Rescue for a Sith Princess

Chapter 7

Eyeing the practice droid, Luke skillfully deflected every blast sent his way, blue lightsaber in hand. He turned to face Obi-Wan with a huge grin on his face.

"Did you feel the Force flowing through you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"You know, I really did. I wasn't nervous at all, instead I was at complete peace," Luke replied thoughtfully.

Obi-Wan stood and unclipped his lightsaber from his belt. "I do believe you have mastered the basics of utilizing a lightsaber. Now defending yourself from practice droids is one thing. Defending yourself from a live enemy is another. It is time that you learn how to duel against another lightsaber."

Luke's mouth dropped open. "I'm going to fight you?"

The old Jedi Master chuckled. "For practice, of course. And I won't be in it to...dismember you or kill you. Just to teach you. That's one way the training of a Jedi and Sith differs," he spoke sadly.

"Do you think anything like that has happened to the princess?" Luke asked gravely.

Obi-Wan stared off into the distance for a moment. "I hope not," he sighed. "On that note, we will find out from Captain Solo how she is doing any minute now."

As if on cue, Han appeared on the hologram projector. "Hello? Are you guys there?"

Obi-Wan approached the projector and answered, "Luke and I are here, but we are still waiting for Bail Organa."

"Is the princess all right? Is she dead?" Luke asked frantically.

Han had to stifle a laugh. "Calm down, kid, she's all right. How are you doing with your Jedi nonsense?"

Luke gave Han a pout and defiant glare. "It's not nonsense. And since you asked, I am doing fantastic. Ben told me that I'm already able to fight people."

"Good!" Han shouted sarcastically. "'Cause that's what you'll be doing eventually. I don't think Darth Vader is going to send an evil practice droid to destroy you."

As Luke was about to retort, Ben placed his hand on Luke's arm and said, "Pride is a way of the Sith, as they care only about themselves. Jedi care about others; remember who you are becoming a Jedi for."

"Of course, I apologize," Luke said, shame evident in his voice.

Bail Organa stepped into the room and sat down beside Obi-Wan and Luke. "Hello, have I missed anything?"

"Just Luke bragging about his Jedi skills," Han said. Although Bail's face was weary, he allowed his hardened features to crack into a smile. His face soon returned to seriousness.

"What news do you have of Leia?"

Han grimaced, remembering their tense partings the other night. Things had remained strained between them for the past few days. "She is not entirely well. While I have hope that she can be turned, she is very lost in despair. Vader and the Emperor are really hard on her during training, especially the Emperor. She's sustained some injuries from lightsabers, but she's healing quickly."

He studied the three men's faces before continuing. Bail's features had become even more haggard, Luke's head was lowered and his face somber, and Obi-Wan's expression was unreadable.

"Most of the damage has been done to her emotionally. She feels worthless and has trouble summoning anger for her training. But there have been moments where I sense the good in her. Even the princess admits that she feels a strong pull to the Light Side."

Luke's expression immediately cheered. "That has to be good, right Ben?"

Obi-Wan patted the boy's shoulder. "It does give us reason to hope."

"When will Luke be ready to face her? I have to admit, she is becoming very strong," Han said.

Luke's eyes widened and Obi-Wan said, "Luke still needs more time to prepare. I sense Princess Leia's darkness through the Force, and it is fierce."

"What do you want me to do until then? She only keeps getting stronger," Han asked.

"Whatever you're doing currently is obviously helping her. The fact that she admitted a pull to the Light to you is extremely beneficial. She trusts you."

~~~

"Have you felt the disturbance in the Force, Lord Vader?" Palpatine asked his apprentice.

"I have, my master," Vader replied. "Do you think it is merely the work being done with Darth Tochter?"

The Emperor bared his decaying teeth in a sinister smile. "I do not believe so. This is work on the Light Side of the Force. I do believe it is manifesting in the training of Luke Skywalker...the son of Anakin Skywalker."

Vader's breath hitched. "Skywalker had a daughter and a son?"

"Isn't it wonderful?" Palpatine sneered. "If we could also turn the boy, we will have the most powerful family ruling the galaxy. No force could stop us."

"Why is young Skywalker training in the ways of the Force?" Vader asked.

The Emperor stood and moved until he was standing only a few inches away from Vader. "Why do you think? To defeat his sister." 

He paused and allowed the words to sink in before barking to his guards, "Bring Lord Tochter to me now!"

Vader's head swam as he processed the information the Emperor dumped in his lap. They had been twins...I never knew. Padmé never told me.

"Lord Vader!" Emperor Palpatine ripped Vader out of his reverie. "I sense conflict in you. I do hope your feelings are clear on this matter."

"They are, my master."

Two of the Emperor's guards appeared with Leia in their custody. "Ah yes, thank you for joining us, Lord Tochter. I have some news to share with you. Guards! Bring me the first stormtrooper you encounter in the halls."

Leia stood beside Darth Vader as they both faced the Emperor. "What did you summon me for, my master?" Leia bowed before him.

"I have become aware of an enemy that is a direct threat to you, Tochter. A young Jedi named Luke Skywalker is training in the ways of the Force so that he can destroy you."

"Why would this Skywalker wish to destroy me? I am only training in the Dark Side; I am not a Sith yet," Leia questioned.

The Emperor grinned maliciously and continued, "Because he is your brother."

Confusion filled Leia's expression upon hearing Palpatine's words. "That's not possible, I have no siblings."

"You are aware you were adopted. Search your feelings, you know this to be true." A look of recognition passed over Leia's features. She felt a weak connection in the Force to this other being...her brother. 

Palpatine grinned and said, "You must complete your training so that you can face Skywalker and turn him to the Dark Side. And that will be done easily. Guards, kneel the stormtrooper here before Lord Tochter."

Leia's eyes darted to a pair of guards leading a stormtrooper to her. He knelt down in front of her and turned up his face to look at her.

"Your task is simple," the Emperor said. "Kill him."

The color drained from Leia's face and her mouth went dry. Dueling with Vader was one thing, but murdering a defenseless human was another. A voice deep in her subconscious, the Rebel, warned her not to commit such a crime. But Leia feared the wrath of the Emperor if she refused and pushed that voice back into the depths of her mind.

She ignited her red lightsaber and summoned as much fear, anger, and hatred as she could. This was her destiny now. She drew the weapon up close to his neck, her hands trembling intensely.

As she was about to swing back her weapon, she faintly heard him say over the hum of her lightsaber, "Princess Leia."

There was only one person on the Death Star who ever referred to her as "Princess Leia." Her arms stopped abruptly, her eyes widened, and she whispered shakily, "Number One?"