Warning:This story is very dark and filled with violence and cruelty to a child who is a slave Emperor Palpatine. If such things offend you then do not bother reading. It has a high rating for a reason. –Darth Gladiator45
The cook saw how thin and broken the young girl was and his heart went out to her, he immediately gave her bowl of hot soup with plenty of protein and vegetables. The kitchens were very busy that week preparing for a feast for all the officers and Emperor Palpatine for Empire Day.
Anne hand polished all the silver and washed all the fine china. She was being fed consistently and even though the work was arduous, she was grateful to the cook. She had gained ten pounds inside of two week period and she even smiled a bit more.
The cook was teaching her how to read and write so she could communicate with him. She picked it up rather quickly and after all the preparations for the feast were completed, Anne was handed a book. She was to remain in the kitchen with her book and her bowl of soup. She wasn't upset though, she enjoyed the solitude, and at least she wouldn't have to be serving the officers and Emperor Palpatine.
Anne curled up on her flat and listened to the beautiful music and to the laughter that was echoing into the kitchen. She smiled as she drifted off to sleep.
A sharp kick to her backside awoken the poor girl, she turned over and saw the black boot tapping furiously. She immediately prostrated to Emperor Palpatine he grabbed her arm and dragged her out from under the cabinets where her flat was located. She saw the look on the cook's face and he was fearful. Anne held in her tears as Emperor Palpatine dragged her out of the kitchen. Even though she didn't know it, the dianoga had been removed; she was thrown in the garbage chute. She fell into the sewage and heard a distinct crack as her arm broke. She cuddled her arm against her body and as the lights went out she screamed though no voice could be heard even to her. She huddled near the door and shivered as the cold water fetid water soaked her black dress. The nights and days went by, though it was meaningless for Anne, she only knew that she was trapped, cold, starving and in absolute agony over her arm.
Even though it had seemed years had passed, Anne awoke one morning to find the garbage chute opening. She cried huddled in the back of the chute crying in fear of receiving another beating.
"Shh, its okay; don't be scared." The kind man whispered to her. "My name is Ascaron."
Anne cried she couldn't talk, but she came forward coddling her arm. "Don't worry he won't hurt you anymore." Even though Anne was terrified there was something warm and soothing about his voice, she couldn't sense any deceit or hatred. Anne was lifted out of the filth and wrapped in a warm thermal blanket. Ascaron knew his boss would be most pleased. Ascaron saw her pretty face and absolute fear in her dark blue eyes. He could tell that she was severely malnourished and when he gave her a bottle of water, she greedily accepted it. Ascaron walked stealthily out of the garbage area and with the help of the cook escaped in his speeder to his Boss' house.
Lord Vader stood in his palace sensing Ascaron's return; he left the gardens and met him in the garage. Anne coddled her arm but when she saw Lord Vader she immediately prostrated despite the pain in her arm.
"Rise young one." Lord Vader stated as gently as he could. Ascaron helped her up and carried her to medical. Anne handed the gauntlet glove to Lord Vader and fainted as the pain and the relief of being rescued overwhelmed her.
The Doctor examined the young girl and found multiple burns, slight fractures, and even her arm was a mangled mess. He had to re-break it and set it. Anne slept for seven days straight she was receiving nutrients intravenously while being kept sedated.
When she did awaken, she was on a large bed, dressed in an ivory nightgown with pretty purple flowers pattern. She saw a tray of fruit, juice and hot tea setting by her bed. She wanted to eat, she knew that she needed to eat, but how many times did the Emperor punish her for eating without permission? It was so drilled into her head now; in fact she didn't belong on this bed surrounded by blankets, pillows, and even a lone teddy bear. She immediately crawled out of bed and sat on the floor near the window. When the large looming figure entered her room she immediately prostrated as she shivered in fear. Lord Vader stepped forward and her fear increased exponentially. "Please, please no more beatings, I'll do your chores and go without my meals." Anne's fear and words projected in the force and they hit Lord Vader with great velocity. He knew his master was a cruel man, even more vile than Lord Vader was reputed to be himself. Even though he murdered younglings at the temple they didn't suffer, his master on the other hand enjoyed inflicting pain on all of his minions in particularly children, and even the Dark Lord himself wasn't beyond reproach. He felt lightning more than once, this time more recently due to the destruction of the Death Star. When he found out that his son was responsible for the final shot, he was proud of him.
"Its okay young one, do not fear me." Lord Vader crouched, lowering himself to her level and reached out for her. Anne stopped crying and sniveled as she slowly walked forward, she felt his presence to be soothing there were no lies or deceit, and he felt like Ascaron. She put her small hand in his and felt herself being lifted; it was pure irony that Lord Vader felt her trust in him increase exponentially as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Most children were absolutely terrified of him. Anne was gently laid in bed and Lord Vader pulled a chair beside the bed offering her a piece of fruit.
"May I eat, Lord Vader?" Anne spoke only telepathically.
"Yes, child, please do and no longer do you have to ask permission to eat."
Anne's eyes grew large as she was surprised by this latest revelation but then a tear came from her bright blue eyes.
"You want to be beat me right? Its okay, I take my beatings well." Anne started to lie on her stomach. Lord Vader stopped her and sat her up offering her the fruit once again.
"No more beatings, Anne."
"How will I know my place as your slave, milord? You must give me beatings to keep me in line. I won't cry in your presence."
"You aren't my slave, child."
"How can I earn my keep?"
"You don't need to earn your keep, young one. Adults have to take care of children it is our responsibility."
"The Emperor doesn't share your beliefs, milord."
"I know, we can discuss this later, right now I want you to eat and rest. Tomorrow we are leaving Coruscant."
xXx
Ascaron came into Lord Vader's service a number of years ago; he had managed to break free of his prison cell and tapped into the Emperor's computer to open all the prison cells he also sliced into the database to find out about this so-called secret weapon. As he was leaving the palace, he came across Lord Vader sitting in the hallway trying desperately to draw a sharp breath.
Ascaron helped the Dark Lord to his feet and gently led him to his ship. It was then he found Lord Vader barely breathing his machinery had shorted out due to what he presumed to be the Emperor's lightning. Lord Vader was a strong man it took a lot to bring him down. Most people would ignore the Dark Lord or worse would attack him while he was weak. Ascaron knew that he risked much to get locked up again or worse. When he boarded the shuttle, he knew that Lord Vader was in no condition to pilot the craft himself.
"Where to milord?" Ascaron asked.
Lord Vader couldn't speak but Ascaron received a sharp image into his head it was the planet Vjun to Bast Castle.
"Hope the food is good." After setting the coordinates he went to the medical bay to find Lord Vader sitting up with an oxygen mask, he saw his naked face a vision people rarely saw if ever. He couldn't help but to stare, the old man had been through hell and back, he was apparently a tough character to withstand all those wounds and scars.
"Old man? I'll have you know I'm only forty, Ascaron, do not presume to call me old." Lord Vader sent to Ascaron telepathically.
"Yes milord. So what happened back there?"
"Lightning and my self-sustaining equipment doesn't go well together."
Ascaron asked if the Dark Lord needed anything.
"No. So what were you doing at the Imperial palace in the prison cells no less and how did you escape?"
"Trade secrets milord." Ascaron smiled.
Lord Vader raised his head and glared at the young man.
"I was visiting relatives."
"Do not lie to me, Ascaron."
Ascaron knew that there was no getting around Lord Vader's questions, unless he wanted to be executed he better be honest.
Ascaron told him his tale, he was a thief of sorts, he's real crime had been to find lost Jedi holocrons and he tried to sell them to get something to eat and to get off the horrible planet Nar Shaddaa. The Emperor's spies had found him and brought him to his Excellency's chamber. He was imprisoned in the palace and since he was an excellent slicer, he managed to hook up a common data pad to the computer lock and to open it. He was escaping when he came across the Dark Lord sitting in the hallway. It was a start of a beautiful relationship, Ascaron was paid to do the Dark Lord's bidding and he even managed to have a secret stash of money and he couldn't remember the last time he had gone hungry.
Frequently, Ascaron was either spying or stealing certain artifacts, he ran on errands the Dark Lord found to be distasteful. It was strange though he never had to murder anyone. Most of the time he spent freeing slaves and he even ran interference for the Rebellion, those missions were highly classified. It was ironic that Lord Vader wanted the Emperor dead as much as the rebellion did. Ascaron even met Lord Vader's son once, he was naïve farm boy from Tatooine.
Author's Note: Now that Anne is out of the evil Darth Sidious' clutches, things will start getting lighter. I do not own Star Wars or any of the characters therein, just like playing in the Lucas' sandbox.—Darth Gladiator45