Chapter 37: Inopinatum Morsus

Part TWO

Thunder rumbled in the atmosphere. The constant drizzling rain drenching the trees. Amidst the clatter and thud of the army, the occasional hiss and howl of distant creatures echoed on the wind. Vader strode ahead, his water logged cloak swaying as he repeatedly slashed at entangled vines with his saber. Left and right, they sparked and sizzled, flailing in the air before slumping onto the sodden ground at his feet.

Obi-wan followed close behind him, still trying to reach out into the Force. His eyes guardedly drifting side to side on high alert, uneasy with his sudden inability to connect. His boots squelching in the marsh, he trudged onward, constantly watching and waiting.

Artoo fired up his rocket boosters and hovered over a fallen branch, landing just off to his right. The brief flash of light momentarily derailing his focus. It was as if they were stuck in a bubble, isolated from the Force. He couldn't sense anything about their surroundings, like he was suddenly blindfolded and stumbling around in the dark. Quickening his pace, Obi-wan closed the short distance between them, taking out the vines to the left, leaving Vader the ones to the right.

"Can you feel that?" Obi-Wan asked, slicing through a dangling rambler.

"Feel what?" the Dark Lord grunted, continuing onward.

"Precisely."

Vader stopped, lowering his crimson blade and turning to him.

Obi-wan met his hidden gaze, his face taught. "I can't sense anything ... other than you."

The black mask tilted to the treetops. The tiny water droplets sliding down the helmet and splashing onto his cloak. "I had not noticed until now. But other than your insufferable presence, I too feel nothing."

"Don't you find that disturbing?"

"Not nearly as much as I find you."

"Yes, well ... be that as it may," Obi-wan retorted, "we are still flying blind, Anakin. It would seem the Force is not with us."

"I did not bring you here to lecture me, Kenobi," Vader grunted, waving his hand dismissively and pressing forward.

With a heavy sigh, he again, moved to follow him. "And why did you bring me here?"

The Sith stopped once more, his head dipped slightly, but not turning this time. His presence was a mess, an apparent after effect of his all too recent disagreement with Padmè. It struck him as strange. It was clear that he was deeply immersed in the dark side but at the same time there was a distant shimmer of light dancing in the shadows. That same shimmer that had brought them back together, that had reignited their bond and nursed it to life.

Before he could answer, a commotion sounded from the trees. In the distance the troopers were yelling. A roaring howl bellowed from up ahead. Seconds later blaster fire rang out.

Both Sith and Jedi snapped to stare at each other.

"What was that?" Obi-wan asked.

"Sounds like they found something," Vader answered.

"Or something found them."

The treetops shuddered. Branches shook. Muddy puddles trembled. More screeching howls echoed – lots of them.

"Oh, I have a bad feeling about this," Obi-wan groaned, his eyes scanning every shadowy corner. He spun in place with weapon drawn, dropping into defence. Vader whirled with him, readying for attack. Back to back, scarlet and cerulean sabers humming, they waited, both anxiously looking around for a glimpse.

Yellow eyes glittered amongst the trees. More screeching howls warbled around them.

"Tell me this isn't Vanqor," Obi-wan groaned as the beasts began to close in.

Vader's respirator briefly faltered. "This isn't Vanqor," he growled over his shoulder.

"So they aren't what I think they are?"

"No," the Sith remarked, pushing back slightly, "they are exactly what you think they are."

"Oh ... well that's a relief."

"A relief?!"

One of the beasts finally moved into the moonlight, its red leathery head – complete with dripping, jagged teeth and high reaching, pointy ears – stared straight at them. Heavily muscled and as tall as a bantha, the four-armed, two-legged creature lumbered forward, its krayt-dragon clawed hands dangling at its sides. Lifting its head to the trees, it screeched.

Four more slowly clambered into position.

They were surrounded.

TANTIVE III: YAVIN 4

Breaking through thick mist and cloud cover, the Tantive III gradually descended into the densely packed tree canopy and headed for a small clearing, coming to land before a pyramidal stone temple.

Walking down the ramp, Bail Organa – flanked by the two Jedi – headed out onto the makeshift landing pad where a small group of men stood in waiting.

"Senator Organa," the first officer greeted with hand extended. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face."

Bail took his hand and gave it a firm shake. "Likewise, Colonel Draven."

The clean shaven, middle aged officer gestured to his two companions. "This is Haxen Delto and Dustil Forell, two of my trusted associates. They, like myself, are very interested in hearing your proposal."

"I look forward to the possibility of us working together," Bail said, shooting Ferus a flash smile. "Please, allow me to introduce Ferus Olin and Caleb Dume."

Ferus noted the sceptical glances both he and Caleb received from the three mercenaries. He nodded politely, stretching out with his feelings. He suddenly got the unmistakable sense that they weren't welcome and it only added to his unease. The temple was emanating negativity, the Dark side of the Force rippling all around them.

Draven narrowed his gaze, his blue eyes sweeping up and down both of them. He cleared his throat and returned to Bail.

"Come, let me show you around," Haxen said, interrupting the silence and gesturing to the opening of the temple. "There is much to discuss."

Ferus and Caleb hung back behind the main group but still kept pace. They looked up at the temple as they approached the main entry. The top was invisible from the ground, the main peak blurring and merging with the weighted mist. Inside, construction crews were busy reinforcing duracrete walls and installing blast doors. Ships of all shapes and sizes littered the hangar – retired star-fighters, battered freighters, troop transports and a corvette similar to the Tantive III.

"They sure are well organised for a group of Mercs," Caleb muttered.

"I agree," Ferus whispered.

"They're watching us."

Two stocky officers in combat jackets and cargo trousers glared up at them from their supply crate.

"Just keep walking Caleb, we're not here to start trouble. You don't know their history, their reactions may very well feel justified."

"Yes, Master."

Shuffling closer to the main party, the two Jedi listened in on their conversation, which had shifted from warm welcomes and protocols to the refitting of the ancient temple.

"And that's why that shipment was so crucial, Bail," Draven stated solemnly, leading them toward an awaiting turbo-lift. "Without those crystals we are without an income." He stopped by the open door and turned to face them.

"I see," the Viceroy said, dropping his hands to rest at his back. "So this entire operation is funded through smuggling rings and the black market?"

"How else do you think we afford this?"

The group filed into the cramped turbo-lift and made for the next level. The doors opened to a communications hub, still in the midst of being established. Officers were huddled around beeping monitors and glowing holomaps, seemingly too caught up in their work to notice the newcomers.

"Really well organised," Caleb whispered.

Ferus lifted his hand in an effort to quiet the young padawan. He watched the Viceroy gaze around the room, paying close attention to his rigid body language. Organa moved toward one of the central command consoles and leaned forward, stroking his chin.

"Colonel Draven," one of the console operators called out. "We have company."

Draven, Haxen, Dustil and Bail moved closer, encircling the technician.

"Imps?" Dustil asked, leaning one hand onto the cabinet and staring at the navicomputer. Hundreds of unidentified ships of various origins appeared on the display.

"No Sir," the tech said, shaking his head.

The Viceroy smiled and nodded to the three mercs. "It appears as though my associates have arrived," he said triumphantly. "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to my operation, The Alderaanian Resistance."

STAR DESTROYER EXACTOR: IN ORBIT OVER DROMUND KAAS

Padmè stepped out of the shower and grabbed her towel, gently wiping away the water from her skin. She finally felt more like herself again, the soothing water cleansing away some of the built up frustration and heartache she'd been carrying. Each day they were cooped up together on this ship was getting more and more difficult to manage. Between Anakin's constant back and forth, Obi-wan's insistence on her leaving and Sabè's relentless overprotectiveness, she was starting to feel like she was drowning.

Pulling on her undergarments, she moved to the mirror and started braiding her hair. She could've asked Sabè to do it, but truthfully, she needed the space. Peace and quiet. A moment alone, so she could go over and reflect on everything that had recently happened in her husband's chamber.

Thinking back, it was obvious now, that during that conversation, Anakin had been the first to get worked up. But what she couldn't fathom was why? His reaction was clearly related to her request for her own ship. What made that such an unreasonable request? Could he not see the logic in her argument himself? Or was he just anxious about ever letting her out of his sight again?

Knowing him it was probably the latter. He was never good at letting her leave – even before he turned.

What she still couldn't shake though, was why tell Palpatine about the baby? She'd felt his anxiety skyrocket the moment she told him about the pregnancy. How was him knowing going to help matters? It sure didn't help not being able to see his face. To look into his eyes and search for the truths he kept hidden.

She sighed. His face. His once youthful and rugged young face. She could still see it as clearly as her reflection in the mirror.

A gentle flutter tickled in the depths of her core. Instantly, both hands flew to her stomach and a soft smile tugged at her lips.

This was the very first sign of the life growing inside her. The one both she and Anakin had created – the one that would hopefully draw him back out from the shadows he'd encapsulated himself in.

Looking back up to the mirror, she stared at herself, rhythmically rubbing circles over her bare skin. She still loved him so much. He didn't need to turn back for her, even though, she knew he would if she pushed him hard enough. She just wanted him to find a way out of this depression. At least, she suspected he was depressed. How could he not be? Living confined to that suit day in day out, constantly isolated and in pain with no way to stop it. If she could only get Obi-wan to see what she did – that Anakin was still in there – then maybe between the two of them they could show him a way out. Show him that despite everything that has happened there was still an escape route. That as long as they were all together they would find a way to overcome this.

But he would need to start being honest with her. For too long now she'd tolerated his secrecy and evasiveness. It had to change. As of this moment she was struggling to trust him and that was simply unacceptable. How could they continue to fool themselves into believing their marriage could survive without trust?

To make matters worse it felt as though he trusted Palpatine more than her! His wife! The man was a sociopath. Why he couldn't break away from his manipulations was beyond her. He tortured and abused him, treating him as though he was nothing more than property, repeatedly physically beating him into submission, sometimes to near death severity. If only he could find the strength to break free.

But his own words told her that he didn't believe he could. I'm not strong enough. He almost killed me. If Anakin didn't have the confidence in his own abilities to go up against Palpatine, then what hope was there? It was as if he had accepted his fate, knowing he was doomed to servitude. This was where Obi-wan needed to step up his game and recognise the truth of what was really happening. The over-confident, self-assured Anakin was gone. Replaced by an insecure, beaten down young man who had lost the will to fight, instead driven to making others share in his suffering.

Obi-wan was the key to unlocking his insecurity. Only he knew his abilities well enough to be able to shock him out of this paralysis. Together they would be strong enough to overthrow Palpatine. United. Joining forces, Jedi and Sith together, taking on the oppression of the Emperor. Together they would be unstoppable. As they always were known for during the war. Kenobi and Skywalker. The pair that made the Separatists quiver in fear, that had them hightailing it to the far ends of the galaxy to evade them.

But how to get them to overcome their differences? How could she make them see what she could envision? Emotional blackmail wasn't going to work here, she knew this. Somehow she had to find a way to get them to trust each other again, then the rest would follow. The question was ... how?

Finishing off her braid, she pulled on her black tunic and leggings then fastened her ruby buckled belt and left for the bedroom. The cot and beds were dishevelled and empty. Dropping her soiled nightgown into the wash, she continued out to the living room. Sabè was in the kitchenette more than likely preparing breakfast and Jaina was sitting on the rug entertaining Luke and Leia.

"Good morning Jaina, have you seen Obi-wan?" Padmè asked, taking a seat on the sofa.

The young Jedi shook her head and resumed tickling the twins. "He was already gone when we came out, My Lady," she said.

"I don't suppose you might be able to sense where he is, roughly?" she asked. "He used to be able to feel Anakin through the Force. Does it work the same way for you?"

Jaina stared up at her from the floor, her bright blue eyes narrowing slightly. She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, it works differently for those two, being that they were bonded. But ... I can try I guess." Closing her eyes, she went completely silent.

Padmè looked to the twins sitting on the rug beside her, both intensely staring as if they could sense what she was doing. It made her wonder, how old did children need to be before their Force sensitivity became obvious? Did they have it from birth? Or was it something that just developed over time?

"They're not on the ship," Jaina stated, slowly opening her eyes and shaking her head.

"They?"

"Yes. They. I can't sense either Master Kenobi or Lord Vader anywhere onboard."

"Breakfast is ready," Sabè announced, carrying a tray of food over to the dining table. "Oh good morning My Lady, are you hungry? I made breakfast."

"Ah, no thank you Sabè. I don't suppose you heard anything before you came out did you? When I went for a shower Obi-wan was drinking his tea, and now he's missing. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried."

Dropping the tray down on the table, the handmaiden shrugged. "I didn't hear anything. But don't you have a comm unit or something you can contact that husband of yours on? Surely he'll be able to give you some insight. It is his ship after all."

Padmè tried her best not to respond. Her handmaiden was walking a very fine line at the moment. Sooner or later she was going to have to make the choice; stay and support her, fulfilling her duty or leave and take her disrespectful tongue with her. Dismissing the thought she turned and headed back into the bedroom. She was right, she did have a comm unit, but would Anakin answer it after their argument?

DROMUND KAAS: SOUTH OF KAAS CITY BORDER

"So much for Gundarks only being on Vanqor!" Obi-wan panted, swinging his saber toward the incensed beast as it took a swipe at him. "Was this part of your plan?"

Vader backed into him, ducking his head and slicing off the secondary arm of the one looming above him. It screamed and lurched, stumbling back a few steps. Twirling his blade into position, he crouched forward and readied for round two. "Not exactly."

"Have you noticed only the smaller ones are attacking us?"

The red beam slashed at the advancing Gundark, glancing its chest. It screamed again in protest, swinging its forearms wildly at the Dark Lord. He ducked and weaved. As the claws swiped passed his head, he growled back. "The small ones are female. They seem to be protecting him."

Obi-wan levitated a fallen branch from the swamp and hurled it at a pair charging for him. It collided with one, knocking it flat. The other kept coming. "Do you think you can get to him?" he gasped, dropping in to a roll and diving between its legs, narrowly avoiding the jagged teeth as they gnashed at thin air.

"That depends," Vader said, jumping back from a slash and landing on a rock. He wobbled then secured his footing, watching the Gundark jerkily spin around to face him.

"Depends on what?!"

Vader's wrist comm chirped, jarring his focus. He looked back at his former master darting through the trees trying to outrun his pursuer. "ON WHETHER I CAN TRUST YOU TO KEEP THEM OFF OF MY BACK!"

The Gundark lunged at him again. The Sith's patience rapidly running out. With a grunt, he thrust his free hand palm first at the beast and Force pushed it away, sending it flying back through the trees. Branches snapped on its flailing limbs, giving way and following its course toward the swampy bushes.

"CAN'T WE WORRY ABOUT ALL OF THAT LATER?!" Obi-wan yelled. He ducked under a low-lying branch, his boot sinking into a deep puddle. The dirty water splashed up his leg, covering him in silt. He scrambled to his feet and kept running. The branch didn't deter the Gundark, it barged through it, forcing it back with its arm and cracking it at the joint. Obi-wan glanced back seeing it was gaining on him. "I can't keep this up forever, Anakin!"

Vader's comm chirped again. He lifted his wrist to his mask and answered. "Padmè, this isn't a good time," he hissed.

"Anakin, is Obi-wan with you?"

He looked up at his former mentor circling, drawing near his back and quickly turned away, his cloak flapping violently in the roaring wind. "Is that why you contacted me?" he snapped. "Just so you could find him!"

"No. It's just ..."

"ANAKIN! GET DOWN! NOW!"

A deafening rumble thundered behind him. Vader spun back. He didn't see it coming. Suddenly thrown from the rock, rammed head first by the Gundark he'd Force pushed away. His armoured body flew in the air, launched across the marsh into a giant boulder concealed within the trees. His helmeted head smashed into it, his body colliding with the ground with a thump.

"ANI! ANI! WHAT'S HAPPENING? ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"

Seeing stars, he tried to focus. The sodden ground shuddered below him. All of a sudden two Gundarks screeched from either side, their warbling screams pitching and braying on the wind. The one he'd wounded jumped at him, flying from the rock he was launched from and coming for him with claws extended.

She landed a few meters from his boots and screamed, the saliva spraying from her razor teeth. Reaching for his lightsaber, he suddenly realised he'd dropped it and quickly looked around. The Gundark threw her head back and moved to finish him. Pushing away, she launched.

A flash of brown and blue appeared in the air above her. The iridescent cerulean beam cutting vertically through the rain, smashing down into her thick red flesh and impaling her skull between the ears. The yellow eyes went wide and she howled, slumping face first into the mud with Obi-wan riding her down.

Howls screeched from every corner as the other three females retreated into the shadows. A braying roar bellowed from the distance.

Both Sith and Jedi stared into the darkness.

"Can you get up?" Obi-wan rasped between breaths, leaning forward and offering his hand. "We're not out of this yet."

Vader grunted and groaned, forcing his weight from the floor. "He's not happy," he remarked, pushing forward onto his knees and watching as the hulking male Gundark bounded toward them. He took the Jedi's hand and allowed him to pull him to his feet.

"No, it doesn't seem like it."

Spinning around, Vader faced the bull head on with hand extended. He didn't move, feet planted and muddied cloak flapping.

"Oh, you can't be serious," Obi-wan said, pulling his blade into position.

Vader ignored him. Listening to the howl of the wind, he closed his eyes behind the mask and focused. The Force ripped through him, bringing the creature's mind into view. He felt its heart pounding, the savage rage flowing. He pushed harder, his gloved fingers unyielding. Memories and images started to flow between them.

The bull stumbled into an awkward trot, its four arms and two legs slowing in pace. A moment later it skidded to a halt, stopping barely a meter from the Sith's outstretched hand. Teeth bared and heckles raised, it growled and brayed, shaking it's head left and right. After a few seconds, its ears finally lowered and the beast calmed, a subtle grumbling purr emanating from its chest.

They remained like this for nearly five minutes.

"They're guard dogs," Vader announced matter-of-factly, turning his hand palm down and gesturing for the beast to lay down. The Gundark obeyed, dropping onto the mud and laying its head on its front claws.

"Guard dogs?" Obi-wan asked, walking up to stand alongside him. "What ever for?"

"They were brought here to protect the City," he said, brushing some of the dirt from his suit. "He's the last surviving male. That's why they were protecting him."

"How touching," Obi-wan said looking between the Sith and the beast. "So what are you going to do with him now?"

The black mask turned to the surrendered creature. "I have always wanted a pet Gundark," he jested, smirking behind his ventilator. "I think I'll keep him."

"You really are insane."

"You just don't like them because you stumbled into one of their nests and I had to rescue you."

That was all he needed to hear. Now he knew Anakin was still in there. Buried, suffocated. But there nonetheless. A sorrowful smile threatened to tug at his lips at the memory. "Perhaps. But only this time ... it was me who did the rescuing."

The Sith folded his arms over his chest and went silent. Something dark and foreboding surged between them. Cocking his brow, Obi-wan stroked his beard, watching his former brother. For a moment he had felt the dynamic of their relationship change – a shift in the Sith's disposition. Clearly, he'd felt it too.

Then, as if disgusted, he pushed it aside.

And just like that, the fond memory vanished.

"Indeed," Vader hissed, turning away. With a wave of his hand, the Gundark bull suddenly lurched to it's feet and bounded away, calling out to its counterparts and disappearing into the trees.

"Ani! Can you hear me? Is everything alright?"

Vader lifted his wrist to his mask. "Everything is fine Padmè," he said, glancing around. "I am a little busy. I will comm you back shortly." Not waiting for her to respond, he disconnected the call and stood tall. He was missing something. A distant metal clanking echoed from behind, from somewhere near the trees. Turning in place, he scanned the area for disturbances.

"Have you seen Artoo?" he asked.

Obi-wan followed his line of sight, his eyes scouring their surroundings. "He was right behind us."

"ARTOO?" Vader called, striding back. "ARTOO, where are you?"

The metallic rattling continued. Aggravated twitters and chirps sounded from beside one of the trees. The Dark Lord headed for the bushes, following the sound. He held his hand in the air, calling his fallen lightsaber. It flew into his glove and he holstered it to his belt.

"Hang on buddy, I'm coming," Vader said, seeing his Astromech covered in mud and pinned by a fallen branch. He hurried over. Freeing his friend, he knelt down and pulled him back on to his treads, wiping the dirt from his photoreceptor. "There. Is that better?"

"Wooo – rooo," Artoo answered.

Obi-wan walked up behind them. Something moved on the ground by the tree trunk. He stepped closer. It moved again. "Anakin?" he said, crouching down and separating the reeds.

"What?" Vader grunted.

"I think you'll want to see this."

Rising to his feet, the Dark Lord moved to join his former master crouched beside the tree trunk. Obi-wan reached into the reeds and scooped up a small creature. Its odd reptilian head slumped over the side of his fingers, and its thin tail dangled to the floor. It stiffened and died in his hands.

"Ysalamiri," Vader said pointedly. "That explains why we couldn't feel the Force."

"The Gundark must have knocked it from the tree," Obi-wan mused, rising to his full height. He turned to the Sith. "Someone sure went out of their way to hide this place."

"Oooh – Oooh. Beep – bloop – beep," Artoo chirped, rolling forward and bumping into Vader's leg. His storage compartment rattled and thudded.

"What have you got in there?" Vader dropped down to one knee and opened the metal door of the droid's frontal canister. The holocron shot into his hands, the red glow pulsing like a beacon.

"Is that a Sith holocron?" Kenobi inquired, leaning over.

"Yes," he said shortly. "Where did you find this? I thought I'd lost it back on Korriban."

"Woooo – rooooh. Beep – beep, twit - beep – bloop."

He rubbed his dome affectionately. "Good work Artoo. Yes, you were right. It is very important to me." Standing back up, he stared at the glowing prism and slowly turned in place. Its presence felt different to how he remembered. It seemed heavier. He felt a tug toward the tree-line and automatically started forward, a strange numbness creeping over him.

"Where are you going?" Obi-wan asked, glancing to Artoo and then moving to follow. Vader either ignored him or didn't hear him, because he just kept walking. "Anakin?"

"The city is this way," he answered flatly, not stopping.

Obi-wan silently kept pace alongside the striding Sith. They trudged between knotted trees and swamp surrounded bushes. The lightning and thunder intensified the deeper they went, igniting the sky, the bright flashes sparking through the tree canopy.

Neither of them had spoken a word.

The troopers were getting closer too, he could hear the rattle of the armour and the heavy clank and thud of the walkers closing in. He sighed. A few more steps and the silence was suddenly unbearable.

"What happened between you two this morning?" he asked, quickening his pace until they were side by side.

"As to what are you referring?" Vader said, sparing him a quick glance.

"Between you and Padmè," Obi-wan said, relieved he'd responded. "She was rather upset when she came back."

He went silent. A few more steps then he eventually responded.

"She ... was not the only one," he growled lowly.

He kept walking, his force presence flickering through their bond. Stars in space, nebula after nebula, the Light Side flashing in the Dark.

"No, I did notice that," Obi-wan pressed. "Did you want to talk about it?"

Vader took two more steps then swayed and dipped his head. It was as if he'd suddenly shrunk before him, his armoured shoulders drooping and his normally rigid posture cantering forward into a slight lean. After a few uneven cycles of his respirator, he finally found his voice.

"I'm not ... No ... not particularly," he grumbled, lifting his free hand and pressing it to his helmet.

"Are you sure?" Obi-wan stared at him intensely, hoping he would take the chance. He could feel him fighting – the disgust, the turmoil, the anguish, the conflict. "You're not sure ... are you?"

"I'm ... not sure about anything any more," Vader muttered.

The light exploded.

"I'm right here, Anakin," Obi-wan said softly, moving up and gently placing his hand on his shoulder armour. He felt the Force spark between them. "Talk to me."

The black mask slowly turned to him. His breathing ragged.

"I can't lose her, Obi-wan," he said, turning his head away. "Not again ... Not now."

"What happened?"

Vader pulled out of his touch and looked up to the tree tops. "He wanted to speak with her. I told him she was sleeping, but he insisted. He threatened to come here in person if I didn't comply." He started to pace, shaking his head.

"What about the baby?" Obi-wan asked, folding his arms. He watched him pace back and forth, his anxiety barrelling through their bond.

"He wants it. He pushed the two of us together at the Palace, manipulating and scheming the whole time. I thought, providing I obeyed him, carrying out his orders to the letter, that telling him about the baby would keep her safe."

He stopped pacing and stood limp, his gleaming head hung low. His sodden cape fluttered on the wind, the holocron still pulsing brightly in his hand.

Obi-wan pushed his fringe back and wiped the drizzling rain from his face. Taking a seat on a fallen log, he leaned forward and watched the Sith slowly unravel.

"Did you tell Padmè this?" he asked.

Vader lifted his empty hand into the air and stared at it, clenching and unclenching his gloved fingers. "I ... I should have. But she was already angry at me for contacting him in the first place. I got frustrated with her."

"Then what happened?"

"Palpatine blackmailed her into working for him – for us," he snarled, clenching his fist so tight it trembled. He started pacing again. "He threatened to permanently separate us. Which I know he's going to try and do anyway, one way or another. Not that it makes any difference, she's going to leave me now regardless."

His anger was building, instead of just talking he was now venomously spitting out every word.

"What makes you think that?" Obi-wan whispered, hoping his hushed tone of voice would help tame his rage.

Vader turned his back to him as if trying to control his temper. "He has forced her into spying on Organa's rebellion," he hissed. "She is to join them and report back to him with what she finds. So she demanded her own ship. But I know, she really wants it so she can run away. She has you and the twins now, she no longer needs me."

A close-fisted jab at him.

"That's your fear talking," Obi-wan reprimanded, not hiding the condescending nature of his statement.

Vader whirled to face him, the darkness radiating from every fibre of his being. He made no attempt to conceal it, suddenly permitting his anger to take hold.

"My fear?" he roared indignantly. "No, it's reality! Look at me! I'm a monster, half-man half-machine. I'm so pathetic that I can't even breathe on my own. Most of the time I'm drugged up, so as to make sure I don't slip back into a suicidal depression!"

"If you're so miserable, why don't you try and leave? We could disappear."

He calmed down and lifted the holocron to stare at it, twisting it in his grip.

"It wouldn't matter where I went, he would still find me. That's why I'm here, searching for the City. Darth Malgus's ghost reached out and directed me here. I'm hoping it isn't all just some wild Bantha chase and that I will actually be able to find answers. If not, I dread the thought of what's going to happen when I eventually return to Coruscant."

This time Obi-wan jumped to his feet, folding his arms tight across his chest. "You're actually going back to him?"

Vader started to walk away, shrugging his armoured shoulders and Obi-wan moved to follow.

"What other choice is there?" he said, sounding defeated. "It's the only way I can protect Padmè. At least this way, I can keep him from getting to her. He'll punish me again, but that is to be expected. I have become accustomed to it. But at least she will be safe."

"You regret it now, don't you?" Obi-wan said, looking up into his mask and keeping pace beside him.

Vader stopped and spun on his heel, his cape a looming dark shadow enveloping the splintered light.

"NOW?" he bellowed, his booming robotic voice piercing the air. "I regretted it then! It killed me. Do you think I enjoyed what I did? Do you think I wanted this? I felt ... every ... single ... death tear through my insides and rip me apart. I cried non-stop for days. I contemplated death every hour. Wanted it. Begged for it. I lashed out at him so he would kill me. But he wouldn't. Instead he tortured me, turned me into a lightning rod, then pumped me full of that serum and watched me suffer."

He stopped his onslaught and fought to regulate his breathing. The respirator was struggling, hissing and clicking intermittently with each ragged breath. He groaned, clenched his fist and turned away, heading for the city.

Slightly taken aback, Obi-wan again moved to chase him.

"He won, Obi-wan," Vader muttered, his voice breaking. "The Battle. The War. Everything. And he took everything from me in the process."

He stopped and stared at him face to face. So close, that Obi-wan was able to see the shimmering amber of his eyes burning behind the lenses of his mask.

"I HATE him."

And with that, Vader charged forward, not uttering another word.

STAR DESTROYER EXACTOR: IN ORBIT OVER DROMUND KAAS

Padmè wiped the tears from her eyes and left the bedroom. At least now she knew where Obi-wan was, but it did nothing to ease her mind. He was now at Anakin's mercy and that thought made her feel sick to the stomach. She'd stopped him from hurting him twice, but she couldn't do anything this time. She just prayed to Shiraya that Obi-wan would behave and not push his luck.

Both Jaina and Sabè stared up at her from the dining table. She almost walked away, but instead sucked in a deep breath and pulled out one of the chairs to sit down. Pouring herself a caff, she kept her eyes down trying to ignore their expectant stares. She twisted the filled cup in her hands, deep in thought.

"Well?" Sabè asked. "Did you manage to get hold of him?"

She sighed. "Yes, Sabè. I did," Padmè answered, taking a sip of her caff. "Obi-wan is with Anakin down on the planet's surface."

"With Vader, you mean?"

"Oh Sabè, give it a rest, will you," Jaina groaned, placing the spoon she was using to feed Luke into his empty bowl. "Don't you think she is going through enough as it is? Considering the relationship you both have, I would've expected you to be a little more supportive than this."

"I don't trust him, Jaina. Not with Padmè, not with the twins and definitely not with Obi-wan," Sabè argued. "He may have been a Jedi once, but he certainly isn't one anymore."

"He's more Jedi than you give him credit for, handmaiden! He could've killed any one of us, but he hasn't. Why is that do you think?"

"Oh, you are infatuated with him, aren't you? I knew it! I knew it from the moment you couldn't take your eyes off of him in that photo you had back on Alderaan," Sabè declared standing from the table. "The answer to your question is simple."

Padmè finished her caff and dropped the cup heavily onto the table. "Actually Sabè, I too am interested in hearing your answer to that," she said, folding her arms.

"Don't you see? He is just trying to please you, Milady. Nothing more."

Padmè smiled. "Thank you Sabè. That is exactly what I needed to hear," she said, getting out of her seat and moving around to pick up her son. "Jaina, would you mind bringing Leia over to the rug, please?"

"I don't understand, Milady," Sabè said, joining her mistress in the sitting area. "You seem pleased with what I said. Why?"

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Padmè pulled Luke against her chest and rested back onto the foot of the sofa. "I am pleased, Sabè. Because, like you said, he is trying. And that is more than I could ever have hoped for."

DROMUND KAAS: KAAS CITY GATES

Vader and Obi-wan stood at the city gates, surrounded by Commander Appo and the 501st. The sky crackled above, the moonlight interrupted by forks of lightning shooting between the black clouds.

"What were they keeping in there?" Obi-wan asked, stroking his beard. "A Giant Kraytt dragon?"

Vader, wet armour shimmering and cloak drifting on the wind, remained silent.

The two solid grey gates reached high into the air, supported by two even taller rectangular pillars, each connected to massive stone walls that spanned the horizon. It looked impenetrable, the walls potentially thick enough to withstand multiple AT-TE cannon attacks without crumbling. Decaying twisted vines and ancient trees had grown up the sides, as if the jungle itself had tried to move in and reclaim the city.

"Should we try blowing it, Sir?" Appo suggested, standing beside the Dark Lord.

"Negative, Commander," Vader said. "I want it to remain intact."

"We could scale the walls, My Lord," Appo offered again. "Drop the scouts in behind them and see if there's a release inside?"

"No," he dismissed. "I have another idea."

Holding the holocron in front of him, Vader closed his eyes behind the mask and drew on the Force. He unlocked his anger, releasing it the way Sidious had taught him. Pulling on reserves, drawing on everything that gave him pain – the temple, his immolation, the Jedi, imprisonment – he channelled it all. Felt it burn inside like the raging fires of Mustafar. The flames chewing at his flesh, licking at the soles of his boots and slowly scalding their way up to envelop his scarred skull. The surging raw power hummed inside him. The searing hot rage swallowing him whole.

He sensed the holocron lift from his outstretched hand. Could see its power in his mind's eye. He mentally reached for it, visualizing his hand unlocking the insidious prism. Another power surge belted him, the red-hot spark jolting through his head.

"Malgus. I'm at the gates. Show me."

The semi-concealed face of Darth Malgus appeared amidst the flames, his ghostly Sith eyes gleaming against his pasty white skin and respirator.

"The City is protected by the Sith of Old, Lord Vader."

"What must I do, Malgus?"

"Remember your pledge to your Master ... the code. Speak the language of your forebears."

"As you wish."

Flaming amber-red eyes opened behind the crimson lenses. Vader levitated the scarlet holocron higher until it was level with his mask, watching it spin before him.

Obi-wan stared at the Sith, aghast. The Dark Side of the Force swirled through and around him like a corybantic tempest. He was one with the shadows, as black as night itself. Through their bond, he felt the ashen clawed tendrils reaching out, dragging in all life from around him. He felt his vision cloud over. The malevolent energy stripping his lungs of all breath.

But even that hadn't prepared him for the sound that left his mouth. The deep, augmented, baritone, growling incantation that spewed forth from his blood-stained lips.

The Dark Lord dropped to one knee and dipped his head before the spinning Sith holocron and chanted:

"Nwûl tash.

Dzwol shâtsotkun.

Shâsotjontû châtsatul nu tyûk.

Tyûkjontû châtsatul nu midwan.

Midwanjontû châtsatul nu asha.

Ashajontû kotswinot itsu nuyak.

Wonoksh Qyâsik nun."

Obi-wan jumped back as the clouds above them suddenly erupted.

He'd fought Darth Maul on Naboo and defeated him. He'd gone head to head with Darth Tyrannus – otherwise known as Count Dooku – on Geonosis and seen his strength first hand. He'd cut Anakin down on Mustafar using his own youthful arrogance against him.

But never, in his entire embattled and traumatic career as a Jedi, had he ever witnessed anything like this.

This was rage, personified.

This was power, unparalleled.

This was Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith.

Aka Anakin Skywalker.

Former Jedi Knight.

His former padawan.

He'd trained this.

And yet he'd been blind to it.

And for the first time in his life, he truly understood the meaning of fear.

Blinding blue lightning rained from the sky. Hundreds of iridescent beams crackling and scorching the wet air. Wraithlike screams howled on the gale force winds.

And yet Darth Vader remained still. Untamed power surging around him. Fists clenched and body frozen. Knelt beneath the radiant glow of the throbbing holocron. His midnight cloak billowing behind him.

He didn't move until a rumbling thunder sounded from the gates. The ground quaking below. Then, as if spreading her malicious arms wide, Kaas City opened her gates, welcoming them inside her enchanted prison.

Rising to his feet, Vader recalled the holocron from the air and stood tall, a sinister confidence surrounding his Force presence. With a growl, he charged for the gates, not once looking back.

Following the Sith inside, the party came to a stop before the chaotic monstrosity laid before them. There were towering stone buildings everywhere, some with haunting, robed statues, others with pylons, their tattered and weathered banners violently flapping in the air. All connected via a complex series of walkways, both elevated and ground based. The city seemed to go for miles, morphing and dwarfing the duracrete landscape.

This was a different kind of jungle. A duracrete jungle. Reminiscent of the underground levels of Coruscant, yet more elegantly constructed. Puddles littered the perfectly paved streets, the never-ending rain rippling their surface and pattering on the surrounding stonework.

Standing before the main entrance, Vader lifted the holocron into the air. He strode up the grandiose walkway, between the massive robed statues looming either side and stopped at the stone stairs. As big as he was, the building ahead dwarfed him.

Built like a giant metronome, with three torn red banners hanging on its facia, the building exuded an all-consuming, festering darkness.

The holocron shot a bright beam of red light forward, piercing the night. Immediately, as if in a trance, the Sith charged ahead, following it like a beacon.

Obi-wan turned to Commander Appo standing alongside him, and cleared his throat. "Look, I know you probably don't remember me, but I must ask."

Appo kept his blaster ready and swung his helmet to face him.

"Have you ever seen him do anything like that before?"

"I have seen Lord Vader do many unexplainable things, Jedi," Appo answered, shifting his attention back to the building. "But that was a first."

He motioned for his men to fall in and started forward. As the troopers moved toward his back, he quickly stopped and spun back to face him.

"And just for the record, General Kenobi ... we all remember who you are."

Before Obi-wan could respond, the trooper Commander marched forward, leading his men up the main walkway in pursuit of the Sith. Hang on a minute. He launched into a jog and made his way back up to the Commander.

"Commander, you said you remember me. That you all remember me," he asked, catching his breath.

"That is what I said," Appo replied, not slowing down.

"Then, how is it you haven't tried to kill me? Why haven't any of you? Wasn't that your mandate set by the Emperor? To kill every single Jedi?"

"It was," he said, as if it were old news. "But we no longer follow those specific orders."

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Obi-wan said, keeping pace.

Appo stopped mid-step and motioned for the rest to keep going. He looked around then turned his helmet back to him.

"Look, General Kenobi, many things have changed since the Clone Wars ended. And I'm not just referring to the Jedi. The men you see here, they all serve Lord Vader and Lord Vader alone."

Obi-wan scratched his beard in confusion. "But, how is that possible?" he asked. "Weren't you all programmed to directly follow the Emperor's orders?"

The last squad of troopers marched passed them. Appo watched them leave and hushed his voice.

"Ever since the end of the war, clones have been disappearing. We are being phased out one battalion at a time. When Lord Vader caught wind of what was going down, he immediately summoned us to the med-center on board the Exactor and had our chips surgically removed so we couldn't be identified."

"He actually did that?"

"Yes, and we respect him for it. As for you not being dead yet, it is because he trusts you, and that is reason enough for us."

"What makes you think that he trusts me?" Obi-wan asked, turning with the trooper as he spun around to follow the others.

"Look around. Do you see any other outsiders with him on this mission?"

Obi-wan did as he suggested then shook his head dismissively. "I guess I can see your point."

"You know as well as I do, who he really is behind that mask, but the others don't. So do us all a favour and keep it to yourself, alright?"

Appo turned his attention back to the building and continued walking.

"Play it cool, General, and we'll all get along just fine. But be warned, step one foot out of place, make any attempt at taking him down, and you will learn the hard way, why they call us Vader's Fist."

• • •

Vader had no idea how long he'd been walking for, or where in fact he was heading, but he knew he had to keep going.

He was getting close. So close. He could feel it.

Stair case after stair case. Through dusty chambers, pushing through seized doors that hadn't been opened in centuries. Fatigue slowly creeping up on him, the cybernetic legs getting heavier with each step.

Through the vision at the gates, Malgus had shown him images of a grand central chamber. It vaguely reminded him of the Citadel he'd seen in previous visions. That was what he was looking for.

When he'd held the holocron in the air as he approached the stairs, Malgus had told him what he needed to do. The City had gone dormant in the many years since its abandonment, and now he had to reawaken it.

He just had to keep going.

A warning alert flashed across the HUD in his mask.

WARNING! POWER LEVELS AT 10%.

Great. If only he'd had the foresight to charge up the suit before he left. But it wasn't as though he'd been thinking clearly. He'd been far too busy obsessing over their argument to think about anything else.

He stopped at another long staircase and leant onto the railing to rest. The respirator stalled and restarted. Sidious had warned him this could happen and he'd dismissed it. But now he understood. He knew he'd over-exerted himself. Using the Force to that magnitude had left him feeling light-headed and woozy. His stomach twisted and churned into knots, threatening to revolt at any moment.

If he and Padmè hadn't have had that argument, she probably would've insisted that he eat something before he left.

He really was useless.

The sound of his troopers echoed from behind. They were slowly catching up to him. About time too. It was taking them long enough. Now, to just find the strength to pull himself away from the railing and keep moving. The holocron pulsed in his hand.

"I know ... I know. I'm moving," he groaned, pushing his body up. His legs quivered before re-engaging. One boot in front of the other, he descended the steps, feeling the oppressing weight of his water-logged cloak dragging on the floor behind him.

Finally reaching the landing, he paused before the two reinforced blast doors and tried to catch his breath.

KHOOSH ... CLICK ... THUMP ... PUUHR.

KHOOSH ... CLICK ... THUMP ... CLICK ... PUUHR.

Another warning flashed across the HUD.

WARNING! POWER LEVELS CRITICAL!

Vader groaned. He didn't have much longer. Drawing on the Force to stay upright, he heaved the doors opened and staggered inside.

Seeing the circular chamber was like a breath of fresh air. Not that he could remember what that even felt like anymore. The grey walls encircled him, reaching up into a high crescendo, decorated with glittering stained glass windows that allowed the moonlight to shine through. At the peak was a long spike that reminded him of some type of power conductor.

He shook his head and refocused. He needed to do this before his suit gave out.

Stumbling forward, he squinted his eyes through the intermittent flicker in his mask.

The center spire was dead ahead. Just a few more steps. The holocron thrummed in his hand. Less than half a meter from the holo-table, his legs gave out and he lunged his arm forward to grab it. Pulling himself forward, he drew his knees beneath him and pushed his body up, his respirator stalling.

Gasping for air, he fought the wave of claustrophobic paranoia that suddenly washed over him. Hand shaking, knees trembling, he held the pulsing holocron up and it shot from his grip. He watched in shock as it flew high into the air and suspended itself midway between the spike and the holo-table. It started to spin.

WARNING! VITAL SYSTEMS FAILURE! POWER SHUTDOWN IMMINENT.

He rasped in another shallow breath and felt his fingers slip.

Obi-wan rushed down the stairs with Commander Appo and his troopers. Bursting into the circular chamber, his jaw dropped at the sight. Spinning out of control in mid-air was the Sith holocron, burning red energy swarming around it. Below was Vader, holding on to a round holo-table for support. His legs were shaking and his breathing ragged.

A blinding surge of electricity suddenly exploded in the ceiling, the white hot forks hitting the holocron. The prism rattled and shook through its rotations then erupted with an almighty boom.

A shockwave of energy catapulted into the air, strikingly similar to the pulse of an EMP cannon. Obi-wan was thrown on his back, staring up at the ceiling as one by one, searing red talons of lightning descended upon them.

Bursting fireballs exploded from the ground where ever they touched, dousing the stale air in smoke. One hit Vader slumped on the floor. He screamed out, the vocoder crackling and distorting.

"NO!" Obi-wan cried, scrambling to his feet and hurrying over to him. He lifted his head to rest on his knees and reached out into the Force.

The building quaked violently, shaking the centuries old dust from every nook, cranny and corner. The particles dancing in the backdraft, turning into miniature dust-storms that drifted high on the air.

Commander Appo and his men slowly rose to their feet, temporarily blinded by the flash-fire. He shook his head and caught sight of his Supreme Commander collapsed on the floor, his helmeted head being cradled by the Jedi.

"GENERAL, DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE?" Appo called out over the chaos.

Obi-wan glanced between the Sith and his trooper in a daze. He heard Vader's respirator click and thump and immediately turned his attention back to him.

"Obi-wan," Vader croaked, reaching up and squeezing his hand. "Tell the Commander ... to get his men ... out of here. I don't want ... them seeing me ... like this."

"Are you alright?"

"I ... will be ... fine," he moaned, allowing his hand to slide free. "The suit ... it's ... shutting down ... I ... just need ... to rest ... for a minute."

Obi-wan wiped the dust from his face and sighed. "If that's what you want." He laid the Sith's head back down and pushed up from beside him. With a precautionary glance, he made his way over to Commander Appo.

The explosive chaos was dwindling down. The red fires evaporating into thin air. Upon the walls dim lights had started to appear.

"How is he?" Appo asked, his men stumbling up from the ground around him.

"He says he's fine," Obi-wan said, folding his arms. "He wants you to take your men back outside, and that he will regroup with you all shortly."

Appo glanced at Vader then turned back to the Jedi. "Remember what I said, Kenobi," he warned, cocking his blaster. "Don't go trying anything foolish."

"I haven't forgotten, Commander," he said, staring him down. "Now get your men out of here and keep your eyes open for a map or something. If we are going to be staying here, we'll need a place to set up camp."

"Will do. We'll meet you both outside."

Turning back to his men, Commander Appo lead the troopers out of the chamber, their white armour clattering up the stairs.

Obi-wan sighed and headed back to Vader. He was still lying on the floor, not making any attempt to move. Kneeling down beside him, he took his prosthetic hand in his and squeezed it tight. "Are you still awake in there?" he asked, watching his chest for movement. "Anakin? Can you hear me?"

Vader squeezed his hand. "Yes," he croaked.

"Come on then. Let's get you back on your feet."

"Just ... give me ... a minute," he growled. "This isn't ... easy."

An ice cold chill filtered into the air, and it took all of Obi-wan's strength not to yank his hand away in protest. He could feel the darkness building and rippling from the Sith. It built and built until finally the respirator fired back up.

The lights on his belt and chest plate reignited.

He laid in silence, the Force humming around him.

"Alright, I'm ready," Vader growled, dropping his hands down and slowly dragging his knees up.

Obi-wan took his hand and stared into the lenses of his mask. "Up you get, Anakin," he said, helping the Sith to his feet.

"Don't call me that," Vader grunted, staggering forward and nearly toppling face first to the floor. With his arm around Kenobi's shoulder, they started for the doors.

"Well I'm not calling you Lord Vader," Obi-wan retorted, helping him walk. "So I guess you're just going to have to deal with it."

They slowly stumbled across the circular floor, the Sith's legs awkwardly moving.

"I hate you," Vader grumbled.

Obi-wan leaned into him, keeping his eyes on the staircase. "I know," he whispered.

"I mean it."

"Whatever you say, Anakin."

Hidden within the shadows, a ghostly black robed figure folded its arms, watching the Sith and Jedi make for the door. He snickered and moved to follow them. "If only your Master could see you now, Lord Vader," Darth Malgus sneered, vanishing into the moonlight.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

So I gave up trying to squeeze everything into this chapter. In your head, the scenes always seem so much simpler than on paper. The joys of writing I guess.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. I'll tie the loose ends up in the next one.

As always, thank you all for your reviews/follows and favourites, you guys are beyond patient and amazing.

Feel free to leave any questions and I'll be more than happy to answer them after the finale.

MTFBWY.