Chapter 5
Today was the day.
Vader was certain of it. All the time and effort he had put into training his son was finally going to pay off, in the form of a social engagement that didn't result in an embarrassing fiasco of Skywalker proportions. This time, there were no hidden secrets and no malicious rumors. Nothing which might be lurking below the surface, ticking like a timebomb. Luke was going to do it this time. He had absolute faith in his son.
Although, he did wish he would get out of bed earlier. It was nearing ten, and still there were no signs of life from his son's bedroom. He'd finally decided it was time to go and apply some of his infamous motivational skills, when Luke saved himself the privilege, by emerging from the depths with a grin on his face and energy to spare.
His smile only grew wider when he saw his father, waiting nearby.
"'Morning, your lordship," he said, with a mock salute.
Vader had been about to remind his son of their imminent departure, but the words died in his mouth. Luke made to walk on, seemingly off in his own fantasy world, but Vader reached out with the Force to stop him.
"Would you care to repeat that?!" he demanded.
"You told me to address you with more respect," Luke said, with a touch of innocent indignation.
"That is not respect," Vader said, pointing at his son. "That is mockery, and you know it. And why are you in such a good mood?"
Luke shrugged. "Do I need a reason for being in a good mood?"
"In my presence, you do."
"I just woke up this way. Besides, we're going into space."
"We won't be if you are not ready to depart in one hour."
"I'll be ready, believe me."
Vader glanced down at Luke's bright orange pajamas, covered with silver polka-dots. They were truly an eye-sore, by anyone's taste.
"And no, I'm not planning to wear these," Luke said, dodging past. "I was just going to get some breakfast. Give me an hour, and I'll be back in black. Your favorite color!"
"And with a more mature attitude, I hope," Vader said, annoyed.
"Yes, sir!" Luke quickly disappeared into the elevator, wisely avoiding his father's masked glare.
Luke was more than ready to leave half an hour before their scheduled departure time and found himself pacing outside his father's private chamber, waiting for him to emerge.
Come on, he thought, what's taking so long? It's not like you have to decide what to wear!
He glanced at his wrist-chrono impatiently, and watched the seconds pass by until his father finally appeared.
"I'm ready," Luke said. "I've been ready for the past ten minutes!"
"What is the hurry?" his father asked, as Luke jogged along beside him.
"Are you kidding? We're heading for the stars! Can I please have a turn at piloting?"
"No," his father said, with a 'no arguments' finality. He stepped into the elevator, and Luke joined him.
"Why not?!"
"Because you are an over-excited child," his father said, pressing the button for the ship hangar. "This is an important flight, not a joyride."
"Who's over-excited?" Luke said, resting his weight on alternating feet. "And I'm a teenager, not a child."
"Are you even aware of the importance of our mission today?"
Luke nodded. "We're visiting some Abyssian ship."
"We are attending the treaty signing to finalize the entry of Abyssia into the Empire. The success of future military projects depends on this."
"But it is on a ship, isn't it?" Luke said. "I got that part right."
"It is taking place on board the luxury cruiser owned by the Abyssian royal family," his father confirmed.
The elevator doors slid open in front of them, and Luke jumped forward eagerly. Unfortunately, his father moved to exit at the exact same moment, meaning both of them were momentarily stuck in the elevator doorway.
"Luke!"
"Sorry," Luke said, finally managing to squeeze ahead. "So ... this treaty signing ... it's only going to take five minutes, right?"
"Five minutes?"
"Well, all a treaty signing takes is a few people holding lightpens, writing their names on a datapad," Luke said. "Maybe ten minutes, if people really take their time about it."
"When we arrive, we will be introduced to the Abyssian royal family. Our intelligence suggests they are finally going to allow the prince and princess to attend. I believe they are of an age with you, so you will have an important diplomatic role to play."
"I've never met royals before," Luke said, fidgeting with his sleeve.
"It is much like meeting anyone else, except you address them as 'your highness'."
"Like the Emperor?"
"Yes."
"Even the younger ones?"
"When you first meet them, yes," his father said. "But after that, it is not expected."
Luke nodded, wondering how he was ever going to remember these things.
"After the treaty is signed, we will proceed to the post treaty-signing celebration. We will not stay long—I have other business to attend to at IMH, so it is likely we will leave before the party has ended."
"That's one good thing, at least."
It wasn't until they were on board the shuttle and Luke was strapped into the co-pilot's seat, that a new worry occurred to Luke.
"Is Admiral Reallis going to be there?" he said quietly, as his father went through the pre-flight warm up.
"Yes. The Guardian is providing extra security for the event. We will dock with the Star Destroyer and then proceed with the Admiral to the Abyssian cruiser."
"And … his daughter?"
"I doubt very much he will have invited his daughter."
Luke cringed. He was going to have to find an opportunity to apologise, no matter how embarrassing it would be. He felt all his earlier excitement begin to drain as they accelerated into the Coruscant skies.
The Abyssian cruiser was located at the outer edge of the Coruscant system, surrounded by a small fleet of Star Destroyers. Luke had a good view of it as his father flew under the Star Destroyer. It was built in a smooth, rounded T-shape, with the docking bay located on the front of the bow. As they drew closer, Luke could see circular protrusions lining the surface at regular intervals.
His attention soon turned to the Star Destroyer. As they came into land, Luke could already seen lines of stormtroopers filing into the hangar.
"What are those troopers doing?" Luke asked, as his father started the shut down sequence.
"They are there to welcome you to the Guardian."
"Me?!" It took Luke a moment to catch on. "Oh, ha ha. Can I stay on board? Are we taking this ship over to the Abyssian cruiser?"
"No, we are taking that ship," his father said, gesturing to a larger shuttle parked nearby. "Come on."
Luke hovered behind his father, taking his time leaving the shuttle. Admiral Reallis was waiting at the bottom, and Luke felt too embarrassed to even look at him. But there was another officer with him, and Luke recognized the woman who had presented on Abyssia at the meeting with the Emperor. Commander Darnell. She smiled at him and fell into step, as his father and the admiral walked on ahead.
"Hello. I'm glad you could make it today. You've heard the prince and princess are here?"
Luke nodded. "I guess they came around, then."
"Yes, they did. Thanks to you and the other young people who have assisted with our diplomatic efforts. You've done very well."
They had reached the end of the line of stormtroopers now, and the admiral was far enough ahead that Luke felt free enough to speak his mind.
"You can't have been there last night," Luke mumbled, looking at the floor. "I'm pretty sure all the Abyssians think I'm crazy now."
"I was there," she said gently. "Mistakes happen. In fact, the only comments I heard from our new friends were remarks about how easy it is to accidentally spill one's drink."
Luke rubbed his head. "Does the admiral think I'm unstable?"
She smiled. "The admiral is a fair man. I've never known him to be quick to pass judgement on anyone."
That made him feel a little better. Shortly afterwards, when they were on their way over to the Abyssian ship, an opportunity arose to deliver the needed apology. His father left him alone in the passenger lounge to give the pilots the security code, and the Admiral was standing apart from the main group, studying the Abyssian ship out the viewports.
Luke took a deep breath, steeled himself, and then walked over and placed himself beside him. The Admiral glanced down at him, appearing surprised.
"Admiral Reallis, I'm sorry about what happened between me and your daughter last night. There was no excuse for losing my temper like that. Please tell her I'm sorry."
He gave a small nod, but didn't say anything immediately. Luke felt even more embarrassed, wondering if he'd have preferred it if he'd said nothing at all. But then he pointed at the ship.
"See all those protrusions?"
"Uh … yes, I saw them as we flew in," Luke said. "They look strange. What are they?"
"Escape pods. They are very cautious ship designers."
"And cautious when it comes to treaty terms," Commander Darnell said, from across the room. "I hope they don't wish to make changes at the last minute and delay the signing."
"It is of no consequence," his father said, returning from the cockpit. "Their planet and its resources are already ours. This treaty is merely a legal formality to pacify the Senate."
"Do you anticipate any resistance?" the commander asked.
His father was silent for a moment. Their shuttle had passed through the hangar bay doors, and was currently undergoing the landing procedures.
"I do not sense any overt hostility," he said, eventually, "and no intent of attack. If they intended to resist, it makes no tactical sense to do so on a civilian ship so close to the Imperial capital."
"If they should, my fleet is ready at a moment's notice," Admiral Reallis said, turning away from the viewpoint. "Troops are waiting to board and take this ship by force, if need be."
"Good."
Luke looked between the adults in surprise. This conversation made it sound as if the Abyssians had no desire to join the Empire, and they were essentially being forced to sign a treaty. It was quite a different image from the one the vast, lavish parties had given him. Perhaps that was the idea.
There was a slight bump as the ship came in to land, and Luke moved over to his father as the other passengers lined up beside the boarding ramp.
"Stay close beside me," his father said to him, placing a hand on his shoulder to move him forward. "You and I will be introduced to the Abyssians by Commander Darnell. Follow my lead."
Luke nodded, feeling his throat grow tight. He hoped he wouldn't have to speak—his voice would likely come out as a squeak if he tried to speak now.
It took quite a while for everyone to get in order. The stormtrooper guards were the first to depart, then the diplomats, followed by the admiral. Finally, his father moved to exit the shuttle, and Luke trailed close behind. He immediately felt self-conscious at the sight of the gathered crowd, and he tried to edge his way to a place where he wouldn't be seen. His father would have none of that, however, and kept a hand on him, to ensure he remained close.
The Imperial diplomats, and their counterpart Abyssians, began several long greeting speeches, and Luke took the time to take a glance at the royals. They were easy to spot. The queen was wearing an elaborate, sparkling gown, and a headdress, while the king was dressed in deep blue robes that complemented his feathery mane. The prince and princess stood nearby, looking as regal as their parents.
Luke swallowed, hoping he wouldn't have to say more than a couple of words to them. At first glance, it appeared he would have even less in common with them than he did with Ophelia.
Once the speeches were finished, the king and queen stepped forward, and were introduced to his father. His father then gestured to him.
"This is my son, Luke Skywalker."
"An honor to meet you," the king said, offering his hand.
Luke swallowed, then accepted it. "Thank you, your highness," he said, shakily. He was sure his hand must feel like the 'dead fish' handshake his father had warned him against.
The queen smiled at him, in a motherly kind of way. "Perhaps my son and daughter could interest your son in a tour of the ship," she said. "All this diplomacy must be tiresome for the youth."
Luke brightened at the queen's words, and looked eagerly towards his father.
"That is acceptable," he said, giving Luke a slight push towards the waiting prince and princess. Luke stepped forward. As formal and regal as his hosts looked, Luke knew an hour with them touring the ship would be far more interesting than an hour spent at his father's side, keeping still. Even if they didn't have anything in common.
His father and the other adults departed for the main exit to the hangar bay, while the prince and princess led him towards the elevators. Once they were out of earshot of the adults, the princess looked back at him.
"Your name is Luke, right? I'm not sure if I heard correctly."
"That's right," Luke said. "And you are ...?"
"Lilly," she answered, "and that's my brother, Viani."
"Hi," Viani said, pressing the elevator button.
Luke breathed a sigh of relief. First names ... informality ... this was looking better by the moment.
"I bet you're glad to get away from the adults," Lilly said, stepping back to allow him to enter the lift first.
"Are you kidding?" Luke said. "I thought I was going to have to listen to all that political talk for an hour."
"So did we," Viani said. "But we managed to talk our way out of it, when we heard you were coming. Bridge first, is that okay?"
"Whatever you say," Luke said. "I've never been on a ship like this before."
Lilly leaned back against the wall of the elevator, and then tugged at her collar. "I wish we could take these off," she said. "It's so tight."
"I know what you mean," Luke said. "I'm more comfortable in a pair of mechanics coveralls."
"Yes, but try wearing that to a formal occasion and the adults get all uptight," Lilly sighed.
"I know," Luke said, nodding in agreement.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing a busy control center. Luke was just wondering if they were really allowed on the bridge, when the officer standing at the nearest station gave Viani a salute. "Your highness."
Viani returned it, and then gestured at Luke. "This is one of our Imperial guests."
Luke hesitated, slightly taken aback. He'd never been called an Imperial before. Strange, how people like Abi Reallis saw him as outside the circle, where as this prince saw him as very much a part of its boundaries.
The officers all turned around to stare at him, and Luke had the strange feeling of being the only human in the room. But they smiled and said hello, and stood aside to let him see all the various control panels. Viani paused beside a station with two officers, on the right side of the navigation display.
"This is weapons control. It may look like a pleasure cruiser, but it's got bite where it counts."
"How much bite?" Luke asked, looking over the display.
"Enough."
"Enough to fight a Star Destroyer?" Luke asked.
Three of the officers turned to look at him, and Viani gave him a bemused look. "Why? Is one going to attack us?"
"No!" Luke raised his hands, feeling the sting of embarrassment. "I just …" He took a deep breath. "It's just something we like to talk about at school. Which ship would win in a fight … I swear I didn't mean anything by it."
Viani shared an amused look with his sister, who then came to Luke's rescue.
"What would you like to see next, Luke? The torpedo tubes? The blaster arrays?"
Luke smiled, seeing the joke. "How about somewhere fun?"
"Will do," Lilly said, leading the way to the elevator.
Over the next hour, Luke saw many sights which made him gasp in wonder. First there was the conservatory, complete with an artificial waterfall. Then a concert theatre, capable of seating a thousand. The tour continued with the art gallery and the aquarium. Wandering the carpeted hallways, it was easy to forget you were on a starship at all.
"I guess this is all fairly standard for you," Viani said, as they entered yet another entertainment room.
"Oh, not at all," Luke said.
"Where do you live?" Lilly asked.
"At the Imperial Palace," Luke said. "But the part I stay in isn't like this."
Luke glanced around at the new room they had entered and realized it was a gymnasium. Exercise equipment lined the floor, and soothing music played in the background. As Luke's eyes swept around the room, he spied something which made his heart leap.
"Is that a beep ball table?" Luke asked, pointing.
"Yes, it was a gift from the Imperial diplomats a few months ago," Viani said, picking up one of the bats. "They saw we had a similar game on Abyssia and wanted to share this. Do you want a game?"
Luke was already walking over. "I have to play with droids at home," he explained. "No brothers or sisters to play with, see."
"We have time for maybe one or two games," Lilly said. "We were supposed to go and join the party soon."
"I'll take whatever we can squeeze in," Luke said, picking up a bat.
"I'm up first," Viani said, assuming a position opposite Luke.
Luke returned his serve and quickly fell into the rhythm of the game. Viani was a good player, but Luke could tell early on that he wouldn't offer a challenge. Therefore, it was a relaxed game, and Luke found he didn't need to move very much to return Viani's volleys. Fairly soon, the score-keeping terminal played a victory tune, indicating Luke had won the set.
"Ha! My turn!" Lilly said, diving to get the bat from her brother.
"I'm going to get some water," Viani said. "I'll warn you, Luke—Lilly is much better than me."
"It was a good game," Luke said. "You're much better than my droid, that's for sure."
Viani grinned at him as he left, and Luke breathed out in relief. He seemed to have forgotten about his comment about the weapons on the bridge.
"So who is older?" Luke asked, serving the ball to Lilly.
"He is, but only by a year," she said, twisting to return the ball. "I'm more mature though."
Luke smiled. He'd never realized a princess could be so warm and friendly. She had a natural inner confidence that showed itself in every graceful move she made. It reminded Luke of his father's theorizing, about the connection between inner confidence and posture. Whatever that elusive sense of self-worth was, Lilly certainly had it.
Luke sighed as the ball went sailing past his face, and he ran to retrieve it.
"And you seemed so focused when you were playing Viani," Lilly said. "Is something distracting you?"
"Not at all," Luke said with a grin. This time, he was going to concentrate fully, and hope to the stars that Lilly's inner confidence wouldn't prove his downfall in this game. Otherwise, he hoped it was catching.
The treaty signing took place with no complications, and then the Imperial entourage was invited to the main ballroom, to try some of the finest selections of Abyssian champagne. Vader was content to observe the celebration from the upper level, being unable to try the food and drink himself.
The young prince and princess returned shortly after, with Luke close behind. His face was slightly red, and they were all smiling, so it appeared the tour had been a success. They all immediately went to the buffet, but Luke looked around until he spotted him.
Did you have a good time? Vader sent. The food was being served on the lower floor, over the other side of the room, so there was a fair distance between them.
It took Luke a moment, but soon he managed to concentrate enough to reply. Yes. This ship is amazing. I saw a swimming pool, and a zoo, and a museum and ... Luke faltered in his transmission of the thought, and it trailed off into a vague feeling of satisfaction.
We will leave soon. You may finish eating and then come and find me.
Vader sensed the queen approaching and steeled himself in anticipation of small talk. The queen was vaguely disturbing to him, bringing back memories he didn't know he still carried. Not that she looked anything like her, of course, but that regal air seemed a galactic constant among queens.
"I see our children are skipping the main and going straight to the dessert," she said, gesturing to the far corner of the lower floor.
Vader noticed Luke cutting himself an excessively large slab of cake, and was tempted to send him an admonishment, but he decided to let it go. Luke could do with some more physical substance.
"As long as it is not the champagne," he said.
The queen laughed. "Yes, we have had to speak with our children about that. They think it makes them look older, of course. I don't mind them having a sip or two at a family gathering, but definitely not in public. The tabloids would twist it into a headline."
"Luke has thus far expressed no interest," Vader said. "For which I am grateful."
"There are no small blessings, in the realm of parenthood," the queen said.
Vader couldn't help but wonder at how true that was. He continued to watch Luke for a moment, before being distracted by the arrival of a group of brightly uniformed men and women, through the main doors of the ballroom.
"The royal aerial dancers," the queen explained. "They have been invited to perform at this event, later on this afternoon."
"I regret I will have to miss it," Vader said, turning to the queen. "I must return to the capital. The other members of our entourage will stay, however."
"I am sorry to hear it," the queen said. "Your presence has been a great honor."
Vader was about to reply, when he felt someone tugging wildly at his cape. He turned in surprise, only to find Luke had appeared beside him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I ... I need to ask you something!" Luke insisted.
Vader studied him for a moment, wondering what request would make his son look at him so pleadingly. Perhaps the great champagne question had finally arrived.
He excused himself to the queen, and then led Luke away, out of earshot.
"I know this is a big ask," Luke said, on the way. "But please say yes!"
"First," Vader said, pointing at his son. "When you want my attention, say 'excuse me'. Do not tug on my clothing like a toddler."
"Oh," Luke said. "Okay. This ... this hasn't canceled this out, has it? I'm still passing so far, right?"
Vader considered it. He was gradually coming to the conclusion that he was never going to get social perfection from this son, and he would have to overlook a few minor mistakes, if they were ever going to be free of these torturous trials.
"Apart from that, you are doing well," he said. "Now, what is it you wanted to ask?"
"You know how you said we had to leave soon?" Luke said.
"Yes."
"Would it be all right if I stayed a bit longer? I could come back to Coruscant with Commander Darnell."
"Why would you want to stay?"
"The prince and princess asked me to."
"I do not think that would be a good idea. Commander Darnell and the other diplomats have a job to do—she cannot be responsible for your supervision."
"I don't need supervising!" Luke insisted. "I'm almost fourteen! Besides, I wanted to see more of the ship."
"You have already been for a tour of the ship, Son. You will have to give me a better excuse than that. Preferably, the truth."
Luke turned slightly red and looked aside. His behavior made Vader even more curious. There was clearly something more to Luke's request, which he was reluctant to divulge.
"You're going to laugh at me," his son mumbled, eventually.
"When have I ever done that?"
"You know what I mean. All right—it's the princess."
Vader was still confused for a moment, before everything became clear. He should have known.
"I thought girls were, and I quote, 'a strange alien species'," he said, not without amusement.
Luke shrugged, looking away. "She plays a mean game of beep-ball, for one thing."
"Truly an admirable asset."
"Okay, here's where you laugh," Luke said, looking at the floor. "We were playing earlier and ... she totally creamed me. Yes, I was beaten at beep ball by a princess."
Vader looked aside at the words, knowing that in another lifetime, he would indeed be laughing right now. Not at the fact, but at his son's attitude towards this. His naive, young offspring clearly had a lot to learn about royalty.
"But here's the good news," Luke said, looking up. "She's offered me a re-match. I can take her this time, I know I can. You have to give me the chance. Pleeeeeease?"
Vader released a weary breath at Luke's tone and knew he was more than likely going to give in. Somewhere, in the depths of his mind, he knew he would never have let a princess beat him at any game of skill when he was Luke's age. The part of him that still remembered that foolish young man wanted to say yes to Luke. However, the seasoned, mature parent part of him was clearly saying no.
"How long will this game take?" he asked, eventually.
"I don't know," Luke said. "If it's close, it might go on for an hour. Besides, they have to stay at the party for at least another half-hour—their father said so—so we can't play until then."
"I don't like this," Vader said, pointing at his son. "But if this is that important to you, then you may stay."
Luke instantly brightened and made to run off, but Vader held him steady.
"When you have finished this game, you will immediately proceed to the docking bay, and the shuttle pilot will take you back to Coruscant."
"Okay," Luke said. "I'll see you later on this evening, then."
"I expect you to be on your best behavior," Vader continued. "How you behave will reflect on the Empire. Do not give them any reason to regret inviting you to stay."
"Of course not!" Luke said.
"If you see or hear anything which makes you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable, you must promise me you will get on that shuttle and leave immediately, regardless of whether you have finished this game."
"Sure."
"Leave your comlink on," Vader said. "I may check in on you."
"I will," Luke said. "Stop worrying—these are nice people!"
Vader released his grip on Luke, somewhat reluctantly. He knew he had to let his son do things on his own from time to time, but it was difficult. Parenting was a constant struggle between letting go and holding on. He had chosen to let go now, but was this a time he should be holding on?
"I'll be fine," Luke insisted, with a grin. "See you later."
"Goodbye, Son."
Luke ran back down the grand staircase to join his new friends, leaving Vader staring after him. He shifted towards the railing, so he could continue to watch him. He really should think about leaving soon, but a few more minutes couldn't hurt.
"You have a wonderful relationship with your son, Lord Vader."
Vader looked up, to find the queen was still there. She was smiling behind her glass.
I wish that were so, Vader thought. He didn't speak the thought out loud, though. Their relationship was nobody's business but their own, after all.
Although, he couldn't help but wonder how a relationship which had been in serious danger of falling apart yesterday could now appear so solid to an outsider. Perhaps he was doing the right thing, after all. Occasionally, at least.
"I must depart," he said, finally.
Luke couldn't help but feel excited when he felt his father's presence leave the ship. It felt good to be released from his constant appraisal at one of these parties. Made him feel ... older, somehow. He was here of his own accord now, not simply as his father's son.
"Hey, Luke," Viani said, pointing at the dessert table. "Dare you to eat that last slice of triple layer crystal cake."
Luke moaned, holding his stomach.
Viani laughed.
"I didn't say I wouldn't do it!" Luke said, moving towards the table. "I'll halve it with you."
"Sure," Viani said, handing him a knife.
Lilly returned from topping her glass, in time to see the last crumbs of the cake disappear from Luke's plate.
"You didn't eat another slice, did you?"
Luke could only nod.
"You're never going to win at beep ball with all that cake inside you," Lilly said.
"That's the idea, Lilly," Viani said. "I'm helping you out here. Luke, dare you to eat another blumfruit."
"I've had enough of your dares," Luke said. "Where's the refresher?"
Lilly offered to show him, and then led him through the crowd toward the far door.
"It's been half an hour," she said, pointing the way to the end of the corridor. "Last on your right. When you come back, we'll go and play."
"Looking forward to winning," Luke said, with a grin.
"So am I," she said, returning his smile.
Luke walked on, and found the right door. Upon entering, he paused for a few seconds to gaze around in wonder. A refresher? This was more like another ballroom.
After using the facilities, he approached the basin nervously. It was all so clean, the thought of washing his cake-stained hands in there seemed wrong somehow. Still, that's what it was meant for.
On his way out, someone entered the door just as he stepped in front of it, and they collided. It was an Abyssian.
"Sorry," the man said, holding the door open for Luke. He was dressed in robes similar in design to those of the king, but less elaborate. "Are you all right?"
"Sure," Luke said. "It was nothing." He quickly walked on, and the door closed behind him. Once back in the corridor, he paused for a moment, and glanced back towards the refresher door. Are you all right? That tone, that voice ... it was familiar, somehow. But where had he heard it? A holovid show? An overheard conversation?
An image surfaced in his mind ... a cloaked figure, an outstretched hand ... are you all right?
The Emperor's meeting! That's where he heard that voice before!
His father had said the man was an ISB agent who had infiltrated the Abyssian royal family. Looking back, he should have realized this meant he must be Abyssian himself. The idea that the Imperial Security Bureau had actually recruited an Abyssian to work for them, and help them take control of the planet, made him feel even more uncomfortable than the discussion about this planet in the shuttle.
He blinked a few times and focused on Lilly, who was walking towards him.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," she said.
"Maybe I did," Luke said. "This ship isn't haunted, is it?"
"Only by my brother. Why, what happened?"
Luke looked down. Now that he'd actually met the Abyssian royal family, the idea of someone working for them while really reporting back to ISB made him feel even worse. But there was nothing to be done about it.
More words resurfaced in this mind—this time, words his father had spoken before he left.
If you see or hear anything which makes you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable, you must promise me you will get on that shuttle and leave immediately.
This doesn't count, Luke told the memory. This is the way your government operates that's making me uncomfortable.
Besides, the game would be over soon, and he'd be leaving anyway. He couldn't afford to be distracted this time, so it was best just to put it out of his mind.
Vader was feeling somewhat melancholy as he flew back into Coruscant's atmosphere. His emotions were troubling him. If he was feeling vaguely disturbed at the notion of leaving his son on board the Abyssian ship for an hour, how was he going to cope when Luke eventually became an adult and went off on dangerous missions on his own? Being a Sith Lord did not have a long life expectancy, despite a few notable examples.
Was this something every parent went through, or was he simply over-protective and overly anxious? Was he no better than the paranoid Abyssians who wouldn't let their young people out in public with strangers?
Considering the fate of other members of his family, he supposed he had a right to be. But that didn't make the feelings any easier to cope with.
When he eventually left the ship, he found Commander Darnell's assistant waiting to greet him. This lieutenant had been with her earlier, but had left shortly before his own departure.
"My lord, we are ready for final approval on the first stage of the Abyssian project," she said. "Governor Halifax has signed off this morning."
"Very well."
Vader began to walk towards the main command centre, but abruptly, he turned back.
"Contact Commander Darnell and tell her to arrange for my son to be returned to Coruscant immediately."
The lieutenant's surprise was clear in the Force, but it didn't show on her face.
"At once, my lord."
Luke would be upset, but he would recover. His son may be ready for this level of independence, but it was clear his father needed more time.
"So do you like being a princess?" Luke asked, as he served the ball to Lilly.
"No." She returned the ball with a spin, but Luke saw it coming, and moved to compensate.
"Why not?"
"Do you like being part of the Imperial leadership?"
The ball bounced back and forth a few times, until it hit the wall on Lilly's side. Luke grinned as his score increased.
"I'm not part of it really," he said. "But I don't like the attention. Everyone expects you to be perfect."
"That's why I don't like being a princess. My parents are so protective, too. You know they didn't even want us to see any of the Imperials."
Luke grinned. "I heard. Hopefully I'm not too strange."
"Not at all," Lilly said. "I think you humans are kind of cute actually."
Luke was so distracted by Lilly's remark, the ball flew straight under his arm, causing her to smirk. The score was even again.
She didn't mean that personally, Luke told himself. She's just talking about humans in general. They're not even allowed to have relationships outside their species.
He was really going to have to learn to concentrate or this game would end tragically. It was his serve now, and Lilly returned it easily. Then Luke returned it with a spin. Lilly stepped sideways, anticipating its crooked bounce. She clearly didn't expect it to bounce off to the left, however, because it sailed right past her and bounced into the side wall.
"What the? How did you do that!?"
Luke grinned. "Reverse-spin. I busted my droid's arm with that move last week."
"Show me again."
"Maybe after," Luke said, grinning as he took the lead. He waited patiently for Lilly to retrieve the ball, trying to think of any other ways he could impress the princess. Maybe he could try hitting it so it just bounced on the corner of the table, without room to spare. It would take a lot of concentration and—
Luke blinked in surprise as the ball suddenly went sailing right past him.
"Hey! I wasn't ready!"
Luke shook his head in disbelief as he ran to retrieve it. The ball continued to skid and bounce until it came to rest against the doors. As he bent down to pick it up, a strange feeling settled in his gut. Similar to how he felt when thinking about that Abyssian ISB agent. Except this was stronger. It almost felt like ... danger!
Luke turned, abandoning the ball. "Lilly!" he shouted, in warning.
Behind him, the doors slid open with a loud hiss. Lilly dived under the table, leaving him in no doubt that their visitors weren't friendly. He turned to find two armed Abyssians, wearing black helmets which partially covered their faces.
They wasted no time with words, quickly spreading out and closing in on his position. He ran low and tried to dodge, but they were too quick. Within a minute, one had his arms held behind his back. He struggled violently, until some gas was sprayed into his face, and he felt himself blacking out.
A burst of fear gave him a momentary strength, but he could feel his body giving up.
In his final seconds of consciousness, he couldn't help but wish he had listened to his father.
They were barely five minutes into the presentation on the Abyssian project, when Vader felt the warning. A sudden tremor in the Force, tied up with a presence which had never left his mind.
Son ...
"There is a problem on the Abyssian ship," he stated, cutting off an increasingly technical description of a defense budget.
The officers looked at each, and the one began to say, "My lord, we have received no such—"
"My lord, we have received no such report," an ensign began, carefully.
Vader raised a hand and cut the man off with merely the threat of choking. "As I said, there is a problem on the Abyssian ship. Contact our delegation immediately and request a status report."
The lieutenant picked up her comlink, and flicked a switch. The only response was the whine of a blocked channel.
"The communications have been jammed." There was genuine surprise in her voice. Vader had seen too many situations like this to take any chances, however. He shifted over to a nearby window, hoping a visual connection to the sky would help him get a better sense of his son. He sent a mental enquiry, but the sensation on the other end of the bond was cloudy and muted. His temper flared, causing a small crack to spread in the glass from the corner of the window pane. If they had harmed one single hair on his son's head ...
The sound of his comlink cut into his thoughts, preventing the precise articulation of exactly what the consequences would be. He clicked it on, and a blue hologram of a navy captain appeared.
"Lord Vader! Captain Brarne, sir, on the Guardian. We have just received a partial transmission from Admiral Reallis. It sounds like trouble on the Abyssian ship."
"You have an Interdictor in position?"
The captain nodded. "Yes, sir. We had one standing by as a precautionary measure. There is no way that ship can escape into hyperspace"
"Good. Send a boarding party and deploy the fleet in order to disable that ship at a moment's notice. I am on my way."