This is a Star Wars Fan Fiction Only.
Well, this was not exactly what some would expect from a conversation between a Sith and Jedi, Qui-Gon was laughing harder than Obi-Wan would admit ever seeing in all the time since he knew the man. He would hate to admit it, but damn it, that was a pretty good impression of the Grandmaster, the only thing that worried him was how is it that a Sith knew the Jedi Grandmaster so well that he could do an impression of him.
Jar Jar was avoiding the droid maintenance bay like like it was cursed or haunted, Obi-Wan merely followed out of concern for his master, thinking the Sith would take the chance to kill him, but instead, they are talking, actually talking and while strange in a rather civil if not outright friendly manner.
Darth Vader could tell Obi-Wan was there, he knew his force signature and could find it with his eyes closed. "Qui-Gon sorry for telling you this, but you really do need to teach your apprentice some better stealth skills, who is he kidding? I can sense him right through the bay door." Qui-Gon simply looked at him working on something by one of the maintenance tables.
"My padawan is young and somewhat inexperienced, but you are correct I should teach him better stealth skills, so mind telling me why is it that I get a feeling that you know the Grandmaster of my order rather well, and what are you working on?"
He simply didn't turn around and told him, he knew Yoda as much as Yoda allows anyone to know him, and what was he doing? Lightsaber maintenance, something that he should consider, he needed to do some upgrades to it, so that it could work even with all the sand in the air. "So I gather you don't think our visit to Tatooine is going to be easy go it, get the engine and get out then?"
He kept working on his lightsaber and told him no, nothing ever goes as easy as planned, a million things could go wrong, and as a Sith, he never liked living things to chance, so he hoped for the best and prepared for the worst, "Before you ask yes, I am using materials that usually are used to insulate droid components and circuits exposed to harsh weather."
"So mind telling me why Sith follows the Dark Side of the force?" He finished modifying his lightsaber and did a basic test to see the modifications did not impair its functionality. Vader simply moved aside to let Qui-Gon do the same things he did to his lightsaber, "As I said to the queen only Jedi deal in absolutes."
"It is an often misunderstanding that all Sith follow only the Dark side, to me the force is the force, it has no bearing if it is called Light or Dark, life is not a binary concept why would the force be any different. In fact, if you knew the Sith code you would realize there is not a single mention of either side of the force."
"We sith simply choose not to abandon the dark side and accept that it is a part of the living force, some force skills are good for healing, and others are good for combat, plain, simple, orderly. I was taught long ago, that to understand the force one must understand it completely and not be restricted by dogma."
Qui-Gon finished doing exactly the same thing he saw Vader do to his lightsaber and he had to admit that did make sense, "So what exactly don't you like about my order, not what all Sith think but your personal opinion. I don't like the idea of sacrificing innocent people to achieve a goal, that is something that is always believed that Sith would do with little to no consideration."
Vader looked at him and at his hand that once had been cut off by his former master Obi-Wan, and closed his eyes, for a second clearing and centering his mind. "I dislike how your practices make your apprentices ill-prepared for the harshness of life, life can be beautiful, but it can be cruel, you don't prepare them to deal with the shock, with the conflicting emotions, with despair, fear, and even sadness."
He looked at Qui-Gon who has now turned around and was looking at him as he opened and closed his right hand, as a Sith I am prepared to face the cruelty of life better than you train your apprentices, something bad happens, I just need to brush it off, accept it and do something about it. Through my own strength, I control myself and deal with my problems."
He then looked at Vader and pointing at his hand, "Then why are you closing your hands every so often. Something tells me that you are remembering something and it was not something pleasant." Vader simply began to shake his head and looked at him almost laughing.
"As if I am the only person you ever met who had endured an injury and sometimes flexes the injured limb to make sure it healed properly. My arrival on Naboo was less than gentle, and for some odd reason, I think someone is trying to prove my senses and they are not doing so in a considerate way. My guess is your apprentice out the door still listening to our conversation to which I can only call it rude."
That is when Obi-Wan just came into the maintenance bay and looked rather upset, "You dare call my actions rude, you are talking with my master alone, only a fool would not consider this prime opportunity for you to try and murder my master." Qui-Gon simply stood up to his padawan and took his lightsaber off his belt and began to work on it like he had seen Vader do to his own.
Vader looked at him, Obi-Wan could tell he had a face of disapproval behind his masked helm, "I said it was rude to overhear a private conversation, we are currently protecting the Queen of Naboo, towards the capital world so she can inform the senate of the actions of an invading army of droids, we are going to need all the help we can obtain, and if you were hearing our conversation you should have heard that I don't attack without reason."
Qui-Gon was still preparing his padawan's lightsaber for desert combat, Vader simply walked over to another chair that R2-D2 had moved near him. "Thank you R2, you need to teach your apprentice to be less reckless, other sith would not be as patient or forgiving as I am." Qui-Gon having finished his work on the lightsaber handed it back to his padawan and looked at Vader with a smile.
"Now, now, no harm done, you must understand that your Sith Order has not given many reasons to let our guard down when your order is involved. My padawan is still quite young I believe with some experience he will be better at reading the feel of a situation."
Vader was quiet and waiting for Qui-Gon to finish saying what he wanted, to which Vader took the opportunity to say something, "If you are saying that the mere fact that my presence is making your apprentice not take a situation for granted and is ready to do what is needed, then my only response to that is you're welcome."
"Would you kindly drink your caff and let me drink my tea without such pointless arguing? I saved her life and the lives of her Captain of the Guard and handmaidens, I would have not gone through all that if I had nefarious intentions towards the queen or the people that serve her. Qui-Gon is all Jedi as Paranoid as your apprentice or is it just him?"
This made Obi-Wan frown at Vader and Qui-Gon simply smiled, "I can not speak for the entire Jedi Order, but I do imagine several are quite as paranoid as you seem to think my padawan is."
That is when a knock was heard on the bay door, Captain Panaka came in and looked at them apparently the droids for some reason prepared drinks for them, something he never saw Astromech droids do. They each were seated apart, the two Jedi were cautiously drinking their caff, while the one he knew as Vader was drinking his tea through a straw.
For some odd reason, he didn't want to remove his helm even when drinking. "Vader the Queen wishes to speak with you in private, it is my impression she wishes to discuss something of importance." Vader having finished his tea put it on the table and thanked R2-D2 by making some beeping noises that the order droids apparently appreciated too.
"Shall we Captain, let's us not keep her majesty waiting." Again Panaka was surprised by this but he did as he was ordered by the Queen and observed Vader as he walked towards where the supposed Queen and the actual Queen were pretending to be a handmaiden were waiting for them. The body double was sitting and she was being attended to by her handmaiden.
"I need to ask, is Darth your first name?" The Queen asked and even though they could not see Vader found this amusing, "No, your majesty it is not, Darth is my title, and Vader is my name, I am a Sith, I do understand that the way Sith are awarded titles and names might not be something commonly known."
She looked at him and nodded her head in understanding, "Very well Lord Vader, I need to ask your opinion on the planet we are landing on soon, Tatooine, I imagine you have an opinion on it." Tatooine was not a place Vader would ever be happy in visiting no matter how brief, even if this was the second life he could remember every negative thing that ever happened to his mother or him living the lives of slaves to that miserable junk dealer Watto.
"Tatooine, you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. The planet is ruled by a Hutt, and as thus the laws of the Republic which focuses on other planets are not enforced there, slavery and all sorts of crimes do occur, if you ever do wish to walk through the city streets, caution and vigilance are advised."
The queen could almost feel something akin to displeasure if not almost anger in his tone, "So I gather you do not particularly like this planet." Vader simply told her that besides the dangerous creatures and hostile natives, they had to deal with the criminal element, if they could somehow withstand that then it wasn't such a horrible place, at least not as bad as Hutta, and Nar Shadda.
"Thank you for your advice Lord Vader we will take it to heart, now for something else, I want to know what you asked and were doing with that Astromech droid, as soon as we boarded the ship. You do remember that I would ask you about it." The queen was acting like Padme did and was doing so like a recognized actress.
"The droid in question is R2-D2, and if you recall I had the captain of your guard carry that droid torso with him and into the ship, well to prove your case to the Senate they will simply not take your word for it, I had the network connection of the command droid sliced, and R2-D2 downloaded any video or text document to show the actions of the Trade Federation to prove they indeed invaded. I have a copy of this information, and yes it is irrefutable, as for why? I rather keep it secure till we reach the Capital world."
The handmaiden asked one question without realizing she was stepping on the toes of her double, "Why?" Vader simply told her that the criminal element could very well steal the data stick and then the possibility of losing the evidence would be higher than he liked. "I am a Sith, we do not like to leave things to chance, we make plans for every contingency, I currently have no less than twenty-five plans on how to deal with the Trade Federation, but the ones with the best outcome is to expose their actions in the Senate."
The double pretended to look displeased at her handmaiden and then looked at Vader they actually think this ruse will work that this will make him think the one wearing official garb is the actual queen. Had he none of his memories from his past life he admitted that it would have worked. That was however not the case now.
"Will there be anything else? I believe the two Jedi who are hiding back there, are rather uncomfortable kneeling like they are. I must find my seat and strap, I believe we are getting ready to land, and your majesty, if you do visit the streets, I would remind you not all food is meant for everyone and not all of it is as safe as it appears. I would also tell you that Tatooine has an unspoken rule that if a person is caught stealing that person may lose a limb."
As the ship landed and he was walking down the boarding ladder, Obi-Wan looked at him with a scowl on his face, "Why did you tell the Queen about the food, and their customs like a Sith like you would even know about this planet?" Vader didn't bother explaining, he simply told him because he knew what could go wrong, and because she was curious told him she would want to see the city for herself, so it better to be warned than having her suffer the consequences of a mistake.
As he finally was standing on the sands that were once the planet of his birth, Qui-Gon simply looked at him almost smelling the air, "Is there something the matter Vader?" Qui-Gon clearly being more polite than his padawan.
"Do you smell that spicy scent in the air, it means we had better hurry, or wait in the ship for shelter, there is a sandstorm coming, I don't know where it is headed but that is not something I would go into unprepared/"
Qui-Gon understood what he was talking about, the air indeed was restless, "Very well I shall go to the port city and try and find the hyperspace engine replacement, my padawan shall remain to guard the ship from thieves, it would not do that I find the engine but we end up getting the rest stolen. What do you plan to do?"
Vader simply told him the force for some odd reason was hiding him towards someplace, and he felt compelled to go there for some reason, originally he was planning to find some way to pay for the engine since Galactic Credits are pretty much worthless on the planet they were on.
That is when Captain Panaka walked towards them, "The Queen wishes to send one of her handmaidens with you Master Jedi, she is even more curious about this planet and their customs after the answers she received from Darth Vader."
Qui-Gon was about to protest until Vader asked him if he was unable to protect one handmaiden while buying for the engine? This made the man realize that he was right, he was wasting time trying to convince the captain not to let the handmaiden go with him. "Very well, at least the handmaiden knows of the warnings that Vader told the Queen, that is at least something."
Vader began to walk away towards his destination as Qui-Gon, the handmaiden and Jar Jar of all people went to the port city. His walk made him remember growing up as a slave on this planet, the abuse his mother went through, the horrible treatment he received from Watto, the Tusken Raiders, and their xenophobia.
He was so lost in thought and memories, that he didn't even notice when he finally arrived and saw the figure of a man he never wanted to see again, "Took you long enough to get here Darth, I know you must feel nostalgic about this planet, but we have things to do. It seems our bond when you were my padawan is still intact, you can imagine my surprise and how I ended up here."
It was the older version of Kenobi, still dressed in the same armored robes he wore during the clone wars, "I was certainly not expecting to you see ever again Kenobi, I met your younger self and having to deal with what is about to happen is bad enough having to withstand two of you is almost torture."
Ben Kenobi looked at him, "We could stand here arguing like an old married couple till those twin suns go nova but that is not going to make this galaxy any better than it was in our time, so let it go, and learn to look past petty revenge, I did." Vader simply replied that he would as soon as he stopped being a sarcastic troll.
They began walking into the cave but not before Ben told him he was not sarcastic, and what he calls being a troll Ben called humor. That is when they saw something Vader never thought possible, four male Krayt Dragons were trying very hard to devour a male and female of their own species who apparently were standing in front of two men frozen in carbonite slabs. Vader could also feel the dark force presence of Maul hiding nearby.
"So you take the two attacking the female and I take the other two?" Ben simply lit his lightsaber saying that it sounds like a plan he could agree with, the fighting between them was fierce but the two Krayt dragons guarding the frozen men did not move an inch. The male was heavily injured and the female was also healing him using the force of all things.
Vader finished his two dragons and Ben was having a bit of a hard time with his last one till Vader used the force choke and held him up in the air, Ben cut the head off that dragon when he saw that. "Well that was fun, but why did we need to find these two and the two carbonite slabs they seem to be guarding?"
Vader walked over to the male dragon who was suspicious and touched one of his injuries, the injury seem to close at a rapid rate after he applied an ointment from a bottle he took from his belt. "There, that should feel a lot better, mind telling me why are you and your mate guarding those two?" The male Krayt Dragon looked at his mate and she nodded her head.
"We are guardians to these two trapped souls, two of the last Je'daii in the galaxy. they raised us since we were hatchlings and One of them used force projection and taught us many things about the force, and the other taught us about combat, which is how we have been able to protect these two for so long. I am Dragna Kara Kallig, and my mate is Drago Leo Kallig, please help us by freeing these trapped souls, I am certain they will be of great help in your future endeavors."
Ben was shocked that they could speak just using their minds like this, but they did say that they had been taught about the force. "Very well, but be warned there is no telling if these people will be able to see depending on how long they been frozen just so you know." Vader having seen such slabs of carbonite before he calmly walked over to one slab and Ben to the other, Vader told him how to start the thaw procedure but Ben told him he already knows.
"What I want to know is why you look younger than when I fought against you?" Ben simply kept cleaning the controls of the slab and told him for the same reason that he didn't look like a piece of overcooked meat, somehow the force transferred their souls into the bodies of two clones. That did not make Vader happy but it was at least understandable.
"I mean Vader, we are both wearing armor from the time we fought in that war, so it is no surprise that we look like when we did in that time," Finally the two slabs began to show signs of heating up and the carbonite began to melt away revealing two men one dressed in Jedi robes the other in the robes of a Sith Inquisitor of ancient times.
The two almost felt to the sand on the cave floor were it not for Kara and Drago catching them and helping them to stand, "So the two that was foretold by the prophecy that Revan told us are finally here. I just wish my sight would return faster than this, and for how long are we going to stand here waiting to see what those three particularly rude Zabrak decide to act?"
Ben and Vader looked at him and around them, "Are you certain that three people are hiding from us?" One of them nodded his head, "We might be unable to see, but we are hardly blind, we can sense them through the force, my brother and I began our lives as Sith, but eventually we achieved balance with the force and we began to follow the teachings of the Je'daii. My brother Nox is correct, there are three and I agree that for these three Zabrak pretending to be Sith Lords to hide and not greet two former lords of the Sith is at the very least rude."
Ben looked at him, "Can you tell us about them? What do you sense about them?" Nox looked around him, "They are siblings, from the way they stand, and I am getting this sweet scent from one of them, and almost fragrance of wildflowers, so I guess at least one of them is female. Her brothers are flanking her almost protecting her somehow. My brother was one called Darth Imperious, and I am Darth Nox. Believe it or not, Imperius was once a member of the Dark Council. You would never be able to tell with how calm and friendly he is."
Imperius tried to glare at his brother, "It is called diplomacy Nox, and the reason why you never were a member of the Dark Council even though you could have joined as I did." Nox simply began to laugh, "I could never do that, once people start thinking a Sith has gone soft, it's nothing but work, all day and all the time, no thank you brother, it wastes too much time I rather use for my own force experiments."
Ben and Vader looked at each other almost trying hard not to laugh, "Well they certainly argue like they are brothers like we used to as a matter of a fact." Vader simply retorted with as long as he didn't cut his brother's limbs off and left him to roast in the heat from a molted river of lava.
Ben looked at Vader and he was almost sad that he mentioned this, "Look, Vader, at the time I honestly thought there was no way to redeem you from the Dark Side of the Force, I honestly thought that death would be more merciful than let you remain in the clutches of evil. I am sorry I honestly thought you were dead, I am sorry, I should have checked and taken you with us had I known, please forgive me, I was honest I did and still do love you as my own brother!"
Nox and Imperious simply sat on the back of one of the dragons and listened to this drama, "Your actions shall determine whether or not you are honest. Now mind telling me my once fellow Darth, what exactly do you plan to do?"
Imperious looked at him and simply could not believe that even after he was told they follow the Je'daii teachings, that he still called them thus, "We intend to help both of you understand the true nature of the force and help in your struggles, we are more familiar with the reality of war that either of you is. I do wish I still had my lightsaber, and just how long are those three rude punks are going to still hide there, you three better come and greet us properly or I swear I am going to tan your behinds with a much-needed attitude readjustment!"
