Well... Update. :) I'm really sorry for the year plus delay. There were many extenuating circumstances but I'm delivering another long chapter for you guys in apology. I'm trying to do Camp Nanowrimo for this project with a goal of 30,000 words this month. We'll see how it goes. I have high hopes.
Story recommendation: Chiaroscuro by SpellCleaver.
It's actually a series of one-shots focusing on Luke and Vader's relationships through various fictional encounters. Some of them are very imaginative and I really hope the author will flesh some of them out.
Well, don't let me make you wait any longer.
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"All hail Leia Vader, the Imperial Princess."
Leia wrestled her anger under control as the Emperor made his announcement. Now was not the time to lose control and she forced her body under control as she followed her father and the Emperor off the stage.
Her father's presence also burned angrily and the instant the doors closed behind them he rounded onto the Emperor. "You had no right!"
"I did warn you." An aid handed him a data pad and his old fingers scrolled through the information. "I don't have time for a tantrum Vader. I've got things to do."
He strode off and Leia shuddered. Her hands reached up and tore the black veil away. At least nobody knew what she looked like. There was still a life waiting for her.
"I'm sorry Leia," Vader began, "Empire Day is tomorrow."
"You knew!" Tears welled in her eyes. "I don't want to be some figurehead! I just want…" She swallowed and turned away, the anger draining out of her. "A normal life, I just want to be normal."
"Leia," he whispered.
She turned away and her feet carried her forward to the Imperial Garden. Two days from now, she would be twelve. Happy Early Birthday to her. The flowers bloomed and she smiled grimly. Under the artificial light and besides the gurgling streams, she could almost imagine herself back on Alderaan.
"Hello child," said the Emperor from behind her.
She whirled around and stumbled. "I'm so sorry your highness, I didn't hear you."
Bowing her head, she stared at his feet and stilled as he patted her shoulder. "Come child. Walk with me."
Not daring to disobey, she fell behind him, noticing the conspicuous absence of the Royal Guard. His robe trailed over the ground catching the loose stones. The birds quieted as he neared them. His oily presence spread around her and she grabbed her own presence more tightly. Her heart beat faster.
"No need to be afraid child. I do not intend to hurt you. I just want to talk."
Tongue dry, she asked, "About what?"
He chuckled. "That's an important question. So many talk without regard to the what. But don't worry, I just want to ask how you are Leia."
Her name felt wrong coming from his mouth. "I'm fine."
Stopping, he turned around and she could feel his skeptical look despite the hood. "Really?"
"I'm angry," she obliged. Her eyes wandered elsewhere and stared at one of the Alderaan flowers bursting through the dirt.
"You have a strong heart. I do wonder where it will take you."
"I… I do not understand your highness."
He lowered his hood and she stared at him. Yellow sunken eyes stared back at her. Wrinkles stretching grotesquely as he smiled. She couldn't force her eyes away, entranced by his vile form.
"There's a cost for everything. I was scarred by the Jedi assassination and made an Empire. It cost me my charisma. A glorious leader can bring people further and inspire great loyalty… I only have fear."
Not knowing what to say, she tore her eyes away and stared at the ground.
"Vader commands people's fear and inspires loyalty. He lost his natural body trying to prove his power. What will you give up?"
"I don't want power your highness. I just want to be normal."
"You don't want to change things? You agree with the Empire in every way?"
"Yes?"
He snorted. "Vader, your… father doesn't agree with everything. I'm not going to execute you for treason because you dislike violence... Oh don't look so shocked, only a fool wouldn't know. I'm not a fool."
She took a small step back and glanced at him warily. It felt strange to see him without his hood and she could feel her restraint crumble. "I want to help people."
"The Empire doesn't help people?"
The sense of danger increased and she wrapped her arms around herself. "The Empire can do more… like education."
He smiled, revealing rotting teeth. "What are you going to do about it?"
"I… I'm just a kid."
"You're the Imperial Princess. You may hate the title, but I gave you power. Are you going to be worthless and ignore the opportunities…" He trailed off and she stared up at him. "Or will you seize your power."
"Seize?"
He snorted again and drew up his hood. "Nice talking to you Leia Vader. Perhaps you will prove to be of some use. Try not to bore me."
He left and Leia stood there feeling strangely violated but invigorated. She thought of the strange boy in her dreams: Luke. He always smiled, but there was no public schooling in the Outer Rim. Then there was Cindy, she had to fight to get an education. The Empire wasn't Alderaan. But, could she change the Empire?
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Syrena watched the Fourth Brother carefully as he entered her room. Her wounds had finally healed and her heart beat faster. A prosthetic arm grabbed a staff and the Inquisitor walked slowly, handing it over to her.
"137. You are unimaginably stupid." He paused and his yellow eyes narrowed as she refused to bow her head down to him. "But, thank you."
Her old wounds twinged slightly. "I didn't do it for you."
"Then why did you do it?"
Hearing his genuine confusion, Syrena let her stance relax slightly. "I at least know you and you owe me now."
He nodded and grabbed another staff. "You will make it through the trials."
There was no room for doubt in his voice and he swung the staff with blinding speed. Syrena flinched as the staff stopped a hairbreath away from her skin.
"Dead. Again."
Her heart thumped faster. She would be okay. He couldn't afford to harm her again. Taking a step back, she readied herself for the next attack. The Force whispered to her gently and she let her fear drain away.
The Fourth Brother dashed forward and her staff moved into a familiar block. His movements were swift and precise. Her arms quivered every time she blocked. He was right in a twisted sense: she was weak. But so was Leia despite her power.
Angling her staff, she let the next blow slide off and dodged the following thrust. The Force still urged her to show her strength, to stop being a coward. But she didn't have the necessary strength. Her speed and skills were her assets.
The Fourth Brother's staff continued to move rapidly and Syrena let herself go with the flow as she redirected blows away from her. Strike. Deflect. Strike. Dodge. And then, an opening. Her staff rebounded from his and raced towards his head.
It stopped. The Fourth Brother clenched his fists and ripped it out of her hand. His staff stopped right next to her neck. "And dead."
Clenching her teeth, she stared at him silently. He smirked slightly and threw the staff to the side. "Your footwork is sloppy and your balance is atrocious."
She nodded. Everything was fine. This was what Leia did when she helped her.
"But you are surprisingly sane."
"Thank you?"
Walking behind her, he wrapped a piece of cloth over her eyes. "You must trust the Force if you will succeed."
Drawing onto the Force, she let it envelop her. It was miniscule and she experimentally drew more in. Her hands tremorred and she fought the rising sense of panic as her limbs felt partially out of control.
"Stretch out your senses. See me with the Force."
Through gritted teeth, she inhaled deeply and reached out. Distantly, she could feel Leia. Her sister's presence beckoned to her, small tendrils of warmth waving around her. Oblivious to possible repercussions, she brushed against a tendril.
Anger. Frustration. Hope.
The tendrils moved closer to her and Syrena smiled. It was beautiful. A dark whip of energy cut her away and she stared at the tendrils in confusion as they swarmed around Leia protectively.
A brush of intelligence whispered to her as a dark tendril wrapped around her arm.
Who are you? Tell me!
A primal fear erupted within her. It was larger, stronger, and infinitely more powerful. She was nothing in comparison.
Defend. Destroy.
She pulled back. Her lungs screamed for air and she ripped off the blindfold as her normal senses returned. Adrenaline coursed through her body and her hands trembled. Whatever she had felt was beyond her imaging and a shudder ran through her body as she recalled the dark tendrils.
"I said see me stupid. Not the entire galaxy." He poked her with his boot. "Get up and do it again. But focus on me this time."
Her senses expanded rapidly again and Leia's presence beckoned to her once more. Distantly, she could feel the Fourth Brother's thorny presence. No longer entirely distracted by Leia, she could feel millions of little lights beckoning to her. Near Leia, two strong presences of massive power coiled around her. Somewhere nearby a fractured presence cried out in anguish. She brushed against it in curiosity.
Leia. Anakin. Who are you?
She withdrew instantly and focused on the Fourth Brother. He was instantly aware of her and his own tendrils brushed against her. She could feel him move to punch and her body stepped out of the way.
Good. Now focus.
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It was ridiculously easy to sneak out of the Imperial Palace. Her father was busy with the Emperor for the next couple of hours. She rubbed her arms slightly, feeling tainted from being around him for so long. Drab clothes let eyes slide over her and her loose hair reduced the chance of being recognized.
Her small body slipped into the crowd and she let herself go with the flow. Strangers jostled her along and her hand tightened reflexively tightened around her credit chips. Finally, she spotted the public cruiser and made her way through the crowd.
Eyes followed her as she entered the cruiser and sat down in the back, sinking into her seat. The hum of sentient activity grated against her frayed nerves. She felt watched. A young woman, in casual attire, sat down besides her and Leia eyed her cautiously, before gazing out the window. The cruiser lifted up slowly and the landing dock grew smaller as they zoomed away.
"So what is a young girl like yourself doing all alone her?"
She glanced up at the woman and her amused smile. "Just wanted to see the Senate while on break."
She nodded. "Very interesting, I'm sure."
Looking out the window, she pushed down her annoyance. "It's where the laws are made."
Leia watched the woman's reflection as she leaned back and took out a holopad. "Sure kid, sure."
Leia ignored the woman and passed a Twi'lek as she got off the cruiser. The familiar Senate stood before her and towered over her. She could see the distant doors and the familiar scene of Senators stopping before the building. It felt… strange.
She walked forward slowly as the crowd dissipated among the open space. A warm hand clasped over her shoulder and something hard and cold pressed against her back.
"Hey kid. Nice fancy building isn't it?" asked a familiar voice. Leia glanced at them quickly and the woman smiled.
"What are you doing?" she hissed under her breath. Her eyes darted around, seeking aid.
The blaster shoved into her harder and the woman began to walk to the edge of the crowd. "Nothing personal kid. Now move."
Leia looked in front of her as fingernails dug into her shoulder and guided her to a small set of shops nearby. Her hands brushed against her pants, looking for her own blaster hidden in the folds.
"Looking for this?" The woman pushed her into a narrow alley and held Leia's compact blaster.
Leia crossed her arms. "When did you take that?"
"On the cruiser. But this is an expensive model." She smiled and dropped it into her own bag. "You must be some rich Senator's daughter."
Former Senator's daughter. "You're mistaken."
The woman chuckled slightly. "It's very simple. You give me their names, I tell them, and they pay up. Nobody gets hurt."
Leia felt royally screwed. This would be her only chance to get to the Senate. Vader wouldn't let her out of his sight forever if he found out about her stunt. "I don't think my father would react well to extortion."
"He'll pay up sweetie, don't worry. He has a reputation to keep."
Leia let out a small groan. Her father cared, that was the issue. Nor was his reputation anything to be kept. "How much do you want?"
"10,000 credits." The woman replied as she studied Leia's reaction.
"Any chance I could work that off?" Leia smiled and pulled out her puppy eyes, they worked on her father after all.
"Kid I've killed things cuter than you. Stop trying to weasel your way out of this. It's not gonna work."
"I'm willing to do anything for my father to not find out about this."
"Too late, come on kid." Her kidnapper pushed her forward and she walked into the dark murky area of the alley. Leia's eyes darted around as she looked for an opportunity to escape. The woman grabbed her shoulder again, and pulled her backwards. An involuntary shriek escaped her as she was shoved down a small hole.
Her eyes clenched tightly as she fell to the ground. The woman closed the latch above her and gingerly lowered herself down the ladder. Leia glanced around the room, noticing the functional space and stocked food.
"Comfy place. Can I at least know the name of the person who kidnapped me?"
"Not important." The woman pulled out her datapad and glanced up at the latch. Three knocks resounded loudly and the woman frowned.
Pulling out her blaster, the kidnapper slowly climbed the ladder and opened the latch. A flash of blue light and she fell down to the ground. A strange man looked through the hole and then lowered himself down the ladder.
Leia rushed over to the limp body and grabbed the woman's blaster. Her hands remained steady as she pointed it at the newcomer. The man ignored the blaster and cuffed the woman's hand behind her back.
"Thought you may be in some trouble. Turned out I was right."
"Thank you." Leia didn't lower her blaster.
The man heaved the woman over his shoulder. "I'm part of the Imperial Police. You can relax kid. Probably want to hurry if you want to get to the Senate still."
Leia walked over to the woman's bag and grabbed her compact blaster. "I'll be holding on to these. And I'm going to the bakery to pick up some pastries for my father."
He nodded, his eyes assessing her. "You're learning. Good." The man moved up the ladder. "Don't think your father eats pastries girl."
When Leia emerged in the alleyway, he was nowhere to be seen. Still nervous, Leia decided to actually head to the bakery. Caden would appreciate some pastries.
An hour later, she walked through the Senate doors with wide eyes and nibbling on a bread roll. Eyes passed over her and she wandered down the hall, basking in anonymity. Stormtroopers patrolled the hallway and she passed them easily. Finally, she spotted the correct door and slipped inside.
Edwvinc Progar's head immediately snapped up as she entered. Her face remained passive as she observed him. He wasn't important enough to have an aid, but he still managed to have fingers everywhere. He worked in obscurity and was insanely private; he was perfect.
"Are you looking for someone?" He asked as she didn't speak.
"Actually, I'm looking for you, Senator Progar. I think we'll come to an amenable agreement."
"Excuse me?" Disbelief oozed from him, but Leia continued to stare at him.
"Well I know your wife is a Twi'lek. Her name is Jacqueline isn't it? And you have two wonderful little children." Leia felt disgust well up inside her, but she pushed it down.
He grimaced and he shoved his datapad to the side slightly. "Who are you?"
"You don't recognize me? But didn't you work with Senator Organa?" Leia smiled and stood properly, she then pulled her hair back.
Color drained from Senator Progar's face as he rose to his feet. "Your highness!"
"Yes."
He bowed slightly. "Forgive my manners your highness."
"It is perfectly fine. Please, sit down." She waved at his seat and he fell backwards.
"What do you want, I mean, how can I serve you?"
She lowered herself into the chair in front of the desk and lay her hands on her lap. "Relax. I don't want to hurt your family. I just want a bill passed."
He forced a smile. "That isn't how things work."
Snorting slightly, she leaned forward. "You can introduce it and make it pass. Besides, it's in the best interest of your children."
The smile faded and he pulled out a datapad. "What's the bill?"
"Public education for everyone. And I mean all the species. It will help the Empire. And your kids will finally be able to go to school. There are no background checks for students after all."
"It will never pass."
She laughed slightly. "With my endorsement? I want you to be my hand in the Senate."
He chuckled nervously. "A public education bill I can do. It will take some time for me to draft,-"
"-I already drafted it."
"-but what you are proposing, is highly unethical. I represent my people," he pleaded. His eyes locked onto hers.
"Your people have been rebelling since the day the Empire was founded. Introducing bills which gain my public support will garner you much goodwill. And I will warn you, my father grows tired of reports of insurgency from your home. Either he will come in and crush your people without mercy or the Emperor will replace you and assign his own Governor who will tax your people to death."
Senator Progar nodded and his shaking hand reached for his mug. "Why me?"
Leia leaned back. "Because Senator Organa spoke favorably of you." He coughed and set down the mug. "That's how I know about your wife. There's nothing about your kids in the Imperial records by the way. So unless the Emperor knows, they're safe for now." Pulling out the datapad with the bill, Leia handed it to him.
"Thank you." He whispered as Leia walked to the door.
"Just do your job and don't tell anyone about this meeting. I'll know."
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The return to school felt frighteningly normal to Lieutenant Prazak. There was always drama when returning from the holidays; it was a universal law. Something terrible was going to happen.
The day dragged on and the students blurred by. He saw Leia and Cindy talking to each other in the hallway with Mr. Tagge following behind them like a lost puppy. His keen eyes followed her as she disappeared around the corner. He would see her in class soon.
"Hey Yan," greeted a familiar voice.
He turned around to face his friend. "If you insist on using my first name, could you at least not do it in public?"
Gerald shrugged and leaned against the wall. "You need to relax. Besides, it's easier to build up trust with the students."
Rolling his shoulders and cracking his back, he began to walk to his classroom. "If you continue I'll call you by your last name again."
"Please don't Lieutenant. I hate that name. But maybe, just maybe, you could drop your rank."
"I may be stuck here, but that rank is who I am." Lieutenant Prazak opened the door and moved into his classroom. "Did you have Ms. Japor today?"
Gerald nodded and walked over to his desk. "Yes, I think she's doing better now. She is friendly with the Tagge boy. Fortunately he isn't as bad as the rest of his family, the insufferable power hungry lot."
He looked at his friend inching to his desk drawer. "Just take a piece of chocolate, you're just going to sneak one anyway." Gerald smiled and took out a bar. "Anything else you noticed? Bruises? Cuts?"
Biting into the chocolate, Gerald chewed thoughtfully. "Bruising yes, burns too from the looks of it. She's quite skilled at it, but that's not enough to prove anything, especially if her father has money. But…" He trailed off.
"Yes?"
"She's been trained in the staff. I thought it was a fluke on the first day of weapon training, but she knows some of the sacred staff forms from Alderaan. No idea where she learned them and she almost never uses them unless I press her in a spar."
Pinching his nose, Lieutenant Prazak let out a small groan. "How does a person learn these forms?"
Gerald took another bite out of the chocolate bar. "I know them because my grandfather was a Royal Guard on Alderaan. Technically broke the law by teaching them to me. Only the guards, high priests, and royal family supposed to know 'em."
"So her father was a guard on Alderaan?" He dropped into one of the student chairs. "This makes no sense."
"It's not her father. Her moves are too rusty. My grandfather would never have let me slack off. You thought someone close to her was executed? My bet would be her instructor."
"She last saw her mother over a year ago…"
Nodding, Gerald picked up his train of thought. "Her mother was from Alderaan and her father managed to get full custody."
Urgently he turned to his friend. "Have you ever heard her say Dad?"
He nodded slowly. "Tagge was complaining about losing Dejarik. She said her dad taught her how to play."
"She's adopted. By a very high ranking imperial…" He looked at Gerald desperately.
Gerald rubbed his chin and glanced at the door where he could hear the murmur of students passing by. "Her father probably has a plan for her. The burns factor in it somehow."
"My next class is in a few minutes. I'll talk to her." Giving a final nod, Gerald passed through the door.
A few minutes later his five students for the Senior Advanced Tactical Class trickled in. They sat down quietly in the front of the classroom like normal, except Ms. Japor who sat down in the back as usual and glared at him. He gave her a bland smile.
"Today we'll be discussing the Battle of Haruun Kal during the Clone Wars. What initiated the conflict? Mr. Alvash, why don't you answer?"
His student looked up and drawled, "It allowed for easy access to the Rimma trade route and Corellian trade. From there, the Separatists could raid merchants and ambush troop supports from the Republic. The Republic, had they won control of the sector, could have blockaded the Separatists and protected its own economic interests. Anything else?"
"Why this particular planet in the sector?"
"It was the most worthless one in terms of collateral. Sullust was the only viable other option but had valuable mining operations."
Lieutenant Prazak nodded. "Unfortunately, less than a year later, the Separatists attacked Sullust. Maybe Ms. Hanixav has an answer to my question?"
"The Separatists got enough resources from elsewhere?"
"No… Ms. Japor?"
Her head shot up and she looked at him blearily. "Haruun Kal had a higher than normal percentage of Force sensitives. Conquering the planet hurt Jedi morale and also let the Separatists sell off the natives for a hefty sum of credits. Force-sensitives were highly sought after slaves."
A small smile formed on his face. "Indeed, that is exactly correct. It isn't just tactical advantage you must consider but psychological and economical advantage as well. Battles are won when a person feels as if they lost. Now, where did the Republic go wrong?"
The discussion continued as he guided his students and played multiple scenarios. They studied trooper formation and formed better battle plans. Ms. Japor even participated, which was a miracle. He glanced at the chrono to check the time and turned to the class.
"Before we wrap up, any final questions?" To his surprise, Ms. Japor raised her hand. "Yes?"
"Wasn't General Bilaba's defeat by General Grievous the primary reason the Republic failed?"
He forced a calm smile on his face as he considered the Jedi and the cyborg. "They played a role. But we shouldn't learn to rely on superpowered soldiers."
Her eyes narrowed at him dangerously. "You mean because they wielded lightsabers?"
"The Jedi didn't have the best interests of the Republic at heart. There are no reasons to make strategic plans that account for Jedi or other lightsaber wielding warriors."
"But doesn't Lord Vader fight with a lightsaber? Surely he goes into battle?"
Holding her gaze, he walked up to her. "He would give you orders then. This is a pointless discussion." He turned to the other four students. "Class is dismissed."
Leia leaned back in her chair and he returned his gaze to her as the other students disappeared. "You wanted to talk to me?"
"If you are upset, please don't take it out on me by discussing topics dangerously close to treason.
"I just want to make sure people know the truth. That's what the Empire does, doesn't it? Tell the truth?"
He counted back from ten. "It's near impossible to teach anything about the Clone Wars due to the Jedi being involved. I'd like to have some actual examples to teach about... so no Jedi."
"Fine." She stood up. "Can I go now?"
"No. Show me your arm."
She took a step away from me and crossed her arms defensively. "What?"
"Is there a reason you don't want me to see it?"
She sighed and pulled back her sleeves, showing him the faint traces of bruises and a bacta patch. "It's just from sparring at home."
Watching her out of the corner of his eye, he examined the arm. "Spars that leave burns?"
"I'm not too careful always when I'm working on the cruisers."
He looked into her eyes. "And does your father insist on these spars?"
"Yes?"
"And if you say no?"
She shrugged and massaged her hand. "I don't. We wouldn't train… I guess?"
"And the truth?"
"Come on! How do you do that?" She cried as she threw up her arms.
He didn't smile. "What will happen if you say no."
"I don't say no. He'd be disappointed." She looked away and he could barely hear her as she added, "And he'd probably hurt him more."
"Leia," he whispered. She looked up at him again her face eerily blank. "My door is always open."
She looked confused for a moment before running off. Lieutenant Prazak sighed and sat down by his desk. She was being hurt emotionally at the minimum and there was definitely a physical component, despite her excuses. He sighed again and pinched his nose, before pulling out a datapad and beginning the official process to report a possible case of abuse. He had been almost right; something terrible was happening.
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Leia watched the shuttle landing, barely able to stand still. Not even her father looming over could dampen her excitement. Finally, she could see her Aunt again. Last year, they briefly met on Coruscant, but her father had refused to leave her side, making everything overly awkward. At least on Mustafar, her father would be a little less paranoid.
"Calm down Leia," Caden reprimanded her as he walked up besides her. "I'll be there the entire time. She better not try anything."
Leia smiled widely. "But you know how to have fun."
"I'll be on duty."
"Please?"
"Leia," her father interrupted. "Let Caden do his job."
She frowned briefly, but the ramp lowered from the shuttle, and she ran forward. "Aunt Sola!"
Warm arms wrapped around her. "Hey Leia. It's so great to see you. You've grown so much! I can't believe you're already twelve."
She beamed at her aunt and looked back at the shuttle. "Where's Uncle Dan?"
"He had urgent business at work. It was rather sudden. He's truly sorry for not being here."
Leia nodded sadly before turning to her father and begging, "Can we go to the hangar please? I want to show Aunt Sola the new TIE fighter."
"Let her settle in first Leia."
Aunt Sola stepped forward and inclined her head slightly. "Thank you for accommodating me. Last year's visits were too short. You're not going back on the terms of your deal are you?"
Vader took a couple steps forward and the temperature dropped drastically. "I only tolerate your presence for Leia's sake."
"Father please! Not now?"
He ignored her and her aunt took a challenging step forward. "And are you capable of taking care of a child?"
"Hey!" Leia protested.
"I do believe that I'm capable of stopping anyone who would dare to interfere." He turned around. "Make sure you're free tomorrow after dinner, there's something you should watch. Leia will come as well."
"This is not necessary."
"I insist." He walked off.
Leia looked out the window at the spewing magma before forcing a smile on the face. "I can show you to your rooms. Then the hangar!"
Sola chuckled, picked up a large bag, and followed her. Caden walked behind them, his sharp footsteps echoing off the wall. Leia didn't let it put a damper on her mood. She had a mission: make Caden have fun. A childish impulse led her to grab Aunt Sola's hand and she relished the warmth.
Leia stopped before a door. "This will be your room. I'm right next door. Father's room is at the end of the hallway, but he's almost never there."
"Thank you Leia. It's lovely to see you again." She stepped inside and put down her bag besides the bed. "Well, what else do you want to do besides tour the hangar?"
Embarrassed, she looked down. "I still have training in three hours. Father doesn't want me to slack off."
Caden shifted behind her as Aunt Sola frowned. "Training?"
Twirling a strand of her hair, she said, "Just strength and self-defense training and stuff like that."
She pursed her lips, but didn't press the issue. "Why don't we see that TIE you are so excited about."
Leia grinned and led the way. Three hours later, Caden interrupted her enthusiastic descriptions of various ships. "It's time Leia."
"May I watch?" asked Aunt Sola.
"No."
Not saying anything, Leia gave a hesitant wave and let Caden drag her off. He led her down into the basement pass the sector where she knew Syrena was. A surge of guilt assaulted her as she thought of her friend locked away. There would be no chance to see her before she left for school. Caden scanned a card and entered a security code, before leading her deeper down in the basement.
"Umm, Caden? Where are we going?" The air felt deadly and she shivered.
"Lord Vader doesn't trust Kenobi to not do something stupid while Ms. Naberrie is around."
"Oh."
Obi-Wan was a prisoner. It was strangely easy to forget. He always felt dignified. But, he was a prisoner and one that her father hated. The cold feeling was probably his pain. A violent shudder ran through her.
"Caden? Can we do this somewhere else?"
His helmet turned to look at her and he stopped. With a sigh, he took off his helmet. "I'm sorry Leia. Lord Vader wants to keep security tight and Kenobi, while your instructor, is extremely capable."
"This place feels bad."
"He is a traitor who needs to be punished. Aiding you is a way to atone for his crimes."
He put on his helmet again and opened the final door. A normal break room greeted her as well as a tired Obi-Wan. He smiled when he saw her; the strange relief shone in his eyes.
"Leia."
She hated how he always sounded more broken. The door slid closed behind her, closing her off from Caden.
"Well, what are we doing today?"
He straightened slightly before pointing at a small collection of spoons. "You're going to work on your control. You have the raw power, but not the precision."
"Ok."
He smiled slightly. "Sit, sit down." She sat. "Close your eyes and focus on levitating all the spoons."
Her hand moved forward.
"No. No hands. Just breathe. And focus."
The items in the room plummeted and she could hear something break.
"Just… Just the spoons Leia."
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Syrena stared at the Fourth Brother as he entered. A pleased smile emerged on his face as he glanced at her. "You may survive the trials."
"I will pass."
He chuckled. "Don't get overconfident. You're stronger than the weaklings… but the strong ones? Focus on surviving girl. Nobody passes the trial on their first turn."
Narrowing her eyes, she observed his tense posture. "And what will happen if I just survive, not pass?"
"That is not for you to worry about." He threw her a portion of field rations. "Eat. You'll need your strength. Our Master wants a good show. Apparently we'll be having a guest. I do hope you're ready to kill."
The memory of her family's brutal death flashed through her mind. She took a deep breath. To survive, she would have to kill. Her stomach churned. Leia. Would Leia be there? She wouldn't be able to fight her.
"What do you know about the other candidates?"
He eyed her again. "Some of my former students will be there. They are inconsequential. The Seventh Sister is submitting 102. He's an expert on long distance attacks and smart. He failed to pass by five seconds last time."
"Anyone else?"
"Just survive. I'd hate for the only somewhat decent student I've ever had to die so soon." He headed back to the door. "The Grand Inquisitor escorts all the candidates to the testing room to prevent cheating. He'll be here within the next five minutes. Prepare yourself."
He left before she could reply and she sank down to the floor. Leia's light bounced around. Syrena hadn't seen her in a while. What was she doing? Was she happy because of the trials? The Force washed over her and fed on her fears. The darkside grew and she forced it under her command. It was not the time for fear.
The door slid open and the Grand Inquisitor walked in. "It's time."
She stood up and gave a deep bow. He appraised her before searching her for hidden weapons.
"Come."
She stepped outside of the room and followed him through the hallway. Through unfamiliar hallways, they travelled and soon they passed windows. Syrena scowled at the rivers of lava. Why couldn't there be grass… or water? Ahead, she could feel the brewing maelstrom of darkness that was Lord Vader and Leia's sullen light. The Grand Inquisitor opened a small side door and beckoned her inside. She stepped inside.
The door slammed shut behind her.
The black walls made the room seem darker than it should, despite the harsh lights from the electric ceiling lights. An empty weapon rack stood in the corner and numerous figures milled around it. In the center of the room, lay some mats where people stretched and watched another warily. The Force vibrated with malice and fear.
She stepped forward. "Ah, more fresh meat," someone drawled. The speaker was completely obscured in wraps of black clothes. He felt invisible and non-existant. Deadly.
Her stomach coiled, but she asked, "And who are you?"
"102. And you?"
"137."
"You are new… Are you prepared to die?"
"I'd worry about yourself more," called out a robotic voice.
102 turned, casually dismissing her. "Please 98, I won't miss your heart this time."
98 snarled and Syrena drew back, retreating into the corner. She wasn't ready. Whatever the challenge was. She would fail. Her hands trembled and Leia's light twirled in annoyance.
"Can't die, not yet," she murmured to herself. She had to live for Leia.
The door opened again and she forced herself to look at the newcomer who stalked into the room like they owned it. 102 pulled themselves away and slunked behind, pouncing on the fresher meat.
"He's dead," commented someone behind her. She looked at the short Bimm who leaned against the wall casually. He smiled. "I don't bite child. But Vader certainly does… Or rather he burns and chokes. Lightsaber wounds… nasty business that is."
"He's our master."
"Doesn't make it any less true child."
Syrena nodded. "And who are you?"
He smiled, seemingly relaxed. "Doesn't matter. I've done this a few times now… so either I'll die and that'll be the end of it. Or I succeed and then I'll have a new name. Won't see another again, that's for sure."
"Still… I'm 137." She held out her hand.
He scoffed and pulled out a spice stick from his pocket. "You're in for a rude surprise. Idealistic youth." He shook his head sadly. "Lesson one child. Always work high. Either on the darkside or…" Waggling his eyebrows, as he began chewing on the end.
"How did you?"
Rolling his eyes, "Lesson zero kid, he shot forward and something pushed against her right arm. "Everyone cheats."
Syrena felt the world tilt slightly as her arm burned and she cradled it. Stupid. She breathed in against the pain and dug her nails into her skin. Amused eyes watched her and she forced a sneer. There would be no room for weakness.
The large doors opened and a wall of darkness slammed into her. Lord Vader. Some candidates cowered in the corner, crushed under the certainty of doom. Her legs buckled. She should flee. But there was Leia… The only way was forward.
One step at a time, she approached the door, fighting against the Force demanding that she stay behind, give up and die.
She passed the Bimm, slowly, agonizingly slow as he tried to stagger to his feet, carefully keeping her distance. His dilated pupils jumped between her and other nearby candidates. Another candidate got too close and his hand grabbed their leg, pulling them down with a sickening crunch.
He flashed her a smile and got up with ease.
Trailing behind 102, she stepped through the doors into an arena and craning her neck upwards she could see Lord Vader… and two others… one of them Leia. Their eyes met.
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Tada...
Yes there is a big fight scene coming up in the next chapter. And I've so many more ideas... The delay was not due at all to story fatigue. With Leia's education plot... Luke will finally have a chance to be featured in the story outside of dream scenes. He should show up within the next ten chapters. Furthermore, I have some assassinations, escapes, pirates, kidnapping-ish, and general chaos planned. I think Vader is going to hate his life... or rather me... Hmm... I think it is too late to hide from his wrath.
So why the delay and what does that mean for the future of the story?
I... very simply... got extremely ill. I had my planned vacation last summer which I knew was going to make updates unlikely. I caught an infection, made other health issues worse, lost the ability to type for months (and was considering moving to dictation completely), regained the ability to type, and then ran head first into medication side effects. That has been my past year. Unfortunately, while things are well now, I rebounded a couple times, so there will be unexpected breaks in my update schedule.
Good news... Being sick made me realize how much I hate dictation software and made me realize how much I have to absolutely finish this story. Also got a year backlog of ideas in my head... conveniently all in a file on my phone... I'd like to get to those too. So solution... write more... or more frequently. You can see in a couple months how effective my resolution is.
As always critiques, likes, and dislikes are welcomed. Hope everyone has a great summer.
Side note: All dictation software suck. They're so stupid and I want to destroy them all. Plz... someone, make something better. All of those who can't type (or occasionally can't) will worship you. Dragon is the best... and that software is... agonizingly slow. Or maybe I just need a mind reading device to type for me.
Side note 2: Being chronically ill is stupid. Being young and in uni makes it worse. Nothing makes you feel worse than taking the disabled elevator despite looking perfectly young and healthy because you cannot do stairs that day.