Run Program
Realistically, Vader should have destroyed the two programs that housed his Jedi Master’s memories as soon as he had rediscovered them, but whatever remained of Skywalker had prevented it. Although he never did upload the program onto another device, to prevent anyone else from learning about his attachment to the Jedi programs. Now he regretted not having a back up. Vader had thought the black box was broken. It had chunks missing and the circuits were exposed. He remembered how he watched as the General program’s futile attempts to blink into existence a few months ago. The Padawan program did not appear to be able to run either, indicating the device was broken. Yet Vader had continued to keep the damn box with him. Which led him here, staring at the broken box, debating if he should let it melt in the lava of Mustafar. The projector flickered, and Vader dropped the device in his surprise. The Padawan program was able to manage to pull itself together for a final time. Vader had not set eyes on either Obi-Wan, and he greedily took in the appearance of the familiar padawan. A young Obi-Wan looked at the Sith Lord, his image becoming unsteady as the device struggled to project him. Obi-Wan smiled at him.
“Master, I’m so glad you’re alright...” The padawan exclaimed, looking over the Sith Lord for any signs of injury. “I don’t know why I haven’t see--” The hologram froze. Vader felt his heart clench, as he stared at the AI. Obi-Wan’s eyes were unseeing as the processor struggled. The Sith Lord was unaware of how damp his eyes had become. How did he not know that the Padawan program was still able to run? Why had it not run prior to this point? Since it was running, he may be able to repair the damage to it, and perhaps restore the General program. He could have his master again...
The hologram unfroze, and it pursed it’s lips together. It had the same tight smile that Obi-Wan would later give Skywalker when he was tried to find words to tell him the bad news. The hologram sighed, gently “cupped” the face, the tears falling through the light. Each droplet sizzled as it touched the hot ground of Mustafar. The program becoming aware of the irreversible damage to it’s processor. “Oh, Master... I’m so glad I could see you again.” The expression softened greatly. “I’m going to be able to wish you goodbye.” Vader’s chest clenched, and he felt the Force began to stir. He began to open his mouth to speak, but the padawan cut him off. “Thank you for everything Master. I’m so proud of you...” It became harder to understand what the hologram was saying. “I love you....” The final words were uttered and the hologram blinked out of existence. The heart wrenching sadness caused the Force around Vader to wildly thrash. It caused waves of lava to crash onto the far side of the bank he was standing on, as he dropped to his knees. He felt the remnants of Skywalker lament inside his mind just as acutely as he did when Obi-Wan had first perished. Logically, Vader knew that the Padawan program and the General program had hundreds of lines of coding so both would be able to “feel” and express the love that Skywalker had desired. Whatever the programs “felt” was a product of Skywalker’s own delusions. He should not be as affected by the program saying it loved him in the Jedi Master’s voice, nor should he crave it as much as he did. But, the Sith Lord remembered Skywalker pouring over the Obi-Wan’s personal journals after he passed just searching for any inkling that the other General loved him. Vader had decided there was not enough evidence to draw the conclusion, but he still wanted all of Obi-Wan’s passion and love for himself. For a moment, he had it, and now he had lost it once again.














