Darth Vader skimmed through the data-file in his hand through the red tint of his visor as he stood in front of the large window that overlooked the overcrowded and bustling city below. He took his time as he read through the report, his back turned away from the complacent looking Lieutenant that was seated at his desk with his naval cap placed neatly on the desk in front of him.

Vader could feel his ease from where he stood overlooking the bustling and overcrowded city below, but said nothing as he turned around to face the young and noticeably ambitious young man who was charismatically different from most other men that Vader had worked with in the past.

He looked at Vader expectantly as his blue eyes drifted down to the report in his gloved hand before looking up at the Sith, who merely tossed the pad down onto his desk.

"And you're certain that this information is reliable?" he asked slowly as he watched the red-headed man straighten out his posture.

"Milord, I can promise you that my sources are completely reliable and honest," began the Lieutenant as he handed his empty glass over to one of the droids, "I would not have presented it to you if it were not so."

"And your informant remains completely undetected?"

"The Rebel Alliance has no knowledge whatsoever that we have spies on the inside," he said earnestly as the droid handed him another glass of water, "my colleagues and I made sure to cover our tracks. Not even the Intelligence Division knows about our activities."

"And what of the Rebel informant?" he asked.

"Lord Vader the Rebel Alliance is hardly what I would call- organized-" began the young Officer as he adjusted his legs, "at least, not what I would call efficient. It's easy for things to fall through the cracks. Rebels go missing all the time or sent away to another cell. It was easy enough getting one of my informants to assume the identity of one of the prisoners we took during a minor- incursion if you will."

He sipped his water.

"I hope you are right, Lt. Albrecht- for your sake," he iterated as he stared down at the round-faced young man who was almost a little bit too ambitious for his own good. If he turned out wrong- if his operation failed then it would be on his head, and neither he nor the Emperor were forgiving or merciful.

"I will not fail the Emperor or you, Lord Vader. I can assure you that everything will go according to plan and the Rebel Alliance will no longer be a menace to the Empire," he said earnestly, "all we have to do is wait till their ships stop to refuel and we'll have them."

"And your informant will notify us when this happens?" he said as he tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he picked up the datapad and skimmed through the report, most specifically the coordinates that had already been sent over the past few weeks. It was enough to leave them quite a nice trail for them to follow before striking.

Like a predator stalking its prey, he mused as he sat the datapad back down on the table.

"Along with their location," he said proudly, "and seeing as it will take them a good while to refuel all of their ships, well- "

He smiled in delight and satisfaction as he looked up at Vader, his eyes content and his words too boisterous for Vader's taste, but he couldn't deny that the young Officer had done his job exceedingly well. A man that did his job well and asked for nothing in return was a man that Vader could respect.

"You have done well, Lieutenant Albrecht," said Vader as he placed the data-file with the rest of them on his desk, "go back to your duties and await further instructions. Speak of this to no one, do you understand?"

"Understood Milord," said the Lieutenant as he rose to his feet and bowed to the caped Sith before exiting the room, leaving the former Jedi there by himself.

Vader couldn't help the sigh as he turned to face the window again as his hands came to rest on his hips. He had been patient these past few weeks as he had waited for the informant to infiltrate the Alliance's ranks and to become situated before the intel reports had started to slowly trickle in. Then, locating the fleet had become less of an issue and had provided Vader with more time to meditate on both his son's and the mysterious Jedi's whereabouts, but still, he found that most everything was shrouded.

He still did not know that blasted Jedi's identity or where his son was, but he had taken the time to both meditate and reflect and that had given him the boost that he needed, that was until the Emperor had had the nerve to interrupt his work by recalling him to Imperial Center.

However, things were beginning to look up for him and he knew that his Master would be most pleased by the turn of events when he presented the data to him. Soon, the Rebel Fleet would be destroyed, and he would have his son and the Jedi within his grasp where they would be unable to escape. The Jedi would be taken care of properly and his son would take his rightful place by his side, as it was always meant to be.

All he needed to proceed was the location of the fleet, but he knew that that information would soon make its way to him. All he needed to do in the meantime was have patience.

Vader allowed himself to relax as he stared out at the vast horizon that was slowly starting to turn orange with the setting sun, a sight that he had enjoyed watching as a Padawan in the Temple. Years later, he had enjoyed the scene with Padme out on the veranda as they both watched the sun dip over the horizon and the night set in.

He clenched his fists as he pushed the memory away.

There was no room for such sentiments anymore. Those days were gone, and it did not do him good to dwell on such thoughts, lest he become prey to his own weakness.

Besides, he had more important things to attend to than remembering his past as he made his way out of the depressing office and into the hallway where Vaneè stood waiting.

"See to it that these reports are delivered to Admiral Piett onboard the Executor," he said as he handed his servant the stack of data pads, "Inform him that we shall be departing Imperial Center within the hour to join Admiral Reimer's fleet near Eriadu."

"It will be done, Milord," said his servant, his voice raspy as he accepted the heavy stack without complaint.

"And see to it that my meditation chambers are cleaned and inspected," he said as he felt a twinge spread throughout his lower extremities and a small burning sensation in his lungs. It had been awhile since he had last been in his bacta tank or his meditation chambers and he was starting to feel the consequences not doing so.

"Will you be heading there now, Milord?" asked Vaneè.

Vader wished he could, but he had one more thing he needed to see to before he could take the suit off and meditate and unfortunately, it could not wait.

999

Vader had always disliked the fact that the Emperor had decided to use the old Jedi Temple as his palace on Imperial Center, not because he felt it was disrespectful to the fallen Order but because he could not help the barrage of unwanted memories every time he walked through its halls.

Sometimes he swore he could see the ghosts of those who had been slaughtered within these very halls all those years ago. Sometimes he caught glimpses of the children he had murdered and other times he saw those whom he had been proud to call friend. All of them scared. All of them dead.

And while Palpatine enjoyed basking in the presence of the slain, Vader felt as though the land was cursed. Haunted by the souls of those slaughtered there, their cries for mercy echoing through the Force eternally until it drowned everything else out.

The ground had been salted and nothing good could grow there ever again. Nothing.

Vader reluctantly made his way into the throne room, which just so happened to be the former Jedi Council Chamber, a place that he had frequently visited in his youth. It looked different now, darker and far more ominous to the point where it was almost unrecognizable as the Council Chambers, but still, Vader loathed it.

The Emperor had made himself quite comfortable in the former home of his enemies as he stared down at Vader from his throne with beady yellow eyes that were hardly reminiscent of the kind blue that had often looked down on him with kindness, but that was too long ago to even bother remembering at that point.

"Master," said Vader as he forced himself to kneel despite the wretched pain that coursed through his mangled thighs where the metal melded into his flesh. He bit his lip as he forced himself to stay still and keep his mind clear. He did not want the Emperor to sense his pain.

The Emperor made no motion to allow him to rise as he leaned back in his seat and observed his apprentice closely as if he could sense the apprehension inside of him, but there was only one question that Palpatine had for him.

"Have you found the Jedi responsible for what happened at the Ordun station?" he already knew the answer to that, but he asked anyway.

"Not yet, Master," Vader said as he closed his eyes and concentrated on anything but the pain, "but I am close, very close."

"How close?" asked a curious Palpatine as he leaned forward in his seat.

"I have an informant on the inside. He will deliver the coordinates for the Fleet when they stop to refuel in a couple of days," he panted as cold, sterile air was forced down his mechanical trachea, "and then we shall have both Skywalker and the Jedi."

"A fine accomplishment, wouldn't you say?" asked the Emperor as he leaned forward in his seat, "I must say, Lord Vader, you have outdone yourself once again."

Vader said nothing as he stared up at his Master, the sound of his mechanical breathing the only thing that could be heard save for the busy traffic that flowed outside.

"I would say that this is a time for celebration, but I am afraid that I have just been informed of some rather- terrible news," he said in a rather bored tone as he tapped his fingers against his armrest.

"What news would that be, Master?" he asked, his vision growing whiter by the moment as he did everything within his power to stay upright. He knew that his Master had not simply forgotten to allow him to stand, but that he was making him kneel on purpose just to bring him pain.

It was cruel, but not unusual.

"Dr. Bantu, the Scientist that developed those weapons was on his way to one of our labs on Dantooine to begin his work over when his shuttle crashed. I am told that he, along with all three of his assistants did not survive the- accident, although I think we both know that this was no accident."

It was an assassination. Carried out by the Rebel Alliance to ensure that those weapons would never be recreated or used ever again.

Cowards.

"A most heinous act," mulled Palpatine, "I'm sure the public will be outraged when they learn that the Rebels have killed a group of innocent scientists, especially one so cherished as Dr. Bantu."

"I'm sure the news is already spreading like wildfire," deadpanned Vader.

The Emperor smiled coyly, "the death of a respected member of the Empire will always be news, my dear apprentice, but when it is an assassination carried out by a terrorist organization, well- that will always be front-page news."

"What would you have me do, Master?" asked Vader, curious as to just what the old prune had in mind for him. Even after all these years spent together, Vader still did not understand his Master or his ways.

Palpatine was still as much a mystery to him as he was all those years ago, and no less scheming.

"I am saddened by the news of the permanent loss of those weapons, but I have come to realize that this is an opportunity, not a failure," he jabbed his finger down at Vader as a sly smile crossed his lips.

Vader's stomach churned as the Force rippled.

"I have a new mission for you, Vader."

"I am at your disposal, Master," said Vader, "tell me what to do and it shall be done."

"Find the Jedi responsible for what happened at Ordun and bring him to me- alive."

"Alive?" asked Vader as he looked up at his Master, "I thought you wanted me to deal with him."

"I did, but then I sensed his power," he said with a smile that made Vader shiver, "such immense power that Jedi has, I can feel it in him. It would be such a waste if we allowed such potential to go to waste, now wouldn't it be?"

"You've sensed him as well, Master?" asked Vader.

"I must say that his identity remains a mystery, even to me, but I can tell he is quite powerful in the Force, just like your son," he mused.

"He is not my son nor is he as powerful as Luke is," said Vader, his words like acid as he sensed the disloyalty within his Master, "it is my own opinion that this Jedi is of no worth to us. He is better off dead."

"That may be so, Lord Vader," said the Emperor sternly, "but you cannot deny that he is powerful in the Force. I can sense that there is something about this Jedi, something immense and untamed. I know you can sense it as well. His potential is greater than that of Luke's."

"Potential means nothing if you don't know how to use it," sneered Vader, "you place your trust in this mysterious Jedi, but at what cost? He has been nothing but a menace to the Empire and he must be taken care of as such."

"One might say that about you, Lord Vader," said the Emperor as the Force flared dangerously around Vader, which merely brought a smile to the Emperor's face.

As if Vader needed another reminder at just how expendable he was now that both Luke and the other Jedi were out there.

No one could deny that his Master had set his sights elsewhere and that Vader would eventually be disposed of to make room for a new and shinier model. He wasn't an idiot and he knew exactly where he fit into all of this, which was why Vader had begun to formulate his own plans.

He would show his Master who the expendable one really was.

"I have done everything you have asked of me, Master," seethed Vader.

"And yet I ask this one thing from you and you dare to question me. What have I ever done to earn your disrespect, my apprentice?" he asked.

Everything- thought Vader bitterly as he held his tongue. He could've sworn he could feel a foreign presence pushing down on him and putting more weight on his legs, causing white-hot pain to seer through him.

Apparently, Vader had let that thought slip through their bond.

"It would be wise, my dear apprentice, to remember that I can bring you down as fast I raised you up," he sneered as the pressure pushing down on Vader grew heavier, "so if I were you, I would do everything in my power to please my Master, do you hear?"

"My apologies, my Master. I did not mean to disrespect you or your ways. It will be done accordingly as you have commanded," said Vader, the vocoder masking the agony in his voice.

"That is all I ask, dear friend- " he smiled as he finally beckoned Vader to stand, giving him a reprieve from the unbearable pain. A pleased look on his face as he sensed the hate and fury that rolled off Vader in hot angry waves and into the Force around them.

Vader shakily rose to his feet before nodding to the Emperor before he turned to walk out of the throne room, his eyes trailing over the red-clad guards that stood on either side of the door with their spears in hand as he did everything to keep the tremor in his legs under control. He felt as though his mechanical limbs might buckle and give out under him with how much they were shaking.

"Oh, and Vader- " called out the Emperor, "don't bother contacting me until you have found that Jedi."

Vader narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists, "yes, Master."

And all he could feel at that moment was Palpatine's sickening smile.

999

The muscles in his legs never stopped quivering and the pain didn't show any sign of subsiding as Vader lowered himself into the chair in his hyperbaric chamber with a sigh of relief. His helmet was removed with a slow hiss as the sterile and cold air of the chamber filled his scarred lungs.

It was nice to finally be able to breathe on his own, even if every breath pained him.

Vader let out a heavy sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose, the sound of his soft and rhythmic breathing the only sound that could be heard in his private quarters along with the slight rumbling of the hyperdrive beneath his mechanical feet. He was just glad to be off that blasted planet that resembled a den of Rhodian Vipers rather than the capital of a great Empire.

He was done playing political games and being scrutinized by a Master that couldn't wait to get rid of him so that he could have a younger, newer apprentice until he eventually wore him out as well. It was a miracle that the Emperor had kept him around as long as he had, especially with his physical state, but even Vader knew that his luck was beginning to wear out. Vader had known for a long time at that point that he was running on borrowed time. Already, his Master's eyes had wandered from him to his son, to that kriffing Jedi from Ben'we who threatened everything Vader had worked for.

Palpatine's interests were always shifting, always changing and growing in ambition unparalleled than what Vader had even thought possible. And now, Vader wasn't sure what exactly he was going to do with the sudden change of plans.

He wanted so desperately to find his son, but he also knew that defying the Emperor at that point in time might not be the wisest thing to do. He wasn't powerful enough to take on the Emperor by himself which why he so desperately needed Luke.

I have no other option but to find him, and soon- thought Vader solemnly. Just a few years prior, Vader had no interest in trying to get rid of his Master much less taking the throne for himself. Before finding out that his child lived, Vader had been on autopilot, doing what his Master told him and enforcing the law with an iron fist. He had accepted that he would never take the place of his Master and that he would eventually be done away with, and he was okay with that. After all, he had nothing else to live for.

But from the moment he heard that pilot's name- his son's name, Vader had had hope for the first time in almost two decades. He knew that this was his chance to get out from under the Emperor's control and finally do away with the man that had lied to him for so many years. And he didn't have to do it alone.

Vader sighed as he leaned back in his chair, relieved that his legs had stopped quivering and that the pain had already started to subside. He reveled in the feeling of his lungs expanding within his chest to accommodate the oxygenated air for a few moments of relative silence before he allowed his consciousness to slip into a meditative state. He felt tired and the constant ache in his body seemed to weigh on him heavily as he closed his eyes to the world and slipped away.

He had no idea how long he sat there, his mind a million kilometers away before the sound of his door chime brought him back to reality. He didn't need to be told who it was to know that it was Admiral Piett who was waiting to be let in with news of the Rebel Fleets position, no doubt.

Vader had no wish to replace his helmet as he swiftly raised a hand and opened the door for the Admiral, not even bothering to look over at him as he looked straight ahead. He didn't feel exposed or vulnerable, he just had no wish to put that blasted helmet back on.

"Admiral," he greeted, his voice much softer than what the other man was used too, "what news do you have?"

"We have received the final coordinates the Rebel Fleets position, Milord," he said briskly as he clasped his hands behind his back, "and we have been informed that they have stopped to refuel and regroup, as was promised."

"How far are we away from their present location?" he asked.

"Approximately three hours. Admiral Reimer and her Fleet are awaiting your orders on how to proceed, Milord," he said.

"Tell her that her orders are to wait until we arrive, then we may proceed with the mission as planned," he said as his helmet lowered back over his head, washing everything out in red again.

"Very well, Milord," said Piett with a slight bow, "is that all?"

"Yes," muttered Vader as he waved his hand dismissively through the air, "you are dismissed."

The Admiral exited the room as Vader rose to his feet and made his way out of his chambers and over to the window where he could quietly observe the blue hyperdrive waves that encased the ship, his mind already fixated on that of his son. He knew that the situation was less than ideal, but he did not want to give up his prerogative of finding his son.

He had promised himself from the moment that Fett had brought him that name that he would find the boy and make him see the power of the Dark Side and that nothing would stop him. And Vader felt as though that promise remained true and unchanging even now.

He may have been ordered to find that pesky Jedi and bring him to the Emperor, but Vader had no intention of giving up his own personal mission.

He would just have to make do finding both of them.

The Force churned and twisted darkly, and Vader reveled in it.

999

The trip back to the Rebel Fleet was shorter than Anakin had remembered, but he supposed he had a lot on his mind as he pulled into the cargo bay and docked his ship before climbing out of the cockpit to greet the maintenance crew. It had felt as though he had been away longer than two days, but really it appeared as though nothing had changed in his absence.

Chewie roared from across the room before he grabbed Anakin in a large hug that made him feel like he was suffocating, but Anakin didn't mind as he too returned the hug with a smile.

"Good to see you too, buddy," he said as the Wookiee placed him back on the ground and turned his attention over to Luke.

"How've things been here without us?" asked Luke as he too returned the hug.

"Actually, quite peaceful," said Lando as he made his way over to them, his hands tucked into his belt as he came to stand next to the giant Wookiee.

Luke snorted, "just cause' the fun ones weren't here, wouldn't you agree, Anakin?"

Anakin smiled, "it's good to see you guys too."

"Oh, I almost forgot. Captain Rex wanted to speak with you, Luke. He said it was urgent," said Lando.

"Right now?" asked Luke as he looked down at his dirty robes is dismay, "can it wait?"

Lando shook his head, "he said as soon as you get back from Dagobah."

"Will Leia be there?" asked Luke as he craned his head to look around the cargo bay as if he was expecting her to come marching over to them.

"Nah, I got no clue where her highness is right now. Sounded like he just wanted to talk to you, Skywalker."

"Well, if it's that urgent," mumbled Luke in annoyance as he ran a hand through his mousy blond hair, "I guess I'll see you later, Anakin?"

"I'm gonna go see if I can find Leia, but I'll see you at dinner," said Anakin with a nod as he watched Luke disappear out of the shuttle bay. He could sense Luke's annoyance at the short notice, no doubt having planned a shower and a nap as soon as they returned.

Anakin couldn't help but feel his stomach twist up as he looked over at the door where Luke had exited as the Force churned around him, as if in warning.

His train of thought was interrupted as Lando started to talk to him, which forced Anakin to turn his attention away from the slight tremors in the Force. And just as soon as he had noticed them, Anakin had already forgotten about them.

"So how was Dagobah? I hear it's nothing more than a smelly ole' swamp and from what Luke's told me, it ain't no place to buy real estate."

Anakin laughed, "no, it's not the best vacation spot in the galaxy, but it was fine. I finished my Jedi training."

"That why you don't got your-?" he motioned towards his neck.

Anakin nodded, "my Padawan braid. They get cut off when we complete our trials. It means I'm a Jedi Knight now if that's what you're wondering."

"Listen, I was only a kid when the Republic fell and the only thing I knew about Jedi's was that they fought in the Clone Wars and had glow sticks. Even now I still don't know that much about you guys other than the fact that you guys are good fighters. But I have to say I have never seen a Jedi with a braid like that, not even Luke wore one."

Anakin shrugged, "it's not something I would say is essential to being a Jedi. It's more tradition than anything at this point."

"From what Luke's told me, the Jedi were steeped in tradition," mused Lando as they began to walk towards the exit.

"The Jedi have always valued tradition. It's ingrained in us from the moment we begin our training and we are taught that we must keep those traditions and pass them on," said Anakin off-handedly, "but tradition doesn't really mean anything when you're just trying to survive."

"Your teacher and Luke's teacher must have been very different people," pondered Lando as he gave Anakin an unreadable look.

Anakin almost feared that he had said too much. He wouldn't be surprised if Lando was starting to piece it all together after everything that Anakin had told him these past few weeks, but the older man simply shrugged it off and gave the youth that bright smile.

"Well, either way, I'm glad you're here, Anakin. We needed another Jedi here and I'm sure Luke appreciates not being the only one now."

Anakin allowed himself to smile, "I'm glad to be here too, Lando. I'd rather be here doing my part then not doing anything at all."

"I wish more people felt like that, kid. Heck, there are even a few people here who are about ready to give up. Nothing about this is easy, you know? I never thought I would find myself here, but times are changing."

Anakin couldn't agree with that statement anymore.

Anakin opened his mouth, ready to say something else when Leia walked into the hangar, her eyes eagerly set on him as she begun to make her way over to them. Anakin had completely forgotten what he was about to say to Lando at that moment and instead chose to politely excuse himself from the older man before he too made his way over to Leia.

"Where's Luke?" she asked as she looked around the hangar for any sign of her brother.

"He went to talk to Captain Rex," said Anakin as he nodded over to the door where Luke had exited a few minutes prior.

"About what?"

Anakin shook his head, "I don't know. He said it was urgent."

Leia nodded, "how was Dagobah?"

"Swampy," said Anakin, "and muggy with lots of bugs."

She laughed, "I meant how was it? Did you finish your training?"

Anakin nodded as he tried to keep the awkward small talk up. Not even a week ago things had not been this awkward between him and Leia, but that was before any of them knew. He supposed that the truth had made things awkward between him and Leia, stilted and a bit too formal for his taste. But he could sense just from looking at her that she felt the same way, and it brought him a little bit of comfort knowing he wasn't the only one.

"It was fine, really. Not really what I expected or what I had prepared for, but I managed," he said truthfully.

"I'm guessing it wasn't what the Jedi trained you for in your own time, was it?" she asked, her perception remarkably astute as she looked him in the eyes.

"Not at all," said Anakin as he shook his head, "things were different back then. I had always been told what to expect when I faced my Trials and what needed to be done to pass them, and I had always just assumed that I would pass them with flying colors. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to face what I did in that cave."

He felt as though he was rambling, but Leia took it all in stride.

"What did you see?" she asked softly.

Anakin shook his head, "I saw- I saw my mother, but it really wasn't her. Couldn't have been her seeing as she died a long time ago, but I wasn't expecting- "

He trailed off, his words uncertain as he looked down at Leia.

"Your mother," she said in surprise, "Artoo told me what happened to her. Is that what you saw? Her dying?"

Her voice was soft and comforting as she looked up at him, her eyes warm just like his mother's had been. It almost hurt to look at her.

"Did Artoo tell you how she died?" he asked.

She shook her head, "not much, just that Vader had lost his mother and that it had affected him greatly. He said that she died in his arms."

"My mother was taken by Tusken Raiders and tortured," began Anakin solemnly, "from what I've been told, I held her as she died."

"Why would they do that?" she asked, a hint of anger lacing her voice, "why would they do that to her?"

"It's not what they usually do," he said in resentment, "the Tusken Raiders and the moisture farmers on Tatooine have always hated each other. There's just not enough resources or water for everybody so they've been killing each other. Tusken Raiders usually render a prisoner down for the water in their body. Some adult humans yield over twenty liters of water. On Tatooine you need at least two liters of water per day to survive. They held her for a month! I can't explain why they would waste that much water when it's so valuable there."

"That's awful," she said, her hand raised to her mouth in horror before she shook her head, "it sounds like both parties are guilty, but that's no reason to torture and kill an innocent woman. I can't even- "

She shook her head, no doubt already thinking of the implications of what she had just been told.

As much as Anakin hated the Sand People, he could understand their anger, but what they had done to his mother was still unjustifiable. But everybody knew how the natives on Tatooine were treated and he knew that the farmers and the settlers were just as guilty of perpetuating xenophobia and genocide.

Just how many Sand People had died at the hands of greedy moisture farmers? Just how many had been forced off their land and cut off from their water sources?

"A lot of innocent people have gotten caught up in their bloody dispute, my mother included," he said solemnly, "but neither party is without blame."

"I'm sorry, Anakin. I never knew that things on Tatooine were so bad," she said as she looked away, perhaps a little ashamed of the comfort and wealth she had grown up in, "I mean, Luke's told me stories and I know about the lucrative slave trade there, although that doesn't surprise me. Ever since the Emperor came to power, it's as though slavery has been legalized."

"I know… or at least, I've been told about it. What I saw in that cave though was what she must have looked like after they were done." Anakin said heavily.

It was obvious that the thought of both her father and her brother living on such a violent planet was discomforting to Leia, who had grown up a princess on a world where war was nothing more than an abstract concept, that was until she became a Senator and a member of the Rebel Alliance. She had seen her fair share of pain and suffering in the galaxy, and she had experienced more than one should ever have to.

Anakin paused as he suddenly remembered that Leia had been tortured as well before being forced to watch the destruction of her planet. He couldn't help but remember that vision from inside the cave of her crying out in pain as a black shadow loomed over her, trying to force his way inside her mind and pry open her thoughts.

He had never asked her about that, never wanted too. He knew he couldn't stomach it.

Anakin remained silent for a few moments as he lifted his head to look up at the ceiling before he looked down at Leia and inhaled deeply. He looked as though he wanted to say something, but he never got the chance to tell her before he felt a large tremor in the Force that seemed to shake the floor beneath him. It felt as though time itself had slowed down all around him as he stared over at the closed hangar door. He felt a chill run up his spine and his eyes widened before he turned back to Leia, but it was already too late at that point.

The air around them grew heavy and it felt as though all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room before an incredible heat surrounded them. Although Anakin himself had experienced an explosion near the cockpit of his X-Wing, he could say with all honesty that being in such close proximity to one was much, much different.

A blinding white light filled the room as an awful burnt smell filled the air. The sound was so intense, Anakin felt as though his eardrums would explode in his head as he felt a strong heat hit him like a ton of bricks.

And that's when everything went black.

AN: Many thanks to Khalthar for helping me with this chapter. I hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned for the next chapter, it'll be big ;)