Chapter Two
Jordan watched in stunned amazement as the Death Star blew up. He was now almost completely baffled. Was this real? Or was it make-believe?
"All pilots report to Executioner bay three. Repeat. All pilots report to Executioner bay three." A man's voice announced, over the speaker.
"Might as well follow orders." Jordan thought, as he maneuvered his TIE fighter into bay three. As he descended from his fighter, Jordan realized that he was no longer in the ride at MGM anymore.
"You there! Your name and registration number!" an Imperial officer shouted, startling Jordan, somewhat.
"Who? Me?" Jordan asked, pointing to himself in his confusion.
"Yes, you!" the officer replied, snappishly.
"I don't know." Jordan said, helplessly. The officer released a long-suffering sigh.
"The number on the back of your helmet, kid." The officer said, with exasperation in his voice.
"Oh." Jordan said, as he removed his helmet and took a look at the number.
"Oh-four-eighteen-eighty-three-two-nine." Jordan said, reading his number aloud so the officer could get it.
"Thank you. You must be new to the Empire, since your registration number isn't even in the records." The officer said, looking up as a battered TIE Interceptor docked next to Jordan's TIE.
"Lord Vader…….." the officer whispered, fearfully, as he hastily retreated from the bay. Jordan turned around and watched in awe as the infamous Dark Lord of the Sith descended gracefully from his TIE Interceptor.
"Wow………………This is the real Darth Vader! Not some guy in a cheap costume in the theme park, either!" Jordan thought, as he silently watched Vader assess the damage to his TIE then slowly turn his attention to him. For a moment, Sith Lord and teen eyed one another, the only sound being the raspy wheezing of Darth Vader's breathing. Jordan wasn't even aware that Vader was moving until Vader was standing two feet away. Jordan didn't move a muscle, standing at attention as Vader looked him over.
"What is your name, young one?" Vader asked, his voice a deep growl.
"Jordan Devans, sir." Jordan replied, remembering to stay polite, lest he end up like Needa. Vader nodded, slightly, before placing a hand on Jordan's head. Jordan didn't dare move. Immediately, Jordan felt a slight tingling in his skull and felt strength flow into him.
"The Force is strong with you. The Emperor would be interested in you." Vader said, as he removed his hand from Jordan's head.
"Force sensitive?! Me?! Please! Tell me I'm not dreaming!" Jordan thought, barely suppressing the grin that wanted to come through.
"You are not dreaming, young Jordan. You are strong in the Force." Vader said, almost sounding, for the briefest of moments, gentle.
"Lord Vader, the Emperor demands to see you." One officer, this one different from the one that Jordan had met before, said as he approached Vader.
"I will be there momentarily. Jordan, come with me." Vader ordered, as he started walking out of the docking bay. Jordan eagerly followed. They walked briskly down a long corridor and into a dimly lit communications room. Slowly, Vader kneeled before the holo-projector and Jordan did the same.
"What is thy bidding, my Master?" Vader asked, quietly, as a ghostly image of the Emperor appeared before them.
"I have just heard that the Death Star has been destroyed by the Rebels. Is this true?" the Emperor asked, sounding somewhat angry.
"Yes, my Master." Vader replied, bowing his head in shame. Then the Emperor turned his attention to Jordan.
"And who is this?" the Emperor asked, as he gazed at the youth who was knelt near Vader.
"This is Jordan Devans, a young pilot who is strong in the Force." Vader replied, as the Emperor's cold yellow eyes examined the youth.
"Indeed. He is strong. What do you intend to do with him, Lord Vader?" the Emperor asked, his interest showing on his withered features.
"I would like to train him, personally, my Master." Vader said, as Jordan fell over backwards in astonishment. The Emperor chuckled at Jordan's reaction.
"I give you permission, Lord Vader, to pursue the lad's training. He could be of great use to us." the Emperor said, pleased that at least one good thing had come out of a bad day.
"Yes, my Master." Vader said, showing neither pleasure nor displeasure at being able to train Jordan in the ways of the Force.
"That will be all." The Emperor said, before the projector was turned off. Vader then turned to Jordan, who was now picking himself off of the floor.
"From now on, you are my apprentice, Jordan Devans." Vader said, as he stood to his full height.
"As you will it, Master." Jordan said, trying not to sound excited about becoming the apprentice of the original Dark Lord of the Sith.