CHAPTER SEVEN

Rayne had not planned on contacting the Alliance prior to her arrival on Cordoba but she had no choice. 

Fleeing form Alderaan, she and her young charge had made it as far as Rodia before the Imperial agents in pursuit began to catch up with her. On Rodia, where the population was either for sale or already bought, it was only a matter of time before someone informed the authorities that a young girl matching Princess Leia's description was in the company of an older woman attempting to make way to Cordoba. Despite her attempts to travel incognito, Rayne had no choice but to seek passage off world by means other than that of commercial carriers. Unfortunately, those who usually sought travel in this way were often those who had something to hide and for individuals, who lived by selling information, it was only a matter of time before someone took a closer look at her. 

Trapped in their quarters in a rather dingy hostel in the human sector of the main Rodian city, Rayne knew she could not remain here indefinitely. While she had secured passage off world, that departure would not take place for another few hours. Unfortunately, a few hours was time she did not have. While she was uncertain of when they would be coming, Rayne was fairly certain that they were already on the way. She moved through the room as Leia played with her doll on the large bed, putting all their belongings into the travel case because Rayne had decided that she was not waiting here for the Empire to come take Leia.

She heard sounds coming from the street below and immediately went to the window. Peering through the blinds, her worst fears were confirmed as she saw a group of storm troopers gathered in the busy street below. Their white armour was a stark contrast against the backdrop of Rodians, humans and other alien species going about their business. The hostel she and Leia had been occupying sat on the corner of an intersecting street and the surrounding area was occupied by two stories buildings set closely together. Rayne estimated she had less than ten minutes or so before they came barging in here and that was not a lot of time to stay ahead of a squad of Imperial stormtroopers. Examining the surrounding skyline, a partial plan formed in her head and though she had never attempted it with an infant in her arms, Rayne did not have much choice.

She had promised to keep Padme's child safe at all costs, she would die trying. 

Having gathered all their things, Rayne wasted no time scooping Leia in her arms and exiting the room into the dirty corridor outside. The stench of liquor, nicotine and other substances, she would rather not put name to assaulted her senses. Fortunately, the corridor was empty even though the sounds of habitation could be heard from the voices behind the doors that ran down each side of its length. Instead of taking the steps that led down, Rayne instead hurried towards the maintenance levels of the building. As expected, the door leading to that upper level was sealed and the control panel along side of it made sure it remained restricted to everyone but the proprietors of the establishment. However, Rayne was more than familiar with the security system in place and knew that it was something she could easily circumvent.

Setting Leia down on the floor, she slammed her elbow into the face of the panel, shattering it completely with a loud crack. She barely noticed the stinging pain but was nonetheless grateful that the material of her jump suit kept her from being cut. Once she cleared away the debris, she delved into the mass of wires and circuits and tampered with the system briefly before the door slid open partway before stopping. The aperture created was wide enough for her to enter and she picked up Leia who was watching what she was doing with interest. Slipping through the narrow passageway, Rayne entered the small custodial room that was euphemistically called the maintenance centre in order to elevate it to more than what it was. Whatever the title, she was more interested in the customary ladder at the corner of the room that would lead to the roof.

"Hold on tight, little one." She instructed Leia who instinctively tightened the grip of her small arms around Rayne's neck as the bodyguard started climbing up the ladder towards the small hatch on the ceiling. Despite the added weight, Rayne managed to scale the length of it easily and was about to slip through the hatch when she heard a loud voice in the distance, demanding entrance. She paused to listen for a fraction of a second before continuing through the hatch, aware that they would soon break into the room and found that they were gone. When that happened, they would spread out and start combing the immediate area for them. 

She had to be well away from here before that happened. 

Upon reaching the roof, Rayne let her eyes sweep across the skyline once again, searching for her intended target. She found it soon enough. It was a fair jump but she was sure that she could safely traverse the distance with Leia in her arms. By now the child was more than aware that something was going on and had gone very silent. Leia was like that a lot. She seemed to know when there was danger and behave accordingly. Rayne shuddered when she considered where that aspects of the child's ability had come. Making a running start, she took a deep breath as she raced across the roof and leapt high when she reached the edge of it. It was no more than a few meters but with Leia in her hands, it may as well been a mile if she failed. Fortunately, she landed well, rolling around and bundling the infant in her arms to protect from the impact.

Leia let out a slight squeal of fright but fussed no more than that.  

"Are you alright?" Rayne asked quickly as she rolled to her feet. 

Leia nodded slowly, even though her tiny features were displaying her fear. She was a brave one, Rayne thought silently to herself, just like her mother.  

"I promise I won't let anything happen to you little one." Rayne assured her with a smile. "Not ever." 

And with that, she began running again.

***********

Rayne did not know how much of a margin of time she had on their pursuers but she managed to elude them far enough to arrive at the spaceport. Her eyes kept watch for Imperial troops as she moved through the large complex, trying to decide what was the fastest way off world. At this point, she did not even care where they would go as long as they were very far away from here. There were simply too many informants and Rodia for her and Leia to remain space. They needed to be somewhere the Empire did not have complete control and that was hard considering there was not many worlds that Palpatine had not put under the hammer lately. She had to get in contact with Bail Organa if she were to have any hope of reaching the Alliance before the Empire closed their net. As confident as she was in her abilities, she knew she could not evade them forever and if the Emperor or Vader discovered her identity, then Bail Organa's complicity in this supposed kidnapping would be exposed.

That could not be allowed to happen. 

Rayne was wandering through the hallways, trying not to remain in one place long enough to be noticed when suddenly she overheard two men arguing rather heatedly. She had not meant to listen but their conversation was loud enough to be heard even by the casual passer by. The two protagonists appeared to be an Ithorian and a Rodian and thought they spoke in their native languages, Rayne's translator was doing a commendable job of interpreting their speech into something she could understand.

"It is of no business of mine that you have good to reach Zhar. The price was agreed upon yesterday." The Ithorian, commonly know as Hammerheads, spoke with surprising vehemence. Ithorians were normally spiritual types who seldom got agitated. It had something to do with their body chemistry and slow metabolic rate she was led to believe.  

"You must take me there." The Rodian insisted, his snout puling back and forth anxiously as he pleaded his case. "My funds have not been transferred and I can offer you most of the payment. You will be compensated when you arrive on Zhar, you have my assurance." 

"Your assurance will not pay for the fuel my ship will expend to get to Zhar if you should happen to renege. If you do not have the money then I will ask you to unload your goods from my ship." 

"Please!" The Rodian started to get desperate. "I have a shipment of Nala-Tree frogs for Jabba the Hutt. He is presently on Zhar, if I do not deliver the shipment, you know how he can be..." 

"That is not my concern." The Ithorian responded, not about to be swayed. 

"Gentlemen." Rayne suddenly interrupted. "Forgive me for eavesdropping but I believe I can resolve this situation."

The sentients stared at the woman and it was the Ithorian who spoke first. "How so human?" 

"My charge and I need to be on Zhar as soon as possible." Rayne answered coolly, revealing no signs of haste or impatience on her part. "The child's father is ill and we need to be on Zhar as soon as possible before he expires. It is his last wish that he sees his daughter. I am willing to underwrite whatever remaining costs you require to reach Zhar to deliver your Nala-Tree frogs as well as extra recompense for two passengers." 

"Why this works out most satisfactorily!" The Rodian exclaimed, eager to take up the offer seeing that he had no choice if he did not want his future existence to be seriously curtailed by a Hutt's vengeance. "Does it not Worthu?" 

The Ithorian named Worthu studied the human female and the child with her closely, deciding that there was more to this then met the eye. However, the lure of money, not to mention the amiable settlement of his current predicament was welcomed so he did not give it too much thought. "Yes it does. I assume you would wish to leave immediately?"  

"Yes," Rayne nodded, certain that the Ithorian was suspicious but not enough for him to throw a way a good deal of money she suspected. "I would appreciate it. Time is of the essence." 

With her kind, it almost always was.  

*******

"So where did you learn to shoot like that?" Vin Tanner asked JD Dunne after they had jumped into hyperspace and were returning home from Bespin without the fear of pursuit. It would take several hours before they reached the rebel enclave in the Territory and until then, there was little to do on board the Rogue but wait. While Buck was busy flying the ship, Casey and Josiah had gone to the Rogue's medical bay to see how Nathan's ministrations towards the injured Nettie were progressing. Vin had noticed JD being somewhat preoccupied and joined the young man in the main passenger lounge to see if he was okay. Vin had a feeling that even JD was rather stunned by his performance in the gunnery turret and probably needed to talk about it even though he seemed quiet and introspective.

"I don't know," JD answered honestly, still somewhat perplexed at what he had managed to accomplish. Prior to the battle, he had made the same mental preparations he had whenever he was set to race a pod, he did not dream that the results could be so dramatic. "I just told myself to stop thinking of it as shooting and start remembering how it felt to race my pod and the next thing I knew....."

"You were displaying the best gunnery skills I have ever seen." Chris commended as he walked in to the room and it was no idle comment coming from the Jedi who had fought in the Clone Wars.  

"Thanks," JD shrugged, not knowing whether such a comment was to be taken as a compliment or not. "I don't know how I did it."

"You've got a lot of natural ability," Chris remarked sitting across JD with a hot cup of cider. "That helps and it helps that you know that there were people in those ships. I know you are feeling a little stunned by what you did and how you deal with taking their lives is up to you but know what you did was in self defence. They would have delivered us to be killed just as surely as if they were pulling the trigger. What you did saved our lives." The Jedi assured him. 

"I hope so." JD answered with a nod before rising to his feet, needing to be by himself as he sorted out the mixed emotions running through him at the moment. Chris and Vin watched him leave the lounge and descend into the turret that had allowed him to display such astonishing reflexes.

"You think he'll be okay?" Vin asked still staring after JD.

"Yeah." Chris nodded. "I think so. He's learning the reality of taking up a cause like this. It's a path none of us can help him with."

"I know," Vin agreed, having gone through similar feelings himself the first time he had to make a kill as bounty hunter. The taking of life was never an easy decision for those with conscience enough to regret it, no matter how necessary it might seem at the time. "Its been a long for me since I went through something like that and it still bothers me at times. Does it bother you?" 

"Death always bothers me." Chris responded, not wanting to add that of late, it was his demise that preoccupied his thoughts the most. He was certain what he had dreamed was no figment of his mind but rather a portent of things to come. Would he die by Darth Vader's hand? Was that his destiny? He was afraid of neither death nor destiny if that was what was meant to be but he did think about Sarah's words to him in the dreamscape. 

We cannot move on.

Was he trapping them here? Was he by his own grief, keeping his wife and child from going onto something better? 

Chris' thoughts on the subject were interrupted when Buck Wilmington stepped into the room from the cockpit. He could tell immediately that something else had transpired just by the serious look on the pilots' face. Chris immediately sat up as straight Buck paused before them.

"I've just had a call from the Alliance," Buck announced. 

"What's up?" Vin asked, noting the same expression that had made Chris pay such attention.

"I just got a transmission from Mary," Buck explained, knowing that Chris would pass it on the others when he was done. "We've got a situation brewing. Apparently, Ezra just contacted the Alliance with information that a super star destroyer is parked in orbit around Cordoba carrying no less than Darth Vader." 

Chris did not react to the name even though he knew he should. After what he had been dreaming of late, it was impossible that he should remain so detached but forced himself to be calm. After all, just because Vader was at Cordoba was no reason to believe that his premonition about Vader killing him in a light sabre duel was going to happen now. The future was hard to predict there were always so many emotions involved. "Does Ezra say what he's doing on Cordoba?"

"Well this is where it gets strange," Buck responded trying to remember exactly how Mary had communicated the situation to him. "It seems that in two days, the vote goes before the Senate regarding the segregation policy banning non-humans from Imperial positions and Bail is the leading voice against it. A few days ago, the Alliance got wind that the Emperor and Vader were intending on holding his daughter Leia to ransom to force him to vote their way. Naturally, the first thing he did was to get her off the planet. He told everyone that she's been kidnapped when in truth, he was trying to get the kid to the Alliance. Unfortunately Vader's offered to help find her but Bail thinks its just a trick to get his hands on the kid so that he can use her against him." 

"How old is she?" Vin asked, unable to fathom the callousness that would use a child as a political pawn. Then again, nothing the Empire did was capable of surprising him any more. It seems that every outrage they seemed to hear about these days was just a stepping stone to another new Imperial atrocity.

"She's two." Chris said firmly. His mind was racing. Vader was after Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan. This was a nightmare.

"Where is she now?" Chris demanded, with more than just a little concern in his voice. Vin's eyes shifted to him, noting the intensity of his question. Worry did not even come close to describing what Chris was feeling at this moment. Vader had no idea about Leia and though the child might not be able to reveal the truth about her origins to her father that was not to say Vader might not sense the connection between them. In any case, the further Vader stayed away from Leia the better. It was far too dangerous for the Sith Lord to start taking an unhealthy interest in the child, especially when he and his Emperor had such dark intentions towards her.

"Well Mary says they're on their way to Zhar." Buck answered, even he had noticed Chris' interest. "That's why she contacted us. We're to head directly to Zhar to get them. Cordoba's too dangerous with Vader waiting for them to arrive."

"No kidding," Vin replied having seen a super star destroyer when he was travelling through the core worlds. Even the Purgatory with all its modifications did not stand a chance against a ship of that size. "I wouldn't want to run into a super star destroyer. Have you seen one of those things?" The bounty let out a low whistle.  

"I've never seen one but I've heard about them." Buck commented. "I'm with you on not wanting to run into one of them. Its like facing a battle station in space."

"Buck how long until we get there?" Chris asked abruptly, not caring about super star destroyers or the inconvenience of facing one.

 "A few hours." Buck responded, looking at Chris curiously now. The Jedi was way too tense for his liking and Chris only got anxious if something very bad was coming their way. What could worry a Jedi ought to worry all of them. "Chris, what is it?"

 "Are we at full speed?" The Jedi stared at him, ignoring the question.

 "Not quite." Buck retorted, becoming very uneasy now.

 "Get us to full speed." He stated firmly and his tone indicated that he did not want to be questioned about the request.

"Why....." Buck started to ask, not quite content with obeying blindly. If something was coming at them, he wanted to know what it was.

"Do it Buck." Chris said firmly, with enough of an edge to his voice to tell Buck that he meant what he said. "We have to get to her before he does."

"That goes without saying," Buck nodded in agreement but he was not about to let the matter rest without some kind of explanation. Sure the situation was tense but Chris' worry was for something else that seemed a great deal more urgent then the present crisis. Buck knew that Jedis seldom told you everything. The nature of what they were demanded secrecy some times and though Buck knew that Chris would never intentionally let anyone of them be harmed, he would may choose to keep knowledge from them especially if he believed they would be endangered by the knowing. "But why is it so important to you?" Buck asked staring at Chris intently.

Chris paused a moment as if trying to decide what was the best thing to say at this point. He did not want to lie to his friend but telling him the truth about Leia Organa's relationship to Darth Vader was simply not an option. He had told Vin because he had no choice, his own weaknesses had allowed the information to slip. Chris did not wish to endanger Buck the way that Vin was now at risk should Vader ever learn what he knew . "Buck I can't tell you and its not because I don't want to but because I promised someone I wouldn't betray the confidence and honestly, its safer that you don't know."

For along moment, both men stared at each other and Vin wondered if Buck would accept that explanation. For his part he could sense the apprehension in Chris and it was far deeper than his manner may outwardly indicate. Chris was worried to all hell and Vin shuddered to think what could cause the Jedi such concern. 

"Alright Chris," Buck conceded defeat, recognizing that Chris was not deliberately keeping vital information from him because of any lack of trust but rather fear for his life and safety. "I'll get us there on maximum burn."

"Thanks Buck," Chris patted his friend on the shoulder and they both exchanged a moment of deep warmth before the pilot withdrew into the cockpit once more, leaving him and Vin alone.

Once he was gone, Vin turned to Chris. "Mind telling me what that was all about?"

There was no point hiding it from Vin since the bounty hunter already knew enough to get him killed a dozen times over. Besides, Vin knew that when it came to Vader, there was a great deal more at stake then simply circumventing the dark lord's present plans Everything to do with Vader had far reaching implications in the future.

Chris took a deep breath "Leia is Luke's twin." 

"What?" Vin exclaimed with nothing less than astonishment. "How is that possible? I thought she was Organa's daughter."

"She is by adoption." Chris explained quickly. "When they were born, it was decided that Leia should go with her mother, Queen Amidala of the Naboo. She married Bail Organa and he adopted Leia. It was decided that Anakin Skywalker should be allowed to believe that he has only one child, not two."

"Oh hell," Vin grimaced, understanding the urgency now that Chris clarified things for. "Vader is going after his own daughter and he doesn't even know it.' 

"And we can't let him find out." Chris stated and then added a second later. "No matter what the cost." 

CHAPTER EIGHT

No matter how much discipline Ezra used to keep his feelings and thoughts in check, the commander of the Cordoba base could not deny that the presence of the Sith Lord, Darth Vader still made him nervous. Vader was staring out the window of what passed for the command centre on this small outpost. The base was built on a hill overlooking the city and though the view was hardly spectacular, those who had chosen the location had done so because they would be able to observe most things taking place in the community. There had been times when Ezra himself had taken up the same position next to the window, watching the people going about their business as they meandered through the maze of streets, alleys and passages in Cordoba City. There were very few faces that were a staple since most of Cordoba's inhabitants were usually travellers going from one place to the next. Those who chose to live here would only do so for as long as the visitors kept coming. 

Ezra had been aiding Vader go through the passenger records of everyone who had come through port authorities in the past few days and so far, it had yielded nothing of value. Whomever the Sith Lord was expecting to arrive with Princess Leia Organa had yet to arrive on Cordoba and Ezra hoped that thanks to the warning he had issued the Rebel Alliance through Inez, he hoped that they would not be so foolish to make the attempt. The Executor was the flagship of the Imperial fleet and the only super star destroyer in existence. If a ship could be built to suit the personality of its commander, then the Executor was very much Vader's ship. It was the most powerful vessel of its kind and there was very little that could stand up to it in battle. Even though Ezra had much faith in Mary Travis' abilities to command, there was no way she could win in fight with the Executor, not to mention Vader himself. 

"I am certain they are biding their time Lord Vader. We will have them soon enough." Ezra found himself saying, if not for the purpose of simply breaking this silence that seemed to have stretched forever it felt. Vader was not a man who liked to talk. There was no self importance attached to what Vader did for the Emperor, just a feeling of servitude that was almost unwillingness on his part. It was as if he were locked onto a path from which he had resigned himself to follow, no matter what his personal wishes might be on the subject. It was strange to say this of a man that could kill him on sight, whose persona was so dark and foreboding that looking upon him was enough to reduce most men to gibberish but Ezra sensed a deep sadness about Darth Vader. He could not see the man's face but he was certain of it. 

"You were seen going into a tavern yesterday." Vader responded. "Care to tell me what you were doing there?" The accusation in his voice was obvious. 

"No." Ezra said icily, maintaining everything he knew about keeping his emotions and thoughts shielded from the Jedi. If Vader suspected, even for a moment, that he might be lying, then he was finished. "Its a personal matter."  

"I decide what is personal Captain." The helmeted figure looked over his shoulder long enough to catch Ezra's gaze to impart the threat there was in that voice. "Why were you there."

"It has nothing to do with our present situation." Ezra shrugged. "However, since your tone more than indicates that it is necessary for me to reveal the truth, I suppose there is no harm in permitting you access to my privacy." 

"How accommodating of you." Vader sneered. 

"I have an association with the lady who runs the establishment." Ezra said uncomfortably, hoping he was bringing no grief to Inez by creating this life. However, this was a far more acceptable reason for his being at the Four Corners Tavern other than the complete truth, that she was a rebel sympathizer. "When time permits, I go there to enjoy her company. I apologize for not being more forthcoming with this information but I felt it to be no one's business but my one."

 "Spare me the claims of your wounded pride Captain," Vader returned sharply as if believing not a word of what he was saying. "I sense duplicity in you and I am not blind to your efforts to hide the truth from me. If I had the time or the patience I might be inclined to chip away at this facade you're displaying for my benefit, just to see what it is you're hiding."

Ezra guessed immediately that Vader was attempting to shake his resolve, to create uncertainty that would crack the intimacies of his thoughts wide open but refused to let the dark lord have that kind of power over him. His life depended on maintaining his control. "That is your prerogative." Ezra answered coolly. "I have nothing to hide." 

Vader was about to respond when one of the officers behind one of the stations on the bridge suddenly rose to his feet and caught the eye of both Vader and Ezra. "Captain Standish, Lord Vader. We've just received transmission from Zhar."

Vader swept past Ezra even before Lieutenant Grish finished speaking, his black cloak billowing slightly behind him as he walked. In seconds he was standing before the young ensign who swallowed visibly at having Vader's attention fixed wholly on him.  

"A transmission Ensign?" Vader asked with a voice that broke no delay in any explanation that was coming to him.

"Yes Sir," Grish nodded and shifted his gaze towards Ezra. "As you requested Captain, we've been monitoring all the immediately surrounding systems for any unusual reports."

At that Vader turned to Ezra in question. With Darth Vader here, Ezra was unable to ignore the situation as he liked and knew that if he was not appearing to do something about the kidnapping, Vader's suspicions about him would deepen even further and that was not in Ezra's best interests at all. "With our lack of success monitoring incoming ships into Cordoban space, I thought that perhaps the kidnappers may have abandoned the plan to use Cordoba as an exchange point for the child."

"And why would you think that Captain?" Vader accused. "The rebels would have no reason to change their plans unless they were alerted to our presence."

"If you forgive me Lord Vader," Ezra returned, more than prepared for the question already. "It is unreasonable to assume that the rebels do not have affiliates planet side since most of their business is conducted on Cordoba. If that is the case as I believe it to be, then the minute your ship entered Cordoban space, they would abandoned any plans to approach this system. Nothing they have is any match for a super star destroyer and since the Executor is the only one of its kind, they would suspect that there could be no reason for you to be here unless it was a matter of the utmost importance."

 Vader did not say anything for a moment and Ezra guessed that he was considering what was said with deep scrutiny. Ezra hoped that this would put to rest the notion of his complicity in the Rebellion as far as Vader was concerned, even though he strongly suspected that once the dark lord thought ill of you, it was impossible to change his mind, just delay it with a stronger lure. "Impressive Captain," Vader responded. "Most impressive. Perhaps I was wrong about you."

No you weren't, Ezra thought silently to himself, and you don't think you are either.

 However, he crushed the thought mercilessly before Vader had too much chance to hone in on it. Instead, the Emperor's henchman turned to the ensign who had precipitated this and demanded. "What of the report from Zhar?" 

"Well according to port authorities on Zhar, a freighter captain named Worthu was stopped at the checkpoint attempting to smuggle Nala-Tree frogs to Zhar. Nala-Tree frogs are considered contraband and captain and the passenger attempting to bring them into Zharian space were arrested for smuggling. In exchange for amnesty Worthu claimed one of his passengers was a woman with a small child, a little girl who bears a striking resemblance to Princess Leia of Alderaan. Port authorities conducted a search of the ship but the woman and the child were already gone."

"They must have departed the ship anticipating trouble." Ezra finished off. There was no reason not to make that statement since he would not be making any astonishing revelation that Vader himself would not have reached on his own. "Chances are they will be attempting to find passage off Zhar."

"We must move quickly." Vader stated. "You will inform my ship that I will be arriving shortly to proceed to Zhar." 

"Yes Lord Vader." Ezra answered automatically, glad to see the end of the dark lord. Vader was already moving across the room, his presence a dark shadow moving out of proximity from their midst. He had almost reached the door when he paused long enough to add. 

"Once you have informed my ship that I will be arriving shortly. You will take a shuttle and join me on the Executor." Vader answered and Ezra swore that he was smiling behind that mask.  

"Excuse me Lord Vader?" Ezra almost stuttered.

"I have decided that yours is an intellect too sharp to be allowed to languish during this important mission. I want you on the Executor with me, where the full measure of your insight can benefit the retrieval of the young princess." Vader concluded before he resumed walking out of the room, giving Ezra no chance to protest. 

Ezra watched him go and felt a chill within his innards. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it. He could not refuse to go to Zhar, nor could he make the trip on his own. Vader held all the cards at the moment and it looked like Ezra was just going to have to play the hand as it stood.

He just hoped it wasn't his last. 

************

Vin Tanner was a novice when it came to the Force.  

For as long as he could remember, the Force was nothing more than some fairy tale told by parents wanting their children to behave or something to which they could drift off to sleep with pleasant dreams. It was nothing that Vin considered real, not by any means. Despite his lack of belief however, there was always something tickling at the back of his mind that whispered perhaps it was not quite so fictitious as it seemed, that there was more to it than he could possibly imagine. Years of bitter experience had forced Vin to discard the notion that anyone would willingly die in the service of something good even if the Order of the Jedi Knights seemed to epitomize this idealistic notion. To Vin, the Jedi was just as spectral as the Force itself. He could associate none of this with himself even though everything he relied upon as a bounty hunter

It was until he had met Chris Larabee did he learn the truth about himself, that in all probability one of his parents were Jedi Knights if not extremely force adept. Chris said that the Force was very strong in him, even if at this point it was untapped. Vin did not think he could endure the discipline required to become a Jedi and the truth was he did not wish to become one. However, knowing where he had come from had been enough to see him abandon his whole life to follow Chris on the idealistic crusade to help the Rebel Alliance in its fight against the Emperor. He was a loner and had been for most of his life and the notion of being surrounded by people who relied upon him was rather odious to one who had lived for himself only but being in the Alliance had tapped an unspoken need within him. It was a need he had always refused to acknowledge because it was an ultimate sign of weakness but it existed nonetheless, exiled to the fringes of its consciousness where everything else he did not wish to face was consigned.

 It was probably a day or so after he had returned from the mission at Doldur that he first realised that he was considered a rebel. They patted him on the back, called him by name, and offered him a commission in their ranks, which he had been at the time to astonished to except. He found himself surrounded by people, not just Chris. There was Buck, Nathan, JD and Josiah, even Ezra whom they saw later on, was part of the new faces that had impressed themselves upon his existence. The astonishing thing through all this was that they considered him one of them and awakened inside of him the need to belong. He had never admitted he was lonely but suddenly people who were more than willing to risk their lives for him surrounded him and he soon came to understand that it would be no sacrifice to do the same for them as well. 

His relationship with Chris Larabee however, was clearly set apart from the others. Perhaps it was because that Chris was a Jedi that made all the difference. In the beginning, it was easy to sense Chris' emotions and thoughts because the Jedi had made no effort to hide them. When Vin had stumbled upon him in the Four Corners Tavern, Chris has been waiting to die and not caring who found him. However, with Vin's arrival, the Rebel Alliance and Vin suspected secretly, the presence of Mary Travis, the Jedi had been resurrected and since their arrival at the rebel base, Chris had been resuming his Jedi exercises and was back to full power, so to speak. Now Vin sensed only slight emotions from Chris even though what he considered slight was actually intense emotions that were seeping through the Jedi's carefully erected barriers and were always cause for concern.  

Like now. 

From the moment they had set foot on the planet Zhar with its amber skies and high platforms, Vin had sensed something that could only be interpreted as uneasiness emanating from the Jedi. The former bounty hunter was at a loss to understand why. Zhar was hardly a remarkable place. The entire city had been built on a huge mountain rock face, overlooking a vast expanse of land that was partially submerged in the water that drained from the cascade that originated from the city. Though the landscape was partially flooded, it was home to a multitude of life and was subject to the frequent rainstorms that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was its wet and humid climate that made it one of the worlds that was under the influence of the Hutt gangsters.

 As far as Vin knew, Chris had never been to Zhar and yet his reaction as the ship landed on the high platform that the Zharians had assigned them as the temporary berth during their stay, indicated otherwise. Chris emerged from the Rogue and stared at the place with a long, sweeping gaze and that tremor of emotion that he would normally be able to hide from Vin passed very clearly to the bounty hunter, much to his surprise. The others were oblivious to the Jedi's state of mind; even Buck who was his oldest friend. Of course Buck's concerns were with JD who had been silent and slightly morose since his dazzling display of gunnery skills during their escape from Bespin. Josiah was still smouldering from the almighty argument he had just had with his niece Casey who was not at all happy to be left behind in the ship to look after her aunt Nettie, when she was eager to share in the mission of rescuing Princess Leia Organa.

According to the data they had received prior to their arrival on Zhar, the young princess and her guardian were presently seeking refuge in one of the safe houses that the Alliance had established here. Although the Hutts controlled Zhar, even they knew better than to impede the Empire when it came to the question of the Rebel Alliance. The Hutt gang lords were forced to concede a begrudging admiration for Palpatine's ruthlessness even though in secret, they feared it as well. The Emperor's dislike for non-human species was known and should he feel so inclined, would lose no sleep about taking Zhar and all the Hutt controlled worlds should they give him the excuse to. Thus as the new arrivals moved through Oblai City, they could see the evidence of the search being undertaken by the Empire. 

"She was right." Nathan mused as they moved cautiously through the streets, trying not to attract attention. Fortunately, there were so many people on the streets of Oblai City that they did not have to worry about being inconspicuous. There were so many different species going about their business that six humans hardly seemed eye catching as the Imperial troops continued their search through the various establishments in the community for their quarry.  

"Who was right?" Buck asked offhandedly, his eyes were just as focussed on the stormtroopers as the rest of his companions.

"Leia's bodyguard." Nathan answered as they shifted their gazes away from the commotion of the stormtroopers search and continued on their way. "She figured the freighter captain who brought them here might serve her up as an effort to save his skin, when he got stopped at port authorities."

"Well," Buck frowned, disliking the fact that someone in his profession could be so lacking in personal honour. "I suppose a man will do strange things if he wants to stay alive." 

"I know," Nathan frowned. "Just didn't think that meant sacrificing a woman and a child." 

"You are an idealist Brother Nathan," Josiah smiled patting the dark man on his shoulder. "An admirable trait but one that is more often than not, a compass to disappointment." 

"There is good in everybody. Its just a matter of whether or not it can be drawn out." Chris remarked as they left the stormtroopers behind them and turned into an alley. The alley was narrow enough to ensure that beyond the first few feet into its confines, the level of natural light dropped dramatically and was virtually in darkness. It looked like nothing more than a dead end, certainly not a good hiding place for it led nowhere in particular and was too narrow for any long term use. At the mouth of it was a beggar cloaked in grey, holding a gnarled wooden bowl. Only Nathan dropped a credit into it as they entered it, while Chris held the beggars gaze for any longer than an instant.  

"So what's the plan?" Vin asked tautly, sensing something that immediately made his hand moved silently towards his blaster. As the darkness surrounded them, he hoped Nathan knew where he was going because their present location would make for a very bad venue for close quarter combat. There was almost no place to run if this was a trap and the vulnerability of their position was not lost upon him as he saw the walls on either side of him.

"Well they're hiding with one of our people here on Zhar. He's an old ground stopper from Republic days, good man. He's mostly retired these days, living off his military pension and does a few speeder repairs on the side. Name's Yosemite." Nathan explained. 

"So you trust him." Buck inquired. 

"As much as I trust you." Nathan returned. 

"Then you are a fool." A decidedly female voice said behind them. 

"And the fun continues." Vin muttered sarcastically as they turned around slowly and noted the beggar they had seen earlier. Her stance was clearly as adversarial as was the gun she had pointed in their direction. Her face was partially covered by the hood of her cloak and the way the material glided over slender shoulders told them much about the person hidden within its folds.  

"Who are you?" Nathan asked first, remembering what she had called him and feeling annoyed enough to demand an answer. 

"I'll ask the questions." She returned. "Who are you?" 

"We are no one you should be afraid of." Chris suddenly responded. He could sense who she was and knew the situation could be diffused because the woman, though disciplined and well trained, was also riding the ragged edge of exhaustion and paranoia. He had no doubt that her journey here had been fraught with danger and she was at the stage where she was willing to shoot first and ask questions later. "I believe you came in search of me." 

"And who are you?" She retorted with a more than sceptical sneer to her voice. The weapon in her hand did not waver. 

"I am Chris Larabee." Chris stepped forward. "I am the Jedi you seek." 

"I seek no Jedi." The woman responded faster than she should have, unwilling to risk any chance that this could be an attempt at subterfuge.  

"Yes you did." Chris returned immediately. They had to settle this matter quickly. They needed to leave Zhar as soon as possible. If the Empire was searching the city for her and the child then it was very likely that Vader knew that this as well and would most likely be on his way. "I am whom you sought when you chose to leave Alderaan." 

"What's going on?" Buck demanded his confusion plain. 

"She was trying to reach me." Chris explained as best he could without going into specifics. "The Organas have always had close ties with the Jedi, she knew that if anyone could protect Leia, it would be me." 

Rayne stared at the man believing that he was speaking the truth because a real Jedi would know that her mission to see him was not something that could be spoken about to just anyone, even if he trusted them. "I believe you are who you say you are." She answered a visible note of relief in her voice. She lowered the hood and allowed herself to be seen. 

"Well hello there ma'am." Buck's voice immediately responded, oozing charm as always and was promptly followed by a groan from the rest of the gallery. He stepped forward with a grin, always ready to step to the fore when a lady was present. 

"Subtle Buck." Vin drawled. "Real subtle."

Nathan however, was even faster on his feet than Buck, having strode forward to demand a few explanations of his own from the lady. "Exactly what do you think you're doing by staying out here in the open for all to see? Do you know that this city is crawling with Imperial troops?" Nathan demanded angrily. "You should be at the Princess' side, not waiting out here for them to find you." 

"I have a better understanding of what the little Princess needs." Rayne said hotly as she strode past the Rebel officer, hiding her annoyance as his presumptuous demands. "I have been guarding her since the day she was born." 

"Where is she?" Chris asked, falling into stride with her as she brushed past Nathan leaving her behind.

"She's with Yosemite." Rayne responded. "I believe she is safe with him for the moment." 

"Not safe enough." Nathan retorted. "If the Empire know that you're here, you can bet Vader does too."

"Vader?" Rayne stopped short in her tracks and looked at Chris anxiously. "Where is he?" 

"Last we heard, he was waiting for you on Cordoba." Josiah explained.  

"He's been tracking us since Alderaan." Rayne explained as they continued up the passageway. "He intends to take the Princess as hostage in order to force her father to cast his vote favouring Palpatine's segregation policy." 

"I really don't think Organa has any chance of stopping the Emperor on this anyway." Josiah added. He had followed the politics of this quite closely like all the members of the Republic Senator who were now fugitives. "Palpatine stuck most of his puppets in the Imperial Senates, when the time comes he will have the votes, no matter what Bail chooses to do."

"Then why this kidnapping?" Buck asked. "Seems like a waste of time to me." 

"Bail Organa is a strong voice in the Senate, even if Alderaan is a pacifistic world. Remember, since the destruction of the Caamasi people, Alderaan is now one of the oldest and most long-standing member of the Old Republic that values freedom to all sentients no matter what the species. Bail could become a rallying point for all dissatisfied peoples in the Empire. If he casts his vote with the Emperor, he would lose all that popular support." Josiah sighed. 

"Kidnapping his daughter would be a good way to do that." Buck retorted, disgusted at the thought of using a child in such a fashion. "So this whole kidnapping was to throw the Emperor of your scent to knowing what he was planning?" 

"More or less." Rayne answered as they reached the end of the passageway to be confronted by a heavy steel door that had no visible means of opening, except from the inside. She tapped three times on the rusted steel surface and the sound echoed down the alley, dissipating before it reached the mouth that led to the street. "Vader was coming and we knew he would take Leia if we did not think of something fast. If we hid her away then Palpatine would have all the proof he needs to claim that Bail had spies in Coruscant that warned him of the Emperor's plans. We had to think of a way to remove the Princess from the threat as well as ensure that Emperor had no proof that we were warned of his intentions." 

"But if you bring her back after the voting is done, won't he guess anyway?" JD asked. 

"He may suspect but he won't have the proof." Josiah answered before Rayne could. "To arrest someone like Bail Organa, he needs proof. Its one thing to arrest a member of the Old Republic Council but something else to bring charges against a member of the Imperial Senate, not to mention the planetary head of state Alderaan, a core world, not to mention a very political powerful planet." 

"We hope that once the voting is over, we will pretend that a ransom was paid and the Princess was released." Rayne replied as they heard footsteps approaching the door from the other side.  

"That's a hell of a gamble." Nathan pointed out. 

"It is," Rayne agreed, prepared to concede with him on that point. "But we have no other choice." 

Suddenly, Chris stopped short in his tracks, much to the confusion of those around him except Vin. Vin was standing just as still but appeared visibly distressed. The bounty hunter had never felt like this before and he had experienced some pretty odd things since he had come into Chris Larabee's company. He felt cold inside as if slivers of ice had burrowed past his skin and was currently taking a joy ride through his veins, filling everything inside him with tendrils of cold. His heart contracted in his chest and he shuddered visibly.

"Chris," Vin spoke out softly as the others stared at both of them. "What is it?"  

"Vader's not on Cordoba, not any more." Chris answered shortly, his eyes glazed and very far away. "He's here."

CHAPTER NINE

When Inez contacted the rebel base and informed Mary Travis of the curious message she had received from Ezra Standish prior to the departure of the Avenger from Cordoban space, it was enough to send the rebel leader barking orders for the preparation of the Purgatory to leave orbit. Inez herself had been uncertain of what the message meant but to Mary who had been keeping a close eye on the movements of the super star destroyer that had kept vigil around Cordoba in anticipation of the arrival of Princess Leia and her keeper, it made perfect sense.  

"Its odd," Inez had remarked as they communicated over the scrambled frequency the bartender used for communications with the rebel base. "I supposed he had to tell them something about why he keeps coming here."

"It’s a good cover," Mary retorted, wondering how much of Ezra’s deception in allowing his Imperial comrades to believe that Inez was the reason for his frequent visits to the Four Corners was an effort to evade discovery rather than wishful thinking. Mary had certainly seen the attraction between the two to know that it was mutual even though she doubted that the affections between them were true love. "At least I assume it is a cover." She gave Inez a look of mischief over the com screen through which they were conversing. 

"It is for now." Inez smiled coyly. "However, should he decide to actually ask me out, I wouldn’t mind."

"You really go for the uniforms don’t you?" Mary teased.

"You’ve been listening to Buck." The lady frowned.

"You know," Mary eased back into her chair, enjoying her talks with Inez whenever the opportunity allowed for it. "There is something oddly clichéd about an Imperial officer carrying on a relationship with a rebel sympathizer."

"It sounds like something out of a bad romance novel." Inez agreed as they both chuckled. "Still, this message he send me says that he won’t be able to make our date as he is going to be away for at least two days."

"And you made no date." Mary remarked, her mind swirling around Ezra’s message. "When did it come in?"  

Inez told her off the time and immediately, Mary knew what had been Ezra Standish’ purpose in contacting Inez with this innocuous message. "He’s on the Avenger." She sat up in realization. "He contacted you so that you would tell us that he had to leave with the Avenger."  

"Why?" Inez asked bewildered and feeling a sliver of fear knowing that Ezra was keeping company with no less than Darth Vader. "There was no other message…."  

"There doesn’t have to be a message." Mary retorted. "He just wanted us to know because it was important that we piece it together. It was his way of letting us know that wherever the Avenger was going had to do with us." 

"You don’t think that they might have guessed where Buck and the others are?" Inez exclaimed, horror seeping into her face as understanding dawned in her eyes. 

"There couldn’t be any other reason." Mary rose from her chair. "Vader would not have broken orbit without good reason and I can’t think of any other that might suffice. Inez, I’ll talk to you later." Mary did not wait for a response before she terminated the channel between them. She had little time as it was to act and she was not even sure they would make it to be of any help to the Rogue. Still, they had to try. Flicking another switch, Lieutenant Commander Chano’s face appeared before her on the screen. 

"Commander." He greeted officiously. 

"Prepare the Purgatory for immediate departure." Mary said quickly. "I’ll be on board within the next thirty minutes." 

"Yes Sir," he answered. "Where are we going?" 

"We’re going to Zhar." Mary replied, preparing herself to hear debate on this matter. 

"Forgive me Commander," Chano predicted response escaped his lips. "I thought the Avenger was in the Zharian Star System." 

"It is." She answered shortly. "Our people on Zhar have been compromised. We need to get there to help them." 

"But we’re no match for a super star destroyer, not by any means." He protested.

"Don’t upset yourself," Mary returned mercurially. "We won’t be remaining long enough to get into a fight with them. Just long enough to get our people out." 

"But….." He started to argue. 

"This isn’t a democracy Lieutenant." Mary said smoothly. "Prepare for my arrival. We will launch as soon as I am on board." The tone of her voice was clear that this was as much discussion she was permitting on the subject. 

"Yes Sir." Chano nodded. "We’ll be ready." 

Mary hoped they would only need to be ready enough to be able to aid in the escape of the Rogue from under the star destroyer’s clutches because under no circumstances did she want to have to go toe to toe with the Sith Lord.

*********

"There is a Jedi on Zhar." Darth Vader stated as he stood on the bridge of the Avenger, overlooking the planet.  

"A Jedi." Ezra exclaimed, trying to hide his surprise even though he knew there could only be one Jedi in this area and that was Chris Larabee. He immediately kept his thoughts guarded, knowing such random rumination could seep through his defences and doom not only himself but the friends who were undoubtedly on Zhar. He had hoped the message he had sent to the Alliance through Inez would be sufficient to warn any rebels who were still on Zhar to vacate the premises but supposed that the time factor had always been against him. "I didn’t think there were any left." 

"There are a few." Vader remarked, his heavy breathing becoming silent now as if the Sith Lord were holding his breath.

"Are you sure?" Ezra asked coming along side Vader even though it unsettled him to be next to the man. It was not just the black armour but rather a sense of something dark beyond his understanding. Ezra had not much faith in the Force, he did not know it as Chris and Vin did but the Jedi were no myth even if they were fast becoming extinct. He was certain that the sinister energies swirling around Darth Vader was just as tangible and had no wish to be caught in its web.  

"I sense him." Vader responded neutrally. "The Force is strong within him and the other he is with." 

Ezra forced himself not to of think Vin when Vader said that. "Do you think he might be responsible for the Princess’ kidnapping?" 

"The Jedi do not kidnap." Vader retorted, with almost a hint of outrage at the suggestion. "He has purpose here but it is not for harming the princess." 

"Are you able to find him, since you can sense his presence?" Ezra asked tentatively. 

Vader’s turned his helmeted head towards Ezra. "Do you know this Jedi?"  

"I assure you," Ezra replied, guessing that Vader was attempt to break through his barriers once again by the unexpected question. "I know no Jedis. I have difficulty believing that they even exist." 

"Strange coincidence that you should feel this way," Vader accused. "When there was a Jedi in residence of Cordoba prior to your arrival there." 

"There were rumours," Ezra answered with his best poker face. "But I have yet to encounter one yet. Was there any truth to the stories? Was there a Jedi on Cordoba?" 

"Larabee." Vader faced front once more, deciding he was not going to waste time trying to penetrate this man’s shields when he had a more pressing issue to deal with at presence of a Jedi on Zhar, who had no doubt some connection to the young Princess. "Chris Larabee. In his time, he was one of the heroes of the Clone Wars." 

"You knew him." Ezra stated. It was not a question. 

"I knew of him." Vader responded. "We never met but he was a friend of someone I once knew."  

Vader did not reveal that Larabee had once been friend to Obi-Wan Kenobi, his teacher. Memories of Obi-Wan inevitably brought other images and took Vader’s memory to places it did not want to go. Almost against his will, the image of Padme flashed before his eyes, though in truth it was the part of him that was still Anakin Skywalker that felt the potency of her resurgence most in his mind. When he had learnt of her death, it was the first time in almost too long that Anakin’s feelings had been so powerful that Vader was unable to suppress the agony of its toll upon his heart. Curiously, he kept thinking of the first time he beheld her, knowing from the moment he had looked into her beautiful face that his life would be changed forever, even though he was a child and slave on Tatooine. She had been his angel and of all the things that had to be sacrificed for the power of the dark side it was the loss of her that ached the most.  

Her and his son. 

He was out there, somewhere. Vader knew it. He could almost sense the boy sometimes, although lately he had come to think of it as imagination rather than anything real. What did Padme name the boy? Did she name her son after his father? He supposed not. No doubt, Padme would wish to expunge any part of Anakin Skywalker from their son. Who protected him now that she was gone? Obi-Wan? It was possible, the Jedi had not been seen for almost two years and that date seemed too coincidental with the age of his son to be dismissed. Wherever his son was, Obi-Wan was guarding him and in that, Vader was capable of taking some comfort knowing that the boy was safe. Safer than the Princess would be against Larabee's keeping, Vader thought ruefully, returning his mind to the present. Of course, he should never be too confident. After all, Obi-Wan held Larabee in high esteem and had even told Anakin that Larabee was someone in whom he could confide. 

Confide... 

Did he know? The thought shouted so loudly in Vader's head, he was surprised that the Captain next to him did not hear it. Could Larabee know about his son? The possibility once introduced, quickly insinuated itself upon Vader's psyche. Obi-Wan seldom left things to chance and it made sense that he might reveal his plans to someone, just so they could safe guard his interests while he was in isolation. Vader closed his eyes and reached out, focussing on Larabee's mind presently hiding on Zhar. As anticipated, he could sense the mind but not the information for as soon as he attempted to probe too deeply, he was met with the solid wall of Larabee's mental shields, the shields he was also using to guard the mind of the other he was with. Vader suddenly changed tact and began shifting his attention to the other mind with Larabee and was immediately rewarded with one word through the crumbling wall.

Skywalker.

*********

"Chris!" Vin shouted, blood running rivulets from his nose. "I can't keep him out!" He cried out desperately as he felt that darkness overcome his mind, chipping away at his defences.

Chris knew that already. Ever since Vader's presence had touched his mind, the Jedi was trying his hardest to keep Vader out of his mind and that of Vin Tanner's. If was not so strong in the Force, Chris might have succeeded but Vin was an untapped source of power waiting for the right spark to set it a light and Vader's probing had the incendiary effects upon it that Chris had feared. He knew what Vader had heard in Vin's mind and knew that any chance of protecting Vin was destroyed with that one word.  

Suddenly, without warning, Rayne slammed her elbow into the back of the bounty hunter's head with enough force to render him completely unconscious. Vin went down on the floor of Yosemite's shop without uttering so much as a cry of pain. He dropped to his knees and fell on the floor, face first amidst the astonishment of everyone around him. Chris let out a soft gasp as Vin became unconscious and immediately strengthened his own barriers against Vader's brutal invasion. Josiah and Buck on the other hand, moved in on the woman who had attacked their friend.

"What did you do?" Buck demanded as his hand gripped Rayne's elbow while staring at Vin's unconscious form. "Is he alright Nathan?" The pilot asked frantically, turning away from Rayne briefly, confident that Josiah would shoot her if she made another move like the one she had just inflicted upon Vin.

"He's alright," Nathan said after a precursory examination. He stared at Rayne and knew that she could not possibly be a spy. Fate would not be that cruel to him. "Just knocked out cold." 

"You let the lady go." Yosemite, a grizzled old man with white hair and stubble grunted from the room he had entered after allowing them entrance into the store. "She had good reason for she done, I know it." Yosemite was carrying a little girl not more than two years old who was stretching her small arms towards Rayne upon catching sight of her nurse.

 "Rayne!" Little Leia cried out. Her plea threatening to turn into a cry if she was not given to her nurse. 

"Let her go Buck," Chris also declared once he was in complete mastery over his mind and capable of blocking all of Vader's attempts to read his thoughts. "She did the right thing."

"How did she do the right thing?" Buck asked outraged. "She knocked Vin senseless! Hell any harder, and she might have killed him!"

"If I was going to kill him, he would be dead." Rayne said coolly and broke her arm free of Buck as she stepped forward to claim Leia. No one who saw the happiness in the child's face could imagine Rayne to be anything more than a she wolf protecting her child when they saw Leia wrapped her arms around Rayne's neck. 

"You did it to stop him didn't you?" Nathan guessed accurately, knowing something of the Jedi and having realised after she had knocked Vin cold why she had done what she had. He was starting to respect this beautiful young woman a great deal even though she looked at him like a naive kid. "To keep Vader from getting what was inside his head?" 

Rayne's eyes widened in surprise, as if she had not thought him capable of such insight. "Yes," she nodded. "Vader was in his mind. Your friend could have unwittingly told him how to find us. I had to stop him before he doomed us all." 

"Its worse than that." Chris looked at her. "He knows." 

Rayne's eyes shifted to his sharply. "The whole truth?" She demanded. "He knows the whole truth?" 

"All of it." Chris swallowed. 

"How could you allow him to know!" Rayne fairly shouted. "Do you know what you have done?" 

"Know what?" Nathan asked, becoming even more confused. 

"Nothing that need concern you." She barked shortly before turning to Chris again. "I brought Leia here because I thought you could protect her but all you've done is made things worse than they ever were!"  

"Vader only has a name." Chris defended himself but the truth was, he was accountable for this disaster. "He knows nothing else." 

"And how will your friend keep him out indefinitely?" Rayne glared at him. "We cannot leave Zhar now. There are Imperial troops everywhere! We have to wait here until it is safe. Vader will stop at nothing to find us now that he knows what your friend has inside his head! How long do you think we can keep him unconscious?" 

"Chris, what the hell is going on?" Buck cut in, feeling like he had walked in on the last act of a very bizarre play.

"We have to get him off world, right this minute." Rayne stated. "That is the only way. The matter has superseded the immediate situation of Leia's safety."  

"Why?" Nathan stared at Chris for an answer. "What does Vin know?" 

Chris was breathing hard, rebuking himself a dozen times over for not listening to Vin when the young man had demanded some form of Jedi training. If Chris had acted to the request then perhaps Vin might have been able to block Vader's probes from his mind. "You have a ship." He looked at Yosemite. It was not a question, he had seen it inside the man's thoughts. 

"A little fighter," the old man replied, not even bothering to ask how Chris knew about the small Belion fighter he had been working on as a pet project and had recently completed. "It will take two but it doesn't have much of a range and she's pretty tough to handle." 

"Buck you can fly anything." Chris stared at his old friend. "You're going to have to take Vin off planet immediately. I'll keep Vin out for as long as it takes for you to make the jump to hyperspace." 

"Goddamn it why?" Buck cried out in frustration. It felt like he was flying blind. 

"Because that's how its gotta be!" Chris fairly shouted in exasperation. "I can't tell you why! To tell you would be to risk the future. If you care anything for what the rebellion stands for Buck, you'll get Vin as far away from here as possible!" 

Buck was taken back by the intensity of Chris' words but whether or not an explanation was provided, the urgency of it sunk in and registered. "Alright," Buck nodded. "I'll take him. I don't why but I'll take him." 

"Thank you Buck," Chris let out a sigh and turned to Yosemite. "Can you get them past the Imperial troops to your ship?"

Yosemite nodded mutely. "Yeah I think I can."  

"Good," Chris nodded and faced Buck once more. "You need to take Vin to the Dagobah system." 

Buck stared at Chris. "The Dagobah system? Chris, there's nothing there." 

Chris glanced at the faces around him and knew that Yoda's secret would be safe with them. "There is a Jedi Master on Dagobah that will keep Vin safe and perhaps help him keep people like Vader out of his head. Take him there Buck." 

"How do I find this guy?" Buck said sceptically. Nothing about this made any sense except the fact that Chris was afraid and Chris was never afraid without good reason. If the Jedi believed the future of the galaxy was at stake by his agreeing to take Vin to Dagobah, then there was no question of what he would do. He trusted Chris like a brother and if Chris said this had to be done, then it would be. 

"You don't have to find him," Chris replied quietly. "He'll find you." 

**********

The link was broken.

He could only sense Larabee's mind now and what secrets that may have lay hidden behind it was now closed to him because the Jedi was not weak like his companion but rather one who might have been a Master himself if not for the slaughter of the Jedi Order. The mind of the other was silent and dark as if it existed in a state of limbo. The reality was perhaps not so vague, no doubt someone must have rendered him unconscious, perhaps Larabee himself had carried out the deed. Whatever the truth, it did not matter any more, he had learnt enough. Larabee knew something about his son. Of this Vader was absolutely certain. 

Ezra did not know what had happened in few minutes he had stood next to Vader as he continued his vigil on Zhar, like a dark god keeping watch from the heavens but clearly something earth shattering had occurred. Suddenly, Vader was on the move, no longer content to let his minions conduct the search for the Princess and her supposed abductor. Without even saying a word, Ezra knew that Vader's sweeping departure from the bridge had a darker intent now and it was no longer about retrieving a lost little girl. 

"Lord Vader," Ezra asked as he forced himself to run after the Sith Lord, risking death because the man did not take intrusion into his affairs kindly. "What has happened?"

"It is none of your concern." Vader said sharply, wondering why this nonentity was still following him. 

"If it pertains to our mission to retrieve the Princess then I am afraid it is very much my concern." Ezra wondered briefly when was the exact moment he had lost his mind.

Vader paused and looked at him, probably wondering the same thing. "I must confront the Jedi alone. You will remain here."

"Lord Vader," Ezra spoke boldly, "you are endangering our mission by going to Zhar. If you can sense him then it is almost certain that the Jedi can sense you. If his purpose is entwined with the Princess in some way, then our element of our surprise is compromised if you go after him." In truth, Ezra was trying to keep Vader away from Chris Larabee but masking the reason with this excuse was a good way to save his own skin as well.

"I did not ask for your opinion Captain," Vader returned menacingly. His voice emphasizing the word Captain explicitly. "The Jedi is my concern not yours." With that, Vader resumed his forceful strides towards the landing bay where his shuttle was being prepared for him even as they argued the matter in this corridor.  

"Darth, you're throwing away the one chance we have of getting the Princess!" Ezra cried out desperately, unaware of what reasoning had made him think he could refer to Darth Vader by his first name, like they were friends or even acquaintances.

Vader paused but did not answer. Instead, Ezra felt himself flung backwards by some invisible force. He slammed against the floor hard, almost feeling as if bones had snapped upon landing. The pain flared through his body as he saw Vader's receding figure in the distance. However, Ezra was not about to let him go. Nathan was most likely down there and no way was Ezra going to let his best friend in the galaxy be harmed by this creature. "Is that the best you can do?" Ezra demanded furiously as he struggled to his feet, his voice full of defiance. 

Vader turned around and looked over his shoulder. His metallic breath moving in low, languid strokes as he regarded Ezra. "Your stubbornness is astonishing," the Sith Lord remarked. "But dangerous."

Suddenly, something that felt like fingers started enclosing icy tendrils around his throat. He felt the unseen grip clench around his skin and felt his Adam's apple being pressed up against his esophageus. He struggled to breathe, fighting the overwhelming need to succumb to Vader's attempt to intimidate him. He raised his eyes to meet the dark lord's and refused to relent until he had forced the words of out of his mouth.

"If....you're going to....do this thing.....let....me....come with you!" Ezra gasped forcing the words out when he ought to be conserving whatever oxygen remained in his lungs.

Vader released his hold and Ezra dropped to his hands and knees at the ability to breathe again. He spent a few seconds on the floor, gasping for air as he replenished the supply in his lungs. His breathing was for a moment, almost as hoarse as Vader's himself. When he raised his eyes to the dark lord, Ezra noted that Vader was walking back to him. 

"I do not trust you Captain." Vader declared slowly. "I sense great duplicity in you and yet, you are refreshingly brave. I am uncertain whether or not it is to your credit." 

"Thank you," Ezra answered never one to be at a disadvantage, even in his present condition. "Will you let me come with you? If you are going to face this Jedi then at least allow me to salvage the situation by retrieving the Princess." 

"The Emperor's interests must be guarded," Vader conceded finally, resuming his journey to the landing bay once more by the flounce of his billowing cloak as he turned away. "Very well, you may accompany me." 

Ezra let out a sigh of relief as he saw Vader's departing figure, wondering what in the hell he was thinking by embarking on this suicidal course and then realizing that it was not a matter of suicide by rather one of survival.  

CHAPTER TEN

It was an easy matter for Buck and Vin to reach the spaceport because authorities at present were not searching for two men but rather a young woman and an infant girl. Although Nathan disliked the idea of their splitting up, particularly when the reason for the urgency seemed a closely guarded secret between Chris Larabee and Princess Leia's protector, he acceded to the wishes of the Jedi knowing that such requests were not made lightly. Nathan himself had never met Darth Vader in person but he knew of the Sith Lord by reputation and would decided that he was not eager to face the man either. Chris however, seemed extraordinarily wary of Vader in a way that Nathan had never seen before. The captain of the Rebel Alliance could see the anxiety in the Jedi's face even though Chris was trying to hide it from them, more than aware of what displaying his fears might do their morale. 

Unfortunately, the fact that Vader was coming ended their ability to remain hidden for too long. Chris knew that the dark lord would hone in on him and that while he remained with the princess and his friends, he would be their biggest liability. With Vin gone, the secret of Anakin's children was for the moment safe. On Dagobah, Chris could be assured that Yoda would protect Vin as well as teaching him what he would need to know in order to survive the future. For now however, Chris' thoughts were not with Vin because his best friend was presently on his way out of the system, riding the currents of hyperspace towards Dagobah. His worries were with those presently in his company. With Buck gone, Nathan would have to pilot the Rogue with Josiah's aid and the princess still had to be delivered safely to the rebel base in order for her father to make the vote at the Senate with freedom. 

Chris could feel the dark force that was Vader leaving his ship. He could feel the ominous approach even though they were separated by the vacuum of space and knew that their time was running short. Yosemite had been good enough to take Buck and Vin to his ship and had yet to return but Chris knew that they could no longer wait for him. Nathan had to take the others and leave, now. The group was presently deliberating their situation from within the below ground rooms Yosemite had found these when he had first taken up the place and assumed quite correctly that his business premises were once in use for something that was not as legitimate as his current vocation.  

Presently, JD was entertaining the little girl with a repertoire of funny faces, to which she reacted with delightful giggles that seemed out of place considering their present situation. Josiah was gently stroking Yosemite’s pet Synax, a furry animal with big round eyes and native to Endor. The woman Rayne was standing by the doorway to the subterranean hiding place, listening for every sound even though she had not moved an inch since Yosemite had disappeared up the stairs with Buck and Vin. Chris studied her briefly before noticing that Nathan was also trying to keep his gaze fixed on his friends, despite the momentary lapses when inevitably, his eyes would drift to her once more. The Jedi suspected Nathan’s interest had nothing to do with suspicion. 

One thing was clear however, the longer he remained with them, the more likely it became that he would lead Vader to them.  

"Nathan," Chris gestured the captain over to him as he drifted away from the main group so he could talk privately with the man.  

"What is it Chris?" Nathan asked, being not at all force adept and yet having learnt enough about Chris Larabee to guess that the Jedi was about to drop something into his lap. 

"I need to leave." Chris said quietly, beneath the earshot of the others. 

"What?" Nathan stared at him, somehow not surprised despite his reaction. Chris had seemed anxious ever since Rayne had been force to knock Vin out cold. While Nathan could appreciate his worries since he had no wish to run into Vader himself, the captain guessed that when it came to the Force and those wielded it, nothing was as clear cut as one would like. "Why?" 

"You know why." Chris returned. 

"Yeah," Nathan nodded, unmindful of what Rayne had said about Vin giving access to the information that would allow Vader and his troops to find them. Chris had made some similar declaration that he had been in direct mental contact with Vader and even though his thoughts were shielded, the dark lord could nonetheless sense his presence. They were a beacon to each other, these Jedi, Nathan thought to himself. "I do."  

"I have to go Nathan," Chris replied. "I have to go before I lead him here. Before I lead him to the child." With that, Chris glanced in the direction of the little girl with the dark red hair and closed his eyes a second because he was struck by how much the colour of it resembled Sarah’s own wavy hair. In her innocence and youth, he could feel the force emanating from her. No doubt Vader would feel it too even if he could not understand why. She had a great destiny, this little Princess from Alderaan, Chris had foreseen it. Though future events were often clouded by emotions, as Master Yoda was so often fond of saying, Chris could see the future of the Jedi in the smiling eyes of the Leia Organa.  

The era of the new Jedi order would begin with her. 

Of course Vader would not see that. He would see that she was just a means to an end, a pawn to use against Bail Organa in order to solidify an unjust war and even if he did see, he was liable to kill her just to ensure that future died before it was even born. He would do so without having any inkling that she was his daughter and that the Jedi he would be destroying would be his own grandchildren. The irony of it would have almost amusing if it was not so tragic.  

Nathan stared at Chris for a time, sensing something more behind the Jedi’s words but appreciating that Chris was his friend who kept secrets because he had no choice in the matter. It took no measure of clairvoyance to know that whatever it was that Chris had chosen to confide in Vin about was something he now regretted in light of Vader’s invasion of Vin’s mind. The captain did find it odd that Rayne, whom before this day had never crossed the Jedi’s path, apparently knew this secret. Her accent and her mannerism indicated that she was not from the pacifistic world of Alderaan and having seen the skill of combat ability, he was certain that although she played nursemaid to an infant, there had been a time when she was something else entirely. 

"Chris, I know you have to do what you must but if he can find you, you’re no safer than we are on Zhar.’ Nathan countered. "You’re too important to the Rebellion to lose." What Nathan did not say was that Chris was important to him as well. Chris was his friend and since the Jedi had joined the rebellion and pulled together the six men who had until that unity been lost and drifting, Nathan had found his universe did not seen as grim as it had once been.  

"I know," Chris responded. "But if it is my destiny to die, then I’m not afraid of it. I am afraid for all of you and that is why after I leave, you need to get to the Rogue." 

"I’ve been thinking about that," Nathan agreed with Chris’ assertion even though he did not come right out and say it. "I’ve been thinking that perhaps we’ve been going about this wrong way. The Empire is looking for a woman and a child. "What if we split up?" 

Rayne, who had excellent hearing and had been eavesdropping on the conversation with the Jedi and the rebel officer, immediately stepped forward. "What is your plan?" She looked at Nathan and for the first time, saw him as more than just an accident waiting to happen. 

"You put Vin into one of those trances when Buck left," Nathan turned to Chris. "Can you do the same for Leia?"  

"Why?" Rayne demanded, not at all happy that her young charge should be rendered unconscious.  

"Because," Nathan glanced at Josiah briefly before turning his attention back to her. "She’s small enough to hide inside the Synax's carrier." 

"What?" Rayne stared at him horrified. "You expect me to allow you to carry the Princess Royal of Alderaan in an animal carrier?" She exclaimed. "Have you lost your mind? Such as it is." 

"It will work," Nathan replied, now capturing the attention of both JD and Josiah. "That Synax isn’t much smaller than Leia. I know its hardly dignified but if Josiah takes her, he might be able to reach the Rogue. You’ll come with me. We’ll take a different route. They’re looking for a woman and a child, not a couple on their way off world." 

"He is right," Josiah looked at the woman. "It is undignified for the child but she will not be awake to notice and what's more, she'll be safely away from here if it works." 

Rayne frowned dubiously and turned to the Jedi, having yet to hear his opinion on the matter even though her faith in him was dwindling considerably. After all she had done to ensure that Leia remained out of Vader's reach, this Jedi had simply led the dark lord here thanks to his undisciplined friend. "You have not mentioned what you think of this plan?" 

Chris knew what she was thinking and could hardly blame her for her lack of faith in him but Nathan's plan was sound even though it was a touch unorthodox. "I think that it is your best chance of fulfilling your promises to old friends."

Rayne glared at him sharply, realizing of course what he meant through that veiled reference. He meant of course, her promise to Padme, to keep her daughter safe. She supposed she could keep nothing from a Jedi if he intended to learn her secrets but then could not deny that she was not been trying hard to keep it from hi. He needed to know how seriously she took her obligations to Padme and how completely willing she was to sacrifice herself if necessary to save Padme's daughter.

"Why do I have to go with him?" Rayne demanded, not giving Nathan's the courtesy of looking him in the eye as she asked the question out loud.

"Because I'm the only one who can put up with your winning personality." Nathan retorted sarcastically and drew an even darker expression from the young lady herself even though JD and Josiah were trying not to snicker and Chris merely stifled the glint of amusement on his face. 

"Alright," she conceded after a moment, uncertain of whether or not she disliked this plan most because of the unseemly way the Princess would be treated or simply because she would be forced to journey alone with this captain of the rebel Alliance. For some reason, ever since they had met, he had burrowed under her skin and remained there. It was not just the fact that he was like every soldier Rayne had ever encountered, arrogant and thinking their way was superior because of their weapons and their training, disbelieving anyone else could do it better and had for centuries before that uniform of theirs ever existed. Even though Nathan was a member of the Rebel Alliance, he still wore that arrogance, not to mention the fact that despite all his flaws and weaknesses and he had quite a few; what was worst than all of that was despite it all, Rayne liked him. 

Sometimes the Force had a very strange sense of humour.

************

 Vin Tanner was not happy when he woke up.

 It was not just the fact that when he opened his eyes and awareness had spilled into his world, his head was throbbing as if a dozen banthas were doing a dance inside his skull but rather the discovery that he was not where he had remembered being. Hell he was not even on Zhar any more. When Vin finally regained consciousness after the unpleasantness that had forced Rayne to knock him out senseless, he woke up to find himself resting in the passenger seat of an old junket of a fighter. Around him was nothing but the strange iridescent tides that existed within hyperspace and as the flurry of colour rushed past him and the small ship, it seemed to amplify the headache that was starting to pound against the inside of his skull cap.

 If one thing consoled him it was the fact that when he finally gained enough coherence to notice something beyond the obvious, he saw that he had not been completely abandoned by his friends because Buck Wilmington was at the controls. The pilot was busy flicking some switches and judging by the sequence of buttons and knobs he was pushing and activating, it appeared as if they were about to jump out of light speed, which only begged the question about how long he had been unconscious. Predictably, that question was soon followed by a rather rapid succession of other questions like how he had come to be here, who had hit him, where were the others and most importantly, where the hell they were going. 

"Buck." Vin spoke and his voice escaped him as a little more than a formed croaked. Fortunately, Vin was not that vocal anyway so Buck was prepared to hear his soft spoken voice at some point in the journey. 

"Welcome back junior." Buck greeted in his usual cheery way. Vin could not understand how the man managed to keep in such good nature all the time. Must be all those women, Vin thought as he sat up in the cushioned seat he was leaning against.

"Where are we?" Vin asked, articulating the most prominent of the questions that had risen inside him during the last few seconds since regaining consciousness and discovering where he was. 

"About to jump out of hyperspace in the orbit of Dagobah." Buck answered as if Vin had just asked him the time of day. He figured he would soon have an argument on his hands but he had made a promise to Chris and Buck did not take his promises to the Jedi lightly.  

"Dagobah." Vin whispered and suddenly a lot that had remained hidden in vague shadows before leapt out of the mists inside his mind and revealed themselves to him. He remembered that dark icicle inside his head, digging and probing, trying to invade the rest of him. He shivered inwardly, recalling the sound of heavy metallic breathing as it pushed his way through his soul and prepared to lay waste to everything he was as if he was nothing but a specimen to be examined and then discarded once the learning was done. Vin had seen a great deal of villainy in his life. He had met beings that did not deserve to exist, let alone breathe the same air as he but through all those times, he had never felt, cold, unrelenting evil, wet and slick against his skin as he felt when Vader entered his mind.

 "I got get back there Buck! I got help Chris!" Vin suddenly demanded, forgetting all the others questions and winced when his head retaliated for the sudden action.

 "Easy there Junior!" Buck shouted from the front half of the fighter. "We're not going anywhere. Chris wanted me to get you as far away from Zhar as possible." 

"Buck, you don't understand," He did not know whether or not it was the Force or the fact that he was starting to get to know Chris Larabee very well that had inspired Vin with a sudden flash of insight but suddenly, it all became clear what the Jedi was planning to do.. "He's going to face Vader alone!"

"Of course I understand!" Buck almost hissed. "He's been my friend when you were still tugging at your mama's skirt!" The pilot's voice filled with uncharacteristic emotion. "I know what he was going to do the minute he asked me to get you away from Zhar. I also know that nothing I said could have stopped him from doing it once it got into his mind."

 "We have to get back there!" Vin persisted. "We can help him!" 

"Vin," Buck let out a deep breath. "Have you ever seen two Jedi fight?" 

"No." Vin retorted, slightly annoyed because Buck ought to know very well by now that until Vin had met Chris, he had never even believed they were real, let alone seen one.  

"I did once," Buck answered; his voice was hollow and drawn. "One of them was a Rogue." Buck explained remembering the temple in Yavin where the Sith Lord Exar Hun had once ran supreme and where some of his followers still went to pay him homage. "I saw a Rogue and a Jedi Master go toe to toe. I'll never forget it. They move like nothing you can imagine and when you hear those sabres slamming against each other, a part of you prays that the good guy wins because the bad guy just scares the hell out of you. Trust me Vin," Buck said quietly. "Unless you're one of them, when two Jedis get it into their minds to kill each other, there's nothing you can do but stay out of the way." 

"Vader's not just any Jedi!" Vin replied. "He's a Sith Lord!"  

"Vin," Buck spoke once again, this time he was serious and it was a tone he did not use often because most of the time people were used to hearing him affable and in good humour. "We're not going back. I have no idea what it is you know that terrified Chris so much at the thought of Vader finding out that he wanted you off world and the truth is, I don't want to know. Anything that can scare a Jedi is something I don't want in my head. Unfortunately you don't have that choice and only you can decide whether what is you know is worth risking by going back there to help Chris." 

Vin swore under his breath because he knew the answer to that. Chris had charged him with the most important secret he had when there was no reason to believe that Vin could be trusted except for the fact that Chris considered him a kindred spirit. Ever since Vin had met the Jedi, his world had been filling up with people who cared about him, who were willing to risk it all to save his life and to his utter astonishment, considered him one of their own; a thing he had never been to anyone. Before Chris there had been loneliness and an existence that was not all living as he was now. Sure it was a life fraught with danger but for someone who had thought that there was nothing left to his life but an inevitable end at the hands of one bounty that wouldn't be claimed, Chris' friendship had been an unexpected joy. Chris had trusted him with the secret that was Luke Skywalker and Vin could not betray that, even if it meant standing by and doing nothing while Chris sacrificed himself by facing Darth Vader.  

"I hate this!" He swore. "I hate being what I am! I hate knowing what I know! I wish I never stumbled on it!" The unflappable bounty hunter cursed in a surge of uncharacteristic anger.  

"But you did," Buck returned knowing none of the specifics but was perceptive enough to know what to say to soothe the younger man's turmoil. "And you know what to do don't you?"  

Vin swallowed and nodded even though Buck wasn't looking at him. "Yeah I do." He whispered. "I need to go Dagobah."

************

Rayne did not know where Josiah, JD and the Princess had gone but she was not all optimistic about this plan. Aside from the fact that Yosemite's choice of a disguise involved a garment so scanty and flowing with translucent waves of cryosilk, she must have been naked, she was certain that every man on the street was following her curves as she sauntered along at Nathan's arm. The captain seemed very pleased with himself and was wearing a smirk on his face that Rayne was certain no woman should ever have to tolerate and wished nothing more than being able to wipe it off with her boot. The gossamer like material that covered most of her face did nothing to hide her features but seemed to add the allure of this entire seductive collection of clothes.  

When they had passed a contingent of storm troopers, she thought they were done for. However, all the Imperials had done was give Nathan a nod and let them go on their way, as if it was an unspoken rule among men that when one of them acquired a particularly delectable morsel of female flesh, they were required to show their respect. Rayne hoped that Josiah did not lose her normal clothes because she was eager to slip out of these ridiculous garments into something that did not make her feel as if she were a palace courtesan. It was not as if she had any difficulty being admired by men. Living in Bail Organa's house as his daughter's keeper had seen her required to attend the social functions that were held in the palace on occasion. She knew how to dress for the occasion, just as she had done when she had been in the court of Naboo.

It's just that her life had been placed in the service of the Queen ever since she could remember. There had been no time for young lover or lovers now that she was grown woman. Love seemed to complicate things and she had seen many guardians and handmaiden's before her who had died for the mistake. Besides, how could she devote her time entirely with Leia if she had to share it with a man? It was just so impractical. Still she was starting to realize that her lack of experience with the opposite sex had given her certain vulnerabilities. After all, there could be no reasonable explanation why she enjoyed the feel of this annoying captain next to her. How could she be attracted to a man whose greatest talent so far was the fact that he had managed to live so long without getting his head blown off with that ludicrous idealism of his? 

"We're almost there." Nathan said under his breath, still wearing that insipid grin on his face of a man about to partake in some very unsavoury actions with this beautiful creature next to him. The space port came into view and so far the Imperials had not given them much trouble as he had anticipated. They were still in search of a woman and a child, not a man and a woman whose dress gave no doubts at to her profession. Once they were lost amongst the crowds inside the space port, it would be a simple matter of finding the Rogue and blasting off Zhar. Across the street, he could see Josiah strolling along looking like one of those rich people who could never leave their pets alone at home when they went away on trips. Josiah gave no indication of recognition and once again, JD who was already entering the space port, played the role of the wide eyed farm boy perfectly.

"Thank the Force." Rayne muttered unhappily. "I cannot wait to divest myself of these 'things'." She glanced at her clothes distastefully.

"I think you look beautiful." He replied and it was not because of what she was wearing. She was beautiful. He had thought so from the first moment he had seen her and then later, when he watched her feeding Leia, cradling the little girl in her arms and whispering all the sweet things that children needed to hear in their infancy and was reminded of his wife and how he loved to watch her when she was teaching school. Her students who were never more than waist high had adored her and when she taught them, he could see her entire soul radiated with pleasure. She had wanted children so much and he had wanted to have them with her, so that he could watch her perform that special magic for their own child.  

"Nathan Jackson." Rayne suddenly noted something in his eyes that reminded her of Bail whenever the Senator would lapse into a memory of Padme. "You are sad." She declared. "Why are you sad?" 

"No reason," he shrugged, feeling the ache so profound that he thought he might die sometimes. He could not blame Chris for climbing into a bottle as he had. There were moments when Nathan was tempted to crawl in there with him. "Its nothing."

 "It is not nothing," Rayne persisted, surprising herself with her need to know. What need did this idealist have to be sad, especially after making a statement about her beauty? "Your mind is clouded. I will not allow you to jeopardise our escape by allowing this unpleasantness to fester and hamper your judgement." 

"Thank you for your concern," he said sarcastically. "I told you its nothing." 

"But it is." She stood her ground. "You will tell me." 

Something inside Nathan snapped at that moment and he relented. "Alright, if you must know. You remind me of my wife Ana."

 "You are married." She tried not to sound disappointed even though she did not know why she should feel that way at all.

"I was married." He said turning away, unable to risk looking at her when he spoke about Ana. "She died a little more than a year ago. She was a teacher and when you were holding Leia in your arms, you kind of reminded me of her."

Rayne felt her insides melt and wondered how she could be moved in such a typically feminine way. She did not like to see him sad and that too surprised her, just like everything else about Nathan Jackson.

"I am honoured for the comparison," she responded with more than a visible hint of affection. "You must have loved her very much."

Nathan was still looking away when he whispered. "I still love her very much."

************

 Chris Larabee left the others and wandered.  

He did not have a particular destination as he moved through the streets, an enigmatic figure that everyone who saw had sense enough to step out of his way. Those who did not were sent on their way in a daze, made that way by a simple suggestion placed in their heads by a Jedi who had no wish to fight just yet. The ploy worked well even on Imperial stormtroopers who saw him and recognized that he was a Jedi. He knew that they would leave him alone even if they knew he was a rebel and a wanted criminal. The truth was stormtroopers were not equipped to deal with the Jedi and was usually advised by their superiors to report the sighting and leave the matter to those who could handle the situation. This was just as well because there were too many of them on the streets of Zhar and Chris did not want to create any more of an incident then necessary, at least not until the others had left the planet safely.

He looked at the sky above Oblai City and saw that the clouds were still pink for the moment. Following some predestined route, he turned a corner, ascended some stairs, took a lift in one of the city's spires and went straight to the top. When he emerged on the roof, he stepped out into the empty stretch of platform and knew without doubt that he was where he had was supposed to be. He crossed the floor of the platform and finally felt something click inside his head, telling him that he was here and there was more need to keep wandering.

He found himself standing at the edge of the large platform, the one he had seen in his dreams and felt the same wind whipping at his hair when he raised his eyes and was greeted by the familiar amber sky. The twin moons did not wink when they gazed down upon him through the pink clouds. Gazing down past the edge of the platform, he saw the great drop that ended with the rushing waters of the Oblai Falls, the largest cascade in this quadrant of space. Chris took in the sight of everything that had been known to him for some days now and waited. He lowered himself to a kneeling position and occupied himself in silent meditation. There were no regrets, no sorrows but rather an acceptance of what was coming. He had seen it all happen and would change it if he could. If he could not, then he was content that this was the will of the Force and strangely enough, he was comforted by that.

When the doors to the lift slid open a few minutes later, Chris was not surprised. He had felt the approach in his mind, felt the darkness pressing in against his consciousness with each nearing footstep. Soon the mental approach evolved into a physical one and with the first echo of that hoarse, metallic breath, Chris rose to his feet and turned around finally, afraid of nothing.

 Not even his destiny, wearing Darth Vader's face. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"There she is." Chano told Mary as the Purgatory came out of hyperspace in the Zharian system. Mary turned her gaze towards the view screen where she was faced with the image of the Rogue trying desperately to evade the super star destroyer and the phalanx of TIE fighters that were converging upon it like a pack of scavengers on a rotting carcass. Mary took a moment to admire the enormous ship whole silhouette almost blocked out the sun in the distance. She found herself reflective for an instant, thinking that she might well be commanding such a magnificent craft if her life had turned out differently than it had. 

"She's in trouble." Mary remarked, noting the way the ship was flying and finding something very irregular about it. "Buck's not piloting. 

"I thought Captain Wilmington would rather die than let someone else at the controls of his ship." Chano responded automatically, since it was hardly a secret how passionately Buck felt about his ship.  

"My goodness," Mary commented as she saw the TIE fighters that were destroyed around the freighter. "Look at the gunnery response time," she leaned forward in her command chair and squinted the image into clearer focus. "That's phenomenally fast." 

"Perhaps Buck's taking over the main guns." Chano suggested. 

"No," Mary shook her head, knowing the Captain too well. "He'd never give the controls to someone else. He's a better pilot than he is a gunner. I don't know who that is but he's a prime candidate for a little project I have in mind." She mused for a second before sitting up in her chair, ready to intervene in the Rogue's trouble. "Alright," she looked around at her bridge crew. "Full power ahead. Put us between the super star destroyer and the Rogue, outside tractor beam range. Let's give those TIE's something else to shoot at." 

The Purgatory immediately accelerated as evidenced by the pace of the stars sweeping forward as the Nubian vessel sailed towards the space battle taking place above skies of Zhar. Mary knew that they were no match for the Avenger but then Mary had never planned on a direct confrontation with the ship in the first place. They would remain in this space long enough to retrieve the Rogue because Mary had no intention of crossing swords with the flagship of the Imperial Star Fleet. As it was, getting away was not going to be easy, she could see the Rogue being battered mercilessly by the TIE's despite its gunners best efforts to keep them at bay. In the final analysis, no matter how good he was, the Imperials were winning by sheer numbers. 

"Try and contact the Rogue." Mary ordered. "We need to tell them what's happening." 

The Purgatory finally entered the fray of the battle and the vessels formidable main guns started firing at the TIE fighter's destroying quite a few as it forced its way into the fighting. The small fighters began to scatter, their attack on the lone freighter in disarray by the timely intervention of the formidable Nubian warship. Of course the confusion was only momentary because it was not long after that Mary could feel the percussive detonations of laser blasts against the hull of her own ship as the TIE's turned their attention to their new enemy. 

"The Avenger is moving to intercept." One of the bridge officers announced. 

She had expected in and promptly responded. "Have we made com link with the Rogue yet?" She asked. 

"Online now, go ahead." Chano answered, not about to give her a negative response when so much hinged upon it.  

"Rogue, this Purgatory." Mary spoke out loud, confident that the Corsair would be able to hear her once her crew gave her the reassurance. "What's your status?" 

"Our status is that we're in a lot of trouble!" Nathan's voice exploded on the trail of static. The background noise indicated just how badly the bombardment was affecting the ship. "Commander, we have the princess on board but Buck and Vin are on their way to Dagobah and Chris is still on Zhar." 

Mary looked sharply towards the distant glow of the planet, "what do you mean Chris is on Zhar?" She demanded, forgetting all about the super star destroyer, what reason Buck and Vin would have to go to Dagobah and even the princess from Alderaan. Suddenly, her thoughts were fixed on the Jedi who had come to mean more to her than he should since his arrival into her life. "Why is he still on Zhar?" 

"Its some Jedi thing," Nathan quickly explained. "He said Vader could sense him and Chris thought it was better if we split up. I think he was trying to lead Vader away so that we could get off the planet. We've been monitoring the transmissions since we left the surface. Commander he and Vader are fighting it out on one of the landing platforms in the city." 

Mary considered what she was told and then took a deep breath. "Nathan listen closely. I want you to shut down engines and let our tractor beam grab you. We'll take you on board the Purgatory and deal with these Imperials from there. You understand?" 

"Yes Sir," Nathan answered with more than a hint of relief in his voice. "Can't say I'm too upset about that. The ship can't take much of this pounding." 

"Understood." She nodded. "Standby for lock on."  

Once she had completed her instructions, she rose from her seat and went to Chano. "Once they're on board, head for the Zharian sun." 

"Excuse me Commander?" Chano looked at her with astonishment. "Why? I thought we would be leaving as soon as we had them."

"I'm not leaving without Chris." Mary said abruptly. "Get as close to the sun as you can, the radiation will confuse the destroyer's sensors for at least thirty minutes to an hour. I'll be back by then." 

"Back?" He exclaimed. "Where are you going?" Mary was already half way across the bridge.

 She did not turn to look at him when she answered. "I'm going to get Chris."

************

 It had not begun to rain yet but Chris suspected it would soon enough. 

For a minute neither Jedi spoke as they stood before each other, weapons drawn, the glow of lightsabers clashing in colours of red and blue. The air was charged in the silence between them and though the reverberation of Vader's breathing apparatus could be heard form inside his helmet, everything felt deathly silent. Chris could feel Vader pressing into his mind, just as his own was wading through Vader's thoughts. The emotions were the easiest things to detect and sometimes their intensity could give an outsider passage through the walls erected to guard their innermost thoughts. Chris clung to one of these stray threads of feeling and was led inward into the heart of Vader's need right this moment. The dark lord sensed the intrusion and did nothing to reinforce the wall or to shut Chris out. 

"The Force is with you Larabee, Obi-Wan spoke of you well." Vader greeted for that was the way it was done between the Jedi, even ones who were now enemies although the custom was often disregarded to fit the occasion.  

"He used to speak of you well Anakin." Chris answered automatically. 

Vader stiffened as if hearing the name was a physical assault in itself. "That name has no meaning for me." 

"I suppose not." Chris replied. "So why the interest in what was Anakin's?" Chris did not expect an answer; not did he receive one when Vader responded. 

"Where is he?" The dark lord's voice boomed through the air. "Where is my son?" 

"Where you will never find him." Chris returned smoothly, his body poised for attack. He could feel the hatred burning inside Vader. The emotions inspired by the memory that he was once Anakin Skywalker was exuding from him in waves of rage. Chris wondered what had twisted him inside so much that he became such a terrifying parody of the man he was. 

"He is my son." Vader returned. "I will find him." 

"Over my dead body." Chris challenged and wondered how much of it was not inspired by his own wish to meet his end. 

"If that is your destiny." Vader retorted and swung his blade with all the power of the dark side behind it.  

Chris met the blade halfway, the sound filling the world when the two sabres met. Energy escaped the clashing weapon and disappeared into the air as Vader pulled back and struck again. The dark lord's abilities as well as his strength was no exaggeration and Chris defended himself as best he could, telling himself that there was no shame in dying. He was Jedi. He would die like one. However, he would not go easily and retaliated with just as much force, using skill and cunning as his ally rather than the rage that Vader used to fuel the darkness inside of him.  

Energy against energy cackled loudly, preceded by the haunting hum of lightsabers as they whooshed through the air. Chris blocked the blows coming at him and delivered some of his own, driving Vader backwards and sometimes being driven back himself. Crisscrossing blades flew at each other as Chris somersaulted into the air and landed behind Vader and prepared to swing once more. The dark Jedi with equal speed spun around and was prepared for it but Chris jumped upwards and delivered a sidekick to the helmet and knocked Vader of his feet. The sabre fell out of Vader's hand for a brief instance before the Sith Lord rolled onto his knees and recalled his weapon to him in time to meet Chris' next strike. Vader concentrated and swept Chris off his feet, the Jedi landed hard on his back and looked up in time to see Vader about to bring his blade down upon him. Chris shifted his attention to the edge of the platform where a loose piece of panelling had broken the smooth finish of the rail and concentrated slightly. The length of metal ripped itself free and slammed into Vader's side, almost knocking him off his feet.

Chris flipped to an upright position as Vader regained his footing and swung once more. This time Chris was more than ready to meet it and put a good deal of power before the block. He stopped it a suitable distance from his face and mustered up all his strength and shove hard, propelling Vader back with unsteady steps. Not about to lose the advantage, Chris slamming his foot into the side of the Sith Lord’s knee. Vader uttered a soft cry through as he dropped the ground on one knee, barely managing to keep himself from falling over completely when Chris swung again. 

The thunderclap masked the sound of Chris' light sabre striking Vader's own and when Vader exerted his own strength and forced Chris back to buy himself a second to stand upright, Chris noticed that the pink clouds had finally turned grey. The thick veil of cumulous was preparing to spill forth the wet seed it had been clutching to its bosom for so long as Chris had anticipated it would. Another clap of thunder shattered the heaving of wind and distracted Chris momentarily. Vader saw his opportunity and took it, swinging around in mid air, his black cloak following him in the wind as he landed inches from Chris to renew his attack. The fury behind his blows were beyond imagination and Chris could well believe then he was the Vergence. He kept striking and striking, forcing Chris across the platform, until the Jedi was using every bit of strength inside of him to prevail.  

It began to rain.  

Rain battered down on them as the Jedi fought each other. Vader was using all the strength he could draw from the dark side, allowing it to feed his rage, to nourish his power as he continued swinging his sabre at his opponent with deadly strikes. This was why he had taken the path to the dark side, to feel the exultant surge of strength that flowed through his veins just because he had acknowledged its power. Chris could feel it emanating from Vader and refused to let it affect him because to do so would be to surrender to the belief that the dark side was stronger. It was not. It never would be. Chris took a deep breath and returned a succession of similarly charged blows, meeting Vader's attack blade for blade. They moved like dancers in the fire as the rain battered down on them, until Vader's cloak had stopped billowing, weighted down by the heavy droplets of water. Chris could feel his hair plastered to his face as he glared at Vader, refusing to die easily if it was his destiny to do so today.  

There was momentary pause after their last series of blows where the two Jedis stared at each other recouping their spent energies. "You cannot win against me Larabee. I feel the pain of their deaths inside you. You're more than ready to join them." 

"If that's the way it has to be," Chris returned, using the pause to catch his breath. "Whom am I to fight destiny?" 

"I lost my wife and son too," Vader responded but the words did not sound like empathy but a rather derision. "Of course that could not compare to your loss. To learn your wife and son being murdered, not to mention the unborn seed that slumbered in her womb." 

Chris blinked. "What?" His voice escaped him in a gasp. 

"I checked the records of those who carried out elimination of Sarah Larabee prior to coming here," Vader said smiling although it could not be seen beneath the mask. "Before they died, your wife begged to be spared for the sake of her unborn child. Did you not know?" Vader asked triumphantly well that Chris did not. 

"You're lying." Chris said through gritted teeth. 

"Search your feelings Chris," Vader answered. "You know it to be true." 

It was. Chris could sense the was cruelty in Vader at this moment, the black sadistic callousness of watching his pain but the dark lord was not lying. In a flurry of seconds he remembered the last time he saw Sarah, a memory emerged from nowhere about her mentioning she did not feel well, he did not remember the specifics exactly but knew that physically, there had been something wrong with her. Is that what it had been? The first stirrings of their second child? A child that never had a chance to be born? Who had died without ever seeing the universe of either of its parents?  

"NOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Chris screamed and it was not just as scream. It was a howl of rage, of anguish, of bitter fury burning so white and hot that even Vader was taken back by its intensity. It rose to the surface with shocking speed and before Chris could question what he was doing, he was lunging at Vader, swinging so hard, drawing power from something beyond the Force, behind what he normally sought to give him courage with only one thought in his mind.

He was going to kill Vader.

**************

 Ezra Standish could see what was going on inside the viewing gallery of the tower's security center. He was watching with a contingent of stormtroopers as Darth Vader and Chris Larabee battled each other to stalemate. At the moment it appeared as if Vader might need help because even though he could not hear what had been said between the two Jedis, the unmistakable expression of rage on Chris Larabee's face could not be denied. The Jedi was swinging his blade as if he was demon possessed and was driving Vader towards the edge of the platform. 

"Sir," one of the troopers asked. "Perhaps we should help Lord Vader."  

A rumble of agreement followed and Ezra turned to the trooper who had made the request. "What exactly would you suggest we do trooper?" Ezra asked sarcastically. "I do not think Lord Vader will impressed by our interference. Jedis like to keep these battles of theirs confines to themselves. Whatever happens, we will stand by."  

"Captain," one of the troopers entered the room suddenly. "We've had an unconfirmed report that an X-wing is on its way to the city." 

"An X-wing?" Ezra mused, wondering if this was some rescue attempt for Chris. Ezra wished he knew what he could do to aid Chris in his present situation. At the moment, he could nothing to help without giving himself away. Not that there was very much he could do while the Jedi was battling Vader for everyone to see. Like everyone else, Ezra was just going to have to wait to see who made it out alive before he could act. However at the moment the arrival of the X wing threw an unexpected slant on the whole situation. 

"They may be attempting the rescue the Jedi." Ezra responded, doing what was expected of him. "I want you to proceed to Zhar Air command and determine where it is landing. Arrest them the minute they disembark. One of you will remain here with me in case Lord Vader needs any assistance." 

"Yes Sir," the head trooper nodded and filed out of the room, taking all but one in the process. The others seemed reluctant to go, mostly because they wanted to see how the battle between Lord Vader and the Jedi ended, while Ezra just wanted them gone. If the opportunity arose for him to help Chris, he could not act with them in his presence.

Although judging by the way Chris was hammering away at Vader's defences, it appeared Vader might be in more need of aid than Chris Larabee.

************

"DIE! YOU GRIM SON OF A BITCH! DIE!"

Chris Larabee was not even aware that the words were coming from him. He only knew that he had hit a wall of rage so black and overwhelming, he could feel it infecting his brain with its venom until he could think of nothing beyond striking down this traitor who had destroyed everything he cared about because of his alliance with Palpatine. Chris lashed out, feeling the power coursing through him in waves and waves of self-righteous outrage sharpening each blow he sent in Vader's direction. He was not even aware that he was forcing Vader across the platform or that the dark lord was having real difficulty staving off Chris' frenzied strikes. 

He was going to kill Vader, Chris thought repeatedly in his head as he watched Vader in retreat, staggering to block his blows. Something inside of him had snapped, reason perhaps, Chris did not know, nor did he care. Why should he? He was a Jedi! His duty was to protect the weak and the innocent and this creature was responsible for suffering of so many as well as the death of Sarah and Adam. Where was reason when his wife and son were being slaughtered? What good had it done him or them? He had more power now that he had felt in his life and he could only get stronger if he remained angry. He could kill Vader and then take on the Emperor. He could bring order to a galaxy that sorely needed it, perhaps even run it right so no one could ever be hurt again. 

You could be like Vader, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind. 

If anything snapped him out of the berserker rage he was presently experiencing; it was that single realization. He could be like Vader. In his dreams Vader had goaded him about how easy it was for him to take the path that led to the dark side. Until this moment, Chris had never realised it himself. From the periphery of where his fury was about to lead him, Chris pulled back and allowed the shock of cold water against his skin to penetrate beyond the flesh and into his mind. He closed his eyes and felt the tears escaping down his cheeks, becoming lost with the wet of the rain on his face when he understood how close he had come to losing everything, not just Sarah and Adam but himself. He wept for the child that might have been and the soul he had almost lost. The wife and child that were gone forever, no matter how much he might wish for them to come back. Perhaps until this moment, he had not realised how dangerous it was wishing otherwise.

Hedid deserve to die. 

Vader did not know what had happened but when he saw Chris stop fighting to hold up his sabre not to fight but to withdraw, the dark Jedi took the chance afforded for a final solution to this battle. His enemy did not cry out as the blade sunk into the Jedi's skin, sliding through flesh and muscle, through organs and bone before finally escaping on the other side. Chris was stared at him, tears on his face and Vader surprised himself by being able to tell the difference when he withdrew the glowing red blade. He stepped back with confusion, unable to understand why Chris had surrendered when he saw the wounded man tumble to the floor, his blood spilling out of him and staining the puddles of water around him with crimson.  

Vader stood there staring at Larabee as blood pooled around his boots and saw that the Jedi was not dead. He raised his sabre high up in the air, more than ready to kill Chris when suddenly a blast of immense energy exploded near him. Vader raised his head to see an X wing bearing down on him. It all happened so fast and as the ground ruptured near him, Vader noted that the shots were aimed carefully away from the prone Jedi. Whomever was flying the X wing had only target; him and the dark lord could do nothing but leap out of the way. The explosions awakened Chris briefly and as he saw the X-wing flying towards the platform, bend on reducing Vader into cinders; he forced himself to move out of the way to give it a clear shot. The agony was beyond description as he crawled on his belly, feeling the warm liquid against his skin he knew to be blood because the rain was much cooler. He led an ugly trail of red, quickly dissolving in the rain as he used his last ounce of strength to pull himself to the edge of the platform.

He raised his head long enough to see Vader falling over the edge on the other side of the platform following the explosion near him from another blast from the X wing, before Chris succumbed to the black that was calling for him to die.

**********

Mary jumped out of the X-wing once she saw Vader thrown off the platform and secretly hoped that the bastard would scream like a stuck pig all the way down the tower. However, she did not have much time to savour that possibility because she did not have much of it period. Already planetary security was being alerted and soon fighters would be scrambling to intercept the X-wing. If she did not get in the air very soon, neither she nor Chris would survive to regret it. She yanked the helmet off her head as her eyes scoured the ruined platform that had been Chris' battleground with Vader. It was not hard to find him. One only had to be airborne to locate the two Jedis who had been fighting each other like gods battling over heaven and earth.  

Her eyes widened when she saw him, lying in his own pool of blood. The rain barely registered against her skin as she broke into a run, sliding to his side on one knee when she finally reached him. Her heart was pounding inside her chest from cold fear almost as loudly as the rain coming down around her. He was lying on his belly but Mary did not need to see the wound to know that he was badly wounded. His blood was everywhere and she shuddered with more than just cold when she saw it seeping into her clothes as the rain pelted down on her skin. He was not conscious when Mary rolled him over and saw the injury that was bleeding life out of him in an ever-widening pool of crimson. 

"Chris." She cried out as her hands feverishly brushed the hair from his face and examined him for a pulse. There were faint stirrings in his veins, indicating that he was alive but not for long. He was not conscious of her at first, not until she spoke his name again. 

"Chris, wake up." She tried to make it sound like an order, like the voice of the commander who was assured of everything on the bridge of her ship but it did not come out that way. It escaped her like the plaintive plea of a frightened woman. "Chris, you need to wake up right this minute!"

 "Go." He opened his eyes but was too weak to focus on her. His gaze seemed fixed on the sky above and Mary could see the light fading out of it. "Leave me." He gasped, sputtering blood with each word.

"No." She said firmly. "I am doing nothing of the kind. You are coming with me!"  

He tried to shake his head but succeeded only in lolling it to one side. "I can't let them go." He sobbed pitifully. "I can't. I don't know how to go on without them."  

Mary felt tears in her own eyes because she understood all too well how hard it was for him to make the choice for life in the face of his overwhelming grief. Her command was all that kept her from going the way he had, kept her from wallowing in the sorrow of losing not only Stephen but in some ways losing Billy as well. She had stopped being mother to her son when her husband had died and what were left behind were barely a woman, just a rank and a cause. Until she met Chris Larabee that is. He had given her something that she had never expected to feel again and on some level, she knew he felt the same way too, even though they were both too raw to admit it. 

"You have to Chris." She whispered softly in his ear. "I won't let you go! We need you too much and your family would not want it to end this way for you! You have to let them go because I won't you go!"  

He was no longer looking at her. Mary had seen enough comrades on the battlefield to know that he was starting to die, not because of his wounds but because he wanted to. 

"Don't you do it!" She shouted at him, shaking him hard so that his mind would not slip away from her. "Don' you leave us Chris! Don't you understand? We need you! All of us! Not just the Alliance but your friends! Don't slip away from us!" 

He started to stir but not enough. Mary blinked and felt more tears run down her cheeks along with the cold raindrops. She placed her hand on his cheek and shivered inwardly because his skin was growing cold. "Chris," she looked into his face and thought how at much at peace he appeared to be but Mary was too selfish to let him drift away from her. "Chris, I need you. I never needed anyone in my life but I need you. I can't do it alone. We were supposed to go through it together remember? We were suppose to be the shoulder to cry on for each other whenever the hurt got too much for us. You have to wake up Chris! You have to let me be there for you and you have to be there for me! Don't you understand it won't work if one of us is gone! "  

She started to cry out of sheer helplessness until suddenly, she felt her hand on his cheek. She looked down and saw him staring at her, momentarily lucid. 

"You always this pushy?" He asked hoarsely.  

Mary almost burst into tears again but managed to utter a small smile instead. "When I need to get things done."

CHAPTER TWELVE

They were in the middle of a bog and for the life of him, Buck Wilmington had no idea how they had come to be there. The fighter that they had arrived in was hopelessly caught in the bog, mud creeping up the sides of its hull in an effort to drag it down to its murky depths. Buck and Vin had managed to climb out of the descending craft to find a solid bit of ground upon which they could take refuge while they attempted to decide what they would do next. Vin was already in possession of a foul temper at being forced to concede with Chris’ desires for him to go to Dagobah instead of turning back to Zhar in order to help the Jedi in his confrontation with Darth Vader. Unfortunately, there was nothing Buck could say to him to assuage his annoyance at their present situation because the pilot himself had no idea how it had happened.

 Dagobah was hardly the most hospitable world in the galaxy, being just another marsh filled bog with all too many insects for his liking. The atmospheric conditions of the planet did not indicate that Buck needed to be particularly cautious about his entry and so he performed a routine landing procedure. However, the moment they penetrated the thick shield of clouds surrounding it, the instrumentation on his cockpit controls began to go haywire. There was magnetic interference and all other kinds of other difficulties, which very quickly saw the loss of attitude control. What should have been an easy landing suddenly became a struggle to keep the ship from slamming into the planet like a bug on the pod shield. They had made it to the ground in one piece but not before Buck could steer the craft away from the swamp they now found themselves trapped within. 

"I can’t believe this!" Vin swore for the hundredth time since they had stepped onto this small plateau of wet earth. "I should be on Zhar, helping Chris. I thought you could fly through anything!" 

Buck bristled; telling himself that Vin had reasons for his vitriol. The young man was probably worried sick about Chris. The two had a bond that he could not understand because he was not force adept and that friendship had been enough for Vin to make some monumental decisions in his life that now saw him a fugitive and a member of the Rebel Alliance. It was a profound relationship that could cause one of the galaxy’s best bounty hunters to walk away from the life to something so uncertain.  

"I usually can." Buck tried to explain himself, while making a mental note to stay calm. "There was something weird about what we just came through though."

"What do you mean weird?" Vin straightened up from the rotting log he had been sitting on.  

"One minute everything was fine." Buck responded, recalling the last few minutes of normalcy in the flight prior to everything going to hell in a hand basket. "Then suddenly the instruments went crazy and we make for the planet like a meteor about to hit. Usually, I get some idea that something is coming before it actually impacts on the sensors like that. Don’t make any sense."

"Nothing about this makes sense." Vin looked around the grim surroundings. The whole swamp seemed bathed with a grey pallor, from the thick trees with its roots half protruding from the murky water, to the fine grey mist that drifted through the reeds and patches of earth. "This is one hell of a place to find a Jedi Master. Do you know anything about Dagobah?" Vin asked Buck who was rummaging through the supplies they had managed to take from the ship during their hasty departure.

"Not much except that its here." Buck admitted. "Not exactly one of the hot spots of the galaxy as you can probably see." He gestured to the sweeping landscape of mud, mist and insects buzzing above the surface of the greenish swamp water.

 However, Vin was not listening to him. The bounty hunter had become still and rooted to the spot. A stricken expression descended over his face and his hand subconsciously grasped at his chest as if he were feeling pain.

"Vin?" Buck stood up suddenly and crossed the space between them. "What is it?" 

"Its Chris." Vin muttered softly. "Something is wrong." His voice escaped him in soft gasps. "He’s been hurt, badly." Vin’s head throbbed and the sensation was so unpleasant that he forced himself to his feet. While he could not see the images himself, Vin could certainly feel something. It was unlike anything he sensed and the closest comparison in which he could draw was the feeling that overcame him the minute Vader had arrived in proximity of Zhar. This however, was more intense and with an insight he could not understand but was nonetheless compelled to believe, he knew that Chris Larabee, wherever he might be at this moment, was dying.

"I think he’s dying." He stared directly at Buck.

"How can you know that?" Buck asked mutely but already knew the answer to that question. It was the same way that Chris had known before arriving home on Corellia that Sarah and Adam were already dead.  

Vin returned his gaze blankly, unaware of how to explain it but knowing for a fact that what he felt was real, that somewhere Chris was dying. "We’ve got to get back to the ship." The bounty hunter retorted as he started walking towards the downed vehicle. "Maybe we can blast out of that bog."

"Vin," Buck try to calm the young man down but it was not easy when he was in a similar state of distress himself. He wanted to rush back and help Chris but if Vin was right about what he saw, then by the time they even reached the Jedi, it would be too late. "We’ll never get to him in time."

"We’ve got to try!" Vin barked back. "We’ve got to try something!"

"Trying to get out is always harder than getting in." A peculiar voice said behind them. Both Vin and Buck swung around instinctively, drawing their weapons at the direction of the voice that had suddenly spoken.

What stood before them was a most unusual life form. Neither Vin nor Buck recognized the species but the impish looking alien that stood before them, clad in dark robes and carrying a gim stick was no more than three feet high if that tall. Vin saw nothing consequential in the brownish robes it wore but Buck did.

"Are you the Jedi Master Yoda?" Buck asked tentatively. It was understandable that Vin would not recognize the garb of the Jedi when Chris was his first introduction to the order and opted to dress entirely in black. Buck had lived through the times when the Jedi had its day throughout the galaxy and though Yoda’s robes were faded and smaller in scale, the style, colour and cut were unmistakable. 

"You’re kidding." Vin exclaimed in disbelief. This tiny creature that looked like something out of a children’s book could not possibly be a Jedi Master. 

"And why not?" The Jedi Master turned his attention to Vin, his impish ears extending outward as he demanded the question. "Judge you by my size, do you?" 

"Master Yoda," Buck bowed his head reverentially and glared at Vin with instruction to do the same. If he expected this elfish being to teach him, then Vin had better start showing a damn sight more respect than he was presently affording the Jedi Master. "I’m glad we found you." 

"So sure are you I am he?" Yoda looked at Buck with his large eyes, much to large for his small face in Buck’s opinion. 

"Absolutely." Buck said with a little smile. "You talk like a Jedi." 

Yoda smiled, it was hard to tell on that wrinkled face but Buck was certain that he was being regarded with amusement. Buck watched him hobble over to Vin, using the stick for support and had the impression that whatever he might look like to them and no matter how small in size might appear to be, he was also much older than either of them were. His movements were laced with the age of someone who had walked the earth for a great deal of time and there was similar wisdom in his manner. 

"Much like Larabee are you." Yoda studied Vin for a moment. "Anger and undisciplined. The way of the Jedi is to feel the Force, not use it to close oneself from others." 

"I think he’s dying." Vin dropped to his knees, believing now that odd little alien was indeed a Jedi Master. "I think he's hurt. You have to help him."

"I felt his injury as you did." Yoda nodded sombrely. "His fate is hard to see. His destiny has taken a different course than the one decided. He changed it." 

"Changed it," Vin shook his head, unable to understand. "How?"

 The Jedi Master regarded them both and answered simply. "By choosing to live."

********

By the time Ezra and the one storm trooper left in his charge had made it to the platform, the X-wing was gone, having departed before the arrival of Zhar’s TIE fighter squadrons to intercept it. Ezra stepped out onto the platform and saw great chunks of stone and paving ripped out of place following the blasts by the X-wing's guns. Where the ground was not torn, it was cratered and there was still smoke rising from the blast points, prevailing against the rain that was pouring from the sky. There were no signs of any rebels in the vicinity but neither were there any traces of Lord Vader. However, logic dictated that he had to be here. Ezra had not seen him come down the lift and that was the only way down from the platform.  

Ezra turned to the stormtrooper with him after a brief glimpse of the surrounding area and ordered. "Get more reinforcements here. We need to begin a comprehensive search for Lord Vader." 

"Yes Sir," the trooper nodded and hurried the way he came, leaving Ezra alone on the destroyed platform.  

Ezra was glad that Mary had come to the rescue because he had seen the killing blow that Vader had dealt the Jedi and was almost prepared to throw his career away at that moment when he saw Chris go down. However, the sacrifice was prevented by the timely arrival of Mary Travis. He had heard the Purgatory was presently engaging the super star destroyer in orbit around Zhar but had not anticipated her coming to the Jedi’s rescue. Nevertheless, Ezra had been grateful that she had made his intervention unnecessary and allowed him for the time being, to remain an Imperial officer. Ezra knew that the day would come when he would have to make a choice between his loyalties and his career but that day was not yet, thanks to Mary. 

He walked to the edge of the platform, wondering where Vader might have disappeared to when suddenly; he heard that familiar hoarse breathing through the rain. Ezra rushed forward to the stone railing, part of which was demolished by the potent blasts of the X-wings arsenal. He saw the black gloved hand clinging to the crumbling remains of rock only when he neared the edge with the entire city of Zhar below him. Without wasting any time, he closed in on the struggling hand and peered over the ruined palisade to see Vader clutching the rock with one hand. His dark cape was billowing in the wind and there was damage to his other arm. Wiring, torn shreds of thick black rubberized fabric and exposed pasty collared skin could be seen through the fissure in the dark lord’s armour. He was hurt and badly enough that he could not pull himself back to safety. Considering what he had seen Chris do on occasion, Vader must have been in serious condition indeed to be unable to traverse that simple ledge. It suddenly occurred to Ezra that the armour the man wore around himself was as much for his prolonged health as it was protective gear. Did the armour he encased himself in, keep Vader alive? 

He stood there at the edge and saw Vader trying desperately to use the Force to keep himself clinging to the edge and then supposed it was hard to summon up the concentration needed when one was dangling from a height as lofty as Vader. For a moment, Ezra considered letting the man fall. This was Darth Vader, one of the most insidious men in the Empire, save Palpatine himself. This was the creature that had brought death to the Jedi Knights and would bring death to millions with just as much impunity. No one would blame him if he let Vader fall. No one would even care he wagered. He could walk away at this moment and no one would know. There was no reason for anyone to believe that Vader had not fallen to his death during the first attack by the X-wing. No reason at all.  

Except that he would know and strangely enough there was just too much decency inside of him to let it happen, even to someone like Vader.  

Deciding whatever happened, would happen, Ezra lowered himself to the ground and called out to the dark lord.  

"Darth!" Ezra's voice reached him and Vader looked up. 

Ezra could see neither fear or expectation in the man's face because of the helmet and mask he wore, but decided that Vader was probably trying to figure out what his game was. Pressing himself as close as he could against the wet ground, he felt his cheek scrape against the surface of the platform as he extended one hand towards Vader, while the other caught hold of a more solid section of the palisade. Stretching forward as far as he could, Ezra wrapped his fist around the hand Vader was using desperately to grasp the edge.  

"What are you doing?" Vader's voice rumbled suddenly. 

"What does it look like?" Ezra retorted as he put his strength into dragging the man towards him. 

"I do not require your charity." Vader responded coldly but there was no doubting he was injured. His breathing was laboured and more or less confirmed Ezra's suspicion that he required the well being of his black armour to stay alive. Fleetingly, the captain wondered what kind of injury had been severe enough to warrant being encased in such foreboding garb.  

"It's not charity." Ezra grunted in response as he continued to muster every ounce of strength inside of him to pull Vader's bulk upwards. "It's duty." 

"You could let me die." Vader pointed out. "You could walk away." 

"I could," Ezra continued to huff and puff, speaking in between strained breaths. His arms felt like they were being pulled out of their sockets but by now, they were making progress. Ezra was able to reach Vader other's hand and braved letting go of his safe handhold to haul the Emperor's henchman the rest of the way. "But I am not going to. I do not have much in the way of scruples Lord Vader, but leaving a man to die is not one of them." 

"Then you are a fool." Vader declared ungratefully. "An idealistic fool." 

"Perhaps," Ezra answered a moment later, when he had successfully pulled half of Vader's body over the edge. While the Sith Lord's other hand was non-functioning, his legs seemed well enough and he was able to push himself the rest of the way to reach safety. With the lower half of his black boots dangling off the side of the platform edge, both men took a few seconds to catch their breath following their exertions. Vader's was the most audible of the two. 

Vader raised his helmeted head and glared at Ezra's direction. "This changes nothing. I know what I sensed in you was duplicity." 

Ezra turned to Vader and replied with equal intensity. "And I sensed in you a lack of gratitude for saving your life." 

To that Vader had no response.

************

The X-Wing as expected even before it sailed into the Purgatory's hangar. Medical teams were on stand by as well as the latest passengers of the Rogue who were waiting with equal anticipation. The temperatures inside the Purgatory was sweltering but despite the advice from the bridge that everyone should remain inside their quarters for the duration of their stay in Zharian space, there were some willing to risk a little heat. Nathan Jackson, Josiah Sanchez and JD Dunne were those few in question. Casey Wells was presently keeping a vigil at her aunt's side who was at the moment was being treated for her injuries in the Purgatory's Sick Bay while Rayne had taken the infant Leia to get some food and rest for the child had been taxed enough for today. 

The sleek fighter sailed into the hangar and nestled in its appropriate berth only to be converged upon by all interested parties waiting for its arrival. However, when Mary slid the canopy back, their presence was the last thing on her mind. Chris lay in the passenger seat unmoving and she could not even be sure that he was alive. He had been lucid when she had placed him inside the seat behind the pilot's cockpit but during their journey here, he had lapsed into unconsciousness and had not woken up again.  

"I need help here!" She shouted, prompting the medical crews into a speedier advance. Turning to face Chris once more, she tried to reach him in the dark, hoping the contact would bring him out of his black sleep. However, the medical technicians were soon hoisting him from the X-wing to the stretchers waiting to take him to the Sick Bay. Mary scrambled down the ladder that led from the pilot's seat of the fighter and tried to reach Chris, when she felt a hand wrap around her arm. 

"Mary," Josiah Sanchez said gently. "Let them do what they have to. You're only going to get in their way." 

"But he needs me." Mary retorted with more than a hint of emotion when she noticed the technicians crowding around Chris, going through the motions of stabilising his condition by slapping breathers across his face and ensuring he was ready to make the journey from the hangar. The Jedi was oblivious through all this and seeing him so helpless when she knew him as nothing of the kind did more to shatter her composure than anything else. 

"We all need you." Nathan responded, understanding all to clearly the affection he saw in her eyes but was trying to reach the commander inside of her because none of them would survive if the Purgatory did not leave Zharian orbit. Eventually, the super star destroyer would find them and the Nubian warship was no match to take a vessel of that size. "Mary, you did good rescuing him but now you need to let the medtechs do their jobs to save his life." 

"There was so much blood....." she stuttered, wiping the fearful tears from her eyes. She was soaked to the bone and much of his blood covered her clothes but now that she was back on the Purgatory, the persona of the woman was starting to give way for the ruthless master of this ship. She paused a moment, her gaze meeting all of them as she wiped the tears and raised her chin in proud dignity.  

"You will stay with him?" She asked quietly. 

"You know we will." Josiah assured her, admiring her strength and wondered where she found her courage because he could surely use a good dose of it himself.

"He needs to hear someone speak." Mary replied as she brushed a damp strand of hair from her face. "He needs to hear a voice and be told that we're waiting. Don't let him slip away." She ordered and it was like she was on the bridge of her ship because no one could refuse her when she was there. 

"We will Sir." JD added his youthful voice to the mix, remembering what his ma had been like before she died. When the sickness had taken its toll on her, all he had been able to do was sit by her side and talk. JD knew that his voice had kept her alive a lot longer than she should have lived and if Chris needed the same treatment, he was more than willing to do the same for the Jedi who had saved his life once before. "We'll keep telling him that we're here. We won't let him go." 

Mary looked at JD sharply, her blue grey welling with emotion and she touched the young man's face warmly and whispered. "Thank you, JD. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." 

With that Mary turned away from them and as she strode towards the passageway leading to the bridge, Nathan, Josiah and JD saw the transformation almost as if it was a physical change. Mary started to disappear and by the time she walked out of the hangar, she had become Commander Travis again. 

***********

 "Their sensors have detected us!" One of the bridge officers declared about the same time the doors to the deck slid open. "They're moving into interception range." 

"Well then," Mary said briskly. "We had better get the hell out of here, shan't we?" 

"Commander." Chano declared with a grin on his face. Even though he had been aware that she had returned on board, he could not deny what a tonic it was to actually see her on the bridge again. The return of their commander immediately lifted everyone's spirits and the mood that swept through the bridge, though tense was nonetheless laced with a great deal of hope. Mary's effect on her officers was like that, Chano thought. She was the Hero of Jofa and one of the greatest field commanders in the galaxy and her victories at previous battles proved that she was someone who did not believe in defeat and kept her crew alive.

"Lieutenant." Mary returned his nod of welcome with one of her own when she nestled back into her command chair. "How long until they reach us?" Mary asked. She had known just how much time she had when she embarked upon her mission to save Chris and was glad that she had not been wrong. Though she would take account with herself later for playing such a sentimental game of leaving her bridge for the Jedi, at the moment, she needed to get her people out of here.

"Approximately ten minutes." Someone answered. 

"I want to fly just beyond the gravitational field of the star and trace an orbital path at maximum speed." Mary ordered promptly.

"I beg your pardon?" Chano asked. "Shouldn't we attempt to accelerate out of its orbit to make the jump to light speed?"

"We don't have the time, they'll catch before we can make jump if we do it that way," Mary retorted firmly. "Carry out the order." She repeated herself and immediately the officer at the helm moved to comply.  

The Purgatory began climbing out of the Zharian sun's radiating heat. As the temperatures cooled and the viewer showed the star's glow diminishing from the stars ahead, they saw the super star destroyer in the distance, appearing like an ominous black star against the real one behind them.

"Take orbital path now." Mary insisted once more. 

The Purgatory turned from its upward descent and once again fell into an orbital path around the huge, burning sun. The heat tinged their skins even through the hull and somewhere in the background; someone was informing her that the temperature on the outer shell of the Purgatory was almost a thousand degrees. She ignored them. The Purgatory began circumnavigating the sun as ordered and the viewer showed a scene that was partly formed of the sun's brilliant glow and the teasing cool of the space.

"Maximum acceleration." She ordered once more.

The Purgatory heaved a bit as all engines fired at full speed and she felt herself being pulled into her chair slightly. Gravity control ensured that she would suffer no more effects of their increased speed other than that. The stars began to blur as the ship swung around the circumference of the star and as the ship began to shudder, being pulled by the intense gravity field of the yellow sun, Mary remained poised, waiting for the perfect moment to issue her final order. Faces became apprehensive around her, beads of sweat ran down foreheads and Mary was perceptive enough to know that it was not from their close proximity to the star.

"Angle at 32 degrees and fire all boosters! NOW!"

The ship surged forward as if a great forced had swatted it aside. It was exactly what Mary expected when she had given her orders. Using the sun's immense gravitational field, she had used it to sling shot her ship out of its orbit, with more speed than the Purgatory was ever capable of producing. While it would not produce nearly enough power to launch them out of the system, it would put enough distance between the Purgatory and the Avenger to ensure the rebel ship was capable of reaching hyperspace with the minimum of interference. Everyone on the bridge was holding onto anything available to keep themselves from falling over as the Purgatory was treated to the incredible burst of propulsion. Stars blurred as the ship flew past them and a general sigh of relief followed even though the Purgatory shimmied a little from the intense journey away from the Zharian sun. 

Mary let out a little sigh as she eased back into her chair again before turning to Chano. "Make the jump to hyperspace, Commander." She said with a little smile. "Take us home."  

***********

"How is he?" Mary asked when she finally reached the Sickbay on board the Purgatory. The Nubian warship had successfully made the jump into hyperspace and would be back at Siraj 2 in a number of hours. For Mary, it could not be soon enough. This had been a long day. When she arrived in the med bay, Nathan, Josiah and JD, who had kept their promise to remain at Chris' side while the doctors were tending to him, immediately greeted her. Through the glass wall that separated the waiting area and the treatment center, Mary could see Chris being lowered into a bacta tank. The cylindrical tube of fluid would keep his grievous wounds from infection while the doctors continued their treatment. Chris was unconscious throughout the procedure although she knew he was alive form the bubbles rising from his nose as he breathed through the apparatus attached to his face.  

"Apparently he went into some kind of Jedi healing state." Nathan explained it as best as he could. "They have the ability to slow their metabolism down when they're badly hurt. Sometimes, if the injury isn't that severe, this healing state of theirs can repair the damage on its own or in Chris' case, slow the deterioration until he could get some help." 

"That's why he was so unresponsive on the way back," she nodded in understanding. At the time, she was certain she had lost him but she was not about to make that admission to Nathan. "I wondered why." 

"He'll be alright though." Josiah added, certain that was what Mary wanted to know the most. "You got to him in time. If you hadn't, he would have died. Healing state or not." 

"Did he kill Vader?" JD asked suddenly, curious to know what had been the outcome of that confrontation and almost wished he had been able to see it. 

"No," she shook her head. "I don't know what happened to him. He'll probably turn up sooner or later." Her gaze shifted to Chris' sleeping face and Mary marvelled at how beautiful it was, when he was at peace. "If there's one thing I have learnt about the Jedi, they are notoriously difficult to kill."

EPILOGUE

It had all been for nothing.  

Bail Organa sat in the darkened halls of the Imperial Senate Floor and listened to the edict being passed that would soon affect billions of lives across the galaxy. With the failure to get their hands on his daughter to force his vote to accede with their wishes for segregation, Palpatine had resorted to the time and true method of gaining his votes. Bribery. Senators whom Bail had believed would support his condemnation of the racist policy had suddenly conducted abrupt bout faces. Bail was uncertain what form of coercion was used but in the end, it mattered little for the results were the passing of the act that would make non-human life forms second class citizens. Considering much of the Imperial Senate was compose of human senators, the non-human citizens of the Empire went completely underrepresented.  

Palpatine was never present at these sessions but Bail could imagine him in his dark fortress, sniggering in delight at the victory he had managed to achieve, despite the fact that Bail had kept Leia from this clutches. There would be appeals from many quarters to rescind the law Bail expected but those voices would either be crushed by oppression or disappear in the night. Palaptine had already proven that he was prepared to kill to get what he want. He sometimes wondered what made him the exception that Palpatine was prepared to thread lightly around him. Bail hoped whatever that mysterious element was that kept the Emperor from eliminating him, it would remain indefinitely. 

If there was any consolation to be had in the loss and in truth, there was not very much at all when one considered what the future held for the billions of non-human life forms that populated the galaxy, it was the fact that at least now his daughter could be returned to him. He had never thought how large the halls of the palace he dwelt actually were until Leia was gone. Since Padme’s death, Leia had been the one thing that made his fight worthwhile that gave him the strength to go on.  

Thus, for the present moment, his focus was returning his daughter home. She had been staying with the rebels in part of Wild Space called the Territory, under the command of Mary Travis herself. Bail knew Travis by reputation and was glad that if his child were to seek sanctuary, it was within the purview of such capable hands. The Hero of Jofa’s fame was known throughout the Empire, although not everyone would call her a hero. He was certain the Jofans would call her a criminal but then according to rumour, the Jofan incident was what had caused Travis to change her loyalties in the first place.  

Prior to her departure, Bail and Rayne had already set the pieces in place for the return of Leia to Alderaan without rousing the Emperor’s suspicion that the Princess had been anything but a genuine kidnapping. Naturally, scapegoats had already been selected to take the blame. Bail had opted for Laurel Chase’ Black Sun organization. While not as blatantly brutal as the Hutt gang lords, the Black Sun was growing in prominence and preparing to give Nal Hutta some serious competition. Fortunately, not much was known about the organization itself thus the blame of the kidnapping had enough ambiguity to pass close inspection. 

For the moment, it was safer that Leia remained where she was.  

A few days from now, when Palpatine was still giddy from his victory and busying himself and Vader for exploitation of the new powers granted him by the act, Bail would send word to Rayne to bring his daughter home. He only wished that he could have told her that her few days away had been worth something important, but with the segregation bill now a reality, all he could do was be grateful she was too young to understand what dark cloud had fallen over the world they knew. However, he had to confess the victory of the segregation bill had incited his fighting spirit against the Empire. Unfortunately, Bail was certain that this was only the opening chapter in Palpatine's reign of terror.  

Secretly as he heard the voting end and was certain that no matter where he was at the moment, Palpatine was probably lording over his triumph, Bail made a secret vow to increase his involvement in the Rebel Alliance. This would be fought, he told himself resolutely.  

Whatever the cost to himself and to Alderaan, it had to be fought.

**********

 Days followed the resolution of the segregation act and new of the momentous decision had already swept across the expanse of the Empire, inspiring outrage and dismay by non-humans and humans alike. Such demands against the unjust laws to be repealed were met with equally extreme displays of force to quiet the angry voices. The Empire moved in with force. The memory of what had happened to the Caamasi who had stood against such injustices were fresh in the memories of those who saw the Imperial war machine bearing down on them. Just the threat of genocide was enough to quiet many of the discontented voices. For those who would not be silenced, their end came far swifter and with shocking finality. The Rebel Alliance from every hidden enclave condemned the actions but was nonetheless powerless to prevent the slaughter. 

Despite all this, Bail Organa wanted his daughter home and after two weeks following the historical edict, Buck Wilmington finally prepared the Rogue for the trip to Alderaan. The pilot was happy to be back in the cockpit of his beloved ship after spending more time than he liked on the swamp world of Dagobah where he was forced to leave Vin after Chris had been well enough to travel to the planet himself. The Jedi had remained on Dagobah, relieving Buck of the duty of keeping an eye on Vin while he conducted his Jedi training. Although watching Yoda train Vin was fascinating, Buck soon found himself to out of his depth to understand fully what master was attempting to pass onto his latest student. As for the Jedi Master himself, Buck found that Yoda left an indelible impression in his mind when the Jedi claimed that he was a creature who at peace with himself and ought to be envied. Buck was not entirely certain what that meant but did not complain since Yoda had meant it as a compliment. 

"Are we almost ready to go?" The lovely form of Princess Leia's bodyguard slipped into the confines of the small space that made up the cockpit, carrying the child in her arms.  

Buck looked over his shoulder and admired the approach of the lovely young woman, who even clad in a shapeless red dress that swung around her ankles managed to look utterly mystifying and radian as she cradled her young charge. He supposed that made her so effective as Leia's body guard because her looks were so disarming to those who might attempt to harm the young child. He had little contact with the woman while she had been staying at the Alliance, but judging by the looks she and Nathan seemed to exchange whenever neither thought they were looking at each other, it was just as well. Buck had no intention of interfering a budding relationship between the Alliance officer and the young lady, especially when his animal magnetism was likely to steal her away at a moment's notice. 

Sometimes, it was such a curse. 

"Soon enough," Buck grinned at her and stood up from his chair as she slid into the passenger seat. Lie was giggling playfully in her care, finding amusement in a strand of the lady's jet collared hair. "I've just got to do a few things and we'll be ready to go." 

"That is good," Rayne eased back into the seat. "The little one misses her father." 

"Well that's no surprise," he retorted gaining Rayne's permission before he liberated Leia off Rayne's lap. "If you were my little girl, I couldn't rest until you were home with me." 

Leia was charmed and immediately grabbed the pilot by his bristly moustache, tugging experimentally before chortling at the feel of it against her palm. 

"You are good with children." Rayne commented. "Have you any of your own?" 

"Me?" Buck almost balked at the thought. "No ma'am. Not yet. Not for a long while." He declared staunchly so that there could no be any confusion on that fact before looking down at Leia and feeling a little smile tug at the corner of his lips, not to mention his heartstrings, when he saw the girl beaming up at him. "She just has a soft spot for Rogues and scoundrels, don't you Leia?" 

"Hey Buck, we ready to go?" Nathan asked, starting to enter the cockpit when he stopped short at the realisation that Buck was not alone. Upon seeing each other, the both of them averted their eyes as if meeting each other's gaze was some sin from which there was no redemption if committed. Buck almost rolled his eyes in disbelief, having seen this behaviour enough in his lifetime to know that something was going on between the captain and the young woman. There seemed to be an underlying sexual chemistry between them both that neither was willing to admit to and Buck wondered what they were so afraid of.  

With Nathan it was easy enough to guess, it was the loss of his wife. Buck had been through the trials of such loss with Chris to know that it was not easy to overcome. However, he had always thought Nathan appeared to be capable of handling it a lot better than Chris, mostly because the captain did not seem to believe that not everything in the universe was within his powers to change. The young woman’s issues were no less complex, Buck suspected. Although she seemed level headed and sure of herself, Buck had the impression that her experience did not extend too much into relationship and supposed that someone’s who mission was to protect a small child, it gave little opportunity to cultivate friendships.  

"I've got to go check on a few things." Buck answered casually as Nathan lingered by the doorway to the cockpit, almost afraid to enter. Rayne in the mean time had taken to staring at the cockpit controls with equal nonchalance, pretending not to ignore him or that his presence was uncomfortable in any way. The little drama was too much for Buck who pushed himself to his feet whilst still holding Leia in his arms. The child had shifted his interest from his moustache to his shirt collar and was tugging at the soft fabric. "How about it your worship?" He looked down at Leia. "Want to take the Buck Wilmington special tour?" 

The child shook her head in response uttering a few nonsensical words which were meant to express her acceptance of his invitation. "You don't mind do you?" Buck glanced at Rayne for permission to take Leia, more than aware of how protective the young woman was of her charge. 

"I do not see why not." The young woman nodded offhandedly and Buck wasted no time vacating the area, eager to leave the duo alone so that they could talk things out. 

Rayne did not speak for a long time after Buck had gone and neither did Nathan. The awkwardness in the room seemed almost suffocating but both were too hesitant to speak their mind to break it. Nathan continued to stand at the door, remembering what he had said to her when they had been on Zhar and how much it hurt that she reminded him of Ana. The wounds inside of him were still fresh and raw even though it was a year since her death and each time he looked at Rayne, the sensation was both pleasant and terrifying. He knew he was not ready to let go of his wife but a part of him was also certain that he would be fool to let Rayne leave without at least telling her of how he felt. Despite her aloof manner, Nathan was certain that he was not alone in his feelings. She had felt something between them too but like him, she was too unsure to speak it out loud.  

"I'm sorry you have to go." He spoke at last, finally gaining the courage say something to break this damnable silence between them.  

His words had the effect of the first few drops of rain following a particularly virulent strain of drought. The mood in the room altered considerably and though none of them displayed it, they were both secretly sighing in relief at the dissolution of tension between them. Words had demanded speaking between them and hung like a meteor about to drop until Nathan had finally taken the all important first step. 

"The Princess' father misses her." Rayne explained softly. "He wants her home as soon as possible." 

"I can understand that," Nathan replied clearing his throat. "If it was my daughter I would feel the same way. Its not easy to be away from the ones you love." 

Their eyes met then in a silent exchange that conveyed more than the words they could not utter. At that moment, she understood that he was as far away with being able to deal with his emotions, as she was surprised to find out she actually had them for another being. All her life, she had lived with the notion that duty did not leave room for such attachments and she was still uncertain about the wisdom of giving into her feelings for it. Fortunately, their equal hesitation meant that both of them would have time to acclimate themselves to the evolution their hearts were presently undergoing. 

Rayne stood up slowly, deciding that it was time, long past it actually that she said something. She could deny much but she could not deny that she was opening up inside for the first time in her life and surprisingly enough, it did not precipitate the end of everything she knew about her existence. If anything it suddenly painted the black and white situation of her life with shades of colour it had been sorely lacking in recent years. 

"Nathan Jackson," she stated as she approached him and paused in front of the rebel captain. He had been something she had never anticipated when she had first come to the Alliance for help. She had thought only of the princess, not to meet someone like him. Rayne did not understand how cavalier Fate could some times be but she could not denying its sense of humour. "You are a most unusual man." 

"Is that a compliment?" He tried to joke but his anxiety showed. 

"You may take it as such." She smiled a little. "I do not know how things will be between us in the days to come but I will be pleased to see you again." 

Nathan felt his heart quicken with elation at the offering. "Really?" 

"Yes," she nodded. "Really." 

"I'm afraid." He confessed. "I haven't felt like this in a long time." 

"I know," she answered, touched by his honesty. She suspected that despite the fact that he was a soldier, Nathan was a man who tried very hard to do what was right, whatever the consequences to himself personally. It was a rare thing to find a man who cared that much. "I am just as uncertain as you but I think in time, we may find our way together." She did not wait for him to answer. Instead, she lowered her lips to his in a gentle kiss. Nathan returned it, imprinting her scent upon his memory and the feel of those silken lips against his. It was not a deep or lingering but one of promise and for Nathan who was finding his way through the mists like she was, it was all he needed to find her again when he was ready for something more. 

"Would you come see me when you are on Alderaan?" 

Nathan grinned, grateful for the invitation and the time she was affording them both. "Try and keep me away."

***********

"I can't do it already!" Vin snapped for the tenth time when the rock he had been attempting to suspend above the ground dropped softly onto the wet earth again. Vin watched it leave indentations in the mud with growing irritation, feeling frustrated because he had actually managed to lift it off the ground and yet the dynamics of keeping it aloft seemed to elude him.  

"Always with you can't!" Yoda shook his head reproachfully from the moss covered fallen tree trunk he was perched upon. The Jedi Master tapped his gim stick on the rotting wood to capture Vin's attention as he continued his lesson and rebuke all at the same time. "Can't is not a word for the Jedi. Can't, try, perhaps, maybe! Poison these words are to the Jedi. To feel the Force takes strength of mind! You must know a thing to be able to do a thing! Inside you I feel the Force. It is strong, as strong as any Jedi I have trained. Doubt yourself you do because you did not come to us the way others have in the past. You must let go of that doubt, break you it can." The impish creature stared critically at Vin and suddenly the bounty hunter felt like a small child throwing a tantrum.  

"Be at peace." Yoda repeated once again until the words left the part of Vin's brain that understood, numb with tedium. "One of us you will but first you must let go of that fear. Fear is all it took to lead Obi-Wan's apprentice to the dark side. Never underestimate its power." 

Vin shuddered, remembering the cold sensation that had filled his body when he had been in close proximity to Vader. He never wanted to feel that again nor did he ever want to inspire it in someone else. Vader was like a singularity, drawing light away from everything else until there was no escape.  

"I don't know whether I want to be a Jedi. I just wanted to keep in control of my own mind." Vin looked seriously at Yoda, unable to understand how that simple desire had become the prelude to his becoming a fully fledged Jedi. From what he understood, it would take years to become one and until then he would an apprentice. How did he go from being a bounty hunter to a Jedi apprentice? "You knew that and yet you trained me why?"  

Yoda seemed to sigh as if he should not have to be answering this question but conceding to do so just to humour Vin. "Because need us you do. You have spent your life searching for something to be one with, to not be alone. Train you I did because you have overcome your fear of being alone to accept that perhaps that is how things are meant to be. Search you have but look inside yourself you have done too and it rare. Jedi look inside themselves when there is nowhere else to turn and it strengthens them. All your life you have done this, have you not?" 

"Yes," Vin nodded astonished by Yoda's insight but then he should not be surprised either. It was true. While he searched for something beyond his existence he was also terribly aware of himself and he feared nothing because he knew who he was. "I guess I have." 

"Good," Yoda declared decisively, tapping his stick against the trunk once more, this time scraping some of the moss onto his walking stick at the same time. "Now, no more talking. Lessons. Remember, be at peace with yourself." 

"Be at peace." Vin grumbled and sat down on the ground once again, folding his legs beneath him as he stared at the collection of boulders, wondering if he would ever get the hang of this. "Easy for you to say when eight hundred years old you are, if eight hundred years old I was, I'd learn something too." He sniggered, doing a pretty fair imitation of the Jedi Master until he noticed the glare that Yoda was giving him. 

"Sorry," he said meekly and then turned back to the task of completing the exercise his teacher had set for him.  

In truth, he had surprised himself more than he had ever thought possible since his arrival here. Vin had never imagined that he could do any of the things he had seen Chris performed but with Yoda's tutelage, though extremely tiresome at times had progressed his understanding of the Force considerably. Instead of it being a vague insight to which he sometimes drew upon to hunt his prey, it had seeped into the blood and become a part of him in a way he never imagined. He was more attuned with his body then he had ever been and it was a good feeling to be able to feel oneself a part of a greater fabric. For the first time in his life, Vin actually felt a part of something.  

The Force was really with him. 

It was not just the lessons though, talking to this wizened old Jedi Master had opened his mind and given him a perception of the universe Vin had never though to consider before. Yoda was eight hundred years old and in that amount of time, the Jedi had seen a great deal and yet did not feel the need to bombard his students with endless stories of everything he did. He seemed to pick the choicest morsels that had the most relevance. Vin found himself growing very fond of the Jedi Master and had resolved himself to come back here regularly, even if he did not need any more training. He just liked hearing the Jedi speak.

"The Force is with you when you feel it become a part of your soul. See now what you have done." Yoda remarked, cutting through his thoughts.  

Vin opened his eyes and saw the mud encrusted rock hanging perfectly motionless in the air where he had had been holding it with his mind the past few seconds. Vin could feel his grip on the rock, could feel its texture inside his mind and for one perfect moment, he was where he had been trying to be for the last week. "I'm doing it!" Vin exclaimed happily and burst into a euphoric laugh of pure delight. "I'm doing it!"  

Of course his exuberance shook his concentration considerably and the rock fell again but this time, Vin did not care. He was too filled with accomplishment to let that damper his spirit and without warning he rushed at Yoda and grabbed the Jedi Master into his arms, hoisting him onto his shoulders.  

"What now are you doing?" Yoda demanded as his enthusiastic apprentice carried him away. 

"Running the course!" Vin cried out with exhilaration as he obstacle course he had been running since coming here. To the untrained observer, they would have seen typical swamp land with grey water covering the landscape before them in uneven patches, swirling around the few steady islands of mud that had managed to survive the rains that almost fell continuously in the swamps. Tall trees that disappeared into the misty sky, had their origins in the bog, their enormous roots providing sold ground for anyone attempting to cross this uncertain terrain. It was a dangerous place, with unseen terrors lurking just beneath the surface of the water or were waiting to sweep down from their hiding places in above. It was home to things that crawl, slithered and flew and as a training course for a young Jedi, there had been none better. 

Since his arrival here, he had been forced to run through this quagmire and though the course had been enough to tax even one who was as used to tracking over difficult terrain like this, it had slowly become easier. On the first day he had made the attempt, Vin forgot how many times he had fallen and slipped into the mud. However, this time he was running with a confidence inside him that felt boundless after his minor success. The ground beneath him barely registered in his mind and it almost felt as if he was flying across the track that led back to Yoda's hut.  

There was no doubt that he could feel the Force because at present it was surging through his veins like he was a shooting star as he ran across the muddy trail, leaping over rotting and fallen logs, protruding roots and half buried rocks in the wet dirt. The foliage moved past him in a blur as he propelled himself into the air to avoid obstacles, somersaulting across the pools of murky water amongst the swampy way before him. He grabbed thick veins and jumped into the air, sailing over swamp and over the parts of his course that would not allow him reach through a terrestrial approach. All Vin could hear as he continued running was the beating of his heart, pounding with exhilaration because he was finally home. 

He finally knew the way of the Jedi. 

*********

Chris Laramie was already at Yoda's home when Vin was presently traversing the countryside and though he was aware of their eventual approach he did not stray his concentration too far from his meditations, no matter how intoxicating Vin's euphoria felt at the moment. Following his battle with Vader and his subsequent recovery from the injuries sustained during that occasion, Chris had decided that it was time he also paid a visit to the Jedi Master, not merely to train but to regain his own sense of focus. For the last year, he had let himself wallow in self-pity over Sarah and Adam's death, preparing himself for death by drowning himself at the bottom of a bottle. He had disconnected from everything that still had value to him because he believed after the death of his family, he had nothing else to lose.  

He was wrong. Not only had he lost a great deal since their deaths, Chris had also gained in equal proportions. Nothing could ever replace his wife and son but then the Force had not sought to replace them at all but rather fill his life with new faces that were just as important. A bounty hunter, who wanted only to belong and finding more than he ever, bargained for. A childhood friend who remained a friend through hardship, never giving up on him and more importantly, never letting him give up on himself. The idealist who wanted him to be a part of a cause, to fight for something worthwhile again. Not because he needed to fight but because he needed something to believe in. The senator, who understood that was above all else, a Jedi was a man who could hurt just like any other. A boy poised on the edge of manhood, looking to him as a model for himself and an Imperial officer who simply wanted to be trusted and be accepted into fold.  

And then there was Mary and with her, words were not enough to describe how he felt. 

She had been the voice that pulled him away from the darkness when he had been prepared to die. He heard her voice like it was a beacon through the fog of his diminishing life and with the same power she used to command those around her, she commanded him and he surprised himself by wanting to be commanded. Her voice had reached inside and ignited something that he thought had. She breathed life into it and saved him in more ways than just the physical. Chris knew that he was sitting here today, descending his soul into the warmth of peace because Mary had saved him. He did not know if anything would come of them in the future but he knew that while he breathed, he would stand by her as closely as he would stand by the six men who had become his friends.  

For they were seven and the Force was with them. 

***********

 The woman was not nervous. She had no reason to be. 

As she stood outside the dark chambers in the section of the Imperial palace reserved strictly for one person in the galaxy alone, she knew that to be called here was a great honour to say the least but also because she was the best. Her training had been thorough; she knew everything there was to know about being an Imperial agent. She was the first of many and the Emperor himself had been responsible for her tutelage. She had seen the man who had summoned her here before and knew that he would have good reason for bringing her to Coruscant. Her training had just been completed, the Emperor was pleased. He had called her one of his best and he had recommended her to his most trusted ally to be used in whatever way someone with her talents could be best deployed. Officially, she was just another Imperial officer, a lieutenant in rank but she stood within the highest echelons of power within the Imperial court. She was apart of the Emperor's inner circle and that title was worth more than the admiralty of the entire Imperial Star Fleet.  

She was the Emperor's hand.  

There would be more after her, she was certain of it but for now, she stood alone and that gave her a great deal of satisfaction. She stood in her uniform, watching through the window, the transports flying across the magnificent skyline of Coruscant, marvelling at a city whose size was so enormous, it encased the entire planet in an urban shield. The Empire rotated around this bejewelled orb and from here the powerful could look down upon the weak. 

Come.

The voice echoed through her mind. It did not surprise her and immediately she turned around and strode towards the dark doors. Upon reaching them, they slid soundlessly open. She did not pause but continued straight through them into the darkness within. The room was kept in virtual black and all she could see with any clarity, was the chair in the middle of the floor. There was one light and it was mostly fixated on a communications panel on the other side of the room. There was a large construct on the other end, she was not sure what it was because she had never seen anything like it but upon closer observation, she guessed what it was. The repair and power station for a cybernetic suit of armour.  

Loud breathing broke the silence, metallic and raspy. That too, she had expected.  

"Lord Vader." She greeted with a slight bow. 

"The Emperor has placed you at my disposal." Lord Darth Vader spoke as he stepped out of the shadows in the obsidian-marbled chair before her. "He recommends you highly."  

She could hear the scepticism in his voice but granted him that indulgence for who he was gave him the right to be cynical. "I hope he is not wrong." She said modestly. 

"You will not be wrong." Vader said shortly, his voice gleaming with menace as much as his polished helmet against the faint glimmer of light in the room. "I do not accept failure well Lieutenant, be it from a stormtrooper or the Emperor's Hand. I will reward it in the same fashion." 

"As you should Lord Vader." She said aloofly, unprepared to let the fear rise inside of her because he would sense it. 

"Good," Vader eased back into his chair. "You will proceed to Cordoba on the next available ship and take your place as the first officer to our outpost there." 

"For what purpose?" She inquired unable to fathom what could be so important in Wild Space or the Territory as it was more commonly known.  

"I believe the Commander of the base there is a rebel spy. He may have access to someone whom I believe is in possession of valuable information to me. You will act as his second in command and find his connections. Do not fail me lieutenant."  

"I won't Sir." She nodded, completely aware that if she did it would be the last time she failed anyone.

"Your ship is awaiting." Vader retorted, gesturing he was ready for her to leave his sight. "I will expect your report in a week." 

"Yes Sir," she nodded, not waiting to be dismissed. Vader was not that particular about protocol. Certainly, how he promoted officers in the field seemed to indicate that. She was almost out the door when Vader added one final note to their parting. 

"Give Captain Standish my regards," Vader responded coldly. 

"Yes Sir," she answered, glancing over her shoulder at him one last time. The doors slid open for her again, prompting her departure and Lieutenant Julia Pemberton faced front, striding out of the room to her new assignment.

To Cordoba.

The End

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