Register | Login | Search | Help | New Boards | Harassment Policy | Rules of the JC | TOS | Markup Codes
Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic
Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 - Previous | Next | Reload
Author Topic: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Senator_Lorena  365 posts
Registered: Oct '03
6878_Admiral Daala
Date Posted: 9/27/07 6:00pm Subject: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family - Date Edited: 9/29/07 6:11am (3 edits total) Edited By: Senator_Lorena
It's been almost six years since I posted a story. I've had much of this story written for a year and a half. Let me know what you think, and I may be motivated to complete the story.

Title: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family

Disclaimers: This story is based on the ideas of the imaginary galaxy created by George Lucas. My work here is just for fun. No compensation will be expected other than the enjoyment of creating a new story.

Plot: Stories of Darth Vader as he encounters family members; some blood related and some not. Mostly deals with his inner thoughts as he meets them.

Time: Begins ten years after ROTS and goes through the movies and beyond.

Part 1: Who Are You?

Staring at the lines of hyperspace as they were swallowed by a seemingly endless galaxy, Darth Vader stood in front of the main view port with his hands behind his back. Despite having his back to the crew of the Exactor, Vader knew the crew members would operate with the utmost efficiency. And they knew not to disturb him as he pondered the current mission.

And this mission ranked among the most unusual the Emperor ever assigned him.

“I forbid you to kill anyone. You are needed only to intimidate,” Emperor Palpatine reiterated. “This includes every being you encounter; by ship or in person. Do you understand, Lord Vader?”

Of course, not all missions required killing, but never had the emperor restricted him from eliminating someone if the need arose. This time total restraint was required.

Accustomed to flexibility in every assignment, Vader contemplated what he would do if someone did not cooperate. Merely arresting them seemed too trite to set a proper example to those who refused to follow the Empire’s laws. Malcontents, from Vader’s point of view, presented road blocks to ultimate peace and justice in the galaxy. Why any of them should be allowed to live if they served no purpose but to fill space in a remote cell or serve time in a slave internment camp was beyond his comprehension. Most of beings of the galaxy would never see the fate of rebels who were arrested. Immediate execution served as the most effective deterrent. The Jedi were the best example.

“So why does the Emperor want to spare rebels in a preparatory school?” Vader asked himself.

More specifically, the prestigious Imperial Preparatory School for Future Leaders on the planet Kuat.

Most of the students ranged in age from eight to eighteen standard years of age. Some species that mature at faster or slower rates sent students as young as nine standard months old to one hundred years old. For the most part, because of the subtle and not-so-subtle human-centric philosophies promoted by the emperor, the latter were becoming rarer every year in government-sponsored educational institutions. Being a school in which a majority of its pupils were children of senators and planetary leaders, quashing rebellious tendencies was a must. Imperial Intelligence had traced a significant number of suspicious transmissions to and from the school. But the emperor did not want any of the students or teachers to die for their lawless actions.

Vader’s task included entering the Kuat system and landing on the planet unannounced. Accompanied by stormtroopers, he would enter the school near meal time to force all of the students and teachers to the commons area, which would be sealed to prevent escape. A ransacking search of each dorm room would follow. All computers and data entry devices would be confiscated. The innocent would need only to fear how to redo the important paper or project that would be lost on the computers. The guilty were to be taken to the emperor. Stormtrooper weapons would be for show. No one would die.

Perhaps the Emperor wanted to kill the rebels himself, but why would he trouble himself with such a messy matter? Did he want to discipline them in front of their parents? Vader knew his own role was not to question, but to obey.

After serving the emperor for ten years, Vader knew he had to grow more concerned about the future. Although thirty-two was not old, Vader realized long ago that the physical condition of what little body he had left would worsen with age. Cybernetic parts could not make up for his core deterioration. Questioning the Emperor’s motives was a necessity for Vader. Nothing was too minor for evaluation and extensive critique.

“Is this a test?” he wondered. “A test of his control? A test of obedience?”

He would know soon enough.

“Lord Vader, we are exiting the Haydian Way and have entered the Kuat system,” said the navigation technician.

Vader turned around slowly. “Remember, we are to proceed directly to the main planet. We will not ask permission to land our shuttles. Setting everyone off balance is part of the plan.”

“Yes, my lord,” the technician replied.

“And, no one is to be killed; however, no one in the Kuat system needs to know that.”

The tech gave his acknowledgement as Vader marched across the room and through the exit.

Security of the Kuat shipyards was on red alert as the Exactor barged into the system and set orbit around the planet without getting in the path of layers of ships being constructed thousands of miles above the planet’s atmosphere . Recognizing the Imperial design of the Exactor, no one dared to fire.

In a matter of minutes Vader’s shuttle and ten other craft landed on the school grounds knocking down statues and trees and tearing the meticulously manicured grass and flower beds. Students who moments earlier were enjoying a beautiful, sunny day now either ran to enter the main campus building or started to run away from campus. The stormtroopers efficiently fired their riffles, which were set for stun, to down the would-be escapees.

Despite knowing the doors were unlocked, the stormtroopers blasted their way into the buildings. Students ran in all directions. Some tried to hide. Others tried to jump out windows only to find the Imperials waiting for them. Vader lead a team of two troopers while barking orders. “Everyone is to report to the commons area,” he yelled in his bass voice. “Cooperation is mandatory.”

But not every student settled into a state of alarm. In a quiet secluded cubicle of the library, a sixteen-year-old girl sat listening to a recording of a holo transmission sent by her mother earlier in the day. Her ears covered by headphones, she did not hear the commotion outside the room. Totally enveloped by her dear mother’s words, nothing else mattered to her. She missed home. The confines of the school smothered her. The curriculum content sought to dampen her spirit., but her mother’s words lifted her so much that she would have a transcript made of the entire message made by the computers in the library. After completing the transcript, she downloaded music to her recorder and then began listening to the songs while getting up from her cubicle. She scanned her section of the library to find it empty. Few people needed to print information on flimsy. She expected to find few people in the other sections of the library as most students were either in class or eating their lunch.

With headphones still firmly placed around her ears and the transcript in her hands, she read while walking. Unlike less studious students, she knew the library by memory. She believed there was no need to look where she was going until she reached the library exit. The expanse of the library made her walk a long one. She knew her next few steps would involve turning a corner. As she did ,she was forced to stop as she ran into something -- something big. She lifted her eyes to see blinking lights set on a black panel. She looked higher to find a horrible black mask looking down at her. Removing the headset, heavy breathing filled her ears.

For Vader the moment was surreal. His red-tinted vision seemed overridden by what he was seeing. The female looked up at him with beautiful brown eyes. Yes, somehow he knew they were brown. He was also certain the highlights of her elaborately styled hair glistened in the light from a nearby window. Her smooth skin on her delicately rounded face took his breath away as memories from a day long ago overtook his mind. He almost said, “Are you an angel?” He closed his real eyes and shook his head in a most un-Vaderlike fashion. Was he hallucinating? He could not move. When her eyes filled with terror and a scream left her lips, he felt pained at her response. Another memory intruded on his mind as he remembered hearing his voice as a young man said, “Don’t you turn against me!” He still could not move as the girl turned to run away from him.

Suddenly he could see nothing. He remembered hearing a deafening blast with his artificial ears. Dust, wood and brick particles now settled upon his upper body. His helmet electrical system corrected itself enabling him to see the haze that must have been created by an explosion. Cursing himself for not feeling any warning through the force, he sat up to find a more troubling sight. His legs below the knee were crushed and pinned underneath a heavy beam. He found it odd he had not sensed this. Not that he would have felt pain. He normally sensed pressure placed anywhere on his body. “The explosion must have caused sensory malfunctions in the suit,” he thought. Most importantly, is breathing felt normal. But his legs were useless. Although his natural legs above the knee were unaffected, they were nonetheless attached to the crushed cybernetic parts.

Then a concern overcame him. “Is she all right?” he said aloud. He twisted his body as best he could to look for the girl. He found the two stormtroopers’ mangled bodies across the room. This made him fear what may have happened to the girl. His heart pounded as his fear grew. Unable to find her, he began to believe her body must have been torn to pieces. Frustrated with the limits of his physical body, he opened himself to the force to pick up her life signs. To his relief, he found her. She lay in a cubicle beyond a mound of debris. And she was alive, but unconscious. There was no way to know the extent of her injuries without seeing her.

Undaunted by the beam pinning his legs, Vader used the force to lift the offending object and pull his legs to safety. He flipped to his stomach so he could use his elbows to make his way to the girl’s location. Dragging his legs behind him, he climbed over the debris and crawled into the cubical. Her brown hair was now covered with dust and matted in some areas by blood flowing from her scalp. To his dismay, her nose was crushed and her chin shredded. Although the cubicle was not made of blast-proof material, it did shield most of her body from shrapnel and other object propelled by the explosion. He guessed the injuries to her head and face were caused by the explosion propelling her into a wall of the cubical.

He made his way closer to her.

“Oh, Padme! I am so glad you’re alive!” he said aloud. Then a moan followed. If Vader could cry -- if the machine part of him would allow it -- he would have cried.

But he stopped himself. The rational side of him took over. “This cannot be Padme. It’s not possible.”

Indeed, upon a closer look, some features were different. Yet the resemblance was uncanny. “Who are you?” he said softly.

He gently placed his gloved left hand on top of her head and used the force to stop the bleeding from her scalp and nose. He could sense she incurred a concussion from the blow. He could not sense brain damage, but he could not be certain. He did the same for her chin area. He feared her jaw was broken. He moved away from her to turn himself where he could sit up with a section of the cubicle to his back.

He wondered why he allowed himself to be taken by this girl. Why had he not made his way out of the building. Yes, she looked like Padme, but that had no meaning to him now. Or did it? Padme was Anakin’s wife. “Anakin is gone and so is she,” he said quietly to himself.

Vader never helped anyone, but nonetheless, he stopped her from bleeding to death. Why? He remembered Padme used decoys as protectors, but their likeness was based more on make up and wardrobe. She looked different from a decoy. Even her presence in the force felt different from Sabe, Dorme and the other decoys Padme used.

“Who are you?” he said again.

Then he noticed a piece of flimsy in her right hand. Despite the blast, she managed to hold onto it. Her grasp was now less tight and he used the force to draw the paper to him. The laid it on his lap to fatten it and began to read it.

“How are you darling?”

“I am well, mother.”

Vader paused. He looked at the girl. He thought it strange for her to commit the conversation to writing, but deep inside he understood. If he could have the written words of his mother it would mean so much ...

Vader slammed his fist on the ground. “No! Not my mother! It was Anakin’s mother who died! I have no mother!” he boomed through the library. The reverberations of his voice caused some of the debris in the ceiling to shift. His anger almost caused the mechanism that regulated his breathing to lose its calibration. Without the proper tools nearby, such a situation would be unwelcome. He sat for a long time staring into nothingness. No one came to his aid. He realized he had not tried to radio for help. He turned on the radio in his helmet, but heard static. No signal. He felt nothing but deadness all around; except for the life of the mystery girl.

His curiosity drew him again to the crumpled flimsy in his hand. He needed to know her identity. He could not justify why it was important for him to know anything about this girl, but decided not to try to rationalize. He flattened the flimsy again and continued reading.

“I miss you so much! I know you have only been there six months, but it seems years have gone by since I have seen you in person!”

“I know. You say that every time we speak, only the amount of time that has past is different. But I feel the same way.”

“How are your studies?”

“Different. Different from home. But it is enlightening. To see things from a new point of view is healthy.”

“Do you agree with what you are learning?”

“No one agrees with everything. I need more time to process everything. But I will say the Imperial philosophies are eye opening. The Republic was short sighted in so many ways.”

“I agree, my dear. Continue to learn all you can. Then you will become a leader that your aunt would be proud of.”

“I hope so, mother. I still miss Aunt Padme so much!”

Vader stopped. “Of course! Why did I not see it sooner? This must be Sola’s daughter, but which one?”

He paused to remember what Padme told him about her sister’s two children. Ryoo was five years old when he, no Anakin, married Padme. Pooja was three. Thirteen years had passed, which made Ryoo eighteen and Pooja sixteen. He looked at the girl. She did not possess the subtle maturity features to be eighteen. She looked almost identical to Padme when Anakin first met her in Watto’s shop on Tatooine.

“This has to be Pooja Naberrie,” he deduced aloud.

He continued to read the loving conversation. There was no more talk of politics or schooling. Sola soothed her daughter’s homesickness with stories of her older sister’s work in Theed, the capital of Naboo. Sola relayed stories about working with clothing designers and how the Imperial influence affected styles on planets near the outer rim. Sola mentioned architectural projects of Pooja’s father, Darred Jarnen. She also said all grandparents were doing well.

“So Padme’s parents are still alive,” Vader said quietly. “I wonder how they dealt with her death?” Again, Vader was somber. He rarely slept because his dreams repeated his choking of Padme. Never understanding how he could have killed her, the dreams pained him beyond what he could bear. Force meditations and medications replaced his need for sleep.

He returned his focus to the transcript. From the content of the transcript, he was relieved to find evidence that the family was made up of loyal citizens of the Galactic Empire. He wondered, though, if Padme would have been pleased. She cherished freedom, but hated war. He had brought an end to the Clone Wars, but she did not appreciate his means for bringing peace.

He looked at Pooja. In another life, she would have called him Uncle Anakin. She could have played with her cousin in the meadows of Naboo as he and Padme watched. Yes, his child would have lived to run and play. She could have had a life away from the Jedi Temple and away from the galactic strife. She? Yes, he always believed Padme carried a girl. He could have known for sure if he had probed through the force, but Padme insisted they be surprised about the gender when their baby was born. THEIR baby. And would they have had another? Yes, he would have wanted to try for a boy. One child of each gender would have been ideal.

He revere was broken when static sputtered from his radio imbedded in his helmet.

“Lord Vader, are you all right?” a stormtrooper’s voice asked. It was Corporal Tiye.

“Yes. I am in the library,” Vader replied as he felt both relieved and agitated by the verbal intrusion.

“My lord, are you able to move to a different location? There is a lot of large debris in your area. If we try to dig you out, we may cause a cave in before we get to you.”

Vader considered this. Yes, he could move, but he feared moving Pooja as he was uncertain of all her injuries. Without the full function of his legs, he could not carry her to safety. He knew he should not care what happened to her, but he had already invested too much time and concern to recklessly let her die. Despite his darkness, despite the fact he had killed others, despite nothing mattered but the quest for power, he knew he could not allow Pooja to die. He swore, no, Anakin swore long ago to keep people he loved from dying. Even though he did not know Pooja, for once he did not want to fail in saving someone’s life. Padme loved Pooja, so he had to care.

He lifted his head and spoke to be heard by the corporal. “Yes, I can move, I will be slowed by damage to my legs. I will inform you when I am ready.”

“We will try to monitor your movements, my lord,” the corporal replied. “The material used to build the school and electrical disturbances are causing distortions to your homing beacon. Also, I need to warn you that the building is growing more and more unstable. Total collapse will happen within the hour.”

“Understood, corporal,” Vader said as he turned off his radio.

Vader positioned himself to craw out of the cubicle. Using the force, he gently lifted Pooja from the floor. Using his elbows, he crawled a few feet and then pulled her a few feet. His focus strengthened and he began crawling and pulling at the same time. Occasionally debris would fall, but his concentration never wavered. He made their way out of the library and into the hallway. Finally he sensed he was in a more stable section of the building.

He began to radio the corporal when he realized his predicament. How would he explain the presence of the girl beside him? It would be apparent to the trained eyes of stormtroopers that she did not belong in that location. There would be questions to why he moved her. Also, he knew he did not want to take her with him. How could he explain her to the Emperor? But if he did not take her, then who would help her? In the distance he could hear more debris falling. It was only a matter of time before this area would also become unstable.

He looked at Pooja. His heart was heavy. This was an impossible situation. He had saved her only to put her in the path of death. He felt as if he should wait until the building fell and die with her.

“There has to be a way,” he said aloud. Then an idea hit him.

He reached behind his head and pulled the latches that held his helmet in place. He lifted it and placed it in his lap. Then he removed the face mask where the radio speaker was imbedded. He changed the frequency in his helmet radio to the standard emergency frequency used by most planets, including Kuat. He knew Imperials were monitoring the frequency, so he decided he would temporarily to disconnect his breathing apparatus to allow his natural, but scared voice broadcast. He placed the face mask directly in front of his mouth after taking a deep breath from the tube inserted above his larynx. He removed the tube and strained to speak.

“Hello,” he said in a scratchy but audible voice. “Hello, can anybody hear me? This is an emergency.”

“Yes! I can hear you! I am with emergency personnel Are you in the main building?”

He reinserted the tube, took a breath and replied. “Yes, but I am OK. I’m in a safe place. I am concerned about a girl I see in the hallway not far from the library.”

“Man, there is not a safe place in the building! And you don’t sound OK. Tell me where you are and then you can show me where the girl is!”

Vader cringed. He could not last much longer using his breather sporadically. “No, I lied. I’m dying. Please, it’s too late for me. Save her.” He gave her location and gasped. It was not a fake gasp. He had to restore the breather or pass out. Just before everything went black, Vader replaced the tube. After he stabilized, he restored the radio to Imperial frequency and placed the face mask and helmet on his head. He quickly crawled to another location as the debris began falling at a more rapid pace. Behind him he heard the sound of digging equipment. He felt a rare smile cross his face as he heard voices say, “There she is!”

Then he forced himself to stop thinking about her. Her fate was out of his hands and he had to act quickly. He looked ahead and found a light. The quickened his pace but was slowed by broken brick and ferocrete. The building was collapsing. Chunks of debris hit his back and legs. He began to fear his legs would be pinned again. The light began to dim, but it was still there. Vader pulled the force to himself and with a high surge of energy, the propelled forward at a blurring speed. He shot out of a window like a bullet and landed on the grass covered yard in front of the building.

It was only because of the machinery that regulated his bodily functions that he did not pass out. He saw stormtroopers surround him. They placed him on a stretcher. As they rushed to get him to his shuttle, he turned his head to the side. Between the white armor of two troopers, he saw a girl being treated on the grass nearby.


-------------------------------------------------

 

-----signature-----
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Less Brown
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him." ~ John 3:17 NIV
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
BattousaiCV  167 posts
Registered: May '07
39841_Anakin
Date Posted: 9/27/07 9:02pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Interesting concept! I hope you get to finish it. batting

 

-----signature-----
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
SilSolo  8828 posts
Registered: Mar '04
24177_Fan Art - Chiss Jedi
Date Posted: 9/27/07 9:15pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
very interesting concept indeed. nice work

 

-----signature-----
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Senator_Lorena  365 posts
Registered: Oct '03
6878_Admiral Daala
Date Posted: 9/28/07 2:08pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Thanks, BattousaiCV and SilSolo!

 

-----signature-----
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Less Brown
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him." ~ John 3:17 NIV
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
RebelMom  10428 posts
Title: TFF Secretary
 Registered: Apr '00
19073_Luke and Mara Family
Date Posted: 9/28/07 4:25pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Anakin is still hiding. Nice to see you back writing again.

 

-----signature-----
Short Story: Pressure Point http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26961243/p1/?7
Jacen Solo and Anakin Skywalker - as it should have been.
TFF: Cheryl
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Kyana-Morgaine  319 posts
Registered: Oct '04
39861_Palpatine
Date Posted: 9/28/07 5:01pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Very interesting! Please continue! (...and add me to your PM list batting )

 

-----signature-----
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
VaderLVR64  30945 posts
Title: Manager Emeritus
 Registered: Feb '04
49060_Obi-Wan Kenobi (811092)
Date Posted: 9/28/07 7:08pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
I love it! Would you PM me when you update??

 

-----signature-----
R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian flag Never forgotten
Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/
2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Senator_Lorena  365 posts
Registered: Oct '03
6878_Admiral Daala
Date Posted: 9/29/07 6:52am Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Good to see you again, RM! Yes, Anakin remains below the surface, but never dies.

Thanks, VaderLVR64 and Kyana-Morgaine! I will PM you when I place the next post.

 

-----signature-----
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Less Brown
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him." ~ John 3:17 NIV
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
earlybird-obi-wan  5852 posts
Title: PT Scene Contest Winner
 Registered: Aug '06
48019_Fan Art - Obi-Wan and Siri
Date Posted: 9/29/07 8:27am Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
nice story and great characters. Please if you have a PM list, you can put me on it.

 

-----signature-----
writer and Star Wars fan
FANART [link=http://boards.theforce.net/fan_art/b10020/25793899]fanart[/link]
stories in my bio
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Amidolee  5400 posts
Registered: Jan '00
40072_Jedi
Date Posted: 9/29/07 2:26pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Hee, I like how it was Pooja and not Leia, like so many post-RotS stories are. happy Welcome back, btw!

 

-----signature-----
Mar. 1 - One Prick to Bleed: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/20423905/p1
"You're like a walking encyclopedia of weirdness." Dean to Sam in Roadkill.
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Senator_Lorena  365 posts
Registered: Oct '03
6878_Admiral Daala
Date Posted: 10/3/07 7:29pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Thanks for all of the great comments. I should post part 2 of the story Thursday.

 

-----signature-----
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Less Brown
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him." ~ John 3:17 NIV
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Senator_Lorena  365 posts
Registered: Oct '03
6878_Admiral Daala
Date Posted: 10/4/07 5:53pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Here is the remainder of Part 1.

Two days later Vader sat in his hyperbolic chamber repairing his legs. A medical droid assisted him by holding his legs in place. He once thought his legs to be indestructible, but the damage was extensive. The alloy used in his prosthetics shattered under the pressure of the beam that landed on his legs. He could not recall how it happened. The impact of the beam must have been incredible.

He and the droid replaced the alloy legs and made modifications to their original structure. Vader hoped these legs would function more smoothly and be more resistant to damage.

Without having to look up, he knew the Emperor watched him outside the chamber by looking through the glass. He decided to take this opportunity to satisfy his curiosity.

“Master, do they know who set off the bomb?” he asked Palpatine.

The Emperor did not mind Vader’s boldness in speaking first.

“It seems your mission to Kuat was not a complete secret. The rebels tried to kill you and your troops but the bomb went off prematurely and three rebels inadvertently killed themselves.”

Vader was puzzled. Who could have known about the mission in time to set up a bomb and create a plan to use it? “How is this possible?” Vader asked.

“The forensics team said the rebels were carrying the bomb through a hallway. They were heading for an exit to place it in a shuttle, it seems. They wanted to cause us damage, but they destroyed their school and 150 of their schoolmates.”

Vader listened to the story, but something did not ring true. He decided to keep his thoughts to himself. “According to our sensors there were 170 people in the main building when we entered it,” Vader replied.

“Only twenty survived. It looks like our enemies did the killing for you, Lord Vader,” said Palpatine as a wicked smile crossed his face. “I will leave you to your repair work. I think you will use this setback to create a better version of your legs.” The Emperor turned to exit the room.

Vader still wondered why the Emperor had insisted that he kill no one. Did he foresee the disaster? Among Imperial personnel, only he and ten stormtroopers survived. Vader suspected, however, the Emperor was behind the bombing. It would be fitting to make the disaster appear to be work of reckless young rebels. It would be a blow to the rebel movement and would kill or separate conspirators.
With the emperor out of the room , Vader decided to relax a few minutes. He shooed the medical droid and turned his thoughts to Pooja Naberrie as he unfolded the crinkled piece of flimsy.

------------------------------------------------------

On Kuat, clean up continued after the bombing. Imperial investigators finished their work and left the citizens of Kuat to deal with the aftermath.

In a nearby hospital Pooja sat in bed. She felt the stitches on her scalp. The doctors told her the gash had cut to her skull. Bandages on her nose forced her to breathe through her mouth. Her chin and jaw were broken. The wires and additional bacca bandages made talking difficult.

The doctor came into the room with an activated holopad. “Poja,” he said. “I have your parents online.” He activated the holopad and Sola Naberrie appeared.

Pooja’s mood brighten as she tried to say, “Mother.”

“Oh, my dear! I heard what happened. Are you truly OK?”

“She is doing as well as can be expected,” the doctor replied. “She sustained considerable injury, but she will be fine, thanks to someone who saved her life.”

“Who? Who saved her?” her father, Darred, asked emphatically as his image joined Sola’s.

“No one knows, sir. Whoever helped her knew how to keep her from bleeding to death. The gash in her head injuries to her face can lead to rapid blood loss. Thanks to her savior, all she will need is some cosmetic surgery.”

“Cosmetic surgery?” her mother gasped.

“It’s all right, mother,” Pooja managed to say through her teeth. “I always hated my chin.”

Her parents smiled at their daughter. Indeed, she often remarked of her chin’s shape.

“Doctor, we will be there in the morning,” Darred said. “When do you think we can bring her home?”

“The Empire is conducting an investigation regarding the explosion and has ordered no one leave the planet until he gives permission. But you are welcome to stay with her. But keep in mind, there are many other parents who will be visiting the planet to identify their dead sons and daughters. You were really fortunate.”

“We know,” Sola replied gently. “Thank you doctor. And Pooja, we will be there as quickly as possible. We love you very much!”

Pooja smiled as best she could. After the transmission was completed, the doctor exited the room leaving Pooja alone to ponder the disaster for another day.

Through a nearby window she looked into the distance toward the building that was once her school. She looked at it with distain. She hated it, but to be a recognized planetary or galactic leader, she had to graduate from the Imperial Preparatory School for Future Leaders. She vowed to some help overthrow the dictatorship that choked the galaxy. She knew in her heart the Empire was responsible for her aunt’s and her unborn cousin’s deaths. But for now, she would play the game of supporting the state while planning its demise.

After her rescue she was told she was found far away from the library. Although she could not remember the events immediately before the bomb exploded, she was certain she was in the library. If the blast threw her there, she had to have gone through four walls. Someone helped her. But who? She was told of the strange emergency message that led to her rescue. Rescuers looked for another person in her area, but found no one. They found evidence of someone having crawled away but could not follow the trail because the building was beginning to collapse. She was thankful to whoever helped her. She hoped the person survived the collapse of the building.

She regretted losing the flimsy, but the transcript was not as important as it once was. Tomorrow she would be with her parents and hoped to return to Naboo for what she hoped would be a very long stay.

 

-----signature-----
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Less Brown
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him." ~ John 3:17 NIV
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
earlybird-obi-wan  5852 posts
Title: PT Scene Contest Winner
 Registered: Aug '06
48019_Fan Art - Obi-Wan and Siri
Date Posted: 10/4/07 9:18pm Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Nice update and great to hear Pooja is safe and going to be with her family

And Darth and the emperor. Palpatine is evil skull

 

-----signature-----
writer and Star Wars fan
FANART [link=http://boards.theforce.net/fan_art/b10020/25793899]fanart[/link]
stories in my bio
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
RebelMom  10428 posts
Title: TFF Secretary
 Registered: Apr '00
19073_Luke and Mara Family
Date Posted: 10/5/07 7:06am Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
I'm pretty sure Palpy had something to do with the bombing as well.

 

-----signature-----
Short Story: Pressure Point http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26961243/p1/?7
Jacen Solo and Anakin Skywalker - as it should have been.
TFF: Cheryl
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Lucid_Lady  1283 posts
Registered: Sep '02
46176_River Tam
Date Posted: 10/5/07 8:01am Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family
Wow! Great story. Interesting concept to use too. Defiantly makes it unique. I'm glad Poojo is ok. More soon?

 

-----signature-----
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucid_Lady
Twin to InyriForge
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Senator_Lorena  365 posts
Registered: Oct '03
6878_Admiral Daala
Date Posted: 10/6/07 6:21am Subject: RE: Blood Ties: Stories of Darth Vader’s Encounters with His Family - Date Edited: 10/6/07 3:19pm (5 edits total) Edited By: Senator_Lorena
earlybird-obi-wan: Yes she is safe, but she has not seen the last of her "long lost uncle." And things will get more complicated for her.

Thanks, Lucid Lady. This story has been developing in my mind since ROTS came out.

RM: Palpy uses every fatal event to his advantage whether or not he is the mastermind behind it. thinking

Here is Part 2
Part II: Come Here, Little Girl

Senator Giddean Danu of Kuat found himself in a situation from which he wished he could escape. Being a human taller than most beings at 1.96 meters helped him feel a bit less intimidated by Darth Vader, but the dark lord could make himself imposing in other ways.

The heavy breathing, the long footsteps hitting the smooth floor of the Imperial Center, the black armor and the deep booming voice unnerved the senator as he had no choice but to walk beside Darth Vader and carry on a conversation regarding his planet’s security. Senator Danu longed to look away from the dark lord. He stole quick glances at statues and paintings.

“I assure you, Lord Vader, that the seeds of rebellion have been eliminated on my planet,” he said in his most assuring, hopefully non-political voice. “The rebels seemed to have hurt their cause by carelessly handling a powerful explosive device in a populated area.”

Vader listened carefully to the senator’s defense. Often he found leaders of planets would secretly support rebels and hide Jedi that survived the infamous Order 66. Through the force he could tell the senator was nervous, but that was the feeling he evoked in most beings. As effective as having an intimidating appearance could be, it also made it difficult to discern people’s emotions and motives.

“You may be too confident, senator,” Vader replied. “Your planet holds a large population. It would be difficult to know for sure.”

“Yes, of course, my lord,” Danu said after clearing his throat. “I am merely saying with the Imperial Preparatory School shut down and increased security of the shipyards, there is little need for the rebels to stay.”

Vader knew the senator wanted to slip away, but he held no sympathy for Danu. He wanted him to feel uncomfortable. Perhaps the senator would yield clues to how rebel sympathizers could have known about the Imperial move on the school.

“The Emperor has not ruled out reopening the school,” Vader said. “If he could be assured of its security, keeping the school on your planet would bring benefits to your world.”

Even though Senator Danu hated the empire and secretly supported rebel causes, he desired the school. Keeping it on Kuat would keep it public and allow rebels to slowly infiltrate. But he feared his desire should not be fulfilled. Too much suspicion fell upon his planet. And he had no idea why the rebel students would try to handle a bomb.

“I know, my lord, but if having it on my planet would create an element of mistrust between it and the Emperor, I think it should be relocated. Coruscant would probably be more to the emperor’s liking.”

“Coruscant is too full of distractions, senator. Your planet holds the modern necessities, but is not the center of activity that would pull students from their studies. Field trips to the capital world would be sufficient for those studying to be future leaders.”

All of the talk about distractions made the senator all the more determined to find one. Having Vader suddenly approach him and insist on taking a walk was too much for the senator. Then he saw a true distraction, but it was a sad one.

Bail Organa carried trash from his office. Despite having most files saved in computer data bases, the need for flimsies still existed. The man looked tired, and his steps were heavy, not light. Danu knew the reason for the change in Organa’s demeanor; he recently lost his wife, Queen Breha, to a lengthy illness. Bail recently resigned his seat in the Senate to take more time filling his role as Viceroy of Alderaan and to spend more time with his daughter, Leia. Danu decided to take a chance.

“Lord Vader,” he said has he stopped and turned to the dark lord. “I hate to do this, but I ask if you would mind if I take a moment to speak with Bail Organa? He is in front of his office over there,” he said while pointing to Organa.

This request took Vader aback. No one ever interrupted a conversation with him. More than a little miffed Vader had to inquire the senator’s reasons.

“What would be so important about speaking with Senator Organa?” Vader threatened in a voice even lower and more ominous than usual.

Danu swallowed hard. Yes, he wanted to get away from Vader, but he legitimately wanted to see Organa. “My lord, I do have good reason, and I am surprised you have not heard what happened to Senator Organa.”

Vader’s curiosity was piqued. “To what are you referring, senator?”

“Organa’s wife died last week,” Danu said in a sad voice. “She had a rare form of cancer in which there is no cure. He is leaving the Senate to serve as Alderaan’s full-time leader. His daughter is too young to succeed her mother to the throne.”

This truly surprised Vader. As much as he distrusted the man, Vader could not help but feel some empathy for Bail Organa. Losing a wife is heart wrenching . Vader could remember his own feelings upon hearing about Padme’s death. And it did not help to know he was responsible for her death as well as the death of his child. At least Bail still had his child, and that drove Vader to feel some envy.

“Very well,” Vader acquiesced. “But make your conversation brief. We have much more to discuss.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Danu said as he gave a quick bow.

Bail was about to reenter his office when Senator Danu garnered his attention. Danu knew it was in his best interest to keep the visit public to avoid Vader’s suspicions. Keeping Bail outside his office was of the highest importance.

“Senator Organa,” he called.

Organa smiled at his friend. “Yes, come here!”

The two men briefly embraced then Bail noticed Vader watching in the distance. “What is he doing here?” Bail asked in a dull tone.

Through hearing enhanced by cybernetic technology and the force Vader could hear every word.

“Don’t worry, my friend. He and I were having a discussion when I saw you walk out of your office. I explained your situation to him.”

Bail felt awkward, but he knew he should not show it. “I see.”

“I am sorry I could not attend the funeral. I had to go to Kuat to tend to an emergency. It seems rebels bombed the Imperial school.”

Vader watched for Organa’s reaction, but the former senator was either ignorant of the situation or a very good actor.

And Organa was truly unaware of the situation as he had spent the entire previous week in morning. “Rebels bombing a school? That sounds a little . . . desperate to me, even for rebels.”

“I agree. But I don’t think the rebels have a reason to stay on my planet as they have drawn too much attention to themselves.”

“Perhaps. You don’t need that worry on your mind.”

“Well, Bail, I should not have placed it on your mind. You have enough to deal with right now without hearing my woes.”

“Not at all, Giddean. I welcome a bit of distraction. I understand why you could not attend the funeral service. Actually, there were so many in attendance that many had to be turned away. She was very loved by her people.”

Danu smiled. “Yes, she was. How is your daughter?”

“She is doing as well as she can. It’s hard to tell what a ten year old makes of loosing her mother. She’s bright and very mature for her age, but I’m not sure if the loss has really hit her.”

“And how are you?”

“About as well as she is,” he said softly. “I don’t know if the loss has fully hit me. People tell me it hits harder weeks after the death of a spouse. But by then I hope to be fully engaged in work and raising my daughter on Alderaan.”

“I wish you well, my friend as you take this emotional journey.”

“Thank you, Giddean.”

Taking a quick glance a Vader, Danu gave Bail a urgent look. “I had better take my leave, now. Please give your daughter my condolences.”

“I will,” Bail replied as the two men embraced..

As Senator Danu made his way to Vader, Bail hears a young voice call to him.

“Daddy, who were you talking to?” she said as she stepped out the door of Bail’s office.

Bail froze in fear.

Vader looked past the returning Senator Danu to see a brown haired girl step out of Bail’s office. Bail’s fear drew Vader’s attention more than did the girl’s presence. “Why does Bail suddenly feel uptight?” Vader wondered. This brought to mind the anxiety Bail showed on Alderaan years ago when Vader was tracking down the wayward Senator Fang Zar.

Taking steps toward him, Danu thought Vader planned to meet him to resume their conversation. He was astonished when Vader walked past him and toward Organa.

Bail did his best to compose himself as the dark lord approached. The pulled Leia close to him as Darth Vader towered above them.

“Senator Danu informed me of your loss,” Vader said in a kinder voice than usual. “I give you my sincere condolences.”

Bail tried to push from his mind the fact he knew Vader played a role in the death of Padme Amidala. He knew Vader could read his mind, if he desired to do so.

“Thank you, my lord. It is a hard time for my family and me.”

Vader looked at the girl. He saw a pair of beautiful brown eyes looking at him. Again another young female with elaborately styled brown hair stood near him. There was a connection that he found elusive. Perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him after the explosion. But he felt as if he were looking at a young Padme.

“Come here, little girl,” he said.

Leia courageously stepped forward and continued to look at Vader.

“She is a brave one,” he said to himself.

“What is your name?” he said while keeping his kind voice in check.

“Leia,” she said flatly.

“Leia. Leia, yes a very strong name. I am sorry to hear about your mother. I know you will be strong for your father’s sake.”

“Thank you,” she said with little emotion.

Vader looked at Bail. “You have quite a daughter. Protect her and teacher her well.”

“Thank you, and I will.”

Vader turned abruptly and walked to Senator Danu. The conversation picked up where it left off and they quickly made their way down the corridor.

Bail sighed relief as they walked out of sight.

“Daddy, who was that ... that ... whatever it was?”

“His name is Darth Vader. And you would do well to stay as far away from him as you can. Do you understand?” he said in a firm voice.

Leia’s eyes opened wide as if she just realized she unknowingly had a close call with true evil.

“Yes, father, I understand.”

But deep in his heart Bail knew she would encounter Vader again. Their destinies were wound too closely. Bail could only hope Vader’s actual relationship to Leia could remain secret until she was able to handle it wisely.

Later Vader pondered his conversation with Senator Danu. He found no clues regarding the Imperial school incident. The senator seemed to know nothing about the rebel influence in the school. And, really, he did not have to. Young people often sought causes without help of adults. It was their way to assert their growing individuality, but the bomb seemed too powerful for a group of young rebels to possess or create. The more Vader considered the situation, the more he believed the Emperor had tried to kill him. If that were true, it would not be a surprise as it was the way of the Sith to attempt to kill one another. Although Vader had never tried to kill Darth Sidious, Vader was not completely faithful to his master as he held secrets of his own. That was also the way of the Sith.

What continued to haunted him was the ten-year-old daughter of Bail Organa. Though Vader tried to push away thought of what might have been, he could not help but think his daughter would look much like Leia. She would have been force sensitive and that would have created a unique situation for a daughter of a senator and Jedi Knight.

He knew he had not seen the last of Leia Organa. Bail would influence her to enter politics. In a few years she would most likely find herself with an office of her own in the Imperial Center.


Sorry, Ami, but Leia had to be included somewhere. mischief

 

-----signature-----
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Less Brown
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him." ~ John 3:17 NIV
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 - Previous | Next | Reload
© 2009 IGN Entertainment, Inc (9.02.17.2300, IGNPRDAPPW64214) 0.828