Since it's America's birthday, I decided to treat you all with more chapters! I was too lazy to separate them so I lumped them all into one big chapter. Buckle up, it's going to be wild.
Chapter Betrayal
An alert woke him and Vader gently slipped out from under the sleeping figure of Solaria. He dallied just a moment to admire the graceful curve of her spine and waist. Reaching over, he pulled the covers over her and dressed himself in his discarded trousers. He went out of the bed room before actually reading the report on his com. After a beat he thought he read it wrong. A sinking feeling filled the pit of his stomach. He turned to look back at Solaria, curled up under the covers. Vader had to confirm it; she wouldn't do this to him, not Solaria. He dressed fully and with one last look at her peaceful face, went to the military base. Taking his stealth ship, he slipped away to Earth.
He entered the Earth's atmosphere invisibly. No one saw his approach. It paid to have a custom stealth ship kept secret from all but himself. He breathed in the fresh Earth air. Seeing the greenery around and the mountains in the area, no wonder Solaria loves her planet. He mounted his speeder and went to the Earth Senator's quarters.
Breaking in, he melded into the shadows and hunted the man down. The Force guided him to the oblivious man. Vader found him sleeping in a sumptuous room with green curtains, green comforter, green pillows-too much green. Vader scanned the overly green room, searching for a defense droid. Finding it, he crushed it silently with the Force then stalked over to the green bed. Vader didn't bother waking the man, he could just take what he needed. Infiltrating the defenseless man's mind, he searched the memories until he found it. Irrefutable evidence of Earth's betrayal to the Galactic Empire. And Solaria's betrayal to himself. Vader clenched a fist. There was a slim chance she didn't know and had no part in it. He resisted the urge to murder the man. Instead, he reassembled the droid with his prodigious skill and tampered with its recording of the night, eliminating any evidence that he was ever there.
Like a ghost, Vader left the way he came and made his way back to Mustafar. He fought with himself the entire way. He had to report the base on Earth and let the Emperor mete out punishment as such, but the most likely course of action was the complete annihilation of the planet. Solaria would hate him. The new part of him that Vader discovered did not want her to hate him. He wanted her cling to him, to need him as much as he needed her. Vader didn't know what to do. His new conflictions vexed him.
Before, meeting her, Vader merely followed the Emperor's commands, nothing more, nothing less. If the Emperor desired something, Vader made it possible. The Wookie he was charged with kidnapping was successfully captured, ransomed, and returned in a matter of days. Even bounty hunters would have baulked at such a daunting mission but Vader complied immediately, without questions. Now that his own desires conflicted with his directive, Vader felt trapped and he hated it. Vader slammed a fist down on his arm rest and stared at his own hand in surprise. He never burst out with emotions, what was happening?
He had changed much and Vader did not know how much of the change was desirable. He was overly attached now and he had desires and messy feelings. Life was simpler without them. But now he knew that before, he was just existing. His former life was a shadow of the vibrancy of the life he had now. It was as if Vader was living in black and white. Now there were so many coruscating colors. It overwhelmed him but dazzled him. How could he go back living in shades of gray?
Interium
Palpatine grinned to himself. Excellent, the boy finally grew attached to the dancer. It took a bit longer than expected. The woman is gorgeous and incredibly charismatic, half of his court was in love and the rest was in lust. Like a master of puppets, he drew them together and split them apart, all according to his plan. Yes, he could feel his young apprentice's rage even across the parsecs. All he needed to do was to break the boy and finally, the dark will consume him and he would be the Emperor's forever. No one will be able to take him away.
The Emperor drew himself up from the throne and waved his attending guards away. He glided like a snake to the secret wing that he built to hold his poor mad mistress. Entering, he went directly to her. As her custom, she was singing over the empty moldering cradle. Palpatine held her immobile with the Force before wrapping his arms around her. Laying his cheek on her coarse hair, he murmured, "Soon, my dear Shmi. Soon we will be reunited."
Chapter Freedom
Vader stalked back to the bed. "How long have you known?" He asked sibilantly. She looked believably confused. Solaria sat up, holding the sheets to her body.
"W-what? "
"Don't. mislead me. You know everything that happens on Earth. How long?" His voice was harder than she ever remembered. This was a different Vader, the monster of the galaxy and she quailed being on the receiving end of his anger. His hurt.
He was angrier than she had remembered in a long time. It was the worst scenario that could have happened. "A month," she whispered.
Vader turned away in tight lipped anger. "Ahsoka, prime the ship, we're going to Earth."
"What are you going to do?!" Solaria asked, panic setting in. She wrapped the sheets around her and slid out of the bed to look him in the eye
"Destroy the Rebels and punish Earth," Vader said flatly, his eyes were dull. He was looking through her, looking at the Rebels beyond her.
"Punish Earth or punish me?" Solaria glared, swallowing her tears. She knew she betrayed him, she had hurt him so badly but she didn't know how to tell him. Her heart broke for him.
Solaria tried to explain, "What was I going to tell you?! Baseless rumors? I didn't know what was true or not. The rumors were confirmed only a few days ago." Vader walked around her and bent to gather her clothing discarded at the foot of the bed. He thrust it at her coldly.
"Protocol dictates that I must report the base and mete out punishment. Any resistance will be put down with extreme prejudice." This wasn't her Vader, he had successfully buried all of his emotions and once again, he was the Emperor's pawn. Vader commanded her to get dressed and led her onto the ship. The legion had gathered and Ahsoka had readied the dreadnought. They locked eyes, Ahsoka fidgeted, ready to burst with questions but she knew that even she wouldn't be able to get away with questions when Vader was in such a black mood. The dreadnought left with a legion of clones ready for battle and headed to Earth in the middle of the night.
There was Earth, as beautiful as she remembered, a green and blue jewel in an otherwise desolate system. It was going to be dust and ashes and it was all Solaria's fault. She had tried so so hard to protect it and it seemed like her best just wasn't enough. She took a peek at Vader but she couldn't read him. He was ready for battle with his black uniform and helmet on. At least she wasn't cuffed but she was surrounded by watchful clones and Ahsoka was firmly ordered to be at his side and forbidden to talk to her.
Vader clasped his hands behind his back. "Ready the pulsar cannon," he commanded.
Solaria covered her mouth in horror at the order. The pulsar cannon had a blast radius of hundreds of miles and firing from the atmosphere would ensure the destruction of the base and the nearby cities. Millions of people lived in the cities and all were going to be put to death because of a team of rebels. Solaria wasn't the type who cried easily but now, she broke down and cried in her hands as quietly as she could. Silently, Rex handed her a handkerchief which she took gratefully. It didn't matter if the clones saw her. First, the destruction from the pulsar what next? Harvesting? She had given up her happiness, her future, her freedom for her people. What else could she give? They would be slaughtered, every man, woman, and child. Her beautiful earth would be reduced to ash and dust. She couldn't do it, she could protect Obi Wan and Padme no longer. If her people died, all that she had done and sacrificed for her people would have been for naught.
"Lord Vader, the Rebels are on Taivas. There's a Jedi temple that they are using as headquarters," Solaria announced as steadily as she could.
That caught his attention. Slowly, he turned to face her. "How did you know?" He asked robotically.
"I- Senator Amidala," she closed her eyes at the betrayal a tear slipping from under her lids. "I have proof," Solaria popped the recording device from her bracelet and held it out as a measly offering. Vader went to her and she couldn't even look at him. She flinched when she felt Vader's touch. He wiped away the tear and murmured, "You did the right thing. You know I would have found out eventually." Solaria couldn't breathe, his saber was in his hand, she was in his control. "Please," She whispered, licking dry lips, "Don't report the base on Earth. Destroy it but don't tell the Emperor. Please Vader, I'm begging you. I'll do anything."
He raised a brow. "Anything?"
"Anything."
Chapter Goodbye
"You could stay," he said quietly, his eyes pleading with the emotions he couldn't put into words.
Solaria wouldn't meet his eyes.
Vader was tempted. Sorely tempted to command her to pledge herself to him until all the stars died. She would do it too, out of obligation to her home world but she will hate him. Her sun would dim and she will become bitter. Empty, pathetic. That new part of him that she had released from deep inside wanted her to be happy. He wanted her to...love him. The way his prey sacrificed themselves hoping that their death will appease his wrath and allow their loved ones to go free. He understood them at last. They wasn't pathetic-she wasn't. Solaria was stronger than anyone he knew. She gave everything up for the life of captivity for others even though she owed them nothing.
Vader raised a hand, halting the clones. "I won't tell. Earth is safe. Go home," he addressed her.
Solaria looked at him confused. Vader turned away. "Ahsoka," he called, "Take her back to Earth. Take the transporter and use this code." He rattled off a series of numbers then shut off the cannon. The bridge was completely silent beyond the whining hum of the cannon powering down. She was still there, waiting for his verdict.
He turned back to her, absorbing her form. He wanted to remember every detail, he was probably not ever seeing her again.
"I'm setting you free."
Part of him hoped, expected her to stay but with reasons only known to her, she nodded and turned her back on him. Vader's heart broke. He always knew that she would hurt him one day but he didn't know how much it would hurt. His entire body felt was if it was immolated by the lava from his home. Vader did not know how he could be feeling so much pain without an injury.
He watched her leave with Ahsoka and a part of him. Vader commanded the clones to stand by. The men seemed to be ill at ease. They didn't know how to respond to the new developments. They liked Solaria but due to their programming, they didn't know how or were willing to disobey direct commands.
Vader sighed watching the shuttle exit his ship and enter the atmosphere. Rex joined him, watching them descend to the ground. A small sleek craft appeared out of nowhere and followed the same trajectory. He tensed. It was a familiar darkness that followed them. Vader had a bad feeling about the craft.
"Shoot that craft down!" he commanded. The clones scrambled to obey, jumping into their stations and readying the weapons.
"Now!" He watched anxiously as red beams of energy streaked through space only to miss their target. The ship evaded the blasts with unnatural ease. This had to be a Force user. Vader never panicked but the feeling in his chest was close to it. "Rex, command the bridge, I will radio instructions, the rest of you, ready Gold Squadron!"
Vader dropped his cape for extra speed as he sprinted through his ship to the fighters. "Sir, the ships are still priming!" A clone ran beside him. "Prime faster," he snarled. "Lord Vader, we are priming as fast as we can!" the clone persisted. "Don't prime then," Vader grabbed the man by the throat and threw him away. "You!" he pointed at another clone. "Get that R2-D2 droid on my ship and get the pilots up and in space immediately!" Vader leaped gracefully into his fighter. He turned the ship on while at the same time, he synced his com. The noise and bustle of clones rushing into place was ignored as he explored the Force. The other darkness was a red, angry darkness full of jealousy and bitterness. He didn't like it.
Flying out, he engaged in aerial combat almost immediately. The two ships exchanged fire while dodging various Earth satellites. Vader growled when the other craft landed a hit on his engine. The right engine was on fire, his droid reported. Vader was about to snap at the little droid but the tenacious fellow had already left his hold and was busily repairing the engine. Vader dodged a charge from the opponent and fired back. The rest of squadron finally caught up and released a hail of blasts on the other ship. The other ship fled to Earth with the squadron in hot pursuit.
"Sir, that's Commander Tahno's ship! Should we protect her?" A voice spoke into his ear. Vader knew that Ahsoka was a good flyer. After all, he taught her. This ship was the main objective. "No. She will be fine. Stay on this ship." Now that he was closer, Vader identified the ship as a Star Courier. It had be heavily modified in order to perform the acrobatic evasions and high powered blasts. The ship was in excellent condition, the person who modified it was an expert, Vader grudgingly admitted. Though he admired the ship, it wasn't going to stop him from destroying it. Besides, he could do a better job.
Suddenly the ship dropped and spiraled out of sight. "Squadron, was there a confirmed hit?" he queried. A chorus of nos responded and Vader flipped up side down to investigate. Kriff, the ship was after Ahsoka's. Desperately, he pursued it, ignoring the confused clones. He pushed his ship to it's limits, the metal exterior catching fire from the air friction. He watched in horror as Ahsoka's small ship was hit and he sensed that the other ship was going to fire again. Vader launched his torpedoes at the ship and hit it. The other ship let out a final volley of torpedoes. He sensed Ahsoka's panic as she struggled to control the ship.
Vader radioed her and spoke quickly while detonating the other missiles. "Ahsoka. Redirect all remaining power to the rear engine and turn tightly. You want to go in circles." He didn't hear a reply but he saw the small craft going in circles, spiraling to the ground. Spiraling would reduce the speed of descent and hopefully allow them to land with their limbs intact. Keeping an eye on the other smoking craft hurtling towards the ground, he continued with his instructions. The other ship fired one final time and Vader split the missile in two with the Force before it even reached Ahsoka's ship.
Ahsoka landed in a horrible grinding, crunching, way-the squeal of metal protesting its untimely end, causing the hairs on his arms to raise unpleasantly. He really needed to teach her emergency landings. Vader hopped out and made his way to the wreck.
"Master!" Ahsoka popped up like a daisy after the snow. She was covered in soot, her uniform was torn but she looked fine. Ahsoka reached down and helped a shaken Solaria up. "I'm going to be sick," Solaria warned but Vader used the Force to take her down. Despite everything, he couldn't help wrapping his arms around her and checking for injuries. Besides minor scratches and contusions, she was alright.
A hum of a light saber made him whirl around. A Zabrak stood before him, still smoldering. "You have what belongs to me." The man pointed a crimson blade at Solaria. Vader pushed her behind him and drew his light saber.
He knew that Force signature was familiar, it was the same man from Kashyyk. The man whirled his blade and rushed Vader. Vader stood his ground, he had faced this man and brought him to his knees. They met in a clash of sparks. Vader wrapped the Force around the man and spun him out. Dropping low, he stabbed but the man danced away. Vader heard Ahsoka and Solaria run. Good, he would handle the Zabrak unhindered. Leaping back, Vader used the Force to call debris from the ship to him and form a whirlwind of wickedly sharp shrapnel penning the man in. The man whirled his double ended saber in a shield, Vader smirked and brought the Force down with a clench of his hand. Concentrating hard, he transmuted the metal-welding it into a prison. Satisfied, he turned but the metal creaked ominously and Vader readied himself. The creature burst out in fury. He leapt over Vader and landed on the remnants of his ship. Calling something to his hand, he stabbed it and threw it at Vader.
Vader cursed, it was the ship's reactor. The heat of the light saber had destabilized it and the detonation would kill them all. "Ahsoka, go in the caves!" he shouted and used both hands to direct the reactor up as far as he could with the Force. With an earth shaking explosion, the reactor unleashed its fury like the vengeance of a dying star, vibrating the air and sending the energy into the ground. Vader was swept off his feet. He slammed into something hard and felt himself drifting into oblivion. He tried to rise but a wave of nausea forced him to stop. Hopefully the Zabrak died and Ahsoka and Solaria made it away, he thought vaguely.
