Entry 116

New Republic security came by my stateroom/prison and told Han and Luke they had to leave. I noticed a guard was posted outside my room. That's okay; I needed to get some sleep anyway.


Entry 117

We arrived to Chandrila. I thought we would go down to the planet, but it was decided to keep me on the ship and await my commander's arrival.

Major Rayos and Colonel Vilanter had me brought into the interrogation room once again, but this time Luke was at the table being grilled with me. I honestly didn't mind discussing what happened on K'don…up to the point where Commander Darten contacted me about the First Order's involvement.

"We have sent a group of investigators to K'don," Major Rayos said in his best intimidating voice…which is not intimidating at all. "The scene at the village was horrendous. Did you see who slaughtered the cult members?"

"No," Luke muttered while I simply shook my head silently.

"But you know Imperials attacked the cult," The Bothan Colonel asked Luke.

The Jedi looked to me before answering. "Captain Colay told me a group of former Imperials…deserters…attacked the cult and rescued Ben Solo."

"But you…" the Bothan began before Luke lashed out verbally.

"Stop! I have told you my story five times so far I have no new information."

The Bothan gave Luke a curt nod before turning his attention to me. "Why were you asked to meet these former Imperials, Captain Colay?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "The group that attacked the cult contacted Imperial Intelligence. Since I was investigating the abduction of Ben Solo, and I was on site, the task was given to me." I folded my arms across my chest. "And that is all I am going to say until my commander arrives."

Luke and I both jumped when emergency klaxons began wailing throughout the ship.

Major Rayos opened the door to the room and called out to somebody in the hallway. "What's going on?"

I didn't hear the answer, but I could see Rayos blanch. He turned to me wide eyed. "An Imperial Class Star Destroyer has just dropped out of hyperspace.

I looked over to Luke in shock before reaching out through the Force in an attempt to figure out what was going on. Among the tens of thousands of crew members upon the Imperial vessel I could feel two familiar Force signatures…Commander Darten and Admiral Creeden. I smirked at Rayos. "That is probably my Commander. He did say he was coming to this location."

"In a Star Destroyer! Why would the Empire risk provoking the New Republic over…" He motioned towards me. "Over a low ranking officer."

"You unlawfully detained an Imperial Intelligence officer. Did you really think my Commander would show up in a shuttle, grovel at your feet and beg for my release?" I smiled smugly. "I suggest you invite Commander Darten over so we can debrief him and see what I am authorized to tell you."

Rayos glared at me before speaking into his comlink. After a few minutes the alarms were silenced and my commander was on a small shuttle on its way over to the New Republic ship.


Entry 118

Once Commander Darten's ship was docked there was an hour delay before I was escorted out of the interrogation room and brought to his shuttle.

My Commander was standing outside his Lambda Class T-4 shuttle, hands clasped behind his back, and with a stern look on his face. I guess he is not at all pleased with my treatment by the New Republic. When he saw me his lips curled up slightly as he signaled for me to follow him into the shuttle. Once the boarding ramp was up and secured he let out a relieved breath and gave me a fatherly hug. "It is so good to see you in good health." He stepped back and gazed at me with concern. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

"No," I said with a chuckle. "When they 'detained' me Han Solo and Luke almost pulled their weapons in my defense. I had agree to go quietly to prevent them from creating an incident."

"Skywalker is a good man…Solo also." He gestured me to take a seat in the passenger compartment. "It took an hour before the New Republic agreed to allow me to debrief you in my shuttle." He lowered himself into the seat across from me. "I told them they have tractor beams to prevent us from escaping, so they don't need to worry. I didn't want them eavesdropping on our conversation and this shuttle is equipped with counter surveillance technology. They won't be able to listen in on our conversation."

"I'm pleased they acquiesced to your demand for privacy. I'm also glad you think Han and Luke are good men…because I did tell the two what happened. In confidence," I added quickly. "They are keeping quiet until I could talk to you and determine what to tell the NR."

I was expecting words of disapproval from my Commander, but he just shrugged. "I assume you wouldn't tell them anything that would endanger the Empire. What did you discover?"

I started from the beginning…the discovery of the dead cult members, traveling to rendezvous with the Super Star Destroyer Eclipse commanded by Grand Admiral Sloane, meeting with General Iwanuk and then Supreme Leader Snoke and my unsettling conversation with him

Darten shook his head. "I never heard of Snoke." He thought about it for a moment. "Such an odd name. Do you know what species?"

I shook my head. "No, he is humanoid, tall, slim, hairless…or nearly so…I think I saw some mangy gray strands at the base of his skull. His head was horribly mutilated. It looks like he was severely injured long ago. His left cheek was caved in and he had a huge scar running from the crown of his head to his brow. He was extremely strong in the Force. He couldn't hide that…but his eyes were blue which I found strange."

When Darten looked at me questioningly I clarified my statement. "Meaning I don't think he was Sith. Most Sith have yellow eyes. There is something about using the darkside that makes your eyes a jaundice color."

"Not necessarily. You are too young to remember Emperor Palpatine when he was Chancellor, but his eyes weren't yellow back then. He knew a way to conceal himself from the Jedi Order. Perhaps this Supreme Leader is doing the same."

"Maybe. What should I tell the New Republic?"

Darten thought about it for a long moment. "You want to hide the fact that you are a Force user…so don't relate to the New Republic anything pertaining to the Force. I also don't think the Solos would want anybody knowing that their son is a Force adept…releasing that information is a family decision, especially because…" He trailed off awkwardly.

"Because what?" When he hesitated I reiterated my question. "What? What are you hiding from me?"

He sighed deeply. "I think I discovered why Ben Solo was kidnapped by the Cult of Vader."

I got a cold tightness in my chest. I never told Darten about Luke and Leia being siblings and Darth Vader being their father. "And what did you discover?"

He squirmed in his seat a bit. "I don't know how you are going to take this…but I believe Ben Solo is the grandson of Darth Vader."

"Oh…and how did you come to that conclusion?"

He sat forward in his seat. "Do you remember when we had Skywalker over to my house and my wife asked him about his father. He said Emperor Palpatine killed his father…and that surprised me, because I had intelligence information on the Jedi that conducted the treasonous attack on the Chancellor. The bodies of Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar and Saesee Tiin were recovered, but not Anakin Skywalker. In fact, the Chancellor never mentioned Skywalker being in his office. Anakin Skywalker disappeared soon after that attack. I just assumed he was murdered by clone troopers after Order 66 was issued or he was in hiding. After that dinner with Luke I did little digging…thinking maybe his father lived. I talked to some retired Intel officers and I was told Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker were on friendly terms and in fact Anakin Skywalker was appointed to be Palpatine's personal representative on the Jedi High Council…which I assume really rubbed the Jedi Masters the wrong way."

"What does this have to do with Darth Vader being Ben Solo's grandfather?"

"I think Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader are one-in-the-same." He frowned slightly as he broke the news. "I think Luke is the son of Vader…and…" He blew out a nervous breath. "I think Ben might be Luke's son."

"What!" I shouted in utter disbelief. "Ohhh…no…that is so wrong."

"I know it might be shocking to think that Luke might be the son of a Sith, but circumstantial evidence points in that direction." He leaned forward and put a hand on my shoulder. "I know he's your…umm…romantic partner…but Ben was conceived way before you two met." He dropped his hand from my shoulder and sat back in his seat. "I'm sorry. I should have stayed out of your affairs. If true, Luke should be the one telling you."

After my initial surge of disgust this conversation became almost comical. "No Sir, I can guarantee Luke is not the father of Ben Solo."

Commander Darten looked at me sadly. "I may be wrong, but it makes sense. There was gossip about Luke and the Princess for years after he destroyed the first Death Star. Those two were inseparable. I read intelligence reports that Luke would do anything for the Princess. It's possible those two might have gotten together at some point. I'm not saying the Princess cheated on her husband. She might have been pregnant with Ben prior to marrying Solo." He rubbed a hand over his chin. "I wonder what happened in their relationship that she ended up with the smuggler?"

I put a hand over my mouth to hide my horror/amusement. I steadied my emotions and composed myself before asking my next question. "Do you plan on telling anybody within our organization or the Empire about your theory?"

He shook his head adamantly. "No, the Empire doesn't need to know any of this. I will keep this between you and me. I just wanted to let you know. You are close with the Solos and I know how much Luke means to you." He glanced over to me and I believe at that point he noticed my overly calm veneer. "He told you, didn't he?"

I bit the bottom of my lip to keep from laughing. It was then I decided it would be better if Commander Darten knew the truth instead of believing this disturbing incest theory. "Sir, Ben Solo is the grandson of Darth Vader…but Luke is not the father."

His brow rose. "Really? Han Solo is the son of Darth Vader?"

"No!" I started to laugh so hard, my sides hurt. "Luke and Leia are brother and sister. The Organa family adopted Leia and family members on Tatooine adopted Luke. But you were right, Anakin Skywalker was their father and he did become Darth Vader."

"Ohhh," Commander Darten said slowly before breaking out in chuckle. "Now I understand why you were so outraged by my theory. I thought you were just jealous." He laughed some more before taking a long calming breath. "Okay, I guess you should omit any Force talk and tell the NR that you have no idea why the Cult of Vader took Ben. Tell them as much as you feel comfortable about Snoke. Just use your best judgment. When we get back to Epta Prime we'll do a longer debriefing and try to figure out what we are going to do about the First Order." He gestured to the door. "Maybe you should invite Skywalker aboard so you can get your story straight…although that might look a bit suspicious." He rubbed the back of his neck as he thought about the situation. "Maybe you can get him alone where you can talk privately."

"No need sir." I closed my eyes in concentration and contacted Skywalker through the Force. After I gave him a quick briefing I opened my eyes. "I let him know."

Commander Darten's jaw dropped. "You can communicate to him by thinking? That's absolutely terrifying."

I was confused. "Sir?"

"I would be horrified if my wife could do that to me. She would be rambling in my head night and day." He guffawed as he stood and opened the shuttle boarding ramp. "I'll go back to the Star Destroyer and reassure Admiral Creeden that his favorite Intel officer is unharmed."

"Thank the Admiral for me, Sir."

I then left the shuttle and prepared myself for another interrogation with the New Republic dumbkriff investigators.