Vader stepped inside the communications chamber, hoping to end his report as quickly as possible. He had waited until the Millennium Falcon was impossibly far away in hyperspace so that there wouldn't be the question of following the ship. He knelt down and waited for the Emperor's enormous holo to be projected in front of him.

"Ah. You responded sooner that I had anticipated, my friend," said the Emperor, his ruined voice echoing throughout the chamber. "Rise."

Vader did so and waited to be asked a question. His lie was carefully crafted in his mind, complete with imagined memories. "Is the Skywalker brat dead?" The Emperor asked sharply.

"Yes, Master," said Vader easily, though he bristled at the label. Skywalker brat? His son was no brat!

"Excellent. I feared that he was having a negative effect on you, my friend," said the Emperor, too caught up in his pleasure to doubt Vader's words. "A child i

THREE YEARS LATER

"You want us to take it for 10,000 credits," said Luke gently to the tough female Twi'lek that ran the underground spice run on Dantooine.

The woman stared at him. "We want you to take it for 10,000 credits," she said dumbly.

Luke grinned. "Excellent. We'll need some fuel, too."

"You'll need some fuel, too."

"Then it's settled," said Han, cutting in. "Thanks, Casyr. We owe ya one."

The Twi'lek shook her head as if exiting a trance. "No problem, Solo," she said. "But if I get word that you drop your cargo at the first sight of a Star Destroyer, I'll have your hide. I'll put the biggest bounty on your head"—she let the threat hang in the hair, glowering at him. "Go on," she said finally. She turned to a Mon Calamari at her left. "Get them what they need," she said, as if disgusted, and stomped out of the chamber.

Han glanced sidelong at Luke, who shrugged. "Come on, Broski," he said to the Mon Calamari with a winning grin. "You heard the pretty lady."

The alien looked suspiciously at Luke, who shrugged. "I have a way with women," said the short blond, grinning and raising his hands as if to claim innocence.

Broski snorted. "I don't know who you think you are."

"That makes two of us," said Luke with another winning smile. "Come on, Solo," he mocked. "Let's get back to the ship. We still have a hand of Sabaac to play."

"No! No way," Han protested firmly. "I don't trust you."

"Your loss, then," said Luke airily. "Must be losing your touch."

Han narrowed his eyes at the boy. "Fine. One more match."

Luke beamed. "Got any credits left?"

"Shaddup," Han grumbled as they followed the Mon Calamari to the hangar, where the Falcon was being recharged and loaded up with variously sized crates. "Hey, be careful!" she shouted as a droid accidentally crashed into the starboard hull of his ship. "It took me two standard weeks to attach that radar!"

"More like two hours, with me," said Luke with another grin. "You ready?"

"Yeah, yeah," Han mumbled. "C'mon," he said to Chewie, who walked onto the Falcon balancing two crates on his enormous arms. The wookiee let out an indignant roar.

"Hey, what's your name, handsome?"

Luke turned around to see another blue-skinned Twi'lek. "Who's asking?" he asked offhandedly.

The woman grinned. "Cautious. I like you, flyboy."

Luke crossed his arms. "You didn't answer."

"The names K'mara," said the female seductively. "Yours?"

"Luke," said the one in question. The Twi'lek leaned forward and rested her arms on his waist.

"Why don't you postpone your departure, Luke?" she whispered, sliding her hands across his waist. "I'd like to give you a tour…"

Luke's eyes narrowed and his hand flew to hers just as it closed around his lightsaber. "Don't even try," he said mildly.

K'mara grinned and back off. "Fine. You win. How much is it going for, anyway?"

"Family heirloom," said Luke distantly. He brought himself back to the present. "It isn't for sale."

"All right, all right," said K'mara. "Let me know if you change your mind."

"Will do," said Luke, just as a very annoyed looking Han appeared at the top of the ramp.

"You plannin' on comin', kid?"

"Yep," said Luke. He glanced once more at the Twi'lek. "Until next time, K'mara."

She smiled and backed away. Luke turned and strode back up into the ship, shaking his head. Every single smuggler that he had ever come across had asked about the lightsaber. The first time it had happened with a female had ended in his using the Force to call it back to him. The he had had to modify her memory, knowing that if word got out about a boy using the Force, the Empire would be on him like flies to a dead bantha.

Luke slid into his seat in the lounge. "All set, Han," he called out.

A few minutes later, they were in hyperspace. Luke sighed and went to his room. It was times like these, when he was reminded of his lightsaber's maker…

His father. Luke wondered what he was doing. He hadn't seen him once, except for holos, since his departure three years earlier. He had talked to him mentally once, when they had accidentally come across the Executor after exiting hyperspace and the mammoth ship had begun to fire on them. No one was more grateful for that particular connection of his than then. But still… Despite the company of Han and Chewie, Luke was lonely. He had grown so accustomed to his father's Force presence that he felt completely isolated. Remembering Obi-Wan's words, he knew that it was for the best, but it didn't stop him from missing his father, however unbelievable Han might find that sentiment.

Luke flopped on his bunk and sighed. Since his "escape" from the Executor, he had discreetly managed to do some research, and had found Obi-Wan to have died at his father's hands as well as every other Jedi that he had looked up. On a whim, he had checked his own status and had found the same situation as all the others.

It frustrated him to no end. Obi-Wan had said that he was supposed to be a Jedi—he had insinuated enough, certainly—but how was he supposed to become one if there weren't any left except for Anakin Skywalker, who wasn't quite himself at the moment?

Luke scowled. He had wondered the same thing for three years, and hadn't come any closer to an answer. With a sigh, he rolled over on his back and reached for the Force to meditate.

Darth Vader stepped inside the ship that was supposedly on a diplomatic mission with distaste. As usual, the Rebels had failed to think before their actions and had exposed themselves all too readily by opening fire upon Imperial stormtroopers. That would incriminate their leader, Senator Leia Organa, far too easily.

The one in question stepped up to Vader, unbridled disgust evident on her features. "Darth Vader. I should have known. Only you would be so bold," she spat, crossing her arms.

"What have you done with the plans to the Death Star, Princess Organa?" he asked, not caring to get into a dispute with the woman known for her fierce temper and stubbornness. She, unlike her late father, had refused to stand down under Imperial scrutiny. On one level, she impressed Vader, but on another, of course, she had proven to be a thorn in his side. She was one of the few Rebels who bothered to cover her tracks efficiently.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said angrily. "We're on a diplomatic mission"—

"Spare me your lies, Princess," said Vader, a touch of annoyance causing him to lift his hand to stop her. "I want those plans. Where are they?"

Suddenly two stormtroopers marched quickly into view. "My lord Vader, we have found two droids attempting to access an escape pod. What shall we do with them?"

Behind his mask, Vader could barely stop himself from smiling in satisfaction. "Excellent. She has hidden the plans in the droids. Bring them to my workroom aboard the Death Star when we arrive."

"They're just droids!" said Leia, her face suddenly pale. "Please, let me have them, I've owned them since childhood"—

"Your protests only incriminate your cause further, Organa," said Vader. He turned to a stormtrooper at his side. "Take her into a holding cell to await interrogation. She still has yet to reveal the Rebel base, though I am sure that she will do so."

"I hate you!" she cried out as her hands were viciously yanked forward and binders clasped on. "You're a monster!"

Vader was unfazed. "Make sure she is guarded at all times. I do not want her suddenly to escape."

"I hate you!" she repeated. "I thought once that you couldn't possibly be as bad as you seem, but that was before you murdered your own child!"

Vader froze and turned to her. Before he knew what he was doing, he had grabbed her around the throat. "Do not speak of matters that you do not understand, Princess," he said venomously.

She looked properly afraid. "Luke was too good to be sithspawn," she spat once she had recovered herself. "One day, I promise you'll get exactly what you deserve for killing him and my father!"

"Your petty promises are useless if you are dead, Princess," Vader said after a moment. He let her go. "Take her away."

Luke watched in horror as the superlaser beams came together and in one horrific split-second, shot out towards Alderaan. The planet exploded and Luke almost collasped at the waves in the Force that were caused by the billions of deaths. He sagged to his knees and felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, lending him the support he needed to stay upright.

The man at his right, smiling sickeningly. "Dantooine is far too remote for an effective base, Princess Leia. Take her to a holding cell to await execution."

Luke looked up to see his father standing behind him stoically. How could this be? How could he have just stood there and allowed billions to die? "I hate you," he whispered, though the words sounded as though they weren't his. Vader simply stood and watched.

A guard of stormtroopers marched towards him and led him away from the viewport. Luke felt a leaden pit of dread form in his stomach. His execution…

Luke opened his eyes with a start, sickened. What had the vision meant? Was it a vision of the future? Was the Empire with some sort of horrible weapon going to destroy that beautiful planet and all its occupants? Shakily, he got to his feet. And was Leia, the girl he had met but once, going to be executed? For what? Was she a rebel? He went towards the 'fresher, needing to relax. Not for the first time, he wished that the Falcon had water reserves like the Executor had before brushing away such a petty concern.

He hadn't had such a vision since that time on Bain, when he had—

Luke cut off his train of thought sharply. He did not need to recollect that particular memory. The fact remained—did his vision show the future? Was the Force trying to tell him that he needed to stop it from happening, that he couldn't allow Alderaan to be destroyed, or Leia killed?

Luke rubbed a hand through his overgrown hair. He needed to cut it, and soon. He shook his head, and then nearly jumped out of his skin as a voice told him, "You must save Leia, Luke."

He whirled around in the tiny space and saw the glowing, blue figure of Obi-Wan Kenobi looking at him and smiling benevolently. Luke's eyes widened. Was he going mad?

Obi-Wan chuckled slightly. "You're not crazy, Luke."

"What—What are you?" he managed at last, backing as far away from the strange ghostlike figure as he could in the small space.

"I am… what you would call a ghost," said Obi-Wan with another smile, which quickly turned to a frown. "Luke, you have spent the last three years doing nothing."

"That's not true!" Luke protested, getting over the fact that he was talking to a ghost in favor of indignation. "I've been trying to find a Jedi to teach me, but they're all dead!"

"They have been murdered," Obi-Wan corrected him, and Luke's eyes flashed. "You have spent the last three years using your Force abilities to wrench money from under people's noses. That is not honor, from the your father's perspective or from mine," he said firmly. "You are evading your destiny, and rejecting your legacy. You must become a Jedi."

"Rejecting my legacy?" Luke asked darkly. "What legacy is that? Following my father's footsteps to the Dark Side? Honestly, Obi-Wan, I'm not so sure I want to become a Jedi. The Empire seems to be doing okay for itself."

Obi-Wan was suddenly angry. "Luke, you've become selfish! This is not about you or your father, this is about the lives of quadrillions! Under Palpatine's rule, this Galaxy will self-destruct, or worse, become the embodiment for the Dark Side!"

Luke was subdued. "But I can't be a Jedi without a teacher," he said. "So what am I supposed to do?"

"That answer will come to you in time," said Obi-Wan prophetically.

Luke groaned. "That's what you said last time!"

"And I am still right. For now, you must save Leia."

"Save her? How? I don't even know where she is!" Luke said indignantly. "And plus, she's a Rebel! If my father finds out"—

"What is he going to do, Luke? He cannot have any interaction with you, or his master will know of his betrayal."

Luke perked up. "Speaking of that"—

"What is it?"

"My father isn't corrupted," said Luke proudly. "He saved my life. And Han's and Chewie's. If he was totally evil like you say, he wouldn't have done that. His master told him to kill me, and he refused."

Obi-Wan said nothing for a few moments. "Do not give in to hope that Anakin Skywalker will return, Luke. The grip of the Dark Side is impossible to let go of."

"You're such a hypocrite," Luke said angrily. "You told me that all we have is hope, that I must overcome the Dark Side! If it's supposedly impossible for my father, why is it possible for me?"

"Luke, your father… He has been consumed by the Darkness," said Obi-Wan gently. "The goodness that was in him has been destroyed."

"What about what's left, though?" Luke protested. "Why can't you just believe me? I know there is good in him!"

Obi-Wan sighed. "I can see that I will not convince you," he said finally. "You must save Leia, Luke, and soon, or it will be too late for her and for Alderaan."

A stab of guilt shot through Luke, and he looked down at his feet.

"Hey kid? Are you talking to yourself in there, or what?"

Luke looked up sharply and noted with some surprise that Obi-Wan had vanished. He frowned and opened the 'fresher door to see a puzzled-looking Han. He steeled himself. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he said, which was the truth. "But we have to talk."

Han followed him to the lounge, where Luke recounted much of his vision to Han. "So you want us to go to some giant battle station full of Imps and try and rescue a princess?" Han asked in disbelief when Luke finished.

Luke looked abashed. "Well… yeah."

"Over some crackpot vision? Luke, you know I don't believe in the Force," said Han doubtfully.

Luke's eyes flashed. "How can you not, when I've used it for three straight years to save our necks and make a profit?"

"All right, all right," Han conceded. "But still… Luke, you're seein' things. And you want us to go and risk our lives over some girl?"

"I have to. And it's for Alderaan, too, Han," Luke reminded him.

"Alderaan does have good wine."

Luke rolled his eyes and an idea hit him. "Listen, Han. If we rescue her, remember that she is a princess," he said slyly. "We'll be paid well."

Han looked up in surprise. "That's one angle I didn't think about," he admitted. He grinned. "I'll let Chewie know."

Vader stepped inside his workroom and froze. It couldn't be.

"Greetings! I am C-3PO, human/cyborg relations. If I can be of any service to you"—

"Threepio?" he asked weakly. How in the name of the Force had his childhood droid gotten into the hands of Leia Organa, of all people? He glanced down at a series of beeps and whistles from a blue astromech droid and his eyes widened. "R2-D2?"

The droid whistled the affirmative.

"Why, yes, I'm afraid that I don't quite remember you," said Threepio brightly. "I'm terribly sorry. You see, I have suffered one memory wipe. What is your serial number?"

Vader almost choked. The droid thought that he was a droid? The thought both infuriated and amused him. After all, he was mostly cybernetic.

"I am not a machine. Entirely," he added as an afterthought.

The protocol droid managed, somehow, to look heartily embarrassed. "Oh, sir, I'm terribly sorry! I had no idea! It is simply that I saw your faceplate and I assumed…"

"It's a mask," Vader explained. He wondered idly if he truly known what he was doing when he had wired those particular personality circuits. "Be quiet," he said finally, and the golden droid silenced itself immediately. "Which of you has the Death Star plans?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about," said Threepio. "After all I am only a protocol droid, and I'm meant only for translation"—He stopped to listen to a few beeps from Artoo. "If I may inquire, sir, what is your name?"

"Ana"—Vader began, before stopping himself in shock. What was wrong with him? That name was dead and gone, long buried! Had it just been the surprise of seeing Threepio again getting to him? He reached for the Dark Side reassuringly.

"Ana? That is an odd name for a man of your appearance, sir, not meaning to offend"—

"It's not," he said brusquely. "I am Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith."

"Oh my! Lord Vader!" said Threepio in surprise. "It is an honor"—

"I want to know where the Death Star plans are," he said firmly. They were most likely hidden in the astromech, considering that Threepio didn't have much of a databank and would likely blab it anyway. He turned to Artoo. "Artoo, I want you to power down."

The droid responded with a series of rude-sounding beeps, and Threepio gasped. "Artoo, that is not a polite way to talk! This is Lord Vader!"

"What did he say?" Vader asked.

"Oh, Lord Vader, I'm loathe to repeat it"—Threepio began nervously.

"Do so."

The protocol droid was clearly unhappy. "He said that he wouldn't listen to another metal can to tell him what to do unless it was his maker," said Threepio. "I do apologize, sir, he is such an impolite little thing"—

"I owned him at one time," Vader interrupted. "I command him to power down."

The little droid responded, and Threepio translated: "He says that he has no memory of ever serving you, Lord Vader."

Vader groaned mentally. Would he have to tell the droids the truth in order to find out? Suddenly, he could have kicked himself. He could do it manually, for the Force's sake. He turned to the astromech and used the Force to lift it to his table ("Oh my!" said Threepio) and to power it down. He reached for the correct tool on his table and began to work.

"So, where is this battle station thing?" Han asked once Luke joined him in the cockpit. E turned to him. "You positive that we're gonna get paid for this hero mission?"

"It's not a hero mission," Luke said firmly.

"What do ya call it then? We're going to a battle station full of stormtroopers to try and rescue a Rebel hostage. I call that a hero mission," said Han dryly as he reached over to monitor their position in hyperspace. "Alderaan, right?"

"Yeah," said Luke. "When will we get there?"

"Two days," said Han. "Go back and pray to the Force or whatever. We're gonna need whatever help it can give us."

Luke rolled his eyes. "I'll be back," he said finally as he returned to his bunk.

Leia stiffened as Darth Vader stepped inside her cell. "You," she said tightly.

"Yes," said Vader, moving to stand in front of her with his hands behind his back. "I have some questions for you, Princess."

"I am a Galactic Senator," Leia began angrily. "The Senate will not stand for this!"

"The Senate will be dissolved in a matter of days," said Vader coldly. "I suggest you answer my questions if you want to live."

"I will not," Leia said, turning away her head.

"I will have answers, one way or another. Do not make this unpleasant," said Vader dangerously.

"Unpleasant? Unpleasant like you killed your son?" Leia spat.

"I reiterate that your information on that subject is highly erroneous," said Vader calmly.

"I hate you," she said darkly. "And I will not bend."

"Very well." Vader turned to the side. "Employ process 2," he said to the spherical droid that hovered into view. "She wishes to make this an experience that she will not forget. We will do that."

Luke was standing over Hans' shoulders a day later when he suddenly buckled, hearing the screams of billions echo throughout his head. Alderaan! He fell to his knees, fighting the urge to throw up. Chewie asked what the problem was and he responded with a moan.

Were they too late? Had whatever monstrosity the Empire had created destroyed Alderaan? Slowly his vision cleared and he felt himself being carried into the lounge and sat down. "Luke, what's wrong?" Han asked, bewildered. He handed him a ration bar that Luke took a bite of an grimaced.

"Alderaan," he managed finally, sickened still by the enormous ripples in the Force that was the destruction of the planet. "Has been destroyed."

"What!" Han exclaimed. "What are you talking about? Nothing can destroy an entire planet!"

Luke took several deep breaths to try and calm himself. What, indeed, could have done that? What battle station could do something so horrible? "Where are we?" he asked finally.

"We'll be there soon enough," said Han, pale. "Are you sure? How could you know, anyway?
"The Force," said Luke tightly as he ran a hand through sweaty hair. "And yes, I'm sure. You remember my dream? I saw it as though I was Leia."

"Leia? The Princess?" Han asked dubiously. "Princesses are finicky, Luke. I think we should go on to our drop-off point…"

"No," said Luke, feeling compelled. "We have to save her."

Han furrowed his brow. "Personally, I say the loss of the wine is worse than her."

"Shut up, Solo," said Luke wearily. "I'm going to try and ask my father if he knows what happened."

Han paled. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?"

Han bit his lip. "What if he gave the order, kid?"

Luke stared at his friend for a minute that seemed like eternity. "No," he said finally. "He couldn't have. He wouldn't."

"Vader's done some pretty bad stuff, Luke," said Han gently. "I wouldn't be surprised if he had… you know…"

"No!" Luke shouted, fear clawing at his heart. Was Obi-Wan right? Could his father be so evil that he wouldn't even think twice about killing billions of innocent people? He felt another rush of nausea through his stomach. "He can't have. He wouldn't have."

"I don't think you should ask," said Han firmly. "You told me that he wants you to contact him only in emergencies, right?"

Luke nodded silently.

"Well, we're not in any danger yet," said Han. "Hold off, okay?"

Finally, Luke nodded.

Several hours later, they exited hyperspace (against Han's will) and saw, as they had expected, nothing where Alderaan should have been. Luke swallowed. "Where is the battle station?"

Han shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe it went on to another system."

"It doesn't make sense," said Luke as he examined the area through the viewports. He pointed towards Alderaan's moon. "Shouldn't the blast have destroyed that?"

"I dunno. Let's go check it out," said Han, switching on some controls and maneuvering the freighter to head towards the moon. Suddenly, Luke froze.

"Han, that isn't a moon," he said tightly.

"What are you talking about?" Han asked, looking up at his friend. "Are you sure you're okay? You've been acting weird."

Luke tried to swallow despite a suddenly dry mouth. He pointed a shaking hand towards the massive structure. "That is the battle station."

It had taken considerable willpower to stay on his feet after Tarkin gave the order. Vader, for once, was glad for his mechanical legs—they held him up as billions of sentient beings were decimated. He tightened his grip on Leia's shoulder, feeling her sorrow. Tarkin—Tarkin was an animal. He had given the order simply to exhibit this monstrous toy's firepower, and had not even done so on a dangerous planet. Alderaan, like Naboo, was pacifistic.

"Ready her execution," said Tarkin, turning to Vader. "Take her away."

Not for the first time, Vader found himself struggling not to Force-choke the pompous man. Who was he to give orders to Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, apprentice to Darth Sidious? Nodding stiffly, he steered the shell-shocked girl out of the viewport and handed her off to three stormtroopers just as a familiar presence prickled on his subconscious and rooted him to the spot.

Luke? He called out in complete surprise. What was his son doing here, of all places? Had he come in response to Alderaan's destruction?

Father, Luke said shortly, and Vader detected a note of uncertainty in between the maturity that he felt in his son. His boy had grown much older than the last time that they had spoken. HE turned and followed the stormtroopers down the corridor.

What are you doing here, my son?

Father, tell me you didn't give the order to destroy Alderaan. Luke sounded desperate. Vader was surprised. Surely his son knew him better than that?

Of course not. A man named General Tarkin, my temporary superior, gave it.

Your superior

The note of complete surprise in his son's tone amused him. Yes. Why are you here?

He sensed hesitation before his son replied. I can't tell you.

I see. You should not be here. If you are taken into custody—Vader broke off as he heard the cry of a sergeant back in the viewport.

"General Tarkin, sir, a Corellian freighter approaching at high velocity! What should we do, sir?"

Vader's heart sunk. "No clearance was given to our systems," said Tarkin. "Pull it in with a Tractor Beam."

He stepped inside. "I will handle this," he said firmly.

The general looked at him. "Of course, if you would like, Vader," he said unconcernedly. "But do make sure that the girl is executed, won't you?"

Vader clenched his fists. This man thought that he was allowed to address him improperly? Why had his master given this man so much authority? Probably because the man's ruthlessness reminded him of himself, a smaller voice replied in his head. "I will."

"Excellent. Go on, then. I'm busy here," Tarkin said.

The lack of respect infuriated him. Vader lifted a hand—it would be so easy just to snap his neck—a quick flick of his finger—

He stopped himself. Luke was aboard that freighter. He whipped around and strode down the hallway, speeding up as he felt Tarkin's pride and sense of superiority over Darth Vader, heir to the throne. That man would die, and Vader would make sure that he did so gruesomely.