Title: The Encounter Author: Starwarsian a.k.a. JadeLady Author email: Starwarsian@Prodigy.net Spoilers: None, just my own speculation Rating: Harmless (G) Summary: Vader finds Obi-Wan fleeing from Naboo...with a very precious bundle in his arms! Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own any of these characters, situations, planets, weapons, etc....darn lucky George.... Author's Note: Thanks to Kimidragon for the inspiration and Lucas for the movies. This is my chance to delve into the brains of two of my favorite SW characters, I hope you enjoy the reading as much as I enjoyed the writing. Want to talk about Star Wars? My SW Message Board, Friends In The Force, can be found at www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb1057690. Great SW discussion and storytelling. See you on the board! The Encounter Obi-Wan pulled his Jedi cloak closer around his body, and used the force to lightly dull the awareness of the Naboo guard across the corridor. He was not an enemy, but Obi-Wan could not afford to be seen by anyone. Moving through the shadows, he released his slight hold on the guard's mind as soon as he was past. He would not be responsible for endangering the queen any more than he already had; Amidala would need all the protection she could get tonight. Yoda had contacted Obi-Wan from his hiding place on Dagobah to warn him of a vision he'd seen while meditating. The master Jedi had described a presence, a small flash of light being smothered by a foul, dark cloud, moving ever closer. It could only be Darth Vader. Obi-Wan had finally faced the fact that Anakin had fallen to the dark side, and could not be pulled back. They had faced each other down on the volcanic world of Eol Sha, and the Jedi had left his former Padawan for dead. He had done what had to be done, to save the people of the galaxy and the Jedi Order alike. He knew Vader wouldn't see it that way. Obi-Wan wasn't sure what he wanted, but no Jedi was safe when the Sith Lord was near. He'd heard terrible reports- Jedi disappearing or found dead, ambushed and surprised in instances where no competent force user should have been endangered. These days, blood was spilled everywhere Anakin went, and Obi-Wan could easily guess what would happen if Skywalker- no, Vader- were to find him here. Reaching the main corridor, Obi-Wan drew back against the shadowed wall to once again reach out with the Force and make sure he was not being followed. It had always been hard for him to channel the Force when he was nervous or agitated, and tonight he was both-for a very good reason. He looked down at the small bundle in his arms. The baby was still and silent in the Jedi trance Ki-Adu-Mundi had placed him in the moment after his birth. He was a handsome child, with light, almost invisible wisps of blond hair and startlingly deep blue eyes. There was no need to run genetics tests (not that they would have been performed anyway; to do so would be to dishonor the queen) because Luke was so obviously his father's son. It was Obi-Wan's task to ensure that appearance was the only link between the lives of Anakin and his son. The Force was strong in the boy-that much was certain. If Vader, or his Sith master, whoever that was, ever found out that Vader had a child...Obi- Wan shuddered at the thought of what would happen. Detaching himself from the cold stone wall and holding the infant securely against his chest, Obi-Wan glided down the echoey corridors toward the main hanger, and the ship that was waiting to transport both him and the boy to safe obscurity. Darth Vader skillfully brought his personal fighter to a smooth landing in the main hanger in Queen Amidala's palace at Theed, his mind drifting far away from the mundane tasks of powering down the engines and activating the security system. He still wasn't entirely sure what he was doing back on Naboo. His master, Darth Sidious, had simply stalked into his chambers two mornings ago and said that he had felt something important to the grand scheme of things would soon happen, and he wanted his apprentice there when it did. On the trip, Vader had gone through back records of newscasts from Naboo, noting, not without pride, how many of them went into detail of the missions he had performed on his journey from a foolish, weak young Jedi to a powerful and imposing Dark Lord of the Sith. He did wish, however, that the media had been more focused on the results of his "accomplishments" than on the rare glimpses it caught of Amidala's proud, tear-stained, face. He was no longer capable of feeling love for her (not that he had any wish to. The Sith had far more important concerns than love. Love made one weak, and being weak made one vulnerable. There was no longer any place for emotions such as those in Vader's world), but he was not without a sense of honor, and of justice. The deaths and the terror he had caused had helped to bring about the payment of the long debt of revenge the Sith order owed the Jedi. In Vader's view, Amidala was simply one more grieving woman who, like many wives and sisters and mothers wished for someone who would never return, should be granted some privacy and respect for their loss. Amidala was no longer special to him-Anakin Skywalker, the man she loved, the man she married, was dead and gone. A greater man had taken his place, but this time he had no need for a wife to stand by his side and show her support; no need to be weak, no need to be vulnerable. All he needed now was the power he'd been promised. That must be the reason he was here- to continue on his path to domination of the lesser people, who were already learning to tremble at the very mention of his name. He did not know what, but there was some extra element to this mission; a feeling that great choices would soon be made-and the consequences of those choices would shape the rest of his destiny. The Force would direct him, he was sure of it. Resolutely, he turned his mind back to the mission. Apart from visuals of piled corpses and a crying queen, there was a telling lack of actual news emerging from the planet. Odd. Naboo had provided the Republic with its most recent Supreme Chancellor, and its political influence in the Senate was heavy. To have no news of any substance could mean myriad things, and (Vader assumed) this was what had intrigued his master. With the security system's arming complete, he popped the hatch on his fighter, pulled himself out into the unlit hanger, and opened himself to the Force. Obi-Wan entered the hanger from a side entrance. He paid no attention to his surroundings, preoccupied with the infant in his arms and memories of the past that pounded against his mind and in his heart. Here, so close to the place where Qui-Gon lost his life so many years ago; where he himself had earned the title of Jedi Knight by slaying the evil Darth Maul; where he had promised to honor Qui-Gon's last request by training Anakin as a Jedi. Where he had returned, when he found his apprentice had betrayed the Jedi and fallen to the dark side, and tried desperately to contact the spirit of his Master to beg forgiveness and advice...where he had received no answer at all, and finally realized there would be no going back. It was then and there that he knew he must slay the monster he'd created. As he hurried toward the small shuttle in the center of the hanger that had been left at his disposal, Obi-Wan was filled with a sudden and inexplicable dread. He caught himself peering over his shoulder, and skirting away from the shadows. He stopped moving, and leaned against a pillar to get his bearings. Breathing hard, he shook his head to clear it and get a grip on himself. Covering Luke more completely under his robe, Obi-Wan prepared himself to make a final dash for his shuttle. Something was out there, but he knew his only concern was getting the child to safety. As he tensed his muscles to move forward, however, a familiar shadow fell over the moonlit floor. Obi-Wan froze. Vader. It had to be Vader. Somehow, despite all the precautions taken by the Jedi, the Sith had found out he would be here tonight, and had come to finish what Obi-Wan himself had begun on Eol Sha. As he heard the faint mechanical breathing approach him, Obi-Wan backed all the way against the pillar behind him. A long, glowing sword, red as blood, made itself known to the night. "Obi-Wan?" Vader's voice, to be sure, though he sounded as shocked as the Jedi felt. The lightsaber, and the dark man wielding it, came closer. "It is you, isn't it? I thought something like this might happen tonight." Vader sounded vaguely amused. Quickly though, a durasteel edge replaced humor in his voice as he continued, "What better place to end it, Kenobi, than where it all truly began? Draw your weapon!" The last was a command, issued even as the Sith lord swept towards Obi-Wan's neck with his saber. The Jedi ducked out of the way, knowing he couldn't fight while holding the child, knowing at the same time that the only way to survive the night would be to beat Vader in a duel. The two continued their mismatched dance across the hanger, Vader viciously swinging his saber and Obi-Wan moving wherever he had to to avoid the blade. Darth Vader was growing angry. Why did Kenobi refuse to pull out his lightsaber? Did the Jedi wish Vader to simply strike him down, and end things quickly? If that was the case, then why did the fool twist and dodge so much, clearly trying to avoid the saber's lethal bite? After following through on yet one more wasted stroke, a furious Vader reached out with the Force and used it to slam Kenobi against the wall. Holding him there, Vader took his time approaching him, letting his rage build. "Now, Master," he said in a mocking voice, "we finish this. Once and for all." He raised his saber up to Kenobi's throat, and paused there. Kenobi took a deep breath, then, to Vader's surprise, spoke, forcing the sound of his voice past Vader's Force hold. "Please. The...the child!" was all he could manage. Impatiently, wondering why he hadn't already killed the Jedi, Vader snarled, "What child? What are you talking about?" Obi-Wan tried to respond but lacked the strength to push against the dark Force that stopped his words from coming out. With a hiss, Vader pulled it back just enough so that Kenobi could speak. He hung his head, then looked, desperately, at his former apprentice. "Please, Anakin, " Vader lifted his saber menacingly. Kenobi shut his eyes for a moment, then corrected himself. "Vader. I have a child. If you kill me tonight, he will have no one. I am the only one in the galaxy to care for him now." Vader scowled. "Why should I care about this supposed child, Kenobi? How did it conveniently happen that you are all there is to care for it?" Obi-Wan, in pain, feeling the Force pressure on every bone in his body, looked down toward the slight bulge under his cloak. He struggled with the next words he knew he must speak, although it had nothing to do with Vader's hold on him. "He's...he is my son." Obi-Wan looked up at Vader, nearly overwhelmed by fear at the evil presence so near to him. Wishing he could watch Vader's face, or at least get past his fear and get some reading on him through the Force, Obi-Wan waited, breathless, for Vader's reaction. "Liar." Vader sounded amused again, back in control. Obi-Wan trembled. "You couldn't possibly have a son. You never had a wife; and I was your Padawan too long. I know you well enough to know you would not have gained a son from any woman who was not your wife." Vader laughed a hard sound that made Obi-Wan feel like he'd been punched in the face by a Wookie. "No, wait!" He was close to panic as he saw the red saber put into position to chop off his head. "I don't have a son. You were right, Vader, I don't have a son! But there is a child." He took a deep breath. If by some chance Vader didn't kill him for this, the Council probably would. "He is your child; your son." The saber stopped in midair. Vader was silent for a full minute, then, his voice clouded with a mix of angry and somehow hopeful emotions, he spoke. "What are you talking about? I...could I have a son?" He addressed the first part toward Obi-Wan, the second almost to himself. Obi-Wan pressed his advantage. "Yes. His he was born here, tonight. I have him under my cloak." Vader scrutinized him, very aware that this could quite easily be, and probably was, a trick. But the chance that Obi-Wan was telling the truth was too great for Vader to ignore, and besides, there was no chance the Jedi would be able to beat him in a fight now. He was clearly scared nearly out of his wits; Vader tended to make that kind of impression on people. Slowly releasing his Force hold on Kenobi, he plucked the lightsaber from the other's belt and watched as the Jedi started to fall, then, not as quickly as Vader had expected him to, regained his balance. He was in pain; it was obvious he wasn't as young as he used to be. Vader watched coldly as he straightened and stared at his former apprentice, then pulled a small bundle gently out from under his robes. The Jedi pushed back the white cloths covering the baby's face, then held him up for Vader to see. Obi-Wan let out his breath, and his shoulders sagged. This was it. Even overlooking his own cowardliness in not fighting, which had been necessary for the infant's safety, he had reveled to Vader the one thing that the Council had told him was crucial for him to never know-he had a son, an heir, offspring that had a potentially great use to him. In just six words, "He is your child; your son." Obi-Wan had lost to Vader everything that the Council needed to be kept secret from him. He had failed the Council, the boy, and himself. For the second time that night, he shook his head in a vain attempt to clear it. He clenched his teeth, trying to think. He could not give up. As long as there was breath in his body, his duty was to protect Luke. He must focus, and eliminate his fear toward Vader. Fear was of the dark side, and he would rather never use the Force again, would rather die, than fall as Anakin had. Obi-Wan looked up at Vader, his purpose once again clear. One way or another, he must live long enough to get the child off of Naboo. After that...only the Force could say. Vader shifted, feeling Kenobi's gaze. He reached forward, toward the infant in the other's arms. The Jedi moved back quickly, keeping the child out of his reach. Vader scowled beneath his helmet. "Let me see him. Now." Kenobi raised his head higher at the command. "You have seen him. You have seen all that you need to see." As he spoke, the Jedi continued to move backwards. Vader failed to notice, however, that Obi-Wan was circling back toward the center of the hanger, where his shuttle waited. All he needed to do was stall the Sith long enough to lower the boarding ramp through the Force, and run to the ship. Vader was suspicious. He could feel that something important had just happened to Kenobi, and he had missed it. He was still in pain, still afraid, but, somehow, his essence in the Force was brighter than it had been. Vader would keep him talking, as he tried to figure out what he was up to. Now, he didn't believe for a moment that the Jedi was telling the truth about the baby he had, but he needed to find out what the older man had in mind. "If, as you say, he is my son, why won't you let me hold him, or look at him closely? Why can't I feel his presence in the Force?" Vader's voice was soft, almost gentle, but Obi-Wan knew he could not let Vader have the boy. He had to respond, however, so he lied. "I myself took the midichlorian count. He has no discernable Force powers-he could never be a threat to you, I swear it!" Vader stepped closer. "Again, Kenobi, you lie. Why? Do you forget that I too know the ways of the Jedi? I know that no one is sure a child has no Force potential until they are half a year old! If, as you say, he is my son, why won't you let me hold him, or look at him closely?" Vader, not used to having to repeat himself to get his point across, said these words menacingly. Obi-Wan looked like he would turn and run, but the Jedi held his ground. "You would kill him, Darth, or take him and twist him to the dark side." He paused. "I would take his life before I let you do that." Vader said nothing, merely looked him, anger building. If it was true... "The Jedi have no right to keep him from me!" Vader bellowed, then sprang forward and seized the infant. Kenobi moved to take him back, but Vader lifted his saber to stop him, then placed the glowing sword only centimeters from his chest. Obi-Wan drew in his breath, but managed to stop his fear from becoming uncontrollable. Vader pointed to the closest wall, and herded the Jedi toward it with the saber. Satisfied that Kenobi wasn't going anywhere, Vader held the sleeping child with his left hand and used the Force to part the cloths that covered him. He had blond hair, as he himself once had, before it was permanently burned off at Eol Sha. The infant's frail body was very small, hinting at an early birth. He caught himself hoping that Amidala was well, and instinctively made a fist as he stopped the thought. Kenobi cried out, a terrible look on his face, and Vader realized he was crushing the baby in his hand. He snapped at the Jedi. "Silence, fool! If I were going to kill him without making sure he's not my son, I would have done so already." Kenobi put all his weight against the wall, making sure he could still breath after watching the infant's scrape with death. "He is in a Jedi trance. Wake him!" Obi-Wan sighed. He nodded toward the baby, showing Vader he had to be closer. The Sith lord moved his saber back, but kept it close enough to defend himself. Obi-Wan- closed his eyes and whispered, "We're safe now, Luke." It was the code phrase Ki-Adu- Mundi had given him to speak when they reached their destination; Obi-Wan was sure he heard Vader laughing softly behind his helmet. In his arm, the infant stirred and opened his small eyes. Laying silently, the child reached up and flailed his tiny fingers against Vader's mask. "Luke." Vader looked into the ocean-deep blue eyes of his son, Luke Skywalker. He couldn't believe it. He had a son! Gazing into his face, at the minute and perfect eyes and mouth and noise, thoughts tumbled into Vader's mind that had never found a way in before. He was a father. But what would this boy's life be like? He envisioned a winding road, one on which he got the immediate impression of trespassing on when he tread upon it. He was evil, a murder, screamed the vision. He was addicted to power and control- how long would a son live, before he was sacrificed for the sake of that addiction? How long before Vader -or Sidious- decided he was a threat, and eliminated him? He realized what he had already done, to the Jedi and his wife, that night alter his son's life. He realized also what more he could do to Luke if he ever knew what a monster his father was. He knew this was his son, and that having this son was more important to him than anything else in the galaxy. He'd killed children before, ripped them from their mother's arms, without a thought. But here-his own son. Obviously Kenobi had been sent to take him to safety. Safety, Vader knew, was whatever place he could not find the boy. The Jedi feared, as Kenobi had said earlier, that Vader would twist Luke to the Dark side, or simply kill him. But Vader knew that, even had he wanted to, he couldn't do it to his own son. He had not yet achieved enough skill in the Force to look into the future, but he didn't need to do so to know that Luke would be so much like himself that to kill him would be like killing a part of himself. Perhaps it was the weak part of him, that kept him tied to the light side and from fulfilling his full potential for the Dark side, but it was still him. Once, that part had been enough for him-it would enough for Luke his entire life. Looking up suddenly, he remembered where, and who, he was. Kenobi stood staring at him, not knowing what to do. Vader looked around, bewildered and ashamed of his loss of control, as he tried to cover up his reactions to the visions he'd seen. If Obi- Wan had noticed. He had. He'd recovered from his fear to the point where he was able to tap into the Force, and had picked up the gist of Vader's thoughts. "You feel it, don't you? You know what could happen. Please, Vader, let me do what's best-" The Sith lord growled, and Obi-Wan quieted. Vader turned away, confused. It was clear, from the vision, that he could not let any harm come to his son, but what could he do? He could never let his master know he had a son, but he would want to know what had happened this night. Vader turned back to Kenobi, who was in the process of tucking his hand back into his robes. Glancing to his left, he saw that the ramp on the Naboo shuttle closest to them had been opened. He let out a humorless laugh. "Kenobi, you have an incredible sense of timing." He handed Luke, who was becoming restless, back to the Jedi, but put out an arm to stop him from running. "You will hear me out, Jedi. Take him. Take my son away. Disappear. I never want to see him again. Do not teach him the ways of the Force- if his powers are awakened, my master will feel it, and know what has happened. When he is old enough, tell him about me-but only as you once knew me, not as what I have become. Take my old saber," Vader unclipped it from his belt and handed it to Kenobi, trusting his honor. "and see that he receives it, even if he doesn't understand what it means. Keep him from the Force, and the Dark side. It is a life I choose, and a life that will give me all I desire, but it is not a life for him. I want no harm to come to him-ever. I will tell my master that you are dead, and account for my time here. I will keep your saber as my trophy. The Jedi," here Vader paused. "I think you will take care of what the Jedi believe about you. Now go-and speak of this to no one." Vader moved his arm, and Obi-Wan slipped away toward the shuttle. Vader called out: "Be warned, Kenobi! I do this for my son, not for you. If we meet again, one of us will die." Obi-Wan turned and looked at him for a long moment, then climbed up the ramp. Seconds later, lights came on inside the ship and Obi-Wan appeared at the cockpit viewpoint. The whining sound of the engines as the shuttle lifted and maneuvered out into the night drowned out Vader's whispered blessing. "May the Force be with you...my son."