The Sith Who Was A Man
Disclaimer: None but the AU of it all belongs to me. Characters and story from George Lucas.
Summary/Background: In a galaxy that fell to Palpatine ten years early, a world where the Sith Lord found and taught a young slave from Tattoinne long before the Jedi, one Senator and one Jedi stumble their way through the life and past of the feared enforcer of the Empire. Darth Vader. Padme thinks there must be a man behind the horror, but can a Sith Lord ever be redeemed?
A/N: Nothing more than a prologue really.
Rebellion. Such a strange word. And not one Senator Padme Amidala would have ever associated with herself. And yet, thats what she was involved with now. A rebellion against the Empire and the powerful Emperor himself.
It had been years since the Emperor came to power. And the people, for the most part, loved him. He let them keep their sacred Jedi council and the Senate. He gave them food and safety. But dare defy him and you would pay. Padme couldn't honestly say she had been surprised when she had learned of the true evil of the Emperor Palpatine from her Jedi guard, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Still it shocked her when she learnt how he became so powerful; the Sith ways were strong.
What was the most surprising was how quickly Padme agreed to join and help the very small and very secret Rebellion. She had never particularly disliked Palpatine, though his actions to turn her home planet of Naboo over to the control of the Trade Federation was horrifying to her. And yet, the pure desperateness of Obi-Wan's plight could not be refused. She would never admit it, but she had always thought him a strikingly handsome man. Charming too. And a good friend.
At the same time, there could be no doubt that Padme had just signed her death warrant by supporting the Rebellion. As small as it was, everyone knew the price for supporting it. A long, drawn out and painful death by the hand of the Emperor's apprentice.
As it was, Padme through those traitorous thoughts away. They wouldn't help her know. There was no room to be weak.
Ignoring the calls of her guard, the Senator made her way down the hall of the her home in Corusunt, the capital, and towards her transport. Her dark green dress hung loosely around her figure, hugging ever so slightly her curvy hips and bosom. Hair as silky as any nymph's fell to her waist and a simple silver crown on her head betrayed her position as a Senator. Not that anyone did not know of her position already. The young Senator was the most sought after woman in the city, every man longed to hold her close. But as of yet, none had succeeded.
A short time later, Padme sat next to her good friend, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. She was scheduled to take a diplomatic trip to Dantoine and was hoping the Jedi would be her guard, as always. "You are sure it won't be any trouble for you to come on this trip? I don't want to be a bother."
Obi-Wan's voice was rich with amusement at the idea of his good friend having any problems pestering him, "You ask that before each trip and each time I give the same answer. I want to go. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you." Padme felt herself redden, unable to stop the blush. "Beside, there's supposed to be a pro- Rebellion group there. It could be of help to us to meet with them."
Only a few days into the trip, it took a turn for the worse. A Separatist group, which seemed anti- Republic and anti-Empire, began following them. Still far from Dantoine, Padme suggested the call for help, unsure of their intentions.
Communications had been cut.
It was Obi-Wan who pointed out that this was not a random attacked. Someone wanted something. And it wasn't going to end well. Their diplomatic ship had the minimum weapons and armor and wouldn't survive even a few shots by the armed Separatist ship.
Just as their strange enemy began charging their weapons, a shot fired from the distance.
The ship rocked and wobbled and Padme grasped Obi-Wan's arm in fright. The Jedi was useless in such a situation could only murmur reassurances to the frightened Senator.
Several hours later, the barely composed Senator and her equally shocked Jedi guard were escorted onto the Death Star. The largest Imperical ship in the galaxy, next to the Emperor's, and the home of his most feared servant. Their footsteps seemed oddly loud in the silent bay area, all the storm troopers and officers just watching them. Slowly, almost time-stopping slow, the main door opened.
He was handsome, that was Padme's first reaction. Ruggedly handsome. He looked even younger than her. Dark wavy hair fell in front of his face, but not enough to obscure his scarred face and chiseled face. A black cloak hung over his black pants and black shirt. A lightsaber hung at his side and two stunningly blue eyes peered out from beneath their curtain of dark hair.
He was Darth Vader, more feared by some than even the Emperor.
A Sith Lord.
And their savior.