Chapter 15-Making Friends
The fake Imperial shuttle that housed the team of Rebel commando's, a Wookie, a Sith Lord, a Sith Lords lover, and a Princess that was unknowingly the sister of one Sith Lord and a daughter to another, carefully made its way passed the thick line of Imperial Star Destroyers looking over them. Everyone save Luke and Mara were nervous because if this plan went Sith on them before they reach the planet they would be either blown into space dust or captured to be tortured and then killed later on. "Just do what we practiced Han and all will be fine just stick to everything needed to get us past the Star Destroyers," said Luke calmly as if this was a standard thing for him.
"Easy for you to say Mr. High mighty son of a Sith Lord as well as one, you got the power of the Force and can save yourself while the rest of us get killed outright," said Han only to feel a very pressuring grip on his shoulder and felt the black leather of the gloved hand that put pressure on him.
"Would you rather I kill you take a different approach?" said Darth Vicious sensing Han was in pain from his iron Force enhanced grip.
"Nah...forget I said...anything. Could I have...my shoulder back...before you break it?" said Han wincing ever so slightly at the pain his shoulder was in.
"As you wish," said Darth Vicious using his father's words as if they were his own.
"Remind me to get into that grip later," said Mara who loved it when her lover became his Sith Lord self.
"Remind me to gag when we land," said Leia and Chewie made a comment that made Luke and Mara glare at Wookie to tell him to keep his mouth shut.
(Executor)
Vader walked through the Super Star Destroyer like he normally did when he wasn't meditating or staring out of the star at the Bridge view port. It was then he had a feeling to walk over to the shuttle clearance station as he sensed a slight disturbance that needed his attention. "What is wrong with this shuttle Admiral?" said Vader in a menacing voice.
"Nothing is wrong Lord Vader it's just we have to go through a longer line of clearance with this one, Its transmitting an older code we changed several days ago, but it checks out. I was just about to clear to them to head to the planet," said the Admiral knowing that any attempt to lie to Lord Vader resulted in ones untimely death.
Vader reached out through the Force and sensed his son, daughter, Mara Jade, and the others that he knew of and didn't. 'How are you son?' said Vader to the Force to his son.
'Just find actually though Han is getting nervous as is everyone else on this shuttle except Mara and me,' said Luke back the same way through the connection.
'Han? You mean the former smuggler that joined the Alliance? I see. I sense he has a thing for Leia as she does for him. Are they...?' said Vader curiously.
'Intimate? Kissing, dating, and joining as one at night? No. They didn't take it to that high a level due to them both being stubborn. A trait she got from you I believe,' said Luke thoughtfully through the Force.
'She has her mother's face, but my stubbornness with the fire of both f us in her veins. If only she could wield Force...what a Sith she would have made,' thought Vader somewhat sadly through his mind.
"My Lord?" said the Admiral breaking Darth Vader's concentration.
"Let them pass Admiral I sense nothing amiss from this one," said Vader and he sensed his son smile when he said those words.
"Yes sir," said the Admiral as he gave the clearance to the shuttle to pass.
(Endor-Hours Later)
"All right now that were down here what do we do now?" said Han as they exited the Imperial shuttle in the deep forest.
"Simple my smuggling friend we head to the back door of the bunker and progress from their," said Luke with Mara holding his arm as they gracefully walked through the forest while everyone else walked a safe distance behind them.
"What about the guards and the code sequence to open the blast door and the door itself?" said Leia and Chewie howled in agreement.
"I...uh...took care of that while we were in space" said Luke smiling mischievously at them from the side before giving a wink as they walked through the forest.
"I have a bad feeling about this," said Han as they walked through the forest after the two love birds.
"Join the club," said Leia as she readied her blaster just in case.
After a while of walking Luke and Mara stopped and they saw the most unlikely thing in front of them. It was C3PO, R2D2, and a small escort of Stormtroopers marching through the forest from their hidden position. "Good their here as he said they would," said Luke and Mara nodded as they each drew their Lightsaber and went in opposite directions.
"What?" said Han and Leia almost at the same time as they saw what Luke and Mara did.
Meanwhile some of the Stormtroopers that were the escorts of the two droids wished the taller of the two would shut up. "I simply can't imagine why Darth Vader would send us down to the planet and into the back door of the shield array's bunker R2? It has been bothering m logic circuits for some time," said C3PO who got a few whistled remarks from his shorter counter part.
'For such an intelligent protocol droid he sure is stupid,' thought R2 as he whistled an insult that would have made a Rodian space pirate blush.
"How dare you call me that you poor excuse of a rolling portable trash can as I am no such thing and for you to even say that reflects sourly on your persona. I have half a CPU to tell what you said to me over to my creator that is both our master. Then will see who gets that last bolt in this conversation," said C3PO who shook his head slightly as he still couldn't believe that Darth Vader had created him when the mighty Sith Lord was still a child not noticing that there was a slight rustling in the bushes till his sensors picked it up at the last moment.
Hold up something is here," said the Stormtrooper commander leading the escort only to see a two blur appear from one on each side with one fiery colored Lightsaber and one purple colored one as they moved swiftly cutting through all the Stormtroopers and their commander leaving only the droids...standing. "Hello C3PO. Hello R2. How have you two been in my absence?" said Darth Vicious as he and Mara disengaged their blades while the rest of the team came out of hiding with slightly paled faces at the carnage the two had produced.
"Master Luke it is good to see you again I thought I would never see you again after Yavin 4. When R2 explained that you were Darth Vader's son I nearly shut down and blew through 2 of my 3 memory CPU systems in my skull. In fact the same almost thing happened when he told me you had become a Sith Lord and joined the Empire, but from what I see here the latter is not the case," said C3PO who hit the astromech droid on his domed head for lying to him.
Luke laughed at this as it reminded him before when he was still young, naïve, and more pure ten he was now. "Actually C3PO R2 was correct I have become a Sith Lord and I go by the name of Darth Vicious now," said Darth Vicious making C3PO's head snap back loudly to him in surprise.
What?" said C3PO in disbelief as R2 took out his shock stunner he had in his chest and shocked C3PO in the leg that went through the golden droids body causing him to yelp in what was considered pain for droids.
'Told you,' thought R2 as he whistled it as well making Luke laugh even more as he could tell that what the little droid was saying.
"I take it you two know where the bunker is located?" said Han finally speaking as he walked closer to the droids.
"Oh yes Captain Solo we have been here before four days ago, but I don't see why we have to go back here and under Imperial escort since we didn't last time. Though there were strange reports that came to the Death Star two days ago that were possibly reasons enough for an escort," said C3PO making everyone including Luke frown at this.
"What report C3PO?" said Luke feeling now that something was wrong in forest around them as if they were being watched.
"Oh well the report stated that there are some type of tribe of creatures on this planet and in these very forests and they have been attacking several Stormtrooper squads. All of whom that have gone off that were ordered to scout multiple areas around the bunker as well as other spots of the forest area to further secure the bunker in case of rotations that needed to be made back and fourth between the Death Star and the bunker," said C3PO who received a another shock attack from R2 because he was angry the protocol never told him that.
'Stupid! You outdated piece of garbage! Nice of you to share this information NOW!' thought R2 as he gave several beeps and whistles at the protocol droid.
"If that's the case then we cannot stay here for too long and we better move before any of these creatures come for us," said Darth Vicious who if he wasn't so in need of meeting his time quota would have destroyed C3PO on the spot.
However, just as he finished saying it the creatures that C3PO mentioned sprung from the trees and bushes with spears and crossbows babbling in their own language. "Oh my!" said C3PO as the Rebel squad of commando's surrendered to the small fury creatures who outnumbered them 20:1.
"A slight detour it seems," said Mara silently to Luke who grabbed her hand before she could use it to send some of the creatures back.
"Maybe not Mara. In fact this could work to our advantage better then I hoped. My father when he was Anakin Skywalker saved the race known as Noghri from the Separatists during the Clone Wars. He saw they were experimenting on them and destroying their planets atmosphere in the process. After he fixed the problem with the Separatists back then they were forever loyal to him even when he became Darth Vader. Even more so towards me when they learned he had a son that was me. They pledged to serve the son as they did the father of the man who helped them in their time of need. This could work in a similar manner if we were to talk with them and get them on our side. Who better to help us then the very species that knows every layer of terrain on this planet," said Luke slightly smiling behind his clock.
"Lord Vicious I believe they are known as Ewoks according to my translator program and research room R2's memories of different culture that match what they are speaking.
"Did I mention I have a bad feeling about this?" said Han as he along with the others were bound with vines from trees around their wrists.
"Yes," said Leia slightly annoyed that Han would bring that up again.
Luke was the only one ironically next to Chewie, who refused to be bound by the rope vines since he knew that if his hands were tied he could use his powers requiring his hands. However, Chewie struggled more then Luke causing one of the creatures to throw a spear at their taller looking cousin. This forced Darth Vicious to stretch out his right hand and stop the spear from hitting the Wookie causing the Ewoks to mumble and speak to themselves in their own language. "So much for self restraint," said Mara as Luke broke the spear into with a motion of his hand turning into a fist before letting it drop to the ground.
"No one ever said I had to show restraint all together. Besides I don't want a good friend of mine like Chewie to have a spear in his chest," said Darth Vicious who found himself drawing Force Lightning to his hand causing the Ewoks to step back at his power.
"Perhaps I should talk to them Lord Vicious?" said C3PO though there was a chance that he couldn't speak the language.
"Tell them to release my friends and escort us to their home where we must discuss some important...things. If they refuse...well I hope you all like Ewok meat cooked," said Darth Vicious as his Sith like eyes made several of the Ewoks that he stared into tremble with fear.
"Luke don't these creatures are just trying to survive," said Leia only to find that Luke was now glaring at her to tell her keep her mouth shut.
"C3PO! Start talking or I start roasting!" said Darth Vicious who felt the call as well as the pull of the Dark Side more and more.
"Of...of course...Lord Vicious," said C3PO who didn't want to see the creatures dead, but rather as allies, but one had a hard time to keep the impatience of a Sith Lord at bay.
After some quick talking from C3PO on his part in the closest form of their language, the Ewoks looked at the golden figure before them in awe. They then looked at an even taller robed figure with fire like eyes and lightning in his hand showing that he meant business. Realizing this the army of Ewoks "commander" that was in charge of the small sized, but large group of them spoke and in mere moments everyone of the Rebels were freed. "And who said I don't know diplomacy?" said Darth Vicious smiling as he lowered his hand and stopped the Force Lightning he was creating with it.
"I think...my love that what you just did with the Ewoks would be classified as what I would like to call diplomacy...in force," said Mara smiling at her love.
"It never hurts to get to the heart of the matter my dear especially when time is of the essence for people like us. Since we are few long days away from the bunker I suggest we take refuge with our new soon to be friends and see what happens from their," said Luke giving Mara a much desired kiss that they both enjoyed much to the awes of the Ewoks.
"What an egotistical Sith Lord. He's always showing off and...," said Han who then got a kiss from Leia to shut him up before he would say something stupid.
"Just shut up about him for two seconds for a just a little while and focus on me for once," said Leia who got a very surprised Han to nod his head before she kissed him again.
"I think our love is slowly becoming an infectious disease 'ey Mara?" said Luke as they were now walking with their Ewok escort through the forest and eventually up the trees to the Ewoks tree homes.
"I wouldn't call so much a disease more of a...cure for those acting hearts that try to deny themselves it," said Mara as she and Luke saw Han and Leia kiss one more time before turning away with blushes on their face.
(Death Star-2 Hours Later)
The Emperor that was once known as Darth Sidious sat on his majestic throne where he commanded all within the operation part of the mighty battle station that was gradually being completed. Darth Vader came up behind his master and knelt before him at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the throne. "What is thy bidding my master?" said Lord Vader awaiting the Emperor's orders.
"Move the fleet behind the planet to make it appear that the Death Star is unguarded Lord Vader before you head down to the planet. When the Rebel Fleet arrives and they get close enough I want the fleet to appear and engage them as soon as possible," said the Emperor in a commanding voice a his throne turned around to face his apprentice.
"Yes my master. What of my son on the planets surface? Surely he will want to get here on the Death Star to confront you and me for the throne," said Vader as tried to sound loyal to his so called master.
"When he comes here Lord Vader and I know he will I want him to fight you here for my viewing pleasure and should he beat you I will fight him. I will have your battle with him in this throne room broadcasted to every ship and planet through out the Empire as proof that no one should dare oppose us or our strength," said the Emperor smiling knowing that if all went according to plan he would show the galaxy why he was the Emperor and why he was the one true ruler of the galaxy.
"Yes my master," said Vader who could wait to betray the Emperor when the moment was right and slay him with the help of his son.
(Endor-Nighttime)
It had been a long grueling day for everyone as C3PO with the help of R2 explained the in-depth story behind the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. After the talking and the story telling was done the eldest Ewok spoke to C3PO to tell him what he and the others had agreed to. "It is official we are now part of the tribe," said C3PO and all the Ewoks and some of the Rebels celebrated in the moment.
Luke however, couldn't stand all this celebrating because (1.) he was a Sith Lord (2.) Unless it was a celebration after a major blood bath he couldn't celebrate it. (3.) Finally, Mara was tired and sleeping so he couldn't celebrate with her either. "It won't be long now," said Luke out loud as he stared into the night sky.
"Hey Luke what's wrong?" said Leia walking up to him and for a moment she thought she saw the old Luke that she knew.
"Nothing Leia I've been thinking a lot about things involving my father and my family up till now. Including the discovery of another family member I wish to protect and bring into the fold when the time is right," said Luke whose eyes turned a strange color in the moonlight that was neither the casual blue that Luke possessed or the orangey red that were his Sith eyes, but rather a mix of the two.
"Luke tell me what's wrong?" said Leia as they were now on the bridge that connect from one tree to another.
"Father is here to take me to the Emperor Leia," said Luke getting to the point of the matter as he saw Leia's shocked expression.
"What? Why?" said Leia in disbelief.
"Because it was the plan Leia, always was, and always has been. Father and me are going to fight the Emperor for the thrown and title to rule the Empire. One way or another the Emperor has spent his last days on that battle station," said Darth Vicious as he felt the Dark Side rush through him some more.
"So that is why you left the Empire to join us. You did it to have both sides go at it while you and Vader went at it with the Emperor. Then when the smoke cleared either you or Vader would be on the throne and would control the Empire as you saw fit. You lying Sith Lord bastard!" said Leia her voice rising close to that of a yell.
"I maybe a Sith Lord, but then again you are the daughter of one," said Darth Vicious who got slightly angry at her raising her voice to him.
"What?" said Leia as she backed away in shock.
"You heard me sister. You...are my TWIN sister Leia, which makes you the daughter of the Sith Lord Darth Vader. You are the Princess of the Empire as well as the Princess of late Alderean that was destroyed by the first Death Star," said Darth Vicious his eyes now that of a Sith.
"You lie. I don't have the powers you do and you have no proof that its true," said Leia trying to find some hole in Luke's words.
"Yoda spoke the words to myself and our father right before I killed him. That was the personal truth I spoke of when we were on Cloud City. The reason you can't use the Force is because it was from our mother's side of the family that couldn't use it, which you inherited from her," said Darth Vicious walking closer then ever to Leia making her slightly tremble at his presence.
"No," said Leia as she was half second from collapsing.
"Yes. When this is over father and me are going to change things for the better so that there will be no more Rebel Alliance and the Empire can grow without problems. I see you soon," said Darth Vicious in a whisper before he turned around and walked away.
"Leia! Leia! What's wrong?" said Han who came in moments later wondering what the two were talking.
"Han! Han just hold me," said Leia as she cried knowing that Han was the only one who could hold and love her the way he could.
(Endor-Landing Area)
Darth Vader watched as his son who was in binders was escorted by his Stormtroopers knowing that if his son wanted to he could gut them all without a second thought. "Are you ready son?" said Vader as the troopers left them at the motion of Vader's hand.
"Yes. Let's go kill that old Sith of a fool," said Darth Vicious as the shuttle opened its doors and they both entered knowing this was the beginning...of the end.
(A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and how you enjoyed reading my story so far. I have some things to take care of after I post this chapter. I don't know when I will post another chapter, but it should be either on the weekend or next week when I have free time. Hopefully anyway. So till then tell me what you think and review. Next Chapter: Possibly a space battle laced with Lightsaber fighting and other things too. No promises though.)