Chapter 14 - Understandings

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Author's Note: This is... a much longer chapter than usual. Enjoy! :D

To the guest who reviewed: I'm so glad that you're enjoying this fic! ^-^

~ Amina Gila

Probably the only reason Vader decided they should go to the Jedi Council is because he needs something which can distract him from Padme, from his Angel. No, she's not his anymore – not that he deserves her anyway. He never did, especially not after… what he did to her. That's another thing he'll have to tell Anakin, another thing the younger will have to hate him for. Seeing her again, alive, shook him up in more ways than he even knows. He's furious at himself for what he did to her. He'll never be able to forgive attacking her like that on Mustafar.

Whether she died by his hand or not, it was still his actions that led to her demise. Maybe, maybe if he had been more careful and thoughtful, he could have learned the power to save her life without everything else that happened. It's nice to consider, but not very realistic, given that Sidious wanted him for one purpose alone; he wanted him to be his attack dog.

Padme was a distraction, something his Master told him on many occasions after the Empire's formation when his thoughts turned to her again and he found himself mourning her. Sidious loved to torture him with the knowledge of what he did to his Angel, but he also berated him for still caring about her, claiming time and again that his lingering affection only held him back from true power.

Vader has long struggled with letting go, now especially, and he doesn't know if he even can let go of what he did to his Angel. Yes, this is the past, so he can change everything, but that doesn't mean that his own past didn't happen. Were that so, he would not be trapped in this life-support suit. Still, there is a Padme here, and he can't change his past, even though he wants to, but he can make this universe have a different fate. He can protect this Padme where he failed his own. And he will do it. He will keep her alive at any costs… except Anakin's life. Anakin matters more to him than anyone else ever has or will.

He pushes those thoughts from mind, locking them firmly away as he refocuses on the far more important situation at hand. Anakin follows him as they exit the office, the clones outside saluting them. "Captain," says Vader, "We are going to the Jedi Temple to speak with the Council. Gather a squad to join us. If we are attacked while speaking to the Council, I want you to issue Order 66 to all the clones. Arrest the Jedi, if possible, but kill them if they fight back."

"Yes, my Lord," Rex answers, not showing even the slightest hesitation externally.

Internally, however, Vader thinks he's somewhat torn. The idea of having to fight the Jedi does not sit easily with him, but he is loyal to his General. Vader knows that he will order his brothers to march on the Temple should they be attacked. How fortunate, for the clones, that Anakin has sided with Vader. It will make them question orders even less. Vader respects that very much, so he won't ask anything of them which he doesn't feel is absolutely necessary.

"Is this really necessary?" Anakin questions through their bond as they take a gunship to the Jedi Temple. He seems uncertain, uneasy.

"It is. You and I both know that if we're attacked, it will be because the Jedi refuse to listen to reason," Vader answers. He knows it won't be easy, but he hopes that their lack of allies will make them leery of doing anything so extreme against the Emperor, especially this early.

They arrive at the Temple before long, the gunship touching down outside the steps. They disembark, marching up the steps together, side-by-side. A lifetime ago, Vader walked up these steps as he led his men in Operation Knightfall. Seeing the Temple again, restored in all of its former pristine glory is… hard. It feels like it's difficult for him to breathe, which is ridiculous, because his respirator breathes for him.

They're stopped at the top of the Temple steps, two Temple guards, blocking their path with lit lightsabers like Vader had expected. "I have come to speak with the Jedi Council," he informs them. "It is important for us to reach an accord."

"… Very well. I can tell them you're here," the Guard on the right concedes, withdrawing a commlink and speaking into it, repeating Vader's words. It gives him a sort of thrill to hear himself being called the 'Emperor,' not because he cares for the position or power, but because he took it from Sidious. He outsmarted his old Master, defeated him, took his place. The throne is his now, and that fills him with satisfaction.

They're waiting for no more than a few minutes before the Guards are instructed to escort them to the Council chambers. Although, Vader gets the feeling that the Council did not want to allow them entry. They're only doing do because refusing could lead to a conflict. They are probably planning to eliminate them once they're inside. As he told Anakin, they can try.

Seeing the halls, unmarred by any destruction or carnage or blasterfire, sends a pang of… something Vader doesn't care to explore through him. Guilt, perhaps. Regret. He tucks those feelings away, focusing instead on what is to come with a single-minded determination. Obi-Wan and Windu will not be here, though he does not know specifically which Council members will be.

Its not long, though it feels like it could have been an eternity before they're standing outside the Council chambers. "Wait here," Vader instructs Rex and rest of the clones from the 501st who came, before he steps through the doors, Anakin at his side.

The doors slide shut behind them, almost with finality. It sends a shiver of foreboding through Anakin, one which Vader feels, and he instinctively reaches out to soothe the younger as he scans the room. Yoda is here, of course, sitting in his seat. Unfortunate, because he is one of the stronger Jedi. Vader – and Anakin – could easily fend off the rest, but Yoda is a whole other story. Ki-Adi Mundi is here as well, as are Adi Gallia, Oppo Rancisis, and Saesee Tiin. Kit Fisto, Shaak Ti, and Plo Koon are here via hologram. The rest of the Council is absent, probably preoccupied with tying up loose ends – after Vader became Emperor, he ordered the Separatist droid armies to shut down, so they can't be fighting on the fronts any longer.

For a long moment Vader and the Jedi look at each other. Though a few glance at Anakin briefly, their eyes remain focused on him. "Jedi," he greets them, the most respect he'll actually deign to show. He doesn't care about any of them, not anymore, even if he wouldn't go so far as to say that he's above them. He knows he's not.

"What do you want?" Mundi asks, tone bordering on hostile.

"We are here to ascertain your position," Vader replies, "And if you will support or oppose us. Know that defiance and rebellion will only lead to your destruction. I do not have time or patience for your games, not when there are far more important matters for me to attend to."

The Council members are quiet, exchanging looks and presumably communicating in the Force. "Sith you are," Yoda points out. "Consumed by the Dark Side. Dangerous that is for the galaxy."

Vader clenches his jaw. He loathes the narrow-mindedness of the Jedi, but at least it's a good distraction from all his earlier, troubling thoughts regarding Padme. "I am bringing peace to the galaxy," he answers bluntly. "I ask that you hold off on your judgement until you have seen what I am doing."

"And by then, it will be too late," Mundi retorts.

"Give us one reason to let you walk out of here," Rancisis challenges.

Vader crosses his arms. "Are your lives and the continued survival of your Order not enough? If you attack us, hurt us, the clones will raze this building to the ground." Well, that wasn't the order, but the point is moot because they don't know that. They have no reason to think that he's bluffing instead of telling the truth.

"There is no need for fighting," Plo interjects, the voice of reason. "I'm sure we can find an agreeable solution to this." He glances at his fellow Council members for a moment. "The Jedi serve the Republic. We always have."

"And you will serve the Empire now," Vader interrupts, not letting the Jedi Master finish speaking. "There is much work to be done, many conflicts which will need to be resolved. You are as well aware as I of the immense damage so many systems have suffered from the Clone Wars. The war is over now. You will be peacekeepers."

"There is no peace with the Sith in control," Mundi practically snaps.

"Asking us to bow to a Sith you are," Yoda agrees – or maybe agrees; it's hard to tell with him sometimes. "Do that we cannot."

"You are choosing to fight," Vader states darkly.

"No," Plo answers firmly. "You have control of the armies, clearly. It would be suicide for us to fight you. But we will not serve you either."

"Then you will serve the Force?" Vader asks sardonically. "You have already forsaken following it. You will not start now. No," he continues without pausing, "The Republic needed to fall to be changed. The Jedi Order may need to be dealt with likewise."

The tension in the room almost tangibly skyrockets at that proclamation. Maybe he should have worded it a little differently. "You will find that the Jedi will not simply obey the whim of a Sith, Emperor or no," Shaak Ti says stiffly.

"They will if the Council tells them to," Vader replies, a bit smugly. "You control your Order. If you command them to do so, they will."

"Not all of us," Mundi argues. "There are many who will refuse." Including me, he doesn't say. Vader had already anticipated as much. He already knows that the Council will give in to him, because they are very much attuned to playing politics. They did it with Ahsoka when she was cast out. They'll do it again now because they know that he's right. He has all the power, all the control. All they can do is obey or fight and be destroyed.

"Perhaps, but you might find the consequences not worth it." It's a vaguely worded threat. Vader doesn't get any more specific, knowing that nothing he says will change Mundi's mind. He, like a great many of the Jedi, sees it as his moral duty to slaughter every last Sith and Dark Sider, Vader and Anakin included.

"Nothing worth fighting for is easy," the Cerean retorts.

"No," Vader agrees with a pointed look around the Council chambers, "It is not. That is why I am willing to be lenient with you. I will give you time to discuss this matter amongst yourselves. I expect to receive a message stating your willingness to comply with me before tomorrow night. Otherwise, I will presume that you have declared war, and you will be dealt with as all traitors are. For your own sakes, you should make the right choices. I do not fear war."

With those words, he turns, cape swirling around him as he and Anakin leave the Council chambers, their work there complete. It could have gone better. It could have gone much worse. Vader will take every win he gets.

**w**

It's in the evening when Anakin talks to Vader about the clones and telling Rex the truth, before taking the Captain to Dex's diner. That's a place that many Jedi often frequent, and even clones too, sometimes. Besides, it'll give both of them something else to do while they talk. Anakin has missed Rex, even though he's hardly been away. Maybe it's more like he misses having someone he can spend time with other than Vader. Vader is… they're a part of each other, but Anakin misses his family. He misses Obi-Wan and Ahsoka and Padme and Rex and his boys.

"How have you been, Rex?" Anakin asks to break the awkward silence as they sit across from one another once their orders have been brought to them.

The clone is quiet for a moment. "It's been… different with you being gone, even though it hasn't been long," Rex admits. "The boys still trust you, but the Commander is… it's been hard on her. I don't really understand all of this Force stuff though. The Jedi seem to think that Vader is dangerous, but I haven't seen it. I know any of you Jedi can be dangerous."

As Rex talks, Anakin relaxes, even though guilt is gnawing at him. He's relieved that, at least, Rex still trusts him enough to be open and informal when they're alone. He pokes at his food for a moment, shoving a bite in his mouth, chewing, and swallowing it before looking up at Rex. "I – there's something I need to tell you, Rex, and I need to apologize to you," he says quietly.

"What is it, General?" Rex questions when Anakin finds himself unable to go on.

"I – I found out… well, Vader told me, but apparently, all the clones have inhibitor chips in their heads," he explains. He knows that Rex has every right and reason to mistrust and hate him after this, and he probably deserves it too, but he can't keep silent, just to preserve their friendship. That would be unfair to both of them.

"Officially, the chips are meant to lower aggression, but they… can also be used for mind control purposes. I talked to Vader, and we both have agreed to make an announcement about it tomorrow, in addition to ordering the immediate, surgical removal of all of the chips in the GAE. It'll be your choice though. If anyone only wants it inactivated instead of removed, that will be his choice. You all deserve that much. Also, we'll be giving the clones citizenship in the Empire. You'll be able to leave the army if you want." Anakin gives him a shy smile, filled with a tentative hope, while Rex seems completely mind blown.

"I – I don't know what to say, sir," he admits finally.

"You don't have to say anything," Anakin answers, "But I do need to apologize to you. I – when we planned Palpatine's death, I had to give out an order to Commander Fox so the clones could overwhelm and kill Palpatine. I – I'm not sure if it was really the right thing to do, even if we succeeded, because we took away your free will. Vader issued another order when we took Coruscant. At the time, it seemed to be the best option, because we would be able to bloodlessly reach our goals. We – I didn't want to hurt any of you, but – but we still did it. I'm sorry, Rex." His voice breaks slightly on the last words, and he can hardly bring himself to look at the clone.

"I – I'll need time to think about it," Rex murmurs at last. He's staring fixedly at the table in front of him, and Anakin feels a pang shoot through him. Was it the right thing to do? He knows what it's like to be a slave, and yet, he still went along with Vader's plan to activate the chips, albeit temporarily. They didn't have to hurt or kill any of the clones, but they still, for all intents and purposes, enslaved them. Well more than they were already enslaved, that is.

Anakin remains silent, giving Rex time to think while they eat – the other reason why he came here was so that he didn't have to make Vader uncomfortable; the elder can't eat, and Anakin doesn't want to hurt him. He doesn't know how much time has passed, but both of them are nearly done with their food, when Rex sighs. "I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it," he admits, "But you did what you thought was best. You care about us, General, more than any other Jedi I know. You don't see us as expendable. What you did… was to protect us, but I… suppose it is a little hard to accept all of this." He gestures vaguely, but Anakin understands.

"I understand," he promises. "I respect that. I don't expect your forgiveness because I – I know what it's like to be… owned." This is the first time he's ever really talked about his childhood with the clones, or anyone, really. Those who are aware have known for as long as he knows them. "You know I came to the Jedi late," he adds, sensing Rex's surprise and the unspoken questions to which he'll never give voice. When the clone nods, he continues, "I – when I was young, I was… a slave." It's so hard to say, especially because he's sharing Vader's past too.

"I…" Rex seems to be at a loss for words again, and their eyes meet momentarily. There is surprise, horror, and disbelief in Rex's brown ones, not that Anakin is surprised. "I didn't know that," he says lamely. "I'm sorry that happened to you, sir."

Anakin shrugs, feigning a nonchalance he doesn't feel. "I'm used to it," he answers, waving it off. The last thing he has to tell Rex is the hardest. "I'm sure you have questions about Vader."

"Yes," Rex confirms.

"I talked to Vader about this already, and we agreed that you can know the truth, but just… keep it to yourself for now? I suppose you could tell some of the boys, if you want, but I don't want the word to spread. I –" he hesitates, hardly sure how to go about admitting this. "Vader is… not from this time period. He's from the future."

Rex's brow furrows with confusion. "From the future?" he echoes. "How is that possible?"

"The Force," Anakin replies. "Vader came back nine years. He – I would have become him," he blurts out, fingers clenching. "He – we – we're the same person, or rather, we were." It's so relieving to say it. The burden of truth no longer feels like it's crushing him. Having someone else who knows that he could have become Vader had the Force not allowed the elder to return to the past helps far more than he could have thought possible.

"Unexpected, to be sure," Rex confesses with a quiet laugh. There's a warmth and respect in his eyes now. "Thank you for trusting me with this, sir."

Anakin smiles at him, and he suddenly feels better, as if, despite how hard and impossible everything seems right now, it will all be alright.

**w**

"I don't know what all of his goals are, but I can support this," Sabe declares firmly, scrolling through the datapad in her hands.

Padme hums quietly. "Perhaps, but I am… wary. He just declares himself Emperor. I don't trust him. I think he's trying to lull me into a false sense of security, trying to charm me into going along with him."

Sabe snorts. "I very much doubt that Vader, of all people, would be able to charm you into doing anything you don't want to," she comments dryly. "Do you need me to have a talk with Anakin for you?" she adds, without missing a beat.

Padme's head jerks towards her handmaid and best friend. "No, please," she says, somehow managing to sound polite and not as exasperated or frustrated as she feels. Even after she agreed to Vader's request, even after she went back to her office, even after she got the files and started going through them, she couldn't get her conversation with Anakin and Vader out of her head.

Her emotions are a jumbled mess, and she has no idea how to feel. On one hand, she feels betrayed that Anakin would join forces with Vader, especially when he took over and destroyed the Republic. On the other hand, she's worried about him, because he trusts Vader so much, and that's not normal. Anakin doesn't trust people easily. He doesn't readily hand out his trust – and heart because she knows that he cares for Vader; she could see it in his eyes.

But she cannot and will not support what he's doing. She can't. Having an Empire is wrong. Completely wrong. She'll resist it as long as she can. She talked to Bail and Mon Mothma about it, and they all agree that they need to do something; they don't what yet, because the Senate is very unlikely to agree with them about anything. The only other way of removing Vader and dissolving the Empire would be through a coup, and that would only result in unnecessary violence. Padme doesn't want to start another war, especially not when the previous war only ended. The galaxy needs peace.

So, for now, all she can do is wait and see what actions Vader will take. Exposing corruption is a good thing, but he is still an unknown. No one knows what actions he'll take, so until they know, they can't plan. It's frustrating, but Padme is good at being patient. Perhaps she should try to talk to Anakin again, however painful such a conversation will be for both of them. Preferably, it will be private and away from Vader's watchful eyes.

She can't forget what Obi-Wan and Ahsoka told her when everything first happened. They were insistent that Anakin had betrayed the Republic. She hadn't wanted to believe that, thinking that Anakin must have some larger plan in mind. But now? Anakin is loyal to Vader. He cares about him. What will that mean for the future of her relationship with Anakin? She doesn't know, and she'd be lying to say that she isn't scared to find out.

"If you change your mind, let me know," Sabe hums, never once taking her eyes off the datapad.

"I won't change my mind," Padme states firmly. Because she won't. She can take care of herself. She doesn't need Sabe to stand up for her.

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