I didn't realise just how short the previous chapters were. I'll endeavour to make them longer in the future. Fingers crossed….
With a polite nod of her head Mon Mothma, Leia, Madine and Han all took their seats, Luke following suit once Tarkin had taken his place. Both Vader and Chewie remained standing. Chewie because he was too big for the human sized chairs and Vader…well, could Vader even sit? He'd never actually seen him sit down.
That would just be weird.
'If I may ask,' said Mothma hesitantly. 'What brought about these peace talks, as thankful as we are for them.'
'So you should be,' growled a gruff, grey-haired man who the Force introduced as Grand Moff Elfin.
Beside Luke Madine shifted uncomfortably and Luke could feel his unease at being around Imperials. Even Han seemed on edge.
'The Emperor decided peace would be more beneficial,' answered Vader in his deep baritone, surprising everyone at the table, including Luke. Vader was notorious for his hatred of politics after all.
'I see. Thank you,' said Mothma politely.
'Yes, well, shall we start discussing terms?' suggested Tarkin.
'Yes, of course—' began Mothma but Vader interrupted.
'We will begin with the military schedule. The Emperor expects a report within the hour.'
'An hour?' said Tarkin incredulously. 'Now see here—'
'It is the Emperor's request,' said Vader firmly.
'That's fine,' said Leia quickly, snapping Tarkin and Vader out of their brief battle of wills. Luke had no doubt his father would have won against the spineless coward anyway.
He sounded like some pro-Empire fanatic, he realised with a jolt of shock. Or at least pro-Vader. Thank the force only Vader could read his thoughts here…
'We'll want to be assured safe passage throughout the systems,' said Mothma, leaning forward in her seat and eyeing up her opponents, all of which seemed to be military men themselves.
'So you can spread your traitorous lies?' demanded Elfin and Luke rolled his eyes. Why was he even here? The man obviously hated all rebels.
'So we can get food supplies and medical care,' rebutted Leia firmly and Luke grinned at Elfin's shocked expression at someone arguing back against him. Luke guessed that Elfin was unused to being challenged.
'That sounds reasonable,' said Tarkin, quickly intervening. 'Military operations by the Alliance will not be allowed however.'
'Will the Empire cease military hostilities?' challenged Leia.
'The Empire has no need to end routine military operations,' argued Tarkin sharply. 'We must protect the Empire.'
'By killing people? How are we supposed to stand back when you're killing people?' said Leia. 'We have no way of monitoring your ships—'
'The Emperor suggests that an overseer is appointed to one of the Star Destroyers,' interjected Vader, making the entire table except Luke jump, so caught up in their quarrels—negotiations—that they had forgotten about his looming presence. But then, they couldn't feel Vader as Luke could.
'That's…not a bad idea,' admitted Mothma and Leia frowned.
'But who?' asked Leia. 'We can't spare any vital personnel.'
'Perhaps General Madine,' suggested Mothma.
Madine nodded, his face blank and seemingly uncaring but through the Force Luke could feel the man's terror. Madine was terrified of being back on a Star Destroyer. He frowned as he dug deeper. Not scared of losing his life but himself. Luke blinked. Madine was afraid of being corrupted.
That explained a lot about him.
'General Madine is needed to run the military branch of the Alliance,' said Luke and he felt waves of relief pour off Madine. 'We can't do without him.'
'Skywalker,' said Vader and all heads turned towards him. 'Skywalker will be your overseer.'
'Now just you wait a minute,' said Leia angrily in unison with Han. 'Luke's not doing anything unless he chooses to.'
'Too right so don't you get any funny idea,' agreed Han and Luke rolled his eyes. Han took every chance he could to insult the Dark Lord.
All heads now turned to Luke who resisted the urge to groan. This wasn't what he'd had in mind when he'd intervened on Madine's behalf. He simple hadn't wanted the General to suffer. But this could give him a legitimate chance to get to know his father better.
'Which ship would I be on?' he asked, directing his questions towards his father. He felt Tarkin's irritation at being ignored but frankly he could care less what the snivelling man thought. It was people like Tarkin that caused Luke's hatred of the Empire.
'The Executor is the most practical option,' said Vader after a long pause.
Surprise filled the room and while he celebrated inside Luke himself felt some surprise. He'd thought…hoped, that he'd be with his father but the Executor! Vader was very picky about his flagship. The crew were handpicked and even the Emperor had never stepped foot on the ship except for the official naming ceremony.
'Luke?' asked Leia and Luke realised that she was giving him a chance to get out of this. His mind had already been made up however.
'I'll do it,' he said firmly.
Mothma nodded.
'Excellent. You will need to report daily to us—'
'Weekly,' interrupted Vader. 'The Executor will not travel at sub-light speed when it is unnecessary.'
Mothma frowned but nodded, knowing she had little choice in the matter.
'I will discuss the rest of the arrangement with Skywalker,' said Vader, leaving no room for negotiation.
'Very well,' said Mothma and Tarkin also nodded reluctantly. He probably hoped that the two of them would end up killing each other. The little rat.
He felt his father's amusement at his thoughts through the Force.
Walk with me, my son?
Luke struggled not to show his sudden surprise as Vader spoke to him through the Force.
Where? He asked hesitantly.
A tour of my ship, since you will be staying there for the foreseeable future.
Luke hesitated. What if this was some sort of trap? But could he really pass up this option to talk to his father in private?
Okay.
'I will give Skywalker a tour of my ship,' said Vader, heading towards the door.
'Now?' said Leia in surprise. 'He'll need an escort.'
'Chewie and I will go,' said Han instantly and Chewie growled his assent.
'I'm sure Skywalker is more than capable of looking after himself Princess,' said Vader and Luke felt a warm bubble of pride at Vader's confidence in him.
'Luke, don't let him bully you into this,' said Leia but Luke shook his head, surprising her.
'It's fine Leia, I'll be okay. I promise.' He stood; glad to get out of his horrible conference room and away from all this politics.
Both Leia and Han looked as if they wanted to argue but nodded and Luke was thankful for possibly the first time that she was a politician since she knew not to make a scene.
Smiling reassuringly to her Luke stood, his every moment tracked by all eyes in the room, and made his way over to the door where Vader waited.
The two stepped outside the door and Luke was relieved to feel the eyes on his back vanish.
'We will take my private shuttle to the Executor,' said Vader as the two started to walk side by side.
Luke nodded.
Father, he began hesitantly. Why did you ask for me? Is it because of the Emperor?
The Emperor wants you at his side but it was I who asked for you, not the Emperor. You are my son yet I hardly know you. That will change.
Luke smiled.
Thank you father.
The two had reached the hangar bay and Luke only now realised the pitying looks he was receiving. They thought he was being taken as a prisoner by Vader.
'Captain Bernet,' said Vader to the pilot of his shuttle as the man scurried over to greet them. The man was small and wiry with disproportionally large hands and an unfortunate overbite. 'Prepare my shuttle.'
'Yes m'lord.' The man bowed deeply, before turning back towards the shuttle.
'Captain.' The man turned back to face Vader, looking slightly apprehensive. 'Commander Skywalker is a guest of the Empire and will be treated as such. I'm sure you will inform Admiral Piett of this.'
Bernet nodded and bowed again before hurrying off towards the ship before he could be called back again.
Luke felt the atmosphere of the hangar change slightly and the looks tuned from pitying to surprise. Luke himself was surprised by Vader's actions.
Why did you tell the captain that?
It is true. You are a guest of the Empire, under the orders of the Emperor himself.
But you didn't have to tell them. You could have let them think I was just another rebel prisoner.
You are my son and you deserve respect.
Luke couldn't help the grin that formed on his face, despite the strange looks he garnered.
Things were going according to plan.
To be honest I haven't had a chance to watch the films in a while so I'm not entirely sure when Piett dies but for some reason he was actually one of my favourite characters—I blame fanfiction for that. I had to get him in here somewhere.
Sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes. I can edit other people's work but annoying not my own very well.
Hope you like it and I'll try and update faster.