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Misguided Light

Chapter 11

Luke shifted awkwardly in the back of a room filled with young rebels in orange jumpsuits. At the front of the room, Commander Willard stood in front of the Death Star plans. Leia and Padmé stood next to him. Leia was watching Willard intently, with her hands held behind her back. She looked just like the Rebel Princess Luke heard about.

Padmé looked like an angel. An older, stressed out, beautiful angel, who just happened to be his mother and Darth Vader's wife. She kept trying to catch Luke's eye. She wanted him to stay with her and Leia, that much was obvious. She wanted a family where she could pretend things would be okay. Luke couldn't do that. He would give anything to be able to live a happy life with his mother and sister. A life where he could feel safe and happy, but he knew he couldn't have that life.

Luke had killed people. He helped his father plan battles. He had built a red lightsaber, trained with it, and embraced the Dark Side of the Force in such a way that ensured any light would be rejected. He couldn't turn his back on the life his father gave him just because he had found his mother.

After the meeting, the pilots hurried to their X-Wings. Luke had to admit, they had a good plan. They might actually have a chance of destroying the monstrosity that was the Death Star.

Leia filed out with the other leaders after the pilots and gave Luke an encouraging smile. Luke gave a small one in return, but it quickly disappeared when he realized he was now left alone with Padmé and Kenobi.

"They need you, Luke," Kenobi finally said.

"We do!" Padmé insisted, jumping into the conversation. "The Rebel Alliance could benefit greatly from your knowledge. You know so much about the Empire. You could save thousands of lives. Millions even!"

Luke understood why Vader fell for her. She was very persuasive and head strong. Similar to another girl Luke knew.

Padmé and Kenobi were staring at him anxiously now.

"You can't make me stay," Luke replied.

"Of course not," Padmé said, "You can decide want to do with your life. We just want you to know that you are wanted here and that your talents and knowledge would be greatly appreciated."

Luke swallowed hard at that. Kenobi used the silence to expand his argument.

"If you stay, I can train you in the Light Side of the Force. You can become the Jedi your father almost was."

At that, Luke remembered what set him aside from the others in the room. He threw a hand out towards Kenobi, and the aging Jed immediately started choking on nothing. Padmé cried out in shock and took a few steps back.

"Don't even act like you knew my father," Luke snarled, "Don't act like you know me. Maybe I expressed an interest in the Force. So what? That doesn't mean I want to be a Jedi. You can't convince me to kill my own father just because you were too weak to do it yourself!"

"Luke," Padmé said, voice shaking slightly, "Let Obi-Wan go. Let's talk about this and discuss what just happened. No one wants you to kill Anakin. I won't let anyone use you against your father."

Oddly enough, her words brought Luke to his senses. He dropped his arm, leaving Kenobi on his knees gasping for air.

"Obi-Wan, please give us a moment," Padmé requested, watching Luke. The Jedi nodded slowly and left the room. He waited just outside the door.

The crushing silence was brought to an end when Luke let out several shaky breaths. He closed his eyes and tried to shut out the world. So many times his father told him to hold in any emotion. It wasn't bad parenting in Luke's opinion. If the grand moffs and generals of the Empire saw any weakness in Darth Vader's son, they would exploit it.

Luke was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt Padmé's hand tighten around his wrist as she lead him to a sitting position on the floor.

"I find it's easier to talk while sitting. It's easier to find comfort and everyone's on the same level."

"Do you have therapy sessions with the children of Sith Lords often?" Luke asked.

"Yes, actually," Padmé smiled, "Leia is a very strong girl. She has a big heart, but it can sometimes cause her a lot of pain."

"Really?"

Padmé laughed, "Luke you might have a messed up life, but you aren't the only one." They sat in a companionable silence for a while until, "Do you support the Empire?"

"Not really," Luke replied, eyes closed. "Father was aware of my feelings, but he ignored them, for the most part, as long as I acted like I supported the a Empire outside of our quarters."

"It would be possible for you to oppose the Empire and not Anakin, right?" Padmé asked.

"How?"

"Well, most Rebel soldiers never come face to face with important Imperials. You could be a pilot or simply provide us information on them. We wouldn't have to be involved with any strikes against Vader himself."

"We?"

"Do you think I want to wage war against my husband?" Padmé asked, half shocked, half amused.

Luke stared at her, "You have no reason to want peace with him."

"It's been hard," Padmé admitted, "Learning that I love the Empire's personal monster. It's something we can deal with it together. I refuse to believe that love and family can't reach him."

Luke gave a chuckle. "I can't believe how idealistic you are,"

"Your father didn't believe it either."

"There is good in him," Luke said forcefully. "I know it."

"Can you tell me about him?" Padmé had her knees drawn to her chest, her arms wrapped around them, facing Luke. Luke felt rather uncomfortable about the request, but he figured Padmé had a right to know.

"Well, in public, he always wears that black cloak and a mask. In meetings and on ships, he keeps the mask off. The media knows not to spread any images of him around. He always wears black and he is almost always in a bad mood."

"He hasn't changed much, then." Padmé said, almost mournfully.

"He isn't always that grumpy. When we're training together, he's pretty calm. And when we race or fly together, he's his happiest. Whenever he's mad after a meeting, I suggest we go fly, and if he says no, then I know to avoid him for the rest of the night." Luke paused, "He's never hurt me. The Palace staff actually hate being around me because they're terrified that if they upset me father will kill them. He's very protective."

"Yes he is," Padmé's eyes were the ones shut now. She must have been imagining Anakin as a father.

"His eyes are yellow most of the time. He's really tall and very strong. He wears a plain black Imperial uniform when working. His hair is pretty short. I think it's called a military style haircut. He's always telling me to cut my hair. He has a robotic arm still, but he always wears a glove over it. Tarkin likes to make comments about the scar over his eye."

"He jokes with Tarkin?" Padmé exclaimed in amusement.

"Not really," Luke said, laughing, "Tarkin insults father, father insults him and they pretend to get along around the Emperor."

Padmé smiled a little, but became much more serious, "Luke, we really need an answer about what you're going to do. If we don't destroy the Death Star before it reaches us, then we'll all be killed. We need your help."

Luke sighed. It wasn't hard to realize what Padmé had been doing. She had brought up Luke's childhood to calm him down and to appear as an ally to Luke. It worked. However, it was now time to get back to the problem at hand.

"I'm not sure how I can help. I haven't been in a lot of battles, but I'm a great pilot." As Luke finished his thought, the door opened to reveal Leia. She smiled again at Luke, but turned her focus to her mother.

"Commander Willard requests your presence in the control room, mom. He also wants to know what you're planning on doing, Luke."

"Do we have any readings yet?" Padmé inquired..

"The Death Star has entered our system. Obi-Wan can tell that they plan on attacking us and ending us."

So Kenobi was shielding himself and Leia from Vader, Luke realized. That was why Vader didn't reach out to him. Slowly, an idea came to Luke.

"Can you open communications with the Death Star?" Luke asked Leia.

"We can try. Do you have a plan?" His twin responded.

"If we open communications with them while pretending to negotiate a surrender, it could buy us some time. We could evacuate the base while the rebel pilots get closer to the Death Star."

"What about their scanners?" Padmé asked.

"With the transmission up, I can send them a bug the would give the scanners a harder time detecting small ships," Luke replied.

"That's a great plan!" Leia cried out in excitement, "I believe we already have a virus programmed that could shut down scanners that pick up small objects!"

"That's true, Leia," Kenobi said as he walked in, ignoring the glare Luke sent him. "The Jedi used it during the Clone Wars. It could work now as long as we can open and keep open transmissions, it should give us the upper hand."

"What are we waiting for?" Padmé cried, "We need to inform Willard!"

The group hurried out of the room and into the headquarters of the battle. Kenobi explained the plan to Commander Willard and the other Alliance leaders.

Willard looked over at Luke, "Are you absolutely certain that this could work?"

"Yes, as long as we keep the transmission open long enough. It won't help us avoid confrontation in the long run, but it will allow us to evacuate some people and it will give the Rebel pilots some time to near the station and get into formation. We could save some lives."

"That's all I needed to hear," Willard nodded, "You have permission to start this operation as soon as possible."

Obi-Wan and the three Skywalkers set up their base in the room next to the control center. A table was in the center of the room. The holo-transmitter was on top the table. Luke attached the transmitter to a disc containing the virus they would use.

Willard stood just outside the door, handling the two situations in each room. Luke downloaded the bug onto the communication device. He nodded to Leia, who immediately sent a signal to the Imperial forces. Everyone waited in silence for a response. At last, a holographic imagine of an Imperial officer shimmered to life.

"Identify yourself."

"This is Princess Leia Organa of the Rebel Alliance. I wish to speak to Grand Moff Tarkin," Leia said with absolute confidence.

The hologram flickered out and then Tarkin appeared.

"Princess Leia," He sneered, "What can I help you with?"

"I wish to negotiate a surrender," Leia declared. Luke could tell this shocked Tarkin.

"I'm afraid that won't be necessary. You see, the Rebel Alliance has nothing to offer us. Your attempt to surrender is too little too late."

Leia swallowed any fear and stared him down. "We have information. Lists of sympathizers, survivors of the Jedi Purge, the location of many traitors of the Empire."

Tarkin cocked his head slightly. He then turned around. He appeared to be looking at Kenobi, who was standing behind the table but in actuality, he was looking at whoever was behind him.

"What is your opinion on the matter, Lord Vader?" Tarkin asked. Leia paled, Luke froze, and Padmé covered her mouth with her hands. Tarkin was quiet for a minute, then he turned back to Leia with a smile on his face.

"It seems as though your promises won't be enough to save your skin. What a shame. You are far too pretty to be killed in a fiery explosion."

Kenobi walked up to Leia and moved her aside so that Tarkin could see him.

"Grand Moff Tarkin, it is an honor to see you again," Kenobi said with a smile, "I can understand why you might be hesitate to make a deal with us, but please be reassured that the Princess' proposal will greatly assist you."

Luke looked down to check the bug's progress. It had reached one third of the total scanners, but they needed more time.

"I'm very sorry, Master Kenobi, but you are more useful dead than alive." Luke rolled his eyes. They needed to keep the transmission going for several more minutes before the virus affected the entire ship.

"Master Kenobi, maybe I should try to persuade them," Luke said. All eyes were on him as he stepped in front of Tarkin.

"Well," Tarkin smiled, "If it isn't little Luke Vader."

"Grand Moff Tarkin. I'd say it's good to see you again, but it really isn't. I wish to speak to my father." Luke tried to imitate his father's essence of authority. He also tried to ignore the looks he was getting from everyone in the room.

"Lord Vader is too busy to chat," Tarkin snapped, clearly annoyed.

"Tarkin, if you do not do as I say, I will not hesitate to end your life right now. We both know I could."

"Very well," Tarkin said, sourly, moving aside to let the large form of Darth Vader occupy the hologram.

Vader had his hood drawn over his face. His hands were on his hips and he was clearly agitated. He waited for Luke to speak up, but Luke remained silent. He continued to stare at his father in annoyance. He slowly raised one eyebrow. Vader sighed and pulled the hood of his cloak down.

"Make this short."

Padmé's eyes were focused on Anakin's face. She was taking in every detail, every tiny bit of skin. His scar, his eyes, his angry expression, his clenched jaw.

"I don't even get a 'hello'?" Luke joked.

"No, you don't," Vader snapped, "I'm assuming you are going to try to convince me not to blow up the Rebel base. Be quick about so I can act like I'm taking you seriously."

"Blowing up this moon means destroying every link you have to the Rebel sympathizers in the Senate. You will make every Rebel into a martyr. The galaxy will be outraged that the Empire thinks it's okay to destroy planets and moons whenever you want. There will be more revolts, more sympathy towards Alliance members. If you blow up this base, the Galaxy will know and you will not receive support from many companies and planets."

"I'm glad you paid attention to your debate tutor, Luke. Perhaps we can discuss it more while you sit locked in your room for all eternity."

"I'm not coming back to you, father. I will not support a government that would willingly destroy innocent people in a pathetic attempt to prove a point." The bug had affected three fourths of the scanners now.

"If you don't support the Empire, then the Empire will mark you a traitor and have you executed."

"You can't give me a public execution if you blow up the base," Luke shot back.

"Do not try me, son. Your death will not affect me."

"You're lying," Luke accused. "You don't want me dead. You want to scare me into going back to you. You couldn't kill me, regardless of what you tell yourself."

"The Jedi don't care about you Luke. They just want to use you to bring about the downfall of the Empire. They want you to kill me and the Emperor," Vader paused and then smiled darkly at him, "But of course, you must be fine with murdering those you used to care about. After all, you've had plenty of practice."

Luke inhaled sharply and dropped his gaze to his feet. He felt the gazes of everyone in the room rest on him.

"That's irrelevant," Luke protested.

"Is it?"

"I did what I had to do to keep you safe," Luke mumbled.

"You are the one weakened by emotion, Luke, not me." Luke clenched his hands tightly. Out of his eye, he saw Leia give him a nod. He could end the transmission.

He unclenched his hands and forced himself to make eye contact with his father.

"Maybe you're right," he said. "Goodbye, father. I love you." He ended the transmission with a wave of his hand.

The room was silent. Luke blinked furiously and Leia stared at him in mild shock.

"We should go see if Commander Willard needs us," Kenobi said.

"Can I borrow an X-Wing?" Luke asked.

"Why?" Padmé asked, curiously.

"I know Vader will join the fight soon. You'll need my help to out fly him."

"Very well," Padmé said, "Go tell the mechanics in the docking bay to get you one. You may use Artoo as your astromech."

Luke nodded and turned to run out of the room.

"May the Force be with you!" Kenobi cried out behind him.

oOoOo

Vader looked around at the destroyed conference room. Tarkin was glaring at him.

"You said you could control your son," he accused, "You swore it to the Emperor. What will he say when he learns of this development?"

"I will talk to the Emperor myself after we destroy the Rebellion."

"You believe they plan on fighting?"

"Most certainly. That transmission was a distraction. There fleet will be here shortly. You better get to the bridge. You may fire at their base when ready."

"And where will you be?"

"My son prefers space battles. I will take my fighter and keep him and his new found friends occupied."

As Vader headed to his ship, he pretended like he was alright with killing his son. If he didn't do it, Luke would end with a much worse fate at Palpatine's hands.

Author's Note: Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the new Star Wars movie (I cried). This chapter is really long, and I originally was going to include the battle, but I realized just how long it had gotten.

A reader PM'd me asking for a description of Vader in this fic, so that's one of the reasons I had Luke explain what he looks like. For Vader's mask, I imagine it as a cross between Vader's mask from the movies and Kylo Ren's mask. Vader doesn't wear his mask unless in public, but he'll usually have his hood up when he's around soldiers.

The "A New Hope" arc is almost done. In about two more chapters, we will start going crazy with AU and new characters. The next arc isn't 100% planned out yet, so I might take a break in between to either right some other fics or plan out the next arc in detail.

Please review and tell me what you think!