Chapter Fifty-One: The Great Reveal

Padmé was nervous. While she was a woman who prided herself in her ability to remain calm in desperate, terrifying situations, at the moment, she was hard pressed to appear composed. But while she might have scoffed at herself in the past for such anxiousness, she reasoned that this situation was a good reason to lose nerve.

This was it, after all. After a week on the Rebel Base, after intense training for Anakin, they were finally going to put Operation Black Hand into action. The plans had been set; each member of the Rebel Alliance knew their part. Despite having to put a tremendous amount of trust in the Jedi and Anakin, despite horrifying reports coming in from around the galaxy of upheaval and chaos, they were willing to do their part. They were willing to risk their lives so that there would be a chance at peace in the galaxy. It made Padmé tremendously proud of them. And sad.

Readjusting her pack, the senator adjusted her cloak around herself, trying to hide her changing shape. Thankfully Obi-Wan had had spare clothes for a woman with a spare cloak that she could use. Padmé wondered where the Jedi had gotten it, the garments looking like Jedi clothes, but she knew better than to ask right now. The Knight had seemed rather…grim when he'd given it to her, and poignant. It had probably belonged to someone he'd known who had been killed by Order 66 but hadn't been able to get rid of it. The senator vowed to wear the clothes in honor, and hope she didn't disgrace the memory of the woman who had once adorned this garment.

Taking a deep breath, Padmé left her room and soon met up with Dormé. The other woman was similarly dressed, her own pack secure on her back. While the senator hated to think of her friend going down into the fight, she also knew she couldn't stop her former handmaiden. Dormé had made it very clear that she wasn't going to let Padmé do this alone. It was a comforting, yet terrifying thought.

The two women walked until they made it to the docking bay where the ship that would be taking them to Coruscant sat. In the distance, Padmé could see Anakin and Obi-Wan looking over the craft, making last minute modifications, while Master Yoda sat near Bail, both watching the final processes taking place. Mon was there, with Uton, and neither rebel leader seemed particularly pleased. They were still distrustful and leery of what was about to happen, and Padmé didn't exactly blame them.

"Don't worry," she said once she was near the two rebel leaders. "We've got this all planned. Everything will turn out right in the end."

"And how can you be sure?" Mon asked, raising a manicured brow. "We're taking a tremendous risk, Padmé, with only the word of the Jedi to back up their claims."

"Isn't that enough?" Dormé spoke up, frowning. "The Jedi have never let us down."

"Except the time they allowed themselves to be destroyed," Uton snorted, scowling.

Dormé bristled, trembling with anger, and Padmé wasn't much better. "They didn't allow themselves to be destroyed," the senator snapped. "I doubt you would have done any better than them with such overwhelming odds."

"We're facing overwhelming odds now," Mon pointed out drily.

"True, but we've got a plan and we're prepared," Padmé sniffed. "And besides, we have the Chosen One this time. The Jedi did not."

"And where was he when all of this began?" Uton glared out across the bay towards Anakin. "If he is so mighty, why wasn't he there to stop this from happening in the first place?"

Because he was the one spearheading the operation, Padmé thought miserably, unable to answer.

Thankfully Dormé wasn't finished yet. "You heard Senator Amidala and Knight Kenobi. He was on Tatooine, unaware of what was going on," she glared. "It's not right to blame him when he has done nothing wrong."

While what she was saying was, in effect, wrong, Padmé appreciated her friend's fervent loyalty. She just wished what Dormé had said was true. It was getting harder and harder to actually believe that Anakin had really been the man behind the suit of Darth Vader. He had changed so much in truly a short amount of time. He had made so much progress with Obi-Wan over the past several days. It was easier to actually believe that Anakin and Vader were two completely separate individuals. But they weren't. And that's what Padmé had to remember.

The four fell silent, each lost in thought. They stayed quiet until the source of their argument walked over. "We're ready," Anakin informed them bluntly. "Remember, wait until Kenobi makes contact before you begin your attack. Do not believe that you must stand and fight. Your objective is to distract and lead away, even if it's just as far as the next planet, that will be enough."

"I know the plan," Uton snapped, glaring up at the young man. Padmé wondered at the negativity between the two men, but then again, both were commanders, they were soldiers, and neither one liked to be the one ordered around. They only liked giving them. "This isn't my first battle."

Just the barest hint of an upturned shadowed on Anakin's lips showed his delight, and unkind amusement lit his pale eyes. But he said nothing even as he turned and walked away. It was a better response than what might have occurred several months ago. In the past, Vader would have taken great offense and his pride would not allow him to remain still. While the humor was somewhat…dark, and at Uton's expense, Padmé supposed it was better to have this nasty sense of humor rather than having him lash out and kill the man.

Looking over at Dormé, the Naboo senator signaled for her to follow. It had been greatly debated the night before about whether or not Dormé and Bail would be coming on this mission. Anakin had been fiercely against the idea, claiming it would be easier to have a small team, concerned that the others would get in the way since they were not privy to sensitive, need-to-know information. Yet the others had argued in favor. Neither the Alderaanian Senator nor the Naboo handmaiden were defenseless creatures. Both had been trained and could handle themselves. In the end, Anakin had been forced to give, something that Padmé believed was good for him. He couldn't always be allowed to get his way.

And so, after some last minute instructions and review, the five humans and Master Yoda boarded the ship and took off out of the Freedom that had served as the Rebel Base since the Battle Over Naboo. Even now, Padmé knew Anakin wasn't happy about everyone being there with him. She supposed he'd always believed that this was a battle he'd have to do alone. He wasn't used to the support he was receiving. But she would see to it that he kept getting it nonetheless.

When the ship was safely in hyperspace, Obi-Wan and Anakin, who were piloting the ship, came to the back where the others sat. When the two men sat down with the company, it was Obi-Wan who spoke first. "All right, before we get to Coruscant, I think we need to…confess a few little secrets to you both," he addressed Bail and Dormé.

Both frowned. "What do you mean?" Bail asked slowly. Beside him, Master Yoda snorted, clearly still not happy.

Again, dark humor glinted in Anakin's eyes, and he turned his strangely self-satisfied, yet stoic face towards his lover, as if wanting her to share in his amusement. A part of her really wanted to, to show him she was with him, yet the other half was concerned about his meanness. It would, yet again, be something they would need to discuss at length once the battle was over. If there was time…

"What we didn't tell anyone in Rebel High Command is that we have…informants of our own within the Imperial ranks," the Jedi Knight explained.

"What?" Bail asked, clearly astonished.

"So don't shoot any Imperial officers unless I tell you," Anakin chimed, another wave of humor coloring the bond he shared with Padmé, even as his face remained neutral.

"I see," the Alderaanian replied slowly. "That's why you were so confident with the trooper debate? You have good information from within?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan nodded. "This will no doubt be…strange for the both of you, and full explanations will take too long, so please just…be patient and open minded as we proceed, and know that everything is under control. There will be no need to be alarmed when we land."

"My informants will be briefing us on the situation planet-side," the former Sith said calmly. "They will be bringing with them supplies and uniforms we will need."

"Wonderful," Dormé smiled, but it faltered. "But how is it you have informants, Master Anakin? I thought you weren't involved in the struggle until you joined up with the Rebels?"

The big man ignored the question and instead, turned to Master Yoda. "You have something to say?" The tone was cold, but it was progress that he'd thought to ask at all.

The old creature eyed the group steadily for a moment before sighing. "Deception, never should your path be. Truth must flow for trust to exist."

"And have we said a lie, Master?" Obi-Wan asked, curiosity in his voice just as much as defense.

The small green Jedi sighed once more, shaking his head, but otherwise remained silent. Padmé found herself feeling sympathy for Yoda. Despite his coldness to them since arriving on the Rebel Base, the Grand Master had not interfered with what was going on. He disapproved, obviously, but he made no trouble. He objected, but otherwise said very little. He'd even sat in on some of Obi-Wan and Anakin's lessons, offering help and advice to the Knight when he could. While the senator knew Anakin hated the Jedi Master, surprisingly he had remained rather tame as well. Perhaps he really had learned a lot since stepping into the Light. Perhaps there really was a very great hope and her worries had been for not?

She understood Yoda, however. He only wanted what was best for everyone, for the galaxy. Trusting a Sith, former or not, was a huge step for anyone to make. It had taken her months to stop grimacing any time Vader entered a room. But Darth Vader was gone, Yoda had to see that. It was Anakin, just Anakin that remained. Or so Padmé repeated to herself over and over in her mind.

"Cautious we must all be," the Grand Master of the former Jedi Order responded at last. "Grave, our situation is. All work together, we must, for victory to be ours," he gave Anakin an especially hard look.

"Just do as I tell you and the plan should work," the former Sith replied haughtily before standing and walking back to the front of the ship.

Sighing, Padmé let her eyes drop down to the floor. While a lot of progress had been made, there was still so much to be done with him. Anakin had not acted this way on Tatooine, but when around Jedi, there was a distinct tension between them, and his automatic response seemed to fall back on arrogant superiority. Perhaps he was the better fighter. Perhaps he was a more brilliant strategist. But humility was ultimately what was needed to survive in the Light. He needed to let go of the illusion of competition, of supremacy. If he did not, she feared Anakin would slip back into the Darkness he'd fought so hard to crawl out of.

"The closer we get, the more aware Sidious will become of us," Obi-Wan addressed the group. "Especially since we have three Force-sensitives onboard, two of which are incredibly powerful."

Master Yoda's eyes softened as he stared at his former pupil. "Three," he corrected gently.

"That being the case," the younger Jedi went on, pretending he didn't hear, "we will have to move quickly and efficiently."

"If the Emperor knows we're coming, then what is the point of this?" Dormé frowned. "Is there no way to hide your…Force-sensitivity?"

"Not really," Obi-Wan shook his head. "We can try and dampen it, but ultimately, it will still shine through. It doesn't matter, though. We will be catching the Emperor enough off guard. He does not know Anakin's Force presence anymore. That will be the true surprise."

Bail and Dormé both frowned deeply at the use of 'anymore', but stayed silent. They were suspicious, and rightfully so, but they also appeared to be able to put that aside for the good of the mission. Their loyalty to Padmé and to the Jedi was commendable, and she hoped that they would continue to be so in the future. Because they really needed them.

As the Jedi continued to explain the plan to their new recruits, Padmé excused herself and went up to the cockpit. Anakin was agitated about something, and she knew she had to talk to him. This could very well be, after all, their last time together.

Walking in, she found Anakin looking over the controls, rechecking the their position and other menial tasks. He was fidgety, she realized, nervous. Afraid.

Alarmed, the senator went and sat down next to her lover. Anakin didn't look at her as he continued his work. On the outside, he appeared as stony as ever. Not a hint of feeling could be seen. But on the inside, she could feel his emotions churning. This wasn't just some sort of inconsequential routine mission they were going on. This battle would ultimately decide the fate of the galaxy. It had never occurred to her that the former Sith could get nervous.

After another minute, when he still didn't speak, Padmé reached over and put her hand on his arm. "Hey," she said softly. "Are you okay?"

Icy eyes glanced up for only a moment before turning back down. "I've planned this day for years. I've dreamed of nothing else for six-teen years. And now, it's finally happening."

"It will be all right," Padmé soothed, rubbing his arm. "I'm sure you can defeat the Emperor."

"Of course I can defeat him," at last, Anakin turned and looked into her face. But what the senator saw surprised her. He looked…torn, confused. She hadn't seen this look since they were on Tatooine.

"Then what's wrong?" she pressed carefully.

Anakin opened his mouth, as if to speak, but then thought better of it. Once more he shut down, closed himself off to her. It was frustrating, and Padmé was struggling to be patient and understand. But it had been so long, did he not trust her now, even after all they'd been through? But you're fighting years of isolation and training, she reminded herself. Patience. Patience was the key.

"Whatever it is you're doubting," she began gently, "don't. We've planned this out. You've been training. You've learned from Obi-Wan well. We both know you'll defeat the Emperor."

"And after?"

The question took her by surprise, though she didn't know why. Blue eyes blazed with an earnestness Padmé had never seen in them before. Was that it? Was he afraid of the future? Was he worried about the next step? Truly, they hadn't planned that far ahead, but with Anakin's help she knew everything would turn out right in the end. It just had to.

"After…we build a new Republic," she shrugged, knowing that was not what he had meant, but unable to think of anything else to say.

A dark scowl crawled across his lips, but was gone a moment later, replaced with a thoughtful frown. She didn't know what it meant, and it frightened her. What was he really asking her?

Fear snaked its way through the senator as a dreadful thought occurred and images of Vader appeared in her mind. "Anakin," she said quietly. "I…Please just…come back to me when this is over."

The other sat up in his seat, frowning at her. "I said I would."

"No," Padmé shook her head. "You come back."

The two lovers stared at one another, emotions swirling around them. Just as Anakin opened his mouth to speak, alarms went off. Turning sharply away, the former Sith looked over the controls. A second later, Obi-Wan came rushing in. "Are we nearing Coruscant?" he asked, taking the co-pilot's seat once Padmé stepped out of the way.

"Yes. We'll be landing within fifteen minutes," Anakin replied, studiously ignoring the small woman.

No sooner had he spoken then the ship came out of hyperspace. A second later, Padmé once again saw the familiar sight of Coruscant's glowing city in all of its brilliant light. But it was different since she'd last seen it. There was the build up security around the planet, Star Destroyers floating ominously in orbit, as if creating a blockade. There would be no way to enter without the proper authorization.

In front of her, Obi-Wan shifted uncomfortably. "Are you sure those new codes your people sent you are valid?" he asked.

"Yes."

"And your people will be meeting us? They won't betray you?"

Anakin glanced over at his master without turning his head. "That would be unwise of them," he said darkly, a threat hanging loosely in the air, just waiting to be made.

"Unidentified vessel, please identify yourself," a command came from one of the patrolling ships.

The two Force-sensatives shared a look before Obi-Wan put on his headset. "This is the Tactin, requesting permission to land."

"Please verify landing clearance."

"Roger," the Knight nodded to himself, as Anakin began plugging in the numbers.

There was a tense moment when Padmé's grip dug into the back of Obi-Wan's chair as they waited for clearance. Not even on the planet yet and already Padmé was feeling tense. That wasn't a good sign. She knew it would be important for them all to remain calm, but it was already proving difficult.

After a torturous eternity, which in reality only took about thirty seconds or so, a response finally came. "Tactin, you may proceed planetside."

"Roger that. Tactin out," Obi-Wan replied with a smile. Once they disconnected, he grinned over at his apprentice. "So far so good."

"You should prepare the others for our landing. Once we hit down we will be moving," Anakin advised.

"I'll do it," Padmé offered.

With a grateful nod from the Knight and not even a glance from her lover, the senator went in back to tell the others. Among them all there was a nervous tension that circulated. It was not unexpected, but it did make getting ready and mentally preparing difficult.

They had all grabbed their belongings, made their last minute checks, before they felt the craft land. Soon Obi-Wan and Anakin came to the back, faces both set in determined, grim expressions. "Let's go," Anakin ordered as he strode to the exit, activating the ramp.

As a group, they disembarked, and the first sight that greeted Padmé was a stiff looking Lieutenant-Commander Piett and the ever vigilant CT-585. The moment the young Imperial's eyes fell upon Anakin, they widened as he blinked rapidly, not expecting what he saw. But to his credit, Piett recovered remarkably quickly as he rushed forward.

"If you would follow me, please, my lord," he gestured to an Imperial shuttle.

Anakin eyed his inferiors for a split second before he continued his long stride towards the other craft. The others followed a little less confidently, CT-585 bringing up the rear. Glancing about her while she could, Padmé saw that they had landed in a slum, a poor district. It was probably the wisest decision so as not to bring unwanted attention upon themselves, but it only served to make her feel more jumpy, especially with getting into one of those stark, bleak Imperial shuttles again.

Once everyone was in, Cory went to the front to pilot the craft. Bail and Dormé watched the trooper go with obvious distrust, while the Jedi wore expressions of forced calm. Only Anakin was truly at ease. And when the craft was up and they were moving, he turned on Piett.

"Report," he barked.

"Everything is going according to plan, my lord. However," the young man hesitated only a fraction of a second, "there was an unidentified ship that landed within the palace grounds several nights ago. It had top priority clearance, but we were unable to determine who or what was in it."

The former Sith frowned a moment, an intense expression of concentration on his face before he waved his hand. "It is of little importance. Did you bring all that I asked?"

"Yes, my lord," Piett nodded, pointing to a large crate in the corner of the shuttle. "If you would like to prepare yourself, my lord."

"Yes," Anakin nodded, walking around the back of the crate and ripping it open.

Piett, too, went to work, and walked up to the front of the shuttle. He came back carry an Imperial uniform. He eyed the group carefully, before walking up to Obi-Wan. "I believe this was meant for you, sir," he nodded to the Jedi.

"Wonderful," the Knight replied blandly, as he began stripping out of his tunic and legging to slip into the uniform.

Padmé was amused to see that Anakin was a little more modest as he changed. The young man stood behind the monstrous crate as he pulled on his black suit out of view. Through their bond, she felt a spike of fear shoot through him, and dread. He didn't like the suit. It was haunting. It was a sign of what he had only recently escaped from. But it's only for a little longer, she thought pityingly. After this, he would never have to wear it again.

Bail was frowning, his eyes always darting between watching Anakin and Piett. "Weren't you Lord Vader's personal assistant?" the senator asked finally, addressing the Imperial.

"Yes," Piett nodded. "At least, when on board the Executor. He had another assistant at the Imperial Base."

"I didn't know the Rebels had such informants so highly ranked and entrenched within the system," Dormé breathed, obviously impressed.

Firmus, however, was shocked and insulted as he sputtered out, "I am not a rebel, ma'am!"

Confusion swam around the group. Padmé thought she was going to have to finally explain, when a chilling hiss filled the space. Everyone instantly stiffened, freezing in place. Almost as one, the group turned as Anakin walked out from behind the crate, fully adorned in the black suit of Darth Vader.

"It would not matter anymore if you were, Commander," the booming voice of the dreaded Sith Lord responded. "I know a great many things now."

Strangely enough, Piett seemed to relax once he saw the infamous mask. "Yes, my lord," he responded instantly.

The helmet of Vader swiveled towards Obi-Wan, now dressed as an Imperial commander. He nodded in approval, before turning to the rest of the company. "We will be arriving near the Imperial Base," he informed them. "Once we stop, Kenobi, you must signal the rebels to begin their attack."

The Knight nodded, blue-green eyes uneasy. Sneaking a glance over at her friends, Padmé watched as simultaneously, color from both Dormé and Bail's faces drained. Padmé supposed she couldn't blame them. It was a pretty big reveal, she supposed. Obi-Wan and Yoda had at least had the benefit of the Force whispering to them the truth, and Padmé had been beside Anakin throughout his transformation. But Bail and Dormé…The poor people had trusted them without question. They had both even come to respect Anakin, like him even despite how hard it was to do. This was certainly a shock, to say the least.

Dormé's eyes were wide as she blinked over at the big man, still bone white, while Bail began rambling. "I knew it. I knew something was strange about all of this, I just didn't think…I didn't…" the Alderaanian trailed off.

"How can you trust him?!" Dormé screeched, staring incredulously at Padmé, Yoda, and Obi-Wan. "He's―he's a―a monster!"

"We will be arrive at our destination momentarily," Anakin replied, ignoring the outbursts with detached coldness, "It would be in our best if you didn't try to shoot any Imperial officers until I order it," he repeated drily. It sent a shiver down Padmé spine to hear Vader's voice again.

"My lady," the handmaiden took the senator's hands in her own. "What's wrong with you? Please let me help you! If he's brainwashed you―"

"Anakin hasn't brainwashed anyone," Obi-Wan replied evenly, firmly. His blue-green eyes glowed with determination. "And you must remember that he's not Darth Vader anymore. At least not on the inside. His name is Anakin, and he is really helping us defeat the Emperor."

"Why?" Bail blurted, dark eyes alight with fear and distrust. "This doesn't make sense. Any of it. Why would you want―"

"Enough," the lost voice of Vader snarled, having finally lost patience.

"Please, just…trust us," Padmé pleaded with her friends. "I know this is surprising, but we know what we're doing. Just…follow instructions. Please?"

Dormé and Bail were both silent a minute before the Alderaanian shook his head. "I don't like this," he muttered. "If this is a trick―"

"This isn't a trick," the younger senator tried to soothe. "Just trust me on this. Things aren't as they seem."

The shuttle came to a stop and Cory came walking out with his blaster in hand. Without a word, he walked past the group, shoving his weapon into Bail's arms. The senator let out an "oof!" at the unexpected blow, but recovered instantly. The trooper preceded farther back into the shuttle before he pulled out another blaster. Turning, he threw it at Dormé, who caught it easily. He did the same for Padmé. When everyone was given a weapon and everyone else was fully dressed, they left the shuttle/ They had landed several blocks from the Imperial Military Base.

"Have you done everything I asked?" Anakin asked the trooper, it coming out of the helmet to sound more like a demand.

"Yes, Lord Vader," the clone responded instantly.

"Everything?"

"Yes, Lord Vader."

"Good," the former Sith then turned to look around his small group. "Trooper, you will take Master Yoda to the front of the Imperial Palace. Gather your supporters and make sure no one enters. Or leaves."

"It will be done, my lord," Cory nodded before pulling out a canister of some sort.

Anakin took it, pouring some of the contents in his hand, rubbing his gloves together. The group watched silently as the black glove was then pressed against the trooper's armor. As he pulled away, Padmé saw that it left a large, black handprint. Black Hand. Turning next to Piett, he said, "Commander, you will take Senators Amidala, Organa, and the handmaiden to the Senate. Protect them with your life, Commander." He pressed his hand against the greenish tunic.

"Yes, my lord."

"But I want to come with you," Padmé blurted.

"No," Anakin snapped in an all too familiar way.

"But I―"

"Will be of no use to me when I face the Emperor. You are more useful revealing yourself to the Senate. They will surely listen to the words of a supposed dead woman," his voice was wry. "Tell them of the corruption, or the treason within the Empire. They will follow me if they learn of the Emperor's deceit," he said, pressing his hand print on Bail and Dormé before stopping in front of her.

"I want to go with you," she nearly whispered, trying one last time. She had a very bad feeling that if she did not go with him, somehow, Anakin would never return to her, only Vader.

"Go with them." The voice speaking was hard, but the emotions wafting to her were soft, pleading. He was afraid. Afraid of losing her. He didn't want her to get hurt, to put her at any more risk than what was needed.

A gentle hand came and pressed itself against her abdomen. The moment his hand was touching her, Anakin stiffened, and Padmé felt a spark go between something within her and him. Horrified, she realized that it was the twins. Did Anakin make connection with the twins? It was obvious that he had just felt something, but did he understand what it meant? This was not the time for such a revelation!

Withdrawing his hand, almost as if burned, the large man turned away from her, before making his mark on Master Yoda and Obi-Wan. "Kenobi and I will go to the Base and rally my supporters," he went on stubbornly, not reacting to what had just happened. It felt as though a door had slammed shut in between them. Padmé could no longer sense him. He'd shut her out. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not. "Once the Base is locked down, we will enter the palace through the tunnel system and I will face the Emperor. Are we all agreed?"

"We are with you, my lord," Cory responded instantly. "Your people stand with you."

"Good."

And so, the group stood back and watched events unfold before them. Obi-Wan had signaled to the rebels, and it did not take long for the night sky of Coruscant to suddenly fill with flashes from above. Mon and Uton had not waited long to begin their attack.

As predicted, they watched as shuttles began pouring out of the Military Base, small crafts and TIE Fighters screaming out of the docking bays. The air space around the Base and the palace were soon closed off, and traffic was being desperately diverted. Bigger ships were then deployed and went sailing up into the atmosphere to help defend the capital.

Anakin gave a nod to the company, and they all began to go their separate ways. The clone moved and grabbed Master Yoda, putting him on his back, before rushing off towards the palace to defend it as instructed. The young commander, too, began corralling the senators and Dormé back to the shuttle so that they could meet at the Senate, leaving Obi-Wan and Anakin alone to wait until they were sure they could enter the Base.

The relatively still night had erupted.

"So it's begun," Padmé murmured, tightening her grip around the blaster in hand.


Author's Note: Fighting next chapter!

Thanks again to everyone reading and reviewing! I adore it. :) And I'm almost at 1,000 reviews! Woo-hoo! I hope I make it to that. Enjoy your day, everyone! :D