The Lost Commanders and Son

Summary: Luke lives on Seelos with three old clone commanders. One day the crew of The Ghost arrive trying to recruit the clones to join the rebellion. However, the rebels draw the attention of the Empire including Darth Vader. He has been searching for Captain Rex ever since he stole something very important to him.

Luke stared up at the night sky while he laid on his back. The stars heavily dotted the sky. He could even make out the bright glow and cluster of the galaxy center. He sighed. He always had a longing for the stars. For the sky.

"Luke!" a gruff voice shouted. "Food is ready!"

Luke slowly pushed himself up. He looked out across the desolate salt plains of Seelos. There was nothing out here. He sighed as he stood up and made his way down the ladder of the old Republic tank he called home. He entered to find Rex, Wolffe, and Gregor had all started to eat.

"Here you go," Gregor said happily as he handed Luke a bowl of joopas stew.

All three were clones, so all three looked similar. They had the same body build. The same shape to their face. But they were also very different. Rex was bald with a white beard. His old armor had blue markings on it. Wolffe had lost his right eye during the war and now had a cybernetic one. A mean scar ran through his eye and along the right side of his face. He kept his white hair and beard short and neat. His armor had grey markings. Gregor liked to go hairless. No hair. No beard. He was also a bit more carefree than the other two.

"Lookin' at the stars again?" Rex asked.

Luke shrugged.

"No point in keeping your head up in the clouds," Wolffe said. "Need to focus on the ground. Down here on the here and now."

"This isn't a battlefield," Rex said giving a pointed look at Wolffe.

"Never know when it could become one," Wolffe muttered.

Gregor caught Luke's eye and gave him a wink. Luke loved the clones. They were the only family he had ever known. He didn't remember what his life was like before they had adopted him. He remembered fragments of living a few other places with the clones during his childhood, but most of his memories were of living here on Seelos.

The clones were good men. Good caretakers. They had seen to Luke's education. They downloaded educational materials off the holonet. Luke had often spent many long afternoons sitting at the terminal inside the tank. His favorite lessons were from the clones themselves. They taught him everything they knew. How to shoot a blaster, how to fight, how to track, battle strategies, and of course Luke's favorite was their history. History of the Clone Wars. Of the Jedi. Of General Anakin Skywalker. And Luke loved those ones the best, because Anakin Skywalker was his father.

But he was now fifteen and he couldn't help but wonder what his future was going to be. Was this it? Was he going to be on Seelos forever slinging for joopas? Surely not. There had to be more. He didn't expect for 'more' to come the next day in a small ship.

"You know the drill," Rex said as the clones all grabbed their weapons.

Luke nodded. He hid in a small compartment in the floor. This was always the case whenever there were outsiders. When asked why he had to hide, he was told because clones weren't supposed to have kids. And they take Luke away to some orphanage. Luke didn't want that. So he hid.

He became very quiet as he listened. He could hear voices. He tensed when he heard two shots of a blaster go off. But that was the only shots he heard. There were more voices and eventually Luke heard the tank door open and two of his clone guardians , they had yet to give the all-clear signal.

It wasn't long until he felt something bump against the tank. Then Rex returned, but he wasn't alone. There were more footsteps. More people.

"Hey! You're a big one aren't you?" Gregor said.

"Bigger than you," a masculine voice growled.

"Woah!" another voice said.

"Hey! Hey! Easy with those son," Rex said.

"Ohhh yeah, yeah," the other voice said. "I might ruin the dust."

"How is Commander Tano?" Rex asked.

Luke straightened up. Commander Tano? He recognized that name! That was one of the Jedi Rex served under. He pressed his ear to the roof of his compartment.

"Well, uh," said the voice from before, but they were cut off.

"You need to be honest with us," a new voice said. "Who else is here?"

Silence. Luke heard shuffling and the familiar sound of weapons being grabbed.

"Hold on!" Rex shouted. Silence. What was going on? "It's all right, Luke," Rex said. "You can come out."

Luke hesitated for a moment, but then pushed the panel open. He slowly crawled out and stood up. He looked around the small main room of the tank. Gregor was sitting while Rex stood nearby. Wolffe was leaning against the consol with a look of disapproval across his face. But there were four others. Three humans and a large purple furry alien. One human was an adult man, the other a young teen, and the last human was a young woman with short brightly colored hair and armor.

"Who is this?" the man asked waving his hand at Luke.

"This is Luke," Rex said as he put his hand on Luke's shoulder and squeezed it. "He's our charge."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Your charge?" he asked slowly.

"He's an orphan," Gregor said in his usual cheery voice. "We've adopted him. Raised him since he was a baby."

"Orphaned? How? Who were his parents? How did they die? Did you have anything to do with this, clones?" the man said growing angrier.

"Luke," Rex said. "Why don't you take young Ezra out and show him how we sling for joopas?"

Luke frowned. He didn't really want to go out, but he knew what Rex was really asking. He wanted to talk with this man without Luke present. Luke nodded and headed towards the door. The other kid followed him out. They climbed up the ladder to the top of the tank.

"So uhh what is slinging for joopas?" the kid asked.

"Shhh," Luke said as lowered himself to the ground and started to pry up one of the floor panels.

The kid kneeled beside him.

"What are you doing?" the kid asked.

"I want to know what they're talking about," Luke said.

He looked at the kid. He had dark blue hair. He wore it long down his chin. He had two scars that slashed across the left side of his face. Luke lowered himself down so he could hear better. The kid did the same.

"That kid is a strong Force sensitive," the man was saying. "It's beyond just being a Jedi. He would be a strong Jedi."

"Not surprising," Rex said. "His father was a Jedi."

Luke wasn't sure what being a Force sensitive was, but he did know about his father.

"A father you killed?" the man asked bitterly.

There was silence and Luke wished he could see what was happening.

"No," Rex finally said. "No clones were involved in Luke's father's death. I served under his father. The very least I could do was see that his son was raised safe and away from the Empire. I know what they do to Jedi and any other Force sensitives."

"Is that why you live out here?" the woman asked.

"Ain't no one out here," Gregor said. "Just us and the joopas."

"And now you," Wolffe growled.

"So you're a Jedi, too?" the kid asked Luke in a hushed voice.

"No," Luke said. "My dad was a Jedi . . . Wait. Too? Are you one?"

Luke and the kid sat up straight. The kid unhooked his blaster from his belt. He pushed a button and instead of a bolt coming out, a beam shot out of the top of the blaster. Luke gaped up at it.

"What is that?" Luke asked.

"A lightsaber," the kid said. "It's the weapon of the Jedi."

He waved it around. It made a humming sound as it did. He clicked the button and the blade snapped back into the blaster.

"I'm Ezra by the way," the kid said.

"Luke," Luke replied with a smile.

Luke learned that the others were part of the same crew as Ezra. They had come here hoping to recruit Rex to join their fight against the Empire, but Rex had turned them down. He said he was done fighting, but he would help them out by giving them some information. Luke was inside the tank while the four members of Ezra's crew were outside with Gregor.

"I don't like this," Wolffe said. "They're Jedi. And they're in some kind of trouble. What if they attract the attention of the Empire?"

"What's bad about the Empire?" Luke asked.

Ezra and his friends were fighting against it. Rex and the clones were hiding from it. Wolffe and Rex shared a look.

"It's not the Republic . . ." Rex said slowly. "And well . . . Listen, Luke, I haven't been exactly honest with you. You have the ability to be a Jedi, like your father before you. You can use the Force. And the Empire . . . doesn't like that. They killed all the Jedi. And well, when I saw you and realized who you were, I couldn't watch and let you be killed. So I took you and ran and never looked back."

"Is that why you make me hide in the floor whenever there are other people around?" Luke asked.

Rex smiled. "I'm trying to keep you safe, son," he said softly.

"Would the Empire really kill me?" Luke asked.

Rex looked at Wolffe. There was something unsaid between them.

"That or worse," Rex said.

"But what about Kanan and Ezra?" Luke asked. "They're Jedi. They're not dead."

"Yet," Wolffe mumbled. Rex shot him a look.

"They're outlaws, Luke," Rex said. "Rebels. Wanted men by the Empire. Go out and talk to them and see what they have to say about how they live their life."

Luke nodded and decided to do just that. He headed outside to the back of the tank and found Ezra and the other man, Kanan.

Ezra had talked about the Rebellion and the crew of The Ghost. He had such a passion about it. How they were fighting against the Empire and trying to help others. He explained all the evils the Empire did. He also mentioned a few close calls he had with the Empire. Including the most recent adventure where Ezra's crew had returned to Lothal, but had to escape in an Imperial shuttle which was then tracked. Their fleet was attacked by the Imperials.

Rex was right. The life these Rebels led was dangerous, but Luke . . . Luke wasn't afraid of that life. He found it fascinating.

"You know," Ezra said. "You could come with us. We could teach you how to be a Jedi. Maybe Ahsoka would take you up as an apprentice."

"There's nothing out here for you, kid," Kanan said. The man approached the two teens. His long brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. "Plus, being a Jedi being raised by clones . . ."

"You don't like them," Luke said.

"You weren't there," Kanan said. "At the end of the war. They turned on their Jedi. I watched as they gunned my master down. The very men she had fought beside for years. Then they turned their blasters on me. Later they said it was these chips in their head that made them do it."

"I didn't betray my Jedi."

All three turned to see Rex standing in the doorway of the tank.

"Wolffe, Gregor, and I removed our chips," Rex said as he tapped the side of his head where a small scar was. "We all had a choice."

Gregor had convinced Ezra's crew to help them hunt for joopas. Using Zeb as bait, they were able to catch the Big Bongo. Gregor was excited over their catch. Luke knew he was already thinking of a hundred different recipes to cook with the joopas meat. Luke stood on the back railing of the tank. Ezra, Kanan, and Sabine were also nearby. All looked silently at the salt falts.

"You know," Ezra said, "even though Rex said he didn't want to come doesn't mean you don't have to."

Luke said nothing, but there was a tightness in his chest as he thought about it. Thought about leaving this place. Going up in the stars. Living his life like his father had, as a Jedi. He knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to take Ezra up on his offer, but then he thought about Rex and Gregor and Wolffe. And could he just abandoned them? No, he couldn't. They were his family. And they had decided they wouldn't be joining Ezra or the rebels.

Rex came out of the back door of the tank. "I've assembled a list of potential bases and clearance codes and a few protocols the Imperials still use," he said.

"Should be of some use," Kanan said.

"Thanks, Rex," Ezra said.

"They're on our main computer," Rex said. "You're gonna need- "

"Data tapes?" Sabine interrupted. "I got this." She rushed inside.

Rex walked over to Ezra. "You were brave today, kid," he said. Ezra had helped capture the joopas by stabbing the sling line with the electro-poles. It was a demanding job. One the clones hadn't even let Luke do until about two years ago. "You jumped right in there to help. A great Jedi once told me that the best leaders lead by example. You do that well."

Ezra smiled. "Thanks," he said. He looked over at Kanan. "I've learned from a great Jedi, too." Kanan glared at Rex, huffed, and looked away.

Rex leaned in towards Luke. "You know, I don't think he likes me," he muttered. "Or ever will." Rex was silent for a moment before adding, "The war left its scars on all of us."

"Won't you reconsider joining us?" Ezra asked. His eyes still hopeful.

"You know, I've out served my purpose for that kind of fighting, I'm afraid," Rex said.

Ezra frowned but nodded. The door slid open and Sabine rushed out.

"The clones gave us up! They warned the Empire we're here."

"Wait, what?" Ezra asked.

Everyone had straightened up. Kanan's face darkened, while Rex was clearly shocked.

"You're mistaken," Rex said. "We would never do that."

"Oh," Sabine said staring Rex down. "I found the binary transmission to the Empire. And there are messages from Ahsoka sent to Rex, and he never answered her!"

"What?" Rex said. "I never got any messages from Commander Tano!"

"I knew it!" Kanan shouted. "I told you! They can't be trusted!"

"Kanan, wait," Ezra said.

But Rex ignored them and pushed past Sabine into the tank. Luke looked at the others before following Rex in. The others were right behind him.

"Is this true? Wolffe?" Rex asked. Wolffe just looked at Rex. There was something off in his expression. A slight tightness to his mouth.

"What did you do?" Luke asked.

"I contacted the Empire," Wolffe said. "If they found out that we were helping Jedi, they'd wipe us out!"

"Sabine," Kanan growled, "go warn Hera. Tell her to scan for incoming ships." He looked at Wolffe. "And what do you think they were going to do once they discovered Luke here?"

"I just wanted to protect you guys," Wolffe said. "I wanted to protect our squad."

Protect our family, Luke realized.

"The war is over," Rex said. "We are free men. But if the Empire finds us . . . we won't be."

"You're right," Wolffe said slowly. "They're . . . not our enemy. I was just afraid . . ." He paused and looked at Luke.

Rex put a hand on Wolffe's shoulder. "I know," he said softly.

"A probe?" Sabine shouted from outside. "Kanan!"

There more shouts from Gregor and Zeb. The sound of blaster shots. Everyone ran outside to see a round droid with spindly arms hanging off of it was zooming off into the plains.

"Rex," Ezra said. "You gotta make this right." He tossed Rex a large blaster. Rex caught it and nodded. He quickly hoisted it up on his shoulder. He wasted no time in leveling it off and taking the shot. The droid exploded into a cloud.

"Nice shot," Sabine said.

"Woo-hoo-hoo!" Gregor shouted from down below the tank. "Rex got him!"

"Heh heh probe deserved it," Zeb said.

The Ghost crew climbed down and headed into the salt flats as the sun started to dip below the horizon. The cool night air started to whip across the featureless plain. Luke followed Rex as he joined the crew circling around the smoking wreckage of the droid.

"How long has this thing been watching us?" Ezra asked.

"Long enough," Kanan said. He looked over at Sabine. "How's The Phantom?"

"Well engine took a direct hit from the probe," Sabine said. "We're not going anywhere until I can fix it."

"Wait, you mean we're stranded?" Zeb asked.

"And the Empire is on its way," Rex added. He looked over at Luke. His face fell into a worried look.

The night was tense. Luke curled up in his usual spot. His blankets tight around him. He tried closing his eyes to sleep, but there was a tightness in his chest. He had a bad feeling. He normally had such feelings as sand storms approached, but this was something else. Something more that he couldn't quite put a name to. He barely slept through the night. He was tired and sore as the sun rose across the white landscape. Wolffe had kept the tank moving all night to avoid being in the last known spot the droid reported them in to the Empire.

Sabine was working on fixing The Phantom but had reported it would take a bit more time. The rest of The Ghost crew were on edge, but they weren't the only one. The clones were as well. Everyone jumped when Kanan's com beeped.

"Spectre-1 to Spectre-2," said a femine voice. "I'm busy finishing up repairs on The Ghost, and . . ."

"Give me some good news, Hera," Kanan said.

"Three star destroyers just came out of hyperspace," she said. "I'm going to power down so they can't scan me. Good luck down there."

Silence filled the tank.

"If they follow procedure," Rex said slowly. "They'll fly search patterns based on our last confirmed position."

"Or they'll call," Gregor said. "Incoming Imperial transmission."

Everyone looked at the wall where the computer was. The terminal screen was filled with the Imperial logo. There was a soft beeping sound noting the incoming call.

"It's for you Wolffe," Gregor said. Despite the situation, he could always stay positive and joke.

Wolffe turned to look at the terminal. "They- they called back?"

"This is why I don't trust clones," Kanan muttered.

"Just get rid of 'em, Wolffe," Ezra said as everyone moved to the side so the camera wouldn't pick them up.

Wolffe rubbed his head. "Yeah, it was my mistake," he admitted. "And I'll fix it." He turned to the terminal and accepted the call.

The screen changed to a young, at least younger than the clones, human man in a uniform. He had blonde hair and large thick sideburns.

"CC-3636," he said in a voice filled with disdain. "Commander Wolffe, is it?" His face twisted slightly. He was unimpressed.

Wolffe snapped his fingers. "Yes, that's me," he said. He was clearly uncomfortable. He couldn't keep still. "What can I do for you, sir?"

"Please transmit your coordinates so I can investigate the Jedi sightings you reported."

"What?" Wolffe said looking around. "Uh, Je- Jedi? Uh, no. No. No. Th- There's no Jedi. Here. My, my old, uh, cybernetic eye must be acting up again."

Rex stepped up next to Wolffe and wrapped his arm around the other. "Sorry, for wasting your time," Rex said.

"This image was taken by one of our probe droids," the man said. His voice sharp and low. The image changed to show an image of the tank with Ezra's small ship docked on top. "It clearly shows you harboring known rebels. Now surrender them or be destroyed."

"If it's a fight you want," Rex said smugly, "I hope you brought a better class of soldier than those stormtroopers."

The Imperial was unphased. "They serve the Empire well," he said with a smile tugging on his lips. "And I have a great many of them."

"You're gonna need all of 'em," Rex said. He leaned over to press the button to end the transmission, but then a new voice spoke up.

"Move aside Agent Kallus," a deep voice said. It sent a shiver up Luke's neck. Rex froze. His face fell. A man, or at least Luke thought it was, stepped into the screen. His was big, bigger than the previous Imperial, and dressed all in black. A black suit and a black mask and a black helmet. "CC-7567, Captain Rex," the man said.

Rex straightened up. "Darth Vader," he said slowly.

"I have been searching for you for the past thirteen years. I believe you have something of mine," Vader said.

"I have nothing of yours," Rex said.

The image flicked again. This time it showed Luke and The Ghost crew standing on the back of the tank talking. That tight feeling was getting worse inside of Luke. The image changed back to Vader.

"You will hand the boy over," Vader growled.

"Like I said," Rex said leaning over the terminal console. "I have nothing that is yours." Then he slammed his fist down cutting off the transmission.

"That was the sith lord!" Ezra said. "The same one we ran into on Lothal!"

"What was that about?" Kanan asked.

The three clones were all looking at Luke. Kanan, Ezra, and Zeb looked at Luke.

"I mentioned I was of the 501st," Rex said. "After the end of the war . . . after . . ." He paused as he looked at Kanan, who only glared back. "I returned to my post. The 501st became Vader's personal battalion. It was the same battalion he used on the . . . on the Jedi Temple . . ."

There was a thick and heavy tension in the air.

"We became known as Vader's Fist as he went out and hunted down Jedi. As the captain, I saw a lot of it first hand. But I never shot at Jedi. I never could . . . And then we went to Tatooine, and that's when Vader found you, Luke."

Everyone looked at him.

"Vader knew you who were the moment he saw and who your parents were, so he took you. I had seen him take other children. Rip babies away from their mothers. Hand them over to something called Project Harvester. So when I got the chance, I stole you and ran and never looked back," Rex said.

Gregor nodded along with Rex's words. A slight smile on his lips.

"And now Darth Vader is here to get him back," Ezra said. "If you stay here . . . You can't stay here! They'll kill you!"

"If we can make it to the mountains," Rex said, "We can hide in there. Got a whole cave stocked piled for such an occasion. Plus there's a storm coming up behind us. It'll scramble their scanners. They won't find us."

"We have their location," someone in the bridge pit announced.

Darth Vader stood at the viewport. He's hands clasped behind his back as he looked down at the planet. The planet where his son was at. Finally, after thirteen years of searching, they would be reunited.

"Shall we commence orbital bombardment?" the captain asked.

"No," Vader growled. He turned sharply on his heel. His cape snapping behind him. "Prepare for a ground assault."

Everyone was huddled inside the tank. The Empire was here. They had come with three large tanks Ezra called walkers. They weren't going to make it to the mountains, so Rex had ordered them into the storm. It was quiet. They could hear the sand hitting the tank's sides and the distant thud of the walkers coming after them.

Luke's heart was pounding in his chest. Something was wrong. Something was really wrong. He felt like he could barely breathe. He felt cold. He was sure his fingertips and toes were frozen. Then he felt the cold press against his mind. It was cold, so cold.

Then suddenly the sensation changed. It was still cold, but no longer did it bite at him. Instead it was oddly soothing like a cold drink of water after hours running around in the salt flats. It was comforting. It wrapped around Luke like a blanket. There was a touch. Not against his skin, but against his mind.

Someone was there.

Then he saw him. The large dark figure in the black mask and helmet, Darth Vader.

Luke, he said.

The voice was in his mind.

Luke, Vader said into Luke's mind again.

I . . . I . . . know you . . . Luke said softly.

There was a tilt of Vader's helmet. And then the tank faded away and Luke was floating.

"Good job, Luke," he heard a voice say. A deep baritone voice. Vader's voice.

Slowly things became in focus. Two large hands gloved in black came out. A small toddler took a few uneasy steps. It wobbled with each one.

"You can do it, Luke," Vader said.

The baby took a few more steps before it tipped over. The large hands at once caught him. Vader picked the baby up.

"You did it!" Vader said. His voice laced with pride. "You walked! All by yourself!"

That's me, Luke said as he realized that baby was him.

Yes, Vader replied back as the scene faded away and Luke found himself back in the tank.

But . . . I don't understand . . . Rex said . . .

Do not listen to that traitor's lies, Vader hissed. He stole you from me!

To protect me! From Project Harvester!

I never would have turned you over to them. You would never have left my side!

I . . . But . . . Why? Luke finally managed to ask.

There was a pause and an immense sense of grief and anger washed over Luke.

You do not know, Vader said slowly. Sadly?

Know what?

Who I am. What our relationship is. There was a pause. Then Vader spoke again. Luke, I am your father.

But . . . Wait! No! That can't be! My father was Anakin Skywalker! The Jedi general!

There was a flash of anger and hate from Vader, but it wasn't directed at Luke.

I once went by that name, Vader said. His voice strained. But that name no longer has any meaning to me. Anakin Skywalker is dead.

Was that true? There was something inside of him that said yes, yes it was true. He didn't understand. Why? How? Tears bubbled in his eyes.

I am here now, Vader said. His words softer than they were moments before. Soon we will be reunited.

"They're trying to pinch us in!" Wolffe growled. "We're surrounded."

Suddenly, Luke was aware he was back in the tank filled with the clones and The Ghost crew. They were in the sandstorm with the walkers chasing after them.

"If we make an opening, we can get out," Rex said.

"They'll see us the moment we fire," Ezra said. "What if we miss? We can't see in this storm!"

"But a Jedi can see," Rex said. "You can take the shot Ezra. Aim at their neck."

"Me, but I . . ." He looked at Kanan, who nodded at him. "Ok. I'll do it."

Luke stumbled backwards to the corner and fell down onto a seat. No was paying him any attention. He wasn't paying attention to them either. His ears were ringing. His thoughts were tumbling over and over and over. All the while the cold presence continued to stay wrapped around him. He only became aware that Ezra managed to get the shot and take down one of the walkers, when the coldness flaired in anger and worry. With the walker down, Wolffe piloted the tank away from the other walkers.

"We're almost out of the storm," Rex said. "When we do, you all get in your ship and go. We'll distract them." He turned to Luke. "And Luke, you'll go with them."

"Wh- what?" Luke said. His voice barely a whisper.

"You go with them, Luke," Rex said again. "They'll take you to Commander Tano. She'll take care of you."

"Wait!" Luke shouted as jumped up. "You can't stay here! They'll shoot you down!"

"It's a how a clone should go down," Rex said solemnly.

"No! You can't! I won't go!"

Luke marched over to Rex and planted himself in front of him. Rex placed a hand on Luke's shoulder.

"Luke," he said softly. "I have many regrets, but you are not one of them. It has been an honor serving you."

Tears spilled down Luke's cheek.

"You can- can't!" he sobbed.

Rex looked behind Luke and nodded. Large purple furry arms wrapped around Luke and hoisted him up. Zeb placed Luke on his shoulder.

"No!" Luke shouted as he kicked and tried to free himself. "No! Put me down! Rex! Wolffe! Gregor!"

Gregor and Rex snapped to attention and saluted Luke as Zeb stepped out of the tank and into the storm. The door slid shut. Luke screamed to be put down. He tried his best to get free, but Zeb held on tight as he climbed up to the top of the tank and entered the small ship. He put Luke down in a seat. Luke tried to jump up, but Zeb pushed him back down.

"You can't go back out there, kid," Zeb said sadly. "They've made up their mind."

"No!" Luke screamed. "We can't just leave them! We have to save them! Please! They're my family!"

Suddenly, everything grew quiet. Too quiet. The storm had stopped. Bright light came through the viewport. They were through the storm.

"This is our window," Sabine said. "Get us out of here Kanan, before those walkers get out!"

The ship vibrated as it took off. Luke continued to sob and plead. The coldness was wrapping around him tighter, but he ignored it.

"Kanan," Ezra said. "This fight is going to be their last fight. They're good men, even though they're clones."

Kanan groaned. "I hate it when he's right," he muttered. He steered the ship back around. "Everyone get ready," he said.

The rest of the crew nodded. Luke wiped his tears with his sleeve as Kanan and Sabine switched places.

"Come up from behind them," Kanan ordered Sabine, who was now piloting the ship.

"Copy that!" Sabine replied cheerfully.

Kanan looked down at Luke. "Don't worry, kid," he said. "We'll save them."

The back door opened and Kanan, Ezra, and Zeb jumped out. Luke went to jump up, to see where they had gone, to see what was happening, but the coldness tightened around him. It was so tight he could barely move. Barely breath. It had returned to being sharp instead of soothing. He struggled to break free, but he couldn't move. Sabine was too busy piloting the ship to look back at Luke.

Then there was a sudden burst of coldness. It was so sharp. So angry. The back door opened and Kanan, Zeb, and Ezra came back in. A short while later, the three clones climbed in as well. Yet Luke still couldn't move. Rex smiled at Luke and patted him on the shoulder. The others congratulated each other. No one noticed Luke. No one noticed the cold.

It was desperately grabbing on to him, but the ship was going higher and higher. The hold was getting weaker, but also more desperate. It didn't want to let go, but as more and more space grew between Luke and Vader, the grip slowly came undone. Luke was slipping away.

Rage and hatred burned the air. Fear froze it. And the grief, oh the grief, drowned Luke. It was dragging him down into the dark waters. The waters that were so desperate to keep him. To never let him go. Because . . .

Images flashed before Luke's eyes. He saw golden sand dunes and a small hut. His saw a small toddler standing in a crib. His blue eyes opened wide as he stared up at the large man in the black suit. He saw the baby being carried to a shuttle outside the hut. The baby was on the floor in a spaceship in front a large viewport. A few toys were scattered about. The baby laughed as it was bounced on a large leg. The baby was wrapped up in a blanket, sucking its thumb, in the arms of the large masked man.

Then the memories slipped away as the last of the coldness lost its grasp. And Luke fell into the empty darkness.

Space was cold. The ship was cold. Luke was huddled under two blankets on his bed in the room the rebels had given him on their ship. He had been asleep when they had arrived. Wolffe and Gregor had been there when Luke woke up.

"Lots happened yesterday," Gregor said. "You're just tired, boyo. Get some more sleep."

Luke nodded, but sat curled up in his blankets. His mind thought of what he had learned. That his father, Anakin Skywalker, was alive. That he was now Darth Vader, who had once upon a time found Luke. And for a brief moment they had lived together. And Vader had been happy. Luke had felt it from the memories. It was absolutely nothing like the coldness Luke had felt from Vader. It was soft and warm. It was full of love and pride and joy.

Vader had loved little Luke. He was so happy to have his son. So happy for them to be together.

No wonder he was so cold now. He had lost his warmth when his son was stolen. But why had Rex stole him? Did he assume wrong about Project Harvester? Was it something else?

And what was he going to do now?

The door slid open and Rex stepped in. Luke unraveled himself and walked over to the clone. He paused as he stood in front of him. Despite it all, Luke still cared for Rex. Loved him. He was still his family. Tears started to fall down his cheeks. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the large man. Rex slowly wrapped his owns around Luke.

"I'm so glad you're alive," Luke whispered.

He leaned back and looked up at his foster father, who had a large smile on his face. A large hand came up and wiped away Luke's tears.

"I've faced worse," Rex joked. Gregor and Wolffe chuckled behind Luke. "There's someone I want you to meet, Luke."

Rex stepped aside to reveal a Togruta woman with orange skin dressed in brown leather.

"Luke this is Commander Ahsoka Tano," Rex said proudly. "I served under her during the war. She was the padawan of Anakin Skywalker."

Ahsoka nodded and smiled. Luke nodded back.

Rex said, "Commander Tano, may I introduce Luke Skywalker."