A/N: So sorry that it took me five years to update! But finally here it is! this is the longest chapter so far and I hope you enjoy. It is a bit dark and there isn't much Vader/Padmé interaction in this chapter but don't worry, the next chapter will make up for it. And I already have a start on the next chapter. Now considering that when I started this fic in 2009, it was before the Disney takeover and thus if you pay attention, you might spot some Easter eggs in this chapter.
Charlie.
The Throne Room in the Imperial Palace held no warmth, just cold empty, stark surges of darkness that Palpatine had thrived on, things that used to give Vader the shivers as a child. Palpatine had a distinct vision of this room and used it to show off his immense absolute power. He used its ominous atmosphere and feelings it instilled as a tool to intimidate. Vader could remember the countless times he was forced to bow before Palpatine on bended knee before the throne in front of the royal council. To publicly endure ridicule and belittlement. He gave the outward appearance of rage and indignation at the insult, but inside he had been eerily calm, cold, calculating his every move, his every word until he knew he could strike, and strike with the venom and swiftness of a viper he did. He played the necessary role for four years before he could extract his revenge. He killed both Palpatine and Palpatine's reputation as well as the name the monster carefully constructed for years in one swift move without Palpatine being any wiser. He avenged his slain daughter who, if she had lived, would be in school by now, and the mother who had given her to him, and in so doing, he provided the safety and happiness for his family away from the monster that would have took pleasure in eradicating them for no reason other than that they belonged to him.
Now all the power that Palpatine had at his disposal belonged to Vader. For the first time in years, he was unsure of how to proceed. He was in the middle of considering all options as he brushed his hand over the coolness of the Imperial Throne before he took a seat in it, resting both forearms on the arms of the throne. A feral grin came over his face as he thought about how Palpatine would react to seeing him sitting here and not being able to do a damn thing about it. He hoped that somewhere deep in the pits of the hell that Palpatine was rotting, that the monster could see everything and then he thought about just what he could be doing now that he was in charge, still hoping that Palpatine was being forced to watch.
Settling himself more comfortably in the throne, he continued to reflect on just how he could make Palpatine turn over in a fit of rage. How he could mold the Empire into his own, how to twist and skew Palpatine's vision into something different, better. He signaled to a droid which brought over a glass of brandy that he took and held it high in a mock toast. "May you rot in the bowels of hell for all eternity you filthy sadist, I'm finally free," he declared and let out a dark gleeful laugh in satisfaction before taking a drink. And as he gazed about the chamber, he made decisive notes to what he would immediately start to change. He would have another, new throne ordered, a set of two to be precise. He would definitely be redecorating as he decided that if he would jointly rule with his wife, it would not only stick it to Palpatine but also give way to a different order of things, yet he could not see Padmé ruling over the council in such a room. No, the chamber needed to be redone, and fast. He could just see Palpatine howl in rage at the mere thought of the woman he wanted to eradicate and thought little of - for he deemed her to be no more than a bleeding heart - to be ruling over his Empire. It was poetic justice in Vader's mind and it brought a gleeful smile to his face. Mentally he planned what he would do, he would redecorate, most definitely. He would get his affairs in order first before throwing a grand party to announce his plans publicly.
It was in the midst of his mental planning that he noticed that he was no longer alone. His senses instantly reached out, hoping that he would be sensing his wife's arrival to discuss his plans with her, but instead he felt a presence he had not felt for four years and it wasn't as welcoming as it once was. Yet, she had sought him out, welcoming or not, she had a purpose. "I hadn't expected to see you again," he said, acknowledging her presence before he had actually seen her.
Sulva Daisuke was not a timid woman, prideful, yes, but never timid. She mostly kept to herself, never bothering with anyone else's business. She wasn't like her daughter when it came to strays, be them animal or civilized being. She wasn't bold enough to face any governmental leader and give them a piece of her mind as her daughter would have. But her daughter wasn't around to have that compassion any longer and it was all because of the man she gathered the courage to face. The man who no longer was the second most feared man in the galaxy but now the most feared man in the galaxy. But she also knew him years prior, before his fearful reputation, when she believed that he possessed a human soul. A soul lost with her granddaughter. "I am surprised at myself for being here," she told him, walking further into the chamber so that she was directly facing him. He didn't seem to change much on the outside other than being a bit older and harder. "I saw the spectacle on the holonet that ended with such a nice gruesome image. An image that I am sure is rooted in every brain within the galaxy," she told him.
"It was no less than what that monster deserved, I would have thought that you would have appreciated that," Vader replied.
"The sheer evilness of that act makes you no better than him," Sulva told him. "I am grateful that my daughter didn't live to see it at least," she put in.
"Sonya would have understood why I did it," Vader told her.
"Sonya was blind to what you really are!" Sulva snapped.
Vader frowned at her unsaid accusation and dared her to outright say it. "Why don't you just come out and say what you have come here to say and be done with it," he said flatly.
Sulva's mouth pressed together into a thin line as she considered her words carefully. She wanted to face the man that she blamed for her child's death more than anything but she was well aware that he was now the Galactic Emperor and if she angered him with her words, she could face harsh consequences. But she recalled the damaged youth that her daughter sought to save and fell in love with. She knew of his abuse and of the danger that lurked caged up within him. Danger that was barely caged since both Sonya and Anya's horrific deaths. Sonya was convinced of the good person that existed under all of his so many layers and occasionally she had seen him, but the past four years showed nothing of the likes, making Sulva believe that her daughter had been mistaken and blinded by infatuation. "Sonya was very much convinced that a human being somehow existed within you, but had she been able to see the past four years, I am certain that she would be horrified with what you have done. I sometimes wonder if it is best that she didn't live to bear witness to the monster that you truly are," she said. She waited for a reaction, fearing retaliation if she had stepped way over the line.
After a pause that seemed like an eternity, Vader finally spoke. "You think that I am a monster?" he demanded. He didn't wait for her to make any sort of reply. "I'm not the one who tortured an innocent child to death for no real reason but to teach a lesson to her father. Make a point to record it and when hand delivering the child's body like a rag doll to the father during dinner and forcing him to watch the footage of his child being tortured to death."
Sulva hadn't known about this. Sonya's body was delivered to her by one of Palpatine's agents and she had been told that the Anya had been disposed of. She didn't know the particulars. But no matter, it didn't excuse Vader in her book. "What about the children that you have slain? The Jedi Younglings. Surely you realize that they were someone's child too. I sometimes wonder if you ever once bore remorse for it or if Anya ever haunted you," she demanded. She recognized the warning signs in his eyes all too well and feared that she had gone too far.
"Leave," he commanded. "Leave my sight before I do something that I may regret."
Sulva knew that she had overstepped the safety line and had dove into dangerous waters so she said nothing more, having said all that she needed to say and turned around to leave while she still had the free will to do so.
Vader watched her leave, keeping himself from shaking in barely checked anger. She didn't know just how much he had suffered and sacrificed to make sure that Palpatine got exactly what he deserved. She had no right to pass judgment on him, especially knowing about the things that Palpatine had done to him. But her opinion was one of many that he was going to be forced to face and would prove to be the most challenging to overcome.
A child's screams pierced the quiet villa tucked away on the planet Gallinor during the night. As the the small little girl cried out in terror in the large bed surrounded by toys, a storm in the force surrounded the child as her force abilities manifested with her fear, several objets and toys levitating in the air, whipping around like soft projectibles. Running footsteps echoed until the child's bedroom door slid open.
"Milady!"
Padmé ignored the alarm from her handmaiden as she rushed into the room, dodging flying toys as she rushed to comfort Aidia. Gathering up the terrified child in her arms, Padmé rocked the little girl, pulling her flush against her chest as a hand gently stroked Aidia's soft blonde curls. And like her father, Padmé's presence soothed the child's turbulent emotions which calmed the storm around her.
Aidia sniffled and trembled as she clung to Padmé, her nightmare fading from her mind. The small child found comfort in Padmé's arms, and in Padmé's soft humming lulling her mind. "Daddy's angry," the child said softly, looking up into Padmé's warm brown eyes.
Padmé brushed back Aidia's tangled curls. "Why do you say that?" she asked gently.
"I can feel it," Aidia said.
Padmé tried not to think too hard about that. She was well aware of what Vader was doing, the danger he was currently in. Padmé worried about the man she had married, if he failed… Shoving her fears aside, a fierce wave of protectiveness took over as her maternal instincts kicked in. She may not have borne Aidia from her body, but she loved this child in her arms as ardently as the two growing in her womb. She would face anything, do anything to protect the three lives she was charged with.
"Don't worry about your father, Sweetheart. He is strong, we'll see him soon," Padmé soothed her daughter, because that was what Aidia had become. She would fight Vader on this if she had to. Fortunately, she knew that would not come to pass.
"But my mommy wasn't," Aidia whispered.
Padmé sucked in a sharp breath. The memory of that blast bot meant for her hitting Ingrid instead flashed into Padmé's mind. While it was pure coincidence that Ingrid and Aidia had been in the market district the very same moment that Padmé fled for her life with Vader, others she knew would argue that it was the will of the Force that would bring father and daughter together. Because it wasn't until that moment that Vader had consented to being within arms reach of his own child. After learning about Anya, Padmé understood why. Of course, Aidia had no idea why her father only recently became a part of her life and Padmé doubted that Vader would ever tell her. Padmé, however, silently vowed to herself that when her children were old enough, they would learn about their elder sister.
Kissing Aidia's forehead and pressing her cheek to the crown of the child's head, she murmured softly, "I know Sweetheart. I am so sorry that you lost her. I wish I knew her so that I could keep her memory alive for you."
Aidia sniffled. "When is Daddy coming home?" she asked.
"Soon, I promise." Padmé looked up and saw Shmi in the doorway, wringing her hands. Turning back to Aidia, Padmé leaned up, tucking the child into the security of her blankets, making sure to tuck Blinky the blue bantha in with her. Aidia clutched the plush toy as Padmé brushed a hand through her curls, the little girl falling back to sleep to the sound of the same lullaby Jobal Naberiie sang her daughters to sleep to.
Once she was sure that Aidia had fallen back to sleep, Padmé laid another kiss to her temple before slowly rising from the bed, a hand on her belly. She side stepped the mess of toys as she met Shmi at the door.
"Is she alright?" the grandmother whispered.
Padmé held a finger up and motioned for the older woman to follow her, closing the door behind her.
She led Shmi into the kitchen where the two women began to pull out something to snack and drink. "I think she sensed something from Anakin through the force. This is the first time I've seen her manifest her abilities. I'm going to mention this to him," Padmé answered her.
"Ani used to have similar episodes. They would scare me. I didn't understand them until that Jedi came," Shmi confided.
Padmé rubbed her belly, feeling the twins move anxiously. Whatever their father was doing across the galaxy, he was projecting so heavily across the force that it was affecting his children.
"I believe Anakin is killing the Emperor," she quietly disclosed.
Shmi gasped. "Not my Ani…" the older woman didn't want to believe her son was capable of such darkness. Padmé couldn't blame her. She tried desperately to reconcile the little boy she met on Tatooine to the man he had become.
Taking the older woman's warm and calloused hand in her own, she met Shmi's worried gaze. "This is going to be hard for you to hear but you must. What my handmaiden told you is the truth. When Qui-Gon brought Anakin to the Jedi temple all those years ago, he fully intended to train Anakin in the ways of the Jedi. When Qui-Gon died defending my home, his apprentice intended on filling his place and training Anakin. However, the Jedi Council would not allow it and decided on sending Anakin back to you. Somewhere along the way, the ship carrying Anakin with a Jedi escort crashed. All aboard were killed and Anakin was missing. It was assumed that he died but Obi-Wan Kenobi refused to believe it. I didn't want to at first but years went by with no sign of Anakin. I gave up hope even when Obi-Wan did not. As far as I know, he is still searching.."
Padmé let out a deep sigh. "Around six years ago, Sheev Palpatine introduced his adolescent ward, a boy he claimed was a distant relation, recently orphaned in the war he called Young Vader. I interacted with him but did not recognize him. By then he was already under the control of Palpatine. I don't have all the relevant information, but I am certain of one thing. Sheev Palpatine is the most evil man to walk this galaxy. I can only imagine what he did to twist Anakin into the man he is today, but I know one thing, he did not succeed fully, the good person that Anakin was, is still there underneath it all and I fully intend to bring him out."
Shmi's free hand came up to cover her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. "My Ani…" The older woman looked away to compose herself but when she turned back, it was a resolve that Padmé recognized well. "My Anakin would resist a Depur with the fire of the twin suns. My son was born with the spirit of Ekkreth inside of him," she spoke with the deepest conviction a mother would have for her only child.
Padmé felt a deep kinship with Shmi Skywalker. As a mother herself now, she too felt the fire in her bones to fight for her children that Shmi displayed. Padmé knew then that she had to tell Shmi one more thing even if it would break the older woman's heart. "There is one more thing that I know that cements my belief that Sheev Palpatine must die by Anakin's hand," she cautioned.
Shmi met Padmé's resolute gaze, bracing herself for the blow she must know is to come.
Padmé squeezed her hand. "I need to show you something," she said.
Padmé led Shmi to the more unused wing of the Villa, having obtained the key from the housekeeper, and unlocked the door that hid the dusty shrine. Once the two women were standing in the forgotten child's room, Padmé watched Shmi take in everything.
"Anakin tried to escape Palpatine's clutches once. He found an unlikely friend and in a moment of comfort they had a child. They were going to run away together and hide here. But Palpatine found out. He tortured the toddler to death, forcing Anakin to watch, unable to stop him. She is buried on the property. I believe that one, evil act was what that monster needed to break Anakin," Padmé informed her mother-in-law solemnly.
Shmi was openly crying by this point, her hands covering her mouth as mournful sobs broke through. Tentatively, she reached out a hand and traced the name carefully carved out over the small bed. "Anya: Secret freedom," she whispered reverently. The older woman knew for certain that no matter what her son endured, he had not forgotten who he was deep down. Turning to Padmé, her posture rigid, she said, "That man must die. He will."
Igraine knew no greater fear than she felt at this moment. Not including her interrogation by Darth Vader. She had been shocked to her core when he understood her native tongue and responded in perfect pronunciation and fluency. Since that fateful trip where her family had taken out of the unknown regions and been captured by pirates, Igraine hadn't encountered a single being who could understand the language of her homeworld.
Since that encounter, Igraine had been left in a comfortable cell alone with her husband and tended to by a medical droid and unbelievably much greater kindness than she would expect to be treated as a Darth Vader's prisoner. Igraine had no idea how long she had been in this cell but when the sound of footsteps approached the cell. Igraine and her husband, Loth, held each other in anticipation as their cell door was opened to a group of white armored stormtroopers.
"The Emperor has requested your presence in the Throne Room," a modulated voice, neither Igraine nor Loth could discern from whom it came, informed them ominously as they were pulled to their feet. Igraine clung to her husband desperately as the stormtroopers pulled them apart and bound their hands and feet.
Fear ravaged the elderly slave couple as they were escorted from their prison cell. They were being brought to the Emperor and both knew they would find only death at the end of their destination. Igraine failed in the task from the monstrous old man and she and Loth would pay the ultimate price. Igraine wanted desperately to hold Loth's hand but with their wrists bound it was impossible.
Finally, after a darkened and tense shuttle ride, they were led into a vast room, the floor and walls dark and suffocating despite the room being empty save for the single throne situated on a raised dais. Both Igraine and Loth were shoved on their knees before the dais, neither brave enough to look up.
"Leave us."
Igraine looked up upon hearing the cold voice. The stormtroopers left, leaving Igraine alone with her husband and the man who sat on the imperial throne. Only it wasn't the decrepit old man who sat on the throne. The man sitting on the throne was young, with golden hair and a cold gaze, swathed in black like a shadow. Darth Vader sat upon the Imperial Throne.
"You will no longer need those," Vader said and snapped his fingers. Instantly, the slave collors around both Igraine and Loth's necks snapped apart and fell to the black floor in multiple peices.
Igraine shared a fearful look with her husband before turning back to Vader. "My Lord, please…"
Vader rose from the throne and stepped down from the dais to stand before them. "Rise," he commanded.
Igraine did as she was ordered, with shaky legs. Vader reached out and grasped her chin between his fingers and his cold blue gaze bore into hers and she could swear she saw his eyes flicker from blue, to yellow, and back to blue. "I ask you one more time, why were you, in particular, chosen to spy on me?" His voice was cold as ice.
Igraine shivered from an inexplicable cold. "I swear, My Lord, I do not know," she insisted.
With a growl, Vader let her go and returned to the throne where he sat down. "I don't suppose your husband knows either." he said icilly.
"I am equally unaware, My Lord," Loth informed him, his voice slightly stronger, yet he was as afraid as his wife.
Vader stared at them intently. "Do not lie to your Emperor," he threatened.
Igraine reared back. "My Lord?" she cried.
"The late Emperor hand selected you to spy on me. I have no doubt that his sick twisted mind had a reason, else he would have used more efficient spies. Unfortunately for him, he failed. Make no mistake, I will figure out your true purpose. Until then, you are each to serve in my household. If either one of you makes one wrong move, I will not hesitate to kill you, irregardless of your status."
Their binders released and fell to the floor. Igraine instantly felt her husband's arms around her. They both were shaking. "We are at Your Majesty's service," Loth said softly. He had quickly assessed the situation they were in. For a moment Vader stared at them with cold eyes before something was tossed at their feet. Both Igraine and Loth looked down to find their slave transmitters at their feet. Shocked, they turned back to the man who sat upon the Imperial throne.
"While my predecessor enjoyed the perverse resource of slave labour, you will find that I do not share those values. Under my Imperial Rule, slavery will be crushed once and for all," Vader informed them.
"Yet, we are to serve you still?" Loth asked, his shaky voice betraying his bravery in questioning the Emperor.
"You will find that I treat my servants well and loyalty is greatly rewarded. Betray me, and you will find yourselves wishing for a quick death."
The chaos of Empire Day had raged on for days while Imperial Moffs, Governors, and other high ranking officials scrambled to make sense of the Emperor's assination. No one seemed to take notice as Darth Vader did nothing to aid them in finding the assassin, and instead seized the Imperial Throne. Members of the Imperial Cabinet were the first to vanish, followed by members of the Imperial Senate and then came a number of Moffs and Governors who would suddenly vanish, only to be replaced as swiftly as one could blink.
With the death of Emperor Palpatine and the ascension of Emperor Vader, it appeared that a swift change of the Imperial Power structure had been planned in advance and carried out with brutal efficiency. A group of remaining Moffs were herded into the Throne Room of the Imperial palace, the 501st legion, Vader's fist, being their shepherds. Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin was the first to recover as they all stood to face the Imperial Throne where Vader sat, his cold impassive gaze on the group of Grand Moffs.
"Vader, what is the meaning of this?" Tarkin demanded, standing before the dais and facing the Imperial Throne. Behind Vader stood two elderly servints, trying hard to mask their fear.
"Moff Tarkin, you are a brave man to stand defiantly before your Emperor and issue demands," Vader said ominously.
"Emperor Palpatine was an imposing figure, you are but a boy," Tarkin stated.
Vader's eyes flashed. "And I suppose you think it is you who should sit upon the Throne," he sneered. Leaning back into his seat, he crossed one leg or the other and clasped his hands together as he regarded the arrogant Moff. The other Moffs in the room gulped nervously.
Tarkin seemed to remember his place. "Apologies, Your Majesty. I merely wished to convey concern for your rule. I hope to offer my services."
Vader's eyes flashed yellow. "Your services?" he repeated flatly. The temperature in the room dropped to freezing levels. "And what services should I require of you, Tarkin?" Vader's voice had taken on a dangerous edge. His face twisted into something feral and gave the highest ranking Moff a piercing gaze.
Tarkin was either a very brave man or a very foolish man as he climbed the steps of the dais to approach the throne. "Whichever service the Empire would need most," he answered smoothly.
Vader's eyes glinted as he gave the older man a calculated stare. "Kneel before your Emperor," he commanded.
The two men stared each other down as if in a stalemate. Then, slowly, Moff Tarkin knelt before the throne. "Your Majesty," he grudgingly subjugated himself. As he bowed his head, Vader rose from the throne and stood over the Moff. Tarkin felt a fist pull at the hair at his scalp and his head was pulled back at an awkward angle. His eyes met those of Vader's who's flashing yellow gaze were mere inches from his own.
"I know it was you," Vader seethed.
Suddenly, Tarkin's entire body was lifted off of the dais and hung in the air, streaks of cobalt lightning engulfed his body and Tarkin fought not to scream until he could no longer bear it.
"Did you think you would suffer no consequences for what you did?" Vader roared from where he stood on the dais, his hand outstretched towards where Tarkin's body hung in the air in an uncomfortable arc level with the floor and above the other Moffs. "Did you think I would not seek my revenge, Tarkin?" He sent another jolt through the Grand Moff's body.
His cold gaze swept over the gathered Moffs. "Let this be a lesson for your arrogance, for your ambition," Vader snarled. "Shall we tell them how you gained favor with my predecessor?" he said maliciously as his furious gaze fell on the prone Moff's body that he still held suspended in the air. "Tell me, Tarkin, was it worth it?" he demanded as he dropped the Moff to the floor. The other Moff's scrambled away just in time for Tarkin's body to hit the durocrete floor with a sickening crunch.
Tarkin recovered enough to rise to his hands and knees before the Emperor was upon him again. Vader's outstretched fist was aimed at Tarkin as he was lifted off the floor, the tips of his boots barely touching the floor, his hands gripping at his throat as he struggled to breathe.
"Speak her name," Vader growled, lifting enough pressure for Tarkin to garble out a name. "Speak her name!"
"A...An...Anya," Tarkin gasped as he dropped to the floor gasping for breath.
Vader stood over him again, "Was that so hard?" he growled, a hand gripping Tarkin's scalp again. Vader lowered himself so that he was only inches from Tarkin's face. "What did you think was going to happen with my predecessor's death? You thought to seize the throne yourself?" a cold laugh escaped Vader. "I can see why you would think that. The power you gained in the last three years made you arrogant. The Imperial Throne was always going to be mine. It was my favor you should have sought. Instead you delivered my daughter to slaughter."
Before Tarkin could utter a defiant word, he felt something blazing hot piercing his chest. Eyes wide, he looked down to see the red blade that impaled his torso and sticking out of his back. The blade retracted and Tarkin gasped. "You'll need me," he insisted.
Vader said nothing, the hand that didn't hold the lightsaber twitched. There was a sickening crunch as Tarkin's neck snapped, but that wasn't the end. With the swipe of a red blade, Tarkin's head was severed from his body and rolled into the center of the room.
Vader left the body of the fallen Moff and returned to the throne. "Kneel," he commanded the rest of the Moffs.
After seeing the fate of Grand Moff Tarkin, not a single Moff in the room dared to disobey. One by one, they knelt before Vader, declaring their allegiance. Vader coldly watched and each Moff flinched when they heard the cocking of blasters. The fear eminiting in the room was palpable as the entire 501st fired upon the assembled Moffs.
When the firing squad finished and the 501st stepped back, holstering their weapons, the only ones left alive were the white armored troopers, the emperor and his two servants. Vader silently rose from his throne and, with hands clasped behind his back, walked through the mass of bodies strewn upon the floor. He stopped in the center where Tarkin's head lay. With a small gesture, the severed head rose in the air.
"Burn them all," Vader commanded, his eyes golden as he fixated on the dead Moff's head. With a slight gesture to the levitating head, he gave a second set of instructions, "Have this sent to Lady Tarkin gift wrapped. Make sure to convey my condolences."
Without turning to the two elderly servants, Vader surveyed the room. "I do not tolerate betrayal of any kind," he warned ominously.
The captain of the 501st raised his comlink before crossing the room to speak to Lord Vader. "Your Majesty. Sly Moore and Mas Amedda have been located and brought into custody. Also, there is an insistent incoming communication from Gallinore," the Captain informed him.
Satisfaction settled inside Vader as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, they had returned to their natural blue. "I will take the communications alone."
Padmé had decided to have lunch set out on the terrace for the day. The unrest from the night before, after Aidia's nightmare and Force-tantrum, the morning had felt heavy with dread. Padmé was unable to keep her focus off of what Vader was doing or if he would succeed. The Emperor was powerful and despite how powerful Vader was, the task was not a guarantee. There was the equal possibility that Vader would fail and then what? Would the emperor find out their hiding spot? Would he come for them? Rip them apart. Would he take their children and destroy them as he had their father?
Padmé shivered at the thought, her hand resting on her belly and steeled herself. Vader would succeed. If there was one thing that Padmé was certain of with regards to the man she married, it was his hatred for the man who enslaved his soul and the love he held for his family, whether he would acknowledge it or not. Padmé would just have to wait for word to reach her. Until she would hear of the outcome, she would worry.
It was as Adrianna finished setting the table that a series of marching footsteps echoed through the Villa towards their location. Fear gripped Padmé as she held tightly to Aidia. Behind her, both Shmi and Dormé stood, hovering. Was this the day that their happy bubble would burst? Did the Emperor find them? Has death come for them at last?
Padmé flinched when the doors to the terrace opened and several guards marched over to them, Captain Dracorn in the lead. However, instead of arresting them as Padmé feared, Captain Dracorn stopped before Padmé and swept down onto his knees, bowing his head. The rest of the guards followed his lead.
"Milady, I have come to inform you that His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Palpatine is dead. Lord Vader has successively sized the Imperial Throne. May I be the first to offer you my loyalty. Long may you both shall reign!"
Padmé's breath caught in her throat as she took in the captain's words. Her hand, which wasn't pressing Aidia close to her, flew to her stomach, where her unborn children grew. Around them, each member of the Villa's staff sank to their knees in reverence. "Thank you, Captain. Please, rise." she said with as much regal grace as she could muster.
Captain Dracorn was the first to rise and nodded to the new Imperial Empress. "Your Majesty," he said respectfully.
"This is a joyous occasion. With the former Emperor dead, it is my hope that Lord Vader and I can repair what Sheev Palpatine sought to destroy," Padmé said.
"That is our hope as well, Your Majesty. I speak for most of us when I assert my loyalty to Lord Vader. I believe there are many who will be relieved to see you and Lord Vader seated upon the Imperial Throne."
Padmé held her doubts but appreciated the Captain's words nonetheless. "Where is my husband, Captain? I wish to speak to him at once," she asked.
"His Majesty is on Imperial Center, Your Majesty. I have received orders to inform you that your return to Imperial Center is requested," Captain Dracorn answered her.
Padmé nodded. "Understood. I still insist on speaking to my husband personally," she said.
Captain Dracorn flinched but masked it immediately, snapping to attention. "As Your Majesty commands," he said, turning on his heel and marching back inside the villa. Padmé gripped Dormé and Shmi's hands and kissed Aidia's forehead before regally following the Captain inside.
She never wanted to rule the galaxy but understood the necessity of it. She had been a queen and ruled an entire planet at the age of fourteen. She was dedicated to the people and knew that the galaxy needed her to temper her husband's rule.
Captain Dracorn led her into Vader's personal office and pulled up a specific comm frequency. It took several minutes to connect and while they waited, Padmé took a seat behind the desk. Her hands rubbing the curve of her stomach, soothing the children growing within. The longer it took to connect, the deeper the growing worry took root within her.
She knew now that Palpatine was dead and that her husband remained the victor, yet she still did not know what he was doing now. Palpatine had many loyal minions who would no doubt prove themselves to be dangerous enemies. Padmé considered whether or not her husband would have already considered that. For the first time since that fateful day in the Senate Rotunda when she fled for her life, Padmé regretted not asking more questions when she allowed herself to become complicit in the assination of the Galactic Emperor and now she would be undergoing a coup the likes of which hadn't been seen since Sheev Palpatine transformed the Republic into an Empire of his making. It had taken over a decade for the Republic, which stood for over a thousand years to crumble and the Empire to rise from the ashes, could the reverse be possible? Would Vader be willing to follow along? Padmé considered all the ways she could influence her husband. Could his hatred for his master be enough for him to allow the Empire to slowly revert back to a Republic?
Padmé would have to carefully wait to find out as a connection was made. Instead of the holographic image of her husband, she was met with that of a helmeted trooper, and judging by the markings of his armor, it was a member of the 501st attack battalion, or more commonly known by now, Vader's Fist. Padmé tried to recall the Jedi General who had once commanded the 501st but she couldn't. It was no matter, the 501st were exceptionally loyal to her husband without the use of inhibitor chips.
Captain Dracorn leaned forward. "Her Imperial Majesty commands to speak to His Imperial Majesty, Lord Vader," he instructed.
"The Emperor is busy and has commanded that he not be disturbed," the metallic voice of the trooper informed them.
"Perhaps if you were to inform the emperor of who is calling.." but Captain Dracorn didn't get to finish because the connection was cut off.
Padmé frowned as she held a hand over her belly. That was certainly rude and she tried not to think of any sinister implications behind the disconnection.
Captain Drcorn swore and hailed the connection again, a furious look to his eyes. "They have no right," he ground out as they waited for the connection to be reestablished.
Padmé sucked in a breath as the waiting seemed to last longer and she couldn't shake the worry that something was wrong. Perhaps it was a sense of paranoia. She had been afraid that she would be found and murdered in her sleep ever since she ran for her life from the Senate that fateful morning and ever since Vader had left Gallinore to confront his master, she feared the worst while preying for the death of Emperor Palpatine. She hadn't feared for her own life this intensely before but as she felt the featherlight movements beneath her hand and she recalled Aidia's nightmare, it suddenly wasn't her life that she feared for.
Finally, the connection reached the Imperial Palace for the second time and the same trooper appeared. However, before the trooper could speak, Captain Dracorn adopts the sternest expression and posture. "Do not cut these communications again, Trooper. I must warn you that I will be personally informing Lord Vader that you blocked communications between the emperor and his wife.," the Captain of the Estate spoke in the sternest of tones.
Padmé glanced at the unnamed Trooper, and somehow sensed the man pale and gulp behind his helmet. "I would like to speak to my husband as soon as possible," she informed the Trooper in a calmer tone of voice.
"I will see if the Emperor is available," the metallic voice said through the helmet, somehow sounding a bit shaky in his response. The trooper left the view of the communicator as he set off to fetch the Emperor.
Padmé chanced a glance with Captain Dracorne. "A little discipline will be in order, nothing too severe, I am sure," the captain assured her.
"I do not condone the use of threats to a person's life, Captain," Padmé reprimanded the man, maintaining an even tone.
"I needed the incentive, Milady."
Padmé did not reply, her hand rubbed slow, steady circles over her belly as she shifted in her seat as they waited. Her back ached and she let out a small grimace, before schooling her features. Captain Dracorn sent her a sympathetic glance but otherwise said nothing which Padmé was grateful for.
"Padmé."
Padmé sat up straighter, feeling immense relief at the sound of that voice and at seeing the holographic form of her husband take form. A weight that she didn't know was there had been lifted from her shoulders. "Anakin," she breathed. Her entire focus was on her husband but she did notice Captain Dracorn leaving the room to give the couple their privacy.
"You're concerned…"
Padmé stilled as she met the intense gaze of her husband through the holocomm. "Yes," she confirmed. "Of course I've been concerned. I've been more than concerned if I were to be honest."
"You needn't have been. I have everything under control," Vader said assuredly.
"Ani, you left a little over two weeks ago to confront Emperor Palaptine, who wanted me dead for whatever reason. I've been in the dark completely until now, of how that confrontation concluded. Of course I've been concerned," Padmé patiently told him. She did not, however, miss the glimmer of guilt when she mentioned that Sheev Palpatine wanted her dead. What wasn't he telling her there? Padmé had not doubted him once that her life was in danger because of his master, but now she wondered if he had left anything out when informing her of the situation.
"I apologize if my silence has caused you any undue stress. It was unsafe, until now, for us to communicate long distance," Vader apologized, albeit a little stiffly.
Padmé felt herself appreciate that he took the initiative to apologize without prompting this time. "So, it is done then? He is dead?" she asked.
"Emperor Palpatine was assassinated by a faction of the Imperial government on Empire Day. As the Imperial heir, I acted quickly to seize the Imperial Throne and expedited the investigation upon my predecessor's death and found evidence implicating Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin in a plot to seize Imperial control. His execution took place quite recently. I am set to make the public announcement later this afternoon," Vader informed her dispassionately.
Padmé took in everything she had just been told. She understood his double meaning completely. While her husband had personally seen to the death of the monster that enslaved the galaxy, he had also eliminated an equally treacherous threat by setting up the ambitious and unscrupulous Moff to take the fall. Padmé abhorred the acts themselves on principle but in this single regard, she understood the need. Palpatine was a monster that could not be allowed to continue to dominate the galaxy and Tarkin was another monster responsible for many atrocities under the name of military order and stability. She had no doubt that her husband had been executing the terrible man only moments before answering her communications.
"I understand," she said, nodding. "Thank you for telling me."
"Padmé," Vader said, somewhat softer. "I've called off any bounty against you and rescinded all charges of treason against you. You are safe to return to Imperial Center. Unfortunately, I cannot leave and escort you personally."
Padmé let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. The feeling of mortal danger left and relief washed over her. "Thank the force," she breathed. "I would like to contact my family to inform them that the danger has passed."
"I'm afraid that will need to wait for the moment. I would rather no more communications be transmitted from your location. I've instructed Admiral Heineil of the Exacter to give you a safe escort back to Imperial Center. Once abroad the Exactor, you will be free to send as many communications as you will need," Vader informed her.
Padmé understood. It seemed as though he still preferred the estate on Gallinore to remain as safe and secretive as possible. She would need to send as many communications as needed to try to explain things and to plan. "When shall we expect the arrival of the Exactor?" she asked.
"Within the week. Once you've returned, then we can announce our joint rule. Until then…"
Padmé didn't hear the rest of what he said as her mind focussed on three very important words. Our joint rule. Without consulting her, he had automatically decided on her role in the Empire now that Palaptine was dead and he had seized the throne. Padmé's mind thought through all the different implications. One conclusion sticking out through the mess of racing thoughts. Joint rule alongside Vader would make it easier to affect the kind of change within the Empire from the very top. Feeling the duty she held towards the people as deeply as she held, Padmé was unable to pass this opportunity up. Even if she had no desire to be Galactic Empress of a dictatorship, the idea feeling like a betrayal of everything she believed in, she knew that this was a path she had to take if she were going to achieve restoring Democracy to the galaxy.
"Ani," she spoke up, interrupting her husband. "Please give me some time to think over these changes."
"You need time to adjust. In a little over a week, you'll return to Imperial Center and I am sure that by then you will have adjusted. I will ensure that everything we will need will be ready for your arrival."
By the time they disconnected, Padmé realized, belatedly, that she completely forgot to bring up Aidia's nightmare and how her abilities manifested. She would need to wait to discuss how they would proceed with the topic. Padmé would be adamant about not training the children in the ways of the Sith, but even so, Aidia, and their unborn children would ultimately need to learn to control their abilities someway or another. Silently, Padmé considered consulting Obi-Wan Kenobi once she could find a way to safely communicate with him. She had to tell her long time friend that Anakin was alive and where he had been this entire time, after all.
Bail Organa was apprehensive. It wasn't the first time. He was apprehensive about the repercussions of the Republic going to war with the Confederacy of Independent Systems. He was weary about the sheer amount of power that Sheev Palpatine had amassed during the war. Bail was downright horrified when the Jedi were massacred and branded traitors to the very Republic they served and protected. He was apprehensive when the senate voted in applause when Palpatine reorganized the Republic into an Empire. Bail had shared his concerns with his good friend, Senator Padmé Amidala who was equally horrified.
When the Emperor had brought forth the young man he had claimed as his ward, some distant orphaned relation, as a hero for the empire. The Emperor praised the young Darth Vader as bringing the traitorous Jedi to heel and handed over control of the Empire's military to his young protege. It was then that Bail Organa realized just what had happened. The Jedi had confided with Bail Organa and Padmé Amidala that the Sith have reemerged on Naboo with the death of Qui-Gon Jinn and later, during the war, the Jedi confided in the two senators that they were worried that the Sith had infiltrated the Senate.
The Emperor was the Sith master and the boy he had claimed as a ward, his apprentice. The Jedi were massacred, not because they tried to take over the Republic and assassinate the Chancellor, but because they failed to save the Republic.
Now Emperor Palpatine was dead. Assassinated in dramatic, gory affect for the entire galaxy to bear witness to. There was only one explanation that Bail could draw. Darth Vader had made quick work of seizing the Imperial Throne while Wilhuff Tarkin and his fraction scrambled to find the assassin. One by one opposing factions, Senators absolutely loyal to Palpatine vanished off the face of the galaxy. Members of the Imperial court, Moffs and Governors vanished one by one. In Tarkin's case, the Grand Moff and his faction had been publicly rounded up by the 501st Legion, Vader's fist, and marched into the Throne Room. Rumors of tortured screams emerging from the Throne Room, followed by bodies being removed abounded. Not a single man who had been marched into the Throne Room came out alive.
The last two to have been rumored to be executed had been Mas Ameeda and Sly Moore. Rumors of their capture in an attempt to leave Imperial Center persisted, yet not one person had been able to catch a single glimpse of the two since Empire Day. There were even romus of Sly Moore being pregnant at the time but Bail took those rumors with a grain of salt. Darth Vader was vicious, merciless, and ruthless. The tales of his blood-lust reached many ears, yet the man never harmed a child. Of all the bodies left behind in the Jedi Temple, the only younglings that had been killed did not die by a lightsaber. Very few younglings had been killed, despite the rumors. However, The Jedi younglings that were not left behind as corpses were unaccounted for. Bail Organa, his allies and the surviving Jedi were apprehensive by that information. The whereabouts of the missing Jedi younglings were a matter of great concern. Not a single one of them had appeared. Not even among the Inquisitors.
Bail Organa felt apprehensive because for the first time in a long time, he was unable to figure out what would happen next. Palpatine, Bail felt certain of what he could expect of him. He had dealt with the man politically for years and with the realization that he was a Sith, Bail understood even more what could happen next. Vader was unpredictable.
Bail cupped his chin as he gazed upon the holonet screen. An image of Darth Vader sitting upon the Imperial Throne was being broadcasted on all channels as an official Imperial announcement was being given. Darth Vader was now the Emperor and he was vowing to bring not just order and justice to his Empire, but security the likes of which his predecessor was unable to promise.
"Do you actually believe this bantha shit?" Senator Garm Bel Iblis exclaimed.
Bail glanced in his colleague's direction. "I'm not sure of anything at the moment," he said cautiously. He was in his office in his private residence surrounded by his closest allies, Senators Mon Mothma, Garm Bel Ilbis, Bana Breemu, Giddean Danu, what was left of the Delegation of 2000. Padmé Amidala should be here as well but she had gone missing several months ago and Palpatine had issued a warrant for her execution for treason. Bail had feared the worst until Breha had received a message from Sola Naberrie, it was coded but the message conveyed that Padmé was safe and in hiding, that an old friend had saved her from an assination attempt.
The last alley in the room wasn't a member of the Senate nor part of the delegation, but wanted for execution nonetheless. Obi-Wan Kenobi had survived the purge and spent his time allaying the fledgling rebel alliance and continuing his search for the lost boy he had rescued from Tatooine over a decade ago. No one beside the Jedi believed that the Skywalker boy survived the crash. Even Padmé tried to hope, but she even mourned for the little boy she had befriended.
"Vader has charged Tarkin with an attempted coup for the Imperial Throne. He has convenient evidence," Giddean Danu said in response to Garm's outburst.
"It is no secret that there were rumors about Tarkin's grand ambitions. He accumulated too much power. It's not too far of a stretch to assume this is the case," Bana Breemu replied.
"Bantha shit! Tarkin didn't have the theatrics for Empire Day. We all know who does though," Garm retorted.
"It is true that there was open hostility between Tarkin and Darth Vader. I can see where Garm is leading us to," Mon Mothma interjected, the consummate mediator of the group. Had the Republic still stood, she would make an excellent Chancellor.
"What are your thoughts, Master Kenobi?" Bail asked before another outburst could come.
Everyone turned to give the Jedi their attention. Obi-Wan stood in the corner, stroking his beard in thought. "I concur with you all. It is the way of the Sith that the apprentice would kill the master. It is quite clear that Vader has fulfilled his end of the cycle. Undoubtedly, he had planned it out meticulously and set his rival up as a scapegoat," he spoke, his gray eyes focussed on the image of Vader on the Imperial Throne. "We must proceed with caution until we understand our new situation better. One Sith does not equate another. An apprentice need not replicate his master."
"What of Senator Amidala?" Mon asked worriedly.
"I have it on good authority that she is safe and in hiding. She made contact with her family who contacted my wife. I am informed that an old friend rescued her from an assination attempt by the Emperor and brought her into hiding with him," Bail explained.
This appeared to catch the Jedi Master's attention. "An old friend?" he asked.
"I don't know. A name was never given. But Sola Naberrie appeared very shocked, said that the only thing Padmé could disclose was the word Japor and when she said it, Padmé had been wearing her japor snippet," Bail said, shaking his head. He did not understand the code that the two sisters shared but judging by the way the Jedi's eyes widened, Obi-Wan Kenobi knew what the clue had meant.
"They found each other," Obi-Wan said softly. Shaking himself, he refocussed his attention on the holonet. "We need more information before we make any plans. Be on the lookout for any possible apprentices," he warned before the surviving Jedi left the room.
Bail shook his head. Whatever just happened, he was sure it set about a sense of urgency into the Jedi. "Well, you heard him," he said to his colleagues.
It didn't take much to pack up their belongings for the trip. The Villa's staff and several squads of Vader's men had aided in helping their Empress in her preparation to return to Imperial Center. A part of Padmé felt Melancholy at leaving the beautiful oasis she had been hiding out in away from the troubles of the galaxy. It felt like she was leaving behind a life she never thought to entertain for herself.
However, Padmé's sense of duty took over and she took to the transition with as much regal grace as was within her possession. Even Aidia flitted between sadness at leaving another home and seeing her father. After freshly seizing the Imperial Throne, it was doubtful that Vader would be able to return to Gallinore any time soon. And if Vader were going to rule the galaxy, Padmé felt duty bound towards the citizens of the galaxy to temper his rule and actually bring something good to the role she found herself in.
Unlike their arrival to the lush planet, a shuttle waited to bring the Imperial family aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer. The flagship of the Imperial Navy, the Exactor, hovered over the planet as their official escort. When the shuttle had docked with the Exactor, a crowd of officers waited to greet them on bended knee. The Exactor's Admiral, Heineil, was a man loyal to Vader above reproach and had personally escorted the three women and child to Vader's personal quarters on the Imperial Flagship.
Their every need was provided for with precision and not a single officer abroad had been anything but polite. Shmi had shown deep discomfort whenever anyone referred to her as Her Lady, Imperial Mother and Padmé was unsure where the title had originated from.
Dormé had taken charge of caring for and occupying Aidia alongside Shmi while Padmé chose to ensconce herself inside her husband's personal office aboard the Star Destroyer. She drew up as many plans and preparations as she could, while also updating herself on the news from Imperial Center. She sent off several messages in preparation for her arrival. First and foremost was a personal message to her friend, Bail Organa, informing him that she was returning to the capital and whatever he heard, she had a perfectly reasonable explanation which she hoped to express personally the next day. She then contacted the rest of her staff, her personal assistant and the remainder of her handmaidens. She set up an appointment with her designer as well. She then sent a message to her parents, explaining everything to them the best she could and asking them not to be alarmed by the news.
One of the first and foremost plans she had made regarded her home. Naboo needed to be free of Palpatine's puppet queen and a new queen must be elected as soon as possible as well as provide new representation for the sector. Whomever had been acting in her stead all these months needed to be looked into. This was a matter that she would argue tooth and nail over if her husband dared to dismiss her over.
A chime pulled her out of her ruminations over Naboo. "Enter."
The door slid open and Admiral Heineil bowed once he stepped through the door, a serving droid bearing a trey laden with food and drink entering behind him. "Empress," Heineil greeted.
Padmé sighed, unsure if she would be used to the address any time soon. "Admiral," she greeted as the serving droid placed the tray on the desk before her. She raised an eyebrow at the nutritional selection.
"The Emperor sent specific instructions for your stay," Admiral Heineil explained.
"I see," Padmé said as she picked up the mug of tea offered to her and took a sip. "Is there anything else that I should know?"
Heineil regarded the woman who had restored the damaged heart of the man he considered a friend, a man who now sat upon the Imperial throne. Padmé Amidala, the new Galactic Empress possessed a strength not dissimilar from his late cousin and an iron will that Sonya had lacked. Perhaps, this woman before him would succeed where Sonya had failed. Crossing his arms behind his back, he adopted a formal military pose as he spoke, giving the woman before him the difference she was due as his superior. "We encountered a small contingent of rebel ships when we dropped from hyperspace for our next jump a few moments ago. Standard orders are to deal with any sighting of rebel activity with the utmost…"
Padmé held up a hand, halting the Admiral mid speech. "And what made you certain that these ships were rebels? What were they doing to gain your notice?" she questioned.
Heineil regarded the empress, aware of the rumors of this woman's rebel sympathies. There had not been any evidence to tie her to the rebel cause but she did keep certain allies that had been under suspicion. Yet, Lord Vader had been very strict about any action against her even before she became his wife. Now that she was the Empress, what she did next might shed light upon these rumors. However, Heineil had no doubt that she would hold sway over the new emperor. "They match those of ships that have been previously sighted as escaping rebel ships. Intelligence have identified the ships as those known to be a part of the rebel alliance. Upon encountering the Lady, they immediately prepared defensive maneuvers, preparing to escape while several smaller fighters began to prepare an attack formation," he confirmed. Taking a breath, he met the fierce gaze of the Empress. "Normally, we would already have engaged with the rebels but with the Imperial family abroad we have had to prepare and plan accordingly…
"Let them go."
"Pardon?" Heineil reared back as he heard the command. "My lady, the emperor…"
"Is not aboard this vessel, I am." Padmé interrupted him. "Tell me, Admiral, considering that my husband has now seized the Imperial throne, that now makes me the Empress, correct?"
Heineil nodded, trying to follow where she was going with this.
"That means that while I am aboard this ship, I am the one with the highest rank. If I were to give an order, it must be obeyed without question, correct?"
"Yes, Maam," Heineil said.
Padmé rose from her seat and walked over to the viewport. "Have someone contact the rebel ships, informing them that they are free to pass without consequences should they leave peacefully by order of the Empress." She turned to face the Admiral. "I plan to initiate negotiations with the Rebel Alliance. If we were to attack their ships, it would be a sign of aggression and would not be beneficial to any diplomatic endeavors towards a ceasefire. The rebels have acted upon grievances and oppression that the late Emperor chose to ignore and crush rather than listen. I plan to change that."
Upon that declaration, Heineil finally had an answer for the rumors surrounding her. Yet, he found himself choosing not to fault her. With a bow, he acknowledged her words. "As you command, Your Majesty," he said and left to carry out her orders.
The dark side of the force swirled around him, feeding into his senses like the drug that it was. Vader bared his teeth and let out a feral growl as his molten yellow gaze glowered at the two bodies at his feet, his grip tightened around his lightsaber, the scarlet blade humming with the blood of his enemies.
Mas Amedda had foolishly fought against his execution, arguing that Vader had no legal right to arrest let alone execute the Chargrian Grand Vizier of the Galactic Empire. Vader didn't bother to remind the trembling and arrogant long-time aid of Sheev Palpatine that Vader was the Emperor now. Instead, he silenced Mas Ameeda forever with the swipe of his lightsaber, the former Grand Vizier's head rolling across the throne room.
Sly Moore had been a whole different matter. The Umbaran woman trembled before him on her knees, her wrists bound behind her back, pleading not for her own life but for the life within her. Vader felt disgust bile threaten to rise through his gut. He had known, of course, of the long time affair between his master and Sly Moore. Unlike the pure and innocent life that embodied his own children, there was nothing but putrid darkness residing in the Umbaran woman's womb, a corruption of nature and the force.
Sly Moore trembled and shivered as she felt the new, young Emperor brush his knuckles against her cheek. Rather than offer her comfort, the Umbaran Woman knew the falseness of the gesture and her fear spiked. "Please…" she begged, feeling as though she had been thrown into a frozen lake.
"You were there when he tortured my daughter. You stood at his side as he destroyed her. She was innocent in all this and yet did you offer mercy?" Vader's voice was sharp and cold, sending spikes of terror through her spine.
"Please…" she begged again, desperate to gain mercy, not for herself, but for her son.
"A life for a life," Vader told her softly, tilting her chin up so that she would look him in the eyes.
Sly Moore screamed in shock and pain as Vader thrust his lightsaber through her abdomen, piercing her womb callously. The force adept Umbaran woman cried in pain as she felt the life force of her son cease to exist.
Vader softly caressed Sly Moore's cheek. "I am not without mercy. Your pain will be fleeting," he told her coldly, the force swirling around them like a vortex. Vader raised his fist and with a flick of his wrist, Sly Moore's neck snapped and her body crumpled at his feet, devoid of life.
Vader took deep calming breaths as the bodies were removed from the throne room. Sheathing his blade, he reclipped his lightsaber to his belt and accepted the glass from the elderly servant who spoke his mother's tongue. He didn't know why he kept the woman and her husband around, but he felt something nagging at him through the Force where they were concerned.
Dismissing the woman, he turned towards the large windows and closed his eyes, a single tear escaping. It was done. Every last one responsible for the death of his first child and who posed a threat to his family had been eliminated. He had finally avenged his daughter, who would have already started school by now, who would never know her siblings. Who was slain for the misfortune of having his blood running through her veins. Because he had loved her. Anya was now a part of the past and she would forever occupy a scar upon his heart. The future, the present, belonged to Aidia, to Padmé and the twins who were growing safely inside their mother's womb. He would do everything in his power to protect them all. He would not fail them as he had failed Anya.
"My Lord… ah… Your Majesty…"
Vader glanced to his right where Captain Rex of the 501st approached him tentatively. He nodded at the clone captain and continued to stare out the window.
"A shuttle has landed in the Palace hanger bearing your personal codes," the Clone captain informed him.
"Have the occupants of the shuttle escorted to my personal quarters. No harm shall come to them," Vader ordered. He didn't wait for a reply and reached out to the Force. They were here. His family. Sucking in a trembling breath, he relished in the feeling. They didn't have to hide anymore. They were free.
The woman, the servant who nagged at him through the force, tentatively approached him. Vader could sense her need to ask him something, overshadowing her fear of him. "What?" he demanded.
"My Lord…" she paused as if trying to find the least offensive wording for her question. "These men, that woman that you executed, they were responsible for the death of a child?" she asked.
"My daughter," Vader said stiffly, "Was not yet two standard years of age when conspirators abducted her from her bed so that my predecessor could electrocute her to death." He curled his hands into shaking fists at his sides. He could feel the woman's horror upon his answer, mixed with sympathy.
"I am truly sorry for your loss, My Lord. The pain of a child's loss is unbearable," the woman offered.
"Your pity is not welcome," Vader told her harshly.
"It is not pity, My Lord," the woman insisted. "I too know the loss of a child. My children were ripped from my arms and sold off by monsters. I don't know what happened to them or if they are even alive."
Something within Vader, the little boy he once was, before his master had taken him, softened. "I am not unaware of what it means to be enslaved," he told her stiffly and sensed the woman's shock. "I informed you of my plans to abolish the practice. It is a plan not born of some altruistic sentimentality."
The woman approached. "May I ask for a favor?" she asked quietly, hesitantly.
"I said that I would abolish slavery. I have no plan to waste resources in trying to reunite enslaved families. That is a fool's ideal," Vader told her coldly before she could even ask.
The woman was about to reply when she stepped back in shock. Vader sensed it and turned away from the window only to grunt as something collided into his leg, holding on with a vice grip. A loud wail of "Daddy!" pierced the vast throne room. A clone raced into the entrance of the throne room and froze upon the sight that greeted him.
Vader dropped on bended knee and gently pried the little arms from their grip around his leg. Aidia's little arms wrapped around his neck instead as she clung to him. Vader gently held her lithe body to his chest as he rose. Her blonde curls fell about her shoulders in a wild mane. She wore a dark blue dress with little sparking stars decorating it, making her blue eyes pop.
"I missed you, Daddy!" Aidia informed him. "You were gone for a really long time."
Vader placed a hand on her back as he smiled. "I had to make sure it was safe for you, my Princess," he told the little girl in his arms. He reached out with his senses, wondering how long it would take before Padmé were to come looking for his daughter.
Carrying Aidia away from the window, he climbed the steps of the dias and took a seat upon the Imperial Throne, with Aidia in his lap. Gently, he placed a knuckle under her chin, tilting her little face up to meet his. "I will never let anything bad happen to you," he promised.
"I know, Daddy," Aidia said with childlike sincerity. Aidia, in spite of how little he had been in her life thus far, looked upon him as though he hung the stars. Vader's heart swelled at the love this child held for him. The scar that was her dead sister burned and itched as it shrunk, yet didn't go away. The scar would never go away. But his heart could finally begin to heal. Gently, he brushed a strand of soft hair behind her ear before kissing her temple.
"Captain Rex," Vader commanded and the clone trooper who stood frozen at the entrance to the throne room instantly stood alert. "No less than two of your best men from the 501st will be escorting my daughter at all times. Should a single hair on her head be harmed, I will be holding you personally responsible."
The clone captain saluted. "As you wish," he said.
"We will be discussing security for the Imperial family later," Vader stated pointedly with a clear dismissal. He didn't take his eyes off of his daughter as he issued his commands yet he knew that they would be carried out.
A woman in plain, yet expensive, mauve robes entered the throne room, exhaling a sigh of relief when she spotted the child upon Vader's lap. She offered a deep curtsy, "My Lord…"
Vader glanced in the woman's direction. "Another handmaiden?" he deduced.
"Moteé, You're Majesty. Milady Amidala summoned me to serve as a governess for the child," the handmaiden explained.
Vader understood and signaled his approval. He trusted Padmé to choose who would surround the children. He was well aware of the special training that Handmaidens of Naboo undertook. "Inform your mistress that I expect her presence at her most convenient," he commanded. He then nudged Aidia who obediently slid from his lap and trudged down the steps of dias, to the waiting handmaiden, taking her hand.
The handmaiden nodded and left to relay the message. Aidia looked over her shoulder at her father as they vanished out of the Throne Room.
Vader pressed a button on his comlink. A hidden door slid open from behind the throne and muscled, leather wearing man entered, looking like some sort of mercenary.
"Jix, I have an assignment for you. I want you to locate Galen Erso's wife and daughter. They are currently being held by Orsen Krennic as leverage for Galen Erso's cooperation. You are to bring them to a safe location under my protection. If Galen Erso is going to be beholden to anyone, I want it to be me," Vader instructed his agent.
"As you wish," Jix gave his cheeky reply. No other words were exchanged as the agent left the way he had come. This was a part of many plans Vader had up his sleeve.
Vader then activated the holocommunicator and leaned back, interlocking fingers resting ominously in his lap. "Director Krennic, how nice of you to be prompt," he said ominously.
"Lord Vader…" Krennic fathered upon the harsh glance from Vader. "Your Majesty," Krennic corrected himself as he shakily lowered himself to bended knee in the hologram.
"I want you to bring the scientist Galen Erso to me in the Imperial Palace immediately. I wish to ensure his loyalty," Vader commanded.
"I can assure you, Your Majesty, Erso's loyalty…"
"I will be the judge of Erso's loyalty, Director," Vader interrupted. "I will personally see to it. You are to escort Galen Erso to me immediately, unharmed both physically and mentally. Failure to comply is unacceptable." Vader switched off the communications before the director could fathom a reply, allowing the man to fear the consequences of noncompliance.