I took down all the Pale Shelter chapters as they hadn't been going as I wanted. I have now re-edited and am hopeful things will work out now. Thanks for your patience with this tale!
"Dark Times" - Chapter Two:
Pale Shelter
1
In stillness he stood.
In stillness and in darkness as the Force twisted his life around him. It had been a long time since the threads of his life had unravelled from his control, a long time since he had felt the cold passion of the Dark Side burn so fiercely within. It had been a long time since he had wanted something so badly, since he had yearned for something that was not his master's bidding, a long time since…
"I'm not the Jedi I should be. I want more, and I know I shouldn't."
He allowed the respirator to draw in a cooling breath, though it burned in his ruined lungs as it always did. He should not be recalling this, should not be wallowing in a past that no longer had any meaning for him, a past that belonged to another man. Anakin Skywalker no longer existed within him. His dying was painful and prolonged; beginning with the death of Jedi Master Mace Windu, ending on the black sand of Mustafar.
Anakin Skywalker was dead and yet still the memories of the past haunted him, and they seemed to crowd closer as time moved on.
There was a rush of sound and he opened his eyes to stare into the open doorway of the interrogation suite and watched as the cleansing downpour of water washed away the blood and sweat of the prisoner who had, only a few moments before, been hanging from the ceiling pleading not to be further harmed.
His son.
We have a son, Padme.
The pain was sharp, keen, slicing bitterly through the defences he had constructed over the last two decades. And he was that boy again freshly encased in a suite of armour, hidden behind a mask, staggering from the weight of his new environment and the weight of grief. He had killed his wife, he had killed his child, he had killed his future.
Padme's news of a child had shaken him, sending his thoughts and emotions reeling as all the complications of their secret life had suddenly become amplified. A child…
A child he had thought dead. A child who had been laid to rest while still in his mother's womb. A child he had murdered when he had killed her with his rage.
A son…
With another measured breath he swallowed thickly, fighting to push away the unwelcome thoughts and feelings that had, more and more since his discovery of Luke Skywalker's existence, been seeping through to haunt him. He had thought the pain of his life was healing, had devoted himself to the Dark Side and Palpatine's teachings and had filled his days with dedication to his chosen path. And it was only now, after seeing his son, after being with him, after having a few moments contact, did he realise how empty his life had actually become.
And how, briefly, his son had filled that void. He was bereft, desperate and terrified as the stark abyss of his existence echoed emptily around him.
I want more…
Vader clenched his fists, and closed his eyes against the consternation he felt descending. He drew upon the Force, gathered it to him, nurturing his anger against the despair, building a inferno of rage to flame within, using it as a crutch, as a focus. He was not afraid, he was stronger than he'd ever been. His darkness thrummed with potency, and this could only increase when he claimed what was rightfully his, when he retrieved the boy who had been snatched from him, when Luke realised that…
"…together you and I can rule the galaxy. Make things the way we want them to be."
…his place belonged with his father.
"M..my… Lord?"
Vader grimaced with distaste at the thin, nervous voice that brought him from his reverie. Major Ayrn was a parasite, a disgusting parody of a human who took pleasure in the pain of others for his own advancement, his own enjoyment. He would soon fulfil his usefulness and be disposed of.
"What is it, Major?" Vader kept his back to him, kept his gaze on the empty cell.
"We have secured the Medic's arrest. He will be here shortly."
"What of Skywalker?" How strange it was to say that name and mean another. "Do we have the shuttle's trajectory?"
"Yes, My Lord," Ayrn conveyed with growing confidence. "Admiral Ozzel reports several possible destinations for the shuttle, he's trying to narrow it down."
"You have done well, Major," Vader spoke almost absently, already disregarding the man's presence. "Have the medic brought to me, and report back as soon as you have the co-ordinates for the Rebel base."
"Yes, sir." Ayrn bowed dutifully, feeling thrilled to be of service to Vader, feeling sure that his career with the Empire was finally taking him places, although he was disappointed not to have been asked to take part in the Rebel Medic's interrogation. He would have been honoured to have stepped into the vacant post left by Rhovan's defection. Being an interrogator meant position and power, respect. "My Lord," he began tentatively. "May I suggest that I.. uh.. assist with the Medic's interrogation? I have extensive knowledge of how…"
Vader fought the flame of anger that briefly flashed. "You have your orders, Major."
"Of course, My Lord," Frustrated Ayrn turned to leave…
Vader watched the officer step away considering the man, his suggestion and the ambition that burned within the thin body. Perhaps there was another task that Ayrn could fulfil and keeping him close and under his own observation may prove prudent. "Major?"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Muster a detachment of troops. Take them into the city, make arrests."
Ayrn frowned in confusion. "Who am I arresting, sir?"
"Anyone you choose, Major. Make an example of them, allow the citizens of Escaal to view the consequences of harbouring Rebels. Do you understand?"
A sly smile curled Ayrn's lips. "I do, my Lord."
"Then you may return here and assist me."
The curl became an open grin. "Thank you, My Lord, I will not disappoint you."
The showers in the room stopped as the man left; the interrogation suite was clean and ready for its next occupant. The Network Medic was about to find out what it means to betray his Empire, as was Escaal.
And soon, once he had the co-ordinates for the Rebels' hiding place from Ozzel, his son and his friends would learn the very same lesson.
tbc...