Chapter Six
Tension was rife on board the Executor. Two weeks had passed since the Empire's latest encounter with the Rebel Alliance. Chasing the Millennium Falcon across the galaxy, they had finally captured key members of the Rebel Alliance at the cloud city of Bespin, only to have them slip through their grasp yet again. Elaborate plans had been laid, seemingly inescapable traps had been set; and yet, somehow, the rebels had managed to escape. Somehow they had managed the impossible again. And somehow the search had to go on.
Darth Vader paced up and down on the bridge of the Executor, gloved hands clasped behind his back. Until Bespin, Vader's sole purpose had been to find Luke Skywalker. He was certain that once he revealed the truth, revealed that he was Luke's father, that the boy would join him happily, embracing the Dark Side without question. But that was not what had happened.
The rejection of his only son still stung, the hatred he saw in his child's eyes still made his heart ache, sending Vader into a depression the likes of which he'd not known since the death of his beloved Angel, his Padmé. When he had learned that their son lived, that a part of Padmé was out there somewhere, Vader had become obsessed almost to the point of madness to find him. And found him he had, luring him to the cloud city by nefarious, cold-blooded methods, not caring who he hurt, used or even killed to get to him. But when they finally met, things had not gone exactly as Vader had planned or hoped for.
No, Luke was stronger than Vader had anticipated, having received some rudimentary training from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Not only that, Luke hated him with a passion that shocked Vader. Clearly the boy had been lied to about his father's identity, a suspicion that was confirmed when Luke had accused Vader of killing his father. And then, when the truth had come out, when Vader had revealed his identity as Luke's father, how had the boy reacted? No, no…that's not true! That's IMPOSSBLE!!!
My only child hates me, Vader reflected morosely as he stared out into the myriad of stars that separated him from his son. And yet, even though they were light years apart, he could feel Luke. He had dreamed of him virtually every night since they'd met face to face, and he knew that Luke had dreamed of him as well. Despite the boy's vehement denial, his horror at hearing Vader's shocking declaration, Vader knew that Luke believed him. And that was the small shred of hope that kept Vader going. Somehow he would find a way to win Luke over; somehow he would show Luke the true nature of the Force. And together they would destroy the emperor, the Liar, the User, and rule the galaxy together.
"Lord Vader, the emperor is demanding that you make contact," Admiral Piett reported.
Vader turned to him. "Very well," he said. "I will contact him at once."
Rebel Fleet
Anakin looked at his daughter, unable to hide his disapproval.
"You can't be serious," he said at last, folding his arms over his chest. "Do you have any idea how females are treated in Jabba's palace?"
Leia frowned. "Give me a little credit," she retorted. "Lando will already be inside, and Chewbacca won't let them do anything. Besides, Luke will be there if things don't go as planned."
Anakin sighed. "Would you at least consider an alternative plan?" he asked.
"Yes we would," Luke spoke up before Leia had a chance. He hadn't liked Leia's idea from the start, but hadn't wanted to tell her so.
Anakin looked from Luke back to Leia and waited for her approval to continue. When she looked at him wordlessly, he spoke up.
"First of all, I think only Lando ought to infiltrate Jabba's lair," Anakin began. "Two would be suspicious."
"He's right," Luke said to Leia, who made no comment.
"Secondly, the thought of you going in there as a dancing girl really makes me uneasy," Anakin continued.
Leia frowned. "Why? What is it to you?"
Anakin hesitated for a moment before responding. It was difficult for him to remain detached, for these were his children he was dealing with. The thought of his daughter being the object of the lurid attention of the collection of scum in Jabba's palace was more than he could handle.
"I've had dealings with Jabba," Anakin said at last. "I know what sort of treatment you'd get."
"What sort of dealings?" Luke asked.
Anakin looked at his son, wondering if he dare reveal more details of his own life. And yet, it may gain their trust if he did so.
"I was a slave until I was nine years old," he told them at last. "And for a time I was owned by the wife of Jabba the Hutt."
Luke and Leia were both stunned by this revelation.
"I didn't know slavery still existed in the galaxy," Leia said at last.
"On Tatooine it does," Luke replied looking at his father. "I'm sorry…I had no idea. How did you manage to get away? I mean, how did you get to be a Jedi?"
Anakin smiled. "It's a long story, Luke," he told him. "And one we don't have time for right now. We need to focus on helping your friend, remember?"
Luke nodded, feeling more intrigued by this unusual man than ever.
"So what's your plan, then?" Leia spoke up.
"You need to get into Jabba's palace," he told her. "But you need to have the upper hand. You need to be in a position of power," he continued. "Being a dancing girl gives you no power. But if you have something he wants, that will give you the advantage."
Leia nodded. "That's right," she said as the wheels started to turn. "And we have something he wants, Luke," she said, looking at her twin. "Or should I say, someone."
Luke frowned. "Who?"
"Chewbacca," Leia said. "Han's partner."
Anakin nodded. "Is there a bounty on his head too?"
"Yes there is," Leia replied.
Anakin smiled. "Perfect," he said. "That gives me an idea."
Super Star Destroyer Executor
"What is they bidding, my master?"
Palpatine looked down at the holographic image of his faithful servant, sensing that something within Vader had changed. "Report," he snapped.
Vader braced himself for his master's anger. "I regret that I have…lost the rebels, my master," he said, looking down at the deck.
Palpatine frowned. "How did this happen?" he asked angrily.
"Repairs were made to their ship," Vader replied, "and before we were able to bring them in with the tractor beam, they escaped into hyperspace."
Palpatine was silent as he digested this, the anger fermenting dangerously within him. "And the boy?"
"Gone," Vader replied, unable to hide the sadness in his voice.
Palpatine scowled, his withered visage twisting in rage. "You weak fool," he hissed, "you let him get away??" He punctuated his accusation with a mighty burst of Sith lightning. Vader stumbled, and nearly fell under its lethal blast.
"Forgive me, my master," Vader said. "I have continued the search. I will find him, I swear it."
"Be sure that you do, Vader," Palpatine replied coldly. "I will not tolerate failure again."
Vader bowed low as the image faded out. Under his mask Vader frowned, as potent hatred filled him. The realization that Palpatine had lied to him about the manner in which his wife had died had been a bitter one, a life altering one. She had not died on Mustafar as Palpatine had told him, the fact that Luke existed proved that fact irrevocably. She had lived after Vader's attack at least long enough to give birth to his son. Vader clenched his eyes tightly, the image of his wife only adding to his agony. Forgive me, beloved, he prayed for what seemed to him to be the millionth time. There would be no forgiveness for Palpatine; no, only destruction. Vader vowed this as he rose slowly to his feet. Luke will join me, and together we will take from Palpatine what should have been ours, and rule the galaxy together.
Rebel Fleet
Anakin, Luke and Leia had spent the better part of the day working out a plan that was satisfactory to all. It was decided that Chewbacca would remain at the rendezvous point for Leia while Lando infiltrated the unsavory community that lived under the auspices of Jabba the Hutt. No doubt it would take many weeks, perhaps even months for Lando to gain the gangster's trust. In that time, Leia would go to Tatooine with Luke and work with Chewbacca, planning their next move while she waited to hear from Lando.
As for Luke, he needed this time, for the anguish of what had happened at Bespin was still very present in his mind and his heart. He knew that he would never completely get past it, for he had been changed forever by Vader's disclosure to him there on the gantry. Luke had many unanswered questions, and was at a loss to know where to ask for the answers. Obi-Wan was gone now, his spectral image only appearing to him on occasion. He wondered how willingly the old Jedi Master would answer the burning questions that raged through Luke now that the truth was out. Why did you lie to me, Ben? Why?? Why did you send me to kill my own father? Why didn't you tell me??
Anakin could see that his son was in a fragile state, and that he would need some time to recover before he could face the challenges that lie ahead. Rescuing Han Solo was the least of their problems; the Empire, Vader, was still out there. And if Anakin knew the Sith, he knew them to be relentless. Luke needed his guidance, if not as a father, then as a full fledged Jedi Knight. Anakin had been afforded a rare opportunity to give help to his adult son, a son who had not even been born yet in his own time. Anakin was afraid for Luke, afraid that Vader was attempting to lure him to the Dark Side. No doubt he had seen the potential in the young man; no doubt he would make a powerful ally. So why am I allowing this to happen? Where am I when all this is going on??
There were many questions that were starting to nag at Anakin the longer he spent with his children. But he was at a loss to know how to find the answers to them without raising his children's suspicions. He knew that he had to handle things very carefully from here on in.
It was quite late when Anakin and his twins retired for the night. Leia had insisted that she speak to the other rebel leaders about Anakin's plan, and so they decided that Luke and Anakin wouldn't leave for Tatooine for another day or so. Anakin was anxious to leave, anxious for answers. He still had no idea what his part was in all of this, how his actions had created a chain of events that had lead to this nightmare that was the Galactic Empire. It almost seemed impossible to him; how could the actions of one man have caused such a drastic transformation?
As he pulled off his tunic and lay back on the small bed, Anakin's thoughts turned to his wife. Even though it had only been a few days since he'd seen her, it seemed like weeks. He closed his eyes, the face of his beloved filling his mind. I miss you, Angel, he thought sadly. If you knew where I was right now, you wouldn't believe it. He smiled as he thought of how Padmé's surprise that she was carrying twins was no longer such a surprise. Seems we're both right, doesn't it? He reflected; we have a son and a daughter. Anakin frowned, a nagging sense of unease creeping into his heart as he considered his adult children. They didn't act like brother and sister; Leia didn't even carry his name. Where were their parents? How had they allowed Luke to be so abused and Leia to become so cynical?
Anakin sighed, rolling onto his side, part of him wishing he'd awaken and find that this had all be nothing but a strange dream.
"Ani, Ani are you asleep?"
"Hmmm?"
"Are you asleep?"
"Not any more," he yawned. "What's wrong? You okay?"
"Yes," she told him as he rolled over to face her. She propped herself up on one elbow. "I'm…hungry."
"Again?" he said with a smile.
Padmé said nothing, but threw a pillow squarely in his face.
Anakin tossed the pillow to the end of the bed with a laugh as he rolled off of the bed. "Okay, what do you want?" he asked as he stretched tiredly.
Padmé thought for a moment. "A bowl of shurba fruit sorbet," she told him.
Anakin waited, knowing there would be more.
"With whipped cream on top."
Anakin nodded, yawning and running a hand through his tousled hair. "And?"
"That's it," she said.
Anakin smiled. "What else," he insisted. "I don't want to make more than one trip."
Padmé was about to protest, but realized that he was making a valid point. "Okay," she said. "Uh…some biscuits. Only a few, maybe…four."
Anakin nodded, knowing the drill well. "As you wish, Milady," he said, bowing to her deeply, making her giggle.
"I love you!" she called to him as he headed off down to the kitchen. He knew his way in the dark well, having made this trip many times over the past few days since coming home to a rather pregnant wife.
Anakin smiled to himself as he opened the fridge. He was still so excited about becoming a father that he didn't mind these late night runs at all, even if it meant interrupted sleep. But sometimes that was a good thing; he'd decided…sleep was not always a good thing, not when bad dreams continued to plague him…
Darth Vader awoke with a start. He pressed his gloved hands to his eyes, forcing the images of the dream from his mind. Two decades had passed since the death of his Angel, and yet the thought of her was still agony to him, memories of her and their life together like shards of glass in his mind. Sleep was not always a good thing, he told himself, lowering his helmet again; not when dreams of her continued to plague him…
