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Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Thirty-Five – A New Hope Interlude V: Sith Attachments
By
Celgress
0 BBY
Imperial Center, evening
Darth Vader silently watched his secret Sith apprentice and surrogate son duel with Darth Cyrin. In truth their 'duel' was nothing more than an advanced sparring match using full powered lightsabers rather than typical training ones. Star Killer, as he'd codenamed the young man years before, continually improved his technique. Star Killer's unique variant of Sith Shien was second to none. Soon his boy would be ready for his final mission assisting his parents Cyrin and Vader, in their overthrow of Emperor Darth Plagueis. Beneath his mask Vader allowed himself a smile. After spending virtually his entire life as a slave in one form or another Vader would soon be free, better yet he alongside his beloved would soon be master of all he surveyed. Watching Star Killer and Cyrin part after Star Killer had all but penetrated Cyrin's superb Jar'Kai based defense Vader commented on their latest match.
"You did very well my son." Vader said proudly.
"Thank you father, although I highly suspect mother was going easy on me." Star Killer said nodding towards Cyrin. "She pulled several hits which could have overwhelmed me at various points during our duel. While I appreciate you not wanting to cause me serious harm mother I must learn from my mistakes. How else can I best serve your goal?"
"You face enough dangerous situations as is my son." Cyrin said tenderly. "Your father regularly sends you on potentially deadly missions, many of which I feel are unnecessarily harsh and unneeded for your training."
"Cyrin stop coddling the boy." Vader said. "He will never learn to be self-sufficient if you continue sheltering him. If he is to rule the galaxy and the Sith Order alongside us as our heir he must be ruthless."
"I know, but can't a mother worry about her son?" Cyrin said.
"Of course," Vader said his tone softening. "Do not confuse my sometimes harsh training methods for lack of concern. We are a family. Our family means more to me than all the stars in the heavens."
"Gee thanks father," Star Killer said blushing in spite of himself.
Vader looked at Cyrin and Star Killer standing side by side. They were his sun, his stars, his entire galaxy. Vader's thoughts drifted back to the fateful day nearly two decades ago, had it really been that long, when their family bond was first forged.
18 BBY
Kashyyyk
Darth Vader feared dark lord of the Sith, heir apparent to the recently forged Galactic Empire and one of the four most powerful beings in the known systems strode purposefully through the vast forests of the Wookiee home world chaos erupting all around him. He hated being here. In truth he would rather be anywhere else in the galaxy right now, however his new master Emperor Darth Plagueis insisted Vader personally lead the punitive expedition against the rebellious Wookiees and their misguided supporters. Foolish fur balls why couldn't they see how hopeless facing down the Empire truly was Vader thought. Glancing over his shoulder Vader made sure Darth Cyrin was still trailing close behind. Vader was deeply worried about his love and fellow Sith. She hadn't taken their cybernetic reconstruction well.
"Are you alright Snips?" Vader said halting his forward progress.
"Huh," Cyrin said nearly colliding with Vader's back.
Vader turned around to face Cyrin. "I said are you alright Snips?"
"Don't call me that." Cyrin said. "Snips died on Zeltros only Cyrin remains."
"I absolutely hate Obi-wan & Siri for what they did to you my love." Vader said his gloved hands balling into fists. Nearby a small tree was plucked out of the ground by the Force and thrown aside. "If I could I would undo their damage in a heartbeat."
"I know you would my love." Cyrin said her gloved hand brushing his face plate. "I-I don't know how much longer I can continue, like this."
"What do you mean?" Vader said stiffening. A terrible feeling of cold dread overcame him.
"I want to die." Cyrin admitted. "I deserve death."
"I never want to hear you say anything like that again!" Vader said gripping Cyrin's shoulders. "You are all I have left. I love you."
"Do you really or rather are you afraid of being alone?" Cyrin said.
"Both," Vader replied without hesitation. "We promised each other we'd always be together. What has brought this on?"
"We had a family. We would have been so happy." Cyrin said. "Then it was all taken away."
"What are you saying Cyrin?" Vader said.
"I want what they Jedi Order always denied me. I want, need a family of my own." Cyrin said.
"Impossible, Plagueis would never permit it. If he or his underlings should learn of your desire it would be disastrous." Vader said releasing Cyrin's shoulders and shaking his helmeted head. "And I can no longer give you a family." Vader added in an almost whisper.
"I don't care what Plagueis, Grievous or anyone else decrees." Cyrin snapped. "I grow weary of being under his thumb. We were promised galactic ruler by his side, not slavery under his foot."
"We don't currently have time for this." Vader said. "If we stay here any longer we'll die."
"Who cares?" Cyrin said.
"Fine," Vader huffed whirling around. "It would appear my devotion doesn't matter to you anymore. Stay here if you want. Die if you want. I have been assigned a task that must be completed. Come find me when you're finished with your self-loathing." Vader stormed off leaving an irate Cyrin behind.
"How dare you!" Cyrin screamed after Vader. "Come back here! Don't turn your back on me Vader! Not after everything we've been through together!" Vader kept moving forward. Soon he was out of Cyrin's enhanced sight. "Fine go play loyal servant!"
Ignoring Cyrin's taunts Vader trudged onward into the thick of raging battle. The blasted Wookiees and their other rebel allies were putting up a far more ferocious fight than Imperial Intelligence had initially predicted, and why not the Wookiees along with their ragtag allies were fighting for their very way of life. If they failed soon they'd be under the Empire's boot, reduced to a status of servitude on their own world little better than glorified slavery.
Vader effortlessly deflected with his now ignited crimson lightsaber, which had replaced the blue one he'd lost during his near death a year prior, or absorbed with his gauntlets swarms of incoming laser bolts redirecting some back to their sources with deadly results. Grinning beneath his mask Vader savored how easy non-Force users were completely obliterated by his powers as he released a massive force wave clearing the area directly ahead for several hundred feet. Yes life in the Sith Order practically unopposed by the Jedi was good. Abruptly Vader froze in his tracks. There was something here, something familiar. Something Vader hadn't felt in months. There was something below the surface just beyond his ability to touch, but what? Following the strong yet erratic Force emanations Vader resumed his journey. It was the will of the Force he knew it, the Dark Side that had brought him here. Of that he no longer entertained any doubt. Emerging into a small clearing outside a typical Wookiee tree dwelling the Force screamed at Vader filling his entire being. Something was here alright, something very strong. Before he could further contemplate his accidental discovery Vader was unexpectedly attacked by a pair of robed Jedi. Their duel telekinetic assault propelled him backwards through a large tree.
"You were foolish to come here Anakin." One of the Jedi a female by the sound of her voice said sternly steeping forward.
"No doubt the Dark Side has clouded his mind." The other Jedi a male said hanging back.
"Do I know you?" Vader said extracting his bulky form from the splintered tree with a certain degree of difficulty.
"How quickly the former hero without fear forgets his sisters and brothers in arms." The female Jedi sneered.
"I told you his powers of reason have been obfuscated by the Dark Side." The male Jedi said.
"You disgust me Anakin." The female Jedi said spitting on Vader's obsidian chest plate. "What you've become makes my skin crawl."
Recollection sparked within Vader's mind. "Mallie and Kento Marek," Vader said retrieving his lightsaber by using the Force. "So you survived Order Sixty-Six. Missing in action or not I assumed the clones would have eventually found and taken care of you, along with any other stragglers."
"Traitor, murderer," Mallie said igniting her own blue lightsaber Kento did likewise with his green lightsaber.
"We heard all about your betrayal of our Order via Grandmaster Yoda's transmission from Mandalore." Kento said.
"That old fool," Vader laughed deeply. "He couldn't stop my master from taking over the Republic and you certainly won't stop me from bringing the Wookiees to heel."
"How many Jedi have you slain Anakin, discounting of course defenseless younglings." Kento mocked.
Vader unleashed a powerful force wave that staggered the Jedi. He then broke through Mallie's weakened shields and choked her tossing her into Kento when he leapt forward to intervene. "Your powers have grown weak, from lack of practice no doubt." Vader gloated. "I had expected more of a challenge from two former Jedi knights. Once I've disposed of you I'll inspect your cabin for possible trophies. Who knows perhaps I'll locate something of interest."
"No," Mallie screamed scrambling to her feet Kento right behind her. The Jedi used the Force to once more knock Vader head over heels.
This time holding onto his lightsaber Vader barely parried Kento's incoming downward thrust. Mallie meanwhile retreated inside their hut.
"I will not allow you access to our dwelling Anakin." Kento warned.
Regaining his footing with great difficulty due to Kento's continued saber assault Vader growled before unleashing an onslaught of diagonal and vertical slashes which staggered the Jedi. Step by step Kento backed away giving ground to the relentless dark lord. When Kento, busy defending himself from Vader's never ending flurry, tripped backwards over a log Vader struck. Using his free left hand Vader gripped Kento by his neck and lifted the Jedi high into the air. Moaning in pain Kento's hands dug at his constricting throat his lightsaber falling noisily to the forest floor. Releasing some of his rage into the Force Vader savored the crunching sound of Kento's breaking neck. Letting Kento's lifeless body fall Vader's line of sight fell upon the door through which Mallie had fled, in a matter of moments Vader pushed himself inside having ripped the heavy wooden off with the Force.
"Where are you hiding Mallie?" Vader said glancing around the modest living space. "Kento is dead. I know you are here. Hiding is useless."
Vader sensed movement off to his right. Turning around he was met by Mallie's blue lightsaber. She had been hiding beside the door frame laying flush against the wall. Mallie skillfully changed her blade direction at the last possible instant chopping off Vader's right arm below his elbow. Howling in pain at the loss of his nominally flesh and bone appendage, one of only two he still possessed up until this point, Vader stumbled backward cradling his stump with his left arm. Not allowing pity to stay her hand Mallie pressed forward her advantage. Swinging her sapphire blade at Vader's wounded form. Recovering remarkably quickly from his seemingly debilitating injury Vader used the Force to retrieve his own blade and begun pounding away at Mallie soon pinning her against the nearest wall.
"Now you fall, as all Jedi must." Vader said cutting the back of Mallie's right hand causing her to wince in pain drop her lightsaber. However before Vader could follow through with the killing blow his saber flew from his hand. "What," Vader said surprised. Spinning around Vader discovered the being who had stolen his lightsaber. There holding Vader's humming blade was a young, dark haired human boy no more than two or three standard years of age. "A child," Vader said confused at first. "Of course a son, it all makes sense now. I sense he is exceedingly strong with the Force. It must have been his presence which drew me here."
Vader had not been watching Mallie who had taken the opportunity to retrieve her lightsaber through the Force. Stealthily Mallie readied a strike aimed at Vader's head. A red blade emerged from Mallie's chest ending her life a moment before she could strike Vader down. Mallie's body slumped to the floor revealing Cyrin holding her full length lightsaber. Vader turned around sensing Cyrin's presence in the Force.
"She was about to kill." Cyrin said simply. "You're hurt, should I call a med unit?"
"Thank you my love." Vader said. "No, that will not be necessary."
Cyrin nodded but said nothing. "What do we have here?" Cyrin's attention was now riveted on the boy holding Vader's comically oversized lightsaber.
"I think he is, make that was, their son." Vader said picking up his disconnected limb with his intact arm.
"What will become of him?" Cyrin asked deactivating her lightsaber and attaching the hilt to her belt.
"He'll be executed most probably." Vader said. "Our master disapproves strongly of any force users contaminated by Jedi philosophy, present company accepted."
"Vader he's a child, almost an infant in fact." Cyrin said kneeling down and gently taking Vader's lightsaber from the boy then deactivated it. She attached the hilt to Vader's belt.
"It doesn't matter Cyrin, its' Imperial policy." Vader said.
Cyrin stared at the boy for nearly a minute. "I'm taking him with us." She said voicing her decision.
"Cyrin you can't, I forbid it." Vader said. "He'll cause nothing but trouble."
"I'm taking him, that's final." Cyrin said. "Turn me in if you want."
"You know I'd never do such a thing." Vader said. "Cyrin please be reasonable. I beg you."
"He's coming, my decision is final." Cyrin said bluntly. "He'll be my child and apprentice. I'll teach him everything I know of life and the Force."
"If you insist on this insanity I suppose I have no choice." Vader said. "I shall help you raise the child."
"Thank you my love." Cyrin said. "You won't regret this. I promise you." Cyrin scooped the child up into her metallic arms. At first he struggled against her soon however he accepted her embrace. "See he likes me already." Cyrin walked out of the hut Vader trailing several steps behind her holding his own arm.
0 BBY
Imperial Center, evening
Yes their small family had come a long way since it's humble beginnings. Vader beamed with pride at Cyrin and Star Killer. Soon all their dreams would come true, Vader would settle for nothing less.
Interstellar Space enroute to the Death Star
Katooni fidgeted in her seat. The olive green prisoner's tunic she'd been given back on Nar Shaddaa rough material was woefully uncomfortable against her bruised body as was the tight Force suppression collar she wore around her neck. Katooni silently prayed to the Force she'd somehow be rescued. If only she'd known Nar Shaddaa contained a full battalion of ungraded MangaGuards she'd have been more careful to avoid detection. At least the cursed cocktail of Force deprivation drugs they'd pumped her full of were finally wearing off. Katooni had felt mildly drunk since they'd given her a double dose. The storm troopers had wanted to gang rape her in retaliation for their fallen comrades. It was there way of teaching her a 'lesson' in Imperial respect. Thankfully their captain had decided to score brownie points by turning Katooni over to Boba Fett instead. The Sith assassin had treated her with far more respect than Katooni had expected.
"Eat up Jedi," Boba Fett, whose helmet was removed, said handing Katooni a plate of food of the same sort he'd made for himself.
Katooni didn't want to accept Fett's offering but she was famished. Digging in after a few moments hesitation Katooni cleaned her plate in record time, she even licked her fingertips afterwards. Fett laughed at her unladylike behavior.
"What's so funny," Katooni said.
"You are," Boba Fett laughed.
"Excuse me I was hungry, being brutally beat and pumped full of drugs can go that to a girl." Katooni said.
"You shouldn't have resisted." Boba Fett said shrugging standing in front of Katooni. "If you hadn't they'd have gone easier on you."
"Yeah right," Katooni said. "Strom troopers are known the galaxy over for their gentle handling of prisoners. They are truly paragons of virtue, unsung heroes of restraint."
"They adequately perform the functions for which they were created." Boba Fett said.
"Like gang rape, because that's what they wanted to do to me until your charming captain interfered." Katooni pointed out bluntly.
"Rape is immoral," Boba Fett said. "I'm sorry you were almost subject to such an atrocity."
Katooni considered her capture carefully. It wasn't the first time he'd mention honor or morality or done something seemingly out of character for a Sith since her arrest. "You're not like the other Sith, are you?" Why are you different somehow?"
"Unlike most of my brethren I am a true warrior. I place honor above all else and accordingly live by my own strict code of ethics." Boba Fett explained.
"Why," Katooni asked.
"Because of who my father was." Boba Fett said. "I crave his approval. I struggle every day to be the type of man he'd be proud of. Mandalorians, which I am in part, have never been mindless, bloodthirsty killers rather warriors governed by strict rules of conduct."
"Interesting," Katooni said. "I get the impression you don't care for the clones, am I right?"
"They are little better than tools, only a notch above droids." Boba Fett said. "We, you and I Jedi, fight for honor even my misguided fellow Sith fight for dominance the clones like their droid counterparts fight for nothing. They fight because they are programmed to fight, because they are designed that way."
"You hate them, don't you?" Katooni asked her eyes growing wide.
"Of course I hate them." Boba Fett said pacing around the chamber directly in front of the startled Jedi. "I hate everything about them! What I hate most is they wear my face the face of my father, who they dishonor on a daily basis by their very continued existence!"
"Sorry I asked." Katooni muttered.
"You should be." Boba Fett said grabbing the edges of Katooni's chair and leaning in her face. "Do you know many ignorant beings constantly assume I am a clone!"
"Must be tough, being mistaken for one of them." Katooni said.
"It is," Boba Fett said his anger slowly ebbing away. Boba Fett flopped himself in the seat next to Katooni.
"If it means anything I think you're an honorable being." Katooni said softly. "You saved my dignity, and perhaps my life."
"Thank you Jedi, you are a worthy opponent one who deserves better treatment." Boba Fett said then paused prior to continuing. "In a different life perhaps we could have been friends."
"I would hope so." Katooni said with a small smile.
The next few hours passed in silence between the two. Boba Fett's small shuttle sped towards it's ultimate destination the aptly named Death Star, where multiple strains of fate would converge. Neither Fett nor Katooni were aware that their destiny would soon be forever intertwined.
To Be Continue