The Power to Save Her

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. And again, I use some lines from Empire Strikes Back.

The windowless room was cast in shadow, aside from the blue light from the projected image of the Emperor. The sound of the holoprojector filled the room, drowning out Vader's mechanical breathing. Though lightyears away, the presence of Sidious permeated the room. His presence evil as much as his appearance. Vader was knelt before him, subservient to his master, cloaked in the same darkness that surrounded his master.

"We have a new enemy: the young Rebel who destroyed the Death Star.", stated the Emperor and Vader nodded with him. He'd known this for a long while. Then the Emperor continued. "I have no doubt this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker."

Vader stiffened at the Emperor's words, a tingling sensation overcoming him.

"How is that possible?", uttered Vader, though he could hear his heart thumping in his ears. How did the Emperor know for sure? Vader knew the Sith lord wouldn't say this unless he truly was certain. In the span of a few seconds, Vader started processing it. The idea of a long dead child being alive felt both terrifying and euphoric for him. Sidious continued, even though Vader's mind was spinning.

"Search your feelings, Lord Vader...You will know it to be true.", intoned Sidious, boring his unearthly yellow eyes into his apprentice. Vader didn't need to search. He could already feel the truth of his master's words. Sidious continued in lower voice. "He could destroy us."

"He's just a boy.", Vader insisted, almost defensively. The air grew tense. Realizing his tone, he evened his voice out. He reasoned, "Obi-Wan can no longer help him."

"The Force is strong with him.", asserted the Emperor in a tone that demanded Vader not to challenge him. Vader felt something harden in his resolve to see Sidious overthrown, even as the Emperor laid out his demands. "The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi."

The wheels in Vader's mind began turning and he quickly came up with a solution.

"If he could be turned, he would become a powerful ally.", Vader replied insistently, watching as the Emperor process the idea.

"Yes… Yes…", uttered the Emperor, almost gleeful at the idea. Vader felt his skin crawl. He knew this wasn't the first time the Emperor considered a younger apprentice, but having those thoughts directed towards this boy was unnerving. "He would be a great asset. Can it be done?"

"He will join us or die, my master.", Vader agreed, selling his wholehearted agreement, though his sincerity was less than present. Plans for his son began forming in his mind.

Padmé found the spot by the viewport again, some uneasy feeling haunting her. Her eyes drew to the metal door, knowing the source of her troubled thoughts. The knowledge that the man was just outside, responsible for destroying the galaxy, with the aid of her husband, was disturbing. As was the fact that he was still an influence in Anakin's life. Palpatine, the same kindly man whom she respected and looked up to early in her career, was responsible for twisting her beloved husband's mind enough to murder friends. The man responsible for deceiving the entire galaxy, was just in the other room.

She knew after overhearing that the Emperor, as it seemed, made regular contact. She quickly deduced this from observing the casual nature in which her husband responded to the summons. It was plain to see that Palpatine was still manipulating Anakin, and he'd been doing so for over twenty years. She put a hand over her mouth, stifling a noise of despair. She turned her watery gaze down to the asteroid field below them, watching as the fleet of star destroyers continued circling one of the larger asteroids. TIE bombers were lighting up several spots on the surface of it, as she could see the flashes of distant light.

Everything between her and Anakin was complicated. It always had been, she laughed humorlessly to herself. Even early on, she predicted that their relationship was doomed from the start. Did she regret their time together? She didn't have to think long to come up with the answer. Absolutely not. Padmé knew that she wouldn't trade the day of their marriage, despite the unhappiness of its current state. Their days on Naboo after the wedding had been some of the most wonderful of her life. Even now she could see his handsome face expressing nothing but joy in her presence. Such youth and naivete. No, she did not regret their time. Especially not when it resulted in the birth of their children.

She placed curled fingers at her lips, watching as one of the TIE fighters blew up in a fiery haze after colliding with an asteroid. She winced slightly. These men, dispensable to the Empire, but human lives, lost for such a cause. She knew they were dispensable because she'd seen the way the Admiral Piett looked afraid for his life. It was no coincidence that the fear had been directed towards her husband. In the same way, the medics that had come to see her were all friendliness until she asked any questions about the Emperor's second in command.

Her mind turned to the Jedi, seeing how they'd ended up being slaughtered at the temple, and knew from that alone that Anakin's hands had blood on them. Should these men under him be any more valuable than those he once called friends? She herself couldn't even imagine how Anakin could start reconciling that kind of bloodshed, but she did know it began with preserving the lives of these men who served under Vader. Silently, she resolved to influence Anakin away from anymore reckless killing.

She knew she could do this, because despite it all, he loved her as much as he was capable. The real question was if he loves her more than the dark side. Does he love her more than power? The answer wasn't definitive, and for that she felt hopeless, despite the fact that she believed he had good in him.

She glanced at the door, wondering how much longer Anakin would be speaking with that monster.

Vader, remained kneeling, even after the holoprojector had long since ceased its display. He was in wonderment of the news he'd just received. When he first heard the name Luke Skywalker, he'd always thought that it was simply coincidence that the boy had the same last name as Anakin Skywalker. When he'd discovered that the boy was both Force sensitive and from Tatooine, he'd made the theory that this boy was invoking the name of Anakin Skywalker for the added glory and honor that it could bring him. At the time, the name Luke Skywalker brought him nothing but contempt.

Now… now it meant something new, something wonderful.

Vader glanced at her door.

Something she'd hidden from him. Vader mused darkly.

Slowly, he rose to his feet, the cape that'd pooled at the floor, rising with him. Her door came closer now and, in a haze, he passed through it, after it hissed open. His eyes swept the room carefully and finally caught her in the same spot by the viewport as before. She was no longer sleeping, but awake and pensive. She wasn't looking at him, instead, gazing worriedly down at the current hunt for the Millennium Falcon, distant below them. His mind wasn't on the Rebels at the moment however, as his heart was pounding in his ears, something ugly rising within him. A familiar feeling to him. One that fueled his fights against the enemy.

"Our child.", Vader snapped, voice modulator not hiding his fury. The medical equipment in the room dented slightly. "He's alive?"

She didn't even turn to look at him, but he could see her stiffen at his discovery. Then at once, he knew she'd been aware of this truth. Still refusing to look at him, she closed her eyes, something wet escaping them. Like rain upon a dusty window frame, the tracks continued down her face.

"Answer me!", Vader hissed, stepping closer, and this time she did turn to face him. Her gaze was hard, jaw clenched tight.

"Yes.", was all she said, looking at him with furrowed brows and a pronounced frown. He could see the shimmer in her eyes even now, but it did nothing to quell his anger.

"You sought to hide this from me, didn't you?", Vader accused, raising a finger to point at her.

"For as long as necessary.", she admitted, not hiding her defiance. Vader stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Even as he stood above her, she continued. "I take it Palpatine, your master, spoke with you."

"If not for him, I would never know that Luke Skywalker was my son.", Vader intoned dangerously but she did not look afraid. Instead of fear, he could feel the sadness radiating off her in waves. Then Vader feeling betrayed, let his voice falter. "Why?"

"You know why Anakin.", she replied, her voice firm. Vader saw her shake her head. "I couldn't put him in danger."

"I'm a danger to my own son?", Vader replied, voice low with fury.

"What reason would you give me to believe otherwise?", Padmé finally snapped, though instantly regretting it. Vader could see her close her eyes in shame. "I'm sorry, I already forgave you for that Anakin."

"That name no longer has any meaning to me.", Vader replied, masking his hurt with anger. He watched as she looked up to his mask, eyes growing less warm. She lifted her chin a little higher and leveled her gaze with his, eyes steely.

"My apologies, Lord Vader.", was her reply, her voice sounding like the one she used for political debates. Instantly all the anger drained from Vader, so he grunted and stormed away.

Before he left the room, something stopped him.

Instead of leaving the room in the same anger he'd entered, he paused by the door. He just stood there breathing. Despite this, he could hear her quiet but sharp intakes of breath behind him. Slowly, he turned back and saw her curled by the window, trying to keep quiet. Gently, he took a seat across from her at the viewport. He could see her crying now, silently, gazing down at the battle. She refused to acknowledge him. Instantly he hated himself for being the cause of her pain.

"Padmé… look at me.", Vader uttered, voice growing soft. The was a moment of reluctance, but she did meet his gaze. Vader continued, voice earnest. "I'm sorry."

"You've been saying that a lot.", she choked, wiping both her eyes with one hand. Her face was slightly blotchy. Her gaze cast to the shiny, black floor.

"And I mean it every time.", Vader insisted, with feeling.

"Do you?", she asked, casting a hurt look his way. There was a short pause, but Vader nodded.

"I do, and though I've betrayed you, I want to earn your trust.", replied Vader, taking a gaze down at the asteroid field with her. There was some quiet as the explosions continued below before Vader broke the silence. "What can I do?"

A few moments passed before she spoke.

"You can start, by swearing to me, you will not turn our son over to the Emperor.", she stated, making her position known. He could see the passion in her eyes, a protective feeling radiating off of her.

"I swear it.", replied Vader, actually meaning it.

It was true. He never planned on handing Luke over. He did however plan on using him against his master. At this, she gave him a hard look. Though she wasn't able to read him, she finally sighed, looking satisfied. Pulling her blanket tighter, she moved away from questioning his motives.

"What does he want with him?", Padmé asked, feeling a rising fear from within. Her mind flashed back to the deformed man declaring that they were a galactic empire, his mangled fingers raising with the cheers of the galaxy's senators. Those senators, acting like puppets witnessing the death of democracy.

Liberty died that day.

"The Emperor wants his power.", Vader replied candidly, as if it didn't bother him. "He means to replace me with him."

"How can you serve under him knowing that?", she demanded eyebrows raising dubiously.

"It is the Sith way.", was all Vader said, though Padmé just tilted her head, her brows furrowed.

"Is it the Sith way to love, or is that also forbidden?", she asked suddenly, her expression calculating. Vader wondered at such a question but decided to humor her.

"It is not forbidden.", was Vader's response, unintentionally omitting the part where the Sith weren't even supposed to be capable of it.

She gazed upon him with something bright in her eyes, though it was marred with something else. She brought her knees up to her chest, keeping her distance, even though Vader was close. She watched his impassive mask, wondering, not for the first time, what exactly had happened. They'd been on Mustafar the last time she saw him, and now he had a respirator. She could guess what happened, though she shuddered at the implication. Vader noticed the shudder but did not comment. He elected to be silent.

"Why couldn't we have just been a family?", she asked finally, though whom she didn't know. Vader didn't answer, but he continued watching her hold her knees. The moment was broken when Vader stiffened.

Through the viewport below, he could see that the Falcon had just appeared. TIE fighters were in hot pursuit.

"I must go.", spoke Vader, drawing away from her.

"Wait!", she called out, almost commanding. Vader paused at the door, waiting for her to continue. She continued, voice growing even. "Don't go."

"I must.", Vader said simply.

"Then I'm coming with you.", she replied, wrapping a shawl around herself.

"You're not well.", stated Vader, placing hands on her shoulders. "And you can't be seen. The Emperor has spies aboard."

"Then I'll disguise myself.", she suggested, and Vader saw the insistence in her gaze, though he knew not why she was demanding this.

"Padmé, you can barely stand.", Vader replied, seeing her legs shaking even now. "You're not coming with me. You must stay here, where it's safe."

"You don't need to protect me Anakin.", she insisted, though he could see him turning away, unwilling to agree with her statement. This was a point of contention, she knew, but she would not back down anymore. Some frustration welled within her. "You don't. Keeping me here is no better than leaving me in that tomb."

There were a few moments of tense silence before Vader replied.

"I will send a medic to assess your health.", was all he said before turning and leaving before she could so much as protest.

The door hissed shut.

Frustrated, Padmé followed through the first door, which opened to Vader's private rooms. Unsurprisingly, when she went to the door that opened to the hallways, it was coded shut. Feeling tired all of the sudden, she slid down the wall to glance around this room. It was spartan, with a few devices and furniture, and windowless for the holoprojector. On the far side of the room, there existed two clawed domes, seeming to be pieces that came together to form a sphere. Padmé shook her head, wondering at some of the technology that was clearly beyond her time.

Her mind returned to Anakin who'd no doubt already started ordering his men to continue chasing the poor souls who'd been on that asteroid. Now that she'd heard of the Emperor's interest in her child, she believed that whomever they were pursuing would have something to do with Luke Skywalker. Otherwise, why would Vader bother? The notion that her son was being hunted without someone to protect him made her angry. Whoever was on that ship called the Falcon must know or be friends of Luke. What if one of the people on that ship was Luke?

The idea gave her resolve. She had to intervene, and to do that, she needed to know what was going on out there.

Something glimmered in the corner of the room, and she rose to her feet. Upon closer inspection, she found it to be the funeral gown she'd worn the day she woke to find herself buried. Amazingly, it'd stood the test of time, as there existed no tears or deterioration in the cloth. Though it was beautiful, she could see it'd attract quite a bit of attention. She glanced down at her hospital gown, so would what she was wearing currently. Strangely enough, she decided upon wearing the clothing she'd been dressed in before her burial.

After she'd changed, she realized the dress was loose around her middle, and she felt the void quite acutely. She'd missed so many years of her children's lives. The thought was sobering but she shook herself and forced her mind to concentrate on finding other items to wear. Another stroke of luck hit, however, when she found a spare black cloak, next to the gown. It most likely belonged to Anakin. Deftly, she fashioned it around her head and shoulders, using it to hide some of the regality of the gown and her face. It wasn't ideal, but hopefully it'd allow her freer reign around the ship. Her mind briefly went to what Anakin had said about the possible spies aboard, and then shook herself. Luke was in danger. If she was caught, so be it.

Quietly, she waited by the door for the medic to arrive. In her hands, she had a heavy sheet of metal, no doubt used for repairing things, as Anakin so loved to do. For several minutes she waited with the object and when the medic didn't arrive, she began thinking her plan was a bit silly.

However, the door hissed open and the man in question stepped through. Without a second to think, she brought it down over his head and he collapsed in a heap. She knelt down, making several silent apologies to the man and searched his person. She found it, and triumphantly lifted the access key to her face. Though the medic had no weapon on his person, she decided she didn't need one. Aggressive negotiations didn't always need to be the solution to finding answers.

Using the access card, the door to the hallway finally hissed open. She poked hear head out the door and noted that the way was clear. If these star destroyers were anything like the assault ships from the days of the Republic, then she'd have no difficulty finding the location of the data center for outgoing transmissions. Though it was possible for a recorded conversation to be held within a holoprojector temporarily, she'd already checked the one in Vader's room, and it had been deleted. Her last hope was this data center, and hopefully information on the Emperor's plans for Luke.

After this, she'd look for a way to find Luke and warn him.

With a deep breath, she stepped out into the grey hallway of the super star destroyer. Within seconds, she heard the sounds of footsteps. Quickly, she hid herself in an alcove as the white armored men marched on by. For several minutes she continued this pattern of walking and hiding, nearly getting caught twice. She could feel that she was getting closer to her goal, though it was hard to tell due to the fact that this ship was massive compared to any Republic warship she'd been on. Nevertheless, she pressed on.

She'd find this data center.

For Luke.

A/N: Eh, I don't know if I particularly like my writing in this chapter, but I've gone through it several times and it is what it is, I guess.

I'd always wondered at the fact that Vader wasn't able to put two and two together, knowing Luke was well, a Skywalker, and it wasn't until I looked at the original scene with the Emperor and compared it the special edition release that the line "I have no doubt this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker" was added! I didn't know if many people knew that, but I just figured it out. So, in this version, Vader had suspected something was up with the last name, but he'd thought Luke either had that name by coincidence or that he was invoking Anakin Skywalker on purpose. In essence, Vader is clueless about Luke until now. (Hope that doesn't anger any fans of the original release)

Special shoutout to RyanSquad, Jeda31, and searth05 who all reviewed my last chapter! I enjoyed hearing all your thoughts and opinions! :) I want to continue to thank those who've favorited or followed my story and me as an author! I'm still seeing a good number reading and love that interest is being shown! Thank you, dear readers, for taking the time to read a Star Wars story I decided to write. I hope I continue to provide the writing you enjoy! If you have any thoughts, any at all, I'd love to hear them. Though I don't require comments to continue a story, I still love hearing the unique voices and opinions of you all! It truly encourages and inspires me to write more.