Binary Skies

Chapter 10: Time Passed

Luke paused in front of the mirror inside of the refresher as he did every day, gazing at his reflection with his shirt in hand. The youthful blonde farmboy that had left Tatooine months ago was still there, still prominent and still alive...but he was also more seasoned now, matured by his time in the Rebellion and by the trails he'd faced, evident by the still-prominent brands on his chest and neck. Luke traced the brands lightly with his fingers, seeing his blue eyes diminish a little as the memories rose to the surface.

You're a filthy Jedi, and you will be branded like the animal you are...

Luke shook his head, letting his hand drop away and pulling on his shirt as the echoes of his screams from the memory in his head faded away. He straightened the shirt and smoothed out the creases, making sure that the high collar of the black button-down hid the Imperial Insignia on his neck. He'd done a relatively good job of hiding the painfully obvious mark over the past few months, and he planned on continuing that good record.

Months...he couldn't believe it had been several months since that horrible ordeal on Maridun. Once he'd regained enough of his strength, his father had started to train Luke much more regularly, rigorously, and seriously than he had been previously. Much of Luke's free time was now spent working on his lightsaber techniques, learning about the Force, or expanding his Force abilities. Luke still struggled with telekinesis, frustratingly so, though he was rather adept at meditating and especially shielding by now—a skill Anakin had been sure to cover thoroughly with Luke after that nightmare of Vader. Luke had also made great strides within the Rebellion, and had recently achieved the rank of Lieutenant; something Anakin was not shy to show how proud of Luke he was for already achieving the rank.

Luke sighed, running a hand through his still-damp hair. Speaking of Anakin, he needed to stop lingering inside the refresher; they were leaving on a negotiation mission today—as soon as Luke was ready, actually. They were going to Rodia to speak with the Chekkoo clan about establishing trade of weapons, armor, and other important supplies for the Rebellion. Once all the details about the mission were worked out, Luke had volunteered and, naturally, Anakin had stated—not asked to, stated—that he was going with Luke. Luke didn't mind at all; he liked when his father came on his missions, and he found it rather amusing when his father didn't leave any room for debate over whether or not he was even allowed to go with Luke. He tended to pull the I'm his Jedi Master, he's my Padawan, I go where he goes, and he goes where I go unless I say otherwise line whenever someone tried to say he couldn't as well.

Long story short, when Anakin wanted to accompany Luke on his missions, there was no arguing with him.

A small smile gracing his lips and reassured that his brands were covered up as always, Luke finally stepped out of the refresher where his father was waiting for him, his DL-44 pistol in its holster on his right hip and lightsaber safely tucked away out of sight but easily within reach.

Anakin looked up as Luke reappeared from the refresher. His high collar was in place yet again, but Anakin refrained from commenting. Luke was very sensitive about the marks, doubly so the Imperial one.

Anakin had tried to tell him more than once that he needn't be ashamed of what happened on Mimban, but Luke chose not to see it that way.

He was definitely stubborn like his father.

"Ready to go?" Anakin asked, already packed and ready to get out among the stars.

It would be good to have some one-on-one time with Luke.

Absentmindedly, Luke ran a hand over the pouch his lightsaber was hidden in as if to reassure himself it was still there. He picked his small bag up off of his bed and nodded. "I'm all set; Artoo should either already be there or meet us along the way. It's going to be strange flying something other than my X-Wing," he admitted, leaving the shared bunk room with his father and starting on his way to the hangar. They'd been given a light freighter to fly for the negotiations as entering the system with their X-Wings would immediately set off alarms. They had yet to see the ship, but Luke trusted that it would be reliable.