Redemption

by anonymoususers21

Watching on as Vader's remains burned to ashes Anakin feels that the galaxy isn't yet ready for whats next to come. An opportunity is provided to allow him to fix what he had done and he takes the chance to redeem himself in stride. Long story still in production, lots of tie ins to Legends work. Overpowered characters if thats what you're into.

14. Truth and Leaving Naboo

Chapter 14 Truth and Leaving Naboo

Author's note:

Ok, I have to respond to some reviews cause honestly I feel that people have read like the first 12 out of like maybe 60 plus or so chapters that I'll hopefully right and made a lot of assumptions. As a preface, there's a lot of great reviews too that I appreciate and have me think on what I missed and wish I'd fixed as well as parts I read from other fics and materials that make me want to fix things. But I'm usually quite adamant on certain things. One thing in particular is that Vader is a bad guy, Anakin was a good guy. But ultimately Anakin became Vader due to a series events machinated by Sidious through the manipulation of his feelings and his heart. Which is what Father had told him to be careful of. Following his feelings to me was good, as not doing so would be against who he is as a person. But letting it go to the extent it did where out of fear and the isolation he felt he turned to no one but the chancellor despite the care he might have received from the man was foolish in my head. Because honestly to me his love for Padme would've been enough to reach out to others. In regards to being an Obi-Wan "shill" I honestly hated a lot of the actions Obi-Wan did including how he was raised as a padawan and how he cut down but didn't finish off Anakin in the end of the third prequel. By actions that Obi-Wan takes I refer to the time Obi-Wan took protecting Luke as well as visiting Shmi's grave on Tatooine to apologize for his actions. I really needed it as well for a story element of Anakin not lashing out and outright hating Obi-Wan as he should.

Oh, and regarding the Father's part I placed it as a story element to really more guilt trip Anakin into listening to him and stuff. I know there were tons of different events through canon and legends that caused him to fall, but honestly as I formed the story it didn't matter too much to me as he's kinda forgetting the past and trying to figure out his future path. While I frame it as his redemption even from the name of the fic I don't think he's trying to redeem himself to anyone but one person and that's all that matters to him in the long run. Through his actions he'll try to do his best to help others but ultimately he'll have only one real goal and be selfish towards obtaining it. And I think even from reading recent canon Vader comics you should know what his fixation is and what it'll always be. And I'll hopefully connect more to it later on, but there's a lot of setup on the way as he needs external help to really achieve his goals.

Standard Disclaimer:

I don't own any of Star Wars, I also don't make any money from this and only really gain slight satisfaction from the development and carrying out of the story in my mind as I write it.

Naboo, Theed, Central Royal Hangars

08-10-32 BBY

18:30

Anakin Person POV

I sat on the side of a city wall watching as the Main Hangar was slowly cleaned of the droid parts, the Queen waiting for the arrival of the now Supreme Chancellor Palpatine along with the captured Nemodians and a small group of officials. Guards under me lined the wall spiffing themselves up watching as the Chancellor's cruiser approached.

The Main Hangar was more a cultural sight, a subsection of the city built around the first landing pad ever used on Naboo. Now a large town square than anything for this occasion would host the Chancellors arrival on the planet. (This hangar is not to be confused with Theed's royal star port, but was towards the end of the Phantom menace film when Palpatine arrived on Naboo)

I shook my head as I thought about it. They had just voted him at the latest senate meeting, and he had promised he would come in person to personally resolve the situation on Naboo. What perfect timing that he would arrive just after the droid army had been shut down and Gunray apprehended. Though I don't believe it had gone to his plan, it was still amazing how he spun it for himself.

My mind shifted to the Queen's apprehension. Aayla had provided a great deal of support to the Queen's groups, helping them to rush through the palace. They had been able to quickly apprehend Rune Haako and Nute Gunray, leading them over to the hanger so they could be escorted off world to Coruscant for trial.

Such trials were of course a formality. Gunray's lawyers delayed the senate and bribed their way through the various juries for I believe it was 4 years. It had cost the Nemodian a fortune in his personal assets to pay for the legal fees though. A grudge the Nemodian held against Padme the rest of his life.

I looked over watching as the guards stood at attention, they had been fiddling with some E-5 blaster rifles that the B1's had been using. But quickly stood at attention as the Supreme Chancellors ship approached the hangers, the Queen standing by with the Viceroy in hand. I could see her whisper something to the now quivering Nemodian as Panaka standing to her side also nodded along.

I watched as the ramp lowered, the senate guards that Palpatine had brought along, as well as some Jedi, a task force he could bring with him as the Chancellor. The Queen walked forward to meet him as the guards and the Jedi fanned out to secure the area.

I dawdled my legs, taking the time to enjoy the scenery as the Chancellor and Padme exchanged pleasantries. I could sense some of the Jedi Masters looking over at me with varying levels of interest and animosity. They likely believed with the death of this Sith, a war might likely be avoided, and that my visions wouldn't come to pass. I knew only a few knew differently and would heed my warning.

I shook my head again as I looked into the sky, the light blue sky of Naboo, even now with the setting sun it was beautiful. I could just barely make out the different stars blooming to life in the sky. How many systems would be burned by war, planets brutalized, all for money, all for power, all as a part of Palpatine's game?

If only the Jedi could see, if only they knew what was to come. Even if I told them they wouldn't believe me, they had cut themselves off from the fear of altering the future, self-fulfilling prophecies. The Jedi Temple, and most of Coruscant had been clouded in the dark side by the Sith Shrine there, and the force itself, the very power that the Jedi drew upon had been blanketed over.

I stopped my musings, I would keep to my plan.

Naboo, Theed, Main Palace Plaza

08-12-32 BBY

12:30

Anakin POV

I watched as the Gungan envoy approached, Naboo was beautifully decorated, banners hanging from the high walls, children throwing down petals onto the crowds of Naboo citizens down below.

Many had been liberated from the camps that the Trade Federation had forced them into, resistance leaders taking action shortly after the droids had been shut down to calm down the camp's inhabitants. They were happy to be here and celebrate the allies that had helped them to fight off the Trade Federation, and allowed their Queen to take back the planet.

I sighed as I looked around the area taking in the fanfare as the Boss came closer and closer, the Gungans flanking him tooting their horns as he waved at the Nubian citizens. I looked to the front wishing I could stand closer to Padme, but then I would be closer still to Palpatine. It was agonizing in a way being so close but having to distance myself.

I looked again to the front watching as Jar Jar struggled to dismount from his Kaadu while the boss swift fully dismounted his own. They stepped forward climbing the steps of the Capitol building to where Padme stood expectantly holding the Globe of Peace in her hand. I smiled watching as the Gungan Boss graciously accepted and held the orb high in the air declaring "Peace!" as he did.

Naboo, Theed, Main Palace Foyer

08-12-32 BBY

14:30

Anakin POV

Gentle music filled the air as people milled about casually in the foyer. A drastic change from the patrolling droids, the hall was filled with delegates, heroes of Naboo, and the Jedi that had come to inquire into the Sith.

I swirled the drink in my hand as I looked over at the Jedi, it was strange, many I had seen during the Council meeting or visiting the temple. But others I hadn't perhaps off on assignments, yet coming together to investigate the Sith. Seeing those that had fallen during the war… and those that fell by my own hand brought sadness, guilt, and shame as past memories flitted in.

It seemed almost a stilted stand off as I calmly ate from some of the hors d'oeuvres likely brought along by Palpatine on his trip here. None of the Jedi had made a move to talk with me, only an appraising and pensive gaze from Yoda passing over as the others seemed to study me some more disturbed then others as I assumed word of my actions had spread amongst the upper echelons.

I was content to stay out of the limelight, Palpatine had a great deal of interest in what warranted my presence at the event and no doubt had questioned some others on my actions in saving the planet, to which I had casually responded with being a bounty hunter. A menial job and a means to an end, he quickly found a way to navigate out of that situation though I hoped to leave the party and be out of the way as soon as possible.

I resolved myself to making some jokes with the handmaidens and talking with some of the guards and pilots about ship designs and specs. Always a popular topic and much more interesting when you had knowledge of the future. Some of the guards equal parts amazed and dubious at some of the designs and maneuvers I'd brought up, were even more amazed by some pilots recounting of the maneuvers in question.

I let the conversation go on though, leaving as I saw the Chancellor making his rounds again. I still had to move some things around before getting out of here.

Naboo, Theed, Main Palace Hall

08-13-32 BBY

02:30

Anakin POV

It was time for me to head out. There was still much to do in the galaxy, and little time to do it. If my plans to alter the future were to progress, I had to move on and quickly. 'Before that I have to pick up some things though' I thought as I approached the Queen's throne room.

I had made a short appointment with her between meetings, a request and a goodbye that I could tell she was both sad and apprehensive about.

The door at the guard saluted me as I passed by recognizing me from the prior days events. I walked down the long hallways hearing soft discussion going on. As I approached the Queen's throne and the council's round table, Padme looked up almost surprised to see me.

I stopped by the doorway, she was still talking with one or two other council members, but quickly wrapped it up. They walked past, giving a quick half bow as they saw me, more in thanks than respect. I returned it watching as they shuffled towards the door and waiting till it was closed.

"Is it safe to be here alone with a random bounty hunter?" I asked, looking around the now empty room. She looked at me with a blank expression "I have no doubt that they wouldn't expect one of the heroes of Naboo to do anything uncouth in front of the Queen." I laughed, I didn't expect the pilots to so highly regard me in their praise, I guess I was making a name for myself already.

"I guess not" I said, approaching the council table and taking a seat in one of the empty chairs, and looking at some of the random papers spread about a recovery plan for the city.. "What would this meeting be about?" the Queen asked, still seated and looking over at me.

'Hmmmm what had I done to make her angry', angry Queen mode was something I hadn't seen in a while and brought the phantom of a smile to my face. "A simple request" I replied tapping on the council table. She raised a brow "the people of Naboo could of course fulfill a request for one of their heroes, what would you ask of us." Money must've been tight, maybe she thought I was coming for a bounty.

"I heard that the Sith had a ship that he had used to come here" Maul's scimitar was still parked in one of the auxiliary hangars. "I was in need of a ship and wondering if I could" "that creatures ship has been set aside as evidence for the senate and the Jedi." she quickly replied sifting through some documents searching for the paperwork for the ship in question.

I winced "yes, but you and I both know that it won't lead to anything, why would an Order that had been hidden for so long leave an evidence trail?" I looked expectantly as she lifted a data pad up, ship identifiers and hangar locations propagating the screen.

Padme stopped as she gave it a thought. "That ship will undoubtedly disappear, not even used as evidence. Evidence for what, a dead man?" I pushed the Queen likely knowing the same as me.

She looked at me "just a little reward for me, not like its anything special" I knew the ship was extremely special, and likely in Mauls arrogance unlocked. The Scimitar was a ship that I had the joy of taking apart during my Vader days, using its shielding technology in my apprentices own ship.

"I'll authorize Panaka to show you to the ship, whatever happens after that, this Queen has no knowledge of." I smiled as Padme relented swiping her finger across the data pad.

"Thank you" I said with a bow. "Anything else?" she asked.

I thought about it for a bit "I'd also request if possible that Shmi Skywalker be given a job here. At least for the time being." My mother had come with C3PO and some of the other handmaidens that had stayed back at Coruscant. I'd rather have her here on Naboo, then back at Tatooine.

The Queen seemed to brighten up a bit "She will be under my employ". I gave another little bow "Thank you". 'If she wanted to observe customs, I'd observe customs as well' I thought spitefully.

"Will that be all?" She asked, noting down something on some papers before updating it to a data pad. "No, I'd like to thank you again for your help" I was glad my mother would stay here securely "and wish the Queen as well as the people of Naboo the best of luck". I stood up.

"When are you going to leave?" she said her face changed from its blank slate for the first time in the conversation. "Right now," I replied, there was really not a lot of time to waste. I turned to leave the council room "wait…" she called out.

I stopped "did you know? Did you know I was the Queen this whole time?" she asked, a slight tremble almost unnoticeable in her voice. It made sense now, why she was so mad. I hadn't talked to her since before she had revealed herself to be the Queen. Simply due to the limited time, and Palpatine hanging around with her these past couple days.

I took a deep breath searching for words. "Does it make a difference?" I asked, turning to look at her. She seemed wronged "Did you know…. Were you getting close to me all so we could get to where we are right now?" I turned watching as she stared directly into my eyes her brown eyes looked as beautiful as I remembered, but I could sense the uncertainty, the insecurity hidden beneath.

I looked at her for a second before breaking out in laughter, "I knew" I said as she looked at me seeming hurt by the truth. "But like I said it doesn't matter" she pouted about to reply. "It's your dream that matters" I said, cutting her off from replying.

She thought about it for a moment "what do you mean?". I sighed, "I can sense great darkness in the galaxy, terrible, terrible things. But in all that all I foresaw and do see I know that you are a light blazing through it." my light I thought to myself.

"Your dream is more important than anything, and I hope that you'll keep chasing it. The force has shown me how important you'll be." I paused to think, trying to find the right wording.

"I didn't approach you just for that though, our friendship was a true one. You are wonderful... beautiful... a truly kindhearted individual" she blushed as I pulled out a holo pad, I didn't have much time left before I had to leave. It was another gift I had spent a lot of my time on Tatooine working on. Something that I'd made from scratch on Tatooine, it had honestly been a bit difficult to make with all the anti-tracking functions I'd had to place on it. It hurt to pass it over, I never meant to say goodbye like this if I could, but time was running short and Palpatine would likely dig too deep into me if I stayed any longer. With what I had planned as well I hoped Panaka would do so in my stead.

It was an ornate circular disk, the inside holding all the components for a holodisk, and the outside encased with the bones of a Krayt dragon. It also had a small cover allowing for it to be disguised as a makeup mirror. I put it down on the table gently, "anytime you'd like to talk, or need my help, you can call on me. I very much look forward to seeing you again...Padme '' I said, dropping it on the table.

The Queen sat down quietly, thinking about what I'd said and looking at the holo pad. I turned around and moved to leave, stopping just as I got to the end of the hallway. "Oh, you can use it to thank me as well." I said, stepping through the door and letting it shut close behind me.

Naboo, Theed, Auxiliary Hangar

08-13-32 BBY

16:30

Anakin POV

I could feel the darkness emanating from the ship. I was surprised the Jedi had yet to someone to deal with it. But knowing the influence of the Chancellor they must have been distracted, sent across the planet to help the people of Naboo recover and rebuild.

It was in another of the auxiliary hangers. This one empty of ships only scattered cargo boxes surrounding the ship. Panaka stood close by, his presence allowing me access into the hangar as well as making sure nothing happened to me under Padme's order.

"Stand back" I said taking out my heavy blaster. "Are you expecting a fight?" Panaka said taking out a pistol as well. "The Sith often leave behind surprises for their guests." I waited as R2 sliced open the doors, no use alerting both the Jedi and Palpatine on the planet of what I was doing. With an affirmative whirr the ramp slowly opened up a blaster bolt flying out between Panaka and I. I took out my other blaster shooting off four shots towards the now visible Hunter Killer Droid.

"What the blazes is that?" Panaka said, shooting a couple of his own ionized bolts at the droid. I dropped my blasters rushing forward as the bolts barely phased the droid. Pulling my sword from my back and slashing at the droid it put up a hand which stopped the Vibroblade for a moment. I pushed in harder the blade slowly cutting through as the droid raised his blaster to my head. I quickly hopped over him grabbing the blaster from its hand as I did and almost toppling the droid. "Cease your trespassing primitive life forms" the droid buzzed a flamethrower popping out and spitting towards me as I backed up into the ship.

The side wall was decorated with weapons I quickly took advantage of it, grabbing a large halberd, likely one of Maul's trophies and increased my strength with the force hurling it towards the droid. The halberd bisected the droid, the top half falling to the ground. I could see Panaka relax, before the droid's arms twitched and its arms straightened and rotated. It quickly righted itself, arm aimed towards Panaka and bzzzzttttt R2s shock coil zapped the droids arm disabling it as I rushed forward bashing its head off with a heavy sword I had grabbed from the wall "Thanks R2". Panaka was hunched over by some of the crates he had hid behind, luckily they were metal otherwise the precious cargo they held inside would have been damaged.

"Do you think you can get it started R2?" I asked as I went to check on Panaka. He gave an affirmative whistle and rolled onto the ship confidently.

"You, ok?" I said reaching an arm out.

Panaka looked up at me "bit huff worse for wear" he looked more shocked than anything likely expecting the droid to be a bit easier to take down. "What was that droid?"

I laughed "a hunter killer droid, or HK droid. Pretty rare nowadays, and well outside of the outer rim where you'd usually find them. They're usually looking after high-profile individuals or taking them out. A bit more heavy hitting then IG droids but also a bit more pricey." I looked down at the now broken droid "this one looked a bit beat up, likely used as a practice dummy more than anything." Panaka winced looking at the droid's dismembered body no doubt wondering what would've happened if an army of those attacked Naboo.

I walked to the front booting up the Scimitar with a push of a couple buttons R2 beeping and whistling to my side. "See I told you it wasn't going to blow up R2 '' I said watching as the little astromech shook his head and got to work stripping the system and rebooting everything. I knew Palpatine had no doubt left tons of monitoring software and all kinds of controls in the ship. Anything to control his apprentice.

I let R2 work on vetting the ship's systems as I walked to the back of the ship. Loading in the cargo that I had brought from Coruscant. Unpackaging the setup droid, and opening up the other two crates, lifting their contents with the force.

I smiled as the large cylindrical tube rose from the box. Perfect, a Xucphra Alpha model Bacta tank. I looked to the side gently placing the tank down on the ground, a 21-B surgical droid rising from another crate as if from a tomb.

I shook my head, whoever designed them gave them such creepy operating systems and voice modules. I disliked them a lot, or maybe I just disliked hospitals. I thought back to when I'd bought them on Coruscant, it had been quite expensive, 200,000 credits all together. Luckily, I had brought enough from Gardulla's stash.

The medical equipment wasn't even that pricey, it was simply erasing the evidence trail, and making sure that it looked like the hospital had ordered the extra materials rather than a private individual such as me. I didn't think I'd get access to such materials so easily in a core world.

I stopped lamenting over all the money that had been spent while setting up the bacta tank according to the droids specifications. The surgical droid luckily had a program for bacta tank installation.

Naboo, Theed, Auxiliary Hangar

08-13-32 BBY

16:50

Anakin POV

It had not taken very long, I'd just had to swap out one of Maul's speeder ports so I could use its power coupling, and then had to secure the pod in place and set up the different display monitors.

'Not much at all' I thought looking at the rather shabby setup. Well, it would do for now.

I went to the cockpit checking in with R2 "are we good to go yet?" He gave a negative "whirr." "He couldn't have had that much stuff loaded in here?" I asked the astromech. He gave a couple more whirrs in return. Looks like Palpatine had put a load of spyware into the ship.

I sighed, just like him. I reached out to the force and linked a data pad to the ship's main console. Scanning the different lines of codes and instructions. Every time I felt one that gave a bad feeling through the force deleting it. A simple method for now as I skimmed the list and simply deleted lines of programming.

R2 gave some accusatory beeps my way. "What I know which is which '' I responded. "You're the one that skipped over them, they're really obvious too." Simple tracking functions linked to monitors and holo pads, relaying information across the galaxy.

He whirred in an almost offended fashion as I continued to rapidly delete bits of the ship's programming. "You can load in a fresh system anyways, some of this stuff is just sticky" I said as I looked at some of the work Palpatine had put into this. Whoever had created this ship really didn't want anyone to get their hands on it.

Well, I guess any ship with a built-in stealth drive would be used for nefarious purposes.

I checked back in on the bacta tank watching as it slowly filed with bacta. The sloppy gelatinous substance slowly rising to fill two thirds of the tank. Just enough for a regular body I thought to myself.

R2 finally whirred back at the cockpits, he had gotten rid of the different tracking programs as well as the remote access controls. But was still working on taking down the self-destruct functions and the system lockouts for the holo pads.

I sighed, at least it would work, I flipped some switches here and there, the force guiding me. None of them were labeled, typical for a prototype ship. The ship began to hover, and I slowly made my way to the hangar exit. Panaka had cleared the guards of the hangar earlier, and there was nobody nearby to witness the Scimitar quite literally disappear.

I smiled reaching under the main controls to flip a switch. The stygium core in the front of the ship turning on and the ship cloaking. I gave a dastardly laugh as R2 wondered at what I had done giving an excited buzz. "We're gonna have a lot of adventures with this one R2."

Naboo, Theed, Central Core Disposal Chute

08-13-32 BBY

17:30

Anakin POV

'By the Force it smells horrible' I thought to myself as I walked through the underbelly of Theed. I had explored the city quite thoroughly and even taken a look at the city schematics before coming down here. It wasn't too hard for R2 to dig them up given the clearance he had.

These were the heat sinks for the massive generators above. If the generators ever overheated it would prove catastrophic to the capital city, thus these massive tunnels had been bored out just in case such an event happened. They emptied out on the sides of the waterfalls of Naboo, allowing for the exit ports to be cooled by the falls. The tunnels were quite expansive, easily a maze if you wanted to try exploring the space.

I wasn't here to explore though; I was here for Maul.

I had seen, well more heard of the bastard during the clone wars. He'd tangled with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka as well as went on a Jedi killing spree with his brother.

I winced remembering the amount of Jedi the duo had killed. Though Palpatine had later confided in me how he'd easily killed Savage, and tortured Maul endlessly before the Zabrak was able to escape his prison.

I reached the central area under the power generator according to the holo pad that R2 had given me. I looked around, noticing some blood marks on the ground. I had to tip my hat to the Sith, I was amazed he could even move given the being cut in half, and the large fall. Then again I'd had my own experience with Sith powers keeping me alive, as Vader I'd often pulled on the Dark side to keep myself alive if my suit was damaged.

I followed the marks, by the force this guy was bleeding. I'm surprised I couldn't find his legs or his saber staff, I wonder what happened to them. I walked along tracking the blood trail before the force cried out at me. I tumbled back a piece of stray metal flying past me.

I looked over a red face grimacing at me in pain and anger. 'Not a good look' I thought as he sneered at me. "A pilot? This...ugh… this is the party the Jedi send to see if I still live. I blegghh I am a Sith." He must've almost retched and or died multiple times through those two sentences. I kind of pitied him, a poor beast that Palpatine had twisted into his little plaything. Maybe I saw some of myself in him.

Saving him was in the plan, I'd learned from Luke everyone could be redeemed. But even with Maul it was going to be a real kriffin job.

I felt a rush of air quickly rolling to the side as he threw another piece of metal at me using the force. Where was he getting these from? I couldn't help but think as he laughed at me. All my pity suddenly disappeared, I smiled at him. "What blegghh you can't do anything against me you worm I bleggghh I'm a Sith... I'm '' man I wonder if I would've been this talkative without my suit as Vader.

I walked forward as he threw another piece of stray metal at me stopping it with the force. His eyes widened, before he snarled at me. "A Jedi, I know your kind you blegggghh you couldn't…." I cut him off raising a hand coursing with Sith Lightning. "Not exactly, lets see how well your master trained you to adapt to pain."

A look of fear crossed Mauls face before "Aggggggghhhhhhh Aggggghhhhhh No!" I smiled just a little bit.