Force of Destiny
Summary:
An accident reveals an old deception, and Darth Vader
must make a decision that will change not only his life.
-----
Chapter 17
Cell Mates
-----
I know that laugh.
Behind the two men, a heavy curtain was drawn open, revealing Jabba the Hutt and his vile court. Anakin cursed inwardly. How could he have missed this? How could he not sense so many beings nearby? The answer, of course, was simple. He had been concentrating on his hearing like a Force-blind instead of heeding the hints the Force itself was throwing at him. With difficulty, the Jedi calmed himself. Perhaps it was better this way, he reflected. Anakin hated Jabba and all that the crimelord stood for with a passion. He had not forgotten his early years as a slave, completely at the mercy of people like Jabba. Now, there would be no creeping out of the palace like some common thief. Now he had a reason to fight and give the Hutt the painful death he deserved. Maybe not as painful as he deserved; a lightsaber was almost to good for this piece of slime.
Jabba was still laughing when Solo turned around and started pleading with him: Listen, Jabba, I was just on my way to pay you back...
, Anakin growled, disgusted with the lack of backbone Solo was displaying. What was it the Princess saw in this spineless two-bit smuggler? With a flick of his hand, Anakin drew and ignited his lightsaber. It is your choice, Jabba. You can let us go... or you can die, he intoned.
And who are you, another Jedi? There seem to be quite a lot of them lately. His cronies joined in the Hutt's mocking laughter.
I am Anakin Skywalker. I do not expect you to remember me, Anakin replied evenly.
Skywalker, mh? Anakin Skywalker... Jabba's enormous eyes narrowed. Not the little Human slave who won the Boonta Eve Race some thirty years ago? Humph. You were much more amusing back then. He paused before continuing: I've been killing Jedi when you were still in your diapers, little Human. You are no threat to me.
Anakin took a step forward; he itched to tell Jabba his other name, the one he had been known under for the past twenty-something years, but decided against it. It would gain him no more than a moment's satisfaction to see Jabba cower in fear, but it would seriously damage his mission. But he could taunt the gangster.
Your overconfidence will be your downfall, Jabba.
Look around you, Jedi. My men have you covered. Ah, you could kill them all with your Force tricks, and me too, but not before one of them does your precious friend Solo in.
Anakin's gaze flicked around. Jabba was right. His guards where everywhere around them, blasters trained not on him, but on Han Solo. Blind, helpless Han Solo.
With a curse, Anakin tossed his lightsaber away. You've won this round, Jabba, he hissed between clenched teeth.
-----
Three more small, old ships joined the Rebel fleet. That in itself was not remarkable; many vessels used in the Rebellion against the Galactic Empire were years or even decades beyond their prime, although well maintained and often modified to suit the needs of warfare. What was remarkable was the woman in command of these three ships, and the welcome she received. Word about Padmé Naberrie spread like wildfire among the crews and pilots. For those who still remembered the impossible victory the Queen Amidala had won against the Trade Federation many years ago her return from the underground movement was a certain sign that the Rebellion would finally triumph.
It is good to see you again, Padmé. Mon Mothma greeted the smaller woman with a warm embrace, which Padmé returned.
It's good to be back, Mon. Our ships were held up by repairs, and I feared we would come too late.
Mon Mothma shook her head, inviting Padmé with a gesture to follow her. The fleet is not completely assembled yet, and we are still waiting for Commander Skywalker and Princess Leia to return from Tattooine.
Padmé frowned; she had been looking forward to finally meeting her children. What are they doing there? she asked as soon as she and Mon Mothma had entered the relative privacy of the Alliance President's quarters.
Rescuing your son's best friend, Leia's boyfriend, if I'm not mistaken, Mon told her with a wink. Han Solo is a good man, but he got into some trouble or other with the Hutts.
Padmé smirked. If the Hutts don't like him, he must be a good man. She settled into the soft leather couch. Soon she would see her children again; maybe she would even be able to reveal Leia's identity as her daughter. But not yet. Tell me more about my son, Mon. How is he? What does he look like? Is he anything like his father?
Mon Mothma smiled at the barrage of questions. Which question do you want answered first?”
-----
The Rebel fleet floated silently in orbit around Sullust. Mon Calamari Cruisers, Nebulon B Frigates and Correllian Blockade Runners were at the center of the largest armada the Alliance had ever assembled. Smaller sentry ships zipped between and around them like so many planets around their suns, scanning the space beyond the fleet, protecting the larger ships. It was a strangely peaceful scene. To the casual observer, nothing except the types and number of the ships indicated that they were soon going to go into battle. Until a giant mass dropped out of hyperspace close to the system.
-----
Klaxons blared and alarm bells rang on every ship of the Rebel fleet, including the flag ship designated Home One. Admiral Ackbar, a Mon Calamari in command of the fleet, turned around to face his aide.
Status report! he shouted.
Capital ship just dropped out of hyperspace, Sir. Mass... Sir, this can't be right!
What is it, Lieutenant? Ackbar queried impatiently.
Sir, the mass of the ship exceeds that of a Star Destroyer by a factor of more than 1300!
Ackbar closed his eyes, slumping in his chair. The Empire had found them. Your data is correct, Lieutenant. That is a Super Star Destroyer. The Mon Calamari straightened again; he would be damned before he went down without a fight!
Shields up! All stations, prepare for battle, he ordered.
-----
Admiral Piett took the Executor out of hyperspace as close to Sullust's gravity well as he could without running the risk of damaging the hyperdrive. The more he could surprise the Rebel fleet, the less time they had to mount an attack before he could contact their leaders.
Stand down all weapons, he ordered calmly. Hold position.
Gradually, the immense ship slowed down as her reverse thrusters fired, until the Executor came to a full stop a few thousand kilometers from the main body of the rebel fleet.
-----
Sir, they are powering down their weapons, Ackbar's aide reported.
The Admiral swiveled his chair around. You mean powering up, don't you?
No, Admiral, Sir. The Lieutenant looked up, confusion clearly written on his face. They have deactivated all weapon's banks.
Contact our fighters. They are to create a perimeter, but not attack, Ackbar commanded.
Yes, Sir!
Sir, we have positive identification of the ship. It's the Executor, CommScan reported.
The Executor... Darth Vader's ship! Ackbar could almost feel his gills dry up and shrivel at this piece of news. What deviltry was the Sith Lord up to?
-----
Piett watched the X-Wing squadron zip and dive around his ship like so many flies. So far, they had not attacked. Piett took that as a good sign. The Rebels were reluctant to open fire first; noble, but often foolish in the sight of the odds they faced. Today, Piett was grateful for this trait.
Drop shields, he ordered.
-----
Admiral, Executor just dropped her shields, the officer at CommScan cried out.
What was Vader up to? The Mon Calamari's mind was working frantically to come up with an answer to that question, but found none. It almost looked like Executor was going to surrender, but that was impossible, wasn't it? Not Vader's own flagship...
Maintain position, Ackbar ordered. Hold your fire.
-----
No reaction from the Rebel fleet yet, Admiral, Captain Durreen reported. They're just sitting there, watching us.
Piett nodded, satisfied. Time for the next, crucial step. Open a channel.
-----
Admiral, they are hailing us!
Put them on screen, Ackbar replied. Maybe he would get some answers now.
The long, narrow face and upper body of an Imperial officer filled the screen in front of him. Ackbar noticed that the man was not wearing a rank plaque on his uniform.
Admiral Ackbar, I presume? the man inquired. At Ackbars nod, he continued: I am Tomas Piett, in command of the Executor. My crew and I wish to join the Alliance.
Admiral Ackbar, former slave of Grand Moff Tarkin, strategist and veteran of many battles against the Empire, felt his jaw drop.
-----
Anakin Skywalker and Han Solo were shoved roughly into a dark, dank cell deep in the bowels of Jabba's palace. The Correllian stumbled and would have fallen had Anakin not caught his arm and steadied the younger man.
The door clanked shut behind them with an ominous sound.
Some rescue, Solo mumbled. Anakin frowned at him, although the Correllian could not see it.
, he murmured. We are not dead yet. And as soon as security is relaxed again, we can leave this place.
Yeah, right, Solo commented. Cause you just happen to have the key to our cozy little apartment in your pocket.
A lopsided grin appeared on Anakin's face. I don't need a key, Solo, he explained. The Force is with me.
Solo groaned. Not another mad wizard! Kenobi had been bad enough, but this guy who claimed to be Luke's dad was even worse. Thinking of which...
Who are you, really? he demanded.
I told you. I'm Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker's father, Anakin answered. He could hardly tell Solo he was Darth Vader, now could he?
Luke's father is dead. He died in the clone wars. Now Solo was getting angry. Either this guy was delusional, or he was a liar. He didn't know which was worse. Luke would not lie to me.
I would not think so. But he was misinformed himself, Anakin explained.
Solo echoed in a sarcastic voice. Misinformed? You really have a way with words, you know.
I have never been accused of being less than articulate, Anakin replied drily.
Han decided to change the subject. Right. So we're just going to sit here until the guards fall asleep, you magick the door open, and we walk out of here?
That was the general idea, yes.
Don't tell me that was your first choice.
No. I would have vastly preferred to put an end to Jabba, but that would probably have gotten you killed. I could not allow that.
Hey, don't bother with me! I can watch out for myself, Solo sneered, turned around, and walked straight into the nearest wall. , he muttered under his breath.
Anakin smirked. He found he was beginning to like this impossible pirate. Even blind and weak from his prolonged hibernation, the Correllian was fiercely independent.
Solo wrapped his arms around himself and tried to stop shivering. Darn, he was freezing. His bones felt like they were made of ice - which they probably still were. His eyes weren't worth a dead Hutt's promise. And to top it all off, he was stuck in a cell with a madman. Great. Just great.
, Anakin's deep voice said, and Solo felt something being wrapped around him. A heavy woolen cloak. He opened his mouth to protest, but Anakin cut him short: You won't be able to escape if you catch your death first.
, Solo mumbled, grateful for the warmth the cloak provided, but reluctant to show his gratitude to his strange would-be rescuer. So, what's in it for you? Why are you so interested in keeping me alive and well?
I have my reasons.
Which means you're not going to tell me. Solo nodded. There was something strangely familiar about Anakin, and it was not any resemblance to Luke. In fact, the man could not be more different from the starry-eyed farm boy turned Rebel hero. Anakin exuded a calmness and self-confidence that Solo had rarely seen in any being, and his voice reminded Han of someone... someone dangerous.
We would be honored if you would join us.
The
Empire will compensate you if he dies. Put him in.
Bespin. Lando's betrayal. The torture. The agony of being frozen in carbonite. And the man who ordered all this, face hidden behind an emotionless steel mask, adding a metallic timbre to his deep voice.
We've met before, haven't we? he asked. I know your voice... He let the rest of the sentence trail away.
Anakin sighed. There was no hiding his identity from this man; even blind, Solo was too perceptive. Yes. Yes, Captain Solo, you know me.
You bastard! Solo yelled, and lunged at the taller man, fist drawn back to deliver a blow to his now unprotected face. He was lucky; it felt like he hit the other right on the eye.
Vader stumbled back, grunting in pain and surprise. He had not expected Solo to attack him, blind as he was. The back of his head connected painfully with the wall of their cell, and he slid down to the floor, momentarily stunned by the blow.
Solo stood in the middle of the cell, breathing heavily, listening for anything that might tell him where Vader was.
Anakin climbed to his feet again. I guess I deserved that, he commented.
Solo homed in on the voice, and charged again. But this time, Vader caught his flailing arms and pinned them to his sides.
Stop that, the Sith commanded angrily. You are not helping, Solo!
Oh, yeah? Good! Solo retorted. He struggled against Vader's iron grip, but the other man was much stronger, almost inhumanly so. What do you want this time, Vader? Need a torture victim to lure Luke in again? He could feel Vader wince at his words. Good. He wanted him to hurt. He wanted Vader to hurt as badly as the Sith had hurt him. Solo pressed on. What did you do to him? Did you freeze him too? That was your plan, wasn't it? he hissed. When Vader did not answer, he continued: I know you're a liar, Vader. You can't be Luke's father - no father would do that to his own child.
Vader barked, shoving Solo and his accusations away from him. He was trembling with rage. Do not continue, or I might forget myself, he warned. He breathed deeply, pushing back the anger that threatened to consume him. For once, Solo remained silent, and Vader was grateful for that. Perhaps he could be made to listen.
I did not lie, Solo. Darth Vader is a Sith title. My name is Anakin Skywalker. He took another deep, steadying breath. Solo turned his face in the direction of his voice. Although blind, he seemed to be watching him. It felt strange.
I did not even know I had a son until after Luke destroyed the Death Star, Anakin began. It would be a long and complicated tale, but he had the better part of the night to tell it. He doubted he could make Solo believe. The Correllian had every reason to distrust him. But he needed to make Solo understand in order to rescue him. Of course, he could always knock him out and carry him, but somehow the thought did not appeal to Anakin. He'd have to tell his tale someday anyway, why not now?
-----
To be continued