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He groaned as he slowly tried to claw his way back to consciousness. He couldn't remember what had happened; he couldn't even remember who he was! He tried desperately to get away from the swirling darkness in which he now found himself, to awaken, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't.
Finally he gave up, trying instead to remember how he had gotten into this state. How had he been knocked out? How badly was he injured? Who had injured him? Who was he? Where had he come from? Questions, questions and more questions, but no answers. Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?
He couldn't even remember what he looked like!
"Luuuuuuuuukkkkkkkkkkeeeeeeeeee?" a voice suddenly cut into his thoughts.
Who was that? Where was the voice coming from? Who was Luke? Was he Luke?
It didn't matter, there was somebody there. Somebody's voice whom he vaguely recognized, perhaps somebody who knew him, who could tell him who he was. Desperately he tried to fight his way through the mists and back to a conscious state.
Suddenly it seemed like the most important thing in the world that he awaken, not only to find out who he was and all the other answers to the questions he had, but just to be with this person, this person he felt some kind of connection with, some kind of bond.
"Luuuuuuuuuukkkkkkkkkkkkkeeeeeeeee?" the voice asked again.
Again he started struggling against the darkness that wanted to keep him where he was, away from the voice and its owner. He was Luke, he was now sure of that, and this voice, this man, knew him and obviously cared for him.
Even as the darkness tried to pull him back he, Luke, pushed forward. Then, just as he was about to give up, he felt pressure on his...on his shoulder! He could feel, he had done it! But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't open his eyes, or were they open and was he just blind? He slowly lifted his hand to his face.
As soon as he lifted his hand the pressure left his shoulder and a strong, leather-clad hand took hold of his wrist.
"No, Luke," the voice said softly but firmly. "Rest, you must rest now."
"M...m...my...my eyes," Luke stuttered as he became aware of another sound, the rhythmic sound of a breathing respirator.
"Shhhh," the voice said softly as his hand was placed back on the soft silk sheets of the bed he was lying on. "Your eyesight can be healed, but it won't come without some pain."
He wasn't blind! He didn't care about the pain, he wanted to see, to see himself, to see where he was, and to see this man who stayed with him and took care of him. Suddenly another question popped into his mind, who was this man? Was he a friend? A brother? A father?
"W...who...ar...are...you?" he asked.
"I'm your father, Luke," the voice said. "I'm Vader, Darth Vader."
Yes, the name seemed familiar somehow. Frantically he tried to place a face with the name, but no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't remember the man's face, his father's face.
"My son," Vader said, "in order for you to regain your eyesight I shall have to give you a special kind of eye drops, but as I said earlier it will hurt. Do you want me to do it now or later?"
"Now," Luke replied instantly. "I...I want to see you. I can't remember what...what you look like."
Did his father know about his memory loss, his amnesia? Did he know what had happened to him? He had so many questions but almost no answers. He desperately hoped that his father had some to give him.
"Very well," his father replied and Luke thought that he could detect a smile in that deep, rich voice.
His bed rose slightly as his father got to his feet. Listening intently he could hear footsteps and then nothing for a moment before hearing footsteps coming back towards him. Then the bed sank slightly as his father re-seated himself on it.
"Now," his father began as Luke felt a big, leather-clad hand on his face. "Remember that this will hurt quite a bit for a short while, but then you'll be able to see again."
He nodded his head slightly in reply before he remained still as his father put a few drops of fluid into his eyes.
At first he felt nothing and was just wondering if the medicine would work when he felt a sudden, terrible pain in his eyes. There was no way to describe the pain. He felt like calling out, like screaming, and yet he couldn't. Then he felt his father's hand once again take hold of his and he just squeezed it, thankful of the reminder that the pain would soon go away.
Just as the pain started to retreat, Luke became aware of his father's hand on his forehead. The hand was gently pushing back his hair. Then, as suddenly as it had come, the pain was gone. Luke released some of the pressure on his father's hand as he slowly blinked his eyes. As he did so he became aware that some of the fluid was still there.
"Wait," his father ordered as he released his hand.
Luke lay still, his eyes shut, waiting impatiently. After a moment he felt a wet cloth rubbing the liquid out of his eyes.
"Done," Vader stated after a few seconds.
Carefully Luke opened his eyes and was relieved to see blurry colors and shapes swim into view. Immediately he looked towards where his father should be. Finally he saw a black outline of a well-built man sitting on the side of his bed. As he regarded him, his vision slowly cleared and he saw that he father wore both black body armor and a breathing mask.
"Can you see clearly now?" Vader asked sensing both confusion and joy radiating from his son.
"Yes, thank you," Luke replied, realizing that he was staring and quickly lowering his eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just that I don't remember anything, I-"
"It's okay," Vader interrupted. "I understand. Your memory will return in time as the poison wears off."
"Poison?" Luke asked, remembering all of his questions.
"Yes," his father replied. "You were attacked by a horangi before I got to you."
"A horangi?"
"Yes," Vader stated nodding his head. "It's a large predator with six arms, long fangs, and claws. The claws are filled with a paralyzing poison, so the moment a claw punctures your skin the poison disables you, both mentally and physically, so that you'd become an easy victim. One of the side effects of the poison is temporary amnesia."
"Another being the blindness," Luke guessed correctly. "How long is this temporary amnesia?"
"That varies from person to person," Vader replied, knowing that if Luke were to touch the Force he'd instantly regain his memory. But he decided to keep that knowledge to himself. "Some people regain their memory in two months, for others it can take up to six months."
Luke nodded his head, disappointed. He'd have no clue as to who had been his friends and his enemies for at least two months. He couldn't even remember being in this room.
"How did it happen?" Luke asked, looking up at his father. "How did I get caught by the horangi?"
"I don't know," Vader replied.
It was true. He could guess, but he couldn't be sure.
"I only arrived on the scene just before it was about to eat you."
Luke shuddered at the thought of his close call. If it hadn't been for his father...
"Now you must rest," Vader ordered. "Tomorrow we can discuss things further."
"Okay," Luke replied, realizing just how tired he was. "Where did it claw me?"
"Your upper right arm," Vader replied as he got to his feet.
Luke quickly rolled up his sleeve and saw the twin scars running across his arm.
"Thank you, Father," Luke said as he turned around on the bed.
"Sleep," Vader ordered softly as he left the room.
***
When Luke first awoke he didn't know where he was, but then it all came rushing back to him, at least that what had happened the night before. His memory before that was still a big blank. Quickly he glanced at the chronometer on the bedside table and saw that it was half past seven. Sighing, he lifted the sheets before he realized that the sheets themselves provided him with a clue about his life. The sheets were made of a delicate black silk, meaning that he, and his father, were rich.
Now that he thought about it, he realized that he had only seen his father. Didn't he have any siblings? What about his mother? Where was she? Had she died, or had his parents split up? And how had his father gotten the mask and body armor? Frustrated, he threw back the sheets and got up. Looking around he saw that there was a single closet in his room, a desk, a shelf which was almost bare, and the bedside table.
Walking over to the shelf he scanned the objects on it. The thing that caught his attention was a long, cylinder-like object which seemed to be a hilt of sorts with a button near the top.
Picking it up he instantly knew that he had held one of those often before. It felt as if it belonged in his hand. Turning it away from him, he pressed the button and immediately a brilliant green-white blade appeared with a loud humming. Looking at the blade he instinctively knew not to touch it. How he didn't know. He just knew. After examining the blade for a moment he pressed the button once more and the blade disappeared. As he studied the hilt of the weapon he remembered seeing a similar device hanging from his father's belt the night before.
Putting the hilt back on the shelf, he turned around and walked over to the window and pulled back the heavy, black velvet drapes. Looking out he saw a pathway leading away from the building he was in, down to the sea which he could just make out in the distance. To the far left of his view and close to the building he saw a landing pad. On it stood a single shuttle with its wings folded up.
Turning away from the window he walked over to the desk and found a datachip lying on it. Sitting down in the chair, he inserted the datachip into the holo player installed in the desk. Almost instantly a miniature blueprint of a castle appeared in the air above the player. Seeing a landing pad on the holo he realized that the blueprints were those of the building he was in.
Studying the blueprints he smiled to himself, knowing that his father had probably left the datachip here so that he wouldn't get lost in his own home. He had to admit, from what he could tell from the holo in front of him, the castle was huge and he'd definitely have gotten lost if he hadn't had those plans. As he quickly memorized the plan he noticed that it identified the planet he was on as Melca.
He got up and took a quick shower before he walked over to the closet and opened it. Looking inside he saw several pairs of clothes, some plain, and some long flowing robes. He also noticed that while most of the clothes were black there were some dark blue ones with silver trimmings. Looking over the clothes he quickly pulled out a black shirt and pants along with a dark blue robe with silver trimming. After putting on the clothes he reached back into the closet and pulled out a pair of black knee-high boots and a belt.
Glancing in the mirror, he smiled to himself. Whoever he was, he looked both handsome and important. Heading towards the door his eyes once again fell on the weapon lying on the shelf. Wondering if he had once worn it at his belt as his father did, he walked back over to the shelf and picked it up. Examining it once more he decided that he might as well carry it with him and then ask his father about it later. He hooked the weapon to his belt before he turned around and left the room heading downstairs for breakfast.
Using his memory the blueprints, he quickly found the dining room and had just seated himself at the large wooden table when a velvet-footed servant clad in gray entered the room carrying a tray with food. The servant silently set the food before him, after which he left the room as silently as he had come.
Looking at the food Luke shook his head as he wondered if he'd ever regain his memory. He didn't even recognize the food he was about to eat. Sighing softly, he began to eat as he studied the dining room. As he did so he realized that his father must be richer then he had thought. Although he didn't remember anything about the worth of the furniture and tapestries that decorated the room, he could clearly see that they were all very expensive.
He had just finished when the velvet-footed servant re-entered the room.
"Lord Vader requests your presence," the servant said as he stopped at Luke's right elbow. "He's upstairs in his chambers."
Luke nodded his head absently as he rose and exited the dining room. Lord Vader? Lord of what?
Shaking his head in frustration he stopped in front of the door to his father's chambers. Should he knock and wait, or should he go right in? Compromising, he knocked and entered. As soon as he entered the room he gave a small cough as the air that went into his lungs was different.
"It's pure oxygen," came his father's voice. "It will not harm you. It allows me to breath without my respirator."
Looking around Luke saw a big chair and, as he watched, the chair turned around to face him. Upon seeing the occupant's face he gasped involuntarily. His father was still wearing the body armor, but he had removed the mask, revealing a pale, bald, and scarred face. As he studied his father's face he noticed that he had inherited his father's ice-blue eyes. Suddenly realizing that he was staring, he quickly lowered his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he apologized as he felt his father's gaze upon him.
There was a moment of silence during which Luke shifted uncomfortably. He was wondering how badly he'd insulted his father when Vader spoke:
"That's all right," Vader stated, his voice emotionless. "I know it must be a shock to see my face for the first time."
"First time?" Luke asked looking up.
"First time since your accident," Vader replied as he studied his son. "I see you have your lightsaber with you."
"Lightsaber?" Luke asked looking confused. "You mean this?" He took the weapon hilt from his belt.
"Yes," his father replied, smiling. "It is the weapon of the Sith and the Jedi, although the Jedi are all but extinct."
"Extinct?"
"Yes, over twenty years ago I started the Great Jedi Purge. Now there is only one master and one student left," Vader explained, watching his son intently.
"Why?" Luke asked, moving forward and taking a chair close to his father. "Why the Purge?"
"There are several reasons, mostly political," Vader replied carefully. "But the two reasons that were most important to me was the fact that they opposed Palpatine and his reforms and the fact that it was a Jedi who pushed me into a lava pit causing these injures you see now."
Vader was pleased to see the anger and hate appear on his son's face as he heard this.
"So there's only one master and one student left?" Luke asked angrily.
"Yes," Vader confirmed. "I have no idea where the master is, but the student is with the Rebellion."
"The Rebellion?"
"Yes," his father replied. "Over twenty years ago the Old Republic ruled the galaxy, but it became corrupt. One of its Senators, a man named Palpatine, had had enough of it and decided to bring order back to the galaxy. He established his Empire and proclaimed himself Emperor. He has a big military and fleet. However, a few people think that the Empire is taking away the freedom of the galaxy and they fight the Empire, claiming they want peace."
"They attack to achieve peace?" Luke asked incredulously.
"Yes," Vader confirmed. "They call themselves the Rebel Alliance, but they are known as the Rebellion to most Imperials."
"What's your position in the Empire?" Luke asked remembering how the servant had given his father the title 'Lord.'
"I'm second in command of the Empire and my title is Lord Vader," Vader stated proudly.
"Second in command?" Luke repeated, impressed.
No wonder his father was rich. He was the second most powerful man in the galaxy! Looking around the room he noticed that, although sparsely furnished, everything looked just as expensive as the furnishings in the rest of the castle.
As Luke studied the room Vader studied his son. Until Luke regained his memory he would be able to introduce his son to Imperial ways and ideas without the Rebel ideas clouding his mind and judgment. It was a shame that he couldn't train Luke in the ways of the Dark Side, but any contact with the Force would bring his memory rushing back. He couldn't have that as Luke would then deny his destiny once again. If Luke spent the next two and a half months with him he'd come to see the truth, namely that he belonged at his father's side. Once the boy realized that, then he'd accept his Dark Side training.
"Father?" Luke asked, turning back to face him.
"Yes?" Vader replied, smiling slightly.
"What are the Jedi and the Sith?" Luke asked. "I mean what makes them different from others?"
"The Sith and the Jedi are people who are trained in the ways of the Force," Vader explained carefully.
"The Force?" Luke asked, looking confused.
"The Force is an energy field that surrounds us and all living things," Vader stated, carefully watching Luke for signs of recognition, but found none. "The Force is everywhere for Force sensitive individuals to touch and manipulate. There are two sides to the Force, the Light Side and the Dark Side. The Jedi use the sickeningly weak Light Side and so deny their true power while the Sith use the Dark Side and are very powerful."
"Are you a Sith?" Luke inquired.
"Yes," Vader replied. "And you have inherited my ability to touch the Force."
At this Luke raised his head and sent him a confused glance.
"Then how come I don't feel it?" he asked.
"You have forgotten your training along with your memory," Vader explained. "It will come back to you when your memory does. Until then you wouldn't need the Force."
"Okay," Luke replied just as there came a beeping noise from the control panel behind his father.
Vader turned his chair around and saw that it was the call he had been waiting for. He pushed a button and his mask and helmet slide back down and onto his head.
"There is some business I have to take care of," he stated, rising to his feet. "If you'll excuse me."
"Very well," Luke replied as he too got up. "I'll go explore."
With this Luke walked over to the door and left the room. Vader stood still for a moment, contemplating his conversation with his son, before he remembered who was calling him. Quickly he entered a room specially designed for contact with the Emperor. He stepped forward and knelt in the middle of the projecting circle before he opened the connection. Immediately the larger-than-life image of Palpatine's face appeared in the air in front of Vader's kneeling form.
"So nice of you to finally acknowledge my call," Palpatine stated acidly and noticed Vader shift slightly.
"My apologies master," Vader replied, keeping his head low. "I was busy with my son."
"Ah, yes, young Skywalker," Palpatine said. "How is my future young apprentice?"
"Thanks to the horangi's poison he remembers nothing but what has happened since he first awoke last night."
"Good," Palpatine stated, pleased. "He believes everything you tell him?"
"Yes," Vader replied, stiffening slightly.
He had no intention of lying to his son. That would only make Luke mistrust him when he regained his memory. No, it was much better to tell Luke the truth and then point that out to his son when he regained his memory. He had felt the boy's longing to know him ever since Bespin, but Luke had held back, thinking him evil. However, if he could prove to Luke who he was now, then he was sure Luke would join him voluntarily, which was much better then forcing him to the Dark Side for both him and Luke.
"Bring young Skywalker to me in several weeks," Palpatine ordered.
"Several weeks?" Vader questioned, glancing up in surprise. "He won't even have regained his memory yet."
"No matter," Palpatine stated. "You shall bring him to me then. You may still keep him with you until he's ready for his apprenticeship, but I wish to see him in several weeks."
"As you wish my master," Vader replied, once again lowering his head.
Seconds later the enlarged image of Palpatine's face flickered and vanished. Remaining in his kneeling position he thought. He had been planning on keeping Luke here until he regained his memory, just to make sure his son didn't start getting suspicious when people stared at him, wondering what a Rebel was doing with Lord Vader.
After a moment of consideration he realized that taking Luke to see the Emperor could only strengthen his Imperial perspective, provided that he didn't leave the Imperial Palace. Smiling to himself, he rose while reaching out with the Force to touch his son's mind. Without the Force Luke's mind was completely open and he could clearly feel the confusion and determination radiating form it, but he could also feel a sense of belonging. His smile broadened at this as he knew that Luke had never truly felt like he belonged anywhere before today.
***
Walking down the hall, Luke wasn't exactly sure what he was going to find in the next room. As he neared, the door automatically opened and he entered the room. As soon as he saw what was in the room, he froze. Books. All four walls of the room were shelves full of books. Although he couldn't remember certain things, he did know that books were very rare. Yet here he was standing in a room filled with thousands upon thousands of books!
Approaching the nearest wall he looked at the titles on the old covers, noticing immediately that most of the titles were printed in languages he didn't know. He also noticed that of the titles that were in Basic most of the books were old encyclopedias and listings of planets. Walking along the wall he also noticed that all the books about the planets had a mention of the Old Republic somewhere on their cover.
Making a mental note to ask his father about this, he walked over to another wall and saw, to his delight, that most of those books here were about the Sith. Carefully taking one of the books off the shelf, he walked over to the couch in the middle of the room, sat down, and opened the book.
***
Two weeks later,
Standing on the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea, Luke sighed. His father had answered most of his questions, but there were several that his father had said were better left alone and remembered instead of told. He let his frustration melt away as a strong wind whipped against his face and played with the black cape he was wearing.
He had spent the past two weeks reading in the library and exploring his home and the surrounding area. He had become particularly interested in the Sith books and desperately wished he could remember how to use the Force. He had watched his father practice with his lightsaber in the sparring room, hoping for something to come back to him, but it didn't help. He could remember absolutely nothing. It was almost like he was seeing everything for the first time, which was ridiculous considering that this was his home.
Suddenly his anger flared. He was angry at the horangi for poisoning him, angry at himself for getting caught by the horangi, and angry at his father for not answering all of his questions. He was just about to try to control his anger when he remembered what his father had told him the last time he had suppressed his anger: 'Let your anger flow freely my son, for anger helps the Dark Side.'
Taking his father's advice he whirled around, reaching for his lightsaber as he did so. He lashed out at the nearest object, a huge boulder. He kept swinging at the boulder until all that was left of it was a pile of small rocks. He just looked at the small rocks for a moment, breathing hard, before he suddenly began laughing aloud. His father was right. It did feel better to let his anger free.
Smiling to himself, he headed back in as the sun started to set.
***
Sitting in his room meditating, Vader smiled as his son's anger washed over him. Over the past two weeks he had slowly but surely linked his mind to Luke's, meaning that he could now sense Luke's every mood as the boy was not shielding his mind. Even after Luke regained his memory, he'd still be able to communicate with his son no matter where he was, although Luke would be able to block him out if he chose to do so.
Getting to his feet, he turned on the com.
"Yes, my lord?" Marcus asked.
"Tell my son to come up here," Vader ordered.
"He is outside, my lord," Marcus replied.
Vader shook his head at this. After having served him for several years Marcus was one of few people who dared question his orders.
"Tell him when he comes back in," he replied.
"As you wish, my lord."
Turning off the com, Vader stood still, thinking. Palpatine had contacted him earlier, saying that he wanted to see Luke next week. It was earlier then he had expected, but it was probably good that Luke would be seeing more of the Empire. The only thing he feared was what Palpatine might say to the boy. He knew that the Emperor wouldn't hesitate to lie to his son.
Pushing the thought from his mind he sat back down as he relaxed. The Force would work everything out. Just as it had given him this chance to get to know his son and for Luke to get to know him without there being any barriers of conflicting beliefs between them. He was still thinking of the Force and of how things had transpired since his first meeting with his son on Bespin when he felt Luke's approach.
When Luke reached the door to his father's he just entered without knocking, having learned that his father could sense his approach long before he reached the door.
"Yes, Father?" Luke asked as he approached his father and sat down in the chair he always used when talking to his father.
"I received another call from the Emperor this morning," Vader stated, turning to face his young son. "He wants to see you on Coruscant next week."
"The Emperor?" Luke repeated. "Why?"
"He wishes to see you," Vader repeated. "Probably to see what your condition is."
Luke just nodded his head. He really shouldn't be surprised, especially considering his father's position and the position he himself must have had before his amnesia.
"How long will we be on Coruscant?"
"That depends," Vader stated. "It could be a week or it could be three weeks."
Three weeks. He'd have three weeks to explore another part of his past and hopefully he'd be given some tasks to do to keep his mind off his accident and the results of it. Over the past few days it had become clear that the twin scars on his upper right arm wouldn't be going away, meaning that even after he regained his memory he'd have a permanent reminder of his run-in with the horangi.
"Luke," Vader said, snapping his son from his thoughts.
"Yes?" Luke asked, looking back up at his father.
"It would probably be best that you stay away from the Imperial Court as much as possible while we're on Coruscant as it is widely believed that you are dead," Vader said. "It would be most unfortunate should the Rebellion learn about the fact that you are still alive."
"Okay," Luke replied, seeing his father's logic. "Don't you trust the Court?"
"No," Vader stated flatly. "Besides, the news of your being are alive would spread like wild fire. Then, sooner or later, a Rebel agent will hear about it and inform the Alliance leaders."
Vader watched his son as he nodded, pleased that Luke accepted this explanation. It was getting harder and harder to phrase things so that Luke would assume that he was an Imperial without actually lying to the boy.
"How long will it take to reach Coruscant?" Luke asked.
"Two days," Vader replied. "We'll take a shuttle over to avoid any of the troops seeing you."
***
A week later,
"You take her down," Vader said as he got up from the pilot's seat and took the co-pilots chair.
"Me?" Luke questioned.
"Yes," Vader replied as Luke sat down. "You were a great pilot before your run-in with the horangi. It'll come back to you."
"Okay," Luke responded, a little doubtful but knowing better then to say so.
He looked at the controls before him and forced himself to relax. As he studied the controls he found that they did seem familiar. Quickly he ran the check he had seen his father do earlier, then he waited for the hyperspace clock to count down before he gently pushed forward the hyperspace levers.
Immediately the shuttle they were in jumped out of hyperspace and Luke saw Coruscant, the capitol of the Empire, lying before him like a brilliant jewel on a black satin cushion. Smiling at the beauty of the scene before him he turned his attention back to his piloting. As they neared Coruscant he began to wonder why they hadn't been hailed by the Coruscant traffic control.
"Why--?" he began, briefly looking at his father.
"The shuttle's identification beacon has my personal signal. They'll just work the other traffic around us," Vader explained reading his son's mind.
"Okay," Luke replied. "Which landing pad?"
"The south one," Vader stated as they entered Coruscant's night atmosphere.
Luke adjusted their course so that they were heading for the south landing pad of the Imperial Palace.
As he watched Luke manipulate the controls, Vader smiled silently behind his mask. Not only had his son inherited his ability to touch the Force and his lightsaber skills, but he had also inherited his piloting skills.
Quickly and smoothly, Luke set the shuttle down on the artificially lighted south landing pad.
"Any other talents I need to know about?" he asked, looking over to his father.
Laughing, Vader shook his head no. It was obvious Luke enjoyed flying just as much as he did. Rising from his seat, he motioned for his son to follow him before he headed for the ramp. As he had expected, a messenger stepped out of the night and approached them as soon as they had descended the ramp.
"Lord Vader, Skywalker," the messenger said, bowing slightly. "The Emperor will see you first thing tomorrow morning."
"Very well," Vader replied, walking on past the messenger.
"Skywalker?" Luke asked as soon as they were alone in the halls of the Imperial Palace.
Looking down at his son, Vader cursed mentally.
"Yes," he stated aloud. "Before my own accident my name was Anakin Skywalker. However, once it became clear that I'd be confined to a breathing mask and armor for the rest of my life, both Palpatine and I decided that it was better for me to change my name and pretend that Anakin Skywalker had died. That way I'd have a small advantage over the Jedi for a short time at least. Over time the name stuck and everyone knew me as Vader, so I kept the name as the name. Anakin Skywalker had no more meaning for me."
"Was this after I was born?" Luke asked. "Is that why my name is Skywalker?"
"No," Vader replied as they stepped into a turbolift. "Your mother was pregnant when I had my accident and she decided to name you Skywalker."
Luke nodded his head and Vader nearly gave a sigh of relief, glad that his son didn't press the matter any further. Then the turbolift door opened and they stepped out into a hallway that was completely deserted save for a few stormtroopers positioned at intervals down the hall. Silently Luke followed his father. Halfway down the hall Vader stopped in front of a door.
"These will be your quarters, mine are the next ones down," he stated as he stepped back to let Luke near the door.
Stepping forward Luke placed his right hand on the scanner next to the door...nothing happened.
"Use your left hand," Vader said softly. "Your right hand's a prosthetic."
"What?!" Luke exclaimed, looking first at his father and then down at his hand.
"You lost your right hand in a lightsaber duel in Cloud City, Bespin," Vader explained, carefully watching his astonished son.
Luke's astonishment quickly faded away into anger and hate as he opened and closed the hand a few times, trying to feel the difference between it and his left hand. After a few seconds he gave up, unable to tell the difference, but still, it was a prosthetic. Looking up at his father he opened his mouth to speak, to ask how he had lost his hand, but Vader cut him off.
"That is knowledge better remembered than told," Vader hastily stated.
Luke seemed to hesitate for a moment, anger and a need for revenge welling up inside him, but he knew that until he remembered how to use the Force he would be unable to do anything. Deciding to let the issue go for now he brought up his left hand and placed it on the scanner. Immediately a row of green lights went up and down the monitor before the door slide open.
Stepping into the room beyond Luke saw it was meant as a reception of sorts, a room where subordinates could receive orders. He also noticed the rich wine red carpet that covered the floor and sank beneath his feet as he walked on it.
"Meet me out here at eight tomorrow," Vader ordered from the doorway.
"Yes, Father," Luke replied as he turned back to face the door. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, my son," Vader responded before he left for his own quarters.
As soon as the door closed, Luke pushed up his right sleeve and studied his wrist. A few moments later he found the thin, almost invisible, line where his arm ended and the prosthetic began. Grinding his teeth in anger, he felt for the access panel that he knew must be somewhere. Finding it, he hesitated before popping it open. It was, after all, a part of him now, and he knew that he must have seen it before. Inside he saw a bunch of electronics, some of which bent back and forth as he flexed and relaxed his fingers. Quickly, he slammed the panel back shut and pulled his sleeve back down.
Hoping for a distraction, he walked over to the huge window and looked out. He gasped in spite of himself for. Although he had seen Coruscant while flying overhead, he had not seen the Imperial gardens. There were several cobble stone pathways meandering through different bushes which were blooming with exotically colored flowers and fruits. Towards one end of the gardens he could see a small stream winding its way through the bushes and flowers. The whole scene was being illuminated by several powerful lights hidden in scattered places throughout the garden. In the distance he could see the tops of the tall skyscrapers that covered the entire planet.
After a few moments he tore himself away from the window and walked over to the door at the back of the room. The door automatically slid open soundlessly as he approached. Entering the room he saw that it was his bedroom and, like his bedroom at home, it was totally decorated in black. To his right was a huge bed covered with similar black silk sheets as his own bed, and to his left was another window, also over looking the Imperial gardens.
Realizing just how tired he was, he quickly changed and went to bed.
***
Silently, Luke followed his father up the stairs towards the throne which held the Imperial Emperor. Knowing that the Emperor could use the Force Luke knew that he had to be aware of their presence, and yet Palpatine kept his throne turned away from them. Reaching the top of the stairs he imitated his father and knelt at his side, his dark blue robe falling in a pool around him.
As soon as they kneeled, the throne slowly turned toward them.
"Master," Vader stated, keeping his head low.
Palpatine briefly eyed Vader before he turned his attention to the Dark Lord's son. As he studied the boy, his future apprentice, he reached out with the Force and entered the now defenseless mind. He smiled to himself as he found Luke's anger and momentary loyalty to the Empire and to his father.
"Rise, my friends, rise," Palpatine ordered as he retreated from Luke's unsuspecting mind.
Luke stood and lifted his eyes to study the Emperor...his master. Over the past three weeks he had learned, or rather relearned, not to underestimate the Force, but even knowing that he was surprised to see the form of an old man sitting upon the throne.
"Still under the influence of the horangi's poison are you, young Skywalker?" Palpatine asked, looking at the boy.
"Yes...my master," Luke replied.
Palpatine nodded his head, pleased.
"At least you haven't forgotten your loyalties," he stated, watching Luke for a reaction but finding none.
Vader on the other hand stiffened slightly at the falsehood. He had known Palpatine would lie to Luke sooner or later, but he was still against the idea. He knew that the more Luke was lied to, the harder it would be for them to get him to join them voluntarily. Suppressing an angry sigh, he turned his attention back to what was happening.
"We recently managed to capture a Rebel cell operating on Tarsfior IV," Palpatine was saying. "All of them non-human slaves. I wish for you to interrogate them and see if any of them know the location of the hidden Rebel base. You will find Commander Drake with his men waiting in the detention area."
"As you wish, my master," Luke replied obediently.
Vader noticed that there was no hesitation in his son's voice this time as there had been before.
Luke bowed slightly to the Emperor, nodded to his father, then turned around, heading down the stairs and out of the throne room. Looking at his master, Vader waited silently. Palpatine watched Luke go and then turned his attention back to his waiting servant.
"How long until he regains his memory?" he demanded.
"Perhaps seven more weeks, perhaps several more months," Vader replied. "The poison varies from person to person, however I expect it to be closer to seven weeks."
"Until then, he is ours," Palpatine stated smiling with evil pleasure.
***
Having memorized a plan of the Palace over breakfast, Luke knew exactly how to get to the detention area. As soon as he entered the detention area an officer waiting there snapped to attention.
"Commander Drake?" Luke demanded.
"Yes Sir," Drake replied, eyeing the boy before him.
How had this kid gotten so important? Heck, instead of the standard Imperial uniform he was wearing black cloths with an expensive dark blue robe trimmed with silver. Yet he had been sent down by the Emperor himself to oversee the interrogation of the Rebels. Looking back at the boy before him, Drake noticed he was being watched himself, by the boy's ice-blue, calculating, cold eyes.
"If you'll follow me," Drake said, turning around and leading the boy to the interrogation chamber.
Suddenly Drake realized that all he knew about the boy was that he had the Emperor's favor and that he was higher ranking than him. He didn't even know what form of address to use. Then they reached the interrogation chamber and he stepped into the room.
Luke followed the commander in and quickly scanned the room. In the center was a single Ithorian tied to a scanning grid. Standing behind the controls of the grid stood a storm trooper with a second storm trooper stood behind the Ithorian.
"The other Rebels are in their cells?" Luke demanded turning to the commander waiting at his side.
"Yes, my lord," Drake replied, knowing that he couldn't go wrong with that title unless Darth Vader was in the room.
"Good," Luke replied. "What kind of slaves are they?"
The Ithorian, Luke noticed out of the corner of his eye, bristled at his choice of wording.
"A Wookiee, a Sullustian, and another Hammerhead," Drake replied gesturing towards the Ithorian who bristled even more at the name.
"At least we're only Hammerheads, but you're Imperials," the Ithorian stated. "You slaughter people for fun, you no good monsters--"
With three steps Luke stood in front of the Ithorian and quickly backhanded him across the face.
"Silence, slave," he ordered icily. "You will only speak when spoken to. However, since you feel like talking, tell me where the Rebel base is."
The Hammerhead immediately shut his mouth, but his eyes looked up at Luke and shone bright with defiance.
"Very well," Luke said after a moment of silence. "Commence the interrogation."
Instantly the two storm troopers sprang into action. As Luke stepped back, the one behind the Rebel stepped forward and tilted the plank onto which the Ithorian was tied. The other storm trooper checked the scan grid one last time before he activated it. The Ithorian flinched in pain as the interrogation started but remained silent.
"Bring the pain level up two notches," Luke ordered, seeing the Ithorian's reaction.
The storm trooper behind the controls nodded as he did as he was ordered. Standing next to Luke, Commander Drake looked at the boy in surprise. Never in all the interrogations he had conducted or watched had they brought the pain level up so fast. They generally started out slowly, to give the prisoner the impression that it wouldn't be too bad, before they started to intensify the pain slowly but surely. Drake turned his attention back to the interrogation as the Hammerhead cried out in pain.
"Where is the Rebel base?" Drake demanded, stepping closer to the prisoner.
The Ithorian just looked at him through narrow slits as jolt after jolt of pain washed over him.
"Give us the location of the Rebel base and we'll stop," Drake promised.
"Never!" the Ithorian cried out through clenched teeth.
For the next twenty minutes Luke stood and watched as the interrogation continued. Finally he had enough. This was obviously going nowhere. The Ithorian was not going to give away his friends. Perhaps there was another way. Quietly, he stepped forward and immediately Commander Drake stepped back.
"Tell me the location of the base," Luke demanded, an impatient edge to his voice. "Now."
The Ithorian remained quiet until the next jolt of pain came and then he only opened his mouth to scream.
"Double the pain level," Luke ordered keeping his eyes on the Rebel.
"My lord," Drake commented, stopping the storm trooper who was moving to obey Luke's order. "He will last but a few seconds at that level."
Luke whirled around to face the commander, his robe swirling out as he did so, momentarily revealing his lightsaber, before it was once again hidden by his robe.
"I gave you an order Commander," Luke stated icily.
"As you wish," Drake replied, indicating for the storm trooper to obey.
He had seen the lightsaber hilt at the boy's belt and had instantly recognized it as a similar weapon to that Lord Vader carried around with him. If the boy also carried one then it was likely he also had Lord Vader's favor as well as the Emperor's, which meant that if he valued his life at all he'd obey the boy. The storm trooper quickly adjusted the pain level and started the scan grid again.
"You're a cold-blooded, sadistic monster," the Ithorian mumbled to Luke as he turned to face him.
Luke's eyes narrowed in anger, but he refrained from hitting the being, taking his revenge instead from the nonstop scream of pain that issued forth before the Ithorian slumped forward against the restraints, dead.
"Free him but leave his body on the floor," Luke ordered the storm troopers before he turned back to the waiting commander. "Have the other Hammerhead brought in here along with the Sullustian."
"As you wish," Drake replied, wondering what the boy had in mind.
Luke watched silently as the storm troopers undid the restraints holding the Ithorian's dead body to the plank before they dropped him unceremoniously to the floor. Moments later the door reopened and Commander Drake entered the room with four more storm troopers who were holding two struggling Rebels.
"Resistance will get you killed," Luke stated, indicating the dead body on the floor.
"Granzig, no!" the second Ithorian exclaimed seeing his friend's body.
"He resisted," Luke stated simply. "And your Sullustian friend will suffer the same fate unless you give us the location of your hidden Rebel base."
Realizing what the boy had planned, Drake motioned for the two storm troopers holding the Sullustian to get him ready for the scan grid. Immediately they moved forward and, despite the Rebel's struggles, attached him to the plank.
"No!" the Ithorian exclaimed, horrified.
"The location of the base and we will end this before it gets anymore unpleasant," Luke tempted.
"Don't!" the Sullustian stated in broken Basic. "Think of all the people who will die if you give them the information they want!"
"But can you watch your friend here die slowly? Can you watch him scream in pain and know that you can stop it?" Luke taunted as the two extra storm troopers left the room. "You can watch him die if you want, but if you choose to do so, you will also watch the Wookiee die, slowly and painfully."
"Don't!" the Sullustian repeated.
"Very well," Luke stated. "Begin."
"No!" the Ithorian exclaimed as he struggled to get free from the storm troopers who were holding him.
Luke allowed the Sullustian's cries to go on for several minutes before he turned his attention back to the Ithorian.
"You can stop this right now if you want to," Luke repeated. "Just give us the location of the base."
"No!" the Sullustian pleaded between screams. "Don't tell them!"
The Ithorian's eyes flickered from Luke, to the Sullustian, to the body of his dead friend on the floor, before they came back to rest on Luke.
"Damn you Imperials!" he cursed and Luke could clearly hear his indecision.
Knowing that he could get what he wanted, Luke stepped back and let the interrogation continue. Standing next to Luke, Drake started shifting uncomfortably until Luke, finally irritated, turned to him.
"Get the Wookiee ready," he ordered, his eyes flashing with irritation at the commander's behavior. "The Sullustian won't last much longer."
The taunt had its desired effect.
"No!" the Ithorian exclaimed. "Stop, don't kill him!"
"Tell me what I want to know first," Luke countered.
"Walp," the Ithorian stated, lowering his eyes. "They're on Walp."
"Good," Luke replied as he signaled for the storm troopers to stop the scan grid.
Instantly the screams were replaced by heavy breathing as the Sullustian tried to catch his breath.
"Take the Sullustian back to his cell," Luke ordered the storm troopers before he turned his attention back to Drake. "You will interrogate the Hammerhead and the Wookiee for any further information."
"What?!" the Ithorian exclaimed angrily. "You said you'd stop if I told you!"
Luke just looked at the alien in disgust for a moment before he replied:
"That's why your kind are slaves. You lack intelligence."
At this the Ithorian tried to lunge at Luke, but one of the storm troopers anticipated his move and hit him in the stomach with his blaster before the Ithorian had even managed to take a step forward.
Taking one last look at the Ithorian, Luke left the room and quickly made his way back to the throne room. As he neared the doors to the throne room one of the Royal Guards, recognizing him, opened the door and Luke entered. Quietly, he ascended the stairs and knelt before the throne, silently wondering if the Emperor always turned the throne away when people entered the room.
"Almost always, young Skywalker, almost always," Palpatine replied, reading Luke's thoughts as he turned to face the boy.
Luke tensed as he realized what had happened. Seeing Luke's reaction, Palpatine began laughing.
"You will never be able to hide your thoughts from me young Skywalker," Palpatine stated coldly. "It would be best if you remember that."
"Yes, master," Luke replied obediently.
"Rise, my young friend, rise," Palpatine ordered as he studied Luke. "You have the information?"
"Yes, my master," Luke responded as he stood.
"Well?" Palpatine inquired.
"Walp."
"Good," Palpatine replied, pleased. "You obviously haven't lost your touch when it comes to dealing with Rebels."
Luke remained silent at this, not knowing how to respond. Palpatine smiled mentally. The boy could be made to believe anything at the moment.
"You shall help your father make the necessary plans for the attack on Walp," Palpatine ordered. "Tell me, what is happening to the prisoners now?"
"It was necessary to kill one of the Hammerheads in order to get the information and the Sullustian will be useless for a while, but the remaining two Rebels are being interrogated for any further information," Luke replied.
"Good," Palpatine praised, inwardly smiling at Luke's reference to the Ithorian as a Hammerhead.
The boy was quickly falling into the Imperial ways. Silently he wondered how the boy would react when he regained his memory and realized what he had done. Dismissing the amusing thought from his mind, Palpatine turned his attention back to Luke.
"You may do what you like for the remainder of the day," Palpatine stated.
"Thank you, master," Luke replied as he bowed his head before he turned around and left.
***
Several hours later Luke stretched as he got out of the chair he had been sitting in. It hadn't taken him long to decide that it was better for him to learn as much as he could about the Empire.
Learn? He must be more tired then he had thought. Everything, all the information about Palpatine, his father, and how the Empire worked, that he had just studied had been relearned. Sighing, he put the holochips in small stacks on the table before he left the small room in which he had been studying.
Using the back halls of the Palace, he quickly reached the hall with his room. He was just about to enter his room when he decided to see if his father was in his quarters. Quietly he walked over to the door to his father's rooms. He was just about to knock when the door opened.
"Come in, my son," Vader's voice called from near the window of the reception room.
Luke entered the room and the door automatically closed behind him. Walking over to stand next to his father he thought about the Force. It was one of the things he wished for the most. Not that he could remember what it felt like, but just to watch his father and the Emperor manipulate it made him want to use it. They seemed so powerful and the fact that he couldn't use it put him at a disadvantage that he didn't like.
"You will remember soon enough," Vader replied and smiled as he felt his son's anger at the remark. "You did well to get the location of the base from the Rebels. They generally don't give that kind of information, even when put through an interrogation."
"They have a great weakness when it comes to each other," Luke replied as he looked out the window at the Imperial garden. "They can't bear to see each other in pain, even if they can bear it themselves."
"Compassion is a great weakness indeed," Vader agreed as his mind went back to Bespin and how he had lured his son to him there. "Tomorrow we shall see to getting the attack plans ready."
"I know," Luke replied as he looked up at his father. "Palpatine told me. Will you be going with the fleet when the attack takes place?"
"Yes," Vader replied. "I cannot trust the admiral of the Executor to do it. The Rebels have a nasty habit of turning even a bad situation to their advantage."
"How long will you be gone?"
"A week, perhaps a little more, if everything goes well," Vader stated.
"Okay," Luke replied as he turned away from the window. "Goodnight, Father."
"Goodnight, my son," Vader replied as he watched Luke leave.
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