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DESTINY
Chapter 6
Luke stormed through the ship's corridors, his heavy footsteps carrying him apace and his expression was as
black as his clothing. Crew which were unfortunate enough to be in his path were knocked aside as the new
Sith pushed forward. Those more alert were able to dodge him, prefering a painful, but brief encounter with a
wall or door than to risk the ire of Skywalker. Luke thoroughly relished his new found power and his
reputation preceeded him in all areas. Though normally he enjoyed the unease which his presence created,
today he barely noticed the colour of his shoes! He had just left a meeting with Vader and was seething at it's
outcome. Like an angry, spoiled child, Luke played the scene over and over in his mind as he sought a place
to lay the blame for his hostility. At times his anger overflowed and he was overheard muttering to himself as
he pressed on through the ship's corridors. Vader's apparent change of heart appeared to defeat the entire
purpose of capturing Leia in the first place and Luke's confusion over his father's peculiar behaviour only fed
his anger. After all, wasn't her death meant to signify his allegiance to Vader and the Empire?
"The whole reason I agreed to remain behind while he went looking for her was so I'd get my chance once
she was our prisoner." His mind began to blur with fury at yet another broken promise. The fact that she
was aboard the ship and he was still being told to wait was more than he was prepared to put up with. He
marched up to the Officer standing at the Detetion Console and demanded the number of the Princess's cell.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I have orders not to disclose that cell number to anyone."
Luke glared at him "I'm not anyone. Tell me where she is!"
Luke was incensed by the Lieutenant's air of indifference and unfaltering manner as he held his ground
on the subject. "Sir. Lord Vader has given direct orders for this information to be kept confidential." The
man paused for a moment while he observed Skywalker's dark demeanour, but was resolved to stand firm.
"Lord Vader expressly ordered that the Princess's whereabouts not be made known to you."
Luke could feel the anger rise up through the back of his neck, "HE WHAT?!"
"Lord Vader ordered...."
"I heard you the first time" Luke sneered. The Officer stood at attention waiting for Luke to speak, or
preferably, to leave. He did neither. He simply stood staring furiously at the floor, his hands clenched
into fists. "When did this order reach you?"
"Just after she was brought on board, Sir." The Lieutenant responded, his voice unwisely tinged with
smug satisfaction.
Infuriated, Luke spat an order for the Officer to open her cell door.
"I'm sorry, Sir. My orders forbid it." he responded calmly.
Luke growled his disdain. He pulled his lightsabre clear of his belt swinging his hand over and behind his
head, igniting the red blade as it skimmed behind his shoulders bringing it forward at full thrust cleanly
slicing the Officer's head from his shoulders.
Skywalker carelessly stepped over the decapitated body and reached for the console panel and immediately
began pushing buttons, opening cell doors one by one. When the entire block was released, he stalked
down the passageway peering into each cell as two armed Stormtroopers scurried behind him. Only three
cells wereoccupied and none of them held Leia. He turned and yelled behind him "Where has he taken her!"
The Stormtroopers stopped dead in their tracks being unable to shed any light on where the Princess might
be hidden.
The veins in Luke's neck pulsated as he tread the length of the Cell Block briefly stopping to look down at
the Lieutentant's lifeless body and wondered which annoyed him more. The fact that he sensed little fear in
the man, or that Vader's command was enforced over his own. Luke grunted, spun on his heel and left.
****
Chewbacca crouched over Solo reaching his strong, hairy arm around the Corellian's shoulders supporting
him as he sipped from a cup. He still shivered uncontrollably, but was less fearful of his blindness knowing
it was only temporary. The Wookiee maintained a vigil by his side, wrapping him in blankets and offering
food and drink. Every so often, he would hug his old friend to express his joy at their reunion and Solo
would pat his arm to return the gesture.
"It's good to be back home on the Falcon."
"You know, a little bit of maintenance on the vortex stabilizer would have come in handy!" Lando commented
via the intercom.
"Hey, any breakdowns while I was out of action had nothing to do with me. She was in perfect working order
when I landed her on Bespin."
Lando's voice chuckled through the speaker. "It's good to have you back, buddy. And in one piece too!"
Chewbacca echoed the sentiment.
"Is Leia alright?" asked Solo
The speaker crackled once again with Calrissian's jovial voice "Now there's a story for you! Lando set the
ship onto automatic pilot and stood to join his companions in Solo's quarters where he conveyed the
unbelievable news of Luke's defection to the Empire and to the Darkside. He told of Leia's vision and her
decision to follow Obi-Wan's instructions just so she could say she tried, if nothing else. Especially since
nearly all Rebel Bases had suffered an Emperial attack, events which were now commonly understood to be
orchestrated by Luke himself. "You see, as much as she wanted to come with us, she kinda knew you'd be
in good hands, and she's promised to meet up with us as soon as all this Jedi buisness is sorted out." Lando
waited for Han to respond, but it was obvious by the Corellian's expression that he found the entire story
completely preposterous.
"You gotta be kidding!" was all Solo could manage once he had found his voice. "Luke's joined up with
Vader and now Leia's run off to see if she can do battle with the both of them!"
"Well, it looks that way!" offered Lando
"AND YOU TWO LET HER GO!"
There was an awkward silence in the room as Calrissian and the Wookiee eyed each other while trying to find
a way to explain the situation. Chewbacca offered his reasoning, but it didn't sit well with Solo.
"Yeah! So what!" spat Solo "She's always been stubborn and bad tempered. But I've never let it be a reason
for allowing her to go and get herself killed!"
Annoyed, Lando stood with the intention of returning to the cockpit. "Yeah! Well she's not my girlfriend and
she seems tough enough to look after herself. Besides, she only went to train, not to fight! Chewie here, and I
thought we'd come 'n rescue you instead!"
"You know as well as I do that she doesn't stand a chance! We're gonna have to go find her and bring her
back!"
Lando stopped at the door, turning his glance towards Solo. "And where would you like us to start?"
A proud voice from Chewbacca calmed Han and brought a smile to his face. "Well done, Chewie! I knew I
could trust you to look after her one way or another!"
****
News of the Lieutentant's death was spreading quickly throughout the ship and Leia sat ashen faced on the
foot of her bunk listening to her guards murmuring about their comrade's ruthless death. She couldn't help but
wonder if Luke knew he was her brother, but the answer was too horrid to contemplate.
****
The vast inky blackness of space stretched on eternally and Vader stared at the stars dotted throughout his
view being reminded of the promise Anakin made to himself as a boy. He hadn't been to all of them, and the
civilizations on those which he had now held him in fear and contempt. His exchange with the Princess had
unsettled him greatly. His thoughts were in confusion and she had stirred emotions which he had denied
himself for decades. More and more he came to know that Padme had borne a daughter along with his son. He
turned from the porthole and paced the floor of his quarters, before once again settling to stare at the vacuity
beyond his window.
As expected, the Dark Lord heard the footsteps approach from behind him and calmly turned to face his angry
son. The words he offered only incensed the boy further. "My quarters are my own! You are not afforded the
luxury of entering them as you please."
Showing no sign of intimidation, Luke stepped towards his superior and questioned him. "Do you intend to
break your word, Father? Wasn't it your will that I prove my allegiance to you with the Princess' death?"
Vader raised a commanding and threatening finger. "Do not feel it is necessary to remind me of my bidding of
you! Your opportunity to impress me will not be wasted and you will learn your place under MY command!"
Luke's discontent consumed him as he stood staring up at the black mask. He wondered if Vader's features were
like his own. If he too, had felt such utter dispair throughout his life. If he had been held back and lied to, only
to discover too late that it had all been for nothing. If so, then why was he prolonging the one thing that could
unite them completely and see them side by side as rulers of the galaxy? Luke composed himself enough to
speak without irritation. "I hope this does not take too long, Father. I am eager to prove myself."
Momentarily the two Sith stood silent gauging one another, then each nodded respectfully. Vader returned to
the window. Luke left the way he came.
end chapter 6
DESTINY
Chapter 6
Luke stormed through the ship's corridors, his heavy footsteps carrying him apace and his expression was as
black as his clothing. Crew which were unfortunate enough to be in his path were knocked aside as the new
Sith pushed forward. Those more alert were able to dodge him, prefering a painful, but brief encounter with a
wall or door than to risk the ire of Skywalker. Luke thoroughly relished his new found power and his
reputation preceeded him in all areas. Though normally he enjoyed the unease which his presence created,
today he barely noticed the colour of his shoes! He had just left a meeting with Vader and was seething at it's
outcome. Like an angry, spoiled child, Luke played the scene over and over in his mind as he sought a place
to lay the blame for his hostility. At times his anger overflowed and he was overheard muttering to himself as
he pressed on through the ship's corridors. Vader's apparent change of heart appeared to defeat the entire
purpose of capturing Leia in the first place and Luke's confusion over his father's peculiar behaviour only fed
his anger. After all, wasn't her death meant to signify his allegiance to Vader and the Empire?
"The whole reason I agreed to remain behind while he went looking for her was so I'd get my chance once
she was our prisoner." His mind began to blur with fury at yet another broken promise. The fact that she
was aboard the ship and he was still being told to wait was more than he was prepared to put up with. He
marched up to the Officer standing at the Detetion Console and demanded the number of the Princess's cell.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I have orders not to disclose that cell number to anyone."
Luke glared at him "I'm not anyone. Tell me where she is!"
Luke was incensed by the Lieutenant's air of indifference and unfaltering manner as he held his ground
on the subject. "Sir. Lord Vader has given direct orders for this information to be kept confidential." The
man paused for a moment while he observed Skywalker's dark demeanour, but was resolved to stand firm.
"Lord Vader expressly ordered that the Princess's whereabouts not be made known to you."
Luke could feel the anger rise up through the back of his neck, "HE WHAT?!"
"Lord Vader ordered...."
"I heard you the first time" Luke sneered. The Officer stood at attention waiting for Luke to speak, or
preferably, to leave. He did neither. He simply stood staring furiously at the floor, his hands clenched
into fists. "When did this order reach you?"
"Just after she was brought on board, Sir." The Lieutenant responded, his voice unwisely tinged with
smug satisfaction.
Infuriated, Luke spat an order for the Officer to open her cell door.
"I'm sorry, Sir. My orders forbid it." he responded calmly.
Luke growled his disdain. He pulled his lightsabre clear of his belt swinging his hand over and behind his
head, igniting the red blade as it skimmed behind his shoulders bringing it forward at full thrust cleanly
slicing the Officer's head from his shoulders.
Skywalker carelessly stepped over the decapitated body and reached for the console panel and immediately
began pushing buttons, opening cell doors one by one. When the entire block was released, he stalked
down the passageway peering into each cell as two armed Stormtroopers scurried behind him. Only three
cells wereoccupied and none of them held Leia. He turned and yelled behind him "Where has he taken her!"
The Stormtroopers stopped dead in their tracks being unable to shed any light on where the Princess might
be hidden.
The veins in Luke's neck pulsated as he tread the length of the Cell Block briefly stopping to look down at
the Lieutentant's lifeless body and wondered which annoyed him more. The fact that he sensed little fear in
the man, or that Vader's command was enforced over his own. Luke grunted, spun on his heel and left.
****
Chewbacca crouched over Solo reaching his strong, hairy arm around the Corellian's shoulders supporting
him as he sipped from a cup. He still shivered uncontrollably, but was less fearful of his blindness knowing
it was only temporary. The Wookiee maintained a vigil by his side, wrapping him in blankets and offering
food and drink. Every so often, he would hug his old friend to express his joy at their reunion and Solo
would pat his arm to return the gesture.
"It's good to be back home on the Falcon."
"You know, a little bit of maintenance on the vortex stabilizer would have come in handy!" Lando commented
via the intercom.
"Hey, any breakdowns while I was out of action had nothing to do with me. She was in perfect working order
when I landed her on Bespin."
Lando's voice chuckled through the speaker. "It's good to have you back, buddy. And in one piece too!"
Chewbacca echoed the sentiment.
"Is Leia alright?" asked Solo
The speaker crackled once again with Calrissian's jovial voice "Now there's a story for you! Lando set the
ship onto automatic pilot and stood to join his companions in Solo's quarters where he conveyed the
unbelievable news of Luke's defection to the Empire and to the Darkside. He told of Leia's vision and her
decision to follow Obi-Wan's instructions just so she could say she tried, if nothing else. Especially since
nearly all Rebel Bases had suffered an Emperial attack, events which were now commonly understood to be
orchestrated by Luke himself. "You see, as much as she wanted to come with us, she kinda knew you'd be
in good hands, and she's promised to meet up with us as soon as all this Jedi buisness is sorted out." Lando
waited for Han to respond, but it was obvious by the Corellian's expression that he found the entire story
completely preposterous.
"You gotta be kidding!" was all Solo could manage once he had found his voice. "Luke's joined up with
Vader and now Leia's run off to see if she can do battle with the both of them!"
"Well, it looks that way!" offered Lando
"AND YOU TWO LET HER GO!"
There was an awkward silence in the room as Calrissian and the Wookiee eyed each other while trying to find
a way to explain the situation. Chewbacca offered his reasoning, but it didn't sit well with Solo.
"Yeah! So what!" spat Solo "She's always been stubborn and bad tempered. But I've never let it be a reason
for allowing her to go and get herself killed!"
Annoyed, Lando stood with the intention of returning to the cockpit. "Yeah! Well she's not my girlfriend and
she seems tough enough to look after herself. Besides, she only went to train, not to fight! Chewie here, and I
thought we'd come 'n rescue you instead!"
"You know as well as I do that she doesn't stand a chance! We're gonna have to go find her and bring her
back!"
Lando stopped at the door, turning his glance towards Solo. "And where would you like us to start?"
A proud voice from Chewbacca calmed Han and brought a smile to his face. "Well done, Chewie! I knew I
could trust you to look after her one way or another!"
****
News of the Lieutentant's death was spreading quickly throughout the ship and Leia sat ashen faced on the
foot of her bunk listening to her guards murmuring about their comrade's ruthless death. She couldn't help but
wonder if Luke knew he was her brother, but the answer was too horrid to contemplate.
****
The vast inky blackness of space stretched on eternally and Vader stared at the stars dotted throughout his
view being reminded of the promise Anakin made to himself as a boy. He hadn't been to all of them, and the
civilizations on those which he had now held him in fear and contempt. His exchange with the Princess had
unsettled him greatly. His thoughts were in confusion and she had stirred emotions which he had denied
himself for decades. More and more he came to know that Padme had borne a daughter along with his son. He
turned from the porthole and paced the floor of his quarters, before once again settling to stare at the vacuity
beyond his window.
As expected, the Dark Lord heard the footsteps approach from behind him and calmly turned to face his angry
son. The words he offered only incensed the boy further. "My quarters are my own! You are not afforded the
luxury of entering them as you please."
Showing no sign of intimidation, Luke stepped towards his superior and questioned him. "Do you intend to
break your word, Father? Wasn't it your will that I prove my allegiance to you with the Princess' death?"
Vader raised a commanding and threatening finger. "Do not feel it is necessary to remind me of my bidding of
you! Your opportunity to impress me will not be wasted and you will learn your place under MY command!"
Luke's discontent consumed him as he stood staring up at the black mask. He wondered if Vader's features were
like his own. If he too, had felt such utter dispair throughout his life. If he had been held back and lied to, only
to discover too late that it had all been for nothing. If so, then why was he prolonging the one thing that could
unite them completely and see them side by side as rulers of the galaxy? Luke composed himself enough to
speak without irritation. "I hope this does not take too long, Father. I am eager to prove myself."
Momentarily the two Sith stood silent gauging one another, then each nodded respectfully. Vader returned to
the window. Luke left the way he came.
end chapter 6