Death Star II Mobile Battle Station
The preparation to become Emperor should be an exciting event, something that fills a person with joyous anticipation, but Luke felt only boredom.
He was currently in a conference room going over details with the Coruscanti Palace event coordinator, Dal Burnight. The man was a middle-aged human with garish clothing and a personality that exhibited a perfect mixture of arrogance and flatterer. The latter trait has kept him alive over the last thirty minutes when dealing with Luke's father. Luke had to admit, the man knew how to read a room. When his haughtiness brushed Vader the wrong way the man quickly course corrected, apologized for any misunderstanding, and then kowtowed to the emperor like the perfect sycophant.
Currently Burnight was trying to convince Emperor Vader to a transition of power ceremony that involved a crown being removed from the current emperor to the new leader. Luke explained to the man there was no crown, and he wouldn't wear one even if there was. Then there was talk of a scepter being handed to Luke symbolizing the change of leadership. Luke informed him that there was no scepter. The man gazed at the people at the meeting-Emperor Vader, Luke, Mara, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Admiral Fel and Commodore Vanto-with a look of frustration. The last three participants were not invited for the coronation planning as much as a follow on meeting to discuss the future of the Empire. Luke had thought the meeting with Burnight would be quick and painless, but he was wrong.
"There should be something passed from the current emperor to the new emperor during the ceremony," Burnight insisted.
Luke heard his father give a mechanical sigh and he could feel Vader's growing desire to end this meeting...probably by killing the unfortunate coordinator.
"How about the cape," Mara suggested.
Burnight smiled brightly. "Yes, Emperor Vader can take off his cape and give it to his son."
"That will not work," Emperor Vader said curtly.
Luke gave him a curious look. "Why not?"
Vader stood and removed his cape and gestured for Luke to rise and come to his position. When Luke was next to his father, Vader draped the cape around Luke's shoulders.
Luke reached up and clasped the gold-trimmed black cape around his neck and immediately understood his father's concern. The cape was far too long for Luke. When Vader wore the garment, it ended a few centimeters from the floor. On Luke, it dragged out behind him like a train of a wedding gown. He looked like a toddler trying out his father's clothing.
Commodore Vanto made a coughing noise and Luke suspected he was trying to mask a laugh. Mara didn't bother disguising anything. She laughed out loud.
"We can work with this," Burnight said happily. "The emperor takes off the cloak and hands it to his guards who perform a ceremonial folding of the garment like they would a flag. A new cape tailored to the Supreme Commander's height is handed to Lord Vader who helps his son put it on." He looked around to see if there was any problem with that plan. When nobody commented he continued. "Then we can do the standard swearing in ceremony. It shouldn't take over an hour."
Luke groaned at the thought. He looked at his father. "Couldn't I just take over command the way you did."
His father stared at him for a long pause. "Do you mean by murdering the acting emperor and then declaring, 'I'm in charge now.'"
Luke frowned and shook his head. "I was thinking of skipping the first part of that strategy, but yes, just making a declaration to the public sounds good to me."
"Supreme Commander Skywalker," Burnight's tone became serious, almost imploring. "Imperial citizens desire to see their new ruler...to hear you speak. They want to know what you have planned for their future."
Luke thought about it before nodding. The man was right. Imperials have endured decades of war. First there was the fight against the Separatists, then the Clone Wars, the early years of the Rebellion, and then the Galactic Civil War. There were trillions of citizens that have never known peace. He needed to reassure the populace that the fighting was at an end. "You're right." He returned the cape to his father who quickly fastened it back onto his armor. Luke walked back to his seat and sat down before returning his attention back to the coordinator. "Make arrangements for the ceremony. The palace tailor knows my measurements. Have a cape made for me." Luke thought for a moment before continuing. "And I would like to introduce my wife during the coronation since she will be Empress."
Burnight's jaw went slack. "A wife? You are married?"
Luke's expression took on one of irritation. "Yes, I have a wife. Is that so surprising?" He motioned to Mara. "Mara Jade Skywalker who will soon be Empress."
The man looked upset, or perhaps heartbroken that he missed the opportunity to coordinate a royal wedding. "Did this happen recently? Why didn't you make the wedding public?"
Emperor Vader, who had yet to sit down, took a step toward the man and growled. "That is not your concern. You have all the information needed for the coronation...leave...NOW!"
Dal Burnight practically tripped over his feet trying to get out of the room.
Luke could hear his father muttering something under his breath, but he didn't dare ask him to enunciate his thoughts to the group.
Vader sat down and looked at the people remaining.
"You are here today to discuss the future use of the Death Star." He gestured toward Luke. "Since I doubt my son will utilize the space station as it was intended, we need to envision a more...," Vader paused as he thought of the right work. "A more benign use of the battle station."
Commodore Vanto turned and gazed at the Grand Admiral as if waiting for him to make some announcement. The Admiral cleared his throat and said, "I have a few ideas on that matter."
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Death Star II Mobile Battle Station: Detention Level: Military Magistrate Wing
Luke walked out of the tribunal proceedings, his emotions varying from anger to disappointment and sadness. "Kriff!" he yelled startling the guards posted outside the door.
"Are you alright, Sir?" the senior guard asked, and Luke could feel his genuine concern through the Force.
Luke gazed down at the deck as he composed himself. He turned to the guard and forced a smile on his face. "I'm fine...emotions are just high."
"Understandable, Sir."
Luke was positive the guard did not understand...not one iota. The young soldier probably thought the prosecution was not doing their job and were unable to convict. That was the opposite of what was happening. Leia, despite the pleas of her defense lawyer, started a political diatribe that not only maligned the character of the judge and jury, but also the Emperor and the Supreme Commander. Twice the Judge instructed the defense counsel to gain control of his clients. Eventually Leia was dragged out of the courtroom in cuffs, leaving Han to sit alone. Luke had asked her to do only one thing—remain quiet. If she kept her mouth shut, there was a good chance that the minimum sentence would have been levied against her and Han. That was impossible now. She vowed to overthrow the emperor. She said she wouldn't stop until Vader was dead, and the Senate reestablished.
Luke blew out a frustrated breath and he walked down the corridor toward his office. Halfway there, Mara intercepted him.
"I felt your anger. What did she do?"
Luke stopped and had to laugh at that question. "What did she do? What didn't she do?" He ran a hand through his hair as he stared up at the ceiling feeling utterly defeated. "She advocated the overthrow of the Imperial government which has a mandatory penalty of five to twenty years. She then threatened harm to the emperor which could tack on another twenty years. And that is on top of the initial charges of treason, espionage and terrorism."
Mara winced at the news and folded Luke into her arms. "I'm sorry."
Luke held her tight taking comfort from her embrace. "At the end Han was trying to calm her down."
Mara stepped back so she could look Luke in the eyes. "When will the verdict and sentencing be done?"
"Soon. Leia's outburst came after the closing remarks."
"Can the defense petition for a mistrial?"
"He could if it was anybody else but her or Han doing the ranting."
"I'm sorry Luke. I know you wanted a minimum sentence. Even your father mentioned he hoped she would be cooperative. He doesn't want to see Leia spend the rest of her life in prison."
She wrapped an arm around his waist and led him down the hallway. He knew she was bringing him to their quarters. She was right in doing so. His crew shouldn't see him in such distress.
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"All rise." General Toffer called out from the bench. He turned to the five military personnel serving on the jury. "Have you reached a verdict?"
The jury consisted of three males and two females, all human, and all stood at rigid attention. The senior ranking officer, a middle-aged Colonel from the Stormtrooper Corps wearing a black Imperial uniform faced the judge. "We have, Sir."
"Please announce your decision."
"On the charge of terroristic acts: guilty. Conspiracy to commit murder: guilty. Murder in the first degree: guilty. Wanton destruction brought on by weapons of mass destruction: guilty. Espionage: guilty. Treason: guilty. " The officer finished and waited for the judge to give further orders.
"Leia Organa and Han Solo," the General said solemnly. "You have been found guilty of all charges. In addition to the charges brought against you at the start of this trial you, Leia Organa, have committed a number of crimes during the trial to include threats against the emperor and statements advocating the overthrow of a lawfully established government."
Leia rolled her eyes but remained silent. The judge witnessed the gesture but ignored it. "I have discussed the new crimes with the prosecutor and the emperor, and it was decided not to pursue those charges. Surprisingly, the emperor himself said he could understand why you would want him dead and doesn't blame you for expressing those feelings in the courtroom." Leia's jaw went slack at that comment making the judge chuckle. "I think you have enough on your plate anyway. The maximum penalty for your crimes is life in prison. Until recently the punishment was life in a work camp, but Emperor Vader had those facilities closed." He looked Leia in the eye. "Lucky you." He leaned back in his padded black chair and glared at the two rebels. "Previously, you two were given a pardon for past crimes and exiled. You came back to wreak destruction on the Empire. You must face the consequences of your actions." The man stared at the two defendants for a long moment before passing sentence. "Leia Organa formally of Alderaan, I sentence you to forty years in Imperial prison."
The woman let out a groan but kept her aplomb. Solo looked more upset than her.
"Han Solo, I sentence you to ten years in prison as an accomplice to these crimes committed by your codefendant."
Leia smiled, relieved at his comparatively lenient sentence, and gave Han a fierce hug. Solo tried to remain stoic, but his eyes began to mist over as he held Leia in his arms. He leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head.
Luke stood from where he sat in the rear of the courtroom. He wanted to leave before his sister could address him. As he walked into the corridor, he wiped the tears from his face. He had hoped Leia would have gotten a lighter sentence, a similar sentence to Han's, but her tirade in court dashed that hope.
He took in a few deep breaths in an effort to regain his composure. He knew Leia and Han would be taken out of the courtroom via separate side exits. Now that they were convicted of a crime they would be placed in separate holding cells before they can be transported to their more permanent prisons.
"Supreme Commander?" Luke turned to see the defense counsel lawyer. Next to him was Han Solo. "Captain Solo would like a word."
Luke turned his attention to Han. The man's hands were cuffed in front of him and there were two stormtroopers on either side of the rebel. "Luke." Han's voice was cracked with emotion. "I couldn't speak to you earlier; I didn't want Leia to know."
"Know what?" Luke asked.
"I know I'm convicted but I would like to make a bargain with you. I think I can do something for you in exchange for a change in my sentence."
Luke sighed deeply, but he knew Han didn't deserve the sentence he received. Luke doubted he had any say in what happened on Corellia. He nodded and motioned toward the lawyer. "Can we use your counsel office?"
The man motioned down the hallway. "Of course, Supreme Commander. This way."
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Death Star II Mobile Battle Station
As they entered the defense counselor's office Luke motioned for the Stormtroopers to stay outside. Han looked to his lawyer and asked, "Can I talk to the Supreme Commander in private?"
The defense lawyer turned to Luke. "I suppose that's up to him."
Luke waved the man off. "I'll be okay alone with Han." When the lawyer hesitated Luke motioned to Han's bound hands. "He's in cuffs and I am a skilled Force-user. I'm not in any danger."
The lawyer nodded and left the room closing the door behind him. Luke motioned for Han to sit in one of the padded seats while Luke took a seat at the barrister's desk. "What's the bargain you mentioned." Luke asked the question with some trepidation. He hoped Han wasn't about to betray Leia in some way. He didn't think it possible, but the man was facing ten years in an Imperial prison. That could make anybody desperate.
"I have something you may want." Han sat forward, his elbows on his knees. "I have been doing a little freelancing smuggling over the years to help finance the Rebellion." Han paused for a moment before continuing. "I came across something. A cube. I was told it was a Jedi relic."
Luke's brow went up in surprise. "What type of relic?"
Han shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure. I was told you must be a Force-user to activate it, but that might not be true because it started glowing when Leia handled it. I was afraid it might be dangerous, so I snatched it away."
"It was a cube? How big?" Luke suspected it might be a holocron. His father had told him about the devices, but it was believed Palpatine destroyed them all. If it was true, it could be a wealth of information...especially if Luke ever decided to train Imperial Knights.
"It was small enough to fit in the palm of your hand," Han answered.
Luke didn't want to seem too anxious, mainly because he didn't know what Han wanted in exchange. If his friend asked for the release of Leia, he couldn't do it. Leia made it clear that she would never stop fighting until Vader was dead and the senate reestablished. If he pardoned and exiled her again, he would be possibly endangering the people he ruled. "What do you want for it?"
Han looked into Luke's eyes and said something completely unexpected. "I want you to increase my sentence to match Leia's...and keep us together...I don't care where we're held...just that we're together. Drop us off on some desolate but habitable planet for the next forty years."
Luke was completely taken aback by the request.
"Han, I'm not going to increase your sentence. That's insane." He shook his head in disbelief. "Even if I did, Leia would never agree to your plan."
Han barked out a laugh. "She doesn't have to agree. You make the rules."
"Yes," Luke said slowly. "But you will have to live with her wrath for forty years."
"She'll forgive me."
Luke reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Han, I can't leave you two on some isolated planet. What if you get hurt?"
"Leave us with a medical droid," Han shot back.
"What if you run out of food or the local fauna is dangerous?"
"Leave us on one of your many closed labor camps with provisions, a medical droid and security droid that can provide protection."
Luke could think of a million reasons why this plan wouldn't work. "Han, what if you and Leia have kids? Do you want them living in isolation on a desolate former labor camp?"
"Sterilize me," Han said sounding desperate. "Luke, I don't care how you do it...just keep me and Leia together." He gave a pleading look. "Please."
Luke thought it over. What Han proposed was feasible, minus the sterilization part, that is. There were long lasting reproductive repress meds, after all. There was also no need to increase Han's sentence when he could simply stay with Leia after his ten year term had passed. Luke sighed deeply and relented. "Okay, I'll make it work. Where is the Jedi relic?"
"It is in one of Artoo's lower dome panels. It was a tight fit, but I got it in." Han's eyes went wide with worry. "You do have Artoo, don't you? Karrde didn't sell him or something, did he?"
"Artoo and the Falcon are on board. They are fine."
Han gave a sigh of relief. "Go to Artoo, you'll find the thing I was talking about. If it is a Jedi relic...you'll keep your word, right?"
"I'll keep my word...even if it turns out to not be a Jedi relic." Luke gazed at him sadly. "I know Leia will never believe it...but I am your friend. You and Leia are like family to me. I care for you both deeply. If you can eventually convince her of that...I will be forever grateful."
Han smiled sadly. "I believe it...and I think that deep down Leia knows it to be true. She just has so much pain that's she's dealing with."
"I know, I know," Luke whispered as he stood. "I'll make the arrangements." He walked over to Han who stood and held out his cuffed hands to clasp Luke's in a heartfelt handshake.
When he released his grip he asked, "Luke, do you know where Chewie is? Was he captured?"
The Supreme Commander shook his head. "He hasn't been captured by the Empire and we are not actively looking for him."
Han was relieved. "Good."
"Do you want me to get a message to him through his family?"
Han gazed down at the deck in thought. "I'm afraid if he knows we're alive and being held by the Empire he will try to rescue us...and he'll end up getting himself killed."
Luke nodded in agreement. "He would try." He stepped toward the door. "Until we meet again, Han."
"Until then," Han said softly. Luke opened the door and instructed his Stormtroopers to put Han and Leia back in the dignitary quarters where they spent pretrial confinement and to not to move them until further notice.
Luke watched as Han was led away, he then turned and made his way to the docking bay where the Falcon was berthed.
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Death Star II Mobile Battle Station: Docking bay
Luke tried to retrieve the Jedi relic from an obstinate Artoo Detoo, who, despite the industrial strength restraining bolt, somehow refused to open the dome panel where the Holocron was located. Luke didn't want to break out the cutting torch on his old friend, so he had Han escorted to the Millennium Falcon and talk to the droid.
As Han was led onto the ship a feeling of melancholy washed over Luke. His eyes misted up as he fondly recalled their adventures aboard the battered freighter...Luke, Han, Leia and Chewie. He had hoped that one day they could be friends again, but he didn't know if that would ever be possible now.
They walked to the deactivated droid and Luke knelt and pushed the button allowing the astromech to power up. The droid's optical sensor turned toward Luke and then let out a sound of disapproval.
"Hey, hey," Han had said as he positioned himself in front of the droid. "That is no way to talk to a friend."
The droid turned its gaze to Luke and then back to Han before letting out a string of beeps and buzzes. "Listen," Han said slowly. "I've been mistaken about Luke. Leia and I have both have been wrong. Luke's been making changes for the better from in inside of the government."
The droid made another series of beeps causing Han to wince. Artoo wanted to know what happened to Leia. Han cleared his throat and answered. "Artoo, Leia is in confinement. We've been convicted for the attack on Corellia."
Artoo gave a somber metallic sigh. "I promised Luke the cube you have in your dome in exchange for him keeping me and Leia together as we serve out our sentence." When the droid did not open the panel Han pleaded with the little astromech. "Please Artoo. I don't want to be away from her."
There was a slight hesitation before the small blue panel slid open. Han reached in and grabbed the device and handed it to Luke who put it in a small containment case. It was the type of container used by archeologists to transport items of questionable origin. The box had built in sensors to check for radiation, toxins, gases, and explosives. It was built out of a layer of beskar, doonium and duraplast and was reportedly able to contain an explosive blast if a dangerous item was placed inside. Luke closed the container and pushed the scan button. After a minute a blue light flashed indicating all clear. Luke smiled at Han. "Thanks."
"You're going to keep your word?" Han asked as he stood.
"I will," Luke assured him. "I probably will have to wait until after my coronation to find a permanent home for you and Leia. I will keep you in the dignitary quarters until then."
Han looked surprised. "Vader is really abdicating? You mentioned it before, but what I don't understand is why."
Luke pushed the button on Artoo ensuring the little droid was locked down. "He's getting old and wants to ensure there is a smooth change of command."
"What is he going to do then?" Han asked.
Luke laughed. "I think he will then spend the next few years nagging me to make him a grandfather."
Han looked a little flummoxed by that comment. "Do you even have a lady friend? Or is Vader going to...I don't know..."
"Assign me a concubine...or build me a harem?" Luke offered sarcastically. "No need. I married Mara Jade. We've kept it quiet. We will announce our marriage at the coronation."
Han's brow shot up. "You married the woman who abducted you and tried to sell you to me and Leia?"
Luke shrugged. "She also captured my heart...and she doesn't do catch and release." He gave his friend a pat on the back as he walked him off the Falcon. "You are not one to talk. Leia is just as bold."
"Yeah, but she didn't try to sell me to the highest bidder," Han said sarcastically.
"True," Luke had to admit.
The smuggler grinned widely. "Congratulations, Luke."
Luke smiled sensing Han's words were sincere. "Thanks."
As they arrived at the boarding ramp Han stopped and looked around his ship. "Will I ever see her again?"
"Yes." Luke gave his friend a reassuring smile. "She'll be waiting for you upon your release."