The Falcon dipped and ducked to avoid the fighters on their tail as Padme watched over her son for a moment. Just as she went to go back to the cockpit, she could hear Luke whisper as he tried to sit up.
"Father," Luke whispered as Padme closed her eyes. She had hoped that her son had escaped the trap without having to have met Darth Vader. Her heart broke when she heard the next words. "Mom, why didn't you tell me?"
Padme stared at her son as she realized that he didn't know that she was there. Luke had been too preoccupied with his thoughts to notice her sitting a few yards away. After a moment or two, Luke started to get off the bed. She rushed to her son to aid him as he looked at her. She found that there was no anger or betrayal. She could only see sadness in his eyes.
"It's Vader," Luke whispered as Padme nodded, starting for the cockpit. Luke paused and turned to Padme. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"How could I?" she replied, turning away. Luke grimaced. "Let's continue this later with your sister and when we're not being chased by TIE fighters."
"I agree," Luke sighed before they continued on their way. "But you will tell us?"
"Absolutely," Padme nodded with a sad smirk. Padme led her son back to the front of the ship and he sat down behind Leia as the man in blue was frantically pressing buttons and flipping switches. Padme watched as Leia had her face in her hand, trying to remain calm.
As Padme remembered that the hyperdrive hadn't been working, they sped into light-speed, nearly sending her to the floor. Catching herself, she balanced herself as relief came over the ship. The victory beeps and whirs told them that Artoo had saved the day once again. Luke sat for a few minutes with Padme's hand on his shoulder. He touched it, reminding her of her promise.
Padme caught Leia's attention before leading both of her twins back to the main area. Leia aided Luke as they walked back to the table as Padme paced in front of them. Once Luke was settled and showed Leia his arm, complete with explanation, their eyes turned to their mother. Padme took a deep breath before turning to them. Her eyes were wide and tearful, expecting the worst.
"I haven't been completely truthful with either of you," she whispered as she gripped her hands in front of her. Leia glanced between her and Luke as she leaned forward.
"About what?" Leia asked, concerned.
"About your father," Padme murmured. Leia and Luke sat at the edge of their seats. "I told you he died in the Clone Wars around the time you two were born."
"Yes, I remember," Leia answered, urging her to continue.
"He was a Jedi, but he was seduced by the dark side of the Force. Ben told me just before you were born. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader," Padme informed quickly, as if ripping off a bandage. Silence fell, so she continued. "When that happened, the good man who was your father was destroyed."
"What?" Leia whispered, at a loss for words.
"What I told you was true, from a certain point of view," Padme offered, knowing that it was a weak defense. Luke shook his head.
"A certain point of view?" Luke questioned as Padme halfheartedly shrugged.
"I don't blame you for being angry. I was wrong to keep this from you, but there isn't an easy way to come out and confess that your father is the murderous dog of the Emperor," Padme sighed, a few tears running down her face. "I loved Anakin very much, and I had to distinguish him from Vader to keep my sanity."
"Of course," Luke murmured, keeping his compassion. Leia turned on her brother, livid.
"Of course?" Leia scoffed before turning to Padme, who flinched. "You've lied to us for over twenty years! You could have told me when we his prisoners! You could have told us at any point when Vader was mentioned! Why tell us now?"
"I faced him alone, and he told me. I didn't believe it at first," Luke interjected before Leia laughed under her breath.
"It all makes sense now, doesn't it? It explains why you were so secretive about him. Why you never cared to talk about him. Hell, you wouldn't even tell us how he died. I should have known he was still alive," Leia ranted before she stood up.
"What did Vader say?" Padme asked Luke.
"Yes, what did your dear father speak to you about?" Leia mocked. Luke gave her a side glance before sighing.
"He wanted me to join him and rule the galaxy with him," Luke answered. Padme nodded. "He wanted me to kill the Emperor."
"Convenient," Padme grumbled sarcastically. Anakin was always in favor a dictatorship. She should have known that he wanted that power. Leia stewed as her blood boiled, but she kept a calmer demeanor.
"Is there anything else you've been hiding?" Leia demanded as Padme shook her head.
"Everything else I have told you has been the truth," Padme answered. Leia didn't look convinced. "I didn't tell you to keep you safe. If word got out that I had a relationship with who is now Vader, the Alliance wouldn't have allowed us to get anywhere near them. We would have been branded as spies. Possibly used as leverage-"
"The Alliance wouldn't have used us as leverage," Leia scoffed while Padme shook her head.
"No, but the Empire would. Without the Alliance, where would we be? Where would have Bail…" Padme's voice died as her point was made. Leia turned and walked down the hall, needing to collect her thoughts. Luke approached and drew his mother into an embrace. She bit her tongue to keep herself from sobbing into his shoulder.
"Give her time," Luke suggested as Padme nodded into his shoulder. "Where's Han?"
"That bounty hunter took him," Padme answered before pulling away.
"Then we're gonna have to go get him," Luke replied. Padme grabbed his maimed arm and shook her head before pointing at his face. Luke's eye was red and puffy while scratches covered his skin.
"We are going to get you to medical frigate immediately," Padme informed sternly. Luke frowned while Padme shook her head. "We will find Han, but you are going to heal in safe place first. You may be the only one who can take on the Emperor. Did you speak with Master Yoda?"
"Yes, he has been training me," Luke smiled. Padme guided her son over to the bench as Luke spoke of the old Jedi master. She listened to Luke's teachings and how Yoda was doing. He could see her face fall the more he talked. "Mom, are you okay?"
"It's just good to hear that Master Yoda is safe," Padme replied, covering her face in a smile. Yoda deserved better. Before Luke could muster a reply, Lando came down and leaned against the wall.
"Ah, Lando. This is my son, Luke," Padme introduced as Lando reached to shake his hand. Instinctively, Luke reached out with his right hand before grimacing. He didn't have a right hand anymore. Lando retracted his hand with an awkward chuckle.
"It's nice to meet you, Luke," Lando greeted before turning to Padme. "Chewie said that we should be arriving back at the Alliance fleet soon."
"Good, the sooner we get there, the better," Padme replied. "Is Leia up in the cockpit?"
"Yeah, she stormed in a few minutes ago and has been uncharacteristically quiet," Lando remarked. Padme shrugged as Luke shook his head, looking away. "I'm sure she'll calm down in a little bit."
"Of course," Padme agreed. "Luke, you should get some rest."
"Alright," Luke exhaled as he wandered back to the quarters. Padme rubbed her face as Lando placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We'll get him the medical help he needs. We should be there in no time," Lando promised before returning back to the pilot's seat. Padme sat next to the table and rested her head on the surface.
As Lando promised, they arrived at the Alliance Fleet. Padme and Leia escorted Luke to the medical center quickly as Chewie informed the leadership of what happened on Cloud City and of Han. Leia stayed with Luke when Padme was summoned by the leaders. Padme patted Luke's cheek before she left.
Padme found the leaders on the bridge of the medical frigate since Lando had explained the situation to them. They were talking among themselves before they turned to her entrance. With her head held high, she walked in as Mon Mothma came to greet her.
"Is your son alright?" she asked as Padme nodded.
"He's in safe hands," Padme reassured before she turned to the rest of the group. "You summoned me?"
"Yes, we have some unfortunate news," Mon Mothma agreed. "We have heard reports that the Emperor is creating another Death Star."
"Reports?" Padme whispered.
"From Imperial defectors, working against the Emperor. We've already dispatched spies to confirm the construction and its location," Ackbar explained as he came forward. Padme stared at him for a moment but nodded. It seemed that Mon Mothma had explained her situation to her old friends.
"Alright, so what are we doing in the meantime?" Padme asked.
"We are in the process of finding another base, but this mission may take priority. It won't matter if that battle station becomes operational," Mon Mothma explained.
"Agreed. So, we just wait until we receive more information?" Padme wondered as Mon Mothma turned to her.
"We need to disperse the fleet until we know more," Ackbar advised.
"Agreed," Mon Mothma nodded.
The meeting continued as they discussed next plans and base ideas. Padme listened patiently, but her mind focused on other things. She couldn't think of anything other than saving Han. It wasn't necessarily her fault that he was with that bounty hunter, but if he hadn't been involved with the rebellion he wouldn't be encased in carbonite.
Mon Mothma approached Padme as the rest of the leaders left. Padme glanced up, embarrassed for getting distracted.
"It's been a while since you've had something on your mind," the former senator chuckled.
"Captain Solo was taken by a bounty hunter. He wasn't able to repay that debt to the gangster," Padme explained with a sigh. Leia started to enter the room to find her mother when she heard his name. "I will not allow him to stay in his custody. I was thinking about how I could get to him. He helped me in my time of need."
"We understand," Mon Mothma nodded. "Although, maybe you should send a scouting crew. Luke sounds like in no shape to be searching."
"You're right," Padme sighed as she had an idea. "I'm sure Lando and Chewie would be on the same page. I will speak with them and see if they're willing to search the galaxy."
"See to it. We'll be here," Mon Mothma urged before Padme thanked her. Leia hid by the door as her mother walked down the hallway. She hesitated a moment before calling out to her mother. Padme turned as Leia caught up.
"Is it true that you're going to get Han?" Leia asked.
"Absolutely. I won't let that slug win," Padme answered firmly. Leia offered a smile.
"I want to help," she replied.
"Then we better get moving. Call Lando and Chewie and tell them to meet us in the Falcon," Padme instructed as Leia nodded before running off. Padme grinned until Leia was out of sight. It wasn't going to be easy, and Padme wasn't sure she wanted Leia involved. Regardless, she walked down to the hangar and waited outside the ship.
When the two men found their way back with Leia, they didn't even let Padme finish her proposal before they agreed. Although, when the two offered Leia come with them, she refused. She wanted to make sure that Luke healed well and help the Alliance. While she loved Han, she had to help where she was needed. Once they started preparing, Padme and Leia retreated back to the medical bay. When they came up, Luke was being fit for a mechanical hand.
"How's that hand treating you?" Padme teased gently as he looked up and shrugged.
"So far so good. Where's Chewie?" Luke wondered when Leia followed in.
"They're preparing to find Han. There are a few systems still controlled by the Hutts, and they intend to be thorough. They should be taking off soon," Padme answered before producing a commlink for Luke.
"We're starting the engines," Lando warned.
"We're gonna miss you out here," Luke chuckled. He could hear Lando chuckle as well before answering.
"Luke, we're ready for takeoff," Lando informed as Chewie roared in the background.
"Good luck."
"When we find Jabba and that bounty hunter, we'll contact you," Lando promised. Luke glanced at his new arm, which twitched as the droid tested the circuits. Padme leaned in and spoke into the commlink.
"We'll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine," she instructed, as they had mentioned earlier.
"We'll find Han," Lando said as Luke and Padme glanced up at Leia. "I promise."
"We'll be waiting for your signal," Luke smiled. "Take care you two. May the Force be with you."