Chapter 9: Your father is alive
When they arrived at the base Luke was greeted with hugs and applause for the victory they had against the empire on Naboo.
"Your last name is Skywalker?" Engel asked Luke.
"That's Engel. Why do you ask?"
"Why do I have to talk to you now, this interests you… it's very important," Engel said.
But at that moment Leia arrived looking for Luke.
"Luke, it's good that you arrived, there were some problems with the supply shipments, the ships have not returned... Han and Chewie were with them and I fear the worst... I'm going with a search team, they shouldn't be far away."
"I'll accompany you Leia." Luke said.
"I'm also accompanying them, I want to see how I can help," said Engel.
Aboard the Millennium Falcon, Leia approaches Engel, thanking him for bringing the information they needed to the alliance.
"Sir, I just wanted to thank you for giving us the information that our spy collected from the empire," Leia said gratefully.
"You don't have to thank me for anything princess, and my name is Engel."
"Why did you decide to join the Engel rebellion?" Leia asked him curiously.
"No… I'm not a rebel." Engel said a little nervously.
"It's a shame, the rebellion needs people like you…" Leia said. "Forgive my boldness, Mr. Engel, but… Who are you? Where does it come from?
Engel at first remained silent, he hesitated to respond but in the end. "I come from a distant world, it is not in the territories of the empire, it is a world that is located in the regions of Yavin 4."
"Has family?" Leia asked him intrigued.
"My parents died when I turned 65, my world fell apart when they died… they were the only thing I had" Engel said, trying not to shed his tears.
"I understand how you feel… My adoptive parents also died on Alderaan when the Empire used the D"My condolences… that sounds horrible, just like you, I'm adopted too, my parents abandoned me to a slave trader." Engel said sadly.
"I'm sorry…" Leia said trying to comfort him.
"I felt very alone, everyone saw me laughing but my Twi'lek friend Mrs. Chana saw me crying. But I met someone who illuminated my loneliness, but he confused me with someone else… Over time this affection I felt for him became stronger, I loved him like my own son… but he hurt my feelings."
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Engel…" Leia said in a sympathetic tone.
"Leia, we are already arriving, the location that Han sent us is still there…" Luke said, indicating the place.
"I hope we are not too late…" Leia said worriedly.
When they arrived at the place, Luke, Leia and Engel began to explore the thick jungle that was there.
"The signal ends here." Luke said looking around.
"That doesn't make sense, according to the tracker we are right below…" Leia said curiously.
The situation was strange, but suddenly several vines trapped them, Leia managed to see Han and Chewie trapped like them in the vines.
"We meet again, boy," said Han, trying to free himself from the vines.
"We're here to rescue you," Luke responded.
"Good job," Han said sarcastically.
"We have more serious problems, this is a carnivorous plant," said Leia worried.
Engel was trying to free himself from the restraints, but then he remembered what he did on Naboo… use the force, if he could use it again, Engel thought.
Engel emptied his mind of all thoughts, relaxing... he let his mind clear, he could feel many things around him, his mind extended to every living being in the place. I feel it... Is this the force? Engel thought as he saw the vines that tied them all, he extended his hand and focusing all his attention on them, he used force to move the vines. Luke seeing this helped Engel, as did using the force to move the vines. Engel focused more on the vines.
Leia, Han and Chewie watched Engel free them from their bonds, Luke using the force also managed to free himself eath Star to destroy my home…"
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"Engel… do you feel much better?" Luke asked.
"Yeah…thanks Luke." Thanked Engel for his concern.
"Engel… right? Thank you very much for saving our lives there, without you we would have been dead." Han said with a charismatic smile.
Chewie roared in a friendly manner at Engel in gratitude, Leia also thanked him for the gesture she had with all of them.
"Now Han, you can explain to us how you ended up in the jaws of a carnivorous plant." Leia asked.
"Long story, when we found the supply shipments… we sent our location. About 5 minutes before you guys arrived, everything happened."
"Engel, will you stay with us? With the rebellion?" Leia asked.
"I think I'll think about it, because I haven't decided yet." Engel said sounding unsure.
"It would be a shame if you won't stay with us, because Chewie likes you." Han said.
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When they arrived at the rebel base, Engel needed to talk to Luke… ask him if he had family.
But when night came, Engel wanted to do something very special for all the rebels. For the alliance's recent victory against the empire on Naboo.
In his town they had these celebration traditions, all kinds of food and ancestral music to dance to.
Luke decided to introduce Engel to everyone present and the rebels thanked Engel for the good food and happy atmosphere. He also got to receive a hug from Chewie for the good food he prepared for him.
"We thank you Engel, we have not seen these smiles in many years. It is the happiest moment of their lives… thank you." Leia said happily.
"That was nothing princess, was just trying to help…"
"And you did it, I would like you to stay…" Luke said next to Engel.
Engel thought about it and remembered Anakin maybe he could… Maybe Luke was a relative of his, he needs to talk to Luke right now.
"Yes… I will stay for a few days, but then I will return" Engel said with a soft smile.
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"Luke… I wanted to talk to you, we have a pending conversation," Engel said seriously.
"What is it about?" Luke asked intrigued.
"This question is very personal but I would like to ask you: Who was or are your family?" Engel asked.
"Well, we just met a few days ago, but you saved my life twice, you told us about your past… so it would be fair to tell you mine." Luke said with a smirk. "Before joining the rebel alliance, I was a farmer on Tatooine, living with my uncle Owen and my aunt Beru, that was before the empire destroyed my home. That's when I met Ben or as Leia called him Obi-wan."
Engel was surprised because he had already heard that name before, in Anakin's words.
"When I found Ben, he told me that my father was actually a Jedi, and that he fought in the Clone Wars… that he was a good man and a great friend. But another apprentice of his… Vader killed my father" Luke said sadly. "His name was Anakin Skywalker."
"Luke… that's not true… your father is alive." Engel said gently.
"What did you say? How is that possible!?" Luke asked confused.
"I'm not lying, I knew him… your father is alive." Engel said.
"It's weird, but I feel like you're telling me the truth… so my dad is alive?" Luke said excitedly.
"He is alive… I know your father." Engel said.
"Please tell me about him, I want you to tell me everything from the beginning," Luke said, listening carefully to Engel's words.
Engel told Luke all the events that occurred. That Anakin had met him and mistaken him for someone else. "Anakin had amnesia, he didn't remember anything about his past, he trusted me to help him remember his past. Anakin had the habit of confusing me with someone else, he never knew why... later we became very good friends and I came to love him like a son. Then the two of us together traveled to Tatooine, Naboo and finally to Coruscant. That's where we separated, I asked him to come with me, but he disregarded my affection and left my side…" said Engel, wiping away a few tears that he had in his eyes.
"What I don't understand is why Ben lied to me… Why didn't he tell me that my father was alive?" Luke wondered, feeling frustrated.
"He should tell you that himself… don't you think?"
"You're right Engel," Luke agreed.
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A few days later Engel had settled in the rebel base along with the others, always helping where he could.
"Engel, it's good that I found you… Ben wants to talk to you." Luke said excitedly.
"Of course…". Engel said with a smile.
When Luke contacted Obi-wan again, he appeared as a force ghost, Engel couldn't believe it... he had never seen anything similar in his life.
"I'll leave you alone," Luke said, leaving.
Obi-wan opened his eyes, and saw Engel... he was speechless, stunned and surprised, he couldn't believe it... but if he was identical to... it can't be... but if you are identical to Chancellor Palpatine... It even seems like I'm seeing it. Obi-wan thought with his mouth open with the shock of seeing Engel.
"So you are Obi-wan, we finally meet. I am Engel, very much taste." Engel said with a charismatic smile.
Obi-wan was still shocked, he couldn't find the right words... this is all so strange and strange.
"But why are you looking at me like that? Hello, nice to meet you" Engel let out a happy laugh at Obi-wan's strange attitude.
"Hello… hello, Luke had already told me a lot about you. But when I saw you, I can't explain it, everything he told me about you exceeded my expectations, you are unique Engel… you are unique."
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"So I'm the redneck?" Engel asked with a smile.
"You're the redneck, that was a nickname I gave you when Luke was talking to me about you. It doesn't bother you, does it?" Obi-wan asked with a smile.
"Not calm... Anakin also told me about you, he told me that you two were very good friends, almost like brothers." Engel said.
"Yes… Anakin was a great person, and a good friend… I loved him like a brother. Luke also told me the story between you and Anakin. About how they met, and he even told me that Anakin confused you with someone else." Obi-wan admitted.
"Ah… yes, at that time, he was sure that I was the special person he saw in his dreams, his father figure… but you're right, Anakin was wrong and as you say he confused me with someone else. With a man who, although he didn't remember, still loves him. And I made the mistake of wanting to become him. Even though deep in my soul I knew that I was not the person he loved like his father." Engel said holding her tears in his eyes. "And now Anakin is back with him, with Chancellor Palpatine... I'm sure he must have forgotten about me by now."
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"Obi-wan, you must tell Luke the truth... I know who Anakin Skywalker is."
"I'll tell him when the time is right, but now he already knows that his father is still alive, but he can't imagine who his father is."
"Obi-wan, the right moment does not exist, you have to tell him the truth sooner or later, I have not told him anything… because I am not the person who has to tell Luke that Anakin is Vader, but you. "It's better that he found out from you than from someone else." Engel recommended.
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Days later it was time to review the empire's compiled archives.
"Princess Leia, the Empire's archives reveal star destroyers capable of destroying entire planets and a map that leads us to them." CP03 reported. "The bad news is that the plans and map are incomplete."
"The empire should have taken its precautions, after the destruction of the death star." Luke said.
"The Emperor must have the complete plans in his office and infiltrate the imperial palace on Coruscant... it's not going to be easy." Leia said.
"I know the imperial palace, I was there once." Engel said giving hope to everyone. "We will find a way in, don't lose hope."
After the meeting, everyone returned to their tasks, and Engel retired to his rooms, but on the way he met a woman, who seemed to see him, upset, angry? But... about what?
"What is this your majesty!? Another one of his nonsense! How did you know about our base!? Answer me, Emperor Palpatine!" Mon Mothma said furiously.
"No… miss you are wrong, I am not Emperor Palpatine. My name is Engel." Engel said confused.
"You… you are Engel… The person Leia told me about?" Mon Mothma said in disbelief at what she had just heard.
"Yes, it's me…".
"But it's not possible, not you… Engel, you!" Mon Mothma said with a confused and scared expression.
"But I don't understand why you repeat my name so much. What's wrong with you?" Engel asked confused.
"I just thought anything could happen to me in life." Less come face to face with Emperor Palpatine's double. Mothma thought in horror and fright.
Engel was about to leave, but Mothma grabs his arm.
"No no! You're not going anywhere! Come here! No… we have a lot to talk about." Mothma said as he held Engel's arm. "Don't worry... you don't have to be afraid of me, but I need you to tell me everything, from the beginning."
"But I do not know? How do you want me to tell you…? If I just met her, I don't understand what she's talking to me about… I don't understand anything…" Engel said confused.
At that moment alarms sound throughout the base, reporting that the empire's ships have found them.
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"General Pryde, most of the rebels managed to escape during the attack but a few prisoners are on board in the holding cells."
"First I want to interrogate them, before executing them, soldier." General Pryde reported.
General Pryde approached the holding cells in the company of other stormtroopers.
"General, these are all the rebel prisoners we managed to capture… General…?"
But at that moment Pryde, seeing Engel's face, opened his eyes and lips in surprise... It can't be, what does this mean? It's just like... Pryde thought, trying to recover from the surprise he got when he saw Engel.
"It feels good?".
"Yes... I'm fine, contact the Emperor immediately, all the prisoners... execute them except for the oldest, he must be in an individual cell... take good care of him." Pryde ordered the soldiers.
When General Pryde arrived at his office he asked Grand Vizier Mas Amedda via hologram for a meeting with the Emperor.
"General, right now the Emperor is busy and has a very tight schedule" Mas Amedda reported but when he sees the general's face he decides to ask "Are you okay? He looks like he has seen a ghost…"
"Don't tell me to calm down Amedda! You didn't see what I saw! I need to speak to Emperor Palpatine right now," Pryde ordered in distress.
"Right now I will put you in contact with his majesty," said Más Amedda with a confused look.
After a few moments the hologram of the Emperor appeared in General Pryde's office.
"What's wrong General Pryde?" Palpatine asked from under his hood.
''Your Majesty, a matter arose that requires his immediate presence and not through holographic means…"
"This matter must be very important to make me leave Coruscant, General Pryde…" Palpatine said in a neutral voice.
"The matter is complicated… and it is better that you deal with it in person."
"I'm on my way now, General, I'll be there shortly," Palpatine reported, cutting off the holographic communication.