Luke woke with a jump, his alarm blaring next to him. He leaned over to shut the sound off and rubbed his eyes. It was still dark outside, he glanced at the chrono and saw it was thirty minutes to 0700. The lights of the city cast a light blue glow in his room, he could hear the constant stream of Croscanti traffic outside. Honks from flyers and sirens from emergency speeders cried in the distance, Luke rolled out of bed.

He then felt his father's presence wrap around him, then he heard his father's voice in his head. "You must get up, my son, we need to leave soon if we are to stay on schedule."

"I'm getting up," Luke responded, the connection was cut and Luke stood and stretched his arms out. He bent over on the floor and threw something presentable on to wear, he then heard a knocking on his bedroom door. Luke walked over and pressed the panel by his door, it swooshed open and light poured into his room.

He squinted his eyes as they adjusted to the bright lights in the halls and saw two ensigns, ones he hadn't talked to too much. "We are here to deliver your belongings to the Devastator ," One of the men said. Luke stood back to let them in.

"Yeah, just those boxes over there," Luke pointed towards the large boxes he packed the previous night. The ensigns moved over towards them, picked them up, and left carrying them down the hall towards the lift. Luke walked towards the panel by his door and ordered a small breakfast, he was half tempted to order caf but knew better. He was just so tired, he was not used to getting up this early. Luke walked out to the hall, still not used to the bright lights.

In the corner of his eye, he saw his father's personal chambers door swoosh open. He was expecting the large dark figure of his father but saw a frantic Lekauf run out, consumed with his datapad working on something quickly. Lekauf's eyes glanced up and his eyes lit up at Luke, "Oh Luke, thank the force you're up."

"Good morning to you too," Luke laughed softly followed by a yawn, Lekauf gave him a half smile.

"Sorry for acting so frantic, but you need to get down to the hangar, your father is waiting for you." Lekauf grabbed Luke by the shoulder and began to lead him towards the lift.

"But my breakfast!" Luke said as he turned his head back to look at his room.

"They have food on the Devastator ." Lekauf sighed as they both entered the lift, Lekauf punched the lift control panel to descend to the hangar. "Curse last minute departures…" Lekauf mumbled.

"Why is it so last minute?" Luke asked, Lekauf sighed.

"The Emperor's last minute request," Lekauf typed rapidly in his datapad, "Naboo is the Emperor's homeworld, they throw a huge celebration in honor of him." Luke scrunched his face, the Emperor was from the same world his mother was from? That didn't sit well with him, the lift doors opened and Lekauf placed his hand on Luke's shoulder and directed him out into the hangar.

Luke saw his father's large dark figure walking down the exit ramp of a shuttle, Luke and Lekauf stopped at the foot of the ramp as his father reached them. "Here is your son, my Lord." Lekauf let go of Luke's shoulder, Luke yawned deeply.

"I can see that," His father snapped, Luke didn't understand how his father could be so snarky this early in the morning. "Luke, get on the ship immediately, I will be on momentarily."

"Can't I just wait out here with you?" Luke yawned.

"No," His father pointed hard at him, "Get on that shuttle before I carry you on!" His father said firmly, Luke didn't want to take the chance and ran up the ship's ramp. He plopped down in the co-pilot's seat and stared longingly at the yoke of the ship. He wondered if maybe his father would let him fly up to the Devastator , Luke let out a sigh. He doubted it, his father was in an incredibly bad mood, but still, a little voice in his head kept persuading him to ask if he could fly.

Luke grew increasingly bored as he waited for his father. He slumped in his seat and carefully and oh so delicately propped his feet up on the dash of the ship. He avoided the heels of his shoes from pressing down on any of the important buttons, he rested his eyes and relaxed until his father came.

"Inform Governor Restos I will review his project at my leisure," Vader informed Lekauf, Lekauf nodded as he typed.

"Yes, my Lord, right away."

"Keep me updated on what is going on in Coruscant, send out spies to wherever you deem necessary to stay up to date." Lekauf nodded, "With the Emperor and I absent, no doubt there will be corruption." Vader sighed.

"Already had spies sent to the Senate and the Palace, my Lord."

"Send several to the IBS as well."

"At once, my Lord." Leland punched information into his data pad as Vader turned and stalked up the exit ramp into the shuttle with Lekauf behind him. He entered the cockpit and saw his son's feet on the dash of the ship.

"Luke! Take your feet off of the dashboard!" Vader ordered, Luke jumped slightly and pulled his legs into his chest and wrapped his arms around his knees. "You cannot put your feet on there, this is a ship, not a lounge!"

"Could've fooled me." Luke laughed tiredly and yawned, "Hey- do you think I could fly us up to the Star Destroyer? Pleeeaaase!?" Luke asked as he clapped his hands together.

"Do I look like a fool to you?" Vader asked.

"Uhhh-" Luke looked side to side, "Well, not r-"

"Do not test my patience, young one." He pointed at Luke, "There is no way I am letting you fly this ship." Luke sighed as Vader sat in the pilot's seat and lifted the shuttle. The shuttle flew gently up at an angle towards the large Star Destroyer that lay far into the sky, the lights of the destroyer were the closest things to stars you could see on Coruscant. Luke was looking down on the city as they distanced themselves.

Vader was furious, he loathed every action he was doing that led to their destination. More than anything, he wanted to stay as far away from Naboo as possible, he wanted to forget it even existed. His son grew more excited the closer they got to the Star Destroyer, he understood his son couldn't help it, it was natural for him to want to see the planet.

They broke from the atmosphere, Vader punched in a clearance code and slowly moved towards his private hangar. The shuttle gently landed and Luke jumped out of his seat, Vader slowly stood from his seat and shut off the engine. Vader followed after Luke, who was in the process of walking down the exit ramp.

"Luke, you may go to your room and fall back to sleep while I am on the bridge." Vader told his son. Luke nodded slowly then rubbed the back of his head and looked up at him.

"Okay-" Luke paused and felt Luke poke at his mental shields, "So uh- are you feeling okay?" Vader didn't drop his shields. Vader was feeling a maelstrom of emotions, feelings he did not want to burden his son with. They would overwhelm him, the weight of emotions he carried were hard enough to carry for him.

"I do not feel the need to burden you with how I am feeling," Luke furrowed his brows.

"Your feelings aren't a burden." Luke said quietly as he looked to the ground.

"I do not wish to discuss this right now," Vader said sternly, Luke nodded slowly, still looking to the ground. "Go to your room and get some rest, young one." Luke nodded.

"Okay, I'll see you in the morning." Luke looked up at Vader, his eyes sympathetic.

"Rest well, young one." Vader paused, "Do not worry about me, my son." Luke smiled softly and nodded. Vader turned to leave the hangar. Giving the consent to hyperspace jump to Naboo was something he never thought he would do again. The Emperor was not doing this to honor citizens of Naboo, not even entirely for the extravagant celebration they threw, but for pure and utter emotional torture.

Having to go to Naboo was weighing on his mental state, usually he was able to think clearly. These past 24 hours he had been as distracted as when he got Luke as an infant. He couldn't allow his master to show how distracted he was.

Luke walked down the hall of his father's private chambers towards his room thinking about his father. He seemed the opposite of fine , despite what his father claimed, Luke knew he wasn't. Luke's mother had always been a difficult topic for his father, Luke knew going to his mother's homeworld must be difficult for him. His father wasn't exactly an open book, him admitting how he felt was not likely.

Luke walked into his room and laid in his bed, unable to believe he was actually going to his mothers home planet. His stomach flipped, he so anxious to get there. Luke's excitement somewhat fizzled once he remembered the Emperor would be there, ruining something as important as this. But Luke knew, without the Emperors specific orders to go to Naboo, his father would never take him there. He didn't like the feeling of being somewhat grateful of the Emperors orders but couldn't help it, he was going to Naboo, he fell asleep, smiling at that fact.

The week on the ship was as boring as it usually was, there wasn't much for a thirteen year old to do on the ship. Luke either explored as much as possible or watched something on his holovid, but the week couldn't have gone any slower. He looked out the viewport waiting for it to stop to see Naboo float below him, anxiously waiting for them to get there faster.

Luke woke up in his bed from a deep sleep to the ship jumping out of hyperspace and listened to the soft hum from the ship. Any fatigue he felt quickly purge his body, realizing he was finally over the planet. He jumped out of his bed and looked out the transparisteel viewport down on the planet below. It was a large, soft green planet with swirls of white clouds decorating the sphere surrounded by a blanket of stars. Luke let out a breath of amazement, his nose pressed up against the glass.

His mother's planet floated beautifully down below the ship, Luke couldn't help but smile softly at the view. He wanted nothing more than to see the planet his mother grew up on, walk the halls she did, see pictures of her. Luke had recalled his father mentioning she was the Queen of this planet, which was still mind blowing to think about.

Luke checked his chrono, 0800, they must have just gotten there. Just as Luke began to wonder when they would descend on the planet, his father poked at his shields. Luke opened their bond, he could feel initial shock from his father's end from the bond.

"I did not expect you to be up so early, young one." His father's voice said in his head.

"I woke when then ship jumped out of hyperspace,"

"Get ready, we must depart from the Devastator soon. Wear something presentable, you will be meeting with a Queen." Luke felt his stomach twist and turn into tight knots, a Queen!? What was he supposed to say to a Queen?

"O-Okay," Luke cut the connection then rifled through a closet and pulled on something presentable, but felt nothing would be good enough to meet a Queen in. He looked at himself in the mirror and flattened down his hair which stuck out each and every way. Luke stretched out the rest of his tiredness and walked to leave his room, his father stood in front of it waiting for him.

"Are you ready to go?" His father asked, Luke nodded.

"Yeah- I haven't eaten anything yet though," Luke shrugged.

"There will be food down on Na-" His father paused, "The planet," he corrected. Luke chose not to say anything, still keeping in mind this must be difficult for him. His father nudged Luke to move down the hall, Luke led the way towards his father's private hangar.

They entered the hangar, Lekauf walked down the shuttle's exit ramp and lit up when he saw Luke. Lekauf smiled widely, "Hello Luke, good morning!" Luke smiled.

"Hi Lekauf," Lekauf walked up to him and looked him up and down.

"Wow, you look spiffy huh? Well, your hair could do with some fixing.." Lekauf's formed a half smile, Luke frowned and was about to respond when he felt his father's hand on his shoulder and forcefully turned him around.

"I would have to agree with you, Lieutenant." His father began to fix his collar and straighten his hair, "Did you even brush your hair this morning?!" Luke shook his head.

"I forgot!" Luke furrowed his brows, "Do I look stupid!?" Slightly panicking at the thought of looking stupid in front of a Queen.

"No, you do not look like stupid," His father said, "Just like you had slept in." Luke slumped his shoulders, "Follow me." His father commanded and strode towards the shuttle. Luke and Lekauf followed behind him, Luke raced to the cockpit and sat down excitedly in the co-pilot's seat.

His father sat in the pilot's seat, Luke watched him, he looked almost hesitant but eventually lifted the shuttle and moved slowly out into space. Luke's eyes widened in amazement as they slowly moved towards the planet, the greenery becoming slowly more defined into lush forestry. They broke into the atmosphere, they flew over rivers, creeks, waterfalls, and saw, sat upon a large cliff, a large and beautiful city.

It's not anything like Coruscant, the buildings did not touch the sky and make you question how far down the ground was. They were made of old stone with soft green moss and vines growing upon them. Trees, bushes, flowers and old statues decorated the old city. Luke then saw a large Palace with domed roofs atop several towers down the large main road. He heard the tightening leather of his father's gloves tighten around the yoke. The road was cleared and blocked off, Luke guessed it was for the parade.

"Once we arrive at the palace, Lekauf shall give you a tour so you do not get lost."

"You're gonna let me walk around the palace?" Luke asked, genuinely shocked.

"Yes, I must review the security protocols set up for tomorrow, I cannot allow any distractions."

Luke nodded slowly but quickly sat up in his seat when the ship neared the Palace into a large hangar, Luke internally cringed when he saw the Emperor's shuttle was stationed there as well. His father landed the shuttle next to the Emperors and shut off the engine. Luke could hear the muffled sound of the exit ramp lowering from the cockpit, but Luke kept his eyes on his father. His father stood from the pilots seat, "Let us get this over with as quickly as possible." His father said as he left the cockpit. Luke shot up in his seat and followed behind him down the cockpit.

Luke saw a woman, who he assumed was the Queen, in the most extravagant gown he had ever seen, her face painted in white with red marks. She was surrounded by several other girls in the same outfits, he looked at them in amazement. The Queen bowed towards his father and smiled brightly.

"It is an honor Lo-"

"Dispense with the pleasantries, I do not think I can pretend to care what you will have to say." Luke knew his father was in a bad mood, but didn't know he was in this bad of a mood. The Queens eyes widened and nodded slowly.

"I understand-" She paused, "May I ask who this i-" She began to gesture to Luke but was cut off yet again.

"He will be staying in one of the guest rooms, but first my Lieutenant shall give him a tour." She nodded slowly, his father turned to Lekauf, "Make sure Luke stays safe."

"Yes, my Lord." Lekauf bowed.

"One of your personal assistants shall give Luke a tour, then bring him to his room." The Queen motioned for one of the women to move forward and walked towards Luke. "Take me to where the Emperor is." His father demanded from the Queen then turned to Luke, "Follow Lekauf and the personal assistant, do not get into trouble while I am away, or else." Luke felt a high temptation to ask, or else what , but knew better to test him right now. Luke swallowed hard and nodded, his father turned and followed the Queen as they left the hangar. The woman cleared her throat and smiled.

"Hello, my name is Yisé." Luke smiled.

"Luke," he examined the intricate braids the woman had in her blonde hair, "So, how big is the pal-"

" Hello, Yisé," Lekauf smiled brilliantly, "I am Lekauf." He held out his hand, Yisé took it awkwardly and smiled.

"Well- shall we begin the tour?" Luke nodded, she turned and led the way as Lekauf and Luke followed behind her. Luke's eyes widened at the sight, the palace was huge. The ceiling towered above him, Luke craned his neck all the way back to see the murals painted on the ceiling. They wandered the halls, he tried remember the passage they took so he wouldn't get lost. Yisé began to tell them the history of paintings they saw, statues and the palace in general.

"They really should have a map of this place." Lekauf laughed, Luke rolled his eyes and continued forward through the large halls of the palace. So far, it was the most elegant place he had ever been to in his life. The floor was a glossy marble cream color, the walls were decorated with large paintings, Luke assumed they were paintings of old royalty. The stained glass windows cast colorful light into the halls, it was breathtaking and Luke didn't mind the idea of getting lost in here.

They rounded a corner and walked upon the large main entrance of the palace. Yisé turned and smiled, "Would you guys like to see the main road? There is plenty of history out there." Luke nodded quickly.

"Yeah!" Luke jumped slightly, she laughed softly and whispered something to Lekauf. Lekauf's mouth twisted into a grin, like he was holding back a laugh. Luke furrowed his brows and crossed his arms.

"What are you laughing about?!" Lekauf smiled.

"It's nothing Luke- she just thinks it's cute how excited you are." Luke's mouth dropped open.

"I am not cute! I am 13!" He protested, Lekauf and Yisé just laughed. Luke groaned as he followed them out of the palace. Luke wondered if his father would be okay if he walked the main road but his father never explicitly said no to going out. Just a tour, and this still counted as the tour, right?

They walked down the steps and onto the main road. The sky was grey, casting a darkness over the city. He wouldn't be surprised if it began to rain any second. Luke looked around at the beautiful stone buildings, stone road and planet life all around him. Luke could hear birds singing, which was rare on Coruscant. Luke soaked in the wonderful sights that there were to see on this planet, his impressions were slightly enhanced by the very fact this was his mother's homeplanet.

He wondered if on a regular time of year the streets were busy and packed with people, unlike now, it was just Luke, Lekauf, and Yisé, she raddled on about the history of Theed, it was hard for Luke to pay attention as he looked around. The grey sky deepened in color, in the distance they heard the soft crack of thunder. Lekauf walked to Luke and looked at the sky with a slight concern. "We should probably get back inside."

"Please can we keep looking around?" Luke asked with a pleading look in his eyes, "A little rain won't hurt us." Lekauf quickly looked between Luke and Yisé.

"Okay, how about 5 more minutes," Yisé offered, Lekauf looked okay with those terms and began typing in his datapad.

If 5 minutes was all he had he would use every second, Luke speed walked down the street, quickly surveying the area. Lekauf struggled to keep up with him as he typed, Luke read each sign of shops he passed, admired every sculpture he saw. Another crack of thunder sounded off in the distance, Luke felt light rain drops fall onto him. Luke knew he wasn't going to be able to stay out here much longer if it began to pour so he picked up his speed.

Luke reached the end of the main road, the rain started to pick up. He turned to see Lekauf catch up to him, "Luke- we are going to have to head back." Luke slumped his shoulders and took one final look around.

"Okay just one-" Luke paused when his eyes spotted an old sign on a mossy stone wall. Luke walked slowly towards it, Luke began to feel his heart beat quicken as he read the sign over and over again.

Naboo's Royal Burial Ground