Warning: Physical torture

An unexpected sparkle of light

Luke was training with Lord Vader's wingmen. He was by far more skilled. He was wearing black uniform and all the other pilots feared him. He felt uneasy walking by

the crew that saw him as "young Vader".

Lord Vader had allowed him some privileges since his turning. He kept studying

and he was free to leave the star destroyer as long as he was accompanied with stormtroppers. Luke tried to concentrate on his father's teachings but his mind kept flashing towards his friends. Every time this happened he was punished.

It had been one whole month since he had freed his sister and turned to the dark side in the hopes to save her from the same fate. Emperor Vader had just captured some rebels and they were taken to the detention block. Luke learning of this requested an audience with his father.

At the throne room Vader watched the stars.

Luke entered and knelt before his father.

"What brings you here?" Vader spoke without turning from the view which made Luke uncomfortable.

"Forgive me my boldness, my lord. I wish to talk about the rebels that have been captured."

"Your sister is not among them if you want to know."

Luke was relieved. He did want to know if she was alive but he also had an agenda, keep her safe.

"What is going to happen to them, father?"

The silence and only the breathing sound of the respirator made Luke uneasy.

"Once they provide what I want, they will be disposed of." Vader replied coldly.

Then he turned to Luke. "And since you have come to me…it make it easier for me to give you this command," he paused. "You will be in charge of their demise."

"Me?" Luke heartbeat went up ten notches.

"Are you questioning me?"

"No…no father, I will do as you say…it is just…I thought…instead of killing them we could make them to be on our side…"

Vader paced around Luke observing the young man. Luke tried not to show but he was becoming terrified each minute he was on his presence.

"It was…only an idea…f-father. If it is not what you want…I will do as you command…I…" Luke became nervous. What would he say, he didn't want to kill anyone, his heart was torn with the idea that he had to kill, he wanted to find a reason not to.

"I sense your resistance to the dark side, Luke. You have pity for those rebels. It is clouding your judgment."

"We could benefit for their alliance, father…they have knowledge and they could influence others…"

"Then it is decided. You will talk to them. I want the information of the other rebel bases. If you succeed I will let you convince them to contribute to the empire."

"If I fail…father?"

"They must join us…or die."

Luke had practiced his shields. Before he went to deal with the rebels he stopped to meditate.

/Ben! Help me/

No answer.

/Please, Ben. I had to do this to save Leia. I don't know what to do…/

He started crying, he was doomed. There was indeed no escape of his awful fate.

/Be at peace, Luke/

Luke turned to the voice. "Ben!"

Obi Wan smiled.

"It is a great burden you are facing, Luke but you still hold the light. Don't let darkness to consume you. You must resist."

"He is too powerful…" Luke replied in total despair. "He is now the emperor…the master…I can't go against him."

"Focus, Luke. Maintain control and use the Force. You will find strength. I must go now or he will feel my presence."

"Thank you, Ben."

Obi Wan vanished. Luke left his chambers and headed towards the detention cell.

Luke walked to the detention cell thinking about the advice Ben had given. /Be at peace…/

He walked to the first cell and found a man lying on the bunker turned to the wall.

As soon as Luke entered the cell the man turned.

"Wedge?"

"Luke! You are alive!"

Luke's heart sank. "Wedge…I am not the one you knew." Luke cleared his throat.

"I am here to get information about the other bases."

"Luke? What happened to you?"

Luke had a shiver when he sensed his father's approaching. He spoke harshly,

"Captain Antilles, don't make me do the hard way. You will tell me the location of the other bases."

"I will not tell you Commander Skywalker!" Wedge emphasized the last words, "I prefer you kill me now."

Darth Vader entered the cell with stormtroppers. Luke could feel the anger boiling within the dark lord.

"Perhaps you should motivate him, my son." Vader turned to the troppers "Take him to the lower level."

"Son?" Wedge stared aghast as he was carried away.

"Father, please give me a chance to deal with them."

"Your thoughts betray you my son, you have feelings for them."

"Please, father…let me try to reason with them…there is no need for…"

Luke didn't finish. Vader slapped his son that he went flying across the cell.

Luke remained down. He looked up slowly, his face was bloodied.

"Don't forget you have made an oath, Luke! You will do as I say and don't venture in foolish pity for those rebels! I let your sister go but if you don't obey my command I shall find her and replace you!" Vader approached him menacing. Luke slide backwards to the wall, terrified.

"Forgive me, father…I will do as you say." Luke said as he slowly got up.

"Come with me."

At the lower level Wedge Antilles was strapped. Luke shivered with the memory of being there, helpless at the mercy of the torture droids.

Vader held Luke in check. He was to watch his friend to be tortured and he could not show any remorse.

"Any defiance, Luke you will find yourself on his place!"

Luke stood still. Wedge's strength was dwindling, he didn't have the force as his ally, he told Vader everything he wanted to know.

"We have no more use of him, Luke. Kill him."

Luke was in total despair. He looked at Wedge bruised and battered and he turned to Vader. "I…I can't…father."

The room started to shake. Luke's place his hands on his throat and felt on his knees.

"Ple..a.." Luke was almost unconscious when Vader released him.

"You will learn not to defy me, Luke. After I'm done with you, you will kill him and anyone I command."

Vader took Luke by the arm and held tightly. He turned to stormtroppers. "Take Captain Antilles to his cell." When the stormtroppers took Wedge Antilles away Vader bound Luke's wrists and attached him to the wall. He pulled Luke's shirt, picked up a lash and begin merciless to whip his son, Luke's cried out.

"Please, father!"

"You will never defy me again, young one!"

The torture continued. Luke was in a horrible pain but he gathered the strength left and uttered one word that cut through Vader's cold heart and brought his respirator to a sudden gasp:

"Mother!"