Chapter 30

(Vjun)
Exploring the underground area, Lumiya found various artifacts that her late master had gathered, including two holocrons that were Sith in their designs. Several lightsabers were in a glass case, and pieces of framed artwork hung on the walls.

Lumiya never imagined Lord Vader had an interest in art. She believed he only sought knowledge and power like other Sith, which made sense given the two holocrons. But upon looking at the artwork, Lumiya saw they were all the same person, whose appearance reminded her of Leia Organa Solo.

This made Lumiya wonder why Vader had all these pieces. But that didn't matter at this time, as she decided to move on and went to the computer next. It was at a large station on the area's right side, with three screens on the wall. And a control console below them.

Activating it, Lumiya watched as the screens came to life. After this, a new noise came as Lumiya saw a hidden panel open up to her right. This revealed a charging station, inside which was a droid.

This one looked like an Analyst model whose head had two large dark photoreceptors and a mouthpiece that would light up red when speaking. The color of this droid was black with red stripes on its arms and legs.

Taking two steps forward, the droid looked around at first, then saw the newcomer before it.

"Greetings. I am TALOS, Lord Vader's personal archivist and analyst. May I ask who you are?" the droid asked in a dry tone.

"I am Lumiya, apprentice of your master," the cybernetic woman told the droid, who processed this name through his systems.

"Ah yes, I recall Lord Vader speaking about you the last time he was here. This has been quite some time, given that I've been in stasis for...oh, my twenty-three years! What has my Lord been doing all this time?" TALOS wondered.

"I'm afraid you've missed out a lot, TALOS. Let me bring you up to speed," Lumiya told him as she spoke of the critical events from the last twenty years, including the fate of his master.

"I see...so Lord Vader is no more. That is regrettable!" TALOS said as he took this information in. Lumiya could tell that TALOS was taking this hard. However, she didn't have all day for this, as she spoke again.

"TALOS. You said that you were Lord Vaders, personal archivist," she asked him.

"That...is correct, my lady. But may I ask what you wish to find?" the droid responded.

"I'm looking for someone, and I believe our late master might have had information on said person. And given that you served him, it would be logical for you to now serve me, correct?"

Taking in her question, TALOS processed this for a bit. Then, he gave his response.

"You are correct. I shall now serve you, my lady. Tell me about this person?" TALOS asked as he went over to the computer terminal.

"I don't know his name, but see if there's anything on Force users that my lord had information on?" Lumiya told him, who did so as he searched the database.

"Hmm...I found a large section that my Lord kept private. It might contain something on the person you seek!"

Opening the file, Lumiya saw a list of names of those from the old order who were presumed dead or never found.
Said names included Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Ahsoka Tano, Quinlan Vos, and Rahm Kota.

"Hold on, open the file on that one," Lumiya told the droid, who did so in which the image of a gray-haired man in combat armor was shown. Along with information about who he was, which Lumiya read about until getting to one part, which included a recording of all things.

Asking TALOS to open it. The two watched as it showed Kota inside a giant chamber of all places, where he was soon joined by another figure whose appearance matched what Vergere had told Lumiya.

"A boy...months of attacking Imperial targets, and Vader sends a boy to fight me?" Kota asked in surprise at seeing this person.

"TALOS, who is the person that Kota is speaking to?" Lumiya asked next.

"Let me see? Oh, it seems that information is restricted. Requiring a high-level code authorized by Lord Vader himself!" she heard the droid say, which angered Lumiya. She shoved the droid aside and inputted the codes she knew, hoping one of them would work.

After several failed attempts, Lumiya finally found one that worked, and a new file appeared on the screen with the tagline Project Starkiller.

"Now we are getting somewhere!" Lumiya said as she opened the file.

(Coruscant)
Walking through the corridors of the Worldship. A lone Yuuzhan Vong was going to the Shapers lab, where he had information for his superior.

Once he arrived at the lab, two guards stood outside and asked what he wanted. "I have information for the Warmaster; he asked me to bring it to him at once," he told the two, who, after hearing this, allowed him to pass.

Entering the ample space, the loner saw various instruments, plants, and other items the Shapers used for their work.

In one area, a single Shaper stood by a coral table, where Warmaster Tsavong Lah lay down while his replacement hand was being worked on.

Coming over to the table. The loner offered a respectful bow and then spoke. "Warmaster, I have information regarding the fleet sent to the Jeedai base,"

"And what about them?" The Warmaster asked.

"We lost contact with the fleet after you spoke with their commander. A scout ship was sent to investigate, and they found only the remains of the fleet!"

Hearing this made Tsavong Lah snarl at the Shaper. Who stopped working as the Warmaster got up to face the loner.

"HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!" he demanded to know.

"We don't, sir; however, there is a single survivor from the battle. I will bring them to you once she arrives," the loner responded while holding his ground.

Sneering at this, the Warmaster wasn't pleased at first. But knowing that a single survivor was coming might give them some answers to this mystery.

"AGH! Very well, and have Viqi Shesh join us. She might be able to give us some insight into this," Tsavong Lah told the loner, who understood and then excused himself afterward.

While the Warmaster returned to the table to have the Shaper resume their work.

(Endor)
After having tea with their new allies, Leia, Luke, Mara, and the droids were reunited with Chewbacca, who was stunned to learn he was involved in this whole matter. After learning that Anakin convinced his father this was him, the others did the same as they welcomed back their old friend.

Here, Chewie was introduced to Ben, and the Wookiee congratulated Luke and Mara on becoming parents. Then, Chewie was asked if he wanted to hold Ben, and he said yes as he saw the young Skywalker giggle at feeling his fur.

After this, the group listened as their new allies spoke of
the last member of the time travelers. Like Luke had reacted before, his family was taken aback when they learned about Grand Admiral Thrawn's involvement. This led to a series of questions, such as where Thrawn was at this time. But like Ahsoka had told Luke, they didn't know and would have to wait for his arrival.

"It would be best to keep Thrawn's return secret for now. Only those we trust should know this," Luke told his family, who agreed.

"I'm sure the others will feel the same about this when they find out?" Han brought up, which made Juno look at him.

"I take it we should be expecting company soon?" Juno asked Luke, who nodded yes.

"Our friends and allies that are members of the New Republic Military, fellow Jedi, and so on. Once they arrive, we can plan our next move against the enemy. Not to mention bringing them and the other Jedi herein on your group's mission," Luke explained next.

"This will also give us the time to go over the ships, weapons, and battle droids you brought along," Mara brought up, to which Bo said that could be done.

"But before we do that, you all need to meet the final members of our group, who are waiting for us on the lead command ship, The Guardian, where a feast is being prepared for us," Jaina said next, which made everyone look at her.

"Then we shouldn't keep them waiting," Leia replied as everyone got up and left.

(The Guardian)
Padme had been working with the droid chefs inside the ship's mess hall to prepare various dishes for her family and allies. Once she was done cooking, Padme went to shower in her quarters and then changed into one of her dresses for meeting Luke and Leia.

Afterward, she thought of where to meet Luke and Leia and settled on the ship's lounge, as Padme wanted the meeting to be calm. While preparing some refreshments, her comlink went off, and she heard Jaina's voice.

"This is Solo-2; we are on our way, Royal-1." Padme chuckled at hearing her granddaughters use code names for them. This reminded her of how Anakin would say the same during the Clone Wars.

"I copy Solo-2; when you land, I'll have my astromech R4 bring you and the two VIPs to the ship's lounge. I'll be here waiting for them," Padme told Jaina, who listened to the plan.
"I understand, I hope things go well soon," Jaina responded as the line ended.

"As do I, my dear, as do I," Padme said to herself as she waited.

(Hanger Bay)
Touching down in the hanger bay. The Falcon landed near Bo's Mandalorian fighter, who had led the way here.

Before departing, Han suggested it would be a good idea to involve Lando in this. The others agreed, and he was brought along and told about the situation during the short trip.

Like the others, Lando found this shocking at first. But after seeing Chewie in the flesh, he soon accepted this as accurate. Along with asking about the other time travelers, the Wookiee said it would be better for him to meet them
in person soon.

Coming out of the ship, Ahsoka watched as Luke's group exited the Falcon with three other members joining them, Tenal and Tahiri. This made her guess that Luke's nephews had asked the two girls to join them.

Along with Kira, whose real identity was told to her by Luke, who revealed why Kira kept who she was a secret, Ahsoka was surprised that other Jedi from the old order were still alive. She agreed to keep this matter quiet until Kira told the other Jedi masters later.

As this happened, Jaina heard a droid approach her, which she saw was the astromech that Padme had spoken of. After hearing what he had to say, Jaina took her mother and Uncle Luke aside.

"The person that wants to meet you sent this droid to guide you both there," Jaina told Luke and Leia, curious to meet this person.

After this, the two siblings told their family they would meet later, then left with Ahsoka's group as they headed off.

Luke and Leia followed the R4, who led them through the ship. During this trek, the three saw the other droids hard at work on the repairs from the last battle. Seeing this, Leia would need to ask which ships would need time at a shipyard, but that would come later.

Minutes later, the two arrived at the lounge's doors. As they waited for the doors to open, both felt a familiar presence through the Force from inside the room, which made Luke and Leia wonder what it was.

They soon found out as the doors opened, and the two walked in. To the left was a bar with several chairs. To the right were two lounge sofas facing a square metal table, which faced a single oversized chair on which someone was sitting.

Said person was a woman who wore a light silver dress that showed off her beauty. She had light skin and brown eyes, the same color as her hair. That was long and stopped at her shoulders. Both siblings also noted that said woman resembled Leia when she was younger.

Looking at them, Padme was trying to keep her emotions under control as she took in the appearance of her grown-up children.

Luke wore the outfit she had seen in the image the Observers had shown her. Only his hair looked more combed back, and he wore a black glove on his right hand, which Padme noticed and would ask about later.

As for Leia, she wore a red vest with a dark blue shirt and pants, and her hair was let down. She also had a holster on her right leg, which contained a blaster.

"L-Luke, L-Leia. Y-You don't know how long I've been looking forward to this. S-Seeing you both here, I...I," Padme said but stopped as the tears came out.

Seeing this, both siblings wondered why the woman was crying. Coming over to her, Leia helped her sit down in the chair.

"Are you alright, miss?" Leia asked her.

"(Sniff)...Yes, it's just...I waited so long to see you both in person," The woman replied, which made Luke and Leia look at each other at first. Then back at the stranger.

"And why is that?" Luke said next. To which he saw the woman wipe the tears away before answering this.

"Because...you see. I'm your mother, Padme Amidala,"