Remade

[therealthing]

Chapter 1

The officers and men aboard the Executor were confused. Just as they had finally thought they had figured out how to deal with their fearsome commanding officer, he changed. The change was not for the better. Indeed, if anything, Lord Vader had become more terrifying than ever, for his single minded obsession with finding the rebel responsible for destroying the Death Star verged on madness. At least, that is what the men thought.

Vader had always been a draconian, incredibly demanding commander, but at least the men knew what to expect from him. If you mess up, you die. If you question him, you die. If you say the wrong thing, you might just get tossed against a bulkhead, unless he was in a particularly foul mood, in which case you would die. Since being given the command of the super star destroyer, Vader had established his iron rule in very short order. The men actually had a pool going to see who would die on any given day. Vader knew about this, though the men didn’t realize it. He secretly found it amusing that the men took their own lives so lightly that they were willing to wager their monthly earnings on who would die.

As for Vader, his own life had been, for the past 20 years, in service to his master, the galactic emperor, Palpatine. He had no other purpose but to serve him and keep the Sith alive and well. All that had changed when Vader had learned the name of the rebel who had destroyed the Death Star: Luke Skywalker.

Vader had turned his back on the Skywalker name two decades ago, and all it represented. That was the day his soul had been irrevocably consumed by the Dark Side, the day he learned that he had done the unthinkable, the unforgivable, the day his master had told him that he had killed his Angel.

But now everything he thought he knew had been turned upside down. His son was alive!! Our son... How is it possible that the child lived when Palpatine had told him that the mother had died still bearing him? Vader himself had seen footage of the funeral, had seen her swollen belly as the coffin carrying her moved slowly through the streets of Theed. She was still pregnant when she had died, pregnant with his child…with his son…

None of it made sense, and it had caused Vader to question the very reasons he had sworn allegiance to the emperor in the first place. Palpatine had promised to help him save her, but this promise had been conveniently forgotten in the carnage that Vader had committed in the name of galactic peace. How did it all go so astray? And what had become of her? If this son lived, what had become of the mother? It was not surprising that the men aboard the Executor had found their commander to be more moody and irritable than usual, for his mind was in turmoil over these difficult, life altering questions.


Lord Vader paced up and down the bridge of the Executor, restless and impatient for word from the probe droids. They had been dispatched four months earlier, and still there was no sign, no word of the whereabouts of the rebels. His son was a part of that rebellion, a leader in fact. He was his father’s son…Vader reflected grimly.

There was something else that was on his mind however, something that he had not expected. He could not get his mind off of the young princess from Alderaan who he had held prisoner on the Death Star…held her prisoner and tortured her. There had been something so familiar about her face, something that at the time he gave no consideration to. But now, now that he knew that his son was alive...was it possible that this young woman was his offspring as well?? Could Padmé have been carrying twins? It had been a very long time since Darth Vader had felt anything akin to guilt, but now, recalling the tortured screams of the Princess, he felt a cold pit in his stomach. Her ability to resist the mind probes had been indeed impressive. Worthy of a Jedi…

Vader had searched the Imperial net for information about the princess, but the information about her was rather sketchy. It indicated that she was from Alderaan, but not that she had been born there. It cited Bail Organa and his wife Breha as the parents of the princess, but that meant nothing if they had adopted her, which is what Vader suspected. He had even compared holographic images of the two women side by side, and the resemblance was undeniable: Leia Organa was the daughter of Padmé Naberrie, the daughter of Anakin Skywalker. She’d given birth to twins, a girl and a boy. So why had she appeared pregnant if the twins had already been born? More to the point, why had Palpatine told him that he had killed her when she had obviously lived to give birth to his children?? Vader did not wish to consider the answer to these questions, for it only made the gnawing feeling within him worse.

“Report,” Vader barked as he approached the station where the readouts from the probe droids were being analyzed.

“Nothing yet, sir,” Captain Piett replied. “The reports from the Naboo System are just coming in now.”

Naboo system? Vader pondered as an idea started to take form in his mind. He had to know for certain that she was indeed dead, for given his recent astonishing discoveries; it seemed highly likely that her death was a lie too. And if he were right….he didn’t want to think about the repercussions.

“Make for the Naboo System,” Vader announced. Piett looked up at Vader in surprise.

“The Naboo System, my lord?” he asked.

“At once,” Vader replied. “Maximum velocity.”

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 2

The Executor arrived at the Naboo System 12 hours later.

“Prepare a shuttle,” Vader instructed one of his underlings. The men followed his commands, no matter how strange they found them and this was no different. Lord Vader usually had good reason for his solitary journeys, not that any of them men were privy to those reasons. The planet Naboo, however, was a mystery to the men, who, of course knew nothing about Vader’s connection with the beautiful planet.

Having left the Executor, Vader piloted the shuttle to the planet surface, making his heading for the capital city of Theed. He was not concerned about being spotted; he was the emperor’s right hand, and owed no one an explanation for his presence. However, when he arrived at the mausoleum on the outskirts of the city, there were some who questioned his motives.

“Lord Vader,” the guard standing sentry at the cemetery gate greeted him. “Can I help you?”

“You can stand aside,” Vader replied. “That is the only thing I require of you.”

The man did so at once, not wanting to tangle with the infamous Dark Lord.

Vader had been here before, and knew exactly where to go. A mausoleum of glass and stone, at the top of a small stone staircase, he had seen it many time in his dreams, only one of many dreams of her that had tormented him over the past 20 years. But what if all those years without her had been a lie? He was determined to find out once and for all.

Vader entered the mausoleum, the setting sun illuminating the interior with a warm, muted glow. The only sound to be heard was the mechanical sound of his breathing and his boots upon the stone. He approached the crypt reverently, his eyes fixed upon the holographic image of her suspended above it.

Even now, after so many years apart, the sight of her face still took his breath away. Her death had been like his own. Did he have the strength to do this? He wondered as he stood transfixed by the sight of her angelic face. What if he was wrong? Could he live with himself if he did this if he were?

Vader stood perfectly still, struggling with the decision that could change his world irrevocably. Finally he decided, and moved toward the crypt.

“Forgive me, my angel,” he murmured as he laid his hands upon the marble lid of the coffin. Summoning his enormous physical strength as well as the power of the Force, he slowly slid the lid aside, carefully lowering it to the floor beside the casket. Taking a deep breath, he stepped over to the open grave and looked inside. It was empty.

What Vader felt as he stared into the empty casket not even he could describe. So many emotions, conflicting and chaotic, raged through him. Confusion, shock, betrayal… …It had been so long since he had felt anything akin to happiness that he was almost afraid to acknowledge the spark of it inside his shattered heart.

But if the empty tomb meant that she was not dead…where was she? And why had his master lied to him?? Vader clenched his fists in silent fury as he reeled under the implications of that one sentence; It seems in your anger you killed her…

“I will find you, Padmé,” Vader spoke aloud. “No matter how long it takes me, I will find you. And Palpatine shall rue the day he was born.”

Darth Vader returned to the Executor to meditate on what he had just discovered. He spoke to no one, merely left the hangar bay and made his way to his private quarters.

Alone in the privacy of his residence, Vader entered his hyperbolic chamber. Only here could he remove the mask that sustained his life and breathe the near pure oxygen atmosphere that the chamber provided him. It was the only place where he could feel even remotely human anymore, the cybernetics having transformed him years ago into something more machine than man.

Vader brooded as he sat in the chamber, dark thoughts filling his troubled mind. Everything he thought he knew, everything he believed in, was a lie. What do I do now? He thought morosely. How do I continue to serve this monster that destroyed my life? Yet, acknowledging this means acknowledging that I was once that man, the man who Padmé Naberrie loved, the man who loved her more than life itself.

Vader ran a gloved hand over his scarred visage, feeling tired and confused. Where are you, Padmé? He thought. Where have you been all these years? The fact that she had been hiding from him was not surprising to Vader; after what he had done at Mustafar, he couldn’t expect anything less. So what makes you think she’d want you now after 20 years? Now that you are half a man?

Frustration and self-loathing filled Vader as he realized that even were he to find her, she would hate him with every ounce of strength she possessed. She had obviously gone to great lengths to make him and everyone else believe that she was dead. And what of the twins? Luke and Leia? Did they know if she was alive or not? Did they know of their own connection? They obviously did not know that Vader was their father; there was so much deception…Vader found that his head was pounding just thinking of all the possible ramifications.

First things first, he decided at last. I must find the Rebels, I must claim my children, I must find their mother, and I must destroy the emperor. Short order… he thought sardonically as he rubbed his eyes tiredly. He had been searching for the rebels for close to a year now and still couldn’t find them. What made him think he could find Padmé if he couldn’t find them? Deciding that he must sleep in order to wrestle with these problems, Vader closed his eyes, did his best to get comfortable, and willed himself to sleep.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 3

Vader awoke with a start the next morning. He had dreamed of his wife that night, dreamed of her lying in his arms as they drifted off to sleep together, deeply in love, oblivious to the storm that was approaching, the storm that would destroy their lives.

The images of his dream only served to augment his depression. Even if he were able to find her, she would want none of him. How could he expect otherwise? He was a cyborg, not a man. No doubt she’d be afraid of the thing he had become.

As the helmet was lowered to his head, Vader found himself hating himself, hating what he has become, and for the first time, hating his master for enslaving him as he had.

A thought too painful to consider was taking form in his mind, one that would not be ignored. Vader knew that for certain now that Palpatine had lied to him about the manner of Padmé’s death. Indeed, the very fact that he had told Vader that she was dead could very well be a lie. What else had he lied about? Had he also lied about the grievous injuries he had incurred at Mustafar?

Palpatine had assured Vader that the cybernetic limbs and artificial respiratory system were the only means by which he could live, and so Vader had believed him. As difficult as it had been to accept, Vader had done so. He had spent many nights in agony, both physical and emotional, as he mourned his lost humanity. But his master had told him that there was nothing to be done, and Vader had taken him at his word. Now, in light of the recent discoveries, Vader had to wonder if this too was a lie.

The cloners of Kamino had been creating human clones for nearly 3 decades. Surely if it were possible to create an entire human from DNA, then regenerating limbs and organs was also possible. So why would my master lie about this? Vader thought. The answer was all too simple: Darth Vader the man would be far less intimidating than Darth Vader the machine. So long as Vader was dependent upon artificial means to exist, Palpatine’s hold on him remained strong, and Vader’s hold on the Dark Side remained firm.

Vader felt the resentment and anger building within him as he submitted to the daily ablutions required to maintain his health and personal hygiene. He had always hated his inability to function as a normal human being, depending on droids and artificial means to perform the simplest, most basic of human functions. Now, in light of his suspicions regarding his injuries, he began to loathe it.

He looked at the droid as it assisted him with his feeding tube and rage filled him. Using the Force he threw it across the room, and it shattered against the wall. I will not live like this Vader thought angrily, yanking the feeding tube from his mask. I will not be a machine any longer.

Standing up and adjusting his mask and helmet, Vader strode out of his quarters, his purpose clear.

No one questioned Darth Vader’s order to set heading beyond the Outer Rim to the planet Kamino. After all, the Empire’s connection with Kamino was no secret; the cloners there had been making troops for the Empire for more than 20 years. The fact that no one openly questioned the order, however, did not mean that the men weren’t talking about it.

“First Naboo, now Kamino,” muttered Kendal Ozzel, Vader’s second in command. “What the hell is wrong with him anyway? Has he finally lost his mind?”

Captain Piett merely shrugged in response, far too clever to voice an opinion one way or another. He had a great deal of admiration for Lord Vader, and knew that whatever reason he had for visiting these planets, they must be important. Piett also suspected that Ozzel resented Vader’s presence on board the Executor, for without Vader, it would be Ozzel in command.

“I have half a mind to contact the emperor about all these erratic course changes,” grumbled Ozzel. Piett merely smiled to himself. He knew Ozzel well enough to know that he was bluffing. He didn’t have the nerve or the courage to do such a thing. Going behind Darth Vader’s back was like signing your own death warrant, and Ozzel knew it.

It was no secret that Ozzel and Vader didn’t see eye to eye. In fact, it was the admiral whose name was worth the highest number of credits in the death pool. He didn’t know this of course, but Piett did. He had resisted the temptation to get in on that particular pool, thinking it unbefitting for an officer.

Piett actually got along remarkably well with Vader. He was one of the few men who seemed to understand the mysterious Sith Lord, and made an effort to speak to him as a person, rather than just as a faceless menace. He too was curious about the unusual orders the Dark Lord had been issuing lately, and wondered what the reason was. He had pinpointed the change in Vader to the day when the spies had returned with the name of the rebel who had destroyed the Death Star. Was there some significance to this name for Lord Vader? Obviously there was, for since that day he had been acting in an unusual, most obsessive fashion. Piett would never dare ask Vader what that significance was, for Lord Vader was intensely private. No one knew anything about his private life, if he had one, or about who the man under the mask was or had been at one time. Still, Piett couldn’t help but wonder if this young rebel was connected to Vader’s past, and if so, in what way. It was pointless to consider it however, the likelihood of Vader sharing that information was nil, and so Piett continued with his duties and followed his orders, no matter how bizarre they seemed to be.

The planet Kamino, beyond the Rishi Maze, was a stormy, aquatic world. Vader had not been here in many years, yet he remembered it well. The rows and rows of embryos had been a shocking sight for him, and he had not forgotten it. No doubt that without the clones created here the Empire would never have been able to defeat the forces of the Republic. The warriors created here were efficient killing machines that never questioned orders.

“Piett, you’re with me,” Vader commanded as the Executor established orbit around the planet.

Piett looked up in mild surprise, but did not question the order. He stood up and accompanied Vader off the bridge and headed for the hangar bay. The two men did not speak as they walked along, Piett having to hurry to keep up to the long strides of the Dark Lord. Once inside the shuttle, Vader spoke.

“I selected you to come with me, Piett, because you are the only man on this ship that I trust,” Vader told him.

Piett looked over quickly at his commander, stunned by his words.

“I am honored, Lord Vader,” he replied at last. “And I assure you that your trust in me is well placed.”

Vader nodded his head as Piett piloted the ship out of the hangar. “My mission here is top secret,” Vader continued. “No one on board is to know what is going on. Whatever you see or hear, you are to say nothing to anyone, do you understand?”

“Completely, Lord Vader,” Piett replied at once, intrigued by the Dark Lord’s revelation. “May I ask what my job will be, my lord?”

“All in good time, Piett,” Vader replied enigmatically.

Piett nodded his understanding and returns his attention to piloting the shuttle to the planet below.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 4

Vader wrapped his great cloak around the complex apparatus that covered his torso as he and Piett made their way to the entrance. Piett had wanted to run, to avoid getting soaked to the skin: but since Lord Vader didn’t, he dutifully walked along side his commander, getting wetter and wetter with each step. What a wretched place this is, thought Piett as they finally entered the domed city.

“Pleasant weather,” quipped Piett as he and Vader shook the rain from their clothing.

“Indeed,” Vader responded. “It always is here.” He looked up as he saw a tall slender figure approaching.

“Lord Vader,” the female alien said in soft, musical tones. “It is a pleasure to see you after such a long absence. To what do we owe the honor of your presence?”

“I am here for personal reasons, Taun We,” Vader replied, earning a curious glance from Piett. “And need to speak to your prime minister at once.”

"Of course,” Taun We replied. “Right this way.”

Vader and Piett followed Taun We’s graceful form as she led them through the brilliantly lit hallways of the city. Piett found the interior of the city to be in stark contrast to the planet surface, for it unusually bright; yet, there was an austerity to it, which reflected the people who inhabited it.

“Come in please, gentlemen,” Taun We announced as she stepped aside and allowed them to enter an open doorway.

“Wait here,” Vader commanded Piettt. “And be sure that no one enters.”

“Understood my lord,” Piett replied. Secretly he was disappointed that he was not to be made privy to the reason Vader was here; surely a clone trooper would have served Vader’s purpose just as well if this was all that was required of him. Piett sighed as the door slid shut behind him, his eyes watching the slender figure of Taun We as she sauntered away.

Vader stepped inside and were greeted by another alien, a male this time, who introduced himself as Lama Su, the prime minister. The room was sparsely furnished and incredibly bright, just as the corridors had been.

“How might I be of service, Lord Vader?” asked Lama Su as the two sat down on chairs suspended from the ceiling.

“I have come on personal business, Prime Minister,” Vader replied.

The alien face registered a modicum of surprise. Little if anything was known of the private life of the Empire’s most notorious man. Lama Su found himself intrigued.

"Personal business, my lord?” Lama Su asked, trying to be casual. “Of what nature?”

Vader hesitated before responding, trying to put the right words together. His request was rather unusual, and no doubt would shock the prime minister.

“I have decided to seek out medical attention to repair my…physical limitations,” Vader replied at last.

“I see,” Lama Su replied. “Surely you realize that this is not a medical facility, my lord.”

Vader nodded. “Yes, I know that,” he responded. “But you are masters of cloning.”

“You wish to be cloned Lord Vader?” asked Lama Su in undisguised surprise.

“No, no not that,” Vader replied at once. The very reason Palpatine had not cloned him in the first place was because midichlorians could not be replicated in the very manner that human flesh could be. Were he cloned; he would not retain his Force abilities. And that was unthinkable...

“Then I’m afraid I don’t understand what it is you are asking,” Lama Su admitted.

“Organ regeneration,” Vader said at last. “Surely with the technology you possess that is something within your abilities.”

Lama Su nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, yes I suppose it is,” he replied. “You do realize however that such a procedure would take months, much longer than mere cloning.”

“Yes, I realize that,” Vader replied, secretly disappointed to hear it.

“And it would be extremely costly,” Lama Su added.

“Price does not concern me,” Vader replied. “My question is can you do it?”

Lama Su looked at the Dark Lord thoughtfully. Why is this so important to him all of a sudden? Vader had lived with his cybernetic implants for years…no one quite knew how long…why was he all of a sudden interested in repairing those injuries when he could have done so years ago?

“I believe so,” Lama Su replied at last. “Of course our physicians would need to do an extensive examination of you and your particular ...needs,” he added. “Only then could we determine what, if anything could be done to help you.”

“Yes, of course,” Vader replied, trying not to get his hopes up. “I wish to proceed at once.”

“Of course, my lord,” Lama Su replied as he stood up. “I shall make the arrangements myself.”

The two men left the room, finding Piett standing outside the door. He fell in step behind them, wondering where they were going and what was going on. This facility made clones; that much he knew. Was Lord Vader here to requisition more clones? No, such a mission would not be secret…so why were they here? Piett kept his questions to himself, knowing that Vader would reveal what he wanted when he wanted.

Lama Su led the two men to a complex medical facility. The lighting was incredibly bight, and Vader found it uncomfortable, even with his mask on. There were several aliens present, all of whom looked curiously at the enormous black clad figure who walked about their facility with their prime minister.

“Lord Vader,” Lama Su said at last, “this is our medical team. You will find them to be highly competent and utterly professional. I am sure that they will do everything they can to help you.”

Vader could sense the curiosity of the group of aliens before him. No doubt they were just as curious as he knew Piett was, despite the officer’s best efforts to hide his feelings.

“What can we do for you, Lord Vader?” asked the senior physician.

“I want to have the damaged parts of my body replaced,” he explained. “Your prime minister tells me that you can regenerate human tissue.”

“Yes my lord,” the physician replied. “So long as we have DNA from the original,” he added.

“You understand that this is long process, Lord Vader,” spoke up one of the others. “Growing new organs or limbs takes months, since we do not use the acceleration process used to create clones.”

“Yes, I know that,” Vader replied. “I am willing to wait. Can you do it?”

The doctors exchanged a look. “I believe we can,” one spoke up at last. “We will need to conduct an extensive examination of your injuries, of course, and run a battery of tests. Are you prepared to stay here for an extended period of time?”

“How long?” Vader asked.

“At least 48 hours,” one of the aliens replied. “Is that a problem?

Vader looked at Piett, who stood in silent amazement by all that he had just heard.

“You will return to the ship,” Vader ordered him. “I am counting on you to come up with a plausible reason why I have been detained here. Can you manage that?”

Piett nodded. “Of course, my lord,” he replied at once. “I will do what I must. Should I return for you two days hence?”

“I will contact you when I require you, Piett,” Vader responded. “You were wondering what your job is; now you know. Keep this secret, let no one know the true reason I am here, and keep Ozzel’s nose out of my business.”

Piett could not help but smile at the last comment. “It will be my pleasure, sir.”


Darth Vader spent the next 2 hours being interviewed by the team of doctors. They asked him questions of every possible nature; his family history, his age, his health before his accident, the nature of his accident, the specialized equipment and treatments he required. It felt strange to divulge so much information about himself, for he rarely spoke about himself to anyone. Speaking about the past was particularly difficult for him; memories of Mustafar had always been painful for him, not just because of the physical injuries, but because of the memories of his wife, and what he had done to her that day.

Vader knew that the ensuing physical examinations would be unpleasant, but he had no idea how unpleasant. He had never been particularly tolerant of physicians, but since his injuries on Mustafar, he had been forced to develop at least a tolerance for them. His physical condition required a great deal of maintenance, and so he had learned to put up their ministrations.

Having ensured that he was fitted with an oxygen mask and hooked up to a ventilator, the physicians assisted Vader as he removed the cumbersome armor and body suit that he was forced to live in. Vader could sense the physicians’ shock upon seeing the extent of the damage that his body had incurred, and he began to wonder if this had been a big mistake. The damage was so extensive; how could they possibly repair all of it?

“Try to relax,” one of the female aliens told him gently. “We need to take samples of your skin and blood. After that we will need to use a scope to see the extent of your internal damage. It won’t be pleasant, I’m afraid, but we will give you a sedative to help you relax.”

Vader could only nod. He stared up at the ceiling and submitted to the tests. The skin scrapings were not as bad as he thought, though certainly painful. Blood tests were something he was used to. The most difficult and invasive part of the tests was the chest tube insertion. For this they had sedated him and applied a local anesthetic, deeming it too dangerous to give him a general in his present delicate state.

“This won’t hurt, but you might experience some unpleasant pressure,” the doctor told him.

After cutting a small incision in the side of his chest, a tube containing a scope was inserted inside of him. The scope was connected to a computer console that provided a holographic image of the interior of Vader’s chest cavity.

Unpleasant was an understatement... Vader thought darkly as he felt the foreign object being moved about within his chest. He summoned the power of the Force to calm him, realizing to his shock that he was using the Force as he had when he was a Jedi. The Sith does not need calm, the Sith thrives on chaos, on passion...Vader pushed the troubling thoughts from his mind and closed his eyes. Eventually the sedatives kicked in, and he drifted off to sleep.

“You are so beautiful,” I tell her softly. “So …beautiful...” and then I am in paradise again. I hold her body against mine as our mouths meet, the intensity of our kiss doubled since the previous day. It is as though there are no barriers to being together, she is not a senator, I am not a Jedi, and we are merely a man and a woman, driven by our need for one another.

Again, she is the one to put an end to our moment of abandon. She pulls back and looks at me, the uncertainty and confusion filling her luminous eyes.

“We can’t, Ani,” she says softly. “We just can’t. I’m sorry…”

I nod at her, knowing in my head that she is right, but feeling in my heart that we are meant to be together.

“I’m sorry, Padmé,” I tell her as I release her. “This time it was my doing, not yours.”

She smiles at me. “Well then we’re even I guess, aren’t we?” she says.

I smile back at her. “Yeah, I guess so.” For a moment we simply stand, not touching, but looking deeply into one another’s eyes, communicating silently the longing we dare not put into words.

The images of Vader’s dream caused him to wake up, agitated and desolate. He looked around to see that the physicians had left him for the time being, and were consulting on the other side of the room.

Vader looked up at the ceiling, trying to put the memories conjured up from his dream out of his mind. It was too painful to think of Padmé, too painful to think of what they’d had together. All that was lost now, forever lost, no matter what physical changes he underwent; for though he could remove the armor and mask, he would never be able to win back the trust of her again, not after Mustafar. So what was the point of it all? He wondered morosely. Why even bother at all? Because there was a chance…and even a chance was worth it all.

“Ah, you’re awake.”

Vader turned his head to look at the doctor by his side.

“Well?” Vader asked his voice raspy and weak without his vocabulator.

“I don’t need to tell you that the damage to your respiratory systems is extensive,” the doctor continued. “And is by far the greatest of your injuries.”

“I know that,” Vader replied. “Can you do anything?”

“Well, yes,” the doctor replied. “The limbs will be the easiest to replicate, and shouldn’t pose a problem. Skin is fairly easy to grow, though the replacement procedure is quite painful. As for your respiratory system, it can be fixed, but not without extensive, invasive surgery. Your lungs, pulmonary branch and esophagus are all seriously compromised, and will need to be regenerated.”

Vader nodded in understanding. “Is there a risk of fatality?” he asked.

“I have to be honest with you, Lord Vader,” he replied. “There is. The thoracic surgery is rather dangerous, but rest assured that the surgeons here are the best in the galaxy. But the decision is yours. If you decide to do this, we will begin the replication process at once. It will take several months before we can perform surgery, however.”

Vader did not need to think about it. Anything would be better than continuing life as half a man, even if he risked death.

“Do it,” he said at last.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 5

Piett arrived a few hours later, as per his commander’s orders. He did not ask Lord Vader anything about what had gone on the planet surface, though the suspense was killing him. Darth Vader without the mask…without the armor…Darth Vader the man…Piett could not imagine what could have happened to Vader to cause him such grievous injuries. Who was the Dark Lord before those injuries? Had he always been the dark, menacing incarnation of evil? Somehow Piett suspected that the name Luke Skywalker was connected with Vader’s past, and he was curious to know how. More than curious, this was a mystery better than any holovid. This was real, it was intense, and Piett was involved in it. Indirectly of course, but even that was something.

“Anything of importance to report, Piett?” Vader asked, shaking the captain from his musings.

“Nothing, my lord,” replied Piett. “Our search of the Feriae System turned up no leads, I’m afraid.”

Vader nodded his head. “Ten thousand probe droids, you would think one would have turned up something by now,” he muttered.

“It’s only been 5 months, my lord,” Piett countered. “We may yet find them.”

“We must find them,” Vader replied. “The emperor is counting on it. I must not fail him again.”

Piett did not reply, knowing that Lord Vader’s reason for finding the rebels was far more personal than anyone realized. And Piett intended on finding out why.

Back on board the Executor, Vader did not return immediately to the bridge. His thoughts were elsewhere, however, and the pain of the still new incision in his chest was still aching. There was so much going through his mind; it made concentrating on his duties difficult. He could not appear distracted in front of his men, particularly not with Ozzel lurking about as he was prone to do. There were so many questions he still had no answers for, and Darth Vader was nothing if not tenacious. He had dealt with one issue; that was now in the hands of the good doctors of Kamino. The probe droids were all over the galaxy searching for any sign of the Rebel base, of his son and daughter. But what of Padmé? He thought as he sat in his meditation chamber. How do I begin to look for her? He knew her well enough to realize that wherever she was, she had ensured that he would never find her; so how did he hope to do so? Perhaps his children were the key to unlocking the mystery to their mother’s whereabouts. Surely she had been in contact with them at least…hadn’t she? What if they have no idea where she is? What if they think she’s dead? What if she is dead?? Vader’s head began to ache with all the implications and questions his brain was bombarded with. I need to sleep…. He decided. I need a clear head to ponder these questions. Closing the chamber, he removed his helmet, got as comfortable as he could, and fell into a restless, troubled sleep.

Firmus Piett had always loved a good mystery, and the one he was now involved in was certainly one of the best he’d ever known. Once he had finished his duties on the bridge, Piett retired to his own quarters. He activated the Imperial Net, and typed the name Luke Skywalker into a search engine. Within moments, a scant few sentences appeared, providing him with no more information that he already knew. Piett sat for a moment in thought. He highlighted the name Luke and deleted it, and then tried the search again, this time with only the name Skywalker. What he found both amazed and startled him.

Skywalker, Anakin
Place of birth: Tatooine
Date of birth: unknown, circa 42BBY
Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight of the Old Republic, known throughout the galaxy as one of the best pilots and greatest warriors the galaxy has ever produced. Reputed to be the greatest of all the Jedi, Skywalker fought in the Clone Wars where he gained great notoriety for his cunning as a warrior and earned the moniker ‘The Hero with No Fear’. Skywalker disappeared during the Jedi Purges, assumed dead.

A small holographic image of Anakin Skywalker accompanied the data, and Piett stared at the image, wondering if this was the face of the man under the mask. Was Skywalker a common name? Had it been Vader’s name at one point in his life? Skywalker was a great Jedi; that would explain Vader’s ability to manipulate the Force. So who was Luke Skywalker then? A relative? Piett felt certain that this was the key to Darth Vader’s single minded obsession to finding the Rebels. This made Piett more determined than ever to help Vader, and do everything he could to track down the Rebels. Perhaps only then would the rest of this mystery be unraveled.

The weeks passed by slowly as the search for the rebels continued. Weeks turned into months, as the systematic, painstaking check of each system dragged on. So far, there had been very few leads, each one proving fruitless, and the crew of the Executor began to think that they were on a wild mynock chase.

On top of it all, Lord Vader’s patience was wearing thin. His already short fuse seemed infinitely shorter, his temper far more incendiary, and his moods far more mercurial. The men tiptoed around him very carefully, not wishing to give the Dark Lord the slightest provocation to crush their larynx. Deaths were up alarmingly, the money exchanged in the death pool was changing hands and at an equally alarming rate.

Vader knew that the men in his charge were getting impatient with the tedious search that he had ordered, but he didn’t care. He had the emperor breathing down his neck, demanding nearly daily reports on his progress. This stress translated into more pressure on the men. In the food chain, the bottom of the order always gets the brunt of the abuse; this was no different. Only for Vader, there was more at stake than merely doing his duty to his master and emperor. He had already decided that once he found and claimed his children, his subservience to Palpatine would end, along with Palpatine’s life. For now he needed his place in the Empire to carry out his own objectives; namely finding Luke, Leia and, he hoped, Padmé. What happened after that…well, he hadn’t quite figured that out yet. The fact that his children despised him did not deter him. They did not know the truth, and once the truth was revealed to them, then everything would fall into place. At least, that’s what Vader kept telling himself. In reality, he had no idea how things would turn out, or how he would even win over his children after all that he had done. Perhaps he never would. But he owed it to them, to himself, and to Padmé to at least try. Vader had always acted on emotion, even as a boy; never giving a second thought to what the consequences of his actions would be. Emotions drove him; they still did; that was what made him so dangerous.

“Admiral!” called Piett as Ozzel and General Veers strolled onto the bridge.

Ozzel and Veers approached the station where the captain was standing. “Yes Captain?” Ozzel asked.

“I think we’ve got something sir!” Piett replied excitedly. “The report is only a fragment, from a probe droid in the Hoth System. But it’s the best lead we’ve had.”

Ozzel frowned, annoyed with the young officer’s exuberance over what he considered to be nothing. “We have thousands of probe droids searching the galaxy,” he retorted hotly. “I want proof, not leads!”

“The visuals indicate life readings!” Piett countered.

“It could mean anything!” Ozzel replied. “If we followed up every lead…”

“But sir,” Piett pointed out. “The Hoth System is supposed to be devoid of human forms.”

Piett stopped as he saw Lord Vader appear behind Ozzel.

“You found something?” Vader demanded.

“Yes my lord,” Piett replied, replaying the visual from the probe droid.

“That’s it!” Vader exclaimed. “The rebels are there!” He knew it, he could feel the presence of his children just looking at the visual…they are there…

Ozzel smiled condescendingly, as though speaking to a young child. “My lord,” he began. “There are …so many uncharted systems. It could be smugglers, it could be...”

But Vader would hear none of it, and cut him off abruptly. “That is the system,” he declared. “And I’m sure Skywalker is with them. Set your course for the Hoth System.” He turned to Veers. “General Veers, prepare your men.” Vader strode away.

“Admiral,” Veers said with a nod in Ozzel’s direction.

Ozzel nodded back and then turned to Piett. The captain had to keep from smiling, so pleased was he with the annoyed look on Ozzel’s face. “Carry on,” Ozzel snapped and walked away. Piett watched him disappear from view, and then smiled.

The atmosphere on the bridge of the Executor was one of excitement and relief. The rebel base had finally been found. The Hoth System was in the Outer Rim, a desolate, lifeless collection of snow covered planets.

Admiral Ozzel strutted around the bridge, pleased that he had it to himself for a change. He walked about, checking the stations of each man, making a grand show of his authority, however short lived it may be. It actually rather surprised him that Lord Vader was not on the bridge as they closed in on the Hoth System, for Vader had been hell-bent on finding the rebels for close to a year now. No doubt he would want to personally be there when the rebels were apprehended. Well let him...Ozzel thought peevishly. Snow and ice aren’t terribly appealing to me.

“Admiral, we are less than a quarter parsec away from the Hoth System,” Piett announced. “Shall I commence the drop from light speed?”

“No, not yet, captain,” Ozzel replied, to the surprise of everyone. General Veers, who stood by Piett’s station, lifted his eyebrows in surprise.

“But sir,” Piett replied. “Much closer than this, and …”

“Are you questioning my orders, captain??” Ozzel shouted, his face turning red with rage.

Piett exchanged a quick glance with Veers, whose face remained passive.

“Of course not, sir,” Piett replied.

“Good,” Ozzel barked. “Mind your place, Piett,” he warned. “You’d do well to remember who is in command of this ship.”

Piett made no reply, but thought to himself how he wished Lord Vader could hear this particular conversation. He suspected it would not end well for the pompous admiral.

Darth Vader sat in his mediation chamber, brooding. The trip to Hoth seemed endless, though with each passing parsec he could feel the presence of his offspring growing stronger. Despite the fact that they had spent a lifetime apart from him, and did not even know of their true paternity, he could feel a connection with them through the Force. Luke’s Force signature was by far the stronger of the two, and reminded him of his own, or how it had once been. He would be a powerful Sith, there was no doubt of it. As for the girl, she too exhibited Force abilities, though more unfocused. No doubt she had not received any training, as Luke had. I thank you, Obi-Wan…Vader thought cynically, enjoying the irony that Kenobi had begun to awaken the skills in his boy that would eventually enable Vader to turn him to the Dark Side.

Vader had been searching the Imperial Intelligence Network for weeks in search of any clue as to the whereabouts of the former Senator of Naboo. Aside from the biography that outlined her life in politics, as well as the footage of her state funeral, there was nothing. She had disappeared, seemingly. How does one find someone who does not wish to be found? There was a time when the bond between them would have enabled him to find her, for despite the fact that she was not a Jedi, there had nonetheless existed a strong psychic bond between them. That bond was gone now, he realized bitterly. He had severed it irrevocably when he had tried to kill her on Mustafar. Tried to kill her when she was carrying your children…The memories of that dreadful day would haunt him forever. He had lashed out at her believing that she had betrayed him, but now he knew better. Now he knew that Kenobi had merely used her as a means to get to him. The guilt he felt over that day was sickening, and gave him one more reason to hate Palpatine for filling his mind with lies.

The door to Vader’s chambers opened and General Veers stepped inside. Vader turned his chair to face the general.

“Yes, General, what is it?” Vader asked.

“My lord,” he began, “the fleet has moved out of lightspeed. ComScan has detected an energy shield surrounding the 5th planet of the Hoth System. The shield is strong enough to deflect any bombardment.”

Rage filled Vader. Ozzel… “The rebels are alerted to our presence. Adrmial Ozzel came out of lightspeed to close to the system,” he rumbled angrily.

“He felt surprise was wiser…” suggested Veers tentatively, knowing that his friend would pay for this mistake with his life.

“He is as clumsy as he is stupid,” Vader snapped. “General, prepare your troops for a surface attack.”

“Yes, my lord,” Veers replied, bowing and then leaving the Dark Lord’s presence.

“I tell you, that this energy shield was there before we left hyperspace,” Ozzel was insisting. “What exactly are you trying to imply, Piett?”

“I am not implying anything, sir,” Piett replied calmly. “I’m merely telling you what the scans indicate. The energy signature from this shield is less than 24 hours old...”

Their discussion was interrupted by Lord Vader’s image appearing on the com screen.

“Lord Vader!” Ozzel yelped, startled by his appearance. “The fleet has moved into lightspeed, and we are preparing to…” he stopped, as he felt the iron grip of invisible fingers grasp his windpipe. Piett looked on in horror as his commander gasped for air, his face turning blue.

“You have failed me for the last time, Admiral,” Vader pronounced ominously. “Captain Piett.”

Piett tore his eyes away from the horrible spectacle to face the Dark Lord. “Yes, Lord Vader?”

““Be ready to land our troops beyond their energy field and deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off that system. You are in command now, Admiral Piett.”

“Thank you, Lord Vader!” responded Piett as Ozzel collapsed to the floor, dead.

Vader sat back in his chair, pleased to be rid of Ozzel once and for all. He had it coming for a long time, Vader reflected. Having Piett as his second in command would certainly make things easier. Things were finally starting to fall into place, he reflected, as he headed for the bridge.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 6

Vader paced up and down on the bridge, anxious to hear word from the planet surface. General Veers was a reliable officer, and Vader felt confident that he would have the shield down as soon as possible. The battle on the planet surface would not last long, of that Vader was certain. The rebel riffraff were no match for a team of ATAT’s that was sure to be bearing down on them right now. Is my son involved in this battle? No doubt he would be…no doubt his piloting skills made him a leader of the squadron. Like his father before him.

“Lord Vader, a message coming in from the surface,” Piett reported.

Vader stepped over to the comm. station and waited as Piett brought up the hologram of the general from the surface below.

“Lord Vader, we’ve reached the power generator. The shield will be down in moments. You may start your landing.”

That was all Vader needed to hear.

"You are in command, Admiral,” he told Piett as he strode away from the bridge.

The rebel base was in chaos when Vader arrived with his squadron of clone troopers. It was clear that the rebels were in full retreat, for people were running everywhere, klaxons were blaring loudly as the announcement “Imperial troops have entered the base!” was heard over and over. Vader ignored the cacophony of noise and focused on his children. Where were they? He felt the presence of one of them nearby, and headed in that direction, followed by the clone troopers.

Pieces of fallen ceiling impeded their progress as they made their way through the base, as well as snow dusted equipment that had been discarded in the retreat. Vader marched onward, flanked by his troopers, feeling the presence of one of his children very close by.

“Lord Vader, the hangar bay,” one of the troopers reported. “This way.”

Vader followed the troopers into an alcove that had been fashioned into a hangar bay. Inside of it was a small Corellian freighter. Judging by the dubious sound of the engines, the ship was having trouble taking off. One of them is in there…Vader thought to himself. There is no doubt of it. He reasoned that it was more than likely his daughter, as his son was undoubtedly involved in the battle going on outside. Princess Leia Organa was an important member of the Alliance, and obviously someone was trying to ensure that she was safely off the planet surface before she could be taken prisoner.

"Disable that ship,” Vader ordered as the clones set up their laser cannon. But before they could fire one shot, the laser cannons of the freighter burst to life, spraying the group of troopers with deadly fire. Several more immediately ran over to take the place of their fallen comrades, not giving a second thought to the dead bodies at their feet. Just then the freighter roared to life, soaring above the heads of the troopers and Vader himself who could only watch helplessly as the ship headed for open space.

Discouraged, Vader simply stared out at the patch of blue sky, trying to find his son within the chaos around him.

“What now, my lord?” asked one of the troopers.

“Find what stragglers you can,” Vader ordered. “Alive if possible.”

Vader made his way back to the shuttle. Over head rebel ships were flying in their effort to evade the invading imperial forces. Where are you, Luke? Vader wondered as he watched the x and y wings taking off one by one. He is gone…I have missed him… Vader realized morosely as he no longer felt the presence of either of his children on the planet surface. He continued on his way to the shuttle, his mind working furiously to come up with a plan to gather his children to himself. If they were split up now, his task would be doubly difficult; somehow he would have to bring them together even if it meant tricking them to do so.

“Report!” Vader barked as he entered the bridge.

The men at their stations jumped in their seats by the angry tone of his voice.

“90 percent of the rebel ships were able to evade us, my lord,” Piett reported nervously. “As you feared, my lord, they knew we were coming.”

“Obviously,” Vader rumbled, cursing the name of Ozzel yet again. “I want that Corellian freighter tracked,” he commanded. “Find it, track it, never let it out of your sight, Piett. Am I making myself clear?”

Piett swallowed. “Perfectly, sir,” he replied. He then turned to his underling and relayed the Dark Lord’s orders.

Vader walked over to the large window and folded his arms over his chest, his gaze fixed on the stars as the ship moved away from the planet. I will find you, my children, he thought resolutely. We are meant to be together…it is our destiny to be together. And when you have joined me in the glory of the Dark Side, we shall destroy the emperor and rule the galaxy together…
So close…I was so close to both of them...and now they are gone…Vader brooded in his chamber. He had removed his mask and helmet to allow himself a brief respite. Earlier that day he had contacted the doctors on Kamino to receive and update on his ‘project’. They had informed him that things were going slower than anticipated, but they would be ready to perform surgery within the next month.

Another month…Vader was hoping that he would be whole again when he met his children; that would make a difference, he was certain. They both knew the mask of Darth Vader, everyone in the galaxy did. But the face of Anakin Skywalker….that was a different story. Of course, he was not Anakin Skywalker anymore; but that wasn’t important. He was their father, and soon he would claim him as their father. And together, they would find Padmé, and there would be no stopping what they could do…

Vader’s ruminations were interrupted by the presence of someone in his quarters. He opened the chamber as the helmet was lowered onto his head, and turned to see Piett standing there. Judging by the uneasy look on his face, he had caught a glimpse of Vader’s bare head. Maybe now he will understand why I am so anxious to be remade..

“Yes Admiral, what is it,” he asked Piett.

“My lord, the Millennium Falcon has entered an asteroid field, and we cannot risk f..”

“Asteroids do not concern me, Admiral,” Vader snapped. “I want that ship, and not excuses.” He closed the chamber again, leaving Piett to find the elusive Falcon.

So into the asteroid field the Executor followed the renegade Falcon. Vader watched from the bridge as the tiny freighter dodged and weaved through the maze of floating boulders, and could not help but be impressed with the piloting skill of whoever was flying.

“Who is the captain of that vessel?” Vader asked as he continued to watch the ship.

Piett signaled to one of his underlings to bring up the registry on the Imperial Intelligence Net. “Last known owner of the Millennium Falcon,” Piett read over the technician’s shoulder. “Was Han Solo.”

Vader nodded. The name was not familiar to him, but that didn’t matter. There were ways of finding out what he needed to know. “Give me all the information you can about this Solo.”

“At once, my lord,” Piett replied immediately.

Vader crossed his arms over his chest, considering what manner of man this Han Solo must be to own such a dilapidated ship. Was this one of the men who he had seen escaping the Death Star with his children? The ship did look familiar…yes; of course…it was the very ship the Death Star had caught in the tractor beam…the very ship that rescued the Princess Leia from the Death Star. Strangely, Vader felt gratitude for the rebel who had managed to steal her away before the Death Star was destroyed. Knowing that she was on board, his prisoner, when the space station was destroyed would have been too much to bear. So where was Luke then? Was he to rendezvous with the other rebels? If so, where?

“My lord, according to the Imperial records, Han Solo has been charged on several counts of smuggling,” Piett reported, shaking Vader from his thoughts. “Also rumored to be on the pay roll of Jabba the Hutt, a notorious gangster from the Outer Rim world of Tatooine.”

Yes, I know all about Jabba the Hutt, reflected Vader. So Solo was a smuggler, a criminal…so what was his daughter doing with the likes of him?? Vader shook his head as he realized that he had just had his first pang of paternal angst, and it shocked him. Emotions must not get in the way of my plans…emotions are weakness…

“My lord?” Piett said, wondering if Lord Vader had heard anything that he had said.

“Yes, yes I heard you,” Vader replied, looking at Piett. “Continue your report.”

“There isn’t much else on the man,” Piett replied. “It does appear, however, that he owes Jabba a substantial amount of money, and has a bounty on his head of considerable size.”

“A bounty you say?” Vader replied, intrigued by this bit of information.

“Yes, my lord,” Piett replied.

Vader nodded his head thoughtfully. “Interesting…”

Piett did not understand what the dark lord meant, but did not question him, for his underling was calling him over to his station.

“What is it?” Piett asked the young officer.

“Sir, the Falcon has disappeared,” the young man said, looking up at Piett. “It appears to have entered into a cave or cavern of some sort in one of the larger asteroids.”

Piett frowned. “Send a squadron of TIE bombers at once to flush them out,” Piett ordered. “Then when they come running out, we’ll be ready for them.”

“Yes sir, right away,” the young man replied.

Several hours passed by with no sign of the Falcon. Vader had become so tired of waiting that he had engaged the services of bounty hunters in order to track down the renegade ship. Soon the bridge of the Executor was crawling with a motley collection of aliens, all looking dangerous and well seasoned.

Piett took it as a personal affront that Lord Vader had contracted the nefarious band. He was not about to tell Vader that, but muttered his disapproval amoungst his underlings.

“Bounty hunters,” he grumbled. “We don’t need that scum.” he declared.

One of the young men looked up at him and simply replied, “yes sir,” and then returned to his screen.

“Those rebels won’t escape us,” Piett added, glancing up at a particularly nasty looking reptilian creature. It was staring at Piett, having heard his disparaging remarks, and uttered a string of suitable curses at the Admiral in his own tongue. Piett, though he had no idea what the words meant, knew what the intent was nonetheless, and quickly backed away from the malevolent looking creature.

“Admiral, we have a priority signal from the Star Destroyer Avenger,” an officer announced as he entered the bridge.

“Right,” replied Piett, following the young man to receive the message.

“There will be a substantial reward for the one who finds the Millennium Falcon,” Vader was telling the group of mercenaries. “You are free to use any methods necessary, but I want them alive. NO disintegration,” he added, directing the comment at Boba Fett, the notorious of the lot.

“As you wish,” Fett replied mildly.

“My lord,” Piett called over to Vader as he hurried onto the bridge. “My lord, we have them!”

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 7

Vader could feel the adrenaline rush as he waited for word from the Avenger. At last he would have the Falcon is his possession, at last he would have his daughter…and once he had her, the son would soon follow. He had no doubt that though they may not know they were brother and sister, a connection existed between them. Luke would know it if his twin was in trouble. And while Vader had no intention of harming his child, again, just being in his custody would be enough to send shock waves through the Force. Luke would know, and then he would come for her. It was perfect.

“Report!” he demanded, impatient with waiting. It seemed that all he did anymore was wait, and Darth Vader was not a patient man, never had been.

“A message coming in from the Avenger, my lord,” Piett reported as he watched the message on the com screen. It was not good news.

“It seems that the…uh...Falcon has disappeared again, my lord,” Piett reported.

Vader stood without moving a muscle. How is such incompetence possible?? He thought angrily.

“Who is responsible for this blunder?” Vader demanded angrily.

“Uh, Captain Lorth Needa is the commander of the Avenger, my lord,” Piett replies.

"I want him on this bridge immediately!” Vader bellowed.

“I shall send word at once, my lord,” Piett replied at once.

Vader had little patience for incompetence. He demanded excellence of himself, and no less for those who served under him. Needa’s body was carried off the bridge a short time later, having had his windpipe crushed by Vader’s invisible grasp.

“Lord Vader, we’ve done a thorough search of the area and found nothing,” Piett reported. “If the Millennium Falcon went into light speed it will be on the other side of the galaxy by now.”

“Alert all commands,” Vader replied. “Calculate every possible destination along the last known trajectory.”

“Don’t worry sir,” Piett responded confidently. “We’ll find them.”

“Don’t fail me again, Admiral,” Vader snapped, pointing a gloved finger at Piett for emphasis.

“Lord Vader!” called one of the junior officers as Vader was about to leave the bridge.

“What is it, lieutenant?” he asked.

“The emperor wishes you to make contact with him at once, sir,” the young man replied.

Vader nodded. “Very well,” he replied. “You have the bridge, Piett,” he added as he swept off the bridge.

What do you want now old man? Vader thought in irritation as he strode to his quarters. He had made reports to Palpatine daily since finding the rebel base; what else could he possibly want to discuss? Unless…he knows about Luke...he knows that my son lives. The thought of Palpatine using his son angered him greatly. He wondered how or even if Palpatine would explain the existence of Vader’s son. After all, it was Palpatine who had told Vader that Padmé was dead, dead while carrying Vader’s child. Vader clenched his fists angrily as he approached his quarters. You will pay for that, my master, he thought darkly.

Vader entered his quarters and approached the large holographic imager. Closing his mind and his heart to the emperor’s reach, he knelt before the image of the emperor as it materialized before him.

“What is thy bidding, my master?” He asked, using the ancient greeting of the Sith.

“There is a great disturbance in the Force,” Palpatine intoned.

“I have felt it,” Vader said simply.

“The young rebel who destroyed the Death Star. I have no doubt that this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker,” Palpatine continued.

Vader could feel his master probing his mind for a reaction, but Vader’s control was strong, and managed to register only astonishment at the emperor’s declaration.

“How is that possible?” Vader asked.

“Search your feelings, Lord Vader,” Palpatine commanded condescendingly. “You will know it to be true. He could destroy us.”

“He’s just a boy,” Vader countered. “Obi-Wan can no longer help him.”

“The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi.”

“If he could be turned he would become a powerful ally,” Vader replied.

“Yes, he would be a great asset,” Palpatine responded thoughtfully. “Can it be done?” he asked.

“He will join us or die, master,” Vader replied, bowing low.

As the hologram flickered from sight, Vader felt the anger rise within him once again. Search your feelings, Lord Vader…are you sure you want me to do that, old man? You may not like what I find there...

Boba Fett contacted the Executor within 24 hours. He had managed to track the Millennium Falcon and calculated that they were heading for the planet Bespin. Vader immediately felt justified in engaging the services of the nefarious bounty hunter, and the Executor set off at once for the Bespin System.


The fourth planet of the Bespin System was a gas giant named for the star that bore the same name. Rich in tibanna gas, the planet Bespin had one of the most impressive examples of biosphere technology in the galaxy. The Life Zone as it was called enabled several large city complexes to develop as the mining industry grew. The most notable and affluent of these cities was Cloud City, an enormous metropolis suspended by means of repulsorlifts above the multi-colored clouds of the planet far below it.

It was still dark when Darth Vader’s shuttle arrived on a landing platform, the city was still asleep, but for one man who met them on the landing platform.

“What is the meaning of this?” the man demanded his hair still unruly from sleep.

“We have tracked a criminal to this facility,” Vader responded, sweeping past the man. “That is all you need to know.”

“Like hell!” the man shouted, running after Vader. “I’m Lando Calrissian, the administrator of this facility! I have a right to know what the Empire is doing here.”

Vader stopped in his tracks, angered and annoyed by the audacity of the man. He turned slowly and faced him.

“Calrissian,” rumbled Vader. “You ought to consider yourself lucky that this facility has not been annexed by the Empire. I understand you do quite a tidy business here.”

Calrissian’s dark eyes widened at this statement, and he began to grow fearful. “The Empire would have little use for us,” he replied, his tone somewhat less confrontational. “We’re a very small operation, not very self sufficient…”

Vader held up his gloved hand to prevent him from continuing. “Be that as it may,” he began. “Should we encounter any lack of compliance, you will be out of a job, Administrator,” Vader pronounced.

Calrissian stared at the Dark Lord, not sure if he was bluffing or if he was serious.

“I never bluff,” Vader told him, reading his simple thoughts easily. He then turned and walked inside the city, leaving Calrissian behind to consider his limited options.

The Millennium Falcón arrived shortly after dawn. Calrissian was ready for him, and played his part perfectly, welcoming his old friend Han Solo with open arms and a big smile.

After his friends had been given a chance to freshen up after their long journey, Calrissian had arranged for them to have some lunch. He hated the way Vader had backed him into a corner, forcing him to betray his old friend. But what choice did he have? Vader didn’t strike him as the type to brook dissention, and would no doubt follow through on his threats to fill the city with Imperial troops should Calrissian refuse to help. Still, that didn’t make him feel any better, and when they stopped outside the room where Vader was waiting for the, it was all he could do to tell them to run like hell. He did not, however, and the door slid open to reveal the Dark Lord. Panic stricken, Han Solo drew his blaster and fired wildly in the direction of Vader, only to have each of his blasts deflected by the Dark Lord, and then his blaster yanked out of his hand by an invisible force and fly into Vader’s outstretched hand.

“We would be honored if you would join us,” Vader pronounced.

“I had no choice,” Calrissian said miserably. “They arrived right before you did. I’m sorry.”

Han looked down at Leia and took her hand. “I’m sorry too,” he muttered. Then he and Leia, as well as the wookiee who acted as Solo’s copilot, Chewbacca, entered the room where Vader was waiting for them.

“Be seated,” Vader told them as the three entered the room.

Solo and the princess glanced at each other, and then tentatively approached the table. Vader's eyes were fixed on Leia, who bore such a striking resemblance to her mother that he felt his knees grow weak for an instant. How could I not have known?“What do you want, Vader?” snapped Solo.

“I understand you have a substantial bounty on your head, Captain Solo,” Vader began as Boba Fett stepped out of the shadows.

Solo frowned as he shot a hard look at the bounty hunter, and then back at Vader. “Is that what this is about?” he retorted. “What’s the matter, Vader? The emperor cut up your credit cards?”

“Don’t be an idiot,” Vader snapped, beginning to wonder why he was trying to help this man. Because an act of good will go far with your daughter…

“Fett, you will escort Captain Solo to Jabba the Hutt,” Vader continued, “pay him the amount owed, and return him here unharmed.”

“That wasn’t the deal, Vader!” Fett snarled.

“I have altered the deal,” Vader retorted. “If Jabba has a problem with it, then he can lodge a complaint. And as for you, bounty hunter,” Vader continued, facing him, “if you are not back here in 48 hours I will have a price put on your head. Am I making myself clear?”

Boba Fett nodded, not liking the turn of events, but knowing Vader well enough to realize that he wasn’t one to make idle threats. What confused him the most, however, was why Vader demonstrating such benevolence where Solo was concerned. What did a smuggler turned rebel matter to him? He had a hidden agenda that much was clear; Fett couldn’t imagine what it could be.

“48 hours Fett, no longer,” Vader shouted at him as the bounty hunter escorted Solo and his wookiee sidekick out the door with the assistance of two clone troopers. Vader then turned his attention back to his daughter, who stood watching him with a mixture of hatred and shock.

“Sit,” Vader commanded as he took a seat. Leia stared at him, still too afraid to sit too close, but utterly confused by what had just happened. Why did Vader care what happened to Han? Since when did Vader care about anyone but himself? Leia suspected that there was a method to his madness, and sat down to hear what he had to say.

“Get to the point, Vader,” she spat. “I know you have an agenda of your own; otherwise you’d never have arranged to have Han’s bounty paid. What do you want?”

To his utter shock, Vader found that he was nervous. He had this moment all planned out in his mind, right down to the eloquent words he would utter to reveal his true identity. But all these words evaporated from his brain as he sat in proximity to his child. Now that he knew she was his child, it seemed impossible that he couldn’t have known it all along. She was the image of her mother, the same eyes, the same petite stature, the same proud carriage…how could I have been so blind?

“Tell me about your mother, Princess,” he said at last.

His words could not have been more unexpected. “My…my mother??” she stammered, too shocked to come up with an acerbic comeback that had become her trademark.

“Yes,” Vader replied. “What do you know about her? And I don’t mean Breha Organa, I mean your birth mother. Your real mother.”

Leia frowned, confused and unsettled by Vader’s request. What possible reason could he have for asking her such at thing? Had he been responsible for her death? Was this just another one of his twisted methods of torture?

“Why should I tell you anything?” she spat, her anger growing.
“You aren’t fit to utter her name.”

The Princess’ words bothered Vader more than he wanted to admit, only because she was right. He had no right to say her name, let alone know anything about her.

“Do you even know her name?” Vader asked.

Leia realized that she didn’t, but did not wish to admit that to her enemy. She lowered her eyes, but only for a moment.

“I’m not telling you anything,” she said.

“Padmé Naberrie, or Padmé Amidala as she was also known,” Vader continued, ignoring her comment. “That was her name, wasn’t it?”

Leia looked up at him, her dark eyes full of loathing. “How would you know anything about her?” she spat.

“Answer my question,” Vader replied evenly.

Leia wasn’t sure she could even if she wanted to. She had grown up in a loving household believing that Bail and Breha Organa were her parents. She was almost 9 years old before they told her that she was adopted, and only because she had overheard them talking late one night when she had awoken from a bad dream. She hadn’t heard most of what had been said, but there was one name she did remember, Padmé Amidala.

“I don’t know,” she said quietly, not looking at him. “I don’t know if that was her name.”

Vader did not respond, but merely nodded his head. Then he had an idea. “Come with me,” he said, standing up and taking her small hand. She yanked it out of his grasp, but came along with him nonetheless.

Calrissian was standing outside the door, and Vader suspected that he had been trying to overhear what was being said between Leia and him.

“I need a computer console with a link up to the Imperial network,” he told Calrissian.

Lando looked at Leia questioningly, but her face was impassive and revealed nothing to him.

“This way,” he replied, leading them to a small office down the corridor.

“Get out,” Vader said simply to the occupants of the office, who scrambled to their feet to do his bidding. He moved over to a computer console and accessed the Imperial Intelligence Network. Typing in his wife’s name, he brought up a holographic image of her. He stared at it for a moment, amazed by the effect it still had on him. Then he turned to Leia. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the image before her.

“Padmé,” Vader said simply, almost reverently. “Look familiar?”

Leia would have to be blind not to see the striking resemblance to herself, it was almost like looking into a mirror. She looked over at Vader, who was also staring at the image.

“She could be my mother, I suppose,” Leia said at last, trying not to let her emotions get in the way. Inside she knew that this woman was her mother, she didn’t know how she knew, but there was no doubt in her mind or in her heart. But what did any of this have to do with Vader?

“What is all this about, Vader?” Leia asked again, confused by his odd behavior. She had never seen him like this, so contemplative and quiet. “Why is this of any interest to you?”

Vader looked at his daughter, trying to put together the words he knew would tear her world apart. There was no easy way to tell her, no way to soften the blow of the dreadful truth he was about to reveal to her.

“I know because…because Padmé was my wife,” he told her at last.

Leia sat for a moment in stunned silence. Had she heard him correctly? Surely not, surely she didn’t hear him say that her mother had been his wife….that would make him her…

“No,” she said, stepping away suddenly, sending a nearby chair crashing to the floor. “You are lying! What kind of fool do you take me for to believe that??”

Vader stood up to face her. “I am not lying, Leia,” he replied calmly. “Padmé was my wife. I haven’t seen her in more than 20 years The emperor told me on the day that you were born that she had died before giving birth to you. I know now that he lied, and I mean to make him pay for that.”

Leia’s mind was screaming in protest to all this information, trying to reject it, desperate to reject it… Was this the terrible secret that her parents had kept from her all her life? That her greatest enemy, the most evil being the galaxy had ever spawned was in fact her father??

“I don’t believe any of this,” she said, backing away from him, fighting to maintain her emotions. “I don’t know why you are making this up, but I’m sure you must have some reason to do so.”

Vader shook his head, frustrated with his child’s stubbornness, which was so much like his own. “Why would I make this up??” he demanded. “What possible reason would I do such a thing? What advantage would it bring me?”

Leia could not reply to his questions, and so he continued. “We could do a blood test to prove what I have said is true,” he suggested. “But I think if you are honest with yourself, if you look deep within yourself, you will see that I am telling the truth.”

Leia shook her head as the tears came. “No,” she said. “I won’t believe it! It can’t be!! You can’t be my father! How could such a…an inhuman monster be my father??”

So this is how it’s to be? Vader realized morosely. So long as I am Vader, she will never accept me. Would she be willing to accept me were the mask gone? Would that make a difference?
Vader leaned down and typed something else into the search engine. Within seconds another image appeared that of a handsome young man who wore the robes of a Jedi Knight. “I was not always a monster, Leia,” Vader told her.

Leia stared at the holographic image, feeling a strange feeling of connection with the man. She looked at the name under it. Anakin Skywalker…Skywalker??

“Luke is your twin brother,” he told her simply, realizing that she recognized the name.

This was too much for Leia, too much information…she wanted to shut her mind off, erase all the data that it had just been bombarded with. It was too much; but looking at the image of the young Jedi, she knew that this man was Luke’s father. The resemblance was undeniable, despite the fact that he was much taller and broader than Luke. They both had the same startling blue eyes, the same cleft in their chin…

But this man was not Vader, this man was young, and whole, and beautiful…she turned to Vader and looked at him contemptuously.

“I suppose you’re truing to tell me that this is you?” she asked haughtily.

“It was,” Vader replied. “As I once looked.”

“Prove it,” she retorted.

“What do you mean?” he asked, growing tired of her stubbornness.

“Take off your mask and show me,” she challenged.

Vader shook his head. “You know I can’t do that,” He replied. “I will die without the mask.”

“Yes, of course,” she replied. “Well I think this is a bunch of garbage, Vader. Padmé may have been my mother, Luke may be my brother, and this man here may be our father; but you are not this man. This man is a Jedi, not a Sith. My mother would never have anything to do with a monster like you.”

Vader sighed deeply, her words cutting him deeply. “No, she wouldn’t,” he replied softly. “Return to your quarters now, Leia,” he said as he walked away from her.

He walked over to him and looked up at him defiantly. “That’s all you’ve got is it?” she asked.

He looked down at her, but made no response.

“I don’t know what you are trying to accomplish with this whole farce, Vader, but I can tell you it won’t work,” she said. “And don’t even think about trying to convince Luke, I can guarantee that he won’t believe word of it either.”

Vader watched as his daughter was escorted down the corridor by a clone trooper. I think perhaps he will, my daughter…in fact, I am counting on it.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 8

Vader sat in brooding silence, staring at the image of Anakin Skywalker. If I look like him again, if I am remade and whole again, will that make a difference? He wondered. Deep down inside he knew the answer to that question, and he hated to acknowledge it. So long as you remain in the Darkness, your children will never accept you. Vader closed his eyes as that terrible day on Mustafar jumped to mind.

Don't you see, we don't have to run away anymore! I have brought peace to the Republic. I am more powerful than the Chancellor. I can overthrow him, and together you and I can rule the galaxy. Make things the way we want them to be!

I don't believe what I'm hearing . . . Obi-Wan was right. You've changed.

I don't want to hear any more about Obi-Wan. The Jedi turned against me. Don't you turn against me.

I don't know you anymore. Anakin, you're breaking my heart. I'll never stop loving you, but you are going down a path I can't follow.

Because of Obi-Wan?

Because of what you've done . . . what you plan to do. Stop, stop now. Come back! I love you.

Liar!

No!

You're with him. You've betrayed me! You brought him here to kill me!

NO! Anakin. I swear ... I …

And what did you do next?? What did you do to her?? Vader squeezed his eyes tightly, trying to blot out the image of his angel as she gasped for breath, feeling his iron grip upon her throat. For so many years Vader had managed to sublimate all those memories of the years when he was someone else. He had cut off all ties with those days, forsaking his name and all that he had once believed in in order to embrace the Dark Side. But now those images would not be held back. His children were proof that Anakin Skywalker had indeed existed. Vader was finally beginning see the bitter irony that his life had become; he had rejected the name of Anakin Skywalker many years ago, and now he wished to claim the children of Anakin Skywalker as his own. By claiming them, must he not also claim his former self as well?

Vader clicked off the screen and stood up, leaving the room abruptly. He strode down the hall, trying to prepare for the arrival of his son, which he felt certain was imminent. It bothered him tremendously that he was now questioning the very fundamentals he had based his life on for the past 20 years. He had embraced the Dark Side fully, but what had he gained from it? In the beginning he had believed that the Dark Side was the only way to save Padmé, but that had not happened. Indeed, wasn’t it the Dark Side that had caused her to turn on her as he had? He had offered her a place with him, ruling the galaxy, but she had rejected that offer. Despite loving him, she could not accept what he had become, even before the mask had been lowered onto his face. What makes you think that your children will accept you if she could not? She who loved you??

“Lord Vader!” Vader looked up from his ruminations to see a junior officer approaching him.

“What is it?” Vader replied.

“Skywalker’s ship has been spotted,” the officer reported. “He’s on his way.”

“Good,” Vader replied. “Monitor Skywalker and allow him to land.”

Vader had no idea what he was going to say to his son. He had foolishly believed that claiming his children would be simply a matter of telling them the truths that had been withheld from them for so long. His encounter with Leia proved this to be wrong.

“What do you want?” Leia asked warily as Vader entered her quarters.

“I thought you might be hungry,” Vader replied, setting down a tray of food.

Leia stared at the tray, and then back up at the Dark Lord. “Since when do you care how I feel?” she retorted, not wanting to admit that she was indeed starving.

Vader sat down across from her. “Since I found out that you are my child,” he replied simply.

Leia frowned. “You’re deluding yourself if you think I will ever believe that,” she said, trying to resist the aromas of the food in front of her.

Vader shrugged. “Perhaps,” he said. “Eat. I know you’re hungry.”

Leia grew annoyed at Vader’s uncanny ability to read her thoughts and very emotions.

“What happened to your droid?” Vader asked, noticing the box of parts that had once been C3P0.

Leia shook her head as she took a bite from the sandwich. “I don’t know,” she replied between mouthfuls. “Probably one of your stormtroopers took a pot shot at him for fun.”

Vader picked up the droid’s golden head and looked at it thoughtfully. He had seen this particular droid with the princess before, and felt that he knew its designation.

“C3PO, isn’t it?” Vader asked, attaching the head to the metal torso.

Leia nodded, watching him warily. “What are you doing?” she asked tersely.

“Fixing him,” Vader replied. “You know I built this droid when I was a boy.”

Leia looked at him in disbelief. “You built C3PO? Oh come on now, Vader,” she replied.

“It’s true,” Vader replied, examining the damage on the droid’s right arm. “I built him for my mother, to help her.”

“You have a mother?” Leia asked in surprise. “Somehow I find that impossible to imagine.”

“Everyone has a mother, Leia,” Vader replied, the thoughts of his own immensely painful to him.

Leia watched the Dark Lord with a mixture of suspicion and shock. She had known Vader for years now, and had never seen any indication that under his armor and fearful mask there was a human being. His actions both confused and surprised her. Still, she knew him well enough to know that Darth Vader did nothing without a reason; no doubt this was some sort of trap he was laying for her, luring her in as a spider lures a fly into its web.

“Why did you arrange to have Han’s bounty paid?” she asked as he poked around in the box of parts, assembling the droid faster than she would have imagined possible.

“I know what the Hutt’s are like,” he replied, his eyes not leaving his task. “They are not to be trifled with.”

Leia nodded. “No, I don’t imagine so…but that had nothing to do with you. Why do you care what happens to him?”

Vader looked up at his daughter. “Because you care,” he replied simply, and then returned to her work.

Leia felt her face grow warm. Yes, she most certainly did care, even though she had not been brave enough to admit it, even to herself. Somehow Vader had been able to read that in her too; it frightened her how easily he could see her emotions...almost as if they were…

“I’d like to be alone now, if you don’t mind,” Leia said at last, standing up suddenly.

Vader looked up at her. “Do I make you uneasy?” he asked.

“No, I mean yes…well no. I just don’t like the way you are trying to manipulate me,” Leia replied. “And don’t’ try to deny it. I know exactly what you are trying to do, and it won’t work.”

“What am I trying to do?” Vader asked, standing up as well.

“You’re trying to make me think that you’re human,” Leia replied. “That you actually care about something other than yourself. I don’t believe that, I will never believe that.”

“Believe what you like, Princess,” Vader returned. “That doesn’t change the truth.”

A chime was heard at the door, and Vader walked over to it. It slid open to reveal a young officer.

“Lord Vader, Skywalker has just landed,” he reported.

“Good,” Vader replied. “I will take the princess to the observation deck. See to it that he finds his way there.”

“Very good, my lord,” the man replied with a bow.

“What is going on?” Leia asked suspiciously as Vader approached her.

“You shall see soon enough,” Vader replied. “Come with me.”

“Luke is coming, isn’t he?” she said. “You’ve lured him here, using me as bait, haven’t you?”

She is strong with the Force… no doubt of it.

“He is coming,” Vader replied simply as he strode along the empty corridor, his daughter almost running to keep up with him. “He has to know the truth.”

“Do you think he will believe you any more than I do?” Leia retorted.

“Perhaps,” Vader replied simply. “If he is true to himself, and isn’t afraid to search his feelings, then he will. You are unwilling do that, Leia, that is why you will not believe.”

“I will never believe it,” she spat.

“There is more to this than you know, Leia,” Vader replied, turning to her. “I have reason to believe that your mother is alive.”

Leia’s eyes widened. “What??”

“Let her go, Vader.”

Vader and Leia both turned to see a young man holding a lightsaber in front of him, his eyes boring into the Dark Lord. So we meet at last, my son…Vader thought to himself.

“Luke!” Leia exclaimed, overjoyed to see him.

“Stay back, Leia,” Luke warned her, not taking his eyes from Vader for a second. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

“No, Luke I’m fine,” she said, rather amazed at the realization of it herself.

“Good, now get out of here, Leia,” her twin cautioned. “Run. This is between me and Vader.”

Leia was torn, not knowing what to do. Surely Luke was no match for Darth Vader; but if what Vader had said was true, would he engage his own son in a deadly lightsaber duel?

“He is right, Leia,” Vader spoke at last, revealing his own lightsaber. “This is between him and me.”

Leia’s initial reaction to Vader’s comment was one of shock. She had expected him to use her as a human shield when Luke appeared; but he did not. Not only that, he encouraged her to flee.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said adamantly.

“Leia, I’m serious!” Luke warned as he and Vader circled one another.

She backed off as Luke stepped forward, lunging at the Dark Lord, who parried his blade with ease. Leia could see that Vader was holding back, for his skill was legendary with the lightsaber. Leia hated feeling helpless this way, but didn’t know what to do. Part of her wanted to run away, escape and never look back…part of her felt compelled to stay ....all she could do was watch as the two warriors fought in front of her, their blades crashing and sparking, slashing against the white pristine walls.

“Your skills are most impressive, young one,” Vader commented.

Luke scowled at him. “You’ll find I’m just full of surprises,” he countered, moving in for another thrust. Vader stepped aside easily, and repelled Luke once again, forcing him to retreat up the corridor.

“Yes, I too,” he commented. Luke backed up, not taking his eyes off of Vader for a second, as the Dark Lord pressed his advantage. Vader had no desire to fight his son, the boy was clearly not nearly skilled enough to face such an experienced opponent; but then he could not let Luke think that he was weak. If he ever hoped to lure Luke to the Dark Side, he must show his son the true nature and power the Dark Side represented.

Leia watched until she could see them no further, and then an idea struck her. She ran off in the opposite direction, determined not to let Vader win.

“I sense great anger in you, young Skywalker,” Vader taunted. “Anger makes you powerful; don’t be afraid to use it!”

Luke frowned, remembering the teachings of Master Yoda, who had warned him of the dangers of the Dark Side.

“No,” Luke countered. “I will never succumb to the same temptations you did, Vader,” he spat. “I am a Jedi, like my father before me!”

“Foolish boy,” Vader retorted. “If you only knew the truth!”

“What do you know of truth, Vader?” Luke countered, pushing the Dark Lord’s blade away. “You know of nothing but lies and deception, turning on your own kind and betraying them all to the Empire.”

“I see someone has filled your head with their own version of the truth,” Vader replied angrily, knowing that it was Obi-Wan who had undoubtedly already sewn the seeds of hatred in his son. “Are you so certain that all you believe is true? Have you never wondered why no one would ever tell you about your parentage? Not even Obi-Wan?”

Luke frowned at the mention of his mentor’s name, the mentor that he had watched Vader slay. “He told me all I needed to know,” he replied in a voice full of hatred. “He told me how you betrayed and murdered my father!”

“No Luke, I am your father,” Vader replied calmly.

Luke shook his head. “No, no…that’s not true,” he shot back. “That’s impossible!!”

“Search your feelings; you know it to be true!” Vader retorted.

“Don’t listen to him, Luke.”

Vader snapped his head up to see Leia standing in the corridor behind Luke, a blaster aimed squarely at Vader’s chest.

“Drop it,” she ordered, her hands trembling with the adrenaline rush surging through her.

Vader did not drop his weapon, but stood back, watching his two children. This didn’t exactly go as planned…he thought bitterly.

“Back away, Vader,” Leia said, her voice deadly calm. “I won’t hesitate to kill you.”

Vader was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. If he capitulated, then both of his children would escape. If he didn’t, then she would shoot him…if he deflected her blast, Luke would attack him with his lightsaber. No matter what he did, he lost.

“You may run away now,” Vader said, addressing both of them. “But you cannot escape the truth.”

“Don’t listen to him, Luke!” Leia shouted again, her teeth clenched. Luke glanced over at Leia, confused by her anger and adamancy.

“Leia?” Luke asked. “What is it? What did he tell you?”

“The same thing he told you,” Leia replied. “He claims that we are twins, you and I, and that he is our father.”

Luke looked back at Vader with shock. “What?? How?? How can this be??” he stammered, frantic to know the truth. Vader saw that his son was desperate for answers, and stepped toward him once again.

Leia did not hesitate for a moment, and shot Vader, hitting him square in the chest. Vader stumbled back; shocked that she would follow through with her threat. He looked down at the hole in his chest plate that smoked and sparked with destroyed circuitry. Not good…he thought. He felt himself growing lightheaded as his oxygen supply started to wane, and could only watching as his children ran from him, without so much as a backwards glance.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 9

Admiral Piett was not a Jedi, nor gifted with the powers of precognition that those legendary beings were renowned to have. Yet, when the shuttle landed in the hangar bay, he had a sinking feeling that something was wrong. Usually Lord Vader was striding down the ramp before it had fully touched ground; but this time was an exception. When the Dark Lord had not appeared moments after the ramp had hit the hangar bay floor, Piett himself decided to see what was going on.

“Lord Vader?” Piett called as he boarded the shuttle. “Lord Vader, are you here?” He walked into the cockpit and stopped at the sight before him. He rushed over to the enormous figure slumped over the controls of the shuttle.

“Lord Vader!” he shouted, trying with all his strength to pull his commander’s inert form from the console.

Piett was relieved to see that Vader was alive, for the sound of his breathing could still be heard. But there was something wrong, for its regular, consistent rhythm was off, as though the equipment his lungs required to function had been compromised.

“Lord Vader! Can you hear me?” Piett cried. His eyes fell upon the damaged control panel on the Dark Lord’s chest. Piett panicked, not knowing what to do.

“Bridge, this is Piett,” he shouted into the comm. “I’m on board Lord Vader’s shuttle. He has been injured, and needs immediate medical attention. Get a team here on the double!”

“At once, Admiral!” he heard a voice reply. “Sir, the Millennium Falcon has emerged from the Cloud City. Should we open fire?”

Piett looked down at the Dark Lord who was struggling to breathe. What would you have me do, my lord? He wondered anxiously, feeling the weight of command crushing him.

“No,” Piett decided. “Put a tractor beam on them,” he ordered. “Bring them in, unharmed.”

“At once, Admiral.”

Piett heard the medical team entering the shuttle and stepped aside for them to reach their patient. In very quick order, the medics had placed Lord Vader on a suspended stretcher.

“His breathing apparatus has been compromised,” Piett pointed out. “He will die soon if it isn’t fixed.”

The medics nodded. “We aren’t equipped to make repairs of that complexity, Admiral,” one of them stated. “He will need to be taken to a facility where such repairs are possible, and I would suggest if he doesn’t get the attention he needs within 24 hours, he won’t survive.”

Piett nodded in understanding, watching the medics lead the still unconscious Sith Lord away. He made his way to the bridge, all the while his mind working frantically to find a solution to this complex and potentially deadly situation. And then it came to him.

“Report,” he called as he entered the bridge.

“The Millennium Falcon is in our custody, Admiral,” a young captain replied. “The prisoners on board have been taken to the detention block.”

“Very good,” Piett nodded. “Then prepare to leave orbit at once. Make your heading for the planet Kamino. Maximum velocity.”

“At once, Admiral.”

“I am going to interrogate the prisoners,” Piett continued, leaving the bridge once again.

Piett made his way to the lower levels of the star destroyer where the detention block was located.

“I’m here to see the prisoners,” Piett told the detention block commander.

“Right this way sir,” the officer replied, stepping out from behind the console.

Piett followed the officer down the corridor to the cell where the prisoners were being held. The officer keyed in the code for the door and it slid open. Piett stepped by him and into the room, where a young man and a young woman were sitting side by side. They looked up when they heard the door open.

“I am Firmus Piett, in temporary command of this vessel,” Piett began, looking at the two prisoners.

“What is it you want from us, anyway?” the young woman spoke up boldly. “Why are we being held prisoner?”

“Princess Leia Organa, isn’t it?” Piett asked, looking at her.

Leia merely nodded.

“Well Princess, surely you realize that you are a dangerous enemy of the Empire,” Piett replied mildly. “As is your companion here,” he added, looking at Luke. “Skywalker, isn’t it?”

Luke nodded, his blue eyes regarding Piett warily.

“We’re here because of Vader, aren’t we?” Leia asked. “It was his order that brought us here.”

“Actually, it was mine,” Piett replied, folding his arms over his chest. “Lord Vader was injured while in the Cloud City. I don’t suppose either of you know anything about that?”

Leia and Luke exchanged a quick look.

“Is he dead?” Leia asked.

Piett frowned. “No, not yet at least,” he replied. “But if he doesn’t receive the proper medical attention soon, he will be.”

“Pity,” Leia put in coldly.

“So what do you want from us, anyway?” Luke asked at this point.

“I will let Lord Vader tell you that,” Piett replied, turning to leave.

“We know what he wants,” Leia replied. “We already heard all his lies.”

Piett turned back. “Lies?” he asked, his curiosity peaked. “What lies would they be?”

“Don’t tell him anything, Leia,” Luke told his sister. “He’s trying to trick us.”

Piett frowned. “I have a theory about Lord Vader’s interest in you, Skywalker,” he stated. “Would you like to hear it?”

“Do I have a choice?” Luke retorted sarcastically.

Piett only smiled in response. “Of course, if you’d rather not hear it,” he said, turning to leave.

“Tell us what you think you know,” Luke called, his own desperate need for answers dictating his actions.

Piett turned back to the two. “Have you ever heard of the Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker?” he asked.

Both Luke and Leia were taken aback by the question.

“Yes, we have,” Leia answered carefully. “What do you know about him?”

“Not a lot,” replied Piett, “only what little information there is on the Imperial Net about him, plus my own memories of him.”

“You remember him?” Luke asked in amazement.

Piett nodded. “Oh yes, he was a great hero during the Clone Wars,” replied, seeing that he had piqued the young man’s interest. “He was your father, surely you know that,” he asked Luke pointedly.

Luke looked over at his sister, unsure how to respond.

"I don’t know,” Luke replied at last, looking down at his feet. “I was never told much about my father, actually.”

Piett nodded. “Interesting,” he replied. “I wonder why that is.”

“Whatever your plan is, it won’t work,” Leia spoke up at last, seeing that Luke’s curiosity about his father was clouding his judgment. “I’ll bet that Vader isn’t injured at all, and sent you in here to pump us for information. He’s probably watching us right now.”

“I can assure you that is not that case,” Piett replied, amazed by the young woman’s coldness. “Would you like me to prove it to you?”

“What do you mean?” asked Luke.

“I will take you to see Lord Vader,” Piett replied. “To prove that he truly is fighting for his life. Would that satisfy your suspicions?”

Luke and Leia looked at one another.

“Yes, I suppose it would,” Leia replied.

Piett nodded. “Very well then, I shall arrange it. I’ll return within the hour.”

He turned and left the room.

“Why did you agree to see him?” Luke asked Leia. “I would think you’d never want to see him again.”

Leia wasn’t sure how to reply. Was it morbid curiosity? The thought of seeing the mighty Lord Vader fighting for his life was rather intriguing…she had dreamed of his death, never imagining that she would have a hand in it.

“I guess I just want to be sure that he’s not lying,” she replied lamely.

Luke looked at her closely. His own thoughts had been on nothing but the unexpected and dramatic encounter with Vader in Cloud City ever since their hasty escape. He hated to admit it to her, and even less to himself, that on some levels he believed Vader. He couldn’t explain it, couldn’t even understand it; but he could feel the truth in what the Dark Lord had said. And Vader was right; all his life the topic of his parents was a taboo subject in the Lars household. How many times had he asked his guardians about them, only to be put off by some flimsy excuse? Even Obi-Wan had been openly reluctant to discuss Luke’s father. Was this the reason why? Could it be true??

“Luke, don’t tell me you actually believe what he said,” Leia said, as though she could read Luke’s mind.

Luke looked up at her. “I don’t know what to believe, Leia,” he said softly.

Leia stood up and started pacing around the room. “I will never believe it,” she spat. “Never!!”

Luke watched her, sensing the great feelings of conflict within her that mirrored his own. She had greater reason than anyone to hate Vader; he had stood idly by while her home world had been annihilated, killing the only people Leia had ever considered parents. But under that hatred, under the indignation and outrage that he sensed in her in tremendous amounts, was the fear that Vader was telling the truth.

“Did your parents ever tell you about your real parents?” Luke asked her.

She stopped in her tracks and looked at him, not wishing to answer his question. “No, not really,” she answered simply. “But that doesn’t mean anything.”

“No,” he concurred. “How old were you when you found out you were adopted?”

“I was 9,” she remembered aloud. “I overheard them talking one night. I was coming to their room because I’d had a nightmare, and I heard them talking about me, asking each other if they thought it was time to let me know, about how Padmé would have wanted me to know about her real parents some day…” Leia stopped as the face of her birth mother came to her mind.

“Padmé?” Luke asked. “Who is that?”

“That’s the name of my real mother,” Leia replied. “The name of the woman Vader claims was his wife.”

Luke frowned. “So that would make her …my mother too…” he said more to himself than to her.

Leia sat down beside him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Stop it Luke,” she admonished. “Don’t let yourself be fooled by his sob story! He’s manipulating us both with all this nonsense. None of it is true!”

'I wish I could be so sure,” Luke replied, running a hand through his tousled hair. “I just can’t help but feel the truth in what he is saying, Leia. I know it’s crazy, but…”

Luke’s sentence was cut short by the reappearance of Firmus Piett.

“Shall we?” he asked as he gestured to the door.

Luke and Leia stood up and made their way to the door. Outside in the corridor were two stormtroopers, waiting to escort the pair to the sick bay.

“This way,” Piett said, leading the group out of the detention block.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 10

Though Darth Vader’s body was unconscious, his mind was not. He only wished it was, for he was tortured by images and memories that bombarded him as he lie there, helpless to prevent their onslaught.

The faces of countless younglings begging for mercy…Padmé pleading with him to run away with her, to turn away from the path of Darkness…Padmé lying unconscious on the landing platform…the agony as the fires consumed his body, lying abandoned and mutilated on the sands of Mustafar…the tortured screams of his daughter as the mind probe delved ever further into her mind….her agony as she watched her home world was blown into a billion bits of space dust..

Amid the chaotic visions a face emerged, his voice speaking softly but in a commanding tone.

Anakin, listen to me.

I am not Anakin…that name means nothing to me..

I don’t believe you... If it meant nothing to you, your children wouldn’t mean anything to you either.

They are mine...

They will never accept you, so long as you remain in the Darkness, you know this, Anakin.

Don’t call me that! Anakin Skywalker was a weak fool!

I know you don’t believe that. Look into your heart, Anakin. The man you truly are is still there, if only you would set him free from the Darkness.

The Darkness is what makes me strong- it is all that I have.

That is not true, Anakin. The Darkness has given you nothing but pain, and has kept you enslaved for the last 20 years. If you are true to yourself, you will know that I am right.

Leave me alone! I don’t need you, Qui-Gon Jinn! I don’t need anyone!

Yes you do, Anakin…you need your children. And the only way to get them to accept you is to abandon the Darkness. You have already begun to abandon it, and you don’t even realize it.

You lie.

Why else did you show benevolence to Solo? Why else did you spare your daughter’s life when she was in your clutches?

I don’t know why...

I think you do…you did it because Anakin Skywalker is fighting to overcome the Darkness.

You lie!!

Neither Luke nor Leia were prepared for the sight that they beheld upon reaching the sick bay.

Darth Vader was lying prone on a bed, his body hooked up to a number of machines, and he seemed to be on complete life support. Both were shocked to see that his mask and helmet had been removed, but his face was obscured by the ventilator mask that had been fitted over his mouth and nose to enable his lungs to function. His bare head was bald, his skin was very white, and bore several vicious looking scars.

Luke and Leia could only stand by and stare at the unconscious Sith Lord, too stunned to speak.

Piett watched the pair, wondering what was going on through their minds. Did seeing the menacing Dark Lord weak and vulnerable somehow make him seem more human to them? He knew that they still harbored serious doubts about Vader’s claim that he was their father; but Piett knew better. He had seen the obsession that had taken over Vader since learning of Luke Skywalker’s existence. He had never known Darth Vader to be so single minded to the point of ignoring all else, including directives from his emperor.

“Has he regained consciousness?” Piett asked the medical droid attending Vader.

“He has brief moments of semi-consciousness,” the droid replied. “But hasn’t spoken, as you can imagine. He does, however, have moments of agitation, which has kept his blood pressure elevated.”

Piett frowned. “Agitation? What do you mean? Is he in pain?”

“He doesn’t appear to be,” the droid continued. “We have him so heavily sedated he should not feel any pain.”

“He’s emotionally agitated,” Luke said at this point, his eyes on the figure of the unconscious Dark Lord.

Piett and Leia both turned to him. “How do you know that?” Piett asked.

“I can feel it,” Luke said. “I can feel his emotions...” he added, a frown forming on his brow at the realizing of what this could possibly mean.

“You can feel his emotions??” Piett asked. “How is that possible?”

“I don’t know,” Luke replied quietly. “I don’t think I want to know.”

Leia looked up at him, knowing exactly what he was talking about, for she too could sense the storm of emotions that raged through Vader. She had tried to ignore it, tried to pretend she didn’t feel it; but it was too strong, the connection was undeniable. No, this can’t be happening…this can’t be true…

“What can we do?” Piett asked.

“I don’t know,” Luke replied. “What are they doing to repair his breathing apparatus?”

“Nothing,” Piett replied, folding his arms over his chest and looking down at Vader. “There is nothing we can do here. We are under way to Kamino right now. He will get medical attention there.”

“Kamino?” echoed Leia. “You mean the cloners’ planet?”

Piett nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“What can they do for him?” Luke asked. “You don’t plan on having him cloned do you??”

“No,” Piett replied at once. “I cannot disclose what will happen there, Lord Vader has sworn me to secrecy.”

Luke and Leia looked at one another. “So we are to disclose information to you, but you won’t reciprocate, is that it?” Leia asked pointedly.

Piett looked at the princess, and considered her words. Surely if these were Vader’s children then they could be told…but if they weren’t...they were still members of the Rebel Alliance, and enemies of the Empire, and of Vader…what could they do with such knowledge?

“I’m surprised you would even want to know, Princess,” Piett replied at last. “After all, you haven’t shown anything but distain for your father.”

“He is not my father!” Leia shouted. “I don’t care what he told you, what you believe- he is not my father, nor is he Luke’s father. Do you understand, Admiral?”

Piett lifted an eyebrow, amused by the young woman’s outburst. She’s more like her father than she knows...

“Well, we will be arriving at Kamino soon enough,” Piett said, preparing to leave. “You will just have to wait until then to find out what Lord Vader’s plan is.”

Piett left the twins then, ensuring that two clone troopers were posted outside the sickbay doors.

“You feel it too, don’t you Leia?” Luke asked, stepping closer to the bed where Vader lie.

“I don’t feel anything,” she lied, folding her arms over her chest resolutely.

Luke glanced back at her. “I don’t believe you,” he replied simply.

Leia turned her dark eyes to his, frowning at him. “Luke, when have you ever known me to lie to you?”

“Never,” he replied. “But I think in this case you are lying more to yourself than to anyone else.”

“You…you believe what Vader said, don’t you?” she asked, her anger growing. “You really believe he is our father!”

Luke sighed, looking back at Vader. “I don’t know what I believe, Leia,” he replied softly. “I only know what I feel. And right now I feel his conflict, his torment…his guilt,” he added, looking back at Leia.

“Guilt?” she asked. “Now I know you’re delusional, Luke. Since when does Darth Vader ever feel guilt for anything?”

“Darth Vader wouldn’t,” Luke conceded. “But Anakin Skywalker would.”

Leia looked at her brother; her own emotions too conflicted to think straight.

“It can’t be true, Luke,” she said at last, her voice hushed. “It can’t be true! How can this…this monster be our father??”

“He wasn’t always a monster, Leia,” Luke replied, working it out in his own mind as he shared his thoughts with her. “According to Piett, Anakin Skywalker was a hero, a great Jedi knight. Do you think our mother would have married a monster?”

The mention of their mother made Leia recall the comment Vader had made just before Luke had appeared back on the Cloud City.

“He said he thought she might be alive,” Leia said, looking down at the Dark Lord.

“Who? Our mother?” Luke asked.

She nodded. “Yes,” she replied. “I don’t know what made him think so, and I didn’t have time to ask before you showed up.” She looked up at Luke. “Do you think it’s possible?”

“Anything is possible, Leia,” he replied. “In the past 24 hours I have found out that I have a twin sister,” he said, smiling at her. “And that my father …may be alive. If that is true, then it’s very possible that she is too.”

“I wonder if he’s been looking for her too,” Leia wondered aloud.

“I wouldn’t know where to begin looking,” Luke admitted. “I don’t even know what she looked like. Do you?”

Leia nodded. “Yes, he showed me her image,” she told him. “She was beautiful, Luke. Just as I always imagined her to be.”

Luke looked back at Vader. “I think he is more Anakin Skywalker than he wants to admit,” he commented softly. “I have so many questions I need to ask him, Leia; there is so much I need to know. I only wish he could speak to us now.”

Leia came up and put her hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Don’t get your hopes up, Luke,” she cautioned him gently. “This could all be an elaborate plot to gain our trust. Remember what he did to Obi-Wan, to Alderaan…we can’t trust him, Luke. Please don’t let your desire to know your father cloud your judgment.”

Luke turned and gave Leia a hard look. “Give me a little credit, Leia,” he retorted. “I’m not a child.”

“I didn’t mean to imply that you were,” Leia replied. “I’m just concerned that you are being far too accepting of this whole thing.”

“How can you say that?” Luke retorted. “Don’t you think this is tearing me up too? You think the thought that Darth Vader may in fact be my father isn’t horrifying to me?”

“I don’t know, I’m so confused right I don’t know what to think,” she replied miserably.

Luke relented, and walked over to his twin. He took her hands in his own. “Listen to me, Leia; I am as confused as you are. This whole thing is a nightmare. But I cannot ignore the feelings I have, feeling that I know you share. Whatever happens, whatever the truth may be, we have to be strong for each other, Leia. I know you can do that, for you are one of the strongest people I know.”

Leia looked down at her brother’s hand entwined with hers. “I will try, Luke,” she said quietly. “But right now I don’t feel very strong.”

Luke smiled at her. “I know you don’t,” he replied. “And neither do I. But at least we’re in this together, right? At least we have each other.”

Leia nodded and they hugged one another tightly, unaware that they were being watched by a pair of striking blue eyes from across the room.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 11

Vader was awake, and trying to listen to the exchange going on between his children. The drugs in his bloodstream made if difficult for him to concentrate, but from what he sensed, it seemed as though his son was far more accepting of the situation than his daughter. That wasn’t too surprising considering the history he shared with her… had his gesture of goodwill towards Solo meant nothing then? Apparently not enough…

Luke looked over and saw that Vader’s eyes were open, and turned back to his twin, said something to her, and then come over to his father’s side. Vader followed his son’s movements with his eyes, examining him closely now.

“Can you hear me?” Luke asked him.

Vader could not speak, but nodded in response.

“Leia is here,” Luke said, making an awkward gesture towards his twin, who refused to step a centimeter closer to her father’s bedside.

Vader’s eyes moved to where Leia was. She was watching him, secretly astonished at how much like Luke’s eyes Vader’s were. He looked at her for a long moment before she turned her eyes away.

“I…I don’t know what I’m supposed to say right now,” Luke admitted. “This is a rather unique situation we’ve found ourselves in.”

Vader looked back up at Luke, knowing how uneasy his boy was. He wished he could speak to him now, to answer all the questions that he knew the young man was burning to ask. Will it make any difference once he knows the truth? Vader wondered as he examined his son’s face.

“Leia told me how you arranged to have Han’s bounty paid,” Luke continued. “Perhaps if I’d known that earlier, this might have been avoided.”

Vader was surprised by his son’s words, and oddly encouraged. His son seemed so much more willing to communicate with Vader, his feelings like an open book. Not like Leia. She had closed her feelings off from him completely, and it unnerved him how much he was reminded of himself in her stubborn, unyielding bearing.

“Admiral Piett has told us that we are going to Kamino,” Luke continued. “But wouldn’t tell us why. He is very loyal to you.”

I need your help, Luke.

Luke heard his father’s thoughts, as clearly as if they had been spoken words.

“I ..I don’t understand,” Luke said. “How? And what makes you think I would help you anyway?”

Because you know I am telling the truth. You know that I am your father.

Leia watched the strange exchange with growing alarm.

“Luke, what is he doing?” she said, stepping closer to the bed.

“He’s communicating, Leia,” Luke replied, his eyes not leaving Vader’s. “He is speaking to me.”

Leia felt a shiver go down her spine. “Don’t let him into your mind, Luke,” she said, grabbing her brother’s arm. “Don’t let him poison your mind! He will destroy you if you let him!”

Vader turned his eyes to Leia, feeling a rush of terror emanating from her as she momentarily allowed her emotional barrier down.

If I wanted to destroy you, my daughter, I would have done so when I had the chance.

Leia started as though burned, and looked with wide eyes at her father.

“Stop it,” she warned him. “Don’t try your sorcery on me, Vader! I won’t stand for it!”

We are connected, Leia, whether you like it or not, whether you admit it or not…I can see your thoughts, you can see mine. It is only your hatred and anger that blind you to the truth.

“Get out of my mind!” she screamed at him. “I hate you! I will always hate you!! Nothing will ever change that, even it by some horrible twist of fate you are my biological father! You stole my real father from me, as well as my mother, when you stood by and watched Alderaan get blown to bits! They were my parents, the only parents I ever had, the only parents I ever needed!”

“Leia, calm down,” Luke said, taking her by the shoulders. “He’s in no condition for this.”

She glared at her brother. “Why should I care? Did he care about the millions of people on Alderaan when he let them die?”

Vader closed his eyes, feeling utterly exhausted and defeated by the waves of utter hatred he felt directed at him from his daughter. The fact that she was the very image of her mother made her loathing all the more painful.

“Perhaps you two ought to leave,” the medical droid suggested. “Lord Vader is very agitated, and your presence here seems to have only exacerbated his condition.”

“Gladly,” Leia snapped, and turned to leave. She had almost reached the door when a crystal clear thought entered her mind, and she stopped in her tracks.

I am so very sorry.

She straightened her back and left the room without looking back.

“I’m sorry about that,” Luke said awkwardly. “Leia is…well, she kind of speaks her mind. She is very angry right now, very confused. I am too, to be honest. I don’t know why I’m telling you this; I think you can see for yourself how she’s feeling.”

Vader fought to open his eyes once more to look at his son. He could feel the boy’s goodness, his pureness of heart and spirit. So much like his mother, Vader thought as his eyes closed once again and he drifted off.

Leia and Luke were met in the corridor by Admiral Piett.

“Ah, there you are,” he said as he looked from one to the other. “I’ve come to let you know that we have just made the reversion to sublight. We’ve arrived at Kamino.”

Luke and Leia looked at one another, wondering what this new twist in this unexpected chapter of their lives would mean.

“Will you take him to the surface right away?” Luke asked.

Piett nodded. “Yes, right away. We’ve alerted the surgical team that we will be arriving within the hour. They are getting everything ready.”

“Surgical team?” Luke asked. “What sort of surgery are you talking about?”

Piett sighed, realizing that he had revealed more than he had intended. Still, there was no doubt in his mind or his heart that these were Vader’s children; they had a right to know.

“Your father is about to undergo extensive reconstructive surgery,” Piett told them both. “The cloners have regenerated his damaged organs and limbs, and will be performing a massive transplant procedure on him. If all goes well, he will be completely remade.”

“If all goes well?” Leia asked. “What does that mean?”

“Well, the surgery is very risky, from what I understand,” Piett replied. “There is a chance he won’t survive it.”

“Then why is he doing it?” Luke asked.

“He hasn’t shared his reasoning with me,” Piett replied. “But my suspicion is that he feels you will accept him more readily if he is fully human again.”

Luke frowned. “You mean he is risking his life just to get us to accept him?”

Piett shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “That is my suspicion, yes.”

Luke looked at Leia, and saw that she was as stunned by this revelation as he was. Perhaps the transformation had already begun, Luke thought to himself, taking his sister’s hand. She looked at him, hearing his thought, which still unnerved her. She frowned, not wanting to admit to him or even herself that he may be right. She didn’t want to think about the implications of a remade Anakin Skywalker in her life.

Luke and Leia returned to the quarters where they had remained for the past two days, an awkward silence between them. What had transpired in the medical bay had affected them both deeply, but in different ways.

Luke felt certain that he had found his father; the connection he felt to Vader was too strong to deny. Yet, he was very confused. Why had Obi-Wan lied to him? Why hadn’t he tell him the truth about what had happened to his father? And more importantly, what had happened to his father? From what Luke knew about him, Anakin Skywalker was a hero, an honorable and brave man who had served the Republic in the Clone Wars and was renowned throughout the galaxy for his heroics. How could a man like that become Darth Vader? Luke thought back to that day on Tatooine 2 years ago when he had encountered Ben Kenobi, when he had asked the old Jedi about his father. Kenobi had seemed reluctant to speak of him, just as Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru had been; but when he finally did speak, his enigmatic words only made Luke’s heart ache more with the loss of the father he’d wanted all his life.

How did my father die?

A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father.

Betrayed and murdered…how is that even remotely close to the truth?? Luke thought angrily. Obviously his father turned to the Dark Side. But why? How did it happen? Luke’s mind burned with these questions, and there was only one person who could answer them; but his life was hanging in the balance. He has to survive this surgery…I have to hear the truth from him, I have to give him a chance to explain what happened to turn the good man known as Anakin Skywalker into the monster Darth Vader.

As for Leia, her thoughts were far darker than those of her twin. Ironically, she’d had no trouble at all accepting the fact that she and Luke were twins separated at birth. It was almost as if she had always known it on some level. But accepting Vader was another matter…

It disturbed Leia greatly that she had heard Vader’s thoughts so clearly, almost as if he were speaking the words aloud. And the fact that he could hear hers was even more alarming. Until recently, she had known Darth Vader to be nothing but a ruthless, inhuman monster. His evil deeds were legendary and far reaching, for it was reputed that he was instrumental in the annihilation of the Jedi. Leia herself had known him for years, and had never felt anything but utter loathing for him and all he represented. Yet in the past 5 days he had spared the lives of both her and Luke, had arranged for Han’s bounty to be paid, and had even brought her lunch. Not only that, he had demonstrated concern for her safety when he and Luke were dueling with their lightsabers. Why did he have to confuse her that way? She had always known what to expect of him; until now. Leia thought back to the conversation she’d had with him when they were in Cloud City, when he was busily reassembling C3P0.

I know what the Hutts are like. They are not to be trifled with.

No, I don’t imagine so…but that had nothing to do with you. Why do you care what happens to him?

Because you care.

Because you care…

What does that mean?? Why does he care how I feel all of a sudden?? Because he’s your father… Leia closed her eyes, trying to block out the feelings deep inside that would not be silenced. Deep down, she knew he was her father; the strength of the connection was just too strong to ignore. But that doesn’t mean I have to accept him…no matter what, he is still the same monster who destroyed my home and killed my parents...that will never change, no matter what.

“Are you okay?”

Leia’s thoughts were interrupted by her brother’s hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him.

“Are you okay?” He repeated.

“I don’t know,” she replied. “I’m not sure how I feel, Luke. I’m worried about Han, I’m concerned about our lengthy absence from the Alliance- they must be wondering what became of us. The droids…they were left behind on Cloud City, but I suppose Lando can see to it that they get back to the Alliance, as well as Han, assuming of course that Vader keeps his word, which is highly unlikely..” she rattled on and on in the way that Luke had come to recognize as her way of hiding what was truly on her mind.

“I’m sure Han can look after himself,” Luke reassured her. “This Lando character will feel indebted to him I’m sure after the way he betrayed Han and you to Vader. As for the droids, 3P0 will make sure Han doesn’t leave them behind,” he added, a smile on his face as he thought of Han having to put up with Threepio’s incessant chatter without he or Leia there to act as a buffer. “Is that it? Nothing else on your mind?”

Leia looked up at her brother warily. “I know what you’re referring to, Luke,” she said, standing up. “And I don’t want to discuss it.”

Luke watched her, feeling the conflict within her. Much like the conflict he had sensed within their father…

“Leia, we can’t just ignore this situation,” Luke said at last, turning to her. “I know you don’t want to face it, but it’s not something we can pretend isn’t happening. It is happening, Vader is our father, he is fighting for his life, and we have to come to terms with this whole situation somehow.”

Leia did not turn to him. She felt oddly betrayed by him; when he had arrived at Cloud City she felt certain that his hatred for Vader matched her own. All that had changed when Vader had uttered those dreadful words…I am your father. Now it seemed as though Luke’s loyalties were divided and confused, and that worried Leia.

“You seem to have already come to terms with it, Luke,” she commented without turning to him. “I don’t know how you can, but you have already accepted this remarkably well, far better than I ever will.”

Luke walked around her so that he was face to face with her. “I’m struggling with it, just as you are Leia,” he told her. “But for different reasons. I am feeling confused, and betrayed; I want to know why we were lied to, why were separated, and what happened to cause our father to turn into the evil man we have always known him to be. I want answers, Leia. I need answers. And I think you do too. You’re just so angry right now you can’t see that.”

Leia lifted her eyes to his. “Yes, I’m angry,” she retorted hotly. “I’m damn angry, Luke. How else do you expect me to feel?”

“It’s natural for you to feel that way,” he replied calmly, putting his hands on her shoulders. “But remember this; anger leads to the Dark Side, and the Dark Side is what destroyed our father.”

Luke’s words startled her, and she backed away from him. “I don’t think I like what you’re implying, Luke,” she said, her dark eyes full of anger.

“I’m not implying anything,” Luke replied. “I’m just warning you, Leia. Be careful. Don’t let your hatred and anger destroy you.”

Leia was about to reply when the door opened. They both turned to see Admiral Piett entering the room. He could see that he was interrupting a heated discussion between the twins.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I seem to be interrupting something.”

“No, not at all,” Leia said, resuming her calm, senatorial demeanor.

“We are taking your father to the surface now,” he continued, not convinced that Leia was being truthful. “I wanted to invite you to come along. That is, if you are interested in coming.”

Luke looked at his sister, knowing that she was as desperate to see the transformation of Darth Vader as he was, yet unwilling to admit it.

“We are very interested,” he told Piett. “We’ll come right now.”

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 12

Lord Vader was brought to the surface of Kamino, accompanied by a medical droid who was needed to monitor the Dark Lord’s vital signs during transport, by Admiral Piett, two clone troopers and his two children.

Luke sat close to his father’s unconscious form during the short shuttle trip, watching him closely. He had not sensed anything from him for well over an hour, and despite everything, this worried him. So long as his mind was still active, Vader still seemed strong enough to overcome this crisis. But now that his mind seemed to be shutting down as well, things were not looking good.

Luke was unsure why this bothered him, but it did. Perhaps it was simply the fact that were Vader to die, Luke would never have the answers he needed. Obi-Wan was gone now, and he had never been forthright anyway, telling him half truths and putting his own spin on what had happened.

But there was more to it than merely getting the answers that he needed, and this is what confused Luke. Why should he care if Vader lived or died, even if he were his father? He was a monstrous villain, a heartless cyborg; surely the galaxy would be a better and certainly a safer place without him. So why did the thought of him dying bother Luke so much?

Kamino’s surface was wet and stormy as the small group made their way from the landing platform. A protective shield had been generated around the stretcher holding Vader to protect him from the elements. They were met in the entrance way by a pair from the medical team.

“What is his condition?” they asked the medical droid as they proceeded without preamble down the corridor.

“Unstable for the past several hours,” the droid replied, “and declining. He was conscious briefly earlier this afternoon, but hasn’t shown any signs of consciousness since. He’s slipping away.”

“Then we will have to proceed with the surgery immediately,” one of the physicians commented.

"Even in his present condition?” Piett questioned. “Isn’t that rather dangerous?”

“We have no choice,” the second physician replied. “If we don’t do anything he will most certainly die. It’s risky, but if he is to stand a chance of survival, we must take that chance.”

“I understand,” Piett replied, casting a glance at Luke and Leia. “I know you’ll do everything you can to save him.”

The physicians joined the entourage as they proceeded through the corridor en route to the medical facility.

Luke looked over at his sister, and he could tell by the expression on her face that she was deep in thought. They had spoken very during the trip over to Kamino, and Luke was worried about her. Her anger was unrelenting, as was her hatred of Vader. Hatred was an emotion of darkness; even in his brief tutelage as a Jedi Luke understood just how dangerous an emotion it was. When left unchecked, it could destroy a person. Just as it destroyed my father…

Luke looked ahead at Vader, wondering what it could have been that had caused him to turn. How could a man like Anakin Skywalker have embraced the Dark Side? Who did he hate so much that it caused such a transformation? What was the source of his tremendous anger? There was only one person who could answer those questions, and he was clinging to life at that very moment.

“I’m afraid you will have to wait here,” the physicians announced as the group reached the medical facility. “I will see to it that you are given anything you require during your wait, as I’m afraid it will be quite a lengthy one.”

“I need to send a message to the Alliance,” Leia said. “Can you make arrangements for that?”

“I will see that someone assists you, Princess,” the physician replied. “Now if you will excuse us, we shall tend to our patient.”

“You really think that is a good idea?” Luke asked Leia.

“What do you mean?” Leia asked. “Surely they are worried about us. I don’t want them wasting valuable man power searching for us unnecessarily. After all, it wasn’t exactly our choice to be here, was it?” she added, looking at Piett.

“That’s not the point,” Luke replied. “If the Alliance knows we’re here, they will come to get us, and once they find out that Vader is in a vulnerable state, they will do everything they can to kill him!”

Leia frowned. “All I want to do is let them know we are alive, Luke.”

Piett had overheard the conversation and stepped over to the twins. “Princess, I have already contacted your leaders,” he said. “They know you and your brother are guests on board the Executor. I did not give them the particulars, but assured them that you were both safe and well.”

“Guests??” Leia repeated. “Guests invited by a tractor beam?”

Piett met the princess’ icy glare. “Another star destroyer would have blown the Falcon out of the sky, Princess,” he replied. “Perhaps you should consider that when before you are so quick to judge my actions.” Piett walked away from them and left the room.

“Leia, please,” Luke pleaded. “Admiral Piett has not treated us like prisoners, and you know it.”

Leia looked at her brother, starting to worry about his allegiances. “You know Luke, you are starting to sound like an Imperial sympathizer,” she commented. “You may be happy to be a guest on board an enemy vessel, but I am not. I know the way the Empire operates better than you do, and I am not fooled by this phony show of good will.”

Luke was beginning to grow annoyed with Leia’s negative attitude.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Leia,” he replied, not allowing himself to be dragged into yet another argument with his twin. He walked away from her and went into the corridor where he found Piett.

“Your sister is very bitter,” Piett commented.

“Yes,” Luke replied. “She is having a lot of trouble accepting this. She has hated Vader for a very long time.”

Piett nods. “Understandably so,” he commented. “Why is it you are not struggling with this the way she is?”

“Who say’s I’m not?” Luke responded. “I grew up thinking my father was a navigator on a spice freighter. And then I was told he was Jedi who had been murdered by Darth Vader. Needless to say, this has been very confusing, not to mention upsetting.”

“You believe him though, don’t you?” Piett asked. “You believe that Vader is your father.”

Luke looked at the admiral, who seemed unlike any of the Imperial officers he’d encountered in his short time with the Alliance. Piett was intelligent, dignified, and intuitive. He seemed to have a great deal of compassion for both Vader and he and Leia, which surprised him. All of these qualities made him rather unique among the Imperial admiralty, of that Luke was certain. Not surprising Vader chose him to be his confidante.

“Yes, I do believe it,” Luke replied. “I can’t say why or how I know, but I just feel it within me that he is my father. But I also know that he was not always the man he is now, the man who has terrorized the galaxy for years. That is the man I want to know, Admiral. I want to find that man, for I know that he must still exist within Darth Vader. I am convinced that he is.”

Piett smiled. “You honor your father, Luke,” he said. “If anyone can bring Anakin Skywalker out of the darkness, you can do it.”

Luke shrugged. “I don’t know about that,” he replied. “But I hope I have the chance to try. You surprise me, Admiral. I would never have expected an Imperial officer to speak that way.”

Piett frowned. “In what way?”

“Like you’d like to see Anakin Skywalker return,” Luke replied. “You realize that if my father abandons the Dark Side, he would not have any sympathy for the Empire.”

"I realize that, Luke,” Piett responded. “Perhaps deep down inside I don’t either,” he added enigmatically. “I’ve seen a lot in my years of service to the Empire. So much injustice, so many atrocities; when I enlisted, I was so naïve I didn’t realize what the true nature of the Empire was. Now I do, and I have to say that it has disillusioned me.”

Luke was surprised by Piett’s confession. “I’m surprised you haven’t switched sides if you feel that way,” he commented.

Piett smiled. “I’m not happy, Luke, but I’m not a traitor. I have been loyal to your father for over 2 years now. I suppose I have always seen something in him that others cannot; it’s gratifying to know that my loyalty has not been misplaced. If he is indeed on his way back to becoming Anakin Skywalker once again, then I for one will gladly remain by his side no matter what.”

Luke smiles. “I can see now why my father trusts you the way he does,” he replied. “His trust is well placed. I don’t imagine getting him to abandon the Dark Side will be easy, not without knowing the reason he turned in the first place.”

“True,” Piett commented thoughtfully. “I suppose the only one who could tell us that is Vader himself.”

“Or my mother…” Luke said.

“Your mother?? She’s alive?” Piett replied in surprise.

“I don’t know,” Luke answered. “Leia said that Vader had mentioned that he thought she might be, but that he didn’t have a chance to elaborate for that was when I arrived on the scene.”

“If she were, then I would imagine her influence would go a long way towards bringing him back,” Piett commented.

“Perhaps it would,” Luke replied. “But I would have no idea how to find her even if she were alive.”

Piett nodded. “Perhaps that’s where I can help,” he replied. “I certainly have more resources at my disposal than you do, Luke. Would you entrust me with the task of finding her?”

Luke looked at the admiral, trying to read the man’s thoughts. Was he being sincere? Or was Leia right, that this goodwill was all an act designed to gain their trust and lower their guard? He sensed no duplicity in Piett, however; he appeared to be telling the truth.

“You think you could find her?” Luke asked. “If she wants to be hidden?”

Piett shrugged. “Perhaps. I found you, Luke,” he replied with a smile.

“That was you who located Echo Base?” Luke asked.

“Well, I was part of a team who was analyzing the data coming in from the probe droids,” Piett replied. “I cannot take all the credit.”

Luke decided that he liked Piett, despite the fact that technically he ought to consider him his enemy. “Are you also the one who gave us a head start?” Luke countered.

“Oh, now that was the late Admiral Ozzel,” Piett replied.

“The late Admiral Ozzel?” Luke asked.

Piett nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid your father doesn’t have much tolerance for stupidity.”

Luke was a little upset to hear this, for it was an unwelcome reminder of just what sort of a man Darth Vader was. Is it possible to draw him out of the Darkness? Or am I just kidding myself? Luke wondered. Time will tell I suppose.

Time was something that seemed to be passing exceptionally slowly as they awaited word on the progress of the surgery. Twelve hours had passed, during which time Luke and Leia ate some rather unique Kamino cuisine, tried to sleep, and kept their distance from one another. It bothered them that their friendship was being put to the test by this crisis, just when they needed one another more than ever. Luke had decided to give Leia time to sort through this on her own, rather than pressure her to come to his way of thinking.

As for Piett, he divided his time between the surface and the Executor where he was kept busy finding things to keep his officers busy and reporting to the emperor. Naturally the emperor was concerned about the health of his loyal apprentice and demanded regular updates on his condition. Piett had not informed the emperor of the extent of the surgery Vader was undergoing; only that he had been injured on Cloud City and was that is life was in danger. Somehow Piett had the impression that the emperor would not be happy to learn of Vader’s plans, and after all, he had sworn to Vader not to tell anyone. That included the emperor as far as Piett was concerned.

“No word yet?” Piett asked as he entered the waiting area where Luke and Leia were.

“No,” Luke replied. “It’s been close to 14 hours. Shouldn’t
they be finished by now?”

“Perhaps there were complications,” Piett suggested.

“I don’t think so,” Luke replied. He looked at his sister. “We would have felt it if there was.” Leia did not reply, but did not deny what her brother had said either. She had decided that denying her feelings to Luke was a waste of time.

“Perhaps we should make some inquiries,” Piett suggested.

“We’ve tried,” Leia said. “They just keep putting us off.”

“Well I suppose then we will just have to be …” Piett started to say but stopped as he saw an orderly enter the room.

“You have news about Lord Vader?” Piett asked the woman.

“The surgery is complete,” she told them.

“And?” Luke asked. “Is he alive? Did he make it?”

“Lord Vader is alive,” she replied. “In fairly stable condition.”

“Why did it take so long?” Leia asked.

“The surgery itself took 10 hours,” the alien replied. “Lord Vader has spent the past 4 hours immersed in a bacta tank to help with the healing process. We are quite pleased with the results.”

“May we see him?” Luke asked.

“Yes you may,” she replied. “Briefly of course, he is still unconscious. Follow me please.”

Luke and Leia along with Piett followed the alien down the corridor. Luke reached over and took his sister’s hand. She did not refuse it, and looked up at him. He smiled at her, and gave her hand a squeeze, communicating to her silently his love. She smiled back, trying to be supportive of him.

The alien slid her card through the reader and the doors glided open. Luke and Leia entered the room tentatively. Piett stood back, allowing the twins to approach the bed alone. Luke and Leia were stunned when their eyes beheld their father.

The surgeons had done an exceptional job. He was lying on his back, the upper part of his body uncovered to reveal a smooth heavily muscled torso. His long arms, now fully human, were equally impressive. But it was his face that Luke and Leia could not take their eyes away from. Although he still had no hair, his face was no longer the mass of scars it had been mere days ago. This is the face of Anakin Skywalker both Luke and Leia realized in astonishment. He was ruggedly handsome, with strong features and a deep cleft in his chin. The resemblance he bore Luke was unmistakable; he was Anakin Skywalker.

“He’s so…so young,” Luke said quietly, not taking his eyes from his father’s face. “He must have been so young when all this happened to him.”

Leia could only nod. The sight of her father’s face affected her far more than she would have imagined. It hardly seemed possibly that the noble, beautiful man before them could be the same person who had been responsible for such destruction and terror throughout the galaxy for so long. But there was no denying it now, and Leia knew it.

“So now what?” Leia asked. “What comes now?”

Luke shook his head. “I don’t know, Leia. I suppose we just have to wait until he wakes up to see who he is.”

Leia looked at him. “Who he is? We know who he is, Luke.”

“Do we Leia?” he asked. “I don’t think we do. And only he knows for sure.”

Piett stepped up to the bed, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“Incredible,” Piett said softly as he beheld the remade Vader. Or was it Skywalker? He looks younger than me…Piett thought in amazement.

“His body is not rejecting the new organs?” Luke asked looking up at one of the physicians.

“No, the integration went very well,” he replied. “Of course, they were regenerated from his own cells; it’s not likely that his body would reject them.”

“Of course,” Luke replied. “How long before he regains consciousness?”

“Not too long,” the physician replied. “I can revive him now if you wish.”

As much as Luke wanted to speak to his father, he didn’t want to deprive him of the rest his body needed.

“No, I can wait,” Luke replied. “It won’t be easy, but I’ve waited this long. Another hour won’t kill me.”

The physician smiled, or at least it looked like a smile to Luke. “Very wise of you,” he replied. “Just be patient, Luke. It won’t be long now.”

Luke nodded. He looked at his sister, who had said very little since seeing their father’s newly repaired state.

“Well Leia?” he asked her. “Do you believe now?”

She looked up at him briefly before returning her eyes to the sleeping face of their father. “I suppose I have no choice now, do I?” she replied quietly.

Luke smiled, realizing this was as close to acceptance as she was willing to go right now; but at least it was a step in the right direction.

“Admiral Piett, there is a priority message for you from the Executor,” one of the clones told him, stepping into the room.

Piett looked back and acknowledged the trooper.

“I’ll be right back,” he told Leia and Luke, and then left the room.

Once in the corridor, Piett activated his comm. link. “Piett here, what is it captain?”

“Admiral Piett, the emperor just signaled us,” a voice on the other end replied. “He is on his way to Kamino.”

“What??” Piett replied. “He’s coming here??”

“Yes sir.”

“Understood,” he responded. “Piett out.”

Piett stood in the corridor for a moment, his mind working feverishly to decide what the best course of action would be. If Palpatine came here now and found Anakin Skywalker and his children, what would his reaction be? Piett felt certain that he knew, and it made his blood run cold.

“Luke, Leia,” he called over to them as he entered the recovery room once more, “we have a problem.”

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 13

“Problem?” Luke replied, a feeling of alarm growing within him. “What do you mean, problem?” he asked.

“I mean the emperor is on his way here, right now,” Piett replied.

“What??” exclaimed Leia. “You set us up!! I was right all along; this has been a plot from the beginning!”

“No, princess, I swear to you,” Piett replied. “I had no idea that he would come here! He knows nothing about what has transpired here, the only knowledge he has is that Vader was injured and required medical treatment. I am as shocked as you are to learn that he is coming here.”

“Why should we believe you?” Luke asked suspiciously, beginning to think that Leia had been right all along.

“You are not thinking logically, either of you!” Piett retorts. “Why would I alert Palpatine of what your father is doing here? Do you realize what the emperor will do when he learns of this? Your father did not consult the emperor about any of this! Why would I put your father in this position?”

Luke relented, realizing that Piett was right; he would never knowingly put Vader in a position of danger. His loyalty was above question.

“Then how did the emperor know?” Leia asked.

“I think I know,” Luke said as an idea dawned on him. He looked back at his father’s sleeping form. “He sensed it,” Luke continued. “He sensed that Vader’s hold on the Dark Side was weakening.” He looked over at Leia and Piett. “He knows that Anakin Skywalker is returning.”

Leia felt a shiver go down her spine at Luke’s words. “What will he do to him?” she asked quietly.

“Kill him,” Piett replied without hesitation. “Anakin Skywalker was the greatest Jedi knight in the galaxy; if he returns, if he abandons the Dark Side, he will pose a tremendous threat to Palpatine. He will kill him, Princess Leia, as well as the two of you.”

“Or try to turn us into Siths,” Luke added solemnly.

Leia looked up at her brother, her dark eyes wide with terror. “What did you say??”

“You heard me, Leia,” Luke replied. “We are the children of Anakin Skywalker, the emperor must know this. And if he does, he must also know that we are strong with the Force, like our father is. We would be powerful allies to him.”

“Or deadly enemies,” Piett put in. “We have to get you off of Kamino as soon as possible.”

“What about our father?” Luke asked. “We can’t just leave him here to be killed by Palpatine! He is in no condition now to fight him!”

Piett frowned, anxiety filling him over this dire set of circumstances he found them in all of a sudden. He looked over at the physicians, who were trying not to listen to the conversation.

“Is he strong enough to be moved?” he asked.

“No, not even close to it!” one of them replied. “Do you realize the severity of this surgery he has just undergone?”

“Yes, we do,” Luke replied. “But the situation doesn’t leave us any choice. If the emperor finds him here, he will kill him.”

The physicians looked at one another in alarm.

“The only way you could safely move him would be in a medical capsule, but I’m afraid we don’t have such a device in this facility,” another of the physicians suggested.

“We have one on board the ship,” Piett said.

“Then let’s get it,” Luke said.

The three of them rushed into the corridor. “Go back to the ship at once,” Piett ordered the clones. “We need a medical capsule here. Move!”

“Right away sir!”

The clones ran down the corridor and disappeared around the corner.

The waiting was unbearable, for it seemed as though the clones were taking far too long to return to the surface. Luke did not say anything, but secretly he felt that something was wrong. Very wrong.

“How far away was the emperor when your captain notified you?” Leia asked Piett.

“He didn’t say,” Piett replied. “But I anticipate he won’t be long. I’m going to make contact with the ship and see what’s taking so long,” he added. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’m surprised that Vader would do something without the emperor’s permission,” Luke commented as he and Leia walked through the corridor together. “Makes me think that he had already begun his transformation.”

“Don’t be so sure, Luke,” Leia commented “I’m sure Vader had his own selfish reasons for doing this.”

“You’re still convinced he is incapable of redemption, aren’t you?” Luke asked her as they rounded a corner. “That he can never be anything but a monster?”

Leia stopped and folded her arms over her chest. “And you’re convinced he is a wonderful, kind hearted person simply because he demonstrated one act of humanity. Paying for Han’s bounty hardly makes up for a lifetime of monstrosities.”

Luke faced his twin, exasperated by her stubbornness. “What does he need to do to make you…” Luke stopped, as a strange feeling came over him. He looked down the corridor. Someone was coming.

“Luke, what is it?” Leia asked, growing alarmed by the look on her brother’s face.

“Run, Leia,” Luke said urgently. “Run!!!”

The twins ran down the corridor and around the corner, straight into Piett.

“What is going on?” he cried. Then he looked up and saw the two red robed guards approaching. Oh no...

“In the name of the galactic Emperor Palpatine, you are ordered to surrender these prisoners,” one of the masked guards intoned.

“We are not prisoners!” Leia protested, her heart pounding in her chest.

“They are guests upon the Executor,” Piett explained, fearing that his authority would be overridden. “They are not prisoners to be handed back and forth.”

One of the guards pointed his Force pike at Piett. “Are you questioning the Emperor’s orders?” he asked ominously.

Piett looked from Luke and Leia back to the guard. “And if I am?”

The guard didn’t hesitate for a moment and sent a bolt of energy at Piett, sending the admiral against the wall in a blur of electricity.

“No!!” Leia cried as Piett slumped to the floor.

“Where is Darth Vader?” the guard asked, turning to Luke and Leia.

“He’s dead,” Luke replied, thinking fast. “He died several hours ago.”

The guards looked at one another as though in silent communication.

“Your master knew he was injured,” Luke went on. “He died of those injuries. We were too late to get him here.”

“What is behind that door?” one of the scarlet guards asked, indicating the blast doors that lead to the medical facility.

“This is a cloning facility,” Luke told them. “That is where they keep the embryos,” he added.

“Prove it,” the guard challenged him. “Open that door.”

“We don’t have the code to open it,” protested Leia.

The guard aimed his Force pike at her, as she looked at Luke for help. Luke thought frantically, and then a memory came to him.

“You don’t need to see what is behind that door,” Luke told them, putting the Force behind his suggestion.

The guards looked at one another, and then back at Luke.

“Darth Vader is dead, you will not find him here,” Luke added, continuing to manipulate the guards’ minds with the Force.

"Come with us,” said the guard who had assaulted Piett while the other one confiscated Luke’s lightsaber from his belt. They were shoved along with the end of the guards’ pikes, both of them realizing that any resistance would result in them suffering the same fate as Piett. Leia looked over at her brother, trying to master her terror.

It’s okay, Leia...Luke told her silently. Father will help us.

Leia looked at him in disbelief, but in her heart hoped that he was right. He was their only hope now.

Help us Father! Please, help us!

Inside the medical facility, the patient suddenly became very agitated. None of the doctors could figure out why.

Firmus Piett regained consciousness with a splitting headache. He stood up shakily, leaning against the wall for support. He rubbed the back of his head where it had collided with the bulkhead and was dismayed to find a nasty bump there. He was discombobulated for a moment, trying to recall what had happened. And then it hit him. He looked around frantically.

“Luke! Leia!” He called, running through the corridor. But the twins were no where to be found. Piett began to grow frantic as he ran back to the medical facility. He activated the door chime, and waited anxiously for the doors to open.

“Admiral Piett, I’m glad to see you,” the physician said as the doors opened upon him. “Lord Vader seems to be in distress.”

“Are Luke and Leia in here?” Piett asked, looking around for the twins.

“No, they are not,” one of the nurses replied. “Why? What has happened?”

Piett stopped and looked at Vader. “The emperor has abducted them,” he said simply. “I tried to stop them…but I was no match for them.” He looked up at the doctors and explained what had happened. They stood around listening in shocked horror to Piett’s account.

“Lord Vader has to be told,” Piett said, looking down at the sleeping Dark Lord. “Is there any way you can revive him?”

“Normally I would advise against it,” the head physician replied. “But given the circumstances you have just described, it seems like we have little choice.”

“I trust that you will respect Lord Vader’s privacy in this matter,” Piett commented. “And tell no one, particularly the emperor, of what has transpired here.”

The physician exchanged a look with his colleagues before looking back at Piett. “The emperor has made many enemies here, Admiral. I can assure you that we will tell him nothing.”

Piett smiled in relief. “Thank you,” he replied. “And for everything you have done. I know that I speak for Lord Vader when I say that your loyalty to him will not be forgotten.”

“No need to speak for him, Piett.”

Everyone turned around to see that Vader was awake, and judging by the serious expression on his face, was aware of what was going on.

“Lord Vader!” Piett exclaimed, approaching his bedside at once. “Lord Vader, the emperor has abducted Luke and Leia,” he said. “I tried to stop them, but they struck me with their force pike. I am so sorry my lord.”

Vader frowned feeling the hatred for his master filling him with indescribably rage. No, he is not my master...not any more...

“Help me,” he said simply, the sound of his natural voice astounding him after so long.

Piett immediately assisted the Dark Lord to a sitting position.

“Lord Vader, you are recovering from a traumatic surgical procedure,” cautioned one of the physicians. “You are in no condition to get out of that bed, let alone leave this facility.”

Blue eyes stared at the physician, startling in their intensity. “I have no choice,” he said, standing up with Piett’s assistance. “The emperor has become my enemy, and I will stop at nothing to save my children from his grasp.”

“What do you think you can do in your present condition?” The physician countered. “You need time to acclimate to your new body. You need rest, Lord Vader, and lots of it.”

“I don’t have time to rest, don’t you understand?” Vader retorted. “Every minute my children are in the hands of that madman they are in danger. I will not allow him to destroy them as he destroyed me.”

Vader turned to Piett. “Help me get to the ship, Piett.”

Piett looked over at the physicians, torn between doing what he knew was best for Lord Vader’s well being, and helping him in his quest to save his children.

“You will need some clothes,” Piett pointed out. “Sleep pants won’t do if we are going after the emperor, my lord.”

Vader smiled at Piett, grateful for his unflagging loyalty.

“Can you help me?” Vader asked the alien physicians.

They looked at one another, knowing that they were not about to change his mind. It was obvious that his children meant more to him than anything.

“I’m sure we can find something,” one of the nurses replied.

A short time later, Vader and Piett were on their way to the shuttle. Vader loved the sensation of the rain on his face, and wished he had the time to stop and enjoy it fully. But he did not, and so they proceeded into the shuttle. The clones had only just returned, and were both shocked to see the man with Admiral Piett, neither of them imagining for a moment that this handsome strapping man was in fact Darth Vader.

“What of Lord Vader?” asked one of the clones as they strapped themselves in.

“Lord Vader is dead,” Piett replied simply. “Head for the ship, immediately.”

Luke and Leia sat in the detention cell on board the emperor’s flag ship. No one had told them what their fate was, nor had they seen the emperor yet. Both were afraid, yet both felt compelled to be strong for the other.

"I wonder if he’s awake yet,” Luke asked.

Leia shrugged. “I doubt it, Luke. That was a pretty serious operation he had. I have serious doubts that he would be able to help us even if he ..” she stopped, knowing that her next words would upset her brother.

“Even if he wanted to? Was that what you were going to say?” Luke asked her.

“I’m sorry, Luke,” Leia said. “I know you feel that he has changed; I’m just not convinced.”

“Yes, I know,” he replied. “But you heard what Piett said; he went through that dangerous operation so that we would accept him. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

Leia stood up. “I don’t know, Luke,” she sighed. “It might just be his way of gaining our trust.”

“Is there something wrong with that?” Luke countered. “He’s our father; of course he wants us to trust him.”

Leia shook her head. “Luke, you’re too unquestioning, too naïve. If Darth Vader is interested in us, I can guarantee you it isn’t because he wants to form a fatherly bond with us. He wants us for something else, something that will serve his purposes. Don’t think for a moment that he wouldn’t be above using his own children, Luke.”

Luke looked at her. “Well, at least you’ve finally accepted that he is our father.”

“Well it’s hard to deny, Luke,” she replied. “Impossible in fact. The resemblance to you is unquestionable.”

Luke smiled. “Yes, I noticed that too,” he remarked. “I never would have dreamed that he was so young.”

“No, me neither,” Leia replied. “Luke, what is going to happen to us?” she asked, her fears surfacing despite her best efforts to keep them at bay.

Luke looked up at his sister, seeing her fears clearly in her dark eyes.

“I don’t know,” he replied. “But if they were going to kill us, I think they would have done so by now. I think the emperor has other plans for us, Leia. Master Yoda told me that the emperor wanted me because of my abilities; you have those abilities too, Leia, even if you don’t know how to use them yet. The emperor knows that.”

Leia frowned. “What are you saying, Luke? That the emperor wants us to become his allies?”

“Not his allies, Leia; his servants. According to Obi-Wan lost Vader to the emperor, lost him. That tells me that the emperor made a concerted effort to bring him to the Dark Side. He will try to do the same to us.”

Leia did not reply, her brother’s words chilling her. “He may try, but he won’t succeed.”

Luke reflected just how dangerously close to the Dark Side Leia was in the depth of her anger; if the emperor sensed her tremendous hatred for their father, he would undoubtedly use it to his advantage.

“We have to be strong, Leia,” Luke told her. “The emperor is very powerful, very manipulative. If he senses the smallest amount of weakness in us, he will jump on it.”

“Don’t worry about me, Luke,” replied Leia. “I’m not going to let him intimidate me.”

“I don’t think you understand, Leia,” Luke explained gently. “The Dark Side thrives on anger, on hatred and fear; if the emperor sees how you hate our father, he will take advantage of it, he will try to use it against you.”

Leia felt a chill go down her spine when she realized what Luke was trying to tell her. Am I in danger of the Dark Side?? Is my hatred for Vader really enough to destroy me??“I’m scared, Luke,” Leia said quietly.

Luke stood up and walked over to his sister. He put his arms around her and held her close. “So am I,” he confided in her. “But we have each other Leia; you’re not alone in this.”

The door opened and two red robed guards entered the small cell.

“Come with us,” they said, pointing their pikes at Luke.

“Not without my sister,” Luke said.

One of then pointed their pike at Leia. “Come with us or she will die.”

Luke looked at his sister in alarm. “Don’t hurt her!” he shouted.

Leia looked at him with terror in her dark eyes.

“Then come with us,” the guard repeated. “NOW.”

Luke knew that he had no choice but to comply. “It’ll be alright, Leia,” he told his sister. She could only nod, the constriction in her throat preventing her from speaking.

Leia stood rooted to the floor as the guards led her brother away and then closed the doors behind them. She sat down on the hard bench and put her hands in her face, feeling utterly alone. She closed her eyes and tried to use the Force to reach out to her brother. A strong force presence struck her as she concentrated, but it was not Luke. It was her father.

I am coming, Leia, I will not let any harm come to you or your brother. You have my promise.

Leia could feel the depth of the emotions her father’s force signature carried; not the dark emotions she’d come to expect from Darth Vader, but the emotions of compassion, of protectiveness, of love. This can’t be right…this must be Luke I’m sensing…Vader is not capable of those emotions.

I am not Vader, Leia…you know who I am.

No I don’t…I don’t know what to think or what to believe any more.

I’m your father, Leia. I’m Anakin Skywalker.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 14

On board the Executor, the official word was that Darth Vader was dead. Admiral Piett was now in command, and life seemed to go on as always. No one had put money on the Dark Lord dying, so there was some grumbling among the participants of the death pool. Piett was disgusted by the callousness of the men, and reprimanded them soundly when he overheard them talking about the odds of Lord Vader dying before some of the more likely candidates on the list, including Piett himself.

Piett had ordered the ship to return to the capital; the official word was that they would have a memorial service and interment of the Dark Lord there. In reality, Piett reasoned that it was likely that the emperor was returning there with his captives, and the trajectory calculated by the helmsman of the Executor confirmed the admiral’s suspicions.

The man who had once been Darth Vader was trying his best to rest his newly made body while the ship was en route to Coruscant. Despite the fact that he was tired, sleep would not come easily to him, for the thoughts and fears of his children were bombarding his mind endlessly. What sleep he did have was full of frightening images and long repressed memories. Memories of Padmé…her image seemed to figure very prominently in his mind, and it made him think that there was a reason for that. Where are you, Padmé? He thought in anguish, agonizing over the same question that had plagued him since finding her empty grave. Only this time, the response was not mere silence; this time he sensed something, as if somewhere out there someone was answering his question. Padmé? Are you out there? Can you hear me?

His wife had not been a Jedi, nor was she able to manipulate the Force. Yet he had always been able to communicate with her, to sense her moods. He remembered vividly experiencing what turned out to be her morning sickness early on in her pregnancy with the twins. And now he was sensing her again….and she was trying to tell him something. What was she telling him? Where was she? Why after all these years of silence was he finally able to feel her presence again?

Admiral Piett stopped outside of the quarters that he had brought Lord Vader to the previous night. He hesitated before entering, not wishing to disturb his rest. He needn’t have concerned himself, for within a moment or two the door opened and Vader stood before him.

“Oh, I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Piett said in surprise.

Vader shook his head. “No, come in.”

Piett followed him inside. “Have you managed to get some rest?” he asked.

“Yes,” Vader replied. “But not much. What is that in your hands?” he asked, looking down at the bundle in Piett’s hands.

“Oh, this,” Piett replied, almost forgetting about the bundle. “These are for you,” he said, holding it out to Vader.

“What is it?” Vader asked, taking the package from the admiral.

“Clothes,” Piett replied. “Something a little more appropriate for Anakin Skywalker.”

“What did you call me?” he asked.

“Anakin Skywalker,” replied Piett. “You aren’t going to deny that you are Anakin Skywalker, are you?”

Vader walked away from Piett, deep in thought. Am I Anakin Skywalker? Has finding my children again destroyed Darth Vader irrevocably? He thought back to the vision he’d had of his daughter earlier; she was sitting in a cell block, alone and terrified, and he had comforted her. And what had he told her? Who had you told her you were? Anakin Skywalker…

He turned back to Piett. “I’m not sure I can,” he replied.

Piett smiled. “You are not Darth Vader,” he declared. “And it is not just the physical transformation, sir. You have not been the same since learning of the existence of your children.”

“No, I have not felt the same either,” Vader admitted. “It is as though their existence has eroded the darkness within me…and changed me.”

“There’s no doubt it has changed you, my lord,” Piett concurred.

“Don’t call me that any more, Piett; Darth Vader is dead. Henceforth I am Anakin Skywalker once again.”

Piett smiled. “It is an honor to know you, Anakin. Welcome back.”

Anakin smiled too. “It is good to be back.” His smile soon faded as the reality of his children’s plight entered his mind. “How soon will we arrive at Coruscant?”

“Within the hour,” Piett replied. “What do you plan to do when we get there?”

“Get back my children,” Anakin responded. “And avenge my family.”

“Avenge?” Piett asked. “Exactly how do you plan to do that?”

“I think you know, Piett,” Anakin replied.

Piett nodded. “In that case, I’m glad I had the foresight to keep this,” he said, pulling a lightsaber out from the pile of clothes. “I thought you may need it.”

Anakin took it from Piett and looked down at it in his hand. He activated it, watching the red blade’s ominous glow. “This is the lightsaber of a Sith,” he said, reflecting on how many lives had been struck down by the blood red blade. “But perhaps it is fitting that it be used to destroy the Sith forever.”

Piett did not fully understand the mysterious nature of the Force, nor the subtleties of the Dark Side versus the Light; but he knew enough to understand that the Emperor was the embodiment of Darkness, evil incarnate. If Anakin Skywalker was determined to destroy that evil, then he would do all that he could to help him.

“Tell me what you need,” Piett said at last.


Luke could feel the Darkness that was the galactic emperor even before he entered the throne room. He was escorted by the two guards who had taken him from his cell. Leia was alone, and more scared than she was willing to admit. Luke was worried that his sister would be far more vulnerable to the emperor’s inducement than he himself was. Palpatine would no doubt sense the depth of Leia’s resentment of their father, and use it against her. Luke felt certain that the two of them had been separated deliberately so that they would not be able to draw upon one another for strength. Divide and conquer… While Luke felt his own Jedi training would afford him a better chance of resisting the emperor, he feared that Leia’s chances were far less certain. He could only hope that her own strength of character would empower her.

Finally they reached their destination. Luke braced himself as the guards stood aside, allowing him to enter alone. The room was dimly lit, which Luke found most fitting, with a high ceiling. He looked around the room briefly, and then at the being that sat watching him from the other end of the room.

“Welcome to my home, young Skywalker,” the emperor said at last, his voice full of age and latent malevolence. “I trust your journey here was not too unpleasant.”

“Not if you consider being locked in a cell pleasant,” Luke countered calmly. “Where is Leia?” he demanded next.

“She is being escorted from the ship and will soon be enjoying the hospitality of my home,” Palpatine answered. “As I hope you will also when we are concluded with our meeting.”

Luke lifted an eyebrow. “Is that what you call this? A meeting?”

“Call it whatever you wish,” Palpatine replied amiably. “I have looked forward to meeting you for a long time. And you have a twin sister as well. Most unexpected, but delightful nonetheless.”

“What is it you want from us?” Luke asked.

“Nothing more than a friendly chat,” Palpatine replied with a reptilian smile. “You know, young Luke, I have been a dear friend of your father’s since he was a young boy.”

“You will be sad to learn that he is dead, in that case,” Luke replied carefully.

“Yes, I had been informed of his demise,” Palpatine sighed. “Most unfortunate. How fortuitous that our paths should cross at this particular time.”

Luke frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

“I think you know, Luke,” Palpatine replied. “You are very strong, young Skywalker, almost as strong as your father was at your age.”

“I am a Jedi,” Luke averred confidently, knowing what the emperor was leading to. “Like my father was before you destroyed him.”

Palpatine lifted his eyebrows in mock astonishment. “I destroyed him?? Oh surely you have it all wrong, Luke. Your father sought me out, confided in me and me alone. He knew that the Jedi were jealous of his abilities and did everything they could to subvert him. Even his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, turned on him at the end. You know that it was Kenobi who was responsible for putting your father in that breath suit he was forced to live in? Did you know that he mutilated your father and left him to die in the flames of Mustafar?”

Luke did not know this; but he could not let this chilling revelation get to him. He knew what the emperor was trying to do, and was not about to take the bait.

“I know my father was once a good man,” Luke retorted, fighint to remain calm. “And that it was the Dark Side that turned him into the monster Darth Vader. Obi-Wan was his friend, he would have done everything he could to save him, not destroy him.”

Palpatine shook his head. “So naïve,” he said. “Just like your father was at your age. I see him in you, Luke, you are much like him. You could be as powerful as he was, with the right training. I can give you that training.”

Luke smiled. “Yes, I’m sure you could,” he replied. “But I’ll have to decline your offer all the same. I have seen the effect your influence produces, and I’m not interested. You won’t convert me as you did my father.”

Palpatine lifted an eyebrow in distain. “We shall see about that,” he replied, his tone icy all of a sudden. “But it is inconsequential if you refuse, for I have another Skywalker now. Perhaps she is the wiser of the two.”

Luke felt the anger rise within him at the thought of Palpatine manipulating his sister. Palpatine could sense it and smiled.

“Such anger,” he declared, “such hatred! Yes, young Skywalker, you are very much like your father. Perhaps I shall have two apprentices after all.”

Luke had to fight with all that he had not to lunge at the old man, but he knew that Palpatine was goading him, trying to get him to attack in a fit of anger. Was this the sort of torment his father had been put through?

“Return to your cell now, Luke,” Palpatine announced, signaling for the guards to enter. “I wish to have a conversation with your sister now.”

“Stay away from her!” Luke shouted, unable to control himself any longer.

“There is only one way that I will do that, and you know what that is,” he replied. “I will have one of you, make no mistake. I don’t really care which one. If you will not join me, then perhaps she will.”

Luke felt the guards at his side and grab him by the arms. They turned him around roughly and shoved him towards the door. I have to do something to save her…Luke thought frantically. Leia is not strong enough to withstand his exploitation. I have to help her before it’s too late…

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 15

Anakin Skywalker paced up and down the bridge, much as he had done when he was known as Darth Vader. He wore the clothing that Piett had provided; clothing that he’d had the requisition droids put together specifically for him. It as not exactly the Jedi robes he’d worn at one time, but it was close enough. Black trousers, a black tunic, belt and boots; all that was missing was his Jedi cloak.

Piett had explained to the crew that Anakin was an important Imperial dignitary they were transferring to Coruscant. No one questioned it, for none of them would have guessed that he had in fact been Darth Vader.

Anakin had sensed the turmoil his children were going through, and it only served to make the journey longer. He feared for his daughter far more than his son, for she was so much like him in her predilection for anger. If Palpatine sensed this in her, which he no doubt would, it could be disastrous. All Palpatine needed to do was to add fuel to the already existing hatred Leia felt for Darth Vader. Palpatine was a master of manipulation; Anakin knew this from bitter experience. Leia was in a dangerous position, and Anakin knew it. What if he tells her about Padmé? What if he tells her about Mustafar? There would be no chance for her to accept him if he knew that. Not only that, her hatred for him could lead her to the same path he had once embarked upon, the path that destroyed him.

“What is the ETA?” Anakin asked, his patience wearing thin.

“We’ve just made the reversion to sublight,” Piett told him. “We will be there soon, sir.”

Anakin nodded. I just hope it’s soon enough.

Leia couldn’t remember ever being so frightened. Even when she was sitting in the detention block on the Death Star, she hadn’t been this terrified. What scared her most was that she had not seen Luke since he had been removed from their cell. What had happened to her brother? She felt certain that he had been taken to the emperor; but what the result of that meeting was; she did not want to consider. Was Luke right about the emperor? Was he truly responsible for what had happened to their father? Their father…she could not get the image of his eyes from her mind. Luke’s eyes…was he aware of what was going on? Was he coming to help them? Leia wanted to believe with all her heart that her father was redeemed, that he was the good man he once was; but she just couldn’t quite bring herself to do so. There was too much history between them, too much pain. How could she ever get past that??

Leia’s ruminations were interrupted by the sound of the door being activated. She looked up and saw two scarlet robed guards enter the cell, pointing their force pikes at her.

“Come with us,” they commanded.

Leia could feel the fear inside her tightening in her stomach. She stood up and walked over to the door. She straightened her shoulders and stood up as tall as her 5 feet would permit, determined not to let her fears show. she walked with her head held high between the two guards, wondering if she would ever see her brother again, see Han Solo again…the thought of him threatened to cause her to lose her composure. She missed him terribly. I never told him how I truly feel about him...and now I may never get the chance.

The guards stopped and Leia realized that they had reached the throne room. She swallowed hard, determined to face the emperor with the same courage and self-confidence that she had faced Darth Vader on numerous occasions. He will not win…I am not my father…

The doors opened and Leia was pushed inside by the two guards who took up their positions on either side of the door. She took a deep breath, bracing herself mentally for what she was about to face. She reached out her mind, trying to use the Force to seek out her brother, even her father; but the dark presence in the room was too strong, and it blocked her feeble attempts.

“Welcome, Princess,” the emperor greeted her at last. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last.”

Leia did not move, nor did she speak. All she could do was watch as the old man moved toward her, a repulsive smile on his loathsome face.

“I had a most interesting chat with your brother,” he continued. “I’m sure our conversation will be equally fascinating; perhaps even more so.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” Leia said at last, trying desperately to keep control of her emotions.

“No? Well that’s of no consequence; you see, I have much that I want to say to you.” Palpatine looked at Leia closely, his yellow eyes examining her face with great interest. “Has anyone ever told you how much you look like your mother?”

No….not my mother…don’t bring up my mother...

“Yes,” she said simply.

“I’m amazed that never occurred to your late father,” he continued, as though he were making a simple observation. “The resemblance is really quite remarkable. Of course, he really had no use for her in the end anyway.”

Leia knew that he was trying to goad her. Intuitively she knew that he was willing to say anything to get her angry; but his words were so hateful, so ugly, that she was having difficulty not letting them get to her.

“You don’t know anything about my parents,” she said, managing to keep her voice even.

Palpatine smiled again. “Well you see, that’s where you’re wrong, Princess. I knew your mother very well. Very well indeed. She was a great lady, a great stateswoman. And of course I knew your father. I watched him grow up from a young boy of 9. I knew of their secret marriage too.”

Leia sighed, feigning boredom. “Why are you telling me this?” she asked.

“Because I know you need to know what happened,” he told her. “You need to know who your parents truly were, and why your father became the monster you hate.”

“And you’re the one to tell me the truth?” she asked scornfully. “You must take me for quite a fool if you think I’d believe a word you say.”

“No, I don’t think you’re a fool,” he replied. “And perhaps you wouldn’t believe me. But there is someone who you would believe, someone who knows better than anyone what happened all those years ago.” Palpatine turned his attention to the guards at the door. “Bring in the prisoner.”

Prisoner? Leia felt her heart sink as she realized who it must be that the emperor was referring to. They had captured her father, who had undoubtedly been too weak to put up a fight. Now Palpatine had them all in his grasp. So much for the big rescue I was hoping for. She heard the doors open once again and turned, expecting to see her father being brought in. What she did see took her breath away.

“Mother??” Leia gasped, hardly able to believe her eyes. “MOTHER??”

Anakin Skywalker stopped dead in his tracks, his heart pounding hard within his chest. Padmé….Padmé is in danger…she is on Coruscant…Palpatine has her…he has my whole family now…

He turned and looked at Piett, his eyes reflecting his terror.

“Get a shuttle ready,” he said. “I’m going down there.”

Leia stared in disbelief at the woman who stood in binders flanked by two guards. There was no doubt in Leia’s mind that she was looking at her mother; but something was wrong with her. Very wrong. She did not react at all to seeing Leia. In fact, her face registered no expression at all.

“What have you done to her?” cried Leia, rushing over to her mother.

“I have done nothing to her,” Palpatine replied. “Your mother has been in my care for many years now. You see, when your father left her, alone, pregnant, and suffering from his abuse, she had an emotional collapse. She’s been a virtual invalid for years now.”

Leia felt a rush of hatred fill her as she looked into her mother’s vacant eyes. You did this to her??

“Mother, can you hear me??” Leia asked. “Mother, it’s me, it’s Leia!”

Padmé turned her eyes and looked at Leia, but no recognition registered on her face. Leia could feel her throat constricting with grief, seeing what had become of her beautiful mother. Because of him…he did this to her…the monster did this...

“Did…was Vader aware of her condition?” Leia asked, not taking her eyes away from her mother.

Palpatine smiled, his plan was working exactly as he had intended.

"Of course he knew,” he lied. “Not that he cared. He came here when he found out about your brother and you, tried to find out from her where to find you. She of course knew nothing, for you and your brother were taken from her when you were born; she was in no condition to care for you. But that didn’t stop him; I’m afraid she has only recently been released from the hospital. As you know, your father was rather short on patience.”

Leia looked at her mother, desperate to connect to her; to ask her if what Palpatine was saying was true. It can’t be true…it can’t be…surely even Vader would not stoop so low…

“Tell me he’s lying, Mother,” Leia pleaded. “Tell me none of this is true!”

Padmé could only stand and look at her daughter, for the drugs in her bloodstream prevented her from doing anything else. She could hear what was being said, and even understand it; but Palpatine had made sure that she was unable to react on any level. She wanted to communicate with her daughter, wanted to embrace her and tell her that the emperor was evil incarnate, and not to succumb to his lies; but she could not. All she could do was stand in a frustrated daze, utterly helpless.

“I am not lying, Princess,” Palpatine said. “If you knew your father at all, you will know that he was more than capable of this. Padmé has always been special to me, that is why I took it upon myself to care for her.”

Leia felt the hot tears rolling down her cheeks as she thought of the hell her mother’s life had been for the past 2 decades. Bad enough that her babies had been taken from her, but her life since then had been one of loneliness and disillusionment. All thanks to one man: her father.

“Why have you brought her here?” Leia asked wearily, turning to the emperor. “What is it you hope to accomplish by this?”

“I want you to help me, Leia,” Palpatine responded immediately. “I know your father isn’t dead; your thoughts are far too easily read. No doubt he will come here to try to take you and your brother back, and perhaps even your mother as well, since you and Luke now know of her existence. I need you to help me stop him.”

Leia frowned, her mind utterly confused. Was this what Luke was trying to warn her about? Is he trying to lure me to the Dark Side? No….he wants me to stop Vader…and Vader is the Dark Side. So what side is Palpatine on? Why does he want to destroy his apprentice?

“You are wondering what my motivation is, aren’t you?” Palpatine asked. “It’s very simple. He has chosen to become my enemy by his treachery. Yes, I know what transpired on Kamino. I know of his plans to use you and your brother to destroy me. He underestimates me if he thinks that I am fooled so easily.”

“So what do you want from me?” Leia asked. “I’m no Jedi.”

“No, but you are very strong with the Force,” Palpatine returned. “With the proper training, you could be as strong as your brother, as strong as your father.”

Leia couldn’t believe what he was saying; how could she be as strong as Luke? As Vader??

“All I want it to avenge my mother for what he has done,” Leia said at last, unwittingly revealing to the emperor that his suspicions about her father’s death were correct. “I hate him, I want him to pay for all the pain he has caused my family.”

Palpatine smiled. “I think we have reached an agreement, Princess.”

Using the Force, Luke Skywalker had managed to open the door to his cell. He was unarmed, however; for the guards had confiscated his lightsaber while they were still on Kamino. First order of business… he thought as he snuck around the corridors of the vast mansion. A weapon… Luke relied on his Jedi senses to alert him to anyone coming, and was able to conceal himself in the many doorways and alcoves of the labyrinth-like house.

Suddenly he was struck by a very strong surge in the Force. He leaned against the wall as it washed over him, the intensity and brightness of it unlike anything he had ever experienced. Not even Master Yoda’s Force signature had such radiance to it; who could it be? And then Luke knew. Father??

Luke moved stealthily around the corner and looked down the corridor. He saw two men standing with their back to him; one was an Imperial officer, and the other was a large man dressed all in black. Luke soon as he realized who it was, for at that moment the large figure in black turned to him, flashing a brilliant smile in his direction as he did so.

“Luke!” Anakin said as he approached his son. He was so relieved to see him that he threw his arms around him, not even thinking that his son had not yet fully accepted him. “I’m so relieved!”

If Luke had still harbored any doubts about his father’s redemption, they were eliminated irrevocably with that simple gesture of love. He embraced his father back, knowing that this man truly was his father now, in every conceivable way.

“Where is your sister?” Anakin asked, pulling back and looking at Luke’s face.

“I don’t know,” Luke replied. “We were separated hours ago.”

Anakin exchanged a look with Piett.

“Where’s is the emperor?” asked Piett. “Have you seen him since being here?”

Luke nodded. “Yes, I have,” he replied. “He…he’s trying to turn one of us so the Dark Side,” he added solemnly. “I’m afraid for Leia, really afraid. She has so much anger in her, so much resentment.”

Anakin nodded. “I know, she is so much like me it scares me,” he said with a frown. “Palpatine must also know this. I sense that he will focus his attention on her, Luke. We must get to her before he manages to sway her. This is a dangerous time for her.”

“I won’t let anything happen to her, Father,” Luke said, using the appellation for the first time.

Anakin smiled, loving the sound of it. He put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “No, neither will I. There’s more Luke; your mother is here as well. I sensed her presence before we even reached orbit. She is here, and she too is in danger.”

Luke frowned. “Palpatine will not get away with this,” he said in a low voice.

“Are you armed?” Anakin asked.

“No,” Luke replied. “They took my lightsaber back on Kamino. I was just trying to find a weapon when I found you.”

Anakin turned to Piett. “Good thing one of us was thinking,” he said as Piett handed Luke a blaster. “Are you ready?” he asked.

Piett hoisted the blaster he’d brought with him. “Absolutely,” he replied.

Anakin nodded. “Let’s find them. I will not allow Palpatine to tear my family apart again.”