Chapter 17

The Master and the Learner

With the alarms blaring both in his helmet and outside on the PA system, Cody finally called it quits and removed the helmet altogether. Safely tucking it under his arm, he continued along the Death Star corridors with Vader's young… project alongside.

At the very least the kid could keep up, which if he really was Skywalker's son, then he would expect no less. Otherwise, Cody would have already left him to fend for himself.

Not that he'd be in any danger. Even with all the apparent mayhem running amok across the station, Cody knew that the inept jokes that called themselves stormtroopers needed someone that knew the difference between a blast door and an airlock. If Kenobi wasn't on the station, he'd be right there with them, telling them how to turn the safeties off their blasters.

Which wasn't to say he'd checked out of the situation on the station altogether. He made numerous stops to get updates from passing squads, and he made certain to needle the kid for details. He hadn't learned much, only that Princess Leia Organa was here, working with the rebels, and Obi-wan Kenobi was supposedly on the station as well.

Which was good enough for Cody at this moment. He'd always known Kenobi escaped him on Utupau. He'd suspected it after he blasted Kenobi off the rock face and confirmed it when he found General Grievous' ship stolen. He'd even gone to the Jedi Temple after operation Knightfall and found clear evidence that Jedi had been there after the carnage. If he'd had his way he would have hunted down Kenobi's trail but the newly minted Emperor had far too much for his grand army to do.

"Can I ask you a question?" the kid said, bringing Cody from his recollections.

"You just did," Cody said.

"You served in the Clone Wars right?" the kid said, ignoring the sarcasm.

"Yeah," Cody said. "I would think that was obvious."

"Did you know any Jedi then?"

"I knew a lot of Jedi," Cody said. "They served as generals in the war."

"And you knew Anakin Skywalker right?" the kid said. "I saw the way you reacted when I brought him up earlier."

"Yeah, I knew Skywalker. He's really your old man?"

"According to a blood test someone from the Empire took," he said. "Can you tell me what he was like?"

"Skywalker was one of the best damn pilots I'd ever met," Cody said trying but failing to not get a bit nostalgic. "You could put him in front of the controls of a garbage scow and he'd fly circles around a vulture droid. We trusted him, we trusted the Jedi. Those were the good times, back when every soldier at my back was my brother and the Jedi Generals actually thought of us as something other than cannon fodder. Back when we understood the word 'standards'; back before the conscripts came."

Cody blinked and glanced over at the kid, who wore a slightly perplexed expression. Deep inside, Cody kicked himself for getting sentimental. The war was every bit as terrible as this one, and it was only the longing for his brothers that made him look back fondly at it.

But dammit if he couldn't stop thinking about it. It seemed with every new corridor they came to he remembered more of his time with his brothers, of serving under Kenobi and how much better it all seemed.

"So… do you know how Anakin died?"

"No one knows how Skywalker died," Cody shrugged. "Hell, I thought you might have known seeming how you're supposed to be his kid."

"I'd heard that Obi-wan Kenobi killed him…"

Cody glanced over at the kid, trying to decide if he was being baited for some kind of trick or something. He frowned and almost let the comment go, but they were on their way, looking for Kenobi so in the end he couldn't ignore it.

"I knew Kenobi probably better than any clone in the galaxy," Cody said. "And I knew this about him, Skywalker was his best friend, they were like brothers."

"So you don't think Obi-wan killed him?"

"Can't say. If any Jedi was to stay loyal to the Emperor, it was Skywalker, they were close. If Skywalker stayed loyal, and I don't know if he did or not, then Kenobi might have offed him."

"Even though they were best friends?"

"War forces us to make tough calls kid," Cody said. "If either of them thought the other one a traitor, it could have happened. Kenobi killed his share of clones in the end."

Yeah, Kenobi had escaped. And if Cody was really honest with himself, a lot of the fond memories he had from back in the day involved serving under Kenobi. But he'd been given an order and Commander Cody never disobeyed orders. Even if it took him twenty years. Just as he'd seen countless of his brethren die to fulfill orders for an Empire that was all too eager to discard them just like it did the Jedi. Just like it did Kenobi…

"What makes you think we're heading the right way?" the kid said.

"With all this mayhem going on," Cody said. "Your friends must be headed for the hangers. Good bet that we'll find Kenobi there too."

"What will happen then?" he said.

"I follow orders."

"This… this is a trick," Vader said, blinking behind his mask, for a moment wondering if the optical sensors were malfunctioning. Yet Obi-wan stood there looking exactly as he had on that fateful day on Mustafar.

"It's no trick I assure you," Obi-wan said.

"But you haven't aged a day," Vader said, feeling his mechanical hands gripping his lightsaber a bit tighter. "You haven't changed a bit."

"But you have," Obi-wan shook his head ruefully, his brows knit together in a mix of pity and anger. "Anakin, look what you've allowed them to do to you. You had the strongest connection to the Force of anyone I've ever known. Through the light side, you could have healed yourself long ago. Instead you've let them take everything that you were, everything that you could be and warp it into this horrifying shell. A mockery of your true self, more machine than man, twisted and evil."

A rush of thoughts and emotions rushed through Vader as his old master spoke. A surprising shock at being called Anakin. No one had done that in nearly twenty years. The flush of memories of seeing his master preaching to him about the Jedi way, warning against the dark side. But above all of this there was… anger.

"You did this to me!" Vader seethed. "You left me to burn on Mustafar even as you claimed we were brothers!"

"We were brothers," Obi-wan said. "I taught you that every Jedi was your brother or sister. I taught you that the light led to peace and freedom. I taught you that impatience and unbridled passion led to destruction and slavery. You turned your back on those teachings and on every single one of your brothers and sisters. Now, you are a slave to the Emperor and I stand before you with one final lesson to teach."

"No Obi-wan," Vader flung himself at the Jedi. "I am no longer the learner, now I am the Master."

Obi-wan met his strike with ease and countered, only to be blocked. "Only a master of evil Anakin!"

In spite of his desire to retort, Vader responded only by further strikes at his former master. The first few attacks came merely as taps and jabs, each parried and a few measured counter attacks back. It had been twenty years since they'd crossed blades and it appeared that both intended on testing the other.

Then Vader struck faster and harder, still measuring his opponent but actually working at more than simple preliminaries. He was not disappointed. Each blow touched only Obi-wan's blade as the Jedi Master worked his lightsaber in tight circles. Classic soresu, Obi-wan's favored form.

Only then did Vader know in his heart that it was indeed Obi-wan he faced. Vader had killed many Jedi. He'd killed many that used the soresu saber form. But none used it like Obi-wan. To him, the fourth form was an art. And then the battle truly began.

Vader drove his blade at the Jedi, knowing full well the weakness of Obi-wan's technique. It relied on defense in an attempt to wear the opponent down and then strike. To this, Obi-wan would soon find that Darth Vader virtually had no limits of endurance. His cybernetics allowed for constant strength and the Force constantly replenished his physical form.

Some devilry had kept Obi-wan young but it would not save him this day.

"Now slide them slowly over to me," the assassin said.

The Organa's did as they were told, both gently lowering their blasters and pushing them just enough that they clattered across the polished Death Star floors, nearly to her feet. Wisely, the assassin didn't bother picking them up. Apparently she knew better than to lower her eyes when facing two opponents.

Instead she just stepped past the weapons, easily placing herself between them and their owners. Leia still held onto a faint hope, at least she did, until the assassin's eyes fell onto the lightsaber clipped to her belt.

"Didn't think I'd recognize a laser sword when I saw one?" she said. "You'll toss it to me. If it doesn't land perfectly in my hand I'll shoot your father."

Leia glanced at Bail for a moment before unclipping the lightsaber and hefting it carefully into the air. The assassin caught it with ease and clipped it to her belt. All without taking her eyes off of her captives.

"The Emperor originally sent me to kill you Princess," she said. "Who would have thought that after all our merry chases in the desert I would find you here, in the heart of the Empire."

"Where's the guy?" Leia said. "Luke?"

"He's safe enough," the assassin said though there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "And he's the only reason you're still alive. But we'll have plenty of time to talk about that on our way to Coruscant. We will be very interested to know how you found a Jedi and what his connection to Skywalker is."

"He's Obi-wan Kenobi," Leia said. "Even if you kill us he will defeat the Empire."

"I really don't have time for this," came the reply. "Though I do want to know who that Jedi actually is. He's too young to be Kenobi."

"What does she mean by that?" Bail said.

"Not now Father," Leia said, trying desperately to figure out how to get out of this.

"My my," the assassin said. "It looks like there is quite the story there. I can't wait to hear all about it. In the meantime we need to make our departure. I doubt Captain Solo has had time to get here this quick, he doesn't access to the mainframe like I do. So we have just enough time to get aboard his ship and leave him high and dry here. Now move."

For a moment, Leia nor Bail budged, but after a couple of gestures from the assassin's pistol they slowly about faced and began making their way down the hall. With each step, Leia tried to find some place she and her father could quickly dart into. An alcove, a doorway, anything that might give them some sort of opportunity of escape.

None came and soon enough they neared the hanger bay. Once they were in Captain Solo's ship the assassin could do whatever she wanted with them and set some sort of trap for Solo when he arrived. All they needed was some sort of distraction!

The hanger acccess came into view and Leia began slowing her steps, hoping to get closer to the assassin. But she maintained her distance. They were coming to a corner and Leia slowed down even more, practically taking baby steps. Finally the assassin let out a sigh and Leia felt hard metal push into her back.

"I'll kill you with your own lightsaber…" she said. "… if you don't start moving. I would prefer to present you, your father, and Skywalker to my Master, but he will understand perfectly if you don't make the journey."

"Leia," Bail said. "Just do what you're told for now. We'll figure something out."

"See, your father makes sense now mo-"

The assassin never finished the sentence. Leia, Bail, and herself had been on the cusp of passing a corner and things might have turned out differently if Leia had been walking at a normal pace. As it was though, they were all standing together with no distinction to onlookers as to who hostages and who the captor was.

Which was why when a squad of stormtroopers came around that corner, they took one look at them and opened fire indiscriminately, thinking all three of them were rebel escapees. Leia managed to hear the assassin curse as she dove for cover. The assassin shouted at the stormtroopers that she was on their side but they kept firing, forcing her to block their attacks with her lightsaber.

So occupied were they with the highest potential threat, they scarcely noticed as Bail took Leia by the hand and rushed past them. A couple broke into pursuit but the bulk of the pack stayed on the assassin. Deep down Leia thanked the Force for exactly what they needed, even as she knew that at best, they'd just been bought a couple of minutes before the assassin, along with any surviving stormtroopers nipped at their heels.

Darth Vader surprised him. Obi-wan knew all of Anakin's tricks. Over countless sparring matches and numberless combat lessons they came to know each other's fighting styles as well as their own. It was part of what made their duel on Mustafar so violent. The each essentially knew what the other would do in the fight.

But this was different. More aggressive, more powerful, and not employing a single form Obi-wan was familiar with. At first he was content with following the flow of the duel, measuring Vader as if he were a completely knew opponent. But the longer the battle went, the smaller the window might grow for Leia and the others to affect their escape.

Vader's crimson blade crossed his and Obi-wan reminded himself in a single inhale that he needed to exercise patience and then exhaled the thoughts of needing to draw out mistakes in his opponent.

Their lightsabers crashed and Vader drove Obi-wan back, outside of the small alcove and into the larger hanger itself. The Jedi retreated, feeling the force of Vader's blow, his now near overwhelming strength, radiating through his lightsaber blade. The Sith Lord advanced more and more, edging Obi-wan ever closer to the edge of the TIE fighter launch port, located just in front of the freighter.

Their blades locked and now Obi-wan felt that full strength bearing down on him. His boots squeaked and scuffed on the floor as Vader inched him closer to the edge. Obi-wan locked onto his blade harder and dug his feet in, determined not to give anymore ground.

"I do not care how you have managed to come to me as you do my old master," Vader's voice came out in a hiss. "This is the end for you."

"Funny," Obi-wan grit his teeth. "You've said that to me before. I'm still here and I don't believe it turned out particularly well for you."

Vader let out something resembling a growl and shoved harder against Obi-wan. Their blades crackled and screeched against each other. Even without the Force, Obi-wan might have felt the hate and rage rolling off of his former apprentice. Yet his feet also gave ground, his heels nearly to the edge of the precipice. He needed to change the dynamic of the battle and tip it to his favor.

Giving one final push against the Dark Lord, Obi-wan called on the Force and shot backwards. His body soared through the air, high above the pit Vader had tried to shunt him down. When his feet touched down he landed on atop the corellian light freighter. Standing there with his blade still drawn, he stared down at the sith lord.

"Indeed your powers have grown," Obi-wan said. "But so too have your arrogance and short sightedness. I shall defeat you Anakin."

"That name no longer means anything to me," Vader said, pacing around the pit. "And you have not changed one bit in the twenty years since we last fought, while I have learned from my experience."

"Feel free to come up and prove that to me then," Obi-wan said.

"No."

The nearby crunching of metal served as the only warning for Obi-wan when the transmitter dish from the freighter broke away and flew at him from behind. The Jedi tried to dodge but it came too sudden, knocking into his back and hurtling him right at the pit.

They could hear the stormtroopers getting closer, but they were almost there! They just had to hope that the others would be at the hanger bay as well. They'd attempted several times to make contact with the Princess and her father, as well as Boba Fett but to no avail. All they had at this point was hope.

"You know…" Winter said. "Fett wasn't there when Captain Solo contacted us. He has no idea that we're supposed to rendezvous at his ship."

"You're acting as though taking off without Fett would be a terrible thing," Biggs said.

"Come on Darklighter," Winter said. "I think we owe him a little more than that."

"Don't tell me that you trust him," Biggs glanced her way.

"Not remotely," Winter said. "But he has been instrumental in our… 'success' we, at the very least, owe him a ticket off of this place, rather than face the wrath of the Empire."

"Heh, who would have pegged you as a bleeding heart," Biggs said.

"Oh do shut up," Winter rolled her eyes as they turned a corner. Yet a flurry of movement stopped them in their tracks and for a half second their weapons came out and they prepared to shoot. However just as quickly they realized that rather than running into a new group of stormtroopers, they'd wound up nearly crashing into Leia and her father.

"What took you guys so long?" Biggs grinned as Leia and Winter embraced.

"We ran into some old friends," Leia said.

"And unless we want to run into them again," Bail said. "We had better get moving."

Biggs nodded and followed the group into an entryway to the hanger. Then a rustle of footsteps came up behind them and again the weapons came out. This time it was Captain Solo. He immediately held his hands up in the air until their weapons lowered, though Biggs did feel tempted to keep his drawn on the smuggler. The man did help the assassin get away with Luke after all.

Still, he was there ticket out of there so in the end he really didn't have any choice.

"Glad you could make it sweetheart," Solo said, his eyes locking onto Leia immediately.

"Wouldn't miss it," Leia responded, the corner of her mouth curling up just a bit.

"Gotta say though," Solo replied. "We can't keep meeting like this, people will talk."

"Excuse me," Bail cut in. "But I think we'll have time for pleasantries once we get off this station."

"And you are?" Solo said.

"Bail Organa, Leia's father."

Biggs might have laughed at the way the smuggler's expression wilted from a cocksure smirk to something far more sheepish. Like the guy who brought his date home an hour too late. Instead a thunderous crash from inside the hanger drew their attention and they ran into to see Obi-wan flying through the air and nearly falling into the launch pit.

They started rushing forward but froze when they saw none other than Darth Vader marching around the pit. A moment later, Obi-wan reappeared, jumping out of the pit and reigniting his lightsaber. Vader quickly met him and the two proceeded to duel their way into a small alcove just off to the side.

Enthralled by the display, Biggs, Leia, and the others ran into the hanger itself, halting just in front of the pit to see the two warriors continue their battle.

"Where are we going?" the kid said. "It says that the hangers are the other way."

"We're still going to the hangers kid," Cody approached a nearby doorway. "But I like to scope out an area first. Who knows if the rebels have gotten there already. Blundering in without having any idea what might greet us is a good way to get ourselves vaporized."

Of course he had no doubt that, that was exactly what the sorry excuses for soldiers on this station would likely do but as of right now he wasn't shackled to any of them and it felt glorious. No, it felt right. If only he had Rex or Fives with him. Then it would… no. He couldn't think like that.

"This will take us through a corridor to the control room," Cody said. "From there we can get a look at the hanger itself and see if this is the one the rebels are at. But it's a solid bet that it's this one."

"Why?"

"Imperial Shuttles will have a lockdown right now," Cody said as he punched in his access code. "I'd heard we'd taken on a freighter of some kind. Smart creds is on that one."

"Freighter, you mean the Falcon?" the kid said.

"No idea," Cody shrugged as the door slid open. "Just that this was the hanger it was docked at. Good enough place to…"

The words trailed out of his mouth as the sound of clashing lightsabers reached his ears. Without a second thought he rushed toward it. He hadn't heard that sound in years, but here and now, it could only mean one thing. Lord Vader and Kenobi had found each other.

They came to the entrance of the alcove, just in time to see a Jedi flip over Vader and engage in a series of strikes. They dueled at the entrance of the alcove which led to the hanger. Cody and the kid now approached from behind, mere meters from the actual combat.

His better judgment told him to tell the kid to scram, but Cody couldn't make his feet work, let alone his mouth. He just stared at Kenobi. Stared as the Jedi clashed his saber against the Dark Lords, his eyes kept telling him one thing but his mind something else altogether.

"He hasn't changed," Cody finally managed.

"Who?" the kid said. "Is that Kenobi fighting Lord Vader?"

"Th… that's him alright," Cody said, even more memories flooding back. "That's General Kenobi."

Obi-wan cursed himself as he blocked a new attack from Vader. His former apprentice even now fought aggressively and fiercely but he'd had twenty years of experience. It appeared that in that time he learned not to fall for the same trick twice. Not considering that nearly cost Obi-wan his life.

He'd only barely clung to the edge of the pit and then propelled himself up with the Force after the transmitter dish hit him. The pain from the impact still beat against his muscles and bones but Obi-wan shut it out. Focusing on pain would be just as lethal as simply shutting off his lightsaber right now.

The anger and hate that rolled off of Vader now mingled with satisfaction and the thrill of perceived victory. He enjoyed seeing Obi-wan taken down like that and he had a right to. Perhaps, it seemed, that it was Obi-wan that took things for granted at this point.

Now realizing his mistake, Obi-wan threw himself a step backward and took in a deep breath, recommitting himself to the battle and to his connection with the Force. He felt Anakin's energy of course, but he also felt Leia and several others near… Including a familiar presence that he couldn't quite place.

"Now you see," Vader said. "Now you see the power of the Dark Side!"

"No Anakin, when I look on you, I see a frightened boy," Obi-wan said, letting the peace from the Force flow into him. "A child desperately clinging to a poison as though it were a comforting object, all because it makes you feel like you have power and control. But it is an illusion, you truly are lost. And your inability to let go caused you to turn your back on me, the Order, even on Padme."

"No!" Vader hissed and came at Obi-wan with all the fury of a dark lord.

Even as the attack came, Obi-wan half shut his eyes, knowing what was to come next. He could not say he was at peace, but he could say he knew what he would do and what the result would be.

Opening himself up to the Force, Obi-wan's blade moved swiftly and deftly. He now realized what it was about Vader's fighting that had thrown him off. In the twenty years since they'd last fought, Vader had developed his own fighting style. But the longer their duel went, the more the dark lord had been slipping into classic djem so, Anakin's preferred fighting method.

A style ill suited for Vader's slower movements.

In a whirl of blue energy, Obi-wan's saber met Vader's again and again. The dark lord came with arching blows and sweeping slashes but Obi-wan kept moving his lightsaber in quick parries and blocks, slowly picking up speed to the point that he started advancing on his opponent.

And then Obi-wan was on the offensive, a swift jab here, a quick strike there. None aimed to kill but each putting Vader on the defensive. The Sith Lord's mechanical limbs barely kept pace, driving him back with each strike. Obi-wan could feel his former padawan's anger give way to frustration, then just the barest hints of doubt. He would not be able to maintain this pace.

Finally Vader struck, his frustration, anger, and even fear reached a boiling point, as he crashed his saber down at Obi-wan in a two handed finishing blow. A classic djem so move, one that Obi-wan knew all too well. The Jedi let out a final breath as he slid to the side. His lightsaber glanced off of Vader's before continuing upward and searing the sith's mechanical hand off. Even as it dropped to the floor, Vader struck out his other hand, intending to blast Obi-wan back, but Obi-wan rolled out of the way and struck out his foot, sending the Sith crashing onto his back.

Vader wheezed and tried to get up, only to have Obi-wan point his blade at his throat. The Jedi now stood over him, ready to deliver the final blow, the one he should have done years ago when he thought the fire had done it for him.

"It's over Anakin," Obi-wan said. "At long last, it's over."

Then a cry issued out, but not from Vader. Not from anyone Obi-wan knew. It came directly in front of him even as the sound of a lightsaber cut through it. The green blade flashed and knocked Obi-wan's blade back. The Jedi retreated, blocking a somewhat clumsy but determined blow until he stood face to face with a sandy haired youth brandishing a green lightsaber.

"What in space?" Obi-wan muttered as he stared into the youth's blue eyes.

"Luke!" he heard Darklighter call out.

Only then did that familiar presence he felt earlier hit him. He'd memorized Luke's Force signature in the desert, so he would always know if the boy needed help. He never imagined he'd find him here, lightyears away from where he was supposed to be. Nor could he have imagined him standing to defend Darth Vader.

"I don't know if you recognize me," Luke said in a determined voice. "But I won't let you kill this man. Not without killing me too."

"Luke…" Obi-wan said, feeling the blood drain from his face. "Luke you have to listen to me."

"Do I? Is that what you said to my father before you killed him? Is that what you said to Anakin Skywalker?"

Obi-wan cringed and his eyes darted from Luke to Vader. No. No! He couldn't find out! Not like this! Not now! He couldn't let Vader take him now that he knew who he was. Obi-wan hated himself for it but promised himself that he would help the boy understand as soon as they were out of here.

"I'm sorry," he said and shoved his hand out.

Luke flew back, clearing the way to Vader once again. Obi-wan raced at him, determined to end it before he could have a chance at getting to Luke. But the dark lord's head twisted to the side, not looking at Obi-wan but instead at the small crowd gathered along the TIE launch pit.

Even as Obi-wan realized what was about to happen it was too late. Vader's remaining hand made a fist and a sickening snap echoed through the hanger, followed by a scream from Princess Leia.

It happened in the blink of an eye. One moment Obi-wan was leaping upon Vader, the next Bail let out a faint groan followed by horrifying snap coming from his neck. Leia cried out and tried to grab him but it was too late.

Bail Organa toppled forward, already dead, and plummeted into the pit before them, just barely out of reach of his daughter's fingers. Leia knew that she screamed but then it became a blur. She felt herself grab a blaster out of someone's hands and she began firing at Vader, her shots going wild through tears.

The entire hanger erupted in blaster fire. The stormtroopers who had been too busy watching the fight to notice them began shooting. Han cried out for everyone to move. But Leia kept trying to hit Vader.

She heard Threepio's voice as even more blaster fire came and she spared only half a glance to see Fett and R2 coming up with the sith assassin and a squad of stormtroopers on their tail.

Vader was getting up but he'd collected his lightsaber and Leia realized she'd never hit him. Vaguely she remembered someone telling her to blast the door and she did so, finally managing to hit a target, sealing the blast door shut, with the dark lord, and Luke behind it.

Still she kept firing, trying to hit any stormtrooper that she saw, anything she could do to get back at the Empire for what had just happened. She would fight until one of them managed to bring her down! She had to stop them!

Then a warm hand took hers and she looked to see Obi-wan.

"Run Leia, run!"

Together they rushed into the ship, already hearing Solo yelling at his wookiee to take off. Leia felt Obi-wan guide her to a nearby bench and sat down beside her, holding her in his arms as she tried to wrap her mind around what had just happened. The Empire had taken her planet from her, and just when she thought she'd gotten her father back, it had taken him from her as well.

"I'm sorry," Obi-wan said. "I'm so sorry."

By the time they got the door open, the ship had blasted its way out of the station. But by then Vader didn't care. His eyes remained fixed on the boy that stood beside him. The one that had stood to defend him against Obi-wan. The one that the blood test had identified as nobody in particular.

"Luke," Vader said, placing an uneasy hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Yes sir," Luke flinched slightly, causing Vader to withdraw his hand.

"What did you say to Kenobi about Skywalker? You are the son of Anakin Skywalker?"

"I… yes sir," Luke admitted. "I'm sorry, Mara told me to say my last name was Sunrider."

Vader's mind reeled, by now he'd almost forgotten about Obi-wan altogether. How could this be possible? He'd killed Padme… the Emperor said so! Yet even as he denied it, he could feel a certain…familiarity with the boy. The strength of his power in the Force and a feeling not unlike… her. It made no sense! And yet it had to be true!

"Lord Vader," an officer approached as soon as the doors opened. "My Lord, the ship has escaped, but we're sending fighters in pursuit per your previous orders."

For a moment Vader almost ignored the officer, his mind still fastened on Luke. But after a few moments of internal debate, he reminded himself of where he was and what he needed to do. He would get to the bottom of this mystery soon enough.

"Very good commander," Vader said. "Get this place cleaned up."

"Yes sir," the officer said. "We already have medical teams here to take care of the wounded."

"Wounded?" Luke said. "How many?"

"A few stormtroopers and a woman with credentials identifying her as an agent of the empire."

"Mara? No!"

Before Vader could stop him, Luke rushed out into the hanger, where medical personnel were moving a familiar red headed assassin onto a hover stretcher. Vader stalked up behind them, feeling not the slightest bit of pity as he saw the terrible blaster wound in the woman's chest.

"No!" Luke said, looking to the medic. "You have to save her! You have to do something!"

"It doesn't look good," the medic said. "I can't…"

"Please," Luke said then looked to the Sith Lord. "Lord Vader please, you can't let her die."

Again Vader paused for a long moment before looking to the medic. "Take this woman to my personal medical facilities and do everything you can to save her life. I will hold you personally responsible if she dies."

"Yes Lord Vader," the medic said with urgency in his voice, then signaling several other medics to aide him.

Luke stood where he was as they hauled Jade away. Even then Vader had all but put her out of his mind as he stared at the boy. His son. The one he would have left the Order for to raise with Padme. The one he thought he lost when Padme died.

"Thank you sir," Luke finally said. "You don't know what she means to me."

"Lord Vader," a familiar voice came before he could reply. Commander Cody approached. "I've organized the remaining troopers and secured the area. Governor Tarkin is already requesting your presence."

Vader clenched his eyes shut but then nodded. There was time yet.

"Commander Cody," Vader said. "I'm appointing you personal guard of the boy, see to it that he is given the finest quarters and is allowed to visit my medical facilities as he wishes."

"Yes my lord," Cody bowed. "Come on kid."

"A… alright," Luke said then looked to Vader in gratitude again.

Vader didn't respond, he just stood there, watching his son leave, realizing that everything had changed that day. Obi-wan had returned and the Force had brought Padme's son back to him.