It's been two months, but in the grand scheme of things that isn't long… Okay, I'm late. I'm sorry.  But here is chapter 8. (I'm hoping this matches posting compliances now. I'm sorry about last time.)

I had a beta, but it has been so long that I don't remember who! If any one remembers beta-ing for me and wishes to do so again, please tell me.

-

Five years after meeting (5 y.a.m.)

"Master Skywalker? The imperial courier is here to see you, sir."

Luke Skywalker turned his chair around to face a quivering aide. He sat at a desk in a sparse room with sharp, metallic lines. Outside of the window behind him, the stars blurred as the ship Star Dust blasted its way through hyperspace. In his hand rested a data pad, on his desk lay two more, but no personal affects could be found in the room. Even his black clothing demonstrated his lack of personal connection to the room. The aide shifted from side to side as Luke looked at him pensively. The young man dared to utter a small "sir" after a few more moments. Luke blinked slowly. Turning to face the window again, Luke inclined his head minutely. The aide rushed off to let the courier in, breathing a sigh of relief.

A man in the Imperial Navy uniform strode in and snapped to attention. "Imperial Courier from Coruscant for Master Skywalker." Luke did not turn around to face him.

"Yes, what does the Empire want from me?" Luke's voice did not match the voice of the young man from five years before. Now he spoke with a voice that brought women galaxy wide to their knees (not that he noticed). Softness filled the voice, but a hard edge could be detected. He spoke no louder than a whisper, but the courier could understand him from across the room, even with Luke's back to him.

"The Empire would like to arrange a meeting between you and a representative of Imperial power. The time and the location is of your choosing. I am to stay at your location until the decision in made." The courier snapped to attention again and did not move. Luke tapped the data pad in his hand absentmindedly.

"A meeting?" he whispered. Oh, that brings back memories, he thought.

-

The day of the meeting

Lord Vader and Luke Skywalker sat across from each other, unwilling to give an inch. Each man thought about his personal goal for the meeting, but neither goal had anything to do with one another.

In deference of rank, Lord Vader began the meeting. "Skywalker, how well do you know Tatooine?" The sith lord desired to lead Skywalker around, so not to reveal his true motives, knowing Skywalker's identity and relationship to himself.

"I have lived here all my life, so I know it quite well—sir," Luke quickly added. He did not want to insult a potential employer; after all, he wanted more money.

"How well do you know the cities other than Anchorhead? I know that your services were used specifically in respect to that city. Is Mos Eisley known to you?"

"Yes, I served the Empire in Anchorhead, but I can make my way through Mos Eisley quite well." Luke sat still in his chair never shifting is focus from the dark man in front of him. Vader remained unmoving and relentless. Over the next forty minutes, Vader fired a barrage of questions at Luke, in an attempt to make him reveal more information. Luke tried to continually make his competence known. The two, however, never actually revealed anything. Finally, Luke's patience wore thin.

"I mean no disrespect, sir, but will you employ my services, or should I leave and find others in need of my aid? I believe I have proven my worth." With that, Luke slouched back into his chair, folded his arms, and stared defiantly at Darth Vader. Vader felt his interest piqued even more: not many people dared to be so insolent, for fear of punishment. This young man in front of him had not caved in to the powers of Vader's persuasion, a difficult task. That defiance made Vader's decision for him.

"You are now in the employ of the Empire. The commander will give you your task." With a swoop and swish of his cloak, the second-hand man of the emperor strode off. Luke smirked to himself as the commander of the stormtroopers came rushing in to give him his assignment.

-

5 y.a.m.

The meeting itself did not change Luke's life, but the aftermath did. As Luke began to muse over the events five years before, a thud broke his reverie. The courier had fainted on the ground from lack of movement. Fool, thought Luke. With a quick flick of his finger, Luke opened the door and pushed the courier out of the room. The aide had stationed himself at the door and looked down in surprise at the man who was sliding across the floor with no visible power. Luke's voice came to the aide, "Remove him and tell him his services are no longer needed." The door swished closed as mysteriously as it had opened.

Luke dropped the data pad onto the desk, stood up, and stretched. The heels of his boots clicking on the metal floor, Luke moved to a door in the wall. The door slid open as he neared it. An attached private room lay beyond the doorway. Luke entered the room and flopped down on a couch by the long window. Unlike his office, this room had mementos, color, and warmth. Everything the office was, this room was not. His office was the side of him the galaxy saw; this room was his personal side that few had ever glimpsed. Rugs covered the floor; the walls were painted bright, warm colors; the room was cozy. The layout was like a small house with a kitchen and a living room all in one. A doorway on the other side of the room led to a spacious bedroom and bathroom. The only thing missing from the room was images of people.

Luke kicked off his boots and stared at the ceiling. Releasing a deep sigh, Luke sat up and looked at the computer screen mounted into the wall. He walked over and told it to send a message. When the device prompted him for a recipient, Luke paused before uttering the word "father."

At the next prompt, Luke began dictating a letter. The softness of his voice disappeared and the edge sharpened. "Well, father, I will meet you, but at my place. You will meet me on my flagship—not the Star Dust, but the Star Raider. You will come alone. I will destroy any other people you bring and that is no empty threat, as you well know." Luke ended and sent the message. Clicking a button, he called the bridge of the ship over the com link. "Captain, bring me to the Star Raider." Without waiting for a reply, Luke closed the connection. Now all he had to do was wait.

-

In a cape with a high cowl, Luke Skywalker marched down the ramp from the Star Dust to another ship. His personal transport ship had delivered him speedily to his flagship of his fleet. A group of workers had come to meet him and take him to the bridge, but Luke waved them off and made his way up to the bridge alone. He entered the bridge and discussed the course of action with the captain. After the brief meeting, he left the bridge and went to his private quarters for meditation.

Star Dust was an impressive ship designed for speed, but Star Raider, his pride and joy, outclassed her in every way, except one. Star Raider had better weaponry, engines, shields, and transport capabilities, but she was conspicuous. Someone of Luke's stature and importance wanted to be able to slide in and out of civilization undetected and Star Raider just did not work.

Luke had started out as a humble guide for the empire on a backward planet all those years ago, but now he no longer did those menial tasks. He lived outside of the law. Because of the illegal activities he sometimes partook in, he was an outlaw, but he did not care. To most creatures, he was known as the Outlaw. With his growing fame, the once common term now only described him. Some people used it as a compliment, other as a curse. Luke Skywalker had all he ever dreamed of on the vapor farm on Tatooine. He now controlled an empire of his own; workers, ships, cities, even planets were under his control. He was the law, general, judge, and executioner. While His power did not rival the Empire, it was still felt by the galaxy. But none of this was on his mind.

His thoughts lay on his father's imminent arrival. For the last three years, he had known his father's true identity, but he refused to let him be part of his life. Their lives as an outlaw and an imperial worker were at odds with each other and the two rarely took up contact. If they would ally themselves together, they could easily be the most powerful people in the galaxy, but neither of them was willing to give up their current occupation.

The hours slipped away. Finally, Luke felt a small pulse pass through his mind. His father was closing in on his position. A few more hours would pass before Darth Vader would arrive on the Star Raider. Luke lay down on his bed and slept.

-

Luke Skywalker stood on the landing platform waiting for his father to disembark his shuttle. The man had heeded his advice and had not brought along any of his lackeys that often followed him around. For the first time in two years, Luke Skywalker met his father.

While Luke Skywalker had changed dramatically in the last five years, nothing changed for Darth Vader. His appearance and importance remained as they had been. Vader still eclipsed his son in height, but the auras of intelligence and power swirling around the both of them were nearly equal. Vader came up to his son and stopped in front of him. The tension between them grew before Vader finally relieved the pressure.

"Hello, son," was all he said.

Luke replied in kind, "Hello, father."

Luke's personal aide came rushing up to the two of them. Both men turned to face the terrified man. "Ex—excuse me, my Lords, but the meeting room has been prepared," he stuttered out. He bowed quickly leaving as fast as he possibly could. Indicating that Luke should lead the way, Vader followed his son through the ship.

"Impressive design," commented Vader.

"It took two years to complete," responded Luke. "The extra time was worth the added features that my other ships lack."

Vader hoped to sneak details from his son again. "What extra features?" he queried. For the first time in a long time, Luke cracked a smile.

Mockingly, Luke replied in a strong voice, "Oh, wouldn't you like to know? But then you would have an unfair advantage on my operations, wouldn't you, knowing the secrets about my flag ship."

"But, my son, that is part of the enjoyment of visiting an enemy's lair."

The smile on Luke's face disappeared quickly. In his soft voice, he replied, "We are enemies, aren't we?" The rest of the trip to the meeting room was in silence, as both men thought of their unusual relationship.

Dark metal doors with implanted designs hinted at the opulence hidden inside them. The room inside was a dark red color, with a square metal table in the middle, with two chairs facing each other. Luke indicated that his father should take a seat. Vader chose the chair facing the door, which was the only exit in the room. Luke smirked and sat down.

"So, my dear Lord Vader," began Luke coldly, "what services can I offer the Empire? I'll admit I was slightly surprised by the courier requesting my services. Officially, the Empire has condemned my work for the last few years. Why risk allying yourself with a known outlaw?"

Vader's respirator completed a cycle before he answered. "The Empire is having difficulties with the rebellions of late. They are hurting trade and causing some difficulties with militaristic plans."

Emulating his pose from their first meeting, Luke leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "So, you wish to use my services to halt the rebellion? What's in it for me?"

Vader paused again. Reaching behind his cloak, he pulled out an object. He plunked it on the table. Luke looked down and recognized it as his father's lightsaber. "I will train you in the force."

-

Well? What did you think? Please give me constructive criticism. Thank you!