Aftermath

As the Millennium Falcon sped through hyperspace towards the Rebels' rendezvous point, Kali helped Luke back into bed. "There we go. Now you rest up, Luke." she told him. "I'm sure they can fix ya up when we're home."

"Yeah, thanks, Kali." Luke acknowledged as he settled back into bed. His exhaustion was catching up on him now and he was fighting to keep his eyes open.

Just then, Juno joined them. "We're on course for the rendezvous point." she reported. "I've radioed ahead and the medical frigate is expecting us."

"Good." Kali nodded. "I'd love to get my hands on Vader." she said grimly. "I'll make him pay for everything he's done."

"Let it go, Kali." Juno advised her. "You'd only get yourself killed."

A thought then occurred to Kali. "Luke, when we were escaping back there, I heard you talking to someone." she said. "You mentioned your father, and you kept saying something about not being told. What is it?"

"Vader told me he was my father." Luke replied

"What?!" Kali stared.

"He was lying." Juno said immediately. "He has to be. Deceit is the way of the Sith. They say anything to get people to join them."

Luke shook his head. "No. He was tellin' the truth. I could sense it."

"B-but how can that monster be your father?" Kali blustered.

"D'you think Obi-Wan knew?" Juno asked Luke.

"Yes, I think he did." Luke answered.

"But why would he lie about something as important as that?" Juno wandered.

"No!" Kali said abruptly. "Vader was the one who lied, he has to be. There is no way Vader that is Luke's father! You're a good person, Luke. Pure and good, nothing like Vader! That monster is pure evil, and he is no father of yours!"

"Thanks, Kali." Luke smiled weakly.

"It doesn't change anything between us." Kali continued. "I'm still proud to call you my friend." And she kissed Luke on the lips.

Juno wisely decided to leave the two of them alone, so she slipped out into the main passenger compartment, where she found Leia and the droids waiting for her. "How is he?" Leia asked her.

"Very shaken up." Juno replied, sitting down. "I shouldn't have let him confront Vader by himself." she sighed.

"Somehow I don't think the both of you facing Vader would have made any difference." Leia consoled her.

"Maybe." Juno conceded. "How are you holding up, Leia?"

"I'm ok." Leia replied. "I just wish Han was still here."

"We'll find him, Leia, I promise." Juno said. "Even if we have search every nook and cranny in the galaxy, we'll find him."

~8~

The Falcon had soon arrived at the Rebels' rendezvous point near the Rischi Maze and docked with a Nebulon-B medical frigate, where Luke was soon receiving a mechanical hand to replace the one he'd lost in his duel with Vader. Kali, Leia and the droids accompanied him, while Lando, Juno and Chewbacca were preparing to take the Falcon out to search for Han. "Luke, we're ready for take-off." Lando said over Luke's comlink.

"Good luck, Lando." Luke acknowledged.

"When we find Jabba the Hutt and that bounty hunter, we'll contact you."

"We'll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine." Luke replied.

"Leia, we'll find Han. I promise you." Juno vowed to Leia, who was standing near to Luke with her head down, Han's absence affecting her greatly.

"Chewie, Juno, we'll be waiting for ya signal." Kali said into Luke's comlink. "Watch ya backs, all of you."

"May the Force be with you." Luke added.

"And may the Force be with you as well, Luke." Juno acknowledged.

As Leia went over to join the droids by the window, Luke looked down to see the medical droid finishing grafting synthetic flesh to his new hand, then it jabbed his fingers to test his pain receptors, which worked a treat. "Good as new." Kali smiled as Luke flexed his new fingers, then he lifted his new hand to stroke Kali's hair. She helped Luke to his feet, then hand-in-mechanical hand, they strode over to join Leia and the droids and they watched the Rebel ships flying by outside. Soon, they saw the Millennium Falcon detach from the frigate and fly off into space, it's mission: find Han Solo and rescue him from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt. Luke, Kali and Leia all watched the ship disappear into the vast infiniteness, all three weary from their experiences but their determination strong as ever and they were certainly not beaten yet.

Author's notes: And so we come to the end of this story. Just a short chapter to finish things off, but at least Kali and Juno now know what Vader told Luke. I'd like to thank everyone who's supported this story and I hope they've enjoyed it. I'll probably start Return of the Jedi after Christmas. Hope to see you then. Bye for now!