Chapter 8

The specimens grew and were successfully implanted in Vader's damaged lungs, and on his scarred, scraped skin, even on his head. They were growing nicely. With accelerated growth, it would only be a matter of days. Vader was kept in a tube like chamber to keep the skin growing evenly. At times he was sedated to keep him asleep to let the growing take its course. Luke was ruled in excellent health and sent home. He went back to Vader's house, but visited his father every day, whether or not he was awake. Luke was enjoying his new power. He stood out on the balcony of his father's home and stared out into the city. He saw the remains of the Jedi temple, abandoned so long ago. Below, in the city, there would be turmoil, looting, and riots as people were unsure of who was in charge. This was a time Luke would have to step forward and let them know. The Senate was going to reorganize the old rebublic, but Luke wasn't satisfied with that. He wanted more. Why allow the galaxy to be ruled by politicians and beauracrats? Look where that led before! He knew that Leia would now be on the opposite viewpoint from him, but he felt confidant he could sway her, even if he had to use the force. No way were stodgy politicians going to rule the galaxy. That was his right now, his father, and as his father's son, his. He felt a surge of self importance and excitement as he surveyed his new kingdom.

On Kashyyk, Han was desperately trying to find a mechanic who could repair the Falcon. The Falcon was as old as those times, so surely someone would know how to fix one. But he was worried. If he and Chewy couldn't figure it out, who could? Other than Chewy, there weren't a lot of Wookie mechanics. They would have to patch it up best they could to make it to another planet. They were very concerned it might malfunction again, taking them even further back in time. Which was another problem- they didn't know how to explain to anyone they were from the future, or how to explain it, or the time travel.

While the well being of the Falcon was paramount, Leia's mind raced to other subjects. "This is my chance, I know it is, it was given to me by the force. I must not fail." She thought. She was going to find her parents, and save them from themselves. Then perhaps nothing would be wrong when they returned to their own time. IF they were ever able to return. Or perhaps, she may fail, and it could be worse! No, that can't happen, she thought. She had to find a way to find them and fix the mistakes of the past. If this was not willed by the force, why was she sent back? It wasn't just a chance mechanical error, it had to mean more. She didn't bother to try to convince Han of this. While he was much more a believer in the force than he was when they first met, he was not in the mood for anything but fixing the Falcon. She'd have to find a better time.

No one on Kashyyk had any idea what to do. While Chewy stayed behind to see some of his old friends and long dead kin, Han decided to move on with whatever means were available to fly. He refueld and was ready to take off. "Han," she asked, putting her hand on his shoulder, "can we go to Naboo?" He turned and stared strangely at her. "NABOO?" What for? She didn't know how to tell him. "I'm sorry but the best hope we have is Coruscant. All the best technology would be there. That's where I'm going. Ironic, that's where we headed out for, but it won't be the right time!" Suddenly Leia felt a surge of energy. Maybe it WOULD be the right time! Something was telling her maybe it was the right place to find her parents after all! Han set his course, and waited to see what speed, and what time, they would be flying in. The ship seemed normal. He realized they would not be able to use the hyperdrive, and it would take forever! But to his surprise, it worked! "Yeehah!" he screamed. As the Millenium Falcon shot through hyperspace, he believed they would be returning to their own time. But when they broke through the atmosphere of Coruscant, they saw that it was not the one they recognized- things that had long been destroyed were standing, and things not built yet were, well, not there. Han's heart sank with disappointment they were still in the past. But Leia didn't share his feelings, she was excited, and hopeful. Her parents were here!

Back in the Coursucant of real time, Vader was taken from his tube chamber and placed in a bed at the medical center. No one had seen him but XC-454 and his assistants, keeping Vader's wish for privacy. Luke was being called to come, for it was time to wake his father up and see how well the implant procedures had done. Vader was asleep, still in a drug induced state of unconsciousness, as the droids applied his new, more agile and realistic looking artificial limbs. They dressed him, all in black, though not the suit, ordinary clothing and boots.As droids, they did not feel the emotion that Luke did as he walked into his father's room and gasped. The operations and healing was a complete success. Since young Luke was the donor, Vader's newly regrown skin was as smooth and supple as it had been before the lava had taken it from him. He was like a young man again, and very much like Anakin had been. His hair was grown back, and it was thick and a light brown with golden tones, like Luke's. It was not quite as curly as Anakin's had been, but it was healthy and full. His face was what those on Earth would call A Picture of Dorian Gray. He looked exactly like young Anakin Skywalker. Luke was about the age Anakin had been when he turned, and Luke's youthful tissue had restored his father to health. Even Vader's scarred lips were normal and smooth again. His body may have been older and worn from all its injuries and troubles on the inside, but on the outside, he was the picture of youth and beauty. Luke could hardly wait for his father to wake up and find out the good news.

At last, the droids awoke him, and his blond head turned back and forth on the pillow. His eyes slowly fluttered open, and he focused them and looked around. The first thing he saw was Luke, and he smiled. Luke smiled back. "Father.' He said. "Can you breathe?" Vader, still flat on his back, stared at the ceiling and inhaled. Then he exhaled. Again, and again. He couldn't believe it. He was cured! His smile turned to a laugh, something he had not done in years. He wanted to jump up and shout, but the droids held him back and told him to take it easy. He looked over at Luke. "I can breathe, Luke, just like I used to, just like any normal being in the universe. I had dreamed of it for so long, but never believed it possible." He thanked the droids, and asked if he may rise. They said yes, but slowly, carefully. He pulled himself to a sitting position, and looked down at his hands. They were of flesh tone, like Luke's artificial hand. He check out his legs, and his skin under the clothes. Then he touched his head, and felt his hair! Then he put his hands to his face and rubbed it. "I want to see, please, may I see what I look like?" He begged. The droids brought him a reflective mirrorlike device, and he examined his face. He almost lost his breath from the shock. His still beautiful blue eyes and lashes now had the face to match again. "I-it's me, it's really me!" He smiled, tears streaming down his newly restored cheeks. He couldn't take his eyes off the image of himself. He couldn't believe it was real. He had been restored to health, and to the appearance of Anakin Skywalker, his true self. Would this change also be internal, would he really return to his old self in every way? At that moment, his extreme happiness blocked out all of the darker side within him. True joy flowed through every living part of him. He was, as best as he could be, whole again. He looked up at Luke, overcome with emotion. "Thank you, Luke. Your compassion has saved me more than once. This is a gift greater than any I could have purchased. Thank you."