Chapter Eleven: A Family Divided
The rest of the morning passed mostly in quiet for Luke and Leia. They were not disturbed by any officers, and heard nothing from their father or Piett. Finding themselves with virtually nothing to do, and not quite audacious enough to explore the rest of the ship, Luke and Leia instead settled on exploring their own quarters. Although sparse and spartan at first glance, Luke quickly discovered the apartment had numerous secrets hidden among its plain appearance. In the study, he uncovered a lifetime's worth of books along the study's electronic bookshelves, everything from books of poetry and philosophy to novels and historical accounts of the Old Republic. It was an abundance of knowledge, so much so that at first Luke was overwhelmed. Never had he seen so many books in his lifetime; not even the Alliance held such banks of knowledge. Although Luke knew that the apartment likely held more secrets outside its study, he soon found himself rooted to the floor of the room, trying to absorb the many worlds its works provided. His curiosity soon drew Leia in as well, and she joined him on the study's floor, marveling at the library's quantity.
It was about 1500 hours when they were disturbed by the opening of their apartment door. Immediately shaken out of his concentration on the books, Luke's head shot up, looking towards Leia. Her gaze seemed to confirm what they had both been thinking. Only a few officers likely knew the code clearance for the apartment, so there were only a few officers who it could be.
"Father," Luke said, surprised when the dark lord appeared in the doorway, his arms folded over his chest. Luke had expected the intruder to be an Imperial sent to deliver them food or something of the like.
The dark lord said nothing in response to Luke's surprised greeting, not that Luke expected him to. Instead, he addressed the two of them immediately. "You are to come with me," he said.
"Where are we going?" Luke asked him, raising himself off the floor. After he had risen, their father turned and began heading toward the exit of the apartment. At first Luke did not think Vader would answer him, but soon the Sith spoke.
"Practice room," was the brief answer.
"Practice for what?"
"We need to start training."
Luke straightened his shoulders, saying forwardly, "Father, we're not using the Dark Side."
Darth Vader was silent for a moment, pulling forward a bit in his strides, and then he answered, "We will discuss this at a later point."
They walked in silence for the rest of the way there, Vader leading the way. The Imperials along the hallways were very respectful of their space, although Luke suspected this had more to do with Vader's dangerous reputation than of respect for superiors.
The room was not what Luke had expected. The entire area was very large and empty, like a gymnasium, but covered in a type of black tile so dark it appeared to be onyx. To the right of the room, there rested a small crowd of droids. At closer look, Luke realized the still droids must have been disabled, because they were lifeless and still.
"This is for you," Vader said, causing Luke's head to snap back towards his sister and Vader. He was surprised to see that his father was not talking to him but to his sister. In Vader's gloved hand rested the shiny hilt of a lightsaber.
Leia looked very uncomfortable. But when Vader's hand did not seem to waver, she seemed to gather her strength. She looked Vader in the eye. "I cannot take this."
"If you are to learn, you must have a weapon," the dark lord rumbled impatiently.
"I will not learn," Leia replied. "I will not take this weapon."
A slight pause seemed to allow her words to sink in. "It is the Emperor's wish," Vader insisted, and his voice contained hints of annoyance.
"The Emperor controls many things," Leia said, her voice raising, "But is incapable of bending will."
"Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor," Vader warned her. "He will find a way and make you suffer for it."
"You've tried your ways," snapped Leia, "On board the first Death Star. Remember, Father?"
This challenge seemed to make Vader's anger flare. "Young fool!" he hissed. "The Emperor does not tolerate such defiance. If you will not learn, the Emperor will kill you, or force me to destroy you."
Leia's shoulders hardened. "I would rather die. I've seen the evil it can accomplish, and it disgusts me."
"Yet you believe what your brother has accomplished is morally just."
"Luke has used his powers for good."
"Luke used his powers to destroy the first Death Star, therefore killing scores of people. Good is a point of view, Princess. It is not black and white, like many foolish idealists are complacent to believe."
"And do you believe what you are doing is right?" Leia challenged. "Enslaving the galaxy and forcing on them the corrupt leadership of a few?"
"Perhaps you think the Old Republic did a better job?" challenged Vader. When Leia opened her mouth to angrily protest, Vader cut her off. "They didn't," he said sharply, the anger in his voice clearly evident. "I was there. They sat on their backsides, arguing night and day about bills that would affect few, while the rest of the galaxy lived in squalor, violence, and suppression. Freedom was not a choice for many, whatever the ignorant few liked to believe. The corruption in the Old Republic was just as rampant as the Empire is today, yet then they did nothing to root it out."
"As if we don't know pain and suppression under the Empire," snapped Leia. "I've seen what it's like for its people, heavily taxed under the massive cost, unfairly treated, many not receiving what they have earned. Yet the Empire continues to put into place corrupt, power-hungry, and crimelord puppets who will do anything to deepen their pocketbooks and keep their power." Her eyes flashed angrily, daring Vader to contradict her. "I know what it's like," she started in a low, dangerous tone. "When you sent Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt, I experienced what it was like, being a sex slave, having others use you for their pleasure. Don't you dare suggest that corruption isn't more rampant under the Empire when the Empire turns a blind eye to everything that happens under its nose."
"You know nothing of slavery, Princess," Vader snapped angrily. "The Old Republic was built on slavery; how dare you suggest you know what it feels like to be in their shoes when all you've ever known is comfort and luxury. You don't know what it feels like to be hungry, to be abused and sold like an animal, to not know when your next meal would come, to see your mother beaten in front of your eyes." Vader seemed to grow more and more fervent with each word, and his disdain slowly growing to hate. "Your precious Republic did nothing to ensure the freedom of the many slaves who still exist today, even though they were well aware of slavery and its consequences. They stood by when injustice was served, powerless and motionless."
Vader's words hit Luke like a slap, even though they were not directed to him. He studied his father carefully, sensing waves of anger rolling off of him. His father spoke almost as if he himself had once been a slave, judging from the way he had vehemently condemned the Old Republic for its lack of action. Luke looked sideways at Leia, and found her shock to be very similar. Although furious just a few moments ago, Leia no longer appeared even angry; instead these emotions had been replaced by astonishment and confusion. The silence only lasted a few beats, during which Vader turned away from Leia in frustration. Suddenly, however, Leia spoke again.
"Were you a slave?"
Vader's head snapped towards her, and Luke's heart dropped in his chest, half-expecting a biting remark to succeed such a personal inquiry, but as the silence lengthened, Luke realized none was coming. Luke shifted in discomfort as the silence continued to grow, the tension in the room becoming palpable. Soon, the only sound in the room became the suck-hiss of his respirator, which pressed on Luke's ears like a suffocating noise. Finally, however, in an anti-climactic moment, Vader turned away without a word. Luke felt a mixture of relief and disappointment as he watched the Sith Lord retreat a few paces; he had half-hoped his father would answer the question.
Luke glanced toward Leia, whose shoulders had relaxed from the sudden release of tension. She shot Luke a guilty and worried glance.
Just as Luke was beginning to wonder if he should break the silence, Vader spoke.
"I'll make a deal with you," Vader said, all the anger in his voice gone. His helmet swiveled to looked at Leia once more.
Leia looked surprised that they were continuing to discuss her training after such a loud and passionate argument, but she did not voice any objection.
"I will teach you the light side of the Force," Vader said to her. "I will teach you only the basics you will need to know."
Leia hesitated, studying Vader warily. "No Dark Side?"
"Yes."
Leia hesitated once more. Finally, she looked Vader in the eye. "I'll do it."
