Chapter 7
As it turned out, any physical activities were off the agenda for all the cadets the next day. Luke first became aware of a strange pattering sound on the tent roof in the early hours of the morning. It confused him at first, until he crawled sleepily over to the tent opening and found a growing puddle of water below where they'd left a small space for air. He sealed the tent completely, and went back to sleep.
When Zev's alarm went off, it was clear the rain wasn't letting up anytime soon. If anything, it was heavier. There was so much mud and water outside, they had to wear boots and rain shields just to walk the short distance to the refreshers.
"Does this mean we get a day off?" Luke asked, jumping over a puddle.
"No," Zev said. "It means we're going to spend the day in the classroom."
Commander Hayge took the morning session. In anticipation of sleep-inducing boredom, Luke had brought in a pillow from the tent, and had purposely sat in a seat in the back row. As it turned out, he didn't need to use it. The subject was snub fighter combat, something that fascinated him no end. He ended up asking the most questions.
He was still talking excitedly about the last battle they had studied over lunch, causing Zev to hint politely that he was trying to read. He found a more willing audience in Commander Hayge, who stopped him on his way back from returning the pillow to the tent.
"I noticed you enjoyed my class, Cadet," he said, standing under the shelter to avoid the rain.
Luke nodded. "I want to be a pilot myself someday."
"Ah, like your father. I seem to recall you told me you had no plans for your life."
Luke shrugged. "I do have a few. Be a pilot, fly everywhere and see the galaxy."
"I have many databooks on piloting if you'd like to borrow them. I was a reconnaissance pilot for a good many years, until I moved on into command."
"I'd like that," Luke said. "My father won't teach me to fly. Yet, anyhow. He says I'm too immature."
"Well, you have a good many years ahead of you," the commander said, patting his shoulder as he walked on past him.
Luke stared after him for a moment, and then walked on towards the conference room they were assigned to for the afternoon. The commander was taking an interest in him, well beyond that he took in the other cadets. Was it because he genuinely liked him, or was it because of his father? It was one of the things Luke found endlessly frustrating about his parentage.
He entered the conference room, and found most of the cadets were already seated. He made his way over to the row occupied by Team Loyalty, and took a seat between Zev and Bo. It didn't take a mind probe to figure out something was wrong.
"What's happening?" Luke said, staring down the row. The cadets were resting with their heads on their elbows or lying flat on the desks.
"Torture is supervising," Zev explained.
When the lieutenant finally entered, he was carrying a holovid tape. He didn't look at the cadets. Instead, he proceeded straight to the machine to load up the tape, but the cadets straightened up anyway. As he turned around, the big overhead screen lit up behind him.
"This training vid lasts for eighty minutes," he said. "Afterwards, there will be a test, so pay attention!"
He took a seat at the side, and then fast-forwarded the datatape on to the start of the film.
"Please be about starfighters," Luke whispered.
Huge letters filled the screen. PACIFICATION.
"I've seen this one," Zev sighed.
There was some ominous music over the credits, which Luke vaguely recognized as an Imperial battle song. Finally, a stormtrooper stepped in from the left, and began an introduction.
"Welcome, fellow subjects of the Emperor. I am KB-639 and today we're going to learn about the process of pacification. Haven't you ever wondered how the Empire manages to turn worlds like this -"
There was a cut to wide shots of a barren desert. Luke thought he recognized Tatooine.
"- to worlds like this?"
The image changed to a planet bustling with factories, farms and smiling people.
"Today, we're going to find out. It all starts in the Imperial Senate ..."
Luke felt his eyes glazing over, and he stared out the window. The rain was still pouring down. It never rained for this long on Coruscant. He sighed, wishing he hadn't been so hasty about returning that pillow to the tent. He could use it right now.
A formation of TIE Fighters flew across the screen, and Luke began daydreaming about flying. Maybe his father was out there flying right now. Maybe he would let him have his own ship one day. Even better, maybe he would let him have his own custom-built starfighter, just like his. Luke spent a good twenty minutes mentally designing such a ship, until he was distracted by a sudden change in voice on the film.
"Primitive natives are often fiercely territorial." It was some kind of scientist. "They will willingly die rather than adapt to a better environment."
The stormtrooper host returned, now standing in the middle of a vast forest.
"For this reason, it is often better to remove all the natives before establishing an Imperial outpost. These forests used to be home to a species of parasitical cannibals that disrupted the food chain. Now, thanks to the efforts of the brave men in squadron 560, these forests have become the primary source of valuable minerals and the home of more than five thousand Imperial citizens."
"Where do they put the natives after removing them?" Luke asked Zev. "Do they put them on another planet?"
"Remove means slaughter," Zev whispered back.
Luke was surprised. He glanced from the screen to Zev a few times, and then said, "Seriously?"
Suddenly, the film froze. The lieutenant stood up, and turned to stare directly at them.
"Cadet Veers, would you care to share your opinion with the rest of us?"
Everyone turned around to stare at Zev.
"I ... uh ... it was nothing, sir. I was just explaining ... what they were saying, sir."
"I will see you in my office, first thing after class. Does anyone else have anything to say?"
The other cadets were deathly silent. But Luke just couldn't help himself.
"I was just asking him a question," Luke said. "I didn't understand what they meant by removing the natives. Zev explained it to me."
The lieutenant stared at him for a moment, and Luke could feel the tension increasing. Bo was shuffling uncomfortably like he wanted to hide under the desk.
"And how did Cadet Veers explain it?" he asked, with a hard edge to his voice.
Luke opened his mouth to reply, but then hesitated. He glanced at Zev, looking for some guidance. Zev answered for him.
"I said they kill them, sir."
"And do you think that is a good idea, Cadet Veers?"
Zev looked sick, but he nodded and said, "Yes, sir."
"I don't," Luke interrupted. "That's terrible. Invading someone's planet and killing everybody is wrong. How can they possibly justify that? This film is a big pile of bantha -"
"Cadet Skywalker," the lieutenant said, firmly.
"Well, it is," Luke said. "Can't we watch something else? Something with some starfighter action?"
"What we are watching is not open for discussion."
"Why not?"
There was a tense silence for a few seconds. The lieutenant seemed at a loss to know how to reply. Luke sat back in his seat, folding his arms. Bo was staring at him with a mix of awe and apprehension, while Zev was rubbing his forehead like he'd just driven a speeder into a tree.
"Cadet Skywalker," the lieutenant said, finally, "may I have a word with you outside?"
Luke hesitated for a moment, and then stood up. Everyone in the room stared at him as he walked down the side of the room towards the door.
The lieutenant watched him until he was beside the door, and then turned to the rest of the class.
"If I hear one cough out of any of you, that person will be joining Cadet Veers in my office after class."
He set the film going again, and then joined Luke outside. He gestured for Luke to follow him as he walked further away from the conference room door. When he turned to face him, Luke folded his arms, preparing to start arguing again. This officer may be a cold-hearted bully, but he had nothing on his father when it came to intimidation.
When he spoke, he sounded more weary than angry. "Cadet," he said, calmly, "I have the greatest respect for your father, and I know he will have taught you loyalty to our Emperor. I am going to assume that you were only trying to cause a stir, and you didn't really mean what you said."
"Of course I meant it," Luke said. "Invading someone's planet and killing people is wrong."
"What the film was trying to explain is that sometimes you have a group of people on a planet who are detrimental to the Imperial cause. They have their own agenda that is in conflict with the goals of the Empire. The only option is to remove them."
"Couldn't there be another way?" Luke said. "A way which didn't involve killing? Maybe the Empire could sign a treaty with native groups so they could both use the planet."
"The Empire signs many treaties with peaceful people. Unfortunately, there are those in the galaxy who will spread disorder and chaos wherever they are. Do you think the Rebel Alliance would ever sign a treaty with the Empire?"
"I don't know," Luke sighed. "Look, Zev was just answering a question that I asked him. Why is he the one in trouble and not me?"
"You are in trouble. That is why we are talking out here."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Believe me, I have been in trouble. And this is not it."
The lieutenant relented. "Cadet Veers has allowed himself to be led astray by liberal academics and their pretentious theories. He is a Rebel sympathizer who needs to be taught a lesson."
"A Rebel what?"
"Next time you have a question about the workings of the Empire, ask myself or one of the other officers. Cadet Veers will distort the truth."
"But he was the one who told me the truth," Luke said. "It was the film that was trying to sugarcoat things."
"He told you the truth the way the Rebels want you to believe it."
"I don't care about the Rebels," Luke said, becoming impatient. "All I'm saying is that I was the one who asked Zev a question, so he shouldn't be in trouble for answering it. Why are you always picking on him? It's not fair!"
The lieutenant sighed, and straightened his hat.
"Your friend Veers is traveling down a very dangerous road. He requires a firm hand to keep him on the straight and narrow. If you truly wish to defend him, you will let him face the consequences of his actions. That is all I have to say on the matter. Now, come on back inside."
Luke stood firm. "I'm not watching any more of that boring film."
"Then spend the afternoon alone in your tent, if you prefer."
Luke turned and walked off without another word. The lieutenant stared after him for a moment, and then Luke heard him return to the classroom.
He felt guilty, and more than a little angry. He should never have spoken to Zev in the first place. He should have known Torture would jump on him. Stars, he was starting to loathe this place. How much longer could he stand it? Luke stomped in a few puddles on his way back to the tent, not caring if he made his uniform dirty.
Eventually, he passed the administrative block, and came to a halt. Commander Hayge's office was in here. Maybe he could ask him about speaking to his father. He was just about ready to get down on his knees and beg him to take him back.
He climbed up the stairs, and walked past a deactivated protocol droid. The door to the commander's office was already open, and he could see him working at his desk inside. He looked up when Luke came into view.
"Uh, sir, can I talk to you for a minute?" Luke asked.
"Of course, Cadet."
Luke walked into the office, and sat in one of the chairs.
"I was wondering ... I know we're only supposed to use the holocom on the weekends, but I didn't manage to talk to my father last time, because he had left Coruscant. I want to see if he's come back yet."
"At any other time you could, Cadet, but this bad weather has disrupted communications. It should have passed over by tomorrow."
"Oh," Luke said, sadly. This day was not going in his favor. "I'll try tomorrow, then." He started to stand up, but then remembered something else. "You said earlier that you had some databooks on piloting - would it be okay if I borrowed them now? I need something to do for the rest of the afternoon."
"Certainly, you will find the library right across the hall," the commander said, pointing. "They're organized by subject, so try under flight techniques."
Luke turned to leave, but the commander spoke again.
"I thought your team was with Lieutenant Tancher this afternoon."
"Uh ... they are," Luke said, turning back. "I ... uh ... he let me leave because ... I was bored."
The commander nodded, and returned to his work. Luke breathed a sigh of relief as he walked across into the library. There was nothing he wanted to avoid more than another discussion about the film.
The library was well-stocked, and Luke had gathered a stack of interesting databooks within a few minutes. As he rested them on the table, with the intent to sort them into a more manageable pile, he noticed there was a holoprojector sitting in an open drawer. It was none of his business, and probably something private, which made it near irresistible. He looked around to make sure he was alone, and then picked it up.
It hummed and then lit up with a bright holographic display. Luke studied it for a moment, and then understanding came quickly. It was a map of the campsite and surrounding area. Just as he was starting to pinpoint recognizable parts of the camp, he heard a noise behind him and quickly shut it off. He turned around, and saw it was just the protocol droid wandering past the door.
Luke pocketed the map, and picked up his stack of databooks. His afternoon was starting to look a whole lot better.
Vader had avoided meditation since his four-day mishap. At any rate, he felt fully rested and alert, more so than he'd felt in weeks. Perhaps that was the cause of all this. Simple weariness. This break from Luke was probably doing him a lot of good. But he couldn't help but wonder about the boy. He checked his messages regularly, but there was nothing to say whether he was enjoying himself or wanting to come home. If the latter was the case, he would have undoubtedly heard by now. Luke was never one for keeping quiet when something was not to his liking.
It was a welcome distraction when a high-priority message came through. Vader only had to glance at the subject to know this was something that required his immediate attention. The sender was Boba Fett. He moved over to the secured-channel holocom, and entered Fett's frequency. He hadn't been expecting to hear from him for another week.
The bounty hunter answered immediately.
"Lord Vader."
"Fett. How goes your hunt?"
"Captain Flenn had fled by the time I reached his residence. Seems I was five hours too late."
The meaning was clear to Vader. Luke's so-called adventurous streak was having far-reaching consequences.
"Fled where? To the Rebellion?"
"Yes. But I have some good news. The ship he is on will be taking on supplies at a certain location at a certain time in the very near future."
"How do you know this?" Vader asked, suspicious.
"Their freight-hauler is an independent for hire. Not above selling information."
"What guarantee do you have of the accuracy of this information?"
"None. But my contact thinks I needed the information only to make a capture myself. She also knows misleading me will be worth her life. Besides, at worst you will only wait in empty space for a few hours for a ship that isn't coming. At best, you will get your stolen ship back and a crew full of Rebels. Sounds like good odds to me."
"Especially considering, if we succeed, you will gain the market bounty for every Rebel we capture or kill," Vader said, dryly.
"And the ship," Fett said. "Don't forget the reward for the ship."
Zev returned to the tent half an hour before dinner. He had to step carefully over the commander's databooks, which had leaked onto his side of the tent. Luke hastily gathered them up.
"Sorry about what happened," he said, quickly. "How did it go?"
"As bad as ever," Zev said. "But don't worry about it."
His voice sounded even more disinterested than usual, which was certainly saying something. He sank down onto his sleeping bag, and stuck the pillow over his head.
Luke decided he should try and distract him.
"I've been reading this book about the clone wars," Luke said, holding it up. "I thought I should do some more research into what we were talking about the other night."
Zev removed the pillow, suddenly nervous. "You didn't tell the commander we were talking about the Jedi, did you?"
"Of course not," Luke said.
"Good, because Torture said I'm not allowed to mention anything political to you again. He said you've been misled, and your father is going to want to know where you picked up your ideas."
"No, he isn't," Luke said. "He doesn't care about my ideas about the Empire - he just says everything will make sense when I'm older."
"Your father doesn't care if you aren't supportive of the Empire?" Zev said, gaping. "But he's ... the commander of the military. He's the Emperor's liaison with the Grand Moff's. Stars, he helped Palpatine make it the Empire in the first place."
Luke shrugged. "He doesn't take any of my opinions seriously, whether about the Emperor or about what color to paint a speeder. He just thinks I'm a child."
"Still ... my father would rather I was anything but disloyal to the Emperor. He could handle deranged murderer better than traitor."
"I don't know if my father is completely loyal to the Emperor himself," Luke said. "He's never said anything, but I know he disagrees with some of his decisions. I know they disagreed strongly about me."
"Why?" Zev said, looking more interested than Luke had ever seen him. Luke wondered if he really should be divulging this, but he couldn't go back now.
"The Emperor did not want me to live with my father."
"I guess he sees you as a threat."
Luke nodded.
"It must be interesting," Zev said, lying back. "Living in the heart of the Empire ... seeing all the most important decisions being made around you. Knowing you'll be part of it all one day."
"I don't notice," Luke said. "Maybe you should come and stay with me sometime, and you'll see how boring it can get. And my father wonders why I have accidents." Luke looked back at his databook. "And speaking of that, every time my father is mentioned in here, it's because of some crazy exploit. I need to start taking notes so I can use it against him in our next argument."
Zev grinned. "What's that?" he said, pointing at a rotating hologram.
"A map of the whole planet," Luke said. "Did you know there's an old abandoned spaceport about five kilometers from here?"
"It's not abandoned," Zev said.
"It says on the map it is."
"Crepes once saw a ship landing out there with some macro-binoculars. An officer said Imperial freight-haulers sometimes use it to make temporary landings."
"Wouldn't it be great to go and explore it?" Luke said. "We could sneak out there tonight after dinner. No one would miss us."
"Whatever you say, Luke," Zev said, sounding sarcastic.
"I'm serious," Luke said. "Come on, I feel like being impulsive."
"I attract Torture's attention enough when I'm keeping the rules, Luke. If I started breaking them ... I don't even want to think about it."
Luke was about to argue, but then something stirred in his memory.
You lead your friend into danger without a second thought.
Luke frowned in frustration. He so badly wanted to leave, but he didn't want to prove his father right. Besides, Zev did have a point. The last thing Luke wanted was to get his friend into more trouble. But it was so tempting ... he'd been cooped up in this place for what felt like weeks, and he was getting restless. Sometimes it felt like there was a whole galaxy out there, passing him by, and if he didn't get up and do something he'd never find out what he was missing.
He struggled with his conflicting desires for a few seconds, before relenting.
"You're right. I shouldn't have suggested it. Come on, let's go eat."
Luke was melancholy over dinner, trying not to think about everywhere else he'd like to be. The other members of Team Loyalty were still talking about the incident with Lieutenant Tancher. Luke did not want to relive it. Neither did Zev, but Havy was having too much fun to pay attention to their reluctance.
"I loved it when Luke said 'why not?'" he said, filling up his glass. "The expression on Torture's face was priceless. He really wanted to yell but he knew he couldn't."
"I liked it when he said that invading someone's planet and killing people is wrong," Lamber said. "I wish I could say that and get away with it."
"I wish Torture had lost his temper," Crepes said. "I wish he'd just snapped and told Luke to get out."
"He did tell me to get out," Luke said, pushing vegetables around his plate.
"No. He politely asked you to have a word outside. I mean I wish he'd really snapped and hit you or something."
"Thanks a lot," Luke said, frowning.
"I don't mean that," Crepes explained. "I mean, if he caned you, your father would strangle him and we'd be rid of him."
Luke choked on his vegetables, and coughed some of them back onto his plate.
"You think I'd tell my father about something like that?!" Luke said, when he was able.
"I would, if Lord Vader was my father," Crepes said. "I'd get him to choke everyone I didn't like. Why, don't you?"
"You hutt-faced sleemo!" Luke said, losing his temper. It had been a frustrating day, and it was taking its toll. "Torture's a pain, but I don't want him dead!"
"Hey, relax!" Crepes said.
"You think I like the idea of my father going around killing people?!" Luke found himself standing up, but he didn't remember when he'd done so.
Everyone at the nearby tables had fallen silent at this point. Some had stood up to get a better view. Havy and Zev were staring at him in surprise, while Bo had shifted back from the table.
"Sorry, but I thought you'd be used to that kind of thing," Crepes said, looking nervous. "Your father must have strangled hundreds of -"
"You know nothing about my father!" Luke said, pointing at Crepes, who hastily stood up. "Shut up before I strangle you!"
Crepes took a step backward, but bumped into someone behind him. Luke looked up to find Torture had appeared, right on cue. That was the last thing he needed.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, completely oblivious.
Luke didn't trust himself to respond in any way resembling politeness, so he simply slumped down into his seat. Stars, he was starting to lose it. This place was slowly but surely crushing him.
"Just a minor disagreement, sir," Havy said, his voice shaking slightly. "It's over now."
"A minor disagreement about what?" He walked around the table until he was standing next to Zev, who was sitting in his usual spot at the other end. "Cadet Veers, explain to me what your teammates were arguing about!"
"Uh ..." Zev looked blank. "Sir, I ... I wasn't really paying attention."
"You never pay attention to your surroundings. That is precisely the problem here, Cadet. The commander assigned you to watch out for Cadet Skywalker, not to sit there daydreaming. I will see you in my office after dinner."
It was the final straw for Luke. "You're blaming him?" he whispered, incredulous. He spoke louder, so the officer could hear him. "You're blaming him because I was arguing with someone else? I don't believe you!"
He didn't receive any reply for a few seconds, and he once again felt everyone was staring at him. People had stopped eating, and knives and forks remained poised in mid-air as people waited to see how this confrontation would turn out.
"Cadet, perhaps you need an early night," the lieutenant suggested.
"Arg!" Luke cried, kicking the table. He stormed off, pushing past people in his way until the door of the dining hall came into sight. Once he was outside, he started running, although the wet muddy grass made for slow progress. He couldn't even see properly he was so angry. Was this how his father felt when he was frustrated? He just wanted to break something ... anything would do.
He came to a halt next to the row of camp air-speeders. He tried all of them until he found one that was unlocked, and then he slipped into the pilot's seat. Unfortunately, it was key operated, and he didn't have the right tools to attempt to hotwire it. Instead, he rested his head against the steering controls, and let himself calm down.
Sometimes, it helped to think about why he was angry. Was he angry at Crepes for touching on a very sore point between he and his father? Was he angry at Torture - someone whose life he'd been defending a moment earlier, who had then threatened Zev and patronized him by suggesting he was simply tired? Or was he angry with himself for getting Zev in trouble, once again?
He needed to get away from here.
A nearby voice caused him to look up and stare into the darkness. He could just make out two figures standing at the bottom of the stairs into the administration building. They were talking in hushed, serious tones.
"He was threatening to strangle one of the cadets."
Torture ... he had to be talking to the commander. The second voice confirmed Luke's suspicions.
"Are you sure?"
"I heard him, sir. He was very angry about something, but none of the cadets would tell me what. Not even the one he threatened to choke. I think they're frightened of him."
"Even Veers?"
"Veers claims he wasn't paying attention to their argument, which I can almost believe."
The commander was silent for a moment. "This is a very delicate situation," he said, finally.
"Perhaps you should talk to Skywalker, sir. Find out what's troubling him."
"I already know. He wants to speak to his father. He needs his father ... it was clear from the first conversation we had that his problem was a lack of fatherly attention. Just like Veers. No wonder they get on so well."
Luke rolled his eyes. Adults always thought they knew exactly what was wrong, no matter how clueless they were. Fatherly attention ... he was fourteen years old, for stars sake. The idea was embarrassing.
"I'll contact Lord Vader and discuss the situation," the commander continued. "At the very least, I'll find out whether the other cadets are truly in danger from Skywalker."
Luke was just about ready to step out of the speeder and start hurling abuse in the officers' direction. If the cadets were in danger from anyone, it was Torture, not him! What really irked was the fact the commander had told him earlier that he couldn't contact his father due to the bad weather. A lie! And to add insult to injury, he was going to tell his father about all the 'trouble' he'd been causing.
His hand fumbled for the door release, his mind already racing with all the words he was going to defend himself with. The speeder door sprang open, and he stumbled out ... only to find himself nearly standing on another cadet. In a second, he recognized Zev. His teammate pulled him down out of sight.
Luke stared at him in surprise, and then glanced around the edge of the speeder. Torture and the commander had now parted ways, and he could see the lieutenant walking back to the dining hall. The commander must have returned to his office.
"What are you doing here?!" Luke asked.
"Looking for you," Zev explained. "Torture sent me to check on you. You weren't in the tent. I heard the speeder door slam, so I came over here."
"I don't need 'checking' on," Luke said, bitterly. "Tell him to check on himself."
"Crepes said he was sorry," Zev said, carefully. "I know he's a nerfherder, but sometimes I think he can't help it. He's got some mutated gene which means everything that comes out of his mouth is annoying."
Luke stood up. "I have to go and talk to the commander. He's going to talk to my father, and -"
Zev interrupted him. "I was hoping you might still be interested in visiting that spaceport."
"You mean ... you want to come with me?"
"I want to get out of here," Zev said, forcefully.
Luke stared into the darkness of the nearby trees for a moment, feeling his earlier urge to be impulsive return. Sneaking away from the campsite by the light of the moons was the closest he could get to adventure on this harmless world. Something was still holding him back, however.
"I don't want to get you in any more trouble," Luke said. "That's all I seem to do."
"I'm already in trouble," Zev said. "Remember? Believe me, it can't get any worse. I should have said yes when you asked me before."
Luke thought about it for a moment. Despite his lingering doubt, he knew it wasn't even a question of yes or no. He'd wanted to get away from here the moment his father had mentioned it.
"You know ... if the spaceport really isn't abandoned, we don't have to come back at all," Luke said.
"Do you know how to fly a ship?" Zev asked, curiously.
"Fly a ship? Are you kidding?" Luke said, walking quickly towards their tent. "I can fly anything with an engine. Pack your things - we're leaving!"
Zev joined him, matching his rapid pace. "I don't know what it is about you," he said. "But no matter how crazy your ideas are, they inspire me with confidence."
"It's a family trait," Luke said, thinking back to his father's lecture about leadership.
