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Luke said.
"No, it's alright. It's just. I lost someone recently is all. I like you though," Ciley explained.
"I understand. I lost something too, besides my hand that is. I can't really talk about it, but things are weird right now," Luke said leaning back on his bed to stretch out.
Ciley leaned back next to him, and though there wasn't much room, they were able to fit if they didn't move much. She put her head on his chest to use as a pillow. "Yeah, weird would explain it. Isn't everything weird around here anyway though. This really isn't how people should live."
"No, but hopefully what we are doing will change that," Luke said softly.
"Yeah, I hope so," Ciley said.
They both woke up together with their clothes still on at the sound of Artoo opening the door.
"Come on in Artoo. Ciley this is Artoo, Artoo, Ciley," Luke said introducing his new friend to the droid.
"Hi, Artoo," Ciley laughed groggily. "I better get back. I have to get up early."
"Thanks for stopping by, Ciley, this was nice. It was good to talk to you. See you again, alright?" Luke said walking out with her.
"I'd like that. Come hang with us again sometime, we have a great group of friends down there, if you get bored and you aren't busy," Ciley said trying to fix her hair a bit.
"I will," Luke said putting his arm around her. "How about after the shift later?"
Home One-Millennium Falcon
It was dark and Leia felt like a beam of light walking into nothingness. Something was drawing her towards it. A beam of light was shown and there standing under it was Yoda.
"Young one, I see. Your help I need," Yoda said softly.
"What can I do?" She asked looking around and seeing nothing.
"In hiding I am. Return to Dagobah I wish. Imperial Shuttle I have stolen. Rebellion can use it no?" Yoda smiled.
"With the right codes they could. Where are you?" Leia asked looking around and seeing a green mist.
"Planet safe for me, not for you. Wait you must. Safe here I am. Come to you soon," Yoda said then closed his eyes.
"I'll have a convoy soon, we can organize a rescue and recover your ship. Would you like to return to..." Leia started.
"Hush child. Ready not, and ears in the Force may hear. Patience. Luke is well, no?" Yoda inquired.
"Yes, he is still on light duty. He wishes to find you, but he's stuck for now," Leia explained.
"Understand I do," Yoda said as he faded quickly.
Leia then felt it, the darkness. He found her again.
"Princess," Darth Vader addressed her.
"What is it?" She called out in annoyance.
"Join me, together we can bring the conflict to an end!"
"You've got to be kidding me? Join you?" Leia couldn't believe it.
"Hear me out. They want to destroy me, I feel it. With your help we can bring a new era to the galaxy!" Darth Vader said in a menacing voice?
"I want to destroy you!" Leia reminded him.
"Princess, you don't understand what is happening here," Darth Vader pleaded.
"I understand enough!" Leia shouted in frustraion.
"There is worse than me, I've kept my word to you, have I not?" Darth Vader said in a more softer voice.
"True," Leia answered.
"Come to Mustafar again," Darth Vader beckoned.
"I've got other things to do," Leia said telling herself to wake up.
"Nothing is more important! You must be made to understand!" Darth Vader said getting angrier.
"Oh I understand." Leia gritted her teeth.
There was a pause.
"I can't protect you there. We can help one another," He said, in that younger softer voice.
"I'm pretty good at protecting myself," Leia reminded him.
"You are, I wish I could be more diplomatic about this," his softer more human voice said.
"Not one for diplomacy?" Leia laughed.
"It was never my forte, not really," the softer human voice said.
"Then what? Throw me out of an airlock like you did Aphra when you are through with me?" Leia snipped.
"Of course not, and you know she lived. Though that was not my intention," he laughed with the more human voice.
"I'm done. I have other things to do, like sleep. Don't you have some admirals to kill or something?" Leia grumbled.
"I'll return, but I will give you something else to help you trust me, will you allow that?"
"This better be good," Leia snapped.
"In due time, it will be a warning," Darth Vader returned in the raspy tone. "I do need your help. I will come to you again soon."
"Whatever, I'm blocking you out now," Leia said as she lifted her shields.
"What, no! Wait!"
Leia woke up in a cold sweat and shaking. 'Great,' she thought to herself. 'Lucky me I get people request help in my sleep.' She sat up, and blotted herself with a towel and walked into the lounge of the Falcon. Chewie grumbled with his caf then went to put some on for Leia.
"Where's Han?" she asked.
Chewie roared.
"Great, I imagine we'll be leaving for the Remembrance soon then?" Leia asked.
Chewie roared with a question.
"I'm alright, just a bad dream."
She leaned into Chewie and hugged him.
