I don't have to wait long. As the sun began to fill the clouds with light, the Millennium Falcon was tracked entering the outlying areas of the City. It is only a matter of time now, I reflect as I grow impatient with waiting. My thoughts turn to Luke…what will he look like? How will he react to seeing me? I'm not even certain what will happen when we meet face to face…no doubt he has learned to hate me, no doubt Kenobi filled his head with his lies…
"My lord," announces a junior officer entering the room. "Everything is ready."
I nod my understanding and take my place at the long table. Fett is waiting in the wings. The anticipation is exhilarating; I can sense the tension of those around me who also wait. They are coming…in my mind's eye I can see them approaching, oblivious to what awaits them. The door slides open, and I stand up, in time to deflect the blaster fire of Solo who in his panic fires wildly in my direction.
"We would be honored if you would join us," I say, as the blaster flies out of Solo's hand and into my grasp.
Solo looks at Calrissian, who offers a lame excuse. "I had no choice; they arrived right before you did. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," replies Solo grimly, pulling Organa closer to him. Then the three of them, along with the wookiee with them, enter the room. The doors close behind them.
I sit down at the head of the table, and watch as the three rebels approach.
"Be seated," I command.
Solo glares at me, the hatred and fear emanating from him in waves. Organa too is afraid, but she seems to have a tighter rein on her feelings than her companions. As for the wookiee, he seems most interested in the food on the table at this point.
"What do you want with us, Vader?" demands Solo.
"You shall see soon enough," I reply cryptically. "You gave us quite a chase, Captain Solo. Your piloting skills are rather impressive."
"I'm flattered," replies Solo sarcastically. "Tell you what, Vader; do what you like with me, but leave the Princess alone."
I frown under my mask, and look at Organa, who is fighting to control her emotions at this point. She loves him, I realize. So much the better…
"You are hardly in a position to be dictating terms," I say at last, standing up. I turn to the troops at the door. "Take the princess and the wookiee away,"
I command. "Separate them. Captain Solo will come with me."
Solo's eyes grow wide, but he says nothing. Organa looks up at him wordlessly as the troops take her away. Solo watches helplessly as she and the wookiee, who protests loudly at being denied his meal, are escorted from the room.
"Take him away," I say to the junior officer at my side. "You know what to do."
"Yes, Lord Vader," he responds, then gestures to the remaining trooper who grabs Solo and puts him in restraints. Then the three of them, along with Fett, head for the door. I follow, pleased that everything has worked out so well. If Luke is as strong as I think he is, then he will undoubtedly sense what his friends are feeling, and rush to their aid. And I will be waiting for him when he does…
Solo has been restrained to a platform at a 45 degree angle away from the floor. I nod to the trooper at his side who lower him to a rather insidious rack of torture devices. Even as he is being lowered, electric jolts hit his body, causing what I imagine must be excruciating pain. Though stoic at first, as the intensity of the jolts increase, Solo can no longer keep from screaming in agony. Having seen enough, I leave the room, the sound of his screams spilling out into the corridor even behind the closed door. Fett is standing there, waiting in grim anticipation for his quarry.
"You may take Captain Solo to Jabba the Hutt after I have Skywalker," I tell him, reading in his unsophisticated mind his sole motivation.
"He's no good to me dead," he replies tersely, following behind me.
"He will not be permanently damaged," I return.
"Lord Vader!"
About to enter the turbo lift, I turn to see Calrissian standing there. He looks rather queasy, no doubt unnerved by the sounds of his former friend's screams that can still be heard in the distance.
"What about Leia and the wookiee?" he asks.
"They must never again leave this city," I tell him.
"That was never a condition of our agreement, nor was giving Han to this bounty hunter!" he shouts angrily.
I smile; toying with this man is just too easy. "Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly?" I ask mildly. Calrissian's anger fades, and he suddenly remembers who he's addressing.
"No," he lies.
"Good, it would be unfortunate if I had to leave a garrison here," I snap back, and then let the doors of the lift close between us, only too happy to get away from his irritating presence.
"This facility is crude, but it will be adequate to freeze Skywalker for his journey to the Emperor," I declare as I inspect the carbon freezing unit.
"Lord Vader, ship approaching, X-Wing class," reports one of the officers.
There is no need to tell me…I can feel him drawing closer, his essence growing in intensity with each parsec…
"Good," I reply, "monitor Skywalker and allow him to land." He is coming…
"Lord Vader, we only use this facility for carbon freezing. You put him in there you might kill him," declares Calrissian gravely.
"I do not want the emperor's prize damaged," I reply. "We will test it – on Captain Solo."
I leave, feeling the horror and disbelief spilling out of him as he watches me leave. Perhaps now he knows who he's dealing with... I reflect with self-satisfaction.
Everything is in place. The anticipation inside me grows with each passing moment. In a short time I will have my son…Luke…
The carbon freezing unit is belching out steam as I make my appearance. Solo is manacled, his face wan from his earlier session on the rack. Organa's face is strained with trying to contain her emotions. I doubt she will be able to do so much longer once she sees what is in store for Solo…
I take my place as the pig like creatures scurry around the controls, making sure everything is ready.
"What if he doesn't survive?" asks Fett as he stands at my side. "He's worth a lot to me."
"The Empire will compensate you if he dies," I reply simply. "Put him in," I order the troops who flank Solo. As they attempt to do so, the wookiee goes berserk. Primitive as they are, I can sense the feelings from the giant being- he has a great sense of loyalty and affection for Solo, and is trying to save him. Fett raises his blaster rifle to end the ordeal, and I push it away, disgusted by him at this point.
I watch as Solo and the princess exchange a few last words, and then a kiss…
I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway…I truly, deeply love you...and before we die I wanted you to know…
I push the memory out of my mind, squash it, and refuse it entry. I focus instead on the sight before me; Solo being lowered into the carbon freezing unit, while the wookiee who is his friend howls in agony and protest. Organa's face is streaked with tears as she watches too, horrified by the spectacle before her. Within a few minutes the carbonite block is withdrawn from the well in the floor. With a thud, it is lowered to the floor, the image of Solo's frozen form protruding from it. Calrissian moves to the floor to check the controls.
"Well, Calrissian," I ask, knowing what he is doing. "Did he survive?"
"Yes, he's alive," he sighs in relief. "And in perfect hibernation."
I turn to Fett. "He's all yours, bounty hunter," I tell him. He bows in response, and moves to take Solo away.
"Reset the chamber for Skywalker," I command.
"Skywalker has just landed, milord," announces an officer.
Yes I know… "Good, see to it that he finds his way in here," I say, then turn to Calrissian. "Calrissian, take the princess and the wookiee to my ship."
"You said they'd be left in the city under my supervision!" he protests angrily.
"I am altering the deal," I snap back. "Pray I don't alter it any further." I reach out with the Force, and start to choke him; but stop. I still need him- unfortunately. I leave the room to ensure that the trap is set. This is too important to leave to the idiots under my command. This is my son they're dealing with- he will not be easily taken. I must make sure nothing goes wrong…
