Chapter Twenty:

Luke sat in the hold of the Falcon once more, Nella in his lap while he had her hooked up to his datapad. She was in stand-by mode as Luke, upon making a hard-fought choice, now uploaded everything he knew about being a Shadow minus the Force. He had also to upgrade Nella to fight alongside him if need be, as well as install an update on her camouflage capabilities.

He had taken the entire night-time shift of the hyperspace-bound ship to make a document for Nella containing his vast knowledge of stealth, assassination, battle, tactics and anything else related to what he did as Vader's Shadow.

Luke was a little weary since his documentation had taken so long, but now he felt it would be worth it, especially if something happened to him.

As the files uploaded to Nella's database, Luke's mind wandered not for the first time to his visions of Leia. They were still coming, and Luke was increasingly unsettled by them, and yet... Maz's words to him still rang with a grain of truth that had Luke constantly at war with himself.

Was Leia truly in trouble, or were these visions being implanted by someone? The latter option best fitted, Luke knew, since Vader would do whatever it took to have his wayward son return. But there was still some part of Luke that had to wonder... what if.

What if Leia was hurt, or captured?

Luke shook his head. But wouldn't he, her twin, know if something had happened to her? And he doubted it would be strictly in the form of visions. His sister and he were bonded in the Force as only Force-sensitive twins could be.

He would know on a base level if Leia had been harmed in such a manner.

That last thought brought with it a startling epiphany... and Luke felt sick. He would know if something had happened to his beloved sister. That meant that these visions had to be the byproduct of a father hell-bent on regaining full control over his son.

Luke felt bile rise up, and no small amount of indignation that Vader would use his own daughter in such a way. He stewed for several long minutes before he resolutely willed away his anger.

Those emotions were exactly what Vader wanted from Luke, and Luke knew they would ultimately do him no good. Let Vader play his games... Luke would not go Dark.

Luke's head lifted at that, and a sense of newfound purpose began in his bosom. Indeed... Luke refused to become a Sith, and he would much rather die than join Vader in that endeavor.

But Luke didn't want to die... not yet. He had so much he could offer the galaxy... he couldn't just leave it.

So then what was he to do?

Luke's musings were interrupted by the ping of his datapad that indicated the full transfer was completed. He checked Nella's systems and then detached the 'pad, closing the access panel and rebooting Nella completely.

Once her eye-sockets had lit up and she again floated before the young man, Luke eyed her.

"Hello Nella," he murmured.

"Good evening Master Velius," Nella responded.

"I have given you a... substantial upgrade," Luke informed the droid. "Has it been accepted into your full system?"

Nella was silent for several moments while she sought to verify so she could give her master a proper answer.

"Yes Master," Nella at last spoke. "I have been given all the Intel I need to infiltrate a building, ship or any other space and act as a spy or assassin if need be."

Luke nodded. "You also have the full schematics of the Imperial Palace, including the underlevels few know of. Also... I have uploaded the identity and information on two of my best friends in there: my sister Leia and Artoo-Detoo, an astromech. You can trust both implicitly."

Nella dipped her head. "Understood."

Luke paused, feeling a nudge in the Force. "And Nella, I need you to do something for me."

Nella tilted her head. "Anything for you, Master Velius."

"If something should happen to me where I need... rescuing, I want you to take me to Maz Kanata on Takodana. But it needs to be done in secret, just to be on the safe side."

Nella nodded. "As you wish."

Luke eyed her and then stood. "Let us practice your new skills."

Nella seemed to perk up at the chance to prove herself. "What would you have me do?"

Luke smirked. "I will hide on the ship, and you will use your newfound knowledge to find me without letting the other occupants see or hear you specifically." Luke saw Nella bob up and down in electrical excitement. "Disengage your life-form scanners for this exercise and use only the information you now posses."

Nella's head dipped some and Luke knew she was doing as he'd asked. "All set, Master Velius."

"Excellent. Allow me ten minutes, and then begin your search," Luke ordered before he disappeared.

00000

Leia stood at the wall of windows overlooking the ecumenopolis that was Coruscant. A plan had settled into her mind, one with which she could utilize her position as a Shadow to her advantage.

One in which even Padmé could not hold her back. And with Artoo's assistance, her plans had become a reality. Now all Leia needed was for Artoo to finish the 'official document' from Emperor Vader that would 'order' Leia to go on a mission.

A satisfied smile worked its way into her lips, and she felt a flicker of pride at herself. Indeed Padmé had taught her daughter well. Perhaps too well.

Padmé was not the only one who could work behind the scenes.

A soft step behind Leia brought her attention to the handmaiden that had been... different of late.

"Your supper, Milady," Damielle said quietly.

Leia turned to regard the redhead, something that Damielle noticed. Leia was certain the other paled, though to Damielle's credit she hid it remarkably well.

Pursing her lips, Leia sat and indicated the chair opposite. "Please have a seat Damielle."

Damielle froze. "Milady?"

Leia lifted a brow. "Did I stutter? Sit down please; I would like to speak with you."

Briefly, Damielle looked for all the world like she wanted to flee, but then she lifted her chin somewhat and finally took the offered chair.

Leia took up a plate, and then held out the second to Damielle. "Please, join me I eating."

Damielle's jaw dropped, and she remained still in her seat. "Princess, I..."

Leia sighed; weary of the way Damielle constantly treated the princess like she was so much better. "Damielle, please, I am not your superior in any way except rank. We are both young women, and I would hope that you could consider me a friend, even if you have been... given as my servant. I don't truly see you as one, I hope you understand that."

Damielle continued to gape, and Leia watched as she looked at her clasped hands. "What do you want of me, Princess?"

Leia continued to hold out the plate. "I would like to know what is bothering you of late, and I would like for you to eat something."

Damielle didn't move for another second, but then she met Leia's brown gaze and gingerly accepted the salver. "Thank you Milady."

Leia spooned some helpings of the meal onto Damielle's dish first and then loaded hers. Then she nodded and the two began to eat in a somewhat awkward silence. Leia took the time to surreptitiously study her companion.

Damielle did seem different, she seemed... sadder, more solemn than even when they'd first met. But there appeared to be a... well, Leia thought it was a haunted look to the other girl now. One that hadn't be there until recently.

Once they'd eaten half their portions, Leia ventured to make conversation. "So, may I inquire as to what has you... upset of late?"

Damielle paused in her current bite and swallowed with difficulty. Leia observed with a keen eye as the other clearly stalled for time as she ate three more bites. But when the other answered, Leia did her best to remain open and non-judgmental.

"I was recently... asked to do something by... someone. And it's not been sitting well with me," Damielle said carefully, not meeting Leia's gaze.

Leia considered that, and looked to her plate a moment. "That someone being my mother?" she asked knowingly.

Damielle stiffened. "How do you know?"

Leia offered a bitter smile. "You forget who my mother is. And I have known her far longer than you, Damielle. What did she ask you to do?"

Damielle closed her eyes. "She... asked me to... do something terrible, and I am not ready to talk about it. I am sorry, but... no."

Leia sighed softly. "I understand. My mother... is a breed of person who demands loyalty while offering none in return. But what hurts is that she is more ruthless than even my father when it comes to something she wants."

Damielle winced. "Yes," she whispered.

Leia's datapad pinged then and she looked to it to find Artoo's message. Leia managed to keep the anticipation off her face, and she set the device down as if nothing interesting had just occurred.

"Damielle," Leia sat forward, placing her plate upon the tray. "I know my mother can be... overbearing and even frightening. Trust me, I know. But if you... need someone to talk to, I will do my best to listen and not pass judgment."

Damielle looked to her, and Leia thought she saw awe there. "Forgive me if this is too bold a statement, but... how can you be so... different from your mother?"

Leia sighed sadly. "Because I've seen her influence, and I only see fear in those she keeps around. Their loyalty is bought, not earned. I want nothing to do with that. If I am to be a leader, I want my people to love and respect me, not fear to so much as look at me incorrectly."

She rose then. "Thank you for joining me tonight. I will be gone for a few days, so feel free to do whatever you want. Just try not to get into trouble."

She added a wink to take off any sting her words could have, and Damielle smiled gently.

Leia excused herself to pack as if for a mission and was out her door half an hour later. Leia made her way to her personal ship and was preparing for departure when Padmé appeared.

"Where are you going?" Padmé asked mildly.

"Father is sending me on a mission," Leia replied succinctly.

Padmé frowned. "I heard nothing of this."

Leia glanced to Padmé and then shrugged some. "I don't question Father's orders: I know better. I just do what I'm told."

Padmé narrowed her eyes. "Where is this so-called message?"

Leia produced her datapad and handed it over without hesitation. She was completely confident in Artoo's abilities. Padmé read the message with the eye of a hawk, and Leia saw her even check its origins. Finally Padmé sighed and relinquished the datapad again.

"Do be careful in your observation of this person," Padmé said in a voice that made Leia shiver involuntarily. "If he is indeed a Rebellion member, we must be cautious."

Leia took the datapad. "Yes, but if he is a Rebellion member, then we can follow his movements and get more information. I will be gone several days, Mother, and I am certain I can glean something useful from him."

Padmé nodded slowly. "That would be nice. Safe travels, then, Leia."

Leia bowed her head and then boarded her ship, taking off shortly thereafter.

00000

Nella took great pleasure in sneaking around the Millennium Falcon in search of her missing master. He was very good at hiding, she had soon discovered, and she had to use several new skills just to locate some trace he had left behind, which was next to nothing.

Nella had nearly run into the Wookiee when she'd rounded a bend and he was coming her way. Lucky for her, the lumbering being had been looking at a datapad instead of straight ahead, so Nella was able to utilize her camouflage software to blend in perfectly with the bulkhead behind her.

The Wookiee never saw her and Nella's circuits were pleased.

The captain was a different matter. He kept himself in the lobby, and Nella had to cross it without him noticing her. But how?

Nella consulted her databases, trying to figure out how to get from one end of the hold to the next unnoticed... and then her gaze fell upon a discarded black cloth lying atop a pile of crates near the opening to one of the storage areas.

Nella moved to it, picked it up and draped it over her form. Then, pacing herself to move at the usual human stride, Nella silently began to traverse from her end of the lobby to the corridor that would lead toward the cockpit.

To her initial dismay, Han looked up, a strange expression on his face. "What's with the robe, Kid?"

Nella pause and considered a second, then patterned her voice to exactly replicate Luke's. "I have a headache, and wanted to reduce the light to my eyes."

Han lifted a brow. "Alright. Well, take it easy for a bit, okay? We have a few more days in hyperspace."

"Will do," Nella replied in Luke's voice before she continued on her way.

If the droid could have smiled, she would have done so when she achieved her current destination. Once she was out of view, Nella continued on her way and didn't bother to remove the robe.

Nella carefully approached the cockpit, wondering if Luke could possibly be hiding in the cockpit after all. It was too simple... but there was nowhere else he could be. Nella had already checked all other places.

Nella noted the deep shadows next to the door to the cockpit, but nothing there moved, so she cautiously entered the cockpit. To her confusion, Luke was nowhere to be seen.

Nella considered, and then backed out of the space to weight her options. She looked at the shadow again... only then noting how it seemed out of place. How could that be?

With half an expectancy to be startled, Nella approached the shaded area... and was greeted with the eyes of her master when she was almost to the bulkhead.

Nella let out a startled squeak and then settled when Luke chuckled. "Well done, Nella. And I like the disguise too: I heard you imitating my voice." He grinned. "I am impressed."

Nella hummed in pleasure before she tilted her head at her master. "How did you hide so well in the shadow?"

"With the Force," Luke replied. "Not all opponents will be Force-blind. You would do well to remember that Jedi or Sith can hide in unanticipated ways."

"I will indeed remember that." Nella promised, taking note dutifully in her database.

Luke smiled softly at her and then yawned. "I think I will take a nap now. Better let me borrow the robe to keep up with your charade."

Nella relinquished the garment and together they moved back through the ship.

00000

Darth Vader stood silently in the courtyard in the center of the Jikati Pirate's camp, watching as the Mandalorian approached without fear. Boba Fett stopped at a respectful distance and bowed his head.

"What do you want, bounty hunter?" Vader demanded.

"I have information you may find useful," Fett answered. "But in exchange I want Solo and the Wookiee."

Vader lifted a brow. "Already making demands?"

"Jabba has a price on their heads too, Your Majesty. I will be the one to call him up on that offer." Fett responded. "Those are my terms for sharing my information."

Vader took a step closer. "I will not just let those two walk free, Fett."

Vader could feel the other's wicked smirk. "You will when you hear what Jabba has planned for them."

Vader placed a hand on his hip. "Do expound."

Boba did, and with each word the Emperor actually started to feel better. He was smiling by the end.

"Very well. It would indeed be interesting to see the pair as... slaves." Vader chuckled Darkly. "I accept your terms... if the intelligence is worth your price."

Boba lifted a handheld device. "How does a location on the Prince sound?"