"Astral, get inside." Vader's sword is buzzing in his hand and his senses are on alert as he stares down the disfigured man who calls himself his father. This man might not be an enemy, but he's sure not a friend.
Behind him, Astral isn't moving.
"Get inside. I will handle him," Vader orders again.
"Oh, but I'm here to speak with her, not with you," Darth Plagueis objects as he saunters forward with his characteristic twisting limp. He's smirking openly, looking very pleased as he surveys them both.
Vader growls back, "You're done playing us off one another." Again, he orders, "Get inside," to Astral.
She's peeping around his left shoulder at their uninvited guest. And is she smiling? She looks almost happy to see the guy. She's so naive. "Get inside!"
Astral looks up at him with trepidation but stands her ground as she emerges from behind his cape. "My Lord," she answers quietly, "I would prefer to stay." She looks pointedly at his lit sword and requests, "Please put the weapon away."
"Yes," their listening visitor piles on, "I mean you both no harm."
Vader doubts that, but he extinguishes the weapon. It's probably no good against a Force projection anyway. Again, he commands to Astral, "Get inside." He will handle this. She doesn't need to get caught in the crossfire between two Sith.
But Astral stymies him again with her soft voice and firm look. "My Lord, I can make my own decisions. I've been doing it for a long time."
"Agreed. Now decide to get inside." Vader is growing impatient. He's also not used to being countermanded, certainly not in front of witnesses. And a rival Dark Lord witness, at that. He fumes. Astral is acting very Padme right now.
Yet again, Astral balks. "You're being controlling again," she says under her breath. Apparently, she's still mad about that thing at dinner.
But Vader would prefer not to have this discussion right now. He's fine with independent women, just not when reckless danger is involved. "This is not the time—"
"Oh, I can see this is a very good time," Darth Plagueis observes gleefully. He's catching all of this interplay, of course.
"I can handle myself with him. I've spoken with him more times than you have," Astral persists.
"It's true," their uninvited guest interjects. He's enjoying this little spat far too much. It makes the guy even more annoying. Vader shoots him a cold glare he hopes registers in the Force.
Astral digs in further. "I want to hear whatever you say that concerns me."
"Sounds reasonable," their audience declares, inserting himself once again.
Astral nods over at her faux prince and lifts her chin. "Precisely. I'm staying. I decide to stay."
This is hopeless and Vader has brought it on himself. Had he not used high handed tactics with Astral earlier, she would be accommodating. But now, she feels the need to assert herself. Vader gives up. "So be it," he accedes in clipped tones. In every other setting, people fall all over themselves to obey him as fast as they can. Except Astral. Well, and Vanee.
"Very good," Darth Plagueis positively beams at her. "Now, my dear, how are you and what's new?"
"This isn't a social call," Vader complains. Time to dispense with the pleasantries and get back to the posturing. This is high treason and it must be conducted with all due seriousness. There's no place for small talk in this setting.
"He's always this way, isn't he?" the elder Sith now complains to Astral.
She nods a little sheepishly. "Yes." And who's side is she on exactly?
Their visitor takes the news in stride and keeps talking to Astral. "I came to tell you that you're hired, irrespective of tonight's interruption at dinner."
"You know about that?" She blinks.
"Yes. Never fear, you're hired."
"Hired?" Astral echoes blankly. "But how—"
"That family owes me several favors. You will be their new art consultant, never fear. Darth Boyfriend here's antics notwithstanding, you'll get the job. I'll make sure of it."
Selectively forgetting that he himself had just offered to make sure Astral got that very same job, Vader interrupts, "You're not taking that job." He refuses to have Astral indebted to this guy any further. She needs to be away from his control and oversight.
Astral looks deflated by the prince's offer. "So you were the reason he considered me?" she asks in a small voice.
"You are very qualified. I merely made the suggestion."
"You are the reason," she sighs with dejection. She looks away. "I didn't actually impress him . . ."
"You are not taking that job," Vader growls yet again. Under no circumstances is she taking that job.
This time, she easily relents. "No, I won't. I want to make my own opportunities," she declares staunchly.
Darth Plagueis doesn't press the point. "Very well, but if you change your mind—"
"She won't."
"—then we can revisit the situation."
"Thank you for the consideration, Prince," Astral responds stiffly. Clearly, she's hurt and feeling manipulated. Her cheeks are flaming.
"He's not a prince," Vader gripes some more.
Their visitor shrugs. "When I headed the Banking Clan, they called me the Prince of Credits. These days, I'm a Prince of Darkness. But I still have the credits," he grins wickedly.
Vader scowls behind his mask at the smug self-flattery. "Are you done?"
"I'm just getting started."
"We've heard enough. Leave."
Plagueis ignores the dismissal. Apparently, he's finally ready to get down to business. He now intones with grave reverence, "There has been a great disturbance in the Force."
"He felt it," Astral volunteers immediately. And why did she say that? You're supposed to play your cards close to your chest in these meetings. This is a negotiation.
But Vader confirms, "I felt it." He doesn't need this guy to realize just how much Force he has lost since his youth. It's a sore point. He's embarrassed to be the underpowered Chosen One. A washed-up has-been who's barely hanging on.
"That disturbance came from Luke Skywalker. My grandson has found a teacher," Plagueis reveals.
Vader takes exception to his word choice. "Do not call him that."
"You still have not accepted the truth?" the elder Sith goads.
"I have accepted the truth that you were once Darth Plagueis."
"That's progress, I suppose," his nemesis replies dryly.
"Who is the teacher?" Kenobi is dead. Asokha Tano left the Jedi. There might be a handful of half-trained Padawans left, but to Vader's knowledge no one significant still rambles around the galaxy.
"He found Master Yoda."
Yoda? He found Yoda? Vader is taken aback. But if it's true, it certainly explains the massive tremor in the Force. "How do you know?"
"Master Yoda told me."
Riiight. So this guy's hanging out with Jedi now? Is this what exiled deposed leaders in the Force do with all their spare time? Chat with each other telepathically about old times? "Forgive my skepticism," Vader drawls.
"Who's Yoda?" Astral wants to know. "That name sort of rings a bell . . ."
"He is the former Grand Master of the Jedi Council," Plagueis replies. "He was a pillar of the Old Republic."
It's a very charitable description coming from Plagueis. If Vader didn't know better, he'd think this sidelined Sith actually likes the sanctimonious little green guy. Even as a Jedi, Vader never liked Yoda. But he couldn't let on. It was very bad Jedi politics not to unconditionally revere the longtime Jedi leader.
And so, for his part, Vader describes his son's new teacher differently. "Yoda is an old Jedi Sheev tried to kill but couldn't. He's a bastion of Light Side Force dogma. No doubt still firmly committed to the old ways that brought about his religion's downfall." Yoda's not the greatest teacher either. He taught Count Dooku, who was an excellent swordsman but otherwise a nut.
Plagueis seems unconcerned about Luke Skywalker's incipient Jedi training. "A little Light won't hurt the boy. He needs to learn both sides of the Force."
"It's not the Force I'm worried that he's learning. It's all the hate and fear for Darkness." In their own way, the Jedi could be just as paranoid and narrow minded in their orthodoxy as the Sith. But they didn't see it that way, of course. The Jedi were always the hero-sacrificial victims in their own narratives of their never-ending war against the evil Dark Siders.
Plagueis harrumphs, "It will be fine."
"How do you know he found Yoda?" Vader reasserts his original question.
"Master Yoda and I bump heads now and then in meditation," Plagueis explains. "He likes to watch, as do I. And when we watch the same people, we can tend to overlap minds." The other Sith looks to Vader pointedly. Like during their last meeting, the expression makes it seem as if Plagueis sees right through his mask. It's uncomfortable. "He watches you. Did you know? Master Yoda feels responsible for your situation."
"It's too bad he didn't kill Sidious in the Senate chamber years ago," Vader grumbles.
"Agreed. But together we can remedy that oversight."
"No," Vader shoots him down. "I won't conspire with you. I don't need another Master."
"You could use some guidance, my boy." The words are gently said, but still they grate. Vader wants no more Dark training.
"We could use his help," Astral argues softly. And why won't she keep her mouth shut? This is Sith business and she's a civilian. "My Lord—"
"We don't need his help." He shuts her down. She's far too trusting. Astral is good and she assumes everyone else is good too. She's wrong. "We don't need your help," he informs Plagueis testily.
"But we do," Astral whispers. Then, incredibly, she turns to the pretend prince and boldly reveals, "The Emperor knows. He knows about Luke."
Vader snarls at her, "That's enough—"
But she is unrepentant at the disclosure. "We need his help."
"Told him, did you?" Plagueis accuses.
"No!" Vader immediately disavows. He's no fool. "I was betrayed."
"Have you dealt with the leak?"
"He is dead."
Plagueis nods but fixes him with a hard look of reproach.
Vader grunts and shrugs off the implicit criticism. "What's done is done."
"Indeed. This is unfortunate. Most unfortunate," Plagueis complains with yet another 'how did you fuck this up so badly?' look. "Now, matters are worse."
"Oh . . ." Astral frets under her breath.
The Muun with the ruined face reassures her, "You were right to tell me, my dear. We must be cautious. Sheev will feel threatened. That makes him rash." Plagueis turns back to him now. "Well . . . how did my old pupil react to the news?"
"He knows Luke is an enemy."
"Obviously. And?"
"I promised to turn him to the Dark Side or kill him."
"You whaaat?" Astral sputters. She's aghast. "My Lord," she grinds out, shooting him her own 'how did you fuck this up so badly?' look now.
But Darth Plagueis approves. "Well played. Sheev used the same strategy with you. If you hadn't flipped Sith, you would have gotten Order 66. Instead, you became Order 66."
Vader nods. The ploy is an effort to buy him time, not to kill the kid. "I now have permission to seek Luke with the full might of the Empire."
"Which you were doing already," the Muun nods. "Does this mean no more bounty hunters?" he smirks, needling him.
Vader refuses to be embarrassed about that. "Whatever it takes."
"Agreed. I rather admire your lack of scruples," the elder Sith commends and Vader can't tell if he's being mocked or not. This guy is very enigmatic, from his motives to his posturing. He says all the right words, but still . . .
"You are the key to all of this, my son. It is fortunate that Sheev sends you to hunt the boy and to confront him. We will use it to our advantage. Find him and bring him home. Reunite our family." The Muun Sith throws back his hood now to fully reveal his ruined face. "But beware," his low, slow voice warns, "Sheev will recognize this situation for what it is—the Force at work. Soon my old Apprentice will be as terrified of Luke Skywalker as he is of you . . . if he's not already. That boy is latent, untapped power. Mark my words, he will be a credit to us one day when he completes his training."
And now, the supposedly long dead Sith Master neatly sums up Vader's dilemma. "You are in a very dangerous position. Sheev will watch you closer than ever now. He has a choice to make. He keeps you as Apprentice and kills the boy. Or he kills you and takes the boy as his Apprentice."
Yes, that's precisely how Vader analyzes the situation. He is all ears for this impromptu strategy session. Vader suspects that no one alive knows Sheev Palpatine's warped genius better than his former Master. Vader might be the more competent military commander, but he knows that he is far outclassed by Sheev when it comes to wiles and guile. So Vader is hoping that Plagueis will provide some useful intelligence.
He does not disappoint. "Sheev loves the predictability of the Rule of Two. He will not want another Apprentice. One of you will have to die, Lord Vader. Do not under any circumstances," Plagueis croaks, "let him get all three of you in the same room. Keep your son far, far away from your Master."
"Agreed." Vader wholeheartedly concurs with this wisdom.
"When you find Luke, you need to hide Astral. Better yet," Plagueis reconsiders, "hide her now. Anywhere but your castle."
"Why?" Astral's frowning face betrays all of her unspoken objections.
Plagueis answers her bluntly. "Because Sheev's obvious next move will be to snatch you to use as leverage. He will hurt you until Lord Vader trades the boy for you. Sheev will force him to choose between his love and his son."
Astral looks to him questioningly, and Vader nods. Plagueis is correct. It's the classic squeeze play of the Sith. These are the brutal tactics that made Maul a natural as a crime boss. Because organized crime syndicates have nothing on the intellectual descendants of Darth Bane. The Sith know that they don't have to control you directly. They just have to control someone you care about. Someone like Astral.
Vader poses a question now that has dogged him. "Where do I hide the boy?"
"With me."
Not a chance.
"I will hide Astral for you now just to be safe," the Muun casually offers.
No fucking way. "And make her your hostage?" Vader challenges. "So you can play Sheev's role when I find the boy?" He's no fool. He's not about to get entrapped by the very scheme he is trying to avoid.
"My Lord," Astral starts to object.
But Darth Plagueis waves her silent as he and the Muun continue to verbally circle one another. "Have I not earned some trust?" his Master's old Master demands of him.
Vader doesn't answer. He just stares the pretend prince down as he crosses his arms. He'll never trust this guy. You never trust a Sith.
"I have had ample opportunity to steal her," Plagueis reminds him as he advances. "For a Sith Master, one might say that I have shown considerable forbearance. Were I my former Darker self, she might be writhing in pain at this very moment. Screaming your name in torment, begging for you to come to her aid. How soon would you surrender to do my bidding then, I wonder?"
The veiled threat doesn't get past him. Vader now rumbles back his own hypothetical warning. "You know that if you make that move, I will go straight to Sheev and tell him you're alive so he can finish the job he started forty years ago."
"Sheev already knows I'm alive," the elder Dark Lord reveals. "He has known for decades now."
"How?" Vader demands.
"The same way that I know Yoda lives. The Force cannot conceal great power. Not entirely. You know that. Strong Force users never remain anonymous for long. Your son—my grandson—is the case in point."
Vader has no rejoinder. Again, Darth Plagueis is correct.
For her part, Astral just stands there looking from one man to another warily. She clearly feels the palpable—and growing-tension between himself and this Sith heavyweight.
Plagueis advances closer now. They are only a few paces apart. The Muun's distorted features twist into a grimace. He's angry, Vader senses. Offended.
"I remind you, Lord Vader, that for years I watched my grandson grow up on a backwater, Hutt-controlled, desert Hellhole. At any point, I could have killed the Jedi who watched over him and stole the boy back. I might have raised Luke Skywalker to be the instrument of my revenge against Sheev. But I did not. I let that child grow up in a poor but stable home where people loved him. He was raised wholly ignorant of the Force and of his true importance. All so that he would have the benefit of normalcy which you, my son, did not. The cycle of dysfunction in our clan needs to end. One generation was enough."
Did Darth Plagueis just call him fucked up? Vader bristles at the very personal criticism.
"It was a blessing for that child to grow up without the burden of our legacy. Not to be beset by the expectations inherent in being the son of Darth Vader and the grandson of Darth Plagueis. Not to have to live up to the exploits of the hero general Anakin Skywalker or the accomplishments of the Senator Queen Padme Amidala. That kid was raised a humble farm boy whose concerns were work and school, not the fate of the galaxy and the Force. But he's a young man now, and it is time he learns the truth of his family. We will tell him together."
Not a chance. Vader isn't letting this guy near his son.
But the secret Sith Lord seems to take Vader's silence for agreement, for he slyly observes, "This is what Sheev fears most—our alliance."
"There is no alliance." He's a free agent. Vader refuses to agree to any pact.
The Muun ignores him and walks through the scenario he envisions. "My old Apprentice knows that with our combined strength we can easily depose him. You, me, and Luke Skywalker together will be invincible. The Force will be with us."
Did he not say it clearly enough? Vader snaps back, "I'm not joining you."
"Not yet, perhaps," the Muun allows. "But in time, you will. I have foreseen it," he proclaims with irritating sagacity.
"The future is always in motion," Vader retorts. Whatever this guy has seen, it is far from a foregone conclusion. There are many different paths the future can take now. This whole situation smacks of danger and destiny. It's exciting but also deeply troubling.
"We will meet. Father, son, and grandson. I have foreseen it."
Vader refuses to fall prey to this guy's machinations. Glaring indignantly at Darth Plagueis the Wise, Vader now quotes an old Jedi maxim: "The Force misleads as often as it reveals."
Plagueis must recognize the Light Side teaching, for he grins wickedly. Mocking him. But his words relent. "So true, so true. Very well," the Muun breezily concedes, "keep your independence. And for now, Astral's welfare will remain your concern." The towering Sith wags a bony finger at him. "That means her fate is on your conscience, Lord Vader. Take care that she is adequately protected. My old Apprentice will have no qualms about harming her."
"Understood." Vader has no illusions about who his Master is.
Plagueis now resumes plotting for Luke. "I strongly suspect that the boy does not know anything about his true heritage. I do not know what lies Kenobi and Lars told him, but we will discover them and use them to our advantage."
"Kenobi is dead," Vader volunteers.
"Did you get your revenge?"
"A sword through the neck," Vader announces with grim satisfaction.
"Good." Plagueis nods his approval. "Having Kenobi dead will make things easier. That just leaves Master Yoda to discredit. Tell me, what do you have of young Luke's mother? Boys always love their mothers."
"He has her things," Astral speaks up.
"Excellent. The boy will be curious and we will need to supply answers. We will share the truths that have long been hidden from him. That is how we will earn his trust and undermine the influence of the Jedi and the Rebellion. Our truth will be far more seductive than their lies," Plagueis predicts.
It's a good strategy, Vader has to admit.
"Lord Vader, when you find your son, you must do two things: tell him who you are and be merciful. Pain and suffering can be highly persuasive, but loyalty is best won with the mind and with the heart. Once you tell the boy the truth, let him go. He will return to you out of curiosity. The first meeting is the setup for the second. This should not be rushed."
This advice does not sit well. For now, Vader is feeling played. This Muun who at their first meeting had announced that he is Vader's own father is now instructing him to make the same announcement to Luke Skywalker. Urging Vader to manipulate his son the very same way Plagueis is attempting to manipulate him right now. Does this Muun think him to be a fool? And what is he really up to?
Vader's reputation for casual violence must prompt his would-be co-conspirator to reiterate himself. "I am a wily old Sith, Lord Vader. I have no qualms about violence so long as it serves a purpose. But I pride myself in achieving more through plots than through pain. We are trying to create an ally. Do not lose sight of that goal."
Vader bristles behind his mask at this condescension. Perhaps it is good advice, but Vader only hears the implicit criticism that he is an unthinking brute who cannot control his temper. Well, he doesn't want to be lectured to. He doesn't need advice on how to claim his own son. And he doesn't take instructions from Darth Plagueis. He will do this his own way.
Does Plagueis sense his recalcitrance? Again, the man nags him. "Remember, do not hurt the boy. No matter what leftwing Rebel propaganda he spouts, no matter what he says about Kenobi or the Jedi. And no matter what he says about you. That boy has been brought up on lies. He might not recognize the truth when he hears it. People seldom do."
And ouch, that last point—punctuated by a sideways glance-stings a bit. But Darth Plagueis moves on. He turns back to Astral. "Now, my dear, let us please end on a happy note. Are congratulations in order? Will there be a wedding soon?"
Astral blinks and inhales at the question. She looks put on the spot. Her face flames. "You overheard . . ."
She looks to him, but Vader says nothing. He wants to see where this is going.
"Come now, don't be shy. Make an old man happy." Plagueis walks towards Astral now, outstretching his big clawed hand, which she tentatively accepts. The exiled Sith stands there, holding her hand as he wheedles, "Tell me, will you plight your troth to Lord Vader? Will you be the bride to the last Sith Lord? If we succeed, Darth Vader will be the last of his kind, the final name on a long line of Dark warrior priests of the Force, the man who will end the longstanding schism between Light and Dark and usher in a new age of enlightenment."
The gargoyle faced Muun puts on the hard sell as matchmaker. Hideous and intimidating though he is, the old guy is also silver tongued and smooth. He overflows with quick, florid sincerity. "Be his lady, be our Empress, be my new daughter," he croaks and coaxes. "Let us together welcome home Luke Skywalker. You have a role to play in this too."
Vader watches Astral swallow hard.
Plagueis notices as well. "Do not be afraid to take this step," he implores. "You already have the courage. You have risked plenty already. Make the final commitment."
"You don't have to do this," Vader feels compelled to speak up as Astral looks to him in worried confusion.
"See?" Plagueis seizes upon his words. "He's no Sith. That's your beloved's conflicted Chosen One soul talking. A true Dark Lord would have chained you to the wall of his castle, slashed your hand, seduced you, and made you like it. He would take whatever he wants. There's no asking with a Lord of the Shadow Force. Trust me, I speak from long experience. Five wives have I outlived. Three I wooed, one I bought, and the last I stole. But enough about me," the Muun brags. "It's time to move past all that. To turn the page on a thousand generations of religious conflict that have ruled our politics and shaped the galaxy. Help Lord Vader," Plagueis outright croons, "to help us all. Be the quiet strength behind his throne. Steady him."
For her part, Astral looks impressed. But Vader is glad he's wearing a mask as he listens to this crescendoing monologue of bullshit. He doesn't believe for one minute that Plagueis is going to let him rule the galaxy.
It's all a grandiose lie. It's too late for him to balance the Force. He'll never kill his Master. He'll never rule the Empire. Those are failures he accepted long ago. But Luke Skywalker might do it. The only goal left for Vader is saving his son from the clutches of Sheev, Yoda, and Plagueis, each of whom will seek to use the boy for their own aims. This isn't about some great reformation of the Force and it isn't a coup. It's a rescue mission.
But . . . he's no fool. Vader fully recognizes his own self-interest in this conversation. He keeps his mouth shut. Sometimes silence is a very effective negotiation tactic.
Why does Plagueis want this marriage so badly? What's his angle? Maybe he sees Astral as an ally and he wants her firmly ensconced with wife status. But Vader sees the upside to himself, so he will let this play out.
Plagueis seems to be just warming up. Now, he piles on the cloying schmaltz. "Make this a new beginning. Let us forge our family anew. Cruel circumstances have separated the Skywalkers. Let us rebuild what has been lost. First, a wedding. Next, we will welcome home our prodigal son. And then, we will reclaim the galaxy from that tyrant and remake the Force. Nothing will stand in our way with the Force on our side."
Astral nods along like she's agreeing. Plagueis himself looks like he might actually believe the lines he's feeding her. And it's a good story, Vader will grant him that. His younger, less cynical self might have fallen for those ambitions. Maybe it's because he was raised Jedi, but he's always been a sucker for a gauzy, romantic vision for the future. Vader knows he's got too much altruism in him to be a good Sith. Sheev knows it too.
"No more Death Stars. No more Alderaans. No more Rebels. No more war. Our family will bring peace, freedom, justice, and security to the galaxy. In time, once we do what must be done, all will prosper. And at long last, the universe will come into balance."
Vader smirks because what's next? A chicken in every pot? Lower taxes? Making the galaxy great again? This guy is really laying it on thick.
"Are you with us, my Lady?" After that long lead up, Plagueis pops the question. And, truthfully, it feels very uncomfortable to be watching someone else propose marriage on your behalf. This guy is going to want a finder's fee if she accepts, Vader figures.
But still, Astral hesitates. It's understandable. Signing up to be the ride-or-die chick for a Sith Lord has a special emphasis on death, after all. But Astral already has that risk from his Master's knowledge of their relationship. Plus, they plot high treason together. Danger lurks everywhere for Astral, Vader knows. She knows it, too. Although Vader suspects that her reluctance tonight has less to do with fear of an Imperial arrest warrant and more to do with fear of failure. She had her heart broken once and she's reluctant to believe in happily-ever-after again.
It's something he can appreciate himself, actually.
"Control your fear," Plagueis counsels, momentarily glancing over at him. "Give in to your desires. You know you want this. There is no shame in wanting this." The creepy Muun sounds like he's doing the classic Dark Side lure before he abruptly skews Light for his big finish. "Choose hope. Choose love," he proclaims in a rather ridiculous statement for a Sith Lord.
But that line clinches the deal, Vader sees as he watches Astral's face closely.
A slow, wide smile creeps across the Muun's ruined features in response. "Well? Will you have him?"
Astral looks to him again. Vader keeps his silence but nods his encouragement. He's been ready to sign up for life with Astral ever since their first night at the castle. He's always needed attachments. And if any woman can fill the aching void left by Padme Amidala, she can.
Looking a bit terrified, Astral nods back. With a fortifying breath she commits, "Y-Yes. I will marry him."
"Good. Goooood," their visitor approves like he's the lucky groom. Even as a projection, his blue eyes flash feral yellow in the moment. It's merely a flicker, but Vader catches it. It betrays his true self. It reveals the lust for power behind his words. He's doing what Sith Masters always do: they give you what you want in order to achieve their own goals.
Smiling Plagueis offers his other hand to him now. Vader returns the gesture. It's mostly out of curiosity to see what his Force projection feels like. It feels alarmingly real. Damn, this guy is good. It's intimidating.
Plagueis now joins his gloved hand with Astral's hand. She smiles over at him. Is she nervous or relieved? Vader can't tell. But he is hopeful even though this whole scene is completely bizarre. That his engagement has just been brokered by a leftover zombie Sith Lord is pretty ridiculous. Plagueis has swooped in like some Dark Side fairy godmother to negotiate their marriage. It's far from romantic. But this guy is persuasive. Vader respects his manipulations even as he sees through them. Plagueis is good, he'll grant him that. And today, those manipulations have earned him Astral's hand.
"You have my blessing. May the Force be with you," the wily deposed Sith Master announces, looking every inch the proud papa. "Now, I will leave you two alone so you can make plans. Don't forget to kiss your bride," Plagueis smirks over at him man to man. Then, the mysterious pretend prince disappears.
"Did that just happen?" Astral wonders aloud. She sounds a little stunned as she stares where the prince was just standing.
"Cold feet already?" Vader responds.
"No."
"Liar."
Astral turns into him as she reveals, "I ran into Lady Sidious this morning at an Alderaan memorial. She tried to scare me away with talk of how dangerous you are."
"Be careful with her. But she's right. I am dangerous. All of this is dangerous."
"I know that."
"What did you tell her?" He's curious. Sheev's wife has always been something of a loose cannon.
"I told her that I know what I'm getting into." Astral says this with conviction. And maybe she does, Vader considers. After all, Sheev's threatened to kill her, she's sat in a jail cell, she's been an accessory to treason, and she's conducted clandestine meetings with his Master's mortal, but immortal, enemy. That's a pretty good introduction to what life will be like with him.
But he's well aware that Astral was nudged into accepting. "Does that mean we're really doing this?" he asks. He's willing to let her back out if she needs to. He will not force this issue. Nothing good will come of that.
But Astral stands by her decision. "We're doing this. I guess I'm the second Lady Vader," she muses, looking more than a little intimidated.
"No," he corrects her, reaching out a gloved hand to cup at her cheek. She's very lovely in the moment, her pretty face upturned as the night breeze rustles her hair. "You're the first Lady Vader. Padme married a Jedi. She would never have accepted a Sith."
Padme would hate everything he has become and would condemn him for it. After two decades a Sith, she would only see the worst in him, whereas Astral seems determined to find the best. It's why from the outset, he knew he could love Astral. She accepts him. He needs that. For from his Master to the galaxy at large, he receives mostly criticism. Finally, at long last, he has someone to stand with him. Tonight is less a new beginning than it is an enormous break with the past. But twenty years of mourning is long enough. Astral Sidhu is no Padme Amidala, and that's a good thing. This woman isn't what he thought he wanted, but she is what he needs. And now that he's closer to age fifty than he is age twenty, he has a lot more self-awareness.
"Let's go." He reaches for her hand. "Let's get out of here." Before that pesky Muun third wheel returns.
"I'm not going to the Palace."
Astral's afraid, and he understands. Vader wants nothing further to mar this night, so he immediately counteroffers, "My star destroyer is in orbit."
It's just them now. Vader wants to do things properly and to propose to Astral himself. Then, safely tucked away in private in his medical capsule, he can seal the deal with a kiss and more. This engagement needs a lot more romance and less negotiation. He's seen arms deals that had less deliberation.
As Astral grabs her purse, he summons his men with a transport. The troopers are curious naturally, especially when they see him offer his hand to steady Astral as she climbs up the ramp onto the hovering ship. That's not normally how he interacts with women. Especially ones he sends his men to collect at gunpoint. But whatever. If Sheev knows about Astral, then his men can know. Unlike his Master's wife, Lady Vader is not someone to be ashamed of.
Are there second chances for a Sith? Yes, indeed, there are. Astral is a second chance. So is Luke Skywalker. This time, Vader vows, he's not going to fuck it up. Destiny looks a lot different than he thought it would twenty years ago, but this could still be good in the end. And so, still holding Astral's hand, Vader gives it a squeeze. Without looking over, she squeezes back. Then, they part for the ride to the Executor. He goes to check the latest status of the search for the Millennium Falcon as she finds a seat in the back by the window.