XII

Somewhere...

"Well that went better than expected."

"Old age does that. So does loneliness."

"Something I'm sure you're an expert at."

"Just what is that supposed to mean? I thought we hashed these problems out already."

"Would you two stop it? We're nowhere near finished."

"Yes, you are right, forgive us. There are more important things than our bickering."

"I don't know...I have a lot of pent up bicker to get out."

"Apparently age does not necessitate maturity."

"You're one to talk! You were practically a rebellious teenager yourself! I'll never know how you ever became a—"

"Boys! Now is seriously not the time!"

"Ahem. Sorry."

"Yes, sorry."

"Thank you. Now, you two know what to do next, correct?"

"Yes, we're nearly all set."

"Finally after years of waiting the time is nearing."

"I only hope they are not too broken by the time it is finished."

"We will be watching over them, do not fear."

"I only wish I could do more..."

"Without you, this would never have been possible, remember that."

"I'll try...sorry. I mean I'll do."

"Quite right."

"We shall all do."

"May the Force be with us all..."

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Onboard the Executor...

"He fainted again." Darth Vader sighed after repeating the captain's report. "Wonderful. He faints more than a damsel in distress."

Piett looked like he was trying not to crack a smile at the quip, the imagery involved probably too much for the man who had so recently suffered a nervous breakdown, no matter how close he had gotten with his son.

"No matter," Vader dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Perhaps taking a nap will soothe the boy's irritableness." And he in no way felt guilty. Not at all. So what if the boy couldn't handle the truth. So what if the mere idea of being related to him apparently made him physically ill. Didn't matter. Vader didn't feel guilty at all. Not one iota. Nope. Never. Uh-uh. Absotively posilutely not.

It was just indigestion that was burning a hole in his gut. Even though he hadn't eaten in...well, that wasn't important. Not like he had anyone griping at him to eat anymore anyways. Though speaking of that...

"Has he eaten anything recently? Medical nutrients in no way take the place of an actual meal."

Dear Maker, he was starting to sound like Obi-Wan after a particularly trying mission. He grimaced behind his mask. He wasn't going to turn into some doting mother just because the truth was out now. He wasn't.

"I'm afraid not my Lord," Piett answered obviously unaware of his discomfiture. "He refused any offer of food. After waking up from what I can only assume was a nightmare he was quite distraught and after losing consciousness once more I came to report to you immediately."

"I see," Vader darkly commented. "I will take care of it."

Striding out of the room he ignored the barely repressed flinch from the captain and stalked to the med bay holding his son. Luke would need his strength for his training, something Vader would not allow him to grow lax in, and he would not allow his son's further temper tantrums get in the way either. Luke was an adult, though he hardly acted like it, and he would deal with this information in a mature fashion befitting a Sith Lord.

Vader had felt Luke's reaction to the nightmare from all the way on the bridge. Luke was powerful, beyond a doubt, and would make an excellent addition to the Dark Side. If only he would see it as such instead of clinging to the weaker side of the Force. Though by the waves he had felt through the ship there was nothing weak about his boy.

Vader hesitated in the hallway. He was starting to grow maudlin. Gross. Thank the stars there was sand nearby or he might start waxing poetic about it. It was shudder inducing.

Quickly finishing his trek to the med bay he waved the droid away and strode to his son's bed. He found himself hesitating once more. Luke was asleep, looking far younger than his age, and for the briefest moment Vader wondered what it would have been like being there as the boy grew up. His first steps...his first word...the first time his Force reflexives kicked in...

He looked almost...angelic...sleeping there so serene.

The moment was broken however when the boy started moaning, furrows growing on his face as he twitched a little, incoherent mumbles spilling from his lips. It snapped Vader out of those dangerous thoughts, reminding him that he wasn't the doting parent, and that he was instead a Master of the Dark Side of the Force. A Master of Evil, as that old fool Kenobi had said before he smote him. More powerful his cybernetic-encased arse.

Deciding enough was enough and he had to remember he was a Sith Lord first and foremost, Vader crossed his arms and drew the Dark Side closer around him, which caused Luke even more obvious discomfort.

"Wake up," Vader snarled.

Luke's ice blue eyes snapped open, blinking away the confusion from the abrupt return to consciousness, before landing on Vader and widening in fear before narrowing in hate. Vader returned with a glare of his own, unseen but obviously felt, as the boy shrank away as he slowly sat up.

"Why have you not eaten?" Vader demanded.

"Oh so now you care?" Luke sneered. "You didn't seem to this morning when you dragged me into training."

"I had assumed you were a big boy and could remember to feed yourself," Vader said sarcastically.

"What the hell was I supposed to do? I'm a prisoner on this damned ship! I can't exactly go visit the canteen now can I?"

"Well you're snarky when you're woken up," Vader observed before mentally cursing himself. He kept letting the boy get to him with his insolence. Vader should be treating the boy like the Rebel he was, no matter his parentage, not bickering back and forth. Thank every bloody thing in the galaxy that he hadn't been there for the brat's teenage years. At least he wasn't a girl.

Now there was a nightmare.

"I'm sorry Lord Your Holiness, should I courtesy?"

Vader clenched his hands to keep from striking the boy again. Why took the precaution he didn't know, it's not like he cared if he hit the boy again or not, but whatever the reason he crossed his arms more firmly to keep them where they were. The boy obviously felt the Dark Lord's growing fury because he quickly shut his mouth and leaned away a little looking wary. If only he always stayed like that.

"You are to return to your room this instant and wait for a droid to bring you a meal," Vader snapped out. "I will come later."

"What about all the other orders you've given me that have been counteracted today?" Luke groaned. "All the training crap?"

Unable to remember everything that he had ordered of the boy Vader had to bite back a groan. "For the time being forget the training orders." He watched in bemusement as Luke did that little twitch thing he always did when an order took effect. The boy's eyes glazed over a little and then he looked confused.

"What were we talking about? Food right?"

Ah. He would have to be careful in his wording of orders. Though perhaps...

"Forget everything all about wanting to be a Jedi," he ordered in his most authoritarian voice.

Luke scoffed. "Yeah right. I'm going to be a Jedi if it's the last thing I do."

Though confused why that didn't work and a little perturbed by both that fact and the boy's apparent conviction, Vader felt his ire rising, and though he refused to acknowledge it he felt just the tiniest inkling of fear as well. If the boy did not turn then he would surely die.

Clenching his fists he brought his arms down to point one finger at Luke threateningly. "It just might boy," he snarled.

"So you keep saying," Luke snapped back. "And yet here I still am. Filled your Rebel death quota this month?"

"I might make the exception for one more. Now go to your room!"

Luke was flung off the bed and stumbled a little as he tried to right himself when his body started walking without his control. He twisted his head around to glare at Vader before he the door slid shut behind him hiding his icy blues from view.

Heaving his contorted version of a sigh Vader wished he was in his chamber so he could properly massage his temples. He understood finally what Obi-Wan had meant when he said Anakin would be the death of him. Beneath his mask Vader grimaced. He hoped his feelings were not as prophetic as Kenobi's words.

0000000000

Luke kicked the couch once the orders gave him free reign of his body again and did not bother keeping back the several curses in both Basic and Huttese that he knew. How dare Vader send him to his room like a disobedient child.

A sharp stab of pain pierced through him. Stars, how was it possible? He still couldn't fully wrap his mind around the fact that Vader was his...

Grunting Luke collapsed on the couch and just barely refrained from burying his face in his hands. Instead he allowed his head to fall back and stared up at the ceiling lost in thought.

Vader was his father. Luke couldn't disobey him. Literally. Vader was trying to turn him to the Dark Side of the Force, admittedly with some success when Luke allowed his anger to get a hold of him, and yet no matter how many times Vader ordered him Luke felt none of the zinging pull to actively use the Dark Side when told to. Vader controlled his body, undoubtedly, but the very essence of Luke was beyond his grasp.

Luke wished that made him feel better.

For some reason information about the Rebels would not pass his lips despite the orders. They were safe from Luke's unwilling betrayal at least. But there was something else against them. Some kind of spies or something, from what he'd gotten out of Vader, and it was partly his fault. He should have picked something up from those stang pilots. Some Jedi apprentice he was turning out to be.

If only Ben hadn't left him so early on he could have had more practice, could have learned more, could have somehow evaded Vader's poisonous clutches. But...

Then he would never have learned the truth. Somehow he didn't think Ben would have ever told him the truth about his father. Old Ben had already twisted it into a vague meaning, not quite lying, but not being truthful either. Stars, he wasn't prepared for this, not by a long shot. He had no idea what he was going to do.

But he would never submit. Curse Vader and his forefathers. He was a monster and nothing more. He wasn't Luke's father. Anakin Skywalker was and Vader was not him. Luke would never accept it, would never give up, would never surrender. Even if it meant his death. He would die for the Rebellion cause and the way of the Light Side of the Force. Vader could break his body but he could never break his mind.

Never.

Feeling a new resolve Luke slowly opened closed eyes, having no memory of ever closing them, and curled his fingers into a fist. He would learn the ways of the Force, the right kind, in his parents' memories. Padmé and Anakin Skywalker. His mom and dad. For Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen too. Whose only crime was keeping Luke safe and buying some droids. For Old Ben, and Leia and Han and Chewie, even for Artoo and Threepio. He was still a Rebel.

And what sons did best was rebel, he thought with a smirk.

The door chimed then and a droid bearing a covered tray entered almost immediately after. Luke caught a white flash of armour before the door slid shut again as one of the Stormtroopers shifted, a reminder of further reminder of his imprisonment, and a further encouragement never to give up.

"Thanks," Luke mumbled getting up and taking the tray from the droid so it could leave. He wondered briefly if he had enough time to fiddle with the droid but an early order was still in effect and he couldn't try anything with the means of escape.

Setting the tray down on the coffee table he lifted the tray and glanced down at the food there. He didn't want to eat but he felt a compulsion to. Not quite as strong as the orders, and he knew Vader hadn't technically told him to eat, only wait for the droid and then Vader himself. It was just assumed. Luke wondered about the varying degrees of orders again.

He could easily overcome the compulsion to eat, he knew, and again when it came to betraying the Rebellion he never felt that zing. However offhand orders to dance or stand on his head had him practically tripping over his feet to act upon just as fiercely as ones about physical training and general obedience.

With practice was there was a possible way to overcome even the strongest orders? Could he eventually escape and rejoin his friends, the only family he had left? He would have to try…after eating. After the waft of the delicious scent hit his nostrils Luke's stomach began grumbling its mighty complaint and out of all the orders, implied or otherwise, eating wasn't the worse thing he could be told to do.

Digging in with gusto, but well aware of the dangers of overindulgence after a fast of any length, Luke moderated his eating speed and made sure he chewed properly before swallowing…even if he didn't want to.

Say what you will about the Empire, the Imps sure did know how to cook up a meal, and if this was what prisoners ate it was a wonder the Emperor wasn't impersonating a Hutt. Then again…maybe pure evil didn't need to eat. Outside of infants and cute baby animals.

The Emperor probably slurped up misery and despair like blue milk.

All Vader needed was probably some oil and spare ship parts.

Shaking those thoughts out of his head Luke focused on eating his meal until he was pleasantly full, the portion of each item more than enough for one individual, even one as hungry as Luke. Though he was reluctant to waste food, something drilled into him even before living on rations for the Rebellion, he knew if he continued eating, he would be sick, and that was something he did not want.

Finally finished, Luke was tempted to leave the dishes scattered and maybe even smear and throw some food around, but he knew Vader would just order him to clean it up and punish him. Probably by reciting the devotional to Grandpa Palpy. Can you say shudder inducing?

Settling onto the spacious couch Luke brought his legs up into the standard meditation pose. Closing his eyes Luke then regulated his breathing and let the outside forces drain away. Everything but what was connected to him. Even the presence of the nearby guards he ignored and blocked out of his concentration. They were unimportant. Even crazy old dead/not-dead Jedi were unimportant and he refused to allow their interference again.

Can't he just have a normal meditation once?

Falling deeper into himself he tried to find that place within him that made him follow orders. Follow Vader's orders. Captain Piett couldn't make him do things, only Vader could, only his…father's murderer. Was that it? Was it because they were—

As if his internal inquiry grabbed its attention, Vader's presence flared within him, much as it had previously. The easy access to it, dark and rancid as it was, was made obvious now. It was also explained. Luke knew why Vader's presence was still there when the guards' were not. They were not connected to Luke. Vader was. In one of the most intimate ways possible.

Luke tried to ignore Vader's presence and push it away from him but the more he denied it the stronger it became. He didn't want to draw the Dork Lord's attention. If he focused too much on the Master Monster he would inevitably turn his own focus on Luke. Something he wished to avoid.

At the same time, however, was his problem not also connected to Vader? Maybe there was a hint, a clue, something in their connection that could help Luke in his endeavour. Without touching upon that connection he tried to examine it further, tried to find start and end points for each of them, while at the same time marvelling at the strength. He didn't know what it meant, exactly, but he could almost imagine a thick cord stretched out between them.

Delving into that brought it into starker contrast and he could again see the tattered robe-like darkness encasing the fiend. He imagined the cord into existence connecting them and almost recoiled at its brilliance. For the briefest moment, the darkness fluttered and a glimpse of equal brilliance shone underneath, physically jolting Luke. The power was intense.

Then, just as quickly, the darkness wrapped tighter around Vader and speedily began creeping up the almost golden cord. Where the darkness touched the cord turned grey and darkened, withering away and in on itself like a vine burning and turning to ash.

A sharp pain seared through Luke again, making his chest seize as if with fiery hot blades that pierced his heart, making him gasp out as his unseeing eyes sprung open. Yellow mingled and swirled with blue as Luke's hands clenched in his pants, though he was lost to the outside world, choking on his breath as it struggled through his lungs.

The Darkness was overpowering…

A Light shone.

Luke gasped again, like a drowning man inhaling that first blissful lungful of air as he broke through the surface of water, scrabbling in the warmth of that blaze that warmed him but did not burn. It gave him the strength to slam shields down on the cord, holding the darkness at bay and letting that golden glow on his side brighten and remind him who he was.

He could imagine it, almost like a frosted window, dissecting the cord in half and yet it was still whole in connection. There was no way Luke could sever the cord as it was not a physical, nor even a mental thing, but rather something that existed in both his and Vader's spirits. Binding them forever as…

Ignoring that thought Luke peered through the glass to see the darkened cord writhing with the tatted robe, thrashing about like it was trying to continue the thread of the dark virus to Luke's side, and yet every once in a while, so seldom and miniscule Luke wondered if he was imagining it, the light trapped within looked like it was valiantly struggling to get out and be free. Luke felt a yearning to help it but he didn't know how. Didn't even understand all that he was seeing and feeling and experiencing.

Letting it go, Luke fell into his own presence again, his physical body relaxing as his breath evened out and his eyes slid closed and his fingers and muscles relaxed in peace. He basked in that strange and yet somehow familiar warmth that had saved him before letting go the concentration to put these things into images and merely floated within it.

After an indiscernible amount of time passed Luke decided to wade out of the pleasant feelings and focus more on what was going on within him. The connection between him and Vader might be dangerous to focus too much on but he could always learn more about his own inner Force workings. Maybe find a way out of this curse.

Luke…

Luke's Force awareness zoomed in on that voice and his eyes sprang open again as he was jolted out of meditation in shock and surprise. It couldn't be…but it was!

Leia!

Tapping into the Force again Luke let out of wheeze of breath as he felt her shining presence much too close. He shouldn't have been able to feel her! He shouldn't have been able to hear her. But she was there! Letting go of his inner focus he could also sense the slighter presence of Han and Chewbacca. They seemed dim in comparison to Leia's glow, and with a little extra focused push, he could see and feel the Force swirling around her while it felt normal through Han and Chewie. Did that mean Leia was Force-adept?

That wasn't the time to think about that though! (Except what it might mean if she fell into the hands of the Empire again.) What was most important was the fact that the three of them were here!

He knew without a doubt it was for him. They were coming to rescue him. They had come back for him. Even though they knew of the dangers, probably didn't even have evidence that he was alive, and yet they came. His love for them grew if it was at all possible.

And then the horrible realisation. They had come. They were here. And so was Vader. Even as he thought it Luke felt Vader's awareness shift and encompass his friends. He knew without a doubt their ship would either be destroyed or pulled into the tractor beam and they would be killed. He had to save them. But how?

He had been ordered not to leave his room without being told!

And yet…that order didn't feel as strong now. As if Vader didn't care about it too much, like when he was more lenient with other orders he had given Luke and then belied them, still present but only just barely stronger than the compulsion to eat. He still very strongly felt the order not to harm or attack the Troopers or officers and so would not be able to incapacitate the guards…

But he had been working on Force speed.

The door wasn't locked. If he managed to break the weak order and move fast enough he may be able to avoid being shot by the Stormtrooper guards. He just hoped his speed was better than their aim. He already had plenty of evidence at their competency with their blasters.

Force help him.

0000000000

Approaching the Executor…

"I don't know where you came up with those coordinates Princess, but it looks like it was right on the credits."

Leia watched out the viewport as the massive Star Destroyer leisurely made her way through space after coming out of warp. Coincidentally enough. She prayed Luke was safe. She tried not to imagine him wasting away in a cell tortured within an inch of his life. She had had some immunity against the harsher tortures, being the Princess and Senator of Alderaan, but Luke would have none of that. And if they found out he had destroyed the Death Star…

Luke…

But no, she would be strong, and she would find a way of rescuing her friend no matter the consequences.

Her gaze slowly landed on Han sitting next to her, his eyes focused on the Dreadnought before them, and she wondered at the sacrifices she might have to make and if she was strong enough to. How was she to choose between two people she…cared about. Yes, she could admit she cared for Han, though she'd never let the rogue know it. It'd go to his head. But now, when they were possibly flying to their deaths…? Yes, she could admit it now.

She thought about the crazy dream-vision-thing she'd had though she could only vaguely remember it. The coordinates she'd received from it had led them here moments before the Executor dropped out of warp. She watched now as tiny (in comparison) TIE fighters emerged like flies from a dead carcass from the larger ship and began swooping away in apparently no other purpose than flying.

Vader was in one of them. And he was angry.

She didn't know how she knew but she did. She had felt a wave of weakness that had trembled her knees and frantic despair that was not her own eating at her gut just as they reached the destination but had quickly pushed the darker feelings away and focused on the warm knowledge that she would see her friend soon. Vader's anger did nothing to deter her. If anything it made her stronger.

And then, somehow, she knew Vader knew she was there. She had felt his sick presence in her mind before, when he had tortured her aboard the Death Star, and she shuddered as the oily darkness touched upon her again.

Except…there was something different about it this time. The darkness did not feel as strong as it had last time, and for the briefest moment of connection between them she felt a different warmth sing through her like music, before it was shrouded by dark again that chilled her.

Shaking those thoughts aside Leia instead focused on Luke again, imagining she could almost feel him, and she again wished for a moment that she had the Force. How much easier would it be to connect to him had she control of that power?

"Uh-oh," Han said as Chewie roared.

"What uh-oh?" Leia dryly asked.

"Looks like they're onto us…they're coming right at us."

"Well looks like the aerial ballet is finished," Leia snorted.

"Any ideas on the course of action now Your Worshipfulness?" Han sarcastically drawled.

"Why are you asking me? Aren't you the experienced pilot?"

"You're the one with all the ideas lately. You get us out of this mess. Shut up Chewie!" he yelled when his co-pilot roared again.

"Master Solo, he is saying—"

"I know what he's saying Goldenrod, now zip it!"

"But I—"

"Not now Threepio," Leia sighed massaging her temples. She knew what had to happened but she didn't like it. She didn't see how it would help any but there was no choice. They had no hope of outfighting or outrunning Vader and his squadron. If they wanted to save Luke…

They had to give themselves up.

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AN: Soooooooooo….hello. Ahem.

Hate me?

I've got it up at least! (giggle giggle snort…am I the only one here with a dirty mind?) And yeah, it's a short one (giggle snort snort choke cough giggle), but I wrote that last scene and it just became a perfect place to end it. It even has an evil cliffhanger of doom. I couldn't help myself. I figured, hey these people probably already hate my guts because I suck at updating, so why not make it worse and leave it at an awesome cliffhanger?

To be fair I'm also mad at myself that I still haven't gotten to the scene I wanted. Almost though! Definitely next time. So uh, mazel tov, c'est la vie, feliz cumpleaños. Uh…that is…

Ja ne! heh heh