Part 6

------

Luke looked up to see his father flanked by two squadrons of
stormtroopers. His hands were clasped behind his back and his legs
planted in a position that Luke knew indicated anger. He
winced. "Father, I…"

"You disobeyed a direct command," Vader rumbled
ominously. "I do not tolerate such wanton defiance."

"I didn't mean to, it's just…" Luke trailed off
miserably. "I'm sorry, I was just trying…"

"You have no excuse for your actions," Vader said with dark
finality. "Captain BT-31-01, remove these children and return them
to their barracks to await proper punishment from their supervising
officers."

"Yes, my lord." The leading stormtrooper marched past Vader
and Luke to the other cadets, all of whom were terrified out of
their minds.

"Wait, sir, Lord Vader!" Jons, in an astounding display of
bravery, rushed past the others and past Luke. "It's not his fault,
sir. If it hadn't been for me, he wouldn't have come, it's just, my
father is a guard here, and I was worried about him." He stopped and
stared up at the immense figure, realization of his actions dawning
on him.

"What are you doing, you idiot?" Luke hissed. "Get back!"
"I…" Jons whispered, staring up at the fearsome man before
him. He stumbled backwards.

Vader ignored Jons' words. "You thought that the appropriate
course of action was to steal Imperial TIE fighters and risk all of
your lives?" he asked, the anger in his voice evident.

Luke swallowed. "Father…

"
"Come with me." Vader turned around and strode past the
stormtroopers, his cloak billowing out behind him. Luke glanced one
last time at the trainees and jogged to catch up to his father.
They walked towards the base in complete silence save
Vader's breathing. "Why did you attempt to save the boy's father?"

"Attempt to save?" Luke asked, hoping his father's choice of
words was accidental.

"All guards were executed."

"What? You...?"

"Of course not," said Vader impatiently. "Upon the
prisoners' takeover of the base, they were all shot. Once I entered,
they surrendered immediately. I was too late to save the guards."

Luke hung his head. "I just… I grew up thinking my father
was dead," he said quietly. "I didn't want him to have to do that…"

Vader was strangely touched before he beat the sentiment
down. "And you thought me incapable of doing the job as well as you?"

"No… I didn't think," Luke mumbled.

"Of course not. You could have been killed. You put five
other of your supposed comrades in mortal peril and destroyed two of
my TIE fighters."

"We shot down three ships…" Luke offered. "I did one by
myself and helped with another one."

"That is inconsequential."

Luke sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Apologies do not erase the past," Vader said firmly. "You
are to be removed from the pilot training program."

"What? But"—

"You have a more fitting punishment?" Vader asked, stopping
and turning towards his son.

"Father… If you had an officer or something that did what I
did, you wouldn't remove him from the military!" Luke knew he was
grasping at straws.
"No. He would be dead," Vader said with a touch of
amusement.
Luke grimaced. "Point taken. It's just… I love flying. And
you do too. I saw you."
"You may continue to fly, as long as you are under my
supervision," Vader conceded. "You proved yourself to be far beyond
the trainees. There is no need to continue to be a part of that
organization."
"But I like them," Luke protested as they resumed walking.
"They are inferior to you."
"But they're my friends," said Luke, furrowing his
brow. "Can't I have friends?"
Vader stared at him for a moment, unmoving. "You will be
given a room near my own."
"But"—
"This is final," said Vader. He turned to a uniformed man
who came out to greet them from inside the base. "Captain Piett,
escort my son back to the Executor."
Piett gave a small bow. "Of course, my lord," he
said. "Come, sir."
"Wait," said Vader suddenly. He held out his hand. "Give me
your lightsaber."
"What?" Luke asked, his mouth dropping open.
"You have obviously proven that you are not up to the
responsibility," said Vader. It flew from his waist to his
outstretched hand. "You will receive it again when it is necessary
for you to have one."
"Fine," Luke muttered. "But if I get attacked, how am I
supposed to defend myself?"
"I'm sure you will find a way. Captain, you may take him,"
said Vader, stepping back as Piett walked forward.
Morosely, Luke followed the captain to a shuttle that held
other officers. "I don't suppose you were the one to shoot down that
Berk fighter, were you?" Piett asked with an easy smile as they
boarded the shuttle.
Luke forgot his mood for a second and grinned. "Yep. How'd
you know?"
"None of the officers listening to the transmissions had
heard of Team Liberation,'" said Piett wryly. "And when we tuned in
to the rest of your private comm-links, we deduced the truth."
"And told my father," Luke said darkly.
"Actually, no," said Piett. "He—ah—knew already, when we
sent him the message."
"Oh," said Luke, turning to the viewport. "How long have you
known my father?"
"I…" Piett couldn't seem to find the words. The atmosphere
had turned tense at the mention of Vader. "None of us really know
him," he said finally.
Luke sighed. "That's what I figured."

When he returned to the ship, Piett gave him to an ensign
who followed him to the Pilot Trainee's barracks with an air of
apprehension. Smiling to himself, Luke used the Force to open the
door, just to upset the man more. The ensign jumped, startled, and
Luke turned to him. "You can go."
"My orders are to escort you to your new quarters—ah—sir."
Luke rolled his eyes. "Fine, then. Wait here." He walked
inside to see Vaskall, Lang, Jisk, and Darmic on their beds, all
looking nervous. They sat up upon Luke's arrival.
"Skywalker!" Jisk exclaimed. He grinned. "You owe me twenty
credits, he said to Darmic out of the side of his mouth."
"Over?" Luke questioned as he made his way to the drawer
underneath his bunk where he kept his personal things.
"Darmic here bet that you'd be in the Medbay for at least a
week. I said that you'd be in there for two days," said Jisk.
"Then you both lose," said Luke, stuffing his things into a
bag. "He didn't hurt me. He is my father, you know. It's not like
he's abusive or anything."
"What are you doing?"
"Did you get in trouble?"
"What happened?"
Luke sighed. "My father isn't letting me be a pilot anymore."
Darmic hissed in sympathy. "Sorry."
Luke glanced around the room. "Where's Jons?"
"He went home," said Vaskall sadly. "As soon as we got here.
Apparently all of the guards were killed before Lord Vader could get
to them."
"I know," said Luke heavily, rubbing his temple. "It was all
for nothing."
"At least we tried, right?" Jisk offered. "I mean… we've all
been grounded for two months, but… We did our best. And we shot down
three of their ships."
"I tried using that argument, too," said Luke
darkly. "According to Lord Omnipotent, it was inconsequential.'"
The other trainees laughed nervously at Luke's comment,
terrified to take part in such disrespect. The fact that Luke was
actually Vader's son had only really sunk in that day, when they'd
seen the difference between Luke's approach of the man and everyone
else's in the galaxy. "So what are you going to do?" asked Lang,
speaking for the first time.
"I'm getting moved to a room near his quarters," said Luke,
drawing the drawstrings closed on the sack and hoisting it over his
shoulders.
"Really?"
Luke nodded.
"Good luck," Vaskall said, standing. He shook Luke's
hand. "I hope you'll come and see us every now and then."
"I will," Luke promised. Jisk clapped him on the back.
"Don't get too banged up, or the Medbay'll run out of
Bacta," said the boy with a grin.
"Thanks," said Luke dryly.
Lang stood slowly. "Best of luck, Skywalker," he said
heavily. Luke sensed a deep remorse coming from the boy, but
couldn't place it.
"Thanks, Captain," said Luke. "Tell the others that I'm
sorry."
"Will do," said Darmic. "Though Dase will be pretty pleased,
I bet."

The ensign led Luke down a series of complicated lifts and
corridors before they finally reached wing that had two doors on
either side. He led the way to the closest on the left. "I believe
that is your chamber, sir."
Luke stared at the port. Every other door that he had seen
on the Super Star Destroyer had an access keypad, but not one of the
four had anything remotely similar. They were all blank.
Luke thought a moment about trying to hotwire the doors open
before he almost hit himself. Of course—only himself or his father
were meant to enter them, so they would only open through the
Force. "Thank you," he told the ensign distantly.
"Of course, sir," said the man, practically running back
down the hall out of his eagerness to get away from Luke.
Luke concentrated for a second on his room and within
seconds, the door opened. He stepped inside to investigate his new
quarters. He wrinkled his nose. The room was devoid of any
personality whatsoever—it was as sterile as the Medbay. It had a
bed, a desk, and a worktable and a door that he presumed led to
the fresher. Groaning, he lobbed his bag onto his bed and went over
to inspect the various tools that lay on the durasteel worktable. It
was a complete set, as far as he could tell, minus the heavier
machinery. All of the tools were higher quality than those of Uncle
Owen's farm. He winced as the memory of that night flashed unbidden
across his mind. Sighing, he walked over to his bed and pulled out
his belongings, which were rather meager.
He had three uniforms, all of which were useless now, and
some other clothes. That was it. When he'd been brought to the
Executor, he'd had to leave everything—including his T-16 model—
behind.
Suddenly he sensed his father's presence coming down the
corridor and jumped up, opening the door with ease just as Vader
opened the door to his chambers. "Father," he said, and the enormous
man turned around.
"I see you have found your room," said Vader as way of
greeting.
"Can I come in?"
"I am going to meditate."
"Can I see your face without the mask?"
Vader cocked his head slightly. "What face?" he questioned,
his response embittered and immediate.
"Father, you know that I know what happened"—
"No."
Luke sighed. "Fine. I'm really bored, though, and there's
nothing to do in my room."
"Go to sleep. Meditate. Build something," said Vader. "I am
not here to entertain you."
Luke rolled his eyes. "But…"
"I am not in the mood for your questions," said Vader. "I am
going to meditate. Find something to do." With that, he turned and
entered his chambers. When Luke tentatively tested the door, he
found that his father had used the Force to make it impossible to
open. Groaning, he returned to his own room and flopped on the bed,
falling asleep despite himself.

Luke adjusted to this new change in his life easily enough.
Overnight, his clothes had disappeared to be replaced with
monochromatic clothes like the ones that he had seen his father wear
in his dream. He had obtained various odds and ends from the
mechanics that now decorated his worktable and had stolen a mouse
droid that he was trying to reprogram.
His mornings were spent in meditation and when his father
found the time, they spent much of the afternoon in the sparring
room. Occasionally, Luke would sneak to the mess hall at mealtimes
to try and find the pilot trainees.
Almost a month passed and Luke began to wonder if his
father's warning about Coruscant had been just a threat. Vader
hadn't mentioned it since then—though he was a man of few words—and
upon one of his questionings of a passing officer, they had left the
Kessel system in favor of the Alderaan system.
One morning, when he was preparing to meditate, the door to
his room opened with a hiss and Luke glanced up to see his father
standing in the doorway. "Come with me," the Sith said, and Luke
scrambled up to follow his father down the hallway.
"Where are we going?" he asked once he caught up with his
father's impossibly long strides.
"To Alderaan," said Vader shortly. "The Emperor has informed
me that he suspects Bail Organa to be involved with a rebellious
faction. I want you to observe his daughter to see if she knows
anything."
"Who's Bail Organa?"
The respirator gave out a particularly loud whoosh. "He is
the leader of Alderaan. His daughter is Princess Leia."
"Wow! A princess?"
"Yes. Use the Force to probe her mind, to see if she is
aware of anything. She is running as senator for the Galactic
Senate, so she may be privy to information with which Organa would
not have otherwise trusted her."
"What kind of information am I looking for?" Luke asked,
feeling important that Vader trusted him with such an obviously
significant mission.
"Anything regarding a woman named Mon Mothma," said
Vader. "She was once a high-profile political figure whom I now
suspect to be the leader of a growing rebellion."
"Oh," said Luke. "You actually trust me?"
"Of course. You are my son, regardless of the fact that you
disobeyed me," said Vader, sounding amused. "But I want you to
introduce yourself as Luke Vader."
"Why?" Luke asked, furrowing his brow. "Since when?"
"Because Bail Organa knew Anakin Skywalker," said Vader, the
vocoder giving him a grim tone. "And while he may have an idea of
who I am, it would still be best not to encourage the idea."
"Why not?" Luke asked, secretly pleased that his father had
referred to himself—indirectly, at least—as Anakin Skywalker.
Luke caught a wave of frustration. "Because I am a mystery
and I want to keep it that way. There are several records about my
former identity and I would prefer them kept silent."
"Like what?"
"Curse you and your relentless curiosity," said Vader,
though Luke could tell that he wasn't truly angry. "It's of no
consequence."
"But if you don't want anyone to know about your past, then
it's got to be important, right?" Luke reasoned.
Vader ignored him. "Here," he said, producing Luke's
lightsaber. "Take this, but only use it if you are in immediate
danger. If Organa does know of my former identity, he may try to
keep you on Alderaan."
"Why?"
"To use as leverage," said Vader, though that was not the
true reason. If Bail knew that he was Anakin, he would probably try
and keep Luke to protect him from the so-called Dark Side. No doubt
Obi-Wan would have told him everything, including the reason for his
imprisonment in the life-support suit. That alone was enough to make
Vader want to kill the man, old ties or not.

The Executor was in orbit.
That was a fact that kept repeating himself in Bail Organa's
head. There were only two reasons why Darth Vader's ship would be in
the Alderaani system—he had become aware of Bail's discreet aid to
Mon Mothma, or he had learned of Leia's existence.
He hoped to the Maker that it was the latter. Was Luke
alive? If so, had Vader corrupted him into a servant of the Dark
Side like he himself?
Bail noticed someone waiting outside his office door. He
stood heavily. "Enter," he said. A messenger walked inside
nervously. "Your Highness, a shuttle from the Executor has landed,"
he said. "The passengers on board have requested your presence."
"Thank you," Bail said distantly, steeling himself. He would
need to guard his thoughts. If the rumors of Vader were true, the
slightest thought could betray him. He took several deep breaths to
compose himself. Please, he begged silently, let there be something
left of Anakin in him.

Fifteen minutes later, he was groomed and prepared to meet
the visitors. The shuttle opened on the landing platform and Bail
rooted himself against the fear as he saw the immense figure, black-
cloaked figure descend. As the helmet and mask came into view, Bail
swallowed. How could this be Anakin? How could Anakin have turned
into this metal monster, this creature that was half cyborg?
Bail was so focused upon Vader that he only noticed the
small, black-clothed figure with a head of shining blond hair that
trailed after the Sith until Vader stood in front of him. "Bail
Organa," Vader said, the mechanical bass sending shivers down the
Viceroy's spine.
"Lord Vader," Bail acknowledged. That was not Anakin's
voice. "How may I be of service?"
"I have some questions for you, Organa," said Vader,
clasping his hands behind his cloak and walking past the man, who
turned immediately to walk at the Sith's side.
"If I can answer them, I will. Please, come to my home where
we may speak in comfort," said Bail unfalteringly. He took a mental
deep breath, clearing his thoughts.
Vader stopped and lifted a black-gloved hand in the
direction of the blond boy, who was staring around at his
surroundings in undisclosed awe. Bail's heart skipped a beat. Was
that Luke? "My son will need to be entertained," he told. "Perhaps
your daughter will give him a tour while we discuss some issues of
importance."
Bail was suddenly dry-mouthed. "Of course, Lord Vader," he
said, clearing his throat. "I'm sure Leia will be delighted." He
glanced at the boy and was almost sickened to see the lightsaber
hanging at his belt. "I was not aware you had a son, my lord." He
looked towards Luke. "I am Bail Organa," he said, extending a hand.
"Luke," said the boy coolly, shaking the older man' hand
with one that was black-gloved. Bail winced mentally. Obi-Wan had
told him of the child's hand that he had found, but to be faced with
it first-hand was more than he was prepared for. How could Anakin
have cut off his own child's hand? Had the monster that was Vader
truly destroyed him completely?
Vader ignored the exchange. "My stormtroopers will accompany
us," he rumbled, ten clones marching forward from the shuttle. Bail
blanched. Was he being arrested? Vader had no proof to incriminate
him!
He turned to his aide. "Verett, please find Princess Leia
and bring her to me," he said.
The man bowed. "Right away, your Highness."
Vader turned towards Bail. "I have received some interesting
news concerning the latest trading partners of Alderaan, Organa," he
said after a few excruciating minutes where his regulated breathing
was the only sound between them.
"If I can clear up any confusion, I will, of course," said
Bail politely. "Will you be staying on Alderaan long?"
"Hopefully not," said Vader, just as a short girl in a
flowing white gown with her brown hair in braid down her back walked
into the landing platform. She walked to Bail quickly, her eyes
glancing up to Vader and showing fear for a split second before she
carefully schooled her features. "Father," she said. "You called for
me?"
"Yes, my dear," said Bail, reluctant to let her leave his
side. "This is Lord Vader and his son," he explained, motioning
towards Luke. "Lord Vader and I need to converse over some various
matters and I would like you to show Luke around."
"Of course," said Leia with a gracious smile. She gave a
small bow towards Vader, who regarded her impassively. "My pleasure,
my lord."
With a barely perceptible nod, Vader stalked past her and
said, "Come," to the Viceroy, who immediately obeyed. Within
seconds, Leia and Luke were left alone with just two stormtroopers
as guards.
Luke was enthralled. He had never seen a more beautiful
creature in his life than the girl who stood before him. The slight
breeze of Alderaan caused her dress to sway gently around her
ankles. "I am Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan," said the girl,
raising herself to a height that was just barely shorter than
Luke. "Welcome to my homeworld."
"Thank you," said Luke. "I'm Luke Sk"—he stopped himself
before saying the whole word. "I'm Luke Vader."
"Are you really Vader's son?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
A flash of annoyance crossed his face. "Yes," he snapped,
forgetting her beauty and station. "And it is Lord Vader' to you."
Her eyes flashed. "I'm well aware," she said stiffly. After
a few moments, she allowing her intrigue to overpower the manners
bred in her since she was a child and asked, "Why does he where that
suit?"
"That's none of your business," Luke snapped, his original awe for
the girl dissipating.
"I'm sorry," she amended. "It was not my place."
They walked in uncomfortable silence for a few
moments. "You're running for senator?" Luke ventured, recognizing
that he had been perhaps too touchy about the issue of his father.
She smiled. "Yes. My mother was a senator, and I hope to
follow in her footsteps." Luke said nothing, not having any
words. "Have you ever visited Alderaan before?" asked Leia, trying
to find common ground.
"No," Luke admitted. "The only planets I've ever been on are
Tatooine and Kessel," he explained."
"Kessel?" She sounded horrified. "You were a...?"
"No, of course not," he said with his first smile of the
day. "I hijacked a TIE fighter with five of my friends to try and
save the guards from the Kessel rebels," he said. "We shot down
three fighters."
"Wow!" she said with surprise. "Where do you live?"
"On the Executor," Luke said as though it was the most
obvious thing in the world. "It is my father's flagship."
"But don't you have a homeworld?" Leia furrowed her brow.
"Yes. Tatooine," said Luke darkly. "But we both hate it
there. He's got a house somewhere, but we've never visited." They
stepped out of the landing bay down some steps to a paved path that
led into the trees. Luke stared at the landscape, his mouth
open. "I've never seen so many trees in my life!"
Leia laughed. "Alderaan is famous for its vegetation," she
said, glad that the awkwardness had disappeared. "It's a beautiful
planet."
"I agree," said Luke, craning his head to try and see the
tops of the trees.
"You're not quite what I would have expected," said Leia
suddenly, before she could stop herself. Her cheekbones went pink.
"How do you mean?" Luke asked, lowering his gaze from the
foliage to her face.
"Well…" Leia was clearly unsure of how to proceed. "Your
father is Darth Vader."
"So?"
"I just didn't think that you would be so nice." The words
were out before she could stop them. "I'm so sorry! I can't seem to
keep my mouth shut!"
His eyes flashed. "What's wrong with my father?"
"Nothing," Leia remedied. "It's just… He is the Emperor's
right hand man," she said, and Luke noticed a barely perceptible
flash of disgust flit through her eyes before it disappeared.
"And?" His voice was harder than he had meant.
"I apologize," said Leia. "I've been far too relaxed in my
manner." She drew herself up. "Come. I will show you the Palace."

Luke crossed his arms and Leia noticed his black-gloved
hand. "You know nothing about my father," he said, the words coming
out harsher than he meant.
"You're right," said Leia quickly. "I've only talked to him
a few times in my life."
"You've talked to him before?" Luke's anger—as always—left
him as quickly as it had come.
"Well, yes, on Coruscant," she said. "Sometimes he acts as
the Emperor's representative for social functions."
He raised his eyebrows. "Oh."
"Have you ever seen a lake?" she asked brightly, hoping to
change the subject. Why had her father subjected her to this? She
had nothing to talk about with the son of Darth Vader, of all
people! She beat down the thought, composing herself. She was
Princess Leia of Organa, future Galactic Senator. She was beyond a
mere boy, even one such as Luke Vader, or whatever his name was.

"How may I be of service to the Empire, Lord Vader?" asked
Bail once they were inside his private office. "I must say, your
arrival was unexpected, Lord Vader," said Bail as he accepted the
cup from his aide. He hadn't known whether to offer the Dark Lord
anything, but he assumed, from Obi-Wan's description, that he was
unable to remove the mask unless in a specialized environment.
The man—was he even a man any more?—stood in front of the
enormous window that gave a magnificent view of a lake. The sunlight
glinted off of the surface of the water and off of his helmet. "As
was the news of your dealings with Mon Mothma, Organa," said Vader
smoothly. "Tell me, how long have you been involved in a conspiracy
against the Empire?"
Since its conception, Bail thought to himself bitterly
before composing himself. "I'm afraid that I don't know what you're
talking about, Lord Vader," he said. "Alderaan is a peaceful nation.
We have no desire to become involved in any conspiracy of any sort."
"Do not lie to me, Organa," said Vader. "I am not such a
fool that I would believe the word of one allied with Kenobi."
Bail nearly choked before he pulled his political mask over
his features. How could he know? There was nothing, no documents or
recordings that proved his communication with the Jedi Master! "I
have not spoken to or seen Master Kenobi in nearly fourteen years,
Lord Vader," he said. "I have completely severed ties. In fact, I
assumed that he was dead."
"What is the extent of your deal with the Rebels?" Vader
asked, turning round to face Organa.
"I must repeat myself, Lord Vader"—but suddenly Bail was cut
off, as though an invisible hand was wrapped around his throat,
squeezing, tighter and tighter—
"Lies are futile, Organa," Vader hissed, his hand raised and
finger crooked.
"Please, Anakin"—Bail gasped. "Anakin, do not do this! Do
you not remember? What have you become, that you cast aside your
friends of old so easily?"
"Anakin Skywalker is dead," Vader said, using the Force to
lift the man into the air. "I want to know where Mon Mothma and her
pitiful band of followers are hiding."
"Anakin, I know that you are still there!" Bail cried, his
voice growing weaker as the oxygen was forced from his lungs. "Cast
aside this anger at Obi-Wan, at the Jedi! You have been decieved and
enslaved by Palpatine!" Bail let go of all pretenses, praying that
somehow his words would have some effect on the terrifying
mechanical monster that had once been his friend.
His body slammed into the wall of the parlor, shattering the
mirror that hung above a low table. He fell to the floor, quickly
losing consciousness as the lack of oxygen and the pain overcame
him. His last sight was of the shiny black boots that crunched over
the glass and dug into the floor. "As are you, Organa."
He stared at the crumpled figure for a few moments with a
twinge of guilt. Bail had been a good friend, he remembered. It was
a pity that he had chosen to defy the Emperor.

"I'm sure Father will give us permission to take the
speeders," said Leia as they turned the corner. They had walked
through the garden, keeping the conversation mostly light. Luke had
shown an appreciation for the natural beauty of Alderaan that had
surprised Leia to no end. From what her father had told her of Darth
Vader, it didn't seem possible that his son would be capable of such
good taste.
Not that Luke hadn't shown hints of his parentage. The look
in his young eyes had been almost scary when she made mention of his
father. It seemed that he was fiercely protective of the Sith,
despite the fact that he was a mass murderer. She had learned that
he had spent most of his life as a farmboy on Tatooine, slaving away
for his aunt and uncle when his father had shown up one day and
taken him aboard the Executor. She had pressed him for details,
intrigued by the story, but he had seemed uncomfortable and his
glance had turned to his gloved hand for than once.
"As are you, Organa."
Leia turned to see her father's broken body at the feet of
Darth Vader. She let out a blood-curdling scream and ran to him,
abandoning all pretenses as Princess or senator and acting merely as
a daughter. She knew, somehow, that Bail Organa was dead even before
she reached him. Vader just stared at her unmoving as hate filled
her so completely that it drove out all feelings of doubt she had
for the monster—the doubt that someone completely evil could produce
a person like Luke.
She glared up at him, tears blurring her gaze and reducing
the Dark Lord to a black mass. "How could you? He did nothing wrong!"
"He was a traitor to the Empire, Princess," the ominous
voice said. "And I would advise you not to follow in his ways."
Vader turned towards Luke, who stood pale at the door. "Luke, come.
We are finished here."
Leia barely noticed their departure as she cradled her
father's head. Vader would pay for this, she swore silently,
committing herself against the man with all her heart. And if that
meant defying the Empire… then so be it.

"Why did you kill him?" Luke asked, troubled, as they
returned to the shuttle. The dying sun cast a strange glow over the
ship and off of Vader's helmet.
"He was a traitor, and loyal to the Jedi," said Vader. "Did
you doubt that?"
"No, but…" Luke began, struggling to put his thoughts to
words. "By killing him, you have just made Alderaan more likely to
discontinue their support of the Empire. As well as making Leia an
enemy for life."
"Then we will use her to find Mothma," said Vader
unconcernedly. "Speaking of which, did you find anything from the
girl?"
"No," said Luke, furrowing his brow and wishing he had a
different answer. "Her mind was guarded, it seemed. I could not
penetrate it."
"Strange," said Vader as they ascended the ramp of the
shuttle and sat. The ramp closed with the hiss of hydraulics. "The
girl is not Force-sensitive. It is curious that her mind is
shielded."
"Maybe she has information to hide," Luke offered.
"None but a Jedi could create such a shield," said Vader,
thinking aloud. He remembered Bail's words. "Cast aside this anger
at Obi-Wan, at the Jedi!"
Bail Organa had been a Jedi-sympathizer. And Vader had felt
a sense of dishonesty all throughout the interrogation, and would
not have noticed if it was particularly present when the man had
claimed not to have contacted Kenobi. That meant that he had known
about Luke.
Vader clenched his fists. It always came back to Obi-Wan.

Once they returned to the Executor, the news that notorious
pacifist Bail Organa had been executed by Darth Vader had already
hit the holonet. There was a cry of outrage all throughout the
Galaxy, gone unchecked because there had been no Imperial statement
about the issue.
"My lord Vader, the Emperor has requested to speak to you,"
said a terrified ensign once Vader and Luke stepped off of the
shuttle. Vader gave no sign that he had heard.
"Return to your room," he told Luke, holding out his hand
for the lightsaber, which Luke reluctantly relinquished. "Meditate
until I arrive."
Luke nodded and walked past the stormtroopers, all of whom
shuffled out of the way. With a mental sigh, Vader headed towards
the special broadcast room that was reserved for his communication
with the Emperor alone. Had he acted too rashly in killing Organa?
Perhaps he could have been made useful. As soon as he arrived, he
knelt down on the broadcast pad and waited for the signal from the
Emperor to project.
"Rise, my friend," the rasping voice of the Emperor echoed
around the chamber.
Vader stood swiftly. "Why is thy bidding, Master?"
"I understand that you disposed of Organa," said the
Emperor. "Excellent. He was becoming far too popular." Vader said
nothing. "We shall have to worry about the girl, though."
Luke's warning about Leia reverberated through Vader's helmet. Had
his son and his Master foreseen something that he had not? "You have
done well, my apprentice," said the Emperor. "I think you should
return to Coruscant. I have yet to meet your offspring. There will
be no need for your services for some time, I have foreseen it."
Vader forced himself to respond. "Yes, my master."
"How does the boy's training go?"
It was futile to lie. "He progresses well, Master. He has
much anger in him."
"Good," the Emperor crooned. "Go, my friend. I look forward
to our meeting."
"Yes, my master."
Vader let out a sigh once the Emperor's holo flickered out.
Despite all his hopes, Luke would meet his master.
He only hoped that the boy's shields were strong enough.

It was two days later that Luke looked up from his worktable
to see his father standing at his doorway. The Sith held a small,
struggling mouse droid in his gloved hand. "What is this?"
Luke fought the urge to laugh. "It's mine," he explained,
lifting his hand and calling the droid to his palm. "I reprogrammed
it to act as a messenger."
"Its persistence interrupted me from my meditation," said
Vader, bemused.
"Sorry," said Luke, standing. "I wanted to see if you were
interested in sparring." He glanced around his room,
gesturing. "It's pretty dull in here."
"I see," said Vader, walking into the room. "These four
chambers were originally one suite, but I had them modified," he
told Luke. "What was your impression of the girl?"
"Who, Leia?" Luke asked stupidly, a flush rising to his
cheeks. He shrugged. "I don't know. She was pretty candid at first,
I suppose. Kept asking me about you."
"Oh?"
"She wanted to know why you wore the suit," said Luke, his
expression darkening for a split second. Vader noted with interest
that he had clenched his fists. "I told her it was none of her
business, of course, and she shut up."
"Of course," Vader said easily enough, walking over to
inspect Luke's latest project. "You should install a mini-vocoder on
the mouse droid so that it can more effectively relay messages. And
modifying its form will make it less noticeable."
"Thanks," said Luke, gratified. He jotted down the ideas
onto a datapad that lay on the table.
Vader said nothing. "We are heading towards Coruscant," he
said finally. "The Emperor has decided to recall me so that he can
meet you," he explained.
Luke paled and set down the datapad. "Oh. So this wasn't
just idle conversation?"
"I want to remind you to continue work on your shields,"
said Vader. "It is imperative that you do so."
"What can I do to let him know I'm loyal?"
"You can do nothing," said Vader. "He will know if you are
and if you are not."
"Oh," said Luke, standing. He stared at his father's
unmoving form for a moment. "Do you want to fence?"
"You don't seem to understand"—
"I do," Luke interrupted, astonished at his own
brazenness. "But right now, we're stuck in hyperspace and I'm not
going to improve my shields in a day or two."
His son's logic sensible, Vader finally nodded. "Very well."
Luke managed a small smile and walked past his father to the
training room next door.