Skywalker stopped his march down the corridors as he sensed a familiar presence nearby. Cocking his head to one side, he quickly scanned the area with the Force. He smiled to himself as he pin-pointed Raklin's location. Luke's smile broadened when he felt the pure hate radiating from the man. Feeding on it, Luke turned and motioned for one of the stormtroopers to approach him.
"Yes, Sir?" the trooper questioned.
"Two doors down the corridor you'll find an older, black haired man waiting," Luke said. "Stun him and bring him with us."
"As you wish," the stormtrooper replied before he motioned for two of his companions to follow him.
As the three stormtroopers moved down the corridor, Luke nodded his head in satisfaction. He could have Raklin killed right now, considering that his usefulness was over, but he wanted to see the man's face when he learned that he was the one responsible for this raid. Then he could be dealt with. Indeed, Luke had no intention of letting the man leave the base alive. Vader had told him that once the raid was over, Darklighter and Antilles would be sent to Coruscant in one of the Star Destroyers while the other two Destroyers would take on the ranking prisoners and interrogate them for any useful information. The soldiers would be killed.
Once that was taken care of, Skywalker would accompany his father to Utoniam. During the last few weeks, Vader had started a campaign to limit what parents could do to their children. Luke knew that this was a direct result from what had happened to him at the hands of Owen Lars. It had, however, caused a major storm of protest from a firm that operated chiefly on human child labor as it was a lot cheaper than buying and feeding slaves.
Luke shook his head as he made his way down the halls after the stormtroopers. He knew his father would get his idea turned into a law and that was all he cared about. The company could protest all it wanted to but, in the end, Darth Vader would win. Luke was, however, interested in how things would proceed. A conference had been called on Utoniam to discuss the situation and he would be able to watch. Vader had said that it would help the diplomatic skills he had been learning to see how things actually went during such a meeting.
"Sir?" a voice called out behind Luke, causing him to stop and turn. "Is this the man?"
"Yes," Luke said as he saw Raklin being unceremoniously dragged behind two stormtroopers.
"Lord Vader," General Veers said as Vader and the stormtroopers with him emerged through the back entrance of the Rebel base.
"Has Skywalker been here yet?" Vader asked when he couldn't see his son.
"No, my Lord," General Veers replied. "We also haven't seen Darklighter or Antilles. Some of the Rebels did, however, try to escape through the roof."
Vader looked in the direction the general indicated as he reached out for his son and saw that Luke was nearing the exit. Motioning for Veers to follow him, Vader turned around and re-entered the base, the silent stormtroopers following him.
"Find the room from which the Rebels tried to escape," Vader ordered at which some of the stormtroopers instantly rushed down the hall ahead of him. "We should meet Skywalker soon," he informed Veers as he continued on his way.
The general nodded his head and simply concentrated on keeping up with the Dark Lord. Hearing blaster fire up ahead, he lifted his head and motioned for more of the stormtroopers to take off after their comrades. By the time he and Vader reached the area of the conflict, only bodies remained on the floor. Most of them were the stunned bodies of Rebels, but there were a few stormtrooper corpses among them.
"Lord Vader," a stormtrooper called out as he rushed down the corridor towards them. "We have found the room."
"Good," Vader stated.
"My Lord," the trooper continued. "Among the Rebels there are Darklighter, Antilles and Princess Organa."
"Organa?" Veers repeated as he followed Vader and the stormtrooper.
"She must have been in charge of this base," Vader stated as he entered the room and saw the Rebels. As he regarded them, he saw that they were starting to stir. "Bind them."
"Hold your fire," Luke ordered as they reached a bend in the corridor.
With the Force, he reached out and brushed his mental fingers against the minds of the people waiting up ahead of them. A smile crossed his face as he recognized them as the minds of stormtroopers.
"Sir?" one of the troopers questioned.
"They're on our side," Luke said before raising his voice. "Hold your fire."
Skywalker motioned to the lead stormtrooper that the man was to show himself to the others waiting behind the bend. As the stormtrooper stepped out the other troopers tensed, not fully trusting him. When nothing happened they calmed down.
'Son,' Luke suddenly heard in his head.
'Father,' he replied mentally.
'I've got Darklighter and Antilles,' Vader stated. 'And Organa, seems she's the one in charge here.'
'The Princess,' Luke repeated. 'I'm coming. I've got Raklin.'
"Follow me," Luke ordered to the two stormtroopers holding Raklin.
He turned around and quickly made his way to where his father was. As he moved through the base, he was careful to scan the surrounding area with the Force, not wanting to get shot by a rogue Rebel. Reaching the room with his father and the others, he entered and was greeted by a gasp.
"Luke!" Biggs exclaimed as he saw his friend and suppressed a groan.
Darklighter's entire body ached not only from the gas, but from having one of the other pilots fall on him as well. Now, seeing his friend walk into the room and stand there unharmed while the Imperials were all over the place, Biggs had the final proof he needed that what his father had said was true. He could actually see his friend betray him. Biggs was just going to lower his eyes when he caught sight of what the two stormies who entered behind Skywalker were carrying.
"Dad!" Biggs exclaimed.
"Skywalker," Leia said as she tried to draw herself to her full height, ignoring the way the binders were cutting into her wrists.
Luke let a cold smile appear on his face as he looked from Biggs to the Princess. Although Organa was dirty from what had happened, her beauty still stood out. His smile vanished as he felt another tremor race through the Force. It was the same as the one he had felt on board the Star Destroyer, only much stronger. Luke wanted to shake his head to clear it, but he knew that that would come across badly. Instead he tried to push it aside, but the feeling still nudged at him. It was clearly trying to tell him something, something important.
"It is an unexpected surprise to find you here Princess," Vader stated as Raklin came to. "I had definitely expected to find Darklighter here, and perhaps even Antilles, but not you. Now not only do I have the two pilots responsible for the destruction of the Death Star, but one of the Alliance leaders as well."
"How did you find us?" Leia demanded as she looked from Biggs to Luke who had moved to stand near Vader.
"Yeah," Wedge added as he looked Skywalker over. He had wanted to see the boy for a while now, but definitely not like this. "And what did you do to Luke?"
"He did nothing to me," Luke said as he moved closer to the two pilots. Feeling Raklin stiffen as he did so, he laughed and moved even closer to Biggs. "Don't worry Raklin, he won't die just yet. The Emperor wants him and Antilles to die in front of an audience before the Palace. As an... example to the people."
Despite the confidence in his voice, Luke felt doubt once more stir within him as he looked at his former best friend. Up to now it had been easy to be angry at him. Now that he was actually standing before him and talking of his death, he felt the stirrings of unease within him. He had, after all, trusted and liked Biggs for years. Memories of their childhood together and of what they had planned to do surfaced and he felt another twitch of unease. Quickly he tried to push it aside, but he didn't quite succeed. Feeling his father's presence, he nearly flinched as he felt Vader discover his feelings. Unable to look at his father, he looked to Raklin instead.
"You no good..." Raklin began out of fury and desperation before one of the stormtroopers holding him hit him.
"Luke," Biggs pleaded as he looked from his father to his former friend standing before him. "Please... think of what you're doing here."
"The right thing," Luke snapped, his anger rising once more. Anger at what Biggs had done, anger at the confusion the man managed to make him feel, and anger at the fact that he had let his father feel it.
"So killing innocents, helpless children, is right?" Wedge demanded angrily.
"And why are they dying?" Luke replied as he moved towards Antilles, hoping that the distance between himself and Biggs would ease the doubt he felt. "I'll tell you why. Because you hide amongst them. Don't forget, you're the ones who started this war."
Leia shook her head upon hearing the words. Whatever Vader had done to Skywalker, it was working. The boy clearly believed the Empire was right and she doubted that Vader would have brought Skywalker with him if he doubted the completeness of his work. Leia knew that Skywalker was completely lost to the Alliance. She only wished that Darklighter would accept that. For, by denying it, he was leaving himself open to his former friend. Something she knew Vader would use to his advantage.
"At least they don't kill innocents," Raklin exploded as images of his wife and daughter rose to the top of his mind. "You do that though. You no good monster!"
The stormtrooper next to him made to hit Raklin once more as Luke spun around, fury on his face, but stopped at Vader's signal. Slowly the Dark Lord approached the man, who instantly stiffened. Reaching forward Vader tapped Raklin's chest.
"Don't touch me you animal," Raklin snapped defiantly.
Instead of lashing out as everyone expected, Vader simply laughed. Hearing the sound Leia and Wedge couldn't help but shiver as Biggs looked on fearfully.
"Do you want to know how we found the base?" Vader asked Raklin. "Its quite simple, really," Vader continued when Raklin remained quiet. "You showed us."
"No!" Raklin denied.
"Yes, you did," Vader responded. "You are the one who led us to your son as Luke and I knew you would. I'm always careful to have a backup plan. So, when you refused to budge under interrogation, Luke simply had a homing beacon implanted on you. Right here," Vader stated as he tapped Raklin's chest once more.
"No," Raklin whispered, horrified as he closed his eyes.
Vader wordlessly stepped back, and handed Skywalker a small datacard. Luke turned the card over in his hands, purposefully holding it up for all to see.
"Your tracker," Skywalker said, his eyes on Raklin. He didn't look at Biggs as he continued. "You're very wrong, the Empire kills for very good reasons. Say goodbye to your son, Raklin. You have very little time left." Luke continued to stare at the older man, his eyes ice cold. Luke kept reminding himself of all that Raklin had done, or what he hadn't done. Especially in not protecting a small, helpless blond child from his brutal guardian.
"Wha-" stuttered Raklin Darklighter.
"Dad!" Biggs shouted, struggling. He recognized the threat in Luke's words. "Dad," he almost sobbed, "I love you." It came out as a whisper.
Raklin turned to his son, guilt still hitting him hard. "I'm so sorry, Biggs. I'm so sorry. I love you, I-" Skywalker pushed the button on the card's face. Raklin gasped, pain like a sharp vibroblade stabbing his chest. "Son, I-" whatever else Raklin wanted to say was lost as he collapsed, spasming in the grip of the two troopers who held him. The poison in the homing beacon worked very quickly.
"Dad!" Biggs screamed, "Dad!" He lunged forward, the stormtroopers on his sides pulling him back down. The body stilled, still held by the two troopers on either side.
"Take it away." Vader clipped. Skywalker pocketed the datacard, and turned towards the Dark Lord. He would not show remorse, or regret. He wouldn't let his feelings get in the way of what he had to do. He wouldn't. It was the right thing to do, he knew it was.
Biggs was trembling now, tears streaming down his face. "Luke," he whispered. "Why? What did he ever do to you?"
Luke watched the two troopers drag out the corpse. There was no way he could avoid a reply without looking weak. "It's not what he did, Biggs. It's what he didn't do. He didn't reveal your location, and other things. I'm sure if you think back, you'll remember." Luke forced himself to show a small smile. It was a victory today. It was, and he had done the right thing. He wouldn't let himself feel any shame.
"You have him well trained, Lord Vader." The feminine voice was cool and haughty. The room turned to the Princess. "You must be proud."
"I am." Was the rumbled reply, "Take them away."
Luke paced the floor where he was waiting to speak with his father before they left for Utoniam. He started to chew a nail, and then forced himself to stop and stand still. He needed to look confident when his father came back. He didn't want anyone to know how flustered he was about Biggs. It was embarrassing. He shouldn't have any doubts, he was a loyal Imperial. He would follow this through. He would do whatever Lord Vader or the Emperor wanted him to do. He would.
The door opened, and Darth Vader strode in alone. The door swished shut, and the room was very quiet. The loud hissing of the respirator grated on Luke's ears. His father stood stone still, studying him. Skywalker stood tall, fully realizing that Vader could see into his very soul. He still hadn't managed the perfect shields that could keep his father out of his mind.
"I hope you don't think those pitiful shields of yours can keep me from seeing your failure." The voice growled.
Luke flinched. "No, I just."
"Just what?"
"I didn't have any doubts until I saw him. Everything came rushing back. I tried to stamp down on them, I did. It's wrong, I know. I'll do what I have to, I won't let them get in the way." Luke reinforced what he was saying with every bit of his mind that he could muster.
"You will get rid of your doubts, Skywalker. The Empire can't afford to have someone in your position that would entertain even the thought of questionable loyalties."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Luke," the voice continued, "Did I do the right thing when I had your mother's ship shot down?"
"Yes." Luke wondered at the question. It hadn't taken him very long to figure out that his father had done the right thing then. He had told his father as much, several months ago. They had never spoken of it again. "Of course."
"What was your initial feelings about Darklighter when you had learned what he had done?"
"He would have to die. He had betrayed me."
"Remember that. You knew what to do, do not let yourself get lost in doubts. It is the same as when I had to deal with your mother. The first impression is usually the right one."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Now, about what you felt before the raid? The ripple in the Force, what did it feel like?"
"I felt it again, after the raid. In the room with the prisoners. It was distracting, but I couldn't focus on it then. It was stronger. It was pulling on me, like it wanted to tell me something."
"It must have been about one of the prisoners then. The Force will often give you insights as you learn to control it." Vader's head cocked, thinking. "Open yourself to the Force, and meditate on each one in turn. Tell me what you feel."
Luke did as he was told. He dwelled on his rage, and opened himself to the boiling Darkness of the Force. It twisted around him and coursed outward as well. He began to meditate on each one of the prisoners. He started with Biggs, just in case. There was nothing. He thought about the other pilot, Wedge Antilles, no response. He thought about the Princess, her dark hair and pale skin showing through the dirt on her face. The Darkness twitched, ripples like that on the edge of a pond lapped up against him, whispering words he couldn't make out.
He opened his eyes. "The Princess. I don't know what, but it has something to do with the Princess."
"Ah. Her message did pull you out of the desert. The Force was working even then." Vader stood in thought. "I would not ignore whatever the Force is trying to tell you."
"What should I do?"
"I was going to have the Princess transferred to the Imperial Base on Fezzzane, it is the system adjacent to Utoniam. She will not break under the interrogation equipment found on the Star Destroyers we brought with us, I know that from experience."
"Maybe I should escort her to the base. I can meditate on the way, perhaps an answer will come to me."
"Yes. It is a good plan. I will inform the admirals. You can meet me in Utoniam as soon as you are done."
"Yes, my Lord."
Luke sat back in his chair and tried to relax. His father had just left for Utoniam with Garret and he was now on the one remaining Star Destroyer in orbit around the planet the Rebels had used for their base, the other one having already left for Coruscant with Darklighter and Antilles. It was the first time Luke had been alone while being off of Coruscant. Normally he had always been with Vader or Garret. Now they weren't. Luke knew that Vader would monitor him closely, especially after his doubts about Darklighter, and he was determined not to disappoint him.
Skywalker opened himself to the Force and focused on the detention center of the Star Destroyer. Locating Princess Organa, he turned all his attention to her, letting all else fade. Immediately the feeling he had felt earlier returned. Only this time it was stronger. And yet, despite this fact, he was still unable to understand the words being whispered to him.
Briefly hesitating, he moved forward, letting the ripples engulf him. Gasping as the sensation hit him, Luke almost pulled back. He was suddenly overwhelmed by an immense sense of urgency and importance, unlike anything he had ever felt before. Yet he still couldn't understand what the Force was trying to tell him. The whispered words were now caressing him, the sound like the soft babbling of the river in the gardens at home.
The urgency pushing him forward, Luke advanced closer towards the Princess' mind. As he entered it, he was suddenly hit by a new sensation. A blinding white light flashed across his vision and briefly touched him. Jerking away from the sensation, Luke snapped out of the trance. Breathing hard, he remained where he was for a few moments before jumping to his feet.
Skywalker paced the room as he thought about what had just happened. What he had just experienced, felt a lot like that which he had felt when first touching the Force with Ben on board the smuggler's freighter. Only it was much, much weaker. Luke knew from what Vader and Palpatine had told him, that that was the Light Side. Could it be that Organa possessed the ability to touch the Force? If so, she obviously wasn't trained as what he had felt was weak. Luke even doubted her potential was worth training.
It did, however, bring up an interesting question. Was this what had disturbed him? Shaking his head, Luke stopped pacing the room. If this was it then the only thing he could think of was that the Force was trying to warn him that Organa may pose a threat later on. But the princess hardly had any potential! Something inside of Luke told him that her potential wasn't the reason. There was something else. Something bigger and more important.
Skywalker stood on the bridge of the Star Destroyer the next day, looking down at Fezzzane as the Destroyer exited hyperspace. The planet was not populated as it was home to one of the larger Imperial bases. The base had the best interrogation equipment in the area and was also a training site. Stormtroopers were brought here both before and after graduating to either learn or improve their skills. The planet provided several different terrains, although not as many as Caridia.
As the Star Destroyer moved into orbit, Admiral Adler watched as Skywalker turned around and exited the bridge. Shaking his head as he opened a com channel to the base, Adler sighed. Lord Vader had left instructions that he was to bring Skywalker and Organa here and that he was to tell the base commander that Skywalker was to be given free reign while on the planet. After this was done his orders were to rejoin the rest of the fleet.
"Admiral Adler of the Relentless to Base," Adler spoke into the com.
"We read you, Admiral," a voice replied.
"Get me the man in charge of the base," Admiral Adler ordered.
He didn't know who was in charge, but he knew that whoever it was, was not going to be pleased with the news he was about to receive. After all, which commander liked giving even partial control to a civilian?
Luke dismissing the lieutenant that had shown him to his room as he entered it. He could have found the bedroom himself, having studied the blueprints of the base, however he had decided to let the lieutenant show him. Upon landing he had met General Kawaza, commander of the base. The man had seemed extremely unpleased to greet him the way he had, but had kept his thoughts to himself. General Kawaza had said that he need only ask if he wanted something and that the Princess would be transferred to the high-security detention area immediately.
Briefly, Luke glanced around the room before walking over to the window. The general had told him that they would start interrogating Organa later in the afternoon, when their best man returned from a training session he had gone along on. Deciding that now was as good a time as any to go see the Princess, Luke turned around and left the room.
As he walked down the corridors, Luke noticed how the various officers he encountered gave him a second look upon he seeing his clothes. From their thoughts it was evident that they all thought him to be a courtier and the disgust radiating with that thought informed Luke that they disliked courtiers. It was something he had come across before on other trips. It was more than clear that the military didn't like the politicians and vice versa. Learning both worlds, Luke had to agree that he liked the military better. The threats were easier to detect, while among the politicians you could never be sure where someone's loyalties were.
Luke briefly glanced at the four stormtroopers standing guard as he entered the detention center. Behind the control panel stood a commander, who instantly looked up at him as he entered. Momentary confusion crossed his face before recognition dawned.
"What cell is Organa in?" Luke demanded as he approached the man.
"Cell 68293, Sir," the commander replied. "Its down that hall."
Without acknowledging the response, Luke turned and headed down the indicated hall. Stopping outside the cell, he punched a few commands into the small control panel before entering the cell itself. Doing so, Luke felt a sense of déjà-vu wash over him. Once more he was stepping into an Imperial detention cell to see the Princess. Only this time he had no intention of releasing her. One thing that remained the same, however, was how he couldn't help but notice her beauty. A small twitch in the Force instantly reminded Luke why he was here.
"Skywalker," Leia said as she got to her feet.
"Organa," Luke replied as he looked her over, while scanning her with the Force.
The feeling was much stronger now. Luke simply wished he could figure out what it was. Inwardly he cursed his lack of training which was probably the cause of his inability to comprehend what was being shown to him. Carefully, Luke probed Organa's mind again.
"Where am I?" Leia demanded.
Luke sent her an amused look as he tilted his head to one side. In enemy hands and still not losing hope. Still as haughty and commanding as ever. In a way he admired it. Luke knew he could show his superiority by denying her the information, however he decided to go along with her. It could be an amusing game, especially considering the fact that he held all the cards.
"Fezzzane," Luke stated then, seeing her puzzled look continued, "an Imperial Base. Lord Vader, remembering your last visit with us, decided to bring you here right away. For a proper interrogation."
Leia paled visibly at this. Briefly small tremors could be seen, before she regained her composure. But it was too late, Luke had both seen and felt the fear. The funny thing was that during the few seconds in which she had lost control, the ripples in the Force had gathered strength.
"Where are Darklighter and Antilles?" Leia questioned as she studied Luke.
"On their way to Coruscant," Luke replied as he tried to identify the ripples, but still failed to do so.
Organa set her jaw as she looked Skywalker in the eye. The scene from the Rebel base replaying itself in her mind. Remembering it, she couldn't help but think of the change in the young man since she had seen him on the Death Star. As the thought came to her, another question entered her mind. Hesitating for a moment, Leia finally decided that there was no harm in asking.
"How much had you agreed to pay the pirate for transportation you to... as his fee?" Leia inquired, unable to say the name of her now dead home world.
"To get to Alderaan?" Luke said and smiled as she flinched. "17,000 all together and he wanted 2,000 up front."
Leia cursed aloud as she heard this. 17,000 and they had paid him 25,000, which meant he had gotten a grand total of 27,000 credits! Luke was about to make a reply when he froze as the ripples suddenly swelled in size and crashed into him. Instantly dropping his shields, Luke grasped for the message. At first he thought he had missed it when suddenly an blurry image flashed across his view.
A woman stood before him, with long chestnut hair and hazel eyes. Instinctively he knew that this woman was his mother. The image stayed for a bit longer and then vanished. Returning to the room, Luke noticed that the Princess was giving him a funny look. Some part of his brain wondered how long the image had lasted, but the other part of his brain, the bigger part, was frozen. The resemblance between the image he had seen of his mother and the woman standing before him now was suddenly screaming out to him.
"Sick?" Leia asked, her tone clearly stating that she wasn't sorry for him if he was.
Instead of lashing out as he normally would have, Luke reached out with the Force and entered her mind. Knowing from past experience what to expect he shielded his mind from the weak attack Organa subconsciously made. Once inside he felt something he hadn't felt there before. A sensation that slightly resembled his connection to his father. A family relation. A sibling relation.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, Luke violently withdrew from it. It couldn't be true. It just couldn't be. But then, what had the Force been trying to tell him? Opening himself, Luke found that the ripples had vanished, their purpose gone. Shaking his head, Luke took a step back. Perhaps he was just reading this wrong. Perhaps his lack of training was misinterpreting the message he was receiving. Organa just couldn't be his sister. Could she?
Luke looked up at the confused Princess before he turned around and exited the cell. He was hardly aware of walking back through the corridor. All he could think of were Palpatine's words about Vader having two heirs and a jealously that suddenly flared through his veins. The thought that he had a sibling, someone who could pull some of his father's attention away from him was entirely unwelcome. The realization that once he might have liked a sister, who must be his twin, was shut out.
He would have to tell his father. Luke knew that. But first he had to be sure. He was still far from being a Sith Lord and the possibility of his misreading the Force were all to great to be ignored. Stepping out of the corridor and back into the center of the detention area, Luke turned his attention to the commander.
"Get me a sample of Organa's blood," Luke ordered.
"Yes, Sir," the commander replied as he reached into one of the drawers to get a syringe. This being the interrogation center as well as the detention center there were more than enough needles lying around.
Skywalker watched as the commander left the center before turning back to his own thoughts. He wondered what his father and grandfather's reactions would be if he was right about Organa. Palpatine would be most unpleased. His words during the time they had discussed the topic making that more than clear. But what about Vader? Would he welcome another child, a daughter? But then again, Organa was not only a Rebel, but one of their leaders as well. Luke wondered what her reaction would be to the news. She'd probably be horrified. But then, so had he been at first.
"Here, Sir," the commander said as reappeared, the syringe filled with a dark scarlet fluid. Taking it from the man, Luke turned around and left the room.
Briefly the commander wondered about what he had just been asked to do. He knew that the Princess' blood record was on Imperial file due to her previous status as an Imperial Senator. So why had the young man wanted a new sample? Courtiers! He'd probably never understand them. Looking up as the door opened once more, he smiled as he saw another commander enter. Glancing at his watch he saw that his shift had ended.
"The Rebel is in cell 68293," he informed his replacement before leaving the center.
"Hey Samuel, get a load of this- that courtier is off to the medical department." One security technician told another in the darkened room. Vid-screens showing scenes from around the base plastered the walls. The head observation room of the entire base was currently occupied by only two lower class technicians.
"Daniel, you are far too interested in that man. Besides, we get off shift in about 15 minutes anyway."
"Yeah, if our superior even bothers to show up on time. I mean, it drives me nuts that he comes in late and leaves early every day." Daniel flipped the camera views around, skimming through the parade ground, the hanger, and the high security detention center. He flipped it back to the medical center, trying to figure out what the fancy dressed courtier was up to. The man had apparently cleared the testing room of all but himself and one medical tech, who seemed to be running some sort of test.
"I know what you mean. You know, I don't understand why you're watching that man- I'd rather be keeping an eye on that Rebel he brought in. Did you see her? One fine looking thing, she was."
"Yeah, I saw her. Hot. Hey, do you believe that rumor about the courtier and Lord Vader?" Daniel asked.
"That's the one they've been talking about?"
"Yep."
"I dunno. He's good looking enough, and-"
"Damn! Did you see that?!?"
"What?"
"He just broke the technicians neck! Just reached up, and broke it!"
"Huh. He's dumping the samples he brought in too." The two watched as the expensively dressed man tossed vials and test papers into the incinerator. He then pulled out a blaster and shot the testing equipment. Lastly, the man walked over to a shelf, and taking a beaker of acid, poured it over the machine.
"Ain't no one going to find out what those results were. He just wiped out the hard drive on that equipment for good."
"That's for sure." Samuel replied. "But I take it back- there is no way he's just a pretty plaything."
"Agreed. I'm going to check up on the high security detention center. I get the feeling I don't want him mad at me." Daniel flipped the views on the screens to the detention center.
They sat in silence for awhile, watching the base and waiting for their superior to show up. The drill was old, their superior would show up with their replacements in tow. He would enter his code, and the techs would be relieved of duty. Most of the base's security observation rooms did not require the procedure, but some bureaucrat had determined that this room should be different.
"He's later than normal." Daniel groused.
"I know. But what are we going to do about it? Complain to his superior? Micheal did that two months ago, and got demoted for his trouble."
"Tell me about it. Our superior sure does suck up to his boss." Daniel sighed, watching the screens. "Samuel, does anything strike you as odd with the officer in the high security detention center?"
"No, not really."
"I could swear he looks just like the one that was on duty last shift."
"Have him call in and verify. We've got his personal code right here." Samuel held up the datacard.
Daniel pushed some buttons, then looked on the screen. "Damn it, there goes a pile of datawork. See, his signal light isn't going off on the board. We'll have to send a couple of troopers."
"I hate equipment failures." Samuel complained as he keyed the necessary commands. They waited.
Suddenly, the com came alive with the chatter of voices. Samuel and Daniel looked at each other and hit the alarm simultaneously.
"We're almost there, Princess."
Leia grunted a reply as she followed the Imperial security officer, no, Rebel spy, on hands and knees through the access tunnel. She smiled to herself as she recalled how he had come into her cell not thirty minutes ago.
Leia had been sitting on her bunk, trying to figure out what was going on with that strange young man Skywalker when the security officer had walked into her room. He had given her a friendly smile and had started talking. "Hello, I'd love to talk, but we don't have much time," alarmingly, he had pulled a blaster, "I'm on your side, and if you'll follow me, I'll get you out of here." He then handed her the blaster, butt first.
She had taken it without a word, and followed him to the control room. Four dead stormtroopers littered the floor. "Sorry about the mess. Oh, and don't touch that," he pointed to a box hot-wired into the control console, "it's giving the main security cameras a repeated loop of the last guy who was in here." He walked to the door. "There's only one way out, I'm afraid. But we just have a short jog down the corridor, and we can get into the access tunnel. From there, straight to the hanger." He started checking his chronometer.
Leia eyed the hot-wired box. "Aren't you worried about main security figuring it out?"
"No. Those two in the main room right now aren't our best and brightest. They've worked under me for two years now, I would know. They're probably watching that courtier of Vader's as we speak. Gossips. Well, the patrol should be past the door, let's go." With that, they had left the room, and quickly walked down the empty hall.
Once in the tunnel, she had asked him a question. "How long have you been a spy?"
They began to crawl, the tunnel wasn't very high. "I prefer the term 'undercover operative'. About five years. Normally, I work on overseeing the new stormtrooper draftees. I've been spotting possible Alliance recruits, and passing the word on for someone else to make the contact. But when you came in, I dumped everything and switched shifts with a guy in our department. He'll probably get in trouble, ah well." The mystery man sounded amused, and Leia chuckled back.
"Here we are." His voice brought her back to the present. She crawled up close to him, peering through the grate that opened to a storeroom. She could see the main hanger through the open door. "Now, we just get to the ship."
"Easy." She said, smiling.
"Of course. See the shuttle closest to us? We'll head for that one."
"Shuttles take a long time to warm up." Leia warned.
"Who said I was working alone?"
"You could have told me!"
"You can't tell what you don't know." He opened the grate and slipped into the room.
Leia grumbled as she followed. 'At least,' she thought, 'he's more professional than my last rescuers.'