Unfortunately, Yoda's plan to send me to Naboo via a cargo ship was more complicated then originally thought. Even though he was supposed to send me directly to Naboo Obi-wan found that it was near Impossible to find a cargo ship willing to transport me. So despite Master Yoda's instructions Obi-wan kept me with him. When I was about 6 months old he finally found a cargo ship willing to transport me to Naboo. Unfortunately, the ship was located in mois Isley. A small town filled with the worst people in the Galaxy.

"I can not thank you enough that you are willing to take on this dangerous mission."

"Yes well, times are rough and jobs are scares. I'm willing to take on risky missions provided the pay is substantial enough. So tell me, what will I be transporting? Illegal spices? outlawed weapons or droids? Pirated Holograms? Or perhaps you want to transport something more valuable like Slave girls or some exotic creatures?"

"I can assure you that this job will not be breaking any laws. I need you to transport an infant to the planet of Naboo."

"An infant you say? Is she to be sold as a Slave?"

"No. Her name is Catherine she is the daughter of an ambassador. That is all you need to know about her. I want her delivered safely to the orphanage on her home planet of Naboo. I'd take her myself but I am getting too old for space travel." The man in the hologram replied.

"Naboo? The only ambassador that I am aware of from Naboo was that Senator who died. What was her name again?"

"Amidalla and no she is not the mother of this child. Now please no more questions."

"There is the little matter of our fee." The captain replied.

I will pay you $25,000 credits once I have confirmation that the job has been carried out." A hologram of man wearing a robe told the captain. "Oh and Captain, The information concerning this transaction must not be shared with anyone not even the rest of your crew."

"Very well. We will leave first thing in the morning."

"So Boss, whats our new job this time?" The second in command of the crew asked as the hologram disappeared.

"That information is need to know only. Right now you don't need to know."

The ship hadn't gone far when a transmission was sent to the ship. "I almost forgot,
please avoid being spotted by imperial ships. We can't risk the cargo falling into the hands of the Empire." With that the transmission ended.

Meanwhile aboard the Devastator a imperial officer picked up the transmission. "Inform Lord Vader that I've discovered a rather disturbing transmission."

Upon hearing the transmission Vader ordered the ship to intercept the cargo ship.

"Search this ship for rebels or any Jedi who might be trying to escape on this vessel." Vader ordered a nearby officer who nodded and quickly rushed to carry out Vader's orders.

"We are not harboring any Jedi. We are on a mission of utmost importance time is of the essence."

"Then explain this transmission Captain." Arthur replied playing back the transmission.

"We are not affiliated with the rebels or the Jedi I swear. We were hired to bring cargo to Naboo no questions asked."

"Isn't that where Lord Vader's wife was from?" The other officer who's name was Richard Leeson asked.

"I shall inform Lord Vader we have searched the ship and there doesn't seem to be any connection to the rebellion or the Jedi. " Arthur replied.

"Don't you think we should inform Lord Vader of our discovery of the ships destination?" Richard asked.

"I wouldn't open that can of space slugs if I were you." Arthur replied.

"What do you mean?" Richard asked confused.

"Bringing up his dead wife is a death sentence waiting to happen. As is bringing up anything that has to do with her. Rumor has it that he actually was the cause of his wife's death. That she betrayed him that she was a traitor. Which is why discussing her makes her extremely angry. Trust me you don't want to make him angry. It may very well be the last thing you'll ever do." Arthur replied.

Vader could sense that they were talking about him more importantly they were talking about Padme and not with the respect she deserved. "Do you have any information for me?" He demanded as he turned the corner.

Arthur looked up at Vader in pure fear and shook his is head. "We haven't discovered anything of importance. Except that the ship seems to be on a routine delivery. No evidence of any Jedi or members of the rebellion seem to have anything to do with this ship or it's
crew." Arthur replied.

"Very well, you may go." Vader replied However, as Arthur and Richard turned to leave Arthur was caught in a force choke. "I don't like to be lied too." Vader said ominously.

"Please." Arthur begged Vader who didn't reply but instead tightened his force hold on him.

"Now tell me, what was it you were saying about Senator Amidalla? Choose your words wisely for they may be your last." Vader warned.

"I was informing the new employee Richard Leeson that bringing up anything to do with the Senator is not the best idea if he wanted to remain on your good side." Arthur replied gasping for breath.

"Why would you be discussing the Senator? She has nothing to do with this ship or it's crew." Vader replied his voice dangerously low.

"According to the captain this ship is heading to the Senator's home planet." Arthur replied with a wince.

Vader released the officer from the force choke. "Bring this Captain to me!"

"Yeeess sir!" Arthur stuttered before rushing off down the corridor. A few minutes later a trembling Captain was brought before Vader.

"Tell me Captain, why were you receiving transmissions that insisted that you avoid a run in with us? What exactly are you transporting? Illegal goods?" The captain shook his head. "Why is your destination Naboo?" Vader demanded of the Captain.

"I do not know why they wanted us to avoid imperial ships."

"Your the captain it's your job to know everything about your ship, its crew and it's cargo. So either your not a very good Captain or your hiding something. Which is it?" Vader asked force choking the Captain and lifting him in the air.

"We were hired by a third party who wished to remain anonymous. As i told your Officers we don't know the importance of the mission and that I'd be paid a huge sum provided that I fulfilled the mission without asking any questions. We informed that our destination would be Naboo. We weren't even told what the cargo would be and it came as quite a surprise when it arrived."

"What exactly is your cargo?"

"Actually, we aren't transporting any cargo but rather a passenger." The Captain replied with a wince.

At this, Vader growled slightly causing the Captain to gulp. "Admerial tear this ship apart. I want this passenger found! Whoever they are bring them to me alive!" Vader growled as he stepped over the Captain's dead body.

"Yes sir!" Arthur replied with that he and Richard rushed through the ship to locate the passenger. It didn't take him long to find the infant who was sleeping sweetly in a little crib. "That's odd. Where are this child's parents. Humm there's a note. "To whom it may concern, please take good care of our little Catherine. She is the daughter of ambassadors who were killed during a battle with the Jedi on Coruscant. Since her parents were from this planet we felt it best if we sent her to you." Sincerely a concerned citizen. "This infant is the passenger to whom the Captain was referring too? That can't be right." Richard said with a frown.

"Did you find anyone else aboard besides the crew?" Arthur demanded.

"No." Richard replied.

"Then the infant is who we are looking for." Arthur replied. "Gather her up and let's go. We don't want to keep Lord Vader waiting."

"But sir, if we try and move her we might wake her." Richard replied.

"Your point?" Arthur demanded irritatedly.

"Don't you know anything about babies sir? If we wake her up she's sure to start crying." Richard replied.

"I fail to see your point and all this talking is wasting time. Just grab the kid and let's go." Arthur replied.

"Alright sir but don't say I didn't warn you." Richard replied with a shrug as he walked over and picked the infant up. Instantly the baby awoke and like Richard had predicted she began to cry.

"Would you shut that little brat up?"Arthur demanded angrily which only caused the 6 month infant to cry louder.

"Sir she's just a baby. Babies cry it's what they do. I did try to warn you Sir." Richard replied with a smile.

"Wipe that smile off your face this isn't funny. Believe me Lord Vader isn't going to be amused. If I were you I'd find some way of shutting that little brat up." Arthur warned.

"I told you Sir, She's not a brat sir she's an infant." Richard replied trying to sooth the crying baby.

"That's enough of that! I won't have you disrespecting me in front of Lord Vader. Shut the little twerp up!" Arthur replied angrily. "Lord Vader we found the passenger."

"Oh? I take it there weren't any complications?" Vader asked.

"Well. Not exactly." Arthur replied as behind him the infant continued to cry.

"An infant? The passenger they were carrying is an infant?" Vader asked. Vader's mechanical voice was cold and foreboding with no emotions so you could never tell what he was thinking.

"Yes sir."

"And did you find any indication as to whom her parents are?" Vader asked.

"No sir. Only a note requesting that the orphanage of Nabbo take good care of her. The note claims that her parents were ambassadors from the planet and that they were killed during a battle with those no good Jedi traitors. This was the only thing the infant had in her possession." Arthur replied showing Vader a very familiar looking pacifier. It looked identical to the one he had carved for Padme for their unborn child. That is impossible he reminded himself. Padme is dead and with her died her child.

"Why is she crying?" Vader asked folding his arms across his chest.

"I'm sorry sir, little brat hasn't stopped crying since we found her." Arthur replied with a frown.

"She's not a brat she's an infant. Infant's cry when something upsets them it's how they communicate. What did you expect an infant to do when awoken? Shhh. Hush now." Vader said waving his hand towards Catherine who immediately stopped crying and looked at Vader as if studying him.

"Dada." She cooed happily. "Dada." She said again reaching for Vader.

Richard couldn't help but stifle a laugh. His eyes sparkling in delight and he chuckled. "No, no little one, that's not your daddy that's Lord Vader."

"Did that little brat just call Lord Vader dada?" Arthur asked with a frown shocked and somewhat irritated by the infant's outburst. Richard nodded.

"Dada." Catherine said again reaching for Vader who took a step back from her causing her to start crying once more. This infant was raising a great deal of questions. Why did the child seem so eager to be picked up by him? More importantly why was she calling him Dada? Vader frowned the answers to these questions kept pointing to what he knew it was impossible. Padme had died and so had her child. Padme the name rang in his head. What would she think of the man he had become? If only she could have seen things his way. They could be living happily together raising their child bending the Galaxy to their will but she had chosen death. She has chosen Obi-Wan. She had brought him to Mustafar to kill him. At this thought Vader clenched his fist angrily. Why had she chosen him? Why had she chosen death?? Vader growled beneath his helmet.

"Umm excuse me, Lord Vader, your orders sir?" Commander Arthur asked timidly snapping Vader back into the present. "It's obvious considering the secrecy of the ships destination to the Senator's home planet of Naboo and the secrecy concerning this infant I doubt that she is the daughter of some fallen ambassador it's more likely that she's the daughter of a fallen Jedi or some other Rebel scum."

At the mention of Naboo Vader's thoughts once again ventured to those of Padme. He didn't even need to wonder what she would have said to him if she were here. She would have argued that she didn't believe that Anakin, that the man she loved was truly gone. "Please Anakin don't do this." He could her her whisper. "Anakin is dead he died on Mustfar because of your betrayal. I will do what is best for the Empire."

"Your orders sir?" Arthur asked Vader snapping him back into the present once more.

"This crew are obviously sympathizers with the rebel Alliance and therefore must be made an example of. Capture the remainder of the crew and bring them to me alive for questioning. Then send out a message that the ship was destroyed and so were all aboard." Vader replied exiting the ship.

"Sir what are our orders?" Richard asked when Arthur returned.

"Those on board this ship are traitors to the Empire no one aboard is to remain alive." Arthur replied.

"But sir... The infant?" Richard asked with concern looking at Catherine who was now crying once more.

"Lord Vader's orders were clear. The child is to die along side the crew." Arthur replied.

"She's an innocent child, she's just a baby. She doesn't deserve to die. No. This is wrong. I don't care what Lord Vader ordered I won't allow you to execute an innocent infant." Richard replied.

"You will do as your ordered." Arthur replied.

"No. I won't have any part of this and I will not allow this child to be slaughtered just because of who her parents may or may not be." Richard replied.

"Do not question your orders. They came from Lord Vader himself. He is the second most powerful person in the Empire if he says the child must die then the child is to die." Arthur replied.

"I find it hard to believe that even Lord Vader could be that heartless. If you don't mind I'd like to hear the order for myself." Richard replied.

"I won't have you questioning me. You will do as your ordered or I will have you sent to prison or worse to the spice mines of Kessel." Arthur replied with a growl.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take. I won't stand by and watch an innocent infant be murdered." Richard replied.

"Very well, it's your funeral." Arthur replied stepping aside.

"Lord Vader might I have a moment of your time?"

"What is it General?" Vader replied as Richard approached him.

"It's about the infant..." Richard hesitated as Vader turned to face him.

"What about her?" Vader demanded folding his arms across his chest.

"I would like to discuss the orders concerning her."

"Why?" Vader demanded.

Richard gulped as he replied "I suppose I just needed to hear the order for myself."

"Refusing to follow a direct order shows a lack of respect towards your superior and a lack of training. It shows poor management skills. Perhaps it's time I remove Arthur from his status and put someone else be put in charge of his platoon. Someone they will obey."

"That's not necessary sir. We do respect the General it's just that..." Richard's voice trailed off.

"That what?" Vader asked crossing his arms across his chest.

"Did you really order the execution of all those on board the ship including the infant?" Richard asked.

Vader paused a moment before replying "I gave no such order."

"I knew it! I knew that you wouldn't order the execution of an innocent child. He lied to us."

"In deed. Wait here." Vader replied walking over to a computer screen. "Commander."

"Lord Vader, we have captured the remaining crew and are about too." Arthur was unable to finish his sentence as Vader held him in a choke hold.

"I thought I made my orders clear."

"Yes sir. I was just about to carry them out."

"Were you? Your second in command informs me that you intended to execute the prisoners." Vader replied.

"As is my duty. I was simply following protocol." Arthur replied with a gasp.

"So you took it upon yourself to order the execution of an infant?" Vader replied somewhat amused and irritated by this Commanders idiocy. "Despite what some may believe Commander I am not a heartless machine. There is a time and a place for following protocol. This is not one of those times." With that the Commander fell to the ground My orders were clear Commander. I want the crew and infant brought to me alive. This is your last chance Commander!" Vader replied releasing the Commander from his choke hold.

"I shall have them brought to you immediately Sir!" Arthur replied with that he rushed to fulfill Vader's orders.

"You let him live?" Richard asked surprised.

"Is that a problem General?" Vader replied.

"I know the Commander Sir, he doesn't like being challenged. He will execute the crew including the infant despite your orders. She's just a baby she doesn't deserve to die." Richard replied.

"True. So, what are you going to do about it General?" Vader asked.

"Sir?" Richard asked confused.

"The fate of the infant is in your hands General. You can either do nothing and accept the infant's death or you could go on the initiative and save the infant despite the consequences. The infant's life depends on what you decide. I suggest you make your decision fast based on what you've told me the infant doesn't have much longer to live." Vader replied. With that he walked away leaving a very stunned and confused Richard. Was Vader subtly telling him to save the infant?

Richard nodded. Yes Lord Vader had indicated that the infant didn't have to die. It was up to him to ensure the infant's safety.

"Sir, did you speak with Lord Vader concerning the child?" One of the officers asked Arthur.

"I have. We are to follow protocol. Everyone on board this ship is to be executed including the infant. You may fire when ready commander." Arthur replied glancing down at the infant who hadn't stopped crying since Vader and Richard's departure.

"Stop!" Richard demanded stepping in between the storm trooper and the infant.

"Oh now what?" Arthur replied irritatedly.

"Lord Vader didn't order the infant's or the crews execution. He specifically stated he wanted them alive until they can be questioned using the proper tools. As for Catherine he left her fate in our hands." Richard replied picking up Catherine.

"Is this true sir?" One of the storm troopers asked looking over at Commander Arthur confused.

Arthur frowned but then replied "despite protocol what General Richard has said is true. Lord Vader does want the crew interrogated but I doubt we will be given any more information then what we've already received. So therefore, there is no reason to keep them alive. As for the infant she will be brought to one of our prison cells. Once she is 13 she will be executed.

"A prison is no place for an infant." Richard replied with a frown.

"Fine. Since you seem to have taken such an interest in the infant I am placing her temporarily in your custody."

"Understood. I'll take her home and raise her as my own. My wife and I have always longed for a child but are unable to have children according to the medical droids." Richard replied.

"Did I ask about your personal life? I don't care. Just get that infant out of my sight. Oh and Richard, remember this is only temporary. This infant is not nor will she ever be your daughter. She is a rebel and a threat to the Empire she will be executed when she has reached the age of 13."

"Yes sir. I understand. Thank you. Honey I've brought you home a surprise." Richard as he entered his living quarters aboard the ship.

"A surprise? I love surprises. What is it?" His wife who's name was Janice asked.

"How about this, how about I give you three chances to guess and then I'll show you." Richard replied.

"Ok, is it a new uniform or a new piece of jewelry?"

"No and that's two guesses in one. Guess again." Richard said with a smile.

"Is it a droid to help around the house?"

"No let me give you a hint it's something you've always wanted we can only keep it if we receive an ok." Richard replied.

"Is it a loth cat?"

"No and that was your last guess." He replied with a smile. "You owe me a kiss."

"That's not fair." Janice replied pretending to pout. Just as Janice was about to kiss Richard I began to cry.

"Waahhhh."

"Honey what is that?"

"What is what?" Richard asked with a smile pretending not to hear my crying.

"Waaaahhh!"

"That noise what is it?" Janice demanded.

"That's your surprise honey." Richard replied with a smile.

"Oh Richard she's beautiful! Is she really ours?" Janice replied when she saw me.

"Well yes and no." Richard replied.

"What do you mean yes and no? Either she's ours or she not which is it?" Janice asked starting to get irritated.

"Wahhhh." I cried even louder.

"Where's Lord Vader when you need him? I can't hear myself think with all that crying oh come on kid quit it." Richard replied with a frown. "Maybe bringing her home wasn't such a good idea." Richard started to reply. However, before Richard could reach me Janice scooped me up in her arms.

"Don't even think about it! This child isn't going anywhere. You see all she wanted was to be held." Janice said as I immediately stopped crying once she picked me up. "Now answer my question what do you mean yes and no?"

"It's complicated." Richard replied.

"I don't care if it's complicated or not I want answers and I want them now!" Janice demanded angrily.

"Catherine is the daughter of a rebel, possibly even the daughter of a fallen Jedi. She was discovered aboard a ship heading towards the Nabbo system. Commander Arthur decided that all aboard were to be executed claiming the orders came from Lord Vader."

"How awful. His heart must be made of stone how else could he live with ordering the death of an infant. Sometimes I think that man is pure evil." Janice replied.

"He isn't called the Dark Lord for nothing. However, it may come as a surprise but Lord Vader didn't order the infant's execution. However, the Commander intended on following protocol which meant that the infant was to be killed along side the crew. I wasn't about to allow that to happen so I stood up for her and refused to allow her to be killed. The Commander then ordered her to be sent to the prison. I once again interceded on the infant's behalf and so the Commander placed her in my care until she's old enough." Richard replied.

"Old enough for what?" Janice asked pulling me close to her.

"I think you already know the answer to that question." Richard replied.

"You mean he plans on.." Janice's voice trailed off and Richard nodded.

"Yes. He intends on following protocol. When she is old enough she will be executed." Richard replied.

"Executed? What kind of organization are we working for? You allow a child to live only to execute her for something that she won't understand? It's not right Richard and you know it." Janice replied angrily.

"I can not change what Commander Arthur has decided. I was barely able to save her life today. The Commander made it clear that the infant will be executed when she reaches 13yrs of age. Either she dies or I do one way or another someone will be executed when she reaches 13." Richard replied with a sigh.

"I will not raise this beautiful baby girl only for her to be ripped from my arms when she turns 13 Richard! I won't allow it. As far as I'm concerned this baby became our daughter the moment you brought her home. I will not let anyone lay a hand on her and that includes you." Janice replied.

I began to cry once more and Janice rocked me in her arms and began to sing "not while I'm around." From Sweeney Todd. "Nothing's going to harm you not while I'm around. Nothing's going to harm you no not while I'm around. Demon's are prowling everywhere now a days. I'll send them howling I don't care I got ways. No ones gonna hurt no ones gonna dare." Janice glared angrily at Richard while singing this phrase. "Others can desert you not to worry just whistle and I'll be there. No ones gonna hurt you no ones gonna dare (etc etc etc).