Prompt:
(Y/N) has just been given the honour of becoming the Grand Inquisitor. Vader's plan to capture the Princess is steadily coming into motion, and she is the catalyst.

Requested by dragonsfangs

She/Her❥

Part 2! Grand Inquisitor

1st POV
♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

I still couldn't fathom what had transcended through the past few hours. The Grand Inquisitor was dead by the hands of Darth Vader, and now I have been personally selected by the Sith Lord to replace the Grand Inquisitor. It was so sudden, and honestly, I didn't believe I deserved it. Sure, I'm as loyal to the Empire as they come, but I have zero leadership skills. I must have some positive qualities because Vader has faith in me.

Adjusting the pin on my left side that signified my Imperial status, I breathed slowly. I was trying to keep a level head, but I've never sought out this job. It was so overwhelming, and I couldn't calm down enough to even meditate. Not to mention, if Vader and the other Inquisitors sensed my nervousness, it would be like a shark being attracted to blood. I would be an easy target.

Thankfully, neither Darth Vader, nor was my Inquisition was around. Here, in the bridge of the Executor, was just myself an the occasional Officer or two. The Executor was looming intimidatingly over Alderaan, our mission to capture the young Princess Leia still in tact. She was only a teenager, but was already creating rippling waves for the small Rebellion. Vader is right— she has to be stopped.

"Grand Inquisitor," the Officer who accompanied me on the bridge spoke up, "Darth Vader is on his way. He personally instructed me to be your commanding Officer for the foreseeable future."

"Commanding Officer?" I snapped, not liking the sound of that, "No, no. You're far too young to be my commanding Officer. And regardless, I don't need any of your kind. I am beyond capable to take care of myself, my Inquisition, and the Empire itself."

The young man, who's name was Officer Bennett, according to his badge, just smirked, "Vader's orders. You can take it up to him if you think something is wrong. Otherwise, we will be working together a large amount from now on."

Huffing, I just rolled my eyes and turned around, "I expect you to remain quiet unless told otherwise. And don't get in my way."

"Yes, Grand Inquisitor," Bennett commented in between his cocky smirk. I wanted nothing more than to take my lightsaber and cut off his useless head. Yet, I didn't. I fear Vader too much, and after our little trust exercise, I wouldn't dare to do something like that.

The remanding time before Vader showed up was quite short. Bennett only had time to stand attentively by the wall before the Sith Lord strode in. It was impossible to sense what Darth Vader was feeling or thinking. He was a very mysterious man, and if I wanted to take a realistic guess, I'd just say he's pissed. That's a safe answer,

"How long until we are set to land?" Vader's voice boomed at Bennett, who immediately stood straight. I could see the fear literally radiating from him.

"We are ready whenever you and the Grand Inquisitor are," he immediately responded, "Would you like us to initiate landing sequence?"

Vader nodded silently, and walked up beside me. He planted his feet and firmly stared out the window at Alderaan, "I expect us to move fast. I want you in and out as quickly as possible. The less people who know about the Emperor's involvement, the better."

"I suggest we don't involve our troops, then," I spoke up, staring to the right at Vader's glossy helmet, "Anytime anyone sees a Stormtrooper, their immediate thoughts go to the Empire. I can be quick; no one will see a thing if it's just me."

The only response was deep breathing from the Sith Lord, which caused unease to spread over my skin. Finally, he responded, "I assume this is about Officer Bennett?"

"Yes and no, my Lord," I responded while peering over to Bennett, who had a sly look plastered to his face. He looked very pleased that he was going to have to work with me for the foreseeable future. Especially since I wanted nothing to do with him, period. I guess that's what I earn for taking on Grand Inquisitor. However, I never noticed the old Grand Inquisitor walking around with a Commanding Officer. Knowing him, he probably killed every Officer assigned to him and blamed it on the war, or something like that.
"I just don't see why we need to bring troops along. They may accidentally get in the way, kill Leia, or even jeopardize the whole operation."

"Then you better get to Leia first, Grand Inquisitor," Vader finished, establishing this was yet again, another test that I was supposed to pass for Vader's approval.

I bowed immediately, accepting Darth Vader's challenge. Of course, I didn't have a choice in the matter, but it wouldn't hurt to show I was interested and happy to be challenged like this.
"Bennett, land the destroyer, now," I snapped, staring at my Commanding Officer.

The man nodded and did as commanded. It's obvious he isn't prideful like myself, and takes orders like he's supposed to. I can tell he doesn't like me, but that doesn't affect his loyalty towards the Empire and myself. I think I'm starting to like him-- he's a good Officer just because of those aspects alone.

There was no way to nonchalantly park a Star Destroyer on a planet like Alderaan, but I planned on moving as fast as possible to eliminate any chances that Princess Leia could get away. That would mean moving now... before the destroyer touched the grassy ground below. It didn't take long for Bennett to realize what I was going to do,
"Grand Inquisitor, I beg you to rethink what you're about to do."

"I will bring her back within the hour," I simply responded without regarding the Officer's comment. Bennett would ultimately slow me down, and I don't want to let Darth Vader down. Especially considering it could cost me my life.
Deep down, I had a feeling, even if I did somehow mess this up for the Empire, Darth Vader wouldn't kill me. The second he spared my life against the original Grand Inquisitor, I felt a bond form.

There was a lower deck to the Star Destroyer that I could leap from while the landing protocol was in affect. No one would dare stop me, and Vader wasn't inclined to either. I walked out of the bridge; my cape swooping out behind me effortlessly.
It took no time to reach the lower deck. There were a few Twi'lek engineers working endlessly on the lower deck. They all stopped immediately and watched me carefully, but I paid them no unnecessary attention,
"Open the hatch."

A clay-brown Twi'lek immediately stood up from his post and nodded, "Yes, of course, Grand Inquisitor. Right away."

He was smart not to question, unlike Bennett. Force, I just hate having a troop to command. I work way better by myself. It gets less messy that way.
Grabbing my lightsaber as the Twi'lek opened the hatch, I leapt. The wind whipped aggressively through my hair. The Star Destroyer had already breached the atmosphere far before I jumped, so I wasn't a huge ball of fire, plummeting to my death.

Even if that was the case, the force would've protected me. It always does.
Shooting through the air like a recently-fired blaster bolt, I squeeze my eyes shut. The wind pressure would've blinded me if I'd kept them open any longer.

I definitely beat the landing Star Destroyer by a mile. By the time the force softly landed me on the ground, the mighty ship was still cutting through the clouds. Officer Bennett and his battalion would soon be on the ground, so I had to move now to catch the Princess before him. Or before he scared her off.

I could sense Vader was keeping a close tab on me despite us slowly getting further and further away. It was as if he was a brain probe. I could just feel him in my brain. It wouldn't surprise me if he could see what I was seeing: feel what I was feeling.
Vader and I were made one thanks to the force, and under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have liked this at all. I like to stick to myself and work solo, unbothered by anyone else. But with Vader? It felt right. It didn't feel malicious at all. It may have been a long shot, but it felt like Vader was watching in case he needed to come and rescue me from harm.

I couldn't pay attention to that. The Alderaanians were growing suspicious, which was to be expected considering the giant Star Destroyer approaching. Cutting through dense trees and foliage, I raced past security posts. I knew exactly where Leia would be: in the palace. She was a Princess after all.

The occasional security post posed no threat whatsoever. The guards may have been talented in Alderaan standards, but were absolutely useless against a lightsaber-wielding Sith Lord.

Dead bodies laid, sprawled all over the dampened Earth, yet I didn't stop. I could feel my target. She was so close.

The teenaged Princess Leia was so blissfully unaware about what was about to transpire. According to her usual nightly schedule, she was about to drink a cup of tea, read some of her novel, then go to bed early. A senator-in-training required lots of sleep. Too bad she won't be getting any after tonight. Vader's torture won't allow sleeping.

The palace finally came into view. It was cloud-penetrating, and pearly white. It was gorgeous architecture, but I don't care. I'll turn those pearly walls crimson red if I have to.

Gripping my lightsaber and placing it back on the holster on my back armour, I began to scale the smooth walls. It was hard, I will admit. There were hardly any footholds in the smooth architecture, but I was determined to do this unnoticed. And that's exactly what happened.

I found Princess Leia's bedroom rather quickly. The window was tipped open; a nice breeze flowing through. The Princess is so naïve to believe someone wouldn't climb right up into her window. No one is truly safe, not even surrounded by the planet's best guards and 50 ft off the ground.
Soft snores echoed through the room, causing a smile to appear on my lips.

"Bennett," I whispered into my com, "Send a Shuttle to the palace. I have our little friend."

"Affirmative," the Officer responded; his side of the com clicking dead afterwards.
Peering through the darkness, I spotted Leia. Her snores had died off, and she was staring right at me.

"Who the hell are you?" she snapped, grabbing a blaster from underneath her pillow; pointing it in my direction.
Before she could even attempt to pull the trigger, I yanked the blaster from her fingers using the force, and threw it out the window,

"Sorry, Princess. I know you have such an important schedule to keep, but I'm going to have to relieve you of your duties for a little while," I smirked, unsheathing my red lightsaber, "Get up."

Fear laced through her eyes. Opening her mouth to scream, I launched my arm forward; catching her scream before it even came.
The Princess rose from her soft bed; her arms latched to an invisible force constricting her windpipe. She was levitating.

"Now, this is a shame, your Highness," I cooed sarcastically, pulling her over into my face, "Lord Vader was hoping you'd come willingly. I do apologize for how impolite I'm being, but you've given me no choice. I would never let my Master down."

She tried choking something out, likely an insult of some sort, but I couldn't hear. This lasted a few minutes; me holding onto Leia until she was on the brink of blacking out, letting her breathe, then choking again. Super tedious. Bennett was sure taking his sweet time.
After an eternity, the Imperial Shuttle levitated by Princess Leia's window. It was way larger than the window was, so getting in with the Princess should be no issue.

The shaft opened, and Bennett was there, accompanied by two Stormtroopers, "I gotta say, Grand Inquisitor, you are quite good."

I smirked and nodded, sheathing my lightsaber and placing it back on my back, "Hopefully now you'll start listening to me when I tell you stuff."

"I wouldn't bet on it."
The two of us securely settled the Princess into cuffs and into a seat. I stood by her side; my hand fastened to her shoulder as the shuttle headed back towards Vader's Star Destroyer.
By the time the Alderaanians knew what had happened, we were already on board and headed out of orbit.

Vader was waiting.
Although I couldn't see his face, I know he was pleased. I could feel it through the force— through our connection.

Leia struggled endlessly against the cuffs to no avail. Vader loomed across the room, and the second the two of them made eye contact, Leia stopped. She was completely immobilized by fear,
"Princess," he began, walking over, "What an honour it is to finally make your acquaintance. Hopefully you'll be cooperative and give me some information I require. After that, you may return to your silver-spoon lifestyle."

"You're gonna have to kill me first!" she spat, earning a sharp slap to the back of her head from me.

"Treat your Lord with respect!" I snapped; fire in my eyes, "You act as if you know not of who you talk to! Troopers, take her to the prison sector. I shall deal with her later!"

Vader and I watched as the Princess was taken away. The Sith Lord's hand reached my shoulder, "You've done very well, (Y/N)."

I glowed with pride, and didn't hide it well, "Thank you, my Lord. It is my life's goal to please you."

"You're successful, then. I expect you to keep impressing me. We may be able to ensure a further promotion if you continue to please me."
He squeezed my shoulder lightly, and through the force, I could sense something lighthearted through his words. Vader always seemed to be so cold hearted, but never with me. As he walked off towards the prisoner sector, my heart jumped into my throat. What are these... feelings?

I can't let this destroy my focus.
I can't let this destroy my chance of impressing Vader.
I won't let these growing feelings get in the way.

July 19th, 2022