While I finish plotting out Act 2 and writing the first few chapters, I didn't want to leave you hanging, so I'll post an intermission story every day. Shorter than usual, you'll get Vader through the eyes of those around him. Enjoy.
Intermission 1- Kyle Katarn
Kshhhhhh
"Show me," Lord Vader ordered.
Young Kyle Katarn saw his sixth birthday come and go on Coruscant. The loss of his parents, and the life his family had on Sulon, still a raw wound on his heart, the boy had little choice but to bury himself in the training he was now undergoing at the Inquisitorius headquarters. In the months since he arrived, other students showed up, but never any his own age. It was a lonely time for Kyle, but if nothing else it allowed him time to tinker.
Today, however, was different. He didn't quite understand, but he knew the Emperor, Darth Vader, had done something amazing. Now, after an entire month, he was back and testing the students. Tenth Brother and the Grand Inquisitor watched from the viewing platform up above while Vader stood in the center of the training arena, opposite Kyle. He stood taller than most, but even those who physically outmatched the Sith seemed to shrink in front of him.
It was Kyle's turn.
Holding his training saber in both hands, he activated the weapon, a yellow blade extending from the hilt.
Until he could manage to assemble his own weapon and get one of the crystals to turn red, he used this. Several of the other students were much the same, but as the one who'd been here the longest, it was embarrassing to not have a red saber like Lord Vader or the Inquisitors.
"Your thoughts betray you," Vader said and a subtle Force push sent one of Kyle's legs out from under him. "Distraction will be your downfall. Again."
Kyle picked himself up and settled back into the Form One stance most familiar to him. The saber, still over sized for his small hands, he did his best to wield the weapon. Like all neophytes, he was still learning Form One and Two. The basics of the basics, it was only natural that Lord Vader, who had mastered multiple styles, was easily able to block and parry the boy. What was unexpected was the advice.
"Center yourself. Do not strike with only your arms. Your body is yours to command, do so. Plant yourself, physically and through the Force."
Lord Vader stepped forward into a sweeping strike. His foot stomped down exactly as the red blade contacted with Kyle's yellow. The boy felt himself lifted off the ground and sent flying backwards.
Kshhhhhh
"Even without strength, my structure ensures a successful blow. Again."
Kyle stood up and charged. Time after time, Lord Vader sent him end over end, but he managed to stand up over and over. When nearly an hour passed, he was covered in scuffs and bruises, but still standing.
"Reach deep into the Dark Side. Accept the challenges it sends and rise above them," Lord Vader said.
Form One, known as Shii-Cho, was an ancient style, and one not entirely suited to dueling. Makashi, or Form Two, was the better choice against an opponent also armed with a lightsaber, but for a child who had yet to fully grasp even Shii-Cho, it was rather much to expect combat application of two styles.
"You are yet weak, Kyle Katarn," Vader accused. "Only through power will you claim authority. Only through strength will you exert your mastery over the galaxy. And only when you can do so, will you be able to bring Order and Justice. If you cannot do that, you and all around you are at the whims and mercy of anything and anyone. Again."
The pain, the shame, the accusation of his own weakness and the part it played in his parent's deaths. It all boiled up in Kyle's heart and he couldn't stop the anger. Anger at Vader, anger at an uncaring galaxy taking everything from him, and most of all, anger at himself. Because he knew it was all true. If he was stronger, his family would still be alive.
"Yaaagghh!"
Kyle launched himself at Vader in rage and was rewarded for it with a backhand to the face. He skidded across the floor and it was only the wall that arrested his slide.
Kshhhhhh
"Perhaps too much for you," Lord Vader said and turned to leave.
"Again!"
The Sith Lord paused and the black lenses of that mask reflected Kyle's bruised face and stern expression. A trickle of blood ran down the side of his head.
"Again, please, Lord Vader," Kyle said.
Kshhhhhh
"The Force is strong with this one."
Kyle launched himself against the imposing wall that was Darth Vader. The Emperor stood in place, as he always did. Thus far, no one, not even Tenth or the Grand Inquisitor, managed to push Lord Vader back by even a single step. He never gave ground. Still, Kyle tried everything he could think of to get even a single advantage over the towering figure. Even as a child, Kyle knew his best bet would be low attacks. He lacked the Force mastery to jump high, so it was left to him to use his own size to gain whatever advantage was available.
Not that it availed him any chance at victory. No matter how many tries, no matter how many time he picked himself up off the ground, Vader remained unmoved and unmoving. He stood, as imposing and impassable as a mountain.
After another half-hour passed, it was clear Lord Vader would not entertain another attempt. "Once more, and only once," he ordered Kyle.
Giving up on Shii-Cho, Kyle tried the one technique from Makashi he thought might work: Sun djem. He dashed forward , keeping himself low to the ground and swung the saber into a tight uppercut, aiming at the hilt of Lord Vader's weapon.
An ancient technique of the Makashi style, Sun djem was a method of disarming the opponent, usually by destroying the weapon. However, before the tip of Kyle's blade could connect, its movement was arrested. Inches from the bottom of Vader's hilt, it wouldn't budge.
"What?" Kyle asked, confused.
Kshhhhhh
"A disarm. Unexpected, but impressive. Most impressive." Holding Kyle's blade in place solely through mastery of the Force, Lord Vader's mask turned towards Kyle, looking him squarely in the face. Saying nothing else, the Emperor waved his off hand and sent Kyle flying backwards into a wall. Kyle wouldn't wake up for several hours.
###
"Thoughts, my lord?" The Grand Inquisitor asked.
"The boy shows promise."
"Indeed, Lord Vader. He is the first to keep going for so long."
Kshhhhhh
"The Force is strong in him. Nurture it, see to it his growth continues apace. For now, come. We must prepare for the Senate."
Author notes:
Forum link in my bio