Chapter XXIX – Return of the Jedi

Luke and I talked almost nonstop those last few hours to Corusant, discussing our childhoods, our adventures, our hopes for the future. I realized I was attempting to cram a lifetime's worth of experience into such a short time, but what else could I do? Luke and I would be separated soon, and I wanted to learn all I could of my son before he was taken from my side. Even if I never saw him again, I would at least have those memories to cling to.

When the shuttle finally touched down on the city-planet, I was loath to disembark. Somehow I was certain a hideous fate awaited us outside the ship – arrest, capture, death…

"There's no one out there," Luke assured me. "Besides, you have the ring. It's protected your identity up 'til now, hasn't it?"

"There have been times it has failed," I reminded him.

"For the hundredth time, Darth, the ring has its own will," Jessa told me. "It's known best all this time. Trust it a little longer at least."

I hesitated, then finally braced myself for the worst and stepped off the ship. Instantly I felt the cloaking illusion of the ring enfold me, shielding me from discovery. I relaxed slightly and followed the others.

"Where to?" asked Jessa. "I don't know this place…"

"To tell the truth, I'm not familiar with Corusant at all," Luke confessed. He turned anxiously to me.

"If the Alliance was truly serious about restoring justice to the galaxy, they would have formed a new government by now," I replied. "Thus, the most logical place to look for them would be in the Imperial Palace – or the Chancellor's Palace, if they have elected to revert back to Republic laws."

Jessa snorted. "Republic laws no longer worked. Why reinstate them?"

"Republic laws are better than no law system at all," Luke told her. He glanced around. "So which way is the palace anyhow?"

"We have to ascend a few levels before we get there," I told him, motioning for him to follow me.

No one paid us any mind as we made our way down the busy walkways. As far as they were concerned, we were simply an older gentleman, a youth, and a droid out for a stroll. They could not know that a notorious Sith, a renegade Jedi, and a musically inclined cyborg walked among them. They could not know that we had spent months in the company of an immortal, traversing the galaxy, facing down monsters and armies, gaining wisdom from a sorceress and a mystical ring…

A wild shriek split the air, filled with emotion… and yet quite mechanical.

"Artoo!" exclaimed Luke.

A rather broadly-built human woman yelped and moved aside as a blue-and-white astromech droid pushed past her and hurried toward us as fast as its three treaded feet would allow, chirping and beeping ecstatically all the while. I instantly recognized the droid – Artoo Detoo, the spirited little astromech that had saved my life on many occasions and, in general, had been one of the most loyal companions I had ever known.

"Hey Artoo," Luke greeted, laughing joyously as he knelt and wrapped his arms around the little droid, ignoring the stares of passerby. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

Jessa chuckled. "Hello, Artoo Detoo. I'm honored to finally meet you."

Artoo crooned appreciatively… then turned his dome to face me. His single red photoreceptor studied me with such careful scrutiny that I began to wonder if the ring's illusionary power worked on droids. Or if it was just being selective…

"This is a friend, Artoo," Luke told him. "They're both friends. Don't be shy."

The droid hummed thoughtfully. Then it gave a series of blips and whirrs that the ring translated as "I know who you are, but don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."

Hurried footsteps approached, and a scruffy-looking Corellian pushed past a startled Gran pilot and addressed the droid in a testy voice.

"Artoo, what are you… I'm sorry sir, he's been quite the handful lately… come on, Artoo, that's not him! Quit wandering off…"

"Not who, Han?" Luke asked, arching an eyebrow.

Han glanced up sharply, plainly annoyed. But as his brown eyes met Luke's steady blue gaze, his expression became one of disbelief… disbelief that quickly dissolved into joy.

"Luke!" he cried, throwing his arms around him. "Oh Luke, how did you get back – oh, don't answer, I'm just glad to see you…"

Luke returned the embrace. "I missed you, Han."

Han broke away and glowered at his friend. "Where the stang were you, kid? Don't you know how hard it was to keep Leia sane on a daily basis? We were all worried sick about you – some of the Alliance has even given you up for dead!"

"Then I'll be quite the surprise for them, won't I?" Luke said with a grin. He gestured in my direction. "Han, these are friends of mine. Anakin and Jessa."

Jessa extended a clawed hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Solo."

"Yeah, you too," Han replied, giving her an odd look but shaking her hand anyhow. "Weird droid."

"That's cyborg to you, flyboy," Jessa replied, placing her hands on her hip servomotors. "Get it right."

"Right then." He turned to face me. "Anakin, huh? I'm Han Solo, friend of Luke's."

"A pleasure, Han." I had met Solo before, of course, but I preferred not to think on it. If he knew me for who I truly was, he surely would have drawn his blaster on the spot.

"So where's Leia?" asked Luke. "I'd like to see her."

Han slapped Luke's shoulder. "I'm sure you would, Luke. This way."

Break…

It was a highly emotional reunion that transpired in one of the private meeting rooms of the Chancellor's Palace. The moment Luke entered the chamber, Leia locked her arms around his body and kissed him soundly on the cheek, tears flowing from her eyes. They embraced for a very long time, until Jessa began making small retching sounds.

"Luke…" the princess breathed. "When you didn't come back… I thought the worst. I'm so glad you made it…"

"I'm only sorry I couldn't return sooner," Luke replied. "I'm sorry I let the Alliance down when it needed me the most."

Han cleared his throat. "Which reminds me, kid. I think you owe us an explanation." He gestured for everyone to sit down. "Where were you all this time? Why didn't you come back? And what do these two oddballs have to do with it?"

Jessa rolled her eyes. "He hangs out with a Wookie and drives an antique-store reject, and he's calling us oddballs."

"Quiet," I ordered her.

"Believe me, Han, you should have seen this group when it was seven members and not just three." Luke laughed. "It's a long story… and there are parts you probably won't believe. But it has to be told." He looked to me as if seeking permission.

"Tell them," I ordered. "Leia has a right to know, at least."

"Right to know what?" she asked, brow furrowed.

Luke did not answer the question, but launched into the story as best he could, Jessa filling in the gaps where necessary. I kept silent, watching their faces reflect first interest, then growing skepticism as the tale progressed. I did not fault them for not believing – had I heard this story as an outsider, I would have suggested the teller be evaluated for psychological problems.

"So let me get this straight," Han said disbelievingly. "All this is because of a ring?"

Luke sighed. "I know it sounds crazy…"

"Luke, please," Leia pleaded, rubbing her temples. "Tell us the real reason you were gone. Don't humiliate yourself with a fairy tale about horses and magicians and Vader being a dragon..."

"I told you the real reason," Luke insisted. "And Jessa can verify the entire story."

"So there," Jessa added, as if her support of his story was unshakable testimony.

A challenging look entered Han's eyes. "So where's the ring?"

"What?" asked Luke, stunned.

"Where's the ring? Can you show it to us?"

Luke hesitated. "It fuses itself to the wearer's hand. And at the moment, my father wears it."

"So what's the problem?" asked Han. "Bring him in and we'll have a look."

"Han, my father's the most wanted man in the galaxy!" Luke retorted. "If he shows his face in here, he'll be arrested on sight…"

"Not if we make a deal," Jessa cut in. She turned to face Han and Leia. "How about it? Vader shows his face and the ring, and in return you don't order his arrest. Is it a deal?"

Leia and Han exchanged an odd look, then Leia turned back to Luke. "All right. Vader can come in, and we won't call in soldiers."

Luke turned to me. "But he's already here."

Shocked, she turned to face me.

"One of the powers the ring grants is that of illusion," I informed her, holding up my left hand. "It is this illusion that has protected me when our travels have taken us to populated worlds. I'm dropping the illusion now." And I released the power holding my disguise in place, letting them see me as I truly was.

Their fear was palpable… and so was Luke's relief when they finally saw the ring upon my hand.

"So it's true," Leia breathed. "It's true, every word…"

"Including the dragon part?" Han asked, giving me a strange look.

"Yes," I told him. "Even that."

Han shook his head. "I need a stiff drink after this."

"Drink, hell," Jessa complained. "I've been with these guys almost a year. At this point, I need major therapy."

My eyes rested on Leia, who could not seem to take her eyes off of me. I searched her face for the anger, the hatred, the loathing I expected to see there. The anger was present, but in her eyes I also saw… longing? Sadness? Pity?

"Leia," I said quietly, "I have spent too little time with you to properly call you daughter. But rest assured that I loved your mother truly and deeply, and that I wanted only to protect her and my children when I did what I did. And believe me, if I had known you to be my daughter, I would never have subjected you to the atrocities I did. I do not ask you to forget what I have done… but I do plead your forgiveness."

"Vader," she replied hesitantly. "I… I've suffered too much at your hands to call you Father. But Luke… he's always been a good judge of people. If he sees good in you, it must be there." She gave a wan smile. "From this point onward, I have no quarrel with you. I can't promise I won't be angry with you… but I'll try not to hate you."

I next turned to Han. "Han Solo, I sense that you love Leia, and that you have known of her relation to me for some time."

He nodded. "Yeah. She let it slip back on Endor."

"I have little right to forbid you from marrying her, you know," I told him. "I've done nothing worthy of the title of Father for her. But I do wish to give the two of you my blessing… and I pray the Force always watches over you."

Han's jaw dropped slightly, then he regained his composure. "Look… what happened on Bespin… forget about it. Luke and Leia have gone through a lot more than me… and if they can forgive you, I should too." He placed his hands on Leia's shoulders. "I'd never do anything to hurt Leia. Remember that. And… and thanks for your blessing."

I hesitated, then spoke my fear at last. "Does Luke face punishment?"

"What in the galaxy for?" Leia exclaimed.

"For deserting the war, or for harboring a criminal?" I clarified.

"I think the Alliance'll be too happy to see him again to care," Han replied. "You should have seen the look on General Madine's face when I told him Luke was back. I thought he was going to pass out."

It was as if a great burden had been lifted from my shoulders. Luke would not suffer on my account. He would be known as a hero, not as a defector, a traitor, or the son of a warlord.

No one said anything for a few minutes. Save the constant rasp of my respirator, all was silent. It was as if each of us had tapped out our available stores of words for the day.

At last Leia stood. "The Alliance is holding a celebration tonight in honor of Luke's return. As Luke's father and traveling companion, I suppose the two of you should be invited."

"Oh, a party?" Jessa exclaimed happily. "I love parties. Got karaoke?"

"Kary-what?" repeated Han.

"Never mind."

I stood and afforded Leia a bow. "With all due respect, I think we should be on our way."

Luke looked pained. "I'd hoped for you to stay a little longer…"

"Luke, we have had a year together. That is far more than I ever dreamed of having with you. Yes, it is far too short a time, but it is better than nothing at all. Besides, we have been lucky so far to avoid capture. I have no wish to press our luck."

"We can arrange for you to leave quietly," Han assured us. "There's a small shuttle on a private landing pad on the 440th level. Clearance codes are in the ship's computer."

"Thank you, Han," I told him. "I am indebted to you and Leia."

Leia saw the troubled expression on Luke's face and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Why don't you walk them to the shuttle, Luke? You can have a few more minutes."

He nodded wordlessly and led us out.

The shuttle was in good order, if small and slightly outdated – in other words, perfect for our needs. Jessa embraced Luke tightly before hopping into the cockpit for a pre-flight check.

"You remind me of my brother," Jessa told him. "And I love you like a brother, too. I'd tell you to stay out of trouble, but telling that to a Skywalker is like telling a fish to stay out of water. So just be a little careful."

"I'll be careful," he assured her, laughing slightly.

For a long time I could say nothing to Luke. There was simply too much to say. My son, a gift from my Padme, my savior and confidant… he had believed in me. He had drawn me from the darkness and set me on the path to my destiny. He had been a source of infinite encouragement, not just for me, but for our entire party. His endless optimism had been a great boon for us and a refreshing change from the gloom-and-doom that had engulfed the galaxy in the wake of the Empire's collapse. I loved him, and his departure from the fellowship would tear a wound in my heart that would not soon heal.

I took Luke in my arms and embraced him tightly. "My son… thank you for coming for me on Endor. Thank you for believing in me."

"You're my father," he replied quietly. "How could I not help you? I couldn't destroy you, knowing who you were. I had to save you somehow."

"And save me you did. I owe you my life, my son. I can never repay you for what you did for me."

"You did plenty for me as well. Not only did you give me life, but you showed me the flaws of the old Jedi Order… and you taught me respect for the other great powers in this galaxy. You don't owe me a thing." He smiled. "I only hope I can bring back a Jedi Order you'd be proud of – one that works for the good of the galaxy."

I pulled back and stared into his incredibly blue eyes, so much like mine when I was young… and if the Ky-Lin was to be believed, so much like his grandmother's.

"We will meet again," I told him. "I say this not to comfort you – it is a certainty. This is not our final moment together."

He held my gaze. "What will you do now?"

Days ago, I could not have answered that question. Now, I knew the answer.

"Your grandfather, Jasper, told me that other dragons still existed, as ignorant of the ways of their kind as the scattered Force-strongs of the galaxy are ignorant of the Jedi teachings. Your duty is to gather those Force adepts and train them… and my duty is to educate my dragon brethren, wherever they may be."

"That sounds dangerous."

"Perhaps it is. But I will find a way. First I must help Jessa find her place, then I will find a way."

He nodded. "Take care of her." He handed me something. "And take care of this."

It was a piece of carved jappor on a cord of leather, darkened and smooth with age, as familiar to me now as it had been twenty years ago when I had seen it last…

"Where did you get this?"

"I've always had it," Luke replied simply. "Aunt Beru… said it came from my mother."

"That it did." I held it out to him. "Keep it. To remember her by."

He shook his head. "I have access to the Jedi Archives now. I'm sure I can dig up a holo of her somewhere and copy it. You need it more than I do." He smiled fondly. "What I'd like to keep is that headdress Chief Chirpa gave me. Just in case I ever forget Logray's counsel."

I laughed and surrendered the item. "Please tell me you won't wear it to the celebration tonight."

The ring gave a sudden stab of warning, and I looked up to see a patrol speeder closing in. Obviously no one was supposed to be here.

"Go!" Luke urged me. "Before they see you!" Then, in a quiet voice that was nearly a whisper, he added "Remember me."

"How can I forget you, my son?"

The ring stabbed again, and this time I heeded its warning and boarded the shuttle. We had lifted off and were well on our way to hyperspace before the patrol speeder could call in reinforcements.

I closed my eyes to shut out the pain. My son was gone.

"Darth…"

"I do not want your sympathy, Jessa."

"I just wanted to say…"

"If you tell me you're sorry, Jessa, I will bite you."

She stared at me, stunned. "You can't bite through the mask!"

I cocked my helmet at her. "I can get creative."

Jessa stared a moment longer, then burst into laughter. "Not fair, using my own words against me!"

I could not stop myself – I laughed long and hard as well. And though laughter alone could not mend my heart, it could at least ease the pain.