The Apprentice Lives

"Welcome, Lord Vader."

Vader hadn't visited the Imperial Palace in years. He'd forgotten how much he despised being there. Despite his master's alterations to the Temple, his memories of the Jedi who'd once inhabited it still lingered in his mind.

Turning away from the vast city below, the Emperor looked upon his apprentice.

"I see you've repaired your armor."

Vader had cursed himself for allowing his face to be revealed in battle. And the fact that the one who'd seen it remained alive only increased his frustration.

"There were only minor damages, Master."

"Minor…"

Vader could sense his Master's frustration as well.

"And yet…"

The Emperor's voice slightly rose as he let his anger be known.

"You allowed three Jedi to escape, and allowed my entire Inquisitorius to be destroyed."

"The Jedi were not alone. Your former apprentice…"

"I know what happened. What I do not know is why you were unable to slay three outcasts and a child."

"The Temple was collapsing…"

"No more excuses!"

The Emperor stood up from his throne as his voice echoed through the room. Even the two guards by his side seemed shaken by the sudden outburst. After a moment of silence, the Emperor sat back down and continued.

"I gave you specific instructions to kill the Jedi and maintain the Inquisitorius on Malachor. Instead, you lost the Jedi, you lost the Inquisitorius, and you lost what could have been a valuable asset to us. And now, that asset has fallen into the possession of our enemies."

"I assure you, Master. There are more to these events than meets the eye."

"Is that so? Because I can think of no reason why a mere Padawan would best you in combat. Unless…"

The Emperor's voice deepened.

"Her master is not dead after all."

Vader could still hear her voice.

I won't leave you. Not this time.

He pushed it to the back of his mind.

"Anakin Skywalker is dead. His apprentice means nothing to me."

"Then I ask once again, Lord Vader. Why. Does. She. Still. Live?"

Vader had gone over this conversation in his head countless times on his way to Coruscant. He didn't know how he'd explain it. Or if his Master would even believe him. But what he'd seen on Malachor had to be known.

"During our duel, I believe she was…taken."

In an instant, the Emperor's expression turned from anger to curiosity. He leaned forward as he inquired about his apprentice's words.

"Taken by whom?"

"I do not know. But they appeared familiar. They seemed to…materialize from nothing. I had the Padawan at my mercy. But before I could strike her down, this…figure appeared and…pulled her away. And then they both simply…vanished."

"It is possible for one to project themselves to other locations through the Force. But to take another with them is…unheard of. Were you able to get a glimpse of where this figure was when they appeared?"

"No. But they seemed to be reaching through a…gateway or door. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen."

The Emperor was deep in thought now.

"Interesting. Then this does not appear to be a form of projection. But rather, a form of…travel."

"Has such a feat been accomplished before?"

"Perhaps. Texts from the ancient Sith tell of a world existing outside of time and space. A realm in which the past, present and future occur simultaneously. And those within it are capable of traveling to any place at any time."

"Impossible…"

The Emperor smirked.

"When it comes to the Force, my apprentice, nothing is truly impossible."

"So you believe this world may have played a part in the Padawan's disappearance?"

"I am almost certain of it. And if the Jedi are using it to escape death, then we must investigate it."

"What is thy bidding, my Master?"

The Emperor refocused himself and raised his voice once again.

"You must be relentless in your pursuit, Lord Vader. If even a single Jedi survives, they alone could become our undoing."

He gestured towards the door.

"Go. Continue your hunt. And this time…do not hesitate."

Vader bowed his head in response.

"The Jedi will not survive, my Master."

He then faced the exit and began his departure.

Once the door closed behind his apprentice, the Emperor reached into his robe and pulled out a holoprojector. As it activated, an image of an old, hooded man appeared.

"Minister Hydan."

"Yes, my lord?"

"Commence excavation of the Jedi Temple at once."

"As you wish."