Sand & Ruin
Chapter Four
Rebel
-17 BBY Alderaan-
"Imperial cargo ship. You are not scheduled to arrive on our flight logs," AFC called out through their comm channel.
Anakin opened the channel from their end. "Acknowledged flight control. Our hyperdrive and coolant systems are malfunctioning forcing us to pull out of hyperspace. Requesting permission to land for repairs."
"Permission granted. You are to proceed to the designated landing pad we've indicated on your manifest. Prepare for inspection upon your arrival."
"Copy that flight control." Anakin replied closing the open comm channel. Obi-wan activated the commlink on his wrist. "Bail I've arrived on Alderaan in an Imperial cargo ship. I have someone with me that some of your guards may not take kindly too."
"That seems ominous Master Kenobi," Bail's voice called out through the commlink.
"All will be revealed Senator." Obi-wan could feel Anakin's intense stare. He met those blue eyes and put a hand on his shoulder, rising from the co-pilot's chair. "What did you expect me to say Anakin? Don't be alarmed if the Emperor's right hand walks off the light cruiser."
"Yes. That's exactly what you should have said Obi-wan," Anakin replied exasperated. He brought the ship down gently and unstrapped himself from the pilot's seat.
The local security force was waiting for them as they walked down the ramp. Bail pushed past them to greet Obi-wan. "Master Kenobi it's been a long time."
"Too long Senator Organa," he replied, walking down the ramp towards the welcoming party. Anakin hung back in the shadows waiting to reveal himself.
"Where's this guest of yours Obi-wan?" Bail asked, glancing up at the cruiser curiously, "I thought you brought the Emperor with you judging by your cryptic message."
Obi-wan chuckled darkly. "Good guess." A pair of black boots descended from the belly of the cruiser and Anakin pulled down his hood to reveal himself.
"Lord Vader…what an expected surprise," Bail said uneasily.
"Anakin will do," he replied. "Lord Vader is a traitor to the Empire or haven't you heard."
"I had. It would seem rumors of your demise were not as true as the Emperor would have us believe." Anakin stopped beside Obi-wan with a thin smile. He could sense the Senator's distaste for him. He didn't blame him for that sentiment much.
"Well regardless you are welcome on Alderaan," Bail proclaimed, gesturing for them to follow them towards the taxi that would take them to the palace.
Obi-wan walked with Bail sensing the Senator's misgivings about Anakin being present. He made sure his former apprentice was a good distance behind them before he began to speak. "You have nothing to worry about. He doesn't know his children survived."
"Are you going to tell him?" Bail inquired, clearly concerned for Leia.
"When the time is right," Obi-wan answered simply, "The Force surrounds us all Senator. He will restore balance to the galaxy as was prophesized long ago."
"You place too much faith in the man that destroyed your Order." Bail turned to make sure Anakin and the rest of his entourage were still with them once they reached the air taxi.
"Someone has to," Obi-wan sighed, he gazed at his former apprentice longing for the days where it was so much simpler to find themselves repelling a Separatist invasion on some distant Outer Rim world or escaping their executions on Geonosis.
Anakin gave his old master a puzzled look when he met Obi-wan's gaze. "Is something wrong?" he asked him softly as they took their seats.
Obi-wan looked down at the sprawling snow-capped mountain ranges dotting the planet's surface far below the peak where the planet's capital was located. It had been a long time since Obi-wan had been here. He'd forgotten just why the world was known as the planet of beauty.
A pack of wild thranta soared past the taxi heading for their nesting grounds on the cliffs of a nearby mountain. They were breathtaking to behold and he remembered the first time he had brought Anakin here when he was still his Padawan on a diplomatic mission before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. Anakin had demanded to ride one of the thranta while they were there.
Instead of riding a tamed one he snuck off into the wilds and tried to tame one himself. He had nearly died three times during the ordeal and Obi-wan remembered scolding him and confining him to the palace grounds for the rest of their stay. Not even that had managed to sour the boy's mood.
Obi-wan spared a glance at him to see him watching the thranta as well. His faint smile confirmed that he was remembering the same memory as well.
The taxi touched down in the entrance plaza of the palace and Queen Breha and other high nobles and diplomats were awaiting their arrival. Bail walked over to his wife and regent and fell in by her side. The Queen greeted Obi-wan warmly and took in Anakin and nodded to him respectfully, "We're pleased to have you here my lord."
"The honor is mine Your Majesty. I'd forgotten how beautiful Alderaan is and please there's no need to use my former title. The Emperor has seen to that," Anakin replied graciously. Anakin surveyed the crowd and reached out with the Force pressing against the minds of those present. He trusted the Queen and Bail but the Emperor had placed spies everywhere in those he suspected of opposing him. Alderaan was very vocal in their opposition to some of the Empire's methods and policies.
Anakin knew they couldn't stay long before the Emperor's agents tracked their stolen cruiser here. Queen Breha seemed to see the former Jedi's unease plainly on his features. She beckoned for them to follow her and Bail and gave the order for the other rabble to disperse. "I assure you that you are safe from the Empire here Master Skywalker."
"Anakin will do," Anakin said, flinching unintentionally at the mention of that honorary title bestowed to most Jedi. He didn't deserve to bear that title and he doubted that nothing he did could redeem himself enough to bear it. "I appreciate your protection Your Grace but I don't wish to place the people of Alderaan in danger for harboring me from the Empire."
"As far as most of the Empire knows you are dead Anakin," she said taking note of his discomfort. "However the Emperor keeps a close eye on those of us that dare to voice our opinions in the Imperial Senate. Especially with whispers of rebellion circulating the Senate floor. The louder voices on the floor were silenced and the worlds subjugated by yourself as you well know."
"Yes," Anakin said irritably taking the jab at him, "Which is why we won't impose on your hospitality for too long."
"Where will you be going?" she inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know that yet," he answered honestly. Obi-wan watched the exchange with mild interest. He hadn't expected their arrival to go so smoothly. He could feel how tense Anakin was as they moved deeper into the palace. It was almost concerning how much his former apprentice expected some sort of trap. He must have tasked Imperial Intelligence with seeding spies into the ranks of the elite to watch the royal family's movements and guests.
"Perhaps we could be of some assistance with that," Bail suggested. His arm linked with his wife's. "There is a like-minded friend that would like to meet the both of you. Mostly Obi-wan but I'm sure they could use the extra lightsaber if you were to accompany him."
"What kind of friend?" Anakin asked already knowing the answer to the question. Whispers of a coalition of insurgents dedicated to restoring the Old Republic had reached his ears. They were becoming bolder and bolder with each passing month. The Emperor had paid little attention to their growing threat until a Rebel fleet had sabotaged the Kuat Drive Yards and the Star Destroyer Tyranny. The theft of the X-wing prototype had been the final straw before the Emperor called a meeting of the joint-chiefs.
Vader had been present at the time and the Emperor's fury had been a sight to behold. He had condemned the Fresian scientists that had leaked intelligence of the prototype to the Rebel Alliance to die in the spice mines on Kessel for their treason. The Empire meanwhile had been forced to stay with the TIE models from Sienar.
"There is a group of dissidents seeking to restore the Old Republic backed by some former Senators and veterans of the Clone Wars," Breha continued, "They call themselves the Rebel Alliance." She stopped once they reached the veranda overlooking the valley below.
"Who is your contact in the Alliance?" Anakin inquired. Breha hesitated, "Discretion is the key to ensure the Alliance's survival Anakin. I'm sure you understand. With your help the Alliance can help countless worlds in need of assistance from the harsh rule of the Empire."
Bail nodded in agreement, "Two Jedi standing behind the Alliance will definitely be a sight to behold."
"Have you ever considered that the Emperor allowed the Alliance to survive simply because he didn't consider it a threat until now? If he learned that two Jedi had joined he would bring the full might of the Empire down on whatever world was harboring the Alliance," Anakin replied, pacing in circles around Obi-wan.
"He has a point Your Majesty," Obi-wan said, finally joining the conversation.
"It's a worth I'm sure our friends have considered and taken measures to conceal the whereabouts of their bases." Breha tapped the marble railing impatiently with a finger. "I see you two have a lot to think about so feel free to take the night to think about it and we'll speak on this in the morning my friends. Now if you'll excuse me I need to check on the baby."
"Congratulations are in order," Anakin said to Bail with a smile.
"She's a beautiful baby and already looks so much like her mother," he answered with a forced smile. "She'll make a benevolent ruler one day."
Obi-wan cut the conversation short before it proceeded any further. "I'm a bit tired from our travels. Perhaps we could retire to our quarters for the night. I'm not as young as I used to be," he joked. Bail saw the way out Obi-wan had provided.
"Of course. I'll take you to them right away." Two guards were standing outside a tower separate from the main structure of the palace. It was the same building they had stayed in many years ago when he had brought Anakin to Alderaan for part of his training.
"If you need anything just ask," Bail said leaving them at the doors. He headed back to the palace as the sun began to drop behind the distant mountains.
Obi-wan stepped into the lift that would take them to the top of the tower holding the door for Anakin and the pair ascended in silence. When the doors opened they entered their quarters and Anakin confronted Obi-wan, "What should we do?"
"We should join them we can't hope to take on the Empire alone. We need all the help we can get if we're going to ever hope to reach the Emperor," Obi-wan said.
"We can take him out on our own. I know the Palace like the back of my hand. If we strike now-" Anakin began before Obi-wan held up a hand to stop him.
"That's exactly what he will expect you to do. Patience was never a strong suit of yours my friend. He will expect you to rush to Coruscant and make an attempt on his life," Obi-wan replied, "Let's just hear out what these Rebels have to say."
"They are headed down a path to widespread civil war if they continue their militant ways," Anakin protested. "The galaxy can't survive another Clone Wars. You have no idea what the Empire is capable of what the Emperor has in motion." Anakin began to circle the room again.
Obi-wan could sense the fear in Anakin. "What has gotten into you?" he demanded gently. The last thing he wanted was for Anakin to close himself off.
"There is a project in the works. It has been being developed secretly since before the rise of the Empire. The Senate just approved funding for what they believe is an energy project. They also approved a large allocation of money towards the construction of what they believe is a planetary ore extractor according to Imperial propaganda," Anakin began. "All over the galaxy scientists and researchers are disappearing and old Jedi temples and lightsabers are being rounded up and plundered for their collections of kyber crystals."
"What would they need kyber crystals for? Their only use is to power our lightsabers."
Anakin shook his head, "A team of researchers has found a way to amplify the crystals' power. It was originally intended to produce power for an entire planet. The Empire has decided to take this research and weaponize it. This project is extremely classified and only the Emperor's closest advisors and the highest members of Imperial Command know its true intentions."
Obi-wan waited for Anakin to continue watching the former Jedi pace the room, "It is a planetkiller. They call it the Death Star. The first stages of construction have already begun. Even I don't know the location of the work site."
Obi-wan sank into the couch behind staring off outside the viewport at the distant stars. The Empire would use a weapon to intimidate countless systems into submission and the Emperor's control over the galaxy would be absolute. They would have to find a way to destroy it.
"We have to warn the Alliance then. We need to help them prepare for the storm that is coming. They need us Anakin. Now more than ever," Obi-wan pleaded.
Anakin fell silent for a moment before letting out a sigh, "You're right." He collapsed on the couch next to Obi-wan and rested his head on his leg looking up at his former Master. "Why is that we're always at the center of everything?"
"My friend it is usually you that is the cause of everything. I just get roped along with you," Obi-wan replied with a laugh. He glanced outside the large window again at the thranta soaring within the moonlight. "Do you remember when I brought you here as a Padawan?" he asked Anakin quietly.
"Of course," Anakin crowed proudly, "I tamed my own Thranta and nearly fell to my death. How could I forget?"
"You were always headstrong and independent. It's what made you such a difficult student. You didn't even care that you were in so much trouble for that stunt. You were just proud that you had pulled it off. There never was anything that you couldn't learn to fly. You have a gift for that," Obi-wan said softly gazing down at Anakin.
Anakin titled his head back to meet Obi-wan's eyes, "You had a gift for always knowing when to show up to get me out of trouble," he replied with a grin.
A sad smile crossed Obi-wan's features. "Not always. I wasn't there to save you or to stop Palpatine. I was trapped on the other side of the galaxy fighting a shadow war created by a Sith with no end to his ambition."
"You can't blame yourself for the Purge. That's on me and Sidious," Anakin said seriously, sitting up now. "I will never be able to atone for all the people I've hurt or killed."
Obi-wan knew he was right but he still couldn't help but feel a little survivor's guilt. "When freedom is restored to the galaxy and balance is returned to the Force you can let go of some of that burden you carry Anakin. I know you better than anyone. You will defeat the Empire and Palpatine. I believe in you."
Anakin gave only a thin smile in reply rising from the couch. "We should get some rest. We need to leave a little after sunrise before the Empire comes calling for us."
-17 BBY, Several Days Later: Dantooine-
The Corellian corvette Bail and Breha had supplied them with dropped out of hyperspace above Dantooine. Somewhere below on the planet's largely uninhabited surface was the location of a Rebel base. They had gone to great lengths to make sure they hadn't been followed from Alderaan. Anakin had made several short jumps to various systems before they had finally arrived at Dantooine.
The corvette broke through the planet's atmosphere smoothly and Anakin steered the vessel away from the settlements and towards the grasslands towards where the beacon was emanating from. The ship touched down on a makeshift landing strip outside where the rebels had taken up residence in an abandoned mining complex.
Men raced to through a camouflaging net over the corvette to obscure it from being picked up by any scanners or satellites flying overhead. Two squadrons of X-wings were similarly covered as well as a contingent of Y-wings. A few transports were safely stowed inside a warehouse turned into a hangar.
"Welcome to Dantooine, Master Jedi," a voice called out behind them. The Chandrilian senator approached with her own entourage of fellow political dissidents from the Imperial Senate.
The soldiers with her watched Anakin intently. Obi-wan stepped in front of him before they tried anything stupid. "He's on our side now. If you really want to restore the Old Republic he's the best chance you've got at that."
"I agree with you completely Master Kenobi," Mon Mothma said regarding the Emperor's former enforcer with curiosity. "I believe Anakin Skywalker will prove most useful to the Alliance and our efforts to end the Empire's tyranny."
Anakin watched her cautiously. He distrusted all manner of politicians now. She would be a fool to trust him so easily. He doubted she trusted him at all. He was a tool at her disposal to be used to further her agenda. An agenda with good intentions but a political platform to stand on when this war they were steering towards was finally over. He had no doubt she would be the New Republic's choice for Chancellor.
"If you would be so gracious as to follow me I'm sure there are others at this security briefing that would like to meet you," she continued heading for the central mining complex. "We are discussing our next target and perhaps you could weigh in on it Master Skywalker."
"Please, you can call me Anakin."
Mon Mothma dipped her head respectfully towards him. "Of course my apologies."
A massive circular table in the center of the room was surrounded by all manner of politicians, veterans, pilots, and operatives. "Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you Master Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker." Most of the room turned to look at the latter name but Obi-wan took no offense to it.
Anakin stood silently beside Obi-wan watching the whole room shout at each other. The sounds of liberty and democracy. Obi-wan let out a sigh likely sharing Anakin's sentiment about the situation. They had their work cut out for them.
-17 BBY, Coruscant: Imperial Palace-
"Mara."
Emerald eyes snapped opened and the red-haired girl rose from her studies. The Emperor was summoning her. Mara passed through the halls of the palace in her black flight suit unopposed by any of the Imperial Guard. It was still too early for any dignitaries to be moving about the Palace but she knew those that caught glimpses of her had made her the source of rumors.
She was the Hand of the Emperor. She had passed every trial and every test her Master had thrown her way. She could tell by the urgency of his summons through their telepathic link that he had a mission of importance for her.
She entered the throne room and found it empty save for a few of the Imperial Guard and Vizier Mas Amedda beside Emperor Palpatine. She knelt before them respectfully, "You summoned me, my master," Mara said glancing up at Palpatine.
"Yes. I have a task for you my dear. It marks the start of your training as my apprentice," Palpatine said with a twisted smile from beneath his cowl. "You are to join the Rebellion and provide me with the names of their leaders and any Imperial sympathizers."
"Do you want to me to execute them in your name?" Mara asked, placing a hand on the hilt of her lightsaber.
"No. I will dispatch Imperial forces to handle the Rebellion. I want their annihilation to be shown across the galaxy to remind those who threaten the peace of the Empire," Palpatine said, rising from his throne. "There is one more thing you must do for me if you are to take your rightful place at my side."
"Anything," Mara replied confidently, "It shall be done."
"You will kill Anakin Skywalker."
A/N: Let me know how y'all felt about this chapter. It was a longer one cause there was a lot of ground to cover. And a lot of dialogue which is why I did the time jump to Dantooine. Sorry if that was confusing or awkward to read I just got tired of Alderaan for the time being.
We're starting to see a lot more trust and affection between Anakin and Obi-wan. It won't be long before we see their old dynamic during the Clone Wars as they begin to actively take part of Rebel strikes. Next chapter will be coming soon. Also I won't be updating as frequently as I have been. I just have a lot of inspiration and free time right now.