Programmed

Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. I am only using them
for personal enjoyment a hopefully enjoyment of others. I am not
making a single penny off it.

Author's note: I am a new author. Don't come down too hard on me. This
is the third story of a group of four. Two prologues to come soon plus
a sequel if I get good reviews on this. I won't publish them if this
one goes really bad so please review.

"Cadet Delsen! You're next!"

Kelvin Delsen of Naboo snapped to attention. He had earned an
appointment to the Imperial Academy on Prefsbelt IV when he had shown
off his piloting abilities to a senator. Now he was stuck on this
planet in a training program in which the instructors and other cadets
used him for target practice. He was about to lose his cool head. One
of the few selected to be programmed; he had to have a great amount of
temper control. The 'programmed' had their brains mapped as infants.
They proceed to be programmed with over three billion years worth of
combat, piloting, general schooling, investigating, and working
intelligence. Along with inhuman speed, strength, agility, and
stamina, it made him unbeatable. One of the elite.

"Yes sir."

"Get in here en' try to take me!"

"Yes sir," Kelv took the sparring stick he was offered.
The instructor swung at Kelv's head but he ducked and swung the
stick into the instructor's leg. Kelv heard a snap and a scream of
pain as the instructor writhed on the floor in pain.

Kelv's face went pale with shock. He had never seriously injured
anyone before.

Ten minutes later another instructor, Soontir Fel showed up.
"What happened? Who did this?"

Everyone pointed at Kelv. "Cadet Kelvin Delsen of Naboo,"
another cadet said.

Fel regarded Kelv curiously. He was tall, lanky, boy who had not
filled out yet. "One of those 'programmed', huh? I have something
better for you than expelling you. Meet me at the docks after
graduation at semester end. Till then you will be expelled from all
your classes and confined to your quarters les three other cadets
accompany you."

"Yes sir," Kelv gave a strict salute and left the room.
He stormed into his quarters and pulled of his boots and uniform
top, yelling, "It's not fair!"

He sat down on the edge of his bed and held his head in his
hands. He glanced up as he heard the door open. There stood his three
roommates: Tycho Celchu of Alderaan, Biggs Darklighter of Tatooine,
and Derek "Hobbie" Klivian of Ralltiir.

"You're complaining about it not being fair? You didn't even get
expelled!"

"Which probably means they'll send me to Kessel."

"Cheer up!"

The other three began to discuss something and then Tycho turned
around and left.

"After we graduate we're joining the rebellion. We want you to
come with us."

Kelv stared at them. "You can't be serious. The rebellion?"

"We can get you out. You can be a pilot. You could be one of the
best. You're even better than Fel!"

"Forget it. I'm not getting involved with the rebels. I can go
home and get a job there."

Kelv turned around towards the door as he heard it opening.
"Delsen, pack your bags. We'll be leaving in two standard hours.
Darklighter, Klivian, you'll be escorting him along with Celchu."

After Fel left Biggs and Hobbie glanced at Kelv. "You can still
escape. The rebels will take you in."

"No. Fel's scared, he's in a hurry."

"Yeah," Hobbie said, "Why aren't you?"

"I'll be alright. I haven't met anyone that could hurt me yet."

"That's yet Delsen." Biggs reminded him. "You're not all
powerful."

"Yeah, but, seeing as I survived all that practice to discover
the programming I think I can handle anything."

Coruscant, Imperial Capital, a dead planet made of metal. Two
Stormtroopers held Kelv's arms. They were silent as an imposing shadow
approached, Darth Vader.

"Lord Vader, the boy will not tell us his name and all records
have been destroyed."

Kelv tossed his head back in defiance of the Sith Lord.

The defiant child reminded Vader much of himself as a youth. He
was defiant but politically minded which reminded him of Padmé. The
biggest shock was when he finally got the boy to speak he noticed that
the boy had a strong Naboo accent.

"Bring him to the D'aklen twins. They'll train him."

"But, Lord Vader," the guard stammered. "He is one of the
'programmed'."

"Then bring him to my chambers. I'll see what he is capable of."

Kelv sat in a large room, connected to it were living quarters,
five of them for the thirty people that lived there. The Empire had
now captured all of the 'programmed'. All of them, except for Kelv,
had reached full maturity or the age of 25. They no longer aged. While
they could speak freely they were complete slaves when it came to
actions. They could only do what ordered to. The Empire had all their
codes.

Kelv was sitting beside a young man who had just reached
maturity named Deacile and two women, 28-year-old identical twins
named Alesa and Anela, who were both concubines of the Emperor. They
had been the first successes. Every one of the thirty was between 25
and 28 years of age except for Kelv who was 18.

"Hey Ace," Deac said. "Having fun?"

"My name is Kelvin Delsen, not "Ace"."

"Names don't matter much around here," Anahé said suddenly.
"We're all given numbers. The same numbers the scientists used for us.
Most of us didn't survive of course. I'm number 1A and Anah is 1B.
They always take twins but never siblings or children."

"I'm 184. Only one. They use letters for multiple births. To
distinguish whether any is male or female they use TYPE XX for female
and TYPE XY for male. So I guess that means I'm 184-TYPE XY."

"The multiple births are F for fraternal and I for identical and
of course they give gender of all."

Kelv nodded. "My full one is 572B-TYPE XY-4GROUP2- MODE FFM.
That of course goes down to 572B."

"Then they don't have all the 'programmed'."

"No, but she's untrained."

The door opened and Vader stepped through. "572B," he said. "You were
once called the Glove of Vader but you ran away. Now do not disappoint
me again. The Dianoga has captured a rebel. Take his place and kill
the leaders."

"Yes m'lord."

Kelv glanced at the boy and scoffed he was a boy in farmer's
clothing. Kelv injected himself with a highly illegal substance and
moments later he was a mirror image of the
boy. He killed the boy and took his clothing after pulling his
memories. Before getting into the garbage he scanned the memories. The
boy's name was Luke Skywalker. He was a moisture farmer from Tatooine. 

The other two with him were rebel leader Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan 

and a smuggler by the name of Han Solo and his
Wookiee partner, Chewbacca. With them came two droids, a protocol
droid C- 3PO and an astromech droid R2-D2. He then realized that the
boy had been a clone in disguise. His clone! Kelv couldn't waste any more time 

and he stepped in the garbage and drifted to the top and prepared himself to put on
his best act.

"What happened?" the princess asked.

"I don't know, it let go of me and disappeared..."

"I got a bad feeling about this." Solo said.

They heard a rumble.

"The walls are moving!" Kelv stopped. That can't be my voice. But it
was. Kelv found it annoying. It was high pitched and screeched. Vader
did this on purpose. As if dealing
with this body isn't bad enough along with this voice he's also trying
to crush us. He just wanted me in here before he did it!

"Don't just stand there. Try and brace it with something. Help me!"

Solo and the princess began pushing poles between the walls. Kelv
shook his head at their idiocy, put his hand in his pocket, and felt a
comlink. He pulled it out and
scanned the memories until he found the one he was searching for.
Threepio had the other comlink. "Wait a minute!" He showed them the
comlink and turned it on.

"Threepio. Come in, Threepio! Threepio! Where could he be?"

"Threepio! Come in, Threepio!"

"Get to the top!" Solo yelled to the princess.

"I can't."

"Where could he be? Threepio! Threepio, will you come in?"

"Are you there, sir?" Kelv heard from the comlink.

"Threepio!"

"We've had some problems..."

"Will you shut up and listen to me. Shut down all the garbage mashers
on the detention level, will you? Do you copy? Shut down all the
garbage mashers on the detention
level. Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level."

Kelv heard some yelling from the droids. Kelv rolled his eyes. Droids!
Why did he have to get stuck with droids? The grinding came to a halt
and Solo and the Princess
began hollering.

"Threepio, we're all right!" Kelv yelled into his comlink. "We're all
right. You did great. Hey... hey, open the pressure maintenance hatch on
unit number... where are we?"
Kelv asked the rebels.

Solo grabbed the comlink "Three-two-six-three-eight-two-seven."

They opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. "If we can just
avoid any more female advice, we ought to be able to get out of here."
Solo said.

"Well, let's get moving!" Kelv said rolling his eyes.

The Wookiee ran away from the door. "Where are you going?" Solo aimed
his blaster at the door and pulls the trigger. "No wait, they'll
here!"

Solo fired the blaster and the bolt bounced off the walls of the empty
corridor. Kelv stared at him and shook his head in disgust. He didn't
understand why everyone was so
afraid of these Rebels. They weren't even talk, they were just morons.

"Come here you big coward!" Solo yelled at the Wookiee. The Wookiee
shook his head no. "Chewie! Come here!"

"Listen. I don't know who you are or where you came from, but from now
on, you do as I tell you. Okay?"

"Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight! I take
orders from just one person! Me!"

"It's a wonder you're still alive. Will somebody get this big walking
carpet out of my way?"

"No reward is worth this." Han muttered.

They walked down the hallway and came up to a window overlooking the
landing bay. "There she is."

Kelv took out his comlink and flicked it on. "See-Threepio, do you
copy?"

"Yes, sir."

"Are you safe?"

"For the moment. We're in the hangar bay across from the ship."

"We're right above you. Stand by."

"You came in that thing?" the Princess asked Solo. "You're braver than
I thought."

"Nice! Come on!"

Kelv started to leave and the Rebels caught up with him but they
stopped right as they turned the corner.

"It's them! Blast them!" One of the Stormtroopers in the group yelled.

"Get back to the ship!" Solo yelled at Kelv and the Princess as he ran
towards the Stormtroopers.

"Where are you going? Come back!" Kelv yelled after Solo. This is
ridiculous. It's amazing these Rebels are still alive!

"He certainly has courage."

"What good will it do us if he gets himself killed? Come on!" Kelv
shook is head, furious with Vader sticking him with these idiots. Kelv
walked past the Princess and headed
towards the landing bay. These people were stupider than Stormtroopers
however impossible that may seem.

Kelv sprinted down a hallway and suddenly stopped as he came to an
edge. Then Stormtroopers came rushing after them with blasters
blazing. "I think we took a wrong
turn."

Leia reached over and hit the control panel and the door slid shut.
"There's no lock!"

Kelv turned towards the princess and then pulled out his blaster and
shot the control panel. "That oughta hold them for a while."

"Quick, we've got to get across. Find the controls that extend the
bridge."

"Oh, I think I just blasted it."

"They're coming through!"

Kelv glanced up and saw an outcropping pipe. He needed to think
quickly if he was to escape. Escape? No I could kill the Princess
right now and talk to the troopers. I could
go back and spend time with the others before my next mission. No I
can't do that.

Kelv grabbed the cable on his utility belt suddenly and then handed
the Princess the blaster. "Here, hold this." He threw the cable up and
it caught on the piped. Kelv
grabbed the Princess around the waist.

"For luck!" The Princess told him breathlessly as Kelv swung across
and they escaped the troopers. They ran off and arrived down on the
ground level of the hangar bay.

""What kept you?" Solo asked them.

"We ran into some old friends." The Princess explained.

"Is the ship alright?"

"Seems okay, if we can get to it. Just hope the old man got the
tractor beam out of commission." They went out into the hangar bay,
sneaking towards the ship before Kelv
turned and saw something. "Look!" They glanced over towards where Kelv
was pointing and saw Darth Vader fighting an old man. "Ben?" Kelv said
suddenly. Then the old
man was struck down. Kelv's heart leapt to his throat. Kelv didn't
understand it. The man was a Jedi and he was Darth Vader's personal
spy and assassin. It wasn't
possible. Or was it because Vader controlled him and if the old man
was dead he had no chance of being freed. Whatever caused it his
throat began to tighten. "No!"

"Come on!" Kelv heard Solo shout to him followed by the Princess.
"Come on! Come on! Luke, it's too late!"

"Blast the door! Kid!"

Kelv shook his head. What am I thinking? Just turn around and shoot
them. Kelv raised his blaster and shot the control panel. He watched
in silence as the door slid shut
cutting off Darth Vader, his former master. He would be killed if he
were ever dragged back to Vader; that he was certain of. Kelv glanced
up as he heard in his head,
"Run, Luke! Run!" Kelv left in shock and boarded after Solo and the
Princess. He ignored Solo as he turned towards his copilot and sat
down. "I hope the old man got that
tractor beam out of commission or this is going to be a real short
trip. Okay, hit it!"

Kelv heard the Wookiee growl an affirmative as they shot out of the
hangar bay. Kelv left the cockpit and dropped down into a chair by the
holotable.

Kelv rested his heads in his hands and tried to straighten out his
thoughts. He had just disobeyed his master and decided to help the
rebels. Nothing made sense. He couldn'
t fathom why he had done it. Kelv shivered slightly and wondered why.
It was just space. He had spent most of his life in it. He began to
search his new memories. Kelv
shock his head. I'm Luke Skywalker from the planet Tatooine. Tatooine?
This is pathetic! I'm an Intelligence officer from the planet Naboo. I
shouldn't have to pretend to be
a reckless, naive, uneducated farmboy from a water-forsaken planet.

Kelv hit the table but just shivered some more. He shook his head and
the Princess came up to him and draped a blanket over his shoulders
obviously wanting him to talk
about it. He had to make something up. "I can't believe he's gone."

"There wasn't anything you could have done."

"Come on, buddy, we're not out of this yet!" Solo yelled at Kelv.

Kelv jumped to his feet and followed Solo. He then scrambled down the
ladder to the lower gunport. Kelv strapped himself in and flipped the
targeting computer on.

"You in, Kid? Okay, stay sharp!"

"Here they come!" Kelv glanced up as the TIE fighters headed his way.
Kelv swallowed hard. They wouldn't die but he was deeper than he had
realized. Could on of these
pilots be an old friend from the academy? He hoped Biggs, Tycho, and
Hobbie weren't out there. He didn't want to be responsible for their
deaths.

As one began streaking towards the ship and Kelv opened fire. They
continued on and Kelv hit one but it barely did anything. He shook his
head as he realized just how
they would move and then gasped. Their techniques were different, ones
he had never learned. "They're coming in too fast!"

"We've lost lateral controls."

"Don't worry, she'll hold together."

Kelv swore silently. It was insane. He continued to fire but without
much luck. Another TIE flew past and Kelv missed again. They were
moving too fast. The pirate ship was
too slow. Kelv jerked his head around as he sensed something. A TIE
was flying straight at him and he opened fire. It exploded as he hit
it with a direct hit.

"Got him! I got him!"

"Great kid! Don't get cocky!"

"There are still two more of them out there!"

Kelv turned towards the one nearest him. It was heading straight
towards him. He recognized the flight pattern. This pilot would
overshoot and turn and fire. Kelv smirked.
Well, well, Direc, you should know better than that. That trick has
never worked on me. Kelv jerked his gun up slightly and opened fire as
the TIE went smoothly into his
line of fire like Direc Lisel had always done. The TIE exploded and
after two more explosions sat back satisfied. Vader would never have
him back if he worked this to his
advantage. He'd leave the rebels soon enough and he would become a
mercenary and never have to answer to any one.

"That's it! We did it!"

"We did it!"

Kelv heard some arguing and decided to head towards the cockpit.
The Princess brushed past him. "Your friend us quite a mercenary. I
wonder if he really cares about anything . . . or anybody."

"I care!" Only because you rebels are my ticket out of Vader's
hands.

Kelv walked into the cockpit and dropped into the oversized
copilot's chair. "So . . . what do you think of her, Han?" Kelv
prodded wondering if he was to use the Princess whether Solo was going
to be a problem or not.

"I'm trying not to, kid!"

"Good . . ." Kelv muttered.

"Still, she's got a lot of spirit. I don't know, what do you
think? Do you think a princess and a guy like me . . ."

"No!" Kelv tightened his jaw. He couldn't let solo get involved
he didn't want to hurt Solo or the Wookiee in the end. Didn't want to
hurt them? Was that hint of a conscience? Not possible! He was a
murderer. He didn't have a conscience.

"The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver
straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The
target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust
port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the
reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction. The shaft
is ray-shielded, so you'll have to use proton torpedoes."

"That's impossible, even for a computer." A young boy beside
Kelv said.

"It's not impossible. I used to bulls-eye womp rats in my
T-sixteen back home. They're not much bigger than two meters." Kelv
shook his head. What am I saying?

"Then man your ships! And may the Force be with you!"

Kelv shook his had as he got up and headed towards his X-Wing.
He glanced up at Solo's ship and Solo was sitting there. "So . . . you
got your reward and you're just leaving, then?"

"That's right, yeah! I got some old debts I got to pay off with
this stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't think I'd be fool enough to
stick around here, do you? Why don't you come with us? You're pretty
good in a fight. I could use you.

Kelv paused for a moment. He would be able to get away, but
something held him back. He had to constantly be in character. Solo
was testing him. "Come on!" Kelv said angrily. "Why don't you take a
look around? You know what's about to happen, what they're up against.
They could use a good pilot like you. You're turning your back on
them."

"What good's a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides,
attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more like
suicide.

"All right. Well, take care of yourself, Han . . . I guess
that's what you're best at, isn't it?"

Kelv turned around and then heard Solo call to him. "Hey Luke .
. . may the Force be with you!"

Kelv smiled and headed off but was stopped by the Princess.
"What's wrong?"

"Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really thought he'd change his
mind."

"He's got to chose his own path. No one can chose it for him."

"I only wish Ben were here."

The Princess kissed him on the cheek and Kelv headed to his
X-Wing where he was stopped when some one grabbed his arm.
"Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you get here . . . are you
going out with us?!"

"Biggs!" Kelv exclaimed in shock. He searched Skywalker's
memories. Luke and Biggs had been old friends. "Of course, I'll be up
there with you! Listen, have I got some stories to tell you . . ."

"Are you . . . Luke Skywalker?" Another pilot said. "Have you
been checked out on the Incom T-sixty-five?"

"Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in the outer rim territories."

"I met your father once when I was just a boy. He was a great
pilot. If you've got half of your father's skill, you'll do better
than all right."

"Thank you, sir. I'll try."

"I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll tell me your stories
when we come back. All right?"

"I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs." Where in the name of
the Force did that come from?

"You did, all right. It's going to be like old times, Luke.
We're a couple of shooting stars that'll never be stopped."
Kelv laughed and turned towards his ship. He scrambled up the
ladder and suddenly felt lightheaded.

"This R2 unit of yours seems a bit beat-up. Do you want a new
one?"

"Not on your life! This little droid and I have been through a
lot together. You okay, Artoo?"

The droid warbled an affirmative and for the first time in
Kelv's life he felt like he had finally found a true friend.

Kelv sat ready in the cockpit as his comm clicked on.
"Standby alert Death Star approaching. Estimated time to firing
range, fifteen minutes."

"All wings report in."

"Red Ten standing by."

"Red Seven standing by."

"Red Three standing by." Biggs said.

"Red Six standing by."

"Red Two standing by." Kelv recognized the voice as belonging to
the smart-aleck kid from the briefing.

"Red Eleven standing by."

"Red Five standing by." Kelv said over the comm.
"Lock S-foils in attack position."

Kelv felt the adrenaline rush as he realized they would be going
into battle. He had never taken place in space battle before.
"We're passing through magnetic field. Hold tight! Switch your
deflectors on. Double front!"

"Look at the size of that thing!"

Kelv saw the Death Star. He found it a very boring sight.
"Cut the chatter, Red Two. Accelerate to attack speed. This is
it, boys!"

"Red Leader, this is Gold Leader."

"I copy, Gold Leader."

"We're starting for the target shaft now."

"We're in position. I'm going to cut across the axis and try and
draw their fire."

"Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-three degrees."

"Stay low."

Kelv pulled a severe nosedive and was shocked at the agility.
"This is Red Five! I'm going in!" Kelv opened fire and watched as
explosions went off then swore in realization that he wouldn't be able
to pull out. His X-Wing went straight through the fireball he had
created. He survived and was breathing hard but made it with only the
tips of his wings scorched. Kelv let out his breath in relief. His
heart was going ten kilometers an hour. As a murderer in Vader's
service he had never come so close to death as he did at that moment.
"Luke, pull out!"

Kelv managed to slow his breathing rate slightly.
"Are you all right?"

"I got a little cooked, but I'm okay."

"Watch yourself! There's a lot of fire coming from the right
side of that deflection tower."

"I'm on it." Kelv snapped.

"I'm going in. Cover me, Porkins!"

"I'm right with you, Red Three."

After a short while Kelv heard another pilot over the comm.
"I've got a problem, here."

"Eject!"

"I can hold it."

"Pull out!"

"No, I'm all right."

"Luke, trust your feelings." Kelv glanced around for the source
of the voice and swore then attacked the Death Star where he knew its
weak points were and was satisfied to see the explosions. The Death
Star was a sign of the Empire and the Empire was a sign of Palpatine .
. . and Vader. That alone gave Kelv a reason to destroy it.
"Squad Leaders, we've picked up a new group of signals. Enemy
fighters coming your way."

Kelv glanced around, looking for them. He no longer had anything
to worry about. If Biggs was with the rebels then Tycho and Hobbie had
to be. He realized he couldn't see them. "My scope's negative. I don't
see anything."

"Pick up your visual scanning. Here they come."

Kelv then saw the five TIE fighters he just hoped that the
fighters were a lot faster than Solo's ship had been.
"Watch it! You've got one on your tail."

Kelv watched as one of the X-Wings exploded. He swallowed hard
and he hoped he would survive this one.

"Biggs! You've pick one up . . . Watch it!"

"I can't see it!"

"They're on me tight. I can't shake him . . ."

"I'll be right there." Kelv concentrated on getting to his
friend. As he saw the TIE he opened fire. It exploded a few moments
later.

"Pull in! Luke . . . pull in!"

"Watch your back, Luke! Watch your back! Fighters above you,
coming in!"

Kelv was jerked forward as one of the ships scored a hit. He
glanced back and saw the flames. "I'm hit, but not bad. Artoo, see
what you can do with it. Hang on back there."

"Red Six . . . Can you see Red Five?"

"There's a heavy fire zone on this side. Red Five, where are
you?"

Sithspit, Kelv thought as he saw another TIE latching on to him.
"I can't shake him!"

"I'm on him, Luke! Hold on!"

"Blast it! Biggs, where are you?"

Kelv heard the explosion and realized that the TIE was gone.
"Thanks, Wedge."

"Good shooting, Wedge!"

"Red Leader this is Gold Leader. We're starting our attack run."

"I copy, Gold Leader. Move into position."

"The exhaust port is marked and locked in. Switch all power to
front deflector screens. Switch all power to front deflector screens.
How many guns do you think, Gold Five?"

"Say about twenty guns. Some on the surface, some on the
towers."

"Switch to targeting computer."

"Computer's locked. Getting a signal. The guns . . . they've
stopped!"

"Stabilize your rear deflectors. Watch for enemy fighters."

"They're coming in! Three marks at two ten."

Kelv shivered slightly as he felt a chill through the force.
"It's not good; I can't maneuver!"

"Stay on target!"

"We're too close."

"Stay on target!"

"Loosen up!"

"Gold Five to Red Leader. Lost Tiree, lost Hutch."

"I copy Gold Leader."

"They came from behind . . ."

Kelv glanced nervously over his shoulder expecting something to
happen. He turned cold with dread.

"Red boys, this is Red Leader. Rendezvous at mark six point
one."

"This is Red Two. Flying toward you."

"Red Three, standing by."

"Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep half your group out of range
for the next run."

"Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two and Three. Hold up here and
wait for my signal to start your run." Kelv nodded his held but he
still felt cold. His blood froze in his veins as he felt nudging
through the Force. He glanced out the cockpit cautiously. Something
bad was still to happen as they flew in formation above the surface of
the Death Star the feeling reinserted itself.

"This is it!"

"We should be able to see it by now."

"Keep your eyes open for those fighters!"

"There's too much interference! Red Five, can you see them from
where you are?"

Kelv glanced down again and the feeling reforged itself. "No
sign of any . . . Wait! Coming in point three five."

"I see them."

"I'm in range. Target's coming up! Just hold them off for a few
seconds. Almost there!"

"You'd better let her loose. They're right behind me."

"Almost there!"

"I can't hold them!"

Kelv winces as he feels the death of another one of his
comrades.

"It's away!"

"It's a hit!"

"Negative. Negative! It didn't go in, just impacted the
surface."

"Red Leader, we're right above you. Turn to point oh-five; we'll
cover for you."

"Stay there I just lost my starboard engine. Get set up for your
attack run."

Kelv flinched as Red Leader screamed in pain. "Biggs, Wedge,
let's close it up. We're going in. We're going in full throttle. That
ought to keep those fighters off our back."

"Right with you, boss."

"Luke, at that speed will you be able to pull out in time?"

"It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon back home." What am I
saying? Where did that come from?

"We'll stay far enough back to cover you."

"My scope shows the tower, but I can't see the exhaust port! Are
you sure the computer can hit it?"

"Watch yourself! Increase speed full throttle!"

"What about that tower?"

"You worry about those fighters! I'll worry about the tower!"

Kelv opened fire as he streaked down the canyon and was hit. He winced
but realized it wasn't as bad as he had thought. Wait a second. I'm in
a X-Wing! I have shields! Kelv relaxed slightly. "Artoo . . . that,
that stabilizer's broken loose again. See if you can't lock it down!"

"Fighters. Coming in. point three." Kelv winced as he felt more
pain. "I'm hit!" Wedge yelled. "I can't stay with you."

"Get clear, Wedge. You can't do any more good back there!"

"Sorry!"

"Hurry, Luke, they're coming in much faster this time. We can't
hold them!"

"Artoo, try and increase the power!"

"Hurry up, Luke! Wait!"

Kelv felt imaginable pain and coldness sweep through him as he
saw Biggs' cockpit explode. Kelv put it behind him and focused on his
targeting computer once again. My previous job was so much easier than
this.

"Use the Force, Luke." Kelv jerked his head up. Stupid Jedi
that's what I use too much of. I don't need it! It's because of your
stupid Force that I'm here in the first place!

"Let go, Luke. Luke, trust me."

Kelv paused for a moment then pressed a button and the
targeting computer moved away.

"His computer's off. Luke, you switched off your targeting
computer. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm all right." Or at least I will be until Vader gets
a hold of me. He's going to wring my throat. Now if only he was on the
Death Star instead of on my tail. Oh, well, I can't have everything.
Kelv jerked back as he realized he had been hit and realized
that Artoo was silent. Thank the Force for shields.

"I've lost Artoo!"

Come on let me get out of this. If you allow me to get out of
this one I'll go home and have a nice long conversation with the
politicians and ambassadors. Heck, I'll even spend a few days with my
grandmother.

"Yahoo!"

Kelv jerked his head up in shock. His savior had come in the
form of Han Solo. Solo! Of all people! Not that he was complaining.
"You're all clear, kid. Now let's blow this thing and go home!"

Kelv smiled and pulled the trigger and felt satisfaction as the
torpedo went in and the Death Star exploded.
"Great shot, kid. That was one in a million."

"Remember, the Force will be with you . . . always."

Kelv leapt out of his X-Wing and Leia ran up and gave him a hug.
"Luke!"

Han came up. "Hey! Hey!" Then he embraced Kelv.

"I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!"

"Hey, I knew there was more to you than money."

Kelv shot a glance towards his ship. "Oh no!" He said as he saw
Artoo.

"We'll get to work on him right away." One of the techs said.
"You must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears will
help, I'll gladly donate them."

"He'll be all right."

Kelv relaxed slightly as he stood in front of the rebels along
with Han and Chewie. Leia stood in front of them and softly placed a
medal around his neck and did the same to Han. The following applause
drowned out anything else.

Shortly afterwards Kelv leaned against a wall. He was outside
and alone. He thought everything was perfect until the Jedi behind the
voice appeared.

"Be careful Kelvin Delsen of Naboo, you are a wanted man."
"What?" It was too late as he felt the muzzle of a blaster
pressed against his neck.

Kelv took a deep breath and knew that he was in trouble this
time and there would be no Han Solo to save him.

"Turn around Skywalker, nice and slow." The voice was harsh and
was said with a feeling of hatred.

Kelv turned around and saw the bearer of the blaster. She
wasn't very old but she was rather beautiful with long, thick red gold
hair and bright green eyes. Kelv bit his lip and glanced over her
shoulder. There was a large box beyond her. He pushed it with the
Force and she turned towards as she heard the crash. Her inattention
was enough.

Kelv hit her arm out of the way with all his strength and winced
as he heard a distinct snap. He knocked he legs out from underneath
her, twisted her around, and pulled her elbow towards himself. He held
it behind her with the right angle and enough pressure that if she
moved it would be dislocated. He twisted her wrist at an angle to
cause waves of immense pain.

The girl dropped the blaster in his open palm and he released
her and spun her around. He pressed the blaster to her throat. "Who
are you and who do you work for?" Kelv demanded.
"My name is Mareena Palinter."

Kelv poked her with the blaster. "Don't give me that Hutt Drool!
I want your real name!"

"My name is Mara Jade," the girl said her voice shaking. She had
obviously never before encountered a fellow assassin and spy. "I work
for the Emperor."

"You're disrupting my mission here."

"Your mission?"

"I'm Kelvin Delsen, I work for Darth Vader. Now you are not
leaving."

"What?"

"You're going to help me spy on the rebels and if you even think
of betraying me I shall have your head." Kelv grabbed her wrist and
went to find Leia. It was several minutes later when he found her
speaking with one of the generals.

"Hi Luke." Leia said with a smile.

"This is Mareena Palinter. If found her outside. She's fallen
and broken her arm."

"Okay Mareena we'll have the medics look at you as soon as
possible. Luke, you might want to rest up. The Imperials will be back
for round two. We'll want you in an X-Wing for that. It will be ship
to ship combat."

"Okay thanks Leia. I might get some rest. Do you know how long
Han is going to stay around?"

"A little while longer. He's working on the Falcon right now."
"Okay thanks."

"Hey kid! How's it going?"

"You're not leaving yet?"

"No I'm staying around for a while. She's acting up again."

"I think you need a new ship."

"And you need a new droid!"

"I do not. Artoo does perfectly fine."

"So does she!"

"Whatever Solo. How long are you staying around?"

"Probably a while."

"Okay."

The months went by quickly and Mara had seemed to more than warm
up to Kelv. Or at least it seemed that way seeing as she was sleeping
with him. He had recently returned from a mission and as he laid down
Mara covered his mouth with her own. Her tongue ran across the roof of
his mouth and she pulled off his clothing. Kelv knew he was in love
with her just as he knew he was alive. Han and Leia were the only
other people that knew that they were living together. Kelv was
knocked out of his thoughts as Mara shoved him back down.
Kelv blinked his eyes as the sun shone through the window. It
was blindingly bright and Kelv knew it had just risen. Sithspawned
farmer's chrono. Had to be an acting farmboy, didn't I? Vader couldn't
have just let me be a pilot. I'm used to odd hours, not rising with
the sun!

Kelv groaned and tried to disentangle himself from Mara but to
no avail. His movement woke Mara up and she shoved him back down then
straddled him and pressed closely to his body. Kelv relaxed more as
she continued on to the inevitable end.

Kelv blinked several time and arched his sore back. His head was
pounding and the pounding on the door was not helping his headache.
Wait a second? Pounding on the door?

"Come on, Boss! Get up! Dodonna wants to talk to you!"

Kelv sat up sharply and Mara growled at him and tried to yank
him back down. "Not right now. Dodonna wants to speak with me."

"You know that means another mission."

Kelv pulled on his clothing and ran a hand through his hand
through his disheveled hair in order to put an end to the disarray.
"Then we'll continue this when I return."

Kelv knelt down and kissed her softly then straightened and left
he shut the door behind him but too late. Wedge Antilles had already
seen Mara.

"Oh," Wedge drew out the word. "The Boss has woman."

"Wedge you will not tell anybody about this or I will hurt you.
Got it?"
"Sure thing Boss."

"Let's go." Kelv said as he turned around and headed towards the
general's 'office'. Wedge followed on his heel. When they arrived Kelv
gave a sharp rap and entered the room. The old general glanced up and
smiled.

"Come in, Commander Skywalker."

"Sir, you asked to see me."

"Yes, we've found a new base. It's small and out of the way. I
want Rogue Squadron to hold it along with a small force."

"Yes sir. When are we to leave?"

"Four hours. You'll be taking your bed partner along with you."

Kelv turned towards Wedge and glared at him. "Am I the last one
to hear about this," Kelv growled.

"I heard it from Hobbie and Wes."

"Oh really."

"The last one to hear? Come on Boss! You're the one that's
sleeping with her!"

"Commander, you may assign jobs because this base will become
the Rogue Squadron HQ."

"Thank you. Leave Wedge before you secure kitchen duty with
Hobbie and Wes for yourself."

"You got it Boss."

"So, what is her name?"

"Mareena Palinter."

"Ah, the red head."

"Yes."

Mara glanced up as Kelv entered the room and stretched out so
Kelv could see her entire body. Kelv sat down beside her and ran his
fingers up and down her side.

"What did he say?"

"He's sending Rogue Squadron to an out of the way base. You're
coming with this time."

"Are you sure he meant me?"

"Oh, must have been talking about the other woman I sleep
with."

"What? How many people know?!"

"Probably the entire rebellion. Seems we were the last ones to
hear about it."

"Great, and we're the ones who are bunking together."

"This could work to our advantage." Kelv said slyly and Mara
shoved him down.

Kelv watched as the techs began loading the ancient transport
that they were to use to make it to the base. Hopefully it would be
more reliable than the Falcon. After all it would be nearly impossible
to be in worse shape than the Millennium Falcon.

"Where are we headed, Boss."

"I'm not allowed to give out that information."

"Come on, Boss. I can keep a secret." Wedge glanced over Kelv's
shoulder. "Oh, hi Mareena."

Kelv gave an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, right."

Kelvin Delsen took a deep breath as Vader stared down at him.
Even as a holo he incited fear in the Imperial Agent.

"Master," Kelv said as he bowed low. The bland mask made Kelv
nervous. The lack of the ability to make eye contact made him uneasy
as his legs began feeling shaky and his graceful movements became slow
and rickety.

"573B, you have not been doing as you have been instructed. You
will those I have commanded you to. First, you will tell me where the
rebels are."

"They're on Camdone, Master. A large portion of the fleet on
Borleias for the moment."

"Very good 573B. You have done will. Now fulfill your duty."

Vader signed off and Kelv shuddered. He left the room and jumped
as he felt a hand fall on his shoulder.

"Luke," Wedge asked, concern evident on his face. "Are you
okay?"

"Yeah Wedge, I'm fine."

"Yeah right, Luke. Get back to bed and I'll tell Mareena to make
sure you sleep."

Wedge half dragged Kelv back to his room. Mara came out with a
confused look on her face but it quickly turned to shock as she
reached over to help Kelv inside. They helped Kelv into bed and Wedge
shook his head sadly.

"He needs rest," Wedge said giving the young woman a scowl He
didn't approve of Mareena Palinter living with Commander Luke
Skywalker.

Mara glared at Wedge's back as he exited and as soon as he was
out of earshot she turned towards Kelv and climbed into bed with him,
curling against his chest.

"Kelvin, what's your assignment? What did Vader send you here to
do? What did he do to you?"

"I can't tell you. They'd kill you."

"Who? Who'd kill me?"

"I can't tell you."

"Kelv. I was the Emperor's Hand. Now just tell me what he did to
you."

"I was sent here to kill the leaders."

"How can he scare you so badly?"

"He's responsible for the murders of my only friends."

"I'm sorry," she whispered and buried her face in his chest.

Kelv was on his feet in a moment as he heard his comm beeping
and angrily clicked it on. "Skywalker."

"Commander Skywalker, please report to the briefing room
immediately." A mechanical voice said.

"What's going on?"

"You'll be informed when you arrive, sir."

The comm unit clicked off. "Shavit," Kelv hissed and shucked his
clothes on.

"Where are you going," Mara inquired sleepily.

"Briefing."

"Now?"

"Yes, now." Kelv kissed her softly and then Mara raised an
eyebrow at him. "What? I'm going to be back. This isn't good bye."
Mara frowned at the sense of foreboding that settled over her.

Kelv walked into the briefing room feigning farmboy clumsiness.
The Generals turned and glared at him. "Sorry, you wanted me?"

"Yes," Dodonna said, "the Empire is massing an attack. It would
out our entire fleet."

Kelv nodded and watched the holograph that lit up the wall. Kelv
shook his head slightly. He had brought the Empire down on their heads
but he had stopped caring about others long ago. Service was what had
gotten the Jedi killed. He only knew that he had to get away before it
was too late.

Kelv stopped as he began suddenly began sweating. "Commander
Skywalker?"

His sight became blurred and his hearing began fading in and
out. "Commander Skywalker? Are you alright?"

Everything went crazy. He could no longer hear. His sight was
gone. His mind was confused. His muscles wouldn't respond. He was on
the edge of panic. The last thing he felt was his body hitting the
ground then nothing.

* * *

Mara Jade jumped as she heard a knock on the door. "Come in!"

The blue eyed, blond haired Alderaanian pilot entered the room
silently then glanced up at her. "I was sent to bring you down to
medical."

"Tycho? What happened?"

"Commander Skywalker has suffered a collapse."

Mara grabbed his shirt collar and shook him. "How? What's wrong
with him?"

"We don't know."

Mara released him and he led her down to medical. Mara stopped
as she saw Kelv. An IV was stuck in the underside of his elbow feeding
several clear liquids into his blood vessels. The computer beside his
bedside beeped softly with his heartbeat.

"He's slowly dying, his body is deteriorating. At this rate
he'll be dead before he reaches forty-five."

Mara let loose a sob and disappeared in a flurry a movement.
Twenty-six years and he was in a comatose state. She had never even
gotten to say good-bye.

Mara felt something different about Kelv and she began to head
towards his room. When she got to it all she saw beside the bed was a
short woman with brown hair. Her brown eyes scanned the red gold hair
and locked onto the bright green eyes.

"Hello Mareena Palinter. He's dead," she said staring down at
the ground. "They found him in a garbage dump. He was beaten to death
by a group of street gang members."

Mara stepped back and fled the room. Wedge, Leia, the Generals:
none of them trusted her. She could forgive Leia because she was in
emotional shock. But the others, they all thought she was a whore.
They saw her as nothing else.

Mara ran into the room she shared with Kelv. Not Luke Skywalker
but Kelv. The others, they only saw his Luke Skywalker persona.
She buried her face in his pillow. His scent overpowered her.
She continued to sob until she fell into a nightmare-haunted sleep.

Mara woke in shock. She had felt a presence. It had been
familiar somehow but she couldn't place but now she could. Sithspawn!
Kelv! That Imbecile! He never used Repress meds! I'm pregnant!
Then in even more of a shock a smile twitched on her lips. She
had turned against her 'master'. She had broken free of him and he
would never hold her captive again. That she was sure of. She was no
longer angry but glad that Kelv had won his freedom from Vader.