Revelations
Darth Vader was finally going to meet the two officers that would be his second and third. They entered his quarters and stood at attention.
Admiral Kendal Ozzel was a middle-aged man with blond hair, a mustache, and blue eyes. Captain Firmus Piett was a few years younger than Vader and had brown hair and brown eyes. He seemed familiar, but Vader knew he had never seen him before.
"Tell me about yourselves."
"I was born into a military family and began my career in the Clone Wars. I briefly served alongside General Kenobi and Skywalker."
Vader nodded then looked at Piett.
"And you, Captain?"
"Traitor-born," Ozzel growled.
If the Sith had any eyebrows left, they would have been raised. Piett looked like he was between blushing and giving the admiral a deadly look. He settled for simply ignoring him.
"I suppose you could say that. My father was a Jedi. However, shortly after I was born my mother asked an old, childhood friend of hers to take me as her own to give me a better life. She agreed, and I was adopted into the Piett family. Once I was old enough, I joined the Academy, and it went on from there."
"I think your mother got rid of you because she was ashamed."
Now Piett was glaring at Ozzel.
"No, she wanted me to have a better life that what could provide for me."
"Enough. Dismissed, except you, Captain," Vader rumbled.
Ozzel left, and Piett looked at his commander, fearing he would be killed for his Jedi blood.
"Do you know what Jedi was your father?"
"Yes, sir. My father was Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
Vader stared at him. Now he knew why Piett had seemed familiar.
"Did... did you know him, sir?"
"Yes, but only for a short time. We met a few days before his death."
The younger man's expression saddened.
"Oh."
The Dark Lord softened a little. The captain probably knew little to nothing about his father.
"He was a good Jedi and a great man. He was one of the few Jedi I truly admired, even know. I'm sure he would be proud of your accomplishments."
Piett blushed slightly.
"Thank you, sir."
"Who was your mother?"
He hesitated.
"Captain?"
He sighed.
"Shmi Skywalker."
Vader felt like what was left of his stomach had just dropped to his feet.
"What?"
"My birth mother's name was Shmi Skywalker. Yes, sir, Anakin Skywalker was my half brother."
He was stunned. Piett was his half brother!
"Captain, Anakin Skywalker is still your half brother."
He looked at the Sith.
"But, sir, he's dead. You killed him yourself."
This must be so hard for Piett, to serve the man he thought killed the brother he had never known.
"That is what we wanted people to believe, but Anakin Skywalker still lives."
His expression lit up with hope.
"Where is he?"
"He is here."
He grew even more hopeful.
"Aboard the ship?"
"He is before your very eyes."
Vader paused for a moment.
"I am Anakin Skywalker."
