Sweet are the uses of adversity, which like the load, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head. –William Shakespeare
"My Lord," the husky, deep voice spoke out of the shadows, amplified by the voice modulator attached to the speaker's mask.
"Is it done?" his own voice, old and raspy yet holding so much authority, seemed like a whisper on the wind.
"Yes, my Lord. CC-2224 has made contact with the rebels. We almost captured them, but they were tipped off by this…thing," something was flung at his feet. Another body, no doubt.
"What is it, Lord Vader?" he didn't feel like looking today. He enjoyed his darkness very much.
"The one that was called Bly. He was the one who took care of CC-2224 and helped him escape. He is dead, my Lord. He refused to give up his contacts or the where abouts of the rebels," as usual, Vader didn't care he had killed another spy. Such a good little robot.
"Ah, good. He was only useful for part of the mission. I was going to have him removed anyway," another tool removed after its usage. And so efficiently too. "Any rebels caught?"
"No, they were gone before we arrived, but they know that location is no longer safe. We are still tracking CC-2224."
"Good. Give him some space for now, let him get to the center of the rebels. We all know how well he'll be welcomed back after all the lovely little upgrades I gave him," he smiled under his black hood, knowing those present were shivering in their boots…except Vader.
"Sir…why not attack now?" one of his aides, a general, ventured. Such a brave soul. He was still useful, so he wouldn't die….today.
"I want to make sure CC-2224 has found one of the main rebel bases. We don't need another safe house like the last base."
"But….are we sure CC-2224 is still alive?" ah, the good doctor. He wouldn't wake up in the morning, too caring.
"Yes, he is alive," Vader hissed. "He will remain alive until I say so. Those are his orders."
"But what if he snaps out of the power of the drug," the doctor pushed. "Then your order would be useless and he would die."
"There is no one alive that could snap him out of it," he chuckled coldly, standing from his dark throne. "As your tests have proven, it would need to be someone CC-2224 cared about and we all know they are dead. Killed by his own hand."
"But," the doctor started. He had heard enough. Lightning leapt from his hand, slamming into the doctor. The man thrashed to the floor, screaming. He cut the lightning, coming to stand over him.
"I have tolerated you for this long, but no more. There are others, with more potential, who can take your place. I'm sorry, but you are now…" he smiled as he heard the snap of breaking bones. "Retired."
He moved away from the limp body, ignoring the horrified looks of the others," You all may leave."
His Red Guards stepped forward, forcing the men and women assembled to stand and quickly leave. All that was left was Vader…and he had doubts.
"My Lord…what of Kenobi?"
"He is not with them," he chuckled. "If he has lived this long, he is hidden, too afraid to show himself. We have nothing to fear from the rebel scum. CC-2224 is too well trained to fail me."
"My Lord, what do you wish of me?"
"Go, follow him. Make sure he doesn't get into trouble. And don't let any of the rebels see you. If you sense Jedi with him, it is time to attack. I will have everything ready for the call."
"Yes, my Lord," Vader bowed low and strode out of the room, leaving him alone with his darkness. He sat back down in his throne, smiling. Oh, yes, he would get those rebels and all with the help of a so called friend. The little creature wouldn't even realize it till it was too late. By then, the world would be burning around him. Then, he would reward his pet with the sanctuary he always wanted.
"You, my pet, will not let me down….if you know what's good for you."
Out in space, sleeping next to a young girl, huddled close to her, clutching her hand, a man shifted. His left hand was pressed to his stomach, curled permanently in on itself. His right hand held the girl's tightly, as though afraid to let go. His right leg was cut short, just above the knee. Bandages crisscrossed his thin body, hiding the horrific wounds beneath. A man sat nearby in a chair, sleeping. He jerked awake when the man on the bed shifted, then mumbled something. He tensed, leaning closer, reaching out for the man, but froze when the men twitched violently, a moan escaping his lips.
"My…Lord….stop…it will…..be done…."
The man in the chair sat back, going pale. He looked up at the man standing in the doorway, who nodded, focusing back on the man in the bed. He twitched again, whimpering, "Please…I will….kill…..lead you….to…the rebels…."
Two pairs shot up, meeting each other. Two very different faces shared similar looks of horror. The one in the doorway snapped out of it first, "I'll call Mace."
"Go, I will stay here," the one in the chair nodded, leaning forward and resting a hand on the man's shoulder. He stopped twitching, falling silent. None of them heard the soft voice whisper in the man's ear.
"You, my pet, will not let me down…..if you know what's good for you."
The man in the bed whimpered, jerking from the man's touch. The man looked up at the girl, whose eyes were filled with fear.
"We will get him back. I promise."
Across the galaxy, the man in his throne laughed coldly. Soon, no one would oppose him and it would all be thanks to a pathetic little clone. Soon, no one would question the power of the Empire. Soon, all would bow to him…the Emperor!