WHAT CHOICE REMAINS

Authors: Co-written by rhonderoo and Jedi Trace

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Lucasfilm, Ltd. No money is being made and no infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Feedback is appreciated.

CHAPTER EIGHT

The lift doors opened as Vader made his way down the catwalk. The sight of his son standing in the lift with the officers stopped him short. He quelled the feelings that were running rampantly through him, making himself sure of his shields. He had been surprised at the Emperor's assertion that his son would come to him, but as usual, his Master had been correct.

He vaguely heard the officer's words as he handed the boy's lightsaber to him. He could not take his eyes from his son. He reveled in being so close to him. My eyes. Why had he not noticed them before? Yes...my eyes, but her face. It took everything in his powerful body not to lose himself in the memory. He turned and started slowly down the catwalk.

"The Emperor has been expecting you."

For a moment his son stared into the obsidian lenses that had been Vader's eyes to the world, and then he turned away, falling in step beside Vader. "I know...Father."

Vader's heart leapt. "So, you have finally accepted the truth."

"I have accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father."

The cursed name jerked Vader back into the reality of the situation, lighting a small flame in his blood. He could feel the voice laying in wait ...gloating.

"That name no longer has any meaning for me."

Hearing the name of his former self twice in the recent past galled him. He meant to rid himself of the memory once and for all.

Luke was clearly satisfied at his father's insistent reaction to his real name. "It is the name of your true self, you've only forgotten. I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully." Luke turned and walked to the edge of the catwalk.

Vader knew Luke was using Jedi-voice manipulation. "That's why you couldn't destroy me. That's why you won't take me to your Emperor now."

Vader admitted within himself the pride at Luke's growth. He was truly a Jedi now. He ignited the blade of Luke's lightsaber. "I see you have constructed a new lightsaber. Your skills are complete. Indeed you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen."

He extinguished the saber's brilliant green glow, turning away from is son; the feelings were strange to him.

Luke turned to face his father's back. "Come with me." The words were insistent, almost desperate.

"Obi-Wan once thought as you do." How long had it been since he had thought of his old Master with something other than disgust? This would not do. He must gain control.

Vader turned back to face Luke. "You don't know the power of the dark side, I must obey my Master."

Luke took a step closer. "I will not turn. And you'll be forced to destroy me."

"If that is your destiny," Vader said resignedly. He did not want to destroy his son, but the time had come. He could not hold back, as he once had. Too much had happened. Too many had paid to bring Luke to this point.

"Search your feelings, Father," Luke implored. "You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate."

Vader would argue with Luke no longer. It was time for destiny to take them where it may. To continue would be pointless. "The Emperor will show the true nature of the Force. He is your master now."

Vader opened the lift doors with a wave of his hand and signaled for the stormtroopers. He turned to Luke hesitantly, saying the only thing he knew for certain now. "It is too late for me, son."

Luke nodded slowly. "Then my father is truly dead," he answered despondently.

Vader watched warily as Luke was led off to the lift.

Unbelievably, the other voice, the voice that had taunted him through the years, the voice that had beguiled him into taking an apprentice, the voice that made him weak; that voice was quiet now, as it had been through the entire conversation with his son. Perhaps it was admitting defeat after all these years. Good. Wasn't that what he, Lord Vader wanted, to finally win the battle that had been raging for over two decades inside his head...in his soul?

He turned to the overlook of the walkway as the lift doors closed in front his son. For the first time in a long time, his thoughts turned to his wife. Was this what you wanted? Truly, you have no honor. How she would admire the thought of you and your actions.

Ah, there it was. He should have known it wouldn't stay quiet for long. Normally he would rage at the voice or snuff it out. More often these days, since his confrontation with the Emperor and the subsequent loss of his apprentice, he just gave in, too tired to dispute his loyalties. The years seemed to weigh more on him now. Was Mara dead? He could not find her presence in the Force.

He had tried to keep the voice, and the feelings, at bay; to keep some order to his thoughts. They had been mercurial, like his temper. It frightened him more than he would admit. Perhaps the man who had been silent for so long in his early career was gaining strength, and that would do nothing for either Luke or himself. That weak, inept part of him had died long ago, and it was for the better. It had gained him nothing with Mara. It would gain him nothing with Luke.

How had it all come to this? At what point, did the universe tilt and sweep Luke into this all-encompassing misery that had been his life for twenty years? He let his thoughts drift to Padmé, the face she shared with Luke fresh in his mind.

I cannot go where you are going, but my heart is yours forever, Ani...even if you don't want it.

Had he said he didn't want it? He couldn't remember. The years ran together now and sometimes things that had seemed so real before, now seemed misty - like in a dream. Lately, in his weakest of moments, he would remember meadows and waterfalls, a time when things had seemed simpler, even if they were not. Then he would return to the power that sustained him, the murky comfort. He had resigned himself to his life of dark detachment a long time ago.

She would have wanted the boy to save him. He was like her. He had her soul. He also had her damnable naiveté. At least there was chance with Luke; Padm's innocence had ultimately cost her everything. She had put her faith in those that could not help her, pining for something that could never be again.

Perhaps that naiveté will save your wretched soul... the voice taunted.

He pushed the voice back in his mind. As he had told his son, there was no hope for him now. Perhaps at the beginning, if things had been different... No, there was not even room for that line of thought. Luke must be made to understand that the dark side was the only way. That was where true power was found. The Jedi ways were dead.

He turned for the lift to join his son and, for the first time, could feel no definite impression in the Force. Nothing. Perhaps his destiny was calling today after all. The Force help us all...