Chapter 10: The Expedition

Vader stood in front of the view port, his arms crossed in front of him.

He surveyed the passing of Imperial ships outside the quarters he had commandeered on Cloud City and reflected on the most recent events. His business in the Bespin System was now completed, albeit not with the conclusion that he had expected.

He had lured young Skywalker to trap him and bring him to the Emperor. It was all too easy to manipulate him with the mere thought of a threat to his friends. He recalled how the Jedi were admonished against attachments.

Obviously, Obi-Wan had not bothered to pass on that key information, he thought with some irritation.

Would it have mattered? Had such caution mattered to me?

He quickly squelched that train of thought. He was in no mood to reflect on his own failings with the Jedi Code. His thoughts turned back to Luke.

The Force is strong in my son, he thought, with swelling pride.

He will serve the Emperor well. And another thought blossomed in his mind. A belief he kept well hidden from his master.

And together we will overthrow the Emperor when the time is right.

Vader's thoughts turned back to his Master's displeasure with him. He had allowed his son to escape, this time.

For her… his heart warmed at the thought of her.

His Master had been quite angry at his failing. Vader was sure to be severely punished for his 'mistake', but he felt no trepidation. Now that he had found Padmé, he knew no fear. A cold, sickening feeling crawled up his spine.

No, that is not true. She is not safe; I must keep her hidden away.

Vader turned toward the door connecting their rooms and contemplated their next move. A pair of droids purposefully deconstructed and packed his portable pressurized capsule into a heavy durasteel container.

He was anxious to see her, but waited to enter her quarters until he knew she was fully dressed. He could sense everything that was happening in her cabin. He picked up a bundle from a chair, sighed deeply and moved to join her.

The adjoining door slid open without a sound, and Vader stepped through the doorway, both watching and sensing her reaction to him. She was completely serene at his approach. He preferred her coolness to complete revulsion.

At least it was progress, in a sense.

She had just finished braiding her long silver-streaked mahogany hair, coiled it around her head, and fastened it with jeweled hairpins. A few tendrils of hair framed her face in an artless and completely fetching display. Vader devoured her with his gaze. He noted with appreciation that she was wearing a deep wine-colored gown; she would never know how he caressed her with his eyes. Forcing himself out of his reverie, Vader abruptly spoke.

"I will escort you to my ship, the Executor. You will wear this veil and cloak." He brusquely held out the dark grey garment and long gauzy opaque veil that had been draped on his arm.

He could feel Padmé bristling at his abrupt order. She was poised to argue with him. "It is for your own safety," he added.

She grasped the heavy, silken cloth to her. She frowned and looked up at him, expecting more of an explanation. None was forthcoming.

A droid entered and went to the closet to pack her few pieces of clothing as Padmé silently draped the veil over her face, pulled the deep hood of the cloak over her head, and fastened the frogs at her throat. She was completely covered and shielded from any prying eyes.

They swiftly walked down the deserted corridors to the landing bay and up the ramp to Vader's Imperial shuttle; two droids trailed them, one with Padmé's metal traveling case. Curiously, they had met no one along the way. Padmé could not know that Vader had manipulated the Force to clear out all areas they were approaching so that there would be no witnesses to her passing. He would do the same when they arrived on the Executor. No one would know of Padmé's presence. It was for her protection.

His caution was justified. Vader knew that the Emperor would take great joy in torturing and murdering his old nemesis from the old Republic Senate- right in front of him. He recalled how Palpatine had laughed when he informed Vader about Padmé's death, those many years ago. So he would take every possible precaution to ensure her safety. He would trust no one to keep his secret. Fear clutched at him. Vader thought he had conquered it, but Fear was present, once again, since Padmé returned to him.

I will not lose you again.

"Anakin, who or what are you hiding me from?" Padmé asked, as she took the seat next to his in the cockpit.

Awaiting his answer, she gave a cursory glance at the control panel, checking the navigation grid. Anakin gave one last passing glance to the ships internal systems monitors and prepared for takeoff. He answered her without turning toward her.

"My Master."

Padmé flushed with anger.

x x x x

Vader escorted Padmé to her new quarters.

She had remained utterly silent throughout the flight and subsequent disembarkment and he found that somewhat unsettling. Padmé had a natural inquisitive nature about all things and was never shy about her curiosity. He had thought she would have asked questions about the subtle changes in flight technology or even asked to fly his ship- she had been a more then adequate pilot. Or at the least, asked him why they were now moving to his ship. But she said not a word.

Their footsteps echoed in the ship's empty corridors until Vader stopped at their destination. The door slid open at Vader's approach. Padmé went immediately to the large corner floor-to-ceiling duraglass view port to look at the dark sky outside the ship, completely ignoring what Vader had hoped were adequate furnishings for his wife. He followed her half way into the room, but then stopped himself.

Vader glanced around the chamber, noting the partially closed dark, heavy velvet window coverings as well as the plush cushions and throws for her comfort. He had had to erase the memory of the Stormtrooper he had sent to procure these small sumptuous trappings of humanity. He knew there were several fine gowns, slippers, and accessories in the closet, as well as exquisite jewelry for her adornment.

It would not do for anyone to know that the Dark Lord was seeking fine silks, velvets, and the like to decorate a chamber as well as a trim female form. Or the small water fountain that he thought would provide a soothing sound for Padmé in her solitude. He wanted her comfortable and he wanted her quarters to look more lived in and less sterile than his own specialized chamber—more human.

Engrossed in his own musings, he did not notice Padmé watching him in the reflection of the thick glass, so he was surprised when she called out to him as he silently made to leave her. He brusquely turned around to face her when he heard her voice.

"Will you tell me, again, why you wear your suit and mask?"

There was a long pause as Vader seemed to glare at her, then he abruptly stated, "Obi-wan did this to me. He left me to die on Mustafar."

He saw her saddened face in the reflection and felt her sorrow; it made him gnash his teeth. She could feel his mounting anger at the old, painful memory, although he remained unnaturally still and said nothing further. Hatred rose in Vader and radiated off him in waves. There was an uncomfortable silence, save from Vader's respirator.

"Do your wounds still hurt?" Her voice was low with sorrow, and she was still looking at his mask in the reflection, searching.

"Not the physical ones."

He turned abruptly and stalked furiously out of her chamber.