| Author |
Topic:
A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB. Reader replies 03/17
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Sache8
Registered:
Mar '00
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Date Posted:
3/15/03 9:58pm
Subject:
A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB. Reader replies 03/17
- Date Edited:
5/13/03 9:23am (2 edits total)
Edited By:
Sache8
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A Name From the Past
The bridge of the Executor was a place feared by many, and for good reason.
Because I have made it so.
Lord Vader tightly clenched his fist at his side with pleasure. Fear was like a drug to him. He fed off it, used it to strengthen his power, to dominate the weak. The Executor’s crew made for ample sustenance. Here, he was master. Here, he had built his legacy.
But lately it did not seem to be enough.
Some might say it was unfortunate that Darth Vader was forced to wear a mask. But right now he was thankful for the anonymity it afforded him. He did not want anyone to even catch a glimpse of the thoughts running through his mind.
He had long lived under the shadow of his master. He had learned much about the Dark Side and the Sith. He had learned to trust his feelings, to feed off his emotions. For many years he had reveled in the glory and power it brought him, but now the elation had faded, leaving him hungry for more.
For over a thousand years the tradition of the Sith had been passed down. From master to apprentice. And it had always been to one apprentice, never more.
Now he understood why.
He had destroyed Tyranus to earn his place at his master’s side, eager to learn how to harness new heights of power. He had learned what was necessary, and…
Now he wanted to be the master.
There. He had finally let himself acknowledge the thought. He drew his Force shields tightly around him, wanting to hide it. Though, truth be told, it probably didn’t matter. Palpatine had not built an Empire by being a fool; doubtless, he expected such thoughts from Vader for years.
Tyranus had entertained such thoughts. Idly, Vader realized that it was probably for that reason that Palpatine had encouraged the Count’s downfall. Tyranus had been brought up to command, to lead. He had tasted the potent wine of power long before encountering the Sith. Tyranus had been a noble, a politician, a warrior-- Vader was only one of these things. It came as no surprise that his journey to this point had been so much longer.
But now he had reached it. So what would he do about it?
And if I was the master, who would be MY apprentice?…
“Lord Vader,” said a curt voice at his elbow.
With slow deliberation, Vader turned to regard the young officer standing there. The man’s face was a perfectly chiseled sculpture of military discipline- impassive, betraying nothing. But beneath his calm exterior Vader could sense apprehension.
“Yes, Lieutenant?”
“Milord,” the young man began, straightening himself and lifting his chin, “I have assembled the reports you requested. I am sorry for the delay.”
“Then I trust you have not returned empty handed?”
“No, milord.” The anxious Lieutenant extended his palm upward, displaying a small, discreet black datacard. “What details I was able to discover,” he continued, “are all contained in those files. There is not much, but then…you did not request much. Although it was very difficult to accomplish.”
“Yes, Lieutenant.”
He had wanted to learn the identity of the pilot who’d destroyed the Death Star. The pilot was strong in the Force, and thus a dangerous enemy to the Empire. The pilot had been strong in the Force--enough so that he could present a danger to the Empire--so Vader was interested in finding him, and destroying him quickly.
“Did you discover his name?”
“Yes, milord. Skywalker. Luke Skywalker.”
If Vader had been grateful that his face was hidden behind a mask before, it was nothing to how grateful he was now.
“Skywalker?” he repeated. He knew his vocal modulator would make the word sound as ominous as everything else he said, but the word came out of his true mouth like a curse from the past. It had been a long, long time since he had said that word. It felt strange to say it now.
“Yes, milord,” the oblivious young Lieutenant said again.
“Good work, Lieutenant,” said Vader. “You may go.”
The military, with the exception of the very highest levels, did not know the whole truth about his past. They knew he had been a Jedi, but not his name nor the man he had been. He hoped that he had not betrayed anything. It had been a dangerous moment.
Skywalker…
Was it possible?
Of course it was. He knew it to be true.
If Palpatine had been looking for a day when Vader’s thoughts would turn rebellious, then Vader had been looking for the day when his own past would catch up with him.
You knew. You always knew. She told you the day you left.
He always knew he had a child, somewhere. Or that he should have a child, anyway. He had searched in vain to find the child, but Kenobi had slipped like smoke from his fingers.
His mind filled with fury as he suddenly realized…. Kenobi!
That was why Kenobi had allowed himself to be destroyed!
His hand clenched again, this time around the datacard and the revealing information it contained. He opened up to the Force and reached back to that moment, almost a year ago. Kenobi had been distracting him… from what?
Drawing on enhanced Force memories, he brought to his mind an image: Kenobi, smiling, giving in. Vader, full of anger at rage at his former master, and consumed by nothing else.
Vader closed his eyes, forcing himself to remember more clearly. At that moment, there had been a shout… a young man’s shout…Kenobi had waited until that moment for his distraction. He had been toying with Vader, carefully guarding his true intentions. Vader recalled the look of triumph in his eyes.
I’ve won, the eyes seemed to say. As we both knew I would.
That had made Vader even angrier than before, infuriating him to the point of striking his master down. Thus Kenobi’s distraction had succeeded, and, caught in his own emotions, Vader had completely ignored the young man and his futile screams.
What a fool he had been! He had always known Kenobi was one of the few who might successfully keep his child hidden from him.
I should have searched harder.
But it had not been possible then. The Empire had been undergoing too many changes, too many small wars for him to have taken the time; there had been the Purges, among other things, all of which had taken his attention. Besides, Palpatine would never have let him out of sight without ample cause.
And yet the existence of his child would have been plenty enough cause for the Emperor. In fact, it would have been a priority. But Vader had never disclosed the information to Palpatine.
Why?
He shoved the thought aside. A small voice lingered in the back of his mind, that voice he had never quite been able to shake away, though it had been ignored for over nineteen years. Tonight it was more persistent than usual; stronger than it had been since...
His face darkened. He whirled around, the black cape whirling with him. He strode down the walkway of the Executor’s bridge.
As he progressed, Vader pondered again the possibility of seeking out an apprentice of his own. The answer had literally come right into his grasp. The night's events seemed to be the will of the Force. He would have an apprentice, just as the Sith had originally decreed. There would be two of them--two to finally bring order to the galaxy.
He wanted Luke Skywalker, his son. With another of Skywalker blood at his side, he would become far more powerful than he had ever dreamed. Certainly powerful enough to defeat Palpatine.
With a final swirl of ebony black, he exited the bridge, purpose in his step. He had work to do.
-----signature-----
Everything inside you knows there's more than what you've heard
There's so much more than empty conversations filled with empty words
You're on fire when He's near you; You're on fire when He speaks.
You're on fire burning at these mysteries.
~ Switchfoot
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ForbiddenAngel
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
3/15/03 11:23pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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It's interesting. I like it soo far! Keep it up!
|Angel|
-----signature-----
"Are you an angel?"-Anakin
"I used to think if you looked too deeply into the glass, you would lose yourself."-Padme
Not all who wander are lost.-J.R.R. Tolkien
imagine- http://digital-heaven.net/imagine.htm For the real Padme and Anakin lovers!
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crystalrain
Registered:
Jan '03
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Date Posted:
3/15/03 11:51pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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Well done, I think you did a good job of getting into Vaders head.
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Gabri_Jade
Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus
Registered:
Nov '02
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 1:55am
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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You know I love it, Sache. Beautiful. 
-----signature-----
Evil Twin of LadyPadme  This concept of "wuv" confuses and infuriates us! - Futurama All I can do is be me. Whoever that is. -Bob Dylan The Space Between Heartbeats - L/M AU vig http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/28870280 !!11!1eleventy
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Jedi_Johnson
Registered:
Apr '02
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 6:56am
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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Great work Sache. You write Vader very well. 
J_J
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Why so serious?
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Mar17swgirl
Registered:
Dec '00
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 9:21am
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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Wow, wow, wow! I'm truly impressed by your Vader characterization, Sache! There are few writers who can write Vader WELL, and I think you're among them.  Awesome job!
-----signature-----
*opens door* "Oh, I'm… oh…"
"What is it, Lieutenant Sebastian?"
"It's just the Rebels, sir. They're here."
"My God, man! Do they want tea?"
"No, I think they're after something more than that, sir. I don't know what it is, but they brought a flag."
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Monica_Skywalker
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 10:46am
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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Wonderful job! I agree with the others, you did a brilliant job getting inside Vader's head!
-----signature-----
Proud Anakin lover 
See profile for links to fics!
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darla101
Registered:
Feb '03
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 12:05pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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Wow. Thats fantastic. Just loved it!
-----signature-----
Proud Master to Lady_Eirtae & padmay_skywalker "Someday when I ask you what it feels like to kill, don't lie to me. Don't tell me you don't feel a thing." Secrets and Lies - ROTS AU (A/P, Si/O) http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/20624329/
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red_rose_knight
Registered:
Sep '01
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 5:53pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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It was really interesting how you portrayed Vader's lust for power. I really enjoyed this story.
-----signature-----
The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon.
– Robert Cromier
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Sara_Kenobi
Registered:
Sep '00
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 6:10pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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Great writing there Sache8. You captured Vader perfectly. That's no easy task.
-----signature-----
A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was once a pupil
of mine before he turned to evil, helped hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights.
Obi-Wan, ANH.
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Princess1
Registered:
Dec '01
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 8:05pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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I tottaly agree with Sara, its like you captured Vader from the movies and put him unto the computer screen. Great job! You should make this into a longer story.
-----signature-----
"Weddings! I love weddings, drinks all around! " Captian Jack of course!
Fortress Bestower of Hero Kisses
I am Red Jenny Flint, passionate and daring damsel of "Freedoms Fire"
BUNG! A new word. Just don't ask what it means. 
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RebelMom
Title: TFF Secretary
Registered:
Apr '00
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Date Posted:
3/16/03 9:14pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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wonderful characterization Sache. I love reading your writing.
-----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
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geo3
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
3/17/03 6:48am
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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Yay! A Vader fic! A Vader fic!
And it's really Vader. You've done a great job with this. I loved everything about it.
-----signature-----
"Love is higher than opinion. If people love one another the most varied opinions can be reconciled - this is one of the most important tasks for humankind today and in the future is that we should learn to live together and understand one another. "
===
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JediFalcon
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
3/17/03 7:28am
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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wow I like this you have Vader down perfectly too nice work keep it up
-----signature-----
Rogue Three in FFC Rogue Wing, Ward rm #306 Council Member of the Lightside Master to Stridarious Crimson makes my heart go Master of BYS AHBY The Impeccably Patient Drugged-Out Lunatic of the Skies I wonder whats my purpose in life
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Sache8
Registered:
Mar '00
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Date Posted:
3/17/03 4:45pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB.
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Thanks everyone for reading. I was just conveniently moving my little Vader Vig to the pretty new boards and picked up lots more readership. I'm quite flattered.
ForbiddenAngel: I'm afraid that this was only a one-poster, but thanks for reading. If you want to read (sort of) more, I wrote another Vader Vig called "A Promise Fulfilled," for which there is a link in my bio. I'm probably going to be moving that one too, once DRL gives me half a minute to do it
crystalrain: Getting into Vader's head can be an unnerving experience. I thank you
Gabri: Thanks, Gabri. Nice to see you here... again
Jedi_Johnson: Hey, long time no see pal. Glad you enjoyed.
Mar17:  I don't try to penetrate Vader's mask often. He's a tough cookie to crack and it's absolutely exhausting! But thank you so much.
Monica_Skywalker: **bows** Thank-you. As I told the others, writing Vader is a somewhat unique experience from most of my other writing.
darla101: Gracias. I like your username by the way. Reminds me of the Little Rascals. I need to see that movie again, it's really cute...
red_rose_knight: Lust for power seems to be the only thing that motivates those Sith guys. Vader reflects a little more on this topic in my other Vader vig, "A Promise Fulfilled."
Sara_Kenobi: "You captured Vader perfectly. That's no easy task." Heh, you're telling me. Thanks.
Princess1: "...its like you captured Vader from the movies and put him unto the computer screen. Great job! You should make this into a longer story." Wow! That was some kind of nice compliment. I don't have any inspiration to make this a longer work, unfortunately.
RebelMom: Thanks. You're one of the most awesome readers ever!
geo3: Hehe! Happy to oblige you. If you like, you can try out my other Vader short too. **whispers** I actually like that one better of the two**
JediFalcon: Thanks ever so much. The one post is all though, I'm afraid...
Thanks again, everyone!
-----signature-----
Everything inside you knows there's more than what you've heard
There's so much more than empty conversations filled with empty words
You're on fire when He's near you; You're on fire when He speaks.
You're on fire burning at these mysteries.
~ Switchfoot
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Mystic_Ally
Registered:
Feb '03
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Date Posted:
3/19/03 1:25pm
Subject:
RE: A Name from the Past; Vader vig between ANH and ESB. Reader replies 03/17
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Great start! I meant to review earlier but my computer wouldn;t let me. I love this, you have Vader down perfectly, though I'm obviously not the only person who thinks so
UUPPP!!
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