Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. It all belongs to George Lucas.
AN: Here's chapter 7! Thanks for all the great reviews everyone!
A Matter of Hope
Chapter 7: Psion's Plan
The Skywalker family stood in front of the holo projector in their home on Andea. Six years had passed, but much had happened. Padme often recalled an ancient Nabooan proverb stating "May you live in interesting times."
She came to soon realize that the proverb was more of a curse rather than a blessing. At forty-six, Padme Skywalker was still very much a beautiful woman. A few strands of silver graced her brown tresses and a few more lines around her eyes were the only real sign that she was even in her forties. It was the same for Anakin. At forty-one, he still looked like he was in his thirties. He was fond of telling Padme that their love and light of the Force kept them young and Padme agreed, though it was a trait among the women in her family to age relatively slow. Luke and Leia were now eighteen. Luke had grown up to be a strong Jedi padawan, who Anakin felt was nearly ready for the trials. While Luke was not as tall as his father, the resemblance between the two was great. Luke wore his sandy blonde hair shaggy, though not quite as long as his father's. Leia had kept up on her training, ensuring that she could fight if she had to. But Leia was deeply involved in the rebellion and politics. She was very beautiful, inheriting her beauty and features from her mother. However, her fiery temper was definitely inherited from her father. Standing between the Skywalker twins was the youngest Skywalker. Larisa was now twelve, nearing thirteen. She was already avidly training to become a Jedi under her father's tutelage, even though Luke had not yet completed his training. Her long, golden blonde hair cascaded down her back in waves and her eyes were a lively green. She shared her mother's petite frame and she was growing and maturing rapidly. A little too rapidly for Anakin's tastes sometimes, as he would be content if she remained his baby girl forever. Artoo whistled at Anakin.
"Okay, open the comm channel," Anakin replied. The holo screen buzzed to life. The remaining members of the council came into view. Master Yoda, Mace Windu, Aayla Secura, Kit Fisto, Obi-Wan and Anakin were all that remained of the council. Master Kuro and Master Swan had been killed by Psion herself. Psion had spend the last six years scouring the galaxy for Anakin and in her ventures, she had encountered them both and killed them both in a duel.
"Good to see you and your family, it is Anakin" Yoda greeted. The ancient master coughed hard. It was not spoken of, but it was well known that Master Yoda's health was fading.
"It's good to see you too masters," Anakin bowed.
"What has your intelligence revealed, master Fisto?" Mace addressed.
"Aayla and I have been tracking the death star activity for some time now. There are rumors that it is seventy-five percent finished, but the weapons may already be operational. This one, however, is said to be protected by a shield, generated from a planet of moon in which it orbits," Kit reported.
"Do we know where?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Originally, I think they were going to operate the shield from the Forest Moon of Endor. But because they have increased the storm trooper patrols on the core planets, Psion decided to go somewhere where she could force labor on creatures to do the work," Kit said.
"The Ewoks were too primitive for her needs, so she abandoned the idea of Endor. We have tacked her to Rori," Aayla said, looking sympathetically at Padme and Anakin.
"As you know, Rori is one of the Nabooan moons and the Gungans mine spice and precious minerals there," Aayla said.
"She's enslaved the Gungans," Padme said.
"I'm afraid so Padme," Kit said gently. Anakin squeezed Padme's hand gently, as Obi-Wan spoke again.
"We must organize a strike to take out the shield if we are to take the death star out," Obi-Wan said.
"I will relay this information to Mon Mothma and we will begin organizing our strike," Mace said.
"Anakin, I think you may need to get a bit closer than you are now. Tatoonie isn't safe with all the bounty hunters. But do you know of anywhere you and your family could take refuge?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin thought for a moment.
"Captain Solo might. I'll contact him later tonight and ask him for his assistance," Anakin replied.
"Very well, it is not safe to stay on this channel much longer. May the Force be with us all," Mace said, as the holo screen went blank.
Han sat, stone faced. His best friend, Lando Calrissian, wore a similar expression. The other players around the table had already folded and looked on, watching as neither man betrayed any emotions.
"Call," Han announced. Lando chuckled and laid down his sabaac hand for all to see.
"Three of a kind Solo, read 'em and weep!" Lando said, as he began scooping the coins in the middle of the table toward him.
"Hold on pal, I got three of a kind too. And they just happen to be in a higher suit than yours," Han said, as he laid his hand down. Lando frowned and shook his head.
"Man, I just can't beat you!" he chuckled.
"Better luck next time," Han replied. Chewy rawled to get his attention.
"Deal me out gentlemen. Chewy says I got a call," Han said, as he left and asked Chewy who it was from.
"From Anakin! Guess it must be pretty important then," Han said, as he followed Chewy to their quarters.
"So, you're saying that the damn empire has built another one of those death stars and it's orbiting your wife's home planet?" Han asked.
"I'm afraid so. Do you know of a place where we could go?" Anakin asked.
"Well, I could bring you here to Cloud City. There's no Imperial presence and my ship passes through here all the time, so it wouldn't arouse suspicion," Han said.
"Can we trust this friend of yours?" Anakin asked.
"Lando used to be a smuggler, but now he's Baron Administrator here in Cloud City. He's got the clout needed to keep your presence a secret and I've known him a long time. I trust him," Han said. Anakin nodded.
"I'll talk to him tonight and then Chewy and I'll leave in the morning. We should be there in about six days," Han said.
"Thanks Han, I really appreciate this," Anakin replied.
"Don't mention it, I'll see ya then," Han said, as his transmission ended. Anakin sighed and felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist from behind. Anakin smiled and pulled her into his arms.
"Did Han know of a place?" Padme asked.
"His friend on Cloud City is the Baron Administrator. Han trusts him and there's no Imperial presence. Han should be here in about six days.
"I'm so worried Ani. What if...what if they use the death star on Naboo?" Padme asked. Anakin kissed her softly and caressed her cheek.
"I promise I'll do everything in my power to keep that from happening angel," Anakin told her. Padme nodded and kissed him passionately for a long moment.
"Where are the kids?" Anakin asked. Padme smiled.
"Down at the lake," she replied.
"We're alone?" Anakin asked.
"Very alone," Padme whispered seductively, Anakin lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom...
Lando sat in his office. Han had just left this morning to fetch the Skywalker family. Lando had agreed to hide them in Cloud City at his residence complex. His intercom beeped and Lando switched it on.
"Sir, you have a visitor," his secretary said. Before Lando could tell her to send them in, his door flew open and a woman dressed in all black entered. She had long dark hair, streaked with gray and a nasty scar on her cheek. Lando recognized her right away.
"Lady Psion," Lando said.
"I have a business proposition for you Mr. Calrissian. I overheard your conversation with captain Solo this morning," her eyes glinted evilly.
"What do you want?" Lando asked.
"That should be obvious. I want Anakin Skywalker in my possession and you're going to help me," Psion replied.
"I won't betray Han!" Lando said.
"Not even for five million credits? I assure you that Anakin is all I want and that I won't hurt your friend," Psion replied.
"Five million!" Lando exclaimed.
"All you have to do it offer hospitality to the Skywalker family," Psion said, as she held a small vile of liquid.
"Then, slip this tasteless ysalamiri serum into Anakin's drink at dinner so I can cut him off from the Force and capture him," Psion said, as she picked up her datapad.
"Agree to help me and I'll press this button, which will make you five million credits richer," Psion tempted.
"You won't hurt the children?" Lando asked.
"I told you that Anakin is all I'm interested in. Of course, if you decide not to agree, then I'll have to kill you," Psion said. Lando held his throat, as he felt his air being cut off.
"All right...I'll do it," Lando rasped. Psion released him and smirked evilly.
"Good man. I will return soon after the Skywalker's arrive," Psion said, as she left and her entourage of storm troopers followed her...
Han arrived at the Skywalker home six days later. He recognized Anakin and Padme right away, but was nearly blown away when he aw the kids. For starters, Luke and Leia were no longer kids, especially Leia. He felt his heartbeat quicken, as she looked at him with those amber brown eyes. He quickly shook the thought away, as the family came to greet him.
"Hi Han!" Larisa greeted.
"Hey, look at you kid. You've sure grown. Your dad's going to have to scare off boys with his light saber pretty soon," Han joked. Larisa rolled her eyes.
"Don't give daddy any ideas. Hi Chewy!" she said excitedly, as she hugged him. Chewy rawled in a friendly manner and hugged the girl back.
"Hey Han, still flying this hunk of junk around the galaxy?" Luke teased.
"Watch it kid. You may be all grown up now, but I can still whop ya!" Han replied.
"Hello Han," Leia greeted. Han stopped for a moment, as their eyes locked.
"Hello Leia...and hello Mrs. Skywalker," Han addressed toward Padme.
"Please Han, I've told you to call me Padme," she insisted.
"Luke, can you please take these and put them on the ship?" Padme asked. Luke lifted his mother's and sister's travel cases and groaned.
"What's in these things?" Luke asked.
"Knowing your mother, there's at least three outfits for each day," Anakin joked, earning him a smack on the arm.
"You're so funny," Padme replied sarcastically. They finished loading the ship quickly and departed for cloud city.
Six days later, the Skywalker family arrived aboard the Millennium Falcon. Lando waited, as they disembarked. He ordered his servants to take their bags to their quarters. Lando approached and Han shook his hand.
"Good to see you Han," Lando said, as he caught sight of Padme and Leia. Anakin hung back, as Larisa tapped his arm.
"Daddy, the Force feels strange here," she said, turning her puzzled face up toward him.
"I feel it too," Luke said.
"The dark side is much stronger here. You're used to Andea where the dark side is much weaker. It clouds the Force and makes things much harder to see. We'll have to keep our guards up," Anakin instructed.
"Han, buddy, who are these beautiful women?" Lando said, as he kissed Leia's hand and then Padme's.
"I'm Padme Skywalker. These are my daughters, Leia and Larisa. And this is my son Luke and my husband Anakin," Padme introduced her family.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Welcome to Cloud City," Lando replied.
"Thank you for your hospitality Mr. Calrissian," Anakin replied. Lando felt an incredible wave of guilt sweep over him. But there was really nothing he could do now. Psion had him backed into a corner and she had the Skywalker's right where she wanted them.
"Follow me. I'll show you to your quarters and then we can all have dinner together," Lando said, as he motioned for them to follow...