Darth Vader - Volume 1 - Heir to the Empire Part 15

Uncertainty breeds fear. Lack of clarity has driven men mad. Perhaps that is what the Emperor intends from this revelation. Maybe, this is all merely a creation of his. Designed to test my loyalty, or to evaluate whether he was right to take me on as his apprentice. It’s understandable why he would question such a matter. After all, Anakin Skywalker had such potential even with an artificial limb diminishing his connection to the Force. My current condition leaves much to be desired.

 

That is not to say that my artificial limbs have rendered me powerless. On the contrary, even in my current state I’ve been able to best multiple Jedi in combat with ease. Is this the power of the dark side? The power of hatred? If I can still accomplish all this in such a broken state, what could I have done had this all been avoided. Could I have saved Padme?

 

Perhaps…..

 

This could all have been avoided had he not turned her against me.

 

Kenobi……

 

This is all your fault.

 

All I wanted was to bring peace, and security to the galaxy. I should have realised sooner that it was the Jedi who orchestrated it all. My bli……Skywalker’s blind devotion to that order doomed the galaxy to three years of galactic war. I will not be so foolish. Though I respect the Emperor, and value his tutelage. I will never trust him. Especially having witnessed how quick he was in the past to dispose of apprentices when he no longer had use for them.

 

For that reason alone, I cannot help but query the claims that the boy has made surrounding his identity. Deep down, I wish them to be false. If only so the inevitable course of action in that scenario can be avoided. But if that is not the case, then it is either him or myself. With all that I’ve sacrificed to get here, I’m not about to allow my position to be endangered by a child.

 

So I now have no choice but to go to Naboo. I haven’t visited that world since Padme passed away. Too much pain. But now I have no choice. For her death to have meant anything, I must guarantee my place as the rightful heir to the Empire when the time comes. However, I cannot risk events transpiring without my attention. No doubt Hassan is already positioning the boy to replace me. I cannot allow that.

 

With all this in mind, I’ve been forced to call upon the services of bounty hunters. Whilst they lack devout loyalty to anyone, their allegiance can be bought for enough credits. Including their silence. Given the tightening security across Coruscant, and with the inevitability of the boy being placed under protection by the security bureau, I need someone who can navigate the city with ease. After all, it is likely that the boy will be moved continuously until his identity can be ratified.

 

Vader: You were unseen?

 

Nen Shao: I made sure that no-one saw me. Can’t say the same for Jagma here.

 

Jagma: Speak for yourself Nen.

 

Nen Shao: This is not the time Jagma.

 

When I sent out for Nen Shao I expected him alone. His abilities to go unseen by Imperial forces are what ensured he was never detained when the Empire seized Mandalore and imprisoned all known Deathwatch sympathizers, and they’re exactly what I require at this moment. This student of his could endanger everything. As such, I take it upon myself to remind Nen just how important secrecy is for his task. Without saying a word, I grab both by the throat using the Force and apply pressure. Both quickly collapse to the ground as they struggle to breath.

 

Vader: This matter requires secrecy of the highest level. It is no place for a child.

 

Jagma: I’m no child.

 

I release both having witnessed how much the boy struggled to utter that simple sentence.

 

Nen Shao: Apologies, Lord Vader.

 

Vader: I do not have time for games, Shao.

 

Nen Shao: Then what is it that you seek?

 

As Shao inquires as to the job I have for him, he slowly makes his way back to his feet.

 

Vader: A child.

 

Jagma: What?

 

Vader: There is a child of great importance here on Coruscant. He has been placed under ISB protection.

 

Nen Shao: Then he must be valuable. Why all the fuss?

 

Vader: That does not concern you.

 

Jagma: Then what is it you want? Abduction? Intimidation?

 

Vader: Observation.

 

Jagma: What!?

 

Nen Shao: You want us simply to observe him?

 

Vader: The boy’s identity remains in question. Until I can be certain of his claims, he is not to be engaged. Observation only.

 

Jagma: You have got to be kidding me. You’ve had us come here with as much as secrecy as possible, only to ask us to spy on someone for you? Don’t you have spies of your own who can do that?

 

Vader: This matter requires a great amount of secrecy. Until the boy’s identity is confirmed, you are to observe only.

 

Jagma: Well what’s so special about who he could be to warrant you dragging us all the way here?

 

Nen Shao: The boy has a point, Lord Vader. For you to have brought us here under such secrecy does raise concern. It would help if you’d just tell us who he claims to be at least.

 

Though I consider mentioning the boy’s name to explain my caution, I decide against it. If he is in fact merely an innocent child being used to exploit the Emperor, then he doesn’t deserve what would come with being known as the Emperor’s son. The pressure of such a title can break almost anyone. Be it son of the Emperor, or the one destined to bring balance to the Force.

 

With my options considered, I do the action that always guarantees a bounty hunter’s silence. I throw them an extra thousand credits each. Both quickly understand. Whoever the child is, he’s obviously of great importance. So much so that even I am unwilling to reveal their identity. In many regards, my action simply entices Shao’s interest in the boy further. But that is irrelevant. His silence has been bought. At least for now.

 

Jagma: And why, pray tell, are you so interested in this boy?

 

Vader: That is not your concern.

 

Jagma: And if I think that it is?

 

Before the boy can properly finish his words, I grab his throat with the Force once again. This time though, I pull him towards me and trap his throat with in the grasp of my hand. With the pressure applied to his throat, he’s unable to speak. But the expression on his face says it all. For a moment or two, I consider releasing him. He’s clearly terrified of what I can achieve which indicates he has no prior experience with a Force wielder, but I decide to go further.

 

I remove the hilt of my blade from my belt and ignite it.

 

Naturally, the boy squirms. Though he may not have encountered a Force user before, it’s evident that he’s well aware of what a lightsaber is, and what it can do. Fortunately for him, I simply place the blade close to his face. Much to his own horror.

 

Given how great a liability I suspect him to be, it’s tempting to remove him from the equation.

 

But alas, there are more pressing matters at hand. R5 signals me that my fighter is ready for departure. How fortunate. With that, I throw the young fool aside before making my way out of the room. In the corner of my eye I notice the boy raise a blaster at me, only to be stopped by Shao. Good. Shao clearly remembers the last time he attempted such a matter.

 

Nen Shao: How long do you expect us to watch him for?

 

Vader: Until I return.

 

Nen Shao: Where are you going?

 

I do not answer his question, simply because I know that providing him with such information all but guarantees the necessity to buy his silence later. But my destination is clear.

 

The homeward of both Padme and my master.

 

Naboo.

Done