Delusions of Grandeur

A few days ago I was I trying out my new saber in earnest. The color of the blades doesn’t bother me. Remember, I have a red one myself. You'll have to read back for that story. I'm not proficient with double blades but it takes practice. Especially seeing how most double blades don't work out so good with short Jedi. Vader's gift was the perfect size with shorter blades.

I was practicing when Vader stormed in. He didn't say anything. He didn't have too. The Force tells us things, well right about then it started screaming. I was just about to duck for cover when Vader stepped in front of me. He whipped his cape around, shielding us from the blast as the windows of the room I was in exploded five seconds later.

When the smoke cleared, I looked up at him. I took a step back and removed his arms from me. He saved my life. That surprised me. I half expected him to shove me closer to the blast or something, not shield me from it. Okay, not really.

Vader pointed a finder. "Not a word!" he snapped, and then swung around to the troopers running into the room. "Find out who is responsible for this and bring them to me. NOW!"

I peered out the broken windows as they left just as fast as they entered. "Was that aimed for you or me?"

"You. Get away from the windows," he barked.

I was stepping back when he grabbed my arm and started pulling out the room. Quickly, Vader rushed us down the hallway. I sensed over protectiveness coming form him. Odd coming from him, as you can imagine.

Odd enough to remind me of Anakin and make my feet lock in place.

Vader whipped around. "Move!"

The craftsmanship of the saber, the blond hair, the over protectiveness…

I stared at him, eyes wide. Nah! No blasted way!

Vader snapped his finger in my face. "What is a matter with you?"

"Just how well do I know in my time?" I said.

"Now isn't the time for this," Vader barked, jerking my arm.

"I'm not moving until you answer me."

With growl, Vader snatched me up and tossed me over his shoulder. That didn't help with my line of thinking. He was NOT the only person I know that has done that to me.

"Put me down, you Wookie!" I shouted.

"Shut up, woman."

"Oh, we’re back to that, are we?" I kicked my foot back, going for his head. I missed and he pinned my legs down.

We reached a dome shaped thing, something I have never seen before. Vader pressed a button and the top came up reviling an entryway. He dropped me roughly in the chair in the middle of it and pointed his finger in my face.

"Move from that chair and I'll pop your head."

That burned my buttons. I kicked him right in the shin. Which happened to be durasteel. Ouch!

Vader slammed his hands down on armrests. "Do I look like I'm playing around here?"

"I wouldn't know. I can't see your face, remember?"

With a snort he left, closing me in this egg looking thing! I up and out that chair, banging on the walls, yelling. All I got was sore hands and headache from the echo. What the frack was this place? There were a lot buttons and strange mechanical arms on the roof. The air in here felt different, too, cleaner, crisper.

I got nosy. He never tells me anything anyway.

I discovered this was a mediation chamber. From what I could tell by digging around in the computer console, Vader could take his helmet off in here and still be able to breathe. I also found out I was the planet of Vjun and his home was called Bast Castle. The ship we had been on was called the Executor.

My mind was reeling, my thoughts jumbled and what I read made me want to cry. It was an in detail description on how much of Vader wasn’t human anymore and read out of his 'accident' ten years ago.

I can't put down all the details. It makes my stomach curl at the thought of it. Makes sense why he not a happy guy, you know?

I couldn't hear a sound outside the chamber but when Vader came back and was standing outside, I could hear him breathing. He opened the door and with one look, knew I knew more than he intended me to find out.

Vader wanted me to stay here; did he think he could keep me fully in the dark? Not to mention my question from earlier still needed to be answered. I mean, the similarities between him and Anakin were adding up in my head. I know didn’t go in to detail on that before. It just doesn’t make sense. Anakin would never, ever, become a Sith.

Oh, Vader knew what I was thinking. I could tell.

"If I asked you to take off your helmet in here would you do it?" I asked.

"No."

"I want some answers."

"I'm sure you do," he replied.

"Will I get them?"

"In time."

Better than the usual no, or maybe. I bit my lip. My head was still going over what I had just read. It really made me feel bad for him, Sith or not.

"You can come out now," Vader said.

I walked passed him, pausing to look over my shoulder. "Does it hurt?" I asked, referring to the suit.

"Every damn second."

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Vader placed his hand on my cheek and for the first time it didn't seem odd or crazy. "I don't deserve your compassion."

"But you want it or I wouldn't be here." I changed the subject, quickly. It was getting too serious. "Did you catch who blew out the windows?"

"No, but I will. Someone doesn't want you to here and I have idea who." His hand lifted to stop my question. "Later."