Chapter 8

New Republic Shuttle

Wedge and Han had decided to jump to a securer position before Wedge joined Han aboard the Twin Saber. With all the repairs that had been required to get all of the damaged ships where they were able to make a jump to hyperspace or dock with one of the larger ships for the trip it had taken longer than Wedge had thought to get away.

Now as Wedge piloted his shuttle toward the huge ship that Han was aboard he wondered what he would find. Wedge knew how hard it had hit Han when Chewie had died and now his youngest son was dead and his other two children were missing in action. The last Wedge had heard Han and Leia were going out looking for the twins, so what was he doing commanding a small fleet and being called Admiral. Now Wedge was finally getting to take Han up on his hospitality. Wedge was piloting himself since all hands were either asleep or hard at work getting the ships ready for whatever was to come.

If anyone asked Wedge would swear that they were safe with whomever these people were, who had earned Han Solo's trust. Yet, with all the Yuuzhen Vong had done he wondered if anyone could truly take anything at face value without any lingering doubt.

Wedge had ordered a computer search for all the information available on these 'Naboo.' It had come up almost completely empty. What little was found was old and made no sense. Like a very old chart listing. It was of a well-known hyperspace anomaly but it called it the 'Naboo Expanse.' That was the only entry that given any kind of location. Most of what Wedge did know was from the reports of those of his men that were working with the 'Naboo' technicians. They told him of equal numbers of humans and a species that none of them had ever seen the likes of before, called Gunguns. He also had been informed that some of the technology that they were using was living, though quite unlike Vong tech. So Wedge was going to see what he could learn.

Not knowing the temperament of these 'Naboo' as Han had called them. Wedge called Han's ship as soon as he set his course to rendezvous. "Twin Saber, this is General Wedge Antilese on board the New Republic shuttle on approach course. I am requesting permission to dock."

"General, sur welcomes. Admiralsa is 'specting you. Bay doorsa be open. Markers be lit to lead yousa to yoursa landings pad. Wesa hope yousa bomb bad General enjoysa yousa visit." Came the controllers strange reply.

"Thank you, Twin Saber Control." Wedge said shaking his head hoping he had understood correctly. It took a little thought to understand what had been said. From what Wedge had learned he guessed that the controller was a Gungun. Compared to the outside of the Twin Saber the inside was dim but then Wedge realized if it weren't he wouldn't have been able to make out the markers leading him to his landing spot. It surprised Wedge when he didn't pass through a Mag-con field. He found himself wondering how they expected him to get out of the shuttle as he landed.

o O o

Twin Saber

"So who is it we are going to meet?" Nozsae asked trying to keep up with Jacen's slightly longer legs.

"Wedge Antilles, he's a General in the New Republic and an old family friend. He was in the same fighter squadron as Uncle Luke in the Battle of Yavin. That was the first major strike against the Empire." Jacen said with a smile. "He is going to be so surprised learn that I and my siblings are alive."

"Ahh, so that's why you and your father were smirking."

"Yeah, it will probably take a while for everyone to get the message that we aren't dead." Jacen said shaking his head. "I wonder which news will take longer to spread. The supposition that we all three died or the news that none of us did."

"That probably depends how quickly that news gets tied to the news of the Naboo. That and how the Queen's introduction to the Senate pans out." Nozsae said as they entered the airlock.

As they stepped out of the airlock Jacen could see Wedge cautiously stepping out of his ship and looking around at the bubble that was providing them with atmosphere. "Don't worry Wedge it will hold."

"Jacen?" Wedge said spinning around to take in the young man and woman that he had noticed approaching while he had been examining the pressurized bubble that had formed around his shuttle.

"Yeah, the whole clan had us a little reunion on Naboo. Anakin whole and healthy included."

"Welcome aboard, General Antilles." Nozsae said giving a bow.

"Sorry, Wedge let me introduce you to Nozsae Torra a Naboo Jedi Apprentice. Nozsae this is General Wedge Antilles."

"The Naboo have Jedi?" Wedge asked in surprise.

Nozsae smiled. "Yes, we have our own Jedi Order and Temple. The Naboo have always held the Jedi in high acclaim. That was one of the things that placed us at odds with the Emperor."

"Han said something about your Queen being protective of the Jedi?" Wedge said, as the young Jedi led him into the ship.

"That is a very long story but yes Queen Amidala as well as the rest of the royal family are devoted to the Jedi Orders. It doesn't matter whether it is the Naboo or the Outer Orders." Nozsae said with a smile at Jacen. It was all that Jacen could do no to laugh knowing who the 'Royal Family' included.

"How did you meet up with the Naboo Jacen?" Wedge asked.

"I and Jaina were given the coordinates by a clone of a pre-imperial Jedi that had been hiding out in the middle of nowhere since before the Empire fell. His original had been to Naboo long before the Emperor came into power."

"I thought it was impossible to clone a Jedi and end up with a sane clone."

"If the original is dead then the clone doesn't suffer the effects of two basically identical force signatures. So the clone can survive sanity intact." Jacen said opening a door and gesturing for Wedge to enter.

Wedge had managed not to gawk at any of the extravagant sights that they had passed but on seeing the space and decor of the room they had just entered he lost his fight. This room wouldn't have been out of place on a pleasure cruiser but didn't fit with what Wedge had seen this ship do. The room was beautiful and well appointed but something told him that space wasn't wasted.

Han laughed. "The Naboo sure know how to make a big impression don't they Wedge?"

o O o

Yuuzhen'tar

Supreme Overlord Shimmra did not like being surprised. First, one of these strange living ships had foiled an attempt to capture two of the annoying Solos and now a whole fleet of them had appeared in the middle of his victory against the infidel fleet. None of his spies could determine where this new threat came from. It seemed as if they had appeared out of nowhere.

o O o

New Hope

Luke tried to handle the bodyguard situation in a mature and dignified manner but it wasn't easy. He was an adult he didn't need a baby-sitter. He was a Jedi Master not a wet behind the ears apprentice. Yet being a Jedi Master was also one of the reasons why he had to keep his cool.

Closing his eyes Luke spoke again in a more dignified tone. "I suppose that the Queen assigned you to my service?"

"Yes, Master Skywalker," Drew said. "Queen Amidala also assigned my wife to be handmaiden to Mistress Skywalker."

"I wonder how that's going." Luke said picking the pace toward his quarters.

o O o

Twin Saber

Wedge had gathered all the data that his people had collected both of the battle and afterwards as the Naboo helped them with the repairs of their ships. He sent it back to headquarters along with the message that these Naboo were as far as he was concerned, good guys, possibly allies. That they were sending a delegation to Mon Calamari to begin to enter into diplomatic relations. He also told them that Han Solo had been to their home world and they had earned his trust. He also sent an explanation of what had happened to the Naboo.

Wedge hoped that they would accept the Naboo as allies faster than they had the Vong as enemies. If they don't drag their feet then the tide of this war might just change in our favor. But he feared that many more lives would be lost before the politicians would finally come to the same decision that he and his men had after dealing with the Naboo one-on-one. 'At least the Jedi will have the support they so desperately need till then.' Wedge thought.

o O o

New Hope

"Thank you, Mother for bending the rules about the size of a royal entourage in our case." Luke said realizing that he and Mara were stuck with Drew and Eve. In fact they were apparently lucky too only be stuck with one each. "While we're on the subject of bodyguards, I thought Kenan was going to be assigned to your entourage?"

"Luke, I have a troupe of handmaidens and bodyguards, an entire Jedi Order and an Army watching out for my safety. Like you need to know I am safe, I need to know that Jaina has someone with a vested interest in her safety." Amidala said looking her son in the eyes.

Luke blinked in surprise. "'Vested' interest?"

"Luke Anakin Skywalker, your Father was the love of my life and I would have to be as Force-blind as the Vong not to sense the echoes of My Ani in Kenan. Yet, Kenan doesn't seem comfortable around me and I am not sure I am entirely comfortable around him. Nevertheless, I can sense the good in him that Palpitine stole from My Ani. Kenan will not allow anything to hurt Jaina. So will you please stop playing matchmaker."

o O o

Mon Calamari Space

Luke and Mara onboard the Jade Sabre jumped into the secure space around Mon Calamari first to clear the way for the fleet. "This is Mara Jade aboard the Jade Sabre we have incoming friendlies behind us, don't shoot! I repeat incoming good guys, please hold your fire."

The sight that came next had everybody transfixed as over a dozen beautiful glowing ships came out of hyperspace. The ships ranged from the size of the 'Falcon' to the New Hope which was just smaller than a SSD. Compared to the pristine lines of the Naboo vessels the ships assigned to protect Mon Calmari looked like they belonged in a junkyard.

A new voice came over the line, the cultured female voice was one of authority. For those that were able to see the visual part of the transmission it was quite impressive. Standing on the bridge of the ship was Amidala in her finest shimmer silk attire, though she had forgone the traditional makeup. "My name is Queen Amidala of the Naboo. I am here on the behalf of my people. We desire to enter into diplomatic negotiations with the New Republic for mutual defense. I also would be honored to allow any of your officials that so wish a tour of my flagship, the New Hope. At this time part of my fleet is in good faith helping your troops in resisting the Yuuzhen Vong. I was a Senator in the Old Republic and I humbly request an audience before the Senate. We are also willing to discuss trading some of our technology which has proven effective against the Vong in battle."

A long pause ensued then another authoritative voice answered her call. "We would welcome a reasonably sized delegation to discuss the matters that you have brought up. We ask though that your fleet remain where it is at this time. Your request of an audience before the Senate has been passed on to the proper committee." Said the nameless voice.

"Thank you, I look forward to visiting Mon Calamari. We should arrive in an hour. We will need appropriate quarters for a delegation party of ten." Amidala informed the official.

"They will be arranged."

o O o

Mon Calamari

"They have finally agreed to allow Mother to speak before the Senate this session." Luke said accidentally startling Mara.

"Luke! I thought that you were back in the lounge with your mother." Mara said turning to face her husband.

"What made you a think thing like that?" Luke asked.

"Because I just saw the Norghi delegation heading that way and I thought I heard one of the say that 'He is this way.' They were scenting the air and I thought they were looking for you. I guess I misheard, maybe it was Jaina they were tracking." Mara said as she watched all the color drain from Luke's face. "Luke? What's wrong?"

"I guess I might as well warn you, they aren't tracking Jaina." Luke said sitting down.

"Then who are they tracking? Luke?"

o O o

Jaina smiled as Mal'barukha the Norghi Senator walked up to her. The Norghi had been friends of her family since before she was born. The only sticky spot was that they thought of them as decedents of Vader, though technically true it was not the way they preferred to be remembered.

"Young Mal'ary'ush," the Senator said with a half bow. "May I please inquire from you the location of Lord Vader?"

Jaina blinked in confusion. "My..."

Before she could say anything else her Grandmother stepped between her and the Senator. "You are a Norghi are you not?"

"Yes," she mewed.

Amidala smiled, she remembered her daughter telling her about a species that called her Lady Vader and had later asked one of her family what they were called. When she had heard the Senator ask about 'Lord' Vader the way they had said it was not sarcastic but respectful. Her hunch had proved true.

Pulling the Senator to the side Amidala spoke quickly. "Lord Vader will return shortly but he does not wish for the public to know who he is. It would make it far harder for him to protect his family, specifically his youngest heir in these trouble some times." Amidala paused before she continued. Locking eyes with the alien senator she continued in her most regal voice. "He is going by the name Kenan and that is how you should address him at least for now."

The Senator gave Amidala a measuring look trying to decide whether this stranger should be believed let alone obeyed.

Jaina having finally recovered the ability to speak stepped up beside Amidala and spoke. "Senator Mal'barukha, please let me introduce you to the Matriarch of my Clan, Mother of the Mal'ary'ush, Queen Amidala of the Naboo."

The Senator blinked in surprise at this and Amidala could almost watch as the Senator came to realize the enormity of what she had just been told. Tilting her head slightly to one side as if seeing her for the first time she took a deep breath. "It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. It will be as you wish. We are at your service and hope that we will be allowed to help protect your family as you said it, 'in these trouble some times.'"

"Thank you, for the offer perhaps we can speak of it after the session in private." Amidala said breathing out a sigh of relief.

"As you wish My Lady." The Senator said with another half bow then turned to leave. As she walked away she spoke in her native tongue to the members in her entourage. "It is past time that we return to protecting those of the Clan Skywalker and Solo. We do not want Our Lord to think we have left off repaying the debt. Khurakh and Barankh return and take your place watching out for Our Lady and her Clan at least while they are on Mon Calamari."

Neither of them spoke as they split of from their delegation and proceeded to watch out for the Naboo delegates.

o O o

Whispers in the halls of the Senate.

'Someone over heard that Lord Vader is here?'

'How could that be?'

'Vader's dead.'

'So his Son says.'

'There are no records of what he looked like under That Mask.'

'He could be anyone.'

'The Emperor had cloning technology.'

'Luke Skywalker was once cloned.'

'He could have been cloned. But by who?'

'They cloned Vader.'

'Married to him she was.'

'They've been hiding him.'

'Now they are back.'

'What are they after?'

'What should we do?'

o O o

Something had changed in the feel of the Force around the Senate since Kenan had left to make sure that the quarters provided for the Naboo delegation were secure and satisfactory. As he walked the halls he felt as if he was being watched. He could see conversations being brought to a halt as he came into sight.

A hushed whisper almost lost under the sounds of the hall reached his ears. "He is one of them. The Naboo."

'This is bad.' Kenan thought to himself picking up the pace.

Coming up to the group he could tell that the disturbance had not escaped their notice. 'Jaina,' Kenan called out through the Force to get her attention. "What happened?" He asked when she met him halfway, only to realize that Amidala had followed.

Amidala reached out and placed her hand on his arm. "I fear that the Norghi accidentally let your secret out."

"MY... secret?" He said his voice trailing off at the end. "You know?"

"I've known. As I said, I knew all I needed to know to trust you... Kenan." Amidala said.

"Lord... Kenan I fear that Lady Amidala is right, the crowds whisper of 'Darth' Vader. In trying to pay our debt we have created a new one. Perhaps the Naboo delegation would be safer waiting in the Norghi chambers until it is time to go before the Senate." Khurakh said as Luke and Mara approached.

"I think that would be the wisest course of action." Mara said looking at Kenan in a new light.

'Something tells me she knew 'HIM'.' Kenan thought at Luke as they started making their way past the wary people.

'Yeah, you could say they had the same boss.' Luke sent back to Kenan.

o O o

Amidala sat listening to the Senators that had been slated to speak before it was her turn to address the Senate. It had been a long time since she had stood before a group like this. It wasn't helping matters that she was getting angrier by the second. It was taking all the will power she had to sit quietly while the Senator before her accused her and all the Jedi of using the same techniques that Palpitine had used. Saying that the Jedi had held back their armies until the New Republic was weakened and desperate and only then acting. Accusing them of trying to conquer the New Republic, instead of thanking them for any help that they could provide.

Taking a deep breath Amidala put to use the Jedi calming techniques that she had learned over the years, then turning her attention fully once more on the Senator who was still in full swing of his diatribe.

"The Jedi must think us stupid if they think we will just swallow this story about how they just happened to find this little world that wants to help us. A world with more Jedi on it than in the whole New Jedi Order, ruled by a Jedi and showing up out of no where. And, who does the leader of said world turn out to be? No less than 'Jedi' Luke Skywalker's supposedly long lost Mother. Yet, they want us to believe that these people are coming to our rescue out of the goodness of their hearts? What is more they expect us to welcome them with open arms as they fly in to the securest part of the New Republic in living ships? And what world is it, Naboo the home world of Palpatine himself. To top this all off we now learn that Darth Vader is hiding among the Naboo delegation."

All eyes turned to Amidala to see her reaction to this accusation. They were surprised at how calm she appeared. Closing her eyes with a pained expression and slowly shaking her head. She stood looking the Senator straight in the face. "Are you done spouting your unsubstantiated accusations just so that you can enjoy the sound of your own voice?" Amidala asked calmly. She was showing nothing but a well-deserved dose of righteous indignation.

The Senator blinked at her trying to figure out a way to get his momentum back.

"If that is all you have to say I believe I am the next speaker." Amidala said as politely as she could.

Not knowing what else to do the young Senator returned to his seat trying to look dignified and sulk at the same time.

Amidala collected her speech and took her place at the podium. She looked down the speech in her hand then out at the crowd. Then letting the hand with the speech in it hang by her side she started talking. "When I left Naboo I had a speech all laid out. Amongst it many lines I had intended to ask that Naboo would allowed to take its place in the New Republic as it once proudly stood in the Old Republic." Amidala said letting the sheets of plasti-film covered in the writing of the hopes she had written flutter to the ground. "I no longer think that you leaders of this New Republic are worthy to preside over my people. Instead I purpose an alliance between the system of Naboo and the New Republic. This alliance is a concession to the fact that we are fighting for our very survival. If that were not the case all that you could hope to get at this time would be a non-aggression treaty." Amidala said taking in the surprised faces of several senators specifically those that had been denouncing the Jedi and the Naboo. 'Yes, now you actually start to think.' Amidala thought to herself, 'So let's give them something to think about.'

"That some of you would hand over the Jedi in some foolish attempt to save your skins, skins that are not worth the life of a single Jedi. Jedi that have willingly risked their lives to save yours more times than can be counted or possibly even known. Jedi that would die to save any one of you and that had a part in giving many of you the freedom to be here in the first place. Even now they continue to fight against unimaginable odds that your freedom won't be taken from you once more. And what do you do to thank them for their blood, sweat and tears?" Amidala paused scanning the assembly before giving them the answer. "You stand here and accuse them of unspeakable acts! Your paranoia won't let you see past your collective noses. You blame the Jedi for how bad things have become but they tried to warn you and you would not listen. So they were left facing the enemy alone and when you finally took notice of the invasion you blame them for not doing more."

Seeing a few senators starting to squirm Amidala realized it was time to turn their attention away from the mistakes made and toward what needed to be done. First, she had to make sure the Jedi had a firm standing. "The Jedi are no longer alone... As of this moment all Jedi are granted the rights of and protection as citizens of Naboo. The Naboo are by nature a peaceful people. That means that as far as it is up to us, we will go out of are way to maintain peace. The Yuuzhen Vong have taken that choice out of all of our hands. All we can do is stand together in opposing them. Divided we will fall! The peoples of Naboo are ready to take their stand beside the peoples of the New Republic. Let us not make the Yuuzhen Vong's job easier than it has to be by fighting among ourselves."

The applause that followed was sporadic at first but considering the at best cold greeting they had received it was encouraging. Amidala thought as she returned to her seat it was up to them now. When the applause had subsided the Chief of State spoke, "I motion that we enter into negotiation with the Naboo Star System." The motion was quickly seconded and carried though far from unanimously but it was better than nothing. A short recess was called, to be followed by closed discussions. Meaning that they politely want to get her and her entourage out of the way so they could discuss the rumors and the proposed alliance.

o O o

"Well that went better than I thought it would going in." Mara said as they reentered the Norghi chambers.

"Yeah, we aren't in the detention center." Jaina said flopping down on one of the couches.

"At least not yet," Kenan said. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault. Things were bad enough with out having to face the Emperor's dirty laundry."

"Kenan, give them time. If they can forgive the Emperor's personal Assassin then they should be able to forgive a clone that had nothing to do with the crimes of the original." Mara said pacing the room. This had brought back to many bad memories for her to take it sitting down.

"Assassin," Kenan said realizing that she had been speaking of herself not Vader.

Mara smiles ferally. "I only failed one mission."

Luke groaned from the corner. "Kinda, remember you did kill my clone."

"And you married her?" Kenan asked in shock about some of his family's history.

"Seemed like the safest thing to do at the time." Luke said as Mara glared at him and Jaina rolled in the background.

"Don't take this wrong but just when were you cloned Kenan and how much of Vader do you remember?" Mara asked.

Kenan started to refuse to answer but he could sense that Padme needed to hear the answer even if she couldn't bring herself to ask. "The last memory was fighting Obi-wan. 'He' was so angry, so full of hatred. The Darkside was blinding 'him'. Even with all the supposed power the Darkside had given 'him' he couldn't save himself from the heat of the lava pit below. As he lay there close to death 'he' called out to... Hoping that she was okay." Kenan couldn't say her name but as he looked up he could see the tears in Padme's eyes and knew that she knew.

o O o

Thank you to all those that have reviewed my story. I hope that you enjoyed this latest chapter. I fully intend to finish this story and I am going to try to complete it before Master Lucas releases his final chapter.