Chapter 1: Torture at Cloud City

Setting the Scene - During the Events Of The Empire Strikes Back - Mere minutes after the Bespin Duel between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker

In the year 3 ABY, young Thad Correlius, a mere ten years old, embarks on what is supposed to be an exciting adventure with his parents, Xavier and Yvonne Correlius, to the floating paradise of Cloud City. But as time went on, Xavier and Yvonne noticed something.

The corridors of Cloud City, once bustling with carefree travelers and merchants, had become a landscape of tension and unease. Stormtroopers patrolled every corner, their white armor reflecting the artificial lights. Civilians hurried past, heads down, trying to avoid any confrontation. The sense of growing dread was palpable, a stark contrast to the city's usual lively atmosphere.

Xavier Correlius, a diplomat from Artorias, felt the weight of this change acutely. His eyes darted around, taking in the increased Imperial presence with a mix of concern and urgency. Beside him, Yvonne, his wife and a former communications officer for the Republic, shared his unease. Her keen instincts from her time in the war told her that they needed to leave quickly.

"Alright, family, how about we head out a bit early? I hear there's a festival on Naboo with some amazing treats," Xavier suggested, his tone light but his eyes serious as he met Yvonne's gaze.

"But Dad, we just got here!" Thad protested, his young face filled with disappointment.

Yvonne, with a reassuring smile, gently squeezed Thad's shoulder. "Your father's right, Thad. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones we don't plan. And we can always come back another time."

Thad looked between his parents, sensing something unspoken in their exchange, but he nodded, trusting their judgment.

As they made their way through Cloud City, the number of stormtroopers grew. Security checkpoints were being hastily erected, and officers were stopping civilians for questioning. Xavier and Yvonne exchanged quick, knowing glances, their movements coordinated and calm to avoid drawing attention.

Xavier nodded politely to an officer who glanced their way, offering a brief smile and a few calm words to ease any potential suspicion. "Good evening, officer. Busy night, I see."

Yvonne subtly guided Thad with gentle nudges, whispering reassurances to keep him calm. "Just stay close, Thad. Everything is fine. We're just taking a little detour."

Their progress was steady but tense, the family weaving through the crowded corridors filled with other nervous civilians. Every step brought them closer to their goal: Docking Bay 327.

"Just a bit further, Thad. We're almost there," Yvonne murmured, her voice steady and soothing.

"Stay close, everyone. We need to reach Docking Bay 327 quickly," Xavier added, his voice low and urgent.

As they approached the docking bay, the sense of imminent danger grew. Unbeknownst to them, Darth Vader had already spotted them from a shadowed corner. His dark figure remained unseen, but his eyes were fixed on Xavier and his family.

Encounter with Darth Vader

From a shadowed alcove in the corridors of Cloud City, Darth Vader's gaze fixed upon the Correlius family. They were a picture of everything he had lost, everything that had been ripped away from him.

Xavier Correlius stood tall, his presence exuding a calm strength as he guided his family through the bustling halls. His wife, Yvonne, walked beside him, her eyes filled with trust and unspoken support. Together, they created a shield of unity and love around their young son, Thad. Vader watched the way Xavier placed a reassuring hand on Thad's shoulder, the way Yvonne leaned into her husband's touch, and the way Thad looked up at his parents with unreserved admiration.

Vader's thoughts churned with a tumultuous mix of rage and sorrow. Here was a family that embodied everything he had once desired for himself—a loving, intact, functional, and dignified family. He remembered the days when he and Padmé had dreamed of raising their children together, safe and happy. But those dreams had turned to ash, leaving him with nothing but the hollow shell of Darth Vader.

As he observed the Correlius family, a bitter jealousy twisted within him. He saw in Xavier the husband he had failed to be. Xavier's unwavering support and gentle strength were stark contrasts to the anger and possessiveness that had driven Anakin Skywalker to the dark side. Yvonne's trust and partnership with her husband reminded Vader of Padmé's love—a love he had ultimately betrayed.

But it was Thad who ignited the deepest pangs of envy. The boy's innocent adoration for his father, the way he clung to Xavier's every word, mirrored the relationship Vader had desperately tried to foster with Luke only moments earlier. Luke's rejection still burned fresh in his mind—"I will never join you!"—a declaration that had shattered any hope of reclaiming his son. Yet here was Thad, looking up to his father with unreserved love and trust.

In that moment, Vader's jealousy transcended personal loss. He saw in the Correlius family a representation of everything he had destroyed in his own life. The strength, unity, and love they displayed were a stark reminder of his own failures and the darkness that now consumed him.

"This family… they are everything I could not be," Vader thought, his mechanical breathing the only sound in the empty corridor. "A loving father, a supportive husband, a dignified and intact family. They are what I destroyed in my own life."

His mind flashed back to the anguished face of Padmé, the betrayal in her eyes, and the crushing realization that he had become the very thing he had sworn to destroy. The Correlius family's bond was a mirror of his own failures, a testament to the strength and humanity that he had lost.

In a rare moment of clarity, Vader understood that his jealousy was not just about personal loss. It was a recognition of the strength, unity, and dignity that he had once aspired to. The Correlius family's unwavering bond and mutual respect resonated deeply within him, highlighting the humanity he had forsaken.

"Xavier Correlius!" Vader yelled darkly through his respirator. Xavier looked at Vader, the way his name was called sparking a sense of familiarity. He almost immediately knew who it was. This was the very first time Xavier had seen Anakin as a menacing cyborg.

"My goodness, Anakin! What has become of you?" Xavier said.

Immediately after, Darth Vader's fury manifested in a terrifying display.

The Torture

Ignoring Xavier's shock, Vader seized Thad, lifting him effortlessly with the Force. The boy gasped, struggling to breathe. Vader's grip tightened, and Thad's vision blurred as tears streamed down his face. The Sith Lord began to torment the child, not to extract information, but to vent his own seething frustration and jealousy.

His anger reignited, not just at the Correlius family but at himself for his failures. He strode forward, the need to destroy this reminder of his own inadequacy driving him. But even as he reached out with the Force to seize Thad, a small part of him recognized the strength and love that he had lost and the dignity that the Correlius family represented.

In this moment, Vader's actions are driven by his inability to reconcile his past dreams with his present reality. His jealousy and rage are not only against the Correlius family but also against the reflection of his own lost humanity.

With his heart still reeling from his confrontation with Luke, Vader's anger poured into his actions. He hurled Thad against the wall with a flick of his wrist, pinning him there as he approached, his mechanical breathing growing louder and more menacing.

"You will feel my pain," Vader growled, his voice dripping with malice, directing his rage at Xavier. He tightened his grip on Thad's throat, causing the boy to choke and gasp for air. Thad's small frame shook violently as Vader's dark power invaded his mind and body, causing searing pain.

Thad screamed, a sound filled with pure terror and agony. His parents watched helplessly, their own hearts breaking at the sight of their son being tortured. Vader's eyes, hidden behind his mask, were filled with unrelenting darkness as he continued to torment the boy, using the Force to inflict excruciating pain.

The pain was unbearable, like hot needles piercing his brain. Thad's vision began to blur, his consciousness teetering on the edge. Through the haze of torment, he saw flashes of images—unknown faces, places filled with light and darkness, and a sense of overwhelming power. It was as if the Force itself was revealing its secrets to him, even as he teetered on the brink of oblivion.

Vision of the Force

In the midst of his agony, Thad glimpsed something extraordinary. Through the haze of pain, he saw a vision—a glimpse of the Force revealing secrets and mysteries beyond comprehension. It was a fleeting but profound experience that left an indelible mark on his soul.

As Thad endured the torment, his mind was flooded with disjointed images:

First, he saw himself as an adult, standing amidst a field of fallen warriors. The black armor of an unknown group of fearsome knights lay shattered and scattered around him. The scene filled him with an overwhelming sense of sorrow and guilt, mingled with a profound duty and strength.

Next, the vision shifted to a grand hall filled with beings of all kinds, united in purpose. Thad saw himself older, wiser, and more resolute, standing beside a council of diverse Jedi. Their faces were illuminated by a shared vision of hope and progress. Among them, he noticed a woman of great wisdom and strength presiding over the council.

The vision then revealed young, determined Jedi standing in front of Thad, seeking guidance. Thad's presence exuded authority and compassion.

The final, most poignant part of the vision showed yet another woman, far into Thad's future, young and charismatic, leading a vast assembly of beings across the galaxy. Her voice was powerful and inspiring, calling for the end of slavery and the beginning of true freedom for all sentient beings.

Although Thad was not Force-sensitive, the intense torture awakened a latent connection to the Force.

Vader's Realization

As Thad's vision unfolded, Vader too was drawn into the Force's revelations. His connection to the dark side allowed him to see and understand the vision in its entirety.

Vader's reaction was a mix of shock and awe. He saw the details of the vision clearly, comprehending not only what would happen but also who would be involved. He recognized the future roles and significance of the figures Thad had seen—people who would shape the destiny of the galaxy. The implications of the vision resonated deeply with Vader, touching on his own past and the potential for redemption and change in the galaxy.

"I cannot kill him…This… child… has… a destiny," Vader murmured slowly, almost to himself. He knew the full scope of Thad's potential and the future impact of his lineage. Despite his initial intention to kill, a rare spark of the light side compelled Vader to spare the boy. He understood that Thad's destiny was intertwined with the future of the galaxy in ways that could not be ignored.

The Sith Lord released Thad, allowing him to fall to the ground, gasping for air. Vader's mind raced with the knowledge he had just gained, realizing that Thad's survival was crucial for the future he had glimpsed.

Thad was an ordinary child with no prior Force sensitivity. However, the Force works in mysterious ways, often revealing itself during moments of great crisis. The intense trauma inflicted by Darth Vader acted as a catalyst, triggering a unique symbiotic event within Thad. This event awakened a latent connection to the Force, previously dormant. The Force, in its infinite wisdom, chose this moment to reveal Thad's true potential, using the dark energy of Vader's anger as a paradoxical trigger for Thad's awakening.

Personal Reflections

As Thad lay on the cold floor, gasping for breath, his mind raced with thoughts and fears. Why did this happen to me? What did he see in me? Thad's confusion was overwhelming, but beneath it, a small flame of resilience flickered. He had survived. He would find a way to understand this new power he felt stirring within him, this connection to something far greater than himself.

The Aftermath

As Vader departed, Thad's parents rushed to his side, their relief palpable. They embraced him tightly, grateful for his survival. Yet they couldn't ignore the change in Thad—a newfound sensitivity to the Force that wasn't there before.

"We need to leave," Xavier insisted, urgency in his voice. Yvonne nodded, and they made their way to the nearest ship, joining the hasty evacuation of Cloud City.

The Redemption

Their escape led them to the Redemption, a Rebel medical frigate where Luke Skywalker was receiving treatment for his injuries sustained in his duel with Vader. Leia Organa, an old family friend, rushed to check on them.

Leia's face paled when she heard about Thad's encounter with Vader. Her concern deepened when Yvonne mentioned Thad's strange new ability to, albeit slightly, move small objects with his mind.

"Let me speak to him," Leia requested gently.

Leia's Promise

Leia found Thad sitting quietly, still shaken by his ordeal. She knelt beside him, her voice soft and comforting. "How are you, Thad? I'm so sorry for what happened to you. How do you feel?"

Thad's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm scared," he admitted. "I've been scared before, but not like this."

Leia took his hand. "It's okay, Thad. Everything is going to be fine. What you're feeling is a unique connection to the Force that has awakened within you. My friend Luke will help you understand it better."

Thad looked at Leia, confusion and hope mingling in his eyes. "But… I wasn't born like this. Why me?"

Leia's eyes softened with empathy. "The Force works in mysterious ways, revealing itself when we least expect it. It chose you in this moment of great crisis. What you went through is unimaginable, and I'm so sorry you had to endure it. But you are strong, Thad. You survived, and you have a special destiny."

She paused, seeing the fear and uncertainty in his eyes. "You remind me of the strength I've seen in so many who have faced great trials. You're not alone in this, Thad. I will be here for you. We will face this together."

Thad's eyes brimmed with tears, feeling the warmth and sincerity in Leia's words. "Do you promise?" he asked, his voice trembling with hope.

Leia smiled warmly. "I promise." She hugged him tightly, offering a sense of security and maternal comfort. For Thad, Leia became a figure of strength and compassion, a second mother in his eyes.

A New Path

As they prepared to leave the Redemption, Thad was different—touched by the Force and haunted by his encounter with Vader. The trauma and the newfound sensitivity to the Force would shape his destiny in ways he could not yet understand. The journey ahead was uncertain, but with the guidance of Leia and the promise of training with Luke, Thad began to see a glimmer of hope in the vast expanse of his future.