Title: Sins of an Empire
Summary: Resurrected Padmé has a plan to rid the Galaxy of the Emperor and his Sith apprentice, although Obi-Wan is not exactly in agreement with her about it. A Post-ROTS AU Obidala: A 'Dearly Departed' Sequel.
Warnings: I have to insist you read "Dearly Departed" before you read this, because if you don't, I promise, you won't understand the Padmé I'm writing in this story. Her experiences during Dearly Departed have changed her – in more ways than one.
Genre: Drama/Action
Disclaimer: Story idea is mine, original SW characters are not.
Rating: T+
Chapter One
There's nothing more beautiful than watching a woman care for her newborn, especially when you're in love with the woman. Obi-Wan's heart swelled with powerful emotions as he observed the interaction between Padmé and her babies. She cooed and cuddled them, and they responded as if she were the center of their universe, and rightfully so.
Even though her traumatic experiences had made her incapable of feeding them naturally, she swaddled them and held them close while they sucked upon their bottled nourishment. All the while, she spoke to them only as a mother could, their eyes focused solely upon her. She promised them health and safety, and that they would always be loved.
Obi-Wan bit his tongue. How could she offer them things neither of them could guarantee? Since their arrival on Alderaan, it seemed as if everything good, everything he had fought to protect had been obliterated. The Jedi, the Senate, the Temple, democracy; all were no more.
The Republic had fallen, and in its place ruled an evil, power-hungry and bloodthirsty Sith Master. And by the Emperor's side, was none other than Obi-Wan's own apprentice.
As far as he could tell, there was no hope for happiness or safety for any of them. And he felt that Padmé shouldn't make her children promises she couldn't keep.
He would do his best to protect them, however. Senator Organa had promised them a safe haven on Alderaan, and it seemed as if Padmé had agreed. Alderaan was a peaceful planet which had shunned violence and weaponry long ago. Surely, it was far from the Emperor's concern. The House of Organa was no threat to his reign. They could stay here as long as they wanted, Bail Organa had told them. He had even offered them a home outside of the palace, and Obi-Wan envisioned the four of them taking up an extended residence there; as a family. Something he had never considered having, but now that he had it, would give his life to protect.
She had named the children Luke and Leia, and they were thriving under her care. For the time-being her promises to them were good. But there was no way of knowing what the future held for them. Master Yoda couldn't even see it. 'Too clouded with darkness, the Force is,' he had said.
The ancient Jedi had bid them farewell days ago. Once assured everyone was safe, Yoda had left for his own remote hiding place; to emerge when needed again, he had told them.
Obi-Wan had watched his mentor leave Alderaan with some trepidation. Once Yoda was gone, he was essentially on his own to figure out what the Force wanted him to do. Tricky, since essentially it was like listening to static. The Dark Side had taken over everything. He could sense its malicious tendrils searching him out, and so it was with some nervousness he watched Master Yoda leave.
Padmé had calmly stood by his side when Yoda departed, her expression quite the opposite of his. She was serene when he was agitated, relaxed when he was apprehensive. He was glad she was so at peace, but he was also concerned about her.
She was not sleeping well and had been having bad dreams lately. Most of them involved scenes of destruction, chaos and genocide. He had tried to explain it was to be expected, now that they knew what had been occurring all over the galaxy. Apparently, whoever stood up to the Emperor paid the ultimate price: total annihilation. No wonder she was having nightmares.
Obi-Wan awoke to the sound of crying and forced himself to awareness. He did as much as he could to help with the babies, but usually Padmé beat him to it. This time, he had managed to reach them before they had woken her up.
"What's the matter little ones?" he asked while picking up one in his right arm and the other in his left. They both gazed up at him with wide eyes, quieting immediately upon hearing his voice. The little girl, Leia was more easy-going and reminded him so much of her mother. While Luke, was the one with the loudest cry and had far more to complain about. His little lip curled after discovering Obi-Wan wasn't his mother and he quickly stepped outside of the bedroom. Padmé needed rest and he knew he could manage on his own.
"Now, now, Luke. There's no need for all that fuss. You can't be hungry, and," Obi-Wan took a second to check the boy's undergarments, "you're not wet. What's the matter?"
The more he spoke, the calmer Luke became. Leia had already fallen back asleep, he noticed as he wandered into the common area and sat down upon the sofa.
"Perhaps, you'd like to hear a story. Let me tell you about the time I was trapped in a cave surrounded by draigons…"
She was walking pale stone streets, surrounded by spiraling towers of alabaster. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Aldara City. People smiled as they passed by, some asked her how she was doing. She proudly told them she was fine. Her family was just fine, she would clarify. A peaceful sensation filled her when she said the words, because she knew it was true. She was safe, her children were safe, and they were loved. Obi-Wan was with them. He had vowed to protect them and love them until his final breath. She believed him. Everything was perfect.
At least until the screaming began. Padmé shielded her eyes and looked up, as everyone else who wasn't running away did. Galloping toward them across the sky at great speed was a bright light. It was green in color and expanding in size as it approached. This was no meteor or asteroid. This was death. She was absolutely certain of it.
There was nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. All those who ran past her, as well as those who stood transfixed, staring at their impending doom all died within a matter of seconds. The entire planet of Alderaan had been destroyed and she had been forced to watch.
Padmé jerked upright in the bed, her breath coming out in ragged pants., her heart pounding against her chest. She had been experiencing quite a few vivid dreams lately, but this one was the most disturbing yet. She had seen entire populations and cities destroyed, Jedi in hiding discovered and assassinated, but never an entire planet!
She wasn't sure what it all meant, but she couldn't just sit and wait for it to happen. She had to somehow convince Obi-Wan that she and the children...
Padmé glanced toward their bassinet to find it empty and an icy fear gripped her heart. She leapt from the bed and ran into the common room, sliding to a stop when she found Obi-Wan holding both her children. All three of them were asleep, but her loud sigh of relief woke him up.
"What is it?" he whispered. "Another dream?"
How could she explain this to him? Make him understand when she wasn't sure she understood herself?
"Obi-Wan, we need to leave Alderaan. It isn't safe here."