Truce of Ice
Author's Note: I just feel the need to say that I wrote this before some of the later Vader comics came out, so I thought a little more highly of the handmaids than is actually true, at the time. :) But hey, if I didn't make people OOC to make them nice to Vader, *no one* would be nice to him and sometimes that just gets depressing...
~ Tirana Sorki
This is a gift request for our friend Ryan. :D
Also, we left it open-ended for a reason. :)
~ Amina Gila
All he ever sees is red – red, the color of blood, and it drifts past the viewport. It coats the outside surroundings, and Vader knows for normal eyes, it'd be white. They've landed on a cold snow planet – like Hoth – and Vader can finally take the time to wonder, now that they're on the ground, if they betrayed him. It should have taken more to take them down.
Sabe is the first on her feet, moving to check on the other handmaids – the shadows.
Padme's shadows.
Seeing the companionship, the gentleness, reminds him of another lifetime. Vader pushes himself to his feet – his legs ache where flesh meets metal, but he tunes it out. It's normal. They always hurt, and it means nothing. If anything, the pain only serves to fuel him. The Dark Side demands pain; it licks up any form it can find, and Vader's fuels it most of all.
Ignoring the throbbing pang of longing in his chest, he heads outside to survey the damage – and their location. The air is likely cold, but he can't feel it. Leafless trees cover the landscape, and there's about two feet of snow outside. The sky is still clouded – he can no longer tell shades of color, but from the bit he remembers about snow he thinks it will continue for a while.
The ship is likely too badly damaged to be salvageable, meaning they'll have to send a distress signal to the Executor, and hope the communications can make it through unhindered.
"We couldn't possibly have landed somewhere more hospitable, could we," one of them – Rabe – says dryly.
He knows her only from what the others have been calling her. Eirtae, Sache, and Dorme are here too. It's been so many years; they're nothing but strangers to each other now. They only knew Anakin – albeit barely – and that is not who he is anymore.
"We've had worse landings," Sache offers cheerfully.
"If Crimson Dawn sabotaged our shuttle, they will likely be out here looking for us," Dorme warns, scanning the sky. Vader has refrained from watching closely, because their interactions with one another are unimportant, but she's not as close with the other five, likely because they didn't know each other as long.
"Nothing we can't handle," Sabe says, throwing a glance at Vader. She trusts him for whatever unfathomable reason – or it's just that she's as stubborn as Padme and continues to believe her last words.
Vader turns away, ignoring their useless chatter and how it reminds of a different lifetime when he once spoke to others like that, looking over the damage on the ship instead. None of that life matters anymore.
He's focusing on trying to rewire the communicator to get it working when he senses someone approaching.
"I can help with that," Eirtae offers, stopping near him. She seems... slightly unnerved by his presence but is outwardly as unaffected as Sabe.
"That is unnecessary."
Eirtae shrugs but makes no move to leave. "Fine. But it'll go faster together."
'Together'.
When was the last time he could use that word about what he was doing with anyone?
He doesn't work with others anymore. He definitely can't remember the last time someone offered it.
She moves closer to help with the rewriting anyway, and they finish quickly enough. It's something she's obviously skilled in. "We'll have to wait until someone picks up the signal," Eirtae announces, returning to the others once the signal is activated.
Crimson Dawn may be the first. If it is, Vader is more than ready to deal with them. He's wanted this all his life, and now he finally has the chance to truly bring order. The only way to is by removing those standing in its way, as he has his whole life.
"Then we may as well get comfortable, because it'll probably be a while," Sache points out.
"I don't believe comfortable is quite the right word for this weather, but I agree," Rabe says, then steals a glance at Vader, wondering much too loudly about how his suit works in this weather. As though it's any of her concern. It's working extra hard right now, though, to keep the cold from affecting him. It's alright for now, but... he may need more charge for his suit if they'll be here for a while. It can run for far longer periods than it needs to, but he hasn't had it attended to in a long time.
"We should start a campfire," Sabe advises.
Vader might not be able to feel the heat of the fire anymore, but he has little desire to be near it regardless. Especially not now.
Memories of both times he was abandoned on Mustafar burn literally through his mind. His armor caught fire the last time, even if he couldn't feel it. It reminded him vividly what the first time had been like, which was the point. He remembers one-handedly clawing his way up the slope, hand wrapping around his lightsaber hilt, watching Sidious walk away. He remembers dragging himself across the ground, last time flashing before his eyes, morbidly wondering what it would be like to let himself fall into the lava below, solely fueled onwards by rage and the desire to exact vengeance on his master.
Except Sidious is too powerful, too smart, too fast, and attempting resistance will bring his destruction.
And he remembers the first time, unable to do anything except lay there and watch as Obi-Wan walked away, leaving him there. Leaving him lying there as the fire tore him apart, devouring what was left of him. Leaving him to drag himself across the rock and sand and glass-covered ground, clinging to the knowledge that he has to survive, for some reason he couldn't even remember – he couldn't remember his own name.
He could barely remember anything at all through the agony of the next few months.
"Are we really just going to sit here and wait for someone to show up?" Sache asks, her voice breaking through the memory.
"What else would we do?" Dorme asks, raising an eyebrow.
"What about a snowball fight?"
"What?!"
Sache smirks. "The children Yane's adopted do it all the time, and sometimes, they want me to join."
"We could build snowmen," Eirtae agrees, "It's not much different than the art I do all the time." He wasn't really listening to their discussion, but the casualness of it reminds him of memories from long ago. He forces the sounds to the back of his mind, but in truth, he has very little to occupy himself with. He loathes waiting. He always has.
All his life, it was always waiting – waiting for orders from one master or another.
"It'll be a while before nightfall," Rabe concurs brightly, standing up.
Sabe gives them a dubious look. "Are you serious here?"
"We don't have much else to do!"
"We could be attacked any moment, and this is all you want to do?"
"I have to agree with Sabe here," Dorme says flatly.
"Come on, lighten up," Eirtae advises.
Sabe is too busy giving that her a very Padme-like stare to notice as Sache forms a handful of snow – really, to Vader it looks like blood – and throws it in Sabe's face. She lets out a most undignified yelp, jumping to her feet as the other three start laughing.
Maybe he'd have some more thoughts on their insanity, if not for the memory that surfaces abruptly. Of another time, a lifetime ago.
He no longer remembers the name of the planet, but he remembers... Ahsoka. The planet had been covered in snow – snow he could see and feel. It was after a mission and the two of them had little else to do. (Also, it got a reaction out of Obi-Wan, and they'd been enjoying that far too much.) Ahsoka had done the same, throwing snow at him just to see his reaction.
He remembers from years ago, when he could still feel, how it felt to hold her hand in his. He remembers how light and small and breakable it felt, and he had held it there, trying to warm it. They had been laughing, he remembers, over some stupid, trivial thing. And Rex and the boys came in, they had been fascinated with it, too. "We saw rain on Kamino all the time," Rex had said, "But we've never seen snow before."
It was important to them, just as it had been for Anakin when he was still a padawan – having seen water in large amounts for the first time since Nal Hutta – though his time with Gardulla was so long ago he hardly remembered.
It always angers him to think of Ahsoka, knowing how Anakin Skywalker raised her too weak to find strength when Vader offered it to her, yet a strange feeling of pride that she was... who she was.
She was always so determined, even to stay with him to the last, as if that could make up for before. He saw her with his own eyes one last time, saw the stricken look on her face that mirrored Obi-Wan's years before. And he had looked into their eyes when they should have died – only Ahsoka never did, and Vader can't say what happened to her.
Except dwelling on it will not bring them back, because they are gone. Vader turns away sharply, returning to the crashed ship. His suit will need charge soon, and there's no reason to wait. It's not as if he is needed outside. The ship is still undamaged enough for that to work, so he plugs himself into the power source, thinking over his next steps against Crimson Dawn once they're out of here.
He feels the others approaching suddenly, and Sabe pauses at the sight in front of her, emotions radiating between some mixture of horror, pity, morbid curiosity, and uncertainty. "What... happened to you?" Sabe asks, hesitantly.
Vader has no reason to answer; he doesn't have a reason not to either. He hasn't dwelled on what happened on Mustafar so much in years, especially not after killing Obi-Wan. But what Sidious did to him on Mustafar reawakened all those memories. Thinking about it brings it brings a familiar rush of anger and bitterness. "Obi-Wan 'happened'."
"What do you mean?" Sabe asks, frowning, "If you don't mind telling me, that is."
It's not something he's talked to anyone about – why would he? It's not as if it's their concern anyway. But something about Sabe and the others is... different. He can't say why. They were important to Padme, so they're important to him. He owes her that. (Even if it shouldn't be. They're Padme's shadows, people she was once close with – people who served her faithfully for years.)
The others are moving closer now, and he can feel them all trying hard not to look at his chest plate where it's plugged into the side of the ship. He has little interest in others knowing the details of this condition, but at the same time, he's grown long accustomed to it. Sidious has had Vader operated on in rooms full of people before. (The shame and helplessness of it is something he's long grown used to. He had to, because he's spent so long in complete helplessness. Either he would accept it, or he would shatter entirely.) "We fought," Vader answers shortly, "He severed my remaining limbs and left me next to a lava flow."
Their resounding horror flares into the Force. "Why?" Sabe asks after a brief pause. "You were close. Why would he ever do that to you?"
"I betrayed the Jedi. I killed his family." He says the word with no small amount of bitterness. Years and years ago, the only person aside from his mother that Anakin Skywalker would call family was Obi-Wan. It was just the two of them, and later his wife, and... and Ahsoka. Now all he has is Luke. And that doesn't even matter, because it will only be as his master wills it.
The handmaids exchange glances, their horror still radiating into the Force – about more than one thing now, he thinks. He doesn't know how to handle it. Vader hasn't had to try calming someone in years – not that he's trying to. It's just that he doesn't know how to not feed off their darkness – the darkness in others that he always inspires. He is a monster, and monsters bring darkness to all they touch, yet he knows if he were lost, Sidious would find many far worse to replace him.
"I can see why he would have... fought you," Dorme interjects, moving a little closer. Of all of them, he knew her the best and his identity probably has the most meaning to her. "But that's –"
"Extreme?" Rabe offers.
"Horrifying," Eirtae supplies, face pale. He can feel their horror in the Force, and he's well accustomed to it, only the last time he felt it for him was... it's been years. Perhaps, not since Ahsoka saw his face on Malachor.
"I thought you were always loyal to the Jedi," Sabe says finally. Of all of them, she's the most comfortable in his presence. "What made you turn against them?"
"They were traitors to the Empire," he replies, "There would be no order until they were gone."
"We all heard the claim that they tried assassinating the Emperor," Sache interjects, "But I think there is something more. I didn't know the Jedi personally, but Padme worked closely with them, and she trusted them." (He tries not to think about how she was the one who brought Obi-Wan to Mustafar in the first place – she betrayed him. But he betrayed her, too.)
"You sided with the Emperor," Sabe says. It's not accusing, so Vader doesn't know why it feels like one.
"The Jedi were committing treason."
"They really tried to kill him?" Eirtae asks.
"Yes. I stopped them."
"Why?" Sache asks, "I heard the claim they wanted control of the Republic, but is that true?"
That's what Palpatine told him, and he sees no reason to believe anything else. To be fair, he doesn't know with certainty, but it was treason either way. "The full extent of their plot was never revealed," Vader replies.
"You were close with Padme then, weren't you?" Rabe inquires. Mentioning her name since that day has always been hard, and years later he'd tried to block her from mind entirely, but he's found his mind dwelling on her far more recently. It is not as though they have more to speak of, but he doesn't know how to have casual conversations anymore. He once enjoyed it, but that was decades ago. He was once... grateful to talk to people, for those who would listen, but those times are gone. "Did she know what the Jedi were planning?"
Did she?
"The Jedi have tried to overthrow the Republic."
"I can't believe that," Padme denies, eyes glistening with tears.
"I saw Windu trying to assassinate the Chancellor myself." It was their last conversation, before he left for Mustafar. The details have faded with time, but he remembers that.
"No." At least he doesn't think so, even if she... sympathized with them.
"What happened to her?" Sabe asks, "Were you really involved in... her death?"
Pain and guilt twist sharply inside of him as he thinks back to that day. He thought he was, that he'd killed her there, but then Luke wouldn't be alive. But that doesn't change that the last he saw her, she was unconscious because of him. He doesn't know if she awoke except to say her last words. "Yes."
Sabe already expected that, he thinks – he did tell her that before. The others exchange glances of silent communication, though. They're distrustful.
They should be.
"Why?" Dorme asks, the betrayal in her tone obvious, even if it's concealed.
"If you don't mind discussing it," Sabe amends, "I would like to understand what happened. She said there was still good in you, and I believe her."
As if there is anything to say – to tell. He is a monster and it had finally shown that day. And Padme probably died in childbirth, the same way he saw in his visions – with Obi-Wan next to her. In the end it doesn't matter if Padme's right, because he can't leave Sidious. This is the only place for him.
"She... betrayed me," he answers at last, uncertain if he even should answer or why he even is. "She brought Obi-Wan to kill me. I was... angry." In truth, 'anger' isn't a strong enough word to describe the white-hot rage that had turned his blood to fire the moment when he saw Obi-Wan on the ramp and his world came crashing down. "She – I – I lashed out at her with the Force. I... hurt her. I do not know if my actions led to her death."
Sabe seems actually shocked into silence for several long moments, as do the others. "I don't understand," she says finally, slowly, "You two were already closer than I thought. You had a son together –" She knows that?! "– and I can't imagine why she would bring someone to kill you."
"What?" Sache asks, shock radiating into the Force, "She had a child?"
"I found a recording of Padme's last words," Sabe replies, "Her son is Luke Skywalker."
"The Alliance member who destroyed the Death Star?" asks Rabe, and Sabe nods.
Luke, who Sidious still wants alive. Vader will never forget that vision he had, of an altered version of Bespin, and he knows how likely it is to happen if his master ever finds his son. To die is to find respite, to find peace, and he craves it. He has for years. He only... doesn't want it to be his son who grants it to him.
"I still don't believe Padme would... do that," Sabe says, after a moment.
As if he hasn't spent years thinking the same thing. "It matters little," he replies, harshly, and they seem to get the message that he has no interest in talking about this any further.
It doesn't matter in the end, does it? Because Padme is gone, and nothing will ever change that.
Obi-Wan is gone too, and that's –
He's left to nothing but his own thoughts as the others file out of the ship, disappearing into the snow outside.
**w**
His mind wanders as he watches them speak – remembering flashes of another time. Remembering another war, when the war truly began, years ago – how when he was surrounded by bodies of those who he once called his vode, his clan, his family – how it had once felt to be accepted. How despite being surrounded by war and death and destruction, it had been the happiest point in his life.
He remembers Ahsoka, her light and cheerfulness and everything. He used to call her Snips. In all the foolishness of youth – and yet, he misses that, too. It's a deep and aching longing, one he only truly feels when he sees those who act like family. He once had a family, too – it's been so long. It's surreal to even think about, to imagine that one time he was happy. Then that was taken from him, like everything else.
He distantly remembers what it felt like when they were alone and bored, and she would braid his hair, and he would let her because she was a Togruta, and she didn't understand, and she found it cool. "I can't imagine having hair," she said, "It seems like such an inconvenience."'
"So does having very sensitive head-tails," he teased.
He fought her on Malachor, but she survived. He can't say what happened to her. He thought he... but then he felt her presence, seconds afterwards, and it doesn't make sense. It was as though Ahsoka was an illusion, or something changed.
But he hasn't heard of her since. If she is alive, she'd be hiding, though. Somewhere he can never find her again.
Night has fallen now, not that it matters. He can see as well at night as any other time because of the lenses of his mask. The others are gathered near the fire still burning outside. There's still no sign of anyone finding them. He doesn't think there will be for some time, yet.
Fire always brings memories to his mind. Memories that fuel the Dark Side. Of when he lost his family and all that he had. All he has is Luke, but none of that will matter. All he can have is Sidious. That is his destiny.
The five of them keep throwing what they think are discreet glances Vader's direction, though. Or maybe it's only so obvious because they're projecting their curious thoughts very loudly right now.
Mostly it's just a collective jumble of horror and sympathy. As if he needs that from them. As if he needs that from anyone.
Sabe and Dorme are collectively wondering how Obi-Wan could have done something like that, because he never seemed that way when they knew him.
Not that Vader can't second every bit of that. He's wondered all these years. He knows why, but he still doesn't understand. He doesn't think he ever will. He thought doing the same to Obi-Wan would bring some sort of... satisfaction, but it only made him feel worse. It only tripled the constant, gnawing rage and loathing he has towards himself, and he can't understand how someone would ever do that to another.
Sache sneaks another sideways glance at him, thinking something about her and Yane adopting many children from troubled backgrounds in the past. They're all grown up now, and they've had therapy for whatever they went through, but the effects don't just go away. And she knows Vader was really young when the Empire formed and all that happened, and she can't imagine him having lived with all that trauma all these years, so it's no wonder he's so...
And something stupid about needing therapy like she did.
What.
He's a Sith. He is not 'traumatized', and he definitely doesn't need 'therapy'. He's perfectly capable of managing his own mind without some outsider poking and prodding him about things that are none of their business in the first place. Or whatever this so-called therapy involves.
He's not weak. It's downright insulting.
Rabe is wondering something similar, and she can't imagine what it could be like to be living in a life support suit since he was only in his early twenties, practically still a child. And she thinks it's no wonder that he is the way he is, because she knows she wouldn't be in a very good position either if not for Padme, and she was never in nearly such bad circumstances.
Eirtae is wondering why his condition is serious enough to require this, but she supposes some of it is probably just for intimidation purposes. Or at least she hopes so because...
As if that's any of her concern. It does its job – both.
Sabe finally turns to look at him again, moving to stand up. "What are you planning to do once you're done dealing with Crimson Dawn?"
Finally, she's considering something worthwhile. He can't say why he's even answering the question, though. He knows what he wants to do, and he also knows it's nothing but a dream. "If I cannot continue my search for Luke, I will return to the Emperor."
"Why couldn't you?" Sabe asks. "He's your son."
"I serve the Emperor."
"Why would he have a problem with you finding your son?" she objects.
"He understands Luke's power," Vader explains ominously. "Luke poses a threat to him, and it is not a risk the Emperor is willing to take."
The others exchange almost wary glances at that. "Then why do you want to find him?" Dorme demands, "Because he's your son or because he's an enemy to the Empire?" They want to protect him if there's any way they can, if they think he may be in actual danger, Vader can tell. He's Padme's child, and they're ceaselessly loyal to her.
What Vader wants with Luke and what he knows he can have – It's not something he can let himself dwell on. He is loyal only to Sidious. He learned that lesson well enough already, and he cannot fail his master again. "I must obey my master," he says, because he doesn't know what else to say. He knows – he knows what will happen if he doesn't, and he can't – he can't – He can feel the flames crawling up his body, devouring him all over again and this time, there's no hope of rescue unless he proves himself to his Master, to the one he plotted to betray.
Sabe frowns. "Your master," she repeats, "Aren't you a Sith, and he – or is he a Sith too?"
Few know of Sidious' true power, but it's not exactly a secret either. "Yes."
He can practically see the gears turning in her mind again, as she pins him with that look Padme so often did. (It hurts seeing how similar they are. Sometimes, it feels as though it's Padme he's looking at.)
"You have to obey him even when it comes to your child?" Rabe queries.
"He is my master," Vader replies sharply, turning away. The conversation is pointless and nor will he risk even beginning to entertain such thoughts. He only just succeeded in proving himself to his master again, and he knows even now, Sidious is still considering replacing him with Luke. It's the only reason he would want him alive. (He doesn't want that for his son's sake, either.)
They don't try continuing the conversation when he heads back for the ship again.
Vader knows what he must do, and he doesn't like how being around them keeps making him question everything. He will restore order to the Empire and then he will – do whatever Sidious instructs him to do next. That is all that matters. (No, it isn't.)
The hours drag by, and he can faintly hear the others talking outside, but he pointedly blocks it out. He has more crucial matters to consider, like his next steps against Crimson Dawn.
But of course, it doesn't last, because Sabe comes to find him again. She's alone this time, but she has that same determination in her again – despite obviously knowing that he has no desire to talk to her. He says nothing, only stands there watching her in a way that would have intimidated anyone else, but this is Padme's shadow.
"I was... thinking about what you said," she begins.
"It is none of your concern," he snaps.
"Perhaps not," she concedes, "But Padme said there was good in you, and I told you I believe her. I can see why she said it now."
His anger flares instantly. He has not made it clear enough he has no interest in talking about this?! She understands none of this, and she doesn't know the monster he has always been – will always be. Has to be, if that's the only way to please his master. She understands nothing. "You know nothing of me."
"I know that you want to bring order to the galaxy," Sabe retorts, "And that's completely the opposite of what the Empire has been doing."
"The Empire is the only way to bring order."
"Maybe, maybe not. I'm not here to debate the logistics of that, but for there to ever truly be order, all sources of chaos will have to be dealt with, starting from the very top."
"That is why we have begun at the very top," he replies, "I have rooted out Crimson Dawn as far up as we have found."
From the way she's looking at him, he gets the feeling that isn't quite what she was referring to – though he already guessed that. "Yes," she agrees, "We will always do what we must if we are to bring order, won't we?"
It's more a question, and it's not one he intends to answer. It's not even one he has an answer to. "Perhaps," he replies.
"No matter who it is," she asserts.
He knows what she's asking. "I will not betray the Emperor," he replies harshly, pointing at her.
"What do you owe him, if he is the one causing so much harm?"
His agitation spikes as he tries to string together a response. "The galaxy will crumble without him." I will be lost without him.
"The galaxy has been crumbling from the moment he took office years ago," Sabe shoots back.
"He is all that keeps it from falling apart completely." That much, Vader does know with certainty. If the Empire collapsed, everything would collapse.
"Perhaps that is what it needs, to be rebuilt to anything better," she retorts, "The Empire will always be full of corruption, so long as its leader is no different."
Vader may know that, but it isn't something he can let himself think of ever again. He saw his master's power on Exegol – he cannot be defeated. "The Emperor cannot be defeated," he replies sharply. "He is too powerful." He's on a thin line, willingly discussing treason, and Sidious will sense it. He will feel it.
"More powerful than you?"
"He will know. He will stop it. He always does."
Sabe is frowning slightly as she eyes him. "But you do... want to."
He remembers it far too clearly – the pain of having his limbs ripped off again, then being left on that lava bank as Sidious walked away – the same way Obi-Wan once had. "It is immaterial," he snaps, "I will not allow the Empire to fall."
"But you know it will, so long as he is in control," Sabe argues, "I will not pretend to understand the position you are in, but I don't believe he can keep this... control forever." The 'of you' is unspoken. As if she knows anything of Sidious. She has no idea what he's done, what he's capable of. How much Vader wants to be away from him – to the point he stopped wanting altogether because it's pointless. He cannot allow Sidious to sense disloyalty again. "But you will have allies if you ever chose to."
"You will die," Vader warns ominously. That much, he knows with certainty. If the handmaids continue with such foolish notions beyond dealing with Crimson Dawn, they will die. If Sidious doesn't order Vader to do it himself, he'll have it done in time.
And – he doesn't want that. He doesn't want Padme's shadows to die like that, but this is their choice. They know the consequences of rebellion, and death would be better than any other fate Sidious could give them.
"Maybe," she replies, and she seems so... unafraid. Stubborn and brave to a fault, just like Padme. It will only get her killed. "But I intend to do what Padme would have wanted. She would never stand for the corruption all around us."
Padme is no more. She is gone, but their son is still here. Still alive.
Perhaps, he can't help thinking, perhaps she is right. If he can find Luke... He is willing to do whatever he must to keep his son safe from Sidious – even if that means killing him – but maybe... it doesn't have to be. That seems so impossible though. His entire life has been about being with Sidious. There has never been any hope of escape, even if he... wished for one.
Sabe leaves it that, going back to join the others when he doesn't say anything else. They're talking quietly outside, but the lightness of their tones still carries through the night air – the feeling of family and familiarity they all share with each other. It's something Vader doesn't have anymore and likely never will, but Luke... His son is still alive, and he could find him.
Vader turns his thoughts away from that just as quickly, because he can't risk dwelling on it. Sidious has likely already sensed enough, and he won't risk this line of thought any further. But he knows he can't ignore those traitorous feelings forever.
He'll run into Luke again someday, and when that happens... He doesn't know what then.
'You will have allies', Sabe had said. He would never ask for anyone's help, but it's not something he'll totally dismiss from mind.
It's nearly dawn when Piett finally shows up to pick them up, with the word that Sidious wants to speak with him. Fear flares through him instantly, and he doesn't try to hide it. It's expected that he'll feel that way when Sidious is speaking with him – something his master always enjoys. All that matters is that he controls his thoughts.
If Sidious suspects anything, he doesn't mention it. His master prods at his mind constantly, ceaselessly, often as nothing but a reminder of who's in control, so now is no different. He imagines Sidious does suspect something or is planning to replace him anyway, or he would not want Luke alive.
Of course, Vader does, too – so long as Sidious does not get to his son first. He would kill him, if it meant sparing him this. (He had once hoped Obi-Wan would be merciful enough to do the same to him.)
"I must leave," he declares, returning to the room where the handmaids are.
"Why?" Sache asks.
"What do you mean 'leave'?" Rabe echoes.
"The Emperor expects me," he answers, shortly. Sidious' irritation is currently directed at the severe incompetence of the Imperials working on building the second Death Star, and he wants Vader to go deal with them.
"Will you be back?" Eirtae asks.
"Perhaps, if the Emperor allows it."
Sabe is giving him that look again, and he knows what it means, though he chooses to pointedly ignore it this time.
"Then I suppose we will continue against Crimson Dawn on our own," Dorme comments.
"I imagine eventually we'll see you again," Rabe says.
He doesn't reply. It may be better for their sakes if they don't – if they're going to continue with what Sabe was saying.
"Good luck." Sabe looks up into the visor of his mask for a moment, before he finally turns away. He can't shake her words from mind entirely, even as he leaves to attend to the second Death Star.
Vader finds himself wondering, anyway, if he will see them again – Sabe, at least. Only time will tell, but he can't shake the feeling that if he does, by then, the entire galaxy itself will be unrecognizable.
Final Notes: If you want to join our Discord to receive updates or just hang out, here's the invite link, and please delete the spaces! :) discord . gg / nqSxuz2
You can find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (which is our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes; we also advertise our SW gift exchanges on there)
And! We have a YT channel for tributes! Please delete the spaces in the link. :D youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
Finally, if you're interested, you can submit a SW gift fic request via the following form (delete the spaces): forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6