"I think I'm falling in love with you…"

Vader's eyes snapped open and he blinked a few times as he adjusted to the light coming in through the small holes in the walls. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd slept through the whole night.

He noticed Padmé was still asleep, clutching his cloak tightly to her body. She must be cold.

Vader wrapped his arms around her again, trying to make sense of what she'd said to him the night before. How could this beautiful Angel possibly love a monster like me?

He began to think that perhaps he might be feeling the same thing. That "love" is the word he was looking for to describe the fuzzy emotions that plagued him whenever she was in his arms.

But it couldn't be possible. Sith know not of love, only hatred.

Vader tried to evade his thoughts by leaving Padmé to check his messages. A layer of snow had covered the dead wampa, which helped the stench, but was frustrating to dig through to get his communicator.

I need to find a better spot for this.

Sure enough, there was a message from Piett.

"The Emperor has just departed the Executor, my Lord," the Admiral stated. "He sent out thousands of clone troopers to search for you. I'll try to keep them away from Hoth, but things are a bit chaotic here at the moment. I will meet you at the coordinates you sent me in a few hours. Piett out."

Vader frowned. If the Emperor was determined to find him, then it was bound to happen at some point. But surely Hoth would not be the first place they would search.

Vader had to admit that he was almost a bit pleased that there was chaos in his absence. It proved his theory that his troopers and crew were more loyal to himself than to the Emperor. This would definitely come in handy someday when he made his move to dethrone and destroy Sidious.

Vader returned to the bedroom and leaned down, gazing at Padmé's sleeping form. "I'll be back," he whispered as he gently pushed a curl out of her face.

He proceeded to the room where he had left his mask and helmet. They were a necessary part of his plan and would keep him warm on his trek back to the pod.

Yet Vader found himself surprisingly hesitant to put them back on. For the first time in years, he felt free. Free to walk around and do whatever he wanted during the day without hiding under a cheap black helmet. The mask that he had once found to be a source of comfort that hid his hideous scars from the public was now useless and only served to remind him of his Master.

Padmé likes me the way I am, so it's time that I did too.

For the last time, Darth Vader donned his disguise. He headed out the main door and began to trudge through the snow without any second thoughts about what he was going to do. His mind was made up, and he sincerely hoped he could trust Piett on this risky mission…


Firmus Piett found himself rapidly approaching the ice planet Hoth in a small two-man ship. On the passenger seat was a bag filled with dead ice fish giving off a quite unpleasant odor.

"You- Stormtrooper, what's your number?"

"KT-945, Sir," the trooper responded, "but you can call me Kurt if you'd like."

Piett was slightly thrown off. This was the first time a clone had ever introduced himself with a name. He knew that he should scold him for this display of independence, but realized the job he was about to assign him would be punishment enough.

"You will go to the planet Mygeeto," Piett ordered. "Your task there is ice fishing."

"Ice fishing, Sir?" Kurt repeated.

"Yes," Piett confirmed, "and bring me back as many fish as you can carry as soon as possible."

"Is this a mission for the Emperor?" Kurt asked.

"No, this is a mission for myself," Piett answered, "and the Emperor cannot know about this under any circumstances. I shall come up with a suitable cover story for you in the logs should anyone ask about it. If your loyalties lie with Lord Vader, you will do this without question."

"Orders understood, Admiral Piett," the trooper responded. "I shall leave right away."

Kurt had returned at night with far more fish than Piett was expecting. Piett therefore promoted him one rank under the condition that he use his number, not his name. KT-945 accepted the offer.

As Piett entered Hoth's atmosphere and drew closer to the frozen land, he noticed a small dark object. That was his destination.

Vader's escape pod.

He landed a few meters away and felt a whip of cold air as he exited his vehicle.

Let's get this over with. I can't trust Ozzel in charge for too long.

Piett dragged the bag of fish over to the pod, where Vader was waiting inside. He seemed oddly unfazed by the weather, but perhaps it was because of the suit.

"It's good to see you, my Lord," Piett began. "I hope you haven't been waiting too long."

"Long enough," Vader responded, ducking out of the pod to meet his Admiral. "Did you bring what I asked?"

Piett handed over the bag. Vader said nothing, which he took to mean he was pleased.

"I need your help with one more thing," said the Dark Lord, "but first I must ask where your loyalties lie."

"With you, my Lord," Piett responded.

"And the Emperor?" Vader asked.

Piett took a moment to correctly word his reply. "If I could choose one life to save between the two of you, it would be yours."

"Glad to hear it," Vader responded, "but now you're going to help kill me."

"Excuse me?" Piett said, confused.

Vader began to strip out of his suit, leaving on only his boots, a long-sleeved black shirt, and a pair of black sweatpants. As he slowly removed his mask and helmet, Piett was tempted to look away.

What is he doing? Will he kill me for seeing his face?

Piett couldn't help but take a small peek. He was not expecting the sight. It wasn't the fact that Vader had strange scars or half a head of hair, but merely that he was so young. Piett had been taking orders from someone who was barely out of his teen years.

Of course, he did not vocalize his thoughts and tried his best to keep his face clear of them. He failed.

"What surprises you more, Piett?" the boy Sith asked. "The scars or the age?"

Piett gulped. "The age, I suppose."

"The Jedi were plucked from their homes as infants and held powerful positions in the Republic at this age," Vader commented. "Naboo has children for queens. Do you question my ability to rule based upon how many years I've been alive?"

"Absolutely not, my Lord," Piett responded quickly.

"Good," Vader answered before throwing his suit, mask, and helmet into the pod. "Now go to your ship and find something to light a fire. A big one."

Piett followed his orders and returned with a pack of matches. "This is all I have, Sir."

"It'll do," Vader responded, grabbing the small box and setting to work.

As he began to throw small flames into the pod, Piett understood.

"You're faking your death."

"That I am, Admiral," Vader responded as the pod began to catch fire. "You will send troops to Hoth as part of the Emperor's search. You will send them directly to this area where they will discover the remains of Lord Vader's suit and conclude that I perished in a crash."

"What about a skeleton, Sir?" Piett pointed out. "And your lightsaber."

"You will personally declare me deceased and bring my charred suit to the Emperor," Vader commanded. "He will not ask for bones. And I need my lightsaber, so tell him it must've been buried in the snow and the clones couldn't find it."

Piett watched and took a few steps back as the flames grew higher. He couldn't help but notice that Vader was a little uneasy around the fire.

His scars. They're burns.

"I trust that I am leaving the galaxy in safe hands," said Vader, turning to Piett. "The position of second in command will now fall upon you."

"I…but…" Piett stuttered. "I am honored, but I am not fit to hold such a position of authority. The galaxy needs you. As much as people dislike you, they like you a hell of a lot more than the Emperor."

"Well I don't need the galaxy," Vader snapped back. "The Emperor can do as he damn well pleases, but I want no part of it. Perhaps someday I'll resume my position when I chop his head off."

"Sir?" said Piett, a bit frightened.

"I look like this for a reason, Piett," Vader clarified. "And someday I will get my revenge for it. But for now, I just need some time away from the Empire."

Piett nodded and slowly began to return to his ship.

"Piett!" Vader called to him.

"Yes, my Lord?" Piett responded, turning around.

"You're a good friend," said Vader.

Piett couldn't help but be flattered. And notice a distinct change in Vader. He suspected the reason behind it.

"Whoever she is," Piett answered, "take good care of her."

And then Vader smiled. For just a moment, a tiny bit of darkness faded from the Dark Lord. So Piett smiled in return and saluted.

As he flew back through the atmosphere and into space, setting course for the Executor, Piett couldn't help but feel a sense of insecurity that big changes were in store for the Empire. But he knew he would always have his friend to call if he ever needed advice.


Big changes are ahead indeed! Eager to hear what you guys thought of this scene. I've been planning the Piett/Vader friendship thing since the beginning and you will definitely see more Piett in the future…but for now, what do you think Vader is going to do now that he's "dead"?

I sent personal thanks out to anyone who's reviewed so far. If I missed you, so sorry! Also, shoutout to dedicated guest reader Ambre since I can't message you.