Summery:
Darth Vader thought he had learned the price of power
He was so wrong.
AU set six months before ANH
'Force speak '
*Thoughts*
Disclaimer : Don't own it or make money for this. I write for fun.
Chapter : Tarkin's Bad Day part 1
Anakin's POV:
I didn't wake up that morning, if you could define morning in space. At least that was what Tarkin thought when he heard the reports that my quarters looked like a torpedo had gone through them, and I was found sans helmet outside the crushed remains of my hyberbaric chamber. That I was insensible and barely alive down in the med bay. Obviously, this did bode well for Tarkin, for he had no idea what had happen to me. Or I should say to Vader. Meanwhile, I was definitely alive, but barely aware of my surroundings in the living world. Being in Force Trance had it's advantages. And now it was time to put some of my lessons with Daughter to good use. I still couldn't believe that she was my half-sister of all things.
Sidious had to be distracted from his torment of Luke. There was no question that even with my new abilities to aid my son, that Luke could stand anymore. His body was about to give out. So I was going to make sure that Sidious had other things to think about. Like the condition of his pet project, and the sudden collapse of his 'apprentice' In the later case, I wanted Sidious to consider the idea that somehow Luke had linked to me. He certainly wouldn't want me finding out, this I knew. Even if Vader failed the last time he took Sidious on, it had been a near thing. Having an outraged parent, even one of the Dark Side? He would be sure that Vader would fall with him rather then let him harm his son anymore.
As for the former, well my sense of mischief had awoke with a vengeance. And I knew just what to tweak to cause a lot of chaos. Nothing that would harm anyone. But enough to keep this disgusting eye-sore from working for a long time. I didn't need to worry about Tarkin speeding things up while Vader was 'indisposed' So what to do about it? Throw a hand-spanner in the works. The way I was going to do it would have Tarkin thinking about good luck charms by the end of the day cycle!
I would make sure that this monstrosity couldn't be taken into hyperspace. And more importantly, even if it did move that the weapons could not work. I'd gone over the plans several times while I was still letting Vader rule me. And gotten royally disgusted at the sheer waste of this 'technological terror'. Before I as Vader had challenge Sidious, the emperor had listen to my suggestions. But not afterward. For that, Sidious was going to find that I was right.
Even before the Clone Wars, not many beings knew that I had been something of a prankster. My mood had to be just right, and frankly, I was usually brooding about something or other. But I could and would prank anyone in the Temple, including Master Yoda. Which would em barres Obi-wan to no end. I was looking forward to telling him about my latest escapade. Once we had gotten over the awareness of the situation of course.
*Enough remissing, I've got work to do.* I thought. I was able to see around me in med-bay, through trance, because my eyes were half open. But I could easily ignore that, considering the fact that they had never really healed. I focused inward and then outward, gathering the Force and ...
I stood outside my battered form, holding perfectly still as I got my bearings. The Force swirled around me, telling me where to go first. It was a fantastic experience to feel myself as I use to be. This was the first time I had consciously used my Force-Shift ability and I had to remind myself that I wasn't fully there. And to keep my cloak up. But soon enough I was ready to start some 'trouble'.
I let myself drift towards the communications center. To start with, the emperor needed to know of my current 'indisposition'. Something that Tarkin would probably put off contacting Sidious about as long as he could. The emperor would be livid once he found out and I intended that he knew as soon as possible. Tarkin was there and was already drafting a short communique to the emperor as I zeroed in.
"You are not to send any word of his condition. 'Darth Vader'," he spat my Sith name.".. Is merely unavailable! Do you understand?" The officer paled. "I don't think that will satisfy the emperor, sir. He's very insistent about speaking with Lord Vader." "Then perhaps you'd like to explain to Emperor Palpatine why his servant is down in med-bay barely alive with no signs of the Rebels anywhere." Tarkin was all but screaming. He pulled his blaster as he did so and I moved fast. My rage the other day had gotten one poor man killed and if I wasn't quick enough, this officer would also pay the price.
*Aha. No you don't Tarkin. I had enough of your disparaging comments about Snips back when we rescued you. She was right not to trust you. You're not going to harm someone else on my account,* I thought as I flipped the switch. A soft alert sounded as Tarkin made to pull the trigger. He holstered the blaster and snarled, "get out. All of you get out!" Even as the young man left I noticed that he could see me slightly. And was I wrong in thinking that he mouthed "Thank you, Lord Vader. I forgive you my brother's death."?
He had said that! I was unnerved. Twin brothers, and I had killed one yesterday and saved the other today. *Get a grip on yourself, Skywalker. That was the easy part.* I watched as Tarkin bowed low to the hologram of the Emperor. "Grand Moff Tarkin, I wished to speak with Lord Vader. Why has he not answered my summons?" Sidious snarled harshly. "Your Majesty, he has refused to answer me as well and barricaded himself in his quarters," Tarkin lied through his teeth. Did he honestly think he could get away with it? Yes he did and what was more, Sidious seemed ready to find any excuse to punish me.
Well, that was fine with me, because I knew how to get Sidious' attention. Rather abruptly and at the same time, show Tarkin up. I flipped another switch and a live feed of my body down in med-bay popped up effectively slicing the Emperor's holo to half-size. I felt myself smirk slightly as Tarkin grew very pale. Sidious said nothing for a long time, long enough to make even me nervous and send Tarkin to his knees.
Finally he spoke in a harsh whisper. "Fool! Did you think to hide this from me for long?" "Majesty, please! I cannot explain what happened to Lord Vader!" Sidious didn't answer and I was afraid that my idea had backfired on me. He looked back down at Tarkin and sneered, "Report to me exactly how you found him and in what condition. Have the medics prepare him for transport to Imperial Center. And if you value your life Tarkin, you will do this immediately. How fast you are will determine if I let you live, let alone remain in command of the Death Star." His holo winked out before Tarkin could say anything else and I left.
I passed through the officer mess as I urged the Force to carry me to my next stop. Which was slightly funny as more then one saw me. I wasn't being too careful and I heard cries of "Jedi Ghost! The Death Star's haunted by Jedi Ghosts!" I snorted to myself. Come on! This technological terror was just about finished and now they were worrying about ghosts of the Force haunting them? But then I realized that some rumor of my condition had reached here. No reason why I should have been affected, unless it was the Force itself.
*If only they knew...*
