It was a long jump back to the Fleet. I had to stop over on Panna to recharge my life support systems.

Returning to my ship I heard Artoo happily bleeping away, I assumed to another droid until a familiar human laugh stopped me in my tracks.

Dai-Men. Yoda'd been wrong, he was alive. I could feel his presence, warm, vibrant and untroubled - so the others had to be all right too. Relief overwhelmed me. I wasn't alone after all.

It took me a few moments to get myself back under control. Then I wiped my eyes and ducked under my X-Wing's nose and there he was in his brown Jedi robe, sitting on a crate listening intently to Artoo's electronic monologue.

"You can understand him without a translator?"

My Master looked up with a smile. "Not every bleep and whistle but I get the gist. You two have been having adventures."

"You could say that." I agreed ruefully, finding myself a seat on another crate. "We finally got Han back at least." I didn't want to talk about that, there were more important things I needed to say.

"Master, Master Yoda's dead." 'still winning prizes for tact, Skwalker!'

Dai-Men nodded, unsurprised. "I know. He will always be with us."

"That's what Ben said."

My Master spread his hands, eyes glinting amusement. "There you are then, who should know better than Obi-Wan?"

I managed a weak smile in response. "I thought you were dead too." Dai-Men raised his eyebrows in mild surprise and I explained. "Yoda told me I was the last of the Jedi, I thought that meant -" I couldn't finish, I didn't have to.

"I see." Master said pensively. "Perhaps he just meant you were the newest or youngest Jedi. Or...there are other possibilities." he smiled at me. "It's a mistake to take a Master too literally, Luke, our words don't always mean what they seem."

"Tell me about it!" I snorted, remembering Ben. "You knew about my father." it wasn't a question. But he nodded confirmation.

"And didn't tell me." that was an accusation.

"You didn't ask."

I opened my mouth to erupt. First 'point of view' now this! He stopped me with an upraised hand.

"It wasn't my place to second guess Yoda and Obi-Wan. But if you had asked I would have told you the truth."

I let out a breath, there was no point in being angry with Dai-Men. "I knew that. Maybe that's why I couldn't ask." I hadn't been ready to hear the truth.

"I have never lied to one of my Padawans." My Master continued seriously. "Withheld or evaded truths when necessary, but never lied."

A fine line, but I understood. Sometimes it was necessary or wise to withhold information. I'd done it myself, another thing I'd learned from

him. But Ben had lied outright!

"Ben lied to me." I said bluntly, still aggrieved. And I'd believed in him, loved him...I still did of course, but I was finding it difficult to forgive that deception.

"Yes. But with a kind of truth." Master pointed out.

"'From a certain point of view.'" I quoted scornfully.

"Don't judge him too harshly, Luke." Dai-Men chided. "You've never had a student, you don't know the pain of losing one." his eyes went out of focus, remembering. "I nearly lost Jayce to the Dark Side. He was able to turn back before it was too late but - I know how Obi-Wan feels."

Jayce? But Yoda'd said there was no turning back...

"He really does think of Anakin as dead and Vader as a completely different being." Master sighed. "I feel that's a fallacy but it may be all that's kept him sane." then he smiled wryly. "And an Obi-Wan Kenobi running amuck with grief and guilt doesn't bear thinking about."

I remembered the pain, the self blame I'd sensed from Ben. "He said it was his fault."

Dai-Men shook his head. "A teacher always feels responsible for his student's failures." he explained. "But if you're thinking Obi-Wan somehow pushed your father to the Dark Side, no, that's not true. The choice - and the blame - are Anakin's alone."

I'd never really believed Ben's self accusation anyway.

"Master, I can't do what Ben and Yoda want me to do. I can't kill my own father."

He gave me a steady, measuring look calm and un-judgmental. "Then what will you do?"

He would ask that. "I'm not sure." I faltered. "If I could talk to him - there's still good in him, if I could reach it -"

"Obi-Wan tried that twenty-four years ago," Dai-Men pointed out, "and failed."

"I know but -"

"Your father has given you little reason to love him." Master continued dispassionately. "He tortured your sister and your friend. used them as bait to trap you and then cut off your hand."

He'd done all that, and more. I should hate him - or since a Jedi doesn't hate at least accept the necessity of his destruction. Why couldn't I?

"He governs the Imperial Fleet by force of terror. Kills officers who fail or even displease him -"

I interrupted. "There is good in him! I felt it when I touched his mind on Bespin. I feel it now."

Dai-Men smiled. "Then follow your feelings and trust in the Force."

I knew he'd say that sooner or later. And he was right - but it was hard, especially since all my Masters said I was wrong. All but one.

"For what it's worth, I agree with you. I too felt Anakin Skywalker still alive within that black armour." my Master shook his head sadly. "We couldn't reach him through all the layers of guilt and anger but perhaps you -"

I interrupted again. "You felt! You've seen him?"

"A few weeks ago."

"I thought you promised Jayce you wouldn't challenge Vader!" In fact I distinctly remembered Jayce telling me so - and warning me our Master could wiggle his way out of any promise.

"I didn't challenge him." Dai-Men said serenely. "We talked to him."

Talk about your fine lines! Then I felt my Master's familiar mental touch and images poured into my mind: A volcanic planet and a black castle moated with lava. Vader, my father, what he'd said, what he'd done and what Dai-Men had done.

"And the sabre fighting?" I sputtered as my Master released me.

He shrugged. "We had to get his attention."

"Jayce is right, you are nuts!" Fine way to talk to a Jedi Master. But nobody could call walking into Darth Vader's private stronghold a prudent move. "And what's this 'we'?" I demanded. "I didn't see anybody with you."

"My father was with me." he replied quietly.

I was confused. "You said your father was dead."

"So is Obi-Wan."

Oh. Right. "Good point." Death was not necessarily the end. Not for a

Jedi.

Master changed the subject. "You're going to join the fleet?"

I nodded. "Something's brewing, I'm not sure what." Leia hadn't explained.

"The Alliance's final throw I think. Win or lose." Master rose, so did I. "The Emperor is building a new Death Star. They say he's going

himself to inspect the work. My guess is the Alliance plans an ambush."

"That would make sense." I looked up at him. "Can they succeed?"

He smiled. "The future is always uncertain Luke."

I rolled my eyes. "I know, concentrate on the moment. Feel the Living Force." Master just smiled, eyes twinkling, not at all offended. And right, as usual.

"I've got to get back." I told him. "I'm still an Alliance officer, maybe I can help."

"I don't doubt it."

"But - what about my father?"

This time I got a straight answer. "He will come to you." It was a chilling thought. "He wants you badly." Dai-Men warned. "And so does the Emperor."

An even scarier thought. "I'll be careful." I promised.

"Be mindful." He corrected, Master isn't much for being careful. He put a hand on my shoulder, just as Ben had. "And trust your instincts. May the Force be with you." Then he turned to go in a swirl of brown robes.

I called after him. "Master!" And he turned back in the shadow of my X-wing's nose. "Where are you going?"

I couldn't see his smile, but I sensed it. "To Coruscant."

"What!" To the central system of the Empire, the Emperor's own stronghold?

"Don't worry," Master sounded amused. "Palpatine won't be there. Or Vader. They will be waiting for you at Endor."

Yes they would. Endor was a trap deliberately set for me. One I had no choice but to walk into. Oh well, at least I could be a diversion for the Rebel Attack.

"But why?" I pleaded. Why must Dai-Men risk his life on Coruscant when the real confrontation would be at Endor?

"To see to something that needs doing." was the cryptic reply. He added reassuringly, "I won't be alone."

"Jayce?"

"And the others."

That made me feel a little better. Okay, a man who can walk in and out of Darth Vader's fortress unscathed can definitely take care of himself. I'd seen Dai-Men in action, I knew how formidable he was but -

"I don't want to lose you too, Master."

"I'll do my best to see you don't." was the gentle reply.

"May the Force be with you." I said with real fervor, and resignation.

Master bowed slightly, accepting the blessing, turned and was gone.

Time for me to go too. "Come on Artoo, let's get back to the Fleet."