It has been a long time since I posted on this story and I'm sorry it's been so long. I'm trying to get back to posting regularly. I had this chapter 75% done before I realized I messed up big time. I didn't give enough time between Hoth and what happens in this chapter.
Luke and Mara spent 2 weeks with their kids. They had a good time swimming, sightseeing and just being together. They did have to be carefully as the Empire did have a presence on Naboo.
One thing that Luke wanted to do was go see the place his mother was laid to rest. While the place was nice the small museum next to it that depicted Padme's life was hard to see. Luke like learning about the early years of his mother's life but the Empire twisted the truth surrounding her death to support the Empires stories. It told of her death at the hands of Jedi. Even if it said the Jedi killed her, it made it seem that she along with a few others were helping the Jedi stage the takeover. The story said that Padme' must had a disagreement with her fellow conspirators that lead to the Jedi killing her. Luke asked his Aunt Sola about this, and she said that the Empire did this because Padme was very outspoken towards the end of the Clone Wars. The Empire could not afford Padme' becoming a martyr for the rebellion. She did reassure Luke that no one believe the lies.
When it was time for Luke and Mara to return to the Rebelion Mara was not wanting to leave her daughters. It was a teary goodbye for all those present. Jobal promised they would take good care of her great granddaughters till Luke and Mara could come get them.
L/M
Luke and Mara returned to the fleet to learn that Han had been captured by Boba Fett. Even though Han paid Jabba what he owned him he still wanted Han for reasons that were only known to the Hutt. A plan was put in place that would take months to get a set up. The biggest obstacle was getting people into Jabba's palace before a rescue could take place.
Luke was happy Lando was able to get a job as a guard like he did in the old timeline but was not as happy when Mara got a job as a dancer. He was not worried about her taking care of herself, even if she did not have her lightsaber. He just didn't like all the guys looking at his wife in a skimpy outfit she had to wear. Not that Mara liked it much better. She told Luke she hated it in the old timeline too, even if she was raised not to care about such things that she was to do whatever it took to complete the mission.
L/M
Mara was just finishing a dance set with the other dancers when she saw Lando give her a signal that they needed to talk. So later that night she met up with him in a deserted corridor. "Lando, what news do you have?"
"Just got a message from Chewie. The plan will start tomorrow. With Leia bringing Chewie tomorrow morning and Luke coming that night." replied Lando.
"Good I don't know how much lunger I can go without killing one of these sleemos who try to grab my ass or other body parts." Mara answered.
Lando gave a chuckle "I don't think you have to worry about that anymore. Not after you that one guy in the med bay for trying something. Everyone is scared of you."
"Good, OK I got to get back before I missed, and people think I am sleeping around."
"Carefully Mara and I will see you tomorrow when all the fun happens." Landa said as the two split up.
Little did the two know that things would not be as easy. While Mara might have escaped the Empire, the Emperor did have other hands and had one with some other agents at Jabba's palace knowing that Han's friends would come for him.
L/M
Luke sat meditating at Ben's old home. He felt a disturbance in the force that was centered here on Tatooing. He was not sure what it was but had a feeling that Mara's replacement was on the planet and most likely at Jabba's palace.
Luke had been here a couple days now. He had hoped to have already had all this taken care of but he had been called away due to an emergency. Vader had gone to Naboo on the anniversary of his wife's death. Ben had felt Vader on the planet and called for an evac of the twins and the Nabrrie family when Vader started to investigate a force presence. Luke, Corran and Yoda had all taken off for Naboo right away. Mon Mathma had contacted the Ghost crew who were closer and could get in and out unnoticed.
L/M
Flashback.
Ben Kenobi was at the landing pad waiting for the Ghost's boarding ramp to lower. He was worried. He felt Vader's presents as soon as he arrived and tried to shield the twins force presence. Unfortunately one of them had a tantrum when told that the plan trip to town had been canceled. Resulting in said twin in using the force. Sola had made the emergency call to the Rebelion right after it happen, knowing Vader would have sensed it. Word reached them from friends in the city that more storm troopers started arriving and searching people's homes.
Ben sighed in relief at the sight of the familiar Togruta. "Ahsoka, I'm gad to see you."
"Master, I happy to see you still alive. I have heard of another Jedi with the Rebelion but not have heard of you." replied Ahsoka.
"Well before I was here, I was on Tatooing watching over Luke. Anakin and Padme's oldest." replied Ben.
"Now you are watching over Luke's children." asked Ahsoka.
Ben let out a sigh. "Yes, well I have enjoyed it for the most part. The girls have Lukes penance for finding trouble. Luckily they are good most of the time."
A green Twi'lek came down the ramp "Yes children are good most of the time, but they do have their moments. Is everyone ready. We should probably hurry. I know we have back upcoming, but I don't want to take any chances."
"We are all set. I have a speeder to take those that are coming back to the house. Once there we will load the stuff the family is bringing and all head back this way. We are trying to keep things quiet in case there is a spy for the Empire watching the space port." answered Ben.
Ahsoka informed Ben that she Sabine and Zeb would be going with him to help with security While Hera and Kallas guarded the ship and try to keep Jacen from broadcasting he was a force user also. It took 30 minutes to get back to Sola's home were everyone was gathered. They had 3 speeders waiting and halfway loaded. The twins where being watched by Sola's 2 daughters that were a little older than Luke and Leia.
"Jobal is everyone ready?" asked Ben.
"We have a few more bags but the twins are ready along with everyone else. I hate having to leave my home, but I would not change a thing. We are lucky to be able to help raise Padme's granddaughters and get visits from Luke and his wife Mara."
Sola came outside really quick. "I just got word Vader is heading this way. He should be here in about 40 minutes. Also, Luke just comm. They are in the system with the Escape and a squadron of X-wings. They are waiting just outside the Star Destroyers scanners. Luke said to call them once we take off. He wants an open line between the ships so they can respond quickly if there are any problems."
5 minutes later they were racing to the space port. They drove the speeders right into the Ghost so they didn't have to take the time to unload them. It was cramped but they got them all in. As soon as the last speeder was in Hera lifted off before the bay doors finish closing.
Unfortunately, Vader seen the Ghost lift of and felt multiple force presents on board. He called his Star Destroyer. Not that it did much good. As soon as the Star Destroyer started to move to intercept the Ghost Rogue Squadron and the Escape did a micro jump and came out right behind the Star Destroyer. Half the X-wings flew below the Star Destroyer and launched multiply torpedoes and the lower landing bays just has several Tie fighters started to launch. This resulted in several ties exploding as they left and causing a fire in the lower bays. The rest hit the engines, damaging several and slowing the Star Destroyer down. The attack only lasted a minute, but it was all the time the Ghost needed to make its escape.
L/M
Luke came out of his meditation when his aunt walked in the room. "Luke, you have about an hour before you need to leave. Is everything OK?"
Not wanting to lie "I felt a disturbance in the force. I think Mara's replacement might be at Jabba's also. That and I was thinking about how close we came to losing the twins. I still have to tell Mara about that."
"Mara doesn't know?" asked Beru.
"No, there was no good way to tell her and I preferer she hears it from me in person. She is going to be mad about not knowing and going herself but there was no time and a way to extracted her without blowing the whole rescue op." answered Luke.
"I'm sure she will calm down once she thinks about it. Though that is not going to keep her from being mad at you for not telling her right away." Luke shuddered at the thought.
"Yea I know but there was no choice. She has been more protective of the twins then she was of Ben. I know it's because she has already lost one child and doesn't want it to happen again. This time because one or both of the girls being killed. It was bad enough of us dying and leaving Ben. We knew before we died that there were those who would love him and let him know how much we loved him."
"I understand Luke, it was mine and Owens biggest fear that you would follow old Obi-One off and get killed or worse turned like Anikin was. We were relieved when you revealed what happen to you and that you had Mara to watch your back. It allowed us to get closer because we did not have all the secrets in the way anymore."
"Where is Uncle Owen anyway?"
"He is out in the Escape making sure all our stuff was packed and secured correctly. Doesn't want worry about your wife be more upset if things were not done right." laughed a smiling Beru.
"Probable a good idea. She is going to be in a right state when I tell here the girls along with my family on my mother's side have all gone into hiding." Luke told his aunt.
"It was the right thing to do. Having them all go into hiding. I hate leaving but I understand why we need to. Your Uncle hates leaving, feels like we are being run off our farm." seeing the look on her nephew's face. "None of that Luke. He understands why and rather leave then miss out on you, Mara and the girls. He is looking forward to spoiling them."
"I know Aunt Beru. I glad I didn't have to bury the two of you this time around. Just try not to spoil them too much. I'm sure Jobal and Ruwee are already doing it." Luke said as he started getting ready.
He left a few minutes later. Letting his uncle know he would be back in a few hours. The sun was just setting when Luke arrived at Jabba's palace.
L/M
Mara could sense when her husband arrived. He was like a super nova of light. She made sure she was in position when she felt him. She also felt a dark presence nearby and knew it was not going to be as easy. Not that she was all that worried. Only Vader or the Emperor could stand a chance at beating her husband. Even then she knew they could not with her by his side.
She watched as he walked in the throne room. She gave a small chuckle when she notices he stopped just before the trap door he fell in last time.
Luke looked around and spotted Mara off to the right and Lando not far off. He knew Leia was waiting to free Han and Chewie.
Looking at Jabba "I would try to make deal with you for the release of my friends but we both know you won't go for it. So, I'm just going to give you one chance before I take him. If I have to take him, you and a lot of others will end up dead."
After a droid translate Jabba words. "The esteemed Jabba would like to remind you that you are in no position to threaten anyone. You are outnumbered."
"I would think Jabba would know who I am and as long as I have the force I am never alone. It's his choice. Free Solo and Chewbacca or join his ancestors." replied a calm Luke.
Mara watched this all play out. Even if others didn't realize things were about to get messy around here, she did. Moving so that she had a clear line to Luke, so she could summon her Lightsaber on her husband's belt. She slipped over by Lando who had already moved so she to give her the space she needed. She had just reached Lando when the first of Jabba's men pulled a blaster and started to fire. Mara summand he lightsaber and jumped to where Luke was so they could support each other.
As the first blaster bolt was fired, he was already moved to a better position. Mara joined him a few seconds later as Lando headed out to help Leia. The two Jedi created a barrier with their lightsabers. The longer the fight went on the less blaster bolts came at the two. Between some running from the two powerful Jedi Masters and those who had their shot sent back at them.
Luke and Mara had just about cleared the area when Luke felt another force user move to attack him. Leaving Mara to deal with the last few of Jabba's thugs Luke turn to face a young woman with a lightsaber. Luke easily deflected her attacks before throwing her in to a wall hard enough to knock her out.
Leia with Han, Chewie and Lando were heading back towards the throne room when they say Jabba try to make his escape. Leia threw her thermal detonator which exploded under Jabba, killing him. They then made in time to see Luke throw someone into a wall using the force and Mara fending off sever blaster bolts fired by Boba Fett. Both Han and Lando started shooting at Fett, forcing him to retreat.
The whole fight lasted about 20 minutes. 20 minutes for Jabba's whole crime syndicate to be destroyed.
Luke turned to the others "Let's go. We need to get out of here in case she has back up." pointing at the young woman lying unconscious.
They all made it to the main doors before running into a squad of storm troopers. The storm troopers were not expecting so many jedi. The fight lasted about 2 minutes. Luke and the others headed into the dessert on their way to Ben's hut.
L/M
Luke parked the speed next to the escape which was hidden under some dessert camouflage. Owen and Beru walked down the boarding ramp as they all got out.
Beru walked over and gave Mara a hug. "Glad you all made it out safely."
A confused Mara asked, "Not that I am not glad you both are not here but."
Beru interrupted "Luke will explain but we are leaving with you."
Mara sent her husband a glare sensing there was more to the story. "Would you care to explain Farmboy."
Luke led Mara into the ship where everyone heard Mara explode 5 minutes later. Everyone went to the Falcon which was next to the Escape. Owen and Beru explained what happen and why the rescue had been delayed a couple weeks.
Luke walked in the Falcon a hour later "Uncle Owen, Aunt Beru, we have 5 minutes to be in the Escape or Mara will leave without us."
Everyone laughed but the old couple got up from their seats and followed their nephew to the Escape which they noticed was uncovered and running.
They all headed to the cockpit as the ship took off. "Mara in a hurry?" asked Owen.
A dejected Luke responded "Yea, she was not happy to hear what happen. She felt something in the force but didn't know what it was."
Owen and Beru took the two back seats in the cockpit as Luke strapped in the co-pilot seat. 10 minutes after takeoff the Escape entered Hyperspace.
So, the first version of this chapter had it happening about a week after Luke and Mara return to the fleet. When I remembered there was about 9 months between Hoth and Han's rescue. So, I deleted the whole thing and went a whole new way with it. While I am not a fan on how Disney went with Star Wars, I do like some of the shows. Like Rebels. So, I am going to have them I'm some of the story. Also, it looks like Vader has an idea that not only does he have a son but possibility grandchildren. Luke is also in the doghouse for not telling Mara earlier about the twins.