"How is Leia?"

I turn to look at Han. "She is very worried about you, naturally," I tell him. "But fine otherwise. I understand congratulations are in order."

Han smiles. "I guess so. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you first, but..."

I put up a gloved hand to stop him. "Han, stop. Remember who you're talking to. I was 19 when I eloped with Padmé, breaking every rule in the Jedi Order to do so. I'm not exactly a stickler for protocol."

Han laughs. "Yeah, I suppose not. So how come she is?"

"Who, Leia?"

"Yeah."

I shrug. "Must get it from her mother."

We share a laugh at this, and I am reminded yet again of how much alike he and I are. Perhaps that is why we get on so well, as incredible as that still is to me given our history.

"So what's going to happen to Mon Mothma and the others?" he asks. "I felt kind of bad leaving them behind."

"Don't," I tell him. "I plan to put an end to the blockade. They will be freed soon."

"How are you going to justify that?" he asks. "Don't you think that would raise suspicions?"

"Perhaps, but I have good reason to do it, and can justify myself if anyone dares to question me. The remaining Imperial forces are divided, scattered, and leaderless. This blockade is the desperate attempt of one faction to seize control, but there is no direction."

"And you intend to give them direction, is that it?" asks Han.

I nod. "Exactly. Darth Vader was the supreme commander of the Imperial fleet. It will be perfectly natural for me to resume that command now that I have returned."

"Yeah you're right," Han agrees, nodding. "So you get them to leave Coruscant, then what?"

I sigh, the sound of it odd and artificial sounding through the mask. "Well that depends on whether or not I decide to accept Palpatine's legacy."

"For what it's worth, I think you should," Han says. "It would put you in the perfect position to dismantle what's left of the Imperial forces."

"I know that, Han," I tell him. "But there's so much more to it. The old adage 'power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely' is all too true. Palpatine was proof of that."

"But you're a good person, Anakin; you have honor and integrity, not like that twisted old mynock."

"Thanks," I reply, chuckling to myself at Han's colorful description of the late emperor. "But first things first. I'm afraid we don't have enough fuel to get back to the Rebel fleet. We'll have to return to the Intimidator for the night."

"Great," replies Han wryly. "Just what I've always wanted."

I laugh. "Just follow my lead, Han. I'll make sure no harm befalls you. But remember; don't take anything personally."

Han scowls. "Now, why doesn't that make me feel any better about this?"

Kastellan meets us in the docking bay, and seems surprised that I have Han Solo in my custody.

"A prisoner, my lord?" he asks, looking at Han with an expression of undisguised disgust.

"Yes," I reply, walking along briskly with Han in tow. "One who will lead us to the Rebel Fleet."

"Oh?" Kastellan responds. "Perhaps my lord doesn't know who this man is. I highly doubt that…"

"I know exactly who he is!" I snap, truing to fact he arrogant man. "Do you take me for an idiot, Admiral?"

Kastellan blanches, and for the first time I see fear in his eyes. Fear and hatred.

"Of course not," he replies quickly. "I didn't mean to imply that…"

"Han Solo is a cold blooded mercenary who would sell out his own mother for the right price," I tell him, seeing the look of shock and indignation on Han's face at my declaration. "He will be handsomely rewarded for his part in this, isn't that right, Solo?"

"Yeah," he mutters. "I'd better be or else the deal is off, Vader!"

I smirk under my mask. He's enjoying this too much I think…

"You have my word," I tell him. "Now come, we have much to do." The two of us walk away from Kastellan toward the lift.

"Ouch," says Han once we're inside.

"I told you not to take anything personally," I remind him. "Besides," I add, putting a hand on his shoulder, "I have a feeling you'll give as good as you get."

Han lifts his eyebrows. "You mean I get to give it back?" he says, rubbing his hands together.

"Of course," I reply. "We have to make this as realistic as possible. I'm sure there are a few things you've always wanted to say to Darth Vader. Now is your chance."

"Yeah, but it's not the same," he grumbles. "I mean, you're not Darth Vader anymore. Besides, if Leia finds out I was dissing her dad she'll kick my ass."

I laugh out loud, both at the look on his face and the comment. It sounds so odd coming from behind the mask; perhaps it's a good thing Vader was a mirthless man.

"It will be our secret, in that case," I assure him.

Han laughs. "Good," he says. "Last thing I need is her ticked off with me before we even get married. Plenty of time for that after we're married."

I have to control my laughter as the turbolift doors slide open at this point. However, the grin on my face is still there as we walk past the group of technicians in the corridor.

"I'm afraid you'll have to be under guard for the night, Han," I tell him quietly as we get out of earshot. "But it won't be in the detention block at least. I'll arrange for some crew quarters. You are, after all, a valuable informant."

Han winces. "Yeah, lucky me," he says sourly. "I guess this is one occasion when my past comes in handy. I mean, what you said back there was pretty accurate."

"No it isn't," I reply. "You'd never betray the Alliance, I know that. You have honor too, Han; don't ever doubt that."

He smiles self-consciously, obviously unaccustomed to such praise. "Honor, eh? Imagine that."

"Yes, honor," I say, stopping as I see a junior officer approaching. "Lieutenant, I have a job for you."

The young officer approaches me quickly. "Yes, my lord? What can I do for you?"

"This man is an informant," I say, indicating Han. "And needs a place to spend the night. He will, of course, require a guard outside his door, should he decide to change his mind."

The officer looks at Han haughtily. "Yes, of course, my lord," he says. "You never can trust a traitor."

Han frowns. "Nor an Imperial," he retorts.

The officer looks shocked, and glances at me as though waiting for me to react. When I do not, he turns back to Han and gives him a black look.

"Watch your mouth, Rebel Scum!" he says. "Just because you have information, don't give you the right to ..."

"That will do, Lieutenant," I cut in. "Just find a place for the man to sleep, that's all I need of you. Can you manage it?" I ask with sarcasm.

"Of course my lord, at once my lord," he replies enthusiastically. "I will see to it at once! Come with me," he tells Han, taking his blaster out and pointing it at him. I am alarmed by this and by the look on Han's face as the officer brandishes his weapon in an attempt to be intimidating. You will not use that weapon, I tell him silently, planting the suggestion in his mind using the Force. You will not let any harm come to this man... As reassurance, I ensure that the blaster is on stun setting only.

I watch as Han is lead away, hoping that I am doing the right thing.

I head for the bridge, preparing to put stage one of my plan into effect. The tension level of the men rises as they see me appear in their midst; each of them sits up a little taller, endeavors to appear a little busier, all carefully avoiding eye contact with me. Kastellan is not present, I notice; probably somewhere licking his wounds…

"Captain…" I begin, realizing I don't know the man's name.

"Newmann, sir," he informs me. "How can I serve you?"

"We are leaving Coruscant," I tell him. "Recall the troops from the planet surface and relay my orders to the Aggressor and the Lusankya."

Newmann is stunned for a moment, and does not respond immediately.

"Leaving, my lord?" he asks at last.

"Yes, this blockade is futile," I tell him. "And a waste of time and man power."

"Of course, my lord," he tells me, the uncertainty and confusion clear in him. "Should I summon Admiral Kastellan to the bridge?"

"That won't be necessary."

We both turn to see Kastellan standing on the bridge.

"Is there something going on I should know about?" he asks, looking from Newmann back to me. "My lord?" he adds after a moment's consideration.

"Move the ship out of orbit," I tell him. "This blockade is over."

Kastellan's face betrays his disapproval and indignation. "Oh?" he asks. "May I ask why?"

"You may ask," I tell him. "If you insist upon questioning my orders…again." I reply, folding my arms over my chest.

"Well, Lord Vader," he replies. "I suppose maybe I am. Until yesterday I was in charge of this operation, and so I would like to know why it is being aborted."

I can feel the eyes of everyone upon me, as the tension level shoots up another level. They are expecting me to react like Vader …they are expecting me to kill this man…and if I don't react the way they expect me to, then the charade is over...

I walk over to Kastellan, my mind racing as I formulate an appropriate response.

"First of all," I tell him, "whoever thought this blockade was an effective plan is an imbecile," I tell him, still approaching him, using my large, menacing presence to intimidate him. It seems to be working, for he takes a step back as I show no sign of stopping.

"Secondly, I am in command of this ship and very ship in the fleet, Admiral," I continue. I am now chest to chin with the man, forcing him to look up at me. He is trying to maintain his appearance of calm, but I can see that he is starting to crack.

"And finally," I add, grabbing him by the front of his tunic and lifting him off of the ground using the Force, "no one questions my orders…am I making myself clear?"

"Perfectly," he replies, his eyes bulging with fear.

I bring my face closer to his, seeing the terror in his eyes as he stares into the grotesque black mask. "The only reason you are not dead right now, admiral is that I need you for the time being. But should you ever question my authority again, you will pay for it with your life. Make no mistake about that."

Kastellan swallows hard, and I release him, tossing him against the bulkhead as easily as I would toss a child's doll. I am sickened by the incident; hate myself for resorting to violence, but the man left me no choice. I must maintain the appearance of Vader, and Darth Vader brooks no dissention among his underlings. Hopefully I have made an example of Kastellan, and will not have to repeat this ugliness again.

"Move the ship out of orbit," Kastellan orders, his voice somewhat shaken. "And hail the other two ships. Immediately!"

"Yes sir!" replies Newmann as he rushes to comply.

Kastellan turns back to me. "Heading, sir?" he asks.

"Locate the rest of the fleet and arrange a rendezvous, Admiral," I tell him. "We are ineffective when scattered around the galaxy. We must band together if we are to accomplish anything."

"Of course, my lord," replies Kastellan. "I…I suppose I never thought of that."

"Obviously not," I reply. "I am retiring. First thing I am taking Solo on a little voyage. He claims to know the location of the bulk of the Rebel fleet; we shall see."

Kastellan nods. "I wish you a good night, Lord Vader," he replies. "I will inform you when I have located other members of the fleet."

"Be sure that you do," I tell him. I leave the bridge, confident that I have reestablished myself as the head of the fleet.

I head for my quarters, feeling tired, physically and emotionally. Making sure the door is secure; I remove the black mask and armor, only too happy to get it off my body. Next I peel the leather suit from my skin, feeling free at last. I head to the 'fresher and turn on the water. I step into the shower stall, letting the hot water cascade over my tired muscles. Closing my eyes, I lean my hands against the ceramic wall and let the water stream down my back, feeling the muscles relax under the pulsating stream.

As I lie awake in the unfamiliar room, I think of all that has transpired over the past 24 hours. It is overwhelming; too much, too many changes all at once, and I find myself feeling anxious about the huge decisions that are now resting upon my shoulders. Yet with those decisions comes the power to save the galaxy from the conflict that it has been rife with for decades, the power to heal the wounds that my life of darkness inflicted upon the galaxy.

Lastly I think of my wife, and wonder if she too is lying awake thinking of me. What will she think of this new development? She once rejected my offer to rule the galaxy together, will she be repulsed by this and turn away from me again? But this time is different, this time I have no desire to rule, only to heal...only to fix what I destroyed. Surely she will understand that. I close my eyes and her face comes to my mind. I recall fondly the kiss she gave me just before I left for Coruscant, and smile in the dark room. I love you my angel…I will see you very soon, I promise….sleep well beloved… I roll onto my side and surrender to the fatigue that has filled me, falling into a deep sleep.