essSummery:

Darth Vader thought he had learned the price of power

He was so wrong.

AU set six months before ANH

'Force speak '

*Thoughts*

Disclaimer : Don't own it or make money for this. I write for fun.

Chapter 10 - En-route to the Clone World:

Obi-wan's POV:

As the Imperial shuttle lifted off of Tatoonie, I felt far better then I had in a long time. And felt far more strength then I had since Luke had been captured. The boy was a beacon for the Light and it had only been that lone Light that had enabled me to shield him for so long. From his sister as well as from Vader and the emperor. But I had forgotten how strong a beacon his father had been. And was now again.

How was he managing? He was feeding me strength through our old bond as well as keeping us cloaked from Palpatine. And I knew now that he been sent to Mustafar in the hopes that he'd be maimed, effectively draining him of most of his native strength as he claimed the power of the Dark Side. In this, Palpatine must have realized he had succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. How in the name of the Force was Anakin able to hold up now as half a man?

I had finally calmed down enough from the latest shock he'd given me when I noticed our pilot. Biggs Darklighter, a close friend of Luke's who had gone on to the Academy, last year. Luke had moped for weeks after Biggs had gone and it had been painful to watch him even from afar. But now Biggs was here and seemed to be helping Anakin. "Orders, sir?" I felt Anakin's small smile stretch the scar tissue around his mouth even if no one could see it. "Sorry Biggs but this time I must enter the coordinates. Only Obi-wan and I know were we're going now. Rex and Cody probably could but I won't ask them. It's bad enough we have to go there, for them."

There was only one place in the galaxy that I could think of that Anakin would be referring to. "Kamino. We're going to Kamino? Anakin, surely if the emperor is starting to suspect you, that is the first place he'd look."

"He's already checked there, master. And he doesn't know about the fact that I managed to save Taun-We from his clutches. For myself as Vader's own purposes true. And Taun-We has stubbornly refused to do anything for Vader. Hopefully that will have changed," He told us as he finished and pulled the lever for hyperspace.

He nodded at Biggs as he stood up, "This young man has a certain talent in hiding small ships in plain view. Which he's used more then once in the week he has been on the Death Star." Biggs seemed to swell up with pride at Anakin's praise. Did he know who 'Darth Vader' really was? I had remembered overhearing Biggs speak to Luke about Anakin long ago and had quickly nudged both their young minds from the truth. Not far enough apparently.

"I always figured that it was going to be the only way I could practice with the 'real thing' General Skywalker," Biggs said proudly. "It's an honor to help you sir. Especially if it means getting Luke away from the emperor." "Fair enough. And Biggs," Anakin paused and I sensed him frown, but also his exasperated amusement. " ..call me Anakin. I know Rex and Cody don't but I've never been able to completely break them of that habit when we were 'in the field' You however, are my son's closest friend and I'd much rather treat you as such."

"Yes sir, I mean, yes Anakin. But it's only because of my respect sir," Biggs told him honestly. "Hmph. Perhaps when we've gotten Luke back, I'll consider that I've actually earned it, Biggs. Still I thank you," Anakin was also being honest, painfully so. "Master, there is so much to discuss. My cabin is this way." he said to me as he moved toward the rear. "I'll let you know when we're ready to revert, Anakin," Biggs called as I followed him.

If anyone had told me even a day ago, that Darth Vader had been caged by Anakin, and that I'd be sitting in a Imperial shuttle speaking to my former padawan about his return and the things he had learned. Well I would have dismissed them as a crackpot dreamer, hoping for a fairy-tale ending. But the Force works in many ways, and Anakin had always been known for doing the impossible. I listen in mingled wonder and horror at what had happen to bring him back, how he had found out about the first servants of the Force and how he was related to them.

Oh I remembered Mortis alright. Not as well as I would have liked, and I believe Anakin's padawan remembered far more. It would explain why Ashoka had disappeared and why Master Yoda and I couldn't find her to warn her afterward. But I had remembered enough to know that the crack in our brotherhood as fellow Jedi came from our time there. And now I knew why. And learning Son was now on the loose in the emperor's body. Anakin had indeed intervene just in the nick of time.

He had taken the mask off again as soon as we had sat down. I knew he wanted me to be able to see his face. He told me candidly that he'd hadn't been able to handle anything less then pure oxygen before he'd been able to heal some of the damage to his lungs. And that he'd still need to have that soon enough. The suit was a impediment for him to do anything more for himself.

After he had finished, I leaned back and tried to digest all he had told me. It was almost too much, and I wondered how he'd been able to keep his sanity through it all. His respirator was soothing to listen to, ironic enough. Anakin always had a way with machines and I saw that he wasn't joking about having help. Luke would have gone to any lengths to help his father, now that he knew the truth.

He made a sound that was probably similar to clearing his throat and then winched at it. I sensed he had something else to say, once again touching on the old wound. It was healing now and swiftly, yet he needed to say more about it in order to drain away the last of the poison. "I should have told you about Padme and I from the first, master. But I was afraid that you would try and berate me for my marriage. Or worse, tell the Council. I couldn't live without her," Anakin's voice was barely above a whisper and I could feel his pain at not trusting me.

"It's alright Anakin. I probably would have given you a hard time about it, at least until I realized how much you needed each other. It wasn't until I had taken Padme to Polis Massa that I had," I told him, not without a shudder of my own. That the Dark Side had been so powerful as to blind myself and Yoda to why Padme was dying was hard to accept. And that Padme was right about him as she had told me. Now I knew why.

Even at in his darkest hour, when Vader practically ruled him and Sidious had rebuild him with nothing to stop the pain, Anakin had tried desperately to save his family. And Sidious may have succeeded in killing the twins had he not. That was what Padme had tried to convey to me, but had no strength left. She'd spent it all on saving their children. With Anakin's help.

I felt the last of the poison drain out and the old wound close. I'd finally be able to sleep without that pain-filled scream ever echoing in my ears again. Just then I felt a sudden breathlessness. But it wasn't my own. And the hitching wheeze of Anakin's next breath told me that he'd pushed things far enough. "Will you ever learn my old padawan?" I said gently as I looked for the oxygen bottle. "You aren't doing Luke any favors by trying too much.

There was no answer and I realized he hadn't even heard me. I could feel him reach for some..one. Luke, I realized was calling for his father. And through my bond with Anakin I could faintly hear him, feel his sudden terror. Father , HE is back and he's brought a inquisitor. He says he wants me to take my place as his right hand and this man will finish my training. He is telling me that the pain won't stop until I kill the man with the Dark Side. What do I do? Luke's despair was far more powerful then I thought and I shuddered to think how close we had been.

Then I felt a jolt as the boy felt the first of what was coming. Pain arched up my back from the lash. But that wasn't my pain and I was receiving it not through my own link with Luke, but from my link with his father. Their link had grown so strong in the last few days. Hold fast son, I'm coming. We've got to get you out of that cell now," Anakin called back to him. Then he turned toward me. "I need to be hooked up to the support, Obi-wan. I don't dare Force-Shift if there's a chance that my body could fail."

"Wouldn't that expose you?" I asked even as I helped him lay down and started hooking up the monitor equipment. It was definitely old, and I realized it was from the healer's wing. Which I knew how to use. He didn't answer me out loud but I saw his eyes were watching me. Luke's condition is fragile at the best, master. He needs to escape now so that he can hide until we can get to Coruscant. Else he won't have the strength.

Anakin was right of course. Still I felt so helpless. Master, I have to do this myself. I can't teach you to Force-Shift, we don't have time. And I fear that If I did, you would join the Force now. But you can watch over my body while I'm 'Shifted' I need all my concentration on this and need to know my body is safe, so I am anchored. That he trusted me for this was beyond anything I could believe would ever happened. And maybe I wasn't so useless after all. Go on Anakin, get your son out of danger. Your body will be safe until you get back. I told him. A pulse of gratitude then the bond was tested for the first time as it stretched impossible long...

I couldn't sleep! I had to keep the faith that Anakin had in me. But with his bright presence so far away from me, I was loosing my own strength. The Darkness never seemed closer to my own soul. You only need to ask Obi-wan. You were and always will be my padawan. Qui-Gon seemed to come out of no-where as was his trademark. You should have had that shoulder taken care of Obi-wan. I'm beginning to think that Anakin's return have addled you wits far worse then should be possible for a man of your age and standing.

I looked over at my former master's form and chuckled. "And what would you have known about that, Master?" I asked him. The glow of the Force intensified around my master and I felt my strength come back. As did the urge to added my own somewhat caustic sarcasm to the situation. "As far as I am concerned, between Anakin and Luke I've earn every one of these 'gray hairs' thank you!" Qui-Gon smiled even as the door slipped open. You certainly have indeed, my former padawan. Ah, Cody, it seems that Kenobi has decided to neglect a injury to himself in order to watch over Skywalker. Which will simply not do since it was his saber arm.

Cody saluted Qui-Gon and moved to my side as I felt my eyes go wide. "You can see Master Jinn, Cody?" He carefully pulled up my tattered sleeve as he answered,"Yea, me and Rex can sir. Not like we're sensitive being clones and all. I gather it started when General Skywalker came to visit us, looking like he did at the end of the Wars. Only he was glowing, and I'd figured he'd finally passed. Said as much, but he quickly put me on the right track." He finished cleaning the blaster wound and placed a bacta patch on it.

"Me and Rex, sir, we were the last ones to see him before he went 'full Sith' if you will," Cody went on. I didn't want to hear any more but the clone was relentless. "He was hunting the younglings down and had cornered the last of them when he suddenly stopped and paled. He turned towards me and I swore he was gonna be sick. Was the last time I saw the real color of his eyes, not the yellow snake-like look he'd been sporting. Rex joined me just then and we saw that he was fighting something fierce. He managed to order us to get the younglings somewhere safe. And as far away from him as possible. Then he stormed out and I could see that the General was gone. Almost for good as it turned out."

Anakin had manage to save some of the younglings? This was the first I'd ever heard about such and said so. "Where did you send them Cody?" The clone shifted uneasily and I knew that it was going to be bad."We don't rightly know sir. Rex and I managed to smuggle them to one of the shuttles and the eldest of 'em told me that she'd be able to get them to the Rim Worlds but we never heard from any of them. "

"Anyway, ever since the General came to us, it's like we can tell when there's Jedi stuff going on. Like now, him being in trance and this Master Jedi being here. Seen him a few times now as a matter a fact. First time he's asked me to do something, begging your pardon sir." That last was said to my master and I saw him raise ghostly brows. I knew that Obi-wan would need your help, Cody. And you need not beg my pardon. This situation would be awkward for the Jedi, let alone two clones that managed to survive both the Clone Wars and serving Vader.

Still I appreciate your candor. And now I need you and/or Rex to help Obi-wan until Anakin gets back. I cannot stay for Sidious will look here soon enough if I do. Cody nodded as he finished and sat down near by me. "Don't you worry Master Jedi, we'll keep General Kenobi awake so that he can keep watch over General Skywalker. Qui-Gon nodded and quickly vanished as he came.

...

It was hours later that I could feel Anakin returning. Rex had suggested I get some sleep while he stood in for me. I would have protest but knew that he was right. I was awakened by Master Qui-Gon whispering he's coming back. So when he did so, he appeared first outside his body, looking as Cody said, like he had at the end of the Clone Wars. His entire frame was shaking and the glow I'd grown use to accompanying one who was part of the Force was particularly dim. I felt the urge to speak but he managed to raise a hand and shake his head at me slightly. His eyes were haunted again and yet there was also a sense of accomplishment.

He soon seemed to fade and disappear as the same dim glow surrounded his living frame. The monitors started to beep as he started to wake. Cody and I quickly disconnected him even as I heard a voice in my mind. But this was something Anakin was hearing directly. And I was grateful that it wasn't directed at me. A harsh hissing whisper, full of venom. So, my apprentice, your son's Light burns you even more than it does me.

Good. He may have escaped the cell for now, but he will be captured again soon enough. And once I have found you, I will bring you to Imperial Center and make sure you hunt him down. Your rejection of him will be all I need to bend him to the Dark Side. Sidious' mad cackle echoed in my mind as he broke the connection between himself and 'Vader'. Anakin looked up at me then, with the same haunted yet triumphant look he'd worn when he first appeared.

"Luke is safe for the moment. He's in my quarters at the Temple and he's going to stay there unless I have to move him," he finally was able to tell me after a few false starts. "Why the Temple of all places?" I was confused. The haunted look became stronger as he answered. "Sidious had built a cell there in the middle of the Council Room among the remains of the younglings. It was where he would take anyone who was captured with Force-sensitivity. The Dark Side was so strong there that it would torment them till they'd go mad. I never knew about it till now."

"Luke saw it, didn't he?" I asked heavily. "He already knew about it when he contacted me this time. He was as afraid for me as he was for himself." The pride and protective love Anakin had for his son suddenly broke through. "I told him nothing could harm us there if we trusted each other enough to get him to my quarters safely. And trust me he did. I never changed my password and Luke was able to type it in. I doubt Sidious will be able to find him there."

The comm suddenly beeped as Biggs called, "5 minutes to sub-light, Anakin, Ben. You probably want to come up here and figure out how to make the approach." Anakin stood up finally as Cody helped him with his mask. "Thank you Cody. Now go and get yourself and Captain Rex strapped in. We may have to do some fancy flying." "Oh no, not this again! I swore I'd never let you into the pilot's seat with your madcap stunts. You'll get us all killed!" I said, dreading the inevitable.

I knew the rascal's eyes had lit up with excited anticipation even as he moved into the seat next to Biggs. "Come now master. You know this is where the fun begins."