Debrief3

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"Luke. We must know. I know this is hard for you, but please, tell us.
What was this title?" Mon Mothma said quietly. She was human but years of
diplomatic service had given her a shell she could pull herself into, but now
the shell was breaking.

"I will tell you. On one condition. Swear that this doesn't get out of
this room. The people who analyze this tape are disclosed, but this can't get
out. Please. I beg you. Also, that I'm not held responsible. I can't be. Swear
to me," Luke pleaded, begging.

"I swear," Mon Mothma and Ackbar said simultaneously. Luke took a deep
breath, a cleansing breath. He didn't want to do this, but he was compelled to.

"Darth Vader's birth name was Anakin Skywalker. I called him Father." Luke
stated emotionlessly. The silence that followed his statement was almost
tangible. There was never a louder silence, that shocked silence as their
greatest fears were realized. "I didn't know when I joined the Alliance. I
found out at Bespin but didn't believe it. Yoda confirmed it just before Endor
and told be that I had to confront Vader. I did. I survived. But a part of me
didn't. I think that was my humanity." Luke defended, nothing else broke the
silence as Mon Mothma and Ackbar examined Luke as if he was a specimen under a
lab-scope.

"Your Father?! And Leia's your sister, I know, she told me. So you're
saying that you and Leia are Vader's children? And I thought that this couldn't
get anymore complicated. The people of the Alliance have the right to know."
Mon Mothma said, with a look of wonder on her face.

"You swore! You said that it wouldn't get out of here! It can't! I can't
face what people would say! Vader redeemed himself in the last minutes of his
life for all the evil he did. I think that should be recognized. But no one
would believe that. It took Leia over a month just to live with the fact that
she was Vader's daughter. This would wreck her, her life, her fragile peace with
herself, her past. You can't do this to her! For her sake, don't make an
incident. I beg you!" Luke was standing and shaking all over. Leia had just
recently made her peace with Vader, this could destroy her.

"I swore Luke and I keep my oaths, I just think that when you think you
are ready, which I hope is soon, that you could tell everyone. It's not your
fault of your parenthood; people could be made to understand. You didn't live
in his house, live with his rules. You found out just over a year ago and
didn't go mad, I admire you for that. I would have. But think that over. This
briefing is over. You are free to go Commander Skywalker. May the Force be with
you." Mon Mothma said as Luke stood up to leave. He gave a short bow and left
the room. Mon Mothma relaxed in her chair for the first time in an hour.

"I can't believe it. I just can't. I vote that we destroy the tape. The
analyzers would spread it everywhere. We can't let that happen." Ackbar said.

"I don't agree. The analyzers won't tell anyone and we need to have this
analyzed." Mon Mothma argued. Reluctantly, Ackbar nodded his consent. "When he
does decide to call a press conference to explain everything, though, I'll
stand behind him to give him some support. He doesn't deserve the scandal that
might get out."

"That's why he didn't want to tell us that, I suppose. What he did was
brave, knowing how much we suffered under Vader, to tell us that Vader was his
father, that had to be harder than blowing up the Death Star. I will also stand
behind him then. I wonder what happened after Vader saved his life. I didn't
want to push that. It seems to be a personal thing with him and his father. That
leaves me in wonder. Skywalker and Vader having a father-son moment minutes
before Vader's death. It's mind-boggling." Ackbar said, still amazed at what he
had learned.

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