"Is that him?" Vader murmurs curiously, intently watching a Sinteen senator, who he presumes to be their target, stride confidently towards his ship on the open-air landing pad. The sleemo's late for work, yet he is taking his sweet time walking down that runway.
"Shut it" the Zabrak spits back.
Vader huffs, but has learned by now that questioning his counterpart is as useful as banging his head against a durasteel wall. So he keeps his mouth shut, and instead focuses the lenses of his binoculars on their target.
"Bec Lawise" he whispers to himself, finally putting a face to the name of the most infamously pacifistic senator on Raxxus. Honestly, it's beyond Vader why the man joined the separatists in the first place; it's kind of obvious that peace is the last thing the Confederacies mind.
He is short and has a big bulging head that looks so much like a brain it's uncanny. Pity he never seems to use that big head of his. For where has it gotten him? Here, with two bloodthirsty Sith apprentices planning to blow him to bits from about two blocks away.
Bec boards his ship, which slowly begins to hover up into the air. Sitting here, on top of a towering skyscraper, they will be sure to have an excellent view of what's about to go down. The Zabrak clicks his mouth impatiently.
"…Not yet" Vader says eagerly. Becs ship fly's away from the landing pad, why is he flying so damn slowly?
The cool morning air only worsens the spread of Goosebumps along his arms. This has got to be one of the most exciting things he has ever done! Not that he has much to compare it too; studying all day in the library on Serenno? Yawn.
"A little more…" Vader pines, wishing his words could speed up the ships lazy speed. For man late for work and about to die, Bec Lawise sure does seem to be relaxed, climbing calmly up towards a traffic lane.
The Zabrak hisses a growl and grabs Vader's binoculars, yanking them out of his hands.
"Hey!" Vader cries angrily. He lunges at the Zabrak, falling unto him and nearly knocking him over as he reaches for the binoculars. His 'friend' grunts and tries to shove him away, which is rather difficult because Vader is clawing at him like an enraged Nexu
"Give it back" He hisses with exasperation.
"Stop!" The Zabrak growls, grabbing Vader by the shoulder and shoving him off. He lands on his ass a few feet away, and a sharp bolt of pain shoots up his spine. Kriff! They're his binoculars, this is so unfair!
He gets up with a grunt but before he can run at him again, a sharp 'boom' roars in the distance. He snaps his head around to see a small yellow explosion ignite where Bec's once was. The dead metal carcass of his ship plummets towards the lower levels of the city.
Damn it, he wanted to see everything up close with his binoculars. He marches up to the Zabrak and yanks them back while he's distracted with the explosion.
"What the hell?" Vader hisses, but the Zabrak doesn't respond. He just stares into the city, still as a stone gargoyle. The sirens of police and medical teams rushing to the scene can be heard even from here.
"Now, No one will dare challenge Lord Sidious's command" The Zabrak says ominously, completely ignoring the fact that Vader even said anything. Like he said earlier; may as well just bang his head against a wall.
He sighs loudly, and turns to watch the ensuing chaos with his counterpart. The traffic is being diverted now, and every second more and more sirens join in with the rest. He has to say that the cities reaction times are very fast, he's impressed. In mere minutes the entire sector is cordoned off. Nonetheless, the city guard shouldn't suspect anything other than a ship malfunction; they placed the explosives on the ships engines, so it should look like they overheated and exploded without any… tampering from independent sources.
But even if they did somehow suspect an assassination, they would never expect two tourists enjoying the view of the city from two blocks away. And even then if they somehow managed to suss them out, they have the protective veil of Darth Sidious to fall behind. Because really, he is everyone's boss, they just don't know it yet.
"Come" The Zabrak growls, turning from the scene and moving to leave. His long robes billow in the cool wind. Despite the anarchy a few miles away, it's oddly calm up here. How the Zabrak can remain as deadpan as a stone at all times is beyond Vader. Sometimes he wonders if he peels off that red skin will he find nothing but wires and machinery underneath.
For a few brief seconds, Vader continues to take in the chaos they caused, then he too turns to follow the Zabrak towards the maintenance corridor back into the main part of the building. There are more separatists to be dealt with, but it's unlikely that anymore will leave this universe with such flare. Bec was the face of the few separatist pacifists; his death will be an example. They rest will die quietly.
"What now?" He asks casually as the two of them trot down the clanking metal stairs in the dingy corridor. He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited to execute the next part of their mission, especially if it's anything like that.
"You will take Bec's place in the negotiations"
Vader stops mid-step, stilling stupidly like a confused idiot. The Zabrak either doesn't notice or doesn't care, because he pushes open the squeaking door at the bottom of the staircase and marches away. Does…. Does he honestly expect him, Darth Vader to act as a politician?! Seriously?!
"WHAT?!" Vader shouts, finally coming out of his stupor and running down the rest of the stairs.
There are precious few things he will openly admit to being bad at, one of them is politics. Which, in Vader's opinion, is the most unnecessary, underhanded and completely idiotic practice in the entire galaxy. All politicians do is lie and waste time. And being forced to act as one of those bumbling idiots without blowing his cover is the most idiotic things he has ever heard.
He bursts through the door and into a rather lavish hotel corridor the Zabrak is about half-way down. Several people have left their rooms and are looking at the crash-site from the long curving window occupying the entire outermost wall. Ignoring them all (and any social curtsey) he sprints towards that stupid dust-head whose horns must be stabbing into his brain and impeding all of his critical thinking abilities.
"Woah woah Woah, I am not taking Bec's place" he gripes, laughing slightly as he speaks because this entire situation is so stupid it's comical. He grabs the Zabraks shoulder, halting his pace so they stand facing each other in the middle of the corridor. The Zabrak eyes him evenly, with that same, emotionless expression on his face.
"Are you incapable of completing your task?" He sneers.
"Of course not!" Vader bawls loudly, drawing the eye of some onlookers in the corridor.
"Excellent" The Zabrak drones. He looks between Vader and the onlookers, then silently turns and marches away again.
Vader is left standing dumb-struck once again, before his legs get moving and take him down the corridor towards his counterpart. Why is he the one who has to replace that stupid bug-brain they just blew up?
"Why the hell are we negotiating with them? Shouldn't we just 'deal' with them?" He insists, waving his hands frantically in front of him as he does so. By deal he means kill, of course. Not that he can phrase it any other way with so many people around them.
"The Republicans are not to be harmed" is the empty reply he receives, which does nothing to solve his current problem.
"If you know so much about the mission, then you should be the one negotiating" he snaps.
"I will be commanding you though an earpiece" he replies as they reach the end of the corridor and enter an elevator down to wherever the hell the Zabrak is taking him.
"Oh, great. So I'm just the expendable dummy then" He rants, crossing his arms over his chest. If anything goes wrong, he will be in the middle of the fray while horns here will be safe and sound in some hideout on the other side of the city. Not that Vader doesn't like being in the middle of the fray, its actually his favourite place to be. But he thinks it would probably hinder his cause if he brought that up now.
"You will be meeting with both the Republicans and the Separatist traitors for a lunch party before official negations begin. You will use this time to explain that you have been appointed by Dooku to replace Bec Lawise. You will also analyse the Republicans for any weak links we can exploit both now and in the future" The Zabrak orders, completely ignoring him. Again.
It's quickly becoming clear that he has no choice on this, so he remains stubbornly silent instead. Purposefully avoiding the Zabraks eyes and pretending he is taking the elevator alone.
"If anything should go wrong" he continues "I will be nearby to clean up your mess"
That, was the wrong thing to say. Forgetting is snubbing policies, he snaps his head around to glare at the Zabrak.
"I never fail" he growls, pointing a threatening finger towards the Zabrak, whose eyes narrow at the challenge.
"We'll see"
Force! For one with the personality of a kriffing rock the Zabrak sure knows how to grate on Vader's nerves.
The elevator dings and opens to the hotel entrance. Like those on the upper stories, the people down here are also looking through any available window facing the crash-site and murmuring quietly to one another.
The ground floor's dull-gold walls are embezzled with intricate carvings, the floor is a royal red and the central plaza is occupied by a stunning three level fountain. The entire place is huge, and if he weren't desperately trying to deal with his Force awful 'partner' he would probably be sliding down those wooden bannisters by now.
The Zabrak heads for the reception desk, and Vader sulkily follows. Oblivious to his plight, a Twi'lek receptionist smiles brightly at them both.
"Reservations, Skywalker" He growls at the receptionist as she opens her mouth in greeting. Somewhat surprised, her smile melts, but she searches through the hotel's files anyway.
But Vader isn't paying attention to the receptionist, how can he, when that name has been uttered? For what seems to be the millionth times this mission, vader's head snaps around to glare at the Zabraks infuriatingly distant one.
It's as if he doesn't even care that he just divulged Vader's hidden kriffing name to the entire galaxy. The name that has absolutely nothing to do with him anymore. The name that means NOTHING to him.
How could he?! Red hot fury burns in every muscle in his body. He jabs the Zabraks stupid stomach with his hand and gives him the most convincing death look he has probably ever given anyone in his life.
The Zabrak doesn't even look at him.
"We have your name on record, Mr Skywalker. You're in room 536, floor 26." The receptionist says pleasantly.
And there he goes again, marching away to the elevator without so much as even sparing Vader a glance or an explanation or anything. He curses under his breath and quickly follows. The Zabrak watches him coldly with hands clenched behind his back, Vader jumps into the elevator just as close completely.
"Really?!" He hisses once the elevator starts moving. He snorts an angry laugh and throws his hands in the air. "You just had to use Skywalker didn't you?"
"Why? Does that name hold some sort of meaning to you?" The Zabrak snarls.
"No! But just becau-"
"If it means nothing, it won't cause any problems, will it?"
Force he hates this guy. You know what, he is worse than Dooku. DOOKU!
An angry silence permeates the air as the obligation for Vader to respond becomes greater and greater. His brain screams at him to say 'not a problem!', but he can't. Not after hearing it out loud. It leaves him feeling so desolate that he can't even bring himself to open his mouth. Images of the desert race through his head. Warm days, cold nights. Soft hands wiping sand from ragged knitwear. Sweet lullaby's and a kind smile.
The elevator opens with a ding.
"Will it?" He growls again.
Suddenly, a fiery pit of anger inside his stomach erupts like a volcano. Those… those false images will not control him! Those memories are not his memories.
"Of course not!" He hisses, both desperate and furious at the same time. "Are you questioning my loyalty, Zabrak?"
"Don't give me reason to"
The both step into the hall, Vader tries to ignore the uneasy silence permeating between the two of them as they head towards room 536. He pulls the dark side closer, and uses it to clean his mind of the disease that is Skywalker's memories.
"Tell me your name" He growls at the Zabrak, forcing his mind in another direction.
The Zabrak opens the door to their room and heads inside, forcing Vader to follow him. A short corridor leads to a spacious living area just as elaborate and golden as the plaza on the ground floor. Large windows offer a view of the city, and a mahogany door leads to what must be the bedroom. Whoever is paying for their 'holiday' here hasn't spared any expense, it seems. He stares at the skyscrapers for a few moments, using their pretty visage to force any memories of his past life out of his mind.
Several black duffel bags have been left on the dining table. Gifts from their master, no doubt. The Zabrak takes one of them and unzips it, peering inside the mysterious bag as Vader glares it him. This enigma knows so much about him, he even knows Vader's birth name. Yet Vader knows nothing about him, this is unacceptable.
"What's your size?" The Zabrak asks as he rummages.
"Excuse me?"
""Your clothes, what size do you wear?"
"Forty" he grunts, crossing his hands over his chest and looking over the duffle bag with bemusement.
"…perfect" The Zabrak says, pulling out a long, size forty senatorial gown.
"No" Vader says instantly, drawing back towards the door.
Oh Force it's so disgusting and unfashionable and purple. He hates purple! That thing is not a piece of clothing, it's a death sentence and he won't be caught dead in it.
"Yes" The Zabrak instructs, following him down the corridor, disgusting robes in hand. The arms puff out like semi-deflated balloons and a carpet-thick fabric hangs from the shoulders and the entire outfit screams 'I'm forty years old and have no life outside my job'.
"No way"
The Zabrak stops, and gives him a dismissive look.
"You have to dress like a senator"
"No I don't! I can just wear my tunic!" He exclaims.
"Senators don't wear tunics"
"I'm not even going to be a senator anyway; I'm Count Dooku's representative. Not some stuck up twad from the mid-rim." He rants frantically in the cramped corridor.
"You're wearing the robes"
"I am not"
"Yes"
"No"
"yes"
"No!"
For what must be the most surprising and breath-taking event today, the Zabrak finally shows some sort of emotion, breaking his stony gaze for a brief moment as he rolls his eyes. If the situation weren't so serious Vader would have whooped with joy.
"Just put it on" he nags.
A small smile creeps across Vader's face as an idea pops into his head.
"Only if you tell me your name"
The Zabrak stares at him silently for several moments, seemingly at an impasse as to what to do. But it's not all bad, at least the silence isn't met with him marching away again.
"We're on the same side, right?"
"You and I are not allies" He hisses back, his molten eyes narrowing.
"No, but we're working together on a mission-"
"A mission we will fail if you don't put on this robe!" He growls, stepping closer. Vader doesn't let the Zabrak intimidate him, in fact, his rage only strengthens his resolve.
"Exactly" He replies with a broad smile.
Now the Zabrak is the one looking confused. He raises an eyebrow at Vader and motions for him to put on the robes.
"And since I'm not putting on those robes until you tell me your name, I guess you're the one who will decide if this mission will fail or not"
The Zabraks eyes widen as the realisation that he fell into Vader's trap hits him. Silence is his only response, Vader leans against the door and waits for him to respond.
As the seconds tick by the Zabraks face turns from something akin to discomfort to angry to confused to angry again. He lets out a long growl and throws the Robes at Vader.
"Maul" He whispers before storming past Vader and into the hallway.
The door closes with an angry bang, and the smile on Vader's face can only widen. A victory at last. So Darth Maul is the other apprentice, the one who has tried every patient bone in his body for the past fourteen hours. The sweet scent of revenge helps to dampen the ever-present feeling of hopelessness Vader has found himself feeling when within a mile of that Zabrak.
He looks down at his robes, running his fingers through its thick fabric. He sighs, a deal is a deal, and he may hate the very air Maul breaths but that's no excuse to remiss on his promise. He sighs and heads to the bedroom, shrugging the overly elaborate violet robes over his shoulder.
The least they could have done is given him a black set.
Hello all! I hope you enjoyed the banter between Vader and Maul! I'm sorry if Vader is too angsty and melodramatic right now but remember that he is just a teenager and still growing haha. And I also hope you're as excited as I am to get to the part where Vader and Padme meet :D.
But before we get there I need to inform you all that I'm back at school, and in my final year. So if my output speed is slower or if my chapters are somewhat shorter then you know why. I am a big believer in quality over quantity and I'm not going to rush chapters out after study because I want to keep my upload speeds consistent. So sometimes you may not see much activity from me, but know that I have not and will not abandon either of my stories. Thank you for being patient, and of course, thank you for reading.
