Authoress' note: Well, it feels good to be doing one of these things again. An authoress' note, I mean. It's been awhile and I've been busy with lots of stuff as of late, but I've been well. Plenty of people have been asking me "hey you okay? You alive?" And yes I am in fact alive and well.

This here is just a short one-shot I've been thinking about, as well as to help get on peoples radar again, cause I've been working on some stuff old and new, Star Wars and BATIM, and I want ya'll to be there to see it.

And if your someone I know IRL who found my account (you know who you are), hi, hello, welcome to the chaos.

I do not own Star Wars, or a car. It died over the summer (Press F to pay respects)

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"If you could rule the galaxy, what would your first decree be?"

Wedge Antilles looked up his sandwich pausing halfway to his mouth. He and Luke were sitting in a fast-meal restaurant somewhere in the Outer Rim. They were returning from an undercover mission and wanted to treat themselves before returning to the base.

"Me?" Wedge pointed to himself.

"Yeah, you. If you had a chance to rule the galaxy, what would your first decree be?"

"Free Lothcats for everyone!" Wedge joked, throwing his hands in the air and causing certain toppings of his lunch to go airborne.

"I'm being serious." Luke frowned.

Wedge slumped in his booth, his eyes studying the ceiling. "I dunno, maybe abolish the death penalty for treason?"

"Oddly specific." Luke noted, biting into a large fry.

"Well, it's one thing to plot an assasination, but I've seen people die solely because people suspected them of badmouthing the Empire, which is pretty harsh if you ask me. Actually, I take it back. My first decree would be freedom of speech, within reason."

"Within reason?"

"Well, you can't go death threatening every person on the street or saying lewd things to kids."

Luke tapped his chin. "Hmm… that's true. But if you disagree with the government on something, you can say that?"

"Yeah, maybe that person is making a fair point that should be listened to. A good government listens to its people."

"What about you, Luke?" Wedge took a big bite of his sandwich. "Whaf youf fuft dewee?"

Luke thought for a moment. Then he snapped his fingers. "The Hutt clans be removed from power in the Outer Rim."

Wedge's eyes widened as he nodded. "Thaf a goo ibea."

Luke gave a small laugh. "Well, if they're gone, people in places like Tatooine won't have to worry about water taxes as much. I remember that being a big problem as a kid."

Wedge swallowed and took a sip of his drink. "So, uh, why'd you ask that anyway? Thinking about becoming Emperor?"

"No." Luke said quickly.

Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as Father and S—

"No." Luke said again, as if saying it more will convince him it's true. "No… I-I'm not."

Wedge frowned. "You okay Luke? Something on your mind?"

"No— I mean yeah, I'm fine. Just… Wedge, if you ever were given the chance to… to rule the galaxy, would you take it?"

Wedge slurped the bottom of his drink, making an obnoxious scraping could with his straw. "First of all, like that'll ever happen to me. But if it did, I don't think so. But that'd be because I'm not equipped for stuff like that. That's more in Mothma or Princess Leia's department. But if I was…" Wedge tilted his head back so the ice cubes at the bottom of the cup could slide into his mouth. After crunching on them for a few seconds, he said, "I'd say 'let's do it!' I mean, It'd be hard, but I'd have a voice in government, I could see changes I want become a reality. I'd be able to make a difference."

Luke bit his cheek and looked at his plate, suddenly losing his appetite.

"What'd about you?" Wedge asked. "Would you take it?"

Luke opened his mouth to say no, but found the words dying on his tongue. He shut his mouth and looked out the window. "I…"

I'll never join you!

"I don't know." He said quietly, finding those words to be a bit more honest.

Wedge studied Luke for a minute. "Alright Luke, something's bothering you."

"No!" Luke snapped his head to his friend. "Nothing's wrong, I just… I just got a lot on my mind right now."

I'll never join you!

Luke scratched his head with his real hand, remembering how he said that thinking Vader just wanted another tool, but didn't say that when he realized Vader wanted to rule the galaxy with him. Luke didn't say anything like that, he had just stared at Vader in shock.

"Like ruling the galaxy?" Wedge guessed, reaching over to steal Luke's fries.

Luke sighed. "Well… sometimes I'm just tired of not seeing change. And if I ruled the galaxy… maybe I could see those changes."

Wedge shrugged. "I guess that's fair. You don't seem to be the political type, Luke, but you got a lot of empathy. And the best leader is an empathetic one."

"Hmm…" Luke mumbled. "I— Hey stop that!" Luke ripped the stolen fry out of Wedge's hand.

OOO

Several hours later Luke was in his X-wing, the blue wisps of hyperspace flying over his head. Artoo had shut down to save power until they got back, leaving Luke with his thoughts.

The best leader is an empathetic one.

Luke didn't know if that was the best kind of leader, a leader also needed to be thick-skinned and determined, but he assumed it was a good quality to have, and a quality both the Emperor and Vader sorely lacked in.

But Luke was empathetic, and if he ruled the galaxy with Vader, there could be at least one empathetic person in charge, which would be better than two tyrants.

There was the other point, though. Did Luke have what it took to rule a galaxy? He didn't know. He was just a farm boy from a nowhere dustball planet.

Perhaps that down-to-earth experience was just what he needed though. He could reach out to people in ways the rich couldn't. The galaxy could have a leader they could relate to.

As Luke sat in his ship, he knew there was one source he could get some of those answers from, but he didn't want to use it. It was like that one call that no one wanted to make and avoided at all costs, but at the same time it was a call that needed to happen sooner or later.

Or maybe it was a call he did want to make, but was too afraid to.

The more he thought about it, the slower time seemed to go. He felt claustrophobic in his ship, his legs twitching. He needed someone to talk to.

Very carefully, making sure his shield was still in place, Luke reached out though the force. It felt like he was sticking his hand into a dark room. He crossed his arms and his hands gripped the fabric of his jumpsuit as he scrunched his eyes shut.

Suddenly he felt something cold and powerful grab his extension into the Force. Luke gasped and instinctively pulled back, but the presence only tightened its grip.

"Wait wait!" Luke called out, gasping for breath. "I-I just want to talk!"

The dark presence seemed to relax slightly, but still held a firm grip on Luke.

I was beginning to think you were not yet capable of communicating through the Force. Vader noted with a hint of bitterness.

Luke swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. "No, I was just ignoring you."

I noticed.

Luke gave a short laugh.

A moment passed. You said you wished to speak. Vader reminded.

Luke coughed. "Right. Sorry. I'm not used to this."

You would be more used to it if you actually responded whenever I reached out through our bond.

Luke huffed in annoyance. He decided to ignore that comment. "I've been thinking about your offer."

Vader seemed to perk at this, but said nothing.

"If you… if you ruled the galaxy, if you were Emperor… what would your first decree be?"

Luke sensed Vader's presence deflate slightly, which caused Luke to smile slightly. What, you're expecting me to go "oh I was wrong of course I'll join you!"

I heard that. Vader deadpanned.

Luke jumped. "What—? How're…"

You need to practice your shielding, young one.

Luke wanted to snap something back at him, but realized that Vader seemed to sound different. He seemed a bit more… at ease, causal even. Probably helps that they weren't on a battlefield.

I would ban slavery in the Empire.

Luke's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

You asked me what my first decree is, that is my answer.

"You serious?"

Why would I lie?

"I just… that wasn't what I expected. You would really ban slavery?"

It is barbaric. Vader responded dryly.

"I didn't know you thought that."

There is much you don't know, my son.

Luke bit his lip. He still wasn't used to this reality, that he was someone's son, let alone his son.

Why are you asking this?

"I've just been thinking about it lately, and I wanted to know what you'd say."

I see.

The two were silent for a while, Vader had yet to let go on Luke's outreaches presence, which was annoying Luke quite a bit. When he had first tugged back it was like something in his brain was being pulled. Now that Luke had his answer he wanted to leave, but at the same time didn't want to be alone.

Slavery? Why slavery? They practically made the backbone of the Empire, threre would be little, if any, benefits the government would gain.

What is troubling you, young one?

Luke felt a lump in his dry throat. "I don't know." He was surprised by how easily that came out instead of an empty "Nothing."

I think you do, but you do not want to face it.

The Jedi's hands balled into fists as the lump threatened to spill over.

Luke?

Tears were starting to form in his eyes.

"SLAVERY?!" Luke shouted. "You could do a million things and you pick slavery?!"

Is it not to your approval?

"No! I mean yes! I mean… I just…" A small sob escaped him and Luke put his fist to his mouth. "That's not what I expected at all… I thought you'd say something like 'wipe out the rebellion' but you'd instead put an end to slavery."

As I said, it is barbaric.

"I know… but… it's just…" Luke struggled to swallow, remembering that he was speaking to someone who once tried to kill him on enemy lines, and now he was talking to him like he was some sort of therapist.

"I don't know you at all." Luke said finally, "I don't know anything about you… and I don't know myself anymore."

Vader was quiet, but Luke noticed how he released his grip, possibly because they both knew Luke wasn't going to flee.

"And I KNOW—" Luke interjected into the silence, tears now running down his face. "I KNOW what you're going to say and I just… I just… I can't betray the Rebellion, I owe them so much and I've seen the sacrifices they've made so that people can have a better future. All the Empire has ever done is oppress and control people, and I want no part in that."

The silence resumed after that. Luke didn't know how much time had passed. He just sat there in his cockpit as tears rolled down his face. The abmbianctic hum of hyperspace was the only background noise.

Son.

"Yes?"

I have been thinking about our encounter as well.

Luke sniffed as he rubbed his nose against his sleeve. Was that regret in his voice?

You… Vader seemed to struggle in his words. You are a public enemy that needed to be apprehended, so I was forced to do what I must in order to capture you.

Luke gave a bitter laugh. But Vader continued.

However, I severely underestimated your skill.

"Severely under— you beat the crap out of me!"

I did, however very few have lasted as long as you have during a match, especially someone so untrained. With proper training you could easily surpass me in your skill. You were an admirable opponent.

Luke frowned. Where was he going with this?

But I was unwise in my strategy. I had planned to take you down quickly with no damage done, but I had stepped out of bounds.

"Oh." Was the only thing Luke could say in disbelief.

And I now realize that your reaction to the truth was justified.

Luke thinned his lips as he rubbed the wrist where his arm connected with the prosthetic. The strain in Vader's voice was unmistakable. The rebel theorized that it may have been years since Vader has apologized to anyone.

"Thank you." He replied quietly.

For what?

"For understanding how I felt."

Vader said nothing, but Luke felt a nod of affirmation in the Force.

More awkward silence passed. Luke reflected on what Vader said over and over. Never in a million years did Luke ever think Vader was against slavery, or be willing to admit he was wrong, or validate Luke's pain. And this he had learned with just one conversation.

An idea formed in Luke's head.

"Father?"

Yes, son?

"If…" Luke took a deep breath, finding it easier to do so. "Is there a way I can meet with you, in person? Outside the eyes of the Empire or the Rebellion. Like this?"

I can make that a possibility. Vader said, almost with a hint of enthusiasm.

"Promise? This won't be a trap, because… because you know I'd be going out on a limb to do this, and if it's a trap you'll never gain my trust."

If you promise not to run away.

"I won't so long you don't give me a reason to."

Very well.

"This is not me joining you, or the Empire… but if I ever am going to consider your offer, then I need to… I need to know more. About you, the Empire, and just everything going on. I won't be going back with you… I just… I just need this."

I understand.

Luke slumped in his seat. "Thank you."

Just then something beeped on the X-Wing's dashboard. Luke realized that he was just about to arrive at his destination.

"I have to go." He said remorsefully.

There is a planet I have in mind, it is an isolated world with an atmosphere only a skilled pilot can navigate through. I will send you the coordinates next time we speak. Vader said quickly.

Luke nodded. "Alright. May… May the Force be with you, Father."

As like was beginning to cut off connection he heard Vader say, And with you, my son.

Authoress' note: No matter how many new characters are introduced to Star Wars, Luke and Vader will always be my favorites.

Anywho, follow, favorite, leave a nice review, and of course, may the Force be with You