It didn't take me long to be found. I surrendered my lightsaber without a fight. It would have been useless to fight, a waste of life.
I could sense the man's fear far before I saw him, or he saw me. But now he is full of pride at having 'captured' me. He thinks that he will be promoted because of his actions.
He doesn't know that there won't be an Empire after this night. Not if I can help it.
I was taken to the launch pad. My hands were bound, and I was heavily guarded as though they thought I might do them harm, when it was I who surrendered to them. The door of the turbolift hissed open, and almost immediately I found myself face to face with Darth Vader.
Anakin Skywalker.
My father.
I hardly dared to breathe. "This is a rebel that surrendered to us." The commander said. "Although he denies it, I believe there may be more of them, and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area. He was armed only with this." And he handed Vader my lightsaber. Not my father's, mine. The one that I created, with a green blade.
Vader took it almost
hesitantly, before telling the commander, "Good work. Leave us.
Conduct your search, and bring his companions to me."
"Yes, my
lord." The commander bowed, and he and the Troopers left. I was
left alone on the bridge with my father, the person with whom it came
down to kill or be killed.
We began to walk. "The Emperor has been expecting you." He said, facing ahead.
"I know…Father." I said, also determinedly staring straight ahead.
He gloated. "So, you
have accepted the truth."
Did you expect me not to, father? Did
you expect me to turn away crying? No, I have become stronger than
that, I haven't shed a tear since your soldiers killed the only
family I ever knew, back on Tatooine. You may underestimate me.
It might be your downfall.
"I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father." I said stubbornly. No, Lord Vader was not my father. But he had once been.
Anakin Skywalker.
He turned sharply.
"That name no longer has any meaning to me."
"It's 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." I insisted.
Then I turned away. "That was why you couldn't destroy me, that's
why you won't bring me to your Emperor now."
Vader paused, and then ignited my lightsaber. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise slightly. Could I have been wrong? Would he simply kill me now?
No. He merely said. "I
see you have constructed a new lightsaber. Your skills are complete.
Indeed, you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen."
And then
he turned it off. I turned back to look at him. "Come with me." I
pleaded.
His back was still to
me, but not for long. "You don't know the power of the dark side.
I must obey my master."
But I shook my head. "I will not turn.
And you'll be forced to kill me."
"If that is your destiny."
Vader said indifferent.
I took a step towards him. "Search your feelings father. You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you, let go of your hate!"
But Vader shook his head. "It is too late for me, son."
And I realized he
certainly could do this, as he opened the opposite turbolift
door, and several Storm Troopers filed out. "The Emperor will show
you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now."
I
shook my head in pity. "Then my father is truly dead." And I
allowed myself to be led away into the turbolift. Vader watched me
until the doors closed, and I never once took my eyes off of where
his should be. Only his were hidden behind a mask of black.
