Chapter Five

After Garm Bel Iblis had given Han a brief tour of the small base, he escorted him into a comfortable lounge area, telling him he should wait there for the others to return. Then he left Han and Chewbacca alone while he returned to his duties.

Han flung his legs up on a sofa, and crossed his arms. "So, Chewbacca, are you gonna explain to me why you told Padmé all those things about me?"

*I told her the truth,* the Wookiee replied, taking the chair across from the Corellian.

"You told her things I never wanted you to repeat!" Han shot back accusingly. "The night I told you about my childhood was the night I got thrown out of the Navy, found the closest bar and got drunk. When I spilled my guts to you about that, it was the booze talking."

*I do recall that you spilled something from your guts that evening,* Chewie concurred.

"Very funny," Han grumbled. "That's why I left you behind. I knew I couldn't trust you."

The Wookiee stood up, and gave a loud roar of disagreement. *Are you implying I am not honorable?* He leaned closer to Han, showing his fangs for emphasis.

Han's eyes widened. "No… I didn't say that."

*Yes, you did!* Chewie responded, pointing a sharp claw in Han's face. *You are the one that showed no honor by leaving me at that spaceport!*

"You'd already been tagging after me for three weeks! I didn't want you to feel obligated to follow me around the rest of my life," Han argued. "I could've used a co-pilot, but not a bodyguard. I'm a big boy, Chewie, and you don't owe me anything."

*You were afraid.*

"Me?" Han shook his head. "I ain't afraid of anything."

*You were afraid,* Chewie repeated firmly. *You did not want someone around you that cared about your welfare, and you did not wish to become a close enough friend to care about me, either.*

Han looked out of the window, across the rolling green hillside. "Friends of mine end up dying."

*Death is a part of life,* Chewie said quietly. *You will not be able to avoid caring for the remainder of your life, Han."

For some reason, that comment caused Han's thoughts to drift to the Princess, and he knew it was already too late for him to avoid becoming emotionally entangled. Somehow, Leia had slipped past his defenses, and he'd fallen for her – hard - even though it didn't appear she felt the same way about him, or was even aware of his feelings. And by this time, even the kid and Padmé had started to matter to him. "I only care about one person – me." Those words sounded empty and hollow to his own ears.

*You are only lying to yourself,* Chewie said. *I will fulfill my Lifedebt to you, Han Solo. My Honor depends on it, and it seems to me that your Soul depends on it, as well.*

"I've made a promise to Prince Organa to take care of Padmé and Leia," Han told the Wookiee. "I intend to keep that promise."

*Because of the money, or because you care about them?*

"Uh, the money? Yeah, that's the reason."

Chewie let loose with another loud roar, this time of laughter.

Padmé could tell Leia was furious with her, since Leia had given her the silent treatment on the ride back to the base. The older woman took her daughter by her arm and pulled her aside while Talon led the others into the building. "Leia, we need to talk."

"There's nothing to say," Leia returned tightly. "Obviously, you've done nothing but lie to me since Alderaan."

"That's not entirely true," Padmé said, cringing at how close to the mark Leia's observation was. "I do need your help." When Leia only looked away, Padmé tried again. "The Rebellion needs your help. The Death Star is all too real."

"I know that," Leia snapped, turning her face briefly to glance at Padmé before once again turning away. "Why do you think I'm staying? It's certainly not on your behalf."

Padmé flinched. "I didn't know when I brought you here that … that I'd want to attempt to redeem Va… Anakin."

"It's Darth Vader."

"He was a good man, once."

"And now he's a murderer," Leia shot back. "Master Yoda is right. If he comes to Myrkr, it will only be to try and recruit Luke or myself as his obedient and evil disciple. Or perhaps kill us as a threat to his power."

"He'd never try to kill you!"

"Just like he never tried to kill you?"

"Luke thinks we should try," Padmé said, desperate to reach her daughter.

"Luke's too kind-hearted and naïve for his own good."

"You could try to be a little less harsh and judgmental, Leia," Padmé said. "It's unbecoming."

Leia took a deep breath to calm herself. "Really? And it's 'becoming' to have an affair with a smuggler fifteen years your junior?"

"I… I'm not having an affair with Han."

"No kidding," Leia said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Don't you think I figured that out before we even arrived on Dagobah? I'm not stupid, Padmé." She turned her body this time to look her mother directly in the eye. "It was yet another lie you told me. Why?"

Padmé felt herself near tears. "I didn't want to see you get hurt."

"Let me get this straight," Leia said, her lips forming a thin line. "It's acceptable for you to drag me and Luke into a situation – based on lies – where we might end up dead, but you want to protect me from possibly getting my heart broken? I'm an adult, Padmé. I can handle myself with Han Solo, or any other man that has an interest in me as a woman. Even my overwrought and hypersensitive aunts would allow me to make my own decisions in this regard."

"I apologize," Padmé whispered, heartbroken, yet knowing Leia was correct. "It was a horrible thing I did."

"Yes, it was."

"Han's basically a good man, Leia. I believe he truly likes you."

"And I might like him," Leia said, her anger lifting a bit. "If he'd stop whining about wanting credits all the time."

"Money doesn't mean much, unless you don't have any."

The corner of Leia's lips turned up into a slight smile. "Are you taking his side?"

"I'm just pointing out there are two sides to every issue."

"Are we talking about Han, or Vader?"

"Perhaps both," Padmé said softly. Leia shook her head, and started to head toward the building when Padmé called to her, "Where are you going?"

The Princess turned back to face Padmé, amusement written across her face. "I'm going to find Han, and ask him what means more to him – me, or money. Then, depending on the answer, I'm either going to kiss him or kill him."

Then Leia left her mother standing alone, and Padmé found herself hoping that Captain Han Solo wouldn't be stupid enough to make the wrong choice.

Onboard the Falcon

Han was on his knees, the front of his torso was wedged under a bunk, while his backside was sticking up in the air. "I'm telling ya, Chewie," Han's muffled voice could be heard coming from under the bed, "there isn't a field-mouse under here. How can you be scared of a mouse, anyway? If you want a bunk on this ship, this is the only one available."

"He can always take your cabin," a feminine voice said. "Nice view, by the way."

The startled Corellian hurriedly pushed himself out from under the bed, jumping to his feet upon seeing Leia standing behind him, leaning against the door frame. Her right hand was holding a lightsaber, and in her left hand she was casually flipping a gold credit chip. "Err.. where's Chewie?"

"I saw him hurrying out of the ship as I was coming on," Leia said. "Maybe he was looking for a mouse-trap."

"Why, um, are you here?"

"I've come to ask you a question."

Han felt confused and suspicious. "Yeah? What?"

"You told Luke that you weren't having an affair with Padmé. You told Obi-Wan that you weren't having an affair with Padmé. When were you planning on telling me?"

"Would you have believed me?"

"Of course," Leia said somberly. "Why would an intelligent woman, with a royal pedigree no less, want to be seen with a scruffy looking nerfherder like you?"

"Hey!" Han protested. "Who's scuffy looking? I'll have you know that I've got some good points."

"I must admit that I noticed those points when you were bent over. So I suppose that answers my own question of why an intelligent woman would want to be seen with you." Leia stepped forward, moving closer to Han, and deliberately dropped the gold credit, noticing that he kept his eyes focused on her instead of watching where the credit rolled. "You just passed my test, Flyboy."

"What test?"

She reached up, and pulled his head down to hers. Just before she kissed him, Leia replied, "This test."

Luke watched with his family, Han and the Jedi as the small, two-man transport left the base, and headed toward Corusant with its cargo. "Are you certain that was a good idea?"

His mother nodded affirmatively. "I tried sending a holo-transmission last time. He could have thought it was merely a Rebel trap, and the woman in the holo was an imposter."

"Technically, this is a Rebel trap," Obi-Wan pointed out to the former Naboo senator.

Padmé refused to dwell on the truth of the Jedi's statement. "This idea will work."

"Threepio isn't exactly the bravest droid in the galaxy," Leia said. She put her arm around Han's waist in a gesture of affection, waiting for her mother's reaction. Padmé immediately noticed, but made no comment.

"I gotta agree with the kid," Han added, looping his own arm over Leia's shoulders. "If anyone can mess things up, it'll be Goldenrod."

"Artoo is with him," Padmé stated. "He won't fail."

"Still, sneaking into the Imperial Palace, locating Vader and handing him the disk in person? You might be expecting too much."

"Poor Threepio," Leia said with a sigh. "He was so unhappy about doing this."

"Can you blame him?" Han asked with a short laugh. "Vader will probably dismantle him on the spot."

"No, he won't do that," Padmé replied. "He's the one that built Threepio."

"I can believe it," Han said. "Only someone devious and downright mean could've built a droid that annoying."

Luke and Leia were completely astonished. "Are you serious?" Luke managed to stutter. "He actually built Threepio?"

"And from only a collection of spare parts," Obi-Wan answered. "He was quite the boy prodigy. Anakin was also very fond of that astromech, Artoo."

"I've had Vader's droids as my personal assistants since childhood?" Leia asked with a stunned gasp.

"Calm down," Obi-Wan told the twins. "Anakin built C-3PO when he was a child, long before the dark side claimed him. There is nothing nefarious about C-3PO, and his memory chips were wiped of this knowledge shortly after you were born."

"Scan the little droid, he might," Yoda warned. "Find information that reveals this plan, he could."

"Neither Artoo nor Threepio has any details concerning this mission in their memory banks," Padmé insisted. "It's perfectly safe sending them, and once Anakin sees them, he'll know it's truly me that's sending the messages. He'll come this time, I'm certain."

Coruscant, several days later

The two droids headed closer to the looming Imperial Palace. "I know droids are considered expendable," Threepio whined to his companion, "but wouldn't you think our years of loyalty would have earned us something besides being sent to our doom?"

Artoo gave a toodle, and continued to roll along.

"You think this is exciting?" Threepio asked, sounding incredulous. "For all the circuits inside of me, I will never understand you. In the first place, we will never be able to get inside the Palace. Even if we attempt this folly, we are certain to be disintegrated by some trigger-happy stormtrooper. Why, they are even faster to blast without first asking questions than Captain Solo!"

"Berroup."

"A plan? You have a plan?" Threepio questioned. "Whatever this plan is, I am positive it will not work."

"Reeproo?"

"Well, no," Threepio said, sounding put out. "I have not considered how to get inside. Besides, I suppose it doesn't matter if we have a plan, or not. Either way, we are doomed."

If Artoo had the means to do so, he would have clobbered the protocol droid on top of his golden dome. Instead, he led the woebegone Threepio toward the 'service entrance', located far from the grand entryway that the various dignitaries and parasitic lackeys of Palpatine entered and exited on a daily basis. The little droid rolled to a stop, and gave a soft whistle.

Threepio leaned down to listen. "You want me to distract the guard? That will be rather dangerous! What, exactly, will you be doing while I risk my precious limbs?"

"Vrrroopoop."

"Ah, plugging into a circuit control panel, and entering an order to allow us inside. I see." Threepio considered the plan. "What if I can't distract the guard long enough?"

"Rirrarapp."

"Fine, then," Threepio said, huffily. "I am well aware you are fast. But what if the guard -."

Artoo gave a loud, disgusted raspberry noise, and rolled away from the protocol droid before Threepio finished his sentence.

"How rude!" Threepio cried out, hurrying after Artoo. "I was just trying to help us plan for any unexpected contingencies."

The service entrance came into view much faster than Threepio desired, but he gamely marched forward, waving his arms to attract the stormtrooper's attention while Artoo, using the shadows as cover, moved closer to the guardhouse. The little droid waited until the stormtrooper noticed Threepio and headed off, then quickly rolled next to the terminal and extended his 'arm' to plug himself into the control panel.

"Hello, good sir!" Threepio shouted unnecessarily loud. "Is this the correct entrance?"

"The correct entrance for what?" the trooper asked, annoyed at the interruption. A good smashball game was currently playing on the holo-vid, and he was missing the final few minutes.

"Well, uh, the correct entrance for protocol droids," Threepio replied lamely, not having thought this conversation through beyond waving his arms.

"Where are you from?"

"Ald… Franistan."

"Aldfranistan? Never heard of it. Where's it located?"

"No, just plain old Franistan," Threepio corrected. "Franistan is a planet, a beautiful planet I might add, where droids are treated as well as soft-tissued beings. It's just past Dantooine, where everyone is happy and contented, and war is unheard of."

"Sounds wonderful," the stormtrooper said, bored. "If it's so wonderful, why are you here?"

"Good question," Threepio responded, trying to crane his neck to see if Artoo was done. "It seems that the Emperor is interested in Franistan becoming part of the Empire, and the Maharincess of Franistan has come here to … to inform the Emperor that she's not interested. In joining the Empire, that is."

"Like Palpatine will care about her opinion," the trooper muttered, his mind still back on his smashball game.

"Exactly!" Threepio beamed. "And that's why I am here. I am a protocol droid, and fluent in over twelve million forms of communications - ."

"I don't care."

"No, I am certain you do not, but since the Maharincess of Franistan cannot speak Basic, she requires my assistance to plead her case to Emperor Palpatine. So that's why I am here, you see. To interpret the Maharincess's pleas."

"Why didn't you just go in the front gate with her?"

"Good question!"

"And…?"

"Oh, you want an answer," Threepio said, shifting nervously. "She's the Maharincess, and as such, she is required to make her grand entrance alone. Yes, that seems like a good reason. It's tradition on Franistan for the Maharincess to enter negotiations by herself. So we are required to enter in a different door, since we are not royalty."

"Who's this 'we'?"

Artoo had rolled up behind the guard, and gave a loud beep, making the trooper jump. "That's my counterpart, Artoo. He's the Maharincess's pet droid." Artoo let out a low, warning warble, which Threepio ignored. "So, could you please allow us to enter, sir?"

"I'll have to check and see if you've been cleared."

"Good idea!" Threepio said as the trooper headed back to the guardhouse. "You do that, sir! I'm certain you will find everything is in proper order for our clearance." He looked down at Artoo. "Right, Artoo?"

The little droid swiveled his dome, so as not to look at Threepio. "What are you mad about?" Threepio asked, puzzled. "I did exactly as you requested."

He stopped arguing as the guard waved them forward, and the gate rolled open. "You're all clear. Now get inside and go find your Maharincess. My game went into overtime."

The two droids hustled into the Palace walls, and headed toward the back door. "See?" Threepio said smugly. "I told you my plan would work."

The Jedi had always preached that embracing the dark side was easier than the path of the light. Now that he had lived both sides, Darth Vader wasn't too sure that was completely true. Sure, it was always easier to get angry and embrace the rage that came with anger, than it was to remain calm and forgive stupidity and incompetence. But was the aftermath of rage easier to live with than the inner peace that accompanied charity? The rage ate away like a disease at his insides, causing his heart to race and his blood pressure to skyrocket. Crushing the trachea of a simpering fool and watching the lifeless body fall to the floor only brought the briefest moment of satisfaction. The continual state of fury that Vader lived and breathed was draining. Kneeling at Palpatine's feet, head bowed, infuriated the Sith Lord. Wasn't he the Chosen One? Why was he the one on bended knee? Why didn't the old Sith die, leaving Vader as the rightful Emperor? And why, oh why, did his Master lie to him, and tell him Padmé was dead?

Inside the meditation chamber, Vader shook his head. No, he amended mentally, his Master would not lie to him. Padmé was dead, and that message was only a sick, perverted ruse by the Rebels to entrap him. That was what Palpatine had told Vader, when he had presented the Emperor with the holo-message. Vader had suspected as much, but it had bothered him a great deal that Palpatine had thrown back his head and laughed until his spittle had rained down on Vader's mask. The Emperor had mocked his Second-in-Command, calling him weak and belittling the Rebel woman in the message, calling her 'an ugly shrew' and 'a harlot for the Rebellion.'

But the woman in the holo was far from ugly, and her resemblance to his deceased wife was uncanny. Vader could not stop thinking about her, wondering that perhaps it was Padmé. That thought, however, also enraged Vader, since the idea that she would hide from him, and keep his child from him was abhorrent. His reverie was interrupted by the soft sound of a chime, indicating someone was waiting outside his private quarters. The Dark Lord felt the familiar stirrings of his temper rise, but struggled for control as he lowered the helmet back in place, and opened his meditation chamber. The fool stormtroopers knew better than to interrupt this private time. Whoever caused this intrusion had better hope it was worth paying the ultimate price.

Seething, Vader mentally reached outward, trying to sense who dared disturb a Sith Lord, but he could not sense anyone at the door, even as the offending chime sounded a second time. Using the Force, Vader opened the door from a distance, while keeping one cybernetic hand grasped firmly around the hilt of his lightsaber.

Outside, in the hallway, were two droids. Even though nearly twenty years had passed since he'd last seen them, Darth Vader immediately recognized the astromech and the protocol droids.

"Hello?" the ever-nervous Threepio asked. "May we enter your humble abode, Lord Vader?"

The Sith's first inclination was to crush the internal circuitry of both droids with the Force, then have his technicians pry important information from the memory chips. Instead, he felt torn by the unfamiliar sensation of indecision, and remained silent as he regarded the droids from his distant past. A past where he was young, whole, and in love. Now he couldn't remember what love had felt like, for the dark side only allowed hate to take its place in his heart. Do I have a flesh and blood heart, he wondered, or was it only metal and wires, like my arms and legs?

Threepio shuffled on his feet, and looked down at Artoo. "They didn't tell us he was unable to speak."

"Veerrobb."

"Then why isn't he speaking?" Threepio asked, waving his hand toward the Sith as he shuffled into the room. "Perhaps he has a bad case of laryngitis. Do Sith Lords catch viruses?" He tilted his head, regarding the still-as-a-statue Darth Vader. "I have often wondered why humans refer to becoming ill as 'catching' something. Catching implies they attempted to deliberately become ill, which makes no sense at all."

The Sith finally spoke, "You are just as onerous as when I first assembled you."

Following the protocol droid into the room, Artoo gave an affirmative beep to this comment just as Threepio stumbled to a halt a few feet in front of the Sith Lord. "Ah, so you can vocalize! That is most fortunate, but did I hear you correctly? You claim to have assembled me? I do not recall this event."

"Are you questioning the veracity of my statement?"

Threepio was aware that his words could affect his self-preservation. "Um, no, Sir. I would never doubt anything you said."

"That would be wise. How did you get past security?"

"Using my brilliant plan, Artoo and I were able to sneak past the guard at the outer gate. I am loathe to admit that once inside no one noticed us. Of course, being droids, that is hardly unusual. Humans seem to think we are no more than machines, and if we are noticed at all it is because someone requires our assistance."

"Why are you here?" Vader rumbled.

"We have been sent on this modest, yet incredibly daring if I do say so myself, mission by Mistress Padmé Amidala," Threepio said, turning to address the small droid. "Give the Dark Lord the message, Artoo."

Artoo tilted slightly, and illuminated a holo-projection of the same woman who had sent the previous message a few short months ago.

"Hello again, Ani. I received your reply to my last communication, and I was disappointed in your response, to say the least. I am aware that you must have mixed feelings about the fact that I am alive. By sending C-3PO and R2-D2 to deliver this message perhaps you will realize that I am telling you the truth. And even if you believed it was me last time, and that your reply that you no longer love me is factual, I am hoping that my latest plea will convince you to come to Myrkr."

The elegant woman stepped slightly aside, and two more people entered into view. One was an earnest young man with blond hair and blue eyes, and the other was a somber young woman with dark hair and dark eyes. The ill-at-ease young woman looked strikingly familiar, and Vader strained to remember where he had seen her. The older woman continued, "Allow me to introduce your children, Ani. This is your son, Luke, and your daughter, Leia. As you can see, Leia strongly resembles me, and your son takes after you, before you… when you were younger."

Beneath his mask, Vader grimaced at Padmé's slight misstep. Before I became a monster. That's what you meant to say, isn't it?

"Please, Ani, listen to me. Come to Myrkr, and we can become a family, the family we should have been, before events and people prevented us from doing so. Even if you feel nothing for me, your children are here…waiting to meet you. And even if you feel nothing for me, know that I still deeply care for you."

The transmission from the astromech ended, and Artoo gave a sad warble.

The Sith remained silent, and long minutes went by. Finally Threepio piped up, "We've successfully completed our mission, Artoo, so we should take our leave before we wear out our welcome." He twisted his head to look at Vader. "It was certainly nice meeting you, Sir Vader. I must say that the rumors regarding the evilness of Sith Lords seems overstated, as you have been nothing short of polite to us, even if you have been rather quiet. But then, it has been my experience that most humans are far too verbose, and most of the time add nothing of value to the conversation. Take, for instance, Mistress Padmé's paramour, Captain Solo. Now there is a man that I will never…"

"What did you just say?" Vader roared out, interrupting Threepio's babbling.

"That humans talk too much?"

"No! About Mistress Padmé having a paramour!"

"Oh, yes, that part. Well, that is rather an interesting story, even if it appears on the surface to be a bit risqué," Threepio said, unaware of how close the Sith Lord was to dismembering him with a lightsaber. "Captain Solo and Mistress Padmé both claimed to be involved with one another. Then Captain Solo apparently took an interest in Mistress Leia, and tried to claim he and Mistress Padmé were never involved in the first place. Master Luke took that news quite badly, as he struck Captain Solo in the face, and there was an altercation -"

The golden droid flew backwards as if he were struck with incredible force by an invisible hand. He hit the far wall, leaving a deep indention as his metal body slid down, his amber eyes dimming before turning dark.

Artoo gave a frightened toodle, trembling on his wheels as Vader reached down, then removed the holo-disc from its slot. The Sith Lord regarded the tiny disc as he held it between his gloved fingers. I should have gone to her when she contacted me the first time, Vader thought darkly. She would never have taken another man as her lover. Vader stalked past the little droid and left the room, his black cape billowing in his wake.

When it became apparent the Sith was not returning anytime soon, Artoo wheeled over to Threepio who was leaning against the wall, arms and legs akimbo. With his 'arm', Artoo gave his friend a poke. Threepio's body clunked over with a loud crash, and Artoo gave a 'hushing' coo. The little droid rotated his dome back and forth, then extended his claw to grasp Threepio's ankle. With great effort, the little droid tugged his friend out of the room and down the lengthy corridor. It was going to be a long trip back to their ship.

Myrkr

Leia had been concentrating so intently on her task that she jumped in surprise when Han Solo plunked down in the chair next to her.

"Whatchya doing?" Han asked, sounding miffed. "You've been avoiding me the past few days."

"I'm building my own lightsaber," Leia replied, pointing to the various metal components and the pale yellow crystals. "I needed time alone to meditate with my crystal. It's a requirement to making a lightsaber work correctly."

Han picked up one of the stones, and held it up to the light as he squinted at it. "This is what makes a lightsaber work? How can a dumb little stone do that?"

The Princess snatched the stone from Han's fingers. "It's not dumb. This stone is called sapith, and it's commonly used in making lightsabers. The type of stone Luke is using is called adegan. Obi-Wan says Luke's new lightsaber will be green, but mine should emit more of a yellow-color blade."

"Are those the only kinds of stones that make a lightsaber work?"

Leia sighed, knowing her concentration on the project was ruined while Han was there asking non-stop questions. Not that she truly minded, actually. Talking to Han was more fun than building her lightsaber, and the end result could be just as exciting. "No. Many types of crystals can be used. They work in a lighsaber because the Force-users imbue the stones with the Force through meditation. This connection is the reason lightsabers are more an extension of a Jedi, rather than just a simple weapon like a blaster."

"Huh," Han muttered, trying to keep his eyes from glazing. "I always thought my DL-44 was pretty sophisticated."

"Sophisticated?" Leia burst into laughter. "Nothing about you qualifies as sophisticated, Nerf."

Han moved his face closer, his expression taking on that of a dangerous predator, and he whispered in a low timber against her ear, "Nothing?"

With her heart hammering, Leia twisted to gaze directly into Han's smoky eyes. "I…um, can't remember what we were talking about."

Grinning at his victory, Han leaned down and pressed his lips to the Princess's, his arms wrapping around her slender body.

A loud rapping sound made them jump apart, as though a cold bucket of water had been dumped over their heads. They turned and looked down to see a frowning Yoda, thumping his gimer stick on the table-top.

"Distractions you cause my padawan," Yoda grumbled at Han. "Find something to do, you must!"

"Before I was so rudely interrupted," Han protested, "I was doing something."

"Something ELSE!" Yoda pointed at Leia. "Busy is she!"

Leia put her hand over her mouth to hide her amusement, and Yoda turned his wrath on his student. "Funny this is not. Forbidden were attachments in the Old Order, and reasons it is apparent."

"Good going, Flyboy," Leia grumbled. "You got me in trouble with my teacher."

Han stood up and leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "If you get detention, I promise to sneak inside the cell and you can check out my good points again. Especially if you show me your points, too."

"Han Solo! You're incorrigible!"

Yoda gave a groan. "With all these distractions, never a proper lightsaber will you build."

With the lightsaber the furthest thing from her mind, Leia could only nod her agreement as she watched her 'distraction' swagger away.

Padmé gave a soft knock on the door before entering the room where Luke was busy building his own lightsaber. "I'm sorry to interrupt," she said as she walked inside the equipment room. "Obi-Wan said I could find you here."

"It's not a problem," Luke replied, leaning back and rubbing his temples. "I could use a break."

The woman gave a sympathetic smile as she eyed Luke's workmanship. "It looks like you're almost done."

"It's getting there. I just hope it doesn't explode when I turn it on the first time."

"I'm sure it will be fine," Padmé said as she sat down. "Obi-Wan and Yoda have both sensed that your father is on his way." When Luke said nothing, she added, "Are you still certain we should try to redeem him?"

Her question caught Luke by surprise. "Why? Are you having second thoughts?"

"I am worried about something going wrong," Padmé admitted. "Maybe Leia and Yoda are correct. Maybe it is too late to save him from the dark side."

"For my own peace of mind, I'd like to give him one last chance," Luke said quietly. "I think we'll know pretty quickly if he's too far gone to turn back."

"Will it be any easier to kill him then? Or know that someone else is executing him while we wait in another room?" Padmé asked. It sounded to Luke like the question was directed more to herself than to her son.

"It won't be easy, but at least we won't question the necessity," Luke responded. Seeing his mother's unhappy expression, Luke tried to change the subject. "Leia and Han seem to be getting along really well … aren't they?"

Padmé lifted her eyebrow. "That's meant to make me feel better?"

"You're having a problem with Leia and Han's relationship? Don't tell me you're jealous!" Luke teased.

Padmé shot her son a warning glare. "I'm not convinced he's the sort of man that will make a life-time commitment to one woman."

"Has it occurred to you that Leia might not want a life-time commitment from Han? She's still a Princess, and I'm sure a lot of guys are interested in her back on Alderaan."

"So you're saying Han's the one who's going to end up with a broken heart, instead of Leia?" Padmé questioned, smiling. "With Han's renewed Wookiee life debt in place, Leia might be the one in trouble, if that's the case."

"A ticked-off Wookiee with a depressed friend and life debt to enforce, or an outraged ex-Sith Lord father, protecting his daughter's virtue." Luke pursed his lips in thought. "Either way, we'd better stay out of the way."

Coruscant, throne room

The red-head bowed before the Emperor Palpatine. "I am honored you have requested my presence, Lord Sidious."

Sitting on his throne and looking down at the young woman, the Emperor nodded. "Vader has been training you in the ways of the Sith, without my permission."

The woman dared to give a quick glance upward, then lowered her eyes once again in deference to the Emperor. "It was only to make me a more worthy Hand to you, My Master. I apologize if I have overstepped my bounds."

Palpatine leaned back in his chair, his gnarled fingers rubbing the armrests. "You should understand by now that I seldom offer forgiveness to misdeeds. However, I will allow you to make amends. I have an assignment for you."

"Whatever you require, I will do."

"Of course you will," Palpatine agreed easily. "Lord Vader requested that I allow him to check on the construction of our new battle station, but he was lying to me. He is going somewhere else, instead."

"That is very uncharacteristic of Lord Vader," the Hand responded carefully. "Do you wish me to find out where he is going?"

"That won't be necessary." The Emperor smiled, showing a mouthful of jagged, yellowed teeth, and indicated his Hand should look off to the right, where two, powered down droids had been placed. One was a blue, very old astromech, and one was a battered, gold protocol droid. "My Royal Guards caught these two droids as they attempted to leave. I know where Vader is going. It is a planet called Myrkr."

"I understand."

"It is unlikely you understand," Palpatine replied curtly, sounding annoyed for the first time since the conversation began. "Allow me to elaborate without further interruption. Several months ago, a woman claiming to be Padmé Amidala contacted Lord Vader. She desired to meet with him on Myrkr. Lord Vader came to me with this holo, and asked for direction." Palpatine leaned forward. "Do you know who Amidala was?"

"If I recall my history lessons correctly, she was a former Queen and Senator from Naboo, my Lord. I was under the impression she died shortly after you became Emperor."

"So she did," Palpatine said. "Or at least that was what the galaxy had been led to believe. If the woman in the holo is an imposter, she has undergone facial surgery to look exactly like Amidala, as well as being coached in mannerisms by those who knew her. Only the Rebels could be so devious and evil. I informed Lord Vader it was undoubtedly a trap, and he should not go to Myrkr, especially considering that planet has filthy creatures whose very life-essence creates a void in the Force."

The Hand nodded, but said nothing as she waited for the Emperor to continue.

Palpatine gave a weary sigh. "At first, Lord Vader obeyed. But now he must have reconsidered, and taken this reckless action. Therefore, I want you to go to Myrkr, and kill the Rebel woman. If there are others with her that you feel require elimination, remove them, as well."

"What if this woman turns out to be the real Padmé Amidala?"

Palpatine laughed. "All the better. Just make sure she suffers before she dies." He waved his arm. "Rise, my Hand, and do my bidding. Do not disappoint me, as Lord Vader has done."

"May I ask a favor?"

"Perhaps."

"If you have no further need for the droids, I can take them with me to Myrkr, and, if need be, use them as a cover story by saying I rescued them. Gratitude often serves to lower the defenses of misguided idealists."

Palpatine nodded. "You may take them. I was only planning on having them crushed into a cube and placed in Vader's quarters as a gift when he returned from Myrkr."

Her lips twitched in amusement. "That would have made a fine gift, indeed, My Master. Perhaps, before I turn them back on, I can place a small, timed detonator in each one, as a parting gift for whichever Rebel claims ownership."

The Emperor gave a harsh bark of laughter. "I appreciate your ingenuity."

The lithe young woman quickly stood, but bowed deeply again as a sign of respect, and backed away while keeping her head down. Beneath her veil of cascading locks of red hair, she was beaming with delight at this assignment. Killing always made the Emperor's Hand feel so… alive.

Myrkr, three days later

The rusty but fast ship landed outside the perimeter of the base, and was instantly surrounded by dozens of armed guards. The ramp lowered, and the Rebels were rather surprised to see a slender, red-headed woman wearing light gray slacks and a painfully bright pink tunic exit the ship. The young woman slowly raised both hands, indicating she wasn't a threat, and watched as the man in charge cautiously approached.

"Hello," the man said politely, while still taking the precaution of removing her blaster. "My name is Talon Karrde. Is there something I can help you with?"

The young woman gave Karrde her most winning smile. "My name is Trixsy Judus. I'm a freetrader from Coruscant, and I may have something that belongs to you."

Talon nodded warily. "What would that be?"

The woman turned and called up the ramp. "Come on down, you silly little dawdlers!"

The gold-colored face of C-3PO peeked around the corner, before walking stiffly down the ramp followed by the astromech droid, R2-D2. "Is this Franistan? I seem to recall that I live on a planet called Franistan."

"No, this is Myrkr," Talon answered.

"I do believe I have suffered a severe case of memory-chip impairment," Threepio said, hitting the top of his cranium with his fingertips as Artoo gave a worried toodle at his friend.

"How did you end up with these droids?" Talon questioned the woman, his suspicions spiking higher as he noted the deep new dents in the protocol droid.

"I found them," Trixsy explained, bouncing up and down on her toes. "They were in a dumpster near the Imperial Palace, just about ready to be taken to a smelter."

"What, pray tell, were you doing in a dumpster?"

"Haven't you ever heard of dumpster diving?" Trixsy asked with a giggle. "I can't tell you how many valuable things I've found in dumpsters, especially government dumpsters. Besides smuggling, I like to use whatever I find for a quick profit. You'd be surprised what someone will pay to get confidential information from being released into public domain."

"So you blackmail people?"

"Whatever gets me credits," she admitted. She waved a hand at the two droids. "Is there a reward for bringing these two back?"

Talon pursed his lips as he considered. "I suppose. How did you know to bring them to Myrkr?"

"I turned them on and asked them, of course," Trixsy replied, rolling her eyes. "The protocol droid kept insisting I take them to Franistan, wherever that is. Fortunately the astromech seems to have all his chips intact, so the protocol droid was able to tell me what the little guy was saying, and the astromech gave me your landing clearance code, too. Their ship had already been confiscated by the Imps, so they were more than happy that I offered them a ride."

"I see." Talon looked down at Artoo. "Is this story all true, Artoo?"

Artoo gave a long series of beeps and whistles, which Threepio translated, "Artoo can vouch for Captain Judus's story. Although I must add that I am most concerned about the Maharincess, considering how we were treated by the Imperials. Has she arrived safely home yet?"

Trixsy gave an unladylike snort. "See what I mean about that droid having some seriously scrambled circuits?"

"Yes, I do see," Talon said. "Well, come along, and I'll take you to their owners."

"You are taking us to the Maharincess?" Threepio asked hopefully as he followed Talon and the young woman inside the building. "I seem to recall she's quite a lovely lady, and treats all droids as well as soft-tissued beings!"

Artoo let out a long-suffering sigh.

Luke had a hard time not staring at the pretty new arrival, and blushed when she caught him staring. "Thanks for bringing our droids back."

"Oh, no problem," Trixsy said in a breathy voice as she batted her eyes at the young man, then gazed around the room at the large group. "It's such a privilege to meet you all." She looked at Obi-Wan. "A real Jedi, huh? I thought you guys were all dead."

"Someone forgot to tell us that," Obi-Wan commented dryly.

Trixsy turned her attention to Han. "You're a legend among smugglers, Captain Solo. You're the reason I picked this career."

"Smuggling is a career?" Leia asked sarcastically. "Since when?"

"Since my reputation made me a legend," Han told Leia with a lopsided grin.

"I'd really love to hang around, if you'll let me," Trixsy asked hopefully. "Please, please, please?" She concluded this request with a loud snap of the gum she was chewing.

Yoda narrowed his eyes at the woman. "Why?"

Trixsy frowned at Yoda's question. "Because I don't much like the Empire, and it might be keen to be a Rebel for a while. Does it pay well?"

"Sure it does," Luke replied with a laugh. "Just ask Han Solo."

"Hey," Han objected. "There's more to me than money." He grinned at Leia before giving her a quick kiss. "At least now there is."

"Han can be a real charmer," Padmé said, giving an exasperated shake of her head. "You'll have to ask Captain Karrde if you can join the Rebellion."

Trixsy turned her charm on the older smuggler. "What do you think? I'm a good pilot, and I'll do anything you ask. Anything at all."

It was Karrde's turn to become flustered. "Well, I suppose we can always use another hand."

"That's what I'm best at… being a hand," Trixsy said with a strange smile.

"Well, follow me then," Talon mumbled. "I'll show you around."

After Trixsy and Talon had gone, Yoda remarked, "Trust her, I do not."

Luke seemed surprised. "You don't? I think she's great."

Padmé groaned. "But she's a smuggler! What's with my children and smugglers?"

"I resent that," Han protested as everyone laughed.

Onboard the bridge on the Devastator, Lord Vader was seething with an emotion he'd not experienced in a very long time – jealousy. Several times he would try to reason with himself by thinking that it was quite likely the woman in the holo wasn't actually Padmé. But his dark thoughts would always return to the notion that it might be her, and that those two young people might really be his offspring. Then the rage would build up again as he thought about Padmé in the arms of another man - a faithless man by the name of Han Solo. During the trip, the Dark Lord researched the name, and found quite a dossier on Solo. Although the protocol droid had not mentioned Solo's first name, Vader had been able to quickly discern the most likely candidate. Solo's early years were a blank, but he'd been a Lieutenant in the Imperial Navy before being dishonorably discharged. Then he'd taken up a life of smuggling, and was currently wanted by both the Empire and a large number of local systems.

Vader wasn't sure what was upsetting him more – that Padmé would have an affair with such a low-life, or that Solo would have the audacity to attempt to be unfaithful to her… with her daughter. Vader's flesh and blood! Lord Vader wondered if his daughter actually returned Solo's affections. How was this making Padmé feel? Shocked? Betrayed? Angry? Vader was feeling all those emotions at the moment. Shock that his entire family might be alive. Betrayed that they had hidden from him, and that his wife was unfaithful. Anger over that betrayal. Where had they been all this time? Who had been helping to hide them? Whoever it was would pay the price for that help. He would make all the people involved with this cover-up know the true meaning of fear and pain. He would start with Solo, and then even Padmé would experience the depths of his rage. She would cower before him, beg forgiveness and mercy. Then, and only then, would he be assuaged, embrace his family, and allow them back into his good graces.

It wasn't any wonder Palpatine had forbidden Vader from going to his wife. The Emperor had seen the future, and Palpatine's downfall at the hands of Skywalker's children was preordained. Lord Vader would soon rule the galaxy, and by his side would be a meek and obedient wife, and his two powerful, Sith children. He would finally have it all. In the far reaches of Vader's mind, where sanity still held a tenuous grip, he knew it wasn't logical that the end result of punishing Padmé for being unfaithful would result in her loyalty, or his children's loyalty. It wasn't even logical that she should have remained faithful after all these years. After all, he had Force-choked her on Mustafar. Few women would continue to love a man after being physically assaulted while nearly full term into a pregnancy. Vader roughly pushed those traitorous, if sane, thoughts aside. No, he amended mentally, she had pushed him to Force-choke her, by bringing Kenobi to Mustafar. The assault was all her fault. If she hadn't brought Kenobi to Mustafar, everything would have worked out long before now. She would be Queen of the galaxy, and everything would be perfect. He would still be a complete man, instead of a machine. Yes, it was all her fault, so she should suffer before realizing his absolution. Now, nearly twenty long years later, the Force was putting everything back into its proper place, and Vader would get what he desired and deserved.

Vader felt a nervous presence approach from behind, then heard a cough.

"M'Lord?"

Slowly and deliberately, the Sith turned to face the speaker, Captain Wermis. "Yes?"

"We have stopped at the coordinates you requested, Sir," the Captain stated, frowning. "Although I am confused, since we are nowhere near Despayre."

Despayre was the location of the nearly completed Death Star, where Vader had initially informed the Captain they were headed upon leaving Coruscant. Taking a deep breath, Vader regarded the impertinent Wermis. "Are you questioning my orders?"

"No… no M'Lord!"

"That is a very good answer."

"Your shuttle is ready and waiting, Lord Vader."

Vader nodded. "You will wait here until I contact you with further instructions. Do not leave this location, nor give away your location by communicating with anyone. Do I make myself clear, Captain Wermis?"

"Yes, M'Lord!"

Without further comment, the Sith strode away from the trembling Captain. If the man failed in any way to follow his orders, Captain Wermis would be the first Imperial to die under the new Emperor's reign. The first, but far from the last.