Chapter Text
Luke Skywalker collided with the school reception desk, his breath coming in short gasps as he slumped over it, one hand raised in surrender. It was pointless to hope that the administrative droid would be in a good mood, but he always did try to be a glass-half-full kind of person.
"Yeah, I know. I'm late."
B-60's tone rarely changed, but Luke was sure he could hear more than a hint of smugness in the droid's reply. "42 minutes and 23 seconds late, to be precise."
Luke sighed. You'd think being the son of one of the most powerful men in the galaxy would mean a life free of this kind of problem. After all, his father was never late for anything—everyone else was simply early.
He propped himself up on the counter, digging in his bag for a datapad.
"I ... have ..." Luke paused to catch his breath while struggling to prevent the entire contents of his bag spreading out on the desk. "Note," he finished, gesturing at the datapad.
"Kindly step back from the desk." B-60 clasped the datapad in one metal hand while poking Luke with the other. "And take those skin cells with you."
Luke brushed his sleeve over the desk surface, hoping that would do the trick. Without a microscope, it was hard to tell.
B-60 studied the datapad. "This note contains no explanation."
"It's a long story. I wasn't about to ask my father to write it all out. He's busy, you know."
"Yes, my logic subroutine tells me that a man of your father's importance must be extremely busy. In fact, too busy to do such mundane things as sign your late note. This signature is a forgery. It is only an 80 percent match to the one I have on file. Disappointing, as I might have been able to sell it on the HoloNet and make enough money to buy my freedom."
Luke groaned. This droid needed a personality upgrade. "All right. Maybe I didn't have time to get his real signature, but he would have signed it! Can I please go to class now?"
"You still haven't told me exactly why you are late."
Maybe his father might consider purchasing B-60 himself. He could be very useful as an interrogation droid. Five minutes' worth of this brand of torture, even the most hardened Rebel would come clean.
"It all started when I stopped by the mall to get a frozen caf on my way in." Luke's voice had grown quieter as he spoke, worried that some passerby might hear and spread this story all over the school. "I saw someone attempt to snatch a bag from an older couple and ran to tackle the thief."
B-60 rested his chin on his hand and somehow managed to convey skepticism through his metal face. "That's one I've never heard before. Points for originality."
"It's the truth."
"Please, go on."
"But this wasn't just your typical lower-level pickpocket. They were fighting like crazy, but I managed to hold my own until the mall security arrived."
"Did they execute the thief?"
Luke frowned. "I hope not. They just took him away and presumably called the police."
"Pity. The less biological lifeforms, the better." The irritating droid finally waved Luke on. "Your class is in the auditorium."
"Why?"
"I couldn't care less. Go and find out."
No one had mentioned anything about an assembly. They were supposed to be in a language class that morning. As if walking in late wasn't embarrassing enough, now he was going to have to walk in late in front of who knew how many people. He made his way around to the rear doors, and then hovered outside, trying to hear what was going on. The doors were transparent, and he could see someone unfamiliar speaking at the podium. Perhaps he should just wait out here until it was over and join the class as they came out.
But it was already too late for that. Mr Kyde, his political studies teacher, had spotted him through the doors, and he made a beckoning gesture, inviting him in. There was nothing for it.
Luke kept his head down and tried to walk as quietly as possible, but it didn't help. Multiple people turned to look at him as he walked up the center aisle towards the seats where his class sat, spread across three rows. The person at the podium went right on speaking, saying something about the Empire and service.
It sounded like the school might be running another silly Imperial Pride week. Perhaps he could fake being sick to avoid it.
Ben caught his eye, and Luke walked down the row, taking the empty space next to him.
"What happened to you?" Ben whispered.
"Foiled a mall robbery," Luke mumbled.
Ben smirked. He passed him a datapad, filled with the words 'Career Week' in large letters at the top. That explained why Mr Kyde was here. He was also one of the school's career advisers.
A few mumbles ran through the class and shuffles as students put up their hands to ask questions.
"Where's she from?" Luke asked, gesturing at the speaker.
"A Career Advice consultancy. It's run by the education department."
"What do we have to do?"
"We all have to attend a one-on-one appointment with a career advisor to talk about career options. Our parents can come too if they want."
Luke nodded. It sounded interesting. He had started to think about his future more seriously over the last few months, but there was no chance of him ever inviting his father along to discuss it. He'd made him promise to never come near his school again.
There was a final call for questions, and then the presentation was over. As everyone stood up to leave, Ben mentioned something else.
"Then we have to complete an assignment. Spend a day with a parent and report back on their job."
Luke's eyes grew wide. "You're kidding!"
"I wish. Sitting around watching my dad guard the Emperor? I'd rather watch a planet rotate."
"My father will not want me spending a day with him."
"It would be more interesting than mine. He'd probably give you a tour of a star destroyer."
"More like teach me how to interrogate Rebels."
His stomach turned at the idea. An alternative plan was already forming in his head. He'd fake the assignment, somehow. Just get his father's schedule from Lev and invent what happened, while actually spending the day in the flight sims.
"Luke."
Luke glanced up, finding Mr Kyde had fallen into step beside them.
"May I have a word?"
Luke raised his hands. "B-60 wouldn't give me a late pass. But I have a good reason. It's a long story, though. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
His normally serious teacher cracked a small smile. "It's all right, Luke." He gestured for him to stop walking, and then watched as the rest of the students trailed out. Ben was last, and after the doors slid closed behind him, his teacher turned back to meet his gaze.
"Did Ben tell you what's happening this week?"
"Yes, he said about the career appointments and the assignment."
"I spoke to a few of the others beforehand. Obviously, some of you are in a different situation and don't require career advice. We won't assign you an appointment time."
"Why not?" Luke said, taken aback. "It sounded interesting."
His teacher's tone sounded bemused. "I think it's fair to say your career is already set in stone."
Luke burned with annoyance. "What, so I have no say?! I haven't even decided what I want to do!"
Mr Kyde's expression briefly became a frown, but his response was calm.
"Have you spoken to your father about this?"
Luke folded his arms, looking down. He hated it when he lost his temper and spoke in a way that was less than polite, yet teachers just pretended it was fine because his father was powerful.
"It's not his decision," he mumbled.
"Luke, you do realize that you are a potential heir to the Imperial throne?"
"No, I'm not. You taught us about the constitution last year, so I know it says only the Emperor can appoint a successor. He doesn't even like me. Even if by some miracle he actually died, and my father was Emperor, I'd refuse to be named a successor. I'm not the right person to rule the galaxy."
"I see." Mr Kyde appeared to be taking him far more seriously now. "And you've told your father this?"
"He thinks I'll change my mind when I'm older." Luke rolled his eyes. "Not going to happen. I don't understand why anyone would volunteer for that job."
"Power can be a very attractive thing."
Luke shrugged. "Just give me a ship and a place to fly it, and I'm happy. Well, maybe a little more than that. Good friends. Family."
Mr Kyde was still staring at him in a curious way. It was a bit unsettling. Luke decided to change the subject.
"Anyway, can I still go to the appointment but skip the assignment instead? I can't spend a day with my father. He's usually away. When he's here, most of what he does is top secret."
"If you'd like to choose another adult, that's fine. But I think it would be very beneficial for the class to learn more about what your father does. Why don't you see what he thinks first, and then decide."
"Um ... I'll see," Luke said. As in, he'd see about finding a pilot he could spend a day with.
"And so what are your future plans, then?" the Emperor asked, with a pleasant smile. "You always did like carpentry, if I recall."
"Yes, I have dreams of building a treehouse for the grandchildren, but not sure the old hands are still up for it." The older man sitting opposite the Emperor's desk raised his gnarled fingers. "Juneé already has big plans for renovating our lake country house."
"How many grandchildren do you have now?"
"Well … now, let me see. Yulee has a couple of boys. No … three boys … and Pola, she has a few girls. I lose count …"
What proceeded from there was a long rambling description of various children and their names and ages, which the man frequently mixed up and lost track of. Vader had his eyes closed, wishing he was somewhere else. Anywhere else. Inside a space slug would do just fine.
The Emperor was still so skilled at hiding the effects of the Dark Side and acting fully human, an ability that completely eluded Vader. There were many among Palpatine's direct staff who were completely unaware the man they worked for could easily take their life merely by raising his hand. Mas Amedda seemed to work particularly hard at ignoring every sign that the ruler of the galaxy was also steeped in the ways of the Sith, although he had been fully aware of that fact for decades.
"Well, you have a long and peaceful retirement, my friend," the Emperor said, just as the man was about to start on a description of the newest grandchild. "Remember to send me a holo of your garden."
"Thank you, your highness." He shook his head as he stood up, and then gave a wry smile. "You've come such a long way since we first met."
"We have indeed," the Emperor said. "Goodbye now."
When the retiring royal advisor finally left the office, hurried along by the royal guard, the Emperor stood up and went to stare out the vast window overlooking the city. A quiet chuckle passed his lips.
"You know, I was going to ask you to ensure that man's ship met with a tragic accident on his way back to Naboo, but I've realized that's unnecessary. He barely remembers his wife's name. If I ever reach such a state of dotage, promise me you'll stab me in the back."
There was no trace of humor in his tone, but Vader wasn't entirely sure if it was meant seriously or not. In any case, only one response was required of him.
"Yes, my master."
The Emperor smiled, still looking out the window. After a moment, he said, "No. You would use a more honorable method. Pity."
He sighed then, and Vader began to feel unsettled. He sensed more from Palpatine than just idle chatter.
"Does something trouble you, Master?"
Another long pause. Then, he said, "Some days, one feels one's age, Lord Vader. Especially when I notice your son is looking more like a young man every day."
Curious. Vader never gave much thought to his own age. To others, the mask rendered him ageless. Luke occasionally attempted to discover when his birthday was, much to his annoyance, but it was irrelevant to anyone else.
The comlink on the Emperor's desk beeped then, and he activated it with the Force.
"Yes?"
"Your highness, the Grand Vizier wishes to speak with you both."
"Very well, allow him up." He returned to his desk, glancing up at Vader as he sat down.
"His parents-in-law are visiting Coruscant this week, and they suffered an attempted robbery at the mall this morning."
Vader considered this, and then said, "That will assist the passage of the bill."
The senate was currently debating a bill to increase the rights of the capital law enforcement to detain and question citizens indefinitely.
The Emperor smiled. "Not everything is by my design, Lord Vader, but you are right. It does help. I'm sure he will bring up the incident when he next addresses the Senate."
Mas Amedda entered the office then, elaborate robes streaming behind him as he walked quickly across the floor. He bowed in greeting and then placed a holo projector on the desk.
"ISB have provided the security recordings of the young man who apprehended the petty thief, your highness. One of them insists that it is Lord Vader's son."
Vader felt a wave of surprise at the words. "Luke is at school. He has made no mention of being involved in a robbery."
"This boy looks taller and older than your son," Mas Amedda said. He set the holo playing. "He fights as if he's had professional training."
The holo showed a young man with his hands in his pockets, standing in a queue at a fast food outlet. His head snapped to the side at the sight of something off-camera, and one look at his face confirmed ISB were not mistaken as to the boy's identity. Vader struggled not to audibly groan as he watched Luke fly across the mall at a full sprint and headbutt the thief away from the Chagrian couple.
"That is indeed my son," Vader said.
Mas Amedda looked back at the holo, clearly surprised. "Really? He's grown up quite a bit since I last saw him."
"He's not exactly cautious, is he?" the Emperor asked, smiling at the sight. "Reminds me of someone else I know."
The holo Luke was still fighting off the thief, using a combination of defensive blocks and simple attacks designed to bring his opponent to the ground. The other boy was of similar height and build to him, making his task easier.
"Has he had martial arts training?" Mas Amedda enquired.
From the depths of his memory, Vader could vaguely recall Luke mentioning that one of the security officers had been giving him self-defense lessons in the training gym downstairs. At the time, he had merely nodded his approval, thinking that anything that helped keep him safe was a worthy use of his spare time. He didn't consider that it might give him the confidence to seek out trouble.
"He has been taught some basic self-defense by the palace security team," Vader said.
"Well, I am grateful for young Skywalker's assistance," Mas Amedda said. "I would like to thank him personally."
Vader glanced at the chronometer. "He is due home from school shortly. I will need to ensure he was not injured."
"It looks more likely the thief was injured," the Emperor said, rewinding the holo. "Interesting. I wasn't aware he possessed such an aggressive streak."
There was a hint of fascination in the Emperor's voice that Vader found unsettling. Gone was any trace of his earlier melancholy over the inevitability of aging. He wished he could reach out and destroy the holo and all other copies that might have been made, but such a thing might be considered the extreme parental overreaction his son often accused him of.
A short time later, Vader had carefully positioned himself in the middle of the corridor leading to Luke's room. As he watched the elevator lights track the journey up to the floor, he folded his arms in anticipation.
His son stepped out when the door slid open, shaggy blond hair askew, sleeves rolled up on his school tunic, and humming a song to himself. What was it that made the Emperor and Mas Amedda think he was looking older? He was still every inch a boy.
He drew up short at the sight of him.
"Um … slow day running the Empire?" Luke suggested.
"How was school?" Vader asked, in a pointed tone.
A guilty expression crossed his face. "Fine."
"Did anything unusual happen?"
"No. Why?" Vader just stared at him until Luke began to crack. "Depends how you define unusual."
"Why don't you tell me, and then I will decide."
"Okay, okay, so I have to complete some new project, but don't worry, I can handle it."
"Think harder."
Luke swallowed. "That depends on how much you know," he said, carefully.
Vader leaned forward and spoke slowly. "I know everything."
"Then why are you wasting time asking me a hundred questions?!"
Vader raised his index finger to point at him. "Because you should have contacted me immediately."
"You'd have freaked out and subjected me to a full medical exam."
"You put yourself in danger."
Luke raised his hands. "I was just trying to help people!"
"I know you like to help. But consider whether the armed mall security could have handled it better. You are not some random passerby in this city, Son. Your privacy is important."
"I wish I was a random citizen," Luke mumbled, looking down.
His words caused some forgotten emotion to stir deep within Vader, and he reached out to place a hand on his son's shoulder. It wasn't easy for Luke to have to deal with the public attention that came with his father's career, and he should make allowances for that. He took advantage of the connection to use the Force to check Luke for injuries.
"Were you hurt?"
"No. Well … maybe a couple of bruises. I'll find them in the shower."
"I watched the holo. You handled yourself well."
Luke shrugged, smiling then. "Commander Julius has been doing some martial arts training with me down in the gym. It's fun."
"Did you realize the people you assisted were the Grand Vizier's in-laws?"
Luke snapped his head up. "No! Really? Were they all right?"
"Yes. Mas Amedda would like to thank you, so you will go upstairs to his office. After you have had an opportunity to dress appropriately."
"Can't he just send me a card? Or better yet … a gift basket with food."
"No. Hurry up."
"Do I really have to dress up? I mean … this is the guy who likes to complain about my 'lack of decorum' in the palace at least twice a year."
"A complaint not without merit," Vader said, stepping aside to allow Luke past.
It took a few tries, but Luke eventually passed his inspection, and then left to go upstairs. Vader had several fleet reports to read and withdrew to his meditation chamber to get some needed peace and quiet. It wasn't until an hour had passed that he realized Luke had never returned. He stretched out along their bond, seeking knowledge of his location. His presence was still within the palace.
It was a further fifteen minutes before he finally returned to his room, and Vader couldn't help but go and seek a report on the situation. His son appeared relaxed and even amused by something, which wasn't necessarily a good sign.
"Did you get lost on the way?" Vader inquired, entering Luke's room.
His son was busy stripping off his formal tunic.
"Stars, can you use the door-comm please?" he said, tossing the tunic on the bed and exchanging it for a comfortable loose shirt. "No. I was just … chatting. His parents-in-law were nice. They wanted to learn all about my school and what I was studying. Then I showed them around the library and the conservatory. I think they just wanted to pretend I was one of their grandchildren for a while and that was fine with me."
Vader studied his son, sensing that perhaps he enjoyed pretending they were his grandparents, too. He never said anything, but he knew he must wish he could have a close relationship with his own extended family. He had such an open heart.
"I will have some time this evening to assist with your speeder restoration project," Vader said.
Luke grinned. "Great! I'll meet you down there soon. I need to eat and then I'm going to check up on the droids. Threepio needs an oil bath."
"Very well."
Vader turned to leave, but Luke spoke again, in a hesitant tone.
"By the way … if I wanted to find out what happened to that thief … maybe even visit him in prison … do you know any good contacts?"
Vader turned back. "Considering he attempted to steal from the Grand Vizier's relatives, I believe it would not be in your best interests to investigate."
"But he was only my age … maybe even younger. They wouldn't execute a teenager, right?"
"Did you raise your concerns with the Grand Vizier?"
Luke nodded. "Before his in-laws arrived, he showed me the holo. At the time, I was too busy focused on the fight to even really notice much about the thief. But in the holo I noticed he was wearing …" Luke trailed off, and then added, "He just changed the subject when I asked. Typical."
Vader was about to tell Luke to put the issue out of his mind, but his sense of his son's concern made it clear that wouldn't be so simple. His heart was going to cause him a lot of pain until he learned to bury it. But that time had not yet arrived.
"I will see what I can learn."
"Thanks," Luke said, sending a feeling of gratitude along their bond.
"Well, I think I'm saved," Ben said, as he climbed into the speeder the next morning.
Luke hit the accelerator, overtaking a slow clunker and merging back into the traffic flow. "Saved?"
"My Dad doesn't want me spending the day with him either. He said he knows some people and he might be able to find someone in the senate offices I could do the project with. So how did it go down for you?"
"Um … I didn't bring it up. I'm hoping he'll leave Coruscant soon and then I won't have to."
"Hey, well if you need someone else, my dad's free." Ben grinned. "Your father would probably trust him to keep you out of trouble for a day."
Luke was about to dismiss the idea when he gave it a second thought. It did mean a day off school, and he could just take notes on what Captain Jarnet was doing every thirty minutes while spending the rest of his time in the hangar. "That's an idea."
"I wasn't serious. It would be so boring! You could always ask Lev. Or some of the officers in the palace security team."
"Maybe." Luke thought further on the idea and felt his mood begin to lighten. "I could do the project with Artoo. A day in the life of an astromech droid. It could be interesting."
"Are you considering a career as an astromech droid?"
Luke smirked. "Maybe."
"I'd like to be there when you tell the career adviser that. Have you got your appointment time yet? Mine is later this morning."
"No. When did you get yours?"
"It was in my inbox yesterday."
As soon as they made it to class, Luke logged into his mail, eager to make sure that Mr Kyde hadn't left him out of the appointment list. Fortunately, an appointment time was there. He was later in the afternoon, so they'd probably been assigned alphabetically.
There was a questionnaire attached to be filled in before going to the appointment, designed to give the adviser some ideas about what to focus on. Luke skimmed over it, and then quickly filled it in. The answers were almost instinctual.
Meanwhile, Ben spent most of the morning filling his in carefully, taking every spare moment during class to bounce ideas off Luke. He'd still only completed half of it by the time he left to fill his appointment slot.
He returned just before lunch, carrying a prospectus for the first university of Coruscant. Luke browsed through it on his datapad, surprised at the sheer number of different academic majors. You could probably get a degree in moisture farming if you really wanted.
Ben was busy looking through a guide to the medical school. "Hey, do you think your doctor would let me do the project with him?"
"Doctor Leeson? I could ask. Why?"
"He's the only non-droid doctor I know."
"You're thinking about going to medical school?" Luke asked.
Ben nodded. "Ever since I caught that Vanbane disease and we did that unit on immunity in biology, I keep thinking about it. But when I told my father, he said it would take years and be expensive, and people preferred droid doctors. But the career advisor went through it with me and although it would take years and be expensive, qualified non-droid doctors are in demand. Especially in research fields, and there are lots of scholarships I can apply for."
Ben's positive experience only made Luke more eager for his own appointment. When the time arrived, he excused himself from their math class and made his way to the meeting rooms in the administration offices. The student who went in before him was still inside, so he sat around in the waiting area, browsing through his questionnaire on a datapad.
B-60 stepped out of the principal's office, carrying a stack of viewscreens.
"Let me guess," he said, upon detecting Luke with his photo-sensors. "You denounced the Empire in history class again?"
Luke frowned. "I'm not in trouble. For your information, I'm waiting for my career consultancy appointment."
"I thought you would have had your career already programmed for you," B-60 said. "Much like me when I came off the assembly line."
Luke smiled. "Unlike you droids, we biological lifeforms can resist our programming."
"So I've been told. I remain skeptical."
Luke would have argued further, but Mr Kyde came out of the meeting room, saying goodbye to the previous student. He then gestured for Luke to come on over.
"Have you filled in your questionnaire?" he asked.
Luke passed him the datapad.
"Uh, listen," he said quietly, noticing a woman seated at the far end of the table. "She doesn't know about my father, right?"
"I haven't said anything," Mr Kyde said. "Would you rather I didn't?"
Luke nodded. "Please don't."
His teacher gestured for him to follow and led him over to the top end of the table.
"Luke, this is Ms Wava."
She smiled at Luke as he took a seat at a right-angle to her. Mr Kyde sat beside him.
"Pleased to meet you, Luke. Let me have a quick read of your answers."
Mr Kyde was already chuckling over them.
"What's wrong?" Luke asked, wondering what he'd said that was so funny.
"Name three things that are important to you when considering a career," Mr Kyde read aloud. "Adventure, excitement, and flying ships."
Luke nodded. "Also, I want to visit lots of different planets."
"Your academic record is good," Ms Wava said, scrolling down a list of grades. "You shouldn't have a problem pursuing a career as a pilot. Have you thought about the navy?"
"Yeah, I guess that's the obvious choice. It would be great to be part of a flight squad and have a callsign and everything. But, it could get boring if you get assigned to some Outer Rim sector and you spend all your time doing patrols. Also ... well, my father works with the navy, and I think it would be hard for me ... I'd get treated differently. I had an idea that I could maybe do a couple of years there to get a feel for things, and then move on to somewhere else."
Ms Wava nodded. "There are many non-military career opportunities for skilled pilots. You've mentioned here that you like helping people. Perhaps you'd be interested in working as a pilot for an aid organization, like the Medicorp or Food Relief."
"Is Food Relief still around?" Mr Kyde asked. "I think I read something a few months ago about an ISB investigation."
"I've never heard of them," Luke said. "What do they do?"
"They bring food relief to communities hit by famine. They are or were one of the biggest life aid organizations in the galaxy, second only to the Refugee Relief Movement. There were offices across hundreds of systems. Luke, how would you like to go through a prospectus for the naval academy, and read some fact sheets about aid workers and what they do?"
"Sounds great," Luke said. "I'll do some research on the HoloNet about Food Relief."
She took him through the naval academy entry requirements, and the dates he'd have to submit his application by. He had a moment of excitement when he realized he could actually skip his senior year of school and go directly to the academy as soon as he turned seventeen, but Mr Kyde was discouraging about that idea.
"You're a bright student, Luke, and you'll want to keep your options open. Completing your senior year is an important step."
"Yes, I can tell you have your heart set on being a pilot, but it's always good to have a couple of back up career ideas. Many of us will change our careers several times throughout our life."
Luke shrugged. "If I couldn't fly, I wouldn't mind working on ship design and maintenance. I like droids too."
Ms Wava produced the prospectus for the engineering school then, and Luke felt increasingly inspired as he browsed through all the courses in spaceflight and droid design. Maybe he could become a qualified pilot and get an engineering degree on the side. Although, four years did sound like a lot of study.
When the appointment came to an end, Luke thanked Ms Wava and then Mr Kyde accompanied him back into the corridor. The next student was already waiting, but his teacher closed the door behind him and turned to face him.
"Luke, have you had a chance to talk about doing the project with your father?"
"Um … not yet, but he's probably going to leave Coruscant soon. I had an idea for doing the project with my astromech droid. A day in the life of a droid. What do you think?"
"You could do a day in the life of a school administrator droid," B-60 said, swiveling his head around. "It will be riveting, I assure you."
"Thanks, B-60, but I think I'll pass."
"It does sound creative," My Kyde said. "But I'm not sure it will be much of a career project. No one can have a career as a droid."
"I beg to differ," B-60 said quietly.
"But if you're certain you'd like to do this, then go ahead. Whatever career we choose, we're going to work with droids, so it would be interesting to learn more about their daily routines."
"Maybe my project could be about droid advocacy. Yeah. Droids can't choose their career, but we can. Are droids happy with their lack of choice?"
"No," B-60 said.
"Perhaps you could document the opinions of a variety of different droids," Mr Kyde said. "I'm sure B-60 will be happy to help."
"Great. I'll start planning after school today."
This had turned out better than expected. Not only did he have some ideas for what he was going to do with his career, but now he also had a project that could well be interesting.
But then his teacher added one last thing, causing Luke's smile to fade.
"Once you have completed your project plan, just make sure your father has signed off on it. There is a permission form attached to the project brief that ensures he understands you will be spending a day out of school to complete the project."
That was a lot easier said than done when your father was a Sith Lord.