Chapter 4-Family Gathering
Leia awoke from what felt like a horrible nightmare come to life, as she was told by the most loyal of Darth Vader's followers that she was in fact the Sith Lord's own daughter. The very man she had been fighting against was her biological Father and the man she was raised by that she thought was her Father...was not.
"Hey your Worshipfulness, I see your finally back to the land of the living after a few days, and get the privilege to set your eyes on my handsome face," said Han, as he sat beside her in the next chair, and saw the scowl that now covered her pretty face.
"If I had to choose between that nightmare I just had to your face, I think would choose the nightmare, and getting kissed by a Wookiee," said Leia, as she heard Lando laughing, and the others too while Han grumbled on about "Princess's having no respect for their boyfriends".
"So...do you want to talk about it?" said Han, as he looked at Leia, and saw her look at him before looking away while letting out a sigh.
"I guess I can forget about it being a nightmare to a living one. The fact is, I don't know what to think anymore regarding my family, and while I wish for the truth...," said Leia, as couldn't finish the sentence, and saw Han nod in understanding.
"You may not like what it is. That the lie was preferred over it and less damaging then the actual truth," said Han, as he saw Leia look at him before smiling, and he could tell she was glad that he understood.
"I just don't know if I can face him again so soon after all that's happened between us. The Death Star, Bespin, and now this with us going to meet again for what feels like a strange family reunion," said Leia, as she felt Han come over to her, and give her a warm comforting embrace.
"Hey now, its all right. You have me, Chewie, and for the most part Lando backing you up here. Luke will make sure that dear old dad behaves himself and I doubt he's going to do anything with the Noghri around either," said Han, as he was just now getting use to their silent presence on his ship, and found they didn't mind being cramped on his ship for the time being.
"I know. But what concerns me is Luke. How will he take this? I mean Vader tortured me without mercy on the Death Star while cutting off his son's own hand! How can I simply throw away everything he did to us and treat Darth Vader like he was my Father?" said Leia, as she felt torn in all of this, and wanted answers to so many things.
"Just take it one step at a time. If we don't do this, then you might regret it forever, and personally...I think these Noghri want you to get to know him too," said Han, as he had talked to the Noghri about this when he heard Leia had fainted into her chair, and had demanded answers to why she fainted.
He nearly fainted himself at the news about Leia's parentage.
"All right, but if I don't like what I hear, I'm going to shoot Vader, and you have Chewie keep Luke pinned down so he can't stop me," said Leia, as she saw him smirk at her, and laughed at the thought of Luke being tackled by the Wookiee.
(The Executor-1 Week Later)
Luke looked at his new Lightsaber in his hand, as he stood in his Father's training room that the Sith Lord himself used for keeping his strength going. Darth Vader himself was watching from the sidelines, as his son faced off against a fencing droid with a Lightsaber for a hand, and was ready to fight the young Force User in training.
'I hope this thing works or this will be the most quickest duel in Galactic history,' thought Luke, as he thumbed on his Lightsaber, and it came to life revealing a red blade to his opponent with the same color too.
"Use the Force with your movements. Let it guide your hands to block and counter your opponent's blade," said Vader, as he saw his son begin his duel with the droid, and the droid was putting up a descent fight considering Luke's skill level with a Lightsaber.
Still, Vader felt a sense of pride at Luke's progress, as the Force practically sang through his body, and it was a soothing song in the Sith Lord's opinion. When the boy wasn't in the workshop making his Lightsaber, Luke was practicing his Force powers, and his own connection to the Force itself.
The two even spent time meditating together with Luke's room being right next to his so they could communicate easier along with continue their training at the same time. It had done wonders for them, as Vader was able to manifest himself during the meditations into what he looked like before Mustafar, and got to show Luke just how skilled he was in that form.
Though for Luke, sparring in Force Meditation, and sparring for real was different in his opinion so it was only natural that there was a seeable difference in his Lightsaber skill when facing the droid. Granted, he did gain some much needed muscle mass, and there was a noticeable difference from what he looked like several years ago from when he was back on the Homestead. However, it took more then muscle to push back this droid, and Luke was determined to get stronger to overthrow the Emperor when the time was right.
It had been a discussion that had come up in their meditations, as Luke wanted to know what would happen once the Emperor was killed, and his Father told him how he had a vision of where the Empire should be heading. Right now, the Alliance was preventing the Sith Lord from creating the needed plans to destroy his old Master, and rule the Empire how it was meant to be ruled.
An Empire that would be firm, yet it would be fair, and people would love it once new policies were put in place.
Luke thought about his Father's plans, as he knew the Empire in its current state was filled with cruel, corrupt officials, and only his Father had the power to remove them. Still, the politics behind this would be dangerous, and they needed someone with an in-depth experience in that field they could trust to handle that matter.
Luke's thoughts on the choice for that left him, as they had been partially distracting, and refocused on his Lightsaber duel with the droid before countering the droid with a quick parry that resulted in his opponent losing the Lightsaber holding arm. Wiping the sweat off his forehead he didn't even know he had, Luke turned to his Father seeing the man nod his head in approval at his work while sensing the boy was a bit confused in regards to the future of the Empire running through the young blonde's head, and the need to know more about it.
"You are concerned for our plan against the Emperor and the politics required to bring the Empire under control in the aftermath of it," said Vader, as his words were more statement then a question, and Luke nodded since they had been.
"I'm not one for politics. Leia is the only one I know that could do that," said Luke, as he sensed his Father flinch behind his mask, and knew the man was hating himself for that.
"She takes after your Mother in that regard. I would sometimes joke with Padme that she was the 'Jedi Master of politics' and could persuade people easier then any Jedi Master using the Mind Trick could," said Vader, as he heard Luke laugh at that, but after a while the young blonde became serious, and put a hand on his Father's shoulder.
"We will find a way to tell Leia about her connection to us Father. Trust me," said Luke, as he saw his Father nod, and they left the room together before Admiral Piett came to see them.
"Lord Vader sir, we detected a small Freighter Class ship on our scopes, and we learned it is the Millennium Falcon. They hailed us and want to be given permission to board saying they wish to speak with the two of you my Lord," said Piett seeing Lord Vader and Luke look at each other slightly before the Dark Lord nodded.
"Have them meet us in my private hanger section. No guards will be needed," said Vader, as he saw the Admiral nod his head, and left to carry out his orders.
(The Executor Hanger Section-Minutes Later)
Luke and Vader watched, as the Millennium Falcon made its way into the docking bay, and landed smoothly into the massive hanger bay that held several classic fighter class starships from the Clone Wars. Luke was wondering why the Falcon would be here, as he was sure that Han would rather upset Jabba the Hutt again then come back here, and he had some serious doubts in seeing Han in an Imperial uniform again.
Luke just couldn't see Han as a Stormtrooper.
At least not officially anyway.
When the Millennium Falcon's ramp lowered fully, the sound of footsteps could be heard with the appearance of the Noghri, followed by Chewie, a pair of familiar droids with the taller one being his usual hysterical self, a slightly nervous Lando, and Han Solo with a grin on the smuggler's face.
"Hey kid!" said Han with his usual cocky self, as he saw Luke smile back at him, and had to make sure to keep eye contact on his friend rather then the imposing presence of the Sith Lord.
"Hi Han. I take it you're here to drop off the Noghri after freeing them from Madine's interrogation," said Luke, as he saw Han smile at him before looking over the Noghri bowing at his Father's feet speaking in their native tongue that Vader understood, and the Sith Lord commanding them to rise.
"There is that and there is someone on the Falcon who wants to talk to you along with your...Father," said Han, as he decided to get serious about this, and saw Luke look at his Father before looking at the Falcon with concern.
'She knows about us Father,' thought Luke, as he was referring to all three of them being family, and Vader mentally agreed though the Noghri had told him upon their arrival in their native tongue.
"She's not exactly happy right now. I mean she was for a while, but then she kind of broke down, and started crying about how everything she thought she knew was a lie," said Han, as he saw Vader tighten his hands into fists, and the smuggler thought the Sith Lord was going to take it out on him.
"We can't put this off any longer son," said Vader, as he put a hand on Luke's shoulder, and the blonde gave him a nod before they both walked towards Han's ship.
When the two entered the ship, they saw Leia sitting in a chair deep in her own thoughts with tears running down her face, and when she looked up at them a lot of her emotions could be felt. She was confused, angry, curious, and in a way...hopeful?
"Hi Leia," said Luke, as he now mentally kicked himself for just saying that, and looked to his Father to successfully break the ice.
"You know the truth about your family," said Vader, as he saw her glare at him just like Padme use to, and then at Luke for a second before it softened when she gave a nod.
"When did you learn the truth?" said Luke, as he saw Leia tell them how she freed the Noghri, and upon leaving the Rebel Fleet was told about the family connection before she fainted.
"I see. We only learned about it ourselves from Master Yoda," said Vader, as he saw Leia look up at him with a start, and heard his explanation of how Luke told him where to find the old Jedi Master for answers concerning Padme's death that resulted in learning of Leia's family connection to them.
"So you didn't know when you...you...," said Leia, as she felt some form of relief, and something else she couldn't put her finger on.
"No. Had I known, I would have done things a lot differently, and would never have done what happened on the Death Star," said Vader, as the memory hurt like it did for Leia, and Luke could sense his Father was telling the truth.
Leia looked up at her...Father sensing something from him in terms of truth in his words and looked to Luke see extend his hand to her before she took it. She got out of her chair and hugged Luke while crying at this strange situation since all she had known about her family had been a lie up until now. She felt the cold dark hand from her biological Father on her shoulder, its hold on her was similar to what he did on the Death Star, but unlike the feeling it gave her back then, Leia felt a sense of comfort, and that Vader was sorry for what he had done to her.
"What happens now?" said Leia, as she looked at them both, and they told her about how they were going to kill the Emperor in order to take throne before changing things within the Empire that will help the Alliance in the long run to the point of them merging to help bring peace to the Galaxy.
"Let me guess, you want me to handle the politics? Well, I do know the arena, and I'm the only one here qualified to deal with it," said Leia, as she had nothing else to do since her time in the Alliance was now over, and Madine was no doubt calling her a traitor too.
"I know were asking a lot of you Leia, but you have to admit that with Emperor gone, the chance for peace throughout the Galaxy has a greater chance of happening with Father on the throne at least until the Senate can be reformed, and only you have the means to help get that part of the plan off the ground. Father can keep the Moffs, Admirals, Generals, and other power hungry high ranking officers in the Imperial military from trying to rise to power," said Luke, as he knew that even when Father took the throne, there were many within the Emperor's "inner circle" that would love to take the old man's title.
"Okay. But how will this work for Han? Or Chewie for that matter?" said Leia, as she felt the need to be concerned for her extended family, and saw Luke look at their Father.
"For the time being, Solo along with the Wookiee will be under my protection, and will be assisting you in any matters that require you to leave my ship," said Vader, as he knew that there would come a time where they would have to leave his ship, and the smuggler's own would have to do.
"What about Lando? I saw him out there and he looked kind of scared," said Luke, as he saw Leia smirk before frowning, and seemed to be in thought about the man.
"I'm still mad at Lando for selling us out to Han, but I think a few more hours here will make me feel better," said Leia, as she gave her brother, and Father a devious look that made Luke laugh while sensing some form of amusement from the Sith Lord.
Leia made a mental note to learn about the Force too since it was clear she now had the connection that had been dormant within her for so long.
(Coruscant-The Imperial Palace)
"You summoned me my Master?," said the alluring voice of one Mara Jade, as she knelt at the steps that led to the Emperor's throne, and awaited his voice to command her like it always had.
"Yes my Hand, I have sensed a great disturbance through the Force, and I need you to infiltrate the Executor in order to monitor young Skywalker's abilities along with making sure that my old apprentice is kept in line," said the Emperor, as he was sensing a great deal through the Force, and it felt like his doom was fast approaching because of it.
And the Emperor couldn't allow that.
"As you command my Emperor," said Mara, as she left immediately to carry out her mission, and with a smile on her face that indicated she was going to enjoy this one.
To those that met the Emperor's Hand, it was no secret to them that she felt second to Darth Vader, and that if anyone deserved to be the Emperor's one true apprentice...it was her. To Mara Jade, the imposing form of Darth Vader while powerful, was a crippled man, and would never surpass her Master.
To Mara Jade, she was the only one worthy of surpassing the Emperor, and that was her without a doubt in her red haired mind.
As for the Emperor himself, he cared nothing for Jade just as he cared little for Vader, and would only use her until she was useless to him. In fact, he cared little for any of his apprentices, but taught them anyway to test each one to see how long he could control them before setting in motion their downfall, and find a new more interesting apprentice to fill the space.
This time, it would be the son of his current crippled apprentice since the boy's strength in the Force was clearly greater then even the Father, and the Emperor was going to take great pleasure in manipulating one so powerful that one day could rival him.
However, before that fateful day could come, he needed to take care of some unfinished business with a mistake that was currently spying for him on the main ship within the Rebel Fleet. Punching in a few key strokes into his Comm. system on his throne, the Sith Master, and Emperor of the Galactic Empire brought up the image of his shadowed spy trying to prove himself worthy of his majesty.
"You have news for me my...spy?" said the Emperor, as his voice sounded like he was disappointed when in fact he didn't care for his one time mistake, and sensed the man was holding in his anger.
"My...Emperor, I have learned that Princess Leia has left the Alliance with her lover Han Solo, and has even freed Vader's Noghri from their holding cells. She has been branded a traitor, which has severely weakened the morale of the Alliance even further after the news of Skywalker's heritage became known to Rebel's Command Structure. Only the main Rebel Leaders have been able to keep them from falling apart and keeping the number of deserters down," said the muffled voice, as he saw the Emperor nod at this news, and then smiled at his spy.
"You have done well for once my servant. Perhaps, I was right not to crush your infant body with a simple move of the Force when you were younger, and for your constant failures at what I tried to teach you," said the Emperor and smiled further at the rage this insect that served was producing inside his being after being reminded of his weakness.
"I live to serve you my...Emperor," said the spy, as he was going to say something else, but corrected himself before hand, and saw the Emperor's eyes narrow at him.
"Be mindful of your choice of words my spy. Whether you speak them out loud or in your head, I will hear them, and I don't want you calling me that name ever again!" said the Emperor, as he had read the spy's mind, and the word the man wanted to say out loud before changing it to Emperor.
"Yes my Emperor," said the spy, as he knew the Sith Master's wrath was vengeful, and without remorse when it came to teaching his subordinates lessons.
"Good. Use your influence in the Rebel's Command Structure to plan an attack on young Skywalker, but do not start the attack without my approval, and make sure that the boy is not entirely damaged that he can't be useful to me later," said the Emperor, as he sensed his spy become angry at that, but kept the anger in check, and would comply with the orders given.
"As you command my Emperor," said the spy before the image faded away and the Sith Master snarled at the thoughts he picked up from his...spy!
'You are trying so hard to earn my favor, but you should know now my son, that I do not favor anyone in this Galaxy, and will kill anyone that stands in my way. Especially, a weak little thing like you, who can't even use the Force, and are too much like that bitch of a Mother that sired you,' thought the Emperor, as he snarled with a dark hate in his soul for ever letting that child of his live, and decided to try training him in the Force.
Oh, how a disappointment the child was to him from day one, only the Emperor could understand, and hated his son for it.
The boy was an accident pure and simple. Having been sired back in the Emperor's naive days a few years after he had killed his own Sith Master, which was the Sith way when it came to the "Rule of Two", and set in motion the other half of it by Darth Bane roughly a one millennia ago. He had met this simple, stupid woman one night in a bar, and she had come onto him thinking she could seduce him with her natural beauty.
What the woman didn't know was she had tried to seduce that evening a creature of pure darkness before it was too late for her to turn back. By the time it was over, the woman had been poisoned by the intense dark energies from the Dark Side of the Force, and her womb was unable to produce any children after the Sith Master's child was brought into the world.
The side effect from this backlash of such Dark Side Force energy seemed cause the boy she brought into this world to be unable to use the Force despite who the boy's Father was. For a short time, the Emperor, who was at the time a Republic Senator didn't think anything of what he had done during that time, and began his subtle manipulation of the Galactic Republic to his advantage to bring forth the Clone Wars.
However, by the time the Emperor was the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, things had changed when one of his most loyal agents at the time told him of a boy wishing to speak with him in regards to his parentage, and wanted to claim his own rightful place in power. At first, the Emperor was pleased by his son's ambitions, but after seeing the boy had no Force potential was soon outraged by it, and cast down the weak thing before him in the process.
However, the boy wished to prove he was useful without even the Force by his side, and that he could make his Father proud of him.
Not one to resist the challenge, as well as wanting to take pleasure in seeing his weak son fail him miserably, the Sith Master accepted the boy proposal, and made sure he was a simple agent passing along information from the lower ranks to him.
And So the years went by and before long, the young weak boy became a young yet still weak man within the Imperial Navy within the young years of the Empire's beginning reign over the entire Galaxy. However, the Rebel's kept growing steadily until it became a most significant threat to what he had created, and needed to keep an eye on it with someone on the inside that could maneuver it the way he wanted the Rebel's to move.
It was how he was able to leak information to the Rebel's about his current production of a Second Death Star to get all the Rebels together so he could finish them off in one swift stroke.
That of course would take time since the Rebels were scattered throughout the Galaxy and would need to gather everyone able to fight to stop the construction of his newest creation. Nevertheless, the Emperor didn't mind waiting, and he could hold out a few more Months until it was time for his supposedly loyal servant of a Sith Lord to arrive at the battle station to make sure his workers didn't neglect their duties.
Until then, he would lets the pieces on the board form up on both sides before he let the game begin, and see who among the pieces were left when it was over.
(A/N: YAY! I updated. Bet you never saw what I did with the Emperor, and him having a kid. Who is this son of the Sith Master? Well...I'm not going to tell you! HA! Sorry. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was a bit difficult, but I think it went pretty well. Until next time...PEACE!!!)