Hello all! I am sorry this took a little while. I had surgery just after New Year's (nothing serious) but I've been gorked out on pain meds! I am happy to get this out now though...thank you all for waiting patiently and for your kind words and support. Enjoy, and please do let me know what you think!

Emerson

Part XXIV

With an unnecessary shove, Mara Jade pushed Leia forward into the throne room, causing her to stumble. Luke caught her arm, gave a scowl in Mara's direction, and helped his sister steady herself. Mara only sneered in response, twisting her pretty features in an unbecoming way. Luke had the feeling she didn't smile much anyway...and more's the pity, he thought. He was still getting that curious feeling about her, that sense that fate had more planned for either of them then they knew.

A few paces in, they stopped, and Mara made no move to urge them forward. "Master," she greeted Palpatine. The Emperor merely dipped his head once in acknowledgement. Luke threw a concerned glance to his Father, attempting to gauge the mood of the room. He tried to read his Father's feelings, sense him through the Force. He was met with ambivalence and uncertainty. He was going to have to let go for a while, see what lay ahead. Vader before him and Palpatine above, settled calmly, betraying nothing. A long, slow raspy purr came from the Emperor, and it took Luke several moments to realize he was laughing. Not a good sign. He set his jaw, peered over to Leia. She was glaring at the Emperor, wearing her Senate face...and Luke sent her a soothing touch, tried to make her see the sense of remaining calm, for now.

It was the Emperor who spoke first. Luke was glad of it...he could not imagine what he would say anyway, and he was concerned Leia would only utter something impertinent. As for Vader, well, Luke was certain his Father was on shaky ground. He leveled his gaze, drawing down deep into himself to maintain a visage of complete stoicism, and faced Palpatine.

The Emperor clasped his hands together, tapping his chin with his forefingers thoughtfully. "Young Skywalker...it seems you are ever as predictable as your Father. I have foreseen your every move, and here you stand before me now, just as in my visions." He dropped his hands to the arms of the throne, imperiously scowling down at them. "Tell me, my young apprentice, are you aware of how much your Father must atone to me?"

Luke stepped forward, and gave Vader an anxious glance. His Father was as yet unmoving, still in his dark robes, watching silently. "I was under the impression that he'd done exactly as you'd asked, your Highness, by convincing me to join him." He shifted his weight, molding his voice with a tone of persuasion. A certain point of view...Ben's words came back to him. Although he knew it was useless, Vader knew a moment of pride at Luke's attempted use of voice manipulation. That was something the boy must have learned from Obi-Wan. The Emperor was far too clever to allow his son to influence him with the power of his voice, however. Luke would have to do better than that.

Palpatine waved him off, he would not play that game. "Do not give your Father so much credit. I am well aware of the logistics of your so-called deflection from the Alliance. My spy has brought me information on Lord Vader's every treacherous act." He indicated Jade with his hand, emphasizing her role. Luke could feel her glow with the sudden pride that filled her. Jade's presence was more vibrant in the Force than he'd been prepared for. It was distracting. The Emperor leaned forward, lowering his voice again to that honey over gravel tone Mara was so familiar with. "The only question now, my young Jedi, is how to properly punish him...and what to do with you."

Luke felt a moment of fear pierce through him and settle in his gut. Fear for his Father, and fear for Leia. He was certain he'd not make it out of this alive, but Luke was determined to see his sister through, and bring his Father back to the Light somehow. He would not rise to Palpatine's goading bait, and the Emperor spoke again. "I am also curious as to how you fit into this picture, Senator. I'm afraid there is much more here than you being a part of the escaping Rebel fleet of Iskander...just so fortunately picked up by the Executor." He focused on Leia now, fixing her with a contemplative gaze. "Yes..." he said slowly, " I do believe that much more is happening here than appears on the surface...isn't that so, Lord Vader?" Palpatine directed that with obvious venom, and Luke winced at the raw hate emanating from the Emperor. Leia stepped forward to stand next to her brother, and they both looked over to Vader.

Never hesitating, Vader replied, "Master, the Princess was indeed a part of the Rebel convoy attempting to escape Iskander." Now Vader tried to shape a truth from a lie. He had to protect Leia's identity. "She expressed a desire to meet with Skywalker when she was brought on board, and was granted a private interview with him. The Princess was..."

But he was cut off by Palpatine, who rounded on him icily, "The Princess was not brought to my attention when I came aboard, my old friend. I will add that to your growing list of treasonous intents, Lord Vader, and you may rest assured you will be dealt with appropriately."

Desperate to turn the Emperor's attention away from his Father, Luke asked mildly, "Tell me, your Highness, do you really believe that torturing my Father will convince me to join you? I've never had any love for the Empire..." behind him he could hear Mara give a sarcastic snort, "and now you threaten the life of a man whose whole world you destroyed... the only thing in your despicable Empire that has any value to me." Luke took several steps away from Leia, moving out so that Palpatine's attention would be divided between himself and his Father. He clasped his hands serenely in front of himself, and again Vader was reminded of Obi-Wan. "Is this what you truly believe will tempt me to turn to the Dark Side?"

"Luke," a quiet warning from Vader. What was his son doing? Was he actually goading Palpatine? No longer resembling Obi-Wan, Luke now was an echo of himself at that age. Self-assured with an arrogant air...not the way to approach the Emperor.

Palpatine was deadly stillness as he answered Luke. "Yes, my young apprentice, I truly believe that the very weakness which runs in your Father also lives in you. As I have said, the Skywalker Jedi are very predictable...and you have yourself as much told me exactly how to win you over...that, and other inducements will bring you to my side."

Never taking his eyes off Palpatine, Luke furrowed his brow at this comment, unsure as to just what he was referring to. No sense from Vader as to the meaning either. Luke could sense Leia shift impatiently behind him, and Jade murmuring something threatening to her, to keep her in place. He needed to get Leia away from Palpatine, before she did something they'd all regret. His sister was not very adept at holding her tongue. Perhaps he could barter for his Father's life as well. It was worth a try.

"I can assure you, your Highness, I'm not interested in whatever your other inducements are. But I am prepared to make a deal...a certain agreement, if you will." Luke paused, waiting to see how the Emperor reacted to this. Both Luke and Palpatine could feel Vader bristle at this statement...and the Emperor realized that Skywalker was acting on his own. Whatever Luke was going to offer, it was not something that he and Vader had planned together. Good...so they were already starting to distrust each other. It made everything so much easier that way. Palpatine gestured with his hand for Luke to continue.

Taking a deep breath, and never looking at his Father, Luke said, "Everyone on the Executor leaves...Senator Organa with her friends, unharmed, back to the Rebellion, and Lord Vader under the control of your Royal Guards...or even of Jade...however you see fit, as long as he's left alive. Imperials and Rebels completely off this ship."

Luke felt, rather than heard, Leia's quick intake of breath. His Father took a menacing step toward Palpatine, but stopped at Luke's upraised palm.

"And you, young Skywalker?" the Emperor asked in a hushed whisper, "what of you?"

A lingering silence, then, "I stay...and we finish this."

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Taking back the Executor was surprisingly easy, considering the enormity and complexity of the situation. Piett had to admit, the Rebels were a rather organized and efficient group. Each and every one of Palpatine's agents and Officers were rounded up quietly and consigned to the holding cells which once contained the Rebels. General Solo relished this kind of work, that much was apparent to Piett, and he headed up his small mix of Rebel and Imperial troops with skill.

Back on the bridge, Piett and Solo stood once again, each with a higher respect for the other than when they'd begun. "Any word from Vader yet?" Han asked quietly, hands clasped behind his back.

"Not yet, General. I am certain that Lord Vader has things completely under control. He'll only contact me if necessary."

"I don't suppose there's any way to get into that room, is there Admiral? I mean, how exactly do you know that Vader doesn't need your help?" Solo was restless, and desperate to make sure his friends were safe. Piett was sure there was a certain Princess at the top of that list. A small, faint smile flitted across Piett's face as he though of Leia...the very daughter of Darth Vader. Well, Solo was in for it, wasn't he? If she were anything like her Father, and by some accounts she was, the General had his work cut out for him. As much as he admired the Senator, Piett did not envy Solo one bit. Or perhaps he was just getting too old. One button on his cuff had come undone, and he examined it absently.

"Well, Admiral...are you listening?" Solo was getting irritated. "Is there a way into that throne room?"

Piett shook his head. "Even if there was, don't forget for a moment that we are dealing with the Emperor. He'd know instantly if we tried to storm the throne room." He rebuttoned his cuff and continued, "I will not attempt it unless I hear directly from Lord Vader, too many lives are at stake. Until then...there is nothing we can do."

Han, as aggravated as he was, realized the sense of this. Luke and Vader were the Force sensitive ones...they'd be the only hope there was of defeating Palpatine. He'd be dead before he even made it through the door...Han knew this even though his heart told him to fly straight into the throne room, blasters blazing, and pull Leia out of harm's way.

At least Piett had allowed them to contact Mon Mothma. Even as they spoke, Rebel ships were on the way, heading for the Executor. They'd stay out of range until called for...only if needed. That gave Piett a small sense of security...even if Skywalker was unable to destroy the Emperor, the firepower of the arriving Rebel ships could. Han, however, could not be comforted by that information the same way Piett was...but Solo had more at stake. His only thoughts were for his friends. There had to be a way to get them out of the throne room, away from Palpatine and off the ship before the Rebellion came for the Executor.

Han was mulling over this for several moments before Piett was able to gain his attention. Joining the Admiral at a consol, he squinted at the view screen, adjusting his mind to Imperial readouts. Ships were approaching, and for a moment, Han felt fear freeze in his chest. The Rebellion ships...he hadn't called them yet...the Rebels were too early! There was no way now to hide from Palpatine. He'd know his own men had betrayed him. He'd kill Luke and Leia...he'd...Next to him, Piett was shaking his head, pointing to the view screen. "No, General Solo...those aren't Rebel ships. They're Imperial...the Emperor has sent for re-enforcements."

Han's freezing fear dropped, if at all possible, several degrees colder. Midnight on Hoth. The Emperor already knew...Stang...stang stang stang!

Looming out of the darkness, several Star Destroyers came into view. Imperial fighters dropped out of them, like tiny flecks of silver paint flaking away from the hull. Speeding away from their parent ships, they were heading straight toward the Executor.

The Emperor had outwitted them all.

The bridge went silent.

They were surrounded.