The Empire had collapsed after only eight years of its rule. The Republic had been re-established, Bail Organa heading it up as Supreme Chancellor, Padme Amidala as his deputy. Palpatine was dead, Vader had been taken prisoner, and had disappeared. Most assumed he had been executed to prevent the awkwardness of a trial. The Jedi had been returned to their sacred Temple, a little sombre from reminders of what one of their own had done to them, and determined to build up their Order again. Unfortunately they were hitting a bit of a stumbling block when it came to two highly Force-Sensitive children.
The twin children of Padme Amidala, Luke and Leia Naberrie were ten years old, having been born as the Republic fell. They carried only their mother's name. Padme Amidala refused to identify their father, only to say that he had died shortly after she became pregnant. He had been a volunteer mercenary. A holo was on her wall of the two of them together. A young, medium height blond man in clone armour, one arm around the then Senator's waist as the two of them smiled widely. They were not to know that the holo had been of Anakin Skywalker with Padme Amidala, R2-D2 altering it to appear as a generic mercenary. The faked holo served to account for Luke Naberrie's blond hair and blue eyes. Everyone believed Padme Amidala when she stated that she was a widow, that her children's father had never met them, had not even known of them. It was a tragic love story by all accounts.
But the Naberrie twins were powerful in the Force, made more so perhaps by their twin bond, but their potential was still enormous. But throughout the years of the Empire Padme Amidala refused to let the Jedi anywhere near her children. They could not take a blood sample for a medi-chlorian count, they could not even examine them with the Force. Her reason? She knew of Anakin Skywalker's turn to the Dark Side, knew of the atrocities he had committed. She also remembered the young boy who had saved her planet. She remembered his mother and going to rescue her. She blamed the Jedi and the Sith for his fall, remembering the kind woman who could have been spared a horrific death if the Jedi had bent their Code. In the years of the Empire and when the Republic returned they refused to change their Code, insisting still on no attachments and the removal of younglings at an early age. While the Jedi maintained their Code the Naberrie twins would not be joining the Order. She refused to entertain any discussion of her children's Force-Sensitivity and whenever she held a meeting in her apartment her twins were kept carefully out of sight. What was perhaps most galling for the Jedi was really the Force-Sensitive person that she permitted to interact with them regularly. Ahsoka Tano.
Anakin Skywalker's little Padawan learner who had left the Jedi after being falsely accused of the bombing. The Vice-Chancellor, when she was a Senator, had served as her defence counsel and the two women were close friends. Shortly after the Republic was re-established Amidala had run into Tano by accident and invited her to work for her. Tano had moved in within weeks as a bodyguard and companion for Amidala. The Jedi knew that she was likely teaching the Naberrie twins to control their powers. For the Vice-Chancellor to trust a renegade former Padawan over the esteemed Jedi Council stung more than a little bit but the Jedi, the Chancellor, other Senators, none could convince Vice-Chancellor Amidala to change her decision over her children.
The Jedi Council had asked to meet with the Vice-Chancellor. Ostensibly it was on a matter of security, but in reality Windu and Yoda wanted to get a glimpse of the younglings, and press the case for turning them over to the Jedi again. They were willing to make an exception for the twins for Force's sake. They were nearly ten years old, well beyond the limit, older than Anakin Skywalker had been when he was accepted into the Order and the galaxy knew how well that had turned out.
Windu rang the doorbell to the Vice-Chancellor's apartment which was opened by a handmaiden who led them into the main seating area. It was open to the air, the curtains wafting in the breeze from the balcony. As always the Force Signatures of the Naberrie twins were everywhere but the younglings were nowhere to be found.
"Master Jedi," said a cool female voice and they turned to see Padme Amidala stood at the top of a small flight of stairs. She was dressed elegantly in black as always, dark hair perfectly coiffed, a wedding ring glittering on her hand. She had stated soon after the birth of her children that she had kept her marriage hidden to prevent her husband being targeted. Now, as a widow, she wore her wedding ring openly, remaining in mourning black for most of the time. Rarely had the Jedi seen her in any other colour. "Do please sit down. Dorme will bring some tea."
She came down the stairs as the handmaiden disappeared into the apartment, returning a moment later with a tray of teacups and a steaming pot. The Vice-Chancellor sat herself down gracefully and poured, handing the cups around. Once her guests were served Amidala sat back in her chair, stirring her tea before removing the spoon and sipping it.
"Now," she smiled. "How may I be of assistance?"
"Well Madam Vice-Chancellor," Windu began. "We require approval for the upgrades to the Citadel's security," he handed over the datapad, the Senator taking it and looking over the request, raising her eyebrows at the sum asked for. She looked up at the Jedi.
"This is a substantial sum you have requested Master Jedi," she said. "The Chancellor's office if not the Senate will require the reason. May I see where the extra money will be spent?"
"It will be allocated to extra security for a specific prisoner," Windu replied evasively. "We are concerned about the possibility of his escape."
The Vice-Chancellor raised her eyebrows. "After keeping him secure for how long?"
"Two years," Windu responded carefully.
"I see," Padme Amidala replied, mind racing. "What exactly makes this prisoner so dangerous?"
"He is highly Force-Sensitive," Obi-Wan Kenobi told her. "We are concerned that he will be developing an escape strategy."
Amidala nodded, her decision unreadable to the Jedi attempting to ascertain it. "Master Jedi," she said finally. "The Republic's situation is delicate, our budget balanced as best we can under the circumstances. To allocate such a significant amount of funds could seriously destabilise the peace and rehabilitation process. I will make a report to Chancellor Organa to that effect and request further analysis of this situation before we approve any allocation of funding to the Citadel prison."
"I see," Windu said, inwardly cursing. They had been hoping to receive funding for the prisoner without too much oversight. However, there was still a chance to achieve their secondary objective in making their report to Padme Amidala. He cleared his throat. "How is your family my lady?" he asked.
Padme Amidala looked up and narrowed her eyes. "If that is another poor attempt to discuss my children Master Windu I suggest you desist."
"Not at all," Windu said, quickly backtracking. "I am just aware that your position as Vice-Chancellor could lead to a significant amount of time away from home. It must be hard on your children."
"My children understand," Amidala said curtly, handing the datapad to her handmaiden and then setting her cup down. She rose from her chair with a rustle of skirts, the Jedi being forced to rise as well. "I believe I have made my decision regarding my twins quite clear Master Jedi and yet you continually refuse to abide by it. If you wish to speak to me again please contact my office and I will be happy to meet you there. You are no longer welcome in this apartment. Dorme please show the Jedi out."
She swept out of the room without a moment's hesitation. The Jedi exchanged disappointed glances and then followed the handmaiden out of the room as she escorted them to the door and very deliberately shut the door with a click behind them. As they made their way down in the turbolift Kenobi turned to Windu and Yoda.
"She meant it you know," he said solemnly. "I felt the sincerity running through her every word. We won't be back in her home ever. We have succeeded in alienating one of the Order's strongest supporters over ten years of continued persistence and, some would say, ill manners. The Vice-Chancellor has great influence, she could succeed in making the majority of the Senate hostile to us and we cannot afford that. She is widely respected as a long-term voice for peace and opponent to Palpatine. What's more she is loved for her tragic story, and for the excellent way in which she rears her children."
"You worry too much Master Kenobi," Windu said dismissively. "The Vice-Chancellor will not exert her political influence to deal with a personal grievance."
"Right, Master Windu is, Master Kenobi," Master Yoda said from below. "Principled, the Vice-Chancellor is. But right Master Kenobi also is, Master Windu," he reprimanded. "Few allies the Jedi have after the years of the Clone Wars, fewer still can we afford to lose. Cautiously, with the Vice-Chancellor we must proceed."
"Yes Master." Both Council members bowed to their elder as they exited the turbolift to return to the refurbished Jedi Temple.
In Vice-Chancellor Padme Amidala Naberrie's apartment, Padme Amidala sat down on the bed in her room heavily. The datapad was pillowed in her lap, her fingers running over the screen as she sat deep in thought. A highly Force-Sensitive prisoner who was evidently proficient at escaping. It couldn't be? No. She was sure that he had been killed two years ago. But, it was worth being sure. At that moment her twins scampered into the room, jumping onto the bed to join their mother. She automatically tucked them close, dropping a kiss on each twin's head.
"Mama?" Leia asked. "Are you alright? Me and Lukey could feel your sadness."
"Luke and I, sweetheart," Padme corrected gently. Then she smiled softly at her children. Sometimes the twins' acute Force-Sensitivity led to moments like these. "Mama's fine my darlings," she replied. "Just thinking about Daddy."
The twins instantly sobered. When they had become old enough to understand Padme had told them of their father and what had become of him, but had also warned them of the need to keep the identity of their true father a secret. Only Aunt 'Soka, Miss Dorme, Cap'n Typho and the droids knew that they were actually Luke and Leia Skywalker. For them it was sad what had happened to their father, but they had never met him, they only knew of him from stories. For their mother and Aunt it was an ever-present grief. Padme summoned up a smile as she turned to the twins.
"Alright," she said cheerfully. "I think we'll have Dex's tonight for dessert. Go and grab the menu, and ask Auntie 'Soka to come and talk to me please?"
The twins cheered and leapt off the bed, thudding out of the room and down the stairs. Only moments later a tall Togruta appeared in the doorway. Ahsoka Tano had matured greatly during the ten years since the end of the Clone Wars. Her montrols now swung nearly to her waist, and she was significantly taller than the Padawan who followed her Master around. She wore dark grey robes that billowed around her, again a far cry from the battle outfits she wore during the Clone Wars, but the robes served to conceal her lightsabers, and reflected her position as a Naboo bodyguard. She moved across the room to sit beside Padme, resting her hand on her shoulder.
"What is it?" she said softly. In response Padme slid the datapad containing the Jedi's requests over to the former Jedi. Ahsoka's brow creased in confusion but she picked it up, scanning the information with the ease of long practice. Realization dawned over her face as she recognised what this information might mean. The datapad fell from her slack hand. "You don't think?" Padme nodded. "Anakin?" she breathed.
Padme met her eyes. "I'd persuaded myself he was dead, but some of the things they said during that meeting and the information and request. I really think it could be him. I don't know what to do. On the one hand, this is a prisoner that is highly dangerous, who needs this extra security. On the other, this could be my Ani. The man I loved more than anyone else in the world, who did all that he did for me, and came back to the Light to protect me."
Ahsoka nodded. The Jedi and the rest of the Rebel Alliance had not been informed of the true events that had transpired in the Throne Room the day Padme was captured. Of how she had been dragged in after being tortured, falling on the floor, looking up and seeing her husband staring at her with yellow eyes, that flickered briefly to blue on seeing her. Then Sidious had ordered him to kill her. Vader had ignited his lightsaber and stalked towards her. She had gripped the japor snippet that he had given her as a child and closed her eyes until she could feel the heat of the lightsaber on her neck. Padme had whispered "I love you," fully expecting those to be her last words. Then the heat had disappeared and the gurgling sound had started. She had looked up completely startled to see Sidious on the ground before his throne, clawing at his neck as her husband stalked towards him. He had looked back at her for only a moment, Ani's blue eyes shining out of the hood. He had grinned at her, the way only her husband could, and told her to "Run Angel, get out of here. I'll be right behind you, I love you sweetheart. Thank you for bringing me back." Then he had returned his attention to the choking Sith Lord as Padme gathered herself to her feet, grabbed a blaster and made for the exit. She had been unmolested as she fled, making it to where the Rebels had managed to penetrate the capital. She had been ushered to medical attention and had been put through a battery of tests. When she had been released she had rushed out of the ship just in time to see Palpatine's body being thrown on to a funeral pyre and Anakin in cuffs being forced into a ship. They had locked eyes for a moment, the blue eyes she loved so much, and then he had disappeared. It was the last time she had seen him. It had been widely suggested that Vader had been killed quietly. The Chancellor and the Jedi had neither confirmed or denied those rumours. Since gaining the Vice-Chancellorship she hadn't looked. The grief was still too fresh.
But now. All that belief was being called into question. She thought that she had grieved fully for her Anakin, she thought that all that pain had been dealt with. But this possibility, this glimmer of hope, was enough to bring all those emotions back to the forefront of her mind. What's more, she had known in her heart that Anakin had turned back. He had come back to the Light, she knew. If they had condemned him as Vader… the Jedi's dogmatic views would never allow them to accept that someone might return from the Dark. They had likely not even allowed him to tell his side of the story. Padme believed in justice for someone's crimes, but not in condemnation without a trial, or defence. This. This was not democracy. Her mouth set in a hard line. Being deprived of the Force would be torture for her husband, for whom the Force ran like blood through his veins. If they were planning to confine him further, perhaps even deprive him of the Force permanently. No. Her own mind was made up but there were other people to consider. She would bring this up at dinner.
Padme put a smile on her face and headed downstairs to her (incomplete) family. She managed to maintain her façade for the rest of the day until she could dismiss all of her staff for the evening, including her security, claiming that she wanted a quiet night with just her family. Once they were gone she took the twins and Ahsoka into the private living room. While there were cameras and recording devices in the lounge, in this room there were no security devices.
The twins curled up on the sofa, their desserts in their hands. Ahsoka seated herself in an armchair opposite Padme, who ate her dessert with no appetite. Once she was finished she placed it on the coffee table and swallowed nervously, clearing her throat. The twins looked up from their bowls.
"Mama," Leia asked. "What's wrong?"
"Well my darlings," Padme started. "You remember what Auntie 'Soka and I told you about what happened with Daddy?"
The twins nodded. "Daddy was tricked into trying to save you and us," Luke replied. "He became bad but he saved you. Then he died."
Padme took a deep breath. "Well," she said cautiously. "You remember how today I had a meeting with the Jedi."
"Yeah," Leia said. "You don't like them very much cause they keep trying to take me and Lukey away from you."
"Exactly," Padme smiled at her daughter. "Well, the Jedi asked me for some money for the Citadel."
"The Citadel is where the Jedi keep Force-Sensitive prisoners. It cuts them off from the Force," Ahsoka explained. The twins gasped. As highly Force-Sensitive themselves they couldn't even imagine being unable to touch the Force. Luke tumbled to it first.
"You think Daddy's in there?" he asked.
Padme nodded. "I do," she confirmed, picking up the datapad that the Jedi had left with her. "What they've said, and what they've requested, makes both me and Aunt 'Soka think that it is Daddy. Some of the security measures suggest someone very Force-Sensitive, and Master Kenobi talked about someone who was very good at escaping."
"All of which sounds like our Skyguy," Ahsoka agreed. "Now you know what happened when the Empire fell," the twins nodded. "And you know what your father did for your mother and how he came back to the Light."
"Yep," Leia confirmed. "Then Daddy disappeared. And everyone thinks that the Jedi killed him for being Vader."
"Yes," Padme agreed. "But your father never got to tell his side of the story, why he fell, and I couldn't tell it for him because I had to protect you two. That's not justice."
"What's more," Ahsoka added. "Being cut off from the Force can make people ill. Your father was more in touch with the Force than anyone I've ever met. Your mother and I are worried that he might be seriously ill. The Jedi and the Republic won't want to heal him. It would be far more convenient if he just died. I'm being brutally honest here guys," when the twins winced. "So we've got to talk about what to do next."
The Force hummed around the twins for barely a second and then Luke spoke up indignantly. "It's obvious isn't it?" he asked. "We break Daddy out."
Padme laughed. "So like your father," she said. "That was my first thought, yes. But this is not just going to affect me if we go ahead. If we go ahead with this we will be galaxy-wide fugitives, possibly leading to the death sentence for both myself and Ahsoka, and the two of you being separated, probably being turned over to the Jedi."
The twins exchanged glances again and Luke nodded decisively at Leia who turned back to her mother. "Let's go get him," she said firmly.
"Alright," Ahsoka said. "How?"
"Well," Padme responded thoughtfully. "I can make a report to the Chancellor along the lines of 'it has not been justified enough, I will go and make a report.' I can do that as his deputy, and the Jedi won't have any grounds to contest it. We can take a medical capsule to keep him stable and I can move our money so we can access it easily."
Ahsoka nodded. "I can call in reinforcements from the 501st," she said. "Rex and the boys are always up for something. I can also get forged documents."
"We can start packing up," Luke volunteered. "And we'll do research on what type of ship we should get. We can't use the Naboo skiff."
"Alright then," Padme clapped her hands together and stood. "Looks like we're agreed. I'll drag the research and report out as long as I can."
Ahsoka followed Padme out of the room and the twins exchanged glances as they stacked their plate. Once they had tidied away they curled up on opposite ends of the couch talking quietly.
"What do you think?" Leia started hesitantly, looking at her brother. They had heard stories their whole lives about their father, what he had done, why he had turned and how he had come back. They had been disillusioned and hurt by what he had done, but they had understood, which was more than they knew the Jedi had ever done. They both admired their father so much.
"I don't know," Luke frowned. "If anyone can pull it off it's Mum and Aunt 'Soka with Uncle Rex and the others. There's risk, undoubtedly, and what are we going to do after? But…"
"It's Daddy," his twin agreed.
"Exactly."
Over the next few weeks Padme Amidala Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano made their preparations. Padme transferred all of her money out of her accounts and spread it among hidden accounts in the Outer Rim. She ensured that all of the profit from her investments would funnel into one account and then transfer across the galaxy. She recorded messages for her parents and sister, and made a few trips back to Naboo for some of her possessions. Luke and Leia carried on with school, acting normally as best they could, while at home their mother and aunt planned a prison breakout and they packed their things.
Ahsoka had got in contact with former Captain Rex who, along with ten of his men, had agreed to participate in the prison break. They still held loyalty to 'General Skywalker' as they called him, and all were distressed to hear what had become of him. But they were horrified to hear of the punishment that had likely been inflicted on him, and the effect that was likely to have had on him. To hear why he had done what he did put the whole thing in perspective, and to think of what would happen to Skywalker without the Force, their general for whom the Force had been part of everything he did, made them willing to help. Finally she had purchased a large ship and she, Luke and Leia had taken it to Naboo to be loaded with their possessions.
In the days after their decision Padme had researched and made her initial report to the Chancellor. She had done research going back years into the Citadel, demanding significant amounts of information from the Jedi, including a recent plan of the Citadel. Then she had made her presentation to Bail, and requested to visit the Citadel. He had agreed with her, and so the Jedi had no choice but to acquiesce.
The meeting ended with her arranging a date and time to visit the Citadel. She and Bail had insisted that everything be as it was normally would be. Padme had stated that she would be returning from a holiday on Naboo. And she would.
She went to Naboo with her children and Ahsoka. They loaded the freighter that Ahsoka had purchased with most of their possessions. The rest would be stored in Padme's Senatorial cruiser.
One day before they were due at the Citadel, Rex and four of his men left Naboo with the loaded freighter and began the first of several hyperspace jumps to their rendezvous point in eighteen hours time.
The next morning, early, Padme woke up and hurried to get the twins, Ahsoka and the clones onboard her cruiser. They had loaded all their remaining possessions the night before. They entered hyperspace quickly, the clones remaining in the cockpit to monitor the journey as the Skywalkers and their adoptive aunt prepared for their mission in the back cabin.
Luke wore a plain black tunic and trousers, sturdy black boots giving him firm traction. He had a low power lightsaber, two blasters, a vibroblade, a couple of small explosives, a mechanical kit, a comm, and a datastick attached to his belt. His twin wore the same outfit, only with an advanced medical kit slung across her belt. Her long brown hair was closely braided round her head.
Ahsoka Tano wore a plain black bodysuit and the boots that she had won in the Clone Wars. She had numerous weapons strapped to the suit, including her lightsabers attached to her belt, and over the whole she wore the easily discarded, billowing, grey robes that had become her uniform over the last couple of years.
Padme Amidala Skywalker wore one of her white battle suits, similar to what she had worn at the Battle of Geonosis, with aristocratic arm bands. She had her husband's lightsaber clipped to her belt, along with her blasters and a few vibroblades. Over her battle uniform she wore a Senatorial gown, one that was especially designed to fit over her battle uniform. It allowed for ease of movement, flowing easily around her, while looking appropriately formal. Her hair was looped in several braids around her head, small and slightly lighter then some of her other hairstyles, but still elaborate, in keeping with her image. They all had encrypted comlinks.
The clones wore armour fashioned in the style of the Naboo, with small facial prostheses to alter their appearance. To disguise the rest of their faces they wore half masks.
Padme looked at the assembled group seriously. "Are you sure about this?" she asked. "If it is Anakin and we break him out, there's no going back. We will be fugitives for the rest of our lives."
Her children nodded bravely, Ahsoka raised an eyebrow as if to say 'Like you even have to ask', and the troopers shifted their weapons firmly.
"We're with you milady," Kix replied. "All the way. This is for General Skywalker."
His comrades nodded in agreement.
Padme took a deep breath. "Alright," she said. "Let's see if our instinct was right."
She turned and strode into the cockpit, strapping herself into the pilot's seat, as behind her the rest of her team pulled themselves into their own seats. They exited hyperspace over the volcanic planet and swept down through the acidic clouds.
Luke was already tapping away at the specially installed console, making his way stealthily into the Citadel's system.
Leia stood in one of the small cabins, checking and double-checking the medical capsule that stood at the ready.
Ahsoka and Padme swapped over smoothly, Padme retreating into her Senatorial cabin so she would appear in her proper role, Ahsoka landing the ship.
On the landing platform below several officials and guards awaited the arrival of the Vice-Chancellor of the New Republic. They had been informed that her children would stay on board her cruiser with two guards.
Commander Stultus, head of the Citadel prison, stood at attention on the landing platform. Prison guards formed an honour guard for this most important personage. The sleek cruiser descended through the clouds and settled gracefully on the platform. Whatever else people said about the Naboo they knew how to make their ships. And the woman who was coming was someone to impress.
Padme Amidala. Vice-Chancellor of the Republic, Leader of the Rebellion, former Senator and Queen of Naboo, widow to a Clone Wars fighter, mother to twins. A formidable personage and someone important to get on Stultus's side. From what the Jedi had told him it was imperative to get the extra funding to secure the prisoner. She was who he had to convince.
The cruiser settled smoothly on the tarmac and there was a pause as the ramp lowered. Six guards dressed in Naboo uniform, with half helmets concealing the lower halves of their faces, marched down the ramp and took up positions to either side of it.
There was a pause and then a woman swept down the ramp, her skirts brushing the ground as she moved between her guards. Stultus moved to greet her swiftly. He looked at her appraisingly.
The Vice-Chancellor was small, smaller than she had looked in the holos, but her presence more than made up for that. Her dark brown hair was looped elaborately in braids around her head, underneath her dark hood. She wore a dark green formal gown, with intricate embroidery, various symbols spiralling along the hem, underneath a simple black cloak, which served to shield her from the worst of the ash. She did not look like the fearless Rebellion leader that the holos portrayed her as. She didn't appear as some to stand up to Palpatine with words, and then take to arms when the Senate failed. It appeared that she would be easy to persuade for the additional funds. Stultus took her hand and kissed it.
"Vice-Chancellor," he greeted.
"Commander Stultus," she answered, coolly. "Perhaps we can go inside?"
"Certainly my lady," he replied. "Right this way."
Amidala waited a moment, and the reason became clear when there was another step on the ramp. A tall hooded figure in grey walked down and took up a position to Amidala's right. Her bodyguard then, as the hooded figure signalled for four guards to follow them. The other two took up positions to either side of the cruiser's ramp.
Amidala strode through the honour guard and into the complex as one completely used to such accolades. The guard followed them into the complex and the doors sealed behind them. As soon as they were in Amidala threw back her hood, her bodyguard mirroring her movements. The bodyguard was revealed as a female Togrutan. She was tall, her loose grey robes flowing around her, and when she turned slightly, two lightsabers were revealed, clipped to her belt. Her large blue eyes were constantly moving, scanning every inch of their surroundings for a potential threat. Stultus bristled. As if he would allow harm to come to the Vice-Chancellor here in possibly the most secure prison in the galaxy. The bodyguard met Amidala's gaze and nodded sharply.
"Commander Stultus," Amidala said. "Perhaps we can have a brief tour before we go to the Command Tower?"
"Certainly," Stultus replied, offering his arm to the Vice-Chancellor. She took it and smiled at him, and Stultus was aware that he was walking a little taller as he escorted this beautiful woman around his domain, unaware of the way her keen brown eyes were taking everything in, or that her companions were doing the same thing.
On board his mother's official cruiser Luke Skywalker gained access to the Citadel's computer system. He crowed in triumph, immediately accessing the cameras, security system and plans simultaneously. The plans went straight through to his mother's entourage as he searched the prison manifest to prepare to clear the way for them to free his father, and to trap all the guards who would inevitably respond. He was just waiting for the signal.
Leia Skywalker waited just out of sight of the ramp, one hand on the medical capsule that might be needed to save her father's life.
Padme took careful note of everything as Stultus toured her around the prison. Useful to have a braggart for a Commander. Very useful. At one point they passed a set of double doors, guarded by four men.
"What is behind those doors that is so important?" she asked sweetly. Behind her Ahsoka choked.
"Well my lady," Stultus began importantly. "In that area we house our most important, and dangerous prisoner, the one whom we have requested extra security for."
"Yes, who is that prisoner?" Padme asked. "That detail was never put on the information on Coruscant."
"Well, my lady, Darth Vader is held prisoner here," he replied, shifting slightly.
"Darth Vader!" Padme exclaimed, forcing her eyes to widen as if this wasn't the confirmation of all her hopes. "I thought that he had been executed."
"The Jedi said that he should be given an opportunity to redeem himself," the Commander explained. "But he has fallen ill with a fever in the last few days, and I was instructed not to give him advanced medical care."
"You were?"
"Well," he shifted again. "I sort of got the picture that it would be more convenient for the Jedi if he expired of natural causes."
"I see."
If the Commander had known anything about Padme Amidala he would have known that when her voice took on that tone that she was angry.
"An unpleasant thought Vice-Chancellor, I agree," Stultus said cheerfully, oblivious to her feelings. "But it can't be helped. This way to the Command Centre."
They strolled along the corridor and into the Command Centre.
"Go on break men," Stultus commanded the various technicians. They exchanged glances and hurried out the door. The large blast doors slid closed.
"Your guards may go on break as well," Padme ordered. They left the room instantly. "I want to speak to your Command staff."
"Of course, my lady, they are on their way."
Ahsoka and Padme exchanged glances and Ahsoka signalled the clones to take up positions by the exits. Ahsoka herself, subtly pressed the ten minute warning signal on her comm.
Padme drifted over to the holo screens and placed a datastick in one of the consoles. It would give her son easier access to the system, if he wasn't in it already.
The various Command staff bustled into the room and took their seats around a conference table. Padme moved to the head as the clones and Ahsoka spread out around the room.
"Your comlinks must be handed over to my guards," Padme demanded icily.
"Why my lady?" one of the Command Staff asked.
She raised an eyebrow and he shrank back in his seat. "This is a highly confidential meeting," she replied. "My guards will hold your comlinks to ensure that none of you attempt to record it."
"We would never-"
"Protocol gentlemen," Ahsoka smoothly cut off their objections. She produced a pouch from within her robes. "Your comlinks please."
They begrudgingly unclipped them and slid them down the table. Ahsoka slid them into the pouch which she tossed to one of the clones.
"Thank you," Padme smiled at them.
They all settled back in their seats, but Padme remained standing.
"I have to admit," she began. "From what I had heard of the Citadel, I was not expecting this. I am…impressed."
"Thank you, my lady," Commander Stultus replied.
Padme continued as if he hadn't interrupted. "But also a little disgusted, if not at you gentlemen, but at those who gave you your orders. I thought when I fought against the Empire that we were going to create a system where prisoners were treated with respect. I was appalled at your description, Stultus," her voice cracked like a whip, "of the orders given you regarding Darth Vader."
The Commander regained his voice and protested: "But he is dangerous Vice-Chancellor!"
Padme halted smoothly. "Yes he is," she replied, her back to them at the head of the table. "And so am I."
"My-" the word died in Stultus's throat as Amidala whirled on them, pulling a slender silver blaster from where it was hidden within her clothing. She pointed it at directly at his head. Around the room her guards also pulled blasters, aiming them at his Command Staff and the Togrutan bodyguard lit her two lightsabers.
"All of you put your hands behind your heads in silence," Amidala ordered.
They complied instantly and the guards manacled each of their hands, tying them to their chairs.
"Go," the Vice-Chancellor said coldly, pressing a button on her comlink. Suddenly she seemed very much the fearless Rebellion leader. Two of her guards and the Togrutan disappeared out of the door, which opened and closed without any code being input. Her two remaining guards took up ready positions to either side of the doors. Amidala undid a button on her dress and slipped out of it, one of the guards scooping it up into a pack, along with the grey robes that Stultus hadn't noticed the bodyguard discarding. Underneath the formal gown Amidala wore a plain white battle suit and sturdy boots, a holster on each of her hips. She sheathed the blaster and moved over to a holoscreen, calling something up.
"Vice-Chancellor, what is going on?" Stultus demanded, channelling every inch of his authority, and trying not to let the fear show.
Amidala laughed dryly, without looking anyway from the screen on which she was watching her companions' progression. "I would have thought that would have been obvious," she mocked. "We're breaking someone out of the Citadel."
"You're breaking Darth Vader out," Stultus breathed.
Amused brown eyes met his. "Yes."
She moved around the screen to perch on the table across from him. "Tell me Commander do you know who Vader was before he became a Sith?" she asked.
Stultus almost wanted to laugh. Here she was holding them all hostage as she broke out one of the most notorious criminals the galaxy had ever seen and she wanted to make small talk! But he judged that it was in his best interest to reply. "A little," he said hesitantly. "I understand that he used to be the Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker before he betrayed them and joined the Sith."
"Did the Jedi ever tell you why he turned?" Amidala questioned intently. She seemed to think that his answer was very important.
Stultus shrugged. "They said for the usual reasons, power, ambition. I didn't think it was that important."
"Oh, but it was," Amidala corrected. "You see, I knew Anakin Skywalker. I met him when he was nine. He saved my planet, and my life ten years later. We were close friends. And it wasn't power that he turned for."
"What was it then?" he questioned.
Amidala closed her eyes and then opened them and met his. "Love," she said softly. "Love. Anakin was forced to abandon his mother as a child, to a life of slavery on Tatooine. When he was nineteen he began to have horrific dreams of her suffering. The Jedi have an inflexible code, and refused to allow him to return to check on her. He was protecting me from an assassination attempt on Naboo when he had one of his worst nightmares. I insisted we go to Tatooine. We arrived to find that his mother had been freed and married, but she had been kidnapped a month earlier by Tusken Raiders. They are a nomadic tribe on Tatooine, vicious and cruel. As I understand it Anakin found her just before she died. He swore then that he would never allow someone he loved to die in pain and fear again. That is why he turned. He had dreams of someone else he loved in pain."
"Why don't the Jedi know this?" Stultus questioned. Amidala's eyes had been aglow during her story, her passion clear.
"Love and attachments are against their Code," she explained. "That was why they refused to let Anakin home to see his mother. They never understood, can never understand, passionate love between a man and a woman that can lead them to do things that otherwise they wouldn't. Love that can cross boundaries, social and political, that otherwise wouldn't be crossed. Anakin Skywalker is married. It was his wife he was dreaming of, and she knew."
"Why didn't she tell them then?"
"She had their children to protect," Amidala replied, her eyes distant as if seeing something in the past. "Much as she loved her husband, she knew that if he had to choose, while he was still Anakin, he would have told her to protect their children, even at the cost of his life."
"Do you know his wife?" Stultus asked. The whole story seemed a little fantastical.
Amidala smiled as if at some private secret. "I do."
At that moment her comm sounded and she clicked it on. "Yes?"
"Mum," a young boy's voice said. "Leia's almost there and Auntie 'Soka is just getting Dad out now."
"I'll be there in a moment," Amidala replied to the young boy…her son.
"Aunt 'Soka says and I quote 'Skyguy's gonna freak without you' by the way."
Amidala laughed softly and cut the transmission.
"Dad…" one of Stultus's staff said suddenly. Amidala turned and met his eyes. She smirked. He looked to say something more and then one of her guards interrupted.
"Lady Skywalker," he said crisply. Stultus was confused for a moment, before the Vice-Chancellor responded to the name. "We have to go. The General will be needing you and we have to get out of here, if we're going to make the rendezvous point."
"Of course," she nodded and pulled her cloak over her shoulders, sliding one of her blasters out of its holster.
"Lady Skywalker," Stultus breathed.
Amidala was about to exit but she looked back and met his eyes. "I told you that love can cross every boundary. And I adore my husband."
She turned and strode out of the room, her guards flanking her, and the Command Staff of the Citadel were forced to sit and watch as the second most powerful personage in the New Republic broke out the most notorious criminal in history from the galaxy's most secure prison.
AN: So I got inspiration this afternoon to write quite a lot of this, I already had the plot idea but it just came out this afternoon. This will be updated quite infrequently, as my main priority is The Hope of the Rebellion. I hope you enjoy this.
Please review!
The8thDalmuti