Burk sighed as he entered Skywalker's room several hours later. He had been thinking about what he had seen between his lord and the boy ever since leaving the dining room. He simply couldn't get Skywalker off his mind. He needed to know who he was, what he was doing here, and why that Jedi scum had been so interested in him.
He had also pondered what it meant that the Jedi had wanted to train Skywalker. Did that mean he was capable of what the Jedi had been rumored to have been able to do? The thought sent a shiver down his spine, both making the thought of getting to the bottom of this little mystery attractive and repulsive. Repulsive in that he might be getting into a situation in which he would quickly find himself well over his head. Yet attractive in that it meant that whatever was going on must be truly interesting.
"Bu'rk?" Luke asked groggily as his eyes half opened to look at the doctor.
"Yes," Burk replied, as an idea came to him. "You feeling okay?"
"Kinda fun'nyyyy," Luke slurred the words, clearly still under the influence of the drug.
Burk just nodded as he weighed the odds of his plan. One of the after-effects of Drezaline was a loose tongue. Perhaps he could get Skywalker to spill the hargo-beans on whatever was going on here. Chances were that he knew, his behavior around the Dark Lord and what he had talked about earlier with Garret practically proved that. And he shouldn't remember anything of what he had said when the drug finally wore off completely. At least most people didn't, but then most people wouldn't even be conscious yet. Looking back at the young man lying on the bunk as the memory of his interaction with Vader rose to the top of his mind, he quickly made his decision.
"Skywalker?" Burk asked casually as he went to sit on the bunk, opening the bandage around his leg so that if anyone came in they'd think he was simply doing his job.
"Yee'ahh," Luke mumbled as he tried to focus on the doctor. But everything was so blurry, and he felt a distant throb in his head. He couldn't remember what had happened to him, everything was fuzzy.
"What's up between you and Vader?" Burk inquired casually, knowing that if he didn't show any nervousness the young man would be more likely to talk.
"Huh?"
"Well Vader seemed to act differently than usual, and he read your mind," Burk said.
"Hee... was lo'oking... tooo see my... li'fee," Luke replied with a smile as a giggle escaped his lips.
His life? Why would Vader be interested in Skywalker's life? This was better than he had thought. And more dangerous. He swallowed as he looked back down at the young man, a boy really. His curiosity grew. What could he contain that Vader seemed to want? Vader rarely acted the way he did now, rarely cared about someone.
"Why?" Burk demanded softly.
"Tooo kn'ow," Luke said as he giggled once more, making it seem as if the answer were obvious. "He'sssss my fa'er,"
"He's what?" Burk whispered, having missed the word with the slurring and giggling.
"Fasther," Luke replied as he yawned.
"Father?!" Burk exclaimed loudly as his brain tried to comprehend what he'd heard.
"Ye'ah," Luke confirmed, a questioning look appearing on his face. "S Wrong?"
"No, no," Burk soothed as he got up. "Everything's fine."
Burk's mind raced as he walked over to his medical equipment. Luke Skywalker was Lord Darth Vader's son?! But, if this was true, then why had the young man been with the Jedi? Why did Vader have to look at his life? Why wasn't he with his father before? Why wasn't he on Coruscant?
Burk shook his head, this didn't make any sense. Indeed the only explanation he could think of was that the Drezaline was affecting Skywalker to the extent that he was delusional. But if so then why was Vader acting the way he did? And why would Garret tell him to back off as he had done several hours ago?
Upon seeing the needle among his medical supplies, Burk suddenly realized how he could tell whether Skywalker was speaking the truth or not. Quickly he picked up the needle and walked back to the bunk. Burk knew that he had access to Vader's DNA which was on the ships computer via his status as the doctor on board the shuttle. He'd simply compare the results of a sample of blood from Skywalker to that of Vader.
"Was th'as?" Luke asked as he saw the needle.
"I need to draw some blood," Burk said as he quickly injected the needle into Skywalker's arm before the boy could protest. Watching the red liquid fill the syringe he began to wonder what it would mean if this was the same blood which was pumped through the Dark Lord's veins.
"Ok'ay," Luke stated before he seemed to fall asleep.
Burk shook his head before putting the syringe away. Quickly he gave the blaster wound on the leg one final look before wrapping it up again. Getting to his feet Burk turned around as he heard the door open.
"How is he?" Garret asked as he stepped into the room.
"Fine," Burk stated before he slipped past the lieutenant and headed to the bunk room he was now using, knowing that he'd be able to use the computer terminal there without being interrupted.
Lord Vader sat in his quarters in the shuttle thinking about what, exactly, he would say to the Emperor in order to persuade the man to let him train Luke. Vader didn't doubt that the Emperor would let him train the young man. Luke had amazing potential and quite a bit of primal rage which made it almost criminal to waste his talent, but it would be disrespectful not to present an adequate argument.
Darth Vader was well aware that if he trained the boy, Luke would become his heir, and any heir of his would one day sit on the throne. Vader smiled again beneath his mask. Oh yes, one day he, Lord Vader would be the Emperor. Despite what Tarkin or any of the other Grand Moffs or Grand Admirals might think. The Emperor Palpatine had not publicly designated Vader as his heir, but that would come, in time. It would be especially assured if Lord Vader had a loyal Sith-trained son at his side.
Tarkin. Vader frowned at the memory of that schemer. He was just another Force-blind fool trying to reach for a prize beyond his grasp. How could any of them think that they could have the ability to gain the throne? They didn't have the Force.
He sighed. It was simple actually, they thought they could because Palpatine had gained the throne for himself without the apparent use of the Force. For all the people knew, Palpatine was as Force-blind as they were. It was a lie, the Sith Master's powers could put Darth Vader's to shame, but Palpatine hid them.
So, the puny minds of this galaxy plotted and planned, thinking their schemes and their super weapons would bring them the throne. Tarkin's Death Star was just one example. Vader could feel that the officers on the ship had honestly thought that the battle station would bring an end to the Rebellion. It might destroy the Alliance's main base, but it would take more than mere technology to find and root out all the scattered remains of the Rebellion.
Vader took a deep breath, thinking of the station. He should have felt the death-cry of the Rebel world by now, Tarkin had grudgingly revealed that they were headed to Yavin 4 before he had left. Vader took another breath, forcing his mind clear of all distractions and along the well-worn grooves of meditation. The Dark Force swelled in his mind, answering his call. It would be enjoyable to soak in the feeling of the death-cry.
He had been too busy during Alderaan's destruction to properly enjoy the sensation. Besides, there had been loyal Imperialists on the planet, and his morals refused to let him glory in their sacrifice. Vader just hoped their sacrifice had been worthwhile. Tarkin's bloody methods made a mockery of the peace and order the Empire could bring, and they drove the weaker minded straight into the Alliance.
But the destruction of the Rebel base was pure justice. Vader dove deeper into the meditation. He didn't want to miss this.
"And then I was going to lap Windy, but he didn't want me to-" Luke laughed, sitting on the edge of his bunk, swinging his feet. Garret sat opposite of him, back against the wall, feet on his own bunk. "So he flew right next to the ground, kicking up this horrible cloud of dust so I couldn't see-" Skywalker had been quite groggy with his voice slurred for the first few hours after he woke up and had dozed off and on, but now he was wide awake and rambling on and on about his life back on the desert planet. In fact, he would not shut up. Garret was actually surprised that he wasn't bored or frustrated with the young man. Most of his stories were either interesting or funny.
The only thing Garret didn't like was when Luke suddenly fell silent, and then radically changed topic. It didn't take long to figure out that Skywalker was carefully avoiding any mention of his guardians. Or more accurately, any mention of what they had done to him. Garret was a little surprised that Luke had that level of instinctive control despite the drug.
"But I kept going. I know Beggar's canyon so well, I could fly it with my eyes closed." Luke had closed his eyes and spread out his arms to demonstrate. Garret didn't doubt him. Lord Vader could fly very well, why not his son? "I managed to lap Windy and the next guy. I think I made some sort of record for the course." Luke broke out in a fit of giggles. "And Biggs beat the snot out of Windy for that stunt. Broke his nose. He was mad at me too, saying I could have gotten killed."
"I guess you're lucky." Garret replied.
"Yeah, Biggs is great. Best friend in the whole galaxy. Miss 'em. Hey! I bet you could try and get a message to him. His name's Darklighter." Luke's face suddenly fell. "Well, if he's still in the Imperial Navy." Luke's feet stopped swinging.
"Why wouldn't he be?" Garret asked.
Luke was clearly hedging around something, but then sighed gustily in defeat. "Ah, Father already knows anyway, after looking around in my head. Biggs was going to quit and join the Rebellion. But," Luke added, trying to explain, "I'm sure, if he's still around, that he changed his mind. It wasn't a real sure thing, you know? And if he knows I'm here, I'm sure he'll stay. We're best friends. He was real upset when I couldn't go to the Academy with him, you know?" Luke shifted position, lying on his stomach. He started chewing on one nail.
"Yes, you're right. He'll be happy to stay." Garret agreed, privately adding 'or dead. Damn, a Rebel for a best friend? I'm going to have to try and help straighten Luke out, this is ridiculous.' Garret continued out loud, "Why couldn't you go to the Academy?"
Silence. Luke stared at his fingernails. Then he whispered, "He wouldn't let me."
Garret reached over the small room and squeezed Luke's shoulder. "You don't have to worry about that."
Luke sighed, "He used to yell at me, telling me I was worthless. Said my father was worse, and I was tainted. Then he'd give me some chore to do, and..." Luke lapsed into silence and Garret didn't know what to say.
"Garret? You don't think Vader is, is bad, do you?" Blue eyes, slightly unfocused from the drug looked at Garret's feet.
Garret was stunned at the question. "No! He's a hero of the Empire. He's won many battles and helped Emperor Palpatine save us all from the chaos of the Old Republic. How can you think that?"
Luke locked eyes with Garret. "He's Dark inside. When he was looking through my mind, I saw. He's all Dark inside, and something Dark keeps pouring into him."
"You saw?" Garret almost gasped. So this was why the Imperial Agents that Vader had mind read were emotional wreaks afterward. But Luke didn't seem too upset. Probably because Luke was his son, he must not be affected the same way as the others.
"Yeah, I saw. Sorta. More like felt it." Luke started touching his fingertips together in rapt fascination.
"It was his power, Luke. It's what makes him what he is. Your father is a strong man that keeps us all safe from the Rebellion and other criminals. I've never met anyone else with his power, he's quite special, and I'm very proud to work for him."
Luke looked very thoughtful for a long moment, and then broke into a fit of giggles. Garret just sighed. Luke had gotten serious before, but then the drug had intruded again and the man would be reduced to laughter. Drezaline did that to just about everyone. Skywalker was really laughing now. Garret sighed again, and decided to take the bait.
"What's so funny?"
"Never met anyone else? What about me?" Luke kept laughing, face buried into his pillow. He suddenly sat up, holding the pillow in his lap, still chuckling. "I don't know how to use it yet, but Lord Vader's going to ask the Emperor if he can train me." Luke let out another laugh as he flopped backwards onto his bunk, hard. "I," he announced proudly, "am going to be a Sith Lord, like my father."
Garret just sat there, stunned. 'Of course.' his mind whispered. It made sense.
"Hey? Do we get any food in here? I'm starving."
"Uh, sure. I'll buzz someone." Garret reached for his comlink
Luke wiggled on his back. "And my bandages itch. I can't feel the pain anymore, but they itch."
Garret almost lunged forward, scrambling over to Skywalker, who flinched. "Come on Luke, roll over." Garret was cursing himself in his head. 'Damn, damn, damn, Garret. You know his pain tolerance is high. With the Drezaline, he probably couldn't feel it if you stabbed him. If he's hurt himself, you're in for it.'
Garret carefully pulled up the shirt Skywalker was wearing and checked the bandages. They didn't look too bad, but as Garret watched, red blotches began to form.
"Damn!"
"What?" Skywalker asked, trying to twist around.
"Hold still, you've broken your cuts open again. Let me call the doctor."
Skywalker, for a wonder, obediently settled on his stomach on his bunk and was still.
Lord Vader stretched his senses out, the Dark cloud of his being waiting for the death-cry of the Rebels. Patiently, he waited, idly letting his mind wander over the points he would use to defend his request to train the boy. His boy, his son.
There. A flicker of death in battle, another, and yet more. Quite distant, it was impossible to gauge the direction the battle was going. The Rebels must have taken to the skies to defend themselves rather than wait passively on the ground for their destruction. It was expected.
A pause, and then the red ball of agonizing death began to spread outward, across the galaxy. The ripple of pain and death sped outward through the Force, blending from individual death cries to one tidal wave. By the time the wave hit Vader, it was a mass of singular pain, one cry of many voices.
Vader let it take him, flow over him, pour into his senses. He drank it like fine wine, savoring the sweetness. In his chamber, Vader shifted as the wave passed. It had been good, but something was not quite perfect. He reached around with his Force-sense, trying to feel a clue for his unease.
The faint echo of the wave gave no clues, but Lord Vader did sense something else that began to make his blood boil.
His doctor was in the lab, stunned amazement radiating from every pore in his body. Only one secret on this ship could produce that reaction.
Darth Vader opened his eyes, glancing at his computer. Yes, the alarm had been triggered, telling him that the doctor had opened his medical records. A few buttons punched, and Vader verified that the doctor had accessed the records of his DNA.
Vader toggled the switch that lowered his breathing mask and helmet into place. The mechanical arm dropped them down and seals automatically triggered, barricading him from the very air outside. He stood, walked towards the door, his mind already making out the requisition slip for a replacement for his medical personnel.
Burk's eyes were plastered to the screen. He felt stunned. Little chills chased themselves up and down his spine. Burk's thoughts whispered in his mind, 'I found out, I did. I always knew this posting would let me in on the big secrets.' Burk squashed the idea that he wasn't supposed to be doing this. After all, he was the doctor, and he should know about his patients.
He heard someone walking down the hallway, and his breath caught in his throat. He quickly cleared the screen.
His comlink chirped. "Doc, you there? Can you come to Skywalker's cabin?"
Burk forced his hammering heart to stop. "Uh, sure. Why?"
"He's broken those cuts on his back open again and is bleeding pretty badly. Bring another change of dressing."
Burk grabbed the bandaging kit as he needled Garret. "What, you not watching him?"
Garret snapped back as Burk headed out the door, "He just did it. You know his pain tolerance is high, and with the drug, he can't feel what he's doing to himself. The Drezaline's made Luke numb. I stopped him as soon as I could."
Burk walked down the short hallway, eyes sliding over the towering shadow in the corner.
Darth Vader watched the doctor walk past him, deep in thought. He probed the man's mind as he fuzzed the man's senses from seeing him. The doctor was not a Rebel plant or a spy, but what he had done had still labeled him a traitor in Vader's eyes. He should kill him, and kill him now, but practical concerns stopped him. Luke needed the doctor's knowledge for a little while longer.
Vader turned into the ship's small lab. He cleared the computer memory, tossed the blood sample into the recycler, and began to wait. He watched through the Force as the doctor looked at Luke's wounds. Vader mentally snarled as blood ran over Luke's sides, staining the sheets. The doctor wiped them clean and then began to stitch them closed while he complained that they were significantly deeper than he had originally thought. That done, the doctor sprayed the cuts down with antibiotics and wrapped Luke's back again. Once finished, the doctor headed back to the lab.
Burk walked back towards his lab, mind deep in thought about what he had just seen. Skywalker, Lord Vader's son, had obviously been severely mistreated in his previous location. It was disgusting, but it also made him wonder what exactly the young man had been doing there.
As he came to the doors of the part-time lab, part-time bunk room, Burk glanced up and down the hall. He suddenly felt nervous. Maybe he should erase all trace of what he had learned. Couldn't be too careful with important secrets. The doors swished open, and he took a step into the room.
Lord Vader was standing in the small space, monolithic form death still.
"My Lord-" Burk said, startled.
An invisible hand shoved him towards the silent man, sending the doctor stumbling forward. Black gauntlet hands caught him, and one hand reached up clamping over his mouth. At first, Burk had been too startled to be afraid, but now he was terrified.
The hiss of the respirator was loud as the doors swished shut, and Burk felt that the doors were swinging shut on his continued existence. He tried to voice his apologies, to beg, but the black gloved hand on his mouth just forced his head to tilt back, and the doctor's eyes met the black mask. Burk felt skeletal fingers begin to pry through his mind, clawing at his brain. The pain was incredible, white flashes popped behind his eyeballs, phantom knives stabbed at his temples and at his spine.
Burk realized he was screaming, the sound muffled in the ebony clamp on his face. This wasn't the gentle mind probe Vader had used on his son, this was the brutal assault of a Sith Lord. If only he hadn't found out that Luke was Lord Vader's son, if only he hadn't found out that-
Burk suddenly realized through the incredible pain that he could no longer remember what exactly he had done to deserve this, Vader had torn it from his mind. It had something to do with Luke Skywalker, he knew that. Something about- a terrible pain tore through his temples, warning him to not even think in that direction.
Burk tried to tell Lord Vader to stop, tried to beg the man to please stop. He didn't remember anymore, and he didn't want to know. But his mouth wouldn't obey, he felt unable to form the words. The doctor tried to push Vader away, but his arms wouldn't obey. They spasmed, shaking and flopping, and he couldn't get his legs to stay under him, Lord Vader was now holding him up.
The room began to swirl then, and Burk's mind began to lose its hold on what was happening. And then everything went black, mercifully black.
The mental rape complete, Vader dropped the boneless body on the floor, stepped over it, and was gone.
As Vader returned to his quarters, he thought about what he had just done. He had saved the doctor's life, at least temporarily, for Luke. He hadn't gone through that much trouble for anyone else in a long time. Darth Vader supposed that looking out for the young man was one of the duties that he had as a father.
Weng yawned as he exited the dining hall and stepped into the corridor beyond. Looking down the corridor he could see the door to Skywalker and Garret's room. Although he was curious as to who the boy was, he knew better than to investigate other peoples' business. Especially Lord Vader's. He shivered at the thought of purposefully disobeying his lord's orders or doing something he knew he shouldn't. He hadn't served as the Dark Lord's pilot for five years for nothing.
Even before he had been transferred to this shuttle he had known that to cross the Vader was to die. Darth Vader had a well deserved reputation. Indeed, he doubted that there was anyone in the galaxy, save for a few savage tribes who had no idea what was going on off their planet, that hadn't at least heard the Dark Lord's name before.
And yet for all of that he wasn't predictable. On more than one occasion Weng had been utterly stumped by what Vader had said or done. Like five years ago, just after he had been placed as the main pilot on board this shuttle, it had been Vader who had talked before the Senate about getting funding to go towards setting up a school system throughout the Empire. He knew that many people had been shocked when Vader had done that, but he had also learned that that was why Vader had done it.
By going up to speak in front of the Senate he had shocked everyone into paying attention and listening to him. He had also worded his speech in such a way that it would make the Senators look foolish and uncaring if they hadn't agreed to put their weight behind the Dark Lord's plan. And it had worked. The plan had passed and was now being put into action. It would still be several years before it was well under way, especially with the war going on, but Vader had done it.
His admiration of the Sith Lord had grown after that. And he had learned a valuable lesson that day: Never underestimate or believe you could predict Darth Vader. He had seen other men who had made those mistakes end up being killed by Darth Vader because they had been wrong in their judgment of him.
On one such occasion he had learned that Vader wasn't the cold blooded murderer lots of people labeled him to be. The man, an Admiral of one of the many Star Destroyers, had thought that he could gain the Dark Lord's favor by bringing down an important Rebel cell. It would have gained him favor, if only he hadn't destroyed an entire city of innocent people to achieve his goal. Some people had condemned Vader's murder of the Admiral, silently of course, but Weng had agreed with it. They were fighting the Rebels and their so-called Alliance for the restoration of the Republic, not the innocent citizens of the Empire.
It was people like that Admiral that caused the Rebellion to grow ever bigger and to expand to new planets. After all, the relatives and friends of those murdered would get the wrong impression of the Empire and, with a nudge from the Rebels, they would end up picking up arms against their government. What they weren't considering was that, in the process of taking their misguided revenge, they were only killing more innocent people and causing a destructive war.
Weng sighed and walked down the corridor towards his cabin. He had just ended his piloting shift, had taken a quick meal, and was now ready to simply flop down on his bunk and catch some shut eye. He did his part and he knew that sooner or later the war would be over. No matter how hard the Rebels tried, they were no match for the majesty of the Imperial Navy.
He smiled at that, he had never been so proud of being with something as he was proud of being in the Imperial fleet. Not to mention getting the honor of being Lord Vader's personal pilot. The only higher position he could think of was being a direct pilot of the Emperor's shuttle. But then he wasn't sure that he would want to be responsible for Palpatine's shuttle. If one thing went wrong...
The doors to his cabin opened as he approached. Entering the room, he yawned again before he felt the blood in his veins freeze as he saw a body crumpled up at the foot of one of the bunks.
"Burk?" he asked as he rushed up to the body. "Are you all right?"
Carefully turning the doctor's body over, Weng gasped as he saw the pained expression on the unconscious face. Whatever had happened it had been painful, so much so that Burk had lost consciousness.
"Hang on," he whispered as Burk moaned.
Weng got to his feet and quickly rushed out of the room. He made his way down the corridor, back to the dining room.
"Harrow, come quickly," he said as he saw his co-pilot sitting at the table where he had left him just minutes earlier.
Harrow, hearing the urgency in his friend's voice, quickly abandoned his meal and got up. "What's wrong?" he asked as he followed Weng back to their bunk room.
"I'm not sure, but I found Burk on the floor," Weng replied. "I hope it's not too serious as he's the only doctor we have."
Harrow winced at this. From what Kin had told him this Skywalker kid that was on the shuttle needed Burk to look after him. If something happened to the doctor now... Lord Vader wouldn't be pleased. As the door opened he frowned as he saw Burk's body on the floor.
"Let's get him on a bunk before he wakes up," Weng suggested.
Harrow nodded and picked up the doctor's legs while Weng took his arms. Together they quickly lifted him onto one of the bunks. Burk moaned as he was moved but remained quiet otherwise, showing no signs of waking up.
"Now what?" Weng asked.
"Not sure," Harrow replied. "I'm going to get Garret though, he'll probably know what to do."
"Okay," Weng said as he sat down on the other bunk. "I'll keep an eye on him."
Harrow left the room, his mind racing as he walked towards the bunk room Garret was sharing with Skywalker. He couldn't figure out what had happened to Burk. There were no visible injuries and yet he had clearly suffered some terrible pain. Approaching the door to where Garret was, another idea came to Harrow. Perhaps Vader wouldn't be so mad after all... perhaps he was responsible for whatever was wrong with Burk.
He didn't know why Vader would harm Burk, or why he was even alive if it had been Vader as the Dark Lord was known to kill anyone who failed him, but he did know that Burk was too curious for his own good. He had often told the doctor to stop poking his nose in things that didn't concern him, but he had never listened. Perhaps this time he had gone too far. But then why wasn't he dead?
As the doors to the bunk room opened Harrow suddenly knew why. He could see Skywalker lying on his stomach without a shirt on, his back completely bandaged.
"What do you want?" Garret asked looking up.
"Something's wrong with Burk," Harrow replied as he turned his eyes to Garret. "Something bad."
"Okay," Garret said as he got to his feet.
Looking briefly at Luke who nodded his head, he followed the pilot out of the room.
Vader meditated, trying to find the reason for his unease. Ever since earlier in the day he had been uneasy. He wasn't sure why, but he knew that something was wrong. Reaching out with the Force he tried to find an answer to what his instincts were trying to tell him. But every time he got close the answer seemed to dissipate into thin air. On the few times he had been able to grasp for it, it had slipped through his fingers like a wet bar of soap.
Finally he gave up. It was obvious that the Force wasn't ready to give him the answer yet. However when the time was right he would learn what it was that he needed to know. Until then he would simply keep an eye out for any possible danger, if that was what happened to be bothering him.
It had occurred to him, on the other hand, that perhaps this feeling wasn't so much something related with the Empire or danger, but to Luke. What he had done earlier for his son was also on his mind. It had been a long time since he had felt any sort of protective feelings for anyone. Indeed the last time he had felt the need to protect someone was when Amidala had still been with him.
Violently, Vader slammed the lid down on any thoughts of his former wife. But the point still remained. The only person he cared about since her death and Luke's rather dramatic appearance was more than capable of taking care of himself. Indeed, in the past, it had been this other person who had protected and saved him instead of the other way around.
He raised his head and quickly swept the shuttle with the Force. Sensing that Luke was alone he got to his feet. There was something he needed to talk to the boy about, something important. Leaving his room he quickly walked to the room Luke was in and entered.
"Lay still," Vader ordered as he saw Luke move to rise at his entrance.
Vader moved to stand next to the bunk and then, after a moment's hesitation, sat down on the edge of it. Luke's eyes widened at this but he remained silent, feeling joy tinkle through him, before it vanished.
"What's wrong with Burk?" Luke asked softly, somehow knowing that his father knew the answer to his question.
"He is suffering the after effects of mind rape and memory wipe," Vader stated bluntly, watching his son closely at this.
"Mind rape? Memory wipe?" Luke whispered quietly, his eyes growing big as he realized what his father meant. "You...?"
"Yes," Vader confirmed, catching the horror and disgust that flickered across his son's face.
"Why?" Luke finally questioned after a short, uneasy, silence. Rolling so that he lay on his side, he searched his father's form with inquiring eyes, looking for answers. Looking to see what kind of man had sired him.
"He knew about our relationship," Vader said and continued as he saw that pain flash across his boy's face. "It's not that I don't want anyone to know who you are, in time they will and a simple name change will make it obvious to everyone, but at this point in time it would be dangerous. You have no idea how to use your Force abilities and I have more than one enemy who would do anything to strike at me, including having you assassinated."
Luke's eyes grew even wider. He swallowed at the thought that people would kill him to hurt his father. What kind of world did his father live in to have people who hated him so? Hearing Luke's thoughts Vader shook his head. His son was so naïve; he had never tasted power before, nor knew how people reacted to it. But he would soon learn, out of necessity if nothing else.
"Politics and power is a totally different world from what you're used to," Vader explained, seeing Luke's eyes flicker as the boy realized his thoughts had been read. "When we reach the capital you'll have to adjust to a completely different environment from what you're used to."
Luke nodded his head at this, not sure how to react. However, as long as he was with his father, he didn't think it could be too bad. It definitely couldn't be worse than Tatooine. For once Vader wasn't angry with the reference to how bad Tatooine had been, he was too busy trying to figure out what exactly he had felt at Luke's thought about him. His search was interrupted as the door opened.
"I'm sorry, my Lord," Garret apologized as he saw that Vader was in the room. Quickly he took a step back to leave father and son alone.
"No," Vader said as he got to his feet and motioned his lieutenant in. "As soon as we land I want you to take Luke to the medical center in the Palace. Have him placed in a bacta tank, one with pure bacta."
Garret nodded his head at this. The bacta normally used to treat patients was watered down to lower the price as pure bacta was expensive and the only result of watering it down was that the patient needed to stay in it longer. The Palace medical center did, however, always have a few tanks of pure bacta standing by to treat any of the more important people if something happened. It was too bad that there hadn't been time on the Death Star to have Skywalker put into a bacta tank, it would have healed his wounds in a matter of hours. But then Tarkin might have become suspicious.
"And then get him some clean clothes," Vader continued as he looked at Luke. "The Emperor will probably want to see you sometime during the day we arrive."
Luke nodded his head at this as he felt butterflies in his stomach. The Emperor! In two weeks he was going from seeing and being in the company of poor people, to Darth Vader, and finally to the Emperor. Vader smiled behind his mask at this.
"As you wish, my Lord," Garret replied, a little stunned with the last part.
However, some part of his brain whispered at him that this shouldn't be a surprise. Of course Vader's son, especially one who was suddenly found, would be seeing the Emperor. It was an honor he had not yet had, although he hoped that some day he would. He couldn't complain, though, being trusted as much as he already was by Vader. Indeed he knew and was trusted with a secret that had just led Burk to all the pain and misery he was now feeling. Garret was sure that that was why the doctor was in his current predicament.
If he ever got the chance to meet the Emperor personally, he would definitely leap at the chance. But he was more than content where he was now. Reading his lieutenant's thoughts, Vader quietly nodded his head as he left the room. The man was definitely loyal. He quietly stored away what he had just learned; perhaps he could use it in the future as a reward.
"Get ready," Weng said as he reached forward and took hold of the hyperspace levers as the chrono started its final count-down for exit out of hyperspace.
Beside Weng, Harrow quickly checked the rest of the controls before nodding his head. Just as the chrono finished its count-down, Weng pulled back the levers and the shuttle instantly jumped out of hyperspace.
"Well here we are again," Harrow stated as he looked at the planet before him.
No matter how many times he was in space around Coruscant, he was always amazed at its peculiar beauty. Being the only planet in the galaxy to be practically totally covered with buildings of one sort or another, it emitted a strange kind of silvery glow which was most likely the sun's light being reflected off of the durasteel of the structures. It had the effect of making the planet seem like a silvery jewel lying on a velvety-black cushion for all to see and admire.
Yet for all its beauty it was also deadly. Or at least its underground and political arenas were. No one knew for sure exactly what kind of creatures prowled about the cellars of the miles high buildings. Most people who went down too far were never seen nor heard from again. However the Imperial Palace with its court, and political arenas could be just as dangerous. Politicians and delegates had to watch themselves for rivals who would try to discredit them in the Empire's capital to gain the favor of the galactic ruler.
"Let's land this shuttle and get our leave," Weng said, pulling Harrow from his thoughts.
"Indeed," Harrow agreed. "I promised my kids I'd get them something."
As he strode down the ramp, his black cape billowing out behind him, Vader quickly scanned the people on the landing platform. There were the usual guards and stormtroopers but there was, however, also one of the Emperor's messengers. Feeling his heart start to beat faster as his previous unease came back to him, Vader moved straight for the messenger.
"My Lord," the messenger gave a short bow. "I carry word from the Emperor."
"Indeed," Vader replied as he saw Garret and Luke appear at the top of the ramp.
"He wishes to see you right away in his personal chambers," the messenger stated.
Vader nodded his head at this, slightly puzzled, but then dismissed the messenger with a wave of his gloved hand. Turning he watched as Garret and Luke approached him. His son's eyes were wide with amazement and wonder as he scanned the skyline, taking in as much as he could. Luke quickly turned his attention to his father however as he realized that Vader was regarding at him.
"You know what to do," Vader said as he looked at Garret who nodded at him and moved away with Luke.
Vader watched them go before motioning for the stormtrooper commander to come to him.
"My Lord," the man said.
"My shuttle doctor, kill him, but do it out of sight from prying eyes," Vader ordered.
"As you wish," the commander replied before he moved off.
Vader shook his head as he watched him go. He would have finished the man off himself, but he didn't have time. Seeing as Palpatine wanted to see him right away, and in his personal chambers, along with the sense of unease he had been feeling, told him he had better not waste any time.
He turned around and entered the Palace, heading towards Palpatine's personal chambers. His booted feet rang against the hard floor of the massive corridors as he went. As customary, six stormtroopers fell in behind him. He could have taken the back way, up hidden passageways to circumnavigate the crowds, but he felt like getting a feel for the political scene.
As Lord Vader walked he saw the ornately dressed men and women in their lavish outfits from all over the Empire lining the walls, clustered into little groups, whispering gossip. They seemed pensive; their sharp eyes kept glancing at him and looking away, as if they had not expected to see him, ever again.
Before he could fully explore the meaning of the stares, the small group turned the last corner before the entrance to the Emperor's personal quarters. A few of the higher courtiers were idly chatting in the hallway, seemingly a group of close friends enjoyably passing an afternoon in pleasant conversation. Only Vader's Force sense revealed that they hated each other almost to the point of madness. Their separate factions spent their days parrying each other, trying to outsmart each other in the continual contest for power.
Lord Vader silently sighed, thinking of his son. His boy had so much to learn, and if Vader wasn't careful, the young man would get eaten alive.
One of the courtiers turned to Lord Vader, and with an entirely fake smile, began to speak "Lord Vader, I was wondering your opinion on-"
Darth Vader put up a hand, interrupting, "I have been summoned, perhaps we can speak later." These men were powerful enough that it was worth it to the Dark Lord to at least be pleasant, even if he found their continual scheming distasteful.
"Of course. Later then, my Lord." The man smiled his thin smile, giving Lord Vader a small bow. He knew that Lord Vader didn't really want to talk to him, that the Dark One didn't really like talking to anyone at court. But the man also knew that the Sith Lord was not stupid enough to ignore Palace politics. He would try again later, and with any luck, he could get the Dark Lord alone, without his companions there to fight over the man's attention.
Darth Vader swept past, his cape billowing in the still air. He came to the massive wooden doors of the Emperor's chambers, six of the red clad Imperial Guard standing at the door. The white armored stormtroopers stopped and snapped to attention, while Darth Vader continued on. One of the Imperial Guard pushed open one of the doors, and Lord Vader continued on in alone.
The click of his booted heels was muffled on the richly woven rugs, the light from the chandeliers shown off his polished helmet, and the hiss of his respirator was muffled in the hanging tapestries as he walked through the many rooms. The wealth of hundreds of worlds decorated the personal chambers of the Emperor, speaking their mute testimony of the wealth and influence of the small man curled up in the huge chair overlooking massive windows showing the towering skyline of the city.
Darth Vader knelt, waiting. The Emperor raised a hand, dismissing the invisible guards.
"Lord Vader, I hope whatever brought you from the Death Star in a such a rush was worth it." The wizened man tugged at his rich black cloak as his withered voice carried through the room. "It certainly cost me dearly."
"My Emperor?" Darth Vader was a little confused, trying to think what would make his master say such a thing.
The old man sighed. "Do you not feel it?"
Darth Vader paused. "I have sensed a- wrongness- in my meditations," he said slowly, "but I have been concerned with more immediate issues lately."
"You left the Death Star, which I ordered you to assist Tarkin in the running of, with nothing but a high-grade encrypted message stating you were returning here as fast as you could. You have no idea how close I came to sending out a wide band hail to locate you." The aged man shifted on his seat, "considering what happened, I have half the mind to label you a traitor for abandoning your post."
Darth Vader froze momentarily. The Emperor was not serious in his threat, Vader could easily tell that, but the man was intensely upset with him for leaving. "I am afraid I am at a disadvantage, my Master. I don't know what has happened." Vader's mind was racing. Surely Tarkin had not seized control of the station and had declared independence from the Empire, or something else equally embarrassing. Had he?
"The Death Star is gone, Lord Vader. The Rebels blew it up." The Emperor was quite serious, but his words dripped with the irony of such insignificant pests managing to score such a blow against the mighty Empire. Vader just remained where he was, sifting this information for its ramifications.
The Emperor sighed. "I had not told anyone of your returning. When the report was confirmed that the station was destroyed, half the court thought you and Tarkin both were dead. There were over a dozen assassinations in the first hour of people trying to gain a higher place. I had to announce your continued existence just to stop the bloodbath." The Emperor paused, more amused at the folly of the courtiers than upset. "So, what did bring you back? I hope it was worth it, as Tarkin proved himself unworthy to command such a responsibility."
Vader marshaled his thoughts. The Emperor was upset that he had left, but was withholding punishment until he learned of Vader's reasoning. The Sith Lord knew that the Emperor would be very upset with him if the reason was inadequate, since the Death Star might have been saved if he had remained on the station.
"My Master, my wife withheld information from me." Vader paused as the Emperor's eyes widened. The Emperor was more than able to read Darth Vader's mind, and could have picked the secret straight from his brain when he entered the room, but he rarely bothered, assured of Vader's loyalty. Right now, the Emperor was just shocked that Vader was even bringing up the issue of his late wife.
"Oh?" The ancient voice crackled with age.
"Yes, my Master. It appears that I have a son."
The Emperor paused, letting the information soak in. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, my Master. I had medical tests run. He is mine. He is also quite strong in the Force."
The Emperor's eyes wandered over the cityscape outside the massive window. "Would he be suitable?"
"He has a lot of anger." Vader tried to put as much persuasion into his voice as he dared, without appearing too eager.
"Where is he?" Curiosity began to tug at the Emperor's thoughts.
"In the Palace, in the medical center under the care of one of my officers." Vader replied.
The Emperor waved a hand. "Sit, Lord Vader, tell me more."
The dark form rose, towering over the sitting Emperor until it glided over to an adjacent chair and settled down.