"SILENCE"



“The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your new master now,” Darth Vader declared to Luke Skywalker, motioning for the guards to take Luke away. Confidence in the Emperor and the mission to turn Luke to the dark side swelled in his mechanical circuits.

Luke looked up. Vader felt as if Luke’s eyes could see straight through him. “Then my father is truly dead.” The guards led Luke through the door at the end of the corridor. As soon as the sliding door shut behind them, Vader paused to look out at the Endor forest before him. Just beyond the landing platform was a small pond where a duck was being trailed by her ducklings across the glassy surface. Today, he thought, is either the first or the last day of my life. He turned and exited through the same door Luke had been taken.

Beyond the door was the passenger bay of his personal shuttle which would take him and his son to meet the Emperor on the Death Star. The guards were seated on either side of Luke. Vader swept into the shuttle, the door sliding shut behind him. The guards shifted as Vader took his seat at the top of the small room. Luke did not make any indication he had noticed Vader so close to him.

The engines whirred to life and the shuttle lifted off the platform, headed to the Death Star. Luke now turned his head slightly so that he had a better view of Vader. He could feel the vibrations of the shuttle under his feet. But there was something else, something just beneath his ribs; something dark, something alluring. Was Vader tempting him to change his mind? Luke pushed the sensation away, digging deep into the Force to keep himself from probing the dull blackness that was pressing in on him. He knew he must keep himself shut off from the Force if he was to survive this battle.

Vader could feel Luke pushing him away. But he wanted in. He wanted to break through his son’s idealistic notion that the light side of the Force would save him. That there was any chance he could be turned. It was impossible. His path was chosen - by him and for him. But Luke was so strong. He could feel the barrier that Luke had created around himself.

My father is truly dead. The words echoed through Vader’s head as loud as if Luke were continually repeating them even as they sat in the shuttle. For one of the only times in his life he was thankful for the mask that covered his face and hid the expressions that passed over his features.

My father.... Anakin. Darth Vader. Luke’s father. Anakin, Jedi, husband, friend, and now father. Anakin: the young man who thought knowledge of the dark side meant defense, but in the end couldn’t escape its sweet temptations. Darth Vader, machine, Sith, corpse. Vader shuddered. He was a corpse encased in armor and life support machines. He felt anger rising in him. An anger he hadn’t felt since his first years in the suit. Immortality, he scoffed privately. At what price?

Luke felt a surge of darkness press through him again. What was Vader doing to him? When would this shuttle land so he could face his destiny? Patience, a familiar and gentle voice coached. Luke breathed deeply and exhaled slowly through his nose, closing his throat slightly to generate heat in his body that would hopefully push away the cold chill spreading from Vader’s probe.

...is truly dead. Dead. Vader licked his lips and felt the cold chill of his own skin. Dead. He may be dead before the day is over and would that be the worst scenario? Perhaps killing the Emperor and taking his place with Luke at his side was not the best outcome. Perhaps there would be a way to allow Luke to destroy both master and apprentice and end this existence.

The image of a woman entered his thoughts. She had recently begun to materialize in his mind when he thought of Luke. She sacrificed herself so their child would survive. Survive his father. Her sacrifice will have been in vain if Luke dies at his father’s hand, or worse: turns to the darkside.

The engines began to slow as the shuttle approached the Death Star. Voices in the cockpit ran through security checks. Time was approaching. In his mind, Vader's plan was floating, evolving, changing. Facing Palpatine without a solid plan was a dangerous thing.

Luke continued to stare directly at Vader and Vader held his son’s gaze. Both men were about to meet their destiny. Vader was prepared to kill both Luke and Palpatine if it came to it. As the shuttle settled gently onto the landing bay’s polished floor, father and son stood.

May the Force show me the way. Though surprised that it was not his own voice in his own head, Vader secretly agreed with his son. Destiny was upon them. It was time to relinquish control over fate and allow the Force to flow through him as it hadn’t for years uncounted.

Episode 3.5
I wrote this piece in the summer of 2005. I had a difficult time reconciling Padme's death at the end of Revenge of the Sith to what Leia states in Return of the Jedi:
Luke: Do you remember your mother? Your REAL mother?
Leia: Just a little bit. She died when I was very young.
Luke: Tell me.
Leia: She was very beautiful. Kind. But sad.
The story which follows is thanks to my online friends at StarWars.com on the "Why does Leia remember Padme?" message board. The Morichro theory is thanks to Jedicathiecat, and the countless scenarios played out below can be recognized by many.


I
The Awakening


Faintly, in the distance, the shrill cries of a baby could be heard. Men’s voices were all around and the hum of an engine vibrated both ears and body. Consciousness was illusive and her mind was unable to grasp if she were awake or dreaming. Her body felt as cold and heavy as stone and she could not move. Her eyelids were also apparently turned to stone as she could not open them. Swirling, swimming, diving, crashing, images played in her head like waves but could not form into thoughts. She was out of control and completely subdued. It was impossible for her to divine her location only that she was on a ship and somewhere her baby was crying for her. Her heart felt cold and broken, it ached to hold her babies, and she resigned herself to believe that she was in fact dead. She faded out again, giving in to the darkness that offered to swallow her.

* * *

“Can you hear me?” It was Obi-Wan’s soft voice whispering in her ear. She could feel his hand, hot, on her forehead. His other hand grasped hers tightly, intently, coursing warmth through her body. “Padme, open your eyes.”

She fought through the belief that she was dead and was finally able to open her eyes. The lights had been dimmed and all was silent except for her shallow breathing and the low hum of the ship. “Where am I?” she whispered, her voice creaking and groaning like a hinge that badly needed oiling.

Obi-Wan smiled softly at her. “We were afraid you were never going to wake up,” he laughed uncomfortably. “Yoda is a little rusty.”

“What?” she managed.

He sat back and let his shoulders relax. “I’ll explain it all to you when you’re stronger. Right now, I need to tell you what is happening at this moment.”

She tried to sit up but her body felt numb, unwilling, and detached. “Where are we?”

“We are on the Tantive IV, Bail Organa was kind enough to give me a lift.”

“To where? Where are we exactly?” she asked.

He breathed deeply and gave her hand a squeeze. “It has been decided that the babies will have to be split up if any of you have a chance of survival against the Emperor.”

“I don’t understand....” Her hands tingled as the feeling slowly came back to them. She could now feel Obi-Wan’s pulse pounding in his fingers. It was at that moment she understood. “You’re not going to tell me what planet this is, are you?”

Obi-Wan looked away, almost shameful, but more to keep himself from giving anything away. “Luke will be safe, Padme. I am going to stay to watch over him until he is ready.”

Fear suddenly struck her. “’Ready’? For what?” Her heart made sure at this moment that she knew it had completely awoken from its slumber. It was pounding as hard as Obi-Wan’s.

“You are going to stay with Leia on Alderaan in the care of the Organas. Someday, your children will be reunited and they will lead the attack on the Empire.” Obi-Wan smiled, “don’t worry Padme, your children will be together again. They were meant to be together - they are strongest when they are together.”

Padme closed her eyes and choked back tears. She knew she needed to be strong but her heart was breaking. “Can I see him before you take him?”

Obi-Wan shook his head, “you know why that would just make this harder for you.”

She smiled thinly and nodded. “I know, you’re right. Where’s Leia now?”

At that moment, the door to the small room they were in opened and Bail Organa stepped through. “We’ve landed, Obi-Wan. You have to leave quickly if we want to get out of here unnoticed.”

Obi-Wan stood abruptly. “Of course. Just give me another moment with Padme.” Bail nodded, turned on his heal and exited the room.

“Listen to me carefully, Padme.” Obi-Wan lowered his voice and began talking quickly and pointedly. “You will be safe with the Organas as long as you don’t try anything reckless. Follow their instructions and keep yourself well hidden. These children are precious to the galaxy, they will continue in Anakin’s lost footsteps. They will restore balance to the Force where Anakin has failed.” He reached down and pushed her hair from her eyes. “I will contact you soon, just be patient and do as your told!”

He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “The Force will be with you Padme.”

“Thank you, Obi-Wan.” Padme finally let the tears flow as Obi-Wan turned and left the room. She was alone with her slowly awakening body. Unable to reach up and wipe the tears from her own face.

She listened as footsteps hurried about in the corridor and a heavy door was opened. The sound of the crying baby passed right before the door to her room then faded. The door slammed shut and the cries were suddenly silenced. The engine whirred to life and the ship lifted off from the planet’s surface. Padme could hold it in no longer - the screams from her room sent R2D2 rushing through her door with a tranquilizer needle.

On the surface of Tatooine, Obi-Wan felt deep in his chest the piece of Padme’s heart that broke off as the ship blasted out of the atmosphere.



II
New Arrivals

The twin suns, Tatoo I and Tatoo II, were hovering just at the horizon and the skies were red on this otherwise average evening. Dinner had been bland and uneventful as usual, but tonight the air was cool and sitting in the courtyard, spending the remainder of the evening deep in playful conversation with his new wife, Beru, was the highlight of Owen Lars’ day. It had only been a few months since his father had died, leaving him the moisture farm, and already he was feeling like an old man - joints creaking, skin leathery, hair sandy and dry. Beru still looked like a young girl, full of hope, expectations, and blind to the hardships which were now upon their shoulders. He loved her especially this evening, as they sipped their homemade wine and discussed the future.

The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps crunching in the rocky sand up above. It was too late for visitors; most people knew to be down below in their homes before the suns set or risk an encounter with sand people. He assumed the sound belonged to a tuskan and he and Beru quietly tucked themselves safely into the house.

The footsteps disappeared but were replaced by pounding on the main door. Owen hurried for his blaster and told Beru to stay hidden. He stood behind the door and called, “Who’s there?”

The voice that responded was surprisingly human. “My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am a Jedi Knight. I need to speak with you immediately.”

Owen cautiously cracked the door to be sure this information was true and when he saw the man before him was truly a Jedi like he stated, he allowed the man inside. Why would a Jedi be here at his home? His half-brother, Anakin, had been a Jedi - the arrival of this Obi-Wan could only mean bad news.

Beru emerged from her hiding place and the Jedi focussed on her for the moment. “You must be Beru, I have something very important to entrust to you.” From the folds of his robe he produced a tiny newborn baby, sound asleep and oblivious to the people around him.

Beru immediately hurried forward. “Who’s child is this?” she asked.

Obi-Wan looked pleadingly at Owen. “This is your brother, Anakin’s, baby.” He motioned toward the comfortable seating area. “This is going to be a long story, may I sit down? I’ve had a long journey to reach you.”

“Of course,” Beru lead him away while Owen bolted the door and followed reluctantly. He knew what the Jedi was going to ask of them and that he would not be able to say no - at least Beru would not allow him to say no.

Obi-Wan settled the baby into Beru’s arms then began an abbreviated version of the events that had transpired in the last week. “Your brother and his wife are both dead, she died just after the baby was born, leaving him in my care. The new Empire will quickly devour all star systems that were once part of the Republic, but you should be relatively unaffected here on Tatooine. You have to be exceptionally careful with this baby. When he is called, he will lead the fight against the Empire. But until then, he must not leave this planet. He must not know anything of the truth of his father’s identity or even that he was a Jedi Knight. If the Emperor learns that this child is alive, he will hunt him down and kill him, and most likely kill you for treason. The Jedi have been exterminated, I am all that survived. It is my duty to watch over this child and train him when his day comes. Until then, I will live in the desert and keep him safe from afar.” He paused and searched both of their faces. “Do you understand what I’m asking you?”

Beru nodded and absentmindedly stroked the baby’s face.

Owen spoke. “You’re saying that all three of us are in mortal danger now that this child is in our midst.” He shook his head. “I should say no to this nonsense, but we are the only family Anakin, and this child, have. If this is the only way to protect our family, well, then we have no choice.” He sighed and sat down next to Beru. “I knew my brother for a very brief time, not even enough time to be able to tell his son any stories....”

“That is good, then you will have time to create stories for him. You have time,” Obi-Wan continued. “He will, no doubt, hear stories about Anakin as a child living here on Tatooine, and those can do no harm. You cannot lie about what you do not know, so I will tell you nothing of Anakin’s life and death. The boy will learn this from myself when the time comes.”

Beru and Owen nodded. They absorbed all that they were told but were still numb at the shock of receiving a baby on this night. Owen’s mind was swimming with images of middle-of-the-night raids on the farm as the Empire searched for the child, while Beru’s mind full of images of a life as a mother. Obi-Wan felt their conflict but knew that the boy was going to be well cared for. He stood up to leave.

“What is his name?” Beru asked.

Obi-Wan smiled. “Luke. Luke Skywalker.” He turned to go and let himself out of their home. He closed the door tightly behind him and used the Force to lock the bolts on the inside. The Lars’ have a baby and all the shock that goes with it, he knew they would be forgetful in locking the door and he did not want this precious child stolen by sandpeople on his first night home.

Obi-Wan took in the cool, dry desert air. The suns were set and he was alone. Home , he thought to himself sadly, as he pulled his hood over his head and wandered away into the desert. He hoped he would not have to wait long for Luke to follow.

* * *
The platform was mostly deserted except for a few weary guards. Activity on this private landing platform was sparse so when the call came in that Bail Organa would be landing tonight, the four young guards hurriedly collected themselves, straightened their uniforms and rushed out to their posts. They could continue their game of Sabacc after the excitement died down.

Now, the small star runner was sitting quietly on the platform, no movement could be seen within or out of the ship. The guards wondered if this was some sort of joke, but it certainly looked to be Organa’s ship. The main door suddenly dropped open with a hiss of air and steam. A crewman walked forth from the ship and past the guards without so much as a glance. He entered the control room in the main hangar and could be seen through the lightly tinted glass speaking to the commander. Moments later, the crewman exited the control room and repeated his cool journey back to the ship. Finally it came, the familiar crackle through the earpiece.

“All guards report to the hangar immediately.” The men walked in formation to the hangar where they met with their commander. He told them they could continue their game now and gladly the men retook their seats around the small table. Their mirth turned to confusion as the commander pressed the button to lower the security shield around the control room windows. The commander ignored the men's’ inquisitive looks and after the shields were secured in place, he went back to reading his book quietly at his post. The guards, taking their cue from him, went back to their game, if not a little worried by these events.

* * *
Outside on the platform a pilot exited the Tantive and proceeded to Bail Organa’s private shuttle which was the only ship parked in this particular hangar. Normally, the guards would have pulled double duty as pilots of this particular ship, but not tonight. The Tantive’s already exhausted pilot had one more route to fly: to the Organa’s wilderness retreat. He himself did not know who the secret passenger was on the ship this journey, but he knew they were of exceptional importance. Probably someone key to the survival of the Republic, but it was not the pilot’s place to ask such questions. Transporting politicians and refugees in secret were his duties as pilot of the Tantive IV, and he was used to not seeing faces. The entire crew was used to this protocol. Tonight was no different.

He slid comfortably into the pilot’s chair and fired up the engines of the small shuttle. It was equipped with sound cloaking capabilities and he reached across the control panel and pulled the lever. The engine sounds dropped beneath his normal range of hearing, but he could still feel the shuttle purring gently through his seat. All was well, now back to the Tantive.

The shuttle coasted just above the surface of the platform and parked beside the Tantive’s main ramp. All crew had been ordered to the far end of the ship, away from this door and away from the sick bay where the secret passenger had been stowed. All the crew members knew was that there were two babies aboard this ship and the Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, had taken one of them when he exited the ship on Tatooine. The pilot was certain he did not know what was going on, but certainly the mother of these babies was the corpse in sick bay.

After a few tense moments, the figure of Bail Organa emerged from the Tantive. He was holding the second baby in his arms. Behind him, were two women, both medical officers dressed in the usual uniforms. The pilot strained to see if the body would also disembark but he could not see. Maybe he was mistaken, it was still on the ship. Perhaps, after all, it was the baby that Organa was secreting away to his retreat.

The pilot received word from Organa in the passenger area that it was time to take off, and the pilot followed orders.

Tonight, his curiosity would not be satisfied. Clearly, someone else on the Tantive would have the pleasure of flying the secret passenger somewhere else. For now, this pilot just took solace in seeing his home planet for the first time in almost 2 years. It had been a long assignment on the Tantive during the Clone War, and tonight he would see his family for the first time. The trees looked taller he noticed, a lot of work tomorrow. Good thing his wife did not know he would be returning tonight or else she may have had a long list of chores for him.



III
The Message


It had only been one year, but to Obi-Wan, his solitude on Tatooine made the time unbearable. His small hut was barely furnished and the sand and sun stung his eyes and skin when he ventured out of doors. He had disliked this planet when the Nubian was shipwrecked here 20 years ago, and he still disliked it. Even more so now.

He had no time to ponder his situation, he had been contacted by Bail Organa with a disturbing message. The Emperor had an apprentice even more frightening than himself if that were possible. Obi-Wan sat in deep meditation on this morning searching the Force for the identity of the new Sith. But no matter how deep he searched or denied what he knew was true, he kept coming back to the same name: Anakin Skywalker. What was it that Sidious had named him? Darth Vader.

Obi-Wan could only imagine what had become of Anakin. Obi-Wan had left him for dead, burning, beside the river of lava on Mustafar. His own weakness, the inability to kill Anakin, was the bane of the galaxy. If only....

But there was no time for that. It was only a matter of time before Anakin, would discover the truth about his family. Obi-Wan was not even sure if Darth Vader knew of Padme’s ultimate fate after their parting months ago, but he hoped beyond hope that word of her funeral reached him. Obi-Wan wondered how long he could keep Luke safe from his father but it was his final duty to die trying. It was time to contact Organa and let him know the true nature of their plight.

* * *

The outpost was dimly lit, smokey, and stuffy. Obi-Wan kept his face shrouded in his robes as he entered. It was only a matter of time before....”Ben!” a deep voice rumbled from the corner. Someone had recognized him. No use for it now, he removed his hood and sat with the stranger in the corner. He was immediately given a glass filled halfway with green liquid. Obi-Wan quickly sucked down the rough drink and thanked the man. “Now, why did you want to meet today?” the rough faced humanoid leaned closer with a decaying smile.

Obi-Wan lowered his voice to a whisper. “I need to send a message, a secure message, off planet. Can you help me?”

The other man laughed softly. “Well, you’ve come to the right man yet again, Ben. Is there anything you don’t do in secret?”

Obi-Wan was not amused. “Hagen, I don’t need to draw attention to myself today, where are we going?”

Hagen stood up and motioned toward the back door. “My ship will do, I have enough modifications that your message should be safe enough.”

Obi-Wan waited until Hagen had disappeared through the back door. He ordered one more drink which went down easier than the first. He tossed a few credits on the table, put his hood back over his face and quietly slipped through the same door that Hagen had used.

The ragged ship was parked in the docking bay, engines already running. Obi-Wan calmly walked up the main ramp and entered the ship. He sat himself down in the familiar passenger bay and no sooner clasped his seat belt when the main ramp closed and the ship lifted off. Obi-Wan sighed and closed his eyes, waiting for the ship to level off, indicating that they were in orbit.

* * *

Bail Organa and his wife were unable to have a child, so the addition of Leia to their household was a blessing. His wife spent hours upon hours doting on the child, dressing her, holding her, talking to her, anything that required close contact. The entire planet was enamored with their baby daughter. Princess Leia was the jewel of Alderaan, celebrated by all in paintings, music, literature. Her arrival about a year ago was cause for worldwide celebration. The Organas couldn’t fight the urge to show her off at every possible moment and they decided there couldn’t be any harm in doing so. After all, no one on the planet knew Leia’s lineage, there was no danger of her discovery. And if Yoda’s premonitions were to come true, of Leia’s importance to the fledgling rebellion, she needed the advantage that respect & admiration among her people can bring.

The public image of the Organa family was quite different from the private ordeal going on within their walls. The baby’s nurse, Padme, kept her distance from the baby. Mrs. Organa knew that this was Leia’s biological mother, and tried to allow them as much time together as possible, but Padme resisted. She did not touch or hold the baby during the light of day and it worried Mrs. Organa deeply - in public she would be called mother by the child, but in private, she wanted Leia to understand who Padme truly was to her. Someday, she thought to herself, Leia will understand why we all did this.

Night time, though, was a much different story. Padme spent most nights in Leia’s nursery long after the household had fallen asleep. She would hold Leia all night and just talk to her, telling her stories of her own youth, of Anakin’s youth, and of the brother she would someday need to find. Obi-Wan was kind enough to include updates on Luke whenever he contacted Bail (messages which were becoming fewer and farther between) but it was enough to satisfy Padme’s need to know that he was thriving.

On this particular evening, nothing outstanding was occurring. Padme & Leia were snuggled together in the nursery, entwined in each other. Little fingers absentmindedly running through Padme’s hair while Padme whispered another story to the big brown eyes that stared back at her.

Padme’s reverie was interrupted by the sound of running footsteps in the corridor outside the door. It was very late, it was not common for the Organas, or even their guards, to be rushing around like this. Padme gave no indication to Leia that anything was wrong, but gave her one last hug and kiss and laid her gently back in the crib. She silently slipped from the room, keeping to the shadows in the corridor and followed the sound of voices.

Outside Bail’s office, Padme hid behind a statue and listened to the crackle of a transmission Bail was receiving.

“This is Obi-Wan Kenobi, I am trying to reach Bail Organa. Come in please!!” Obi-Wan’s familiar voice was uncharacteristically urgent and high pitched.

A click and a beep told Padme that Bail had answered the call even before he started speaking. “Obi-Wan, I’m here, what is it?”

“Sir, I have information pertaining to the Sith Lord. But I need to know, do you know his name?”

A pause. “Darth Vader,” Bail replied. “He is coming here to oversee the reconstruction of our government by the Empire.” His voice was full of venom at the idea of the Empire or any of his minions stepping foot on his democratic planet of Alderaan.

A long stretch of crackling and static issued from the office. She wished she could see Obi-Wan’s expression. She edged closer to the door, hoping to see into the office. “Bail, is she still safe with you?”

“Yes Obi-Wan, we will not let the Sith find her while he is here,” Bail assured him in his most fatherly tone. Padme was touched.

“Good. Bail, she cannot come in contact with him at any and all costs. It is vital to her survival and to the survival of the babies that she not be seen. No one can even allude to her being alive. Do you understand?”

“Of course, we take her security very seriously Obi-Wan. If you say we need to step up the level, then consider it done.” A few more beeps told Padme that Bail had just increased her security level on his control computer. “Obi-Wan, this Sith Lord... Can you please tell me what you found out?”

Obi-Wan’s deep sigh gave Padme chills. “It is of the utmost importance that you do not share this information with anyone, but it is vital that you hear what I have to say if Leia and Padme are to survive. Do you understand what I’m asking of you?”

“Of course, you have my honor,” Bail said proudly.

“Bail, before Anakin died, he swore allegiance to the Emperor, and to the dark side. Yoda and I saw the security recordings of the night the Jedi Temple was purged, it was Anakin who led the charge against the Jedi. Anakin, was already pledged a Sith when he began the killings. I tried to tell Padme but she did not believe me and followed him to Mustafar. Where, as you know, I left Anakin for dead.”

Padme felt as if her heart had stopped. Her chest hurt, her eyes welled with tears. Obi-Wan had told her this same story a year ago, the same night the babies were born, but she did not believe him. She could not believe now that he was feeding the same story to Bail. She wondered if Bail believed him.

“Obi-Wan, I know all of this already, Yoda briefed me on my ship before we left him on--”

Obi-Wan continued as if he hadn’t heard anything Organa had said. “When Anakin pledged himself to the dark side, the Emperor named him Darth Vader.”

Padme’s knees buckled and she fell to the floor outside the office door. Bail did not hear her, the blood was rushing in his ears so loudly he could barely hear his own thoughts. “Anakin is...? No, that’s impossible. From your description of what happened on Mustafar it would have required -- “

“Dark powers beyond our imagination to resurrect him,” Obi-Wan finished for him. “Yes, Bail, I find it difficult to believe, but your spies and sources need to get more information for us. How did the Emperor do it? What is Anakin’s state of mind? What does he know of Padme? All these questions, and more, must be answered before he sets foot on your planet. When is he due to arrive?”

“In 3 days,” Bail said cryptically. “That’s not enough time to learn all of this,” he said.

“Sir, I cannot help you from here and I cannot travel to Alderaan to help you. If Anakin sees me, he will kill me. I am more important to Luke’s survival than that of...” his voice trailed off. Padme saw Bail bow his head. Did he mean Luke was more important than Leia? Was her daughter’s life less important than Luke’s? A rising anger bubbled to the surface and inspired her to come to her feet.

“Obi-Wan, I will protect her to the best of my ability, but I will not sacrifice Leia’s identity for her,” Bail proclaimed. Padme stopped in her tracks. They had been talking about her life. She was less important than Luke and Leia. Her life could be exchanged for the children if need be. She felt ready, but terrified.

“Bail, he must not come in contact with Leia either. If he can sense her potential as a Jedi, he will take her. I don’t know how, but she must be kept secret.”

Padme did not hear the rest of the conversation, she was already running back to her room. Confusion and tears mixed with a rising sense of dread. It became very clear to her as she quietly closed her door and went to her window to look out at the Alderaan nightscape. Her destiny was laid out before her: her life for her children's’. And so it would be.

IV.
The Meeting

Three days was not nearly long enough for rebel spies to ascertain any relevant information about this Darth Vader character that would soon be menacing Alderaan’s citizens. Bail Organa felt defeated. The arrival of the Sith Lord was scheduled for this evening and Bail had not even told Padme what was happening. Mrs. Organa was sending Leia with a group of her loyal nurses and servants to a remote village far from the capital. The baby and the women would be hiding out in a private home, far from prying eyes and far from the political spotlight where Darth Vader would be focussing his attention. A decoy baby was brought in to masquerade as the Organa’s, one with no Jedi relations.

The Star Destroyer arrived about midday and settled into orbit around the planet, fixed above the capital. Bail gazed at it uneasily all day, and just hours before Darth Vader’s shuttle would be arriving, he spoke to Padme.

“If I understand this correctly, you want me to stay hidden at all costs because this Sith Lord, if he suspects that I am the former queen of Naboo, will take me to Palpatine and try me for treason in front of the Imperial Senate? I could face execution?” Padme repeated back to Bail.

He felt dishonorable, telling her this lie, but it was better than her knowing the truth. The hours were ticking away faster than he liked and he needed to be as visible as possible before Darth Vader’s arrival. Padme agreed. “I will stay hidden with Leia. You have my word.”

* * *

Sunset on Alderaan was remarkable. As the shuttle descended through the atmosphere, Darth Vader’s eyes were transfixed by it’s beauty. He had never been to this planet, though in his former life he had known Bail Organa. He purred quietly to himself, satisfied that no one knew his true identity. All feared him now and he had a job to do.

The shuttle landed and the Alderaanian guards were roughly moved aside by Imperial Storm Troopers who took up their posts through which Vader would walk. His exit from his shuttle was always impressive, it frightened the local politicians into doing his bidding without his needing to manipulate them through the Force. His arrival on Alderaan appeared to be proceeding as usual.

Bail Organa stood waiting for the Dark Lord. “You presence is an honor,” he said with feigned reverence.

Vader smiled to himself. If only he’d had this kind of respect earlier in his life. Things would be much different now. He did not reply but swept past Organa to the transport which would take the men and their entourage to Bail’s office suite.

* * *

It was time to put her plan into action. Padme knew Darth Vader would not be on Alderaan constantly during his visit. He would be making several trips back to his Star Destroyer to send transmissions to the Emperor. First step in her plan was to gain access to his shuttle and stow herself until that first return trip.

In the hangar, she stood in the shadows, dressed all in black, covered in a black cloak and hood. She carried a small blaster hidden in the folds of her cloak. The stormtroopers did not notice the petite black shadow that slipped quietly into the shuttle and disappeared from sight.

* * *

Meetings with Organa were not long, Darth Vader was angry as he strode through the hangar to the landing platform where his shuttle was waiting for him. At his approach, the engines whirred to life and steam issued from the landing gear. He boarded the ship and stormtroopers followed after him up the ramp just as it closed. The ship blasted into the sky on a course to rendezvous with the star destroyer hovering above like a hawk.

The landing bay in the belly of the star destroyer was open and ready for the shuttle to enter. Vader exited his ship, greeted by legions of storm troopers lining the hangar for the circumstance of his arrival. A small garrison followed closely behind, his personal guard, and he strode confidently and angrily to his private quarters. His mind was bent on his transmission to the Emperor. What the next move of the Empire would be now that Alderaan had adamantly declared independence from the Empire he did not know.

Darth Vader entered his room and left 2 guards standing outside the door. The guards could only hear the static created by the transmission, the meaning of the words jumbled throughout the sound were unintelligible. The smaller of the two stormtroopers guards drew his blaster and shot the second one faster than the other could react. He lay dead on the floor, smoke issuing from his chest. The smaller stormtroopers holstered his blaster and dragged the dead trooper around the corner and hid the body in the shadows. He then turned his attention to the door to Vader’s quarters.

He listened intently at the door for any signs of the transmission but the static was gone. The trooper took a deep breath, straightened his helmet then pressed the control button to open the door.

Darth Vader was surprised by this uninvited guest in his private chambers. He stood with a flourish and turned to face the new occupant. Before him was one of his stormtroopers, the door closed behind him. “What is it, captain?” Vader asked.

The stormtroopers was riveted to the spot. The figure before him had the shape of a man, but was inhuman. The black mask and helmet, the body armor, there were no signs that there was an actual living breathing human inside of this uniform. The menace took a step forward and the trooper faltered. Vader did not relent, he continued toward the stormtroopers, his breathing continued at the same rhythmic tempo.

When Vader was within 10 feet of the stormtroopers, the trooper finally found the strength to move and lifted his hands to his helmet. In one swift movement that had the air of a suicide mission, he removed his helmet.

Vader almost stumbled when he saw the face staring back at him. The two people now stood, face to face, regarding each other with revulsion and surprise. “Anakin?” Padme finally whispered.

No reaction from the black mechanism before her. “Anakin, it’s me,” she tried. She took a step forward.

“Where did you come from?” Vader boomed. “There should not be any clones on my ship!” He brandished his lightsaber and began to walk toward her.

“Anakin!” Padme shouted, “I’m not a clone! It’s me, Padme!” She tried to stand her ground, but her knees were shaking so violently she could not stand. The stormtroopers uniform clicked and banged as she hit the floor, her face in her hands. “It’s me, it’s me,” she kept repeating.

Vader stood over her, his lightsaber just a foot over her head. “This is not possible. Padme is dead,” his voice as quiet as the voice synthesizer would allow, sounding as if his inner thoughts were being broadcast instead of being physically spoken.

“I’m alive,” she said. She mustered the courage to look up at him. “Are you going to kill me this time?” she asked.

Tears were streaming down her face and he stared deeply at her. She could feel him using the Force to scan her, to see if this were truly his dead wife resurrected before him. His red light saber extinguished, but he still held it in his hand. “I don’t understand,” he said.

Padme forced herself to her feet. “I survived, Ani, you tried to kill me, but I lived.”

She began to feel courageous again, she kept reminding herself that the man under the helmet was her husband. She had to stick to the plan: get Anakin off this ship and back to her.

“And the baby?” he asked slowly.

One thing Padme had learned in her time married to a Jedi was to keep her mind on the present, never allow thoughts or images of the past or future into her mind or else her Jedi husband will read those thoughts. Her training as Anakin’s wife was being put to the test. She had to protect the children the only way she could. “It died,” she sobbed. “A bounty hunter found me on Polis Massa just after the baby was born. I couldn’t save it, he murdered our child right in front of me!” She let the tears flow. They were not feigned tears, she truly was crying, but not about the imaginary scenario she was relaying. The image of her ruined husband standing before her was more than she could take and her tears were her way of coping at this moment. Vader made no motion toward her, no sign that he was affected by this news, no sign that he thought she were lying.

Padme pulled herself together. With new strength, she said, “Anakin, come with me, leave this place.”

This got a reaction. He stood even taller, stepped closer and his shadow fell on her face. “I cannot leave,” he said angrily. “We’ve only just begun our work with the new Empire. Soon, all the star systems will be under our command and I will rule the galaxy.”

Padme shook her head. “You’re wrong, when the Emperor is tired of you, he will kill you. He rules the galaxy. Please, Ani, come with me. We can run away, hide where no one can find us.”

Vader took a step away from her. “It is too late for me. I cannot leave my master.”

Padme mustered up all the courage she could and reached out to him. Her hand rested on his arm, he looked stiffly down at it. She could not see look of surprise under his helmet. “Please, there is still good in you, I can feel it. Come with me Ani, I’ll die without you.”

Vader pulled his arm away violently and raised his lightsaber between them. Padme jumped backward and began slowly inching backward toward the door. “Anakin Skywalker is dead. Leave here, leave this ship, and if you can escape then you can keep your life. If I see you again, I will kill you.” He seemed to grow taller with each word.

Tears streamed down Padme’s face. “Ani, please...” she whispered through her tears. She stumbled over her helmet still lying on the floor, hurriedly picked it up. “Please....I love you....” Her voice hitched and caught in her throat. Was he choking her again?

“Go!” Vader boomed.

“Ani....” Padme cried as she put the helmet back on. The door opened behind her and she hurried from the room. Don’t look back, a voice in her head commanded. Don’t look back.


V.

It was a blur to Padme how it came to be that she was back on Alderaan, safely in the Organa’s home. Leia was returned to her, the Star Destroyer had disappeared from orbit around the planet, and life was back to normal. Bail Organa seemed pleased with himself. He proudly spoke of his negotiation skills in the face of a Sith Lord. He had declared to Vader that Alderaan would appoint a representative to the Imperial Senate in exchange for their ability to remain a democracy with no imperial presence on the planet’s surface. Vader had agreed, quite hastily Bail thought, and had removed himself from the planet on the second day.

Padme, however, did not seem impressed or interested in this turn of events. While those around her went about their business and life as usual, Padme found herself often in the gardens of the Organa’s home, staring idly up at the sky. Her thoughts drifted to Anakin when he was a whole man, not the monster she had seen. But, he hadn’t killed her, she had survived, which meant he still had good in him. She felt it when she touched him, he still loved her. How was she going to live out the rest of her life knowing he was Darth Vader?

It was over the course of only a few months that Padme succumbed to her sadness and grief over the loss of her husband. Hours spent with Leia in the garden did nothing to brighten her spirits. Instead she slowly retreated into the past, her mind obsessed with images of Anakin when she married him. In time, a space began to grow between her and Leia, she was glad, it would be easier for Leia if Mrs. Organa held the title of Mother in her life anyway.

One particularly beautiful day, an old and tired looking Padme took her usual walk into the garden to the marble bench that marked her favorite place. She laid herself down on it, staring up at the sky. Was that a glint of something metallic in the sky above? Could he have changed his mind? Is he coming for her? Would their son truly rise to become a Jedi and restore peace to the galaxy? No, she thought, Luke is lost. All is lost. I am lost.

When Bail Organa found her a few hours later, she was still looking up to the sky, her hands clasped tightly around the japor snipet that she wore around her neck. He gently closed her eyes and placed his hand on her cold forehead. He turned his face up to the blue sky and that’s when he saw it: a ship hovering above the atmosphere. The familiar outline was that of a Star Destroyer. Anger rose in Bail, the Imperials were supposed to stay away from his planet! He rushed through the garden back toward his house. He needed to get to the bottom of this.

He did not see the Star Destroyer blast away from Alderaan.

* * *

Darth Vader had a meditation spot. Even Sith need to meditate on the Force and his time to do this was limited. He was very angry that he was pulled in so many directions by his feelings, his memories and now his master, Darth Sidious. This particular meditation revealed unexpected outcomes. He saw his destiny flash before his eyes - he was not saddened from witnessing his own death. On the contrary, he was relieved. A face was above him not filtered red by his helmet’s eye pieces. A young man who did not look afraid or angry. What was his name? More visions filled his head. A beautiful woman standing in his private chambers. Her image retreating from him, transformed into a white stormtroopers. If he had not been on life support at the moment, his heart may have quickened. But at the moment, he had to settle for the memory of a beating heart. Again, anger filled him - he did not ask to be raised from the dead. He now knew his life ended as Anakin and began as Darth Vader on Mustafar. The name carried little meaning for him anymore. He had no true memories, just visions through meditations that then became memories. His thoughts lingered on Padme. She was somewhere below him on Alderaan, searching the sky. Through the Force, he could communicate with her if he chose to. He didn’t care. He was very angry. Sidious had lied: Padme was not dead, he did not kill her on Mustafar. If he had known this sooner, he could have taken her and run away from the Sith, the Dark Side and the Empire. She could have turned him back to his former self. Was this true? He’ll never know. He was going to kill her when he saw her on Mustafar and now their child was dead. He was enraged now at the thought of Sidious’ order to kill all newborn baby boys. His son was surely murdered during the holocaust. Perhaps that is why now Padme’s face is so sad.

His mind floated back to the image of Padme, she was in a garden, but something was wrong. Her eyes were fixed upon him, but gave no indication that she was behind them. Her eyes held on to tears that were destined never to fall. True anger befell him now as he realized that by his actions, he alone had killed her. Visions of killing Darth Sidious now crept into his circuitry. He couldn’t do it alone. He would have to be patient and hope that she had lied, that his son survived somehow. If he could find this boy and hide him from the Emperor, he would have a powerful ally. He would have to hide these thoughts from the Emperor until it was time.

He knew that if he survived, in time his son would seek him out.

Darth Vader broke his meditation and swept into the command center. “Commander, we will not be needing to go to the surface. I must return to Coruscant immediately.”

It would be a long while before Vader could fulfill his destiny, but he was a patient man. He could wait.

Episode 3: Fall of the Republic: This particular fiction was written in 1998 over several months. I was so excited to hear that the Prequel Trilogy was going to be released that I couldn't stand it. For my model, I used a screen play that was published by George Lucas in 1983 under the title: Episode III: The Fall of the Republic. For the most part, this expansion fiction was based on this event to event, but there is of course some artistic license taken. Names of characters and worlds have been changed now (since the release of Revenge of the Sith) to coincide with the movies. Amidala's name in the script had been "Arcadia" and the infamous duel between Anakin & Obi-Wan had taken place on Sigma Volcanus! I know it's a long read, but I hope you enjoy it!



STAR WARS: FALL OF THE REPUBLIC

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...


It is a time of unrest. The Old Republic is crumbling under the powers of Chancellor Palpatine. Palpatine quickly gains power and control over the star systems and senators. The bureaucrats also maneuvered to gain their own powers of office, supporting Palpatine’s rise and ambitions. Quietly plotting to destroy the senate from the inside, Palpatine meets with little resistence from the star systems and other senators. Those people that dared to oppose him meet their demise quickly and are replaced by leaders more easily controlled. Palpatine’s greatest resistance comes from the Jedi Knights, led by the Jedi Council on Coruscant. They are the last standing opposition to his Imperial Senate and he begins to plot the destruction of the Jedi Order.

The High Council of Senators, over which Palpatine resides, hopes to restore the Republic to its former glory. In a feigned diplomatic gesture to unite the Jedi and the Senate, Palpatine vows to help the Jedi on their eternal quest to retrieve the lost Kaiburr Crystal. This small diamond-like jewel holds the core power of the Force, the energy that binds the galaxy and all of its beings together. The Jedi Knights are keepers of the Force, upholding truths and defending the inhabitants of the Republic by its use. As with all things sacred, there are two sides: good and evil. The Jedi Knights served the “light” side of the Force. By contrast, the Sith Lords lived by the teachings of the “dark” side.

Senator Palpatine purposefully scattered the Jedi Knights throughout the galaxy to search for the Kaiburr Crystal. After months of fruitless searching, he dispatched two Jedi to the molten planet of Mustafar where he knew the Crystal to reside. Those two Jedi Knights were the older and wiser Obi-Wan Kenobi and his young apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan feels uneasy about bringing his young Padawan and friend Skywalker to retreive the crystal. He knows that Anakin has been deceived before by Palpatine and worries that this simple errand could be just another attempt by Palpatine to completely control young Skywalker. He follows his friend to Mustafar, hoping to protect him from making any mistakes.

* * * * * * *

Anakin & Obi-Wan arrive on Mustafar. The two Jedi begin their search for the Kaiburr Crystal. Anakin rushes forth, eager to find the Crystal. Obi-Wan trails behind him; beginning to feel his middle aged body losing its strength. Anakin calls out to his teacher, “Master! I’ve found it! The crystal is here!” He stands pointing at a fisure in the cooled magma while Obi-Wan rushes to his side. Anakin draws his lightsaber and ignites the blue flaming sword. “Stand back, Obi-Wan, I can get it!”

Anakin raises his sword above his head and brings it down hard against the rock, cracking the surface. He brings the sword down again and again breaking the rock. Obi-Wan slowly backs away from the scene of madness, desperation and cold control. His hand rests quietly on the handle of his lightsaber, ready for anything.

“Anakin!” Obi-Wan called out and Anakin extinguished his lightsaber. “Don’t touch it!” But it was of no use. Anakin was already reaching into the hole in the ground, his fingers straining to get a grip on the crystal.

“I’ve almost got it!” Anakin groaned. His fingers found hold and he lifted the crystal out of the rock. “It’s mine! The crystal is mine!” His eyes reflected the burning red light of the lava flows around him and he held the crystal selfishly to his chest.

Obi-Wan stepped closer. “Anakin, it is forbidden to touch the crystal. You should have waited for me to help you.” He tried desperately to keep his voice calm and fatherly.

“We can keep the crystal for ourselves, Master. Palpatine doesn’t need to know that we’ve found it.” Visions were beginning to fill his mind. Visions of power, fortune and greed. Anakin Skywalker was a good man, taught by patient and kind Jedi to be a righteous knight himself. Although these visions were completely unlike anything Anakin would dream of, he did not recognize them as out of place. The moment he touched the crystal, he was overcome with the dark side of the Force.

Obi-Wan drew his lightsaber, sensing the change in his friend. He had known Anakin since he was a small boy and knew that the man standing in front of him was not the man he knew anymore. “Drop the crystal, Anakin. You’re right, we should not tell Palpatine that we found it. Drop it into the magma and let’s go home. Padme is waiting for you to return.”

Anakin did indeed drop the crystal, but not into the lava. It fell lightly beside his foot and he placed both hands on his lightsaber. “You’re right, Obi-Wan, you will never tell Palpatine that we found the crystal...” and he lunged at Obi-Wan with wild strength and speed.

Obi-Wan and Anakin locked in deadly combat, Anakin striking to kill his teacher and Obi Wan protecting himself from each blow. Obi Wan tried to reason with Anakin, but he could feel the uncontrollable rage inside Anakin coursing through each blow of the sword. Obi Wan began his offensive, driving Anaking back with each strike of his lightsaber. Sparks flew aroun dthem and the screaming sound of electricity deafened their ears. They crystal was only a few feet away. Obi Wan thought that if he could only reach it he could kick it back into the fissure from which it came, only then could he save his friend. If he could not do that, he knew what the outcome of their duel would be: one Jedi would have to die.

Anakin felt the strength of Obi Wan’s resolve to destroy the crystal. he could not let him reach the crystal, but Obi Wan was overpowering him. He felt himself being driven back. Confusion filtered through his mind. he had learned of the strength of the dark side during his Jei training and he believed that the dark side was stronger. But here was Obi Wan, a man in his middle age, too old to be fighting a young man like Anakin, winning! Anger and rage coursed through him but he could not fight off the aging Jedi Master.

The crystal was almost within reach. Obi Wan turned his body so that he could have a better angle to kick it. Anakin tried to prevent this move by Obi Wan, but to no avail. anakin could feel something else within Obi-Wan: love. Anakin knew that Obi Wan loved him the way he would have loved his own son. It was love that Anakin was also feeling now for Obi-Wan, but he could not use that love to push out the anger he was feeling toward Obi-Wan for wanting to destroy the crystal. Try as he could, he could not fight the dark side. He knew, at this one moment, that he was going to lose everything he ever loved. An image of his wife, Padme, flashed before him. How long had it been since he had been home? He and Obi-Wan had been searching for the crystal for what seemed like years. He turned to block another blow by Obi-Wan, lost his footing and fell into the magma.

“NO!!!” Obi-Wan screamed, extinguished his lightsaber and ran to the edge of the fissure. Anakin’s body was burning and he tried to claw his way to the embankment where Obi-Wan stood horrified. Obi-Wan reached out to him as Anakin held his lightsaber for Obi-Wan to grab. “Anakin, please, don’t let go....” he groaned under the effort. Obi-Wan tried desperately to pull Anakin from the lava but Anakin was ablaze, his life force drifting out of him with the smoke billowing from his head. Anakin’s fingers released the lightsaber and Obi-Wan fell back on to the rock, watching, frozen in place, as Anakin’s lifeless body floated away with the lava floe.

Obi-Wan fell to his knees and cried out for the loss of his friend, his brother. He composed himself as a vision of Anakin’s wife, Padme, passed. He carefully attached Anakin’s lightsaber to his belt along with his own. Saying a quick farewell to the charred remains of his friend, he returned to his spacecraft. He ran over and over again in his mind the way in which he would tell Padme of her husband’s death.

* * * * * * *

Obi-Wan’s spacecraft sped out of the planet’s atmosphere and disappeared among the stars of the night sky. Anakin’s dead body still smoldered in the magma. Beside the fissure still lay the crystal. In his grief, Obi-Wan forgotten all about it.

As soon as Obi-Wan had left the site, dark shapes, almost shadows, began to stir among the hills of cooled lava. These shapes moved closer to the place where Anakin lay, surveying the situation. A sound like whispering filled the hot air.

The shadows engulfed Anakin’s charred body. They carried him to a cave and laid him down on what almost looked like an altar. Torches that burned in the corners of the room threw even more shadows about the scene. The shadows worked silently around Anakin’s burnt, lifeless body until moaning came from the disintegrated throat.

For days, the shadows worked, using energy beams from their fingers to cut off the parts of his body that had been burnt beyond salvage. they sawed off his arms, his feet, and cut away parts of his stomach and chest. They replaced these parts with metal machinery. Over his face, a mask was placed to help him breathe. A respirator was attached to a small energy pack on his chest. Black metal armor was attached to every inch of his body, not leaving any organic tissue exposed. Lying now on the altar, was a man completely morphed into a machine. Anakin Skywalker was dead, and lying in his place was a creation o fthe dark side of the Force.

The shadows increased their murmurs until an insane shriek rose from their circle. The respirator whirred to life; rhythmic breathing sounded from the facemask of the newborn creature. From nowhere, a hard wind blew through the cave. A leg twitched. A hand formed a fist. And suddenly, the black armored figure was alive. It sat up unexpectedly. Silently, it sat breathing in its mechanical rhythm for a few moments. The shadowy creatures shrank back to the dark places against the walls. The newly alive creature stared straight ahead; no sounds except the breathing filled the cave.

The figure of Darth Sidious appeared in a dark corner of the room, and the black creature turned its head to look at it. “My apprentice, I have saved your life. You have awakened to find yourself on Mustafar. Your mission is not complete. The Kaiburr Crystal lies on the ground where Anakin Skywalker has dropped it. go now, retrieve the crystal and return to these caves. here, you will complete your training and then return to me. Go now.”

The black creature nodded slowly. the image of Darth Sidious faded. The newborn monster stood shakily on its two new legs and then slowly left the cave. It returned to the spot where Anakin had dropped the crystal many days ago. Picking up the crystal, the creature had a flash of vision. It was an image of a dark wave moving toward him. but this time, unlike the vision he had as a child, the wave cc rashed down upon him. When he was aware of himself, he was back inside the cave.

The shadow creatures were around him once again, assisting him in building a lightsaber from the crystal. when it was complete, he ignited the blade. He was entranced by the red glow of the blade - no Jedi were permitted to carry red lightsabers. He knew now he was a Sith. He was now ready to meet with his new master, Darth Sidious.

* * * * * * *

“What?”

Obi-Wan could not meet Padme’s eyes. He was kneeling down on both knees before her, shame burning on his cheeks. “Your highness...”

“Wh....?” was the only sound she could make.

“I can only say how sorry I am,” Obi-Wan whispered.

Padme fought the tears that threatened to come. She could not cry in front of anyone - even a dear friend such as Obi-Wan Kenobi. her heart was bursting for Obi-Wan - she wanted to hate him for letting this happen but loved him even more for his honor. Obi-Wan was the only other living soul that knew that she and Anakin had secretly married. She knew she could not hide her growing belly from him. Anakin and Obi-Wan had left on their quest to find the crystal before she had found out she was pregnant. She knew Obi-Wan’s grief and guilt was compounded by his discovery of her pregnancy moments ago.

“Please go,” she whispered.

Obi-Wan looked up at her in surprise. “Your Highness, I would like to stay with you for a while. Make sure you’re alright...”

“Please, Obi-wan, let me be.”

Obi-Wan stood and faced her. “I want you to know that I --”

“I know, Obi-Wan, I know.”

Obi-Wan left Padme alone. She finally let the tears fall freely now, her hands rubbing her swollen belly. The baby inside her was still, as if it knew what she could not accept.

* * * * * * *

The dark creature stood among the sadowy figures within the cave on Mustafar. Rage built up inside of it and it was ready to strike down each of the figures. The remnants of the man inside the machine were confused. he was confused as to why he felt such rage at these beings when it seemed clear to him that they had saved his life. he was confused as to why his body no longer felt like his own. He was cold all over and yet he could see he was surrounded by volcanoes and lava all around him. Over and over his mind told him that a Jedi was to blame for this situation and that these shadows around him were that Jedi. He ignited his lightsaber and struck down each of the shadows in one fluid motion. Each shadow melted into the floor as the laser blade struck it. The dark being was now alone in the cave.

“Good. Very good. You have learned much, my young apprentice. Now, come to me on Coruscant. I am eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

The voice of Darth Sidious echoed through the cave and the black machine had no choice now but to meet his new master.

* * * * * * *

On Coruscant, the Jedi High Council was questioning ObiWan Kenobi about the events on Mustafar. Yoda sat quietly in his seat watching Obi-Wan recount the events and reveal the secret of Padme’s pregnancy through his sleepy green eyes. His long ears were alert although his face seemed tired.

“Unfortunate this is,” Yoda sighed. “The chosen one, Anakin was.” He paused. “Qui-Gon did not listen to the council on this matter. Dangerous was this Jedi Skywalker and now he is an agent of evil.”

Obi Wan shook his head. “Master Yoda, I saw Anakin die. His body was burned in a sea of lava. How can you say...?”

“Much do you have still to learn, Young Obi-Wan. Do not underestimate the dark side of the Force. Much power does it possess. Unclear it is what happened to Anakin after you left the planet.” He closed his eyes and seemed to meditate for a moment. the high council waited patiently for him to continue. “Dificult to see his ultimate fate. Beware Obi-Wan, your destiny lies with Anakin Skywalker.”

Obi-Wan waited for Yoda to continue, but Yoda was silent. Mace Windu, seated next to Yoda, spoke. “You must see Padme safely off this planet. Find her a place to raise her baby in peace. We have foreseen great suffering among the Jedi at the hands of a Sith master and apprentice. We have also foreseen that the son of Skywalker will rid the galaxy of the Sith forever. It is certain that the Sith also know about the child and his destiny. Our fates have already been told, but he will continue the Jedi tradition long after we have gone.” He motioned to Yoda, who seemed to be sleeping but was in deep meditation. “We will all remain with Master Yoda as long as we can, but it will be up to you to protect Padme and her child. When the time is right, you will train the child in the Jedi tradition. Do you understand?”

Obi Wan stood frozen. He nodded his head slowly as his mind processed this, the final request of the Jedi Council. “Where shall I take her?”

Mace Windu closed his eyes and shook his head. “Unclear. You will know when you get there. Good luck, Obi-Wan Kenobi. May the Force be with each and every one of us.”

“Thank you.” Obi-Wan bowed to the council and hurried from the chamber.

* * * * * * *

Obi-Wan did not stop running until he reached the apartment of Padme. “Your Highness, you must leave Coruscant immediately. Your life is in grave danger.”

She sighed. “I trust you with my life, Obi-Wan. Where shall we go?”

Obi-Wan shook his head. “I don’t know. Please, we must leave the planet soon.”
Padme nodded, her hands cradling her belly.

* * * * * * *

Darth Sidious rose as his new apprentice entered the room. The black machine was more hideous than even he had imagined. He felt something like pride slip through his evil facade.

“Please, come closer,” he growled at the being. “I want to see the magnificient creature I have created.”

The dark figure came closer. The armor was truly terrifying. The breath mask and helmet itself was enough to put fear in the bravest of men. Darth Sidious was impressed with the smooth transitions between metal and flesh and the artificial limbs that had been attached. The respirator slowly breathed for the creature and did not change its rhythm.

“You will be called Darth....Vader, Lord of the Sith.” Darth Sidious wondered if this horrible monster could speak or if he would have to listen to the monotonous breathing as his only company.

Darth Vader thought about this new name. It sounded brutal. He felt this was not his true name, but he relished in it nonetheless. What had his name been before? He could not remember. The last thing he remembered before he aoke in the cave was fighting with a Jedi Knight and a vision of a beautiful woman. If he hadn’t been on a respirator, he would have skipped a breath. This woman in his vision had been beautiful and a name spiraled through his head. “Where is Padme?” he said slowly. He was shocked to hear the sound of his own voice. It sounded filtered, amplified, mechanical and dark.

Darth Sidious sat back in his throne. He shook his head with something that appeared to be pity. “My poor, poor apprentice. You can never see her again.”

A wave broke over Darth Vader. “I want to see her now!” he boomed.

“Here is your dear wife, Darth Vader. Look carefully,” Darth Sidious whispered, motioning to an image appearing in the center of the room.

In the image was a beautiful woman. Vader felt a moment of relief at her sight. But another figure moved into the picture. A man that he recognized but could not remember his name. He was dressed as a Jedi and was walking calmly toward the woman, both had their backs turned to Vader in the image. Vader felt anger rising in him and he wanted to burst into the image and pull her out to him. The Jedi ignited his lightsaber and lunged at the unsuspecting woman. The lightsaber pierced through her chest and she screamed. He pulled back the lightsaber and she cried, clutching her chest. “Why?” she moaned. The Jedi struck again, pirecing her through her stomach. Vader felt a second wave of terror and another smaller voice crying out in agony. A third voice joined the screaming and the woman fell lifeless to the ground.

Darth Vader could not stand to look at the image any longer. He turned away from it.

“No! You must watch,” Darth Sidious hissed.

Vader obeyed and turned back to the image. The Jedi continued to strike at the dead body of the woman though she was no longer moving. He extinguished his lightsaber and turn around. Vader could see the Jedi’s face clearly now. “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Vader said aloud as the image faded from the room.

Darth Sidious sneered in glee. “Your dear friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, has murdered your wife...”

Darth Vader continued to stare at the space where the image had been. A great sadness washed over him. “You are no longer Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight. His life has ended. Your wife is dead. Only Darth Vader exists now.”

Vader turned to his new master. “What will happen now?”

“You must follow your feelings. Act upon them. We are destined to rule the galaxy, I have forseen it. The Jedi are all that stand in our way.”

“What about Kenobi?” Vader asked.

“You may do what you will with him. But the Jedi must be destroyed. Our time is at hand, my apprentice.”

“I am a Jedi,” Vader said.

Darth Sidious sat back in his throne and laughed. “You are no longer a Jedi. I will destroy you if you do not obey.” He felt Vader’s confusion swelling in him. He stood and faced Vader. “Together, we will rule the galaxy! The Republic is no more!”

* * * * * * *

Sidious stormed the Senate as his political ego, Senator Palpatine, and declared the Republic dissolved. In its place he proclaimed an Empire, exhaulting himself as supreme Emperor of the Galaxy. He forced the Senators to sign a new treaty which gave him complete rule over all the worlds of the Old Republic. A new era was begun. A reign of terror.

As these events were taking place, Vader was organizing his ow storm. He was provided an army of bounty hunters, mercenaries and clone troopers to help him hunt down the Jedi. He would begin right here on Coruscant by wiping out the High Council. If he could remove these Jedi, the rest would be scattered, unorganized and confused. He made the destruction of the council his number one pirority. He traveled to the Jedi Temple, striking down any Jedi that was unfrotunate enough to come into his path. He arrived at the Temple, death surrounded him.

Jedi heard the fighting from throughout the temple and rushed to battle. Those Jedi who were met by soldiers had only to deflect laser blaster shots back onto the men who fired to kill them. But, once they cleared their path of those fighters, they still had Darth Vader to reckon with.

A small group of surviving Jedi followed their instincts toward the center of the battle. They stepped over bodies of fallen Jedi and bounty hunters and were blinded by the smoke that had filled the corridors of the temple. They arrived in a room where many Jedi had been quietly meditating and were struck down unawares. Standing in the center of the room was a cloaked black figure, holding a red lightsaber.

“Sith,” one Jedi whispered to his comrades.

This Sith looked human enough, but its head was completely encased in a black helmet. the Jedi could hear it breathing calmly, rhythmically. Fear and dread filled the Jedi but they quickly composed themselves. One Jedi had a vision playing out in his mind and it was of this Sith cutting them down as well. The six Jedi in this standing group ignited their lightsabers and prepared to engage their enemy. They brought all of their thoughts into the present. They could no longer think abou twhee the Council was or where Master Yoda was. Any stray thoughts could send this Sith Lord right to their leaders. The Jedi rushed forward as a group to attack the Sith.

Remarkably enough, Darth Vader fought all six Jedi together and was easily cutting each of them down. All were dead except for one, which lay dying by his feet.

“Where is the council?” Vader hissed, his lightsaber pointing at the Jedi’s throat.

“I don’t know,” the Jedi whispered.

Darth Vader’s breathing did not stray from its tempo as he drove the lightsaber through the Jedi’s throat. He surveyed the room for any more living Jedi then extinguished his lightsaber and calmly walked from the room. He had been in this temple before and although his conscious mind was not aware of this, his instincts led him through the temple to the council’s tower.

As he traveled to the tower, Vader mercilessly killed all Jedi in his path, not pausing in his brutal actions except once.

* * * * * * *

Obi-Wan said he would return to her as quickly as he could. he had to see to it that Master Yoda was safely off the planet. the council had warned Obi-Wan to take care of his own business, and that they would see to Yoda’s escape, but he could not obey. His feelings told him that he personally needed to see Yoda leave the planet in order to feel at ease and take care of himself and Padme. Once Yoda’s ship was safely away and quickly disappearing among the stars, Obi-Wan returned to the council’s high tower.

“You are in grave danger,” he said to the council.

Mace Windu was now the High Jedi Master of the council with Yoda gone. “We are prepared to meet with our fate. You must continue with your mission, Obi-Wan. Get to Padme and see her safely away. Your time is running out. Do not fear for us. Go now!”

"May the Force be with you,” Obi-Wan choked to say. He looked around the room once more at his Jedi Masters then fled from the room. He must reach Padme before the armies below discover him.

* * * * * * *

Padme was beginning to be afraid. Obi Wan had been gone a long time. Much longer than she had expected. She knew his loyalty to the council, and especially Yoda, was strong, but now she was beginning to fear that he was going to stay with them. If he were not back soon, it would be too late for her to leave. She could already feel the first labor pains beginning and knew that her time of mobility was short. The council had foreseen the baby boy she was carrying would be the last hope for the galaxy to escape the oppression of the Empire. She was told she would need to hide her son somewhere safe to escape the evil brewing around her. The death of her husband was more than she could bear, but now to face the notion that she would have to give up her son was death to her.

The sound of death was all around her and it seemed to be getting closer. She made up her mind to leave her room now, and try to find ObiWan. She pulled on a cload and slipped quietly from the room. Smoke was filling the corridor and the white gown and cloak she was wearing acted as a camouflage against the white smoke. Before turning each corner, she looked behind to be sure no one was following her and carefully scanned the situation in the new direction that she would be traveling.

She had not seen another being for a few minutes and she was becoming uneasy. This was too simple, she thought. There are armies all over this building and yet she had not seen a single creature. She paused before turning the next corner, peeking around the turn.

Nearby, she heard a sudden scream and then it was silenced just as quickly as it came. She froze in fear and then peered around the corner. Her heart froze in terror and shw as unable to move from her place. The being standing before her was more terrifying than any creature she had seen in her lifetime. her labor pains were strong at this moment, the baby kicking frantically inside of her. She held her breath. The black armored thing had seen her.

* * * * * * *

Obi-Wan arrived at Padme’s room to find it empty. He closed his eyes for a moment in hopes of sensing what had happened to her. She was not dead, but he felt grave danger all around her presence. Perhaps she was trying to find him? His instincts told him that she was also trying to escape. He had to find her, and quickly, if they were to leave this place unnoticed.

* * * * * * *

Vader stood over the body of the fallen Jedi, pleased with the ease at which he was destroying the Jedi in the temple. He would arrive soon at the council’s tower and the anticipation filled him with pleasure. He had not seen Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi who had once been his friend but that he believe had murdered his wife. Kenobi would not find himself enjoying a quick death as these other Jedi. Perhaps Kenobi was in the tower, trying to protect his precious high council.

Obi Wan had been Anakin’s dearest friend, almost a father to him. Vader was suddenly confused. This new memory interrupted his feelings of hate toward Obi Wan. Vader remembered being a small boy, eager to become a Jedi, cast out by the council but loved by Obi Wan. How could it have been Obi Wan who killed his wife? Vader could not let these thoughts fill his head. It was Obi Wan who had killed his wife. He had seen the images with his own eyes.

Darth Vader pulled his lightsaber from the throat of the dead Jedi lying at his feet. He was satisfied with himself now, but a new feeling came over him. It was pain. There was another presence in the corridor near him. It was a woman, somewhere hidden from his sight. Vader could feel immense pain emanating from her body - physical and mental anguish. Perhaps a dying Jedi he had not issued the final blow to? He did not feel this to be so. This woman’s heart was bursting and he could feel this with all his dark senses. He did not feel pity for her, but he recognized the pain as his own. Perhaps another Sith was sent to help him in his quest, but the Emperor did not mention such a being. He looked up.

A woman’s face was perring at him from around a corner nearby. He could only see one of her eyes, and he knew that she was trying to stay hidden. Before he could move, she pulled her head back around the corner and he could hear her running away from him. Vader quickly hurried after her. He turned the corner and saw her white robed figure rushing away from him.

He never broke his walking stride, but was able to easily catch up to her and was within a few feet of reaching out to grab her. “Stop where you are!” he called after her. She stopped dead in her tracks. “Turn around,” he commanded. She slowly turned to face him.

Her face was beautiful. Even to Darth Vader, the point that was extremely sad was not lost. He did not ignite his lightsaber, only looked thoughtfully at the woman before him. “Who are you?” he asked her.

“I am not a Jedi,” she said defiantly, fear shaking in her voice.

He paused. He could feel that she was not a Jedi. her belly was swollen with child and he could sense the boy child inside of her. The Force was strong around the unborn baby, she was carrying a boy would grow to be a powerful Jedi. For a Sith Lord, the next decision would have been an easy one - he should strike down this woman and kill the Jedi inside of her. But something stayed his hand. His decision rolled around his brain between the human and mechanical circuitry.

“Where is Kenobi?” Vader growled at her.

She shook her head and clutched her belly. A surge of pain shot through Vader’s body. “I don’t know Master Kenobi,” she lied.

Vader took a step toward her and she fell to her knees in pain from her labor. He knew this woman, but who was she?

Vader was not aware that this woman was his beloved wife, Padme. Palpatine had conjured the image of his wife but never revealed her face to him. Vader could not interpret the confusion of feelings this woman introduced into the growing Sith inside of him.

He lit his lightsaber and held it out in front of him as if he were preparing to bring it down on her head. He knew she was lying, she knew Obi Wan Kenobi, he should kill her and the Jedi baby, he had no reason to show mercy.

More pain coursed through his body and he realized that he was feeling her intense physical pain as his own. Her pain was completely encompassing his body and he could not endure her suffering any longer. His decision was made at that moment.

He stepped closer to her. “Please don’t kill me,” she begged. “Please don’t kill my baby.”

If he was not on a respirator, Vader would have been able to smell her hair. She looked up at him. A flash of recognition came across her face. It was accompanied by conflicting emotions of relief and betrayal. Vader hesitated then placed his hand on her head - she fell unconscious to the floor. Before she fell from his touch, a vision flashed before his eyes. A blinding white light filled his head then a girl’s face appeared. She was wearing a Japor carving around her neck on a rope. the image came into clear focus and then the blinding white light again.

With her now lying at his feet, Vader was relieved at the end of their conjoined pain. He stood staring at her unconscious body and horror slowly gripped him and panic rose at a maddening rate inside him. He turned and rushed away, back the battle from which he came.

This woman was wearing a Japor carving around her neck like the one the girl in his vision had worn. He had almost killed her. What kind of monster had he become? He faught hard to keep his thoughts focussed on his task: killing the Jedi and hunting down Obi Wan Kenobi.

* * * * * * *

Padme woke in the corridor to find Obi Wan’s face close to hers. “Are you alright?” he whispered to her.

She sat up with his help. “I think so,” she said. “How did I get out here?” she asked, looking around her. The corridor was still smokey and screams could be heard from elsewhere in the temple. “Obi Wan, I had the strangest dream...” she held her head in her hands.

“C’mon, we’ve got to get out of here.” Obi Wan helped her to her feet and they rushed toward the hangar where his ship was docked.

* * * * * * *

The door to the tower opened and a dark figure appeared amidst the smoke. No words were spoken but the intentions were clear. The Jedi would die. They would not be able to overpower this Sith, even though they outnumbered it. “Anakin Skywalker,” Mace Windu called out to the creature.

Darth Vader turned his head toward Windu.

“That is your true self. Have you already forgotten?” Mace Windu continued. The creature began walking toward him.

Vader ignited his lightsaber. The council was not surprised at the power that he possessed.

“Strike us down if you must, but know that you are no longer a Jedi. This council warned Obi Wan not to train you, and now this is the fate we must suffer. Do as you will, but know that we have forseen your destiny.” Mace Windu lit his lightsaber and engaged Darth Vader.

Vader fought all the JEdi of the high council with cold, malicious mechanical ease. Each Jedi fell to his lightsaber, including Mace Windu. He was filled with satisfaction at having wiped out the council. Their defeat made him the most powerful warrior the galaxy would ever know.

It was time not to move on to the rest of the Republic and wipe out the last scattered and unorganized Jedi that remained. His encounter with the woman was forgotten, now he marveled at his power and strength. The name Anakin Skywalker echoed in his head and he wondered if what Mace Windu had said was true. Was this his true self? He could not remember a life before the cave. The only things that existed in his mind were visions, flashes, not memories. And these visions only served to confuse him in his mission.

He surveyed the scene in the council’s tower. The dead Jedi lay where they had encountered their destinies. Obi Wan Kenobi was not among thse dead Jedi. he allowed himself one more moment of satisfaction then turned and walked calmly from the tower room.

* * * * * * *

Emperor Palpatine sat quietly in his chambers. A dull pain filled his body and an image of a woman appeared in his mind. His meditation was deep but his eyes were wide open. He recognized the woman in his vision as Padme Amidala, former queen of Naboo whom he served as senator before he himself was elected supreme chancellor. Through his meditation, he discovered that she was pregnant and would give birth to a son. Images of death, destruction and the power of the Force surrounded this baby. He saw the boy as a young man destroying the Sith. Palpatine became enraged. He must find the son of Skywalker and have him destroyed. Knowing Padme as he did, he was certain that she would abandon her son for his safety.

Palpatine awoke and called for bounty hunters. They were given the task of seeking out Padme Amidala ad her new born baby boy and destroying them.

* * * * * * *

Padme rested quietly on a small bed on Obi Wan’s ship. She was not having any more labor pains and was able to sleep. Her dreams were filled with fear, loss and for the first time since her husband’s death: contentment.

In her dream, she was back in the corridor of the temple, the black creature standing before her with his lightsaber ready to strike. As in reality, it reached out its hand and touched her head. At its touch, waves of images and emotions flowed through her and overcame her. She felt herself burning as if she were on fire; her labor pains ceased as she felt them pass into the black thing; she saw Obi Wan’s face when he was a young man; she felt great sorrow and longing; and she also felt Anakin’s spirit wash over her. As quickly as the images came, they were gone and blackness surrounded her.

Padme woke with a start and called out “Anakin?” The metal room around her echoed the name of her dead husband. Her eyes searched for around her for her husband. She had felt him, but where was he?

The labor pains started up again and she called for Obi Wan.

* * * * * * *

Bounty Hunters across the galaxy were already beginning their brutal slaughter of all newborn baby boys they could find. Babies being torn from their mothers arms killed in all manor of barbaric ways. The slaughter was horrifying and Sidious watched the action with complete satisfaction.

Elsewhere in the galaxy, Darth Vader had enlisted the help of one particularly barbaric bounty hunter named Boba Fett to help him extinguish the Jedis’ light from the universe. His search for Obi Wan Kenobi was not revealing the Jedi who had killed his wife.

* * * * * * *

Padme suffered a great deal durin gher labors and Obi Wan was able to land his ship on the remote plante of Tatoonie before the baby entered the world. He was able to ease some of her pain by the use of the Force, but childbirth is a pain which women must endure and Jedi can only assist. Padme gave birth to the baby boy just as the Jedi and Sith had all foreseen. According to the Jedi council, this boy’s destiny was to destroy the Sith and restore order and peace to the galaxy.

Then to the surprise of Padme and Obi Wan, her labor pains started again. A second child was born - a girl! Obi Wan was astounded, the council had not foreseen a second baby. Anakin did not even know that Padme was pregnant, and now there were two babies to begin the fight against Vader. Two were stronger than one, but they could not remain hidden if all three were together.

Padme rested quietly with both babies cradled in her arms. Obi Wan sat by her side, watching the scene with great sadness. “What do I do with them now?” Padme asked softly.

Obi Wan answered as gently as he could. “The council did not foresee that there would be twins. It is possible that the Sith could not sense the girl’s presence either. You were supposed to hide your son after he was born, but now with two of them...”

“Obi Wan! Both of my children are going to have to be taken from me? I don’t know how I can bear this,” she cried. “I can’t lose my husband and my children. I couldn’t live.”

Obi Wan stood up. “You will have to be hidden as well.”

Padme stood up. “You need to stay with me Obi Wan. I need you with me.”

He turned to her, a light shining in his eyes. “Your babies will remain safe and anonymous. Anakin does not know that you were pregnant and it is certain that he still does not know whether ornot you are alive.”

Padme stiffened. “You speak of Anakin as if he were still alive, but you yourself saw him die!”

Obi Wan sat again beside her and placed his hand on her head. “This will not be easy for you to hear, but you must. Anakin died on Mustafar. I did see it with my own eyes. The council has told me that he was reanimated by the Sith Lord Sidious, whom we now know is Emperor Palpatine. Anakin is now a Sith Lord. He was deceived by Sidious to believe that I killed you - and now he is bound to Sidious because he gave Anakin life. He is hunting me as well.” He closed his eyes and tried to feel Padme’s thoughts. He pulled his hand away sharply and suddenly as if he were burned. He did not tell Padme what he saw of her memories.

“My brother, Owen Lars, is a moisture farmer on this planet, your son will go to live with him and his wife. Bail Organa, on Alderaan, is leading the fight against the empire. You and your daughter will be safe with him.”

“But my son, he will have to be by himself,” Padme sighed.

Obi Wan shookhis head. “That black menace was trying to destroy all the Jedi in the temple, and by the emptiness I feel in the Force right now, he has succeeded in killing most of the Jedi in the galaxy. He will soon be after me.” He lifted the boy out of her arms and held him close to his chest. “I will stay here, in hiding, and be near your son. He will not be alone.”

“What about what the council said about my son destroying the Sith and restoring peace to the galaxy?”

“That is why I must remain close to him.” The boy was tightly gripping Obi Wan’s finger in his fist. “He will be safe with my brother, he was always bitter that I was trained as a Jedi and he was not. He will not approve of your son rushing off to join the rebellion or learning of the Jedi. It will help your son to remain anonymous until he is ready to fulfill his destiny. He must be trained as a Jedi if he is to defeat the Emperor. That is why I must remain hidden. If I die, there will be no one to train him.”

“What about Master Yoda?” Padme said hopefully. “You saw him leave Coruscant. Could you and Luke go directly to him now?”

“No,” Obi Wan said sharply. “The time will come when your son will be trained, but now is not the time. We must be patient.”

“What will become of my daughter? Is she to be trained as a Jedi, too?” Padme cradled her baby girl in her arms, wishing she had been trained in the Force so that she could foresee her childrens’ futures.

Obi Wan smiled kindly then spent a moment meditating on the fate of the twins. “Your children will be reunited very soon. They will find each other, but until then they must not know of the other’s existence for their safety. Your daughter is our greatest weapon - the Sith do not know of her existence.” He continued to meditate. “There’s something else.” He tried to block out the new visions, but when they came into focus, he decided not to tell Padme. Instead said, “what I see is unclear. Rest easy, Your Highness, your children will only be separated for a short time.”

Padme nodded and thought deeply for a few minutes on what Obi Wan had said. “Then, this is how it shall be.” She pulled the blanket down from the baby’s face and kissed her daughter softly on the forehead.

* * * * * * *

On the remote planet of Dagobah, a small, one man transport crash landed in the swamp. At first, it seemed as if the pilot had not survived the crash. The ship was quickly sinking into the swamp and there seemed no hope of life. before the ship disappeared, a tiny hatch opened on the top of the ship and out crawled the small green for of the Jedi Master Yoda. He slid down the ship, into the water and swam to the edge. He stood along the shore, watching his ship sink. He made no attempt to save his ship from its fate - he had no possessions and he knew that he would never again leave this planet. With the ship destroyed now, there would be no way to trace him. He turned and surveyed the planet, sighing loudly as his destiny revealed itself around him. “Slimy mudhole,” he growled to himself and began walking toward a grove of trees. If he was going to live here, he had better get started on building a shelter.

* * * * * * *

Obi Wan Kenobi and Padme Amidala stood before a small sand homestead in the middle of the Tatooine desert. It appeared to be vacant, and Padme hoped against hope that it was. It would mean not leaving her son behind. But a noise behind the door revealed a woman with a kind face. She was slightly younger than Padme. “Ben!” she cried as she hugged Obi Wan close to her. He smiled into her face kindly and she invited Obi Wan and the little family inside.

“Beru, this is Padme.” Padme clutched her babies close to her chest as Beru smiled kindly at her. Obi Wan put his arm around Padme and they were then led into the small desert house.

“What brings you to this corner of the galaxy, Ben?” Beru asked cheerfully.

Obi Wan’s expression turned serious. “I think you need to bring Owen in here and then I will tell you everything.” Beru rushed from the house to find her husband.

Owen’s face was very serious though he was many years younger than his brother, Ben. He thought seriously about the events Obi Wan relayed to him and surveyed the young family seated before him. “Ben, father never approved of you becoming a Jedi. He was afraid that you would find yourself in grave danger. Seems you’ve found yourself just that.”

“Owen, I need your help. I will be in hiding until the boy comes of age. He will find me on his own when the time is right. I promise I will not seek him out. I can’t tell you how important it is that he remains hidden.” He begged his brother with his eyes.

Beru turned to Padme, a sad look on her face. “We can’t have any children of our own. We will love him as if he were. You needn’t worry.”

Padme smiled weakly at Beru. “I know this is the right thing to do. My head says he will be fine, but my heart is breaking.” She held the boy close to her and walked from the room. Obi Wan watched her disappear into the next room and could only imagine the heartbreaking goodbye that was happening as he heard her whisper, “know that I will always be with you...”

* * * * * * *

Obi Wan and Padme stood now as 3 people in the starport bay. The baby boy was snuggled into a crib in Beru and Owen Lars’ home. Padme’s heart was with him, but her focus was now on the instructions that Obi Wan was giving her. “I’ve arranged a transport to take you to Alderaan where Bail Organa is waiting for you. You and your daughter will be well hidden. you will remain with Organa until I come for you.” He held her face in his hands. “You will be safe. Your children will be together again, I promise.”

Padme fought the tears and smiled warmly at Obi Wan. “You are a true friend to me, Obi Wan. I shall never forget what you’ve done for me and my family.” She kissed him softly on the cheek. “Do not blame yourself for Anakin’s death.”

Obi Wan promised to watch over her son. “I will not drag him into the conflict with the Empire. He will fufill his destiny on his own.” The transport ship was beginning its launch preparations. “You must leave now, Your Highness.”

Padme hugged Obi Wan one last time and he kissed the baby girl on the forehead. “Find me,” he whispered to the baby, soft enough so Padme could not hear.

“Good bye Obi Wan, and thank you,” she turned and hurried onto the transport ship. She could not look at Obi Wan as the ship departed. Her heart had been broken too many times over the course of the past few days that she could not endure this parting.

Padme and Obi Wan were never to see each other again.

* * * * * * *

**It is now 3 years into the future. The Imperial Republic now reigns in terror over the universe under Darth Sidious and his apprentice Darth Vader.**

“Mama? What are you looking at?” The little girl crawled into her mother’s lap. Padme sat staring out the window toward the sky.

She kissed her daughter on the head. “Just dreaming, my dear. Why don’t you go play with your friends? It’s such a beautiful day.”


After another kiss from her mother, the little girl happily ran out to play. Padme was alone in her sitting room. Her thoughts were focussed on a message from Obi Wan Kenobi. He decided it was time to tell Padme that Anakin was not dead. He had been transformed into Darth Vader. He had been betrayed by Palpatine, told that Obi Wan had killed her and had sought revenge on the Jedi. Now there were only two Jedi left: Obi Wan and Yoda, and the promise of another - her son.

But Padme did not dwell on these thoughts. Her mind continued to float back to the meeting in the corridor of the Jedi temple. Padme grew cold as she thought of the dark Sith she had met. Now she knew that this Sith had been her husband. She was horrified at what he was - a walking corpse, kept alive by machines. He did not recognize her and she had not recognized him. But he did not kill her. She was afraid - was he able to tell that she was pregnant with his children? Would he be searching for her and the babies? She had heard the rumor of the murder of baby boys around the galaxy but did not understand why. Obi Wan said that Vader had not been behind that murderous epidemic, but that the Emperor had initiated it. She feared for her son but hoped that in not recognizing her Vader also would not know he had children.

She felt very old.

The burden of responsibility for the events that unfolded in the Republic seemed to fall to her. It was her dying image that drove Vader to kill all the Jedi in search of Obi Wan. It was her unborn son whom the Emperor was searching for that drove the Imperials to kill all the newborn babies. Her children were separated from each other, and though Obi Wan could foresee that they would be together again someday, it broke her heart that htey did not have each other now. Someday they would learn of their father’s actions and would have to confront their father. There was no hope of turning Anakin from the Dark Side of the Force. This meant the son would have to kill the father. She could only hope that their son would never learn Vader’s true identity - it would make it easier that way to deliver the final blow.

Her heart was tired of breaking.

She kept her eyes gazing up toward the sky. Somewhere, Anakin was out there. Did he know that she was still alive? Would he find out that he had been lied to and turn from the Dark Side? Could their son truly restore peace to the galaxy just as Obi Wan foresaw? No, she thought, he is lost. All is lost. I am lost....

* * * * * * *

Darth Vader had a meditation spot. Even Sith need to meditate on the Force and his time to do this was limited. He was very angry that he was pulled in so many directions by his feelings, his memories and now his master, Darth Sidious. This particular meditation revealed unexpected outcomes. He saw his destiny flash before his eyes - he was not saddened from witnessing his own death. On the contrary, he was relieved. A face was above him not filtered red by his helmet’s eye pieces. A young man who did not look afraid or angry. What was his name? More visions filled his head. A beautiful young girl walking through a hallway filled with smoke. He was now able to recognize her as Padme, his wife. This was the woman he saw in the temple. If he had not been on life support at the moment, his heart may have quickened. But at the moment, he had to settle for the memory of a beating heart. Again, anger filled him - he did not ask to be raised from the dead. He now knew his life ended as Anakin and began as Darth Vader on Mustafar. The name carried little meaning for him anymore. He had no true memories, just visions through meditations that then became memories. His thoughts lingered on Padme. She was seated somewhere on a blue planet, searching the sky. Was she looking for him? What would she think of the monster he’d become? He didn’t care. He was very angry. Sidious had lied, Padme was not dead, Obi Wan did not kill her. If he had known this when he met her in the temple, he may have taken her and run away from the Sith, the Dark Side and the Empire. She could have turned him back to his former life. Was this true? He’ll never know. He was going to kill her when he saw her. She was pregnant - this he had not known. What became of the baby? He was enraged now at the thought of Sidious’ order to kill all newborn baby boys. His son was surely murdered during the holocaust. Perhaps that is why now Padme’s face is so sad.

His mind floated back to the image of Padme at the window, but something was wrong. Her head was leaning against the window yet there was no breath on the glass. Her eyes held on to tears that were destined never to fall. True anger befell him now as he realized that by his actions, he alone had killed her. Visions of killing Darth Sidious now crept into his circuitry. He couldn’t do it alone. He would have to be patient and hope that his son survived somehow. If he could find this boy and hide him from the Emperor, he would have a powerful ally. He would have to hide these thoughts from the Emperor until it was time.

Only Obi Wan knew where the boy was and in time his son would seek him out.