Chapter 38
Present Day: On a shuttle on route to the Imperial Palace
Pamila fidgeted in the passenger's seat of the shuttle. She had spent three days in Vader's volcanic home and despite the bleak surroundings, it actually was a pleasant experience. The duration of it was mostly spent in another personality-devoid hospital room where Vader rarely left her side. He spent time tending to her legs, insuring that the bones in her shins healed properly. He also made her feel like a pin cushion, making the little robots take multiple blood tests and administer a junkies-dream worth of pain-killers and sedatives. It was clear he was taking no chances with her wellbeing. Pamila found it both cute and annoying.
Many times she insisted that he take a break and go attend to whatever his job requires him to do. But he insisted just as hard that he needed to stay. She swore to him that she would be fine on her own for a little while, but he never left. Pamila began to feel like a zoo animal. Vader constantly watched over, reacting to any cough like a call-to-arms! As flattering as the attention was, Pamila just wanted a few moments to herself so she could just rest. It got particularly awkward when he gave her a sponge bath to clean the dirt and grime off of her. Pamila tried not to blush as he peeled way her blood soaked rags from her naked skin, but she was pretty sure her entire body turned radish red. After he disposed those rags he helped her into a plain white dress. Having him undress then re-dress her made her feel like a doll. He, in his classic air, was as cool as a cucumber! He could have been blushing, but how would she know?
Now they had made the journey to planet called Coruscant. Vader told her the planet was one big city. As amazing as that sounded, Pamila didn't really feel up to another meet-and-greet with the Emperor. However, Pamila knew Vader ignored his "request" once . . . That was probably not something that should be repeated a second time.
Pamila looked over at Vader, who was in the cockpit because he insisted on piloting the ship by himself. She could only see the reflection of his mask on the windshield. Despite all the times in his home where she wished he would leave her alone, she now wished he was back there holding her hand. Now she was sitting by herself against a wall with five soldiers in all black standing against the wall opposite her. She thought she remembered Vader called them Death Troopers.
Sounds pleasant, Pamila thought.
Vader flipped a few switches in the cockpit and got out of the pilots seat, moving into the cabin. Maybe he heard her silent plea. Unfortunately, he did not move towards Pamila. Instead he went to the soldiers.
"Auto-pilot is engaged." Vader spoke in his no-nonsense voice. "When we land at the Palace, form a perimeter around Pamila, the Emperor, and myself. In the case of a large crowd, I want at least three troopers shadowing Pamila at all times. Understood?"
The troopers did some sort of salute with their hands, "Yes sir!"
After that was settled, Vader then moved to sit next to Pamila. As he did, Pamila placed one of her hands on top of his.
"Do I really need an armed escort?" she asked pleadingly.
Vader didn't look at her but covered her hand with his, "I am not taking any chances."
Pamila snorted and tried to smile, "I can see that. How come you don't get an escort?"
Now he looked at her, tilting his head as if to ask: Really? The he tapped the hilt of his Lightsaber with his hand.
Pamila rolled her eyes and sighed, "Right…sorry. Forget I asked."
Vader patted her hand reassuringly, like: It's okay you forgot I'm a badass murderer.
Pamila shuddered. There were many aspects about this situation she didn't think she would ever get used to.
And they were about to meet up with one right now.
The thought of seeing the Emperor again made Pamila taste sour in her mouth. Most likely because that fortune-teller told her the Emperor was using her. But then again, that could've been the absent-minded babble of an old woman. At least that's what Pamila hoped it was.
When Pamila first met the Emperor, he had acted nice enough, but it all felt fakey. His smile never seemed sincere and his words sounded icky as they left his dried mouth. Pamila remembered how his yellow eyes appeared flat and dead. There was no spark of life within them, just a hollow, insatiable need.
As if hearing her thoughts and worries, Vader wrapped a black-clad arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. He said nothing, but his actions were reassuring enough. Pamila began to wonder if Vader had his own anxieties about this meeting. Over the past few days, it became clear to Pamila that something was bugging her knight, but of course, he wouldn't tell her.
Pamila felt the shuttle descending, hearing the landing gears engage. Before long, they touched down and the shuttle ramp began to extend downwards. Wind whipped into the cabin, carrying a strong metallic smell. There was no smell of rain or trees in the air, just a stench that reminded Pamila of concrete and people. Lots of people.
Light also filled the cabin as the Death Troopers moved out. It was an orangey-gold, indicating it was almost sunset. Vader stood, offering Pamila his arm, which she gladly accepted. They walked down the gangplank together, Pamila's white dress glowing brightly in contrast to Vader's dark suit. While Pamila's shins had healed nicely, her gate was still wonky and she was grateful for Vader giving her extra support.
As they walked down the ramp, Pamila saw the Emperor waiting for them, but what truly caught her attention was the scenery. It was striking. Tall, tower-like buildings whose windows glittered in the golden sunlight dazzled Pamila. The sky was a combination of orange and pink, reminding Pamila of a pastel painting. Ships buzzed past in constant straight lines, putting the freeways in LA to shame. Through some of the flying cars' windows, Pamila could see the passengers gawking at her. As they did, Pamila pulled her gossamer white shawl closer to her, feeling the need to hide. Vader gave her arm a gentle squeeze, snapping her out of her insecure mind-frame.
While lost in her distracted thoughts, Pamila didn't realize they had almost reached the Emperor and his red-clad bodyguards. However, she soon felt the Emperor's dark, sickly, yet powerful aura overlap with hers, making a chill run down her spine. Her gaze reluctantly shifted towards him. She could only see his mouth and chin because his black cowl cast a shadow over most of his face, which was only aided by the intense sunset lighting. Pamila was thankful for this. At least she wouldn't have to see those creepy eyes.
"Aw, Pamila! I can't tell you how relived I am to see you well." the Emperor said in a soft, cooing voice as they stood in front of him. Pamila tried not to recoil as the Emperor grasped her free hand and brought it to his lips. His kiss made her skin crawl, but Pamila remained steady. She could see Vader's muscles tighten beneath his suit, but he held his tongue.
When the Emperor finally let her hand drop, Pamila congratulated herself for being able to smile, "Thank you for having me."
The iconic insincere smile formed on the Emperor's face, "You gave us all quite a scare. Such a terrible ordeal you went through. You showed great resilience in the face of darkness. That will be useful in the future, I'm sure." The Emperor finished, shifting his glance towards Vader momentarily.
Pamila looked at the ground and swallowed dryly, "I'm just happy it's over. I didn't mean to be any trouble."
The Emperor laughed and wrapped her free arm around his, making Vader release his hold on her other arm, "Such modesty in one so young. Come! I have a little surprise for you."
As the Emperor led Pamila away, Vader followed. The Emperor turned to Vader with an amused expression, "Lord Vader, please supervise the launching of the Devastator on Base 132. I do not have faith in Captain Yugards abilities." If Vader was going to protest, the Emperor waved him off, holding on tightly to Pamila. "Worry not, Pamila will be safe with me. The deployment should not take long to oversee. We will be here when you return."
Pamila tried to keep her expression neutral, but she was sure her eyes showed her desperate need for Vader to stay and not leave her alone with Mr. Scary. Vader stood stiff for moment, but then gave a curt bow as her turned to walk away, signaling to his Death Troopers that they should stay with Pamila.
"As you wish."
Pamila didn't even get the chance to see Vader's shuttle pull away. The Emperor was gently forcing her to walk by his side. The sound of the bodyguard's footsteps echoed behind them. Pamila didn't dare show any signs of resistance. Even though the Emperor had the façade of a frail old man, Pamila suspected there was a dark power lurking within that feeble demeanor. If there wasn't, why else would Vader be so loyal to this creep? But like Vader, this man was impossible to read.
Letting her thoughts get the better of her, Pamila was silent as they crossed a walkway to what looked like a larger-than-life castle of metal and glass.
"Astonishing, isn't it?" The Emperor asked rhetorically, snapping Pamila back into the present.
Pamila blinked a few times, trying to center herself, "Oh yes. Never seen anything like it."
"Indeed," the Emperor chuckled. "However, I was not referring to the palace."
Pamila risked looking at him, "Oh?"
"I was referring to you and a woman's sense of loyalty. Despite all my years, I am often baffled by the ways of women. Particularly on who they chose to fall in love with."
Pamila stopped dead in her tracks and yanked her arm out from under his, "Excuse me?"
The Emperor appeared to be unaffected by her sharp attitude. In fact, he seemed to relish it, "Willmeif showed you footage of Lord Vader, did he not? Told you stories of his brutality and power?"
Pamila felt the muscles in her neck and shoulders tighten, "Yes."
"And what did you think as those horrible images played out in front of you?" the Emperor inquired coyly.
Pamila tried to stand her ground, though her voice trembled as she spoke, "With all due respect Emperor, but that's my business. Not yours."
The Emperor's yellow teeth became visible as he smiled broadly, "Your resistance is answer enough, sweet child. Your thoughts betray you. You found Vader to be a monster, just like all the others in the galaxy…"
"No!" Pamila snapped. "I found his actions monstrous. Not him."
"But actions speak louder than words. It is not as if you can sever a man from his actions." The Emperor countered cruelly. Pamila opened her mouth for another verbal attack, but to her chagrin, she had nothing to say.
The Emperor smiled at her dumbfoundedness, turning his back to her and began speaking again, "Regardless, you have learned some terrible truths about Lord Vader, yet, you still love him. Don't dare deny it! I can feel it surging within you. Despite all the fear you have of Vader, your love blinds you. Women are such fickle beings"
Pamila rarely got angry. She usually found anger to be a useless emotion and wasted time that could have been used to solve the problem. Now she could not stop her temperature rising in her blood, her inhibitions lowering. Pamila wanted to run and push the frail man over the edge of the high walkway and call him out for being manipulative, misogynistic pig!
Something stilled her. A serene calm filled her heart as the heat in her face left. In her mind she saw brief flashes of images: Vader kneeling, bells ringing, and people cheering. Then it shifted to a dark room. The blonde haired boy from her dreams was there, except now he was a man. He was on the floor as the Emperor electrocuted him with only his hands. Then Vader appeared and picked the Emperor up, throwing him from a precipice.
The images left her mind and she was back on the walkway with the Emperor, who seemed oblivious to the fact that she had zoned out for a second. Eventually he turned to look at her, patiently waiting for her to speak
"Play the game," a soft voice inside her spoke. "Have patience. It is not your destiny to destroy him. You are a healer, not an executioner. Heal Vader and your family. They need you."
Listening to the voice (even though she didn't understand the last bit), Pamila smiled at the Emperor, "Forgive me, my Lord. I have spent the last three days confined to a hospital room and a week before that, I was imprisoned by Rebels. I am sorry for my harsh tone. All that matters is that Vader rescued me and I am grateful for it. Please forgive me for speaking out of turn." Pamila hated herself for apologizing, but her gut told her to listen to the quiet voice in her mind.
For a moment, the Emperor seemed disappointed by her response. The corners of his mouth dropped slightly, the rest of his face falling into a saddened stupor. He quickly recovered, plastering that fake smile on his face once more. He made his way over to Pamila, gently placing his hands on her biceps, the smile never leaving his face, "Worry not. Nothing but water under the bridge." Again he moved to her side and linked his arm with hers. "Come! We must not keep them waiting."
Pamila arched an eyebrow and tried to smile, "Keeping who waiting?"
The Emperor's smile widened, "My surprise."
Hey Guys (and Gals)! Thanks for coming back. Sorry for another filler chapter, but for those of you who think this story is too long, I think there will be only two more chapter after this: The Emperor's Surprise & then the Grand Finale! Then I will start the process of splicing some chapters together to make this story have slightly fewer chapters : ) Thanks to you have stuck around ;) Hope you liked this chapter!
PS: I'm so jazzed for the new Darth Vader comic coming out today ;)