Two Halfs of One Warrior • Obikin/Vaderwan One-Shots

Heat Shimmer

• Summary: "Count on nothing. Only change." -Qui-Gon Jinn, Mark of the Crown

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Obi-Wan Kenobi, a suppressed alpha, is on Geonosis during the events of Attack of the Clones, investigating a lead. Thirteen years later, preheat omega Darth Vader is on Geonosis, supervising the sterilization of the planet for the Empire. The Force decides on a whim to deliver the latter to the former, and delights in the mess it makes: Vader's heat hits hard, overwhelming Obi-Wan's suppressants, and Obi-Wan is forced to confront a future he never imagined possible.

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Darth Vader did not appreciate being sent on errands. It was beneath his notice to investigate trivial anomalies, and he would have delegated the task, if it hadn't been ordered by Tarkin. He was perfectly aware that the Emperor wanted him to play nice with the Grand Moff, so he was on a shuttle to the surface of the planet, surrounded by a squadron of troopers and one very uncomfortable lieutenant, to fulfill the mission.

The sterilization of Geonosis was almost complete, the entire planet having been gassed as part of the pacification of the Outer Rim, with conservative estimates counting 100 billion of the native hive species eradicated-but the analysis of the planet's surface indicated there was still a pocket of activity. Tarkin wanted it investigated and eliminated, so Vader would obey.

The scanners had seen something like a new castle being built, which didn't make any sense given the overwhelming and final devastation of the population. The shuttle landed next to the coordinates, and Vader stepped out into the too-familiar rocky desert. He was grateful that everything was filtered red through his helmet's optical lenses, it provided a sense of distance from unwelcome memories.

Anakin Skywalker had gone into heat and lost a hand here. Anakin Skywalker had kissed his angel here. Anakin Skywalker almost lost an Apprentice in a battle here.

Darth Vader had no feelings about the planet.

He felt satisfaction at the enforcement of the Emperor's justice, that was all. He would feel even more satisfaction if this trip ended in violence. He was not feeling particularly generous on that day, as he felt the familiar, rising swell of preheat. The humans among the Sith did not suppress their biological instincts, rather used them for more power, but Vader had to admit that they were sometimes inconvenient.

He just had to finish up this mission, and then he could return to his ship, where he would meditate through his heat alone, accumulating and savoring the true power of the dark side through his suffering. It was a privilege to be an omega, to crave so powerfully, Sidious had explained to him once-the Jedi had no right to suppress such a fundamental part of his identity. Obi-Wan had no right.

"Lord Vader, the anomaly is not appearing on our scopes."

"Explain," Vader said tersely, his mask's vocoder deepening and amplifying his voice.

He began to walk toward the coordinates, which he realized with a clench of his jaw and reflexive tightening of his fists were in the heart of the arena where he'd been once sentenced to execution. His cape billowed out behind him as he strode forward into the complex, determined to finish and be done with this.

"Of course, sir, my lord, I mean..." The officer scrambled to keep up, tightening his breathing mask anxiously. The extermination gas was still active in the air, and a slip would mean his death. His fear in the Force was amusing and useful to Vader, and he did nothing to alleviate it.

"From orbit, my lord, it appeared that there were new constructions at these coordinates, but our scouts are reporting nothing is visible at all."

"That is unfortunate," Vader said flatly. "I will..."