As they walked towards Alpha's room Darth Vader had a few questions for Head Researcher.
"You are able to implant information directly into a clone's neural pathways. Is it… is it also possible to implant memories?"
"Certainly Lord Vader," Taun We answered. "In the end memories are no more than information; though they are more complex and more difficult to incorporate. So long as we have the person available and are able to isolate the specific memories they can be transferred to the clone and will seem absolutely real. The clone will not be able to differentiate between the implanted memories and real life experiences."
"What if the person no longer exists?"
Taun We brought a slender finger to her pale lips. "In that case the original memories are lost. It would be possible to construct false ones of course, but by necessity they will not be as complete or as convincing as the original experiences."
"I see." Vader said emotionlessly.
He had thought about creating a clone of Padmé. He longed to see his precious wife again. Even if he could not touch her with his own hands, kiss her with his lips, or make love to her it would be enough just to hear her voice and see her sweet smile again. He would give up everything he had just to have her say 'I love you' once last time.
But though he could have a perfect physical copy of his love she would not be his Padmé. She would not remember meeting him on Tatooine, remember their falling in love, or their secret marriage. Even if he had false memories implanted she would never really be the Padmé he'd loved. She would be a stranger. The thought of looking into her eyes and not seeing her looking back at him with love.
That would be the cruelest fate of all.
Though it is no more than I deserve.
"If you desire Lord Vader," Taun We spoke guessing at Vader's wish. "It would be easy to create a clone of yourself and transfer all your memories into it. A perfect physical replica with all the knowledge and experience you now possess. My only caution would be that too much accelerated growth will shorten the clone's life span and somewhat damage the subject's long term health."
"Are you saying my son will be hurt by being artificially aged?" Vader asked sharply.
Surprised by the action Taun We halted and bent her long neck. "We only fulfilled the commands you gave to us Lord Vader. If the ramifications were not clearly explained I apologize. If you desire we can construct a new clone and allow it to age normally."
"No, this is the normal age to begin the training. I cannot afford to delay his instruction. Tell me what the consequences to my son will be."
"They should not be too severe." Taun We said soothingly. "I would expect the lifespan to be shortened by no more than three percent. Give the expected human lifespan barring disease or accident being one hundred and twenty standard years the estimated loss of only three point six years. The subject's immune system and cardio vascular system will suffer to an unknown degree with the approach of old age. However with access to proper medical treatments will not prove fatal or debilitating."
"I see." Vader dismissed his concern. Three and a half years at the end of a life meant nothing. Sith Lords did not die of old age.
"Would you like a clone of yourself Lord Vader?"
"No," Vader replied.
Taun We blinked in surprise. She had assumed that given his current state he would be eager to be 'reborn' as a clone. "May I ask why Lord Vader?"
"You may not."
She bowed her head in acknowledgement.
There were two reasons why Vader could not clone himself. The first was concern over his master's reaction.
The Sith believed that when an apprentice was strong enough he should kill the master and take a new apprentice to continue the cycle. This guaranteed that every succeeding master was strong enough to bear the burden. Every Dark Lord of the Sith accepted that he would die violently one day. If not at the hands of an enemy then at the hands of his apprentice.
Vader however suspected Darth Sidious was determined to live a very long while. The very fact Sidious had kept him alive despite his crippling injuries was proof of that. Vader would never be strong enough to overthrow his master. By all rights Sidious should have allowed him to die and sought out a new apprentice who had the potential to replace him some day. That the Emperor was satisfied with him meant he valued his own survival over finding a worthy successor.
If the Emperor discovered he was creating a clone that would have the potential to overthrow him he would strike first. Vader and his son would both be killed.
The second reason was pure pride.
To create a clone and let his original body die; would that not be the ultimate admission of defeat? Wouldn't it mean that Obi Wan really had won that day on Mustafar? Darth Vader would never admit the cost was more than he could bear. He was certain that one day he would meet his old master again; and he would defeat him. Using this body. That would be his ultimate triumph.
Sensing it would not be wise to ask any further questions Taun We brought him to the door of Alpha's room. The door slid open and the researcher stepped aside as Vader entered.
Inside the boy shut off the holoviewer and stood up. He just stood there by the chair eying the imposing stranger in black.
He has no fear. Vader thought proudly. Looking at the boy he felt a father's pride swelling up within him. This child would be his legacy, his and Padmé's. Vader intended that the entire galaxy would bow down to his son one day and that his name would still be known ten thousand years from now.
"Do you know who I am?" Vader asked.
"No," the boy answered without a hint of distress. "But I sense that I should."
Vader took a couple steps and then knelt down before the child so that their faces were on a closer level. The boy's brown eyes stared up into his helmeted mask with curiosity and interest. He did not shy away or tremble as Vader gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I am Darth Vader, a Lord of the Sith and most powerful man in this galaxy, save for the Emperor himself. I am your father."
The boy's eyes widened. "Who… who am I then?"
"You are Hamilcar Amadala, and you possess a mighty destiny. One day, we will rule this galaxy together as father and son."
The boy's lips slowly peeled back into a smile and he nodded his head. "I would like that very much father."