I just realized something, this is my 18th fic! Yeah weird that I don't know that but I kinda just flow from one to the next and forget about the rest. Why tell you this you may ask, well because I know what my nineteenth fic will be. A sequel to this titled Master and Apprentice 2: something, haven't really got that far yet and I still don't have this plotted down to the last chapter, more like third to last but I will defiantly do a sequel!

Chapter 13: Bespin, Cloud City

For the umpteenth time this week Sidious's ugly head materialized about the projector pit. Vader kneeled before his hideous master. That was him, he always had to be so respectful so… wait was he thinking ill of his master? Padmé's passionate hate for Sidious was starting to grow on him. Maybe it was a good thing, most likely it was bad.

"Rise, Lord Vader."

"Master, we have found the Millennium Falcon's destination. A floating gas mine on the planet Bespin."

"Impossible, I outlawed any mines on Bespin!"

"We are assuming it is illegal?"

"It is."

"Do you think the rebels are there?"

"No, why would rebels mine gas from Bespin? It is rich, yes but what use could they have for it? No it is not the rebels, merely a band of miners with no respect for Imperial law. Once you have the Jedi captured destroy the place unless you absolutely can not."

"Yes master."

"Lord Vader can the Jedi be captured?"

"Perhaps, or I will kill them as I killed Kenobi."

"Good Lord Vader. Send word when they have died."

"Goodbye master."

Sidious cut the connection and Vader turned to exit the dark room. The moment he was out in the white polished sterile hall Xen approached him. She wore what she could of her skin tight leather and she had her silver limbs painted black to match. Over it all she wore a Dark Jedi cloak to conceal it, as if embarrassed.

"We should be coming out of hyperspace within the hour Lord Vader." She said bitterly.

"Thank you captain. It's a pleasure to see you up and well."

"Up, not well."

"What do you mean?"

"Its not easy to walk on two synthetic legs. You have to flex certain muscles to get them to move right. Its like being in hell!"

"Sorry you feel that way, we will be getting you a new ship soon."

"Good, I'll enjoy bashing the skulls in of a few of my crew, to take my anger out on them."

"If that is what you wish, right now I am going to the bridge."

XxX

Vader arrived on the bridge just in time to see all the streaking stars halt and turn back into dots. Ahead of them was the gas-giant Bespin. Padmé stood and looked out the view port, Piett next to her and Vader strode up behind them to stare out as well. It was less colorful than a lot of gas planets. Mostly a rocky orange of sandy yellow, nothing to fancy. The clouds of gas moved around at a very fast rate, swirling and waving.

Vader turned to the comm officer.

"Establish a connection with the gas mining stations boss. I want to speak with him."

"Establishing a connection. They've accepted the call, patching them through now."

Vader turned as the hologram of a man with short hair, a small mustache and a cape appeared. He was about as tall as Vader, black, and had the look of an old smuggler about him.

"Greetings Imperial friends." He said. "My name is Lando Calrissian, administrator of cloud city."

"I suppose you think you are terribly clever and that you are going to fool us into thinking this cloud city is actually a city rather than an illegal gas mining operation?"

"Not at all my friend. This is indeed a city and occasionally we harvest gas from the core of the planet but only for power."

"You are a very bad liar Calrissian. I could just destroy your operation right now but I won't, so long as you cooperate."

"With what, may I ask sir…"

"Darth Vader. And you can hand a man named Han Solo and his two Jedi companions to me."

"I am not sure what you are talking about Lord Vader. I was not aware a man named Solo came to this place."

"Well you have five hours to find him otherwise I'll come down to your city with the legion five hundred and first and kill every civilian there one by one until I find the people I am looking for. I am sure you're familiar with the five oh first, aka Vader's Fist."

"Uh, yes I am and I…"

"You have a generous five hours to locate Solo and his companions. Do not allow any ship to leave your city Calrissian or I will be most displeased and you will not survive if I am displeased. Are my terms clear?"

"Yes Lord Vader."

"Do you have any objections, if so voice them now and die painfully."

"Not a one Lord Vader."

"Good. Five hours Calrissian, you have five hours. Vader out."

Vader signaled the comm officer to cut the connection and Lando's head faded away followed by his torso, legs and finally feet.

"Has Mara Jade landed?" He asked no one in particular.

"Yes milord." One of the deck officers answered.

"Good, see to it that she get a suite aboard for her trouble."

XxX

Five Hours Later

Vader stood, hands clasped behind his back staring out over the planet Bespin, eyes scanning space to locate any ships or shuttles leaving. Not one had tried all five hours and Vader's patience was growing thin. If he wasn't contacted by Lando in the next three minutes he was going to send down five legions instead of one. Just them the bridges comm buzzed.

"Its Calrissian sir." The comm officer stated.

"Put him on."

The officer nodded, pressed several buttons and an image of Lando materialized in front of Vader once more. Padmé stepped up beside him to get a closer look.

"We have located Solo and his wookie co pilot. We could not find any other companions."

"This is not good news Calrissian. You remember our deal? Now I will be sending down the legion and I will comb through that city one civilian at a time. If I find you are hiding anyone I will be most displeased and drown you in a vat of scalding hot water live on the HoloNet."

"Understood. We have Solo and the wookie in a cell."

"Good, see to it no one visits them, prepare for my legions."

"Alright."

Vader used the Force to cut the connection this time without a further word to Lando. He turned to Admiral Piett.

"Admiral alert General Veers, its time to land."