ALIVE
By Serena Kenobi
A/N: Wow, thanks for the feedback! The identity of the unknown character is revealed here.
Disc: One is enough in the first chapter. It applies to this whole story. Why repeat myself?
Everything was white. White, shining, and very, very bright. I kept my eyes closed, but the light was shining through my heavy lids, and I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned. After a few moments, I slowly opened them and blinked once, twice. I was in some kind of room, and I was lying on my back on something firm. There was beeping and noises of all different kinds, but I didn't hear any voices.
I craned my head to look down and around, but I saw no one. Testing my hands and arms, I moved them slightly. They seemed to work fine. I pushed myself upright and looked at the white blanket that had been covering me. I was wearing some kind of white shift, and my hair, which I pulled forward to look at, was very long and brown. But it was clean, not covered in sweat and blood and pieces of metal like before.
"Ah, she awakes," came a disdainful, somewhat menacing voice.
My head bolted up, and I saw a man, an older man in a medical coat worn over some kind of olive-colored uniform. In his hand was a strange looking tool… that was sharp and very dangerous looking. His weathered face was cringed up into an almost evil expression, and his beady blue eyes bored into mine. My breath caught, and my heart raced with fear and horror. I did the only thing I could think of at the time.
I screamed.
The man's face turned surprised, then faded quickly into angry, and he took a looming step towards my bed. I screamed again, this time louder and repeatedly, and I scrambled off the medical bed and crawled away. I have to get out of here! My mind chanted. He's going to hurt me! Torture me!
"Shut up, you Rebel scum!" He shouted, his face contorting into a more disgusted expression.
I gasped and screamed, "GET AWAY FROM ME!" And I dragged myself, ignoring the shooting pain driving up my legs and arms and into my head, up against the corner farthest from him. I curled up into a ball, my back against the wall, and wrapped my arms around my knees. "Just… St-stay away fr-from m-me!" I stuttered, my eyes wide.
I heard a whooshing noise, and the oddest, most intimidating creature – figure – I'd ever seen striding up beside the man and looking from him to me. There was a loud noise coming from the form – it sounded like breathing.
"Is there a problem, Doctor?" The creature boomed. I shuddered and drew closer to myself.
The man, obviously the Doctor, leered at me. "She's just a scared little girl," he sneered disdainfully. "Pitiful to see the Rebels lowered to this. She's a whiny thing. Shall I begin the interrogation, Milord?"
"In-interrogation?" I squawked.
The black, tall form looked at me – at least, I think it – he – was looking at me. I don't know how I knew, because he was wearing a helmet, but I just knew. I sensed it, maybe.
"Care to get off the floor, Your Highness?" He rumbled.
I stared at him. "Y-Your Highness?" I stammered. What is he talking about? "What are you t-talking about?"
The Doctor snorted. "Nice try, missy. But you can't pull that innocent little act with us."
The creature looked at him, and he fell silent. Then the creature turned back to me. He seemed to be thinking about something. "What is your name?" He asked finally.
I opened my mouth to speak, but the words, whatever they were, died on my lips. It was then that I realized not only did I not know where I was or what was going on…
I didn't know whoI was.
My breathing increased at that horrifying revelation, and I gazed up at him fearfully. "I…. I don't know," I whispered, terrified. "I don't know!" My hands started shaking, and then my body followed. "I don't know…"
"Do you know who I am?" The intimidating figure questioned.
I shook my head. "No," I said. "I don't know. I don't know who you are." I gazed up at him, wondering if he intended to hurt me.
The creature stood silent for a moment, and then he said in a more gentle voice, if that was possible, "Do not panic. No one will harm you here."
The Doctor looked at him incredulously, and I heard him whisper, "My lord? What are you doing?"
The creature turned on him sharply and hissed, "Rest assured I know what I am doing. I suggest you stay out of this if you value your well-being." I glanced at the Doctor suspiciously as he glared at me.
"But sir, she's the-"
The creature brought up a fist, and he fell silent and murmured, "Yes sir." Then, he rushed out of the room, but not before shooting me a dark look. I shivered and looked at the dark, imposing creature.
"Who-who are you?" I asked.
The figure stepped towards me, and I pulled back. "St-stay back," I whimpered.
"I will not hurt you, young one," the shape said slowly. He held out a black-gloved hand. "I am…" He was silent for a moment. "Vader," he said. "I am Lord Darth Vader."
I frowned for a split second. Had I heard that name before? But the moment passed, and I dismissed it as being from my imagination. "Are you going to kill me?" I asked.
"No," he said simply. "Take my hand, young one. No one will hurt you."
I glanced at his outstretched hand warily. "Why should I trust you?" I inquired. "Maybe you're lying."
"Search your feelings," Vader pressed. "You know I will not hurt you."
I somehow just knew he was right. But why was it that I felt an undertone of danger? Maybe that was my imagination, too. I looked from his helmet to his hand and slowly, cautiously, reached out my hand and took his. His was much, much larger, and it wrapped around mine in a firm grip. Not hard, but firm. I tried to get up, taking my other hand and placing it against the cold wall for balance, but my legs gave way and I cried out suddenly in pain and slumped back to the ground. He caught me and lifted me into his arms.
"Your legs are grievously injured," he said sternly. "I suggest you do not walk for at least three weeks."
"Three weeks?" I exclaimed.
His mask gazed into mine, and I blushed. "Do you have some pressing appointment?" He rumbled.
I shook my head, ashamed. "No." I looked at my legs as we walked out of the med-bay. "What's wrong with my legs?"
"They were injured during your crash."
"My crash?" I echoed.
"Yes."
This was a lot of information, and I told him so myself. "But why was I on a ship? What kind of ship? Who were my crewmates? Do you know who I am?" I needed answers, and he might be just the one to give them to me.
"One question at a time, young one," he chided. "First I will take you to your quarters, which is where you will stay for the remainder of our journey."
"And then?" I pressed.
He said, but sounded rather hesitant, "Once we reach Imperial City I must decide what to do with you. You are a rather… peculiar situation."
We stopped in front of a steel door that opened by itself. I blinked, but forgot quickly about it as we entered dark quarters, lit only by starlight from the many windows. He laid me down on the bed, which was somewhat bland-looking, and stepped back. "You need your rest," he told me. "After you recover, I suggest you pick out a name for yourself." He went over to the computer, tapped on the keyboard for a second, and disconnected a datapad. He handed it to me and said, "Here is a list of female names. Now, I must leave. I will send a droid for you to keep you company and see to your needs."
"Thank you," I whispered. "You don't have to do this. I can never repay your compassion."
There came from him an odd noise, almost a strangling sound, and he started to stride out of the room.
Feeling a sudden burst of fear at the thought of being alone again, my hand flashed out and grabbed his. "Don't leave me," I pleaded. He stopped still. "I… I don't want to be alone again." Being alone was a very unpleasant concept, and I felt tears coming up into my eyes again.
Vader stared down at my hand in his and said quietly, "You will not be alone, young one." He let go and began to walk away.
"Wait!" I cried. ""Do you know who I am?" A spasm of internal pain hit me, and I shuddered from the lack of knowledge.
He paused, stood there for a second, and said shortly, "No." He turned and stormed out of the room.
AH HA! For those of you who guessed Leia, free... uh, R2 plushies to you! And I know everyone loves Artoo. Or they should.
- Serena