Chapter Thirty Eight:

Luke looked over the vessel that sat before him in the hangar bay. It was clear the small ship wasn't used very frequently, judging by the amount of... junk that had been piled about it. But Karrde and his best mechanic had assured Luke that the vessel ran just fine, it was just too small to be of much use to them right now.

So it sat mostly unused but well-maintained. Apparently Talon didn't like having useless vehicles taking up space on his the Wild Karrde. It was put to use because Karrde had won it in a game of sabacc.

That brought to memory a certain smuggler who'd been so kind to Luke; and one Luke intended to take care of in return.

He'd already spoken with Talon of his idea.

"I don't think that is a wise course of action right now," Karrde said once Luke had given him all the pertinent information.

"Why not?" Luke asked, a little put out.

"Because Jabba is no fool. And his palace has eyes everywhere, and I do mean everywhere. I don't think there is any safe place within those walls." Karrde allowed his disgust for the Hutt to show momentarily. "There would be far too many opportunities for someone to either recognize you, or put the dots together and report it for a substantial reward."

Luke felt his indignation pique a little. "I am a trained assassin; I can get in and out of any place."

"Well unless you intend to purchase Han's freedom in another way, you wouldn't do it." Karrde shot back. "Think about it: a young human male with the purse and possessions to barter with that only a prince would have... seeking to pay the debt of the very smuggler who helped a runaway prince gain some freedom and perspective. All of this only weeks after Prince Vader had supposedly died."

Luke deflated, embarrassed by his ego. "You're right," he admitted, though he didn't like the thought of keeping Han in the dark anymore. Luke sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, a habit he seemed to have picked up off of Solo. The thought made Luke snort to himself. "Forgive my pride."

Karrde waved away the apology. "I understand the desire to return a favor done. It's never wise to owe a debt to anyone. But I suggest waiting a few months. If Solo can hold out this long, I think he'll be fine. He's got a tougher hide than a dewback."

Luke snickered. "Yeah. Thanks for the kick in the pants."

Karrde's amusement showed. "Anytime."

Beside him, Mara looked upon the vessel also. "She may be small, but she runs well. I've taken the Pilgrim out a few times. But Karrde occasionally uses it for planet hops to and from the Wild Karrde to keep it from getting rusty."

"The Pilgrim?" Luke smiled softly under his hood. "She's perfect."

Mara spared him a sideways glance. "It's also an antique."

Luke nodded, unfazed. "Yes. It's an old Nabooian skiff, a model used before my mother's time as Queen there."

Indeed the ship had the smooth, sleek lines typical of Nabooian architecture, although the normally shiny silver hull had been dulled down to a matte grey. Luke supposed it had come that way from its previous owner. But the matte finish would suit Luke's needs better, since it would afford him a lower profile when he was travelling.

The pair of them entered the ship, with Mara showing him the code and then the interior. Luke liked the earthy tones of the inside, and noted how comfortable all the upholstery looked. If it was anything like his mother's private ship, Luke knew the furniture would indeed be luxurious. Luke tuned back in to his companion when she began to speak.

"Cabin, refresher, galley and a small lounge are in the rear, and the cockpit is up front." Mara gestured in turn to each thing mentioned. "Nella can plug in behind the copilot's chair."

The droid hummed happily and wasted no time in doing just that, to Luke's mild amusement. The humans followed, with Luke removing his hood now that they were out of public view. Luke sat in the pilot's couch upon his noticing it, reveling in the form-flow feature. Mara's amusement reached him in the Force, but Luke didn't allow himself to be embarrassed. He gave himself another moment before he took his time studying the layout of the controls.

Once he had it all down, Luke turned to Mara. "Thank you for your help. I couldn't have done this without you."

Mara shifted. "Whatever you say."

Luke frowned. "Do I make you uncomfortable?" he asked quietly.

Mara didn't answer immediately. In fact, she was silent for so long Luke was sure she was ignoring him. But then she spoke in an equal tone. "I don't really know yet."

Luke didn't quite know how to take that, but he ventured an answer anyway. "Well, I'm sorry if I do. The last thing I want is for you to feel unsafe with me," he hesitated for a heartbeat, then went on in a whisper, "emotionally or otherwise."

Again a round of stillness, though Luke could feel a storm of emotion surging through Mara. He fully expected the feisty, independent young lady to snap at him or storm off, and instinctively he tensed in readiness for her to shoot him down.

But to his relief and even surprise, Mara did neither. "It's too early for me to know what I feel around you right now." Her tone was intriguingly gentle. "I am not the kind to just jump into a relationship without getting to know the other party first."

Luke nodded. "I understand that, and I fully support your choice."

Mara offered a grateful look and then pursed her lips as if something had just occurred to her. "You know, you never did tell Karrde what name you'd be travelling under."

Luke blinked, realizing the same thing. "Oh. Right... I guess that would be useful information."

Mara quirked an eyebrow his way. "So, what'll it be? 'Cause I'm not about to call you Majesty or Prince."

Luke took no offense as he considered. "Well, I can't really use Velius anymore, since that was me while hiding from my father."

Mara grinned unrepentantly. "Yeah, and I suppose 'Luke Vader' is out of the question too eh?"

Luke chuckled. "I suppose so."

They shared another laugh, which had Luke wondering at the redhead beside him. So far she'd been mostly aloof, though she'd had her more tender moments. But this side of her was new to him, and it was utterly alluring.

And her laugh... that smile... the way it lit up her emerald eyes warmed his heart in a way he'd never before experienced. Luke swallowed discreetly and took a breath, calming himself so he didn't do anything to upset her.

But something built in him, a desire to show Mara the same level of trust she'd once shown him in a cantina.

"And actually it's Skywalker," he murmured, lifting his blue gaze to meet her eyes.

She looked at him oddly and then snorted, clearly thinking he was still joking. "Really? That's the name you're going with? Why not go with something a little more conspicuous like Houndhammer, or better yet Airbender?"

Luke didn't laugh with her this time. "It's my true ancestry, and one I refuse to be ashamed of."

She took the hint at his hurt tone, sobering. "Ah. I..." she coughed into her fist. "Sorry."

Luke placed a hand over top of hers. "It's alright. It's not a very common name, and not well known. My father used to be Skywalker, but he took on Vader for some reason."

Comprehension dawned, and Mara blinked. "As in Anakin Skywalker? The Hero With No Fear?"

Luke did snicker this time. "He always hated that title, you know. But yes."

Mara was flabbergasted. "Stars... what happened to him? He went from most-loved Jedi in the Clone Wars to all around jerk ruling the galaxy."

Luke sighed. "I wish I knew. Maybe if I did I could... help him find his way back to the Light."

Mara twisted her lips downward, retracting her hand. "No offense, but I don't think that's happening."

Luke knew in his heart of hearts that she was right but still... "I can hope, can't I?"

She rolled her eyes, though there was no true ire in her comment. "Only an optimist like you would."

Luke was saddened. Despite the harsh treatment by his father, Luke still loved the man.

In an effort to steer the conversation elsewhere, Luke smiled softly. "My grandmother, on the other hand, is an amazing woman." Remembering the woman was deceased, Luke amended his statement. "Well, she was."

Mara lifted an interested eyebrow. "What was her name? No one ever knew Anakin's origins."

"Shmi Skywalker," Luke answered.

Mara pursed her lips, noting the singular distinction from earlier. "No grandfather?"

Luke shook his head. "No. I don't know how Shmi came to be pregnant, and neither does my father, just that somehow he came to be."

Mara opened her mouth, and then closed it, possibly sensing his sincerity. "Well, the galaxy can be a mysterious place."

Luke was appreciative of her acceptance. "However, I still need a name to be known by when I have to make contact. And when I do, I can change my appearance so I don't need the hood."

Mara sat back, losing herself to her thoughts for a time as they sat in companionable silence. "What about Jirik? I knew someone honorable by that name before Karrde took me in. I think it would suit you."

Luke brightened. "I actually like that a lot. Jirik it is then. Would you pass that along?"

Mara dipped her head, "yeah."

"Thank you."

She sat a moment longer before her practical side kicked in. Rising, Mara dusted invisible lint from her pants. "Well, have a nice trip. I'll see you when you return. Karrde plans to have us working together for a while until you learn the ropes."

Luke didn't hide his happiness. "That sounds great." Mara looked as if she were about to retort, but Luke cut her off. "You're a good friend, Mara."

She seemed caught off guard by his declaration of friendship, but then smiled faintly, patting his shoulder. "See you around."

She left before he could respond, and Luke waited with a lighter air about him until she was a safe distance away to start up the engines. Once the Pilgrim was warmed up, Luke took her from the hangar and into space, glancing at Nella.

"Set course for Dagobah." He instructed.

Nella did so, and once they were in hyperspace she ventured a thought. "You and Miss Mara seem to be doing well together. Is it normal for a man's energy levels to increase around a woman?"

Luke blushed somewhat. "Ah, when a certain woman captures his attention like no other female... yes. But that's a good thing. It's called attraction."

"Oh." Nella considered that. "So you must really like Mara?"

Luke smiled warmly. "Yes, Nella, I really do."

00000

Leia sat her bag down upon the bed in her room, sighing after the long trip back to Coruscant. She was coming to grips with the task she had given herself of playing both a double agent and now a sister whose brother was 'dead'.

She would not be able to contact Luke in any way from any of the ships or houses of her parents. Those could and eventually would be traced. No, Leia would have to only contact her brother from a different, neutral location. And not just that, but Leia would have to be extra cautious to only speak of Luke in the past tense at home too. One slip-up and her astute parents would know something was amiss.

And if that happened, Leia would have to say goodbye to her two big secrets.

With a resigned breath, Leia resolutely filed all knowledge of Luke's current state into the deepest recesses of her mind where they'd be safe from prying fathers.

A knock on her front door drew Leia from her musings, and she frowned slightly. Who would be calling for her at this hour? It was nearly midnight.

When she answered the door, she lifted a brow to find Sergeant Quane there, a disapproving gleam in his eyes that told Leia he knew she'd been gone.

"Princess, may I come in?"

Leia knew there was no denying him, so she stood aside. "Of course."

He waited until the door was shut to turn, fixing her with a knowing look. "Where have you been?"

Leia played dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Quane glowered. "I mean you disappeared from your supposed route: no call, nothing. Had your parents been here, I would have had no choice but to alert them to this, Leia."

She opened her mouth to retort, but stopped short when his full statement registered. "Would have?"

Quane sighed heavily, taking a seat on the first chair he could find. "Leia, I've known you for years now... I knew Luke too. I have never truly wished you two any ill. All I've done is try to make your lives a good one. I do care about you, even if it may not seem like it. I... I do have a job, and I report to your parents, yes. But I also have an obligation to the two children I was all but tasked to raise."

Leia was mute as she too sat down facing him. In the shadows of the nearby library, Damielle— who had been doing some reading since she couldn't sleep— cracked the door open to listen.

"Now, I've already failed Luke," Quane stopped to clear his throat, and Leia swore she saw a gleam of moisture in his eyes before he blinked it away. "But I won't do the same with you. I want to help."

He hesitated and looked to Leia. "Off the record... can I trust you?"

Leia studied him, and then nodded solemnly. "Yes, you can. Can I do the same for you?"

Quane smiled gently. "I would never betray your confidence, Princess." She felt some warmth at that as he continued. "I do not agree with your parents' style of rule, and I certainly hated what they did to Luke, though I was powerless to do anything. But I refuse to let the same thing happen to you."

Leia sat back. "It won't."

Quane leaned forward. "Where were you, Leia? A meeting with a friend doesn't take days."

Leia turned her head, biting her lip as she considered her answer. Finally she sighed and met his gaze. "I... I needed to get away, so I lied. I didn't go meet a friend, well, not at first. But I made one while I was away."

Quane looked suspicious still, so Leia went on. "Look, my parents got away for who knows how long, why couldn't I slip away for some R&R myself?"

"Your parents told their staff they'd be gone, and those who needed to know were informed of the pertinent information in case something came up," Quane replied warmly. "Now, they didn't have to, since they're the rulers of this galaxy, but they still did. They did not just disappear."

Leia closed her eyes. "I know. I'm sorry, Sergeant. Next time I will be more careful."

Quane didn't drop his gaze, studying Leia openly. Refusing to let him in on her actual activities— she didn't believe that Quane could hide such information from her father like Leia could— Leia held that gaze and turned political intern on him.

"If that is all, Sergeant, I would like to get to bed. I am rather tired."

Quane didn't budge. "Leia, I am not a fool. I know you have been acting differently ever since your last impromptu trip. I don't know what you've gotten yourself into, but please, let me help you."

"What could you do?" Leia asked before she could stop herself.

"A lot, actually," Quane retorted. "Like turn certain attentions in a direction other than their daughter's activities. Which, by the way, I've caught on to," Quane produced a datapad which he placed between them on the table, showing all the files she had accessed and copied, "and have subsequently erased all the evidence of save this 'pad."

Leia's face paled noticeably, and she didn't move for long moments. She had been so careful...

When she stayed that way for too long, Quane spoke gently. "Leia, I am not a fool. I was hired by your parents because I have a particular skill-set. One I don't normally make public knowledge for security reasons. I noted your changed behavior and investigated privately, which I am now glad I did, because had anyone else seen what I have, you'd be in sublevel twelve just as Luke had been. I only asked because I wanted to give you the chance to confess."

Leia couldn't help the quiver to her lip, a strange combination of emotions swelling inside her bosom. She was still hurt, angry and offended by what her parents had done to their own flesh and blood. And yes, Leia was scared... and so lonely. Who did she have now that Luke was gone, and she couldn't just contact him whenever she needed to? Who could she confide in? Who could she find comfort from?

Leia didn't realized she'd zoned out until a strong but gentle arm encircled her shoulders and pulled her gently to a shoulder. Leia stiffened in shock, but Quane didn't do anything else, and Leia sensed his intentions were strictly a fatherly gesture on his part. He truly meant her no harm, and indeed he saw her as his own daughter in a way.

"Please tell me what's going on, so I can protect you, Leia," he murmured. "Trust me."

Leia stubbornly fought her rising desire to accept his offered comfort and assistance, until she realized that she didn't want to do this entirely alone. And for how long? How long would it be before she and Luke succeeded? Could she continue to make up excuses for years as to her need to get off Coruscant?

And if Quane was willing and able to help, as he was offering... Leia could certainly use that.

At last Leia relaxed into his embrace, speaking softly. "I did get hurt last time I went out, yes, but only because I willingly helped the Alliance. I've been feeding them information... I am sick of my parents, and the horrid way they do everything. I want no further part in it, but I must do so for now."

Quane was surprised, and it took him several long minutes to speak calmly. "That... was a huge risk, Leia."

"One worth taking," Leia replied without missing a beat, sitting up straight and pulling away.

Quane studied her again, letting her go without complaint. Eventually he blew out a slow breath, nodding languidly. "What are you planning to do, exactly?"

Leia looked down, wondering how he'd take the next bit. "I am working with others to start taking down my mother and father, and to eventually dissolve their empire."

Quane took up the datapad, selected all the files he'd saved as evidence, and deleted them. Leia watched, feeling her trust of him increase exponentially with that act. "Then I will help you however I can," he told her, setting the device down.

Leia smiled genuinely, and then paused. "Why are you helping me commit treason?"

"Because I don't like the way your parents do things either. But I have never been in a position to do anything about that. This new goal will change that."

Leia tilted her head. "And what do you want from this?"

Quane smirked. "I am not a pirate, Leia," he said with some humor. "However, I would like to retire after this is all said and done. I will help establish the new government, but once everything is in place and working as it should I want to retire. I would also like to never again have to worry about where my next paycheck will come from."

Leia softened. "I think we can arrange that."

She bit her lip then, testing the Force for the answer on whether or not to tell him of Luke. Leia felt only a surge of assurance from the Force, and she decided to trust it again. It had never led her wrong.

"There is one more thing, but the secrecy on this is the key to everything," Leia stated.

Quane was clearly interested, and he indicated his acceptance. Leia silently asked Luke to forgive her for already breaking their agreement... but just this one time.

She dropped her voice so low only he would hear it. "Luke is alive."

There was utter silence for so long she feared he had gone in to shock. But then his face reddened some. "That isn't funny, Leia."

She glared mildly in return. "Why would I make something like that up?"

Quane only stared... and then hope light his eyes. "Truly?"

Leia nodded once.

"But... how?" Quane stuttered.

Leia smiled minutely and began to tell him everything, never once sensing any duplicity from Quane, and grateful for his support.

00000

Damielle, meanwhile, shut the door and stood frozen in place. She'd not heard whatever Leia had whispered, but everything before that was exactly the kind of information Empress Padmé was looking for.

And Damielle was in a position to finally get the lady to free her family. Damielle's gaze hardened, determined to do just that. Turning, the young woman moved to the secondary door. However, as she stepped through, something else occurred to her.

What if the Empress didn't keep her word? It wasn't like she'd never betrayed people before after getting what she wanted. And what if Damielle became expendable after her usefulness was over?

Damielle didn't know what to do... but she was frightened. This information was what she'd been tasked to retrieve... but Leia had actually become someone Damielle liked as a friend. That notion thawed Damielle a little, helping her to begin making a choice.

Help the cruel woman who held her family's lives in the balance, or assist the princess who had never been unkind to Damielle? And... what if there was some way to free her family from the Empress's hold?

Could Leia's new friends make that happen?

But how would Damielle ever find out? And how would she keep a secret from the ever-intuitive Empress? Padmé was no dimwit: the woman hadn't been a top-level politician for nothing.

Damielle sank into the couch within the new room, frightened tears coming to her eyes as she deliberated her new predicament.