Chapter Thirty:
A small figure waited at a safe distance away from the Imperial Palace, photoreceptors trained on the hangar bay used by the Royal family alone. After two days doing recon and preparing for this day, Nella was ready to infiltrate and get her master out. She'd used her stealth technology and codes given to her by her master to get the Emperor and Empress' schedule, and thanked her lucky stars that they were going to be off-world.
She almost couldn't believe her luck!
Nella had the ship parked in a ratty old hangar bay halfway across town, and she planned to take another craft designated by Luke when he'd given her the mission parameters. She would secure their escape vehicle first, and then go for the man himself.
But not until the Royal duo was well away.
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"Your Mother and I will be gone for three days time," Vader said to Leia as he waited for his wife's luggage to be loaded onto the ship. "During which no one is to go near Luke."
His hard gaze warned Leia against trying anything, and she nodded compliantly. She'd done what she needed to anyway. "I understand. Where are you going again?"
"We will be taking time for just us," Vader answered. "And I chose Garqi as our vacation destination."
Vader caught Padmé around the waist as she finally joined them during his reply, leaning her down and giving the woman a smoldering kiss. Leia tried not to make a face at their sappy romantic ways, not at all interested in her parents' love-life.
Her parents finally pulled away and Leia managed to smile. "Have a good time then. I'm going to take this time to catch up on my political reading and work on my candidacy for the Senate."
"A very good idea," Padmé responded. "Make sure you take Damielle with you. I think she would be a good asset for you."
Leia had noted the other young woman was making more of an effort to befriend the princess of late. Their girls-night had actually been rather fun, but Leia was left to wonder just what the other was up to, especially since she'd been a 'gift' from the Empress.
"I will, Mother," Leia responded quietly, not wanting to get into an argument right then.
A trooper appeared, bowing low. "Your Majesties, your ship is ready to go. The security detail is in place, and the luggage is secured as ordered."
"Very good, Captain," Vader said crisply, taking Padmé's hand. "We leave at once."
"Yes, Sire." The trooper bowed again and led the way.
Leia watched her parents leave, and for some reason a sense of... premonition shivered up her spine, making Leia rub her arms surreptitiously. She also left her parents' suite and wandered down the hall to a nearby balcony where she could watch her parent's departure.
As she waited, Leia wondered where her mother and father were really going, and if it had anything to do with her brother. Sure they'd probably go to Garqi, but something more was happening, of that Leia was certain.
But what?
One thing Leia knew for certain: she was being tested by her parents. Leia would have to avoid trying to see Luke while they were gone. That did give her plenty of time to start securing her place as a double agent, however, and she planned to put that time to good use.
With an air of deviousness, Leia waited for her parents' departure from Coruscant.
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"You are a sly man when you want to be," Padmé teased once they were on board their ship. "Telling Leia only enough to slate her curiosity."
Vader gave her a look. "I don't want Leia to get any... ideas while we are away."
Padmé smirked. "Indeed. She does seem to be genuinely concerned about your opinion of her, especially with Luke's fiasco."
Vader nodded. "Yes, and this is a chance for her to prove herself; to really confirm her loyalty."
Padmé's smirk widened into a smile. "I agree."
Vader returned the grin and kissed his wife again as their craft lifted off. He had the serum for Luke, but would need it formulated differently so it could be administered to the boy properly. And as for his sister, well, the less Leia knew, the less likely she was to go off the deep end like her twin.
He felt the ship shudder at some point in his musings as it left the atmosphere and made for the jump point.
The pair of Vaders really was going to Garqi, but only after they had visited the lab to drop of the serum. They would pick it up on their way home and then Luke would be Vader's, utterly and completely.
As the ship tugged with the jump to lightspeed, Vader's being swelled with anticipation: oh the things he could do with his powerful, fully Sith son at his side! He passed the time imagining up new scenarios, each with Luke completely under Vader's thumb but being willing and loyal to Vader and only Vader.
Well, and Padmé.
Speaking of...
Vader turned to his wife, who was reading, and ran a suggestive finger up her arm, leaning in close. "What do you say to some alone-time in our bedroom on the way there?"
Padmé smiled, putting her datapad aside. "I'd say you've got the right idea."
Vader grinned and leapt to his feet, sweeping Padmé into his arms. They made for their suite and left explicit orders not to be disturbed before the doors shut.
00000
For good measure, Nella waited until that evening before she infiltrated the palace. Since no one had seen her here before, and her build was starkly different from anything ever seen here— or so she had been told— Nella kept to the shadows, having tinted her body a darker shade so she wouldn't be easily seen or immediately recognized afterwards.
She had her photoreceptors tuned to the lowest light setting so they wouldn't give her away, and so she floated along silently on her repulsors; a shadow among shadows.
Nella came to the droid access of the special hangar Master Luke had told her of, and entered with little trouble thanks to his codes. Once inside Nella paused, looking around at the vast array of vessels in the massive space.
There were speeders, skiffs, and fighter ships of many different kinds, larger ships like freighters or personal yachts, and even a pod racer or two. All the ships were either in some form of repair or modification or were fully operational and just not used.
Nella managed a soft, electronic whistle, able to appreciate the sight before her. Then she got busy searching out the ship Master Luke had told her to find and prep.
Nella slowly moved about the room, not knowing where to find said ship, as Master Luke had forgotten to give her those specifics. Nella was unaware that her presence was noted and that she was being followed.
That is, until she came around a fighter and a bright light illuminated her form. An accusing screech of binary code assaulted Nella as she fought to focus in the sudden lighting change.
Nella instantly went into defensive mode, however, when her sensors flared to life. She powered up one of her arm cannons and leapt aside when a burst of electricity jolted past where she'd just been. Nella aimed and fired at the astromech droid, who screamed again and managed to barely dodge her shot.
Nella came out of hiding and zipped up to the blue and silver astromech, who spun his dome to take in her weapon now held to his 'face'.
A moment of tense silence ensued before Nella heard a softer warble emit from the other droid, and she looked to his designation plate. Artoo Detoo. Master Luke had mentioned this droid, but he hadn't said he would attack Nella!
Who are you and what are you doing here? Artoo asked Nella.
"I am here on a mission," Nella said cryptically.
Artoo turned his photoreceptor to the side just enough to give the air of one narrowing their eyes. Right. And Threepio doesn't talk much.
Nella had no idea who this Threepio was, but nor did she care.
For his part, Artoo was stunned at the droid before him. She was... well, beautiful! He'd never seen such a droid before: she was clearly a custom build, and she was amazing! Her spunk, spirit and seemingly fiery attitude warmed Artoo's circuits.
But she was still trespassing.
Artoo paused at that. How had she even gotten in here? This hangar wasn't accessible unless one had a code, and only the Royals and their closest guards had those.
Nella sighed and put her weapon away as she recalled Master Luke's encouragement to trust Artoo. She would listen to her Master, because he knew what was best.
"Artoo, I need your help. I am here to get Master Luke to safety, but I need a certain ship he told me to use for escape."
Artoo whipped his dome about in surprise. Master Luke? How do I know you're telling the truth?
Nella paused, wondering how she would indeed prove her intentions. Then she had an idea. "Are we alone? No one will hear or see if I replay something?"
You're safe, Artoo assured her.
Nella nodded, leaned forward and replayed a section of her memory from when Master Luke had given her instructions.
"...and when you get to the hangar, if you need help find Artoo-Detoo. He's one of my best friends. He'll take good care of you if you tell him why you're there." Luke paused. "I trust that little droid with my life, as I do you."
Artoo let out a soft, sad whistle that Nella didn't quite understand. "Why are you sad?"
Artoo shook his domed head. Master Luke has always been so kind to me. I am upset at how his parents are treating him. What's worse is that I can do nothing to get him out...
Nella thought about that, then, "That's not true. You can help me get the Armistice ready to go."
Artoo leaned back. The Armistice?
"That's the one he wanted."
Artoo thought about it. Okay. I would do anything for him. This way.
Nella followed Artoo to the back of the hangar, where a tiny ship that looked fast and sleek rested. It was a shiny black and looked no larger than a TIE fighter, but Nella wasn't certain that she could fly it.
"Can you show me the controls?" Nella asked of her companion.
Artoo twittered a yes, and the pair entered the small vessel, where Artoo ran her through the diagnostics, which took little time because of how fast droids could input data. Artoo rather enjoyed the moment with Nella, and he hoped to see her again after her rescue of Master Luke, but Artoo would not leave Leia. She needed him, and he'd promised to be there for her.
As the two left the ship, Artoo turned to his new friend. I will have it ready to go by the time you get back.
Nella dipped her head. "Thank you Artoo. You've been very kind."
You are helping Master Luke, Artoo replied. That is reason enough for me.
"He is lucky to have a friend in you," Nella murmured.
As she moved for the palace entrance from the hangar, Artoo followed. How will you get to him, let alone carry him?
Nella looked to him. "Is it safe to tell you in case they interrogate you?"
Artoo considered that. Not really. Good luck. And please be careful, with him... and yourself. Take the southern corridors; they're far less travelled, especially at night.
Nella took note of that. "I'll do that. Thank you Artoo. See you soon."
Artoo watched her leave, a sad sort of wistfulness filling his circuits. Then he straightened and made his way to the nearest computer terminal. He could help her get around more, and he planned to do just that.
With a few tweaks to security, Artoo altered the camera angles subtly so that Nella would have a lower chance of being spotted. He also opened a few doors that would aid in her travel and then disconnected before he was detected.
Nella would have to do the rest on her own.
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Leia sat before her chosen computer terminal, one hidden deep within Imperial Archives, and one that was scarcely passed by, which made it a good choice for her work. She was already deep within the system, seeking out anything she could give to the Rebels without sending up red flags all over the Imperial network.
So far she had a few things, but Leia felt like she was waiting for something more, something big... but what? And would she find it today?
Also, there was something in the back of her mind that was keeping her somewhat distracted. But try as she might, Leia couldn't pinpoint the source of her discomfort. She thought it could have to do with her parent's real intentions for their trip, but she had no proof.
Not wanting to think about her mother and father, Leia shoved them far from her mind and got back to work.
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Mara sat tensely at the controls of the Jade's Fire as it hurtled through hyperspace... but this time toward Coruscant.
Most of the way back to Karrde's headquarters, Mara had finally had to give in to the constant nagging from what could only be the Force. Her gut hadn't stopped feeling like a lead ball since she'd denied help to that Nella droid, and Mara couldn't take it any longer.
She didn't know why this one man was so important, but she couldn't deny that she needed to help him. Why it had to be her she hadn't a clue, but she was pushing her ship for all it was worth, heart pounding strangely as it never did while she watched the timer anxiously.
Would she make it in time?
Mara was disgusted with how nervous she was, but she was an expert pilot, and had no doubts she could and would make a difference. Somehow.
If she could get there in time.
