It had been one week since Ben Kenobi had made his dramatic appearance. Luke and Leia had been practicing with sensors nonstop, as Vader still didn't trust them in a practice duel. He had worked hard for almost three hours, and had emerged with a slim practice saber for Leia. Vader had also returned Luke's fallen saber, rescued from a forgotten cranny in the shaft Luke had fallen down. Luke went through a few passes with an inner glow to his blue eyes. "He loves the thought of being a warrior of the Force." Leia mused as she observed her twin going through his routine. "He has a need to stop injustice, to let what he has lived through and seen never happen again. He cares so much I worry that one day he will break his heart." "I think his experiences have made him stronger. He needed to know what true evil and cruelty were before he could effectively fight them." Vader replied. "Still, there are so many regrets." Leia mused. "Yes, and there always are. It was nothing you could have prevented, thought your care for him is noble. He cares for you in much the same way, but nevertheless there are always such hardships, at least to some extent." "Did it have to be this way? Would we have been Luke and Leia, I mean, even been the same people, had we grown up with you, or with both parents?" "It's an interesting question, and at the risk of destroying your illusions, I don't know. Some things would have been the same no matter what, but I find you complete as you are, so the discussion is pointless. To me, almost any change would be negative. Brood no more, it serves no purpose other than to worry you. I want you to try meditation exercise. Come." With that, the conversation ended as it always did when they discussed anything he didn't approve of: quickly, unfinished. That night, Leia left her room. Slipping down through the bowels of the ship, she prayed the medical bay was occupied. To her relief, a lone medic listened to music, and stopped abruptly when she entered. "Princess Vader, I-" "My title." She said flatly. "How is it you know it?" The man gulped. "My rank is equivalent to a bridge officer, so I have access to the information. Unless you prefer something else, your highness?" "that will be fine. What I require is this." She removed a blood collector from the table, and barley winced as she quickly pierced herself. "I require you to run an analysis of this sample. I am not schooled in the equipment's operation, and the information is necessary." She spoke formally to hide her ignorance of the procedure. The medic went to the computer and let his fingers fly across the panel. Leia tried, but couldn't make out more than bits and pieces of what was being done. "This is limited. It requires a clearance code for more." Leia scowled, tempted to order the man to leave her, but afraid she might still need him. "You are not to repeat anything, no matter how odd it may seem, that happens here tonight. as an officer." He shook his head. "I wouldn't , Princess, as a human. I don't betray any one's secrets. I only heal. I don't take sides." Leia gave the man an honest look. He had frank hazel eyes, brown hair, and an angular face. He looked kind, somehow. She smiled. "Thank you." Turning to the terminal, she typed in furiously. She might not know how to work medical testing equipment, but information gathering was one of her specialties, something she'd seen fit to develop after becoming officially active in the Rebellion. In minutes, she was done. It was complicated, and would have been impossible outside the Executor's mainframe and without the codes she had gleaned from over her father's shoulder. "Print it, quickly." she hissed. The medic obeyed. Her hands shook as she clutched the two sheets, one for her, one for the twin too respectful of their father and host to do what she had done. Whether that was a weakness or a virtue, she didn't know, but as she scanned the paper and found the thing she'd craved for twenty years, the name of her mother, it was all worth it. "Wipe the system. You can't know how much help you were this night, but I thank you for it. What is your name?" The man smiled. "I'm Dran. What can I call you, Princess?" She smiled. "It's Leia. Good-bye, Dran. I promise you we will see each other soon." She couldn't help smiling smugly as she entered the room. Not a stir greeted her, and she congratulated herself on success. She hadn't dared to read the reports in the hall, but now that she was safe in her own room, she flicked on the light. "Hello, Leia." Someone said mildly from the darkness. She gasped and spun letting out a wild curse as her father folded his arms and settled, leaning against the wall. "I just went exploring. I was restless." He strode towards her, gripping her arm in a hard grip. She winced and cried out before he loosened her, the unknown injury she had hidden from her brother and father pounding in her flesh. "You're hurt ." He said without emotion. "You told me you were fine." She swept her hand out of his reach and cradled it near her face, rubbing the wound to relieve the pain. Vader grabbed her arm again, and this time he was more careful. He inspected it, turning it over with delicacy. "A bullet hit something hard near you, didn't it? Something metal?" She nodded, biting her lip to keep herself from screaming at him to stop. He was pensive for a moment, still holding her limp hand, when Leia began to feel a sharp change. Suddenly her pain had vanished. She moved her hand in wonder. "What did you- And how?" The shrapnel wound was gone. She stuck her hand out demandingly. "Show me how you did it." She softened her voice. "Please." He chuckled. "You're not content to let anyone else take care of you, even for a moment, are you? You just want to rush off and do it yourself. You fear your vulnerability too much. Healing is a lesson for another day. Speaking of days, how about nights, and children who rush off in secret in the middle of them?" Hastily she changed the subject. "Luke can't heal, can he?" She asked, reaching with the Force. "No. He cannot." "But-" she paused "He can do something I can't, can't he? Something equally important?" "Vader nodded. "Yes. Luke's gift is to teach. He can take a Force sensitive and show them, through the Force, what they are capable of. He will be an excellent master someday, able to help students not only accomplish, but understand how and what they are accomplishing. Why are you frowning?" "if I don't have that gift, doesn't that mean I can never take on an apprentice?" "Of course not! You are capable of being an excellent, worthy master of any student. Luke, however, will be exceptionally gifted." She nodded her head. "Well, that's good to know."Her father advanced another step, and she stepped back and was pressed against the wall. "No more changing the subject. What are you hiding?" Her mouth opened, but it was useless to deny. She held out a small hand, shutting her eyes tightly and presenting the data cards. He snatched them from her hand, and moved gracefully into the light.He read, then looked up at her. "Is this all you desired? I suppose it's a predictable response to the circumstances." Leia thought the term circumstances sounded strange. Circumstances was a word meant for mild, everyday situations, like having missed your transport and had to ride with your friend to work instead, not a synonym for the shattering patchwork of lies and truths they'd been caught in. No word was quite adequate. "In fact," he continued, walking to his computer terminal, "I think you should have access to more, if you wish. Computer, allow Princess Lelian to have all public records of the Jedi, her parents, the galactic senate proceedings in their lifetimes, the clone wars, and the fall of the new republic and rise of the Empire." He turned to his daughter. Her mouth hung open as if unhinged. The computer beeped once, then went black again. "At least your brother had the respect and courtesy to ask me. His password is already coded in. You disappoint me Leia." With that, he went back into his meditation orb, and left his child alone to think in the cold dark room. It had been almost two weeks on the Executor. Luke didn't think you could get claustrophobic on such a huge ship, but as time passed the hallways seemed just a bit smaller than they had the day before. He continued to bounce between lunch with his family and meals in the cafeteria, often joined by Leia. Leia had spent time each evening with her twin pouring over the records Vader had opened for them. One evening during the first week she came stomping into the common room, looking angry. Luke was mid spoonful, and Vader was in his usual wistful watch-you-eat pose. "These records. You falsified them." She said flatly. Luke raised an eyebrow. "Not personally." Vader said with calm relaxation. "You think the Jedi wanted the defection of one of their own publicized? Don't look so surprised Leia, you and Luke worked out that I must have truly been Anakin Skywalker and slayed my brethren after Palpatine assisted me in a change of devotions. It would have been too obvious if Vader had popped up and killed the Jedi just after Anakin died at one of their hands. I'm willing to correct any mistakes in the data." "It's more than that." Luke said. He walked to his sister's side and was scanning the data pad for himself. "These overlap for more than five years." "Some of that is completely false. Some, the motives and person were changed. " "Some?" Leia asked. Vader went to the computer and they followed him. He quickly annihilated some text of Leia's little makeshift time line, moved things, twisted then with an almost bitter rappidness. Luke took the panel as their father prepared to leave the quarters. "But, That would mean..." Luke started. "Two years." Leia breathed. They looked at each other as the door swished closed. The Dark Lord was ashamed of himself. Twenty years had passed, and the events still cut him, like the lava pit's fire, like Amidala's eyes. She had come in the beginning, her body following him as she always had, her will and soul left somewhere behind. For two years after everything they had known had been ripped away, she had watched the man she loved dissolve. She was forgotten now. Not a single court veteran still remembered the ghostly, regal woman. Then she'd been taken. Obi Wan had returned full of vengeance to kidnap a prisoner who had called him to rescue her, to ensure the safety of the galaxy with unborn children. Not content with more than killing the man who was almost his brother, Obi Wan had stolen his Queen. It was then Vader had tracked her back to the only place she felt safe in, the beloved planet she still ruled. He found her almost a year later, and had given her the choice in it's plain black and white simplicity. Join him, fully and willingly this time. Have him, have everything she desired, be the most powerful woman in the galaxy. Or- or die. He didn't want to kill her, didn't ever think he'd have to. He didn't even really want to force her to join him, but he was desperate, and he could see no other way. He needed her. Damn operations and damn equipment, he couldn't breath without knowing she was at his side. What would be the use? The galaxy was empty without that one presence. How could he redeem himself from the trap he was beginning to see he'd fallen into and save a galaxy if he couldn't save himself? And then everything had happened in a wild, wicked blur. The moment's panicked speed was nothing compared to the torture in those next moments. Last words, last pulse of blood through veins he now saw were so pale the blood glowed. More than ever in his life, even after his injuries, he wanted to die. It was all hollow. If he killed millions, if he spared their lives, it meant nothing because now there was no one. Yet the Force would not allow such an autocracy. The chosen one would not die, it was not the destiny it had determined for it's heir. Everyone he had known had betrayed him in their own ways, cutting him right where it hurt him the most and seemingly knowing it. But she had hurt the most. He'd left the body, he couldn't bring himself to bury her. Her own people, who had practically worshipped her, their personal goddess, should rightfully take control now. After all he had done, how dare he defile her body by thinking himself worthy to care for it? He'd considered hating her, for making him do what he did, for betraying him by calling Obi Wan, for all this damn guilt, but he still loved her memory. And she'd given him the twins. Her last, most beautiful gift. Without even knowing it, she'd ensured the death of Palpatine and the return of joy to the galaxy. He would kill Palpatine for himself, for the unknown millions, for his children, but also for the wife that had died for him. For Anakin.In the room Amidala's heir looked at her brother's full blue eyes. "Then we were born his children." "Yes. Her brother whispered. "But Anakin's children as well. He lives, in concert and at war with Vader." "Luke?" She asked, voice shaking. "I'm afraid. I'm losing my will to hate him. I'm losing a part of myself." "Me too." Whispered her brother, and she burrowed a little deeper into his arms.They were a week and a half away from Corouscant. Leia's escape plans were pathetic, fueled by less than her usual rage, and Luke's equally so. They were toying with Luke's X-Wing in what they'd passed of as the special Rebellion sabotage project Leia was on board for. In reality, she was completing her pilots training. Force training went slower, but Leia could lift her lightsaber telekenitically, fuzz very simple minds and diagnose injuries, and Luke was in full control of energy absorption and far better with telekinesis then he had been. They both were beyond excellent at mental communication now. It was as if Luke's call for help and Vader's training had opened the floodgates and set them free of the barriers holding back their calls to each other. As they checked the electronic connections for their speed, Jemmis entered. They waved, and he came towards them. Leia wiped the smudge of grease from handling parts off her nose. Thankfully their clothes were still clean. Luke hopped out and turned to help Leia down. Jemmis was less then 30 yards. away when he was intercepted. Commander Lurst, the most hated officer on the ship and proud of it, cornered the twin's friend. He groaned quietly. Lurst smirked. "Commander, do you recall that there was a vehicle inspection today?" "Yes sir. Everything was in order." "Yes," said Lurst smirking wider. "Except for this." He held up a white-gloved hand. There was nothing noticeable about it at all. "Dust." Lurst supplied. "On your engine. I'll have to have you suitably punished." "But sir..." "But what? You disobeyed my orders, out of spite, clearly knowing what you were doing. I'm afraid I'll have to punish you." He rolled up his sleeve, grabbed Jemmis by his collar and moved to punch him. "Stop." Said Luke. Leia stood at his side now, their face blank. Lurst dropped Jemmis hard, kicking his face and sending him sprawling. "I will not tolerate such impudence from anyone under my command." He snarled. "Oh really?" asked Luke coldly. "Perhaps you're confused. I believe it is us who outrank you. And regardless of status, wrong is still wrong." "Leave him alone." Leia added. "He's a competent officer, why punish him for your own petty frustrations?" Lurst looked like an enraged animal. He laughed, not caring that the personnel who had stopped to watch stepped back in fear. "You? Outrank me? I'll decide what to do with any scum under my command. You two could use a little discipline too." He grabbed a dazed Jemmis once again and punched him hard on the jaw. The twins looked at each other. Without warning Lurst flew against his will and slammed hard into a wall. "You dare criticize us?" Luke asked with anger. A small smile played about Leia's face as Lurst doubled over, clutching his stomach in agony. "Be careful who you reprimand. You don't even deserve your uniform, hurting others who don't deserve it!" Lurst spat, coughing blood. We did too much, let's stop while we still can. Luke warned Leia. "Think about it." He said to the commander as he and his sister grabbed their friend and hauled him out of the room."All right, Jemmis?" Leia asked, her cold voice gone and replaced with concern. Jemmis stared at her, wondering at the metamorphosis. Admiral Piett rounded a corner and stopped at the sight of the Vader children carrying a bleeding crewman . He looked around until he was sure no one else was in the corridor. "Prince? Princess? What in space are you doing?" He asked with shock . Luke looked at the admiral distractedly. Leia, however, had her tongue back in full force. "It was that idiot Lurst. Transfer him to the brig immediately, Admiral." Piett looked unsure. "You have your orders, Piett, unless you'd like to discuss this with our father?" Piett shook his head frantically. "Yes, Prince." And scurried off. Jemmis coughed blood. "Your father?" He asked weakly. No one answered. Jemmis didn't understand where they were leading him. He'd never been in this part of the ship before, it was deep in officer territory, but the twins obviously knew their way. They hauled him into a strange room, and practically shoved him down on a stair-like ledge. He attempted to turn his head to see what the ledge led to, but it hurt too much to try. Luke made an absent gesture, and a medical kit floated to him from a shadow-filled room. Just then, the door slid open. "Uh-oh." Whispered Leia. "He's not going to like this." Luke gave her a look, and she nodded as if she'd heard him say something. She began to bandage Jemmis's cut as the Imperial got a look at the man in the door. He almost fainted."Hello, Father." Luke said nervously. Lord Vader gave him an indecipherable, at least to Jemmis, look. "What," he said dangerously, "exactly is this member of the crew doing in our quarters?" Jemmis was trembling now. "Well," Luke began. Take over here Luke. Leia sent. "Father, It's not our fault. He was being punished by Lurst. You've shown me his records, he wastes lives, he's a problem, he has no room to talk! So, we sort of ordered him brigged. You would have done it yourself, believe me, especially with his arrogance. He'd injured Jemmis, and Luke thought (When had they had a chance to speak? Jemmis wondered.) that we couldn't get away with ordering the droids and full medical staff, orderlies and all who don't have a clue who we are, to care for him without giving them our ranks." Please," Luke asked, Leia giving him a hopeful glance too (Jemmis's mouth was still hanging open) "just let us finish up and take him back to his quarters, we'll be done by dinner." "Please don't be annoyed." Leia begged. Vader shook his head tiredly. "You're adorable when you want something. I'll be on the bridge, but don't dare make a habit of this." He gave Jemmis a glance. "I dare say you've traumatized him enough for a lifetime." With that he left, and Leia gave her brother a quick kiss. "I can't believe he didn't choke us where we stood." "Or saber us clear through." Luke added.Jemmis had finally seemed to recover. "Prince? Princess? FATHER!" He panted. "Explain!" "Well," said Leia, "First let me get you a drink. You're going to need one." She wafted a hand, a glass shakily emerged from a corner cabinet by a high table where the family must have ate. Jemmis starred as the glass came to his hand. Leia stood. "What do you want?" As he unsteadily said he'd like anything stiff, her brother managed the telekinetic concert that was he and his sister's choices. Satisfied, he handed her a rubei biel. "So," Jemmis asked, "Who are you? What are you?" "To the bridge crew, we're Prince and Princess Lucian and Lelian Vader." Leia said with a quick sip. "You mean you're really his- his kids?" He asked. "His force sensitive twins, actually." Luke corrected. "But don't spread it around. Leia is the Emperor's surprise, and it can't be spoiled." She rolled her eyes. "Ever since he told you, you've been taking some perverse pleasure out of this, haven't you?" She accused. Her brother smiled wickedly and shrugged. She turned to Jemmis. "But we're also Commander Skywalker and Princess Leia of Alderan. Rebellion, Jemmis." His eyes went wider. "YOU blew up the death star? And YOU'RE the princess of the Rebellion? There's no way. Were you on a mission or something?" Luke shook his head. "Actually this whole family thing is a shocker. He didn't even know about it. But now were twins and Vader's children, so we'll go with it. What choice do we have? We're well treated and he's given us command, but we're his prisoners. He wants us for the obvious reason, but also because we're too valuable to be used by the Rebellion. Those parlor tricks with the drinks," He said, taking out his light saber, "Lead up to things like this." "Vader has one of those." Said Jemmis, immediately feeling stupid afterwards. "We know." Said Leia dryly, fingering her slim practice saber. "This is too much." Said Jemmis. "We know." The twins chorused. "Let's take you back before dinner, otherwise our Father really will choke us." Luke suggested. "People are too terrified of him to say much, but I never though I hear him called father." said Jemmis with a laugh.Coroscant was nine days away. Jemmis was as friendly as ever but a little overwhelmed. He'd asked them what would happen to them once they reached the capitol. Luke truly didn't know, and he was apprehensive. He now walked with his twin to the bridge. they were in uniform, and carried out a silent conversation so as not to give the crew any information about themselves. He looked down at her and smiled. Her piloting was exemplary now, she could have taken on any TIE pilot she wanted to. They were both learning so fast now. Luke was faster than an eye blink, the force no longer an awkward and revered gift but a natural extension of the body. Leia had become almost a machine. Their new daily regimen, hours of work kicking and punching until the action was a fluid dance, and working the Force until you couldn't lift your finger, much less a weight with your mind, was improving them both. Vader had been considerate. He had not mentioned issues of philosophy since the night when Obi Wan had visited. Perhaps it was his preoccupation over training that kept him from noticing the buzzing in the Force. Leia could feel it whispering around her, promising danger, and set her mouth in a grim line as the door to the command deck whisked open. The sight that greeted them was not pleasant. Lord Vader was effortlessly snapping a man's neck bones. The man was clawing at a hand that was not there. "Now spy," Vader said, voice frozen over. "If you desire a less painful death, perhaps the lives of all who have met you to be sparred, you will" he emphasized with a shake that produced an ominous snap "tell me the name of your employer. How fortunate you were identified before you gave your latest report. It would have been even more painful for you if the information known to this bridge crew was delivered. Who was the Bespin assassin?" The man shook his head, and the pressure was easily doubled. His feet were dangling at least two feet above the ground now, and he nodded in surrender. He was dropped to the floor with a loud plop. "Xizor" the officer whispered through his constricted windpipes. "I work for Xizor. I've been providing information since I was assigned here. What else do you want to know?" The man begged, willing to sell his soul to hold off the choking black hand. "Nothing. Your time is up." With that he grabbed the spy physically by the throat, choked him, and hurled him against the wall. Brutally he kicked the body. The life-force left with a slow solemnity. Vader drank in the emotions of the death, seemingly savoring it. Violently he pushed it into them. It was heady and dark and agonizing and sweet. And to his horror he liked it. No, like was not a word to be applied to these strong feelings, these new passions. He loved it with a ferocity he didn't know he possessed. He craved it. He wanted more, even if he had to kill to get it. Luke started to realize what he was thinking. His stomach turned, he felt his knees weaken. Leia was chalk pale, her mouth opened in a small, breathless o. Together they turned out and left. "Bury that." Vader commanded the terrified officers. Though there hadn't been the slightest change in the twin's expression, (they knew emotional control so well it was subconscious in times like these) he'd known their torrent of emotions himself. The desperation, the panic, the need, the fear, all tied together in a hell that was the depths of the Sith creed, The dark side used a frantic wildness, pure, raw emotion, deepest passion and love and charring ultimate hate, the very things that made them all human. But in humanity there are seeds of evil. The Sith were the first to draw from the emotions of a kill. All other dark Jedi would not touch that forbidden fruit. The Sith drew on fear and anger, introduced the need for the kill. They were the worst kind of narcotic, a drug to the soul, not the body. He took no pleasure in the kill, not like in the beginning. Once it had possessed him, just as once he had not seen his slavery to Palpatine and his darkness. Yet he did not hesitate to do it. It, just like the way he had shown the twins mere moments ago, was something necessary to the whole spectrum of the Force, the whole individual.They did not run. Luke would be damned if he would run from him. Him and himself. He'd taken... pleasure out of that man's death. Yes, he had tried to kill his sister, but the assassin had been human, and those emotions were disgusting. But yet they felt so wonderful. Was this what had trapped his father? Betrayal and the chance at power, at this? No, there had been more, much more, though this way a part of it. He was sure of it. How could his father give him that- that poison?Leia's lips were rimmed with white. We're leaving. She thought to her brother, her highest shields in place. His lip twitched, he said nothing. When? He finally asked. She stopped and looked him straight in the eye. Dawn. we'll free Chewie and Lando first, then steal his personal shuttle. I'll distract him while you get the prisoners down to the doors. I'll meet you there. she finished. His gaze didn't falter. What aren't you telling me, Leia? He asked. She drew a deep breath, though she wasn't having a verbal conversation. I'm going to kill him. She thought softly, mental voice trembling. There was a loud, defining ring in Luke's ears. Kill his? KILL him? Murder their father? Murder his dreams? Leia. He thought desperately. Leia please, I don't think... You don't what? She interrupted him. You don't think he deserves to die? You must not know him, Luke. You must not remember what he did to you. To all of us. You must not see that the hand that held yours only hours ago can also kill without a shred of remorse. Perhaps you didn't hear our mother's cry when he did the same to her. I did. I was only an infant Luke. Do you remember that day? Luke shut his eyes tight. His pain, her scream, the vortex of blackness that had totally taken his father when she was gone. Oh, he remembered that day well. He loved her Leia. Luke pleaded. She didn't respond to his thought. He killed my world, Luke. I poured my soul into Alderan. He tortured me, twice. He hurt Han. He hurt you. Can't you feel how I hate him? Remember our rebellion Luke? Our fight for justice? That's why we must kill him Luke. Damn you for not remembering. He reached out a hand for his sister. Leia, end this, please. He begged her. She backed away, holding firm. You're either with me, or my enemy Skywalker. Don't force me to hurt you. Luke was shocked. She'd never treated him like this. Leia loved him. She would never speak his treasured name with such poison, such venom, such hate, like a curse, like it was his and their fathers and she hated him for it. He'd never heard such pain as when she'd said she would fight him. Slowly he spoke aloud. Whispered, glad they were alone. "Then I'm with you Leia. I'm with you because I love you." At first she nodded, then she began to shake, He caught her in his arms before she collapsed in the deserted hall. "How could he?" she asked between sobs. "Luke, I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. How could he?" Over and over again. "Shhh." He soothed, rocking his sister gently. "Are you ready to go to our quarters?" He asked. She nodded, still buried in his chest. "Leia." He commanded. She looked up. "You must kill him." He whispered, knowing it had to be, regardless of their loss. She nodded and wept again as he carried her to her room.Once there the packing was hasty. Their sabers, uniforms both alliance and Imperial, identity cards, rations. Leia was left the task of devising a way to kill her father. She knew her saber couldn't melt through durasteel, it was only a practice blade. She had no weapon, couldn't use Luke's saber because of Vader's greater experience, there was nothing. Deep in mussing, she came upon a black idea. Surely he would have... She ran to the sparring room, threw open the long door. It was filled with equipment, parts and seekers, everything he would need for his line of work, even... she smiled at the irony. A torture droid, much like the one he had used on her. Sleek and black. she shuddered. The memory of pain almost made her slam the door shut. But carefully she took it out, and flipped it on. "Hover." She commanded, picking up a tool from a work table large enough to be occupied by the Dark Lord's bulk. Carefully she took off the long syringe she knew to contain a lethal poison. She could remember that so clearly. "Princess, comply or I shall be forced to employ this little vial of diothsayne. You do know what diothsayne does, don't you?" A sigh blending into the heavy rhythm of his breath. "Very well. Perhaps you are a bit more open to Force suggested torture..." She bit he lip to keep the cry from coming out. Whoever had claimed that you could not remember pain was dead wrong. She tapped the safety cap to be sure, and dropped the syringe into her pocket. It was poetic justice. The torturer would be tortured. So why wasn't she happy?It was morning. Luke took no joy in that thought. today was the day that the father he loved, had waited for would die. But he loved Leia, who had never hurt him before yesterday, Leia who loved him back, and he wanted that more than anything, for someone, anyone, to return his emotion, and so he would sit by and let it happen. What a coward he was. He cursed himself for ever wishing that his father was still alive.The plan was already in motion. He walked to the detention area and slid in his id card. A light somewhere buzzed, and he was let in . "Good morning Sir." said a confused Jemmis. Luke blinked in surprise. Jemmis must have guard duty today. He thought stupidly. "Luke, what's going on?" He hissed. "I need to take the prisoners in Cell 4 up to my Father. He needs to conduct a bit of interrogation." Luke fabricated. Chewie, the inhabitant of Cell 4, growled something Luke interpreted as "Kid? It's you!" Kid? Prince Lucian Vader hardly felt like a child today. His innocence in the lifetime before Bespin was almost a joke. "You don't understand him, do you?" Jemmis asked with misgiving. "Not in the slightest." Luke lied.Leia was ready. She took a deep breath. There was no turning back. If she weakened, Luke would dissolve. She had to let hate fuel her. It was all she had to carry her through this plan. This murder. She raised the saber and slowly sliced the skin of her left palm. Letting out a scream, she stopped, smelling the odor of her own burnt flesh. It was almost surreal. He would feel his child's pain. And he would come to her.She starred at the cauterized hand. This skin would grow back, but the sight was gruesome. The door flew aside to admit the huge figure. The scream, amplified across the Force, had drawn him immediately. "Please." Leia said, choking back a sob. "I- I cut myself practicing. I can't feel the hand." She lied. He felt guilt. How stupid of him, not to teach her more carefully, spend more time. This was a deadly weapon she had never used before, she might have killed herself. "Let me see." He commanded. She shakily held out her hand, and he bent down to he level to see. She snaked her right hand around his neck for support. It was then that she moved into action. She thrust her syringe into the skin of his neck, holding the cloth appart with her right hand, operating the syringe with her left. He moved to shove her away, having realized what was going on, but she disabled him with a sharp kick, hanging on. "Poison." He said, disappointment heavy. "I might have known." It was absurd, but the accusation in those words hurt her. "This is not personal." She said voice brittle. "This is for the Alliance." He almost laughed at this, having fallen to the floor. She removed the needle as she spoke. Her eyes were clouding with tears she begged he didn't see. "Of course. and so you are crying." Damn him. Damn him for seeing, for bringing these tears. "I-I could have loved you." She said with something almost like accusation. "I almost did." She never would have spoken without the assurance that he was dying. "But you have such power to hurt me." She muttered, almost begging him to forgive her, "And I let my hate keep me strong." "And so it begins. This hate that you and Luke let in. It will control you. Do not depend on it." She stiffened. "What have I to learn from you?" She spun and left. "That the ability to drain harmful substances from the body on a relatively easy Force skill, for one." He informed the empty air. Slowly and surly, he pushed the toxin out of his system. In a draining mindset, he moved on. Luke's mind was easy to enter. He provided a false sensation in the force for Luke to interpret as his death, and deciphered the boy's plans. Ah, his personal shuttle. He almost snickered at their audacity. With a flick of his hand, the ion particles, careening wildly about the core, screamed to a near halt. He knew his ship so well it's every scuff mark, not that he allowed it to have any, was imbeded in his mind. On any other ship, without a clue of the drives location, modification, design and actal feel, it was useless. An engineer had a wide leval of control with the drive's specific capabilities, and in his shuttle he knew them all as no one but him touched it. The particles were almost dead weight now, utterly useless. Bon Voyage children. He thought as he headed to fetch a garrison to come with him to the bay.