Author´s notes: The plot-twist starts now. And so we head for planet no. 2. But that´s the next chapter, folks!

Jellyman Squirt – Thanks. I try to write each of my characters as I would respond in the situation given. Palps is a joy to write. You´ll be seeing more of him. Mara/Palpatine? (Mental image appears) Ahh!!! My poor innocent teenage mind!!! AAAH!!!!!!!

Urazz – I share that option. Read on.

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Chapter V

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My TIE fighter landed in a safe distance from the spot where I picked up Skywalker´s signal. Normally, my missions included and all that came with assassinations – stealth, camouflage, etc., but rarely did I have to track a victim. In fact, I have never tracked one victim to another. This would yet prove interesting.

I quickly made my way through the rough terrain. Although I could sense Skywalker´s presence, I wasn't about to tempt the Force by being complacent once again. One failure was quite enough for today... and for my career as well. If Vader would find out about this... I'd rather not think about it.

In truth, I have watched the man for many years now... not out of any romantic interest, though. As if anyone could feel something for that walking talking toaster. Yep, toaster. I´ve seen him fry his victims... though he prefers to choke them.

Rather, I watch him as an enemy, as a rival. And I knew he has been watching me. I suppose he was never too pleased with the fact that Palpatine had trained someone else in the art of the Dark Side. If he would find out about this... I can see it now.

"A failure, isn't it, Jade?" he would jeer, "The Emperor surely wasn't too pleased. Considering the training you've been given, you should be able to do better. And you consider yourself worthy of the gift of the Force... such incompetence is the reason why the Jedi have not foreseen their doom."

As much as I hate to admit it... he would be right. I was downright depressed by the situation. I could only hope that once Skywalker and his Master are dead, the Emperor's anger would diminish. My work is my life and my life is my work. I have no idea what I would do if something would change that.

'Get philosophical once the job's done, Jade.' I told myself, snapping out of my hyperactive imagination. I found Skywalker´s X-wing without much trouble – it was hidden, but not well enough for an Imperial agent to miss. The Sand People probably wouldn't spot it, though. Not that I'm surprised – Skywalker´s records say he grew up on this rock. I could almost pity the farmboy. Almost being the keyword.

No astromech droid, no high-quality security. I sliced the system without any problems. After overcoming (partially, anyway) the temptation of planting a thermal detonator into his ship (one that would activate the minute he would start the engines... no. I need to find his Master), I checked the logs as to find out where our little Rebel has been for the past few months. Might be some useful information for the Empire. If I could uncover a Rebel Base... ah...

"Wonderful, isn't it, Lord Vader?" I could say, "The Rebel Base in its full 'glory'. I know you have been searching for it for so long. Too bad someone more... resourceful... had more luck."

The luck comment... I knew well there was only the Force, so this little mockery of his own teachings would be very satisfying. I shut down the systems and hopped out of the vessel, crawling under it. I doubted Skywalker´s Force senses were honed well enough to notice electronic devices... and this little homing beacon I was currently planting was highly effective. Similar to the one that led us to the Yavin IV station, just improved. A final click and the faint red light indicated that the beacon was set. And with a victorious smirk, I set out back to my ship.

I have no idea how long I've waited. I constantly kept thinking about the mission. I was going to face a Jedi – a fully trained Jedi Master. I mean, I knew how to fight with a lightsaber and use the Force, but I also knew this would be a challenge. Whenever I used my saber, the only resistance I encountered was blaster fire. The fools. Vibroblades might be quite ancient, but they´re effective. Bet they never heard of cortosis, either. But I was quite happy with the fact that I could complete the job without problems.

I was also wondering who the Jedi in question is. Only a powerful one could have survived the purges. Or he or she was lucky enough to avoid Vader´s attention. Not that that was too hard – who do you think suggested to the Emperor that the fleet should also scan seemingly lifeless barren wastelands for the Rebels? No one knows how long it would have taken them to uncover the Hoth base without my intervention... of that of the Emperor. I was invisible in the Empire and comfortable as such.

Finally, I saw a speeder (or something that seemed like one) in the distance. I took out my electrobioculars... carefully avoiding reflecting the sun... and looked at the thing again. It seemed like one of Jabba´s speeders, from what I saw of his estate. And I clearly saw the people there, too.

There were the two droids, reflecting the suns clearly. The Wookie, Chewbacca. I could see Solo and the Princess, still dressed in Jabba´s outfit for whores (oh, excuse me, "dancers") and another human man. I immediately searched the databank for the face – designation: Lando Calrissian. Ah, so that was the guy who caused Vader´s failure on Bespin. And then there was the person I was looking for. Skywalker.

I quickly bolted behind a large rock and crouched with my back to it. I didn't need eyes to see, or ears to hear. I had the Force.

"I've got to hand it to you, kid, you were pretty good out there." I think that was Solo.

"I had a lot of help. Think nothing of it." Skywalker noted, shrugging the thanks off. So much for heroism.

"No, I'm thinking a lot about it." Solo persisted, "That carbon freeze was the closest thing to dead there is. And it wasn't just sleepin'. It was a big wide awake nothing!" I barely restrained myself from sniggering.

"I'll see you back at the fleet." Skywalker said with a slight chuckle.

"Why don't you leave that crate and come with us?" Solo asked.

"I have a promise I have to keep first... to old friend." Ah, finally. Now, can we drop the suspense and find out who this little friend of yours is?

"Guess I owe you some thanks, too, Lando." Solo said edgily.

"Figured if I left you frozen like that you'd just give me bad luck the rest of my life, so

I might as well get you unfrozen sooner or later." A male voice, which I figured to be Calrissian, noted.

"He means "You're welcome." Organa translated brightly.

"Come on, let's get off this miserable dust ball." Calrissian proposed.

"I'll meet you back at the fleet. You return to the base. I still have to go see someone. I promised to return." Skywalker was saying.

"Why can´t you come with us right away? Is it that important?" Organa wanted to know.

"Trust me, Leia." He retorted, "I gave Master Yoda my word."

The name gave me such a shock that I nearly collapsed. Yoda. Y-O-D-A. I didn't know much about Jedi, or their teachings, but Yoda was legendary.

Consular class Jedi, the eldest member of the late Council, fought in the Clone Wars, defeated Darth Tyranus, my Master´s second apprentice, etc., etc., etc. To say I was stunned was an understatement.

But I recovered fast. I couldn't afford to make a mistake.

"Alright then." Organa said, "Do please hurry, Luke."

"Be safe, Luke." A male voice, which I assumed was Calrissian, added.

"I will. Take care."

A growl and a choking sound, so the Wookie probably hugged Skywalker, almost breaking his bones in the process. Shame that only almost.

After some more farewells, which were so sappy I almost vomited, they finally decided it might be a good idea to leave fast. So, I waited until the Millenium Falcon took off, the X-wing close behind them. My devices had worked – I could clearly hear the crew´s voices, as if I was sitting in Skywalker´s X-wing myself.

"Hurry. The Alliance should be assembled by now." Organa said through the comlink.

"I will."

"Hey, Luke, thanks. Thanks for comin' after me. Now I owe you one." Solo added. The contact was broken after that one, and all I could hear was the beeping of an R2 unit.

"That's right, Artoo. We're going to the Dagobah system." Skywalker said. I counted to ten, calmed myself when the ships disappeared out of sight, then bolted for my TIE. If what I know about Dagobah is true, the darkness is strong there... but whether it is strong enough to help me defeat a legend that literally popped out of nowhere remains to be seen.