| Author |
Topic:
In Plain Sight: Luke's Story -- ANH AU - complete -- Thanks for your support in the Awards!
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furrylittlebantha
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
4/7/07 2:43pm
Subject:
In Plain Sight: Luke's Story -- ANH AU - complete -- Thanks for your support in the Awards!
- Date Edited:
7/30 8:45am (22 edits total)
Edited By:
furrylittlebantha
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Title: In Plain Sight: Luke's Story
Author: furrylittlebantha
Timeframe: pre-ANH
Characters: Luke, Vader, Palpatine, Mara, OCs, cameos by others
Genre: drama, short story, AU
Summary: Everything changes when Obi-Wan goes to the Naberries instead of the Lars'. The differences in Luke himself are considerable, but when he spends a summer internship in the Imperial Palace...suffice it to say that the galaxy will never be the same.
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
A/N: Many thanks to divapilot, my fantabulous beta!
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It is sometimes wisest to hide the prize in plain sight, is it not?
-Allegiance, pg. 238
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He never cried.
It unnerved Sola more than she cared to admit, and the unease translated to a dislike that would only deepen with the years. What kind of an infant was so silent, all the time? Unnatural, that's what. Demonspawn, a bitter voice whispered, and she pushed it away only half-heartedly.
He grew older, began to walk. Sola liked him less. He talked later than most, and she never became accustomed to feeling a hand on her knee, to look down into solemn blue eyes that told no secrets. Those eyes unnerved her. They weren't her eyes. They belonged solely to him. Like everything else about this child. Sola had been too young to remember Padme's as a baby, but surely her sister hadn't toddled about such eerie silence. Surely she hadn't been so...
She couldn't think of the right word. Sad brushed up against her mind, but she dismissed the thought. Babies couldn't be sad. They were too young.
When he was three Sola bore her first child. She held the tiny, dark-haired beauty against her breasts and felt a great swell of joy and relief. Joy, because the doctors told her that since she had finally succeeded, the probability of others was greater now. Relief, because she truly loved this little one. She had been so afraid... well. Perhaps Luke was a child only a mother could love. In the emotional glow of that moment, Sola promised herself that she would always be good to her nephew, and never favor her own offspring unfairly. It was the least she could do for her beloved sister.
Her husband came in, and she put everything else out of her mind.
The promise crossed her mind once more, the next day, and then she forgot it forever.
Luke was nothing like Anya, or any of the siblings that followed. Those awful, foreign looks only accentuated matters, but it went deeper than mere appearance. Her own children were bright, careless, mischievous; everything children were supposed to be. They wailed when they stubbed their toes. They laughed at bodily functions and unfamiliar words. They threw outrageous tantrums. They played hard in the day, and slept harder in the night. They ate like refugees. They alternated between bravery and cowardice, facing down bullies for each other but climbing in her bed during thunderstorms. They thought very little, and lived in the moment.
Padme's son was everything they were not.
It was an unseasonably warm day, for early spring. Luke was ten years old. She stumbled across him in the library, curled up in a recession in the wall. He was reading. Again.
"What are you reading, Luke?" she asked tightly, not really wanting to know the answer. "It's a gorgeous day outside. Why don't you go play with your brothers and sisters?"
"It's a book about pilots." He brushed his hair out of his eyes and looked up at her. That hair needs to be cut again, Sola thought with some annoyance. It was always too long. Inconvenient hair was certainly not a Naberrie trait. "I want to fly someday, Mother."
Mother. He had always called her Mother, never Mama as the others did.
"That'ss hardly the occupation of a VarewÃÂ" she said stiffly. "You'll be a senator--as long as you show the aptitude for it."
"What if I don't?" His voice was lilting, hesitant. Almost afraid. She cursed him for the guilt she felt at his tone.
"You will. Don't worry about it." Sola swept out of the room, slightly unsettled as she so often was after speaking with him.
She had forgotten what she came to the library for.
That night, staring up at the patterns on the ceiling, she felt the first stirrings of anger towards her sister.
"Why did Padme have to lose her senses?" she murmured softly. "Was it the strain of politics? Some bizarre, belated form of rebellion?"
Her husband only grunted and rolled over slightly.
"Palo was such a nice young man," Sola continued to herself. "If she had so much as lifted a finger..."
But she hadn't, and there was the problem. Instead, she'd run off with the first rogue who winked at her. Well, look where all that charm had gotten her...
Dead.
Slowly, Sola's ire evaporated. None of it was Padme's fault. None. That boy had taken advantage of her innocence, used her and threw her away when his unholy passions were sated. He destroyed her, like he destroyed the Republic and the Jedi Order. Ultimately, Sola supposed a wife was only one more obstacle to crush in a Sith's path to power.
Oh, dear...she hoped Padme had been his wife. She didn't really know. That Kenobi was very-closed mouthed. She hardly knew anything about her sister's short marriage, except that it ended in a death and a birth--both very hard for Sola to deal with.
Mother, Luke called her. And every time, she couldn't help thinking, you are not my son.
Maybe he saw it in her eyes. Maybe that's why he was so silent all the time; because he never felt like he belonged.
"You don't," she said to the ceiling. "You don't belong. You are not a Naberrie, or a Varewe. You're a..."
A Skywalker.
But she couldn't bring herself to say the name.
That night, Sola came to a decision. He couldn't stay. She couldn't take it any longer. Family obligation or not, she bore a deeper obligation to her own children. Who was to say if Luke might not grow into something tainted? After all, the blood of...of that man flowed in his veins. No. It was not worth the risk. Anyway, he'd probably be happier somewhere else. If not...
If not, at least someone else would be shivering when he turned those penetrating blue eyes on them. At least her soul would be hidden again. At least she could hug Anya without seeing Luke in her peripheral vision, a perpetual condemnation of her inability to accept her own flesh and blood. At least life would be simple again.
She slept easily for the first night in ten years.
Five years later...
"Are you nervous?"
"Nervous? Me? Are you kidding? This is the most exciting moment of my life!" The dark, handsome boy's eyes belied his confidence. They were wide, almost bulging out of his head. His hands were restless, breath too quick. Luke laughed quietly.
“Well, I’m nervous,” he admitted. “There’s got to be a reason for all the teasing we’ve been getting. Garmonsaw, I have a feeling…”
“You and your feelings,” the other interrupted good-naturedly. “Sure, it won’t be easy. Of course we can’t expect to be involved in any real politics—we’ll essentially be caf-toters, I expect.”
“Back-scratchers,” Luke suggested.
“Nose-pickers.”
“Shoe-lacers.”
“Butt kissers.” They laughed at that
“But Coruscant!” Garmonsaw continued. “The nerve-center of the Empire. The place where everything important happens. A little menial labor’s got to be worth it.” Luke looked out the window of the bus. His eyes took in everything and noticed none of it.
“Maybe,” he said quietly. He didn’t mention the apprehension churning in his stomach. His friend would only laugh.
Luke retreated into a private bubble of thoughts until the bus stopped and the Matron herded them out onto the lawn, single file. Passersby’s stopped and gawked at the long row of teenagers all dressed alike in spotless white tunics. Luke kept his gaze straight ahead. He was used to it.
The Imperial Palace was more than a little awing. Despite the ingrained discipline of the students, Luke heard a few dumbfounded murmurs breaking out around him. The pictures didn’t do it justice.
He’d never seen anything so big.
“Attention, please!” The voice was harsh and unfamiliar. Not the Matron’s. Every errant voice quieted instantly, and the straggling row of awe-struck off-worlders ordered itself into a straight line of identical, perfectly postured students. Luke looked out of the corner of his eye for Gartee. He didn’t see him.
The unknown speaker stepped into their vision and began walking along the line, inspecting them. She was a government official of some kind, middle-aged, wearing a trim tunic of almost military cut. Her eyes were deep-set and dark, nose slightly crooked, jaw very square, well-kept silver hair angling sharply away from it. Luke took all this in during the brief second she stood before him. A heavy silence reigned while she made her examination. Luke’s nose itched. He clenched his teeth together and ignored it.
Finally, the official passed the last student and walked back to stand by the Matron.
“Not a bad-looking set,” she observed conversationally, just loud enough for them to hear. “But inexperienced, as always.”
“As always,” the Matron repeated with some emphasis. “Which is why they come. To gain experience, so as to better serve the Empire.”
“We shall see,” was all the middle-aged woman had to say. She turned to the students once more.
“Aides.” Her voice rang out crisply over the lawn. “Today you begin your summer of internship at the Imperial Senate. You have already been informed of your expected behavior. I trust I do not need to elaborate on the high standards of etiquette and integrity you are required to maintain. You have not been told, however, of the exact nature of your duties. That is because even the good Matron does not know. You will be assigned to a senator, and each will have unique tasks for you to perform, individual needs. You will do all that they ask, without fail. Are there any questions.”
She said it like a statement, and in an ominous tone.
There were no questions.
“Very well,” the woman said after a few moments of silence. “We will proceed. Once in the front entrance, you will be issued an identification tag. These tags are your life. Lose them, and you will immediately be assumed an intruder by security. Damage them, and you’ll regret you ever set foot in Coruscant…”
Her voice droned on, and Luke’s attention wandered. He craned his neck back, staring at the top of the Palace silhouetted against the blue sky.
“Hello, Palace,” he murmured inaudibly.
Greetings, young one,it seemed to whisper back. Have you come to make me your own?
He jerked his head down, startled, and the dark tendril of thought vanished. From several meters away, he saw the Matron frowning at him fiercely.
Luke swallowed. The day was very bright, and the memory of what just happened seemed silly, unreal. Surely his imagination was running away with him, like it often did. You and your feelings, Gartee would say. After all, who ever heard of a palace that could talk?
But the feeling didn’t go away.
It only got stronger as he stepped into the massive entryway and felt the cool, modulated atmosphere swirl against his cheeks. A feeling of…anticipation, but not his own. Of recognition.
Welcome, master.
--------------------
On the other side of the galaxy, a monstrous structure crouches in the blackness of space. Half-finished, it nevertheless reeks of power, bloodlust, of the primal desire to dominate and destroy.
Darth Vader both hates and loves the Death Star.
He stands on the bridge of his flag ship, watching silently as construction progresses. Piece by piece, the monster grows. He feels the resonance of the dragon within, and the repulsion of…
…Of the weakness within.
The Dark Lord turns on heel.
He feels like choking someone today.
---------------------
"So," Garmonsaw said from the bunk above. "What do you think?"
Luke rolled over and considered the question.
"I don't know," he said finally. "What do you think?" The bed above creaked. Garmonsaw's head appeared, hanging upside down.
"I think...wizard," the other boy said, and grinned.
Luke smiled back. "The tour of the Senate Hall was incredible," he agreed.
"Wizard," Garmonsaw repeated. "Wizard awesome." His head disappeared. Luke was quiet. There was so much he wanted to say, and he wasn't sure how to put it into words.
"Gartee?" he said at last. A light snore answered him. Too late.
Perhaps the Moff's son had the right idea, Luke reflected. They would need all their rest for tomorrow. He closed his eyes.
Sleep was a long time coming.
===============================
TBC....
[edits for various mistakes]
-----signature-----
Master of tjace and bi0nic.  Old Hutt proverb: Never look a gift Sarlaac in the mouth. All hail the Lazer Jar-Jar!
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RebelMom
Title: TFF Secretary
Registered:
Apr '00
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Date Posted:
4/7/07 4:30pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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I don't think I've ever read this premise. Very interesting idea. Poor Luke. that would have been horrible knowing that you weren't wanted. At least Owen and Beru wanted him.
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Short Story: Pressure Point http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26961243/p1/?7 Jacen Solo and Anakin Skywalker - as it should have been. TFF: Cheryl
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ginchy
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
4/7/07 5:23pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Wow, interesting beginning! Oh, Luke. I just want to hug him. (Of course, when don't I want to hug him?  ) I really like this slant and am interested to see how it changes who he is, and what fundamental qualities are still the same.
I don't suppose PMs are available??  If not, I'll keep an eye out! Great work, as always! 
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JediVegeta
Registered:
Dec '00
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Date Posted:
4/7/07 6:40pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Dang. I feel really bad for Luke being in this situation with his Aunt and her family.  This won't help matters at all, especially since now he is on Coruscant and, GAH! Um...I really am liking this story as well. I would love to see where you will be going with this. And if you do PM, I would love to have one. I need to know what will happen!!!
Stupid Sola.  She better be glad she is an AU Sola...*shakes fist* 
Great Job!!!
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JOIN THE MUFFIN SIDE DEXTER!!!!
Igiari!!!!
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BrentusofGath
Registered:
Aug '05
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Date Posted:
4/7/07 6:45pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke¡¯s Story ¨C pre-ANH AU ¨C Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs ¨C drama ¨C short s
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That night, Sola came to a decision. He couldn't stay. She couldn't take it any longer. Family obligation or not, she bore a deeper obligation to her own children. Who was to say if Luke might not grow into something tainted? After all, the blood of... of that man flowed in his veins. No. It was not worth the risk. Anyway, he'd probably be happier somewhere else. If not...
Wow, she's a- *bleep*
Who's to say Luke might grow up tainted? Well, I guess if you treat him like he's already tainted then who's to say you're not guilty of tainting him.
She's got some glaring issues.
Padme did nothing to deserve her fate, but neither did Luke, and he's being treated like a piece of garbage, not because of who he is, but who his father was. That totally stinks.
Hopefully as Dark Luke he'll come back and teach Sola the price of prejudging him.  *evil laugh*
Please pm me when you update! 
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In time or so I'm told, I'm just another soul for sale, oh well Feel it in my bones when you break my back, break it just to watch me bend Why'd you have to go and Let it Die? -Foo Fighters http://conscienceoftheking.blogspot.com/
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Jaded_Rose
Registered:
Nov '06
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Date Posted:
4/7/07 7:14pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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 I don't think I like Sola very much. Like, at all. How could she be so cruel? He's just a little boy.
I can't wait for the next installment!
J_Ro
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The pen is mightier than the sword, if it has been sharpened to a fine point,
dipped in deadly poison and thrown from ten feet away.
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Jade_eyes
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
4/7/07 7:25pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Oh, Furry, how intriguing this is!! Can I have PM's? It'll be so interesting to see how this changes Luke, and how essentially himself he remains. I wanna thwack Sola real hard for being so cruel. Why oh why oh why couldn't she be like Beru? I can understand her bitterness but why take it out on a child who didn't ask for the father he had.
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Luke/Mara--without end forever ginchy, Irish =I Squggles before I read a word  
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jade_angel
Title: Executive Officer Vancouver BC, Canada
Registered:
Apr '01
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 3:36am
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Wow this fic has a lot of promise and I love your prose. The circumstances of Luke's upbringing has certainly changed but he's still Luke at the core. I'm really curious to know what direction you'll be bringing this though
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Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before
Let your soul take you where you long to be
Only then can you belong to me
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MsLanna
Title: CR GSFF Central
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 4:05am
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Um, more?
It's a very interesting outset. I'd love to see where you're taking this, so please add me to the pm list.
Poor, silent Luke. I wonder where he had been those five years? Will we get to know?
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Padawan owned by Corellian_Ale Master of CloneCaptainRex. Proud FanFic Master of Darth_Sathanos Why so serious?  Accidentally e-married to sinre? 
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DarthVaderette
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 5:56am
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Good story so far.
Can you PM me with updates?
Thanks
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David_Skywalker01
Registered:
Nov '06
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 6:09am
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Very good!
I would like a PM too!
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"A blind man should not lead a blind man or they will both fall into a hole." - Jesus IndyCar- One series, All the stars http://www.freewebs.com/therebelallianceofstarwarsgeeks - my website Worst EU people- Jacen Solo, ANY Yuuzhan Vong
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cooldamien
Registered:
Jan '07
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 10:10am
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Can you pm me I like so AU are great
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furrylittlebantha
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 12:51pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Thanks for the interest, everyone! (I'll get to individual replies with the next chappie ) I graduate in four weeks, so updates will be a little sketchy until then. I'm more than happy to have a PM list!  See ya all soon...
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Master of tjace and bi0nic. Old Hutt proverb: Never look a gift Sarlaac in the mouth. All hail the Lazer Jar-Jar!
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KELIA
Title: Moderator: Fan Fiction
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 2:15pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Ooohhh very intriguing beginning.
How very sad Sola couldn't realize Luke is as much a part of Padme as he is Anakin 
Please add me to your PM list.
Looking forward to more
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Jade_Pilot
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 3:34pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Wowzah! Great idea FLB! I love the characterizations in your stories and this one shows Padme's sister in a way I'd never thought of--very creative and inventive.
Please add me to your PM list!!
I'm looking forward to more, so get yourself graduated sweetie!
Bravo!
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I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. - Rita Rudner
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starwarsbeauty
Registered:
Feb '05
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Date Posted:
4/8/07 8:16pm
Subject:
RE: In Plain Sight: Luke’s Story – pre-ANH AU – Luke/Vader/Palpatine/Mara/OCs – drama – short story
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Wow, I love this story! I can't wait to read more.
I felt so bad for Luke. Goodness, Luke may not have been Sola's son but he was her nephew! She could have at least treated him like it! Poor Luke!
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"It was beauty that killed the beast"
Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. Dreams are forever.
All you need is Faith, Trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust
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