Luke noticed around forty men and women in leather cloaks with helmets as he continued to advance towards the Palace.
He noticed Captain Typho yelling to him, "We need to secure the hanger!"
Luke looked to his back to see R2 moving as he spoke, "R2, lead me to the hanger once we're inside of the Palace."
Anakin moved up the Palace steps alongside Ahsoka as Luke and Leia charged forwards cutting down stormtroopers as he spoke, "The fleet is going to be here any minute."
Ahsoka nodded as she noticed Eli and Obi-Wan continuing their advance.
Mara Jade stabbed one stormtrooper as she Force shoved several others.
She noticed Kayla Skywalker at her side as she spoke, "Are you still watching my back?"
"Someone has to," Kayla replied with a smile as she pointed towards the main palace entrance.
Anakin ran into the Palace to the sight of Luke and Leia fighting back to back as they fought the stormtroopers that were surrounding them.
Anakin smiled as he used the Force to send ten of the stormtroopers into the nearby glass windows.
He noticed the remaining stormtroopers dropping their blasters in horror as they threw their hands up.
"You could have just done that," Anakin stated.
"That's no fun," Luke replied.
Anakin glared at his son in frustration. He then pointed to six young royal troopers as he spoke, "Take the prisoners out of here immediately."
Anakin turned to his twins as he spoke, "Now let's move to the hanger."
Luke followed his father through the elaborate palace with royal Nabuian soldiers following their Jedi leaders.
Luke noticed the one eyed Captain walking at his side as he spoke, "You're the Queen's son aren't you?"
"Yes," Luke replied.
"You certainly are proving yourself to be worthy of that title. You fight as bravely as both of your parents."
Luke smiled as the older man spoke, "What rank has the Alliance given you?"
"They made me a Commander," Luke replied.
"Well, I eagerly await any of your orders."
"Thank you," Luke replied.
Ten minutes later, the hanger doors opened as the Jedi Commanders led the charge into the hanger.
A squad of twenty stormtroopers awaited the Jedi Knights.
They quickly surrendered when they saw just how many Jedi they were facing.
Luke turned to see the Nabuian pilots climbing into their starfighters as he turned to his father, "Looks like things are going as planned."
"Yes they are," Anakin replied.
Star Destroyer Avenger: In Orbit above Naboo:
Captain Lorth Needa stared out of his viewport at the massive number of Alliance starfighters in horror.
He noticed around a dozen capital ships as he realized that they were going to be overwhelmed.
"Sir, there are more starfighters flying out of the atmosphere."
"Have we been able to make contact with the ground forces?"
"We received one distress call. Shall we issue one?"
Captain Needa looked out of the viewport and nodded, "It looks like we don't have a chance."
"Sir, the Endeavor is gone!" One Officer yelled.
"We are the only Imperial ship in this system now!" Another Officer yelled.
"Evacuate!" The horrified Captain screamed as he felt the entire ship shake.
He could feel the bulkheads quaking and he looked just in time to see two proton torpedos. It was the last thing that Lorth Needa ever saw.
Naboo: Varykino:
Mace Windu walked into the dining room where Padme was dining with the rest of the Skywalker family.
He noticed Shmi smiling at him as she spoke, "Lunch is ready for you."
"Thank you Mrs Skywalker," Mace replied as he sat down.
He took a bite of his lunch as he spoke, "I just received word from Senator Organa and Admiral Ackbar, both Imperial Vessels have been destroyed."
"Any word from Anakin?" Padme asked.
"The Palace is secured. There are still pockets of resistance throughout Theed, but they are slowly giving way. The Gungans have a massive number of prisoners from Dee'ja Peak, the entire base surrendered. There was also a large number of Imperials that surrendered on the coasts."
"What are they doing with them?"
"Putting them in the local prisons. Resistance troopers are in the process of reviewing arrest records at the local detention centers."
"Of course, I can imagine that some people are in there for a good reason," Shmi said.
"A few, Naboo has never had a very high crime rate, not even in Theed," Padme said.
"Moff Panaka is being moved to the Royal Dungeon to await trial."
Padme nodded as she spoke, "I say we fly straight to the Palace after lunch. Once the city is completely secured, I will address the people," Padme added.
Anakin and Eli cut their way through an entire squad of stormtroopers within just seconds as the two brothers continued their liberation of Theed.
The city was mostly won, but a good number of Imperials weren't willing to give up.
He noticed young Imperial officers retreating from the blasterfire with bloody foreheads. He saw some of the young men limping and falling as they attempted to run to the outskirts of the city.
Luke, Leia, Mara and Ahsoka fought side by side as panicked Imperials attacked them. The four Jedi Knights were the soul obstacle for the routing Imperial armies.
Luke cut down Imperial after Imperial as he noticed Ahsoka leading the charge into a fresh phalanx of stormtroopers that were arriving to do battle.
He joined Ahsoka as Leia and Mara followed.
Amid the chaos, Luke was stunned that they were still finding entire squads of stormtroopers that were brave enough to challenge them.
After just five minutes, the squad of stormtroopers disappeared leaving a pile of white smoking mutilated corpses in it's place.
At the same time, Luke heard a scream, "We surrender!"
Luke turned to see around fifty men in black Imperial uniforms with their hands raised.
He looked at the men as Ahsoka spoke, "Line up in a single file line with your hands on your heads."
She turned to the Padawans and spoke, "Lead the way to the detention center, I'll take the back of the line. Leia, Mara, take the middle of the line."
Ruwee Naberrie looked at the bodies that littered the city streets with a sigh as he saw Royal troopers leading captured Imperials to detention.
Each man or boy was somebody's child, Ruwee thought with a sigh.
He thought of the young men that he had killed from the Millennium Falcon.
Both Ruwee and Darred had taken lives from the Turrets of the Falcon.
How many more had to die before the Galaxy would be free? Ruwee asked himself.
At the same time, Ruwee noticed his grandson leading a long line of captured Imperials.
He noticed the triaumphant smile on Luke's face as he walked by.
Ruwee shook his head, this boy enjoys war too much, Ruwee thought.
"Mr Naberrie!" Called out a voice.
Ruwee turned to the line of captured Imperials to see a young man calling out to him.
He ran up alongside the line as the boy spoke, "Do you remember me?"
"Of course I do, you're the Olie's boy," Ruwee replied.
The boy nodded as he shoved a piece of paper towards Ruwee, "Take that to my folks, tell them that I'm sorry I didn't listen."
Ruwee took the paper with a frown as he looked at the boy and spoke, "Don't worry son, you'll be out as soon as the war is over."
"I hope you're right," The boy replied as the line continued to move.
Ruwee slipped the letter into his pocket and headed off into the city with a sigh.
Padme stepped off out her speeder to see young Royal Officers in battered and bloodied uniforms standing in a line in complete respect to her.
She walked down the line of young soldiers with a sigh, some of these boys weren't that much older than her son. How many women cried for their sons today that died in the name of freedom? She looked the young soldiers over as she spoke, "You did a great job today, your efforts will help to free the Galaxy."
She noticed Captain Typho approaching her as he bowed, "Your Highness."
"What is the current status of the city?" Padme asked.
"The entire base was destroyed by Captain Solo The fires there consumed two AT-AT walkers along with hundreds of Imperial Personal. The fires are still so hot that no one can go anywhere near the base."
"Hot?"
"He set off a fuel tank."
"Oh," Padme replied with a sigh.
"The entire planet has been liberated. The Gungans haven't reported their casualties yet."
"What are ours?" Padme asked.
"So far it appears to be one hundred and fifty dead, and about one hundred and ten wounded."
Padme sighed, "That is too many."
"This is war."
"I know it is, I've been fighting for years, I'm just... I'm just tired of it," Padme replied.
The seasoned Captain nodded as Padme spoke, "You can dismiss the men, make sure they get good rest. Serve them whatever is in the Palace kitchen."
"As you wish."
Luke watched as his mother appeared dressed in her ceremonial dress and makeup with his Father, Obi-Wan, Eli and Master Windu standing before her.
"Noble Citizens as Naboo, it is my honor as Queen to announce our official liberation from Imperial oppression. I also honorably and officially declare war on the Galactic Empire. Our world is now the base and home of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Freedom will soon be returned to the entire Galaxy."
Cheers rang out as the Queen continued her speech.
Luke noticed Han standing at his side.
Twenty minutes later, Luke walked through the ecstatic crowd with Han at his side as he heard a voice, "You're Luke Skywalker aren't you?"
Luke turned to see a dark haired boy who was around his age standing with two others as he spoke, "I am."
"It's a pleasure to meet the Prince of Naboo."
Luke shook his head, "Please don't call me that. My mother is the elected Queen of Naboo, I am simply her son."
The boy frowned, "What would you like to be called then?"
"Just call me Commander Skywalker."
"Ok, where are you headed?"
"Just gonna take a walk in the city. Actually I could use a drink."
"The cafe over there should have some stuff, but wouldn't give it to someone who is under age."
"They will serve Alliance Officers," Han replied with a smile.
Five minutes later, Luke and Han entered the crowded cafe.
After using a simple mind trick, Luke had his bottle of Corellian Ale.
He sat down at a table with Han as the two took out glasses and poured out their ale.
Padme had to admit that she was surprised that all of her handmaidens had awaited her arrival at the Palace.
As they removed her dress and makeup, Dorme spoke, "Padme, we were told that Vader had you. What is the truth?"
Padme looked at the three women that were tending to her, Dorme, Sabe, and Rabe.
"This cannot leave the room."
"Of course," Dorme replied.
"Not even your husbands can know."
"Milady, we have kept secrets for you for decades we honor our code," Rabe stated.
Padme smiled as she spoke, "The truth is that I was kidnapped and sold into slavery. I was given to Vader as a gift."
"Y-You mean?"
"I was given to him as a pleasure slave," Padme stated as she noticed the horrified looks on the three women.
"Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker are the same man."
Dorme, Rabe and Sabe looked at their Queen in disbelief as she continued, "After his prison sentencing, he was vulnerable. He felt, betrayed, and he was embittered and angry at both the Republic and the Jedi Order. Palpatine used that to lure him to the dark side."
"What did he do to you?" Dorme fearfully asked.
Padme shook her head, "Nothing that isn't forgivable. Once the twins were born, he started to change and our relationship started to become a healthier one."
"I can only imagine what it was like in the beginning."
"It was nothing that I couldn't handle after having the mother that I had."
"Who killed her?" Dorme asked.
"Luke," Padme grimly replied.
"That sweet boy did that?" Dorme asked in disbelief.
"Did you not see him in battle?" Padme asked.
"Palo said that he gave him the creeps," Rabe stated.
"Your husband has always known good people. The problem with my son is that he enjoys battle," Padme said with a sigh.
"I watched him in the Palace and I was very disturbed with how he laughed and fought, it looked like a complete game," Sabe said.
"You were the only one that fought right?"
"Correct."
Padme nodded as she stood up.
"We are missing Elle, Motee and Corde."
"Corde was killed a few years ago. I was with her, she said to tell you that she was still loyal to you. Motee and Elle were just released from detention. They were arrested a few weeks ago in a raid gone wrong that we conducted," Sabe replied.
Padme buried her face in her hands as a familiar voice spoke, "What's wrong?"
The four women turned to see Anakin looking at them.
"Corde is dead," Padme sadly replied.
"The one that was just a few years older than you right?" Anakin asked.
Padme sadly nodded as he leaned forward and hugged her.
Anakin turned to the other three handmaidens as one of them spoke, "You have us at your disposal General."
Anakin smiled, "I'll remember that."
"We also have a few handmaidens that we recruited to tend to your children."
"My son most likely will shove them away although my daughter may accept their help."
"Didn't they have nannies growing up?" Dorme asked.
Anakin shook his head, "There was never a need."
"We wanted to raise them ourselves with as little assistance as possible. We rarely left them alone, it was only with my mother in law or my brother in law when we did. Most of the time we took care of them ourselves though," Padme replied.
"I see."
"I'm going to check on our parents," Anakin stated as he left the room.
As he left Dorme spoke, "He must be a very strict father too."
Padme looked at Dorme in amusement, "I don't get why everyone keeps making this assumption about him just because of his past as Vader."
"You're saying that he isn't?" Rabe asked.
"He let's them get away with stuff that I would never allow," Padme stated.
"Stuff that you would never allow?"
"He has very few rules. I'm usually am the one responsible for order," Padme replied.
Anakin walked into the cafe where Luke and Han were socializing with a mix of royal pilots and soldiers.
He noticed his son drinking a glass of ale with the men as he walked up to the bar counter.
"What would you like General?" A middle aged man asked.
"I'll have a shot of Corellian Ale."
"It's what your son got from my waitress. No idea how he did though."
"He used the Force," Anakin casually replied as he took the shot.
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"Just let it go, I mean he could be doing worse," Anakin casually replied as he set the empty glass on the counter.
Anakin climbed into bed with his wife as he spoke, "Tomorrow, I'm leaving the city with the Masters to meet with the Gungan Leaders. I will leave Ahsoka and Leia here with you. Obi-Wan and I both have experience in dealing with them, so we thought it would be best."
"That's fine, I rarely dealt with them since the Empire caused them to hide. We fought one brief battle together and that was it," Padme replied.
Anakin nodded, "They had a high amount of respect for Qui-Gon and us."
"Do you think that you would have fallen if Qui-Gon had lived?"
"Absolutely not. Although he had chosen to have Obi-Wan train me, he still had a very active roll in both of our lives. He was very close to both of us. In the first five years of my training, I can't tell you how many nights we would spend in his quarters together for dinner or socializing. He was family," Anakin replied.
"You still got rather close to Obi-Wan it seems."
"We got even closer after he passed, because we had no one else.
When we returned from Naboo with his lightsaber, we spent hours alone in our chambers, we would watch holovids and drink ale. We wouldn't talk to anyone about it. It was hard for both of us," Anakin sadly replied.
Padme met Anakin's lips as she spoke, "I'm going to talk to Lady Lego tomorrow."
"I hope that you will be alright," Anakin replied.
Padme nodded as she spoke, "I know what you need after today."
"You always read my mind perfectly Angel," Anakin replied.
Coruscant:
"A distress call from Naboo?" Sate Pestage uneasily asked.
"That is correct," the young Officer replied.
Sate shook his head, "That means that the Emperor is going to be in danger. Any messages we send won't be reached until we enter the system."
"By the time we get there he will have been there for at least an hour."
"Are there any ships closer than your's Captain?" Sate asked.
"No Sir, There is nothing we can do. Shall we head to the system?"
"Yes, I want you to proceed immediately at maximum speed."
"Yes Sir!" Sate replied.
Alright, that's it for now, thank you for reading and reviewing. Sorry that I didn't get this posted sooner. First week of the Semester, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it in another few weeks. I always do.
-Fallen Jedi 79