Update: Once more a huge thank you to Too Much Chocolate who has patiently reviewed this chapter, providing so many helpful hints and thoughts to smoothen out the language and giving it some additional atmosphere! Please enjoy!

ooo

Luke slumped down on the couch in the living room, burying his face in his hands. He took a deep breath, staring dismally up ahead. Hostage. That's what he was. A hostage to force his father to comply with the Emperor's demands.

He looked over to the viewports lining the living area which showed the hypnotic blue swirl of hyperspace. Whenever he had occasion to travel in space, journeying to neighboring systems or when he'd been allowed to accompany his father to one of his many relief missions, he usually stared into it every spare minute. Never tiring of the ever-changing streaking pattern. Somehow it had always calmed him to stare into the bluish mist. He'd daydream of not being a prince with responsibilities and duties, and instead becoming a spacer, flying wherever he wished and seeing all the galaxy's wonders.

Now it just made him feel more and more anxious. It meant every minute the blue swirl continued he was taken further away from his family, from home. He hadn't been confined long before the vessel had jumped to hyperspace. He had stood by the viewports to catch a last glimpse of Alderaan, its familiar blue and green orb floating below him. Then the stars had turned to streaks and with a slight lurch the vessel had left real space.

He stared across at the chrono on the wall. He'd been here for four hours. By now they must be hundreds of lightyears away, en route to an unknown destination. But it didn't matter, did it? Even if they were still in orbit, he couldn't even get out of these blasted rooms.

Glancing out the viewport he had a good view of the massive ship's body. The quarters he was in, perched high above the Star Destroyer's wedge shaped bulk, offered him a vantage point. Its sheer size let Luke recognize which ship he must be on: the brand new Super Star Destroyer that had left the Kuat Drive Yards only a few weeks ago. It was christened Executor on Empire Day and handed to Vader as his personal command ship in a pompous ceremony over Coruscant. Luke had been secretly fascinated by its large yet sleek design, larger than the normal Star Destroyers by a multiple. But his father had been furious at this waste of money on yet another instrument of terror.

Luke shook his head, trying to clear his mind. Knowing what ship he was being held on didn't bring him any closer to escaping it. He had spent the better part of the last hours pacing and searching his prison, trying to find a way out. His quarters included a living room, a small dining room and a bedroom with adjacent fresher. They were utilitarian compared to the beautiful designs and architecture of Aldera's palace, but furnished with everything he'd need. Better than a prison cell, he supposed. But it was nonetheless a prison.

Luke had tried every knob and control panel in the rooms. He had searched every nook and corner, every drawer and compartment. He had even climbed on two chairs precariously perched on each other to see if he could pry open the ceiling air ducts, but they were tightly sealed.

He had to admit defeat. Nothing had brought him any closer to escape. The door remained firmly locked, no matter how many times he punched the release and he couldn't find another route outside. Neither had he found anything he could even remotely turn into a weapon. He had tried to raise the HoloNet and the intercom but predictably they didn't work. The only holo access he was granted was the Imperial News Network, and he could do without the Emperor's propaganda news that held less substance than a bowl of nutripaste.

During his search of the rooms he had found a wardrobe, which to his surprise was filled with clothes. Judging by a cursory glance they were approximately his size. It made his blood boil. This meant his capture had been long planned beforehand, before Vader had ever set foot into Aldera's palace, dragging him here without giving him the courtesy to pack or even say goodbye to his parents. It also meant they weren't inclined to let him go anytime soon.

More anger rose in him. The clothes were well made and of high quality fabric, but instead of the flowing light colored robes he was used to wearing and were fitting for his title, the whole wardrobe only consisted of slim cut dark outfits with rigid lines, similar to Imperial uniforms. The symbolism was not lost on him. He was now in the domain of the Emperor and his no less evil henchman Vader.

It was also a deliberate insult to make him wear black. It was customary for the crown princes and princesses of Alderaan to wear white. He'd hated the rule when he was younger, often wanting to skip studying and instead climb the trees in the park around the palace. But he learned it was important to his family and Alderaan, so it became important to him too.

Luke sighed. It shouldn't matter. He was the Prince of Alderaan and no matter what they put on him, it wouldn't change who and what he was.

Luke rubbed his face. What was he supposed to do? He did not want to sit idle while his father was pressured to stop working against the Emperor's oppressive rule. A shudder went through the floor, pulling him from his thoughts. His eyes darted to the viewport where the blue swirl gave way to the pitch black of space with a scattering of stars. Luke jumped to his feet and went to the viewport for a closer look.

The stretch of space they had emerged into was far from empty. Though Luke couldn't make out any planet nearby, he could see at least six more Star Destroyers hanging lazily in space with smaller ships circling them. A full battle squadron assembled. Seeing so many warships in one place and knowing this was a small fraction of the Empire's Navy, it made Luke wonder how peaceful politics could ever convince someone like the Emperor or Vader to moderate their dictatorship. They had such firepower at their disposal and were obviously ready and willing to unleash it to quash any resistance.

Luke squinted at the stars, trying to make out familiar constellations. Without any clues, he couldn't determine where in the galaxy he was. It made him feel utterly lost.

A sharp click made Luke whirl around. The front door had been unlocked and it hissed open. Luke tensed. An Imperial officer stood in the doorway, regarding him with suspicion. Without addressing Luke he stepped aside to let a trooper carry a tray inside. The trooper disappeared into the dining room and it dawned on Luke what this was about. His expression tightened, staring at the officer who gave a cold smirk. Beyond the officer he could see more troopers lurking in the corridor. The trooper re-emerged and they left without uttering a word. The door shut and locked again.

Luke ground his teeth. He would not be the docile and obedient hostage acquiescing to whatever his captors demanded. He would not…

ooo

Vader was fuming. He strode with purpose through the Executor's hallways toward the quarters holding the young prince. He had left the prisoner in Captain Piett's hands and had no intention of concerning himself with the brat any further. There were far more important things that required his attention. Until the captain reported that the prince had refused all food since he'd been brought aboard some forty-eight standard hours ago. He'd deal with the boy. He would not allow the prince to go on a hunger strike and become a martyr, rendering himself useless as a hostage.

Vader rounded another corner, flattening a few officers into the bulkhead who hastened to get out of his way, afraid to incite his anger. The guards posted outside the prince's quarters snapped to attention when he came into view. With a tendril of the Force he opened the door and swept inside. The prince sat on one of the couches in the living room, staring at him with wide startled eyes.

The boy regained his composure quickly though, jaw set defiantly and his eyes narrowing on his unexpected visitor. Vader strode closer, prompting the boy to stand up and rise to his full height, but he was still more than a head shorter than Vader. "I think you do not yet understand the position you find yourself in, Your Highness," he seethed without preamble.

"You have abducted me unlawfully and - "

Vader cut across the boy, pointing a finger at his face. "I am the law, and I deem your presence here most necessary. Your father has deliberately endangered the peace. You will help keep this peace."

The boy however was not intimidated by his sharp tone, Vader had to give him that. He had courage, or simply no sense of self-preservation. His blue eyes flashed and his expression was livid. "I will not be a puppet for you to control my father," he promised, voice thick with outrage.

Vader took another step, forcing the little prince to crane his neck to keep his towering mask in view. "You are much mistaken when you think your misdemeanor will have no consequences for you and your homeworld," he said, his voice a dangerously low growl. "Maybe you would care for a demonstration. Should I select a target to show you the destructive capacities of this vessel? What awaits Alderaan should you and your father continue to defy the Emperor's guidance?"

The boy swallowed his retort, blanching at the open threat. "You wouldn't…"

"Would I not? I suggest you do not try my patience any further, Prince."

The boy's anger now mixed with concern, but he still didn't back down. "My family and my people will not become the willing slaves to your oppressive rule," he practically shouted. Vader's furious reply stuck in his throat as he became aware of the Force flaring around the boy. It responded to his anger. The boy was instinctively drawing on it, using it to fortify himself against Vader.

A dark smile curled Vader's lips, unseen under his helmet. "That was unwise, boy," he hissed. His black gloved hand grabbed the prince's white robes. He effortlessly lifted the boy a foot off the ground and held him at eye level. The weak little prince was Force sensitive. And trained enough to shield himself against Vader's senses. "I had not thought your father would stoop quite so low as to harbor Jedi on his wretched excuse for a planet. Who has been training you?" he snarled, his voice a cold whip crack.

The boy's expression flickered from righteous anger to true fear. He grasped at the hand holding him up but was unable to free himself. "Put. Me. Down," he demanded, trying to cover up his dread.

"The name, Prince," Vader snarled. "Or I will force the answer out of you."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," the boy answered. Vader couldn't sense a lie. More proof that the boy had been well trained. Well, he could subject the boy to interrogation to get his answer, but the Emperor would be displeased if the boy lost his value as a hostage. He had another way to find out what he wanted to know. He gathered the Dark Side around him and pounded on the boy's mental shield.

The boy gasped in agony as Vader easily broke through the flimsy shields. The moment he did, Vader stopped his mental assault. The boy wasn't trained. That much was certain. Whoever had erected the shields around his mind, it hadn't been the boy's doing. He was brimming with potential but that wasn't what made Vader recoil from sifting through the boy's mind. His presence in the Force burned brightly now, no longer shrouded by barriers. And he felt like her.

Padmé.

The name filtered through Vader's brain. He stared at the young prince held tight in his grip, eyes wide in horror and feet dangling off the ground. He set the boy down but clasped the boy's robes with a hand, not allowing him to move away. For the first time he bothered to take in the boy's features, really looking at him. He was blonde, brightly blue eyed and of a slight frame. He looked nothing like Bail or Breha Organa.

The prince was regaining his composure. The boy's shock at Vader's attack, though Vader doubted he comprehended how he'd also broken into his mind, had passed. Now he was shaking with rage, his body tensed as if he was readying himself to fight.

"You were adopted," Vader stated with certainty, causing the boy to flounder again. The Force rang with the truth of his statement, egging him on. The boy however had blanched further, the unexpected declaration hit his heart. He flashed his teeth like a cornered animal.

"You have no right to - "

"Answer the question, Prince," Vader snapped.

The boy hesitated, then nodded once, his lips pressed together.

"The names of your birth parents?" he demanded, further unsettling the boy, who tried to shut down. Vader tightened his grip on the boy's robes and shook him, feeling the Force quiver around him. This was important. He needed to know. "Answer me, boy. Or there will be consequences."

The prince stalled, but then opened his mouth. "Anakin and Padmé," he spat, glaring.

Vader let him go and the boy took his chance to step back. Vader's hand hung in the air, shaking. Stunned, he concentrated on the breathing cycles of his respirator, felt the oxygen forcibly expand his burned lungs, struggling to find some measure of calm. It was no coincidence. It couldn't be, the way the Force around him was shifting. He reached out with its tendrils, carefully this time, again touching the boy's mind. There was no resistance, the walls that had been built around the boy's mind were in tatters. The Force rang with the truth of his discovery as soon as he touched his mind. Vader didn't need a DNA test to prove it. The unborn child he thought had died with its mother had lived. He had survived. Sixteen years ago Kenobi must've stolen the child, leaving its mother to die. Just like he had left Vader to die in the ashes on Mustafar.

Kenobi stole the baby, spiriting him away from his father, and hid him with… with Organa. The gall of that man. The sheer gall. This eclipsed the degree of treachery he had thought that cursed man capable of. Hiding his offspring from him, parading the boy right under his nose, claiming him as his own and turning him against his father. He straightened up, stunned surprise transforming into black rage. The Dark Side was shifting and curling around him like a living being, almost purring in satisfaction. The warmth drained from the room and the boy backed up, subconsciously picking up on his dangerous mood.

He would have revenge. He would have Organa obliterated from the face of the galaxy for this duplicity…. "I will make him pay for this treachery," Vader growled out loud. He whipped out his comlink, opening a channel to the bridge. "Captain, set course for Alderaan, now!" he snarled, deactivating the comlink before Piett could even confirm.

"No," the boy gasped, his eyes wide. "No, please…" The color had left the boy's cheeks and pure horror was edged on his face. He must've sensed the murderous intent. "Please, don't…" he closed the distance between them. Vader turned to the door, intent on putting space between him and the boy. He would not endanger the child. His child. He strode away, and tried to rein in his raging hatred so as not to lash out at the boy by accident. The prince, however, assumed he was going now to unleash his wrath on Alderaan and its royal family.

"No, please don't. Please leave my father alone," the boy pleaded, swiftly coming closer. Without hesitation he fell to his knees in front of Vader. "I'll do everything you ask, I promise. Please spare them."

Vader froze, looking down at the kneeling boy. His blue eyes stared up at him imploringly, with such fierce passion trying to save the man he regarded to be his father. That undeserving Organa who had been complicit in his child's abduction and spent sixteen years filling the boy, his son, with lies and half truths about him, about the whole galaxy. Who had turned the boy thoroughly against him. Who hadn't bothered telling him the truth when Vader came to collect the young prince. Not even then, to prevent the boy from being damaged at the hands of his real father. At the memory of his harsh treatment of the boy hot guilt shot through him. He clenched his fists, the leather of his gloves creaking under the strain.

The prince stiffened, expecting a blow. But he didn't retreat, willing to take the brunt of Vader's displeasure. Vader needed to rein himself in, needed to calm down. It would do him no good to act rashly now. He needed time to think and process the truth. And he needed to undo the damage he had already caused. He pulled out his comlink again. "Captain, belay that order. Resume position and then take the fleet to the Haarap system."

The boy, still kneeling at his feet, relaxed marginally. Uncertainty showed on his face. Vader breathed in, drawing on the Force to calm him down, allowing the hatred to leave his mind. He focused on the boy, whose Force presence was radiant now that the shroud he had been hidden behind was torn down.

"Get up, Highness." he said in a voice that he hoped was as friendly as possible. The boy hesitated, then clambered to his feet. He didn't try to move back from Vader, resigned to his fate and ready to bear the Dark Lord's anger in place of the man he considered to be his father.

ooo

Luke stared up at his captor. Unthinkingly, he had flung himself to his knees, promising unconditional submission. He knew Vader was about to destroy his parents, maybe all of Alderaan to get to them. This was not just to intimidate him, no mere deception to frighten. He could feel it, the choking cold around them. What exactly had caused it, he did not know. All he knew was that he had to stop this. Stop Vader from unleashing his wrath, no matter what he had to do to accomplish it.

The Dark Lord had stilled and stared when Luke was kneeling at his feet, probably regrading him with disgust. For a few long moments the man merely looked at him. Then he commed the bridge again, ordering them off. Relief flooded through Luke. No matter how he had to sell himself out, he would do it. He had underestimated the cruelty his captor was capable of, but it didn't matter. He would bear whatever Vader did to him. He was a prince, it was his duty.

Vader ordered him to stand and Luke hesitatingly obeyed. He licked his lips nervously at Vader's prolonged staring.

"Organa does not deserve your loyalty, little prince," Vader finally broke the uncomfortable quiet, his voice curiously soft.

Luke forced himself to remain silent and not make a retort. Vader reached for him and Luke involuntarily stiffened. But all the Dark Lord did was place his hands firmly on Luke's small shoulders. He turned him around and pushed him away from the front door, strangely gentle. But maybe this was because Luke didn't fight him. He let himself be steered toward the dining room, Vader's hands resting heavy upon his shoulders.

"Sit down, Highness," Vader said, releasing him. "Sit down and eat. I know you are hungry."

Luke swallowed. Stars, he was, and his defiance had only endangered his family. He slowly stepped around the table and sank into a chair. In front of him was the food tray delivered a couple hours ago, untouched.

Vader closed the door to the room and stood at the chair opposite Luke, grasping its back. It was a strange sight to see the man's bulk in such a casual setting. But it painfully drove home how much Vader controlled him. "Eat, Highness. You will need to keep your strength up."

Luke gritted his teeth at the implied threat. But he picked up a spoon. There was no knife or fork, no weapon to defend himself or commit suicide with. He stared at the food, then took a tentative spoonful. It didn't taste bad and he ate a few more bites, trying to ignore Vader's overbearing presence and the noise of his respirator disturbing the otherwise silent room. He knew that the Dark Lord was watching him closely and he needed to avoid giving him another reason to be displeased. He had promised compliance and in return Vader had called off the attack on his homeworld and his family. So now he needed to live up to his promise.

"Tell me about yourself, Highness," Vader finally spoke, his voice calm and nearly gentle, more so than Luke had ever heard him. What should he tell him?

"What do you wish to know, my lord?" he asked carefully, staring at the plate in front of him to avoid looking at Vader. The chilling sound of Vader's breathing made Luke's hair stand on end.

"You have grown up on Alderaan all your life?"

"Yes," Luke said. "Though my father has taken me to different planets in the sector."

"Have you ever been to Coruscant?"

"No, my lord," he answered, emphasizing the formal address to please his captor. His mind was spinning though. Vader had turned from his violent outburst, on the point of attacking Alderaan as punishment for his defiance, to calmly standing here and small talking with him. Or maybe, rather, interrogating him.

"What pastimes do you occupy yourself with?" Vader asked.

"I…" Luke wavered again. What did Vader mean? Why would he want to know? But his unwillingness to open himself up to his captor was eclipsed by the desire to keep the man from targeting his parents and people. For a moment he dared to look up at the Dark Lord looming over him. "I like piloting. And spaceships, everything to do with them."

"I see. Do you have any mechanical skills? Can you pilot?" Vader's interest seemed genuine.

"I have picked up some things, but…" Luke broke off, staring down again uneasily.

"But?"

Luke winced inwardly, he shouldn't have said that. "My father does not think these skills to be important. He feels I should learn other things."

"He is mistaken. You should learn both skills, as they will serve you well in your life."

Luke nodded mechanically, privately thinking that he had no life left to learn how to fly, now that his future had shrunken to these small quarters under Vader's watchful gaze.

"What else fills your time, Prince?"

"Um... I am being tutored. In languages, history, pol…all sorts of things," Luke bit his tongue in time. Best not to raise the subject of politics. He doubted that Vader would approve of the topics his tutors had covered. Luckily, Vader didn't press him.

"I would assume the Viceroy would like to see you follow in his footsteps?"

Luke nodded, he knew it. His father had told him often enough that he wished Luke to become a Senator himself, representing the Alderaan system in the Imperial senate.

"And how do you feel about this?" Vader asked.

The Dark Lord ventured into dangerous waters, but Luke knew better than to lie. "I would consider it my duty," he said carefully, the same answer he had given many times before.

"It is true, you were born to be a leader, Highness. But you will not become the Senator of Alderaan, or its King," Vader stated with finality.

Luke swallowed at the veiled threat. It was probably the truth, though. He wouldn't escape his captor, and with his father in disgrace neither of them would have much chance to make any difference for the galaxy. He was sure his father wouldn't willingly endanger him, which meant he had to comply with the Emperor for as long as Luke was at the Dark Lord's mercy. Vader scrutinized him, gesturing him to continue eating. He didn't protest.

"What do you know of your birth parents?" Vader asked after a time.

Luke stiffened. How had Vader found out he was adopted? For whatever reason, the mention of their names had caused Vader's rage. And beforehand, he had accused him and his family of being affiliated with the Jedi - which should earn him an immediate death sentence. But Vader hadn't mentioned it again. Luke shifted on his chair nervously, worried his reply would provoke the Dark Lord.

"I only know their first names, which I have told you, my lord," he answered. "They're both dead." Luke tried to sound dispassionate about it, hoping this would be enough to conclude this part of his interrogation.

"Is that what you have been told?"

Luke merely nodded, wishing Vader would finally drop it. Vader regarded him silently. Luke cautiously cast his eyes up. It was unnerving to have the mask so unwaveringly fixed on him without being able to meet the eyes hidden behind its opaque lenses.

"That is a lie," Vader's deep voice finally cut through. "Your father is not dead, Highness."

At this curveball, ice pooled in Luke's stomach. It's not true. It's a mind game. Don't let him exploit your weak spots, Luke repeated in his head like a mantra. It had to be some cruel plan of Vader's. To raise hope in his prisoner, to toy with him, only to break him by snatching that hope away.

Silence stretched, only interrupted by mechanic breathing as Vader seemed to search for words. His hands were squeezing the back of the chair with enough force that Luke was sure it couldn't be long before it cracked. Luke's heart twisted, and even before the Dark Lord addressed him again, he knew that something big was about to happen. Something that would change the galaxy as he knew it. It felt as if the air in this very room was shifting with anticipation.

"I am your father."

ooo

A/N End

For the avoidance of doubt: Luke has known for a long time he was adopted, but it isn't generally known to the public. Bail and Breha told him only the first names of his birth parents and that they are dead to avoid that Luke digging around in the past. Obi-Wan used the Force to shield Luke's mind, to prevent the Emperor or Vader finding out he is force sensitive.

Also: I know the Executor should not have been built by the time Luke is sixteen. Well, this is AU.