Why Nomad?
Vader meditations kept being interrupted by visions of Padme. Visions of Daisy Johnson aka Quake and former Clone Captain...Captain Rex. Visions of Ahsoka. Vader reflexively focused on Obi Wan as a desperate attempt to push the memories of the Jedi's former companions out. Obi Wan killed the Jedi Anakin Skywalker with the help of Steve Rogers 5 years ago. The two of them gave birth to Vader. It was in the fiery lava bank on the volcanic island of Mustafar that Vader gained newfound clarity. The Light Side that the Jedi follow and the path of justice that Steve Rogers followed were self righteous lies. Lies that blinded Vader's understanding of what the true purpose behind everything was....that's power and control.
Power and control weren't things that are evil or dangerous as the Jedi or Steve Rogers claimed. They are natural consequences of life and death. Those that increase their strength and fulfill the potential of their inner power maintain control. With that control comes a successful life and from that life is order formed out of the chaos of nature. Death is reserved for those who fail to reach their potential or never had any to begin with. It's reserved for those whose only purpose is to cause choas or be trapped by the limitations of weakness.
Steve Rogers helplessness in their physical encounter just a couple of days ago helped push thoughts of Anakin Skywalker's past from Vader's mind. It relaxed his body and eased his mind to know that his success against the man formerly known as Captain America was due to his master's teachings. That the Jedi teachings led to failure and unrealized potential but Vader's Sith training led to victory and mastery of the Force. Snips Vader said out loud and he cursed under his breath as he heard Ahsoka Tano reply to him with the phrase Sky Guy. That was the nickname Ahsoka sometimes called Anakin Skywalker when she was exasperated during their time together during the Clone Wars.
Darth Sidious entered the Vader's private chambers frowning. Vader rose from his meditative stance using the Force. His armored suit was state of the art Stark Tech yet its ability to maneuver with dexterity was limited in certain situations. The Force compensated for these minor design flaws and helped to maintain Vader's anger and drive to fulfill his master's vision. A world where every being bowed before the Emperor just as Vader did immediately after rising from his meditative stance.
"What is thy bidding master?" Vader asked
"You know why I'm here. Are you making such a show of humility to distract me from what just occurred old friend?" Palpatine asked with a gentle smile
Vader was no fool. He knew that his master wanted to characterize their relationship as a friendship but it truly was a master and apprentice dynamic. This question was a test to measure Vader's progress in learning the ways of the Sith. He briefly considered lying to his master but knew such an act would be punished if he was exposed by Darth Sidious. Vader could sense even in an ostensibly calm state the power of the Dark Side flowing through his master. Sidious didn't need to tap into this power through anger the way Vader did. Sidious's understanding of the Dark Side proved his wisdom and perceptiveness had no rival.
"Yes my master. I was trying to hide the fact that I whispered the name of the Jedi's Apprentice. The thoughts of her and others the Jedi was close with during the Clone Wars entered my mind during my meditations." Vader confessed
Sidious smiled, "Such honesty. Yet...there is one thing you've concealed from me. Do you know what this is my old friend?"
The silence hung in the air like a thick wet fog in a swamp between them. It briefly made Vader nervous but he pushed these feelings aside and embraced confidence. Vader knew he needed to accept that he had only been studying the Dark Side for five years. That his mind had been poisoned by the false teachings of the Jedi when he was among them before the end of the Clone Wars. Jedi taught about everything being connected but such devotion and reverence for connectivity masked chaos and disorder. That's what the Clone Wars and the Avengers represented. That's what Steve Rogers represented...a man addicted to conflict only finding his purpose in war. Yet in the age of the Empire there was no war. There was no conflict. Only peace and order.
"I spoke the name of the apprentice aloud master. Her nickname. I didn't merely think of the nickname in my mind." Vader confessed
Sidious smiled, "Your honesty is commendable Vader. It shows your growth and understanding of what it means to be a Lord of the Sith. However we must focus less on meditating on the Force and more on the day to day operations of the Empire. We are making a last minute journey to Ryloth/Algeria onboard the Super Star Destroyer the Whirlwind. I feel this trip with Ryloth Senator Orn Free Ta will be instrumental in your training Lord Vader."
Vader's shoulders leaning backwards was the only sign of surprise he could show due to his armor. Yet when Sidious beckoned him forward he followed him without any protest and intended on trusting his master despite his cryptic wording.
****
"That's all that Redwing managed to pick up before the jamming systems in the Imperial palace rebooted. Something tells me this whole thing is some kind of trap. But if I make that argument using this footage Isval will just use this as proof we need to do her crazy plan." Sam Wilson said to Steve
"What's crazy about killing the two most powerful figures in the Empire? If this plan works. If the Emperor and Vader are dead then the Empire becomes destabilized creating an opening to win major offenses on the battlefield against them." Bucky Barnes argued
"Of course you'd go along with Isval's plan but Steve needs to realize how risky it is and how unlike him it is to support an assassination. The Steve Rogers I knew protected the weak not engaged in black ops hyperspit." Sam interjected
"The Steve Rogers you knew died on Mustafar. I'm Nomad. I don't have any allegiance to Isval nor you Captain. I just need to defeat Vader and the Emperor. They're the reason we're hiding in caves like terrorists." Steve counter argued
"Why Nomad? Why blame yourself for everything that happened at the end of the Clone Wars?" Sam asked
Bucky interjected before Steve revealed the truth that he lied to Tony Stark about Bucky's past. That such a lie convinced Tony Stark to side with Anakin Skywalker despite the revelation Anakin killed everyone in the Jedi Temple including children undergoing Jedi training in the Temple. That Steve's protection of Bucky led to the unusual events that concluded the Clone Wars including Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's ascension to the title of Emperor and the transformation of the United Republic into the Global Empire.
"Steve's codename doesn't matter. Mine does. I'm the White Wolf because I'm not the Winter Soldier anymore. I don't take orders from scumbags anymore. So me saying I agree with Isval's plan to kill Vader and the Emperor doesn't change the fact I want to free innocent people from the tyranny of the Empire." Bucky told Sam
Sam shook his head and said fine. Before leaving the room to share his findings with Isval. Steve decided to go running to clear his head of the memories of his confrontation with Tony and Steve on Mustafar before they became too much for him to handle.
***
Belkor stood in the dark with no way to find his way back to his air cycle parked outside the cave network entrance. These caves were just outside Imperial controlled space on Ryloth/Algeria. If anything happened to him it would be days before the Empire would find him. By then Cham Syndulla the experienced military revolutionary that he was would relocate his operations to emergency safe houses to avoid Imperial detection. Belkor sighed knowing his death would probably be made to look like an accident where it would be surmised Belkor used remote mountain locations to hide wild inappropriate sexual behavior from other Imperial officers.
Belkor started to hyperventilate because he realized how vast and extensive these cave networks were. He realized how helpless he truly was without a Stormtrooper detail or Twi'lek security forces. Then someone he couldn't see kicked him in his chest and the wind was knocked out of him. Belkor crumpled to the ground and against his better judgment shouted Cham is that you!
"Shut up you filthy Imperial!" Isval shouted
Her voice echoed throughout the caverns confirming Belkor's suspicions that this was a vast and complicated interconnected network of caves.
"Belkor were you followed?" Cham said in the shadows with only his right hand woman visible in a dim light
"No." Belkor choked out groaning in pain
Isval kicked Belkor in the ribs and Belkor cried out in pain his voice echoing throughout the caves.
"Are you sure? Because if you're lying my top operative Isval will continue to attack you. She doesn't discriminate between Imperials who cooperate with me and those who attack me." Cham replied politely
"So you've reduced this top operative of yours into a mere attack dog?" Belkor asked incredously rising to his feet
Isval drew her blaster and fired it an inch away from Belkor's face. Belkor bellowed curses at Isval and he was shocked to see Isval grin mischievously at Belkor in response.
"You are a filthy Imperial pig. You eat off the backs of my people while you don't lift a finger to assist the hands that made what you eat. You don't speak that way to Cham or I will attack you until you are nothing but a pile of blood and broken flesh beneath my feet." Isval said continuing to grin
Belkor was aware that it was futile to argue with Isval or react with anger to her insults. Belkor knew Cham was attempting to provoke him as a test of his sincerity that he was alone. Belkor also concluded that Cham also wanted to determine if a personal Stormtrooper detail would race to Belkor's aid. Belkor rose to his feet suppressing the urge to grunt in pain. He smoothed his uniform and hair resuming his trademark clam and professional demeanor.
"Clever Syndulla. Very clever of you. Why did you want to see me?" Belkor replied
"You think you have everything figured out Belkor. Your boss High Governor Mors is derelict in her duties wasting away with Twi'lek escorts. It leaves you with access to troops, supplies and information above your station. Information you've passed onto me to help my Free Ryloth/Algeria's operations against the Empire. In 2 years time there will be so many losses and so much attrition of Imperial personnel that Mors will face a court martial by Imperial High Command. That will leave you as the High Governor of Ryloth/Algeria replacing Mors. You say I'm clever but as an Imperial your ideology states that you're more clever than me by default. However there are forces greater than the three of us in this cave that will make erase whatever gains you've made in this long term scheme of yours." Cham explained
Belkor raised an eyebrow in skepticism, "What individuals could possibly ruin my plan for my promotion Syndulla?"
"Vader and the Emperor. Nothing gets past them and I have received word from my spies in Senator Orn Free Ta's administration that he will be leading Vader and the Emperor on an official Imperial visit of Ryloth/Algeria. Word is they'll be looking into Imperial operations in this country very closely."
"Thanks for the warning Syndulla. That'll mean our arrangement will have to be put on pause for the next few months to ensure our partnership isn't discovered."
"You cowardly worm! You throw your fellow Imperials into a meat grinder for your selfish ambitions and then think that puts you on equal footing with Cham Syndulla. A man with honor who fights for his fellow Twi'lek's so they can be free from oppression." Isval screeched at Belkor
Belkor responded with a cold laugh, "The Empire is nothing but ambition. And I don't need a lecture from a terrorist."
"I'm not a terrorist but a freedom fighter! I'm not a terrorist Belkor!" Cham shouted defensively
"Instead you'll be the terrorist Belkor. You're going to use your access to confidential Imperial data to help us kill Vader and the Emperor with the help of former members of the Avengers. Don't worry. You'll still get that promotion you wanted if the Empire manages to not fall apart after the assassination of its leader." Isval said with a smile
Belkor was silent staring at what little she could see of Isval in horror. Belkor saw out of the corner of his eye Redwing. The advanced drone that belonged to the former Avenger Sam Wilson. This entire conversation was recorded. Belkor realized Syndulla would release it onto the Holo Net if Belkor didn't help Syndulla kill the two most powerful figures in the Empire. If that video was released to the public then he would have a court martial for the greatest crime someone in the Imperial military could commit...treason and not just any treason...treason of the highest order. If found guilty he would be executed.
"Well now that I have your attention Belkor let's discuss phase 1 of my Operation." Cham said with a smile