Chapter 43:

Leia dropped out of hyperspace at the coordinates she had been given for the current Rebel headquarters. Upon landing, she was met by Wedge Antilles, who informed her in a low voice, "Leia. Mon Mothma wishes to speak with you immediately. She didn't say what, but I'll bet it's urgent."

Leia nodded, unsurprised. "There'll be time to talk more later, Wedge. It's good to see you again."

"Good to see you, too, Leia. We… feared the worst when you didn't turn up."

"It could have been worse, I suppose, but not much," she said, grimly. "See you after my debrief."

Mara stirred, slightly, and opened her eyes. Atrox's arms still clasped her, tightly, as he slept, almost as if he were afraid to let her go. She rested her head against his bare chest, letting warmth and contentment roll over her. After awhile, she felt him wake, sleepily, and she could feel his mental touch. Their bond had deepened again last night as they achieved perfect union in body, mind and spirit, so much so that she felt his thoughts unconsciously slipping through, and assumed hers likely were, as well. "I love you, too, farmboy," she murmured, and he kissed the top of her head, tenderly.

After awhile Atrox rose, and she knew that he thought it was time to get ready for the day's events. She watched him, for a moment, then reluctantly got out of bed as well, casting about for her shirt. A hint of a smile crossed Atrox's features. "I actually had a Sith Robe made for you. It's in the closet." he suggested, nodding his head towards the next room. She glared at him, and retrieved the garment, adding, "I'm heading for the 'fresher."

Atrox smirked, and gave her a mental caress as she left the room, his thoughts still resting tenderly on her. A few moments after Mara had stepped into the fresher Atrox finished putting his robe and cloak on, and then moved to the center of his quarters and began to meditate.

Leia entered the bunker where she was to meet Mon Mothma, and found her already waiting. "Mon Mothma," she said, bowing formally.

"Leia," the older woman greeted her. "Where have you been?"

Leia paused, considering. How could she begin to describe what had occurred? Han, Lando, Vader, Luke…

Atrox was in the middle of his meditations of recent events when suddenly he felt his sister in the presence of the Rebel leader, Mon Mothma… and her thoughts had drifted towards him… perfect. He reached out through the Force and began to forcefully take complete control of her mind, not caring how much mental pain he caused her.

Leia had a split-second warning of Atrox's presence before he began to assault her mind, and she immediately began closing off access to everything she could. She had had a long hyperspace jump in which to practice, but Atrox had also grown more powerful since they last had contact, so it was of little help. Get… out… of my headLuke She clutched her head, instinctively, and Mon Mothma, concerned when she did not reply to her queries of what was wrong, summoned a medic.

Atrox smirked in his meditation; his sister's defenses were no match for him. Fool girl, you are no match for me! Now you will witness one of the things I can do now with the Force! He said as he easily pushed further through her mental defenses, now having complete access to her memories, and her senses. However, he did not yet gain control of her motor functions.

She knew she couldn't stop him from looking at her memories, but the link he had created to her was strong enough to turn against him, and she began pushing through his own memories, determined to find something, anything she could use to try to get through to him, to make him listen, or at least leave her in peace. Suddenly, she stumbled upon something… unexpected. Who's the girl, Luke? Someone special?

Atrox began to seal off his thoughts to his sister and forced his way further into her mind, now completely in control of her, sending Leia's consciousness into a dormant state. He forced her body to compose itself, and say, "Forgive me, Mon Mothma. I… don't know what came over me."

Mon Mothma watched Leia closely, concerned. "I have a medic on the way that can look over you to make sure you're all right. Meanwhile, tell me about where you have been all this time."

"That will not be necessary, Mon Mothma, I am perfectly all right." Atrox forced Leia's body say. "I have been away on… official business that does not concern you. I am Leia Skywalker... Princess of the Empire."

Mon Mothma stared at her, mind working furiously. It seemed like Leia, at least on the surface, but what she was saying was absolutely insane. And also, she noticed movements that were slightly awkward, slightly… unnatural. Her eyes narrowed, and she reached down and pressed a small button underneath the table. "What are you talking about?" she asked, carefully. This wasn't, couldn't be Leia.

Atrox now forced Leia to storm up to Mon Mothma and began to strangle her. "Very well. I would be the person you used to call Luke Skywalker… however, my father showed me the true power of the Force and I still have yet to reach my full potential. By the time your pathetic guards get here, you would have been killed by Darth Atrox, son and only apprentice of Darth Vader. This is the great part, my sister is technically the one killing you… or will appear to be." He paused as Leia's eyes locked with Mon Mothma's, "If your guards kill my sister, it will be on your head… she deserves it for betraying her family."

Mon Mothma's eyes were calm, as she gazed into the eyes of her attacker. "Have you… forgotten… Luke Skywalker… what it was like for her… to lose her family… on Alderaan? Little wonder… she would be unwilling… to accept Vader… as her father… be it true… or not."

Leia mentally raged at Atrox, helpless to stop him. How can you do this? I know Luke Skywalker is still there, somewhere. I've been inside your head. Can't you see what you're doing? You wanted so desperately to have a father, for him to be pleased with you, that you would be willing to sacrifice everything else you care for, even yourself. Except, she added, thoughtfully, this Mara Jade. Her you will not sacrifice. Interesting.

Atrox forced Leia's body to strengthen its grip on her. "You will use my correct name, rebel… or are you hoping that Luke Skywalker will rescue you." He paused… "LUKE SKYWALKER BECAME ME! I AM DARTH ATROX NOW! I know you do not believe what I am telling you so I will grant you your dying wish… I will allow Leia to… commune with you… but anything that involves the rebellion and you will be responsible for causing her more agony then you can possibly comprehend." He told her coldly and dispassionately.

Leia felt… odd. She had been given control of her voice once more, but the rest of her movements were still restricted. "Mon Mothma, I'm… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come back."

The older woman's eyes were gentle, even as the breath was slowly being crushed from her. "I… don't… blame you… Leia. It… is not of… your doing. Was… he telling the… truth?"

Leia could only say, simply, "Yes, for the most part. I- I am the daughter of… of Darth Vader, and… and Luke did fall to the dark side." She couldn't hide the shame in her voice.

"You… may be… Vader's… daughter in… blood, but… you're… Bail Organa's… daughter… in spirit, Leia. Never… forget…"Atrox increased his grip on Mon Mothma as she insulted, as he thought, Leia's true parentage.

"Forgive me, I'm... so sorry," Leia murmured, feeling… comforted a little by the older woman's words.

At that moment, rebel soldiers burst in, followed by medics. The guards surrounded Leia, their rifles aimed at her, as the medics rushed to Mon Mothma's side. Atrox sensed all of the guards surrounding his sister's body and finally tightened the grip he held over Mon Mothma as hard as Leia's body would allow him to. The guards immediately fired, their blasters set to stun, and Leia crumpled, hoping, before she lost consciousness, that it would drive Atrox out.

Atrox could feel Leia being shot with a stun blast and was forced out from her mind and was back in his quarters, sitting in a meditative position. His eyes shot open and he found himself looking into Mara's… watchful eyes, dressed in her new Sith robe. "Are you generally that out of it while you're meditating, or is this an exception?"

"I was paying my traitorous sister another visit," he replied vaguely.

She raised an eyebrow. "A visit, huh?" She reached up and turned his head back to look her in the eyes again.

Atrox smirked. "I forced my way into her mind and took complete control of her body. Check Holonet in a few hours… you will see that the vaunted Princess Organa murdered Mon Mothma."

Mara looked startled. "You used her to kill one of the leaders of the Rebel Alliance? That's… quite a feat. Though… you are always performing the extraordinary."

A dark smile formed on Atrox's face. "You will soon learn that you have a power that you never knew you had. Come," he drew her near him to sit in a meditative position. "Let me show you what I am capable of."

She willingly opened her mind fully to their bond, and he began to show her what he had done to the squad of sandtroopers Solo had brought from the Executor. Her eyes widened with amazement as she watched her master utterly decimate the troopers; they never stood a chance against him. Once the memory was over, Atrox and Mara locked eyes with each other. "Teach me," she murmured quietly.

Leia awoke in a holding cell on board one of the Mon Cal star cruisers. She blinked, and rubbed her head, trying to sort out what had happened, and then sick feeling formed in the pit of her stomach as she remembered.

The door slid open, and Wedge Antilles entered. She didn't look up, didn't say anything, as he stood there, his back to the door. He began awkwardly, "Leia, I—"

Finally, she spoke. "She's dead, isn't she."

He nodded. "Yes, she is."

"What is my sentence? Am I to be executed?"

Wedge held up his hands, placatingly. "Whoa, slow down, Leia. You aren't being charged."

Now she looked up at him, sharply. "What?"

He gave her a slight smile, and said, "Mon Mothma was a very wise person. She was a senator when Palpatine declared himself Emperor, and served in the Imperial Senate after that. Palpatine played a recording at that session, which he used to win the Senate's support. So… Mon Mothma, realizing that Palpatine was no fool, set up top-secret recording devices everywhere. If an alarm was issued, the recorder started. We got your whole conversation on tape, and we know that… that you weren't the one who committed those acts."

Leia's expression was one of disbelief. Their leader had been even more shrewd and wise than she had known. "So… what now?"

Now Wedge's smile faltered. "The High Command has talked it over, and decided that it wasn't safe for any of us for you to be part of Rebel operations any longer. There's no telling when, or if, Luke, or the were-Luke, or whatever he is now, will try to use you again. Unless, and until, you can defend against his attacks, you… can no longer be an active part of the Alliance."

Leia nodded, grimly. She'd expected something like this, though she was relieved that it was not worse. "So what will you do with me?"

"Well, we're going to let you go. The Falcon's on board, and we'll be dropping out of hyperspace soon for you to take off. I… I'm sorry about all of this, Leia. I know how much the Alliance means to you."

She shook her head. "It's what's best for the Alliance. Until… until I can settle this, one way or another, I'm a danger to the Alliance."