The sterile, dim glow of the medical bay flickered as Harry's eyes slowly adjusted to the harsh reality of his survival. The last thing he remembered was the overwhelming presence of Darth Vader—the suffocating aura of raw power, the mechanical breathing that seemed to echo within his very soul.
Now, he was alive.
Barely.
Bandages covered his torso, and every breath sent sharp stabs of pain through his ribs. But the physical wounds were nothing compared to the chaos in his mind. Vader's words haunted him:
"You were created for a purpose."
[SYSTEM STATUS]
• HP: 48/160 (Recovering)
• Level: 8
• Force Affinity: 35 (+5 Pending Allocation)
• Skill Progression: Force Rupture (Level 4)
• Alignment: Leaning Dark Side (Corruption 12%)
Across the small room, Zara leaned against the wall, her arm still in a sling but her eyes sharp. She studied him like a predator waiting to see if its prey was still worth hunting.
"You're awake," she muttered, pushing off the wall. "Thought you'd never open those eyes."
Harry winced as he sat up. "Disappointed?"
She gave a half-smirk. "Honestly? Yeah. It'd be easier if you were dead."
Despite himself, Harry chuckled, then groaned at the pain. "Well, you're stuck with me now."
[NEW QUEST UNLOCKED: The Rebel Connection]
• Objective 1: Identify the Rebel faction that saved you.
• Objective 2: Discover their interest in your connection to the Empire.
• Bonus Objective: Gain their trust—or manipulate them to your advantage.
• Reward: 5,000 EXP | Access to Rebel Intelligence Network
Rebel Outpost – Undisclosed Location
Zara led Harry through the narrow, metallic corridors of the Rebel outpost. The place was carved into rock, likely hidden beneath a canyon or deep underground to avoid Imperial detection.
They passed soldiers and officers, some glancing at Harry with curiosity, others with suspicion.
Eventually, they entered a small war room where a holographic map displayed the surrounding systems. A woman stood at its center—tall, with sharp features, her dark uniform lacking the rigid formality of the Empire but filled with authority nonetheless.
"This is General Lira Kade," Zara muttered under her breath.
Kade's piercing gaze locked onto Harry. "So you're the anomaly that has both the Empire and the Inquisitors in a frenzy."
Harry crossed his arms, ignoring the sting in his ribs. "Anomaly, huh? That's flattering."
Kade didn't smile.
"We saved your life. Now, you're going to tell us why the Empire wants you so badly—and what makes you important enough for Darth Vader himself to hunt you."
[DIALOGUE CHOICE – SELECT RESPONSE]
1. [Deflect]: "I don't know why they want me. Maybe I'm just charming." (Neutral Influence)
2. [Manipulate]: "I have information the Empire doesn't want you to know. Maybe we can trade." (Dark Side Influence)
3. [Truthful]: "I don't know everything yet. But whatever they're afraid of, it's inside me." (Light Side Influence)
Harry sighed, feeling the pull of the Force even in diplomacy.
"I don't know everything yet." His voice was steady, though uncertainty simmered beneath. "But whatever they're afraid of… it's inside me."
Kade studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
"Good. Then let's find out what it is—before the Empire does."
[QUEST UPDATED: The Rebel Connection]
• Objective: Infiltrate an abandoned Imperial research facility linked to Project Shadowborn.
• Bonus Objective: Recover classified data on Harrion Varyn's origins.
Later That Night
Harry sat alone, staring at the encrypted holocron recovered from the Force Nexus. The memory fragments haunted him, pieces of a puzzle that painted an image he wasn't sure he wanted to see.
He activated the device.
A flickering hologram appeared—an Imperial scientist, his face gaunt, voice trembling.
"Project Shadowborn was a failure… or so we thought."
"The subject—designated Harrion Varyn—exhibited Force sensitivity beyond known parameters. Not a Jedi. Not a Sith. Something… older."
"Genetic markers don't match standard human DNA. The dark side reacts differently around him—as if it's not corrupting him, but… answering him."
The recording ended.
Harry's heart pounded.
I wasn't reincarnated.
I was engineered.
The realization hit like a punch to the gut. His past wasn't just a mystery—it was a fabrication.
But who created me? And why?
Meanwhile… Aboard the Executor, Darth Vader's Flagship
Darth Vader stood in silent contemplation, staring into the vast emptiness of space. His mind wasn't on the Rebellion or the petty squabbles of Imperial politics.
It was on him.
Harrion Varyn.
A voice echoed in Vader's thoughts—not his own, but one he'd tried to bury long ago.
"The boy is more than an anomaly."
"He is the key."
Vader's fist clenched.
"He will either join us… or be destroyed."
To be continued…