PART 3: Dividing Paths - How a cyborg teaches swimming

Earlier...

Vader was working at the Imperial Base on Alderaan. He took the time to speak to the Stormtroopers there, knowing that they seldom received the respect they should be granted with all their hard work and making sure they were doing alright. He could've entrusted the inspection to someone else but it was important to him and he had some time to kill planetside.

He was then approached by his aide, Lieutenant Praji. The Lieutenant had served him for several years loyally and efficiently. There were a few times when he had come close to losing his temper around him but ever since he'd spared him after the fiasco with Kenobi he hadn't messed up again.

It was small miracle that Vader hadn't killed him then. It was really just because he'd unleashed his fury on Starkiller and his temper had cooled down considerably by the time he'd decided how to punish the other collaborator. He'd demoted him all the way down to a lowly cadet but in the following years he'd worked his way up again and when Vader's next aide had to be put down after some scandal involving bribery, he'd had enough and ordered Praji to take his old position again.

"Lord Vader", the Lieutenant addressed him, "there is a problem."

And the day had started out so well.

"What is it?"

"The droid who was sent to accompany your son has ceased communication with the base."

That didn't sound good.

"It stopped sending signals rather abruptly and it has to be assumed that it was destroyed."

That didn't sound good at all.

All kinds of scenarios from a simple prank to an attack on Luke crossed his mind and without losing any time Vader reached out through the Force to connect with him. However, as he did so he found his son's mind strangely inconsistent, thinking of a thousand irrelevant things, pushing a thousand memories at him when he tried to dig. It was a rather annoying habit that Luke had developed when wanting to hide something from him without outright defying him by closing off his mind.

Partly that was reassuring, if he'd been in any danger he'd most likely call for help but on the other hand it was just plain annoying.

"Leave it to me", Vader decided. He made his way to the hangar and took a speeder to the beach where he'd sent Luke. It came as no surprise when he found the boy (unharmed) playing around without a care in the world in only a pair of swimming trunks. Indeed it appeared he was building a sand castle.

Luke waved at him from afar when he first sensed his approach but Vader was not in the mood for his games.

"Luke, what are you doing?", he asked. Vader had given up getting angry at his son's antics, he was just sort of sighing to himself about them.

"I'm trying to build the Alderaan palace! Doesn't it look beautiful?", he asked, smiling brightly.

"Where is B7-MO?"

Luke crunched up his nose. "I don't like that droid. It always tells me what to do."

"Of course it does, it's supposed to teach you." B7-MO was the protocol droid Vader had assigned to Luke to teach him about manners and politics after he'd degraded Praji. "Now where is it?"

Luke looked at his feet guilty before gazing out at the lake.

"You threw it into the water?"

"I didn't mean to!", Luke defended himself immediately. "It's just… I don't see why I have to learn how to swim. It's not like there is any water on the Devastator. It's not like I'm a soldier and will have to go on survival missions or anything. Why do I even have to learn that? And then, his instructions weren't even helpful anyway. So I just sort of told him he should try it out himself and I pushed him and he fell and… he might've fallen really far…"

Vader looked out at the lake. His son must've gathered all his power to sling the heavy droid so far out into the water that it was not possible to see him anymore once his circuits had died and he'd sunken to the bottom.

Great. Just great.

"It is important that you learn how to swim", Vader insisted. "Everybody knows how to do it, it should embarrass you that you don't."

Luke didn't answer and stared at his feet again.

"I just don't like water very much", he admitted after some time.

"It is understandable that you are afraid, given that you hail from a desert planet", Vader allowed. "But this skill is an easy one to learn and it could save your life one day."

"Can you swim?", Luke wanted to know.

"Of course."

"When did you learn it?"

"I was younger than you." It had belonged to the first lessons he'd learned at the Jedi temple and he remembered hating every second of it.

"Can you show me?"

Vader stared at his son for a couple of seconds. At first he was angry, thinking he was being mocked but he felt his son's hope as he said this, saw it in his eyes. He would feel much safer trying this if it was Vader next to him and not some unfeeling droid who wouldn't even be able to save him if he were to have troubles. He meant nothing by it and it puzzled Vader how he could possibly forget…

"I can't", Vader answered stiffly. "Not anymore."

Understanding dawned on Luke's face and he went red. Of course Vader would short-circuit and sink just as fast as B7-MO had.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

Anger walled up in Vader, partly because Luke had dared to mention this issue, partly because of the reminder of what he'd lost. The ability to swim was not something he missed terribly but it belonged to a wide range of things that he longed for desperately ever since he'd been forced into the suit.

"Go into the water. Now", Vader commanded, his voice like steel.

Luke got up slowly but stopped as soon as the water touched his feet, looking back at Vader uncertainly. "And if I sink?"

"You won't."

Luke still didn't move.

It was oh so very tempting to just push Luke in, to force him to do what had to be done. It twitched in his fingers to do so.

But over the last few months, Vader had learned better. Violence, harsh words and punishment would only serve to make Luke miserable, they would not serve to actually improve his performance. He responded far better to a few earnest kind words. It was why Vader had allowed their bond to strengthen so much. He was not good in expressing himself but he could let his son feel his emotions through the Force. The desire to please him had become deeply ingrained in the boy and letting him feel when he was disappointed or content with his accomplishments, it served to motivate him far better than any punishments. That wasn't to say he didn't use them when he thought necessary but he found that to be the case less and less.

"I won't let you sink", Vader promised and finally, Luke took a breath and went into the lake.

For the first few moments he seemed fine, even getting brave enough to go a little farther, moving awkwardly but staying over the surface.

"I can do it!", he called out, elated, mimicking the movements B7-MO had explained to him. "I can-"

And then his concentration broke, he found no ground under his feet anymore and panicked.

"I can't do it, I can't!", he was now calling out, his head vanishing under the surface.

"Father! Help!", he cried when he came up again, only to sink again.

Trust your instincts, Luke, Vader spoke to him through the Force. Find a balance.

I can't! I'm drowning, help me!

Vader shook his head and raised his hand, lifting up his struggling son with the Force.

For a few seconds Luke continued to wave around his arms and legs wildly, looking rather ridiculous before he realized that he could breathe again.

"Uff… thanks, that was really cl-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Vader had already dropped him again and Luke fell into the water with a splash.

Try again, he commanded, folding his arms in front of him.

Luke's panic and fear rushed through their bond as he was submerged yet again but Vader stood watching mercilessly. He waited for Luke to appear again but there were only a few bubbles rising. He waited. And waited.

Aww, damn.

With a sigh Vader raised his arm again, pulling out a gasping, snorting Luke.

Come on. It's not that hard.

Shut up, it's not like you can do it either!, Luke shouted in his mind, panicked and still coughing water.

Vader dropped him again. Mind your tongue, young man.

Son or not, nobody spoke to him like that. He knew Luke tended to be a lot more open within the confines of their mind and he allowed it, knowing that it was hard for the young one to control his thoughts and not wanting him to close himself off. But there was a border even Luke must not broach.

You better apologize.

Luke began floating into the air again, gasping loudly. I can't – I – I have enough – let me out!

Apologize.

Down he went again, staying under the surface for a shorter time.

You are being so mean!

Or if you don't, Vader added, at least start to swim. Else you won't be getting out of this anytime soon.

"What are you doing?! Stop it!", a panicked voice was suddenly calling out. Vader turned to see a little girl run towards them, the Force-sensitive brat of the Organa's who Luke had spoken to the other day. She looked quite frantic, probably misinterpreting the situation and he almost expected her to tackle and beat him with her tiny fists. Indeed he already prepared to grab her with the Force, punish her for her insolence. But she did not head towards him, instead she threw herself into the water and began to swim towards Luke.

And then… something strange happened.

Luke had stopped struggling for a moment. He knew it was getting him nowhere and even if he was sinking, his father would pull him out again. So instead he held his breath, tried to calm his racing heart and follow his father's advice. Trust your instincts. Find your balance.

He had been trained to connect to the Force even under the most dire of circumstances and this was no different. Everything appeared easier if he let himself be guided by the Force and he could've slapped himself for not thinking of it sooner. The moment he grasped for the Force though, next to the familiar swirling black hole of darkness that was his father, he felt another strong presence in the light. Small hands touched his arms, tugged at him and as Luke sent a pulse through the Force in his surprise, the presence… responded. For a moment it was as if their separate presences in the Force merged together and became one. Luke could feel her fear and desire to help him as clearly as he could feel his father's annoyance. That shouldn't be possible considering how long it had taken father and son to build that bond but with this strange girl, he felt like he was building a connection to her within seconds. No, it was… like a connection that had always existed finally snapping back into place. He recognized this presence from the palace gardens even before she pulled his head over the surface and he saw her face.

"Leia", he gasped, feeling overwhelmed by all the confusing sensations that reached him through the Force.

He shook his head, trying to get rid of those strange thoughts. "What are you doing here?"

She was holding them up while treading water and Luke found that subconsciously he mimicked her and when she let go of him carefully he continued to do so, finding it the easiest thing in the world.

"I…", Leia tried but then turned to gaze at Vader fearfully. By now her handmaiden and guard had approached.

"Princess, please come out of the water! You will get a cold", her handmaiden called out in worry.

"Let's go", Luke said.

"But… you…", she made, slightly touching his arm again. "You sure you're alright?"

"Yes, I am. Thank you for your help", he answered with a smile and started awkwardly swimming back to the shore.

The children got out of the water, Leia immediately being attacked with a towel by her fretting nanny.

What was that?, Luke asked in wonder, looking at the foreign princess.

What do you mean?, his father wanted to know. He stood still with his arms crossed in front of him, sneering down at the guard that did not quite dare to point his blaster at him but had his hand on the handle just in case.

That… surge in the Force. It was so strange. It was… as if I had known her all my life.

Vader had to keep from shifting uncomfortably, being reminded of his first meeting with Padme. Oh no, that was so not happening. Not for at least another thirty years, he wouldn't let it happen!

"Let's go", he commanded coldly.

But… Didn't you feel it?, Luke insisted even as he turned to him.

Whatever strange impulses you catch through the light side are of no consequence. Forget about it.

Vader began to move but Luke took a moment to smile at the girl.

"I'm sorry, I have to go now but I hope we will see each other again in the future."

"A-Alright. Good luck to you", she returned awkwardly and Luke wondered if she had felt the same movement in the Force.

As he turned to walk with his father, Leia was left with her guard and handmaiden, feeling utterly confused. For a moment she had really thought Vader was about to murder Luke but now she wasn't so sure anymore. When Luke turned up again he'd been so calm and followed Vader so readily without argument. Had she misinterpreted something? But what other reason could the monster possibly have to treat Luke like that? Maybe he hadn't wanted any witnesses with his deed and had mind-tricked Luke into following silently to finish what he'd begun later on? She's heard terrifying tales of the powers he had. And yet there was… something that told her that Luke was safe and happy. She didn't know why but she just knew that he would be okay.

"Princess… please let's go back to the palace", her nanny begged and reluctantly Leia followed – but not without turning and throwing a look after big bad Vader and his oh so different son walking down the beach. It was such an odd sight.

Several days passed and things got back to normal quickly. Leia was well aware that she was unlikely to ever see the boy again (at least if Bail Organa had anything to say about it) and though she didn't like how her father scolded her when he heard what had happened at the beach, it simply wasn't worth arguing over.

Relieved to have dodged that arrow, Bail opted to forget about it. That is until one day he came home to find none other than Obi-Wan Kenobi waiting for him.

Bail Organa had a great deal of respect for the Jedi Master. He'd worked with him before and had gotten to know him and his... student through his friend Padme Amidala. He knew Kenobi was a good man. But he also knew he had changed a great deal after witnessing the betrayal of the man he considered a friend. It hadn't been overly obvious when he'd departed into the Outer Rim to go into hiding. He'd had little to no contact with him after that but one year ago he had suddenly shown up again, broken in body and mind. He had escaped from Vader and even though he'd been in obvious need of medical attention, he hadn't dared to approach Bail until after the troops sent after him where all gone. Only then had he told his story, how he'd been hiding on Tatooine, looking over Luke Skywalker and how the boy had escaped. How Vader had come rushing in, arresting the boy's family and capturing the Jedi. He didn't say anything about the months he'd spend in captivity only that he had been able to confirm that Luke was with Vader and that the Sith Lord was working to corrupt him which, ironically, had been the reason he was able to escape.

After recovering from his grievous wounds, Kenobi had left again without telling him where, just that he didn't dare stay any longer and endanger the Organas.

Now he was back again and that he came so shortly after Vader's last visit couldn't be a coincidence.

He was no longer wearing his brown Jedi cloak but the simple linen of a farmer. The only hints to his violent past were the scars covering his arms and the black eye patch he wore.

"Master Kenobi", Bail greeted him carefully. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Bail." The Jedi smiled weakly. "I hope you are well. I heard Vader was here last week. Did he make any trouble?"

"He wasn't here long enough for that", he returned. "But I doubt that is the reason you are here."

Kenobi was silent for a moment before he answered: "Have you... Have you seen him? The boy?"

"Yes", Bail admitted.

"How is he?"

The king didn't think he meant his well-being.

"He was... not what I would've expected. I would describe him as normal, a social person, even cheerful." He hesitated for a second but decided to voice his question. "Master Kenobi, are you... Are you sure it was him who... hurt you last year?"

Kenobi shook his head sadly. "I don't know, Bail. I don't want to believe it either. The way he reacted when I called him Luke... and they even said he was personally trained by Vader. How many students that age do you think he has? If he is able to pose as a normal person, that only means he can potentially become worse than Vader. He can become like the Emperor."

"So you aren't sure?", Bail pressed. "Did you see his face?"

Kenobi didn't answer for a moment. Then slowly he raised his hand and lifted the black patch covering his right eye. Bail couldn't help but flinch when he saw the thick scar tissue underneath. The eye itself was horribly swollen and entirely white.

"I was a little busy back then and almost blind when I managed to stumble out of that room with my last strength, so no, I didn't see his face", Kenobi returned with an uncharacteristic coldness. "I cannot be sure. But I know I haven't felt the Force so strongly in someone so young ever before."

"I apologize, it is just... There were… signs that Vader might be abusing Luke. I would try to do something about it, help him get away from that monster but I have to think about my own family first. It is hard to believe a child so young could be so cruel and yet act as if nothing was wrong but if that is the case I dare not interfere."

"That is exactly the reason I wanted to keep the twins away from him. I have spoken to Master Yoda... For years the Jedi have tried to hide, to preserve our knowledge so that one day, we could teach the next generation. But there are so few of us left and now Vader has his heir back. Once the boy is fully trained, there will be no stopping them."

"What do you have in mind?", Bail wanted to know.

"There is only one person who could one day rival their strength."

"No", Bail said immediately. "You leave my daughter out of this."

"She is now the only hope of the galaxy, Bail. I didn't want to pull her into this either but now..."

"Vader was here just last week, Master Kenobi! What happens the next time he comes by? He is already suspicious of Alderaans loyalties! I was barely able to keep him from noticing her this time, what do you think will happen if she actually starts Jedi training!?"

"Your daughter wants to go into politics, doesn't she? She wants to be a senator, just like you. Forget about Vader, she's going to meet the Emperor. She wouldn't be able to hide her principles and get into trouble sooner or later. With the right training, at least she would be able to protect her mind."

"No", Bail repeated, "it is too dangerous. I am sorry Master Kenobi but the Jedi... They don't exist anymore. I am not sacrificing my daughter so you can hold onto the past."

"Bail..."

"I said no. You have overstayed your welcome, Master Kenobi. I think it is best you leave now."

Kenobi let out a heavy sigh. "Please... at least think about it. Only a Jedi can stand up to the Sith and have a chance of winning. As long as the Force is with them, the Empire will last."

"I'll keep that in mind", Bail answered coolly.

XxX

AN: I really considered having Leia undergo Jedi training at this point but in the end, decided not to. With Vader showing his face in public and Leia getting so close to being exposed through Luke, I do believe Bail would do anything to keep her hidden. Maybe he would've allowed her to go with another Jedi but Obi-Wan hasn't done anything to help the rebellion in ten years. He had ONE job to watch over Luke and he messed that up so I don't think it's very far-fetched that Bail wouldn't trust him with his daughter.

The reason why Kenobi is still mistaking SK for Luke is because he simply can't think of a reason why Vader would take on another student. Luke falling was his greatest fear and after the torture, assuming that fear as become true is an easy, if wrong, conclusion to draw. He still isn't sure and Bail has raised some doubts in him but it's like, when you're so broken and everything seems lost, it's hard to believe there is some hope left because you know you won't survive another disappointment. So right now, Kenobi is unlikely to fire on Luke on sight but he's equally unlikely to risk his life saving him from Vader's clutches.

reviews are much appreciated! I feel like I'm losing you with this story. Extra thanks to my handful of core readers who continue to give feedback regardless of the rising insanity of the story. Next up we'll visit SK on Imperial Center. He finally gets his own birthday party ;-)