Just as planned, the former inquisitors return to the imperials and observe the recovery of the Changeling and the Mon Calamari. The Changeling has already received a mechanical hand and the Mon Calamari is soon to have a new set of legs. Kara pretends to still be loyal to the Empire while Kadin masquerades as a stormtrooper. They learn quickly that the Mon Calamari might be ready for combat as soon as tomorrow; that is, assuming she can adjust to her mechanical legs in time. It seems as though Kara won't have to keep up appearances for very long.
During their stay, Kadin finds an opportunity to speak with the Mon Calamari unheard by any stormtroopers. "Luna, it's me, Kadin."
"Kadin?" she says drearily. "What are you doing in a stormtrooper uniform? I thought you weren't working for the Empire anymore."
"I'm not. And neither are you." Kadin tells Luna, the Mon Calamari, "Everything is going to be okay soon. We don't need to help the Empire anymore."
The Luna says, sounding less emotional than she is deep inside, "But won't they torture us for being disobedient."
"No one will torture us ever again."
"Not even the Togruta?"
"He's dead now."
Luna says, "Oh. That's a relief. He was never nice to me. So . . . we really don't need to help the Empire anymore?"
"Never again. I promise."
"Kadin?"
"Yes?"
"Do we have to fight for the Rebellion now? I don't think I want to fight anymore."
Kadin isn't sure what to tell her. Is there a place in the galaxy for her apart from the battlefield? Is fighting for the Rebellion the best future she can hope for or can she possibly escape it all? He wants to tell her in an upbeat voice that he'll do enough fighting for the both of them, but more than that, he wants to be honest with her. "I don't know. Just hang on a little longer. If there is a way for you to escape having to fight, we'll find it."
Just as Kadin speaks privately with Luna, so too does Kara speaks privately with the Changeling.
"Good news, Tetch; we're leaving the Empire," Kara says, not making it sound optional.
"What?" Tetch, the Changeling questions.
"I know this sounds crazy, but we're joining the guy who cut your hand off."
"Who else is in on this?"
Kara replies, "Turning sides was Kadin's idea. He's trying to talk Luna into it right now."
"What about the others?"
"We're not going to talk to Korrfrotuk about this yet and that Togruta of ours is dead."
"I'm in," Tetch replies.
Kara is dumbfounded by Tetch's quick willingness. She thought he would be apprehensive, all things considered. "You . . . are?"
Tetch takes a look at his mechanical hand and says, "I'm surprised Vader didn't kill me after what I pulled. His accomplice showed me more mercy that the Empire ever did, even when she was supposed to be my enemy. I'm in."
Ahsoka gets to work, attending to Vader's cut. As she looks at Vader's grey, scare ridden face, she tells him, "You know, there might be surgeries that would help your breathing. Although, they would probably won't be cheap."
"The expenses will be no obstacle. I have secret stashes of credits that the Emperor has never known about. My departure from the Empire will not leave me destitute."
"I can't imagine how much of a relief it would be for you to not have to keep that bulky suit on all the time. Not that it doesn't look good on you."
"It would be nice to be free from the necessity. Though perhaps I'll keep the suit." Vader hast to work up the nerve for this next part. "And I must keep the voice modulator . . . since it seems to be such a hit with the ladies," Vader says, calling back to how Ahsoka said she likes the way he talks now.
Ahsoka stops what she's doing and raises where her eyebrows would be if she had them. Did Darth Vader just flirt with her? Ahsoka can't help but laugh, giving Vader a warm look.
Vader wonders if there is any sound sweeter than a woman laughing.
Ahsoka tells him, "Well, the voice modulator is perfect, but you could stand a few upgrades."
"I know. Such has been long overdue."
"Let me guess, you never got the upgrades before because misery is the way of the Sith or something stupid like that?"
"Something stupid like that," Vader replies.
"If those secret stashes are enough for those upgrades, I'd say you've got a lot to look forward to."
This is exactly what Vader needed. The way Ahsoka takes about the possibilities, makes Vader a lot more optimistic.
Ahsoka says, "Oh, if you get that-" Ahsoka clears her throat and tries again. "When you get that surgery to fix your breathing . . . do you think you'll keep that sound?"
"Keep the . . ." Vader is pleasantly struck by the question. Ahsoka doesn't even seem to mind the ever present noise of his respirator.
"I mean, you wouldn't need to keep it on all the time, but it sounds scary; in a good way. You can still use it to intimidate imperials."
Vader can barely breathe. And not just because his helmet is off. Vader had thought that Ahsoka could never love him because of the damage to his body. But she has seen his face and she isn't disgusted. She has heard much of his respirator's sound and she wants to hear more? There is one more category of problem that has him worried. Fortunately, Ahsoka can guess what that is.
"I've noticed that your legs aren't very fast. But that should be an easy fix. With a little work, you might be glad to have mechanical limbs instead of real ones."
Vader was wrong before. There is a chance.
"All good," Ahsoka announces, finishing the bandages on Vader's head.
"Thank you," Vader says.
"Your welcome."
Vader wants to tell her right now that he loves her. But he knows he needs to prove himself to her. He has let her down before. He needs to pull himself together if he wants to be good for her. But now he knows he can.
Vader stands and picks up his mask. An hour ago, it would have dishearten him to see those lenses coming to reclaim his eyes. But now he feels no anguish as he puts the mask back on. Next he grabs the top piece and puts it back on.
There's that sound again.
Vader thinks to himself, "No longer shall I rot in my illusions of hopelessness. This is where I discard my inhabitations. I will prove myself to Ahsoka. No longer will I regard my value as worthless or disposable. I shall rise to the challenges set before me with confidence."
Over a comlink, Ahsoka and Vader hear Kadin tell them, "Luna and Tetch have agreed to join us. We just can't get them out of here until tomorrow."
Vader says, "That gives us more than enough to instill fear."
Much chaos.
Vader and Ahsoka go around the facility, fighting stormtroopers. Anyone who doesn't want to fight is told they can live if they hand over their weapons and agree to flee to the star destroyer. It is almost as if nothing can defeat the combined might of Darth Vader and Ahsoka Tano. Whenever they're surrounded, they fight back to back, not letting a single blaster bolt hit the other. After a while, they both decide to grab something to eat. The solution is storming a mess hall, clearing out the whole place for themselves. Not only does it give them a private diner, the loss of a mess hall also gives the imperials one more reason to leave. Vader can only eat for so long before he needs to put his helmet back on. He periodically switches between eating and wearing his helmet. Vader wouldn't let just anyone see him struggle to breathe as he eats, but he feels more comfortable about showing his vulnerability around Ahsoka. Having eaten enough, they go back to hunting for imperials.
They meet a group of over a hundred stormtroopers who have heard the stories of other battles around the facilities. This large group surrenders after losing only a few of their troops.
Vader tells them, "You are wise to lay down your arms. For you are in the presence of the legendary Ahsoka Tano."
Ahsoka knows that Vader is the one that the stormtroopers are really afraid of. Vader knows that, too. And Vader knows that she knows. But he wants to flatter her and she doesn't want to stop him. "Ahsoka has defeated Darth Maul and contented with the finest of Sith. She has won more battles than all of you have participated in. I would say Ahsoka could lay waste to twice your numbers blindfolded and with one arm tied behind her back."
Ahsoka giggles at the way Vader hypes her up.
Vader continues, "I will allow you all to run from her and tell the story of how you were all almost slaughtered by the great Ahsoka Tano if you board the star destroyer. But first, you all must pay your respects. Every last one of you shall say, 'We love you, Ahsoka.'"
"What!?" Ahsoka burst into laughing at the ridiculousness Vader speaks.
The Stormtroopers look at each other, uncertainly. Soon enough, the imperial stormtroopers start saying with unsteady voices, "We love you, Ahsoka."
"LOUDER!" Vader commands, his voice booming.
"WE LOVE YOU, AHSOKA!" over a hundred enemy soldiers shout for dear life.
"Good. You may go now."
Ahsoka puts her hands on her face, laughing uncontrollably. "What was THAHAHAT?!" she asks, smiling all the while.
"That was most effective," Vader says, proud of himself for getting her to laugh so much.
After a few more hours, Vader insists that Ahsoka get some sleep. He almost presents the idea of letting her sleep while he keeps fighting, but he resists, knowing she wouldn't have it. They find a safe place and each lay down. Vader offers to find a different room for himself to avoid the sound of his respirator keeping her awake, but Ahsoka insists that she'll be able to sleep. It takes a bit of complex arrangement, but Vader finds a way to lay comfortably despite the shape of his helmet making things awkward. Vader expects that he won't actually be able to get any sleep, let alone pleasant sleep. For a few seconds, he worries that troopers might break through the door, but he reminds himself that he's with Ahsoka and between the two of them, they are safe from whatever attack might come. Just thinking about how Ahsoka is so close to him and that they would protect each other makes his eyelids feel so heavy.
The next thing Vader knows, Ahsoka is shaking his arm, waking him from his sleep. "Good morning."
"How long has it been?" Vader asks.
"Eight hours. I thought about waking you sooner, but you looked so peaceful."
Eight hours?! Peaceful?! Darth Vader slept peacefully for eight hours without a hyperbolic chamber?! HOW?!
Vader and Ahsoka consider getting back to hunting for stormtroopers, but they are interrupted by Kadin calling them through the comlink. "We're ready whenever you are. Luna is still getting used to her new legs, but she can walk. Luna also wanted me to tell you she understands why you crushed her legs."
"That is good to hear," Vader replies.
Ahsoka asks, "Do you know where Valum is?"
"He is actually near us."
"Then our mission is near completion," Vader says. "We have already lessened their numbers, left them with only one inquisitor, and frightened them with our many victories. Valum's surrender will be the final straw that will convince them to leave."
Ahsoka says, "Kadin, wait for us to reach you before talking to Korrfrotuk about leaving the Empire. We don't want him to warn anyone or attack you guys if he doesn't want to come with us."
Kadin tells them where to find Valum and they work out the details of their plan. Vader and Ahsoka leave the room on their way to find Valum. But, suddenly, Vader falls to his knees and puts a hand on his helmet.
"Anakin? What's wrong?"
"Luke! My son is being tortured!"
All the way from Coruscant, Vader can hear Luke scream, "FATHER PLEASE!" Vader knows that something must have changed if Luke has reestablished their connection. Vader can see tell that Luke knows he has turned to the light.
"Luke! Where are you?!"
Luke doesn't speak. He can't talk to Vader about such details with whoever might be with him, administering his torture. Instead, Vader see flashes of images. He sees what Luke saw through a window. Vader knows now where to find Luke. "Luke, I will get you out of there as soon as I can!"
It's gone. Vader gets back to his feet, unable to see or hear anything from Luke.
Ahsoka looks at him concernedly. "Luke has been captured?"
"I . . . I think the Emperor got to him after you contacted me."
"We have to rescue him!"
"Ahsoka," Vader says with a heavy heart, "I can't stand the thought of Luke spending one more minute with the Emperor, but for we must complete our mission first. This facility could decide the victor of the Galactic Civil War. Luke is strong. He can hang on a little longer. But we must hurry."
Vader runs as fast as his legs will take him. Ahsoka could travel at twice his pace, but it's better that they stay together. As they run, Ahsoka thinks about how she expected Vader to want to leave immediately to rescue Luke. It appears that Vader is refusing to put his feelings first before the fate if the galaxy. Vader has taken what Ahsoka said to heart. They both know that Luke wouldn't want them to sacrifice the mission for him.
Vader and Ahsoka find a battalion of stormtroopers near Admiral Valum's location. Vader feels the urge to fight without patience; to rush passed their ranks, but he resists. He wants to finish the mission as soon as possible. But he knows that the best way to help Luke sooner is keep his mind sharp.
As Ahsoka and Vader fight a few rooms over, Admiral Valum is informed that they're on their way. Valum is just about to leave, but Kara is quick to stop him.
"Admiral, you should stay with me," Kara says. "I'll keep you safe from Darth Vader."
"Then you can accompany me as I leave," Valum replies.
"We don't need to run. I've defeated Vader once, I can do it again," Kara says, taking advantage of Valum's lack of information. "Besides, it's better for us to stay here behind the stormtroopers' line of defense."
Korrfrotuk tilts his head to the side. He grumbles something at Kara as he points first at Valum and then at a door.
Kara tells him, "Fine, I will."
Korrfrotuk marches out, leaving Valum with only Kara and a hand full of stormtroopers.
"What did the wookiee say?" Valum asks.
"He told me there would be consequences if I didn't keep you alive," Kara lies. She points to the same door Korrfrotuk had pointed to and says, "He also told me to watch the exit just in case."
"I see," Valum says, walking around to his desk. He pulls out a blaster from his hiding place and shoots Kara in the back without hesitation.
Valum knows Korrfrotuk's language. The real purpose of asking Kara for a translation was to test her honesty.
Kara falls to her knees, growling through gritted teeth and grabbing her lightsaber. She ignites the blade just in time to deflect the next bolt. She knows they need Valum alive, so she redirects the bolt at a stormtrooper instead.
Valum races toward the exit while shouting to the other troopers, "Kill her!"
Kara force-pulls a desk in front of her to act as cover. The stormtroopers open fire on the desk and her cover is broken in half by blaster bolts. Kara needs to act fast. She force-pushes the two halves of the desk to each crash into a respective stormtrooper. There is only one trooper remaining and Kara manages to deflect a blaster bolt back at him. Kara leans against the wall, miserable with pain. She grabs her comlink and tells the others, "Valum is getting away! He figured out I'm a traitor and shot me!"
Valum has a lot to think about as he runs. How can he stop Darth Vader at this point? Valum thinks, "There's no telling how many of those inquisitors have betrayed the Empire. I already have the Chiss and the Twi'lek confirmed. The only one I know is still loyal is the Wookiee. I might not have enough troops left to take care of them all. At least not willing troops. I've been hearing stories for two days about how many of them are dead and how the survivors are begging to leave." Valum reaches a door and opens it with his cylinder; the only cylinder compatible with this room. He rushes in and finds an electrostaff mounted on the wall. Electrostaffs were used by magna guards back in the days of the Clone Wars; most famously by the body guards of General Grievous. Electrostaffs such as this one are capable of blocking a strike from a lightsaber, giving its wielder a fighting chance against a Jedi. Valum takes the electrostaff staff off of the wall and activates its pulse-generating tips. Valum has made sure that this weapon is still in good condition. But this weapon won't be enough. Valum has dabbled in practicing with the electrostaff, but he cannot best any force-user in this facility and he would be a fool to think otherwise. "If only I could have gotten the Emperor's permission to reprogram a few magna guards for my protection." It sinks in for Valum that he is going to lose the Post-Separatist Holding Facility to Darth Vader. The staff isn't going to change that.
"But maybe I don't need to win the battle to help win the war," Valum thinks.
Author's Note; Kara, you had one job!
I've noticed that in a few other fanfictions about Vader redeeming himself, they tend to have Anakin go back in time and, in the process, undo his damage and regrow his limbs. I actually originally planed to have Vader go to a magic pool that can heal Light Side Force-users or kill Dark Side Force-users, but I decided to throw out that idea away because it was a very unrealistic solution to a very realistic problem. Don't get me wrong, I love stories with a lack of realism and I'm nowhere near being the realism police.
So the question is . . . what's more unrealistic? Magic time travel that regrows your limbs or a woman that wants to date a man that looks like that? I'M JOKING, I'M JOKING! CALM DOWN!
I feel like the magic time travel that takes away your physical flaws sends the message that you need to not have physical flaws to have a romantic relationship. And magic time travel isn't a real world thing so that might send the message that there aren't real ways for them to be happy in real life. I think the idea that you can find someone who isn't as bothered by your physical flaws is a much healthier message to send. It's more romantic if those Vader's scars are never going away and Ahsoka still loves him.
I mean, I understand the counter argument to this decision. From an eye-candy perspective, you might be asking, "But, MVP, why is it that we're always hearing about how hot the girl is and yet the boy looks like a broken gargoyle wrapped in a death robot?" And I will legitimize that question. There is kind of an imbalance in the eye-candy. Maybe I'll have Kadin take his shirt off or something.
Thank you for reading. Please comment and review.