Dev looked over the instructions on how Nereus was going to get Skywalker to them. He was planning on having an unmarked shuttle pick them up and take them planet side. He nodded in approval. Yes that was the safest bet on how to get Skywalker out with no one the wiser. He glanced down at his hand, he could not remember on how it had become injured.

Firwirrung looked at Dev. "What is the plan?"

Dev replied, "Governor Nereus will have an unmarked shuttle pick us up some time tomorrow afternoon. He will hand over Skywalker then."

Blue Scaled nodded in approval; yes they were going to get their young fully trained jedi soon. He rubbed his claws together.

Dev looked over as he suddenly realized something. Will his masters just throw push him aside with their trails? "Master, you will not just throw me away like this will you?"

Firwirrung answered, making Dev's heart stopped. "Dev how could you question us like this? You have proven yourself more than a few times."

Dev nodded at his reassurance, he knew that he was going to get his fighter droid, but how badly did he really want it? Not badly enough he suddenly thought. He wanted to keep serving his masters this way.

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Padme walked into the apartment. She looked over to see Kay leaning against Anakin; she must've fallen asleep on him Padme thought as she strolled silently up to the couch sitting down beside her husband. She took Anakins free hand into her own.

Padme noted that her husband is probably beating himself up right about now. What to tell Anakin to reassure him, she had no idea what to say. Anakin spoke up.

"Her parents were children of the jedi." Anakin said quietly. She noted that he had turned down his voice modulator so he would not wake Kay up.

Padme looked over startled. This made the whole situation worse for him. She knew that he must have been giving himself the once over by now. "Please Ani, try to put this into respective. The damage had already been done, now you have a chance to fix things even though it will never be the same again."

Anakin thought it over; he knew that Padme was trying her best to help him.

Padme did not mention the part about Nereus handing their son over to the enemy. That is the last thing she needs to be telling him. She wasn't sure if she could stop her husband from going down Nereus's throat. Gaeriel had approached her earlier, after Ari told her what Nereus was planning to do. Padme began to think about the Governor, he has not realized how dangerous his web was starting to get. Padme thought with a bitter laugh. Wait until Anakin finds out about his new little façade.

Anakin glanced at her, "What part do you find funny?" Anakin asked in disbelief.

Padme shook her head, how to tell Anakin without getting himself upset. "Anakin, I am not sure if I should tell you what the governor has up his sleeve now. I am not sure if I could keep you from going down his throat." She added this last part in hoping he will drop the subject. Too late she realized. She noted that Anakin was silent before speaking. That was not a good sign.

"What is he up to now?" Anakin asked, it seemed not to stop where Governor Nereus is concerned; it must be bad if Padme feels that she could not stop him.

Padme squeezed his hand in warning. "Before I say anything, you have to promise me, not to do anything rash." Padme pleaded.

Anakin knew that if his wife was pleading then it was not good. "Ok, I promise not to do anything rash."

Padme took a deep breath, "Nereus has given the Ssi Ruuk 8 hours and he is going to hand Luke over to them." She felt Anakin tense. She squeezed his hand again to keep him in check as he thought.

So that is whom they were going to move through Anakin thought. He felt his wife give his hand another squeeze, hoping he would not do anything foolish. He glanced down at Kay, the new responsibility presented to him. Now he decided to take Kay on as his responsibility and that meant keeping her away from Nereus. Now what to do about Luke? He knew his son was good at handling himself on the other hand things can go wrong.

"Anakin?" Padme asked. Anakin glanced at his wife as she broke his thoughts. "What are we going to do about Kay? She has no where to go that is safe." Padme told him.

Anakin nodded, "I have been thinking about that. I have decided until we repel the Ssi Ruuk, that I am not going to let her out of my sights." Anakin said with finality. Padme knew that is what he would do, but she had to still ask.

"Ok, what about after? She's force sensitive isn't she? Maybe a few training tips or something." Padme said.

"I'm not sure, maybe there is one of her friends who would be willing to take her in after all of this is done." Anakin was not so sure he believed his own words. In truth for some reason he was becoming attached to the young girl.

"Anakin, I can tell what is going on. It is something your masters told you long ago. Not too become attached to the one person you are protecting." Padme reminded her husband. After what they went through, it was a wonder he was not kicked out of the Academy.

Anakin was silent as he thought it over, he knew Padme was right, but it felt like the force was telling him to do this. "I'm pretty sure someone would be willing to take her in. If she lived with us her life would be always in danger because of me. You are most likely in danger because of me." Anakin replied a little too quietly to Padme's liking, she did not like that last part.

"Ani, I have chosen to stay by your side no matter how bad things get. Remember? Our vows of marriage?" Padme pleaded her husband to rethink things.

Anakin was silent before he said anything else. Padme has decided to stay by my side no matter how bad the situation got, but Kay did not. "I will think things over some more. I have been thinking about adopting Kay, but I will leave that decision up to her."

This took Padme off guard; this was the last thing she would hear him say. "You might not get it because of who you are. How would Luke and Leia feel?" Padme warned him.

Anakin knew that already, yes the other part about how Luke and Leia would feel about this was something else entirely. He didn't know how they would feel on the whole situation. "I don't know, maybe this is a bad idea."

Padme thought it over, is it a possibility that Anakin was beginning to act like a father towards the girl? After missing their children grow up, maybe that is why he felt like. On the other hand, it is a possibility he could be doing this just out of guilt. "Are you thinking about doing this out of guilt, or is it because you have begun to act like a father to her?" Padme suddenly threw at him. She wanted to see how he would react to this question. His answer came fast.

"I am beginning to become attached to her, more out of father than guilt" Anakin replied.

Just had she thought, he was feeling a little guilty, he missed being a father on his two children "Ani, promise me you will really think things threw on this." Padme begged, what would Leia and Luke say if they knew what their father was thinking about doing.

"It feels so right." Anakin argued; he suddenly felt Kay begin to stir. "We will finish this conversation later."

Padme took that as his cue that Kay was starting to wake up. "Trust me, I will have plenty more to say later. Promise me you will consult Luke and Leia on this." She said.

"I will, since this also involves them." Anakin told her as much.

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Han and Luke met with Commander Thanas and Nereus, what Han could not understand is why the Governor was so insistent to be here.

"Commander Skywalker, General Solo, is everything going well?" Nereus asked. He did a quick scan on Skywalker, all readings indicated near perfect health. He noted that he had swallowed the six-year-old egg pod. Now he needed to know if the eggs were pliable. He sent a report to his waiting med techs. While he waited he listened to the tactics the three were coming up with.

Commander Skywalker said, "What if you split up our fighters, half and half? That way we could cut loses."

Commander Thanas keyed in Skywalker's request. They watched, as a minimal amount was lost. "Yes, that will work out fine." Thanas said.

Yes Luke thought, that was a good way too handle that situation.

Commander Thanas turned his attention to the Gorvernor, "All our fighters are repaired, and they are just waiting for the order."

Nereus acknowledged, "Excellent Commander." The attack will never come Nereus thought, that is if they held their word. Which he highly doubted it? If they got Skywalker and still attacked, then they would have to come up with a different plan. The problem was he did not expect the alliance ships to cooperate with the Imperial forces if they found out that he handed their Commander over to the enemy.

Fifteen minutes later the report came back on Skywalker, it showed two new lives that were struggling to survive. Well he thought, looks like my plan is going to work out after all. Even just one would be deadly. The cough would come in about 6 - 8 hours from now. By tomorrow night young Skywalker you will be dead. He knew that Skywalker would eventually pass through the landing field.

Han watched Nereus closely as a call came in; he wondered what that was about. He knew he could not trust him after what he did to Kay. He hoped that Padme contacted her relatives by now.

Fifteen minutes later, they all stood up and shook hands; next time they talked it would be directing the battle.

Luke and Han walked out. Han turned to eye Luke, "Tell me what I missed in there?"

Luke eyed his friend, "You mean the compliment Thanas gave me?"

Han raised an eyebrow, "Yes that would put it just about right. Tell me you did not enjoy getting a compliment from an Imperial?"

Luke shook his head, "Trust me Han, I think he is on the verge of defecting over, he thinks like an Imperial more out of habit."

Han thought it over, "Do you trust him? Look me in the eye and tell me you trust him?"

Luke stopped and glanced away, "No Han, I don't think I can trust him quit yet." Luke said with a sly grin.

Han watched as Luke checked a dark alley, he noted that his hand was near his lightsaber. "Expecting trouble Luke?" Han asked.

Luke replied, "Yes, Gaeriel told me that Nereus is planning to hand me over the Ssi Ruuk."

Han smirked, "How would Anakin feel if he found out?"

That stopped Luke, as he looked Han in the eyes, "I don't think I would be able to stop him from going down Nereus's throat." Luke truthfully told Han.

Han's smirk grew even wider, as he thought about Kay, Padme and Luke. Oh yes the Governor was in for a real shock of his life. Luke suddenly nudged Han, they quickly slipped into some bushes as Nereus and Thanas walked by. There was something in Nereus step, Luke thought. He suddenly drew his conclusion.

"He's beginning to panic." Luke whispered.

Han shot his friend an I don't believe it stare. "Him?"

"It's just starting to set in." Luke said with a look of complete confidence.

Han watched Nereus's retreating back; he's hiding it well. Luke and Han walked back out after the two disappeared into the dark.

"Han, I know what your intentions are for Leia." Han was about to defend himself, "Just don't let her down." Luke finished.

Han sighed in relief. Yes, it was obvious between him and Leia, Luke saw it, he guessed that the rest of her family saw it too. He was surprised that Anakin did not give that little chat that every father had given him so far. Then again, Anakin might not feel the need to. "I won't." Han promised.

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Leia met with Prime Minister Captison and Senator Beldon. Leia noted with some amusement that they were taking a risk, she was quite used to taking when it came to these things. They walked over to an empty speeder, Yeorg climbed into the driver's side, as Beldon sat across from Leia.

"Leia, please be sure to thank Commander Skywalker what he did for my wife. He will know what I am talking about." Beldon said, he wanted to say brother, but someone could be listening in.

Leia nodded, "I will relay the message to him." Yeorg took off, as they began to circle the city.

"We are taking a big chance meeting you like this. There is a rebellion on the planet that is ready to rise, when they heard that Lord Vader defected, they thought this might be their chance to retake Bakura." Yeorg said.

Leia nodded, she knew that he refrained himself from saying Anakin, she could feel it. Something was nagging her in the back of her mind as her hand slide down to her lightsaber.

"Did you want me to talk to the resistance cells, bring them together, give a little talk or something?" Leia asked with sudden interest.

"Yes, we thought that might be most appropriate." Beldon said, he could not help but notice that Leia's hand was covering the butt end of her fathers' old lightsaber.

"Are you expecting trouble?" Beldon added.

Leia shook her head; they knew that she was beginning to train in the Jedi ways. "I'm not sure." She replied truthfully, just out of old habit she glanced over her shoulder. Just as she expected it was Nereus.

Yeorg noticed this too, they were being flagged over, there was nowhere to go and they all knew it as Yeorg pulled over. The three climbed out as Nereus walked up to them. "Princess Leia, I am surprised to see you here." Nereus said with a raise of his eyebrows.

"This is a pleasure drive Governor." Leis said as her hand covered the butt of the lightsaber.

Nereus noticed this action, what she was doing with a lightsaber he could not figure that part out. "Yes, it could've been, but when one goes radio silent, it draws suspicion. Why do you carry a lightsaber?" Nereus asked with curiosity.

Orn and Yeorg smirked, what he forgot a week ago at the dinner, could only get him killed.

Leia smiled, "My secret, if you found, it will get you killed." Drop it Nereus, she thought.

Nereus decided to press a little further. "One cannot hide secrets forever my dear princess."

Yeorg snorted when he heard this, Nereus really got confused. If only he knew, Yeorg thought.

"What is so funny Prime Minister? Place Leia Organa, Yeorg Captison and Orn Beldon under arrest." He commanded his guards.

Leia drew her lightsaber, a red blade shot out and she aimed it at Nereus. "All of you stay back, or we will see how the daughter of Vader pulls out a punishment." Leia yelled, to this point she didn't care anymore.

Nereus's blood drained from his face as he realized something. This was not good he thought; he was already in deep with Vader about his wife. Now this, so that is why Beldon and Captison were smirking, they knew.

He noticed that one of his guards was aiming his blaster at her. Leia felt her danger sense flare; she quickly turned into the stun bolt and deflected it back at the guard, he slumped to the ground.

"Well I see that your father has been teaching you. I am surprised to see you carry his blade. Does that mean he built a new one?" Nereus asked; he was trying to keep her attention from her noticing that another guard was taking careful aim.

"Yes he did." Leia answered. Yeorg noticed that another guard was closing in on Leia, he went to shout out a warning but Leia already felt the guards intent as she swiftly blocked the bolt and sent another guard slumping to the ground. She smirked, "Anyone else would like to try?" She asked as her gaze landed on the other two guards. She watched as the guards ran into the woods, she turned and smiled. She knew they feared her father, so they were not willing to take the chance of having him be angry with them.

"Well, Governor, I think you know your position in this. I suggest you take your guards cue and start running." Leia said completely amused.

"I think not princess, I have you at a disadvantage, you see I have promised I would hand Commander Skywalker over to the Ssi Ruuk." Nereus smiled.

Leia's face fell as she began to think about her brother, "Yes, I would suggest you start running for the hills. You have promised something that will get my father upset with you even more. You see Governor Luke is my twin brother." Nereus froze when he heard this. "That's right Governor, you have just handed over Vader's only son to the enemy." Leia repeated with grim finality.

Yeorg grinned as he walked over and took up a blaster, and trained it on Nereus. "Well I suggest we go take a little visit to Vader, I think he would be most displeased with you."

Leia was silent. "I don't think that is a good idea Yeorg."

Yeorg was surprised, "Why Leia? Is there something you are not telling me?"

Before Leia had a chance to answer, "Yes indeed there is something she forgot to mention. The only reason she hesitates is because her father is with Kay at this moment is he not?" Nereus said with hands raised over his head.

Leia stiffened, "How did you figure that one out?"

"After your mother asked me about it." Nereus asked with a smug grin, he knew how to get to Kay now; his answer was standing in front of him with a red lightsaber activated.

"I would never betray Kay like this, or my family for that matter." Leia replied Icily, "maybe we should take you somewhere neutral. But rest assured Kay will not attend, you are a prisoner of war and will be treated like one."

Nereus realized that she would not be so easily taken into account, especially since she had the upper hand and she knew it. Yes he thought; there was no way out of this now. He would have to endure Vader's wraith on this one.

Yeorg was startled when he heard the 10-year-old child's name, "You mean that she has been found? There has been an investigation on her parents murder."

Leia glanced at him then turned her gaze back to Nereus, "He's your murderer."

Yeorg put his angry gaze on Nereus, "How could you do that to a 10-year-old- child?"

Nereus replied with a sneer, "She is a Jedi child."

Leia groaned when she heard this. "My father must be giving himself the once over by now." She could not be there to help him though this.

Orn looked over startled at the name of the 10-year-old child, plus he knew that Leia was right. Her father had turned back to the lightside and was now trying to clean up his mess. Orn glanced from Yeorg to Leia, "I know just the place. Leia get a hold of your father and have him meet us there. I am sure he would like to have a few choice words with Nereus here."

Leia nodded as Orn told her the place to go. She was surprised a little by it but then again, it might be a good place after all. She pointed her lightsaber at Nereus, "Get into the speeder Nereus, if I were you, I would not try anything." Her voice was full of warning. Nereus nodded in grim understanding. It was all over for him and he knew it.

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