Chapter 14

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'Salvation Is A Good Thing. It Comes In Many Form and Species'

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There is a commotion just outside the Emperor's door.

'Excuse me. Coming through….."

The door opens and Jar Jar Binks enters carrying a tray with tea and finger sandwiches. He heads straight for the Emperor's desk.

"Meesa got good snak for his Imperial fussiness! Dagobah Tee, samwicheese and frisa Naboo tomatoes. Yousa eatum good today, Sire!"

Luke is stunned. Suddenly a visibly humiliated and embarrassed Emperor manages a faint smile then tries to usher JarJar out but JarJar is 'on a mission'

"Thank you, Jar Jar. Good work. You may go now."

"Nooo! Meesa go to set up nice place for you and sith apprentice."

JarJar turns and sees Luke. He shakes Luke's hand.

" Howsa yousa? You apprentice for Master Sidious? He can throw fierce lightening all the way to the door! Yousa got to be fast running apprentice. You real nice. Son of Sith Lord Vader. Emperor here wants to make you Dark Lord real fast! Hesa old an' gonna die soon!"

"Hi, Jar-Jar." This is the best moment yet in Luke's life. He was praying for 'salvation' since he sat in that chair! Hallelujah!

JarJar licks his hand and runs it across Luke's hair. Luke's new haircut is just about ruined. He's got tuffs of wet blond hair sticking up on his head. Luke grimaces but then things could be worse.

The emperor is trying to get Jar Jar's attention so the Gungan will leave but JarJar is excited about Luke being there so anything the emperor says falls on deaf ears. Deaf Gungan ears.

The Emperor is temped to kill JarJar but he is too exasperated to bother.

MEANWHILE – Outside the Emperor's suite, Darth Vader is walking down the hall. He sees the Emperor's door ajar. He slowly creeps up and peers inside. He can't believe what he is seeing.

Vader waits a moment then walks up to the door and enters. Jar-Jar screams when he sees Vader enter the room.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh! Yousa not going choke-wild on Jar-Jar are you, Lord Vader?"

Vader looks at Jar-Jar then blows him off. Vader walks towards Luke.

"Luke!!! There you are! I've been waiting."

"Sorry, Father. His Excellency the Emperor invited me in for a chat." He force whispers to his father. 'Get me outta here'

The Emperor smiles over at Luke. Inside he is seething. 'Another attempt to take the son of Skywalker dashed!' Thinking to himself: 'Why me? I'm the most powerful SITH Lord. Why can't I get this done?'

Vader grabs Luke by the shoulder.

"I hope my son hasn't been any trouble, Master"

"No. No….not at all. We were just chatting about his career goals. Lord Vader, you should be proud of the boy. He's a delightful young man. He takes the silver tray of food and offers it to them. "Canapé?

"Thanks, no. I ate before I got here" Luke looks at his father "I did. Uncle Ben took me out to lunch."

The Emperor lets the tray crash back onto his desk. He is terribly annoyed right now.

"Did you do what I told you to do?"

"Yes, Dad."

Jar-Jar looks out the window at the traffic, "Ooooh, Theysa biga traffic jam out side. Meesa glad to be in nice Imperial Office!"

"Well, Luke, thank the Emperor for being such a gracious host."

"Luke, I hope you will visit from time to time. I just adore the Skywalker children. Luke, give us a hug, my boy."

He embraces Luke. Luke looks over his shoulder at his father and rolls his eyes. Vader watches pensively.

The emperor holds Luke's face in his old hands.

"Lord Vader, you've done a marvelous job raising Luke and Leia. Padmé would be very proud of you. Such good, sweet, smart children."

Luke shrugs his shoulders and raises his arms. Vader fold his arms across his chest waiting for the Emperor to release his son. The emperor finally releases Luke and pats his face. Suddenly Jar-Jar rushes over and sandwiches Luke between himself and the Emperor. He waves Vader over. Vader is not in the mood. He mutters under his breath, "You've got to be kidding me"

"Group hug!" Weesa all like family now!!!!!!!"

Vader has had enough. He breaks the group hug, "Well, that was something. Luke, let's not keep the Emperor from his work. Let's go, son."

Jar-Jar taps on Vader's helmet. Vader turns and looks at Jar-Jar. Jar-Jar almost look terrified then smiles.

The Emperor walks Luke and Vader to the door. Luke receives one more embrace from the old man.

"Remember, Luke, My door is always open to you, my son. May the Force be with you."

"Right back at you, Paps!"

They finally leave. Jar-Jar scampers out with the food tray and disappears into the galley. They head down the hall pass the red cloaked Imperial guards.

To be continued: 'This is Where the Fun Begins'