The First Inquisitor

Chapter 1

"Lord Vader, arise."

Blue eyes flashed to yellow, as Vader had awoken from his sleep for the first time since his battle on Mustafar. A red haze dialed against his pupils as data fed through his lenses leaped onto screen.

It was Palpatine, as Anakin knew him. But Master Sidious, who addressed Vader.

"You have healed well, I hope." he spoke through ragged lips.

"It has been a painful process, my Master. But I feel my strength returning in time." Vader, rasping through his ventilator, struggled to form the right words. His chest felt as though it was a hollow shell.

"Good, there is much work to be done with our new Empire, my friend.." A smile creeped across Sidious's face, which quickly fell. "You failed on Mustafar to destroy Obi-wan Kenobi. A strong ally to the Force. Do you realize what your mistake was?"

Vader struggled to climb down from his medical table, his robotic legs smashing against the floor like a toddler trying to take their first steps.

"I apologize, my Master. The rules of engagement alluded me in my time of desperation." Vader, now on equal footing with Sidious, stood tall. His metallic spine keeping his head propped up in his helmet.

Sidious, quickly frowning, spoke assertively. "Wrong!" Suddenly Vader crashed to his knees, a weight heavier than his metallic prison locked him in place as he struggled to remain upright. "It was your hubris! It is the way of the Sith to use your emotion for power, but your ego has blinded you. You had forgotten your place, and your place is at MY side! My hand, my second, my Empire I have worked so long for will not fall to some boy who can't see past his own dreams!"

Vader, now enraged, lifted his cybernetic hand in opposition, sending a powerful wave of the Force crashing into Sidious who seemed unphased. Quickly after, Vader was lifted into the air and forced against the walls of the hanger they presided in.

"As I said, Lord Vader," Sidious sneered, "You forget your place and it will do you well to remember it in your fragile state. I understand your anger, losing Padme and your limbs with it. But if you dare lash out against me again, you will suffer a pain greater than your defeat."

He released Vader, sending him tumbling to the floor. His breath shook as he struggled to push his body upwards and kneel before his Master. His cold, gloved hands touched the ground with his head hung low, not daring to look into the eyes of his superior.

"I.. understand. My apologies, my Master."

"Good.. good. As I said, there is work to be done and there is no time too soon to spare. Many Jedi still survive out there in the galaxy. I feel them in the Force, their hope is broken. Yet still, they continue to prey on my universe. Find them. Cut them out, and you will have earned my respect once again in doing so. Now rise, Lord Vader. Commander Bacara has a possible lead of a surviving Jedi master. Speak with him, and be on your way."

Sidious turned, heading towards the door of the medical bay which had now opened, beaming light into the darkness and casting a long, dark shadow over Vader who dared not move.

"Remember," Sidious paused, "Your ego had blinded you. A nearly fatal mistake. Do not let it happen again, for your sake."

In the hangar, Commander Baraca awaited his unknown leader. A direct order from Palpatine simply stated; "Commander, my new apprentice and your new higher up will be arriving shortly for the leads you have acquired on Jedi Master Kaan Aztar. Fill him in so he may dispatch of the traitor. His words are mine, and his commands will be followed." Baraca was eager, but far from excited. He was unsure of why, but an uneasy feeling of dread overcame him.

Moments later the hangar entry doors opened, revealing a large, dark figure. It was Vader, fist clenched and barreling towards the commander. His heavy footsteps and the rasp of his ventilator were the only noise to pierce the silence that surrounded the battalion.

"Halt!" a stormtrooper commanded, stepping out in front of the silent cyborg. "Authorized personnel onl- GAH!"

Vader, still silent and unwavering, lifted the trooper into the air effortlessly, force-choking him and casting his now lifeless body aside. The commander now at full attention was immediately aware of the situation at present. Fear and dread filled him.

"Sir I-,"

"You will address me as Lord Vader, Commander." Vader said stoically, as he stared into the open abyss of space through the hangar windows.

"Y-yes, Lord Vader. The Emperor has instructed me to fill you in in the situation of the traitor Jedi Master Kaan Aztar. Scouts in the Outer Rim have gained intel of his whereabouts on Envil V, a remote mountain planet. We haven't been able to pinpoint his exact location but-,"

"That will be all commander." Vader spoke shortly. "Prepare an Interceptor for me in short time. Be sure to add the location of Envil V on my map. No mistakes." Still facing away beyond the commander, Vader breathed steadily. "Now, Commander. Less you end up like your fellow trooper."

"Right away, Lord Vader." As the commander walked hurriedly towards the fleet of starships barking orders to the lower rank, Vader stood silently. Waiting. Planning. Remembering.

Aboard the Interceptor, Vader switched the controls on. His map displayed a large rotating planet with several land masses surrounded by chaotic oceans. Swirling clouds loomed over the atmosphere with several spots of storms flashing into existence. Shutting down the map, he began take off procedures, the Interceptor rising above the ranks of clones and jetting off into the void. It was time to meet his first challenge. Master Kaan Aztar. It wouldn't be easy. Especially without a lightsaber.