A Destiny Rewritten

chapter xi: cymoon-1, part i.

PRELUDE, PART I 

After about a week following the Battle of Yavin, Darth Vader was summoned by the Emperor. He felt uneasy as he knelt at the holoprojector, but he tried to swallow down his anxieties. As soon as he touched the ground, the hooded figure of the Emperor appeared as a blue hologram.

"What is my bidding, Master?" asked Vader.

"Rise, Lord Vader," the Emperor replied, and Vader did as he was told. "I was informed that Padmé Amidala is still alive."

His heartbeat came to an abrupt stop and he froze, as if the Emperor's words had instantly incased him ice. Fear gripped at him; would the Emperor try to kill her?

Rather than trying to speak, Vader allowed the Emperor to continue. "Why didn't you tell me, Lord Vader? You had her in custody when you captured the Princess's ship."

Blast it, he thought. He should have known better than to think that he could have hidden Padmé from the Emperor.

"I... thought it would not be a concern to you," he lied. Vader did not dare mention that the Emperor had deceived him about her death, as he had told Vader that in his anger, he had killed his own wife.

"The only reason it concerns me is because she is a rebel general," said the Emperor. Vader didn't believe that, but he decided against openly questioning his master. "She could be very dangerous for the Empire, with someone of her experience and popularity leading the rebel forces."

Darth Vader knew that the Emperor's concern was not misplaced. During her time as a Senator of the Republic, Padmé was adored by millions, and was a very strong leader. She caused quite the stir from time to time, too, especially with the Separatists.

"Yes," Vader agreed. "That is why I have been looking for her."

"But surely... that is not the only reason," drawled the Emperor. Vader stiffened again, and if he had been before anyone else, his hand would have curled into a fist.

"What does it matter?" Vader said, choosing his words carefully. "Amidala loves Anakin Skywalker... someone who is long dead now." The Emperor--and, Vader too--spoke of his past self as if he was a completely different person from who he is now. By saying that Padmé loves Skywalker, he was implying that she didn't care for Vader at all. Vader was not entirely sure of how she felt, but it may be important that the Emperor has a very clear idea of Padmé's feelings. Otherwise, it could put her in danger.

"I see." For a moment, Vader thought he saw the ghost of a smile across the Emperor's shadowed face. "So, there was no happy reunion?"

"No," Vader replied bitterly. He recalled Obi-Wan Kenobi blowing him back against the elevator, the Organa princess extending her hand to Padmé, and his wife taking it. She had said nothing to him, only glanced back with a soft expression on her face. What was he supposed to do with that? Forget about it and move on? Not likely.

Half of a chuckle slipped out of the Emperor's mouth. Anger flared up within Darth Vader; of course the Emperor would find it amusing that Padmé had turned away from him. "That must infuriate you, Lord Vader," his master commented.

He let the fire within him blaze. "Yes, master," Vader responded. It was not a complete lie.

"As it is your responsibility to lead the military, and to put down the Rebellion, you must deal with Amidala," the Emperor ordered him.

He felt a pang in his chest as he realized the weight of his master's words. "Kill her?" he questioned, making sure that no emotion had slipped into his tone.