Consequences

Chapter 21 - Confrontation

A myriad of emotions swirl within me as we stand in the elevator ready to meet Vader. Worry, fear, apprehension... Despite our last conversation, I really don't know what to expect. And nor do I know how well trying to turn him back is going to work, but we cannot fail. Despite everything, I can't deny the excitement I also feel way inside. I can't believe I'm really about to see him again face to face after so long. It's been far too long. I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances.

I'm practically holding my breath as the elevator stops moving and the door slides open. Vader is standing only several feet away waiting. Knowing he was here didn't quite prepare me for seeing him. Conflicting emotions surge inside of me, the strongest being regret for what I did to him in his timeline and hope that maybe Luke and I will succeed.

The commander hastily steps out and Luke and I, in binders, follow, with three stormtroopers right behind us. Vader's helmet turns towards Luke and I for many long moments – I find myself really wishing I could actually see his face to get an idea what he's thinking – before he looks back to the commander who is speaking to him.

"These are Rebels who surrendered to us. Although they deny it, I believe there may be more of them, and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area." He then holds out our confiscated lightsabers. "They were armed only with these."

Vader looks over at us again before turning back to the officer and taking the lightsabers from him. "Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring their companions to me."

"Yes, my lord," he responds, immediately turning and walking back into the elevator. The stormtroopers follow as the elevator door slides shut, leaving us alone at last. I'm glad to be with him, but I can't deny the small amount of unease. I'm really not sure how he's going to react to my presence.

"The Emperor has been expecting you," Vader informs, turning and beginning to walk down the hall. Luke and I follow close behind.

"I'm sure he has been," I reply. And probably very eagerly to. I'm sure he's not at all appreciative of me being here, to say the least. Unless he's hoping to turn me, in which case he's completely delusional. I can only hope he's not planning to kill me. Not that he'd succeed anyway, but still.

"I know, Father," Luke responds.

"So, you have accepted the truth." His tone is even, betraying little emotion. I find that I'm beginning to loathe the monotone of the vocoder. I miss his real voice fiercely.

"I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father."

Vader stops and turns to face us. "That name no longer has any meaning for me," he replies. Except it does.

"It is the name of your true self," I insist, "He's still inside you, though he may be hidden."

"You've only forgotten," Luke adds, "I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully." He turns and slowly steps over to the large window beside us which overlooks the forests of Endor, "That is why you couldn't destroy us. That's why you won't bring us to your Emperor now."

Vader doesn't reply, instead looking down at Luke's lightsaber.

"I see you have constructed a new lightsaber," he comments, igniting it and looking at the green blade. "Your skills are complete. Indeed, you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen," he continues before pausing and turning to me, "And you, Ahsoka, the Emperor is interested in speaking with you about your presence here." Oh great. That's not at all disturbing. I have no desire to see him.

Vader extinguishes the blade and when he doesn't say anything right away, I decide we better use the little remaining time we have to our advantage. "Come with us," I request as Luke turns back to face him as well. I don't expect him to agree, but I need to gauge his response to see how to continue this conversation. It's hard to tell how he's feeling, and it's driving me insane. All I know for sure is that I can feel the light in him right now. There's so much of Anakin left there.