Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I sadly do not, nor ever will own Star Wars or any of its characters, places, items etc.

Authors note: This story is AU. Please disregard the original story line where Vader is Luke's father. If you do not this story will seem very disturbing! This is my first ever attempt at Fan Fiction, I would appreciate your comments and creative criticisms.

Summary: After the Destruction of the first Death Star, Vaders ship, instead of being sent spiralling out of control into deep space crashes into the planet the rebel's base is on. Found by a member of the Rebellion and taken back to their headquarters unconscious and badly injured. It is then a well hidden secret is revealed, how will they cope knowing the truth about Vader?

Previous Chapter...

"How are we this morning Lady Vader?"

Chapter #3

Vaders P.O.V

That really does annoy me, when Medics include themselves in their inquiries about a patients health. I've been in hospitals on many different worlds before, and it seems as though it's something that is required of all Doctors. Hang on, what exactly did he call me just now? I must be hallucinating, when I knocked my head I must have sustained a severe concussion. Come to think of it, my head is pounding as if a herd of wild Bantha are trampling all over it.

"Are you able to here me Lady Vader? I asked how you were feeling."

He did it again, so it's not a hallucination resulting from concussion. Perhaps this is the opportunity I have been waiting for. A chance to become who I really am, and not just who the Emperor wants me to be.

"I feel as if a squad of Stormtroopers have decided to use my forehead as a drill ground."

I reply to his question.

"Nasty headache then? Not surprising, you hit your head pretty hard on the console of your fighter. The only thing that saved your life was the fact you were wearing that helmet, I'll get you something for that in a minute. Before I do however, could you answer some questions for me?"

I can tell he's itching to ask me about male but female issue. At the moment I feel I would tell him anything he wanted to know if he would just give me a painkiller. Pain had begun to flare up in other parts of my body as he had spoken, and now my whole body hurt, I swear even my hair hurt. For the sake of some pain relief I nod at the Doctor.

"Do you have a history of any medical conditions in your family? Any allergies or chronic health problems?"

Hmmm, he's trying to be professional about this; he won't be able to restrain his curiosity for much longer though. I shake my head at him in response to his question. He filled something in on a data pad he was carrying.

"Have you been taking any medications in the last few months? Or any drugs or-"

He paused and made a small sound of frustration, he can't hold out any longer!"

"Look, I'm trying to be professional and do my job as a medic but I really want to know something"

Smirking slightly under my mask I reply

"You want to know why I masquerade as a man although I'm a woman, don't you?"

I see him nod, so I continue

"You probably have noticed that there really aren't any females in any of the senior positions or really in any position in the Empire at all. The man whom the Emperor originally named as Lord Darth Vader was a former Jedi who he had turned to the dark side. The Jedi sustained some grievous injuries during the final days of the Old Republic, hence the need for the life-support suit that he wore. In his ever growing ignorance and stupidity, the Emperor had Lord Vader immediately take control of the Imperial fleet, and become the second in command of the fledgling Empire they had created. He totally ignored the still healing injuries the Dark Lord bore. This was a mistake, several months after the creation of the Empire whilst reporting to the Emperor on Coruscant several of the ex-Jedi's injuries became infected and he died. The Emperor was still in the process of trying to gain control over all the systems of the Old Republic, and he could not afford to show any weakness if he wished his Empire to succeed. This is were I came into the picture, no one besides the Emperor himself knew of Vader's Death and because of the suit he wore, all he needed to do was find another trained force-strong individual to take Vader's place, due to the massacre of all of the remaining Jedi, the only person the Emperor could have fill the role of Lord Vader was me. He figured that I could wear a voice synthesiser, and with the suit no-one would know that I wasn't a man, because force forbid that a woman is able to do what he believes is a mans job."

I concluded my tale bitterly. I looked over towards the medic, noticing the stunned expression on his face.

"So who are you then? What's your name? You said that all the remaining Jedi were wiped out-"

I hold up my hand to halt his cascade of questions

"First things first Doctor, when I get a painkiller, you get the answer to the rest of your questions"

Before I had even finished speaking he was already moving towards one of the cabinet and removing a small bottle and a syringe. He prepared the medication before returning to my bedside and injecting the painkiller into the IV. Within a minute the pain began to lessen from sharp knives stabbing into every part of my body to a dull throbbing. Sighing, I lean back against the pillows.

"I'm sorry, I meant to give you the pain relief earlier, but I just got so involved in your tale"

"I suppose I should try and answer your questions now"

I say, waving off his concern over the painkillers.

"I did indeed say that about the Jedi, I've never been one. I was trained as a Sith by the Emperor from when I was about six or seven. Of course he wasn't the Emperor then, but the Senator for Naboo. A lot of people seem to have forgotten that's who he once was, Senator Palpatine the most kind and gracious man from Naboo"

I say mockingly about the man who had trained me. I had always been amazed by his ability to fool those around him, the Jedi were oblivious about his true nature until it was far too late for them and the Republic. He never fooled me though, not even he can lie to me and get away with it.

"As for who I am, my name is Ashmay Cordel Amidala Palpatine, only child of Emperor Palpatine and sole air to the imperial throne"

TBC