Christina Palpatine O'Conner

Part one - The Rebel Princess

I figure it's time. I put my story on paper. My name is Christina Skyla Palpatine O’Conner. Yes, my grandfather is the Emperor Palpatine. I’m his only heir. The few memories, I have of my father are him telling me to beware of my grandfather that he would one day, try to kill me. I was about two or three at the time. Another memory was when he told me that my mother was dead. My last memory of my father was his death. I didn't know at the time that my grandfather was responsible for my parents’ death. Soon after my father’s death, I went to live with my grandfather. He had always seemed cold to me. Now, I was going to living with him.

I remember my grandfather’s right hand man, Lord Darth Vayder who was always as his beck and call. This may sound strange to you, but you do not know him as I do. He was a! lways kind to me in his own way. He never said an unkind word to me, though did not always come out kindly. It was never cold like my grandfather's words. Vayder treated my best and oldest friend, Mare Jade, the same way. I first meet him, when my grandfather told him to teach Mare and me how to fly. Mare was one of my grandfather apprentices. Sadly, my grandfather put a like a black cloud in her mind to block out her pasted memories. As hard as he tried, she still had images, feelings, and a few memories of her parents and brothers. She remembers her real name, Mia. She also remembered her father's hands how strong, gentle, but also rough and callused from him working all of his life. The one thing she remembered about her mother was her eyes. She said her mother had sapphire blue eyes that always had love in them for her and her brothers. She remembered that she had two brothers. They were all the same age and all had green eyes. Even with the three-year difference, we wer! e close friends. We grew up together driving the court crazy. Things started to change about the time I turned thirteen. When I first went to the Imperial Senate to represent my grandfather. The first time, I worked for the Rebellion.

Three years previous, Mon Mothma, one of my grandfathers’ heads of staff broke away from him to start an underground group, which is now called the Rebel Alliance. I meet Princess Leia Organa, who was the one who got me started. They need me for the information. I had at my fingertips. Finely, being the Emperor’s granddaughter had come in handy. I worked them for almost a year by just giving information when needed. As Leia and I grew closer, Mare and I grew further apart. Till my grandfather had Mon Mothma kidnapped and put in a high security prison with dying Padme’ Amidala.

I was the only spy with enough access to get in. I knew that it was time for me to leave the Empire for good. "You can not do this, Christina?" Leia tried t! o convince me not to go. "Who is asking me this, Princess Leia or my friend?" "Your friend, I know that you have been given the order. There is not a thing I can, but please be careful." "You know, I always am." I told her with a sly grin. "That is what I’m afraid of." Leia told me with a laugh. "You know that after this, I will not see you for a long time." I told strongly as I could. "I know" She replied. " We will always be friends no matter how many stars are between us." I told Leia happily. "Yes, friends forever." Leia answered. "Yes, always. Thank you for understanding, Leia. I need to go now." "Goodbye. May the force be with you." "And with you, too." I did not know at time that I would not see her for two years. I still had to say goodbye to Mare, but I can not tell her in person. So I wrote her a letter.

To my dearest friend, Mare,

I am sorry that could not tell you this in person; but your connection to my grandfather keeps me from speaking to you. I have to leave the palace.

I can not tell you where I’m going or what I’m doing. But, I will tell you why. My grandfather is an evil man who has enslaved thousands of species. I can not just sit on my padded throne doing nothing. I hope that someday you will see that what I am saying is right. By the time you read this letter, I will be halfway across the galaxy. I will always be your friend. Mare, no matter what happens, you have been like a sister to me. In fact, I have always thought of you as my big sister. I hope that you feel the same way about me. I know we will not see each other for a long time more likely years. There will never be a day when I will not think of you. We will see each other again someday. I know because I saw it. I know not when, but someday. Now, I must go. Please remember me, Mare. Please never forget your friend and sister at heart, Chistina.

Your loving friend and sister,
Princess Christina Skyla Palatine O’ Conner

"Where are you going?" Vayder asked me.

"I have a diplomatic mission to Corellia, Lord Vayder." I told him.

"You can not lie to me, Christina."

"I know."

"You’re going to free the traitor, Mon Mothma."

"You are not going to tell my grandfather. Are you?"

"I do not need to. He already knows."

"No! I do not know what you are up to Vayder, but I am not going to take it." I told him.

"Have you ever heard of a woman named Padme Amidala." He asked me.

"Yes, I have. She was the Queen of Naboo. Why?" I answered.

"I wanted you to get her out of prison, too. She is in a cell with Mon Mothma and a Jedi knight named Siri Kenobi. She is dying. I want her to die a free woman. You are going to get her out." He told me.

"Anakin, I know she was your wife. You still love her, don’t you?"

That is was the first time in my life, he had gotten really mad at me. I knew why. "That name no longer has any meaning to me. The woman, who was my wife, is dead to me. Here are the papers you need to get her out." He handed them to me as he started to leave.

"No, that is not true. It still does means something. Vayder, I still sense the good in you; come with me. Leave this place with me and be with your wife." I said to him.

Then, he stopped to say the last thing I thought he would ever say. "I wish, I could Christina. It is too late for me, but not for you. Now, go!"

"I sense that this will not be the last time I’ll see you Vayder." I said to him as he walked out of the hanger.

It was a long trip to Corellia. After two days, I finally got there. I had some trouble in Grover getting Padme out. After three hours of talk, I did it. She was out and under my care. Now, I had the biggest part of my mission to take care of. Before I did that, I needed to meet this woman. I had her brought to my room, so I could meet with her to help me figure out the best way in to the prison. I was just plain curious about her and wanted to meet her. Next to Mon Mothma and myself, she is the only other person who defied my grandfather. This was the first time I had ever met her. I could see a strong-willed, loving kind woman who had seen too much pain and heartache in her lifetime. I must have looked like a ninny, because I just stood there and stared at her in awe.

"Good evening, child." She greeted me bringing me back to reality.

"Oh, good evening. I'm sorry for not introducing myself. I'm Princess Christina Skyla Palpatine O’Conner." I said with little embarrassment over how I had acted. "Please sit down." I asked as I bided her to my side. "You are probably wondering why I got you out prison, your highness." I said as she sat down next to me.

"The thought had crossed my mind. Please you may call me, Padme." She said with a kind laughter in her eyes.

"A friend asked me to get you out because he knows you're dying."

"Would your friend, Lord Vader?" She asked.

"Yes. Can I trust you?"

"Yes, of course, you may call me, Christina."

"I'm working as a spy for the rebel alliance. If this gets out, I'm dead."

"I can certainly understand. I'm guessing that you need my help in getting your leader out?" Padme said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Yes, can you help me get in?"

"I can tell you the best way in."

"That’s all I need. One other thing, do you know anything about a Siri Kenobi."

"Yes, I do."

"Is she related to Obi-wan Kenobi like his sister or something like that?"

"Oh, my dear, she is more than that, she is his wife."

"What? His wife? Well, this does put a twist on things. Would she help me? And if so, does she still have her lightsaber with her?"

"Yes, she would help you. No, she does not have her lightsaber."

"So where is it?"

"In the wardens’ office."

"Thank you, Padme, you have been very helpful."

The next step in my mission is to pay a little visit to the warden. I was in luck; his office was not very well guarded. The only problem, I had was his safe. The next night, I got into his office with great ease. I knew I would most likely have no problem, but I still wore a mask that covered half my face, just in case. I look quietly around the room, but did not find the saber. The only place left was the safe. It had a computer lock, if I were to pick the lock it would set off the alarm and I would have the guards down on me in less than a minute. So, my only option was to blow it sky high. Luckily I had come prepared with some silent explosives that I borrowed from grandfather. The only problem is that they weren't always reliable and can also be a little messy, but it was my only option. It was going to be fun. I set it up so it would just blow the door off. I was going have to run quickly to get some cover before it went off a cloud of dust or a sound. As soon as the dust settled, I saw what I had come for the lightsaber. I grabbed it quickly and got out of there.

When I got back to my room, I went to wake Padme. It was almost four, but soon the sun would be raising. We would need to leave soon and I needed her help. "Wake up, Padme. Wake up, now!" I said as I shook her gently.

"What is it?" Padme said grabbing a blaster and holding it to my head. "Who are you and what do you want?" She asked.

I remembered then that I hadn't taken my mask off, yet. "Oh, I am sorry." I said pulling my mask off. "It’s me, Christina. I need you to get up now and get your things together." I said swiftly. "Then, we need to get down to the hanger and get my ship ready to go. Can you do that?" I asked.

"Yes, I can. But why?" She asked while getting out of bed.

"I am going to get Ma Mothma and Siri out, then get off this planet." I said to her.

"I can do better than that. I can pick you up there and we can get away quicker."

"I'm sure. You are a decent pilot; but this is too dangerous."

"No, I'm a great pilot. My husband was one of the best in the galaxy and a great teacher."

"Yes, I know. He taught me well. All right, meet me outside the back gate. Do you know where that is?" I asked her.

"I know that prison like the back of my hand." Padme answered.

"Good, now I must go. All my things are already in my ship. If you need any help, Chip my R2 can help."

"All right now go." She said as I ran out of the apartment.

I was in luck, again. This was getting too easy. Something was up. I could sense it. I made it to their cell. I only had to dodge three guards and had no problem hacking the lock. "Ma Mothma, it's me Christina. I'm here to rescue you." I said when I entered into their cell. "Hurry, we don't have much time; you too, Siri." I said to them.

"Yes, let us go. Siri, are you coming?" Ma Mothma said.

"How do you know who I am? I sense that I can trust you, but how." Siri asked me.

"It’s a long story but here is your lightsaber, now we must go." I answered.

As we ran down the halls, we saw no one. "This is too easy, I have a bad feeling about this." I told them as we were coming to the back gate. "She is here, go on. I'll catch up." I said to Ma Mothma and Siri.

"Who is here?" Siri asked.

"Mara Jade, the Emperor's hand."

"Mia, I know you are here. Now, come out!" I yelled out. She appeared wearing and looking as I always remembered her wearing black leather, with her golden red hair, and jade green eyes looking at me sadly. "Christina, what are you doing!?" Mara asked me.

"I am helping freedom."

"But, you are free." she replied.

"Yes, I am, but so many others are not."

"You are the Empress, you can free them "

"I can not do that."

"Why?"

"Mia, you do not understand, right now; but someday you will."

"Christina, just come back."

"I can not."

"I thought you loved me like a sister. You are just like everyone else, you are leaving me."

"I do love. You are the only sister, I know. I am sorry, but I can not."

"No, you are not. Christina, fight me."

"What? Fight you? No, never!"

"Then, I will fight you." And with that, she attacked me. I had no choice, but to fight. All the kicks and punches she threw at me, I blocked them.

"Chip take off, fly low, and with the hatch open." I told the droid through my com link. When they were above me, I jumped in.

Mare yelled. "Coward, coward! I will find you and kill you." And with that I knew there was not anything I could for her, but somewhere in the galaxy was a man that would show her true love. All she had to do was to meet him.

"How could she think that? That I don’t care, how could she say that. She is like a sister. We grew up together. Mare, how could you say that." I thought as I cried in the in the cargo hold.

"Are you all right?" Siri asked. I was so sad didn’t even sensed her coming.

"Yeah, I’m fine." I answered glumly.

"I’m sorry, but I didn’t get your full name?" she asked.

"I am Crown Princess Christina Palpatine O’Conner." I answered still crying.

"She was your friend."

"Yes."

"She’s gone the dark side. There is no hope for her now."

"No, she’s not gone. There is one who will show her the light and what true love is. I know it." I answered crying.

"So, where are we going?" Siri asked changing the subject.

"Tatoonie." I answered her.

"My husband is there."

"I know. We will be there in three days."

Three days later

"There it is Tatoonie, the armpit of the galaxy." I said to everyone over the com link. "You said he lives near the dune sea." I asked Siri, who was in the cockpit with me.

"Yes or at less the last time I heard he was." Siri answered.

"Scanners show one building there. So, we’ll go there and see what we find."

On the planet

"So, this it. I like it." I said more to myself then anyone. We are out in the middle of nowhere. There was only one small a house that looks like it had always been there.

"He’s here." That is all Siri said.

Then, an old man came out the house. "Can I help you?" He said to us.

"Has it been that long, Obi-wan, that you can not sense your own wife?" Siri said with pleading eyes.

"It’s really you Siri. I’m get too old for this." Obi-wan said with laughing eyes.

"I know, darling, we are both too old go-getters" Siri said to him.

"And if you two are both old go-getters, I’m almost there." Padme said and they all laughed.

"My dear, who are these lovely young ladies?" Obi-wan asked Siri as he saw us.

"Ahh, this Mon Mothma and this is the Crown Princess Christina Palatine O’conner." She answered.

"You all must be very tired. Please come in." He said. The house it wasn’t big at all. In fact, just right for one person.

"It hard to believe we fit twelve people in this little house." Padme stated.

"Twelve! You had twelve people in this house." I said in disbelief.

"Yes, five adults and seven children all under the age of six and most still in diapers." Siri answered with a fare off look in her eye that somehow brought back a sad memory.

Later that night

I was writing in my journal, on the floor where I was to sleep with Mon Mothma. Obi-wan who we now know is called Ben is over in the corner talking Siri. (I know it rude to ease drop but I couldn’t help myself.)

"How long has Padme been like this?" Ben asked.

"You mean dying, the past two years."

"How much longer?"

"Two or three days at the most."

"She hides it well. To think that I just found one of my closest friend, just to lose her again."

"She is in a lot of pain."

"Yes, I will miss her." Ben said to her. "So how much did you miss me?" Ben said changing the subject with mischief look in his eyes.

"Do you know how much I missed you Obi-wan. Don’t even start! I will always call you Obi-wan, not Ben. I didn’t fall in love with Ben when I was thirteen I fell in love with you, Obi-wan." Siri told him. "I missed you so much." She said to him.

"You were thirteen when you fell in love me." Ben said to her as he pulled her into his arms.

"Yes, I knew you were the one. When you saved me from that bounty hunter. I had a vision I saw you and I on our wedding day. The day we became one in the force. Deirdre, Anakin and Padme were there."

"You knew even then that you loved me. Why did not you say something." Obi-won interrupted.

"You did not let me finish. I saw you a younger you and married Donna. I knew you were meant to be with her, so I didn’t say anything." Siri said holding onto him.

"It is getting late. You should go to bed." Ben said to her as he let go.

"Yes." Siri as got up and walk a cross the room. "Are you coming Obi-wan?" Siri asked without turning around.

"I thought you would wanted to be alone." Ben said.

"That’s the thing, I miss you the warmth of your body next to mine, the smell of your hair, the strength of your rough, callused hand from years of welding lightsabers, and the way you hold me. Oh, I love you Obi-wan Kenobi." Siri said as she started to cry. Ben emptily went to her and held her close.

"Oh, I have missed you, Siri Jade Kenobi. I love you so much. Let’s go to bed, Siri."

"One thing I wish I would have a vision about is whether or not I will find the love that Obi-wan and Siri have in my own life."

The next morning

The night before last, I had a dream and a vision. I saw the man, who would bring my teacher, no, my adopted father, backs to the light, and show what true love is to Mia. I was outside doing my workout. One that Anakin had shown me when I was young he had said that most of the children on his home planet were taught this form of self defense where your main weapon is long, light wooden staff. I was so caught up in it that I did not sense that Ben was standing right behind me.

"You are very good. Where did you learn this?" He asked me.

"You do not want to where as much as who, right?" I answered.

"You are right who taught you this workout. Only Tatoonie people know tee - sheen."

"Lord Vader, he was my teacher. He taught me everything I know about flying, spying, espionage, fighting, and life. I know he is evil on the outside, but deep down he is good. His son will bring it out. The same man who will show Mia Jade, my best friend, true love."

"How do you know that?"

"I had a vision, that’s all I can say." I answered.

"There is a storm coming. It will be about noon. You were using the force." He said.

"Yes, my father taught me. He started my training. I don’t think I will be able to finish it. There are not any more Jedi knights." I said to him. I do not know why, but I find it so easy to talk to him. I thought to myself.

"You would be surprised. Breakfast is almost ready. You should come in soon." He said as he walked back in. What did he mean by "I would be surprised."?

After breakfast

Padme seemed to be going slower to day. I know noticed this while I was sitting near the window. Padme was talking to Ben; while she picked up the pieces of a cup, she had broken. "Oh, I am sorry, Obi-wan!"

"It is all right. Why do not you go and rest."

"I am fine."

"I just wanted to help."

"You want to help me, then let me see my son." He knew he had to let her see her son. As he left, he said "I will try and my name is Ben."

Two men, one younger and one older, have stopped outside. Their speeder has broken down. Ben is talking to the older man. (The younger man is fine. If, I do say so myself.) The young man’s name is Luke Skywalker and the other gentleman is Owen Lars. Oh my, they are coming in. I need to go.

"Everyone, this Luke And Owen. This Siri, Padme, Mon Mothma, and Christina." Ben introduced as they walked inside.

"Does anyone want anything to drink?" asked Siri as she came from the kitchen.

"Thank you that sounds great!" Luke said with great thirst.

Later that night

Like Ben said, the sandstorm came in right on schedule. Because of the storm, Luke and Owen could not go home (not that I mind). Things are getting weird. That is all I can say. I mean, Ben is trying to talk to Owen, but Owen just answers yes, no, or just completely changes the subject. Another thing, Ben and Owen look so much alike that they could be brothers. Unusual, that is all I can say. Better yet, this is weird. Padme is just talking to Luke. I am trying to find out as much about her as I can. There is nothing wrong with that. One other thing, they look a lot alike. Like he could be her son Even though, Luke has blue eyes and blond hair and Padme has brown eyes. At one point, I think, she had dark brown hair, but now is gray. Their face shapes and the shape of their eyes are a lot alike. WEIRD! I do not think Anakin had any children. I am starting to refer to Darth Vader as Anakin, because I feel that will help him turn to the light side by calling him Anakin in his later life.

So, I am just sitting with Mon Mothma. I am writing, while she is reading, and watching the odd things happening.

The next morning

The storm is still going in full bloom. So Luke and Owen will be staying longer and were up at the crack of dawn.) Padme seem to be a little more out of things this morning. She is not remembering things; she was told less than five minutes before. She seems to be tired a lot. I think the time is coming. She is going to be leaving us soon. As I was helping Siri with dishes, I asked her: "How long has Padme been like this?"

"You mean the cancer; about a year. She lived longer than the doctor said she would." She answered.

What was she like when she was my age? I wish I had known her then. I thought.

"I wish you had, too." Siri said which caught me off guard.

"What! Hey, do not that. That is not nice." I said after I realized that she had read my mind.

"Do not do what?"

"Read my mind!" I whispered. Ben had told me the other day that I should not show my ability to use the Force to Owen or Luke.

"I did not. I swear. I felt it. You are so much like her. You do not know how much."

"How much?"

"I will tell you later.

Midnight, the same evening

"Christina, are you awake?" Siri called softly from across the room. "It is time." This all she had to say. I knew Padme was not going to see another sunrise. I followed her into the back room.

"She wants to see you." Ben said to me at the doorway.

"Come in, dear." Padme said with a weak voice as I entered the room. "Could you please get that chest over there. Yes, the one that is on the shelf." She asked.

"Is this the one?" I asked as picked up the chest she had pointed at.

"Yes, that the one. Now, come sit down. I need to ask you to do something for me."

"Yes, what is it?" I said failed to my tears back.

"Now, do not cry, my little one. You must be brave. There are going to be many hard time ahead in your life." She said as her weak, motherly hand that wiped my tears away.

"I need you to be strong now. In this chest, you hold. There is complete history of my family as far back as I can go and a history of the Skywalker family that my mother in-law Shim wrote. I want you to give this to my son and daughters. They are..."

"Luke and Princess Leia Organa." I interrupted.

"Yes, the Force serves you well. Yes, they are two of Anakin’s and my children, but there is one more. Our other child is Queen Lydia Amidala of Naboo. Now, when they have found each other on their own. I want you to give them their family history, but not before. Now, there is also a lightsaber that belonged to my grandfather. I want you to have it. Just take it with no questions asked. I need you to protect my family. I know you can do that for me. Here is a pendent that my husband and your teacher made for me when I was your age. I want you to have, because you know that he is good and you love him like he was your father." Padme told me.

I could tell that it was getting harder for her to breathe and were getting slower towards the end. "I can’t take the lightsaber that belongs to Luke, Leia or Lydia, but not me." I said with uncontrollable tears.

"I said no questions. I need you tell them that I love them all vary much. Now... I can see why Anakin loved you like a his own." She struggled to get out.

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"He was my soulmate. We have a connection to each other in the force. You will find your soulmate, too. Christina, I love you, too." With that, she closed her eyes for the last time.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, no! Noooooooooo!" I screamed, but it was too late. She had died. I had lost one more person that I had loved, just like a mother.

I sat there crying for so long I did not know what time it was. "Christina, you should try to sleep." Ben said as he preyed me form Padme’s lifeless form.

"I can not, not tonight." I said as I cried in to his shoulder.

"I know, but you should at least try." He said as he lead me out of the room.

The next afternoon

We buried Padme next to her mother in-law. That is where I think she would like to be with family. Ma Mothma order me to go in to hiding before she returned to the rebellion. So I had nowhere to go or to do. After the funeral, Luke and Owen went to their farm.

"So, where are you going?" Siri asked.

"I don’t know." I answered.

"Why do not you stay here." Siri asked.

"Stay here. Why?" I asked.

"Would you be my padawan learner and Jedi Apprentice?"

I simply said, "Yes, master."

I would spend the next two years there with Ben and Siri being trained a Jedi knight.

DISCLAIMER: This story is a work of fiction written in appreciation of Star Wars; to promote the Star Wars franchise and to keep it alive. All characters and settings original to the Star Wars movies and/or novelizations are copyright to Lucasfilm, Ltd. The rest is copyright to the story's author. No profit was gained from this story.