Chapter 3
Leia Organa did not know what to think, which was a rare occurrence for the former Senator. She was being led from her cell, but her guards had not placed her wrists in binders. Leia reasoned that even if she could overpower the three Stormtroopers and the Imperial officer escorting her, she wouldn't be able to escape Bast Castle. Even the air of Vader's fortress of gloom felt heavy, though she knew that humidity and temperature were specifically controlled in the facility.
Trying to keep track of the winding corridors kept Leia's mind occupied as she wrestled with intense questions. She once had possessed an unparalleled bond with Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. Chewbacca, Threepio and Artoo did much to balance the team, but it was always the big three. They had grown into legends in the Alliance, but now the big three seemed to be separated forever by the impenetrable walls of the Galactic Empire.
The fiercely independent Alderaanian princess found herself longing for the brash, confident young hotshot pilot from Tatooine and the galaxy-weary Corellian smuggler who had managed to capture her heart. She longed to be in the comfort of Han's arms or even to see the cocky smile that masked his insecurity. She missed Luke's enthusiasm and his idealism. Luke and Han not only balance each other, but they balanced Leia.
If only Han hadn't gone to Lando, none of this would have happened, Leia thought, still unable to forgive Calrissian even though he had been imprisoned for trying to save what was left of the group in Cloud City. Part of her hoped that the Empire had been cruel enough to place Lando in a cell with Chewbacca so the angry Wookiee could tear him apart.
The Imperial entourage ceased moving once they had reached a security door. The officer input a code on the keypad before the door slid open and into the wall, the precise sound of recycled air coming through the vents disturbed by the door's sharp hiss.
The officer looked to Leia and said, "Lord Vader awaits. I wouldn't test his patience if I were you."
Leia took one last glance at the Imperial officer before the Stormtroopers parted and allowed her passage through the doorway into the bland, sterile room. She never noticed the door sliding shut behind her. Her eyes remained fixed on a large black chair. Mechanical breathing cut through her ears, forcing the hairs on the back of her neck to go erect. As the chair turned to reveal its occupant, Leia wished she had been born blind and deaf.
"Princess Leia," Vader said as he stood to his full height, "we meet again at last." His mechanical breathing was not disturbed by his speech, its cold repetition testing Leia's nerves.
"And much too soon," Leia responded defiantly.
Vader was not like Tarkin. He didn't give an amused chuckle at her defiance. The Dark Lord only said, "You have committed terrible crimes against the Empire, Princess. Fortunately for you, I was forgiving enough to see to it that you gained a pardon from the Emperor himself."
"Oh, you flatter me too much," Leia said, just before she felt invisible hands clenching around her throat. She brought her right hand up, trying to pull at her collar to get much needed air. She then gasped as Vader released his invisible grip.
"I may be forgiving, but I demand your respect!" Vader boomed impatiently.
Leia took deep breaths as the Dark Lord's voice dropped a few decibels.
"I have secured a pardon for you," Vader repeated. "I wish to offer you a deal."
"Like the deal you offered Lando?" Leia asked.
"Calrissian should not have meddled in Imperial business," Vader replied. "I have brought you here to ask you what you know of the Force."
Leia remembered Luke telling her that Obi-Wan Kenobi had began his tutelage in the Force, introducing him to the vast energy field that connected everything in the galaxy. Luke had used the Force to fire the fatal shot that destroyed the Death Star at the Battle of Yavin and, as he told her, to save his life when he was captured by a wampa on Hoth.
"I just know the Jedi Knights were practitioners of the Force," Leia revealed. "They were extinguished after the Clone Wars for betraying the Republic. Obi-Wan Kenobi was the last of the Jedi, and he died by your hand."
"The Force is very powerful," Vader said. "Even the grandeur of the Imperial fleet is insignificant next to its power. With the Force, you can achieve your goals and realize your ambitions. Anything you could ever desire would be yours."
"Theoretically, yes," Leia said. "But I don't have use of the Force."
"Prove it," Vader challenged.
Leia's mouth gaped. She couldn't believe that Vader was asking her to use the Force like Luke did. She remembered Luke saying that he always tried to see the image of something in his mind rather than with his eyes. But she just could not do anything like that. "But I don't have that power," she resisted. "I never have."
"Focus on any object in this room with your mind," Vader commanded. "You will at least eat something better than prison meals tonight even if you do fail."
Leia was shocked by Vader's uncharacteristic kindness. But she hated the rations she ate in her cell and there was no pressure on her to succeed in order to get a better meal. It's worth a try, she thought.
Leia remembered the shape of Vader's chair, even though she couldn't see it very well past the armored form. She imagined that the chair spun. Or at least she thought it was her imagination.
Vader turned his head as he watched the chair rotate behind him before it slowed to a stop. The Dark Lord fixed his gaze on Leia, who was completely speechless. "Even I was not aware that I used the Force when the Jedi first introduced me to its power," he told her.
"But you used it to betray them," Leia said.
"The Jedi betrayed the Republic," Vader said flatly. "But even as you fight to restore that Republic, you have the same ideals as I do. I firmly desire peace in this galaxy."
"Did you achieve peace by destroying Alderaan?" questioned Leia bitterly.
"Tarkin was responsible for that debacle," Vader responded, mentioning Tarkin's name with disgust. "But even you know there was a way that destruction could have been avoided. Yes, you understand there is a way to prevent those dearest to you from tasting death."
"Han," Leia said before rage clouded her mind. "You hurt Han!"
"Captain Solo lives," Vader told her. "However, if you wish to retrieve him, you must have the power to accomplish this feat. Learn about the Force and you will be invincible."
"Why should I take your offer?"
"Because," Vader said, "I am your father."
Leia began walking backwards towards the wall. "No," she said. "No! That can't be true. Bail Organa was my father!"
Vader did not move. "Search your feelings," he urged. "You know it be true!"
Leia stared into Vader's mask, as if she could see past the eerie blackness. Despite the denial, she could only sense one thing: he was telling the truth. Her back pressed against the wall as Vader stepped forward. "No!" she screamed, crouching towards the ground. "You can't be my father! You tricked me into thinking I moved the chair! You did it yourself!"
"I have no reason to deceive you, Leia," Vader said, his voice lacking its usual menacing quality. "If I so desired, I could imprint memories on your mind so you would have no reason to doubt me."
"Why should I even trust you?" asked Leia. "You'll just discard me like you did Lando."
"Leia, if you wish it, we can run an analysis of our DNA," Vader offered in an attempt to inspire her trust.
Leia stared at Vader's mask. She could not believe that he would even fathom claiming to be her father. She just had to prove him wrong. "Fine," she said.
Luke Skywalker was grateful for Yoda's lessons on entering a trance. That skill certainly made it easier for him to endure long-distance travel in his X-Wing and the trip from Dagobah had certainly been long. Now, the almost-dead ball known as Ossus could be seen from Luke's canopy.
"There it is, Artoo," Luke said to his astromech. Like always, the droid was docked in his socket on the fighter, providing navigation for the X-Wing. "That's Ossus."
Artoo's warbles and bleeps were translated on the screen in Luke's cockpit. "I have a bad feeling about this," he said.
Luke chuckled. Artoo always acted so human and seemed to have picked up on the concept called worry over the years. "It shouldn't be anything we can't handle," the pilot responded. "We just have to find that cave and get my crystals."
"The last time you were cocky, we landed in a swamp," Artoo's words read on the screen in Luke's cockpit.
"Well, you don't have to worry about a swamp this time, Artoo," Luke soothed his companion.
Luke landed his X-Wing in a mountainous region on Ossus, having trusted the Force to guide him to the location. After completing the shutdown procedure, Luke helped Artoo get down onto the surface by using the Force to levitate him and guide his descent. After the astromech landed on the ground, Luke sensed a tremor in the Force that prompted him to turn away from his ship and stare at an empty space.
Obi-Wan's ghostly image materialized before Luke. "Luke, welcome to Ossus," the deceased Jedi said. "The trial you are about to face will be monumental. But I have faith in you, Luke."
"Thanks, Ben," Luke said before looking to Artoo.
Artoo made a moaning sound, as if he already knew what Luke would ask of him.
"Yes, guard my ship," Luke said to his droid. "I'll be back. I promise."
