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Liaison
The seventh Tale of Miklinar

NC-17

The Star Wars movies, their universe, concepts, and characters are the property of George Lucas and whomever else he has licensed. My characters and concepts, unless otherwise noted, are my property. In case of dispute, Lucas wins, no argument. There is no money being made on this story.

Dance practice. Miklinar's one of the instructors -- something involving six couples in elaborate weavings."Hi. I'll be with you in a moment. Bleys, show Ledano that step again." Miklinar watches the dancers repeat, nods. "Good. Once more, to the music this time."

With the music, it could be a ball at the Imperial court -- lushly extravagant. The plain work-out clothes of the dancers blur in your eyes...

Miklinar watches Bleys and Ledano. Bleys gently guides her partner through the right pattern. Mikli smiles.

"Now. You wanted the next story, I believe."

You nod. Miklinar leads you into an office, calls up a hologram. "The Alliance Embassy on the Sith homeworld. Not something the Empire ever expected... "

Liaison
told by Miklinar

      The establishment of a Rebel enclave on the Sith world. Vader offered to have it built for them, but the Alliance brought in its own workers and materials. "What difference does it make? Vader or his heir could walk in undetected and read anything he wanted."

     "We have a Jedi detector. This keeps the spying down to a minimum."

     "Shielded rooms?"

     Leia smiled humorouslessly,"We're not prepared to say."

     "I see."

     The executive supervisor sent with the workers was Luke Skywalker. Vader met him at the construction site. A slight incline of the head from Luke,"Father. Your ties to the Empire are less than nothing, now -- they're a detriment to you."

     "There are still those I can call upon." Looking over the unloading, "We would have built it for you."

     "You know my reasons."

     "An embassy on enemy soil -- you don't want bombs in the ambassador's study."

     They stood together for a while, watching."When you talked to Garn, did you learn what you wanted to know?"

     " About you? Of course not. Some things he didn't know, others he wouldn't say."

     " Then ask me."

     A long pause, "Why did you kill Ben Kenobi?"

     "I didn't."

     "What?"

     "Your grandfather died when you were ten. What remained... I thought I had just outlived him. His return -- I didn't know if it were a trick, or some new power, or..." Silence. Then, "You saw me 'kill' him. I think he staged that to cement your enmity toward me."

     "I don't understand."

     " I'm not sure I do either, anymore. Perhaps his pseudo-death was needed to strengthen you, to make you into what you are." Vader shook his head, "You can't trust anything I tell you unsupported -- you don't dare."

     "That's true. Even if you believed it, it would only be your point of view. The way Ben said you had killed my father."

     "It's true I killed your mother's husband."

     It was Luke's turn to stare out at the sunset."I don't know who to believe. Leia's told me of atrocities..."

     "There were times," Vader admitted, "when I permitted the troops more license in their activities than I should have, in the false hope that the example would keep other dissidents in line.

     "I've made more than my share of mistakes, and not all of them with the best of intentions. But I was given a chance to change, and took it." Vader shook his head, then clapped Luke on the shoulder, "C'mon, boy, let's let them work in peace."

     They walked back toward a landspeeder. Vader offered Luke the controls. "If you know the way."

     "I can find it."

     Luke concentrated on the driving while Vader watched... A tentative probe was met with a slammed-down shield. "Don't try it." Luke pulled the 'speeder off the road, got out. "You drive. I don't know if you were looking for information or trying to take over, but I can't drive and defend myself."

     Vader didn't argue. The rest of the drive was no less hair-raising.

     Leia met them at Vader's headquarters, as they spun up in a cloud of dust. "Pilots," she snorted. "Lord Vader, there's some question as to the number of residents you're permitting."

     "Keep it down to less than a thousand, at least at first," Vader said as he climbed out of the hovering vehicle. "The local economy can absorb that."

     "That many?"

     "You'll want guards, pilots, support staff, won't you? I think a thousand will be enough."

     Her mortal enemy was offering to let her set up a major base in his back yard. "But we're not enemies now, Your Highness. Or haven't you been told about the bounty the Emperor has placed on my return -- preferably alive, to answer for my betrayal?"

     "You could buy your way back into favor with the information available at this new base."

     Vader shrugged, "Risk what you wish. If this _is_ a safe haven, use it. But don't bring people here until you're certain."

     Leia shook her head. Vader left her nothing to push against. "You are so... infuriating!" She stormed off.

     Vader watched, amused. "That's how I used to win arguments against your mother," he remarked to Luke.

     "That was a win? You surrendered!"

     Vader nodded, "In the long run, it's a win. Whenever you can, Luke, let the women run things. They're better at it."

     "Oh? Then what do the men do?"

     "Almost anything. As long as it's not ultimate authority."

     Luke snorted, "I don't see you stepping down in Garn's favor."

     "Soon. I'm long past ready to retire."

     "Oh? Firm timetable on that?"

     "When Garn's second child is about five, I'll retire to teach. Primarily Garn's children, but yours or Leia's ... or if you'd care to take classes yourself."

     "If you're teaching Garn's first child, you already have my only one."

     "What? I'd think a hot pilot like you wouldn't have problems getting women. No? The Alliance women are fools."

     Luke shrugged, embarrassed, "They thought I was Leia's. I thought I was Leia's. We're fortunate nothing..."

     "No one else? No girlfriends, no lovers?"

     "Not since I left Tatooine. Except Garn." Luke shook his head, "The others are head-blind. There's something missing. I just can't get interested."

     That problem had been all too common among the Jedi. "Then go talk to Garn. Tell Lieutenant Anthru that he's not to try to recruit you, and he can verify the order with me if he wishes. Tell him... Don't bother." Vader clicked on his comlink. "Garn."

     "Yes, my lord?"

     "Luke will be visiting you shortly. No coercion, understand? He'll bolt at your first attempt, and we can't afford to lose him."

     Garn's voice, slightly tinny through the small speaker, "I understand. No coercion." Then what sounded like a chuckle, "Is his frustration broadcasting itself?"

     Luke blushed. Vader answered, "No."

     "Then his shields have improved. Tell him he's safe with me -- I'm not going to risk your displeasure over something as minor as him."

     Amusement obvious in Vader's voice, "Do I tell him that as well?"

     "He already knows it. Anything else, my lord?"

     "No. Out." Vader thumbed the comlink off, stood looking at Luke. "Good enough?"

     "You could have told her I was listening."

     "I thought you'd prefer an honest report."

     "I guess... You don't mind?"

     "That my lover has more attention than I can provide, given both my age and my duties? I'm not Jon Skywalker, Luke. I have faults, but jealousy isn't one of them." A low chuckle, "Voyeurism, on the other hand..." Luke blushed even redder -- not white with anger, though, Vader noted. "I won't watch without your permission. Go enjoy yourself." A pause, "Go make Garn happy."

     "Yes, sir." Luke left.

     Vader thumbed the comlink back on. "He's on his way."

     "And you're not? One of these days, I'd like both of my men at the same time."

     Vader chuckled softly, "I don't think he could manage. He's afraid enough of you." He was quiet for almost too long. Then, "I wish I'd had you with me ten years ago."

     Garn laughed, "I was willing -- where were you?"

      Luke ran into Leia in the hallway. "Where are you going?"

     "To Garn's quarters."

     She looked her brother up and down. "You turned the last invitation down -- didn't trust him."

     Luke shook his head, "I'm safe now."

     Leia snorted, "You trust them?"

     "Right now, yes.They need the Alliance too badly to risk it over me."

     Leia wasn't sure about that -- she knew how rare Luke's talents were, even if Luke didn't realize it. "I don't know... be careful."

     A door with a special lock. It opened just as Luke reached it, and closed and locked behind him. Garn was at her desk, in full uniform. "Be with you in a minute, Luke." Numbers and names entered into the console. Luke came around behind her to watch. "No, not yet. Luke, you're not cleared for this."

     "Is it for or against the Empire?"

     "Against. But it's covert ops -- could be hard on your stomach."

     "If you can get me cleared, show me."

     She checked with Vader. "Okay. These ships mutinied, tried to come to us, but other ships caught them. All lost. We found a new tech school, and a whole shipload of cadets from the Academy has joined us." Luke nodded as the files flashed by. Finished, Garn shut down the console.

     "You're as much his deputy as his Heir, aren't you. 'Lord' Anthru, not 'Lieutenant.'"

     "When I'm on duty, I am Vader's Voice and his Hand. But I'm off-duty for a while." She shoved away from the desk, stood up, stretched and yawned. "Give me a hug."

     Luke cooperated slowly, reluctant to hug the uniform. She noted the problem, shed the uniform tunic. The shirt underneath was a silky substance Luke wasn't sure was legal in any fleet. Who could keep their mind on work wearing that? Much more huggable. He could feel her nipples harden under his hands with just a touch.

     A nice long kiss, then she backed away from him, picking up the tunic and smiling. "Into the back. To my knowledge, only Lord Vader besides myself can open the door, but I'd rather not be spread out on the floor if he brings in an Admiral to look up something."

     "Into your quarters?"

     "These aren't my quarters -- they're my office. But I've got a meditation chamber back here that we can use..." The light came on to show a room with a raised platform halfway between a dias and a wrestling mat. The door closed and latched behind them; two doors in front of them opened. "Closet, refresher. I'll be back in a minute."

     She ducked into the 'fresher, came out short moments later. She had shed her uniform and was in a floor-length robe of silky black, fastened together at the front only at the waist. She paused at the closet and brought out another robe. "Your turn, Luke. Get in there."

     He took a moment to stir -- he was watching her in the robe. "Oh. Right. Just a minute."

     It took him a bit longer to figure out the controls. This 'fresher could perform a huge number of bodily maintenance functions, and he wasn't sure sex wasn't one of them. He had no intentions of wasting himself on mechanical amusements when there was a live lover waiting for him.

     His robe was of the same silky stuff her shirt had been. Just donning it brought his body to wakefulness. He carried his clothes out with him, sat them on the floor next to the exit door.

     "Let me send those for cleaning." She waited for him to nod before scooping them up. She sorted his pockets onto a tray, laid the lightsaber over everything, then tossed the clothes toward a hole in the wall. They disappeared. "Now." She sprang at him. His combat training turned her perceived attack into a throw -- she landed on the floor, but dragged him down with her.

     The wrestling turned into something no more gentle but a good deal more entertaining. Luke knew how hungry he was; they were both surprised by how hungry she was.

     "Ah. Yes, that was it. I missed you."

     He stroked her side, caressed the slight bulge of baby. "Lord Vader not enough?"

     "Usually, yes. You're something extra -- dessert after a fine banquet."

     Luke nodded, "I can deal with that. Speaking of dinner..."

     "Leia's giving an informal dinner party. I have strict orders as to what I'm to wear, and what you're to wear." Sith dress blacks for both of them. No insignia for him. "Wear your Alliance insignia." She inspected him once he was dressed, "Very handsome."

     "I don't think the Alliance is going to go for this. I look like I switched sides."

     "You're officially the liaison between the Sith and the Alliance. Practically, that means dealing with Leia and Lord Vader."

     Leia's dinner party. Leia stiffened with frost when she saw Luke in a Sith uniform. "How could you?"

     "Leia, what harm? We have to work with these people. This will make it easier. Trust me."

     "Trust you? Which one of them has your brain twisted into a knot? Are we that short of women?"

     Luke looked around. He didn't want a screaming fight in the middle of dinner. "Leia, calm down. We'll talk about it later, I promise. For now, no, I'm not controlled."

     Icy calm -- a princess of Alderaan forced to deal with an unpleasant situation. "Later. Depend on it."

     Much later. Leia was gracious among her guests -- both Alliance and former Imperials. She kept her distance from Luke. Vader was staying out of Leia's way. But there was Garn...

     "Your Highness, why do you dislike me so much? My work?"

     "For a while, yes. But I can see he gave you no choice."

     Softly, "I had a choice. But if not that, what?"

     "What you did to Luke."

     "The training? Leia, he wouldn't accept it from my lord, and who else could provide it?"

     "You're controlling him, or why would he..."

     Garn tilted his head, "I'm not sure I understand. He broke my control when he escaped. He's free now."

     "Then why is he wearing your uniform?" She shook her head, "His loyalties are confused, and I don't think it's attachment to his ... our ... father."

     "Ah. My friend, do you expect him to continue to court you? Now that he's discovered that you're his sister?"

     "Of course not! But there are other women in the Alliance..."

     "But no Jedi. Ask him who he beds and why."

     Leia scowled and stalked off.

     Much later, with only kitchen droids around. "Luke, walk me back to my suite, would you?"

     "Certainly." Halfway there, "I saw you talking to Garn. Were you discussing me?"

     "Got it first shot."

     "And what did Garn say about me?"

     Her tone of voice was very flippant, "He said you were wonderful in bed and that he'd leave Vader in an instant if you asked."

     "Hmph. The second is obviously not true -- I did ask. The first..."

     Leia was surprised that Luke might actually think... "Then Garn thinks you are wonderful in bed? Did he seduce you when you were captured, or since you've been here?"

     "When I was captured. It started out rape, went through seduction to normal, willing cooperation."

     By then they were at her door. "Normal?!" The door slid closed between them.

     "Leia! Let me in!"

     A passerby remarked, "If she's not interested, son, let me see what I can arrange for you."

     "I need to talk to Princess Leia."

     The door slid open, Leia grabbed Luke and pulled him inside. The other left. "Now, what was that crack about 'normal,' anyway? It turned out to be something I wanted to do."

     "I... see. Sex with another Jedi is so much better than any other sex that details don't matter."

     "Of course they matter! What makes you think..."

     She shook her head, in wonderment, "Maybe I should court him, to see for myself."

     Thoughtfully, "I'm not sure Garn's tastes run in that direction, but you might understand with even a cuddle." Something finally connected in Luke's mind. "Leia, you... " He stifled a laugh of relief -- Leia would kill him if he laughed. "No wonder you're upset. Leia, Garn Anthru is a woman."

     "What? You've been calling Garn 'he'..."

     "Legally, she's male. And that's how Vader and his people refer to her, treat her."

     "You're sure Garn's a she?"

     "I told you we've shared a bed."

     "And you said you asked 'him' to leave Vader."

     "She won't."

     "Rape? Were you serious?"

     "Mind control. The first time at least. After that, I was cooperative." Luke grinned, "And she's pregnant. With my child."

     "She doesn't show."

     "You'd have guessed she was female if she did."

     "You're sure it's yours?"

     "My daughter. Garn plans to name her Sorra, for our mother."

     Flatly,"With a family name of Vader."

     "Or Anthru. I didn't ask."

     "Does Vader know she's pregnant? Does he even know she's female?"

     The annunciator chimed, "Come."

     Garn came in, alone. She had changed from dress uniform to a flight suit. She glanced at Luke, then answered Leia. "Yes, he knows I'm female, knows I'm pregnant, and knows it's Luke's child."

     "And he's letting you keep it?"

     Garn frowned, "Why shouldn't he?"

     "Aren't you his?"

     "In what sense? I'm not his property. The most he can do is say 'That one may not inherit from you.' My lord thought it was wonderful that the child was Luke's." A quick look at Luke. "Are you ready to try out a TIE fighter?"

     "I need to change."

     "You need a pressure suit rig. Head down to the hangar -- there's one waiting that should fit you, but we have to make sure. I'll be there in a minute."

     "Right. Good night, Leia." A peck on her cheek. "It's going to work out. Trust me."

     "I'll try. 'Night, brother mine."

     Luke left, Garn remained. Leia asked, "Something to say to me?"

     "Yes. Leia, don't torment the man. You'll only hurt him by disapproving of the opportunities he's offered. He's going to take them anyway."

     "Yes, with your coercion. Or maybe even control. Does your master have a tight enough grip on Luke on his own, or does he have to use sex with you to cement it?"

     "Listen well, Your Highness. My lord has forbidden me to use any 'extraordinary' means to recruit Luke. The inducements we offer are fairly simple -- no contracts with the Adversary, as it were."

     "And they are?"

     "Here he is treated as Lord Vader's non-heir son. Publicly, that's free access to all of our training, simple luxuries beyond what Luke has a taste for, as much flight time as he wants... " Garn grinned, "Yes, I think that was the thing that broke his will to resist."

     "And privately?"

     "More than just sex, less than a wife and family. He'll see his children raised Jedi."

     Leia snarled, "Dark Jedi. Renegade Jedi."

     "No. Jedi. Test his training yourself. None of what he learned from me was tainted, and Lord Vader had no hand in his training."

     "And if he actually joins you?"

     "I don't know. I think Vader intends to hand him a fleet, to prosecute the war. Once the Sith accept him fully."

     "But he won't inherit the title."

     "Not while I live, unless I renounce the title. I don't intend to." Slight smile, "He may be regent, if I die before my daughter is of age."

     "Your daughter. And Luke's. Not Vader's."

     "She's still heir to House Vader, through me. I am Lord Vader's Heir." Garn stood expecting another question. There wasn't one. "If Your Highness will excuse me?"

     "Oh, certainly." Then, "Wait. You're the only surviving Jedi who's not related to us. Doesn't that mean that all the children that are full Jedi have to be yours?"

     "The genetics concerned aren't that simple. But you might be interested in knowing..." Garn fell silent.

     Leia pushed, "Knowing what?"

     "I ran a chart on you. It's safe for you to breed with Luke."

     "What?!"

     "Your mother -- or perhaps your grandfather -- designed the pair of you in the womb. You have absolutely no overlap. You're as safe a breeding pair as your parents were."

     "I don't think so. No."

     Garn grinned, "Then perhaps you will share a child with me? I can arrange that, as well."

     Leia grinned back, "It might come to that."

     "Let me know. Neither of us need carry it. Oh, and I'm not the only surviving non-related Jedi. I know at least one other."

     "Oh? Who?"

     "The former Senator Palpatine. I really am the least of the evils, you see."

     Leia grimaced. "Yes, I see."

     "Good night, Your Highness."

     Almost absently, "Good night, my lord."

     Hangar. Luke was waiting in a full pressure suit -- Garn snagged her special helmet from a locker."That looks like... but not quite."

     "No voder, but the other utilities are identical. And the design is deliberately similar. Ready? Switching to frequency three... Here's the fighter they've assigned you. Take a look -- anything unfamiliar?"

     A quick scan, "I'm used to mores sensors. And there's no astromech droid?"

     "This one's built in -- a recent modification, experimental. We're cleared -- can you get it into orbit?"

     "Sure." Maneuvers. "How tight a turn can I make, without ripping the wings off?"

     Luke could hear Garn's grin, "Find out."

     Two hours, a touch more, in orbit and in atmosphere, of tight turns and sudden stops. "I think we need a break. Head for that station." Garn gave coordinates, "Dock and enter -- we're cleared."

     Luke met her inside the airlock -- the hangar bay was kept in vacuum and zero gee. "Not used to free fall?"

     "Not outside a fighter, no. The X-wings don't have artificial gravity, but I'm not used to floating around."

     Garn nodded, pointed at cords strung along the corridor, "Use the hand-holds, then. Follow me -- if you get too far back, yell."

     Luke learned fairly quickly how to use the walls to propel himself, without the ropes. "Very good. Experienced swimmer?"

     "You're kidding. My homeworld, we sold water by the glassful. Immersion, for sport? What an absurd idea!"

     "You should try it. Ah, here we are."

     "Where?"

     "Observation lounge." The door had one of the special Jedi-tuned locks on it, this one set for any Jedi. A glassteel wall ten meters on a side faced them.

     Luke noticed first. "So, Father, did you have her bring me here?" Garn turned, noticed Vader floating in the shadows.

     "No. I thought tonight he'd be... busy. I came up here to meditate." his hand swept out, encompassing the universe. "And to decide. Garn, did you talk with Leia?"

     "Yes."

     "Results?"

     "I dropped the bait, showed the threat."

     Luke jumped at that, "Threat? You threatened her?"

     "I told her about an alternative, nothing more."

     "Then why do you call it a 'threat'?"

     "Think about it. The only unrelated male Jedi we know of is the Emperor."

     Flatly, "Oh." Then, "And the bait?"

     "Two baits. First, you've been engineered to be safe to breed with her. No genes overlapping at all."

     "And?"

     "She could share a child with me. It's a trivial technique to merge two eggs." Garn grinned, "Perhaps I should have courted her when she thought I was a man."

     Vader's bass rumble, "And the response?"

     "She's thinking about it." Garn grinned, "My lord, do you realize that if Luke and Leia breed, there's a small but finite chance the result will be identical with you?"

     Silence. Then,"The stars....so beautiful."

     They floated, watching... Luke shifted until his arm was around Garn, then found himself in an embrace from Vader which included both of the younger Jedi. "The war is almost upon us, my children. I wish..." The wish trailed off, then was regathered, "I wish I could send you, and Leia, away, somewhere safe. Where the Emperor can't possibly find you."

     "No!" from both of the younger ones at once.

     "Garn?" almost a growl.

     Luke felt her stiffen, "Yes, my lord. I serve."

     Luke, "What?"

     "My aide has a subordination problem. We have discussed this before." Vader sighed, "No, I have spent my effort and substance to make you into a weapon. I knew I would need that weapon some day -- having made it, I can't throw it away." A whisper, "I dare not. He is too strong."

     Luke, "The Emperor?"

     "Yes. He can destroy me -- I hope I've made you stronger."

     "There's only one test."

     "And I pray he will die before it comes. But dying isn't enough. Obi-Wan's last lesson to me, Luke -- death will not stop the Emperor. Kill the body, yes, but we have to dissipate the will as well."

     A long silence, then Vader, "I should leave now. No doubt Garn brought you up here to make love. I'm sorry I interfered."

     Vader, apologizing to him? He looked from Vader, to Garn, and back. Decision. "I would be honored if you stayed."

     Garn echoed Luke, "Yes, my lord, please."

     "You expect much from a tired old man."

     Garn laughed, "You don't think of yourself that way."

     A faint smile, "Of course not. In our thoughts, none of us ever age. But bodies change."

     "Many times, over a lifetime. Well, 'old man', your turn is first. Show me why she won't leave you to go with a hot young pilot like me."

     Garn grinned at the good-natured rivalry between her two men. They even started competing as to who could get her going faster...

     She put a stop to the session when she noticed the terminator touching Vader's headquarters below.

Miklinar nods. "That's how Luke started working as much for the Sith as for the Alliance. Not that he stayed on-world -- he left almost immediately afterwards to search for more Jedi.

"He returned to be present at his daughter's birth. That story's fairly short -- I call it 'New Beginnings.'"

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