Chapter Four

Ferus Olin

Anakin's memories swept over Darth Vader. Anakin was with Padme on Genosis. The tunnel was dark and gloomy and quiet, except for the echo of cheering from the arena.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered his voice soft and caring.

"I'm not afraid to die," she said her voice, thick and soft. "I've been dying a little everyday since you came back into my life."

He stared at her, afraid to believe, afraid to hope, afraid to love. "What are you saying?"

Then she said it, and it was real and genuine and warm. "I love you."

"You love me?" he asked, clearing his throat which had become thick with emotion, "I thought we had decided not to fall in love, that we would be forced to live a lie, that it would destroy our lives."

"I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. My love for you, Ani, is a puzzle which I have no answer for. I can't control it and now I don't care. I truly deeply love you and before we die I want you to know."

"Padme, you are not going to die here. We're going to be okay. I won't let anything happen to you ever," Anakin said as peace washed over him.

"I know, Anakin."

"So what you have Jedi powers now too?"

"Oh, Ani."

"Padme, if we get out of this marry me."

"Anakin, are you sure?"

"I've never wanted anything more."

"Me either," she said and he leaned in to kiss her before they were escorted into the arena where Obi-Wan and the Genosians awaited.


Darth Vader awoke, nearly feeling Padme's lips on his, his memories so strong... "You are not in control," Darth Vader told Anakin."Wanna bet?" Anakin replied. Darth Vader had his mask secured and the suit on as it had been before Obi-Wan had force-healed him or whatever had happened while he was under. He had spent a few hours in a bacca tank and was as good as new, better in fact than the Emperor had ever let him be. He stepped inside Ferus's holding cell and dismissed the storm troopers.

The Jedi looked at him thoughtfully. "I know you too, Vader."

"Lord Vader, Ferus."

"I heard that you kill Jedi on sight. Go ahead take your pound of flesh."

"The only reason you are still alive is because I once knew you."

"The Emperor wants us the think you appeared out of nowhere on the birth of the Empire. You were a Jedi."

"Once I was a Jedi. I fought in the Clone Wars."

"What Jedi didn't?"

"I'm going to warn you, Ferus Olin. Keep helping the Rebellion and you'll find yourself on the wrong end of my lightsaber."

"Why don't you kill me now?"

"Because I'm going to let you go. You can't hurt me. You don't know who I am. You can't destroy the Emperor without me."

"And I'm supposed to believe that the Emperor's lapdog would turn against him?"

"Perhaps, at the right moment."

"Which is...?"

"When he least expects it. I'm not sure that I can do it alone however."

"Your voice sounds familiar. It's a voice I haven't heard in a long time. I was led to believe that your voice was deeper."

"It was a mechanical voice."

Ferus looked interested. "Why do you use a mechanical voice? To scare people?"

"Not exactly. I was sent to Mustafar at the end of the war to eliminate the threats."

"Eliminate?"

"Assassinate," Darth Vader confirmed.

"The Executor. It fits."

"You are free to go."

"What if I don't choose too?"

"Are you crazy? If the Emperor sees you as a threat he will have you killed. Why do you think the Jedi are all but extinct? Maybe I did it but don't think it wasn't the Emperor's wishes. He was the Sith Lord we were searching for."

"Palpatine was Sidious?"

"Yes."

"I thought you might have been Sidious."

"I know. Alot of people make that misconception."

"Are you human?"

"I was."

"What are you now Vade?"

"Vade?"

"The way I figure it you and I are going to be friends."

"We were already friends. I'm part machine. I've lost my remaining limbs and they were replaced."

"Remaining? You had lost one previously?"

"You are smart for a pompous ass padawan."

"I wasn't so bad."

"You don't know who I am. Other than the Emperor there are only two beings in the galaxy who know my identity. I'm going to give you that gift. Then you are going to leave. You are going to find Obi-Wan and Master Yoda. You will wait for me to decide when we destroy the Emperor and when I return the Empire to the former Republic when I give it to the Rebellion; I want immunity for my crimes against humanity..."

"I don't know if I can do that your lordship. I am not in control of the Rebellion. How do I know I can trust you?"

"Once I put my life in your hands and you put yours in mine."

"Will you tell me who you are?"

"I am the Jedi's Chosen One."

"Anakin Skywalker?"

"One and the same."

"You are the Chosen One. You are the Hero with no Fear. You are alive."

"In a manner of speaking."

"Let me see, prove it."

Darth Vader took off the mask and Ferus laid eyes on his face. Healed but still very pale. "The Emperor had been poisoning me. I trusted him Ferus."

"Your trust was misplaced, Ani."

"I know. No one has called me Ani in years."

"Then it's about time. You are leaving soon."

"Yes, Obi-Wan thinks my limbs can be regrown."

"I'm going with you."

"Ferus, be careful. They don't like Jedi around here. I'm going to rest, all this stress has taken a toll on my body," he said hating to admit it. "Don't tell anyone my identity. I like things this way. If you tell anyone I'll finish the job I started. You got that? It was my task to exterminate the Jedi." Darth Vader stopped and scooped up his helmet and reattached it.

"There may be a way to grant you immunity when I'm sure you are Anakin Skywalker. As long as Masters Obi-Wan and Yoda are the only ones who know. It's not exactly a lie. You were imprisoned by the Emperor. I rescued you on board the Death Star."

"Why can't I rescue myself?"

"It's been years, Ani. If the Hero with No Fear could have rescued himself he would have done it by now."

"Get some rest Ferus; we are leaving in the morning."


Ferus Olin smiled Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker was alive. There was hope even if that hope resided in the body of Darth Vader. He was taking steps toward Anakin Skywalker whether he realized it or not. How had Jedi Anakin Skywalker become the emotionless Darth Vader? No, he wasn't emotionless anymore; there had been alot of regret in his voice and eyes. There was hope. Ferus couldn't wait to speak to Master Obi-Wan. He had known Anakin better than anyone. Anakin Skywallker was born to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force.