Deathstar, 4 years earlier; after Kamino:
The nights were growing more and more quiet, but nobody could tell. This was space, the galaxy after-all. Within the round space station far built from the moons, it was still in construction due to the many faults and excuses the emperor was given. Though, at this time he was slightly worried for the digital reading of the blueprints for the station had gone missing since the beginning construction. Though, it was on in it's early days and many pilots were assigned duties to protect and shield the port untill the generators were fully operational. In silence, a silver shuttle was beginning it's approach into one of the small bays nearby that were used for the arrival of basic fighters, and it housed few smaller shipments as well. The engine of the spaceship began to descend to the platforms, it's pressured legs extending to press against the tiled surface. Letting loose a soft exhausted fume. Before the doors opened, several basic clones began to quickly dart and stand in their positions for the arrival of the Emperor, and his newly built apprentice.
A middle aged human commander approached with his hands at his sides and awaited for the latches to open; as it slowly did so on time. He let loose a nervous huff, biting his lip as soft footsteps trudged along the surface of the space station floor. The hooded man making his way at his own pace forward, before stopping for a moment and turned to gaze his beady eyes towards the open ramp. There, emerged the machine. His struggled breathing making notice of his presence, and Vader stepped out to reveal himself to the lined clones which held their weapons in place. The human commander had shook, his eyes gazing upon that of the dark lord and his apprentice; and this made him receive chills.
"Welcome, Lord Sideous and Lord Vader." He managed to speak, now turning his figure to walk alongside his masters. Head lowered to the floor and dared not to make eye contact with both unless they did so first. It was one of the first rules he was taught before being promoted to commander. Never look at your master without his consent, or if he does the same. The emperor walked slower than usual, only to stay beside Vader whom was still getting used to his new body. His mechanical limbs trudging in an awkward pattern as occasionally he felt as though he was going to fall over. But soon gained enough confidence to stand tall to listen to his master. "You have done well, Commander. The Deathstar's construction will soon be finished. I sense that it will be operational on time." He paused, before stopping for a brief moment to gaze upon him first. "This is my new apprentice, Darth Vader. He will be assigned here as his beacon to make sure this station is well under way. Any problems persist, you report to him."
"Yes my Lord, a pleasure to meet you Lord Vader." He responded with a bow of his head, and Vader had not spoken a word. He was still under heavy drugs from the medical table and simply ushered him away. Palpatine had smirked simply, before setting a palm upon his student's shoulder. "Come, Vader. I will lead you to your quarters. Then, I must return to Kamino. The clones here are being upgraded, somewhat... Kamino has notified me of their creation of 'Storm Troopers'. Perfect for our cause." He cackled, moving again before entering one of the corridors with the still injured Lord. "I sense that you will enjoy yourself here, but before you get comfortable; I have your first assignment." Vader had turned his lenses towards his direction, and weakly responded while limping down the corridors at an easy pace. "Yes, my master."
"Excellent," Palpatine started, turning down another corridor as an elevator was approaching as the commander was silent the whole time. He leaned over and pressed the button, awaiting for it as he listened to the two's conversation. "I have feared that our plans have been found by the Rebel Alliance, they have been logged into the memory system of an astro droid. I wan't you to find this droid, and whom is responsible; kill them. The Dark side is rising, once again." He smirked, the doors opening to reveal a small space as Vader trudged inside. "Leave us, Commander." Palpatine ordered, and he bowed his head in understanding, dialing in the digits in the elevator as the doors closed before him.
"Your quarters are quite to your liking, Lord Vader. There is a chamber which is situated right in the middle, it allows you to remove your helmet at ease for a period of time whilst you are inside this chamber. The droids will teach you how to use it to your will." He spoke, the elevator shaft rising to the last floor; and it opened to reveal the large room full of computers and other items. In the middle contained a large chamber with spiked edges which allowed it to open and close. Palpatine pressed a button, and it opened with steam emitting from the pipes below, revealing inside to be of a small space chair where Vader could relax if need be. "Now, my time here is short. Report to me if anything you require." The emperor snickered, and Vader had bowed his head in response.
"I thank-you, my master." And with that, the hooded Sith had left to return; without another word. Vader had listened to his breathing, gazing around the room now in search for any idea as to what he could use this place for. Though what he was more interested in at this time, was the chamber. Moving to trudge up the small steps, he stepped inside to seat himself into the chair. There, it automatically turned and sensed his presence; dimming the egg room and the shutters closed tightly. He stared around the enclosure, moving to gaze the black lenses upon the buttons by his chair's armrest, and he pressed them to see what they would do. Instantly, he felt a mechanical lining reach down, and clicked onto the mask he wore. Vader calmly breathed in, feeling it loosen as it slowly removed from the back of his bald skull. Revealing his burned and now slightly calmer expression, he closed his eyes for a brief moment; in deep thought as many memories passed through his mind of the recent events in the last few days. "Padme..." he murmured, gazing his yellow optics upon his suited body below, unable to move too far due to the restrictions.
Thankfully, the chamber provided circulated air for him to breathe, so he was able to move in and out of the chamber as he pleased for fresh air. Though when not in use, he had to wear the helmet for his safety. The air was toxic to him, and he would surely die. After a few more minutes of thought, he pressed another button; and the mask returned downwards to encase his skull into it. The horrifying breaths of air continued to circulate through the voicebox, and the chamber had re-opened to reveal the commander standing by the door, patient with his hands at his sides. Bowing his head as the throne Vader sat upon turned to spin in his direction. "What is it, Commander?" Vader muttered.
"The emperor wished for me to discuss with you on where to begin to search for the missing plans, my lord." The commander nervously spoke, and Vader had nodded in a mere response. Really not caring of such, but if Palpatine ordered it to be done, then it was to begin slow.
"Commander, begin research on possible locations that the droid has been; then assemble search parties of clones to designated planets. We do not need to make our presence known at this time, the Deathstar is still under heavy construction and cannot afford an early battle stage. We have yet to finish the installation of the shield generators."
"Certainly, Lord Vader." The commander agreed, bowing his head; then leaving without further more.
Tatooine, 4 years later:
It had seem to be growing mid afternoon, and the sun beamed down it's rays upon the sand; leaving the small hovel home was that of Kenobi. His arms where filled with supplies that he carried to the nearby speeder. Setting it down in the back seat as he opened the front door of the floating car. "Aether! Come on, we have things to do!" He shouted, and emerged Skywalker whom had closed the front door, locking it with a ported key as she quickly ran over towards him. He simply picked her up, and set her in the passenger's seat. "We're going to Mos Eisley, there's some things that we need to get rid of and pick up some extra supplies for the next few days." Kenobi explained, before closing the door and jumping right into the drivers seat. Turning on the powered car as it began to sound the engine, and straight away he darted off into the road of the sand dunes. Feeling the humid breeze upon his face as he drove at quite a fast but even pace. "Now when we get there, you must-"
"Yeah, yeah... I know. Stay right by your side." Aether grumbled in the passenger seat, her small face lifting as Kenobi as moved a free hand to set it upon her head. Ruffling her dark brown locks as he laughed aloud, keeping his eyes on the direction he was going. "Of course, dear Aether! You know what Mos Eisley is like, it's definitely no place for 4 year old girls! These days it's ruled by the Hutts, so you have to be extra careful round these parts!" He shouted due to the sound of the engine being so loud. The girl nodded, lifting her blue optics ahead to gaze upon the neverending sand dunes.
Up ahead, the city began to form in view; it did not take them very long. Upon entering the mainframe, he began to slow down at a small pace. Passing many rouge and now imperial soldiers which were almost everywhere. It was shocking! Obi-Wan had never seen these types of clones before, they were much differen't to the ones through the Clone Wars, were they made by the same aliens in Kamino? Many thoughts passed over as he began to slow down the Speeder in a parking bay. Roping it together as he turned it off, and jumped out to lift the girl from the passengers side right into his arms. And she looked just as puzzled as he was. "Pa'? What are they?" she asked, her small toddler like hands moved to hold his collarbone and shoulders. He held her with ease as he had gazed upon them which patrolled the area. Frowning somewhat as he wondered what they were, gaining a closer look by squinting his eyes.
"They look like clones, but nothing like the ones-" he paused, seeing the expression upon Aether's face as it was clear to her that he never told her of such story. And he let loose a small laugh, forgetful. "Hah, that can be a story for another night." And he left it at that, leaning over to lift a bag over his shoulder before entering the part's of the sand stoned city. Carrying the girl in his arms like a parent should as he passed over a variety of market stalls and other little shops on the streets. Occaisionally he stopped every now and again to search for extra wares at a decent price to put in their slowly growing home, but he managed easily to pass them all without a purchase. Suddenly, he felt a tap on the shoulder before stopping to turn his head and gaze at a Storm Trooper who was well armed with three others behind him. He wore an orange strap over his arm to symbolize his position. Guessing to be captain. "Sir, we need to ask you a few questions." The clone asked, and Obi-Wan had blinked. Before turning as the small girl became scared, and buried her face within the crook of his head from the close approach of the Trooper.
"Of course, what information does the Empire need?" He had to wonder, what were they looking for in this city?
"We are searching for two droids, they are very important and look as though they are astro droids. One of them specializes in human cyborg relations." Instantly, Obi-Wan knew what they were talking about. C3PO and R2D2. He gulped, before shaking his head. "I have seen no such droids in these parts, what would astro droids be doing here on Tatooine?" He lied, there; the Trooper turned to stare at his men before nodding his head towards Kenobi. "Understood, thank-you for your time." And with that, they left them be. Kenobi sighed in relief, before raising a free hand to set it upon her head, smiling softly as she felt the graze of his beard against her forehead. "It's quite alright Aether, they are gone."
With that, she returned to look back towards Obi-Wan, releasing a huff as he gazed upon her. Before nodding to continue walking, still with the information given on his mind.
Here we are, chapter 3! It may be a bit small, but there is still more on the way! Please leave a Favorite/Follow and a review if you like!