Some information in this chapter was gratefully obtained from the book
'Star Wars Incredible Cross Sections'.
Without this reference book, I would be unable to describe a Tie Fighter
from a number 8 bus! Thanks to you
all for your patience with the delay of this chapter. Reason being, is
that life happens and fanfiction gets put
on hold, but you are all wonderful for holding an interest in this story
and my apologies for making you wait.
You people are the best. THANK YOU!
DESTINY
Chapter 8
The pain in his head throbbed with an unrelenting ferocity as he searched in vain for an answer. Pushing the palms of his hands against his head achieved no relief as this was an agony borne of confusion, anger and doubt. Luke continued to pace the Bridge, anger raging throughout him. He couldn't release the pressure from his head and neither could he sit. Vader's abrupt departure with the Princess was more than he could stand. One thought kept screeching in his mind 'Betrayal! Once again, I am betrayed!' He inhaled deeply, willing himself into a state less violent and slowly raised his head to stare out into the endlessness of space. "It WILL be mine!" he whispered through clenched teeth. "I haven't come this far for nothing."
Skywalker barked an sullen order to the Admiral, "Check the Log for the transmission code of the Slave 1!" He turned to glare at the Officer, making certain he was being heard. Satisfied, the young Sith walked over to the console to watch the proceedings. " Then send a message relaying our co-ordinates and order Boba Fett's return to The Executor." Facing the Officer with a formidable expression, he continued, "Waste no time with this, Admiral! Make sure Fett is left in no doubt of his instructions or the urgency of this message!" Luke began making his way to the door, throwing an after thought over his shoulder, "Make it clear he will be paid for his trouble."
****
Vader had not set foot on Naboo in the twenty or so years since he joined with Sideous and he discovered all had remained as it was back then. Even the view of Naboo's lakes from the balcony of what used to be her home, had changed little over the years. There was nothing to suggest she had ever left. But appearances can be deceptive, for she was, indeed, gone. His mind wandered briefly and he considered that nothing had been the same for him since her presence had vanished from his life. Still, Naboo and her people had been spared much of the strict regimentation of the Empire, Vader had seen to that! Only a small garrison was ever watching over the picturesque planet. He never conceded this omission to the rule to be maudlin or a sign of weakness, instead, he held the planet as an example to all others as a show of reward for compliance and loyalty to the governing body. If the truth were to be forced from him it would be that he couldn't bear to destroy one of the last tangible links to her.
And now, he returned here to seek out her memory and question his path. The face of the girl walking slightly behind him was merely the catalyst of his emotions. The uncertainty began when he sensed Luke's strength and proximity, and a yearning transpired within him to bring the boy closer. But was it his son he searched for, or Padme? Ultimately, the alliance with Luke was disappointing. The boy had proven to be too much like himself, when it was a sweeter memory that he craved.
He glanced briefly over his shoulder to Leia who walked carefully behind him, her hands now free of the bindings. Vader was fully aware the only reason she hadn't attempted to escape, was the intimidation of his force power over hers. She wasn't a fool! It was obvious to her what little chance she stood against him. But more than that, he sensed Padme's strength and courage in her. Luke's bravery was foolhardy, Leia's was ingrained in her character, like her mother.
"Do you know me?" His matter-of-fact tone broke the long held silence between them.
"Yes." Leia's response was as equally lacklustre.
They continued their unbroken stride and Vader again addressed her over his shoulder. "Do you fear me?"
"No! I believe it's you who fear me!" Her voice held firm and Vader briefly turned to face her, but maintained his pace. For anyone else perhaps, those words would have had dire consequences. However, not only did Leia currently care little for her fate, she meant every word she said. "Why else would you spirit me away if you weren't afraid of something I could either say, or do? Then at once, a realization settled upon her, and Leia understood that Vader was no longer intent on harming her. Although this was somewhat of a relief, it triggered a different rage within her and encouraged a barrage of questions. "Where is my brother? I thought he was eager to meet with me?" She ceased walking and addressed his back with a demanding an impatient temper, "Why have you brought me here?"
Declining a response, Darth Vader continued walking a short distance until he reached a doorway at the end of the long passage. "If you would speak with me in here, perhaps we may be of help to each other."
He stood aside and motioned for the Princess to enter before him. She eyed him cautiously before slowly stepping forward to peek into the room. No-one was inside, it would just be the two of them. She looked back at the emotionless black mask, curiously surprised to feel a compassion emanating from behind it. The usually fearsome armour seemed to soften in her view and she imagined a man caged inside. She nodded, then entered.
The room was beautiful. A far cry from the customary cold, sterile interrigation chambers in which she was usually confronted with Vader. In fact, the room had an inviting ambience and was obviously designed for greeting visitors. Leia rubbed her hand across the back of one of the couches and, still cautious, she turned to face Vader, "If you have brought me here to provide answers for the feelilngs which you're experiencing, I may be a disappointment to you." She offered quietly, "I'm not sure I'm in a position to offer such answers." She turned away from the Dark Lord, her voice raising slightly with determination "But I can assure you, I have many, many questions for you."
Vader stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him. He wasn't looking for answers, as the Princess thought. He was searching for a link back to Padme.
****
Skywalker sat at the controls of his Shuttle preparing for departure. It seemed the force was against him again and his take off was being delayed by trivial malfunctions which seemed to take an eternity to correct. He used the time to muse on the controls of his ship. He scoffed when he considered the rigid design of theTie Fighters which hung from the cycling racks above him. Each craft exactly as the next. The absence of landing gear forbidding the pilot to ever be in complete control, always forced to rely on a higher authority. As well, there was slim chance a pilot would ever fly the same ship twice, thus, giving no opportunity for any of them to develope a sentimental attachment to any one particular ship, as the Rebels would do. Luke disagreeingly shook his head in the manner of a true pilot. As a leader of the Empire he would see that he was always in command of a ship to his particular liking. There was no reason for him to submit to the Imperial philosophy of absolute conformity. A mistake perhaps, but not from Luke's angry point of view.
The light signal on the Navigational Beacon finally flashed in his favour. "At last!" he groaned, and lifted the shuttle from the departure deck and steered it through the launch hatch and into space.
His plan was simple. He would stand beside the Emperor in a show of solidarity against his father. This being Luke's response to the betrayal that Vader had delivered when he secretively escorted the Princess off The Executor. He would deliver the news of Vader's plan to overthrow Sideous as the lure to bring about his own turning and unite with his father as the new rulers of the galaxy. In Luke's mind, his life had come full circle and he was now in control of his birthrite and he set his course for Coruscant.
The Millenium Falcon was already in hyper-space en route to Naboo.
****
The air between Leia and Vader was naturally tense. The contempt in which she held him would require more than a few carefully chosen words and good intentions before she would lower her guard and consider trusting him. Furthermore, the state of her well being was still completely in his hands and she maintained her vigilance towards him.
The entire situation was infernal! Four days ago she was grieving the loss of Han and preparing to mount a search for him. She had both discovered and lost a twin brother and was bestowed with the news by a deceased Jedi that she was the one remaining hope who could bring about peace in the galaxy! Now she found herself in an elaborate sitting room face to face with the very man responsible for her heartache. The most astonishing fact amongst all of this, she thought, was the knowledge that she had willingly embarked on this journey! It was ludicrous and her irritation grew while she listened to Vader's tale of woe and self pity. She would have risked incuring his wrath by shouting her impatience out loud had she not been so shocked by what he said next.
"You were forced to stand by helplessly as you watched your lover being torn from your side! But you escaped and began searching for him." Vader paused, watching her expression of acknowledgement. He walked to the window and supported himself with one arm pressed against the frame. "Understand my despair when I discovered I was deceived with lies and robbed of my family for the sake of tradition in an archaic order." Again, his voice faded as he stared toward the lake's horizon. "I don't know what manner of lie your mother was fed, but it must surely have been great! The chin of his mask dropped to his chest. "For it convinced her to forsake both me and her son." Leia stood watching him silently. "I am not responsible for your childhood fate, nor did I have a hand in your mother's death." His voice was now barely audible, "And... I was a victim of a conspiracy to conceal your existence from me!" The sadness eminating from Vader evoked emotion within Leia's heart which she never believed would be sympathetic towards this monster. She said nothing. After all, what was there to say? If all he said was true, then she had been fighting all her life for a cause which was responsible for ripping her from the bosom of her family. She dropped her gaze in disbelief and lowered herself onto the couch. Neither she, nor Vader moved.
****
Luke docked his shuttle on Coruscant and for a moment stared in awe of the seemingly endless city. He considered it an appropriate contrast to his homeland. It was fitting his rule would begin over such a vast metropolis, signifying his time of isolation and struggle was behind him.
He stepped into a Coruscant Taxi and made his way to The Emperor.
end chapter 8
You people are the best. THANK YOU!
DESTINY
Chapter 8
The pain in his head throbbed with an unrelenting ferocity as he searched in vain for an answer. Pushing the palms of his hands against his head achieved no relief as this was an agony borne of confusion, anger and doubt. Luke continued to pace the Bridge, anger raging throughout him. He couldn't release the pressure from his head and neither could he sit. Vader's abrupt departure with the Princess was more than he could stand. One thought kept screeching in his mind 'Betrayal! Once again, I am betrayed!' He inhaled deeply, willing himself into a state less violent and slowly raised his head to stare out into the endlessness of space. "It WILL be mine!" he whispered through clenched teeth. "I haven't come this far for nothing."
Skywalker barked an sullen order to the Admiral, "Check the Log for the transmission code of the Slave 1!" He turned to glare at the Officer, making certain he was being heard. Satisfied, the young Sith walked over to the console to watch the proceedings. " Then send a message relaying our co-ordinates and order Boba Fett's return to The Executor." Facing the Officer with a formidable expression, he continued, "Waste no time with this, Admiral! Make sure Fett is left in no doubt of his instructions or the urgency of this message!" Luke began making his way to the door, throwing an after thought over his shoulder, "Make it clear he will be paid for his trouble."
****
Vader had not set foot on Naboo in the twenty or so years since he joined with Sideous and he discovered all had remained as it was back then. Even the view of Naboo's lakes from the balcony of what used to be her home, had changed little over the years. There was nothing to suggest she had ever left. But appearances can be deceptive, for she was, indeed, gone. His mind wandered briefly and he considered that nothing had been the same for him since her presence had vanished from his life. Still, Naboo and her people had been spared much of the strict regimentation of the Empire, Vader had seen to that! Only a small garrison was ever watching over the picturesque planet. He never conceded this omission to the rule to be maudlin or a sign of weakness, instead, he held the planet as an example to all others as a show of reward for compliance and loyalty to the governing body. If the truth were to be forced from him it would be that he couldn't bear to destroy one of the last tangible links to her.
And now, he returned here to seek out her memory and question his path. The face of the girl walking slightly behind him was merely the catalyst of his emotions. The uncertainty began when he sensed Luke's strength and proximity, and a yearning transpired within him to bring the boy closer. But was it his son he searched for, or Padme? Ultimately, the alliance with Luke was disappointing. The boy had proven to be too much like himself, when it was a sweeter memory that he craved.
He glanced briefly over his shoulder to Leia who walked carefully behind him, her hands now free of the bindings. Vader was fully aware the only reason she hadn't attempted to escape, was the intimidation of his force power over hers. She wasn't a fool! It was obvious to her what little chance she stood against him. But more than that, he sensed Padme's strength and courage in her. Luke's bravery was foolhardy, Leia's was ingrained in her character, like her mother.
"Do you know me?" His matter-of-fact tone broke the long held silence between them.
"Yes." Leia's response was as equally lacklustre.
They continued their unbroken stride and Vader again addressed her over his shoulder. "Do you fear me?"
"No! I believe it's you who fear me!" Her voice held firm and Vader briefly turned to face her, but maintained his pace. For anyone else perhaps, those words would have had dire consequences. However, not only did Leia currently care little for her fate, she meant every word she said. "Why else would you spirit me away if you weren't afraid of something I could either say, or do? Then at once, a realization settled upon her, and Leia understood that Vader was no longer intent on harming her. Although this was somewhat of a relief, it triggered a different rage within her and encouraged a barrage of questions. "Where is my brother? I thought he was eager to meet with me?" She ceased walking and addressed his back with a demanding an impatient temper, "Why have you brought me here?"
Declining a response, Darth Vader continued walking a short distance until he reached a doorway at the end of the long passage. "If you would speak with me in here, perhaps we may be of help to each other."
He stood aside and motioned for the Princess to enter before him. She eyed him cautiously before slowly stepping forward to peek into the room. No-one was inside, it would just be the two of them. She looked back at the emotionless black mask, curiously surprised to feel a compassion emanating from behind it. The usually fearsome armour seemed to soften in her view and she imagined a man caged inside. She nodded, then entered.
The room was beautiful. A far cry from the customary cold, sterile interrigation chambers in which she was usually confronted with Vader. In fact, the room had an inviting ambience and was obviously designed for greeting visitors. Leia rubbed her hand across the back of one of the couches and, still cautious, she turned to face Vader, "If you have brought me here to provide answers for the feelilngs which you're experiencing, I may be a disappointment to you." She offered quietly, "I'm not sure I'm in a position to offer such answers." She turned away from the Dark Lord, her voice raising slightly with determination "But I can assure you, I have many, many questions for you."
Vader stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him. He wasn't looking for answers, as the Princess thought. He was searching for a link back to Padme.
****
Skywalker sat at the controls of his Shuttle preparing for departure. It seemed the force was against him again and his take off was being delayed by trivial malfunctions which seemed to take an eternity to correct. He used the time to muse on the controls of his ship. He scoffed when he considered the rigid design of theTie Fighters which hung from the cycling racks above him. Each craft exactly as the next. The absence of landing gear forbidding the pilot to ever be in complete control, always forced to rely on a higher authority. As well, there was slim chance a pilot would ever fly the same ship twice, thus, giving no opportunity for any of them to develope a sentimental attachment to any one particular ship, as the Rebels would do. Luke disagreeingly shook his head in the manner of a true pilot. As a leader of the Empire he would see that he was always in command of a ship to his particular liking. There was no reason for him to submit to the Imperial philosophy of absolute conformity. A mistake perhaps, but not from Luke's angry point of view.
The light signal on the Navigational Beacon finally flashed in his favour. "At last!" he groaned, and lifted the shuttle from the departure deck and steered it through the launch hatch and into space.
His plan was simple. He would stand beside the Emperor in a show of solidarity against his father. This being Luke's response to the betrayal that Vader had delivered when he secretively escorted the Princess off The Executor. He would deliver the news of Vader's plan to overthrow Sideous as the lure to bring about his own turning and unite with his father as the new rulers of the galaxy. In Luke's mind, his life had come full circle and he was now in control of his birthrite and he set his course for Coruscant.
The Millenium Falcon was already in hyper-space en route to Naboo.
****
The air between Leia and Vader was naturally tense. The contempt in which she held him would require more than a few carefully chosen words and good intentions before she would lower her guard and consider trusting him. Furthermore, the state of her well being was still completely in his hands and she maintained her vigilance towards him.
The entire situation was infernal! Four days ago she was grieving the loss of Han and preparing to mount a search for him. She had both discovered and lost a twin brother and was bestowed with the news by a deceased Jedi that she was the one remaining hope who could bring about peace in the galaxy! Now she found herself in an elaborate sitting room face to face with the very man responsible for her heartache. The most astonishing fact amongst all of this, she thought, was the knowledge that she had willingly embarked on this journey! It was ludicrous and her irritation grew while she listened to Vader's tale of woe and self pity. She would have risked incuring his wrath by shouting her impatience out loud had she not been so shocked by what he said next.
"You were forced to stand by helplessly as you watched your lover being torn from your side! But you escaped and began searching for him." Vader paused, watching her expression of acknowledgement. He walked to the window and supported himself with one arm pressed against the frame. "Understand my despair when I discovered I was deceived with lies and robbed of my family for the sake of tradition in an archaic order." Again, his voice faded as he stared toward the lake's horizon. "I don't know what manner of lie your mother was fed, but it must surely have been great! The chin of his mask dropped to his chest. "For it convinced her to forsake both me and her son." Leia stood watching him silently. "I am not responsible for your childhood fate, nor did I have a hand in your mother's death." His voice was now barely audible, "And... I was a victim of a conspiracy to conceal your existence from me!" The sadness eminating from Vader evoked emotion within Leia's heart which she never believed would be sympathetic towards this monster. She said nothing. After all, what was there to say? If all he said was true, then she had been fighting all her life for a cause which was responsible for ripping her from the bosom of her family. She dropped her gaze in disbelief and lowered herself onto the couch. Neither she, nor Vader moved.
****
Luke docked his shuttle on Coruscant and for a moment stared in awe of the seemingly endless city. He considered it an appropriate contrast to his homeland. It was fitting his rule would begin over such a vast metropolis, signifying his time of isolation and struggle was behind him.
He stepped into a Coruscant Taxi and made his way to The Emperor.
end chapter 8