Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 13

Vader looked down as Piett approached. "What is it Admiral?"

"A message for you from Imperial Intelligence," Piett answered, holding it out.

Vader took it and read the coded message, feeling surprise and…unease. An operative on Felucia had supposedly captured Luke Skywalker, although his companions had made their escape. The image included proved it was his son, dressed as a civilian, a slight bruise beginning to darken on one cheek. "Where was the message sent from?"

"The Intelligence outpost on Roche, Sir."

"Set course at once," Vader ordered and Piett nodded. He could sense the Admiral's confusion but the man remained quiet. Piett was an efficient officer but he could also think creatively, something many officers lacked. The men respected him much more than they ever had his predecessor.

He stared out as the star elongated into streaks of light as the Executor went to lightspeed before turning and leaving the bridge.

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Luke sat quietly in the cell, glad that someone had ordered his hands to be rebound in front of him. Not that he couldn't have done it himself, the binders were easy enough to manipulate with the Force, but he didn't want to spook the soldiers. His cheek was aching from where he'd taken a corner too sharply and taken a glancing hit from something hanging in a doorway.

He didn't know where he was, except that it was planet side. He could make some educated guesses base of how long the journey had been and maybe he could have used the Force to work it out but what was the point? He could feel Ahsoka very weakly but it wasn't enough for her to track him, just get a general idea of the area so any rescue would be difficult. The feeling of Vader was growing stronger though which meant he was coming. Luke wasn't sure how he felt about that.

He closed his eyes and leant back against the wall, meditating. Attempting an escape would basically be suicide without his lightsabre, he'd seen the soldiers lining the corridors and he couldn't Force trick that many. He felt something and opened his eyes to find Obi-Wan standing before him.

"Luke," the old Jedi greeted and he managed a small smile.

"Ben."

"You must escape Luke."

"I'm open to suggestions on how considering the numbers out there. While they probably have their blasters on stun since I'm Vader's bounty, there's too many for me to dodge," he shrugged and then stared at his first teacher. "Why didn't you tell me the truth?"

"When your Father Fell, he ceased being Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. What I told you was true, from a certain point of view."

Luke shook his head. "At least Ahsoka tells the truth, without that." So that was what a Force ghost looked like when shocked.

"Ahsoka Tano?" Ben asked and he nodded. "I knew you were with her Captain, but where did you find her?" he asked but then vanished as the door opened.

Luke looked over to see a man younger than himself, wearing the insignia of a Lieutenant Junior Grade, an ensign and three stormtroopers with him. The lieutenant sneered at him and Luke felt a flash of concern.

"So this is the rebel and Jedi collaborator." He stepped closer and Luke stood up, bracing himself. He turned his head with the blow to minimise the damage, biting back a wince as the already forming bruise from earlier flared with new pain.

"Lord Vader won't be happy with damaged goods," he offered quietly. His words had the troopers shifting nervously, the ensign looking between Luke and the other officer.

"Like Lord Vader has any real interest in you beyond dragging information out of you rebel scum."

Another blow came, this one to his abdomen. Luke coughed, bent over slightly to protect the area. He reached for the Force, letting it sooth the pain, reaching for the others in the room. "You don't want to do this; you know what Lord Vader does to those who displease him." Using his Father's anger as a threat wasn't something he liked doing, but it was something an imperial would understand and be wary of.

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Ahsoka frowned as they dropped out of hyperspace, adjusting their course towards where she could sense Luke. She felt. Flash of pain from him and felt her concern grow, were they interrogating him?

"What is it?" Rex asked from the seat beside her.

"Luke's in physical pain."

"Is Vader there?" he asked in alarm and she focused before shaking her head.

"No…but he's closer than we are and getting closer."

"Who would dare touch Luke without Vader there?"

"I don't know," Ahsoka pulled back the lever, sending them back to lightspeed. There were four systems along their current course, Luke could be in any of them so the odds were very much against them beating Vader there.

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Luke slumped back on the bench as they left his cell, grimacing at the feeling of a split lip. It had taken some work but he had managed to convince them to leave and take an irate lieutenant with them. He had the feeling the younger man had lost loved ones to the Alliance and that was why he was so angry with Luke; it hadn't been personal. He hadn't heard their names so even if asked he wouldn't be able to say who had hit him. That likely wouldn't spare them, unless one of them thought to check the surveillance and erase the recordings.

"I'm so sorry Luke," Ben whispered and Luke looked up at him.

"Doesn't hurt as much as when you came to me on Hoth," he assured him. "He's coming for me." Ben nodded and Luke sighed. "So's Ahsoka and Rex. Guess it's a race to see who arrives first."

"I cannot help you with Vader."

"I know, I'll be okay." He'd find a way to escape somehow or…was it possible he could help save his Father? He blinked as ghostly fingers brushed his cheek, feeling some of the pain fade as the Force surged. "Thanks," he whispered sleepily. He was exhausted. Ben smiled sadly, fading away and Luke settled to rest while he could.

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Vader frowned slightly as he felt something in his bond with Luke…pain, why was his son suddenly in pain? "Admiral Piett."

"Yes my Lord?"

"Contact the base on Roche immediately. Ensure they understand the prisoner is to be uninjured when we arrive.

"At once," he moved to the communications pit to ensure the message was sent.

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Luke woke as the door opened and this time it was a Commander who entered only to blanch when he saw Luke as he sat up. The Commander turned and barked orders at those outside even as he moved further inside. "How badly are you injured?"

"I've had worse," Luke answered.

"I have sent for a medic," the Commander offered.

"Lord Vader contacted you, didn't he?" Luke sighed. "I'll make sure he knows this wasn't your doing."

"You think the word of a Rebel will hold any sway?" the man asked in disbelief and Luke shrugged slightly. The door opened again to reveal a medic. "Do we need to move him to medical? Lord Vader has commanded he be uninjured when he arrives."

The medic set his kit on the bench beside Luke and glanced at him warily.

"I don't bite," he promised. "I managed to move with most of the blows."

"How many times were you struck?" the medic asked.

"Three hits to the abdomen, one to the upper chest, four to the face."

The medic grimaced and turned to the Commander. "It would be best to move him to the infirmary where we can get him lying down for a full examination."

"Very well." He motioned for Luke to stand and he did so slowly.

The medic watched and frowned. "I'll have a stretcher brought." He ducked out and Luke sat again.

"Commander Luke Skywalker," The Commander said and Luke looked up at him. "The name Skywalker was well known when I was a child."

"Anakin Skywalker," Luke murmured and the man nodded. "My Father."

"I see," he nodded and Luke sensed a swell of pity from him. He knew why, he'd seen reports on what happened in the early days of the Empire when Vader was sent after a Jedi.

The medic returned with two troopers holding a stretcher. Luke was helped onto it and then closed his eyes and relaxed for the ride to keep from watching everything sway slightly. "On the bed," the medic stated when the movement stopped and Luke opened his eyes to find they were in the infirmary.

He carefully got up and then sighed at the height of the bed, hearing some snorts of amusement. It wasn't his fault he was shorter than human average. His Aunt and Uncle had done their best but moisture farming on Tatooine was a hard life, most of his friends had been shorter. He got onto the bed and then his shirt was removed before he laid back. The medic hesitated due to the binders and glanced over at the Commander who stared at Luke.

"Your word as an Officer you will not attempt to escape or harm anyone," he offered and Luke nodded.

"I won't try anything," he swore so the man stepped forward and unlocked them.

Luke slowly moved his hands, rubbing at his flesh and blood wrist to ease the ache.

The medic checked his wrists and nodded. "Good, you didn't try and fight the binders. Keep flexing your fingers to help the blood flow," he ordered and Luke nodded.

He lay still on the bed as he was examined, only moving when asked too. He could feel the nervousness of the medical staff and while he didn't blame them since he was an enemy officer, it wasn't exactly comfortable.

"You have a prosthetic hand," a different medic stared in surprise and Luke nodded.

"How old is the injury?"

"A few months," Luke answered.

"Have the binders caused any problems?"

"No, most of the time I forget it's prosthetic," he admitted. Bacta patches were placed over the worst of his injuries and then he was given some pain relief which was nice. He was also given a few shots and he frowned in confusion.

"You were carrying some microbials, while not enough to make you ill at the moment it is better to treat them now. It appears you have been to some interesting planets," the sole woman told him and Luke grimaced.

"You could say that."

"No bones were cracked so you will heal quickly. Some of the bruising is deep so you should limit how much you move for the next few days and preferably remain reclining since your ribs are bruised." The first medic told him and then glanced at the Commander.

"Prepare a full report for Lord Vader. If the bed is not needed I will leave guards here, that way he can be monitored."

"Yes sir."

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Luke jolted awake; eyes wide as he stare up towards space.

"Luke," the voice whispered to him through the Force.

He knew what that meant, the Executor had arrived and Vader was coming for him. The door opened and the Commander entered. "I know, Lord Vader has arrived." He sat up slowly, his ribs feeling a lot better.

"His shuttle will land in fifteen minutes," the man stared at him in confusion before his eyes widened slightly. If he remembered Anakin Skywalker then he had to know something of the Jedi. "A report on your condition was sent to him as soon as it was compiled. We have not caught those who attacked you as they disabled the surveillance."

"If he wants them found, he'll find them."

"Agreed. You should use the fresher if you need to." The Commander almost smiled. "You have been the most well-behaved prisoner I think we have ever had. Are you sure you're a Rebel?" Luke could feel his suspicion over his status, he had to be wondering if Luke was undercover or something.

"Positive," he got up as the Commander left and stretched gently before heading for the fresher, using it to clean up, thankful it had a sonic shower. When he re-emerged he sat back down to wait, using the Force to track his Father as he moved through the base. He felt him outside the door and took a deep breath as the door opened again and Darth Vader entered.

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Ahsoka brought them out of hyperspace and closed her eyes.

"Ahsoka?"

"We're too late, Vader's reached him." Which meant there was nothing they could do. She'd seen images of his flagship, even a normal star destroyer could easily destroy the Gift.

"What do we do now?" Rex asked, resting a hand on Artoo's dome as he warbled sadly.

"I think I need to contact Mon Mothma, let her know I'm back and that Luke has been captured. They may need to change some codes and bases, just to be safe." She knew the only way that information would be given up was via severe torture…or if he Fell. She wanted to believe it couldn't happen, but she never would have that Skyguy could fall when she'd been younger.

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His sense of his son exploded as they came out of lightspeed. He felt steadier even than Bespin, calm despite what was happening. He could feel Luke wake up, sensing him in return and he sent a gentle call to him even as he headed for his shuttle. He would retrieve his son personally. Then he would decide what should happen to those within the base due to the attack on him while in custody. He could feel Luke tracking him as he flew down and then landed, feeling a flicker of nervousness coming from the bright presence.

The base Commander was waiting for him and saluted crisply. "Welcome Lord Vader, the prisoner is waiting in the infirmary."

"The attackers?"

"Disabled the security systems, we are searching for them."

"I want them found."

"Yes sir."

They came to the infirmary and he dismissed them all before opening the door and stepping inside to find Luke sitting on the bed, legs over the edge. Seeing the healing bruises he felt his rage surge and Luke got off the bed, approaching slowly.

"Father," he called softly and then a hand was resting on his gloved lower arm. "I'm alright, just achy."

"They should not have touched you," he forced the words out levelly.

"I know, but the whole base is not to blame, the Commander and the medics have been very good to me."

Trust her son to try and soften his anger. "He should have control of his men."

"Father please."

"If you identify your attackers from the personnel files."

"I can for two, the others were in full armour. And it was only the lieutenant who actually hit me."

"Very well," he could give his son this. Perhaps he would be willing give in other areas too if Vader could keep himself from dictating what he should do. "Can I trust you unbound?"

Luke chuckled at that. "Where would I go? One unarmed man against an entire base? If I was going to risk that I would have done it before you arrived."

He had a point. Vader stepped back and motioned Luke forward, walking behind his son, a hand resting against his lower back to steer him, his cloak hiding the action. He could feel the eyes on them, feel the confusion amongst those observing but he kept walking. He hesitated but allowed Luke to take the co-pilots seat, getting a small smile for it. "You are a Skywalker; it would be foolish to keep you from seeing the stars."

"Thank you," Luke settled into the seat and he could feel the ache from his bruised ribs as he did.

"I do not wish to confine you to the brig but I will not risk you attempting to escape."

"Can I at least have a window?"

"I have prepared the stateroom next to mine for your use," he answered, feeling Luke's surprise. "The doors will be locked until I can trust you will not attempt anything foolish. The ships quartermaster shall supply clothing for you as well."

"Thank you," Luke told him and he knew his son did not like the idea of being locked in, but a stateroom was much larger than a cell and he would have the freedom to move around it and use the facilities as he wished.

They docked with the ship and he guided Luke out of the shuttle, feeling his surprise and curiosity at the size of the hanger. It seemed his son's love of ships went beyond just personal fighters. They walked quietly through the ship, getting looks from those they passed, whispers spreading behind them, but they both ignored them. Finally, they came to the correct level and he opened a door, allowing Luke to enter. "Meals shall be delivered three times a day from the Officer's mess. You will find the food a vast improvement to the slop the Alliance serves."

"Thank you," Luke offered as he looked around.

"The computer is locked but there are some educational and recreational files on it for your use," he felt Luke's relief at his words. He did not want to drive his son crazy in boredom.

"What happens next?"

"That is up to you," Vader answered before leaving him to settle in. He had a meeting to attend to and it would be interesting to see if Luke would try to escape.

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Luke took his jacket off and went to the viewport to look out, seeing the planet below. There was nothing that stood out enough to let him guess which planet it was, not that it really mattered. He had felt Ahsoka turn away once Vader had arrived, felt the brief apologetic nudge and he was glad they had retreated, better only one of them was captured. This wouldn't help his case with those who believed Cracken though.

He felt the engines power up and the ship broke orbit before eventually going to lightspeed. He watched the stars streak by for a few minutes before going into the bedroom to get some sleep in a proper bed. He decided the Empire needed new decorators, the black and grey was everywhere and too much. He flopped onto the bed after removing his boots and closed his eyes to meditate a little before sleeping. He would need his strength when dealing with Vader, not that he had a plan at the moment. He would not turn.

TBC…