14

"Welcome to Kamino, Lord Vader," Taun We said in greeting. "We are honored by your presence. It has been far too long."

Vader nodded, the serene, impeccably well mannered alien one of the few bureaucrats he dealt with that he found tolerable. "It has been a while," he concurred. "The emperor has asked me to come and check on the progress of the new shock troops he commissioned," Vader added.

Taun We nodded. "We are on schedule, my lord," she informed him. "They will be ready in five days, just as we promised."

"Excellent," Vader replied. He turned as the doors slid open once again, and Dr. Thek and her team of assistants entered the complex. Thek looked up at him, not needing to see his face to know the anger he still harbored where she was concerned. She had managed to steer clear of him on the voyage over in the shuttle, for which both were quite grateful. The tension did not go unnoticed by Taun We, who did not dare to ask questions.

"Right this way, Lord Vader," she said as she extended a long, graceful arm towards the far end of the corridor. "Our prime minister is anxious to meet with you." She turned back to Dr. Thek. "Our chief physician is awaiting you, Doctor," she said. "Do you know the way?"

Thek nodded. "Yes, I remember," she replied. "Thank you."

Taun We turned back and joined Vader as the two of them walked down the corridor towards the prime minister's office. Thek watched them for a moment, and then turned to her team.

"Come on," she said to the small group of humans and droids. "We have work to do."

"Aren't the clones made on Kamino?" Leia asked as he sat with his mother and sister eating dinner.

"Yes," Padmé replied. "It's a massive facility, the biggest in the galaxy."

"I bet it's amazing to see," Luke commented.

"I've never been to Kamino," Padmé replied. "But I'm sure it's very impressive."

"It's hard to believe that the clones were once on the side of the Jedi," Luke said.

"It's true," Padmé replied. "There were those of us in the senate who opposed the creation of a Republican army," she added. "I was one of them. I was nearly killed more than once for my views."

"By whom?" Leia asked.

"By the emperor's operatives," she replied. "Your father was assigned to protect me as a matter of fact. That was how we fell in love," she told them with a smile.

Luke and Leia had heard the story before, but they loved to hear about the happy times their parents had shared before the Dark Times.

"I wish I'd known him," Luke said wistfully. "Sounds like an amazing person."

Padmé nodded. "He was," she replied quietly. Then, without another word, she stood up and started clearing the dishes. She walked into the kitchen where the protocol droid Vader had provided them with took them from her hands. I miss Artoo and Threepio, she thought wistfully, wondering if the officers Vader had sent to Hannas VI would bring the droids with them as well.

"You okay, Mom?" Luke asked as he brought a pile of plates into the kitchen.

Padmé smiled and ruffled his hair softly. "Yes," she said. "I just get a little sentimental sometimes, that's all."

Luke nodded. "Is Father going to have his injuries repaired now that his heart condition has become so serious? Is there some way to do that?"

"Yes, there is," she replied. "And to answer your question, I don't know, Luke. I get the impression that he is reluctant to do so because it could arouse the suspicions of the emperor."

"You mean about us?" Luke asked. "Father doesn't want the emperor to know about us?"

"I didn't say that, Luke," Padmé replied. "And I don't want you reading more into this than there is."

Luke nodded, knowing that his mother was being overly cautious because of her history with their father. Not that he could blame her; she'd been heart broken when Anakin skywalker became Darth Vader. From what she had told the twins, the love between their parents had been tremendous, just as the sacrifices they had made to be together had been.

"What is he doing on Kamino, anyway?" Leia asked as she entered the kitchen as well.

"I don't know," Padmé replied. "And I didn't ask. He isn't exactly forthcoming with information."

"Maybe he's here to find out about getting his injuries repaired," Leia suggested hopefully. "Wouldn't that be fantastic?"

"It would be," Padmé agreed as they adjourned to the common area. "But I doubt it. I'm sure it's official whatever the reason."

Luke and Leia both had many of their own ideas about what could or should or might happen on Kamino; but they kept them to themselves. They had learned in short order that their mother was very sensitive when it came to the issue of their father.

"Is it okay if Leia and I go over to the gym?" Luke asked.

"I think you've had enough physical activity for today, Luke," Padme replied.

"I'm not going to do anything," he said, "just watch."

"Watch what?"
"Me," Leia replied. "Dad programmed this amazing lightsaber remote," she added with a smile. "I thought I'd get some practice in."
Padmé considered this, and then nodded. "Go ahead," she said. "Just don't let your brother do anything foolish," she added, looking at Luke.

Luke grinned. "Who me?" he asked, his smile reminding Padmé so much of Anakin it made her throat constrict for a moment.

"Yes you," Padmé replied, forcing herself to smile. "Go on, but don't be late."

"We won't," Leia said, kissing her mom on one cheek.

"You're the best," Luke added, kissing the other. And in a matter of moments, they were gone.

"Is there anything I might get for you, Lady Vader?" the protocol droid asked her.

Padmé hated being called that, but knew it was pointless to tell the droid that; no doubt it had been programmed to do so by Vader himself.

"A cup of tea would be lovely," she replied.

"At once, milady."

Darth Vader returned to the Exactor feeling frustrated and tired. Trying to communicate to the Kaminoan people could be extremely difficult; their penchant for taking so long to say anything was enough to try the patience of anyone. Vader knew, however, that diplomacy was required with these people; they were the best at what they did, and the Empire needed them. And if you screw up again you may just end up dead, he reminded himself.

As he walked down the corridor, he passed the gymnasium he had built for his children. He stopped, sensing their presence within, and considered going inside to see them. Deciding against it, he continued on his way, deciding that sleep appealed to him even more than a visit with the twins.

"That is wicked," Luke said, wishing fervently that he could try the program for himself. "I've never seen a program like that!"

"I know!" Leia replied. "Me neither! Just think of how much our fighting skills will improve working with this, Luke!"

Luke nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I just hope I'm not stuck on the sidelines for too long," he added. "I'd hate to see you pass me," he couldn't help but throw in with a smile.

Leia's dark eyebrows shot up. "Pass you?" she snorted. "I did that a long time ago, brother dear," she said with a twirl of her saber. "You know I saw Dad using this," she told him. "It was a much higher setting of course," she added. "He is incredibly fast, Luke. Like nothing I've ever seen."

"I'm sure," Luke said, looking at his wrist chrono. "We'd better get back," he said, standing up. "We told Mom we wouldn't be late."

"Okay okay," Leia said. "I just want to try one more thing. I'll meet you back there in a few minutes."

"Whatever you say," Luke replied, knowing better than to try to talk her out of it. Leia had a mind of her own, and Luke knew her well enough to know when not to push an issue. She was so enthralled with the remote program that Luke was worried she may end up spending the night in the gymnasium. Too bad Threepio isn't here, he reflected as he returned to their living quarters with a yawn; he'd make sure she toed the line.

Darth Vader could not remember a time when he slept easily or well. Aside from the complications of sleeping in a semi-upright position inside of a hyperbaric chamber, he also had to contend with nightmares that plagued him almost every night. Activating the mechanical claw above his head, he waited for the device to remove his helmet and the upper portion of his mask. It felt good to be free of the heavy, cumbersome gear, even for a few hours. Vader rubbed his eyes tiredly, and got himself as comfortable as possible as he settled in for sleep.

"Where is Leia?" Padmé asked as Luke entered the apartment.

"She wanted to practice a little longer," Luke replied. "I'm beat."

Padmé nodded. "Time for bed," told him.

"No problem there, Mom," he replied with a smile. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Luke. Sweet dreams."

Vader had just started to drift off to sleep when a strong surge of terror rippled through the Force. His eyes snapped open as he turned his mind inward to determine the source of the disturbance. It took moments for him to pinpoint it.

Opening the chamber, Vader bolted from the seat where he'd been sleeping, not even taking the time to replace his mask before leaving his quarters.

Vader was not the only one who had sensed the disturbance, and he too knew from whence it had come. He got out of bed and walked over to Leia's room. The door was open, and Luke did not sense her presence within. His alarm growing, Luke ran out to the common room, where his mother was still up.

"Luke, what is it? What's wrong?" Padmé asked in alarm.

"It's Leia," he replied as he made for the exit. "She's in trouble."

Padmé knew better than to question her son's insight, and simply jumped to her feet and followed him out the door.

Vader burst through the gymnasium doors, his lightsaber already in his hands. Leia was fighting desperately to deflect the laser bolts being emitted by the remote, but she was not fast enough, and had already been hit more than once with the searing laser fire. Vader deflected the laser bursts easily and then used the Force to push the remote across the room, sending it crashing against the bulkhead.

Leia collapsed to the floor, half in exhaustion, half in relief that her father had arrived. He turned to her, already starting to feel the effects of his depleted oxygen supply.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he knelt beside her.

Leia nodded, willing herself not to cry, not wanting to look juvenile in front of her father.

"You had it on the highest setting, didn't you?" he asked.

"Yeah," she said, her voice quavering. She could not help the tears from coming, for the burns she had received on her arms and legs stung considerably.

"Why would you do something so foolish?" he chided her.

"I just thought that…." she stopped and sniffed, unable to hold back the tears any longer. Vader was at a loss to know what to do as his fourteen year old daughter was reduced to a mass of near hysterical tears in a matter of moments.

"You were not harmed seriously, that is the main thing," he said, awkwardly patting her shoulder. Leia nodded, realizing that he was right. A few minutes longer and one of the laser bolts may have hit her in a more critical part of her body.

"Leia!!"

Both Vader and Leia turned to see Padmé and Luke rush into the room. Vader stood up and moved back as Padmé rushed over to comfort their daughter. Luke stood at his father's side, startled to see his face unmasked.

"You felt it too, didn't you?" Luke asked.

Vader nodded. "Yes," he said, his voice strained from the struggle to get enough oxygen.

"You need to get your mask back on," Luke said, realizing the distress his father was in. "Come on, I'll help you."

Padmé looked up to see her son helping Vader out of the room, and realized that both her children's lives had been saved now by their father.

"Where are your quarters?" Luke asked his father.

"Just…down the corridor," Vader replied as he started to feel lightheaded. Luke wrapped an arm around his father's waist and helped him back to his quarters. Once there, Vader indicated the hyperbaric chamber, which stood open, and Luke helped him get to it.

Luke watched, his emotions a jumble inside of him, as the chamber closed before him, swallowing his father from his sight. He hated the thought that this was the only way his father could exist. There has to be a way to help him, Luke thought resolutely; there simply has to be a way!

After a few moments Luke heard the chamber reopen, and within it sat his father, now masked and breathing with the aide of his apparatus.

"You alright?" Luke asked.

Vader stood up. "Yes," he replied as he stepped out of the chamber. "Thank you for your assistance."

Luke nodded. "No problem," he replied. "You're my father."

"So I am," Vader replied. "Let us go and determine if your sister is alright."

Vader started towards the exit to his chamber.

"Why won't you let the cloners help you?" Luke asked.

Vader stopped in his tracks and turned to his son. "What makes you think they can?"

"I know enough about cloning to know that they could," Luke replied, walking towards his father. Having seen his father's eyes, so very much like his own, had set a new determination in the boy; a determination to save his father's life as Vader had saved his. "Mom seems to think so too," he added.

Vader said nothing in response, once again finding himself unsure how to proceed. How was it in battle he never once had a moment of indecision; when forced to make a difficult command decision, it never gave him a moment's angst. And yet, two fourteen year olds were causing him to second guess himself at every turn.

"There is more to the situation than you know, Luke," he said at last. "But now is not the time to discuss it," he added, turning around and striding towards the exit once more. Luke had no choice but to follow, sensing the growing conflict within his father as he did so.

"How is she?" Vader asked his wife when he and Luke entered the apartment moments later.

A medi-droid was attending to Leia's burns, while Padmé stood behind the sofa watching, her arms folded tightly over her chest. Vader recognized the body language; she was angry, very angry.

"She has received minor burns," the droid related. "But is otherwise unharmed."

"But she could have been," Padmé said. "She could have been killed," she added, looking up at Vader.

"She had it set on the highest level," he explained. "A foolish thing for a padawan to do," he added, looking at Leia.

"Perhaps having such a high level on a practice droid isn't a good idea," Padmé suggested, an edge of anger in her voice. "They are only fourteen!"

Vader was astonished that her anger was being directed at him. "I had already been in several skirmishes by the age of …"
"They are not you!" she retorted hotly. "It was negligent and irresponsible to allow them access to such a dangerous device! She could have been killed!"

Vader nodded. "Indeed, she could have," he agreed. "Had I not arrived when I had." He looked down at his daughter. "I apologize Leia, for your injuries." He turned next to his son. Luke looked up at him, wanting to say so much, but not even knowing where to start. "Good night, son," Vader said simply, and then left the room.

Padmé looked down at Leia, who seemed to be calming down under the medidroid's care. "I'll be right back," she said, walking briskly over to the door. She left before either Luke or Leia could say another word.

"Anakin, Anakin wait!" she called to him as he strode away down the corridor.

Vader heard her, but ignored her, having had enough of her ire for one evening. He had reached the door to his quarters when he felt Padmé take him by the arm. He turned quickly to her, pulling his arm from her. "I have asked you not to use that name," he said in a voice of barely restrained anger.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I can't bring myself to use that name."

"But it is who I am, Padmé," he told her. "Anakin Skywalker is no more; this is who and what I am now."

Padmé nodded. "I know that," she replied quietly. "I'm not here to debate."

"Are you here to accuse me further of risking our daughter's life?" he asked as the doors closed behind her.

Padmé frowned, disconcerted to be alone with him in the dark. "No, I came to apologize," she said, growing tired of fighting.

There was no response, and the only sound to be heard was Vader's mechanical breathing. He stood looking at her, sensing her uneasiness. He took a step closer to her, so that there were mere centimeters between them. "Apology accepted," he said at last.

Padmé had to crane her neck to face him, the lights of his chest armor blinking in the darkness. "If you hadn't come when you did, Leia might have died," she said. "You saved her life. I…it was wrong of me to take out my frustrations on you."

Vader did not reply again, and simply watched her, enjoying her proximity.

"Leia tends to be rather….single minded," Padmé said, unable to stand the tension filled silence between them. "As you may have noticed."

"I have," he said. "She reminds me of you."

Padmé lifted an eyebrow. "Me?"

Vader nodded.

"No, no no, I'm not the stubborn one," she replied.

Vader almost smiled under his mask at her. "I beg to differ," he said.

Padmé actually laughed at this, much to her own surprise, as well as his. It was almost as though….no it is not, for he is not.

"I'd better get back to the children," she said at last, taking a step to one side to put some distance between them.

"Of course," he replied. "Goodnight, Padmé."

"Goodnight," she replied, not calling him Anakin, but not able to bring herself to call him Vader.

She turned and left him, her hands trembling from the strange encounter, and returned to her quarters.