Author's Note: Completing this was my NANO project for 2020; I was determined to finish it this year - and I almost did. It's been twelve years since I started it and it's about time; with scheduled writing time every Sunday, it means I've been adding to it little by little, week after week and I have several chapters written and edited over the last several weeks, except for the last two, including the epilogue - but they are scripted and outlined.

Thanks to everyone for sticking with me thus far; it's been a hell of a dozen years and the ride to the end is going to be a wild one.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 88

Vader's Flag Ship Exactor - Month Twenty Seven, Day Ten PEF

Unexpected mechanical complications on her ship postponed Asajj's departure, leaving her stranded on Exactor until the mechanics completed their diagnostics and, determined to keep out of Vader's way, she spent her time almost exclusively in her quarters.

Research and meditation carried her through the first couple of days, allowing her to center herself. Reaching her senses to the rest of the ship had shown cracks in the command structure; doubt was ebbing into the feelings of the command crew. Vader's presence remained a volatile and passionate maelstrom, as always. Around him, Asajj had felt Padmé's frustration; the anger and hurt driving the determination that had made her the compelling leader of their Rebel cell.

The cracks were there too.

Padmé and Vader were fracturing, slowly and Asajj knew they needed but a budge in the right direction to completely shatter.

It drove her to further her research, knowing that if she were able to present Obi-Wan's capture to Padmé, it would sunder them completely when Vader accomplish his goal of eliminating his old Master.

On day three, Asajj checked her preparations for her next mission, silently seething inside. As much as she wanted to get away and start on her next assignment, she also was loathe to pass up the opportunity that Padmé and Vader had presented her. Padmé would run, of that Asajj had no doubt, it was simply a matter of time now. She'd planted the seeds and seen them grow; Padmé was Vader's weakness, always had been, and if she was going to strike a blow against one, the other was the way to do it.

With Obi-Wan's capture a distant dream, for she hadn't been able to find much on his whereabouts, she turned to other options that might be viable and were closer at hand. Vader, she knew, hadn't told Padmé about the guest in their holding cell. He was still alive, so Asajj could only guess that Vader had plans for him that hadn't yet materialized. They'd entered hyperspace and were transiting to Naboo, though for what reason Asajj could only guess.

Vader hadn't been forthcoming in his terse message the evening before, telling her that the major mechanical issue on her ship wasn't likely to be fixed and she would be joining them on a brief stop over. Her assignment on the planet was to engage a small cell of known Jedi sympathizers and eliminate them as Vader spoke with the Queen. Easy enough since there were no Jedi known to be on the planet, but Asajj was wary. It felt like a trap and, when she'd said as much, Vader had cut the comm. line.

Which meant it was a trap.

So Asajj prepared herself for a landing that would be fought with peril, but peril she understood. As an experienced infiltrator, springing the trap her way was going to be fun. Preparing her blades, she took the opportunity to do an in-depth maintenance check and cleaning. Transit to Naboo would take the better part of the day and so Asajj took her time, disassembling the blades and cleaning each part with both a soft cloth and carbon scoring tools until they shone once more like new. And while the paired blades were a reminder of her current chains, she couldn't fault their craftsmanship. Her Master, if nothing else, was a superior craftsman when it came to lightsabers.

She was left alone, the way she preferred it, allowing her to slip into a Force trance as she worked.

The ship around her came to life, with doubt and certainty warring with fear and awe. She rode the emotional currents, feeding off the negative emotions and allowing their strength to calm and energize her. Vader's Force signature was brilliant and she shied away from it, not wanting to touch him even in that state if she didn't have to. He would know and she had no desire to tempt fate. She'd kept her word and stayed away from Padmé, for now, and Vader in turn had let her be.

However, once planet side, that had the possibility to change.

If Padmé learned of their destination and decided to escape the clutches of her darling husband, Naboo would be the perfect place for her to do so. Not only did Padmé know the planet but it was the one place Asajj suspected that Vader would be reluctant to pursue her with the methods he'd used to date. Especially once the populace knew that their beloved Senator Amidala was not dead as she'd been claimed to be.

Floating in the Force induced trance, Asajj focused her consciousness back on herself and the task at hand.

Whatever happened on Naboo would happen and if she was given a chance to eliminate the Lady Vader, she would gladly take it. For now, she would simply let the Force guide her on her yet-unseen path, confident that it would take shape before her and she would not hesitate when it did.

"Mistress Padmé?"

Not looking up from the data pad she was using to review her map, she still smiled for him. "Yes, Threepio, what is it?"

"There is a message for you, my Lady, from the Master."

A frown replaced the smile on her lips. "A message?"

"Yes, my Lady. He says he needs to speak with you about our next hyperspace destination."

"And he can't come back here to do so?"

"He has asked that you meet him in the training salle."

"No."

Threepio visibly jerked. "My Lady?"

"My answer is no, Threepio. I won't be sent for when he has a moment of time for me. If he can't come to see me here, I refuse to meet him at his convenience. You can call and message him that."

"Oh dear. He will not like this, Mistress."

"Good." Padmé turned back to her reading, made a change on an error she found and then locked the data disc, before removing it from the datapad. Anakin would likely come straight to her with his displeasure and she wasn't going to take the chance of him finding her map just yet. Replacing it with one of the novels he'd supplied to her months ago, Padmé placed the player on the table and pushed up from the sofa to go stand at the viewport. She planned to meet him head on and, when he returned to their suite, she was going to do just that. She was sick of being ignored and he was going to know it.

True to form, Anakin stormed back into their quarters less than ten minutes later. "Padmé!"

She turned from the viewport and promptly reminded herself to keep her eyes on his face and not on the sweat glistened muscles of his partly exposed chest. Clearly he'd been training. "Anakin."

"I know what you're doing and it needs to stop now. I don't have time for these games."

"Games? Really?"

"I asked that you join me in the training salle for a reason. You're refusing just to spite me!"

"I'm refusing because I'm not at your beck and call, Anakin. I'm not one of your troops, in case you've forgotten."

He paused as he approached her, his gaze narrowing at her even and controlled tone. "You're... considerably more calm about this than I expected."

And she was. Compared to the last time she'd confronted him and practically jumped down his throat, Padmé knew her calm demeanor would throw him off. It was why she'd chosen to approach this discussion rationally. Anakin needed to know he couldn't call and expect her to come; she wasn't a pet to be showered with attention, or ignored, at his convenience. "Shouting has gotten me nowhere," she told him evenly. "I'm hoping that approaching this with a level head will get my frustration through to you."

Anakin cocked his head at her. "I know you don't like being stuck in our suite, Padmé, but I promise it's only temporary."

"So you keep saying." She counted back in her mind from five. "I don't see any proof of that."

"I can't give you proof," he sighed, running a hand through his hair and giving it a shake. "Especially not now."

"Why not? I'm not asking for much, Anakin; just a little freedom."

"That freedom could get you killed if the wrong person sees you, Padmé. I haven't spent the last few months trying to win you back only to lose you now."

She exhaled, wanting to tell him that he was close to losing her regardless, but it wasn't the discussion for it; that would come later. "You can't protect me forever, Anakin. I'm always going to be in danger. Be it from the Empire and the Emperor who want me dead and have put a price on my head, or from the bad wiring on a repair that makes the landing gear on my starship fail. I could even fall down a flight of stairs, if we're ever somewhere that has them again."

"Not if I can help it."

"My point," she told him evenly, "is that you can't protect me from life. I've been protecting myself for a long time. I just need you to trust me; to recognize that I can take care of myself."

"I didn't come here to debate if you can take care of yourself, Padmé; I know you can, in a variety of circumstances. It's one of the things that made me fall in love with you," he flashed her a boyish smile that quickly disappeared. He examined her for a moment. "The reason I asked you to come and see me is that I wanted to let you know we're headed for Naboo."

Her stomach clenched and the room swam for a moment as she took in his words, the images of her family spinning around in her mind's eye. Family that thought her dead; family that was incomplete with Luke and Leia still missing. "No."

"No... what?"

"I'm not going to the surface, Anakin. I can't."

"I wasn't going to ask you too."

Padmé registered the confused relief in his expression and understanding dawned belatedly. He'd been prepared to fight her on this, thinking she would want to go to the surface. "Then why did you want to talk to me about it?"

"I... thought I was going to have to talk you out of wanting to visit."

"They think I'm dead, Anakin. And for all intents and purposes, I am until I can locate Luke and Leia." Padmé gave a shake of her head and wrapped her arms about her middle, trying to fight the feeling of frustrated helplessness that was swift and fierce in its return. "I refuse to set foot on Naboo again until I have them safely in my arms to make the trip and meet their grandparents."

"Padmé-"

"Why are you going?"

"The government is in a state of flux," he paused, and Padmé could see him choosing his words carefully. "I'm going to remind the new Queen and her cabinet where their loyalties should lie."

Padmé needed nothing more to understand the purpose of their trip. Reading between the lines, she could see that the Queen and her cabinet were openly questioning the Emperor and his policies. She'd seen the start of it before her capture and silently applauded the young woman on the throne; following your principles was never easy, especially in the face of such power. Disappointed through she was, she couldn't help but admire the Emperor's shrewd choice. To send Anakin, once the savior of Naboo, to speak with the Queen and her cabinet, was political genius. "If you didn't want me to go, why bring it up, Anakin?"

"I'm not so thick to think you won't recognize Naboo from orbit the moment we enter it, Padmé."

"Good." She swallowed hard. "Do you know how long we'll be there?"

"If everything goes according to plan, no more than a couple of days. I swear to you that we won't stay any longer than absolutely necessary."

"Thank you, Anakin." Waving her hand at his chest, she arched an eyebrow. "If there's nothing else, should I let you get back to your work out?"

"I'm rather enjoying this part of it," he returned flirtatiously, taking a step towards her; a step that could only be described as stalking. "It's the first time we've had a real conversation since we got back from Dandoran."

"Don't mistake civility for acceptance, Skywalker," Padmé shot back immediately, taking up a fighting stance. She refused to let him charm her, especially before they'd had a chance to completely discuss her concerns and get some real answers. "I fully expect you to answer my questions about Lianna, Umgal, Belkaden, Balmorra and Eridau. I know you don't want to talk about them, you've been dodging me ever since I brought them up. Are you ready to answer my questions?"

Her words stopped him cold and there was a faint yellow tint to his ice blues as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. It was gone when he looked at her again. "I can't explain right now, Padmé. Isn't that enough?"

"No. No it's not, Anakin. I told you I wanted to be treated as an equal and not a bird in a cage. You've promised I'm not, but you give me no reason to believe you. Until you can explain why you've pushed me away and what Asajj meant by listing the names of these planets, I can't think of this room, of this suite, as anything but a cage. You're still trying to protect me. You can't protect me from the truth."

"It's more complicated than than I can't go into it right now."

"And the visitor Asajj mentioned? Can you talk about them?"

"Soon," he promised, turning away and heading back to the main door of the suite. "I promise, Padmé, once we're done at Naboo, I'll be able to answer your questions."

"I'm going to hold you to that, Anakin."

Pausing before opening the door, he glanced back at her, his expression completely unreadable. He then left without another word.

Padmé watched the door close and returned to her sofa, curling up in the corner and pulling a pillow to her chest in an effort to stop the trembling of her limbs. Ducking her head she pressed her lips to the pillow and, taking a deep breath, screamed.

Naboo - Month Twenty Seven, Day Ten PEF

Late Afternoon

The transition to Naboo was about as eventful as any hyperspace trip.

Asajj reported to the hangar bay, dressed in the borrowed scout kit she'd been instructed to wear, her regular clothes and her lightsabers tucked discreetly beneath the armor at the small of her back. Once they'd landed, she'd split off from the group to search for the cell after Vader's address to the Queen. Vader's honor guards was waiting at the foot of the Lambda class shuttle that would be taking them to the surface, clearly waiting for their Master. Asajj bypassed the line from behind and took up the empty position near the ramp.

Vader appeared, dressed in what Asajj had taken to calling his war-look in her mind. His clothes were those of the Republic hero he'd once been. She could only imagine what Padmé had thought of seeing him dressed that way once again and it was all she could do to prevent a smile that the thought of the fight that surely had ensued. Padmé wouldn't have wanted him to appear before the Nabooian Queen in such garb, of that she was certain, but Asajj was also certain Padmé would understand the move for what it was.

Vader was going to remind the Nabooian monarchy what they owed him as their savior from the Trade Federation embargoes and the Blue Shadow Virus and use it as leverage to bring them in line with the Empire's directives.

The image of him striding towards the troops was so reminiscent of their clashes during the Clone Wars, complete with Artoo trundling along just behind him, that Asajj had to stop herself from looking around for Obi-Wan as a shiver of dread ripped down her spine. The man striding confidently towards the shuttle was everything the Hero with no Fear had always been. And while Asajj well understood the illusion for what it was, Vader's approach to the shuttle was almost nostalgic. Until she'd been forced to serve him, she'd never completely understood how much wickedness his charming and handsome façade had concealed.

Striding across the deck, Vader stopped as the troops snapped to attention and then slowly stepped forward to inspect them. Asajj followed their example, knowing he'd see through her disguise, but also that it was necessary for their plans. When Vader reached her, he paused, nodded once, and then continued into the shuttle. The head of the detachment broke formation. "About face!"

As one, the line turned, Asajj with it.

"Forward, march!"

And, just like that, they marched into the ship. The military precision ended there as the troopers took their places, Asajj making her way to the cockpit as she was Vader's copilot. He didn't so much as glance her way as he was flipping the switches for the pre-flight check.

"Artoo, systems check."

The droid toodled from his place at the secondary controls and then whistled affirmative noises back to Vader as Vader began running through the systems. Asajj was happy to be ignored as she quickly went through the secondary systems check, cross checking her numbers as Vader and the droid completed theirs. A quick check of the safety controls showed the troopers in the back had secured themselves in, confirmed with a visual inspection via camera.

"Secondary systems?"

"Green."

Vader flipped the toggle for closing the access ramp and then the engines fired to life even as he flipped on the comm. "Tower, this is Shuttle 2214518 requesting departure clearance."

"Shuttle 2214518, this is Tower. You're cleared for departure pending a status check."

"Status is five by five, Tower. Departure confirmed."

"The bay doors are open and the pattern is clear. Happy hunting, sir."

Shutting off the comm. Vader adjusted the controls and the shuttle lifted off the platform without any of the usual grace of Vader's other vehicles. Despite this, he handled it perfectly, using a firm touch on the controls to coax the engines to give just enough thrust to propel them slowly through the grav field and into space. Once free of gravity, the ugly duckling of a shuttle lost its awkwardness as Vader flipped her over and sent her straight towards the planet's atmosphere.

The trip to the surface was uneventful and quiet, to Asajj's relief, as Vader seemed focused on the task at hand and wasn't looking for idle chit chat. It suited her fine as she took the opportunity to review her tasks once on planet.

They landed on Naboo without incident, using the main plaza in front of the Theed Palace as a landing pad. A deliberate show of power in disregarding the city's direction to a designated landing pad. Vader was clearly here to make a statement and it wasn't just to the young Queen.

After assigning four of the troops to guard the ship, the other eight, which included Asajj in their number, took up their roles as honor guard. Staying with Vader's contingent, Asajj kept time with the troopers as they paraded behind Vader in a perfect march towards the Palace. She did nothing to draw attention to herself at the back of the column, her paces in time with the other three scout troopers. Troopers, she knew, that weren't actually troopers; they were clones from the clones wars who remained loyal to their former General. Vader's reminder to her that she wasn't his only asset on planet.

They arrived at the base of the palace steps to growing and swelling crowds lining the streets to watch the procession. Vader's droid was with him as they matched, the flair of their arrival having drawn the people out in droves. Some cheered upon seeing him and Vader lifted his hand to wave, flashing an almost boyish smile to those as the cheering increased. A chant began among the people as they realized that the Hero of their planet had returned. No matter, it seemed, that he had returned with an honor guard of troops, his very presence seemed to lift the spirits of the people.

It was with that flair they arrived at the based of the stairs. Queen Apailana and her handmaidens and honor guard stepped out from the building as Vader climbed the first five steps and then turned to the crowd, raising his arms with a wave and a salute. The wind tousled his long hair, the sunlight striking his handsome face and illuminating his charming smile. Asajj watched with disdain as the people cheered and welcomed him. Her esteem of the people sank even further as Vader began to speak, amplifying his voice so it carried across the square.

"Good people of Naboo, I return to you today in triumph!" A deafening cheer followed and Vader laughed, visibly enjoying the adulation. "It is a triumph over instability and lawlessness. A triumph over inequality. As the home of our great leader, Naboo will reap the benefits of progress and industry for it is first among worlds and first among our allies. Good people, I bring you a message of continued hope and a promise of peace. Naboo will never again go unprotected, to be taken advantage of by those who would profit from your suffering. This is the Empire's promise and pledge to the people of Theed. This is my promise."

The wave of cheers that followed nearly had Asajj clapping her hands over her ears despite the helmet on her head. Clearly beloved by the people, Vader waved and smiled again before turning to resume his trek up the stairs. The troops and Asajj followed, taking up the honor guard positions at his back, Vader's steps continued to be cheered as he approached the Queen. When they finally reached her, he bowed formally to her, causing another wave of cheers for the visible sign of respect, but Asajj could see the tightness around the Queen's lips and the way her eyes flashed when Vader spoke to her and no one else could hear.

The Queen then turned and led the way into the palace, Vader falling into step beside her as her guards took up their formation around her. Asajj and the other scout troopers augmented that group as the other four troopers took up guard positions at the top of the stairs. The palace was much as the holo news had portrayed it, but Asajj refrained from looking around, despite it being her first visit to the Royal residence. Generally, when she'd been to Naboo, her travels had been to places less well appointed.

"You speak very prettily, Lord Vader," Queen Apailana told him as she settled into her throne. "And you appears to still hold sway in the hearts of the people."

"They well remember all that was done to secure their freedom, Queen Apailana; I am simply here to remind you of that."

"Your past actions years ago do not excuse the behavior of the Empire," one of her advisors snapped hotly. "The atrocities that is has committed in the name of peace are appalling."

Vader slanted the man a look out of the side of his eyes and Asajj could see the way the blue of his irises were starting to bleed into light green, on their way towards golden. "If you speak of the loss of your Senator Amidala, Advisor, know that I am searching for her murderer and I will not rest until they are dead."

"That doesn't give you the right-"

"It gives me the only right I need, Advisor." Vader's words were soft, lethally so. "An attack on a citizen of Naboo, especially such a prominent citizen and hero, is an attack on the Emperor himself. Naboo is his home planet, did you think this act would go without reprisal?"

The Advisor looked as if he was going to continue speaking, but the Queen broke in. "Lord Vader, we are well aware of out status as his home world. This status has cost us trading partners and there are complete systems who will no longer deal with us as a result. Many people are without work, their ships sitting idle on their launch pads, the social system is overwhelmed by requests for aid. The people are starving in outlying cities and towns. How would the Empire assist its people with these concerns?"

Asajj was not surprised by Vader's reply, inwardly disgusted by the way the Queen had opened herself to it.

"The Empire is not entertaining local governance, Queen Apailana." Asajj could hear the implied not yet in his words and she would wager good credits so could everyone in the room. "I can ensure that you are connected with all of our trading partners."

"That is most gracious of you, Lord Vader." the Queen inclined her head. "What will this information cost us?"

"I will have the names of the planets who refuse to trade with you. The situation must be addressed appropriately."

"We will consider your most generous offer, my Lord."

He chuckled. "It is not an offer, your Majesty; I will have the names of those who refuse to trade with you, one way or another."

"Are you threatening me, Lord Vader?"

"Never, your Majesty," his smile turned charming, his voice smooth, and Asajj recognized that he was starting to lose his patience. His mask had improved since she'd last seen him negotiate. "Simply informing you that your cooperation in this matter is not only appreciated but promptly expected for the good of the Nabooian people. How can I keep my promise to protect all of you if you will not give me the information I need to ensure a resumption of much needed commerce?"

"Names of new trading partners will suffice."

"Those worlds who refuse to trade with you are guilty of treason, your Majesty. If they are not dealt swiftly, more might dare to cut ties with Naboo, leaving you in a much worse position than you are now."

"They are entitled to their political opinions, Lord Vader; is that not the purpose of the Senate? Naboo has always stood for justice and peace; punishing them for observing the same values would be hypocritical and counter productive." The Queen smiled and inclined her head, but Asajj could see there was no joy in either movement. "Naboo requires no assistance from the Emperor or the Empire; we are a hearty people and will find our own way. We will survive."

"You're making a mistake, your Majesty."

"My only mistake, my Lord, was in thinking that the Empire would help without putting a price tag on it. Thank you for coming; my advisors and I will discuss your... offer. Good day, Lord Vader."

Clearly dismissed, Vader bowed to the Queen. "I hope you'll make the right decision, your Majesty. Emperor Palpatine would be very disappointed to hear that the people he holds closest to his heart chose to suffer instead of accept aid. Good day."

Vader led the way out of the audience chamber, Artoo silently beside him, and Asajj watched, the last of the troopers to leave, as the advisors surrounded the Queen in a sudden clamor or noise.

Good bye, your Majesty, she thought wryly. Vader wasn't one to be thwarted and Asajj was certain the Queen's attitude would have dire consequences should she not fall in line with Vader's instructions quickly. It wasn't unknown for the Empire to dispose of leaders who were arrayed against them and, if Asajj was reading the young ruler right, she wasn't going to cooperate.

A shame.

Asajj would regret having to kill her.

Vader led them back to the antechamber before the stairs and turned to her and the clones in the scout trooper armor. "You know what to do."

They saluted without saying a word, and the people cheered as Vader appeared again, raising his hands in acknowledgement of their adulation. He started down the steps, and Asajj and her partner broke one way while the other paid of scout troopers went the other, along the outside of the stairs. They skirted the edges of the crowd as they reached the landing, Vader stopping to greet the people. With their attention firmly on their former savior, Asajj and her partner slipped around the outside, playing the part of a perimeter sweep. As they neared the shuttle, she slipped into one of the many alcoves along the wall, her partner taking up watch.

Within moments, she had shed the armor for the local garb hidden underneath, her lightsabers still firmly strapped to the small of her back, she emerged and joined a throng of people leaving the square. Listening to their comments, she was surprised to hear as many negative comments about Vader as positive. Naboo's population, despite having welcomed him, had strong opinions as to how his career had evolved. She paid little attention to the snippets, only noted that those who appeared to be more well off, seemed more in step with his decisions.

Leaving the mass of people, Asajj worked her way to the outskirts of Theed. According to the information that Vader had provided her, a trap of a meeting had been set in the wilderness just below the palace, just below the cloud line above the base of the falls. It would take her the better part of the rest of the afternoon to make the trip on foot, especially if she didn't want to be seen. Wasting no time, she planted her feet on the path and set her course.

Everything pointed that this was a trap, the information a little too convenient, and Vader sending her in his stead, was but one way to ensure the ruse was unsuccessful.

Darkness fell before she reached her destination, yet the lights of the city and Palace above along with the ambient reflections off the water lit her way. She didn't rush, aware that the meeting time was set for early morning, and instead evaluated as she went. The terrain was moist and covered in a sheen of water the lower she went, making the footing treacherous but the path necessary. Few would venture this way without some kind of vehicle, which would garner her the element of surprise.

All the more exciting if she was successful; it would give her prey no chance to defend themselves.

Night passed slowly as she descended into the near blindness of the cloud line, slipping once on the rocks and nearly going over the ledge, saved only by a jagged outcropping that tore into her left bicep. Blood flowed as she clutched the outcropping, staring into the nothingness below and suddenly began to wonder if she shouldn't have taken the chance on discovery with a vehicle and attempted the climb from the bottom up.

Too late now.

Catching her breath, she gritted her teeth as she pulled herself back to solid ground. Tearing a piece of cloth from her shirt, she took the time to bind the wound after examining it closely. Nothing to be done about it now and she didn't carry a medkit; it would have to wait until she returned to the Exactor or the shuttle. Using her teeth to ensure she had a firm knot, Asajj tested her range of motion to find a slight numbness in her fingers but nothing that was cause for concern in taking on a party of Rebels, no matter how well equipped.

Unless they had a Jedi.

Even then, Asajj was confident in her abilities; Jedi or no Jedi, the cell she was stalking would end tonight. Few true Jedi remained and those that did were more content to hide than take action. Those that had taken action were mostly dead. Stepping down to the next visible ledge, Asajj redoubled her caution and it paid off, the level of clouds clearing several feel later to provide a clear view of a camp, one occupant, on a ledge next to a speeder. A heater unit sat before the man - and could see the shadow of a beard from her vantage point - and a tent just beyond him.

Her descent through the clouds had paid off, placing her behind and above the individual in front of the flickering heater, and she carefully picked her way down, sliding into the shadows behind her. Cloaked in an impression of emptiness, she approached the individual and ignited her lightsaber at his neck line. "Move and you die."

"We all die sometime, my dear Ventress."

The familiar voice nearly put her back on her heels as she rounded the chair to look into the familiar face of one elusive, and impossibly present, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"I am rather surprised to see you working with him. I must say I am a little dismayed after all our encounters; I truly believed you favored me."

She laughed softly, falling back into the sheer pleasure of bantering with a worthy opponent. It was one of the reasons she'd enjoyed facing Obi-Wan so much as opposed to Anakin before his ascension to his position as the Emperor's right hand. "Given the choice, I might have." Asajj retorted a little more harshly than she intended. She pushed on. "The information we received stated a Rebel cell was meeting, Kenobi; clearly a trap for him."

"And so he sent you."

"He wouldn't have if he had known you would be here. He searches for you."

"I know."

"Then why appear here, why now?"

"He searches the galaxy for something he will never find."

"And as an old friend you simply came to urge him in the right direction?"

"Encourage him to give up, actually," Obi-Wan chuckled. "He will never find what he seeks."

"You cannot know that."

"Perhaps I misspoke? It's been so long since I had the pleasure of adult company, I think my skills may be rusty."

"You have them." Asajj was suddenly struck with the certainty. "You have Luke and Leia. Vader will kill you."

"He will try." Obi-Wan acknowledged. "Just as you seem poised to do, my dear."

"We all have objectives, my dear Obi-Wan; while your death is one of mine, it will not be here or now." She extinguished her lightsaber and stepped back, keeping it in hand and at the ready, but not ignited. "I dare say if I kill you before I rid him of his heart, it will not have the same impact."

"She lives?" Obi-Wan paused for barely a moment, following her cryptic comment as she'd known he would. "You have Padmé?"

"Not I."

Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully, watching her from his still relaxed position by the heater unit. "Is she well?"

"Well enough. Caged as she is, there is little she can do. Before you seek to rescue her, Obi-Wan, know that she is beyond your reach at the very center of the krayt dragon's nest."

"She is a strong woman; if anyone can curb him, it is Padmé." He waved to a stump nearby. "Sit, my dear. We have much to discuss."

Asajj reluctantly sat, but it was an opportunity she hadn't expected to get. "She seeks her children and you Obi-wan; she has since she woke from the coma. She knows you were there before they were taken."

"You've spent much time with her, have you?"

"Several months before her capture, we worked together as part of a Rebel cell."

"And now you both work with him. Interesting."

"Your capture would end my servitude."

"So certain of that, are you?"

"Your death, then," she flashed him a smile. "Your capture would allow him to take the credit for your death."

"I am so pleased the subject of my demise has brought a smile to your face, my dear. It is unlike you to be so dour."

"I can't let you leave."

"You cannot afford to let me stay," Obi-Wan countered with a half smile. "If I do not leave, the location of Padmé's children will forever remain unknown."

"And if I let you leave, you will have some cleaver way to escape detection or being followed, no doubt."

"I see the years haven't dulled your wits, my dear."

"Nor yours." Asajj considered him for a moment, looking for any clues as to where he'd been the last two years. His clothing was the same as it had always been -a tan tunic and breeches. He'd lost the Jedi robes, but still favored the cream colors. His suit, however, looked worn. His boots had seen better days, dried sand and dirt around the base of his chair. No lightsaber was visible, but Asajj wasn't stupid; he'd come to lure Vader and Vader had already tried to kill him once. He was armed; she simply couldn't see where. Her gaze traveled upwards to his chin-

"As much as I appreciate being admired by such a capable woman, perhaps we should continue our conversation?"

Eyes snapping back to his, she found one of his eyebrows arched in a sardonic tilt. "A lady takes her pleasure where she can, my dear." Pushing to her feet, she stared at him. "You won't allow yourself to be captured?"

"Not this night, no."

"I can't let you leave." Repeating herself, Asajj wasn't sure who she was trying to convince, him or her.

"And yet, it is the only thing you can do, my dear." Obi-Wan stayed where he was, bending forward to warm his hands at the heater unit. "All this damp," he explained when she stared at him in surprise. "It takes some getting used to."

"Leaving empty handed is not my only option, my dear Obi-Wan."

He sighed. "I did not say empty handed, did I?"

Asajj was forced to react swiftly as a satchel was thrown at her. She looked from it to Obi-Wan and back. "And this is?"

"Several identification cards for as of yet unreported Rebel sympathizers."

"You would sacrifice-"

"They're dead."

Which was more in line with what she knew of Obi-Wan; that he appeared to remain unchanged was oddly comforting. "He may choose to seek retribution on their families."

"Which is why I chose only those with no known relatives, or those who lost every relative in the wars. They should suffice to give your report of a Rebel camp eliminated, yes?"

"You couldn't have known he would not come."

"He didn't know I would be here," Obi-Wan reasoned, smiling faintly. "He has always been able to sense a trap. If he came, we would now be fighting. I suspected he would not; a known Rebel cell on Naboo is to be expected with her history."

Asajj turned to go.

"And Ventress?"

"Yes, Obi-Wan?"

"If you can avoid telling him about our interlude, I would consider it a personal favor."

"I owe you nothing," she told him curtly. "Next time we meet, Obi-Wan, one of us will die."

"Then we had best not meet; it would pain me to have to kill you. May the Force be with you, my dear."

"Hide well, my dear Obi-Wan." she returned as she stepped back into the shadows.

Naboo - Month Twenty Seven, Day Eleven PEF

Late Morning

Morning was almost gone by the time Asajj made her way back to the square where the shuttle was still parked, satchel of the Rebel ID cards slung over her shoulder. Her fingers were almost completely numb and the arm ached around the cut. The crowds had all but vanished, leaving the shuttle alone with its guards. She made her presence known to the scout trooper guards and slipped onboard, heading straight for the medkit's storage.

She found the medic of the group going through the kit, sorting it and taking inventory.

"Must you do that now?" She all but snapped as she stopped in the doorway. "The contents haven't changed since we landed."

"Imperial requirements, Lady Ventress," the trooper replied easily, continuing to sort without looking up. "They require an inventory a set number of days unless engaged in battle."

"And even then sometimes, I'm sure," she tossed back caustically and then, almost conversationally. "I require it's use to bind an injury."

The medic's head snapped up and his eyes widened as he took in the bandage around her bicep and the blood streaking her arm. His expression immediately turned clinical. "Upper arm injuries are difficult to treat one handed, my Lady; may I?"

Exhausted, she settled into one of the jump seats and offered him her arm; it was the fastest way for her to be able to get some shut eye and she wasn't about to refuse the help. "Do it."

The medic was as quiet as he was efficient and within a few minutes her arms was cleaned, closed and covered in a bacta patch. A shot for the pain and antibiotics for infection and she was pronounced all patched up.

"Thank you, trooper." Standing, Asajj turned towards the cockpit, needing to catch a few hours of sleep but unwilling to do so until she spoke with Vader. If he was free and she didn't report, she knew the worst of the damage he could inflict. "Where is Lord Vader?"

"With the Queen, my Lady. Their meeting is to begin at mid-day; any minute now."

And she wasn't expected to attend. Excellent. "I'll be in the cockpit. I'm not to be disturbed until his return, is that clear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good." Sealing herself in the blessedly empty and quiet cockpit, Asajj settled into the co-pilot's chair and closed her eyes. Later, she would give her report to Vader; later, she would decide if she should tell him about Kenobi or not. For now, she needed to sleep and sleep was quick in coming.

Naboo - Month Twenty Seven, Day Eleven PEF

Mid Afternoon

"Ventress."

Her eyes snapped open at the sound of Vader's voice and Asajj was on her feet before she was fully awake. "Master?"

"Report."

"Re-" she struggled to come out of the sleep within which she'd been captured, dreaming of her discussions with Obi-Wan over the years. For all he'd been her enemy, he'd always, always afforded her a measure of respect few others had. It had taken their meeting earlier to dredge up her memories. Struggling to pull herself from them, she focused on the stern looking man in the doorway and kicked the satchel that Obi-Wan had give her to him, spilling the contents across the floor. The bloodied contents, she realized suddenly. Several of the identifying markers were crusted with blood and body parts. Not for the first time did she wonder where they'd come from.

She kept her face impassive, inwardly cursing herself for the rookie mistake; she should have inspected the contents before Vader's return.

Kneeling, she collected the badges back into the sack, committing some of the stranger alien races to memory. Fortunately, she'd encountered all of them in Rebel cells before and if Vader searched her memory, she'd be able to bring up the battles. Vader, however, didn't seem inclined this morning as he picked a few of the chits from the satchel and examined them, his eyebrows rising as he carded through the identifiers.

"Did they give you any trouble?"

"No, Master."

"Good," he tucked the identifications back into the satchel and passed it to Artoo behind him. "Find somewhere to put that, Artoo."

The droid toodled and trundled away.

Vader stepped into the cockpit and closed the door, making Asajj take a step backwards; she didn't like be trapped with him in small spaces.

He didn't seem to notice as his gaze was on the main viewport and the Theed Palace directly before them. "The Queen has chosen not to follow my advice in surrendering the names of the traitor governments who have refused to trade with Naboo. I've identified one of her handmaidens that can be molded to the Empire's way of thinking. Regrettably, the Queen will need to be eliminated. Not today; we will depart as planned and you will return in secret." his gaze finally found hers. "Three nights from now the handmaiden in question will be visiting family; the rest of the Royal household and all of the advisors will, regrettably, meet an unexpected end at evening session. Ms. Kylantha will have the Empire's full support in her candidacy for becoming the next Queen."

"Yes, Master."

"We leave this evening after dinner. We're dining with the Queen and her ministers as a show of good faith."

"Yes, Master."

Vader turned and exited the cockpit, leaving her alone.

Asajj considered what she'd just been told and smiled faintly. Three days hence she would be no where near Naboo and several of her known Rebel sympathizers will have vanished in the accident that killed the Queen and her advisors. Checking the chrono, she calculated how much time she would need and nodded. It was possible. With the invitation into the Palace, it would put the focus on Vader and his escort. To put her plan in motion, she would shadow them into the Palace without being seen, giving her the access necessary to set her plan in motion.

If everything went to plan, three days hence Naboo would be in mourning and the Empire would have an open door to placing their puppet ruler on the throne.