A small buzzing noise and the sound of sparks bouncing and flickering in a mini display of fireworks and heat made him opened his eyes.

It took only a few moments to remember what happened on Naboo and how he ended up in the med center of a galactic space station owned by the evil emperor. Before his body had gone into shock and his brain had lapsed into unconsciousness, the emperor's face hovered above his own… "Where is she?" he demanded.

Vaguely reminiscent sharp blue eyes glared into his. "I'd give my other arm before I tell you," Luke spat, before falling into the peaceful lure of eternal sleep. If only.

He spent the past few years with his mother, helpless as she withered away in sadness, locked away in her room aboard Mace Windu's and Yoda's space station for her safety. A space station that landed and became stuck in quick sand on Dagobah eight years ago, where Yoda decided it was best the station should remain. Dagobah had an atmosphere that emitted rings of gamma rays that protected them from Jedi employed bounty hunters, scouring the galaxies for Mace Windu, his sister's master. No one thought to look for them on the swampy planet assuming the climate and moisture would eventually erode the delicate electrical components of his suit.

"You are awake," a voice observed.

"Yes, and thank you for stating the obvious, father," Luke replied.

Anakin strode into the cell arena, and with a wave of his gloved hand the rayshield that held Luke captive evaporated and his cell bars opened.

"So you have decided to accept the truth?"

"That you were once Anakin Skywalker. But you will never be my father, in a true sense of the word. Only the man who-"

"Who what?"

Luke sneered and turned away.

"Your mother is well?" Anakin asked, eyes softening.

"What do you think?" Luke snapped, looking over his shoulder.

"I think, you've been sold a handful of stardust, my son."

"Don't call me that! You're not my father. You're just an evil dictator who used to be my father. You tried to kill my mother. You tried to kill my masters. You killed all of the Jedi, destroyed the temple, and changed a democracy into a private playground and converted its assets into a personal bank account."

"The Republic was corrupt. I did it for our own good."

"Our own good?" Luke asked, eyes widening. He stood, shoulders hunched, cradling his injured arm.

"And what good of it, was for our mother? I hear, she was less a wife than she was a prisoner."

"That's not true."

"And were it not for my masters, she would have died with a high voltage flea collar around her neck like Endorian dog! I hate you. And I hate the empire and the New Jedi Order. I'll bring it down to its knees—I'll, I'll destroy all of you," he exclaimed, drawing close – face to face, man to boy with Anakin.

"You don't mean that son. Your mother's goodness lives within you. I can sense it."

"As does my father's hate and anger."

"Indeed it does. And it is only a matter of time before…"

Anakin backed away from Luke and opened the cell bars with a wave of his hand. It closed behind him. The high voltage buzz of a rayshield crackled and surrounded Luke's jail.

"You will tell me where to find your mother," Anakin continued.

"Or what?" Luke challenged.

"Or you will feel the wrath you've heard so much about, first hand. Or perhaps, next time it will be your leg."

Luke made a fist with his mechanical hand as Anakin turned and stormed away.

"I'm sorry mum, I tried to save him."

"I warned you not to fight him. You didn't listen and now you're brother…" Padme sobbed. "Anakin wouldn't kill him. He loves Luke. He loves you," Padme continued, shaking her head absently.

"So it's true?"

Realizing she'd said too much, Padme covered her mouth with her open hand. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"He said our father isn't dead," Leia replied. "The emperor said that he's our father. Is it true?"

Padme stood and walked across room. She looked outside the viewing window and stared at the dreary swamp. A fitting view, for someone with a broken heart.

"Then it is true…" Leia continued, her voice lead heavy. "Why did Master Windu and Master Yoda lie to us?"

Padme didn't turn to look at her daughter, but kept her eyes focused on the swampy view .

"Master Yoda and Master Windu believed the truth would interfere. That you would never kill your own father, regardless of how evil he is."

"How could I?" Leia replied. "How could you let us?"

"I tried to stop you. But neither of you would listen. You're only fifteen years old, Leia! I'm not sure anyone will ever be a fair match to Anakin. No one," she said. Not even in her heart.

"You loved him once, didn't you?"

"I did. But he's not the man he used to be." A far cry from the boy she met on Tattoine.

"You're right mum. Luke is hurt. But he's not dead. I feel him."

"Before Master Yoda and Master Windu discover what you've done, go and find your brother. Bring him home."

"He wanted to ask about you."

"Luke?" Padme asked.

"Our father."

"He can't know where I am. He mustn't k now I'm alive."

"Why? I don't understand," Leia replied.

"He's a dangerous man. Far more dangerous when it comes to me. For the safety of all involved, he mustn't know where I am. Promise?"

"I swear, I won't tell him. We can't lose you too. We've lost so much already."