Chapter 29 - Change of Plans
DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P
Author's Note: In which Anakin talks to the Senate and makes a small detour... ;)
~ Amina Gila
Anakin stands stiffly in the middle of the room he'd last entered so many months ago. It's just as he remembered it being, though dust is now coating everything. It was far too easy for them to get from the underworld to here; his clearance codes still worked, so they were able to land in the private hanger for the complex. Honestly, Anakin doesn't even know why Sidious gave it to him, because it's not as though he spent much time on Coruscant. He always preferred staying on Mustafar or Vjun.
He's grateful now, because if not for this residence, it would have taken far more planning before they would have been able to come for Obi-Wan. Anakin's medical droid is currently fussing over his former master, while Ahsoka is helping Anakin search for a replacement limb. He can hardly take control of the Empire with one and a half arms. He knows there's one around here. Somewhere. Finding it isn't an easy task.
Anakin's outer robes are laying on a chair, his sleeve pulled up to the place where flesh meets metal. He can theoretically disconnect the limb to replace it, but he hasn't done so for a while, so it may prove to be a tad more involved. Seating himself at his workbench, he carefully begins to work on the connections, using the Force to help.
"I think I got it," Ahsoka calls. Something clatters across the room as she pulls out a limb. "This is your right arm, right?"
He eyes the metal in her hands before nodding. "It's not the most recent, upgraded version, but it will do," he concedes, turning back to the severed limb which is still attached to him. He doesn't know why the parts are sticking in place, but it's becoming annoying.
Finally, he closes his eyes, sinking into the Force as he reaches into the components, letting himself feel how they fit together. Slowly, he begins to maneuver them, loosening screws using only the Force as he pulls it apart. When he opens his eyes again, the parts are hovering in the air. Without a single gesture, they're placed on the workbench, while Ahsoka wordlessly hands him the replacement. He goes about connecting it, double checking that the mechanics are in place as he secures it.
He flexes his fingers, feeling satisfied when they respond as he'd anticipated. "This isn't the best model, but it will be serviceable for now."
"You ready for the rest?" she questions, waving a hand at the armor sitting off the side.
Anakin huffs out an irritated breath. "No, but I don't have a choice. Help me?"
She smiles sincerely. "Of course."
They work in tandem, securing all the heavy durasteel armor in place. It's been so long since Anakin has last been required to wear it, and he feels oddly resentful that he's been forced into this position again. Well, it's of no consequence. He only needs to wear it to secure his position and prevent the Empire from devolving into chaos.
"Stay here with Obi-Wan," he instructs Ahsoka after the last pieces have been secured and the helmet lowered in place. He nearly shivers at how different his voice sounds. He's become so accustomed to his usual tone, that hearing Vader's voice when he speaks is… strange. "And keep in contact with Solo. I want to know when he picks up the twins."
"As you wish, Master," she chirps, saluting him.
He rolls his eyes, not that she sees, before spinning, cape swirling around him. The only thing he's missed about his armor is the intimidation factor and that it allows him to seem invulnerable. Although, that's not something he plans on confessing to anyone.
Anakin doesn't stop, striding through his residence until he reaches the hanger bay, whereupon he takes a speeder to the Senate. He can feel the confusion when the stormtroopers see him, hear their whispers and murmurs of uncertainty, but no one stops him. The Emperor is dead, and word is spreading fast. No one knows what to do, so he'll provide them with a solution. He hasn't been openly declared a traitor to the Empire, because to do so would mean to admit defeat. The manhunt has been more secretive in nature, with mainly the Inquisitors on their tail, not that they ever found anything.
Silence sweeps through the Senate when he appears in the central platform where the former Emperor always stood. Mas Amedda seems startled to see him, and he holds up a hand to forestall any protests. "L-lord Vader," stammers Amedda, a hint of fear flaring into the Force around him. "I – I thought you dead. The Emperor said –"
"I am well aware of what the Emperor told you," Anakin interrupts, crossing his arms, and making Amedda flinch, "But whatever he said was undoubtedly not the truth. I am not dead." He pushes past Amedda, stepping to the front of the pod and pushing a button so everyone can hear him. The Senate is discussing something, but he doesn't care, because it's of little importance, not when the Emperor is dead.
"Senators, I have grave news for you," Anakin calls out, his voice – and respirator which he definitely doesn't need – drawing the attention of everyone in the chamber. Unsurprisingly, everyone falls silent. It's not often that Lord Vader comes to the Senate. "The Emperor was assassinated only hours ago." Murmurs of shock sweep through the room. "By rights, the Empire will be passed to me." He can almost feel some of the resistance, and he knows that, distasteful though it may be, he'll have to take measures to quell it if necessary.
"I am the de facto Emperor," Anakin declares, "And I will be formally ascending to my position tomorrow morning." He was tempted to do it today, but seeing as it's nearly sunset, the Senate will be ending today's session momentarily. "I will immediately initiate an investigation into the late Emperor's assassination."
He scans the crowd, focusing on Bail. Though the man holds himself stiffly, expression neutral, there's a distinctly amused look on his face. He knows. As soon as this is over, Anakin will summon Organa to his residence. They have some matters to discuss.
No one speaks, though Anakin can distinctly feel many uncertainties and some resistance. He doesn't have Obi-Wan's expertise as a negotiator, but he has learned a way with words over the years. "For too long the people's voices have been silenced. I may be Emperor, but I am duty-bound to work for the good of all, not just certain individuals. Beginning immediately, all hostilities will be ceased against those who protest the Empire's control. I will open negotiations and resolve the situation in a peaceful manner. Under my rule, the galaxy will see peace. We have been at war for far too long."
For a few long seconds, everything is silent. One by one the Senators break out in an applause, cheering for his words much the same way they cheered when Sidious declared the Republic would become an Empire. Anakin can't help but feel a vicious satisfaction that, in the end, he came out on top. Those politicians who are not even showing lip-service to his reign will be dealt with accordingly as they cause problems. Maybe he should order reelections in those systems… It's something he'll have to consider and discuss with Bail.
Anakin doesn't waste time standing around, instead leaving the room and Senate as quickly as he can. His imposing image – not to mention the rumors about him – enable him to exit relatively undisturbed. By tonight the word will have spread across the galaxy that Sidious is dead. Bail should also have contacted the Rebel Alliance to let them know of the current situation. Anakin dreads the day he'll have to speak with them, because he has no doubt that they'll bring up his past crimes. Well, it's something he has to atone for, so he'll deal with it.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Anakin heads, not to his residence, but to the palace. He has one more thing to attend to before rejoining Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. It was never a secret that Sidious was finding strong Force sensitive children to train in the Dark Side as his Hands. As Vader, he'd personally helped find a number of them, though most were deemed incapable of being anything more than an Inquisitor.
He walks through the halls, ignoring the stormtroopers standing guard along the way. He's been here before; Sidious sometimes asked him to give one or more of them instructions, and he's not pleased to admit that he went hard on them. It's not as though he couldn't with his master looking over his shoulder, but he still did it.
When he reaches the wing where the children are kept, all separately as they believe themselves to be the only one chosen by the Emperor, he's greeted by one of their caretakers. "Lord Vader, it's a surprise to see you here," says the man, a Zabrak.
"Bring the children here," he orders. "The Emperor is dead, and I am his replacement."
The man hides his surprise well. "As you wish, my Lord," he answers obediently, hurrying away. He returns momentarily with four children following him, two boys and two girls. They're all looking at one another with barely veiled suspicion. And they're all the same age as Luke and Leia if not younger.
The eldest, a boy with brown hair and hazel eyes, let out a muffled squeak of surprise when he sees Anakin. "Lord Vader," he greets him bowing. The others mimic him.
Anakin can almost feel their fear of him, and it makes his heart clench. The security in this wing is kept separate, and he knows that no one will be reviewing the footage, not with Sidious dead, so he reaches up and removes his helmet, letting the children see his face. "It's alright," he calms them gently touching them with the soothing currents of the Light Side to allay their fear, lowering himself to one knee in front of them. "You don't need to be scared. You're safe now."
They gape at him. "You're not Vader?" the younger boy questions hesitantly, blue eyes filled with wariness.
Anakin tilts his head, ignoring the Zabrak warden behind the children. It's not a secret that he's a bit fond of his charges. "I was," he tells them, "But I left the ways of the Sith. You will never be hurt again. I promise."
"For real?" whispers the youngest girl, fiddling with a strand of the red hair cascading down her back, winding it around her fingers.
He smiles at her. "Yes, little one, for real." He rises, keeping his helmet tucked under his left arm. "Come with me," he urges. "I'll take you to my residence, to meet my children. You don't have to come back here if you don't want." He glances at their warden. "You, of course, can come." Anakin stands there for a long moment waiting for them to respond.
"Okay," murmurs the older girl, smiling shyly. She steps forwards, and the others follow her, pressing closer to him. Anakin feels as if a great burden has been relieved from his shoulders. There will be time later to address their questions and fears, but for now, he'll take them to the only place he can guarantee their safety.