by Forcechild
Ben didn’t have to think twice. He knew his sister would gladly sacrifice her life in order to save others. “We have to proceed to Coruscant.”
“Is that your decision?”
Ben hesitated. Did he really want to sacrifice Padmay in order to save others? He knew it was the right thing to do, but was it really what he wanted? Did he have the right to decide anyone’s fate? He finally replied, “Yes sir. I know beyond any doubt that Padmay would want me to do this.” The young man was heartbroken. He knew going to Coruscant meant that he might never see his twin alive again.
“Are you sure Ben? You’re risking your sister’s life. She’s in great danger.”
“I know that grandfather, but I believe Padmay would want me to do everything in my power to prevent the slaughter of innocent lives.”
“Even though she is in great peril? You must be absolutely certain Ben. There can be no turning back once the course is set.”
“I realize that, but what else can I do? I know I panicked before, but should I sacrifice an entire planet and who knows how many more systems just to save one life? I don’t want to be responsible for so many deaths. I don’t have a choice. We have to go to Coruscant.”
“I am so very proud of you Ben. You’re selfless, a true Jedi at heart. We can only hope that your sister is just as strong. At the appropriate time I’ll return. Until then, have faith in us son.”
“I’ll try grandfather. I’ll try,” Ben responded.
*
“Ben! Can you hear me?” Lando was beside himself. Ben was in some kind of a trance, speaking into thin air just like Luke used to do. Who in the hell was he talking to? “Ben!” Lando shouted once again.
Lando’s voice started to penetrate the fog that surrounded Ben as he slowly came out of his dazed state. His eyes focused on his surroundings. He wasn’t on the bridge anymore. He was lying on a cot in the infirmary. Lando was standing above him with concern etched deeply on his face. “I’m alright Uncle Lando,” Ben said as he rose to a sitting position.
“Are you sure you’re okay kid? You had me scared half to death. I didn’t think you were ever gonna come out of that trance.”
“I’m fine now.”
“Don’t ever do that to me again! You must have taken ten years off my life.”
“I’m sorry Uncle Lando. I didn’t freely enter into that state, but I’m glad I did. I know exactly what to we have do now. We have to go to Coruscant and stop the Death Star, but after that, we have to go to Geonosis. That’s where Padmay is being held captive. That’s where our true enemy is waiting for us.”
*
Vader’s rage was out of control. The Jedi were keeping his grandson from him. He’d almost had him. He’d felt the boy’s panic as Ben heard his sister’s cries of terror. His fear for her overruled his thoughts of warning Coruscant. Then Ben’s mind suddenly slipped from the Sith Lord’s grasp. He’d been blocked by the Jedi. Vader tried in vain to recapture the lad’s mind, but it was useless.
“I’ve had enough of their interference!” he exclaimed to himself. “The Jedi will pay dearly for disrupting my plans.”
The Sith Lord swore that he’d find a way into the Netherworld and destroy all of the Jedi, including everyone they cared about. He looked up the staircase. Yes. He would make Ben pay most of all. Vader’s own son had rejected him years ago. Now he’d lost his grandson as well. The one Ben loved most of all would suffer for his resistance. Vader stormed up the steps to his chambers once more.
The chamber door burst open sending splinters of wood flying through the air. Padmay whimpered when the Supreme Ruler entered the room. “Please. Not again. I can’t endure it. I’ll do or say anything you want. I’m begging you. Please don’t hurt me again,” the terrified girl pleaded.
“Anything?”
“Yes. Anything,” Padmay replied in fear.
“Would you finally admit that you’re my wife?” Vader asked softly, hoping she’d finally accept the truth.
“But I’m not your wife,” Padmay squeaked out, even though she knew exactly who this man was the instant he grabbed her jaw. She couldn’t explain it. He was only a few years older than her. Regardless, Padmay knew this man was her grandfather. It had to be some kind of terrible mistake, of course. The whole concept was absolutely bizarre. There was no way he could be Anakin Skywalker.
Padmay knew she was related to this stranger by blood. She could sense the strong connection between them, but didn’t understand why he looked exactly like her grandfather. Maybe Anakin had impregnated a woman while away on a mission during the Clone War, she mused. Surely he’d been terribly lonely and sought comfort in someone arms, but Luke swore that Anakin stayed true to Padme. He’d told her that Anakin only had one love in his life. That love had been Padme Amidala. Luke claimed they’d both been pure of body when wed, that he and Leia were their only children. Padmay assumed that Anakin must’ve had another child after he turned to the Dark Side. That had to be the explanation. This man had to be Darth Vader’s son.
Padmay knew deep in her heart that she was lying to herself. She knew who this man really was. She felt it to the very depths of her soul. He was Anakin Skywalker. No, not Anakin. This man was born from Anakin’s dark side. He was Darth Vader reborn. Yet, there was more than just the presence of Darth Vader that dwelled within this being. Anakin Skywalker still had good inside his soul when he died. It’s what enabled him to kill Darth Sidious. The life force who stood before Padmay now hadn’t an ounce of good inside him. He couldn’t have. Not after what he’d done. This man’s essence was pure evil.
None of this explained why he claimed to be her husband, of course. Did he actually believe she was Padme Amidala brought back to life? He must believe it. Why else would he try so hard to convince her of it? Padmay knew she resembled Padme Amidala a great deal. She’d been told this fact as a child. Her mother had shown her holo-portraits of her grandmother. She had been a beautiful woman. Padmay used to pray she’d grow up to be half as lovely someday, but now she wished she didn’t look like her grandmother at all.
This man had to be completely insane, of course. The situation was sad in a sick, twisted way. Anakin must’ve loved Padme very much in order to have been hurt so deeply. Padmay pitied this poor, lost soul.
“How dare you pity me!” the Emperor yelled in anger.
Padmay cringed at his wrath as her captor went off on a tirade, pacing back and forth in a fury.
“You have no idea how much I want revenge for all that was done to me,” the man screamed at the top of his lungs. “You couldn’t possibly understand the suffering I endured because you’d turned against me. Have you ever burned yourself my love? Can you imagine having your entire body consumed by flames? Fused skin and clothing had to be peeled away from me after being incinerated on Mustafar. Under that charred and blistered surface my body was an open sore. When the med-droids treated my wounds they had to scrape down to raw flesh in order to keep infection from setting in. The pain I suffered when I was first placed in that horrid suit was excruciating. The slightest movement shredded my open wounds. When my body started to heal my wounds itched beyond belief. Being trapped in that suit I couldn’t relieve the discomfort it caused. Can you envision not being able to do something as simple as scratch an itch? It drove me absolutely mad.”
“Can you imagine what it was like being left almost completely blind? The mask I had to wear had special lenses built into it. I was never able to see anyone through my own eyes again. Can you imagine your ears melted to mere stubs being left almost completely deaf. Do you know what it’s like having your hair burned entirely from your scalp? Can you imagine being injured so badly you’d lost almost every inch of flesh on your body? I was left horribly scarred Padme.”
“You could never comprehend what it was like never being able to take another breath without a device to control each and every gasp of oxygen pulled into your lungs. Nor can you imagine having your vocal cords seare
d, nor your lips and tongue burned so badly you couldn’t speak coherently without a device that enunciated every word spoken with a strange voice not my own. I wasn’t even able to eat like a normal human anymore. Tubes were implanted in my stomach in order to sustain me. Need I mention what kind of dreadful device was installed to relieve myself before being able to use a fresher on my own? I was mortified having droids cleanse the filthy apparatus. It was like being a helpless newborn having my diapers changed.”
“You couldn’t possibly perceive the pain that I endured learning how to walk again after Kenobi took my legs. Each step I took caused such intense pain it’s beyond all description. Just trying to keep my balance with the inferior parts those incompetent surgical-droids affixed was unbearable. It took months before I could walk with any semblance of a human being again; instead of the unsteady, mechanical lurching I demonstrated when I took my first steps.”
“Even after I built my hermetically sealed chamber aboard the Executor where I could escape from that claustrophobic suit briefly, the total isolation I felt was beyond all limits of endurance. When the few humans I allowed to look at my mutilated form turned away from me in absolute disgust, I wanted to end my existence, but dared not because I served the Emperor. Can you imagine being so disfigured that no one could look at you without cringing? I can still see the shock of all those who gazed upon me. I was a handsome man once, as I am again. I was never prideful of my appearance Padme, but once your features are taken and you’re left horribly marred, one tends to appreciate a familiar reflection. I dared not look at myself. I can still see the horror and revulsion in the eyes of those who looked upon my face. It haunts me to this day.”
“Can you conceive what it was like never being able to touch or feel anything or anyone ever again with your own flesh? Can you imagine never being able to make love again?” the Sith Lord asked with malice in his voice. “Being imprisoned inside that suit was like being cast into the far reaches of space where no man has gone. I was completely cut off from humanity. I felt so alone and extraordinarily vulnerable, but I learned how to cope. I had no choice. I overcame my misery and became one with the pain. I devoured my torment before it devoured me. I used it to my advantage. I embraced the Dark Side with every ounce of my soul. That was the only thing that saved me. That, and my need for revenge.”
“No Padme. You could never understand the absolute nightmare I’ve lived through day after day. You’ve no conception of what it was like having to endure the physical pain, let alone the heartbreak, as well as the mental anguish I suffered because of your betrayal. I was forsaken not only by you, but by the Jedi Council, as well as my so-called friend Kenobi. I’d lost faith in everyone. Everyone except for Palpatine. Yet, I couldn’t even trust him. You don’t know how many times he turned Force lightning on me in order to teach me a valuable lesson. And learn it I did. Darth Sidious made me suffer horribly under his tutelage.”
“The Sith Lord promised me that we’d learn the secret to cheat death. That’s the reason I turned to the Dark Side; in order to save you. Little did I know at the time that Sidious would never return you to me. He could’ve restored your life force to me anytime he’d wished, but he always had a reason to postpone it. While my Master procrastinated, he never let me forget that I was responsible for your death. Not one day went by that he didn’t bring the subject up. How I hated him for that. I ran from his torture the only way I could. I sought the Jedi in order to exterminate them all. Exacting my revenge against them was never enough to ease the unrelenting guilt I carried within my soul. Others suffered because I couldn’t rid myself of the memory your death. After I killed them, I went after the rebels taking my wrath out on them. Darth Sidious finally paid as well. He suffered for all the anguish I endured at his hands, both physical and mental.”
“So you see my darling. I’ve learned how not to trust. I’ve learned all about treachery through Darth Sidious, and from you as well. I placed all my faith in hatred. But now my dear, you’ll know just how much I suffered. You’re going to pay dearly for betraying me.”
Padmay hadn’t expected such an uncontrolled outburst. This man was blaming her for all the suffering he’d experienced in his past life. Couldn’t he understand that she was not Padme Amidala? She wasn’t the one who’d rejected him all those years ago. She hadn’t betrayed him! The young woman knew deep in her heart that this hateful being would never show mercy. “How much more torment can I take?” she mewed.
Vader stormed back to the bed and grabbed Padmay by her shoulders. Squeezing her tightly, he leaned in close and stated maliciously “You’ll be surprised how much pain your body can endure.” His tone then changed abruptly. He spoke so softly Padmay could barely hear the man as he pleaded, “If you give yourself to me willingly I swear I won’t make you suffer as I did. I implore you Padme. Admit that you are my wife. Please tell me that you’re my angel.”
*
The Death Star continued through the systems on their deadly voyage towards the core of the galaxy. Coruscant was their most important target. It was the center of democracy. The Grand Moff had been assured by Emperor Vader that once Coruscant fell, the rest of the galaxy would surrender without much of a fight. Any planet that did resist was to be annihilated.
The only planets he’d been given strict orders not to destroy were Tatooine and Naboo. The Supreme Ruler wanted the pleasure of destroying Tatooine by his own hand. Naboo was a different matter entirely. He was not to destroy Naboo under any circumstances. Vader’s children were ordered to control the minds of the population and destroy all who opposed them, but to leave the planet intact. When the galaxy was under the Emperor’s complete control, he planned to make Naboo the center of his new Empire.
*
The Grand Moff was in his cabin. It had become his sanctuary. While secluded, he could consider the situation without the children reading his mind. After they’d threatened him on the bridge, Lucian had to continually remind himself to keep his mind on the mission alone. Safe in his quarters, the man could analyze all the facts. He wondered what had gone wrong when they attacked the cruiser. Were Lord Vader’s children fallible? They’d told him they’d been blocked. Blocked by who or what? If they were endowed with all of Vader’s abilities, how could anything prevent them from using their powers?
Was Lord Vader aware of their failure? He’d told his children that he wouldn’t be on board the Death Star physically, but would be with them through the Force. Could his powers reach this far? Could his Grand Army be defeated by the rebels? Was the new Supreme Ruler fallible? Emperor Palpatine had been certain of his control over the Empire, yet he’d been defeated by the Rebel Alliance. No, Gris suddenly thought. He’d better stop thinking along that line. If Vader’s powers really were as immeasurable as he’d claimed, the man could easily reach out and kill him at will. Gris tried to erase all thoughts of doubt from his mind.
*
Ben had returned to the bridge. He stood next to his captain and asked, “How much of a head start did they get on us sir?”
“About forty standard minutes to an hour. Things were a little hectic at the time if you recall. They must’ve installed some kind of cloaking device. It has to be extremely powerful in order to conceal a vessel that size. It was impossible to track their course. I’m assuming they’re heading to Coruscant.”
“I’m certain that’s their destination sir,” Ben replied.
Lando saw the look of concern on Ben’s face. “Let’s just hope they make a big show of it. Palpatine used to savor making a big impression when he held the upper hand. He loved seeing everyone bend to his will. I’m sure whoever is in charge on the Death Star will want to impress their strength before attacking Coruscant. Hopefully it’ll buy us some time.”
“I pray you’re right Uncle Lando,” Ben quietly replied.
“These old vessels are reputed to be a bit sluggish, but the Solaris has been upgraded quite a few times since the Old Republic used her. She’l
l pull a maximum hyper-drive speed of 1500 KPH. We’ll shake her old hull to the limit, but she’ll do what’s required of her,” Brant stated proudly.
“Don’t worry son. We’ll make it there with plenty of time to spare,” Lando said trying to ease Ben’s fears, while his own dread started to enshroud him.
Wanting to be alone in order to think, Ben went to the observation deck. He stared out the viewport pondering the situation. He couldn’t understand why the Jedi needed his help in order to protect Coruscant. Maybe they weren’t strong enough to defeat the Sith without human assistance. Maybe it was against the Code. The reason why didn’t really matter to him. All Ben cared about was saving Padmay. But he’d given his word to his grandfather. He’d made the choice. If Padmay died it would be entirely his fault.
Ben was afraid. Not only for his twin, but for himself as well. He’d never been through a situation as serious as this. He’d fought in those few skirmishes when they chased the destroyers who’d raided the outposts in the Outer Rim, but those pilots hadn’t been Sith. The only real battle he fought in was when he flew against the TIE’s from the Death Star. He’d been shielded by the Jedi then. Would the Jedi be strong enough to protect him this time? Had they gathered enough in strength? Was he strong enough to face and defeat such a powerful foe? He had to stop thinking like this. Doubt is a tool of the Sith. Ben had to have faith that when the time came he’d be ready. He remembered his uncle’s warning. The Sith had to be guarded against at all times. How right Luke had been!
*
Anakin Skywalker waited for his time of tribulation. The battle that lay ahead would determine the fate of both Jedi and humanity. He wondered if he’d he be strong enough. Would the temptation to surrender to the Dark Side overwhelm him like it did when alive? Would he be able to destroy the Sith once and for all? Would he be able to save his grandchildren?
