Star Wars: Cross Paths
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Chapter 32 – A Surprise from the Emperor
They were gathered in the hut of Chief Chirpa. 3PO was in the center, with R2, telling them the story, while Chewie, Han and Leia were sitting a little afar, paying attention.
Luke and Ines entered in the hut and stood at the entrance. Luke wrapped his arms around Ines waist from behind and pressed his chest against her back. He wanted to hold her as much time as he could, resting his hands on her belly, while resting his right cheek on her left one, enjoying the last minutes they had together.
As the protocol droid ended the story, the Chief started to talked with the other Ewoks, while the others were wondering what was going on. After the rumble of the drum, 3PO turned to them
"Wonderful. We are now part of the tribe"
Once he told that, Luke got tense and let go Ines, who looked behind her and seeing him leaving, she followed him.
She reached him and they didn't need any words to know he was about to meet Vader and that could be the last time they could see each other.
Luke pulled her into his arms and they stood there in silence, just hugging each other.
"You have to tell Leia before you leave" she said as Luke pulled away
"I know. I also know she will not react well when she finds out who our father is"
"No she wont" Ines told him and ran her hand on his face while the tears started to run down her cheeks.
"Don't cry" he told wiping her tears
"I'm scare to lose you, this time for good. Why can't we have a moment of peace?" she cried
Luke hugged her again, rest his head on the base of her neck. He was fighting the tears. He didn't want to stress her out.
"Be strong my love."
Ines face him
"I will always love you Luke"
"I know. I love you and our baby forever" he said pulling in her into a kiss, tasting her lips again, trying to take her scent with him.
Leia appeared and stopped
"I'm sorry I didn't want to interrupted"
"It is okay. I think you two need to talk too" Ines said and looking at Luke she left while Luke stand there watching the love of his life, thinking if that was the last time he would see her again.
He sighed and look down
"Luke, what's wrong?" Leia asked him
Luke turn to face her. There was something he was eager to ask her since he find out they were brother and sister
"Leia, do you remember your mother? Your real mother?" he asked sitting down on the rail.
"Just a little bit. She died when I was very young"
"What do you remember?" he asked her again
"Just images, really. Feelings"
"Tell me" he insisted
Sighing she smiled at the memory
"She was… very beautiful. Kind but sad. Luke why are you asking me this?" she asked him
"I have no memory of my mother. I never knew her" he said looking away
"Luke, tell me. What's troubling you? Is everything okay with Ines and the baby?"
Luke looked at her
"Yes. Is just… Vader is here. Now. On this moon"
"I do you know?"
"I felt his presence. He's come for me. He can feel when I'm near. That's why I have to go. As long as I stay, I'm endangering the group and our mission here. I have to face him."
"Why?"
He looked down, hesitated for a moment, then staring at her he spoke
"He's my father"
Leia looked at him in shock
"Your father?"
"There's more. It won't be easy for you to hear it, but you must. If I don't make back, you and Ines are the only hope for the Alliance."
"Luke don't talk that way. Now that you and Ines have a baby on the way. Besides you two have a power I don't understand and could never have"
"You're wrong Leia, you have that power too. In time, you'll learn to use it as I have and as Ines is learning. The Force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it and… my sister has it"
Leia gasped at him.
"Yes. It's you Leia"
Leia looked down, for some reason she knew about that
"I know. Somehow I've always know"
"Then you know why I have to face him" he replied
Leia stood up and looked at him
"No. Luke ran away, far away. Take Ines and go. If he can feel your presence then leave this place. I wish I could with both of you"
"No you don't" he said standing up "You've always been strong"
"But why must you confront him?" she said fighting the tears
"Because there still good in him, I felt it. He won't turn me over the Emperor. I can save him. I can turn him back to the good side. I have to try" he said "Just take care of Ines and our baby"
Leia nod as Luke kiss her on the cheek and left, leaving Leia alone.
"Hey what is going on?" Han asked as he appeared seeing Luke leaving.
"Nothing. I just wanna be alone for a little while" she replied facing him.
"Nothing?" he asked sitting "Tell me. What's going on?"
Leia turned to face him. She wanted to tell him but for now she thought it was the best idea to leave it.
"I can't tell you"
"Could you tell Luke? Is that who you could tell?" Han said in anger.
All she needed right now was a jealous behavior. Turning she tried to fight the tears as Han was about to leave.
Han stopped and taking a deep breath he turned around
"I'm sorry"
She looked at him
"Hold me" and hugged him.
Ines was alone, in the dark. How could she go on without Luke? She needed him, now more than ever. She couldn't raise their son alone.
Looking down she cried when she heard a noise behind. Wiping the tears she looked back
"Leia is that you?"
But she didn't saw anyone. Then she heard again.
"Hello? Han? Chewie" she called at the same time she was walking towards the shadow of the figure. When she got closer she gasped when she saw an Imperial officer. She didn't have any weapons so all she could do was turned around and run, but when she did that she bumped to a stormtrooper and before she could scream someone injected a needle on her neck and in seconds everything went black.
Vader's Imperial Shuttle landed on the platform, as the ramp came down and the Dark Lord walked out of it, an Imperial Officer appeared, caring an unconscious Ines on his arms, followed by two Storm Troopers
"My Lord. We got the girl"
"Good. Did you use the right dosage?" Vader asked
"Yes my lord. As plan"
"Good. We don't want to harm the child she is caring" Vader said looking at the fainted girl in front of him. The mother of his grandchild. Reaching her stomach he touched it and felt the life form inside of her caring his son essence "Take her to the shuttle and wait for us. We will have another passenger"
"Who my Lord?"
"The father of the child" he replied and started to walked towards the bridge, while the officer took Ines back to the shuttle.
As Vader walked down though the bridge he reached the other door opened and another Officer appeared, with Luke.
"This is the rebel that surrendered to us. Although he denies it, I believe there may be more of them and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area. He was armed only with this" and he handle Luke's lightsaber
"Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring his companions to me"
"Yes, my Lord" and he left along side the Storm Troopers, leaving Vader alone with Luke.
"The Emperor has been expecting you" Vader informed Luke.
"I know, Father" Luke nod making Vader look at him
"So, you have accepted the truth"
"I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father" he looked at her
"That name no longer has any meaning to me" Vader stopped facing Luke
"It is the name of your true self. You've only forgotten." he replied "I know there is good in you. The emperor hasn't driven it from you fully" he continue turning his back on him "That was why you couldn't destroy me. That's why you won't bring me to your emperor now."
Vader looked at his hand, to Luke's new lightsaber and igniting it
"I see you have constructed a new lightsaber. Your skills are complete." as he turned off "Indeed you are powerful as the emperor has foreseen"
Luke turned back
"Come with me" he called to his father
"Obi-Wan once thought as you do" Vader replied and turned to Luke "You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master"
"I will not turn and you'll be forced to kill me" Luke replied
"If that was your destiny, but we both know it isn't"
"Search your feelings, Father. You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate"
"It is too late for me, son. The emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now" Vader replied while the Storm troopers entered to take Luke to the shuttle.
Luke looked at his father and nod
"Then my father is truly dead" and he followed the troopers, leaving Vader alone for a while thinking if what he was doing was right. Risking his son's life but also his grandchild.
Luke was climbing the stairs and reaching the platform, he walked towards the ramp, when he raise his head and his heart started to beat fast. Vader came behind him and the moment they entered the shuttle, Luke froze as he saw the last person he wanted to see there. She was laying down, looked like she had being drugged with her hands tied.
"No" he said and went towards her "Ines, sweetheart" he touched her face but she was still unconscious. Looking up he asked him "What did you do to her? Why is she here?"
"It is a surprise from the emperor himself. You two are important to him. You know why you are important. As for her, she is caring it"
Luke gasped at that.
"Let her go. Please"
"Sorry my son. She and my grandchild will come too"
Luke looked down to Ines.
"I will not allow him to hurt both of you, my love. I promise" he said as he stand next to her during the trip as Vader watched it closely.
Now what will happen with Ines as well? Will Luke be able to protect her too?