CHAPTER 16

Having harvested DNA samples from Vader during his initial examination, Dr. Drii and his team of medidroids used it to, in a manner of speaking, reprogram his existing cells to regenerate the adjacent damaged ones. It was a laborious, time consuming task, but one that the surgical unit of the Polis Massa medical facility had developed and perfected.

Dr. Drii was not entirely comfortable performing the entire procedure at once, but it was not easy to say no to Darth Vader. Normally such an operation would have been done in three stages: limbs, skin and hair, and then the most difficult and dangerous part, the thoracic damage. Doing all three in succession placed a great deal of stress upon the patient, and tested the limits of his physical stamina.

If there was one thing that Drii had discovered about Vader, however, it was that he was a highly unusual individual. Having seen the injuries that had forced Vader to depend upon a breath suit and mask for twenty years, it was incredible to the physician that he had survived at all. There seemed to be something extraordinary about Darth Vader, something that went beyond the mysterious powers that he was renowned for. It was because of this uniqueness and singular strength that Drii had agreed to combine the three stages into one, for he felt if anyone was capable of withstanding such a risky, invasive procedure, it was Vader.

Obi-Wan had a great deal of time to meditate while Vader was undergoing his surgery. The past several days had produced such an astonishing series of events that he'd scarcely had time to reflect on what it all meant.

The past twenty years had been difficult ones for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin Skywalker had been his best friend, his brother; and having witnessed his destruction had been tremendously painful for Kenobi. There had been many nights over the past two decades where the yellow, pain filled eyes of his former friend haunted his dreams, the sounds of his screams of agony echoing in his mind. Kenobi had questioned himself again and again about what had befallen Anakin, wondering if there had been something he could have done to prevent it. But he kept everything to himself, Kenobi reflected, his marriage, Padmé's pregnancy, his nightmares…if only I'd known, if only he'd confided in me, then perhaps I could have prevented all this from happening.

Part of Kenobi felt guilty for what had happened, a large part. It was largely this guilt that was compelling him to help Vader now. Somehow knowing that he'd had a small part in helping him find a way to repair his grievous injuries made the sting of his guilt lessen somewhat. And if he could help him return to the light…that would be the answer to twenty years worth of prayers.

Twelve hours passed, and still no word from the surgical team. Obi-Wan had managed to get a few hours of sleep during the long wait, but it was a restless sleep. His mind was far too occupied to sleep well. The surgery, of course, was foremost on his mind. But there were other pressing issues that were concerning him as well. Perhaps I should have remained with Luke and Leia to train them…they will need training now if the emperor senses their existence…Kenobi had no doubts that it was only a matter of time before Palpatine learned the name of the young rebel who had destroyed his beloved Death Star. And when he did, he would know of the existence of Anakin Skywalker's son. And now that Darth Vader was no longer his apprentice, Palpatine would no doubt be looking for another to replace him; who better than the son of Skywalker? I cannot let that happen; I lost Anakin to that fiend, I will not lose Luke. And what of Leia? Was the emperor aware of her existence? Were Vader's actions on the Death Star enough to tip Palpatine off? Kenobi realized that the threat was double if the emperor were aware of Leia's relationship to Vader. She must be trained as well, Kenobi realized. As the daughter of Anakin Skywalker, her abilities were bound to be just as strong as Luke's, and she would need training to learn how to use those abilities.

And then there was Padmé…It had taken Obi-Wan a long time to get over the shock of Anakin and Padmé's secret marriage. He had felt so betrayed that Anakin would keep such an enormous secret from him. Kenobi had always been aware of the boyhood crush that Anakin had on Padmé; but he had no idea that it was so serious, and reciprocated by the beautiful senator. Her love for him was unquestionable; even after Vader had attacked her on Mustafar, she still believed in him, still loved him. That astonished Obi-Wan. But now she has no memory of that life, no memory of him. How will she react if we find her? Will the sight of the man she once knew and loved be enough to restore her memory? Or will it only add to the emotional trauma she has suffered?

Kenobi stood up and paced around in the small waiting area, absent-mindedly stroking his white beard as he pondered all this. Master Yoda would be the perfect master for the Skywalker twins, he decided. He is just strict enough to make up for the lateness of their initiation. But how will Anakin feel about him training his children after the way he mislead Padmé? Given the distinct possibility that Palpatine would learn of the existence of the twins, Anakin would have no choice but to accept Yoda's help.

"General Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan looked over to see Dr. Drii standing in the doorway of the waiting area. He walked over to him at once.

"Well?" he asked simply.

"We've completed the procedure," Drii told him. "Lord Vader is alive."

Kenobi nodded. "Now what?" he asked.

"He will need to spend a few hours in bacta now," Drii responded. "To help speed up the healing process. After that we will keep him sedated to allow his body to heal, and the regenerative process to be completed."

"And how long will this take?" Kenobi asked.

"That depends on him," Drii replied. "On his recuperative abilities. Normally I wound estimate a week, but with him, who knows."

"I see," Kenobi replied.

"I am quite frankly astonished that he was left in that condition," Drii remarked. "And for twenty years, no less."

"Are you saying that his injuries could have been repaired sooner?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes indeed," Drii replied. "I don't understand why they weren't."

"The emperor is nothing if not a sadist," Kenobi said bitterly. "No doubt he thought Vader was a far more effective henchman as a cyborg than he would have been as a man."

Drii nodded. "Perhaps so," he replied. "In either case, he is fully human again."

"You have my thanks, Doctor," Kenobi replied.

Rebel Base-Yavin IV

Being accustomed to a nomadic existence, the Rebel Alliance was very adept at packing their equipment quickly and efficiently. This was, after all, not the first time the threat of an Imperial invasion had forced them to relocate.

For Luke, Leia and Han, however, this was all new. Luke had lived in the same place his entire life, so the idea of moving was strange to him. As for Leia, she too had lived in the same place; but had she felt compelled to move, there was an army of servants to do the grunt work.

Han Solo was by nature a drifter; belonging to an organization like the Alliance was a new experience for him. It felt strange to the cynical young man to feel a part of something bigger than himself, something not connected to making money. But he liked it, he liked the feeling it gave him. Most of all, he liked being around Leia.

Han Solo was no stranger to women; he'd had women in his life, all of whom he'd only wanted for one reason, all of whom were more than willing to give it to him. But Leia was different, he decided. She was pure, she was noble, she was brave and classy; nothing like the women he was used to. So why can't I get her out of my mind? he asked himself again and again. He'd tried reminding himself of the qualities that drove him crazy about her; she was bossy, she was self-righteous, she was stubborn …but so damn cute with those braids of hers piled up on her head, and those big brown eyes...

"May I join you?"

Han looked up to see none other than Leia standing before him, a tray of lunch in her hands.

"Sure," he said, trying to play it cool.

"Thanks," she said, sitting down gracefully.

Han glanced at her lunch; not a thing that wasn't healthy on her plate, of course.

"Where's Chewie?" Leia asked.

"Just checking a few things on the Falcon," Han replied.

A slight frown creased Leia's brow. "There's nothing wrong is there?" she asked. "You said we could leave for Polis Massa first thing in the morning."

"Yeah, I did," he replied. "And I meant it. He's just doing a last minute check. Don't get your braids in a knot, princess."

Leia couldn't help but smile at his comment. "Okay," she said, relaxing. "I appreciate you doing this for us," she added.

Han shrugged. "No problem," he said. "Besides, if it gets me outta having to do more packing, I'm happy to do it."

Leia looked at him, confused by the mixed messages she was getting from him. Sometimes he was utterly charming, completely irresistible; and other times he was as grumpy as an angry gundark.

"Well thankfully the packing is done," Leia replied. "So if that's the only reason you're doing this, then perhaps you'd like to reconsider."

"Geez, your highnessness, can't you take a joke?" Han replied, rolling his eyes. "You're so damn serious all the time. Lighten up!"

Leia felt foolish for her remark. "I'm sorry," she said, looking down at her plate. "I'm just anxious to find out what's going on with my father."

"So I guessed," Han replied. "I'm gonna go make sure Chewie's not taking apart anything. He likes doing that," he added with a smirk. "I'll see you first thing in the morning, Princess."

Leia nodded as she watched him stand up and take his leave of her, more confused than ever by the way she felt whenever Han Solo was close by.

Polis Massa Outpost- Medical facility

Vader watched the woman as she walked slowly through the rose garden. She stopped every so often to smell one of the fragrant blossoms, but they brought her no joy. Her face, though certainly beautiful, was devoid of any trace of joy, any hint of happiness. It seemed as though she were moving around in a trance, her movements slow and deliberate. Vader stared at the woman's face, the shock of seeing her again after so long rendering him temporarily unable to move. He tried to call to her, but no voice would come. Suddenly the woman started down the path that led away from the garden, and Vader felt compelled to follow her. Finally able to move his legs, he walked quickly to catch up to her, afraid of startling her in his haste. He followed at a distance as the woman lead him out of the garden and into a courtyard, surrounded by a high stone wall. Trees reached their limbs over the wall, casting patterns of dappled light upon the cobblestone under foot. In the distance, Vader was certain that he heard the sound of water rushing, as though a great water fall were close by. It distracted him for a moment, and when he turned back to where the woman had been mere seconds before, he saw nothing but the empty courtyard. The woman had vanished. It was then that he found his voice, and uttered a single word: Padmé!