(no subject)
WHO: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker
WHERE: Kuat Drive Yards, over Kuat (it's a shipyard over a planet, for those uninformed)
WHEN: 6/17-18. ICly, before the fight between Vader and Revan.
WHAT: Vader goes to inspect a Star Destroyer being built, and Luke manages to infiltrate.
WATCH FOR: A civil discussion. Yaaaaay, no fighting!
Kuat Drive Yards. Perhaps one of the most famous shipyards in the galaxy, these shipyards circle the planet for thousands of miles. Here is where many of the powerful Star Destroyers are built, along with other ships, such as Lambda-class shuttles, and the various models of TIEs.
Currently, the shipyards are in full swing - and not only because there's work to be done. A sense of nervousness, of unease pervades the atmosphere, with the technicians and workers shooting glances to the white-armored Stormtroopers that are out in force today. Although, they're mostly concentrated in one area - where only a skeleton of a Star Destroyer has been built, but is nonetheless being quickly assembled.
"As you can see, Lord Vader, construction is going as scheduled," says the head foreman, doing his best to keep his voice calm and steady. He doesn't manage to completely hide his anxiety around the Dark Lord of the Sith, even if the black-armored man merely gazes out through the window, not bothering to even glance at the trembling man.
Whether or not this was intentional... the Light Son of the Force is here on this planet too. Considering certain people being on this island, it's quite possible that his presence his felt... and probably even more so, now that he's closer to the shipyards than he would like to be. That's correct, Luke Skywalker is here and currently ducked behind a large stock of materials.
He's crouched low, peering around the side, with his hood up and using the Force to help him blend in with his surrondings a bit more. Time delayed thermal detonators have already been strategically placed and he's got a couple more that he wants to set. But there could be a problem with such things... considering who is over there conversing (somewhat) with the foreman.
The specifications of the Star Destroyer are spoken out loud, including its length (1,600 meters), its crew (over 30 thousand), and other various bits of information which may or may not prove useful to the crouching and/or hidden Jedi. But the ramblings of the foreman are soon silenced by a hand gesture. As if expecting to be short of breath, the man reaches for his throat, and seems a bit surprised when he finds that he can, in fact, breathe.
"You may leave now."
"Ah...yes, Lord Vader." With a quick bow, the man scurries off, leaving the Sith alone to stare out the window. The hand moves to behind his back, clasping the other's wrist. For all the galaxy, he doesn't notice anything but the Star Destroyer under construction...
The Jedi Knight watches the Foreman leave and looks up. With a Force Leap, he lands atop of the Star Destroyer's skeleton, without making a sound. Again, his body crouches low, so hopefully nobody will notice him, evenif he's got on all black. He creeps along to the edge, hoping that he's coming to the window where his... well, not his father... but whatever that guy is to him... is looking out of.
One hand goes into his cloak for a moment, before his fingers grip around the thermal detonator. He pulls it out, twists and sets the timer, before reaching down to attach it to the Star Destroyer's frame... just above the window. Don't get caught, Luke!
Really, that's sort of insulting to think that he hasn't recognized his presence by now, much less will not notice him placing a thermal detonator. Right next to him, either. But the pretense is kept up, with Vader hardly even breathing as Luke lowers the explosive. At least, until he's about to place it.
Then, Vader's hand moves, lightning-fast; to seize the wrist holding the detonator, and /squeeze/. His other hand moves to catch it, in case it is released; wouldn't want it to be accidentally activated, now, would we?
Luke doesn't struggle. Not in the least. Maybe this wasn't a routine sabotage mission after all. Maybe it was something else. He stays crouched on the roof of the ship, almost smirking in the darkness of his hooded cloak, and he actually lets go of the detonator. It's not even really set.
"How long have you known?" he asks, simply, likely referring to his presence here. With this being said, he moves to pulls his arm from his father figure's grip and somersault off the rooftop and down to the ground, nice and safe.
"For some time," is the response, Luke finding it easy enough to pull himself free; once it becomes obvious (to Vader at least) that he was the one duped, he lets go. The detonator is carelessly tossed away, although enough of Vader's attention is on it to ensure that it won't go off as it lands. All things considered, that's not a lot of attention. The rest of it is focused on Luke as he turns to face his son.
"I never thought you one for playing games," he remarks, crossing his arms across his chest. "And I won't, either. Why are you here?"
Funny; last time there tried to be a civilized talk between Father and Son, over dinner nonetheless, Son seemed more anxious to leave than to dine. But now they're in a similar situation, albeit one where Luke has gained the upper hand with his jibe; anger visibly clouds Vader's face, mixed with frusteration. But it soon passes.
Instead of responding with words, Vader attempts to find out just what it is Luke has in mind for this discussion - literally - concentrating on the boy's thoughts. He's not trying too hard, so if Luke wanted to, he could block Vader out for the most part.
Luke does just that. He hates being invaded, because it's just not right. Besides, he has all sorts of Rebel things in his mind, so having Vader poking around inside would not be good for the Alliance. "Stop." he says, holding up a hand, to show that he's not going to do this the mental way, and maybe even secretly telling Vader to talk to the hand.
"Talk to me. I need to know some things..."
There's one more sharp, final probe; then it does, indeed, stop. Although there's a slight self-satisfied smirk on Vader's face. He glances to the side for a moment, in the direction the foreman made his exit; then he turns back to the window again, placing a gloved hand on the transparent solid.
"What do you wish to know?"
Luke continues to just stare at his father figure, even though its not really a father figure, so much as an enemy. "I felt something. The other day." Luke's words are chosen carefully, as he doesn't want to let any cats out of any bags or whatever. He's just trying to understand and since he can't exactly go to Obi-Wan for help, "I wanted to know if you felt it to. And what you thought it was..." At least he's getting right to the point, no?
The reply isn't immediate, as thoughts go back to that day; Vader knows exactly what Luke is talking about, although he's not as certain how he can describe it. "...a disturbance in the Force," he says finally. "Were I to guess, centered around a person." He's not going to mention the slight familiarity of it; he'd have thought it Luke, were he not already aware of the boy's presence in the Force. And now it seems that he felt it too...which makes it all the more...
"...curious."
Luke tries to study his fatherly type, but he can't. There are too many questions, emotions and feelings clouding his thoughts. He can't really seem to buckle down and get to the heart of what's wrong. He may never be able to do that, not until he turns his father back to the good side. "So it wasn't you?" Luke could've sworn that the feeling came from his father. He could practically feel him...
A slight turn of the head. "The fact that you are asking shows that it wasn't. If it was me...you would know. Or perhaps your senses are not as powerful as I had assumed." This would be the point where he would normally offer to complete Luke's training, and make them that powerful...but he doesn't. Something else is on his mind, something that he'd managed to push away until Luke made him think about disturbances.
Because running from a little girl is just as bothersome as a nuance in the Force that's familiar and yet not.
Luke narrows his eyes. His senses are top notch. He was merely stating the obvious and he should tell him that, but he won't. Waste of the words and all that rot. Finally, though, his eyes lower as he looks at the ground. "Could it have been..." He doesn't really know how to say this, so he's just going to come out and say this. You can do it, Luke. Ask.
"... My mother?"
And with those last two words, something clicks. The reason why it was so familiar - it was like Padme. His breath catches in his throat at the thought; he'd known, of course, that there were similar planes to this one...ones where she still lived...but the thought of her, being here...
"She's dead." He almost sounds like he's trying to convince himself more than Luke, because in a way, he wants it to be true. He wants her to be dead. He can't face her...
Luke takes a step forward, closer to his father. Maybe this is the key. Maybe this will make everything all better and he can get around having to destroy his own father for the safety of the galaxy. "... but what if she's not?" Luke's voice is almost a whisper. Almost like he's seen her or something. "You could... start again." He looks off to the side for a moment. "We all could." Reach for the good in him, Luke! Reach!
Silence. The tiny bit of good in Darth Vader stirs at Luke's words, perhaps trying to make its way through the darkness that has enveloped him for so long towards the surface. But there's a lot holding it back; and, in a way, it's holding itself back. Because...well...
Vader turns away. "She's -dead-, Luke. I killed her, remember? There is no way to bring back the dead." Including his old self, he wants to say. "And I have gone too far down the dark path ever to return."
He sounds like he means it. But...there's something else in there, too, were Luke to search hard enough for it.
"Don't say that!" Luke practically explodes with emotion. Why must every chat turn into something like this? Because, Luke is trying to make this man see that there is a chance. There is hope. A New Hope. "If you keep saying that, it will be true. There is good in you. I can feel it. It's strong... buried, but it's there. Waiting to help cast this shadow... this darkness... aside. But you have to want it. As bad as I do."
With a sigh, Luke bows his head, stepping backwards. "You felt the same thing I felt, Father. If it is not her, then..." He trails off, looking to the side. "The Force doesn't lie."
Vader closes his eyes, screaming in his head for Luke to /stop/. He doesn't scream out loud, of course, or even through the Force; but the mere words of Luke are visibly affecting him, and hard, even though his back is turned and face hidden to Luke. Why can't the boy just stop? There is no good in him. He killed them he killed them all he'd do it again if he could he's-
/Enough/. Back to the matter at hand. If he can focus on that, he can stop this...effect on his mind.
"...it's not her," he says quietly. "It was...too different. It was...like you." And her, mixed, with some other element in there. But that could...would mean...
...did she have...?
"... Like me?" Luke blinked. His fighting for his father to turn back to the good side shoved aside in light of this new information. He sent the words through his own head a few times, but couldn't seem to wrap around them. Finally, though, like a lightbulb, his eyes brighten a little bit and realization sets it. It's possible.... but he doesn't want to say it.
In fact, he needs to speak to Obi-Wan about this. Now. "I must go." Even if Obi-Wan is just some blue ghost.
There's no response from Luke's father. He continues staring out the window, actually resting his foreead against the cool glass as he tries to make sense of...well, this. And shove away Luke's words, his offer, his promise...because it can't happen. It won't. He's too far gone.
Which makes the idea of Luke coming to the Dark Side painful, in a way. To see the goodness that he practically shines with dissapear...
"..."
No words. Nothing else to say. Luke is too busy stomping away swiftly, letting his cloak flow behind him in that awesome Jedi Knight way that it does. His head is bowed, his eyes closed... as if using the Force to keep himself hidden out in the open. Only one word is whispered before he disappears...
"Ben."
There is still something else to say: Something Vader needs to make clear to Luke. He turns, but by that time the Son is gone; only a name lingers. And in that name, Vader finds something to blame. Something to land all of this on; someone to curse, someone to, in a single word, hate. He grips his fists together, hating 'Ben' for taking first his wife, then his son away from him; hating him for hiding him all these years; hating him for contiuing to 'guide' his son, even after death.
But the hatred for Obi-Wan is pitiful when compared to the hatred for himself. Eyes downcast, he walks in the opposite direction Luke took; time to finish this 'tour' of the Star Destroyer and the shipyards, and perhaps really choke someone this time. It might make him feel better.
WHERE: Kuat Drive Yards, over Kuat (it's a shipyard over a planet, for those uninformed)
WHEN: 6/17-18. ICly, before the fight between Vader and Revan.
WHAT: Vader goes to inspect a Star Destroyer being built, and Luke manages to infiltrate.
WATCH FOR: A civil discussion. Yaaaaay, no fighting!
Kuat Drive Yards. Perhaps one of the most famous shipyards in the galaxy, these shipyards circle the planet for thousands of miles. Here is where many of the powerful Star Destroyers are built, along with other ships, such as Lambda-class shuttles, and the various models of TIEs.
Currently, the shipyards are in full swing - and not only because there's work to be done. A sense of nervousness, of unease pervades the atmosphere, with the technicians and workers shooting glances to the white-armored Stormtroopers that are out in force today. Although, they're mostly concentrated in one area - where only a skeleton of a Star Destroyer has been built, but is nonetheless being quickly assembled.
"As you can see, Lord Vader, construction is going as scheduled," says the head foreman, doing his best to keep his voice calm and steady. He doesn't manage to completely hide his anxiety around the Dark Lord of the Sith, even if the black-armored man merely gazes out through the window, not bothering to even glance at the trembling man.
Whether or not this was intentional... the Light Son of the Force is here on this planet too. Considering certain people being on this island, it's quite possible that his presence his felt... and probably even more so, now that he's closer to the shipyards than he would like to be. That's correct, Luke Skywalker is here and currently ducked behind a large stock of materials.
He's crouched low, peering around the side, with his hood up and using the Force to help him blend in with his surrondings a bit more. Time delayed thermal detonators have already been strategically placed and he's got a couple more that he wants to set. But there could be a problem with such things... considering who is over there conversing (somewhat) with the foreman.
The specifications of the Star Destroyer are spoken out loud, including its length (1,600 meters), its crew (over 30 thousand), and other various bits of information which may or may not prove useful to the crouching and/or hidden Jedi. But the ramblings of the foreman are soon silenced by a hand gesture. As if expecting to be short of breath, the man reaches for his throat, and seems a bit surprised when he finds that he can, in fact, breathe.
"You may leave now."
"Ah...yes, Lord Vader." With a quick bow, the man scurries off, leaving the Sith alone to stare out the window. The hand moves to behind his back, clasping the other's wrist. For all the galaxy, he doesn't notice anything but the Star Destroyer under construction...
The Jedi Knight watches the Foreman leave and looks up. With a Force Leap, he lands atop of the Star Destroyer's skeleton, without making a sound. Again, his body crouches low, so hopefully nobody will notice him, evenif he's got on all black. He creeps along to the edge, hoping that he's coming to the window where his... well, not his father... but whatever that guy is to him... is looking out of.
One hand goes into his cloak for a moment, before his fingers grip around the thermal detonator. He pulls it out, twists and sets the timer, before reaching down to attach it to the Star Destroyer's frame... just above the window. Don't get caught, Luke!
Really, that's sort of insulting to think that he hasn't recognized his presence by now, much less will not notice him placing a thermal detonator. Right next to him, either. But the pretense is kept up, with Vader hardly even breathing as Luke lowers the explosive. At least, until he's about to place it.
Then, Vader's hand moves, lightning-fast; to seize the wrist holding the detonator, and /squeeze/. His other hand moves to catch it, in case it is released; wouldn't want it to be accidentally activated, now, would we?
Luke doesn't struggle. Not in the least. Maybe this wasn't a routine sabotage mission after all. Maybe it was something else. He stays crouched on the roof of the ship, almost smirking in the darkness of his hooded cloak, and he actually lets go of the detonator. It's not even really set.
"How long have you known?" he asks, simply, likely referring to his presence here. With this being said, he moves to pulls his arm from his father figure's grip and somersault off the rooftop and down to the ground, nice and safe.
"For some time," is the response, Luke finding it easy enough to pull himself free; once it becomes obvious (to Vader at least) that he was the one duped, he lets go. The detonator is carelessly tossed away, although enough of Vader's attention is on it to ensure that it won't go off as it lands. All things considered, that's not a lot of attention. The rest of it is focused on Luke as he turns to face his son.
"I never thought you one for playing games," he remarks, crossing his arms across his chest. "And I won't, either. Why are you here?"
Funny; last time there tried to be a civilized talk between Father and Son, over dinner nonetheless, Son seemed more anxious to leave than to dine. But now they're in a similar situation, albeit one where Luke has gained the upper hand with his jibe; anger visibly clouds Vader's face, mixed with frusteration. But it soon passes.
Instead of responding with words, Vader attempts to find out just what it is Luke has in mind for this discussion - literally - concentrating on the boy's thoughts. He's not trying too hard, so if Luke wanted to, he could block Vader out for the most part.
Luke does just that. He hates being invaded, because it's just not right. Besides, he has all sorts of Rebel things in his mind, so having Vader poking around inside would not be good for the Alliance. "Stop." he says, holding up a hand, to show that he's not going to do this the mental way, and maybe even secretly telling Vader to talk to the hand.
"Talk to me. I need to know some things..."
There's one more sharp, final probe; then it does, indeed, stop. Although there's a slight self-satisfied smirk on Vader's face. He glances to the side for a moment, in the direction the foreman made his exit; then he turns back to the window again, placing a gloved hand on the transparent solid.
"What do you wish to know?"
Luke continues to just stare at his father figure, even though its not really a father figure, so much as an enemy. "I felt something. The other day." Luke's words are chosen carefully, as he doesn't want to let any cats out of any bags or whatever. He's just trying to understand and since he can't exactly go to Obi-Wan for help, "I wanted to know if you felt it to. And what you thought it was..." At least he's getting right to the point, no?
The reply isn't immediate, as thoughts go back to that day; Vader knows exactly what Luke is talking about, although he's not as certain how he can describe it. "...a disturbance in the Force," he says finally. "Were I to guess, centered around a person." He's not going to mention the slight familiarity of it; he'd have thought it Luke, were he not already aware of the boy's presence in the Force. And now it seems that he felt it too...which makes it all the more...
"...curious."
Luke tries to study his fatherly type, but he can't. There are too many questions, emotions and feelings clouding his thoughts. He can't really seem to buckle down and get to the heart of what's wrong. He may never be able to do that, not until he turns his father back to the good side. "So it wasn't you?" Luke could've sworn that the feeling came from his father. He could practically feel him...
A slight turn of the head. "The fact that you are asking shows that it wasn't. If it was me...you would know. Or perhaps your senses are not as powerful as I had assumed." This would be the point where he would normally offer to complete Luke's training, and make them that powerful...but he doesn't. Something else is on his mind, something that he'd managed to push away until Luke made him think about disturbances.
Because running from a little girl is just as bothersome as a nuance in the Force that's familiar and yet not.
Luke narrows his eyes. His senses are top notch. He was merely stating the obvious and he should tell him that, but he won't. Waste of the words and all that rot. Finally, though, his eyes lower as he looks at the ground. "Could it have been..." He doesn't really know how to say this, so he's just going to come out and say this. You can do it, Luke. Ask.
"... My mother?"
And with those last two words, something clicks. The reason why it was so familiar - it was like Padme. His breath catches in his throat at the thought; he'd known, of course, that there were similar planes to this one...ones where she still lived...but the thought of her, being here...
"She's dead." He almost sounds like he's trying to convince himself more than Luke, because in a way, he wants it to be true. He wants her to be dead. He can't face her...
Luke takes a step forward, closer to his father. Maybe this is the key. Maybe this will make everything all better and he can get around having to destroy his own father for the safety of the galaxy. "... but what if she's not?" Luke's voice is almost a whisper. Almost like he's seen her or something. "You could... start again." He looks off to the side for a moment. "We all could." Reach for the good in him, Luke! Reach!
Silence. The tiny bit of good in Darth Vader stirs at Luke's words, perhaps trying to make its way through the darkness that has enveloped him for so long towards the surface. But there's a lot holding it back; and, in a way, it's holding itself back. Because...well...
Vader turns away. "She's -dead-, Luke. I killed her, remember? There is no way to bring back the dead." Including his old self, he wants to say. "And I have gone too far down the dark path ever to return."
He sounds like he means it. But...there's something else in there, too, were Luke to search hard enough for it.
"Don't say that!" Luke practically explodes with emotion. Why must every chat turn into something like this? Because, Luke is trying to make this man see that there is a chance. There is hope. A New Hope. "If you keep saying that, it will be true. There is good in you. I can feel it. It's strong... buried, but it's there. Waiting to help cast this shadow... this darkness... aside. But you have to want it. As bad as I do."
With a sigh, Luke bows his head, stepping backwards. "You felt the same thing I felt, Father. If it is not her, then..." He trails off, looking to the side. "The Force doesn't lie."
Vader closes his eyes, screaming in his head for Luke to /stop/. He doesn't scream out loud, of course, or even through the Force; but the mere words of Luke are visibly affecting him, and hard, even though his back is turned and face hidden to Luke. Why can't the boy just stop? There is no good in him. He killed them he killed them all he'd do it again if he could he's-
/Enough/. Back to the matter at hand. If he can focus on that, he can stop this...effect on his mind.
"...it's not her," he says quietly. "It was...too different. It was...like you." And her, mixed, with some other element in there. But that could...would mean...
...did she have...?
"... Like me?" Luke blinked. His fighting for his father to turn back to the good side shoved aside in light of this new information. He sent the words through his own head a few times, but couldn't seem to wrap around them. Finally, though, like a lightbulb, his eyes brighten a little bit and realization sets it. It's possible.... but he doesn't want to say it.
In fact, he needs to speak to Obi-Wan about this. Now. "I must go." Even if Obi-Wan is just some blue ghost.
There's no response from Luke's father. He continues staring out the window, actually resting his foreead against the cool glass as he tries to make sense of...well, this. And shove away Luke's words, his offer, his promise...because it can't happen. It won't. He's too far gone.
Which makes the idea of Luke coming to the Dark Side painful, in a way. To see the goodness that he practically shines with dissapear...
"..."
No words. Nothing else to say. Luke is too busy stomping away swiftly, letting his cloak flow behind him in that awesome Jedi Knight way that it does. His head is bowed, his eyes closed... as if using the Force to keep himself hidden out in the open. Only one word is whispered before he disappears...
"Ben."
There is still something else to say: Something Vader needs to make clear to Luke. He turns, but by that time the Son is gone; only a name lingers. And in that name, Vader finds something to blame. Something to land all of this on; someone to curse, someone to, in a single word, hate. He grips his fists together, hating 'Ben' for taking first his wife, then his son away from him; hating him for hiding him all these years; hating him for contiuing to 'guide' his son, even after death.
But the hatred for Obi-Wan is pitiful when compared to the hatred for himself. Eyes downcast, he walks in the opposite direction Luke took; time to finish this 'tour' of the Star Destroyer and the shipyards, and perhaps really choke someone this time. It might make him feel better.