Disclaimer: Luke and Artoo are Lucas'. Dai-Men is mine
but heavily influenced by Lucas.
As Luke approached his X-wing he could hear Artoo
happily bleeping away. To another droid he presumed
until he heard a familiar and very human laugh.
He stopped in his tracks, the emotion ballooning in
his chest bringing a sting of tears to his eyes. Got
himself back in hand and ducked under the X-wing's
nose to confront his visitor.
Dai-Men sat in his brown Jedi robe on a packing
crate, listening with every sign of interest and
comprehension to Artoo's electronic monolog.
Luke cut in. "You can understand him without a
translator?"
"Not every bleep and whistle," the Master admitted,
"but I get the gist." smiled. "You two have been
having adventures."
"You could say that." Luke agreed ruefully, seating
himself on a convenient crate. "We finally got Han
back at least."
A deep breath. "Master, Master Yoda's dead." *still
wining prizes for tact, Skwalker!*
But Dai-Men only nodded, unsuprised. "I know. He
will always be with us."
"That's what Ben said."
The Master spread his hands with a glint of humor.
"There you are then, who should know better than
Obi-Wan?"
Luke smiled faintly in response, but it faded fast.
"I thought you were dead too." Dai-Men looked his
suprise and he continued. "Yoda told me I was the last
of the Jedi, I thought that meant -" he didn't have to
finish.
"I see." the Master said pensively. "Perhaps he
just meant you were the newest or youngest Jedi.
Or...there are other possibilities." He smiled. "It's
unwise to take a Master too literally, Luke, their
words don't always mean what they seem to."
"Tell me about it!" his Padawan snorted. Then, "You
knew about my father." it wasn't a question.
Dai-Men nodded confirmation.
"And didn't tell me." an accusation.
"You didn't ask." the Master raised a hand to stifle
Luke's protest. "It wasn't my place to second guess
Yoda and Obi-Wan. If you had asked I would have
told you the truth."
The younger Jedi let out a breath. "I knew that.
Maybe that's why I didn't."
"I have never lied to one of my Padawans." Dai-Men
said quietly. "Withheld or evaded truths when
necessary, but never lied."
"Ben lied to me." Luke said bluntly.
"Yes. But with a kind of truth."
"'From a certain point of view.'" Luke quoted
bitterly.
"Don't judge him too harshly, Luke." the Master
chided. "You've never had a student, you don't know
the pain of losing one." the blue eyes went out of
focus, remembering.
"I nearly lost Jayce to the Dark Side. He was able
to turn back before it was to late but - I know how
Obi-Wan feels.
"He really does think of Anakin as dead and Vader
as a completely different being." Dai-Men sighed. "I
feel that's a fallacy but it may be all that's kept
him sane." a wry smile. "And and an Obi-Wan Kenobi
running amuck with grief and guilt doesn't bear
thinking about."
"He said it was his fault." Luke said hesitantly.
The Master shook his head. "A teacher always feels
responsible for his student's failures." he said
quietly. "But if you're thinking Obi-Wan somehow
pushed your father to the Dark Side, no, that's not
true. The choice - and the blame - are Anakin's
alone."
Luke nodded acceptance. He'd never really believed
Ben's self accusation. "Master," he said, "I can't do
what Ben and Yoda want me to do. I can't kill my own
father."
Dai-Men gazed steadily back at him, calm and
unjudgemental. "Then what will you do?"
"I'm not sure." Luke admitted helplessly. "If I
could talk to him - there's still good in him, if I
could reach it -"
"Obi-Wan tried that twenty-four years ago - and
failed." the Master pointed out dispassionately.
"I know but -"
"Your father has given you little reason to love
him." Dai-Men continued, "He tortured your sister and
your friend. used them as bait to trap you and then
cut off your hand."
Luke bit his lip, looking down, that was all true.
"He governs the Imperial Fleet by force of terror.
Kills officers who fail or even displease him -"
"There is good in him!" Luke interupted,
passionately. "I felt it when I touched his mind on
Bespin. I feel it now."
"Then follow your feelings." Dai-Men said calmly.
"And trust in the Force." smiled as Luke looked at him
uncertainly. "For what it's worth, I agree with you. I
too felt Anakin Skywalker still alive within that
black armour." shook his head sadly. "We couldn't
reach him through all the layers of guilt and anger
but perhaps you -"
"You felt!" Luke interupted, "You've seen him?"
"A few weeks ago."
"I thought you promised Jayce you wouldn't
challenge Vader!"
"I didn't challenge him. We talked to him."
Luke felt the familiar, welcome touch of his
Master's mind on his. Sharing images of what Dai-Men
had seen and sensed while in Vader's stronghold.
He blinked free, gave his Master an incredulous
look. "And the sabre fighting?"
"We had to get his attention." Dai-Men shrugged.
Luke shook his head despairingly. "Jayce is right,
you are nuts!" double take. "And what's this 'we'? I
didn't see anybody with you."
"My father was with me." Dai-Men replied.
"You said your father was dead."
"So is Obi-Wan."
Luke winced. "Right, point taken."
"You're going to join the fleet?" the Master asked,
changing the subject.
His student nodded. "Something's brewing, I'm not
sure what."
"The Alliance's final throw I think. Win or lose."
Dai-Men rose, and Luke with him. "The Emperor is
building a new Death Star. They say he's going himself
to inspect the work. My guess is the Alliance plans an
ambush."
Luke nodded thoughtfully. "That would make sense."
Looked up at his Master. "Can they succeed?"
He smiled. "The future is always uncertain, Luke."
His student made a face. "I know, concentrate on
the moment. Feel the Living Force." turned
businesslike. "I've got to get back. I'm still an
Alliance officer, maybe I can help."
"I don't doubt it."
"But - what about my father?"
"He will come to you." Dai-Men looked down at his
pupil, heavy brow knitted above gentle, concerned
eyes. "He wants you badly. And so does the Emperor."
"I'll be careful." Luke promised.
"Be mindful." the Master corrected, laying a hand
on his shoulder. "And trust your instincts. May the
Force be with you." turned to go in a swirl of brown
robes.
"Master!"
He turned back, the shadow of the X-wing falling
over him.
"Where are you going."
"To Coruscant."
Luke's eyes flared wide. "What!"
"Don't worry," his Master replied, amused. "The
Emperor won't be there. Or Vader. They will be waiting
for you at Endor."
"But why?" Luke pleaded.
"To see to something that needs doing."
reassuringly, "I won't be alone."
"Jayce?"
"And the others."
Luke let out a sigh. A man who could walk in and
out of Darth Vader's fortress unscathed could take
care of himself - but - "I don't want to lose you too,
Master."
"I'll do my best to see you don't." Dai-Men
promised.
"May the Force be with you." Luke said with fervor
and resignation.
Dai-Men bowed slightly, accepting the blessing, and
was gone.
Luke turned to his ship. "Come on Artoo, let's get
back to the Fleet."