Thank you to everyone that replied. Melne, generally I would agree with you I just couldn't make it work right any other way

Chapter 2


Sweat poured off me from the exertion of the fight. I blocked Vader's lightsaber and grimaced as another blow just missed slicing off my hand. I had grown quite attached to that arm and had no wish to part with it.

I began to draw on the Darkside in order to win. I breathed with relief as I felt myself replenished. Odd, how when I first began to use it I fought it night and day. I would wake up screaming in the night. Haunted by it. My mind did everything possible to ignore it until I caught my first taste of it.

Then it was like an overspill and I yearned for more and more. I could barely get enough. I no longer had any sort of fear for Vader. He was no longer the dark threatening figure he made out to be. He was still a man beneath that suit.

Strange also how he kept me balanced. No matter how much I wanted to use it. He would not fully let me use it and moderated me when we did. Several times he had blocked out my usage of the Darkside. I doubted Palpatine would have appreciated it if I told him. So I didn't. I could already sense a growing disquiet between them and had no wish to widen it.

Though I still wanted to please Palpatine. Show him that I was learning. That he had sculpted me as he promised to do so. Vader had commented that I was like clay ready to be moulded just stubborn sometimes. I think Vader liked me when I was stubborn.

After our match I left to go to my room. I had yet to leave this compound and spent most of my time training under Vader or Palpatine. Whenever he had delegates from the New Republic I was allowed to sit in. Though only as a shadow he expressed urgency at they never knowing I was here.

I scanned over the data for the upcoming event. The Jedi were beginning to thin and would not be sent with the incoming delegates.

I felt Palpatine summons and rose to go to him. I focused on his presence and reached out to it. It was strong as a wall but even walls had their crumbling points.

Two guards stepped back as I came to the door. I did not wait to be authorised and stepped past them. My footsteps echoed round the room as I stepped in. Each person who stepped into this room had a different type of step. Vader's were heavy as if burdened, Palpatines were...Well I didn't often hear his. Mine always echoed and to me sounded haunted.

I bowed my head respectively towards him; I never got down on my knee like Vader would. That was a privilege reserved only for him. I felt a tinge of anger at that. Vader was wasted here, he needed more scope, and here he was just Palpatines gofer.

I locked my icy gaze with Palpatines own manic one. His yellows eyes still burned with an eerily intensity. I was still frightened of him; you could never predict what he would do. Why he would suddenly take a dislike to you.

"You summoned me my Master."

His gaze ran over me. "Yes, yes. I have been studying you. Your training is progressing faster than I had hoped for."

Interesting.

"My wish is to serve you, I strive to learn more."
Vader thought me that. It pleases him to have his ego stroked.

"You shall me allowed to accompany Vader to the system. There is a small convoy with four Jedi aboard. You shall observe his methods in exterminating the threat."

I pondered this. Observe. He still didn't trust me not to turn. I guess this would be a test of my loyalty.

"And if events call for me to do more than observe?"

His gaze became distant for a moment. He was reading my thoughts again by now I had learnt how to ignore the pressure.

"If events call for it then you will act."

He dismissed me with a wave of his hand. I felt oddly elevated when I stepped out of the room. My first proper assignment with Vader. I wondered did he know I had been assigned to him.

I happened to glass in a reflective material as I passed down the hall. It caught my attention and I stopped. Staring at the strange person. I was changing not just on the outside but inside too. My features held no warmth, my eyes held no soul. Who was I?

I pushed the thought aside and continued down the hall. I needed to prepare.


They were terrified. Terrified of Vader that is not me. They didn't know I was here yet. I followed in Vader's wake watching the people quiver. It was an interesting sensation one I could get quite used to.

After a while I began to notice they too feared me. Probably because I was with Vader. Thank the Darkside of the force we had caught 3 of the Jedi and dealt with them now only one remained at large.

Vader had kept me in the background while he fought them. I was amazed at their skills. They were far superior to me in their skills. I watched as they valiantly and stupidly fought Vader. Surely they knew they couldn't win. Or perhaps they too knew that beyond the machine, Vader was still just a man.

I watched with morbid fascination as he cut them down. My hand rested on the hilt of my lightsabre just in case he needed me.
"Come Ekaterin." He said to me. "There is one left. Our Master will be displeased if he is not removed."

I nodded my head in agreement. I would hate for Vader to lose another body part if he failed because of me.

"Find him."

I looked to Vader in bewilderment. Naturally I would. I moved to access the ships database. The terminal went on fire in front of me. Oh he meant the force. I winced I should have known that instinctivly. Still he could have said so.

I threw him a dirty glance and tentatively began to stretch out with force. Ignoring the minds of the crew and delegates. I homed in for another force user mind. It was there just ahead of us. Not angry and frightened as I had suspected it would be instead it was clear, clam and in control.

It was far different than Vader's or Palpatines mind. Its thoughts were organised so unlike me own.

I began walking towards him or her with Vader close on me heels. The Jedi was trapped. Vader stepped in front of me just as the doors opened and met the Jedi with his Lightsabre ignited.

The Jedi however had not ignited his. He stood waiting quietly for us. His eyes widened at Vader, as did his sense. By chance our gazes happened to intertwine.

He started in recognition. He recognised me!
"Uisce? Uisce Ban?" He said the strange name slowly looking at me in wonder all the time.

Uisce, who was this Uisce Ban? Surely not me. Confusion began to mount in my mind. I thought I had already dealt with this.

"We thought you were dead." He continued on.

"My name is Ekaterin Gem." I replied icily. "I am not Uisce Ban."

He looked at me slowly shaking his head and suddenly I could feel him probing my mind. I slammed up my barriers against him. But he continued on.

His head jerked sharply. "What have you done to her?"

What have they done to me? I asked that once, I never found out.

"Ekaterin leave now."

I shook my head; there was no way I was leaving this. This Jedi knew who I was. He had something I only dreamed of having.

His features were controlled but I could sense he was holding his anger in check.
"Uisce don't you remember me? We grew up together in --" His words were cut up suddenly by Vader.

"Leave."

Uh oh. Monosyllable. That wasn't good.

My mind was reeling in confusion I desperately wanted to learn more but I needed to obey Vader also. Who ever this Jedi was it no longer mattered. I was not Uisce Ban.

I turned on my heel my vision blurred. "Uisce wait!"

I heard lightsabres clash and I knew he would not last long. I barely found my way back to the ship. I snapped and nearly choked to death a tech that happened to get in my way. Questions that I had buried for months had now resurfaced. Who was I? Who was Uisce Ban? What did they do to me? How did he know me?

I fell into my temporary room sinking to the floor. Crossing my legs I mediated and waited.

Who was I? Ekaterin or Uisce. Who am I?
----
Vader came I knew he would. As he opened the door I considered hurling my lightsabre at him.

"Ekaterin," He began, "listen to me..."

"Who am I?!" I cut off harshly.

"Ekaterin it will only hurt you if you find out." His tone was reproving and patronising.

I thought he meant it would hurt me physically as it always did. "Just leave."

He didn't say anything as he left and the vase I didn't know I was levitating crashed to the floor. I searched my mind for the Jedi touch. It was faint an echo of when he probed my mind earlier. Oddly it was comforting. I knew that touch, I knew that face but I didn't know how.

I hugged my legs closer to be and focused on the force. Suddenly I didn't care if it was light or dark. I needed to know who I was and that would be my key. I had never been taught it but I wondered if I fully used the Darkside could I unlock my mind. I settled my breathing, relaxing my mind.

In my minds eyes I imagined finding my hidden past and opening it. I thought back as far as I could go and then using the Darkside I pushed on. Who am I Who am I? Who am I! Images flashed before me. It was I yet it wasn't.

A temple, a woman? Someone who loved me? A mere boy. He was familor I had seen him recently. Only he was no longer boy now he was not even a man. I gasped sharply as my contact was suddenly cut off.

I opened my eyes. I felt stiff all over. Slowly I got to my feet only to fall over again. My legs were like jelly and my hands ached. My clothes and forehead was soaked with sweat. How long had I been out? Long enough for us to be on the move again.

I sighed, ignoring the pounding headache. Maybe Vader was right. It would hurt to find out who I was.

"I'm sorry Uisce Ban." I whispered. "I am Ekaterin. Who ever you were. We are no longer the same person. In order for Ekaterin to live you must die."

I closed my eyes, blocking out the memories I had opened. Mentally I shook my self. I had to begin preparing myself so my Master would not know what I had done.


To be continued.


A question, would anyone be willing to betaread this for me? Pleaseeee.