DISCLAIMER: I don't own Star Wars obviously...
Cover art is fanart by ColeRoz and a picture of the ocean I found on Pinterest
Here is the link to the YouTube playlist so y'all can have a soundtrack while reading. I'll be updating it as the story goes along. /playlist?list=PLn9SHt0rau2rqZhQ8dHaPcOJeIoGsD9CH&feature=shared
Hope you enjoy the story! :)
Once upon a time, in a far away land...
It is a period of civil war. Rebel ships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil World Empire.
During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal the map of where the Darksaber, a legendary sword in pirate lore, would be found. This action inhibited the Emperor's plans to acquire the weapon that would make him the most powerful man in the world.
Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia Organa races to Tatooine Bay on her father's orders aboard her ship, in search of the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi and the son of Anakin Skywalker, who is the only person who can defeat the Empire and restore freedom to the world...
The sounds of cannons and gunshots rang through the air as the crew of the Tantive defended themselves against the pursuing Devastator. The ship rocked when a cannon ball hit the side, but thankfully, the damage wasn't bad; but they knew their luck would run out. The Devastator was a bigger ship, and her captain was ruthless.
Leia quickly folded the letter and slipped it into the envelope as the Tantive shook, her orange cat named Threepio scurried across the floor to hide. The Empire was getting too powerful despite the... limitations of the Emperor. Her father had almost sixteen years to think about it, but he still couldn't figure out how Sidious managed to take over the whole world; she couldn't figure it out either.
But she and her father did know that Sidious was growing more powerful thanks to his right-hand man. Vader was effective. He instilled people with fear. He was the reason Sidious was able to stay in power. But there were also the artifacts he seemed to have been gaining; there were loads of reports from sailors saying they saw a ship that matched the description of the Imperial near places that held stories of ancient treasure. The crew of the Imperial could never go on land, so she felt sorry for whatever poor soul got dragged into doing their dirty work.
Now they got word from the Rogue that Sidious was searching for the Darksaber – the crew and captain had died delivering the map. She was not a pirate, but her father had been friends with some, and he said that if Sidious got the Darksaber, no one would be able to stop him.
The world needed a pirate more than ever. But not just any pirate. The world needed Luke Skywalker.
Leia had no idea who Luke Skywalker was, but her father said he knew his parents. He was whisked away after the death of his parents, and hid with a couple who raised him as Obi-Wan Kenobi watched over him. She was specifically told to not mention Luke Skywalker's name in case the Empire intercepted it – Sidious didn't know Anakin Skywalker's son survived.
Leia gave the letter to the blue and white parrot; her father said the bird would know where Kenobi was. "Deliver this to Captain Kenobi," she said as the parrot took it, "and find Luke Skywalker. He's our only hope."
The Imperial vessel easily overtook the Rebel ship. Hooks were flown out to the Tantive, anchoring the smaller ship to the larger one as they hooked around the gunwales. Several long planks were placed between them to allow Imperial troops to storm the ship. The Rebels didn't stand a chance against them. Soldiers were wounded, others were killed. Any one who looked important was captured.
Vader descended the plank, his hardened blue eyes scanned the bodies of his foes, then his cold gaze landed on the prisoners, who were forced to their knees with their arms tied behind their back. Although he did not like the idea of Sidious getting the Darksaber, he still had a job to do, plus, he hated being inconvenienced by Rebel scum.
"Lord Vader," an Imperial trooper said as he approached the sailor, "the map is not on the ship."
Vader turned his attention to the closest Rebel officer and removed his flintlock pistol from its holster. He pointed it at the officer's head. "Where is the map?"
"We have no map," the officer replied boldly. "This is a consular ship. We're on a diplomatic mission."
"If this is a consular ship, where is the Ambassador?"
The officer did not reply. Brave, but stupid. Vader pulled the trigger, and the officer fell limp.
He turned to the trooper. "Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found that map and bring me the Ambassador. I want her alive!" Troopers rushed below deck to find the princess. Vader turned to the soldiers guarding the prisoners. "Take them to the brig for questioning."
The prisoners were forced up and pushed towards the ramp as Vader placed his pistol back in its holster, looking around at the dead bodies in disgust. "And someone throw the dead overboard. I don't want them to stench. The Emperor will deal with their souls in Davy Jones' locker."
Leia could hear them looking for her. After sending Artoo with the letter for Kenobi, she grabbed Threepio and ran from her cabin to hide in the lower decks. She hid in the supplies and store room, thinking it would be a while for them to find her there, which would give her time to take care of important business.
She knelt to the floor as she set Threepio down, then took the white ribbon out of her hair and removed the necklace off her neck; she slid the crystal globe off the necklace and transferred it to the ribbon. She tied it around the cat's neck, careful not to make it too tight so he could breathe. She hid him in a sack of grain. Threepio would be safe there. The Imperials would hardly give the cat a second glance. Kenobi would find him once he arrived to rescue her.
Leia took out her concealed pistol and exited the room. She found an alcove to hide in and waited for them to find her. She would be lying if she said she wasn't scared, but that fear quickly turned to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the approaching troopers grew louder.
One of the troopers spotted her. "There she is!"
Leia stepped out from her hiding place and fired at a soldier with her pistol. She took off running but was cut off by another group of troopers who easily overpowered her. She was led up to the deck by a squad of soldiers. Her hands were bound and was brutally shoved when she was unable to keep up with the briskly marching troops. As they ascended the stairs, she caught sight of a red frock and black hat, and immediately knew who it was.
They stopped in front of Vader as the sinister Lord stared hard at the governor's daughter, but she didn't move. Vader scared her, as he did everyone, but she never showed it.
"Lord Vader, I should have known," she said, glaring up at the man. His face was always shadowed by the hat he wore, but she could see some burn scars on the left side of his face. "Only you could be so bold. The Imperial Council will not sit for this, when they hear you've attacked a diplomatic-"
"Don't play games with me, Your Highness," Vader spat. "You weren't on any mercy mission this time. You passed directly through a restricted route. Several letters were delivered to this ship by Rebel spies. I want to know what happened to the map they sent you.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the Imperial Council on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan-"
"You're a part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor. Take her away!"
Leia was pushed up the ramp onto the Devastator.
Captain Piett stepped up beside Vader. "Holding her is dangerous," he said. "If word of
this gets out, it could generate sympathy for the Rebellion in the council."
"I have traced the Rebel spies to her," Vader replied. "Now she is my only link to find their secret base."
"She'll die before she tells you anything."
"Leave that to me. Send a message to inform the council that all aboard were killed."
Another Imperial officer approached Vader and Piett. "Lord Vader, the map is not aboard this ship. The troops searched the captain's cabin, and they found ink sitting out, and a window was opened. It appeared that there was a bird in the cabin as well."
Vader turned to Piett. "She must have sent the plans with a messenger bird. What is the closest civilization?"
"Tatooine Bay, sir," Piett replied.
Tatooine Bay. Of course, they had to go to that wretched place.
"Then set a course for Tatooine Bay. It seems the princess was heading there anyway."
"Yes, sir," Piett replied before going back to the Devastator.
"Watch where you're goin!"
"Sorry!"
Luke adjusted his satchel as he continued walking, taking one last glance at the ships in the harbor. What he would give to be able to sail on one someday. He had always felt drawn to the water, much to the dismay of his aunt and uncle. They told him the ocean was dangerous. That was how he lost his father. To the waves. But he couldn't help the way the deep blue sea called out for him.
He entered the Dune Sea, the tavern his aunt and uncle owned on Tatooine Bay. One thing he liked about working the tavern was all the sailors coming through with their stories of adventures on the high seas. Sure sailors had a crude sense of humor and their mouths were as dirty as an uncleaned sock, but they knew how to tell stories and sing songs.
Luke weaved through the bustling tavern to make it behind the bar; hidden off to the side was a set of stairs that led up to a living area. He lived above the tavern with his aunt and uncle, which he didn't mind at all. In fact, he got the best view in his room; he could see the bay and all the ships from his bedroom window. He would sit watching sailors for hours – when he wasn't practicing with the sword the local blacksmith gave him for his birthday.
He ascended the stairs and opened the door at the top, entering the above home. He walked to the dining room as he reached into his satchel and pulled out a package wrapped in brown paper. "Aunt Beru! Your package arrived!" He called as he set it on the table.
He removed his now empty satchel – save for a small bag of shillings – and dropped it on the table after taking out the rest of the mail. He tossed the letters next to the package but kept one in his hand. It was from Biggs – his best friend. Biggs had left a couple years ago to be in the naval army and would send Luke a letter every time they had to stop somewhere.
Luke sat down as he opened the envelope and pulled out the paper, unfolding it so he could read the letter.
Dear Luke,
Things have changed since the last letter. I shouldn't tell you this, but you're the only one I can trust; and if I don't come back, I want somebody to know.
I made some friends in the Imperial navy. When our ship docks in the central lands, we're going to jump ship and join the Alliance.
My friend has a friend at Bestine Port who might help us make contact. I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what I can on my own; It's what we always talked about, Luke. I'm not going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The Rebellion is spreading and I want to be on the right side – the side I believe in.
You'll get your chance to get off Tatooine Bay. You're the best sailor in the world, your folks can't hold you back from the sea much longer. Besides, what good is all your uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire? They're starting to nationalize commerce in the central lands... it won't be long before your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater glory of the Empire.
I'll keep a lookout for you. I know you're not going to be a bartender forever. So long.
Your friend,
Biggs Darklighter
Luke folded the letter as his mind raced; Biggs was going to join the Rebellion. He knew his other friends would ask about Biggs, and he would have to lie to them. Tatooine Bay was filled with scumbags, and if anyone heard that Biggs Darklighter had joined the Rebel Alliance, they would deliver that information to the Empire for money. He had to keep his friend's secret.
"Is that from Biggs?" His aunt asked as she entered the room.
Luke nodded. "Yeah, his ship is heading to the central lands." A half-truth. Because he didn't like fully lying to his aunt and uncle.
"That's good," Beru said as she looked through the other letters.
He bit his lip before continuing. "He... also said that the Empire is starting to nationalize commerce in the central lands; they're going to make their way to Tatooine Bay." He looked down. "I can sail, and I'm good with a sword. I heard there was a Rebel cell at Bestine Port."
Beru placed the letters back on the table. "Luke, you know how your uncle feels about that."
"I know, it's just-" he sighed. "I love you and Uncle Owen, I love my friends, I love the tavern, I love some parts of Tatooine Bay, but... I just don't feel completely at home here. I want to sail the seas. I know that my father died in a shipwreck, and I know that's why you guys don't want me to go on the water, but the ocean calls out to me."
Beru smiled softly as she pushed some of Luke's blond hair out of his eyes – she would make him get a haircut soon. "I always knew the ocean was in your blood, so does your uncle; and you're right, that does scare us. You're growing up so fast – you'll be a man soon, and we don't want to let you go."
He had almost forgotten his birthday was coming up. Almost. Considering he was born on Empire Day, he could never forget it.
He would be turning sixteen. He'd be a man. And he had no doubt his guardians would want him to start looking for a wife so he could start a family of his own. Most young boys didn't want that right away, they wanted to enjoy their freedom as men before getting 'grounded' by a woman – but Luke wanted a family. He wanted a wife and children. For some reason, that desire was paired with the urge to sail the seven seas.
Often at night, he would dream that he was the captain of his own ship, and his co-captain was a beautiful woman with red-gold hair and emerald eyes; either there would be kids running around, or she'd be pregnant. He didn't know why he always dreamed about the same woman, but he was starting to fall in love with a figment of his imagination.
"I wouldn't be gone forever, Aunt Beru," Luke said. "I'd come to visit. Tatooine Bay is still my home after all." His mouth quirked into a small smile. "Plus, I'd want you to meet your great nieces and nephews."
Beru laughed. "Any woman who manages to ground you I'd want to meet."
Luke's smile widened.
Beru took the package on the table and slid it over to him. "This is actually for you. We were going to give it to you for your sixteenth birthday.. but I suppose you can have it early. Your uncle found someone who knew your mother and asked if there was anything of hers you could have."
Luke's eyes widened. "My mother?"
He hardly knew anything about his mother – his aunt and uncle had only met her once; all they could provide him with was a description of her physical looks and personality, along with a name: Padme. He didn't remember her. He was too young when he had been delivered to his guardians. But there was a song... a lullaby, perhaps, that he kept humming everyday. He knew it had to have come from her.
"I'm going down to tend to the tavern," Beru said softly. She knew Luke would need a moment to himself.
Once his aunt left, Luke took the package and slowly removed the twine string. He unfolded the paper to reveal a black frock, a pirate's frock to be exact; it was folded in a way where he could only see the front. Eight golden buttons ran down the edge of the right side, and on the collar was gold designs patterned like waves.
He unfolded the frock and slipped it on – it was a little big on him, reaching down to his knees, but he could roll up the sleeves and it would be just fine; the cuffs each had a gold button to hold them in their fold. The coat felt right, like he was meant to wear it.
He slipped his hands into the pockets, and felt something already occupying the left one; his fingers grabbed onto what felt like a chain and lifted it out. It was a jappor necklace on a gold chain, carved into the Tatooine wood were symbols he didn't recognize.
His eyes flicked to the package and saw something else wrapped in a white cloth; he unfolded it to reveal a brown leather holster. The last thing in the package was an envelope – a letter. Two letters in one day. Knowing that the letter was from someone who knew his mother, he hurriedly opened it.
Dear Luke,
Your mother was like a sister to me. I was heartbroken when she died, and I believed her child had died with her. So when I learned her son was alive, I was filled with great joy because there was a part of Padme still out there in the world.
The frock was one of your father's – his favorite actually. The holster was his as well, but the necklace was your mother's. Your father made it for her when they married. It was her favorite possession. Your parents loved each other, so much so that their love carried across the seas.
I was not there when your mother died, but in the short time she had you, I know she loved you very much. I hope we meet one day so I can tell you all about her.
Your loving aunt,
Sabe Knightley
Luke didn't realize he had been crying until his tears dropped onto the paper. For years he had wondered what happened to his mother because his aunt and uncle did not know what happened to her. He had two theories: that she had died, or she had to give him away for some reason and had planned to come back for him. He never imagined she had abandoned him. For some reason, he just knew that she would never abandon him.
He wiped his tears away before taking the gifts, the letter from Biggs, and his satchel to his room, tossing them on his bed. He put the holster and letters into the satchel before removing the pirate coat and folding it the way it was in the package. He fit it into his bag, and, not for the first time, was glad the bag was big enough to hold a large item like that. He slipped his mother's necklace over his neck and set the satchel to the side before heading down to the tavern.
His uncle was tending to the bar, and he assumed his aunt was in the kitchen cooking for the patrons. He spotted Camie, one of his childhood friends, delivering drinks to the customers. She was considered the most beautiful girl in Tatooine Bay, but she was also tough and could hold her own against the sailor-types, which was why his aunt had hired her; working in a tavern so close to the docks, you would need to know how to handle sailors. Plus, her boyfriend Fixer, another one of his childhood friends, would beat anyone to a pulp if they ever laid a hand on her.
Owen looked at his nephew and spotted the necklace that rested on his shirt. "That what your mother's friend sent you for your birthday?" He asked.
Luke nodded. "She said it was her favorite possession. It was a wedding gift from my father."
"That's good," he replied. "I'm... sorry we haven't been able to provide you with hardly anything about your mother."
"It's fine, Uncle Owen. Thank you for this."
Owen nodded. "I know how it feels to miss a mother."
It was rare for his uncle to be vulnerable. He knew his uncle was talking both about his step-mother, Luke's grandmother. She had died before he was born, killed by a band of local thieves called the Tusken Raiders. She lived through stories now, but Luke could tell she was a kind, gentle, and loved woman by the way others talked about her.
"Get to work now," Owen said gruffly. "There are patrons who want their food."
Luke nodded with a smile before going to work. He lost track of time as he delivered plates of Aunt Beru's cooking to patrons, mostly because of the interesting stories the sailors told, or at least, the snippets he could catch. There was also the lively band playing music in the background.
"You should go up there and sing," Camie said when he returned to the bar.
Luke rolled his eyes. "You say that everyday, and I always say no."
"I've heard you sing before; you're really good."
"And my singing will stay off the stage."
Camie shook her head with a smile. "How do you expect to get a nice sailor girl then?"
Luke smirked. "My charming personality and rugged good looks."
"Uh huh, good luck with that, Wormie."
Luke smiled before turning back to watch the patrons, then perked up when he saw his favorite customers walk in. Han Solo, captain of the Millenium Falcon – he claimed that it was the fastest ship in the world, but every sailor claimed that – and his first mate Lando Calrissian. With them, like always, was Solo's loyal dog Chewie.
"I'll take care of these guys," he told Camie before moving behind the bar to prepare a couple of drinks. Once he was done, he carried the beers over to the two sailors he had grown to call friends.
"Hey, there's the sunshine of Tatooine Bay," Han joked as Luke set the two drinks down. "How ya doin kid?"
"Same as last time you were here," Luke replied. He bent down to pet the dog sitting at Han's feet. "Hey, Chewie." Chewie barked in response as he wagged his tail. Luke sat down across from the two sailors. "Actually, I'm turning sixteen in a few days."
"Ah, so you're gonna be a man soon," Lando said with a smirk. "I bet all the ladies will be lining up to get a chance with you."
"I doubt it," Luke said as he rested his arms on the table. "I'm not exactly popular here."
"Their loss," Han commented before chugging his beer.
Luke smiled.
"That's new," Lando said, pointing to the necklace around Luke's neck.
Luke looked down at it. "Oh, my aunt and uncle found someone who knew my mother. She sent me this for my birthday. It was a wedding gift for my mother, made by my father."
Lando took the jappor snippet in his fingers to get a better look at it. "I recognize these symbols. These are pirate symbols. I thought you said your father was a smuggler like us."
"He was," Luke replied. "At least... that's what my aunt and uncle told me."
"Now, I'm not a pirate myself, but when many of them were sailing the seven seas, I learned a bit about their ways. This top symbol is a warning for any who wish to harm the owner." He turned the snippet around. "This one is a sign of protection. The sea will protect any who wore it."
"Of course, all of this is superstition," Han said.
"Well, the pirates believed it," Lando replied as he let go of the snippet. Luke felt it drop against his chest. "You should keep that hidden, kid. It could get you in some trouble if the wrong person sees it."
Luke nodded as he hid the necklace under his shirt. "I should get back to work."
He stood and walked back to the bar as his mind raced. The question hadn't even crossed his mind when he saw the pirate's frock, but now it seemed to be staring him right in the face. Was his father a pirate?