Disclaimer: This story follows a different set of events from the canon works and Legends materials. My time line allows for a shift in events after Windus death in ROTS. Due to the events I have and story plans I have made the characters and their reactions and personalities will be depicted as I see fit to correlate with the events I have created in this timeline. My primary focus in this story will be the struggle between the identity of Anakin and Vader. I hope you all enjoy my take on these beloved characters in this alternate timeline! Thank you so much for reading!
Hope you all enjoy the latest chapter! Thank you for the follows!
Footfalls echoed down the empty corridors as the small man, Captain Layn, hurried his pace to match Lord Vaders long confident stride. So far Vaders assessment of the encampment was relatively positive. There seemed to be little waste, security did not appear to be at risk, and there were enough troopers stationed with in the prison to assist in any attempts of escape. The small captain droned on as they quickly passed through corridor after corridor and floor after floor of the off world station. Vader hardly paid the Captain any mind or real attention. His shoulders ached slightly with the added weight of his armor on his newly acquired scars. Anger surged through the young Sith as he remembered with excitement the vengeance he would soon be able to exact. "When this evaluation is complete you will arrange a private meeting between myself and general Telvk" Vader said interrupting the nervous Captains banter.
"Y-yes, of course my Lord" Layn quickly replied.
Vader looked at the young man, taking in the Captain for the first time. He was a shorter man, with a slight frame who was clearly not comfortable with the proximity to the Dark Lord, as beads of sweat rolled down his sallow face. Good he thought to himself, he ought to be frightened. Watching the mans nervous gestures he couldn't help but feel the Captain had clearly drawn the short straw for this tour. The Captain lacked anything comparable to confidence, and was not suited for a life within the military. Why did he join? The Captains eyes briefly looked up into the looming dark eyes of Vaders helmet, before hurriedly darting away.
"The suit will do that" Yes, that was indeed its purpose. The dark armored suit added an air of intimidation and awe to those who looked upon the young Darth Vader. Without it they would be looking at a man, a young man who would be instantly recognizable as the "Hero With No Fear". He had been the once Jedi poster boy for the Republics successes on the front lines during the Clone Wars. No, Vader could not have that. The suit was necessary, it allowed him to distance himself from the Knight Anakin, and attune his mind to the harsher realities of that of a Sith Apprentice.
Captain Layn audibly swallowed nervously, recapturing Vaders attention. He was still looking down at him. Vader lifted his arm gesturing forward "Continue Captain."
Layn lead Vader downward through the station to the next floor. The holopad in Layns hands noted the floor was a higher security level for reasons that became clear the moment the turbolift doors had opened. This level was clearly being used specifically used for information extraction. Low moans could be heard rolling off the walls, gasps, cries and shrieks of pain. Sobs and disturbing moments of silence licked around the two men. The pain and fear emanating from the many prisoners on this detention level sent electrifying currents of excitement to the Dark Lord. Tentatively tapping into the force he tasted a clear shot of power, as often was the case around such places, where the Dark Side sits waiting like a serpent to strike.
Vader had grown accustomed to this necessary practice and the men that it called to its profession. During his first few months as a Sith Apprentice he had questioned the Emperor on such tactics, thinking of them as inhumane and dishonorable. He had learned a valuable lesson that day, never question. Never show compassion. The Sith were not forgiving, and did not tolerate weakness. The onslaught of mental and physical torment that Vader had to endure for the questioning of his masters decisions was excruciating. Sidious knew how to best destroy the "Hero With No Fear".
Showing him his failings over and over, the battle with Obi-wan, his attack on Padme, and with that the knowledge of her death. This mental form of torture combined with a volley of force lightning strikes was enough to temporarily silence the ever present voice of Anakin Skywalker. From the point forward Vader made certain to silence him as often as possible. He would not allow Sidious to suspect the Jedis constant presence.
"It is inhumane.,, you know it"
As the Captain and the Sith continued forward through the detention floor Vaders mind drifted to the battle with Obi-wan. Keenly remembering his failures as a Jedi, and with a surge of regret quickly pushed away the results of the battle.
After the death of Jedi Master Windu, Darth Sidious had quickly dispatched his newly named Apprentice to the outer rim planet of Mustafar. His first act was to strike down the Separatist leaders awaiting his arrival on the planet. Anger pulsed through the Dark Lord as the memories became harder to ignore. He had no idea at the time what cruelty awaited those Jedi left on Corusant. Darth Sidious had exacted order 66, and had stormed the Jedi temple alongside troop 501st, killing all Jedi found within the temple. To Anakins horror he hadn't even spared the younglings.
Vaders fist clenched, he hated the emperor. He had never meant for any of this to happen. This wasn't what was supposed to have happen! He was supposed to have stopped the war! He was supposed to save Padme! He had eaten up empty promise after promise like a meal for a starving man. Now it was too late. After killing the Separatist leaders Anakin had seen the approaching Nubian ship. Rushing to Padme…
PAIN
Vader forcefully pushed at the memory. "No, not this time" the Jedi spoke sharply. He watched helplessly as the memory took hold, his hand tightening around her throat, the surge of power, the sudden crushing realization that he had attacked her. That he wasn't in control any longer. If it wasn't for cursed Obi-wan she would be safe! She wouldn't have died! She would be with him now! "Obi- wan did not harm her, you didn't need anyones help with that. "Anakin gravely replied.
The young Captain Layn jumped as lights start blinking, bursting around the two men. Venomous power rolled off the Dark Lord the memories kept their assault.
Obi-wan had snuck onto her ship, he had seen the security holovid showing the death of Jedi Master Windu, he had watched Anakin bend his knee and accept the Sith as Master. He went on to accuse Anakin of order 66 in the same breathe. He had betrayed the Jedi and all that he was as the chosen one. News of the attack on the Jedi temple shook Anakin to the core. The disappointment on Obi-wans face quickly washed any sympathies away, why was he always so disappointed in him?! WHY?! The older Jedi master unwittingly had broken the feeble chains that held the awakened dragon with in the Dark Lord at bay. Passion, fear, anger all rolled off of him as he lashed out at his former friend and Master. Volley after volley of attacks quickly followed. In a brutal fight between Sith and Jedi as they struck at each other with everything they possessed. Both ready to strike the finishing blow with each thrust of their sabers.
Vader took a deep breath and steadied his anger, releasing some of the tension from the memory. He angrily stepped forward on his robotic left leg, a souvenir of the fight with his former Master. The battle had ended in a way the Emperor had deemed most unfitting, as he struck down his new apprentice with lighting. The dual had ended in a draw, this would be the last that Vader did not walk away victor. While Obi-wan had managed to out maneuver him, Anakin was quicker launching a quick volley of attacks that severed the older Jedi Masters left arm. Leaving him subsequently wide open for Obi-wans thrust at the Siths left leg. Both had been injured, neither fatally.
Falling to the ground in a moment of shock the young apprentice could only watch as Obi-wan hastily made his escape. Soon thereafter the Emperor arrived. Vader had thought his arrival meant help and approval for his efforts. He had been wrong. It seemed that a large divide stood between the Jedi principles for failure and the Sith. The Siths were simple. Failure was not an option. After a week of torment at his masters hands and the attachment of his new leg Vader was eager to find Padme and right his wrongs. Even during the hours of torment the Emperor had subjected him to due to his failures against his former master, he still worried for her, needed to know that she was ok. That she was safe. This was all for her. Where is Padme? He had asked is she alright? Is she safe?" Nothing could prepare him for Sidious' hesitant reply "It seems in your anger you killed her. "
The anguish he had experienced only moments ago was nothing, was a cool breeze to this. A gentle drop of rain compared to the striking blow that hit him now. He would take his earlier torment from his master a thousand fold over this. "It – it can't be true. I felt her SHE WAS ALIVE!" He had screamed out in panic and desperation!
"L-Lord Vader" spoke the Captain.
Misted eyes focused again as The Dark Lord sharply turned to face the young captain.
"Are – are you quite alright my lord" Layn gently asked.
Vader suddenly took notice of his clenched fists, many of the lights were flickering, some had even fallen broken, shattered on the floor. With effort he relaxed his hold on the force.
"Spare me your concerns Captain, if you have any worries they should be saved for yourself." Vader snapped venomously.
"Q-quite right my lord, let us continue."