Another Chance
Part 1
Healing
"Luke, help me take this mask off," Anakin Skywalker gasped, his damaged life-support system struggling to provide the much needed air.
"But you'll die," Luke replied, desperately wishing it weren't true. You can't die! Not when I've just got you back!
"Nothing can stop that now. Just for once... let me look on you with my
own eyes," Anakin implored.
"No! There's got to be a way," Luke declared, his mind exploring all the different possibilities. "I have to save you!"
"You already have, Luke," Anakin struggled to take another breath. "You were right about me. Tell your sister..."
Suddenly, words spoken to Luke months ago on a mission for the Alliance sprang to mind. My dream is for this treatment to be used on those who's bodies are beyond repair...
"There is a way!" Luke shouted, joyously. "Don't worry Father. I promise, you will see me with your own eyes."
"Luke," Anakin struggled with another breath.
"Don't talk; save your strength," Luke ordered, struggling to pull both himself and his father up off the ground. "There will be plenty of time to talk later; I promise."
The imperial shuttle shot out in front of the exploding mass of the Death Star, bits of debris threatening to over take it. Luke skillfully maneuvered the shuttle around the wreckage, racing to get to a safe jump point. Once he was a good distance away from Endor's gravity well, Luke took one last glance at the remaining Alliance and Imperial ships before jumping to hyperspace.
Luke leaned back into the pilot's chair, exhaustion clearly shown on his face. His eyelids slowly slid down. Snapping his eyes back open, he wearily stumbled to his feet. I can't sleep now, there will be plenty of time for that later, Luke thought. He carefully made his way to the back of the shuttle, where his father lay unconscious, struggling for breath.
Kneeling on the ground next to Anakin, Luke levitated a medical kit over to himself. Searching through the kit, he was relieved to find an oxygen mask and a small tank. This should help your breathing until we get there, Luke thought, lifting them out.
He hesitantly reached out and slowly lifted the upper part of the black helmet off his father's head, placing it on the ground beside him. Gently pulling the rest of the ebony mask off, he froze, staring at his father's pale, scarred face. Oh Father, how did this happen to you? Luke sighed, grabbing the oxygen mask and placing it over Anakin's mouth. While the oxygen helped somewhat, it was apparent that Anakin was still struggling to breathe.
I wish there was more I could do, Luke thought, looking at the damaged suit and then back at his father's face.
Luke leaned back, his arms supporting him, his head tilted toward the ceiling. Closing his eyes, Luke sighed. He just hoped Jay-èna would be both able and willing to help his father. The suit was just too recognizable to hide Vader's identity from her. He couldn't risk taking it off and further harming Anakin. Well, there's nothing I can do about it now. If I have to I'll mind trick her into... Luke sighed again, opening his eyes and glancing down at Anakin. Well, let's just hope it doesn't come down to that.
Determined to think about something else, Luke's thoughts shifted to Han and Leia. I'm glad they were able to get the shield down despite the Emperor's trap. Luke smiled, I should probably send them a message to let them know I am alright. Pulling himself to his feet, Luke made his way back to the cockpit of the shuttle.
An insistent beeping drew Luke out of his doze. Opening his eyes, he blearily looked for the source of the noise. Recognizing the warning beep from the ship's navicomputer, Luke quickly straightened and surveyed the various control panels. The ship was quickly approaching its destination.
Luke suppressing a yawn, switched the shuttle back to manual control. He had fallen asleep after recording the message for Han and Leia. Pulling the ship out of hyperspace, the streaking stars came to a stop and his gaze landed on the small planet that filled the screen.
He quickly sent his recording to Han and Leia, before hailing a medical facility on the planet. Receiving a response he put it on audio.
"Dr. Jay-èna Allstine's office, how may I help you?" a bored secretary asked.
"May I speak to Dr. Allstine please?" Luke requested. "It's an emergency."
"Of course it is," she replied sarcastically. "Is she expecting your call?"
"No, I'm afraid she isn't," Luke answered. "Listen, I really need to talk to her, so can you please put her on?"
"Dr. Allstine is not accepting any calls or appointments until later this week," the secretary replied. "Would you like to make an appointment?"
"You are going to inform Dr. Allstine that Luke Skywalker would like to talk to her and that it is urgent," Luke demanded, using the Force to influence her.
"I am going to inform her now, please hold on," she agreed, blankly.
Luke sighed, he'd rather not have done that, but as he had said, it was an emergency.
"Luke Skywalker?" Jay-èna questioned. "Something I can help you with?"
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, but it is important," Luke apologized. "Listen, I have a patient that only your new medical treatment can help."
"Luke, you know this process is still in the experimental stage. I haven't even tried it on a real patient yet!" Jay-èna replied.
"Look, if I had any other options, I would use them, but he is dying. If something isn't done real soon he will," Luke stressed. "Please, you have to help!"
She sighed, "Okay. I will be waiting with my medical staff for you to land."
"Please, come alone. Don't bring anyone with you," Luke pressed.
"What? Luke, you're not making any sense," Jay-èna said. "I thought you wanted me to help this man."
"Listen, you'll understand when you see him," Luke replied. "Please, do as I ask."
"Alright, but there'd better be a good explanation for this," she answered. "And it is okay to bring droids right?"
"That's fine," Luke confirmed, feeling relieved.
"Good," Jay-èna replied, cutting the connection.
First problem down, a million to go, Luke thought, glancing back to the cargo hold where his father lay, before turning the shuttle toward the medical center.
After carefully landing the shuttle, Luke made his way to the cargo hold. He glanced quickly at his father, who was still unconscious, gasping painfully as he attempted to breathe. Just a little longer, Father, Luke silently urged.
Taking a deep breath, he expelled his nervousness. Opening the shuttle's hatch, he stepped out; a chilly breeze brushed against his face. Shivering slightly, he turned and looked over to where Jay-èna and her various emergency medical equipment were. "He's in here," Luke said, waving her over.
She nodded, walking toward the shuttle, her white coat billowing slightly in the wind. Entering the cargo hold, Jay-èna froze, catching sight of the familiar black suit. "Darth Vader? The man you want me to treat is Darth Vader!" Jay-èna exclaimed, turning to face Luke. "We've been trying to keep this planet out of the sight of the Empire and now you've brought it's highest ranking member, second only to the Emperor himself, here?"
"Actually, I suppose he'd be considered the Emperor now," Luke commented, the thought only just occurring to him.
"What?" Jay-èna questioned.
"Palpatine is dead and Vader risked his life to save me," Luke sighed. "Please Jay-èna, you have to help him."
Deep in thought, she glanced indecisively at Vader's broken body. Coming to a decision, she quietly consented. "Alright, I'll do it."
As she motioned for the two droids to approach, Jay-èna paused and turned back to Luke. "I'm only doing this for two reasons. First of all, no matter who he is or what he has done, my conscience wouldn't allow me to just let him die. Secondly, I trust you wouldn't have brought him here if there was a possibility of endangering the planet. I hope my trust isn't mislaid." She stared into Luke's eyes for a few more seconds before silently turning toward Anakin.
I hope so too, Luke thought as he knelt down to help Jay-èna and the druids. They quickly prepared his father to be transported into the building.
Luke glanced around the medical bay as Anakin was slowly lowered into one of the beds that occupied the room. There were two medical beds in the room; they were connected to each other through a wall of unfamiliar equipment. Jay-èna pressed a small red button and the black casing on the sides of the beds joined together and hissed shut, encasing Anakin in what Luke thought looked too much like a coffin.
After pressing a few more buttons, placing Anakin into a temporary stasis, Jay-èna turned to face Luke. "Are you absolutely sure you want to go ahead with this?" As Luke was about to reply, she held her hand up, quieting him. "This isn't a simple procedure and I still haven't worked out all the problems."
"The aging?" Luke inquired.
She nodded. "The memory transfusion seems to be fine, but for some reason the clone's body can't handle the rapid aging after it hits 25 years."
"Will the clone's body age properly?" Luke questioned.
"Yes, there is no problem with the natural aging process. We have only found problems when we rapidly age the clone past 25," Jay-èna replied.
"Alright," Luke sighed. "Let's get started."
"Now you're sure?" Jay-èna asked. "There is a strong possibility he won't survive if we do this."
"There's no possibility he will survive if we don't," Luke replied. "I'm sure, Jay-èna."
She nodded, "But I have to warn you, we will have only one chance at this; the stasis can only hold someone safely for a limited time."
"Then we have to hope this works," Luke replied, stepping aside, so she could get started.