Chapter 4

There were times when a flash of light shined in the darkness ever so briefly. Darth Vader knew it all too well once he began communicating with his daughter. It caused him to overlook her ambitions as a Sith apprentice. It was a feeling he once called love, but he constantly smothered it with his memories.

His face was a picture of anguish hid only by the black mask he was forced to wear ever since his failure at Mustafar. None aboard the Executor could read Vader as he appeared on the bridge.

Admiral Piett waited for him, standing at attention as the Emperor approached. "My liege," he said. "Welcome back."

Vader nodded. It was good to be back on his personal Star Destroyer. The decadence of Coruscant disturbed him. The Imperial Navy was order in the purest sense.

"Have the probe droids located the Rebel base?" Vader asked.

"No, my liege," Piett replied. "The fleet is performing a thorough search of the Outer Rim to chase every lead."

"What of the reports of mass defections in the fleet?" questioned the Sith Lord.

"Mostly fabricated," answered Piett. "The Rebels seem to have spread hideous rumors. However, there are some ships that joined the Rebel side after you..."

"I am aware of this, Admiral," Vader interrupted. "I had the Princess deal with many of those traitors personally."

"Of course," Piett said, a picture of control. Vader could sense the fear within him, but he kept it in check. He did not allow it to control him. Darth Vader respected Piett for being a master of his fears. Still, the man was not foolish enough to argue with his Emperor.

"Continue searching for the Rebels," Vader ordered before walking towards the turbolift. He had much to meditate in his personal chamber.

The Millennium Falcon soared out of hyperspace near Dantooine. The pastoral world had been used by the Rebellion in the past and it surprised Luke that they would choose to take refuge on the world again. The collection of Imperial Star Destroyers near the planet was disturbing visually, but he sensed no deception.

"I heard rumors of Imperial defectors joining the Alliance," Han said as he guided his ship towards the planet. "But I never expected to see so many."

Chewbacca said, I don't know if I can work with Stormtroopers. The Empire attacked Kashyyyk after defeating the Separatist forces on the planet. Many Wookiees died.

Yoda looked to his old friend and said, "Calm, Chewbacca. Serve the Empire, these soldiers no longer do."

Master Yoda, the clones tried to kill you, Chewbacca argued.

"But you see me here alive," Yoda said.

"Wait, you were on Kashyyyk?" Han asked as he guided the Falcon through the atmosphere. "When was this?"

"The final days of the Clone Wars, it was," Yoda said sadly. "Felt the deaths of the Jedi in the Force, I did."

"Ben told me about the battle on Utapau," Luke said. "He told me about him being betrayed." He chuckled at the memory. "He told me about his times during the Clone Wars because I had a taste for adventurous stories."

The Falcon landed near the Rebel base. The abandoned structure had been restored. Former Imperial technicians were hard at work upgrading the planetary defenses. It was an odd sight to see former enemies working together.

Luke walked down the boarding ramp with Kyle, Mara and Yoda. The Jedi approached Mon Mothma, who was waiting for them near the ship.

"Master Yoda, I am pleased that you could join us," Mon said as she looked down to the elderly Jedi.

Yoda looked up to her. "Discuss a pressing situation, we must," he told her. He then looked to Luke and told him, "Take Mara and rejoin your squadron. Concern you not, this does." Then to Kyle, Yoda said, "Come with me."

Luke nodded, allowing Yoda and Kyle to take their leave. He looked to his apprentice and ushered her in the direction of one of the hangars. The Jedi could sense an old friend in the Force.

Inside, he found Wedge Antilles conversing with Wes Janson. Both men still wore their flight suits, leading Luke to believe they had just taken their X-Wings out for a spin.

"Hello Wedge," Luke said.

Wedge turned away from Wes and beamed. "Luke!" he exclaimed. "I was wondering when you'd come back."

"You've been taking care of the squadron for me, Wedge?" Luke asked.

"Of course he has, General," Wes said. "I've had to keep him in line for you."

Luke smirked. "I want to test Mara for a spot on the squadron."

"Sure thing," Wes accepted. "We just got an empty slot and we were about to seek another pilot."

Luke maintained a straight face. It became easier to accept fallen comrades over time due to detachment. The war had hardened him, but not enough that he was completely detached like some people were.

"Well, I guess I can escort her to the sim," Wes said before offering his hand to Mara.

Mara rolled her eyes. "Lead the way, flyboy," she said, obviously disgusted by the pilot's attempt at gallantry.

"Oh, right," Wes said, getting the message. He walked towards the far side of the hangar where a simulation room was kept. Mara followed him, leaving Luke alone with Wedge.

"I still don't trust her, Luke," Wedge said after the two disappeared. "You know how valuable trust is in a squadron."

"I trust her," Luke said. "Just give her a chance. She may surprise you."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Wedge admitted.

In a private room in the Rebel base, Yoda and Kyle Katarn met with Mon Mothma. None were seated.

Kyle was no stranger to private meetings. He could sense he would be asked to perform a covert mission.

"Captain Katarn, you've proven valuable at infiltrating Imperial bases," Mon began. "But what we are going to ask you to do will probably be your most difficult mission yet."

"What does Master Yoda have to do with this?" Kyle asked.

"Discovered an ancient holocron on Keldan, Luke did," Yoda answered. He retrieved the holocron and replayed Revan's message.

Kyle observed, soaking in every bit of information. Once the recording concluded, he asked, "And now you want me to go to Dathomir? Wouldn't Luke be more qualified for this mission?"

"Kyle, you are an expert at covert ops," Mon said, drawing Kyle's attention back to her. "Our spies have uncovered an Imperial presence on the world."

"Populated by Force sensitive witches, Dathomir is," Yoda added. "Strong in the dark side, some are."

"So if they haven't driven the Empire off the world, that must mean..." Kyle said, realizing the weight of the situation.

"If what Master Yoda tells me is true, the Dathomirians are a matriarchal society," Mon explained. "Only Darth Apostas could earn their respect."

"Or fear," Yoda added.

"Well, why not send Mara?" Kyle asked. "I'm likely to stick out like a sore thumb if I go to Dathomir."

Yoda sighed. "Not ready is Mara for another encounter for the dark side," he said. "Trust you, I do."

Kyle nodded. "Then I'll do my duty," he said. He was not enthusiastic about risking a possible encounter with a Sith Lord, but he was willing to take his chances. If Luke could defeat his sister and he was a better swordsman than Luke, it was a contest in which he would have the edge.