10 BBY

FORTRESS VADER, MUSTAFAR

To say he was unprepared to be a father was an understatement of the highest magnitude. That went double when he and Padmé had been expecting, he now realized. He'd somehow imagined something far more idyllic in nature. Just him, Padmé, and his child living problem-free, far away from anyone who would give them harm.

Something he now knew to be unattainable.

What he hadn't expected in the early days was the constant screaming, sometimes to alert him of her needs, sometimes for no reason. It pained him to watch her suffer, even if it was to express hunger. Unfortunately there wasn't a discoverable way to decipher those pleas, so for him, it was a guessing game even at his most certain. The burden was somewhat relieved when he conceded to have assistance- a droid, not a sentient.

When he wasn't researching the finer details of the Dark Side, he was studying for child rearing. It was a thousand times more complicated than any machine he had ever taken apart. It was, however, infinitely more rewarding. A fine tradeoff in his opinion,

Somehow, he had discovered someone he loved other than Padmé. It used to be unthinkable, but now, it felt so natural. The pure bliss he felt when she smiled or laughed at him- a mechanical monstrosity that the most hardened men had nightmares about- was unparalleled. That sort of jubilation always came crashing down when they were summoned by the Emperor. He was unable to pull away from Sidious' reach, but more than capable of keeping his influence away. That gave him hope.

All of his meditative and fond reflection came to a halt when he felt someone tampering with his lightsaber's crystal. He whipped his head up, spying the culprit. Of course, he mentally sighed. Vader wasn't surprised anymore. His now almost nine-year-old daughter smiled at him before returning her hands to her side. They shared a tense moment of eye contact.

She laughed awkwardly, attempting to play it off. "You aren't supposed to stop meditating for another five minutes."

"I would recommend against that," he said, seeing through her floundering. Vader began buying into the conspiracy that Leia was a droid perfectly crafted to test his patience a long time ago.

"I was just curious."

Vader returned to the floor, standing up to his full height. With a wave of his hand, the disassembled components of his weapon came together as one, returning to his belt. "I am told that is what killed the Tooka. A lightsaber is-"

"Not a toy, I know," she sighed.

"And yet you continue to test my patience by treating it as such," he countered, hands on his hips. She was perhaps the only person who could interrupt him and live with only a scolding. Leia knew of this well.

She fluttered her eyes. "Well how exactly am I supposed to learn how to treat one when I don't have my own?"

"You are not ready for the responsibility of one," he lied.

Having her wave around a lightsaber would send the arrangement he had with the Emperor crumbling. A lightsaber was significantly less subtle than telekinesis and shielding techniques, thus more difficult to conceal. It would be foolish to not train her to defend herself, but even more so to sharpen her like a tool for the Emperor to use.

"I've kept Artoo in one piece for this long, haven't I?" she countered, likewise hips on hands.

It was during these moments when she opposed him that he was reminded of Padmé. Vader pointed at her with finality, though she was sure to continue. "You seem to misunderstand your relationship. He is by your side to keep you intact."

Leia huffed, puffing her chest out. "That's insulting!"

"Perhaps to you," he said. She was a prideful little girl sometimes.

"Just give me a chance!" she requested as he began to walk away. "A chance to prove myself responsible. That's all I've been asking for forever!"

Yes, he thought, because there was no greater sign of maturity than a childish desire to prove it. "Very well," he said.

"Really?!" she exclaimed in disbelief. "I- I mean- Really?" she asked in a more composed fashion.

"If you can obtain a Kyber crystal, I will allow you the means to construct a lightsaber," he told her, striding toward the door.

She scoffed loudly. "That's not fair! How am I supposed to find a Jedi lightsaber in this day and age?" she demanded.

He paused in the frame, looking back at her. "You aren't. Some things are only possible after patience. Master that, and perhaps I will give you a crystal."

Leia let out an exasperated harrumph, storming after him. Vader immediately turned around, walking through the door again and closing it behind him.

"Wha-" was all Leia could manage before the door locked. He couldn't hear her voice, but could certainly make out her knocking on the durasteel.

Vader went to the intercom, pressing the call button. "Go along without me. I will catch up shortly. Perhaps Artoo requires maintenance."

The banging stopped. Frustration was released through the Force.

Savoring this blissful moment of peace, he approached his workbench, undoing the complex Force lock on the bottom drawer. Such a trick wouldn't be working on Leia for much longer. He took out one of many modified long range comms, scrambling the frequency and fine tuning it. To top it all off, he altered his voice modulator.

"On Dantooine, the Thune graze peacefully," he began, rolling his eyes at the code phrase. "Governor Yotuum has discovered the Corellian cell. I would suggest leaving a decoy and relocating," Vader said, counting down the seconds before a reply.

Garbled static preceded the reply. "Wesk Three acknowledging. Thank you Fulcrum. Relaying information."

"Fulcrum out," Vader said, crushing the transceiver in his hand. He reset his voice, floating the scraps of sparking communicator to the garbage chute.

He didn't consider himself to be a Rebel, but there was no denying he was assisting them. However, he cared little if the cell on Corellia escaped, and even less so for the safety of any. He was merely giving them the instruments with which to undermine his Master. For Leia.

Speaking of Leia, she nearly fell into the room when he reopened the door. Vader caught her by the collar, setting her upright. "If your goal is to lose my favor, you are doing exceptionally."

Leia adjusted her collar, standing straight. "Someone has to keep you on your toes, right?"

Vader shook his head, walking toward the lift to the bridge. "The fleet is to deploy soon. Attend to your studies."

"I don't have any homework- it's the Life Day break. I can accompany you," she protested.

"But you won't. The front lines are no place for you," he said. "You are to steer clear of the hangars. No arguments will be heard at this time."

Leia sighed angrily and walked to her room, giving Vader a moment to breathe. She almost made him wonder if he was this difficult at her age. Almost. He continued his way to the hangar, ending his inner monologue.

LARS HOMESTEAD, TATOOINE

Obi-Wan would have liked to say that he enjoyed sleeping. That it was a long-awaited period of rest after a long day toiling under the suns. Unfortunately, that was not the case. When he was dreaming, letting his thoughts run wild, he was haunted by the ghost of his former apprentice. Tormented by the intense volcanic heat. By the ash stinging his eyes not bothering him until he had been forced to strike Anakin down.

When he was awake, he could control and stave off most of those thoughts. While being a Jedi Master on the council had its perks, it unfortunately meant there were not many people he could turn to for advice. Even less so, current events taken into account. Master Yoda had not been in contact with him for some time, but he had his doubts that meant anything had happened to the old Grandmaster.

In his quarters within the Lars homestead, Obi-Wan mixed small comforts with pain. In the same box he stored his lightsaber was Anakin's and a rounded Inquisitor's saber. He performed his daily maintenance on all three, just in case, before going through his daily katas.

Kenobi eventually left for breakfast before the suns had risen, entering the hydroponics garden for his morning workload. He weeded and tended to the plants, earning his keep.

Beru entered shortly. "Good morning, Ben."

"The harvest looks to be quite exceptional this season," he said, motioning to a nearly ripe pallie.

She nodded, gently holding it up. "Might have enough to splurge for Luke's birthday this year."

Obi-Wan smirked. "Best not to let him hear that. All conversation would center around that new Incom Skyhopper."

Suddenly the chime of the doorbell rang through the homestead.

"Are we expecting company?" Ben asked with his brow furrowed.

"Not until midday. The Darklighters are coming over, and they're always late."

He disliked the paranoid behavior associated with hiding out here, but even something as mundane as a salesman could be an agent of the Empire. "I shall tend to our visitor," he said, double checking his lightsaber's concealment.

Obi-Wan was almost relieved to see several common desert thugs at the door. "May I assist you?"

The behemoth of a Nikto rested his DL-18, which was comically small in his hands, on his free hand. "M'Yup. Here for Jabba's water tax. No reason this's gotta get ugly."

He feigned a smile. "Water tax?"

"Don't play dumb," the Nikto demanded. "You know enough about it to not pay it. Matter of fact, this farm hasn't paid it. Never ever," he said, pointing the weapon at Obi-Wan.

"Well, forgive me. It's not as if it's like the property tax, which we can pay remotely," he said, placing his finger over the barrel and pushing it away.

The blaster was moved under his chin as the man laughed. "That's why we come to you. Handy, isn't it?"

Obi-Wan looked hypnotically into the man's eyes. "Yes. So handy, that you've just remembered that we've been paying it this whole time through another gang."

The Nikto's stare went blank. "I Just remembered that you've been paying it this whole time through another gang."

With a wave, and a little bit of influence with the Force, the gun was holstered. "You'll fix the records and be on your way back to Jabba."

"I'll fix the records," he parroted, turning back to his comrades. "C'mon boys! Back to the palace!"

Said ruffians shuffled mindlessly to their speeder, sloppily taking off into the desert. Beru came around the corner, putting away her own blaster. "They're starting to catch on."

"They started," he corrected. "The danger is gone, but until the drought ends, they will return eventually. It would be best for me to remain around the homestead for the time being."

"It's not like we go into town often as it is. I suppose I can do the trading, if you'll collect the vaporator mushrooms," she said.

Obi-Wan nodded. A part wished there was something to be done about the bandits. A Jedi like himself should have been knocking down Jabba's door and liberating all of the water, and by extension, the farmers. Unfortunately, if Luke were ever to be trained, he needed to stay as mundanely hidden and as far away from the Empire as possible. That meant living as the eccentric farmhand Ben, not crusading in the desert against the Hutts.

Nothing Qui-Gon, or any Jedi had ever taught him anything about this. Inaction stirred him to madness. Then again, he supposed that was why they had been taken so off guard all those years ago.

CORONET CITY, CORELLIA

Vader had no appreciation for Rebels in urban environments. While he was at his core a hunter who enjoyed the chase, his mechanical limbs did not. All of the leaping and evasion required for getting ahead of fleeing enemies in densely populated locations put a strain on him. His style was far more slow and steady.

He arrived at the base, feeling tensions were at their highest. Stormtroopers and CorSec officers had blasters pointed at nearly every square inch of a three story apartment building tucked neatly between a diner and a grocer.

"Ah, Lord Vader! You made it just in time," the rather rotund governor said. He twirled the end of his meticulously crafted mustache. "We have the Rebels pinned."

Looking between the seemingly mundane building and all of the effort expended to cover it, he folded his arms. "How long have you been expecting me?"

"Half an hour. We've gained the upper hand in about the last three minutes," he explained enthusiastically.

He probed the building with the Force. Only one presence that refused to stop panicking. "They're gone. The resistance your forces encountered was a diversion."

The round governor deflated. "I- oh-"

Vader stared down at him. "Unless, of course, your approach is multifaceted?"

"Not… not by your standards, I'm sure," he said.

Vader looked to the nearest military officer, a Stormtrooper commander, and pointed at him. "Send several squads into the sewers and adjacent buildings."

After he motioned to more troopers, the commander was off. It was then that Yotuum regained a kernel of his composure. "Would you like to see blueprints of the building?"

"Perhaps your greatest idea yet," Vader said, yanking the datapad containing them out of the governor's hands. "I will forgive your previous failure due to your inexperience. There will not be another warning," he said.

"A-a— Alright."

Yes, he had undermined this from the beginning, but Yotuum had made it far too easy for them. Thankfully that covered his tracks rather well. As troopers sweeped the nearby buildings, not a single body was found… Vader had done the Rebels a great service, but the governor's incompetence had outdone it.

The Dark Lord marched past all of the troops without a word. The miasma of worry he had sensed still refused to dissipate. Sure enough, when he leapt up and crashed through a second-story window to investigate, there was a blaster trained on him the moment the glass hit the floor.

"So you're the poor fool they left behind," Vader said, reaching for his saber.

"Don't move!" the woman cried. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't pull this trigger and do the whole Galaxy a favor."

"On Dantooine, the Thune graze peacefully," he said, perhaps the only one in the galaxy able to say such a phrase menacingly. He closed the distance between them.

She looked at him with crazed eyes, shaken to her very core. "No way. You?"

Vader activated his lightsaber, officially ending the cell on Corellia.

LARS HOMESTEAD, TATOOINE

"Watch your hand!" Owen called out.

Luke obeyed without a word, sheepishly recoiling from the moisture vaporator's refrigerated condenser.

"That's the second time I've told you to pay attention so your palm doesn't freeze off! Get your head out of the clouds, Luke," he said, tightening the droplet receptacle. "Hand me that hydrospanner."

"For what?" Luke asked, handing his uncle the tool as he stood up from his knees.

Owen's tone was no less gruff as he wiped his forehead's sweat away. "To fasten the pipe to the collection-" he said, stopping when he saw the plumbing in place. "Nevermind. If you treated every chore like it saved time for Anchorhead, there wouldn't be a job left in this system."

"You promised I could go when this was done," he said. "The faster it goes, the faster I can."

His uncle let out a long sigh. "Okay. Fair's fair. Help me put this stuff away, and you can go get Ben."

Luke did so in record time, barreling into the homestead before the second sun came up on the horizon. His aunt was there fixing breakfast, Old Ben brewing pungent tea beside her.

"Good morning," Luke said, not waiting for a response. "Ready to go to Anchorhead, Ben?"

Silence filled the air, and Luke narrowed his brow in confusion. Once again, it seemed everyone in the house was in the loop save for him.

"Er…" The mood within the kitchen changed visibly. Beru stopped mixing in her bowl. Old Ben stroked his beard.

"Ben won't be taking you anytime soon. It's not your fault," Beru said comfortingly.

Ben added to it before Luke could open his mouth to protest. "Thugs sent by Jabba came to collect water from us. There are certain to be more in town, so it would be wise to lay low."

Luke let out an exasperated sigh before taking a seat at the table. "Jabba," he said as venomously as a boy could. "I wish someone would just do something about that sleemo!"

"Language, young man, but… You and the rest of the planet," Beru said.

"If only it were that easy. The Hutt clans and their influence are far-reaching. Another would be quick to replace him," Ben said.

Luke sighed in defeat, burying his face on the table. "Does everything have to be so complicated? Can't you just not know anything and be fine with it like me?"

Obi-Wan smirked. "Unfortunately not."

He went back to his tea, Luke's frustration doing its own brewing. Instead of his grand plans, he decided to pick at his food a bit before digging in. Some day ahead of him.

Heck, some life ahead of him…