[Chapter One]

"Is Vader my father?"

"What does intuition reveal?"

"My mind's clouded. I feel it's true, but then I feel like he was lying."

"Vader's goal fulfilled. Distorted your bond with the Force, his lies have."

"What a relief."

"Relieved, are you? Your spiritual father, Vader may yet become. His consciousness is here, leeching from us."

~ ~ ~

Luke sat cross-legged in the cave, eyes closed and expression severe with focus. Crystals, mirrors, rods, and wires rotated in mid-air between his hands. The pieces searched for their assigned places, slow as evolution.

"Anakin was too weak to defeat me."

Luckily, moss cushioned the mirrors.

He stood and wiped sweat from his brow. The voice was becoming clearer by the hour. Less than one day remained for Luke to construct a lightsaber in the manner of Jedi tradition. He had to employ the Force to overcome and master the physical. Failure meant that Yoda would deny him the possibility of knighthood.

I was a fool to challenge Vader so early, Luke thought. Most apprentices would probably be done by now, but I have an extra obstacle. One I put in my own path.

He let his awareness reach across light-years to find Leia as she neared Tatooine. Could she survive the streets of Mos Espa? What was her plan once she crossed the cruel deserts and entered Jabba's palace? If only he could be there; but he was more dangerous than any mercenary.

[co-conceived by: ray_afraid]