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Chapter 11
Obi-Wan looked up as a guard entered the rooms of Padmé Amidala, carrying the aforesaid woman in his grasp, and being pursued anxiously by the panicked Han, who grabbed Master Kenobi's arm, as the aging man rushed up to check on the moaning former Queen of Naboo.
"She just collapsed suddenly, Uncle Ben. She said Darth Vader is coming," Han snapped angrily.
Fear flowed through the rest of the group, as Kalani was pulled into a one armed embrace by her Uncle. Bail's eyes narrowed as his tanned features paled, and Zett swallowed hard as he looked down at the ground.
"Vader?" Kenobi questioned softly, more as an observation to himself. He ordered the guard to lay Padmé down on a nearby couch and knelt beside her, brushing back the fair hair, that had replaced the dark curls long ago, with his left hand. He took Padmé's hand in his right and sent soothing waves of Force through her.
Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder after a moment of silence, "I'm only going to say this once. Bail, you go with Han and Kalani to the twins rooms. Han, you will take Luke and go into the same hiding place you hid with your mother and the twins several years ago.
"I will be waiting there for you with your mother." Kenobi let go of Padmé's hand.
"Bail, take Leia and go to meet Vader with Kalani. Tell Vader you've adopted the children of your former Nanny and introduce him to Leia. Say that her brother is on an over-night excursion in the plains or something as benign as that.
"Zett, exchange clothes with Han, and mask your Force abilities so they're down to minimal. You're going to stand in for him tonight."
The Jedi Master rubbed his eyes, "Force I hope it's enough of a deception. I don't want to have Han right in front of Vader, as he still might recognise him, and Luke...he can't hide his power just yet."
Han shook his head, "Leia's just as powerful as Luke, isn't she Uncle Ben?" He mentioned wryly. "They are twins."
Kenobi pursed his lips, "Not exactly. Their Force abilities vary. Not to mention some of Leia's abilities are a mystery, for some reason her true power is hidden behind some sort of natural shield she can unconsciously control. Luke radiates his true power at times, but his twin sister conceals.
"I would take Leia with Luke, but when they are together, their Force power increases. I could feel it as I approached the planet, and no doubt Vader does as well. I can hide Luke's power, and Leia will be safer here on Alderaan then trained as a Jedi just yet. One day, perhaps."
Han sighed deeply, "All right," he whipped his shirt off and flung it at Zett, who caught it promptly. "Don't worry about the Jedi getup, just dump the tunic and 'saber in my Mom's closet and throw that on over the pants. I'll grab a shirt or something from my room while I'm taking Luke into hiding."
Jukassa nodded, "A good idea," he affirmed with a grin, as Han folded his arms over his undershirt and winked at Kalani, as the girl walked over to him.
"That's me, the ideas man," Han shrugged as he eyed Obi-Wan. "I just hope this crazy scheme works, old man," he put an arm idly around his girlfriend, and watched cautiously as Kenobi only shook his head in frustration.
-:-:-:-
"C'mon big guy, up you get," Han encouraged, putting Luke's arms around his neck and lifting the four-year-old boy into his arms. Luke let out a startled groan and his bright eyes snapped open to look sleepily at his foster brother.
"We have to play a game, kid."
"Game?" The blond haired boy asked with a yawn, and rubbed his ruddy cheeks with his little hand.
Han nodded quickly, "Ah huh, hide and search. You and me are going to hide first with Mom," he glanced over at where Bail was lifting Leia out of bed.
"Leia is going to go count with Father Bail and Kalani. So we have to be really quiet, 'cause we know how good our little sis is at finding us, right?"
Luke yawned and nodded again, sleepily resting against Han's shoulder, "Right," he mumbled out in agreement, too tired to argue.
Leia reached out with her hands. "I want to hide with Hannie, Lukie, and Mamma too," she objected.
Kalani brushed back the little girl's ruffled hair with a loving smile. "But that makes it uneven numbers, sweetie. And we have someone to meet before we can start playing. And you also have to say nothing until I say it's okay, all right?"
Leia whined a little, but obligingly let Bail carry her out of the room as Kalani kissed Han's lips. "Be careful," she whispered, pulling back and touching Luke's face gently, before exiting as well.
Han took in a deep breath and held Luke's head with his left hand, as he carried the boy down the hall. The dim light hiding them into dark, solid silhouettes against the walls, as they rushed to the secreted location.
-:-:-:-
The shining armour of Vader's personal guard, the 501st legion, glowed affectedly in the bright illumination of the Aldera Palace's private landing platform, as they stood in two rows, lining the way from the Imperial shuttle.
The dark clad Lord of the Sith himself, was glancing down from the top of the landing ramp before he descended quickly after a brief moment of observation.
Bail was there, of course, to meet him, looking as self-righteous and dashingly dressed as ever. A slim, dark haired teenage girl was beside him, holding a small, plump little girl in a nightgown and jacket. The child was staring over at the troopers with half-lidded eyes of bewilderment.
Several Alderaan guards stood behind them, and Darth Vader could sense the fear in most of them at the sight of him, much to his annoyance.
Fear in large amounts was distracting, and Alderani were known for usually being naturally bold against all other threats. But Vader was growing used to the fear, and sometimes hysteria, his imposing appearance now evoked.
Vader marched over and glanced down at Bail, the man had always been taller than him, but now, with the elevations in his boots, was slightly shorter.
"Your highness," Vader greeted stonily through the voice synthesiser, turning to look at the two girls briefly, before addressing the frowning Bail Organa again. "Forgive me for the intrusion at this late hour, but I wish to speak to you privately, Senator."
The Prince of Alderaan eyed him curiously, "Do you come on the Emperor's behalf, my Lord?" He invoked, Vader inclined his head. "Then if you do so, I am obliged to comply with your summons. You have met my niece, Grand Duchess Kalani Remon, before, but I don't believe you have met my adopted daughter, Princess Leia of Alderaan."
The red masked eyes of Vader locked onto the wide eyes of the brown haired little girl, who glanced defiantly at him, despite the fear written all over her pretty little face. "No, I have not had the pleasure. Have you just recently adopted her?" He enquiringly asked the goateed Senator.
Bail nodded swiftly and folded his arms over his chest. "Just over a month ago. Her late mother was the nanny of the children of the palace. I have also adopted her older brother, the Prince Vyyk, but he is currently on an excursion in the Castle Lands."
Vader sensed deception, Perhaps the girl's brother had run off into the city to cause havoc and Bail is covering for teenage rebellion? "How good of you," he studied Leia Organa again. "Where was her family from?"
"Corellia," Bail informed him hastily. "Her mother was widowed, and left with two children. Well, Lord Vader, I shan't bore you any further with the details. Shall we adjourn to the—"
The Sith Lord held up his hand, "I don't find it boring at all, your highness. As a matter of fact, I find it fascinating that you would go out of your way to adopt two orphan children, but I know of your kindness," he walked a few steps away from Bail and loomed over Kalani.
"Grand Duchess Remon. I expect you will soon be joining your Uncle in the Senate?"
Kalani lowered her head gracefully, "I am being trained as his aide, and then eventual co-Senator, my Lord," she responded calmly.
Leia narrowed her eyes at the dark Lord, and put her arms tighter around Kalani's neck as she turned away from the terrifying black masked man.
"Indeed. Take me to your private quarters, Prince Organa, I wish to commence our discussion," Vader commanded, affixing his red shielded eyes back on the Prince.
Bail motioned to his guards, and Kalani gave Leia a comforting hug as the Senator led the huge Sith Lord past them, followed by four stormtroopers, who glanced at the princesses, respectfully inclining their heads as they walked past.
The teenage girl looked away, and the little girl in her arms glared back at them, unimpressed, whispering sleepily in her adopted cousin's ear, as Kalani turned to walk her back to her room.
"The black one and the white ones are all too tall and scary... aren't we supposed to be counting?"
Kalani adjusted the tired girl, "You start sweetie, but very quietly. I'll take a turn later," she murmured, whispering a silent prayer to the ancient Alderaan gods, as well as the life giving Force, as Leia began counting quietly, as her eyelids started to droop.
-:-:-:-
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Master?" Zett whispered as they landed the shuttle behind one of the huge rock formations, the few guards that had accompanied them stepped out to survey the area.
Obi-Wan suggested having Zett fill in for Han out in the castle lands, while the boy hid in the palace, in case Vader got a little too zealous and decided to search the castle lands. An orphan temple child, with a false name as Alderaan's prince, was a lot more benign than Bail adopting the foster child of Padmé Amidala.
Kenobi inclined his head, "More or less. I'm going to need you to stay on Alderaan for a few years, at any rate, right up until Han will begin studying in the Alderaan University. Master Yoda has said you are a better scholar then Jedi, it should be easy for you."
Zett nodded, his blue eyes full of understanding, "I see, so whenever Han needs a double...?"
"Exactly, similar to Elle with Padmé. Except, this arrangement will be terminated once Han is of an age to defend himself, in four years, or so. Something tells me that Han will not remain a bystander in this coming Rebellion Master Yoda has foreseen, and he longs to be a fighter pilot." He furrowed his brow.
"Back to the business of now. One can only hope that if I know Vader, he will not search out here in the Castle Lands, out of respect for Bail. Or, rather, the fact that Senator Organa will have a field day explaining that to the Senate, that their leader's loyal servant doubted his word, when he did not send word of his arrival on Alderaan, in the first place." Obi-Wan folded his hands into his robe sleeves.
Zett stood up, and fiddled with the fine fabric of his borrowed shirt, "What are your plans, Master?" He asked curiously. Kenobi removed his hands from his robe sleeves, and rested them on the console in front of him, his eyes narrowed.
"I will go back to the palace, via the more mountainous route. It's a risk while Vader is there, but I must take it in order to get Luke to Kashyyyk," Obi-Wan replied stonily. "I wish I could take Leia with me as well, but I fear such a large concentration of Force, will be a danger to them both. So I will take the elder twin."
The teenaged Padawan lent his arms on the headrest as he stood up, "Master, are you certain that the future of the galaxy, rests on the shoulders of the Skywalker twins? What if Master Yoda's, and your own, premonitions are mistaken? Master Yoda does always say that the future is in constant motion."
Obi-Wan glanced back at Zett, "Always in motion is the future," he murmured out of memory. "Yes. But I have faith in this, that if ever there is to be one Jedi to lead us into victory over the Empire, it will likely be Luke."
"What about Leia? Isn't she part of our last hope also?" Zett said pointedly, a little bit miffed at the insinuation, that he and the other remaining Jedi on Kashyyyk must place their leadership in the future prowess of a four-year-old boy.
"Luke won't always be a child," Obi-Wan said, sensing his Padawan's thoughts, the fair haired boy blushed faintly and Kenobi shook his head.
"As for Leia, I sense that she does have the potential to be a powerful Jedi Knight, but she would be a far greater politician under the guidance of Bail."
Zett rested his chin on his hands, "But I know how you feel about politicians, Master," he said with a slight smile, trying to lighten the mood before they had to part.
Obi-Wan chuckled. "Yes, that they are not to be trusted, but this future one we must trust if the galaxy is to be turned away from Sith rule," he rubbed his mouth. "We all must put faith in this, that no matter how the future turns, we have hope in the Chosen One's offspring. You'd better go join the guards, I have to get back to the palace."
Zett dropped his arms from the headrest, "Understood Master," he started walking out of the cockpit as the door slid across, he stopped mid way to glance at Obi-Wan, the aging Jedi Master was taking a great risk in returning to Aldera while Vader was still there.
Jukassa got a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach, as his mind turned to the thought of never seeing his mentor again, "Master Obi-Wan?"
Kenobi turned slightly in his seat to glance back at his Padawan, "Yes Zett?"
"May the Force be with you, and please be careful," Zett farewelled with a slight smile, the greying haired man nodded in return.
"And also with you. But please take your own advice as well, Zett," Obi-Wan warned pointedly.
Jukassa lowered his head and exited, leaving the Jedi Master alone with his thoughts, as he prepared the shuttle for take-off.
-:-:-:-
"Han Solo-Naberrie?" Bail rubbed his goatee. "Oh yes, Senator Naberrie's foster son. I remember him, charming child. What about him?" The tall senator lent back on his desk as the masked Sith Lord studied him, his stern expression unseen behind the imposing mask.
"I'm looking for Han. His family on Naboo are unaware of his existence, and the Emperor wishes to reunite them, as part of his new propaganda with his birth planet. He intends to reunite the adopted son of their..." he hesitated and tried to cover it up under Bail's scrutinising gaze.
"...well beloved late Senator Amidala, with his unknowing family, as a gesture of good will," Vader lied through his teeth.
The well known fake smile appeared on the Prince's tanned features, "Indeed. An interesting gesture from the Emperor. But I'm afraid I cannot assist," Bail spread his hands in apology. "I haven't seen Han for four years, not since he was placed with the other Temple Children for adoption, soon after Padmé's death."
Darth Vader narrowed his eyes further under his mask, a scowl of disbelieving frustration on his hidden face, "You did not seek to adopt the boy yourself after her death? She was your friend after all, and you knew Han," he mentioned angrily.
Bail pursed his lips. "I wanted to, but the boy was lost when he was mistakenly transferred to the ship heading to the inner-core orphanage, and by the time they got back to me, all they said was that Han had been adopted out," he apologised.
Vader paced like a sand-panther in a cage, with his cape whipping around him as he did so.
The senator watched Vader's movements, and Bail cautiously felt he needed to add more to the story, "I am sorry. I know the boy—"
"You're lying!" Lord Vader thunderously roared, interrupting the soft spoken Organa with a snarl of contempt, as he marched up to the Senator of Alderaan and pointed a gloved finger in his face.
"Liar! You would not ever do such a thing, certainly as long as there was breath in your body." Vader sighed heavily and forced his voice more even. "Are you protecting Han from his own family?"
Bail swallowed hard, "No, Lord Vader," he shook his head. "I am not hiding him from his family...or should that be you?" He let the question hang in the air, the deathly silence was eventually broken by a sharp intake of breath from Vader.
"Where is Han?" Vader said steadily, "I will not ask again, so choose your words carefully for you know my power to probe the mind, Organa. And be warned, I will see you and your family destroyed if you lie to me further. Have you seen Han recently?"
Exhaling out hard, the Prince of Alderaan slumped his shoulders. "Yes," Bail admitted quietly, looking away from the mask with despair. He didn't want to do this. But what else could he do to protect Leia, Luke and Padmé? Han would forgive him for their sake...he knew the boy would...Poor child...
The lumbering giant lent forward further to loom domineeringly over the senator. "Where is my son?" Darth Vader hissed. "You have no rights over him, Organa."
Forgive me, Han. Forgive me Obi-Wan. "I...I will call for him," Bail bit his lower lip, he must protect Leia, Luke and Padmé, Vader would not harm Han, at least he didn't think he would.
"But promise me, here and now, you will not harm him?"
"Never," Darth folded his arms, "you know I won't. Bring him to me and I will leave you, your family, and your planet alone," he hung the threat over the Senator, and Bail reached for his com-link.
Silently wishing for divine providence that wasn't appearing, Organa knew there was no way out now.
He had failed.
-:-:-:-
Han glanced over at Luke, sleeping peacefully in Padmé's arms. His foster mother was asleep as well, and had her arms wrapped around her son. Han smiled sadly to himself, as he sat on the other side of the huge, hidden ancient trunk.
This might be one of the last moments Han ever spent with his foster mother and brother, spent hiding in fear in a cramped trunk, from Vader...
Shutting his eyes tightly, Han sighed, Perhapssleep isn't such a bad idea, until Vader leaves and Obi-Wan returns... a sudden beeping interrupted the teenager's dozing, startlingly him out slumber.
Han fumbled around for his com-link as Luke's eyes snapped open at the sound. Patting his foster brother's head soothingly, Han switched on his com-link.
"Hello?"
"Han, could you please come up to my office in the southern tower?" Bail's voice was strained and apologetic.
Han's eyes instantly narrowed in suspicion, and he voiced his concern in a whisper. "Are you sure?" He bit his tongue, before he added anything about Obi-Wan not saying anything about this part of plan. Luke stared at his his foster brother with fear in his eyes.
"Yes, I am. Please come."
The way Bail spoke indicated that he wanted anything but Han to come to him, but, however, there was a chance the Prince of Alderaan was in danger, and needed his newly adopted son's help.
Han bit his lip, Then again…
"Hurry, Han," Organa's voice added, before he switched off.
The teenager ran his hand over his ear-length hair, and glanced down at Luke, who shook his head quickly.
"Don't go, Han. There is bad, I know," the eldest of Anakin and Padmé Skywalker's twins started to cry, and Han squeezed his foster brother's hand.
"Hey, hey, Luke. Father Bail is in trouble, and I have to go help him," Han swallowed. "Sometimes, kid, you have to face bad, not run away from it." Han hugged the little boy and kissed the unconscious Padmé's forehead, as he reached up to push open the trunk lid.
Luke sobbed from fear and sleeplessness, "Don't go Han! I don't want you to be passed away!" He grabbed Han's middle. "You can't leave, I won't let you! I love you big brother."
The teenager hugged Luke furiously, blinking back his own tears of fear, Han knew had to be strong for his little brother.
"I know you do. And I love you, and little sis and Mom, too much to see you get even a tiny bit hurt. You have to stay here and watch over Mom." Han grabbed his brother's shoulders gently.
"You promise me? Not one move, or sound, until Uncle Ben comes and tells you it's all right, and only Uncle Ben."
Luke shook his fair haired head, "No, I come with you! And Mamma..." He suddenly understood. "Can't leave Mamma alone...but I don't want you to go, big brother," the little boy whimpered, pressing his face against his foster brother and sobbing furiously.
Han unlocked his fair haired brother's arms from around his waist. "I don't want to go either, but I must. Do you know must, Luke?" Han wanted very much to curl up back in the trunk with his foster mother and brother, but he swallowed bravely as Luke shook his head.
"Must means that you have to, like when you didn't want that medicine when you were sick, but you had to take it to get better, right?"
The little boy lowered his head, "I stay. You come back big brother? Promise?" Luke scowled and Han forced a chuckle.
"Of course I'll be back, don't be a silly nerf," Han ruffled Luke's hair. "Now, go sit back with Mom and I'll shut the lid. Be a good boy Luke, and remember, only Uncle Ben." Han watched as his brother scampered back to lie on Padmé's lap, and waved at him drowsily.
Han gave him a lopsided grin and looked away as he closed the lid gently. After the truck was closed securely, Han adjusted his jacket and looked around the long, dark corridor as he reached into his pocket for a glow lamp, switching on the small torch and walking purposely forward.
The teenager's grin fading into a worried line, as Han glanced back every few steps at the trunk as it slowly grew smaller, and smaller, as he departed to face whatever lay ahead.
-:-:-:-
Vader's red shielded eyes glared at Bail as the miserable Senator had his back to the Sith Lord, staring out of the windows. "You would lie to the entire Empire to keep my son safe, your highness. I am thankful," he admitted, in his artificial, rumbling tone.
Organa shook his head sadly. "I love the boy like he's my own son, my Lord. He's such a good child, and I don't want to see him harmed," he rubbed his eyes. "Force forgive me—"
"When does the Force ever do such a thing?" Vader interrupted angrily. "It took my wife away from me. It turned the Jedi against the Emperor…and against me," he spat venomously.
"The Force is all powerful, but it is hardly an entity of forgiveness. You would be better off looking to your ancient Gods, than to it."
Bail glanced over his shoulder, shaking his head as he turned back to look out at Aldera, "I do this only to keep my family safe. Han is my family as well, and I don't want to have him suffer further loss and pain," he clearly insinuated that he knew Vader would destroy the Organa family to take back Han, if necessary.
The leather clad dark Lord of the Sith almost laughed, but the sound of a soft knock at Bail's study door broke them both out of the angry silence developing between them.
Organa hesitantly waved his hand over the admittance panel on his desk, and lowered his head.
Vader swallowed hard.
The teenage boy, (dressed in fitted black pants, brown, knee-high boots, and a tan coloured shirt, with a dark blue, many pocketed jacket.) standing uncertainly in the doorway, was staring straight back at the Sith Lord, with the same expression of horror Vader remembered from an older Han, in his long ago dream.
"Han," Vader greeted, almost in relief. "You're alive."
The fold of the arms and the uncertain half-smile were still the same, as Han stepped into the study, "So are you," his breaking voice was low and mordant.
Darth Vader studied Han for a moment and began circling him. The boy seemed to be healthy. His hair was slightly shorter than it had been at nine years old, and Han's eyes were an artificial colour.
But, other than being older and taller, Han's personality seemed to be much the same as Vader remembered.
Han wore a wary expression with a deep-set scowl, as his eyes followed the dark Lord's lumbering frame circling him.
"You've grown. I had given up hope of ever finding you after your mother..." Vader folded his arms as he left the sentence unfinished and hanging in the air.
"Well now, that is hardly a proper greeting for your father, Han. But I understand you must be in shock seeing me after all these years—"
"No? Really?" Han ventured bravely, with a snarky glare up at Vader. "I'm flattered you think that much of me."
Bail's eyes widened in terror on his foster son's behalf, as he kept his gaze on the desk in front of him.
Darth Vader pointed a finger in Han's face. "I will not tolerate such insolence from you, Han. It was endurable when you were a child, but you are almost a young man, and I intend to treat you as such.
"So it would be best if you hear me out, before making further sarcastic comments." the Sith Lord rumbled.
Han narrowed his eyes further and stared straight ahead, "As you wish, my Lord," he replied stonily, glancing off to the side. "But if I can point out something for a moment, you have no right to be lecturing me, you're not my father."
Vader turned Han's head back with his left hand and lifted the teenager's chin to glare down into the unnaturally coloured eyes. "Contrary to your current convictions, Han, you are my foster son by marriage, since as you know I was once, and occupy, Anakin Skywalker's body. I am your father, by right and law."
Darth Vader let go of the boy, and Han rubbed his chin ruefully, and glanced over at Bail as Vader circled him again.
"I'm aware you were happy here with Organa and his family. However, as much as I am grateful for the Prince's assistance, I wish to have you return home to Coruscant with me, and take up your rightful position, as my son in the Imperial Court."
The teenager bit his lower lip, "To be locked up in the Imperial Palace as you go out on constant missions for the Emperor? I wish to refuse." Han straightened his shoulders and never winced once under the gaze of Vader, who had lent against the desk, folding his arms and staring back at the teenager thoughtfully.
"You will not be locked up if you do not wish to be, Han. As you seem to harbour strong affection for the Organa family, while I am away on missions you may spend your time in study in the Alderaan schools, and then the university, while also attending the Imperial Academy," the Sith Lord bribed.
"You always wanted to be a fighter pilot. You still do, correct?"
Han lowered his eyes and nodded, "I can stay here when you're on missions?" He repeated warily, lifting back up his gaze. Vader inclined his masked head. "But I will have to leave with you, right now?"
The armoured man nodded his head again, "Yes. Unfortunately Bail does have you adopted as the Prince of Alderaan, but that will only serve to make your title greater. Count Han Solo-Vader of the Empire and Prince of Alderaan...quite a grand designation, hmm?" Darth Vader almost teased.
Han grimaced, "Oh boy." He replied in mock enthusiasm to Vader's attempt to use Anakin's Skywalker's dry humour with little success. "And to think I would have been far better off as a street louse, my Lord—"
"Father." Vader corrected grimly, towering over the unimpressed looking Han.
"—Father," Han repeated in the same unenthusiastic tone, staring up at Vader. "You promise that you will let me visit Alderaan?"
Darth Vader placed a leather gloved hand on Han's shoulder. "Your schooling will be split between Coruscant and Alderaan. Then, I believe we will arrange some courses at the Aldera University while you are attending the Imperial Academy.
"But, I do sense that you wish to remain here for more than just schooling and loyalty to Bail and his family...ahh." Vader smirked behind his mask.
"The Grand Duchess."
Han glowered, as the dark lord all but chuckled.
"Well then, I believe that the girl will soon be on the senate and that will leave you plenty of time to be together." Vader wondered quietly to himself if the dark haired girl in his long ago vision had been Remon.
If Han married the girl, she would be elevated to the rank of princess.
Yes, it made sense. Although, even the little girl, Princess Leia, could possibly have been the one...
But, regardless of which Organa woman Han had been with, the vision Vader had seen would now not be like that, he would change the future.
The Sith Lord glanced over at Bail, "My son will need his personal things packed. I wish to take him now to my shuttle," he ordered.
The Prince of Alderaan inclined his head gravely, and folded his arms. "I will see to it personally, my Lord. It will give you and Han a moment to converse alone." Organa eyed Han meaningfully, and the boy realized that perhaps this wasn't the end.
There was hope still with one man.
As Bail exited, Han glanced nervously over at Vader and then slumped down in a nearby chair, the lumbering giant lent back on the desk again and Han cleared his throat. "Well, this is awkward," he mentioned, as casually as he could.
"Perhaps it has been too long," Vader reached up and pulled off the top of his helmet, and proceeded to remove the mask to Han's surprise, revealing the face of Anakin Skywalker, completely intact, apart from a few burn scars running along the left side of his face.
For a moment Han felt relief, then he remembered what Zett had said long ago, about hoping that he never had to see the monster wearing Anakin's skin. Perhaps it would have been better if Vader had been confined to wearing the mask.
Perhaps then it wouldn't be so hard to look into features so similar to Luke's…eyes that had once been blue, now turned yellow-orange and bloodshot…and that unnatural smirk that was beyond unnerving...
"Now we can both see each other a little better," the voice was slightly raspier, but the same voice that had said yes to an orphan boy that fell onto his wife's apartment balcony, almost five years ago.
Han looked down at his hands, this was not going to be easy at all. But, as the past few years had proved, it seemed his entire life would never be.
-:-:-:-
"How could you just let him take Han?!" Obi-Wan exclaimed in frustration into the com, as he swerved the shuttle into the secret way around the caldera housing Aldera. Blast flying!
There was a shaken sigh from Organa, unusual in the strong Senator's usually calm manner of conversing. "He threatened Leia and the rest of my family. He vowed not to harm the boy and he threatened to probe my mind. If he had, he would not only have found out about Han but also..."
"All right, all right," Kenobi snapped, losing his usual calm. "This might still work out all right. I will take the woman and her son to safety. Try to delay Vader leaving planet as long as you can," he knew the com lines would be tapped sooner or later. "You did only what you could."
The Jedi Master switched off the com without waiting for a reply and rubbed his eyes, throwing a shield around himself, Obi-Wan knew had to accomplish this without Vader sensing him, or else all was lost.
"Blast, blast," Obi-Wan cursed under his breath.
-:-:-:-
Vader handed Han his helmet and mask, and the teenager studied it with the critical eye of a young mechanic, "The voice synthesiser was altered, by the Emperor's order. He felt my voice was not commanding enough to carry off the illusion of the armoured suit," he said quietly.
Han quickly lost interest in the huge mask and helmet that felt heavy, and fearfully confining, he quickly handed it back to Anakin, "Yeah, great. You got your own Star Destroyer huh?"
"Indeed I do. I'll take you on a tour of it before we visit Vjun on our way to Imperial Centre. My private castle is being built there," Vader folded his arms. "The planet is not much...and it has acid rain, but it is private.
"I find Coruscant too loud these days. I'm even thinking of having a retreat built on Coruscant, somewhere quiet."
Han tried to appear relaxed, but he was on edge. He knew Bail wouldn't put him in danger unless Darth Vader had threatened him with something terrible. "Did you threaten to do something to the Organas if I didn't come with you?" He asked cautiously.
The Sith Lord gazed Han's serious features. "If I did, it's of no consequence, Organa was lucky I didn't take it further, and report him for harbouring my property..."
"Property!" The teenager stood up, "I don't belong to anyone, least of all you!" Han shakily marched over to the window.
Vader pursed his lips in frustration, and followed his foster son over to the window, placing a hand firmly on Han's shoulder as the boy glared out of the window.
"You know I didn't mean it that way. And I don't only wish to take you out of commitment, but you are a minor and I have a right of paternity over you," the voice was the same as Anakin, but the words were cold and distant.
"I would use any threat necessary to keep that right."
Han glanced up at the tall man, "Then I will go with you," he relented. "But I do it only because of who you once were," Han glanced back down at his hands.
Vader lifted his hand from the boy's shoulder. "Very well, we will leave it at that for now. I sense Prince Organa returning," he left his foster son at the window and walked back to the desk.
Placing back on his mask and helmet, Vader spared a quick glance back in the direction of Han.
The boy's shoulders were squared and a fixed scowl was on his face, as he lifted his head to look out at the mountainous caldera, Darth Vader wondered if Han would ever open up to him about what had happened over the last four, nearly five, years.
It may be only a short amount of time to some, but it might have well have been a thousand years. Han was already an adolescent, and was developing a firm sense of what was right and wrong around him, and, as of this time, his foster father was more stranger then parent.
Somehow, Vader thought determinedly, I must earn back his trust.
-:-:-:-
Master Kenobi put his arm around Padmé, adjusting the sleeping Luke over his shoulder as they walked towards the shuttle. The petite woman was still exhausted, and was struggling alongside the Jedi Master, her heavy, hooded cloak shielded her from the strong, blowing winds.
But still, Padmé shivered, her eyes rising to look at Kenobi. "Obi-Wan, where is Han?" She whispered.
Kenobi averted his gaze, and Padmé shook with fear this time.
"He has him, doesn't he? You let him take Han." Padmé's voice was low and tearful.
The Jedi Master glanced back at her sadly. "Padmé, Vader could sense Bail was lying. He would have killed all the family to get to the truth. Han knew he couldn't put you and the twins in danger," he tried to smile comfortingly, but his own thoughts were full of the same sorrow as the grieving mother.
Han didn't deserve this to happen to him at all.
The former Senator of Naboo tried to struggle away from Kenobi, "No! No! I won't leave without Han...I'll save him myself if you Jedi are too weak to do it!" She spat.
Luke moaned a little and snuggled closer against Obi-Wan's shoulder, the man sighing deeply as he held Padmé's arm tightly.
"I wish I could let you go, Padmé, but stop, think. You will be putting Han and your children in more danger if you reveal yourself to Vader, not excluding yourself either. Vader will want you by his side, and that will ultimately cause your death being that close to him," Obi-Wan begged.
"Please get on the shuttle."
-:-:-:-
Han glowered at the Stormtroopers as he and Vader stood outside the Imperial shuttle with an unhappy looking Bail and a tearful Kalani, her mother and her Aunts also stood assembled at their brother's request. The stewards carried the last of Han's things on board, as Darth Vader spoke up.
"I thank you for your assistance in this matter, Prince Organa. I will not tell the Emperor all of the finer details, and I trust you will not..." His trailed off and his gaze wondered, the Sith Lord took in a huge breath.
"Kenobi?" Vader hissed as he suddenly recognised the presence of his old master close by, yelling out the name through the Force.
Kenobi! Vader roared to his former master.
Han paled and let Kalani wrap her arms around him in concern.
Vader glanced at Prince Organa, "Is he here for Han?"
Bail shook his head, "I don't know, I haven't seen him many years," he lied.
The Sith Lord was in no mood for long winded excuses, "Obviously he has found out I have Han. I will go after him alone," Vader grabbed his lightsaber off his belt.
Han longed to grab his foster father's arm and beg him not to hurt Obi-Wan, but he held his tongue in anger and held Kalani closer.
Lord Vader turned on his heel and his long black cloak flew out behind him as he marched away, this was going to be a day of retribution. Han was back with him where he belonged, and soon the death of Kenobi would be brought about for his crimes against the Empire, and being the cause of Padmé's betrayal.
-:-:-:-
Padmé looked at Luke wearily, brushing aside his fair hair from his forehead with her gloved hand, "I do not like this, in fact, I loathe this. I hate Anakin. I hate Bail...and most of all I hate you, Obi-Wan," she turned her eyes to glare at Kenobi's sad, faded blue eyes.
"I don't know if it's for not killing Anakin, or for his training in the first place."
Obi-Wan lowered his eyes, "I don't know what to hate myself for either, my lady," he responded faintly. Leading the woman towards the shuttle once again in silence.
But even before the small group had stepped on the boarding ramp, there was a tremendous roar in the Jedi's mind through the Force.
Kenobi!
The Jedi Master fell to his knees and Padmé grabbed her son from the man's arms, as he doubled over, clutching his stomach. Obi-Wan wheezed as if someone had dealt him a heavy blow.
Despite her anger, Padmé placed a hand on her long-time friend's shoulder. "What is it?"
Obi-Wan raised his head and narrowed his eyes, "Get on board with Luke now, and start up the shuttle" he ordered.
Padmé paled and rushed up the boarding ramp, clutching Luke close to her as she did as the Jedi Master bid.
Kenobi took in a deep breath and reached for his lightsaber, holding it loosely in his right hand, as he glanced up at the walkway and waited.
Cliffhanger time. Thank you for reading. The next chapter will be up soon.