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Another Route - Part 3


Vader stepped inside the communications chamber, hoping to end his report as quickly as possible. He had waited until the Millennium Falcon was impossibly far away in hyperspace so that there wouldn’t be the question of following the ship. He knelt down and waited for the Emperor’s enormous holo to be projected in front of him.

“Ah. You responded sooner that I had anticipated, my friend,” said the Emperor, his ruined voice echoing throughout the chamber. “Rise.”

Vader did so and waited to be asked a question. His lie was carefully crafted in his mind, complete with imagined memories. “Is the Skywalker brat dead?” The Emperor asked sharply.

“Yes, Master,” said Vader easily, though he bristled at the label. Skywalker brat? His son was no brat!

“Excellent. I feared that he was having a negative effect on you, my friend,” said the Emperor, too caught up in his pleasure to doubt Vader’s words. “A child i

THREE YEARS LATER

“You want us to take it for 10,000 credits,” said Luke gently to the tough female Twi’lek that ran the underground spice run on Dantooine.

The woman stared at him. “We want you to take it for 10,000 credits,” she said dumbly.

Luke grinned. “Excellent. We’ll need some fuel, too.”

“You’ll need some fuel, too.”

“Then it’s settled,” said Han, cutting in. “Thanks, Casyr. We owe ya one.”

The Twi’lek shook her head as if exiting a trance. “No problem, Solo,” she said. “But if I get word that you drop your cargo at the first sight of a Star Destroyer, I’ll have your hide. I’ll put the biggest bounty on your head”—she let the threat hang in the hair, glowering at him. “Go on,” she said finally. She turned to a Mon Calamari at her left. “Get them what they need,” she said, as if disgusted, and stomped out of the chamber.

Han glanced sidelong at Luke, who shrugged. “Come on, Broski,” he said to the Mon Calamari with a winning grin. “You heard the pretty lady.”

The alien looked suspiciously at Luke, who shrugged. “I have a way with women,” said the short blond, grinning and raising his hands as if to claim innocence.

Broski snorted. “I don’t know who you think you are.”

“That makes two of us,” said Luke with another winning smile. “Come on, Solo,” he mocked. “Let’s get back to the ship. We still have a hand of Sabaac to play.”

“No! No way,” Han protested firmly. “I don’t trust you.”

“Your loss, then,” said Luke airily. “Must be losing your touch.”

Han narrowed his eyes at the boy. “Fine. One more match.”

Luke beamed. “Got any credits left?”

“Shaddup,” Han grumbled as they followed the Mon Calamari to the hangar, where the Falcon was being recharged and loaded up with variously sized crates. “Hey, be careful!” she shouted as a droid accidentally crashed into the starboard hull of his ship. “It took me two standard weeks to attach that radar!”

“More like two hours, with me,” said Luke with another grin. “You ready?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Han mumbled. “C’mon,” he said to Chewie, who walked onto the Falcon balancing two crates on his enormous arms. The wookiee let out an indignant roar.

“Hey, what’s your name, handsome?”

Luke turned around to see another blue-skinned Twi’lek. “Who’s asking?” he asked offhandedly.

The woman grinned. “Cautious. I like you, flyboy.”

Luke crossed his arms. “You didn’t answer.”

“The names K’mara,” said the female seductively. “Yours?”

“Luke,” said the one in question. The Twi’lek leaned forward and rested her arms on his waist.

“Why don’t you postpone your departure, Luke?” she whispered, sliding her hands across his waist. “I’d like to give you a tour…”

Luke’s eyes narrowed and his hand flew to hers just as it closed around his lightsaber. “Don’t even try,” he said mildly.

K’mara grinned and back off. “Fine. You win. How much is it going for, anyway?”

“Family heirloom,” said Luke distantly. He brought himself back to the present. “It isn’t for sale.”

“All right, all right,” said K’mara. “Let me know if you change your mind.”

“Will do,” said Luke, just as a very annoyed looking Han appeared at the top of the ramp.

“You plannin’ on comin’, kid?”

“Yep,” said Luke. He glanced once more at the Twi’lek. “Until next time, K’mara.”

She smiled and backed away. Luke turned and strode back up into the ship, shaking his head. Every single smuggler that he had ever come across had asked about the lightsaber. The first time it had happened with a female had ended in his using the Force to call it back to him. The he had had to modify her memory, knowing that if word got out about a boy using the Force, the Empire would be on him like flies to a dead bantha.

Luke slid into his seat in the lounge. “All set, Han,” he called out.

A few minutes later, they were in hyperspace. Luke sighed and went to his room. It was times like these, when he was reminded of his lightsaber’s maker…

His father. Luke wondered what he was doing. He hadn’t seen him once, except for holos, since his departure three years earlier. He had talked to him mentally once, when they had accidentally come across the Executor after exiting hyperspace and the mammoth ship had begun to fire on them. No one was more grateful for that particular connection of his than then. But still… Despite the company of Han and Chewie, Luke was lonely. He had grown so accustomed to his father’s Force presence that he felt completely isolated. Remembering Obi-Wan’s words, he knew that it was for the best, but it didn’t stop him from missing his father, however unbelievable Han might find that sentiment.

Luke flopped on his bunk and sighed. Since his “escape” from the Executor, he had discreetly managed to do some research, and had found Obi-Wan to have died at his father’s hands as well as every other Jedi that he had looked up. On a whim, he had checked his own status and had found the same situation as all the others.

It frustrated him to no end. Obi-Wan had said that he was supposed to be a Jedi—he had insinuated enough, certainly—but how was he supposed to become one if there weren’t any left except for Anakin Skywalker, who wasn’t quite himself at the moment?

Luke scowled. He had wondered the same thing for three years, and hadn’t come any closer to an answer. With a sigh, he rolled over on his back and reached for the Force to meditate.

Darth Vader stepped inside the ship that was supposedly on a diplomatic mission with distaste. As usual, the Rebels had failed to think before their actions and had exposed themselves all too readily by opening fire upon Imperial stormtroopers. That would incriminate their leader, Senator Leia Organa, far too easily.

The one in question stepped up to Vader, unbridled disgust evident on her features. “Darth Vader. I should have known. Only you would be so bold,” she spat, crossing her arms.

“What have you done with the plans to the Death Star, Princess Organa?” he asked, not caring to get into a dispute with the woman known for her fierce temper and stubbornness. She, unlike her late father, had refused to stand down under Imperial scrutiny. On one level, she impressed Vader, but on another, of course, she had proven to be a thorn in his side. She was one of the few Rebels who bothered to cover her tracks efficiently.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said angrily. “We’re on a diplomatic mission”—

“Spare me your lies, Princess,” said Vader, a touch of annoyance causing him to lift his hand to stop her. “I want those plans. Where are they?”

Suddenly two stormtroopers marched quickly into view. “My lord Vader, we have found two droids attempting to access an escape pod. What shall we do with them?”

Behind his mask, Vader could barely stop himself from smiling in satisfaction. “Excellent. She has hidden the plans in the droids. Bring them to my workroom aboard the Death Star when we arrive.”

“They’re just droids!” said Leia, her face suddenly pale. “Please, let me have them, I’ve owned them since childhood”—

“Your protests only incriminate your cause further, Organa,” said Vader. He turned to a stormtrooper at his side. “Take her into a holding cell to await interrogation. She still has yet to reveal the Rebel base, though I am sure that she will do so.”

“I hate you!” she cried out as her hands were viciously yanked forward and binders clasped on. “You’re a monster!”

Vader was unfazed. “Make sure she is guarded at all times. I do not want her suddenly to escape.”

“I hate you!” she repeated. “I thought once that you couldn’t possibly be as bad as you seem, but that was before you murdered your own child!”

Vader froze and turned to her. Before he knew what he was doing, he had grabbed her around the throat. “Do not speak of matters that you do not understand, Princess,” he said venomously.

She looked properly afraid. “Luke was too good to be sithspawn,” she spat once she had recovered herself. “One day, I promise you’ll get exactly what you deserve for killing him and my father!”

“Your petty promises are useless if you are dead, Princess,” Vader said after a moment. He let her go. “Take her away.”

Luke watched in horror as the superlaser beams came together and in one horrific split-second, shot out towards Alderaan. The planet exploded and Luke almost collasped at the waves in the Force that were caused by the billions of deaths. He sagged to his knees and felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, lending him the support he needed to stay upright.

The man at his right, smiling sickeningly. “Dantooine is far too remote for an effective base, Princess Leia. Take her to a holding cell to await execution.”

Luke looked up to see his father standing behind him stoically. How could this be? How could he have just stood there and allowed billions to die? “I hate you,” he whispered, though the words sounded as though they weren’t his. Vader simply stood and watched.

A guard of stormtroopers marched towards him and led him away from the viewport. Luke felt a leaden pit of dread form in his stomach. His execution…

Luke opened his eyes with a start, sickened. What had the vision meant? Was it a vision of the future? Was the Empire with some sort of horrible weapon going to destroy that beautiful planet and all its occupants? Shakily, he got to his feet. And was Leia, the girl he had met but once, going to be executed? For what? Was she a rebel? He went towards the ‘fresher, needing to relax. Not for the first time, he wished that the Falcon had water reserves like the Executor had before brushing away such a petty concern.

He hadn’t had such a vision since that time on Bain, when he had—

Luke cut off his train of thought sharply. He did not need to recollect that particular memory. The fact remained—did his vision show the future? Was the Force trying to tell him that he needed to stop it from happening, that he couldn’t allow Alderaan to be destroyed, or Leia killed?

Luke rubbed a hand through his overgrown hair. He needed to cut it, and soon. He shook his head, and then nearly jumped out of his skin as a voice told him, “You must save Leia, Luke.”

He whirled around in the tiny space and saw the glowing, blue figure of Obi-Wan Kenobi looking at him and smiling benevolently. Luke’s eyes widened. Was he going mad?

Obi-Wan chuckled slightly. “You’re not crazy, Luke.”

“What—What are you?” he managed at last, backing as far away from the strange ghostlike figure as he could in the small space.

“I am… what you would call a ghost,” said Obi-Wan with another smile, which quickly turned to a frown. “Luke, you have spent the last three years doing nothing.”

“That’s not true!” Luke protested, getting over the fact that he was talking to a ghost in favor of indignation. “I’ve been trying to find a Jedi to teach me, but they’re all dead!”

“They have been murdered,” Obi-Wan corrected him, and Luke’s eyes flashed. “You have spent the last three years using your Force abilities to wrench money from under people’s noses. That is not honor, from the your father’s perspective or from mine,” he said firmly. “You are evading your destiny, and rejecting your legacy. You must become a Jedi.”

“Rejecting my legacy?” Luke asked darkly. “What legacy is that? Following my father’s footsteps to the Dark Side? Honestly, Obi-Wan, I’m not so sure I want to become a Jedi. The Empire seems to be doing okay for itself.”

Obi-Wan was suddenly angry. “Luke, you’ve become selfish! This is not about you or your father, this is about the lives of quadrillions! Under Palpatine’s rule, this Galaxy will self-destruct, or worse, become the embodiment for the Dark Side!”

Luke was subdued. “But I can’t be a Jedi without a teacher,” he said. “So what am I supposed to do?”

“That answer will come to you in time,” said Obi-Wan prophetically.

Luke groaned. “That’s what you said last time!”

“And I am still right. For now, you must save Leia.”

“Save her? How? I don’t even know where she is!” Luke said indignantly. “And plus, she’s a Rebel! If my father finds out”—

“What is he going to do, Luke? He cannot have any interaction with you, or his master will know of his betrayal.”

Luke perked up. “Speaking of that”—

“What is it?”

“My father isn’t corrupted,” said Luke proudly. “He saved my life. And Han’s and Chewie’s. If he was totally evil like you say, he wouldn’t have done that. His master told him to kill me, and he refused.”

Obi-Wan said nothing for a few moments. “Do not give in to hope that Anakin Skywalker will return, Luke. The grip of the Dark Side is impossible to let go of.”

“You’re such a hypocrite,” Luke said angrily. “You told me that all we have is hope, that I must overcome the Dark Side! If it’s supposedly impossible for my father, why is it possible for me?”

“Luke, your father… He has been consumed by the Darkness,” said Obi-Wan gently. “The goodness that was in him has been destroyed.”

“What about what’s left, though?” Luke protested. “Why can’t you just believe me? I know there is good in him!”

Obi-Wan sighed. “I can see that I will not convince you,” he said finally. “You must save Leia, Luke, and soon, or it will be too late for her and for Alderaan.”

A stab of guilt shot through Luke, and he looked down at his feet.

“Hey kid? Are you talking to yourself in there, or what?”

Luke looked up sharply and noted with some surprise that Obi-Wan had vanished. He frowned and opened the ‘fresher door to see a puzzled-looking Han. He steeled himself. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said, which was the truth. “But we have to talk.”

Han followed him to the lounge, where Luke recounted much of his vision to Han. “So you want us to go to some giant battle station full of Imps and try and rescue a princess?” Han asked in disbelief when Luke finished.

Luke looked abashed. “Well… yeah.”

“Over some crackpot vision? Luke, you know I don’t believe in the Force,” said Han doubtfully.

Luke’s eyes flashed. “How can you not, when I’ve used it for three straight years to save our necks and make a profit?”

“All right, all right,” Han conceded. “But still… Luke, you’re seein’ things. And you want us to go and risk our lives over some girl?”

“I have to. And it’s for Alderaan, too, Han,” Luke reminded him.

“Alderaan does have good wine.”

Luke rolled his eyes and an idea hit him. “Listen, Han. If we rescue her, remember that she is a princess,” he said slyly. “We’ll be paid well.”

Han looked up in surprise. “That’s one angle I didn’t think about,” he admitted. He grinned. “I’ll let Chewie know.”

Vader stepped inside his workroom and froze. It couldn’t be.

“Greetings! I am C-3PO, human/cyborg relations. If I can be of any service to you”—

“Threepio?” he asked weakly. How in the name of the Force had his childhood droid gotten into the hands of Leia Organa, of all people? He glanced down at a series of beeps and whistles from a blue astromech droid and his eyes widened. “R2-D2?”

The droid whistled the affirmative.

“Why, yes, I’m afraid that I don’t quite remember you,” said Threepio brightly. “I’m terribly sorry. You see, I have suffered one memory wipe. What is your serial number?”

Vader almost choked. The droid thought that he was a droid? The thought both infuriated and amused him. After all, he was mostly cybernetic.

“I am not a machine. Entirely,” he added as an afterthought.

The protocol droid managed, somehow, to look heartily embarrassed. “Oh, sir, I’m terribly sorry! I had no idea! It is simply that I saw your faceplate and I assumed…”

“It’s a mask,” Vader explained. He wondered idly if he truly known what he was doing when he had wired those particular personality circuits. “Be quiet,” he said finally, and the golden droid silenced itself immediately. “Which of you has the Death Star plans?”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Threepio. “After all I am only a protocol droid, and I’m meant only for translation”—He stopped to listen to a few beeps from Artoo. “If I may inquire, sir, what is your name?”

“Ana”—Vader began, before stopping himself in shock. What was wrong with him? That name was dead and gone, long buried! Had it just been the surprise of seeing Threepio again getting to him? He reached for the Dark Side reassuringly.

“Ana? That is an odd name for a man of your appearance, sir, not meaning to offend”—

“It’s not,” he said brusquely. “I am Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith.”

“Oh my! Lord Vader!” said Threepio in surprise. “It is an honor”—

“I want to know where the Death Star plans are,” he said firmly. They were most likely hidden in the astromech, considering that Threepio didn’t have much of a databank and would likely blab it anyway. He turned to Artoo. “Artoo, I want you to power down.”

The droid responded with a series of rude-sounding beeps, and Threepio gasped. “Artoo, that is not a polite way to talk! This is Lord Vader!”

“What did he say?” Vader asked.

“Oh, Lord Vader, I’m loathe to repeat it”—Threepio began nervously.

“Do so.”

The protocol droid was clearly unhappy. “He said that he wouldn’t listen to another metal can to tell him what to do unless it was his maker,” said Threepio. “I do apologize, sir, he is such an impolite little thing”—

“I owned him at one time,” Vader interrupted. “I command him to power down.”

The little droid responded, and Threepio translated: “He says that he has no memory of ever serving you, Lord Vader.”

Vader groaned mentally. Would he have to tell the droids the truth in order to find out? Suddenly, he could have kicked himself. He could do it manually, for the Force’s sake. He turned to the astromech and used the Force to lift it to his table (“Oh my!” said Threepio) and to power it down. He reached for the correct tool on his table and began to work.

“So, where is this battle station thing?” Han asked once Luke joined him in the cockpit. E turned to him. “You positive that we’re gonna get paid for this hero mission?”

“It’s not a hero mission,” Luke said firmly.

“What do ya call it then? We’re going to a battle station full of stormtroopers to try and rescue a Rebel hostage. I call that a hero mission,” said Han dryly as he reached over to monitor their position in hyperspace. “Alderaan, right?”

“Yeah,” said Luke. “When will we get there?”

“Two days,” said Han. “Go back and pray to the Force or whatever. We’re gonna need whatever help it can give us.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “I’ll be back,” he said finally as he returned to his bunk.

Leia stiffened as Darth Vader stepped inside her cell. “You,” she said tightly.

“Yes,” said Vader, moving to stand in front of her with his hands behind his back. “I have some questions for you, Princess.”

“I am a Galactic Senator,” Leia began angrily. “The Senate will not stand for this!”

“The Senate will be dissolved in a matter of days,” said Vader coldly. “I suggest you answer my questions if you want to live.”

“I will not,” Leia said, turning away her head.

“I will have answers, one way or another. Do not make this unpleasant,” said Vader dangerously.

“Unpleasant? Unpleasant like you killed your son?” Leia spat.

“I reiterate that your information on that subject is highly erroneous,” said Vader calmly.

“I hate you,” she said darkly. “And I will not bend.”

“Very well.” Vader turned to the side. “Employ process 2,” he said to the spherical droid that hovered into view. “She wishes to make this an experience that she will not forget. We will do that.”

Luke was standing over Hans’ shoulders a day later when he suddenly buckled, hearing the screams of billions echo throughout his head. Alderaan! He fell to his knees, fighting the urge to throw up. Chewie asked what the problem was and he responded with a moan.

Were they too late? Had whatever monstrosity the Empire had created destroyed Alderaan? Slowly his vision cleared and he felt himself being carried into the lounge and sat down. “Luke, what’s wrong?” Han asked, bewildered. He handed him a ration bar that Luke took a bite of an grimaced.

“Alderaan,” he managed finally, sickened still by the enormous ripples in the Force that was the destruction of the planet. “Has been destroyed.”

“What!” Han exclaimed. “What are you talking about? Nothing can destroy an entire planet!”

Luke took several deep breaths to try and calm himself. What, indeed, could have done that? What battle station could do something so horrible? “Where are we?” he asked finally.

“We’ll be there soon enough,” said Han, pale. “Are you sure? How could you know, anyway?"

“The Force,” said Luke tightly as he ran a hand through sweaty hair. “And yes, I’m sure. You remember my dream? I saw it as though I was Leia.”

“Leia? The Princess?” Han asked dubiously. “Princesses are finicky, Luke. I think we should go on to our drop-off point…”

“No,” said Luke, feeling compelled. “We have to save her.”

Han furrowed his brow. “Personally, I say the loss of the wine is worse than her.”

“Shut up, Solo,” said Luke wearily. “I’m going to try and ask my father if he knows what happened.”

Han paled. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

Han bit his lip. “What if he gave the order, kid?”

Luke stared at his friend for a minute that seemed like eternity. “No,” he said finally. “He couldn’t have. He wouldn’t.”

“Vader’s done some pretty bad stuff, Luke,” said Han gently. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he had… you know…”

“No!” Luke shouted, fear clawing at his heart. Was Obi-Wan right? Could his father be so evil that he wouldn’t even think twice about killing billions of innocent people? He felt another rush of nausea through his stomach. “He can’t have. He wouldn’t have.”

“I don’t think you should ask,” said Han firmly. “You told me that he wants you to contact him only in emergencies, right?”

Luke nodded silently.

“Well, we’re not in any danger yet,” said Han. “Hold off, okay?”

Finally, Luke nodded.

Several hours later, they exited hyperspace (against Han’s will) and saw, as they had expected, nothing where Alderaan should have been. Luke swallowed. “Where is the battle station?”

Han shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe it went on to another system.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” said Luke as he examined the area through the viewports. He pointed towards Alderaan’s moon. “Shouldn’t the blast have destroyed that?”

“I dunno. Let’s go check it out,” said Han, switching on some controls and maneuvering the freighter to head towards the moon. Suddenly, Luke froze.

“Han, that isn’t a moon,” he said tightly.

“What are you talking about?” Han asked, looking up at his friend. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been acting weird.”

Luke tried to swallow despite a suddenly dry mouth. He pointed a shaking hand towards the massive structure. “That is the battle station.”

It had taken considerable willpower to stay on his feet after Tarkin gave the order. Vader, for once, was glad for his mechanical legs—they held him up as billions of sentient beings were decimated. He tightened his grip on Leia’s shoulder, feeling her sorrow. Tarkin—Tarkin was an animal. He had given the order simply to exhibit this monstrous toy’s firepower, and had not even done so on a dangerous planet. Alderaan, like Naboo, was pacifistic.

“Ready her execution,” said Tarkin, turning to Vader. “Take her away.”

Not for the first time, Vader found himself struggling not to Force-choke the pompous man. Who was he to give orders to Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, apprentice to Darth Sidious? Nodding stiffly, he steered the shell-shocked girl out of the viewport and handed her off to three stormtroopers just as a familiar presence prickled on his subconscious and rooted him to the spot.

Luke? He called out in complete surprise. What was his son doing here, of all places? Had he come in response to Alderaan’s destruction?

Father, Luke said shortly, and Vader detected a note of uncertainty in between the maturity that he felt in his son. His boy had grown much older than the last time that they had spoken. HE turned and followed the stormtroopers down the corridor.

What are you doing here, my son?

Father, tell me you didn’t give the order to destroy Alderaan. Luke sounded desperate. Vader was surprised. Surely his son knew him better than that?

Of course not. A man named General Tarkin, my temporary superior, gave it.

Your superior

The note of complete surprise in his son’s tone amused him. Yes. Why are you here?

He sensed hesitation before his son replied. I can’t tell you.

I see. You should not be here. If you are taken into custody—Vader broke off as he heard the cry of a sergeant back in the viewport.

“General Tarkin, sir, a Corellian freighter approaching at high velocity! What should we do, sir?”

Vader’s heart sunk. “No clearance was given to our systems,” said Tarkin. “Pull it in with a Tractor Beam.”

He stepped inside. “I will handle this,” he said firmly.

The general looked at him. “Of course, if you would like, Vader,” he said unconcernedly. “But do make sure that the girl is executed, won’t you?”

Vader clenched his fists. This man thought that he was allowed to address him improperly? Why had his master given this man so much authority? Probably because the man’s ruthlessness reminded him of himself, a smaller voice replied in his head. “I will.”

“Excellent. Go on, then. I’m busy here,” Tarkin said.

The lack of respect infuriated him. Vader lifted a hand—it would be so easy just to snap his neck—a quick flick of his finger—

He stopped himself. Luke was aboard that freighter. He whipped around and strode down the hallway, speeding up as he felt Tarkin’s pride and sense of superiority over Darth Vader, heir to the throne. That man would die, and Vader would make sure that he did so gruesomely.

“My father’s on it,” said Luke, turning to Han.

“That’s the least of my problems,” said Han tightly as he fumbled for the controls. “Chewie, what’s the problem?” The wookiee responded with a worried roar. “What do you mean, ineffective?” Han shouted. “We’re caught in a Tractor beam,” Han told Luke. “We’re not exactly gonna be able to sneak on board.”

“At least they’re not shooting at us,” said Luke unhappily “Listen, when we get there, we’ve got to get ourselves arrested. Then we can rescue Leia.”

“Why can’t we just ask your dad?” Han asked, mystified.

“I can’t,” said Luke shortly. “And even if I could, she’s his prisoner.”

Han groaned. “Listen, kid, this entire harebrained scheme”—

“Will get us a nice profit,” Luke interrupted.

“And if the cost is my life?” Han asked darkly. “I dunno ‘bout this. Why save the princess anyway?”

“Han”—Luke groaned. “Let’s just do it, okay?”

The Millenium Falcon flew through the port and alighted in a room bigger than even the main hangar on the Executor. His mouth dropped open. “Wow.”

“I don’t like this, Luke,” said Han uneasily.

Luke grabbed his lightsaber off of his hip and slipped it inside his tunic. He would only use it if no other options were necessary—he didn’t need to reveal himself as a Force-user on a ship full of people who would gladly give the information to the Emperor. “Unidentified freighter, lower your boarding ramp,” came a mechanized female voice. Swallowing nervously, Han did so.

Luke stood. “Let’s go.”

Han and Chewie stood, Han’s hand drifting towards the blaster in its holster. “Okay,” he said finally. “Ready, Chewie?”

The wookiee roared to the affirmative and Luke nodded once. He turned and walked down the hall, Han and Chewie following him. They went down the boarding ramp to see several squads of stormtroopers marching in formation. Luke tensed as he saw his father striding towards him, cape billowing out behind him. Two men followed at his flanks.

Vader ignored his son and went straight to the smuggler. So, his son had stayed with the man for three years, instead of leaving to live on some obscure planet? Did that mean Luke had become a smuggler as well? The thought disgusted him. “Tell me exactly what you are doing here, Solo.”

Han stared up at him. He knew exactly what the man meant, but still, he was terrified at the sight of the giant. He swallowed nervously. “Uh… your lordship,” he began uneasily. “It’s a bit complicated”—

“Quiet,” Vader snapped. “Is it your practice to include children as part of your crew?”

Luke winced but said nothing, knowing that a “normal” person in this situation would be terrified out of his or her mind.

“Uh, no, not normally,” said Han.

“Lord Vader, sir!”

Vader turned to the owner of the voice. “Sir, we’ve found illegal cartons of spice in a hidden compartment. What shall we do with them?”

Both Han and Luke grimaced.

“So this is the direction in which you have taken your lives,” said Vader angrily, speaking to Luke rather than Han.

“It seemed the best option at the time,” Luke mumbled, looking at the floor.

“Take them to a holding cell,” Vader snapped. “Unharmed.”

Three troopers walked up to them and placed binders on their wrists. Four more came for Chewie, whom they were unable to approach. Vader raised a hand and the binders closed over the wookiee’s enormous arms with a click. Chewie let out an angry roar.

“Confiscate all illegal substances on the ship,” Vader said. “But leave it otherwise alone. Understood?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but instead walked off.

He had seen his son for the first time in three years and he had been unable to speak to him. Vader wondered if the smuggler had taken good care of him. Luke had grown taller, certainly, and more experienced. Hardened. Vader wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. The question was, why were they here? They already had to be on their way to Alderaan, considering Luke had known about it as soon as the explosion had happened.

But how? Had he received a vision? Did he even practice the Force any more? Vader could have cursed. He knew so little about the goings-on of his son.

“Take it easy,” Han snapped as a stormtrooper shoved him inside a cell after Chewie and Luke.

“Who’s the prisoner, smuggler?” The stormtrooper retorted.

“Who’s got a brain?” Han responded darkly, massaging his shoulder, where he had gotten caught on a bar. He turned to Luke as the door shut with a hiss. “What’s the plan?”

Luke stood. “Come on,” he said, removing his lightsaber from his tunic and clipping it to his belt.

Han stared at him blankly. “If you haven’t noticed, we’re in a cell,” he said.

Luke rolled his eyes. “Surely you know me better than that,” he said irritably, turning and opening the door with a wave of his hand. Han blanched.

“You know I hate it when you do that,” he grumbled as Luke slipped out into the hall.

“Would you rather I leave you?” Luke countered. “Be careful. We don’t want to get caught, then it’ll be suspicious.”

Luke stopped suddenly and cocked his head as if listening to a voice far away. “What are you doing?” Han asked, crossing his arms.

“This way,” said Luke, turning and stalking down a different corridor.

“I don’t like this,” Han said, following the seventeen-year-old nonetheless. Chewie roared something and Han whirled on him. “Whaddya mean, you’d trust him over me in this situation?” he asked indignantly.

The wookiee responded something and Han marched off to follow Luke in a huff.

“Be a little less loud,” Luke said, annoyed. “We are trying to escape, not trying to let troopers know where we are.”

“I know that. You tell him,” Han said, jabbing with a finger towards Chewbacca. “He’s the one carrying on.”

“Quiet, Han,” said Luke, peering around a corner. He closed his eyes and felt for Leia’s presence. She was close, but she was hurting and in pain, physically and emotionally. Luke went down to her quickly and found the door in front of which her presence was the strongest. Concentrating with a brief second, he reached out with the Force and opened it.

“Coming to kill me?”

Luke glanced at her in surprise and ducked inside. “Not today. We’re here to rescue you.”

Leia jerked her face up and stared at him, stunned. “What…?”

“Come on, princess, we didn’t give up our cargo to have to argue with us,” a new voice said. Leia looked over the blond youth’s shoulder to see an older man with an irritated look on his face.

She stood. “I don’t know what to say, but you two are making a mistake. You don’t know Vader. If he finds that I’m gone, he’ll track you down”—

“You don’t remember me?” Luke said with some surprise. He shrugged. “Oh well. Come on. Trust me, I can get you out of here.”

But Leia was staring over his shoulder. “Is that a wookiee?” she asked weakly.

“Yep. His name’s Chewbacca,” said Luke, walking inside and grabbing her risk. “Come on, Princess Leia.”

“I’m scheduled for execution,” she said desperately. “You don’t understand, if they catch you”—

“For the love of”—Han said, stomping in and picking her bodily up. “We’re here to rescue you, princess, whether you want to be or not.”

“Put me down!” she said in surprise. “I can quite handle myself, thank you!” Han obeyed.

“Have you an extra blaster?” she inquired with as much dignity as she could muster.

Luke nodded and gave her the one strapped to his thigh. He had used the Force to make the stormtroopers forget about it. “Here.”

“But you don’t have a weapon,” she said in surprise.

“He’s fine,” said Han shortly. “Let’s go, all right? Pretty soon they’ll figure out that we escaped, and I’d like to be far away when that happens.”

Leia looked as though she was about to protest but she steeled herself. “Okay. Let’s go,” she said firmly.

Luke grinned. “All right.”

They ran down to the main hallway and Luke used the Force to dull their senses. “Quick,” he said, motioning with a hand for them to forward. Han used to his powers, did so and Leia followed him dubiously, her hand on her blaster all the while.

Once they were out in the hallway. “How...?”

“I’ll answer your questions later,” he said quickly. “Come on.”

Deciding to trust him for the moment, Leia followed him as he took off running down a deserted hallway. “Where are we going?” she panted after a while.

“The hangar,” said Han, running beside her. “He always knows the fastest way there!”

“Oh, goodness! Oh, Mistress Leia!”

Leia’s mouth dropped open as C-3PO and R2-D2 walked and rolled around the corner. “Threepio! What are you doing here?”

“You know them?” Han asked in surprise.

“Yes!” said Leia excitedly.

“Mistress Leia, R2 seemed to think that you were in danger, so he set out to find you. I had to follow him, of course,” said Threepio prissily. “I do hope you’re not angry with him.”

“Absolutely not! Hurry, come with us,” Leia urged. The astromech and the protocol droid fell into step, Luke and Han exchanging bewildered glances.

“Are you sure, Princess?” Han asked dubiously. “I really don’t think the golden one has been programmed for a blaster.”

“A blaster, oh my! Mistress Leia, are we going into battle?” Threepio exclaimed nervously.

“No, Threepio.” Leia turned to Han. “These droids are essential,” she explained. “Once we get to your ship, I’ll explain everything.”

“HEY! YOU!”

The party whipped around to see ten stormtroopers running towards them. Han and Leia raised their blasters and Luke swore softly. “Go!” he shouted to Han, leaping over their heads and landing between them and the troopers. He ignited his lightsaber just as the troopers began to fire.

Leia stared at him as he blocked every bolt with the saber, until Han grabbed her arm. “He can take care of himself! Trust me!” They ran down a perpendicular hall and soon after, Luke followed them, the lightsaber at his belt once more.

“That way!” Luke told them, pointing down another hallway. They obeyed without questioning and miraculously found themselves entering the hanger just as the main shield opened for a squadron of TIE fighters. “Quick!” Luke shouted, feeling his father’s presence nearby.

He reached out with a tendril of the Force and lowered the ramp and started up the engines. Leia, Han, and Chewie jumped inside and Luke turned to see his father enter the hangar. A wave of sorrow hit him. He called out, Come with me, Father!

He saw his father stop, as though surprised. I cannot. Go, my son, and please don’t get killed.

Luke lifted a hand to give a half-hearted wave. A second later, he disappeared into the belly of the ship with the two droids and it lifted into the air, Han piloting it expertly through the hatch. Chewie set a quick course for hyperspace and they disappeared, leaving his father behind.

Luke slumped in his chair. He had finally gotten to see his father, and had had to deceive him. Had he betrayed him by rescuing Leia?

“Thank you,” the one in question said, standing in front of Luke, her dress ruffled. She held out a hand. “I appreciate your kindness and selflessness. You are a true Jedi Knight.”

“Luke? Luke’s no Jedi,” Had said with a laugh in the doorway.

Leia’s jaw dropped open as she finally recognized the boy that she had been almost 3 ½ years ago. “Luke Vader?”

Luke shrugged. “More or less.”

Her gaze immediately narrowed, and then widened in realization. “He didn’t kill you?”

Luke stared at her in surprise. “What?”

“Vader! He didn’t kill you! I learned from my contact on the Executor that you had disappeared!” she breathed. “I can’t believe it!”

“Why would my father kill me?” Luke asked, truly bewildered.

“Because he’s a heartless monster,” she said coldly.

Luke stood angrily. “Don’t talk that way about my father.”

Leia bit her lip. “He allowed Alderaan to be destroyed, and he tortured me! And he killed my father! I think I can call him whatever I well please!”

“I’m sorry about your father,” said Luke sincerely. “I felt badly about that. But my father couldn’t do anything about Alderaan.”

“Of course he could have,” she said scathingly. “No matter what you did for me, I’ll never forget that.”

Luke said nothing for a few moments. “You know, I’m not my father,” he said finally, standing. “I am sorry about everything. I came here to try and stop Alderaan from being destroyed, and I was too late. I’m sorry. But I can neither control my father nor change the past.” With that, he turned and returned to his own room, leaving Leia in the lounge, ashamed of herself.

“Excuse me, Mistress Leia?”

Leia looked up to see C-3PO. “Yes, Threepio?” she asked wearily.

“I’m afraid that Sir Luke is upset,” the droid offered helpfully.

“I’m aware,” she said heavily, holding her head in her hands. She stood. “Stay here, Threepio,” she commanded, and stepped inside the cockpit. “Excuse me, sir… I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced.”

Han turned around. “Hey, Princess,” he said off-handedly.

“My name is Leia Organa,” she said softly. “I am a princess of a planet that no longer exists.”

“Gonna blame that on the kid, too?” Han asked bitterly, turning in his chair to view Leia more easily. “You know, it’s not like I’m a huge fan of his dad either, but he’s a good kid. And his father saved his and mine and Chewie’s lives.”

“I apologize”—Leia began stiffly, but he stopped her, raising a hand.

“No, lemme finish,” he said. “Luke hates what his dad does, but he loves him. If you insult Vader, he takes it personal. But he’s a good person, regardless of his father. You gotta remember that. He had nothin’ to do with Alderaan or your dad’s death.”

Leia looked properly abashed. “I know, you’re right,” she said at last. “I let my anger overcome my manners.”

“Anyway,” Han continued. “I’m Han Solo from Corellia, and this is my first mate, Chewie.”

“Nice to meet you both,” said Leia humbly.

“Now I think that you oughta go and talk to him,” Han said. “He’s in the first door on the left.” He turned around to view the controls and left Leia standing in the doorjamb. After a minute, she decided that he was right and left, walking down the hall. After a second of hesitation, she lifted her hand to knock on the door, but it slid open before she had a chance.

“It bugs Han when I do that,” Luke’s soft voice came from within. “Come in.”

Leia stepped inside the small room and saw Luke sitting on his bed, legs crossed. His eyes were closed. “I’m sorry, am I intruding…?”

He opened his eyes. “No,” he said. “I was meditating.”

Leia raised her eyebrows. “Meditating?”

He nodded. “It’s essential for a Force-user,” he explained. “It helps to center yourself and to build your connection with the Force.” He glanced at her. “Who taught you to create those shields?”

Leia stared at him, mystified. “I’m sorry, what shields?”

Now he looked confused. “When I first met you, your mind was guarded,” he said. “And it still is. You’re really strong in the Force, so I was just wondering who trained you.”

“No one trained me,” she said in surprise. “And I don’t think that I’m very strong in the Force…”

“Yes you are,” Luke persisted. “Trust me.”

“Oh,” said Leia uncomfortably. “Well… Luke…”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Luke easily. “I… overreact when it comes to my father. You have every right to be angry with him.”

Leia clasped her hands together. “But not with you,” she said gently. “I apologize for my conduct. It was entirely inappropriate, especially after you had just saved my life.”

He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it,” he repeated. He grinned. “And by the way, my name is Luke Skywalker.”

“Not Vader?”

“No. That’d raise some eyebrows, wouldn’t it?” he said with a laugh. “I’m supposed to be dead, so I can’t afford to attract any questions.”

“Why are you supposed to be dead?” she asked uneasily.

“The Emperor ordered my father to kill me,” Luke said darkly. “I don’t know why.” Leia grew decidedly uncomfortable with the mention of his father and so he changed the subject. “Do you have anywhere to go? I mean, I don’t think that you can return to Coruscant…”

“No,” she said heavily. “But, Luke…” she glanced at him warily. “I am a Rebel,” she said, as though that clarified everything,

“So?”

“I would go to the Rebel base,” she said delicately. “And you…”

“What?”

“You’re an Imperial,” she said finally. “I couldn’t possibly let you know where the base is.”

“I am not an Imperial,” he said, as though shocked she had even thought such a thing. “I hate the Emperor. I hate him more than anyone you will ever meet.”

“What?” Leia was stunned.

“Well, he tried to have me killed, Leia,” Luke said wryly. He visage darkened. “And I have other reasons.”

“Like what?”

Luke bit his lip. “It’s complicated,” he said shortly. There was no way he wanted to recount the tale of just what the Emperor had done to his father, and he doubted if it would generate any sympathy from the girl. “Just suffice it to say… I hate him. I’ve made it my life’s goal to get rid of him, but…” He gestured around his surroundings. “What am I supposed to do? I’m a seventeen-year-old teenager, and a wanted one at that. I’m a half-trained Force user that doesn’t know how to be the Jedi that he is supposedly destined to be.”

“Come with me, then,” she said finally. “I believe you. We just won’t tell anyone about your father.”

His gaze lit up. “You mean, join the Rebellion?”

She grinned. “Yes. I can’t believe I’m saying this to Darth Vader’s son, but yes, I think the Rebellion could use you.”

“Would that work? To just… conveniently forget to mention that I’m third in line for the Imperial throne?” Luke asked doubtfully. “I won’t fight my father under any circumstances, Leia. That’s bound to raise suspicion.”

“We’ll work that out. We’ll just tell Mon Mothma the truth, and she can help us,” said Leia confidently. She stood and held out a hand to formally shake Luke’s. He did so, grinning. “I welcome you to the Rebellion, Luke Skywalker.”

“Thanks,” he said.

She turned. “I’ll go and tell Han the coordinates.”

“What do you mean, Organa escaped?” Tarkin snapped angrily. “I thought you were supposed to have her under guard!”

“She was under guard,” said Vader tightly. “She somehow managed to escape in the freighter that was brought to the ship with the Tractor beam you ordered, Tarkin.”

“That would be General Tarkin, Vader,” said the man angrily. “How?”

“I am sure that she offered money to the smugglers,” said Vader coldly.

“The smugglers that you were supposed to deal with,” Tarkin spat. “The Emperor won’t be pleased with your failure, Vader. I intend to report it to him as soon as our next contact.”

“Excuse me, General Tarkin, Lord Vader”—

They turned to see a messenger waiting, obviously terrified out of his mind. “What?” Vader asked shortly.

“We’ve just been informed, sirs, that the Emperor expects to hear from you if the Death Star is operational.”

“Of course,” said Tarkin smoothly. “Patch him in, boy.”

The boy gave a quick little bow a frightened look to Vader—who was practically oozing rage—before retreating. “I’m sure you’ll find some way to explain it to His Majesty, Vader,” Tarkin said.

“What!”

Luke looked at Leia nervously. “I think it’s for the best, Han,” he said. “This way I can actually do something.”

“Kid, are you out of your mind?” Han said in utter disbelief. “They’ll shoot you on sight! You think they’re going to just welcome you with open arms?”

“We’re not going to tell them who he is,” Leia said calmly.

“That doesn’t matter! I can’t let you do it, Luke,” said Han firmly, turning to the blond. “We can drop the Princess off and then go back to our route. Just like old times.”

“But… I have to save my father, Han,” Luke said imploringly. Leia raised her eyebrows. “I have to try and get rid of the Emperor. This is the only way,” said Luke.

“Whaddya mean, ‘save your father?’” Han snorted. “Kid, your dad’s got it covered, I think. I’m pretty sure he can take care of himself.”

Luke gritted his teeth. “You don’t understand,” he said tightly.

Han groaned. “All right, kid, the Princess has got you all fired up to go be a Rebel, that’s fine, but you should hear my point of view.”

“Han…”

“No, listen,” Han insisted. “What I see is some kid going off to risk his life in a fight no one can’t win to try and resurrect his dad from a guy, who… let’s face it, kid, he’s not really the type to teach you how to throw a ball.” Han stopped to see how Luke was taking it. Satisfied, he continued. “He wants you to be safe. Goin’ off to play the hero on the opposite side isn’t what he’s got in mind, I think.”

Luke slumped. “You don’t get it, Han. It’s the only way he can come back into the light. I’ve got to do this.”

After a moment, Han finally sighed. “So I can’t convince you otherwise, kid?”

Luke shook his head, and the smuggler rubbed his temple. “All right.”

“Luke, we should construct your past,” said Leia gently. “What do you want to tell anyone who asks?”

“Tell them I was a farmboy on Tatooine,” said Luke quietly. “Tell them that my guardians were killed by Imperials and I decided to become a Rebel by rescuing you.”

“That’s the first time you’ve admitted it,” said Leia with a smile. “You did rescue me.”

“My father let us go,” said Luke softly. “If he had really minded, he would have stopped us himself.”

Leia sighed. “What about your lightsaber? And the fact that you’re training to be a Jedi?”

Luke snorted. “How can I be training without a trainer?”

“You’re still going to become one,” Leia said reassuringly.

Luke shrugged. “My father was a Jedi in the Clone Wars. That’s good enough.” He stood. “I’m going to meditate,” he told them, leaving and heading to his room. Leia made to follow him, sensing that he was upset, but Han stopped her.

“Don’t bother him when he goes off to meditate,” he advised her with a forced smile. “Gets all huffy, says the Force goes out of whack if you interrupt him.”

“He told me that I’m Force-sensitive,” said Leia, frowning. She sat down next to Han.

“I wouldn’t know, Princess,” said Han airily. “I don’t believe in any of that anyway. It’s Luke’s thing, not mine.”

“Lord Sidious,” Vader said with a small bow as the holo of the Emperor was projected in front of himself and Tarkin, who glanced sidelong at the massive Sith. Only Vader called the Emperor by that name, and Tarkin knew it was to remind him of the fact that he was the Sith, and the next in line for the Imperial throne.

“Ah, my friend,” came the croak of the Emperor. Tarkin carefully suppressed the shudder. “Tell me… Is my Death Star operational?”

“It is, Lord,” said Vader. “General Tarkin saw fit to test its weapons upon the world of Alderaan.” His voice showed no hint of his disgust of the act.

“Really…” said the Emperor slowly. “Excellent. This will crush the petty Rebellion once and for all. And what of the Death Star plans?”

“I believe that they are located inside a droid that was in the company of Senator Organa at the time of her capture, Lord Sidious,” Vader said quickly. “I have it in my custody.”

“Good, my friend,” said the Emperor, completely ignoring the presence of Tarkin. “And what of the girl? Has she been executed?”

“No, my lord,” said Vader immediately. “A smuggler’s freighter was brought to the station and its crew managed to help her to escape.”

The Emperor was silent for a moment. “This displeases me,” he said finally. “But it is of no consequence. Soon the girl and her followers will be destroyed.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The Emperor was silent for a moment. “See to it that the Rebel base is found,” he said finally. “And then send the Death Star into orbit.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The transmission was cut and Vader resisted the urge to smirk as he felt Tarkin’s resentment and injured pride. “I will inform you when the Rebel base is found,” Vader said blandly. “General Tarkin.”

“Of course,” said Tarkin tightly. “I look forward to it, Lord Vader.”

Vader returned to his workroom, intending to complete the removal of the Death Star plans from Artoo, but he froze when he entered the room.

They were gone.

Silently, he swore to himself. He should have known—Artoo had no qualms about disobeying orders if they obstructed a mission. He clenched his hands. That meant they were with the Princess.

And Luke. He released all his anger at the thought of his son. Luke was safe, and had evaded the Emperor’s notice once more.

“Where are we?” asked Luke as they descended onto a planet that he had never seen. “Yavin IV,” said Leia. “It is our temporary base. We’ve been safe here from the Empire for some time,” she explained.

Luke reached for the Force to calm his shaky nerves as they grew nearer to the base. Leia noticed and smiled. “You’ll be fine, Luke. As soon as we tell them that you saved me, you’ll be fine.”

“It’s not just them I’m worried about,” Luke admitted weakly.

An image of Vader looming over her during her interrogation slipped into Leia’s mind and she bit it back sharply. “I understand,” she said gently.

Luke sighed. “Go on,” he told her ruefully. Leia nodded and walked forward to speak into the outputter. “Yavin Base, this is Senator Leia Organa aboard the Millenium Falcon. I request an immediate meeting with Lady Mothma.”

“Welcome back, Senator Organa,” came a male voice over the transmitter. “You’re set for landing pad 9.”

Luke shut his eyes tightly as Leia directed Han to the correct spot. He bit his lip as the ship touched down and jerked away when he felt Leia’s hand on his shoulder. He glanced up. “Come on, Luke,” she said.

Luke stood to face Han. “Han, thanks for everything,” he began slowly. “Once this is all over…” he let his words trail off.

Han grinned. “What’re you talkin’ about, kid? You think I’m gonna jus’ let these Rebels have their way with ya?” He shook his head. “I’m stickin’ around to watch your back.”

Luke’s jaw dropped open. “You’re going to join”—

“No,” Han said quickly. “No way. I’m not about to go risk my neck for some crazy cause,” he said. “But I am gonna make sure you don’t kill yourself.”

Luke beamed. “Thanks.”

Han smiled nervously. “Don’ thank me. I’m jus’ scared of what your dad’ll do to me if you get hurt,” he explained.

Luke frowned. “What?”

“Nevermind,” said Han easily. “No more talk of your dad from here on out,” he said firmly.

“Let’s go,” said Leia with a smile.

“It is good news to hear that you are safe, Princess Leia,” said Mon Mothma gently. “I am so sorry to hear of Alderaan. It seems that the Empire’s atrocities continue to grow.”

Leia inclined her head. “Thank you,” she said. Beside her, Luke winced almost imperceptibly.

“Please, introduce me to your rescuer,” said Mothma, turning to Luke.

Leia smiled. “This is Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight.”

Mothma paled. “A Jedi!”

“Training to be one, at least,” said Luke uncomfortably and shooting a look towards Leia. “It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Mothma.”

“I extend you the gratitude of the Alliance for your efforts in saving the Princess, Jedi Skywalker,” said Mothma.

“You’re welcome, though I had a minimal effort in doing so,” Luke responded, glad that his father’s eloquency had rubbed off on him at least a little. He swallowed. “I would like to join the Rebellion myself, actually.”

“That is good news,” said Mothma warmly. “We welcome you heartily.”

“But there is a slight complication,” Leia said nervously. “I’d like you to keep an open mind, Mon.”

Mothma furrowed her brow. “What’s the problem?”

Luke bit his lip. “I have… certain connections to the Empire,” he said uneasily.

Mothma frowned. “Many of the Alliance members have family members who are officers. That is not a problem.”

Luke looked to Leia for help. “Mon… Luke desires to keep this one completely silent,” she said slowly.

“What is it? Who is it?”

“My father…” Luke began apprehensively. “He’s kind of high up.”

Mothma waited for him to continue. She folded her hands on the desk, staring impassively at the two young people in front of her.

Leia sighed and made eye contact briefly. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Mon.”

“What do you mean?” Mothma’s gaze narrowed. “Who is he?”

Luke stared at his hands and refused to say anything. Leia opened her mouth but shut it after a moment. “It’s a bit difficult to explain, really…”

“Will all of you stop hedging?” Han finally exclaimed, exasperated. He strode up from the shadows. He faced Mon Mothma. “The kid’s dad is Darth Vader.”

Mon Mothma was silent for several minutes. “Excuse me?” she said finally, her voice low and no-nonsense.

Luke and Leia exchanged glances. “Mon…” Leia began uneasily.

“You are telling me that you have brought the child of Darth Vader here to join the Rebel Alliance? Are you out of your mind, Princess Leia?” Mothma was clearly furious. She turned to Luke. “And you think that you will be welcomed, when your father is the number two enemy of the Alliance?”

“Please, just here me out”—Luke began, but she cut him off.

“No. Absolutely not. Vader is a murdering beast that deserves to die. I will not accept the supposed support of his child. It’s likely you’re a spy to begin with, so consider yourself lucky that I do not order you killed on the spot,” Mothma said angrily. “Leia, I’m very disappointed in you.”

Luke stood up sharply. “I am not my father, and I do not agree with his practices, but you will not insult him in front of me.” Next to him, Han winced. “I am here for one purpose and one purpose only: to join the Alliance. If you think my father would be stupid enough to use his son as a spy, that makes you far more of an idiot than he. If you think that my father would be pleased to hear that his son is joining the opposite side, you are sorely mistaken.”

Mothma stared at him for a moment. “Then prove your loyalty,” she said grandly. “If you believe in the Alliance, submit to a hearing by the members of the High Command.”

“Very well,” said Luke, bowing slightly. “As you wish.”

Mothma looked slightly surprised at his acquiescence but she nodded stiffly in return. “Princess Leia, see to it that he is under guard at all times. As for the Death Star plans… They will be addressed after this matter is solved.”

“Of course,” said Leia, standing. “Come on, Luke,” she said softly.

Luke nodded sharply and turned, stalking out of the room. Han followed him quickly and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Kid, calm down,” he said gently.

Luke stared at him, his eyes blazing. “What?”

“If you’re gonna join this crackpot fest, kid, you’ve gotta get your temper under control,” Han told him. “Like it or not, people hate your dad. I bet half of ‘em joined because of him. They’re gonna insult him. If you start attacking them, people will find out who you are and go after you back.”

Luke let out a heavy breath and hung his head. “You’re right,” he mumbled.

“I know.”

“But they don’t understand,” Luke said with a pained look. “They don’t understand anything!”

“That doesn’t change what they think, kid,” said Han wisely. “I know for a fact you won’t tell ‘em what ‘they don’t understand,’ ‘cause you’ve never told me or Chewie. So you gotta be patient. If you’re so sure your dad ain’t as bad a guy as they think, let’em find out when he proves he isn’t.”

Luke sighed. “Okay.”

“Luke?” He looked up to see Leia waiting for him down the hall.

“I’m coming,” he said heavily. Han flung an arm around his shoulder and said, “I’ll come with ya, kid. Into the hearing too, considerin’ I gotta protect you,” he said with a roguish grin.

Luke rolled his eyes. “Let’s count the number of times that you did anything besides get us into trouble.”

“No need,” said Han airily. “Come on.”

Luke was bombarded by the amount of emotions emitted from the various members of the High Command as he was marched inside. Fear, anger, curiosity…hate. He bit his lip. He walked to the center of the room to face Mon Mothma, whose visage was less than friendly.

“Luke Skywalker,” she said harshly. “This is a trial to see the manner of your loyalties to the Alliance. Do you concur that your name is as such?”

“Yes,” Luke said, clasping his hands behind his back and spreading his legs slightly. He had adopted that pose during his time with his father, and hoped they didn’t notice.

“Very well,” said Mothma. “And do you confirm that your father is Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith?”

“Yes,” Luke repeated, ignoring the sudden intake of breath from the members of the High Command. He steeled himself and reached out for the calm that was the Force, beating back the anxiety and anger.

“And how do you expect the Alliance to believe that you are loyal?” Mothma questioned harshly.

“Why should I not be?” Luke countered. “My death warrant has been signed by the Emperor himself. That’s a good enough reason to hate him, isn’t it?”

“But is it enough to insure that your loyalty lies with the Alliance rather than the Empire? If I’m not mistaken, you are third in line for the Imperial Throne. One would think that you would prefer to keep the Empire alive until then,” said Mothma coolly.

“I am a Jedi in training,” said Luke brazenly. “I do not believe that there is any place for a Jedi or Sith in politics, and I intend to do my best to insure that involvement is stopped.”

“A Jedi?” Mothma asked doubtfully.

“Then he admits that he has Vader’s powers!” A Mon Calamari interrupted. “He’s dangerous!”

“Do you?” Mothma inquired.

“Yes,” said Luke, knowing that he couldn’t begin this new life by lies. “I am capable of some of the things of which my father is also capable, but he is far more trained than I am.”

“If you’re really loyal to the Alliance,” said a cunning Cerean, “then tell us. What are Darth Vader’s weaknesses? How can we defeat him?”

Luke tensed and clenched his hands behind his back, trying desperately to release the anger into the Force like Obi-Wan had told him to do. “If I am not mistaken, the Empire is not made up of one man,” he said stiffly.

“One man?” another scoffed. “Darth Vader is no man. He is a monster. He has murdered thousands.”

“And how many men have you killed, General Rieekan?” Luke returned, using a subtle mind probe to discover the man’s identity. “How many have you condemned, when you give your orders to attack?”

“I don’t believe this!” said the man angrily. “He defends his father!”

“Darth Vader is the figurehead of the Empire, Skywalker,” said Mothma. “He is our enemy. To join the Alliance, he must be yours as well.”

“My enemy is his cause,” said Luke tightly. “And I refuse to release private information to be used to destroy him,” he added.

“Excuse me,” said Leia, walking up to Luke’s side. She gave him a reassuring glance. “Luke Skywalker rescued me from certain death as well as recovering the Death Star plans. I do not think those are actions are indicative of a traitor.”

“We cannot be sure,” said Mothma, folding her hands.

“Give him a chance,” Leia implored. “Give him one chance to prove himself.”

Mothma was silent for a moment. “Very well,” she said at last. “Have you any skills, Skywalker?”

“I am a pilot,” he told her. “Trained by the Imperial Navy and by my father.”

There were whistles of surprise among the Command. “Then you shall become an X-Wing fighter pilot,” Mothma said at last. “But at any time, we reserve the right to suspend you.”

“Of course,” said Luke coolly.

“Dismissed,” Mothma said.

Once outside, Han laid a supportive hand on Luke’s shoulders. The youth was far more affected by the rejection of the High Command than he had shown himself to be in the room. He looked up. “Maybe you were right,” he said miserably.

“Probably,” Han agreed. “But they accepted you, kid. That’s good news, right?”

“They want to use me to kill my father, Han,” Luke responded coldly. “I really am betraying him.”

“Nah, I don’t see it that way,” said Han easily. “You’re tryin’ to save him, whatever that means. And when you do, neither of ya will see it as betrayal.”

“When I do?” Luke asked hollowly. “How do I even know that I can?”

“Luke,” said Leia gently. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to your squadron.”

“Skywalker? Luke Skywalker?”

Luke whipped around to see the face of someone he hadn’t seen in years. His face drained of all color. “Biggs?”

The pilot beamed. “I can’t believe it!” he said, running over and enveloping Luke in a hug. “I thought you were dead! We all did!”

“I ran away,” Luke said, saying the first thing that came to mind.

“After Owen and Beru got killed?” Biggs asked sympathetically. “I understand. Where’ve you been, buddy?”

“I went to Imperial Flight School,” Luke said, which was mostly the truth.

“Really? Me too! What ship were ya on, buddy?” Biggs questioned.

“The Executor,” said Luke. “But I ran away and became a smuggler,” he said with a forced grin. He nodded towards Han. “This is Han Solo.”

Biggs shook Han’s hand. “I’m Biggs Darklighter,” he said. He turned to Luke. “Are you serious? You were on the Executor?”

Luke nodded.

“Wow. Only the best go there,” he said with a grin. “Nice job. Actually, we’ve got another one who’s from the Executor.”

“Really?” Luke asked, interested. “Who?”

“Terzé Ba’kuun,” said Biggs. He scratched his head. “Came here around three years ago. Him and Lady Amidala.”

“Speaking of whom,” said Leia with a bright smile. “I’m going to go and speak to her. Is she in her rooms, Biggs?”

Biggs nodded. “Who is she?” Luke asked, confused.

“My birth mother,” Leia explained, her eyes lighting up. “We all thought she was dead for the longest time, but it turns out that she went into hiding without telling anyone.”

“Wow,” said Luke, surprised.

“She’s amazing,” said Leia fondly. “Anyway, Luke… You’ll be fine here?”

He nodded and she went off, leaving the three pilots. “I can’t believe you’re here, Skywalker,” said Biggs again. “Come on, you’ll have to meet the guys.”

“This is our only chance,” said Mothma seriously to the assembled pilots. Her gaze rested on Luke Skywalker, who seemed troubled. Could she trust him? And why did the name “Skywalker” seem so familiar to her?

“Good luck,” said Mothma. “You’re dismissed.”

Luke stood with Biggs at his side and furrowed his brow. His father was on the Death Star, and their mission was to destroy it. How could he even think of such a thing?

He walked into the hangar to see Artoo doing something to his X-Wing. “What are you doing, Artoo?” he asked quietly, sitting on a small toolbox by the astromech, which responded in a flurry of beeps. He reached for a hydrospanner and helped the droid get the part into place. With a sigh, he set it down again. Normally, working with his hands calmed him down, but this time the storm within him refused to abate.

After the Death Star moved into orbit of Yavin IV, they would attack.

His father might die.

Luke gritted his teeth. He wouldn’t allow it to happen, he swore silently.

“Kid?”

Luke looked up to see Han standing awkwardly with his hands in his pockets. “What’s going on?”

“Well… Chewie and I…” Han began uneasily. “We’ve still got that load to deliver,” he said in a rush.

Luke stood slowly, his heart heavy. “You’re leaving?”

“Look, kid, I know that I promised to take care of you, and everything, but…” Han lifted his hands into the air. “I’m no Rebel. I can’t get involved.”

“Han… You could give up smuggling,” Luke offered. “You could stay here.”

“Me?” he snorted. “No way, kid.”

“Han…” Luke began. “Why not?”

The smuggler scratched his head. “Just, don’t get killed, okay? Your dad’ll hunt me down personally,” he said with a wry grin. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

Sighing, Luke stood and embraced the Corellian. “You too.”

With a grin, Han went off and shouted to Chewie, “Come on, furball. We’ve gotta get this show on the road.” Chewie roared something and looked towards Luke. “No, the kid’s staying here,” said Han irritably. “Let’s go.”

After the Millenium Falcon took off, Luke stared at the place it had been for several minutes until he felt the presence of Leia nearby. He turned to see her leading a veiled woman towards him. Luke felt a strange familiarity for the woman but shook it off, wiping his greasy hands with a rag and climbing up onto the platform.

“Han left?” Leia asked, perturbed.

Luke nodded. “I can’t blame him. He… This isn’t really this thing.”

Leia frowned sadly before breaking into a smile. “Luke, this is my mother, Lady Amidala. Mother, this is Luke Skywalker.”

The woman held out a hand that Luke kissed gently. “It’s an honor, ma’am.”

“The honor is mine,” she responded, and Luke caught a wave of sadness and excitement from her before she carefully repressed it. “I asked Leia to meet you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” said Luke.

“I would like to thank you—very much—for what you did on the Death Star,” said Amidala humbly. “I’m very grateful.”

Luke shrugged uncomfortably. “Don’t worry about it.”

“If I may ask, Mr. Skywalker,” said Amidala hesitantly. “Was your father Anakin Skywalker?”

Luke stared at the woman’s veiled face in surprise. How did she know his father’s name? At least, what his name used to be? “Yes,” he said slowly. “I’m surprised that you know that,” he continued frankly.

The woman held her hands together tightly. “I… knew him at one time,” she said faintly. “It’s an honor, again,” she said, before turning back to Leia. “I’m feeling a bit chilled, darling,” she said. “I’m going to return to my rooms.”

“Of course,” said Leia concernedly. “Mother, do you need anything?”

“No, no, I’m fine,” she said.

Leia glanced over Luke’s shoulder. “Threepio!” she called, and the golden droid hobbled into view. “Yes, Mistress Leia?”

“Threepio, will you escort my mother back to her rooms?” she asked.

“Now, sweetheart, I’m quite able,” said Amidala with a laugh.

“I know,” said Leia with a smile. “I’m sending him to make sure you don’t jump into a ship and join the boys.”

“You know me too well,” said Amidala. “I’m afraid I’m too old for that, dear,” she said. “Come, Threepio. You can tell me a story while we walk.”

After a few moments, Leia and Luke were left behind. “She doesn’t know who your father is,” said Leia after a minute. “I’ve told no one.”

“Thanks,” Luke said, staring at Artoo as the droid worked.

“I’m sorry Han left,” said Leia. “He was important to you.”

“Yeah,” said Luke with a sigh. “I’m going to go to my room. I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Lady Amidala?”

Amidala turned to see Terzé Ba’kuun emerge from a hallway as she walked quickly to her rooms. She sighed. “Hello, my friend.”

“Are you all right?” The helmeted man asked. “You had nearly left C-3PO behind.”

“I’m fine,” she said with a sigh. “It’s just… I saw him,” she said uneasily. “Come, let’s talk in my room.”

Terzé followed her down the hall. “What’s this about?” he asked finally once they were inside her room.

“I… asked Leia to meet him,” she said quietly. “He’s so handsome… Terzé, it was as if I was staring at his father, albeit younger and shorter,” she said fondly, before her tone turned to pain. “I can’t bear it.”

“You can’t tell him,” said Terzé firmly. “You know that you cannot.”

“What am I supposed to do? Just let my child go off to risk his life?” Amidala cried. She lifted her veil and rubbed her eyes. “I asked him about Anakin,” she said dully. “He said that he knew that he was his father.”

Terzé bit back the guilt that threatened at the corners of his mind. “He has smuggled with Han Solo since Vader let him go.”

“I still don’t understand that,” Amidala admitted. “Why would Vader let him go, after training him? It doesn’t make sense. Surely he would have killed him instead, because he’s a danger if he continues to learn.”

“I don’t know,” Terzé said uncomfortably. “But you can’t have too much contact, Lady Amidala. Things will grow suspicious.”

“I know,” she said unhappily. “It’s just… I want so badly to have my entire family at my side,” she said. “Leia is… Leia is wonderful, but Luke… He’s in pain. He’s confused.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m his mother,” said Amidala forcefully. “I know.”

“I’m flying with him tomorrow,” said Terzé at last. “I’ll do my best to make sure he’s all right.”

“I can’t ask that of you, Terzé,” said Amidala, aghast. “You’ve done so much already!”

He touched her hand slightly. “I want him to live as much as you do, Lady Amidala,” he said gently. He stood. “I’m going to go get ready,” he said at last.

“Be careful, Terzé,” said Amidala. “Your mother would be proud.”

Terzé’s tensed. “Thank you,” he said, his voice choked. He turned and strode swiftly out of the room, leaving Amidala alone.

“Take care of yourself,” Leia said softly as Luke readied himself to climb into the cockpit. He leaned against the hull.

“Thanks,” he told her, and turned to give her a hug. His eyes were haunted. “Leia, if I…”

“Whatever happens is the will of the Force,” Leia said calmly. “Don’t worry.”

He stared at her for a moment before biting his lip and nodding. “I’ll come back,” he promised her.

“I know,” said Leia. “My mother wishes you good luck.”

Luke frowned. “Tell her thank you,” he said at last. “Did she tell you how she knew Anakin Skywalker?”

“No,” said Leia slowly. “Luke, is that really who Vader is?”

Luke hesitated before answering. “Yes, but… Not really,” he said, trying to explain the situation to the girl. “He used to be, at any rate. Now… it’s like Anakin is buried, or something.”

“He must be buried pretty far,” said Leia. “I did some research on him. There are very few files, and all it says is that he was a skilled Jedi Knight and widely regarded as the best pilot in the Galaxy. It also says that Vader killed him.”

“Probably an Imperial cover-up,” Luke said, snorting.

“But… what if it’s not? What if Vader did kill him, and assumed his identity just to lure you in?”

Luke stared at her for a moment. “Leia…” he began. “That’s not possible.”

“How can you know?”

“Trust me,” he said after a moment. “I know.”

“But how?”

“If he didn’t care about me,” Luke started. “He wouldn’t have saved me in the first place. And plus, my aunt and uncle knew who he was. They’re the ones who told him that I was his son,” he explained. “And then… if I wasn’t his son, why would he have saved me from the Emperor?”

Leia bit her lip. “I guess you’re right,” she said finally. She kissed his forehead chastely. “Be careful.”

“I will,” said Luke, climbing up into his X-Wing. “You too.”

She was sliding down.

She lay on a blistering slope, her arms and legs screaming in pain. Padmé cried out in agony as her legs—what was left of her legs?—caught fire. She saw a hazy figure above her and couldn’t tell who it was because of the smoke.

The flames spread up her body, searing her skin and crawling over her face, turning her hair to ash. She screamed again. “I HATE YOU!” she cried out in desperation, the fumes entering her lungs and burning the alveoli, destroying the cells. She tried desperately to inhale air as she tried to claw up the side of the slope…

Amidala woke up with a start, shivering. Despite the heat of the dream, she was freezing. She reached over for a rough blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

The same dream.

She had dreamt the same dream over and over since the Rebels had made Yavin IV their base. What did it mean? Was it a sign of the future? Who did she hate that she would fight him on the banks of fire? Who hated her so much that he would leave her to burn?

Vader.

The answer came instantly. Of course it was him—he had killed Anakin and he had tortured Leia and he had tried to steal Anakin’s son and turn him to the Dark Side. It only made sense that he would want to kill Anakin’s wife as well. Amidala sighed. How she missed him… The events of the night the twins were born were hazy, but she had forgiven Anakin for what he had done. She was sure that he had realized his actions and had tried to fight off Vader and Palpatine. He had died a hero. She knew it.

Luke tried desperately to reach out to the Force, but the calm eluded him. For all he knew, it would be his torpedoes that would spell the death of all the people aboard the Death Star.

His father was one of them.

His mind argued that the Death Star had to be destroyed, both so it would never commit such an atrocity like Alderaan and so the Rebellion would survive another day. His heart argued that he might be his father’s murderer.

The X-Wings swooped around and over the comms, Luke heard several swears of exclamation as the sight of the massive superstructure came into view. “Keep calm, boys,” said one of the others. “We can do this.”

“All right, everyone,” came Biggs’ voice over the commlink, “Let’s get into formation.”

“Open S-Foils,” said another.

Luke followed the orders as if on autopilot himself. With every fuel cell burned, he was drawing nearer to his father’s potential death. How could he do this? How could he enter into battle against his own father?

A knot of TIEs emerging from the giant station served to jerk him back into the present and to instill another guilt in him—what if one of those pilots was Darmic? Jisk? Vaskall? Lang?

Focus on the present, Luke. Do your duty.

Luke would have jumped out of skin had he not been in the cockpit. That certainly hadn’t been his father! Who was it?

Have you forgotten Obi-Wan Kenobi so easily, young one?

Luke let out a sigh. Obi-Wan. I didn’t know that you could talk like this also.

Be calm, young one. Your fear and guilt lead you to the Dark Side.

I understand, Luke returned, readjusting his grip on the controls and reaching out for the Force to keep him centered. He bit his lip. He would do his duty.

“Lord Vader! There are X-Wings approaching!”

Vader whipped around and cast a tendril over the Force over the approaching ships and recoiled in surprise when he found his son one of the pilots. His son had joined Rebels? That shocked him more than he cared to admit. “Ready my ship, captain,” he said to the man who had given him the message. “Immediately.”

“Yes, Lord Vader,” said the man quickly, turning and returning quickly to a supervision post. Vader strode down the corridor. He didn’t know what Luke was doing, but he would insure that his flew away from this conflict alive. Walking down to his private hangar, he jerked up his hand to indicate to his two wingmen to follow him. They did so without a word.

“TIE fighters approaching! Squadron 1, engage and draw away from the rest of us!” The commander instructed. Luke broke left with the others, letting Biggs’ squadron fly out to meet the oncoming TIEs.

“Don’t engage, Squadrons 2 and 3! Acknowledge!”

“Yes, Commander,” Luke replied instinctively. He swerved left to avoid a TIE that had broken away from the main cluster and gone towards himself and another X-Wing.

The X-Wing beside him let out a short barrage of fire, catching the TIE fighter on a wings. The ship exploded and Luke winced. Had that been Darmic?

“Nice shot, Red 3,” said the Commander approvingly. “Let’s go!”

Luke watched as Squadron 1 decimated the first swarm of TIEs and rejoined the main group. “Stay out of range of the guns, pilots,” said the Commander. “We don’t need to worry about them until we’re in the trench. Red 4, 5, and 6, V-Formation above us.”

Suddenly Luke’s stomach clenched as he saw the leader of the next swarm of TIEs to be released from the Death Star. He reached out on impulse towards his father’s crooked-winged TIE and felt his father’s presence, a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. Father?

Luke, what are you doing here?

I… Luke didn’t have an answer other than the one he knew his father wouldn’t approve of. Don’t go back to the Death Star, Father.

There was no response from Vader as he had to carefully executor a barrel roll to avoid a barrage of fire from one of the X-Wings. Luke fought off the instinct to go and help out and instead maintained his concentration on the task.

“Sith, I didn’t know Darth Vader was on the Death Star!” One of the others exclaimed. “Commander, what do we do?”

“Try and shoot him down,” said the man, “And try to stay out of his way. I’ve flown against Vader before.”

“Affirm”—the man’s transmission was cut off just as Vader destroyed his shield-generator and, with a few well-placed shots, blew up the ship.

“Quick, regroup!” the Commander said nervously. “We’ve got to get through! Engage the TIEs if you need to! Don’t engage the Advanced TIE fighter under any circumstances!”

Luke banked hard right and whipped around, marveling and the maneuverability of the X-Wing. He pressed the trigger and blew up one of the TIEs trailing Biggs’ ship, fighting off his conscience for the moment.

Vader destroyed two more X-Wings before rushing down to follow Biggs as he entered the trench that was the first leg of the mission. “Get him! Concentrate your firepower on the Advanced TIE!” The Commander instructed. “We’ve got to give Darklighter a chance!”

The X-Wings flew in and tried to hit Vader’s ship, but he avoided the bolts with a precognitive-like ease. His two wingmen—Luke remembered with a jolt their skill above Kessel—whipped around and organized cover fire for him as he pursued Biggs’ X-Wing into the trench.

Luke attempted to shoot one of them down, but it danced to the left and shot straight towards him. Luke swerved to the side and rose up to gain an advantage over his opponent.

“I need cover!” Biggs yelled. “I can’t get away from this bastard!”

Luke ignored the stab of anger and moved up with two other X-Wings. “Hold on, Biggs,” he told him, praying that his father wouldn’t manage to shoot his friend down.

“Come on, Luke, help me!” Biggs cried out. Luke flew over the trench and saw his childhood friend narrowly miss a deadly bolt from his father’s TIE.

Please don’t shoot him! He cried out silently, hoping that he would somehow be able to stop his father.

We are on opposite sides of this war, apparently, Vader returned. I have a duty to do.

Luke gritted his teeth and began, “Biggs, get out of there! You can’t make it!”

“He’s got to try!” The Commander intervened. “What are you doing, Skywalker? Try and shoot the Advanced TIE!”

Luke pulled up sharply to avoid fire from one of his father’s wingmen. “I’m engaged!” He shouted over the comm, pulling around to try and hit the TIE, which banked right to fly around him. Luke pulled right, whipped around, and managed to hit the TIE fighter, which exploded into flames.

“Nice hit!” The Commander told him.

“I’m almost there!” Biggs told them over the comm. “I’ve got my targeting computer up!”

“Hurry!”

“I’ve almost got it—Yes!” Biggs cried out. “I just fired!”

They all waited with abated breath. “It didn’t”—

Luke watched in horror as Biggs’ ship exploded in flames. “No!”

I am sorry, my son.

Without even bothering to consider his actions, Luke pulled up and dove into the trench, heading towards the target. He saw, in his mind’s eye, his father’s ship fall in behind him. Don’t stop me!

I will not shoot you, Luke! Get out of there! His father’s mind-voice sounded urgent.

I’m not going to let this thing destroy another planet! Luke shouted back. He cut the link with his father harshly and concentrated, knowing that he would need to use the Force to hit the target.

He reached out with an arm of the Force, feeling out the nearness of the target. He steeled himself, not even noticing that the Millennium Falcon had just appeared out of hyperspace and had sent his father’s ship flying into space with a few shots.

10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1…

He fired.

For a moment, it was almost as bad as Alderaan. Nausea swept up through his stomach as the death cries of thousands of people shook through him, creating thousands of ripples in the Force. Luke closed his eyes and took several deep breaths through the respirator, the magnitude of his actions sinking in on him.

He had just killed hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people, with a single shot.

His father! Luke desperately reached out for the Force to make sure that his father hadn’t been caught in the blast and breathed a sigh of relief when he felt his father’s familiar presence at the edges of his mind.

“All right!” The commander’s voice shouted gleefully. “Great work, everyone!”

He must not be Force-sensitive, Luke noted dully, the ripples of the Force still running through him like the tones of a bell after being hit.

“Let’s go back to the base!”

I’m sorry, Father.

I know.

Luke climbed out of his X-Wing as if on autopilot. Leia ran up to him and embraced him, smiling joyfully. “Luke, you did it!”

He stared at her weakly. “I am a murderer of thousands,” he whispered, reeling from the realization. He froze.

Leia frowned. “Luke…”

He shrugged her off and leaned against his ship, breathing heavily for a few moments before freezing. He whipped around. “They can’t know it was me!” he said urgently.

“Why not?” Leia asked, bewildered, as Mon Mothma walked over, beaming.

“Leia—I’m supposed to be dead,” Luke hissed. “My father lied to the Emperor to keep me safe! If he finds out”—

“We will tell them that Commander Darklighter’s torpedoes hit the targets,” said Mothma, interrupting. “But you have done a great deed for the Alliance today, Skywalker,” she said. “I apologize for the lack of a welcome.”

Luke waved a hand. “You’ve got make sure everyone understands,” he told her seriously. “It’s bad enough that I just murdered hundreds of thousands of people, but to have my father get hurt”—

“I will do as you ask, Skywalker,” said Mothma gently. “Go and celebrate.”

“Celebrate?” he scoffed, his face darkening. “Celebrate over death? I don’t think so,” he said, turning and walking past Leia stiffly.

Leia looked sadly after him just as the Millennium Falcon landed next to his X-Wing and Han and Chewie appeared. She grinned. “You came back!”

“Had to watch his back,” said Han with a roguish grin. He looked over to Luke’s retreating back and his face fell. “He’s killin’ himself again, isn’t he?” he said heavily.

Leia nodded. “He… He’s guilty.”

“Over his dad or the Death Star?” Han asked, cocking his head.

“Both, I think,” said Leia. “Should we go talk to him?”

“Nah. I will,” said Han. He turned to Chewie, who gave a loud roar. “Yeah, you can come too,” he said offhandedly. “Come on, furball.”

Leia watched them depart, frowning, just as her mother, veiled as always, walked up beside her. “He did it, didn’t he?” Amidala asked gently.

“Yes,” said Leia heavily, wishing that she could explain the entire situation to her mother. “He feels guilty.”

“Like a true Jedi,” said Amidala softly.

“You knew his father?” Leia asked, turning to face her mother with interest.

Amidala’s shoulders tightened. “I did. He was an influential Jedi at the time of my senatorial term,” she said. “Now come, darling. Let’s celebrate that the Alliance has survived to fight another day.”

Leia furrowed her brow at her mother’s evasion of the subject. “Let’s,” she said finally, taking her mother’s arm.

Luke sat on his cot, staring blankly at the wall. What had he done? Had his brazen use of the Force—thus identifying him—just condemned his father? Had he just betrayed his father’s trust? Vader had risked everything to save Luke’s life, and now this was the way that Luke repaid that risk, by placing both of them in danger?

He buried his head in his hands. How could he have done this? What had he been thinking? Besides his father, he had just wantonly destroyed thousands of lives. People called his father a monster, but he had turned out to be far worse! What kind of person killed people with a simple push of a button?

He angrily brushed away the tears that slipped down his cheeks just as two large furry arms reached out and crushed him to a large, furry chest. “Agh! Chewie, you’re killing me!” he cried out in surprise. Odd that he had not felt them approach.

“Kid, are you okay?” Han asked, leaning in the doorway.

“I’m fine,” said Luke. “What are you doing here?”

“Someone has gotta look after you,” said Han airily. “These Rebels send you on a suicide flight as soon as I leave, so I stepped back in.”

“Thanks,” said Luke, staring at his feet.

“Stop torturin’ yourself, kid,” said Han, walking into the room and shutting the door. “Think about Alderaan. You stopped that from happening ever again.”

“That doesn’t change what I did, Han,” said Luke sorrowfully. “And that on top of what’ll happen to my father if I’m found out…” he trailed off. “What am I going to do?”

“Forgive yourself, first off,” said Han. “You think that all the troubles of the Galaxy are your fault. Lighten up a bit, kid. You did what was necessary.”

“But my father”—

“Can take care of himself, like I’ve said a million times,” said Han, exasperated. “This is a war. People die, like it or not. Don’t hate yourself for it.”

Luke slumped. “You’re right,” he mumbled. “Thanks, Han.”

“That’s what I’m here for, kid,” said Han with a grin. “Though you’re more moody than a Zabrak with a score to settle,” he said. “I mean it. Lighten up.”

When Luke reemerged the following day, the members of his squad assaulted him. “We’re not s’posed to be talkin’ about it, man, and I dunno why not, but that was some flying!” said Wedge Antilles, grinning.

“Thanks,” Luke said weakly.

“I’m impressed,” said another voice, and Luke turned to see a man slightly taller than himself wearing a helmet and armor. He held out his hand. “I am Terzé Ba’kuun,” he said. “It’s an honor to meet you, Luke Skywalker.”

“Thanks,” said Luke, shaking his hand and feeling some strange sense of familiarity with the man. “I heard you came here with Lady Amidala?”

He inclined his head. “I am the child of her best friend, who died when I was a child,” he explained. “She watched over me, and when I grew, I protected her. I still do so today.”

“That’s very noble of you,” said Luke sincerely.

“It is repayment,” said Terzé softly. “

“So I hear we’re gettin’ ready to leave this place,” said another. “’pparently Vader survived it and he’s bein’ sent out here to fight us off with that big mother-ship of his.”

“The Executor?” Terzé asked interestedly. “Just that one ship, or are other star destroyers going to come as well?”

The boy shrugged. “I dunno. I just heard Lady Mothma and General Rieekan talkin’ about it.”

“Shouldn’t eavesdrop,” said Wedge with a frown. “For all we know, they were discussing possibilities.”

“I doubt it,” said another one with a snort. “Vader’s pride’s been injured. He’ll prob’ly come after us his self.”

Luke tensed as they turned to him. “Whaddya think, Skywalker?”

“I don’t know,” he said shortly. “Perhaps the Emperor’s pride had been injured. That would make more sense.”

“Yeah, and just like ‘im to send his little lapdog to do his dirty work,” someone else spat. Luke froze and reached out for the Force to help him control his anger.

Han sidled up. “Don’ think you’re s’posed to be talkin’ about Alliance plans,” he said airily.

“And who’re you?” Another one asked in surprise.

“Han Solo at your service,” he said with a grin. “C’mon, Skywalker,” he said, grabbing Luke’s arm and pulling him away.

“What is it?” Luke asked, frowning as he rubbed his arm.

“Kid, I can spot an oncoming temper tantrum any day. D’you remember when that Mon Cal chick called your dad a bloodsucking assassin droid-man?” Han said patiently. “Things started shakin’ and jumpin’ around, and you woulda choked her too, without even knowin’ it.”

“Point taken,” said Luke heavily. “What can I do, Han? Everybody here has got something to say about my father that bothers me. I’ll give up my cover way too easily if I get angry.”

“You gotta control your temper,” Han said sagely. “Like, if someone insults my ship, I’ll get offended but I can control myself.”

“Most of the time,” Luke snorted. “Remember that time in the cantina?”

“Ah, he took the worst of it,” said Han lightly. “But that’s not the point.”

“But it’s not my ship they’re insulting, Han,” said Luke as they walked down the hall, heading towards Luke’s quarters. “It’s my father. Every time somebody calls him a robot or whatever… It bothers me because they don’t even know what happened to him. If they did, they wouldn’t be so quick to attack him.” Luke’s face darkened.

“Well what happened, then?” Han asked diplomatically as they entered his room to see Chewie sprawled out on the cot.

Luke bit his lip. “You know I don’t want to say.”

“You keep bringin’ it up,” said Han with raised eyebrows. “If you can’t tell me, who can you?”

“That’s true,” Luke admitted, sliding to the floor and crossing his legs. “In short…” He closed his eyes briefly and leaned against the wall. “He was fighting his best friend, who he thought betrayed him,” he began slowly. “And basically… Obi-Wan cut off”—

“Obi-Wa