CHAPTER TWO : HAUNTED
CORUSCANT: IMPERIAL PALACE
KHOOSH ... PUUHR.
KHOOSH ... PUUHR.
KHOOSH ... PUUHR.
The sound of the respirator echoes in my ears. Keeping my head to the ground, I stare at the marble floor. The helmet and mask are heavy; their combined weight pressing down on my neck and threatening my balance. Still, I keep my gaze to the floor. With knees bent, one beneath me on the marble and the other locked in front, I kneel submissively before my master, waiting for him to address me. He keeps me waiting, all the while, the joint between cybernetic limb and flesh of my thigh pulls and pinches. Trying not to dwell on the pain ... I focus on my breathing and wait.
He walks towards me, the subtle shift of his robe on the floor attracting my attention. I still don't know why he summoned me here; it was urgent, or so he'd said. Yet, I sense no such thing.
His boots breach my sights, and he looms over me like a rancor, clearing his throat.
"Aah, Lord Vader. Rise my friend."
His voice is calm and empty, purring with the ever-present threat of punishment. I lift my head and push my hulking body from the floor, finally feeling a sliver of relief from the pinching in my legs. Resting my hands on the utility belt, I obediently await further instruction.
Sidious pauses for a moment and I feel the dark tendrils probing against the edge of my mind. It's an unsettling experience, but one he assures I will get used to in time. It feels like a mild headache, mixed with a sudden coldness that sets my nerves on edge and causes my skin to prickle. Knowing better than to resist, I lower my shields and allow him entry, tightening the grip around my belt. Moments later, the prodding ceases and he withdraws, leaving me chilled to the core.
He chuckles darkly, eyeing me over like some prized possession ... a toy ... or pet. My eyes lock onto his from behind the mask and I stare, waiting for the lightening to strike. To my surprise, it doesn't, and I watch him turn and begin to walk away. His seemingly fragile body riddled with darkness, slithers back towards his empty throne.
"You summoned me, my master?" my deep baritone voice announces, breaking the silence.
He stops at the foot of the stairs. "Indeed I did," he replies moving to ascend the steps. "I am sending you on a mission."
My heart soars. For too long I have been cooped up under the pretence of convalescence. With the exception of hunting down the odd Jedi survivor, my time has mostly been spent tweaking the suit and growing accustomed to my new body. "A mission?" I ask, almost too eagerly.
He reaches the top of the stairs and turns to face me, slowly lowering himself into the angular seat. "Yes, Lord Vader." He steeples his hands together on his lap and pauses before continuing, his Sith yellow eyes fierce and piercing. "I think it is time we introduced you to the galaxy, starting with Queen Apailana of Naboo."
Sshhk. My respirator falters as I audibly choke and stumble back. Naboo ... the name rebounds in my head, nearly knocking me over. Without warning images of her face strobe before my eyes. Padmè ... Angel ... my beautiful, deceitful wife. Listening to the unsteady hiss of my respirator, I slowly gather myself, burying the memories deep down. "Why Naboo?" I rasp, trying to mask my unease.
His brow tightens, overshadowing his flaming eyes and once again I feel the invasion. Every piece of me that is still human tightens in anticipation, preparing for his inevitable attack. He abruptly pulls out of my mind and stands firm, choosing to simply stare at me in silence before rising from his seat and turning away. I'm not sure if he's disappointed or angered by my sudden knee jerk reaction to his mentioning of that traumatic planet, but I felt a shift in his demeanour – an overwhelming tidal wave of malevolent energy - that now coursed between us.
Standing atop his elevated platform, he keeps his back to me, folds his robed arms and stares out the sweeping window, almost disappearing into the shadows. He snickers. "Perhaps you can visit your beloved dead wife's grave during your time there, since you are still so affected by her demise."
AFFECTED? The voice inside my head screams in outrage. Of course I'm affected. I did this for her! I clench my fists, cast my gaze to the floor and for the briefest of moments, allow myself to reflect. After another barrage of body-numbing memories wash over me, I am left feeling hollow and empty.
I had given up everything to save her, in the belief of his false promise. Now my pain at her memory is little more than a tool he employs to manipulate me – a device he exploits to drive me deeper into the dark side. Lifting my mask to once again stare at my master's robed back, I contemplate the idea of killing him.
The sound of my respirator invades my senses and ruthlessly drags me back to reality. He knows as well as I do, that I pose no threat to him in my current state. He demonstrated this the last time I rose against him in a fit of unbridled rage, simply waving his withered hand in my direction and shutting the suit down effortlessly. I had never felt so helpless and powerless in all my life; collapsing to the floor with a crash, as every artificial part of me suddenly stopped functioning. Breathless, immobile and completely vulnerable, I stared up at him from the floor like a wounded animal and knew I was trapped. Unlike other apprentices in ancient Sith lore, who in the end challenged their masters for supremacy once they no longer needed their tutelage, I would never be able to do that.
I felt a little piece of me die that day. Another fragment of Anakin Skywalker to disappear into the darkness, never to be seen or heard from again. With a dip of my helmeted head, I concede, "Yes, my master."
Another cackle fills the chamber, echoing his delight in my pain. He turns around to face me, a sinister smile now plastered across his disfigured face. "Good, good," he sneers, taking a gangly step towards me, "that naive queen is rumoured to be hiding a small band of rogue Jedi. Go there. Find them and show lady Apailana what happens when you betray our Empire."
"As you wish," I rumble. Bowing before him, I spin on my armoured heel and stride away, my boots clunking on the hard floor and my heavy black cloak drifting in the air behind me.
• • •
"Preparing to drop out of lightspeed, Lord Vader."
"Very well Captain," I reply, not moving from my position by the viewport. Folding my arms, I stare out at the ribbons of light streaming passed the Exactor's hull. The ship shudders and the ribbons disintegrate, revealing a dazzling display of millions of stars twinkling in the distance. My eyes lock onto the planet ahead and instantly my chest grows heavy and tight.
I sigh quietly, shifting my stance and tightening my arms across my chest. The sound of my respirator is deafening and it mixes with the chorus of beeps and subtle musings of the destroyer's bridge. This is the first time I have returned to this sector since her death. As much as the idea of being able to finally say my good-byes appeals to me, I can't shake the bitter taste that lingers in my mouth. If only she'd listened to me for once and just waited for my return like I'd told her to. Things would've been different.
I feel my heart rate accelerate as my temper flares. Dropping my hands to my sides, I clench my fists and stare at the planet, willing it to explode before me. I want to see it shatter, to see tiny pieces of it hurtle into space, leaving behind nothing but a gaping void, like the one burning inside me now. Caressing the hilt of my newly constructed saber, I whirl to face the command centre and charge down the catwalk, stopping behind the ship's Captain.
He turns to face me. I can sense his fear, he is dripping with it. The sensation stokes the rage slowly rising within my breast and I embrace it, feeding off the power it incites. Hooking my gloved hands onto my belt, I push out my chest and watch him tremble in my close proximity.
That's better. You should fear me. Everyone should, and in time the entire galaxy will quiver before me, as you so pathetically do now.
"Can I h-help you, Lord Vader?" he squeaks, staring wide-eyed up at me.
I loom silently, allowing my respirator to push him further into submission before responding. "Ready my ship at once," my robotic vocoder booms.
"Right away my lord," he stammers, quickly turning to fumble with the command controls and issuing the order.
I chuckle to myself and stride away, leaving the fool and his associates to wallow in their fear.
If to be a monster is my destiny, than I shall become the most terrifying monster I can. My suffering ... will now become ... their torture.
NABOO
The lambda-class shuttle touches down and I hear the steady rhythm of armoured boots exiting along the ramp. Rising from my seat, I glance around the main cabin at the two pilots and then back to the exit. I straighten the chain around my neck, securing my cape and tug the utility belt hanging on my hips back into position. Gathering myself, I force my artificial legs forward, focussing on keeping upright. The weight of my stride thuds on the durasteel floor and it creaks with each step. Reaching the extended ramp, I sweep my mask left and right, surveying the area.
The handful of troopers I brought with me line the platform, forming a row either side of the ramp. In the distance an assortment of local guards wait, their blasters hoisted over their shoulders. The Queen however, is nowhere to be seen. Apparently my coming here is not important enough to warrant her presence at my arrival. A mistake I will ensure she doesn't make again.
I thunder down the durasteel plank and stride out between my men, motioning for them to fall in behind me. The moment they close ranks the local guards descend upon us, making their way across the landing pad. There is something about the whole situation that makes my skin tingle and my teeth grind. Something is indeed off and I instantly grow suspicious.
The small group stop before me, blocking my path with their blasters raised. "State your name and your business here," the commanding officer demands pointing his weapon at my face.
Time to teach them some respect.
Reaching my gloved hand out, I pull him up from the floor with the force and hold him in the air by his neck. His blaster plummets to the ground and his feet kick furiously, while he tries to futilely tug at my iron grip around his throat.
"My name is none of your concern. I am here on behalf of the Emperor to speak with the Queen. You will take me to see her now."
The officer chokes out a garbled 'yes' and I release him, watching as his worthless body falls to the floor. He struggles back to his feet, keeping one eye firmly planted upon me whilst rubbing his neck. "My apologies Sir. Please if you and your men could follow me," he croaks, returning to his shocked companions.
With a flick of my wrist, I gesture for my men to follow and we march from the landing platform, up the stone staircase and through the grand entrance. The moment I step foot inside the palace, my heart jumps into my throat and steals my breath. Every wall feels like it's closing in on me and I keep my eyes focussed on the officers' backs, trying to keep my balance. I push the useless emotion down and pull the force into me, to strengthen my awareness.
We ascend the left staircase and cross the upper level, passing commemorative banner after banner. Each one depicting one of Naboo's former heads of state. My limbs lock momentarily when I catch sight of hers and I stumble to a halt. My men pause at my back and I can feel their eyes upon me.
With a shake of my head I regain my senses and resume pace, doubling the length of my stride and pushing my way right up to the guards' backs. We reach the massive wooden doors and they're shoved open, revealing the throne room. Following the guards into the chamber, I stride into the centre and fold my arms staring in shock at the image before me.
I need to get away from this place before I go insane. She looks just like she did.
The young Queen turns to face me, her skin painted white with the same scar of remembrance upon her lip. "Lord Vader I presume?" she asks in the same royal tone that she used to use.
"Indeed," I snarl, tightening my arms over my suit. "Queen Apailana, the Emperor has a few questions he wants answered." I turn to my men and dismiss them as she does the same with her guards, then the doors close leaving the two of us alone.
She turns around and takes her throne, placing her hands together upon her ornate desk. "Are you here to kill me, Lord Vader?"
Straight to the point, impressive. I rock back on my heels slightly, lifting my chin up to look down on her and pause. "If I have need to." I feel her fear suddenly rise before being expertly pushed away. She has her strength too.
"How long will you be in Theed?" She asks.
"That all depends on what I find."
She sighs and gazes back down at her hands, now fussing with paperwork on her desk. "Ask your questions and leave, as you can see I am very busy."
My anger flares and before I realise it, I am charging across the chamber and looming over her, my gloved hands braced against the wooden desk. "Where are the Jedi you have been protecting?" I hiss, tightening my grip around the top.
She glares up at me defiantly, rising from her seat. "I am no traitor. Please remove your hands from my desk."
I straighten my posture and allow my breathing to cycle in and out for a moment to quell my irritation. Raising my hand and jabbing my finger in her face, I snarl, "If you will not give them up, I will tear this planet apart piece by piece until I find them, starting right here in Theed."
That wiped the smug look off her face.
She takes a hesitant step back and stares up at me in shock. "You wouldn't dare."
I can't stop the smile scratching it's way across my face behind the mask. The scarred skin around the edges of my mouth tightens and pulls, but the pain is worth it, as the idea of taking out my pent up fury on this insufferable planet fills my head. "Oh believe me, your highness ... I would."
With a flourish of my cape, I spin on my heel and charge for the doors, pausing briefly at the entrance. Glancing over my shoulder, I give her one last opportunity to comply. "Aiding and abetting Jedi is a treasonous offence, punishable by death. I hope for your sake you are telling the truth, or our next meeting will not be as ... pleasant."
I lead my men from the palace and back to the shuttle, turning to face them. The wind whips at my cloak and I feel it brushing against the side of my legs. "Go into the city and find somewhere suitable to set up base camp. Meanwhile, I will contact the Exactor and arrange for reinforcements to join us. Comm me with your location."
"Right away sir," Commander Appo replies with a salute.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Please enjoy and review. Feel free to pm me with any questions or ideas. I wont be updating as fast with this story as I did with the previous one, because I want to focus on quality rather than speed. I am open to any constructive feedback and welcome private messaging if you have any suggestions on how I can improve my writing style.
MTFBWY.