Obi-Wan tried as best as he could to hide from storm troopers. It wasn't easy. They walked past the hallways every few seconds. He needed a way to get past them undetected. Then he got an idea. He snuck into the tool closet until a storm trooper walked by, all alone. He pulled the storm trooper into the closet and knocked him out with the hammer he found nearby. Then, he put on the storm trooper's armor to use as a disguise. Luckily, over the years he learned how to imitate a trooper's voice, so that should come in handy. He felt Padme's presence in the detention cells, so he headed towards that direction. It was very hard for him to resist running, because he needed to save her as quickly as possible. However, if he seemed to be in a rush, he could blow his cover.
Darth Vader walked towards the dark bassinet he kept in the corner of the office. It wouldn't stay there permanently. It would be moved when the nursery was finished. Every now and then, he'd chuckle at the idea. This was going to be the biggest space station ever to be built. It even included a huge laser cannon that could destroy an entire planet! It caused fear in everyone, but it would include a nursery for a small infant. It would be built at the far end of the station, so hardly anyone would know about it. However, construction would take a while, so he had to keep this child in his corner for now. He needed to be somewhere he could keep an eye on him, but hidden from others. There's no greater sign of vulnerability than a baby in your office. He looked down at his child. His son, who he heard Padme call Luke, had wavy locks of golden blonde and eyes blue like water. He looked so innocent, almost too innocent. No one would believe that a person of such power like Vader would have a child so sweet and gentle. However, whenever Luke would smile, Vader felt soft inside. So far, this was the only creature, besides the Emperor, who didn't fear him. Every time he walked past someone, he could feel their hearts quicken, but not Luke, he simply smiled, and no one could explain why. He reminded him of the young Anakin Skywalker, the one who won the Boonta Eve Classic on Tatooine. Oh, how he despised that place now, whenever he went there it only brought him pain. He could feel the force flow through Luke, and Vader planned to manipulate it to make Luke become his sith apprentice. Together, they could rule the galaxy as father and son, and they would be unstoppable.
Then, Vader turned his thoughts to Padme. This was indeed a difficult situation for them. What was he going to do with her? She didn't want any part of this. She acted like didn't want anything to do with him, either. In their meeting, Vader had tried to make her believe she was worthless to the Emperor. However, it was only not to show any weakness, but deep inside, a part of him was waiting for her to beg for his return from the dark side. That same part of him would have agreed to come back if only she'd want him again. But then, what would the Emperor think? The Emperor had promised him Padme's safety, and he got it for her. She survived the birth of their son. Now, Vader had a life-long debt to pay the Emperor for his kindness, and he was willing to do whatever satisfied him. Vader figured that he could keep Padme and the Emperor's trust in him if he made Padme feel worthless, so she'd feel like the only way to gain respect again was to join them. That way he would look strong in the eyes of both his master and his wife.
Padme sat in her cell, with all the troubles of the world. She'd often hear news reports about women who were trapped with a controlling husband, but none of them got to the point where she was locked in a detention cell by her husband's orders! Padme had never felt so weak and powerless in her life. She had done no crime, but there were no courts to put a stop to any mistreatment. She felt like she was now one of the Empire's toys. They do whatever they want with her for their own amusement. If they wanted to take away food privileges for no reason, they could. If they wanted to order her to be put to work, they were free to do so. What bothered her most was that Vader said she was worthless to the Emperor. As a former queen and senator she always considered the minds of her people before making a decision. For that, they respected her and knew that what she said was in the best of judgment. If anyone had a complaint, they were free to tell her peacefully, and she would try the best she could to fix it. The Emperor's act of tyranny was very frustrating. He'd brainwashed millions of people into believing that he knew everything and that he was the only one that bring them peace. He'd stopped the war, but only by gaining control of everyone it. A war was supposed to end when both sides come to agreement, not when one power controlled all. Her anger grew larger, and all she wanted to do was break out of her prison and tell everyone that the Emperor is evil and shouldn't be allowed to tell anyone to do anything.
Then, two storm troopers opened her cell and dragged her out again. She hated being dragged; it made her feel like a piece of furniture. They dragged her back to the throne room, and threw her down at the feet of Darth Vader. She rolled her eyes as she got up again.
"Good evening, Senator Amidala." Vader greeted her.
"Yeah, some evening." Padme shot back sarcastically.
"I have a proposition for you. I expect you to think about deeply." Vader said calmly. Padme tilted her head in wonder and confusion.
"What kind of proposition?" she asked. Vader got up and started circling around her as he explained.
"You and I both know the Emperor is corrupt. He has taken power from each senator in this galaxy, including you. He has tricked you under his persuasive influence to hand all power over to him. I'm quite embarrassed for you. I thought a senator like you would be clever enough to spot his plan sooner." Vader started. Padme's skin boiled as she started getting frustrated at Vader's mockery.
"I guess… I was wrong. You are as gullible as any other citizen of the Empire. Only a fool would believe that a Chancellor would give back emergency powers after a war. You and your delegation of 2000 have failed to restore the Republic. You have only brought shame to yourself, and now not even your own planet respects you. However, we will deal with your little posse soon enough." He continued. Padme's head rose in shock. He wouldn't do anything to them, would he? Those were her friends! They were only trying to bring democracy back into the galaxy. Now her face was red with fury. Vader smiled under his helmet, for his plan was working.
"Don't worry; we wouldn't hurt your friends that I assure you. We'd only use our convincing ways to make them see our side in this situation. However, that won't be necessary, because what I'm offering to you would be in your favor and theirs. Remember how I told you I can overthrow the Emperor? We can do it together, and I can make you the Empress. You can adjust the galaxy how you want to, and you'll never have to deal with those Separatists ever again. You remember how often they wanted to kill you? You can show Palpatine how much of a better ruler you are than him. Also, every planet in the galaxy will respect you for being an excellent ruler. I can make it all possible, if you want me to." Vader finished off.
Padme was in complete shock. Was she really being offered the whole galaxy here and now? She thought about it. She could right all the Emperor's wrongs. She wouldn't have to hide anymore, but then she thought about it deeper. All those people, would they really respect her? No, they would only hate her, for she was once a symbol of justice and equality. They would only taunt her with that if she became so tyrannical. Vader would only hurt those who disagreed behind her back. That was the last thing she wanted. No, she couldn't take his offer. She had to rebuild the Republic, not rule this unfair Empire. Padme looked up at Vader, who was still waiting for her answer.
"Never! I can't believe you think I'd actually be the head of this tyrannical government! I thought you knew me better, I only want a part in an equal government." She spat in his direction when she finished.
Vader was very disappointed, and very angry! He couldn't relate to this woman anymore. It couldn't work anymore. They had both changed, and now she would only be a problem to him. Now when Vader gets upset, he'll do things he might regret later. Or things he might not regret later. He had to remove this… problem.
"I've tried to be cooperative with you, but you leave me no choice! Take her back to her cell, and prepare the EXECUTION CHAMBER!" Vader boomed loudly.
"WHAT?! NO! Put me down! No! Let me go! I won't let you! No!" Padme screamed as she kicked and struggled trying to get free from the storm troopers that came in and grabbed her.
TO BE CONTINUED….