On the Wings of Valkyrie

Chapter II

Vader was looking at the now significantly decreased bounties of Han, Luke, and Leia on a holo projector while the holos of Han and Luke stood around the holo table. Leia was with him currently, to Padmé's marginal disapproval—marginal due only to the fact there were very few people in the galaxy that could train either of the twins besides Vader. The estranged couple had managed a handful of civil conversations over the past few months. It was enough to work together, though they both knew there were other topics that would need to be breached at some point in the near future.

"Okay, why the hell did those things go down?" Han finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Because the Empire has bigger problems than us now," Leia replied, looking to Vader before turning her attention back to the smuggler. "It gets them off of your backs significantly, but it means that more people are going to start wondering what's going on."

"People already have," Luke said, running a hand over his face. "Rumors are flying like crazy, and I've had just about everyone in Rogue Squadron ask if I've run into Vader recently. Whatever the Empire did to try and keep the news locked down hasn't worked that well."

"Kid's right, I've heard just about every rumor that you could think of. They know Vader and the Kid have been seen together and that Vader hasn't been seen anywhere on the front recently," Han told them. "We need to come out with the truth and soon."

"How are your plans for High Command going?" Vader asked. Luke winced.

"About that, I'm pretty sure it's a dead end."

"What do you mean it's a dead end?" Leia asked.

"I mean, even if I went straight out and told them what was going on, they'd hightail it to you guys and destroy the base," Luke explained. "I brought up the idea of Father defecting to Mothma, but she shut it down and warned me to not even think about it."

Leia sighed: "Please tell me you're joking."

"I'm not. Mother said she'd try working on it but...."

"That's not the only thing," Han said, shaking his head. "One of the generals is so suspicious that he has people following Luke around. I don't know when we'll be able to meet back up with you to trade off."

"That's just perfect," Leia groaned.

"They're also starting to really wonder about where you are Princess. You may have to find a way back to us yourself sooner rather than later."

"Han's right. Father, I hate to suggest it, but you might have to stick away from us for the time being," Luke said. "Just these holo calls are getting difficult to do without getting caught."

Vader suppressed a sigh. At first it had been an easy plan. The twins would trade off working with the Rebellion and training with him three days. Leia had been against it at first, but over the weeks, she had become used to it, and unless Vader was mistaken, somewhat glad for the time they spent together. He had thought at one point that she would never forgive him for all he had done and had been very happy to discover he had been wrong. Luke had been the most willing, but as months had passed and more information gradually leaked out, it had become difficult to secretly meet up and trade off. Leia had now been with him for a week and there was still no way to have Luke and her switch anytime soon. Mentally, Vader wished Luna was with them, she would have been able to figure out a plan. She always did.

"Very well," he finally said. "Han, can you meet us at these coordinates to pick up Leia?" Leia shot him a look.

"Sure, but no promises on how soon I can be there," Han replied.

"Then I would suggest you start moving."

He nodded. "See you then. I'll go see if I can get the clearance to leave." His holo disappeared.

"I better go too," Luke said with an apologetic expression.

"Stay safe," Leia told him.

"Will do. May the Force be with you."

"And may it be with you," Vader replied. Luke nodded, a small smile donning his features before the holo disappeared.

"Why?" Leia asked, turning to Vader the moment her brother's holo had disappeared.

"You are needed there, and we can't have people becoming suspicious," Vader replied. "I don't like it either."

Leia sighed, closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead, knowing her father was right. "What are you going to be doing then?"

Now that was a question. Vader didn't really have anything to do, and experience told him that just waiting around by himself was not going to be possible.

Well, he did have one thing to do. Something he had been working on as much as time had allowed the past few months. Tracking down Luna.

Only, he couldn't really keep that low of a profile while he was tracking someone down.

"Looking for Luna?" Leia asked, knowing what he was thinking. "You know, if something had happened, she would have contacted us. She'll come back when she wants to."

"Or she won't and will get herself killed," Vader replied flatly.

"I know you're worried about her, we all are, but she didn't become feared for no reason. She can take care of herself."

"I am aware."

Leia sighed before leaving, knowing further discussion was useless. Both of the twins had tried elevating the Sith's worries only for him to brush them off numerous times. Vader understood they were trying to help, really, he did, but they simply couldn't understand this all consuming worry and guilt that weighed on him with each breath.

Luna.

She was still gone, and Vader still had yet to find any information on her. Why had she left? Why had he been foolish enough to not check on her sooner? Why hadn't she returned?

Vader knew the answers to those questions, and he hated himself for making so many mistakes. Why didn't he talk about what was going to happen with her before everything came falling apart?

Vader could have told her about his past, about who he was, about what relation he had to the twins, about his plans for all of them, but he didn't.

And because of that, his beloved apprentice had left him. Because of that, Luna believed he had been replacing her. Because of that, the bond that had once been the strongest in comparison to any bond Vader had had with anyone else was nearly non-existent.

And like many other things, the blame fell completely and totally on Vader's shoulders.