It had been a long time since Vader had set foot on the peaceful planet of Naboo, and while he knew that the planet was mostly green, the lenses of his helmet turned everything red. He longed to remove his helmet and breathe in the floral scents of the native foliage; in some ways he was thankful for the dull senses. While he tried his best not to, the force often betrayed his suppression of memories. Even now as he marched through the halls of Theed palace, he recalled the distant memory of the person who had meant the most to him. He could feel the growing ache in his chest from her loss, knowing that ache encompassed Anakin's grief. He stifled those feelings deep down within him, giving focus only to the rage and anger that came from her death. Stepping foot on this planet brought him so much closer to the one responsible for her demise. He would revel in Kenobi's suffering.
He made his way to the throne room, his cape billowing out behind him, making him appear larger and more menacing. Vader didn't even have to move his hand to release the raw power he possessed. As he passed troopers in the hall, that power slammed them against the walls, the clank of their armor rattling the corridors. The troopers slid to the ground, unconscious and crumpled. Vader stormed through the doors to the conference room causing the Naboo royal guards to raise their weapons. Once their eyes met the intimidating presence of Lord Vader, their blasters dropped, and their shoulders tensed. They clearly had not been expecting a visit from the dark lord of the Sith.
Moff Panaka sat at the head of the table, his stern gaze resting upon the helmet of Lord Vader. He had data pads strewn about as he reviewed bills proposed by his advisors, their blue light radiating upon the table. Contrary to his guards, Quarsh Panaka remained completely calm, he stood from his chair and with a grand hand gesture, he advised Vader to take a seat. "Welcome, Lord Vader." Said Panaka.
Vader stepped toward Panaka and remained standing beside the table. "I require you to shut down the city. I want Troops on every street corner and guards searching every household for the Jedi Kenobi." Vader barked.
Confusion spread upon Panaka's face as he ran through the repercussions to such an order through his mind. "With all due respect, my Lord, Theed is the capital of this planet. Shutting down the city would cut off trade to the smaller towns, not to mention it would slow down the shipment of goods on and off world."
Panaka ceased to continue prattling off the ramifications of shutting down the city, not for lack of wanting to. The Moff's throat felt as if it was squeezed so hard that he thought his head would be separated from his torso. He was losing the words to argue and instead filling his brain with apologies. "That was not a suggestion, Moff. Get me Kenobi alive, and the trade routes may open up once more." Vader's deep mechanical voice sent shivers down the spine of Panaka right before he was released and dropped to the ground. A series of coughs escaped Panaka's lips as he tried to catch his breath again.
"Yes, my Lord." Choked out Panaka.
"That's better. I will not tolerate insubordination in the future. Keep that in mind the next time you decide to argue with me, Moff Panaka. You can easily be replaced." Vader turned and left the room, continuing on down the long corridor. The hall was lined with windows that pictured the vast serene landscape around the city. Vader paused and turned toward one of the windows. Out toward the horizon came the muffled scarlet image of a place that Vader's past self was rather fond of. It was a place full of tall green grass that tickled the skin as one walked through it. Waterfalls poured over plateaus, emptying into vast sparkling lakes that fed the planet's ecosystem. It was here that he could see her face, still angelic and pure. That aching heart returned once more as Anakin fought to take control.
"Well then they should be made to."
"Sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship to me."
Her voice rang out in his mind, as clear to him as when they sat side by side in the grass, lounging and enjoying the warmth of the sun. Anakin's heart yearned for her then, and it continued to yearn for her now.
Vader snapped out of his daydream when he heard the small buzz of the communicator on his belt. He pulled it from its hook and placed it upon his palm, using his other hand to press in the button at its center. A blue light projected the fuzzy opaque image of a dark hooded figure. "Yes, my master?" Vader bowed his head toward the image.
"I thought I had stationed you in the Mustafar system." The image asserted. "I have need for you elsewhere." Vader remained silent and statuesque as the emperor waited for his response. When none came, Lord Sidious continued. "You chase a ghost, Lord Vader. There is nothing for you on that planet but grief. Regroup with the planetary fleet. We will be moving battalions around to accommodate this growing rebellion. I will await your call until then." Sidious commanded, all the power of authority emanating from the small blue image.
"Yes, Master." Vader bowed again before the image disappeared on the communicator, leaving the Dark Lord alone. Vader glanced toward the window again, the light from Naboo's sun causing a glare in the center of his vision.
Thud. The communicator dropped to the floor, bounced a few times before landing in front of Vader's feet. He raised a foot and brought it down upon the small circular device, which cracked and crunched under the pressure. He left the remains of the device on the tile and began to march off. His destination was not the hanger where his ship remained, but toward the bustling streets of Theed. He would find Kenobi and he would pay for Vader's suffering.