Luke

The next morning, a dark figure filled the doorway before Luke was fully awake. Glancing towards the door, Luke flinched heavily when he realized he was actually awake, still feeling the pull of the cold darkness from his dream before.

"...Good morning." Vader finally settled on, not fully entering the room.

"Good morning." Luke echoed, unsure what else to say.

"I wanted to tell you to take it easy today and to follow your doctor's orders to the letter. The Major and the shadow will stay with you."

"Alright, thank you."

Again, awkward silence.

"Do you need anything else?"

Pausing, Luke considered all his possessions back on Tatooine, then simply shook his head. "No, I don't think so."

"I will arrange for better clothes when we arrive on Coruscant. For now, you'll have to settle for what we have on board."

"That's fine."

Vader took a hesitant half step forward before someone cleared their throat behind him. Turning, Vader saw Hal behind him with a breakfast tray.

"Ah. It's time for your breakfast. I must get back to my duties – I will see you later."

"Alright, goodbye, Father." Luke watched as he left quickly, clearly relieved to leave the awkward situation.

Sighing, Luke slumped.

"Here, I brought your breakfast, Luke." Hal offered cheerfully, placing the tray on a table in front of him.

Picking at it, Luke mostly just pushed the food in circles.

"Is everything alright, Luke?" Hal asked, sitting down beside him with a pad. Obviously, he was going to try and work on some reports.

"I feel...awkward around my father." Luke admitted.

"Ah, yes." Hal nodded. "Give it some time – he's getting used to being a father as well."

Tason appeared suddenly in the doorway, holding something under his cape. Coming forward, he revealed the item with a flourish, Luke dropping his fork with a clatter.

"My speeder!" Luke grinned, taking it from Tason gently.

"It seemed well cherished." Tason took a step back, seeming proud of himself for putting a smile back on Luke's face.

"My Aunt gave me this." Luke loved that toy speeder – he lost it before in the fire that burned down the homestead. Setting it gently beside him, Luke began to pick at his breakfast again.

Curiosity peaked, Luke turned to Tason once more, his breakfast half finished but Luke didn't have the interest to eat the rest.

"When do you sleep? And eat?" Luke had figured out how to pick out Tason's signature now, and rarely did he find himself without the shadow nearby.

Tason tilted his head, shrugging. "When I'm tired, and when I'm hungry."

Hal coughed lightly, drawing Luke's attention away from Tason. "If you're all set here, I'm going to go get caught up on some paperwork in my office, but Tason knows how to reach me should you need anything."

Taking the breakfast tray with him, Hal gave it to a droid to bring back to the kitchens.

"Alright, see you later." Luke lay back on the bed, already feeling bored.

True to his word, the doctor managed to find a holovid that could be brought to Luke's room, but Luke didn't know what to do with it. On Tatooine, having something like a holovid was a luxury for only the very rich and those with the time to waste watching it. And in his previous life, he went from a poor boy from Tatooine to the rebellion, where free time was nonexistent as well. Tason didn't seem to know what to do with it either, neither fascinated by it nor completely dulled to it.

"Tason, is there anything to read?"

Thoughtfully, Tason nodded slowly, holding up a single finger. Disappearing, Tason was only gone for a second before he returned with a pad. Typing onto it quickly, he handed it to Luke. Eyes widening, Luke glanced towards Tason and then back to the pad. The shadow had allowed Luke access into the Imperial records up to that of a fleet admiral – meaning, Luke could read almost any document he wanted.

"Are you sure I'm allowed?" Luke asked, already starting to browse in wonder.

Nodding, Tason definitely did not seem amazed by this, settling back in his chair.

Pausing, Luke glanced towards Tason again. "Um...I'm sorry you're stuck watching me. I'm sure you have a lot more exciting things to do."

Tilting his head, Tason shrugged. "Sometimes...exciting is not a good thing. Anything Master orders me to do is worth my full effort and time."

Accepting the answer for what it was, Luke began to search through the pad. The first thing he needed to figure out was what exactly happened between his father and mother. Obviously, something had happened since Vader wasn't there when Luke was born, and then his mother had him hidden away so Vader had no idea about his existence.

But where did one start? Though they had kept Luke's name "Skywalker", they wouldn't have put it in any of the records. There was a record of Padme having a child, but the child died at birth without a name. Anakin Skywalker was just as mysterious, and as far as Luke could remember, they'd had to hide their marriage from the Jedi Council and never recorded it.

Settling back, Luke decided to look into the discrepancies in the history he remembered being told by various figures he had met in the past and the history recorded.

But first…

Typing in his mother's name, Luke felt immediately disappointed. There were few available files on her, Vader clearly having tried to block the memory of her. What had happened that his father didn't even want to remember his mother for what she was? If he had thought she had truly died just giving birth, then something must have happened before Luke was born. Something that caused his mother to want to hide him and Leia away from Vader.

Luke stopped, feeling ready to smack himself in the face. Padme had married Anakin. When had Anakin become Vader?

Typing into the pad, the main issue he ran into was there were very few records kept from before the Empire. The Emperor had very carefully cleaned house, leaving little traces of the Republic behind. It was also impossible to figure out when Darth Vader had exactly come into existence considering all the records of the Jedi had been wiped out. All that the current Imperial records stated was Darth Vader appeared as a hero the day of the great purge.

Luke had not had much time with Obi-wan, and Yoda did not like to speak about the "purge" when Vader and the Emperor had wiped out many of the Jedi. Before, Luke rarely found it relevant anyway, considering he had never considered Vader anything but an enemy until learning Vader was his father. By then, he had neither Yoda nor Obi-wan to help him.

Frustrated, Luke set the pad down on his lap and closed his eyes, wishing the Force would just jump out at him and give him the answers he wanted.

"Luke."

Glancing up at the door, Luke found Tason simply sitting in a chair, doing something on his own pad.

Confused, Luke glanced back down.

"Luke, look up Order 66."

Glancing around again quickly, Luke caught the attention of Tason. "Is something the matter?"

"Uh...no. Sorry, thought I heard something."

"Order 66! Do it while you have the chance!"

The voice was oddly familiar, Luke feeling drawn to search the order. Something in his gut told him he wasn't going to like what he found, but he couldn't stop himself from typing it in.

Sitting up straight, Luke felt the blood drain from his face. Line after line, he wanted to stop reading but for some odd reason he couldn't bring himself to. The report read that Chancellor Palpatine heroically stopped the rampaging Jedi with Order 66, but that didn't feel right. It only got worse as he read on. "...Lord Darth Vader was ordered to eradicate all remaining Jedi at the Grand Temple…"

Even with his level of access, a lot of the files were still redacted, and a lot of the information hidden.

"I cannot linger here, child." The voice whispered again, this time Luke recognizing it for what it was: Obi-wan, as a Force ghost. Though he had only stumbled upon a ghost a handful of times before, the more he thought about it the more obvious it became.

Looking up the Grand Jedi Temple, Luke frowned. There was little to no information on it, all of the records having been deleted. In the past, he had not had many opportunities to speak to anyone about how the Jedi Temple used to be, though someone had to have known.

Of course, his father would know.

"Tason, where is my father right now?" Luke asked, setting the pad aside.

Checking a schedule, Tason looked over. "He's in a meeting currently. Why?"

"I want to ask him something." Luke got up, stretching.

"Let me ask him if he has a spare moment." Tason sent a message over the pad, Luke sighing and sitting back down. If Vader was in a meeting, it could be hours -

A ding came back almost immediately, Tason getting to his feet. "He said I can bring you to him. The meeting finished early."

"Great!"

Leading them out of the room, Luke followed Tason through the bustling hallways.

"Wow, it's so busy here!" Luke looked around in open awe, everyone looking at him with openly confused stares. What was a child doing on board a Star Destroyer? The question was singing through the Force, Luke blocking it out as best he could.

Leading him to the bridge of the ship, they cut a corner and Tason brought them to a conference room.

Vader was waiting for them in the room, a group of men filing out as soon as Luke arrived. All of the men bowed their heads respectfully to Luke, Luke awkwardly waving back, unsure how to respond. "How are you feeling today, Luke?"

"Good! Tason got me a pad to read on-"

"Tason?" Vader stopped him, confused.

Blinking, Luke glanced over where the guard had been only to see the guard had disappeared again. Perhaps the only times Tason felt comfortable leaving Luke was when he was with Vader, though how he managed to leave without being seen was a mystery. Luke would have to convince the guard to teach him when he had the chance. "The guy you call your shadow guard – the one who brought me here."

"You named him?"

Now also confused, Luke shook his head. "No...I asked him his name…"

"Oh. I see. Continue." Vader gestured to a chair.

Coming over, Luke sat down, folding his hands neatly in front of him. "Anyway, I read about Padme today – well, tried anyway. There aren't a lot of files on her."

A shudder ran through Luke, the room suddenly growing chilly.

"How do you know that name?"

Luke paused. "Obi-wan told me."

"Obi-wan told you...he must have told you a lot of things."

"Sure. What's the big deal about knowing my mother's name, anyway?"

"All the files on Padme Amidala are restricted. Why are you even looking that woman up?"

"I don't know. The pad Tason got me didn't seem to have a lot of restrictions – except, a lot of the information was hidden. And I did it because I wanted to know more about my parents."

Mumbling a few curses under his breath, Vader's fingers were opening and closing in a loosely formed fist. "I will let it slide for today, child, but that woman is not to be brought up again. Do not even think about her, alright? Also, you are never to look up Anakin Skywalker. That man is dead, understood? I am your father now, that's all you need to know on the matter."

Frowning, Luke nodded. "Alright." Having no intentions of actually dropping the subject, Luke felt like he might actually be onto something. If whatever happened made Vader uncomfortable to remember, perhaps it would be the kind of discomfort that could start pushing him back towards the light.

"May I ask you a question?"

Luke stopped his pondering, turning his gaze back towards Vader. Why would the dark lord of the Sith bother asking something like that?

"Of course."

"The Princess…" Stomach clenching, Luke looked towards Vader, hoping he was hiding his worried expression. "Did she say anything to you about a rebellion?"

"No, she didn't. Why?"

"No reason. Just simple curiosity."

Luke felt the Force shudder, looking to his father blankly. "Don't try to manipulate me. You wanted me to unknowingly admit that my friend was committing treason."

Leaning forward, Vader folded his hands neatly before himself on the table. "Is that a confession?"

Searching the eyes on the mask covering his father's expression, Luke wondered where the man who sacrificed himself to destroy the Emperor was. Was there truly only a sliver of hope left, and it was only going to come out in dire circumstances?

"No. She never spoke of a rebellion to me. Neither did the King, or the Queen. None of them ever spoke to me about anything like that."

"I see."

Luke's stomach rumbled suddenly, Luke flushing in embarrassment.

"Did you have lunch yet?"

Shaking his head, Vader pressed a button on the table. "Please bring up a lunch for one to my conference room."

"At once, my lord." A voice answered back.

For a moment, awkward silence filled the room. Finally, Luke, feeling like he couldn't keep it pent up in his chest for another moment, blurt out, "What was Order 66?"

A pin drop could be heard, Luke not even hearing Vader's respirator's for a moment at the surge of emotion that came from his father.

"How do you know about that? No...what do you know about that Order?" Vader demanded immediately.

Flinching back, Luke shook his head quickly, stammering. "Just that you were ordered to eradicate the Jedi. I didn't know what that meant."

The emotion cut off like a dam being closed, Vader reigning back in his emotions. "I see. It was simply that – I destroyed the traitorous Jedi that were trying to overthrow our government system."

"Oh. What was the Grand Temple like before?"

Luke felt a creeping tendril of darkness come out and wrap around Luke's leg, Luke instinctively bashing at it with his own tendril. The darkness retreated, Luke shivering. Vader was regarding him curiously. "Do not ask questions you are not prepared for. The Grand Temple was filled with traitors, and it was a terrible place to be. Do not poke your nose where it does not belong."

"Y-yes, Father."

Realizing he had put Luke on edge, Vader seemed to try and tone things down a notch. "I am not trying to scare you child, it's just there are things from that day even I still do not understand. Sometimes time is the only thing that reveals the answers you seek."

Nodding, Luke was unsure what else to say, and gratefully he was interrupted by a knock at the door. A tall, crisply dressed man entered when Vader granted permission, the man standing at attention, a tray of food in his hands.

"My lord, I apologize for interrupting. First of all, I have the meal you ordered. Secondly, the Emperor requests an audience with you."

"I see. I must go now, Luke. I will send someone to escort you back to your room after you finish your meal." Vader stood, the man glancing over as if seeing Luke for the first time.

Bringing his tray over, he set it before Luke with a small smile. "I can escort him, my Lord, if you wish."

Vader paused. "Yes...you both did not meet back on Alderaan."

"No, my Lord."

"Very well. Let the boy finish his meal, then return him to his guards and return to your duties. Luke, listen to the Vice Admiral."

Luke glanced over at the Vice Admiral, his first time really seeing the man, then realized Vader was standing in the doorway, awaiting an answer. "Yes...Father." The name still felt foreign on Luke's tongue.

The Force hummed a little brighter, even the Vice Admiral noticing Vader's mood lift a notch. Leaving them both, Luke paused in his meal, now openly watching the Vice Admiral.

"What's your name?" Luke asked.

Blinking, the man realized that he had not yet introduced himself. "I am Vice Admiral Firmus Piett."

Curiosity peaked, Luke sat up a little straighter. Though he had obviously known of the man, he had never had the opportunity to meet him nor see anything more than his picture in the past. From what he'd heard, Piett was a competent Admiral and an opponent not to be underestimated by any rebel. It was of no surprise to Luke that even before he'd become Admiral that he would be a trusted subordinate for Vader.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Luke."

"May I sit down while you finish eating, Luke?" Piett asked.

"Sure! Should I have a droid bring you something to eat?"

Once more, Luke had managed to surprise people. Piett seemed shocked that a child would know how to be both courteous while showing power over someone else. By offering to order the droid around, Luke had acknowledged that he had power, though he did not know exactly how much yet.

"I'm alright. I just ate myself."

Humming, Luke pushed his potatoes around the plate. "Vice Admiral, do you want something from me?"

The Admiral paused, tilting his head slightly. The question didn't surprise him – it confused him, something Luke found odd. The question felt more obvious to him. "What makes you think that?"

"I don't know. Everyone is either afraid of me if they know I'm Darth Vader's son, or if they don't know, they are curious as to how important I am to Lord Vader. But you're not afraid of me, and you just created the perfect opportunity to get me by myself."

"Created? Not really – the Emperor did ask for your father. I was simply relaying the message to my Lord, as is my duty. It just happened to be at a time when your guards weren't present."

Honestly, Luke hadn't thought much about how the people around Vader would treat him. Really, the more he thought about it the more he realized he hadn't thought through his entire plan at all.

In the past, after discovering he was Vader's son, it was never announced. Luke told only a handful of trusted people, and he had no idea who Vader had or hadn't told besides the Emperor.

Though he had run into very few people so far, Luke was also not just a twelve year old – he knew people would either want to use him for his powers (like the Emperor) or exploit him for his position (everyone kissing up to him to get into his father's favor), just as they had when he was the last Jedi.

It was rather unexpected that as of now, Hal, Tason, and Piett didn't seem to want anything from him.

"If you say so…"

Blinking, Piett gave Luke a look of disbelief. "How old are you?"

"Twelve, but I'm mature for my age."

"I can see that. Well, I can't deny that I was curious about you, but I know better than to want something from you. I suppose I just wanted to meet you, considering how closely I work with your father."

"How closely do you work with my father?"

"Well, I see him on an almost daily basis when he is aboard the Executor. When he isn't, I'm usually relaying messages between him and the Admiral."

"So you'd say you know him well?"

"I don't know what your definition of well is, but I suppose so."

"Then what is my father like?"

Blinking, Piett clearly hadn't antipicated going up against the curiosity of a Skywalker when he volunteered to watch Luke. "What is he...like?"

"I mean, I don't know anything about him. I guess I was just curious what people think of him."

Thoughtfully, Piett considered the question. The answer would have been different for someone who wasn't twelve, but even so, it was the first time Piett had been asked. "He is very disciplined. People take him very seriously around here, and he is a man that deserves much respect. He sacrificed a lot for this Empire."

Sacrifice. Was that what Luke was doing right now, sacrificing himself to save everyone else? Or was he sacrificing himself for no cause at all – if the rebellion had no Jedi, did they even have a chance against the Empire? Perhaps if Leia were to train they could have another Jedi, but despite their connection from being siblings, Luke had not sensed much Force presence from her in the past.

Then again, if he could turn his father from the dark side, they could defeat Palpatine together and let the galaxy live on in peace, and the rebellion wouldn't have to worry anymore.

Simple.
Easy.

Perhaps, impossible.

Pushing the negative thoughts from his mind, Luke plastered a fake grin on his face. "I see. Thank you."

"What do you think of your father?"

Freezing, Luke shook his head. "I don't know. I think I'm afraid of him." Somewhat unsettled by his own honesty, Luke set his fork down.

"Afraid? Why?"

Glancing up, Luke realized that while the Vice Admiral had not been told the entire story, he still had enough pieces to paint himself a clear picture.

Smiling, Luke sat up straight in his chair, meeting the Vice Admiral's piercing gaze. "Who hasn't heard the rumors about him? Anyone would be afraid."

"I don't think your father is someone you need to fear." Piett offered with a smile, trying to placate a twelve year old.

But Luke wasn't really twelve – or at least, he didn't feel that young. "Oh, no. I think my father is the one I need to fear the most. Anyway, I think I'm finished. Would you take me back to my room?"

Trying to hide the strange look he'd had on his face, Piett nodded, standing and taking them out the door and into the hall. Everyone moved out of their way to salute the Vice Admiral, Luke feeling their eyes move onto him next. Soon, the entire ship would be filled with rumors about a child being shepherded around by all the higher ups, something Vader was probably doing on purpose. The more people knew about Luke, the harder it would be for the Emperor to make him quietly disappear.

"Here we are. I will see you later." Piett left Luke with Hal and another storm trooper, who had been waiting at Luke's door when they arrived.

"Thank you, Vice Admiral."

Entering his room, Luke went and sat down on his bed. "Are you going to watch me sleep, too?"

Grinning, Hal shook his head. "I'm going back to my office. The guards will take shifts, and Tason should be back soon, okay?"

"Alright, thanks, Hal."

Laying down on his bed, Luke heard the door open and shut once more, following Hal's signature in the Force until it settled in Hal's temporary office.

Eyes fluttering shut, Luke tried to push the worries from his mind and let them go.

This...was going to be much more challenging then he initially realized.

Darth Vader

How is being a father already this impossible?

Vader could hardly believe that it had only been a day since the child had been found – how had he already gotten into so much trouble?

Pushing his worries aside as he entered his office, Vader knelt before the holopad before turning it on with the Force, revealing the Emperor.

"My apprentice."

"Master."

"I've heard interesting news. Do you have something you want to share with me, Lord Vader?"

Flinching, Vader did not feel entirely prepared on how to broach this subject. "Master, my wife lied to me along with Obi-wan Kenobi. My child lives."

"Lives?" The Emperor was acting surprised, but Vader had long learned his genuine surprise from his diplomatic actions.

"I've found him and am returning with him to Coruscant."

"So the rumors were true...I see. And what will you do with the child when you reach Coruscant, Darth Vader?" The Emperor intentionally mentioned Vader's title, indirectly pointing out that a Sith Lord was hardly father material.

"I wish to raise him, as was promised."

The Emperor flinched, remembering the haunting words from the past: the promise that if Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side, that he would help him save his precious wife and child. "I see. I suppose we cannot take this matter lightly – we will discuss it further once you return to the palace. I'll prepare a grand banquet to announce your son's arrival."

"That's really not necessary, Master-"

"No, I insist. I cannot wait to meet the child – I'm looking forward to it, Lord Vader."

"Yes, Master." Vader had no choice but to agree.

"Good. I will see you both soon. Do keep the boy, safe, Lord Vader. I'd hate for something to happen before I have a chance to meet him."

"Of course, Master." An unsettling feeling washed over Vader as the communication was ended. Though it sounded simply like the Emperor was caring over the well being of the boy, it was an unveiled threat to Vader: protect what is yours.

Exiting the room, he found the shadow he'd assigned his son waiting outside. He'd ordered him to come and wait while he spoke with the Emperor. This brought his mind back to the more pressing issues from earlier.

It should not have come as a surprise that Luke had inherited a substantial amount of curiosity. Both Padme and himself had both been very adventurous and inquisitive people. But why in the galaxy did he need to be curious about this?

There were parts of Vader's past that he wasn't...proud of, per say. That particular order that Luke was so worried about had been a very low point in Vader's existence. At the time, the thought of losing his wife and child had driven him to the brink and pushed him over the edge, and now the faces of those young padawan's haunted him always.

But what was he to do about it now? If he told Luke the truth, the child would be terrified, but if he lied, Luke was strong enough in the Force he would notice immediately.

"Shadow, come closer."

Tason, though clearly hesitant, still made himself come at once, bowing before Vader. "Master."

"Get rid of the child's pad. He is no longer to have access to the Imperial records."

"Yes, Master."

"And tell the Major tomorrow that his only priority is to keep the child entertained. Until we reach Coruscant, there is not much for the boy to do."

"Yes, Master."

"He is not to learn anymore of the past – if he asks any questions, distract him."

"Yes, Master."

A part of Vader was a bit annoyed at the robotic reply, as if he were waiting for the "but-". Feeling conflicted, Vader turned and left without dismissing the shadow, heading towards the bridge again.

Entering the bridge, all the officers stood to attention including Admiral Ozzel. "My Lord."

"Admiral. What is our estimated time of arrival to Coruscant?"

Ozzel hesitated.

Vader's fingers clenched into a fist. Since becoming Admiral, Ozzel had become rather lax in his duties – a pet peeve of Vader's, though Vader had to admit his list of annoyances was quite long.

The Vice Admiral, who had just stepped back through the doors as Vader asked his question, stepped up without hesitation. "The Admiral just asked me to check on our status, my Lord. We are still four days and sixteen hours from Coruscant."

"Thank you, Vice Admiral. I'm assuming you've escorted him back to his quarters safely?"

"Yes, my Lord. After he finished his meal, I returned him to the Major and his guards at his room."

"Very good."

"If I may, my Lord, what of these rumors of you having brought a child aboard?" Admiral Ozzel arrogantly asked.

Vader's annoyance deepened. "If you had simply asked the Vice Admiral, you would realize he dined with the child just now."

It was amusing for Vader to watch Piett stiffen and pale, but refuse to back down. Ozzel simply looked furious, though he was trying to hold a straight face.

"Truly? What an...honor. I'll have to meet this child myself if you would allow it, my Lord."

There was a stirring in the Force that Vader found distasteful, though he could not put an exact reason on the tip of his tongue. "If there is time in your busy schedule to meet with a child, Admiral, I don't see why not."

There: a warning. Ozzel looked as if he'd been struck.

"Of course, my Lord. My duties always come first. I just wanted to pay my respects to the boy."

"Yes, I'm sure. I will be in my office should I be needed. Vice Admiral, I must speak with you for a moment."

Leaving the bridge, Vader pondered Ozzel's unusual intentions when his son was mentioned – it reminded him of the Emperor when the man Sheev Palpatine had first set his sights on the misguided Jedi Anakin Skywalker. Somehow that man wanted to take advantage of his son.

Entering his office with Piett in tow, Vader went and stared out the view port for a long moment, leaving Piett to stand in silence.

"Vice Admiral."

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Should the Admiral make any moves towards my child, alert me at once."

"Yes, my Lord."

When Vader finally had enough of Ozzel, he wondered if Piett would become as conceited when he was given more power.

"That is all."

Bowing, Piett left, leaving Vader alone to ponder.