Work Text:
It was early morning as I awoke from a nightmare, something I couldn't escape. It had been several years since my family died and I was left at the mercy of the empire. But I had submitted to the darkness which ruled the empire even before they died. My life as the tyrant I became was good but lacked the companionship of my wife and unborn child.
With a sigh I got up and made my way out into the halls where a soldier stopped in front of me. “Lord Vader, there's an attack on the bridge.” He reported mechanically.
I growled slightly but marched to the bridge where I found all my men fighting against a small band of rebels. Without a word I drew my iconic red light saber and began to attack the intruders. By the time I stopped the majority were dead and one remained alive,somehow using the force to hold back my attack. I stared at him for a long while before he suddenly shoved me back and shot a blast from his blaster at me. But I wasn't fast enough and felt the blast hit my throat making a sparking zap jolt me to my core.
Irritated I put my hand against the malfunctioned machinery where I felt the voicechips and controls which had been completely fried. Looking back at the young fighter I immediately disarmed him with a swift strike of my saber to his hand backed turning away. His screams of agony made my injury justified and I smiled slightly before stopping near a rail.
“Put him in the cell.” I ordered, but something wasn't right, it wasn't my voice.
“Lord Vader? Are you alright sir?” The commander asked skeptically. “You.. you sound so girly.”
A few of the soldiers snickered in amusement and I immediately silenced them with the flick of a wrist. “I will have order.” I growled, though my voice made me sound like I squeaked which only added to the snickers of more troopers. “Silence!!”
Immediately they went quiet and stood at attention as their superiors went solemn not wanting to give away the fact they had been stifling a giggle of their own. The mere thought of being the brunt of their jokes angered me as I raised my hand. Angrily I grabbed each of them by the throat through the force before pulling them up off the ground.
“I don't find your lack of respect amusing.” I snarled, the high pitched voice only making me sound like an angry toddler.
“S-sorry.. s-sir!” The commander spoke for his men. “I-it won't h-happen.. a-again.”
“It better not.” I then released them allowing their pitiful hides to hit the durasteel floor. “Secure the prisoner. I will return to question him shortly.”
“Yes lord Vader.” They all saluted acting serious and respectful but I could see through their lie. But I didn't do anything knowing if I did I'd have no more men under my command and I'd be punished for killing my troops again.
“And get rid of the wasted space.” I waved off as I turned to leave. Stalking my way out of the room I could hear them burst into laughter but I ignored it for the time being. Instead I went to my room and began searching for a replacement voice chip and control panel but it appeared that was my last one. The back of my mind barraded me for being so careless and not bringing extra parts for such a time. But I knew there was nothing I could do at the moment since we were near the outer rim where no one dared go.
A groan escaped my mouth sounding like a pitiful squeak through the malfunctioning equipment. Not wanting to sound so pitiful I reached up to remove my helmet hearing it hiss and squeal before releasing completely. Pulling it off myself I began to remove the neck piece, being careful not to scratch my delicate skin.
Once it was in my hands I looked it over observing all the mechanics of the troublesome part. After a moment though I figured out the issue and made the required adjustments before putting it back on. By that time my breathing had become ragged and tired and I knew I needed to hurry.
“Testing, testing..” I frowned upon hearing, not my usual dark voice, but one with a strange accent which made me sound slightly like a trandoshan. It did sound funny and I suddenly got an idea before removing the piece and adjusting it again. “I am Darth Sidious.”
I almost let out a giggle at hearing the voice of my master coming from my mouth piece. With a slight smile I adjusted it again before taking a more dominating stance. “I am Hondo, space pirate and expert traitor of all possible allies.”
My heart nearly jumped with joy as I adjusted it again this time making it much higher. “Hmm master jedi Yoda I am.” At the sound of the accuracy of the old jedi my mouth curved into a smile. Adjusting it again I put it back on. “I'm Zeb, the annoying lasat warrior who works for the ghost squadron.”
Finally I burst into laughter which lasted until my eyes blurred with tears and I suddenly couldn't blame the troopers for laughing at my voice. Adjusting it back to the first one I put it back on. “This is the best day of my miserable Sith life.” I laughed again, hitting the work bench with my hand in amusement as the laughter continued.
Though after a while I knew it was about time I returned to my duties, so with a sigh I adjusted the panel one last time before putting my helmet back together around my head and allowing my breathing to return to normal. I then turned and marched out of the room getting another idea. Going straight to the cell block I checked which cell held the new prisoner before going to the right one and opening the door.
There on the bench sat the young rebel, cradling his hand which was no longer there. Without a word I approached him as he looked up at me only to scramble back. “D-don't kill me.. please.” He pleaded, and only then did I realize how young he really was.
“What is your name?” I demanded to know, wanting to sound as professional as my status required.
“Luke Skywalker..” he admitted after a long moment of silent contemplation.
I stared at him for a long while, shocked that he had my old name, but I remained professional. “Then, young Skywalker, I have decided that I will let you live if you join me.”
“Why would I join a Sith?” He nearly spat the question though he seemed to hold back knowing who he talked to.
“Because I'm your father.” I told him bluntly.
His confused stare told me he didn't understand but he quickly hid it. “You can't be my father, you're a monster.”
Irritated I grabbed him by the throat and pulled him up off the bench. “I will not tolerate any of that on my ship boy.” I hissed at him, making him cower. “And if you don't cooperate then nothing will save you from my wrath.”
“Th-then why d-didn't you kill me a-already?” The boy gasped out.
“Because you're my child.” I responded calmly before setting him down and releasing my hold. “Besides, you gave me a chance to be a kid again, the least I can do is give you a chance to survive a while longer and provide us both with joy.”
He thought long and hard about it before looking at his missing hand and at the blaster marks on my helmet. “You.. were playing.. with your voice?”
I nodded slightly before removing the helmet. “It has been decades since I was able to laugh freely at that magnitude. It gladdened my heart and somehow.. lifted my spirits.” I smiled lightly. “Your mother used to be able to make me laugh.. before my mother died.”
He stared at me for a long while as if contemplating what to do. “Alright, I'll join you, the rebels never liked me anyway.” He suddenly smiled before putting a hand on the helmet I still held in my hands. “As long as you don't take any more of my limbs.”
I chuckled at that and put my helmet back on before reaching out my hand to him. “Agreed, my son.” I smiled, feeling hope and a bit of light beginning to penetrate my cold darkened heart. “And we will someday rule the galaxy as father and son.”
“By ending the war.” He agreed, taking hold of my hand and I led him out of the cell. The future seemed brighter at that moment as we walked side by side into the unknown. Soon we would rule the galaxy and finally bring peace and balance to the force.