A/N: That little reply button is pretty handy. Much easier than writing out all the comments here. : ) And I apologize for my procrastination and downright laziness...it's been nearly a month since I've posted the last chapter! My next chapter will hopefully be longer, and come sooner to make up for everything.

Chapter Two


"Go, stay….go, or stay…"

Seated on the edge of a small cot in one of the shuttle's small compartments, Recen debated his next course of action.

His sleepless night had given him altogether, far too much time to think over his situation. His mind had covered everything from seeking a reason for being chosen to accompany Vader, to memories from his home planet, to hating himself for screwing up his life, and back to seeking a reason he'd been chosen to accompany Vader.

Had he done something wrong? Was the Dark Lord aware of Recen's desire to join the Rebellion? Was it something else?

There were only two ways to find out for sure- wait out the trip and see what happened, or to simply ask Vader.

Logically, the second option would be the better choice- but what was he supposed to do. Just walk right up to one of the post powerful, evil people in the galaxy and start chatting him up about his dream to join his greatest enemies? Recen got the distinct feeling that that was not the best idea.

Gritting his teeth, he stood. There was a good chance he was going to die- and if he was going to die anyway, why waste time being afraid?

By the time he made it to the cockpit, his resolve had disappeared, leaving no trace of having ever been there in the fidgeting form of the young Ensign.

Vader was still there, in the pilot seat. It didn't seem as though he'd moved since ordering Recen to leave him the night before.

Too late to turn back with a good excuse, Recen seated himself in the co-pilot's chair, fidgeting his thumbs.

A long silence lingered within the cockpit. There was no sound but Vader's harsh breathing, and no movement but the nervous twiddling of Recen's hands. The young Imperial felt sure that if his nerves didn't explode first, he'd soon go mad.

"Am…Am I going to die?" The words fled from Recen's mouth in a rush, surprising him. He grimaced, tasting bile as the thought of the Emperor's wicked smile, and the sick joy in his eyes at watching another execution crossed his mind.

For a moment, he'd thought he'd said it too fast- that perhaps his words had been so jumbled that Vader hadn't understood them. The deep, joyless chuckle that followed Recen's thoughts sent chills down his spine.

"Because of your loyalties to the Rebellion?"

Small beads of water began forming on Recen's brow as he nodded. If the truth was already known, there was no sense in denying it. "Y-yes, sir."

There was another long pause, and Recen's left eye resumed the twitch it had developed early the morning before.

"Of course you will die. There's no way for anyone to stop death, though some have undoubtedly tried." Vader's voice was strangely monotone, his helmet never turning from the viewport.

Recen stared at him, his jaw fallen open, unable to speak.

"But no…you are not going to die today. Not by my hand."

Recen's skin had paled so he almost resembled a Wampa from the wastelands of Hoth. He felt light-headed, almost as though he were dreaming. He wasn't going to die!

Vaguely, he noticed the tilt of Vader's mask every now and then as the black-clad giant turned to glance at the navicomp, and then the chronometer.

"There is no time for hesitation." Vader had said before. What did it mean?

"You are here, because it will benefit both of us in the end." The sudden interjection startled Recen as they broke into the silence, and the young Ensign wondered briefly if Vader could hear his thoughts.

The words chilled Recen, and any color his face may have regained was quick to disappear again. He hadn't the slightest notion of what they meant. And he wasn't all that sure he wanted to know.

"H-How's that, my lord?" He finally dared to ask.

For a long time it seemed that Vader wasn't going to answer. He sat, still as a statue, facing forward.

Recen looked down at his shaking hands. His heart was pounding so hard within his chest; he thought for sure he would burst. He wanted nothing more than to be out of the shuttle, and far, far away from the frightening beast that sat in the seat just next to him.

Darth Vader's voice sounded almost mournful when he spoke again-but in his fright, perhaps he was only imagining things.

"In due time, we will both find out."