Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Here's chapter 26! Thanks for all the great reviews!

Burning Vendetta

Chapter 26: Rebel Victory

Traveling through the trenches at the breakneck speed that they were was enough to make Obi-Wan nauseous. Fortunately, despite his utter dislike for flying, he was able to keep it together, thanks to years of Jedi training. Since they were in the trenches now, it wasn't long before several TIE fighters were dispatched to deal with them. Three came at them head on and Anakin pressed the trigger on his guns, shooting one down and clipping the wing of another. Anakin watched, as the two pilots pulled up and sailed out into open space, before turning around and diving back into the trenches behind them.

"Keep sharp, you've got company back there!" Anakin called to Obi-Wan and Marcus.

"Blast!" Obi-Wan cried, as one kept shooting entirely too close to him.

"I'll see if I can shake these guys," Marcus called, as he put the brakes on and slid back between them. He fired at the damaged one and sent him into a spiral, as he exploded. He smirked and fired at the other. The pilot lost control and crashed into the side

"Nice shot!" Obi-Wan called.

"Good work Marcus! After this next turn, we should be coming up on the reactor. Once I'm close enough, you'll both want to pull out!" Anakin called.

"Are you sure you'll be able to pull up at the speed you'll be going?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin smirked.

"It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon back home," Anakin replied.

"There's another fighter back here!" Marcus cried, as he dodged several blasts

"Malice..." Anakin said, as the dark presence invaded his senses.

"I sense it too," Obi-Wan replied, just as Marcus' wing was clipped.

"I've been hit!" Marcus cried.

"Pull out now, Marcus!" Anakin called. Marcus obeyed and Malice let him go, determined to stay on Vader. Anakin saw the reactor dead ahead and reached deeply into the Force to center himself. Arfour let out a shrill cry, as he was completely destroyed.

"I've lost Arfour!" Obi-Wan called.

"Pull out! I'm locked onto the target!" Anakin called.

"May the Force be with you, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, as he pulled o ut. Malice growled, as Vader bounced all over his radar. Every time he thought he had him locked down, he would move. Malice had never been close enough to the boy to assess him before now. And Malice had to admit that the Force presence that the boy held was astoundingly strong.

"The Force is unusually strong with this one," Malice growled. Anakin swerved again to avoid another of Malice's blasts. Determination lined his face, as he stared at the reactor's opening. He knew he had one shot at this and held his breath, as he fired a torpedo at the reactor opening. He sighed in relief, as it went in and pulled out at a breakneck speed.

"NOOOO!" Malice screamed in rage, as he too pulled out. The Death Star exploded in a brilliant display of flames, sending Malice into a spiral. Once he gained control, he set his course for Coruscant. The Emperor would be none too please and he would be punished severally.

"You'll pay for this...Vader..." Malice growled.

"Whooohooo!" Anakin cheered, as the few pilots he had left rallied their ships around him.

"Anakin, the base is under attack and being evacuated. We are to report to the new base on Hoth," Obi-Wan said.

"Did Padme and the others get out okay?" Anakin asked.

"I don't know. The Falcon isn't responding to my hails," Obi-Wan replied.

"Then I'm going back to Yavin. I have a bad feeling that Padme is in trouble," Anakin said.

"I'm coming with you. I have the same feeling that Dorme and Han are in danger as well," Obi-Wan replied.

"You aren't leaving me out of this one either," Marcus called.

"Okay...the rest of you report to the base on Hoth. The three of us will be there as soon as we rescue any still trapped on Yavin," Anakin said, as he, Obi-Wan, and Marcus set the course for Yavin.

Padme paced in the cell she was locked in with Dorme, Han, and Dex. Hours earlier, they'd been captured by Panaka and Asaaj Ventress, Palpatine's top Sith assassin. Padme would have opted to fight, but was forced to surrender for Dorme, Han, and Dex's safety. Plus, she was not very agile in her current condition and surrendered for the safety of her babies as well. The Imperials had secured the base as their own now and Panaka had yet to transport them to an Imperial prison; and she knew why. Anakin would come for her and that was exactly what Panaka wanted. She recalled him revealing his intentions upon their capture.

Flashback...

Well, well, if it isn't the lovely Queen Amidala," Panaka sneered, as he put his hand around her neck. Padme struggled, but Ventress' light saber at Dorme's throat ceased her fight.

"Any false moves and the brat will be the first to go, followed by the handmaiden and the alien," Panaka spat, as her wrists were shackled. Panaka chuckled evilly, as he spied the round swell of her belly.

"Well...Vader certainly has been a busy boy. I can't wait to see the look on his face when I dangle you and his unborn spawn in front of him. I daresay he will have no choice but to surrender. Then, the Emperor will deal with you both personally and I will be rewarded richly. You and your husband will suffer immensely before he grants you both the sweet release of death," Panaka sneered. Padme glared at him.

"Lock them in a cell until I send for this one," Panaka said, as he lifted her chin with his finger.

"She is the key to bringing down Vader..." Panaka said, as Ventress grabbed her arm. She and several Storm Troopers led them away...

End Flashback...

And this cell was where they had been taken and had remained for the last few hours. She knew Anakin was close...she could feel it. She'd heard nothing of the Death Star's destruction, but she knew he had succeeded and that Naboo was safe. Suddenly, two Storm Troopers approached the cell and opened it. One walked in and roughly grabbed Padme by the arm.

"The Grand Moff has requested that we bring you to him," the Trooper said, as he shoved her toward the exit.

"Be careful, she's pregnant!" Dorme cried.

"Shut up," the Trooper snapped, as they shackled Padme's wrists and neck.

Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Marcus landing in a jungle clearing upon their arrival. They noticed an Imperial Star Destroyer looming near the planet. For that reason, they would have to infiltrate the base on foot, for it was crawling with Imperials.

"We're never going to get past all those Storm Troopers without alerting them to our presence," Marcus whispered, as they crouched behind a large brush near the heavily guarded entrance.

"You're right. Fortunately, I have a plan," Anakin said.

"Force help us all," Obi-Wan quipped.

"Very funny. But this plan happens to be brilliant. Just watch," Anakin replied, as he raised his hand to the tree beside them. He eyed three Storm Troopers standing the closest to them. Using the Force, Anakin snapped one of the tree's branches.

"What was that?" one of the Troopers asked. All three of them approached to investigate.

"I stand corrected. This plan just might work," Obi-Wan replied. The three Storm Trooper's cries were muffled, as they disappeared into the brush. The three Clones were knocked out and stripped of their uniforms, which Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Marcus now donned.

"I'll go after Dorme, Han, and Dex," Obi-Wan said. Anakin nodded.

"I'll find Padme. You're with me, Marcus," Anakin said. The young man nodded, as they put the helmets on and walked right in the front entrance without a single problem.

"Where are you taking me?" Padme asked, as she was roughly pulled along.

"Grand Moff Panaka has ordered that you be taken to his Star Destroyer for safe keeping. You'll be transported there by shuttle," one responded.

"But what about my friends?" she asked.

"They are of little importance and will probably be executed soon. You, however, have a little cell reserved on Lord Malice's personal Star Destroyer. You'll spend the rest of your days there...after the ship's healers get rid of the spawn you're carrying," the other replied.

"What?" Padme exclaimed.

"Oh, I guess no one told you. The Emperor has ordered that your pregnancy be terminated. He says that any spawn of Vader is too large of a threat. After that, you'll spend your time in your cell. The Emperor has ordered you be punished for your crimes. You and your husband will be tortured before you are finally brought before the Emperor himself. He will execute you both...personally," the Trooper replied.

"Oh Gods Anakin...our babies. I can't allow them to take me to that ship..." Padme fretted silently. Suddenly, Padme had an idea. She clutched her abdomen and moaned in pain.

"Ohhh...ohhh something's wrong..." Padme cried.

"Come on, keep moving," the Trooper prodded.

"No...I'm serious. It really hurts..." Padme whined.

"Keep moving, you little whore," the other spat at her.

"Ohhh..." Padme cried, as she fainted and slumped against one of the Troopers.

"Ah Sith...this little tart is more trouble than she's worth..." one swore.

"Let's get her to the med bay," the other said.

"Why? Who cares if something's wrong with her? She's gonna wish she was dead where she's going. Too bad if she really does die on the way. We have orders to bring her to Panaka. He can decide what to do with the little wench," the other argued.

"The Emperor wants her alive. I heard Panaka say something about her being the key to bringing down that bastard, Vader," the other argued. Padme opened one eye and noticed that neither was paying attention to her. With a swift movement, she stood up and spun around.

"Hey!" one called. Padme used the Force to pull his blaster from his hand. She turned it on him and shot him in the chest. The other was not quick enough either and suffered the same fate as his partner. She looked around and was thankful to see that the corridor was empty. She gripped the blaster in her shackled hands and quietly crept along the side, hoping to find her way back to free Dorme and the others. Suddenly, as she passed by a room, the door slid open and a hand covered her mouth. Her scream was muffled, as she was pulled into the room...

A lone Storm Trooper approached the cell and Dorme stormed up to the bars.

"What have they done with Padme?! You brutes are all alike. How dare you manhandle a pregnant woman!" Dorme spat.

"Be quiet," the Trooper pleaded.

"And if I don't, what are you going to do, shoot me?!" Dorme asked. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes from under the helmet and lifted it up.

"Well, excuse me, my love. But I was going to try to rescue us! But if you don't keep your voice down, we're all going to be in a lot of trouble," Obi-Wan said.

"Ben! Oh Ben...I've been so worried," Dorme cried, as Obi-Wan unlocked the cell. Obi-Wan was nearly knocked over, as she threw herself in his arms, causing Dex to chuckle. Obi-Wan felt home at last, as she kissed him passionately.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently.

"I am now," she replied, as she clung to him.

"And Han?" he asked, as he spied their sleeping son.

"He's okay, but he's getting hungry and dehydrated. These damned Imperials wouldn't even give me any water for him," Dorme said.

"It'll be okay. I'm going to get us to the Falcon and off this rock," Obi-Wan replied.

"Ben, they took Padme somewhere..." she cried.

"Don't worry, Anakin has gone to find her. Dex, I need you to put these around your wrists, but don't lock them," Obi-Wan said, as he handed him a pair of cuffs. Dex did so and Dorme picked up her little boy, cradling him against her chest. Obi-Wan took her arm and led them out.

Padme screamed and struggled, as the Storm Trooper pulled her into the vacant room.

"Shh...Padme, it's me," the voice said. Padme stopped her struggle and turned in his arms. He lifted his helmet off, revealing himself to be her husband.

"Oh Anakin..." she cried, as she threw her arms around his neck. He hugged her tightly and kissed her hair.

"You are without a doubt, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Anakin smiled at her, as he stroked her face. Their lips met in a passionate kiss and they reluctantly pulled apart.

"Oh Anakin...they were going to take me to Malice's Star Destroyer. The Emperor ordered that my pregnancy be terminated. They want to kill our babies..." Padme cried. Anakin hugged her tightly.

"That's not going to happen, angel. I won't let it," he told her, in a loving tone.

"I'm going to get us out of this, so let's hurry and go," Anakin replied, as he put his helmet back on. He opened the door and Padme gasped, as another Storm Trooper was there.

"It's okay Padme, it's Marcus," Anakin told her. Marcus lifted his helmet and winked at her, before putting the helmet back on. The two Storm Troopers then escorted their prisoner to the hanger...

As they walked quickly, a red light began flashing in the corridors.

"That can't be good," Marcus said, noticing the red alert.

"They probably found the two Storm Troopers I killed," Padme replied.

"Or the ones we stole the uniforms from. Let's hurry," Anakin said, as they started sprinting.

"You two, stop!" a Storm Trooper called from behind them.

"Sith..." Anakin swore, as he whipped around and discharged his blaster on them.

He heard Padme gasp and he turned around, only to find Panaka, Ventress, and several Storm Troopers blocking their way.

"What are we going to do?" Marcus asked, as they were surrounded.

"Just do what they say and follow my lead," Anakin replied, as their weapons were confiscated.

"Take their helmets off," Panaka ordered. Two Officers did so and Panaka approached Anakin.

"At last, we've finally captured you. And this time, for good," Panaka said, as Anakin and Marcus' wrists were shackled. They were forced to start walking and soon reached the hanger. The Millennium Falcon stood proudly in the distance and he could sense Obi-Wan nearby.

"Put the woman on the shuttle," Panaka ordered. A couple Storm Troopers grabbed Padme's arms, but Anakin's words halted them.

"I don't think you two want to touch her," Anakin told them.

"I don't think we want to touch her," they parroted. Panaka snarled at him and punched him in the gut. Anakin groaned in pain a little, but quickly recovered.

"Shut your fucking mouth. If you use another mind trick, she'll be the one to pay for it next time," Panaka snarled.

"I was just telling them that it would be in their best interest not to touch her, lest they wish for me to kill them," Anakin replied. Panaka smirked and chuckled.

"You're going to kill them? With your hands shackled like that, you won't make it very far before you're the one that's dead!" Panaka spat, as he punched Anakin in the jaw. Anakin's head jerked to the side and then turned back to Panaka.

"Is that the best you got?" Anakin asked. Panaka snarled and grabbed Padme by the hair. She yelped, as he slapped her face and wrapped his hand around her neck.

"It won't be so funny to you when I choke the life out her, will it?" Panaka snarled.

"You've just signed your death warrant," Anakin answered. Panaka and the other men around him laughed.

"You have guts, Vader, I'll give you that," Panaka replied.

"Would you like to know just how I plan to escape?" Vader asked. Panaka rolled his eyes, thinking that this guy had to be half insane or something.

"Oh yes, I could use a good laugh," Panaka replied.

"Well, first I'm going to choke those three Storm Troopers. That Officer over there is going to get a vibro knife jammed through his face, those two are going to get smashed by that storage bin above them. Marcus is going to shoot those two over there. I'm going to kill the rest when I retrieve my light saber and then I'll deal with you and the lap dog standing next to you," Anakin said, referring to Ventress. Panaka and his men had to laugh at how absurd the whole thing sounded.

"Just for fun, why don't you tell me how you plan to do all this with your hands shackled?" Panaka asked. Anakin smirked and held up his hands, revealing the lock on them had been snapped open.

"It's amazing what one can do with the power of the Force," Anakin said, as he threw the shackles off. The three Storm Troopers he promised to choke were suddenly holding their throats and fell hard to the floor. He reached deeply into the Force and pulled all their weapons from Panaka's and Ventress' belts. Padme's and Marcus' shackles snapped to pieces at the same time. He took a vibro knife and flung it toward the officer he'd promised it for and he screamed, as the vibro knife went through his eye and into his brain, killing him. Two more screamed in terror, as they were crushed by the storage bin above them. Marcus shot several more with the blaster that had been floated into his hand, thanks to Anakin. Anakin and Padme ignited their light sabers and took care of the rest. Ventress ignited her blade and it crashed against Anakin and Padme's. Ventress knew her chances of winning against the two of them was slim, but that didn't lessen the fury of her strikes. Panaka saw that the situation was grim and decided that it would be best to escape. The humming of a light saber, however, ceased his movement.

"Going somewhere?" Obi-Wan asked, as he held his saber to Panaka's throat. Marcus watched them battle Ventress, waiting for an opportunity to help in any way.

"Marcus, get the Falcon ready to take off!" Anakin called. Marcus nodded and ran up the Falcon's ramp.

"Go Padme. I'll take care of this Sith witch," Anakin said. Padme backed away and sprinted toward the ramp.

"The Emperor will be pleased with me when I deliver you to him," Ventress sneered. Anakin smirked.

"I pity you. The Emperor just uses you. He does not care if you live or die. He'll replace you with someone else. It's sad that you would show loyalty to a man like that," Anakin replied. Ventress growled.

"The Emperor has given me everything! And he will reward me richly for killing you!" Ventress howled, as her rage filled strikes became sloppy.

"I hope you find peace wherever it is you'll be going," Anakin replied, as he severed her head from her body with a clean swipe. Anakin extinguished his light saber and noticed that Obi-Wan had captured Panaka.

"I thought he might have some useful information to give us. We can take him back to the new base with us," Obi-Wan said.

"It'll be a cold day on Hoth before I tell you fucking Rebels anything!" Panaka spat. Anakin smirked at the irony of his statement, since they were really going to Hoth.

"Well, if you're not going to tell us anything, than I guess I can go ahead and kill you right here," Anakin said, as he ignited his saber. Panaka cowered away from him in fear.

"Now Anakin, let's not get ahead of ourselves. You can kill him after he's told us everything he knows," Obi-Wan said.

"Fine...but he better have something good," Anakin replied.

"I'm not telling you anything!" Panaka spat.

"Maybe we should leave you here then. Marcus planted detonators all over this place and it's going to go up in flames as soon as we're out of here," Anakin said. Panaka quieted and Anakin smirked in victory.

"What is with you and blowing things up?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin shrugged.

"It's fun," he replied. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.

"Your idea of fun is not the same as mine," Obi-Wan retorted. The Millennium Falcon took off from the base at Yavin IV and the course was set for Hoth. A few minutes after take off, Anakin detonated the explosive devices and the base went up in flames...