Thread: Star Wars:  The Dying of the Light (TheCorsair, Miss Melly)

Leia Shmi Skywalker, Vader repeated aloud. I... yes. I like it. He grinned as Padme touched his cloak, turning to face her. I still think Shmi Padme, he repeated, reaching to gather her into his arms as she touched his face. For the two greatest women in the galaxy... And then the two troopers arrived, spoiling the mood. Vader glared at them, eyeing the red-on-black starburst of the 501st with displeasure as they demanded first his own identification and then Padme's. Finally, tired of the whole thing, she pushed past them. One trooper turned to follow, and his temper flared. Trooper, he said, voice cold. Your designation? The bone-white helmet turned back. JJBX-327, Lord Vader. Lord Vader . Somehow, hearing that from the soldiers of his own 501st sent a chill down his back. He pushed it aside, thawing the chill with his dark fury. Are you satisfied of my bona fides, Trooper? It was always 'Trooper' when he addressed them. Or the names they chose for themselves. He'd been a slave once, himself. And the fate of the clones was too much like slavery to suit him. Uhm... Even with the distortion of the helmet, the soldier sounded nervous. Yes. Yes, Lord Vader, I... Then you will depart , Vader snapped. Or do you have doubts about my ability to protect myself from my wife? General, a new voice said as an armored figure rounded the ship, Don't mind Jay. He's... new. One of the men brought in to shore up the Legion after Knightfall. Vader's face lit up as he turned. Rex! he called, grabbing the armored man and thumping his back. Good to see you! What is going on? We haven't been able to account for all of the Jedi yet, General, Rex answered. I thought it best if we secured the Embassy against your return. This is the obvious place for them to strike at you. And I can vouch for the loyalty of the 501st. He glanced around. And... General Kenobi? Vader sighed, then turned and strode towards the apartment. Dead. Dead, general? I killed him. He... was part of the plot, it turned out. Rex was silent for a moment. A pity. He seemed to be a good man. He was, Vader corrected. And that, I believe, was the problem. Vader didn't join Padme. Not right away, at least. The new realities on Coruscant demanded attention, and he turned his attention towards inspecting Commander Rex's deployment. As always, there was almost no need. Rex knew his business, after all. But the simple act of verifying this soothed his nerves, made him feel the as if he were peacefully back on the battlefield instead of ankle-deep and sinking in the dustsands of politics . And the Embassy staff? he asked as he strode upwards along a ramp. Processing them now, General, Rex answered. There are twelve that we're holding for further investigation at the moment, and the Supreme Chancellor has personally vouched for seven. We should be finished by morning. Vader nodded. Good. He turned and looked downwards at the Commander. Tell the Troopers that they've done well, and that I am pleased with their performance. They know, General. Vader chuckled. Tell them anyway. Rex nodded, then hesitated. General..? Yes, Rex? What... I mean... the new Troopers are calling you 'Lord Vader'. Rex hesitated again. What... how should we address you, now? Vader stared at him for a long time. Darth, he finally said. I am Darth Vader , now. Yes, Gen... Darth. Vader's lips twitched. Rex. I will never be offended to hear the 501st call me General Skywalker . But... Rex nodded. Politics. The distaste was thick in his voice. Exactly. The two men stood silently for a moment. Then, Rex saluted. Good evening... General Skywalker. Good evening, Rex. The door hissed open. Padme turned sharply, haunted eyes looking away from the HoloNet display. I don't know you anymore... she whispered, tears shining in her eyes as she backed away. He stopped, features impassive as he watched the recap in the broadcast. Padme... he began, starting to reach out to her. Thinking better of it, he gestured at the terminal and switched it off. You do know me, he whispered. Removing his cloak, he entered the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. The simple act still mystified him, decades later. The idea that water could be dispensed at will, freely and in whatever quantities desired. That thirst was not a universal sensation, but an irritant to be quenched. Not all of the Jedi, he said, back still to her. Not all. Many escaped. He drank the water slowly, in the fashion of Tatooine. Swishing each mouthfull around, allowing it to penetrate the tissues before swallowing. And the finished the tumbler. Even now, the idea of wasting water was horrifying. Master Yoda, he said, speaking softly, was a traitor. In a sense, the traitor. Padme's face was visible as a pale reflection in the dark window. Still he did not turn, choosing instead to look at the reflection. He prepared a coup, presenting it as defending the Republic. He managed to convince me that the Supreme Chancellor was a threat, that he had somehow masterminded the war for his own political ambition. His smile was wry. Master Yoda, it seems, is a master manipulator, because I accompanied the Jedi sent to arrest him. A sigh. Master Windu. Master Kolar. Master Tiin. Master Fisto. He put the glass down, listening to the dull clink of ceramic on metal. They didn't try to arrest him, Padme. As soon as we entered the Office, the Masters drew their lightsabers and attacked him. He shook his head. I was sent by the conspirators on an errand, when they did this. By the time I arrived, Master Windu was preparing to murder him. And so, I made my choice. The Jedi have defended the Republic for a thousand generations, Padme. Against all threats. All. Again, that wry smile. The Supreme Chancellor is a powerful office. But that power is nothing, compared to Jedi who will betray the Republic for their own ends. And so, I acted. I chose the Republic over the Order.