Chapter 3

On the way up the cockpit ladder, Luke tried to make conversation.

"I like your ship."

There was no reply. At the top, their host gestured at the passenger seat. Seeing as there were two of them, and only one seat, Ben sat cross-legged on the top, while Luke took the floor in front. The streaking beams of light out the window indicated they were still in hyperspace.

The bounty hunter sat down in the pilot's seat and started pressing buttons.

"What's your name?" Luke asked, deciding to make another attempt.

The hunter didn't spare him a glance. He pulled a lever, and the ship shuddered.

"Boba Fett," he said, finally.

"Wow," Ben said. "I've heard of you. Is it true you captured Bikayus, the Wookiee pirate?"

"A few hours ago you were saying he was a crazy murderer," Luke said.

"I never said that."

"Yes, you did."

"Shut up," Fett said, losing his cool. "Brace yourselves."

They were coming out of hyperspace. Luke gripped the seat tightly, feeling the deceleration pushing against his body. This ship's gravity compensators really needed fine-tuning, but he doubted Fett would let him start making repairs. Once the ship had reverted to sub-light, he rose up on his knees to take a look out the window. They were seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

"Is there a spaceport around here?" Luke asked. "Where you can drop us off?"

"I'm not dropping you at a spaceport, kid. Your father would not be impressed."

"So," Ben said, carefully. "What are you going to do?"

"First," he said, pressing some buttons. "I'm going to call his Sith-Lordship and tell him where his son and his son's sidekick are."

"What?!" Luke said. "No, you can't!"

Fett turned to regard him through his t-visored helmet. "Why?"

"Because he'll kill me!" Luke said. "Please, if you just let us off, he won't find out this even happened!"

"What if he's looking for you right now?"

"He won't be," Luke said. "There's still time before my curfew."

"We're two and a half hours from Coruscant," Fett said. "Do you think he won't be looking for you by then?"

Luke looked aside, knowing the hunter had a point.

"I'll figure out some story," he said. "I'll say we got lost or something."

"I'm going to lose five hours of time and fuel taking you back to Coruscant," Fett said. "Who's going to pay for it, if not your father?"

"You can afford it," Ben said. "We saw all your jewels in the cargo hold."

"This isn't a charity."

"Pleeeeeease!" Luke said.

"Oh, that's just pathetic." Fett was starting to enter the comlink frequency into the computer.

"Don't you remember what it's like to be young?" Ben suggested.

Fett paused and turned back to them.

"When I was your age, I was surviving on my own. I didn't have anyone to lecture me if I did something wrong. There was no one to worry about me if I was in danger, or if I didn't come home on time. Maybe you should start appreciating your parents instead of causing them grief."

Luke fell silent, unable to think of a reply.

Vader was on his final dueling droid when the assistant returned. He used the Force to disable the droid temporarily, and turned to the officer in annoyance.

"What now?"

"Sir, Boba Fett wishes to speak with you. He says it's important." The lieutenant was holding a holo-projector.

Vader let out a weary breath. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. He strode across the room, and switched off the lightsaber. An image of Fett appeared as he accepted the projector, clearly in the cockpit of his ship.

"What is it?" Vader asked.

"Lord Vader. Are you missing something, by any chance?"

"Yes," Vader said. "My patience. So I suggest you get to the point quickly."

"I picked up a couple of stowaways while I was meeting with you."

"Stowaways?" Vader said, not comprehending.

"A couple of boys. Luke and Ben. Do you know them?"

Vader breathed for a few cycles, letting the hunter's words sink in. He couldn't even bring himself to actually feel surprised that his son had done something so completely and utterly stupid. He must be hours away by now ... stars, he could have been hurt!

"I am familiar with them," Vader said, finally.

"We're on our way back right now," Fett explained. "Should be a couple of hours away. That is ... if you actually want these kids back? Seems like one of them might be more trouble than he's worth."

"That depends on what compensation you will require for your inconvenience, hunter," Vader said, dryly.

"I'll leave that to your generosity."

Fett cut the call, leaving Vader staring at a blank projector. He looked up, meeting the lieutenant's gaze. He wisely said nothing.

"Contact Ben's father," Vader said, finally. "I suppose he will have to know about this. Tell him Fett should return in two hours, and he is welcome to come to the hangar bay to pick Ben up."

"I will do so immediately, sir."

The assistant left him alone, and Vader turned back to his immobile dueling droid. He could switch it back on, but why bother when he could chop it into pieces right where it stood. The latter felt strangely satisfying.

"So how angry did he seem?" Luke asked, when Fett turned off the comlink.

"You heard him."

"Yes, but I have to see him to know how angry he is," Luke said. "Was he doing that thing where he clenches his fingers into fists?" Luke demonstrated.

"I didn't notice."

"Okay, did he have his head on this angle?" Luke tilted his head forward.

Fett didn't even look. Luke glanced up at Ben, who was dozing against the seat. They had reentered hyperspace, and had a good two hours before reaching Coruscant.

Luke tried to rest, but he couldn't relax with the thought of what awaited him back home.

"So how long have you been a bounty hunter?" Luke asked.

"Do you ever stop talking?"

Luke took the hint. He glanced around for something to do, and then spied a control panel. He was just reaching up to finger the buttons, when Fett leaned over and grabbed his wrist.

"If you touch anything, I'll lock you up in the cargo hold."

"What's that?" Luke said, pointing at a device attached to the underside of Fett's arm.

He quickly released Luke's wrist. "Don't touch it. Just sit still and shut up."

Luke rested his head against the front of the seat, deciding to try sleeping like Ben. It was hard, when the ship was full of noises. There was the dull hum of the engines and the beeps and clicks of the readouts. The bounty hunter's armor made clicking noises as he shifted in his seat, as if there were many hidden gadgets. Luke opened his eyes, trying to see if he could spot anything interesting.

"Why did my father want to see you?" Luke asked, finally. He'd been silent for a few minutes—that was enough.

Fett glanced at him. "To see if I'd be willing to sell you on the blackmarket."

"Sure," Luke said, raising a disbelieving eyebrow. "I'm not naive. I know what a bounty hunter does."

Luke wondered if his father wanted someone killed or just captured. He was about to ask, but then he thought better of it. Sometimes it was better not to know when it came to his father.

"How long have you known my father?"

"Long time." Fett leaned back, folding his arms behind his helmet. "Used to bump into him when he was hunting down Jedi. Those were the days. I wish there were still Jedi around to hunt."

"He was once a Jedi," Luke pointed out. "But he never talks about anything before he became a Sith."

"If I was once a Jedi, I wouldn't want to talk about it, either," Fett said, shortly.

He sounded pretty bitter. Luke decided to leave the subject alone.

Despite their sons' friendship, Vader had never had an opportunity to meet Ben's father. He had probably passed him hundreds of times in the hallways and the throne room, but that was not the time or the place to strike up a conversation.

He had often wondered how the man felt about his son's friendship with Luke. This was far from the first time Luke had led himself and his friend into a dangerous situation. If Luke became acquainted with someone who was always leading him astray, Vader doubted he would have any patience for it. But from what Luke had said, Ben's father was nothing but kind to him. Even before he had known of his heritage.

By Vader's estimate, there wasn't long to go before Fett should arrive. He was standing in the hangar bay conference room, staring through the viewing windows and waiting for any sense of his son's arrival. Threepio entered the room and stood to one side of the door.

"Captain Jarnet is here, sir."

Ben's father entered the room, and the droid left them alone. Vader turned to regard his guest. He'd obviously come straight from a duty shift, as he was still dressed in his guard uniform, although his helmet was resting under his arm. Vader could see a few physical similarities between him and Ben, not surprisingly.

"Sir," he said, in greeting. "Has there been any further news?"

"Not since I received the initial call," Vader said, sensing the man's parental worry. "I do trust this bounty hunter to return the boys safely. It is not in his best interests to displease me."

"It's fortunate for Ben that he is in Luke's company," his guest replied, putting his helmet on the table.

"If he wasn't, I doubt he would ever have considered boarding the ship in the first place," Vader said. "I fully accept that this incident is entirely Luke's fault.."

"Luke has a very adventurous spirit," Ben's father offered.

"That is an overly optimistic way of describing it," Vader said, unable to keep the weariness from his voice. "He is reckless."

"His heart is in the right place," Ben's father continued, grasping the back of a chair. "He needs someone level-headed to keep him from going too far. Instead, Ben encourages him. I keep telling him to start taking some responsibility, but ... it's just so hard to make them listen at this age."

"It is impossible, in Luke's case. He takes every attempt I make to provide some guidance as a personal insult."

Ben's father shook his head. "And to think this summer break isn't even half over. At times like this, I wish I had enrolled Ben in military camp and taken an extended vacation."

"Military camp?" Vader repeated, his interest piqued.

"The junior cadet academy runs the camp every year," he explained. "Unfortunately, they closed enrollments two weeks ago."

Vader wondered why he had never spoken to this man before. He was obviously some kind of master in the realm of parenting. He would have to be, to think of such a perfect solution to all his problems. Luke would be in a supervised environment. There would be plenty for him to learn and do, and he would be with lots of people his own age. No more accidents. No more embarrassing incidents such as this.

"I will ask them to reopen them," Vader said, thinking quickly.

"Well, sir, if you have any luck convincing Luke to go, please tell me your secret. Ben hears the word 'military' and chains himself to his bedpost."

"Luke will not require convincing," Vader said, walking towards the door. He had some arrangements to make. "I will return shortly."

Coruscant loomed large in the ship's viewport when Ben finally woke up. He took one look at the planet and slumped back against the seat.

"Can't we go back into hyperspace again?"

"Don't worry," Luke said, looking up and rubbing his eyes. "It won't be so bad. It'll be me he'll be angry with, not you."

"What if he told my father about this?"

"Then I'll apologize to him and say it was all my fault," Luke said. "That should help. Actually, that's my entire plan. We leave the ship ... then I'll start groveling for forgiveness."

"Good plan. I'll help you."

"You want some advice?" Fett said, flying the ship down into the buildings.

Luke looked up, eagerly.

"Agree with everything they say. If they say you're crazy, just say 'I know'. If they ask you what you were thinking, say you weren't thinking. You were just being stupid. Tell them what they want to hear."

"If I tried that on my father, he'd tell me to stop patronizing him," Ben said.

"It might work," Luke said, thinking carefully. "It's just a matter of sounding like you really mean it ..."

"Maybe they'll be so happy to see you back, safe and sound, they won't be angry at all."

Both Luke and Ben started laughing.

Vader was waiting with Captain Jarnet in the ship hangar, when Slave I came in to land. Relief was his first reaction, reflected in the man beside him.

"I will take Ben home immediately, sir," he said. "Unless you would like to speak with him first."

Vader almost smiled at the idea. Ben just about fainted when he spoke to him under normal circumstances.

"No, it would be best if I spoke with Luke alone," Vader said. "We have much to discuss."

The boarding ramp extended, and Vader saw Fett was leaving the ship unaccompanied. For a brief, horrible second he thought something had happened. But no—Luke and Ben were there. They were just taking their time.

When they finally made it to the hangar bay floor, Ben's father went over immediately, and grabbed Ben in an embrace. Luke hovered to one side, awkwardly. Vader looked at him, but his son wouldn't meet his gaze. He appeared none the worse for wear, at least.

Vader turned to Fett.

"I take it you were not talked to death on your journey back."

"I have endured worse."

Ben's father approached them, having one arm firmly around his son's shoulders, preventing him from going anywhere, lest he have any ideas.

"Thank you for bringing my son back," he said to Fett. "I'm sorry for your inconvenience."

The hunter nodded once. Ben's father turned to Vader.

"I'll take my son home now, sir."

Vader nodded. As Captain Jarnet walked away, Luke ran to catch up with them. Vader could only hope he was offering some apologies. He turned back to Fett once they were alone.

"You also have my gratitude," Vader said. "Send me an invoice for the costs you incurred."

Fett waved a hand, walking back to his ship.

"Don't worry about it."

Luke had withdrawn to his closet after saying goodbye to Ben. His friend's father hadn't seemed too angry. Far less than he expected his own father to be. Hence the closet. Not that he really thought he could hide from his father, due to the ever-annoying Force powers, but at least being here meant he didn't have to resist the urge to roll his eyes while receiving the inevitable lecture.

It wasn't long before he heard the approaching footsteps. When he heard the bedroom doors hiss open, he shuffled back a bit further. Maybe he should take Fett's advice and just agree with absolutely everything ...

He heard his father walk over to stand in front of the closet, and then the door slid back into the wall. Normally a rush of light would fill the small space, but his father blocked out the overhead lights, almost giving the impression the door was still closed.

"Luke?! What are you doing?"

"Uh ... meditating?" Luke suggested.

"Come here!"

"Are you sure you don't need to calm down first?" Luke asked. "Because I can wait."

"If you are not standing in front of me in five seconds, I will—"

"Drag me out using the Force," Luke sighed as he shuffled forward. When he came out into the light, his father reached out to pull him closer, holding him by the shoulders.

"I am glad to have you back in one piece," he said. "But if you are expecting a hug, you will be disappointed."

"Don't worry," Luke mumbled. "I wasn't expecting one."

His father then gestured at the bed. "Sit down."

Luke sighed as he walked over to oblige. He didn't even need to look up to know his father had started pacing. Any second now he was going to start asking him questions in his 'interrogation' voice.

"Why did you board his ship?"

Why does he do this? Luke thought. I've heard this so many times, I can lecture myself.

"Because he's a bounty hunter," Luke explained out loud. "I wanted to see what was inside. Besides, if you hadn't tried to hide him from me, I wouldn't have been so curious."

"I knew this would be my fault at some point," his father said, stopping mid-pace to point at him. "Just like hover-boarding in the hallway was my fault because I wouldn't let you hover-board in the hangar."

"It was an accident," Luke said. "I didn't know he was going to come back and take off."

"In the same way you didn't know those fuel cartridges would explode."

"Must you keep dredging up the past?" Luke asked.

"We are talking about three days ago, Son. We cannot consider this incident without also considering the reckless and irresponsible way you have behaved for the last two weeks."

Luke rolled his eyes.

That turned out to be a bad idea, as his father stopped pacing and paused in front of him.

"I suggest you wipe that expression off your face and start paying attention, young one."

Luke felt suddenly angry. As if this lecture wasn't bad enough, being addressed like a naughty child was the final straw.

"You're such a hypocrite," Luke mumbled.

"This is not the time to insult me!"

"Well it's true," Luke said, standing up. It didn't make much difference in terms of their height variation, but at least if he was on his feet he could make a quick getaway. "You're paying a bounty hunter to kill someone, yet you harp on at me about boarding his ship. You're always acting like I'm so terrible, I'm so reckless ... well that's nothing compared to what you get up to."

"What I get up to," his father repeated. "You must be referring to my life's work to provide you and everyone else with a safe, secure, peaceful galaxy to live in. How good to know you appreciate it."

Luke was silent, subdued.

"However you may feel about my activities," his father continued, "they are not your responsibility. However, you are my responsibility. It is my job, as your father, to guide you to adulthood. I want you to join me in ruling the Empire one day. If this reckless behavior continues, you may not even reach your twentieth birthday."

"I have heard this before," Luke sighed.

There was a moment of silence, and then his father spoke in a quieter tone.

"Son, you are a natural leader. Something you have inherited from your mother and me. You should be using that ability for the betterment of the galaxy. Instead you lead your friend into danger without a second thought."

"How many times do I have to say that it was an accident?" Luke said, his voice breaking. His father's words hurt. He did feel terrible about dragging Ben into this.

"There have been too many accidents. This cannot continue." His father paused for a moment. "Staying here is clearly not providing you with enough mental stimulation. I have made some other arrangements."

"Other arrangements?" Luke said, confused.

"The Imperial cadet academy offers a summer program on the sixth moon of Kawai. You can stay there. You will be with other young people, and you can learn personal discipline and valuable practical skills."

"You're kidding," Luke said, flatly.

"No. You are leaving tomorrow—I will expect you to be packed."

"You're going to kick me out?!" Luke said, feeling close to tears.

"If you wish to wallow in self-pity and convince yourself that I am doing this to spite you, be my guest. But if you are wise, you will acknowledge the truth. I am doing this because I believe it will help you."

"I don't need any help."

"What do you need, then? I am open to your input."

"I want to stay here," Luke said.

"I asked what you needed, not what you wanted."

"Can't you give me another chance?" Luke said, suddenly. "Please! I wouldn't even have left my room if I'd known you were going to send me off to boringville."

"I shudder to think what 'accident' you will have next if I give you another chance."

"There won't be any more."

"You assured me of that two days ago."

"Come on ... please?"

His father didn't reply. He simply stared at him with his deep, blank gaze. It made Luke angry, and he turned away and walked off toward the refresher.

"Fine! I don't care! I'll leave tomorrow. At least I won't have to put up with you and your hypocritical lectures!"

With that, he shut and locked the door.