"We have to get off the Death Star," says Luke at last. "The Alliance will succeed, Father- we have to leave at once."
I know he is right, but doubt that I have the strength to walk to the docking bay. I realize there is only one option left for me.
"You go, Luke," I tell him, barely able to get the words out. I feel as though my lungs are being crushed, my breathing laborious. "I can't come with you, son…I haven't the strength to."
Luke will hear none of this. "I will help you, Father," he says, standing up, and doing his best to help me to my feet. "I won't leave you here! Don't even think of it."
I struggle to my feet, sensing how desperately Luke wants to help me. But I know now that it is too late for anyone to do that…
"Luke," I tell him as he puts his around my waist and drapes my arm over his shoulders. "I'm finished…don't risk your own life for nothing."
Luke says nothing, but starts to direct me out of the throne room, struggling under the dead weight of my weakening body. In his mind I see his fear, not for himself, but rather for me, and it moves me. My heart aches with the regrets that flood through me, the guilt of a lifetime spent in Darkness, denying the truth of who I truly am. And what of my daughter? I believe I know who she is, and if I am correct, then I know that she must despise me utterly for all the pain I have inflicted up on her and those whom she loves. Forgive me, Leia…
We have reached the docking bay. Men are running everywhere, panic stricken as pandemonium sweeps through the Death Star. None pay attention to us as we struggle for the last shuttle. Luke is exhausted, supporting my full weight on his small frame. Finally I collapse, my strength sapped completely. Death is near, I know it now. Luke is desperate to save me, and drags me to the ramp of the shuttle, where he too collapses, perspiring and exhausted. He looks at me, his breath coming hard, his face mirroring the despair within him.
"We're almost there, Father," he tells me as he gulps for air. "We have to get out of here! The medical frigate is close by…they will help you."
I shake my head slowly. "No, Luke," I tell him. "It's too late for that. Save yourself, son. Don't hesitate another moment."
Tears fill my son's eyes as he shakes his head vehemently. "I'm not leaving you!" he cries. "Do you hear? I won't lose you now, Father! Not after all we've gone through, not after all the time we've spent apart! I need you too much to let you go now!"
I feel tears fill my own eyes. How I wish things could be different! The regret is bitter as it fills me, brings back to mind all those who I have loved and lost in my life. The last moments of my mother's life come to my mind now, as I enter the last moments of my own. I remember her final words to me, her need to say them before she left me.
I struggle to sit, aided by my son. I reach out to him with my remaining hand and pull him close so he can hear me.
"I…I love you, Luke," I tell him, my voice barely a whisper. "I want you to know that before…"
"Don't say it," he interrupts me, struggling to keep his composure. "Now come," he says, standing up and trying to pull me to my feet. I want so much to be there for him, to guide him, teach him all the things I know now; to somehow make up for all the lost time; but I fear that it isn't to be. Yet I allow him to help me onto the shuttle. The Death Star will be annihilated any moment now, and I must make sure he isn't aboard when it happens.
Luke makes sure I am reasonably comfortable and then takes the controls of the shuttle. I feel us lift off and then swiftly move out of the docking bay doors. I am fading quickly, my life force ebbing. I close my eyes, surrendering to the inevitable when I hear a voice.
"Anakin…"
I am startled by the voice. No one has called me by my true name for more than 20 years. I know that voice though.
"Ani," it repeats. "Open your eyes."
I obey, as I once obeyed this voice. I was a small boy at the time; yet this man had more impact on my life then he ever knew.
"Qui-Gon?" I whisper, hardly able to speak. I see his shimmering image before me now, his face benevolent and calm, just as I remembered from so many years ago.
"Yes, Ani," he replies. "It is me. You remember your old master then?" he adds with the wry grin he wore so often.
I nod.
"You cannot give up, Anakin," he tells me, serious once again. "Luke needs you, the galaxy needs you. You must survive this, Ani. You can do it, you must."
I close my eyes, not having even the strength to reply to him, but words are not needed. He knows my thoughts, and I his. I take heart in his words, grasp onto the small glimmer of hope that they stir in me. I drift into unconsciousness as the specter of my old master keeps watch over me, as he has done, I suspect for many years.
