Luke sighed as he stood on one of the balconies of the Imperial Palace and looked at the sky as it was painted brilliant shades of scarlet, violet and deep orange by the setting sun. It had been a week and a half since he had first been allowed to roam the Palace freely as long as he stayed away from the court or any of the frequently held parties. It was one of his new privileges along with being allowed to talk with the people who roamed the Palace halls. His grandfather now also allowed them to be seen together publicly.
Palpatine had caused eyebrows to rise when, during one of his session with the courtiers, he had allowed Luke to cut the line that had formed in the throne room itself as people waited and hoped that they would get their turn to speak before the Emperor called an end to the session and they all had to leave. Which meant waiting in the Grand Hall and hoping to be one of the first people to get in the next time the Emperor felt like seeing them. Not only had Luke been allowed to cut the line, but he had gone right up to the throne itself so that he could say what he needed to without anyone else overhearing.
And just today Palpatine had talked with him as he took a tour of the Palace Gardens. Luke had heard the hushed murmurings following them as people caught sight of him talking with the Galactic Ruler.
Although he liked the new freedom he had been given, Luke wanted more. He wanted to be able to go to the parties and dances that the court held fairly often. He was getting tired of watching his father leave in the early evening only to return late at night or in the early hours of the morning. It wasn't like Vader went often, just enough to make Luke want to go. His feelings were, however, as with many other things lately, split on the issue. On the one hand Luke was angry that his father didn't trust him to be able to handle himself among the members of the court. And, on the other hand, he couldn't help but feel a deep joy at the fact that Vader felt such a fierce protectiveness for him.
Luke shook his head as he watched night reach down and darken the brilliant colors of the sunset, before cloaking the sky completely in its velvety darkness. He knew he shouldn't be bothered by such things. That everything would come in time and that it wouldn't be too long before he was allowed complete freedom when his training was complete. Luke was sure, however, that the whole matter with his sister was part of his worries. Vader had placed a huge bounty for anyone who could bring him Organa. Both the size of the bounty and the fact that his father hadn't mentioned much more about the issue other than that they needed to get her, made Luke wonder about his father's plans for her. If he would end up being pushed aside.
The realization that he was gripping the green marble railing made Luke force himself to relax. The other major issue he still faced was Darklighter. Since his return to Coruscant, Luke had purposefully avoided the detention center of the Palace, not wanting to face his former friend. But he knew that he'd have to do it sooner or later. He couldn't wait until the day of the execution and he knew Vader would start questioning his feelings for the Rebel if he didn't do something soon. Briefly Luke wondered what Vader had told his own father about the matter and then pushed it aside.
Perhaps he should go to the detention center now. Vader was going to another party and Luke knew that Palpatine would be there as well, which meant that nobody would be needing him. He would have as long as he needed. He took a deep breath before he turned around and headed for the detention center. Walking along the halls, he couldn't help but notice how much emptier they were than usual. They weren't completely empty, they never were, because although it was nighttime on Coruscant didn't mean that it was nighttime everywhere. Courtiers, delegates, officers and soldiers always crowded the halls, keeping the Empire in constant motion, making sure that everything ran smoothly.
As he walked, Luke noticed that people sent him looks that ranged all the way from recognition and curiosity to hatred and disgust. Ignoring them, he continued on his way until he reached his destination.
"I've come to see Darklighter," Luke informed the colonel behind the command console.
"Your ID," the colonel replied as he looked Luke over.
Luke handed him the card his father had given him, and waited. The card gave him the highest clearance, allowing him to access anything he needed when neither Vader nor Garret was around. Feeling surprise radiate through the Force, Luke looked up at the colonel's face and smiled.
"Trooper," the colonel called at which one of the six stormtroopers guarding the room approached the colonel. "Escort this man to Darklighter's cell."
"I want all listening and recording devices turned off while I'm in the cell with the prisoner," Luke ordered.
The colonel looked up at him with surprise and uncertainty on his face. Both emotions quickly disappeared as he regained control and looked back down at his monitor where the information from Skywalker's card was displayed. It was an extremely unusual request and one that was practically never done. But the card did say that this man had the highest clearance. Seeing that the card had been given to Skywalker by Lord Vader, the colonel made up his mind.
"As you wish," the colonel replied as he handed back the card.
Luke took it and followed the stormtrooper as he led him down a corridor. The Palace detention center was huge and the most important and most dangerous prisoners were placed at the very center of the area, placing them as far away from the exits as possible. Rounding a corner in the corridor, Luke knew that they had reached their destination when he saw two stormtroopers standing outside one of the cell doors. As he approached one of them opened the door.
"Knock when you wish to leave," the trooper said.
Luke signaled that he understood before he stepped into the small cell which was made up of a bunk, one solid wall and three sides which were made up of highly charged laser beams. The beams, when touched, emitted an extremely strong electrical current which stunned, but not killed, the prisoner. Looking at the cameras, Luke saw that the lights were extinguished, meaning that they had been turned off. However, knowing that Biggs could well say things that he didn't want anyone else to know, Luke reached out with the Force and checked the area to see if anyone was tuned into this room. Finding nothing, he gave Biggs' sleeping form a good nudge with the Force.
"What?!" Biggs exclaimed as he came awake with a start. "Luke," he said as soon as he caught sight of the young man. "Why?"
"Why what?" Luke inquired, trying to suppress the unwelcome feelings that were once again rising up to fight with what he knew was correct.
"Why did you join the Empire?" Biggs demanded as he sat up. "Can't you see how bad it is? How evil it is?"
"It isn't," Luke replied. "You have simply been misled to think that it is."
"Luke, look around at what the Empire is doing!" Biggs exclaimed loudly, unable to believe what Luke was saying. "Its killing innocent people who have done nothing wrong! Think of Alderaan! Billions of people murdered for no other reason than to instill terror in the citizens of the Empire."
"Bail Organa was a Rebel," Luke stated coldly as he remembered the reports he had read on the circumstances that had ultimately led to Alderaan's destruction. "And he was hiding other Rebels and equipment on Alderaan, while using the planet's peaceful history and his diplomatic status as a cover."
"So Vader destroyed the entire planet," Biggs replied incredulously, not at the idea as he had heard it before, but at the fact that Luke believed what he was preaching.
"Tarkin ordered Alderaan's destruction," Luke informed his friend. "Vader, although he saw the logic behind Tarkin's decision, would have used other methods to attain the same goal."
"Come on, don't tell me you actually believe that!" Biggs said as he got to his feet. "Vader is a cold blooded monster. I'm sure he thoroughly enjoyed the entire show."
Biggs instantly regretted his words when Luke took several steps forward and stopped right in front of him. Luke's eyes blazed with a rage the likes of which Biggs had never seen before, not even in the eyes of his fellow Rebels who had just lost all they had to the Empire. There was something alive about the anger Biggs saw in his former best friend's eyes. Something he couldn't quite place, but something he instinctively knew was Evil. Like one knew not to go stand on the crumbling edge of a high cliff.
"I'd watch my mouth if I were you, Rebel," Luke growled as he felt the Dark Side swirling around and inside of himself. "You are more stupid then I had thought. You speak of things you know nothing about. Darth Vader is not some monster. Indeed it is your petty rebellion that is responsible for all the death and destruction you accuse Lord Vader of. Fighting to achieve peace, who ever heard of such a stupid and misguided concept?"
Biggs tried to take a step backwards and ended up falling back down on his bed. The short speech left him utterly astounded. How had Vader managed to so thoroughly warp Luke's mind? How was it that Luke couldn't see the Dark Lord for what he was? Indeed, even his title Dark Lord, showed who he was. Why couldn't Luke see that? Seeing Luke turn away, Biggs got to his feet once more.
"Luke, even if Vader isn't responsible for what happened to Alderaan, think of all the other deeds he has done," Biggs tried once more. The boy he had known only a few months ago had to still be underneath there somewhere, hadn't he? "Think of all the pain and suffering he has caused. And what about Owen and Beru Lars?"
"The Lars' deserved what was coming to them!" Luke snapped as he whirled back around, making Biggs wince at his choice of words. "And sure, Vader has killed a lot of people in this war. But is it any different from what you have done? How many people have you killed, Biggs? How many husbands and fathers, sons and loved ones have you killed?" Seeing Biggs flinch at the accusation, Luke suppressed a smile as he moved in, his former hesitation rapidly vanishing at Biggs' words. "Do you know how many people were on the Death Star?" By now Biggs' was trembling slightly at Luke's accusations. "Over a million and a half people. And together you and Antilles killed them all."
Unable to look Luke in the eyes anymore, Biggs turned around and started pacing the cell. Luke had found his greatest weakness and had dug into it. Ever since that fateful day, Biggs had had regrets of what had happened. He knew that there had been no other way and if he had to redo it he knew he would. But he could not get over the idea that he had killed so many people. It had often weighed on his mind and he had been unable to sleep for some time after the event. Seeing the wives and children of the dead men on the holonews hadn't helped either. But it had been them or the Alliance. And who knew which planet would have been next if the Death Star hadn't been destroyed?
"Vader has also done a lot of good," Luke finally said.
"Like what?" Biggs questioned.
"Like providing education for the children of the Empire," Luke replied. "And just recently he got a law passed that restricts what can be done to human children. Now they won't be able to become slaves in all but name in huge companies seeking to make a quick profit out of poor humans and their parents or guardians won't be able to beat them."
"He got this law passed for human children?" Biggs asked slightly incredulous. Seeing Luke nod he was briefly quiet until he noticed something. "For humans only? What about the other races? Don't they get this protection? Or is this another of those pro-human privileges?"
"Naturally the other races don't get it," Luke snapped. "They are inferior." Seeing the look that hardened his friend's face, Luke felt his own jaw set. This confrontation was rapidly turning out to be a good idea. All his delusions about Biggs' good character were diminishing fast. "Trying to avoid looking at the fact that Vader did something good? It does go against all the Alliance makes him out to be. Well I'm sure that there will be a lot of grateful children out there who will thank him for the suffering he has taken them from."
Biggs felt something click in his mind upon hearing the emotion in Luke's voice. This new law would probably also prevent people from beating and abusing human children the way Luke had been beaten at the hand of Owen Lars. Biggs winced as he remembered the blood that had often appeared on his friend's clothing. His parents had always told him not to ask about it and to leave it alone. Had Vader learned what Luke had been through? Was that why he had enacted this new law? Was it simply another form of manipulation to pull Luke further and further under? Suddenly Biggs felt a great wave of guilt wash over him. He could have done something. Had he contacted the authorities then something would surely have been done.
Biggs was just opening his mouth to speak when a grating noise pulled his attention to the cell across from his. Looking towards it, he saw Wedge being pushed back into his cell before the door closed, leaving him there looking through the laser bars at Biggs and Luke.
"Skywalker," Wedge hissed angrily as he moved forward slowly, pain etched onto his face.
"What's wrong, Wedge?" Biggs asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Interrogation," Luke replied at which Biggs turned back to him. "Its the last time we can have you questioned as we want you to be able to walk tomorrow when it is time for your executions before the Palace."
"Why you no good--" Wedge began as he moved closer to the bars.
"I'm sorry, Luke," Biggs suddenly interrupted before he could stop himself. "I'm sorry I didn't do anything when you needed help. I could see what was happening... but... I wasn't sure what to do and I was scared. It was--"
"It was easier to look the other way," Luke interrupted, his anger rising as thoughts of his past flashed back to him, thoughts of his helplessness.
"Biggs!" Wedge exclaimed, shocked. "What are you doing? You have nothing to be sorry about. You've done nothing wrong." Seeing Biggs flinch visibly as Luke started to laugh, Wedge grew worried. He wondered how long Skywalker had been in the cell and just what he had said to Biggs. "What?"
"Nothing much," Luke said when he stopped laughing. "I simply punched a few holes into what he believes."
With this, Luke turned around and walked to the cell door. Knocking on it, he only had to wait a second before the door was opened for him. Quietly he made his way back to the command area.
"You may turn on the cameras and listening devices," Luke told the colonel before he left.
The colonel watched the richly clad young man with the impossibly high clearance leave, and then immediately turned his security cameras on in the area surrounding Biggs Darklighter. "Sergeant!" He called, "wait awhile before you take the next prisoner to interrogation." He chuckled as he raised the volume on the audio feed from the cell. It seemed Darklighter was having an argument with his wingman.
The sergeant from Intel walked over, glaring. "Why should I wait?" He hissed. He had been more than pleased to be given this assignment. 'Heroes of the Rebellion' indeed.
"Because this is more interesting. Listen."
The one called Antilles was pacing his cell angrily. "You can't mean that, Darklighter! I can't BELIEVE you apologized to that monster! I don't know what he convinced you of, but you're perfectly innocent. Unlike that, that, THING that just walked out of here. He killed your family, Biggs! Your own father, right in front of you! Do you forgive him for that?"
"I never said I forgave him, I said I was sorry. I let him down." Darklighter was sitting on his bunk, staring at the floor. The camera didn't show the expression on his face.
"YOU let HIM down?!? What about how he let YOU down?!? He murdered your mother, your little sister, your father. He wiped out your entire town. Plus some of the Alliance. He has at least a thousand deaths on his hands!"
"And we have a million and a half!!! It's war Wedge, it happens."
"But, your father! Your own father! And he was standing right there!"
"My father let him down. Luke said as much." Darklighter's shoulders slumped on the camera view. "If I had the time, I'd tell you more Wedge. But they're watching here- and I won't tell Luke's secrets."
"Won't tell his secrets? What about ours? They'll interrogate you next. Or are you going to apologize to the Intel officer and try and get out of it?"
"I'm not a traitor to the cause, Wedge. Our war just has taken too many lives, and we've overlooked some things we shouldn't have forgotten. If we hadn't overlooked them, then Luke wouldn't be that way. Besides, Vader didn't give Luke any choices, he had to do it."
"He's Vader's right-hand man, Darklighter. You don't get that way in a few short months. The Alliance Intel man is right, he's completely gone."
The reply was so soft, the microphone barely caught it. "I know. I just wish I knew why."
The two men sat in uneasy silence till two stormtroopers came for Darklighter.
When Darklighter returned, he was wracked with pain and hoarse. The Imperial from Intel had tried very hard to actually get information from Biggs, unlike Antilles, whom he had just tortured. Darklighter had seemed like he was much more likely to crack, because of his feelings towards Skywalker. But he had held his tongue. With the restrictions placed on the sergeant by need for a public execution, Darklighter was sent back to his cell.
The two, Darklighter and Antilles, barely spoke to each other. Wedge was furious that Darklighter was giving the Imps even a breath of mercy for what they had done. Biggs was wracked with guilt and shame over Skywalker. It wasn't supposed to be like this. They were supposed to be together, best friends, shooting stars, forever. But he hadn't rescued Skywalker.
Biggs thought of all the times he hadn't pushed to get Luke picked up by the Rebellion. All the times he hadn't asked to get Luke out of that miserable torture trap called a home. He hadn't tried hard at all. He hadn't even thought about it, not really, until Command had asked if he wanted anything for his part in blowing up the Death Star. When all he wanted was to recruit another pilot for their almost devastated fleet, some had even joked that he should have asked earlier. He hadn't pushed at all. He had let things slide, just like always, just like his father had told him to.
Finally, after a sleepless night, the guard came for them. They were given Alliance uniforms, and told to dress. The fight had gone out of Biggs, and he did what he was told. Antilles shouted obscenities till they tranked him.
Biggs was hauled out of his cell by rough hands, binders were slapped on his wrists, and they began to hustle him and Wedge down the hallway, out of the detention center. They seemed to walk forever, down corridors and up and down turbolifts. Gradually, they became aware of a roaring noise, that swelled as they walked on. Darklighter suddenly realized it was the crowd. A public execution in the center of the Empire would bring a huge number of loyal Imperial citizens together, and they were cheering for the deaths of their enemy.
They walked on. Eventually, they were met by four Imperial Royal Guard, the red robes and masks stood out against the white walls of the corridors. Behind them, stood Skywalker.
"Oooo, the royal treatment." Wedge Antilles was obviously coming out of the tranquilizer he had been given.
"More than you know, Rebel Scum," replied Skywalker. The Emperor had informed him that he would be the one carrying out Darklighter's sentence today. He had expected it, and taken the assignment willingly. He looked at Biggs, his former friend was looking at him, obviously trying to figure out a way to talk. Why not? They had the time, and Luke wanted Biggs to go down knowing how good it could have been.
"Guard, please give us a moment alone." The white armored stormtroopers stepped back, fanning out along the corridor, well out of earshot. The Red Guard stayed where they where.
"Trevor," Luke said, eyes flicking to one of the towering crimson forms, "If I can handle you, I can surely handle two bound Rebels."
The guard bowed, and hissed out a "Very well." The four Royal Guard stepped back until they were just out of earshot.
"You've got strange friends." Antilles mumbled, eyeing the red robes.
"They are not friends, they are tools." Skywalker replied. "You trust friends. I only trust three people. Myself, Lord Vader and the Emperor." Skywalker glared meaningfully at Darklighter who only closed his eyes and hung his head. "You should have stayed Biggs. Do you have any idea how good your life would have been if you had stayed at your post?"
"No." Biggs replied, "do you know how good it would have been if we had gotten you first?"
Skywalker snarled. "Oh yes, what joy. Why, I could have been the Alliance's Jedi, once that cursed Kenobi had been through with me. Saving the galaxy from the horrible Sith."
Antilles eyes went wide. "Jedi? You could have been a Jedi?" Biggs was just stunned.
"Oh yes, that's what that Kenobi wanted. But it isn't going to work out that way. Too bad for them, or the Alliance. I'm going to be a Sith Lord, and hunt the rest of your pitiful band down." Inside, Skywalker was cheering to himself. His doubts were gone, he was going to have no problems cutting Darklighter down.
The two Rebels were silent for a little while, then Biggs whispered. "Vader. That's what he promised you. That's why you're with him. But Luke, he'll just use you. You can't trust him."
Skywalker was furious. Darklighter was telling him whom he couldn't trust?
Luke suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Biggs chin, locking eyes with him as he whispered. "I can trust family, Biggs. And I'll tell you something else, just so you know what could have been. Grandfather, the Emperor, ordered your death, and I will kill you with my father's blade. No one knew who my family was, but now I do, and I will never let them go. I'm not a member of the Empire, Biggs. I am the Empire. And some day, I will sit on the throne, and rule the galaxy. For I am my father's heir. And you could have been there, beside me. We are still shaping the Empire into exactly what we want, but when we are done, it will be a safe place of peace. And we won't let your stupid Alliance stop us. So as you walk across that plaza to your death, remember where you could have been."
Skywalker pulled back, a little, thinking. He had said more than he should, but they would be dead soon. But, just to be sure, he put a hand on Biggs' forehead, then on Wedge's. He paralyzed the part of the brain required for speech. The two Rebels would die with his secrets.
As he motioned the guards back, he grinned at the two stunned men. "If you want to say anything to me, just think it. I can hear you."
Skywalker turned then, and the two Rebels were prodded to follow the fluttering cape. They walked down the wide corridor, and out a set of double doors, into the glaring sun. The crowd screamed in anticipation, hurling insults at the two Rebels. Biggs and Wedge looked around, seeing the towering Palace behind them, the vast square in front of them. A large dais was on one side, which was crowded with richly dressed people on its many levels. At the top, stood a throne facing a raised platform in the center of the square. People were crammed around the edge of the Plaza, held from the center by a double row of white armored stormtroopers.
They were dragged to the foot of the dais, Skywalker leading them. Skywalker looked up at the throne, the hooded figure within just visible through the heavy shields surrounding him. Lord Vader, his father, was standing off to the right.
'Son,' Vader whispered in his mind, 'you should not have told them.'
'I took precautions. Besides, I wanted him to know as he died. Can you hear him? It's beautiful.' It was, Darklighter was mentally bemoaning the fact that he was about to die, that he had let his friend down, that he had been in a position were he could have really made a difference but had thrown it all away. He was a little confused about what Luke had exactly meant, but he had a growing suspicion who Luke had said his father was.
'We will discuss it later.' Whispered the Emperor's voice in his mind. 'But now, we have our parts to play.'
Luke obediently sunk to one knee, thumbing on the microphone in his collar. "My Emperor," he said, his amplified voice ringing over the plaza, silencing the crowd. "I bring you the Rebel traitors Wedge Antilles and Biggs Darklighter. They are responsible for the destruction of the Imperial Death Star."
The crowd went wild, screaming for blood. The Emperor raised a hand, and the crowd slowly quieted. "Good. I wish them executed for their crimes. Lord Vader, as we discussed." The aged voice said, carried by the speakers to the entire waiting crowd.
"Yes, your Majesty." Rumbled the mechanical man to the Emperor's right. The black mask slowly descended the stairs. It stopped in front of the kneeling Skywalker.
"Rise," Lord Vader hissed, and Luke did so, "for your loyalty to the throne, it pleases your Majesty to grant you the boon of carrying out the execution of Biggs Darklighter." The mechanical voice carried over the plaza. "And I wish," Darth Vader said, "For you to use my blade." And with that, he unclipped his lightsaber from his belt and dropped it in Luke's hands. The crowd was interested, but both men could feel the courtiers on the dais trying to interpret this development.
Luke nodded to his father, and holding the lightsaber firmly in both hands, turned towards the raised platform. As he walked towards it, he could feel Biggs' eyes on his back and his former friend's thoughts screamed at him. The other Rebel's thoughts were just as loud as he was dragged behind Darklighter. Both men were being placed on the platform at the same time, but Luke would only kill Darklighter. Someone else would get the honor of Antilles.
'Luke! Luke, I am sorry, I am. About everything. About the beatings that I never stopped, about not getting someone to rescue you. I should have gotten the Alliance to get you as soon as I joined. It would have even been worth it to try and get you drafted by the Imperial Army, but draftees always end up as stormtroopers, and I know you didn't want that. And if I would have stayed, maybe we still could have been friends. But I can't believe you would trust Vader, even if he is your father. So please- try and think about everyone's rights, not just human's when you're Emperor. Please. Try and do some good for the whole galaxy, not just humans. Please-'
It was a pretty irritating tirade, but Wedge Antilles was even worse. It made Skywalker's blood boil. 'They don't know who you are, Skywalker. The crowd has no idea who you are. Will the Emperor ever tell anyone, or is it just an empty promise to keep you in line? Are they ashamed of you? Biggs used to talk about you all the time, what a great guy you were. Bet you would have made a fantastic Jedi. We could have used you- and people would have loved you for who you were. Even if you never became a Jedi, we would have accepted you. Friends who wouldn't have been ashamed to admit they knew you.'
Skywalker was fuming, but hiding it behind a cool face when they reached the platform. He took the steps easily, watching as the two stormtroopers hauled Biggs up behind him, and Antilles after that. Darklighter was walking with his own two feet, trying to look dignified. Antilles was making it as hard as possible, he was struggling, and the two stormtroopers holding him were having a hard time trying to keep up appearances of a defeated Rebel. The two guards reached Antilles spot, and unceremoniously forced him to kneel. Skywalker looked at the standing Darklighter, who was staring back. The crowd was screaming catcalls, its roar made it too loud to speak.
Biggs gave him a little nod, and sank to his knees. Luke could hear his words in his head. 'I understand you now- why you've chosen the Empire. And why you did what you did to Anchorhead. Vader made you. And maybe I deserve this, but maybe I don't. Either way, I just want you to not forget me, and everything we talked about. The Empire isn't perfect, Luke. It's flawed. If you can fix it, that would be great, but I don't think you can. Good luck, you're going to need it, because the Alliance won't give up.'
Skywalker just smiled, and with a nod to the throne, ignited his father's blade. He held it up, and the crowd went wild. He could feel their bloodlust, their feelings of victory washing over him. He lowered the blade and carefully used the Force to pin Darklighter down before motioning off the two troopers holding Biggs.
They locked eyes once more, and Luke could hear Biggs' mind whisper, 'Vader made you do this.' Luke nodded to his friend as he arced the blade sideways, cleanly removing his head. The corpse dropped, bloodless, to the platform as its head rolled the other direction. Luke turned off the blade and faced the throne, bowing as the crowd screamed approval. Yes, he had been ordered to do this. But that didn't mean he wouldn't have done it anyway.
Palpatine let the crowd scream for little while before he raised his hand and waited until they quieted. "Admiral Bouttery."
Moving to the edge of the platform as he attached his father's lightsaber to his belt, Luke watched as a tall, pepper and salt haired man got up from his seat and made his way to where he had knelt earlier. Reaching the spot, Bouttery knelt, but not before reaching up to his collar. Seeing the gesture, Luke smiled. The man had been informed that he would get the honor of carrying out Antilles' execution only this morning and Luke could still feel the surprise radiating from him. Probing deeper, Luke could also feel the deep rooted pride in the man.
"My Emperor," Bouttery said, his voice carrying across the plaza via the microphone.
"As reward for your defense of the Kuat shipyards against the Rebels," Vader began as the Emperor gestured towards him. "It pleases your Majesty to grant you the boon of carrying out the execution of Wedge Antilles."
As the crowd cheered, Luke nodded his head. Vader had told him how the Rebels had infiltrated the Kuat shipyards and had tried to bring down the shields so that Rebel Star Cruisers could try to destroy the Executor while it was still being built. Their plan had only been foiled by some brilliant maneuvering on Admiral Bouttery's part. Bouttery had managed to defend the still under construction Super Star Destroyer with only two Victory-class Star Destroyers. Thinking of the attempt made Luke's anger rise. The Rebels were getting bolder and bolder. They would have to be taken care of soon, for although they couldn't destroy the Empire, they could seriously harm it.
Skywalker watched Bouttery rise before he turned around to face the Rebel whose eyes were drilling into his back. Biggs' death had only fueled Wedge's anger and he was still fighting the troopers that held him, despite the fact that he was on his knees. Smiling at Antilles, Luke soaked up his anger as he had soaked up Deak's fear.
'Anger strengthens me,' Luke sent to Wedge, seeing the man start. 'Its what gives me the power to speak with you like this.'
'Luke,' Vader warned.
'Father,' Luke replied. 'What harm can it cause? Besides, look at him now!'
The look on Wedge's face was well worth seeing as he found himself between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand he felt a deep rage about what had happened to Biggs, both his death and all the guilt Skywalker seemed to have somehow managed to evoke within him, and all the other Rebels that had been on the base with him. And on the other hand he now had the knowledge that his anger was strengthening his most hated enemy.
Oh yes, Skywalker had managed to take that place away from Palpatine and Vader in his mind. Not that it really mattered, they were all one family. But what Skywalker had done to Biggs simply stood out the most in his mind at the moment. The fact that he could see his friend's lifeless corpse before him probably had something to do with it too.
Luke smiled at Wedge, before he turned to watch Bouttery ascend the stairs. Once he reached the top a stormtrooper stepped forward with a red velvet cushion in his hands. On the cushion lay a long knife with a jeweled handle; the weapon generally used for public executions. The fact that Luke had not used it was an exception. Smiling at the thought, Luke felt his hand go to the lightsaber that hung at his belt. How he longed to make his own!
'Soon,' came a silent promise at which Luke straightened and looked up at his father whose eyes he could feel were on him. Nodding his head fractionally, Luke turned his attention back to Bouttery. The admiral had already taken the knife and was now approaching a still struggling Antilles.
'You'll pay for this, Skywalker!' Wedge thought as he locked eyes with Luke. 'Someday, somewhere, you will pay for all that you've done. I'm only sorry that I won't be there to see it.'
Luke refused to give the Rebel the satisfaction of an answer and remained quiet as the crowd increased its calls. Bouttery was obviously enjoying the moment as he slowly approached his victim and raised the knife. The crowds' catcalls and bloodlust grew when Bouttery didn't immediately bring the knife down. The admiral waited until it seemed impossible for the crowd to get any longer before he brought the knife down. Blood soaked the Alliance uniform as Wedge gasped once more and sent Luke an icy glare, before falling to the platform, lifeless.
The call that went up through the crowd was a fantastic testimony to their loyalty to the Empire and all it stood for. Letting his eyes scan that crowd, Luke smiled. There were humans here from all over the galaxy, all extremely wealthy. It was impossible to be otherwise. The desperate squabble once the tickets had gone on sale had driven the prices up until only the Empire's most elite could afford them. The rest of the people had to make due with the coverage on the holonews. The execution was all that was being shown on the holonetwork at the moment and would probably be repeated over and over again for the next few weeks.
Skywalker smiled as he thought of what the Rebels must be feeling as they watched their mighty heroes being cut down. It was definitely a great blow to them, and Luke was sure that it would cause people to think twice before joining the Rebellion. His thoughts turned sour, however, as he thought of Leia. His twin sister. Luke knew that right now she'd be mourning instead of cheering as she should. And Vader wanted to find her. But find her to do what? It was clear that she was fully committed to a useless cause. And yet his father wanted to find her! Damn her!
'You need not worry son,' Vader sent as the crowd continued its cheering. 'No matter what happens with Organa, you will always be more important to me. You will always be my heir.'
Luke lifted his head a bit at the comment, being careful not to show any new emotions on his face as he knew he was in the center of attention. However he felt like a great burden had been lifted from him. Luke finally had some confirmation as to where exactly he stood with his father and how Organa fit into their relationship.
'You've done well,' Vader continued. 'Although inform me or Palpatine the next time before you tell someone else about our relationship.'
'Yes, Father,' Luke replied. 'I simply hadn't thought of it before hand and I wanted him to know when he died.'
'It was an interesting reaction,' Palpatine stated. 'Very entertaining.'
Luke smiled at the comment as the crowd started to chant 'long live the Empire' and 'long live the Emperor.' Letting his eyes roam over the crowd once more, Luke caught sight of a lovely young woman, slightly younger than himself, sitting half way up the dais. Her long, light-brown hair was pulled up into an elaborate hairstyle on the top of her head with red and gold highlights spilling down to frame her soft face. Her sparkling, deep green eyes reminded Luke of the emerald gems that decorated some of his outfits. She wore a blue silk dress that set off her eyes and hair. In her white, gloved hand she held a delicate fan. Her green eyes were roaming the scene as she said something to the older woman sitting next to her. Both her dress and her hair glistened with jewels.
As he watched her, Luke felt the Force tingle, but he couldn't catch what it meant. He was just about to search for it, when the young woman turned her head and their eyes locked. Surprise appeared on her face before she smiled at him and nodded her head, blushing slightly. Luke returned the smile, before turning around when he heard a commotion behind him. Looking in the direction of the sound, Luke saw that it was the band that was starting to play the Imperial anthem as the Imperial symbol was raised above the Palace. The crowd hushed as the music started to play and turned to face Palpatine who sat in his throne.
"Let today be an example to all Rebels out there who would dare defy the Empire," Palpatine stated as soon as the anthem was over. "I will not tolerate their stupid fights and will have them hunted down until they are all gone and the people of the Empire can live in peace."
The crowd roared with approval at the words at which Palpatine stood and turned around and left, closely flanked by six red robed Imperial Sovereign Protectors. Moving down the stairs at the edge of the platform, Luke sent one more glance up at the young woman, only to find that her eyes were on him. The moment she realized that Luke was looking at her, she looked the other way. Luke quietly smiled as Bouttery followed him off the platform.
Skywalker passed the leaving Royal Guard as he entered the throne room. This was obviously going to be another family session with no prying ears. Approaching the throne, Luke reached down and unclipped the lightsaber from his belt and handed it back to his father as he came to stand next to him.
"You did well," Vader stated as he put his lightsaber away. "Perhaps it is time for you to start construction on your own lightsaber."
"Yes," the Emperor agreed as he nodded his head. "Your performance was excellent."
"Thank you," Luke replied as he bowed his head, pleased that he could finally start working on his own weapon.
"Today marks the end of your past," Palpatine continued.
Luke nodded his head at the words even as he felt his back stiffen. There was actually one more thing that needed to be done, if it could be done, before he could say that his time spent on Tatooine was fully behind him and mean it.
"If there is nothing else than I need to prepare for this evening's party to celebrate the executions," Palpatine said at which Luke flinched slightly. "Your time will come soon," the Emperor said as he read the meaning behind the gesture. "As soon as your father is satisfied that you have reached the point where you will not only be able to take on the court, but to dominate the situation as well, you will be allowed to join us."
"Yes, your Majesty," Luke replied.
"Father," Luke said as soon as they entered their home. "You once said that you can heal using the Force, right?"
"Yes," Vader replied as he started taking off his mask. "Why?"
"I was wondering... with all that's been happening today if..." Luke began as unwelcome memories came flooding back to him. "If it would... if the Force could heal my... my scars."
"I was wondering when you'd ask that," Vader stated as he pulled off his mask, revealing a smile.
"What?" Luke questioned. "You mean its possible?"
"Yes," Vader answered.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Luke demanded.
"You didn't ask," Vader stated then shook his head as he saw Luke's expression. "You'll learn faster if I don't tell you everything. You need to explore the Force more by yourself. Palpatine and I will tell you if you are heading in a direction you shouldn't be, but otherwise you need to learn to do what the Force tells you to do and guides you towards," Vader explained and waited for this to sink in before he continued. "Neither myself nor Palpatine has learned all there is to know about the Dark Side, we are both still discovering things as we go. The Force also guides different people down different paths. I am more skilled at using the Force for battle, while Palpatine is able to use the Force in subtle ways that I may never understand. That's what enables him to manipulate people as easily as he does. Therefore it is important that you follow your own path even as we are teaching you. You have yet to discover where your strength lies."
Luke nodded his head thoughtfully at this as he digested it. It was rare that his father lectured him like this and he knew that when he did is was essential that he listen.
"If you are ready then I shall go up to my room and change and then we can see about those scars," Vader said after a few moments of silence. "Your room would be the best place."
"Very well," Luke said as he smiled and headed to his room.
Upon entering it, Luke moved into his bathroom and took off his cape and shirt. Putting them aside, he sighed before he turned his back towards the mirror. White lash marks, both thick and thin, crisscrossed his entire back, standing out starkly against the rest of his skin. Seeing them, Luke was pulled back in time to when he had acquired the various scars. Over time, he had seen that only the deeper ones left the visible scars and there were certain lash marks that Luke could still place with the events that had led to his acquiring them. Hearing the door to his room open, Luke turned around and exited the bathroom.
"Lie down," Vader said as he indicated the bed.
Quietly Luke moved forward and lay down, facing his father. Vader hissed angrily as he saw the ugly marks on his son's back once more. He had seen them before, but every time he witnessed them his blood began to boil again. This was his son, his flesh and blood.
"Relax and open you mind to me," Vader instructed his son. "I'll show you how to use your own healing powers and then we can do this together."
As he spoke, Vader ran his hand over his son's back. Nodding his head in agreement, Luke closed his eyes and forced himself to relax before opening himself to the Force. Feeling his father enter his mind, he did as the older man showed him. Then, together, they focused their attention on the scars. Luke wasn't sure how long it took, but when he came out of the Force trance he had fallen into, he saw his father smiling down at him.
"It is done," Vader stated at which Luke instantly reached back and ran a hand over his back.
Feeling only smooth skin, Luke craned his neck to get a view of his back before he jumped up and ran into the bathroom to use the mirror. Vader smiled before he followed his son.
"I can hardly believe it," Luke said as he looked at his now smooth back. "Thank you, Father."
Admiral Bouttery walked down the long corridor of the newly commissioned Super Star Destroyer, the Executor, eager to deliver his message. As soon as he was done, he would be on his way to his next assignment. He nodded at another officer walking the halls. The other officer recognized him, most Navy officers did after the execution, and nodded back.
The public execution, it had seriously changed how Bouttery looked at his job. He had always seen his work as a necessary, but unglamorous post. He was normally assigned to guarding various military installations, not questing forward to engage the enemy. In fact, he had always seen his work as more of a necessary evil than an honor. But after the execution, he had actually received fan mail. People in the Empire who had thanked him for protecting them, for protecting the Empire's fleets so they would be safe. He had even received letters from children- one class had even made him a big poster.
The admiral turned a corner, thinking about it. He wondered if the other man had received anything. He wondered if the young man cared. He had seemed so distant at the ceremony. He hadn't been cold, it was more like the man was happy for entirely different reasons than the rest of the crowd. He hadn't even come to the palace party afterwards, where he, Bouttery, had been formally presented to the Emperor himself.
It had been weeks since the public execution and Admiral Bouttery still occasionally thought about the young man that had killed the Rebel before him. No one had known where he had come from, no one had known exactly what he had done to merit such favor from the Emperor. The media had pounced on his story like a cat, but they had found nothing but his name, Luke Skywalker. That and unsupported rumors, none of which the news centers were willing to spread. Bouttery knew the rumors. Rumors ranging from Vader's private habits to secret projects of the Dark Lord. The admiral leaned towards the idea that Vader was doing something to the young man, other rumors had said that the man was an inhuman killer. The young man had survived at least one assassination attempt, and had killed the assassin without leaving a mark on the creature.
The admiral only knew one other man who killed without touching; Darth Vader, the mysterious Dark Lord. The man who was currently resting in his private chambers aboard his new ship. The man to whom Bouttery was delivering this message.
Whoever he was, he had continued to travel with Lord Vader on his military as well as governmental travels. Bouttery knew that the young man would probably be with the Dark Lord even now.
He turned the last corner and came up to the appropriate door. Two stormtroopers stood guard, one on each side. The admiral looked meaningfully at the guards. He was unsure if he was supposed to knock or not. The door suddenly swished open. Bouttery took it as invitation and stepped inside.
The entry chamber was bare, only a strange pod-like structure stood in one corner. A side door was open, and the admiral could hear a strange humming that varied in pitch.
"Your right side is open." It was the mechanical voice of the Dark Lord. A pause, while the admiral tried to determine if he was supposed to go into the other room. "Enough," the mechanical voice growled, "go get cleaned up. You can continue later."
Darth Vader strode into the room, cape unfurled, black armor immaculate and shinny. He stopped, and the black mask stared into the admiral's soul.
"My Lord," the admiral began, "General Veers has arrived with the last of the ground forces and your bridge crew is assembled. When do you wish to have the formal undocking?"
"As soon as possible." Vader said, as a young man walked past behind him. It was Skywalker, and he was wearing a skin tight short and short sleeve shirt. Sweat streaked his brow and discolored the black material of his clothes. He was barefoot, and crossed the room silently. The man spared him a look and Bouttery suddenly realized he was right, Skywalker must be some sort of new assassin the Dark Lord was developing. Skywalker's eyes held death.
The admiral tore his eyes from the young man and bowed. "As you wish, my Lord. It has been an honor to guard your ship, I wish you luck in your hunting."
"Luck has nothing to do with it." Vader dismissed him.
Luke stepped from the landing shuttle onto the Palace roof. A rather large crowd of courtiers was hanging around, watching as the Dark Lord formally presented the Executor to the Emperor after her maiden voyage. Skywalker drifted towards Major Ravenell.
"Well," Garret said, "that was an exciting mission." He was faintly sarcastic, the maiden voyage had been very dull. They had only gone to a few planets that had unrest to use the terrifying presence of the mighty ship to scare them into submission. They had even gone to an uninhabited planet to test the planetary bombardment capabilities of the new ship.
"Lord Vader said that maiden voyages are for the technicians anyway. Work the bugs out. We should get a real assignment next." Luke scanned the crowd, picking out faces of the courtiers his father had said were the most powerful. He would get to go to the formal party tonight, if only for a few hours. His father seemed to be taking it very slow as far as Luke's social life went.
"Good," the major said, "what good is that ship if we don't get to use it?"
Luke smiled. "Oh, we'll use it." His eyes suddenly caught someone staring at him. A young women with brown hair and vivid green eyes. She blushed and turned her head. Luke furrowed his brow, she looked familiar. Her hair was piled upon her head and strung through with white pearls and her pale green silken dress was dotted with more pearls. Where had he seen her before?
"Good. It's been slow lately, what with all the bureaucratic work Lord Vader has been doing here at the Palace." Garret said. He meant with all the work Vader had been doing to train his son, but he couldn't say that in public. Luke barely heard him. "It will be nice to get back into battle more often. I-"
Garret stopped, noticing Luke wasn't really paying attention. Ravenell didn't know it, but Luke had been hit with another elusive tingle in the Force. "Garret?" Now Skywalker remembered, he had seen her at the execution.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Who's that woman? The one in the light green dress with the pearls? Brown hair?"
"Uh, the one with the green eyes? Anjaleen Winiterure. She's one of the few female heiresses at court. Only child, father has an inherited position to represent his sector of loosely allied worlds here at the Imperial Palace. Why?"
"I keep catching her looking at me." Luke sounded almost confused, he was trying to figure out what the Force was saying. At least it felt different than last time, it wasn't a warning.
The major hid a smile. "Maybe she likes looking at you."
Luke smirked. "Around here? I'm just a powerless nobody that no one has ever heard of. Women don't look at anyone like that. Lord Vader gave me the most tedious lecture about it."
Garret smirked back, enjoying the irony.