AN
- Luke is 6 right now (he was 2 in the first chapter).
- I don't know when the next chapter will be up; I haven't written it yet and I don't know how much free time I will have in the immediate future (I'm doing two majors and I'll need some time to sort out my classes)
CHAPTER 7
Vader sat in his hyperbaric chamber as his mask was being removed. He tried to impress some order on the thoughts that ran rampant through his head, and attempted to meditate. Clearing his mind and achieving a state of calm had never been among his favorite pastime activities, but in recent years he had come to understand the importance and enjoy the relaxing effect of meditation. Right now, his achieving that state was prevented by the presence that flickered at the edge of his consciousness. Luke. Vader was more worried than he let even himself know. The boy was kind and had a good heart. He was also unaware of the many dangers that existed and especially the ones that came with his new life. His lack of tact and cunning could be fatal, especially now, that the Empire could have no use for him. Vader didn't want to plead for his son's life with the argument of turning Luke into a servant of the Emperor. Faced with that option he would rather the boy remained untrained. Of course, Vader would tell him about the Force and show him how to shield his presence and thoughts so as not to draw the attention of every semi trained force sensitive or Jedi on the planet.
Having bathed and suited-up, Vader left the chamber and called for an Aide. Making sure he understood his new responsibilities, Vader took him to Luke's room where the boy was waiting impatiently.
'Luke, this is Max Devon', Vader said 'He will take you shopping tomorrow and show you around the castle until you are familiar with it. There are areas where you cannot enter, but as of tomorrow you will have access to all the rest. I want you to stay away from my personal chambers and not disturb the people who work here. Devon will take you whenever you want to go out and you may go to him with whatever question you have.' Vader waited for Luke to nod and then continued, addressing the man 'You will leave at 10:00 and I want you back by 18:00. You will have other opportunities to tour the city.'
With that he dismissed the Aide and turned towards Luke.
'I want you to understand that Devon is not your servant, you may not order him around, and he can deny any request he considers unreasonable or inappropriate. He is merely meant to help you settle in and has other duties beside these, so don't bother him unnecessarily.'
The castle was impressive in both size and beauty. While not richly decorated or particularly inviting it was done in exquisite taste with artifacts from every corner of the galaxy. Would Qui-Gon be able to enter Vader's home, he would have been filled with hope – it looked like little Anakin was still set on seeing all the planets and strong enough that Vader was well aware what was going on. Vader led Luke to a greenhouse and watched a smile light the boy's face. So he had assumed correctly that coming from a desert planet Luke would be fascinated with everything alive. If nothing else, Vader wanted to offer his son a better life than the one he left as well as the possibility to fulfill his dreams and be happy. But first, there were some things he needed to understand.
'Luke, how much do you know about the way the Empire works?'
'Huh?' he asked absentmindedly, but turned around to face Vader.
'It is probably best that you are completely ignorant. The Emperor's name is Palpatine, he is a Sith and my Master. I am also a Sith and although I have no military rank I am the second man in the Empire. I only take orders from the Emperor. He usually sends me to supervise military operations and oversee certain projects. Do you understand so far?' A nod.
'A Sith is someone who uses the Dark Side of the Force. The Force is an energy field that surrounds us everywhere. Those trained in the ways of the Force are able to access that energy and direct it in a way that is useful to them – they can enhance their reflexes, they can levitate objects, sometimes they can see into the future'
'You can read minds, can't you?' Luke asked, suddenly making a connection.
'Yes, unless the other person is shielding his thoughts or if his mind is too different and thus hard to understand.'
'So the Emperor can read my thoughts?' Luke asked not a little fearful.
'He could, although I doubt he is doing it. For one thing, even the strongest force user needs to be within a certain distance of the target. The other side of the planet is too far.' Vader hoped Luke would never be on the other side of one of Palpatine's mind probes. It was both painful and demeaning, to feel the other presence invade your most private thoughts and dig around, not something a six year old should have to experience. For Vader himself it was bad enough that Palpatine seemed to always know his feelings and reasons without having the other invade his mind for proof.
'I didn't get the energy part, sorry,' said Luke with a slight frown, apparently unaware of the other's darkening mood.
'You are still young. Some concepts you will not understand until you grow older while others need time and experience to become clear.'
'So I'm going to learn this er, … how to do all that stuff' he asked hopefully.
'Luke, I only told you so much because I want you to understand some of my abilities. But there are some things I want you to remember, and these are very important, so try not to forget them, ever.' Luke nodded. 'First of all, not everybody has these abilities, in fact, very few do. The Emperor and I have them, and so do you. Secondly, you need to be trained for a number of years before you can control them. Thirdly, according to the laws of the Sith there can only be two at a time: a master and an apprentice. The Emperor is my master so he can forbid me to train you, and there is a big chance that he will do just that.'
'So you won't train me.' Luke said disappointed. He had hoped to spend more time with his father doing something that only the two of them could, something which could not be delegated to some other aide or teacher. Vader fought the urge to sight.
'Probably not. Not now in any case. Perhaps later.'
'What if the Emperor dies and you are alone?' and Vader felt fear for the first time in years. It was a chilling thought that he could lose his son, that Luke's life could end because of so little as a misplaced thought.
'Listen to me, Luke. Never, ever, say that again! Don't even think about it! Don't even dream about it! That's treason and it's punished with death.'
'But it's true!' Luke exclaimed outraged. 'Everybody dies!'
'Luke, have you heard what I said?' Vader was shaking him now.
'Yes, but…' he meekly replied.
'There is no "but". The Emperor is very powerful. He is the most powerful being in this galaxy. He is easily offended and never forgets or forgives. To defy him will only bring your destruction. Do you want to die?!!'
Luke was speechless. He felt he was back in his room aboard the Avenger when he realized how much worse than home some places could be and Vader told him he would not go back to Tatooine. Only this time it was worse. Back on the Avenger he could have found a way back home. But now there was no way back. For better or for worse this was his home, in the line of vision of a man who would kill him for the slightest mistake, a man whom, from what he had heard so far, he had every chance of disliking.
DO YOU WANT TO DIE? The question still rung in his ears. He didn't mean to scare his son like that but Luke HAD to understand that for all his power and mastery of the Force, Vader would not be able to protect him from the Emperor if Luke opposed him. The danger was greater for Luke because he was Vader's son and force sensitive. The Emperor would not be satisfied with anything but complete obedience from someone who had the potential to become a Jedi, even if Luke remained untrained until the day he died.
DO YOU WANT TO DIE? Luke could not believe his father had asked him that. When fighting or arguing with other kids, swearing and threatening would be part of it. It was not the first time he had been asked this question, but it was the first time the other meant it. If he hadn't been so scared Luke would have noticed that Vader was also in a state of panic. As it was, he noticed neither the desperation in his father's voice as he knelt before him, nor Vader's fear that was practically unshielded. All Luke could do was lower his eyes, shake his head, and think stubbornly 'He shouldn't be able to do that!'
Luke returned from his shopping with Max and had dinner alone in the large room because his father didn't show up. He wondered if this was how things would be from now on. He was not allowed in his fathers' room and had no way of knowing where the man was, or if he even was in the castle. A lot less cheerful than when he arrived, Luke made his way to his room where all the day's purchases had been neatly arranged. He went to sleep hoping to see his father in the morning and tell him about his day and ask him if he could visit Coruscant with Max that day. In the morning, Luke ate alone again and decided to find Max and ask him where Vader was.
Vader had been in his chamber when Luke arrived the day before, and watched the recording of his son making his way to the small dining room. He had planed on joining him but Palpatine had summoned him for the next morning and Vader didn't think he could hide his anxiety. He left early for his meeting with the Emperor and waited for thee hours before he was granted admission into the throne room, a clear sign that Palpatine was displeased.
Vader knelt in front of his master and waited for him to speak.
'What is a boy doing in your castle, Lord Vader?' a cold voice asked. Vader, not having been allowed to rise, remained on his knee, head bowed.
'He was among the cargo of slaves we captured. I wish to offer him a home.' All very true, Vader thought, trying to build up to the uncomfortable truth.
'And the reason they weren't all transported to Kessel?'
'They were all children, Master, and half were in the shuttle we lost', replied Vader evenly, knowing the Emperor was already aware of these facts.
'What interest have you in this child?' Palpatine's tone indicated he suspected something. His spies must have only found out about Luke's presence in the castle, not the reason for it. 'Or his last name. I'm sure that would have rung a bell for Palpatine', Vader thought. For his part, Palpatine was sure there must be something behind wanting to offer a home for an orphan, and he had a feeling he wouldn't like it one bit.
'He is my son, Master.' There was no outward sign of surprise, but the darkness around the throne deepened.
'Your son?' Vader was silent.
'How old is he?' Palpatine leaned forward in his seat.
'He is 6 years …' but Vader didn't get a chance to finish.
'He is no son of yours! Skywalker's spawn has no place in your castle. He must know his father is dead!' As Vader offered no response, Palpatine realized that the brat did indeed not know Skywalker was dead. And, most disturbing, the one to blame for it was Vader. Vader, who was supposed to have killed Skywalker, and who assured the Emperor there was no trace of the former Jedi left in the galaxy, least of all behind the black mask. The Emperor had not been this displeased in a long time. He allowed himself to sink into the throne and regard his kneeling servant. Vader had not corrected him, yet he appeared to want the brat.
'Kill him', he said in a bored voice.
'Master … he is force sensitive', Vader pleaded. This was interesting, not the child, but Vader's reaction.
'And there is your reason. You must terminate his life immediately.' Palpatine was not scared; couldn't be scared by a child, but Vader's behavior irritated him and with perverse pleasure he sought to tear away the Dark Lord's newly acquired project, as painfully as possible. The child would never be trained, whether he lived one more day or a hundred years, but Palpatine felt the need to crush Vader's hope for a future for him.
'Master, I want him to live.' Vader said carefully.
'I want him to die.' The simple response. Vader would never openly defy him or disobey a direct order. 'Should you be unable to do so, you will bring him here tomorrow and I will do it for you.' Palpatine was not threatening. He knew Vader was well aware of his superior power and would bow to his wish, as always.
'Master, I would …' 'You would what? Think, damn it! You need his permission, Luke cannot die. You can't watch it happen but Palpatine is stronger and always will be. But you are a SITH too. You will not be ignored so easily!'
Vader rose to his feet and looked into his master's cold eyes.
'What do you require in exchange for his life, Master?'
'I will think of something Lord Vader', he replied at length. 'Make sure he doesn't receive any training in the mean time. You may leave.'
What would he require in return? Palpatine didn't know. He was too surprised at the new strength Vader had found and was facing him with.
