Present Time
Hyperspace, somewhere in the Meridian Sector
The Lucky Karrde – Republic Class Dreadnought
The woman twisted in her sleep, her limbs thrashing as if locked in a desperate struggle. Her face was buried between the mattress and pillow, leaving only red-gold hair visible to the frowning man standing in the door. Her breath came in short gasps, angry groans and muttered curses echoing too loudly against the walls of the tiny cabin.
The man, her boss, her friend, Captain Talon Karrde, entered and stood beside her bunk. Not interfering, just watching, wondering at his best course of action. He tried to make sense of her angry monologue, but save a few curses that even he didn't think a woman had any right knowing… it was gibberish.
He noticed that her delicate pale hands were clenched into tight fists. Talon leant a little closer. The fingernails of her left hand were drawing a little blood where they bit into her flesh.
He decided the time for diplomatically leaving his First Mate to her nightmare had passed, he knew Mara Jade would be angry or embarrassed at his intrusion, but she was bleeding on his sheets. /And sith knows how much real cotten ones cost!…not that I paid for them of course../
A strong tanned hand firmly shook the near-convulsing woman on the shoulder.
At that moment her words, still slurred with fury, finally cleared to Talon's ears "….kill…skywalker..."
Then her bright emerald eyes had snapped open and all trace of her violent dream left her.
They narrowed suspiciously in Talon's direction. He inwardly sighed but outwardly put on his bland 'Pirate Chief' face. Ever since that one harmless little proposition… after he'd indulged in a little too much Kuati Brandy one night… Mara, already by nature a cautious woman, had become very wary of her employer's intentions.
Especially if a bunk was involved.
"Captain Karrde?"
Mara's voice was calm. Cold. Suspicious... Normal.
Talon shook his head slightly in confusion, but his stern expression didn't falter. "Jade. You were talking in your sleep. Thrashing about…." He looked pointedly at her hand, "…Bleeding on the sheets."
Green eyes flicked briefly towards the offending appendage.
She seemed somewhat reassured of Karrde's intentions. "My apologies."
She looked at him pointedly, waiting for him to excuse himself.
He contemplated asking her about her nightmare.
The silence in the cabin stretched.
The Captain contemplated possibly ways to broach the subject. He stood mutely in her doorway for almost a full minute.
A sudden burst of inebriated song drifted down the hall from the forward staff rec room. From the sounds of things, a rather lewd rendition of 'what shall we do with the drunken spacer?'.
Neither occupant of Mara Jade's cabin reacted.
Eventually one of Mara's finely shaped eyebrow raised, plainly asking Karrde to either spit it out or make with the hasty retreat.
He coughed and continued sharply, quickly hiding his embarrassment, "There is some… information… that needs my urgent attention Jade. You will take a shift on the bridge while I review it in my quarters."
His second nodded. "I'll be there presently Captain."
Karrde nodded and exited at a brisk walk, leaving his beautiful young Officer alone in her cabin.
He really did have some new information to review and was looking forward to pulling out his datapad in private. He hadn't dropped by Mara Jade's cabin just to enjoy the view. Something his spy network had picked up from the New Republic Holonet. Karrde wondered idly if it would prove more interesting than whatever it was that was giving the indomitable Mara Jade nightmares.
Unlikely.
He'd noticed she was occasionally prone to nightmares, which she never explained. She also had amazing luck and very accurate 'hunches'. Coupled with her brilliance as a pilot and lethality with both a blaster and her bare hands, Karrde had long since deduced that she was possibly some sort of Force Sensitive. When she had first started with him he'd dismissed her as an ex-imperial officer or agent down on her luck but though she had no love of the New Republic, of late he was leaning towards a semi-Jedi theory.
/Perhaps one of the 'rogue' half-trained ones/ he mused. At the very least someone with force potential. If she was having nightmares about killing Luke Skywalker, then she was obviously hiding some sort of Jedi-related past.
/Perhaps she was involved in one of the Jedi enclaves that supposedly survived the purges.. or maybe one of her parents was a Jedi… I've heard rumors of Old Republic Jedi with a hatred of Skywalker, that could explain homicidal tendencies…/ The other theory he had seemed even more ridiculous. Karrde had heard rumors that the Emperor had trained a group of assassins with Jedi powers, his 'Hands'. He personally doubted such agents had ever existed, /I'm sure Palpatine had some deadly assassins, but he killed Jedi, not trained them! Besides, Mara might be a tough one, but she's no Imperial Assassin/
Whatever the truth of her skills, it lay in her past, of which Mara Jade never spoke. Karrde was sure that that tale, the life of Mara Jade, would be far more exciting than anything in the datapad sitting in his pocket.
Still, an encrypted transmission from the Senate to the Alderaan, personal ship of Chief of State Leia Organa, /Organa Solo/ he corrected himself, could prove valuable, if not particularly riveting viewing. The Lucky Karrde had been out of communication for over a week, so Talon was looking forward to some news.
Depending on the information in his Datapad, there was a chance that the infamous Captain Karrde could soon be in an enviable position to exert influence upon the government, most helpful to a smuggler-pirate looking to expand his 'operations'.
10 Standard days earlier
Coruscant – New Republic Senate Sitting
Leia Organa Solo smoothed her long white dress as she took her place on the dais at the center of the senate chamber floor.
The dress was simple, like most of her wardrobe, and her hair, intricately braided in High Alderannian style, was the only outward sign of her status. Since the fall of the Empire, Old Republic grandeur had come back into fashion, but Leia had worn more than enough jewels and corsets during her childhood as the Crown Princess of House Organa to follow the fashion. She knew as well as Mon Mothma that beauty could be a curse for a woman who wished to be taken seriously as a politician.
Besides, she was a Princess, and a part of her still lived by the courtly manners she'd been taught as a child. 'A Princess is marked by her bearing and grace, not her crown or jewels' had been a favorite of her adoptive mother. She smiled slightly remembering times during the rebellion when she'd found herself sweaty, disheveled, covered in mud and bleeding, but still able to bring hope and pride to her soldiers just with her supposed 'regal self-confidence'. She'd often found herself muttering antiquated etiquette rules like mantras to keep her outward appearance unflappable under pressure.
At 27, she was the youngest Chief of State or High Councilor ever elected. She was proud of this particular achievement. It made her feel as though her father Bail would be smiling down on her from the heaven.
Around her, towering up to unimaginable heights, the senators of the New Republic sat in their seats looking down at her.
As soon as she'd entered the chamber silence had fallen over the mixed crowd. All the systems of the Republic were represented in an impressive kaleidoscope of alien races. Admittedly, some systems were home to several sentient races, and there were many races not represented, but it was Leia's dream that one day all the varied races would have a spokesperson to the Republic Government. She and her inner council were looking at several plans to bring greater equality to the New Republic.
She felt a small serge of pride in what the Rebel Alliance had achieved as she looked around the Grand Senate Chamber.
There was equality and democracy evident in the members of the Senate. She thought back to the day ten years ago when she had entered the Imperial Senate for the first time, in a dress similar to the one she wore now, and had seen only human faces around her.
Leia allowed herself a moment to collect herself then let her voice ring out clear into the vast space through the discrete in-house comm system.
"Honored Senators of the New Republic, I call this sitting of the Senate to order."
The next hour passed as she was accustomed Senate Sittings to. Smaller systems aired disputes with rivals and neighbors over exports and other economical concerns, representative of longer established worlds and systems bought up long standing issues in continued attempts to find resolutions, and occasionally someone would bring gossip into the mix.
That morning the most interesting matter bought before the Senate was the increasing presence of a pirate chief operating from a base somewhere near the Corporate Sector. Several senators spoke of ever increasing raids and ambushes on their shipping lines. It was decided to send a New Republic force to crush the pirates before they could cause any more damage.
Such reports had become common since the fall of the Empire, in the ensuring mess, many smugglers and privaters had attempted to carve sphere's of influence for themselves on the outer rim. It perked Leia's ears because her husband Han was a few days late returning from the Corporate Sector. /Han is fine, he's done that run a thousand times. If any pirate where to set their sights on the falcon, it would be them that would need to worry…/
After the senators had exhausted legitimate matters to bring before the senate, some stooped to bickering, and political posturing.
Leia knew that gossip and intrigue were a long standing part of politics, after all, she had been raised by the Viceroy of Alderaan and elected to the Imperial Senate at just 16, but it still disheartened her to hear such petty squabbling.
As usual, she swiftly ended any such debates as soon as they broke out. Some of her senators refused to be silenced however, and 3 hours and 12 minutes into that particular Senate Sitting, one of her arch political rivals, Borsk Fey'lya of Bothawai bought up some particularly disturbing gossip.
"Honored Senators, I have disturbing intelligence I feel it is my duty to report to you."
Leia gave the Bothan her full attention. Her Force sense tingled in warning.
Borsk waited until the great hall was silent.
"The Bothan Spy Net, during routine security checks of communications of suspicious origins, as per section 534A of the New Republic Galactic Security Code, has discovered a holo-comm of…" he paused (to reassemble his face into a mask of 'unease' he felt the other species around him could relate to), "… most disturbing nature."
He turned his deceptively 'pretty' violet eyes in Leia's direction. He reminded her of a nexu, admittedly a rather stunted one, creeping up on its prey
Her Force sense flared again in warning, /Something is not right…/ There was little she could do to heed its warning however.
She nodded slightly, "We trust your judgement Senator and will hear more of this matter. Please, continue."
The Bothan's eyes lit up in some small victory before his 'concerned' expression returned.
Leia shifted uneasily in her throne-like seat.
"Senators, I have unwittingly stumbled upon a betrayal of the Republic. Treason amongst our highest and most trusted leaders!"
Gasps and excited whispers broke out around the Senate. It had been at least 2 standard months since a wild unfounded accusation of treason had been made in the Senate.
Obviously, it was overdue.
The chief of State's eyebrows furrowed slightly. /Great. Another pointless exercise in Bothan Political Maneuvering. I wonder who he's trying to defame this time/
She raised her voice over the noise, "Senator Fey'la! Please, explain to us what this communication you intercepted was." She paused, "I trust that this is a founded accusation Senator. Such matters should be bought before the High Council for verification before being brought before the Senate, as you are well aware." /Not that it stops any of the Senators../
The Bothan's eyes hardened, "I assure you, Madame Chief of State, my accusations are well founded, the evidence irrefutable, and my reluctance to bring the matter before you and the High Council most understandable."
Leia felt her heart beat quicken/it almost sounds as if he is accusing me! Well, I have nothing to fear. Even if the Bothan bugged my apartment all he'd have recorded would be a few… erm… 'colourful' arguments with Han… /
She found her voice, "Senators, this seems grave indeed, although I hope, for the sake of the New Republic, intelligence has been mistaken. Please, continue."
The Bothan cleared his throat, the noise echoing through the comm speakers. "The holo-comm in question originated from a member of the High Council."
Gasps of outrage echoed through the chamber, some in shock at the thought of a traitor in the High Council, others, like the Senator Grachii from the Corellian Sector, in outrage at such intrusion of privacy. He stood in his seat activating his comm, "You mean to say that members of the Senate are spied upon? All out personal communications are monitored by Bothan Intelligence?" His voice rose in indignation, " Tell me, do you record my conversations with my wife, Senator Fey'la?"
Borsk seemed put out by this accusation, and in his delay to answer, many other senators yelled out, their conflicting comms jamming up the system.
Leia let them yell, secretly enjoying their reaction. She did not trust the Bothan Senator, and didn't see any reason to restore order on his behalf.
Borsk was practically yelling, "No! No!… This is NOT a common occurrence! The only reason this particular message was flagged was because of its unusual encryptions!"
The Senate quieted, slightly, and he continued, his voice still raised over a general whispering. "You see Honored Senators, this message was encrypted with not only the highest of New Republic codes, but also those of the Rebel Alliance High Command from the war, which are no longer used… and also…" he paused for dramatic affect, "The personal imperial encryption codes of the Sith Lord, Darth Vader."
The Senate was silent save a near collective gasp.
Leia's head snapped in up in shock, /Vader's codes?… my.. father's/ Her eyes met the fiercely victorious stare of Borsk, he'd been waiting to judge her reaction.
Suddenly Leia knew what the Bothan was going to reveal to the senate, the dark secret she had made her brother and husband keep.
In a blind dread and fear she heard him continue, "Yes! The Sith Lord's own personal encryptions, the only ones that were never broken, even after the fall of the empire."
Leia closed her eyes, she knew what was coming. She knew it was a lie, no one had made any holo-comm with Vader's encripts, but she knew what the Bothan was about to say.
Senator Grachii interrupted however, "So? Using an imperial encryption is not an act of treason Senator Fey'la. Perhaps it merely a means of providing extra privacy, it was a personal holo-comm after all was it not?"
Fey'la smiled, his sharp teeth gleaming, "Indeed, it is not an act of treason Senator Grachii, merely suspicious. That is the reason the Bothan Spy Net sliced this message. I can assure you we do not usually intercept private holos."
Grachii nodded grudgingly, "I suppose it warranted investigation."
"Thank-you Senator. Now, the actual message….I think it better if I simply replayed it for you."
He nodded to an assistant. The senate was filled with an air of anticipation.
The holo projectors imbedded in the arm rest's of the senator's chairs flickered to life. Leia's dread doubled.
Fey'la delayed showing the clip for a moment longer, "My fellow senators, this will no doubt be most disturbing for many of you. I urge to watch it in its entirety before making any comments."
The blue tinged holo before Leia shimmered into two figures a foot high.
One clad in black, a long hooded cloak covering him from head to toe, his face in shadow. Facing him was a figure clad in a white cloak, obviously a woman, but her face also in shadows.
The woman spoke, and although her heart sank as the strong calm voice echoed from a thousand tiny comm speakers around the senate hall, Leia was not surprised.
The Princess's own voice, made tinny and small by the rough recording echoed, "It is almost time brother. All is in place."
Her words were stilted, Leia knew it was because the recording was a splicing of many difference holo's. She wondered if anyone else would see through it so easily.
Luke Skywalker's deep voice responded from the darkness of his Jedi cloak. "Yes sister. I am ready to do thy bidding. The Senate... will not. Stand in our way."
His voice was as stilted as her's. They had tried to replicate Darth Vader's speech patterns. Her brother never said "thy".. /he was raised on a Tatooine moisture farm, not Imperial Centre for Sith's sake/
It was so obviously a fake.
The holo of her drew back it's hood, Leia vaguely noted that save the colour, she did not own an outfit even remotely like the one the figure wore, "I am most pleased Luke. Soon we will fulfil our father's legacy of Darkness and The Galaxy will be ours."
Leia unconsciously rolled her eyes. /Great, now I'm talking like a Sith Lord too…'Legacy of Darkness' This is pathetic/
The holo of her brother likewise drew back his hood, revealing blonde hair tinged blue by the poor quality recording. He was smiling radiantly, /Well, that's his grin alright..,"Yes Lord Vader's great legacy will be fulfilled though his heirs."
The holo-leia laughed, "Yes! And there is no Emperor left to stand in our way!"
Holo-luke inclined his head in agreement, "Yes…Although, it saddened me greatly that our father died destroying him…"
Leia wondered where they'd stolen that line from. It almost did sound like something Luke would say.
"There was nothing you could do Luke. You couldn't have known… the Emperor's force lightening would affect… father's suit that way it did."
The odd pauses in the dialogue were incredibly amateurish.
The figure of her brother nodded sadly, "I know, but it saddens me. Lord Vader could have taught us much."
Her Holo flickered, "Sorry luke, Han is back. I must go."
Her brother nodded, "May the force be with you sister."
"…and with you brother."
The figures flicked out like flames and vanished.
The senate was in uproar.
It seemed equally divided between senators yelling abuse at Borsk Fey'la for his obvious deception, and the rest of the senate, the Jedi-fearing side, yelling abuse at her and her brother.
Leia sighed, /Luke was right. I should have told the senate that he was my twin.. should have told them of my biological father… after Endor…I should not have keep this hidden from all save Han/
Leia stood in her place, her voice ringing clearly around the senate, "This holo is a fabrication. I'm certain the New Republic's slicer's will be able to prove it a forgery in a matter of minutes. Neither Jedi Luke Skywalker nor myself have any designs on creating a new Empire. It is ludicrous. I can only assume that this message was planted to attract the Bothan's attention. By who and for what purpose I can't say. But whoever they are, they have succeeded in bring much dissent to the Senate.
When NR Intelligence discover the origin of this message, they will be dealt with to the full extent of the law. I will not allow the New Republic Senate to be subject to such ridiculous gossips and intrigues." She paused, "I only pray that no one in this chamber was involved." Pointedly her cold stare settled on Borsk, "You should have bought this before the High Council Senator."
Leia hoped that this vague statement of denial would satisfy the senate./As long as no one asks about the whole brother/sister situation…/
For a moment they seemed content accept her words, even if many senators were whispering to each other suspiciously about the Jedi, when Borsk Fey'la's voice again broke through the din.
"Madam Chief of State. You claim this message to be a fabrication, that you and Skywalker have no such designs on the Republic, but you make no denial of the other matter this message exposes…"
Leia's heart gave a lurch. She realised that this had been Borsk's intention all along. The Holo was obviously a fake, but he knew about her father. He wasn't trying to prove the Holo was real, just expose her. He knew that Leia Organa Solo, chief of state, being the daughter of a Sith Lord, Darth Vader himself no less, would effectively ruin her political career. /Or any other career…/
She tilted her head to the side as if confused, "Forgive me Senator, I do not follow. The only treasonous accusation in that holo was my supposed desire to build an Empire. What other matter do you speak of?"
The senate grew almost quiet again, the Bothan smiled snidely, "Oh I think you know what I am referring to, Leia Skywalker…"
Leia's eyes went wide. /no. no. no…no! This can't be happening! How can he know! Only luke and Han know the truth/
Her voice became deathly cold, "Just what are you implying Senator?"
Borsk was practically jumping up and down in excitement, it was radiating off him in the Force, "I am not sure exactly.. Perhaps you could clear up my confusion. I was most intrigued by the references to Luke Skywalker as your 'brother' in the Holo, so I took the liberty of doing a through background check on your family history…."
Leia's heart stopped. /It's over… He knows.. I have to tell them now../ She couldn't breathe.
The Bothan continued, "Can you explain why your adoption Certificate, as recorded in duplicate at Obrai-Skai, names you as 'Leia Amidala Skywalker'?"
The senate was filled with whispers, Leia could feel the excitement of the senators and their aides, they were all enjoying this.
Leia inhaled, trying in vain to calm herself, "I was unaware of an adoption certificate existing Senator. My parent's died in the Clone Wars, I know little else I fear." She allowed herself a moment of pride, she'd deflected that well, and honestly. Perhaps she could play dumb to the whole situation?
Leia Organa did not lie, she had been raised to be honest, but she knew that even a Jedi master could chose to 'omit' certain aspects of truth if for the greater good, as Obi-wan himself had told Luke, /It's a matter of point of view../
Fey'la's voices rang out clear in the oddly still senate, "Well, it is counter-signed by your adoptive father Viceroy Bail Organa of Alderaan… one 'Grand Jedi Master Yoda'…" he paused dramatically, "and your 'hold-father'… Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi. I would say it's authenticity is unquestionable don't you agree? Surely, the great Jedi Master's Kenobi and Yoda are above suspicion?"
The ominous silence swiftly gave way to more yelling and heckling from the assorted senators.
Leia's heart sank. But, a tiny part of her was glad. If this certificate was real, she might be able to find her mother. /even her name…would be… wonderful../ "I would say so Senator. I do wonder how you were able to locate so swiftly documentation which has long eluded me."
He looked uncomfortable for a split second and Leia's eyes narrowed in suspicion, then he continued ignoring her question, "Yes senators! A fully authenticated document this certificate is! And it clearly states that Leia Amidala and Luke Anakin Skywalker, are the children of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker." He spun around where he stood and pointed at Leia, he truly had a flare for the dramatic, "You have lied to the Galactic Senate, Madam Chief of State."
The noise in the senate was now a roar. Leia had no idea how Borsk was keeping his comm operational with all the competing signals.
"Yes! The Skywalker twins were born at an outer rim Medical Facility on the First Empire Day. It would appear you were born at the exact time as the Empire! Odd coincidence yes? You were both born on the day the Old Republic died!"
Leia had no answer, she had always believed her birthday was a week after Empire Day, but apparently there was much she did not know about herself. Seeing the situation was hopeless, she decided to just tell the truth. Afterall, she hadn't done anything illegal. And at the very least, with her and Luke's true relationship revealed, people would stop with the disturbing 'love triangle' rumors. Leia shuddered slightly at the thought. /And there has been no mention of Vader so far…/
She answered Borsk Fey'la's claims as Obi-wan had once answered her brother. "The Senate knows I was an orphan of the Clone Wars. That is true for all intents and purposes…I was unaware until the battle of Endor of any details of my real family…When… When Luke told me I was his twin sister…I chose not to reveal it as it was only what he felt to be true, in the force… there was no proof… after a DNA test proved him right, perhaps I should have revealed the truth, but it seemed to me to be a personal matter." She paused, considering how to word what she had to say next, "I will always regarded myself as an Organa. But yes, I was aware that my biological father was a Jedi Knight named Anakin Skywalker,."
Borsk Fey'la's smile grew, "Ahh.. yes! Daughter of the great Jedi Anakin Skywalker! 'The Hero with no Fear' of the Clone Wars… What remains of him from the Imperial Records makes for impressive reading to be sure. And the twin sister of Luke Skywalker no less! Surely that is a lineage to be proud of Leia Skywalker."
Abruptly the false cheerfulness left his voice, "Tell me Madame Chief of State, did you really think to hide the truth from the Senate forever? The real reason you kept this secret? Did you really think we would never see through the lies of you and your… brother? You think because you are Jedi you are above the law!"
Leia's eyes grew cold, "Exactly what is your point senator? I have no Jedi training and my biological father was dead before I took my first breath. I don't see why my birth name should be of interest to the senate!"
"My point is this: You, Princess Leia Organa Solo, are in fact, the daughter of the most evil Sith Lord in history! Vader himself! And you have conspired to keep the truth from the Republic since the Rebellion!"
The Senate again dissolved into disarray.
Leia glared at Borsk.
"The Great Anakin Skywalker fell to the Dark Side of the Force did he not Leia? You father became a SITH! That is why you and your twin were adopted! That is why you hid your true identity from the Senate!"
Leia's head lowered slightly in shame.
The Bothan's voice rose, "It's true! You are the daughter of VADER!" He pointed at her as he smiled in triumph.
Leia did not know what to say, /What can I say? It is true/
Fey'la continued his rant, "You are not fit to serve as Chief of State! You are nothing but the daughter of a Sith!"
Anger snapped in Leia, she knew she was nothing like her father. Or at least, nothing like Vader.
"How Dare You Senator." Leia drew her head up regally. 'A Princess is marked by her bearing and grace, not her crown or jewels…'/
"I am Leia Organa Solo. I would think my dedication to democracy well proven! It matters not what blood I have in my veins, because I was raised by Viceroy Bail Organa! It was he who shaped my perceptions of the Galaxy. I regard him as my father… I did not even know who my biological father was until after he was dead!" she paused, "But I am not ashamed of him." She ignored the exclamations of shock around her, raising a hand to silence them.
"Anakin Skywalker, sadly, did fall to the Dark Side of the Force. And when he did, he ceased to be Anakin Skywalker. He took a new name… And it was that man, that vile creature created by Palpatine that was Vader. For twenty years he did the emperors biding, but when he had to chose between the Emperor and his son.. between a Jedi and a Sith, he made the right choice. He gave up his power, his position, and destroyed Palpatine. That is the man who was my father… Anakin Skywalker, not Darth Vader. My father died in the light of the force. He gave his life to make amends. He sacrificed himself to kill the emperor and save his son. He died a Jedi, not a Sith. Without his sacrifice my brother would be dead, the emperor would still reign and many in this room, myself included, would be slaves or worse… I cannot forget the horror Darth Vader bought to the Galaxy in the name of the Emperor, but I have forgiven Anakin Skywalker."
The senate had returned to uneasy, disbelieving silence again.
She looked up at Fey'la, "As for why I kept this from the Senate… I admit I should have revealed the truth, but it took me a long time to come to terms with. It is not an easy thing to discover your one-time goaler and torturer is your father…."
Leia sensed some senators believed her, pitied her or understood her silence on her father's true identity. But most gave off nothing but fear, betrayal and anger through the force.
She signed, thinking perhaps she could end this debate for now, but again Fey'la spoke up.
"And what of your brother?"
Leia frowned, "What of him?"
"You are not trained in the force, but how do we know he will not fall to the 'dark side'? What assurances to we have that he is not another Vader?"
Leia stood tall, "My brother is a Jedi Knight. He will never fall to the dark side."
Fey'la smiled, "Anakin Skywalker was as much a hero to the Old Republic as Luke Skywalker is to the New. I wonder, Madam Chief of State, if that is what your mother said of your father? 'He is a Jedi Knight, he will never fall to the dark side.'…Before he reportedly choked her to death?"
For the first time since his original outburst, Fey'la's words struck a note within Leia. /What if he is right? I have no way of knowing Luke will never fall…And how can I defend Darth Vader! I have often heard that he murdered his wife… it could well be true…/
"That is speculation! There is no knowledge of my mother's name, let alone her fate! And as for Luke, he is my brother, I knowhe will not turn!"
Fey'la smirked, "Ahh… the force tells you your brother will not turn, daughter of Anakin Skywalker? Tell me, how do we know you will not turn? You are not trained… yet, but you too could be a Sith-time bomb waiting to happen! We all know what happened the last time a sith held your position in the senate!"
She sensed the sudden spike of fear in the people of the Senate. Their leader could easily become another Palpatine. She was the daughter of a Sith Lord. How could they trust her?
"You did not need time to 'come to terms' with your father, you are an astute woman Princess Leia, you simply came to the same conclusion as everyone else in this room. You knew we would not trust the daughter of a Sith Lord to serve in the Senate, because were you in our position, you would come to the same conclusion."
Leia had no reply for the Bothan. It was true, she would not entrust the republic to the child of Palpatine, how could she expect them to trust her?.
Instead of defending herself, or bringing order to the uproar in the Galactic Senate, she found herself wondering idly at her name, her true name /Leia Amidala Skywalker… Perhaps I was named for my mother/
AN: I accidentally deleted this.. so yes.. here it is! Back again!