Weeks pass by, agonizing in the slowness of their passage...and still nothing of consequence from the probe droids. He is out there somewhere…even in the vastness of space I can feel his presence, like a bright star, growing in its intensity. I curse the name of Obi-Wan Kenobi, for he knew about my son, of that I am certain. The look of smugness on his face as I smote him…that look that I grew to loathe after so many years in his servitude. He knew...

During this time of waiting I have scoured the Imperial data base, searching for any scrap of information about Padmé…anything to feed the sliver of hope I have that she too survived and has been alive all these years. There is extensive information about the planet Naboo on the database; the Emperor's home planet holds a special significance for him even after all these years.

I scan through the lists of queens from a century earlier, names that mean nothing to me, and faces that mean even less until I am stopped cold by the sight of her face. Shocked by the emotions that I didn't think myself capable of feeling anymore, I stare at her image, projected in holographic form from my computer console. I only half listen to the data readout that accompanies her image: When her terms ended, Amidala was constitutionally obligated to step down as Queen, although the public would have easily backed an amendment allowing her to serve longer. Though she had every right to retire and concentrate on her personal life, Amidala continued to be passionate about public service. The readout went on about her role in the Senate, and opposition to the Military Creation Act…but nothing about her personal life. But of course no one knew about that... I reflect, and then am jolted back to attention by the final words emitted from the computer: At a state funeral, thousands of Naboo citizens came to pay their respects to their beloved representative.

No! She's gone…why did I let myself believe for a moment that she was alive? Why did I dare to hope? All the years of rigidly keeping my feelings prisoner amount to nothing as the disappointment, bitter and agonizing, fills me. I snap off the image, unable to look at her any longer, the sight of her angelic face destroying what is left of my heart. I sit for a moment, thankful that I am alone in the privacy of my meditation chamber. Struggling for control, fighting for it, I sit, I bring my mind into oneness with the Dark Side, draw strength from it, let it fill my emptiness with its power, and slowly feel it push out the weak emotions that I have not felt in a lifetime, steeling my spirit once again.

Finally, after nearly a year of searching, we have a lead.

"But sir the Hoth System is supposed to be devoid of human forms."

"You found something?" I ask.

Piett has an image on the screen of his data station, and although it looks like very little to go on, I can feel the presence of my son simply by looking at the image. I have you now…

"That's it, the rebels are there," I declare.

Ozzel smirks in that condescending manner that I detest.

"My lord," he begins, "there are so many...uncharted settlements. It could be smugglers, it could be..."

I cut him off. Don't you dare try to patronize me, you insect…do you have any idea who you are dealing with? The power of the Force that links me to my son is beyond your feeble understanding…

"That is the system," I reiterate, ignoring his comment, and resisting the urge to crush his windpipe where he stands. "And I'm sure Skywalker is with them. Set your course for the Hoth System." I turn away from Ozzel. "General Veers, prepare your men." I walk away, leaving Ozzel red faced, looking incompetent yet again before his junior officer. Unheeded, I feel my hopes soaring once again, feeling certain that soon I will claim my son as my own.

Closer and closer we draw to the Hoth System, my impatience mounting with every parsec. The attack is all planned, everything is in place. All we need to do is take the rebels by surprise and we'll have them...and I will have him…I have reported to my Master that we have located the rebel base. He is pleased, or seems to be…I cannot shake the feeling that he knows about my son. And if he does, then no doubt he will have his own plans for him. That is of no consequence...he has no claim to him…I am the boy's father…he is mine…For a brief moment I consider the fact that the person I have lived as for the past 20 years really has no claim to the boy- that the man who sired him was from another life time, a man long gone…that is irrelevant...he is my flesh, my blood…we are connected in a way that Sidious could never fathom…

My meditations are interrupted as I sense a presence waiting outside. I open the chamber and see General Veers standing there, waiting patiently.

"What is it, General?" I ask.

"My lord, the fleet has moved out of light speed," he begins. I sense the hesitation in him, and wait for the bad news. "Comscan has detected an energy field surrounding the sixth planet of the Hoth System. It's strong enough to deflect any bombardment."

Idiot! My mind screams. He will pay for it this time…

"The rebels are alerted to our presence. Admiral Ozzel came out of light speed too close to the system," I rumble angrily.

"He felt surprise was wiser..." suggests Veers nervously.

"He is as clumsy as he is stupid," I snap. "General, prepare your troops for a surface attack."

"Yes, my lord," he says, bowing and retreating, relief spilling out of him as he leaves my presence. I turn in my chamber; activate the bridge view screen and within seconds Ozzel's face looms above me. He seems quite pleased with himself, the fool.

"Lord Vader," he begins, Piett standing by his side. "We've moved out of light speed and are preparing to…" he stops and grabs his throat as he feels my iron grip around his windpipe.

"You have failed me for the last time, Admiral," I snarl. "Captain Piett!"

"Yes Lord Vader!" he responds at once, glancing nervously at his superior officer as he gasps for breath.

"Be ready to land our troops beyond their energy field and deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off that system. You are in command now, Admiral Piett."

"Thank you, Lord Vader!" responds Piett as Ozzel collapses to the floor.

I enjoyed that… I reflect. It certainly was a long time coming.

I pace the length of the bridge, the time moving all too slowly. We have entered the system, and it is only a matter of time before the battalion of troops that have been dispatched have the shield down. The shabby band of pilots and their crafts will be no match for the legion of AT AT's that are at this very moment bearing down on the rebels' fortress. I glance down at the snow covered planet as I pass by the windows in my pacing, knowing my son is there...I can feel his presence. He is strong, and growing stronger…

"My lord!"

I turn to see Piett standing there. "We have a transmission from General Veers."

Wordlessly I follow Piett to a comm. station where he activates the

transmission. Immediately a holographic image of Veers appears before me.

"Lord Vader," he begins, "We have reached the main generator. We will have the shield down in moments. You may start your landing."

I snap off the transmission and turn to Pieet. "Have my shuttle ready at once, along with a squadron of snow troopers. I'm going down there."

"Of course, milord," replies Piett, rushing to see to my bidding.

The base is in chaos when we enter it. Klaxons are blaring everywhere, warning the fleeing traitors that we have arrived. The clones surrounding me are efficient despite the heavy armor they are outfitted with, and move swiftly through the base looking for any stragglers. Luke is not here…he is close, but he is not in the base…I realize with bitter disappointment. Still, we press on.

We follow the only hallway that has not collapsed under the roof of snow to a hanger, where a ship, a small Corellian freighter by the look of it, is sitting. Three troops start to set up their heavy artillery, and are sprayed with laser fire from the freighter, killing them instantly. Who is aboard that ship? I wonder, but before we can make another attempt to shoot them down, the ship roars to life and soars over our heads out of the hangar. I watch it go; feeling strongly that this ship is the key to finding my son.

"What now, Lord Vader?" asks the clone beside me.

I stare up at the blue sky that is visible through the opening in the hangar. "We follow them," I say simply. "Back to the shuttle."