A/N: Don't own SW. There is another OC of mine introduced in here.
A flurry of lights was visible in the chamber. Quick breaths and sweat, fiery blows, anger, hatred...such was the battle between the young apprentice of Emperor Palpatine, and the well-known Darth Tyranus, formerly Count Dooku. Vader was determined to win—he hated this man and wouldn't mind seeing him perish, and better by his own hands.
A few more blows and clashes here and there until Vader spotted a weak point and thrust his crimson blade into the heart of Tyranus, killing him instantly. Darth Vader stood over the now dead body of Darth Tyranus. He defeated him in a lightsaber duel. It had been hard and exhausting at first but as Vader grew angrier and more hateful towards Tyranus, the battle became easier.
A weak clap filled the darkened meeting room of Emperor Palpatine. "Well done, Vader. You have proven yourself as a new Sith." His voice rasped. He cracked a twisted grin. "Now, we must make our next move. Destroy the Jedi Temple and all the Jedi. Rid us of their lies and their pathetic existence, Vader."
"Yes master." Vader replied through his mask. He deactivated his lightsaber.
Leia began to cry again and Bail rushed over to her and tried to calm the baby girl down. It took awhile but eventually she would quiet down after wailing but lately it had been taking a bit longer than usual. Obi Wan sighed and held his head in his hands. That was the fourth time in two hours and the Knight had a headache to end all headaches. In all his years he had faced terrible dangers, crude people, even death, and here he ...believing he was going to go insane. Why could this girl not sleep? Did Leia really understand what had happened and missed her mother? Well of course she missed Padme—the baby girl had not seen her for awhile. "I think she's hungry." Bail said calmly, stating the now obvious. Leia was only a few months old.
Obi Wan raised an eyebrow and hoped Padme had not forgotten a certain thing. The Knight immediately checked the bag Padme had left with them, hoping there was some sort of pacifier to be used later, and some nourishment. She hadn't forgotten. With a smile, he reached into the bag and produced a warm bottle full of regular milk. There was a lot of it inside as Padme had obviously foreseen the problem. "Problem solved, Senator Organa. You can feed her." Obi Wan handed the bottle to Bail with a smug look.
Bail sighed heavily and took the bottle and tired to coax Leia into drinking it. Leia was hungry all right and she drank from the bottle heartily as if there were no tomorrow. If Bail and Obi Wan had been listening closely, they might've heard sounds of relief coming from the cockpit where the rest of the ship's crew was. It seemed the two men were not the only ones suffering. "So," Bail began to start up a conversation. "What are you planning to do once we reach Alderaan?" He glanced back to Leia and noticed the bottle was becoming empty quick. He would have to burp her soon; he cringed at the thought.
Obi Wan looked thoughtful and leaned his chin on his hand, propped up by his elbows on his knees. "I haven't decided yet. One thing is for sure though: I'll have to change my name if I am to become a permanent resident of Alderaan."
Bail shook his head, frowning slightly. "We can hide you somewhere on the planet and keep your presence and identity hidden. There is no need to do that. We can get you on Alderaan without going through security procedures-"
Obi Wan waved his hand, shaking his head. "Thank you but I believe this way will work better." Bail glanced doubtfully at him and he added, "Trust me."
Owen looked at the boy in his arms and listened to the sobbing of his stepmother. He and Beru had no idea how to raise a child, especially since they weren't planning anytime soon to have children of their own. Shmi knew though but what if she couldn't in her state? His stepmother might harbor angry feelings towards her son for not telling her all these things. Currently she was in mourning. Then his ears perked as he realized Shmi had stopped weeping. "Mom?" He turned around and faced her.
Beru frowned at Owen. "Owen, leave her be. Can't you see she's-"
"No, no. Thank you but it's all right, Beru." Shmi sniffed and held out her arms with a weak smile. "May I please see Luke?" She said in a faint voice. Owen nodded and brought the boy to her. Shmi gently took Luke into her arms and gazed at him. 'Such beautiful blue eyes...he's so small...' The woman sighed, feeling her heart hurt once more. "He reminds me so much of Ani." A pause. "Why didn't he tell me?" Her voice held a tone of hurt and the silence around them became uncomfortable for a few moments, until Beru spoke up.
"He's so cute." Beru smiled warmly at the baby, stroking its soft hair. "But how can we raise him out here? We don't have much..." Her voice trailed off. It was true. They weren't the richest of moisture farmers and had only enough for themselves daily to get through life. Life on Tatooine was hard.
Luke yawned and whimpered. A suggestible smell filled the air and Owen's face scrunched up and he stepped back a bit. "I'm no baby expert," He began. "But that smell might be coming from him...if you take my meaning correctly..." Beru stifled a giggle and Shmi chuckled softly at her stepson.
"I guess Luke needs changing." Shmi's expression became stern. "Owen, grab his bag. Beru, see if we have a bottle able to feed a baby and fill it up with warm blue milk." She ordered and the young couple immediately went to do what they were told. Nobody argued with Shmi Skywalker. Shmi took Luke inside the homestead and smiled at the baby. "Don't you worry Luke. We'll take good care of you." She took him into another room to change him. Beru soon entered the room with a bottle of warm blue milk and Owen had already dropped off Luke's luggage. The farmer had to go attend to some outside business so Beru stayed with Shmi, ready to offer more help if needed. "You know, Beru, I've thought about it enough." Shmi suddenly said, catching the young woman by surprise.
Beru raised an eyebrow. "Thought about what?"
Shmi sighed and looked at her stepdaughter-in-law. "I am going to see if I can find a place in Mos Espa."
Beru bit her lip. "Is there something wrong? Did I do something wrong...?" She let the question hang in the air. Still quite new to the family, Beru was always worried about fitting in or being in the way although in time she would adjust.
Shmi chuckled and shook her head. "No Beru, nothing is wrong and you certainly didn't do anything wrong. It's just...after that incident with the Sand People and...Oh, I don't know. This place reminds me so much of Cliegg and it hurts to remember." Tears filled her eyes but they did not fall.
Beru quickly finished changing Luke and lifted him up into her arms. "There! All better!" She grinned as Luke stretched out a hand into the air. Beru faced Shmi again. "Are you sure about this? Have you told Owen?"
Shmi grimaced at that last question. "I don't know how to tell him. First his father, and I know how much he cares for me." A heavy sighed escaped her. Then with grim determination, "I'll tell him tonight."
Vader watched as the Jedi Temple crumbled from the bomb an Imperial Spy had set. Unfortunately, only a few Jedi Knights and Masters had still been inside. All children and all other Jedi had escaped including Mace Windu and Yoda. And Obi Wan Kenobi, who, like others, had fled into the galaxy.
Obi Wan Kenobi. That name brought a scowl to Vader's lips. He had been responsible for his condition and the hiding of his wife and daughter. Vader and Obi Wan had fought above a lava-filled pit but Vader soon left that planet in search of Obi Wan who had made a quick getaway. He found him on Coruscant deep in the lower levels and they dueled what might have been the last duel between the two. Vader had lost half of his left leg and almost his entire right leg when he found himself in a large area full of acid run-off. Obi Wan had led him into a trap! His left arm was now a droid arm and horrible scars covered his upper body and face. It had been a nightmare.
He could live without the mask and dark almost mechanical-like clothing the Emperor had instructed him to wear. But Vader didn't want anybody to see the scars or just see him only. It was best to remain behind the mask and carry out orders like so. Plus it caused others to feel fear and respect him more.
"Lord Vader..." The Spy Agent came up to Vader and took a deep breath. He had short red hair streaked with black and was dressed in a dark flightsuit. His name was Garren Fal Jade. His olive green eyes showed no fear but Vader could still sense fear inside of him. "The Temple is no more." He said at last.
"Good." Vader motioned for him to follow. "I have received orders from the Emperor. He does not need you at the moment. But I have a special task for you." Garren stayed silent as he walked alongside Vader. "I want you to track down a woman by the name of Senator Amidala. Do not kill her or harm her unless she attacks. When you find her, bring her to me." Vader hadn't told Palpatine yet about the child and he wanted to keep it that way. He didn't know the girl's name but she was strong in the Force and she might prove useful if she was found.
"As you wish." Garren replied solemnly. "Do you have any leads for me to go on?" He asked timidly a few seconds later.
"Only that she is a Senator of Naboo and is most likely still on Coruscant." Vader responded. They reached Vader's transport full of stormtroopers. Something occurred to him. Palpatine might become suspicious if he found out about this little assignment. He had to do something about it. "Jade, this is to be an on-going assignment. If the Emperor has something else in mind for you, report to him." Garren nodded and watched as Vader entered the transport without another word and left.
Vader knew of Garren's history. He was a born spy and had worked for the Senate for years until he had met Palpatine and now was loyal to the Imperials. Garren was in his late twenties and had a baby girl being cared for by his wife's mother. His wife had died when she gave birth to their daughter. The pain and grief from that death only served to harden him even more than he already was.
If he was ordered to do something, Garren Fal Jade never stopped until he accomplished that task.
Shmi lay on her bed with Luke beside her next to the wall. If she fell asleep, he would be safe. All he had was a thin blanket over him. He wouldn't fall off the bed and a pillow wouldn't smother him. The woman smiled and sang familiar words. "Home again, home again, to go to rest. By hearth and heart, house and nest." It was a rhyme she would sing to Anakin before he went to bed.
It had been settled after a long talk. She would leave for Mos Espa as soon as Owen found a place. She would take Luke with her and raise him there. Owen hadn't been happy about her wanting to leave but after Shmi explained her reasons for leaving, he understood a bit more. Beru promised she would visit weekly or even every third or second day. Shmi felt it was best that she go. It would be good for Luke too. He could grow up and make friends. It would be easier if he was in such an environment. And whenever Owen and Beru came to visit, they could take him back to the moisture farm for a bit and maybe even teach him some things. For now, Owen would be the only father figure in his life.