VADER: MIA
Chapter 8
Putting the final touches on the welding job Han dropped the welding tools to answer Chewie's call to help with bringing the last container of coolant fluid down to pour into the system.
It had taken less time to repair the damage then to wait for the system to cool down, and do a last minute inspection of the system. Instead of being two hours behind schedule they were now ahead of schedule by forty minutes. Resealing the system Han let Chewie do the final clean up while he powered up the Falcon. Getting a little impatient, and wanting to get under way, Han screamed down the passage way.
"Chewie hurry up! We're out of here in five minutes."
Chewie, who was just as eager to get underway, tossed the empty container back into the storage closet, sealed the door, and made a be-line to the cockpit. Jumping into the co-pilots seat and strapping in, he immediately began the computations for the jump to light speed. Pulling the computations from the Nava computer he fed them into the main computer then hit the switch sending them into hyperspace.
Han set the Falcon on auto, and then sat back in the pilots' seat to relax.
Turning to Chewie with a rather pleased look on his face he said, "Not bad Chewie. We fixed the old girl in record time; we're getting better and better at this."
Chewie, who also was pretty pleased with the job they did, just nodded in agreement and continued monitoring his panels.
Feeling rather hungry, Han asked, "Hey what d'ya say we have a bowl of stew? I still got plenty back there if you're willing."
Chewie turning from his panels just looked at Han saying, "You're kidding right? Just send up a package of ration bars and a drink; that'll hold me till I can get some real food."
"Very funny carpet boy, if ration bars is what you want, you know where to get them." Han responded.
Getting out of the pilots seat, Han checked the readings on the coolant system. Seeing that everything was within the norm he then headed to the galley. Pulling the pan out of the fridge, along with the last bottle of Corellian Ale, he put a bowl of his stew into the heating unit. Popping open the freezer unit he grabbed the package of Vrortkil cocktail and placed it next to his bowl in the heating unit. Slamming his hand down on the counter he mumbled.
"I'll just have the ration bars. You're lucky I like ya, ya big oaf."
Luke had been traveling in hyperspace now for three hours and was more than half way to where he needed to be. So far the trip had been uneventful, and he was rather bored just sitting there.
He'd already run several diagnostic tests on his X-wing; and everything was in working order. Some of the systems were running above average, which was unusual, but thinking about whom it was that did most of the up keep on the ships computers and internal systems, he wasn't at all surprised.
R2 was quite the capable little droid, since the day his Uncle bought him back on Tatooine he'd been like a little version of his Aunt. Fussing over him and more protective of him than his Aunt and Uncle combined.
He wished he'd brought him, but wedge's R2 unit had short circuited and was going to need a complete over, so being the nice guy that he was, he lent him R2…with Wedge's promise that he take extra special care of him.
R2, who was less than pleased that Luke was going some where with out him, made sure Luke knew and every time he was with in ear shot he made sure he wouldn't forget.
Chuckling he mumbled, "I should have brought you R2. At least I'd have someone to talk to, and pass the time playing a game or some thing."
Sitting there he had plenty of time thinking over passed events: everything moved so fast leading up to his appointment to the Alliance, that he barely had time to morn his Aunt and Uncles death.
He wished that he'd been there to save his Aunt and Uncle, but came to the realization that Ben was right; if he had been there he probably wouldn't be here now. And for some strange reason their deaths were inevitable, no matter how much it hurt him.
Noticing a flashing light he turned his attention the computer panel, and adjusted the compensators that had fallen off just a bit. Deciding that there was nothing left to adjust or run a diagnostic test on, he tried to get comfortable and take a little nap.
An alarm sounding in Vader's ship signaled that he was approaching his destination. Awakening from his meditation trance Vader prepared to bring his ship out of hyperspace. As the lines disappeared, and he returned to real space the sight that lay before him was unimaginable.
Vader slowed his ship, examining what he saw. How could the late Grand Moff Tarkin build an installation somewhere virtually impossible to go through? Accessing his computer he brought up all information on the Maw.
Waiting for the computer to bring up the data, Vader looked at the cluster of black holes before him: more sinister than anything in the universe, including himself and the Emperor, and not at all forgiving. Sure the galaxy feared him and the Emperor but even that fear was short-lived compared to the fear a black hole caused. Nothing escaped a black hole. Not even one who was as strong in the force as he, could over come the power of a black hole, and here before him was a cluster of them.
The computer signaled that the data Vader requested was now available. Looking down at the screen he read what was there: The Maw; consisting of a cluster of several black holes and believed to be one of the great wonders of the universe. Some scientists believed that it was created by an ancient race of people; believing that it was a doorway that led into another dimension.
Stretching out with the force Vader tried reaching into the black holes, but felt nothing. The only thing he could sense, were eddies in the gravitational pull from the holes. He concluded that only someone with vast knowledge of the cluster, or someone, who was force sensitive, could navigate though them.
He now understood why Tarkin had picked such a place to build a secret installation: even the Emperor would steer clear of the cluster for fear of being drawn into them, if not just at the sight of them.
Pushing forward he eased his ship closer to the cluster. He used the force to plot his course through the black holes so he passed through the cluster unharmed. Making it to the center he saw what looked like several planetoids bunched and held together by immense bridges and bands.
Upon closer inspection, he saw that the installation was completely dark, except for a landing beacon that was on the far side of the largest planetoid. Changing direction, he angled his ship towards it. After touching down, his ship was slowly lowered into the installation, and upon disembarking from his ship he was met by a lone Twiâlek.
"Welcome Lord Vader, I am Tol Sivron, Director of this installation." He began, "all has been readied for you, and the installation is now vacant, as per the Emperors orders."
"Good Director see to it that my ship is refueled and readied for my departure." Vader ordered.
"But my Lord this part of the installation is empty except for my self and you; there are no resources or crew to ready your ship." Sivron explained, "As per the Emperors orders." He emphasized again.
"This part only?" Vader asked, his anger beginning to build. "I was under the impression that the whole installation is vacant, is that not what you just implied."
"M…my Lord," his voice quivering, "t…there is just to much equipment, and staff to evacuate the whole installation in just a few hours, so we've had to modify the order. Everything in this part of the installation has been moved to the lower levels, and what could been taken off installation is now being stored on the star destroyers commanded by Admiral Daala."
"I see Director." Vader said stepping closer to Sivron and pointing a finger in his face. "So that I do not modify the command structure of this installation and if you would like to remain Director of this installation, I suggest you get what is needed, and do ask I ask or this monstrosity shall have a new Director." Vader threatened.
Tol Sivron, his voice still quivering, answered, "A…as you wish my Lord, all will be done." he said, bowing.
Scurrying to the bays command center, he left Vader standing there.
Vader took a couple of steps and surveying the docking bay, he began thinking. 'Yes this will do fine, only one way in or out. The perfect place to capture Skywalker.' pausing at the thought of Padame's and his child being alive, 'my son Padame why did you hide him from me?' The internal conflict began to build in him again. How could he hand over the son he never knew to the Emperor, and betray his love again.
Tol Sivron exited the command center heading back to Lord Vader, stopping when he noticed that something was wrong: seeing Vader stand before him with clenched fists and head down, but, being to afraid to ask, he kept with the business at hand.
"All is in route Lord Vader, the crew will be here in a few minutes." he said groveling.
Regaining composure he turned asking, "Director are there any other ways to exit this bay besides the way I came in, and that turbo lift, there?" he said pointing to the far side of the bay.
"No my Lord that is the way it was designed, Grand Moff Tarkin wanted it that way. So should we ever be infiltrated the whole installation is designed to thwart an invasion, leaving most areas with only one way to enter or exit." he explained. "Even the landing bay office has but one way in and out," he finished.
"Impressive Director, I will wish a full tour of this installation once I have completed my mission, as will the Emperor." Vader responded.
"As you wish my Lord we will make every attempt to make your visit a worth while investment of your time." he promised.
"I'm sure your will Director, I'm sure you will." Vader replied turning to return to his ship.
Once inside Vader activated his comm. unit connecting directly to the Emperor. With in seconds Emperor Palpatine appeared before Vader.
"You wish to report Lord Vader?" the Emperor asked.
"I do my master, It seems the Director of this installation has seen fit to modify your orders, and has not completely evacuated this facility. It has been, to my satisfaction, been cleared for the section I will use to capture young Skywalker." Vader informed the Emperor.
"I see, my servant, and I'm sure you will see to it that nothing else gets modified. Upon your next transmission I will expect to hear that young Skywalker is in your custody, and you are on your way back to Courscant."
With that the encounter abruptly ended. Vader deactivated the comm. unit and awaited the crew that would refuel his ship. Sitting there he again began to think of his wife and the fateful day that had changed his destiny.
Over the past few days an internal conflict had begun to build with his allegiance to the Emperor, and a new allegiance to his newly found son. Though he had never met him he'd sworn many years ago to Padame that he'd be the father to his child that he'd never had.
The more he thought about it the more difficult it became to remain loyal to the Emperor: who at every moment would question and belittle him, who by his own hand had started the change in loyalties in him. This day, he would live up to Padame's expectations; he would not betray his promise to his long passed, and almost forgotten, wife.
It pained him to think that he tried to forget that part of his life, and that he was trapped with no hope of turning back. Even Yoda had said, "But if once start you down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny."
"But I am the chosen one, and I will change my destiny. My destiny is to keep the promise I made to my love. Padame forgive me for losing my way, I will keep true to my promise. And to you my master…former master, there is one final thing that will be modified, and that is your rule as Emperor over this Empire."
