Coruscant: Senate Rotunda: Two years Later:
Darth Vader walked down the boarding ramp of his shuttle in silence. He hadn't seen Imperial City in two years. He had spent two years campaigning against the Rebels in various sectors throughout the Galaxy and hunting Jedi. Now he was back on Coruscant. The Emperor had promised him at least five months on the planet. Maybe even six months.
At the same time, Vader heard amplified voices in the Senate. There was no doubt a session of Congress.
He silently walked towards one of the doorways that led to one of the seats as he looked into the Rotunda. It hurt him time and time again to be present in this very building where his Angel had often spoke and debated. He would forever carry regret from her death on Mustafar. He looked into the room as he noticed a beautiful dark haired girl speaking. The Girl wore a rich dark Nabuian dress.
He looked at the nearby security guard and spoke, "Who is that speaking?"
"That is Senator Naberrie of Naboo My Lord. They say that close up, She is almost as beautiful as her Aunt."
"She is Senator Amidala's niece?" Vader asked.
The Guard nodded as Vader looked at the Pod, "Her first name?"
"Pooja."
Vader was silent as he saw the girl's pod heading back towards its nearby dock.
The dock was only twenty feet away.
Vader looked at the girl in silence.
Pooja highly resembled Padme indeed.
In fact she almost looked like a clone.
He silently turned and left the Rotunda after glancing at Pooja.
He wanted to do nothing more than report to his Master and head back to his Palace for a nice shower.
A short time later, Vader entered the throne room in silence and immediately bowed before the Emperor as he spoke, "Lord Vader I see that you have finally returned."
"Yes Master," Vader replied as Palpatine spoke, "You are to remain on the planet for now. In a couple of Months I will be heading to Byss. I will need you to manage things while I am gone."
"I understand Master," Vader replied.
"For now you are on leave. You may go back to your Palace and do whatever it is you do."
"Thank you Master," Vader replied with a bow.
"There is a Ball tomorrow at the Palace that I would like you to attend."
"I will be there," Vader replied as he left the room.
Vader then headed back towards the landing pad.
Upon arriving at the landing pad he noticed a speeder waiting for him.
He wordlessly climbed into the speeder as he flew off towards his Palace.
A few minutes later, Vader climbed out of his speeder and headed straight into his Palace and towards the refresher.
At the same time, he found himself thinking of the horrible battle that he had fought on Mustafar eleven years before. He removed his robe and his tunic as he looked at himself.
He had scars on what was left of his right arm along with a few scars on his ribcage.
The fight had ended with Kenobi standing on a ledge. He had tried to tell him that the fight was over, but Vader was so blind in his darkened rage that he had merely laughed at his Former Master as he had made the jump. He had been lucky enough to get past Kenobi's blade but, the moment that he had landed, Obi-Wan had managed to slice his Mechanical hand off. Obi-Wan's lightsaber had also hit his side twice but luckily the wounds were not to deep, only deep enough to leave a few scars.
He was fortunate that he had made the jump otherwise, he hated to think of what could have happened to him.
It wasn't long after the fight that he had learned that Padme was dead along with his child according to Palpatine.
What Palpatine didn't know was that Vader had made it to Naboo for her funeral. He had touched her body with the Force and he had sensed an empty womb. His child had survived. There was no doubt in his mind that Padme had lived long enough to give birth to his child but Kenobi had stolen that child from him.
He had spent whatever time that he could searching for their child, but so far it had been a dead trail. He had found no successful leads on the whereabouts of his child.
He only hoped that he could one day find his Son or Daughter. Right now, his Child was eleven years old. He wanted his child in his life more than anything.
Did his child even know that his or her dad was still alive. Did the child know who their mother was? Vader didn't know. He only hoped that he would be able to one day find his child.
How he missed Padme. He would do anything to bring her back. Unfortunately, he lost it all the day that he had chosen power over her. He would never make the mistake again. Once he had his child he would do one thing, he would kill the Emperor and run with his child and make a simple life for himself.
There would be no Jedi and no Sith in his life. It would just be him and his child and the memory of Padme.
A short time later, Vader found himself in his dining room as he ate his dinner in silence. He found himself content with Coruscant at the very moment.
As he ate he looked through his Datapad at the list of planets that he had searched for his child.
He had searched hundreds of different systems for his child but had found nothing in eleven years.
Every system that he had gone to for the Emperor, he had managed to find an excuse to search. He had found many Force Sensitive Children. Most of which he left alone but he had never found his child.
Tattooine:
Luke awoke to the feeling of Watto nudging him, "Get your breakfast Luke, today is your big day."
Luke climbed out of bed and slipped on his boots and his tunic as the eleven year old walked out of his bedroom in the back of the shop.
He had lived with Watto for two years and had spent all of that time either working or doing school work at the local school or training with Teemto for this very day, the Boonta eve Classic.
As he walked into the front of the shop, he noticed a large bowl of porridge waiting for him.
In silence the boy ate as he heard footsteps, he looked up to see Kitster entering the shop with a bag, "I have something for you Luke."
"Something?" Luke asked.
Kitster nodded, "Twenty years ago your dad gave this to me before he left Tattooine. I think that you should have it."
Kitster then sat the bag on the table before removing the bag to reveal a silver helmet. with a pair of goggles.
"This was my Father's?" Luke asked in shock.
Kitster nodded as he spoke, "You can win. This is your first race and let it be your last. Things will be in your favor Sebulba's Grandson that you didn't finish the last one and he won't be racing this one."
"He won't?" Luke asked in shock.
Kitster shook his head, "He has been banned from the races permanently because they caught his last attack on Camera, So just win. Your Dad had all of the odds agains him when he did this same race twenty four years ago and it is the same course. Just do what he did."
Luke nodded as he finished his breakfast and then moved forward to hug Kitster.
Kitster had been a good friend in the last two years. Watto had been gruff and kind of harsh at many points although he cared in his own way for Luke but Kitster and his friend Wald were different. Wald was also a childhood friend of his Father's and, he cared for Luke like Kitster did.
Both Wald and Kitster watched out for Luke and spent time with him whenever they could.
Kitster smiled, "Wald is at the arena with Teemto and your Pod. Watto and I will walk over there with you if you are ready."
"I am ready," Luke replied.
Kitster nodded as he motioned for Luke to follow him out of shop.
A couple of hours later, Luke found himself standing alongside his Podracer as Teemto spoke, "Do your best kid. If you make First place you will make your way off planet but you have to place in order to have any chance."
"I will," Luke replied.
Teemto calmly nodded as he took another sip of his beer. Luke was fairly used to seeing Teemto drunk. He already knew that a good portion of Teemto's share of the winnings would go to liquor after the race.
He smiled as Watto looked at him, "Do your best kid. I know that you can win."
At that moment, Luke saw Wald approach him.
Wald smiled as he spoke in Huttese, "Do your best Luke. I know that you can be like Ani. Just remember to focus on the race and nothing else and remember that your Dad raced that same course and won his freedom. You can race it to get to the Academy."
Luke nodded as Wald hugged him. He felt a hug from Kitster as Kitster picked him up and placed him in the Cockpit of the Podracer.
Luke then sat down as he slipped his helmet onto his head.
Kitster then waved goodbye to him before leaving him.
A few minutes later, Luke found himself watching the countdown clock in silence.
The moment that the race started, Luke headed off with the rest of the Podracers.
He did his best to stay behind the other racers, following Teemto's lessons in terms of keeping a low profile in the race. He knew that the more insane racers would be in the front competing for the position as lead racer. Several of them would probably be bumping each other off course. He didn't want to be in that position. He flew through the trenches effortlessly as he heard several crashes. There was no doubt that some of the other contestants had been unfortunate enough to crash.
He kept his pace as they approached a dark tunnel and flew into the tunnel before finding himself in another deep trench. He immediately took his Podracer and flew out of the trench and into the air as he gained altitude. He then flew back into the trench finding himself in second place.
He looked ahead of him at the alien racer that he was racing knowing that he would have to pass the creature.
At the same time, he saw a blaster shot hit the Podracer in front of him that was fired from the top of the canyon.
There was no doubt that there were Tusken Raiders camped out in the Canyon. He had heard stories from Teemto about his escape from the Raiders after they had shot him down. Not wanting to be like Teemto, he immediately started to maneuver away from their shots as they fired upon him.
From the Arena, Moff Treyu, Regional Governor of Tattooine was watching the race from his Handheld camera in shock, "I want this boy."
"What do you mean sir?" A young aide asked.
"This boy is Academy Material. If he makes it through the race he goes. We need good pilots and I know a good pilot when I see one and he is one of them."
"Understood Sir," The young Aide replied.
"What is his name?" Moff Treyu asked.
"Skywalker Sir, Luke Skywalker."
Treyu gasped in shock and disbelief, was it possible? No it couldn't be, the child of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala was long dead but what if that wasn't the case?
What if this was the very child that was supposed to have been dead for eleven years?
Only time would tell, Treyu thought as he turned his attention back to the Camera.
Ten minutes later, Luke had just flown out of the canyon and onto flat land. It was his final lap around the course. As he pushed his hand on the accelerator he knew that his victory was in his grasp. He flew as quickly as he could across the dessert as he approached the finish line.
As he flew into the arena, he noticed the entire crowd cheering for him. He stopped his Podracer as he saw Kitster and Teemto running for him followed by Wald and Watto.
Kitster eagerly picked him up and with the help of Wald the two of them hoisted him on their shoulders as the crowd surrounded the young boy.
"You did it kid," Teemto yelled.
"Your Father would have been proud," Kitster yelled.
As the crowd started to die down, Luke was carried towards Jabba's throne where the large Hutt was seated.
Jabba calmly spoke, "Congragulations Skywalker. You have won a great victory."
"Thank you Sir," Luke replied as he bowed before the disgusting worm.
At that moment Luke noticed Jabba's Twi'lek servant approaching him with two valid Credit Chips, "Here is your prize money. I have an offer for you."
"An offer?" Luke asked in Huttese.
"Remain on the Planet and join the league and become a professional. You could become a very wealthy young Man."
Luke shook his head, "Forgive me Exalted one but, I actually have other plans," Luke replied.
"Pity," Jabba replied.
Luke merely ignored the Hutt as he turned towards Teemto, "Here is your Cut Teemto."
"Thank you kid, it was a pleasure working with you," stated Teemto as he offered out his hand to Luke after taking his share of the Credits.
Luke eagerly shook Teemto's hand as Teemto turned and headed off towards the bar.
Watto then spoke, "Are you leaving tomorrow?"
"Yes, I am going to buy my tickets and be off."
"I will have your pay ready for you when you return to the shop. I am grateful to you for your help kid. You helped me fix my business."
Luke nodded as Watto left.
Kitster and Wald both shook their heads as Kitster spoke, "For a moment, I thought that I was watching your Dad race again."
"I am not as good as him though am I?"
"No, but you are close."
Luke smiled at Kitster in response.
"Boy, I would like a moment of your time."
Luke looked ahead of him to see a man dressed in a typical olive Green Imperial uniform that was complete what appeared to be high ranking insignia. The Man had dark hair that was mixed with grey along with brown eyes that showed the sign of wisdom and hardship
Luke looked at the hardened Imperial and calmly spoke, "What can I do for you Sir?"
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Moff Treyu, Regional Governor of Tattooine. I watched the race. I must say, I am highly impressed with your skills. I have never seen a human that can pilot like you. I want to offer you a scholarship at the Academy on Coruscant. This won't be an ordinary Academy. This place is for the best of the best to train. In seven years you will be an officer with a great future paved before you. By the age of twenty five you may be at the Rank of General or even Moff."
"Me Sir?" Luke asked in shock.
The Man nodded, "If you choose this offer, You will have to leave this planet tonight. I am heading to Coruscant for a Meeting with the Emperor in a couple of days and in order to enter you require a regional Governor like myself to be present for your enrollment."
Luke looked at Kitster and Wald in shock. He couldn't believe his ears, in all of his life he had never dreamed of such an offer.
Luke turned towards the man and spoke, "I accept your offer."
The Man smiled as he offered his hand out, "Good , I look forward to seeing where your abilities take you."
Luke smiled in response as Kitster hugged him, "You will succeed Luke. If you are even half of the Man that your Father was I know you will."
Kister then whispered into his ear, "Just don't tell any Imperials who he was. I have a feeling that it would not work out in your favor."
Luke nodded as Wald gave him a hug. The two men then left Luke with Moff Treyu as he spoke, "Where do you live?"
"I live in Watto's junk shop down the street. I ran away from my Uncle's farm two years ago and I have been here working for Watto ever since."
"Why would you work in a Junk Shop when you are so much greater?" The Moff asked in disgust.
Luke frowned, "I wanted to save my money up to get off of this planet and go to the Academy. Until Today, I didn't have enough Money."
"So you were saving your money up?"
Luke nodded as Moff Treyu spoke, "Why did you run away from your Uncle?"
"He lied to me about who my Father was and he had no intention of letting me go to the Academy like my friends. He wanted me to be a Farmer."
"No one like you should be a mere Farmer," Treyu stated in disgust as he led Luke towards his Speeder.
Luke silently climbed into the speeder as Treyu drove him towards Watto's shop.
Luke then climbed out of the speeder as he entered the shop.
Watto smiled, "You're back a little late Luke. Victory celebration getting to you?" Watto asked with a laugh.
Luke shook his head, "The Governor of Tattooine has offered me special admission to a high ranking Academy on Coruscant. I couldn't resist it."
Watto laughed, "Then get yourself packed and out of here before he leaves without you."
"Yes Sir," Luke replied as he ran into the room where he packed his Travel bag.
As he finished packing, he heard the sound of Watto flying into the room.
He looked to see Watto with a valid Credit Chip, "Here are the rest of your wages Luke. I really enjoyed having you here. It was just like having your Father again. If I could have repeated what happened in the race twenty years ago, I would have freed your Grandma with him. If I had, she would still be alive."
Luke shook his head, "You don't know that. Anything could have happened. At least she found a Man that loved her although I wish that My Uncle could have been out of the picture."
Watto laughed in response as Luke looked at his Boss one last time before leaving the shop.
Luke wordlessly climbed into Moff Treyu's speeder as they drove off towards the nearby Spaceport.
Luke had no idea of where his life was going to take him in the next few months.
After parking their speeder in front of the Moff's shuttle Treyu spoke, "I have a uniform waiting for you. You can simply shower and change after we make the jump into hyperspace."
Luke nodded as Treyu spoke, "I would advise you going back to your Uncle someday and making peace with him."
"Why?" Luke asked.
"Maybe he had a reason to protect you boy. Maybe there was something that he knew that you didn't. My Father was the same way. Even now I know that he loves me. At a certain point though, it becomes to late to make peace."
Luke frowned, "To late?"
"Yes to late. I haven't seen him in over twenty years. I left the house and my Sisters when I was fifteen and now, here I am at the age of forty nine doing everything he doesn't approve of. I can guess that he has no desire to even know me."
Luke nodded as he spoke, "It is different though with my Uncle."
"You may think so but I know that he loves you," Treyu replied.
Luke was silent in response.
A few minutes later, The Shuttle lifted off.
Luke looked out the window of his shuttle as he flew out of the Atmosphere.
He soon started to shiver from the Cold as Treyu spoke, "Your Uniform will be warmer."
Luke nodded as he felt the Shuttle shake as it made the jump into Hyperspace.
He looked at Treyu as he spoke, "Go ahead and get showered and dressed. I have a uniform that is your size."
Luke nodded in silence as he left Treyu.
Ok that is it for now, Thank you everyone who reviewed the First Chapter. I hope that you will enjoy this Fic as time goes on.
-Fallen Jedi 79