Jedi Council Forums - Working In Darkness - Chapter 14

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Author	Topic: Working In Darkness - Chapter 14 - Diplomatic Interruptions
Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/20/04 10:07pm Subject: Working In Darkness - Chapter 14 - Diplomatic Interruptions - Date Edited: 9/13/05 3:39am (40 edits total) Edited By: Mjsullivan
	Working in Darkness – PG-13 By MJSullivan Cover Art Title: Legitimate Business – Working in Darkness Author: Mjsullivan Timeframe: The Aftermath of ANH (OT) Characters: OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde, Luke Skywalker, Admiral Ackbar Genre: Adventure/Action/Drama Keywords: Smuggler, Wedge, Vader Summary: How far will a young smuggler go to rescue an old friend from the clutches of Darth Vader? Critical Feedback is welcomed for this story and may be posted as a reply to the topic Disclaimer: The italicised sections of this chapter are excerpts from Brendon Wahlberg’s (excellent) work Dark Emperor (Part Two- A New Enemy). Although I have embellished in a few places to indicate a perspective switch from the Emperor to Vader, full writing credit goes to Mr Wahlberg. The usual stuff: I have not and will not profit financially from this story. I do not own any of the characters created by George Lucas during the course of the Star Wars films, or any of the characters created by the various EU authors in their works. All original characters, however, are totally my own. Note to New Readers - Due to the massive size of this story, it's always available as a single up-to-date Word file on request - it may save catchup difficulties! Just as long as you promise to come back here and comment on it Chapter Listing Prologue: A Reflection on Failure Chapter One: More Dangerous to be Us Chapter Two: The Inaugural Flight of Rogue Squadron Chapter Three: The Heist (Parts 1&2) Chapter Three: The Heist (Part 3) Chapter Four: A Trandoshan Named Kasserheul Chapter Five: Thank the Force for Old Friends and New Acquaintances (Part 1) Chapter Five: Thank the Force for Old Friends and New Acquaintances (Parts 2&3) Chapter Six: What in the Name of the Empire? Chapter Seven: Better Judgement Chapter Eight: Valis Lorn Chapter Nine: Craft Chapter Ten: Awry Chapter Eleven: Badly Awry Chapter Twelve: P.O.W Chapter Thirteen: Stranded Chapter Fourteen: Diplomatic Interruptions Prologue: A Reflection on Failure "Rise, Lord Vader." The voice of the Emperor resonated in the chamber. Vader rose to regard his Master with bowed head. Emperor Palpatine was clad in a severe black uniform with the Imperial symbol at his breast, and over that, a flowing cape with a high flaring collar. Vader towered over his Master, as if to give lie to their relative authorities. The Emperor's face was unlined and full of regal assurance. Vader's face was forever hidden behind a grotesque black mask, designed to inspire fear in all those who looked on it. But it was he who felt the fear as he awaited judgement. "Tell me of what happened," said Palpatine, his voice calm. "The Rebels escaped," Vader replied, "and lead us to their base as planned. As we began to orbit Yavin, they came to meet us in one-man fighters. It seemed the last defence of people who fully expected to die. I instructed tactical to do an analysis of their attack. When I saw that their target was the equatorial trench, I realised that these were not suicidal madmen. They were desperate, but they had a plan. “I ordered the Grand Moff Tarkin informed and mobilised my personal TIE fighter squadron. Several fighters broke away from the main group and flew into the trench. I pursued them with two wingmen. We destroyed several ships, and one Rebel fired on a thermal exhaust port – proving my theory correct – but the shot was too difficult. Tarkin did not send out reinforcements, but by then there were less than five Rebel ships left." Vader paused. The root of his shame was to be told next. The Emperor simply prompted him, "Go on." "Three T-65 fighters made a final attempt. I destroyed one ship, and the second was damaged and fled. We closed on the leader. He was an uncanny pilot, and my targeting computer lost its lock again and again." Vader stared full into the face of his Master. "It was then that I felt the impossible. The pilot was using the Force, and it was strong in him. Then I knew that what had seemed folly was great cleverness on the part of the Rebels. A Force user, I knew, could make the shot. Little wonder the Rebels had designed this strategy, with such a one among them. My computer locked, and I fired again – but somehow my shots only hit his droid. I felt the presence of Obi-Wan, trying to interfere with me, but he was too late. The Death Star was ready to fire. The Rebel pilot must have stopped focusing on evasion because all at once my targeting computer had a firm lock. But at that instant, as if ordained by the Force, my attack was broken." Filled with anger, he had to stop for a moment. The repetitive sound of his mechanised breathing was the only sign of life within his rigid armour. "That accursed freighter dove at us in a collision course. One wingman was shot down, and the other panicked, striking my ship and ending my defence of the Death Star. Out of control, I spun into space. The next thing I knew, the Death Star was gone and over a million Imperial lives were lost." His last words echoed in the silence of the Emperor’s private chambers, carried by Vader’s deepness of voice and the weight of dark anger. His shame was tangible; his fear less conspicuous but nevertheless present. The Emperor felt this, he must have – no man, master of the force or otherwise, could hide himself from Palpatine, Dark Lord of the Sith. "Your thoughts are focused on how I will punish you," he said. Vader stiffened even more. "You think you failed to save my battle station. Perhaps I will cut off your hand...that would be a fitting payment for your failure, don't you think?" Vader's mind reeled in sudden confusion – had he heard his master correctly? Both of his arms and hands were prosthetic, and losing them would only mean that the cybernetic specialists would have to replace them. It was no punishment; it was a mere expense. The Emperor spoke into the silence. "I do not blame you for what happened, Lord Vader.” His voice was gentle, almost impossibly so – and yet behind it was the signature of dark hatred. He was as though a parent speaking to a dishonourable son. “If Governor Tarkin had treated the attack with proper seriousness and deployed the Death Star's fighter defences, that freighter could not have gotten through. I cannot punish him for that, but I can punish others in the command structure. I want them all to hear the rumour that even you were a victim of my wrath. For if you are not safe from my anger...then who is? As for the Force user you sensed...he is of little concern. Obi-Wan Kenobi obviously engineered the entire thing. His cowardly death was a distraction to allow his pilot to escape, but that is as far as it goes. This debacle was a freak event. An untrained whelp can be no threat to us, now that we are prepared. There will be a new Death Star, my servant. While it is under construction, I shall assemble the greatest strike fleet ever known. It shall contain the first of the new Super Star Destroyers and you shall command it. Your duty will be to hunt down and destroy the Rebel Alliance. I know you will not fail, my faithful servant." The Emperor smiled benevolently. But Vader was still troubled. "I have not told you the worst of it," the Dark Lord said, his voice dropping in tone. "Kenobi's plans ran deep. I told you that I felt the Force in the pilot, but I also knew at that moment that the boy was my son." Palpatine was incredulous. Sudden fury radiated from him. "Son? I never knew Skywalker had a son! What treachery is this?" Vader immediately fell to his knees. "I did not know myself. But I could not be mistaken, my lord.” He had never been in such a position. The Emperor was incensed – as much as he had ever been. And when words like ‘treachery’ were uttered from his mouth, the outcome was seldom ever pleasant. Vader performed the force equivalent of gritting his teeth, bracing himself for further outburst at his next words. “I believe Kenobi raised him hoping to present a threat to us." "Well his plans have failed," the Emperor grated, glowering at the ebony helmet before him. "He will never become a Jedi. We ensured that when we destroyed Kenobi. He did not foresee his own end. This changes nothing.” Vader would have exhaled deeply if he were able. This reaction was foreseen, but perhaps a more unlikely one. The Emperor was self-assured – an unwavering belief in himself brought about by mastery of his craft. His dismissal of a threat was – ironically – a very human reaction. Ironic, because the Emperor was anything but human. “We shall find and crush the Rebels as planned." "Yes, my Master." Vader hesitated. This was not how the news of his son should be treated. The Skywalker child should not be dismissed so readily. Deep within him there was a burning desire to do something – to right past wrongs. It was, after all, his own fault that the son of Skywalker existed. "Even so, I wish to find him and put an end to him. It does not make sense to ignore even a small threat. Surely...this is the lesson of the Death Star." Palpatine seemed to regard him for a long moment, sensing the irregularity in Vader – for indeed, it was unusual for him to insist on such a menial duty. Assassination was a job for the Noghri, not the dark lord of the Sith. Vader carefully disguised his feelings. It would do no good for the Emperor to find weakness in him, and discredit his intentions. When he spoke again, he spoke firmly. "Young Skywalker, if that is his name, can be no threat to our might. But he is no doubt with the Rebels, and if you wish to destroy him, you may do so when you crush the Alliance. Now go, and work my will." Vader rose, and bowed to his master. It was not necessary to speak again, he had been dismissed from the chamber. Now, he had a mission to accomplish – a great and laborious mission that would see the might of the Empire unchallenged until the final days of the universe. Skywalker would wait – that he was sure of. The son of Vader could not become Vader himself. His only concern was failure. One failure had been enough – the Death Star, impractical a device as it was, was a great loss to the Empire. Inversely, it gave the Rebellion great hope and cause for celebration. It angered Vader. It angered him that it was he who allowed this to happen, that he had been defeated so thoroughly by the actions of a gaggle of outdated starfighters. That anger would fuel his hatred of the rebellion – his fear of failure would ensure his success. Anger, fear… The Dark Side… Yes. The Dark Side… Darth Vader was roused from his meditation by a niggling sensation in the Force. It tickled the back of his mind like a small insect, piquing his attention and breaking his intense Force immersion – banishing his reflections of failure. It lingered for a moment, and then vanished softly, leaving his mind clear again. Curiosity dragged his mind away from the Force, and back to the present. Darkness surrounded him, and silence befell his ears. He knew this bleak peacefulness - he had experienced it many times. Before he remembered where, he remembered when he was – for it weighed heavily on his mind. The Death Star was destroyed. A torrent of uprising and hatred for the Empire washed over the galaxy, putting strain on military resources and feeding the turbulent dogma of rebellion. His Empire was in trouble, plagued by a sickness calling itself the Rebel Alliance. Everywhere they attacked the solid foundations of the New Order, lies and propaganda their primary weapons. They had no objectives – their only purpose was civil unrest. It could not be allowed. He had set out for Yavin IV – to settle the score with the Rebellion, to remind them who commands the Galaxy, and where true power lies. Their base had been destroyed utterly – except for the temple of the Massassi. But that was not important. Their initial objective was complete. The Rebellion was running scared – decentralised, divided. The Empire would deal with the remnants as though stamping out a smouldering fire. Pursuit would be swift and judgement decisive. There was no future for the Rebel Alliance. His train of thought broke once more with a feathery caress at the edge of his consciousness. The niggling sensation in the Force had returned. Vader felt the presence of another being drawing nearer. He gathered the Force to him, and focused on the figure. It was a man, marching down a long durasteel corridor, stiff backed and confident. There was the unmistakable essence of pride swelling in the man – both injured pride, and personal pride. He bore good news, and was anxious to please it’s recipient. That recipient was Vader. Slowly and comfortably he allowed the Force to flood out of his mind and into his body, returning his consciousness to the realm of physics and laws. He had always likened this experience to emerging from particularly warm and dark water – unpleasant, yet a reassuring recovery to the ordinary. Normal sight returned to his eyes, normal aural reception flooded his ears, the feel of the air touched him again. And yet he was surrounded still by darkness and silence, the coolness of an oxygen regulation system his only sensation. This was his meditation chamber, aboard the Executor. His senses still functioned in here, sealed off from the outside world in a shell-like black chamber. All the work of surviving was done for him – his breathing mechanised, his body temperature kept constant, his heart rate monitored. He was as a vulnerable insect, cocooned inside a shell that he could never escape from. Several times he had tried to force himself to survive without his supporting devices, using only the power of his mind, as the most powerful of Jedi could. And yet, he found himself unsuccessful. There were times when, after due concentration, he could force breath into his destroyed lungs. He remembered the first time he had taken his first breath of fresh air, the first time he had lived on his own. He was reminded forcibly of Anakin Skywalker, before he died – of how the luxury of breathing was a granted fact of life. It felt amazing. It was wondrous. And that is why he failed. Joy, excitement – they were not of the Dark Side. They negated dark energy, much like a ray of light penetrates shadow. His Force energy left him, only to be replaced by a throbbing connection to the light side, a small pilot light inside of him that had never been entirely smothered out. And when that happened, control of his body vanished, and he returned to his twisted form – completely frail and unusable. By its very nature the Dark Side prevented him from living; from being happy. And nor should I crave such emotions. They are of the Light Side. Power and hatred, they are my energies. And they are good energies. Happiness leaves the individual open to weakness – take away happiness and gone is motivation. Anger is ever present. It can never be destroyed, only fed. And when it is fed, it outweighs the power of happiness tenfold. With a surge of Force energy and a flourish of his hand, Darth Vader summoned his helmet to descend from its storage space and fit firmly into place at the apex of his armour. The presence of the approaching man was drawing nearer. He dispelled any more thought of natural survival. It was unimportant. With a hissing intake of oxygen, the mask firmly attached itself to his face. Once again he was confined to the cramped and artificial world of life support systems and uncomfortable electronics. His aural perception became amplified once more, and his eyes saw all the clearer for the special lenses over his eyes. Once again, he was Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith – flesh and bone, circuit and current, alloy and armour, power and darkness. A second flourish from his hand and the meditation chamber rose slowly into the air. He rose with it, and alighted from the black device. His mechanised breathing filled the air. He allowed himself to stretch to his full height, and began to walk slowly across the decking, subconsciously using the Force to billow his space-black cape behind him. He moved with a grace not possible by other beings – a grace aided by the Force. He made his way to the viewscreens at the rear of the chamber, and glared at their various readouts. Here in his quarters was all he needed to control the ship’s movements and objectives – a connection to the bridge and Admiral Ozzel, a direct link to communications, a direct link to navigation, a direct link to weapons and security. The Executor was a fine ship – too fine to entrust totally to any lesser official. As his eyes came to rest on the status readouts, his Force senses flared one final time. He felt the presence of the approaching officer arrive at the door to his chamber. Before the man could hit the call button, Vader triggered the release with the Force, and allowed the door to slide upward. He did not turn around. “You may enter, Captain Piett,” he instructed, discerning the identity of the man. “Thank you, my Lord,” Piett responded in his typical shaky tone. He quickly approached the towering form of the Dark Lord and stopped, snapping to attention an appropriate distance away. Vader did not respond immediately. He took a few moments to study the monitors before turning around. Piett was a good officer – a man that knew his place in the company of the Sith. Even so, it was often prudent to remind the men that Lord Vader did not take cues from any officer. “You have something to report to me, Captain?” Vader asked, now turning slowly to regard the young officer. He had a hollow-cheeked, weathered look about him. His grey eyes were weary, and seemed to sink into his face. Yet they also betrayed an unwavering determination and devotion, perhaps the most desirable of qualities. While he wasn’t a particularly impressive man, he was respectable. A man of stature, obviously – possessive of a subtle kind of strength found only in the stronger leaders of the Imperial Navy. The Captain kept the same blank expression on his face at all times – though Vader could sense the anticipation in his being. Piett had been eager to please ever since he had been promoted to Captain of the Executor – immediately after the eradication of Yavin, when the previous captain had met an untimely end. “Yes, my Lord. I bring you news of the Rebellion. Imperial Intelligence has sent us this report from an underworld contact on the planet Andasala. Although Admiral Ozzel was initially doubtful about trusting information from wanted criminals, he saw fit to gather your judgement on the matter, my Lord.” Vader extended his hand so Piett could place the datapad there. “And why, if he saw fit to do so, did he not seek me out himself?” Vader asked darkly. Piett seemed to visibly shrink under the question, even though it was meant as rhetorical. Vader did not clarify his intention – now that the question was asked, he was interested in discovering Piett’s thoughts of the Admiral. He constructed his response well. “Perhaps the Admiral felt uncomfortable leaving the bridge of the Imperial Flagship in the hands of a relatively green Captain, my Lord. Should we run into any trouble, he would be far more capable of defusing it than I.” Vader looked into the eyes of the Captain once more. However unlikely the words sounded to him, they were just as so to Piett – he could sense that the Captain did not believe any such thing. Or perhaps more accurately, he had meant what he had said, but in a different context. Admiral Ozzel was notoriously conceited. Certainly, it was not beyond him to treat an officer of accelerated promotion – such as Piett – with contempt and resentment. “Perhaps he did, Captain – or perhaps he finds such tasks to be a waste of time when he has clearly already made a fore judgement. Or perhaps,” Vader paused for effect “The Admiral was more hesitant to consider this report than you say, Captain? He may indeed have required persuasion from a more…reasonable mind.” Piett held his gaze very cautiously, uncertainty and excitement pouring off him in hesitant waves. Vader was certain he had read the situation correctly – the Force told him that Piett was torn between allowing his personal advancement to come before Imperial Duty. Bring the Admiral into disrepute for ignoring an Intelligence report, or remain silent and allow him to take the credit for any beneficial outcomes? To a man of Ozzel’s integrity, Vader suspected the choice would be easy. But Piett was a much better officer than that – more loyal and strong than Ozzel would ever be. “Thank you Captain Piett, that will be all. I will review this data and contact Admiral Ozzel when my meditations are complete. I will also make it known to the Admiral that – despite what he may think – he is not above the normal channels of Intelligence, and nor is he captain of this vessel.” Vader could sense Piett’s pleasure at the thought of Admiral Ozzel being punished. In many circumstances, he would discourage all insubordinate thought of this kind. However, he found Ozzel just as repulsive as the rest of the crew did. “Thankyou, my Lord.” Piett bowed once, and marched primly from the room. The door slid shut behind him with a hiss of gas, and Vader was once again alone in his quarters. He moved to sit in the life support chamber again, but did not close the seal this time. He placed the datapad face down on the console in front of him, and brought up the comm unit. One flick of Force energy and the comm began connecting to Admiral Ozzel’s private frequency on the Bridge. You will know the meaning of obedience, Admiral. You are not above the rule of the Empire. The image of Admiral Ozzel wavered into view on the large wall screen beside the meditation chamber. He seemed slightly surprised, but carefully reserved as he answered the call. As ever, his round face was tinged red, contrasting noticeably with his white hair. Had he not joined the Imperial Navy, one would expect to find him asleep in an old being’s respite home. “Lord Vader, you have instruction for me?” Admiral Ozzel began. His voice was confident to the point of farce. “If this concerns the Intelligence report I had sent for your opinions, I apologise for wasting your time. Though Captain Piett disagrees, I did not believe that Imperial Intelligence should waste their time gathering absurd-” “Silence, Admiral,” Vader said slowly, the weight of the Force making his words indisputable. Ozzel paused immediately, and came to a more rigid attention. Vader held him uncomfortably there, taking as much time as he saw fit to dress the officer down. “Your insufferable desire to control my function aboard this ship is growing tiresome, Admiral Ozzel. Intelligence reports such as these will not be ignored – your discretionary powers do not extend to withholding information from me.” Admiral Ozzel was sweltering. His face had flushed a deeper red, and small droplets of sweat beaded on his balding head. He absently loosened his collar, his ever-widening eyes never blinking. “Perhaps, if this report is so illegitimate, you could suggest the alternative route of investigation we might pursue?” Vader kept his voice as cold as he could, which was very easy for the Sith Lord. “Lord Vader, I assure you that withholding information is not my desire at all! I would not – and could not – limit your function in any way whatsoever! I merely wished to point out that the source for this report is completely unreliable-” Ozzel cut off his own sentence with a short gagging noise, and brought his other hand to his throat. His head strained upward, trying to force air into his lungs. But his body would not respond. In his eyes, Vader saw the confusion and panic – the nerve-shattering revelation that one’s life was not as enduring as it had once been. It was infinitely satisfying to behold – here, this man’s life was entirely in his hands. A few more moments, and he would be dead. It would be so very easy… When Ozzel finally dropped his hands, he began breathing heavily – his airways suddenly free again. His relief was a tangible thing in the Force, receivable even from the great distance between them. “Do you believe yourself to be a better Intelligence operative than those at Imperial Intelligence, Admiral?” Vader asked. Ozzel straightened again, collecting his thoughts, brushing nervously at his neck. He recovered just slightly faster than Vader expected. “No, my Lord. I do not.” “Then perhaps you would do well to heed to their qualification,” Vader replied ominously. “You will set a course for Andasala immediately, and we will meet with this informant. Have Intelligence set up a meeting – inform me the moment it is arranged. And while we are doing so, we will remind the residents of Andasala who controls the power in this Galaxy.” Obedience, Admiral. The next time it must be choked from you, it will not stop there. Admiral Ozzel bowed quickly, and set his jaw. “As you wish, my Lord.” The image of the Admiral flickered out, leaving Vader with silence. It was a lesson that the Admiral would need to be taught, if he were to have any success on this ship. Captain Piett was a capable man – deserving of more than basic operations. Admiral Ozzel took that from him, just as he took too thorough command of the Executor, a ship that belonged solely to Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith. It was not for an Admiral to dictate the conduct of his ship or it’s officers – not without explicit consultation. Vader settled into the chair, and picked up the datapad from Imperial Intelligence. He hoped, for the sake of the informant, that the information in that datapad was correct. The details were not very specific, but accurate enough to be credible. The Informant’s name was Kasserheul, a Bounty Hunter from the outer rim territories – member of the Benelex Bounty Hunter’s Guild. There was no extraordinary information in the various reports and statements – meetings with informants piloting T-65 class fighters, call signs such as “Massassi”, operating from a hidden, grounded Corellian Corvette. It certainly sounded like the Rebellion. And then Vader sat upright. Surely not… There, in the middle of the statement from Kasserheul, only mentioned in passing, was a name that resounded with significance. He spoke of his meeting with a small group of pilots, one acting as a diplomat to try and recruit the smugglers onto the side of the Rebellion in the aftermath of the Death Star. He droned on with the usual mindless issues of payment and profit, and finally mentioned the name of the diplomat. His name was Skywalker. Vader lowered the pad slowly, and stared at the far wall. This was the work of the Force, that the two of them should be drawn to one another so quickly after his revelation. No coincidence could reunite him with his son so pointedly, and with such an advantage. His son – his own flesh and blood. He must be killed. The voice floated into his consciousness of no free will. I will find him, and destroy him – nothing more. He is not my son, he is the son of Skywalker. I am Darth Vader. Anakin Skywalker is dead. It was the Dark Side – the voice of reason. It had been his desire for many weeks now to correct this mistake of his past, to eliminate the Skywalker child. It was his mission. Determination and hatred took the mind of the Dark Lord. This visit to Andasala would be significant in so many ways. He would kill Skywalker personally. Then the Rebellion would meet the same end. He waved his hand, and the roof of the meditation chamber hissed to a close, sealing off the outside world once more. He needed to meditate on this situation. He let the Force flow into him, through every physical element of his body, then finally into his mind and consciousness. There was something within him, warning him – something like fear. Yes, fear of failure. His mind was engulfed in the Force… Failure… The Red Blade sliced through the old, withered form of Obi-Wan Kenobi, sending him decisively to the afterlife. His eyes were closed, his mind at peace…his lightsaber raised. Kenobi had surrendered himself. Why…why would he do such a thing? "It is done, my friend," the Emperor soothed. "Kenobi has become one with the light side forever. His spirit will fade and be gone. There was no possible anchor to hold him. You have done well, my servant. The last of the Jedi died today." "I saw his face, my Master," Vader replied cautiously. "He did not have the look of one who has lost his battle." "It is nothing," the Emperor assured him. "Merely the false pride of an old man. I shall leave you now, my servant. Go, and do my bidding.” Vader arose, intoning with satisfaction: "The Rebellion shall meet the same end as Kenobi." The Rebellion would meet the same end… The same end… -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 3/20/04 10:14pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - Sequel to Floating Fortress - OT fic
	WOW! Amazing story, so well written. I cannot wait to see more of this story. Very well done! -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
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Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/20/04 10:22pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - Sequel to Floating Fortress - OT fic - Date Edited: 3/21/04 9:55pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Mjsullivan
	My gosh, you responded so quick you scared me, VaderLVR64! Thankyou very very much for the comments (tell your friends, eh :P) Chapter One will be up in around two weeks time, as it needs to be written and beta-read before it 'goes live'. Again, thankyou! -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/22/04 2:56am Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Follows is my token Upping for this chapter: UP. That is all. Thankyou -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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_JM_ Registered: Jun '01	Date Posted: 3/22/04 9:05pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Very enjoyable. Good descriptions of Piett and Ozzel. Actually pleased that Ozzel got choked as I think he deserved a chance before that final choking. I like Vader realising that until Luke is slain there will be an anchor for Kenobi. -----signature----- Seeming unable to just say "Nice post, I enjoyed it" Sometimes amazed at how "I'll reply tomorrow" becomes "I should have replied last week" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Return of a Jedi. http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/23421597
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Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/23/04 12:51am Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Thanks very much, JM. I'm really glad that you enjoyed this prologue, and that it's not too dull for what it is (Which is essentially lead-up exposition). And yeah, the dynamic between Ozzel and Vader has just always seemed very strained to me, even though we only see him for a few scenes in ESB. It made a bit of sense for Vader to hate Ozzel before he just summarily choked him in orbit around Hoth - "you have failed me for the last time" makes more sense that way. But i'm afraid that i can't claim to have come up with the idea of Skywalker being Obi-Wan's anchor. That was all Brendon Wahlberg's stuff, i just adapted it to fit the context of this story. Again, thanks very much JM -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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The_Face Title: Ex-Manager Registered: Feb '03	Date Posted: 3/23/04 10:30am Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	So it begins. It fits well that the epilogue of FF and the prologue of this story both had Vader and ol' Palpy. I also liked that Ozzel had some mess-ups prior to his execution. Good start, mjs. This should be another good one. -----signature----- "Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia." - E.L. Doctorow
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LukeAnaSkywalker Registered: Nov '03	Date Posted: 3/23/04 10:37am Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Nice image of how Vader tells Palpatine about how the Death Star blew. Did the old timer nearly blow a fuse? Hehehehehehe! Can't wait to read more.
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Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/23/04 3:10pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Thanks very much, Face(Very good to have you on board) and newest readerLukeAnaSkywalker! I'm very glad you liked the prologue. (I hope i can make it an even better one, face ) Glad to report chapter One is well under way, and should be at the Beta readers by next week. Thanks again for reading guys! -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/23/04 7:22pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde - Date Edited: 1/3/05 4:21am (1 edits total) Edited By: Mjsullivan
	*Cover Art Temporarily Removed** -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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_JM_ Registered: Jun '01	Date Posted: 3/23/04 10:46pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Nice cover art, poor bloke in shuttle with a squint on his tail and an Immobiliser Interdictor stopping his escape. Could be worse, could be a Dominator Interdictor which (from the size of the gravity well domes) would be affecting a wider area and letting the TIE pilot have more target practice -----signature----- Seeming unable to just say "Nice post, I enjoyed it" Sometimes amazed at how "I'll reply tomorrow" becomes "I should have replied last week" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Return of a Jedi. http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/23421597
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Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/23/04 11:40pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	haha, thanks JM The story will reveal (much later) who is piloting the Lambda shuttle. I'd hate to be in his position - i had enough trouble shaking off a squint in my X-wing when i was playing X-wing alliance! -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/25/04 8:55pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Nobody else wants to read, eh? Well, just in case, i'm upping. People will never find it on page six. -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 3/26/04 6:24am Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Hey, I'll up this for you. But you have to post an update as a reward : ) Yeah, I'm into that whole reward system. -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
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Jedi_Trevor_GulDan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/26/04 12:21pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde
	Extremely good intro!!! I look forward to reading more! Keep it UP!!! -----signature----- Author of The Gul'dan Chronicles: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/14526179
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Mjsullivan Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/26/04 5:06pm Subject: RE: Working In Darkness - OT fic - OC, Wedge Antilles, Darth Vader, Talon Karrde - Date Edited: 3/26/04 6:04pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Mjsullivan
	Thankyou very much, both of you! VaderLVR64 for upping and Jedi_Trevor_GulDan for being a brand new reader! I'll do my best to keep it up around here, Jedi_Trevor As for an update, VaderLVR64...well, i can do you an excerpt from the next chapter if you like. It's just i've been tinkering with an interesting way of introducing the main character and his predicament. Just two nights ago i decided on the main ideas, so it's really just a jumble of words at the moment anyways, here's an excerpt so you'll have an idea of what to expect: Clip Argentsson woke as suddenly and as completely as if someone had yelled in his ear. His heart began pounding, adrenaline coursing through his veins. An inexplicable wave of panic hit him as he sat bolt upright on the cushioned bench. His breath came in short ragged breaths, almost choked off by his cold, tight throat. Reflexively, his hand snatched for a blaster that was not there. Thrown by this anomaly, he leapt off the cushioned bench, and onto legs that did not want to support his weight. He crumpled to the floor, and lay there panting, somehow exhausted. What in the name of the Sith is going on? Several things hit him all at once. There was a throbbing ache in his left arm, and a surprisingly sharp pain in that shoulder. There was an intense coldness that seemed to penetrate his skin and sink into his bones, and his entire body was weak, as though he was only using his muscles for the first time. But most prominently, he realised that he was most definitely not in the cockpit of the Raging Cusper any more. Where was his blaster? Where was Noosa, his R2 unit? Where was his ship? Shouldn’t he be on a job right now? The questions swarmed in Clip’s brain, overwhelming him. He clenched his teeth against the steady pang of a headache, and forced himself to sit up. He was still panting, as though the air he was breathing had no effect on his body. Each individual inhalation was accompanied by a harsh rasping sound – probably thanks to the cold more than anything else. Very steadily, wary of the pain it was causing, he drove breaths deeper into his lungs, forcing them to accept oxygen. It seemed to work. After several of such deep breaths, his need for air became less noticeable. The panting had ceased. Vapour billowed from his mouth as he exhaled deeply a final time, and he watched it dissipate quickly. His mind was quieting. It had sorted its priorities. Now, it only posed one question at a time, and was content to let his senses time to provide an answer. Alright…Where in the galaxy am I? For the first time, he let his eyes scan his environment. What he saw did not please him. He was sitting in what appeared to be a small, dank prison cell. It was about five metres by five, but the mirror on the wall to his left made it seem a lot bigger. To his left was the cushioned bench that he had woken on, with a small electronic sensor next to it – presumably to control the position of the bench. The ceiling hung low overhead, and in the centre of it hung a single, crude lamp – the only source of light. The floor was solid metal, freezing cold, and sloped downward into the centre of the room, where a minuscule grate lead to a narrow drain. What the drain was for, he couldn’t guess. The only thing in the room that really interested him was directly opposite him – the door. It ran from the floor to the ceiling, and was made from a different kind of material to the other walls – a darker colour, and more dense-looking. Beside it was a single button that glowed bright yellow. Clip’s eyes set upon the button, and he stared at it. There was an inexplicable sense of promise about it…vibrantly glowing yellow in an otherwise dim room. This button, he knew, was his only way out of here. Please keep in mind that this is not a beta-read draft, and it's still only very much an early draft! Wording problems and things like that will all be sorted out when i've got a good chunk of time to sit down and work on them interruption free Until next post, see ya! -----signature----- Working in Darkness - On Hiatus :::::: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/15283754/p1
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