Ch. 14-Discussions
A/N: Hey there! Apologies this is a bit late, but I've been busy lately. Next chapter should be out soon, depends on when I get my computer back again.. Thanks so much to all who read Ch. 13-afraid I can't name you guys. Still.. thanks. :) MTFBWY & Enjoy!
Padme felt as if she could rest much easier. After a week of grueling training, Leia's shields were finally up to a decent standard; hopefully it would be enough to mask her Force presence while Palpatine was here.
But, to make sure, she was going to leave a few of her shields present around Leia-no sense in taking chances. It could ultimately prove to be an unnecessary drain, but that was one risk she'd have to take. Even though she didn't regenerate her powers back as quickly as she could within the Netherworld, it was still faster than Leia's ability to.
"Ah.." she remarked to herself, "There he is!"
As she slowly found the gleaming presence in the Force that was Obi Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master, she thought he hadn't changed much at all. He was also one of the few living people who she kept in contact with after her 'death,' even if only to hear of her children.
He was always watching over Luke-ever the vigilant one-and would comment on how he was doing, through Qui Gon's help. That last discussion, five years ago, was right before I started to train with Revan on the more.. military aspects of the Force.
Now she was finally seeing him again, face to face, in the Living World after so long.
For though she had just begun Leia's training, Padme held no delusions that Luke wasn't as strong in the Force as his sister-he could very well be stronger. His presence could be an even harder one to disguise-which meant his studies should commence all the sooner.
The trick is, how would she convince Obi Wan to train him?
But that thought was left unanswered when a small rock cavern came into view, a meditating figure seated in the center.
"Master, it seems you've found a way to wake me up-in the middle of the night, no less. Why have you come.."
As he lifted his gaze from his thoughts to look me straight in the eyes, his jaw dropped as he noticed just who was standing before him. Astonished, he could only manage to sputter out:
"Padme! What are you doing here?"
"Obi Wan, momentous events have been occurring the galaxy-and some that were to happen never came to pass. A great tragedy has been narrowly averted, but I do not know for how long. That is why I came back-to protect my children and the galaxy."
"Tragedy? No.. it's Leia, isn't it? The Rebellion attracted too much attention.. wait, you said averted?"
"Yes, but by a knife's edge. Vader nearly captured her as she was making a getaway with the stolen plans for the Empire's new Death Star. And if she had been.. I have no doubt that at this very moment, Alderaan and its people would have been wiped from the universe.
But, the danger is not past.. Obi Wan, I've got to face Anakin and distract him long enough to alter his memories of the battle over Danuta-to remove all thoughts of Leia's presence there. With luck, I can capture him before he contacts his Master-wait. I know he hasn't reported to Palpatine yet."
With a sigh, Obi Wan asked:
"And just how did you distract Vader the first time?"
"With my presence."
"That's what I was afraid you'd say. Because of that, he may either think you're alive or realize that you're Force Sensitive now. Personally, I'm betting he'll focus on the fact that you're 'alive', which means that anything in his path will be obliterated to find you. Add in that when he last felt your presence, it was when a certain Alderaanian cruiser was in the vicinity.. I don't need to finish that statement, do I?"
"No, you don't. The thing is, you're forgetting a few things. One, he plans to set up a trap for me on Naboo, since he believes I'm not dead, he figures that would be the last place I'd go-thus the first. Secondly, he's forgotten the Rebels-for now, I agree. But that's why I've got to meet with him; and wipe her from his mind. Thirdly, if he thinks I am living-from what I could tell, he will forget not only the Rebellion, but he'll even defy his Masters' will.
Trust me, Obi Wan. I believe this plan will work, though it is quite risky. But.. more than likely, something will happen I can't predict. That is why I came here-to ask a favor of you, for a fellow Jedi.
I have been training Leia in the Jedi arts for the past four weeks. She's been studying lightsaber combat and the basics of the Force. I know it's been quite a while since you've last taken on a Padawan, but.. she is special.
And I will not give her any opportunities to discover the truth about Vader, especially while I am dealing with him. So.. would you please guide her in the ways of the Force when I am gone? It should only take a week on Naboo, though circumstances may interfere."
Stunned by the multiple revelations, Obi Wan-after a pause-replied:
"Padme, it would be my honor. I have always tried to protect your, and Anakin's, children to the best of my abilities. Even though I slightly hoped this day would be farther in coming, I am also very glad to see that it has finally arrived.
It symbolizes the beginning of a new era, one that has the potential to rid the galaxy of the Sith once and for all. To help in one of the first members' training would not only be my duty, but my privilege.
Though I am shocked Leia will be the first to be trained, it is nice seeing a Skywalker start down the path of a Jedi. I hope that is the only one she shall ever have to walk, though..
But, forewarnings of the Dark Side apply to all Jedi, so let us speak of something else. How will I train Leia if I am not on Alderaan?"
Padme smirked, and then replied:
"Same way I got here. It's like this.."
While Padme detailed onward to Kenobi on the specifics of how to reach the training area, she mentally breathed a sigh of relief. Leia's training would now be taken care of, along with her safety, for a while-and Luke..
When she got back, she resolved to have another little chat about taking a Padawan permanently-if she survived Naboo.
Padme had some idea of the ways a soul may be killed again from her time under Master Revan.
She had no wish to experience any of them personally.
Imperial Star Destroyer Exactor, in orbit over the planet Naboo..
As he exited the turbolift from his meditation chamber, Darth Vader strode out to the front of the bridge, studying all the crewmembers. When he approached Admiral Jaon, he asked:
"Admiral. What is the status of the Exactor?"
"Milord, we are at near-maximum efficiency, with all stations operating with minimal difficulty. Though, Lord Vader.. if I may ask, when will the next refuel be? The engine techs report that we are running low on fuel and will only have enough to maintain orbit around Naboo for a few weeks, if that. That isn't even including tactical combat."
"After I detain the Rebel on Naboo, you may set course for the.. system. This business should only take a few days at most."
"Speaking of which, Lord Vader-your personal shuttle is ready for departure. Do you wish to have a garrison accompany you?"
"That will not be necessary, Admiral. Though, while I am planetside, you will command the Exactor-know that you will be personally responsible for all that happens in my absence. Bear in mind that failure is unacceptable. Now, alert the hangar bay control that I wish to leave immediately."
"Y..yes Sir. It shall be done."
Darth Vader suddenly spun around, his cap billowing out behind him, and headed for the turbolift-chuckling slightly at the hilarity of his ship's Admiral.
Perhaps this one would stay a little while longer.
With a wave of his gloved hand, he opened the doors in front of him, and then typed in the appropriate access code. A mechanical voice chimed in, saying:
"Welcome, Lord Vader. What floor are you headed to?"
"Deck Thirty-Eight, Hangar Bay S-Fifteen."
While the mechanisms put his command into action, Vader pondered over the coming hours. Thinking to himself, he asked:
"What if this is all a trap, intricately set up by my Master? That if by walking into this, I relinquish all advantage I ever had over him? Ones that I have painstakingly put into place to overthrow him?"
After thinking a bit more over the issue, he silently concluded:
"Well, then that's just going to have to be a risk-one that I have chanced ever since it became apparent to me. An occasion such as this, though unhoped for, is perfect to put things in motion. Palpatine had the past twenty years-I and my new Empress shall claim eternity! Besides, I was getting tired of Frogface ordering me around like I'm some errand boy-all for his precious Death Star. Hmph. Pathetic idea, really.."
As he finished his ruminations about the future, the gray doors opened up to a view of a medium-sized freighter ship of Corellian make. He kept the Crimson Sparrow especially for missions like this, where a visible Imperial presence would be unwanted.
Especially since he wanted to keep Palpatine's awareness of his visit to Naboo at a minimum.
Walking toward the opening flight ramp, he stepped up into the ship and navigated through the maze of passageways until he was within the cockpit. Suddenly, the communications panel flared to life, the voice of the captain in charge echoing through.
"Lord Vader? All pre-flight checks report as being completed; if you're ready to go, the hangar bay doors will be opening in two minutes."
"Excellent, Captain. That will be all-Vader out."
As Darth Vader familiarized himself with the controls-it had been a while since he'd piloted her outside of the training exercises-he checked to see if anything was out of place. One could never be too careful in this galaxy.
Thankfully, though, nothing was wrong. He lifted his gaze up to the viewport, just in time to see the thick metal plate receding to show an infinite field of stars. Among them was the green jewel of a planet known as Naboo. As the blue forcefield dissipated, he reached for the lever that would send him spiraling out beside them.
When he ignited the engines, Darth Vader felt more at home then he had for months.
It was good to be piloting solo again, just like the old days so long ago.
But now.. he had already reclaimed part of that elusive past-and the next piece would soon fall into place. Smiling to himself, Vader guided the Hawk out among the stars, aiming straight for Naboo.
A/N: I know, cheesy name for a ship. And next chapter.. a few questions as to what advantage Vader's got over Palpatine will be answered. Until then.. May the Force be with You:D
-SidiousSith