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Author	Topic: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
Knight_Aragorn Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 7/4 4:20am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	Title: "As Father and Son" Characters: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker Timeframe: Saga Category: Angst, AU Summary: His son will make a fine apprentice. A/N: Not kidding about the angst. If it's not your cup of tea, you probably won't enjoy this fic. (Honestly, one of these days I'll write a happy Vader and Luke fic to make up for the misery I inflict on these guys.) Darth Vader had been certain that if he found his son, the boy would love him. It was simple, really. He was the boy’s father. All sons wanted a father to love. And he needed an apprentice. What a fine apprentice the boy would make. So powerful, he even lit a spark of fear in Palpatine’s shrivelled heart. Untainted, raised free of the poisonous, deceitful atmosphere of the Jedi. Burning with strength of will, a luminous conviction that would sway any and all once it was harvested properly. His son. Vader’s heart thrummed, assisted by the drugs in his system, pushing his organs faster and stronger to accommodate the mechanic parts of his body. His breath hissed. The fall of his boots echoed, hollow and loud. He would show his son, he thought, his apprentice, would show him the wonder of the Imperial way. The glory and the beauty and the power of it, that he was entitled to. Vader had bought the Empire in blood, and he would give it to his son, and nothing in the galaxy would stand in the way. His son would be awed and grateful and would appreciate what Vader had done in bringing peace to the galaxy. He would see the error of the Rebellion, how it created death and chaos where there should have been order. Vader would make sure his son had the best clothing, the finest choice of food, of lodgings, of companions and of transport. His son would know the power in careful, restrained wealth, the kind that others looked at and envied, coveted but never dared reach for. His son, his apprentice, he would have all of that, and he would make himself worthy of it. He would stand tall in black, wrapped in the shade and darkness of the Sith. He’d wield a red lightsaber with the natural aptitude he’d shown on Bespin, instinctive in balance and power, honed to a precise art through Vader’s tuition. He would learn to draw on his anger with deliberateness and skill, allowing his stores of fury and impatience to feed his power, to make him stronger instead of more vulnerable. He would learn how the dark allowed him to protect those he loved as the light never could: at any cost. Vader turned into a long room, carpeted in thick pile, decorated with plants filmed lightly with dust. He crossed before a window that stretched from floor to ceiling. Light spilled in from outside, pooling around his boots, lapping at the edge of his cloak. Speeders whirled past. Buildings towered, lofty and elaborate. Vader entered the doorway at the end of the area. Inside there was softness, a breathing gloom. A wide bed held a single occupant. Angular shapes whispered discreetly by the floor, blinking periodically, red and green. The figure breathed, a rise and fall that never paused, never altered. Vader looked at his son. The best medical care in the galaxy was at the disposal of the Empire – a benefic circumstance of its spending on private research and experimentation in certain quarters. The flash burns on the boy’s skin were healed. The broken bones were knitted. His hair had grown back, and was glossy and neat. Crash landings in failing starfighters were messy. Highest-grade bacta could fix that. Could fix most of it. Luke’s face was soft, open, as though he slept. His mind was quiescent, a limpid pool. Skilled med droids kept him clean, safe, warm, changing his sheets, brushing his hair. Vader touched his hand, limp on the bedcovers by his side. He couldn’t feel anything through his glove, but he imagined coolness. The hand he’d touched was the one he’d taken; what he touched was a machine, a replica of a working hand, attached onto a severed wrist. That had been replaced, too, after the wreck. The original prosthetic hadn’t survived; it was a claw when they pulled him out. At times Vader thought of that act, when he’d taken his son’s hand, as a great deed, a harbinger of the glory ahead for them. Machinery was stronger, faster, less vulnerable. Machinery didn’t feel beyond true sensation. No weakness. Other times, he thought of his saber blade burning red, of Luke’s anguished scream, of the pain and betrayal in his eyes, tears of loss and fury. Then he felt shame, deep and searing shame he hadn't known he was capable of feeling any more. Vader stayed for an hour exactly. Then he left, not looking back. ----- Apart from Vader, his son had few visitors. The medical droid cared for him, attached monitors, changed tubes and wiring. Occasionally another droid would assist, or a human medic. No one else in the Imperial Palace cared who Luke Skywalker was anymore. The Rebels he had called friends were dead or in hiding or mining at Kessel. His son remained still and silent, saving for the soft, mocking whisper of the breathing device that kept his lungs working. The galaxy prospered as years passed. The Rebellion became an echo. Palpatine’s power continued to grow, equalling his eccentricity, pushing him into increasingly desperate places in his search for personal immortality. Vader found he no longer cared about any of it, as his son lay, unchanging, in the dim room. Never aging, beyond the physical marks of time. Never growing. His son, Vader thought, would be a fine apprentice. Would love him. He would. [end]
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Bri_Windstar Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 7/4 7:58am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette - Date Edited: 7/4 9:06am (2 edits total) Edited By: Bri_Windstar
	snags Oh wow. I didn't really have any preconceived notions regarding what the fic was about before reading, but I didn't see that coming. I like that Luke was (not so?) randomly found in a crash, that it wasn't something expected out of a scene from the movies or in-movie EU. I've honestly never thought about what it would be like for anyone in SW, let alone Luke, to end up in a coma like that, where they never wake up, just hang on through life support. Then he felt shame, deep and searing shame he hadn't known he was capable of feeling any more. I think the fact that he lives on through Vader's demand/wish is very telling about Vader's mindset post-ESB and you show that very well through his thinking in the vig. The summation at the end just brings it to a head. Edit: Also, angst and content are by far the greatest way to go ever, so by all means, keep right on going with it. -----signature----- Mediocrity- it takes a lot less time and most people won't notice the difference before it's too late. * OMG! SO RIDICULOUSLY AND AGGRAVATINGLY PERFECT!- Gabri * 11010110101000101011
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VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 7/4 8:02am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	His son remained still and silent, saving for the soft, mocking whisper of the breathing device that kept his lungs working. The galaxy prospered as years passed. The Rebellion became an echo. Palpatine’s power continued to grow, equalling his eccentricity, pushing him into increasingly desperate places in his search for personal immortality. Vader found he no longer cared about any of it, as his son lay, unchanging, in the dim room. Never aging, beyond the physical marks of time. Never growing. His son, Vader thought, would be a fine apprentice. Would love him. He would. Rip heart out. Stomp on heart. Laugh with evil delight. Stun readers with talent. I think you've accomplished everything on your "to do" list admirably. -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
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LittleMissNightsaber Registered: May '09	Date Posted: 7/4 8:18am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	Beautifully Brilliant, Aragorn -----signature----- When I was ten, shamelessly dressed as Luke Skywalker ~I can't hold on to me Wonder what's wrong with me?~ Lithium, Evanescence
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Jade_eyes Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 7/4 8:38am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette - Date Edited: 7/4 8:40am (2 edits total) Edited By: Jade_eyes
	Dear one, if you write it, I will read it even if it is angsty. The brilliance and the poignancy is worth it. Every word is bathed with emotion. Your Vader is exquisitely detailed. Bravo!!! [face_thunderstruck] -----signature----- Spock/Nyota, woven forever together in gorgeous bonds of Nyota's "Cherished Moments" diary's gonna be hawt, hawt, melty! Squggles! [face_melting into 10 buckets!]
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frankieskywalker Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 7/4 11:41am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	wow -----signature----- and so the plot bunnies attack a whole in his heart http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24122906&brd=10477 my second fic Your sightless eyes have seen too much http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/24195526/p1/?0
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Sara_Kenobi Registered: Sep '00	Date Posted: 7/4 12:03pm Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	Oh, you have remarkably captured the spirit of Vader with this. Brilliant characterization! -----signature----- Flight of Raven's http://boards.theforce.net/non_star_wars_fan_fiction/b10808/30284518/p1/?0
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Gabri_Jade Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 7/5 1:06am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	This is really good. I completely did not see that coming, and it's so well done. Quiet and understated and almost - almost - emotionless. It's a fantastic way to show Vader's nearly boundless penchant for self-delusion, too. There's a great deal of poignancy - for Vader with his hopeless fantasy, for Luke and his life cut short so horribly, for all in the Rebellion whose sacrifices achieved so little, for Mara who will never meet the man she would have loved, for the galaxy as a whole still under Palpatine's thumb. It's also poignant in a particular way for Han, perhaps; the story leaves open the possibility that this accident happened before Luke rescued Han from Jabba's. You handled it beautifully. And I just have to mention how much I loved this one line: decorated with plants filmed lightly with dust Such attention to detail is a hallmark of your writing, and it always sets the scene so perfectly. Haven't we all seen rooms full of plants with dusty leaves? It puts the reader smack in the middle of the story, which is always a good thing, and you are a master of that technique. Plus, I like angst. Lots o' depth in a good angsty story. Somewhat ironically, good angst makes me happy. And you write very good angst. -----signature----- Evil Twin of LadyPadme This concept of "wuv" confuses and infuriates us! - Futurama All I can do is be me. Whoever that is. - Bob Dylan Serendipity (Leia-Mara vig) - http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/30178069 !!11!1eleventy
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leia_naberrie Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 7/5 12:31pm Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	Wow! When you warned for angst, you weren't joking. You have this talent of packing so much into the shortest vignettes. I'm now all agog with curiousity about the fate of Leia, Han, Lando, and the rest of the ill-fated Alliance, but at the same time, I'm not expecting any answers because the story is complete as it is. Thanks for sharing this! -----signature----- http://io9.com/5111680/avatar-casting-makes-fans-see-white Upset about the casting for the Last Airbender movies? Write to Paramount about it. http://aang-aint-white.livejournal.com/1007.html
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dancing_star Registered: Feb '07	Date Posted: 7/5 2:07pm Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	The best medical care in the galaxy was at the disposal of the Empire – a benefic circumstance of its spending on private research and experimentation in certain quarters. The flash burns on the boy’s skin were healed. The broken bones were knitted. His hair had grown back, and was glossy and neat. Crash landings in failing starfighters were messy. Highest-grade bacta could fix that. Could fix most of it. Luke’s face was soft, open, as though he slept. His mind was quiescent, a limpid pool. Skilled med droids kept him clean, safe, warm, changing his sheets, brushing his hair. Vader touched his hand, limp on the bedcovers by his side. He couldn’t feel anything through his glove, but he imagined coolness. The hand he’d touched was the one he’d taken; what he touched was a machine, a replica of a working hand, attached onto a severed wrist. That had been replaced, too, after the wreck. The original prosthetic hadn’t survived; it was a claw when they pulled him out. At times Vader thought of that act, when he’d taken his son’s hand, as a great deed, a harbinger of the glory ahead for them. Machinery was stronger, faster, less vulnerable. Machinery didn’t feel beyond true sensation. No weakness. Other times, he thought of his saber blade burning red, of Luke’s anguished scream, of the pain and betrayal in his eyes, tears of loss and fury. Then he felt shame, deep and searing shame he hadn't known he was capable of feeling any more. Vader stayed for an hour exactly. Then he left, not looking back. Sorry to quote so much back, but your writing is just absolutely beautiful and brilliant. -----signature----- God bless America and our troops. "The LORD gives strength to his people. The LORD blesses his people with peace." Ps 29:11 ~~~ "Darkest Hours, Brightest Hope" (fic below) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/29811085/p1/
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Delight Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 7/6 9:10am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	Very nice. Very nicely written indeed. Vader's reactions to his son showed that there was still a tad of the guilt-laden Anakin of AotC in him. Thank you for sharing. -----signature----- Hate (ESB AU Vader one-shot) - http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30035853/ Enough (AU Obidala one-shot) - http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30009444/
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Knight_Aragorn Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 8/17 3:16am Subject: "As Father and Son" -- Luke, Vader AU Vignette
	Bri_Windstar: Thank you! I think the fact that he lives on through Vader's demand/wish is very telling about Vader's mindset post-ESB and you show that very well through his thinking in the vig. The summation at the end just brings it to a head. Poor old Vader is quite conflicted, post ESB. Glad the characterisation worked for the era. There is something special to angst, isn't there? And Luke and Vader make it so easy with all those issues... thanks again. VaderLVR64: contains evil laughter There's nothing like a slice of old-fashioned angst, right? Thanks for reading. LittleMissNightsaber: Thank you! Jade_eyes: Thank you. frankieskywalker: is amused Thanks! Sara_Kenobi: I'm very pleased to hear that. I don't write Vader often, and find Anakin/Vader one of the more challenging characters to put a voice to, so to speak. Glad you enjoyed. Gabri: There's a great deal of poignancy - for Vader with his hopeless fantasy, for Luke and his life cut short so horribly, for all in the Rebellion whose sacrifices achieved so little, for Mara who will never meet the man she would have loved, for the galaxy as a whole still under Palpatine's thumb. It's also poignant in a particular way for Han, perhaps; the story leaves open the possibility that this accident happened before Luke rescued Han from Jabba's. You handled it beautifully. Thank you! Angsty what-ifs always have such potential. You know, I almost included a nod to Mara, but snipped the section in the end so that Vader could angst to his heart's delight. Plus, I like angst. Lots o' depth in a good angsty story. Somewhat ironically, good angst makes me happy. And you write very good angst. Angst has many, many good things going for it. Thanks again for reading. leia_naberrie: Thanks so much for reading! I'm glad the brevity of the story didn't leave an incomplete feeling. Glad you enjoyed! dancing_star: Thank you! Delight: I'm glad that came through. I guess I was kind of interested in how far Vader's unravelling back to Anakin would continue without Luke directly pushing it... which this vig kind of leaves up in the air, but anyway. Thanks so much for reading!
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