Plot and counterplot

By Mireille

1999/2012

The Sith plot, and the Jedi counterplot, but one of them can tip the balance according to his loyalties. Will he do so? Can he do so? Or is Vader more of a slave than he ever realized?

Good afternoon everyone!

Here is the seventh of eleven stories that I feel like writing, but can't decide which to work on first. Can you help me figure out that answer?

The story with the most readers and reviews will be my next project in the works. Since it can take a few parts before we finally get to the crux of some stories, I won't check the final tally right from the start. However, only the total of both reviews and ongoing readers will determine which story I'm going to work on first, so, if you like this one, leave a review to vote for it :)

Thanks for your help! Hope you enjoy this story as well!

If you do, please, share your thoughts :)

Disclaimers: Nothing in the Star Wars Universe belong to me; everything belongs to George Lucas. I'm only writing stories for fun.

Luke had been waiting for Lando and Wedge when his warning senses had gone off.

Trouble had found him yet again, he sighed while he brought his hand to his concealed lightsaber even as he warily scanned the surrounding street.

He spotted the leathery-skinned Klatooinians almost as soon as he looked. Bounty hunters, he gathered.

It was the last time that he was going anywhere without a disguise, he promised himself as he nonchalantly yet purposefully turned around and headed further down the street. He was careful to keep his senses alert for any sign of danger or safety.

Unfortunately for him, he felt danger converging on him while he had yet to figure out a way to escape this time.

Unlike what he had thought, moving further into the crowded street was not helping him because the tan-coloured crowd offered as much cover to his pursuers as it did him.

He also didn't know who to trust and who to be wary of, and all the side-streets were screaming at him to stay away from them. He was considering moving up to the flat roofs of the area when a shuttle flew low overhead, obviously backing up his pursuers.

Now he had a 'really' bad Feeling about this.

He was about to make a dash for it when he felt the tip of a blaster dig into his side, and then the shock of a stun bolt ran through him, dropping him instantly.

When he recovered his awareness, it was to the sensation of being pinned to a sand-covered ground while someone was straddling his back as he locked his hands behind his back in what felt like imperial-issue cuffs.

Although he had no idea where he was or how much time had gone by since he had been captured on Rialteer, Luke did what came first to his mind: he reflexively struggled against his captors, which only earned him a solid hit with a blaster's butt and on the back of the head, dazing him anew. Meanwhile, his captors used a portable fuser to weld his cuffs shut...

Once they were done, and while he was still groggy from their discipline, they hauled him to his feet and marched him swiftly down corridors.

Luke forced himself to recover his alertness, aware that if the bounty hunters had kept him under for so long, then his recovered awareness could only mean that their benefactor had arrived.

Even as he tentatively reached out to confirm his premonition, Luke withdrew from what he found. Vader was definitely here to collect him.

Roused further by his adrenaline and his rising panic, he gathered his strength and Force-tripped the guard on his right even as he head-butted the left one hard.

While the guards let him go, Luke turned toward his third guard and kicked him under the chin with a direct kick, and then shifted his position and kicked the first one into the wall. He then dashed into a connecting corridor, intent on escaping once again.

He was running away when three guards, who had taken the lead of the group, turned around to see what the commotion was about. They cursed upon seeing him running away and gave pursuit.

Outside of the makeshift operation base, Vader felt what was going on and, without preamble, walked through the main door and strode down the corridor. He understood that he would have to take care of Luke himself.

"Secure all the exits and stun him if you have the chance," he ordered his following troops. "I will deal with him myself."

Then, a few strides later, he was stalking his son down the corridor that Luke had chosen, easily tracking his presence thanks to the fear that the child radiated.

Ahead of his pursuers, Luke tripped over his feet and painfully fell on his arm and side. He cursed and rolled over, scrambling back to his feet as quickly as he could. He was all too aware that Vader was drawing nearer with each passing moment and the Sith's proximity just scared him to death.

He didn't want to meet again with him; didn't want to be hurt again- didn't want to join him... his father!

He was breathing raggedly now and he was unable to dodge into a room or another corridor as all the doors were locked while guards from the connecting passages were joining the pursuit upon seeing him run by.

Ducking new stun beams, he kept running for all his worth- and ended up in a cul-de-sac.

He was frantically looking for a way to escape, or a tool that would allow him to get rid of his welded cuffs- when he heard Vader's breather coming up right behind him. He turned around, his eyes wide with terror.

The dark silhouette temporarily filled up the corridor before the other advanced menacingly toward him. "Surrender, Luke. There is no escape this time."

Luke was desperate now... He knew that the Dark Lord was right... He knew- 'No,' he decided with finality. He was not going to surrender. "Never," he spat defiantly, and then gathered his resolve, squared his shoulders and set his jaw.

Vader noticed the minute changes in his son's stance and demeanour and saw the familiar stubbornness settle over his gentle features. They'd have to do this the hard way, he sighed in annoyance...

Fortunately, though, he was still the strongest of the two and so, his son would not escape.

Still, aware that his boy felt like a trapped wild animal at the moment, he carefully stepped closer to him, waiting for his next move.

He didn't have to wait for long.

The moment that he was within striking range of the youth, Skywalker leaped forward, his left leg extended at an horizontal angle so that his heel was coming right straight for his breast plate.

Even as he acknowledged the boy's cleverness once again, as well as his potential for incommensurable power, Vader reached out and knocked out the Jedi with the Force, thus saving him from further harm. While he did so, he also shifted on his hips and avoided the now limp body of his son before catching him in mid-flight.

Then, hauling him over his left shoulder, he turned around and headed back the way he had come.

He was finally bringing his son home.

TBC

Well? How was that?

If you want more, you know what to do:) And if you don't want more because of bad characterizations, lack of detail, or anything that could help me improve this story into a more edible read, I'd still like to know why (via private messaging if you prefer). However, if you simply don't like this kind of story, then don't worry. To each our own :)

Have a great week-end everyone, and remember, reviews are very precious gifts all year long :D Moreover, this time, they might make me work on this story first for the next year or so ;P So? Will you vote for it? I hope so!