Head of Christ

Darth Vader stood at the rail of the lower deck, staring mutely into the depths ofthe lovely forest. Soon. It was coming soon; he could feel it. Like a drum gettinglouder, his destiny approached. Dread was all around, but fear like this excited him,so he let it bubble quietly within. Dread was a tonic, it heightened his senses, honeda raw edge to his passions. Closer, it came. Victory, too he sensed. Mastery. But laced with something else…what was it?He couldn't see it, quite. Always in motion, the future; difficult to see. Itsapparitions tantalized him, swirling specters, always changing. Smoky was hisfuture, thunderous with conquest and destruction. Very close, now. Almost here. He purred in the pit of his throat, like a wild cat smelling game on the air. Almost here. The Imperial walker docked at the opposite end of the deck, and opened its doors.A phalanx of stormtroopers marched out in tight circular formation. They