Chapter 1 – Meditation
While waiting for their arrival, Vader decided to go meditate in his chamber. He sat in a large spherical object that opened for him after he pushed a button on a panel nearby. Sitting down in it, the chamber closed and allowed for him to sit in darkness, except for a few small lights just barely illuminating the arms that were reaching towards his helmet. He placed a breathing tube into his mouth as the tank began to fill with Bacta fluid. Soon enough it was filled and his body was barren as his suit was stripped off and his wounds received from his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, were shown. His metallic arms and legs were removed so he was simply a torso and stumps floating in the fluid.
The suit and the metallic arms were a grim reminder of everything Vader had failed to do. If he had killed Obi-Wan then he would have had most of his limbs. He would not have been given this horribly burned and scarred body. He would not have to live in pain every day.
The Dark Lord shut his sickly yellow eyes and he began to fill his mind with dark thoughts. He thought of his former master first. Then his mind fluttered to the Jedi Order. Their weakness was sickening to him; relying on 'peaceful' negotiations to settle disputes. His soul filled with sadness when he thought about Padme Amidala, but then there was something else.
Hope? Fear? Anger? All of these and many more emotions mixed when he realized he had a son and continued to do so when his thoughts fixed on his son, Luke Skywalker. On Bespin, they fought and ultimately ended in the removal of his hand and the father pleading to his son to join him and take the Empire for themselves. To this end, Luke decided to instead go back to the rebellion.
Anger filled him again. The metal instruments outside of the tank began to float and were flung to the wall shattering and sending pieces across the floor. Calming down, he began to think about his mission.
He had to admit, his curiosity was piqued. The nature of his mission was to find a woman who will give him orders. Simple enough. Her end goal was to assume control over the planet and she will serve under the Galactic Empire. Vader suspected that this would not come without a price. He was being sent there for a reason. Was it to kill her enemies? Eliminate any resistance? Time would tell. The Dark Lord closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take him as he waited for their arrival.
A voice spoke to him, "Lord Vader," he opened his eyes to see an officer, "We have arrived." The tank drained, and the suit was put back onto him by the metal arms of the tube. First were his arms, placed into the sockets and twisted to fit into place. He moved his fingers one by one to make sure everything was in working order. He did the same with his legs. Soon enough, he was fully dressed and ready to land on the Remnant. Having been specifically told to travel alone, on the way to the hangar to retrieve his ship, Vader gave orders to his 501st Legion to remain on the ship and stay with the crew. Should anything happen, they contact him for a course of action. Emergency ships to retrieve Vader were on standby on the bay of the Star Destroyer.
Reaching his ship, a simple transport, he spotted the Admiral who, despite looking nervous, was generally in a lighter mood. This was likely because Vader was leaving, or he had already interacted with him a few hours prior and has had time to adjust to the Dark Lord. "Safe travels, my Lord." He said as Vader reached the ramp of the ship. Nothing but his breathing served as a response. The door shut and the Sith looked to the pilot who had an aura of fear. "Take me to the planet." He said simply. "Yes, sir." The pilot responded.
As the pilot pushed buttons to activate the ship, the Dark Lord looked at the planet through the thin, light blue shields. It looked to be a simple planet. No shields to protect it from an attack from outer space. Why would the Emperor want such a place? It looked to serve no purpose militarily; it was off the grid. Nothing that would give them strategic value over the Rebels and was likely just going to be used for its resources for the Empire.
Pushing a lever, the pilot pushed them out of the hangar. The thrusters on the backside of the ship were activated, propelling them towards the Remnant. Whatever awaited him down there was surely to be a threat. It was unlikely that this 'Salem' would welcome them with open arms.
