Chapter 7

As it turned out, any physical activities were off the agenda for all the cadets the next day. Luke first became aware of a strange pattering sound on the tent roof in the early hours of the morning. It confused him at first, until he crawled sleepily over to the tent opening and found a growing puddle of water below where they'd left a small space for air. It still felt so odd that water just fell out of the sky on some worlds. He sealed the tent completely and went back to sleep.

When Zev's alarm went off, it was clear the rain wasn't letting up anytime soon. If anything, it was heavier. There was so much mud and water outside, they had to wear boots and rain shields just to walk the short distance to the refreshers.

"Does this mean we get a day off?" Luke asked, jumping over a puddle.

"No," Zev said. "It means we're going to spend the day in the classroom."

Commander Hayge took the morning session. In anticipation of sleep-inducing boredom, Luke had brought in a pillow from the tent, and had purposely sat in a seat in the back row. As it turned out, he didn't need to use it. The subject was snub fighter combat, something that fascinated him no end. He ended up asking the most questions.

He was still talking excitedly about the last battle they had studied over lunch, causing Zev to hint politely that he was trying to read. He found a more willing audience in Commander Hayge, who stopped him on his way back from returning the pillow to the tent.

"I noticed you enjoyed my class, Cadet," he said, standing under the shelter to avoid the rain.

Luke nodded. "I want to be a pilot myself someday."

"Ah, like your father. I seem to recall you told me you had no plans for your life."

Luke shrugged. "I do have a few. Be a pilot, fly everywhere and see the galaxy."

"I have many databooks on piloting if you'd like to borrow them. I was a reconnaissance pilot for a good many years, until I moved on into command."

"I'd like that," Luke said. "My father won't teach me to fly. Yet, anyhow. He says I'm too immature."

"Well, you have a good many years ahead of you," the commander said, patting his shoulder as he walked on past him.

Luke stared after him for a moment, and then walked on towards the conference room they were assigned to for the afternoon. The commander was taking an interest in him, beyond that he took in the other cadets. Was it because he genuinely liked him, or was it because of his father? It was one of the things Luke found endlessly frustrating about his parentage.

He entered the conference room, and found most of the cadets were already seated. He made his way over to the row occupied by Team Loyalty, and took a seat between Zev and Bo. It didn't take a mind probe to figure out something was wrong.

"What's happening?" Luke said, staring down the row. The cadets were resting with their heads on their elbows or lying flat on the desks.

"Torture is supervising," Zev explained.

When the lieutenant finally entered, he was carrying a holovid tape. He didn't look at the cadets. Instead, he proceeded straight to the machine to load up the tape, but the cadets straightened up anyway. As he turned around, the big overhead screen lit up behind him.

"This training vid lasts for eighty minutes," he said. "Afterwards, there will be a test, so pay attention!"

He took a seat at the side, and then fast-forwarded the datatape on to the start of the film.

"Please be about starfighters," Luke whispered.

Huge letters filled the screen. PACIFICATION.

"I've seen this one," Zev sighed.

There was some ominous music over the credits, which Luke vaguely recognized as an Imperial battle song. Finally, a stormtrooper stepped in from the left, and began an introduction.

"Welcome, fellow subjects of the Emperor. I am KB-639 and today we're going to learn about the process of pacification. Haven't you ever wondered how the Empire manages to turn worlds like this—"

There was a cut to wide shots of a barren desert. Luke thought he recognized Tatooine.

"—to worlds like this?"

The image changed to a planet bustling with factories, farms and smiling people.

"Today, we're going to find out. It all starts in the Imperial Senate ..."

Luke felt his eyes glazing over, and he stared out the window. The rain was still pouring down. It never rained for this long on Coruscant. He sighed, wishing he hadn't been so hasty about returning that pillow to the tent. He could use it right now.

A formation of TIE Fighters flew across the screen, and Luke began daydreaming about flying. Maybe his father was out there flying right now. Maybe he would let him have his own ship one day. Even better, maybe he would let him have his own custom-built starfighter, just like his. Luke spent a good twenty minutes mentally designing such a ship, until he was distracted by a sudden change in voice on the film.

"Primitive natives are often fiercely territorial." It was some kind of scientist. "They will willingly die rather than adapt to a better environment."

The stormtrooper host returned, now standing in the middle of a vast forest.

"For this reason, it is often better to remove all the natives before establishing an Imperial outpost. These forests used to be home to a species of parasitical cannibals that disrupted the food chain. Now, thanks to the efforts of the brave men and women in squadron 560, these forests have become the primary source of valuable minerals and the home of more than five thousand Imperial citizens."

"Where do they put the natives after removing them?" Luke asked Zev. "Do they put them on another planet?"

"Remove means slaughter," Zev whispered back.

Luke was surprised. He glanced from the screen to Zev a few times, and then said, "Seriously?"

Suddenly, the film froze. The lieutenant stood up and turned to stare directly at them.

"Cadet Veers, would you care to share your opinion with the rest of us?"

Everyone turned around to stare at Zev.

"I ... uh ... it was nothing, sir. I was just explaining ... what they were saying, sir."

"I will see you in my office, first thing after class. Does anyone else have anything to say?"

The other cadets were deathly silent. But Luke just couldn't help himself.

"I was just asking him a question," Luke said. "I didn't understand what they meant by removing the natives. Zev explained it to me."

The lieutenant stared at him for a moment, and Luke could feel the tension increasing. Bo was shuffling uncomfortably like he wanted to hide under the desk.

"And how did Cadet Veers explain it?" he asked, with a hard edge to his voice.

Luke opened his mouth to reply, but then hesitated. He glanced at Zev, looking for some guidance. Zev answered for him.

"I said they kill them, sir."

"And do you think that is a good idea, Cadet Veers?"

Zev looked sick, but he nodded and said, "Yes, sir."

"I don't," Luke interrupted. "That's terrible. Invading someone's planet and killing everybody is wrong. How can they possibly justify that? This film is a big pile of bantha—"

"Cadet Skywalker," the lieutenant said, firmly.

"Well, it is," Luke said. "Can't we watch something else? Something with some starfighter action?"

"What we are watching is not open for discussion."

"Why not?"

There was a tense silence for a few seconds. The lieutenant seemed at a loss to know how to reply. Luke sat back in his seat, folding his arms. Bo was staring at him with a mix of awe and apprehension, while Zev was rubbing his forehead like he'd just driven a speeder into a tree.

"Cadet Skywalker," the lieutenant said, finally, "may I have a word with you outside?"

Luke hesitated for a moment, and then stood up. Everyone in the room stared at him as he walked down the side of the room towards the door.

The lieutenant watched him until he was beside the door, and then turned to the rest of the class.

"If I hear one cough out of any of you, that person will be joining Cadet Veers in my office after class."

He set the film going again, and then joined Luke outside. He gestured for Luke to follow him as he walked further away from the classroom door. When he turned to face him, Luke folded his arms, preparing to start arguing again. This officer may be a cold-hearted bully, but he had nothing on his father when it came to intimidation.

When he spoke, he sounded more weary than angry. "Cadet," he said, calmly, "I have the greatest respect for your father, and I know he will have taught you loyalty to our Emperor. I am going to assume that you were only trying to cause a stir, and you didn't really mean what you said."

"Of course I meant it," Luke said. "Invading someone's planet and killing people is wrong."

"What the film was trying to explain is that sometimes you have a group of people on a planet who are detrimental to the Imperial cause. They have their own agenda that is in conflict with the goals of the Empire. The only option is to remove them."

"Couldn't there be another way?" Luke said. "A way which didn't involve killing? Maybe the Empire could sign a treaty with native groups so they could both use the planet."

"The Empire signs many treaties with peaceful people. Unfortunately, there are those in the galaxy who will spread disorder and chaos wherever they are. Do you think the Rebel terrorists would ever sign a treaty with the Empire?"

"I don't know," Luke sighed. "Look, Zev was just answering a question that I asked him. Why is he the one in trouble and not me?"

"You are in trouble. That is why we are talking out here."

Luke raised an eyebrow. "Believe me, I have been in trouble. And this is not it."

The lieutenant relented. "Cadet Veers has allowed himself to be led astray by liberal academics and their pretentious theories. He is a Rebel sympathizer who needs to be taught a lesson."

"A Rebel what?"

"Next time you have a question about the workings of the Empire, ask myself or one of the other officers. Cadet Veers will distort the truth."

"But he was the one who told me the truth," Luke said. "It was the film that was trying to sugarcoat things."

"He told you the truth the way the Rebels want you to believe it."

"I don't care about the Rebels," Luke said, becoming impatient. "All I'm saying is that I was the one who asked Zev a question, so he shouldn't be in trouble for answering it. Why are you always picking on him? It's not fair! If you want to punish someone, then punish me instead!"

The lieutenant sighed, and straightened his hat.

"Your friend Veers is traveling down a very dangerous road. He requires a firm hand to keep him on the straight and narrow. If you truly wish to defend him, you will let him face the consequences of his actions. That is all I have to say on the matter. Now, come on back inside."

Luke stood firm. "I'm not watching any more of that boring film."

"Then spend the afternoon alone in your tent, if you prefer."

Luke turned and walked off without another word. The lieutenant stared after him for a moment, and then Luke heard him return to the classroom.

He felt guilty, and more than a little angry. He should never have spoken to Zev in the first place. He should have known Torture would jump on him. The thought that he might be subjected to some sadistic punishment in the lieutenant's office made him feel sick. Stars, he was starting to loathe this place. How much longer could he stand it? Luke stomped in a few puddles on his way back to the tent, not caring if he made his uniform dirty.

Eventually, he passed the administrative block, and came to a halt. Commander Hayge's office was in here. Havy had said he was fair. Maybe he should tell him about what happened with Zev. And he could ask him about trying again to speak to his father. He was just about ready to get down on his knees and beg him to take him back.

He climbed up the stairs, and walked past a deactivated protocol droid. The door to the commander's office was already open, and he could see him working at his desk inside. He looked up when Luke came into view.

"Uh, sir, can I talk to you for a minute?" Luke asked.

"Of course, Cadet."

Luke walked into the office, and sat in one of the chairs. Perhaps it was best to start with the less-controversial topic first.

"I was wondering ... I know we're only supposed to use the comlink on the weekends, but I didn't manage to talk to my father last time. I was wondering if I could try calling him now."

"At any other time you could, Cadet, but this bad weather has disrupted communications. It should have passed over by tomorrow."

"Oh," Luke said, sadly. This day was not going in his favor. "I'll try tomorrow, then."

"I thought you were all with Lieutenant Tancher this afternoon," the commander remarked, glancing out the window. "Did he let you go early?"

"Uh, not exactly." This was a good segway into the other item on his agenda. "I … uh ... he let me leave because ... I didn't like the film we were watching. It was supposed to be about pacification, but it really seemed to be about invading planets."

"Most worlds are grateful for the Empire's assistance, Cadet. I know it seems difficult to imagine, when you live in an orderly place like Coruscant, but there is much conflict in the galaxy."

Luke sighed. Adults always had the same answers.

"I asked Zev what happened to the native populations who are relocated by the Empire," Luke said, pressing on. "Zev gave me an answer, but then Lieutenant Tancher stopped the film and told Zev he had to go to his office after class. I don't think it's fair that he's in trouble when I was the one who asked him a question."

"That doesn't sound fair," Commander Hayge agreed. "But perhaps you don't have a full understanding of the situation, Cadet. Cadet Veers is a bright young man and we all want to see him do well. Unfortunately, due to past difficulties in his life, he sometimes shows problematic behaviours. What he needs is firm boundaries enforced with consistent discipline, something we strive to provide here at the camp. He will appreciate that we took the time, one day."

"How does hitting him with a punishment stick help him do well?" Luke asked, hearing his tone reflect his growing frustration.

Commander Hayge actually smiled. "Don't believe everything the other boys tell you, Cadet. They all like to tell stories, but the truth is, corporal punishment is employed very rarely and only in the most serious cases."

For a moment, Luke began to wonder if maybe Havy had just been messing around with the 'newbie', just like Crepes, but then he remembered the evidence.

"That's not true," Luke said. "I saw marks on Zev when we were showering."

"You likely mistook some minor injuries obtained on the rope course. All the lieutenants here are professionals with years of experience in training cadets."

Luke sighed, seeing this was a lost cause. The commander was either in a state of denial or he just didn't care.

But, then, he added, "If this is upsetting you, I'll have a chat with Lieutenant Tancher about it. Ensure Cadet Veers is being treated fairly."

"Thank you, sir," Luke said, realizing that was the best he could hope for.

"I understand you two who have been getting on well. I'm glad he's found a friend … Force knows, he could use some. Perhaps you'll be a good influence on him."

Luke could sense nothing but genuine care in the commander's tone, and he found himself smiling back. Then, he remembered something else. "You said earlier that you had some databooks on piloting—would it be okay if I borrowed them now? I need something to do for the rest of the afternoon."

"Certainly, you will find the library right across the hall," the commander said, pointing. "They're organized by subject, so try under flight techniques."

The library was well-stocked, and it only took Luke a few minutes to gather a stack of interesting databooks. As he rested them on the table, with the intent to sort them into a more manageable pile, he noticed there was a holoprojector sitting in an open drawer. It was none of his business, and probably something private, which made it near irresistible. He looked around to make sure he was alone, and then picked it up.

It hummed and then lit up with a bright holographic display. Luke studied it for a moment, and then understanding came quickly. It was a map of the campsite and surrounding area, similar to the type they'd used during the orienteering class. Just as he was starting to pinpoint recognizable parts of the camp, he heard a noise behind him and quickly shut it off. He turned around, and saw it was just the protocol droid wandering past the door.

Luke pocketed the map, and picked up his stack of databooks. His afternoon was starting to look a whole lot better.

Vader had avoided any deep meditation since his three-day mishap. At any rate, he felt fully rested and alert, more so than he'd felt in weeks. Perhaps that was the cause of all those silly dreams. Simple weariness. This break from Luke was probably doing them both a lot of good.

But he couldn't help but wonder about the boy. Luke hadn't called again, and he was determined not to call the camp himself. The Force would alert him if Luke found himself in danger, so he had to trust the officers to take care of his son.

In the meantime, he attempted to distract himself. Reading fleet reports and exercising with dueling droids filled some hours. There was no end of engineering projects in the ship hangar to work on. But it wasn't until he approached a work bench and began dismantling an engine that it occurred to him he was now used to having Luke by his side when he worked on something like this. Teaching him his tricks for adjusting an engine to get as much speed as possible. How every single part of a ship, even the overlooked circuits, all contributed to the overall performance.

Before Luke, there has been no one to share his discoveries with. No one to express joy and enthusiasm when a new prototype starfighter was delivered to the hangar. No one to amuse him with his unorthodox new droid designs.

Vader considered it for a moment, and then wondered what Vaneé would think if he asked him to call the palace and have Artoo and Threepio shipped over.

It was a very welcome distraction when Vaneé entered the work room, carrying a portable holo projector.

"Boba Fett, my lord."

Thank the Force, Vader thought. He placed the projector on the bench and activated it immediately.

"Fett. How goes your hunt?"

"Lord Vader. Captain Flenn had fled by the time I reached his residence. Seems I was five hours too late."

The meaning was clear to Vader. Luke's so-called adventurous streak was having far-reaching consequences.

"Fled where? To the Rebellion?"

"Yes. But I have some good news. The ship he is on will be taking on supplies at a certain location at a certain time in the very near future."

"How do you know this?" Vader asked, suspicious.

"Their freight-hauler is an independent for hire. Not above selling information."

"What guarantee do you have of the accuracy of this information?"

"None. But my contact thinks I needed the information only to make a capture myself. She also knows misleading me will be worth her life. Besides, at worst you will only wait in empty space for a few hours for a ship that isn't coming. At best, you will get your stolen ship back and a crew full of Rebels. Sounds like good odds to me."

"Especially considering, if we succeed, you will gain the market bounty for every Rebel we capture or kill," Vader said, dryly.

"And the ship," Fett said. "Don't forget the reward for the ship."

Zev returned to the tent half an hour before dinner. He had to step carefully over the commander's databooks, which had leaked onto his side of the tent. Luke hastily gathered them up.

"Sorry about what happened," he said, quickly. "How did it go?"

Zev looked thoughtful, and then said, "It could have been worse."

"So he didn't use the punishment stick?"

Zev's lack of surprise at his question assured Luke the story Havy had told him had been the truth.

"No. Which isn't like him at all. But he told me I'm on thin ice and this is the only chance he'll give me when it comes to your safety."

"My safety," Luke said, rolling his eyes. "Like telling me the truth puts me in danger."

"In their mind, it does," Zev said, sinking down onto his sleeping bag. He lay on his back, arms folded behind his head.

"I've been reading this book about the Clone Wars from the commander's library," Luke said, holding it up. "I thought I should do some more research into what we were talking about the other night."

Zev glanced over, suddenly nervous. "You didn't tell the commander we were talking about the Jedi, did you?"

"Of course not," Luke said.

"Good, because Torture said I'm not allowed to mention anything political to you again. He said you've been misled, and your father is going to want to know where you picked up your ideas."

"No, he isn't," Luke said. "He doesn't care about my ideas about the Empire—he just says everything will make sense when I'm older."

"Your father doesn't care if you aren't supportive of the Empire?" Zev said, gaping. "But he's ... the supreme commander of the military. He's the Emperor's liaison with the Moffs. Stars, he helped Palpatine make it the Empire in the first place."

Luke shrugged. "He doesn't take any of my opinions seriously, whether about the Emperor or about what color to paint a speeder. He just thinks I'm a child."

"Still ... my father would rather I was anything but disloyal to the Emperor. He could handle deranged murderer better than traitor."

"I don't know if my father is completely loyal to the Emperor himself," Luke said. "He's never said anything, but I know he disagrees with some of his decisions. I know they disagreed strongly about me."

"Why?" Zev said, looking more interested than Luke had ever seen him. Luke wondered if he really should be divulging this, but he couldn't go back now.

"The Emperor did not want me to live with my father."

"I guess he sees you as a threat."

Luke nodded.

"It must be interesting," Zev said, lying back. "Living in the heart of the Empire ... seeing all the most important decisions being made around you. Knowing you'll be part of it all one day."

"I don't notice," Luke said. "Maybe you should come and stay with me sometime, and you'll see how boring it can get. And my father wonders why I have accidents." Luke looked back at his databook.

Zev grinned. "What's that?" he said, pointing at a rotating hologram.

"A map of the whole planet," Luke said. "Did you know there's an old abandoned spaceport about five kilometers from here?"

"It's not abandoned," Zev said.

"It says on the map it is."

"Crepes saw a ship landing out there with some macro-binoculars. He and Havy tried to sneak over to the girl's camp, and they saw it from the top of a hill. An officer said Imperial freight-haulers sometimes use it to make temporary landings."

"Has anyone ever been over there to explore it?"

Zev smiled. "Don't even think about it, Luke. Torture would end up breaking his punishment stick on me if you did that."

Luke cringed, seeing Zev's point. "I'm sorry. It must be so humiliating."

Zev shrugged. "I'm used to it. I've been familiar with Imperial military discipline since I was eleven years old. It's the same philosophy as their pacification process." He frowned then, clearly remembering something unpleasant.

"Did your father punish you like that?" Luke asked. It was a sensitive question, but he hoped Zev knew he was asking out of empathy.

Surprisingly, Zev shook his head. "I know this sounds weird … but honestly, I wouldn't mind if he did. Because … that's attention, you know? Negative attention, but still attention. Instead, he outsources all his parenting to places like this."

This was all striking a little too close to home for Luke. If he was really honest with himself … were some of those 'accidents' at the palace really his attempt to attract attention from his father? Even the negative kind? He hated it when his father lectured him, but perhaps there was a small part that also liked the fact that he'd stirred an emotional reaction. That liked the feeling that he'd managed to make him think about something other than the Empire.

That's why being sent here had hurt so much. It was the ultimate confirmation of his biggest fear … that his father really didn't want to be his father. That he really was a burden. Zev's relationship with his father sounded so broken … but was it really so far removed from the trajectory he and his father were on? Perhaps his father was already thinking that he'd enrol him in military camp for his next school vacation as well.

Zev misinterpreted his expression. "How about your father? I've heard a few stories about how he maintains discipline among the officers. It can't be easy for you."

Now that Zev had made him think about it, Luke found himself feeling a little embarrassed to admit it really wasn't hard at all.

"When I first moved in, he was completely clueless about being a parent," Luke said. "He actually assigned a droid to mind me, like a toddler. I was twelve years old!"

Zev smiled.

"I did have a few … incidents. The kind of thing that my uncle would have tanned my hide for, or, at the very least, grounded me. But he just got angry about it. Often he'd yell at me and then say I was trying his patience and he needed to be alone. But then he got more experienced and I think my doctor gave him some advice, because he was more calm about it all, and he'd ground me or cut my HoloNet access for a bit. Once I came in after my curfew, so he made my curfew earlier for a while until I could prove I was being responsible about it."

"Wow," Zev said, looking baffled at this information. "So he's like … a normal parent?"

Luke smirked. "I wouldn't go that far. He does do something which is like a running joke between us, where if I say something rude, or do something he doesn't approve of, he'll use the Force to throw something at me, aiming for my butt. But he usually gives me time to jump out of the way. It's his way of letting me know I've gone too far. But he doesn't do that if I've really made him angry. It's like he doesn't trust himself when he's angry … like he's scared of what he might do. So he goes away and then will come back when he's calmed down. At least, that's my understanding. He won't talk about what he's feeling."

Zev was still looking vaguely bemused by all this.

"But all that changed when summer vacation started," Luke said, bowing his head. "I don't know. He was getting angry about everything … even things that I swear weren't that bad. And he didn't punish me at all … it was like we'd gone back to the old days, when all he did was yell. I thought things had gotten better after we built a droid together, but then I had another accident, and suddenly he's saying I have to go." Luke's voice broke on the last word, and he struggled to get a hold on his emotions. He didn't want to really break down around Zev.

"Don't worry," Zev said, sounding sympathetic. "It gets easier as you get older. If they don't care about you, then you have to train yourself not to care about them."

It was such a depressing sentiment. Was that really the only option left now? That he should give up and just get used to this?

"We better go eat," Zev said, sitting up.

"Yeah," Luke agreed, trying to push his feelings aside. Maybe this rain would clear up and things would seem better in the morning.

When he took his place at the Team Loyalty table in the mess hall, he immediately knew the meal wasn't going to be a good distraction. The other members of Team Loyalty were still talking about the incident with Lieutenant Tancher. Luke did not want to relive it. Neither did Zev, but Havy was having too much fun to pay attention to their reluctance.

"I loved it when Luke said 'why not?'" he said, filling up his water glass. "The expression on Torture's face was priceless. He really wanted to yell but he knew he couldn't."

"I liked it when he said that invading someone's planet and killing people is wrong," Lamber said. "I wish I could say that and get away with it."

"I wish Torture had lost his temper," Crepes said. "I wish he'd just snapped and told Luke to get out."

"He did tell me to get out," Luke said, pushing vegetables around his plate.

"No. He politely asked you to have a word outside. I mean I wish he'd really snapped and told you to go to his office immediately."

"Thanks a lot," Luke said, frowning.

"I don't mean that," Crepes explained. "I mean, if he used the punishment stick on you, your father would strangle him and we'd be rid of him."

Luke choked on his vegetables and coughed some of them back onto his plate.

"You think I'd tell my father about something like that?!" Luke said, when he was able.

"I would, if Lord Vader was my father," Crepes said. "I'd get him to choke everyone I didn't like. Why, don't you?"

"You Hutt-faced sleemo!" Luke said, losing his temper. It had been a frustrating day, and it was taking its toll. "Torture's a pain, but I don't want him dead!"

"Hey, relax!" Crepes said.

"You think I like the idea of my father going around killing people?!" Luke found himself standing up, but he didn't remember when he'd done so.

Everyone at the nearby tables had fallen silent at this point. Some had stood up to get a better view. Havy and Zev were staring at him in surprise, while Bo had shifted back from the table.

"Sorry, but I thought you'd be used to that kind of thing," Crepes said, looking nervous. "Your father must have strangled hundreds of—"

"You know nothing about my father!" Luke said, pointing at Crepes, who hastily stood up. "Shut up before I strangle you!"

Crepes took a step backward, but bumped into someone behind him. Luke looked up to find Torture had appeared, right on cue. That was the last thing he needed.

"Is there a problem?" he asked, completely oblivious.

Luke didn't trust himself to respond in any way resembling politeness, so he simply slumped down into his seat. Stars, he was starting to lose it. This place was slowly but surely crushing him.

"Just a minor disagreement, sir," Havy said, his voice shaking slightly. "It's over now."

"A minor disagreement about what?" He walked around the table until he was standing next to Zev, who was sitting in his usual spot at the other end. "Cadet Veers, explain to me what your teammates were arguing about!"

"Uh ..." Zev looked blank. "Sir, I ... I wasn't really paying attention."

"You never pay attention to your surroundings. That is precisely the problem here, Cadet. The commander assigned you to watch out for Cadet Skywalker, not to sit there daydreaming. I will see you in my office after dinner."

It was the final straw for Luke. "You're blaming him?" he whispered, incredulous. He spoke louder, so the officer could hear him. "You're blaming him because I was arguing with someone else? I don't believe you!"

He didn't receive any reply for a few seconds, and he once again felt everyone was staring at him. People had stopped eating, and knives and forks remained poised in mid-air as people waited to see how this confrontation would turn out.

"Cadet, perhaps you need an early night," the lieutenant suggested.

"Arg!" Luke cried, kicking the table. He stormed off, pushing past people in his way until the door of the mess hall came into sight. Once he was outside, he started running, although the wet muddy grass made for slow progress. He couldn't even see properly, he was so angry. Was this how his father felt when he was frustrated? He just wanted to break something ... anything would do.

He came to a halt next to the row of camp speeders. He tried all of them until he found one that was unlocked, and then he slipped into the pilot's seat. Unfortunately, it was key operated, and he didn't have the right tools to attempt to hotwire it. Instead, he rested his head against the steering controls, and let himself calm down.

Sometimes, it helped to think about why he was angry. Was he angry at Crepes for touching on a very sore point between him and his father? Was he angry at Torture—someone whose life he'd been defending a moment earlier, who had then threatened Zev and patronized him by suggesting he was simply tired? Or was he angry with himself for getting Zev in trouble, once again?

He needed to get away from here.

A nearby voice caused him to look up and stare into the darkness. He could just make out three figures standing at the bottom of the stairs into the administration building. They were talking in hushed, serious tones.

"He was threatening to strangle one of the cadets."

Torture ... he had to be talking to the commander. The second voice confirmed Luke's suspicions.

"Are you sure?"

"I heard him, sir. He was very angry about something, but none of the cadets would tell me what. Not even the one he threatened to choke. I think they're frightened of him."

"Even Veers?"

"Veers claims he wasn't paying attention to their argument, which I can almost believe."

"I've worked with that boy several times, and I can't believe he was angry over nothing." This was a different officer. Luke thought he recognized Lieutenant Robyson, the one also from a desert world. "He is friendly and caring towards the other cadets, even assisting the younger ones when he sees them struggling. Perhaps the older ones were bullying him because of his famous father."

"That's a possibility," The commander said. He was silent for a moment, and then added, "This is a very delicate situation."

"Perhaps I could have a chat with him," Lieutenant Robyson said. "Try and get him to talk about what's happening."

"No need. I already know," the commander said. "He wanted to speak to his father earlier. He needs his father ... it was clear from the first conversation we had that his problem was a lack of parental attention. Just like Veers. No wonder they get on so well."

Luke rolled his eyes. Adults always thought they knew exactly what was wrong, no matter how clueless they were.

"I'll see if the weather had cleared enough to let me contact Lord Vader and discuss the situation," the commander continued. "At the very least, I'll find out whether the other cadets are truly in danger from Skywalker."

Luke was just about ready to step out of the speeder and start hurling abuse in the officers' direction. If the cadets were in danger from anyone, it was Torture, not him! And to add insult to injury, the commander was going to tell his father about all the 'trouble' he'd been causing. He'd never take him back now.

His hand fumbled for the door release, his mind already racing with all the words he was going to defend himself with. The speeder door sprang open, and he stumbled out ... only to find himself nearly standing on another cadet. In a second, he recognized Zev. His teammate pulled him down out of sight.

Luke stared at him in surprise, and then glanced around the edge of the speeder. Torture and the commander had now parted ways, and he could see both the lieutenants walking back to the dining hall. The commander must have returned to his office.

"What are you doing here?!" Luke asked.

"Looking for you," Zev explained. "Torture sent me to check on you. You weren't in the tent. I heard the speeder door slam, so I came over here."

"I don't need 'checking' on," Luke said, bitterly. "Tell him to check on himself."

"Crepes said he was sorry," Zev said, carefully. "I know he's a nerfherder, but sometimes I think he can't help it. He's got some mutated gene which means everything that comes out of his mouth is annoying."

Luke stood up. "I have to go and talk to the commander. He's going to talk to my father, and—"

Zev interrupted him. "I've got a better idea."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Torture won't be expecting me at his office for an hour at least. He'll think I'm with you. So how about we go and visit that spaceport?"

"Zev, I—"

He shrugged, smirking. "Hey, he's going to punish me anyway. Might as well make it worth it. And besides … maybe we'll find a ship there."

"You mean … we could stowaway?!" It felt so good that someone else was having the impulsive ideas for once. "Zev, that's a great idea!"

"Wherever we end up has to be better than here, right?" Zev said, forcefully.

Luke stared into the darkness of the nearby trees for a moment, remembering his father's warning about leading others into danger. This could all go horribly wrong. But despite his lingering doubt, he knew it wasn't even a question of yes or no. He'd wanted to get away from here the moment his father had mentioned it.

"Let's do it," Luke said.

"Do you know how to fly a ship?" Zev asked, curiously.

"Fly a ship? Are you kidding?" Luke said, walking quickly towards their tent. "I can fly anything with an engine. Pack your things—we're leaving!"

Zev joined him, matching his rapid pace. "I don't know what it is about you," he said. "But no matter how crazy you talk, you still inspire me with confidence."

"It's a family trait," Luke said.