Death Star II Mobile Battle Station

Hours later, Luke was rudely awakened by an alarm clock. Mara moaned an apology as she untangled herself from his arms and rolled over to shut off the offending noise. She then turned back to Luke she pressed her lips to his sweetly. "I would love to stay in bed all day with you, but I have an appointment with the Quartermaster's tailor."

His brow went up in surprise. "Do they make civilian clothing?"

"No, I'm getting a uniform made. Your father made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

Luke sat up in bed with a flash of anger. "He's conscripting you?"

She smiled with a shake of her head. "No, no. I worded that poorly. He made me an offer that was too good to refuse. He said if I would return to Imperial service, I would have the freedom to choose any job, title, and uniform as long as I remained subordinate to him."

Luke smiled widely realizing Mara had decided to stay. "You're going to quit your job with Talon Karrde?"

"I don't think I have much of a choice."

He brow furrowed. "Why do you say that?"

She laughed before snuggling against his warm body and kissing him softly. As their lips parted, she grinned. "Do you really think Karrde will keep working as a smuggler once you pay him the finder's fee for the Katana Fleet?"

He nodded in understanding. "I never really thought about that. I guess he will go into retirement as soon as the credits are transferred into his bank account." His expression became guarded. "I hope you're not taking up my father's offer just because you need employment...because you don't need to. I can pull strings and find you a job anywhere."

She ran a finger down his chest and over his well-toned abdominals. "If I wanted to stay with the Karrde crew it is probably possible. I wouldn't be surprised if Talon gave the Wild Karrde to his crew as a parting gift. No, I'm coming back to the Empire to be with you."

He grabbed her hands in his and brought them to his lips, kissing them lovingly. "You don't need to rejoin the Empire to be with me." He hesitated slightly wondering if he was rushing things. "We can be together no matter what."

"Farmboy," she whispered. "I want to earn my keep. Also, it would negatively influence troop moral if the Supreme Commander got to bring his civilian lover with him on deployment when the rest of crew has to wait for shore leave to see their loved ones."

He nodded in agreement. "I never thought of that." He reached out and touched her toned stomach. "So, you're not staying because you might be...pregnant?"

She rolled her eyes as she slipped out of bed began picking her clothing off the floor. "I am on repress meds...you're on repress meds. The chances of me getting pregnant are a trillion-to-one."

"So," he said slowly. "There's a chance?"

She scoffed. "It sounds like you want to be a father as much as Vader wants to be a grandfather."

Luke chuckled as he stood and began to dress. "Did you see the little redheaded boy in the Room of Mirrors? He was a perfect combination of the two of us. Are you telling me that didn't get your biological clock ticking?"

She pulled on her under garments before sighing deeply. "He was a cute little guy." She slipped on her borrowed flight suit. "This conversation is happening a bit early in our relationship."

He walked over wearing only his boxer briefs and pulled her into his arms. "I'll admit the topic of children is premature. We should be discussing marriage instead."

He could feel her shock through the Force and a discernable stiffening of her posture. He dropped his arms and stepped back as he swallowed a sudden lump of sadness in his throat. "I didn't think that subject would upset you."

She regained her composure quickly. "It doesn't, but I think those glimpses of possible futures have given you a longing that makes you want to jump over the wooing part of a relationship and go directly to marriage and kids. Luke, we discussed this before; relationships should evolve naturally." She smiled reassuringly. "I relish out time together and I am taking steps to ensure we will remain close. Let's enjoy the courtship for a while."

He nodded while forcing a smile on his face. "Of course." He pulled in a calming breath then asked. "So, have you decided on what military position you want?"

"I told your father I want the rank of Absolute Leader of the Supreme Commander."

Luke laughed, "And what did he say to that?"

She looked at him mischievously. "He said he thought that was my rank and status already."

"Ouch." Luke said with a grimace as he picked his trousers off the floor and slipped them on. "So, what are you considering...for real?"

She remained in silent thought as she zipped up her flight suit. "I haven't decided yet."

He pulled his uniform tunic on before embracing her gently. "I don't care what you decide...as long as you stay."

She leaned in and kissed him. "I will." She looked to her wristchrono. "Sorry, I have to go."

He sighed as he watched her leave the bedroom. He finished dressing then walked to the kitchen to rummage for food.

"Hello there," came a voice from behind him.

Luke didn't flinch at the sound, but turned to face his old Master, Ben Kenobi. Luke's eyes narrowed. "I am surprised you would make an appearance here after what happened."

The Force ghost frowned in confusion. "Whatever do you mean?"

Luke gave a scathing laugh as he pulled a bottled water out of the cooling unit. "What I mean is you have been wrong about my father all along. You never thought he could turn back from the darkside. You denied that he was the chosen one—you know, the person who would destroy the Sith...but he did." Luke unscrewed the bottle top and took a long sip before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and glaring at the specter. "You know what was on that planet below...Sith. Sith that my father destroyed. He destroyed the Sith. He destroyed it, not the Jedi, not me, he did."

"Well, of course he destroyed the Sith," Kenobi said evenly. "He had the high ground."

Luke gazed at the older man in bewilderment before chuckling. "You absolutely won't admit that you were wrong about him, will you?"

Kenobi sighed deeply as he paced across the room. It looked like he was about to sit down on the couch but then thought better of it and kept standing. "I must admit, your father's actions are a surprise." He crossed his arms across his chest and looked down at the floor in thought. "Perhaps with Palpatine's influence gone, your father is slowly changing his ways...and I welcome that change. To have Anakin return to the light...it would make me joyful beyond words." He glanced up, probably sensing Luke's skepticism. "I know I haven't been totally honest with you in the past, but some of what I told you on Tatooine was the truth...and not simply from a certain point of view. Your father was a good friend. He was like my brother. When he turned to the darkside...it was soul crushing."

"He thought he was doing the right thing," Luke said slowly. "At least at first."

"Palpatine tricked him." Obi-Wan's voice was taut with sadness. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The emperor tricked us all. The entire Jedi Order was decimated."

Luke's demeanor toward the old Jedi softened. "Palpatine manipulated everybody." The old Jedi simply nodded in agreement.

"Ben...is the emperor really dead? We thought he was dead before, but he obviously possessed the body of one of his clones. How do we know he's not out there looking for another body?"

Ben Kenobi did sit down on the couch this time and Luke didn't object. He figured old habits are hard to break, even for the dead.

"Yoda is communicating with the Jedi Masters that died and still retain their consciousness. Sith are usually rejected from entering the flow of the Force. Their Force essence is too...damaged. Most become bound to a physical location like Korriban, the tomb world of the Sith. Some Sith are believed to enter an area called Chaos...it is a place where the darkside manifests. Yoda and the spirits of past Jedi are working to find him and confine his malignant presence within Chaos, at least until he can no longer retain his consciousness and he truly is dead." He looked down at the floor. "I will join them. This is probably the last time I will darken your doorstep. That should make you happy."

Luke sighed deeply as he sat next to the Jedi. "I know things have been...strained between us, but I think your heart was in the right place. In all honesty, I will miss you."

Kenobi nodded wistfully. "I'm glad your father did not destroy my lightsaber. Your friend, Mara Jade, served evil, but she was manipulated by Palpatine. She is strong with the lightside of the Force and a worthy successor for my blade."

"Thank you," Luke gave him a genuine smile. "I think so too. So, you are really leaving?"

"That I must." The Jedi rose and turned to regard Luke. "Tell your father I was wrong about him."

Luke stood and reached out intending to give a standard goodbye handshake but dropped his hand when he realized the futility of that gesture.

"If you and Yoda can keep Palpatine from returning, I will forever be in your debt."

"That is our goal, but there is one thing you can do for me as way of compensation," the fading Jedi said as a sly smile graced his lips. "You can name the baby after me."

"What?" Luke shouted as the spirit disappeared. "What baby?"

There was no answer but a faint chuckle. Luke turned around in the room looking for the spirit. "That's not funny. You obviously heard my conversation with Mara, didn't you?"

There was no answer. Luke was alone and left with a mix of emotions. He was happy that Kenobi realized his father changed but was sad that his old Master was truly gone. He also felt a state of elation and confusion. Was Kenobi joking about the baby, or did he know something that Luke and Mara didn't?

.

.

Death Star II Mobile Battle Station

Luke had spent the remainder of the day following around the Death Star's current commander, Admiral Soontir Fel. Fel was ten years older than Luke but carried himself like a man much older and definitely more experienced. He was tall and barrel chested, with a muscular build, black hair and a neatly trimmed goatee over the squarest jaw Luke had ever seen on a man. Fel had graduated from the Imperial Military Academy with honors and quickly caught the eye of Grand Moff Tarkin who followed Fel's career and promoted him above his peers continuously...until Tarkin's death upon the first Death Star. Luke thought the Admiral might harbor resentment against him for killing his mentor, but the admiral was nothing but extremely professional and courteous to Luke throughout the day.

At the end of the tour, Luke commented on Fel's professionalism and discovered why the Admiral didn't appear to hold the same animosity towards Luke that other senior officers sometimes did.

"Supreme Commander," Admiral Fel said quietly when they were alone. "I don't believe your father knows, but I thought you should be told, last year I married Wynssa Starflare."

Luke's brow went up in surprise. Wynssa Starflare was a famous human actress and an extremely beautiful woman, but Luke had no idea why this revelation was a cause of concern for the Admiral. "Wow," Luke said with a grin. "That's amazing. I remember watching her movies as a teen." He looked at the man in confusion. "Why is this important for me to know?"

"Because Wynssa Starflare is her stage name. She was born Syal Antilles...she is Wedge Antilles' sister." He gave a soft smile. "I want to thank you for sparing his life." He looked down at the deck and blew out a breath. "I didn't know if being married to Wedge's sister would put me under suspicion. This has weighed on my mind for a while, and I realized I needed to inform my superiors...but for the last six months the crew of the Death Star has been on complete transceiver silence. This was the first time I had an opportunity to make an official report. I should have reported to the Grand Admiral, but your comment gave me a valid reason and opportunity to jump the chain-of-command."

"I will officially note your admission in my private journals." Luke gave him a reassuring smile. "Wedge was one of my best friends...I still consider him my friend. The fact that you are related to Wedge by marriage tells me you are a loyal Imperial. If you weren't, the Rebellion would have attempted to destroy this station by now. I look forward to working with you and will count on you to keep this station running smoothly."

The Admiral blew out a relieved breath as he ran his hand over his severely shorn hair. "Thank you, Sir."

"Tomorrow, in our main conference room, we will meet with the Fleet commanders to discuss salvage operations." Luke looked up and down the corridor trying to figure out which way to go. "Ummm, until then can you point me to the direction of the dignitary quarters...specifically the one my father assigned to Mara Jade?"

Fel chuckled. "This place is a maze." He signaled to a passing Stormtrooper who ran over and popped to attention. "Trooper, please guide the Supreme Commander to the dignitary wing on

level 88, room I-1."

.

.

Death Star II Mobile Battle Station: Level 88-Room I-1

"Oh...wow," Luke said in delight seeing Mara's new uniform. "I didn't realize the Quartermaster could come up with tailored clothing so quickly." He walked around his lover admiring her outfit. "Especially something so...unique."

Mara grinned as she held out her arms before doing a pirouette. "You like it? It is based on that uniform you, or that other dimensional you, worn in that alternate universe...the one with the little redheaded boy."

"Yes, I recognize it." Luke nodded appreciatively. "Red armor over black tunic, trouser and boots. What are you going to call yourself? Do you want to reestablish the Inquisitorius? Or perhaps the Royal Guard?"

"I was thinking I'd become Commander of the Imperial Knights."

Luke cocked his head to the side. "Doesn't that necessitate more than one knight?"

She shrugged. "There is bound to be more Force-users out in the galaxy. We might as well train them to be loyal to you."

He grinned as he closed the distance between them and folded her into his arms. "Or we can make our own little knights." He leaned down and kissed her hungrily. He tried to grind his hips into hers but a leather breechclout hanging under her belt and over her groin area along with her newly acquired lightsaber made ravishing her impossible. He stepped away with a pout. "Although I find the uniform extremely sexy, it protects you a little too well."

She smiled at him smugly. "Lucky for you, it has quick release clips, in case I have to remove it hastily...such as getting splashed with acid or thermite...or romantic rendezvous with Supreme commanders." She slid up a small panel on her side revealing a button that when depressed released her chest and back plate from the shoulder pauldrons. She then eased out of her forearm guards and black gloves.

Luke reached forward and helped her out of her shoulder plates. "This is way too much armor. Can't they make you an armored pushup corset with tiny, armored undies and the smallest amount of loose-linked chainmail?"

She sighed deeply as she tossed off her black cape and boots leaving her with the neck-to-ankle black body suit similar to those worn under stormtrooper armor. "Let me guess, you used to play a lot of Valencia-Shadow Warrior hologames as a young boy?"

Luke blushed but didn't try to hide his smirk. "Maybe."

She shook her head as she unzipped her bodysuit and slipped out of her clothing leaving her wearing her undergarments. "There, is that better?"

"Extremely," he said as he unzipped his gray Imperial uniform tunic and tossed it on the couch. "We're going to have a meeting of fleet commanders tomorrow to discuss the Katana Fleet. I would like you there to represent Karrde's interest. I'm sure he will trust you to do so. I would contact him, but I want to first secure the route to the fleet. I don't need the rebels sneaking in and trying to destroy the Dreadnaughts."

"I can do that." She walked to her bedroom and pulled on a bathrobe. "Do you want to order dinner?"

Luke followed behind her and hopped onto her bed. "I can eat." He leaned over on his side propping himself up on his elbow. "Mara, when you were the Emperor's Hand you worked at tracking people, didn't you?"

She cinched up the drawstring of her robe and sat down at the foot of the bed. "Yes, why?"

"I would like help finding my sister." He looked up at the ceiling and breathed deep. "I would like it done quietly. If she knew I was actively searching for her she'd go further underground. Also, if I made a public announcement that she is my sister and ask for a meeting she would never believe it. She'd reason it was an attempt to malign her reputation. Calling her the daughter of Vader would infuriate her...even if it is true."

She raised an eyebrow. "You want to keep it a secret from her...forever?"

He dropped down on the mattress with a fiery sigh. "I don't know. Deep down, I want to tell her we are siblings, but I think knowing Vader was her biological father would cause her the same emotional pain I endured for months after I found out."

"But you survived and came out stronger," Mara reassured him as she shifted in the bed until she was lying next to him.

He rolled to his side and reached up, cupping her cheek with his palm. "Leia grew up with loving parents...parents that she basically had to watch die when Tarkin destroyed Alderaan. I suffered the death of my Aunt and Uncle...and it was heartbreaking. I can't imagine how Leia is able to function when everybody that she knew on her homeworld was murdered. She lost so many people at once: her adopted parents, her childhood friends, teachers, mentors, everyone that was on the planet that day...they're all dead. And it was our father who held her shoulders and forced her to watch. I don't think Leia would want to know that truth." He leaned in and gave Mara a quick kiss on the lips. "But I do want to find her and make sure she's safe. I would like it if Leia and I could be friends again or at least form some type of truce. Would you help me search for her?"

"Yes," she said softly. "Maybe Karrde can help. He is an information broker."

Luke smiled widely. "Just keep our relationship a secret. He doesn't need to know she's my sister. I think the less people that know, the better."

She nodded. "Consider it done."

"Thanks." His serious expression broke into a wide grin as he reached down to untie her robe while leaning in to nibble on her ear.

"I thought you wanted to eat," she laughed as she slapped his hands away.

"I'm feeling a bit peckish for breakfast in bed."

"It's dinner time!" She giggled while squirming under Luke's machinations.

"Don't bother me with technicalities when I'm famished," Luke chuckled as he placed a line of kisses down her neck and shoulders. "I've been hungry for you for days."