Twin suns of Tatooine.
The new empire's spies were out at full force. They had reported activities linked to the alliance in the outer rim. Leia was in and out of med center. She had passed out in one of the meetings and the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. She was unconscious. Han couldn't get anything done since Leia fell ill. One of the imperial spies left their base in Tatooine and headed to Coruscant.
Darth Vader left the Med center with a sense of guilty. It was the first time in years he had sensed that feeling. His master once more had outsmarted him. Twenty years ago he had lured him to the dark side and he believed that he had killed his beloved Padme, now his son was entrapped in darkness, a sacrifice he was not willing to accept. He continuously giving orders to the Executor crew even though he was the Emperor. He was always a warrior, never a politician. The galaxy trembled only to hear his name but he felt powerless. Luke was gone… The essence of light was gone…his son… and Padme's… The son of his angel. For sith's sake is anything I can do? He thought. He tapped into the force…and felt something strange…it was a sense of calm and peace…he then realized he was summoning the light side of the force. In searching within the force's depth a face came to his mind: The princess of Alderaan.
The young spy, Dack was nervous. He had to report to emperor Vader the latest movements of the alliance. He was trying not to show how panicked he was to do such report. He had actually never met the Dark Emperor before but he never wanted to be near him. His services to the empire was due to a promise he had made to his mother after his father and brother were killed in the destruction of the Death Star. He pledged himself to work for the empire to avenge their deaths. But the alliance had somewhat opened his eyes. He started to feel guilty in betraying the alliance, he felt guilty in becoming friends with his worse enemy: The destroyer of the Death Star, his heart was divided, but he was held by an oath.
He was allowed in the throne room and he immediately knelt before the dark emperor Vader.
"What is it?" Vader asked.
"My lord, I am here to make a report of one of the rebel bases I was a member." Dack responded and his voice was low with a few deep breaths in between the words.
"Proceed," Vader demanded.
"They had a small base on Tatooine and building a new one in Sullust. There had been a delay…"
"What delay?"
"Milord, one of their leaders, princess Leia apparently is dying."
The dark lord stood up of the throne and pace nervously, Dack was still on his knees and felt like passing out of dread. "Dying? How?"
"She is in a sort of comma, milord, they are trying to save her, but she has been like that for a while."
"You will return to their base," Vader ordered, "Then you bring her to me."
"Your highness… she's been well guarded, how could I..?"
"Are you questioning my orders?" Vader spat.
"No, milord, no…I… will do as you command," Dack replied hastily. " I don't care what you do, you must bring the princess to me!"
"I could bring her to Tatooine."
"It must be done, then." Vader said emphatically, Dack bowed his head and left the throne room.
"Admiral Piett, set the course for Tatooine."
"Yes, my emperor." Piett replied promptly.
Vader tapped into the force. In searching the force he understood that his daughter was his only hope in bringing his son back, she was the light and she had the determination of her mother and with training, the strength of her father…He used all the concentration to send a mental link, he had to try.
/There is no try…/ An old advice echoed in his mind.
"Leia…HEAR ME!" Vader sent through the force.
Han Solo paced the medcenter. Chewbacca tried to calm the pirate down. "Chewie, I don't know what I can do."
Chewbacca growls She is strong
The droid doctor came spinning through the hall.
"General Solo, the Princess is awake."
Dack Ralter jumped into hyperspace and joined the rebel fleet on Sullust.
Leia was frantic. Solo tried to maintain her calm but she was sobbing. "What is it?" Han asked.
"I heard him! He is here isn't he?" Leia asked with fright on her eyes.
"Who's here?" Han was puzzled.
"Darth Vader." Leia replied.
"It was just a bad dream, Leia."
"There is something else, Han."
"What is it?" Han replied.
"It's Luke, Han. He is suffering! We must do something!"
"We will, Leia." He hugged her tight.
Luke woke up, he got up and walked towards the bridge.
Admiral Piett walked towards him.
"Young Skywalker, is anything you need?"
"Where is Lord Vader?"
"In the Sanctuary Moon," Piett replied
"I must speak to him." Luke replied.
"I'll contact him,"
Vader felt a great disturbance in the force. He sensed that his call had reached the princess. He was still lost in his thoughts when the voice of admiral Piett came through the comlink.
"Lord Vader, young Skywalker has regained consciousness and requested to speak to you."
"Very well, admiral." Vader replied. The message gave him chills.
Leia insisted in joining the others in the meeting room. She had a mission on her mind, to rescue Luke.
"How do you think we are going to get out of the star destroyer without getting caught?" Mon Mothma was against the idea of the rescue plan Leia had brought up in the meeting with the generals of the alliance.
"Your highness, we are really sorry for Commander Skywalker's demise but we can't risk to lose our fleet.
"Very well, I am going to rescue him myself!" Leia spoke with a hint of anger.
"I'm going too." Han spoke out. Chewie growled.
"I am willing to help too." Dack Ralter came from the other side of the group and joined Han, Leia and Chewbacca.
"Luke is my friend." Dack added.
"Don't forget me." Lando said.
"How are you going to reach the imperial destroyer without being caught?"
"We have a few imperial crafts from our last battle, we can use them." Han said.
"Very well, I just hope that you succeed." Mon Mothma replied.
"We will not be back without him." Leia said with passion.
"Where can we get the shuttles to start our mission?"
Leia asked.
"On Tatooine, docking bay 94" Han replied.
Darth Vader received a message from admiral Piett about Luke's departure to the Sanctuary Moon. Vader was working on some strategic plans to order the stormtroopers to search for the rebel alliance in other parts of the galaxy. It was not long when his son came.
"Hello, father." Luke emphasized the word "father" in a cynical tone. Vader knew it wasn't Luke speaking. "Aren't you going to kneel before your master?" Luke said as he paced around Vader.
Vader's anger were in check. He could not defy Darth Sidious.
Luke raised his hand towards the side and let the electrical beams to shoot on the side.
"I wonder what this would do to your breathing equipment." Luke smirked.
Vader knelt, it felt awkward but he knew it would do him "Master?" Vader asked.
"You know it is me, Lord Vader." Luke (Sidious) replied coolly, "I expected your betrayal as soon as you've learned about your pathetic son. I have foreseen you would betray me and so you have." Luke paused them continued. "I believe it is I who got the best of all, this young body is very suitable to me." Luke (Sidious) smiled.
"Are you going to kill me…master?" Vader asked anxiously.
Luke (Sidious) stared at his fingers observing the effect the lightening did to the tip of the fingers.
"I have use for you, Lord Vader." Luke (Sidious) replied. "What are your plans now?"
"I am going to take the rebels in Tatooine," Vader paused then continued. "master."
Luke (Sidious) smiled. "I have an idea, lord Vader. What if the alliance was able to rescue young Skywalker?"
"Rescue?" Vader asked.
"I would infiltrate the rebels and send my coordinates to you wherever they are."
"If it is what you wish, it will be done, master." Vader replied with submission. Luke (Sidious) was now even more powerful than before. His son was lost within the darkside, Darth Sidious had taken possession of the young man's body and mind. "Prepare the fleet, lord Vader, you will take me to Tatooine, then you will lose me, to the rebels." Luke (Sidious) left the room laughing.
On Sullust…
The brave rescue crew departed in the Millenium Falcon. R2D2 and C3PO joined them as they departed to
Tatooine…