According to the latest intelligence, the Rebel fleet has dispersed throughout the quadrant. Oblivious of the imminent assault on Coruscant, they have been deployed in order to squelch the pockets of remaining Imperial dissidents they know are scattered throughout the galaxy. Checking the navicomputer I see that there is a concentration of ships in the Moddell system, bearing a signal I recognize as one used by the Alliance.

"Well, here goes nothing," I say, and make my heading for the heart of the fleet.

Just as I make the calculations for hyperspace the comm starts beeping at me adamantly. I click it on, knowing who it will be even before I hear the voice.

"Father, what are you doing?" It is Luke.

"Testing the hyperdrive," I tell him, glad that he cannot see the grin on my face.

"I don't believe you," is Luke's reply. "Why are you doing this? Leia and I want to be with you."

"And you will be," I tell him. "But there is something I need to do first. It's best that I do it alone."

There is silence on the other end. "I don't like the sound of that, Father," Luke replies at last. "Why do I have the feeling you're going to do something dangerous and reckless?"

I can't help but laugh. "Possibly because you've come to know me quite well, my son," I tell him. I can feel his anxiety, and regret making light of his fears. "Don't worry Luke," I tell him. "I know what I'm doing. As soon as I'm able I will send a ship for you and Leia. 24 hours, tops. Okay?"

"No, it's not okay," he replies petulantly. "But I suppose it will have to do. You know Mother is quite worried about you."

"Is she?" I ask, surprised and somewhat pleased to hear it. "Tell her I'm fine, and that everything will be alright."

"I will," replies Luke. "Be careful, Father," he pleads. "We'll see you soon."

"You will," I reply. "May the Force be with you, Luke."

"And with you as well, Father."

I click off the comm and make the jump to hyperspace, putting my fate into the hands of Destiny yet again.

"We have you on our screen, Nubian Yacht; identify yourself immediately."

"I am Anakin Skywalker," I reply. "Requesting permission to board the medical frigate."

"State the reason for your request," comes back the voice. I can sense the distrust; obviously who ever this is knows who I am and who I have been for the past 22 years.

"Routine medical," I lie, using the Force to enhance the believability of my fabrication. "I underwent extensive reconstructive surgery 6 months ago; it's time for my physical."

Silence. Don't check for verification…you already did and you know why I'm here…proceed…

"Yes, we know why you're here," announces the voice. "Proceed."

I smile. "Thank you," I reply as I make my way to the medical frigate.

Despite my exoneration, I sense a great deal of mistrust among the beings that comprise the Alliance. I am met in the hangar of the frigate by a group of armed beings, who, while not actually aiming their weapons at me, make sure that I know they are armed nonetheless.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the illustrious Anakin Skywalker."

I look to see none other than Lando Calrissian standing before me. His mistrust of me is all too plain to see, despite everything that has transpired since our last encounter.

"Calrissian," I say. "I didn't realize you were a physician."

He narrows his eyes at me. "I'm not," he retorts. "I'm here to make sure you're not up to something."

I raise my eyebrows. "Such as?"

"You know damn well what I mean," he snaps. "Don't play the innocent with me. I know exactly what you're capable of."

"You don't know me at all," I reply, getting tired of his hostility. "I am no longer the Dark Lord of the Sith who terrorized your outpost, Calrissian. I have renounced the Dark Side; I am Anakin Skywalker once again."

"Yeah, so I heard," he replies. "So why are you here? Really? And don't give me the bullshit about the medical attention. I don't buy it."

I regard him wordlessly for a moment. He's cleverer than I gave him credit for, I reflect.

"Come with me, and I'll tell you what I'm really here for," I tell him.

He looks at me, trying to decide whether I merit his trust.

"Okay, let's go," he says, curiosity winning out. "Lead the way."

Calrissian and I walk through the narrow corridors of the frigate towards the sick bay where I was reborn. Having spent nearly 3 months convalescing here I am quite familiar with the lay out of the area, and find where I need to go quite easily.

"So what's all this about, Vad...I mean Skywalker?" asks Calrissian.

"I need to find it," I tell him, looking around inside the recovery room. "I only hope that it's still here…."

"What? What are you looking for?" asks Calrissian.

And then I see it. "That," I tell him, pointing at the dreaded suit that held me captive for more than two decades. It has been placed in a protective casing, perhaps for research, perhaps a symbol of the fallen Empire…but for whatever reason, the sight of it again gives me chills.

"That is why you've come here?" he asks in disbelief. "Why would you come looking for that? Unless you have plans on rejoining the Empire," he goads me.

"Don't be an idiot," I retort. "It will be my means of infiltrating the Imperial forces."

"But why? What's the point of ….you mean to act as a spy?" he asks incredulously as he finally understands.

"Yes, Calrissian," I tell him, "That's exactly what I plan. The Alliance needs to know the locations of the Imperial strongholds, and who better to provide that information than Darth Vader?"

"You'd actually wear that…that thing again?" he asks, his shock evident on his face.

I nod, looking back at the hideous black ensemble.

"Can't you just…access the information without going to such drastic measures?" asks Calrissian, a measure of respect now creeping into his mind. "You must have all the codes."

"Well, I do," I tell him. "But they may have changed them since the death of the Emperor. Even if they hadn't, there are some things I must do in person."

"I have to admit that I'm kind of surprised," he tells me. "I mean, when I heard that you'd turned from the Dark Side, I confess that I had my doubts. But if you're willing to help the Alliance by doing this…"

"It isn't just the Alliance I'm worried about," I tell him. "I have a personal stake in all this. My son-in-law, future son-in-law that is, is currently on Coruscant. The Empire is planning on attacking Coruscant, and I won't see him come to any harm."

"Son in law?" he asks in confusion. "Who are you talking about?"

"Your friend, Han Solo," I reply. "He recently became engaged to my daughter."

"Leia is your daughter?"

"Yes, she is Luke's twin sister," I tell him. "Didn't you know that?"

"No, I didn't" he replies. "So Han is in danger? How do you know all this?"

"I had a vision," I tell him. "So did Luke. We Jedi have precognitive abilities; we both had a vision of Coruscant under siege."

"And Han is on Coruscant…" he adds, finally seeing the whole picture. He frowns. "We have to let Mon Mothma know about this," he says. "She and the other leaders are still there. If you're right, then they could be in serious danger."

"I am right," I tell him. "Make no mistake about that. I need your help, Calrissian. Do you trust me?"

"I don't suppose I have much of a choice," he grumbles. "Han is my best friend. I'll do what I can to make sure he's alright. Besides that, it seems as though the Alliance could use your help. What do you need from me?"

"I need an Imperial shuttle," I tell him, looking back at the dreaded suit. "If I make for the Imperial fleet in a Nubian, they're bound to suspect something."

He nods thoughtfully. "True," he acknowledges. "That won't be a problem; we have a few that we've captured that are still flyable."

"Good," I reply, encouraged. "There's another thing," I continue. "Go to Hannas II and get my children. I left them there with their mother, and I will need their help."

"I will send someone at once," he tells me. "But first thing is to get word to Mon Mothma," he tells me. "That is, unless the Empire has already set up a blockade."

"Let's hope they haven't got that far," I tell him. "Otherwise it will be impossible to warn them."

"Yeah, jamming communications will be first on the list," he concurs. "So you're headed for the Imperial fleet?"

"Yes," I tell him. "I must find the fleet and avert the attack somehow. I only hope I'm not too late. If so, then I may have to take more drastic measures."

"Drastic measures? What do you have in mind?" he asks.

I do not reply right away, and stare, as though hypnotized, at the suit that held me captive for so long. "If all goes as I hope, I plan to work a miracle," I tell him. Because that's about what I'll need to make my plan work…

5