Pretty long chapter... I hope you all enjoy. Please leave some feedback so I get an idea what everyone thinks.
Heart of Darkness
Cka3ka
Prologue: Part D
Leia awoke with a start and found herself staring at a gray unadorned ceiling. Just by feel, she could tell that she was not sleeping in her bedas her current bedding was much firmer. She looked down and realized that it was a medical bed. She was in some sort of medical treatment area and that accounted for the thin shift she was wearing and the sensors that were attached to her in various places.
Memories returned to her in a flash. She remembered being shot at by blasters and crashing her speeder bike. The last thing she remembered was being hit by an energy bolt. Obviously the weapon was on stun if she was still alive, but then that meant... I've been kidnapped. The thought struck her like a bolt of lightning.
"Well you're awake," came a gruff male voice. Leia looked over and saw a large well muscled man with long brown hair sitting in the corner watching her. She didn't recognize the man at all, and she knew if she had been in an accident her father would have left someone she knew in the hospital. Plus this man had an aura of danger about him. That made him a bit unsuited for being in a hospital room alone with a young girl.
"I am the Princess of Alderaan," snapped Leia sharply at the man. "Kidnapping a member of the royal family is treason and the penalties are harsh for treason on Alderaan. However, if you let me go, I will do what I can to alleviate your sentence."
Jix had to really try to hold in a guffaw of laughter. The girl was good. She wasn't panicking and in fact immediately tried to negotiate. It was amusing to see a girl as young as she imitate the posture and tone of a Senator.
Despite Jix's attempts to hide his amusement, Leia sensed it. She knew he was laughing at her because of her age. No one took her seriously and that always angered her. "I will answer none of your questions; no matter how much you interrogate me."
"A young girl like you shouldn't say those things," replied Jix as his humor evaporated. The girl had bravado, but it was to the point of stupidity. "You have no idea what some of the sentients out there can do to someone like you."
Leia didn't answer. She turned her head and stared at the wall.
Jix shook his head. She was lucky that he wasn't the kind of man that would strike a child. There were many out there who would do unspeakable things to her.
"Look, are you alright? How are you feeling?"
Leia didn't answer. She continued to stare at the wall. Jix let out a little snort of laughter. Despite her amazing riding abilities and courage, she was just a little kid who played little kid games.
"Are you hungry?"
Leia stayed silent.
"Are you cold? Would you like some clothes?" asked Jix. He was going to cover his bases. Vader wanted her treated well. At least when Vader saw her cold, and hungry, Jix could plead innocence. He was asking after all. It wasn't his fault she refused to answer him.
"Look are you going to act like a 'child' and give me the silent treatment? I just want you to be comfortable but if you really want to starve and freeze yourself then so be it."
Leia's masked slipped slightly. She hated being called a child, but she could bear such words if need be. However, she was cold and more than hungry. There was no point in refusing food and clothing was there? It didn't give them any advantage. Finally after a few seconds she said, "Ok... I can eat."
"And clothes? I have NO idea about girl's dress sizes but I have some stuff that might work. When we meet the boss then we'll see about getting you some real clothes ok?"
"Fine," she said coldly and then after a moment, "Who's the boss?"
"That would be telling. You'll find out soon enough," said Jix as he opened the door and led her out into a hallway.
For a second Leia thought about dashing down the hallway in the opposite direction, but she decided against it. Her captor seemed interested in her well being and that might change if she attempted escape. Plus, she had no idea where she was right now and running off might lead into worse danger.
They quickly came out to a pair of doors and Jix punched in an access code. The doors slid open to reveal an immense set of apartments. There was a huge salon and several doors leading to a bedroom, bathroom and other rooms. In fact, these apartments were much larger than hers in the Alderaanian Royal Palace.
"Stay here," said Jix. "Please don't try to escape. I don't think the guard driods have your profile programmed in and they'll shoot you on sight.And noton stun either."
"I won't go anywhere," she said nodding in agreement. She believed him. Plus, she was curious about this apartment. It looked like it had been sealed for a long time. There was some dust, but obviously the room had been cleaned once in a while.
The decour was immaculate. She could tell that everything was prohibitly expensive. The chairs and furniture were exquisitely carved out of real wood. The vases were molded in famous designs and the various artworks around were ones she had seen in art textbooks. She doubted they were imitations. Whoever had kidnapped her was powerful.
"Here," came the man's voice as he came back. He had a large sweater in his hand and was also holding a small bag of food.
"I'm suppose to wear this?" she asked looking at the sweater. It was probably eight sizes too large and her arms wouldn't even extend out of the ends of the sleeves.
"What? So it's a little big, but its the best piece of clothing I have."
Again she didn't doubt him. It caused her to wonder why this man would go out of his way for her. Things didn't add up. She realized that she didn't know his name so she decided to ask, "What's your name?"
"You can just call me Jix," replied Wrenga Jixton as he opened the bag and took out a couple of sandwiches. They were left overs from the day before but he didn't know how to cook that well and he wasn't about to spend a few hours preparing a meal for this girl even if she was the Princess of Alderaan. He handed a bantha sandwich to her.
"Perhaps I'll visit later to see how you are doing. Uncle D wants to speak to you privately so I'll take my leave," said Jix as he left her.
Leia didn't reply, she just nodded at him and tore into her food. She was absolutely famished. It only took her a few minutes to finish the sandwich and when she was done she put on the sweater as she felt a little chilly. Then she stood up and examined the room more.
It was strange, she could sense a profound sadness lingering in the room. She wasn't sure what she was feeling but it made her feel awkward. For some reason she knew that she was a part of the equation.
There was a hiss as the door to the apartment was opened. She whirled and saw none other than Lord Vader stride into the room. Shock ran through her and was instantly replaced with angry.
"Vader!" she said in a near shout. "I trusted you!"
Leia felt betrayed. Vader had seemed so friendly to her and he had been so helpful and supportive in her aspirations with her swoop biking. She had never thought even after his tirade in her apartments that he could ever harm her. Yet, she had faced incredible danger when her bike had crashed--had she been a lesser rider she could have died. Despite all the horrible stories about him, it never occurred to her that he would ever harm her.
Vader sensed the hostility and felt regret for the first time in many years. It was partially the effects of this room, but it was also the fact that Leia--his daughter--stood there radiating anger and hate at him. It was something that he knew would happen, but despite his preparedness, still caused him to hurt. She was Amidala and his child, and this affected him deeply.
"You look ridiculous," was all he could say as he noticed her in the four times oversized sweater.
"Wha..." started Leia before she too realized how ridiculous she had to have looked. Her arms didn't even pass the sleeves. Vader's comment was disarming and she didn't really know how to respond.
"This room... It is where I house the memories of her. Even after all these years she is my weakness," said Vader as he slowly walked around the room. He stopped at an abstract painting that looked as if a child had taken a pair of crayons and scribbled all over it. "This was painted by Jar Jar and given to us on our anniversary. I never did understand why we shared our secret with him. Perhaps because he was with us since the beginning. Sometimes I wonder where he is now."
Leia did not respond. The Dark Lord of the Sith was confiding in her about someone he cared for deeply, someone that had been a part of his life, and that in itself was stunning. She looked at the painting and the colors hurt her head. It was awful, but Vader seemed to be entranced by it.
"This vase came from the palace at Theed," he continued. "She always placed it in some prominent spot no matter where she lived. I never did ask her why it was important."
"Her desk," he explained as he moved to a piece of furniture. "So many times did I see her working furiously on some Senate bill or proposition."
Leia could feel the overwhelming sadness in his words. Who was Vader talking about? Was it Padme Nabierre? Was he talking about her mother? Why? Hundreds of question began racing through her head.
"Come Princess, there is something I wish to show you," said Vader as he walked into one of the other rooms. Leia stood up and walked almost hypnotically after him. Her anger drained from her, she only felt a burning need to know. She knew that Vader had answers to some of the questions she had always wanted answered and that her foster-father would never give her.
Vader opened a desk drawer and took out a small holo. Slowly, with a shaking hand he gave it to her. "Activate it."
Leia took the device from him. It was an antique recording device from the days of the clone wars. She had knew what it was, but had never seen one before. But, the moment she pressed the activation button a young beautiful brunette's figure sprung up into view. She knew instantly who it was. It was her real mother.
Anakin, my love, I hope you receive this message and are safe. Everyday the reports of causalities, Jedi and otherwise, flow back to Coruscant. I cannot tell you how worried I am. I know you can take care of yourself and are undoubtedly in good health, but I still can't help but worry.
Things are well here on Coruscant. Sabe, Sanche and Jar Jar keep me company. Yes, Jar Jar is here and I know he annoys you sometimes but he is one of our oldest friends and where his heart lies can never be in doubt. He's well and the same as always. At a senate meeting the other day, he accidentally triggered his counsel's movement controls and sped out of control into the middle of the debate circle just as that odious Senator from Kuat was lobbying for another tax exemption for his sector. You should have seen his face; it was priceless.
The Chancellor and I had a few laughs about it in private afterwards. Palpatine is doing well though I fear for his health at times. It seems that the Chancellorship has begun to tax him and he looks like he is aging rapidly. He assures me that he is fine, but sometimes... well... I do not wish to speak ill of him, but he seems like a different person. It's nothing tangible but he has become abrupt with some of the other Senators and some of his policies that he is putting forward are most unlike him. Still, he supports all my endeavors and is always there for me when I need him. I guess I just fear for his health. Were the Republic not in such dire straights I would urge him to return to Naboo to recuperate from the stresses of Coruscant.
Ani... I miss you so much. Please come back to me safe Ani. I can't imagine my life without you. It would be empty.
I love you."
Leia sat stone still as the holo ended. This simple holo told her more about her mother than she had been told her entire life. Her mother had been Senator Padme Amidala. But... how did Vader have this? How did he come into possession of something so intimate. The pieces began to come together in her young mind.
She turned and looked up at Vader with a look of awe. "You're Anakin. This holo was sent to you!"
Vader said nothing and simply stared at the little holo in her hands. Leia could feel the turmoil within him.
"But... if you are Anakin then..." The answer was obvious. Everything in the room had been her mother's and Vader had preserved it with care. It all made sense now even though a part of her screamed at her to deny it. "You are my father! You are my real father! That can't be!"
"Your instincts have served you well all your life," said Vader slowly. "Search your feelings Leia. As, surprising as this is, you know it to be true."
"I... Yes, it's true," whispered Leia, "I felt a connection with you when we first met. I never imagined..."
It was almost too much for Leia. She had been told that her father and mother were dead. This was beyond her wildest imaginations. Finally she asked, "Why... why did you have me kidnapped?"
"It was for your safety. Bail would never have told you the truth. He would never have allowed me to even speak with you had he known that I knew that you were my daughter. I could have ordered your custody to be given to me, but then the Emperor would have known. You're life would have been in grave danger then," explained Vader.
"But why? Why would I have been in danger?"
"Because the Emperor fears you for what you may do to me. He requires me to be unwavering loyal to him and with you, it would no longer be so."
His words were simple and they touched Leia.
"I would like you to remain with me. You are strong in the force and I would see to your training. I promise that you will be safe," said Vader slowly. "Yet, if you wish to return to Alderaan, I will arrange it."
Leia was surprised by his offer. It was the kind that someone that truly cared for another would make. She thought carefully about it. She had friends on Alderaan--Winter, the droids, and even some of her guards. She still cared about her adopted father, but she knew that he had been aware that Vader had been her father. Bail Organa had purposely kept that fact from her, and that upset her even if he did think it was for her own good. She felt that she had a right to know who her parents were.
Leia looked up at Vader and wondered what life would be like with him. He had been so supportive of her racing skills and had helped her with her bike. There was little doubt in her mind that he cared for her and would keep his promise. But, Vader wouldn't always be here--she knew that. His duties carried him all over the Empire and if she stayed there would be many long absences without him. Still, she wanted to get to know her real father. It was something she secretly dreamed about sometimes. In the end, the decision was not hard.
"I'd like to stay with you for a while... father," she said as she called him by his true title for the first time. The words sounded right.
"Are you sure?" asked Vader.
"Yes. I want to stay here. I want to learn about you and from you," she said firmly. Without fear she stepped forward, reached out and wrapped her small arms around his neck giving him a loving embrace.
"So be it then," intoned Vader.
And so, Leia Organa became Leia Skywalker the daughter of Anakin Skywalker. However, Anakin Skywalker had long been replaced by Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith. In the end, Leia took her first steps to becoming the iLady Vader/i.
FIN:Prologue
Whew... a tough and long prologue. What follows is a few posts of an Interlude in where you--the readers--will learn about Leia's initial training and her time with Vader. Then the story will truly begin as Leia takes her own independent steps from Vader.
Eventually, Luke, Han, and Mara will all be incorporated. - I actually have an awesome idea of how to incorporate Han... i think you'll all like it.
I will now pause and take some time to rethink the story and to get an outline done. If ya'll wanna see it keep going please leave a review so I know there is some interest. I always have many plot ideas and I usually go with the one that most people want to see. :)
Thanks,
Cka3ka
