[Short Stories] - Dark Emperor 3(10)

Besides, despite Palpatine’s inability to penetrate the nexus, he could see the events leading up to it with unusual clarity. He saw Skywalker coming to Vader of his own free will, hoping that his father could be turned. He knew the boy had great compassion for his father. It was a strange aspect of Luke, but the Emperor knew it could be the boy’s undoing. If the boy couldn’t kill his own father, then Vader would destroy him. No matter what Vader felt about his son, he could not defy the Emperor’s direct command. If Luke was driven in the end to kill his father, then he would belong to the dark side, and to Palpatine.

The boy’s fatal compassion for his father was incorporated into the second clone. The clone had solemnly entered, accompanied by a replacement standin for Vader. The Emperor had welcomed him, and asserted that he was now the clone’s new master. The boy had resisted, but as before, Palpatine had “revealed” to him that the Rebel fleet had been lured into a trap around Coruscant, and that it was being destroyed. Viewscreens had even been set up to simulate the battle, and with growing anguish, the clone had cried out for it to stop. But of course, it did not, and Palpatine had crowed over the end of Luke’s allies. He had taunted Luke for his helplessness, and urged Luke to take his anger out on him. As the first clone had, this one had finally tried to move on Palpatine. The standin for Vader had intervened and placed himself in Luke’s way, and Luke had begun a reluctant fight. While the first clone had fought aggressively, the second, in his compassion, fought purely defensively, angling around for a chance to rush the Emperor. He didn’t get the chance. The false Vader cornered him. Then, to Palpatine’s disgust, the actor had balked at actually killing the boy. The Emperor had been forced to go over to them and finish both of them with Force lightning.

The third clone had been accompanied by a ruthless Royal Guard in the Vader role. But the change was to no avail. The clone could not be goaded into attacking Palpatine at all. He had watched as the fleet was “destroyed”, and Palpatine could tell that the boy’s helplessness had paralyzed him. Putting the fleet in danger was not a sure thing to push Luke over the edge. Irritated, Palpatine had ordered the clone destroyed.

Then the Emperor had felt he was at an impasse. He needed Luke to enter into combat with Vader, but there seemed to be insufficient impetus for Luke to give in to his anger. It was Sate Pestage who finally solved the problem. The Grand Vizier had pointed out what Vader had already learned; the real Luke Skywalker had felt the pain of his friends, Han Solo and Leia Organa, from across space, and tried to come to their rescue. He had been close to them for three years, and would most likely lay down his life for them. Why not simply put them in mortal danger? Palpatine had cursed himself for not seeing the obvious. Of course, when Skywalker came to Endor, he would be accompanied by his friends. Yes, that was the key, he was sure of it. Imperial databanks were searched for images of the Princess-Senator and the Corellian, and then the Emperor was ready.

Now he waited, alone, for the fourth clone. His guards were absent. He had learned from the first encounter that their presence was not a good idea. The far doors opened, and Vader entered with Luke. This time, one of Palpatine’s dark side adepts was standing in for Vader. He was an admirer of the Dark Lord, and he knew Vader’s mannerisms well. They came up close to his throne, and Palpatine smiled. “Welcome, young Skywalker. I have expected you. You will complete your training with me, my young apprentice.”

Luke was defiant. “Obi-Wan Kenobi was my Master, killed at the hands of your servant. He would never turn to the dark side, and neither will I. I came here to try to save my father from you, but I’ll die before I join you.”

“Oh, no, my young apprentice,” the Emperor corrected Luke. “Your hopes for your father are empty. He will never go with you. He is forever mine. As for you, young Skywalker, there is much for you to learn. I will show you the true nature of the Force, and you will serve me.”

Luke stood firm. Palpatine knew he was nurturing the planted hope that the attacking Rebel fleet would either contrive to aid him somehow, or else destroy the Palace and put an end to the Emperor’s reign. “None of this matters, your Highness,” Luke protested. “The Rebel fleet is on its way here now. The Imperial fleet has been lured away from Coruscant and this Palace is defenseless. Both of us will die. You’ll never have the chance to turn me.” Luke turned to face Vader. “Father, come with me now. We can escape together. Leave this place and your cruel Master.” Luke was getting anxious. Vader didn’t move a muscle.