Vader entered the large dark chamber quickly. He motioned his hand to one side and long shafts of light came on that lined the bottom of the walls, reflecting off the shine of the black floor and illuminating the room. In the center of the vast space was a large pit that went down several stories. There were no supports of any kind around the pit and no railing. The entire room was black gloss except for the very bottom of the pit, which was in total darkness.
Vader approached the pit slowly and knelt on a small platform on its edge. He knelt in silence and bowed his head low for several minutes. Soon the edges of the pit started to glow red and then a brilliant white flash lit the room, then died down to reveal the silhouette of a large figure filling the entire space of the pit at the center of the room.
"What is thy bidding, my master?" Vader said in a low voice without looking up.
"Greetings, Lord Vader" said a craggy voice creeping out of the large figure and echoing throughout the chamber.
The figure was growing brighter now. The light in the pit had shifted from a dark red to a slightly green glow. The Emperor's face could now be seen partially hidden under the large hood of a dark cloak. His sickly white chin was sharp and revealed his excessive age as it jabbed forward when he spoke.
"What have you to say to the failure of the weapon, Lord Vader?" the Emperor commanded in a booming voice.
"My master, it was the failure of Governor Tarkin to plan for the rebel counterattack. His mind was narrow." Vader spoke, still looking down.
"No!" the ghostly face grew fierce with anger. "It was the foul work of Jedi."
"But master, Kenobi was destroyed by my own hand. He was the last." Vader responded.
"You are so sure? He has a new apprentice, Vader- and Kenobi lives on with him." The old Emperor paused and leaned forward filling the pit with his darkened face. His voice continued in a slow creaky tone.
"His name is... Skywalker", the Emperor grinned as he said it revealing his hideously twisted blackened teeth.
Vader looked up for the first time. His mind raced and stopped immediately around the undeniable conclusion. He had known it all along, he just did not, or rather would not, piece it together.
"The son of Anakin", Vader said quietly.
"Yes! It seems your nemesis, the Jedi Skywalker, has a final move after all." The old pruned face laughed.
Vader thoughts drifted for a moment. He thought of his old friend, his mentor, his rival, Anakin Skywalker. The one Jedi who was always a step ahead of Vader. Only willing to share knowledge that was convenient to his own ambitions. Vader deceived Anakin to his ultimate doom. Vader took great pleasure in his annihilation. He was the greatest threat to Vader. He was the only one who could possibly defeat Vader, including the Emperor.
The mere existence of a son started a small creeping fear in the heart of Vader. This was something quite unexpected. It was the same feeling he always had while in the presence of Anakin. He worked very hard to destroy Anakin, and he would not allow his son to survive and become a threat. Vader suddenly realized he had the full focus of the Emperor on him. He quickly buried his thoughts and feelings, but the feelings about his old rival betrayed him.
"I sense fear in you, Lord Vader!" commanded the Emperor. "That is unfitting a Sith Lord. What have you to say for this?"
"The son of Skywalker will be destroyed, my master," replied Vader, bowing his head low again.
"Lord Vader- I want you to understand the gravity of the situation, beyond your trivial personal feelings," the Emperor retorted in a harsh tone. "This young man constitutes the largest threat to this Empire. This will be your only priority until he is captured or killed. Use whatever resources are available. You have this power going forward, under my authority. Do you understand, Vader?"
"Yes, my master", Vader replied. This one statement finally gave him the power he so desired. The zeal in his heart could not be contained and it caused him to tighten his fists.
The Emperor sensed his reaction, "There is no failure, Lord Vader."
"No, my master. It will be done," Vader answered.
The large figure of the Emperor leaned back and frowned on Vader. After a momentary flash he was gone. Vader stayed kneeling for a long pause. Then he rose quickly and walked long strides out of the room as the lights faded.