Ashes

|| Interlude: The Report ||

There was only one mirror on board the Executor. Vader found that his reflection seemed to be someone, or rather something, foreign to him and desired to see it as little as possible. The small mirror in his personal suite was the only place he could take off the mask and see the fragments of his old self.

Vader stood in front of his mirror. He slowly removed his helmet and placed it on the table beside him. His breaths were raspy and uneven as his lungs adjusted to breathing independently.

His hair wasn't as long as it used to be, even with the supplements he took to make it grow faster. His pale, scarred face was a reminder of his past, with each blemish carrying a story that shaped him into who he had become.

He picked up a smaller breathing device of his own making from the table. It covered just the lower half of his face rather than his whole head, providing him with the life support he needed while still preserving some elements of humanity.

Vader was powerful, intimidating, and inhuman. Anakin was broken, vulnerable, and hurting. Vader wore the helmet, but Anakin wore the mask.

There was a soft knock at the door.

"Enter," he spoke.

The door slid open, and a timid-looking officer clutched a datapad in his shaking hands.

"Lord Vader, I have the incident report you requested."

Vader slowly walked toward the door and took the datapad from him.

"Very good, Captain. Dismissed."

The Captain practically ran from the room. As soon as the door closed, Vader sat down at his desk and opened the file.

Former GAR Military Prison Break-In
Week 21 Post-Reform, 23 standard hours
Report filed by CT-2224

Suspect description: Togruta female, orange skin, blue-striped lekku, 5'5", lean build, force-positive, estimated Padawan-level training.

Suspect entered through the front doors during shift change. No evidence of forced entry or force activity. Suspect used ventilation system to reach the east-wing database and downloaded prisoner manifest files. Prior knowledge of the facility's layout, protocols, and schedule is heavily indicated. Suspect was caught by squad on duty before any information was downloaded. Imprisoned in cell #1138. Case turned over to Admiral Tarkin.

ID request terminated by Admiral Tarkin. Suspect transferred to Vardos facility 37 for processing and reconditioning as instructing by Admiral Tarkin.

Vader closed the file and placed the datapad on the desk in front of him, smiling underneath his mask. It was a real, genuine smile, the kind Anakin would have shown his men after a successful battle, or Ahsoka after cracking a bad joke.

Ahsoka.

To anyone else, there was not enough information in the report to identify the suspect, but physical description aside, he would've recognized the fingerprints of his old Padawan anywhere.

He pictured the graveyard in his mind. The crushing reality that she had been the one to bury each and every last trooper under her command made him sick.

These men are depending on you, and this time, so am I.

His own words rang through his mind. She learned that lesson the hard way, after almost losing entire squadron at the battle of Ryloth. He had no doubt that she carried the weight of their deaths on her shoulders, even though Order 66 hadn't been her fault.

She had been responsible for the 332nd because Anakin gave her command without any guidance or support. Had he known the outcome, he never would've sent her alone. Anakin had failed her, and by doing nothing, Vader sealed her fate.

Vader reached for his communicator and dialed the bridge.

"Lord Vader, what a pleasant surprise," Moff Tarkin answered, in his usual condescending tone.

"Moff Tarkin, I require your presence in my office."

Tarkin crossed his arms. "I'm sure you know that I'm very busy with Project Stardust at the moment, but don't worry, I'll make a note to stop by."

"Immediately," he spat.

Tarkin turned to the officer on his right and muttered something inaudible. The officer nodded, and Tarkin directed his attention back to Vader.

"Very well."

Tarkin cut the transmission, and Vader scoffed. As much as he hated Tarkin's guts, his military expertise and political poise were imperative in maintaining control of the star systems in the Imperial Senate. Without a suitable replacement, it would be foolish to eliminate him.

Tarkin waltzed into the office with a smug grin. "What can I do for you, my Lord?"

Vader stood up and picked up the datapad. "This datapad contains a report of a break-in to the GAR prison on Coruscant about two and a half years ago. I would like you to explain the entire situation to me. No detail is insignificant."

Tarkin crossed his arms in front of his body. "I don't recall a break-in to that particular facility while under Imperial control."

Vader slammed the datapad down on the table, and Tarkin flinched. "Your name is on the report!" Vader yelled. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, and if you fail to answer my questions, there will be consequences." Vader rested his hand on his belt, just above his lightsaber.

Tarkin's face paled. He knew Vader would follow through with that promise if he didn't deliver. "Togruta female, late teens. Force sensitive. The ID request was inconclusive."

"Inconclusive, huh?" Vader mocked, tightening the tendrils of the force around his windpipe slightly. "Are you sure? It would really be a shame if I found out you were intentionally hiding her identity from me."

"It seems to me like you already know who the suspect was," Tarkin said, and Vader released his hold on his throat. Tarkin coughed and straightened his collar.

"Imagine my disappointment when I found out that she was sent to a slave camp on Vardos. Moff Tarkin, do you remember what my first command was when I overthrew the Emperor?"

"Of course, my Lord. All nonessential Imperial-sanctioned slave facilities were to be shut down, and the ownership of a Togruta slave became a criminal offense punishable by death."

Vader walked over to Tarkin and shoved the datapad in his hands. "Then I suggest you fix this situation before the full extent of the law is brought down upon you."

"And how do you suggest I fix it? There's no guarantee that she's still on Vardos, or even in the Imperial system anymore. There is little I can do if she escaped or was sold outside the Imperial sphere."

Vader's eyes narrowed. "Darth Sidious would not have given you the power you currently have if he believed you were intellectually inept. Get creative, and figure it out. I expect you yo have answers by the time I return from the summit in the Japrael sector."

Tarkin bowed his head. "As you wish, my Lord."

A/N: Hey! Happy Sunday! Vader's definitely following the trail to find Ahsoka, but what's going to happen if/when he does? Hehehe I guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out!

My winter break actually starts tomorrow, so I'll have roughly 2 months of no school to crank out some updates. After my online finals finish in two weeks, my update schedule will go back to what it was over the summer (weekly/biweekly updates). I have some new stuff in the works that I'm hoping to publish soon, so stay tuned!

Until the next update, may the force be with you!