It was only a matter of time before Vader's master would send half a battalion after him, he knew he must find Kenobi quickly if he was to be successful. Vader trudged down the streets of Theed, surprised by how much they had changed. Along the sides of the stone buildings hung many plants and vines that were properly trimmed and gave a sense of beauty that could only be found on the planet of Naboo. Every so often, there would be signs of the Empire, such as banners that flown with the Imperial symbol or the stark white of troopers following their scouting patterns. The feint white glow of thousands of tiny bulbs that were strung throughout the stone pillars lining the street, gave the city a sense of wonderment. Even through the dulled scarlet sight of the lenses of his helmet, Vader knew the city was magnificent.
There were still a few citizens walking about at this late hour, but it was few and far between. They stalked in the shadows hoping to not be stopped by any of the stormtroopers that they passed, their steps quickened to reach their destination without trouble.
Vader stopped in his tracks in the center of one of Theed's stone streets, quieting his mind. He reached out for his master but couldn't find even a hint in the vicinity. He did, however sense something troublesome. Vader saw it before it happened, a sniper rifle firing from atop a stone pillar, the fire aimed straight toward his chest. In the blink of an eye, Vader ignited the crimson saber and swung it in front of him with grace. The blaster fire pinged off the blade of the saber ricocheting it into a wall of a nearby building. A round ashen singe mark left its scar on the wall's surface.
Vader raised his gloved hand and grabbed the soldier with the force, slamming his body into the ground. With the help of the force, Vader glided over to the fallen soldier, lightsaber pointed at his body. Fear encapsulated the soldiers gaze as he looked upon the dark lord.
As he loomed over the soldier, blasters began to fire. With one swift movement, Vader plunged the blade of his lightsaber through the soldier's chest, the soldier crying out before laying limp onto the stone. Vader swung the saber back and forth, deflecting the blaster fire that came his way.
Nearby stormtroopers were alerted by the blasters and trotted toward the disturbance. They had blasters raised, ready for a fight, a chance to prove themselves to the Empire.
Vader inched his way forward, attempting to get close enough to the rebels that had snuck into the capital under Panaka's watch. He would have to discuss this matter with the Moff when they would next meet. Vader took one more step and instantly started to hear a series of beeps from his side. There was no time to react to the explosion that knocked Vader off his feet. Pieces of stone crumbled onto the streets, clouding much of the air with a dusty haze. Vader's body ached from the impact, though his fall was cushioned by the force. Vader stood once more, the crimson appendage bouncing blaster fire back at the rebels. A blast hit a soldier who scurried to better cover, crumpling over in the street before he made his destination.
Vader searched inside himself for the raw strength of his rage. He reached out, his anger taking over, catching two soldiers from behind their cover and crushed their necks. With a few more deflected blasts, the blaster fire ceased, leaving Vader and the troopers as victors.
Vader found himself traveling to a small outpost toward the edge of the city where a few imperial officers were stationed. The familiar glow of a hologram hovered over a small desk pushed to the side of a crude tent. An officer panned and zoomed over the map till he came across the city's outskirts which loomed over him on the table. When Vader ducked under the overhang of the tent, the officer turned and immediately stiffened his posture and gave a salute to his superior.
"Lord Vader, we were not expecting you." The officer declared.
Vader stood beside the table, glancing at the maps the officer was scanning. "I am looking for a rogue Jedi who crashed on this planet. Have there been any reports of strange activity on the city's outskirts?" Vader asked.
"Other than the crashed fighter in the grasslands?" Said the officer.
Vader slammed a fist into the desk, the various items upon it rattling upon its surface. "Do not test me!" He threatened.
"There have been no reports of Jedi activity." The officer stated. "We have lost contact with a squad out in the swamps, we had gathered word of rebel activity in the area. Perhaps the reports were correct." The officer zoomed in on a hologram of the swamp land, a small blinking circle lit up within the translucent trees. "This was the squads last known location. If a Jedi is hiding on the planet, most likely they would seek out the rebels for help."
Vader studied the holomap for a moment before pivoting on his feet and storming out of the tent. The officer called after him, but Vader promptly ignored him, he would not waste any time on pleasantries when Kenobi was out there, waiting to be challenged once more.
Across the street from the outpost a row of speeders rested while a trooper stood with blaster rifle in hand, ready to defend the empire's property. Vader crossed the dimly lit street and kicked a leg over the speeder, a small press of a button on the speeder's controls roared the engines to life.
"Hey!" Called the trooper, extending a hand as if he could control the force. Vader chuckled at the absurdity and pressed in the control to shift gears on the handlebars. The speeder zoomed off through the gates to the city, the black flag of Vader's cape flowing behind like a comet's tail. He sped over vast grass lands, the tallest of blades swishing against his boots as he passed. He could make out the edge of trees along the distant horizon, marking his destination.
It was the quietness of the ride that Vader let his mind drift into the force, searching for any hint of his old master. He could feel the life around him roaring in his mind. Though his senses were dulled, the feeling of letting in the world around him was still overwhelming. With difficulty, Vader began to focus slowly, endlessly searching, yet again finding no trace of Obi-wan.
"You are out there, I know it." Vader muttered to himself through gritted teeth. Vader began to feel a feint warmth in the force, it called to him. He reached out toward this warmth, desperately clawing his way there.
"Anakin!" He heard so clearly in her melodious voice. It was a voice he had not heard in such a long time. While Anakin's heart ached to search for her, Vader knew it was too good to be true. He would not listen to the lies of his memories. The force was playing tricks on him.
The speeder slowed when Vader approached the trees of the swamp. He wandered into the depths cautiously, prepared to find whatever had silenced the squad of troopers. Tree roots twisted and intertwined with each other over the surface of the ground, leaving an uneven surface for Vader to step through. Small creatures scurried up the trees as he passed close by, nesting into the branches above. He could hear the chirps of the avian life high above his position, adding a peaceful ambiance to the murky swamp. Only on Naboo would a swampland be considered beautiful.
A quick snap of a fallen branch along with the pattering of two booted feet running toward the distance, proved that Vader was in the right spot. Vader did not rush toward the fleeing being, but walked at a relaxed pace, his boots sinking slightly into the boggy surface. He heard more than once, the panic of his prey's breathless gasps along with the slight splash of their hands as they scrambled on the ground. This target would not get far at their given pace.
With a few large steps over some knotty roots, Vader found the scared rebel soldier who seemed to have strayed too far from the pack, his ankle mangled from tripping over a branch. The soldier's face contorted into a frightened scowl, his chest heaving from his hyperventilation as he realized who his pursuer was.
Vader loomed over the fallen soldier, casting a long dark shadow over his tensed body. Vader's mechanical voice echoed through the forest as he addressed the petrified man. "It would seem, that you are the likely cause of a missing imperial squad. Though, I do not believe you accomplished that on your own. Where are your friends?" He lifted the soldier into the air with the force, the soldier's one good leg kicked frantically as if that would help him escape.
Vader saw as the fear left the man's face, leaving behind a passive yet brave stare. The man took in a huge breath and puffed out his chest, mustering the strength to endure his foe. "I am working alone." The soldier stated without a hint of emotion.
"Wrong answer." Vader breathed. The dark lord dropped the soldier to the ground, who sunk into the surface slightly, brown muck splashing around him. Vader hopped down from his perch; his boots sloshed as he stomped over to the man. The soldier screamed in agony as Vader brought his boot down onto his already battered ankle. Vader could feel the cracking of bone through the sole of his shoe. "I suggest you tell me where your rebel friends are, or things will get incredibly worse for you."
"I'll never bend to your will." The soldier spat between gasps.
"As you wish." Vader reached out into the force once more, bending it against the man's body. A crushing force slowly began to press into the soldier, a cracking reverberating into the air. The man's face turned scarlet as he screamed and gasped for air.
"Wait." The soldier choked out. Vader lifted the crushing weight of the force and waited through a series of coughs for the man's response. "Our camp is down by the swamp lake a few clicks north." He muttered, sighing in relief.
"Thank you, your cooperation is much appreciated." Vader praised. The hum of his lightsaber pierced the air around them. "You have earned yourself a merciful death." He announced as his saber cracked down upon the soldier's neck, separating his head from his body.
The spattered dark boots of the Sith stepped around the fallen rebel toward a base camp that would hopefully be harboring the old Jedi. Vader stepped with purpose, his lightsaber remaining in his right hand, waiting for the time to strike. He knew Kenobi was close, soon they would be reunited, and Vader would be able to triumph over his old master.