Disclaimer: Still not mine

Got a new SW fic up, time travel, hope you enjoy

Chapter 7

Luke sat in the co-pilots seat, half watching the screens but unable to stop staring at the planet wide city below. He'd never imagined he would come to Imperial Centre and now he didn't know where to look first.

"That is the Senate." His screen changed at his Father's words, bringing up the massive building and he looked over at it once he knew what he was looking at. "That is the Imperial Palace where the Emperor lives and holds Court. Our home is there, the tower to the left."

Luke stared in shock at the massive tower his Father had pointed out, he was going to live there? He'd never seen a building so big before and now it was going to be home. The Palace was even larger, a massive complex. The buildings got closer and closer as the shuttle flew down to one of the Palace landing pads. As soon as the engines were off Luke stood and adjusted his half cape so it hung correctly and made sure his clothes weren't wrinkled, earning a nod of approval.

"Take this." Vader summoned a blaster and holster over and gave it to his son. "Carrying the lightsabre is too provocative for now but it would look odd for you to be totally unarmed. And remember, do not fall back on Jedi training in his presence, let him feel any negative emotion that may rise up."

Luke strapped the blaster on, glad Commander Appo had dragged him to the range earlier to test his shooting. He'd learnt on the farms rifle, nothing like the blasters carried by Imperial personnel but he had done pretty good anyway. Vader motioned to the ramp and it lowered so they left the shuttle, Luke at his Father's right side as the Sith guided him into the Palace. Luke couldn't help wondering if he'd ever leave it again.

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Obi-Wan sat on his small bed, still wondering if he had done the right thing in giving Luke up without a fight. He'd seen Holo's of his brother in the suit but seeing him like that in person…. Why did he wear it? To hide the prosthetic limbs? But that didn't feel right. Anakin had been exhausted yes but his only real injuries had been the missing limbs. And it couldn't have been more than a handful of minutes once he'd retreated until he was given some sort of medical aide…so much didn't make sense anymore. But if there was any chance in bringing forth what little was left of his Padawan the boy was their only hope. He could only hope he had taught Luke well enough in their short time together that he would not fall.

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Sidious stared down at the approaching figures and for the first time in a long time he wasn't entirely sure what to do, he had not foreseen this at all. He had always believed the child died with dear Padme. And yet his spies aboard the ship had confirmed the child's identity, this small teenager was Skywalker's son. The Rule of Two demanded one of them die and it made sense to kill the boy, despite how many people had seen him and would wonder. And yet something stayed his hand as Vader knelt and the boy quickly copied, Vader had been nothing but a disappointment since her death and perhaps it had been rash to ensure he was confined to the suite, limiting his power and fighting ability. The boy was not so limited, he burned bright in the Force, if mostly untrained, and it was possible that when grown he would be more powerful than both of him. Was it Vader he should kill to take the boy as his new Apprentice? It was a dilemma, especially at his advanced age, did he have the time and patience needed to train another, especially a barely trained teenager? But perhaps…. yes, for now both would live and he would allow Vader to train the boy. When the time came, he would have them fight for who would be his successor and final Apprentice. Yes, one day he would have the stronger Skywalker at his side to ensure his Empire could never be destroyed. He smirked as he felt the boy's fear the longer he remained silent, it appeared Kenobi was slipping in his old age when it came to training. "Rise my friend, bring the child closer." He commander and the two stood, Vader pushing the boy closer. "Welcome home young Skywalker, son of Darth Vader." He called and the hall instantly broke into hurried whispers as the Court realised the Throne now had a young, healthy heir.

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Bail closed his eyes in grief, blocking out the sight on the Holonet. The only way this could happen was for Obi-Wan to be dead. He would have defended the boy with his life. Now Luke stood dressed in Imperial finery with Darth Vader behind him, a hand on his shoulder, the new Imperial family reunited after the dastardly Jedi had torn them apart. Now Leia was their only hope but what could she do against them with no training? Where was Master Yoda when they so desperately needed him? This was the downside to no one else knowing her heritage, no one knew to come and help. He could contact Fulcrum but would she abandon the fight to train his daughter? And could they do so secretly or would that bring Vader to their door? Either way he had to send out the word to all Rebel cells that General Kenobi was dead.

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Luke tossed his half cape aside and collapsed on the bed, his bed now, and stared up at the black ceiling many feet above. He'd never seen so many people before as had been in the plaza where he had been presented as Prince Skywalker to the Universe. It was a good thing his clothes had been provided on the ship, he would have looked even more out of place in his old ones. The Emperor was…. overwhelming, he'd never felt such Darkness before and it was almost suffocating, even now he still felt sick from it. He hated the lie they had told over where he had been all his life. He'd dreamed as a kid of his Father coming for him, so far it was nothing like he'd imagined. He wriggled enough to unstrap the blaster holster and put it aside. Vader had sent word ahead of Luke's presence but it still amazed him that quarters had been ready for him when they had arrived in the tower. His were several levels lower than his Father's, close to the easily defended emergency bunker in case of emergence and he had the sense his Father would have preferred it if he would actually live in the bunker.

He glanced over at the comm station and bit his lip absently, he wanted to call his Aunt and Uncle, to explain but they were safer out of contact with him. He knew it would take months for today's announcement to reach Tatooine, what would everyone think? What would Biggs think? They'd been best friends for so long…. then again if Biggs went through with it and signed up for the Academy maybe he would see him again. Biggs was fifteen now, in three years he'd be eligible for the Academy and the closest to Tatooine was the Prefsbelt Naval Academy. He would find some way to keep an eye out for his name. For now, he needed to focus on his studies and learning everything he could to stay alive.

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Ahsoka leant into Rex's steadying hand as they watched the announcement in shock. Vader had a son? How? Who? She thought back over that time, she'd always suspected him and Padme…. was it possible she had a baby? And the story about the Jedi….it had to have been Obi-Wan who had taken him, did that mean he was dead? She hadn't felt his Death during the Purge and had always been hopeful her other Master had survived but for Vader to have the boy there was no way he would have left Obi-Wan alive. "He looks so much like him."

"Yeah, definitely the General's ad." Rex agreed, it was like looking at a child version of their General and it hurt.

"And they'll twist him into just another Sith." He hands balled into fists and Rex tried to sooth her. He had ways to do that now that he hadn't when they'd been Commander and Captain in the war.

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Luke watched as his Father 'disciplined' one of his men, fighting the urge to be sick or run for it or even try and intervene. He struggled to keep his emotions hidden, locked behind his shields, not wanting his Father to know how he felt about this. Finally, there was a thud as the body hit the floor, empty eyes staring right through Luke and he couldn't help the half step back. Two troopers came forward to drag the unfortunate Captain away and Luke couldn't take anymore, slipping away from the meeting room only to break into a run back to his room where he locked the door and curled up on the bed, tears flowing freely. Why had he ever dreamed of a life beyond the farm? This wasn't what he'd wanted. He ignored the knock on the door some time later, and then the door opened as the lock was overridden.

Appo stepped into the room and then spotted the boy curled up on the bed, looking utterly miserable. Why had he even come? What did he know about children, even teenagers? He'd never even dealt with new clones. He removed his helmet and then sat on the edge of the bed. "Hey kid." He called softly. He waited and finally Luke uncurled enough to look at him.

"Did Father send you?" He mumbled, wiping at his eyes.

"No sir. He is attending to other matters at the moment." Luke looked away and Appo sighed. "Luke." It was hard to call him by his first name, the familiarity it suggested not allowed, but the poor boy needed it. "what you saw is hard to accept, I know that. But incompetent officers like that get men killed. Fear of death is a great motivator for them to work harder."

"That's no reason to kill someone, not like that." He whispered.

"Maybe, maybe not. And in the old army it would never have happened, but in the Empire failure most often means death. It may look horrible but the Death Lord Vader gave him was quicker than many Moff's would have allowed."

"I can't do that, I could never do that!"

"No one is asking you to kid. By the time, you're ready to lead maybe all the incompetents will be gone." He offered and Luke rolled his eyes but at least he wasn't crying anymore.

"is he mad I left?"

"You'd know better than me sir." Appo answered and Luke reached tentatively for his Father's presence, relieved to find no anger directed at him.

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Vader watched as his son silently piloted the shuttle back up to the Devastator, he knew his killing of the Captain had frightened the boy and he wished Luke hadn't been with him when the man had reported. But once the man was there he had to act, not even he could afford to appear weak, there were far too many who would love to take his place and now he also had Luke to protect. He had done well in hiding his reaction from everyone present until the body was removed and he hadn't run until he was out of sight. Part of him wanted to spare the child from such things but that was Skywalker, he had to make the boy strong, strong enough to survive his Master.

Luke easily landed the shuttle in the bay and glanced up, seeing a familiar figure waiting for them, now dressed in a Captain's uniform. He followed his Father off the shuttle and the man snapped to attention as the troopers followed them off.

"Set course for Naboo Captain Piett."

"At once My Lord." He pulled out his comm and sent the order to the Bridge.

Luke followed his Father to their State Rooms, curious but not sure if he could ask.

Vader sensed his curiosity and led the boy into his own rooms. Once inside he turned to the boy. "Naboo is part of your heritage Luke, you deserve to see." He took a slightly deeper breath. "To see her grave."

"Her… Mother?" he asked and Vader nodded. "Oh." His Mother was from Naboo and now he was going there and he didn't know what to feel.

"Commander Appo will accompany you planetside."

"You're not coming?"

"I cannot. We will be there tomorrow."

Yes Father." Luke moved to the connecting door and went to settle in. He ate alone in his rooms for dinner and then went to bed. When he woke in the morning he could see a lush planet through the viewport. He went through his wardrobe, unsure what he was meant to wear. He finally settled on black pants and a dark blue tunic and black boots. His wardrobe had grown by a ridiculous amount since they'd arrived on Imperial Centre, to suite his new station by having a different outfit for every occasion. But he had also spent time learning about Naboo and had found that blue was one of their favoured colours, so in honour of his mother he had insisted on blue and not just black as the tailor had thought appropriate. Now it made sense to wear the colour to see her. He ate breakfast and then headed for the hanger where he found Appo and three of his men waiting.

"We have the coordinates sir."

"Then let's go." It still felt weird being called sir by people far older than him. He slipped into the pilot's seat and they said nothing, too used to his Father always flying. He followed the coordinates to the landing pad at the Palace and landed them perfectly. They were escorted to the throne room and Luke studied the heavily made up woman and her cloaked handmaidens, knowing his mother had once sat on that very Throne.

"Welcome to Naboo Prince Skywalker, we are honoured by your visit." Queen Soruna greeted and he gave her a small bow as instructed by his Father.

"Thank you, your Majesty."

"May we ask the purpose of your visit?"

"It is personal your Majesty."

"Of course, we are pleased to help you in any manner you require."

"All that is needed is a speeder for my men and I."

"One shall be made available immediately."

Luke bowed again as his men saluted and they left the Palace, this time one of his guards piloting.

"What personal matter could he have here?" her chief of security asked and she closed her eyes. That name…. all knew of the young Knight who had been such a fierce protector of one of her predecessors. And then she had died pregnant and yet with no known husband….

"I believe I know and he is right, it is personal." She whispered.

Luke stood in front of the elaborate mausoleum, half of him wanting to turn and run back to the shuttle and re-join his Father in orbit. Vader had refused to step foot on the planet and Luke didn't blame him. He hadn't known her and was finding this hard enough. He fidgeted with the sleeves of his tunic before finally forcing himself forward and up the stairs, into the cool dim light of his Mother's tomb. He looked around, taking in the fresh flowers and beautiful stained glass windows before eventually making himself look down at the sarcophagus. He reached out a trembling hand to touch the cold stone. "Mother." He whispered, feeling tears wet his face. He placed the bouquet he had brought before walking away. The planet was beautiful, peaceful, even with the massive garrison. He could feel it, most of the people had simply given up hope of ever being free of their one-time Senator turned Emperor.

He glanced around and saw an elderly woman standing nearby, staring at him in confusion and wariness. He bowed slightly in her direction. "Ma'am." He greeted, waving Appo to stand down when they had stiffened. The woman stared at him with wide eyes, one hand on her chest and Luke frowned. "Ma'am? Are you alright?" he reached out with the Force, feeling shock and realisation from her. "Appo help her." He ordered, knowing they would freak out if he tried to help her himself. Appo moved over, gently taking the woman's arm and leading her to sit in the speeder.

"You look so much like him." She whispered.

"You…. you knew Anakin Skywalker?" he was surprised by that but she managed a shaky smile and nodded.

"He came home with her once, protecting her. She said they were just old friends from the Trade crisis but she never married and the baby…. You're her baby, aren't you?"

"Padme Naberrie was my mother." He answered her and she reached out to grab his hand.

"I can see her in you, not just him."

Luke's heart was pounding, an elderly woman who knew his parents…. "Grandmother?" he asked and Appo pulled his men back a little, family reunions should be private, right?

Jobal smiled shakily at her grandson. She had always suspected the child had survived, there had been too much secrecy over her bodies return to them for burial. He looked a lot like the Holo's she'd seen of Skywalker, although his hair was several shades lighter, perhaps due to sun exposure. She squeezed his hand and he squeezed back. "I always believed her baby lived."

"I'm sorry but it wasn't safe." He whispered.

"Palpatine." She spat and he nodded. "But now he has you."

"He's not interested in me, not yet. I'm too young." He admitted. "I can't stay, but if I had your comm frequency?"

Jobal smiled sadly. "Of course. You have a Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle and cousins who would love to meet you one day."

"One day." He agreed. He took her frequency and then they got back in the speeder and left, Jobal watching them go before going into her daughter's tomb, smiling when she saw the flowers there. His existence raised questions over just who Darth Vader was but she didn't want to think about that, for now she just wanted to be happy her Grandson lived.

TBC….