A/N: Thank you for so many kind reviews and follows! I think this chapter should be satisfying, so please enjoy!
Most people would take the time to rest after nearly been killed, but Vader wasn't one of those people. Padmé had been watching him workout all day long, pushing himself to the max every with every single workout. Sometimes he would grunt in pain, while other times he would spring up from his particular workout with a renewed sense of vigor. It baffled her how much mental fortitude that he had in him.
Now, she was watching him spar with three deadly practice droids wielding actual lightsabers. He was wielding two of the deadly weapons himself and was practicing defending while attacking at the same time, pushing yet holding his own territory. It was breathtakingly terrifying to watch and she felt her heart quicken every time one of the droids came close to landing a fatal blow. There was sweat drenching his back and his muscles were rippling signifying how much strength it was taking out of him to duel the droids. Her lover wasn't an ordinary man, he was a god amongst men.
She knew the purpose of his relentless training. He was going to track down the Rebel fleet and take on Kenobi. The sweet thought of revenge against the man who tormented her was intoxicating, even if she wouldn't be there to see it. She could just imagine her lover slicing Kenobi to pieces, laughing over his corpse like he had just slaughtered a big game animal. It made her want to tear into flesh herself, to taste blood again like she had with Rush. What a fucking delicious thought.
Vader swung his lightsaber and decapitated one of the droids while fending off the attacks of two others. It wouldn't be long now before the other two droids were dead. He shifted his offense to one of them while parrying thrusts from another. Why he was training with two lightsabers was a bit of a curiosity to her, unless he was expecting to fight more than one of the cursed Jedi. Or, he could simply be preparing to block blaster fire with one while engaging Kenobi, just so he could focus his attack unlike his experience on Dantooine.
But as much as his physical prowess and ability to use the Force amazed her, she was also terrified for him. The last battle had nearly killed him and she was concerned that a similar fate would be upon him this time. She couldn't lose him, she just fucking couldn't. How bleak of an existence she would lead without him by her side. The very thought brought tears to her eyes, so she tried to focus on her lover's exercises.
She winced when his skin was nearly singed by a blade, just for him to slice the arm off the droid and spear the lightsaber in his left hand through the droids head. Now he just had one left to contend with, and instead of having to focus defending and attacking, he pressed his advantage and attacked with unbridled rage, slashing his saber seemingly wildly, but Padmé knew that there was extreme precision in his attacks. He quickly cornered the droid, and took its legs from it, the used both lightsabers to quickly decapitate the droid.
He stood there for a moment, breathing heavily. What a powerful match. It aroused her and awed her at the same time. "That was amazing, my love", she aid as she walked up to him. He clipped both sabers to his belt and bent down to kiss her. He was breathless from his workout, his hands visibly shaking.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the show", he said with a smirk. Good, his sense of humor was intact. "Was it pleasing for you?" What a flirt.
"It most certainly was, Anakin. Pleasing in more ways than one", she admitted.
Vader barked a laugh and picked her up while she giggled and he took her to a side bench, bending her over while he pulled her dress up. Force, he was going to take her right there. She felt him press himself inside of her and gasped. "Oh Ani", she whimpered as he began his thrusts. His labored breathing meant that he wouldn't be able to last long, but she would get her fill from him anyway.
Being in an aggressive mood, he pulled her hair, snapping her head back as he thrusted. She screamed in pleasurable agony and met his thrusts with her own hips. The clapping noises filling the sparring room. It was amazing sex, some of the best that she had ever had. He reached under her with his left hand and began rubbing her relentlessly causing her to whimper with every thrust, every rub. Damn, he knew how to get her off in the most wonderful ways. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the brutal attack from his member, the pleasurable pain from having her hair pulled, and the blissful agony from having her most sensitive aera rubbed. It was amazing, intoxicating.
"Gods, Ani, I'm not going to be able to last long", she cried.
"That's the fucking point, Padmé", he growled, sending a shiver down her spine. He was feeling extra aggressive from his intense training today and it was divine. Fuck.
Her core began to spasm and her legs shook. She arched her back even further and cried out, her screams echoing in the room as she clenched down on him hard. He bellowed and let go of her hair and stopped rubbing her has he gripped both of her hips and slammed into her as hard as he could.
"Cum for me, Ani", she cried, encouraging her lover to finish. That was apparently all it took as he screamed out and emptied himself into her, causing her to groan at the pulsing sensation from his member.
They stayed in that position for a minute while he slowed his thrusts, groaning at the extra sensitive sensation from attacking her. It was marvelous. Then he disengaged himself and roughly pulled her dress back down to her legs and gave her ass a rough slap. She turned to him and they kissed passionately.
When they broke, Padmé couldn't help but giggle. "I think you should train like that more often. It puts you in a wonderfully aggressive mood."
"Maybe I should", he said with a chuckle. "I enjoy being spontaneous like that."
She hugged his sweaty chest, not caring if it stained her dress, she just needed him. Only him. Hell, she was in love with this magnificent man.
"When do you think you'll depart for the Rebel fleet?", she asked, bringing some seriousness to the conversation.
"Probably within the next day or so. We've pinpointed their location and we have a full squadron of destroyers ready", he said as he shifted his sparring pants.
"How will you be able to attack Kenobi while the fleet engages the Rebellion?", she asked out of curiosity. It was an honest question, she wasn't a tactician, she was a gods damned Senator.
"We'll board them with specialized ships after disabling their engines. Probably close to the bridge as he'll likely be in a command role. Then, I'll cut through whoever I need to in order to fight him. I don't care what the cost will be, he needs to die for what he did to you", he said harshly.
Padmé ran her hand along the still healing scar across his chest. "He needs to die for what he did to you as well, Ani. Take your revenge and come home safe. That's all I ask."
He nodded his head. "I will. I promise. You know I don't make promises lightly, don't you?"
That was a fair statement. If he couldn't promise something, he wouldn't, so this meant that he was going to keep his word. "I know, Ani. I promise I'll try not to worry too much", she choked out as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. How insane it was for her to have such a range of motions in the span of a half an hour. It was dreadful, but he accepted it as part of being in love with a Sith Lord.
Vader tilted her chin up and kissed the tears from her cheeks. "Don't cry, Padmé. It'll be alright", he said before he gave her a fiery kiss on the lips. Sealing his promise to her that it would in fact be alright. What a wonderful bastard.
Padmé blinked her tears from her eyes and smiled at him. "I guess you'll need to say goodbye to Dormé as well. She'd be upset if you left her without doing so. I know she wanted to go with you to get her own revenge, but I understand why you said no."
Vader nodded. "She's becoming a good friend, but yes, this will be too dangerous to allow her to come. She needs to be with you after all, her charge is to keep you safe, not me. Once the time is right, I'll say goodbye. I appreciate your understanding with my friendship with her. I don't really have any other friends, aside from you being my best friend."
Padmé threw her arms around him again at his words of her being his best friend. Words like that always melted her heart in the most wonderful ways possible. "You need not thank me, Ani. I understand what kind of life you've led. You need to have friend, as many as possible to keep you centered in the Force. It's the best thing for you possible", she whispered.
Vader didn't say anything, he just held her close.
…
Vader strode into the command center deep in the bowels of the Imperial Palace. "Captain Piett, what do you have for me?", he asked tersely. Piett was a good officer, but it would be best to keep a separation from him to avoid too much familiarity.
"Milord", Piett said as he snapped to attention. "We have their definitive position. They've traveled to an old stomping ground. The Amari system. It's remote and they'll be able to lick their wounds so to speak."
Vader groaned. "That Sith forsaken system has always seemed to be a breeding ground for those damned Rebels. I haven't been there in years. Is there any indication that they've disembarked onto one of the moons or the planet itself?"
"No, we believe they're in an elliptical orbit with the sun, so it's unlikely that they've landed any ships", Piett said with confidence. "They should be surprised at the attack, they've shown no indication that they know there's a tracking sensor on them nor have their movements been erratic. They should be ripe for the plucking."
"Good. I want us to leave by tomorrow morning. Is the squadron prepped with the boarding craft that I requested?", Vader asked.
"Yes, sir. We've replaced some of the scout walkers to ensure there are enough of the craft for a significant boarding of their command ship, which is a Mon Calimari capital ship. We've run simulations on what it will take to destroy their engines without causing a catastrophic failure across the ship, so boarding shouldn't be a problem. We'll take the ship, and try and destroy as much of the fleet as we can to run interference for you and your boarding team."
"Good initiative, Piett. I think once we reach them, it'll be a good day for them to die", Vader mused. "Hell, any day is a good day for the Rebellion to die."
"I thought so myself, sir", Piett replied dryly, nearly causing Vader to chuckle. The officer was becoming more accustomed to speak his true feelings in front of him. Hell, maybe that was a good thing. He needed officers who were loyal and unafraid to speak their minds in front of him. He couldn't stand kiss asses or save asses. He needed competent men that were loyal to him and only him. That would be necessary for his future plans, if they ever came to fruition that is."
"Keep me posted, I want to know the second anything changes in their status. Make certain that the Stormtroopers being selected to board the craft are experienced. I don't need any fresh recruits with me, I need battle hardened men, is that understood?", Vader asked.
"I've already seen to it, Milord. You'll have nothing but the best with you", Piett assured his commander. Most impressive.
"Good. Carry on, Piett", Vader said as he walked out of the command station. He needed to report to his master of his objectives.
…
Going to see Sidious was never an enjoyable task, even when delivering good news. Vader strode in front of his master, both lightsabers dangling from his belt. He needed to be accustomed to carrying both weapons so his reflexes of drawing them would be well honed.
He knelt before his master, waiting for him to be commanded to rise. It took a little longer than usual, which could signal that Sidious was in the mood for toying with him, which Vader despised.
"Rise Lord Vader", Sidious said in his ominous tone.
"Yes, master", Vader said as he stood.
"You have something to report?", Sidious asked lazily. The bastard could never be professional, he always had to put on a show for gravitas.
"I do, master. Tomorrow I intend to leave for the Amari system to engage the Rebel fleet. Obi-Wan Kenobi is on their capital ship and I intend to slaughter him", Vader declared. He wouldn't tolerate a no from his master, not this time.
"I figured as much", Sidious hissed. "Your lack luster performance on Dantooine was a signal that you've grown soft. I cannot have an apprentice that's soft, I need one that is cold and harsh. Would you care to explain why you didn't crush the Rebels like you normally would have?"
Fuck, so this is where the conversation was going. It wouldn't be a good conversation at all. "Master, I was concerned with rescuing Senator Amidala after she had been tortured by Kenobi. There was an ambush, and I was trying to prevent her death."
Sidious let loose a sickening chuckle. "That sounds like you're in love, Lord Vader. Are you in love?"
"I've already explained my feelings for the Senator, master", Vader said tersely. "If we are to have a union that could strengthen the Empire, she needs her mind and body intact. It wouldn't have done well if Kenobi had been able to manipulate her mind against the Empire, thus creating a new enemy for us to contend with." He was pressing his luck, but he couldn't have cared less at the moment.
"I see", Sidious said. "That's an acceptable answer. So you have considered marriage then?"
Well, he dug his hole, he might as well lay in it. "Yes, master. We discussed it on our way to kill Clovis. She was remarkable in delivering the killing blow. Someone so ruthless would be a great ally to have."
"Did she?", Sidious asked amusedly. "That's an interesting development. I'll let your failure on Dantooine slide for that reason alone but know that I expect a better outcome with this mission given that there won't be any distractions."
"There will be no distractions, master. Kenobi will die, that is certain", he promised. He would kill that son of a bitch if it was the last thing he would ever do. He deserved a painful death after the agony he inflected upon Padmé, the vicious bastard. Vader was completely thrown for a loop by the Jedi's actions. A wielder of the light side of the Force shouldn't be so conniving, but perhaps Kenobi's desire for vengeance was clouding his mind.
"Excellent. Now, how is our other project progressing?", Sidious asked. Gods damned that project, it was a waste of resources and would do nothing but harm the Empire.
"From my understanding it is on schedule, but as you know it will be years before it is completed", Vader said.
"I'm aware, but I'm also displeased with the results. After you've dealt with Kenobi, I want you to visit the project director and ensure that there are no complications and to provide an incentive for them to redouble their efforts. I feel that it will be needed sooner than later and want construction of it to be completed as a high priority. Is that understood?"
The vicious bastard. "It is understood, master", Vader said. "If that will be all, I will continue my preparations to assault the Rebel fleet."
Sidious merely waived his hand, sending Vader off.
…
Obi-Wan was confused. He hadn't expected the outcome of his ambush to literally fail. He had significantly wounded Vader, but the man undoubtedly survived and would be coming for blood. What was even more confusing was Padmé's words, that Vader was none other than Anakin Skywalker. The boy had been killed, how would it be possible that he had been captured and trained to be the apprentice of the Emperor? It wasn't possible. While Obi-Wan had informed his master of the development, he still had doubts that it was the truth. More likely, it was that Vader had plucked the memory of the boy from Padmé's mind and used it to create an elaborate ruse to further gain her loyalty.
But even still, the spell over her mind should have broken. It should have been irradicated, but it hadn't been. If anything it had made the young woman even more entrenched in her position that Vader was someone that she had absolute loyalty to, which was confounding. Her own vile actions of leading Mothma to her doom were also of concern. Obi-Wan couldn't tell if that was merely a manipulation by Vader or if she truly was poisoned in her heart to have been so vile, so cold to have someone that she once called a friend to be executed in such a brutal fashion. If that was the case, she couldn't be saved. She was the enemy, just as Vader.
Maybe another mission would be in order, but this time instead of rescuing the Senator, he should eliminate her as a threat to the galaxy given her power in the Senate and her ties to Vader.
"Obi-Wan, you look lost in thought as usual", Qui Gon said as he entered the room.
"Master, I'm merely reflecting on my last mission. I am still uncertain as to how to take my defeat from being unable to kill Vader or set Amidala's mind free", he said.
"And that of Amidala's admission that Vader is none other than Anakin Skywalker", Qui Gon finished for him. "Surely, you don't doubt the revelation, do you?"
"Master, the boy died, you saw the reports as did I. There is no possible way that the boy could've been abducted, not in the slightest", Obi-Wan said. Seriously, he wasn't about to have a debate about the dead boy being turned into the evilest man to ever stalk the galaxy. It was a waste of time.
"If the craft had been pulled from hyperspace, then it would've been entirely possible, and if it is the case, then it is something that we should be considerate of during future missions against Vader. If he is Anakin Skywalker, then he most certainly is still the Chosen One. The one who can bring balance to the Force. I'm completely certain of this, and if you search your mind, you'll come to the same conclusion, but something tells me that your mind is clouded and you're unable and unwilling to consider the possibility", Qui Gon admonished.
"You didn't see what I saw in Amidala's mind. You didn't see how they both executed a man in the vilest way possible. No, it isn't my mind that is clouded, master, it's yours. Nothing else will change my mind on the matter", Obi-Wan objected. "I'm tired of this conversation, it's the same thing over and over again. I didn't get any support from you during my last mission, and if I had, Vader would have been killed and two women would've been able to have been brought before the Jedi Council to be cleansed. My thoughts on the matter are final."
Qui Gon didn't respond. He merely turned and left, leaving Obi-Wan to his torturous thoughts.
…
The following day, Vader prepared for his departure for his Star Destroyer. It was going to be about a week long mission given that the Amari system was so far away, and he could tell that Padmé was nervous about him leaving. There wasn't anything he could do to sooth her, she would just have to endure it while he was away.
"So, you're going to try and be safe, right? No unnecessary heroics?", she asked as she watched him pack a few things in his bag.
"I'll be as safe as possible, but there's no guarantee that I won't have to do anything above and beyond", Vader replied, unwilling to lie. "I've already promised that I'll make my way back to you, Angel. There isn't a thing that will prevent that from happening, you merely need to have faith."
"Faith", Padmé scoffed. "Faith gets a person nowhere. I had faith that my parents would see things from my perspective, but instead they judged the both of us and I had to cut them out of our lives. I'm still livid at their decision, but it just underscores the fact that having faith in something is a foolhardy effort, on that gets you nothing."
Vader paused, unsure what to say. Padmé had every right to be disillusioned by her parents, how things left were nearly unrepairable to the point where it saddened the Dark Lord. But that didn't mean that she couldn't have faith that he would be alright.
"What happened on Dantooine was merely a poor tactical error on my part, Padmé. One that I have no intention of repeating. It's imperative that you understand this. I'm taking every precaution against something like that from happening again. Kenobi will fall and I'll take the damned capital ship, there's no doubt in my mind that it won't happen", he swore. "What I need for you to do is trust me and have faith that I'll be able to honor my word. That's what'll help me focus on what I have to do, nothing more, nothing less."
Padmé looked up at him and smiled sadly. "I'll do my best, Ani. I promise."
"Good. Now, it's probably time for me to leave, and I still need to say goodbye to Dormé before you and I say goodbye", he said as he lovingly caressed her cheek. He picked up his gear bag and they headed downstairs where Dormé was standing there waiting.
"Well, Ani, it looks like you're about to go back at it", Dormé said nervously.
"Indeed, it does, Dormé", he replied.
"Well, I'm not one for emotional goodbyes, so I'll just say this. Be careful out there", she said as she raced forward to give him a crushing hug. After a moment, she stepped back and her heels clicked against the floor as she went to another room. Damn, she was upset, but he couldn't blame her, nor could he blame his lover.
"I guess that just leaves the two of us then", Padmé said with tears in her eyes. "I hope you know how much you mean to me, Ani."
"As much as you mean to me, Angel. Don't ever doubt that, I'll never doubt you."
He bent down and captured her lips in a powerful kiss, aiming to leave them both breathless. It would be a week before they saw one another again, and that was far too long, now that they were so close to one another. It wouldn't be easy, and he would have to remind himself constantly that this was for the best. Kenobi had to pay for what he did to her, it couldn't go unchecked. The Jedi had to realize that if they pushed them, they would suffer tenfold for their atrocities, including the rape of his lover's mind.
When they pulled back they both gasped for air. Padmé's eyes were still full of tears.
"I'll call you when I can. I love you", Vader said.
"I love you too", Padmé whispered.
With that, Vader turned and marched out of his estate to the transport that was waiting for his arrival.
Once he was seated, it quickly shot up into the sky, accelerating towards the Devastator. Vader's thoughts remained with Padmé and he cursed Kenobi for placing him in this position. No matter, soon he would be dead and there would be a feeling of peace within Vader. His death was a long time coming, ever since the Jedi had ripped him away from his mother fourteen years ago.
…
The transport landed in the Devastator's main bay where the honor guard and Captain Piett were waiting for him.
"Milord", Piett said as he approached him. "Happy to have you aboard again so soon, except this time things will be vastly different."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence, Piett", Vader said dryly. "Have all the final preparation been made?" They had better be or there would be hell to pay.
"They are, Milord. All we need to do is jump into the system and we'll be able to begin our attack. We've been running battle simulations day and night since you gave the word to commission the operation and we've nailed down our best three strategies in case of the need for a contingency."
"Good. What about the possibility of the fleet jumping too soon?", Vader asked. That was something that would be most unfucking fortunate. They would have to start their plan from the ground up and the Emperor would be most displeased.
"We have two interdictor destroyers with us that will generate enough of a gravity well to prevent them from escaping from us in hyperspace. They may not be able to run their generators long enough for us to destroy the entire fleet, but at least long enough for us to cripple their flagship's engines. That's our prize, so that's the one we'll be focusing on", Piett replied.
"You seem to have an answer for everything, Piett. I'm glad. Someone in this fucking fleet should", Vader hissed.
"I merely exist to serve, Milord", Piett said.
Vader didn't detect too much pride from the young captain. He truly was a humble officer doing his duty, unlike the vast majority of other officers that served in the Imperial military. Damn, if this operation turned out well, he might just have to promote the man for his sheer competency. The admiralty would balk at such a young man being promoted to the rank of Admiral, but he ran the gods damned admiralty, they would do as he demanded.
"Then let's get the bridge and get the squadron underway. I don't want to waste anymore time", Vader said as the two stalked to the lifts.
Once on the bridge, Vader assumed his position at the head of the command deck with various officers giving orders, readying the ship and the rest of the squadron to make the jump to hyperspace. It was always a chaotic time when more than a few ships were preparing to jump, so many preparations had to be made to ensure that they would reappear into normal space at the same time, along with the millions of calculations that had to be made when jumping to such a remote system without an existing hyperspace lane. There was a reason the Rebellion had chosen the Amari system, and that was because it was about as backwater as systems went.
How foolish of them to think that they would be untraceable after Kenobi's renegade mission. At the peak of the Jedi Order, he would've been expelled, especially after using such mental torture techniques in attempt to shatter Padmé's mind, but the damned Jedi were too few in numbers to be entirely too picky with whatever rats they retained in their ranks, and that's exactly what Kenobi was. A rat.
"We're ready to jump to hyperspace, Milord", Piett called out.
"Do it", Vader replied.
After a few moments, the stars streaked by them as they shot through hyperspace to their destination.
Vader stood at the command deck for several hours, pacing back and forth. There wouldn't be much to do during the voyage as he had no one to keep him company on this trip. But he wasn't about to risk Padmé or Dormé's lives simply because he was going to be bored as hell during their trip. No, he would have to do some physical fitness training and maybe have a drink or two, but nothing that would dull his mind too much. He needed to be entirely sharp for this undertaking. Anytime he boarded a ship, it was a dangerous undertaking. There were too many variables that could go wrong, from damaged hulls venting atmospheres into space to countermeasures being set by soldiers trying to contain the invasion as much as possible.
Thankfully, they would have a little time once the damned engines were disabled. The real threat would be from the rest of the fleet. While this squadron's makeup would be able to handle almost anything the Rebel's had at their disposal, starfighters were always a concern as the Rebellion used fighters that were armed with concussion missiles and shields, making them able to inflict damage against the heavy capital ships that the Empire had. Thankfully, there would be enough Tie Fighters from the Destroyers and several small carriers that were in the squadron.
There would be plenty of lives lost on the side of the Imperials, but it would be worth the cost. There would be one less Jedi to contend with, one less menace to the galaxy and the Empire's quest for peace. After the Jedi were irradicated, Vader would be able to turn his mind towards the even greater threat that would be a gigantic thorn in the galaxy's side. His own master. But he shouldn't get ahead of himself, he had some time to deal with that, he just couldn't do it at the moment.
"Milord, may I ask a question?", Piett asked from behind him.
"What is it, Piett?", Vader responded.
"With this battle, how far are you wanting us to take the invasion of the capital ship. Are we to hold it as a prize or should we scuttle it once we've evacuated you and the rest of the boarding personnel?", he asked.
That was an excellent question. There wouldn't be the need to parade it around as it would take far too long to repair the engines, so he supposed destroying it would be the most appropriate course of action.
"Destroy it, but make certain there is holofootage that we can use to show the galaxy what it means when a group such as the Rebellion tries to inflict harm against the Empire. Not as a way to terrorize the galaxy, but so they have confidence in the Empire's military to end any and all threats. Does that make sense?", he asked.
"Perfect sense, Milord. I happen to agree", Piett replied.
"Good. I'm going to go below now. I'll be in my personal gym, so call me if there's something that requires my immediate attention, otherwise, I'll be back here later on", Vader said.
"Of course, Milord", Piett replied as he snapped to attention.
Going below to his personal gym, Vader changed into some loose fitting pants and began doing various cardiovascular exercises, limbering himself up for his more strenuous workout. He needed to be at his prime for his battle, so there wasn't such a thing as too much training. He jogged around a track to warm up, then followed up with some sprinting exercises. He noted that he was barely breaking a sweat, so he made a note to increase his normal training program once he returned to Coruscant. Not being able to break a sweat meant that what he was doing was too easy, and he never wanted to get to the point where something was too easy.
He then shifted to weight training, bench pressing several hundred pounds, straining his muscles to their maximum as he would need every bit of strength to swing his lightsaber as hard as he could at Kenobi. He intended to break him, northing less. With that, he would need raw physical power along with power from the Force. Never again would he be taken apart so easily by a Jedi again.
After he was finished with his exercise, he returned to his quarters for a nice long shower, letting the hot water ease his aching muscles. The tension between his shoulder blades had returned with a passion and he wished that he could find a permanent remedy so he could move on from the constant pain. Pain was good to a certain extent, but chronic pain meant there was something wrong, and tension was the culprit.
After his shower, he climbed into bed and flicked the lights off with a waive of his hand, feeling the sudden need for sleep. It was going to be a long trip and he needed to rest when he could.
…
A day and a half later, the fleet was preparing to exit hyperspace. Vader could sense tension amongst the crew, with everyone knowing full well how important that the battle was and none of them wanting to be the ones that would cause a failure. Vader was on the command deck, going over the final battle plans with Piett to ensure that nothing was left for chance.
"What happens if the Rebels decide to use some of their smaller ships to ram the Destroyer's", he asked.
Piett frowned. "That's not a question that we addressed in our simulations, Milord. I suppose that we could identify any sudden breakaways from their fleet's formations and target them with all primary weapons, after the capital ship's engines are disabled. It should provide enough firepower to destroy any of the smaller ships they have before their able to inflict any damage. But in case one is to make it through, we'll have to do a triage to see if the ship is still space worthy, and if not, order an immediate evacuation so the other Destroyers and support ships can pick them up."
Vader grunted in approval. It wasn't likely that would happen, but it was a tactic he had seen the Rebellion use the first time around. Nothing should be left for chance, not during this mission.
A warning went off on the bridge signaling that the fleet was going to exit hyperspace momentarily.
"I'm going below to the hanger deck, Piett. Good hunting", Vader said.
"Likewise, Milord", Piett replied.
The battle klaxons began blaring, signaling for the crew to man their battle stations so they would be ready to engage the Rebel fleet the moment that they dropped out of hyperspace. It would be a terse battle, but one that could be won.
Vader hurried to his boarding craft and strapped in with the rest of his Stormtroopers. They all looked relaxed, and Vader was glad that he insisted that only experienced men be placed on the boarding parties as he didn't need some nervous eighteen year old second guessing their actions. He needed battle hardened men that would act decisively.
"Let's kill the fuckers", Vader snarled to his troops.
They all laughed and repeated the Sith's cheer. Being endearing to the men was entirely too important over being some feared commander that would make them nervous. He had to inspire them, not make them shake in their fucking boots. Sidious had it all wrong, he used terror for control, and terror was why he had so few staunchly loyal servicemen and women in his military, which made it Vader's military.
The Star Destroyer vibrated ever so slightly indicating that it was dropping out of hyperspace and all the Stormtroopers snapped into professionalism, knowing that their time for combat was closely approaching. There would be no room for fuck ups, they needed to be perfect the first time around.
Vader reached out with the Force and felt the minds on the command deck. They were all concentrating their firepower on the capital ship, which was trying to flee. Damn them if they allowed it to happen.
Suddenly, the comms crackled to life. "The enemy capital ship's engines have been disabled. Prepare to launch."
This was it, the moment that Vader had been waiting for. He felt the boarding ship lurch as it sped through the hanger bay door and towards the crippled ship. It wouldn't take much more than a few moments for it to latch onto the ship's hull and drill into it so he and his men could gain entry. Vader was positioned by the door that would lead inside, wanting always to be the first one to step foot onto the battlefield. It inspired his men and assured him that he would be able to take rapid control of the environment.
After a couple of minutes, he heard a loud thump, indicating that the boarding craft had made contact. He heard the crafts powerful drill, prying into the thick armor of the ship and when it was through, the door slammed open. Vader quickly landed onto the deck of the ship and ignited both of his lightsabers. He saw several enemy personnel turn towards him with their blasters drawn. He raised a fist and slammed them against the ceiling, casually walking underneath them both and slicing them in half.
More soldiers came from around a corner and began firing at the Sith Lord who began to deflect the blaster bolts with both sabers, mostly back at the soldiers who fell. One escaped unscathed and Vader raised his left hand, choking the man to death. He continued down the corridor and met more resistance. He casually sliced through the men, sending arms and legs flying. The men were screaming in pain and terror, but Vader showed no mercy. There was a barrage of blaster fire that suddenly was being fired towards him and he began deflecting it. It was a heavy repeating cannon. He reached out with the Force and yanked the cannon off its tripod, sending it sliding towards him harmlessly. He sliced into the weapon, rendering it useless by any other enemy personnel.
With a waive of his hand, he slammed the soldiers crewing the weapon into the bulkhead, and could hear their bones crush. As he past an intersecting corridor, a soldier either brave or stupid charged at him with the buttstock of his rifle, and Vader merely cut him in half, leaving the soldier screaming on the ground. This wasn't a fair fight, it was slaughter. Additional soldiers were pouring out of adjacent corridors, trying to prevent the Sith Lord from advancing any further. When they saw him deflecting the barrage of blaster bolts, some tried to escape, but Vader called them to them and they were drug across the deck of the ship, just to be sliced and diced by one of the Sith Lord's blades while he continued to deflect the blaster bolts with his other saber.
"We can't kill him!", a soldier screamed as he beat on the hatch that was locked. "Please, open the hatch, he's going to kill us all."
Whoever was behind the hatch didn't listen, and Vader waded into the remaining men, decapitating some, and crushing others with the Force, their torso's rupturing from the sudden colossal damage to their internal organs, spraying Vader with blood, not that he minded. It never hurt to get a little dirty when fighting dirty.
Once he reached the hatch, he sliced through the locking mechanism and flung it open with the Force where there were additional soldiers waiting, taking cover behind alcoves. Vader pulled them all out into the middle of the corridor and took his time dispatching them all one by one, taking a perverse pleasure in hearing their screams and pleads for mercy. There was a blaster bolt that nearly grazed his shoulder and he quickly identified who fired it and snapped his neck, killing the man where he stood. There was to be no mercy, no quarter. Anyone alive on the ship would be killed, regardless if they surrendered or not.
Vader knew he was closing on the bridge by the vast number of security personnel that were now fighting him, trying to repel him, but they wouldn't come close to pushing him back. He was purely channeling the darkness, and was without distraction. The slaughter would continue, regardless of how many would fall.
A soldier coward on his knees and begged for his life. Vader simply drove a blade through his head, killing him instantly. The pathetic begging enraged him even further. He couldn't stand cowardice from the enemy. Why would someone take up arms if they were to just give up when things got rough?
Once he saw the hatch to the bridge, he stepped towards it with renewed vigor, until someone threw a grenade at him. He quickly slammed up a shield with the Force and was able to deflect the blast back to the soldier who threw it, ripping him to shreds. He sized up the hatch to the bridge and sliced through several locking mechanisms, before he shoved it back, crushing whoever was on the other side of it. Before him stood a terrified bridge crew, and the man that he hated the most.
"Kenobi", Vader hissed. "You and I have some unfinished business that we need to attend to."
"We certainly do, Vader", Kenobi said as he snapped his blade to life. "Everyone leave us."
"No, don't give them the trouble of fleeing", Vader said as he reached up with his hand and snapped the bridge crews necks.
Kenobi shouted in anger and charged at the Sith Lord. He began thrusting and swinging his lightsaber wildly at Vader who deflected to attacks with relative ease. Making certain that Kenobi realized how different this battle was to go. Kenobi flipped over a station and Vader sliced through it, tossing it at the Jedi who barely managed to block it.
"You're not going to escape this time, Kenobi", Vader said menacingly. "I'm going to enjoy killing you for what you did to Padmé." There was seldom a time where Vader allowed himself to become so in touch with the darkness, but this certainly was the time.
"She's as evil as you!", Kenobi shouted. "You made her that way!"
"No", Vader responded. "You did." With that he continued to press his attack against the Jedi, parrying slashes from the Jedi with his left hand while going on the attack with his right. Kenobi was entirely unused to having to attack and defend at the same time and was quickly falling back. Vader shoved him with the Force against a bulkhead and slashed down at him, just for Kenobi to escape with mere milliseconds to spare. This fight was almost unfair, but Vader could have cared less. The Jedi showed no honor during their last fight, so he would show no honor during this fight.
Kenobi tried to slap open the hatch on the opposite side of the bridge, but Vader kept the hatch firmly in place, causing Kenobi to leap to the other side of the bridge where a hoard of Stormtroopers were waiting for him, blocking his path. They didn't fire, they knew that this Jedi was for Vader and Vader alone.
Kenobi turned back to Vader just in time to block what would've been a devastating blow. Kenobi tried to press it back, but didn't have the strength, not against Vader's raw physical prowess.
"It seems that you've become weakened in your age, Kenobi, and you're not even that old yet", Vader taunted. He speared the Jedi's left leg with his other saber causing the Jedi to cry out in pain, leaving a smoldering hole.
Vader backed up enough to allow Kenobi a moment to try and redouble an attack, which he did. Vader was having too much fun toying with the man after their last battle.
"You're insane", Kenobi yelled as he slashed wildly at Vader. "You're an insane monster, and the galaxy is suffering for it!"
"No, you fool. The galaxy is suffering from your terroristic attacks. Attacks that I will put to an end permanently", Vader spat.
Kenobi again tried to put distance between himself and Vader by limping behind several stations, which Vader sliced aside with relative ease. There would be no escape, not this time. This time there would just be a murder. Kenobi's murder. It was so close he could almost taste it. Kenobi found himself pressed back against the other hatch again, which this time, it opened revealing Qui Gon Jinn.
"Jinn! You fool, I should have suspected you to be here!", Vader screamed in rage.
Not taking another moment to reflect, Vader sliced through Kenobi's right arm, causing it and his saber to fall to the deck. Jinn used the Force to pull Kenobi back and throw him down the hall.
"Anakin! Stop this!", Jinn commanded.
Vader was temporarily stunned. How did this fool know his true identity? No one knew his true identity, no one except a few.
Enraged at hearing this Jedi uttering his name, Vader exploded into a frenzy, wildly thrusting and swinging at Jinn, forcing him back towards Kenobi's motionless body. He would take great joy in killing both of these men, ending their presence amongst the galaxy once and for all.
"Anakin, I feel your conflict! You're not entirely evil! You straddle both sides of the Force, you can't deny that. I was wrong to have let the council betray you, I should've fought for you harder!", Jinn yelled as he frantically blocked Vader's attacks.
"Yes, you should have, but you didn't!", Vader screamed. "You have no idea what I went through because of you!" He shoved Jinn back with the Force, but the fool landed on his feet.
"Anakin, I know I was wrong. I need to atone for it, but I can't do that if I'm dead! I understand your hatred for the Jedi, for me. I hate the Jedi at times myself for what they did to you!", Jinn continued.
This was starting to wear down at Vader's emotions. He hadn't expected Jinn to know who he really was, nor apologize to him for the atrocities that were committed against him. It was almost too much. Almost.
"The only way you'll be able to atone is through your death and the death of Kenobi. Let me finish what I need to do", he said. He didn't scream. He merely spoke in a normal tone. Fuck, what was happening. He could feel his darkness start to falter. Fuck, he was starting to touch the light again.
"I know you'll need help with the Emperor, Anakin. I can give you that help. I swear, I'll tell no one at the council who you really are, but I need for you to give me a chance. You've taken Kenobi's arm. Let that be vengeance enough for him torturing Padmé. It wasn't right for him to do that."
Vader stood motionless. He felt weakened by Jinn's words. He couldn't do this There was too much sincerity in Jinn's voice. The man truly meant what he said.
"Go now!", Vader snarled. "Take Kenobi and leave, or I'll kill you both!"
Jinn nodded and deactivated his lightsaber. He ran to Kenobi's motionless form and picked him up and began running down the corridor, where there was obviously some form of escape.
Vader deactivated his sabers and hooked them to his belt and began slamming his right fist against the bulkhead until it started to bend in from his raw strength and the Force. He flexed it, and was certain it was broken. Fuck. What had he done?
A/N: I hope this was an exciting chapter! If you like what you've read, consider dropping a review and following!