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Luke watched enviously as a squadron of TIE fighters spiralled over the top of the main Imperial Palace. He'd begged the Emperor for permission to take part in the display as a pilot but had once again been denied. The Emperor had assured him that he would gladly have allowed Luke to participate were it not for the concerns of Luke's father, Lord Vader, who thought it too dangerous for a twelve-year-old.
Luke was not stupid – he could read between the lines. He knew what Vader actually meant was that it was too difficult for Luke. He had no faith in his son's capabilities, unlike the Emperor, and thought that Luke should be content in his position and not ask for more. True, there were many millions of beings across the galaxy who would have killed for the chance to be stood where Luke was right now; on the grand balcony of the Imperial Palace, stood at the right hand side of the Emperor to watch the Life Day celebrations.
The Emperor looked over to him and Luke forced his features into a look of polite enthusiasm, aware that his every expression was being scrutinised by trillions of beings across the galaxy via the hundreds of Holonet cameras surrounding him.
"Are you enjoying the celebrations, my young friend?" The Emperor asked kindly.
"The pilots are superb, master. Would that I could join them."
"Have you ambitions of being a pilot, your highness?" Asked Governor Tarkin, intruding on their conversation. If there was one person in the Imperial Court whom Luke hated more than his father, it was Tarkin. A sneaky, slimy old man with ambitions beyond his Force-blind station, Luke had been lobbying the Emperor for the right to kill him ever since Tarkin had first sent an assassin after him when he was eight. The Emperor had repeatedly denied his request, but that didn't mean that Luke had to pretend to enjoy Tarkin's company.
"No, Governor," he spat, emphasising Tarkin's inferior title. "My ambitions extend a little further than yours, I think you'll find."
Tarkin ground his teeth and glanced to the Emperor, clearly hoping he would reprimand Luke for his rudeness. Instead, Palpatine placed his hand on Luke's shoulder, turning him back to face the cheering crowds below. Luke, recognising his role to play, smiled angelically up at Palpatine, who looked back down at him with an expression of paternal pride. After they had held the pose for a few seconds for the benefit of the Holocameras, Luke turned and waved at the crowds, smiling beatifically all the while.
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A few hours later, after Luke had changed into a different outfit and posed for official photographs with the rest of the people privileged enough to be on the balcony, it was time to attend court.
In traditional Life Day fashion, the senior courtiers were going to exchange gifts before the evening's festivities. Luke was eager to get this part over and done with. He had no need for the sycophantic gifts he would receive from those less in the Emperor's favour, nor any desire to feign gratitude for their pathetic tokens of reverence when he could afford to buy the home planets of many of the gift-givers using the income from his Naboo estate alone. He was far more excited for the evening's entertainment, when no fewer than six hundred political dissidents from Chandrila were going to be executed en masse in a demonstration of the Empire's might.
For now he stood waiting his turn to exchange gifts with the Emperor, fuming at the fact that he had been put in line behind Tarkin, presumably a move by the Emperor to assuage Tarkin's anger over his earlier humiliation. Luke paid no attention to Tarkin's pathetic drivel about how honoured he was to serve the Emperor and how grateful he was for his gift (a collection of paintings by some famous artist from Tarkin's home planet worth a paltry 12 million credits), fidgeting impatiently as he waited his turn.
Finally, the Emperor gestured for him to come forward. Luke waited for the major domo to announce him before he did so.
"His Imperial Highness, Prince Luke of Coruscant, Heir to the Imperial Throne, King of Naboo, Archduke of Tattooine, Grand Master and Principal Knight of the Most Noble Order of Imperial Merit, Commander First Class of the Most Honourable Order of the Star of Mandalore, Extraordinary Companion of the Emperor's Service, Honorary Doctor of Divinity at the University of Bar'Leth, Personal Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty the Emperor…" The list went on for so long that it bored even Luke. Eventually, convention allowed him to step forward to speak with the Emperor. Or rather, wait to be addressed. No one spoke to the Emperor without his permission.
"Ah, my young friend. How are you this fine Life Day? I trust you've had a good year?"
"A productive one, master," Luke replied. "I grow in strength and loyalty every day." He hoped the Emperor would heed the not-so-subtle hint and finally give him a real position of military power, instead of endless empty – though lucrative – titles.
"I'm glad to hear it, my boy," said Palpatine with a warm smile. "And how go your lessons?" Luke fought to keep a scowl off his face at the reminder of his youth. It had been worse in the past, he reminded himself: when he'd lived with Vader, and before that his aunt and uncle, he'd been forced to attend school. The Emperor, however, considered it inappropriate for his heir to share teachers and resources with other, lesser children and had provided him with a multitude of specialist tutors instead. He'd always been the only one to recognise Luke's needs and appreciate his intelligence.
"They're going well, master. General Aitan says I'm already a better tactician than half his Academy graduates."
"Good, good. We'll have to put all that knowledge of yours to use one of these days." Luke beamed. "I hear you have a present for me?"
"I do indeed, master." Luke gestured for one of his own servants to come forward and hand him the gift. He stepped forward to present it to Palpatine. "A bottle of wine from the destroyed cruise ship Accalia, one of only 200 ever made and the only one to survive the disaster. I was tempted to keep it for myself, but since I'm not old enough to drink…" Luke let his voice trail off as the courtiers around him laughed politely; even Palpatine chuckled as he took the bottle.
"A rare gift indeed, my friend. Your efforts are a clear demonstration of your loyalty." Luke's heart nearly burst from pride. All the hours spent thinking up a suitable gift, tracking down the bottle, and prising it from the cold and clammy hands of its reluctant owner had been worth it. "I have a gift for you too, my young prince." He gestured and another servant stepped forward, holding a cushion with an ornate jewelled crown on top. "I felt it time that you had your own residence, rather than just apartments in my various palaces. This crown belongs to the Blood Prince of Thassalia, a title I now give to you along with its associated estates, incomes, and privileges."
There were several sharp intakes of breath from the crowd surrounding them. And while this is a noble honour indeed – far better than the gifts of gemstones and assorted artworks that the Emperor had bestowed on his other favourites thus far – it is not the one Luke wanted. He hid his anger at the lack of a military commission behind a grateful smile. "Master, you do me a great honour."
Palpatine must have sensed his fury, because his eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as he held Luke's gaze. "No more than you deserve, my boy. Visit my apartments tomorrow and we shall discuss the details over dinner." Luke muttered his thanks at the invitation, bowed, then moved aside to allow the next courtier their audience.
He moved through the throng of courtiers, sensing the swell of astonishment that surrounded him – more at the rare invitation to dine with the Emperor than the astronomical gift he'd been given – trying to make his way to a quiet space where he wouldn't have to engage in conversation. It was taking most of his effort to refrain from smashing the throne room to pieces in a rage; attempting to fake a good mood for these idiots was far beyond him at this point.
He had almost made it to a quiet alcove when he was Wilhuff Tarkin stepped out in front of him, blocking his path. "Congratulations, your highness," he said, smiling like a shark. "You must be pleased with your gift."
"One title among many," dismissed Luke, trying to sidestep around Tarkin. Tarkin thrust his arm out to stop Luke, a book in his hand.
"I have a gift for you, your highness," he said, presenting the book to Luke, who made no move to take it.
"I'm afraid I couldn't possibly accept, since I didn't get one for you in return, governor."
"Oh, that's quite alright," reassured Tarkin with a false smile. He raised his voice slightly, ensuring that the people around them could listen in with ease. "It is not customary for children to give their elders presents, anyway."
Luke's face burned – both at Tarkin's words and the few chuckles they engendered from the crowd. He made a mental note of those who'd laughed. They'd pay for it later. He snatched the book from Tarkin's hand and glared at the front cover.
The Little Lost Bantha Cub
A Children's Tale
By Yondena Giedi
"A first edition," Tarkin told him, as though the value of the book made the snub any less offensive. Luke was about to return the humiliation by throwing the book directly into Tarkin's smug face when Vader appeared.
Darth Vader might have had an intimidating aura, but it was a simple trick of the Force to disguise oneself so that those blind to the Force were also blind to one's presence. The fact that Luke had also not noticed his father's approach only increased his irritation.
"Your highness." Vader always addressed Luke by his title when in public: Luke insisted on it. "May we speak in private for a moment?"
As a rule, Luke refused any and all of his father's requests on principle, regardless of who was watching. However, his eagerness to get away from Tarkin before he could suffer any further humiliation meant that he nodded in assent, following Vader through the parting crowds and out of the throne room.
Vader led Luke into a secluded room and dismissed the servants within. Once they had scurried out, Luke stalked over to the grand fireplace and tossed the book into the flames. He remained standing where he was, knowing Vader would be reluctant to move closer to the blaze.
"What do you want?" he asked bluntly. His patience –already worn thin by the Emperor's meagre gift and Tarkin's mockery – was about to vanish entirely.
"I have a Life Day gift for you."
"I don't want it." The words lacked their usual sting: he didn't have the strength to confront his father so soon after his clash with Tarkin.
"How do you know?"
"I don't want any worthless trinkets from you." Vader's attempts to purchase Luke's support through these false displays of affection had lessened in recent years, but they were still frequent enough to be both annoying and pathetic. Only Palpatine ever offered Luke anything of true worth
"You are upset that Palpatine has not recognised your importance," Vader observed.
"Don't embarrass yourself by pretending to know anything about me."
"You were hoping he would reward your loyalty with a military commission, were you not?"
"How his majesty chooses to reward me is neither my concern nor yours."
"How would you like a trip to the Outer Rim?"
"What…" Luke was too stunned by the unexpected offer to form a coherent reply. He couldn't begin to guess at Vader's reasons for extending it to him. "With you?"
"Yes. I have just received orders to take the Super Star Destroyer Executor and use it to root out rebels in the Outer Rim. I thought you might like to accompany me, given your yearning to face the Rebellion in battle, since there will presumably be many opportunities to study the complexities of warfare, even if you cannot participate."
Even if you cannot participate. There was the little caveat that Luke hated the most. Still, the opportunity to travel on his father's new Super Star Destroyer – a brand new model commissioned less than six months ago – was not to be dismissed out of hand.
"How long is the trip?" Luke asked, careful not to betray his interest.
"Five months."
"The Emperor would not allow me to absent myself from court for so long."
"Your absence would be of no concern." Luke gritted his teeth, certain that this was a subtle dig meant to imply he was of little value to the court. "And there need be no disruption to your everyday life. You could bring your retainers – your tutors, your servants, your guards..."
"Would the Executor have space for all of them?"
"The Executor has quarters for over 300 000 crew and passengers. I doubt your household will put much of a dent in our supplies."
The presence of so many of Vader's troops was a concern. Vader's 501st Legion alone consisted of more than a thousand soldiers, whereas Luke's personal guard barely stretched to thirty including Captain Han Solo, their commanding officer. The Emperor had warned him many times about Vader's jealousy and the danger it posed to him. And while Luke was confident in his abilities, he wasn't arrogant enough to ignore the danger of being surrounded by enemy troops so far from Imperial Centre.
A trip in space, though…
Luke had dreamed of flying in space for as long as he could remember. Even way back when he'd been scratching a living out of the sands on Tattooine with his so-called aunt and uncle his thoughts had been in the stars.
"The Emperor won't give his permission."
"It is not the Emperor's decision."
"Which is good, because he certainly won't approve."
"Will you accompany me or not?"
Luke thought about it, his anger at being overlooked once again battling with his hatred of Vader. Was it worth spending five months stuck on a ship with his despised father in order to see the stars?
"Yes," said Luke. "I'll go."
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Wow, I can't believe I've finally started writing this story. I wrote the plan to it more than five years ago (yes, I've actually plotted a whole story out for once) but then my old laptop broke and I bought a new one without ever transferring all the files (I'm so lazy) and only bothered to do that when I finally threw the old piece of junk out (I'm also a hoarder).
I stopped writing when I got the new computer and have only just started again, so I'd really appreciate any reviews, comments, or suggestions – I'm a bit worried that my writing ability has suffered a bit from five years of neglect so I could do with the critique to be honest.
Anyway, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.
