Missing and Presumed Dead

The Healed and the Healing

The hyperspace journey was excruciating. Normally Luke didn't mind being stuck in a confined space--it usually gave him time to study either for a Rebellion-related mission, or what little information he'd found on the Force. Besides, as a Skywalker, there was no place more comfortable for him than the inside of a cockpit.

But knowing what lay at the end of his journey--or rather, who-- made him itch to get out.

Are you certain Kalida Shoals Medical Center is safe? Artoo's text came on screen.

"Piett says it is."

And we trust this Imperial?

"My father does."

But what about you?

Luke shrugged, checking the readouts. They weren't far, and yet... "He hasn't led us astray so far. Besides, this station has a bunch of bacta tanks left over from the Clone Wars. It's best equipped to help him."

It is only that it is relatively close to Naboo that worries me.

If Luke was honest with himself, that worried him too. The closer to the Mid Rim they were, the more likely there would be Imperial patrols out that could find them. "We don't plan on staying. We'll return to Dagobah once Vader is cleared."

There was a silence, and Luke thought Artoo might be done giving him more things to worry about. But just as his ship indicated they were about to revert, Artoo added, Your father saved this medical station during the Clone Wars.

"Uh, wait, what?" Luke flipped the switches needed to revert without issue.

Yes. We won the battle, but lost many fighters.

They reverted, and Luke took the controls as the floating medical center came into view. There was some debris around it, but nothing Luke couldn't dodge as he headed for the hangar where he was to meet up with Han and the others.

Where he'd finally see his father again.

"Do you think he'd tell me about it?" he asked as he spotted the right one.

Probably not. He is a sensitive angry baby now.

Luke couldn't help but laugh at that as they entered the hangar a little faster than he normally would, and he yanked back on the controls to bring it to a quick stop. His landing was still smooth. Ahead was the Falcon, and it appeared that Chewie was supporting his father down the ramp. Or, was trying to.

The moment Luke touched down, Vader stopped. His helmet swerved towards him.

His heart leapt up into his throat as his father reached for him in the Force. Now that he was here...

Artoo said something, but Luke could only pay attention to his father as he popped the hatch and climbed out. Instantly, Vader's concern washed over him, and he vaguely remembered that without the healing he'd done with the Force and the physical therapy he'd been working on, he should still be more injured than he was.

The thought made him grin, and when he got to the ground, he made a point of striding for him. He still had a limp, but not even as bad as a few weeks before. He could finally, finally focus on helping his family heal.

Starting with his father.

He heard the wheezing of the respirator before he'd even gotten close. The grin faded, replaced with growing concern, which he shoved right back at his father. "What are you doing?! Let Chewie get you taken care of!"