Title: Vader's Quest Chronicles

Summary: Darth Vader learns that he has a son and the search begins

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: Star Wars is the property of George Lucas. No disrespect is intended with this story.


At last! Vader was ordered to wait upon the Emperor, prepared to travel. Maybe he could finally get out of the office, off the surface of Coruscant. He had never been so bored in all his life! If he had to remain in that office much longer, they'd have to lock him up somewhere as a mindless, drooling idiot! How had his wife managed to survive years of that stuff? And even seemed to enjoy it? Well, when he ruled, underlings would do all that! Then he recalled that, to Palpatine, he was an underling, which was probably why he, and not Palpy, had been so occupied -- duh! The thought brightened his day. He imagined his Master occupied as he had recently been, and smiled as he pictured the Emperor's predictable reactions.

"Good morning, Master. As you commanded, I am here and await your -- "

"Yes, Vader, so I see!" snapped Palpatine. "You are certainly in a cheery mood today! Weren't out carousing last night, eh?" He cackled. "Well, maybe you should have been, for there certainly won't be any carousing where you are going -- to the Endor System, specifically, to the Forest Moon."

"Are the Rebels there, Sir?" For Vader could perceive of no other reason to enter that Force-forsaken region of space.

Palpatine smiled unpleasantly. "Not yet, my boy, not yet! But they will be... oh yes, they will be! They won't be able to resist the bait and then we will spring the trap...!" Evil laughter caused him to cough and gasp.

What has the old wampa's bait done now? thought Vader, as he waited for his Master to recover.

Sidious took a deep breath, followed by several long swallows from his glass. "We are building a new Death Star, even larger and more powerful than before!"

Oh, great! Another twenty years of useless quality control duty. That's nearly as bad as office work. Vader wasn't happy with the idea, but…. "Yes, Master. But won't the Rebels become even more entrenched around the Galaxy while we construct --?"

Palpatine airily waved aside his comment and laughed. "Oh, but Lord Vader, this is such a deliciously devious plot, if I do say so myself!"

You always do, Palpy, thought Vader as he awaited the revelation of details. And 'Devious' ought to be your family name.

"This will not take as long to construct as our first ultimate weapon. In fact, it is already begun. No, the interior will be only roughly finished, at least until we have quashed the Rebellion. As of now, I have appointed a new commander to oversee construction."

Force, no! Please, don't let it be me; I'll go back to my office and quietly do official paperwork, but, please, not me! prayed Vader in a panic.

"You, Lord Vader, are to escort Moff Jerjerrod to his new post, see him settled in, make certain construction is proceeding on target and that the satellite is amply protected by a shield generated from the nearby Sentry Moon. Is that clear, Vader?" Palpatine stared at him.

"Yes, Master. How long am I to remain there?" Well, at least it was a break from this current stagnation on Coruscant.

"Not long. After you escort Jerjerrod, thoroughly inspect the construction and the security of the shield generator. Report to me, then you have leave to resume your search for your son. You were ever a restless individual, Lord Vader, even as a young boy. I have sensed your recent feelings of constraint. I'm not inhuman…." Vader muffled a snort of laughter. Palpatine paused and asked, "You said something?" then continued as Vader shook his head. "Much as I prefer your company to your absence, your restlessness was ever a source of troublesome mischief. So go, my boy. May your search be fruitful."

Old Palpy was enjoying this dramatic declaration a little too much for Vader's comfort. How many irksome spies did he have in place this time? 'Troublesome mischief' indeed! But Vader merely bowed and left the chamber. Space, here I come! The renewed spring in his step brought relieved smiles to the faces of those who knew him -- Lord Vader was assuredly in a good mood today!


How had this slimy little reptilian excuse of a man gotten his posting as commander of the Death Star II? Whose mother-daughter-wife-sister-aunt had be slept with? Or whom had be bribed? He assuredly rubbed Vader the wrong way from the start, and asked too many useless, unanswerable questions about the first Death Star. To escape, Vader elected to engage in hours of lightsaber drill -- he had recently done only cursory practicing and needed to re-hone his skills. Despite Jerjerrod's annoying presence, it was good to be back aboard a Star Destroyer with his own shuttle craft and TIE fighter available to him.

Jerjerrod had among his entourage a personal chef, an attractive young Twi'lek who reminded Vader vaguely of Aayla Secura, although she at least dressed slightly less provocatively than had that female Jedi. The Twi'lek was apparently one of Palpy's agents, ordered to attempt the seduction of Vader. Although she obviously loathed the assignment, she brushed against him whenever opportunity presented, hung on his every utterance, personally served him at meals. In general, she made a pest of herself, nearly as annoying as the proliference of mouse droids. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, Vader nonetheless firmly spurned her advances. The last straw came when she showed up to watch him drill with his lightsaber. No one, but no one, other than a sparring partner or a Jedi Master had ever been allowed to observe. He'd not even allowed Padmé to watch any serious practice, although he had shown off a little for her.

Drenched in perspiration that was offensive to his own nose, Vader nevertheless powered off his weapon and advanced on the young female. Eyes wide and cautious, she stood her ground. "You. Aay'i'sha, is it?" She nodded. "I don't know who hired you, though I have my suspicions, but get this through your head: I am not interested in a relationship! Not with you. Not with anyone. I loved my wife. I have never been attracted to anyone else! I probably never will be. If you just want to be friends, I can do that. But even my friends do not intrude on my lightsaber work. Not even my wife was allowed. Do you understand me, Aay'i'sha?"

"Yes, Lord Vader. But can you teach me to use a lightsaber?" Her eyes begged, bright with a desire to learn the skill. Vader considered the request. It would probably irritate Palpy. So why not? The idea amused him and with a nod of assent, he strode to the storage cabinet. Taking out a spare lightsaber, he made adjustments for length of blade and power. Then he tossed the weapon to Aay'i'sha. She caught it deftly and examined it.

"How do -- oh, I see. Like this!" She powered it on, and held the hissing blade upright in front of her, both hands grasping the hilt, a smile of pure delight on her face. "This is so cool! I've always wanted to hold one; I've seen them in old holovids, but I never thought I could ever…Now what do I do?" She swooped the blade in an awkward figure eight, listening to the thrummm and whooosh as it moved through the air.

Vader stood beside her and demonstrated basic technique, gently correcting her when she erred. She picked up the general basics rapidly; she had a natural aptitude for the technique and was eager to learn. And finally having his own Padawan apprentice was for Vader an empowering feeling.

He ended the session, scheduled another for the next day, and cautioned Aay'i'sha to wear clothing that would protect against the inevitable burns. She nodded, and, smiling proudly, she left.

Vader wondered if she were at all Force-sensitive. Of course, without a midichlorian count, he couldn't be sure, but he suspected that she could be -- she seemed to sense how to move, to feel in advance the proper reactions. But maybe she had just pretended a lot with her chef's knives, imitating her favorite holovids. Could be either or neither. He put away the weapon that she had used, donned his mask and helmet, and went to freshen up with a hot shower. Aay'i'sha was a nice kid. He might hang around the Death Star a bit longer than he had originally intended.

Aay'i'sha's proficiency progressed rapidly. Vader was enjoying the lessons, although he heard Anakin's raucous jeering in his mind -- Remember, that's my body you are wearing, and I refuse to let it fall for a pretty blue face! -- Shut up Anakin. She is basically a Padawan learner, a student. She doesn't attract me any more than she does you. But she does have a pretty face, doesn't she?

Anakin need not have worried. During the course of the lessons, Vader ascertained that, while Aay'i'sha had a hero worship for himself and his lightsaber skills, her heart had fallen for Moff Jerjerrod, who seemed to ignore her completely. Vader suspected that young Jerjie wasn't as ambivalent as he seemed. His eyes watched the pretty Twi'lek jealously; whenever she talked to Vader, Jerjie flushed and looked away. Inter-species relationships weren't something Vader thought much about -- the personal relationships of others weren't his concern. So if Jerjerrod and Aay'i'sha were attracted to each other, what in blazes was stopping them? Vader shook his head and resolved to stay out of it. Perhaps their romance would progress better if he left to renew his search for Luke.

This new Death Star was an unsatisfying slipshod farce, anyway. The only quality construction was in the super-laser cannon and in the control room. Even the shield generator on the moon's surface wasn't up to Vader's own standards. The Emperor had really gone around the bend on this project. But Vader would make his report and thankfully be on his way. This sector was entirely too desolate for his liking. He hoped it would be a good long while before he was forced to return to it.

Aay'i'sha's eyes filled with tears at the news that he was leaving. She stood on tiptoe to place an awkward kiss on his cheek and despite himself, Vader hugged her. She had been a good student. He constructed a smaller, lowered power lightsaber for her with a pale pinkish blade and showed her how to construct her own, in the event she needed to. Then he bid her good-bye. He was going to miss the kid, but attachments, even to a quasi-Padawan...

He boarded his shuttle and returned to his Star Destroyer. As he entered his quarters, he observed that one could also become attached to things, to possessions. Like this Star Destroyer -- the Destructor just was not quite his Executor. He couldn't get the shower adjusted to his liking, his bunk wasn't quite right, and there seemed to be at least three times the mouse droids on board... He resolved to attempt an exchange of vessels soon -- if Palpy didn't interfere. He probably had this one wired with all sorts of elaborate espionage devices to spy on his apprentice. The thought strengthened Vader's resolve to switch Star Destroyers and put a crimp in old Palpy's schemes.


The holoimage was blurry and indistinct, but the voice was Aay'i'sha's. "Please, Lord Vader, help me! I have to get away from this place! He's cruel and vicious and took my lightsaber and... Just help me, please!"

What had that slimy snake done to her? Vader strode to his shuttle with angry impatience. If Jerjerrod has harmed her in any way, the man will pay dearly, no matter who he knows or how important he is! No one harmed those whom Lord Vader cared about. He would rescue the pretty young Twi'lek, but what he would do with her then, he hadn't a clue.

Knowing that she was probably one of Palpy's spies, Vader announced to Jerjerrod that Aay'i'sha had been recalled to Coruscant; she was to immediately accompany Vader off the Death Star to report to her employer. With a curt nod, Jerjerrod summoned the Twi'lek with orders to bring her belongings -- she would be leaving with Lord Vader.

Aay'i'sha traveled light -- a few articles of clothing and her chef's knives were the sum of her personal things. Vader noticed a glaring absence.

"Where is her lightsaber, Jerjerrod? I gave it to her to defend herself; she is trained in its use." Vader assumed his most menacing voice, while Aay'i'sha cowered behind him.

Jerjerrod petulantly produced the confiscated weapon. "I thought that she had stolen it from you, Lord Vader, as a memento of your... ah... relationship together."

The truth of the situation dawned on Vader. The Moff was jealous of an imagined romantic relationship between Vader and Aay'i'sha. "You thought that a short, pink weapon belonged to me? Have you no common sense, man? It is proportioned for her size, not my own!" Of Aay'i'sha he quickly asked, "Is this everything? Has he confiscated anything else? No? Then come." He turned, and with Aay'i'sha close behind him, he boarded his shuttle and was away. Behind them, Moff Jerjerrod watched the shuttle leave; relief and longing warred on his face.

The story emerged as Vader flew them to rejoin his Star Destroyer. With Vader gone, the Twi'lek had happily turned her full attentions on the Moff. At first, he seemed flattered and reciprocated somewhat. But his desires were perverted -- whatever that meant, thought Vader -- and he was cruel and vicious and threatened her. When she pulled her lightsaber in self-defense, he easily disarmed her and kept the weapon.

"What," sobbed Aay'i'sha, "did I do wrong? I know that he was attracted to me! I saw how he watched me move, watched me always with desire smoldering in his eyes"

Vader suspected that he knew the real problem -- Jerjie was attracted, but apparently had a phobia about inter-species relationships. As gently as possible, Vader explained this to Aay'i'sha, who burst into tears again. "But Lord Vader, he could have told me! He didn't have to be cruel."

"No, my dear child, he didn't. But it's his loss. It's not you, so much as a self-hate at himself for being attracted in spite of what he believes to be wrong. You are a lovely person, you'll find someone to love -- just not me, either, please!"

With a watery giggle, Aay'i'sha exclaimed, "Lord Vader, how did you get so wise? And I like you, but you really aren't my type, even though I was supposed to try to seduce you. Oh!" She suddenly recalled, "What am I going to do? I can't go back to Coruscant! Please don't take me there! "

"Well, do you have any idea where you would like to go?" Vader was afraid that he already knew the answer.

"Ummm... well, I have a girlfriend on Tatooine."

"No! Out of the question. You wouldn't like the planet -- dry, sandy, very unpleasant. And the Hutts have entirely too much control there. Try somewhere else." Vader refused to even consider another trip to Tatooine. "You wouldn't consider returning to Ryloth? Do you have family left there?"

She considered a moment. "I don't know -- I very much doubt it. Couldn't I just stay with you? Your ship is so big…."

And his troopers could tear her to pieces. But they wouldn't, she was under his personal protection -- fear of him would far outweigh their desire for amusement. And, after all, Palpy had hired her to seduce him. This wouldn't be quite what the old bantha brain intended, but...

Vader nodded. "All right, Aay'i'sha. We'll see how it goes. You can stay until you decide where you would like to go. Besides a little more lightsaber training can't hurt. Let's introduce you, and assign you some quarters, near enough to mine for your protection, yet far enough away for propriety's sake." Though any humanoid female under Vader's protection, traveling about the Galaxy with him would give rise to gossip that no amount of apparent propriety would quash. But, then, Aay'i'sha's reputation was probably in tatters anyway. Perhaps her new facility with a lightsaber would help balance it out in the end.


Palpatine cackled gleefully and rubbed his hands together. If Vader wanted a woman, then his Master had provided one. And there was no danger of little Vaders with this one -- at least, he didn't think that a mating of Twi'lek and human would produce viable offspring; with those pesky midichlorians, one never knew, but he would chance it. And that left Leia…. Palpatine let himself contemplate an inner vision of the Princess. She would make a lovely Sith Lady -- if she were Force-sensitive. If not, well, she could be a Sith's lady companion. And perhaps there would be little Palpatines. He pictured Leia great with child, but Leia turned into Padme Amidala as he had last seen her. Sidious sputtered awake. What in blazes was Vader's wife doing in his fantasy? Anyway, he'd forgotten all that…. He forced Leia's face back onto the figure and returned to his daydreams.
Vader knew where all the security cams were housed. He had considered some tinkering to disable them, or maybe to set up a continuous loop. He finally decided it would be far more fun to tease and frustrate his Master by covering them at strategic moments, points which would leave Palpy in fuming ignorance of true events in Vader's quarters.

Aay'i'sha usually used his shower after lightsaber lessons, then dressed in the privacy of the refresher chamber. Vader had asked her to wrap herself in a large towel as she left, concealing her clothing. When he explained his reasons, she giggled and entered into his games -- fooling Palpatine was fun!

Vader generally entered just as she left, leaving the recorders to convey the impression that she was still present in his quarters. Throwing his clothing at random, sooner or later, he made sure that something covered the cams, shutting them down until uncovered again. While the game of deceiving Palpatine was fun for awhile, Vader soon grew tired of it. He wanted the secure privacy of his quarters aboard the Executorand began to scheme again to exchange Star Destroyers.

And he really needed to find a home for Aay'i'sha -- he couldn't drag her around the Galaxy with him for very long. Maybe they could study the 'Help Wanted' ads on the HoloNet...


Sidious threw the holopad across the room -- these were the most boring security recordings he had ever seen. When was Vader going to get down to the good stuff? Apparently, his idea of foreplay involved a lightsaber! At this rate, how had Amidala ever gotten pregnant? Vader had fathered her child, there was no doubt about that. But -- lightsabers before sex? The boy was perverted! Aaah! There -- he put an arm around -- No! He's showing her still another technique! He watched the rest of the lightsaber practice recording in dissatisfaction. They didn't even leave together; Vader stayed behind to pick up and service the lightsabers. Sidious checked the recording from the Twi'lek's quarters... Nothing there. Maybe she was in Vader's…Yes! There she was, just leaving the shower... she crossed out of range…. And here came Vader -- finally!

The anticipation of a voyeuristic experience tingled through him…. And the recording suddenly disappeared as Vader began to strip, throwing his clothing toward where the cams were hidden. Sidious cursed furiously. He couldn't even listen -- the recorders were light and movement activated. He checked other recordings, but all were as boring as the first.


Eating a first rate breakfast prepared by Aay'i'sha, Vader studied the HoloNet 'Help Wanted' ads. It would help if the girl knew what she'd like to do... or even where she wanted to live. After all, she did have some interesting qualifications. However, how many openings could there possibly be for a former Imperial spy, trained as a personal chef (with emphasis on the personal) who was also proficient with a lightsaber, tutored by Darth Vader himself? He thought that maybe the chef part would be her best bet -- the girl really was an excellent chef and had trained at the Coruscant Academy for the Gourmet Experience. Vader took another bite and chewed slowly, savoring it. If Aay'i'sha prepared many more meals for him, he would once more be a fat Sith lord. He had to find a job for her. Too bad that the Jedi Academy was gone -- she would certainly have spiced up things in the kitchens there, and the lightsaber would have fit right in! And anyway, Coruscant was out -- one didn't just quit as one of Palpy's Imperial spies, and being fired usually involved termination, by either Sith lightning or sudden and uncontrolled flight which ended in forceful impact against the nearest wall.

Joining her friend on Tatooine was simply out of the question. And she had no reason to return to Ryloth -- she seemed to despise her home world almost as much as he despised Tatooine. Most advertised openings seemed to be for a 'cook' and not a 'chef'. When he had asked, she had patiently explained that it was sort of like the difference between Dex's Diner and the Club Coruscanti: a cook simply cooked, whereas a chef was an artist with food. Vader had laughed and told her that some of Dex's culinary creations had been very artistic, especially after months on battle rations. Aay'i'sha playfully smacked him, and returned to perusing the HoloNet. Vader couldn't help but wonder how Palpy was interpreting the playful banter that had easily sprung up between them. He rose and left the droids to clear away the scant remains of breakfast.

This morning he was teaching Aay'i'sha the basics of piloting, a skill she had never had opportunity to learn; she did admit to having once borrowed -- and wrecked -- her cousin's new T-16 speeder.

"It was so beautiful and shiny, just parked there. I got in it -- I just wanted to sit there and pretend awhile. How was I supposed to know that he'd left it keyed up and ready to go? And when I tried to shut it off again, it just took off, and kept going faster and faster. I finally located the braking control, but then it spun out of control completely and I jumped out just before it crashed. He was very angry."

I can imagine, thought Vader. I hope this lesson produces a better end result. At least she is cheerful and unafraid…. He ignored the ripple of apprehension tickling his senses.

After thoroughly searching the hangar bays of the DestructorVader had located a small and unused two-seater. He seated his pupil at the controls and settled himself into the copilot's seat. "Do not touch anything until I tell you to," he warned as she eagerly reached for the controls.

Aay'i'sha snatched her hands back and sat on them, "Yes, Lord Vader," she answered in a small voice.

Vader began to carefully explain the various controls, dials, and gauges. She listened attentively. He quizzed her, then reiterated until she could correctly identify everything in front of her. Then he took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"Now, Aay'i'sha. You may start the shuttle." With a grin of pure delight and excitement, she obeyed -- and promptly hit full throttle.

"Pull back! Pull back!" Vader yelled at her. She managed to slow and turn just before hitting the closed space doors. Troopers and droids ran for cover as she shot back the way they'd come. For the first time in his life, Vader worried about his own safety while flying. Then he remembered that he was copilot and took the craft under his own capable control.

He signaled for the space doors to open and took them out into open space. Then he returned control to Aay'i'sha. With no hesitation, she shot away from the Destructorleaving Vader to wonder at his own wisdom in beginning this project.

A few hours later, they returned to the Star Destroyer, Vader piloting -- he preferred not to risk his neck for a second time today in Aay'i'sha's heedless style of landing. But she could fly. It was just her takeoffs and landings that left her instructor drenched in nervous perspiration. The young Twi'lek might make a passable pilot -- eventually. Vader left his pupil studying astrogation and went to engage in some personal lightsaber drill -- he needed the release of tension that it would give him. He now suddenly realized how Obi-Wan must have felt when first forced to fly with Anakin. In his mind, he heard Anakin's protest of Hey, at least I could land whatever I flew! And Obi-Wan's knowing chuckle followed him down the corridor.

Palpatine's daily comlink summons had become greatly annoying. The Sith Master had begun commencing each transmission with an archly sly inquiry of "Am I interrupting something?" followed by his evil chuckle. Variations on the formula included, "Is anything good cooking?" and "Had any Twi'lek appetizers today?" Vader gritted his teeth and endured the verbal innuendo of his Master, although the man's salacious tone was starting to really get on his nerves. The only serious way that he could see of ending it would deprive him of the Twi'lek's enjoyable companionship. He did entertain a few imaginative solutions. One he actually for a few moments considered -- kidnapping by pirates. He could contact Jetscar, have him kidnap the Emperor... On second thought, better not. Old Palpy would probably throw around Sith lightning and fry his kidnappers, leaving himself stranded in a ship which he didn't know how to fly. Then I would have to go rescue him. Besides, he liked his step-relative and wouldn't want him and his men hurt or killed. Vader grinned in wry amusement. Fine Sith lord, I am, more worried about the welfare of pirates than of my Master. Oh, well, it was an amusing daydream. The comlink chirped. Here we go again...

"Yes, Master. Did you have anything new to impart?" Wait for it --.

Palpatine's image leered suggestively at him. "A little interruptus, eh, Lord Vader?" He uttered an obscene cackle.

Vader groaned inwardly. This is insufferable! The man is an idiot! A bantha's ass in Imperial robes. "No, Master. You are not interrupting anything." Except my entire life, just not what you would like to think you are interrupting.

His tasteless daily joke over, Palpatine made a few useless comments and suggestions and dismissed his apprentice. Vader remained staring at the holopad in distaste.

Maybe he and Aay'i'sha should give the salacious old lecher a show…. No, it wouldn't be fair to Aay'i'sha, and would be disrespectful to his memories of his wife -- he still felt married, even if she was dead. Besides, the irrepressible Twi'lek would probably burst into giggles. He tried to imagine her shapely blue body against his own, and failed abysmally. There was just no sexual attraction between them. It felt almost like incest to even consider the idea, no matter what old Palpy had intended. She was his Padawan learner, at least in flying and in lightsaber training. And she was becoming very proficient in most of the lightsaber forms. He had decided that she was indeed somewhat Force-sensitive, but he couldn't bring himself to teach her any Sith variations, or to encourage her to call on anger and hate. Aay'i'sha did not need the burden of becoming Sith added to her life. She would have been an adequate Jedi -- except for her piloting skills.

Even after months of practice, she could not get the hang of landings -- she had crashed her practice shuttle and two old TIE fighters before Vader decided to just let the tractor beam pull her aboard at the end of each flight. She might be able to "feel the Force" with a lightsaber, but was apparently clad in an impermeable shield against it when landing. Well, mused Vader to himself, one couldn't have everything!

Afraid that his own lightsaber skills were too much for his pupil to handle, he had demonstrated and observed and let her duel with the droid. But she wanted to test her skills against his own.

"Please Lord Vader. How can I know if I'm any good unless I have someone to duel against?"

"Aay'i'sha, I told you, I am afraid I'll hurt you. My skills have ever been better that most; I bested Count Dooku, when he was Sith. I have dueled with the best and won. You are extremely proficient, but..."

"Is my lightsaber not strong enough against yours? Have you not noticed that I have altered it to higher power? Check the practice droid's setting; it is set for your own level, Lord Vader! I am good enough to face you! Or are you fearful that I will hurt you? Wouldn't that be nice -- the great Darth Vader, injured by a mere girl, a Padawan apprentice! I dare you!" Aay'i'sha was so angry that she was near tears as she taunted and goaded him. He was tempted, but not now, not like this, not in anger on the part of either of them, not as he had faced Obi-Wan on Mustafar.

He kept his tone even as he replied. "Not now, Aay'i'sha. To be completely honest, I had not noticed anything except the color change in your lightsaber, that it is now mauve, instead of pink. Did you also alter the power upward when you constructed the new one?" Eyes wide and bright with unshed tears, breast heaving, her face still set in seething anger, she nodded mutely.

"Perhaps tomorrow then. But never in anger, Aay'i'sha, dear, never in anger. Now power down your weapon and go shower while I do some drilling of my own."

Anger melting from her face, the Twi'lek silently obeyed. Vader watched her go. What have I done? I wanted to irritate my Master, so I have created a half-trained quasi-Jedi to unleash upon the Galaxy! She is neither Jedi nor Sith; I have to end this relationship before her life is irrevocably tainted by the Dark Side. He ignited his own lightsaber and began a vicious attack on the practice droid, venting his anger at himself.


Oh, good, good... a lover's spat! Palpatine couldn't hear what was said -- he hated the boring thrum and hiss of lightsaber practice, so the sound was deactivated. Oh, was she angry! And waving around a lightsaber; Vader had better watch his...! Sidious cackled to himself. Well, that would certainly put an end to the possibility of little Vaders…. But, no, Vader had evidently calmed her down. Why didn't he hold her in his arms and kiss her and…. Ooooh! Now he's mad. Guess maybe they weren't going to make up after all. Why had he ever imagined that Vader's sex life would be more interesting than his regular life? For Palpatine had to admit that Vader had become boring. He never reacted to those opening comlink jibes. Just once he'd like to hear him say "Yes, Master, you are interrupting! Now go away and let us get on with it!" And come to think of it, he hadn't done much searching for the boy lately. Maybe it was time to end Vader's little liaison with his lovely Twi'lek...
Unaware that he and his Master had reached the same conclusion, Vader sat down with Aay'i'sha to have a serious discussion about her future. She was still clueless where her future was concerned, and apprehensive over the thought of leaving his protection. Nothing had surfaced in HoloNet employment ads that even tempted her to apply.

"Child, we can't go on like this. That randy old bantha in Coruscant thinks that you are my paramour."

She wrinkled her brow. "Your what?"

He sighed. "My sex slave, lover, mistress, whatever you want to call it -- he thinks you have successfully seduced me into your bed and that we are spending every free moment having sexual relations of one type or another. Force! He probably thinks that lightsaber drill is foreplay! His salacious imagination seems to have no boundaries. I am sick to death of his tasteless innuendo! We have to find a safe harbor for you!" Vader closed his eyes a moment, then leaned back in his chair. "I may have one possible source of information. I'll check with a... uh... a friend of mine in... um... the private shipping business. He may know of something." And Jetscar just might know of someone who knew someone who knew someone who knew...

Vader and Aay'i'sha were relaxing in his quarters after the promised lightsaber duel. She was good. By the Force, she was good, though not quite as good as she aspired to be or had boasted of being. It was her rapidly increasing ability that led him to hope that Jett could help.

"Private shipping? Is he a smuggler, then? That would be...interesting" Aay'i'sha didn't sound too sure.

Vader laughed. "No, not a smuggler. And he might know of a position that can employ your admittedly peculiar mix of talents. I'll contact him tomorrow. Good night, my Padawan apprentice. You do wield an awesome lightsaber."

Aay'i'sha rose and smiled. "Thank you, my Master in lightsaber training. You aren't so bad yourself." She patted his arm affectionately as she passed him on the way out of his quarters.

As the door closed behind her, Vader rose and picked up his shirt that had fallen from its position over the spycam. Wonder what Palpy will make of that last bit? Probably far more than I can ever imagine. Who cares anyway? Vader stretched, yawned, and retired to his bunk.

Despite a few leers and bawdy comments, Jetscar promised to use his underground network to aid in searching out lawful employment for Aay'i'sha. His own suspicions to the contrary, he could sympathize with Vader's concerns for the girl's safety. After all didn't Jett worry about that contrary daughter of his own? Privately, he thought that Vader was tired of the girl and wanted to be rid of her before his son got wind of her. He could see where that might be embarrassing...he certainly wouldn't want his own sons to know about a couple of his past relationships -- and they hadn't been nearly as comely as Vader's little Twi'lek!

Jetscar had turned up a lead. Or, rather, his daughter had. There was an opening for a chef at a new casino where Marsiella Lars was manager.

"Can you imagine, Vader? My girl managing a casino? A real honest position! And Marsi didn't have to sleep her way into it! She says that your girl sounds perfect."

Aay'i'sha herself wasn't quite so sure. "What about my lightsaber? How can I practice? And what if someone thinks I'm a...Jedi…and tries to kill me?"

Vader laughed. "Just don't levitate anything in front of anyone" -- for that was her latest accomplishment, something she had learned on her own. "And you are taking a droid with you that can be set for practice, as well as for other duties. This is a great opportunity, my dear girl. I will keep in touch -- probably not often, but you will hear from me. Keep your speeder at a reasonable speed and remember to land gently. Let the Force cradle your landings." He looked down into her eyes. "Remember, I care for you like a daughter or a little sister." He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. "May the Force be with you... always."

He watched as Aay'i'sha entered the shuttle and raised a hand in farewell. The shuttle then lifted off and was gone. Vader turned abruptly and left the landing pad. It was time to return to the Executor. He was abandoning his berth on the Destructormaking a clean break from the interlude with his Twi'lek companion. Let Palpy rage when he figured it out. Vader had left all the security cams in his and Aay'i'sha's personal spaces covered. He laughed in appreciation of his brief escape from his Master's constant surveillance. Once aboard the Executorwith its security cams disabled, he would get back to the business of locating his son.