Title: Tempus Fugit
Author: Knight Wild
Email: R (Implied child abuse)
Spoilers: Uh... haven't really thought. All the Star Wars movies and The Crystal Star by Vonda N. McIntyre.
Spoilers: I do not own any Star Wars people or places. They all belong to the brilliant George Lucas, Lucasfilm, and etc. I make no money off this, it is strictly for entertainment only.
Author's Note: Owen Lars seemed like the type of person who would hurt a child, (you know, rage-filled and ready to explode?) so this idea just sort of came to me.
"Uh," Han Solo groaned as the comm unit went off. "It's... who could be calling so late?"
Actually, it didn't sound anything like that, as he was talking into his pillow.
Somehow, Leia understood anyway. "I don't know. I hope nothing's wrong."
She hit the comm unit. "Yes?"
"Chief of State Organa Solo?" the voice was unfamiliar.
Leia pulled her robe tighter as she fought off a chill. "Yes, this is Leia Organa Solo."
There was a pause, then the voice spoke again.
"I am Taneel Dhan, prime minister of-"
"Oh yes, of Optheria. My brother..." Leia trailed off as her thoughts crashed together. "Is something wrong?"
Taneel paused, and Leia's heart turned to ice.
"Yes, there is a problem... with your brother. It would probably be good if you came out as soon as possible."
"Is he hurt? What's wrong with him?" Leia cried. Oh, Luke.
"I would rather not discuss this over the comm, madam. Please... just come without delay."
Leia agreed, and without hardly realizing what she was doing, reached out and switched off the comm unit numbly.
Han was now wide awake, sitting straight up in bed.
"What happened?"
"I don't know." Leia said, her eyes tearing.
"I'll go power up the Falcon."
It took awhile, actually, as Leia had to get Jacen and Jaina, the five-year-old twins, and three-and-half-year-old Anakin ready.
But she actually did it in record time. It just seemed to take forever as she knew the possibility that something might be wrong with Luke.
She was hustling them onto the Falcon, when Jaina looked up at her with her brown eyes wide. "What's going on Mama? Where are we going?"
"We're going to visit Uncle Luke." Leia said, her voice falsely cheery.
Jaina nodded slowly.
Anakin, who was in Leia's arms, stirred, his blue eyes sleepy but aware. "Then why are you scared, Mama?"
She stopped, halfway up the landing ramp. She was so frightened and worried that her children could sense it?
Jacen grabbed her hand. "Nothing's wrong with Uncle Luke, is there?"
"No-no. We're just going to see him. Now let's go get you settled in." Leia said, trying to fight back the rampaging demon called panic in her chest.
Her protocol droid, C-3PO, waddled over. "Here Mistress Leia, allow me to take Master Anakin."
Leia felt like resisting; she felt like holding him tight. But the sooner they were all buckled in, the sooner they could be on their way.
To Optheria, to find out what had happened to her brother.
It was a beautiful planet, Leia thought vaguely. Too bad that some awful might've happened to her brother...
Han glanced over at her. "Have you tried to reach Luke?"
She was silent.
"Leia?"
"I'm afraid to," she whispered. "I'm afraid of what I'll sense."
"Sweetheart, you'll just worry until we land unless you do."
She nodded and swallowing hard, she stretched out with the Force, trying to touch her brother's mind.
She gasped.
"What? What is it? Kid okay?" concern was thick in Han's voice. Luke was not only his brother-in-law, but his friend, too.
"He's there, and he doesn't seem to be hurt but..."
She trailed off, obviously uncertain about how to proceed.
"But what?"
"His Force sense. It's altered somehow."
They were met on the landing pad by an optherian who tried to deflect any questions by simply saying Prime Minister Taneel Dhan needed to see them immediately. The optherians were tall creatures, with long, thin bodies and limbs and dusky flesh. They towered over humans, but were very gentle and non-violent, with their large ovoid eyes that glowed silvery-white.
"What is your name?" Han asked impatiently, obviously wanting answers.
"Vaun Kaibar."
"Well, Vaun, why isn't anyone answering our questions about Luke?"
The optherian winced, and his silvery gaze avoided Han's. "I am sorry. The prime minister gave me strict instructions to take you to him without delay and to let him answer your questions."
Han was about to protest when Leia gently touched his arm. "It's all right Han. He's telling the truth. He feels badly that he can't give us any information, but he'd lose his job. Let's just go. The sooner we meet the prime minister, the sooner we can find out what happened to Luke."
Carrying Anakin; Han held Jaina and Jacen's hand, they followed Vaun Kaibar.
The city of Optheria was high-tech, and contained many massive buildings. But it seemed to be a very pleasant place, overall.
Vaun led them to one of the larger buildings, a big one made mainly of durasteel.
"The prime minister's office is on the top floor." he said as he ushered them into the repulsor-lift.
Although their journey had taken only a few minutes; to Leia it had felt like hours and her sense of disquiet grew.
Anakin, his arms around her neck, and who was nearly asleep, murmured. "It'll be okay Mama."
She instinctively hugged him tighter.
The lift doors opened to reveal a closed door, shielded by two guards.
When they saw who it was; they relaxed to admit Vaun to open the door.
"Prime Minister Dhan, may I present Chief of State Leia Organa Solo."
"Thank you Vaun. That will be all."
The prime minister looked nearly identical to Vaun, except for the fact that he was slightly shorter. He was sitting with a young humanoid boy, who was wearing a look of fear and confusion.
"Chief of State Organa Solo. I am sorry we are meeting under these... unfortunate circumstances."
Leia nodded. "I'm sorry Prime Minster, I don't mean to be rude, but what exactly is going on? What has happened to Luke?"
The small boy sitting on the chair, perked up his head.
His blond head. Looking at him carefully, Leia observed the blue eyes, so familiar, and the skin, tanned from harsh sun rays and desert winds.
"No." she breathed.
The prime minister looked at her; obviously at a loss at what to say.
"It can't be Luke."
The little boy with the grave blue eyes finally spoke. "Why does everyone keep talking about me? Where am I? I need to go home or Uncle Owen will be mad at me!"
At those words, Leia finally crumbled.
"How can he be Luke?" she whispered.
"If you'll sit down, for a moment, madam, I will try to explain what happened."
(More Coming Up!)