CHAPTER FOUR: A PACT IS MADE

Okay, okay, shoot me. I didn't type this up like I said I would. Sorry. I had too much going on to dig out a bunch of papers and sit and type. Next chapter is the last one, so I will endeavour to post it reasonably soon.

Please R & R!

A year after I had begun serving under Vader, it appeared that we would finally be able to begin carrying out our plan, agreed on months before. In the meantime I had been promoted to Black 2 and finished my training as Vader's secret apprentice. I now spent a great deal of time training the new Black 3, a man some years my senior yet far below me in ability. In my spare time I practiced my Force-skills and occasionally joined my father in his quarters in order to brush up on my lightsaber skills. My hidden role looked like it might finally begin to pay off when Imperial spies reported a possible location for the rebel base.

The Executor made its way to the small planet and stormtroopers were dispatched while myself and the other pilots waited, ready to attack any ships attempting to flee the planet. We didn't have to wait long. Small crafts soon came shooting out of the atmosphere, and we went after them. I went wheeling after Vader as he pursued a ship, protecting his TIE from rebels. We flew around for some time, taking out rebels trying to escape. We returned to the Executor just as the rebel prisoners were brought aboard. I was in the docking bay when I felt a sudden twinge. I turned, and, sure enough, Luke was escorted past a moment later. His face was blank, and I knew that he was watching and waiting until he had a change to attempt to change the situation he was in.

/Luke is here/ I told Vader. He absorbed this, then cut the connection. I followed the stormtroopers, keeping an eye on Luke. His mind was watchful, wary, taking note of all he saw. I tapped on his light shields, alerting him to my presence.

/Who are you/

/Brianna Skywalker/ I replied promptly. There was shock at the other end. /I'm your sister./

I broke the contact and went striding towards the detention block, where I knew I would find my father. I turned a corner and smacked straight into someone else with the same purposeful stride.

He put out a gloved hand to steady me while I rubbed my nose, which had hit the ebony armour straight-on.

"I made contact and told him who I was before cut it off again," I told Vader.

He nodded.

"I will speak to you later," he said shortly, and turned to return to the detention block in search of his son before Luke attracted unpleasant attention from the officers.

Later in the evening I was called to Vader's quarters. I had received no news all day of either my father or my brother and so I was glad of the summons. The door opened as I approached.

"Enter, Black 2."

I walked into the room to find Vader watching Luke, who was gazing out the observation window with his mouth set in a hard line. With infinite care I lowered my shields a little, enough for anyone Force-sensitive in the room to perceive the light and darkness swirling around me. Luke whirled and stared at me, his face still expressionless but his eyes disbelieving.

"Brianna," Vader stated, "I believe you have met Skywalker before now."

I nodded.

"When I was in charge of the royal fleet on Brilspith."

Recognition came to Luke. I studied him. There were new lines on his face, and a weary look in the blue eyes.

"You look like you've had a hard time lately," I observed, genuinely sympathetic. I looked at our father.

"Do not look so accusing," Vader rebuked. "Anything that he has suffered is a result of his own folly. We make our own choices." He turned to Luke. "It is time for you, my son, to make a choice."

I spoke.

"No one in this galaxy is powerful enough to overthrow the Emperor," I said frankly. "Certainly not your precious Alliance. Only a combination of certain powerful people could possibly be sufficient. A combination of the three remaining people in the galaxy who have been trained to use the Force."

Realisation hit Luke. His shields slammed up, but not before we saw…

"There is another?" I asked. "Another strong in the Force?"

He didn't answer, so I returned to the subject of the discussion.

"We aim to replace Palpatine," I said briskly. "Our father may not be merciful but he would be just, and he would pull the galaxy out of the spiral of destruction that it is currently descending."

"I will never join the Sith," my brother declared.

"I am no Sith," I told him, allowing him to sense the truth in my words. "Nor Jedi. I am one who follows neither path. I am Light and Dark. I am Twilight."

I walked to the chair by the computer console and sat in it. I looked at Vader.

/Your turn./

He stepped forward.

"Joining us is the only way in which you will ever defeat the Emperor," he rumbled. "All I desire is order and peace in the galaxy. It is all I have ever wanted."

Luke's eyes widened as he perceived the truth of Vader's last statement.

"It was the desire for the corruption in the Republic to cease that caused me to turn to the Dark Side," my father continued, radiating sincerity. "I believed that the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine would restore justice. I was mistaken."

Brooding silence for a moment.

"All I really wanted was the wellbeing of the galaxy. Yet your mother's way was far more effective in the end."

I was interested.

"Luke's mother?"

"My mother?" Luke repeated, losing some of his defensiveness.

"Senator Padme Amidala, former Queen of Naboo."

There was anguish present in the mechanical voice.

"How'd you meet her?" I asked. There was a moment of hesitation.

"I was living on Tatooine," Vader said finally, "with my mother. We were the slaves of a Toydarian named Watto." He ignored Luke's shocked gasp and my look of surprise. "When I was nine years old a disabled ship landed on Tatooine, carrying the Queen of Naboo, the Jedi Qui-Gonn Jinn, and his padawan, Obi Wan Kenobi."

Another noise from Luke, partly muffled this time.

"The Jedi had me freed and when they left I went with them." His voice softened. "Padme had been masquerading as a handmaiden for her own safety. I cane to be friends with her. When I first saw her, I thought that she was the most beautiful creature that I had ever seen. I asked her if she was an angel."

Somehow I couldn't imagine Vader as such a child. From the look on Luke's face, he couldn't either.

"I did not see her again until ten years later when Kenobi and I were assigned to protect the now-senator from assassins. Padme and I fell in love and secretly married."

There was a thoughtful silence.

"What happened?" Luke asked.

"She died giving birth to you." Vader's voice was colder than I had ever heard it. Luke became wary again.

"I have no doubt, however, that she would be very proud of–" He stopped. I'd caught it too.

"Sister?" I asked in astonishment. "You have a twin sister?"

Luke looked horrified at his slip.

"Padme had twins," Vader said expressionlessly. "That would explain her difficulties in childbirth."

"That means I have a sister too!" I exclaimed, suddenly filled with enthusiasm. I looked at Luke.

"Who is she?"

Luke debated whether or not to tell us, his face mirroring his indecision.

"Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan," he said at last.

"Organa?" Vader repeated sharply. Luke nodded reluctantly.

"She does not know," he added. "Only I was told."

He looked at vader flatly.

"If I failed, she was their only hope."

"Whose hope?" demanded my father.

"Obi Wan and Yoda's."

"Yoda lives." The voice was chilling,

Luke shook his head.

"No longer. He is one with the Force now."

Vader wheeled to face me.

"Escort the prisoner to the detention block, Black 2," he ordered.

"Yes, my lord," I saluted, snapping back into my role as an Imperial officer. The binders attached themselves to Luke's wrists and the door opened. I gestured to some stormtroopers walking past.

"Lord Vader commands that the prisoner be escorted to the detention block," I informed them.

"Yes ma'am," said one, and the group joined us. I didn't look at Luke as we headed towards the cell block, but lowered my shields a little.

/So whaddaya think, Luke/ I sent. He glanced sideways at me, but I did nto glance back. I was strictly an officer right now.

/I don't know what I think./

/You sure disturbed him, telling him about your twin. Sure surprised me. I mean, damn, how many kids does he have floating around out there/

There was a flicker at the corner of Luke's mouth.

/So, you're Brianna Skywalker, huh/

/I go by Starstorm now. Brianna Skywalker isn't too safe. You never knew you had a big sister, did you/

/Did he/ Luke asked shrewdly.

/Not until I was arrested aboard a rebel ship/ I replied wryly. /I'd thought I was aboard a smuggling craft./

/What happened/

/I was flung away to Brilspith with severe bruising and a broken rib./ I gave a mental wince.

/He did it/ Concern.

/When he was interrogating me, before he found out who I was. Scariest moment of my life, meeting him. Yet I was kind of glad it had finally happened./

"Who's this?" the officer in charge demanded as we entered the detention block. I saluted.

"The prisoner was with Lord Vader, sir," I replied. "He is to be returned to his cell."

"Hmm." The officer gave me a grouchy look. "You seem to be back in favour again, Starstorm."

"Yes, sir," I said brightly. He snorted.

"You may return to your duties."

I left, shielding my mind from Luke and connecting to quite a different presence.

/Dad/

/Don't call me Dad./ Irritation.

/He's back in detention block. What now/

/leave him to reflect on our offer. Converse with him if he so wishes./

/Yo./

/What did you say, Brianna/ Suspicion.

/I said 'yo.' It means 'yes.'/

/You will not use it within my presence./

/But I'm not within your presence/ I pointed out.

There was a strong sense of menace.

/But I get your point/ I added. /No 'yo's./

/Good./

/He really shocked you today, didn't he/

/Yes./

I let it go at that.

Late that night I was suddenly woken by the touch of another awareness.

You have odd dreams/ Luke remarked, unabashed. I sent him a mental glare.

/Why'd you wake me/ I demanded.

/Nothing else to do./

I growled and rolled over, shutting him out before remembering Vader's instructions. Reluctantly I let him in again.

/Thanks/ Luke said. He sounded bored. /So when did you join this lot/

/After the events on Brilspith. Vader oversaw the planet while he was there, and I was the pilot of the ship he travelled on. We were attacked, and I flew with sufficient skill to impress him./

I stopped as someone stumbled into the room. How the hell'd they get in? The reek of alcohol hit me a moment later. The officer straightened a little, grinning.

/Excuse me a moment./

"What are you doing in here?" I demanded indignantly. The inebriated man gave a drunken giggle.

"Came to pay you company," he slurred, leering. At least, I assumed that that was what he said. He couldn't even speak a proper sentence.

"Oh, for the Force," I muttered, climbing out of bed.

Next moment the surprised officer found himself sprawled in the hallway. This time I made sure that the door to my quarters was properly locked.

/That happen often/

/Not this sort of thing, no./ I was disgusted. /Usually it's limited to sneers and unpleasant remarks./

/There aren't many women in the Imperial forces, are there/ Curiosity.

/Very few. His Imperial Majesty is a sexist bastard as well as a racist one./

I was unable to hide my anger. Darkness flared at the edges of my aura. I changed the subject.

/So, what's Leia like/

There was a mental chuckle.

/Very strong-minded. She's one of the leaders of the Alliance. A lot of people are afraid of her./

Another chuckle.

/She's also very short./

/Not like me and Father, then. Mind you, most people are short next to him./

I sent Luke an imagined image of an open-mouthed Admiral Piett gaping up at a house-sized Vader. My brother couldn't help laughing.

/You seem to know him fairly well/ he observed, once he'd calmed down.

/I guess so./ Thoughtfully. /I'm the only person he can really talk to, you see. He's lonely./

I was surprised to find myself saying this, but realized that it was true.

/He pretends that he dislikes me, but he's fond of me really. I think I'm like he was, a little. He's fond of you, too/ I added as an afterthought.

/Of me/ Luke was astonished.

/He can't admit that there's anything human left in him/ I explained. I grinned. /Call him 'Dad' and you'll soon find that out. Night, Luke./

/Goodnight, Brianna./

The next day I found myself escorting my brother again, this time from the detention block to Vader's quarters.

I entered, Luke walking in front of me.

"Hello, Dad," Luke said blandly.

Vader turned and looked at me accusingly. I pinned an innocent expression to my face. He turned back to Luke. Immediately I gave an evil grin.

"Don't call me 'Dad'," he rumbled, disapproval infusing his voice. Luke's lips twitched. I winked at him. I decided that I like Luke. He had a sense of humour.

"Son," Vader intoned, completely the menacing Dark Lord once more. "What is your choice?"

/You'll get me out of this, in the end/

/Every time./ I replied.

"I will help you depose Palpatine, but no more," Luke said unwillingly. Father looked at me. I frowned at him. If he was going to pull his son into the workings of the Empire after he became Emperor, he could do it by himself.

"I have told the Emperor that you are here," Vader told Luke, accepting the situation for the moment. "He is on his way."

My eyes sparkled.

"Our moment approaches?"

"Indeed."

A ha! So now Luke's in it, too! Palpatine is so going down.