Arthur's note: This fic wouldn't leave me alone so it just happened. I have read a lot of fics where Anakin/Vader, Luke, and Leia is the prime focus and have written/is writing a few of them myself with the former. But I can't help wondering about Galen Marek.
He was the first SW character I was ever introduced to because I played Force Unleashed when I was six all those nice years ago. He was the one who created the Rebellion in George Lucas's Canon as well as my own. I loved Rebels but I don't buy a bunch of kids coming up with its symbol.
This of course obviously is going to be EU centered with a few nods to Disney Canon. So many damn amazing stories have been cast aside for the new trilogy and other shit (season 3 Mandalorian) which is a dumpster fire compared to the epic EU stories. I could write a book about everything wrong with the new movies and the incredible missed opportunities for the fans, but I'm not going to beat a dead horse.
Chapter 1
"You were weak when I found you. I did not expect you to survive your training. But now, your hatred has become your strength." A snap-hiss, one unfamiliar yet familiar at the hearing. "At last, the Dark Side is your ally. Rise, my Apprentice."
I open my eyes as my body compel me to rise, only to mentally freeze up at the sight of what's in front of me.
Oh fuck, this has to be a dream, a nightmare. There is no way that Darth fucking Vader is standing across from me.
He is my favorite Star Wars character. I have read many stories about him, typically from fanfiction and AO3, where he went down a different path. I also have watched the original six movies who knows how many times as well as the Clone Wars and Rebels.
How did I even end up here?
I'm just a nineteen year old man who have just graduated from high school back in June! An image of myself comes to me, and it appears that my galaxy is continuing as normal, the young man I was as always just living life as if nothing was irregular...
Then this means I'm in two different galaxies and I'm stuck here, most of all in the presence of the most dangerous limbs...
All I can feel from him - fuck it the Force is weird - is anger and rage, that ever judging breathing sending chills down my spine. To be frank, I had many nightmares of him as a child and thought of him as a monster until my mind matured, until I realize the man who he really was. Outwardly, he may be even more terrifying than the Emperor. Inwardly, however, Vader was a victim of Palpatine and everyone else around him...
My mind goes to what happened between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar after Operation Knightfall, thinking about how the former has lost his limbs and was burned alive as a result. Truthfully, my feelings changed about that matter for a long time; Kenobi was wrong for cutting off a man's limbs and leaving him to burn alive of course but Vader slaughtered a bunch of children beforehand...
Ah shit, he is expecting a response! How do Sith speak again? Ah yes...
"What is thy bidding, my Master?" I mentally cringe at two factors. My voice comes out just like Sam Witwer in the game unlike my normal voice. No matter how much time has passed, I recognize that voice anywhere. He was the first Star Wars character I was ever introduced to after all unlike many others who have been firstly introduced to Anakin or Luke and maybe Obi-Wan.
And playing Sith is not doing me any favors!
I remember the novel and has played the first game so many times growing up, but throughout those times, I never imagined that I would have been dragged away into the damn universe itself!
"You have defeated many of my rivals. Your training is nearly complete. It is time now to face your first true test."
A roll call of past missions speed through my mind. He had - speaking of the original Starkiller - dispatch numerous enemies within the Empire throughout the years: spies and thieves, mainly, with the occasional high-ranking traitor as well. No big losses, even though knowing the horrors that he went through from Vader wasn't exactly favorable compared to my own trauma and issues.
Starkiller had been dark until when Vader betrayed him, and then Eclipse and Kota redeemed him, and he'd sacrificed himself for his Rebel friends.
My initial instinct is to run from the room and never look back. After all, the Sith of my childhood nightmares could squash any form of me like a insect!
However, I had enough sense to know it's better to play along until I come up with some sort of plan. If Vader senses his - my deceit, well the galaxy better hope Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger exists along with their friends! I consider them and Rebels Canon unlike those horrible Sequel Trilogy movies and they don't contradict the Force Unleashed game after all so why wouldn't they?! But if they don't... Ah fuck all!
"So I'm going after Jedi?" Damn it, does that sound like how Starkiller usually speak to Vader?
Vader didn't seem to notice. "Yes. General Rahm Kota. He is attacking a critical shipyard above Nar Shaddaa. You will destroy him and bring me his lightsaber."
"I'll leave at once... Master." I am quick to add, mentally scowling at calling anyone Master.
I take only barely a step toward the door when Darth Vader's irresistible voice stops me. "The Emperor cannot discover you."
I respond as expected: "As you wish, my Master."
As if I isn't mentally freaking out, the Sith just has to keep the conversation going. "Leave no witnesses. Kill everyone aboard, Imperials and insurgents alike."
I nod, only hoping that I can come up with some sort of plan for how I'm going to do this before I cause a even more clusterfuck. If I was suddenly transported into Star Wars, why couldn't it have been Luke Skywalker or better yet Anakin, two characters who I have better understanding of? I know more about them than anyone else in Star Wars and perhaps I could have saved the latter from the Dark Side by not falling for Palpy tricks.
Damn it, speaking of which I have never been good at storing my emotions - blame it to my unwelcoming past -, fortunately Vader seems to be too focused on other matters. Even in the EU, I know during this time period Vader had to be dispatched to deal with Rebel cells as it is, though I know not if it is of the Ghost Crew. Anything is possible in Star Wars.
"Do not fail in this."
The lightsaber hanging on my belt feels odd for sure, yet I suddenly feel a surge of confidence. Years of training suddenly floods my mind, and I am suddenly certain about myself.
"No, my lord," I respond, straight and voice firm like Starkiller would have.
Vader turns away and grips his hands behind his back. The red sun paints his helmet with lava highlights.
Actually relieved that I have been dismissed from Ani in his Sith form - what in all hells am I thinking?! This is Star Wars! Trained Jedi and Sith can sense anything! - I cannot help but wonder what mess I got into this time. Of course I have read self-inserted fics before and they were some of the best stories I have ever read, but this...
Fuck! Now in a twist of fate I have been inserted inside of a Star Wars character. I hate my life sometimes...
Okay, okay, think Ryan... no Starkiller... er Galen... er whoever!
Practicing my breathing techniques to prevent myself from showing what I am really feeling, I grit my teeth to expel my frustration.
I can get through this...
On the Rogue Shadow, I would have to run observations as much as possible on galactic history. I know a lot about the Expanded Universe but there probably can be a few things from the Disney Canon timeline too.
Why the fuck did whatever sent me to an era I'm admittedly limited about and have been for several years?! The Clone Wars and Old Republic era would have been easier!
I shiver at the thought of what would happen after Return of the Jedi should I start meddling with these events in the timeline. The EU was confusing as it is sometimes and I have only read a few of the books at that time point like Tatooine Ghost and The Truce at Bakara! There was no fucking way I was going to ever read over twenty books, even though I know the basics of most of them.
And damn it, I need my phone!
Speaking of which... a stray thought passes through my mind, unlikely as it is...
Does Wikipedia exist in Star Wars?
