pIt was a year since Luke first left. Nine months since the Jedi Praxeum cut off communications. Leia was in yet another meeting with Bothans levying yet more charges against Ackbar, somehow labeling him as a conspirator for a mining accident. It didn't help that more refugees were fleeing from some new rising power. First from Hutt Space, then the Imperial Remnant, and even parts of the unknown region she had never heard of. No one could describe what happened exactly, which added to Leia's frustration. But it was a dark presence, she could feel it. If only Luke was here. Then she wouldn't have to worry about this mysterious dark force. Suddenly, her comlink flashed red. Leia froze. That was reserved for an emergency, and she hadn't felt any danger in the force. /p
pWithout so much as a farewell, Leia strode out of the room, answering her comlink as she walked towards the spaceport./p
p"Madam president, there is an unidentified yacht entering the system. He somehow bypassed the shield, and none of our patrols in the area are responding. It's callsign is Sister. What should we do?"/p
pLeia was ecstatic. Only one man in the galaxy was capable of such a feat. "Direct them to landing bay 95. I will deal with this personally," she barked, quickening her pace into a jog and ignoring the curious glances from senators, ambassadors and security personnel, curiously watching their president run with childish glee through the hallways. The president had only cared for one issue in the past months. Could it really be Luke Skywalker?/p
pLeia had spent months trying to find her brother. Han had been by her side, searching the galaxy on the Millenium Falcon planet by planet, chasing down every rumour that appeared. Even so duty called, and she was on Coruscant more often then she liked./p
pMany rumors had circulated as to the Master Jedi's disappearance. Even Kyp Durron, acting Jedi Master, had been unable to explain the sudden disappearance of Luke Skywalker, not helped by the fact that three months ago the Jedi Temple had cut off connection with the rest of the galaxy, and Kyp mysteriously disappeared. People didn't dare venture near Yavin, but some say the temple had been attacked. The scores of Jedi knights and masters, many taught by Luke personally, that had mysteriously vanished afterwards didn't help either. Initially, some suggested that he had resigned after raping one of his students. Others thought he retired. A few ventured that the Master Jedi had been assassinated. But the most widespread was arguably the most embarrassing, as well as being the most well founded. Luke Skywalker had fled in embarrassment after the night with his companion Mara Jade./p
pMany women had openly expressed contempt at Mara, now more so than ever. Even formerly hopeful suitors for Mara had distanced themselves from her. Some had gone as far as to put bounties on Mara as well as any information leading to Luke's location. /p
pAs the silver yacht descended, Leia watched in confusion as three black robed adepts walked down the ramp before turning and kneeling. Leia noticed the lightsabers hanging on their robes, and quietly fiddled around her belt for her own lightsaber, not daring to look away from the adepts. It didn't add up. She had been unable to sense anything from Luke. But she could not lay her finger on the lingering disturbance. At least her greatest wish had come true. Luke was back!/p
pThen Luke descended down the ramp, striding ominously past the kneeling cloaked figures. "President Organa," he stated coldly, and Leia instantly knew something was wrong. /p
pLuke's deep yellow eyes pierced her thoughts, shaking Leia to the core. She expected the soft and comforting blue gems that lit her brother's face. She had seen anything matching such intense eyes only once, and she did not enjoy the memory of that. "/p
pPlease lead us to the Senate building. I have an announcement to make. I expect your full cooperation, sister." Darth Waise sneered at his sister, enjoying the lingering bitterness he put on the last word. Leia shuddered. /p
p5 minutes ago, Leia imagined herself running up to her Luke, hugging him in a tight embrace, staring into his soft blue eyes knowing everything would be fine. Now, she was confused and frightened. She felt a pang of guilt it was Luke who found her, slightly amazed that after a year it seemed the Emperor's Hand didn't manage to find him. Yet this comfort was flushed away by Luke's turn./p
pAs they walked along, an NIR officer must have noticed Leia's discomfort, as he walked towards them and asked, "Madam President, is everything alright?" /p
pBefore Leia could respond, Luke stepped forward, stating, "No trooper. Listen carefully. You will order the troops to lock down Coruscant. Any craft the attempts to disobey this will be destroyed without warning. You will further broadcast a declaration of martial law. Then you will find supreme commander Ackbar and arrest him for treason. He is to be replaced by my aide here." Luke gestured to a brunette adept with soft blue eyes before continuing, "Rose will assemble the New Republic fleet here at Coruscant. Do you understand trooper?" /p
pThe soldier nodded in acknowledgement and ran off to complete his orders. "Very helpful, mind tricks are," Luke commented. "Why do you fear me sister?"/p
pLeia stared at him dumbfounded. Mustering all her courage, she retorted, "You slaughtered millions of beings. Most importantly, you killed my Luke. And you wonder why I hate you."/p
p"You accuse me of murder without cause. Why is that so?"/p
p"I've read the reports from the outer rim, Waise. Explain the refugees."/p
p"I merely sent them here to help them escape the conflict."/p
pTrue. None of the refugees had never mentioned being forcefully displaced. In fact they outright denied it, going so far as to speak praise for the mysterious leader. But Leia wasn't going to accept that. She decided to probe him. "You mean the one you created?"/p
p"No. There are threats that are beyond your imagination. Most of those I killed were guilty. Traffickers, smugglers, and other criminal elements. The remainder were those who posed a threat to peace."/p
p"Peace? You commit such crimes and claim peace."/p
p"I do." Darth Waise responded calmly. His still held contempt for Leia, but she was right. Maybe she had been trying to protect him. No matter. The only reason she was still alive was to quell unrest. Once that was complete she could be disposed of./p
pLeia tried to center herself. She had lashed out without thinking of the consequences. She was lucky he hadn't killed her already. Leia was still trying to wrap her head around the sudden turn of events. He had been the dark force she sensed. Yet something about what he told her, there was truth in his voice. She wouldn't accept it, yet she couldn't deny it. Had the refugees been speaking the truth all this time?/p
p"Very good, madam president," Darth Wise sneered, before gesturing for then to continue. He softened slightly, looking Leia straight in the eyes and admitting, "If I had the time I would explain, sister. But unfortunately that is a luxury we do not have."/p
pAs they entered the Senate building in silence, Darth Waise paused briefly, instructing the remaining two adepts, "Go and take control of the security forces. Use any means necessary." The two adepts nodded dutifully and walked briskly away. /p
p"Luke, what has happened to you," Leia finally blurted out, unable to contain her confusion. Luke's smile became a snarl, and Leia felt her windpipe collapsing as he stated, "Luke Skywalker is no more. Mara Jade and you saw to that. I am Darth Waise, heir to the empire, master of the force. Defender of the galaxy."/p
pLeia was stunned. This was not the Luke she remembered. Even when they had argued so bitterly over Luke's love life, his voice was always warm and soft. Now it was cold and lifeless. Defender of the galaxy, master of the force definitely. But heir to the empire and this Darth Waise? Even the prior Luke had been relatively soft towards her, giving her hope Luke was still there. Now that hope began to waiver. Gasping as he finally released her, he unceremoniously marched Leia to the presidential podium, pressing the button and ascending towards the Senate atrium./p
p"Tell me this. Why use sister for your callsign?"/p
p"Because you are my sister. We could rule together sister, just as it was meant to be. With your experience and my control we could truly bring about peace and prosperity." Darth Waise responded./p
pLeia heard the truth in his voice, deep down a part of her actually agreed. But she couldn't. Wouldn't. Not with Darth Waise. Not even if he was her brother. Silence once again descended upon brother and sister. Thousands of senators looked confused, many were complaining about the sudden meeting, and few spared a glance towards the mysterious hooded figure next to President Organa./p
p"My subjects," Darth Waise's soft but powerful voice echoed in the Senate hall, and the senators all stared in shock and confusion. "When I left over an year ago, you were bickering. Today upon my return, you still bicker, unprepared to combat the threats I have forewarned against. Threats that would take millions of lives and cause suffering for billions because of your incompetence."/p
pNow the entire hall was silent, staring curiously at the hooded figure daring to question the Senate. /p
p"This is an outrage!" The Bothan senator yelled. He was pulled forward from the pod by an invisible force, now dangling helplessly in midair as other senators watched in surprise. /p
p"Senator Varla," Darth Waise stated calmly, "You are one to speak. Do you recognize me?" /p
pThe Bothans fur rippled in angered confusion, and Darth Waise let go of him for an instant as the senator fell be several meters before remaining stationary again, leading to many gasps from the other senators./p
pThen Darth Waise pulled back his hood, and everyone's eyes widened in terror. Many things happened in the Senate. The hero of the Rebellion and master jedi dangling a senator in midair was not ordinary. /p
pTurning to the holocams, Darth Waise stared on calmly, stating, "Today is the beginning of a new era. A new empire. My empire. In spite of your claims that it is impossible, I have completely reorganized Hutt Space, the Imperial Remnant and all the undesirable and forgotten systems you believe beneath you. You have all failed your duty, and the price of failure is termination. Your services are no longer required, senators." /p
pLeia watched in horror as thousands of senators were choked to death right there and then. Stealing a glance, Darth Waise was completely motionless. She then saw the Bothan still dangling precariously in the air, right in front of the holocam. Within Leia, a small part celebrated. She cringed at this, trying to shield her thoughts. This was in vain, as Darth Waise easily picked up on this, whispering to Leia, "You know it sister. This is necessary! Those incompetent fools blocked progress."/p
pLeia was disturbed at her inability to disagree./p
pCitizens across the galaxy were glued to the screens, most not believing what they saw: Luke Skywalker, hero of the Rebellion and Master Jedi, dangling a senator in the air and declaring an empire./p
p"Many of you may think of resisting. Rest assured, I will destroy anyone who dares. Rejoice, my subjects, for you now join the ranks of my empire."/p
pAmong the viewers was Mara, who stared at the screen in disbelief. Luke's ominous voice rang in her head. "I will destroy anyone who dares." Erv looked equally disturbed, unable and unwilling to accept what he just saw. Yet they both knew that somehow, in some twisted way no one could explain, their eyes were not lying. It seemed in the months between when they were at the praxeum Luke had descended into further madness./p
pOn the streets of Coruscant, soldiers were herding citizens back into their homes as fighters streaked across the skyline. Fear and confusion radiated from most beings. A few registered anger. Some disbelief. Among them two discreet hooded figures walked unnoticed./p
pLuke tapper into the force. "My children, return to me. We have much work to do." Within minutes, Darth Waise and his three adepts were striding towards the Wrath, Luke's renamed ship./p
pLeia was in a mental breakdown. She was tossed roughly into a cell, cursing before a familiar voice of concern greeted her./p
p"Leia are you alright?"/p
p"Han!" Leia cried in relief. "Luke...he's…" And then she broke down crying on Han's shoulder. He could only pat her back and whisper reassurances, swearing to find the kid and get some answers. He wrapped a thin blanket around his fiancee, holding her close as they sat on the edge of a bunk behind hundreds of guards and several hundred meters of reinforced durasteel./p
pThe Triumph emerged from hyperspace around Coruscant, with Mara staring in disbelief at the massive cluster of warships gathered. Hundreds of cruisers and frigates surrounded Coruscant. "Force this must be three quarters of the navy," she exclaimed. Mental note to self, never tease Luke about being so docile. /p
pSuddenly, a squad of X-wings veered past her ship, firing lasers at their shields as the comlink buzzed, "Unidentified craft, you are in violation of Imperial Center's airspace as dictated by Emperor Waise. Lower your shields and follow the fighter escort. Failure to comply will result in termination."/p
p"Kriff that," Mara said, turning the Triumph around and punching in coordinates to hyperspace. Before the X-wings could veer back and launch another strafing run, the ship had jumped to hyperspace, narrowly avoiding an interdiction field Darth Waise had set up so efficiently. /p
pSafe from whatever that was, Mara let out a sigh of relief./p
pSo that was what Luke taking over the galaxy looks like," She had to admit begrudgingly that this Luke was efficient and thorough. No, not Luke, she reminded herself. The Emperor, or whatever the being trapping the real Luke was./p
