Chapter Fifteen:

There was steam all around the darkened room. Nothing gave light except the ominous reddish-orange glow given off by the lava river below. The oppressive heat was ignored as a hooded man slowly paced around the figure kneeling upon the ground.

The one kneeling kept its head down, though their own hood hid the features of the person wearing it.

"The job is done?" Darth Vader demanded of the one kneeling as he continued to walk about him in a calculating manner.

"It is."

A figure in bed shifted uncomfortably, recognizing the second voice and jerking in shock.

"Show me." Vader ordered. "Leave nothing out."

"Yes Master."

The hooded figure extended one pale hand and it was accepted by his master, his Emperor. Memories were shared, and soon it played before their joined mental eyes.

...women and children screaming, men trying their best to protect their families as the Sith Apprentice swept mercilessly through their numbers... none were spared that were found, and as commanded he let the wrath of the Emperor loose. These people would dare paint their Emperor in a disrespectful light as they had? And to top it off, they had been behind the attempted assassination.

Well, not all of them... but the Emperor wanted an example made of them. He wanted it known galaxy-wide what happened to those who tried to go against their Emperor in such a manner.

Women huddled, clutching shrieking children to their hearts as he swept his blade left, right, here and there. Walls were brought down on the larger structures so the building would collapse upon its inhabitants to save time.

And at long last, the actual assassins were approached, their agonized and red-rimmed eyes meeting his own with utter hatred.

"You are a monster!"

The lightsaber hummed as it was swung in a final arc, cutting the two down in seconds...

"I am impressed." Darth Vader said as he pulled away. "You have indeed made me proud, Luke. My son."

Luke Vader lifted his head, yellow eyes glowing with the power he wielded. "Thank you, Father."

"NO!" Luke cried as he sat bolt upright in bed, covered in a thick sheen of perspiration. His chest heaved, and Luke looked frantically around the dark space, half expecting the glow to still be there... though it was warm...

Luke gasped and flew from the bed— caught up in the emotional high from his nightmare— and sprinted to find the first mirror he could, skidding to a halt and staring at his eyes.

When he was presented with brown instead of yellow— there was absolutely no ocher— Luke let out a deep, relieved sigh and sank to the floor, shivering.

Luke huddled where he was, wrapping his arms around his knees and rocking in place some. He squeezed his eyes shut against frightened tears and tried his hardest to hold it together. He was only partially successful; managing to hold back a sob but not the tears.

As the bad dream replayed in his mind's eye, Luke began to chant to himself 'It's not real... it's not real...'

This went on for several minutes before he was able to slow his racing heart and take a shuddering breath.

"I am Luke... and I am not a monster... I am not... I'm not." He breathed.

He sat stock still for an unknown amount of time before— no longer tired and not daring to try sleep again— he stood on shaky knees and went to where he had his droid parts stored. Picking up the head, Luke lost himself in its construction, grateful for the work that would keep his mind away from the horrid dream.

00000

Deep into the night, and within his personal quarters on the Millennium Falcon, Han sat back and shook his head with a sigh. "Aw, this is hopeless."

He stared at the computer terminal he had been in front of for two hours now trying to find the kid something that would suit his needs like Han intended. But though he had searched and searched for a jacket with a hood deep enough to hide one's face while also allowing for perfect maneuverability, nothing had met his criteria.

The kid needed a jacket, not a robe, and he needed something that would to hamper him in battle. Han muttered under his breath and turned off the terminal.

He had really come to like Velius, and it wasn't taking Han long to see him as a friend despite earlier reservations. Velius' honesty in staying with the Falcon on Vestar and not causing trouble for Han and Chewie despite ample opportunities had finally won the kid Han's hard-earned trust. Add to that the fact that Velius had saved Han and Chewie's lives more than once, and Han had to admit he didn't mistrust him anymore.

Also, aside from his battle skills and other abilities that had become apparent the more Han spent time with Velius, the kid just had a sort of hidden charisma and honesty to him that Han found oddly refreshing.

And... there was a deep vulnerability Han could sense beneath the outer shell the kid seemed to wear at all times. And this susceptibility called to Han's protective instincts like he'd not experienced before.

With all these things factored in, the smuggler wanted to help Velius, and he wanted to really give the kid something to cling to except his fear of a master that obviously had him on edge. Han wanted to help Velius get on his own two feet... away from the Empire.

Han rose from his chair and moved to take his vest off, placing it in the closet. It was as he did this that the man paused, eyeing the article hanging on the farthest left of the rack.

Han frowned and shuffled the other clothes to the side so he could take a closer look at it. Surprise flitted through him when he recognized his old black jacket that Dewlanna had given him. It had been big on Han for a long time since it had been in fact a jacket meant for a young man.

That had been nearly ten years ago, and Han had been smaller, but of course now that he was an adult he had outgrown the item. But looking at it, Han thought it just might fit Velius. The kid wasn't fully fleshed out, but Han was pretty sure he was done growing height-wise, and judging from the kid's build, he wouldn't be getting stocky.

Han hadn't worn the thing in years... and the more he thought about it, the more he wanted it to go to a good cause rather than collecting dust and falling into obscurity. Besides, giving it to the kid felt like Han was honoring the Wookiee who had been a mother to Han. The smuggler was helping someone as she'd once done for him.

That realization, and the emotional memories it recalled for him, solidified Han's resolve and he swore then and there to be more of a friend to Velius, and to help him in his time of need.

It was Han's turn to give what Dewlanna had given Han: a real second chance... and a true friendship.

Maybe it would deepen into brotherhood, who could tell? But Han realized then that in a rare exposure of his own, that he actually wanted this.

He hadn't ever felt the need to be a friend and brother to anyone besides Chewie. Not even Lando was that close to Han and they had a good history together. So what was it about Velius that had Han looking deep into his own soul?

Whatever it was, Han found he didn't mind it where the kid was concerned.

With a soft smile, Han retrieved the coat. Dewlanna had also taught him to repair clothing and make basic stitches, even if it wasn't considered a manly skill by many. Han grabbed a large swath of the cloth he kept on hand for affecting repairs and sat down to stitch a hood together that would fit what the smuggler intended.

00000

Luke sat in the hold once more, the droid head still in hand as he studiously put the entire component together. He had all the hardware and wiring in place, now he was testing the way the eyes would light up. So far they were too bright, and he worked to dim them to something more pleasing to him. A tweak to the left and the lights dimmed too much, so Luke adjusted right a hairsbreadth... there.

Luke held the head out and eyed the sockets. Perfect.

Setting the item aside since it was done; Luke picked up the main body section next and began gathering all the necessary innards. After that he began carefully inserting each component in its needed order and attaching wires before he secured it in place with screws.

He still got flashes of the nightmare every now and then, mostly when he paused long enough in his task for his mind to wander. His hands, though steady, were cold to the touch. Luke paused to take a few deep breaths, trying to ignore the problem, but the fact of the matter was he was still deeply afraid.

Willing himself to best his fear— and not entirely succeeding— Luke returned to his task with a deeper fervor, losing himself to it again.

00000

This was how Han found him when he went searching for Velius to give him his gift. The smuggler, a little worried when he hadn't found the kid asleep, wandered the ship in search of his missing friend.

But once the smuggler saw what Velius was doing, he snorted to himself. Of course Velius would be in the hold, working on his droid.

Han frowned some. But in the middle of the night?

As Han studied the young man, he was able to see the kid work deftly with each component, placing them in as if he'd built a hundred droids before. Gifted indeed, Han thought.

At one point, Han stepped up. "It's looking good, Kid."

The young man spun, a hand instinctively dropping to where his lightsaber usually sat.

Han paused, holding up his free hand. "Hey, take it easy, it's just me."

Velius relaxed with an embarrassed flush, but Han noted only then a slight tremble in his fingers he hadn't seen before.

"Are you alright?" Han asked.

Velius' cheek twitched. "...no, not really. But I will be."

Han tilted his head. "What happened? I know you're not the deepest sleeper if your habits so far are any indication, but to build your droid instead of sleeping..." inspiration hit. "Was it a bad dream or something?"

There was a definite pause in the kid's work at that point, and his hands lowered to his lap while his chin tucked to his chest some. Han felt worry gnaw at him when the young man didn't answer for some time.

"Yes," Velius at long last whispered. "But I don't... I'm not ready to talk about it... right this second."

Han considered, but eventually nodded. "Alright. Well, do you have a second?"

Velius turned curious brown eyes his way. "Sure, what do you need?"

Han approached and took a breath before holding out the coat he had worked on. "This is for you."

Velius' eyebrows rose and he set the droid down. Standing, the young man looked first to the offering, and then to the smuggler.

"A... gift? For me?" Velius asked timidly.

Han lifted a brow. "Yeah. What, you've never had a gift given to you before?"

Something flickered across the other's face. "Not like this."

Han nodded once, slowly. "I'm guessing your master also had to approve anything you were given, huh?"

Velius' mouth thinned. "Yeah."

Finally, after another moment of indecision Velius reached out to accept the coat. He opened it, eyeing it with a mixture of curiosity, wonder and something else that Han couldn't quite identify.

Fingers were run over the fabric, over the pockets and stitching almost reverently before the kid's face softened and he actually smiled gently. Shifting in place some, Velius shrugged into the jacket and adjusted his arms some to get used to how it fit, as well as the weight of it.

Han watched him test the fabric, and the smuggler stepped forward. "This used to be mine. I see you wearing the robe all the time, and while that's all well and good, it's a problem for at least two reasons."

Velius' gaze was now fastened on Han's, listening openly.

"First, a robe is a dead giveaway, especially when you couple it with a visible lightsaber, as to your status as an Inquisitor. You really should find somewhere else to keep that particular weapon. Like a forearm holster. We could fashion something for you, make it so that with the flick of a wrist it's in your palm and ready to use, but not immediately visible to the public."

Velius was now looking at his right sleeve with great interest, and Han went on. "Second, that robe is a constant reminder of your past, the one you're trying to get away from. This jacket can be a mark of your new life, your fresh start. It's the new you, if you will. And I added a hood, since you like to conceal your face and all."

Han could see the cogs working in the young man from his expression and the way he gazed intently upon the fabric before he made eye contact with Han again.

Han was taken aback to see Velius' eyes moist. "Thank you." He breathed, "I've never received something like this... from anyone except one person."

Han coughed discreetly, slightly uncomfortable with the raw emotion in the other's gaze even as Velius relieved him of his stare and fastened the coat more securely.

"Ah, you're welcome. Take good care of it, okay?" Han punched the kid lightly in the shoulder. "But it suits you."

Velius's lips lifted. "Yeah... it does, doesn't it?"

Han nodded, patting the other's shoulder before he turned to leave. "I'll let you get back to your droid now."

He started to walk away, not seeing how Velius hesitated, at war with himself.

"...Han?"

The smuggler stopped at the others tone and turned. "Yeah?"

"I..." Velius paused slightly then shouldered on. "I need someone to talk to... please..."

Han eyed the kid, and at that single, vulnerable plea, the smuggler couldn't deny Velius. "Alright, I'll do my best."

They sat on a pair of crates and Velius looked to Han. "I'm scared. I really want to get away, and I am away, but I... I am terrified of my master catching up to me. You saw what he did to the last person who tried to jump ship."

Velius hugged his arms around his middle and suddenly Han was reminded of a small child. "And if my master catches me... he will try yet again, or probably work harder, to turn me into what he is... and that is why I agreed to go with you. I don't want to be evil! I don't want to be like... like D-Darth Vader! I want to be my own person but I... I don't even know who I am!"

Han thought he was done, but a lone tear traced down the kid's cheek and he uttered one sentence more. "I don't want to be a monster."

Wide eyes regarded Velius, having not expected such a soul-bearing moment. The kid hadn't once revealed any of his life outside of his skills and such, never volunteering information. Han respected that, because Han knew how he felt: personal matters were best kept close to the vest.

Eventually, however, Han found himself responding. "You may not know who you are, but I can tell you what you aren't."

Velius' head lifted. "And what is that?"

"You are not weak," Han said seriously. "You are worth more than you've either been made to believe or think you are. I don't know your past, and I don't understand the Force, but you are not evil. If you do things under a master who gives you orders to follow, then that crime ultimately rests upon your superior's head, not yours. Doubly so if you're kept under duress."

"But it's not my master who as to look into the faces of my victims as I kill them, or to see what damage my actions cause afterwards," Velius replied. "It's my face they remember because I performed the act."

Han sighed. "Yeah... I get that. Look, I understand feeling like scum. For years I was a thief who worked for someone else. I was a kid and I didn't know any better at first, and by the time I was able to realize what I was doing I had little choice in the matter."

Velius blinked in surprise at Han's own sharing of his past, but took the proffered gift. "But you don't do that anymore. How did you break free and make your own life?"

"Actually, I applied at the Imperial Academy. My boss had to let me go free then, because the Empire doesn't share its personnel," Han answered. "And then I was required to look the other way when we came across a group of Wookiees that the Empire had recently captured and enslaved... and they tried to execute them for no real reason. I didn't stand for it, and when I freed them I had to get out on their same ship or be killed for treason."

Velius soaked in all that Han told him, and then looked to his coat, touching the fabric. "Do you think I will find myself, Han? I don't even know how to start. Where do I go? As much as I like the thought of freedom— no offense— I don't want to spend the rest of my life smuggling. I want to make a difference, to help people in need."

Han ran a hand over his chin, noting distantly that he needed a shave. "Well, I can't tell you who you are, Velius, only you can do that. However, where we are going... someone may be able to shed light on that. But even then, it's still up to you."

Velius nodded with a soft sigh. "I suppose it is."

Han stood, patting the other on the back. "You don't have to figure it out overnight, Kid. Why not try getting some rest, start fresh in the morning?"

Velius eyed the droid. "I... I'll finish my current task first, and then I'll take a nap."

Han shrugged. "Whatever you want. We still have a day and a half to go before we revert to hyperspace."

Velius nodded. "Alright. And thank you... for the coat... and the talk."

Han smiled minutely. "I'm glad I could help. Don't get shocked," he added with a wry smirk as he indicated all the wiring Velius was putting together.

Velius actually laughed softly. "Thanks."

00000

Stars painted the obsidian velvet before him like millions of gemstones, each glistening in its own way. The view was unobstructed by other ships or defects in the viewport, and this allowed the aged man to gaze into the void of space without hassle, as was his custom.

Closing his eyes for a time, the man opened himself up to the Force, breathing in its revitalizing wash of peace and power. To him, it was like a drink of cool water to a man who'd been stranded in the deserts of Jakku, and he never tired of the Force.

As he used mental eyes to see the fabric of the Force, he discerned a ripple: or rather, a couple of them. Most notable was the deep, dark well that was more of a black hole than the ones found in the Maw. And in its own corner, as if to oppose this utter Darkness, was a second whirlpool of Light that was shot through with shades of fear, depression, sadness... and loneliness.

A third light, one centered around a young woman with the heart of a mother guru bear, resembled that of her brother's, though her streaks of Dark were a bit less than her twin's.

The figure at the viewport took a deep, cleansing breath, and was drawn from his musings by the slight disturbance much closer to him. Blue eyes opened as hurried footsteps approached, and he waited patiently for the incoming man to arrive.

"General Hurst!"

A head of grey that had once been auburn turned to regard the breathless, blue-skinned Selkath who now stood behind him. The being's three-fingered hand snapped sharp salute once the general's attention was fixed upon the younger man.

"What is it?" General Hurst asked calmly.

"General... you need to see this, Sir." The lieutenant produced a datapad and held it out for the other to take.

Hurst extended his left hand, and as he took the device the lieutenant's eyes slipped almost subconsciously to the man's artificial limb. But the young man shook himself out of it swiftly while his superior took in the information on the datapad.

"This has been confirmed?" Hurst bit back a sigh and looked up at the lieutenant.

The Selkath nodded. "I'm afraid so, Sir. What would you like to do?"

Hurst considered, glancing out the viewport again for a time as one hand came up to stroke his beard thoughtfully. He could practically feel the man behind him squirming as he awaited the answer.

Without turning, and with his left fingers still grasping the datapad, General Hurst finally spoke. "Contact Senator Mothma on Yavin IV, and also Admiral Ackbar on Home One. Tell them we need to meet in person."

"Where at, Sir?"

"Tatooine."

"Just Tatooine, Sir? Nothing more specific?" his companion clarified.

The hint of a smile touched the general's lips. "They will know where to go, Lieutenant. That will be all, thank you."

"Yes Sir."