2: Trapped
Luke woke up to find himself in the heart of Vader's personal quarters on the Star Destroyer. He noticed that he was cuffed with force resistant handcuffs and a Ysalamari was hanging above his head for good measure. He's setting in a wooden straight back chair and Vader stood before him with his arms folded.
"Welcome home son," Vader nodded his head.
"Shut up liar! You killed my father!"
"Still holding on to that lie I see. Obi-wan must have been quite convincing for you to believe him so completely," Vader walked to the back of the chair. "Even when the force itself told you what I say is true."
"What do you want with me?"
"The Emperor wants you my son. You are indeed strong in the force and can serve him effectively. Your powers would be wasted with that weak Rebel Alliance."
"Better wasted than serving that monster," Luke growled, getting a painful slap across his face as an reward.
"You will listen to me my son and serve the Emperor to the best of your ability or you'll find yourself in a lot more pain than what I could ever do. Do I make myself clear?" Vader grabbed Luke by his shirt.
Luke never answered. He just kept his eyes to the ground, trying not to give into the anger and hatred he felt at that moment.
*
Coruscant
Imperial palace
Mara Jade bowed before the Emperor, ready to give the report of her most successful mission, gaining the Emperor's favor plus one-upping her most hated rival Darth Vader. Vader and Jade, also known as the Emperor's Hand had been in heated competition since Mara could remember for the Emperor's favor. They also hated each other with a passion and on numerous occasions had tried to kill one another.
"What have you brought me today Jade? Can it be something better than what Vader has planned?" The Emperor acknowledged her with a evil glee shining in his glowing red eyes.
"Yes my lord. I have followed through on the mission and have brought," Mara turned around and motions for the guards to bring in a treasure chest. "All the gold owed you."
The Emperor smiled gleefully. "This is quite an accomplishment Jade. But I'm afraid Vader has one upped you once again."
"What?" Mara stared at her master in disbelief. Vader wasn't even here so how can his offering be more pleasurable than hers.
"Allow Vader entrance!" The Emperor demanded.
Vader entered, his black cape gliding noislessly along the floor. "Master," The Dark Lord of the Sith bowed. "I have brought my most sought after treasure. "My son…rebel commander….Luke Skywalker."
The guards dragged out Luke, still cuffed and struggling. The guards toss him to the ground where he landed beside Vader.
"As you can tell my lord he's most powerful in the force. Obi-wan and Yoda have taught him well."
"Yes…I can see that," A greedy smile spreaded on the being's face. "Yes your son is strong indeed. And he's a very pleasing offering. Vader, favor is granted to you."
"Son, greet our master. It is rude to remain silent," Vader turned to the blond man.
Luke glared up at Vader and growled. "Go to hell."
Mara winced as Vader brought up his black hand and sent Luke falling back to the ground as if he's been backhanded.
"Greet the master."
Much to Mara's respect, the boy remained silent, glaring coldly up at Vader. Something no one had ever done and survived.
"My friend, your son seems quite insubordinate. Maybe it's wise to discipline him," The Emperor stroked his cheek. "Teach him some respect and obedience. Take him to the torture chambers. There he will be conditioned to be one of my most loyal servants."
"I will never follow you," Luke glared straight at he Emperor, shocking Mara to the core. No one dared speak to the master that way. Not even Vader.
"Set the machines on brutal. I want to teach the boy some respect as well," The Emperor's voice is cold. Mara glared at Vader, wondering how anyone could bring this upon their own son, but then quickly realized that the kid brought it upon himself. If he had been more respectful and obedient, this wouldn't be happening.
After the glowering young man was taken away Vader again turned towards his master. "Master, if it pleases you, I'd like to make a request concerning my son."
"What is it Vader?"
"If it pleases my Lord, may I have permission to keep the boy in my castle under my custody."
"Your custody? Whatever for? What use do you have for the boy there?"
"I can turn him my lord. I know I can. I can get him to accept his situation and turn him into your most loyal servant."
The Emperor was silent, studying Vader with his cold eyes. He nodded. "Ok Vader. You may keep the boy in your custody. But on one condition. My hand and my eyes Mara Jade will stay with you as well. There she will examine your mind to make sure you don't develop any rebellious plans to me concerning the boy."
"But my Lord!" Vader tried to protest.
"I am not a fool Vader. I see the potential of the boy and that if he indeed becomes accepting and trusting of you, you'll have enough power in your hands to destroy me. I am not having it. So I send my most powerful and loyal servant to keep an eye on things. Make sure that you and the boy both remember your place."
Vader bowed his head in acceptance. "Yes my master. I will have a room made up for her immediately," Vader's voice was full of hatred and disgust. He couldn't stomach Mara Jade and now he was going to have to accept her into his home. But if he was going to keep his son with him…he had no choice.
"Ok. Dismissed. My hand I trust you to serve me well. Now go and pack for your move. You'll be moving in two days…when our rebellious Jedi is back on his feet."
"Yes master," Mara also pushed down her disgust before exiting the palace room.
*
Luke hung from the chains attached to the ceiling, fighting the need to cry as the torture droids stab and jab at him with their pointy needles. He refused to show any sign of weakness. He's been down in the chamber for twelve hours now and Vader had yet to show himself. That's why he's so surprised when he heard the mechanical breathing enter his room.
He winced at the hard grip of his father's hand on his chin, forcing him to look at him.
"Son. This is quite unnecessary. All you have to do is submit and then the pain will stop. What will it take to make you see reason?" Vader asked.
"You're the unreasonable one," Luke growled through his pain.
"I just came here to give you an update of your situation. After your sessions you will be released into my custody where you will return with me to my palace. There I further your training in the ways of the force…preferably the dark side."
"Dream on," Luke clenched his teeth against the pain of his father's tightening grip.
"Watch your mouth boy. I will not have my son be insolent towards me. Droid, up his settings up to ten notches. The more painful the torture, the sooner he will break." Vader letted go of Luke and swept out of the chamber as the droid once again closed in on a struggling Luke.
*
Mara Jade had just finished packing up her favorite weapons when the pain hitted her. Crumpling to the floor, she fell unconscious into a Jedi trance.
Mara can't believe it. Two hours after completing her mission their ship decided to break down and force them to land on the desert planet Tatooine. After asking directions, they learned that the best place to buy parts was Anchorhead. Ten minutes later they're there looking over the supplies when she felt it…the warm presence of a fellow force wielder…rather a force wielder that was unaware that he wielded the force from the wildness of his force presence. Searching the room she found him. A blond blue-eyed boy her age. He stood with a group of teens. While the others laughed and giggled among themselves, the blond kid seemed to be off in a world of his own. He didn't even realize that he's the subject of his friend's scorn at this time.
"Come on Wormie pay attention!" One of the other guys yelled.
"Yeah! Get you head out of the stars! Nothing's going on up there anyway except a war!" Another kid laughed.
"Oh leave Luke alone," One of the older boys stood up for his friend. "Let him dream. The way his uncle treats him, his dreams are the only way off this planet for him."
"Biggs, you baby him too much," the first boy shook his head.
"Come on Skywalker, snap out of it," a girl shook his shoulder.
"What?" The boy turned to his friends.
Mara chose that time to interrupt. "Excuse me, I'm looking for a place called Anchorhead. It this it?"
"No lady. This is Tosche Station. Anchorhead's a little further down," the boy known as Biggs points to the left.
"I can show you," Luke immediately spoke up, mesmerized by the lovely girl with the gold-red hair. She was even prettier than Camie.
Mara smiled. This was her chance to get to know this boy who was so strong in the force better. Perhaps she can even convince him to join the Empire. She'll certainly be in the Master's favor for sure for presenting him with such a prize. "That'll be great. Come on, the sooner I'm off this back-water planet, the better."(And hopefully you'll be coming with me.)
"What? Did you say something?" The boy furrowed his brow. He could have sworn he heard her voice offering for him to come with her.
Mara grinned. The boy Luke was even stronger than she originally thought. "No. Nothing." Luke only nodded and took the lead going out the door.
Another ten minutes Luke and Mara arrived at Anchorhead.
"Well here you are. I hope you find what you're looking for," Luke turned to go but Mara grabbed his arm.
"Not so fast farmboy. I'm going to need you to show me where to go and lead me back to that station of yours. After that you can go back to your daydreams."
Luke shrugged, not really minding spending more time with the beautiful stranger. "If that's what you want."
"Ok. Now where do I go for ship parts."
"Over here," Luke led her over to an tall dune shaped building. She turned her nose up in disgust at the alien flying in the corner.
"What can I do for ya!" The alien glared at the two newcomers.
"I need some parts to repair my ship," Mara glared back at the alien, disgusting in her opinion.
"Twenty credits and they better not be Imperial!"
"What! Imperial credits are all I have!" Mara growled at the creature. "You have no choice but to take them."
"I do have a choice. No parts. Besides, I don't sell to Imperials," the creature crossed its arms.
"This is ridiculous!" Mara growled angrily.
"You're with the Empire?" The boy asked his eyes widened with curiosity.
Mara nodded. "You want to make something out of it too?"
"No. I was just curious," Luke held his hand up defensively, then he turned to the creature. "Hey, you don't sell to Imperials, but will you sell to anyone else? Say me?"
"Skywalker…I remember your father. Gave me nothing but trouble those years he served me. Glad to be rid of him I was. Okay. For you twenty-five credits. But they're not Imperial right?"
"Of course not. How would I get Imperial credits? Here, what a rip off," Luke handed his credits to the creature, trying not to think of the trouble he'll be in when he got back to the farm (Uncle Owen's going to have my hide when he finds out I spent the credits for that new droid he wanted.)
Mara frowned. The boy was broadcasting loud and clear. "Listen…this is very kind of you. But you don't have to do this. I can find somewhere else to buy parts from."
"This is the only place to get parts from. Any decent ones anyway. Listen don't worry about it. Just chalk it up to desert hospitality," Luke smiled.
"Tell your father don't bother coming back," The alien arrived back at the counter with the needed parts.
"Don't worry. He's dead," Luke flatly replied before leading Mara out of the store.
"What a disgusting creature. They all are. Aliens should all be vanquished from the galaxy," Mara growled.
"They're not all like that," Luke spoke up. "There are some who are very helpful and friendly and make great friends."
"Humph," Mara grunted, "If that's what you believe."
The ten-minute ride back to her ship was a talkative one. She got to know the boy better and learned about all his hopes and dreams. She also enjoyed the warmth of his carefree yet steady presence. Ten minutes later they stood outside her ship. The mechanic was already at work with the parts.
"I hope you don't get in too much trouble for helping me back there. Those must have been all the credits you had," Mara fidgeted. She had come to the decision to let the boy remain on his planet. He had a good heart and a good soul and she didn't want to see that corrupted by her master's evil presence, and she was sure he would be. The boy was too naïve and trusting not to be corrupted. So she was leaving alone, the secret of his presence hidden in the deepest recesses of her mind where not even the Emperor had access.
"Don't worry about it. Uncle Owen won't be too hard on me since it was he who told me we should always help out when we can," Luke smiled, his blue eyes sparkling. "Well I guess I better be heading back to the farm. It was sure nice meeting you…"
"M.J. Just call me M.J.," Mara smiled, not wanting to give her full name but not wanting to lie to him either.
"Alright M.J."
"Good-bye Farmboy," Mara sadly smiled, shaking his hand. (And may our paths never meet.) Because if they did, she knew he'd be at the Emperor's mercy. To her surprise, two hot tears dripped from her eyes, knowing that she'd never see him again.
Mara bolted awake with horror. The prisoner…Vader's son…he was her farmboy. The kind hearted young man that selflessly helped her was now at the Emperor's mercy. She had to see him…even though she knew she'd be risking the Emperor's wrath. She wondered how hard Vader was on him…even though the kid was his son.
Slipping out of her room, she went down to the torture chambers to find Luke chained up by his hands. His body was battered, bloody and bruised and he was unconscious, even while the droids still stabbed at him. Using the force, she switched the droids off and went to him. She gently caressed his swollen face as she felt hot tears appear in her eyes. She had tried so hard to keep him from this and he ended up here anyway. At least it wasn't her fault. Reaching out she felt his presence, no longer carefree, but it was still warm and somewhat inviting towards her. She did feel that he was more reserved, more serious, he didn't drift off into daydreams of adventure anymore. Probing his mind she found that he was not only a rebel, he was a commander…in fact he was the rebel that had blew up the Master's new death star. Was the Emperor furious about that one. They had all felt the Emperor's fury that day. Probing his mind some more she saw the whole Bespin scene and how Vader cut off his hand then revealed that he was Luke's father. She felt Luke's devastation at the truth. She also felt Luke's power. Strong and surging. Gods he was even stronger than the Emperor. No matter what the master wanted control over Luke. Luke was also well trained. She could feel that perfectly. On Tatooine, the power was just there. Loose and surrounding. Unwielded. But now the power was restricted and controlled.
"What are you doing here!" Vader entered the chamber using the force to knock her away from Luke. "You are not supposed to be down here!"
"The Master sent me," Mara quickly lied. If Vader knew the real reason he'll report to the master that Mara had been keeping secrets from him and her punishment would be severe. "He wants to know if there's any progress."
"Tell the Master that my son will be ready to serve him within the hour. Droids up the torture ten more notches. My son will surely break under that. As for you Mara, leave at once. You are not needed down here."
Mara only nodded, glancing once more at Luke, she headed back to her chambers to finish packing, her heart going out to the young man. He had a bumpy road ahead of him if he's as defiant as she felt he was.