Chapter Seven - Awakening

Once again Luke slept restlessly. Memories of the vision of his father's death continued to plague his mind. It tortured Luke more than any blunt instrument could've inflicted on his physical body. Mental thoughts were just as lethal and could break even the strongest person with the strongest mind.

What hurt him most of all was that the only man whom he had trusted at a time when he was all alone, had lied to him. It was bad enough that his aunt and uncle had lied and kept secrets from him all his life about his parents. But it was even worse that Obi-Wan Kenobi, the kind old man who had practically taken Luke under his wing when he'd lost everything, turned out to be even worse than his guardians. Claiming that his father had been betrayed and murdered by Darth Vader. When all along, all along it had really been him that had killed Anakin Skywalker.

In the vision, Obi-Wan had said that Anakin had joined the Sith. But if that were so then why didn't he try to reason with Anakin? If he was the "Good friend" he'd claimed he was. Instead it had resulted in a lightsaber battle and things became even worse. It made the two men look at each other as enemies and poison his father's mind against all which had made him a great Jedi knight. And what had Ben meant about his father being "The Chosen One"? He'd never told Luke anything about that.

Why would he have turned to the dark side? What in this galaxy would cause him join the Sith? The murderous monsters who thought of nothing but themselves. He still did not understand. His mind was running round in circles. The confusion combined with the mental pain were almost consuming his brain. Would it ever end? If death was the only way out of this torment, Luke would have gladly welcomed it to escape everything.

A strange darkness suddenly filled his mind and surrounded him. At first Luke began to panic, but it wasn't painful in any way. It was peaceful, just like the dark which surrounds everyone at night when they sleep. Strangely Luke thought he could remember this darkness from somewhere once before. It seemed to be blocking out all the painful memories and thoughts, leaving his mind blank and calm. So calm that a part of Luke wanted to bask in it and never wake up, but the other half of him was curious. Why did this darkness feel familiar and where had it come from all of a sudden? It was almost as if it was alive, had sensed Luke's troubled thoughts and relieved him of them.

As Luke's conscious self started to come back into focus, he became aware not only that he was back in a bed, but that he was not alone. Through the force he could sense that another presence was very close by. And he was sure that the darkness calming his mind was coming from the other presence who was near him. With his curiosity burning even brighter Luke tried to force himself back to consciousness.

His senses were becoming more clearer because he was sure he could hear the breathing of the other being. His mood was starting to become a bit more cheerful, but then he realized that with each second the breathing was becoming louder, and it had a rhythmic rhythm to it, so unlike a normal person's breathing. It sounded more like a respirator... A respirator?

Luke's heart lurched as all the other memories came crashing back down upon him of all that had happened. Hoth, the ship, the nightmares, his escapade and passing out at his enemy's feet.

Heart pounding, Luke managed to force his eyes open and the moment he did, he caught sight of the towering form of Darth Vader standing beside his bed looking down at him like a malevolent bat. Even through a slightly blurred vision, his tall black presence stood out clearly from everything else.

Though three years had passed since he had first laid eyes on the Sith Lord while on board the Death Star, and been pursued by him in the Battle of Yavin, their paths had crossed in endless chases and battles between him and his Imperial imps. Now here they were at last, face to mask.

"Vader!" Luke exclaimed, instantly wide awake.

"Skywalker," Vader replied with no emotion in his deep baritone, the dark lenses of his mask fixed on him.

Luke tried to sit up, but he had barely sat a few inches off the bed when an invisible force pinned his body back down against the mattress and his head against the pillows. He could not move, the only part of his body which was still in his command was his eyes and lips. He struggled, though he knew it was pointless. The dark tendrils of the force emanating from Vader and swarmed round him into invisible restraints holding him down. In that moment, he knew his mere force skills were still too undertrained to best Vader's own invincible power.

"Release me, Vader!" he demanded, struggling to break the hold. "Let me go!"

Vader remained where he was, unmoving. "I will when you calm down, Skywalker."

Continuing his struggles would have been useless, so Luke reluctantly obeyed and relaxed his body. He hated giving any impression of surrendering, but at this present moment in time there didn't seem to be another choice. At the same time, he could feel the tendrils of invisible restraints dissipate and true to Vader's word he was freed and in full command of his body once again.

The young Jedi glared up at the Sith Lord who was still standing as if he were frozen and had not taken his eyes off him. A question was eating at his mind, the same one which he had had earlier. Why he was lying in a bed? And why hadn't Vader had him locked in a holding cell? This circumstance was so unlike anything he would have expected if been captured by Darth Vader.

A quick glance round the room told him that he was in another private medbay on board whatever Star Destroyer Vader had brought him to. The clinical smell of medicine a disinfectant filled his now clear nostrils. This hardly seemed the sort of place in which they would take a rebel prisoner, let alone the pilot who'd blown up the Death Star.

He replayed Leia's recollection of the torture and cruel conditions she had suffered under Vader's wrath during her capture and imprisonment three years ago. He had almost been brought to tears at the thought of Leia suffering that kind of pain. And that had also intensified his desire for revenge against Vader for murdering his father. So why did he, the destroyer of the Death Star receive all this abnormal hospitality?

It had been completely evident that Vader had been hunting him down to destroy him. After sensing his force presence in the Death Star trench, he had attempted to shoot him down before Han had just barely saved him. After that day the Dark Lord had placed a high bounty on him, and as time went on the higher the price increased. Until one day, another bounty was released with his actual name because the previous one had only been labeled as, "The Pilot Who Destroyed The Death Star." From then on things had become really difficult. Not risking giving his name freely in strange places, or to anyone in case they were after the high-priced bounty. Anyone out there could have been starving or desperate for that kind of money even if it meant giving a hero up to the enemy just to get their hands on it.

Luke waited for Vader to say something, but still the black masked Sith made no sound or movement. He continued just staring down at him. It felt as if his gaze was going to burn a hole right through him.

"Why am I here?" Luke demanded sitting up in the bed.

"You were suffering from hyperthermia and required urgent medical treatment."

That wasn't news to Luke, he remembered almost freezing to death, waiting for it to claim him. He could smell the remnants of Bacta which still clung to his skin. Reaching up felt that the claw scratches on his face were all sealed up and hardly hurt at all.

"Why did you heal me? Am I not your prisoner? Your enemy?"

Vader crossed his arms across his armoured chest. "That depends, Skywalker. Firstly, I need you in perfect health. Secondly, I believe you will reevaluate our allegiances after we have talked."

Luke stared at him. What is going on? Why hadn't Vader confirmed them being sworn enemies? Surely after learning his name and that he was the son of a Jedi, his first intent was to destroy him. And why did he want Luke in "Perfect health" as he put it? Maybe he doesn't want the high advantage over me. He healed me so he would get an even battle with me in single combat.

"Your assumptions are incorrect young one." Vader's sudden voice shocked him, and he stared wide eyed up at him.

Can he read minds?

"Your thoughts and feelings are open to me, Skywalker. Open enough for me to see and hear what your mind speaks."

Luke could feel his stomach twisting into a knot. His thoughts were no safer from Vader than his body and soul.

The back armoured Sith Lord began pacing the room with his hands clasped behind his back. "We will talk later, young one. And I would advise you to keep an open mind and not to rely on things which make you ignorant."

Luke wanted to protest, but he was silenced at the reminder of his visions and wondered if Vader's statements would be any different. It was ridiculous though to think that he should trust Vader's word over those he trusted.

The Dark Lord stopped pacing and turned back pointing a black gloved finger in Luke's face. "I will warn you now and only now, that if you attempt another escape or any kind of resistance, then your treatment will not remain civil."

Luke made no reply. Instead he glanced at the finger which was still pointing in his face like a blaster barrel making him shudder. It seemed his earlier escapade was still fresh in the Sith's mind.

Vader then pressed a button on a wall panel and soon the door lifted open to reveal a white robed medic and four stormtroopers standing out in the corridor.

Vader walked out and addressed the medic. "Check him over and see that he is cleaned up, then have him brought to me."

The medic nodded. "Yes, my lord."

Then just like he had done to Luke, he pointed his finger at them. "If he escapes, I will hold you all personally responsible." The medic made no reply as Vader turned to the troopers. "Keep your weapons set for stun." Without waiting for any reply, he swept past them and disappeared down the corridor.

Taking a few deep breaths, the medic entered the room with two of the troopers while the other two remained out in the corridor. Luke's heart sank, knowing that this was all to ensure he couldn't escape again. When the door closed, he turned his dull gaze from the two troopers to the medic who walked to his bedside. Seeing no other options, Luke submitted, allowing the medic to check him over and did his best to ignore the troopers stationed at the closed door. For all he knew, he had failed his only chance at escaping.


Author's Notes

Hello Everyone! It's been months I know. But during all that time I have been really busy. I found a Beta reader and together, we have been fixing the chapters of both my Star Wars fanfictions. A Massive Thank you to Carrie2sky for all the kind help. So, to those of you who have been following this story since the start I'm sure you'll see the differences and edits. Those of you who are new, feel free to re-read.

The rest of the time I have had a busy calendar and had an attack of writer's block. As desperate as I was to complete this new chapter, I knew I would take some time.
Well I hope you like this new chapter. Please keep up your kind support and I will know how much you're still enjoying it.

A Happy Christmas to you all, LouisaJane007