Chapter 14-Coming to an Understanding

(A/N: It has come to my attention that in the Star Wars Universe I made a slight error and that Boba Fett did NOT die after ROTJ. To be honest and out of my own stupidity I knew that and I had just forgotten because I read the Dark Empire comic that shows Boba Fett was in fact alive. I would like to say thank you to my anonymous reviewer whose name is too long to pronounce and I'm too lazy to write. In any case I am sure you never thought I would have Fett live though. THAT I'm sure you never saw coming. Anyway before I start ranting on and lose focus here is the next chapter. I'll try to get the next chapter out ASAP, but I can't promise anything so a little help from you guys would be appreciated as I think I'm starting to run a little low on writing gas when it comes to moving this story a long. Can't wait to here from you guys!)

Han had slept most of his time during hyperspace on the Falcon, but when the Captain of the ship did awake to find a newly rejuvenated Sith Lord known as Darth Vicious he reached for the nearest weapon he could find. He was immediately stopped by the Sith Lord through the Force while Leia and Lando tried to explain that Luke had defected back to the Rebellion to defeat his father and the Emperor. "Oh come one Leia you know as well as I do that's a bunch of crap," said Han who had tubes sticking into his arms as they filled him with nutrients as he had been drained of it during the suspended animation.

"Whether you believe it or not Han I don't care, but know that it was me who saved you from your imprisonment as well as killed Jabba," said Luke who had Mara by his side clasping onto shoulder affectionately.

"What about Fett?" said Han and with those words everyone including Mara looked at Luke with curiosity as to what happened to the great Bounty Hunter.

"Oh I let him live," said Luke casually who saw everyone's shock at the Sith Lords words.

"What? Why?" said Leia who like everyone hadn't been told this critical and important piece of information.

"I spared him because he helped me take down Jabba who ordered him to kill me. He refused and I had use of the man as well so he's under my payroll to assist me in a...top secret mission that I know only he can do," said Darth Vicious smiling as everyone was wondering what Luke was talking about.

"Well whatever the reason may be you better hope it doesn't come back to bite you in the ass...Luke," said Han who couldn't really get angry at Luke seeing as the Bounty Hunter and the Hutt were no longer on his case at the moment.

"Indeed and what a nice ass it is," said Mara seductively now nibbling on his ear.

"O-Kay will please someone fill me in on her, who she is, and why is she going all crazy on the kid?" said Han realizing that he had been out for some time that he didn't know who this woman was.

Leia was about to speak when Luke stopped her. "I think I'll introduce her Leia since I know her much more then you do," said Luke who had snaked an arm around Mara's hip.

"Much more I would surmise," said Mara as she felt Luke increase his grip on her hip in an affectionate manner.

"Will someone please tell me before I puke the nutrients out of me that I've been receiving," said Han who could take in the scene of affection the two were displaying and on his ship no less.

"All right Han since you're no fun as it is I would like introduce to you Mara Jade F.K.A. 'The Emperor Hand'," said Luke making Han's eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets.

(A/N: Formerly Known As in case you're wondering)

"What? You brought 'The Emperor's Hand' onboard my ship and what's more you're being...close with her," said Han who wished he had his trusty blaster with him.

"She defected to my side Han since the Emperor's power is waning and she wants to be on the winning side," said Darth Vicious who wised Han would see things positively for a change.

"Your side? Whose side is that Luke or should I say Darth Vicious? The Empire's? The Alliance? As far as I'm concerned kid you are in this for yourself and no matter which side wins you will be the one who loses in the end," said Han as they all heard the beep at the console next to Lando indicating they had arrived at their destination.

"I sincerely doubt that Han. In any case I believe what you say will have little weight in such matters as me saving you removes any weight you had to give in the Alliance," said Luke as he left that part of the ship to relax with Mara right behind him.

(Death Star-The of the Arrival of the Emperor)

The Imperial Shuttle holding the Emperor made its way onto the hanger area that now one of twenty that were now complete on the Death Star. The Royal Guards marched down the shuttle ramp when it lowered as it was their duty first to appear before the Emperor as they had to protect him should an attack happen. Darth Vader walked alone to the shuttle holding the Emperor as a thousand troopers stood at attention for the mighty Emperor as he made his way now down the ramp as Vader was several steps away. As Vader knelt before his master he could sense that the Emperor's body was gradually if not slowly becoming frailer with every passing moment. The Emperor now walked as the Jedi Master Yoda did with his cane at his side as he struggled to walk. If he hadn't the need to keep up the charade of being loyal to the Emperor the Dark Lord of the Sith would have given into the need to kill the old man. However, even if the Emperor never saw the attack coming, Vader couldn't get close enough as the royal guards would have stopped him just long enough for the Emperor to defend himself and strike back. "Rise Lord Vader," said the Emperor calmly and Vader obeyed though it was partly on reflex and habit that he did so.

"The Death Star will be completed on schedule my master," said Vader knowing that this would be true as he ad killed the Admiral in charge for his failures despite the sniveling man's attempts of doubling his efforts to further the construction of the project. However, Vader had recently made it painfully clear to everyone that when you don't do what you say you die for it...at the Admiral's expense.

"I know Vader I know I saw the casket floating past my shuttle on the way here with the Admiral's nearly destroyed body. I also sense you wish to find your son again and bring him to our side. Am I correct?" said the Emperor as the two walked passed the rows of Stormtroopers around them.

"Yes my master," said Vader knowing this was mostly true however, the Emperor didn't know that Vader wanted Luke to be by his side to help him rule...not the Emperor's.

"He has grown strong Lord Vader as he has turned Mara Jade against me by using her love for him against me. He has learned much in his time with both of us as I sensed his Dark Side energy through the Force as it reached it's fullest. He is indeed his father's son. Only together can we insure his loyalty to us and the Empire once more by defeating him and breaking him to our wills," said the Emperor only to have Vader nod as they walked to the throne room.

(Rebel Fleet Flagship-4 days later)

For 2 of the 4 days Luke was training Mara to further expand her knowledge and strength of the Force and teaching her what the Emperor taught him that she didn't know. She had been doing rather well and her abilities had accelerated in their time together since the training began. However, on the 3rd day it was all pleasure as Mara just wanted to "relax" with her favorite Sith Lord and the two spent the whole day together away from the other Rebels on the ship. All of which knew better then to pry into the Sith Lords romantic life and interrupt the "intimacy" between the two. As Lando said it was crazy Sith Lord love and it was something not to be messed with and High Command equally agreed. On the 4th day High Command called a meeting on all the major players in this deadly sabacc game of a war between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire. "With the help on our Bothan Intelligence Network and from what information our...darker contacts have provided the Emperor has been building a new Death Star battle station on the planet Endor. Unlike the last one the shield around it is impenetrable, but it is coming from somewhere on the planets surface. However, it is this crucial factor that the Emperor himself as well as Darth Vader are all on this station overseeing its completion, which we believe is now at the half way point," said Mon Mothma, who looked at everyone around her, but paused at Darth Vicious and Mara Jade that were her "darker contacts" as she called them since they knew about the battle station and only told them a day before their Bothan comrades.

It was then that Darth Vicious rose from his seat with Mara still sitting down, but had a look of sadness in her eyes as she couldn't be up in front of the projection of the Death Star with him. Everyone who was murmuring about sticking it to the Emperor and Darth Vader were silenced realizing that they were in the presence of another Sith Lord who just so happened to be the son of another and was trained by both. "As you already know the Rebel Fleet that has been gathering here is nearly complete in assembling itself and attacking the Death Star soon. However, the Emperor is no fool as to think to leave his newer, bigger, and more powerful battle station alone with just the shield relay from the planets surface. I have trained under the Emperor as well as my father Darth Vader and I can tell you that they are who they are for a reason as they are masters of strategy. While we are thinking one step ahead of normal Imperial's the Emperor and my father have been already thinking 3 if not 4 steps ahead of us. The Emperor did it as the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic to instigate the Clone Wars and my father when he was a Junior General with General Obi-wan Kenobi during the Outer-Rim Sieges as well as many other planets that reside in the galaxy. No doubt the Emperor has a great deal of Imperial Warships constantly at the ready and is probably setting a trap for us when we send this fleet into battle," said Darth Vicious staring from all them to the Holo-projector showing the uncompleted Death Star as his eyes turned from their normal blue to their Sith like orangey red.

"So what do you intend for us to do then all great Sith Lord. From what you've been telling us you make it sound hopeless and we should just abandonee what hope we have," said one Rebel in a pilot uniform in a sarcastic voice.

"I never said there was hope in this mission you third class space pilot. I'm just telling you that when it comes to my father and the Emperor you should expect the unexpected. Mara as well as I knows above all of you in this room what I speak of and now you know it like we do. Mara, Leia, Han, Chewie, and I along with a small, but efficient commando strike force are going in a stolen Imperial Shuttle. It was commandeered by a few well placed agents on one of the planets that transport's supplies and equipment to the Death Star. We have the codes to get past the Imperial Fleet hovering over the Death Star and once we get to the planet's surface...we improvise from their. Once we get the relay down you should be moments away from coming out of hyperspace and ready to fight. Nuff said. If you don't like it you can either leave now or kill yourself I don't care which," said Darth Vicious as he felt he couldn't be in the room anymore as he turned to leave and he nodded to Mara who got up so they left together ignoring the hateful stares they got from them.

(Turbo Lift going down to the 28 floor)

Darth Vicious was angry at the Rebel fools as he couldn't stand being in the same room as them knowing that if his and his father's plans were going to work he would have to move quickly and hope Boba Fett was working as hard as he hoped he would. "Luke its all right we just have to hold out for now," said Mara soothingly who knew that he didn't mind if she called him that since it was a very small list who did.

"I know Mara, but things are starting to move too fast and too soon for me to control at the moment and I need things to do the opposite to a degree that I can have some edge should I get caught in a bind," said Darth Vicious grabbing the wall in the Turbo Lift as his head started to sweat as if he was overcome with extreme heat.

"I know it is demanding my love, but know that if you pull this off you will go down in history as one of the greatest Sith Lords in history. I have seen, felt, and experienced the power that you wield that was once only considered your potential. And now...you are the youngest, strongest, and most powerful Sith Lord that has ever existed and the Emperor knows it or else he wouldn't have sent me to kill you. The moment I saw you training with the Emperor and felt you through my Force sense I have loved you in every moment of time whether I was next to you or on another planet several light years away. You trust me and I trust you and for a Sith Lord to trust anyone is not something one does, but you do and for you to trust and love me as I do you is a sign in itself that everything you have ever wanted will come true," said Mara now standing next to him as she stretch out through the Force and hit the emergency stop on the Turbo Lift to kiss Luke with a passion that was only surpassed by his own as they started taking each others clothes off and started going at it like animals once more.

(Rebel Flagship Hanger Area-6 Hours Later)

Han was busy talking to Lando about taking the Falcon into the battle knowing that since she was originally Lando's ship it was in good hands. Finally after convincing the former Governor and gambler Lando gave in to the former smuggler and scoundrel turned into a General. Of course it was no surprise to some of those in the organization since the Rebel Alliance was currently short on Generals and Han Solo fit the bill as someone who could do wonders as a high ranking General. When all things were set all that remained were Mara Jade and her lover that was Luke Skywalker and was also the great Sith Lord Darth Vicious. When the two arrived Mara's hair was all out of place like she was hit with a stun baton and her face was slightly red and sweaty. Luke was almost unreadable with the Sith robes and hood, but his clothing as well as robes were wrinkled while his face that was showing beyond the hood was just as sweaty if not more. "I take it there is a reason you two are late?" said Han forgetting who he was talking to and received a Force Push from both of them making him go sailing into the shuttles interior and flying into a small weapons container.

"It is not nice to pry into one's love life Han and if you try to do so again I'll shove my Lightsaber down your throat and wait for your organs to explode from the inside," said Darth Vicious knowing his friend had not seen his Lightsaber in action and probably wouldn't want to if it was used on him.

"And I'll help him," said Mara knowing that no one would cross them with threats like that and the means to back them up.

Needless to say everyone on the ship made a mental note to not piss them off and stay on their less then darker side even though that side was only a shade lighter then the other. "I should have stayed Frozen in Carbonite," said Han getting up sluggishly from the steel floor.

(Kamino-2 days earlier)

The stormy planet was home to a race of cloners who though pacifists ironically made clone armies for any species willing and able to make to pay for their services. However, since the 501st came with Boba Fett things were less then glamorous for the long necked, scaly, grey skinned race whose facility was the opposite of the planets weather. When Boba Fett's ship arrived on the docking bay of the facility the head administrator nearly suffered four simultaneous heart attacks from all 3 of his hearts in his chest. However, when Boba Fett told him he was to be heavily paid for the cloners services of the Rebel Alliance they were ecstatic as they could do so much with the type of money they were being paid. It was no surprise really since Boba Fett was ordered to say this by Darth Vicious via encrypted transmission to his ship while the Sith Lord was on the Rebel Flagship.

This way the race of cloners that they wee would begin with the full intent to make a new batch of clones from Fett's DNA that was his 'fathers' as he was the only unaltered clone ever made from before thus the only candidate who could be used for this new army. "Do not worry Boba Fett in the past twenty years we have made it our very business to further the cloning process without the need to constantly hurt the original subject used for extracting the genetic tissue for this process," said the very happy Head Administrator as he explained the process that his 'father' went under in order to help create the clones...and him.

"I take it the process is less then painful these days?" said Boba Fett who removed his helmet as he stared at the alien cloner who nodded politely.

"Oh yes Boba Fett and it's much more efficient then when you were here with your esteemed...'father' of a Bounty Hunter. In fact he wanted you created first before we started the official procedure in making clone from him. In fact Boba when he wasn't practicing, resting, and having genetic material extracted he went to see you as he visited your clone tank to monitor your progress should we have somehow mixed you in with the others. I am glad to say that we took every precaution in helped bringing you into this world Boba and your father was most gracious as well. I can see now why he wanted you to be unaltered and I must you truly are your fathers...son," said the Head Administrator who wasn't one to beat around the bush as some human would say.

"Well my current employer would like to stay anonymous this time within the Rebel Alliance for the utmost secrecy as to not make himself aware to the Emperor. I need you to do all that you did with the clones you used to create an army for the Republic only much faster as I am on a time table and when the aftermath of a blood bath that's about to come these clones will be needed whether it's a win, lose, or draw situation," said Boba Fett.

"Of course Boba Fett we shall begin and after that I shall see to it that you have your old private quarters that you had with your father set up for you when were done," said the Head Administrator.

"Let's do it," said Boba Fett who for the first time in a long time smiled a smile that was neither sinister or filled with evil, but one of happiness that made him feel at him in this place.