Author's Note: This will be updated at different speeds depending on my inspiration.
A cry echoed through the Lars homestead. Beru Lars rushed to where it had come from and quickly shielded her ten year old nephew, Luke Skywalker, from her husband, Owen Lars.
"Owen, stop this!"
"Out of the way, woman!"
She glared at him.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Child needs to pay!"
She held Luke close, shielding him from his uncle's wrath.
"For what? Who his father is? He can't help who his parents are!"
Luke held tight to his aunt, unable to understand why his uncle hated him.
Owen continued his strikes, though none got to Luke as Beru kept herself between the boy and her husband.
Daddy! Daddy, please! Help me!
Meanwhile, aboard the newly finished Executor, Darth Vader jerked out of mediation at the mental cry.
Realization dawned on him as he probed deeper. His son lived yet was in pain back on Tatooine.
He had the massive ship set its course for his old homeworld, summoning a band of storm troopers and his new captain, Firmus Piett, to accompany him to aid his child.
Back on Tatooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi was ripped from his mediation as well by Luke's pain and fear. He jumped up. He would stand it no longer.
The Jedi grabbed his lightsaber and started for the homestead. He would no longer stand by while Beru and Luke suffered at Owen's hands.
Jedi and Sith arrived at the same time and faced each other tensely.
"So it was you who hid him, Kenobi," Vader growled, waving Piett and two troopers to intervene inside.
Piett reached the door and could hear a child crying. He knocked on the door, fighting the urge to simply break it down and storm in. He hated child abuse with a passion.
A scruffy man opened the door.
"Owen Lars?"
"Who wants to know?"
The captain frowned.
"Captain Piett, of Star Destroyer Executor."
Owen didn't seem impressed.
"Get off my property, Imp."
Piett stood firm, brown eyes flashing.
"Not going to happen, Mr. Lars. You can either let me in now, or I can come back with a search warrant."
Owen growled.
"Fine, but the troopers stay outside."
The captain signaled the troopers to wait for him and went in. He followed the sound of whimpering to find a young boy beside an unconscious young woman.
"Hello, little one," he said softly, crouching down in front of the child.
Tearful blue eyes looked at him.
"Aunt Beru's hurt," he whimpered.
Piett inspected her and was relieved to find that she didn't seem to be too badly hurt.
"Once cared for, she'll be okay."
He took out his comlink.
"Sergeant."
"Yes, sir?"
"Report back to Lord Vader that Mrs. Lars is unconscious but alive, and both she and the boy have been beaten several times before."
"Yes, sir."
Piett looked at the boy.
"What's your name?"
"Luke. I'm ten."
He smiled.
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Luke. I'm Firmus Piett."
He watched in amusement as the child struggled to pronounce his first name.
"Just call me Piett."
"Piett. Yeah, I can say that."
The captain chuckled softly.
Mechanical breathing and heavy footsteps announced Vader's approach. The Sith came in with a Jedi close behind.
Luke perked up at the sight of the Jedi.
"Ben!"
He ran to him.
"Luke. Are you all right?" Obi-Wan asked as the boy ran into his arms.
"Yeah, but Aunt Beru's hurt."
Obi-Wan and Vader inspected her with the Force.
"She'll be okay, young one."
"If you say so, Ben."
Piett stood and saluted Vader.
"They are in my custody now, Captain, including the Jedi. Take them back to the Executor while I deal with Owen Lars."
"Yes, my Lord."
Piett carefully picked up Beru and carried her out, followed by Obi-Wan with Luke.
Once in the shuttle, the medic that had accompanied them set about to tending to Beru.
Luke sat anxiously beside Obi-Wan.
Seeing the boy was worried, Piett tried to think of a way to distract him.
"So, Luke, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"I'm gonna be a pilot."
Obi-Wan smiled fondly at the boy.
"Really? A pilot?"
"Yep. I'm gonna see the galaxy and the best pilot ever!"
The two men chuckled.
"Well, I'm sure with an attitude like that and good training, you will be."
"Biggs and I are gonna go to the Academy together."
"I see."
Removing his hat, the captain placed it on Luke's head and looked at him.
"Hmm. I don't think Imperial colors suit you."
The boy laughed as the hat slid over his eyes.
Obi-Wan smiled and looked up at Piett. Gray-blue eyes met brown ones. He could see Piett was a rare man of kindness in the Imperial Navy.
The captain took his hat back, putting it back on.
They soon arrived at the Executor.
"Lord Vader has put you in my care. I'll see that civilian quarters are prepared for you while Mrs. Lars is cared for."
"Thanks you," Obi-Wan said.
Piett smiled.
"You're welcome,… General Kenobi."
The Jedi stared at him.
"Yes, I know who you are. You haven't changed much since the Clone Wars."
Obi-Wan realized that Piett wasn't much younger than Vader and thus had been almost fully grown during the Clone Wars, so he would have heard of him and Anakin.
"Anyone hungry?"
"Me!" Luke said.
The men smiled.
"All right. We'll go to the mess hall first. I could do with some food myself. General?"
"I could use a snack, and please don't call me General. It's Kenobi or Obi-Wan."
Piett nodded.
"All right then, Obi-Wan Follow me."
As they followed the captain, Obi-Wan wondered if he might have a potential ally or friend in the young man. Only time would tell.
End Note: Please review.