by Forcechild
“Thank you Uncle Lando, but please hurry. I fear Padmay is in danger.”
*
The Supreme Ruler entered his darkened bedchamber. Lord Vader stood over his captive and silently gazed down at her. He’d kept his wife in a deep sleep ever since leaving Coruscant. There was much that had to be done before he could awaken her. He couldn’t take the chance that he’d be distracted. Now that his plans were put into motion, the man was free to concentrate on less demanding matters.
It had taken all of his will power in order to stay away from his beloved on their journey back to Geonosis. Lord Vader had entered into a deep meditation, but even though concentrating as hard as he could, the Emperor found it nearly impossible to stop thinking of Padme, as well as his ever-increasing need to make love to her. As soon as they landed on Geonosis the Sith Lord practically ran to his medication chamber and locked himself in. Memories of the passion they’d shared taunted him, but after days of self-discipline, he gained control over his emotions, finally subduing them. He’d stayed in isolation until all was in readiness. He reemerged only this morning, fully aware that his cravings would soon be sated.
The Emperor had just sent his children off to retake his Empire. The former Darth Vader had wanted to rule with Padme by his side when Palpatine first seized control of the galaxy, but she’d rejected him. Padme had fallen in love with Obi-Wan Kenobi. His best friend had betrayed him and stolen his wife’s heart. The Sith Lord tried to kill Obi-Wan then, but he’d let his rage consume him. He hadn’t calculated on his former Master’s final stroke that took the rest of his limbs. Kenobi always did scold Anakin for his rashness.
It seemed as if Darth Vader waited a millennium before he got a chance to retaliate for Kenobi’s betrayal. He’d searched for his former Master throughout the galaxy for a number of years, but the man disappeared without a trace. The Sith Lord had just about given up all hope of exacting revenge. Then, seemingly out of the blue, he’d sensed the Jedi Master on board the first Death Star. The adversaries engaged each other in battle as if the years hadn’t elapsed. This time, Darth Vader came out the victor. He’d vanquished his nemesis. Or had he? He’d sliced his lightsaber through Kenobi, but the weapon only passed through his robe, not his body. It was almost as if he’d vanished into thin air. Regardless, Obi-Wan Kenobi was dead. Darth Vader was certain of that.
The Supreme Ruler’s thoughts returned to the present as he looked down at his captive once more. “You’ll pay for your betrayal as well my lovely wife,” he whispered maliciously. “Wake up Padme. Hear me my love. Awaken.”
Young Padmay Solo stirred in the huge bed. She tried to open her eyes, but could not. The girl felt as though she was trying to crawl out of a deep, dark hole. She was reaching for the rim, but couldn’t quite grasp its edge...,
“WAKE UP,” Vader commanded in a loud voice.
Padmay’s eyes suddenly snapped wide open. She was instantly awake. She looked around the room and realized that she wasn’t in her bedchamber. She was disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. When her eyes finally adjusted to the darkness she noticed a tall, hooded figure standing in the shadows. Grabbing the covers she pulled them up to her chin she asked, “Where am I and who are you?”
“Quiet,” the dark figure commanded, and she was.
The Sith Lord grinned knowing he had complete control over his wife for the first time. Padme had always been exceedingly strong willed. Though she’d never really opposed him, Padme never took his advice seriously. If she’d heeded his instructions to wait on Coruscant, instead of following him to Mustafar, she wouldn’t have died.
He finally responded. “Everything shall be revealed in time Padme. Do you thirst? You must be hungry. I’ll bring you a snack. Dinner won’t be served for a while yet. When I return we’ll speak of past experiences. Until then, enjoy your leisure my love.” Lord Vader then turned and walked from the room leaving the young woman more confused than ever.
Padmay wondered what was going on. Where was she? How did she get here? How did this person know her name? Who was he, and why was she here? A dozen different questions popped into her head as she puzzled over her strange predicament.
The room spun as Padmay pushed herself into a sitting position. She tried to put her legs to the floor, but couldn’t move them. There was something restraining her ankles to the bed. She threw back the covers and discovered that she was chained to the bedposts. The girl tried to control her fear as panic took hold. “NO! Why am I chained? This cannot be happening! Someone help me. Please,” she yelled, but nobody came to her rescue. Padmay closed her eyes and concentrated. Using the Force she screamed out Ben’s name telepathically.
The Sith Lord stood just outside the door and smiled broadly. He could hear his wife’s repeated attempts to contact her brother telepathically. He couldn’t help but laugh knowing her effort was in vain. He was filled with a deep satisfaction. Retribution was certainly sweet. “Yes my love. Scream all you want,” he spoke under his breath. “It shall do you no good. Your cries to Ben won’t be heard. No one shall come to your aid.” Lord Vader could feel the young girl shiver in fear. Turning, he walked away from the bedchamber. Evil laughter filled the hallways as he slowly descended the staircase.
*
Lando, Ben and Steffen Antilles were on board a shuttle headed to the Solaris. He’d called in quite a few favors to get the charges against Ben dropped. As soon as the young man was released, the trio searched for his sister without results. Lando was quite concerned about Padmay’s whereabouts and safety. They’d scoured the city to no avail, even going to the seamier parts of Coruscant. It was quite apparent that Padmay had been abducted, but by who and why? There was no ransom call made. Though she had insulted quite a few members of the senate, Padmay didn’t have any real enemies. She was well liked and respected by her peers. Lando couldn’t understand her disappearance at all. When Ben stated that Padmay was no longer on the planet, Lando went to his superiors and asked if he could search for her off world.
*
Captain Alec Brant paced back and forth on the deck of the Solaris as the shuttle touched down in the landing bay. He’d received a transmission from headquarters informing him to cancel all leaves and to prepare for immediate departure as soon as Admiral Calrissian arrived. He hadn’t a clue why the Solaris had been ordered on an unscheduled mission.
The hatch slid open and Admiral Calrissian disembarked with Ben and Steffen exiting behind him. Brant was more than surprised that the young recruits accompanied someone of such high rank. Lando saluted the captain asking for permission to come aboard. The captain returned his salute and gave permission. The formalities over, Brant asked his superior why the mission was ordered. Lando told him that he’d explain everything in his quarters.
*
The young officer tried to get Captain Nelan’s attention on board the Quasar.
“Excuse me sir.”
The captain ignored him.
“Sir?”
Captain Nelan was talking with the navigator. The crew was aware that their captain hated being interrupted.
“SIR!” the helmsman finally shouted ignoring the fact that he’d be scolded. He had to steal Nelan’s attention from the navigator!
The captain finally turned around. He was about to reprimand the young man when something caught his attention out the viewport. The elder could not believe his eyes.
Nelan hadn’t seen a Death Star since he’d been a member of the Resistance. He’d volunteered to join the group of Rebel soldiers that went to Endor led by General Han Solo and Princess Leia. They were sent to the planet to destroy the control center stationed there. The facility transmitted a continuous signal to the second Death Star. The signal regulated the battlestation’s deflector shield. Disruption of the signal enabled the Rebel Alliance to fire on the enormous space station and ultimately led to its destruction.
Now Nelan bore witness to a third Death Star. It couldn’t be possible, the man
thought. Yet there it was, as big and bright as a moon. “All hands to battle stations,” the captain suddenly shouted as a shiver of fear raced down his back.
The alarm had barely gone off when the first hit came. There was no need for a second shot. There wasn’t a target left. The Quasar had vaporized into space.
Chapter Fourteen
- Imbalance -
A vast number of Jedi were camped at the Temple now; the feeling of unease growing stronger with each passing day. Tremendous ripples were building up pressure like a violent storm gathering strength before it released destructive winds. The Jedi were waiting for the Chosen One to return. They’d all sensed the deaths of those on the Quasar.
When Anakin left the Temple he knew he’d have to find the midi-chlorians. They held the answers he was seeking. The midi-chlorians were the Force. They were a part of every form of life that existed in the universe. They were the universe. These entities were immortal, symbiotic organisms that coexisted inside every animal, tree, blade of grass, as well as in every human being. This symbiosis was an extremely important part of the Jedi’s existence. They’d learned how to listen to these intelligent organisms and eventually gained the power of the Force through them. This allowed the Jedi to perform supernatural acts which they used to help maintain peace throughout the galaxy.
Qui-Gon told Anakin about these entities when he was just a boy. The Jedi Master had said that once Anakin learned to listen, the midi-chlorians would speak to him, and they had. That was when Anakin gained true knowledge of the Force and how to use his ability accordingly.
The Chosen One wasn’t sure where to look for these microscopic forms of life, but he’d sensed them calling to him while deep in meditation. He headed easterly, and walked for hours. The sun was soon to rise when he reached a misted area next to a stream. He sat on a boulder to rest while awaiting daybreak, and went into a meditative state.
The midi-chlorians never allowed a human being to see their true form, but they now joined into clusters large enough to be seen with the naked eye. Anakin opened his eyes when he
felt their presence. Luminescent specks floated over to him and encircled his body. When these orbs of light landed on him, they caressed Anakin with a maternal embrace. A tingling sensation spread through him. As it did, a warm, wondrous, calming peace enveloped his soul. The midi-chlorians then spoke to him.
There had always been a Light Side and Dark Side to the Force. Each individual was given free will which side they chose to follow. The midi-chlorians did not interfere in one’s chosen path.
Darth Sidious had chosen the Dark Side of the Force. Treachery is the way of the Sith and Palpatine used all of his cunning to turn Anakin when he’d told him the tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise. He’d explained that the old Sith Lord learned how to cheat death and influenced the midi-chlorians into creating life. Anakin thought that if he attained this knowledge he’d be able to save Padme. Of course, he failed to save her and suffered the consequences of that failure for the rest of his life.
Palpatine also told Anakin that Plagueis’ apprentice learned all he could about the powers of the Dark Side from his Master. Once the student absorbed all he could from Plagueis, he’d killed the old man and took his place. Anakin hadn’t realized that Sidious was Plagueis’ apprentice until Palpatine confessed the fact. He’d never told Anakin that he, Darth Sidious, was the life the midi-chlorians created for Darth Plagueis.
Ages elapsed before the scales were tipped in favor of the Sith. Once the midi-chlorians realized balance had been disrupted, they had to intervene in order to stop the Sith before they controlled this delicate equilibrium. They created another being to counter the imbalance. Anakin was the life they created.
The midi-chlorians knew the only way they could completely restore balance was to use the Sith’s own dark forces against them. For that reason, they’d reinforced all of Anakin’s human frailties giving him a strong desire for knowledge, as well as an unquenchable thirst for power. They made certain that Anakin craved what he could never obtain from the Jedi. They needed the young man to be irresistibly tempted by the Dark Side in order to seek its full powers. This was the only way they knew of combating the evil that would continue to grow until the Sith finally destroyed the Light. Anakin Skywalker was created for this purpose alone. The Chosen One was the only human endowed with enough power to confront the evil being the midi-chlorians created.
*
Padmay screamed until her throat was completely raw. She’d tried to free herself from the chains, but try as she might, the girl could not release them. She’d tried to use the Force to break the chains, but something was preventing her from using her powers. She didn’t know how long she’d struggled uselessly, but it seemed forever. It was hopeless. She hadn’t been able to free herself and no one had come to her aid.
After quite some time the door to the chamber creaked open. The hooded figure walked in, but remained hidden in the shadows. Lord Vader spoke to his beloved wife in a soft tone. “Hello Padme.”
“Who are you? How do you know my name? Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?” she demanded.
“Full of questions, aren’t you my dear? It’s to be expected I suppose. You don’t recognize my voice, do you? It was so long ago that you heard me speak. You once loved me whispering in your ear pledging my everlasting devotion.”
“I’ve no idea what you are talking about. I don’t know you. I’ve never seen you before in my life.”
“Forgotten me so soon? Maybe you’ll recall I once did this for you.” Lord Vader waved his hand towards the door. A small tray floated into the room. It moved over to a stool beside the bed and settled down on its surface. A piece of fruit rose into the air. A knife rose up to it, cutting it in half, then returned to the tray. One half of the fruit hovered in the air, while the other half floated over to Padmay. “Remember Padme? I did this for you on Naboo. I told you that Obi-Wan would scold me for using my powers to perform such meager tricks.”
“Obi-Wan? Naboo? I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never been to Naboo, and I never knew Obi-Wan Kenobi. He died long before I was born.”
Both pieces of fruit slammed to the floor. “I didn’t mention Obi-Wan’s last name.” Vader spat out angrily, “If you never knew him, how did you know his surname?” The Sith Lord’s tone softened again, “I don’t know why you ask who I am my love. Is it because you’re still angry with me?”
“How can I be angry at you if we’ve never met? For your information, the only reason I know Obi-Wan’s last name is because my mother and Uncle Luke told me about him.”
“Ah yes. Our children. Luke and Leia. But let’s not discuss them right now. I’d rather you concentrate on remembering me. Think my love. It will all come back to you.”
“Our children?” Padmay had no clue to who this man was, or who he thought he was. She was hoping that if she played along she’d find out. “Come into the light so I can see your face. Maybe then I’ll remember you.”
Vader laughed contemptuously “You can’t fool me by attempting to humor me. You do know me and you will remember me. I guarantee it.”
“I swear on my honor that I don’t know who you are.” Padmay could sense a tremendous rage building up inside her captor.
Lord Vader stood frozen as his temper flared to its peak. Padme was rejecting him again. He wouldn’t let her abandon him this time. He suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, “DON’T LIE TO ME PADME! I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT! I WILL NOT LET YOU FORSAKE ME AGAIN! YOU PLEDGED TO OBEY ME WHEN YOU MARRIED ME!”
Padmay felt as if her head would split apart, he’d screamed so loud. “Are you out of your mind? I am not your wife!” she retorted angrily.
“Our love for each other is so strong that you’ve been returned to me. Can’t you sense it? Use your feelings Padme. You must remember me. You have to,” he pleaded
“You must be insane! I don’t know you. I don�
��t understand what you want from me.”
“YOU PADME! I WANT YOU!” Vader screamed in frustration before storming from the room.
Padmay started to weep. She was extremely frightened. Who was this crazy man? Why was he doing this to her? Why did he insist that she was his wife? “Oh Ben. Where the hell are you? Why can’t you hear me?” Padmay fell back on the bed sobbed into the pillow.
*
The Solaris left orbit within the hour. Lando and Ben were in Captain Brant’s quarters. Lando had just explained their mission when he asked, “Where do you think we should start the search Ben?”
“I don’t know Uncle Lando. I can’t sense Padmay’s presence at all.”
Brant asked, “What do you mean, sense her?”
Ben told his superior that he and Padmay could sense each other’s presence through the Force. He told Brant that he’d been trained in the Jedi Arts.
“You’re a Jedi Knight? I thought they were just a myth.”
“The Jedi were real sir. Luke Skywalker was the last of the Jedi. He was tutoring me when he died, but I never finished training. All I can really do is use the Force to sense things. It helped me when I confronted the TIE’s.”
“I don’t know what you mean by some kind of force, but I knew there was something special about you. Anyone who can learn to fly combat that well in such a short period of time has got to have some kind of gift.”
“I guess you could say it’s inherited.”
“Inherited?”
Ben sat silently. He didn’t want to reveal anything about his heritage, but decided Brant should know the truth; at least a part of it. He finally replied, “Luke Skywalker was my uncle. My grandfather was Anakin Skywalker. He was also a Jedi Knight. Anakin fought in the Clone Wars against the Separatists and the Sith.”
“I’ve never heard of the Sith, but I have heard about Anakin Skywalker. Raymus Antilles told quite a few tales about him. I thought the old man was exaggerating, of course.”
