Safe Again : Chapter 2

Flight

'We will reach Naboo within the next two hours, My Lord.'

'Naboo ?' Vader's blue eyes popped wide open. Sagan would swear there was fear in those eyes, but he knew better than stating that out loud. 'Why Naboo?'

What is it about Naboo that frightens you so much, My Lord?

Vader screwed his eyes; he had 'heard' that.

'You and your young protégé need to get more medical care than this shuttle can provide, Lord Vader. And you must understand that, now that the Emperor is dead,' Sagan's eyes shone slightly at those words '…an Imperial shuttle might not be welcome everywhere. It is very likely to be most unwelcome on the closest planets, actually. Captain Devs reckons that Emperor Palpatine's home-world will welcome us, though. I think… he even expects the Emperor will be there.'

'The Emperor won't be anywhere anymore,' was the mumbled answer. 'You said yourself he was dead.'

'But one cannot live without hope, My Lord.'

Vader smiled bitterly and closed his blue eyes. It was very strange, Sagan thought. As Vader's breather only half-worked, they had taken his helmet and mask off, and given him a pure oxygen mask. Now that the Dark Lord's scarred face was exposed, Sagan no longer saw Darth Vader lying on the cot. What he could see was a man. And he could see his eyes, light blue eyes that hid nothing of the turmoil of his feelings. Very strange.

Vader opened his eyes and turned weakly his head towards Luke's limp form. His son still hadn't woken up yet, and he was afraid that the boy had slid into coma. Though they could not tell, as the shuttle medical equipement wasn't good enough. Would the Naboo help him? Would they see him as Padmé's son, or as his?

'You don't think the Naboo appreciate the Empire, do you?' Sagan asked suddendly.

Vader smiled slightly. 'I don't think you appreciate the Empire, Lieutnant. Or do you?'

Sagan smiled and nodded. 'I am on principle opposed to slavery.' Vader flinched. The Lieutnant saw that and his features hardened. 'I thought that you were opposed to slavery yourself?' he asked with his driest voice. Vader closed his eyes once more. Sagan knew the man was tired, but he felt Vader just wanted to avoid his question now. 'I really thought you were different about that, Vader. With being half non-human and all…'

'What makes you think I am half non-human?'

'That's the reason why Devs hates you so much.' Still angry, Sagan smirked. 'Don't tell me you didn't know?'

Vader just shrugged. 'He can read my file and he still heads for Naboo. Must have suicidal tendencies.' He turned his back to Sagan, making clear that he did not want to talk anymore. The young man turned around to leave, deciding to ask Devs what exactly he knew about Darth Vader.

'Lieutnant…'

Sagan stopped on the threshold.

'This boy is the son of a late Naboo queen. Make sure that Devs knows he better be alive when we reach Theed.'

'What a piece of luck,' mumbled Sagan as he left.

Anakin sighed and snuggled deeper under the blankets. He would need all of his strength once on Naboo.

'Imperial Shuttle IP485-259, requires permission to land. We have two injured men on board, in need of a strong medical attention.'

Rem could feel Vader standing behind him, and that didn't make him feel any better.

'Imperial shuttle, this is the Sunrise. You don't have the permission to land. If you insist, we will have to open fire.'

He knew that voice… Even after all those years, he could recognize it. Vader motioned for the co-pilot to leave his seat and took his place.

'Olié, Luke is hurt.'

A pause on the other ship. On the shuttle, the soldiers exchanged startled glances.

'As long as he is on an Imperial shuttle, I don't care.'

Anakin insisted. 'He is in coma, Ric.'

'Too bad. Then I guess you'll just have to look for an apprentice somewhere else…'

The mockery he could hear made Vader explode. 'Damnit Olié, if I just wanted an apprentice, I would not be wasting my time right now but hunting down his sister!'

The communication was cut off. Vader guessed Olié was asking for orders. When the connection was restablished, another voice could be heard. A feminine voice, talking with a proud accent.

'There is no way we can allow this shuttle to land on Naboo. The men on board will be tranfered into one of our shuttles, which will head directly for a medical center. You must let all your weapons on your shuttle. If one of you disobeys, we will have no choice but open fire.'

Vader sighed in relief. 'Thank you, Sabé.'

The voice suddendly went colder. 'As for you, you are under arrest for high treason. And if anyone sees that face of yours during the festivities, I swear I will personally kill you with my bare hands. Very slowly.'

A small smile escaped Anakin. 'I expected no less of you. What of the men on board the shuttle?'

'They are not under Naboo law. They will be free of their movements, that is until they break a rule on world.'

'And what of Luke?'

'He will be healed.' A pause. 'He doesn't know, does he?'

'About his mother? No, he doesn't.'

He knew that Vader was his father. That was everything Sabé feared to hear. 'Let's make it clear. If anyone is to tell him anything, it will not be you. Copy?'

Anakin smirked. 'And I supposed I will be put under arrest if I refuse to cooperate.'

Sabé's voice got angry. 'I meant: no mental talk. Or whatever you call it. Prepare yourselves to be tranfered now. Sunrise out.'

The shuttle cockpit remained silent until Vader got up to leave.

'Care to explain us?' Rem asked.

Vader shrugged. 'Buy a history book when you are on world.'

'Which chapter?' scoffed one of the men. ''How do you betray a whole planet?''

Vader stiffened. 'Wrong guess.' Check at 'How do you go downwards when you've lost all your life.'

He left. He knew Sabé would never allow him anywhere near Luke, and he wanted to spend some time with his son before that. He sat down by his child's bedside, determined to remain there until the arrival of the Naboo.

TBC…