They were in the dark now. There was only a minimum of illumination provided, barely enough to see the black metal walls and the high ceiling overhead. "Where are we now?" asked Anakin. Ani pointed at one of the corners and backed up against the far wall was the single occupant of the tiny cell. His mother. Anakin started to move in her direction. She looked so helpless! Suddenly, a hum came from one end of the chamber and he stopped himself. He saw her start tensely. A metal door began moving aside and several Imperial Guards assumed their positions just outside the doorway. He saw her determined expression collapse as soon as a monstrous black form entered the room.

Darth Vader made a gesture to someone outside. Something that hummed like a huge bee moved close and slipped inside the doorway. Anakin had never seen a machine like that. It hung suspended on the air, a farrago of instruments protruding from its sides. The arms were tipped with a multitude of delicate instruments. Both Leia and Anakin choked on their own breath at the sight of the machine. Her eyes held disbelief and his, pure terror. He looked hesitatingly at his grandfather "I...I don't think...I can't see this." He couldn't believe his eyes. "Please, grandpa..." He looked at his grandfather again and realised he wasn't being heard. Ani was completely frozen, he didn't move a muscle. His eyes starred at his daughter, in fear and also not believing. He had really done this.

He'd have to go through this. He had to be brave for his mother too.

"Now, Your Highness, we will discuss the location of the hidden rebel base" Darth Vader's resonating voice echoed through the tiny cell. Anakin couldn't contain himself anymore and started running towards his mother but was restrained by Anakin Skywalker, who said without taking his eyes off the scene "There's nothing you can do now. I'm sorry."

The machine moved slowly towards her, travelling on a rising hum. Anakin's vision was blurred by his tears and desperation, his helplessness. Her screams penetrated his ears as well as the cell walls and thick doors.

"NO! MOTHER!!!" Anakin Solo's strangled cry mingled with his own mother's as he advanced on his grandfather "HOW COULD YOU? HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN TO HER? YOU'RE A MONSTER!!!" He'd have realised he was back in his ship if he hadn't let his anger take over him. He finally collapsed on the floor, exhausted and in pain, sobbing. His mother's screams were still echoing in his ears. It'd probably go on forever.

"Why are you doing this to me?" he whispered between sobs. His arms were now tight around his legs. He looked up at Ani "Why?" As no answer came, he added "To show me what a monster you were?"

Tears streamed down his grandfather's ghostly form. "To show you what you can become." He paused "If you let your anger and hate control you."

Somehow, Anakin managed to gather himself again. "How did things come to this? You tortured your own daughter!"

"Once you go down the dark path, it forever dominates your destiny, Anakin. At first, it's more difficult but as time passes, things get easier. It gets easier to kill. To use the dark side."

Anakin, exhausted, could only nod.

"I'll leave you be now. You have a lot to think about." Before his grandfather disappeared, Anakin Solo managed to say "Are you leaving because of me or because you can't stand to look at my face right now because I remind you of everything you've done?"

"Both. I cannot lie to you. This is my redemption too." And with that, he was gone.