Chapter 9-Personal Truth and Inner Hell

As Han, Chewbacca, Leia, Lando, and (a very careful) C3PO sat down in their selected chairs they decided to remain quiet during the time they just stared at Darth Vader. The Sith Lord's respirator was the only sound being made in the room before C3PO finally spoke up. "If I may speak Lord Vader I was just wondering as it is in my protocol droid programming what is to become of me?" said C3PO who got the attention of the Sith Lord as the man in question turned his head towards the droid.

"You will be taken aboard my ship and have your memory banks processed through the ship computer for any and all locations involving Rebel bases, personnel, and contacts they may have. After that...you'll be melted down and your circuitry will be sold to some cheap junk dealer on a backwater planet that may actually have use of your components," said Darth Vader as the Cloud City waiters brought them each a meal and drink to dine in.

"Throw mine in a preserve pouch and give it to me before I take off I don't take off my helmet in public," said Boba Fett who knew to never remove your mask in front of your bounty or a Sith Lord.

The servant looked at Fett for a moment, but a slight nod from Darth Vader said to do it without question. "I suggest the rest of you eat and drink the food as you will need your strength for what is to come afterwards," said Vader who was given a tall glass full of what looked like brownish mush of a meal.

"Yeah like I'm going to eat and drink drugged food. No offense Lando, but I doubt you had a say in such a thing when it came to our meal," said Han pushing away the meal.

"If that is what you wish smuggler the by all means do so it doesn't hurt me at all. It only hurts you in the end. Especially, since you will be the one who will go under a certain experiment that has yet to be done here deep within Cloud City. An experiment involving Carbonite Freezing of the living body," said Vader who took out a metal cylinder tube from his belt and attached it to his respirator system just above the stomach while the other end went into the tall glass.

"What? Carbonite Freezing of...me? Lando he's joking right? Tell me he's joking," said Han standing up causing the Stormtroopers in the room to raise their blasters at him in unison only to have a hand raised by Darth Vader indicating to them that it was all right as he activated a suction button on his chest plate that began sucking the brownish mush from the glass through the tube into the system taking it directly to his stomach.

(A/N: How else do you think Vader ate had food with that helmet on.)

"Remind me not to eat after this over," said Fett who felt slightly nauseous from seeing Vader's method of eating food.

Leia was also disgusted though it made sense since no one had ever seen the face of Darth Vader behind that metal mask and lived to tell the tale. "I think I'm going to be sick," said Leia looking away while Chewie looked away slight with disgust at the slurping noise that only when stopped when the glass was empty did Lando speak.

"Look Han it wasn't my idea to do this to you. Far from it and if I could and Darth Vader wasn't here I would help you out anyway I could. Unfortunately, that's not the case right now as from what Vader has told me you're the bait for the much larger trap," said Lando as he turned slowly to Vader who put the tube away after cleaning it with a napkin next to him.

"Bait? Bait for to trap who?" said Leia as she knew there was no one that could no about them except...

"The Jedi Master Yoda you traitorous Princess. He is not with you right now because he sensed my presence and even now schemes to save you all. However, I will force his little green clawed hand and make him come to me where I shall finish the duel that was started on Hoth and that should have ended their," said Vader slowly rising as he then saw Han and the others realize that Yoda was not in fact with them.

"Why that little old senile Jedi..." said Han balling his fists angrily only to be shoved away by the Stormtroopers along with the rest of them.

Lord Vader I was wondering what will happen to the Princess after this is all over? It would be wrong to have her frozen in Carbonite and I don't want to have to repeat the process on someone so close to an old friend of mine," said Lando speaking privately with Darth Vader as they walked along the halls.

"We only need one as a test subject and if the smuggler survives then I will have all that I need from them. I have no wish to kill anyone unless it is required of me young Governor despite the stories you hear from the worlds outside your city. If and when the smuggler survives and I kill the Jedi Master, the Princess and her friends with the exception of the protocol droid will remain with you under your care," said Vader who felt merciful at the moment since everything was going his way.

"Thank you Lord Vader however, I intend to hold you true to your word when the time comes and this is over," said Lando who had to take a step back as Vader whirled around and moved in closer to the Governors face.

"Are you saying I don't hold up my end of things Mr. Calrissian because of if you are then maybe an Imperial presence in the form of a Super Star Destroyer is needed," said Vader making his threat clear, cut, and to the point.

"No! No that won't be necessary Lord Vader I was just letting you know it stood as part of our deal," said Lando whose dark skin color lightened considerably.

"I know all about our deal Governor and if you try to remind me again I will see to it that a new one replaces you. Someone who is loyal to the Empire and does not need to betray their friends in exchange for Imperial favors," said Vader as he turned around and walked away leaving Lando paling another few shades of less color with Boba Fett right behind the Sith Lord.

(Space-The Sith's Pride)

'What was it that made father drop his guard like that? Was it some personal truth about his life that only Yoda and possibly old Ben knew about? Did it involve my family? It had to be something big to make fathers grip on the battle be completely lost in that moment in time. Whatever it is I'm going to find out what before he takes my father's head," said thought Luke as he pushed his fighter to its limits to get to Bespin.

When he arrived at the planet he saw a Star Destroyer in the distance and gave his ID: Signature as well as a message for the COM units and Admiral on the ship to keep it to themselves. "Lord Vicious your father is already on the planet I think I should inform him," said the Admiral who paled when the eyes of the young Sith turned orangey red before his eyes.

"My father is in danger as the Jedi Master Yoda is down there with a trap of his own and I know that if I do nothing my father will not survive. Do you want that to happen?" said Darth Vicious angrily as his ship went down to the planet.

"No sir! We will do as you ask, but should Lord Vader question us we will have to give a truthful answer to him," said the Admiral knowing he walked into that one.

"You do that when the time comes, but till then you will follow my orders and will do so when he isn't here," said Luke who killed the transmission before the Admiral could give a response.

(Bespin-Cloud City-Several hours later)

On the normal levels of Cloud City where people walk was considered a peaceful place that didn't have a trace of a slum of any kind or even the stench of one at that. However, in different areas of Cloud City on the lower levels that were deemed restricted to only mid to high ranking employees involved with Carbonite Freezing. That and droid parts that were either taken to make new droids or burned in the furnace. "Oh dear I hope I'm not going to be among these droids," said C3PO who was being slightly annoying to those around him.

"You will be if you don't shut the hell up," said one of the Stormtroopers behind him.

"Take the droid to the shuttle to be transported up to the Star Destroyer above the planet so we don't have to hear anymore of his whining," said Vader who was in no mood for the protocol droids voice though it did sound slightly familiar.

"What if he keeps talking?" said the Stormtrooper hoping he could blast him.

"Put a restraining bolt on him if you have to, but I want the droid in...one...piece," said Vader making his words crystal clear.

"Yes sir," said the Stormtrooper who moved the droid away from the rest of the group as they walked to the surface as Han was about to be put into the chamber.

"What if he dies? He's no good to me dead and Jabba hates it when he doesn't get what he wants," said Boba Fett in terms of his prize bounty.

"The Empire will compensate you if he dies with the proper payment that will go half to you and the other half to Jabba the Hutt to make sure he gets his compensation for the smugglers dead body," said Vader as if Han dying was not important.

"Well isn't he a sentimental Sith Lord," said Han to Chewie who nodded in agreement.

"Sorry buddy I wish I could do something, but the Empire is breathing down my next win lose or draw and two out of three are lethal for everyone here not Pro-Empire. At least this way everyone here has a chance of survival," said Lando in a small quite voice to Han, Leia, and Chewie.

"Thanks...buddy," said Han in light sarcastic tone.

"Enough! Proceed with the experiment and just so no one interferes if they do Boba Fett is authorized to shoot the Princess or the Wookie depending on who resists," said Vader as Boba Fett raised his blaster mid waist.

"What I interfere Vader? Jabba needs me alive and I know Imperials hate bribing Bounty Hunters and Crime Lords," said Han as if saying he had nothing to lose.

"Jabba will have to settle for damaged goods without the suspended animation of the Carbonite Freezing process," said Vader igniting his Lightsaber threateningly making everyone including Fett get within a small yet safe distance from the Sith Lord.

"Ah. I see your point," sad Han knowing his open defiance to Vader was now a muted point almost instantly.

"Good now proceed," said Vader who turned off his Lightsaber and watched as Han slowly walked over to the center of the Carbonite Freezing compartment.

(Cloud City-Middle Levels)

Master Yoda did not want to leave his friends in danger, but with the Sith Lord and the Imperial Stormtroopers everywhere it was going to be nearly impossible to save them in their current surroundings. Their only hope was him to ambush the troopers when they were escorting them to the Imperial shuttle back to the Star Destroyer. However, that plan was skewered when Yoda sensed a dark presence coming his way. 'Darth Vicious is here I sense. Wonder I do?' thought Yoda who then saw the spirit of Obi-wan in front of him.

"Yoda I came to warn you that Luke is on his way here. He had a premonition of you confronting Vader and killing him after telling Anakin the truth about Leia being his daughter. Luke won't let you get near Vader to fight him much less tell him what will take down his guard and his life. Despite being a Sith Lord Luke loves his father like a son should. Unfortunately, they both happen to be Sith Lords and the bond between them makes them almost impossible to defeat," said Obi-wan worriedly.

"Must fight Vicious then I must. Draw out Vader it will. Resourceful the other will be to escape I trust," said Yoda as he sensed Darth Vicious was near.

(Moments Later)

Luke made his way down to the mid level area of Cloud City when he sensed the familiar presence of Yoda and stopped. He drew his Lightsaber and ignited it letting its glow and almost unnatural yet residual heat it produced fill the area around him. "Yoda! I know you're here. Show yourself, NOW!" said Darth Vicious knowing the aging Jedi Master was somewhere near him.

"Impatient aren't we young Sith. Like your father you are. Too bad you didn't stay on the path of a Jedi it is. Such potential you had for being a Jedi you did. Lost you are to the Dark Side like you're father you are," said Yoda igniting his swamp green Lightsaber as the green dwarf appeared from the shadows.

"Does it matter? I have seen what you Jedi do with when you seek to help others and what secrets you refuse to tell others. Secrets...THAT ARE KEY FACTORS IN ONE'S LIFE!" said Darth Vicious sending an immense wave of Force Lighting at Yoda with such strength that Yoda found himself pushed back even with his own defense against such an attack.

(Lower Levels of Cloud City)

The process was now complete and Han's look of horror from the Carbonite Freeze block that he was encased in was functioning and sustaining him properly. "Well here's how you wanted him and now you got him Vader. All wrapped up in Frozen Carbonite ready to send to Jabba the Hutt. The only thing it needs now is to be wrapped up in a big red royal guard cloth and sent to Jabba," said Lando who put in his own sense of old gambler sarcastic like wit.

Vader wasn't paying attention at the moment as he felt a disturbance in the Force so great it nearly shook him to his very being. "Yoda is fighting my son. We must hurry. Take them to the shuttle while Fett takes his prize to his ship. I will meet you after I have helped my son dispense with that annoying Jedi Master of a fool who should have died at the hands of the Emperor...if not old age," said Vader who left with such swiftness that even Lando was baffled by what was happening.

'I guess things didn't go according to plan for Vader to trap Yoda here. Good now that Vader's trap has failed I can put mine into action,' thought Lando as he activated his wrist device that sent a message to his Chief of Security to begin the plan.

(Mid-Level of Cloud City)

Luke attacked with a rage he never though he possessed until he had been made angry by the Emperor himself. However, this was different as he swung his Lightsaber at such angles that even Yoda was being pushed back because of it. It was something he couldn't describe as he felt more like one of the stories where men become demons or was in fact a demon that were the predecessor of the Sith. "I...HATE...YOU! You conspired with the other Jedi against my father! You didn't help him when he needed you the most! WHY? WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP HIM? WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT IT WOULD CRIPPLE FATHER FOR ONLY A MOMENT?" said Darth Vicious as Darth Vader rounded the corner as to see the two warriors in a dead lock with Yoda's back almost pressed against a wall.

"Princess Leia like you young Skywalker is family she is. You're twin she secretly was. Your father's daughter hidden from both of you it was," said Yoda putting Vicious and Vader in a moment of shock.

"That's why she looks so much like Padme to me," said Vader who thought he was going to collapse at the moment from erratic heart failure.

At that moment Yoda saw his opportunity and knocked Luke back yet again as he then leaped for Vader's head to take it clear off. Vader at the moment was so deep in thought about having his daughter so close to him yet not realizing it fill his head as he now had the spitting image of his wife that was his daughter in his possession. That was then he noticed the Lightsaber held by Yoda coming at his head. 'At least a part of Padme is still alive in some form,' thought Vader as he closed his eyes waiting for death to take him knowing he could go in peace without regret.

Luke however, would not permit it because even though Yoda had pushed him away with the Force didn't mean he could react. He threw his Lightsaber at Yoda to block the Jedi masters attack right before they were less then 6 inches away from each other. It pierced right through Yoda causing the old dwarf's body to vanish as his Lightsaber missed Darth Vader and smashed against a pillar destroying the late Master's laser sword. For a brief moment Luke didn't know where he was as it was dead silent in the wide area of the spot they were in. "What...what have...I become?" said Luke as he didn't know who he was anymore, which was strange because it never felt like that before he fell to his knees in shock.

Vader just stood their motionless waiting for the death of his body and for the other side of life that would his hell. He opened his eyes and looked through the mask to find that Luke was on his knees lost in a place that was the Force. "By the Force...I have a young woman of daughter," said Vader out loud that after a moment of sinking in let Luke out of his trance.

"I can't...I can't do this anymore father. I can't be the Sith you want anymore. I have lived in such a wrong way," said Luke as he looked at his hands and then at Vader.

"What are you talking about?" said Vader as he could believe he was hearing his son.

"I am a Sith yet not you want father. I became a Sith to be with my father that had been wronged by those that he called friends. Now I find that my sister. My twin sister is fighting for the side we have been fighting. When I killed Yoda I felt something happen in me as if a part of my mind had a revelation. I know I am a Sith and nothing will change that father. However, I cannot fight by your side or the Emperor anymore because then I would lose what I swore I would never lose. If I continue to fight with you father I will lose my friends, my family, and my soul that has been possessed by the Dark Side of the Force," said Luke as he summoned his Lightsaber to his hand and started walking away before Darth Vader who stunned to no end called him to stop.

"Luke wait!" said Vader before Luke left completely.

"What father?" said Darth Vicious looking at his father momentarily.

"There is another way you can help me that will help your sister and will help us end this war all in one shot," said Vader as he had an idea that he knew his son just couldn't turn down.

"Tell me father. I will do anything that needs to be done...for my sister," said a somewhat reluctant Darth Vicious who turned all the way to face his father.

"We are both going to betray the Emperor in accordance to the ways of Sith tradition, but you'll be doing it from outside of the Empire, while I'll handle it from the inside. Here's what we do," said Vader as he told Luke the plan that would make everyone happy in the end.

(A/N: The scheming begins. I almost had writers block with this, but thank this creative mind and some music from Rammstein's 'Engel' I pulled it off. Next chapter: I can't tell you because I haven't written anything yet. I will say this though...when I do write it its going to kick ass and I have never steered you wrong with my stories. EVER! Review or else it won't happen. Are you threatening me master suspense writer? That must be what you're thinking. Well yes I am because I am the writer and I AM...the Senate. Sorry I was remembering the scene from Episode III. Anyway please review. It may not make sense now, but it will later.