AN-Ah, sorry for the late update. I got a little...sidetracked. I do have a very short attention span, but here is the next chapter!
A choice
immediately after the ramp of the landing shuttle of the transporting ship touched the ground, he was out.
He was late. Very late, at least according to the emperor. As fast and calm seeming as he could, the Dark lord Vader set a hard stride towards his destination. Towards his awaiting and very upset master.
There he stood, amongst all the glory the storm troopers were in their white shining armor, looking as deadly and efficient as they were born to be. The emperor from far seemed to be composed and steady in his wake, but up close, Vader could see the Sith master seething.
At once Vader was on the ground, head bowed in his practiced position of servitude.
"Ah, Lord Vader, so good of you to finally join us." the tone of the Sith was definitely not one of happiness or contentment.
"Apologies, my Master. The orders were given on such short notice." Vader explained.
At hearing this the Sith Master's eyes flared in anger. Vader did not mean for his explanation to seem as if he was bemoaning, but inside he truly was. It was not his fault that his tardiness should be faulted to him; the orders were so sudden it was impossible to be met on time.
"well, it is such a pity that one like yourself could not reach such expectations" he emperor sneered. Vader could read in between the lines, there would be punishment later, one that he did not truly deserve.
But the Sith Lord could only bow to the man and loathe him on the inside. Without waiting a second longer, the emperor turned and headed towards the direction of the meeting that was about to take place.
Silently, Vader stood, then proceeded to follow his master. The Emperor was making it apparent that he was dissatisfied with Vader's tardiness by ignoring him completely, which Vader was completely fine with. He already hated being within an arm's reach of the emperor, speaking to him more than necessary was just repulsive.
As the duo neared the meeting chamber, Vader could see another man he hated to the core. Tarkin. There he was standing tall and proud, with the most annoying look of satisfaction while he looked at Vader as if he were a lesser being. The sith lord knew that Tarkin knew he was in trouble with the emperor, and the fact that that made the man look as if Vader was just another pathetic lackey made his blood boil in fury.
At the corner of his eye, the Sith lord could see the emperor smiling maliciously; he had felt the anger and frustration of Vader and it delighted the emperor to no end. This made Vader even more pissed off. Today was definitely not a pleasant day.
"I see that you have finally arrived, lord Vader. When you did not arrive in time I thought that something terrible might have happened." Tarkin said formally with the right amount of concern, but Vader knew this was a taunt as sarcasm was laced with those words.
To Vader's growing agitation, the emperor simply chose to ignore this as he proceeded into the meeting chambers to discuss the latest news and updates of the Death Star. Just the thought of the magnificent battle station irked Vader. Why did Tarkin assume the power over it anyway?
As all the members of the conference gathered together and took at seat, the meeting commenced.
"Now as you all have heard, the new battle station has now been completed. The new pride and symbol of the power of the empire!" the Emperor exclaimed proudly with a smile so malicious, the surrounding members of the meeting did not want to know the meaning behind such eerie joy. He then gestured to Tarkin. "The new commander of the station."
Tarkin bowed graciously to the Emperor and briefly glanced at Vader riling the Sith Lord. Force, Vader wanted to kill the man. "you are most kind, your majesty for placing such a magnificent force to be reckoned with in my care." The emperor only nodded in acknowledgment. Again Tarkin gave the briefest of glances at Vader.
The members of the room could practically feel the tension and anger rolling off the Sith Lord. But alas, he could do nothing, at least nothing in the vicinity of the Emperor. The emperor could only continue to smile, he mood gleeful to the amount that Vader was suffering in silence.
The Tarkin continued with his speech. "as you all know, The battle station know as the Death Star is the single strongest weapon to ever be created. Such a power is only fit by the ranks of the Empire. The main fire power of this weapon is able to destroy planets, the first of its kind. the defenses are impenetrable, as well as its smaller attack units. it will be up and operational within the next standard month." turning directly to the emperor Tarkin used his most humble facade. "I will ensure immediately after the station is completed, the menial rebellion will be dealt with swiftly and efficiently as it should have been long ago" each word was carefully punctuated at the end of the sentence. even the most oblivious officer in the meeting knew who it was directed to. "They will no longer hinder the Empire as it should have been in the beginning."
"good" was the only reply that the emperor gave. It seemed that that was praise worthy enough. It seemed that the not so subtle insult towards Vader was dismissed as if it were a insignificant thing. In this case, it was. Smiling as if he had accomplished a great feat (in which Riling up Vader had been) Tarkin settled himself into his seat as the rest of the meeting took place.
The minute the meeting was over, Vader wanted out. But he would do it as dignified as he could. Just as he was about to reach the exit, the cold, dead voice of the Emperor invaded.
"Ah, Vader, such a satisfying meeting, is it not?" Force, Vader hated this man with everything. Sometimes he didn't know how he could stand being in the same room as the man who ruined his life. The man who had taken everything precious to him in the worst way possible. By making him do it himself.
"Quite" ever the man with few words, Vader gave a curt reply. The emperor then flashed an angry glare towards Vader's direction and started to walk away accompanied by his royal red guards. Just as he was passing Vader, he whispered chillingly "we are not done yet, meet me in my quarters after you are done with your tasks, Vader" His name was spat in disgust.
Vader was definitely in trouble. but all he could reply was "yes, master."
Without another word the emperor left, but in his wake appeared Tarkin. As He turned, he smirked which was unfortunate as it made Vader's hair of a temper snap. He headed towards Tarkin in a fast almost violent stride. Feeling and seeing the fear on Tarkin face helped quench the ever growing anger marginally, but Vader wanted so much more. It was lucky for Vader and most unfortunate to Tarkin than the remaining occupants had quickly fled as soon as possible to avoid any confrontation of the two.
"you look a little pale, Tarkin. What seems to be the matter" Vader spat the last sentence with as much malice us as possible. it was proven fruitful when it Tarkin appeared to be visibly sweating.
"You know you can't touch me." He decided to get straight to the point. The truth frustrated the Vader but he didn't want Tarkin getting that last word in.
"true, as unfortunate as it seems. But know this. You won't always hold the emperor's favor for long." he explained as if chiding a child, almost gently, only it was terrifying coming from the Sith lord. "but one of these days, you will fail and he will to forget you. When that times comes." but Vader left it at that and walked briskly to leave. just as he neared to corner, The Sith stopped abruptly and looked over his shoulder "you better watch your back" then left a very stunned and pale Commander of the Death Star.
This is it Vader thought has he gave an inward sigh as he stopped in front of the Emperor's chambers. This is not going to be pretty...
He entered the room.
As was the rest of the Emperor's favored environment, the room was dimly lit and extravagantly furnished. In his usual position sat the man himself on a overly extravagant chair he would most certainly claim his throne.
At once, he the apprentice bow and kneeled to his master.
"master" Vader said
Silence only echoed the room and the Emperor merely observed his apprentice. Then he smirked grimly.
"it seems you are quite dissatisfied with Myorders. Do explain"
it took a moment for Vader to calculate a response. "No, my Lord...It just seems inadequate for a man of Tarkin's caliber to...assume command of such an asset of the Empire."
Vader knew he shouldn't have spoke his opinion when pain so powerful in the form of Sith lightning struck him, it momentarily rendered him unable to breathe. Then as sudden as it started, it stopped.
"You. Dare. Question. My. Judgment." When Vader did not respond to this fast enough, he was struck once again. It took all of Vader's will power combined with the Force to stop him from outwardly screaming in agony.
He collapsed on the floor when the emperor was satisfied with the amount of pain Vader was in. Vader didn't know if he should think himself lucky because he was punished severely less because of the suit he was forced to wear for life. Because of it, too much Sith lightning would short-circuited his respiratory functions which would kill him. But that didn't mean there were other ways to make sure he suffered. This was just one that the Emperor enjoyed the most.
"The reason for giving Tarkin such a position is that he bring results. results which are satisfying. What have you have to offer, Vader?" the Emperor asked eerily calm. When Vader didn't answer the emperor continued. "Exactly, Nothing! It has taken you years, Years to find and destroy the rebellion, yet they are still here." With a exaggerated sigh of disappointment Sith continued. "if you cannot make it in time for such an important meeting, then what is the use of giving you such power."
Another blast of lightning hit Vader squarely in the chest, and then he couldn't breathe properly. His control panel had smoke starting to rise. With a look of deep regret and disgust, the Emperor ceased his assault and could only look at Vader with undisguised contempt.
"Such weakness, it is pathetic. You are a failure in life. You failed to save your mother, you failed the Jedi, You failed saving your wife-" each failure stabbed at his heart as if it was a blunt knife, but when it came to the failure of his wife, Vader could not bear to get up and resemble what was left of his dignity. "-and you fail as a Sith." the emperor barked a laugh "look at you, you're not even a real person. You will always be nothing. Born a slave, die a slave."
With this his signaled to his red guards to take Vader away. as Vader was being dragged the Guards, The emperor's cruel voice rung in the distance "You need me, Vader. And you shall forever live to serve me."
Thankfully, the guards used a secret passage that led right to Vader's chambers. It saved the scrapes of dignity left in Vader. As they arrived to his chamber, they unceremoniously dumped him, without any care onto the ground. Vader could only grunt in pain, but if it had been any other time, he would have killed them all without hesitation for such callous treatment. The left immediately after that, which seemed like the only thankful thing Vader could think of today.
using the last of his waning strength, Vader dragged himself the best he could to his hyperbaric chamber, his only sanctuary.
Finally what seemed like hours, but only in actually fact minutes, he was in. he could breathe properly again. The oxygen rich environment filling his lungs with delicious air. aching all over, Vader looked down to see his panel close to fried.
Too tired to shout in anger he could only set out to fix his only means of survival. As much as he didn't want to, whether it was how tired and hurt he was, he has to fix it. The last thing he wanted to experience more pain because of his absence if he was called for and couldn't make it because of his situation.
A few hours later...
finally completing the task, Vader tested his suit by stepping out of his sanctuary. With relief, the Sith could breathe normally again. even as they were artificial, Vader could feel the ache and pain that radiated off his body and where his stumps of what was left were connected to his fake limbs.
Force he was tired, all he wanted to do was sleep, and maybe if he was lucky enough never wake up. but it was only wishful thinking, he didn't have the courage to kill himself even if the change was given to him. The will to live was too strong, as well as his regret. but alas, he would forever be encased in his own prison of pain and regret as the suit was a symbol of all he had failed to do; What he had to suffer forever emotionally and physically.
as he remember all that his master had said, he could only angrily accept the truth, he was a failure. At everything. This was the price to pay.
His mother...the Jedi...his angel...Everything
"Anakin" a familiar voice said.
Vader spun so fast, he almost visible flinch from the recent onslaught he had endured earlier.
"are you alright?" Qui-Gon questioned with concern. Beyond tired and irritated with the events of what occurred today, Vader just wanted peace, no matter how small. The appearance of the ethereal Jedi did not help matters.
Vader wished once again that he could strike the Jedi where he stood, but he could not kill a man that was already dead, much less get rid of him.
"Go away" Vader snapped.
"you are in pain Anakin, let me help."
"there is nothing you can do. much less one as yourself. leave me be."
"I wasn't taking about physical pain, Anakin."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT! THAT MAN IS DEAD!"
" if he is dead, then why does he still mourn what he was lost"
"Just...Just leave me alone." Vader didn't have the energy to argue with the former Jedi.
"I am just here to help. You are in pain... let me help you"
"what could you possibly do?" Vader said whispering, but the mask made it sound menacing and cold.
"Like I said before, there is always a choice."
signing with weariness and exasperation Vader could only replied "don't you get it, there is nothing! absolutely nothing left for me! there is no choice, the one I have picked...I will forever be burdened to carry. I had that choice a long time ago, I screwed up...nothing can change that."
"have faith, Anakin."
"For what..." Vader asked wearily.
"there is always a choice." the Qui-Gon stated again.
"how many times mus-"
"I will ask you again, Anakin. Please answer this truthfully. If you had a choice to undo all that has passed these fifteen years, would you?"
Vader was a second away from snapping the same reply, but stopped at the last minute.
"Yes...it is the only thing I have wished for the past...fifteen years."
The celestial Jedi smiled softly. "it is possible"
wha-, How? what is done is done"
"trust in the force Anakin, anything is possible. The reason why I came to you, is because the force has deemed you to have another chance to fix your mistakes. Do you accept?"
Vader could only stare dumbstruck. A second chance in life! Thoughts raced through Vader's mind, so many making his head ache at the intensity of the rush of thoughts.
I could kill the emperor...I wouldn't have to be in this suit any longer... but the last thought struck him hard.
My angel...I can see her again...
It was too good to be true. "are you sure this is not some trick, Jedi" but deep inside he could see the truth, it was just so unbelievable.
"I think you already know the answer to that"
With a deep shuddering breath, Vader nodded. 'I want to go back...I want to change all the wrongs I have done, it would kill me knowing I could have done something and dismissed it. I want to do this."
a genuine smile lit the former Jedi's face as he nodded in approval "good luck"
All of a sudden, Vader felt something wrong. His heart felt as though it was being ripped out of his chest. he lost all control of his limbs. he couldn't breathe properly. The pain was excruciating.
Compared with the Emperor's Sith lightning punishment, that seemed like a love tap compared to this. There wasn't even any breath or strength left for Vader to scream in pain.
His vision was blurring as he dropped to the ground. with a hand outstretched, Vader sought out the qui-Gon with his fading vision.
"Wha...ha..ve..you...do..ne..."
Then everything went black.
AN-Ah finally this is done! Again so sorry this chappy took forever to write. things for me have recently gotten very complicated cause I live in Bangkok, Thailand and well, if you heard the news...anyways, the next chapter his Ani in the past, YAY. sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes, got a new review which really made me finish this chapter up, but it's really late, so I might not be completely aware with all the errors.
Please give reviews, it helps me write faster and probably more!
