Star System MZX3290S, Near Bimmiel

During the remainder of the day Lumiya taught Jacen how to cloak his Force signature as she promised. Jacen found it fairly simple once he knew what to do. Currently he had taken a break to look through Darth Vectivus' library.

"Who taught you to cloak in the Force?" Jacen asked as he sat in a large leather chair near the gas fireplace.

Lumiya was sitting cross-legged on the carpet meditating. She didn't bother to open her eyes when she answered. "I learned it from Palpatine."

Jacen, who had been reading a book on Sith alchemy, looked up confused. "I thought you said you trained under Darth Vader and Mara trained under Palpatine."

She opened one eye to look at him and then closed it. A slight smile crossed her lips. "You were too young to remember the destruction of Byss, but I am sure you heard the story about the Emperor Reborn."

Jacen nodded his head, but then realized her eyes were still shut so he answered verbally. "Yes."

"After Palpatine was shot and killed by the your Uncle Mark and his smuggler friends the Emperor's soul was released and it tried to take over your Uncle. Palpatine almost overpowered him, but at the last minute your uncle grabbed a ysalamiri, forcing the Emperor away. The strike force then destroyed the other clones and blew up the planet leaving the Emperor's soul wandering the galaxy looking for a new body."

She now had Jacen's full attention. "How do you know this?"

She opened her eyes and gave him an unpleasant smile. "Because the next body Palpatine entered was mine."

Jacen grimaced. "Can you rephrase that? That sounds awful."

Lumiya gave a soft chuckle. "You're right, that does sound bad. He tried to possess my body."

Jacen regarded her skeptically. "He can't still be in you. My Uncle Luke said he encountered the Emperor's spirit in the Eye of Palpatineyears later."

She gave a slight shrug. "The Emperor didn't stay with me long. He was surprised by the amount of cybernetics I have. He was also uncomfortable occupying a female body and finally he found some of my memories…disturbing."

Jacen screwed up his face in confusion. "Palpatine was a monster…what memories could you possibly have that would appall him?"

Her grin grew wider. "You doknow your Uncle Luke and I had a relationship prior to me becoming one of the Emperor's Hands."

"I think my father mentioned that Uncle Luke knew you during the rebellion, but he didn't get into details." His brow shot up when he realized what she was saying. "You and Uncle Luke?" He laughed. "So, the Emperor didn't like the memories of you and Uncle Luke slapping skin." His laugher increased. "It's too bad I can never tell my sister about this, she'd think it hilarious."

"Yeah, well," Lumiya gave a reminiscent smile as she gestured in a sad way. "As I said, your Aunt Mara got all the luck. Anyway, Palpatine left my body but his memories and his Sith knowledge remained." She looked back up to Jacen. "Have you thought about my offer?"

He put the book down on a side table and leaned forward in his chair, arms resting on his knees. "I can't kill the royals. Most are innocent…and I don't know why you would suggest such a thing. You bring me here," he motioned to Darth Vectivus' home, "to show me I don't have to turn evil to become a Master of the Unifying Force, but then you suggest I commit genocide. That is a big contradiction and it makes me question your motives."

Lumiya took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I guess bad habits are hard to break. I saw you had a problem and I offered a solution…albeit an evil Sith solution." She gave him a small, weary smile. " You're right this would firmly place you on the darkside. We don't want that. We want a disinterested, neutral user of the Force." She gave him an almost pleading look. "I was truthful when I said I have foreseen a dark force rising. Are you telling me you haven't had visions of something dreadful in the future?"

Jacen lapsed into a thinking pause, unsure if he should be chatting with a Sith like she was an old friend. His head dropped and stared at the floor pensively. "I have," he finally admitted. "I've see my daughter in danger…from what I can only describe as monsters."

"Jacen, please consider my offer to train you." Her voice was warm and sympathetic. "Even if you don't want to become a Sith in name…at least learn more about the different aspects of the Force. Darth Vectivus has a huge collection of knowledge here. Avail yourself to it. I am not going to send you out on missions of evil. Just learn and be ready to fight. That is all I ask of you." There was a sound of genuine despondency in her voice and Jacen could almost believe she was telling the truth…almost.

He gave her a suspicious look. "And what do you get out of it?"

She gave him a sad smile. "If you succeed in stopping the pending destructive force, perhaps I will get what your grandfather received…forgiveness and redemption."

Jacen thought about it for a while. "I hate your idea of killing the royals, but I do like the idea of an antidote. If I promise to learn from Darth Vectivus' library, will you give me the DNA and make arrangements for me to meet your geneticist acquaintance?"

She looked relieved. "Yes, of course."

He sat back in his chair. "I would like to get back to my ship. I need to find out if my family is alright. I haven't heard from them in days."

Lumiya nodded as she stood. "I'll take you back. I just need to get some things for my disguise."

Jacen nodded solemnly as she left the room. He had great misgivings about the path he was about to take. But one fact remained—being a Jedi has not helped him protect his family. Something different needed to be done—and that might be learning the ways of the darkside.

He wasn't convinced there was some horrible entity off in the future ready to destroy the galaxy, but if the knowledge he gained to help his family resulted in him possessing the skill to neutralize that threat…then better yet.

An anxious feeling started gnawing on his insides. If he did become a Master of the Unifying Force…then what would he actually become? A Jedi, Sith or something different?

He definitely needed to think about this some more.

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As Lumiya entered her bedchamber to retrieve her veil and hat, a voice off in the corner whispered. "Is he convinced?"

She jumped back startled. "Damn it Vectivus, you scared me," she hissed angerly as she glared at the dark shadow of a man in the corner. "Stop lurking."

There was a quiet chuckle. "I'm a phantom; all I can do is lurk."

Lumiya went to make sure her bedroom door was closed before she spoke again. "Well don't creep around in my bedroom."

"Sorry," the Dark Lord said sarcastically. "Did you convince him of his destiny?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. He likes reading your books. He does have a deep curiosity about the Force."

"Still, if he is not fully convinced before he leaves you may be in danger."

She sighed. "There is not much I can do about that… unless it's something spectacularly evil, like kill him. But I don't want that." She turned to the dark shadow of a man. "Any suggestions?"

The dark figure snorted. "I saw he was wearing his Jedi cloak when he came in. The Jedi love their cloaks. They almost never go anywhere without them. During the time of the Old Republic it was quite an allure for the ladies who idolized the Jedi almost as much as holostars. They'd use their Jedi robes to attract the girls and then they'd pull the old 'Jedi can have sex, but no marriage'ruse." He laughed. "That was quite a scam they had going."

Lumiya rolled her eyes at his ramblings. "And your point is?"

"He probably wears that kriff'n cloak everywhere. Put a tracker on it. If he decides to come back with his friends to kill you, it will be nice to get a heads up. Do you have something that would work?"

"I was an Emperor's Hand…of course I do."

That got another chuckled out of the phantom. "Emperor's Death Balls. He's amusing. Of course, he's not too bright—walking into a Sith's lair—but he does have a sense of humor."

Lumiya knelt down in front of a footlocker on the closet floor. She rummaged around until she found a small personal tracker that could be taped to the hem of Jacen's cloak. "Why do men find 'fresher-humor so funny?"

"Hey, I wasn't the one bragging about having Palpatine inside of me."

Lumiya stood in a huff. She grabbed her veil and hat and stalked to the door. "For that comment—no holonet for you tonight."

"What? Oh, don't be that way." Lumiya did not respond but left Darth Vectivus alone in the room. He sighed. "No holonet? Really? Dark Lady of the Sith…more like Dark Lady likes to bitch." He was still grumbling as he slowly faded away.

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Lumiya returned Jacen to the planet Lorrd. She provided him with the DNA samples and the contact information for the former Imperial geneticist. In exchange Lumiya asked him to either return to study as he promised or, if he changed his mind, leave her in peace.

Jacen knew his Uncle Luke would not approve of him making a unilateral decision to ignore the whereabouts of a known Sith, but she had been running loose for years and there was no indication that she wasn't exactly what she said she was…a reformed woman. Still, Jacen worried that he was being played by her, but how, he wasn't sure.

As he walked to his ship he looked down at the vials in his hand. Whoever gave samples to Lumiya, might have given DNA to other assassins. If a vaccine could be made to prevent this type of attack…it definitely was worth talking to the geneticist.

Lumiya told him to meet a Doctor Mak Draco who worked at the Dormock Genetic Center on the planet Lavisar. The planet was in Imperial Space but the Alliance had a treaty with the Imperials and there was open movement across the borders. Theoretically Jacen could get in and out without causing much attention.

As he climbed into his stealth fighter he made a decisive decision. He was going to Lavisar.

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Chiss Space: Commander Jagged Fel's Capital Ship the Star Destroyer Tenacious.

A young male ensign wearing an impeccably sharp Imperial grey officer's uniform walked up to Commander Fel on the ship's bridge. "Sir, Jedi Solo from the Galactic Alliance requests permission to come aboard.

Jag smiled. "Have Solo dock in bay sixteen. I will meet the Jedi in person."

"Yes Sir," the ensign said as he walked away.

Jag pulled down the hem of his uniform tunic, smoothing out any wrinkles. He knew this could turn out to be a very interesting encounter and he wanted to make a good impression.

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The Jedi Stealth fighter touched down in the Tenacious' wide flight deck with a muffled thud. The canopy popped open and a pilot wearing a worn flightsuit removed their flight helmet revealing shoulder length brown hair. Jag smiled at Jaina Solo as he went up to greet her. "Thank you for coming, Jedi Solo."

"I heard you had information for me for my ears only." She smirked at Jag.

"Yes, why don't you come to my quarters and I'll debrief you."

She gave him a furtive glance. "I bet you'll debrief me."

He gave her a disapproving frown before he offered her his hand and helped her down from the cockpit. He quickly released her grasp once she was firmly on deck. Jag looked around. There were not many of his men in the hanger, but he didn't want tongues to start wagging. "Please follow me Jedi Solo." Jag's voice remained professional and cordial as he led Jaina back to his captain's quarters.

Jag pressed a button and the door cycled open. "Please, after you." He gestured for her to enter. As the door cycled closed behind them he grabbed her around her waist from behind. He brought his lips to her ear. "Did I ever tell you how sexy you look in an orange jumpsuit?"

She spun around in his arms and kissed him hungrily her hands exploring. After a few minutes of the amorous embrace she finally pulled back to talk. "Is there really some urgent message that I needed to hear, or was this all a ruse to ravish me?"

"I have a message…but can I still ravage you afterwards?" His voice was husky with desire.

She rolled her eyes and feigned annoyance. "Maybe. What's the message?"

Jag pulled out of her arms and once again he was Commander Fel, Imperial Naval Officer. "A few days ago we captured an Old Republic warship crewed by Tof warriors. We wanted to find out where the captain acquired the ship so we interrogated him. He didn't know anything other than he was given command of the ship shortly after his superior met with Lumiya…who I believe is still a Sith. I thought you and Master Skywalker would want to know she is apparently alive and well and working somewhere in Chiss Space."

Jaina looked surprised. "I haven't heard anything about her for years." She looked up to Jag. "Thank you. I know my uncle will want to hear the news."

"It's my pleasure." A slow sensual smile widened across his face. "I'd like to continue this debriefing." He reached up and unzipped her flight suit. "You arewearing briefs, aren't you?" He laughed as he leaned in for a lingering kiss.

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Planet Lavisar, Imperial Space

Jacen had exited his hyperspace jump and was slowly approaching the planet Lavisar when he finally received the message he had been waiting for. Tenel Ka was calling him. It had been days since she last contacted him and he was worried sick.

"Queen mother. How are you and the Princess?" He asked anxiously and having difficulty keeping the conversation formal.

"We were attacked going to safe house one. We are now on the Dragon Queen." There was a slight hesitation before she continued. "The Princess was injured. She is in a bacta cylinder and is expected to make a full recovery."

Jacen felt his stomach clench in anger and fear. "What happened?"

"We were ambushed during our approach to the safe house. Allana was shot in the side before I killed the assailant."

He felt nauseous at the thought that somebody would come after his four-year-old daughter. "Do you think it was your grandmother again?"

"No," Tenel Ka said slowly. "Police reports show the attacker I killed is a member of one of the other royal houses. The first attack within the Palace, though, I am fairly sure was my grandmother's doing."

Jacen squeezed the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Where are you going now?"

"I am staying on the Dragon Queen. It will be harder for assassins to get to us here. I have my special tactical group with me and my father and men loyal to him are coming to act as auxiliary guards. I trust my father implicitly. "

"As do I," Jacen nodded his head. "I'm glad he will be there to comfort you and Allana. It there any possibility I could come and assist?"

Tenel Ka hesitated. She was obviously weighing her words carefully. If they were being monitored she did not wish to say the wrong thing. "I would not mind another Jedi to aid in our protection. I will make an official request for your service."

Jacen drew in a calming breath and let it out. "Thank you, Queen Mother."

"I will contact you as soon as the arrangements are made. Out." The connection was abruptly lost.

Jacen took in a few deep breaths and tried to calm his racing pulse. His heart broke at the thought of his little girl floating in a bacta tank. A miserable feeling of bitter hopelessness started tugging at his soul. He felt like something snap deep within him and he was left with a nightmarish certainty. His family would die if something was not done.

"This is kriffed up!" Jacen swore as he made his approach to the planet.

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Chiss Space: Commander Jagged Fel's Capital Ship the Star Destroyer Tenacious.

Jaina woke up sometime later in Jag's bed, his arm draped over her hip and naked chest pressed against her back. She slowly rolled over so she could face him. Jag's eyes fluttered open and an exhausted smile spread across his features. "You are an amazing woman."

She brought a hand up to caress his face. "And you are a wonderful man."

He brought his hands up so they could grasp hers while giving her an earnest look. "Stay Jaina. Marry me."

She stared at him speechless for a moment. She pulled away from him and rolled on her back, her eyes gazing at the ceiling. "I would love to Jag, but I'm a Jedi. I can't abandon everything I worked for to become an Imperial citizen." She gave him a pleading look. "Come to the Alliance. I know you could get a command of an Alliance Star Destroyer.

The smile fell from Jag's face. "Jaina, if my decision only affected me, I would in a heartbeat. I would walk away from the Empire, the Chiss, everything…just to be with you. But a decision to leave Imperial service and defect to the Alliance would bring great dishonor to my family and possibly their exile from the Ascendancy. They could lose their home, their employment, their wealth and their position within society."

Jaina sighed sadly. "No, I can't make you do that."

Jag paused for a moment before continuing. "Jaina, I think Grand Admiral Pellaeon is going to make a move against the Moffs. There has been grumblings from them about the treaty. Most Moffs are heavily invested in the weapons industry and peace is not good for business."

Her eyebrows rose slightly. "Is he going to declare himself Emperor?"

"No, not exactly." Jag could feel an uncharacteristic blush forming on his face. "He's grooming me for that position."

Jaina looked at him blankly before she was able to mutter "What?"

Jag stifled a smile. It was not often that he caught Jaina totally off guard. "He's getting on in years and he wants a person in the position who's not easily bribed or intimidated—a person who isn't seeped deep in bureaucracy and corruption. He thinks my Chiss upbringing makes me the perfect candidate. Also most Imperials want to solidify their pact with the Chiss and Admiral Pellaeon thinks this is the best way to do so."

Jaina ran her hands through her hair as she tried to absorb the information. Finally she gave a caustic laugh.

"What?" Jag asked puzzled.

A wide grin spread across her face. "Can you imagine my father's reaction if I told him I was going to marry the Emperor of the Imperial Remnant."

"I thought you said he liked me? Anyway, we have a treaty. We're no longer enemies." He pulled her into his arms. "Jaina you can start your own Jedi Academy within the Empire—men and women sworn to defend the rights of the people. They can be guardians to prevent another Palpatine."

She laughed. "A Jedi Academy for Imperials."

He gave her an earnest look. "Yes, we can call them Imperial Knights. They'd be Jedi, but different." He slid in closer to her. " We could give them awe inspiring armored uniforms."

"And with pleather pants and a black cape." Jaina laughed.

Jag frowned, disappointed with her reaction. "I am serious, Jaina."

She stopped laughing and sighed. "I know. Where would we get candidates for your Academy? I am sure Uncle Luke wouldn't be happy if we stole Jedi away from him."

Jag shrugged. "We wouldn't have to. I'm sure there are thousands of Force sensitive people within the Empire." He leaned in to kiss her neck. "Or we can make our own Imperial Knights."

"Oh, you would like that."

He smiled broadly. "You know I would." He kissed her and then leaned back smiling. "Jaina just think about my offer—especially the marrying part."

A sad smile formed. "I'm sorry that I can't say yes. I want to marry you, but we need to work out all the details first."

He nodded sadly. "I more than understand." He gave a sad smile, his face filled with love. "Do I have time to debrief you again?"

She laughed. "Yes, Commander Fel."