Chapter 6: Between Brothers

The Executor

Super Stardestroyer

Vader in his chambers alone medicating , he sat in the middle of the floor with his legs crossed in meditation mode. His eyes are closed as the Sith channelled his frustration and angry in the force. Nothing will stop Vader's anger due to the fact his wife was missing for so long.

He had still no leads on his missing wife but only rumours around the Outer Rim or wild space even the unknown territories. He missed his wife and his unborn child; his master doubted they are still alive.

Vader spend years hunting Jedi and Rebels across the galaxy in the name of the Empire. However,h secretly spend time searching for Padme's whereabouts and all of his efforts ended up in a cold trail . Overtime , he grew more colder , ruthless and efficient even incensed to the core ; the galaxy even his own legion were afraid of him. He executed officers or troopers for failure daily to feed his growing anger.

The doors opened revealing a nervous Captain Piett, one of Vader's second in command.

"What is it captain ?" Growled Vader who stared at the wall infront of him.

" The probe droids haven't reported back for a month, shall I set out another squadron of probe droids ? In addition, we only have two squadrons available for deployment." Asked Piett nervously.

"Fine." Muttered Vader with annoyance. "Only one squadron this time Piett. Do not disturb me again."

"Yes my lord." Answered Piett before leaving Vader alone to his thoughts about Padme.

Sera

A week until Operation Leveller

Tyrus

Naval Port

Luke flipped over his retro lancer assault rifle for any signs of deflects,He signed chucking his neck as he cleaned his body armour. He was in t shirts and blue combat pants sit in a bunk in the ship's barracks. His gear was on his bed along with a photo of a red-haired girl. His brother and friend were busy at the moment : Marcus was in the showers and Carlos was making a quick phone call to Leia.

In the barracks, Gears chanting along themselves , playing cards , reading or checking their war gear and even hanging out at the recreation lounge.

"Hey, little brother." Called out a voice of Marcus right beside him. Luke turned with his lancer in his lap before smiling a little bit.

Marcus in his amor dressed to the foot with his doo rag. Standing next to him , Marcus said: "Let me guess writing to my old man and Leia."

"Yeah, I mean no," answered Luke "But when this is all over , I was thinking about applying for the Air Corps."

"Carlos told me you were reading the KR manuals every night." said Marcus "Sounds cheap."

"There room for one more." Insist Luke only for Marcus to chucked "Being in the air is badass and me, I like the hands-on approach not this flying shit, let alone flying at the same time leaving Carlos out of the picture"

Luke sighed and it was pointless to keep both Marcus and Carlos safe since dangers were lurking at every corner, he join the Army to fight Side by side with his brothers in arms however it would be harder to bring Marcus even Carlos home. Leia was assigned to Command and Control according to his letters. At least she was getting letters from lunch everyday.

"Dom is going to Apsho Fields where the Indies are making some kind of super laser weapon thing right." Asked Luke. "Listening to the rumours around the ship and the base. Is it true, this is the big push."

"I got a good feeling about Dom beside little brother, he trained for this black ops type sounds tactical." Said Marcus but he noticed Luke was trying to make a point on something else and he didn't like the look of pity from his own adopted brother.

"Missing your girl back home. Hard but you see her again." Said Marcus with a simile. "Well about that operation will start in three days."

"I know big brother." Said Luke. "I got a confusion to make."

The two brothers left the barracks right into the shower room. Once the shower room was alone. Luke began. "Marcus after all we have been through. I feel something inside me for the first time ever."

Marcus raised his eyebrow "I though to be clear, those dreams stop a long time ago when you join the army but you are tell me they are coming back."

"I know it sounds crazy from the mouth of a gun." Said Luke seriously "I had a dream.." As Luke look down at the ground with a sigh. "I remember my mother. My true mother"

The term mother completely brought up an unpresent reminder to Marcus in the family. But Marcus took a deep breath. "Your real mother you mean. Dad didn't tell you about her. All I know was Dad took you in when you are just a little baby."

Luke signed as the painful truth resufure. "He already did and I was there , Leia too . Dad told me about her, she ...die ...giving birth to me and Leia. My real mother is name Padme Amidala ."

"Padme ? Amidala ? Padme Amidala." Scratching his head."Didn't ring a bell."

"Never head of her. Dad never told me about it. She would've made a good mother of you Luke." Said Marcus "That sad story been eating you for years."

A tear pour down his eyes. "I never get to know my real mother."

Marcus signed painfully "Don't worry little brother , we both been there." Placing a hand "I got your back baby brother. You promise me you kept on living if anything happens to me."

"I wish I stop you from dying no matter what Marcus." Luke suddenly blurt out. "I wish we could end this war and get on with our lives."

"Stop people from dying? That crazy talk and the major wouldn't like this crazy shit." Argued Marcus with uncertain in this tone. "Carlos wouldn't like this hysterical shit you are pull off."

"No, it bigger than the war-" protested Luke as then Carlos walked into the room. "Marcus! Luke! What is going on?"

"It nothing." Blurted out Marcus "Some story Luke made up. Crazy talk." Only for Carlos to raised an eyebrow. "Major Stroud is gathering everyone for the briefing." Luke looked angered.

"I catch up with you little brother." Said Marcus "Then we can finish on that crazy dream of yours."

" Crazy talk, someone is going psycho!" Teased Carlos as the three walked out of the room.

"Oh shut up Carlos." Retorted Luke lightly.

"So hows Alex ? Send her postcard to her or her mommy and daddy?" Taunted Carlos jokey nagging an elbow at Luke.

"I meet her when I was on leave, well her parents wasn't thrilled with me. What wrong with me a soldier wants to take her out for dinner?" Answered Luke serious tone. "But in the end, they like me for no reason."

"I bet she like your ass." Joked Marcus. "You baby brother."

"I even told her I would make Alex a pilot one day." Said Luke with a simile on her face.

"Keep dreaming little dreaming." Said Marcus disguising his jealously behind his tone. Something told him that there was something going on in his young brother and he will find out what is.

On the next day, He and his brothers will be schedule to be shipped off to the frontlines. On the port where hundreds of families preparing to say farewell to their brave men. Marcus and Luke saw their father standing there on the port railings. Luke then catch a red haired woman in civilian clothing next to his father. Alex Brand

"Alex !" Called out Luke rushing toward his girlfriend running toward when they both saw each other. Marcus and his father along with Carlos watched.

"Luke!" he and Alex embraced themselves in a hugged before sharing a kiss.

"I miss you." Said Luke as Alex stoke his blond hair and Luke held her cheeks. " I know Luke, promise me you will god dam come back in one piece."

"Or kick my ass." Smirked Luke holding his girlfriend in his arms.

Flashback

High School

Tyrus

A 15 year old Luke walking in the hallway, he turned a corner to see a young girl with red hair along with green eyes.

Luke flashed a simile and the girl smiled back. He remember she was in his other class in the morning and he meet her a few times but something tell him to connect with her.

"Hi, Luke." Said the Alex

"Hi, Alex." said Luke

"Do you want to see the movies today Alex, it would be fun." said Luke holding up two tickets.

"Sure, hope it is exicting." chucked Alex as they both hold hands before walking out the hallway.