I stand in the 'fresher, looking at my reflection in the mirror. The words of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon run through my mind as I try to prepare myself for the greatest test of my life. I have tried to put together the words I will say, the impassioned speech I will make as I ascend to the throne. I must make it convincing, I must ensure that there is no dissent, not a hint of opposition among the Imperial forces. Yet, deep inside i feel certain that I have at least one enemy that I must contend with, Joneth Kastellan. How many allies has he managed to gather to his side? Did he believe Piett? If not, how will the rest of the admiralty react to his allegations that I am not who I say I am? I cannot help but think that blood will be shed in the ensuing days.

There is a knock on the door, and I sense Padmé's presence.

"Come in," I tell her.

The door slides open and Padmé enters the room. She walks over to me.

"Are you alright?" she asks me, putting her hands on my arms.

"Yes, I think so," I tell her. "I'm just trying to get into character," I add with a smile.

She tries to smile, but doesn't quite manage. "I can't even imagine how difficult this must be for you," she says softly.

"Don't worry about that," I assure her. "I've been through plenty of adversity, Padmé. This is just another adventure, another challenge. The difference now is I have my family supporting me, giving me the courage and strength to do this. That makes an enormous difference."

"I'm glad," she says. She runs her hands over my shoulder armor as though it were in need of straightening. "When will we see you again?" she asks without looking up at me.

"I don't know," I tell her honestly. "It all depends on how things go. Let us hope that we will be together soon, angel. I hate the thought of being away from you and the children for even a short time. I've become spoiled lately, you know."

She looks up at me with a smile. "Spoiled?" she asks.

I nod. "Yes, very spoiled. I spent half of my life in abject loneliness, and now I have the love of my family. And there's nothing more important in the galaxy than that, I know this now."

"Well then I suppose I'm spoiled too," she replies. "I never imagined I would have you back in my life again, Ani, not like this, not like last night…and as for the children, well I spent half of my life believing that they had died. I'm just so afraid that now that we are all together…"

"We will always be together, Padmé," I tell her, taking her by the shoulders. "Nothing will drive us apart ever again, I promise you."

"You can't promise that, Ani," she says solemnly. "You don't know what is going to happen on that ship. I know that nothing you will do can separate us, but you cannot predict the actions of others, no one can."

"True," I admit. "But I feel confident that we shall prevail, Padmé. It may take longer than any of us would like to see things the way want, but they will be, I promise. And when it's all over, we can finally have the life that we have been deprived of all these years."

"That would mean so much to me, Ani," she replies with a smile. "And knowing that will make it a little easier to get through this."

"Knowing that you are waiting for me will make it easier, Padmé," I tell her, taking her face in my hands. "Knowing that you want to spend the rest of your life with me is more incentive than I could ever hope for."

I pull her close and we share a kiss, no doubt the last one we will enjoy for at least a few days.

"Time to go," I tell her, looking back down at her. "I can't keep destiny waiting forever."

"No, I suppose not," she replies.

We rejoin our children and with their help I don the mask and helmet of my alter ego. Luke helps me with the cape, and, at last, the transformation is complete.

"We'll walk you to the shuttle bay," Leia tells me, taking my hand.

I look down at her, wishing she could see the smile on my face, or the adoration in my eyes; yet I know she can sense how I feel. We are connected, this family of mine, in a way that goes beyond the power of the Force. Having their strength behind me I know I will triumph.

We reach the hangar bay, and the dreaded moment of parting is upon us all once again. I embrace each of my children, including Han (a bizarre sight I'm sure) and then turn to my wife. She is trying very hard to keep her emotions under control, but the moment of parting is too much, and she starts to cry. I hold her close, as close as the cumbersome armor will allow, and stroke her hair gently. "Don't cry, my love," I tell her, the malevolent voice mocking the tenderness of my words. "I will be back before you know it."

She only nods, and holds me close, as though she is afraid to let go.

"We'll be waiting to hear from you," Luke tells me as his mother joins him and Leia. He puts his arm around Padmé in an effort to comfort her.

"I will send word as soon as I can," I tell them. "As soon as it is safe for me to do so."

"May the Force be with you, Anakin," Han says, voicing the sentiments of everyone.

"Thank you, Han," I reply. "And with you as well. With all of you."

I turn away from them and board the shuttle, not looking back. In a few moments I am on my way back to the Intimidator and my destiny that lies there.

"Welcome back, Lord Vader," Captain Newmann greets me as I join him in the hangar bay.

"Thank you," I reply. "I trust the admirals are assembled and waiting."

He nods. "Yes, my lord. They seem quite anxious to hear what you have to say."

"No doubt," I reply. "I will join them at once."

Together we leave the bay and make our way to the conference room where the assembled admirals are waiting. I use the Force to calm me as I get closer, sensing the riot of emotions emanating from the room that lies just down the corridor now. Most of the men are anxious, some fearful; I sense curiosity, trepidation, some resentment, mostly at being made to wait so long, and, undeniable in its intensity, I sense hatred. Hatred of me… I take a deep breath and press on, Newmann hurrying along side to keep up with my long strides. Finally we reach the door.

"You are dismissed, Captain," I tell Newmann, turning to him before I enter the room.

"Of course, he replies with a bow. He then leaves me. I stand before the door for a moment, summoning my nerve, and my strength. Here goes nothing...I say to myself as I enter the room. All eyes turn my way, all talking ceases as the Dark Lord appears.

"Gentlemen," I begin, my mechanical voice booming out. "Be seated. I have an important announcement to make."