Chapter 8

by Saber Girl Leia

I'm very sorry about the 2 month lapse in updates. I had no access for 7 weeks. Blame Comcast.

Master: It's been just under two. I have an explanation above. Again, I apologize.

Stang710: Thanks for the review! Glad you like it. Sorry this took so long.

GMUXMenSoaps: Thanks for the review! Here's the next bit, finally.

Blurb: Thank you so much for your great review! A lot of it is straight from Jedi, I know... In fact I just found that comic book yesterday (July 19th). I didn't get to read it in its entirety, but I did skim that section. Very cool, though I don't think that is how this one is going to end. Though my characters don't always obey me... lol Yes, food for thought is my very favorite banquet! Thanks!

AMAPADME: Thanks for the review! I share your feelings...

LordTarr: Hi! Thanks for the review! She is some random plot twist for us all to despise. Sorry the update took so long...

Cookiemunster: Um, I dunno, I'm really bad with coming up with names... I don't think she'll bother. In fact, as the author, I decree that if she does I will have her locked up ;)

Dragonsdaughter1: Thanks!

Relyan: Sorry the update is so late! Of course Leia's going to try and save him! Palpy, I think, is a crazy old dude and has probably never heard of 'girl power' in his entire life... :D

tensixtythree: Thanks! Sorry about the time lag.

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Devilish blue lightning leaps from Palpatine's fingertips and lances into my brother. He has no chance to ward it off, and falls to the ground almost immediately. He lays there, writhing under the continued onslaught.

His pain is exploding in my head. I am shocked into stillness and my brain will not work...

"Father!" he screams "Father!" The dark lord is on his feet now. Luke still thinks that man will come back to us. I wish my hope of such a thing was not so quickly dying. "Leia!" he croaks, "Father!"

There is little chance that Vader will turn any more; I must do something. "Father, please," I beg, screaming. "He is your only son, and my only brother! Father," I gulp, trying to get the end of my sentence out. "Father, I love you." I'm not sure if it's true or not. But at that moment I try to think of all the reasons I can, and maybe, just maybe, do.

The Emperor laughs and laughs.

It must be no more than seconds before Vader moves again, but it feels like years. The woman behind me begins to stir, and I call the blaster to me and stun her again almost without thinking.

Vader begins to walk, slowly and clumsily, to his master. My heart is in my throat; I know not if nor when he is going to help.

Almost nonchalantly, Palpatine flicks one hand towards his own apprentice, shooting lightning at him, too. Vader deflects it with his remaining hand, which seems to startle the Emperor. But he does not hesitate. "Treacherous apprentice," he says, "I feel your betrayal!"

Vader is weakening, Luke is dying.

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Interlude Seven

Han ran back to the shield generator as fast as he could with his injury. When he got near the clearing, it was clear that a battle was still going on. A group of rebel troops were in a clump around the door of the generator, providing cover and a sort of human shield for Artoo as he attempted to break through the security system and open the door.

They were surrounded by a ring of Imperials, which was in turn being attacked by an outermost loop of Ewoks.

Han joined the Ewoks. He would never have stood a chance trying to break through to his fellow soldiers.

He just hoped what they were doing was working.

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I have to do something. Now.

I have no time for luxuries like thinking, so I don't.

I hurl myself, in a roll, at the Emperor's feet.

It works. I think. He sees me but, unable to torture all three of us at once, at least with that little foreknowledge, shifts one hand from Luke to me. The pain is excruciating! I didn't know such pain existed... even the interrogation was not this bad... I scream, and scream, feeling like my body is being broken down into atoms... But he cannot stop my momentum. I slam full-force into his legs.

And then, the lightning leaves me. The world is a blur, but I can just make out Vader - my father- lifting the diminutive man (if he can be called such) and tossing him down a reactor shaft.

Then he half-collapses against a railing. I try to reach one hand to him, but the effort is too much and it drops back to my side after a moment. I feel Luke take my other hand gently. I turn my head to see that he has crawled over to me as best he could.

He squeezes my hand. I squeeze back.

And then, for a long moment, we all just lie there, exhausted.

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Review please! I will try very much to have the next update be much quicker than this one was.