[identity profile] jacens-heart.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] starwarsficfest
July 13 - OT: Luke, Vader, others (Mara a plus): AU; what if Luke had accepted Vader's offer to rule at his side?: "too high a price"

Title: Surrender
Author: [livejournal.com profile] jacens_heart
Characters: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade, Firmus Piett
Rating: Rated PG
Word Count: around 3040
Disclaimers: Don’t own characters, don’t make any money from them.
Summary: Instead of taking that crazy leap off the gantry, an injured Luke surrenders to Vader. Then somebody comes along to complicate things.



Surrender


Luke Skywalker sat in the high backed seat listening as the shuttle prepared to take off. He’d been given pain medication and the stump at the end of his arm heavily bandaged for his trip. He felt oddly calm, though whether that was his own attempts at meditation or the painkillers and antibiotics he’d been given, he couldn’t say.

He watched the activity around him blearily, heard the pilot and co-pilot checking their readings. He supposed he could be in a state of shock. After all, he was minus a hand but plus a father. Once a rebel and now…now…a deserter. He’d given up. Given it all up for a man who should have been long dead. He closed his eyes briefly as a wave of nausea flowed over him.

Father. The word rolled around in his head. How many times had he wished his father were alive? Too many to count. In his mind the man had been bigger than life, a hero who could right any wrong. What he’d believed about him had been confirmed by Ben Kenobi. A Jedi, a noble fighter for the Republic, a friend.

Ben. Opening his eyes he stared at the gray walls of the shuttle. Obviously Ben had lied. And that hurt almost as much as Vader’s revelation. He’d trusted Ben Kenobi, believed in him, admired him…and mourned his passing. He betrayed and murdered your father. All lies.

He stiffened as he heard the sound of Vader’s breathing increase. The man’s presence was overwhelming in the close confines of the shuttle, though Luke had to admit that he felt no immediate danger, not like he had when he’d arrived on Cloud City. Join me and we can rule the galaxy together…

Vader stopped by his seat and Luke stared at his black boots, still dusty from their earlier battle. Had it really only been such a short time ago? The world…Luke’s world…had changed drastically since then. He had started the day as one thing and ended as…as…what? Vader’s new apprentice? A trophy for the Emperor? He swallowed painfully and slowly his eyes rose until he was staring at the obsidian breath mask.

“Are you comfortable, Luke? As soon as we reach my ship, your medical needs will be more thoroughly addressed.”

Luke stared at him a second, realizing suddenly that he’d really not looked at the man before, really looked at him. But then they had been…occupied…with other things. Vaguely he wondered what had happened to put Vader…Father…into the black-armored suit and mask.

“I don’t feel a thing.”

Vader stared at him intently, and then inclined his helmeted head slightly before moving on to stand in the door of the cockpit.

Luke watched him for a moment, and then a faint, reluctant smile crossed his face. He’d be willing to bet his best boots that the guys in the cockpit were damned uncomfortable with having the Dark Lord hovering behind them like that. He knew he would be. The sound of the labored breathing seemed to thrum uncomfortably along one’s nerves.

Luke shook his head wearily and winced as his surroundings appeared to spin around him and his stomach took a sickening drop. No. He refused to vomit, not here. He closed his eyes and willed his traitorous stomach to settle down, a bit hard since it felt like it was sitting in the bottom of his throat. A fine film of sweat broke out over his body and he became aware that he was breathing too rapidly, and wondered if he’d be allowed to hunt up the ‘fresher, that is, if his legs were even capable of getting him there. There was a roaring in his ears and he could no longer hear the hum of the shuttle.

He felt someone leaning over him again but dared not open his eyes in case it destroyed what little control he had. A gloved hand touched his brow briefly…the medic must have returned…and then turned to lie gently across his damp forehead. A soothing sense of coolness seemed to wash over his overheated body, relaxing his tense and hurting muscles, and easing the horrible sick feeling and the throbbing headache he’d been cultivating.

But he felt strange…almost as if he were somewhere else for a moment. He felt…safe. The person who touched him should have seemed a stranger…not as familiar to him as Leia or Han or Wedge. He forced his eyes open to see…Vader…crouching beside his seat, black cape spread out across the aisle. He realized vaguely that Vader was speaking to him.

“…medic is returning and will travel with us back to the ship.”

Luke let his senses flow outward, probing with the Force. He felt rather than saw Vader tense, and wondered if he’d pay for his curiosity. The Dark Lord was shielded though Luke got a sense of great power just out of reach. And then there was the other thing. That…something…something unnamable…but…undeniable…that said Vader was a part of him.

Luke reached out and touched the helmet, not quite as shiny as it had been but enough that he could see his own distorted face in it. What happened to you…

Vader jerked his head back, dropping his hand from Luke’s forehead and rising in one fluid motion. The medic scurried up then, his three large purple eyes a study in fear. The Dark Lord informed him that he would be traveling with them to the Star Destroyer and that his future hung on the well-being of the injured young man who sat limply in his seat.

Turning the Dark Lord settled himself in one of the forward seats, back to Luke, and ordered the pilots to take off as soon as possible and not wait for the rest of the landing party. The medic injected a clear liquid into Luke’s I.V. and he remembered nothing more for quite a while.

* * * * * * * * * *


The boy was vulnerable. And instead of feeling pleased, Vader felt…uneasy. His injuries could be taken care of, the sickness would pass. But that was not the boy’s weakness. He was more untrained than Vader had thought. Not in his fighting skills but in other ways. But the Emperor…yes, the Emperor would be pleased. The boy was ripe for his molding.

He’s to be your replacement. Vader shrugged off the annoying voice inside his head. He was not so naïve that he did not realize that Palpatine would one day want to replace the father with the son. It was the way of the Sith, after all. But he had his own plans. It was almost time to be rid of the aging Emperor.

But he’d not counted on Luke being such an uncertain entity. And not counted on his own discovered, and very unwelcome, weakness. He wanted the boy for himself. To train, but also to be at his side. But not just as an apprentice, but as a son.

A scene spiraled through his mind. Luke, kneeling at the Emperor’s feet while the old man’s evil corrupted him, turning him into something unrecognizable. His son…her son…

He probed absently at his shoulder where the boy’s lightsaber…my old lightsaber…had cut deep enough to sear his scarred flesh. He would have to contact the Emperor when they reached the ship. How much of the recent events would Palpatine have sensed through the Force?

A plan, an outrageous and dangerous plan, began to form in his mind. If he could keep Luke with him, even if it was just for a short while, then perhaps the boy could come to accept the bond they shared…and there was no doubt now that they did share one even though they’d been kept apart for so long…and he could become stronger before Palpatine could corrupt him.

His mind raced quickly over what he needed to do to accomplish his goal. The medic would have to be taken care of, given a little help in forgetting his patient. Some of the stormtroopers would have heard too much also while back on Cloud City. But it could be done, his plan could work. After all, he thought grimly, more than once Luke had slipped through his fingers. This would just be counted by the Emperor as one more time, one more failure.

* * * * * * * * * *


The shuttle docked quietly and smoothly on the huge Super Star Destroyer. Vader’s ship, where most of the crew and officers were loyal to him first and secondly to the Empire. Luke would have to spend a bit longer in the shuttle than Vader had originally intended, but he had to be careful about who witnessed his removal.

He paused to glance at the boy, soundly sleeping now, and vital signs better than they had been a short while earlier. He pointed a finger at the medic whose eyes widened dramatically.

“Stay here with him.”

He marched down the aisle and then the ramp. He was tired he realized suddenly. His body and his suit needed cleansing and his injury tended to but that would all have to wait. He slowed suddenly…something was not…right. He sensed danger…diffused, hidden, but danger nevertheless. Then he noticed the strange ship sitting innocuously among the other shuttles and cursed himself for not using the smaller more private hangar.

He recognized the ship. Things had just gone from manageable to highly unstable. His stride increased and he met Piett, noticing immediately the unsettled look the usually solemn faced man was wearing.

“Where is she?”

“Our…uh…guest…has made herself at home in your private meeting room. She insisted and it did seem more preferable than having her in view of the crew. Her presence seemed to…make them uncomfortable.”

“Indeed, Piett. The young…woman…is detrimental to my plans. I must be rid of her quickly.”

They boarded the elevator while Vader outlined his current situation with Luke, leaving out the part about the boy’s identity and their relationship.

“The prisoner is to have the best medical care and I want my personal physician brought in to begin the process of replacing his lost hand. But he must be guarded, Piett, the boy is more powerful than he looks to be. I will not tolerate an escape attempt or further injury to him.

Piett nodded, not questioning his superior’s wishes, his mind already mapping the task he’d been given.

“And it is the utmost importance that our unexpected…guest…not know of the boy’s whereabouts. She is a formidable foe, Piett, much more so than any others that have boarded this ship.”

Leaving Piett on his way to the medical floor, Vader quickly sought out the meeting room. Though he usually did not hurry himself to greet anyone, guest or otherwise, he did not want the young lady to get restless and start exploring. He could only hope her Force senses had not recognized Luke for who he was.

He paused for a moment before the nondescript double doors, and then raised a hand and they slid silently open. He entered cautiously, for though Vader feared little, he did not usually knowingly throw himself into danger’s way.

His future…and his son’s…depended upon his skilled deceit.

He came to a stop and regarded the figure standing still and silent at the view port. Bespin was just visible and Vader wondered uneasily just how much the woman already knew.

She turned then and looked at him. There was no fear in her, save for just a slight tinge of wariness. Though he had seen her before in passing, he had not the chance before to really look at her. She was slighter in stature than he remembered, and there was a graceful but strong look to her that bespoke years of physical training.

Finally, she spoke, her voice rich and slightly husky.

“Lord Vader, it’s a…pleasure…to finally meet you face to face.”

Vader slowly began to walk around the young woman though keeping a good distance between them. He couldn’t read her at all, not unless he probed much deeper, and he didn’t want to ruffle her feathers until he discovered why she was on his ship without invitation.

“And what brings the Emperor’s Hand into my presence today?”

She arched one eyebrow and smiled slowly.

“Oh…I thought you had been informed. The Emperor sent me, of course. To help you. To help you in your…quest…for the Jedi, Luke Skywalker. The Emperor senses that he must be destroyed immediately and I’m just the one to do the job.”

Over my dead body! Vader inclined his head to her slowly.

“I must remember to thank the Emperor during our next communiqué for his foresight in sending me such a valuable…ally.”

“He thought you’d see it that way. The sooner we can begin our search the better. I’m assuming that this planet was the last known vicinity of Skywalker’s?”

“Yes, it was. In the company of Leia Organa of Alderaan and the administrator of Cloud City, Lando Calrissian, as well as Chewbacca the Wookiee. They escaped in the Millennium Falcon. Of course, I have my best people tracking them.”

“I see.”

He looked at her for a moment and she silently watched him back.

“I have just come from planet side and must see to a few things. Perhaps we could meet again in two hours?”

“That would be fine. If I could trouble you for some type of…accommodations?”

“Of course, I’ll have it seen to immediately.”

Turning he strode quickly out of the room. He chafed at having the woman on board his ship and if it were up to him he’d toss her out the nearest air-lock. But she was not to be underestimated as he’d warned Piett. And she was the Emperor’s pet.

He would see to her in good time. And he would not let her spoil his plans for Luke. He would pay too high of a price if his actions were revealed.


*I'm not sure if this is exactly what was wanted for this prompt but the story just kind of did what it wanted to. :)

Date: 2008-07-14 02:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] immortal-jedi.livejournal.com
This looks like a good beginning to an excellent story. Are you going to continue it?

If not, it's still a good story.

Date: 2008-07-14 02:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ring34-ani.livejournal.com
Oh, wow...this was good.

Vader so calm and trying to figure out how to keep Luke out of the Emperor's clutches now that he's decided he wants Luke for himself. And Luke all hurt and sick and has surrendered and really in a shaky spot.

I like how you brought in Piett and Mara in the story too.

Great story!

Date: 2008-07-14 04:43 am (UTC)
beatrice_otter: Vader and Leia (Vader and Leia)
From: [personal profile] beatrice_otter
...

And what happened next? You can't just leave it like that! Does Palpatine find out? Does Mara? Does Vader let Luke go? Does Vader turn back to the light? Does Mara? Does Luke turn to the dark? Does Yoda die alone, or does Obi-Wan get a message to Leia to get there in time?

This was a great ficlet, and I hope you continue it.

Date: 2008-07-14 07:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mlledefer.livejournal.com
very good one - thanks for sharing!:)

Date: 2008-07-14 05:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maramijade.livejournal.com
most definitely interested in hearing more on this :)

Date: 2008-07-15 07:36 am (UTC)
pronker: barnabas and angelique vibing (cwanichipmunk)
From: [personal profile] pronker
It's a good point that this fic finishes on, with Luke acknowledging his ties to Vader and knowing that Vader, prickly though he is, can help him heal. I liked that Luke didn't know if he were to be Vader's apprentice or given straight to the Emperor; what a choice!

Date: 2008-07-16 06:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] were-lemur.livejournal.com
And then what happened?

And then what happened?

(The prompt was mine; I didn't have anything specific in mind. I just wanted to see what someone would do with it. You did great.)

Date: 2008-07-16 03:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] general-solo.livejournal.com
What a strange situation Luke has found himself in! It's a wonder the poor boy hasn't just broken down and cried...long-lost father has turned into Darth Vader, lost his hand, was in his first lightsaber duel (at least in the films), doesn't know where his friends are, doesn't know if he's being taken to the Emperor, and just flat out does not feel well and needs a good long rest.

I hope you're writing more cause I'm intrigued as to what kind of different spin the arrival of Mara Jade will put on the situation. I'm not even sure when she and Luke first met in the books and was she still considered the Emperor's Hand then? I know in some of the EU stuff they've placed her hiding at Jabba's Palace at the time of Luke's arrival to get Han, but something goes wrong with her plan to capture/kill Luke.

Anyways, this was a great story and very effectively gives us an idea of how both Luke and Vader must be feeling. I liked very much.:)

Date: 2008-07-16 10:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] emavalexis.livejournal.com
Oh, man. You sucked me into this story right from the start. This is great as a standalone, but it would also be really, really compelling as the first part to a larger piece. The tension really amps up nicely once Vader comes face to face with Mara, but all of the stuff between father and son beforehand is really well done, too.

Nice job!

Date: 2008-07-17 03:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] saucysushi.livejournal.com
Amazing AU, it was so well done! You should really continue this because it's such an intriguing beginning. I like how you included the dynamics within the Empire with Piett and Mara. Great description of Luke's physical pain - that kind of awful nauseous feeling when you're really messed up. And the growing anxiety with Vader, that feeling that he's on uncertain footing or on thin ice.

Date: 2008-07-25 02:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] freckledmemory.livejournal.com
But...but...but then what happened?

How does Vader get rid of Mara before she sees/senses Luke?

How does Luke react to being aboard the ship and under his father's care?

Is Vader going to keep quiet about having Luke with him and how will he get away with it?

I really liked this story...Vader has a prize for the Emperor but now he wants to keep it for himself. I like how his attachment to Luke is already growing, kind of on its own, and I wonder how he'll continue to respond to that. He's lost Shmi and Padme but I don't think he'll let Luke get away.

Mara's character's intriguing. I don't know a lot about her when she was still the Emperor's Hand, just what's been referred to in the last few years of the EU books. Was there always an attraction between her and Luke, even when she hunted him for the Emperor?

More, please.:)

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