Good afternoon, everyone! How are you doing on this warm day of Tuesday, January 8, 2019? I'm doing well, as my head cold's mostly gone, and I've got two days left to relax before my second semester at college begins. I also had a delicious lunch a couple hours ago, and am ready to write up a storm. In addition, I found out that I have to work a total of thirteen hours this Saturday and Sunday, which will give me a good deal of money for my school trip. Oh, and I've been rereading Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory 1: Conquest since yesterday, and it's as riveting as I remember it. I can't wait to get started on the other New Jedi Order books that I selected for my reading marathon. Well, I'd better get started on the chapter, as I want to write at least half of this one before school begins this Thursday. May God bless us all in these trying times, especially with the current state of affairs in the U.S. government due to its latest shutdown. Oh, one more positive note. Thanks to the Amazon Echo dot that my sister got me, I can listen to my favorite radio station whenever I want, which is "Positive, Encouraging K-Love." I encourage everyone to listen to this station, as it'll lift your spirits up in your darkest hours. Well, back to writing.

(Wednesday, January 9, 2019 Addendum.) Hey, guys. How are you doing on this cool day? I'm doing all right, if a bit sad because college starts back up for me tomorrow, and I'll have a lot less time to write and relax. Well, I'm almost 24 years old, so I probably need to grow up a bit. So, I've finished Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory I: Conquest, and I'm about to start on the book's sequel today. Oh, and, three of my Assassins' Creed strategy guides came in the mail today, and I can't wait to get the rest of my orders soon. Well, I'd better get to writing, as I have a lot of ground to cover, and so little time to do it in. Wish me luck.

(5:35 PM addendum.) Hey, guys. Things have gone well for me today, as I've written about 1,700 words so far today, and I'll be relaxing for a while after I finish this update. I just wanted to let you know that I've gotten my syllabus for one of my classes, and, needless to say, I'll be busy for the next four months with school and assignments. I don't know how much I'll be able to write, but I'll try and do my best. Just pray for me. Have a blessed night, everyone.

Thirty Hours Later

In Hyperspace

Onboard the Second Chance

Fourteen Hours From Varon

"Are you absolutely certain that this armor will be able to be equipped with Anakin, or that we can devise it with the technology that this time currently possesses?" Jarael cautiously asked Tau and Ahsoka as the holographic display of Vader's new life support suit and battle armor came up in the gloom.

On a superficial level, this new armor bore only slight differences from the old. The color of the robes was different, of course. Instead of shades of black, the gloves, robes, armor and quilted suit were shades of white, gray and blue-shade black. The only real physical changes were the helm and the lack of an exposed control box on the chest.

The helm itself was reminiscent of the Great Helms found on Arda with full-plated knights, its face and eye slits narrowed, angled and expressionless like a hunting swoop-hawk. Ironically, this had been something of a point of contention with suit designers, attempting to strike a hard balance between intimidation, practicality and also the need not to terrify the Skywalker children when their father came to see them.

The lack of an exposed control box however, showcased the real differences between the two suits. On a technical, micro level, the new suit design was created to be far more efficient in its power allocation, weight and structure, especially in the case of the life support system, and ultimately comfortable.

The original suit had been designed to cause Vader pain, and therefor fuel his connection to the Dark Side. With Vader no more and Anakin Skywalker soon to return, such sadistic design philosophies obviously had to be removed. A Jedi did not build his power through pain, grief and anger, after all.

"We believe so, Jarael." Ahsoka confirmed, a flash of frustration in her eyes at the Iskalloni's lack of trust in her and Tau. She was about to express such feelings verbally, but a warning glance from Tau told her to hold her tongue on the subject. Instead, she merely continued the explanation of the suit:

"While you were helping the wounded at Hoth, the two of us, along with Arnine and several trusted medics and cyberneticists under Ozpin's personal payroll, managed to create these blueprints. We already requested a prototype version of the armor be assembled within the next three days. That way, it'll ensure that they won't make any mistakes with the armor, and give Anakin a chance to bond with his son and daughter at the Mallory's residence after getting a general briefing on Varan's orbital station."

"It's still very risky, in more ways than one." Jarael warned her friends, "I don't mean to offend, but are you certain that your judgement in this matter is not skewed, Tano?"

Ahsoka's eyes flashed dangerously, gripping her fists in anger before being calmed by Tau's soothing presence through their Force-bond.

Tau spoke in Ahsoka's defense, "We know there are risks involved with this plan, old friend, and there's always the off chance that he could… slip again." Before Ahsoka could venomously refute her fiancé, he immediately continued, "But… you're just gonna have to trust us on this one, and believe that Anakin's back for good this time. Besides, we'll need him at his best if he's going to help us take down Sidious and Bahl'al."

"Well, I can't argue with that last point." Jarael conceded, before sighing in understanding, "All right. I'll assist with the suit's development. What do you need me to do, because the fleet's still about three days from our territory?"

"Right now, just examine the blueprints, try to uncover any potential flaws in its design, and alert the design team if you uncover any defects in it. We can't afford to risk a malfunction or weakness in the armor, given how much it'll be used in missions going forward." Tau ordered his ship's doctor.

Nodding in confirmation, Jarael ended the transmission, allowing the two lovers to sigh in relief at the progress they had made at giving Anakin a better set of armor.

"Well, that went well." Tau satisfyingly commented.

"Could have gone better, what, with Jarael doubting us." Ahsoka grumpily muttered.

"Don't be too hard on her, love. She's just looking out for us the best way she knows how." Tau reassured her, "Besides, she wasn't here to listen to Anakin's conversation with us, so try to give her the benefit of the doubt."

"You're right." Ahsoka admitted, before fiercely declaring to her betrothed, "I just want my brother back, and woe to anyone who gets in my way."

With a goofy smile on his face, Tau stared into those wondrous blue eyes beholding him, feeling an urge to dive into their depths and embrace the sanguine soul beneath. She was his and he hers, in both body and soul, and he swore in the back of his mind that he would grow old with her.

"I don't know about growing old just yet," she teased with a whisper as she hovered over his world, "but what about the next thirty minutes?"

Tau just grinned wolfishly, and with her giggling laughter in his ears, he took her by the waist and brought himself over her, delving deeply in the process. With rhythmic, passionate gasps feeling the air, their hands explored each other, even dancing on the urge to start removing their clothes when they sensed Ventis Celebion approaching the room.

Fearing the Dúnedain Ranger's mighty pommel after their last encounter with it, they broke off from their make out session, and arose from their bed, using their Jedi training to reign in their hormones and panting.

Right then, a stern Celebion came in, and, holding his pommel in one hand, threateningly demanded, "Didn't we warn you kids about the consequences if we caught you two doing each other in again?"

"Yes." Both lovers meekly responded, knowing what would inevitably come next.

"Then you know what I've gotta do next." The ranger, with a quickness that rivaled even Yoda in battle, swatted the pommel against the two Jedi. The force from the impact left both Jedi with throbbing temples, and they reflexively held their heads to try and lessen the pain.

Ventis, feeling the greatest sympathy for the couple, pulled Celebion aside, and quietly questioned him, "Was that really necessary?"

"Yes." Celebion simply responded before handing the couple two bacta patches, and gently smiling while telling them, "Let it never be said that I'm cruel to two youngsters in love. Now, you'd better get some rest after you put those on, because we're almost at the Varon space station."

"Yeah." Tau groaned out, before sarcastically adding, "Thanks for the bacta, Celebion."

Smirking in victory that his point had been made, Celebion left the couple to their devices, while Ventis awkwardly rubbed the back of his head at his friend's actions.

"Sorry, guys. But in all fairness, we did warn you."

Leaving before they could swat him with the Force, Tau and Ahsoka set to work on applying the bacta patches to their damaged temples, the medicine's soothing effects already dulling the pain.

Knowing that they needed their rest before arriving at Varon, Ahsoka and Tau kicked off their boots and removed their robes to prepare for their slumber.

Before Tau could summon Butch for their slumber, Ahsoka kissed him on the lips, mentally telling him through their Force-bond, Thank you, thank you, my love, for helping me save Anakin from himself. I can never repay the debt for the kindness and love that you've given me.

After breaking their kiss, Tau playfully said, "Well, you'll have plenty of time to make it up to me when we're married. You can show me how grateful you are when we're alone."

Too happy at the inevitable reunion with Anakin again after five years, Ahsoka let that banter slide, and kissed him on the nose before saying, "You're incorrigible, dear. And I love you all the more for it."

Telepathically summoning Butch to enter their shared cabin, Tau slung his arms around his lover's neck while they intertwined their legs, and asked her in complete seriousness, "Everything's gonna be different when we reach Varon. We won't be able to go on so many field missions, we'll have to help organize the Shadow Alliance into the New Republic, and we'll have to help prepare for war against my ancestor. Not to mention the trial of that schutta Tarkin beforehand. That's why…"

Tau hesitated, his emotions emitting waves of nervousness that Ahsoka, and an arriving Butch, caught up on, looking concerned at him, patiently waiting for him to assemble his words for whatever fateful sentence he spoke next.

"That's why… I think we should get married immediately after we declare the New Republic." Tau proposed, catching the Togruta Jedi off-guard from the unexpected suggestion.

Before Ahsoka could utter a word, Tau began rambling, "I know that it's early, but I think that we should do it while we'll have some breathing room, and we can do it on Varon, because I know some great spots for a honeymoon, besides, the natives there will be very accommodating of us, and it'll only be one week, and-"

Ahsoka then lovingly told Tau through their bond, Tau, stop talking, and just kiss me, you idiot.

Tau, fearful that he rushed too soon, hesitated. In response, Ahsoka rolled her eyes, and said, "You dummy! I'm not saying no! Now, come here and kiss me!"

Grateful that he would soon be marrying this gem of a woman, he embraced his fiancé and kissed her with all of the fire in his heart, while Ahsoka mentally spoke to him, Once Anakin gets to see his kids, we need to plan rescue missions for the other senators, and get Tarkin's trial over with, because I don't know how much longer I can wait to be married to you. Now, let's stop talking, and let our minds become one again, luv.

Complying with his wife-to-be's order, Tau opened his mind to Ahsoka's, and the two lovers let their minds become one while they bodies rested.

Ten Hours Later

Within the Emperor's Vengeance

"The speech that you requested has been prepared for your approval, my liege." Kren Blista-Vanee, Sidious's new Grand Vizier with Sate Pestage's death, dutifully contacted the Sith Lord, who was in pursuit of his traitorous apprentice.

"Good. We need the public's support if we're going to sustain the Empire's rule." Sidious commented. Especially if my army's ranks keep diminishing from mass desertions. He darkly thought.

"Give me three hours to examine and revise it, and I will broadcast my speech to the galaxy. You are dismissed."

Closing the holonet channel, Sidious contacted Armand and Trachta from each of their respective prisons, he ordered them, "Progress report on the prisoner's interrogations."

"Colonel Yularen and I have already made substantial progress on Senator Bonteri, your highness." Armand confidently reported. "Already, we've identified three of his fellow Senators as co-conspirators: Tynnra Pamlo, Vasp Vaspar, and Doman Beruss. It's only a matter of time before we uncover the remainder of Tau's traitorous allies."

"Then let us stop you the trouble of further interrogations, Isard." Trachta interrupted.

"Grand Iquisitor Halmere and I managed to break Senator Mothma, and she gave us a short, but highly incriminating, list of her collaborators in the Senate. They include Giddean Danu, Chi Eeky Papanoida, and Nower Jebel."

"Excellent, all four of you." Sidious praised his effective servants. "Prepare kill squads for each of the Senators at once."

"Pardon the contradiction, my liege, but, would it not be more effective to capture and interrogate the senators?" Armand questioned. "They may have vital information on the Shadow Alliance's inner workings, and we're going to need every advantage we can acquire with all of the enemies arrayed against us."

"I agree with Director Isard." Trachta piped up. "After we figure out all that they know, they should be placed on a public trial, so the galaxy can see once and for all that the Empire is the only form of authority in existence."

Seeing the logic in his servants' proposal, Sidious nodded in agreement, "You both make a compelling argument. Very well, capture the senators, if you can. Otherwise, your squads are ordered to kill them on sight. I will not allow them to slip away to the Shadow Alliance's territory to continue their sedition."

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a speech to revise and prepare for, and then a former apprentice to destroy." Sidious then cut the holotransmission, and set to work on proofreading and revising his speech.

Before he did so, he sensed his fleet nearing his position; he ordered Commander Kagi, "Revert the ship to realspace, and alert the fleet commander to expect me take command of the fleet. We need to destroy the Jedi at whatever world they take refuge at."

Three Hours Later

Onboard the Second Chance

One Hour From the Varon System

Ventis was busy playing a game of Pazaak with Akku, Jaing, and Celebion, when the holotable went active, with the image of Darth Sidious sitting on his throne come into focus. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and prepared to hear whatever lies Tau's ancestor had concocted this time.

"My fellow Imperials. Citizens of the galaxy. This is your emperor, speaking to you in a time of great crisis for us all."

"As you know, the Empire faces an adversary that still clings to the decadence and corruption of the Old Republic, and is loyal to the den of vipers that is the Jedi Order, including my lost son, Tau Palpatine."

"The so-called Shadow Alliance has launched a campaign of disinformation and half-truths to acquire its followers, including many of the members of the Imperial Senate."

At the mention of the Senate, the Second Chance's crew had a terrible feeling that more of their allies were about to be exposed.

Jaing gave voice to everyone's fears, gravely commenting, "Oh, I don't like this."

As soon as Jaing uttered those words, the faces of six very familiar senators appeared, and Sidious hatefully spat out, "Doman Beruss of Illodian. Tynnra Pamlo of Taris. Vasp Vaspar of the Taldot Sector. Giddean Danu of Kuat. Chi Eekway Papanoida of Wroona. Riyo Chuchi of Pantora. Nower Jebel of Uyter. Each of these former senators have, along with Senators Organa, Bel Iblis, Mothma, and Bonteri, been found guilty of treason of the highest level, and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of Imperial law."

The Second Chance's very air then became ice cold from fear, as if the Dark Side itself was attempting to permeate the very air within the ship.

"How did he know?" Tau uttered, struggling to figure out how his best allies were exposed so easily. "How did he find out so damn fast about them? Did one of our moles in Imperial High Command betray us, or did the senators Sidious capture break from the torture?"

"Likely the second one, considering that the senators' allegiance was a closely-guarded secret." Akku replied before the Emperor continued.

"It has also come to my attention the disgusting rumors regarding the supreme commander of the Imperial Military, Lord Vader. Many whisper that he has betrayed the Empire, that even now he serves the treacherous Shadow Alliance as one of its leaders. Well," he smiled deeply, "I am here to inform you that these rumors are mere, poisonous lies spread by the propaganda of our enemies. Isn't that right, Lord Vader?"

Palpatine stretched his hand out, and the holo-projectors panned to show the towering form of Darth Vader standing at his side. "Indeed, my Emperor," Vader said, "I personally shall see to it these propagandists are hunted down and disposed of like the scum they are."

"What the-?" Ahsoka asked, her eyes in shock, "But Anakin isn't even on Coruscant!"

"It's a body double, luv," Tau sighed, "Palpatine would never admit that his symbol betrayed him or his Empire. Such a thing would destroy the legitimacy of his Empire.

"Then maybe we can use Anakin's defection to cause that very thing."

"Maybe, but Palpatine did this on purpose. Who are they going to believe? Us, or the Emperor and a man who looks and sounds like Vader? In short, any window we had was sealed before we could even exploit it," Tau sighed "he has thought of everything."

"Everything except the fact that his apprentice did betray him," Ventis smirked, "besides, if we could get Tarkin to confess-"

"The problem will be getting him to confess," Tau countered just as the Emperor smiled at the fake Vader.

"Well spoken, Lord Vader. However, not all news is good. Governor Tarkin remains a prisoner of these terrorists," he spat, "I urge any and all good citizens who have information regarding his whereabouts to come forward for the good of the Empire."

"But, do not despair, my subjects, for there is still hope for us in the form of our military." Sidious declared, surprising everyone onboard Tau's ship. "Our forces are working around the clock to recoup the losses that we have endured. Through increased production of ships for our navies, and our recruitment centers are swelling with recruits from all manner of species, our forces continue to grow exponentially. We will recover from these losses, and we will carry on the fight, no matter how long it takes, to eradicate this menace."

Nearly everyone thought that Sidious had lost his mind at this point, but Ahsoka, Jaing, and Tau knew differently, each having interacted with the Sith Lord in one way or another, or, in Tau's case, remembering his battles through Edaan's memories, and knew that he would not say these things unless he had a plan to carry out these declarations.

"And when this enemy dares to show themselves to us again, we shall drive them back, and continue to drive them back until they are completely destroyed. So I swear it!"

Ending the announcement, Sidious disappeared from the holotable, leaving a worried crew to contemplate their next move.

Rubbing his head in fear, Tau insightfully said, "Well, the balance of power is shifting. I fear we're looking at a whole new war here."

"And how are we going to respond?" Jaing investigated, wondering if Tau had a plan in the works, or if he was just going to make it up as they went along.

"For starters, we're going to need information, and that means more spies in the Empire." Tau began, turning to his fiancé. "Your Fulcrum network is going to need to expand its operations, and fast. We can use the Hutts' smuggling networks to gain credits and intelligence across the galaxy."

Turning to face Akku, Celebion, and Jaing, he ordered the two bounty hunters, "We're also going to need better-trained soldiers, so we need to rally more experienced fighters to our cause. You guys have plenty of connections to help us."

Then looking at Nagme, he said, "We're going to need to find more minerals for more of your people's warships, and for our prototypes."

Before he could utter another warning, the holotable was activated again, this time the image of a troubled Colonel Yularen appeared, grimly asking, "I assume you heard the speech the Emperor unveiled to the galaxy?"

"And I assume you or one of our allies couldn't warn us that Lux Bonteri was breaking because of the cleanup operations on Whiplash, and because of the purges against Vader's loyalists?" Ahsoka countered, earning a shameful nod from the ISB colonel.

"Correct on all counts, Ahsoka. Unfortunately, there's more, far worse, that I just discovered, and needed to alert to you guys before it's too late." Yularen explained.

"What's going on now?" Ventis groaned.

"Sidious is leading his fleet to personally hunt you and General Skywalker." Everyone gasped at the prospect. Yularen continued, "He's tracking Anakin's fighter through a beacon that he placed on it, and he reported that he's approximately twenty-eight hours away from your safe world."

"We need to alert the Varon Home Fleet at once!" Tau warned his comrades.

"I wish that I could be of more help to you all, but I need to get back to the interrogation before I'm missed." Yularen apologized before ending the transmission.

"Get every leader on the line, now! We don't have much time to prepare for my ancestor's welcome party." Tau ordered everyone.

Everyone, even Arnine, went to work on contacting Shadow Alliacne's High Command, and the holograms of Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Bail, Garm, Popara, Kal, Rahm, Vem Carr, Dylan Libel, Saw, Ralon Zalveniad, the Arda Delegation, Ozpin, Ironwood, and Berch Teller appeared, each leader having a measure of confusion on their face at what this impromptu meeting was about.

Tau, beating them to it, abruptly saying, "Sidious is coming to Varon, and we need to prepare for a potential incursion on our borders."

Berch, the first to recover from the utter shock, began asking the most prudent questions, "How did he find us? How many forces does he have? And how much time do we have?"

"He tracked us here through a beacon on one of the defecting Imperial ships." Tau evasively answered, though every Jedi could sense whom he was referring to, given the silent shame coming from the former Sith Lord.

"As for the other two questions, he'll be bringing his personal fleet with him, and we have under thirty hours before he arrives. We need to mobilize the fleets in case he figures out how to bypass the gravity well." Tau continued.

"Why not let him pass?" Saw proposed, earning consternated looks from every leader aside from Ironwood, who appeared to be listening intently to the Partisan leader's proposal.

"Saw, I trust that you have a valid reason as to why you would want the most dangerous mortal in the galaxy to make his way to Varon, our most secure world in our territory!" Elrond slowly insisted.

"We can take out his fleet with ease with our weapons and defenses, and even the Dark Lord of the Sith can't hope to survive the combined might of our forces, especially with our reinforcements arriving in a handful of days." Saw elaborated.

"Gerrera, did you even read the historical records that we sent every leader and planet in our care?!" Tau growled out, disgusted by the tanned man's short sightedness. "Even if we managed to kill Sidious in his original body, which would obliterate our forces to a point where we couldn't make war on the rest of the Empire, he'll use the Essence Transfer ability to send his consciousness into a clone body on Byss!"

"Besides, we already have a plan to defeat him! Yes, it will require much adaptation after we repel him, but we need to stick to it, and not go off guns blazing like…" Tau hesitated here, not wanting to alienate the Partisan leader further by calling to attention his failures, instead relying on an example from his Jedi Order, "Kyp Durron did during the original Yuuzhan Vong Invasion."

"Agreed." Ozpin concurred, known for his methodical planning and strategies when the situation called for it. "We cannot allow ourselves to deviate from the plan. Besides, we already have many plans and operations in the works to undermine Sidious's empire, and this may work in our favor as a diversion."

Realizing that this was a prime opportunity for a portion of their returning forces to break off and conduct many of their covert operations, especially the Wayland mission that Ozpin and Remnant were heavily invested in, Tau agreed, saying, "Headmaster Ozpin is correct. While Sidious is focused on us, this is the best chance for several of our operations, including rescuing our captured senators and key war materials, to proceed ahead of schedule."

"I want teams and fleets compiled for the Coruscant, Stygeon Prime, and Wayland operations within the next six hours! We need to use this chance to rescue our people, and gain ourselves a lot of funds and resources in one fell swoop." Tau ordered everyone, who nodded in agreement at the objectives, even Saw, who was still feeling the sting over how his blunder with Mira Bonteri led to most of their inside agents inside the Imperial Sentae being captured.

Three Hours Later

Within the Varon System

Onboard Varon Station

Anakin felt the base hatred and fear emanating from the vast majority of the workers of the orbital station as he exited his TIE Fighter, even though they had been forewarned in advance over his defection and arrival.

And, if he was being honest with himself, he could not blame them, given how he served Sidious for over four years, helping him enslave the galaxy before suddenly changing sides, only to unwittingly allow Sidious to track him to their best world. He only hoped that he would be able to help repel Sidious's fleet, and one day atone for all of his unforgivable sins against the Jedi and the galaxy.

After he sensed the presences of Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Tau, Yoda and Rex within the station, he slowly announced his grief-filled presence through the Force, allowing the four Force-sensitives to find him. Feeling a rising consternation at the reunion that was about to begin, Anakin felt tears fall from his eyes and his body began to shake.

He watched with measured trepidation his own original cybernetic hand quake with fear, and he fought with everything he had not to fall to his knees in despair. Every memory, every moment that had brought him here played out in his mind. He saw the death of his mother, felt the passing of his wife, and the faces of the innocent lives he had taken in the service of a mad man.

He clenched his fist, feeling an uncontrollable rage at himself taking hold. He felt the urge to scream, to lash out and tear this room apart bolt by bolt. He very well might've, if it were not for the familiar voice of his former padawan reaching across to him, anchoring him to the present why he was here. For whom he was there for.

"Anakin?"

He turned to find not only Ahsoka Tano standing before him, but the face of a Palpatine holding her hand, and to either side, his old comrades Rex, Yoda and... Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Master…" Anakin whispered, and that took the last of his strength with it. He fell to his knees, staring at the lot of them with eyes full of misery and guilt as he tore his mask from his face, throwing them away from him like the accursed objects they were. Ahsoka and Rex gasped as the horrid, disfigured face that beheld them. Once, he had been the Hero without Fear, but now?

He tried to say something, anything, but the words died in his throat. What could he say? How could anything he say express his abject penitence? And how would that even matter under the sheer weight of everything he had done, and all the people he had murdered and the lives he had destroy?

It had been enough to break Ahsoka, and she bolted to him, followed closely by Rex. She enveloped him in a hug, nearly barreling him over, as she clutched him tightly to her. Anakin almost seemed to balk from the embrace, his face about to fall to pieces like a crumbling mask before with tears turning his eyes red, he returned the embrace.

He buried his face deep into her shoulder, letting every single confined and entrapped emotion bottled up inside of him go in a shuttering cry. He felt Rex take him by the shoulder, and he moved his arm to embrace him as well. His life flashed before him again, reminding him of just how much he had lost and that this couldn't be real. That this was just another tortured dream and that he would wake in his bacta tank in terror and anguish.

"It isn't a dream, Anakin," he heard the voice of Obi-Wan at his shoulder, "it's real. You're home."

"Obi-Wan," Anakin whispered as he tore his face from Ahsoka's shoulder to stare up at him, "I'm so sorry. I should've... I should've… what have I done?"

"Anakin-"

"I was an idiot," Anakin suddenly spat, "a complete fool. I trusted Palpatine more than the man who raised me! And… and my wife is gone because of it."

"I didn't exactly help." Obi Wan admitted.

"No, I am the only one responsible. I chose this path, no one else."

"Perhaps you did, but I do have a part in this," Obi-Wan replied as he knelt down to face his brother, "Anakin, I knew about Padme since the beginning. I knew you two were together. I… I even felt her children stir in her womb when we returned to Coruscant," he chuckled ironically to himself, "that was why I let you go that day. 'Someone has to be the poster boy.' I knew she was there, waiting for you."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Anakin asked in despair.

"Because I was hoping you'd come to me on your own, in your own time. I just didn't realize the hold Palpatine had on you."

"I was afraid you turn me over to the council. That I would be expelled from the order, and lost my command."

"I would never have done that. Never. You are my brother," Obi-Wan took him by the shoulder, "I would have endured any pain to protect you and Padme. It was why I was watching over Luke for so many years. I failed you, Anakin."

"I failed you."

"Failed everyone, we did." Yoda cut in as he hobbled next to Obi-Wan, "too old and arrogant was I that I failed to see the obvious. Failed to give you the proper help I did, young Skywalker. Failed to help your mother, we did. Failed to see the truth that was Palpatine, to see the interest he had in you, I also did. This," he gestured all around with his cane, "this is my doing."

"You didn't fail that last one, Master Yoda," Tau suddenly retorted, "many have tried to understand Palpatine. Many have tried to see the truth, but in the end he deceived everyone. That is what he does. He does not see people with lives, but pieces in a mad game for absolute power."

"Yes, but only rise to power he did, because of us," Yoda replied bitterly, "because the Sith evolved, we did not. Those who would warn me of the danger, like Master Altis, ignore them I did. For prideful and arrogant I was."

"You were preparing to face another Vitiate," Tau nodded, "but that was not what Palpatine was at all. He was the ultimate product of Bane's philosophy."

"Yes, but understand this, I did not. Properly train the Jedi for this threat, I did not. Only through my new master do I see the truth of things."

"New master?" Anakin asked, "Who?"

"Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin." Yoda answered, shocking the wayward Jedi before continuing,

"Self-sacrifice, unconditional love, and compassion. The gateways to eternal life, they are, not mere mastery of the Force, as Sidious and the Sith proclaimed. Learned this, Qui-Gon did, from the Shaman of the Whills, and passed it onto me and Obi-Wan, he did."

"There are truths out there that we have, over the last few years, discovered about the truth of the universe, Anakin. These are truths that we shall share with you while you receive your new and improved armor." Tau explained to Anakin, leaving him speechless at the gift being given to him.

"'New armor?' What are you talking about, Tau?" Anakin wondered out loud.

"You didn't think that you'd be fighting alongside us in that Sith garb, did you, General?" Rex told his old commander, before elaborating, "Tau had several scientists from Remnant work on a new kind of life-support armor for you, and this one is much more flexible and… well, kid friendly," Rex said with a smile, "than what you're currently in."

"But… But I thought that this armor was all that I-"

"Maybe in your time, perhaps." Tau acknowledged, before confidently continuing, "But we've got access to other forms of technology outside of both conventional and unorthodox forms of cybernetics, not to mention my ship's personal medic. She is decades ahead of her time, literally. Between all of them, in time, you may even be able to live without the mask."

"I… don't know how to thank you for all that you've done." Anakin cried before as Rex and Ahsoka pulled him to his feet. Obi-Wan pulled the discarded remains of Vader's mask to his hand and gave them to Anakin.

"Only until you will not need it anymore," Obi-Wan said comfortingly, and Anakin nodded, putting on the helm again as he asked:

"Can I meet my children in the meantime?"

"Unfortunately, Senator Organa and his family are still about six hours away from our location, and the Mallory's are insistent at the meeting taking place at their residence." Tau admitted. "But, at least in the meantime, we can brief you on the state of our operations, and see where you'd best help our cause. Come on. You've got a procedure to get to, and we've got less than twenty-five hours before he arrives in the system."

Anakin nodded with grim determination, "Then let us waste no more time."

Everyone nodded, and with Ahsoka holding him gingerly by the arm, began to march across the hangar.

"Ahsoka," Anakin said to his former apprentice, "thank you for not giving up on me."

"I made you a promise," Ashoka replied as she broke into a grin, "Sky-Guy."

"I thought we moved past that, Snips," Anakin chuckled as he rubbed a playful hand through her montrals. Anakin, for the first time in his tortured existence since being interred in the suit, smiled. He had been given a second chance at life, and he would seize it with both hands. And if Palpatine dare come between them, he would kill him where he stood.

"I'm home."

Well, that ends another chapter of my story, and quite a suspense-filled chapter it was. Sidious is tracking Anakin to the Varon System, Tau and Ahsoka are moving forward their war and marriage plans, and Vader's about to get some new armor. I can't wait to write about each of these in the next few chapters. Fair warning, they'll have plenty of game-changers and connections from Squasher's previous works, and they'll be magnificent. So, how are you doing on this cold day of Thursday, January 10, 2019? I'm doing well, if a bit nervous, as I completed my first day of school today, and I'll be busy with school and work over the next few weeks for certain. I'll try to write as much as I can, but I can't promise much after this week ends. Well, I'd better get this chapter ready for publishing, as I'm going to watch RWBY: Volume 3 later tonight, and then go to bed for volunteering tomorrow. Hopefully, I won't get sick from the cold or rain tomorrow. May the Force and Iluvatar be with me, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

(10:47 PM Addendum.) Hey, guys. I just had this chapter revised by Squasher and JSailer, and they worked quite quickly on this chapter, which I owe them a big thank you on. They were responsible for the "Fake Vader" scene, the improved dialogue between Anakin and his loved ones, and the intricate details on Anakin's new suit. So, I'm going to get this chapter published soon, but I wanted to take a moment to ask for a moment of silence for my grandmother, who died eleven years ago on this day, and she was a very kind, very gently, and very godly woman who died too soon from lung cancer. May God rest her soul. Well, time to get this chapter published, because I don't know when I'll be able to post another one, with JSailer and I going back to college any day now. May the Force and Iluvatar be with us, my friends.