“The Sith are the complete opposite of the Jedi. The Jedi were selfless and only used the Force in order to help mankind. Passion ruled the Sith. They were evil. They thought only of themselves. The Sith craved power then, and that’s what they want now. They won’t be satisfied until they control the entire galaxy.”
Brant asked, “Are they using this force of yours too?”
“It’s not my force. It’s “The Force.” It’s hard for anyone who isn’t endowed with the ability to understand exactly what the Force is, as well as what one can do while using it. The Force enables an individual to use supernatural powers. Luke Skywalker used the Force when he took out the first Death Star. It’s what the Jedi used to protect the Solaris. Forgive me sir, but it would take too long to explain the Force fully.”
“You’re sure these Sith were on that Death Star?” Brant asked.
“Yes sir. I’m positive. Palpatine was really a Sith Lord by the name of Darth Sidious. He used his powers to murder the Jedi and overthrow the Old Republic. When Anakin Skywalker killed the Emperor, he destroyed the Sith, or so it appeared at the time. Now they’re back. I don’t know how or why. There’s only one thing I am certain of. The Sith were on those TIE fighters and they’re also on board that Death Star.”
Lando suddenly found his voice, “Darth Vader was a Sith Lord, wasn’t he?”
“Yes he was,” Ben replied solemnly.
“Then we’re in big trouble,” Lando responded as a frown creased his forehead.
Brant knew what a Death Star was. He’d just never seen one before this day. Everyone knew about the destruction of the Death Star, as well knowing that Emperor Palpatine died when it exploded. The armada had dispersed without their dictator to guide them, enabling the Alliance to win the war.
Brant couldn’t help but question what Ben just told him about his grandfather. Raymus Antilles was certain Anakin Skywalker died on Mustafar when he fought Darth Vader. If dead, how could the man be responsible for Palpatine’s death like Ben claimed? Skywalker supposedly died years before the Death Star was destroyed. Then again, Antilles was quite old. Maybe he’d misconstrued the facts.
“Raymus Antilles wasn’t aware of the truth sir. He thought my grandfather died while on Mustafar, but he really died on the second Death Star. Anakin Skywalker killed Palpatine when the Emperor attacked his son. My grandfather sacrificed his life in order to save my uncle.”
“How is that possible? Darth Vader would’ve killed Skywalker before he got anywhere near Palpatine.” Brant stated, suddenly realizing he hadn’t said anything about Antilles out loud.
Ben didn’t reply. He sat quietly for the longest time.
“I don’t know whether I like the idea of you reading my mind. Is that part of this force you keep talking about?”
“I suppose so sir, but I’m not really reading your mind. I’m sensing your thoughts. It’s rather confusing for me too. I’ve never been able to sense anything this strongly before, not even with Padmay. I guess my abilities are increasing a bit.”
“That’s quite an understatement,” Brant snorted. “Regardless, you still haven’t answered my question. How could your grandfather get close enough to Palpatine in order to kill him?”
Ben looked over at Lando. Luke wanted him to know their true heritage, but when Ben told him, he knew Lando hadn’t believed him. He’d completely rejected the idea that Darth Vader was Luke’s father.
Lando asked, “What’s wrong Ben?”
“Nothing Uncle Lando. I’ve just been trying to decide how much I should tell Captain Brant. I suppose I should reveal everything. This is no time for secrets.” Ben sighed heavily and began.
As Alec Brant listened to Ben’s revelation, he recalled all the terrifying tales he’d been told about Darth Vader when a child. He’d experienced nightmares as a result. Brant was shocked to think that Ben could be related to such a fiend. He tried to hide his revulsion when he finally asked, “Are you saying that your grandfather was Darth Vader?”
“I’m ashamed to have to admit it, but yes. My grandfather lived on to become the most feared terrorist this galaxy has ever seen. It was through Anakin Skywalker that Palpatine was able to achieve complete dominance over the systems. Yet, through my grandfather the Empire fell. It’s rather ironic, wouldn’t you say?”
“I don’t know what to say,” Brant stated flatly.
“There’s really nothing to be said. I’m afraid we’re going to come up against a formidable enemy. You have the right to know who you’ll be fighting alongside of. I hope you can still trust me considering what I’ve just admitted.”
“You have my complete trust son. Now more than ever. I realize how hard it must’ve been for you to divulge such a terrible family secret. Thank you for sharing it with me, but it certainly wasn’t necessary.”
“It was extremely important to me sir. I don’t want any more secrets in my life. Omission of facts is the same as deceit. Deception leads down the path to the Dark Side of the Force.”
“I appreciate your honesty Solo,” Brant said, even though he didn’t understand Ben’s last remark at all.
Chapter Sixteen
- Fear -
The Chosen One walked through the enormous crowd that had gathered waiting for his return. Each Jedi bowed as he passed, showing him honor.
“Greetings my Masters,” Anakin said as he bowed to Obi-Wan, Yoda, Qui-Gon and Mace Windu. They’d been sitting on the Temple steps, but rose and bowed back when he stood before them.
“Greetings to you as well my friend, “Obi-Wan replied. “We’ve all been awaiting your return.” He spread his arms gesturing towards the crowd.
Anakin looked out over his brothers with mixed feelings. He was well aware of what they’d soon face.
Yoda asked, “Find the answers, seek you did?”
“Yes Master.”
“Then come and discuss it we will.”
The Chosen One followed Yoda into the Temple. As he stood before the Jedi Council, which numbered over five hundred senior members, Anakin told them what he’d learned from the midi-chlorians. He explained what they’d have to do in order to restore balance to the Force. While discussing his plan, Anakin realized that this was what he’d craved while alive. He’d wanted the Council’s acceptance and respect. He’d wanted to share in their discussions and take part in their decisions. Every being on the Council was now listening to Anakin’s advice and showing him all due respect. He was truly amazed. He’d finally achieved the goal that he’d strived so hard for in life, to be a trusted member of the Jedi Council.
After his plan was agreed upon, the rest of the Jedi were told. Anakin was sitting on the Temple steps with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon waiting for their decision. It was important that all the Jedi give their consent before proceeding. It was going to be a tremendous task to summon them all, but every Jedi that had passed into the Netherworld would have to be assembled here at the Temple. The entire brotherhood was needed in order for the plot to succeed.
*
The Chosen One felt Luke Skywalker’s presence. He waited patiently, barely controlling his emotions while waiting for his only son to arrive. He hadn’t seen Luke since he bid him farewell on Endor. When he finally saw Luke approaching the Temple, Anakin ran to him. Embracing him, he was barely able speak due to his joy, but managed to say, “I’m so happy you’re here Luke. It seems like an eternity has passed since I saw you last. We didn’t have much time when my body was dying on the Death Star. When I saw you on Endor in phantom form I was only allowed to say goodbye. There’s so much I wanted to tell you.”
“I know everything about you already father. Your life experiences passed between us before you died. Don’t you remember transferring your thoughts to me?”
“Yes,” Anakin said solemnly. “There’s more for us to discuss concerning my fall from grace, but this isn’t the time. This is a happy moment. You’ll have to come with me and meet your mother later. She’ll be so happy
to see you.”
“Will there be a later father? The disturbance we’ve felt is the Sith, isn’t it? I’ve never felt the Dark Side this strongly before. Is this why all the Jedi are gathering?”
“I’m afraid so. We all have a tremendous undertaking ahead of us. One which will determine our fate, as well as mankind’s. Balance has to be restored before it’s controlled by the Sith.”
“I thought balance was restored to the Force when you killed Emperor Palpatine.”
“So did I Luke. So did I.”
“Discuss this later you will. Ready the Jedi are,” Yoda interrupted them.
Anakin embraced his son again before going back to the Temple.
*
The Supreme Ruler ranted loudly while pacing furiously back and forth. He’d felt his children’s failure. “They” had interfered. The Jedi. Obi-Wan!
The Sith Lord didn’t know how the Jedi managed to use their powers in this dimension, but they’d deflected the laser beam fired at the Solaris. The Death Star failed to destroy Ben’s ship. He’d put his grandson completely out of his mind once he’d recognized his wife’s essence inside his granddaughter. Lord Vader knew he’d have to gain control over Ben before the Jedi did, as well as his sister. He wouldn’t have time to torture her soul as he’d intended. He’d have to turn her immediately. He would turn his love to the Dark Side, or he would kill her. It was as simple as that. Vader smiled cruelly before climbing the stairs towards Padmay’s prison.
The chamber door burst open and slammed against the wall. The young girl couldn’t help but scream. She felt her captor’s rage as he stepped out of the shadows. Storming over to the bed, she finally saw his face. Padmay gasped and her mouth gapped open in shock. She knew who this man was now. She recognized him from the holo-portraits her mother had shown her as a child. The figure who stood before her was her grandfather. It was impossible of course. Anakin Skywalker was dead.
Staring into her captor’s eyes she shook in fear. His eyes glowed bright yellow. These were the eyes of her nightmares. She knew if she looked into their depths for any length of time she’d lose her mind. Padmay turned her face from his.
“Don’t turn away from me my love,” Vader said with contempt. “You’ll not forsake me as you did before Padme. I will not allow it!” He grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him.
Padmay screamed. She tried reaching out to Ben with all the power of the Force held within her.
The Supreme Ruler laughed as he squeezed Padmay’s cheeks in a viselike grip. “Scream my love. Yell as loud as you can. Bring your brother to me,” the man commanded as he allowed Padmay’s cry for help escape to her twin.
*
The Solaris had come about and was heading to Coruscant. Ben was standing between Lando and Brant. The captain tried to explain why they had to cancel the search. “I’m sorry I had to scrub this mission Ben, but you must realize the importance of warning Coruscant of the impending threat. Our communications have been disrupted. I imagine it’s due to the debris from
Malastare.”
“I understand why we have to return to Coruscant sir. I’m certain that’s where the Death Star is headed. Trillions of lives are in jeopardy. Warning them is more important,” the young man stated sadly, aware he had no say in the matter. All of a sudden Ben’s hands flew to his ears as screams of sheer terror exploded inside his head.
Lando rushed to his side. “Are you alright Ben? Can you hear me? Answer me.”
The world around Ben slowly dissipated to a haze. Lando’s worried voice faded to a faint whisper, while Padmay’s screams intensified. Panic seized control of Ben’s heart. His sister was in terrible danger and needed his help. He had to convince Brant to turn around!
As Ben’s fear started to overwhelm him, a great calm started to envelope his entire being. He heard a familiar voice calling out to him.
“Ben. Can you hear me?”
“Uncle Luke?”
“Yes Ben. It’s me. He told me to contact you. He knew you’d recognize my voice.”
“Who Uncle Luke?”
“The Chosen One Ben. It’s extremely important that he speak with you.”
*
Lucian Gris vented his wrath on the nearest child. He raved like a madman in front of the whole crew. After having the system checked numerous times, he’d discovered that the weapon hadn’t misfired at all. The laser had expelled an enormous amount of energy, but apparently the children were the ones responsible for missing the target.
Vader’s child sat patiently and let his superior rant on and on. After the Grand Moff had exhausted himself, the young man turned to Lucian and said in a bored tone of voice, “You may be in command of this battlestation, but your overemphasized, emotional outburst is uncalled for. It’s extremely distracting. We’ll warn you only once. We are Vader’s children and have the power to eliminate you at our discretion. We’re aware that we failed in our attempt to destroy the enemy vessel. We’ve discussed it and will remedy the situation. Now, if you are quite finished, we’re coming up on the wookiee planet of Kashyyyk. What are your instructions?”
Fearing Vader’s children, Lucian tried to control his rage. If they were as powerful as the Emperor, each one had the power to kill him by mere thought alone. He knew that he was lucky to be alive at all, let alone be given command of this Death Star. He was certain that Lord Vader was aware he’d been the one who’d given the order to retreat from Endor. The Supreme Ruler could’ve killed Lucian for his cowardice, but he chose to ignore his transgression.
The Grand Moff looked around the bridge. The children stared back with scorn in their eyes. “Take control of the battlestation and scan the planet for resistance,” Lucian meekly ordered.
“The wookiees are powering up their defector shields. We’re blocking them.”
Lucian waited impatiently, but didn’t dare show his frustration. “Are you having any problems?”
“No sir. No problem at all.”
“Then fire at will.” Lucian walked over to the viewport and looked out. There was a bright flash of light from the superlaser. The planet was completely obliterated.
The Death Star accelerated through the debris of Kashyyyk as it headed towards their next target. Lucian continued to think about that one star cruiser and how it escaped destruction. He couldn’t understand how the children missed the target. How had a single rebel pilot destroyed so many of their fighters? Vader’s children were flying the TIE’s. Weren’t they using their so-called powers to defend themselves?
“It’s not for you to know,” Vader’s children said in unison as they glared at their superior officer contemptuously.
Lucian’s eyes seemed to bulge from their sockets. The children had read his mind! They really were as powerful as the Supreme Ruler!
“I’ll be in my quarters,” the Grand Moff replied as he hurried to the turbolift.
Chapter Seventeen
- Doubt -
“I’m sorry to come to you under such circumstances Ben, but there’s much we need to discuss,” Anakin Skywalker told his grandson. “First of all, I want to tell you how proud I am that you revealed your heritage. I wouldn’t be able to assist you further if any secrets were held back. The whole truth has to be known, no matter how painful or embarrassing. Deceit leads down the path towards the Dark Side of the Force.”
“I know that sir. Uncle Luke drummed that fact into my head enough.”
“It was necessary that you learn that lesson in particular. I think you can understand why. With our abilities, it’s important to know how easily one can be swayed to the Dark Side.”
“Yes grandfather. I understand that.”
“It’s important that you keep that lesson foremost in your mind, especially now.
“It always is sir. Uncle Luke was a very good teacher.”
“Yes he was. I’m extremely proud of my son,” Anakin replied.
Ben could almost see the smile spreading across his grandf
ather’s face. “Was the Force guiding me so we’d find the Death Star sir?”
“Yes. The Jedi were there to protect you, as well as your comrades when the Sith attacked the Solaris.”
“How grandfather?”
“The Jedi all joined together as one and used the Force to create a shielding around the Solaris. We shielded you in your fighter as well.”
“Something like a deflector shield?”
“The result is the same.”
“Why couldn’t you protect the other X-Wings?”
“The Jedi haven’t gathered enough in strength yet. We had to choose whom to keep safe. We had to sacrifice a few in order to protect the rest of you. But you mustn’t mourn your comrades Ben. They’re spirits are a part of the Netherworld now.”
“I lost quite a few good friends today.”
“They aren’t lost as long as you keep their memory alive.”
“I know that, but it doesn’t ease my mind very much.”
“I’m extremely sorry we couldn’t protect them, but let’s hope your friends will be the only ones to sacrifice their lives to this cause.”
“To defeat the Sith?”
“Yes. There’s another serious matter that must be discussed. You have a very important decision to make Ben. You can continue to Coruscant in order to warn them, or you can go to Geonosis to rescue Padmay. I have the power to influence your captain into changing course. I’m afraid you’ll have to make this decision on your own. I cannot assist you.”
Ben was stunned and didn’t know how to reply. He knew they had to warn Coruscant about the Death Star, but Padmay was his sister. She mattered to Ben more than anyone. And what of the lives he’d be sacrificing if they went to rescue her? Ben thought about the seriousness of the decision he was being asked to make. He realized it was the same kind of dilemma Anakin faced when he tried to save his wife from death. Ben finally understood Anakin’s reasoning, choosing love over duty. He’d made the wrong choice. Ben wondered if he’d make the same mistake. Was he strong enough to sacrifice his sister in order to save others? The youth didn’t know what to do.
“I know how hard this decision is to make Ben. More than you can possibly realize. I loved your grandmother with such a passion that I couldn’t bear to lose her. I allowed myself to believe Palpatine when he told me he could save Padme’s life. I should’ve known he was lying, but I blinded myself to the truth. Millions suffered due to my error in judgment. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Use your mind to guide you. Not your heart. I know you love your sister very much, but lives have already been lost. Many more will die in the days ahead. Just how many depends on your decision. Search your feelings son. What would Padmay want you to do?”