Leia leaned against a tree near the creek as she listened to the running water. So far there was no signs of a village or spaceport. She was beginning to suspect this was an uncharted uninhabited planet with just wildlife. She slowly lowered herself to the ground wondering if Vader was speaking the truth. She really had a feeling he wasn't out of fear of having her bite his head off. She knew one thing for sure. He was Luke's father. She began to wonder if Luke knew the truth or not and if he did, how long has he known for?
Luke told her his parents died a long time ago. The possibility of him knowing before coming into the Rebellion was slim. Considering all the things he did since joining was never questionable. There was a chance he didn't know until recently. She leaned her head against the tree and closed her eyes. "Father, I really need you now," she whispered.
Vader had suspicions that she was his daughter but couldn't prove it unless he had a blood sample to test against his own. He had suspicion but no proof. There is no way she could be related to him, it was impossible. He didn't care about anything or anyone, so why should he start now?
Again doubt came to the back of her mind. He was on life support so it made her wonder what exactly happened. She needed answers but they had to get off this planet first. One thing at a time she reflected with a frown. She stood up with the small collapsible container in her hand and proceeded to fill it with the cool clean looking water. Now she knew she was definitely on a planet that was uninhabited. The water was way too clean.
Leia stood up with the filled container in her hand and proceeded to head back to where she left Vader.
Vader concentrated on attempting to fix the transmitter as Artoo ran a diagnostic on whether it was internally damaged. So far it appeared the internal power source was damaged. He wasn't sure if he could get it working again. He would have to take it apart to inspect the source itself. "Artoo, try it now."
Artoo used his arm attempting to turn it on but still nothing happened. "Back to square one," Vader muttered under his breath as he saw Leia walk back to the small fire she had going and proceeded to purify more water. He turned his attention back to the transmitter. He was good at fixing things, and yet this thing was proving difficult. Or it was damaged beyond repair and it just looked intact. "Artoo, pull up the schematics for this thing."
Artoo leaned back and projected a blue print to the transmitter causing him to nod. "Maybe we can by pass the power…." He muttered as he proceeded to pull out wires allowing Artoo to strip the wiring for him. He went to work making a loose connection with Artoo's power pack. "Sorry Artoo, but we need to get off this rock."
Artoo whistled and chirped rocking back and forth a bit as Vader continued to tie the wires together. "Hold still, Artoo. I almost have it," the transmitter remained dead causing him to groan. "I thought it was a long shot. I'm going to have to take this apart and cobble it back together and pray it works."
"Still no luck?" Leia questioned from where she was making something to eat.
"No, it looks intact but it doesn't mean it'll work. You did crash the fighter after all," Vader pointed out. "Princess?" Leia looked at him questioningly. "Don't take my crimes out on Luke. He didn't know I was his father until recently."
"All right," Leia agreed with a nod. "How long?"
"I told him at Cloud City just after I sliced his hand off," Vader answered honestly as Artoo helped him get the cover off the transmitter causing him to grimace. The wires were melted in a ball causing him to feel frustration. Looks like they were stuck here until the others figured out which planet they were on. He suspected the girls would be meditating in the Force for a lead by now. "Transmitter is officially fried. The wires are melted together."
"So Luke has not known long then?" Leia questioned as Vader shook his head. "Thanks for trying."
Is it my imagination or has Leia's temper cooled since they crashed? He wasn't used to hearing the words thanks from her. Normally it was some quick sarcastic remark. "On your outings, have you discovered any villages near by or is this an uninhabited planet?"
"I haven't seen anything to indicate any villages," Leia answered honestly. "The water is really clear here, looks untouched. I'm beginning suspect it's not inhabited."
Vader was beginning to suspect Leia was looking for a village nearby considering she would disappear for five hours at a time. If she isn't finding any evidence, then it was an uncharted uninhabited planet. Looks like they were stuck here and talking was the only way to pass the time. She was beginning to learn more and more about him. It made him begin to wonder if it was changing her perspective on him. Either that or she was waiting for the right moment to kill him. He wasn't sure at this point.
Fress opened her eyes and shook her head. She didn't have any Force visions of where they could be. She knew Ahsoka would attempt this as well. She wasn't sure at this point. She bit on her lower cheek as she felt arms wrap around her. Jess was originally from Jakku. Plo Koon crashed on the planet and discovered Jess by accident. He didn't remember much except the fact it was a hot desert planet and his parents let Jess leave hoping he would have a better quality of life then they could offer. He came to the temple at age seven to train.
By age sixteen they had fallen in love with each other and kept it a secret for the longest time. But now there was no point in hiding the relationship with everything that has gone on in the last twenty years.
The long range communicator beeped causing Fress to stand up and walk over to the communicator. She glanced at Jess with a worried expression. No one knew about the line to this one except Ahsoka, Brice's parents, Luke, Leia, and Mon Mothma.
She hit the receive button as Ahsoka's image appeared with a slight smile. "Are you ready? I had a vision and after digging through my files, I found the planet they're on. It's uninhabited and it's half a days jump from here."
"Good work, Ahsoka," Fress said with a relieved smile. "Download the coordinates and we'll jump immediately."
"You got it," Ahsoka answered as Fress watched the numbers roll in. That was close to Ahsoka's home planet, she observed with a frown. "Hopefully we'll find both of them alive, that's if the Imperials don't find them first."
Jess sat down in the pilots chair punching in the coordinates as Fress sat down in the co-pilots chair. He pulled down on the hyperspace lever causing the engines to change pitch in sound as the dots turned into lines.
"Sir, we found them." A voice shouted out causing Vader to look over to find Imperial troops surrounding them. At this point he was really hoping that Fress had found them by now.
"Don't touch her," Vader commanded as a Lieutenant reached to take a hold of Leia in an arrest hold. "She's with me. I made a promise that no harm will come to her."
The Lieutenant released Leia as Piett approached Vader with caution. "Mi Lord, are you injured? Should we call for medical?"
"Yes," Vader answered as Leia bit on her lower lip. He made a promise to her not to take her in as a war of prisoner. In turn he hoped she returned the favor. "I can't move."
Piett signaled to the Lieutenant to call for medical as Leia kept her distance from Vader. She wasn't sure if he would allow her near him at this point in time. Going with them was a bad idea and if Fress knew about her relation to Vader, there was no need for the paternity test.
"Leia, you may come with me unconditionally no strings attached or you can wait for the others to show," Vader spoke up causing Leia to frown. "I do promise instant transport off the my flag ship and safe passage."
"And maybe a quick shower?" Leia requested with a small smile.
"Done," Vader answered as the medical transport touched down close to them. Leia approached Vader and knelt down beside him. "And if you want to do the blood test?"
"Yes, I want to know for sure," Leia answered as a pair medics walked down the ramp with a hover bed. "Something tells me you want to know too."
Vader nodded even though he already knew the truth. This wasn't the time to be discussing it in front of the others. "Yes I do, even though I already suspect what the results will be. The timing is right."
Leia stepped aside and closed her eyes at the thought of it. She was the daughter of the second most hated man in the galaxy. She hoped Han didn't bolt on her but he came from a very checkered background. She was almost certain of it.
Leia watched as they helped Vader stand and shift him onto a hover bed. He lay down as they pushed the hover bed towards the transport. She followed closely behind them unsure if this was a good idea or not.
Rex walked in behind Luke as they entered Obi-Wan's dwelling. So this is where the old general was hiding all these years? He sat down in a chair and looked around. It had everything they needed to survive here at least. The heat was unbearable he thought to himself as he heard a small cooling unit kick in. "So this is here Obi-Wan was hiding all this time. I always wondered where he went."
"This is the place. I suspect he stayed here to watch over me," Luke explained as he walked into the living area with water and handed Rex a glass. "You served with my father, didn't you?"
"I did, Anakin and Ahsoka were double trouble over time. They were always getting into trouble and in need of a rescue. When Fress was on board, it was triple over time," Rex explained with a small smile. "You could always count on Anakin to help see us through. Ahsoka and Fress started coming up with similar bold moves. Anakin rubbed off on them I suspect. They were always coming up with some crazy plan," he paused for a second and sipped the water. "Ahsoka explained to me what happened to Anakin. Don't try to compare the two. They're just two different personalities. Anakin is too far gone after what he did to Ahsoka a couple of years ago."
"There is still good left in him, Rex. I felt it. I can turn him back to the good side," Luke spoke up causing Rex to shoot Luke a disbelief expression.
"Padme thought the same thing and look on how that turned out. She died on those beliefs, Luke. Don't get any crazy ideas," Rex warned in a serious tone. "I don't want to see anything happen to you. If your father doesn't get what he wants from you, he'll kill you too."
Rex watched Luke with concern. For now they needed to focus on waiting for Fett to make the drop at Jabba's palace. They weren't sure how long that would be before he showed up. It could be months for all they knew. Getting Han back would make Leia very happy. He was sure of it. Luke stood up and headed towards the bedroom. He knew the kid needed some space. It was a lot to take in all at once.