Chapter 9
"I think this latest incident with the emperor only serves to underscore our need to get you away from here," Organa said to Padmé. "He is a sadistic monster who would stop at nothing to destroy every member of this family."
Padmé nodded, hearing his words, but still concerned for her husband. It infuriated her to see him in such pain, inflicted by the monster he called his master.
"I agree with the Viceroy," Vader said. "You and the children must hide, and soon."
Padmé frowned, not liking where he was going with this. "Wait a minute; you're coming with us, aren't you? You are in as much danger from that maniac as we are, Anakin. Isn't what he did to you today proof of that??"
"I cannot simply disappear, Padmé," he replied. "That would rouse his suspicions. I have no intention of letting you and the children fend for yourselves in isolation; I will join you, but it must be at the proper time, otherwise Palpatine will suspect that something is going on."
Organa nodded. "I agree," he said. "The emperor is already so suspicious, it wouldn't take much for him to suspect that there is something afoot. Perhaps you can fake your death, just as Padmé did five years ago."
Vader nodded. "That might work," he replied. "But even if I do that, it has to be in a way that is believable. I'm a Sith; we are not easily killed, Viceroy."
"I realize that," Organa countered. "But you're not immortal, Vader. Surely between the three of us we can think of a way to make it look like you've perished; perhaps in a crash, or…"
"Anakin is the best pilot in the galaxy," Padmé cut in. "No one would believe that."
Vader looked at his wife, a smile under his mask. "Well, perhaps under the right circumstances they might," he replied.
"Such as?" Padmé asked.
"An attack," suggested Organa. "There are plenty of people around who would like to see Darth Vader dead; perhaps an ambush from the Rebel Alliance."
"But how would they know where he is?" Padmé asked. "And what would they be doing in this sector if they are trying to avoid detection from the Empire?"
"You'd be surprised where you'd find Rebel sympathizers, Padmé," Vader said matter-of-factly. "Believe me. Part of my assignment this past five years is to seek them out, and I can tell you, they are everywhere. The idea is a sound one," he concluded.
Organa nodded, finding it strange to hear Darth Vader speak of the Rebels so casually. Ironic indeed that the existence of this alliance may serve to help its greatest enemy...
"I will be visiting the Garos System very soon," Vader continued. "Perhaps the unfortunate accident could occur while I'm on that mission."
"That would work," Organa said. "It's pretty far from the Core, probably not too closely watched by the Empire."
Vader nodded. "Yes, you're right. We'll make this work, Padmé, don't worry. You and the children will not be there alone for long, I promise."
"I hope not, Anakin," she replied quietly, trying to shake a growing feeling of unease.
"If it would make you feel better, I will have Padmé and the twins escorted to Delaya and keep a small contingent of guards there to keep an eye on things," Organa suggested. "Until you can join her there."
Vader nodded. "That is a good idea," he said. "And I know it would make me feel better about sending you on alone," he said to Padmé. "Knowing that you are under the protection of the Viceroy's personal guard."
Padmé sighed. "I suppose that is what we should do, then," she said at last.
"Good," Organa said, standing up. "So it's settled then. I will arrange for your escort this very evening, Padmé, and can have you and the twins taken to Delaya first thing tomorrow morning if you wish."
Padmé looked back at Vader, and although she could not see his face, she knew that he felt the same way about their impending separation. "Thank you, Bail," she said softly. "I appreciate all your help."
Bail Organa returned to the planet surface within the hour, leaving Vader alone with his wife.
"What takes you to the Garos System?" she asked him.
Vader hesitated, not knowing what to tell her. His true reasons for going were not ones he wished to share with her, for he knew they would only upset and horrify her. You owe her the truth, after everything you've done, you owe her at least that much.
"There have been reports of a renegade Jedi in the vicinity," he replied, looking away from her. "I am going there to…investigate."
Padme felt a chill go up her spine, reminding her that despite the devotion he demonstrated to her and their children, he was still very much a Dark Lord of the Sith.
"Investigate? Or eliminate?" she asked pointedly.
Vader turned back to her. "Padmé, you know the position I'm in," he replied. "What would the emperor think if all of a sudden I stopped doing my job? Don't you think he would suspect something?"
Padmé hated to admit it, but she knew he was right. "Yes, I suppose he would," she admitted. "But still…"
Padmé was interrupted by a small child running into the room. It was Luke.
"What is it, Luke?" Padmé asked as he ran into her embrace. "You're trembling!"
"I had a bad dream," Luke said, burying his face against her shoulder.
Padmé stroked the boy's hair gently. "It's okay, Luke; it was only a dream."
Don't be so sure, Padmé, Vader reflected, remembering the many occasion he'd suffered bad dreams in his youth, dreams which often turned out to be portents of the future.
"What was it about, son?" Vader asked.
Luke looked up and over to his father. "It was about you," he said softly. "I saw you, Daddy, I saw you being hurt, hurt bad."
Padmé looked over at Vader, both of them realizing the same thing; Luke had witnessed what his father had just suffered. It astounded them both. Obviously Luke's connection to his father was truly strong, only after such a short time.
Vader sighed deeply, and held his hands out to the boy. Luke came to his father at once.
"I'm fine, Luke," Vader said, pulling his son onto his lap. "You needn't worry, son. I'm just fine."
Luke examined his father's mask closely, as though trying to discern if he were telling the truth. "I was scared that you would die," he told him solemnly. "I don't want you to die, Daddy."
Vader did not know how to respond to his son's words, or to the outpouring of love the he felt emanating from the small boy. He never imagined that he could feel so connected to another human being. "I'm not going to die, Luke," he replied at last. "I'm going to be around for a long time to protect you, your sister and your mother. Do you hear me?"
Luke nodded, believing his father's words.
"Good," Vader said. "Think you can sleep now?"
Luke nodded again, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"Okay then," Vader said. "Let's get you back in bed." He picked his son up in his arms and carried him back into the bedroom, where Leia slept peacefully. Vader gently lay Luke down in the bed beside his sister and pulled the covers up over him, and tucked Spotty into the crook of the boy's arm. "Sweet dreams this time, okay?" he said.
Luke nodded a smile on his face. "Goodnight, Daddy," he said, reaching his hands up to frame Vader's mask. To Vader's utter astonishment, Luke planted a kiss on the tip of his metallic nose, and then rolled over and closed his eyes. Vader straightened up, ignoring the pain he felt shooting through his back as he did so, and simply watched his children as they slept.
"Is he asleep?" Padme asked as Vader returned to the sitting room.
Vader nodded. "Yes, "he replied. "He is such a remarkable child, Padmé."
Padmé smiled. "Yes, he is," she agreed. "Just like his father was." She watched him as he walked across the room. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," he replied, a little too quickly. "Nothing a little sleep won't help. That is if I'm lucky to get any."
"How do you sleep?" she asked, the curiosity getting the better of it. "I mean, you obviously cannot remove that breathing apparatus," she added.
"I can only when I'm in my meditation chamber," he told her. "I had it built so I could feel human, at least on occasion," he told her.
"You can take off your mask??" she asked in surprise.
Vader nodded. "Yes, it is the only place I am able to breathe unaided for any more than a short span of time."
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I know this must be so difficult for you to talk about," she added.
"You are my wife, Padme," he replied. "You can ask me anything. I will even show you the chamber if you wish."
"I'd like to see it," she replied. I'd like to see you. I need to see you.
"There is a passage way that leads to my quarters," he said, walking over to the computer screen and showing her its location on a schematics map. "It would be prudent if you were not seen by anyone."
"Yes, I agree," she said, looking at the map. She felt excited, and yet a great sense of trepidation too. As much as she longed to see the face of her Anakin, would he allow her to? Or would it be too difficult for him to show her the ravages left by the fires of Mustafar?
"Then I will see you later on," he said, looking up at her. "If you're sure you want to do this."
Padme nodded. "I'm sure," she said. "I want to know everything I can about your life, Anakin. Everything."
Vader nodded. "Very well," he said, walking to the exit, trying not to show his anxiety. "And so you shall."
