Mirage of the Midnight Sun

By: Relena Skywalker

Email: leia_skywalker_83@yahoo.com

A Skywalker family fic. Alternate Universe. What if Darth Vader discovered Leia's identity on the Death Star? Just my little speculation. Revised and re-edited for easier (I hope) reading.

Thank you so much for all the reviews…it's been stagnant for so long, I'm having a little difficulty getting back to the story…but I'll do my best.

Humg321 : Of course, the Emperor would. I'll get that soon. :)

I'm not finished formatting the other chapters, but I'll catch on, eventually.


Chapter 16: The Circle is Now Complete II

"That's no moon! It's a space station." Obi-Wan Kenobi exclaimed in alarm as the Millenium Falcon approached a huge, spherical monstrosity, which Luke had understandably mistaken for a moon. The TIE Fighter they were hoping to silence disappeared in its belly.

It couldn't be…horror crossed the former Jedi Master's normally calm countenance. Was there really no end to this nightmare? He barely heard Han Solo object.

"It's too big to be a battle station."

A memory…the confederacy had a secret weapon…only we do not know what it was … our Geonosian spies made certain…plans for a battle station…I highly doubt that, however, we need to investigate further, a mistake in judgement could yield dire consequences…indeed…this war will be over soon, my friend…peace will be restored once more… the voice of the long-deceased Mace Windu came to life.

I was hoping you'd be right, Master Windu…you always were…most of the time…Obi-Wan thought sadly. But not all the time…as was Master Yoda…the dark side clouded everything…Anakin…"I've heard this lesson before!"…Vader…"You do not know the power of the Dark Side." ..Palpatine…"The Jedi were weak.." Were we? No. We understand the value of honor, friendship, and sacrifice. Those were the things that made you strong. Not power. Not greed. Certainly not hatred.

"Go. I'll hold him off. Go. It is not your time to face him again. You have a mission to fulfill. For his wife. For his children…we owe them." Mace Windu gave Qui-Gon Jinn's former padawan a meaningful glance, as they walked to the Temple's hidden hangar. "Get ahead of Vader to Senator Amidala's apartment. You know the rest."

…Anakin…no…Vader and his troops were coming to lay waste to the Jedi Temple, they have secured as many of the younglings as possible, the Council doubted Vader would spare them…little children…whom his former Padawan adored like brothers and sisters…but would receive no mercy from the latter's shadow.

Anakin Skywalker would be incapable of doing such an act of savagery…"We can't end this war by killing half the planet.."….battle of Jabiim.. "Anakin is right."…"We have to help them, Master!"…Oma-dun…"Come on, I'm not about to lose you…" Falleen…

But the innocent, good-hearted little boy…young man… was gone…in his place stood the epitome of absolute evil.. Darth Vader. Dark Sider. Sith Lord. Those were merely memories…not easily forgotten…as reality was unbearable.. unacceptable.

Obi-Wan Kenobi boarded his ship as a violent tremor rocked the Jedi Temple. Mace Windu saw him off. The master negotiator's expression would haunt the younger man for years to come. "May the Force be with you…" a voice full of wisdom spoke in his mind for the last time…"and so with you…"

"I have a very bad feeling about this.." Luke whispered with concern as the Corellian vessel neared the gargantuan battle station.

"Yeah, I think your right. Full reverse! Chewie, lock in the auxiliary power." Han Solo seemed to share the boy's point of view. The Wookiee growled in compliance.

The Falcon shuddered as the engines ignited to full capacity. But it was too late…

"Why are we still moving towards it?" Panic was quite evident in the farm boy's voice this time…the station loomed nearer and nearer…they could almost discern the lights that illuminated it's various sectors. The Imperials seemed to have noticed the smuggling vessel, too. TIE fighters were deployed from the hangar. Escorts to ensure capture. Han Solo struggled for control of the situation to no avail.

"We're caught in a tractor beam! It's pulling us in!"

"But there's gotta be something you can do!" Luke's panic seemed to have melted to desperation.

"There's nothin' I can do about it, kid. I'm in full power. I'm going to have to shut down. But they're not going to get me without a fight!" was the pirate's vehement reply.

At those words the Clone War veteran knew he had to intervene. The last thing they need was an open firefight. Obi-Wan was certain none of them would survive. Force user or not.

"You can't win. But there are alternatives to fighting. " He said simply, placing a hand on the smuggler's shoulder.

As the Millenium Falcon was dragged towards the awesome metal moon, the massive size of the battle station becomes even more staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which the helpless pirate ship was forced to land.

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"I sense something...a presence I haven't felt since... "

Darth Vader barely heard the cacophony of conversations and transmissions caused by the capture of an unidentified vessel along the remains of the Alderaan System. He's here? My Mas--…no. I have no right to call him that after the things I've done. He disappeared at the height of the purges. I thought him dead. But now.."

Anakin Skywalker was lost amidst a sea of emotions. Joy above all. But there was also apprehension, fear, and uncertainty. He felt again like the nine-year-old boy who stood before the Jedi Council many years before. The young man who spilled his feelings to the woman he loved. The warrior who fought to restore peace to the republic and the galaxy…

This was something he was not prepared for. Not at all.

"There's no one on board, sir. According to the log, the crew abandoned ship right after takeoff. It must be a decoy, sir. Several of the escape pods have been jettisoned. " A young officer reported nervously as the Dark Lord entered the hangar presumably to examine the newly-captured ship.

The Sith gave no indication of hearing what has been said, and instead stalked out of the hangar as swiftly as he'd arrived. Leaving a very confused inspection crew.

They must be here to return the stolen plans to the Princess – my daughter. Or perhaps to rescue her. An anomaly to my plans. But that could be fixed. He mused as he strode past the long corridor leading to his temporary chamber. I must warn Jade.

["We have unexpected entanglements. Comrades of the Princess, most probably. Do not harm any of them. Cooperate if possible. This would make the plan even more convincing."]

["I got that. I'll try my best, Master."]

["Be sure you did. Or else…"]

["You'll huff and you'll puff and you'll blow my ship down.."]

When circumstances would not permit any form of normal communication, Darth Vader and Mara Jade resorted to telepathy. It was far more efficient and less dangerous. Except perhaps when the Emperor was concerned. Anakin was glad at some point to have Palpatine's confidence. But not for long. A sudden change in the Dark Lord's Force signature would have alerted the old despot, to some unwelcome changes that took place inside his long time apprentice…

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Light years away, outside a Cloning Facility found in the secluded planet of Byss, amber eyes filled with cold rage stared at the darkened sky.

"You have betrayed me, my friend. And you shall die because of it." The gravelly voice of Emperor Palpatine declared with quiet contempt.

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Next Chapter: Fathers and Sons