Jedi Council Forums - Mystery Lady - OC/Vader

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Author	Topic: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 4/28/08 9:37am Subject: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU - Date Edited: 1/27 11:24am (3 edits total) Edited By: VaderLVR64
	Title: Mystery Lady Author: VaderLVR64 Characters: OCs, Lord Vader Genre: Vignette, AU (very, very AU) Summary: A mysterious patient is dying and Lord Vader wants to know. Mystery Lady “She’s gonna die anyway.” The words were spoken quietly, but in the silence that had descended on the small group, they rang out loud and harsh. With a sigh, Mikka shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t mean to sound heartless,” she said. “But you’re all thinking the same thing.” Once more, no one spoke. They glanced at each other uneasily, each unwilling to be the first to speak. Finally, Rikos, the newest medic to their team spoke up, “Yeah, you’re right,” he agreed. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t have to follow orders!” “I’m not making the call,” Mikka grumbled. Then she shot Rikos a smug look. “I say this gets decided by seniority,” she suggested. “New man wins out.” A quick assent from the three others caused Rikos to scowl. “That’s no fair!” he cried out. “Might as well accept it, Rikos, my man,” Daris advised. “The group has spoken.” For a moment, Rikos sat and stared at the data pad morosely. “Why does he care about one stupid patient anyway?” he asked. “Doesn’t really matter why,” Daris said wisely. “Just that he does.” “Has he ever visited her before?” Rikos asked, looking around at the group. “Not that I know of,” Mikka replied. She looked at the others, who shook their heads. “Why does he want to be notified?” Rikos asked. “Who knows?” Daris said. He tapped the data pad. “You might want to get a move on this. This one doesn’t have much time.” He glanced at Mikka who nodded. “Not much time at all,” Daris reminded Rikos. “And I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes if you call too late.” With that dire warning ringing in his ears, Rikos heaved a sigh of exasperation and shoved away from the table. “Thanks a lot guys,” he muttered as he left them. “Any time!” Mikka replied with a laugh. ~~~~~ Later, when he was barraged with questions from the rest of the team, he would try to recall exactly what he had said, what Lord Vader had said. Every time he did so, however, he failed to convey how frightening the encounter had been. Though he had only talked to Vader for a few moments, and that had been done from the relative safety of a comm unit, he had nevertheless felt a cold finger tracing down his spine. He had had the mad thought that if Vader had wanted him dead, not even the vast distance between them would have made a difference. It was an unsettling suspicion that made his voice quiver and his palms sweaty. Added to his fear was the realization that Vader had known he was afraid, and was perhaps amused by it. All in all, Rikos had been exquisitely relieved when he had disconnected the comm call. They called her the mystery lady. She had been here for several years, according to the other medics, and he had been introduced to her just a few short months ago. She had been dying even then, and he had been involved in her struggle since his arrival. They were not friends, they were barely acquaintances. She was a patient who suffered; he was a medic who tried to relieve her pain. She was just another patient. Except now, there was Vader. As he stood over the bed of the patient who had started it all, he had to wonder what it was about this woman had gotten Vader’s interest. In spite of the pity he felt for her, a healthy dose of self-preservation made him almost hate her for drawing Vader into their midst. He did not know much about the Dark Lord, as the more sensational holocasts called him, but he knew enough to know that he most definitely did not want to have anything to do with him. Yet, in a few hours, Vader would arrive and all because of this mysterious woman. They had just gotten word of his impending arrival and the buzz that had run through the med center was showing no signs of slowing. Instead, every moment seemed to increase the tension that was holding them all in its grip. Vader was coming. And no good could come of that. ~~~~~~~~ Rikos was lined up with the other medics, ready to greet Lord Vader upon his arrival. When the doors opened abruptly, he watched with secret amusement as they all stood to attention, as if they were troops waiting for inspection. Nevertheless, his own shoulders were thrown back as well. They had expected a large contingent of soldiers to arrive with Vader. Instead, a lone dark figure stalked through the doors, his black cloak rippling strangely behind him. Rikos glanced at Mikka, who dared only to give him the tiniest shrug. “Which way?” Vader asked, turning his black mask toward Rikos. Swallowing hard, Rikos pointed down the corridor. “Last room on the left. She’s resting-” The black mask turned abruptly and Vader was gone. “…comfortably…” Rikos muttered. “Should we go give him an update on her condition?” Mikka asked. “What update?” Rikos said. “She’s dying. There, that’s your update.” He sighed and shook his head. “He knows that already.” Daris spoke up. “Still, we should talk to him about-” Rikos, still feeling a bit shaky from his first encounter with Vader, whirled to face the other medic. “Do you wanna go tell him?” he asked. He pointed in the direction of the woman’s room. “Be my guest. Go tell him that the woman’s dying.” Rikos grinned and Daris took a step back. “Maybe he’ll even reward you or something, you know, for being so conscious of your duty and all that.” “Shavit, Rikos,” Daris grumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Go take a relaxant, why don’t you?” Sighing deeply, Rikos shook his head. “Sorry, I’m still just a bit…” He shrugged. “Never mind. My problem, not yours.” Mikka came to stand beside Rikos. “So…wanna take bets why he’s here?” Rikos turned to look at her, his smile was bitter. “He’s come to say good-bye, I guess.” ~~~~~~~~~~ They left Lord Vader alone with the patient as long as they dared. Then the decision was made that one of them should at least give him the details and let him know what to expect. Once more, the experienced medics joined ranks and voted Rikos for the job. “You’ve already dealt with him once,” Mikka pointed out reasonably enough, but Rikos saw the fear in her eyes. “That’s exactly my point,” Rikos snapped. “But you practically have a connection with him,” Daris added helpfully. Giving them both a baleful glance, Rikos did not reply but made his way toward the room where the mystery patient and Lord Vader waited. Rikos gave the door a perfunctory knock and entered without being invited in, an act of bravery that surprised even him. The room was only dimly lit, but there was enough light to see that the woman’s frail hand grasped in the huge black glove. Rikos half-expected to see Vader drop her hand and order the execution of the audacious medic for interrupting. Instead, the huge figure continued to hold the tiny hand in his own. “Lord Vader?” Rikos asked softly. The menacing mask turned his way. “Yes?” The voice was a deep rumble of sound, but there seemed to be no imminent threat, so Rikos took a step forward. “My Lord,” he said with a slight bow. “I wanted to give you an update on her condition.” “She’s dying,” Vader replied bluntly. “That’s all I need to know, isn’t it?” Recalling his own words, Rikos grimaced. “That’s the core of it,” he admitted. Once more, the fearsome mask turned toward the woman. “How long?” Vader asked. Feeling on more solid ground now that they were talking medical, Rikos took a step forward. “A few hours,” he murmured. “No more.” “She’s had a long struggle,” Vader said and in any other man, Rikos might have called the tone gentle, mechanical as it was. “Yes,” Rikos agreed. “She’s fought for every hour she’s had.” “Is she in pain?” Vader asked. Rikos watched in amazement as one big glove brushed back her hair. The gesture seemed oddly tender, out of place in such a hulking brute. “No,” Rikos said. “We’ve controlled her pain quite successfully. She’s sleeping, which means she’s not hurting.” The woman’s injuries were old, but severe. Nothing had healed correctly, and the pain from her wounds and the resulting illnesses wracked her unmercifully. Only her own innate strength and determination had allowed her to live this long. Whatever had happened to her, it had broken her irreparably. Frankly, he was amazed that she had held on this long. “Thank you for that,” Vader replied with a nod of his head. “I don’t want her to be in pain.” Then Vader seemed to forget he was there and Rikos slipped out of the room, wondering at the small seed of pity that had struggled to life in his heart. He felt sympathy for the Dark Lord and he did not want to – still, it could not be denied. ~~~~~~~ The medcenter had fallen strangely silent, as if every being inside kept a vigil with the Dark Lord. The woman’s breaths grew shallower, a change Rikos watched happen on the monitors from another room. Her heart rate grew slower and slower, but still she held on to life as stubbornly as she ever had. Rikos wondered what Vader was doing as the woman slowly died. Was he holding her hand? Brushing back her hair with that strangely tender touch? Did he speak to her in that strange voice of his? And what would he say? Why did he care about her? What had she been to him? The other medics began speaking of going into the room under the guise of giving Vader updates. Rikos, who had not spoken of what he had seen in the room, discouraged them, reminding them of the possible consequences of disturbing the Dark Lord. They cast uneasy glances at each other and muttered under their breath, but soon abandoned the idea. Their curiosity had almost overcome their sense of survival, for to interrupt Vader would have been unwise. Rikos told himself that he was only watching out for his friends when he kept them away from that room. Not even to himself would he admit that he thought that Lord Vader deserved some time alone with the dying woman. What she meant to Vader, he had no idea. He was not sure that even mattered anymore, at least not to him or the other medics. What did matter was the dying woman and the one being in the galaxy who seemed to care about her. Let her make this final passage holding the hand of someone who cared, he thought. At last, the monitors told him that the inevitable had happened. Finally, she had given up the fight and had passed to whatever waited beyond this life. Rikos sighed as he watched the lines go flat and heard the alarms sound. Reaching out, he simply turned them off, for there was nothing to be done. No heroic measures could save the woman. When the other medics would have rushed in to start the rituals that death brought, he put them off with another warning. Somehow, he sensed that Vader would want to be alone with her, even now. Death would hold no fear for one such as him. ~~~~~~~ Rikos did not knock this time. Instead, he quietly opened the door and walked inside. “Lord Vader?” The woman’s face seemed peaceful now, as if she was happy to put down the burden of her struggle. Her hands were folded neatly on her chest, dark hair was brushed back, her skin pale and translucent. Rikos thought she might have been pretty once, with fine dark eyes and soft, dark hair. Now she seemed incredibly frail, with her fine skin stretched taut over her delicate bones. The fight to survive had been long and arduous. “She’s gone now,” Vader said, his tone plaintive and somehow confused. “Yes,” Rikos agreed. Never lie to them, he reminded himself. Soften the truth if you can, but never, ever lie. Death was a truth whose edges could not be blunted. “Thank you,” Vader said unexpectedly. “Thank you for taking care of her. And for leaving us alone.” “Yes, sir,” Rikos replied uncomfortably. “Standard procedure anyway,” he added dismissively. “Yet the other medics wanted to intrude,” Vader observed and Rikos could only stare at him. He had heard rumors of the Dark Lord’s powers, magical powers, some said. He had always dismissed such gossip, but now he wondered… “I do things by the book,” Rikos replied, and that seemed to amuse Vader. “By the book,” the Dark Lord murmured with a nod. “Yes, I understand.” They fell into an uncomfortable silence for a moment and then Rikos finally muttered, “There are forms to fill out, sir.” “Oh, yes, there are always forms,” Vader replied and Rikos detected bitterness in his words. “We must make sure everything is legal and done correctly for the Empire, mustn’t we?” Somehow, Rikos sensed that Vader was not speaking to him anymore, but rather to himself. Rikos handed a data pad to Vader. “Sir, most of this I can attend to,” he offered with a slight, professional smile. He thought of that smile as his “don’t you worry, I will take care of everything” smile. A medic had need of such a thing and he had perfected his early in his practice. Then he shrugged. “But there’s one small detail that you’ll need to supply.” Vader stared at the data pad. “Her name, is that it?” “Yes, sir,” Rikos answered. He shook his head. “We never knew her name. It wasn’t on any of her paperwork and she never…” He glanced at the woman. “She never told us.” “She was quite stubborn,” Vader noted and Rikos thought he sounded oddly proud. “Yes, sir,” Rikos agreed, though he was not sure why. “Very stubborn.” That seemed to please Lord Vader. Vader turned and gazed at the delicate body on the bed. “Her name was…” He paused and then continued forcefully, as he if he pushed the words out only through the greatest act of will. “Leia Org - Skywalker.” Vader moved toward the door. He did not look over his shoulder to gaze at her one last time. Rikos had the impression that her image was seared upon the Dark Lord’s mind. “Thank, Medic Rikos,” Vader said. “I shall not forget your…kindness.” Then he was gone. Rikos gazed down at the woman. “Whoever you were, he felt something for you, I think.” Her peaceful face betrayed nothing. -----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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Helen_Taft Registered: Mar '08	Date Posted: 4/28/08 10:08am Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Ack! You got me. I was totally snagged. Not to mention feeling both scared for the medic, and sorry for Vader. And...totally surprised at the twist at the end. Brilliant job on Vader, abrupt and yet emotional. Lord Vader?” Rikos asked softly. The menacing mask turned his way. “Yes?” The voice was a deep rumble of sound, but there seemed to be no imminent threat, so Rikos took a step forward. “My Lord,” he said with a slight bow. “I wanted to give you an update on her condition.” “She’s dying,” Vader replied bluntly. “That’s all I need to know, isn’t it?” Recalling his own words, Rikos grimaced. “That’s the core of it,” he admitted. Once more, the fearsome mask turned toward the woman. “How long?” Vader asked. That caught me, but then so did... Now she seemed incredibly frail, with her fine skin stretched taut over her delicate bones. The fight to survive had been long and arduous. “She’s gone now,” Vader said, his tone plaintive and somehow confused. “Yes,” Rikos agreed. Never lie to them, he reminded himself. Soften the truth if you can, but never, ever life. Death was a truth whose edges could not be blunted. Ack! How can such a fearsome, ruthless figure come across as so bleak? Superby done! -----signature----- Purgatory (A/P AU) - http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28225076/ I Asked An Angel If I Could Fly (SPN) - http://boards.theforce.net/non_star_wars_fan_fiction/b10808/28873939/p1/?0
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PonyTricks Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 4/28/08 10:57am Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	ACK! That surprised me! I was expecting Padme, or even his mother! -----signature----- Brain: Now, Pinky, if by any chance you are captured during this mission, remember you are Gunther Heindriksen from Appenzell. You moved to Grindelwald to drive the cog train to Murren. Can you repeat that? Pinky: Mmmm, no, Brain, don't think I can.
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Golden_Jedi Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 4/28/08 11:07am Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Vader turned and gazed at the delicate body on the bed. “Her name was…” He paused and then continued forcefully, as he if he pushed the words out only through the greatest act of will. “Leia Org - Skywalker.” Argh, you got me! I was betting for Schmi, or Padmé. Beautiful and sad viggie, anyway! -----signature----- New Bespin Café - come visit THE place for H/L fans http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/29538471 Diving (a H/L intertrilogy AU) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27836852
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Rogue_Pilot_2347 Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 4/28/08 11:38am Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	I was betting Padme, too. I like that. That's a really sweet, sad story. I like the idea, even if it measn Leia has to die at the end....... -----signature----- The Ultimate poetry Challenge: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=26190468&brd=10304&replies=6 Two Halves of the Same Whole: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=27517831&brd=10476&replies=0 *For the 2nd drabble challenge
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ccp Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 4/28/08 1:06pm Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Wow! I was not expecting Leia at all. -----signature----- Padwan to Big Fatty If someone says, "Have a nice weekend," I never say, "You too." Because I never know if, perhaps, by the time the weekend rolls around, I will have other plans for that person. Come Friday, I may wish to have them slain. - George Carli
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Blue_Milkshake Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 4/28/08 1:57pm Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Oh, I had a terrible feeling that it was Leia. Kinda makes you wonder what might have happened if the Dark Lord had found out exactly whom he was torturing during the events of Leia's capture. -----signature----- Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer. --Dave Barry
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Alexis_Wingstar Registered: Sep '06	Date Posted: 4/28/08 5:22pm Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	That was just... Wow! You never fail to floor me with the pictures you paint with words. -----signature----- 3rd time NaNoWriMo Participant 3rd time's the charm, right? RIGHT?
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thusspakezarathustra Registered: May '06	Date Posted: 4/28/08 6:57pm Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Well done. I didn't guess Leia at all. The mood in this piece was great and the minimalist dialogue worked well. Nice irony there with Vader having to comply with the bureaucratic side of things like the form filling. Very original. -----signature----- Life is just one damned thing after another - Jerome K. Jerome
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ROTSFan Registered: Jul '06	Date Posted: 4/28/08 7:13pm Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Oh my, that was wonderful. I was thinking all along it was Padme and then you snuck Leia in there So Vader knew of her relationship to him, apparently. Letting go of his child must have been as hard for him as letting go of Padme, although he had anticipatory grieving to prepare him. -----signature----- Fics in profile; ask me to unlock ~I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything I hoped it would be." - Office Space
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KELIA Title: The Pretty in Pink Fan Fic Manager Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 4/29/08 4:08am Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Leia!! I thought it was Padme. Not that it was less heartbreaking thinking that but....WOW. As horrifying as it was that her injuries never healed, at least she was cared for and not in pain. Though I can't help but wonder what her reaction would have been had she known Vader was by her side when she breathed her last. Great job on this -----signature----- "Do or do not, there is no try." Master Yoda A Light In The Darkness: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28150602/p1/?8 NaNaWriMo Progress: 11,018
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Gina Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 4/29/08 4:37am Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Excellent twist, K! And hauntingly poignant! -----signature----- A long time ago in a house far away, there was a mother who was strong in the ways of the Force. She "forced" her sons to clean their room, she "forced" her sons to behave. - Part of a story written by my 9 yr. old sons I found while cleaning their desks
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MsLanna Title: CR GSFF Central = Offizieller Burger Brater Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 4/29/08 4:56am Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	So - am i the only one who thinks that Vader was the cause of those injures? Maybe I 'm just strange like that. But a great viggie. I also expected it to be Padme. And i love to see that big hunk in some of his softer moments. -----signature----- "You will kill yourself trying to live up to their expectations." "That's okay for me." Cuyir adate jate, bal droten ori'dush Proud Master and buir'ika of Commander_Ducky. My New Title: Lords and Ladies of the Empire
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Corellian_Ale Registered: Mar '08	Date Posted: 4/29/08 7:19am Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	That was amazing! “Oh, yes, there are always forms,” Vader replied and Rikos detected bitterness in his words. “We must make sure everything is legal and done correctly for the Empire, mustn’t we?” Might the bitter irony have finally dawned on Vader? Leia!?!?! -----signature----- "An elegant weapon for more civilized times, eh?" "Well, guess what, times have changed." - "Boss"; RC-1138 Shades of Gray II - Acts of Contrition: http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/30043243
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nabooqueen2008 Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 4/29/08 12:24pm Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	Not expecting Leia at all. That was interesting! Loved the take from the medic's side of things! Please put me on the pm list! ~nabooqueen~
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aethersprite2534 Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 5/11/08 3:35pm Subject: RE: Mystery Lady - OC/Vader - vignette, AU
	wow. stunning, absolutely stunning. i think my favorite line was "death held no fear for one such as him" or somesuch. vader's character was great -----signature----- When life gives you lemons...smash 'em with a bat! - Big Papi! ...but before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean. - Bob Marley You are so broken...
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