Welcome to Chapter One!
A little modification, folks.
Scene changes will now be introduced by a straight line.
~*~*~*~ will now introduce the end of the chapter.
*..* is still thoughts.
Hope you enjoy. :)
"Son of Mine"
Chapter One
*He knows..*
"What is thy bidding, my master?"
"There is a great disturbance in the Force."
"I have felt it."
"We have a new enemy, Luke Skywalker." *You will not touch my son.* Through Vader's helmet, it seemed as almost an incrimination for helping create a threat to the empire. Surely if Obi-Wan had taught the boy as he thought then Luke would become a Jedi. They must never come back.
One thing had always bothered Vader, almost as a silent nag. During the great Jedi purge, no one had ever reported the death of that wrinkled, green nuisance, Yoda.. He probably had whacked them all down with that gimer stick of his.. But he was a traitor to the empire also. Not the beloved creature he was built up to be. Surely his boy would seek out the help of the one who had instructed Obi-Wan after Qui-Gon did.
"Yes my master."
"He could destroy us."
"He is only a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him."
Obi-Wan.. Vader would not let his son become like him. Alone; A hermit on a dwindling dust ball.. Having true power but devoting it to the weaker side. Never being free to reach his full potential for duty to others and to practically 'hide' from the empire for life. Old fool. Old traitor.
"The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi." So this old fool knew it, too. His son could crush his precious empire. Perhaps they could even get past iit all together. Dare he think it? To think of ruling was almost treason of what he had been taught for so long..
Always submissive. *"Yes Watto."* *"Yes, Qui-Gon"* *"Yes, Master Obi-Wan."* *"Yes, Master."* But now, almost anything seemed possible..
Taking over was not the objective for now, getting his son was. And Palpatine would help.
"If he could be turned, he could be a powerful ally." Vader pointed out. Palpatine seemed to brighten at the idea, if that was even possible for him.
"Yes, yes." He almost said joyously. Then more serious. "Can it be done?"
*Don't underestimate me..*
"He will join us or die, my master."
"Why you slimy.." *Slimy? Who's slimy??* "-double-crossing, no good swindler." Oh no.. Nothing was going right. His old 'friend' continued on. "You got a lot of guts coming here after what you pulled."
Han Solo put his hands up to his chest half in mock, half real shock as to indicate "Me?" His eyes slightly widened and he backed up a bit to defend himself when Lando Calrissian made a move forward to-- hug him??
Lando gave out a laugh. "How you doing you old pirate? So good to see you! I never though I'd catch up with you again! Where you been?" Both Han and Lando chuckled.
*My word! Such a -- well the type of man Captain Solo would associate with.* Standing next to Princess Leia, C-3PO spoke up. "Well he seems friendly enough."
Leia was just tired. "Yes.. Very friendly."
Back to the reunion.. Lando spoke up. "What are you doing here?" "Ahh.. repairs. I thought you could help me out." Lando suddenly sounded a mix of friendly and defensive "Hey, what have you done to my ship?" It was nice seeing the Falcon again. *Lousy cheap sabaac.* Han had his own thoughts. *Hey sorry pal..* "Your ship? Hey remember, you lost her to me fair and square." Chewie chose right about then to lightly growl a small greeting. *Oh yeah.. hey Chewie.. Whoa. Han Solo. With a real lady. Hmm.. one with class.*
Lando walked up to Leia with his award winning smile on its full one hundred watts. "Hello; What have we here? I'm Lando Calrissian. I'm the administrator of this facility, and who might you be..?" The lady answered with a bit of forced politeness and a smile. "Leia." "Welcome, Leia."
*Oh boy..* ran through the princess's head. Lando then bowed and kissed her hand. Han came over genuinely smiling. "Alright, alright, you old smoothie." But his thoughts.. *Heh. Heh. get your own, Pal.*
As Threepio was practically blown off not seemingly to understand why Lando was so polite to Princess Leia and not him, the rest all entered Cloud City. No one ever noticed Lando's uneasiness under his friendly nature.
*I can't fail this time..*
"Luke! You must complete the training!" On the X-Wing ladder, Jedi-in-training Luke Skywalker turned around. The words came out in a sort of frustrated rush for Luke. "They're my friends, I can't get the vision out of my head, I've got to help them!" he said almost trying to convince Yoda.
*The boy does not understand..* "You must not go!" The wizened Jedi emphasized his words, trying to convey their importance.
"But Han and Leia will die if I don't!" *Too many had already..*
Then, another voice chimed in. "You don't know that."
The pale, bluish, almost shimmering image of Obi-Wan Kenobi stood, seemingly to have appeared from nowhere. Luke thought in amazement of seeing Ben again, at Yoda's words.
*"Luminous beings are we." Then he pinched my shoulder.. "Not this crude matter."*
Luke was interrupted when Obi-Wan spoke again. "Not even Yoda can see their fate." "But I can help them! I /feel/ the Force!" Ben tried to rationalize things with Luke but he was as stubborn as his father. Unfortunately, he had his sensitivity which would work to Palpatine's favor.. *Chancellor my Jedi--it does no good to dwell on the past.*
Ben tried again. "But you cannot control it. It is a dangerous time for you when you will be tempted by the dark side of the Force." Yoda watched as what Luke's former mentor said to him started to sink in. "Yes, yes. To Obi-Wan you listen. The cave. Remember your failure at the cave!" he stressed. "But I've learned so much since then. Master Yoda I promise to return and finish what I've begun. You have my word."
Obi-Wan spoke up. "Luke, it is you and your abilities the emperor wants. That is why your friends are made to suffer." It was definitely a thought for Luke. *First no one but my friends and Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru know I exist, and now The Emperor and half the Empire wants me..* "And that is why I have to go." No one else close to him would die again. Vader had to be involved. There was no way for him to save the father he never knew from him, but he could stop him this time. If he didn't, they would die because of him.
Obi-Wan was tired. He had failed his master. He had lost the boy to the dark side, and he was about to lose the boy's son as well. He had let down practically the master of the entire Jedi order. Or what was the entire Jedi order..
It cut deep to think that only Master Yoda had survived. If Luke was lost.. Then Palpatine had won. He could not allow that to happen again. He would not accept it. Ten thousand generations rested on a makeshift padawan's shoulders, and the last of the Jedi knights and council couldn't live forever at 900. The boy didn't even have a braid.. So much had changed in just decades..
So much was at risk, but Obi-Wan felt himself being honest with the son of the one who was supposed to "bring balance to the force".
"Luke I don't want to lose you to the emperor the way I lost Vader." That had hurt. That had left an unhealed and raw shred upon his soul. "You won't."
Yoda tried one last time to convey the graveness of this situation. If anything happened to Luke, after he was gone, there would be no more Jedi or trainees. He was absolutely essential to the rebellion. The Empire would never stop. "Stopped they must be. On this all depends. Only a fully trained Jedi knight with the Force as his ally will conquer Vader and his emperor. If you end your training now, if you chose the quick and easy path as Vader did you will become an agent of evil."
Obi-Wan pressed Yoda's point. "Patience!" Luke almost seemed to be in disbelief at what they were asking. "And sacrifice Han and Leia?" Yoda almost sighed. It had weighed heavily on the Jedi master to let those knights he knew and members of the council go to try to keep the galaxy alive. Luke was risking it all. He could undo his friends' work and that of their allies.
"If you honor what they fight for.. Yes." Obi-Wan could sense Luke's struggle but knew the boy was too caring. *I might as well warn him.* "If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot interfere." Luke almost sounded as if he was left alone and tried to sound brave. "I understand. Artoo, fire-up the converters."
R2-D2 whistled an almost happy reply. Obi-Wan looked at the little droid who had saved all their lives traveling on the ship that day and hoped that he would also help Luke as well. *I can't let him just run into a confrontation like that..* "Luke!" Obi-Wan called to get his attention. Much softer and resigned he spoke "Don't give in to hate; that leads to the dark side."
Vader would use that to his advantage. Anakin, as he was, would have truly loved him. Vader held the boy's friends. He had set it all up. He wanted his son..
Hopefully, the bit of Anakin left, if any at all, would not destroy Luke, as he had so blindly himself. Yoda took his turn to give his last minute advice. He knew someone with that many midichlorians and command over The Force could be dangerous to even the most well trained Jedi. All one had to do was look at how many were left.. "Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned; save you it can." He implored, wide-eyed. Luke was now ready to start his X-Wing. "I will; And I'll return. I promise."
Luke Skywalker lifted off his X-Wing, leaving Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi alone in the Degobah night, briefly shining in a red light and gust of wind from his ship. Ben had never heard Master Yoda speak as if he didn't know what to do next, until probably now. "Told you I did; Reckless is he." Yoda said with just a tad of disdain. But then more sadly and forsaken, "Now, matters are worse." Obi-Wan spoke up. "That boy is our last hope." Yoda looked up towards the sky. "No.. There is another."
"He doesn't want you at all he's after somebody called.." Lando struggled for just a second in thinking of the name "Skywalker." Han Solo's eyes widened. "Luke?" Lando sounded absolutely sick of the whole ordeal, the words coming from his mouth. "Lord Vader has set a trap for him.." Leia quickly clicked all the pieces together in her mind.. "And we're the bait" she said with shock and realization.
This was it for Han. His so called friend had double-crossed him, he had been tortured to the point of screaming for that wheezing robot spawn of Hell, he was going to be sent to that fat, filthy worm, Jabba, Chewie could never leave this place, and Leia..
He had truly meant it in the dining room when he said he was "sorry too." Luke and all his half-assed * Force was coming to help.. and Vader was waiting. He felt absolutely sick all to the treacherous pit of his stomach.
Luke wouldn't stand a chance. Han was no fool, he saw the way Vader had just yanked his blaster away through the air, after deflecting those bolts with his hand! Damn it, that Force stuff wasn't supposed to be real!!
Luke would never stand a chance against some one like Vader. "Well he's on his way."
Spite came spitting at Lando with Han's every word. "Perfect. You set us all up real good didn't you? My friend!"
The punch had taken Lando by surprise, but it wasn't good enough. Before Han could do anything else, the guards had knocked him down with their blaster butts that seemed to be addicted to whomping his flesh until Chewie roared in defense, ready to attack as the guards and shifted aim to the towering wookie.
Lando got in the way. "Stop!" *Look Han I'm sorry..* "I've done all I can do. I'm sorry I can't do better but I've got my own problems."
When Lando left Han felt him self being lifted from the floor and could hear Lando talking in his head right before they had entered the dining room. *"I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here for good."* Leia's gentle voice drifted through his haunted, overflowing mind.
"You certainly have a way with people.."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I would like to thank all who have reviewed so far, and who have tried to help me with this site's HTML. I truly do appreciate all your help and feedback. :)
If anyone else knows anything about the HTML on this site, even if you loathe the story, please help. Flames, Constructive criticism, anything is always welcome, and thank you for reading. I'm just trying to get everyone to the twist as soon as possible, to avoid boredom.
As always, Adrie_Rse@hotmail.com for anything else. And thank you for stopping by. ^_^
Chapter One
*He knows..*
"What is thy bidding, my master?"
"There is a great disturbance in the Force."
"I have felt it."
"We have a new enemy, Luke Skywalker." *You will not touch my son.* Through Vader's helmet, it seemed as almost an incrimination for helping create a threat to the empire. Surely if Obi-Wan had taught the boy as he thought then Luke would become a Jedi. They must never come back.
One thing had always bothered Vader, almost as a silent nag. During the great Jedi purge, no one had ever reported the death of that wrinkled, green nuisance, Yoda.. He probably had whacked them all down with that gimer stick of his.. But he was a traitor to the empire also. Not the beloved creature he was built up to be. Surely his boy would seek out the help of the one who had instructed Obi-Wan after Qui-Gon did.
"Yes my master."
"He could destroy us."
"He is only a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him."
Obi-Wan.. Vader would not let his son become like him. Alone; A hermit on a dwindling dust ball.. Having true power but devoting it to the weaker side. Never being free to reach his full potential for duty to others and to practically 'hide' from the empire for life. Old fool. Old traitor.
"The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi." So this old fool knew it, too. His son could crush his precious empire. Perhaps they could even get past iit all together. Dare he think it? To think of ruling was almost treason of what he had been taught for so long..
Always submissive. *"Yes Watto."* *"Yes, Qui-Gon"* *"Yes, Master Obi-Wan."* *"Yes, Master."* But now, almost anything seemed possible..
Taking over was not the objective for now, getting his son was. And Palpatine would help.
"If he could be turned, he could be a powerful ally." Vader pointed out. Palpatine seemed to brighten at the idea, if that was even possible for him.
"Yes, yes." He almost said joyously. Then more serious. "Can it be done?"
*Don't underestimate me..*
"He will join us or die, my master."
"Why you slimy.." *Slimy? Who's slimy??* "-double-crossing, no good swindler." Oh no.. Nothing was going right. His old 'friend' continued on. "You got a lot of guts coming here after what you pulled."
Han Solo put his hands up to his chest half in mock, half real shock as to indicate "Me?" His eyes slightly widened and he backed up a bit to defend himself when Lando Calrissian made a move forward to-- hug him??
Lando gave out a laugh. "How you doing you old pirate? So good to see you! I never though I'd catch up with you again! Where you been?" Both Han and Lando chuckled.
*My word! Such a -- well the type of man Captain Solo would associate with.* Standing next to Princess Leia, C-3PO spoke up. "Well he seems friendly enough."
Leia was just tired. "Yes.. Very friendly."
Back to the reunion.. Lando spoke up. "What are you doing here?" "Ahh.. repairs. I thought you could help me out." Lando suddenly sounded a mix of friendly and defensive "Hey, what have you done to my ship?" It was nice seeing the Falcon again. *Lousy cheap sabaac.* Han had his own thoughts. *Hey sorry pal..* "Your ship? Hey remember, you lost her to me fair and square." Chewie chose right about then to lightly growl a small greeting. *Oh yeah.. hey Chewie.. Whoa. Han Solo. With a real lady. Hmm.. one with class.*
Lando walked up to Leia with his award winning smile on its full one hundred watts. "Hello; What have we here? I'm Lando Calrissian. I'm the administrator of this facility, and who might you be..?" The lady answered with a bit of forced politeness and a smile. "Leia." "Welcome, Leia."
*Oh boy..* ran through the princess's head. Lando then bowed and kissed her hand. Han came over genuinely smiling. "Alright, alright, you old smoothie." But his thoughts.. *Heh. Heh. get your own, Pal.*
As Threepio was practically blown off not seemingly to understand why Lando was so polite to Princess Leia and not him, the rest all entered Cloud City. No one ever noticed Lando's uneasiness under his friendly nature.
*I can't fail this time..*
"Luke! You must complete the training!" On the X-Wing ladder, Jedi-in-training Luke Skywalker turned around. The words came out in a sort of frustrated rush for Luke. "They're my friends, I can't get the vision out of my head, I've got to help them!" he said almost trying to convince Yoda.
*The boy does not understand..* "You must not go!" The wizened Jedi emphasized his words, trying to convey their importance.
"But Han and Leia will die if I don't!" *Too many had already..*
Then, another voice chimed in. "You don't know that."
The pale, bluish, almost shimmering image of Obi-Wan Kenobi stood, seemingly to have appeared from nowhere. Luke thought in amazement of seeing Ben again, at Yoda's words.
*"Luminous beings are we." Then he pinched my shoulder.. "Not this crude matter."*
Luke was interrupted when Obi-Wan spoke again. "Not even Yoda can see their fate." "But I can help them! I /feel/ the Force!" Ben tried to rationalize things with Luke but he was as stubborn as his father. Unfortunately, he had his sensitivity which would work to Palpatine's favor.. *Chancellor my Jedi--it does no good to dwell on the past.*
Ben tried again. "But you cannot control it. It is a dangerous time for you when you will be tempted by the dark side of the Force." Yoda watched as what Luke's former mentor said to him started to sink in. "Yes, yes. To Obi-Wan you listen. The cave. Remember your failure at the cave!" he stressed. "But I've learned so much since then. Master Yoda I promise to return and finish what I've begun. You have my word."
Obi-Wan spoke up. "Luke, it is you and your abilities the emperor wants. That is why your friends are made to suffer." It was definitely a thought for Luke. *First no one but my friends and Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru know I exist, and now The Emperor and half the Empire wants me..* "And that is why I have to go." No one else close to him would die again. Vader had to be involved. There was no way for him to save the father he never knew from him, but he could stop him this time. If he didn't, they would die because of him.
Obi-Wan was tired. He had failed his master. He had lost the boy to the dark side, and he was about to lose the boy's son as well. He had let down practically the master of the entire Jedi order. Or what was the entire Jedi order..
It cut deep to think that only Master Yoda had survived. If Luke was lost.. Then Palpatine had won. He could not allow that to happen again. He would not accept it. Ten thousand generations rested on a makeshift padawan's shoulders, and the last of the Jedi knights and council couldn't live forever at 900. The boy didn't even have a braid.. So much had changed in just decades..
So much was at risk, but Obi-Wan felt himself being honest with the son of the one who was supposed to "bring balance to the force".
"Luke I don't want to lose you to the emperor the way I lost Vader." That had hurt. That had left an unhealed and raw shred upon his soul. "You won't."
Yoda tried one last time to convey the graveness of this situation. If anything happened to Luke, after he was gone, there would be no more Jedi or trainees. He was absolutely essential to the rebellion. The Empire would never stop. "Stopped they must be. On this all depends. Only a fully trained Jedi knight with the Force as his ally will conquer Vader and his emperor. If you end your training now, if you chose the quick and easy path as Vader did you will become an agent of evil."
Obi-Wan pressed Yoda's point. "Patience!" Luke almost seemed to be in disbelief at what they were asking. "And sacrifice Han and Leia?" Yoda almost sighed. It had weighed heavily on the Jedi master to let those knights he knew and members of the council go to try to keep the galaxy alive. Luke was risking it all. He could undo his friends' work and that of their allies.
"If you honor what they fight for.. Yes." Obi-Wan could sense Luke's struggle but knew the boy was too caring. *I might as well warn him.* "If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot interfere." Luke almost sounded as if he was left alone and tried to sound brave. "I understand. Artoo, fire-up the converters."
R2-D2 whistled an almost happy reply. Obi-Wan looked at the little droid who had saved all their lives traveling on the ship that day and hoped that he would also help Luke as well. *I can't let him just run into a confrontation like that..* "Luke!" Obi-Wan called to get his attention. Much softer and resigned he spoke "Don't give in to hate; that leads to the dark side."
Vader would use that to his advantage. Anakin, as he was, would have truly loved him. Vader held the boy's friends. He had set it all up. He wanted his son..
Hopefully, the bit of Anakin left, if any at all, would not destroy Luke, as he had so blindly himself. Yoda took his turn to give his last minute advice. He knew someone with that many midichlorians and command over The Force could be dangerous to even the most well trained Jedi. All one had to do was look at how many were left.. "Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned; save you it can." He implored, wide-eyed. Luke was now ready to start his X-Wing. "I will; And I'll return. I promise."
Luke Skywalker lifted off his X-Wing, leaving Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi alone in the Degobah night, briefly shining in a red light and gust of wind from his ship. Ben had never heard Master Yoda speak as if he didn't know what to do next, until probably now. "Told you I did; Reckless is he." Yoda said with just a tad of disdain. But then more sadly and forsaken, "Now, matters are worse." Obi-Wan spoke up. "That boy is our last hope." Yoda looked up towards the sky. "No.. There is another."
"He doesn't want you at all he's after somebody called.." Lando struggled for just a second in thinking of the name "Skywalker." Han Solo's eyes widened. "Luke?" Lando sounded absolutely sick of the whole ordeal, the words coming from his mouth. "Lord Vader has set a trap for him.." Leia quickly clicked all the pieces together in her mind.. "And we're the bait" she said with shock and realization.
This was it for Han. His so called friend had double-crossed him, he had been tortured to the point of screaming for that wheezing robot spawn of Hell, he was going to be sent to that fat, filthy worm, Jabba, Chewie could never leave this place, and Leia..
He had truly meant it in the dining room when he said he was "sorry too." Luke and all his half-assed * Force was coming to help.. and Vader was waiting. He felt absolutely sick all to the treacherous pit of his stomach.
Luke wouldn't stand a chance. Han was no fool, he saw the way Vader had just yanked his blaster away through the air, after deflecting those bolts with his hand! Damn it, that Force stuff wasn't supposed to be real!!
Luke would never stand a chance against some one like Vader. "Well he's on his way."
Spite came spitting at Lando with Han's every word. "Perfect. You set us all up real good didn't you? My friend!"
The punch had taken Lando by surprise, but it wasn't good enough. Before Han could do anything else, the guards had knocked him down with their blaster butts that seemed to be addicted to whomping his flesh until Chewie roared in defense, ready to attack as the guards and shifted aim to the towering wookie.
Lando got in the way. "Stop!" *Look Han I'm sorry..* "I've done all I can do. I'm sorry I can't do better but I've got my own problems."
When Lando left Han felt him self being lifted from the floor and could hear Lando talking in his head right before they had entered the dining room. *"I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here for good."* Leia's gentle voice drifted through his haunted, overflowing mind.
"You certainly have a way with people.."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I would like to thank all who have reviewed so far, and who have tried to help me with this site's HTML. I truly do appreciate all your help and feedback. :)
If anyone else knows anything about the HTML on this site, even if you loathe the story, please help. Flames, Constructive criticism, anything is always welcome, and thank you for reading. I'm just trying to get everyone to the twist as soon as possible, to avoid boredom.
As always, Adrie_Rse@hotmail.com for anything else. And thank you for stopping by. ^_^