Chapter 2-Conspiracy
(A/N: Just so everyone knows the reason Vader is describing himself as two people is because he doesn't want Luke to know he is his father.)
"My mother?" said Luke disbelieving what he was hearing as it seemed to overwhelm him and even though he didn't want to believe it something told him it was the truth.
"Yes. She was the most beautiful women that I will have ever known and loved as I'm sure it was for your father. Going against the council and our master we did everything in our power to win her heart young Skywalker and even though it was forbidden for us to love another we didn't care. However, much to my dismay it was your father that one her heart and not mine, but that did not mean I would not continue to stop loving her like a goddess regardless of what anyone told me," said Vader as he remembered his days as Anakin Skywalker and the wedding right before the Clone Wars.
"I take it from here you and my father start to drift?" said Luke feeling there was more to this then Vader was letting on, but he ignored it since the Sith Lords words had felt quite surprisingly truthful.
"Yes. But before I continue you must tell me about yourself as per our agreement...young Skywalker," said Vader who had almost said son had he not stopped himself before it was too late.
"All right. Fair is fair I guess since you've been honest with me so far so I must do the same. I was raise by my uncle Owen and Aunt Beru on Tatooine about 5 miles South of Anchorhead before your Stormtroopers came and wiped out the place looking for the droids that held the plans for that Death Star I blew up," said Luke calmly.
"Yes I know about there deaths young Skywalker and I suppose you should be now thanking me because I killed those Stormtroopers for disobeying orders. I told them to find the droids, but I never ordered them to kill their owners," said Vader as he clearly remembered killing the Stormtroopers in a very painful manner when he heard who the owners of the moisture farm were.
"Well...I guess I can give you thanks for that though I can't forgive you for killing Obi-wan and killing all the other Jedi that brought Peace and Justice throughout the galaxy," said Luke who Vader sensed had some anger radiating from him at the mention of Obi-wan.
"Well then you have to hear what happens during the time of the Clone Wars and then you will understand the conspiracy that happened shortly after," said Vader getting Luke's full attention.
"What conspiracy?" said Luke who was finding that things were not as he expected them to be.
"Another time perhaps for I have become tired and I must go into meditation till I have recovered what strength is in my body that is still flesh," said Vader who raised the door behind him to let Luke out of the room.
"All right. But tomorrow I want to know more about this Vader and I want the WHOLE truth because even though I can tell your not lying. I also have this feeling that your still hiding something from me," said Luke as he walked out of the room without another word.
Vader was surprised that Luke could still sense he was hiding something from the young man that was his son. 'He is strong indeed,' thought Vader as he went into mediation and make contact with the 501st to attack the Rebel base to free him.
Meanwhile R2D2 was taking all this in and realized his former master from the Clone Wars and his current master were related to the term of father and son. It was then he found himself at a conflict of interest in serving both masters without betraying either. It was a logic paradox that threatened to destroy his logic circuits if he did anything to help one or the other. R2D2 decided he should discuss this with C3PO as a possible protocol scenario involving two opposing master's under one roof. Worst case scenario he would stump the protocol droid with the same paradox he was contemplating. As for the best case scenario…C3PO would blow up instead of him making him as happy as a small Nubian astromech droid could be.
(Rebel Base Conference room)
Mon Mothma, Admiral Ackbar, General Rieekan, Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker sat in the conference room as they decided to discuss what they were going to do with the Dark Lord of the Sith. "When I first heard from the scouts that we had found an injured and unconscious Darth Vader I thought I was going to have a heart attack at my age, but now that is not the case I am not sure what to think," said General Rieekan who had been quite cheerful the past few days.
"I say we kill him and send the helmet back to the Emperor as a sign to finally take us seriously," said Leia who wasn't letting her hatred for the Sith Lord being hidden from anyone.
"Princess Organa I think because of young Skywalker here the Emperor will take us seriously now that his prized battle station is destroyed," said Ackbar who was quite surprised at the brutal nature of the young woman.
"So this will be an insult to injury in the most profound way by taking away another one of the Emperor's fangs," said Leia who could think of no other revenge greater then the death of Darth Vader.
"As much as I think your fate for Vader is valid Leia I don't want to see Vader killed just yet because of what he can tell me about my family," said Luke knowing that if the order to execute Vader was given he would never know more about the Jedi, his father, and the mother.
"You can't rust Vader Luke he's a Sith Lord and a master of deception that is greater then any politician I have ever seen in the Imperial Senate produce," said Leia who couldn't believe that Luke would stick up for Darth Vader.
"I can tell if he were lying to me Leia because of the Force and what Obi-wan taught me in the short time I was with him on the Falcon. Its strange, but everything Darth Vader has told me I sense has been true to a point where it couldn't be anything, but the truth. For now let me talk to him as long as I can before we make him walk his last mile to that place in the afterlife," said Luke knowing what he was asking could fall on depth ears, but he had to at least try.
"We will give you what time you have with Darth Vader young Skywalker though I expect you to let us execute him when the order is signed and without protest," said Mon Mothma who respected Skywalker's thirst to learn more about his Jedi heritage even if it was from an unlikely source.
"Thank you Mon Mothma," said Luke who bowed as he got up to leave the room and exited heading straight for Vader's prison cell.
"That boy has great potential here in the Rebel Alliance," said General Rieekan who now felt his job may one day be in jeopardy because of the feat that Luke did with the Death Star.
"I just hope he doesn't get the wrong kind from talking to Vader," said Mon Mothma who got a nod of agreement from Leia who was worried about Luke.
(Vader's Cell-hours later)
Vader sensed through the Force the Imperial ships had just entered hyperspace and were on there way here. That was good news as everything was going according to plan. While he told Luke about the past while keeping his part about being the boy's father hidden from him the 501st would arrive and attack the planet. He would get free and corner his son till the area was secured then after they were on board the Imperial Star Destroyer he would tell Luke everything. Then he would teach Luke the ways of the Dark Side of the Force till he was strong enough for them to fight and destroy the Emperor together. Then when he took the throne he would rule it with his son by his side and make the necessary adjustment to Empire to get rid of the Rebels that had slowly poisoned his son's mind about there ideals of Peace and Justice. 'Soon all that I have fought for, bled for, and have nearly died for will be a reality. All for you...Padme,' thought Vader as he then sensed Luke's shining presence coming his way.
"I hope your rested up because now you have to tell me the rest of the story between you, my father, mother, and Obi-wan during the time of the Clone Wars," said Luke as he used the Force to pull a chair to him as he sat in it less then 5 feet away from Darth Vader.
"As you wish, but from here tings slowly turn nasty. When the Clone Wars started I went with Obi-wan and your father to the most nastiest battles where most Clone Troopers and even Jedi could never walk away from. Then with divine intervention of the Force we were called back to Corusant to save the Chancellor that is now the Emperor. We saved him from the Separatists and were once more near Padme to watch over again if only temporarily till we left for battle again. It was then that me and Anakin learned that your mother was pregnant with you and that naturally Anakin was the father," said Vader who let out a sigh as he remembered that heart warming feeling when he heard her say that she was pregnant.
(Flashback)
'Ani...I'm Pregnant!' said the all familiar voice of Padme in a whisper as she held Anakin in her arms after saving the Chancellor and killing Count Dooku.
(End Flashback)
"It was then the conspiracy began to unfold as both me and Anakin were later confronted by visions of Padme's death. We both knew from experience that these dreams were not really dreams, but rather premonitions through the Force telling us she was in danger. But we realized that if we told any of the Jedi about Anakin's marriage to Padme, that they would have him thrown out of the Order and me for being a part in not telling them. We decided as discreet as possible by only talking to Master Yoda who was the oldest and wisest of the Jedi Order. We didn't tell him who the visions were of or that Anakin was married to Padme, but even so Yoda in his arrogance told us to let it go and that we should let the person die and 'become one with the Force' as he said. Anakin was willing to accept this, but I wasn't and I knew that I had to save Padme without or without the help of the Jedi," said Vader who in truth knew that the side of him that was once Anakin had come to terms with what Yoda had once said, but the darker half of him that was Vader did not.
"I assume you went a different road after that discussion with this Master Yoda and found yourself facing someone who gave you a different answer," said Luke who couldn't believe that the Jedi were so cold in that aspect of love since to him love was one of the most purest thing there was.
"The Emperor who was at the time the Supreme Chancellor of the Old Republic told me a story about Darth Pleagus the Wise and how this great and powerful Sith Lord could manipulate the Force to create...life," said Vader wishing he had learned such a powerful technique.
"Life?" said Luke somewhat confused on how a Sith Lord would create life.
"In other words young Skywalker Darth Pleagus the Wise could save the very people he cared about...from dying," said Vader telling Luke what the Emperor told him.
"That doesn't sound like a Sith Lord to me I mean who would a Sith Lord care about that much to prevent them from dying?" said Luke who couldn't understand the whole point behind such a motive.
"It makes no difference seeing as he was killed in his sleep by his apprentice by receiving a Lightsaber to the chest once the apprentice knew everything his master did," said Vader as he remembered how he came to the same conclusion as Luke did when he heard the story of Darth Pleagus the Wise.
"Let me guess. The Emperor was Darth Pleagus the Wise's apprentice and he told you he could help you save her from dying," said Luke who finally understood the motive Vader had for going to the Dark Side of the Force.
"You catch on quickly young Skywalker I'm impressed, but the story doesn't end there and you're getting ahead of it. You see in the office of the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine told me and Anakin out of good faith that he was in fact the mysterious Sith Lord that the Jedi Council was looking for. Anakin ran to tell the Council while I stayed to hear what the Emperor said before joining and catching up with him before heading to the Council together. I told him this was the answer we were looking for while he said it was wrong and went against the Jedi Council. After arguing it appeared to Anakin he had won the argument and that I would stay loyal to the Jedi. After telling several of the council members about what we learned of the Emperor they told us to wait in the Council room of the Jedi Temple saying our emotions were clouding us both with conflict," said Vader as he remembered the conflict that raged in him as he sat in the Council room with his hands on his knees nearly shaking out of fear.
"I take it you both disobeyed the Council member's orders and went to see what was happening in the room yourself," said Luke who was starting to understand Vader in a new light in a way that he believed no one ever saw before.
"Yes we both did and we saw the Jedi Master Windu who had given us that order facing down the Emperor. It appeared my master was about to be beaten when I came in and saved my master before your father could stop me. In the end I faced your father briefly in that room as he drew his blade against me as we fought. I eventually won and I struck him down giving him a death that was worthy of a Jedi...and a brother," said Vader as he remembered the battle that had raged in him when he made his decision to save his Sith Lord of a master from death.
"Did the Emperor know about me?" said Luke as he realized that Obi-wan's words were not s truthful as he had expected them to be.
"No. He knew I wanted save her from dying because I loved her, but me and Anakin swore an oath not to tell anyone about her being pregnant till after you were born. It was an oath I have kept all this time to honor what little of Anakin's spirit that still lives with me. It was later on the planet Mustafa after I pledged my loyalty to the Emperor that your mother met me on lavish volcanic planet on one of the shielded platforms. She told me that Obi-wan had told her I had betrayed the Republic and the Jedi to serve an evil Sith Lord of a master. She didn't know her loving husband was dead till I told her what I was doing was for her to save her and told her that I had killed him. I told her that Anakin just wasn't willing to go the distance to save her and that I was. I thought I could still trust her regardless if she feared me for what I had become, but sadly even I soon realized I was fool for believing such things. It was then Obi-wan appeared on her ship and I accused her of betraying me and threw her aside to engage Obi-wan in combat," said Vader watching Luke take in all of this information.
"I take it that Obi-wan won that duel since you are have cybernetics and he was still flesh when I saw him last before you killed him," said Luke who felt angry to a degree that Vader had hurt his mother slightly, but felt sad knowing that what Obi-wan told him was only half the truth.
"Yes. He left me to burn near the lava with only a damaged right mechanical hand to survive as I was slowly burned nearly to death. The Emperor found me and took me back to Corusant where he placed this armor and respirator on me to keep me alive. Then he used your mother to make angry and to have me consumed with darkness," said Vader who remembered what the Emperor said to him that made his power erupt within him.
"What did he say?" said Luke now standing up to face Vader.
"I would rather not repeat the words the Emperor used to ignite the darkness within my heart," said Vader who felt the anger in Luke grow.
"What...did...he...say?" said Luke his anger echoing through each of his words he spoke to Vader.
"He said...that in my anger...I killed her," said Vader as every single word he spoke was like a vibroblade to his heart.
It was then Luke instinctively called the Force bring his father's weapon to his hand after overpowering Vader's and ignited his Lightsaber. He readied it at the Sith Lords neckline ready to strike the man down regardless if the words were filled with truth or lies. "Did you? Did you kill her?" said Luke who was more angry then he had ever been.
"No. For all that I am I could never hurt her no matter what she did and I would gladly have continued burning to death knowing she was safe. I swear it," said Vader meaning every word he spoke.
"I believe you. I don't know if it's the Force or something in my gut, but it says your not the cause of her death. So I can't hate you for that even though a part of me wants to so much I just can't because I can't hate someone who doesn't deserve it," said Luke as he turned off his Lightsaber and was now breathing heavily from the stress.
"Spoken like true Skywalker. A combination of your mother's purity with your father's passion in your voice. I think your mother would be proud of you young Skywalker and I'm sure father whether Force or not...is proud of you too," said Vader as he realized just how much of Anakin Skywalker was still within him.
"You shouldn't thank me just yet. There is something you should know that was being discussed within a private conference room with some of the other Rebel leaders. They have decided to skip your trial all together and execute you. Since there is no Rebel much less its leaders who is impartial that could take on such a case without having a grudge against you they decided to forget such a thing all together," said Luke who turned to walk away.
"You didn't approve at the time did you," said Vader sensing his son's thoughts without being detected by his son's Force sensitivity.
"I believe that everyone should have a fair trial...even a Sith Lord. I don't want this Rebel Alliance to become what its fighting against. I don't what to do anymore," said Luke who didn't know why he was telling Vader this.
"Just as the Jedi conspired against me, your father, and your mother. The Rebel's are now doing the same thing, which means you must make a choice on what to do," said Vader as he moved his cybernetic hand while Luke's back was turned.
"What are you talking about?" said Luke who turned to face Vader's emotionless metal mask only to hear the alarm go off indicating an attack was starting on the base.
"You must choose your side young Skywalker and you must choose...now!" said Vader as he surprised Luke by freeing himself as his cybernetic implants once more worked like they did before.
(A/N: Next chapter Luke must make a choice. Vader gets his red Lightsaber back and all hell goes loose! Review to get the chaprter written faster.)