Sorry for the delay on posting the chapter. RL sort of swept me away and my muse went on an unauthorized vacation. I have some important points to cover before people start reading.
Leia is ten and will not be in a romantic relationship therefore.
This story is rated T and this chapter contains Vader acting like a Sith Lord. If you've never watched a Pg-13 movie or cannot abide violence there's a summary in the lower author's note
There's almost always a reason to why certain things happen which unfortunately may not be apparent until something like chapter 20.
That's all. Enjoy… *choke* "No Vader I will not… turn to the dark side… I won't say that Disney… owns Star Wars.
ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Vader felt the hyperdrive coming online, the starship rumbling gently like a giant sleeping beast, and then the slight lurch when entering hyperspace. Standing in front of the helm of the ship, he looked at the mass of swirling lights of the cosmos. Around him the crew fretted and worked fearfully, running everything to their best of their ability. Nobody wanted to die by the Sith Lord's force-choke.
The respirator hissed through the silence and he could feel the thrill of the hunt pulsing through him. He had rebels to crush and the dark side sang. Finally he was off Coruscant, away from deceit and diplomacy, he was free. The only thing that would make the situation better if there actually was a Jedi. He wanted to make the traitors scream in agony and despair as he descended upon them, mutilating their body limb by limb. The Jedi would finally allow him to find the traitor Kenobi.
Kenobi had left him to die and taken everything from him. He'd pay for that crime and until he finally decided to show his cowardly face, he would destroy the last remnants of the order; they were all traitors anyway. His hands clenched and the Force swirled around him. Once again, he was strong in the dark side with nothing holding him back. It didn't match the exhilaration that he had felt when he descended on the Jedi Temple, but then he hadn't been free.
His hands clenched tighter, getting angrier. He would never be free. His Master controlled everything about him, including whom he talked to. He lived in a prison, his very body a gilded cage maintained by his Master. Never would he be able to rise above anything because he was stuck in the blasted suit. A suit that only allowed the bare minimum for him to achieve his tasks.
A sharp pain in his joints reminded him of the atrocities of his Master. He was so frustrated and he knew his eyes were turning redder and redder as he settled into bloodlust. The mission would be good for him, an opportunity to vent his rage and to increase his power.
Turning sharply, he strode off the deck, seeking solitude. He wanted to fight, the star destroyer not scheduled to arrive for many more hours. He had to do something now.
Heading back to his quarters, he paused in front of a door. Behind it he could feel the bright presence of Leia. The brief encounter with the dark side hadn't stained her signature and even now he could feel her purity and innocence.
The dark side pulsed around him and he closed his eyes to feel it even more. Idly he remembered a story his mother used to tell. There had been stories of the cursed Jedi and of animals that could talk. Then there were the stories of the dragons guarding a jewel, protecting it from all who sought it. He wondered if that's what he was, a dragon protecting his prized jewel, the Princess.
While he was sure that Leia wouldn't appreciate the sentiment, that was what she was, a precious jewel. Her Force-presence pulsed brightly and strongly ignoring the fear and destruction around it. He felt no need to mar it; the Force was silent in a way of acceptance. The Princess was his. She was his to protect, his to guard, and his to guide. He'd never consider her to be a slave, she was free to do what she wanted, but he'd be there, watching his jewel.
Reluctantly, he moved on to his chambers where he ignited his lightsaber and began to duel with several droids built for that reason alone.. His lightsaber slashed viciously through the air as he thought of his mission. The Republic was a failure, a disaster and stupid idealists couldn't remember that.
A droid fell at his feet, sliced in half.
Failures for some reason were so praiseworthy. People still talked in hushed whispers about the Jedi, their abilities and heroics. His blood boiled at the thought of people praising Anakin Skywalker. It was Anakin this, Skywalker that, Kenobi over there. He had been a failure before he turned. The name Anakin was a disgrace to him. It represented all of his failures and inabilities. His younger self had been incapable, couldn't even save his own mother.
Another droid crashed down to the ground, its shell crumpled.
Now he was capable, capable of doing whatever it takes to complete the mission. No puny Senate or liar would stand in his way. There'd be no repeat of his former Padawan, no mother gasping her last breaths in his arms, while he stood there watching, unable to do anything. There'd be no more failures.
A small voice in the back of his mind whispered that it didn't matter how much power he had, if there was no one there for him. He forced it out of his mind. He had the power and should he wish to use it, he could.
A slight beeping noise brought him to the present; he had an hour before the ship was exiting hyperspace. An hour before he'd be descending to crush the rebellion. An hour before blood would coat the floors and his boots. A simple hour to get ready.
He could feel the adrenaline beginning to pump through his veins as he inspected his lightsaber and inspected his spare. Another thing his younger self hadn't been smart enough to do; carry a spare lightsaber.
He ignited the spare, noticing with satisfaction it's strong consistent color and how it easily extended it when he willed it to. The surprise of being faced with a dual length lightsaber had been the end for many Jedi. Not that he needed it of course. Only someone of Yoda's tier would be able to stand up against him.
Suitably prepared, he grabbed another cloak and walked to the bridge. Once again he slowed by Leia's door wondering if he should tell her of his imminent departure. Using the Force he brushed against her mind, feeling fear. Confused he opened her door and walked inside. Leia was sitting there, listening to a teacher droid drone on about a certain subject.
Upon his entering, she briefly looked up, but quickly glanced back down. He could feel her fear and the dark side devoured it, fueling his own power. It befuddled him that the usually confident and outspoken girl was so submissive. She backed away from his presence.
"I'm leaving soon," he intoned.
Something flashed in her eyes, but then it was gone, "Yes, Lord Vader."
"If you need anything comm the bridge."
This time surprise ran through her little body, "What about Caden?"
"He's going into battle with me"
He felt her worry at his comment and felt a need to appease her, "He'll be fine Leia."
She nodded and looked down her shoulders drooping, "Well, see you later my Lord."
Vader paused in confusion. She was so different than her normal self. It was silly to expect her to say something along the line of good luck or even a simple goodbye, because she had no reason. It still made him feel strange, her total indifference. Something was bothering her and he didn't know what.
"Is everything alright Leia?"
"Nothing is wrong Lord Vader," she whispered and Vader wanted to bang his head against something, she wasn't going to tell him what was wrong.
Deciding to give her some space, "Okay Leia, remember you can com the bridge if you need anything. Have fun."
"I'm sure you will," she replied bitterly as the door slid closed.
Vader stood still, trying to understand her hostility. He couldn't remember saying anything or having done anything that would cause her to be in such a mood. Perhaps it was a good thing that he never had to raise his son, he was terrible at this. Padmé would have done a good job. His anger blossomed anew and drove away his confusion. The bloodlust was calling him and his lips turned upwards in a cold smile. He had work to do.
He walked onto the bridge, the darkside rolling off him causing the officers to flinch slightly before saluting.
"Is the shuttle prepared?"
"Yes my Lord," saluted an officer.
"The stormtroopers are ready to march?"
"Yes my Lord."
Vader nodded, "Good," he paused to watch the ship jump from hyperspace, "Make sure no ship escapes… I'll deal with the rebels on planet myself."
He turned around, intent on heading to the hanger bay. There was a Jedi to deal with on the planet, he could feel their presence despite being shielded and looked forward to the challenge. He relished the thought of cutting down another traitor.
The sneering voice of an officer stopped his exit, "Oh, how's he going to possibly take care of all the rebels on his own? It seems Lord Vader is just an idiot after all; what can he do that good artillery fire can't?"
The other officers remained fearfully silent as Lord Vader turned around. A Force-push slammed the insolent man into the other side of the deck. He just had moments to glance up fearfully as Vader strode towards him. His ever increasing anger was ready to boil over and demanded to be used. Lifting his hand, the officer began to hang in the air, scrambling fruitlessly at his neck to loosen the invisible fingers. A snap resounded on the bridge and the officer fell lifelessly to the ground.
"That," Vader answered the question of the now dead officer before looking around, "Does anyone else have something they wish to say? Good."
This time when he strode off the bridge, nobody dared to move.
The incident on the bridge empowered his use of the dark side and he wanted to laugh in delight. Besides him the stormtroopers waited in the shuttle, clutching their weapons in eager anticipation. Before the shuttle could even land to disperse its troops, Vader jumped out, igniting his lightsaber; he had a Jedi to catch.
The rebels stood before him proudly, hoisting their weapons and aiming at him. The urge to laugh got stronger as he stood up, revealing his impressive height and ignoring the calls for him to surrender.
Calling onto the Force he pushed outwards, throwing the rebels across the rocky landscape. His optics gazed around the barren world look at the large rocky formations wondering where the Jedi would hide.
A flash in the Force called to him, a temporary drop of the Jedi's shielding. The Jedi wanted a fight and he would get it.
Once again, as Vader's lightsaber swept through the battle field, he wondered at the Jedi's hypocrisy. The Jedi preached, the weaklings they were, to seek peaceful resolutions first and violence as a last resort. His mystery opponent sure had no qualms about stirring up the world's inhabitants, having to know that when the imperials arrived they'd be lucky to get slaughtered in the blood bath. Nobody wanted to be the Empire's next important prisoner.
Once more a Force push knocked over various rebel troops as he swiftly beheaded the ones in his way. It takes two people to play a game of tag and here Vader had the advantage. If the Jedi wanted to fight there was no reason for him to chase the coward through the rocky terrain and fall in a certain trap. It was so much easier to brutally eliminate every single rebel, which would draw the compassionate weakling to him and serve as a reminder to what happened to those that opposed the Empire.
More rebels fell, cut down by his blood red lightsaber. Their screams echoed through the air as they broke formation desperate to flee from the monster in front of them. In their fear and haste they trampled each other over, revealing the truth about their nature, about the nature of every living thing residing in the galaxy; everyone for themselves.
Vader easily followed the fleeing rebels who were running back to their homes. Behind him marched his troops and medical personnel checked for anyone still alive in the carnage. The survivors would soon wish that they had died in battle when waking in an Imperial cell.
A young man, barely out of his childhood, pleaded vainly in front of him for his life, Uncaring, Vader swung his lightsaber.
He could see a settlement in the distance and the various remaining rebels trying to climb up the mountainside. Silently he signaled his troops about the imminent danger hiding above them. To a Sith Lord it didn't matter.
As his troops neared the settlement he wondered what was taking the Jedi so long. The idiotic naive fool should have been there already, ready to defend with his life the rebels. It seemed he had found a wiser, more worthy opponent than usual.
"Take the villagers prisoner," he ordered.
His troops saluted and advance while firing, following him towards the village. If the Jedi was going to wait, he'd draw him out. The Jedi would come to defend the villages or to achieve revenge.
Through the use of the Force and cannons by the troops, Vader and his battalion arrived safely before the settlement. Together they strode in like a giant beast of death. Vader could feel the people's fear as they gazed upon him with his ignit lightsaber. They tried to run, but were untrained and stunned by his troops.
The dark side rang strongly and he could feel the Jedi's presence all over the town. His quarry had been residing here, how lucky he was. Walking to the hut with the strongest residue Force signature, Vader smirked. It would do well for people to learn not to harbor Jedi fugitives.
To his surprise the inside of the house wasn't a house. The place seemed more like a makeshift hospital. There was a young couple hurriedly tending to various children that had collected there. So busy in their useless endeavor, they didn't notice Vader until a young child pointed at him.
"Please! Please," cried the woman desperately, "The children are young and innocent. They haven't done anything wrong!"
He rolled his eyes at her pointless plea, they'd all die anyway, but first he would get his information, "Who was the visitor?"
The husband glanced up at him in shock, "He said he just crashed here! We don't know anything. You have to believe us."
Vader raised his hand to choke the man, "Well what was he doing here?"
The man looked at him fearfully and croaked out, "He… he was helping… the children… good healer… Companion hurt."
Vader released the man, letting him crumple to the floor. He glanced at the children who were had fearfully scrambled into a corner. They were all weaklings. A flutter in the Force drew him to the bedside of a middle aged Togruta. Underneath her he could see a cylindrical object, a lightsaber.
"You can't hide, your very presence gives you away," he hissed, "What is a fitting punishment for you being a Jedi."
"Kill me then Vader," she laughed bitterly, "You're going to do it anyway."
"Yes I am, in a minute," he responded noticing how her eyes flickered to a couple children.
His lightsaber shot out, quickly killing the young children and feeling the disbelief from everyone as their bodies fell.
"You can't do that," shrieked the woman, "What have they done. They're children!"
Vader leaned forward, brushing his hand over her face, loving how she tried to recoil from his touch. The Jedi was truly incapacitated to not be fighting. It didn't matter though, he'd get to kill two Jedi today.
"Why they died because of you, my dear."
She shook her head despairingly, "No, no."
"I had no quarrel with them, just you Jedi. It hurts doesn't it, knowing it's your fault they died. Knowing that if you had followed the code, not formed attachments that I'd have never had a reason to kill them."
She looked at him coldly, "You are a monster Vader."
That wasn't any new information, "But technically you caused their death with your presence. I'd probably have never come if it weren't for the rumors of the Jedi. All the people here would still be alive."
She closed her eyes to shut off the words.
"It hurts doesn't it, to know that your companion is just hiding like the coward he is. He isn't there defending the younglings or you. No, you're just forced to listen to what I say because you're too weak to move."
"You killed all the younglings, they were innocent!" she cried shaking her head.
His hand gripped her throat, "The Jedi took everything from me and now I'll take everything from you."
Her eyes widened as he pulled her off the bed and threw her to the ground, "Where's your friend?"
"I'm not saying anything."
"A pity," he intoned.
Turning around the room he shot forward again felling all the children but one. He stared at the young girl who was hyperventilating, curious to what caught his attention. She looked pale and weak, but hatred flowed through her.
"So you were searching for Force-sensitives. The Emperor will be glad to assimilate another one."
His prisoner struggled to get up, "No, no, you can't."
"But I just did."
The girl in question tried to run, but even her quick speed was no match for a full grown Sith Lord with the Force. Uncaring about the massacre outside of the hut, Vader walked back to his troops with the prisoners in tow. The Jedi was a disappointing no show.
"Move out," he ordered his troops.
The troops saluted and began to drag away their various prisoners. Behind them explosions rocked the ground as several detonators went off. The army was off, heading to another village. Rebellion would be crushed here forever.
The dark side howled around Vader, thirsting for blood. The previous skirmish had been an appetizer, a promise of what is to come. Now all he needed was the Jedi.
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Caden was dressed in the full attire of a stormtrooper and he hated it. The armor was useless, but if that was the price to pay to serve next to Lord Vader he was willing. As they headed down to the planet to take care of the traitorous rebels, Lord Vader to the astonishment of Caden, jumped out of the shuttle. He rushed forward to check on his Lord. To his amazement, he was kneeling on the ground having successfully landed.
"New to the group?" asked a stormtrooper besides him.
"Haven't been in combat with Lord Vader yet."
The trooper laughed, "Don't worry you'll get used to it. I take that back, you'll never get used to the crazy stunts he pulls. He continuously does the impossible, nothing can stop him. Some of us swear he's immortal!"
"Cut the chatter!" someone else ordered.
Reminded of his place, the stormtrooper next to him ceased talking. Anxiously they waited as the shuttle glided to the ground, eager to join Lord Vader. Already shouts echoed through the air as Lord Vader dealt with the rebels on ground.
Caden eyed the incoming ground and drawing his blaster. Once the ground was close enough for him not to sustain too serious injuries, he jumped.
As soon as he landed he began to fire. Behind him he noticed other stormtroopers following his lead. He ignored them and kept firing. He'd take care of the evil menaces that plagued the galaxies. The bolts flew from his blaster, striking each target dead on.
In his peripheral vision he could see the glorious form of Darth Vader weaving his way through the Rebel ranks. The planet's uprising would soon be crushed, with an ally such as Lord Vader by their sides. He had heard stories of his Lord's prowess in battle, but had yet to see it. It was astounding and the respect that he felt for the man grew. It was one thing to hear the stories, but entirely different to see it with his very own eyes.
His Lord strode through the fallen bodies in all his eternal glory. Smoke shadowed the battle field and left the fallen rebels hard to distinguish from the living. Through the smoke a black predator pounced upon his enemies, swift, ruthless, and deadly. Caden would never be able to match his Lord's efficiency, but he loved it.
The sea of stormtroopers swept after Vader, intent on catching up. Adrenaline pumped through their veins and Caden found himself smiling in satisfaction every time he fired his blaster. When they came to the village, he felt no qualms about prosecuting the rebels' families. In his mind, they were all traitors. Anyone who tried to run was quickly shot down.
It was unusual for the Empire to take prisoners and even more unusual for those prisoners to be later taken along to the next settlement, where more villagers were captured. It was unusual, but Caden didn't mind. The rebel scum deserved it.
The only thing that worried Caden was that Lord Vader was still hunting. There was something out there and by the almost cautious way his Lord moved through the passageways, he assumed that the prey was dangerous. His eyes flickered over to the prisoners again, and came to a realization. Lord Vader was setting a trap…
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Lord Vader growled in annoyance as the Jedi continued to wait, behind him the prisoner chain grew long and slowing them down. Perhaps it was time to force the Jedi's hand and rid himself of another pesky annoyance, one that had fallen right into his trap.
Turning on his com, "Pilot, rendezvous by the North Ridge to pick up prisoners."
There was static on the other end as the pilot complied, "I'll be there in twenty my Lord. Anything else?"
Vader glanced behind him at the Force-sensitive girl, someone of great interest to his quarries, "Prepare the sedative for Force-sensitives. I found a potential for the Emperor."
"Understood my Lord, it will be done"
He closed his eyes in satisfaction and looked at the North Ridge. Things were proceeding to plan. The Jedi would come running as soon as he saw the transport circling for landing. He needed to remember to not be hasty because it would be a shame if his brilliant plan failed and he didn't get either of his quarries.
Despite the reprimand he gave himself, he could nearly taste the victory. It would be impossible for him to fail because of his inherent strength in the Force. He had survived as a weakling, he'd thrive in the battle as a Sith. Nothing could stand in the way.
Vader could feel his troops exhaustion as the neared the top of the North Ridge. Holding his hand up, he signaled for them to stop. It would do no good to be so close and then fail because the trooper a were too tired. He noticed curiously that Caden was the only one not completely exhausted.
"Caden," he called.
"Yes, my Lord?"
Motioning to the girl, "The child is your responsibility. I want her alive, but kill her if there's no other way to maintain your possession of her."
"Of course my Lord."
Vader turned away as he waited on the troops. There was someone on the ridge. He searched through the Force and felt... the Jedi! A gasp escaped him as the Jedi stopped cloaking his presence. The man was strong in the Force, very strong.
"Troops," he began, "Squadron one and four will accompany the prisoners to the top of the ridge. Squadron two is going to cover them in case of trouble. Squadron five will wait here in case there's a need for backup. The last squadron will flank any possible party waiting for us. A reminder to those who tend to be forgetful, in the event of a Jedi do not engage. I'll take care of them."
The stormtroopers saluted and prepare themselves for the order. He could feel the troopers trust in him and the pride they felt working under his command. Due to these feelings, a desire burned within every trooper, to make him proud. He didn't trust, but he knew his men to be reliable. They were the ones that never failed or died trying. That was what he expected, anything less was punishable with death.
"Caden, come with me."
Caden grabbed the girl again and pushed her in front of him, "Of course Lord Vader."
Vader looked upwards, seeing the shuttle starting a lazy circle to land. The real battle was about to begin. The dark side stormed around him, agreeing. He was ready and he would be most displeased if the troops weren't.
"Go!" he ordered.
Slowly squadrons disappeared into the landscape, ready if needed. The prisoners began their march forward, blasters shoving into their backs. Vader oversaw the scene, something similar to pride echoing throughout him. The child Caden was guarding projected her fear through the Force. Not wanting the child to reveal the trap by accident he reached out towards her with the dark side.
The girl shivered noticeably as he surrounded her mind with the dark side, blocking her from the Force. A Force-suggestion to comply with Caden stopped her from struggling and she looked dazedly around her.
Satisfied, the Sith Lord began to walk, weaving his way through obstacles to climb to the top of the ridge. Behind him Caden had picked up the girl and was making his own difficult way to the top at a slow pace. Vader motioned for Caden to stop and he slowly crept forward. Hidden behind a rock stood a soldier, probably military by the way he stood. He threw his lightsaber, instantly killing the man.
Caden lay down the child and leaned against a rock, regaining his breath. Standing where the soldier stood, Vader observed the view. Below him he could see his stormtroopers make their way through the rocky landscape with the prisoners in two. From his position he could see the shuttle beginning its descent. In the rocks he could see soldiers peering over the rocks, gazing at the shuttle.
His army was marching to what could be a certain death. It would be a shame for them to all die because he had made the wrong decision. Never had his army failed him and it wasn't going to start now. They had the highest success rate of all legions and he wouldn't be condemned to having to replace and train all his soldiers.
"Caden, stay with the girl and see if you can shoot down any of the rebels hidden in the rocks."
The clone gazed up at him, "Yes my Lord, may I ask what you are going to do?"
"I'm the bait," he replied.
It was ironic, years ago during the Clone Wars he played the bait and once again, despite being a Sith Lord, he found himself in a similar position. Somethings it seemed, never changed. The prisoners were the lure and human shields, the moral fools would never shoot if it meant killing innocents. It went against the Jedi code.
Below him he could see the Jedi emerging with the rebel soldiers. His prey was there and he wouldn't let it go. It was time to play the bait and draw out the rebels from their superior positions.
Vader jumped, igniting his lightsaber. With his cloak fluttering behind him and the Force there to slow his fall, he pounced.
The Jedi sensed the danger and ignited his own lightsaber, barely in time to meet Vader's overpowered strike. The Jedi groaned under the intense pressure, pushing back as hard as he could. Vader released and leapt backwards, his lightsaber easily felling the stunned rebels.
They began to circle each other, trying to get a feel for their opponents. Both had reasons not to fail and neither would. It wasn't allowed.
"So little Jedi," Vader began to taunt, "came out of your hiding place coward to face your death?"
The Jedi rushed forward his blue lightsaber poised to attack. The two men clashed and retreated again, testing each other's skills. Vader observed the Jedi, a memory coming to the surface. His opponent moved swiftly and strongly, but still Vader should be able to defeat him.
"No Vader," the elderly Jedi replied, "it is I that have drawn you into a trap. Today will mark the end of your tyranny."
Vader brought his lightsaber up to defend another incoming strike and gave a Force-push, causing his opponent to fall back.
"I think you'll find that I'm not as easy to kill as you'd believe."
The Jedi glared at him, "So arrogant Vader, you've walked into my trap. My soldiers have the place surrounded. There is no way for you to escape."
The darkside urged Vader forward and he retaliated with vicious overpowering strokes against the other Jedi. Neither had yet taken the lead in the battle as they remained uncertain about their opponents strength.
"General Kota," Vader began, enjoying the man's surprise, "Your belief that you can trick me is astounding. This has been my trap since the beginning, for any Jedi."
Kota retreated for a moment and began to wearily circle Vader, "I will kill you Vader. There's nowhere for you to run."
Kota rushed forward, slipping into an old battle dance, one well known to Vader. He extended his lightsaber, managing to burn the other Jedi slightly.
"Long have I suspected that you survived Order Sixty-six and here you are. Your escape has just postponed the inevitable, your death."
Once again they clashed and Vader could feel his own army and their prisoners approaching. Kota too must have felt the change for he pressed a button.
"You will die today Vader, the Jedi may finally have peace. The Empire will fall. You will not escape."
Vader would have laughed if he could, "The blind arrogance of the Jedi astounds me!"
"And so does yours," retorted Kota.
Vader disengaged from the duel, "But I can be arrogant because I have won. Your comrade is in my possession, the child you sought I have, and my shuttle which you plan to use," Vader paused as he noticed the sadness rolling away from the General, "is disabled. The only way to get off this planet is by my command. Anyone else trying to leave will be shot out off the sky. So you see, there is nowhere to run or hide. I will find you."
Kota shook his head, "Stop your mind games Sith, the shuttle is working, I'd know."
"Of course you would, that was the only thing I was uncertain of, if you were in contact with my little stowaway. From the very beginning, the leaked information, the seeming importance of this planet, was all planned. It was going to get me rid of annoying humanitarians and a pest if I was lucky. I struck rich, here's a Jedi waiting for me to kill him!"
Kota's brow furrowed in thought, "How do you know about me Vader?"
The chase had come to a delicious end and Vader shot forward his crimson lightsaber shooting forward. Around them the stormtroopers arrived, shooting down the unaware guards. Vader moved in closer to Kota.
In a quiet voice he whispered, "I know you because we've met before, a long time ago."
Kota took a second to gaze at Vader in confusion before viciously attacking. Their lightsabers clashed, red and blue, emitting sparks as they closed in on each other. Prairies and fakes, slashes and stabs dominated the fight. The two opponents were easily matched in skills, until Vader drew on the Force. In a split second, he decided to stop playing with his food.
The blue lightsaber got knocked out of the General's hand. Darth Vader placed his foot on his victim's chest, moving the lightsaber to rest against the man's throat.
"How does it feel to know you failed?"
Kota glared at him hatefully, "I haven't. There will be more rebellions, there will be more fights, and one day you'll die in the battle. Each time you fight, the closer you'll come to death. I've failed to kill you today, but someday I and every other Jedi will be avenged."
"I'm dead already. I do not care if I die or live, as long as I see every Jedi wiped out. You traitors will die," he pressed harder down on the man's chest, "Anything else you wish to say?"
"Did he set me up?"
"No," Vader rumbled, "he thought he'd outwit me in my own home. Good-bye"
Before he could administer the killing stroke, his senses screamed danger. He leapt away, whirling his lightsaber in front of him to deflect the blaster shouts.
"Run Rahm, run!" shouted a figure stepping outside of the shuttle.
Vader narrowed his eyes in annoyance and threw his lightsaber in anger. The figure went down, but when he felt the danger, he had no lightsaber to defend himself. Kota's blue lightsaber struck toward his body, glancing off his armor.
Pain tore through his body as he rolled out of the way. Everything hurt, the tender flesh underneath the armor screaming in agony. He grabbed his secondary lightsaber, igniting it again.
The Jedi was gone. Vader gritted his teeth together and stood up, eyes blazing. The Jedi was trying to escape. He was leaving his comrades here for this mistake. A tiny object moved through the sky, and Vader glanced hatefully at it, unable to do a thing. The Admirals would be severely punished if they let that ship escape.
Vader retracted his lightsaber and turned to the waiting stormtroopers, "Kill everyone except the caught rebels and their families"
Bodies fell down as the stormtroopers began to slaughter those who were of no more use. Vader watched uncaring, the anger he felt not dissipating. Coldly he watched Caden approach, holding back a struggling girl.
"No! Mother! Father! You.. you can't kill them, no… no… no…"
"Stun her," he ordered and activated his com to request more shuttles.
The Sith Lord walked towards the shuttle where he had thrown his lightsaber. He really liked his lightsaber. His enhanced vision, while red tinted, saw something move. Delighted, he moved closer to see his other quarry struggling on the ground gravely injured.
A medic approached him from the side, "Lord Vader do you need assistance?"
"No," he pointed to the injured man, "Keep him alive, I wish to interrogate him myself."
The medic nodded and leaned over the young man.
Vader called his lightsaber to his hand and stared at the young man, "Give him a stimulant."
"But sir,"
"Give it to him."
"Yes my Lord," the medic mumbled, clearly not happy.
Vader watched the stimulant take effect. The eyes shot open and stared around, unfocused, until they landed on Vader.
"Vader," he hissed.
"Give me a moment," Vader ordered the medic.
Knowing better than to argue, the medic lowered his head and walked out of hearing distance.
"Why the kriff won't you die Vader?"
Vader kneeled down painfully, letting his mask get uncomfortably close to the man, "Here's a secret Tim, I'm already dead. There remains an interesting question though, how are you still alive when records indicate you are dead? The blood test revealed quite a lot about you. It seems Tim isn't even your name," he shook his head in false compassion, "but don't you worry, I'll get my answers once you're comfortable in a nice little cell."
"Leia," Tim wheezed, "She won't stand for it."
Vader let his hand brush against Tim's wound, causing the man to cry out, "But here's the beauty of my plan, you're just a simple rebel prisoner. She may be unusually attached to you, but there's no reason to suspect me. For all anyone will ever figure out, Tim left of his own accord as caught on my security cameras."
Tim looked at Vader confused, "I disabled the cameras…"
"That's what you believe, I'm astounded that you thought you could sneak around me in my very own home."
Tim shook his head, aghast at what he was hearing and his eyes began to close, "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm so sorry Leia."
Vader motioned the medic back over, "Make very sure that he doesn't die, I don't care if he's in pain as long as he stays alive."
"Yes my Lord."
Watching the medic load the body onto a stretcher, Vader mused that Tim too had an unusual commitment to Leia. It didn't matter though. In a few weeks every useful piece of information would be drained from his body and he'd be dead.
ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Vader is a word hogger, he wouldn't shut up hence the long chapter. I admit to being surprised to people thinking that Tim would never die. I have an unfortunate habit of killing OCs, Caden is probably safe as be exists as unnamed person in the background. Now everyone knows my dark secret.
Summary:
Vader and his army fly to a rebellious planet to put down the rebellion.
On planet Vader senses a Jedi
Vader reveals he had set a trap to the Jedi and almost kills Kota, when he is interrupted by a blaster firing.
It turns out the man firing was Tim, who Vader takes into custody intent on torturing for information.