Chapter 11
Leia tried not to pity Han as they traveled through hyperspace en route to Vjun. She realized his eyesight would return soon as long as he did not strain himself. Unlike herself, she was being secretive about their destination.
"So, we're going to regroup with the fleet?" Han asked. The smuggler only stared forward.
Leia removed her crash webbing and replied, "Yes."
Han turned to the direction of her voice and asked, "Where's Chewie?"
"Vader has Chewie, Lando, Threepio and the Falcon locked up in his castle on Vjun," Leia said. "Don't worry. I'm sure the Alliance will attempt a rescue mission."
"A raid on Vjun?" Han asked, obviously unsure of himself after his first encounter with the Sith Lord. "I don't like the idea of leaving Chewie there, but getting in won't be easy."
"Don't worry, Han," Leia said. "I've taken care of everything."
Luke and Yoda stood in a conference room with leaders of the Alliance. Mon Mothma, Ackbar and Crix Madine stared at the Jedi as Yoda proposed a plan.
"Critical it is that we raid Vjun," Yoda began. "A terrible darkness festering on Vjun, there is. One darker than usual."
"Master Yoda, with all due respect, Vjun is Darth Vader's fortress world!" Crix exclaimed. "You can't expect the Alliance to sanction a raid just because something is spooking you."
"General Madine, Leia is on Vjun," Luke interjected. "Plus, if we can beat Darth Vader, we can strike a serious blow to the Empire."
Yoda looked disapprovingly in Luke's direction, but said nothing.
"General Skywalker, while we do see merit to a strike on Vjun, we would suffer catastrophic losses to the Imperial fleet stationed there," Ackbar added.
Yoda returned his gaze to the Alliance leaders and proposed, "Prove useful, the captured Dark Jedi could be."
"That's too risky," Crix argued. "She's an agent of the Empire and would not help us."
"An old saying, there is," Yoda said. "An enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"What makes you think that Dark Jedi would have a grudge against Vader?" Crix asked.
"Something doesn't feel right," Luke said. "The Empire hasn't moved against us and it's not as if we aren't a tempting target. Something big is going on and Vader is at the center of it."
"Are you certain, Masters?" Mon asked.
Yoda replied, "Plain to see, it is. The dark shift pulls away from the Emperor. Avoid a catastrophe we can by going to Vjun and facing Vader. Need the Dark Jedi as a guide, we do."
"If we let her go with you, she could escape and reveal valuable information about the Alliance," Crix said.
"But if we don't let her go, this operation will not be a success," Mon said. "You have your leave to prepare the raid as you see fit, Master Yoda. May the Force be with you."
Yoda and Luke exited the conference room and emerged in the corridors of Home One. After a few steps, Luke looked to Yoda and asked, "Would it be appropriate to request troops?"
"Miss the chance to destroy me personally, Vader would not," Yoda said. "A difficult trial for us, this will be."
"If Leia has gone over to the dark side, what will we do?" Luke questioned. Anxiety had a powerful grip on the young Jedi. He could taste fear and despite attempts to control it, the fear remained.
"If redeemed she cannot be, let go of your attachment you must," Yoda advised as they approached the chamber where Arica was being kept.
Luke swallowed his despair. The thought of facing his father and his sister was sickening, even if it was his duty as a Jedi.
The guards by the door allowed the Jedi entry into the prison chamber. Arica was being kept in a cell and a neural dampening collar was wrapped around her neck. With the explosive device attached, the Dark Jedi had no hope of challenging her prison stay.
Arica looked at the Jedi defiantly. "Have you come to try to make me talk again?" she asked. "You're wasting your time."
"We want to talk about Darth Vader," Luke said.
"What about him?" Arica asked with obvious disinterest.
"Could you get into his castle?" Luke asked.
Arica smirked. "Of course I could," she replied. "I have access to most Imperial facilities."
"A raid on Vjun, we are planning," Yoda stated. "Need your help, we do."
Arica studied the Jedi. "I don't have to help you," she said bitterly. "You should launch an assault on the planet and sacrifice as many Rebel lives as possible."
"We both know Vader's the bigger threat to your master at this point in time," Luke said.
"So you want to do the Emperor's dirty work by getting rid of a troublesome apprentice?" Arica asked before chuckling. "Even if you did get into Bast Castle, you can't beat Vader."
"You'd at least get that collar off your neck," Luke offered. "This isn't a request from the Alliance. This is a Jedi operation."
"If you're crazy enough to raid Vjun," Arica said, "and it seems like you are, you'll need my help. Without me, you won't have access codes to the fortress. Bast Castle's security is incredibly tight. Vader has had auto-targetting turbolaser batteries installed to shoot down anyone who doesn't transmit the proper access codes. Since the access code changes each month, you'll need my master code. It's a code used only by the Emperor's inner circle."
"Well Arica, we're glad to have you aboard," Luke said.
"Look, if we're working together, you should at least get my name right," she said. "I'm Mara Jade."
+
Darth Sidious opened his eyes. He sat alone in his darkened throne room since he always ordered his guards to leave when he engaged in deep dark side meditation. His body ached from the tremendous strain the power placed on the flesh. It was not the first time he felt his body failing, but it would hold out for at least another year.
It would last long enough for the Emperor to accomplish his goals and return to Byss to take a new clone body. He could not afford to be a weak old man if he planned to take a new apprentice.
Leia Organa was incredibly strong in the Force, much stronger than the Sith Master anticipated. How such a strong Force adept was able to be raised in the Core and infiltrate the former Imperial Senate underneath his notice disturbed Sidious.
The Dark Lord of the Sith hated surprises. But he could also see through Vader's motives. Unlike the combination of Darth Tyranus and Asajj Ventress, Darth Vader and Leia Organa were powerful enough to depose him. Even if Sith tradition dictated that the apprentice must overthrow the master, the master did not have to lose the confrontation.
Vader and his apprentice would undoubtedly attempt to attack him in a moment of weakness, but Sidious knew how to twist situations to his advantage. Leia would be his. He pushed her over the edge once. He could do it again. Only after he ensured his survival could he deal with the Jedi.
Realizing there was no time like the present, Sidious depressed a button on his throne to activate his personal holonet connection, opening a secure transmission with Bast Castle. Moments later, an image of Darth Vader bowing to his Emperor appeared before the throne.
"What is thy bidding, my master?" Vader asked.
Sidious said, "I trust your vacation on Vjun has gone well, Lord Vader."
"It has, my master," Vader replied.
"Good," Sidious commented. "Your presence is needed on Imperial Center in two standard days. Bring your apprentice with you."
Vader quickly said, "As you wish."
"That will be all, Lord Vader," Sidious said before closing the transmission.
+
Vader attempted to discern the rapid turn of events. His master was requesting an audience with a Sith Lord and another Force user. The Emperor's motives were crystal clear. Darth Sidious wanted a new apprentice.
But Vader knew Leia was not ready for the trial. She may have grown in the Force by leaps and bounds, but she was still no match for a Sith Lord.
Vader stood in his personal holonet chamber. He would have to prepare Leia for her final test ahead of schedule. Finally, after two decades of waiting, Vader would have the opportunity to make his move against the Emperor.
