The Empire's Fall (Pt.3)

Chapter Seven: Father

Luke and I walk into the Imperial base. Why Luke thought this was a good idea, I will never know. But what really surprises me, is that I agreed to go along with it.

"Halt. Who are you?"

"We are Rebels," Luke says, "We've come to surrender."

I can feel the stormtrooper's shock, but he comes and takes our lightsabers, then cuffs us. He comms his commander, then takes us to a holding cell. Within moments, the commander comes into the cell.

He asks us several questions. All of which we answer, some of them only somewhat honestly. Once he is finished with his questions, he says,

"And Lord Vader will be coming to escort you to the Emperor."

Luke and I only nod calmly, unnerving the officers. It is quite nice to see them nervous that they haven't managed to rattle us.

After a few hours, the commander and a few troopers come to get us once again. I can sense that father is near. I take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. Before I know it, I see Vader, our father, walking toward us. All Luke and I do, is look at father calmly.

"These are two Rebels that surrendered to us. Although they both deny it, I believe there may be more of them, and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area." The commander extends his hand, revealing our lightsabers. "They were armed only with these."

Vader looks at us, turns and faces the commander, then takes our lightsabers from his hand.

"Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring their companions to me."

"Yes, my Lord."

The officer and troopers leave. Vader, Luke, and I are left standing alone in the odd beauty of this place. The sounds from the forest filter in.

"The Emperor has been expecting you."

"We know, father," I say.

"So, you have accepted the truth."

Luke picks up now, "We've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, our father."

"That name no longer has any meaning for me."

"It is the name of your true self," I start, "You've only forgotten. We know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully."

"That is why you couldn't destroy us. That's why you won't bring us to your Emperor now."

Father looks down from us to our lightsabers in his hands. I would say that he is thinking about what we have said, but I'm not sure.

"I see you have constructed new lightsabers."

He ignites both of our lightsabers and examines them.

"Your skills are complete. Indeed, you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen."

We all stand there for a moment, then father extinguishes our lightsabers.

"Come with us," I say.

"Ileema and Obi-Wan once thought as you do."

Luke and I step closer, but then stop. Father is still.

"You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master."

"Neither Leeda or I will turn... and you'll be forced to kill us."