Admiral Ackbar's eyes swiveled as he considered Han and Leia's words. "An Imperial Grand Admiral would explain a great many things."

"Mon Mothma's having Research look into it;" said Leia but they all knew that it wasn't likely that anything would be found on the Grand Admirals, much less this particular Grand Admiral.

"And you said you had a name?"

"Yeah;" said Han, "Mara, that is to say, Jedi Jade Skywalker identified him after hearing my description. From her reaction, it's even worse than it was before. Apparently Grand Admiral Thrawn is a particularly dangerous specimen."

Ackbar nodded slowly. "Thrawn; that name seems slightly familiar. Why is that?"

Leia sighed and rubbed her temples. "Well Thrawn apparently ran into Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndula before Yavin during the Lothol insurrections. Not only that but everyone's favorite one-time Imperial agent seems to know quite a bit about Grand Admiral Thrawn's career before his disappearance."

"Compile everything we can about him and bring it to the Council;" said Ackbar. "And bring a copy to me to look over as well."

"We'll do that;" promised Han.

"And we'll clear you're name, Admiral;" said Leia. "In fact, you'll be interested to hear that Mara Jade Skywalker will be looking into it herself."

The Mon Calamari gave a grunt that could have been a light chuckle. "That is comforting. If it wasn't for her, the Zann Consortium's Defiler's could quite possible still be running a-muck."

Han and Leia nodded, small smiles playing about their faces as memories of the passed arose. Mara had been almost insufferable back then, smug and confident, reveling in her successes. For the most part, she simply directed operations between missions with the Jedi or with Alliance Intelligence, instructing teams and coordinate them during their hunts. Even so, a lot of the success was attributed to her.

"I read over your report of the Sluis Van attack several times and also managed to get Commander Antilles' as well ad something stood out to me. He said that the freighter that the TIE's came from read as completely empty. Not just static dampened but empty."

Han nodded slowly. "Yeah, that's right. He said that it registered as empty according to any and all scans and sensor readings. I was wondering about it, myself."

"It's much more important than you seem to think. If his report is accurate, which no doubt it is, it means that the Empire has developed a workable cloaking shield."

Han frowned. "I don't get it. The Empire, the Zann Consortium, the old Republic and even the Confederacy of Independent Systems had and have cloaking technology."

"But not like this;" sighed Ackbar. "Stealth field generators overload and shut down if a blaster is fired. The energy disrupts the field. Not only that but rapid movements cause the fields to fracture, making them shimmer which risks detection. On ships, if you so much as activate your deflector shields, the stealth field shorts out. It has its advantageous of course but also its weaknesses. I doubt it was used in this case here - unless each and every TIE Fighter has a stealth field generator powerful enough to cover it."

"Couldn't they though?" asked Han. "We've dealt with TIE's that had this kind of tech before."

"True but those Phantom TIE Fighters are very expensive. According to the report this were just regular TIE Fighters. No, I suspect that a cloaking shield was used. Cloaking shields cast a field around a ship or, in this case apparently, a part of the ship, that renders it completely invisible and undetectable. It's major downfall, other than its own high price tag, is that anyone within the field is completely blind. Communications cannot get in or out, nor can sensor or scanner readings. Apparently you can fire from them, though."

"Yeah that would be a great help if you could see anything;" snorted Han. "Anyhow, it looks like our Grand Admiral Thrawn figured out a way to employ one. That's just great."

Ackbar nodded and slumped. "We can be ready for a trick like that again. My worry is that he discovers other ways to use it."

Turning to Leia, he said, "You or Jade Skywalker must get me cleared of these charges, Councilor and as soon as possible. For all his ambition and self-confidence, Councilor Fey'lya doesn't have the tactical skills we need against a threat of this magnitude."

"We'll get you released, Admiral;" promised Leia. "We're working on it right now."

Just then, the G-2RD droid entered and said, "Excuse me; your time has expired."

Leia wished she could stay longer but, seeing as it couldn't be helped, she and Han departed after bidding the Admiral goodbye. As they made their way back to the lifts when Han murmured to her, "You haven't told me yet why you and Chewie left Kashyyyk and came back here."

Leia suppressed a wince. She knew that at some point, she would have to let Han in on the deal she made with the Noghri warrior Khabarakh but a public walk way of the Imperial Palace was not a good place to do so. Taking a deep breath, she replied, "There didn't seem any point in staying. There was another attack."

"There what?" snapped Han, just a little louder than either of them had wanted.

Leia soothed him quietly, "Relax, we fought it off, and I've made arrangements that should keep me safe, at least for the next couple weeks. I'll tell you more about it later when we're someplace more secure."

She could feel his suspicions and his hard looks towards her. Han was smart. He knew she was hiding something for him. But he also trusted her. "All right;" he finally murmured. "I just hop that you know what you're doing."

Leia shivered slightly, her hand going subconsciously to her belly, reaching out with the force to the two little lives within her womb. In a voice that was barely audible, she murmured, "So do I."

Coruscant - The Headquarters of the Jedi Order

"Farmboy?"

Luke sighed and leaned back from the terminal. "Over here, Mara;" he called as he rubbed his temples.

A pair of small, strong hands landed on his shoulders and began to rub. "Been awhile since you checked you father's archives. What are you looking for?"

"I was hoping for any references to Thrawn but it would seem that my father decided to delete any records he had when Thrawn left the known galaxy;" sighed Luke.

Mara hmmm'd as she kept rubbing his previous taut muscles. After a companionable silence, Luke chuckled and said, "You know, I should really be doing this for you."

"You do all the time;" murmured Mara. "I don't mind returning the favor occasionally. Oh, by the way, I just got word from Lando. He managed to stop some attempted capital ship hijackers. We still need to get him his ship back too, by the way."

Luke's eyes opened back up. "He did what?"

"Some fringe ship thief tried to walk away with a Corellian gunship or something and he managed to talk them down - or at least, he managed to give them a better target. I dunno. You never know with Lando."

Luke tried to get up but his wife's strong hands held him down. "It's all fine. No need to rush off. Hey, you mind if I try something on one of these terminals?"

"Yes, because that's starting to feel really good."

Mara chuckled and said, "I'll get right back to it. In the mean time, let me see-"

She began to tap away at the keys. Luke watched with mild interest until the monitor screen suddenly changed, showing a long list of files that Luke had not seen before in any of his searches. "Woah!" he said, sitting up and leaning closer. "Mara, did you just slice into that?"

"Not technically;" said Mara as she leaned back, looking quite pleased with herself. "The Emperor usually put back doors in all his computers - from the palace terminals to those on every single starship. I tried it on the terminals in Vader's personal chambers and, since it didn't work there, I figured there was no need to try the more public ones. Now, let's take a-"

"Luke? Mara? You in here?"

The Skywalkers looked at one another ruefully. "Over here, Wade;" they called together.

The large bulk of the young Jedi Knight Wade Vox came around a row of monitors. "Princess Leia asked you to meet her in her office as soon as possible. Woah! Where did you find those? I've been messing with these systems on and off since we got here and never found those!"

Mara stood and winked at him with a smirk. "That's because I know a few tricks that even your special affinity with technology can't teach you, Hon. Tell you what - I've got a list of subjects for you to look into if your willing. Take this datacard here and sift through the files I just uncovered. You do that, I'll show you my secret on how to access the back door of almost any Imperial computer or system. How does that sound?"

Wade was all but prancing in place with glee as he almost reverently took the datacard she gave give. Mara chuckled and gave him a kiss on the check as she passed him by. Luke slapped him on the back fondly as Wade plopped down, inserted the card and got to work.

As they handed to the air speeder pads, Luke softly tutted. "Mara, you can't push research work off onto Wade every time it comes up, you know. If you do, he's going to spend most of his time hiding from you whenever he hears you need a favor."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Skywalker;" Mara said briskly as she slapped the door control. "I figured it's time to trust someone with all my old access codes and Wade seems like the best fit considering his skills and affinity and what not."

"Mara," chuckled Luke as he gently wrapped an arm around her waist. "I can tell that you are only partially telling the truth. You know how?"

"I am hurt that you would even suggest such a thing, Sky-"

Luke cut her off by placing an index finger against her plump lips before saying, "Because unless you are seriously upset with me, the only time you ever call me Skywalker anymore is when you're up to some kind of mischief."

Luke removed his finger and opened the hatch for her. Mara glared at him, though the glare didn't hold much heat. With a hmph, she climbed in, muttering as she did. "I cannot believe it! I, Mara Jade Skywalker, am getting predictable."

Luke laughed all the way around to the drivers side and sat down. He leaned over and kissed his beloved before saying, "Only to me, Mara. Only to me."

They sped through the regular traffic patterns towards the Imperial Palace in companionable silence, just allowing their thoughts to travel over their powerful force bond and sharing every emotion, every worry and every joy. It was almost painful to pull away as they dropped to the pad and disembarked. Arm in arm, they strode through the halls towards the offices of the High Councilors. "Well I suppose that the restful day was nice while it lasted;" murmured Mara ruefully.

Luke chuckled. "I'm surprised we had the time that we did. The Council was pleased with the intel we could gather. Hopefully the research you conned Wade into will bare even more fruit."

Mara gave a gasp of mock offense and swatted his shoulder. "I did not con him, Sky- Luke! I gave him a new toy to play with."

"Right;" laughed Luke as they entered the office.

A familiar face greeted them. "Master Luke, Mistress Mara - how good to see you both! I trust that you are both well?"

Luke smiled. "We are, thanks, Threepio."

Mara patted the droids metal fondly. "Artoo says hello, by the way. He running checks on the Star and the Knight Returns. If you'd like, we can send him over later."

"Oh! That would be most wonderful! Thank you, Mistress Mara. Princess Leia and the others are expecting you." He turned and hit the inner door release. "Please go in."

"Thank you;" said Luke, nodding with the utmost gravity. No matter how ridiculous Threepio might look in any given situation, there was always a certain inherent dignity about him. Luke and Mara usually tried to react in kind to that dignity.

In the inner chamber were Han and Leia, holding a quiet conversation over the computer display monitor at Leia's desk. Winter stood holding a datapad near the corner and Chewbacca sat alone near the door, his bowcaster resting over his knees. Mara looked over at him with a frown. "Hey Chewie; everything okay?"

The Wookiee gave her a few growling comments. "You don't say?" murmured Mara as she turned back to Leia and Han.

Leia and Han looked at them for the first time. "Thank you for coming, you two. Winter, that will be all for now."

"Yes, Your Highness," nodded Winter. With effortless grace, she glided from the room.

A mischievous grin came across Mara's face. You know, I can see what you saw in her. She teased through their bond.

It took a conscious use of the force to keep the blush out of his face. I was younger then, Mara. Hadn't met the right person.

"If we aren't interrupting;" said Leia dryly.

"Sorry;" chuckled Luke. "So what are we going to do about the proton bomb we unloaded on the council yesterday?"

Han snorted in disgust. "It's not as if they believe us. Fey'lya is doing everything he can to discredit both of us;" he motioned between himself and Mara.

The redheaded Jedi Knight's emerald eyes glinted. "Oh is he? And how is he managing to do that?"

Leia sighed. "It helps that know one wants to believe that a Grand Admiral survived, much less one that you report is especially dangerous."

"Willful denial;" sighed Luke. "do they have any other explanations for how we got edged so neatly into the trap at Sluis Van."

Han snorted. "That would be where Fey'lya suggests that Ackbar's collusion comes in - that or his incompetence."

Mara rolled her eyes. "Oh please! If there is anyone on the council that I would suspect collusion or corruption of any kind, it isn't Ackbar. In fact, he is the last person I would and that is up to and including Mon Mothma;" suddenly, her green eyes widened and she blushed rather uncharacteristically. "Present company accepted of course."

Leia and Luke both chuckled. Han, unable to resist a jab at his favorite 'sister', drawled, "Had me worried there for a second, Red! I mean I know I have a checkered past and all that but..."

"Be nice, Han;" laughed Leia.

Quickly, they all sobered. "The truth is, Fey'lya's been keeping his cards close to his fur."

Han nodded. "He claims he's just trying to be fair;" Mara snorted, "but I think her's just trying not to rock all the stabilizers at once."

Luke and Mara shared a glance. Han had something else on his mind. "And maybe something more?" murmured Luke.

"Maybe;" he replied, exchanging a look with Leia. "Did you notice how quickly after Sluis Van Fey'lya dropped the hammer on Ackbar. Either he's one of the great opportunists of all time-"

"Which we already know his is;" said Leia and Mara together.

"-or else he knew in advance what was going to happen."

That brought on silence. In a low murmur, Leia said, "You realize what you're saying. You're accusing a member of the Council of being an Imperial Agent."

"Isn't that what he's accusing Ackbar of being?" countered Han.

"But that's the problem, Han;" said Mara, cutting off Leia's counter. "If we were to go before the rest of the council with this kind of accusation, it would look like a cheap trick by political amateurs to pull the pressure off the Admiral."

Leia nodded, a small smile on her face. "So you were paying attention during those diplomacy lecture with the other Jedi!"

"Nah;" said Mara, waving it away. "I was in the back, making out with your brother."

"Mara!" the Skywalkers groaned.

Han chuckled. "Time well spent. Anyhow, I guess I see your point. But what if that's why he jabbed a furry paw at Ackbar so fast in the first place so that the Admiral couldn't turn it on him."

"Unfortunately, even if that is the case, our political situation is the same. Until Ackbar is clear, we can't go making baseless accusations against Fey'lya."

"May I suggest something?" asked Luke.

They all looked at him. "Whether Fey'lya is really in cahoots with the Empire or not, it's clear he's up to something or another. Wouldn't it be prudent to figure out exactly what it could be?"

Mara nodded. "Yeah. I'll make it a focus of my investigations. That reminds me, do I have the green light from the Council?"

"Not yet;" sighed Leia. "Actually, you'll most likely be summoned before the end of the day and they're going to ask you what you'll be looking into."

"What I'll be looking into?" asked Mara, her voice ever so slightly scournful. "I'll be looking into whatever the bank trace leads me to for starters. I'll also be checking on anyone who are obviously hiding something."

"That's going to be everyone, Mara;" said Leia with a sigh.

"Most likely, yes."

"Then good luck getting your approval for that;" muttered Han. "Anyhow, is there anything the rest of us can start on? About Fey'lya, I mean."

"Well," said Leia, "he grew up on Kothlis and not on Bothawui itself. He joined the Rebel Alliance right after Yavin and brought a good sized group of Bothans in with him. His people served mainly in support and reconnaissance, though they saw some occasional action, too. He was involved in a number of wide-ranging interstellar business activities before joining the Alliance - shipping, merchandising, some mining, assorted other ventures. I'm pretty sure he's kept up with some of them since then, but I don't know which ones."

"I'll find out;" murmured Mara, who was using a datapad to make notes, probably of things to look into specifically.

"You don't have official approval yet, Mara;" sighed Leia.

"And I'm not officially investigating yet;" retorted Mara.

"Well you'll have to look somewhere other than the files." said Leia, rubbing her temples. "I've been through them five times already. There's nothing."

"Is that so?" muttered Han. "Well seems to me like we can start there. Quiet business stuff is always good for digging up dirt."

Mara stood and moved over to the console, wedging herself between Han and Leia. "First question, what engagements were the Bothan's involved in after Yavin?"

"Scratch any battles that they were ordered into;" said Han, giving her more room to work. "and any that there were only a few of them in a multi-species task force."

"So basically anywhere that a bunch of Fey'lya's people really threw themselves into it;" said Mara as she tapped away. "I like it. Okay, let's see here..."

Luke and Leia looked at each other. It was clear to the former that the latter didn't see where Han and Mara were going with this line of inquiry. Luke shrugged. After only a few moments, Mara and Han looked at each other. "Looks like this one is the only one that really fits - a short but vicious engagement over New Cov in the Churba sector. Apparently four Bothan ships took son a Victory-class Star Destroyer, keeping it busy until a Star Cruiser could come and assist them;" said Mara.

Han rubbed the scar on his chin. "New Cov, huh? That system mentioned in Fey'lya's business stuff?"

Leia, still perplexed, shook her head. "No it doesn't."

"Alright;" said Han, "that's where we'll start."

He and Mara stood, leaving Leia and Luke still confused. "Did I miss something?" asked Leia.

"Oh, come on, Leia, " said Han, his voice almost chiding. "You said yourself that the Bothan's pretty much stayed out of the real war wherever they could. They didn't take on a Victory Star Destroyer at New Cov just for the fun of it. They were protecting something."

Mara nodded slowly as well but Leia was unconvinced. "I think you're reaching."

"It's worth checking out;" said Mara as she rubbed her chin lightly. "The smarmy furball is hiding something. Even if I don't think he had anything to do with the money, it would probably be best to figure it out. If it was him, transferring a block fund through Palanhi from the Churba sector would be easier than sending it in from an Imperial-held sector."

"That brings us back to accusing Fey'lya of being an Imperial agent;" said Luke, shaking his head doubtfully.

"Maybe not;" said Han. "Could be that the timing of the transfer was coincidental. Or maybe one of the Bothans got a whiff of the Empire's intentions and Fey'lya figured he could use it to take down Ackbar."

"It's nothing we can take to the Council;" said Leia.

"I'm not going to the Council;" replied Han. "I'm going to take Luke to New Cov and we're going to check it out ourselves, real quiet like."

Mara didn't look too happy to hear that and looked over at Luke. Grimacing, Luke lifted his hands. "It's not like there's anything else I could do here to help;" he said, "and it's worth a look."

That was clearly not what Mara wanted to hear. "There's plenty you could do here;" she countered, crossing her arms. "you could help me with looking into the council. You could help with teaching our Jedi students. There is quite a bit that you could do."

Luke touched one of her crossed arms. "Mara, I think that this is the best course for me at the moment. Somehow, it just feels right."

Mara reached out with the force. To her disappointment, she had to agree. She did not have to like it, however. "How long is this trip going to take?" she muttered.

Luke looked at Han. The former smuggler shrugged. "It can't take that long."

That did nothing to help her feel any better. "Mara;" Luke said but she waved it off.

"Yeah, yeah. Alright, you can go. But you'd better be careful. Take care of each other and if I have to come out and rescue either of you, there will be chaotic hell to pay."

Luke leaned in and kissed her before murmuring, "I wouldn't expect anything less. Are we heading out immediately, Han?"

"Sure, why not. Sooner we leave, the sooner we get back. Leia has the political end and Mara has the information gathering end;" said Han.

There was something in Leia's thoughts that brought Luke and Mara up short. Before either could ask, Chewbacca growled out the entire story.

Mara looked startled and Han turned to Leia. "You promised what?"

She swallowed visibly. "Han, I had no choice."

"No choice? NO CHOICE? I'll give you a choice! No! You're not going!"

"Han-" Leia said levelly.

"Leia;" said Mara quietly. "These Noghri were Darth Vader's own private death commando corp. He used them as the guardians of his own secret installations and as bodyguards for individuals he wanted to be sure stayed alive. They even made the Emperor uncomfortable sometimes - not that they were really a threat to him but that, if he desired, Vader could use them to seriously damage Palpatine's power base."

"But that's just it!" said Leia quickly. "Khabarakh, the warrior that Chewie and I met, knows that I am the daughter of Darth Vader and, at least in their eyes, his heir. It's very important to them for some reason and, hopefully, I'll be able to use that to get them out from under the Empire. Anyway, I have to try."

Mara and Luke both looked decidedly skeptical and Han was still hard faced. "What is this," he snorted derisively, "some sort of crazy Jedi? Luke was always getting all noble and charging off into trouble, too."

Luke suppressed a chuckled with a snort. "We should go check on the Knight's Return."

Mara nodded hesitantly and they departed, leaving Han and Leia alone. "Han," she said quietly, taking one of his large hands in hers. "I know it's a risk, but it may be the only chance we ever have of resolving this. The Noghri need help - Khabarakh admitted it. If I can give them that help - if I can convince them to come over to our side - that'll be one less enemy for us to deal with. Besides, I can't keep running forever."

Han's face had softened and the light of desperation was in his eyes. "What about the twins?"

To his guilty satisfaction, she winced. "I know;" she whispered, her other hand resting on her swollen abdomen. "But what's the alternative? To lock them away in a tower of the Palace somewhere with a ring of Wookiee guards around them? They'll never have any chance of a normal life as long as the Noghri are trying to capture or kill us."

Han gritted his teeth painfully before he deflated, gazing at the love of his life. Ten years - ten years and this woman still knew how to drive him to his very last nerve. Ever since he had first met her, white dressing robe and intricate Alderaan hairstyle a stark contrast to her snippy, fiery attitude as she snatched Luke's blaster and blasted them a way of escape back on the very first Death Star. The flood of memories caused him to go from frustrated, impotent anger to aching worry and sadness.

"Can I at least go with you?" he asked quietly.

Leia smiled through misty eyes, infinitely thankful for his understanding. "I promised I'd go alone. Don't worry, I'll be alright."

"Well;" Han said, standing briskly, "if you're going, you're going. Come on - I'll help you get the Falcon prepped."

"The Falcon? But I thought you were going to New Cov."

"I'll take Lando's ship;" he called over his shoulder as he strode to the door. "We've go to get it back to him anyway."

"But-"

"No argument;" he curt her off gently. "If this Noghri of yours has something besides talking in mind, you'll stand a better chance in the Falcon than you will in the Lady Luck - or any other ship for that matter."

He opened the door to the reception area, only to stop short. Standing directly between him and the door, looking for all the world like a massive hairy thunder cloud, Chewbacca was glowering at him. "What?" demanded Han.

The Wookiee's comment was short, sharp and to the point. "Well I don't much like it either. What do you want me to do?"

Leia came up behind Han. "I'll be all right, Chewie. Really, I will."

Chewbacca growled again, making it abundantly clear of what he thought of her assessment.

"Well if you got any suggestions, let's hear 'em." said Han, crossing his arms.

To no one's surprise, he did. "I'm sorry, Chewie, but I promised Khabarakh that I'd come alone."

In the end, of course, the Wookiee would not be denied. "You know, Sweetheart, I really think you should at least bring him as far as the rendezvous point. You know how seriously Wookiees take this life debt think of theirs. Besides, you need a pilot."

After a long moment of glaring, Leia finally gave in with a sigh. "Alright but as soon as we get to the rendezvous point, Chewie, you do as I say, you got that?"

After just a moment of hesitation, he rumbled his agreement. They collected Threepio on the way to the palace hanger. For the most part, they were quiet, each with a million things that they could say to one another. In the end, after the Falcon was prepped and ready, all Leia could manage was, "I guess we'd better be going."

"I guess you'd better;" replied Han, his throat tight with emotion.