The Imperial Star Destroyer was in view, its cannons aimed at the Corellian freighter. He did his best to dodge most of the blasts; however the ship quaked, indicating that they’ve been hit.

“Those droids must have high heat,” he muttered, piloting the ship with tension eating his head. The Wookie beside him roared in alarm and the droids made uneasy noises. He sworn he heard the golden rod yell something about a fire. ‘Ah, better take care of that later.’

His eyeballs almost blew out of his head when Chewie roared into his ear, causing it to ring — not mentioning the blaring alarms, screaming droids and the Millennium Falcon itself.

"I know! I know, dumbass!" He shouted randomly. Han steered the ship away from the enemy craft and evaded the TIE fighters. Second time he was in a situation similar to this and he was tempted to blast those droids into space before the tractor beam caught them.

A button flashed – the hyperdrive was ready and operational, but it had some damage. Not caring, he pressed it and as soon as he heard a beep, he pulled the lever, blue and white streaks coming into view. The crew released a breath, with the droids chirping at the escape.

Solo covered his face with his hands and wiped away the sweat that formed between his brows. He removed his piloting gear and headed towards the main hold.

The blue and gray astromech was extinguishing a small fire while the golden rod was exclaiming with joy how they had escaped.

A roar of relief directed towards him as Chewie took a seat next to him on the sofa, giving him a drink.

“I know,” Han said as he took a huge gulp of the drink, “I surprise even myself.”

He watched the conversation between the astromech and the protocol, scowling.

“But... I think we’re in a huge trouble with the Empire, Chewie. Although it's nothing I can't handle, I don't wanna entangle myself in their affairs."

“What do you suggest we do?” His Wookie partner asked in Shyrriwook.

“If I were thinking survival, blast them off to space, but I'm thinkin' about profit here. So how about, we sell them? I can say, they’re worth quite a fortune.”

“What about the the Rebels?”

“Ah, they’re dead, who cares?” Han coolly replied, although, his conscience gave him slight reluctance. “Besides, I know a dealer on Alderaan who would pay more for these droids than the Rebels.”

*    *    *    * transition *    *    *    *

“Well, you have had your revenge on me by taking away my ability to walk,” she spoke, turning the wheelchair with her hands. The injury the Sith gave her in the Tantive IV paralyzed her lower body. She knew they could heal her. Still, giving her a wheelchair and partially healing her was a rare kindness.

“Why did you keep me alive?”

“I want answers,” Leia demanded bluntly. The woman moved closer to her and studied the girl. In that darkness of the cell, she could not see her eyes but according to the Force, she was feeling well. Her burden seemed to be heavier though.

‘This was not supposed to have happened,’ she thought. Not that she’d ever succeeded in trying it properly…

“Okay,” she answered, “but first, introductions. I am the Oracle of the Rebel Alliance.”

“An Oracle? So you are the reason for their victories. You will be useful.”

Her lips widened at the thought of bringing this woman to the Dark Side. But was she closer to the Light or Dark? Leia maintained eye contact with her. The woman was a vague human being. She could not explain the Dark Side technique she used against her, regardless of being with the Light Sided Rebels. However, was she a threat since she was allied with the Rebels, or an ally, since she was involved with the Dark Side?

“You are?” she asked with a monotonous voice, uninterested in her motives.

“Leia Skywalker.”

“Ah, daughter of Anakin Skywalker,” -Leia flinched on hearing the name of the one she hated- “And what do you wish to know?”

“What you did to me on the Tantive IV.”

Iaren's eyebrows perked up with an interesting and relaxed smile on her face. “That? I merely transmitted my emotions to you.”

“So, you feel nothing?”

“No. I do feel; just many emotions at the same time,” she brought her finger to her chin, “I think that was why you were confused.”

Leia just blankly stared at her with disbelief.

“You are really dull,” the woman huffed, shocking Leia, “It was a simple Light Side technique. It basically works on two Force users who have a bond.”

“We have a bond?”

“Yes, I created it when I delivered that blow. Don’t worry though, it was temporary, and will disappear in time.”

Leia crossed her arms. If what she said was true, surely the Emperor would have known. How come she had never heard of her or sensed such a strong presence in the galaxy? Also, is such a thing even possible?

She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Do you expect me to believe this?”

“Yes,” the woman answered with a simple smile.

Again, she was taken aback by the frank reply. The woman was an enigma; her past, her intentions and her presence. It was obvious she was a Grey Jedi but it seemed as though she intentionally wanted to be captured; a mystery indeed.

“What do you want with me?” she now demanded, regaining her authoritative tone.

“I need your help.”

“Why?”

“Let's say, the galaxy depends on it,” she answered grinning then became concerned, “You see, the Force is slowly being corrupted by the strength of one side of the Force overpowering the other. For years the passionate Dark Side and the peaceful Light Side have co-existed in balance. Should the balance turn into conflict, there with be destruction and death of life itself. The centre of the conflict lies within the Empire. That’s why I need your help, Leia Skywalker.”

Confusion; she suddenly felt her clear eyes become clouded with the words of the Emperor, her father, this woman and her own perception – confusion, which turned to rage because of frustration.

She was aware of the power struggle between the Dark and the Light, but she had always viewed it that way; only one can rule. Now, here was this unknown telling her other impossible possibilities.

“Shut up, old hag!” she rebuked her, while the one spoken to remained in a calm demeanour understanding her pressure.

Standing up abruptly, she yelled at her, “You are speaking rubbish. The Light and Dark can never co-exist. Also, why would you expect me to help you, a Rebel? The Empire has no time for delusional old people like you.”

The woman narrowed her eyes at her. She knew it would be hard to persuade her, that’s why she said it directly to her. But sometimes a shove is needed.

“Your views are shallow, assassin,” she remarked, paused and then looked up at the ceiling. “Your father seems upset, young Skywalker.”

Leia raised her eyebrows at her. She was…unexplainable, and her power was worthy to be acknowledged. She became wary of her, sensing sudden a thick atmosphere in the prison cell.

At that moment, an officer entered, informing her that Darth Vader demanded to talk to her. Leia was surprised and looked back at the woman who smiled sincerely. She commanded to officer to transfer her to the prisons with proper Force binders.

Perhaps joining forces with her would not be a bad idea, especially if it involved overthrowing the Galactic Empire. She would be able to exact revenge on the Emperor and her father.

*    *    *    * transition *    *    *    *

The bright lights of the room suddenly faded into pitch black and from a beeping machine, the dim light hologram of her father appeared. She did not bow, but only gave him a hard gaze.

“What is it?” she spat, her body stiff and unmoving.

“You do not have the plans,” Vader coldly stated, folding his arms. “You’ve failed. I had expected more than that from the daughter of the feared General of the Empire.”

“Your men were incompetent,” she replied, her hatred for him coming back. The woman was also part of the blame; if it weren’t for her she would have achieved. She felt loathe towards both of them; the trick was temporary after all. “I did my part, I had dispatched the Rebels. Your 501st legion has proved to be incompetent.”

“Nonetheless,” her father responded, “A true commander would join her men in the fight, not sit around giving orders. And an old hag would be of no problem for her.”

Leia looked down, surprise filled her expression but of course, her father has ‘eyes’ everywhere. She blinked for a long five seconds then bore her eyes into him.

“If you think I’m such a failure, why don’t you try it yourself? Oh great and mighty father!” she answered, with a voice full of sarcasm. “I’m sure those Rebels would tremble before your feet and the ground would quake with every step you take.”

He was taken aback from her outburst. Damn her and her stubbornness. She was too headstrong, meaning that she would easily be defeated by a calm Jedi. Humiliating, to the least. It was obvious that she loathed him so going soft on her would never work.

A gentle voice, almost like her conscience, spoke to her. This immediately changed her mood and alarmed her.

Vader had noticed her unusual behaviour and searched the Force around her. He snarled after he sensed light tendrils within the dark aura around her. Something has happened, and he wished that his daughter would open up to him.

“What?”

“I never said anything, my lord.”

He was annoyed by her disobedience and rebellious nature. The mysterious woman his men spoke of, her signature surrounded Leia.

“The woman, who is she?”

The silent treatment, nothing but her eyes on him. It was annoying. The woman might be an enemy of the Empire. Considering how she defeated a skilled Sith assassin, she is a threat that has to be counted or maybe that was his daughter’s incompetence. Because of her resistance there might be hints of defection.

“Answer me!” he demanded, tightening his fists, wanting to strangle her.

“Go on,” she smiled. “I wouldn’t care less.”

He stared coldly at her, and he wanted to choke her till her entire body was crushed, but couldn’t. The affection and compassion didn’t allow him to. The dark tendrils were close to her throat, threatening to kill her on the spot, but she was his daughter and he could not bring himself to punish her severely.

He squeezed her neck a bit, and after seeing her flinch, he put his hand down. He narrowed his eyes and said, “I sense an odd disturbance within you. What are you up to?”

That made her smile disappear – she didn’t want to be condemned a traitor for the influence nor even looked down upon. She wanted to avoid eye contact but she sternly looked at her father to not make it seem obvious.

“I see… Well, there’s nothing more for you here as the Corellian ship headed to Alderaan. You will be properly dealt with later. For now, get back here on the Death Star. Also make sure your precious prisoner is watched.”

With that the transmission ended. She released a breath. Hopefully, he wouldn’t kill Iaren. The woman was important to her. And the bond made things even more difficult; it was annoying, since it will make her suspicious towards Force users of the Empire.

Curiously, her father was softer than the Emperor. The older man would have given her unspeakable painful penalties, often an injury, both mentally and physically.

She reached a bold conclusion which tightened her grip on her lightsaber. This proved her father was weak, and does not deserve to live.