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Author	Topic: Fade to Black - (Jedi Purge) Vader finds former Padawan Scout - COMPLETE
MistiWhitesun Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 12/26/06 6:57pm Subject: Fade to Black - (Jedi Purge) Vader finds former Padawan Scout - COMPLETE - Date Edited: 1/6/07 4:24pm (10 edits total) Edited By: MistiWhitesun
	Title: Fade to Black Timeframe: Thirteen years post-RotS Primary Characters: Tallisibeth ("Scout") Enwandung-Esterhazy, Darth Vader Genre(s): Angst, Tragedy Summary: Years into the Jedi Purge, former Padawan Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy's past catches up to her. Disclaimer: Don't own Star Wars; just flattering its creator for creating such a fun universe to play in. Author's Note: I doubt anyone remembers me; it's been well over a year since I've been active here. I wish I could say that this preambles a new plunge into sticking around, but unfortunately such is not the case. I've just never fully released my liking for writing SW fanfics. I do know this story is pretty rough, and does anyone want to beta-read? Not for grammar—I read grammar handbooks for fun—but to help me hash out the story how I want. There's a way I want it to impact the reader, and it needs some more work to do that how I want. There are 4 parts. Even if you don't beta-read, I welcome critique. Just please follow my Requested Reviewing Rules: 1. Don't blaspheme, curse or cuss. 2. Do critique. 3. Do put smilies after jokes. Thanks! Misti P.S. If you like Scout, I have an (old, locked) Scout viggie named "Mutters." Part 1 I should've known it would come to this. Black boots followed by white, stepping off a landing ramp in time to mechanical breathing. Only a flash, one second into the enemy's future before that enemy decides how to act. That's usual, but I watch the man who's unknowingly relayed news of my coming termination; only grimace when the vise of pain grips me. My old control, my old mask reappears as if I haven't spent the last thirteen years getting rid of it. Commander Riller—I always call him "Glit"(terstem) in a southern Corellian drawl that hides my native refined Coruscanti—smiles as he pulls a flask of ale from his desk. "Eh, we can worry about the Empire when they make their demands. As for now, happy nameday—" He stops at my decidedly unusual expression. I'm well-known for casual insolence. "…Loony?" The black-encased figure pauses, examining the eddies of the Force with much more care than he did years ago, when his sensitivity was oh-so-much greater. An impassive blink answers Glit. Master Yoda would be proud. There is no emotion. I let my knees give out as my body wants them to. 'Sweet little' Hal enters at a dead run. 'Little.' He's older than I am. But then, I did get to overhear his dad—his actual father, not the friend who'd adopted him after General Halcyon's death—sing his dear son's praises and tease Commander Skywalker about galactic senators and their friends who tossed them into chancellors' nameday cakes. In another life. I don't think Commander Skywalker ever realized that joke was about him; he'd been terribly drunk when he did that to Senator Amidala. She'd said that he'd come looking for her in a bar; it's more likely that she sought him to keep him out of trouble. He was the drunk one, and she had lobbied for Coruscant Highway Patrol to stop 'obstructing justice' by giving Jedi traffic violation tickets. She won. Commander Skywalker and Senator Amidala. I try not to think about them much. There is no ignorance. I don't want to slip. I flopped the one mission Master Yoda ever sent—took—me on badly enough. Hal hauls me up easily, even with the extra five-plus pregnancy-induced kilos added to my lithe frame. Seventy kilos is heavy for a small girl one and a half kilometers tall, especially one who struggles to keep at or above the twenty-percent–fat minimum needed for a woman to stay healthy. Those bosses I listen to have been nice enough to avoid mentioning that I'm unusually fit for a woman in my condition. Hand-to-hand combat is my forte; I'm not about to lose that because of the baby. If that means I must use katas for exercise, so be it. "Loony, I'm sorry—if I had any idea he was after Ian…" I think my impassivity scares Hal. He's partially right, though. Finding out that Ian won't be around for his baby's birth was a nasty surprise this morning when I'd looked forward to seeing him for the first time in weeks, sneaking a kiss at least, and maybe more if we had a roundup to do. I've had a few weeks' medical leave to (officially) avoid trauma to the baby from a previous job's 'strenuous circumstances' and (unofficially) avoid the Jedi Hunter that Imperial influence was forcing CorSec to cooperate with. That 'trauma' was a weak argument few knew. I conceived him while waiting to jump a Black Sun operative. The mini-explosion of his ignited spark in the Force had been weird—blocked from alerting others by Ian—and actually sensed by me. That had been one of my good days. Another vise of pain. I smile weakly and concentrate before I open my mouth to speak. Glit doesn't need to know what Hal does. He suspects it, certainly; but besides 'Jedi brat' Hal there's only one man I've trusted with what I was. And he's now on Kessel, courtesy of an Imperial Investigator overeager to destroy somebody before the bureaucrats hanged him, who wouldn't—and didn't—recognize a Sith's grandson if he saw one. At least Sideous and Vader won't notice Ian there. Ian always found it amusing that Darth Sideous had so carefully planned his master's death that he'd managed to forget to terminate the threatening children. Darth Plegius' grandson, borne to the Dark Lord's barely-sensitive daughter, some sort of witch; not a Jedi, but not exactly a Sith, either. At least, I think she wasn't a Sith. I'm lucky to perform minor telekinesis on a good day, much less anything complicated; and good days come once every few months. All the same, Ian dared not marry, dared not draw Sideous' attention his way. Especially not when he decided to love me. I'd known all this about my lover before even considering… The vise grips me again, reminding me that I should probably ask for a medic. And that I probably would've been kicked from the Order, imprisoned if not executed before reaching Knighthood if the Masters had thought me studying some things I now know. If I'd even reached Knighthood. My chances always were slim to none, raised to a possibility only because the Order needed everyone they could get in the war. And even then, I narrowly escaped farming. The black figure stands still long enough for his attendant troopers to fidget, recognizing that he's tracking, identifying, someone he once knew. In another life. A Sith with the ability to 'create life.' There is no passion. I almost laugh, Commander Skywalker's 'inexplicable' lack of a father explained in a chillingly precise and horrific manner. Sith choose one apprentice to mold and control, true. But it's often easier to do so with a child of your own making, of your own blood. I know more about Sith and their ways than even Master Dooku, I bet. Ian's witch-mother had been rather well trained by her father, and she'd followed her father's precedent of teaching her student, her son, everything she knew. That was one bad habit Ian retained. Hal's lack of telekinesis comes from being a Halcyon, not from limited Force sensitivity. Ian usually covered for both of us. "Loony!" Hal's slap stings, but it draws my attention. I grit my teeth against the vise and await its passing. "See to Corran, Hal." Finding one Jedi on Corellia will only drive Vader to seek out any others that might linger in my proximity. Hal has a wife and son to worry about. And I'm starting to sound like Master Queen Dog of the Library, as a few of the bolder Padawans and older Initiates called Master Nu, Head Librarian, who even when faced with proof of a locale not in the archives archly insisted that it couldn't exist. False pride. One reason Yoda liked me; scrapping through every step of training stole any scraps of Jedi arrogance headed my way. A glance at Glit and Hal show they're not buying that I'm okay. I force myself into the façade I've developed over the past decade, donning a presumably 'easy' cocky grin so common to Corellians. I flick my hair back for good measure. It's braided, granted, but it's sloppy enough to leave some hair on my cheeks. "I've been off so long… Isn't it your turn?" Hal frowns. "Loony…" "Why don't you both take the day off?" Glit offers in surprising generosity. I examine him sidelong, but he's oblivious that today will be my last. The black-booted feet consider a few different directions. "Ian will be missed by all of us, but that doesn't mean his closest friends shouldn't have some room to mourn." If Kessel kills that Sith brat, I'll be surprised. Ian and I fought to redeem him from the arrogant selfishness of the Sith, but with my death… I flick my hair again, flick aside memories of— There is no death. I close my eyes, aware that even as I do so the telling impassivity returns, as does another grasp around my stomach, this one strong enough to make me breathe in sharply. Will the Masters accept me after I die? Or has consorting with a Dark Jedi tainted me beyond recognition, much less acceptance? Even Master Iron Hand would be hard-pressed to identify this redheaded gal in casual florescent purple slacks and V-neck sack top with matching makeup and jewelry as the clever kid they knew, much less with the pregnant belly swelling out of the shirt. Or the well-worn blaster strapped to my hip. Or the 'forgotten' bra. Much easier to distract criminals that way, I've found. They stare so hard at your top that they don't realize you're armed till you get off at least one shot, maybe two. That's a nice thing about being young. An hour past twenty-seven. Hal's worry spikes—I jerk with surprise that I'm even aware of it. When I look at him, he's glancing past Glit at the flimsies on his desk. The top one tells exactly who the Emperor has sent, this time. "A good day?" Hal asks quietly. Black boots move. Too good. -----signature----- Fade to Black (Vader finds Scout) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25847641/p1 "I should've known it would come to this."
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G__Anakin Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 12/26/06 7:06pm Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Years into the Jedi Purge, a Dark Rendevous character meets Vader
	Looks cool! I really like these type of stories and you did a great job! Is there a PM list? If so please add me. Thanks for the read! -----signature----- Knighted by Courtney_Solo - - - My fanfic - - - Jedi Sith - http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=26751105&brd=10476&start=26759554
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MistiWhitesun Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 12/27/06 8:21am Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Years into the Jedi Purge, a Dark Rendevous character meets Vader
	Thank you, G__Anakin. I'll certainly PM you when I update. ^_^ -----signature----- Fade to Black (Vader finds Scout) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25847641/p1 "I should've known it would come to this."
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MistiWhitesun Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 12/28/06 8:44am Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Jedi Purge fic - Part 1 of 4 posted! - Date Edited: 12/28/06 8:48am (1 edits total) Edited By: MistiWhitesun
	Author's Note: Nobody likes this except for G__Anakin! C'mon. I know there are more Scout fans out there! Part 2 The walk to the Med Center isn't too bad. Walk a few minutes; pause and breathe through a vise. I daren't hope to give birth in time to hide him, to spare him my fate. My Force 'gift' gives me an extra second, an instant into the enemy's future of what he's about to decide. Nothing more. I'm going to die. We both are, my son killed before even given a shot at life. Even parsecs away in Kessel's spice mines, Ian will know. I know he will. And he'll make them pay for it. Ian; darling, cocksure Ian, a pain in the arse with his protection complex, though a terrifying monster with his temper roused. He always did take care of the (unusually) young CorSec girl, not deceived by the birth certificate Senator Organa had forged for me that gave me a few extra years to be old enough to have a quiet degree in hand-to-hand combat, with private trainers willing to swear they'd tutored me. Mister Horn—Hal's adopted father—had gotten CorSec to at least give me a try. My past was clean, more than clean; I had a few people in inconspicuous places willing to vouch for me. The legal and history exams I passed thanks to the detailed classes every Jedi Initiate went through, plus some crash studying for a 'fresher, for more depth, and for filler to know what had changed in the swift War changes and abrupt political shift at its end. Curse the Empire! Can't a girl live? Not a Force sensitive girl; she's too dangerous. Jedi, trained Force sensitives, are infinitely more so. That I'm an exception, a Force strong former Jedi, does me little good, since all Jedi are Force sensitives. Therefore I, a former Jedi, must be Force sensitive. Simple logic, logic granted an exception on my part when my parents begged my Finding Master to relieve them of the extra mouth they couldn't afford to feed. I was never supposed to know about that. Farewell, Ian. Tears threaten, but I can't let them stay. They'll do no good. I'm trapped, as trapped as I've ever been. When I was a Jedi, I lived in fear of others making me a civilian, for most thought I didn't belong; now that I am a civilian—or at least more of one than a Jedi is—I am doomed for my onetime belonging to the Jedi Order. We're dead. When this next vise takes me, I ride through it with a simple pain management meditation, one of the few I was able to learn in my few good days. I'm already dead; why not take advantage of the rare Force manipulation available to me today? CorSec isn't stupid; they suspected what I was, I'm sure. The testers grilled me incessantly, seeking some slip-up from me, something that might make me more of a liability than an asset. I can only surmise that the many months spent learning how to be un-Jedi did me good, for they hired me. And listened to me, a greater compliment. I enter the emergency room while in one of the vises. The nurses look at me, note my rippling belly, and immediately admit me to a maternity ward. They tried directing my breathing, at first. That was before they realized I was doing perfectly fine on my own. I recite the Code in my head—not the simple version that adorned the door to the Council chambers but the full code of law that Jedi had to subscribe to. That's not very interesting, and even less useful for my coming visitor. I drop it before I get very far; far before the 'no attachment' ideal that nobody ever bothered to concretely explain. So many Jedi fell because of that, because they mistook the ideal for the actuality, the oversimplified statement for the truth it stood for. Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering. All true, when they're out of control. That doesn't mean that Jedi can't feel or produce them—even Master Billaba slaughtered who knows how many people in the Summertime War on… wherever she went insane. Every civil person has to learn how to control themselves. We were no different. If we controlled ourselves more than most, we were also more dangerous than most people, as well. Are more dangerous. And I'm going to die for it. There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the Force. The only one of those oversimplified rules I haven't broken in excess would be the 'knowledge' one. Since I'm not dead yet, I of course can't adhere to that rule. "You walked here?!" I don't blame white-haired Ellen for her dismay. But I won't be responsible for her death, not hers or anyone else's that I can help. Call it my Jedi stubbornness if you like; I prefer to call it decency and kindness. I move my arm away from Ellen's hand, away from the stimulant patch she would have me wear. I don't need a stimulant. The black boots move swiftly up stairs, white ones following. Black pauses, and the Whites move into position on the stairway, some leaving to block the other exits. Death will hurt enough. "Please leave." I don't bother with my old façade. Ellen blinks at me. She's tended enough of my injuries—sent enough bacta patches my way—that she's used to my Southern Corellian. The sudden Coruscanti startles her. The others don't move, either. "Get out." Ellen checks my pulse and croons, "Of course, you're cranky—" I yank my arm away, though I don't bother to sit up. I'd rather not learn that I can't by trying and failing. "I'm not cranky," I correct her with the precise irritated diction holocomics once imitated when mocking hero General Kenobi's banter with Commander Skywalker. In another life. That gets Ellen's attention, if not that of the two younger nurses. Her eyes widen. "Miss…" "Get out, Ellen." I speak calmly, keeping the accent. "You don't want anyone in his way." Our eyes meet; she doesn't need to ask who he is. In quiet acquiescence, Ellen gathers the other nurses, who obey their superior despite their confusion. A hand raises with the Dark Side energy that casts open the Med Center main entrance. "You have two minutes to clear the hall," I warn Ellen. Two minutes before he gets here. My unborn son and I have fewer than three minutes left alive. -----signature----- Fade to Black (Vader finds Scout) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25847641/p1 "I should've known it would come to this."
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Rhodna Registered: Nov '06	Date Posted: 12/28/06 9:33am Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Vader finds Scout - Part 2 of 4 up!
	I'm really worried for poor Scout by now, since Lord Vader isn't exactly renowned for his mercy... I really like the fact that you are telling the entire story from her POV, it makes things much more interesting. Add me to the PM list as well! -----signature----- Padawan to Kelia & Padawan Sister to BrentusofGath Old Communist Man: The corn-mash does not explode. On a Tom-the-cat voice: Don't you believe it! Dragonborn - http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25787900/p1/?1 Links to fics in Bio
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G__Anakin Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 12/28/06 12:32pm Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Vader finds Scout - Part 2 of 4 up!
	Great Chapter Poor Scout -----signature----- Knighted by Courtney_Solo - - - My fanfic - - - Jedi Sith - http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=26751105&brd=10476&start=26759554
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Darth_Drachonus Registered: Oct '05	Date Posted: 12/28/06 1:20pm Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Vader finds Scout - Part 2 of 4 up!
	waves hand infront of you You will add me to the update list. You: I will add you to the update list. Me: Keep typing. You: Keep typing. hehe thanks in advance -----signature----- Kill one man, you're a murderer kill a million, you're a king kill them all, you're a god!
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MistiWhitesun Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 12/28/06 6:20pm Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Vader finds Scout - Part 2 of 4 up! - Date Edited: 12/28/06 6:41pm (1 edits total) Edited By: MistiWhitesun
	Rhodna: I'm really worried for poor Scout by now, since Lord Vader isn't exactly renowned for his mercy... That he isn't, though he isn't exactly a poster-boy Sith, either, if you take my meaning. I really like the fact that you are telling the entire story from her POV, it makes things much more interesting. Really? How so? Add me to the PM list as well! Gladly! G__Anakin: Great Chapter Thank you. Would you mind specifying "great" how? Poor Scout Yeah… I am being pretty darn mean to her, am I not? Blame it on my preference for gothic literature and music. EDIT: Why do I get the feeling you're going to hate me after the next post? Darth_Drachonus : waves hand infront of you You will add me to the update list. You: I will add you to the update list. Me: Keep typing. You: Keep typing. Huh? I'm half Betazoid—mind tricks don't work on me, only feedback! Oh, I'm crossing my fandoms; sorry! :P hehe thanks in advance Okay, you're added, but I'm going to nag you for more feedback when I get post 4 up. Thanks, readers. -----signature----- Fade to Black (Vader finds Scout) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25847641/p1 "I should've known it would come to this."
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MistiWhitesun Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 12/29/06 7:00am Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Vader finds Scout - Part 2 of 4 up!
	A/N: So more people do like this. Thank you for letting me know. Thanks for commenting! -Misti Part 3 Mechanical breathing—black armor—reaches the door and doesn't stop. "Commander Skywalker." I don't open my eyes when he flings the door open, but I hear him pause. "You will call me by my name." The steady mechanical breathing is creepy, a form of enslavement in itself. The very concept of slavery used to drive him up the bulkhead. How does he stand it? "Commander?" There is peace. One of the few things Senator Organa told me before shipping me to Corellia: Senator Amidala believed (her) Anakin was still in there somewhere. Not that Organa said it outright, but I was well versed at picking up meaning from hints even then. If anyone knew Skywalker, she had. Had. I've never been convinced that Skywalker killed her, either, though I wouldn't be surprised if Palpatine's made him believe it. "I am Lord Vader." I gasp at the pain of this vise. The mask tilts to the side as he considers me: a fallen Jedi, doomed to die, doomed to lose my son even as I birth him. But I'm Force strong, not sensitive; might… No, no might. He'll take his time; that's why he hasn't drawn his blade on me yet, though the threat in his voice warns that he considers my previous address an insult. Why did I call him 'Commander Skywalker,' anyway? "My apologies, m'lord. Lord Tyrannus always did prefer being called 'Count Dooku.'" Surprise. I can sense a Sith's surprise. That it's slimy like Ian's makes me shiver. "You… surprise me, Padawan." He remembers me. He must remember Whie, too, then: poor Whie, who foresaw his death coming at Skywalker's hands and thought it meant that he himself would turn to the Dark Side, not Skywalker. And that it wouldn't happen when he didn't turn. The future is "always in motion," after all. I reminded him of that. How stupid we were. Whie's foresight always came true. Another 'gift' of Darth Sideous? "It's Officer," I correct him tersely as this vise starts. "I'm in CorSec…" Fool! Now he'll go after Hal! "Thank you for that information." "What 'information'? That I was able to be the normal person I would've eventually been anyway?!" I can't believe I tipped him about CorSec. I know better! He shifts slightly. Had he not remembered my abnormal (for a Jedi) normalcy? More likely he never knew; in our other life I was virtually useless and I wasn't the Naboo Senator: nobody worth Commander Skywalker's notice. Can he not notice now? "Clearing the hall to accept your death. How Jedi of you." A verbal attack?! What, trying to convince me of my Jedi-ness? …Or convince himself? Curse the thought-fogging pain! "Try realistic! Not everyone's blessed with outrageous amounts of midichlorians, Oh Great Chosen One!" Red flash— His lightsaber slices my side open as I scream from the one-second premonition. There's a cursed instant where the pain from the vision and pain from his blade overlap, making the final pain from his blade an improvement. He avoided the baby. There is knowledge. The premonition tells me aim with weapon, and this abdominal delivery is going to be a living Hell. Tears make it impossible for me to see. I gasp, somewhat grateful for the good day that makes it possible to think despite the damage, to release pain into the Force. "Curse you, Skywalker," I pant. So the suit has significantly dulled his Force sense, but it's still far better than mine. "My apologies for the insult, m'lord." "Really." He doesn't believe me. I don't blame him; I don't really believe myself. So why lie? "No, not really." He wants me to call him 'Lord Vader.' Lord of what? He isn't a lord over me. "Commander." Another scream from another strike. "Silence!" My laugh's hysterical. "So I can become another nameless, faceless Jedi you've killed and forgotten?! I don't think so." "I remember everyone!" Everyone? By the Force. "I'm sorry." Abruptly, the living Hell before me doesn't seem so bad. As for after it—well, that's in the Force's hands. I took mine out of it years ago when I started putting them somewhere no Padawan's should go and ultimately made this baby. Silence but for the harsh mechanical breathing and the too-familiar hum of an ignited lightsaber. I get enough of a handle on the searing pain to squint at him as I struggle to breathe properly. This can't be good for the baby. Though why I should worry about that moot point now is beyond me. Force! Another vise makes me scream. The cold hand on my belly makes me flinch, but the pain recedes. The recession is nice, though the… tinge to it is nauseating. Not much worse than Ian's, really. No worse than Ian's. I don't say 'thank you.' Just his help is a break from Sith principles, even if he is going to kill me in a few minutes. "You loved her." I know I'm hanging myself by revealing my knowledge to Darth Vader, but I'm dead anyway. He stiffens. "Senator Amidala." He's frozen, staring at me, astonishment and bewilderment radiating in his Force energy. And pain. "She had good taste." Insulted. "Had." "I would say has, but I'm not sure if Force-strong people can consciously linger in the Force after they die." Honesty. I wonder how often he hears that. "Like you." I think my silence answers that as well as a reply would, and I'm drained. It's so cold in here… I almost wish for the end, though I cringe at what Ian's response to that will be. I swallow tears. Incredulous. "I'm 'good taste'?" Shrugging is an impossibility. "You don't kill indiscriminately." This vise makes me squeak in pain before Vader catches and numbs it for me. I guess he likes this conversation. "You're almost sane," I say quietly. There is serenity. "At least you have a reason when you kill people." "…Thank you." Offering a Sith a compliment. If the Masters were going to be wary of my before, they will certainly shun me now. "He's lied to you a lot, hasn't he?" Palpatine. That's the way of Sith: everyone else is always expendable. In the several seconds of silence that follow, I wonder if I've pushed him too far. Black hand lowers—red humming light vanishes. "Do you want to live?" I don't bother to look at my torso, the sides sliced open. It would make me throw up. Kidneys, intestines… I know there's more in that area that's overcrispy at the moment. Curable, maybe, but Vader has a Master to sate, one who will undoubtedly notice if he neglects to kill the Jedi he's found. "Thanks, Commander, but… bit late for that, huh?" He considers it, nods and— Red light, swift exploding pain and abrupt blindness. I screech with the rough abdominal delivery, expert only in Vader's handling of his lightsaber. He used to be better, but he does manage quite well even with all that added machinery. When I can see again, he holds my son, but I can't feel any more concerned than I would've been if Ian were the one there, holding the boy. "I should've been a politician" like Senator Amidala. Can I be heard? Probably not. Pity I wasn't born on Naboo; that would've been doubly ironic. White-tinged red light exploding into— There is the Force. There's also an insane Sith in charge of the galaxy. -----signature----- Fade to Black (Vader finds Scout) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25847641/p1 "I should've known it would come to this."
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G__Anakin Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 12/29/06 2:22pm Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Vader finds Scout - updated, part 3 of 4 posted!
	That was cool, I think What happended? Great Chapter, can't wait until tomorrow. Thanks for the PM -----signature----- Knighted by Courtney_Solo - - - My fanfic - - - Jedi Sith - http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=26751105&brd=10476&start=26759554
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MistiWhitesun Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 12/30/06 9:28am Subject: RE: Fade to Black - Vader finds Scout - updated, part 3 of 4 posted! - Date Edited: 12/30/06 9:37am (2 edits total) Edited By: MistiWhitesun
	Thanks, G__Anakin. Your very response tells me I may need to work on that part, but anyway, here's part 4! A/N: This is my last post of this story! Please critique! Or if it's not worth critiquing, please tell me! Part 4 The corpse looking at him lacked the useless fury or pitiful begging of an enemy or the inhuman serenity or pity of a Jedi. It was a face full of pain, yet… understanding, as if she recognized the man beneath the armor, knew what had driven him to be what he was. It wasn't pity. And it as sure as the Dark Side wasn't compassion. There was some fear, certainly, but for another. Or the child—she'd accepted him as dead with herself. Concern for someone else, someone she thought much like him. Vader. Vader had killed many Jedi since his fiery birth. Jedi begged—for him to spare them, others; himself. They condemned what he had become. She had not. She had accepted it. This woman was a civilian. Lord Vader stared at her, Padawan— No, he corrected himself. Officer. Officer what? Not Enwandung-Esterhazy, and he hadn't asked. He had been surprised to realize that she'd survived so long, though it made sense. She'd been Force strong rather than sensitive, so after escaping the initial destruction she would be hard to find. He picked up her son, who squalled from his mother's passing. He let the boy cry. There was no shame in it. The Force shone in the boy, more brightly than he would've expected. Who was the father, another Jedi? No. CorSec's face, her… comprension, belied that. Surely Master Yoda's favored Padawan hadn't come to love a Dark Jedi? More likely the Force came as a throwback from her, and the child had been an unfortunate side effect from a security mission gone wrong. CorSec hadn't bothered wishing for something besides what she knew had to happen; it would have been impossible for her to hide from him. Not Jedi fatalism—pure realism. His troopers didn't comment when he returned to them with the infant. He had a commander quietly find a nurse for the child and didn't contact Corellian Security yet, waiting for the news first. Holovids by the end of the day revealed the woman's death: "Loony," Tass Marjole was called, notorious for her exceptional albeit insane security maneuvers that usually ended up working. Polite inquiry into her personal connections failed to produce news of any marriage, and Commander Riller proved less empty-headed and braver than Lord Vader expected. "Why did she die, my lord?" He stopped at the door. The man had no idea of Miss CorSec's former Jedi connections, and it made little difference. They both knew who had killed her. "An unfortunate case of mistaken identity." "She was a blasted good officer. I won't be able to replace her." "The Empire extends its apologies." The man wasn't accusing him; he was understandably upset. "That's two exceptional officers that I've lost to accidents in the past few weeks. I don't suppose the Empire plans to take any more?" "Two?" "Inspector Baite sent Ian to Kessel for no good reason besides the bureaucracy getting hot on his butt." "You are… bold, to speak to me this way." "It'd be bold if I lacked evidence. I'm respecting the dead, my lord. Loony would have done the same were she here; just filling her place." The man smiled wanly. "She was a blasted good officer." He hated Imperial governors and inspectors who gave the Empire such a bad name by their political nonsense. "I will look into the matter." Commander Riller bowed. "Thank you, my lord." He hesitated. "Loony was…" "Her child died." The lie came easily even as Lord Vader decided what to do with the infant. Miss CorSec had called herself Marjole: Tallis Marjole, in honor of his mother, then. Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy had been no threat to the Empire. He didn't mind giving her the honor she was due, at least for the gift she'd provided the Empire. A trip to Bast Castle and permanent employment for the nurse wouldn't be too difficult to arrange; nor would it be hard to avoid exposure of his adoption. Few knew he had taken the infant. The troopers involved were expendible. Darth Sideous would not rule forever; one day, he would be replaced, overthrown by his apprentice as dictated the great Sith tradition. In that day, the apprentice would become the master. And that master would need an apprentice. -----signature----- Fade to Black (Vader finds Scout) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25847641/p1 "I should've known it would come to this."
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G__Anakin Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 12/30/06 7:12pm Subject: RE: Fade to Black - (Jedi Purge) Vader finds former Padawan Scout - COMPLETE
	Poor Scout Is there going to be a sequel. I would suggest it PM me if you do! Great Story!! -----signature----- Knighted by Courtney_Solo - - - My fanfic - - - Jedi Sith - http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=26751105&brd=10476&start=26759554
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Rhodna Registered: Nov '06	Date Posted: 12/31/06 3:14am Subject: RE: Fade to Black - (Jedi Purge) Vader finds former Padawan Scout - COMPLETE
	I'm really sorry for Scout, though it is ironic that she could understand vader's motivations, even when he was her slayer. I'm glad he at least spared the child, though a life lived in the Darkness isn't exactly mercy either. I am really wondering if Ian has felt Scout's death and if he'll try to get his son back? -----signature----- Padawan to Kelia & Padawan Sister to BrentusofGath Old Communist Man: The corn-mash does not explode. On a Tom-the-cat voice: Don't you believe it! Dragonborn - http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25787900/p1/?1 Links to fics in Bio
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jaina_clan_solo Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 12/31/06 6:03pm Subject: RE: Fade to Black - (Jedi Purge) Vader finds former Padawan Scout - COMPLETE
	This was a good story, I really liked the way you portrayed Scout's acceptance of the inevitable. I'm very sad that things ended the way they did... and that Vader now has control over her child wonderful job! jcs -----signature----- Proud Padawan of BigFatty! Leading Blade http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/25450817/p1 NEW! Moments in Time http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/25790697/p1/?2
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Raptor517 Registered: Sep '06	Date Posted: 1/1/07 11:39am Subject: RE: Fade to Black - (Jedi Purge) Vader finds former Padawan Scout - COMPLETE
	I