Title: The Illusionist

Chapter: 8. Intrigue

Keywords: Luke Skywalker, Vader, father, son, Boba Fett, Tremayne.

Author: Wellingtonboots

Archive: Slytherin Serpent

Summary: Post-ESB. Traumatized and in denial, Luke is unwittingly thrown into a dark underworld of sinister intrigue and brutal murder, where only his father can save him. (Xizor, Inquisitors and Boba Fett)

Disclaimer:Everything apart from Kay, Ronin and Doctor Lassion belongs to Lucas Films. All characters described, other than original ones, have been researched to conform to canon where possible.

Beta Thanks: A really big thank you to my wonderful beta mlgm who has improved the quality of this story beyond all my expectations!

Review Thanks: Fantasy4Everlasting, Mina1, Jessie237, Serena Webb, ilovethestories, Carrie, darthchunky, VFSNAKE, DarthGladiator45, Sithspawned, Treenahasthaal,


AN: I realise that this story is getting complicated so I have made a character sheet that you can refer to while reading. However I doubt will let me put it on (I don't want my account frozen again) so it's going to be on my homepage along with the next chapter by the 22nd of April.

The Inquisitors are all canon, however some don't have detailed physical descriptions so I used some of my artistic license.

Those of you who got two alerts: sorry my fault upload wrong version up.


It was Fourth Day evening according to the large digital clock that adorned the wall above Leia's cell and Dash Rendar was beginning to feel the affects of captivity.

His cell was four feet by six, covered from floor to ceiling in the same monotonous Imperial Grey. Three walls of the cell consisted of narrowly spaced iron bars, while the back wall was a blank grey surface totally devoid of any imperfections. There was no bed or inbuilt lavatory, which meant that the cell was only a temporary holding unit with low security features. However, right now, Dash was prepared to attempt an escape just to be move to a high security cell, with toilet facilities.

His chrono indicated that he had been in captivity for six hours, which he decided was an unhealthy length of time to pause one's bodily functions.

"Hey, Wes do you know where the refresher is?" asked Dash as he poked his nose through the bars of this cell.

"You gotta be joking right," laughed Wes as he looked up from his hunched position on the floor. "If I don't get transferred soon I think I'll -,"

"Oh really!" snapped Leia her eyes flashing with distain.

"Listen princess, unlike you were aren't superhuman…" Dash trailed off as the patrol of stormtroopers appeared at the end of the corridor and marched passed them in silent formation.

"I really don't know why they bother," said Wes as the brigade rounded the corner, "It's just us three in this whole compound. You'd think the Imperials would at least put us as far apart as possible."

"Unless they actually want to hear our conversation," hissed Leia from the depth of her cell, "honestly do you think we are here by accident?"

Wes did not reply as he dropped his head back down on his knees. Dash's humour was the only thing keeping him from falling in despair right now and he felt like a goat teetering on the edge of a jagged cliff.

"So how did you get caught?" asked Dash, stretching his arms out from the bars in a lazy yawn.

"He's told you three times already!" groaned Leia as she started to undo her elaborately fashioned hair. The two large buns on either side of her head looked rather like the antique ear phones Dash had once seen in a museum.

"So, it's the only entertaining thing we can talk about without your disapproval," retorted Dash as he slumped against the bars, "go on, tell us again and embellish it with some big explosions or something."

Wes grinned tightly and decided to play alone for the moment,

"Well, my X-wing started to malfunction and a gigantic jet of flames spewed from the tail end, incinerating several TIE fighters behind me,"

Leia grumbled something unintelligible in the cell next to him but Wes carried on,

"I had to pull a crash landing in the middle of a vast open field where anyone could easy shoot me down, but I survived the landing and clambered out of the X-wing. From the last radio communications I received from Wedge I knew Luke was also heading to this planet and so I decided to find him.

Walking alone for many hours I finally reached a grimly town full of cutthroats and thieves. I was told the Imperial Base near by and I knew I had to infiltrate it to rescue Han, so I crawled into the sewage system from a waste disposal plant -,"

"This story is beginning to sound like it's being read out of a kid's textbook," grumbled Dash while scratching absently at the smooth grey wall. They were durasteel panels, twice as hard as diamond and impossible to deface.

"You wanted me to embellish it," retorted Wes.

"Yeah but embellish means "to make more interesting". I preferred it the first time," replied Dash his voice almost sulky.

"Oh, honestly! We are trapped on the Executor waiting for execution, while Luke is being physiologically tortured by the Dark Lord of the Sith and you find time to swap gossip!" cried Leia, her frustrations threatening to boil over her swallow control.

"Listen, Princess, we cannot afford to lose our heads," said Wes calmly, "we need to stay positive and while Dash may sound like he doesn't care, he does. The Imps have put surveillance in our cells to prevent us from coordinating an escape attempt but we still have a chance. Luke will come and save us."

Leia felt like snorting.

However snorting was a mannerism befitting only the dregs of society like Dash Rendar and an Alderaan Princess had better ways of expressing disdain.

"Really, Wes, as much as I trust and admire Luke, I do not think he is in any position to 'save' us right now. Darth Vader has a better grasp of Luke's abilities than any of us. Do you really think that there is even the remotest possibility that Luke will be able to escape from a Sith Lord. If anyone is going to be rescued it will have to be Luke."

"Well I'm sorry, Your Highness, for not falling into a whirlpool of depression because I actually want to be sane when I get out of here," snapped Dash sarcastically. "Forgive me for not participating in 'serious brooding'. Besides hadn't you better start thinking about your frozen boyfriend? Or he might think you love Luke more than him."

It did not take intuition to tell Wes that Dash had gone too far with his last jibe for Leia's eyes flashed with pain and she swept to the back of her cell where she sat facing the wall with her shoulders hunched in a way that was definitely not natural to Alderaan royalty.

Perhaps Dash felt guilty, Wes couldn't tell for he too had retreated in a sulk and was now fidgeting with his armour plate.

I really need to use the refresher, thought Wes as he his gaze shifted back and forth between his two fickle companions. Maybe…no it can't be that easy!


"You are being transferred," said the doctor as he stepped into Luke's "holding cell". The man was nervous and justly so for Luke was sure wicked tales of his supernatural powers were already circulating the ship. "Inquisitors Tremayne and Halmere will be escorting you," the doctor paused and fumbled awkwardly with his identity card as if resolving some inner conflict,

"It would be in your best interests to…cooperate," he finished hesitantly and a look of concern filled his aged, grey eyes.

Luke looked up from where he lay on the hospital bed and shook his head slightly.

"Doctor, I appreciate your concern but cooperation is out of the question. I will not betray my ideals,"

"I'm not trying to recruit you," sighed the doctor as he took several steps forwards, "just…make it easy for yourself…"

"There is a vast difference between what is right and what is easy," replied Luke resolutely.

Momentarily stunned by the intensity of Luke's gaze, the doctor opened his mouth but no sound could be produced.

He is no ordinary boy.

The doctor licked his lips as if to bring his voice back into line and stepped just a little bit closer to his extraordinary patient,

"I understand, but consider your health…you must be in good shape if you have any hopes of…being able to do anything,"

Words unsaid hung in the air between them like heavy weights adding to the apprehension in the room. Nothing stirred and the medi-droids stood in the doorway like twisted works of art that only an Imperial could admire.

"Thank you for your concern," repeated Luke firmly, he had no wish for the doctor to become embroiled in the perverse labyrinth he had unwitting fallen into. There was pity in the doctor's eyes…pity and fear.

Shaking his head of thin greying hair, the doctor retreated back into the doorway with his hands thrust deep into the pockets of white coat. Just before he turned to leave, he whispered something almost too quietly for Luke to hear,

"I am wrong…for your own sake flee,"

The door sealed itself behind the white form of the doctor with a sinister hiss leaving Luke alone to contemplate his fate.


The grey hall ways of the Executor were constantly polished to maintain the reflective shine that embodied Imperial Perfection. Even as Ronin scuffed the floor tiles with the rubber soles of his shoes a mouse droid arrived to clean up the tracks.

Inquisitor Tremayne paid no attention to the boy trailing behind him as he strolled gracefully through the corridors leading towards the private medical bay. He had a more important assignment on his hands.

Behind the tall figure of his master, Ronin looked up apprehensively as his hand reached into the folds of his tunic. Tremayne's thoughts dwelt elsewhere and he was free to inspect his prize. A small gold medallion, suspended on a thin chain of solid silver glowed in the harsh light of the corridors. One small red jewel was fixed in the centre of the circular disk and even as Ronin watch, it began to change colour from red to blue and darkening into a deep black.

His gamble had paid off; the data was indeed what Master Darys wanted and in return he had gained a most prized possession…a treasure to attract the Dark Lord's eye.


As Tremayne approached the doors to the medical bay he knew instantly that Halmere had not arrived. However another more annoying presence occupied the space beyond the doors: Loam Redge.

The metal panel parted smoothly and the High Inquisitor strolled in with Ronin following close behind, his hand lingering close to his breast pocket.

"Ah, Inquisitor Loam Redge, it is a surprise to see you, I was unaware that you were also assigned to this charge," said Tremayne his eyes flashing with a well controlled annoyance.

"There are many things you are unaware of, Tremayne," snapped Loam Redge curtly as he turn on his heel and marched down the steps to the holding area. Tremayne could tell even without his force sensitivity that Loam Redge was as irked by his presence as he was by Loam's.

The single door to the holding area hissed open without the fluidity expected of Imperial facilities. It seemed that the room was seldom in use.

The patient or prisoner, depending on one's view point, was sitting serenely on the hospital bed in a lotus position, reminiscent of the many times Tremayne had seen the Jedi Masters meditating.

"Jedi," hissed Loam Redge with contempt as he stepped into the room. However Tremayne sensed his apprehension through the force and allowed himself a small satisfied smile as he followed behind.

The room was bare apart from the bed and yet with all four people inside it felt crowded. In front of them sat the most infamous rebel leader, Luke Skywalker.

However as Tremayne looked closely at the boy, he did not find anything more remarkable than what he had seen a few hours before. Skywalker's force potential was great but it was just potential. There had been little development of his powers and even with his 'great' force potential he could not be called a diamond in the rough for he sensed the boy possessed little in the way of intelligence.

Skywalker was nothing compared to the Inquisitors.

The power of Darth Vader had protected him thus far but when Vader's favour ceased, Tremayne would be all too happy to dispose of his "son".

"Skywalker, we have come to escort you to Lord Vader," said Loam Redge, a sadistic glint lit his cold eyes.

"Well you can tell his Wheeziness, Darth Vader, that our appointment is officially cancelled," replied Skywalker obnoxiously from his position on the bed without opening his eyes.

Tremayne bit back a bubble of laughter,

Boy, you have no idea what you are getting into.

Loam Redge however took his remark as personal insult for his face was already blotched with red. His pride had been dented; no mere rebel spoke to an Inquisitor in such a manner. Slowly but surely the devilish glint in his eyes magnified.

"You will do well to respect his Lordship and us, for when your favour ends I will be looking forwards to cleaving you in two."

Skywalker did not even flinch at the unveiled threat, the corners of his mouth turned but into a smug smile that spoke volumes.

"I will be looking forwards to that day too, but for an entirely different reason,"

The boy is far too sure of himself. Does he truly believe he is the son of Vader? The concept is laughable but Lord Vader is a cunning man. The boy is indeed powerful but still he would never make his way in the Inquisitorius.

"Well, how about you tell your Father that when we meet him?" hissed Loam Redge as he approached Luke.

Suddenly a sharp disturbance crashed through the force and Skywalker's eyes flew open.

"He is not my father."

Even as he said the words, Tremayne sensed the terrible inner turmoil raging inside Skywalker's head.

Yes, our Lord is cunning indeed. Skywalker doesn't stand a chance. I will enjoy watching his emotional pain when he falls…Vader is a fickle master.

"Oh and who is your father?" Loam Redge's face twisting into a horrific smile that was enough to scare even the impassive Ronin. However to Tremayne's surprise the boy stared right back with fierce determination.

"My father was Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight," said Luke, never taking his eyes of Loam Redge's face.

The boy thinks he is the son of the Chosen One? He must be delusional.

This time Tremayne did not hold his amusement in check and he laughed deeply at Skywalker's remark.

"Well, let me tell you something about him," replied Loam Redge clearly enjoying the boy's distress. His days as an Imperial Interrogator had given him a great taste for sadism…and vengeance.

"Anakin Skywalker died squealing like the cowardly Jedi he was. He was supposed to be the Chosen One," and Loam Redge spat the words out with hatred, "but where is he now? Killed by clones, no less."

From behind Loam Redge, Tremayne could see the sheering anger blazing in the boy's eyes. His jaw became so tense that the muscles twitched sporadically in his face.

"He didn't stand a chance, he couldn't even save himself let alone his precious Master Obi Wan Kenobi," again an old bitterness swelled inside Loam Redge and he hissed the name with resentment, "or the younglings. Anakin Skywalker was weak and pathetic, a senseless follower of the Jedi Order.

"Lord Vader tells me that in his last moments, he threw himself sobbing at the clones' feet begging for mercy like a common criminal, his last pleas even offered to tell Lord Vader where the younglings were hiding -,"

"You liar!" cried Skywalker, all control lost as his rage exploded into the force and Tremayne felt the crash of the force bashing into his connection. "You did not know my father!"

"Oh yes I did, I was once a Jedi… Anakin Skywalker was so vain, so vain that he did not see Vader's lightsabre coming until it had sliced his left arm off. But of course he gibbered and cried, wailed and howled like a dying womp rat. Even as he died he tried to renounce the Jedi code…to join the Sith, but he was far too weak.

"His dying scream was so pitiful…like a girl's,"

The last words were spoken in a low sinister tone, worthy of Lord Sidious. Clearly Loam Redge had not lost his torture skills.

"Liar!" Suddenly Skywalker leapt from the bed with such speed that Tremayne was taken aback for a second, but only second for he soon recovered as Skywalker charged towards them. Loam Redge was caught off guard and they tumbled to the floor, Skywalker attacking relentlessly.

However Tremayne did not ignite his lightsabre in defence, for he knew Vader's orders were absolute and it would not do to disobey the Dark Lord. Loam Redge had wanted to goad Skywalker into doing something stupid enough to warrant the Dark Lord's anger but he had gone too far.

Loam Redge was stout and strong, more than a match for the unarmed rebel and for several moments Tremayne believed that he would be able to overpower Luke single-handedly.

Suddenly the Inquisitor kicked the smaller body away from him and a red lightsabre ignited. The red blade was swung in an arch with gleeful deliberation towards Skywalker's pale chest. The lightsabre caught him in the ribs and cut a long sizzling slash horizontally across the unprotected flesh.

However even as Luke screamed in pain Loam Redge jumped forwards and slammed the hilt of his lightsabre down on Luke's head. The scream was strangled and the body fell limply on to the floor.


He was lying in on something so soft and warm that he almost felt as if he was sinking. His limbs were languid and his eyelids weighted. Luxury of this level was something Luke had never experience before. Rebel accommodation was basic without the slightest hint of opulence, the Alliance worked on necessity not comfort.

He was definitely not in a Rebel Base…a Starship perhaps…one of the Ackbar's sleek liners? No that did not feel right either… although he had never set foot on the beautiful battleships, he knew instinctively he was somewhere else.

But where?

Hesitantly he rolled over to inspect the edge of bed. However he simply found more soft sheets and only as he rolled over again did he reach out and feel the edge of the vast bed.

This bed is huge…either that or I was sleeping very close to the other edge…

A soft beeping sound registered in his sleep-clogged mind, an annoyingly incessant beeping commonly associated with alarm clocks. Rubbing his eyes wearily Luke decided that he would have to wake up and investigate this new environment.

The first thing he saw as he opened his eyes was the smooth, glossy black ceiling tiles situated directly above the bed…polished to Imperial Perfection.

Slowly, almost in trance, Luke sat up and surveyed the room.

Sithspawn! I'm still on the Executor!

However the only thing his mind registered was the apparent ironic humour in his curse.

Sithspawn…Vader's son is sith spawn!

A strange high pitch giggle escaped from Luke's mouth and he hurriedly suppressed it in case there was a listening device in the room. Even though he couldn't care less what the Imperials thought of him, he didn't want to be branded a psychopath.

The room was large, with the bed situated on a low raised platform connecting to the back wall. The rest of the space beneath him was occupied by a set of plain black leather sofas and a large workstation, complete with state of the art computer equipment, stood close to the gigantic viewing ports.

The entire opposite wall was covered by three huge panes of transparisteel forming one of the largest view ports Luke had ever seen. The vast expanse of space sprawled out in front him like a giant chasm with only think pin pricks of light interrupting the continuous blackness.

Suddenly Luke felt very small, like a single point of brightness in a galaxy devoid of light. The hopes of what he wanted to accomplish with his life seemed so…futile. The vast blackness no longer held the promise of excitement and adventure he had longed for in his youth. Everyday he would look up at the stars and dream of his future exploits. He was going to be a TIE pilot, the best TIE pilot the Empire ever had and he was going to become an admiral with his own Star Destroyer.

How he yearned to see the galaxy, to marvel at its vastness, to experience its diversity…to find its treasures, but now as he sat in the best room of the Super Star Destroyer, Luke realised how naïve his dreams had been.

All he had found in the galaxy was death, destruction…and evil.

Turning his head away from the viewing port Luke stared down at the sheets blankly…

Is there any point to my life?

No but there is!, his internal voice of reason shouted at, there is a reason; I am going to bring peace, justice and hope to the galaxy. I am going to resurrect the order and become the greatest Jedi of them all!

Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by the incessant beeping, which had increased a notch since he last listen. With an exasperated sign Luke clambered clumsily out of the huge black bed and stumbled around the room trying to locate the source of the beeping. A red light was blinking rapidly on the bedside table and as Luke approached, he saw that it was emanating from a datapad.

Someone…three guesses who…had left him a message.

Slowly he began to read:

"Son,

I have gone to the training rooms; do not interpret my absence as a chance to attempt an ill- planned escape because you will not succeed. There is nothing in my quarters that will assist you in any way, be it breaking the lock or self- harm.

Even as you read this message I am on my way back to my quarters and therefore I strongly suggest that you do not let me catch you out of bed when you should clearly be resting.

Your Father"

Luke snorted with bitter humour.

Do not let me catch you out of bed, indeed! He was beginning to sound like Uncle Owen!

I never listened to Uncle Owen so why should I listen to this impostor of a father?

Even as he smirked at his reflecting in the viewing port Luke realised something was amiss with the image…

I'm wearing nothing but a pair of trunks…and they're not even my trunks!

Luke had always been somewhat prudish and since the age of seven he had felt embarrassed by the sight of underwear even in shop windows. Hence his first instinct was to scramble back into the bed and cover himself up properly.

As he pulled the sheets up his chest he noticed the thin line of bacta bandages running horizontally across his chest. A familiar sense of failure dawned on him as he replayed his latest memories. He had been goaded by empty words, instead of simply using the force to dispel his anger. Yoda and Ben would not be happy.

Slowly he lay down on the bed and curled up into a foetal position, contemplating his very limited supply of options.

Suddenly a horrible thought entered his logic deprived mind.

If I'm lying down on the bed…I would be obeying Vader! And that was a capital sin unto itself. The least I can do before I die…no escape, is to put on a good show of defiance.

Irrationally he clamber back out of bed and stripped a sheet from the bed to wrap around his waist. This time he was determined to meet Vader on more equal terms. As he tucked the folded sheet around his waist he contemplated how ridiculous it looked. However his sense of stubbornness was strong and there was no way he was going to take Vader's orders lying down.

He pulled the white under-sheet from the bed and wrapped it around himself like a cloak. Even as he admired his strange attire in the reflection of the viewing port, he sensed the vast darkness approaching.

The doors to the left of the bed hissed opened as the Dark Lord of the Sith stalked like a black shadow into the room only to stopped dead when he saw Luke.

"What in the Force are you doing?" demanded Vader, his tone reminiscent of Uncle Owen.

"Since you have not seen fit to provide me with any decent clothing, I have been forced to make provisions. I would have thought the Imperials had better resources than this," replied Luke his voice steady and his head held high.

"Stop this ridiculous nonsense," said Vader a hint of anger present in the tone, "you must go back to bed. The doctor has advised that you should rest for the next twelve hours at least."

"I'm sorry but I feel just fine," snapped Luke, holding his ground, "despite what your Inquisitors did,"

A dark current of anger flowed through their connection and Luke automatically shrank away from the cold feeling. However the anger, he sensed, was not directed at his remark but at an absent entity.

"He will not hurt you again, my son. I have seen to that," rumbled Vader as he titled his mask downwards to look at the gash across Luke's chest.

"Don't call me that!" cried Luke, "You have not right."

He could feel the tremours in the force caused by the Dark Lord's rising anger, anger that was directed at him this time.

Suddenly the force around him moulded itself into an invisible lasso and Luke found himself half carried half dragged back towards the bed. Then as abruptly as the grip had appeared it disintegrated, leaving Luke standing by the bed in his outlandish attire.

"I shall be in the communications suite; you will be back in bed by the time I return."

With that Darth Vader strolled through a set of doors to the right of the raised platform and disappeared from view.

"Quibbling with Vader will not help the situation"

"Ben?" cried Luke in astonishment for he had not expected Ben to return so soon after his last visit.

"I have come to warn you that you are in grave danger -,"

"Yeah like I haven't figured that out already," quipped Luke despondently. A dark flicker of annoyance sizzled through the force but it did not originate from Ben's presence. However Ben's warm glow in the force was snuff out like a candle flame leaving Luke alone…again.

"Me and my big mouth," he grumbled as he slumped down on the bed, like he always did back at the Rebel Base after a long hard day of drills.

He idly wondered what the Rebellion would be doing now, no doubt Wedge and the Rogues had made it back to base by now…

No! I mustn't think of these things…Vader can read minds!

Hesitantly Luke tugged at the swirling energies of the force around him to try and build some kind of shield around his thoughts. Yoda had only mentioned in passing the possibility of making "mental shields" to protect the mind from external attack and Luke did not have the slightest idea how to beginning. The force responded to his call as always, but the energy remained wild and unorganised, swirling like a Tatooine sand storm.

/If you wished to learn how to shield your thoughts my son, you should have come to me/

The chilling sound of Darth Vader's baritone voice sent a shiver down Luke's spine but somehow over the last few hours he had grown accustomed to the dark presence as his heart had not yet failed him in this encounter.

/Your irrational fear was your undoing…/ The voice paused as if contemplating how to phrase the next sentence /You have nothing to fear from me…if you cooperate/

Summoning up his courage Luke projected his thoughts back at Vader,

/Stay out of my head and mind your own business/

It was annoying how childish his retorts sounded next to Vader's sinister yet eloquent deliverances.

/Your thoughts are my business, my son/

/I am not your son! I'm your prisoner/ snapped Luke his rage flaring under the thin layer of control. Vader really knew how to touch a nerve.

/You are my son, why else do you think I went to all the trouble to find you and keep you here? You are delusional if you think I treat prisoners as well as this. Now be silent the Emperor is contacting me./

A strange sense of annoyance filled Luke's mind at being brushed off like a child but more so at being brushed off in favour of the Emperor.

/Fine, enjoy your talk with his rottenness/

A stinging sensation erupted in the recesses of their connection and Luke realised it was Vader's annoyance.

/You will do well to change your attitude, young one/ and abruptly the connection was severed leaving Luke in even more turmoil than before.

Vader's words echoed in his mind and a myriad of unlikely emotions surfaced.

Why hasn't he thrown me into a dungeon, or frozen me in carbonite? Why? Wouldn't that make his life easier?

No he's just trying to manipulate, my mind, soften me up for the Emperor.

But why the change of tactics?…he could psychologically torture me…he's good at that, or lock me in the hospital bay. Why has he moved me to his private quarters?

To guard me? Surely the Inquisitors are more than capable of doing that…well maybe not…but still...

The seeds of doubt were starting to grow in his mind and he tried with all his might to hold the treacherous thoughts at bay.

Grudgingly Luke pulled off the sheets he had commandeered and rearranged them on the bed before crawling under the soft fabric. Sleep drifted into his mind like the silver mists that hung over cool forests and he tried in vain to dispense the sensation.

I've just slept for how many hours and I still feel tired. The doctor must have drugged me again. Perhaps I should try a force exercise…like enhanced hearing.

A giddy sense of excitement quickly cleared the mists as he contemplated the delicious idea of eavesdropping on Darth Vader. A mischievous grin broke his solemn expression and Luke took care to prevent his over active thoughts from running amuck. This could prove fun and fruitful, after all he had little else to do than to lie in bed and stare that the monotonous ceiling.

A surge of adrenaline gushed to his heart as he savoured the sweet feeling of performing the forbidden. He doubted that anyone had ever eavesdropped on the Dark Lord of the Sith.

Tentatively he reached out to Vader's presence hoping to discern where his attentions now lay. The Dark Lord's mind was focused elsewhere and Luke withdrew gleefully.

Swiftly he stretched out to the force and pulled at the bright tresses of energy. The torrent of power gushed towards him as if it was a great river released from a dam and Luke bathed in its turbulent waters with joy.

Now we shall see power of the Light Side

Focusing his attention on his task, Luke gradually increased his audio reception. As Yoda had explained just a few months before, all sounds entered the ear but the brain did not choose to acknowledge the weaker signals. In order to enhance hearing, the brain must be persuaded to listen more carefully.

Gradually Luke began to hear new sounds, boots squeaking on polished floors, gabbles of distant conversations and the whirls of cleaning droids. However he could not hear what was going on the room next door.

Vader must have realised I would try something like this, thought Luke grumpily. He hated having his plans foiled, even as child, and now he felt an inevitable return to childish sulking. Nothing ever goes my way these days.

Suddenly, much louder voices erupted just outside in the corridor. Two people were approaching and the clatter of their footsteps sounded like claps of thunder to Luke's oversensitive ears.

Ow! Better tune down a little…

"…as I said Inquisitor Darys, I will have your information soon," hissed a sleek male voice, getting gradually louder as the conversation approached.

"How? The boy has been transferred," replied a cool female voice.

"I told you I have my contacts." The voice had become strained with annoyance. Then the footsteps halted abruptly so that only one set could now be heard clattering down the corridor. "Is Lord Vader...in his private rooms?" The tone was laced with apprehension.

That man is up to something…

There was no audible reply but the woman had stopped walking. Finally she replied in lower tones than before.

"He is talking to the Emperor and has erected a force shield,"

"We are safe then," muttered the man more to himself than his companion. Then in a more audible tone he continued their discussion, "I shall compile what I can tonight, you will get the information on time."

The two sets of footsteps continued through the hall, getting increasingly louder.

"I will not expect anything less than the truth." hissed the woman, her voice suddenly threatening.

"You'll get your 'truth'," grumbled the Captain, his voice reaching a crescendo and Luke realised he had stopped outside the door to Vader's rooms. "Don't you have captive children to attend to?"

"What I do is none of your business, Captain," replied the woman a little less seriously.

"Of course, my lady, I hope all goes to plan."

"As do I, for your sake as well as mine."

The deafening hiss of a set of outer doors opening nearly caused Luke to yell with surprise. He had been unaware of how quiet the conversation had been.

A sense of apprehension gripped him as he stared at the black doors to his left, waiting for them to open. The conversation had left a flicker of fear in his heart, for it sounded highly suspicious.

I wonder what these Imps are up to. It must be about the captive children…she must want to find out something about one of them…a boy…but how could the captain help her…unless he was privy to high priority information.

Suddenly realisation dawned on Luke. The captain obviously served Vader as some kind of personal aid for he could enter the Dark Lord's chambers without restriction. Hence he would be able to ferret out information from Vader's quarters without attracting suspicion. The rat of a man had obviously seen fit to sell his privileged position to earn a little on the side.

An unwelcome sense of indignation swept through Luke,

How dare he abuse my father's trust!

With a jolt of horror Luke abruptly realised the context of his unvoiced thoughts.

My father? Did I just call Vader my father? I must be going mad…

Taking deep breaths to calm the screaming voices in his brain, Luke stared up at the ceiling, all thoughts of the treacherous captain forgotten.

I just called Vader my father…

Suddenly to his right the doors to the communication room slid open and the resident Sith Lord strolled into the room.

"You have not slept," rumbled Vader, his mask tilting towards Luke as he spoke.

"I'm not sleepy," snapped Luke in reply and turned over so that he would no longer have to see Vader's frightening armour.

"On contrary you are very tired…something is troubling you,"

"I'm fine, besides you are hardly qualified to give me mental therapy, are you."

Luke's voice sounded far to bitter to his ears but he could not prevent his despair from leaking out. This man…this monster had taken all the chances of happiness from him at every turn.

"My main objective in life is not to cause you pain, young one," stated Vader in a somewhat neutral tone that Luke had never heard before. However Luke was prepared for this emotional assault and he dispensed the growing feelings of rage into the force.

"My experiences state otherwise," he replied in his best version of the passive Jedi tone.

"Your Jedi Master has taught you well, but I can feel the rage in you. Use it and become more powerful -,"

"Why is everything you talk about always related to power!" snapped Luke, clearly unaware that he had just interrupted a Sith Lord and that the said Sith had allowed him to do so. Perhaps Vader had simply been too stunned to protest.

There was a short pause in which only the sound of Vader's breathing could be heard echoing through the still room, causing a prickling sensation at the base of Luke's neck.

"Power is central to everything," replied Vader finally, in a constricted tone that almost sounded as if he was trying to control his anger.

It can't be…Vader never needs to control his anger.

"No it isn't…love is central to everything," countered Luke fully prepared to defend his ideals, even against the wrath of Vader.

He rolled back to face the Sith and sat upright on the pillows to at least level out the battlefield a little.

"Love is forbidden by the Jedi code," replied Vader, his blank mask preventing any display of emotions. However Luke sensed a spark of anger that accompanied the remark.

"Love is central the Jedi code. The code teaches compassion and compassion is a boundless love for everything."

Even though the words did not sound as impressive coming out of his mouth as they did when spoken by Ben, Luke was proud that he had managed to pronounce them without getting tongue tied. He had always possessed a stutter that manifested itself when ever he was face by a person of authority and Vader was very authoritative.

"The Jedi were hypocrites, they taught compassion and yet banned attachments, they taught peace and yet raged wars."

"The Jedi defended the Republic, they were heroes not villains!"

A dark current of amusement once again flowed through their strong connection.

"You forget that I was a Jedi for longer than you have been alive," remarked Vader as he stared down at Luke's prone form.

A waved of astonishment washed over Luke as he digested what had just been said and the annoying stutter that had made him so unpopular with the ladies threatened to return.

"You…you…were a Jedi!" The revelation was so great that Luke unconsciously reached out to the force to confirm its correctness. However the force remained stagnant, as though it was unwilling to come to his aid.

"I was a Jedi Knight."

"Then you-you-you…mur-murdered the Jedi…you're…a traitor…you murdered my father,"

Suddenly a spark ignited inside his mind and Luke blurted out the idea that had clogged his thoughts for so long, "Did you know my-my father?"

"No, Luke" said Vader slowly as if he was explaining a simple issue to a very dense child, "I am your father."

Lines of anger formed across Luke's normally placid face.

"Anakin Skywalker was my father. If you were my father wouldn't my name be Vader?" Luke demanded as he spread out the flaw in Vader's story.

However the Dark Lord did not seem perturbed at the obvious mistake he had made.

"I assumed the title of Darth Vader when I became a Sith. Before that I was known as Anakin Skywalker,"

This time keeping control of his anger proved to be much more difficult but Luke fought the urge to explode, as he could clearly see in the brightness of the chamber that Vader had several lightsabres clipped to his belt, one of which belonged to Luke.

"Do you often assume the lives of people you kill, or is this a special case?"

"Kenobi lied to you, young one. You are a fool to trust him in the face of the obvious truth. Kenobi was always very devious."

"You don't know anything about Ben!" cried Luke before he could stop himself.

"You forget that he was once my Jedi Master and I lived with him for eleven years of my life. I know him far better than you do and he has tricked you with his cunning ways."

"The only person who has tricked me is you," snarled Luke and for a wild moment he contemplated hurling one of the numerous pillows at Vader but then he realised the stupidity of such an action. Unless Vader had a secret phobia of pillows, the soft cushions would do little harm to him.

Except if I hit the off button for his respirator…is there even an off button for that monstrosity of a breathing machine?

Perhaps Vader had sensed Luke's thoughts for a small surge of amusement echoed through their connection. However a persistent beeping prevented Vader from vocalising a reply.

With a sigh of frustration that was oddly distorted by his mask, Vader marched over to the door and pressed a comm button at was artfully blended into the black frame.

"Lord Vader, the fleet reports have arrived," came a steady voice through the comm link.

Imperial communications were of a much higher standard than the out dated machines used by the Alliance and Luke recognised the voice instantaneously. It was the treacherous captain.

"Proceed, Captain Jir, " rumbled Vader as he stepped away from the door which slid open smoothly.

Jir? Is he perhaps related to the Ensign in Iona Base? No his name was Jirr.

A sleek, thin man stepped into the well lit room, his starched uniform blending well with the black décor. He had a hardened face of one who had seen much conflict and yet his physical appearance suggested he was no more than a few years out the academy. The captain could not have been described as handsome but he did not lack physical attributes. The high cheekbones in addition to a long face hinted at a noble station and his carriage was proud.

Captain Jir did not seem surprised to see Luke lying underneath the mess of tangled sheets that covered the large bed. In fact there seemed to be a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. However Luke did not have time to ponder this as Vader gestured a gloved hand towards him.

"This is Luke Skywalker; he will be staying with me. Attend to his wishes within reason,"

"Of course, my Lord. Here is the report," the young man produced a small datapad from the pocket of his black uniform and handed it to Vader without the slightest hint of fear.

He must be very familiar with Vader, indeed.

"My Lord, a Doctor Laisson, needs to administer a medical examination on Luke Skywalker. He wishes to know an appropriate time at which he may visit."

"Tomorrow," said Vader curtly.

"Of course, my Lord and one last thing Inquisitor Darys has some minor points to discuss regarding -,"

A black glove was raised and the Captain fell silent almost instantly.

"Tell her I shall see her at 2000 hours."

"I shall have her here in twenty minutes, my Lord," replied the captain respectfully and retreated back into the outer chambers without giving Luke another glance.

"Who was he?" demanded Luke casually as he propped himself up by his elbows.

"Captain Daine Jir, one of my personal aids," stated Vader as he moved towards the viewing port.

"What does Inquisitor Darys do?" asked Luke hoping to tap as much information as possible from Vader while he still could. "What was she going to discuss with you anyway?"

"She?" demanded Vader as he spun around with surprising speed causing his long black cape to fly out majestically around him. "How do you know Inquisitor Darys is a woman?"

Oh no, how am I going to explain this one?

"Uh…The doctor told me about her…" mumbled Luke nervously as Vader advanced towards him in long purposeful strides. "I asked him about the Inquisitors and he said she was the only woman…"

Marvelling at his own lie, Luke hastily looked up at the towering figure of Vader, his animosity rapidly turning into fear.

"I see…" Vader did not sound convinced by Luke's story. "I take it you have not seen her in person."

"Uh…no," muttered Luke, wondering where the conversation was going.

"She did not attempt to visit you in the medical bay?" Vader was pressing on.

"Not that I'm aware of…you'd better ask the doctor," said Luke feeling rather confused.

Why would she want to visit me?

"I will." Vader paused for a moment and the sound of his heavy breathing grated through the air. "It is good to know you can carry a civil conversation."

"Of course I can be civil," snapped Luke suddenly feeling defensive. "I'm only civil to people who are civil to me."

"Then I look forwards to more conversations in the future, young one," rumbled Vader as he pointed a gloved finger at Luke. Before Luke could open his mouth to protest Vader cut in, "It is time for you get some rest."

Abruptly an unstoppable wave of sleep hit his senses and Luke struggled to maintain control of his own body but Vader was far too powerful. His resistance became weaker and weaker as his body gave into the affects of the force. Slowly Luke lapsed into a deep sleep.

Soon Vader could hear the soft rhythmic breathing of his son as he slept peacefully in the mess of sheets. Resisting the urge to straighten the jumbled pile, the Dark Lord moved towards the viewing port and stretched out to Luke via their telepathic connection. A soft foggy sensation greeted his dark mind from the other side of the force thread. Some silver mist seemed to be hanging between them but Vader dissipated it with the Dark energies of the force. Below him on the bed, Luke stirred a little but then his movements lapsed and he was again quiet.

Gently he soothed the child with a calming wave of the force. I will not hurt you, my son.

Luke's force signature was muted now as he slept and Vader reached into the boy's unguarded mind with the threads of the Dark Side.

Now let us see where the rebels are, my young son.

As he brushed deeper into the boy's thoughts he saw images of the princess, the Wookie and of course the irritating smuggler, Han Solo. However as he finished shifting through the boy's conscious thoughts, Vader realised Luke did not know where the Rebels were.

In the deep recesses of the force Vader could have sworn he felt a flicker of amusement from a disembodied source.


AN: Three guesses who's amused. Next chapter: Vader meets Ameesa Darys who is not an original character and Luke is not as fast asleep as his father imagined.

Lando and Chewie will be back I haven't forgotten them.

Please review…I'm running out of excuses but pretty please