Well, happy Life Day everyone. I wish everyone a lovely festive season and a good start into the next year. I am a bit iffy about this chapter, but I hope you will enjoy it nevertheless.

As usual, please feel free to point out grammar and spelling errors I made, this chapter is as of now un-betaed.

ooo

Luke stared at his own reflection in the mirror with dismay and worry. For the past days he had been looking forward to the day when he would finally be able to speak with Bail. The call had been scheduled, postponed and rescheduled a few times until now, but today was to be the day.

Even Vader's warning that he would be monitored throughout and needed to be careful about what he said couldn't take away bubbling excitement he felt at seeing his adoptive father again.

The last time they had spoken had been on the fateful day when Vader had dragged him from his home. It would be a relief to just be able to see him after spending so much time in this hostile place. Maybe he'd even be able to make Bail understand that he was well and in no immediate danger through carefully placed hints.

In his high spirits he had even agreed to the condition to have his hair cut prior to the call which had turned out to be a mistake. Granted, his blond locks had grown a bit messy in the weeks since he had been brought aboard and a haircut had been in order. But instead of a small trim that Luke had requested, the barber had shorn his hair much shorter than he liked. In his opinion, it now resembled way too much the stern, no-nonsense military regulation fuzz most of the men aboard were sporting.

Luke dragged his hand through his hair in an effort to mess it up a little, watching his reflection critically. Like this he was looking much like an Imperial and he was sure that this had been the intention all along. It left him worried what his father would say at his new appearance, the cropped hair and dark clothing, that made him look like he had readily embraced all that his father so much despised.

But not even this could lessen his excitement.

By the time he heard a sharp knock on his door Luke was already prepared to go. Walking between the troopers he tried his best to smother his elation, but the mere prospect of seeing Bail any minute now made this endeavor near impossible.

He was ushered into a small darkened room. Luke could make out some imperials scattered around the room that was centered around a large holo transceiver, the only thing in it that was properly lit. Luke looked around, but Vader was nowhere in sight. Instead a stern looking officer approached him. He brusquely pushed a datapad into Luke's hand.

"Familiarize yourself with the content. As soon as the connection stands, you will read out the exact wording and nothing else," he said curtly.

"What?" Luke stared in confusion at the datapad, a short text displayed on it. He blinked when understanding slipped home that he won't just not have no privacy throughout the call, but he wouldn't even be able to say what he wanted. "I won't," he said, appalled.

The officer regarded him with a thin, cold smirk. "You will do it or you will be returned to your quarters now, Prince. That is entirely your choice."

Luke scowled. But despite his anger he didn't want to spoil the chance to see his adoptive father. He lifted the datapad to read through the text.

"I thought so," the man sneered. "If you think you can violate these rules, the call will be terminated immediately and you will face consequences, making you regret your disobedience."

Luke bit on his tongue. He tried to concentrate on the text, but with every word he read he grew more disgusted by it. It was pure propaganda, a crude attempt to make him an accomplice in threatening Bail into submission.

He shouldn't do it. He needed to make a decision fast, but before he could make up his mind a ready sound chimed from the com unit.

"Sir, the connection has been established," someone from the back of the room called out.

"Good, get him up there," the man ordered, waving dismissively.

The troopers flanking him pushed Luke forward rather roughly and into the reception field. He wanted to protest, but the holo flickered already. Luke tried to collect himself as best as he could to give Bail no impression that anything was amiss. But much too soon the holo in front of him lit up with an almost life-sized image of his adoptive father and for a long moment Luke was merely lost for words.

Father.

Bail was smiling warmly at him, not batting an eye at Luke's new appearance. He looked much as he had when they had last seen each other in person, but on a second glance he seemed tired, dark circles lining his eyes and he was sporting more grey hair than Luke remembered on his temples and in his beard.

"I am very happy to see you, my son," Bail said when Luke failed to bring out any sound.

His familiar, fond voice shook Luke from his momentary stupor. He forced himself to smile back and swallowed down the lump that had formed in his throat. He took a deep breath, when he was distracted by a sharp movement from outside the pickup field. The officer sharply gestured at him, pointing at the datapad in his hand. Luke glared at the man, his own smile freezing. He turned his gaze back to Bail who seemed to have noticed Luke's brief side glance, looking decidedly more worried.

Shakily Luke lifted the datapad up to his face to read the first sentence. He needed to avoid that Bail would feel any worse about his situation. It was bad enough that his father had already had offered to throw away his life's work to free him. Maybe Luke could still make him know between the lines that he was well and capable to handle this situation himself even if that meant that he had to read out this disgusting text.

"I am well and in a good health, father," he began, once again trying a small smile. "I am treated appropriately at all times."

Bail nodded encouragingly, once more smiling at him even if that smile didn't quite manage to reach his dark brown eyes. "That is good to hear. I am glad to know that you are well."

Luke grasped his hand around the datapad so tightly his knuckles started to turn white. He hated being so docile and tame, carrying out everything that was demanded of him. This wasn't right. This wasn't doing anything to alleviate his father's fear, to make sure he would continue to stand up against the Emperor and his plans.

Luke's eyes flickered cautiously to the Imperials watching him. He wondered if they would notice if he slipped anything in between the written lines. The officer was still fixing him with a cold stare, his hands resting over the panel controlling the holo suite. Luke needed to say something or this call would end very fast. He looked back on the datapad, lifting it a little higher to make sure Bail would notice it and know that he wasn't saying these things out of conviction. He read the next line, swallowing the bitter taste on his tongue.

"I… I urge you to follow the Emperor's guidance to avoid bringing further shame on our family and your office," he pressed out, his eyes fixed on the datapad to avoid looking at Bail, feeling ashamed of himself for saying this. More hot anger seeped into his stomach.

Luke raised his eyes, meeting Bail's gaze with difficulty. But what he had said hadn't wiped away Bail's smile. He nodded again.

"I understand, Luke. I want you to know that your mother and I won't do anything that would put you in danger. Remember that," he replied with a firm voice.

Luke felt grateful that Bail wasn't upset that he was playing along so obediently with the Imperials even if that meant he was insulting him.

"Where are you at the moment," Bail asked, when Luke again failed to say anything.

"I'm ab…," Luke started, but he was quickly interrupted by a sharp signal from the imperial officer.

"You try this again and the call will be terminated immediately," his watchdog warned him. Luke glowered at him, but any angry retort stuck in his throat. "Now read the text, Highness."

Luke tore his gaze from the man and looked back to Bail. He looked even more worried. Luke was sure he had again realized that a short exchange had taken place. He looked back at the datapad to continue reading, trying hard to suppress the anger in his stomach. He stared at the text, but the letters were swimming in front of his eyes as angry tears formed in the corner of his eyes. His father didn't deserve this. Determination amalgamated in him. This would stop now. He took a deep breath.

"I am fine, father! Do not let them intimidate you into stopping your work just because I am here. I can take care of -"

But in that moment the holographic image of Bail distorted and Luke was roughly seized by armored hands and dragged backward off the reception field. He could see Bail's shocked face, he shouted something but no audio was coming through, the line already muted. A blink later then the picture of his father flickered out.

Luke gaped in shocked disbelief, but then the officer stepped up to him and he tore his eyes away from the spot Bail had been visible to face the man. The officer's face was contorted with rage as he regarded Luke.

"Lord Vader will hear about this," he spat. He waved sharply at the troopers still holding Luke. "Take him away."

Luke was whisked out of the room and unceremoniously marched down the hall. His head was still buzzing by the time he was shoved through the door into his quarters.

"Lord Vader will deal with you soon enough," one of the soldiers promised, before the door closed behind him. Luke let his back fall against it and slid down on the floor, all remaining energy and fight sapped.

All he could think about was Bail's worried face when the call had been cut. His attempt to reassure his adoptive father had backfired and now Bail surely was even more worried than he had been before. Once again they hadn't even been able to say goodbye to each other.

Luke pulled his legs up, burying his face in his knees. Sobs shook through his body until he was no longer able to fight back the tears welling up in his eyes.

ooo

With long steps Vader strode down the hall, feeling deeply satisfied. The call between the boy and the cursed viceroy had lasted less than a few minutes. Just as Vader had expected, Luke had not managed to abide by the set-out rules for longer than half a paragraph of the propaganda pamphlet he had been made to read out.

He had carefully watched and re-watched the footage of the call, to see if there was need to manipulate it before sending it on to Coruscant as ordered by his Master, but Luke had been sensible enough not to betray any of their plans. Maybe he had been interrupted too early for that but Vader was inclined to believe that Luke was growing loyal enough as not to betray Vader's confidence.

It had been barely sufferable to hear Organa having the gall to still call Luke his son and Luke in turn addressing the man that had abducted him and barred him from his rightful place in the galaxy, father. One day Luke would accept the truth and disown Organa, turning instead to him.

When Vader approached his son's quarters it was already well into the night cycle aboard. He waited patiently for the posted guards of the late shift to unlock the door for him. The room beyond was dark, illuminated only by dim glow panels set into the wall close to the deck plating giving off the usual nighttime light. Luke clearly hadn't bothered to turn on any further lighting.

But he needed no light to find the boy in the darkened room. Luke's force signature was brightly shining. It was a good thing that the Executor's assignments kept them far away from Coruscant and the Emperor's prying Force senses. By the time they'd turn coreward he would have to make sure that Luke was better at concealing his presence or his Master would pick up on them sooner than they could take action.

Following the prompting of the boy's presence he easily spotted the small figure huddled against the large viewport, legs pulled up and arms hugged around his knees. Vader strode across the space between them. Luke seemed oblivious to his entrance. Only when he stood right next to him he reacted, flinching in surprise at finding him so close. The boy quickly turned away from him, wiping his face on his sleeves before he rose to his feet.

He kept his eyes stubbornly glued to the floor, averting his eyes and trying his best to hide his puffy and tearstained face from his father. But he didn't resist when Vader took hold of his shoulders, pulling him away from the viewport. He let himself be steered without complaining into the middle of the room.

So far everything was proceeding as planned. It was unfortunate how attached the prince remained to his foster parents, but with time he would renounce them and instead turn to him. Vader studied his face as Luke turned to him. Luke stared up at him, looking unhappy. His piercing blue eyes, usually so curious and eager, were still filled with raw emotion.

"I understand this has not been easy for you, Highness," Vader said, breaking the quiet and giving Luke's shoulders a small squeeze.

Luke felt increasingly uncomfortable under the close scrutiny. Vader surely thought he was weak, that he had let those games affect him this much. He had warned him beforehand that he should be cautious about the opportunity to speak to Bail and Luke had ignored it. Now he understood what Vader had meant. He shouldn't have let his hopes and expectations get so high, but it had been hard, so hard, not to be excited. He half had feared that Vader would scold him or even punish him like the imperials had threatened he would. Now Luke was merely relieved at Vader's presence. It was comforting to know that he wasn't entirely alone here.

"I have something for you, Highness," Vader said.

Luke looked up, frowning. Vader produced a small, lengthy box, holding it out for Luke to take it.

"What is it?" he asked, confused by this rapid change of topic.

"You may consider it… a gift."

Luke's frown deepened. Despite feeling much more relaxed around Vader, he found it hard to picture the Dark Lord as a doting parent, handing out gifts. Luke took the box and opened it, looking inside. In it was a slim black and silver metal tube and for a moment he only blinked at it in surprise, his eyes widening.

"Is that… a lightsaber?" he couldn't hide the excitement in his voice. He trailed his fingers around over the hilt, feeling the cool metal.

"It is," Vader confirmed. "It will be yours to train with until you are able to construct your own."

Luke took the hilt and turned it over in his hands. It was heavier than he had thought but well balanced. Vader stepped behind him and placed his hands over Luke's correcting his grip on the sleek and smooth metal until his fingers were firmly grasping it, his thumb resting on the activation toggle.

Vader released him and took a step back and Luke lifted the weapon slightly, his heart rate picking up with excitement and anticipation. He had always loved the tales of the Jedi, seen holos of them wielding their lightsabers, such symbolic and powerful weapons, and had secretly wished he could do that too, dive into battle to defend and protect the ones he loved.

With baited breath he pressed the switch. The lightsaber ignited with sharp hiss, its blade extending in front of him, casting the room in a cool blue color.

"You are ready to learn how to wield it, Luke."

ooo

Luke rushed through the maintenance corridors. The moment Vader had left his quarters he had climbed through the hatch, itching to try out the lightsaber dangling from his belt. His excitement quickened his pace and he wasn't surprised that he arrived in the hangar that they usually met in before Vader had made it here.

Standing in the cavernous hangar, Luke closely studied the hilt of the lightsaber in his hand. He was itching to turn it on, to try it out. Luke snapped the saber on and held it aloft in front of him, once more marveling at the feeling of absolute power and strength radiating from the blade.

But gazing into the icy blue light of the blade a thought hit him and his elation vanished in an instance. This was wrong. It was one thing to learn to master the Force, but it was something entirely different to pick up a weapon. What would Bail think of him, if he could see him now? Would he still look so kindly on him if he knew how easily he was selling out their principles and values? If he knew how he betrayed everything his father stood up for by collaborating with Vader himself? What would anyone from Alderaan think of their prince standing in an imperial warship brandishing a blade, blatantly stomping on their tradition?

With a sinking feeling, Luke lowered the blade again. He switched it off. No, he couldn't do this. The hangar bay doors opened and Luke winced. How was he supposed to convince Vader that he wouldn't let Vader teach him how to use a lightsaber. He watched as Vader strode through the hangar, black cape billowing behind him.

Vader stopped some distance away and beckoned him. "Come over here, young one. I will teach you some basics."

Luke took a few hesitant steps toward him, but stayed a cautious distance. He gathered his courage. "I'm sorry, but I can't."

Vader didn't say anything. He merely stared down on him, time dragging.

"I shouldn't be holding a weapon, it is… not proper," he continued to break the uncomfortable silence that dragged between them, avoiding Vader's gaze. Instead he stared at the silver hilt in his hand. "Our tradition forbids to fight and-

Vader rounded on him swiftly and Luke stiffened, trying to prepare himself for the argument that was sure to follow. Vader straightened and clasped his hands behind his back.

"I see that Organa has drummed his hypocritical message well into you."

Luke thought it better not to retort anything. Bail remained a very touchy subject with Vader that rarely failed to ignite his father's anger.

Vader stared at him and Luke did his best to hold his ground.

"You vowed to do as I say," he finally said.

Luke froze at the cold voice. "I have done everything you asked of me," he said defensively.

"You have," Vader replied. "And will I continue to keep my promise as long as you continue to keep yours."

Vader took a few steps closer to him, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder. "You are in great danger, Luke," he said, his voice sounding much softer. "You have to learn how to defend yourself and the ones you love or you will lose them. Besides you are not bound to any of their traditions alone. Embrace your true destiny. Search your feelings and you will know it to be true. It is in your blood, your birthright."

Luke weighed Vader's words. He couldn't deny the truth in them. He knew what danger was coming and he knew he had to stop it, would stop it. He had promised it to himself in the long dark hours of night more than once that he would not let the Emperor carry out his sinister plans for the galaxy. And it was true, he was no more of Alderaanian descent than Vader himself.

"I have never been very good at being passive. I was told more than once that I am far too belligerent for my heritage, but then it is not public knowledge I am not the true born heir of Alderaan," he said, a small sad smile on his lips. "I suppose I share more than that particular trait with you," he said carefully staring at the hilt in his hands.

From the corner of his eyes, Luke could see Vader regard him. "Not just me, son," he said finally. "Your mother had a fierce temper and great passion herself."

Luke looked up at Vader in surprise. So far Vader had never mentioned his mother and he hadn't dared to raise the subject himself. "Can you tell me about her?" he asked hopefully.

Vader looked at him, considering his request. "I will answer your questions, but not today," he said eventually. "Now you need to learn to master the weapon in your hand.

Luke nodded, trying to hide his disappointment. He swallowed his earlier qualms, gripping the lightsaber a bit tighter. Vader was right, if he wanted to protect his family and his people from what he knew was coming he needed to learn how to fight.

"Very well then," Vader said. He took a few steps back and with one swift movement reached for his own lightsaber, dangling from his belt. He ignited it. Luke eyed him with some fear and awe. The red of the lightsaber deflecting in the many facets of Vader's helmet starkly setting them off against the black. It gave him an even more dangerous air than usual.

Vader swung the lightsaber in a few swift and precise arches and Luke took an involuntary step back, eyeing the blood red shimmering blade. Somehow the its sounded a lot more bloodthirsty than the blue one he held in his hand. For a breathless moment Luke feared that Vader would expect him to hold his own against him in a duel. But it seemed his fears were unfounded.

"I will show you some basic moves for you to practice." Vader announced, falling into a ready stance. "You will follow my moves."

Luke gave a firm nod, relieved that they wouldn't duel at least for now. He ignited the blue lightsaber, mimicking Vader's posture. As Vader moved through a simple sequence of movements, he tried to follow though he was sure his own performance was looking a lot less graceful and powerful. Vader however seemed unperturbed.

"Good. Now close your eyes and reach for the Force. Let it flow through you and the saber. Feel the blade, let it become an extension of you, a part of you."

Luke frowned, but diverted his attention from the glowing blade in his hands, instead reaching for the calming folds of the Force. It was hard to imagine how their peaceful touch could assist him in fighting. Pulling the them close to him he felt his senses enhanced as usual.

He opened his eyes again. Vader motioned him to repeat the same sequence again. Luke did so, focusing back on the blade, it's deadly noise now seemed to almost vibrate through his body and soul. He listened to its hum changing with every twist and turn of the saber and the sound of his feet shuffling over the polished floor. He didn't need to ask Vader if he was doing it correctly, he simply could tell with certainty that he was doing it right. It felt right.

For a while Luke continued, with each repeat growing more confident. This felt great, familiar, like he had never done anything else in his life.

Lost in watching the tip of his lightsaber cutting through the air Luke was unprepared at the sudden flash of red light charging at him. Vader had swung his lightsaber at him, forcefully pushing him back. Luke took a stumbling step back before he managed to find his balance and counter. Their blades were locked for a long moment and Luke's adrenaline spiked, heart pumping fast.

"You were too focused on yourself, young one," Vader remarked easily. He pulled back and switched off his red glowing lightsaber, hanging it back on his belt. "Never let your surroundings out of sight. You need to exercise constant vigilance."

Luke bit his lip, annoyed that Vader had managed to get him there. He fell back into his stance, beginning anew this time staying aware and alert of his surroundings and where Vader was, promising himself not to let Vader sneak up on him like this again.

By the time Vader called the lesson and sent him back to his quarters, commending Luke for his progress, he was quite out of breath, but very pleased with himself after having gone through his motions faster and faster.

ooo