Flying low, Vader could sense his presence before he even saw the speeder parked outside the Lars family farm.
Obi-Wan.
Vader should have known that he would be the first call Padmé placed in her distressed state upon his departure from Tatooine. Though Vader didn't expect him to still be here after all this time. What have they been doing while he was away? The thought enraged him.
Knowing that he would not be able to maintain a calm stature in the presence of the Jedi, Vader propelled his ship deeper into the desert. He had traded his stolen Imperial vehicle on Corellia to a sketchy dealer called Feng who specialized in transporting pirated goods and keeping the transporters of said goods off the radar. Vader, of course, had known of his existence for years, but had never taken the initiative to shut down the operation, as it did not interfere with the day-to-day business of the Empire nor did it have any affiliation with the Rebellion. When Feng was able to provide him with a nondescript ship that would suit his current needs, no questions asked, Vader commended his former decision to keep the operation up and running.
Heartkiller was from Corellia.
But Vader was not Heartkiller. Or Anakin. He was Vader…right?
He pulled up outside a cave and popped out of the speeder, cursing when pieces of sand leapt from the ground in the ship's wake and landed in his shoes.
And now we wait.
Vader counted less than ten minutes before the dreaded speeder pulled up, maintaining an approximate distance of three hundred feet or so from his own. He leaned against the outer wall that marked the opening of the cave, crossing his arms in impatient anticipation of the Jedi's approach.
Obi-Wan slowly closed the gap between the pair and paused at a distance of fifty feet or so. He did not draw his lightsaber or any other weapons he may have concealed in his robes.
"Vader," Obi-Wan began with a slight nod.
Vader did not return the gesture of acknowledgment and jumped right to the point, desperate to make his escape from the planet before the situation escalated.
"I'm here with a warning for Padmé," Vader stated, pacing back and forth to avoid eye contact with his former master. "And for yourself, for that matter. I'm sure she has informed you that I am on a mission and I must ask you not to intervene."
"And why is that?" Obi-Wan asked.
"It's for your own good," Vader responded, clenching his teeth. "I have seen things, a vision of sorts. If you follow me to the Imperial palace, things will not end well for any of us."
"And if you go alone?" the Jedi persisted.
"Then Padmé is safe," Vader argued.
Silence fell for several moments before the Jedi spoke again.
"I could help you control these visions of death," Obi-Wan stated. "I know it is impossible to dissuade you from your mission, but I can teach you to utilize the Light Side in your battle."
"I don't need your help!" Vader spat. "Only darkness can fight darkness."
Vader was stunned when the Jedi moved closer.
"I've used this cave as a hideout on many occasions," Obi-Wan continued. "When you and your army were hunting the Jedi survivors. It served its purpose well, seeing that I am still alive."
"You won't be for much longer if you dare to remind me of my failures," Vader growled. "And I seem to recall the last time I saw you, you were adamant to slash me open."
"And the last time I saw you, one of your admirals had just arrived at our base," said Obi-Wan. "Firmus Piett led a very convincing argument that he was on your side, whatever side that may be, and that he was there to offer us assistance. The Imperial army did indeed come, but they did not come as friends. They destroyed the base and I have received no further transmissions from any allies. Dead, I'm assuming, or prisoners of war."
"Admiral Piett has been captured and tortured by the Emperor," Vader elaborated. "He betrayed me, as well. Sidious has very…persuasive tactics of getting what he wants."
"I see," Obi-Wan replied. "Do you think the troops would still show loyalty to you if you reached out to them?"
"That is precisely what I plan to do," Vader continued, "not that it is any of your business. My men are the only allies I need in this journey."
Vader brushed past the Jedi and stalked toward his speeder. He could see a volatile sandstorm beginning to rise in the distance.
"Give Padmé my best!" he shouted back. "Tell her I'll return for her soon."
"And who will you be returning as?" Obi-Wan asked.
Vader ignored him and boarded his ship. He would need to move fast if he were to outrun the storm. He cursed himself for missing yet another opportunity to kill the Jedi who abandoned him as a boy. He was growing soft.
Starting his engines, Vader considered the plan which the Jedi had unknowingly given to him. He had not thought of still using the Stormtroopers as allies. He assumed his original plan was no longer viable considering the troopers' behavior back at the space port, but perhaps it was indeed an option. His new plan was a less organized, covert operation. Sneak in through the back, slay the Emperor on his own, and take his rightful place on the throne. But an army could possibly be of assistance, especially since he no longer possessed the element of surprise. Sidious knew he was coming and would be able to sense him the second he entered the atmosphere of Coruscant.
Vader's eyes were growing weary, but Tatooine was not the proper place for a couple hours of sleep. He wanted to sleep with her. She was nearby, so close that he could almost feel her. He craved the feeling of her.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if I indulged in one last night just in case things take a turn for the worse…but not with him around.
He pulled up alongside the hut and waited. Sure enough, his angel appeared. The desert life was not suitable for her beauty.
Vader jumped down from the ship and used her tight embrace of him to hoist her into the cockpit.
"What the hell are you doing?" Padmé shouted.
Vader returned to the pilot's seat and closed the door and roof.
"Taking you home," he answered, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.
Padmé was not the least bit silent for the first part of their journey. She expressed her joy and gratitude at Vader's gesture to return to Naboo, but reprimanded him for leaving her in a vulnerable state. She feared that he was still unaware of how much he meant to her despite her efforts. Perhaps this trip was his way of changing his mind or showing an interest in embracing the Light Side. She was not sure how his conversation with Obi-Wan had played out, but he assured her that there was no fighting, injuries, or death that resulted and she was inclined to believe him.
Padmé stopped mid-sentence as she was recounting a particularly funny conversation between Cliegg and Beru when Vader switched the ship into autopilot.
"What are you doing?" she asked as he rose from his seat.
"We're in a relatively safe part of the galaxy," Vader responded. "Very few Imperial patrols in this area. I need to sleep. Wake me up in two hours."
Padmé's frustration was increasing at the lack of details he was providing her, or rather, not providing her.
"You have to give me something!" she exclaimed. "You've been gone for weeks! I was scared you were dead! Where were you?"
"I'm exhausted, Padmé," Vader grunted.
Before she could protest, he had already drifted off. She decided to use the time to place a call to her parents. The ship's communication system was neither an Imperial line nor a rebel line, so she figured it would not be monitored. Once again, Vader had demonstrated his cunning ability to keep off the grid.
The last time Padmé had been this relieved to see her parents' holograms was in Vader's bedroom aboard his starship. How far they had come since then.
"Padmé!" they exclaimed in unison upon connection.
"It's been so long since we've heard from you," her father continued. "You need to keep in touch more often. These are dangerous times."
If only they knew what she'd been up to lately.
"I know, Dad," Padmé replied. "That's why I'm coming home."
"Why, that's wonderful, sweetheart!" her mother exclaimed in response. "When will you be arriving?"
"Probably a day or so," Padmé answered.
She deliberating warning them about Vader, but decided against it.
"Well, be careful," her father cautioned. "The Imperial presence on Naboo has declined significantly in the past couple years, but you can never be too careful. Rumor has it Vader is no longer in command, perhaps even deceased, but I'm sure you knew that already!"
"He's not dead, Dad," Padmé replied. "I'm fine and I'll explain when I get there."
Her mother's face molded into a sort of hesitation before she spoke.
"Alright, we'll have a nice dinner planned for your arrival. I'm sure your sister and the kids will be delighted to see you."
"No!" Padmé shouted, glancing over to make sure she had not woken Vader with her sudden outburst. "I mean, not on the first night. I'm bringing someone with me and I want him to meet you first. Without children around."
How would Vader act around children? Do I want to know?
"My goodness, this is certainly a surprise!" her mother continued, her expression now a combination of shock and glee. "A romantic someone, I'm assuming?"
Padmé grimaced. Her parents had always pressured her into paying more attention to the romantic side of life. Now that she finally had, what would they think of her? I mean, they didn't have to know he was Vader, or even Anakin. He could just be a very scarred, very tall and brooding gentleman from Corellia.
With yellow eyes and a lightsaber.
"In a manner of speaking," said Padmé. "It's complicated. I'll be home soon. Just try to keep an open mind."
"As long as you're happy, we'll be happy," her father responded with a blank expression. "See you soon, darling."
Padmé ended the transmission and debated how to spend the remaining hour and forty-two minutes before she could wake Vader. He appeared so peaceful in his sleep. One would never know who he was and the things he had seen in his lifetime. There was even a trace of a smile on his lips as his chest moved up and down in rhythmic, fluid motions. She wondered how he could sleep every night without nightmares of his days as a brutal murdering beast.
Thirty-two minutes of idle stargazing later, she noticed an object approaching. At first she thought it was an asteroid that the autopilot would dodge, but as it grew closer, Padmé's heart stopped for a moment in utter terror.
"Vader!" she yelled, shaking his massive body with as much force as she could manage.
"What?" he mumbled, clearly unhappy that his sleep had been interrupted. She briefly wondered when he'd last slept.
"There's an Imperial cruiser headed straight for us!" Padmé cried, trying not to hyperventilate as she continued shaking him until he bolted to the pilot's seat.
"Strap in," he ordered, and she did.
The ship veered sharply to the left and the cruiser followed. A transmission came across through the communicator on the dashboard.
"This is Imperial patrol ship 4027," the officer on the other end declared. "You are traveling in an unmarked, unregistered vehicle. Identify yourself."
"Unmarked ship to 4027," Vader stated. "Two humans on board here. Recreational travel in a rented vehicle."
"Please state your name, planet of origin, and destination," the officer replied, the cruiser approaching their tail.
"John Heartkiller, Corellia, destination…Space Port 79 for a connection on public transit," Vader replied, keeping their course straight.
The line went silent for a moment before the officer resumed.
"I have no record of any Heartkillers anywhere in the Corellia region of the galaxy, and you are heading in the wrong direction for Space Port 79. I'm going to have to ask you to please turn around and board the cruiser for inspection."
Vader smashed the communicator.
"To hell with this!" he shouted. "Hold on, Padmé."
With an impressive amount of agility, Vader shifted the gears in the cockpit and burst into lightspeed at a pace that gave Padmé an intense wave of nausea. She was determined not to have a repeat of the escape pod incident and maintained focus on a solid point ahead to cure the dizziness until they emerged.
"Did we lose them?" Padmé asked, breathing heavily.
"For now," Vader answered, "but they won't be far behind. We're closer to Naboo, but I don't want to lead them directly there. We'll need to stop somewhere and change vehicles or take public transit."
"We can't take public transit- they ask for ID and you don't have one," Padmé pointed out, surprised that Vader was unaware of this procedure.
"I'll figure it out," he responded, stress lines forming on his face. "Do you recognize that planet up ahead?"
Padmé turned her eyes in the direction of his glance.
"Yes, but we'll find nothing of assistance there," she stated. "Widow is a barren wasteland- a dumping place for people's junk"
"Perfect," Vader replied. "I can fix up a junker in no time and scavengers are of less threat to us than the Empire."
"So you're not part of the Empire anymore, then?" Padmé asked hopefully.
"Very soon, Padmé," Vader responded, "I will be the Empire."
