Orbit of the Bespin system

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Among the endlessly vast field of stars in the galaxy, in the Anoat sector, in the Outer Rim Territories, stood the gas planet of Bespin.

The planet Bespin was a planet filled with nothing but tibanna gas on both the planet's surface and it's atmosphere. Bespin did not have not much of a surface for sentient life-forms to inhabit and tibanna gas was quite poisonous for any creature that breathed oxygen, so any and all lifeforms lived in giant mining operating stations in the planet's airfield where it was safe and breathable. Tibanna gas was a much desired resource in the galaxy, since it could, among other things, be used as fuel for ships and space stations and the ammunition for blasters. The planet's tibanna gas was harvested and refined in several mining complexes such as the gas mining facility and metropolis of Cloud City, now owned and operated by Lando Calrissian.

Lando managed to keep the operation up and running after he won it from a sabacc game with the previous owner of the operation, Dominic Raynor. Instead of using the mining facility for a smuggler's den like he had for previous operations, Lando kept the city and its operation running, since he now was the Baron Administrator of Cloud City. He was in charge, not just of the operation, but the whole city and all it's people. He was now a responsible leader in addition to being a galactic entrepreneur and a respectable business man (at least in his own mind). Lando considered this to be one of the best deals he ever made in his life.

Since tibanna gas was one of the most desired resources in the galaxy, Lando could run a successful business, make all the money he wanted, and do it all without attracting the attention of the Empire.

Until now.

Coming in from out of hyperspace was the dreaded super star destroyer Executor, the flagship of Darth Vader.

One of the largest and most powerful Imperial vessels, the Executor was over 19,000 meters long, far larger than a normal Imperial-class Star Destroyer. The Executor was armed with over 5,000 turbolasers and ion cannons. The center of the arrowhead-shaped hull was covered by a city-like superstructure, while the underside hosted most of the engineering systems. The aft end of the Executor was marked by a trapezoid command tower crowned by two communication and deflection domes. At the bottom end of the hull were thirteen thrusters responsible for moving the ship.

The Executor had a reputation for being a symbol of doom for any rebel scum who dared to speak or take action against the Empire. With more than 5,000 weapon emplacements, the Executor had enough firepower to quickly destroy a planet's surface. The Executor's presence alone, was enough to intimidate an entire star system into submission; make them surrender without a fight.

On the bridge of the Executor stood the most powerful and feared figure in the galaxy, second only to Emperor Palpatine. Standing at over 6 feet tall, dressed in black cloaks and armor, and his face encased in a terrifying breathing mask and helmet which had become regarded as the "face" of the Galactic Empire, was the slayer of the Jedi, the scourge of the Rebellion, the Chosen One of Jedi Legend, and now a Dark Lord of the Sith...Darth Vader himself.

Darth Vader stood on the bridge of the Executor staring out at the stars, as he often did. Usually he was either contemplating his next move against the Rebellion, or just watching the Imperial fleet as they fly by the Executor. The sound of sharp mechanical breathing of his respiratory mask was one of the only sounds on deck. The crew and officers were working quietly behind him, careful to not disturb Vader from his contemplation.

Thanks to information brought by the Mandalorian bounty hunter Boba Fett, Vader was aware that that one of the most wanted rebel vessels, the YT-1300 light freighter known as the Millennium Falcon, was en route to Bespin attempting to hide from the Empire's pursuit. Despite the fact that on board the Millennium Falcon were some of the most wanted fugitives of the Empire (such as Captain Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa) Vader was only interested in one thing: the capture of Luke Skywalker.

Despite the enormous amount of pain it caused to his damaged face, underneath his mask, Vader smiled to himself since his plans were finally coming to fruition.

Vader's plan was simple: He would capture the Millennium Falcon and it's crew who where the friends of Skywalker, torture them so that he could attract the attention of Skywalker whose Force abilities were growing stronger every day. Vader would then reveal their familial connection, offer Skywalker the chance to destroy the Emperor, and rule the galaxy by Vader's side as father and son.

Darth Vader was finally coming to the end (or so he thought) of a search he had obsessed over for 3 standard years ever since he encountered the Force-sensitive pilot who destroyed the first Death Star, the rebel who now wielded Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber, and found out that not only were they the same man, but also the son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala.

His son.

Not too long ago, Vader had hired Boba Fett to track down the identity of the Force-sensitive Rebel pilot who destroyed the first Death Star. Vader remembered the day the bounty hunter bought the information to him about the wanted man in question;

...

(Boba Fett) "I lost him."

(Darth Vader) "That is most disappointing."

(Boba Fett) "He got lucky."

(Darth Vader) "Did you bring me anything of value, Bounty Hunter?"

(Boba Fett) "Not much. Just his name. Skywalker."

Darth Vader remained silent in shock, which seethed into great anger and even greater hate. He thought the universe was rid of that name forever. Apparently not. Vader was furious, but remained silent and which did not go unnoticed by the bounty hunter.

"We're done here, then." Boba Fett said as he left, leaving the Sith Lord alone with his thoughts, anger, and memories.

His memories. Memories that he had buried and forgotten for over 20 standard years.

After the Battle over Courscant when Padmé announced her pregnancy to Anakin...

(Padmé) "Something wonderful has happened. Ani..I'm pregnant"

(Anakin) "That's...that's wonderful."

After the charred near-dead corpse of Anakin Skywalker had been rebuilt in the dark armor of his current appearance as Darth Vader...

(Darth Vader) "Where is Padmé? Is she safe? Is she alright?"

(Darth Sidious) "I'm afraid she died. It seems in your anger...you killed her."

Vader's anger over himself, that burned like the fires of Mustafar, was not just a product of his own mistakes but had been made worse by Sidious' lies and manipulation. Yes, she died; but she gave birth before her death. To a son. His son.

The only word Vader was able to muster from his burning rage, aside from the crinkling sound of his leather gloves tightening in his grip was: "Skywalker..."

He could see it all coming back to him...

The frightened look on Padmé's face as he broke her heart...

Her body lying peacefully in her tombstone on Naboo with the piece of japor snippet in her hands...

The mysterious rebel pilot in the trench, moments before the pilot destroyed the Death Star...

The rebel spy on Cymoon-1 claiming that Darth Vader killed his father, knew Obi-Wan Kenobi, and wielding Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber...

Could only be the son he never knew he had. A missing piece of the life he could have had. Should have had.

A piece of Anakin and Padmé still lived in that boy. A piece he was determined to reclaim.

(Darth Vader) "I have a son."

From that moment he sought revenge on Sidious for lying to him after all this time, for taking away what could have been his all along. What should have been his all along.

Vader vowed in that moment;

"He Will Be Mine"

"It Will All Be Mine."

Using the Force as he took his anger out on his Star Destroyer's viewports as they shattered to pieces..."

...

With the capture of Skywalker, Vader would finally have his revenge on his hated master for lying to him for over 20 standard years about the death of his beloved wife and his, previously thought to be, unborn child. With his son by side, Vader would take what should always have been his right from the start; power. Unlimited Power.

Vader silently turned away from the viewports, crossed the bridge, and walked down the hallways back to his private chambers; his cape billowing as he walked. The personnel knew better than to get in his way, lest they suffer the Dark Lord's wrath. Vader ruled through fear; he inflicted fear not just on the rebels but also on his own subordinates. They knew the consequences of failure under Vader's command, so they knew to be careful.

Darth Vader retreated to his private chambers were there was a meditation pod that allowed him a few precious moments of peace and air without his face mask and helmet. Since his fateful duel with Obi-Wan on Mustafar 20 standard years ago, his body was burned and damaged so badly, that he could not survive without the protection of his suit. The meditation pod was equipped with a supermedicated high-pressure gas mix which allowed Vader to safely rest free of his breathing mask, and help his badly damaged lungs absorb oxygen, and help his scarred head and face could feel fresh air.

Also, in his chambers was his own private HoloNet transceiver where Vader could communicate privately with the Emperor.

"The Emperor. Now." Vader commanded the system.

A 20-foot hologram of The Emperor flickered to life on the HoloNet transceiver. Emperor Palpatine was dressed in a simple black hooded cloak, but underneath the hood was the real monster. The Emperor was very ugly and looked to be over a thousand years old, with rotten yellow teeth, and red/yellow eyes that were a feared symbol of the Sith.

Vader knelt before the hologram of his master, the supreme ruler of the galaxy, publicly known as Emperor Palpatine; but in reality the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

"Master Sidious" Vader bowed as he knelt.

"Lord Vader. What have you to report?" Darth Sidious spoke in a raspy, sickening voice that as equally chilling as the sound of Vader's breathing. The Sith Lords were just as monstrous as the power they wielded.

"I am close to the capture of Skywalker. We have been informed his rebel friends are attempting to escape to the Bespin system. There I will capture them, and hold them hostage until he comes to their rescue. Then he will be mine, and I shall bring him before you."

"Gooood...The boy's compassion for his friends is a weakness. One that shall be exploited. Soon the Rebellion will be crushed and the son of Skywalker will be one of us. Beware Lord Vader, he grows stronger with The Force." Sidious warned, although he knew that their plans were about to culminate in their favor.

"He is just a boy. He lacks the help of a master to teach him the ways of The Force. He will not be able to resist the power of the dark side." Vader responded

"Patience my friend. He will soon understand the power of the dark side. Can it be done?" Sidious asked.

"He will join us or die, master."

Vader bowed again before Darth Sidious, ending his communication. Vader was assured of the success of his mission. He would capture of his son Luke Skywalker, He would avenge his wife the late Padmé Amidala, and He would have his revenge on his hated master for his cruel deception.

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The Byzantine Knight: Darth Vader's flashback where he realizes that Luke is his son, happened in Darth Vader #6 (Marvel, 2015)

I should also give credit to Wookieepedia for the descriptions of planets, spaceships, and other stuff I know about, but they were able to describe better on a technical level.

As I mentioned before this story starts during the events of The Empire Strikes Back, so by this point the Empire has arrived on Bespin and Cloud City before the Rebels have.

I also had to open this story the same way the Original Trilogy does; with an Imperial Star Destroyer cruising through space. It's a STAR WARS tradition to do that.

I can't recommend enough that you read the new Star Wars comics by Marvel (2015-now); although certain circumstances in those comics have been altered here.

Brooke Page: That was a great chapter. We introduced a few of the classic Star Wars characters, and set a few things in motion for what is to come. Also, great use of the Expanded Universe sources to enhance the galaxy. I love that scene from the comics where Vader realizes that Luke is his son, and I'm glad you included it. I enjoyed narrating this chapter, and I can't to see what happen in the next chapter.

BK: Thanks Brooke, I enjoyed it too. I hope everyone else did too. I think this chapter and your narration was...Impressive. (in Darth Vader's voice) Most Impressive.

BP: *giggles* So when does Ever After High become involved?

BK: Not yet, Brooke. First we have to visit Yoda, Luke, and R2 on Dagobah before we visit our friends at Ever After High.

BP: OK. On to Dagobah then!

BK: That was enough of the Dark Side for now. Let's get back to the Light Side...