SCENE 1.

The army of the Empire gathers near

Within the Death Star’s uncompleted shell.

They all prepare to welcome one they fear:

The Emperor hath come, thereon to dwell.

[Exit chorus.

My servant Vader have I come to meet,

To hear him tell what progress hath been made

Upon this newest Death Star. Confident

I am that he shall make a good report,

For he is ever trustworthy when ask’d

To solve a problem for his Emperor.

Forsooth, the man is all obedience

When he is call’d to serve. It hath been so

For years now, ever since he turn’d toward

The dark side and became a Sith as I.

But there is more than mere obedience:

He looketh on me as a father, aye,

For truly did I train him so to do.

He doth respect and hang on ev’ry word

I utter, even when ’tis to rebuke

Or punish him for some apparent fault.

The man is like a pet most pitiful,

E’er braying for his master’s notice and

Displaying great affection e’en when kick’d.

In truth, his groveling doth make me sick.

Aye, his devotion to me I do not

Reciprocate, for he to me is but

A tool—most useful and most sharp, ’tis true—

But merely agent of my will, no more.

Yet he a vital purpose serveth in

My reign and plans, while little doth he know

That he could be more powerful than I.

A tool the man may be, but I cannot

Dispense with his keen services as yet.

But since I do consider him a threat,

I keep his leash as short as possible,

And I accept his childlike zeal for me

At least till I an apt replacement find.

Mayhap this young Skywalker—who is e’er

On Vader’s otherwise clear mind—may prove

To be his aging father’s substitute.

Was it a judgment error to inform

Darth Vader of the presence of his son?

Methinks ’twas not, for his devotion to

His Emperor and his submersion in

The dark side shall be more persuasive than

What feelings he may have for son unknown.

And furthermore, to know Skywalker is

His son shall heighten his resolve to turn

The boy unto the dark, and make him mine.

Thus would he see his Emperor and son

Together join’d, which would bring him dark joy.

’Tis surely how the future shall unfold—

All shall be well, for I have plann’d it so.

And now he comes: my humble servant Darth.

I bid thee welcome and with humbl’d mien

I bow to thee in utmost reverence:

My master, teacher, savior, rescuer.

Arise, my friend, and put thy soul at ease.

I trust the time spent here shall bear good fruit?

Indeed, my master. All the workers have

A newfound motivation for the task.

The Death Star shall completed be within

The time and schedule thou hast orderèd.

Thou hast done well, Lord Vader. I am pleas’d.

And now I sense another thought in thee?

Thou wouldst anon resume thy search for the

Young rebel Skywalker. Have I judg’d right?

My master: yes.

—Be patient, my good friend.

Thou shalt not seeker be; I’ll warrant that,

In time, the lad himself shall seek thee out—

I see with my mind’s eye it shall be so.

And when he doth come to thee, thou shalt then

Deliver him, in deference, to me.

The boy hath grown quite strong. Together we

Will bring him to the dark side of the Force.

Thy wish is mine.

—Thus have we set the scene:

All doth proceed just as I have foreseen!

[Exeunt.