A/N: I'm sorry this isn't getting updated as much as it used to…it's the last lil bit of school and my teachers are KILLING ME!
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"What the hell is this?" Han raged at the commanders. "How could you just let her vanish like that? Get every available man looking for her now!"
Like a man possessed, Han Solo paced up and down the battle room. Chewbacca and Vader stood off to the side, watching in silence. "Sir, with Imperial ships spotted in the system, it's going to be difficult to…" The commander started timidly.
"I don't care!" Han yelled. "Find her!"
"Solo." Vader spoke finally, his voice hinting a clear warning. "Use your mind. Think. Don't you dare believe you're the only person here who cares about Leia. Holding off the Emperor is…it's more important." Even Vader had to hold back a tear as his voice choked, and he thought about his daughter.
Han didn't say anything else. Luke stood glowering in a corner, watching Han. "Shut it, Solo. We're all stressed here." He growled. But watching the distraught Corellian, Luke felt his heart softening a little. Just a little. Han knew of Luke's deep hatred for him, but he was so heartbroken he didn't even care.
After three hours, nothing had changed. Han's pacing never stopped, he kept his silent vigil. Finally, he stomped his foot. "That's it. I can't take it anymore. I'm going after her."
"What?"
"You heard me. Come on, Chewie." Han grabbed a radar and went to leave, but Madine stopped him. "Solo, listen to me. We can spare half of our troops in two more hours to go look for her."
"That's not good enough. In two hours she may be dead." Han spat. "Who's coming with me?"
"I am." Luke said. He crossed over to Solo. "Don't think it's because I like you, Solo. But she's my sister, and you'll need all the help you can get. Madine, get out of our way."
"But…"
"Now."
Madine slowly edged out of the way when he saw the look on Luke's face. Luke, Han, and Chewie stormed out of the base. Chewie turned and offered an apologetic roar to the rebels. Vader sighed. "Children these days." And he turned and followed his son.
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Leia moaned softly. Her nose itched. She tried to scratch it, but something bound her hands behind her. She opened her eyes. "Hello, Princess."
"Wedge?" Leia murmured.
"Yes."
She sat up slowly. Her arms were bound behind her back, and her ankles were tied together, but she managed it. She was back in the house where she'd found her father. Wedge sat on a small chair opposite of the house from her. "What happened?" She asked fuzzily.
"It's the end of the war, Princess. That's what it is." Wedge said softly. "I'm doing what I have to do to end this war."
"And what's that? What have you done to me?" Leia asked, her panic level rising.
"In order to end the war I had to…strike a deal with an Imperial."
"What…Imperial?" Leia's heart grew very cold, and she knew in her heart who he was talking about.
"Me." A new voice said, laughing. A voice that haunted Leia's dreams.
Emperor Palpatine stood in the doorway, the sheer image of a demon from hell. "It's been a while, young Skywalker. I have been expecting you. Wedge, leave us."
"But sir…"
"I said, leave us." Palpatine's whisper was more final than any scream, and Wedge slunk silently out of the house.
"What do you want from me?" Leia spat.
"Leia, you must know that neither your father nor your brother concern me anymore." Palpatine said. He sat down opposite her. "They are considered enemies of the Empire, and when found, will be dealt with as such. It's you that concerns me now. Join me, Leia, and I will spare them the pain of a slow death. I will make sure that their end will be swift and painless."
"You've always hated me." Leia hissed. "What's with the sudden interest in me now?"
"Think about it, girl! Vader always kept you from me because he knew of your potential if the darkness in you was awoken. He feared you would overthrow him, that's why he was going to choose Luke as his apprentice. He knows that Luke can be bent to his will, but you've proven to be headstrong and stubborn."
Tears stung Leia's eyes. "You're lying."
"Embrace the dark side. Let it fill you, pulse through you. I'm giving you a choice: embrace the power of the dark side, or embrace your own destruction."
Leia looked up at him slowly. She felt the evil that radiated off of him, and it nearly overwhelmed her. But then her father's words came to her mind.
Leia, never let your fear take control of you. It will destroy you.
She thought, I don't believe him. I'm stronger than this. Filled with a sudden calm, she said grimly, "Kill me now, Palpatine, because I will never bow to you."
Palpatine drew himself up, and encouraged, Leia continued. "And neither will the rest of my family."
Rage etched Palpatine's face as he stood up, towering over Leia. "Then so be it, Skywalker. If you will not, then you will meet your destiny."
White hot blue bolts of lightning shot out of Palpatine's fingertips, and hurtled into Leia's body. Leia screamed in agony, unable to move because of her bindings. The bolts increased in intensity, until she fell into unconsciousness. Palpatine stood triumphant over her still form, and signaled on his commlink. "Get ready. Her family will be coming. Before the suns of this planet set, we will wipe out the Skywalkers."
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Once outside the hut, Wedge Antilles broke out into a heavy sweat. What have I done? I've betrayed her. He won't keep his promise. The terrified look in her eyes haunted him. Who knows what he'll do to her.
Wedge stopped dead. Wedge Antilles, you are a member of the Rebel Alliance. Your purpose is to save lives, not destroy them. You have probably just destroyed her.
He started to run, as fast as he could back to the rebels. What have I done? I was mislead by my own stupid wants, somehow I've got to make this right. He had to find Vader immediately.
