Author's Note: Thank you again to all of my readers and reviewers for your support. It is greatly appreciated.
One of my reviewers asked why I am still having Luke refer to Anakin as Father instead of Dad, as Father is so formal. Well, my answer to that is that I am trying to follow the movies where Luke always referred to Vader/Anakin as Father. In this story so far, Anakin essentially has only been back in Luke's life for about a week now. So they are still trying to get used to one another. No promises but I may have Luke switch to calling him Dad later in the story as they get to know each other better. But only if or when it feels right.
I have also had some reviewers ask if I will be adding Mara Jade to the story. I have been toying with the idea for awhile but no promises. We'll see how the story progresses and if I feel she would fit into the story well.
Lastly, I just want to mention that I was a little unhappy with how I wrote the last chapter and have made a few minor changes to help improve it. The changes are not enough to change the direction of the story, but I thought I would mention it in case you would like to re-read Chapter 20 again. Most of it had to do with Leia just kind of disappearing once the boys saw all of the toys Anakin had as Vader. Although, to them she probably did disappear from their awareness. Ha ha. :) But that was unfair to her character so I just wanted to make sure her presence was still known before Anakin took off to go to Vader's apartment. So that is the main point of the change.
Ok. Well...enough chatter. One with the story...
Chapter 21
Coruscant - Outside Vader's Hanger
Han and Luke waited outside the hanger by Anakin's yellow speeder while Anakin changed out of the altered respirator suit. They were both leaning up against the speeder with their arms crossed in front of them as they noticed Anakin finally emerge from the apartment carrying what looked like a black garment bag and a matching over the shoulder bag.
"Need help?" Luke asked as he immediately walked quickly over to his father, meeting him half way.
"Yes, thank you, Luke." Anakin replied with a smile as Luke took the shoulder bag from his father and he carried it as they walked side by side the rest of the way to the speeder where Han was waiting. As soon as they reached the speeder, Anakin pushed a button on his wrist to open the trunk and it popped open. "Put the bag in the trunk first and then I'll lay the suit on top." Anakin requested as Luke nodded and complied and then Anakin put the suit on top of it. Anakin shut the trunk and then proceeded to walk towards the driver's side of the speeder.
"Got everything?" Han asked with a smirk while still leaning up against the speeder with his arms crossed in front of him.
Anakin just laughed as Luke climbed into the front passenger seat and Anakin stopped in front of Han. "Yes, I think so. I even remembered my spare red light saber."
"No kidding." Han replied as he uncrossed his arms and both he and Anakin climbed into the speeder, with Han climbing in the back seat behind Anakin.
"Yeah...red isn't my color these days...but I have to look the part, you know." Anakin said with a smirk and a small chuckle as he started the speeder and drove back out into the busy traffic.
"So where to now?" Luke asked as he smiled over at his father.
Anakin looked over to his son and smiled. "To pick up your mother and Obi-Wan, of course, and then we go to lunch. Got any ideas?"
"How about Dex's again?" Luke suggested. "I think he'd love to see Obi-Wan again."
Anakin gave Luke a knowing smile. "I was just thinking the same thing, Luke."
"Where is this Dex's?" Han asked from the back seat.
"Oh don't worry, Han." Luke stated as he smiled back at Han in the back seat. "You'll love it!"
"It's in CoCo Town." Anakin answered Han. "Dex is an old friend of Obi-Wan's and serves the best food in town."
"Great! Because I'm starved." Han replied as the Skywalkers laughed, shaking their heads in disbelief and sharing an amused look.
Coruscant - Plaza Hotel, 20 Standard Minutes Later
When Anakin landed the speeder at the hotel, he immediately saw Obi-Wan and Padme standing at the front entrance waiting for them. "How did it go?" Anakin asked them as they both got into the back seat of the speeder with Han with Padme sitting in the middle.
"As well as could be expected." Obi-Wan simply stated as he and Padme gave each other knowing looks just as Anakin drove the speeder back into busy traffic.
"As far as the past version of our son is concerned, Anakin, he was raised by Owen and Beru because we both wanted to keep him safely away from the Emperor until he was old enough to learn the truth." Padme told her husband. "I also told him that for my safety that he needs to keep my existence a secret as well because the Emperor cannot know that I also survived."
"Which is the truth...from a certain point of voice, of course." Obi-Wan added with a smirk on his face.
Anakin just shook his head with a smirk as he looked at them both in the rear view mirror with a twinkle in his blue eyes. But then his expression became one of concern. "But did he buy it?"
"He bought it." Luke assured his family with a smile. "I was very naive back then and would have believed just about anything I was told."
Anakin just laughed. "Well, I hope so for his and your mother's sakes that he does." But then he paused when another thought occurred to him. "So how did you both slip away without him wanting to see me again?"
Obi-Wan and Padme gave each other knowing looks again. "We just simply gave him the slip." Obi-Wan stated with a twinkle in his eye.
Anakin laughed again. "That's it? You just gave him the slip? No daring plan?"
"Yes, that's it." Padme replied with a smirk as Obi-Wan and the others chuckled.
"Well, whatever works..." Anakin replied as he smirked back at his wife in the rear view mirror and then turned the corner towards CoCo Town.
"So where are you taking us for lunch?" Obi-Wan asked out of curiosity as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Or is it a surprise?" He asked with amusement.
"I'm taking you all to Dex's" Anakin replied with a smile. "I'm sure ol' Dex would love to see you again, Obi-Wan. He was asking about you the last time Luke and I were there." He sighed as he then became more serious, remembering the conversation he had had with the old Besalisk only just a week ago. "Although...at the time...I told him that you had...died."
Obi-Wan just sighed as a faint smile entered his features. "Well...I guess we better...enlighten him to the contrary."
Anakin smiled. "Of course." He replied as he landed the speeder near the old diner and everyone got out.
As the group of five entered the front door to the diner, they all noticed the four armed Besalisk in the back happily cooking at the grill just as he happened to look out the window from the kitchen over at them. He had heard the cling of the bell hanging from the door as they entered. "Hello, Dex." Obi-Wan said with a warm smile as Dex looked out at the group with surprise and then a huge smile formed on his face.
"Obi-Wan!" Dex exclaimed as he immediately dropped what he was doing and left the kitchen, waddling his way out to the group standing near the door. "Well, bless my soul. Yer alive after all! It's so good to see you!" He exclaimed with happiness as he gave Obi-Wan a huge bear hug with all four of his arms and Obi-Wan returned it.
"Yes, Dex." Obi-Wan answered him with a warm smile as they backed out of their embrace. "Anakin believed me to be dead when he last saw you, I'm afraid." He told his old friend as Anakin and Obi-Wan exchanged a warm, brotherly smile and then returned their attention to the old Besalisk.
Dex padded Anakin on the back. "Well, I'm happy fer you too, my boy." He told Anakin with a teethe smile before looking at Obi-Wan. "Welcome back, Obi-Wan. It's really great to have you back, ol' friend." He told him and then looked at the rest of the group with them. "I know who he is." Dex stated as he pointed to Luke. "But who might you two be?" He asked with curiosity as he pointed to Padme and Han who he had not met before.
"Oh, this is my wife, Padme...Luke's mother." Anakin said with a smile before mischievously looking over at Han. "And this...uh...I'm not sure what to call him really."
"Hey!" Han declared with mock offense before holding his right hand out to Dex. "Han Solo's the name." He paused as he gave Anakin a sly look. "I'm a family friend."
Anakin just shook his head as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Really."
"Yes, really." Han stated with all seriousness as he put his hands on his hips and just stared up at Anakin.
Anakin laughed. "Oh...I guess you pass as a friend." He retorted as Padme slapped her husband's left arm.
"Stop teasing, Han. You'll give him a complex." Padme teased him as she looked up at her husband with a smirk and then turned back to Dex. "Padme Amidala Skywalker." She proudly introduced herself to the Jedi's old friend.
"Skywalker, eh?" Dex replied while giving Anakin a knowing smile. "Please to meet ya...both." Dex replied as he gave Anakin a sly look remembering their earlier conversation about him not being a conventional Jedi. He then returned his gaze back to Obi-Wan with a sad but happy smile. "Well...have a seat... the meal is on the house. Nothing's too good fer my ol' pal, Obi-Wan."
"Thank you, Dex." Obi-Wan replied humbly as he smiled back at his old friend. "It's good to be back." He stated as both friends shook hands again and then the group proceeded to sit down in the large, circular booth in the corner.
"Flo, find out what my friends want." Dex shouted to the waitress droid as he waddled back into the kitchen.
"Sure, Dex." The droid replied as she headed towards the happy group in the corner and proceeded to take their orders.
Coruscant – The Senate Building, 14:50 Standard Hours
Mon Mothma, Leia, and Generals Madine, Rieekan, and Kota arrived about the same time to the strategy room and proceeded to sit down in their respective places around the table. "So what is this new plan all about, Chancellor?" Madine asked with curiosity as they all took their seats.
Mon and Leia, who were sitting next to each other with Mon on the end and Leia to her right, just exchanged a knowing smile before turning their attention back to all of the generals in the room. "All will be revealed in the meeting, General." Mon replied just as Lando walked through the door with Han and Admiral Ackbar not far behind them.
"Generals Calarissian, Solo...Admiral Ackbar...welcome. Please have a seat. The meeting will start as soon as Luke Skywalker and a few others arrive." Mon greeted with a smile as they nodded and complied with Han sitting next to Leia and Lando next to Han.
"It's good to be here." Admiral Ackbar stated as he proceeded to take the chair to Mon's left. "I am very curious to know what this new plan is. I understand that Anakin Skywalker is helping us on this one. I am only sorry that I missed the first meeting. I look forward to seeing him again."
Mon then turned her head to the left to look at Admiral Ackbar. "Actually...he is unable to attend this meeting and may have only a limited role in the new plan."
Everyone in the room except Han and Leia gasped and looked at Mon with shock. "With all due respect, Chancellor, but why? He could be the key to our success." General Rieekan asked with surprise.
Mon sighed. "He has been called away on another mission, I'm afraid, that required a Jedi with experience." She simply told them as Han and Leia smirked at each other.
General Kota, who was sitting on the far end next to Lando, looked vacantly in the Chancellor's direction. "Really?"
"Yes, General Kota." Mon answered him.
"What kind of mission is it? I could have joined him as I am also an experienced former Jedi." General Kota informed her.
Mon clasped her hands together and placed them on the table in front of her. She looked down and then up again. "That is very true, General Kota." She paused. "But this is a mission that only Anakin can do. You will understand why when the time is right. Until then there is little I can tell you."
General Kota was unsure of what the Chancellor meant. She is not telling me the whole truth. Why? "Very well, Chancellor. I will respect your wishes." He told her with a nod.
Mon smiled. "Thank you, General."
"So where is Luke?" Lando asked. "I thought for sure he would want to be here for this too."
"He should be here shortly." Leia replied. "He is...seeing our father off." She added with a smile.
What is going on with Anakin Skywalker? General Kota thought to himself as he tried to sense the truth of the matter but the Force was alluding him to it.
It was then that everyone's attention was brought to the door again as Luke, Padme and Obi-Wan entered the room...causing all those who had not heard of Padme's and Obi-Wan's reappearances and knew of them prior to and during the Clone Wars to gasp. General Kota also turned to face them, now sensing Obi-Wan's Force signature and had a shocked look on his face. Why didn't I sense Kenobi's presence before this? He thought to himself with confusion. What is going on?
"Master Kenobi?" Admiral Ackbar stated with awe as the elder Jedi stopped and smiled back at him.
"Yes...it's good to see you again, Admiral Ackbar." Obi-Wan replied as he also noticed the shocked and confused look on General Kota's face, sensing his immense confusion through the Force. He walked toward Kota and took his right hand in his. "It's good to see you again, Rahm. It's been a long time. I'm happy to see that you too also escaped from the purges."
General Kota turned to Obi-Wan with surprise but then shook his hand. "You as well, Obi-Wan." He paused. "But I was under the impression that you had died at Darth Vader's hand four years ago." Kota told him with shock still in his voice and all the others looked on with eager anticipation for Obi-Wan's explanation.
Padme, Han, Leia and Obi-Wan all exchanged knowing looks as Obi-Wan replied. "It's a long story, Rahm...and I'll explain everything later...perhaps after this meeting."
"Very well, Kenobi." Kota replied with continued shock as Obi-Wan nodded in response and took a seat in a chair along the wall behind Leia.
Padme was about to do the same when Lando stood up and approached her with his usual trademark, suave charm. "And who might you be?" Lando asked as he took Padme's right hand in his and kissed her hand. He then smiled charmingly up at her.
Padme smiled back at Lando. "I am Padme Amidala...Skywalker." She paused. "Anakin Skywalker's wife." She told him with emphasis on the last word.
Lando immediately withdrew his hand from her grasp with a shocked and embarrassed look on his face . "Oh..I...uh..."
"Just sit down, you old dog." Han interjected with a chuckle. "And leave Mrs. Skywalker alone."
"I'm sorry...I didn't know." Lando replied as he awkwardly sat down again.
"It's ok...Lando, is it?" Padme replied with a smile as those who didn't know of her being alive stared at her like they had seen a ghost.
"Yes, ma'am." Lando replied while still acting quite embarrassed as he looked up at her from his seat.
"It is quite alright." Padme tried to assure him as she patted his right shoulder with her right hand. "You didn't know."
"Senator Amidala." Ackbar finally spoke up with a smile on his face. "It's good to see you...alive."
Padme smiled over at the old Mon Calamari Admiral. "Thank you, Admiral. It's good to see you again too."
"But we all thought you were dead...the funeral..." Madine stated with a shocked look on his face.
"I am sorry for the deception...but it was necessary." Padme stated as she continued to sit down next to Obi-Wan. "Anakin was a Jedi and you know...the purges..." She added as the others nodded in understanding.
Shortly after Padme took her seat, all of their attention was brought back to the door again just as Luke and Admiral Piett entered. Luke sat next to his mother along the wall while Admiral Piett took the empty seat between Ackbar and Madine.
Mon then smiled and looked around the room at everyone. "Now that everyone is here, I can now reveal to all of you what the new plan is." She paused for a moment as she tried to find the right words. "This morning I had the most startling revelation that could very well bring this conflict to a close a lot quicker and with a lot less blood shed than we could have ever hoped for."
All those not already privy to the new plan just looked at each other with confusion. "And how can we do that?" Rieekan asked.
Mon just smiled as she reached over with her right hand and pushed the comm button. "You may come in now." There was no answer but she expected that there wouldn't be so she turned the comm off again.
"Gentlemen and ladies..." Mon started. "It has come to my attention that Lord Vader is not only alive...but he is willing to help us bring an end to this conflict."
"You must be mad!" Madine exclaimed just as the door swished open and the ominous respirator sound of Darth Vader's infamous black suit filled the room. Everyone's gaze immediately went to the door to see the dark, armored and masked figure of Darth Vader taking up the entire doorway.
Mon just smiled. "Lord Vader, please come in and take a seat."
"I would rather stand." Vader stated with his booming mechanical voice as he entered the room and bowed with respect. The door closed behind him. "But thank you." He added as everyone just looked at 'Darth Vader' with awe as he crossed his arms in front of him. He looked around the room at everyone in attendance, turning his masked head slowly. "I know you all have no reason to trust me, but I can assure you that I have no intention of taking over. Ruling the galaxy was my master's area of expertise not mine."
Rieekan immediately got to his feet, outraged as he looked at Vader with contempt and then looked over at Mon Mothma like she had lost her mind. "You can't be serious, Chancellor!" He exclaimed with ire as he pointed towards the Dark Lord. "He spent twenty-three years hunting down the Jedi and hunting the Rebellion down and now you expect us to just trust the man?!"
Mon immediately got to her feet and looked at Rieekan with anger, putting both her hands on the table in front of her. "Sit down, General Rieekan! And listen to what he has to say!" She paused as she tried to calm herself. "Believe me when I tell you that when I first heard of this news I felt the same as you." She paused again as she sat down and clasped her hands on the table. "But then I spoke with him and...I believe in his sincerity to help us bring this conflict to a peaceful end."
"An end where he is in control of everything!" Madine retorted with ire as 'Vader' turned his head towards him.
"I know you have every reason to hate me and suspect why I would want to help you." Anakin stated from behind the mask. "But to tell you the truth I am sick of the fighting and want to bring an end to it all."
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept that." General Ackbar stated. "You brought death and destruction to millions of innocents. And to me that is something that cannot go unpunished." He paused as he too tried to calm himself and turned to look at the Chancellor. "I propose that he stand trial for his war crimes."
"I agree!" Rieekan and Madine stated in unison.
"Now wait a minute!" Mon finally spoke up. "That was also my first thought and believe me I still don't totally trust him. But we need him right now, gentlemen, so we are forced to trust him whether we like it or not."
"In what way...how can he help us?" Rieekan asked with ire still in his voice.
"By stepping in temporarily and taking control of the Empire." 'Vader' stated with his mechanical voice. "The Empire is in chaos right now and without a declared heir to the Imperial throne many are starting to rally behind Ysanne Isard." He paused. "By stepping forward and taking control of the Empire, I could weaken her forces. Many Imperials will see me as the rightful heir to the Imperial throne."
"And then what? You would take over the New Republic too by pretending to be our ally...much like Palpatine did during the Clone Wars?" Ackbar exclaimed.
Anakin sighed behind the mask trying to keep himself calm. Blast Palpatine and his lies. "As I stated...I have no desire to rule as Emperor. I simply want to bring an end to all of the fighting...and I would be taking orders directly from Chancellor Mon Mothma the whole time with the help of Admiral Piett over there." He stated as he pointed his right hand to Mon and then Piett. "Once I re-establish some order, then I will negotiate a peace treaty between the New Republic and the Empire. At the end, of which, I would step down and allow the New Republic to continue to re-establish itself." He sighed. "And...at that time...you can do what you see fit to me. I will even turn myself in and stand trial if that is what is necessary."
"How do we know you are telling us the truth?" Lando finally spoke up. "You made a deal with me that you would leave Princess Leia and Chewie under my supervision at Bespin and yet you took them as hostages anyway." He paused with ire. "You lied to me! How do we know you aren't lying to us now and won't alter your deal with us."
Anakin sighed again. "I am sorry about that General Calarissian." He paused. "Believe me when I tell you that I regret my actions on Bespin to this day. It was not my habit to break deals...even before. But I was determined to capture Luke Skywalker at the time and I needed them to lure him there so I could capture him."
Luke just smiled at his father but covered his mouth with his right hand to hide it. Calm down, Father...I can feel your guilt and frustration. He tried to assure him through the Force.
Anakin turned his head towards Luke, warmly smiling at him from behind the mask. "I am sorry, Luke, for what happened on Bespin...for your hand and for torturing your friend." He apologized as he also looked over at Han. "There was no excuse."
Everyone who didn't know the Dark Lord's real identity and relationship to Luke just looked at him with shock. "Well...that is certainly something I never thought I'd witness." Lando stated with awe. "Darth Vader apologizing for his actions."
General Kota, who had been listening the whole time in silence, just smirked to himself as he sensed nothing but pure light radiating from the 'Dark Lord's' aura. "We should give Lord Vader a chance to prove himself." Kota finally spoke up as all those in the room either looked at him with mortified shock or curiosity. "I sense no deception in his offer to help us."
"You can't be serious?" Madine exclaimed as he continued to look at Kota with disgusted awe. "You really think he has changed that much?"
"I sense it...through the Force." Kota simply replied as his vacant, blind eyes seemed to be looking at Madine and then 'Vader'.
At this point, Obi-Wan stood up to address the group. "I knew Vader before he turned to the Dark Side." He paused. "He was once a good man, believe it or not; and he is that good man again. I also sense this through the Force." Anakin and Obi-Wan exchanged a knowing look with each other as Obi-Wan continued. "It was rumored that Darth Vader killed me after a confrontation with him on the first Death Star. Yet here I stand...alive. That should be proof enough to you that he has changed." He paused again. "He was my sworn enemy for years as I was the one who fought him and injured him to the point that he had to wear that suit." He paused as the guilt started to enter his aura but he took a deep breath and continued. "And he has had ample opportunity to kill me since he arrived back here...but he has not been anything been civil to me. In fact..." Obi-Wan smirked. "...we talked about old times." Everyone just looked at Obi-Wan with silent awe as Obi-Wan walked over to Anakin and put his right hand on his 'brother's' left shoulder. "He is once again a Jedi as he was before."
"I don't remember a Jedi named Darth Vader." Admiral Ackbar commented in reply.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "That's because his name wasn't Darth Vader before." He paused. "He went by another name."
"What name did he go by then?" Rieekan asked with curiosity as he crossed his arms and looked on with disbelief. Everyone else also looked at 'Vader' and Obi-Wan waiting for an answer.
"That really is none of your concern and, in my opinion, irrelevant at this point." Obi-Wan replied in 'Vader's' defense as he crossed his arms in front of him and looked over at Rieekan.
"As far as I see it, it is completely relevant." Rieekan retorted looking directly at 'Darth Vader' into the eyes of the mask.
Anakin and Obi-Wan shared horrified looks, as did the rest of the conspirators who knew of Vader's true identity. How do we get around this one? Anakin thought to himself with fear.