Fame and Fortitude

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Corellia, a week later...

Sitting on the sofa, Han draped his arm protectively over Leia's shoulders, keeping his expression neutral as he regarded Shiv Palladum and his wife, Karmal Palladum, who were sitting across from the Solos in comfortable, cushioned chairs. At Han's insistence, Luke and Mara were also seated in the living area, keeping a wary eye on Airen Cracken, who refused a chair and preferred to remain standing. Han thought it was probably because it put Cracken in a dominate position, towering over his subjects.

"I was a bit surprised you asked to see me," Han started the conversation. "Then when you said you were coming with Cracken, I almost refused to see you."

Cracken gave Han a feral grin. "But you thought better of refusing."

"Apparently."

Shiv stood up and started pacing the room, unaware of Jedi Master Skywalker's wariness over the situation. "I guess I should get right to the point."

"That would be nice," Leia stated, rubbing Han's knee in a reassuring gesture.

"I'll start at the beginning," Shiv said with a sigh. "I... I was born for the sole purpose of allowing my father to continue to live." He looked directly at Han. "My biological father was Sheev Palpatine. The Sith Lord Emperor."

Luke took a surprised breath. "You're a clone?"

"No... no..." Shiv replied, twisting his fingers together nervously. "Palpatine tried the cloning technique, but it didn't work. The clones were too physically unstable, so he wasn't able to use them. He then decided to, um, use the old-fashioned way, and either forced, or perhaps paid, my biological mother to bear his son. I was the result of that...union."

"The poor woman," Mara said flatly. "I just can't even imagine."

"So, you see, I was born the regular way," Shiv said. "But, just like the clones, I was a failure. I have an extremely low ... what do you call it?"

"Midiclorian count," Luke supplied.

"Yes," Shiv nodded. "Very, very low. But, since I was still his son, he decided to keep me around, although he treated me like I was worthless. I suppose in his eyes, I mostly was worthless, except to amuse him at times. It was a difficult childhood, to say the least."

"And because of his poor treatment," Cracken added, "Shiv decided to help the Rebellion."

Shiv nodded. "I was so meek and obedient, Palpatine never suspected I was truly acting as a spy. I managed to get the first Death Star plans to the Rebellion."

"Did Palpatine suspect you after the fact?" Leia questioned.

"I don't believe so," Shiv said as he sat down next to his wife, taking her hand. "I was too insignificant to him. It was only after I fell in love with Karmal, and she became pregnant, that Palpatine suddenly started to notice me."

"Palpatine could tell the child I was carrying was strong in the Force," Karmal told the small group. "So Shiv sent me away. Told me to hide and protect our child."

"My father was furious, so I was sent to Pujool as punishment," Shiv said. "I'm sure if he would have found out about my role in the destruction of the first Death Star, I would have been executed."

"That's a very interesting story," Han said. "What's it got to do with me?"

"Glad you asked," Cracken said, sounding pleased with the opportunity to speak up. "Tell him your birth mother's name, Shiv."