Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it. ILM does.

a/n: Two chapters in one night!!! It's a record!!!Lol Hopefully this will work.

I know things seem pretty weird now, but it'll make sense later. Please keep reading. 

Xeth Skywalker, Darth Vader sat languidly in the co-pilot's chair of the newest built Imperial Death Star. He was annoyed with the sluggishness displayed by the ranks of stormtroopers under him. He idly glanced toward the pilot's seat and noticed the young stormtrooper lieutenant nodding at the controls. Rising to his feet and stretching, he approached the slumbering lieutenant.

"Do you realize how easily you can be dispatched, Lieutenant," Vader growled, wishing he could subject the lieutenant to the acrimonious glare of his eyes, hidden beneath his black breather mask and helmet. At Vader's words, the lieutenant saluted hurriedly. However, Vader was unimpressed. He dismissed the lieutenant and took the controls himself.

Waiting until he was sure no one was around, and letting a sigh escape him, he removed the black helmet. He shrugged his shoulders, enjoying the feel of freedom. He yearned for life-long independence from the ghastly helmet. However, he knew this was an impossible dream.

He frowned to himself as he recalled the insolence and slovenliness of his men; wondering how he could have been so naive. He had done everything in his power to discard anything he considered inhumane, regardless of whether it fell under indoctrination protocol or not. Instead of rising to new heights of intelligence and perfection as Vader had hoped, they had become a band of indolent, neglectful buffoons. He knew about their plans to mutiny, and cursed himself for eliminating the mind-control drugs and emotional suppressants his father and the Emperor Palpatine had made such thorough use of.

Tension had been building between the stormtroopers and himself. It had all begun with the failure of the navicomputer which brought them into uncharted space in the deep core. While there, they had been brutally attacked by a race of malicious beings who called themselves Dnaaryans. They made hurried repairs to the navicomputer and escaped with heavy casualties; leaving the Death Star with a solitary squadron of fighters to defend it, and what one could barely classify as a skeleton crew aboard. Debate had arisen over whether or not the Rebellion should be alerted to this threat, and Vader refused to conceal such valuable information. The Empire could use their assistance now, considering the staggering loss of men and ships. He knew that insurrection was inevitable. It wouldn't be long before it erupted like molten lava. At the sound of approaching footsteps, he broke into a cold sweat, realizing that the time to strike had come at last. He slipped back into his helmet before anyone saw him.

As he finished resealing it, an angry mob of high-ranking stormtroopers entered the room. Things happened with terrifying speed. Vader found himself no longer at the controls but on his back on the deck plates, looking up at an extremely furious captain. The captain, looking confused, kept raising and lowering his hands, first, touching his blaster, then appearing to reach for Vader's helmet. He thought for a while and then dropped rapidly to Vader's level, straddling him. The captain commenced to unseal the helmet. He succeeded, and then stood up.

"Now, what will you do, Lord Vader?" the stormtrooper laughed derisively.

Vader rose slowly, his mind whirling. He ran into the unsuspecting captain, knocking him over. Vader scooped up the ill-fated trooper's blaster and stood over him. Not thinking, Vader aimed the blaster at the stormtrooper's chest. The captain grasped the helmet tighter against him. Vader's senses returned to him, and he realized he couldn't win this way. Taking a deep breath, Vader raised a clenched fist. The captain gasped for breath, as if he were being strangled, and flew against the far wall. He landed, dead on the floor.

His nerves being calmed, Vader retrieved his helmet and set it on his head. With his breathing making a roaring sound, he turned, daring any one of the other troopers present to challenge him. Gradually, they filed out, except one who managed to pick up

Vader's fallen lightsaber. The trooper slowly approached Vader, activating the Jedi weapon.

Vader, once again relying on the Force, circled the trooper, playing defenseless. Pain shot through the trooper's right arm. The officer quickly dropped the saber and clutched his arm as a fire raged beneath his skin. Vader picked up his weapon and glared down at the man."What do you want?" Vader demanded walking towards the trooper."N-n-nothing, sir," stammered the trooper.Vader proceeded to put a constricting hold on the officer to make breathing difficult and, eventually, to get information from him."Speak up, or I shall finish you," Vader growled."We want control of this ship. Surrender, or die!""Never!" Vader roared. The stormtrooper picked up a blaster and aimed it at the

formidable being towering menacingly over him. "We'll see about that," the stormtrooper said insolently."No one will see about anything! As long as I am in charge of this ship, you are powerless to defy me!" The trooper dropped the blaster and prepared to leave. A strong, cold hand caught him suddenly by the arm."Yes, Lord Vader?" the man asked, shaking."Tell your shiftless band of rubbish to grab their gear, load what ships they find, and leave." The stormtrooper stood, shocked. This couldn't be the same Lord Vader, who, only a short time earlier, threatened to kill him. A shiver of gratitude passed through him as he turned and saluted Vader on his way out.