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Luke
The fifth Tale of Miklinar

NC-17

The Star Wars movies, their universe, concepts, and characters are the property of George Lucas and whomever else he has licensed. My characters and concepts, unless otherwise noted, are my property. In case of dispute, Lucas wins, no argument. There is no money being made on this story.

The room looks like a normal Fleet officer's office, senior grade -- except for the ornament in the corner. Properly arrayed on a maintenance stand is a copy of Darth Vader's life support/armor. The baleful gaze of the helmet watches you from across the room.

"It's not a copy," comes Miklinar's soft voice.

"What?"

"That's what everyone thinks at first." Miklinar rises from the station chair behind the desk. He stands over the armor for a moment, then touches the helmet's right cheek. "Can you see the burn? A blaster bolt during the Battle of Nagrond. It's barely visible, but you can feel the roughness."

You reach out --- yes, there's a slight discoloration, and a flaw in the smooth finish. You pull your hand back hastily, as if you had inadvertently touched the Old Man himself. "Does he know?"

"Of course." Miklinar looks at the mask with what could be affection, yearning, or maybe even desire? You're no telepath -- you glance over at him, then away, because he is. Polite, though -- if he's reading you, he doesn't embarrass you by mentioning it.

Miklinar looks over at you. "My apologies. You asked to see me." A shy grin, making him look harmless. "Interested in setting up a session?"

Your face flushes -- it had never occurred to you that he might see the appointment that way. Although, now that he mentions it...

"I missed the story the other night. I was hoping you might have a copy of it somewhere?"

Mikli turns to the bar set up on the far wall. "I could tell it again. There are aspects that I could have told better and this will give me a chance to polish the work."

He grins, "What are you drinking?"

Miklinar settles back in his chair. "This tale I call simply 'Luke.'"

     Garn was ending her second year of training. "Next year, you'll be old enough to be formally invested as my heir. That will give you more ceremony than you'll need for twenty years."

     "Oh? Long winded?" Ettare had attended inaugurations before at her father's side -- hours and hours of speeches. Garn hoped that the Sith would be more interesting.

     "Ten days of rituals, receiving fealty, reviewing troops, feasting, and other small matters. Nothing you can't handle." Laughter from inside the helmet, echoing. "At the feast, careful of the toasts. Take only a taste each time, or you'll be drunk in no time."

     "Do you think I've never encountered alcohol?"

     "You're out of practice -- and have no idea of the quantities involved."

     "True. So I change the alcohol to harmless sugars before they reach my stomach."

     Vader nodded. "Very good."

     Idly, "What happens when you're actually made system viceroy? A month of celebration?"

     "Less than a day. The viceroy has too much responsibility to shoulder, as soon as possible."

     "I see." Thoughtfully, "Maybe I should just skip the 'heir' stage and save myself the investiture?"

     Garn did not expect Vader's reaction to the tease, "I'll resign if you like. One less ton of office work for me a year -- I'll gladly be rid of it."

     "You're not serious!"

     "I can see advantages," he continued. "You'd be free to stay onworld, to rule directly instead of through a regency council. That would be better for our world. And my attention would no longer be divided, so the Emperor will benefit as well."

     Garn snarled, "No! I stay with you."

     Dead calm voice, "That's hardly your decision, Lord Anthru. By your oath, you're under orders."

     Ouch. Garn took a deep breath. "Yes, my lord. In service to House Vader, forever. Command me."

     Lightly, "I am minded to leave the council in place, as long as events at home are not noteworthy. You have been useful at my side -- I believe you will remain with me." Vader tilted his head and looked at Garn, "You insist on playing the 'I won't' game, even when you know you will lose."

     A faint smile, "Especially when I know I'll lose. Because I don't, not every time. You are ... indulgent ... of me."

     "You are adult. I might not have so indulged a disobedient child." The next datacrystal, the next file. Garn sensed a frown. A gloved hand opened the comm. "Commander Kaster, at once!"

     Only a moment. "Commander, the capture of rebel prisoners is not routine. Your standing orders should read that such acquisitions are to be reported to me immediately."

     Vader cut off the stammered explanations. "Computer, get me Captain Hidoru. Captain, we're going to the Cantrell system, all due speed."

     "Yes, my lord."

     The comm clicked off. Garn was curious. "Are these particular prisoners important, or are any rebel prisoners important no matter who?"

     Almost a hiss, "Leia Organa. One of Senator Calydon's colleagues, a major figure in the rebellion." His voice was almost flat. "She's had a death warrant on her for years. I suppose I should be grateful the fool didn't just execute her to collect the reward."

     Standing behind Vader, Garn studied the image. Yes, Leia looked a little familiar... "Much information? Hostage value?"

     "Information -- she's highly placed. And if she can be controlled, she could be most valuable once we let her loose again."

     Garn shook her head. "The Emperor wants her dead."

     "True." Vader looked up at Garn. "You've been working on methods of interrogation -- you will direct the questioning. I will stand by to assist if needed."

     Garn shivered faintly. "Yes. That could be ... satisfying. My lord, you have tried so hard to keep my training clean, to dissuade me from focusing anger and aggression into my use of the Force. Isn't it a little late? Considering I started by killing a governor?"

     "The dark side is easier, yes. Did I ever promise you ease? Your training in all things has been more rigorous than anyone's elsewhere, and the results show.

     "I know that your mother would not have tolerated even the 'grey' methods I have taught you. I had hoped in you to balance her and myself, to make you our child."

     Garn shook her head. "The dark side is my destiny, inevitably, my lord. I cannot see my opponent and kill him, if I do not hate or fear him. I cannot be a passionless killer."

     "Even as a pilot?"

     She laughed, "That's different -- it's almost a game. Surely you know that."

     Vader nodded, "It's a common perception." He touched the commconsole and the next file appeared. "Your reluctance to kill is no handicap at present. If it becomes such, something will be done."

     Another report, direct to Vader this time: "The rebels attacked out base and freed the princess. We killed most of them, but were only able to capture one. A 'Luke Skywalker', my lord."

     Dead flat voice,"Skywalker. Keep him well-contained, Commander. I want no successful rescues this time."

     The commander let out a deep breath. "Yes, my lord. I'll double his guards."

     Comm very carefully off. "Skywalker," musingly. "Well. I wonder if he is Kenobi's grandson, or from some other line?"

     "My lord?"

     "This Luke Skywalker may be the son of the man responsible for my burns."

     Garn was confused. "But you said that General Kenobi..."

     "Jon Skywalker was the cause. This ...Luke ... may only be kin." Long pause, "Or he may be her child."

     "Whose?"

     "Kenobi's daughter Sorra. She married Jon Skywalker. Genetically, a powerful match, with much potential. We shall see what he's done with it." A sharper voice, "Yes. Garn, I give you a Jedi to play with -- much more satisfying than Commander Wyscan as an experimental animal."

     Reaching the system where Skywalker was being held took a week. There was a fierceness to her lovemaking, and a bend -- the Vader she hunted so avidly was the one in armor, with the mask. And always she was in a uniform, Imperial or Sith.

     "Are you afraid of him? Afraid that he'll be stronger" unvoiced, "more attractive" "than me?"

     "He can't be. But I want it obvious, trained into me, that I'm yours. That I am an extension of you."

     "Of this" a gloved hand sweeping toward the armor, "aspect of me."

     "Yes. Your other aspects I can already find in myself."

     "Very well," the bass rumble was almost a chuckle.

Miklinar sits back. "You heard the other stories?"

You nod, "Yes."

"Then you know that there were no females in Imperial service. Garn's figure had been de-emphasized when her height had been increased, and no one even suspected. So when Luke met her..."

     Luke Skywalker waited in a cell. He figured that the trade was worth it, Leia's freedom for his. He could only tell them so much...

     The cell door opened. A guard came in, unarmed, followed by Vader and another nearly as tall, without the concealing mask and armor. A second guard, armed, stood outside. Luke tensed and then relaxed. The enemy needed three to subdue him for questioning?

     The one tall as Vader nodded toward the door. The unarmed guard left, and the door slid closed behind him. Maybe this one wasn't another guard, but another inquisitor. Vader's aide?

     Luke nodded to Vader. "Lord Vader. I fear I have no useful information for you. Your prize got away." Attention to the unmasked other, "And you are?" Silence, "No manners, Lord Vader? Or a mute observer?'

     "Unlike yourself, he speaks when necessary, no more. My aide, Garn Anthru."

     Garn studied Luke. His expression changed from mild interest to disbelief, then to strong interest. "My lord, this one has ... potential."

     A pause. Luke heard the response, but wasn't sure he heard with his ears, "Of course." Then, aloud, "Perhaps. Once the questioning is over, if there remains anything, would you care to investigate him more fully?"

     Luke caught a flash of eagerness, but heard only, "If aught remains, it would be ... interesting ... to run some experiments."

     Luke wondered about the undercurrents he was picking up. Was he hallucinating? The aide -- Garn Anthru? -- had a very odd touch .. something like Ben, but something like ... Leia? Feminine? or just effeminate? The voice was no higher than his, and Luke hadn't paid enough attention earlier to notice how Garn had moved.

     Vader noticed Luke's interest in Garn. "Lord Anthru, proceed to question this prisoner. I will observe."

     The questioning started. Luke, thinking he knew nothing, cooperated. He found he knew more than he thought, but when he became reluctant to talk, there was the sensation of a hand squeezing his brain... he kept talking. His tongue had developed its own will. The process wasn't painful, just effective.

     Some hours later. Vader had scarcely moved. Garn had paced back and forth, snapping out questions, occasionally pouncing on an answer, shaking Luke emotionally but not physically. By the end of the questioning, Luke felt limp. Garn was still eager, still intense.

     "That's it. Perhaps something else will emerge later, unconscious memories."

     Vader, "Is there enough left for your experiments?"

     Garn looked Luke over. "Yes, easily. May I have a free hand with him, m'lord?"

      "As you wish." Vader turned to the door, which opened. A guard came to attention. "Secure Skywalker and take him to Lord Anthru's quarters."

     Garn locked the door to his suite, then released Luke. The guard stayed outside. "A personna lock -- I can unlock it, Lord Vader can. Even if you somehow take me out, you can't escape."

     "It's my duty to try."

     Garn smiled. "You'll have better opportunities. This area is secure."

     Luke looked the lock over. "Your handprint by itself won't work?"

     "My handprint plus my will." Compliantly, Garn placed his hand in Luke's. Luke pushed the hand against the lock -- nothing. "Alright. I believe you. Now, what?"

      Garn's hand held Luke's. "I have ... uses ... for you. Look at me."

     Luke looked up at Garn, met his eyes... was caught. Something intriguing, something powerful... Luke felt himself screaming in the back of his mind, "Run! Fight!" Luke shut the screamer off, shut it away. "What do you want of me?"

     Garn's eyes bored into his for a moment, then softened, eyelids lowering to only half-open. Luke guessed, "You... are you a lover of men, then? Is Vader your lover as well as your master?"

     There was a pressure behind Luke's eyes. But it was an enabling pressure, like an ankle brace rather than a restraint. "Yes. My lovers have been men." Very quietly, "I won't hurt you. You've nothing to fear from me, not in this." Luke found himself walking into another room -- a bedroom. "Strip. Lights, very dim."

     Garn stripped down to undershirt and shorts. Luke was completely bare. "On the bed." Luke obeyed. Garn stretched out beside him.

     Luke studied Garn's face. "Do I know you? Not from here, but..."

     Garn quieted him with a kiss, firm and possessive. "Luke, you are mine. Even were you to escape, or be released, you will remain mine forever."

     "You're crazy. I'm not going to come running back to you at your call if I get out of here."

     Garn's smile was faint in the shadow. "We'll see." Garn's hand ran over Luke, exploring, while he finished stripping himself. Luke lay quiescent, feeling Garn's hands in him, wondering how it was that he welcomed this so, and afraid he knew the answer. Afraid that having any Jedi lover was better than trying to mate with a mind-mute or living alone.

     Then Luke raised his own hands to return the caresses, and made a discovery. "You're a woman!" He laughed, startlement and relief building on each other. "Does Vader ... of course he knows."

     Garn smiled, "How not? Since he is also my lover." She kissed him again, this time more fiercely. The tension in the back of Luke's mind at the idea of a male lover evaporated, and he cooperated easily.

     During the course of their lovemaking, Garn wove the net tighter around Luke. Luke remembered the Rebellion, but saw no reason to return to them. Garn's attention was enough reason to stay here.

     Luke was not the most skillful lover Garn had ever has, but he was certainly the most attentive. Unfortunately, that was because of the binding. Garn wondered, but only briefly, how attentive he would be otherwise. The knowledge was not worth the risk.

     Vader watched Garn's behavior with Luke. The net she wove was as strong as any he could have made, and to seal it with sex... A tactic he might try, given the right subject...

     "Has any more information surfaced?"

     Garn shook her head, "No. He was one of their pilots, not a leader. He may yet grow into leadership, under our guidance. Unless you choose to use him up."

     "He's yours while you have uses for him. I find your control of him intriguing. Have you tested it yet?"

     "No. One of the effects is a desire to please. There's no rebellion in him any more. That I wish something is enough."

     Vader regarded Garn for a moment. "Did you deliberately add that effect?"

     "Yes, to reduce resistance. So that my control of him would be absolute. I think I could remove it, though."

     Vader nodded, "Not immediately, but do so, gradually. See if he recovers, rebels ... and if he does, whether you can retain control." Consideration, "Not to slight you, but..." Garn nodded for her master to continue, "If you are not certain of the control, keep the full effect. I would prefer not to lose you."

     Jedi training. Luke was sufficiently pliable in his enthralled state to be extremely trainable. When Garn told him that he could do something, he believed her -- and often enough, he did it.

     Simple exploration of talents at first, then stretching and amplifying. He was faster and stronger than Garn expected, and his learning rate was almost feverish in its intensity because it pleased her.

     Vader observed one session. "He's good. You're so sure of your hold on him that you dare train him so?"

     Garn showed Vader the still uncaught part of Luke's mind. "At first, it had been screaming in protest. Now, it seems almost content. He is content."

     "While he is being trained, yes. And when you finish?"

     "Worst case, he breaks free. He won't be willing to hurt me. And he runs. Since you gave him to me, he doesn't see you as a threat, certainly not one worth hunting down at the expense of his freedom."

     "I am not entirely pleased at the idea of your training up a potential enemy." Vader looked Luke over once more. "Very well. Continue the training if you wish. We will have uses for him afterwards."

     Garn in Vader's quarters. "I'm growing too fond of him, love, and what I'm fond of has no real existence. The 'real' Luke Skywalker is my enemy."

     "No, he's not. His goals are currently opposed to ours. Goals change." Vader fell to musing and was startled when Garn's hand touched his face. "Yes?"

     "Do you begrudge me his attention?"

     No instant answer; Vader thought the answer over before answering. "No. The training you give him benefits you nearly as much."

     "Not just the Jedi training. His being my lover.'

     Vader shook his head, "But he isn't your lover. He's your toy, your slave ... no true affection on his part, and only fondness on yours. Nor do you touch like this," and followed with a mental embrace so ardent that the unembracing took some moments. "If anything he does makes you happy, continue it. You are mine -- any pleasure you get is mine as well."

     On the practice field. Garn had Luke training with lightsaber simulators and practice droids, and occasionally sparred with him herself. Concentrating with each other, neither noticed the stranger until the first shot was fired.

     Garn was hit in the upper right lung, bad, but not fatal if treated promptly. A second shot narrowly missed Luke. Luke's response was swift, but the assailant escaped still breathing.

     No alarms had sounded, and the room was barriered against casual thought probing. Luke knelt next to Garn, healing her as best he could. "Garn, I'm leaving. I want you to come with me."

     Garn reached for his mind, to see how he could even entertain such a thought. She couldn't penetrate his shields!

     "Please," Luke continued. "I know that you're as much his prisoner as I am, Garn -- Ettare. I can help you, come with me."

     Garn tried to stand, couldn't. "No. I remain."

     Luke stood, shrugged. "Very well. I'll summon the medics, then go." He didn't look happy at having to leave her behind, but... "We will meet again."

     Her answer was weak, and possibly not aloud at all, "We certainly shall." He stood by her until the medic arrived, then faded into the excitement.

     Vader arrived in a white-hot rage. He could find traces neither of the assassin nor of Skywalker. Garn didn't mention Luke's offer of rescue.

     Vader concluded that the assassin had been sent by the Rebellion to free Luke. And as a side benefit, killing Garn would have been a coward's way to damage an otherwise invulnerable Vader.

     Someone would pay.

     The infirmary. The medic was finished his examination of the injured Garn. He entered his office to face an angry Darth Vader.

     "Lord Vader, your aide is stable." The medic saw the tension melt out of the great figure before him. "But..."

     The tension returned, but not to the same degree. Vader rasped, "Yes?"

     Surely Vader knew that Garn was female. The medic blurted out, "She's pregnant."

     Was that a sigh of relief? Or just the hiss of the life-support suit? "When is the child due?"

     "In four months." The medic handed Vader a datapad. "Full medical report. The wound started much worse, but it was partially healed before my team arrived at her side."

     "Let me see him."

     Vader stood over Garn's quiescent body. "So he wouldn't leave you to die. Kind of him." Garn didn't answer -- deeper than her usual sleep. He touched her forehead and left her to recover.

     Vader settled down with the datapad. He looked over the gene probe. "There's the gene marker for the Jedi strain, on both sides. This cluster is almost exclusive to Sith ancestry... I remember this other cluster from Elia Sethon. No surprises." He thumbed the datapad off. "The concealment becomes more difficult now. Should I send you home until the child is born?"

     Her thoughts answered his. "Concealment, if possible. I will not be separated from you." Warmth of thought, wordless. "And if the child had been his?"

     "The child is yours. I assume you'd pick good stock for the father, but otherwise, he scarcely matters. You're not fool enough to be bride of the squadron, even if any single match would be acceptable."

     "I see." Her thoughts settled back toward sleep. "The healing drains me -- I'm pushing so I can be back to duty soon."

     "Take your time to heal. Do it right, not fast. That's an order."

     She drifted off, "Yes, my lord."

     Waking in the middle of the night. She called up the gene probe on the local monitor. Something wasn't right. She set up three displays: herself, Vader's, and the child's. The first five or six sites she examined in the child matched either her code or Vader's, and she was dosing off when a mismatch caught her eye. That woke her up.

     She tried a different sort, looking for gene sequences that didn't fit. There weren't many, but... interesting...

     A third arrangement. She subtracted all of her contribution from the child. What was left... about three quarters of it was Vader. But that was impossible, unless Luke... Many Jedi were close kin, but these two had to be full brothers, or father and son.

     Garn called up Vader's personal files. She found some answers, and some more questions.

     Skywalker's parents. His mother's picture startled Garn -- she looked a lot like Senator Leia Organa, Vader's enemy, but dressed in the styles of a different age. The father, Jon Skywalker... at first, there was a resemblance. But the jaw line wasn't quite right, the body structure, the hair and eye color... nothing quite matched. If a gene-engineer, working with other materials, had tried to make Jon Skywalker a son, this could be a result.

     Why had Vader kept these records, these pictures?

     "Sire, the priority line."

     The Emperor broke off in mid-sentence. With a wave of his hand, the hall was cleared. "The origin of the message?" A planet and a code name. The Emperor nodded, and a screen lit.

     A badly wounded man stood in the camera's sight. "Sire. Garn Anthru lives." Gasp. "He was aided," gasp, "by Luke Skywalker of the Rebel Alliance." Gasp, "They were training in weapons together."

     "Vader's aide, with a rebel? Speak, man!"

     The other slumped, and the connection was broken.

     The Emperor summoned an aide. "Get me Admiral Romike. Immediately!"

     The screen lit in a matter of minutes. Admiral Romike -- stern, trim, attentive. "Sire?"

     "We have a problem."

     Romike came to a stiffer attention, "Yes, Sire?"

     "It's name is Darth Vader."

     Romike's jaw dropped. "Sire?!"

     "Solve the problem, Admiral, and the reward will be ... satisfactory .. to you. Fail... do not fail me, Admiral. Am I clear?"

     Romike gulped. "Yes, Sire. At once!"

     At a gesture, the comm line cleared.

     An urgent contact from Admiral Romike: "Sire, I have located Lord Vader. I will move against him at once, but.."

     The Emperor leaned forward. His "Yes?" was more hiss than word. "Why the delay?"

     "Lord Vader is planning an attack against the rebels! His blames them for his aide's injury, and is pursuing them with even more than his usual ferocity."

     The Emperor sat back and thought. "So. Observe him for a while. Report back to me. If he destroys the rebels, or the rebels him, that will save your fleet some effort."

     "I'm not to interfere?"

     A faint smile, "On neither side, Admiral. Let it play itself out. They will weaken each other."

     "As you wish, Sire."

     Vader was not pleased with Garn. "You have opposed this operation from the beginning, urging delay and caution where before you were as avid as I am. Evaluate: is this a facet of your pregnancy, a remnant of affection for Skywalker, or something else?'

     Garn took several deep breaths, centering. "Something else. None of the rebels we've questioned knows anything about an assassin. What if his orders came from the inner systems instead of the Rim? Do you have enemies behind you as well as before, my lord? The assassin was after me. Who would seek to harm you that way?" Then the weakest argument, "I can feel connections elsewhere. It's not the rebels."

     "Show me these connections." Mind to mind. "No, you're right. That's not rebel work. Someone with a private agenda against me? Who would dare?" Vader concentrated, tracing...

     Another voice, one which should not have been there: "Perhaps I can help you. Here is the commcode he used after he left here."

     Vader whirled. "Skywalker. You dare return?"

     "I believe the rewards are worth the risk, yes. Lord Vader, your enemy is the Emperor. I traced the assassin to this commconsole, and this code goes only to one ear... What did you do to make him fear you? Or what did Garn do?" Luke's look at Garn was gentle but not enthralled. "The Emperor fears, perhaps, any close associations you develop? By yourself, you do not threaten him, but when you have other allies, might you move against him?"

     "His fears may have created what he feared, if your theory is true." Vader looked Skywalker over. Very well barriered, this one, and a lot more mature than when he had been under Garn's hand. "You benefited greatly from your imprisonment."

     "Indeed I did. My teacher was excellent." Then he noticed Garn's condition. "You're pregnant." Not asked aloud, "Whose?"

     Vader answered anyway, "Mine."

     But at the same time, Garn said, "Yours."

     Vader turned to Garn. "The chart..."

     "I continued the analysis after you left. My lord, geneprobe Luke."

     This wasn't a skill she'd taught Luke, so he could only wait. Vader probed. "I see. Not Jon's children at all."

     Luke was sure he'd misunderstood. "Who's 'Jon'? Another candidate?"

     The explanation was worse than he could have imagined. "Luke, you are my son, by Sorra Skywalker. You have a sister, of the same birthing..." The information in Vader's memory finally connected. Vader turned to a terminal, called up a file. "This was your mother thirty years ago. Who is your sister?"

     Silence for a moment. "Leia. Leia Organa is my ... twin? ... sister?" Vader nodded, once. "And you..."

     "So it would seem. You look something like Jon, but there are signature gene clusters that mark you as mine."

     The door to the corridor locked with the extra security lock. Luke's eyebrow rose at the sound, but he showed no other reaction.

     Vader removed his helmet and breath-screen. Luke looked at his father for the first time. The scars were mostly faded, and age was clear on Vader's face, but there was a resemblance of angle, of shape, a definite kinship. "Yes. I had not thought to look at you for a resemblance."

     Luke half laughed, nervously, "And the height and mass?"

     "Your mother almost entirely suppressed those genes. Look at your sister."

     "And what of this 'Jon Skywalker?' Did he know?"

     This touched an area Vader preferred not to explore. "Yes," he growled.

     Luke persisted, "Yes?"

     So Luke would have the truth? Vader would not spare him. "Your mother's marriage to Jon was an arranged one. We saw no reason to terminate our affair."

     "And Jon knew?"

     "I thought he did at the time. I was mistaken. He learned when the children -- you and your sister -- were born. He acted as a man will who fears a thief!"

     Vader hadn't expected the husband to be jealous? "I guess your customs were different. What else?"

     "Jon became irrational over the attention I paid Sorra."

     Garn shook her head, "My lord, people who are not as civilized as the Sith do not consider such disapproval 'irrational.'"

     Luke nodded his head in agreement, "Yet there are those who hold the Sith corrupt and their women shameless, because they care not who fathers their children."

     Vader, firmly, "They are mistaken. And you? What are your feelings?"

     "Garn chooses the father -- or fathers -- of her children. That is her right. But she is under no contract to you.

     "I don't know what contract there was between my mother and her husband. She may have agreed to bear only his children for the duration. Could he not be angry over the breach of contact?"

     Quietly, "Then it is rational for the husband, upon discovering such a breach of contract, to kill the mother of newborns and hunt down the father to do likewise?"

     That rocked Luke. "Jon killed her?" Vader waited in silence. "And went after you."

     "Yes. And nearly killed me." Vader shook his head. "But he died instead, and your grandfather fostered you and your sister out, for what he thought was the sake of your safety. He told you that I betrayed and murdered your father -- I think he believed that while he lived. Afterward, he had his own agenda."

     Luke blinked. "After he died? How... Ben Kenobi was my grandfather?"

     "General Obi-Wan Kenobi was Sorra Skywalker's father -- your grandfather. He died when you were about ten."

      "But I met Ben Kenobi when I was twenty. And the others called him 'Obi-Wan.' How could he have been dead?"

      "More substantial than a ghost, but with no physical body's ills and disabilities. Only the most powerful..."

      The comm, breaking into what threatened to turn into a scholarly lecture on Jedi abilities. "Lord Vader! There is an emissary from the Rebellion who would speak with you. Should I capture her?"

     Her? "On the comm or in person?"

      "A shuttle, my lord, just outside our tractor beam range. She's willing to come in. She says she has an interesting 'gift' for you."

      Vader cut the sound for a moment. "Luke? What do you know of this?" Then, quizzically, "How did you get aboard, anyway?"

      "It's Leia, the offer is genuine, and you'll find the gift valuable."

      No hesitation. Comm on, "Welcome Senator Organa aboard. Prepare the main conference room for our meeting. Notify me when she's docked."

      "Yes, my lord!"

      Vader carefully shut the comm off. "Now, tell me. How did you get aboard?"

      Luke smiled. "A fighter craft, into one of your fighter bays. I was saluted all the way here. I believe they thought I was you."

      Garn had never seen Vader astonished. "I'm not sure I believe you."

      Luke shrugged. "Do you have a blank datapad? There's a simple test."

      Garn cleared a datapad and handed it to Luke. Luke entered a message. "Unlock the door, summon a messenger, and conceal yourself."

      Vader restored his mask and helmet while Garn unlocked the door. Vader stood just inside his bedroom and summoned a messenger.

      The messenger appeared in haste. "Yes, my lord?"

      "Give this to Princess Leia when she first arrives. She need not answer it."

      The messenger nodded briskly, "Yes, my lord. I will await her at the hangar bay." The messenger bowed, "My lords," and left.

      Vader's bass rumble, "Fascinating. He addressed you as 'Lord Vader.'"

      "Yes. I will await you at the conference room." He bowed to both Vader and Garn. "My lords." Exit.

      Vader shook his head. "And we just let him walk away. Garn, your opinion. did he sufficiently counterfeit me?"

      "So it would seem. Getting here... perhaps he only passed unseen. But my own skills of disguise are not that good.

      Vader's great dark helm turned toward the door. "Nor are mine. Most impressive."

      Conference room. Leia with an escort of two armed Rebels, Vader, Garn, and Luke.

     Luke asked, "Is this wise, Lord Vader? No other witnesses?"

      Vader ignored him. "Your Highness? You've risked much for this meeting."

      "I've brought you a gift." a word to one of her guards, and a large box was brought into the room. "A prisoner for you."

      Garn recognized the man in the life-support pod. "Yes, Your Highness, a rare gift indeed. Lord Vader, this is the man responsible for my late ... vacation."

      Vader hissed, "I see. The would-be assassin. And is there a price for the gift?"

      Organa, "Only that you listen to the man's story, verify it, and act in a rational manner."

      In the assassin's weakened condition, a mind-probe was easy. Assassination orders from the Emperor, both for Vader's death and for Garn's. Garn had been the easier opportunity, foolishly taken. "I have seen enough. Let him die."

      Leia, "When that didn't work, he sent a fleet out after you. Admiral Romike is in the Hamada system right now, awaiting final orders." Her gaze at Vader was level. "I'm sure he has informers among your crew."

      "And you think to force my hand by conferring with you?"

      Leia's hand was clenched tightly on a familiar datapad. "No. Romike's original orders were to destroy you. When you moved against us this last time with increased ferocity, they were amended to 'wait.' The Emperor hopes that we will destroy each other, without his hand in it."

      "And have you proof of this new development?"

      "Ask your own operatives. Certainly, you have someone placed in Romike's fleet?"

      Vader nodded. "Your Highness, dismiss your escort. Skywalker may remain."

      One of the guards protested, "Leia, is this wise?"

      "No, but it is necessary." She stood silently until the four of them were alone. "Yes?"

      Vader held out his hand. Leia dropped the datapad into it, hesitating.

      The note read, "Leia. You're my sister. He's our father. Luke."

      Garn read the note next. "Senator Organa --"

      She interrupted, "Call me Leia."

      "As you wish. Leia, what do you think of this?"

      Leia shook her head. "I don't know. Luke assures me he wrote it. I can't feel any coercion, so he must have been offered convincing evidence."

     Luke, "I've seen the genemap. I have exactly half of his geneset. That's possible -- barely -- between full brothers, a certainty between father and son. And you bear a startling resemblance to our mother Sorra."

      A full geneprobe would have taken too long, but Luke was able to show Leia enough overlaps between her geneset and Vader's to win a grudging acknowledgement.

      A deep breath, "I can't forgive you some of what you've done, but I've recently learned what sacrifices and methods a leader must use if her cause is to survive." Vader nodded once, solemnly. "Now, you have a serious problem with the Emperor. Perhaps we can help you -- either to join with us, or become an independent system.

      The silence stood for a long moment. Then Garn snapped to a more alert pose. "I found him. My lord, I, too have a gift for you. In a minute or two..."

      Luke was apparently scanning as well. "Garn, I'll bring him in. Look for more."

      Leia watched, fascinated. She had never seen coordinated Jedi work. It was obvious that Luke and Garn trusted each other, and agreed with each other's goals.

      "And another. This one will come on his own -- now. A final scan ... Leia, your shuttle pilot reports to Romike. How would you like him dealt with?"

      Leia glanced at Luke. He looked relaxed, not concentrating. "Escort him here. We'll deal with them together."

      Garn closed her eyes for a second. "Done. The first is nearly here, the others follow shortly. Leia, do you want your guards to return?"

      "Yes, so you and Luke don't have to concentrate on controlling the prisoners."

      Garn grinned. "Watch. This may amuse you."

      The first of Vader's crewmen came in, holding three sets of binders. The binders went on the table and he stood to one side, face blank.

      The door opened again. Leia's pilot, escorted by another of Vader's men. The first crewman took a pair of binders and secured the rebel pilot. The second set of binders went onto the first of Vader's crewmen, the last on the other."Have your guards check these men for concealed weapons, Your Highness. I'll be releasing their minds shortly." The rebel had a holdout weapon, a nasty little paralysis gun that was absolutely non-issue in any fleet."Men, cover those two." To the third,the more senior of the Imperials, "You. Who do you report to? What were you told to watch for?"

      A sneer, "Any contact between you and the rebels, or any sign that you were directing your efforts anywhere except against the rebellion. You were too late, Lord Vader. I had just sent off my transmission."

      Garn shook her head, "Perhaps not. Leia, who else is aboard your ship?"

      "No one now."

      To the junior of the Imperials, "And you? Did you report?"

      "Not yet. I was stopped before..."

      "Good. You will send this message, in your usual format: An Imperial agent, posing as a rebel pilot, helped us capture high ranking rebel leaders Organa and Skywalker. Then conclude the message, 'more to follow.' Luke, escort him to his transmitter." Luke nodded and left with the prisoner.

      Vader said, "That may buy us some time, but now that the Emperor has his suspicions... There's no turning back."

      Leia shook her head, "You don't think you can take the Empire yourself? Too many of your own people hate you."

      Softly, "Those aren't 'my people.' But to survive, I will need allies." Comm console, "Admiral Wychulis. In the main conference room as soon as possible."

      "Yes, my lord. At once."

      The rebel guards were to one side, guarding a pair of prisoners. The admiral paused in the door, then entered the room. "You summoned me, my lord?"

      The door closed behind him and locked. "I did. You have perhaps already met Senator Organa of Alderaan."

      A nod. "And this young gentleman?"

      "Luke Skywalker. General Kenobi's grandson."

      A nod and a raised eyebrow. "I knew Ben well. He was a good man, and a great general. I'm pleased to meet you."

      Luke bowed slightly. "Thank you. Admiral, what is your opinion of the state of the Empire?"

      "A sweeping question, that." The admiral paused for a moment, then removed his gunbelt, laid it on the table, and stepped away from it.

      Garn picked it up and offered it back to him. "No one here will act rashly. Speak freely."

      "Lord Vader, you are conferring with the leaders of the rebel alliance. How can this be interpreted except that you're considering joining them, or at least, opposing the Empire? Do you dare leave me alive?"

      "Unless you attack one of us, your life is granted to you. No matter your answer to Lord Anthru's question."

      The admiral sighed. "Ah. Lord Vader, I once regarded the Empire as a valuable thing. I've since seen that the cultural differences are too much for a galaxy-wide government to tightly contain."

      Luke asked, "Are you going to help the Empire hold on as long as it can, or will you help build something more flexible, that can treat its citizens more equitably?"

      "A man with wisdom would retire to some obscure planet and wait out the war." The admiral shook his head. "Lord Vader, I am yours. I've known for a while that the Emperor was uneasy about you. And whether deserved or not, now he suspects me as well. He has, in the past, referred to me as 'Vader's admiral.'"

      Vader nodded. "I see. then we have plans to make."

Miklinar lets you think the tale over. "Any questions?"

"Many. Where did Luke learn Jedi skills Garn didn't have?"

Mikli smiles. "Very good. Kenobi taught him some of them. And the Force has a tendency, annoying at times, to decide how it will be used, without the Jedi's knowledge or consent."

Jedi nonsense -- you're used to it by now. "What's your next story about?"

"It's called 'Insurrection.' Is that a surprise?"

The surprise would have been anything else.

You rise, nod politely to your host, and then to the Other who had hovered at the corner of your attention during the tale -- the helmet and armor of the Lord of the Sith.

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