The Secret Apprentice | Vader x OC

Grief

Chapter 18: Grief

By the time I woke up, Vader was already up and dressed in his lounge pants and another one of his Sith robes. His was mostly brown with black on the inside, the hood up while he fit the breathing apparatus from its dock at the door over his nose and mouth. His eyes were currently a radiant gold color, fixing his razor-sharp gaze onto me once I sat up.

He spoke into the mask, his voice muffled, "Get dressed. You will be joining us. But do be aware, I have no other option but to depart from Mustafar at 3600. Ciera will be going along within the shuttle."

Fear crept up my spine, shakily getting off the bed as a result of my sore body to get dressed, "what if I need you? What about Momin?"

Vader steadily drew near me, moving both of his hands to cup my cheeks with a tender touch while his eyes absorbed mine, "Your droid will be our connection. You will also be provided with a wristlink and holoprojector for the off chance your BD is powered down. The garrison will be notified before my departure. Those men of mine are loyal to my word. What I say, goes. Without question or hesitation. You will be guarded throughout the entirety that I am gone."

Buried within his mesmerizing gaze, I nodded, "Yes, Lord Vader..."

He releases his hold on me, allowing me to power Blip on to bring her along for Vader's surgery. She spurred to life, making me smile before placing her over my shoulder, "Good morning, sunshine."

Blip beeped and wooped, I grabbed my lightsaber to follow Vader out the door. Once we made it into the Sanctum, he led the large door to shut while we walked through the beautiful space. Upon entering the lift, I raised my hood and stood next to him, feeling the lift shift once floor 77 was put into the keypad. Descending only one floor. Once the door opened, I followed Vader out.

He spoke up regarding the floor we were on, "Your quarters are marked with the number 329. You will have the freedom to settle on where to reside. If your decision changes, report to Captain Junus, or LT-002 Martin Karlson."

"Okay. Is that the trooper who knocked out that guy for me yesterday?" We drew near the medbay doors.

"Yes. 002 is an honorable trooper of mine. I entrust him with your safety. Due to the events of the last rotation, a trooper will privately deliver your preferred meal three times daily. At 1200, 1800, and 2500." Entering the private medbay, Ciera and Aurin were already fully prepped for Vader's arrival.

Aurin instantly began to fidget with her fingers and redirect her gaze from Vader's presence. Now that I was closer to her in comparison to last night, the pink bacta bandages covering the worst of her burns were noticeable. Ciera greeted us, "Good morning you two."

Vader grumbled while removing his cloak and placing it on one of the metallic counter spaces. I could practically feel the excitement radiating from Aurin now that he was half-naked. Her being too afraid to even look at him allowed me to brush off her reaction. He wasted no time in sitting himself down on the surgical table, lying down while Ciera positioned the overhead lamp. The two of them also had a med droid assisting in the procedure. Vader finally responded using a dull, grumpy tone, "Just get this over with."