Chapter Five

"Artoo, make the jump out of hyperspace," Anakin said, then watched as the stars came into focus. Artoo beeped in response.

Almost immediately following that was a series of warnings. "Blast. Obi-Wan, they've spotted you."

Obi-Wan grimaced. "I know. Arfour, I'll handle the steering."

The response clearly had the tone of "what, you don't trust my steering skills?"

The Jedi Master sighed. "No, Arfour, I just think you're a better gunner than I am."

Arfour tootled.

"They're on your tail, Master. Bank right! Now!" Anakin yelled into his mouthpiece as Obi-Wan's ship flew into a spiral. "Are you hit, Obi-Wan? Hang on, I'm going in."

Obi-Wan was still dizzy from the huge evasive spins that he had taken his ship through, but groggily he found his own mouthpiece and spoke, "I'm fine, no damage. Did I ever tell you how much I hate flying?"

His only response was an exploding Imperial ship. "TIE Fighters," Anakin explained.

"You helped build them didn't you?"

"Sorry, master."

"They're good."

"Thanks. I'll bet you I can blow up 3 ships to your every one. Loser pays for the next time we eat out."

"I don't –" Obi-Wan started, but Anakin had already gone forward. Obi-Wan incredulously as missiles shot out of Anakin's Delta-7, each locking on to an individual TIE fighter. The first TIE fighter managed to dodge the missile with a snap roll to the left ... right into Anakin's laser cannons.

"Good work, Artoo. Score's 4-nothing."

"No betting!"

Obi-Wan's fighter lurched forward, as he rushed to join the battle. Not that it was much of one. The rebels on Naboo only had old fighters that were simply no match for the TIE fighter units. "Anakin, we need to go down to the surface!" he cried.

Anakin grimaced. "And what do you propose to do when we get there?"

"We'll ..." Obi-Wan honestly had never given that part of it much though.

"Aggressive negotiations, then. It's settled."

"Anakin?"

Anakin, by now, was completely focused on blowing up Imperial ships. "Take that, you idiot. And THAT."

"Anakin?"

"Artoo, fire!"

"ANAKIN!"

Anakin's voice almost sounded happy through his headset. "Yes, master?"

"How are we going to get down?"

More laser fire. Anakin destroyed another ship. "Sorry, master, what was that?"

"HOW are WE going to GET DOWN TO THE SURFACE?"

"Oh." Anakin seemed completely unconcerned. Obi-Wan could barely hide his frustration. "Hang on, master. I think I've got them ..."

"I KNOW YOU CAN GET THEM, ANAKIN! HOW ARE WE GOING TO –"

Suddenly, Obi-Wan felt it through the Force. A feeling that something incredible was about to –

"Hang on, master. When I say "go", head as fast as you can down for the planet's surface, alright? I'll be right after you."

Obi-Wan stared, perplexed. "What? Can't you see all those ships? I'll crash!"

"That will be taken ... care of ..." Anakin's voice replied. Obi-Wan sighed, and settled back into his seat. "Prepare engines for full throttle, Arfour," he said.

One shot from Anakin's fighter was all it took. The laser fire hit the first TIE fighter's fuselage, causing it to explode. The explosion, somehow, incredibly, caused scrap metal and debris to hit the ship that happened to be right behind it. On and on it went, until nearly every TIE fighter was taken out within 100 meters of them.

"GO! HURRY! The enemy TIEs are closing in!"

The two Delta-7's hurtled downward to the planet.

"That was good. How'd you get them in a huge mass like that?"

"Well, by shooting around them. I shot all the border ships, and it worked; they all massed out in the middle. It was only common sense to wipe them out. So, I suggest Dex's Diner."

"I never actually made the bet."

"Bantha poodoo. I was looking forward to Nexu stew, too."

"Be quiet for a bit, I want to land without getting my tail shot off," Obi-Wan warned ... since there were four TIE fighters hot on their tail.

"Hang on, master. Those guys are as good as dead."

"How? You don't have any ordnance left!"

Anakin nodded, then moved his fighter close to Obi-Wan's, and twisted it upside down, so that his canopy almost touched the canopy of Obi-Wan's fighter.

"Anakin you're going to get us both killed!"

"So sorry, master," Anakin said. His brow was furrowed in concentration, Obi-Wan could tell, as he looked upwards from his seat. Then Anakin punched a button and ...

"Anakin, I think your ship is losing something."

"I just had Artoo release the spare parts canisters."

"What? Why?" Obi-Wan shouted, perplexed, before he saw through his rear viewscreen that the four TIE fighters had run into Anakin's parts, and two of them had detonated. The other two were able to get through unscathed, and began shooting at their ships.

"What's the plan now, Anakin?" Obi-Wan remarked dryly, as he did a snap roll to dodge the laser fire.

"Easy."

"WHAT'S EASY?" Obi-Wan was practically screaming.

"You go left, I'll go right."

That seemed simple enough. Unfortunately for Obi-Wan, both TIE fighters decided that his fighter was easier to target than Anakin's was.

Anakin cursed. It wasn't supposed to work this way. Oh well, he supposed he could take care of them in a different way.

He shot upwards, then turned his fighter down. "Obi-Wan, GO!" he screamed.

Obi-Wan looked up to see Anakin's fighter plummeting down on him. He put his fighter on max speed, and zoomed away from Anakin's nose dive. "What are you ..."

Anakin's brow furrowed in concentration. Normally this was an impossible move. But Anakin Skywalker was always able to make the impossible seem merely difficult. The two TIE fighters screamed in, one after the other. Anakin positioned himself, and angled for a dive.

His fighter screeched in just in front of the first TIE fighter, so close his tailfins were nearly touching the TIE fighter's cockpit.

"What the –" sputtered the TIE fighter pilot, and instinctively turned on the reverse thrusters and fired a quick burst. Anakin snap-rolled away, but his left wing was shot off. Meanwhile, the TIE fighter's sudden reverse caughted the second pilot off guard, and the two fighters collided in midair with a deafening explosion.

Obi-Wan's voice crackled into his radio. "Impressive."

"Wait until after we land before congratulating. I still have to land this heap of junk."

"Heap of junk? You spent days working on that thing!"

"... well, now it's a heap of junk," Anakin retorted, and Obi-Wan had to agree. The remains of the left wing was smoking as the two fighters made their way to the surface of Naboo.

--

"TWO ships made it past our blockade, captain? Is that what you're saying?"

"Y-yes, milady."

Darth Petra scowled. Leave it to those Imperial idiots to screw up her plans. "Did you send additional troops after them?"

"Yes, milady. The 33rd battalion had been dispatched against them. They returned at less that 40 strength, and reported no success."

It was all the Sith Lady could do not toe speak incredulously "Two people eliminated 3/5 of a battalion?"

"Ready my ship, I'll take care of them," she said, assuming a calm demeaner.

"Do you want assistance, milady? They seem like able fighters."

"I can handle some pilots," Tarra growled. The clone took the hint and backed off. Tarra's head was spinning. How had two fighters blasted a gaping hole in her defenses? She oversaw the blockade herself, making sure that if any enemy had engaged, they would be quickly surrounded and outnumbered. Her hands twitched near her dual lightsabers, she had a feeling they would be needed.

As she approached her ship, though, a queasy feeling had developed in her stomach. Could it be that ... no, it was impossible. The Jedi were destroyed a long time ago. By him. Her eyes narrowed impulsively. The droids fixing her ship thought she was displeased with their progress, and scattered.

She settled into her seat, telling herself it was nothing, and she would take care of this new threat, quickly, so she could complete her mission.

--

"Master Kenobi! Master Skywalker! Mesa so glad to asee yous again!"

Obi-Wan smiled, "Hello, Jar Jar."

Anakin frowned internally, but managed to nod in the Gungan's general direction. He had always thought of Jar Jar Binks to be one of the most annoying creatures in the galaxy. If he was still Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, leading the Imperial assault on Naboo, the Gungan would probably be his first kills.

"Can you lead us to the Rebel leader?"

"Certainly! Mesa honored to ..."

"Just take us there, please, Jar Jar," Anakin spoke, bringing the power of the Force into his voice. Obi-Wan glanced at him, frowning.

Minutes later, the two Jedi – well, one Jedi and one Chosen One – approached the Rebel leaders. "General Kenobi," the man acknowledged.

"You know him?" Anakin asked.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Captain Friese, Anakin Skywalker. Anakin, Captain Friese," he introduced.

The captain sputtered. "Anak- THE Anakin Skywalker?" Anakin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I thought Anakin Skywalker died in the Clone Wars! Good to have you back!"

Anakin sighed in relief. For a minute he thought Captain Friese was going to say "The Anakin Skywalker that turned against the Jedi?" He shook the thought out of his head and listened intently.

"We don't have enough men to hold back the Imperials forever, they'll run us over. We're currently trying to evacuate everyone out of the major cities, so the Imperials won't be able to get them. We've already got Queen Jamillia out of here without Imperials finding out, so I think we're doing pretty well."

"Well, I'll be sure to alert the bounty hunters about the queen's escape," a cold female voice rang out behind them.

The three men turned to see Tarra Havanis.

"I should have known it was you, Skywalker. You were never one to abide by the rules. Whatever you did to my fleet, it was impressive. But no matter, you will pay for what you did."

Anakin stared, incredulous. "Tarra, I'm so glad to see—"

"Don't pretend we're still friends, Skywalker. You destroyed our friendship the night you decided the Jedi were your enemies."

"Tarra, I never wanted to ..."

"Don't play innocent with me. I'm sick of listening to you, Skywalker."

Obi-Wan decided to intervene. "Anakin was acting upon orders that night, Tarra," he spoke quietly.

"Oh, you too, Kenobi? I never knew you were such a rebel, But oh well, like master, like padawan." She ignited her sabers, twin blood red Sith lightsabers. "It will be a pleasure to kill you both."

Anakin and Obi-Wan exchanged glances. "This is my fight, Obi-Wan," the younger warrior said. "You get the rebels out of the way."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I'm not going without you, Anakin."

Anakin gritted his teeth. "Obi-Wan, I need to do this alone. Please, go."

Obi-Wan looked at his old padawan awhile, and noted the concern in his face. "Fine," he said resignedly, "but if you get yourself killed I will personally –"

"A Jedi knows no hatred, nor love, Obi-Wan. You of all people must know that. Now go."

Obi-Wan grinned, despite the situation. "Until we meet again," he turned and began to walk away, while Anakin ignited his blue lightsaber. "Contact Artoo with the coordinates," Anakin shouted at Obi-Wan as he left.

"I've had enough of waiting!" Tarra screamed, then sprang forward, her lightsabers moving with such speed and force that Anakin had to parry desperately to prevent his head getting sliced off.

"I sense the dark side in you," Anakin said in-between slashes.

Tarra leapt back, her lightsabers making an X shape in front of her chest. "I ... am Darth Petra, Lady of the Sith."

Anakin gasped. Had Sidious found an apprentice so quickly? How was this possible? It took years for Sidious to convince Anakin to join the dark side. Years of manipulation. Years of false promises. Promises such that Padme would survive.

Anakin growled. The Emperor would die for what he had done. For what he made Anakin do. "You forget something," he said suddenly.

"Oh? And what is that?"

Anakin answered with a growl, focusing all his anger against Palpatine, using the Dark Lord' teachings. He had grown powerful with the dark side, and he knew it. Raising his left hand, he made a fist, and Tarra could no longer breathe.

"That I was the Greatest Sith Lord the Order had ever known," Anakin said, his facial features turning into a scowl.

This took Tarra by surprise. Master Sidious had never told her that The Anakin Skywalker was a Sith Lord. She began to see spots, she couldn't breathe! And just as sh made a mental plea to start breathing again, she felt Anakin release her.

Anakin turned his Force choke into a push, sending his former friend crashing upon the floor.

Suddenly everything came into focus. Tarra realized that she was becoming what Anakin had become. Her eyes flickered back to their natural grey, and she looked down at the ground, away from Anakin.

--

I'm really a mess. Because I turned, I'm making the remaining Jedi turn, because they want to kill me. Anakin thought sadly. "Don't do this," he cried. "Don't fall to the Dark Side! Don't let Emperor Palpatine control you! It does nothing for you! It only brings pain ..."

"I DON'T NEED THE EMPEROR to GIVE ME PAIN!" Tarra screamed, her eyes locked in a furious golden gaze. "YOU DID THAT! YOU GAVE ME PAIN!"

Anakin shook his head. "It's a different kind of pain, Tarra. I'm sorry I hurt you ... but what the Emperor can do to you ... don't fall like I did, Tarra."

"You know NOTHING of pain!" Tarra shrieked.

Anakin's face darkened. "I know nothing of pain?" he said angrily. "Did you say I KNOW NOTHING OF PAIN?"

Suddenly Tarra's mind was being attacked. She struggled to put up her mental barriers, but Anakin's vicious shove forced his way through. Tarra began to see Anakin's memories.

Arm sliced off against Dooku ... Killing the Count unarmed ... Dreams of Padme's death ... The Jedi Council not trusting him ... Palpatine's promises ... Slicing off Master Windu's hand ... Killing all the Jedi in the Jedi Temple, with tears streaming down his face the entire time ... Killing the Separatists at Mustafar ... choking Padme ... fighting Obi-Wan ...

Lying in the hot sad, in flames ... looking up at Obi-Wan with sunken eyes ...

It all ended as quickly as it started. Tarra used the last of her mental strength to force Anakin out. She looked up from where she lay curled on the ground and saw him on the ground, on all fours. "That ... was pain ... Tarra ..."

Tarra couldn't believe herself. She understood, now, why Anakin did what he did. He understood how he had fallen. And she couldn't believe that the reason she fell was so superficial in comparison to his reasons.

Anakin's eyes locked in with Tarra's grey orbs. "Do you see, now? Do you understand? I turned to the Dark Side to save Padme! And she DIED. The Emperor takes you nowhere." Anakin was shaking. The desks and consoles in the Rebel base shook, exploded, and sent sparks and splinters all around the two humans. Anakin's anger was overwhelming. Then it ended.

"I gave it up, Tarra," Anakin growled. "The Emperor does nothing for you. But I'm too immersed into the Dark side to give it up completely. It is what I am, Tarra. And it will always be a part of you. But please, don't go back to the Empire. Help us ... I gave up the name Darth Vader. You should give up the name Darth Petra."

By now, Tarra was utterly confused. "How the hell are you going to turn me back to the Light if you can't keep your own emotions in check? What kind of a Jedi are you?"

"I'm not a Jedi," Anakin said quietly.

Tarra, frustrated, retorted, "What kind of ... whatever the hell you are ... are you?"

Anakin could barely stifle his laughter. "Is that all you got, Tarra? What have I taught you all these years? Have you forgotten?"

Tarra didn't smile. "It's too late, Anakin. You're too late. All you want is to help yourself."

"Tarra, you know that's not true!"

"I need to be going. I will inform my master that the queen had escaped, and that two Jedi are on the loose."

"I'm NOT a Jedi!"

"Whatever you are."

"I won't let you do this, Tarra!"

"Oh? And what are you going to do about it, Skywalker?"

"I ... I will do what I must."

"You will try."

Two red lightsabers ignited. Anakin pushed the activation button on his lightsaber, his blade humming to life. How ironic. That's what I told her when I killed her the first time. Well, I thought I killed her.

--

Tarra brought her blades upwards, then swung them down in a graceful arc. She charged against Anakin, her twin blades creating mirror images of the other. Anakin parried desperately against Tarra's two blades. He had to admit, his powers weren't as great as they had been before his fall at Mustafar, but with his renewed training, he had to have regained much of his strength. In both the Dark Side and the Light.

For Anakin was not a Jedi. Nor was he a Sith. He was, to put it simply, both. He was the Yin and the Yang. He was black and white. Dark and light. Gripping his blade tightly with his right hand, he lunged at Tarra, accelerating his strike with the Force, and locked blades with the young Sith.

But locking blades with a two-bladed Sith was harder than locking blades with a one-bladed one, especially of a fighter of Tarra's caliber. As the blades locked, Tarra's second blade came flying out of nowhere, singing his clothes as Anakin took a flying leap backward, and barely saving himself from certain death.

Tarra came in strong, her lightsabers flashing, and Anakin once again was forced on the defensively, not even thinking about breaking the flow of Tarra's attack, but only trying to pick off every jab and slash that she threw at him.

Fortunately for Anakin, one of his parries intercepted not Tarra's blade, but the hilt of her lightsaber, which immediately extinguished and clattered on the floor. Anakin then pressed the attack, his blade slashing left, right, up, and down, in no pattern, and it was all Tarra could do to use her one blade to hold him off.

Soon Tarra's back pressed up against the wall – there would be no more retreat. The two blades once again locked, and Anakin used his superior strength to force Tarra's blade back towards herself.

Tarra pulled her left hand back, then shoved Anakin so hard, and caught him so off guard that he skidded across the floor and dropped his lightsaber, which fell out of reach. He tried to get up and grasp his lightsaber, but Tarra was upon him.

Dropping her lightsaber, she reached out with both hands and sent a deadly course of Force Lightning through his body.

The pain ... and suddenly he felt he couldn't breathe. The lightning must have damaged the microchip that the doctors had put in him. Or completely destroyed it, since he couldn't breathe at all. His head swam ... and then the lightning stopped.

Suddenly a pure hatred and fury engulfed him. "Tarra," he gasped. "You will regret you ever did that."

With the last of his strength he lifted his right arm, and once again Tarra Havanis felt her throat clenching. Anakin made a fist, and her throat continued to squeeze; she was lifted into the air slightly, by his chokehold. She couldn't breathe! She needed oxygen to ...

... and then all went black.

Anakin lifted his head weakly, his face now very pale, and fell back against the floor, blackness consuming his vision.

--

WHAT'S NEXT? WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO VADER – errr .. I mean, ANAKIN? (that was a hint of what's next, by the way)