A Rose In The Frost14
Vader stood looking out of the window in the Death Star's main weapon room. The huge laser gun was aiming out of the huge open window, it's course set for Alderaan. There was the sound of approaching feet and several storm troopers entered the room with princess Leia behind them and Vader second in command governor Tarkin. Vader donned his mask and turned round to face her. He glared at Leia. She was standing in the way of his master's plans. She had to die.Leia turned on him her face full of aggressive hatred."You'll pay for this!" Leia said, calmly for one facing execution in a few hours.
"Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it signing the order to terminate your life!" Tarkin replied coldly.
"I surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself!" She replied.
"Princess Leia, before your execution I would like you to be my guest at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now." Said Vader cuttingly.
"The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." Leia replied firmly.
Suddenly there was the sound of more feet approaching. Stood watching the operation was Padme. Her eyes full of admiration for Leia and hatred for Anakin or Vader, Padme no longer knew. Vader ignored her.
"Not after we demonstrate the power of this station. In a way, you have determined the choice of the planet that'll be destroyed first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the Rebel base, I have chosen to test this station's destructive power...on your home planet of Alderaan." Tarkin said. Padme and Leia starred at him in horror. Leia spoke first.
"No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no weapons. You can't possibly..." Padme cut across her.
"Killing millions of people, Vader your evil, and you wouldn't dare the senate would…." Padme trailed off...
"Senator I don't believe you were invited to this meeting." Vader said glaring at her and cutting her sentence off.
Leia was starring at her to. What on earth was someone like this doing on Vader's ship?"
"I wasn't invited." Replied Padme, she walked forwards and stood next to Leia. The similarities suddenly struck him. But it couldn't be? Luke had been their only child. It was just a coincidence.
Vader turned to look back at Leia.
"You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name the system! I grow tired of asking this. So it'll be the last time. Where is the Rebel base?"
Leia knew it was hopeless. Unless she lied. She selected an empty planet devoid of life.
"Dantooine." She said finally.
Padme put her arm round Leia glaring daggers at her husband.
"There you see you can be reasonable. Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready." Tarkin commanded addressing a group of men sat behind a desk. Leia screamed.
"What!"
"You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration. But don't worry. We will deal with your Rebel friends soon enough."
"Erm Lord Vader sir," Came the voice of a nervous technician.
"What?" Vader demanded.
Shaking the man answered, "The guns aren't working, there is some kind of malfunction."
"Very well," muttered Tarkin disappointedly, "We
shall destroy Alderaan later."
"Escort the senator back to her cell." Said Vader harshly to the
storm troopers.
"I'll escort her back." Said Padme firmly. Vader shrugged and let
them go.
"Who are you?" Leia asked.
"My name is Padme Amidala." She replied softly. Wondering what affect this name would have on Leia.
Leia sat up straight and starred at her.
"What?"
"Leia, I'm your mother." Said Padme calmly as if announcing it was raining.
"But your dead. Father told me."
"He thought I was dead…. I don't know what to say."
Padme was stuck. She decided not to tell Leia that Vader was her father that could drive her to the dark side. She had to make something up.
"I married a Jedi knight called Anakin Skywalker. Who was a friend of Darth Vader, when he wasn't openly evil. Anyway when Vader went evil he murdered Anakin, he wanted to take our children. So he could train them as sith. I could not let that happen so I hid you, I gave you to Bail of Alderaan so he could bring you up safely with the help of my dearest friend Obi-Wan Kenobi. Your twin brother Luke...."
"I have a brother?" Asked Leia in shock.
"Went to live with Anakin's stepbrother and his wife on Tatooine. However Vader found him, killed his family and took Luke. Then he kidnapped me. I raised Luke but Vader managed to turn him to the Dark side. Luke is evil and he hates me."
Leia was starring at Padme in disbelief.
"My brother is evil. Look... Mother. I don't understand this…. But yet it all makes sense. This is the same story my father told me. Yet why didn't Vader kill you."
"Your guess is as good as mine." Padme replied darkly.
"Look, our first priority is to get you out of here. You are due to be executed tomorrow. So I'll get you out of here tonight." Said Padme smiling at Leia.
"What about Alderaan?"
"I
guess we'll have to try and save that too."
Leia watched as Padme left. She was too shocked and miserable to do anything
but sit and stare at the wall.
As Padme left the room she felt guilty about lying about Vader. Yet she had
half told the truth. Vader had killed Anakin.
But how were they going to save Alderaan?
.
