Delusions of Grandeur

Space is a really empty place and I really hate this fighter. It feels like Vader. I remember I just stopped in dead space and stared for along time at nothing, thinking, in shock.

Vader was Anakin. How’s that for a nasty surprise? Part of me was hurt, part mad as Fell. I had to keep reminding myself that none of this had happened yet.

But it would.

Not on my watch. I WILL stop it.

“Where do you think you are going?” a voice said over the commutation terminal.

Vader!

“How’s yours face?” I asked smartly.

“Sticky. You know I can bring you back. I can control the fighter from here,” he told me.

I glared. “Try it and I’ll kill you.”

“No, you won’t.”

“Stop saying that, you over-grown Wookie!”

The engines powered back up on their own. The fighter-changed course, back the way I had just came. Nothing I did could break the hold Vader had over the Fighter. I cussed, slammed my hand in the controls. Then I had a Kenobi moment. I tried a different approach.

“Vader?”

“What?”

“You said couldn’t change what happens, but maybe I can change enough and you might not end up in that suit,” I said slowly. “Have you considered that?” Clever, no? “Wouldn’t you like to be free of it?” I asked, going on. “Free of the constant pain?”

There was heavy breathing for ten minutes. I waited; I knew I had hit a tender spot.

The engines powered down.

“Go.” Was a he said.

Like he had to say it twice!

I headed for the wormhole.