Author's Note: Disclaimers may be found in Chapter 1.
New character comes into the story. Let me know what you think of him. – vraie-rose
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Only a few minutes until he reached Alderaan. Behind the mask, Darth Vader's face crinkled in disgust. Paugh, Alderaan – the planet that always broadcast its peacefulness and weaponlessness. He knew there was something more to the lush, green planet. That quiet Organa, their ruler, he had more up his sleeve than just "peace and prosperity". He would thoroughly enjoy choking the life out of Organa.
Unfortunately, his Master did not agree with him on that point…and he always did as his Master wished. So choking Organa was out of the question, no matter how the white-faced blathering idiot annoyed him.
Thinking of his Master made Vader's thoughts turn brooding. Just last week, hehad found another Jedi, skulking on an Outer Rim planet, training a young Force-sensitive in the now defunct Jedi Order. He'd killed them both, of course, which was nothing new; after all, he'd been hunting the Jedi for nearly five years now.
This particular Jedi, though…he had been one of the few Padawans whom Anakin Skywalker had considered a close friend. Vader could still remember his self-deprecating humor; his happy-go-lucky personality; the day they and Ainna got in such trouble because of the fountain/speeder escapade, and how Master Yoda had said…
Ainna. There was a name he hadn't thought of in a while. Brilliant red hair, deep green eyes, radiant smile – and one of the few Padawans willing to cross lightsabers with him. She'd been his first crush in the Jedi temple, as well as a good friend, always ready for adventure. But the romance had never gone anywhere because they were both often away on missions with their Masters, and also Anakin had never been able to forget Padme…
Padme. The familiar pain caught at Vader's heart. Beautiful, wonderful, loving Padme. Images flew through his head – Padme on Geonosis, telling him she loved him; their wedding day; Padme's face as she told him he was going to be a father…
And now they were all gone. Padme and the child, dead at the hands of the Jedi, curse them. Ainna, sweet Ainna, dead on Geonosis. And Gian, dead by his own hand, not a week ago.
Swearing profusely in Huttese, he began the landing sequence, hitting buttons savagely. He was coming up on Alderaan, and he had a mission there. These thoughts were weak, not befitting a Sith Lord.
"Darth Vader to Alderaan."
"Alderaan to Lord Vader. You are cleared to land in Hangar 4. If there is anything we can do for you, Lord Vader, do not hesitate to let us know."
Vader did not deign to give them an answer. He strove to focus his mind on the revolting image of Bail Organa and the mission ahead.
Behind the mask, there were tears in his eyes.
A/N: I know, Vader angst. :)