Summary: In an alternate universe where Palpatine dies and Darth Vader becomes emperor, a young Luke skywalker joins the imperial academy and joins the rank of the Grand Imperial Army. Little does he know that he is about to go through the biggest adventure of his life, but he will change the fate of the empire forever.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars all rights go to Lucasfilm nor is this an official story of Lucasfilm or Disney

Luke took a deep breath as he sat in the lobby of the Recruitment center. His palms were sweating, course no one could really blame them. Only a few short years ago he was a small farm boy on Tatooine working on a moister farmer, Bullseyeing Womp Rats in Begger's canyon and now he was graduated at the top of his class, the problem was they didn't exactly know where to place him, which was why he was here.

Truth was His uncle didn't want him to be at the academy and truth was had the old man had his way he wouldn't have, but his aunt had eventually convinced Owen to let the boy go, and truth was Luke was grateful. He didn't feel like he had anything going for him on the desert planet. Had he stayed, at best he would have been a pirate or a mercenary, at worst, he was going to be stuck as a moister farmer or worse a beggar.

He wondered what life in the imperial army would be like, he didn't think it would be splendid or glamorous, but truth was he was use to that. Tatooine was never a planet that was known for its glamour. With talks of a rebellion going on he wondered if he would have to face the battle lines, but he figured that if something happened to him at least him family would be financially secure.

"Luke Lars!"

Luke got up and took a deep breath.

"Alright Luke keep yourself together."

Luke have a salute to the recruitment officer who looked over his Data-file

"Targeting and shooting: Exceptional

"Demolition: Average

Mechanical engineering: Exceptional"

Piloting: passed the OMM 0910 simulation (No cheating involved I checked the programing three times)

"Holy smokes!" The recruitment officer covered his mouth to avoid being loud, but it was enough to make Luke nervous

"Is something wrong sir?"

"Yeah, how in the heck did you pass the OMM 0910? You have to have the reflexes of a super computer."

"Well I mean, I used to Bullseye womp rats in begger's Canyon and the trench in the simulation was about half that. It was difficult I'll grant, but it was doable."

"I don't think you realize just what kind of a feat that is to accomplish, between that and everything elese I can see how you graduated at the top of your class."

A smile came over the Farmboy's face.

"Thank you sir."

"Says here you are 1.72 meters correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Hmmm. Short but workable. Your more of a hands on kind of person aren't you? you'd rather be in cockpit rather than working on say a Cruiser or Star destroyer."

"Yes sir. I mean I'll go where I'm assigned but being with large crew kind of puts me out of my element."

"yeah navy's not really a good pick for you. The empire always wants more stormtroopers but people of this skill deserves more than just be cannon fodder."

The man then began to rub his chin. "You know maybe…." He then looked up at Luke "Tell you what make yourself comfortable in the lounge area I'm going to make a phone call.

Luke nodded and did as he was told, grabbing a soda from a vending machine before sitting down and reading the news off the datapack.

"Nervous about recruitment?"

Luke looked up and noticed a man dressed in an imperial officers outfit. He was a tall stout man with slicked back blonde hair, a thick goatee, pale skin and blue eyes. The first thing Luke noticed was the cybernetic right eye. Quickly the the young farm boy got up and gave a salute. The officer chuckled .

"Oh come now there is no need for that, I only asked a question. Luke Lars correct?"

"Yeah, I mean yes sir. They are kind of having a hard time deciding where to put me. I passed OMM 0910 and well they are going nuts.

"So I hear."

"I mean is that a big deal?"

"Indeed the OMM 0910 simulation was programed by Lord Vader himself."

Luke raised an eyebrow. "You mean I beat a program created personally by the emperor?"

"Now you see the empire is excited. Recruits like you are very hard to come by. Trust me I know."

"Where do you think they will put me?"

"I know where I would put you."

Luke went to say something but was interrupted when he was called back. The recruiting officer waived him forward, letting out a sigh as the young boy got closer.

"Look I couldn't get ahold of Sergeant Marcus so the best thing I can tell you is go to a motel take a break and the empire will call you once we figure out where to put you."

"While that first part sounds like a splendid idea, I assure you that that last part will not be necessary.

The recruiter looked up to see the man Luke was talking to in the lobby behind the young recruit.

"Oh Sergeant Marcus, I didn't see you sir."

Luke raised an Eyebrow. "You're Sergeant Marcus?"

The Sergeant nodded offering a hand.

"Sergeant Marcus Aurelius of Shadow Squadron at your service."

Luke shook a hand and smiled. "It's a pleasure sir."

The recruiter cleared his throat. "Sir, didn't you say Shadow Squad needs one more recruit?"

"Indeed I did and I believe I have found one. That is if you are interested young Lars. We are a hands on versatile squad and in truth we could use a man like you."

"It would be an honor sir."

"Then get some rest and I shall meet you in a couple of days. Welcome to the Empire boy soon your new life begins . you are dismissed."

Luke Saluted and walked out the door. A window of opportunity had opened up. The question now was where it was going to take him.

Hope you enjoyed this so far. The idea is that Shadow Squadron the imperial equivalent of Rogue Squadron, fitting considering that Anakin lead the squad during the clone wars. Speaking of which the Squad consist of entirely new characters mostly OC's I'm going to try and make them match Rogue squad as much as I can while still giving them an imperial feel. Anyway I hope you enjoy this. Hope everything works out and before you ask, These people while imperial will still be fairly in the good alignment so this isn't a Dark side Luke story at least not in the traditional sense. Also a couple of easter eggs. Comment if you find them.