The journey through the Executor's corridors was long, circuitous, and very unnerving. Luke did not miss the amount of stares they were getting as they walked along. He almost suspected Vader was parading him around as a prize. But then again, Darth Vader seemed to be in a hurry. Luke was hard-pressed to match his long stride, especially with as tired as he was. The young Jedi constantly asked himself what he was doing with the enemy.
I'm hurt and exhausted, reasoned Luke. And I'm not joining the Empire. I'm an undocumented spy. He would learn as much as he could about this vessel and then find a way to get word to the Rebels so they could come and destroy it. He did wish Vader hadn't explained his presence by saying that Luke had joined the Empire and was now an Imperial citizen, to be treated as such.
What he didn't want to admit was that Vader's story had made him curious. What was it that made Vader turn in the first place? Why had he waited until now to reveal himself to his son? Did Leia and Chewie really escape? And why did the Dark Lord himself want to betray the Emperor?
Luke lost track of how far he and Vader had come before they finally stopped in front of a set of double sliding doors, guarded on either side by stormtroopers. Vader stepped inside and urged Luke to follow. Luke's limbs were shaking again as he did so.
Once inside, Luke stopped in his tracks in surprise and confusion. What is this place? It certainly did not look like anyone's personal quarters.
The room was large- at least fifteen meters square- and surprisingly empty. There were none of the usual accommodations one found in a person's quarters such as a bed or even a refresher unit. Rather, the large chamber held only a large black desk on the far left containing a messy pile of datapads, a large round Holo-Net transceiver, and a semi-spherical device that lay open like the maw of a large beast. Luke could only take a single glance inside before Vader shut it and beckoned him over to a previously unseen door next to the wall-sized viewport at the back.
"What is that?" Luke asked, still staring at the jaws of the device as they closed.
"That is my personal meditation chamber. It is none of your concern," he added when Luke opened his mouth to ask another question. Vader punched in a code on the keypad next to the door, which slid open. "And these are your quarters."
Alarms rang in Luke's head. So my quarters are next to his? The thought made the hair on the back of Luke's neck stand on end. It would be twice as difficult to plan an escape from there. Vader could sense his every move. Equally disturbing was the thought that this room had been built some time ago...as if Vader had expected him. There's no turning back now. Luke fought back his fear and slowly approached the room.
This looked more like Luke would expect the quarters of a ranking Imperial Navy officer to be. It had to be at least ten meters long and almost that wide. While the interior was painfully sparse and plain, it had every accommodation needed. The bed was three times as large as a standard military cot with thick blankets to insulate against the chill of space. A small chest of drawers sat beside the bed and a closet sat open against the far wall. It seemed to be empty, but again, three times the size of clothing locker Luke was used to. Beyond the closet lay a small refresher unit. On the near wall on the same side as the entrance sat a small table with two chairs. Just above the table was a built-in food prep unit. Most impressive was the room-sized viewport against the left wall. Through it the blue-white glow of hyperspace raced by.
Luke's feelings were, once again, conflicted. The room was huge...even bigger than his room on Tatooine had been. It had everything a human needed...at least physically. Being so close to Vader, however, gave him the willies. And was he to have any privacy at all? His blue eyes searched the corners for security cameras and found nothing. Next he gave the door panel a rudimentary glance. Will I be a prisoner here, too?
"If it is privacy you are concerned about," said Vader, "This door can be locked from the inside. There are no cameras or microphones. You are free to say or do whatever you wish."
I wish he wouldn't do that, thought Luke with a frown. He didn't think Vader could read his mind. Then again, his emotions and actions made it obvious enough. His blue eyes roved about the room again, feeling three separate aches; one of hunger, one of pain, and one of loneliness. He missed Han, Leia, Chewbacca, his friends in Rogue Squadron ...even the droids. He wondered what had happened to Artoo-Detoo and felt sadness upon thinking the Imperials may have dismantled the little robot.
"Well?" asked Vader after a long silence. "Are these quarters adequate?"
It was almost a rhetorical question. Adequate? It's huge! Luke nodded and entered the room at a slow walk, still looking around. Experimentally he poked the mattress of the bed and sat down. He was surprised when he sank straight into it. It was a type of memory foam/air bed combination; incredibly comfortable and very expensive. Luke realized anew how tired he was and was tempted to take a nap right then and there. But no, sleeping would have to wait. Vader was still there, and Luke didn't trust him.
"You are fatigued," stated Vader. "Rest. I will send for a medical droid to see to you. Is there anything else you require?"
Besides freedom? Luke squirmed uncomfortably. "Clothes?" He was still in the same medical pajamas he had been wearing for the past several days.
"There are several jumpsuits in the closet. In time more suitable clothing may be ordered." Vader shifted his weight from metal foot to metal foot. "If there is nothing else, I will leave you to rest and change. I will return shortly with the medical droid." With that, he turned about and left, shutting the door behind him.
Luke slid from the bed and went up to the door as Vader's presence faded away down the corridor. Then he tried the door. It was locked. Several more times he tried, without success. Luke frowned and left the doorway. As he'd suspected, he was locked in. So I'm still a prisoner. He sighed and closed his eyes, reaching through the Force. "Ben, why? Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered.
The Great Void answered with silence. Perhaps Obi-Wan saw him as a traitor who had joined Darth Vader.
It was a disheartening thought. Luke was truly alone. The young man blinked the sting from his eyes and headed for the closet. Sure enough, five jumpsuits of gray and black hung there, neat and clean. In a drawer were several sets of undergarments. There was also a pair of boots on the floor. Luke was strangely relieved to find out the jumpsuits were each different sizes. Vader knowing his clothing size would have been too creepy.
Luke selected a gray jumpsuit and laid it on the bed along with the undergarments. Newly aware of just how badly he needed a shower, the young man hastened into the refresher unit and shut the door. Maybe that was why everyone was giving me funny looks, he thought as he stripped and hopped into the shower. He was surprised again upon turning it on.
Instead of the usual sonic shower, this was a water-based shower. Granted, the water was recycled, but it was warm and clean. It felt almost wasteful to be using water for bathing. Luke, being from a desert planet, appreciated such a luxury all the more and ran the water as long as he could, even after it had gone cold. The water soothed the tender scar on his wrist.
For once in his life, Luke didn't care about wasting water. The Emperor could pick up the tab this time.
Luke took far longer than usual to dry and dress. While various air jets in the refresher unit took care of the former, Luke had not counted on such a simple thing as dressing to be so different with one hand. Zippers and snaps were tricky at best. Buttons would have been impossible. This particular outfit was approximately one size too big. Putting on his boots provided another challenge. Had they not also been too big, Luke would have struggled far longer.
No sooner had Luke pulled on his second boot than the entry door slid open. In walked Darth Vader, who was tailed by a medical droid.
Vader surveyed his son and nodded. Much better. A simple shower and change of clothes had done wonders to improve the boy's appearance. Now he looked somewhat healthier. Next on the priority list would be to have the young man get some sleep so the dark circles under his eyes could fade. "Luke, I have brought a medical droid to assess your condition."
Luke grimaced, but nodded. The 'medical care' he'd gotten in the brig was barely more than adequate. He no longer felt as if he had been trampled by a herd of banthas, but he didn't feel very good, either. He looked over the droid and noted that it was similar to Too-One-Be in build, but brand new.
"Greetings, Commander Skywalker," said the droid in a voice somewhat deeper than Too-One-Be's. "I am Oh-Too-Be, lead medical droid aboard the Executor. Lie down, please."
Luke obeyed the droid's direction and lay on the bed. He noticed that Vader didn't leave, but remained in the doorway, arms crossed. Ignore him. Luke closed his eyes and tried to do just that while the droid examined him.
Like most droids, O-2B wasn't particularly talkative. His only words to Luke were ones of instruction. The medical droid worked quickly and efficiently, with a gentle touch similar to that of his Rebel predecessor. He did not apologize if he accidentally caused Luke pain in the examination of his wrist stump, but merely reprimanded the young man to hold still. "The examination is concluded. You may rise, Commander Skywalker."
"Thanks," Luke said, eyeing the droid with uncertainty. He watched as the droid rolled back to Darth Vader.
"What is his condition?" Vader asked.
"Fair. Commander Skywalker's injuries are nearly healed, but his constitution is weakened by stress and fatigue. He is a prime candidate for a bionic prosthetic, which is strongly recommended to regain full abilities."
Prosthetic...Luke had thought about such a thing over the last few days. The idea of becoming a cyborg, even to such a small extent, made him shudder. At that point Luke would rather go without a hand rather than follow in his father's footsteps.
"How soon could one be installed?" The Dark Lord wanted to know.
"A generic droid hand could be fitted within 24 hours. However for a realistic hand with synthflesh, it would take longer. A scan would have to be taken of his left hand, the bionic appendage would have to be manufactured, and then surgically attached. The entire process, not counting recovery, would take no less than three standard days."
Luke frowned as Vader continued to discuss him as if he was not present. Do I have any say in the matter? It was a rhetorical question, of course. He doubted Vader would ask his opinion about anything.
"As for Skywalker's treatment, it is to consist mainly of nourishment and rest. Light activity for the next 48 hours, with a gradual resumption of normal activities," said the droid. "If he continues to experience pain, there are several painkillers available."
"Very good," said Vader with a nod. His arms uncrossed. "Leave us."
"As you wish." 0-2B left the room, the door closing behind him.
Vader turned back to Luke and took several steps toward the young man. "Be certain you follow the medical droid's instructions," he said firmly. "I do not believe you care to be restrained and sedated."
Luke shook his head, not looking at Vader. "No."
Vader nodded and stood in a parade rest. "The officers are having their evening meal. Are you hungry?"
Luke's brow wrinkled at the mental image. That would be interesting...a one-handed Rebel in a baggy jumpsuit joining the officers at dinner? "I don't think they'd like my company."
He is regaining some of his wit. Vader shook his head. "No. I intended for us to dine together...a family meal, if you will."
The hair on the back of Luke's neck stood on end. Eat with Vader? His stomach rumbled hollow in protest of his not eating, but this...Luke didn't think he could. I'll choke. Then again, Vader had not asked him many questions. Once again, this was not a suggestion but a command. "Do I have any choice?" he asked quietly.
Stubborn young man. Vader frowned behind his mask. "Either you eat as a man, or you shall have the feeding tube installed permanently."
Luke cringed. No, that would not do. His stomach still stung from the sutures. The port had been removed upon his release from the infirmary. He nodded faintly. "I'll eat, then."
"Good. I shall inform the galley. What is your favorite dish?"
Luke couldn't believe his ears. Darth Vader is asking me what my favorite dish is? It was too much. For a moment Luke wanted to laugh. Is he trying to make a joke, or is he serious? "Ah...what?"
"What is your favorite dish?" Vader repeated.
Luke struggled between pinching himself to see if this was a bizarre dream or laughing out loud. This is ridiculous!
Evidently Vader sensed his amusement...and wasn't happy about it. "Do you find something amusing? Had I been allowed to raise you myself as I should have, this conversation would not be taking place. As it is, I do not know what you like or dislike."
Force forbid. Luke suppressed a shudder at the idea of being raised by Vader. "Why does it matter?" he blurted.
"I wish to make you as comfortable as possible," answered Vader. The anger in his tone began to fade.
If you want me to be comfortable, then let me go. Luke bit his tongue and kept his thoughts to himself. "I'm not a picky eater," he admitted slowly.
That was an understatement. Luke had a high metabolism for a man his size and was known for never turning down a meal, whether he was particularly fond of it or not. Even on Dagobah this had held true...though Yoda's cooking had tested even Luke's patient palate. With the Rebellion's limited supplies, Luke took to 'grazing' throughout the day to avoid being ravenous when mealtimes rolled around. Wes Janson, the youngster of Rogue Squadron at barely 17, teased Luke about this by calling him 'Mr. Ration Bar'. Luke always seemed to have one or more of the things in his flightsuit pocket.
Vader, unhappy with Luke's vague statement, turned and left the room. He returned in minutes. "The evening meal will arrive shortly."
"What's for dinner?" Luke asked wryly, once more amused at how ludicrous the situation was. His mortal enemy was ordering dinner for him. No one's going to believe this, Luke thought. His amusement faded when he thought of the others. Han...Leia...Chewie...Luke shook his head. No good worrying now. He glanced at Vader. Now, what?
A long, awkward silence passed between father and son. Vader was the next to speak. "Was there something else you wished to discuss?"
Not right now. "No." An enormous yawn nearly split Luke's face in two. He shook off his fatigue. Don't sleep...too dangerous.
"You are fatigued," observed Vader quietly.
"You're very perceptive," muttered Luke, working a kink out of his jaw.
Vader's angry flared for a moment. Has no one taught him respect for his elders? His arms uncrossed and dropped limply to his sides. "Rest, Luke. You must regain your strength if you are to continue your training."
So that's it. Luke's emotions ran cold. He only wants me alive to turn me...to help him overthrow the Emperor. Luke raised a weary eyebrow in question.
Vader seemed to grow impatient yet again. "That is not the only reason I wish you to heal," he growled.
Maybe, maybe not. While there wasn't much doubt left in Luke's mind that Vader was indeed his biological father, his intentions were still in doubt. Still, Luke's overruling feelings were that of fatigue. He sat heavily on his bed and rubbed his temples.
"You are in pain?" questioned Vader.
I thought you could sense that. "No," sighed Luke, letting his hand drop. "Like you said, I'm tired." His voice was not without sarcasm, but he wasn't sure he cared anymore. He kicked off his boots and pulled his feet onto the bed. However, he had no intention of sleeping.
Vader responded by backing out of the room. "Sleep, then. I will return when the food arrives." And with that, the door shut behind him.
Only then did Luke let out the breath he had been holding and fall backwards onto the bed. He wanted to sleep...he needed to sleep. Still he felt as if he couldn't. Luke shifted around until he was comfortable and took a deep breath, reaching for the Force. I won't sleep. I'll meditate.