Hey! I've finally updated! YAY! First one of the year for this story! I apologize fo not returning to end this sooner! A LOT of crap has been going on my life as of late, and I barely found the time to throw this together! I am saddened to say, that we are nearing the end of this fun little story... This is the second to last chapter methinks (not including the possible epilogue...) So, the next one will (hopefully) be a nice, meaty ending!

Thank you sooo much for sticking with me this long!

Anyway, here is the next chapter! Let me know what you think of it? Sorry if it seems a little rushed...

(Oh, and before I forget... If you like poking fun at inconsistincies, and just overall random humor, I suggest checkng out the Call of Insanity written my Fanficx and myself! A good place for a laugh! YOu can find it in my faves! Leave a review too?)

Chapter 11

The following week passed by brutally fast for the Dark Lord, each hour spent with his son felt like minutes, as if time were a fistful of sand, and the more desperately he tried to prepare, the faster it seemed to disappear.

"Good Luke, but you must not underestimate your opponent," He encouraged, expertly parrying his son's still-too-inexperienced blows, "The Emperor is a cunning swordsman, even at his age, the Dark Side flows through him and grants him unusual strength."

"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Luke gritted, pressing back against his father's blade, "How am I supposed to compete with like a hundred years of experience though? He'll cut right through me!"

"Beating the Emperor is not what I could expect from you so early in your training Luke, but to serve as a viable distraction in his presence." Vader conceded, withdrawing from their spar. Suddenly, the clang of a falling air vent shatters their brief respite.

"Crap!" A familiar voice echoes from said damaged air vent as it struck the dueling floor.

"What the-?" Luke ducked down to peek inside, "Clancy! What are you doing in there?!"

"Uh…" Clancy looked up at his friend's curious blue gaze before shrinking further back into the metal shaft. "I-"

The sickening hiss of vaporized metal cut off the mechanic mid syllable as the Sith's crimson saber cut around him. Once a suitable hole was cut, a familiar durasteel fist broke through the shell.

Yanking the young Nubian out and up into the air, Vader growled menacingly:

"What do you think you're doing here?! You know I do not wish to be disturbed when sparring!" He continued to accuse, the sound of creaking leather clearly heard as the Dark Lord tightened his grip, "Were you spying on us?!"

"I'm sorry Milord!" Clancy cringed, "I-I didn't mean anything by it! Honest!"

"Liar!" Disgusted, I cast his mewling form away from me, "Now. You will tell me exactly what you were doing in the air vent that has been so graciously destroyed by your antics."

Clancy quivered where he lay sprawled on the ground, too terrified to make a proper response in my intimidating presence.

"Dad, lay off!" Luke's voice of reason shatters my wall of anger before I can make any rash, and later regretted, decisions.

"Dad?" It was Clancy's turn to look confused as he glanced between my son and myself, "Annakin?" He breathed, his eyes resting on Luke, "What is going on here?"

"Oh," Luke blushed, "I forgot…"

"It's alright Luke," I reassure before grasping a handful of the mechanic's jumpsuit, and dragging him into a side chamber, "I'll straighten things out."

Silently, Luke watched as the Sith dragged Clancy away, unsure of what was happening behind the sound proof doors.

I hope what the Rebels say about him and disobedience isn't true…

"Kriff!" Luke slapped his forehead in realization, "The Alliance!" He had completely forgotten about his initial objective, and had missed his report date…

A furious beeping at the door comm captures Luke's attention, the problem of his neglected mission shoved to the back of his mind for the moment. A slight pause. Realizing Vader had not returned, he steeled himself to answer the beeping. Furtively, he pressed the flashing answer key in the terminal.

"Lord Vad-!" The middle aged Imperial started, only to be confused by the youth's appearance, "Where is the Supreme Commander? I have urgent news for him… Who are you anyway?"

"Uh, ' Luke stammered, in shock from the sudden barrage of words, "Annakin Lars, sir, I am one of Lord Vader's personal mechanics, and he requested my assistance in several repairs this morning. Is your message one I can pass on?"

Obviously miffed at having to deal with a 'ruffian mechanic' the officer sniffed haughtily before replying.

"I suppose so. I need you to inform Lord Vader that the Emperor will be here within the hour, and that His Majesty is anticipating good reports from him." The Imperial scanned Luke objectively once again, "Think you can handle that?"

"I believe so, sir," Luke replied, saluting snappily, "I may be a mechanic, sir, but I'm not stupid. Lord Vader will get the message."

Even through the hologram, Admiral Furan's flare of indignation towards his reply is obvious.

"You better watch that tongue of yours boy. Vader's personal mechanic or not, you can still be punished for disrespecting a superior officer."

"I'll keep that in mind sir. Now I must report to Lord Vader. Lars out." Luke hastily cut the connection before Furan could drag it out any longer.

"Handled in the smooth talking, Skywalker fashion I see."

"Gah!" The young Rebel nearly fell over at the abrupt comment before spinning around to face the speaker, "You nearly scared me to death!"

"Well I obviously didn't succeed," the Dark Lord assured, an air of sarcasm lightening his words, "You are still standing after all."

"Psh! For now." Luke countered, a slight smirk donning his features, "Anyway, I was told to tell you that the Emperor would be arriving within the hour…" As soon as the words left his lips, cruel realization of what that meant killed any spark of joy within his young frame. Paling at the mere though, all he could manage was a weak-

"Oh no…"