Vader's Angel
By: wertman25
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Star Wars…. Or Anakin Skywalker… Which is a pity…
The next morning, Padme peeled open her eyes to see utter darkness… and was instantly confused. Recently, she had become accustomed to the darkness that resided with her four walls; after all it was Darth Vader's establishments; but this darkness did not feel like the usual blackness. It seemed to be darker than usual within her room, but her mind refused to piece together an answer of why. She was confused and disorientation due to the state her mind seemed to be in due to her long slumber. She tried to think, but sleep sounded like a more pleasant idea. Brushing away her confusion, Padme settled that maybe the darkness meant she could return to her much needed rest.
That was, until she remembered the cause of her lack of vision, the blindfold.
Instantly, memories of the night before flashed through her mind, reminding her of the strange events that had occurred. She remembered Vader's strange behavior, that he had entered her room but instead of remaining silent, he had somewhat apologized and told her that she could return to work.
Work. I'm allowed to return to work! Sith! How could I forget?
Acting quickly, Padme untied the cloth and threw it onto her bed. She hesitated for a moment before opening her eyes, remembering the reason why she had put the material on in the first place. Darth Vader. Lord Vader was in her bed… or he had been. She was facing him. What if she was still facing him? What if he was still there?
He won't be here! Padme told herself trying to be rational. He has never stayed here before. I have nothing to fear. I need to get ready!
Frantically, she spun herself around to face the clock. 7:15. She had less than an hour until she had to be ready for work. It was going to be close, but she was sure she could make it. Refusing to be late, Padme ran to the fresher, making sure to grab a dress and undergarments before entering. She was not taking a chance of a reenactment with her earlier encounter with Vader after she had showered. The next time that happened, she probably wouldn't be as lucky. After that incident, she promised herself that she would always take clothes into the fresher, because if it happened again, she would surely die.
Pushing the memory to the back of her mind. Padme stripped down quickly and jumped into the shower. The water felt refreshing against her skin and when she began to wash herself, she welcomed the pleasant scent that reminded her of home. It made her feel at ease and peaceful. The scent almost could make her forget that she was in Vader's establishments and not in her apartment.
Vader.
Again, the mystery of a man popped into her mind before she could stop it. It seemed like an all too common occurrence recently. Everything seemed to remind her of him. She had always been curious about the Dark Lord of the Sith, but this was becoming borderline obsession. It was almost as if he had taken control of her mind, making sure that he was always there. His imagine lived in every corner and dwindled in every thought. He was taking over her, bewitching her, body and soul, but she was beginning not to mind… at least, in some ways.
Stop. This is dangerous, Padme. She told herself, crushing what she was beginning to think. You need to stop this. After all, remember what he did yesterday.
The feeling of his metal grip around her arm made Padme shiver. His grip had been like Death himself starring her in the face. Not many people, if any, have been able to stand in Vader's clutches and live. She was lucky, but for how long? Rush Clovis was dead proof that even if a person survived Vader's wrath, the Sith Lord still took care of unfinished business eventually. She was just waiting in line; a very, very, very long line. To him, she was just another name on his shit list and he was just waiting for the command to kill her. It was fearful. It was painful. It was… hurtful?
She couldn't explain it, but something inside of her hurt more than the physical pain had. The pain of him grabbing her was overwhelming. His grip hadn't just hurt; it had burned. It was a pain that Padme had never felt in her whole life, but it did not stop there. Not only had she felt her own pain, but also through his touch, she had felt his annoyance, his anger, and the most sickening, his joy. He liked hurting her. He liked being feared. He liked being a monster. The thought was sickening. He enjoyed what he did. He liked hurting her. He wanted to make her suffer. She was nothing to him. She was just a silly girl. A stupid mission, a name on a list, unwanted baggage that he was just waiting to dispose of and would probably do so quite happily when given the chance.
At that thought something inside of her screamed in agony, but why? She didn't understand it. She knew he was a monster, she knew what he was capable of, but she couldn't believe he would do such a thing. Perhaps she was a fool to believe he was becoming accustomed to her, but it was just so hard to read him. He was a mystery to the Universe and an even bigger mystery to Padme. He could go from being civilized one minute to practically barbaric the next. He was extremely powerful with the ways of the Force. He was a mastermind when it came to battles and wars. He could kill without flinching. Inflict pain without gilt. He was the ultimate killing machine and she had not even begun to taste what he was capable of.
Padme couldn't help but shutter at the thought and unconsciously during her thoughts, her hand reached across her body to her bruised arm… but strangely there was no pain when she touched her skin. That's impossible. Padme knew the bruise couldn't be gone. It had just happened. It couldn't have healed already. It was, after all, a mark from Darth Vader, and due to his size and strength there was no way in Sith's Hell the mark could have even began to heal. If anything, the bruise should have been worse, but not gone. Padme twisted and turned in an attempt to see the bluish black part of her arm, but continued to fail. It just wasn't there!
It's just not possible!
Needing to see the proof, Padme began cleaning the soap off her body, before she jumped out of the shower and paused in front of the mirror. She looked at her arm through the reflection and could not believe her eyes. The bruise was gone! It was completely gone! There was no pain or even hint that there was even a mark there to begin with. How is this possible? Padme thought as her fingers trailed her skin in disbelief, but it wasn't possible. How could it be? How could it be possible that such a serious bruise could be gone in a matter of hours? Part of the answer seemed simple to Padme because only one being had that kind of power.
Darth Vader.
But what did he do and how did he do it? She didn't know, but frankly she didn't care. She had caught a glimpse of the clock and had already started to curse herself. Padme knew she would have to ask questions later. She just didn't have time. She would already be cutting it close. Padme tried to fix her hair into an appropriate hairstyle, but settled on just a simple braid. The style would be quick and easy with no chance of making Vader late… or so she hoped.
She was almost finished with her makeup when the door to her room slid open. She didn't bother turning towards the doorway, the drop of the room temperature told her who had entered. She waited for him to complain or scold her for not being ready… but it never came.
He isn't saying anything… Could this really be Vader? Is he even still here?
Cautiously, Padme turned to face where she thought Vader was standing and to her amazement he was there. He looked the same as always, cloaked and black. She could feel his announce from his gaze, but also something else. She couldn't explain it, but it was almost as if he was inspecting her. She could feel his hidden eyes traveling her body. It was an act that should have made her skin crawl, but it didn't. She wasn't repulsed. She was curious of his actions and somewhat nervous under his gaze, but not repulsed. She knew that she should be. She should hate the fact that Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, the Emperor's Right-Hand, Commander of the Imperial Forces, Heir to the Empire's Throne, and the murder of millions was looking at her like a piece of meat, but she couldn't stop him or her curiosity. This was not Vader's usual behavior. The Vader she knew would rudely ask if she was ready before perhaps pulling her to her feet and proceed to dragging her down the hallway. But he did none of those things.
Instead, he remained silent at the far edge of the room. Of course, he was still impatient and somewhat annoyed, but he did not voice it. He just continued to inspect her and Padme allowed him to. She told herself she only allowed him to do so because of his temper. Vader was not as forgiving during the day as he was at night. If she would scold him, the consequences were endless. The image of his hand around her neck instantly appeared in her mind and caused a shiver to run down her spine. No. She would make sure not to allow that to happen again.
Still, no matter how hard she tired to forget, the image remained.
"I– I'm almost ready." Padme announced turning back to the mirror to finish her makeup. Her voice was laced with fear and she was sure Vader could hear it. She hated how much he intimidated her. He hadn't even said a word and she could already feel his very presence overpowering her.
He did not respond, but he didn't have to. Padme felt his irritation heighten and the silence between them caused Padme's nerves to flare. "I swear I'm almost finished." Padme said nervously without turning her face away from the mirror.
"I didn't say anything, Senator." Vader replied.
Padme fought the urge to roll her eyes at him, knowing that it would not be an acceptable gesture to do to someone such as Lord Vader. She could only imagine what he would do to her if she were caught doing such a thing. Though, her gut told her that today she just might be able to get away with such an act. Not that she was willing to test her gut feeling correctness. She still thanked the Force that he was in what seemed like a good mood today, or at least so far. She quickly decided that she would not be the factor to change Vader's good mood onto a bad one, before she hurried along, finishing the rest of her makeup.
Moments later she turned back to the motionless Sith Lord, "I'm ready."
"Good." Vader said lifting his gloved hand to reveal the black fabric in his grasp. Padme was about to ask how he managed to retrieve the fabric off her bed when everything turned to darkness. In one swift movement Vader was beside Padme and putting the fabric over her eyes. When he was satisfied with the job, he grabbed gently onto the senator's arm. Padme was amazed by his gentleness. How could this Sith Lord, the murderer of millions have a gentle bone in his body? Who knew Vader was capable of being somewhat gentle? He held onto her, closer to her back, almost as if fearing to touch the spot of her arm where he had inflicted the now healed bruises.
"It's okay." Padme said timidly and instantly Vader paused. "It doesn't hurt anymore." She paused letting out a small laugh; "I suppose I should thank you for that."
Vader was silent for a long moment, before he made a sound that could only be described as a sort of snort. His grasp around her hardened immediately and his hand slide down to his usual spot on her arm. "Let's go." He growled, "You made us late." With all gentleness gone, Vader pulled Padme into the hall and in the direction of the lift to the speeders.
Much to Padme's dismay, she found herself once again covered by the blindfold while Vader flew through the Coruscant sky. She hated being blinded. It made her feel weak and powerless; something she didn't need help with while being in the company of Darth Vader.
In an attempt to clear her mind, Padme began to count, hoping that perhaps, she would be able to figure out how long it took for Vader to fly to the Imperial Senate building. Perhaps, then I can figure out where Vader's establishments are.
Within a few seconds, however, Padme knew her attempt was in vain. She could feel by the way her body rocked back and forth in her seat, that Vader was not following any of the traffic laws and therefore the number that she would count would still leave her clueless.
Why didn't I notice his driving before? Padme thought as she felt her body shake violently. Sith, he is going to kill us both. I'm going to die in this speeder and I don't even know where I am. Her body shifted again causing her nails to dig into her seat. Kriffing Sith Lord! How did I not notice this before? He drives like a headless nerf herd–"
"My driving skills are perfectly fine, Senator."
Padme stilled. He is listening to my thoughts!
"Stay out of my head!" She snapped, angered that he had been listening to her thoughts. Did he not understand privacy? Did he have nothing better to do? Or even worse, how often did he listen in on her mind?
"I was not actively listening to your thoughts." Vader growled. "However, you are thinking them so loudly that they are impossible for me to ignore."
Padme couldn't help the blush that appeared on her face. "Oh." She whispered, failing to hide her embarrassment.
"Yes, oh." Vader agreed in annoyance.
Before Padme could respond with an apology, a small com signal echoed from beside her. She heard Vader shuffle as he retrieve the device from his cloak. She dreaded the thought that he possibly had taken his hands off the controls to retrieve the device, but knew not to voice her fear. He probably could hear her concern anyways.
"Vader." He growled.
"My Lord," A man's voice began, "I rescheduled everything that you have asked. All meetings are to be held at the Imperial Senate instead of the Imperial Military Base until further notice. Grand Moff Tarkin, however, has voiced his concern with this arrange–"
"I will deal with Tarkin." Vader snapped, "He will have to deal with the inconvenience, just as the rest of us will. Anyone that has a problem with this can meet the end of my blade. "
"Yes, my Lord." The man agreed.
Padme was somewhat surprised at how the man's voice did not seem phased by Vader's statement. He must deal with this all the time.
"Inform me if anything changes." Vader said simply before ending the communication.
It was silent for a few moments as Padme processed the conversation she had overheard. It seemed that Vader was actually quite busy and she was keeping him from his work. It had even come to the point that he was now moving his meetings so that he could stay to watch her… or so it seemed. She knew he hated the situation just as much as she did… probably even worse. She could feel his irritation and hatred during the conversation… but was it really due to her? Perhaps, it was just the Senate? She hoped so.
"You don't like the Senate, do you?" Padme asked before she could stop herself.
"It's a flawed system." Vader surprisingly answered automatically.
Padme suppressed her laugh and couldn't help but argue. "Flawed because of your friend, Palpatine." She growled. "If the Empire wasn't implace –"
"Then it would take twice as long for things to get done." Vader replied sharply.
Padme had to agree; he did have a fair point. The Republic did take long and had many flaws, but that still didn't mean an Empire was right for the Galaxy. "People don't always agree; that's why it takes time." She retorted, hoping he would see her point.
"That is why they are made to." Vader hissed.
A dictatorship. An Empire. Those words made her sick. They weren't right. "How is that right? People still don't agree, because they have freewill." Padme pressed on, refusing to quit, "They never agree, they are just forced to quiet–"
"Wrong." Vader snapped, his voice much deeper than before. "It is politicians that cause the process to become slow. People can agree. People want to live. That is a instinct that thrives within every living creature, but yet politicians sit in a box pretending they know every thought of their planet when all their planet wants is help and a solution."
Padme paused, highly offended. She should have known. Vader was a man of action. He was not a politician, nor was he civilized. He would never see it from her point of view.
"Living?" Padme laughed, trying to turn the subject back on him, "A man that takes so many lives; speaks about living like he knows so much."
"I've seen many beings moments before their death." Vader responded without missing a beat. "Only then does your true instinct for survival awaken."
Padme rolled her eyes, knowing she could not win against him, so she decided to return to her original question. "So it doesn't matter if the rule is Empire or Republic, you still don't like the Senate?"
"I despise politicians." Vader growled, "All of them."
"Palpatine is a politician." Padme retorted, trying to prove a point.
A low growled resonated from beside her that caused every single hair on her body to rise. "Did. I. Stutter. Senator." Vader said slow and darkly. "I despise politicians. Him included. I hate them all." He paused for a moment before leaning to close the gap between them. Padme could feel his face near her side and it sent chills down her spine. "Especially you, Senator."
His voice was dark and icy, in a way it had not been at his establishments. It frightened Padme and hurt her. She could feel the speeder begin its plummet and with that, Vader's mood. She could feel the cold darkness returning, surrounding its Master. Darth Vader was truly again sitting beside her.
She felt the speeder touch the ground and without warning; the blindfold was ripped from her face. She was gazed for a moment, caught off guard by the bright life, before she caught sight of Vader's fleeing form outside the speeder.
What the hell? He can't do that to me! Padme thought as a series of questions formed within her mind. What just happened? How does he move so fast? Is just going to leave me? What is wrong with him?
Jumping out of the parked speeder, Padme began to chase after him, trying to look as regal as possible while doing so. Thankfully for the small girl, Vader was moving slower than usual.
"Where are you going?" She asked as she settled into a jog beside him.
He did not answer. He just continued walking, acting as if he was alone.
Padme couldn't help but frown. He's ignoring me!
"Lord Vader," two troopers saluted as he walked by, but the Sith didn't bother with them either and Padme's frown immediately disappeared.
He's ignoring everyone.
"Aren't you afraid I'm going to run away?" Padme cried, losing her breath as she tried to keep up with his long strides.
"Even I don't think you're that stupid." Vader responded without turning towards her.
Padme wasn't sure why, but she continued to pursue him. "So you're just going to leave me? You can't just walk away without saying anything!"
Vader paused and Padme had to jump back to avoid smashing into him. He turned to her and remained silent. Once again, Padme felt naked under his hidden gaze and was forced to look at the floor like a child that was being scolded by a parent for breaking the rules. In a way, she felt, that's exactly what he was doing.
"Have a nice day… somewhere else." Vader said finally breaking the silence. It was a rude comment, but immediately Padme couldn't help but smile. That was her Vader, the cocky, arrogant, annoying Vader… not the angry, dark, cold Lord of the Sith.
My Vader? Did I really just think that? No. No, I didn't.
Padme raised her face from the floor to see that Vader had not moved, but was once again watching her. It seemed like hours passed before either of them moved again. It was Vader that broke first, slightly shaking his hood before turning away from her. "Now go to work, Senator." He commanded. "I trust you know the way."
Without another word, he quickened his gait, making it impossible for Padme to follow and within moments, Padme was left alone.
What the hell just happened?
She didn't know, nor did she want to. She only knew that she had to stop this. Vader was the enemy and she had to stop acting like such a naïve girl. She wanted to make Bail proud, wherever he was. She was the last leader of the Rebel Alliance left within the Imperial Senate and she might as well try to do something about that.
A few minutes later, Padme arrived at her office. Only, no one was there. Not a single soul. No troopers. No guards. No delegates. No representatives. No Dorme. No Jar Jar. She was alone… and instantly her mind became frazzled.
Where are they? What happened? What if something is wrong? Where are they? What happened? What if something is wrong? Where are they? What happened? What if something is wrong? Where are they? What happened? What if something is wrong? Where are they? What happened? What if something is wrong? Where are they? What happened? What if something is wrong?
STOP. She screamed at herself. Calm down. You can't lose your mind… not yet.
Padme tried to not over think anything. There were thousands of probable explanations for why none of her staff was in her office… but still; she couldn't ignore the bad feeling in the pit of her stomach telling her that something was wrong. She couldn't ignore the fact, but she could not dwell on it either.
There is nothing I can do. Padme told herself. Not at the moment anyways, I just have to wait. I can ask Vader when he returns, but I don't even know if anything is wrong yet. I'm sure someone will show up with answers.
So, it was with a heavy heart that Padme closed her office doors and filed through the many datapads that laid on her desk, trying to get her mind away from the subject of her missing staff. That was until her com went off. Glancing at it, she immediately groaned. She knew she should have contacted the Queen the second Vader had left, but she lacked the time or courage to make such a call. Contacting the Queen had actually been the farthest thing from her mind. Over the past few weeks she had been too concerned with herself, Vader or now her staff to even think about anything else. Her mind seemed to be turning into mush.
Taking a calming breath, Padme calmed her nerves. She knew that it was likely that the Empire was now tracking every little thing she did, and no doubt this very communication. She had to be calm and not give anything away. If she did, she had no doubt she would met the real power of Darth Vader's wrath.
Trying to look as normal as possible, Padme answered, making sure her senator's mask was perfectly in place. The image of the Queen formed itself before her, and she quickly bowed her head in respect for her Queen. "Your highness."
Queen Jamillia sat upon her throne, staring at her with a similar mask upon her face, but unlike Padme's, her mask was not flawless. There was slight concern in her eyes that she was not able to hide, but the Queen still acted as if nothing was wrong. "Senator Amidala," she greeted, "It is wonderful to see you back to work and looking so well."
Padme forced a smile over her features, gesturing to the woman on the screen. "Yes, and I believe I must thank you for that."
"There is no need." Queen Jamillia spoke sternly, "It is not right for the Empire to hold you…" The Queen paused as her face became slightly harder, "After all, Naboo has never and will never support the Rebellion. Our allegiance is and always will be with the Empire."
The Senator gritted her teeth before once again forcing a fake smile. "Emperor Palpatine was only trying to protect me, your highness." Padme lied, knowing that her and the Queen both knew the truth. "He made that much clear when I was first taken into custody. He was even kind enough to appoint Lord Vader as my protector.
"You have been with Lord Vader?"
Those words together made Padme's heart race. She hated those words together, but also was strangely… No. No. No. Don't even go there, Padme. She has been living with Lord Vader, but she has not been with Lord Vader. Nevertheless, Padme nodded. "Lord Vader has been every so kind to take care of me for these past few weeks."
The other woman nodded and Padme saw something flash in her eyes. More concern? Pity? Fear? The emotion was somewhat unreadable. "And I take it, Lord Vader was…" The Queen paused, looking over Padme suspiciously before continuing, "Appropriate?"
Padme frowned at the Queen's question, not understanding what her highness could possibly be asking… when suddenly, it clicked. She too, thought Vader had raped her and instantly Padme flushed. "No!" Padme answered too quickly. Followed by her blush deepening, after she realized her mistake. "I mean yes! I mean…" At that moment Padme wanted to crawl under her desk and never be seen again. The embarrassment! She took a deep breath trying not to stumble over her words. "I am sorry, your highness," she said, forming her mask back into place. "I… I just have had much to deal with over the past few weeks, but Lord Vader has been a perfect gentleman and a fine protector. Always appropriate."
It wasn't a total lie.
The Queen was silent a moment, clearly disbelieving what she was hearing, before she nodded anyway. "I see."
"I should have contacted you sooner with my whereabouts." Padme began, before the Queen could ask her further questions. "I owe you a great deal of apologies and-"
The hologram before Padme began to flicker, before forming perfectly back into place and man's voice echoed from the throne room behind the Queen. "Your Majesty, we have successfully blocked the Empire. The communication is clear for 60 seconds."
Padme couldn't help but allow her mask to break as he eyes widened in disbelief. Had she heard them right? Had Naboo really blocked the Empire from their communication?
The Queen replied her thanks before turning back to Padme. "We don't have much time." The Queen stated quickly, "We have blocked the Empire out, but only for a few seconds. We must act quickly or there will be hell to pay. What is happening? What can you tell us?"
"I'm not sure." Padme admitted breathlessly still in complete shock. She couldn't believe any of this was real. "I am Vader's prisoner, but he does not torture or touch me. I have hardly even seen him during my time with him." Again, it wasn't a total lie, but she surely wasn't going to tell the Queen the truth.
Yes, I've been sleeping with Lord Vader. Not sex, just sleeping. You know, nightmares? He helps. Kriff, she could imagine their faces.
"So it was not a lie that he has treated you well?" The Queen asked, drawing her back to the conversation.
She shrugged. "As well as Darth Vader can."
The Queen nodded, knowing that there was not enough time to push for further information, "We will conducting a rescue mission as soon–"
"You can't risk anymore troops!" Padme yelled. "The Rebellion is already crumbling as it is!"
"No troops." The Queen replied shaking her head, "We have Master Jedi that have come to help, but we must know where they are keeping you incase they do not allow you to return to work permanently."
"I'm not exactly sure." Padme whispered. She hoped the sounds outside her door were only her imagination. "I've just been told its Vader's establishments."
"Any clue is good enough." The Queen responded quickly, "I have had numerous files sent to your datapad; the one that was given to you yesterday. They are all in the Naboo Queen secret code that we have all learned during our time as Queen. The Empire will not suspect a thing. I'm also requesting that your astromech droid be returned to you immediately. I have had Dorme equip him with –"
At the sound of her best friend's name, Padme couldn't help but to interrupt her Queen. "Dorme?" She screamed, "She is alright?"
The Queen nodded. "Yes. Jar Jar and Dorme have been sent back to Theed. We are working on returning them."
Oh, thank the Force! Padme breathed a sigh of relief, "Is that where the rest of the Naboo staff and delegates are?
The Queen paused, a bewildered look upon her face. It was a look that made Padme's heart drop. "Th–they didn't tell you?" The Queen asked in disbelief.
"Tell me what?" Padme asked softly, unsure if she wanted to know the answer.
"Padme…" The Queen whispered softly before she breathed in sharply, "They're dead."
A gasp escaped the young Senator as her hands flew to her face. No.
"The Empire has extinguished them." The Queen continued, "I received the documents yesterday about them being traitors to the Empire. There is nothing I can do. I have news that Vader himself has made it his personal duty to kill every name on the petition list. Naboo delegates were at the top."
"Everyone?" Said in disbelief, "Everyone is dead."
This couldn't be happening.
"It's complicated." The Queen explained, "But all Naboo personnel with the exception of Jar Jar and Dorme are all but gone."
Why? Why had he spared them? Why did he spare me? They are all dead!
Padme couldn't help the tears that began to fall down her face. "Oh Sith…." She cried, "They're dead."
"We don't have time." The Queen growled, "We will grieve their loss when this war is over!"
"They're dead because they helped me!" Padme snapped back. Even in her time as Queen of Naboo she had a hard time accepting the death of others. Whenever anyone died for her, she felt responsible, just as she did now.
"They are dead because Palpatine and Vader are in charge!" The Queen screamed, "Don't lose your mind, Padme. We need you."
Padme tried to control herself and eventually succeeded, but her mind unlike her tears, wouldn't stop. "Is my family alright?" She questioned frantically. "Are they alive?"
The Queen nodded, "Your family is fine, only worried for you."
Thank the Force. They are fine…. but for how long? They must have signed the petition! He will go after them too!
The sound of footsteps nearing Padme's office door caused both women to freeze.
"They're coming." The Queen announced in a lowered voice, "I will try to contact you soon. Act as if the communication went dead."
Padme did not have time to respond before a dozen clone troopers burst through her office doors just in time to see…
Nothing.
To them, she was alone, standing in the middle of her office. Padme glanced from trooper to trooper just as they did the same to her; but she had only one thought on her mind.
Where the kriffing hell is he?
She didn't want to see him. She didn't want to be near him. But she wanted him here. She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to beat him. She wanted– Where was he? How could she be breaking the rules and Vader not be there to punish her? It didn't make sense. He was the one that was supposed to be watching her, but yet, he had left her alone. There should be consequences, but yet, her punisher was nowhere to be seen. That was not like Vader.
The clone troopers surrounded her, asking questions that she did not catch. Her mind was too far-gone. Just like everyone she had ever worked with within the Senate… gone. It took the troopers a few more minutes to realize she was not going to answer. She was too far-gone as well. Gone.
One of the troopers began to push her towards her desk and she complied without hesitation. She needed to sit. The world seemed to be spinning. Nothing seemed to be real. Her mind seemed to be gone. Just like everything else. She couldn't think. She couldn't breath. She couldn't comprehend what was going on around her.
She did, however, catch one thing… one sentence of one trooper jogging into the room as he paused near his Commander.
"Lord Vader is on his way, sir."
Author's Note: Drop a review!