Vision of the Past
By Blacknayami
Chapter 1: Arrival
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. It belongs to George Lucas and I am thankful to him for creating such a wonderful story. This fanfiction is written purely for fun, I am not getting paid for writing this!
Naboo. A gorgeous planet, lush with verdant foliage, every building a superb piece of architecture. Naboo. A planet with a tradition of just and kind rule and a fair government. Naboo. The place that Darth Vader avoided like the plague.
Whenever politics or military business called him there, Vader was suddenly unexplainably busy. An aide would be sent instead, some strict admiral that would helpfully bully the government into submission. Lord Vader was unfortunately occupied at the planet _______ with business that consisted of ______ and would be there for ______ period of time (normally a rather long period, too) and therefore was regretfully unable to attend _______ occasion. Would _______ please accept his condolences? That was how things generally went regarding Lord Vader and Naboo.
However, this time even the clever sith lord was unable to fabricate an acceptable excuse regarding his absence.
" My master, I am now of the opinion that the rebel alliance is stationed at Naboo", Vader informed Emperor Palpatine.
The emperor slowly swiveled round in his throne to regard his underling.
" Are you quite certain this time, Lord Vader? There have been far more mistakes regarding their base than I had expected from one such as you", was the sibilant response. However, Palpatine was fully aware that Vader was telling the truth. He would never inform Palpatine about something that meant Vader might have to visit Naboo unless the sith lord was absolutely sure that he was correct.
" I am, my master", Vader rumbled.
" Excellent. Take the fleet and ambush them. I want the rebel fools completely wiped out, destroyed once and for all". Immediately after this order Palpatine swiveled away in his throne once more, trying to avoid the protestation that was sure to follow. The attempt at evasion was unsuccessful.
" My master… I am currently busy at the prison planet of Despayre. Perhaps I could send Admiral Piett, he is fully capable…"
" The business at Despayre can wait, Lord Vader", snapped Palpatine. " What could be more important than the annihilation of the rebel alliance once and for all? I will not tolerate any excuses this time, Lord Vader. I have allowed your weak avoidance of the planet in the past, however I will not allow it this time. Your presence is crucial to this battle. Do I make myself clear?"
Vader hesitated, unsure of whether there was still a hope of arguing his point. However, he could tell that Palpatine was unwavering in his position, and the sith lord knew that he did not in reality have an excuse strong enough to keep him from Naboo. Finally Vader responded:
" As you wish, my master". With that, he swept from the room, fury boiling within his ebony armor.
When Vader boarded the Executor after his meeting with Emperor Palpatine his anger had grown enough that it was almost tangible, clinging to his cloak and armor and trailing after him on his path to the deck. Officers almost threw themselves out of his way, and everyone from the lowliest stormtrooper to the highest of officers (Admiral Piett) worked frantically to appear to be working and giving their very best to the tasks they were fulfilling. In such a tense atmosphere, however, it was not difficult for someone to make a mistake. A minuscule one, but a mistake nonetheless.
One officer, having arrived one minute and twenty three seconds late to his post and therefore delaying the delivery of his report on the sanitation systems of the Executor to Admiral Piett found himself collapsed on the deck of the Executor, his windpipe crushed.
Darth Vader, his black mood scarcely improved, strode back to the windows of his ship. Impassionedly, one small corner of his brain that was not occupied with screaming fury to every corner of the galaxy wondered how many more officers he would have to kill on the journey to Naboo in order to overcome his rage.
It would take quite a few.
Luke Skywalker took his knife and cut a tiny portion of meat off of his steak. He dipped it in gravy, sprinkled a few spices on it, covered it with mashed tubers, submerged it in berry sauce. He lay it flat on his plate and piled more slices of steak on top of it, more and more pieces, piling his tower higher and higher, keeping it balanced with the force, reaching out with his fork to deposit the final piece of steak on top-
When another fork jabbed at his tower and caused it to collapse, spraying the destroyer of the Death Star with gravy and berry sauce.
Luke looked up, annoyed. He was greeted by the gaze of Princess Leia Organa, a look that was half annoyance and half worry.
" Luke, what's wrong?" she asked. " You've seemed preoccupied for days! What is it?!"
" I… I don't know!" Luke exclaimed, frustrated. " I feel like… like something's going to happen, but I don't know what! I don't know if it's good or bad, or… I just don't know!"
" Luke…" Leia reached out to him worriedly, however, the young rebel pilot was unable to remain there, feeling as though he should be moving, and he hurried away.
A few minutes later Luke had reached the stone ramparts of the deserted castle in which the rebels were installed and was able to feel a bit of calm for the first time in a while. The cool breeze that blew up at those heights was refreshing as was the lovely view of the forest below. For a moment he could begin to relax. For a moment he was able to forget his anxieties and troubles and just be calm.
But only for a moment. Turning lazily to follow the flight of a bright scarlet bird Luke caught sight of… what was that? Dark shapes in the sky, growing steadily larger, more distinct… Luke turned to the nearest sentry and snatched the man's binoculars. Ignoring the sentry's protests the young jedi focused on the shapes. When he realized what he saw Luke dropped the binoculars. He whirled around and sprinted back inside the castle.
" Attack!" he shouted. " The imperials have arrived!"
And as he ran Luke Skywalker's mechanical hand clenched tightly, an all too clear reminder of the result of his last entanglement with the malevolent presence he could sense approaching the base.
And in the face of such a presence, Luke Skywalker was terrified.
A.N.: I've had this idea for a while, so I figured it was about time to write it! I hope you've enjoyed the story so far, and please leave a review to tell me what you thing! Thanks for reading!