IN THE HANDS OF TIME
(Part 2)
by Darth Pipes and ami-padme
joesw77@aol.com, ami_padme@yahoo.com

The Executor
The Present
Heading for the Coruscant System

"Lord Vader, the Emperor demands that you make contact with him," Admiral Piett said.

"Very well," Vader said. "Patch it through to my quarters."

"At once, my Lord," Piett replied.

Vader left the bridge and headed for his quarters.  He had no doubt the Emperor would contact him.  There was no way around it.  Still, it was an annoyance and one he did not need right now.  He knew Mara Jade had traveled back into the past to execute the Emperor's plan.  He could not afford to lose more time.

Vader entered his quarters and turned on his holo-projector to face the Emperor's image.  He did not kneel, as he usually did before the Emperor.

Palpatine's image came to life.

"Lord Vader," he said, "I am curious to know why you have returned."

"Yes, my Master," Vader said. "Some important business has come to my attention on Coruscant that I need to deal with."

"I see.  Perhaps we should discuss this...business when you return."

"Of course, my Master.  I will arrive at your palace shortly after I land," Vader said with a bow.

"I have no doubt," Palpatine said, and with that his image flicked and disappeared.

Vader stood silently for a moment.

Discuss my business...not likely.  Vader knew what that meant.  Palpatine was going to try to kill him.  He had either viewed him as a threat or a disappointment or no longer had use for him.

You're going to try to kill me, Master?  Good luck.

Vader turned to his communication console and opened a private channel to Admiral Piett.

"Admiral," Vader said, "prepare my TIE fighter for departure.  I will be leaving for the Emperor's palace in fifteen minutes."

Piett hesitated for a moment, not sure what Vader had in mind but nodded his head and ordered Vader's fighter to be prepared.

Vader left his quarters on the Executor for the last time and headed for the flight deck.  He was now an enemy of the Empire.  That meant everyone from the Emperor down to the lowliest stormtrooper would be after him.  Vader didn't care.  If he had to go through the Empire's combined military forces to save the life of his son, he would do just that.

Vader took off on time and headed for Coruscant.  Several minutes later, Vader was closing in on the planet.  He knew where to locate this Section 327.  He could feel where the disturbance took place and would land near there.  He would enter the section and travel back into time to stop Mara Jade.

Coruscant came into view, complete with the usual amount of space traffic.  Although he loathed thinking of the past, he remembered back to that first time he saw Coruscant all those years ago.  He remembered how in awe he was at the size of the planet.  That was a long time ago.  Since then he had realized it was nothing, especially next to the power of the Force.

As Vader approached, he saw six small ships breaking from the other ships arriving and leaving the planet.  It didn't take him long to figure out what they were.  Imperial TIE fighters and they were heading straight towards him.

So it has begun.

Getting the jump on the TIE fighters, Vader opened fire.  He destroyed the lead TIE fighter.  The fighter next to it took its place and the same result.  Another kill for Darth Vader.  Only four to go.

The TIE fighters opened fire on Vader's ship.  A barrage of lasers headed towards Vader's ship.  Utilizing his considerable skills, Vader managed to dodge all of them.  He broke through the pack and straight past them.  The TIE fighters followed in pursuit.

Vader was far superior to the pilots and had the Force with him, but even he would have trouble losing all four of the fighters.  He looked ahead of him.  He would be entering Coruscant shortly.  An idea struck him.

He plunged his ship straight into the planet.  The fighters followed.  Vader knew what he had to do.  He would take this fight straight into the city maze of Coruscant!

Vader's TIE fighter plunged down into Coruscant.  The four pursuing TIE's followed.  Now before Vader were the magnificent buildings of Coruscant.

Vader had flown through Coruscant's cities many times in the past but never with a TIE fighter flying at such high velocity.

Vader weaved his ship in and out of the buildings, sliding past one and then the other.  The speed of the TIE knocked people down on city roofs and had air taxis dodging for cover.  The TIE's continued their pursuit.  They tried to lock their weapons on Vader's ship but were unsuccessful.  Vader was moving too fast.

Vader looked around for some advantage he could use.  He found one.

A large, floating holo-billboard lay to his side.  A holo-billboard was promoting some obscure transport company known as THXShipping.  Vader saw his opportunity as the four ships closed in on their pursuit.

Vader fired at the engines that kept the holo-billboard a float.  The engines were destroyed and the billboard came crashing at the enemy TIE's.  Three of them managed to avoid the billboard but the lead TIE wasn't so lucky.  The heavy metal billboard came crashing into the fighter, destroying it.

Its wreckage crashed down into the streets of Coruscant, sending the citizens running for their lives.

Three down, Vader thought.  Now it was time to go on the offensive.

With that, Vader's TIE fighters' engines hit full throttle, extending his lead on his pursuers.  The fighter was now roaring through the main avenue of the city planet.  He then turned the TIE into a sharp right turn and the ship slingshot around a tall building.  Vader was now face to face with his pursuers and he opened fire.

The TIE on his left was destroyed.  The other TIE managed to fly past him but Vader matched his maneuver and now he was the hunter, pursuing the TIE through the mighty buildings of Coruscant during rush hour.  The ship came within his targeting computer and Vader fired his blasters, destroying his enemy.

Behind his mask, Vader smiled.  After all these years he was still the best star pilot...

BOOM!

A laser bolt hit the top Vader's left wing, sending his ship into a spin.  Vader corrected it and looked behind him to find the last remaining TIE in pursuit of him.  The TIE flew after him at a suicidal pace, firing its blasters and nearly crashing into a building in his pursuit of Vader.  The fighters' laser blasts hit several buildings, sending debris crashing down on to the streets.   Some of the debris nearly came crashing down on Vader's ship but he managed to dodge it.

In his cockpit, Vader cursed himself.  He got careless and had forgotten about the last TIE fighter.  He would not do that again.

Moving quickly, Vader cut his engine power in half.  He ship began to slow down.  The pursuing TIE flew past him, coming into his targeting range.

"I have you now," Vader said and fired his lasers.  The last TIE fighter was completely destroyed as it went up in a ball of fire.

With his enemies defeated, Vader raised his ship high enough to fly just above the massive buildings on the planet.  It was now time to find the section.

It didn't take long.  Vader was able to sense the section quickly because of the disturbance in the Force it let out.  The section was located underground and Vader landed the vessel near a series of passages he believed would lead him to it.  No normal human would be able to find it.  But a Sith would.


Section 327

Vader had been right about the series of passages.  It did lead him to Section 327.  Using the Force to find many of the passageways and in some cases to find his own, it took him little more than an hour to get inside.

He surfaced in a cargo room and made his way to the laboratory.  He made quick work of the few stormtroopers in his way and finally reached the labs doors.  They were locked so he used the Force to open them.

He entered the room and found the time machine.  It impressed even Vader.  A magnificent structure, like a great black wall with an energy field, a portal, in the middle.  Quite impressive indeed.

He also saw two individuals.  The first was Moff Jerjerrod.  He was a sector governor.  In reality, he was a minor bureaucrat that the Emperor strung like a puppet.  Vader had never had any use for that spineless bootlicker.

The second was Dr. Sen Tharon, the head scientist of Section 327.  Vader was familiar with him.  The man was quite intelligent and the Emperor often used him on several of his most important projects.

Vader approached the center of the room.  Moff Jerjerrod saw him approaching and smiled.

"Lord Vader," Jerjerrod said.  "We've been expecting you."

Suddenly, a dozen red-caped guards with spears entered the room and surrounded Vader.  They were members of the Emperor's Royal Guard, some of the finest warriors in the galaxy.

"By order of the Emperor," the guard in the center said, stepping forward. "You are to be eliminated."

Vader took out his lightsaber and ignited it.  The red blade roared to life and Vader took a fighting stance.

"ATTACK!" the lead guard screamed and all twelve guards rushed him.  Vader executed a perfect back flip and the guards no longer surrounded him.  Now facing them, he charged the guards, knocking them all down.

Using the Force, he flung two of the guards against the hard, durasteel walls.  Their bodies hit with a sickening thud.

Moving swiftly, he cut down two more guards.  The next guard he faced began swinging his spear at Vader.  The Dark Lord dodged and ducked every swing.  He then responded by yanking the spear out of the guard's hand, spinning around and thrusting his saber through the guard's chest.  The guard behind him thought he could sneak up behind Vader but Vader responded by beheading him with his saber.  Six guards had been dispensed with in less than a minute.

The next guard then took out a blaster and shot at one of the support beams above Vader.  The beam came crashing down but Vader managed to avoid it with a roll.

When he reached his feet, two of the guards tackled him, knocking his lightsaber out of his hand.  Soon, all six guards were holding on to him, hoping to bring him down.  It didn't work.

With a tremendous demonstration of strength, Vader flung all six guards off of him, sending them flying in every which direction.  With the guards down, Vader used the Force to summon his lightsaber and turned to the guards.

"That...is quite enough."

Vader went into a fury, slashing away with his lightsaber.  He began to cut down guards left and right. Arms, legs, and heads flew everywhere, as did the blood.  The blood hit the walls, the time machine, even the Dark Lord, whose mask was now a crimson one.  The last guard left alive, who had just lost his leg, was trying to reach his spear when Vader stepped in front of him, raised his lightsaber and plunged it through the his body.

When it was over, Vader, covered in his opponents' blood, was on top of a pile of the bloody, dismembered bodies of the Emperor's royal guard.  It had taken him only three minutes to accomplish this.

With the guards disposed of, Vader turned his attention to Jerjerrod and Tharon, who were still present and in shock over what Vader had just done.  Vader walked over to the two, grabbed them by the throat and lifted them off the ground.  They struggled in his grasp.

"I want to know everything about this machine and about the Emperor's plan," Vader said.

Vader spent the next hour listening to the two frighten men description about the time machine, how it worked, and what they knew of Palpatine's plan.  He knew they weren't lying.  They were too afraid of him.

Vader ordered the men to set the proper coordinates back through time so that he could follow Mara Jade.  Jerjerrod gave Vader the special wrist comlink that time travelers use in order to get back.  Vader put in on his wrist.

The machine began to come to life.  A magnificent glow emanated for the middle of the machine, the time portal.  Vader considered his mission for a moment.  When he stepped through that portal, he would be returning to the past that he had tried to forget.  Vader did not look forward to this mission or the possibility of confronting old faces.  Especially…Amidala.

But he had no choice.  He would not let Mara Jade kill his son.  He would do anything it took to stop her.

As he considered this, all the power in the section suddenly shut off and the machine died out.  Tharon looked to Darth Vader wide-eyed; fearing the Dark Lord was going to kill him for this.

"My Lord, this isn't my fault," Tharon said, babbling.  "It must be stormtroopers.  They must have cut off the power to prevent..."

"Not for long," Vader said and with a single thought, used the dark side of the Force to turn the power back on.  The machine roared back to life.  Tharon was shocked, looking at Vader in awe.  He quickly got back to punching in the coordinates.

"E-everything is set, m-my Lord," Tharon said as he and Jerjerrod cowered before Vader.

"Good," Vader said. "You two are of no further use to me."

Vader then held out his hand toward the two men and quickly closed it, instantly breaking their necks.  Their corpses crashed to the ground.

Vader turned to face the portal.  This was it.   There was no turning back.

Vader then charged and leapt into the portal just seconds before Imperial stormtroopers entered the lab.

After the short euphoria involved in the time portal, time itself once again opened and Vader was thrown out of the portal.  He landed on his feet in a crouch.

He then rose and summarized the area around him.  Rubble, destroyed buildings, dead bodies...it didn't take him long to figure out where he was.  Even with the planet in complete ruin, he knew where he was.

He could never forget.  When he use to be Anakin Skywalker, he had lived on this planet with a woman he called his wife for over two years.

Naboo.


The Naboo Royal Palace's Shelter

Mara Jade completed the final connection hookup between the shelter's main computer and the alien comlink.  If her plan proved successful, she would be able to locate the whereabouts of Queen Amidala.

She had arrived at the palace a few hours earlier.  Or at what was left of the palace.  It was in absolute ruin.  The only thing that remained was the shelter, which was built for the purposes of protecting the Naboo monarch from planetary bombardment.

The shelter also had several other purposes.  It housed a computer system used by the Queen's security forces for military purposes, and stored various kinds of information.  Mara hoped to use this computer along with the comlink to find the Queen's royal starship.

The ship had been unaccounted for when Naboo was destroyed.  It had been believed destroyed. Perhaps with Amidala aboard it, for the Queen's body had never been found.  Now that Palpatine knew that she had indeed survived, it was likely that she escaped aboard the vessel she had often used.

As for the alien comlink that Mara wore, it had many functions.  One such was the ability to "slice" into a ships communication device.  Mara had studied the information about these ships' systems that the Emperor had provided.  Among the information she discovered was a way to access a ship's communication system without being detected.  Only the Queen and her Chief of Security knew this.  Although it sounded risky to have such a feature on a ship, many planetary leaders used to have it in case of security purposes, such as the ship falling into enemy hands.  Now, Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand, would use it to locate the Queen and fulfill her mission.

She would have to do it swiftly.  An hour ago, she sensed a great disturbance in the Force.  She knew what it was.  Darth Vader had traveled back in time to stop her.  He knew more about this planet then she did.  It would not take him to long to arrive at the palace.

She had no doubt she could defeat Vader.  The Dark Lord had always looked down of her and her abilities, but she was more powerful than he, or the Emperor, had thought.  Soon, they would find that out.  Soon, the entire galaxy would know the power of Mara Jade.

Mara made the final connection set-ups and sent out a "slicer field" connection to the Queen's starship, hoping to make some contact.  If she was successful, she could tap into the ship's communications and not even be noticed by any one on board.

It took quite some time but she finally got access to the starship's communication system.  It had changed codes to avoid detection but it made little difference.  She then downloaded the most recent communications sent and received from the vessel.  She quickly closed the channel.  She was sure she had done it without alerting anyone.  She then set about reviewing the most recent communications.  After a quick search, she found the information she was looking for.

A message sent by Obi-Wan Kenobi to Ki-Adi-Mundi.  He informed Mundi that he and the Queen would be arriving on the planet Drayos by the end of the week.

Mara did a quick search on the computer on where to locate this planet.  Drayos was located on the outer rim territories.  It was sparsely populated and was home to a long-abandoned military base.  No doubt that was where Obi-Wan and the Queen would be heading.

Ki-Adi-Mundi.  That name Mara knew.  He had been one of the last surviving members of the Jedi Council.

He had not been present when Vader had destroyed the Council or the Jedi Temple.  He had been on his homeworld of Cerea, leading an unsuccessful defense of the planet against the Empire.   He had escaped and was later killed at...

Drayos.  He had been killed on Drayos fighting the Empire, the same planet that Obi-Wan and Amidala would be heading.

Mara smiled.

This is too perfect.  While the Jedi and this resistance mentioned in Obi-Wan's communications were busy preparing for their encounter with the Empire, she could slip between the cracks and kill the Queen.

With the Queen's death, Mara Jade could return to the past and take Vader's place as the Emperor's second-in-command.  The power she would wield.  Palpatine would take her on as his apprentice and Mara would grow even stronger in the dark side of the Force.  She would be even more than the Emperor's Hand.  She would be the Empire.

With the information she needed, Mara disconnected her comlink from the main computer and put it back on her wrist.  She then took out her blaster and fired a single shot at the computer, destroying it.  That way, she made sure that this information wouldn't fall into Vader's hands.

Now she would have to find transportation of the planet to get to Drayos.  That would be no problem.  Not only was this shelter used as a bomb shelter but it was also a hanger deck.

Mara exited the room and headed to the far end.  She opened the doors and entered the small hanger deck.  These ships had been used by members of Naboo's Bravo Squadron for covert missions.  She was pleased to discover that there were still ships inside.

N-3 Naboo starfighters.  They had been constructed during the Clone Wars and were considerably faster and better-armed then their predecessors.  The ships maintained the basic design from the N-1 series, save for the modifications to its engines and weapons array.

Mara turned to her side and saw a control panel.  She pressed the center button and above her the roof began to retract.  Some debris came crashing down, forcing Mara to dodge out of the way.  Mara regained her footing and headed to the N-3 starfighter to her left.  She climbed aboard into the cockpit and checked the controls.  She turned on the engines to see if they worked and they roared to life.

Good, Mara thought, I'll be able to get off this planet and onto my mission.

Mara powered down her engines and exited the N-3.  Withdrawing her lightsaber, she picked apart the engines on the three remaining ships.  She would make sure that no one, be it Lord Vader or anybody else, would follow her.  These ships were probably among the last functioning ones left on the entire planet.  When she was finished, the engines on the three ships were cut up into tiny pieces.

Mara got back into her ship and prepared to blast off from Naboo.  Before she took off, Mara removed something from her belt.  It was a thermal detonator.  She dropped the little silver ball from her ship and then blasted off.  Just after she left the detonator exploded.  It was not strong enough to destroy the shelter but it was strong enough to wipe out what was left of the ships she had disabled.  Now they would never fly again.

The N-3 Mara was flying soared through the atmosphere of Naboo.  She could now get a full view of the planet and the destruction that it had caused.  Mara suddenly remembered something that there was one more thing she wanted to take care of before she left Naboo for Drayos.

Mara activated her comlink, opening a communication channel to Darth Vader.


Darth Vader continued to make his way through the ruins of Theed.  Although he tried to ignore them, many images came flooding back to his mind as he looked at the ruins.

The Naboo parade.  His return to the planet after ten years of training under Obi-Wan.  His courtship and marriage to...Amidala.  He remembered them all. It began to fill him with a sense of...

NO!  That was his past.  Anakin's past.  It was a past that belonged to a weak and insignificant man in another time.  He was no longer Anakin Skywalker.  He had shed that identity years ago, lost forever the moment he had crawled out of that lava pit twenty-three year earlier.  He was Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith.  That was all that mattered…and all that remained.

Vader continued his swift journey to the Queen's palace.  He knew this planet well and would be at the palace shortly.  He would then show Mara Jade what a true master of the dark side could do.

Vader saw a mountain in front of him.  Behind it was the ruins of the palace.  All he had to do was climb over it.

Suddenly, a ship roared in the air, heading out into space.  Vader looked up and knew who it was instantly.  Mara Jade.  She had found what she was looking for and was heading to find...Amidala.  He was too late.

Suddenly, his wrist comlink communicator began beeping.  Vader activated the button next to it, opening the communication channel.

"Mara Jade," he said, neutrally.

"Ah, Lord Vader," Mara Jade said. "It is so good to see your trip through time was a safe one.  It is unfortunate that you will spend it trapped on this planet while I eliminate your wife and your son."

Her words infuriated Vader.  He knew that she might be right.  It would be very difficult to find a functioning ship.  He might very well be trapped here.

He could return to the future but he could not come back to the past.  He had learned from Tharon and Jerjerrod that more than one trip through time and back would kill a person, even if that person were strong in the Force.  Multiple trips through time could destroy the very cells inside of a being's body due to the time shifting.    They would dissolve the cells into nothing.  Vader cursed himself for not traveling in time an hour ahead of Jade but he had not had the time with the Emperor's forces closing in on the section.  He was stuck in the past until he could deal with Jade.  However, it might be too late.

"Do not underestimate Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jade," Vader warned, trying to control his anger.  He would not let this woman get the best of him.  "He was...is, one of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, and a formidable opponent."

"Yes, indeed," Jade said mockingly.  "Except I will do what you couldn't do in this time.  Eliminate him.  He will not leave me as a helpless invalid, as he left you."

Vader was infuriated.  Now Jade was mocking him and his injuries.  When he got his hands on her, he would make her pay.

"Now, my Lord, I leave you," Mara said.  "You know, this planet will one day make quite an archeological discovery.  Maybe in a thousand years, you Lord Vader, will even be worth something."  With that, Jade cut off communications.

Vader turned to his side to see something coming down from the side.  It was Mara Jade, abroad a N-3 Naboo royal starfighter.  It was headed for him.

From the cockpit of the starfighter, Mara Jade fired two proton torpedoes.  It hit the mountain behind Vader and exploded, causing rocks and debris to come crashing down.

Vader saw this and made a Force-enhanced run away from the rocks.  He could not outrun it.  The rocks and debris overtook him, burying him in a mound of rocks and debris.

Mara Jade took her starfighter in for a closer inspection.  She wanted to make sure she had gotten Vader.

She combed the entire area.  She sensed nothing.  Vader was dead, killed by the hand of Mara Jade.  The Emperor would be pleased.

With her last bit of business on Naboo taken care of, Mara pointed her starfighter upwards and into space, leaving Naboo far behind.

In space, she punched in the coordinates for Drayos.  It was now time for Mara to fulfill the Emperor's mission.  She would not fail.


The ruins of Theed were very quiet.  The pile of rock and debris caused by Mara Jade's lay several feet high.  Any person caught in that would surely have been killed.

Suddenly, an arm emerged from the rubble.  Then a second one.  The arms picked up a piece of debris between them and then the figure of Darth Vader emerged from the rubble, breathing heavily and covered in dirt.  Vader got to his feet and was surprised to find that he was laughing.

Foolish girl.  Did she really think that would stop me?  He had survived more than a week consumed in molten lava.  He had survived a full-scale battle against the Jedi Council that had left the Jedi Temple completely destroyed.  Did she really think a mere mountain could stop Darth Vader?  And this was the woman who was supposed to replace him as the Emperor's second-in-command.

However, Vader knew he had problems.  He needed to find a functional ship and find it fast.   There were likely few on the planet.  He was already losing too much time to Jade.  If only he could locate...

A sudden thought hit him.  There was one ship he hadn't considered.  One that the Empire might not have wasted their time destroying.  It was located in the Museum of Naboo.

Vader made his way towards the museum through the ruins of Theed.  When he got there, he found it in rubble just like the rest of the planet.  Using the Force, Vader cleared the rubble as he made his way through the museum.

It was located in the back, Vader remembered.  He had been there when it was dedicated to the museum.

Clearing the last of the rubble, Vader found exactly what he was looking for.  He was surprised to find it in relatively good condition, considering it had long since been retired.

In front of him was an N-1 Naboo royal starfighter...the very same one he had flown in the Battle of Naboo all those years ago.

Vader did a visual check of the ship.  It had been decommissioned but the hyperdrive, communications array, and the engines were still intact.  However, they would need to be repaired and recommissioned.  Laser cannons were still on the ship but they obviously were emptied, as well as the torpedo array.  Still, he wasn't concerned with whether or not he had weapons.  He just needed to get to wherever Mara Jade was going.  This would be difficult but he had proven long ago that he could fix anything, including an outdated, decommissioned ship.

Vader went to his belt where he had a small tool kit.  He rarely carried such things now but did bring it along on certain missions such as this where he might need to make use of his technical skills.  Vader then proceeded to get to work on the ship.

It took him an hour to fix the engines and an hour to fix the hyperdrive.  It had been difficult with the old wires and the cross circuiting he had to do but he still managed to do it.  Vader then climbed into the cockpit to work on the ships systems.

Removing his wrist comlink, he hooked it to the ship's main computer.  Although he considered this technology insignificant next to the power of the Force, Vader was still impressed by it.  This comlink alone served many functions.  Now it was helping him to fix and update the ship's systems.  He could get this ship on-line and running better than it was when it was still active.  The alien civilization that had built this was quite advanced, indeed.  When he became Emperor and crushed the rebellion, Vader promised himself that one of his first actions would be to explore the Unknown Regions and see if he could find more of this technology.

Vader finished his final computer updates for the ship.  He kept the comlink connected to the ship.  He would have other purposes for it shortly.

Vader closed the ship's cockpit and activated the engines.  This might mean the last chance he had for getting off the planet in time to stop Mara Jade.

The engines roared to life and the ship hovered off the ground.  He did it.  The ship was once again fully functional.

In the back of his head, Vader could hear the joyous shouts of a child who had just completed his podracer after many years.

"It's working!  It's working!"

Vader pushed the thought aside and got to work on his communication system.  Mara Jade had underestimated Vader's knowledge once again for he knew how to locate a Naboo ship.  Something Captain Panaka had shown him.

Using the comlink and the ships communication system, Vader managed to locate Mara Jade's ship and find out where it was heading.

Drayos.  Vader had heard of that planet before.  It was there that the Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi led a force of Jedi and former Republic military officers against the Empire.  He had failed and the Empire crushed his resistance force.  Mara Jade was heading there.  If she was heading there, he knew that his wife…Anakin's wife would be there.

Vader considered the situation.  If memory served correct, the Empire would attack Drayos at the end of the week.  Vader knew how Mara Jade operated.  She would wait until the Empire struck and while the resistance was fighting the Empire, slip between the cracks and kill Amidala.  He would not let that happen.  He had to get to Drayos.

Vader turned his controls forward and blasted off of Naboo.  The ship ran smoothly, as if it was still in the service of Naboo.

Once in space, he began preparing for the jump to hyperspace.  He again considered what he might find.  The Jedi, long dead in his time but still alive.  Maybe he would get the chance eliminate a few more Jedi.  He always regretted not being the one to kill Ki-Adi-Mundi, one of the Jedi Councilors who had rejected him for Jedi training.  Vader had never forgotten that and it would please him to hold Mundi's bloody head in his hands.

Obi-Wan.  There was a chance he would run into his old master again.  In this time period he was an even more formidable.  He knew that well.  As much as he would love to fight Kenobi again, he knew he could not.  He knew of the importance that Kenobi had been in Luke's life.  He had trained the boy and trained him well.  He was responsible for bringing Luke to him.  He could not interfere in those events.

Finally, he thought of Amidala.  What would happen if he had to confront his wife again?  Could he still have any feeling left for her?

No!  Those feelings had long since disappeared, replaced by the black heart of Darth Vader.  He would protect Amidala from Mara Jade, nothing more.  He would then return to the future and deal with the Empire once and for all.

With the coordinates set, Vader made the jump into hyperspace abroad the old N-1.  He was heading to Drayos and back into the past he so wanted to avoid.  But after all these years, he knew it was the way of things.  It was the way of the Force.


The Coruscant System

Inside the ship's small cargo hold, Leia wielded the lightsaber of Qui-Gon Jinn as she deflected another shot from the seeker droid floating above her.

This was difficult for her at first, but she was starting to get the hand of it.  She blocked another shot, and then another.

Luke watched Leia, very impressed.  In a short amount of time, she had managed to learn the basics of using a lightsaber as quickly as he had three years earlier.  He had been practicing with her often during their journey to Coruscant.

Luke himself had also learned to use Qui-Gon's lightsaber on the trip.  It was a fine weapon, worthy of the Jedi Master who had previously wielded it.  Now that it was known Leia was also strong in the Force, it was important for her to learn how to use it.  Luke was not a master, not even a full Knight but he began to teach Leia all he knew.  So far, she had made great progress.  This was good, for the mission ahead of them might require both the children of Skywalker to utilize all of their skills.

As Leia continued her exercises, Luke thought back on the events of the last few days.  After their meeting with Yoda and Obi-Wan, the two had returned to the rebel fleet and met with Mon Mothma.

Convincing the leaders of the Rebellion to let them go through this mission was not easy.  They had to explain the whole situation to them.  About the Emperor's time machine, his mission to kill their mother, about Darth Vader, and the effects it could have on the galaxy.

Mon Mothma had been surprised to learn that Luke and Leia were the children of Queen Amidala and Darth Vader.  She had met the Queen early in her own political career, and was familiar with her role in forming the Rebellion.  Still, Mothma was still skeptical about letting Luke and Leia go to Coruscant.

It was only after Leia's plea that she relented.  She could tell from the seriousness of Leia's words that this mission was too important.  Indeed, if the Emperor had found a way to travel in time and kill Amidala, then the Rebellion might not be formed and Leia and Luke would not be born.

Besides, she trusted the two, especially Leia.  Despite some differences the two had had in the past, Mothma respected Leia and considered her a friend.  She would not turn her back on her.

She agreed to allow them to go through with this mission and had turned to Admiral Ackbar and General Madine.  The two military officers had been even more skeptical then Mothma about such a dangerous mission but agreed to help go through with it.

They helped devise a plan.  Luke and Leia, along with a rebel commando team, would travel abroad a stolen Imperial shuttlecraft the rebels had recently acquired.  They would use an Imperial code, acquired by the Rebellion, to get by Coruscant's Central Command and then land the shuttle.  They would later make contact with a rebel agent of the planet who would help them find the section.

Shortly thereafter, they were off.  When the two were finished reviewing their plan with the commando leader, Colonel Wes Jakked of the rebellion's Special Forces unit, the two retreated to the cargo hold where Luke helped Leia learn the nature in the Force.

"AAAHHH!" Leia screamed breaking Luke's thoughts.  The seeker ball had broken through her defenses and fired a shot into her back, dropping Leia to the ground.

Luke shut off the seeker, and went over to Leia.  "Are you all right?" he asked as he helped Leia off the ground.

"Yes, I'm fine," Leia said, dusting herself off.  "I shouldn't have allowed that to happen."

"You did well Leia, considering this was your first time using a lightsaber."

"Still," Leia said. "I should have had it.  I was..."

"Thinking of Vader," Luke said, interrupting her.

Leia sighed as she switched off Qui-Gon's lightsaber and walked to the corner of the cargo hold.  Luke followed her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He's there Luke," Leia said.  "He in the past, we both sensed it.  I...just don't know what's going to happen when we face him.  I know we're going to face him again."

Luke nodded.  He had sensed it as well.  Vader had traveled to the past to stop Mara Jade.  He had been thinking about what would happen when they saw their father again too.  They knew the truth now.

"I don't know, Leia.  We will do what we must. Perhaps...we can talk to him, tell him..."

"Tell him what Luke," Leia said, turning to him.  "Do you really think you can turn him back?  Even Obi-Wan said it couldn't be done."

"We don't know that Leia.  Maybe when he learns the whole truth, he might..."

"He might nothing. Luke," Leia said.  "He's evil, Luke."

"But at one time he wasn't Leia.  You have to remember that.  How do we know that there isn't still some good left in him?"

Leia was going to say something but was cut off by a beep from the intercom.  Luke walked over to the comlink and turned it on.

"Skywalker here," he said.

"Commander," came the voice of Colonel Wes Jakked.  "We need you and Senator Organa on the bridge.  We are approaching Coruscant."

"We're on our way," Luke said, turning off the comlink and turning toward Leia.

The two stared at each other for what seemed like and long time.

"Leia, I know this won't be easy but we have to put this aside.  Our first duty is to stop Mara Jade from attempting to kill our mother.  The rest, well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Leia smiled. "You're right, Luke.  Let's just get to the bridge."

She handed the lightsaber back to Luke, who hooked it back to his belt.

The two turned and left the cargo room.  Here was where the fun would begin.

Luke and Leia made their way to the bridge.  When the door opened, they came face to face with Colonel Wes Jakked.

Jakked was a tall, imposing man in his mid-forties with brown hair and eyes.  He had earned his reputation as one of the best Special Forces soldiers in the rebellion.  He had led his twelve-man commando team into over a hundred missions behind enemy lines, destroying enemy targets and gaining valuable information.  Their last mission had included the theft of this Imperial shuttle.  It was rumored that the man had also taken part in numerous assassinations.

They saw the scowl on Jakked's face as he looked at them.

"You're late."

Jakked and his co-pilot, a man named Latch, got out of their pilots' seat.  Luke took over the pilot console, Leia the co-pilot console.  Jakked and his second took the seats next to the two, monitoring the operations console.

Before Luke and Leia was the planet Coruscant.  It had the normal amount of space traffic.  Luke prepared for the ship to pass Central Command.

"Are you sure this code will pass?" Luke asked Jakked.

"It's an older code but it will past.  Then we can get you to your time machine and you two can go wherever the hell you want," Jakked responded, adding that last line with some annoyance.

Luke understood why.  When Jakked had been told he would be leading a mission into Coruscant, to bust into a secret facility, and travel back through time, Jakked had looked at them like they were growing another head.  But he complied, as the solider he was.  Still, he hadn't bothered to hide his annoyance about this mission.

The Tydirium continued its way to Coruscant.  A beep on the comlink signaled that Coruscant Control was contacting them.  Luke turned it on.

"We have you on our screen now," the controller said.  "Please identify."

"Shuttle Tydirium requesting permission to land at Imperial Square Spaceport," Luke said.

"Shuttle Tydiruim, transmit your clearance code to land at the spaceport," the controller said.

"Transmission commencing," Luke replied.

"Now we find out if that code is worth the price we paid," Leia said.

"It'll work," Jakked said confidently.

Several seconds passed.  No response.

"What's taking them so long?" Luke said, turning to Jakked.

"These are Imperials that we're dealing with.  You know how they are.  One of them probably had an idea and the other ones are crowning him Emperor," Jakked replied, bringing a smile to Luke and Leia's faces.

"Shuttle Tydirium, you have permission to land," said the controller.

"Thank you," Luke said, turning off the comlink and piloting the ship straight down into Coruscant.

The atmosphere soon filled up with the magnificent buildings of Coruscant.  Luke looked at it, quite in awe.  He had never been to Coruscant before and despite what he had seen in his lifetime, he was still impressed with this world, completely covered in cities.  It's so huge! he thought.  Luke also noticed that blaster fighter had hit some of the buildings.  A battle on Coruscant…Luke had an idea who was involved.

Luke landed the shuttle at the Imperial Square Spaceport.  It landed and the ramp opened. Luke noticed a few Imperials coming towards the ship.

"I'll take care of this," Jakked said as him and Latch left the bridge and off the ship.  Luke and Leia followed shortly thereafter.

Jakked and Latch were gone for a little while but came back dressed in Imperial uniforms.  Luke and Leia left the bridge to meet him.  They met him in the main hall.  Soon, the entire hall was filled with Jakked's commando team.

"All right, listen up," Jakked called out.  "You know the mission.  We are heading for Imperial Square where we will meet with a member of the Coruscant resistance named Nin Dinub, a Sulluestan.  He will take us through the sewers to this Section 327 and to this time machine.  That's where Skywalker and Organa will...go back in time.  That will be Micro's department to get that working.  We will then return here and return to the fleet.  Latch and Haamas."

Two of his soldiers stepped forward.

"You two stay in the shuttle.  We have permission to stay here for twelve hours.  If we're not back by them or you're in danger, take off and return to the fleet.  It's important that the Alliance keeps this shuttle."

The two men nodded.

Luke and Leia stepped forward.

"This mission is very important," Leia said.  "I know many of you scoff at the idea of this time machine but I assure you that this threat is real.  If the Emperor's mission is successful, there will be wide-ranging effects for the galaxy, especially the Rebellion.  Is that understood?"

The team, despite their doubts, nodded in compliance.

"Here," Jakked said, handing Imperial uniforms to Luke and Leia.  "You better put those on.  Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa stick out like a sore thumb on Coruscant.  The Rebellion would stop paying me if you two get shot."

That comment brought a laugh from the group.

"We're not planning on it," Luke replied as he and Leia put on the uniforms.

"We can't travel in one group.  We have to split up into groups of two.  We'll meet at Imperial Square.  Understood?"

The group nodded.

"All right...move out!" Jakked yelled.

The group dispersed slowly, group by group with Luke and Leia leaving last.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Leia said, looking toward Luke.

Luke simply nodded.  He was thinking the very same thing.


Drayos
Twenty-three years in the past

Obi-Wan brought the Queen's starship out of hyperspace as it entered the Drayos System.  After almost a week, they had finally arrived.

Obi-Wan turned to his right to Amidala.  She was now in the co-pilot's seat, helping him fly the ship.

She had woken up over an hour ago but the two barely had spoken to each other.  It had been like this the entire trip.  He sensed that she was deep in thought and in conflict.  However, he couldn't quite get a read into what she was thinking.

He thought it best not to mention about the disruption in the Force he felt.  He would discuss it with Ki-Adi-Mundi first and discover the origins of this great disturbance.  The only thing Obi-Wan could sense was that it might concern him, and Amidala especially.

As the starship approached the planet, they saw four Z-95 Headhunters heading toward them.  They were Mundi's scout ships; here to make sure this is not a deception.

The ships entered formation around the starship.  One of the ships hailed the starship and Obi-Wan opened the comlink.

"Starship," the voice said, "state your identification and purpose."

"This is General Obi-Wan Kenobi.  I am abroad the royal starship of the Queen Amidala of Naboo, who is with me. We are here at the invitation of the Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi."

"Transmit your code to us for verification," the voice said.

Obi-Wan did as he was asked and transmitted the ship identification.  A few seconds later, the pilot of the lead ship again opened his comlink.

"All right, follow us."

Obi-Wan followed the ship as they entered Drayos' atmosphere.  The planet was a multi-environment mix.  The landing platform they were looking for was located in the forest environment up north.

Soon, the old military base lay ahead of them.  Drayos, a planet abandoned years ago by its inhabitants, had served home for this base for many years.  It was abandoned shortly after the Hyperspace Wars.  Now, it was the hideout for a resistance cell made up of Jedi and military officers.

Obi-Wan landed his ship at the bases spaceport and opened the ramp.  He got up from his seat at the same time Amidala did.

"Are you ready?" Obi-Wan asked.

Amidala simply nodded.

The two of them headed for the ramp.  C-3PO and R2-D2, who were bickering as usual, joined them.  The four descended down the ramp and face the crowd in front of them.

There were many different species represented in front of them.  Human, Wookie, Bothans (of which there were several) and others.

But only one stood out the most prominently.  A Cerean, tall and imposing despite his years, stepped forward to Obi-Wan and Amidala.  It didn't take much to know who it was.

Ki-Adi-Mundi.

The Cerean stepped forward to meet them.

"Thanks be the Force that you're still alive," Mundi said, extending his hand. "How are you my friend?"

"As well as can be expected," Obi-Wan said, shaking Mundi's hand.  "I believe you remember the Queen."

Ki-Adi-Mundi turned to his left to face the Queen.  He bowed before her.

"Your Majesty.  Your presence honors us.  If you require anything, we are at your disposal."

"Thank you, Master Ki-Adi-Mundi," Amidala said. "I am quite all right."

Obi-Wan regarded his old friend for a moment.  Ki-Adi-Mundi was considerably old and he looked like he aged about twenty years in the last six months.  Obi-Wan could understand why.

Ki-Adi-Mundi had lost as much as any of them.  He had lost most of his family and friends, his homeworld, and his former apprentice.  Obi-Wan could feel the pain that resonated from the man, as well as the deep sense of loss.  But he could sense something else from Mundi as well.  Determination.  The Jedi Master was determined to go on.  Determined to oppose the Emperor and his New Order.  He would not stop, he would not rest, until he had destroyed the Empire and its tyranny.  He would go on fighting until he breathed his last breath.  He was indeed a determined man, a good one as well.  Obi-Wan knew right there that he and Amidala were in good hands.

"This is a fine set-up you have here, Ki," Obi-Wan said, regarding the base.

"Yes indeed," Ki-Adi said.  "We are low on supplies and still not as large as I would like but we have good people here, willing to do there best to oppose the Empire.  For now, that is enough."

"Hello sir," C-3PO said, coming forward from the background to face Mundi. "I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations, and this is my counterpart R2-D2.  I would be happy to offer my services to your operation."

Mundi regarded the two for a moment before finally answering.

"We could use you two at our communications center, helping to decode Imperial codes.  One of my assistants will show you both the way."

"Oh thank you, sir," C-3PO said. "I will do the..."

R2-D2 beeped something indignantly at Threepio.

"What do you mean, 'stop sucking up'?" Threepio said.  "I'll have you know I was merely offering my services, which is more than I could say for you."

Artoo beeped something back at Threepio.  Obi-Wan could only interpret it as a profanity.

"Don't you talk to me that way you rolling garbage dispenser!" Threepio shot back.  "I should have you..." the droids voice trailed off as they followed Mundi's assistant to the communications center.

"Allow me to introduce you to some of my staff," Mundi said, turning towards a small group of people.  He pointed to one in particular; a tall Bothan dressed in a military uniform.  "This is General Basek Ter'lya, former commander of the Bothan forces and my second-in-command."

"General Kenobi, Queen Amidala," Ter'lya said, stepping forward and bowing. "It is an honor to finally meet you both."

A second figured stepped forward.  She was a female Cerean with long black hair and red eyes.  She had a blaster rifle slung over her shoulder.  Obi-Wan already knew who she was.

"This is Sylvn," Ki-Adi-Mundi said, turning towards her.  "My daughter. My...only remaining family." He added that part quietly, and with great sadness.

"Queen Amidala, General Kenobi," she said, shaking the Queen's hand first and then Kenobi's.  As he shook her hand, Obi-Wan looked closely at the young woman.

Poor girl, Kenobi thought.  He could see the great sadness in her eyes.  She had lost so much as well.  She tried not to show it but the pain was evident in her eyes...and in her heart, Obi-Wan could sense.  Obi-Wan also realized that despite the mask of sadness on her face, she was quite a beautiful young woman.

"Sylvn will show you to your quarters, Your Majesty," Ki-Adi-Mundi said.

Amidala nodded and took off to follow Sylvn.  Before she went, Obi-Wan turned to her and said, "Amidala, is there anything else that I can..."

"No, Obi-Wan," she said, cutting him off. "I am fine."

With that, she turned away and left with Sylvn.

Obi-Wan watched as Amidala left.  She still wasn't talking to him.  Obi-Wan wished he could do more for her but he wasn't sure what.  He just turned back to Ki-Adi-Mundi.

"Come, my friend there is much that we need to discuss," Ki-Adi-Mundi said.

"I agree," Obi-Wan said and the two Jedi walked off to the base.


Coruscant
The Present

Luke and Leia made their way through the crowded Imperial Square.  It was a diverse mix of humans and aliens. They also noticed more Imperial stormtroopers than usual.  It probably had something to do with Vader and the Emperor's plan.

Leia looked around the bustling square.  It had been three years since she had last been on Coruscant.  Back then, she was a member of the Imperial Senate, fighting to keep the last vestiges of democracy alive in the Senate.  Of course, her attempts had failed.  In the Empire, there was no such thing as democracy and freedom.

That last time she had been on Coruscant, she was preparing for a mercy mission on Ralltiir.  It was on that planet that she first learned about the Death Star.  So much had changed since them.  She thought about all that had happened.

Alderaan's destruction, her capture by Vader, her rescue by Luke and Han.

Han...the thought of him pained Leia.  She didn't want to be here.  She wanted to be with Lando and Chewie rescuing Han.  She had to tell the two about her mission and why she couldn't help them.  Lando looked at her skeptically when she told him the nature of the mission she and Luke were on but he wished them the best of luck and promised that he and Chewie would find Han.  They had even acquired the services of an old smuggling buddy of theirs to help them.  Leia would have settle with that.

Leia knew though, that this mission was too important.  Their future, hers and Luke's, were at stake, not to mention the future of the Alliance.  If Mara Jade killed their mother, all hope for the future would be lost.  Leia would not allow that to happen, no matter what.

Leia continued her journey through Imperial Square with Luke, with the streets becoming increasingly crowded.  The two held hands so they wouldn't lose each other.

"Can you see them?" Luke said, raising his voice against the noise.

"Not yet," Leia responded, looking around.  "They have to be...wait, there they are!"

Luke looked straight ahead and saw Wes Jakked, in Imperial uniform, next to the cloaked figure of an individual.  The other members of his team joined him.  Luke and Leia made their ways toward the group.

"'Bout time," Jakked said, as the two reached him.  He turned to the cloaked figure.

"This is Nin Dinub from the Coruscant resistance.  He knows the underground passages well and he can get us into this section."

Nin Dinub removed his hood.  The small Sulluestan said something in his native language.

"What did he say?" Luke asked.

"He said to follow him," Jakked answered.  They all turned to follow Nin Dinub. A few moments later, a voice called out to them from behind.

"Halt!"

The group turned around to face the voice.  Before them were five Imperial stormtroopers, weapons in hand.  The order had come from the lead stormtrooper.

"You people seem to be in quite a hurry," the stormtrooper said in a harsh voice. "I want to know why."

Some nervous glances were exchanged in the group.  Finally, Luke stepped forward.  He was in deep concentration as he addressed the guard.

"We are civil servants of the Empire.  We are on our way to our jobs.  We must be allowed to get to them," Luke said with a wave of his hand.

The stormtrooper paused for a moment, saying nothing.  Finally, he turned around to address his troops.

"They are civil servants of the Empire.  They are on their way to their jobs.  They must be allowed to get to return to them."

"We may go," Luke said with another wave of the hand.

"You may go," the stormtrooper said.

Luke and the others departed from their positions.  They resumed their following of Nin Dinub.  Leia and the commando team had dumbfounded looks on their face as they looked at Luke.

"What the hell did you just do?" Jakked asked.

Luke smiled at the man as he considered the words of his first teacher, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded," he answered.

Jakked shook his head, looking surprised. "All right," Jakked said. "I'm not going to complain about it."

The group continued to follow the Sulluestan as they made their way through the alleyways of Imperial Square.  The alleyways were filthy and rundown.  Numerous beggars lined them, some asking for money.  Others asked for food.  Even without the Force, Luke could sense the despair of these people.  He wished he could help them but there was little that he could do.

They walked for some time until they reached a dead end.  Nin Dunub walked toward a sewer lid and lifted it up.  He said something in his native language to Jakked.

"Nin Dinub said this is the trail that leads to the Section," Jakked said.

"Coruscant resistance has located the Section?" Luke said.

"Yes, they've known about it for some time.  Nin Dinub will know how to get us in.  It won't be too bad.

"I'm surprised that the Empire doesn't have better security for this section considering what they have stored here."

"Imperial security is strong here," Jakked said.  "But their security for the sewers is terrible.  They don't consider the danger it presents.  They don't even believe there is a resistance cell on Coruscant because it is the Empire's capital world.  That arrogance has caused their security to lapse in some areas.  We have to follow Nin Dinub.  He will show us the way to the section.  He knows how to find the hidden passages and search the mazes."

Luke and Leia nodded.  Soon they and the commando team entered the sewers system.  The sewers were a smelly, disgusting mess with a stream of slime and garbage following through it.  Nin Dinub led them through it.

It took three hours for them to get to their destination.  Three hours of hidden passage, twisting mazes, and filthy slime.  Three hours of enduring a terrible smell that made them want to vomit.

They finally reached a small, metal door with an electrical system.  It was locked.

"Micro!" Jakked called out to his group and the man named Micro, the mechanical genius of the team, stepped forward.  He began to work on the system, attempting to open it.

It took a little while but Micro found the right code and the door swung open.  They now were in the section. Luke and Leia stepped forward along with Jakked.

"All right, this is the plan," Jakked said. "We have to find the main laboratory in this section.  It should be located in the middle of this facility."

"Inside this lab will be a time machine," Luke said. "There, myself and Leia will use this to travel back in time to stop the Emperor's plan."

"This won't be easy because this place is heavily guarded," Jakked said.

"But you know the consequences if we fail," Leia added.  "We must succeed."

"You heard Senator Organa," Jakked said.  "Let's go."

The team moved out.  It was time to find this machine.