I DO NOT OWN STARWARS IT IS PROPERTY OF LUCAS FILM AND DISNEY
A/N Thank You: Luishunter65, riml, HarmonyGirl567, Padmeloveani34, wwerewwolf, Sylviecake231, , alexmayb, pieniewienie, true-blue-sheila, for Fav/Following
AN: Special thanks to XXX1994, Jadaerys, alexmayb, Libra-no-ninja9 for reviewing
17 BBY
Luke's little toddler legs carried him through the metal grates and floors throughout the Star destroyer looking for his father.
As much as his father tried to confine Luke to his rooms, the young Skywalker just kept breaking the rules.
Vader shortly created in order to tolerate him, especially when he was around their commander.
Ever since Luke was present on the star destroyer Vader personally saw to it that he was present for each member being interviewed and given tasks on the ship. The Dark Lord was trying to draw loyalty and support among his crew as well.
The lesser roles such as the cooks or mechanics were handled by an agency that had been through vetted. They also had the looming threat of Darth Vader hanging over them.
He would not let his enemies know about his son. Or the loathsome rebellion.
Vader had become very paranoid in that aspect.
Luke looked around bouncing his mop of blond hair, up trying to feel where he was going. Using the force felt that like second nature to him. He found his father on the main hanger. That was fashioned for the TIE fighters.
"Daddy!" Luke said with enthusiasm as he ran to his father with open arms.
Vader who had been preoccupied with running the latest flight drills, and preparing for the next visit to the construction on the death star. Was brought out by the sound of his son.
Toddling to be with him.
He turned around and gave him a smile behind the mask.
Luke went into his father's arms, who pulled him up to be on his shoulders. There they both watched the different formations each skilled TIE fighters were doing.
Luke looked up in wonder to see the different formations each pilot was doing.
"Fli! like plans fli!" The little force user said as he was pointing his hands with glee. The force is strong with the toddler, made a few machines and people shake.
Vader once again smiled behind the mask.
The mask that Vader made some changes to. He fine-tuned the optical sensors so he could see clearly, adjusted the temperature regulator, and his voice modulator to make it sound more menacing. He took off those awful needles that were used to mold to his face. And made other adjustments to his armor as well.
He spent a couple hours making those adjustments.
Vader was in his mechanic's room at his apartment working on these modifications to his mask. He was not pleased when he first put it on. It was aggravating the Sith lord any time he had to wear it. Which is most of the time…
In the room, Vader had a play area in for Luke to stay in. There he left some toys for him to play with. He also had little workshop made for the play area in the room. Luke took an instant shining to the different child proofed pieces and tools.
Vader was particularly frustrated with the adjustments he was doing to his mask. It felt like every problem he solved four more would arise. This was slowly starting to agitate the Sith Lord. On top of that, the young father seemed to be the target of Luke's favorite game.
Throwing all his toys at Daddy.
For the last 20 minutes, Vader continued deflected each toy with the force. Till Luke took his pacifier and tossed it with amazing accuracy at his forehead. This finally caught the Sith attention…not in a good way.
Vader's eyes flashing a dangerous yellow turned to face his current nuisance.
He was surprised to see that Luke made it out of his play area and the gate around it. Also at the innocent look, the fourteen-month-old gives when he is standing a couple of feet in front of his father.
"Dada!" pulling his pant leg to bring him to his work area. Still shocked to see his son standing and walking.
Pulling out of his daze Vader paved a path for his son to pull him in the direction of his workstation.
Vader still amazed at Luke walking. Walking like it was second nature to him. Think about this while his little space pilot was pulling him toward his workstation.
Yes, that had been a good day. He fixed his mask that now rests on his face. The Sith Lord still has to make adjustments as he goes but the challenging part is done.
But… that mask does frighten the Sith Lord a bit.
As a reminder of what could have been.
Vader tries not to think about it. What would of happen if he didn't listen to the force on that Mustafar panning droid. What Obi-Wan would have done to him. Vader felt the rage and despair coming from his former master during the dual.
Then the questions started to spiral...
Would he be trapped in that mask, in that armor? Vader knows he would have been too angry to listen to the force, in so much pain. And the Emperor was more than eager to give him that mask. To sustain him and keep him trapped like that forever.
He would never have found Luke. Which spiraled into new questions.
Would Luke have grown up on that planet? What would've Luke done when he was fully grown? Would he be used against him? Like the Jedi did with everything he loved.
The young Sith often has nightmares about a different outcome of that battle.
Brushing off the dreary thoughts he took his son off his shoulders and places next to him. Then answered his comlink.
He looked up to his disgruntled crew and gave them a look that struck fear into the souls of each member of the crew.
o-o-o
After all the pilots assembled on the destroyer. The ship set course for a secret location. Vader chose to retire to his quarters with his son, wanting to spend some time with him.
When they both made to his quarters, Luke fell asleep on his bed.
It had to be the fun he had watching the flight drills.
Taking his eyes off his son, Vader briefly looked at Alderaan's planet surface. Out of the viewport in his room. Vader remembered the visit he had not too long ago with the Alderaanian Prince.
A surprise visit was ordered to Alderaan, not too long after the Sith Lord had discovered the loyalty he had to the new Empire. Darth Vader had to personally see it himself. So, when there was finally a Senate recess after a month (honestly why it took it so long the Senate has no real power) he organized a crew of stormtroopers to bring the Empire's presence. And of course, his son came with him, on his Star Destroyer.
When Darth Vader was about to be sent down planet in his personal shuttle. He felt something. It was faint but it was like another force signature.
Reaching out in fear.
Then it was immediately overshadowed by another one. Closer and more familiar one. With the same amount of fear.
"Luke…" the Sith Lord jumped up and made his way out of the shuttle quickly made it to his son's room. Leaving a confused squadron of stormtroopers, along with the pilots as well.
What the hell is wrong with Lord Vader?
Lord Vader usually walking with command, control, and purpose was running with desperation and panic. To get to Luke.
When he finally made it to Luke's room the Sith Lord caught the site of the caretaker trying to calm down Luke. The caretaker looked up in fear at the Sith Lord.
"He-He was fine he j-just star-ed to cry I don't know…" the caretaker started to tremble in fear.
The Sith Lord not caring for an explanation barked out "I DON'T CARE! GIVE LUKE TO ME!"
The Sith Lord took Luke and held him against his shoulder. Vader sent calming waves through their bond and after about 20 minutes Luke calmed down and drifted off into a peaceful sleep. It took another ten minutes till Vader was comfortable enough to leave his son with the caretaker watching.
He made it back to his shuttle with the comfort of the dark side coming in waves to him. Now he was ready to destroy anyone who dares destroy him.
"Commence take off sequence now," Vader said that left no room for argument from everyone in the shuttle.
o-o-o
Landing at the spaceport, he was greeted with fear and anger from the crew receiving him. But Darth Vader didn't care, he seemed to feed off it. He was taken in a speeder and escorted to Aldera Royal Palace.
At the front, he was greeted by the Prince himself. Vader saw the cold and calculated look the man gave. Vader felt the anger and fear roll of that man in spades.
It was a sharp contrast to when he greeted him on Coruscant with that group of senators. That was also the day she told him she wa-
NO!
She is gone, so is weak Anakin. Vader was not allowed to speak his name.
Darth Vader destroyed him.
He was not allowed to think about her either, not now when he is in the middle of business.
"Lord Vader I am truly honored I finally get to meet you." Bail said with as much diplomacy as he could muster.
"Dispense pleasantries senator you know exactly why I am here." Vader countered roughly through his voice modulator.
"As much I know you want to chat; I have a feeling you want to continue this discussion in privet." Bail said in response. Bail knew this was going to be a tense meeting. He is talking to one of the evilest men in the galaxy. The man who killed Padmé's husband. Leia's father. Baby Luke. And many others across the galaxy. Bail was only thankful he was able to get Padmé and Leia to safety.
Vader did not respond and a team of two stormtroopers followed behind Vader.
o-o-o
Vader followed Bail to his private office. On the way, he saw toys dispersed around the palace. Toys for little girls.
He ignored the ache in his heart at the site.
Vader not betraying his emotions followed Bail till they made it to his office.
There Vader felt it again.
That force signature again
Reaching out for comfort.
"I have to say I was surprised when I got the report from my flight commander that your flagship was docked in our system." Drawing the Sith Lord out of his thoughts. The conversation started to turn to the reason they were here.
"I have reason to believe as well as the Emperor you are not loyal to the Empire as you say."
The Sith Lord started. "I have also been lead to believe that you have been contributing resources to the rebellion. An act that is recognized as treason." Vader concluded. He had him now.
"That is preposterous and you know it, Lord Vader. I have been loyal to the Empire from the start." Trying to swallow his fear he continues.
"Breha and I have been raising our daughters this whole time." Bail hates himself for what he says next. "What do I need to do to prove my loyalty."
Vader gives a smile behind his mask. Finally, we are getting somewhere. "You must come back to Coruscant in time for the next session. Declare your loyalty to the Empire. And take a Grand Moff for your planet."
"No, I will not take a Grand Moff for this planet. We are a peaceful planet, there is no need for any military police on Alderaan."
After the words angrily left the Alderaanian prince's mouth Vader held it in his infamous choke hold as he tightened his grip on right hand.
"This is not a negotiation. This meeting was the only act of mercy on the Emperor's part. If you don't agree then I will be forced to make your children grow up without a father."
Vader looked into his brown eyes to see the life snuffed out of them like he always had till he felt it again.
That same signature.
It made him drop the senator before it knocked him out. Bail took a couple of minutes to catch his breath. "The answer is still No. I will not take a Moff on this planet. Or I will make sure the galaxy knows what kind of scare tactics the Empire uses." Bail know it's a gamble be he cannot have a strong empire presence here. He needs to keep Padmé and Leia safe. And the rebellion needs Alderaan to remain peaceful too. Bail is counting the Empire's need to keep the illusion of peace.
Vader thought about this. The way he sees these senators act. How it is with his son. He already knows he is hiding something. That force signature is proof of that.
Lord Vader is patient. He is willing to wait to see what it is.
So, he will give him what he wants. Make him believe that he has the power.
"I agree to your terms. I will post a base of stormtroopers in your capital instead. Your lack of cooperation is noted. Next time I will not be as merciful" Vader said in his cold modulated voice.
After that Vader left the prince with that same look that was given to him when Vader arrived at the palace.
He will be back. He will find out what that signature is and where it is hiding.
o-o-o
Vader returned from Alderaan to his ship and went straight to check on Luke. He was still worried about what triggered such fear inside of his son.
It was the kind of fear that he strikes inside of his enemies.
Shaking out of his thoughts he made it to his caretaker to check on Luke.
"Lord Vader Luke had a few more crying fits when you were gone." The caretaker started with fear. "He was sound asleep and woke up and started crying. I do not know why. He usually is a good sleeper. There was nothing medically wrong with him...emotionally…he was distressed and…then he just stopped." The caretaker said.
Vader checked the feeling of the caretaker to see if she was telling the truth. He looked into her mind and saw the look of terror that was etched on his face.
With this information, Vader pulled out of her mind.
"I found no fault in your statements, you are dismissed," Vader said looking at his sleeping son.
o-o-o
Hours later back in their apartment Vader waited until Luke was awake so he could at least try to figure out what was wrong with him.
Luke who quietly rose, he found a toy that was in his crib and grabbed it. When he saw that his father was near but not paying attention to him. So, he took his toy, picked it up and chucked it at his dad's head.
Vader who was lost in his thoughts was brought out of it when a small soft stuffed Bantha hit him on the head.
"Looks like somebody is awake…and has a mean throw." He moved and picked up his son from the crib. He knows it is late but he needed answers.
Setting up on the terrace he told his droid to warm up some Bantha blue milk. And something warm for him.
"Now Luke..." Luke was really picking up on basic quickly, he also caught him uttering some Huttese, Vader thought he was safe with that. "…Why were you so upset today..." he looked into those innocent blue eyes "…don't new…I ws scardd…I feelted it." Luke with a few tears that sprang from his eyes, looked at his father and remembered that he felt.
Vader felt what his son was talking. He knew it had to be the force signature. That was the only explanation.
Vader than picks up his son and starts to console him, and says "You have been nothing but strong, all of this…" looking out in the cityscape and beyond. "…and the galaxy will be ours. I can see the force in you already Luke." He gave a smile and put him in his chair again. Both of their warm beverages were delivered by their droid.
The Sith Lord watches his son take little sips from his bottle with some happiness.
The Ex-Jedi knows that he needs to keep a closer eye on Alderaan. And look for that force signature again.
"Daddy.." Luke takes him out of his thoughts, by pulling on his cloak. Who woke up not too long ago. Vader knew Luke was trying to get his attention which was a struggle of late.
With the Jedi, the Sith Lord was hunting down, the senators he had to deal with and being one of the most terrifying beings in the galaxy. It also did not help that he can't take Luke planetside with him, socialize him with kids his age, or even have a friend look after him.
This is the most challenging part about being a signal parent. Especially around people, he could not trust.
"Luke." He shrinks down to be at his level "Nova is going to watch you while I have to go to work…"
This immediately earned a sour look on Luke's face. An expression he would see on his angel's face when he had to leave on missions, or meetings.
"…no fair…wanna com…" Luke stomps his foot and the room started to shake.
Vader trying to quell a tantrum before blowing up. Luke tends to do it when he knows he is gone for long periods of time.
"If you are a good boy I will take you out a flight in my fighter. That is only if I hear good things from Nova." Looking into his son's eyes.
"…. ok but promises." That look of understanding and hope sparkling in his blue eyes.
"Yes, I promise," Vader said to Luke. Vader knew that he would have to break promises to his son. He just could not break the big ones. He needed Luke's unwavering loyalty to destroy the Emperor and rule the galaxy.
o-o-o
Hours later Vader's Star Destroyer docked near spaceport where construction on the Death Star was taking longer than wanted. The emperor's patients on this project were wearing thin.
Vader knew Palpatine like to show off his power. More so now that he had total control of the galaxy
The Ex-Jedi also knew how much he enjoyed striking fear and controlling people with it.
The Emperor put Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin in charge of the project. An annoying worm who has even more arrogance then the Emperor.
After an exhausting tour and never-ending meeting that lasted longer than he liked. Darth Vader was privileged with spending time with Grand Moff Tarkin alone.
Joy
"There had been some changes made to the original blueprints regarding your quarters." The Grand Moff standing tall, exerting so-called importance, started to drone on. "…and it is causing a bigger delay for my battle station. We are already behind" Vader rolled his eyes. His battle station. Which was in Vader's opinion a monstrosity.
A colossal monstrosity that needs a ton of resources, people, and time.
They are enslaving most of the Wookie's to build it. The monstrous tax increase for the credits they were spending on building it. The number of massive Kyber crystals needed. Vader saw the blueprints himself. The size of it was a small moon. The cannon is rumored to have the firepower to destroy the entire planet.
This battle station though had years until it was even operational. So, he had to monitor it from time to time. Post the military to protect it. While hiding it from the rebellion.
The Sith started to insert spies in the rebellion. He knew that there were more leaders in rebellion. There had to take time to find them out.
"The Emperor himself approved this change and one room is hardly cause to act this way." Darth Vader said with a twinge of annoyance, his son was more reasonable than this.
Tarkin starts to stare him down, trying to strike fear into the Sith Lord. "...Think what you want Vader you have to through me for any changes to my battle station."
This spiked Vader's rage. So, he reached through the force with his gloved hand and started to crush Tarkin's windpipe.
"I need to go to you for nothing! I am second in command of the Empire. I will not answer to a lowly Moff like you..." Vader felt the life start to drain out of the man. "... That room will be for someone higher ranked then you will ever be!" Vader then let go. He couldn't kill him. Not yet.
Seeing Tarkin unconscious on the ground Vader made it back to his shuttle with the Storm Troopers following behind.
o-o-o
After a short ride, back to the to his star destroyer Vader's foul mood was known to the entire crew.
Darth Vader made it to his quarters where Nova was getting ready for dinner for Luke and herself.
"Daddy!" Luke shouted wearing one of his adorable outfits in his high chair.
"Lord Vader you are early," Nova said looking at him at eye level while bowing respectfully. She is still terrified of Vader.
But over the last two years Nova in the short amounts of time she is in his presence she sees a caring parent. It seems he is the tamest when he is near the child.
She sees when Luke is in pain, he is willing to destroy anything to spare it. From what she knows and sees, in her heart that the figure on the HoloNet was not the same person that is in this kitchen.
"Yes, I am." Vader started. "… you can take dinner you're with you, and you are dismissed for the evening." Vader made his way to his room to take off the suit and mask. Vader dressed in more casual Imperial Black robes.
The Sith Lord then took a quick look at his appearance in the mirror. He is still young, in his twenties but he feels like he is so much older.
His face looked much paler than before. His hair has gotten a little darker. The stress lines on his face have become more pronounced. His eyes that once held so much happiness, so much hope, only hold despair and anger now. More cold and calculating than ever.
Vader does not know why this is bothering him so much. Vanity was something that never was important to him. But this dehumanizing look is something that is concerning him. It had to be because of Luke.
Hearing the caretaker finally depart, Vader made his to the kitchen and started feeding his son. He looked into his son's eyes and saw his innocence, his light.
He doesn't know if he has it in him to destroy it. The light that his wife had. The light Anakin could never have.
But Vader will need him to be strong.
That light is something the Sith Lord is willing to sacrifice for his son to be safe.
To finally take the galaxy.
AN: I do not have a Bata reader but I am always trying to fix my story so as I updated the earlier chapter might change
AN: Review, Review, Review! I want to know what you like about the story!
