It was dusk on Dagobah, but to any casual observer, it looked no different then any other time. Perhaps it had something to do with the increased activity of the nocturnal fauna, if there was any, or a subtle sense felt only by long-time residents of the swamp planet.
In any case, Luke decided he would never be quite sure.
He stood motionless, contemplating the vision of his friends, angry at himself for deserting them back at Hoth. The anger was unreasonable, since his Jedi training under Yoda had been necessary, but he still felt it. Behind him, he sensed Yoda's approach and turned to face his displeased mentor.
"Luke, complete your training you must."
"But Han and Leia will die if I don't go," Luke argued. Surely even Yoda had to sanction his decision. It was unthinkable that his mentor would even suggest he ignore his friends' plight.
"You don't know that" spoke a familiar voice. "Even Yoda cannot see their fate."
"Ben" Luke breathed, staring in surprise at his former mentor. "But I can help them."
"This is a dangerous time for you, when you will be tempted by the dark side of the force."
"I promised to return and finish what I've begun," Luke persisted, feeling sick at the thought of what was happening to Han and Leia while he delayed…
"It is you and your abilities the Emperor wants. That is why your friends are made to suffer." Ben sounded so calm, as if he didn't care they might die.
"And that's why I have to go."
"Luke, I don't want to lose you to the Emperor the way I lost Vader."
"Stopped they must be. On this all depends. Only a fully trained Jedi Knight with the force as his ally will conquer Vader and the Emperor. If end your training now you do, if choose this quick and easy path as Vader you do, become an agent of evil you will."
"And sacrifice Han and Leia?" Luke asked incredulously.
"If honor what they fight for you do…yes."
Luke wanted more than anything to leave and save his friends but he trusted his mentors. Since they had given him no reason to doubt them, perhaps they were right. Suppose he ignored their warnings and recklessly ran in to save his friends only to endanger them more?
It was difficult for Luke to come to the conclusion, but he did. "I'll stay" he replied heavily.
Yoda nodded approvingly and Ben smiled gently. "You've made the right decision, Luke."
His encouragement didn't make Luke feel any better with his decision, but at least his mentors approved.
As the group walked through the corridor, Lando explained to them all about 'his little operation here on Bespin' and all the progress that had recently been made.
"Aren't you afraid the Empire's going to find out about this little operation and shut you down?" Han asked suspiciously. For some reason, he was wary of all of this. Sure it was all nice and fine on the surface, but what was being held back? There was no way the Empire would continue to ignore this.
"That's always been the danger looming like a shadow over everything we've built here" Lando admitted. "But things have developed that will insure security. I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here forever." Lando touched the panel on the wall and the doors slid open.
There, at the far end of the table, stood Darth Vader and the bounty hunter Boba Fett beside him.
Leia slipped her hand into Han's.
Without even thinking about it, Han drew his blaster and fired twice in succession.
Vader merely raised his gloved hand to deflect the shots into the wall then used the force to yank the blaster from Han's hand.
Han could've easily called his blaster right back, or maybe Vader's lightsaber, but he resisted the urge. It would do none of them any good, even though he wanted to wipe that smug little smirk off Fett's face. There was a rustle of movement behind them and they all turned to see a squad of stormtroopers all aiming for the three of them. Han did a quick head-count but knew he could never get all eleven down before Vader and Fett got him. And that would leave Leia and Chewie to them. Han wouldn't leave Leia.
He'd have to wait for better odds.
"We would be honored it you would join us," Vader spoke at last.
Han shot a glare at Lando, his supposed friend.
"I had no choice. They arrived right before you did. I'm sorry," said Lando, sounding not the least bit sorry.
"I'm sorry too."
Squeezing Leia's hand reassuringly, he stepped forward so the doors could close behind him. He dared to look at Vader, wondering if the Sith lord recognized him. Maybe Vader still believed him to have died on Coruscant when the mission had failed. He could only hope.