The Fallen Savior

Summary: For the deadliest and most powerful man in the galaxy, all seems to be in his grasp, all except for his redemption. Redemption, it comes in many forms. It comes for those both of the light and the dark. In a world where there is no black and white, but shades of gray, Lord Vader discovers what it means to be a Jedi, and a father.

Chapter 1: Preparation and Purpose

A man clad in a black uniform knelt patiently, awaiting his master's attention. The ominous silence was broken by the soft hiss of Vader's meditation chambers. The black sphere slowly opened to reveal the figure, or perhaps remnants of a man, encased in jet black armor, fused with metallic machine.

Lord Vader looked out over the horizon, at the sublime beauty of Bespin's upper atmosphere. Beauty filtered down to dull shades of gray through the shaded windows of his meditation chamber, and dark tint of his mask, that wretched mask. He reached up to touch his face, only to feel the cool black cortis faceplate instead. This suit, this mask was hiding what he was truly feeling, hiding the grimace on his face, hiding his every emotion. This was the cost of power.

"My Lord."

Vader greeted his subordinate with silence, allowing him to continue.

"My Lord, Skywalker's x wing is approaching. He is due to arrive in an hour, My Lord. Everything has been moved into position. Princess Leia and Lando Calrissian are currently being transferred to holding block B. Boba Fett has taken custody of Han Solo, and is keying in for departure. The docking bay has been secured for Skywalker's entry. Bespin has thus far put up little resistance, and should be in our… your total control in the hour. Personnel have been removed from the desired posts My Lord, to prevent interference from you plan with Skywalker."

Vader stood unmoving; his subordinate still had something say…

"My…my Lord, and the Emperor has requested a word with you before your meeting with Skywalker."

Vader waited, his back still facing the captain. He could feel the captain's uncertainty, his fear. Fear of the Wrath of Lord Vader, under his mask he smiled…

"Commander… Massi…" Vader drawled out slowly.

"Yes... My Lord?" Massi stammered.

"Excellent." Vader made a small motion of his hand to dismiss Commander Massi. Really, quite a capable soldier, he thought to himself. Held himself well in his first appearance before the Dark Lord… much better than his superior, Vader thought. His previous Commander had failed miserably, and had the audacity to beg for his life, pitiful! He turned his head slightly to see Massi walking out the door. If Massi didn't die facing Skywalker and his companions, he might just have a chance to tap into that potential. But Vader had a premonition, that things where not going to go as planned. Vader smiled inwardly, he was always up to a challenge.

He turned to look out at the horizon again, searching for signs of his son's small ship.

"Come my son, I am waiting…"

……………………………………………………………………………..

Commander Massi was slightly shaken after his meeting with the Lord Vader. He shuddered just slightly; the stories did him no justice. It was not the first time that he had met Vader of course. As a rising solider in the Empire he had frequently seen Vader at banquets, and at military ceremonies, but face to face, he shook his head, Lord Vader was a completely different story.

"Attention!"

The small group of men standing before him snapped to attention instantaneously. He nodded in approval. This was Lord Vader's hand picked guard, the Spartan like warriors called the Fallen Angels. Rightly named, following none other than the prince of darkness, Lord Vader. Commander Massi took his black helmet, and placed it over his head. There was snap and hiss, as the air pressure inside his black armor suit adjusted.

"I have just spoken with Lord Vader, and the stage is set gentlemen."

Commander Massi started strolling down the ranks.

"One matter of importance, we are NOT to interfere with Skywalker, he is of utmost importance to our lord." He came to the end of the line, and stopped abruptly.

"The rest? You guys aren't idiots, you know what to do."

He ground his heel into the ground.

"Crush all resistance, and make it quick. Bespin will fall to the Dark Lord by nightfall." He stated evenly.

There was a resounding stomp in response, and as quickly as they had assembled, Commander Massi's Squad leaders began filing out. There were no Yes sirs, no loud cat calls. No, the Fallen Angels were beyond such weak acts. The Fallen Angels were famed for their swift and deadly tactics and their cold efficiency. Commander Massi was proud of them, proud to be their new leader. They now numbered a thousand strong without a weak one among them. He smirked, even the Emperor's crimson-clad Royal Guard paled in comparison. This, he surmised, was the best personal guard that Vader had yet to command… even better than when he first joined the force… how many years ago? He shook his head, it didn't matter, there were Lord Vader's orders to carry out, and Rebels to defeat.

"Come Skywalker, we are ready." He whispered to himself.

Commander Massi revealed no signs of fear, nor anticipation, except for his index finger, which was tap-tapping on the hilt of his lightsaber.

……………………………………………………………………………..

"Master," Lord Vader stated emotionlessly, kneeling before the helographic image of a stopping old man, an old man that exuded evil from his every being.

Emperor Palpatine, supreme ruler of the Empire, and soon the galaxy, stared down at Lord Vader's kneeling figure, seemingly contemplation his next words. "Rise my apprentice," Palpatine rasped. He paused before he began, "All has gone as planned Vader?"

"Yes master. The Bespin system will be yours by nightfall. The Rebels are putting up little resistance for all their talk of valor and bravery. My earlier campaign in Hoth was a complete success. The Rebel's are running out of places to hide, Master."

"Yet, Vader, I sense something has gone amiss, a disturbance in the force."

The Emperor waited for Vader to elaborate, but when he made no such effort, he glared at him angrily.

"Explain to me! What is this disturbance in the force Vader? Have you not sensed it! Have you not felt something slip between your fingers! The Rebels, HA! You know, as well as I, the Rebels are no real threat to us. Crushing the Rebels my apprentice, is no hard feat. No Vader, there is something greater at play, that you… that you do not understand…" Palpatine said, finishing in almost an inaudible whisper, a thinly veiled accusation.

"I did not know, my master. I had not felt this disturbance… until you mentioned it so. I fear that my weakness betrays me again…" Vader stated evenly.

"You have always had short comings Vader," there was a slight chuckle heard, and Palpatine continued, "Vader, the time is coming when the galaxy will be mine, and the taint of the Rebel Alliance shall be removed. The last remnants of the Republic shall be no more."

"Yes master, may such a day bring glory to you and your Empire."

"Yes Vader! Power Vader, power, it is sweet to my lips. But this disturbance in the force, it is an obstacle that must be removed, is that clear!"

"Yes master."

"I want this disturbance destroyed, but I sense something more, something hindering my vision. Be prepared Vader, for anything." The Emperor's eyes darted left and right, and for a brief moment Emperor Palpatine did not look like the ruler of the galaxy, but simply a frail old man. Lord Vader was once again kneeling, head bowed, but his master's momentary weakness did not escape him.

"My master, I will deal with this disturbance."

"Kill it, stop it." the Emperor commanded.

"Your will be done my master." Vader said.

There was a slight hum as the hologram powered down. In the ensuing silence, Vader stayed kneeling before the empty hologram transmitter. He rose slowly, coming to decisive decision.

Standing to his full height, the previously stoic figure of Lord Vader suddenly became a flow of motion. At a brisk stroll, Vader glided out of his meditation chambers. Waiting outside was Commander Massi, and without a break in step the two fell into line, walking down the corridor.

"Commander Massi."

"Yes My Lord?"

"Let us make sure we give my son a proper welcome to Bespin."