Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 27 "The Motherly Love – part 1"
24 BBY – Planet Alderaan, Aldera – Capital of Alderaan.
From space, the planet of Alderaan, located in the star system of the same name, appeared as a blue-green orb enveloped in a white web of clouds. Its surface had vast bodies of water and was covered in snow-capped mountains, with patches of green grassy hills. Alderaan was known to the galaxy as the planet of beauty. Famous natural landmarks of Alderaan included the Cloudshape Falls and the Isatabith rain forest.
A variety of grapevines grew on Alderaan, which notably allowed to produce Toniray and emerald wine. The local fauna included the Alderaanian wolf-cat and a species of white-winged birds.
The cities on Alderaan were carefully designed to respect the natural beauty of their environment. For example, the palace of the royal family and Aldera, the Alderaan capital city, blended into the local snow-capped peaks. The capital was located near the Triplehorn mountains, on an island with uneven slopes located in the middle of a lake. Across the water from the city lay a vast wilderness that was quite close to Aldera, although not part of it. That zone of grasslands contained a small valley where one could get a glimpse of the capital in the distance.
In addition to being the royal seat of Alderaan, the capital city was also home to the main core of the most prestigious University of Alderaan and the most high-tech Aldera Universal Medcenter. On a more mundane level, the city also contained a Spacer Quarter, where many bars and hotels could be found and a marketplace. The planet's primary spaceport was also located on the outskirts of Aldera. The spaceport's main docking facility was hosted in a cluster of hemispherical buildings.
Visitors to the city mostly arrived by air, unless they traversed the lake by boat. Upon reaching Aldera, many outlanders were amazed by the white, flowing architecture of the buildings, many of them belonging to the planetary government. The most majestic of Aldera's monuments was the Aldera Royal Palace, which housed Queen Breha Organa, and her consort, Bail Organa. On Alderaan, he was properly addressed 'His Serene Highness, Prince Bail Prestor Organa, First Chairman and Viceroy of Alderaan.'
After Sheev Palpatine became the Supreme Chancellor, Senator Bail Antilles, who represented planet Alderaan in the Galactic Senate, chose to retire, and Bail Organa succeeded him. In order to occupy that position, he was forced to abandon his viceroyship, delegating his powers to a regent. Though a new Senator, he quickly gained the ear of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, agreeing with his view on bureaucratic stagnation.
In this exact moment, Bail Prestor Organa, along with the Queen and a Minister of Education of Alderaan at the time, Breha Organa, drove their landspeeder straight to Aldera Universal Medcenter.
Queen Breha was eight months pregnant, which was her fourth and longest-lasting pregnancy without losing her child. The three other pregnancies were miscarriages. She was both nervous and happy at the same time.
Her husband, Bail Organa, who was also very nervous at the moment, sat on the driver's seat. He looked at his wife from time to time, and also peeked into the rearview mirror in a similar manner, but for a different reason. On the back seat sat an Anzat, who was currently helping him. He would be delighted and grateful in any other situation, but this Anzat was a Sith Lord, Darth Enigma.
"Stop being so nervous Organa and keep your eyes forward, unless you want to cause an accident and kill your pregnant wife," the Anzat said bluntly with a smirk.
"I have a wife that is about to give birth to my premature daughter and a Sith Lord in the back seat who's commenting about my driving!" Bail snapped. "So forgive me for being so nervous!"
"I've told you that your wife will finally give birth, so focus or else all our work will be for nothing, and you will be the one to blame," retorted the Sith Lord.
Breha grabbed her husband's arm, and with a smile, she gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Everything will be alright," she said weakly.
Organa took a deep breath and focused on the driving, ignoring any more comments from the Anzat. If someone told him that he would be in this situation, he would laugh in his face. But this was the truth. Bail recalled on how this all happened, he remembered it all as if it was yesterday.
8 months ago – Planet Alderaan, Aldera – Capital of Alderaan, Aldera Royal Palace.
The royal couple, Breha and Bail Organa, had everything one could need for a carefree and happy life. They loved each other with all their strengths, they had wealth, and no one could say that they were unhappy. But the truth was grimmer than one could imagine. The couple longed for a child for many years, but Queen Breha suffered three miscarriages. The mental pain of each death was getting stronger and stronger.
After the Queen became suddenly pregnant for the fourth time, the couple was happy, but they remembered what had happened before. "I'm so afraid, Bail," Breha said, snuggling with her husband Bail Organa in the bedroom. "It's the fourth time I'm pregnant."
"Everything will be alright this time, my love," Bail reassured, holding his wife fondly.
"But how can you be sure ?" she asked worriedly. "Last time, I almost died. It's liked I'm cursed or something."
"Don't be silly," Bail scolded her. "Trust me, I'll do everything to keep you and that baby safe. Now sleep, my dear, tomorrow in the morning, we will arrange an appointment with the best doctor on Alderaan."
With a soft smile, but also with a shadow of a doubt, Breha Organa closed her eyes and sunk into a deep sleep. Bail followed her example shortly after, not knowing that they were watched by someone.
When the morning sun woke them up, Bail noticed that the balcony door was opened, letting in a pleasant, cool breeze of air. He didn't remember leaving it open for the night. When he started to stretch on his bed beside his wife, to his shock, he noticed a grey-skinned person dressed in black. He sat on a chair in their bedroom and watched them with green-colored eyes. The thing that Bail noticed were two short, tentacle-like proboscises that sprouted from his cheeks.
"Good morning," he hid his probiscises in his cheek pockets and said to the stunned Bail Organa, who stared at him with his eyes and mouth wide opened.
"W-Who in the hell are you!? How did you get here!?" Bail asked with a demanding tone, waking up Breha, who clung to her husband with a sleepy and irritated look. "How dare you barge in here ?"
"My name is Darth Enigma," replied the Sith Lord. "And I'm here with a proposition that you'll find very interesting."
"Darth?! You are a Sith!" Bail stated loudly and immediately reached underneath his pillow, pulling out a blaster pistol. Before he could fire, the Sith casually extended his hand, yanking the gun from his hand with the Force.
"I'm a Sith Lord, that's true, but I have no intention of harming you, your wife, and especially..." he paused for a moment. "...your child. On the contrary, I want to help your child survive the fourth pregnancy."
"How do you know I was pregnant three times already?" Breha asked. "How do you know, I am pregnant now? We didn't tell anyone."
"And more importantly, why do you care?" Bail asked cagily. "The Sith care only for themselves, and I see no benefit for you here."
"That's a lot of questions, but I'll answer them. You're a Queen of Alderaan," Darth Enigma replied, looking at Breha. "Three miscarriages are quite a big deal, and it's easy to get such information about important people. The reason I know that you're pregnant is because my Master was the one, who put a baby in you."
"What?!" Bail Organa was ready to lunge at the Sith, but the Anzat spoke further. "Easy now. I didn't mean traditionally. Do you know who Anakin Skywalker is?"
"I do," Bail exhaled and confirmed. "He's a Padawan learner. So what?"
"He was born without a father, thanks to midi-chlorian manipulation," Darth Enigma explained. "My Master was the one who... let's say 'created him,' but he didn't completely have control over the process and he didn't know which female became pregnant. He wanted to hone his skills and needed a female to try again, so, he chose your wife, Queen Breha Organa. He's sure that a Force-sensitive child will survive the pregnancy, unlike the three others."
"What?!" the Queen was shocked. "You want to experiment on me?!"
"Yes, but after the child is born, it is yours without any tricks," Darth Enigma assured. "You want a child, and my Master wants to train his skills. It's a win-win situation. The only thing we need to do is check its state from time to time as my Master will focus his power."
"This is absurd! I should contact the Jedi Order immediately!" Bail Organa said angrily.
"Of course you can, I won't stop you," the Anzat replied with a shrug. "But keep in mind that my Master will stop using the midi-chlorians to keep the baby stable when you do that. No medical science is equal to the power of the Force, so there's a high chance your wife will have a fourth miscarriage." That was a lie since the midi-chlorians were already used to create the baby. Nothing would change after, but the Sith Lord was confident the royal couple didn't know that.
Seeing the uncertainty on their faces, Darth Enigma looked at the Queen and asked. "Do you really want to risk it and suffer once again? Can you handle the pain after your child dies before it could see the galaxy? And what will happen to your husband if you're gonna die in the hospital from grief?"
Bail sat silently in the bed for a few moments. "What do you want in return?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"My Master and I want nothing," Darth Enigma responded, shaking his head. "Consider the child a gift to our possible cooperation in the future."
"Can... can we talk about this in private?" Breha asked.
"Of course," Darth Enigma replied and stood up. "I'll be on the balcony, take your time." As he walked past the bed, the Sith placed the blaster pistol on the bedsheets.
When the couple was alone, Bail looked worryingly at his wife. "Breha... you're not really considering making a deal with a Sith Lord and to give birth to a baby that's not completely ours."
"Bail, I want to have a baby," she replied with a sad face. "I don't think I can handle another miscarriage. Besides, we never tried using anything other than normal doctors and medical treatments. Maybe this is what my body needs? Maybe... maybe the Force is the answer? Plus, it's not like he wants us to murder someone, do something evil, or against the Republic."
Bail wasn't sure about this. He never actually met a real Sith before in person, he only head stories about them from the Jedi Knights. Not to mention a deal with the ancient enemy of the Jedi Order sounded bad, but this Darth Enigma was different from what they've told him. Sure he looked sinisterly, but if he wanted to help and didn't want anything in return, it would be stupid not to try.
"Okay," Bail said tentatively. "If you really want this, then I agree."
Breha smiled and kissed her husband. Quickly they've removed their nightgowns and dressed in their everyday clothes. Holding hands, they've joined the Sith on the balcony. When Bail took a good look at the Sith Lord from up close, he noticed a few characteristic features. A long black hair, oblong-shaped face with green eyes, a bulbous nose, and flared nostrils. He could easily pass for a human.
"So, what's your answer?" he asked.
"We agree," they spooked simultaneously.
"That's an excellent decision," Darth Enigma commended. "I will visit you from time to time, checking if everything is alright with the baby. You could inform the guards about my visits so that I won't have to sneak inside the palace every time. See you later."
Darth Enigma hopped on the balcony railing, and with a backflip, he jumped down from the palace. Bail placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. "I really hope that this will turn up good for us," he muttered. Feeling his wife's hand on his shoulder, he turned his head only to see her smile. "Everything will be alright, I have a good feeling about this," she said. Bail smiled softly and hugged her, really hoping that the Sith will keep his promise and won't try anything evil.
When Darth Enigma was far away from the palace, he activated his comlink. "Master, come in."
After a brief moment, he heard the voice of Darth Plagueis. "Lord Enigma, did your mission was a success?"
"Yes, Master, the royal couple was easy to manipulate, especially the Queen," he said with a mischievous smile.
"Very good," said Darth Plagueis. "Proceed with the task as planned, do you understand?"
"Yes, Master," said Darth Enigma, ending the call.
Both Bail and Breha Organa didn't notice that Darth Enigma was gently and gradually influencing their emotions, making them more inclined to agree with his suggestions. He knew that a more subtle effect was more effective and permanent than just dominating their minds. Now all was prepared for their grand scheme.
Months passed, and the pregnancy continued without any problems, to the delight of Breha Organa. Bail, on the other hand, started to feel strange in the presence of Darth Enigma, who also noticed the human's strong will and wariness. He was rarely present on Alderaan because of his service on Coruscant as a Senator, but that worked in favor of the Anzat, who concentrated his delicate manipulations on the Queen, knowing that her maternal instincts were perfect, to wrap her around his finger.
There were a few times when Bail wanted to contact the Jedi in order to tell them about the Sith and their experiment. But he recalled the words of Darth Enigma. Despite the voice of reason, he decided to not risk his child's life. When he saw his wife so happy, he couldn't take away her joy and the only chance for them to have a baby.
Just as Darth Enigma predicted, after eight months, the girl already wanted to be born, but thanks to the advanced medicine, they could save the baby. Not wasting any time, Bail, Breha, and Darth Enigma took a landspeeder and headed to the hospital.
Present - 24 BBY – Planet Alderaan, Aldera – Capital of Alderaan, Outside The Aldera Universal Medcenter.
That was the longest eight mounts in Bail's life, and he prayed for the good ending of this story. His wife groaned in pain right next to him, tightening her grip on Bail's arm and digging her fingernails into his skin. Darth Enigma placed his hand on her shoulder, closed his eyes and tapped into the Force. Her breathing became slower and calmer, loosening her grip, her hand slid limply.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Bail asked, looking nervously at the Sith.
"Alleviating her pain, focus on the driving," the Anzat replied, but in reality, he used the Force to dominate her mind and make her more docile.
In the distance, Bail could see the Aldera Universal Medcenter. "Hang on, Breha, we're almost there," he said and gently placed his hand on her belly.
"My Master is surely waiting for us, he already informed the staff that we're coming," Darth Enigma stated. Bail didn't say anything only nodded slightly, he cared only for his wife's and child's health.
When they've finally arrived, Bail quickly got out of the vehicle to aid his pregnant wife."Carefully and slowly, Breha," said Bail helping her out of the landspeeder. Doctors and nurses, along with the medical droids, were already waiting for them, thanks to Darth Enigma's Master.
Darth Enigma, just like Bail, wasn't leaving the Queen's side for a moment. The human suddenly felt someone's hand on his shoulder, stopping him in midway. Turning his head, he saw a tall hooded figure, clad in a black hooded cloak. To look at his face, he had to tilt his head back. He recognized the yellowish Sith eyes and the Muun species.
"Your wife is in good hands, Prince Bail Organa," said the Sith Lord. "The medical staff and my apprentice will help her deliver a healthy baby."
"I presume you're the Master of Darth Enigma?" Bail asked, looking in the Muun's pale face. He knew the name Hego Damask, but for humans, all Muuns looked the same. Plus, he would never imagine that Magister of Banking Clan was alive and that he was a Sith Lord.
"Indeed," the Sith Lord replied, bowing his head slightly with a smile. "My name is Darth Plagueis, a pleasure to meet you."
Coruscant, Jedi Temple, High Council Tower, Council Chamber.
"You summoned us?" asked Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, standing next to his young Padawan, Anakin Skywalker.
"Mission for you, we have," replied Grand Master Yoda.
"We know that you've just finished your mission, but there is an important matter we want you to deal with," said Master Windu.
"No rest for the wicked," Anakin commented and attracted scolding glances from Obi-Wan and Master Windu.
"A few minutes ago, we received a holo message from the Medcenter on planet Alderaan," said Master Plo Koon. "One of the doctors informed us that Queen Braha Organa is going to give birth to a Force-sensitive child."
Obi-Wan arched his eyebrows and smiled. "Well, that's surprising and good news, but I don't think that's all."
"Yes, there is more," said Ki-Adi Mundi. "Apparently two Sith Lords are in the Medcenter as we speak. The doctor overheard that one of them used a midi-chlorian manipulation to create life inside the Queen. So that Force-sensitive child was created by the Sith."
"How is that possible?" asked Obi-Wan.
"We are not sure of that," said Master Eeth Koth. "This is a delicate matter, that's why I'll join you on this mission."
"We don't know what the Sith are planning, but it can't be a good thing," stated Ki-Adi Mundi.
"Travel to Alderaan, you will," said Master Yoda. "Investigate this matter, you shall."
"Maybe the Force be with you," added Master Windu.
Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed their heads and left the chamber, heading straight to the Jedi Temple hangar bay. "Finally, a real challenge," Anakin said with a smile. The thought of fighting the Sith Lords got him excited.
"You have to be calm, Anakin," Obi-Wan reminded, feeling his Padawan's excitement. "The Sith are enemies like you've never faced before, and besides, we're going to be at the hospital with the innocent people around us. Our priority is to protect them, not kill the Sith, which will make our mission even more difficult."
"I will deal with the situation as I always do, Master," said Anakin with a cocky smile.
"Yes, I know," replied Obi-Wan with a worried expression. "And that's why I'm so concerned."
Planet Alderaan, Aldera- Capital of Alderaan, Aldera Universal Medcenter.
"Ghaaahh!" Breha Organa was screaming from the pain, pushing the girl out. She lay on the medical bed, surrounded by the midwife droids.
"Come on! Just one more push!" encouraged the human doctor.
Darth Enigma, along with Bail Organa, watched the childbirth through the large glass window. The human breathed heavily nearly as much as his wife. "Please let it be alive and fine," he muttered to himself the whole time. The Anzat could feel the raw emotions emanating from the human.
With a long final scream, Breha Organa pushed the girl out. Lying exhausted and breathing heavily with groggy expression, she turned her face towards the window.
Bail quickly entered the room and heard the baby's cry. It was music to his ears. The girl and his wife were both alive. "The girl is tiny but alive," stated the doctor holding the girl in his hands. "She will be fine."
Bail took the girl from the doctor and held her gently in his arms. His eyes started to fill with tears when he looked at the tiny Organa. Approaching his wife, he kissed her on the forehead and placed his girl in her arms. She also started to cry from joy. It was the fulfillment of their dreams.
Darth Enigma also entered the room. "I think congratulations are in order," he said with a smile.
"Thank you very much," Queen Breha said with a tired, barely audible voice. Bail smiled and nodded to the Sith Lord. "I was wrong about you," he added. "Thank you."
"Everyone makes mistakes, even me," he winked and gestured towards the baby girl. "Make sure she'll become a smart Organa, just like their parents."
"Of course," Bail said with a nod. "Once again... thank you."
Before Darth Enigma said anything more, his Master, Darth Plagueis, entered the room. "Apprentice, we have to leave," he said with a grave look on his face. "One of the doctors notified the Jedi Temple and told them everything. The Jedi are on their way here as we speak."
"Oh, well, it's been fun," stated Darth Enigma nodding to the Organas.
"I'm sorry about the girl," added Plagueis before turning on his heel and leaving the room. "We tried to remain in hiding, but it didn't work out."
"Wait, what do you mean?" asked Bail narrowing his eyes.
Darth Enigma stopped in the doorway and turned his head to face the human. "The girl is a Force-sensitive, that means the Jedi will ask if you want to give her to the Jedi Order," he explained. "That should be solely your decision, and it would be in any other situation. But since she became a Force-sensitive thanks to the midi-chlorian manipulation of the Sith Lords, I don't think Jedi will ask for your consent. They may take away your child because they would accuse you of plotting with the Sith against the Republic. I'm sorry, that wasn't our intent." The Anzat left the room without any further words.
Bail's legs buckled after he heard those words, and Breha's hands began to shake. After all those months, after three miscarriages, they finally have a daughter, only for the Jedi to take her away.
"No!" Breha screamed with a surprising volume for someone who just gave birth.
Bail was completely confused and guided by fear. Normally, he would not believe that the Jedi would do such a thing, but he panicked. This wasn't a normal situation. He ran out of the room and caught the two Sith Lords. "Please wait, you have to help us!" he begged. "I don't want my daughter to be taken away, please, protect her! My wife will die of grief!"
Darth Plagueis stop and looked at the human. "You do realize that you are asking a Sith Lord, to protect you from the Jedi. I don't have to tell you how strange that sounds."
Bail sunk to his knees, his pride shattered. "I beg you, I'll do anything, just don't let them take my girl."
Darth Plagueis relished in Bail's negative emotions. His fear and sorrow were exquisite. "Go to your wife, I'll need to talk with my apprentice in private about this. This is a serious matter, as you can imagine."
"Y-Yes, of course," Bail muttered and complied.
When the two Sith Lords were alone, Plagueis chuckled evilly. "My apprentice," he said with a sinister smile. "I love when everything goes as planned." Both Sith Lords talked about the child and midi-chlorian manipulation near the doctor on purpose, knowing that he would contact the Jedi Temple.
"Indeed, the Prince of Alderaan is eating from our hands, like a good, little pet," Darth Enigma added. "Shall we continue with the plan?"
"Yes," Darth Plagueis responded with a laugh. "Let's help our... friends."
Please R&R ;)