Chapter 9 - Planning
"You're all back early."
Han seemed a little too comfortable in the Naberrie cottage, lounging back in a chaise with a full glass of wine as he and Darred enjoyed Death Hunters, a holothriller about a gang of death stick chewing bounty hunters. Darred was no Chewbacca, but he and his holo-shows made for pleasant enough company with the Wookie en route to Kashyyyk visiting his family.
"Really Han," Leia asked with a raised eyebrow. "One day on Naboo and you've turned into a wine drinking dandy too?"
Han shrugged. "They've got a good selection here. This glass here is a vintage from the era of King...Teteto?"
"Tepalo," Leia corrected, sitting down on Han's lap and wishing she could change the holo to something more constructive. She noted the confused faces on both Han and Padme's faces. "For reasons that are obvious now, Bail made sure I learned much of Naboo history."
From a nearby veranda Sola emerged holding the Empress's comlink like it was a soiled diaper. "I just spoke with Master Kenobi on Mandalore. He says there's trouble but did not elaborate further."
Padme frowned. "Anakin sensed something off while they were meditating. That's why he called for the speeders early."
"Sithspit," Darred whispered at Han, shifting nervously in his seat. "I don't think the Empress approves of bounty hunters."
"Nonsense, Darred. If it's on the Holo's, I've already approved them." Padme walked up between the two men, scrutinizing their show. "Death Hunters! Ani and I love this one! Their use death sticks as a motif is so...meta"
"You guys watch these shows," Han asked with a crooked eye. "I'd think the Empress and her supreme General would have much more important things to do."
"We also don't have children, which frees up a lot of time. It's either the shows, or traveling the Empire undercover to enjoy different foods and drinks and find criminals and gangsters to kill."
"Oh," Padme exclaimed before any of them had a chance to follow up on her last statement, "this is the episode where the Imperial Agent finds out his brother-in-law's the one who's been manufacturing the death sticks all along!" Padme frowned. "You and Sola are way behind on this show."
"He's behind," Darred said, motioning at Han. "Being from another Galaxy and all. We're already in the middle of the Hapan double agents season."
"I see your Empire loves your entertainment," Han said, sipping more of his wine. He turned to Leia, the closeness of her face still a blessing after six months in carbonite. "I could get used to this, this watching-other-people-run-around-for-dear-life-thing, rather than ourselves."
"Exactly," Padme said. "Keep them happy, they're less likely to do things like join rebellions. No offense to you guys, of course."
"Palpatine could obviously have learned something from your mother in running an Empire," Anakin added. "Luke, it's a shame you didn't have stuff like this on Tatooine. Would've made the sandstorms a lot less boring."
"Speaking of Empires, this is your problem now," Sola said, handing her sister the comlink, walking up to Anakin afterwards. "By the way, you'll be disappointed to know that my daughters have forgotten all about you and are both hopelessly in love with Han now."
Anakin glared at the man holding his daughter. "Not funny, considering that Leia is barely older than Ryoo." He went to the veranda doorway, where the two teenagers were sitting outside. "Ryoo! Pooja! Come inside! Imperial Council meeting time!"
"You let them sit in on the meetings," Leia asked. She was not unfamiliar with the idea of child politicians, having been one herself. But it was one thing to in a peripheral or provincial role, another entirely sitting in on the highest councils of the entire Galaxy.
"Of course," Anakin said. "One or both of them will be Empress one day. This is the best way they'll learn."
The blue visages of the Empress's Council had already replaced the bounty hunters at the center of the Naberrie family holo-room by the time Ryoo and Pooja had arrived. The two of them took seats in between Anakin and Han, exchanging nervous looks at the latter, while Sola sat in the back of the room bearing an expression that made it clear she would rather be anywhere else in the Galaxy at the current moment. Obi-Wan briefed them from a base in Mandalore, and afterwards Ahsoka, seated with Bail and Mina in a meeting room in the Senate building, continued.
"My agents are reporting that the Death Watch is slowly taking control of the planet with the blockade and air support from the Rebel Fleet. The more territory they occupy, the more difficult it will be to maintain communications with Master Kenobi."
Anakin frowned at his former student. "Why were your agents not aware of the alliance between the Death Watch and the rebellion? This should not have taken us by surprise."
"Our operations in the Mandalore system were always limited due to the Duchess's protests. Without time to develop deep cover agents, our contacts in the system are superficial at best."
"Do not let that stop you next time," Anakin ordered. "Your mandate exceeds that of any local system. Just take extra precautions that they are not found out in the future."
"What of civilian casualties," Leia asked, making a point to sit between Han and the two teenagers she now eyed warily.
"There are no mass casualty events yet, but the civilian deaths are not insignificant."
"Contested areas where the Duchess's forces fight back," Obi-Wan added, "the Death Watch bombards the area regardless of civilians. We have heard little from cities already occupied by the Death Watch; I do not believe there are any mass executions yet, but let's just say that the Death Watch acts very severity to maintain their own security."
"If the fleet is present," the Empress said at Leia, "that means Tarkin is likely there as well. You and Luke are certainly aware of what he is capable of."
"And the return of the Sith," Anakin noted. "They are not known for compassion either."
Luke looked over at his mother. "You've mentioned that Mon Mothma leads the Rebel Alliance here, as she does in our world? I know her. Leia knows her. Han knows her. Whatever her ideals, I find it difficult to believe she would ally herself with a Sith."
To Leia's surprise, it was Bail Organa who answered her brother's comment.
"Mon needed a fleet, and Tarkin was able to provide one. As for the Sith, I doubt she would have been aware of his role until now, seeing as his survival was a surprise to the Empire and the Jedi alike as well."
"So now what," Ryoo suddenly asked, the teenager bearing a look of intense impatience. "Clearly the Empire has to act now? We'll look so weak if we don't do anything."
Despite his tenuous circumstances, Leia swore he saw a sparkle of humor in Obi-Wan's eyes at the teenager's words. She wondered who she reminded the Jedi Master of, and had a good guess in her mind already.
"Ambassador Bonteri, the Duchess has allowed me to issue on behalf of her system a formal request for assistance."
"If that's the case," Mina said, "then it's up to the Empress what comes next."
"We have to do something, don't we Aunt Padme?" Leia was surprised to see the teenage abandon all formalities in the middle of a Council meeting. None of the Council members themselves seemed too disturbed, so it would seem that the Imperial family was exempt from protocol.
"We can't just let innocent people die like this, can we," Pooja asked.
"And Uncle Obi-Wan's in danger too."
The Jedi Master smiled at Ryoo. "I'll be able to handle myself, young one, though I do appreciate the concern."
"Bail," Padme said, "please make clear to your faction that the Imperial intervention was clearly requested by the sovereign of Mandalore."
"Of course Your Grace. This is not any simple rebel conflict; the humanitarian aspects of this situation cannot be ignored."
"Obi-Wan," the Empress summoned next. "Please communicate to the Duchess that our presence will not be unnecessarily obtrusive. Anakin and I will personally lead the fleet and supervise the engagements."
"Of course," Obi-Wan said, raising one eyebrow. "You will be bringing the Naboo fleet?"
Padme nodded. "That will expedite our action."
"I hope you'll still be in one piece when we arrive, old man."
"May the Force be with you too, Anakin."
The meeting ended, but Sola was not finished.
"You are taking the fleet with you to Mandalore, not just the Naberrian," she asked with a frown from the back of the room, cringing as said out loud the name of the Imperial flagship bearing the name of her own family.
"Enough so we are not outnumbered," Padme replied.
"Not to be selfish," Sola continued, rising to stand next to her daughters, "but that would leave Naboo unprotected. If the rebels are mounting an offensive, then surely the homeworld of the Empress and her family would be a potential target?"
"Anakin," Padme asked, deferring the issue to her General.
"It would be unconventional strategy for the rebels to overstretch given their limited numbers," Anakin said, pacing the room and holding his chin in thought. "But Tarkin is a cunning strategist and has shown in the past that he is willing to take risks. Sola, you make a good point."
"Thanks Anakin," Sola said, slightly uncomfortable by her brother-in-law's praise. "I don't mean to pry about things, I just worry for my children and our parents."
Anakin strode up to Luke, who rose in deference at his father's approach. He beckoned at Leia, who joined them in the middle of the room as well.
"Luke. Leia. As much as I hate the idea, you are now both seasoned warriors. You will accompany your mother to Mandalore and ensure her safety."
Luke seemed to stand up straighter at his father's words. Anakin continued.
"You will help Obi-Wan on the planet if the opportunity arises, but your primary concern is to protect the Empress. I do not need to tell you how important she is to all of us."
"Ani, I'll be fine. I'll have an entire fleet with me, along with our children." Padme walked into the welcoming embrace of her husband's arms, and as she held him she seemed to be the one comforting him.
"You know how much I hate leaving you," Anakin whispered to his wife, ignoring at that moment everyone else gathered in the room. Han exchanged awkward looks with Leia and then Luke as their parents embraced ferociously, but the rest of the family seemed unfazed by their gesture of affection
"Be wary of the Sith as well," Anakin continued to his son as he let go of his wife, though he still grasped her hand with his. "Maul is a ruthless and ferocious creature; do not engage him without Obi-Wan at your side."
"Facing him can't be worse than Darth Vader," Luke said. As much as he was looking forward to joining his old mentor on Mandalore, Luke had really wanted to learn more about the Force from his father too, who had promised him a sparring session or two in the coming days. "Does this mean you're staying on Naboo?"
"Myself and Han."
"Me?"
"Han?" Leia was just as incredulous.
"With all due respect sir," Han looked around the room nervously at Darred and Sola for support, "is this a trap?"
"You're a good pilot," Anakin said, "or so you claim. You will assist me in command of the remaining fleet and coordinate them with the Naboo Home Defense forces in case of a rebel attack. The safety of the Imperial family is just as paramount as that of the Empress."
Han swore to himself, having to be separated from Leia so soon after their reunion. It seemed that Anakin/Vader would always be intent on keeping them apart, though he had to admit that protecting what seemed to be a very nice family was a much better reason than hanging in carbonite for the pleasure of a Hutt.
"If I die," he said to Leia, "tell the Galaxy my greatest flaw was trusting your family way too much."
Leia smiled as she caressed his face. "Don't be so dramatic Han. You'll be fine in Anakin's hands."
She frowned, then looked over at her father. "On second thought...Anakin...please don't kill Han."
"He caught me off guard. I will return and destroy the Jedi."
"You will do no such thing," Tarkin scolded aboard his flagship. He could see the anger reflected in Maul's eyes through the holo and wondered if the Zabrak would have struck him down were they speaking in person. But they weren't, and he continued. "You have already jeopardized this mission by pursuing a personal vendetta against Kenobi rather than supervise the hostilities."
"I have the situation well in hand," Maul said. "What I do separate from it does not matter so long as it does not jeopardize our cause."
"You have alerted a Jedi and Imperial Council member to your existence, and no good will come of that." Tarkin wiped his brow. Despite his confidence, reprimanding a (former?) Sith was a harrowing experience for him, and he did not want to further inflame the man. "We do not need to discuss this further. Your mission has been successful, and I have a new one for you."
He saw surprise register in the Zabrak's yellow eyes. "You are taking me off planet? The Duchess's forces are still fighting back, and we face further resistance with Kenobi in their ranks and the Empire's reinforcements on their way."
"Our aim is not occupation Darth, but simple sabotage. The damage has been done, and we will continue to chip away at the veneer of the Empire. There is a new opportunity that has arisen on Naboo."
"Naboo?"
"I just spoke to the former Senator. Mon's contacts have informed her that the Empire is dispatching much of the fleet here, which leaves the Empress's homeworld relatively undefended. Your brother and myself will continue to manage the situation here and withdraw our forces for the next offensive. I am dispatching two ships from the Hoth fleet to Naboo. While they engage the enemy, you will have an opening to infiltrate the planet and find the Imperial heirs. As you have already revealed yourself, there is no need to hide more than necessary. I trust you know what is needed."
He did not elaborate further, and Maul nodded, seemingly satisfied with his orders. The transmission ended, and Tarkin found himself drained by his back to back interactions with Mothma and then Maul. The latter scared him, and the former exhausted him while he used what little ability he possessed as an actor and politician to feign deference to her idealistic beliefs. He had spent what felt like hours rationalizing to her the civilian casualties on Mandalore, and he knew that, Imperial heirs or not, she would not condone the slaughter of the Empress's family. While Tarkin knew he could pin the blame on an unruly subordinate, one whose position within the Rebellion he had kept from her for now, he wondered if now was the time he unleashed himself. If everything went according to plan, the Rebellion will have gained its greatest success, and he would have been its architect. He had always intendedto remove the former Senator from Chandrila, for he doubted she was willing to do what it would take to achieve victory. Now that they were inching closer, the time was approaching for him to drop his pretenses and the need to explain himself to a superior he could not tolerate for much longer. Hoth was a remote world, and he had many operatives at the base he knew were loyal to him. Were they to stage some sort of 'accident' upon the Rebellion leader, Tarkin was certain the truth would not get out.
"I'm scared how used I am to sleeping on starships," Luke said to his sister. They strode the halls together towards the bridge, having felt the ship coming out of hyperspace. It felt right, the two of them working together on a mission, even if this time it happened to be for an Empire.
"It's much better than Hoth," Leia said. "A lot warmer."
"I know. I prefer Naboo though. Those beds they have there...Force I'm surprised I ever woke up."
Leia was about to say something about Alderaan, then stopped. She felt the familiar pangs of pain and sorrow surrounding the loss of her planet, then also remembered that it was well and thriving where they were now, though her father, the adoptive one, seemed to be an entirely different person.
"I enjoyed our time there," Leia said instead. "I had a lot of respect for Pooja, Senator Naberrie, back in my time in the Senate. That her family is so warm and genuine is no surprise."
She sighed as they caught sight of the bridge and their mother already standing there in command. "I still can't stand ideologically for an Empire...but if there has to be one, I'm glad it's in the hands of such a family."
"Our family," Luke stressed. "They've always been our family, in this world and ours. Their heritage is ours, their blood is ours."
"I know. And they made every effort to welcome us and make us feel at home. I guess I just have a lot more from my past to let go than you." She winced, realizing how that could have sounded like an insult, but Luke did not seemed fazed. It was just a matter of fact to him, she realized, the differences between their childhoods and what they left behind, and Luke had long accepted it.
"Do you think father will kill Han?"
"He better not," Leia intoned angrily. "Or else I will master the dark side somehow just so I can choke him to death."
"Not funny."
As the entered into the command room both of them were surprised to see two very familiar faces. Padme rushed to introduce them. "Luke, Leia. This is General Dodonna," she gestured towards a man whose dark beard, like Obi-Wan Kenobi's, had yet to grey. They went through the familiar process of shaking hands and meeting people they had known for years, and turned to the Mon Calamarian next to them.
"And Commander Ackbar."
Leia smiled warmly. "A pleasure, Gial."
Padme narrowed her eyes. "You are familiar with the Commander?"
"Both Jan and Gial were valuable friends and allies of ours, Your Grace." Leia noticed her mother wince slightly as she said her last two words, knowing that it hurt her that she had not accepted her as fully as Luke had yet. But it was a formal setting, she noted, and it would have been awkward to call her mommy in the presence of her military commanders.
"I am glad," Padme said. "It speaks well of our ability then to recruit the best." She turned toward her two commanders. "I must remind you again that the return of Anakin and I's children is highly classified and no one must know their identities or backstories for the time being."
"We understand, Your Grace," Dodonna said curtly. It made sense, Leia thought. The Dodonna she knew had once served the Empire as well, but had defected after seeing one too many atrocities. Perhaps the man had yet to reach his breaking point here, or more likely, there were less atrocities for him to have witnessed. The presence of the Mon Calamarian was proof enough of the latter, as it was obvious that Padme harbored none of the Xenophobia Palpatine had towards non-human species.
The Empress turned and walked towards the viewport, followed by her two officers and behind them, Luke and Leia. Below they saw the beleaguered planet itself, and a small but concentrated fleet gathered above it.
"What is our situation," Padme asked.
"We outnumber them by close to a three to two margin," Ackbar said. "The blockade occupies most of their resources, but the Rebel ships are strongly armed themselves as well."
"So a direct offensive would likely incur high casualties?"
The General nodded. "We will prevail, but it will be costly."
"There is no need to pursue such a course then," Padme said. "We have the numbers, so we will have patience. But we must remember that people are dying on Mandalore."
"Of course, Your Grace."
"Obi-Wan is down there too," Luke added, hoping he wasn't speaking out of place. While throne politics was more his sister's forte, both of them were well used to adding their input in a command room. Fortunately, his mother didn't seem to mind.
"I trust he will hold his own," she said. "But we will make every effort to help him." She strode over to the holoscreen, depicting their positions and that of their enemy. And Leia had to constantly remind herself that here, at least for now, the Rebellion was her enemy. They were commanded by the man who had destroyed Alderaan, and seemed keen to kill civilians and destroy pacifist regimes that even her mother's Empire had left alone.
Padme gestured at the screen. "We will continue a bombardment of their main fleet. This will fix their position and keep their resources busy to prevent any full counterattack. With our numbers, we can afford to dispatch at least several dozen squadrons to probe at the blockade and find its weak points."
She turned towards Luke. "Once we have made a successful breach, you may join Master Kenobi on-planet and assist in clearing the Death Watch militias."
Luke could not hide his excitement. Here was his chance to see action again, and fight alongside his first master.
"What do you expect the Rebel fleet to try? They obviously know they are outnumbered."
"Agreed, General Dodonna. From what I recall from the Clone Wars, while he may take some risks, Tarkin is inherently a cautious commander. He prefers the odds stacked in his favor, and he will not gamble what little he has for a fleet. He knows that to bring out his fleet will invite an Imperial response, so he must just wish to inflict the maximum damage before that happens. I expect that he will now try to retreat, and to do so, will attempt to create a diversion to give himself the opportunity."
"We will monitor their every move, Your Grace. Commander Ackbar himself will keep you updated on every detail of the battle."
Padme nodded and pulled in with two hands to shake the hands of both of her commanders. "I trust you will do the Empire great justice. We must destroy them here, lest we face them again above yet another world while innocents die."
"You're quite the General yourself, mother. Now I see where Leia gets it from."
Padme beamed with pride at her sons words. They were in a private lounge now, chock full of monitors where they could keep track of the battle but where they could speak in private as a family.
"You don't even need Anakin," Leia said jokingly. "You could easily put him to pasture like an old Bantha. Maybe then he can finally figure out what's wrong with Threepio."
Padme smiled back at her daughter. "I don't think that will ever happen. Trust me, Ani's attempted many upgrades on that poor thing over the years. Eventually, we've just come to realize that he just is the way he is."
Her demeanor turned serious. "Anakin is still the greatest General of our era, and his resume knows no match." Leia couldn't help but feel some pride towards her father, Luke having apprised her of the details of his Clone Wars campaigns. She had studied them herself in detail in her spare time, approving of some of his tactics, frowning at others that she thought took on way too much risk, but she couldn't argue with the results. She hoped that if she ever returned to her world, she could use some of that history and knowledge with her own battle against the Empire.
"I have learned much from him," Padme continued. "And from my own training on Naboo while I was Queen."
"He obviously trusts you to command his fleet and handle this situation yourself," Luke added.
"He better," Padme said. "I meant what I said on the bridge, by the way. There is no higher recommendation for my officers than the fact that my children trust them and hold them in high regard."
"Their brilliance won us many battles, including the one against the Death Star."
"And they accomplished more with far less in your world," Padme said. "I will tell Anakin this and we will make sure their careers advance properly." She paused. "I hope you do not think I was showing them any disrespect in dictating the plans of battle to them. I have studied much on their tactics and preferences while you were sleeping, and most of what I advised they would have likely undertaken on their own."
"Of course," Leia replied, recognizing so much of herself in her mother's thinking. "But you must have your military commanders respect you as an authority, not just as a figurehead for your husband."
Padme stared into her daughter's brown eyes, and Leia returned her scrutiny. Luke realized that this may have been the first time his sister and mother have truly understood each other. Padme took her daughter's hands, much like she did when they had first met.
"You are my daughter indeed, and Bail and Breha did an exceptional job raising you, perhaps even better than Ani and I could have done."
Luke thought he saw tears forming in his sister's eyes. "Thank you," she managed to say, and Padme nodded, knowing not to press further.
