Chapter 30 Voice of Luke Skywalker
I feel like I'm walking two metres above the ground as I step out of the shuttle at my father's side. This is like a dream I've had so many times in my childhood I can't count. The hangar is huge, and full of amazing looking ships and clones doing their jobs. And my father is in charge of all of them. It's awesome.
"How many hangars are there like this?" I ask Dad as we walk through the huge area.
"Twenty four," Dad replies. "Or, at least that's the plan," he adds. "It's not finished yet, not even close."
"How is that possible?" I ask. "Haven't they been working on it for like...ten years?"
"More like 20, or close to it," Dad replies. "The late Governor Tarkin was quite adept at pilfering Imperial funds earmarked for this station," he explains. "So many things that should have been finished aren't, due to hold ups and shortages in supplies. It's been nothing short of a disaster."
I nod in understanding, looking around. "Well, it's pretty amazing if you ask me," I tell him. "Even if it's not finished yet."
Dad doesn't reply, and I get the feeling that he isn't as impressed as I am. What was it he called this place? A technological terror?
"So …what's the primary purpose of this place anyway?" I ask him as we step onto a turbolift. "Just to scare the crap out of everybody?"
"Pretty much," Dad replies. "It was conceived of by the late emperor, whose paranoia knew no bounds," he explains. "When the Empire began, he wanted an instrument of terror, something to cow treasonous worlds with the threat of annihilation. This is what technologists of the Confederacy of Independent Systems came up with."
I look up at him in surprise. "You mean, the separatists?" I ask.
Dad nods. "Yes," he replies. "Palpatine was allied with them all along," he explains. "He created the crisis, the entire separatist threat to justify the creation of the clone army, which he eventually used to seize control of the galaxy. Of course, no one knew that at the time. Not even me."
"Whoa," I say softly. "Sounds like he had this planned for a long time."
Dad looks at me, and I can feel the hatred surging through him. Maybe talking about the emperor isn't such a good idea.
"From the day he first met me, he had it planned," he says. "He groomed me since I was a child, Luke," he continues as we leave the lift now. "Feeding my ego, befriending me, while all along planning to use my abilities to further his own selfish and vain ambitions. I hope he's burning in Hell right now," he adds bitterly.
I have no clue how to reply to this, and simply nod like a simpleton. Note to self: don't ask questions about the emperor. Ever.
"Welcome back Lord Vader," a man with the insignia of a general says in greeting when we reach a command station. He looks at me with curiosity, but is smart enough not to ask any questions.
"Luke, this is General Tagge," Dad says. "He is in command of this station. General, my son, Luke."
Tagge bows before me and I have to try hard not to laugh. "It's an honour to meet you, your highness," he says.
"Thanks," I reply. This is wild!
"I'm giving my son a tour," Dad explains.
"Very good sir," Tagge replies. "I hope you enjoy yourself," he says to me with a smile.
"I'm sure I will," I reply. We walk away to start our tour.
It's weird being addressed as Your Highness- but I guess I'm a prince now that my father is emperor. Leia's used to being treated like a princess- but me? I was a farmer for the first sixteen years of my life. And now to be getting the royal treatment, literally, is very strange.
Everyone on the Death Star is very eager to please my father. I can sense their fear as we talk to them or pass by. I know why they fear him- but it still freaks me out that they do. I know my father better than almost anyone, and I know that there's a lot more to him than simply the terrifying Sith Lord that the galaxy has come to fear over the past sixteen years.
"You enjoyed your tour?" Dad asks as we board the shuttle several hours later.
"Sure did," I reply. "This place is amazing! I can't believe there are 24 bridges!"
Dad nods. "One for each sector," he explains. "Of course, they're far form complete," he adds.
"I noticed that the weapons array is still not finished either," I tell him. "Doesn't that make the station vulnerable?"
"I suppose so," he replies. "But given the fact that it's unlike anything the galaxy has ever seen, it wouldn't be an easy target."
Right….where do you shoot? The thing's a giant ball.
"Besides," Dad adds. "The Rebels haven't the fire power to do any serious damage, even if they did manage to find it," he continues.
I nod, wondering what Dad would do if he knew that Bail Organa was a part of the Rebellion. Leia's pretty stressed about him finding out, I know it. I can't blame her for that. We'll just have to make sure that Dad never finds out. I can't imagine how things would blow up if he did.
Voice of Padmé Amidala
Luke is full of excitement when he arrives home with his father. I know it's simply the reaction of a sixteen year old boy, but it unnerves me that he's so enamoured of the Death Star. I wonder if his father has told him the true purpose of it- how it's main function is to bully, intimidate or even annihilate any and all opposition to Imperial rule. I know that so long as it exists the Rebellion will never stop trying to find ways to destroy it. Vader doesn't know how resourceful the Rebellion is or else he'd have more respect for them.
I've decided not to tell Vader about the conversation I had with Leia about Han Solo. I'm sure he's aware of the crush she has on him – but whether or not he knows how serious her feelings are, I'm not certain. I'm sure that what she's feeling is only a typical crush that most sixteen year old girls have all the time- but somehow I don't think her father would be as understanding.
"So things are in hand?" I ask Vader as we sit down together. The children are in bed, Luke's exhausted after his long day. I think my husband is too, but it's so hard to tell when I can't see his face.
"I believe so," he replies. "I've given them a rather short timeline," he explains. "Hopefully they won't screw things up too much," he adds.
I nod, trying to tread carefully around this subject. The last thing I want is another fight. "And once it's done?" I ask tentatively. "What then?"
Vader says nothing for a moment, and I regret my question at once.
"Then it will fulfill the function it was designed for," he replies finally.
I nod. In other words, terrorizing the galaxy.
"I have begun drawing up a list of names," he tells me. "You will need to be aware of my enemies when you are in charge."
I frown. "I thought your enemies were all…taken care of," I reply.
"The greatest ones, yes," he replies. "But there are far too many to eliminate them all in a matter of months. Have no fear, I will deal with them," he assures me.
His words leave me cold, and I'm reminded once again what a ruthless man my husband is.
"I need to get to the bridge," he says, standing suddenly. Perhaps he has sensed my uneasiness, and wants to avoid a fight as much as I do.
"You should be hearing from the surgeons soon," I remark as I walk him to the door.
"Yes," he agrees.
"I can't wait to see your face again," I tell him.
He nods, looking down at me as he stands in the doorway.
"I wish you would let me see it now," I continue. "Luke told me that you can take off your mask in your hyperbaric chamber."
"That's true, I can," he replies. "But I don't want you to see what I look like now, Padmé," he adds.
I frown. "Do you think I would love you less?" I ask him. "I know what you went through, it's not like I would be shocked."
He shakes his head. "Do not press the issue, please," he asks.
"Very well," I say. "It's just that…it would be so nice to kiss you again."
"That will happen soon enough," he reminds me. "As well as many more pleasant things," he adds, touching my face.
I smile, knowing exactly what he's talking about. "Yes, you're right," I reply. "I suppose I'll just have to be patient."
"You're good at being patient," he reminds me. "Far more patient then me. The fact that I dream about you every night doesn't help matters."
"You do?" I ask.
Vader nods. "Yes," he replies, stroking my face lightly. "Highly erotic, sexually charged dreams," he confides in me. "It's frustrating as hell."
I laugh. "Oh dear," I reply. "I suppose we'll have to do something about that once you've recovered from your surgery," I tell him.
"I plan to," he tells me. "In fact, I plan to do very little else for the first few days."
Now he's not the only one who's frustrated.
"You should go now," I tell him. "This conversation is getting too intense."
"You're right," he replies. "Goodnight," he says.
"Goodnight," I reply. I watch him as he walks away down the corridor and disappears around the corner, knowing that he won't be the only one having interesting dreams tonight.
Voice of Darth Vader - several days later
The day I have been waiting for has finally arrived- the surgeons are ready for me, they are ready to proceed with the surgery that will change my life. My entire family is excited, I know how anxious they are to see me whole again. No one is more anxious than me, however; I have lived with these injuries for close to seventeen years now. It will be like being reborn to have them finally repaired.
Padmé and the twins have insisted upon accompanying me to the medical facility, and I cannot refuse them. I know Padmé will keep her word and not allow our children to see me before the procedure is complete. Perhaps it is vanity, perhaps embarrassment- I'm not quite certain. At any rate, I want the first time my children see my face to be a joyous occasion, not one rife with tension and pity. I hate pity- and I won't tolerate it even from my own family.
"This is so exciting!" Leia gushes as we travel down to the planet surface via shuttle. "Just think Dad, in a few days you'll be able to live like a regular person again!"
"It's more than a few days, Leia," Luke tells her. "More like a couple of weeks, isn't it?" he asks me.
"The physicians aren't certain," I tell them. "I suppose that depends on how quickly I recover."
"You've always been a fast healer," Padmé points out. "I don't think it will take as long as they anticipate."
I hope she's right.
We are met in the vestibule of the facility by the physician who interviewed me several weeks ago. Iginla I think is her name.
"Welcome Lord Vader," she says in greeting. "And to you as well, Lady Vader," she adds.
"Thank you Doctor," Padmé replies. "This is our daughter Leia, and our son Luke," she says, turning to the twins. Iginla smiles at them, but I can sense how surprised she is that we have children. I suppose that isn't so surprising considering she only knows me as a cyborg.
"I will have my assistant show you and your children to a place where you can wait," Iginla tells Padmé. "It's very private, and has a kitchen, fresher, even a place to have a nap if you wish. It's a long procedure, as you know."
"That sounds excellent," Padmé replies. "Thank you for your consideration."
Iginla nods, and then looks at me. "Well? Are you ready?" she asks.
"Very ready, yes," I reply. As much as I'm anxious about the surgery I'm about to undergo, I can't wait to get it started.
"Then let's get things under way," she says. "If you'll follow me," she adds.
I turn to my family and accept their hugs as best as I can. I can sense how excited they are- and yet there is fear in them too.
"I will see you soon," I tell them. "For the first time for you two," I add, addressing the twins.
They smile. "We can't wait," Leia tells me.
"We'll be pulling for you, Dad," Luke adds.
I nod, and turn to Padmé next.
"We'll be together soon, Angel," I tell her, taking her face in my hands.
Padmé nods. "I can't wait," she replies softly.
I release her and follow the doctor, taking my first steps into a new life.