Beyond - Legends The Last Stand (Pre HOTE, AU, Han/Leia) UPDATED 6/16 - COMPLETED

Title: The Last Stand
Summary: It's three months before the events of Hote and continues
from there. Luke goes on a quest to see Ben Kenobi, and learns
something shocking that will change the life's of everyone forever.
Category summary: This is an AU based on Timothy Zahn's amazing
trilogy of Heir of the Empire, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command.
Main Characters: Luke, Leia, Han, Vader, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Thrawn


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leia Organa Solo stood on the balcony of her suite inside the grand
Imperial Palace over looking the ancient city. It was night and the
skyline was lit up like huge stars in the sky. It was a stunning sight to
see.

Han Solo could be seen walking up to his wife from inside their
apartment and carefully wrapped his arms around her before saying,
"Sweetheart, you sure you should be out here?"

"Han, I'm only four weeks pregnant," Leia chuckled, and leaned over to
kiss his cheek. "I feel perfectly fine."

"I read that it's not healthy for new mommies to be out in the cold night
air," Han teased gentally. "Lets get back inside."

"Solo, you're pushing it," Leia grinned. The Solo's kissed and held
each other tightly.

"all right, Mrs Solo, spill the Bantha milk," Han urged, seeing her face
tense.

"What?"

"You're worried about something."

"Luke left for Endor today."

"Oh."

"Oh, what?"

"Look, Leia," Han began uneasily. "The kid's a big boy now. He's a Jedi
Knight for pete sake. Trust that he can take care of himself."

"It's just..." Leia trailed off. "I don't know. Nothing feels right about it."

"Great," Han murmured darkly. "The kid has you doing that Jedi thing
now too."

"Our kids might be able to do that 'Jedi thing, Solo," Leia countered. "I'd
watch what you say if I were you."

"Perfect," Han muttered.

"But you'll love them anyway." Leia said.

"Always, sweetheart," Han vowed with a warm smile.

They kissed once more before going back inside for the night.



~~~~~

"Admiral, please come inside."

The commander of the Executor 2 and the remaining Imperial fleet
walked into the quarters of his new commander with his head held
proudly high. It was the deepest honor in getting this assignment. After
endless years of serving under Darth Vader he was finally getting the
position he deserved. Second-in-command of the entire Imperial Empire.
He was the one chosen to take Lord Vader's place. While that easily
sent cold chill's up his back it was the one before him that made him
feel that old fear.

"Grand Admiral Thrawn, it's the greatest honor to see you again, Milord,"
Piett beamed proudly.

He bowed at once as Thrawn gestured him closer from his white colored
comm

 

Minister Organa Solo could be seen easily seated at her desk. The
former Princess was working on a data pad. Her head was down cast,
and she wasn't looking toward the door. Her lovely face was harden as
she studied the pad in her grasp. Those dark and haunting eyes filled
brightly as she read what it said.

To Minister Organa Solo,

The planet of Naboo has no records of the last treaty with the
Republic, and will keep it's standing treaty with the Imperial Empire
that went into effect under the rule of Queen Jamilla of Naboo, nearly
thirty years ago.

We deeply thank you however, for your request of membership into the
New Republic, on our behalf.

Sincerely,

The Royal House of Naboo.


Han Solo knocked softly on the hard wooden door, and his wife looked
up from her reading. Her eyes showed her heart on her sleeve. Yet
another world had refused to join the New Republic. Yet another world
had refused to leave the boot of the Empire.

Han asked softly, "They said no, huh?"

"I can't believe they would do this, Han," Leia whispered. "Naboo had a
peaceful friendship with Alderaan all of my life. They always hated the
Empire as much as my father did. When they're finally given the chance
to get out, they say no?"

"You can't convince everybody sweetheart that this is the right thing,"
Han argued softly. "We won't even know for sure until years from now."

Leia sighed and tossed the pad on her desk, "I've had enough of this for
six lifetimes. Why am I doing this again? Maybe I should have told Luke
that I'd help him rebuild the Jedi Order. It seems so much more simple
than this right now."

"How about dinner tonight?" Han offered. "My treat." He sat on the desk
infront of her, and brushed away the hair that was in her eyes. He
smiled.

"Sounds good, Captain." She teased. "Now, get out. I have to look at
the rest of these before I leave today."

"Yes, You're Highnesses," Han teased back. "Your wish is my every
command."

~*~*~

Wedge Antillies, and Luke Skywalker, made it to the top level of the
AT-AT Walker base. The lift had protested the whole way up to the
level. The last five years hadn't been kind to this place. That was for
certain.

"The place looks clean for a base that has been empty for so long,"
Wedge mummers. "Real clean."

"The lift doors to the top are dead ahead," Luke said, ignoring him.

They continued to move through the darkness innocently, having no
idea as to what they would find next.




***




~*~*~

The lift doors were in sight, as Luke lead Wedge through the darken
corridor. Luke could hear the sound of his friend's nervous breathing in
the darkness, and Luke desperately fought against the wave of
haunting memories the sound brought bac

 

~*~*~

Wedge grabbed at the material in Luke's hands, and studied it with
frightful curiosity. The heavy black silk was battered and torn. It was
obvious that it hadn't been worn by the owner for sometime. That was
if what Luke said was true. Could this really be Vader's? Wedge thought
it was possible. Also that Luke wouldn't ever say something like that if it
wasn't true.

"It's been five years Luke, why would this be here?" Wedge demanded.
"I think we're going off track here by light years, and should get back to
our mission. Mon Mothma thinks that the Emperor left some of his little
toys buried around here in case that his troops had needed them to
defend the shield generator in case of an attack. It's obvious that he
never got the chance to say anything, if anything is still here. I still
think we should have started somewhere else though. This place was
just mostly a landing platform for incoming ships from the Death Star."

"I was hoping to see something," Luke murmured softly. "This was the
last place that I seen them. Yoda. Obi-Wan. My father. I thought
maybe going back here would help me learn something."

"Using NR assignments for personal matters Luke, isn't your style,"
Wedge replied dryly.

"You're right," Luke said, as if off someplace else. "I should have started
somewhere else. Maybe Tatooine."

"Luke."

Luke stopped dead in his tracks and stepped into the lift where he
found the robe on the floor.

"Luke, hey, wait!"

The lift then made it's decent upward, leaving Wedge Antillies below to
wonder what just had gotten into the head of his usually level-headed
friend.

"There's nothing up there, Luke," Wedge called. Why do I have the
feeling we're all going to be sorry?









***
~*~*~


"Admiral Piett?"

The Admiral looked up from his command chair on the bridge of the
Executor 2, that had been hovering in Endor space for the last three
hours. Many memories had washed over him. Most of all of how he had
nearly died in the great space battle with the crew of the first
Executor. It had been an amazing set of unexpected events that had
brought him to this moment. Most of which would likely mean his
command, if ever fully brought to the attention of a certain few.

"Yes, commander Teves?"

The young human woman stood at attention before speaking:
"Admiral, Grand Admiral Thrawn wishes to see you about what was
discovered.."

"Commander!" Piett snapped harshly. "You should no better then anyone
not to say important facts of any mission out in the open. You never
know who could be listening in."

Piett wasn't certain if that was the fear speaking from serving under
Lord Vader for so long, or that it was actually a protocol one was
expected to follow. Vader could hear anything, and everything. If he

 

The lift came to a dead stop. It rattled as Luke opened the doors. The
darkness of the forest moon surrounded everything at this level. It was
where Luke could feel the most cold as well, through the entire
structure.

That is what the Dark Side felt like. One massive wave of cold air.

Luke knew the feeling well. It had surrounded Anakin Skywalker before
he had died on the second Death Star.

The feeling had followed them all the way down to the planet, but Luke
had ignored it.

They had been watched the entire time.

Someone had been waiting for Luke to leave his father's remains in the
Endor forest, so that they could..

Luke walked onto the landing platform where he had landed with the
Imperial ship.

The answer was there, but what was it?

Luke reached into the Force, but was again pierced with the Dark Side's
touch.

The Dark Side ran all over this place, as it's most loyal student had
once walked these lands, as he waited for his son.

That was when the Dark Side had been most powerful inside of Darth
Vader.

When Vader had thought he was going to pass his Dark legacy onto his
son.

Luke could feel those old thoughts and feelings run over him, as he
walked over the landing platform, where his father's ship had sat.

It had consumed him.

Leia had been right.

Luke then could see what he had come to find here.

A Jedi Master had been here in this place. He had watched Luke say
good-bye to his father, and took what he thought he could salvage of
Darth Vader. He took what he thought would only save the Empire from
the Rebellion's final victory.

And he had brought what he could here.

Had the Jedi Master been successful in his quest to return Darth Vader to
life?

Yes.

That was what had drawn Luke here.

He could feel the presence of Darth Vader.

That presence had lived here. It had breathed life from run down
medical life support equipment, that had barely succeeded in keeping him
alive, until...

Until what...

Someone had been here recently, and had taken Vader away to finish
what he had started.

No. Luke's mind screamed.

"Luke, you all right?"

Luke Skywalker blinked, and found himself looking into the concerned
face of Wedge Antillies. Luke was laying on the deck on his back. He
had fallen.

Luke allowed Wedge to help him to his feet.

"No," Luke answered. "I'm not all right. We have to get home. I have to
warn them."

"Warn who?" Wedge asked, confused. "Are you sure you're all right,
Luke?"

Luke swallowed hard. He couldn't tell Wedge what he knew. His friend
would think he was going crazy.

Luke blinke

 

~~

The woman was tossed hard into a larger room, and the cruel guards
left her behind, as the hard steal doors were slammed tightly closed
behind them.

She quickly forced herself to her feet, and pushed the thick red hair
back from her face, as she took in her new surroundings.

She was on a Ship. After all this time, they finally allowed her to see
where she was being held. But why?

"I bet you have many questions, Hand," a voice echoed in the darkness
of the room. "I hope to answer as many as I can for you."

"How do you know me?" the woman demanded. "No one calls me that
except for-"

"Oh, I'm not our dear Emperor," Thrawn smiled thinly, enjoying the fear
he could hear in her voice. "You see, in case you didn't know, he's
dead. You failed in your duty Hand. Luke Skywalker killed our great
master at Endor. You failed to protect the one that cared about you
most in this galaxy. The one that took a nothing child and guided her
into his greatness. You betrayed him for everything he stood for. I
should have you killed for such a betrayl against us. We've been paying
for the last five years for your one mistake."

"It's been that long?" the woman said softly. Waves of anger and shame
filled her heart.

"Yes." Thrawn moved into a shadow of light and could finally be seen by
the Emperor's Hand.

Enraged green eyes watched him carefully now.

"Grand Admiral Thrawn," the name carried distastefully from her lips.

"Ah, you do know who I am," Thrawn beamed. "I'm deeply honered that
the great Emperor's Hand knows who I am. You were very young the
last time that we met."

"You were the one that brought me to the Emperor," the woman hissed.
"How could I forget that?"

"That is the past, Jade," Thrawn reminded her. His thin red eyes then
moved to something else that was in the room with them. "This-is our
future."

Mara Jade's eyes moved wide in horror, as she took in the presence
that had went undetected by her before.

"Darth Vader." She whispered in fear.

Vader stepped out of his place in the shadows and revealed his full
menacing size.

It even made Thrawn briefly wonder if he had been right in trusting this
monster with what he had planned.

Thrawn however did not consider what plans that still burned inside of
the black heart that was the Dark Lord of the Sith.

But Mara Jade knew.

And she would now be apart of them more then ever.








~~

Han Solo knew this was coming.

It was late when Leia managed to make her way home, so she didn't
bother to say anything about Luke's visit. She just quietly kissed him
goodnight, before going to sleep for the night.

Across from the breakfast table, he could feel those dark eyes following
his every gesture. Judging and waiting f

 

~~
It would be shortly after noon, as Joop Darr made her way into the
Imperial Palace on Coruscant. It was a
stunning structure. Tall glass walls, fixed with artwork from all over the
galaxy. The sunlight beamed through
beautifully, highlighting the skyline, that buzzed with air traffic this time
of day.

Joop let loose her red hair from her flight coat, as she turned down the
main corridor that housed the Senate
Offices. She was looking for Luke Skywalker, or anything that lay in
strong connection of him. What would have
a stronger connection with Skywalker, than his own twin sister who was
Minister-of-State of the New Republic.

She spotted a woman leaving the main Senate Office at the end of the
corridor. She fitted the description that
Karrde had given her for Organa Solo. A small framed woman, short, and
often dressed only in Alderaanian
clothes. The woman also was wearing the Alderaanian crest on her
shoulder. Only what a Alderaanian diplomat,
or High born of the Royal House of Alderaan would wear.

Leia Organa Solo was both of those things.

Joop reached into the small sack on her shoulder, and pulled out a small
metal handle.

Joop followed behind the woman until she was directly behind her in the
crowded corridor.

It was then that a wave of a purple lightsaber blade flashed before her
green eyes, and easily knocked the metal
handle from her grasp, as it sliced into the skin of her small right wrist,
cutting it clear away from the rest of her
body.

Joop then staggered as she fought for her footing. Unconsciousness
threatened her, as she had trouble seeing
her attackers face. Joop allowed her body to fall to the floor. It would
feel nice to rest. She thought.

Some people in the corridor screamed.

Others ignored them.

"By the Force, you're only a child," a concerned voice whispered. "Why
did you do this?"

"I only wanted too talk with you," Joop choked. "About your brother."

"Luke." Leia whispered.

"Why did you have a stun weapon, if you only wanted to speak with
me?" Leia demanded, after seeing what the
girl had been holding, as it laid now beside her.

"I'm sorry," was the only thing that the sixteen year old could manage
to get out, before she finally lapsed into
unconsciousness.






~~

 

I wasn't going to continue with this story. I wasn't going to continue with any of them for that matter. But I decided before I pass judgement on these new forums I should give them a chance first. So this story and my others will resume.

 

Yes please continue it Sara!!!


The begining is soo interesting. Its hard to imaginge Leia and Han being so opposed to a warning that Luke would bring them.

I hope my poor lukie is alright. . .


But Vader came back to the light?? I guess he fell again. . . .

Mara's Back. . .

As is Karrde. . . I wonder what Leia will do about the girl . . .

 

Actually this whole board split up is a great idea, mainly due to so many stories getting lost and you can read what holds your interest knowing with out a doubt which story belongs to which series it's a part of.

I'm glad you have decided to continue the story Sara, I look forward to the next chapter.

 

I read this story when you first posted it. I'm glad you've chosen to continue with it.

 

Thank you so much everyone.


Look for the new post by Wednesday.

 

Ooh, I apparently missed about four good posts! Maybe the split is a good thing. No more digging through JA fics.

 

Thank you, Yubyub. And I know what you mean. I've found like six great stories since the boards split that I missed before. Plus alot of good reposts that were these massive fics before on the other board. I wasnt liking the split at all, but now I'm really pleased with how it's turning out so far. It's been great for alot of people.

 

"I can't believe this kid tried to kill you," Han Solo grumbled, eyeing up the teenager on the medical bed in
the hospital unit that was located in the Imperial Palace on the tenth level up from the Senate wing. "And I
can't for the life of me understand why you wanted to help her here. You should send her off to the Brig. I
could convince Wedge you know. He owes me one."

"You say that about everyone, hotshot," Leia quipped dryly. "And I'm all right. So there's no reason to send
her anywhere. At least until I know what she wants with me."

"Maybe the Empire sent her." He regretted the words instantly.

Leia choose to ignore him and bent down to the side of the bed.

"Can you hear us?"

Joop's eyes fluttered. Leia couldn't help but look to the severed limb that lay on the girl's right side. What
was left of the arm was saved and reattached. The hand was however lost forever.

Leia had seen this kind of injury twice before. She had grown up in the Old Republic, with an ever watchful
eye on Darth Vader. Luke had lost a hand while trying to save her and Han on Cloud City. She knew she
shouldn't let it bother her.

But this was the first time being in the position of being the one who gave the injury. A permanent injury at
that. That was something that Leia wasn't used too, and it bothered her much more then she would have
liked it too.

That was why she was standing over a girl that could have killed her easily if she had wanted too. Taking
out not only one life, but three life's.

That was another reason why Leia stood here now. If there was something out there watching them like
Luke said, Leia suspected that this girl could help them find out what it was.

The Empire or not. Vader or not.

Leia could sense that she had to be ready when it came.

"Princess Leia?"

So the girl did know who she was.

"How do you know me and my family?" Leia demanded right away.

"I wasn't going to hurt you." Joop Darr choked. "I need information."

"Why?" Han demanded, butting in. "Information for who?"

Leia shot him a look to back off, but at this point Han didn't care. He wasn't going to stand aside, and allow
people to threaten the only family he had ever had. Leia and these unborn children were that family.

Han Solo would not allow anyone to take that away.

"Talon Karrde," Joop said, desperate for Han to leave her alone. "His name is Talon Karrde."








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

 

wow great post and what a cliffie.

more please

and yeah I was all for the board split from the beginning cause I thougt it was a great idea, and it is.

 

Ooh, great post. Poor Han and Leia and Joop.

 

Mara Jade couldn't get used to her new surroundings. No longer was she in the cell that had made her wonder if she would ever get out of with the Emperor dead and gone.

Thrawn had her placed into one of the most rich looking rooms that Mara had ever seen in all her years with the Empire. Thrawn had told her that this was her life now. She only had to do one thing to keep it that way.

Steal Leia Organa Solo's children when they were born, and deliver them to their new master.

Darth Vader.

Mara was curious as to why Vader would be interested in the children of a Politician.

Leia Organa had been the daughter of Bail Organa, a rich and powerful Prince from Alderaan, that had a strong foot in Old Republic politics. It had not proved strong enough however when Organa had tried to take Palpatine from power at the head of the Clone Wars. It had only made the new Empire more powerful if anything.

Organa was long dead, and so was any riches that Leia would have inherited from him.

It would give Vader nothing to have those children. Only perhaps enrage a certain Jedi Knight that was a close friend of the Princess' and Han Solo.

Of course.

That was why Vader wanted the unborn twins of Leia Organa Solo.

To draw Skywalker out.

The good Knight would come, and try to save the little Solo children, and Vader would have what he had wanted all along.

The complete seduction of Luke Skywalker.

Now all that was left to do was wait.
----------------------------

Darth Vader had been waiting.

Waiting for the Emperor to fall.

Waiting for his son to realize the power of the Dark Side, and finally cross over to the true power of the Force.

Which was the Dark Side.

Every Knight learned that one way or another by the end.

First had been, Qui-Gon Jinn.

A Dark Lord of Sith had cut him down, and showed him the error of his ways. That the Light Side was indeed the more weak. It could not reach out and save you in the end.

Obi-Wan had been the next to fall.

Then even the great and powerful Master Yoda.

Vader had felt his death as his Star Destroyer had first entered Endor space.

But Darth Vader had been saved.

His new and great Dark Master had pulled Darth Vader from Anakin Skywalker, and breathed the Dark Light into him again.

It made him feel more stronger than ever before.

And the first he would bless with that strength was two new life Forces that would soon make their way into the Galaxy.

The time was soon.

All that there was left to do was wait.
-----------------------------------

 

Great post! Interesting villain perspectives.

 

Thank you, Yubyub!

 

interesting post



more!

 

ooohh I like this story. It is very interesting so far.

 

Thanks again everyone. The next update should be by Tuesday. We'll meet Vader's new boss.

 

Sara this is great!! I've never read any of the EU stories... I don't know anything about Thrawn and very little about Mara Jade, but you're writing is perfectly understandable. Vader come back to life...*shudders* Sooo creepy. I'm not sure I want all of the details of that. Please post soon! I'm really enjoying it.

Tess

 

Sorry I took so long to get over here.

Wow great posts!

I can't wait to meet Vader's boss. Is it tuesday yet? Blast! Only thursday...

lordmaul13

 

Tess: Great to see you here. I'm glad it's coming across good. That's one of the big things I try to do when I'm writing a fic that's a spin on a much larger story in the EU. I never try to write a direct fic off of another story either because I don't trust myself with other people's work so deeply. If you ever read an EU book read Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn. I think that has the best take off from the films and you don't have to know the rest of the EU books to understand it.

lordmaul: I knew you'd get here eventually. Don't worry about it.