Disclaimer: Star Wars and all associated characters, plotlines, and worlds (good and bad) are property and copyright © of George Lucas (aka The Richest Man in Hollywood). This is purely for fan entertainment only.
Also a warning… this fanfic is rated MA for adult themes. It is also "Obidala"… in other words, if you're offended or otherwise do not like the pairing between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, then please don't read further to spare yourself the irritation. Otherwise, enjoy!
Chapter 12 – The Transition
She's going to leave you for Anakin, you know. The voice inside his head was insistent. It had been a while since his fears were loud enough that he could actually hear them, felt as if they were talking to him. But here on Mustafar, his skin crawled and his brain flooded from the memories of losing his best friend and brother. A temporary loss, He argued back to the voice, and she will not leave me for Anakin.
He almost felt like laughing at himself for the futility of it all. Here he was, on Mustafar, looking for healers that would restore Vader from his suit and give him his vanity back. He still had not ascertained how this transition would enable them to save Padmé, or even whether the healers were connected to Padmé, truly, in any way.
But he had no other choice- it gave him action, and he was not willing to sit and wait to find out whether Padmé was truly going to die in childbirth, or not. Aside from that, he would always try his hardest to gain Anakin back. They would regain the Chosen One.
He shut out the turmoil in his head, chastising himself. You are mindful of your feelings, and now you are not bound to them. It only helped a little. He breathed in, trying to take in the calming Living Force within him, to replace the negative emotions.
Obi-Wan found a door in the veranda and opened it slowly, checking to see if there was anyone in the room. When he found it empty, he stepped inside, closing it quietly behind him. He found himself in the main control room of the facility once more. The computers blinked rapidly, designating the status of the numerous droids and machinery harvesting the lava.
But, the opposite wall had new status monitors, of a completely different kind. The image of a modified droid was projected on one, with a number scrolling beneath it. Every thirty seconds or so, the number increased by one. He frowned in apprehension, whispering the number aloud, "One thousand and fifty two droids?"
He turned to another monitor, this one a security camera. It flashed with several different images, all showing different sections of an updated droid assembly line, similar to the one they had found on Geonosis. His frown turned deeper as he watched the accuracy of the machines, how quickly they created machines of death.
Obi-Wan retrieved his comlink from his belt, keyed up the correct frequency. He waited, placing the comlink on the counter, attaching it to the holotransmitter. Vader's face soon appeared. "Yes, Obi-Wan?" he grumbled, seeming distracted.
"I have arrived on Mustafar." He answered simply, letting the scene around him speak for itself.
Vader inclined his head, analyzing everything Obi-Wan was allowing him to see, his attention focused more on the situation at hand. "I see. What have you learned?"
Obi-Wan schooled his face from its grave expression, "Tell me the truth, Anakin, is the Empire commissioning droids?"
"I have already told you- no." He could imagine Anakin grimacing in exasperation from the irritation in his voice.
Obi-Wan frowned, "Then there is a Separatist movement here on Mustafar. I will be requesting assistance in disassembling the factory itself. In the meantime, I will begin my search for the two Jedi." His voice grew soft, "And I want you to understand how difficult it is for me to make this decision. The droids would have been rather useful in overthrowing your Empire. But no matter, Fate will come full circle." His icy blue eyes stared at the black mask before him, mirroring his emotions.
To his surprise, the Sith Lord did not laugh, but instead acknowledged the sacrifice. They shared a mutual yet not uncomfortable silence. "Report back to me when you have determined when you need the assistance of the clones."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Obi-Wan out." He sighed, turning towards the clutter of electronics in the room. He watched quietly at one of the monitors, eyeing the construction of the droids in horror. He stood still, wanting to delay the inevitable. Who would be behind this? Whoever they were, the Jedi would likely not be against a plot to overthrow the Empire.
Dread filled his gut, and he turned towards the door leading into the interior of the old building. The task in front of him was not going to be easy. However, it was necessary to win Anakin back over. Anakin required his trust in the matter, and this was one way to form that trust.
He sighed softly as he pressed his palm on the door, his heart heavy. He hoped that this venture would help save Padmé in some way as well. He was not positive that she would appreciate him destroying a potential end to the Empire. But his heart ached every time he remembered her serene face, asleep in their bed, her hand curled around her belly that was growing thick with their child. The child at least deserved a better start.
Almost mechanically, he found his way down into the bowels of the droid factory, noting the different control panels along the walkways. Apparently it was not completely automated, as the walkways appeared fashioned for humanoid bipeds, from their width.
He drew his lightsaber, igniting it. With a deep breath, he slashed through the control panel of one of the machines. The slash felt good, he could almost feel the tension flooding from him. Instead of the void being filled by the Force, it was quickly consumed by the anger, grief, frustration, and jealousy that he had learned over the past few months.
In anguish, he struck out at the next control panel, severing its connections. The droid manufacturing began grinding to a halt. He did not stop, and continued down the line, slashing through every panel he found. The rage bubbled within him and he for once did not seek to quell it.
His breathing picked up pace and sweat lit his eyebrow. He sunk down to his knees at the end of the line, shut his lightsaber off and dropped it in his lap. The anger still surged through him, and he stared at his hands in horror, unsure of why he had lost control so completely and so quickly.
It's because the hate makes you feel stronger, and you know you love it. He shook his head against his own thoughts, wiping the sweat from his brow. "No." he whispered.
The sound of footsteps brought him to raise his head. The two Jedi he had been seeking stood in front of him.
The daily briefings with the Emperor had become rather uneventful and almost droll. Their control over the new Galactic Empire had been swift and fairly few rebellions had needed to be quelled. Any threat that had arisen in those first few months had quickly been dampened by the efficient utilization of the 501st Legion. They had enjoyed their reputation as Vader's personal Fist and took pride in their numerous conquests.
Now, the men whose motto was that "No one messes with the five oh first" were to gain their newest mission.
And for the first and possibly last time, Vader was surprised by his Master. "You are already aware of the Separatist movement on Mustafar?"
The cackling unnerved him and he sought to quickly throw up shields so that the ever probing Sith Lord would not know of his own involvement on the planet. "Of course I do. Why do you doubt that I would have a spy cell on that planet? It would be the first place for the traitors to set up their camp- they know you would never go back there of your own free will."
Darth Vader remained silent, knowing this to be true. How much did he know, though, of Obi-Wan's involvement? He mused in silence until his Master spoke again, "Obi-Wan Kenobi shall be dealt with immediately on Mustafar."
Vader inhaled his breath sharply, not expecting this move. "I shall deal with him myself, Master." He promised, inclining his head. How he would deal with Obi-Wan was another story all together.
The Emperor moved his hood back a tad, revealing his glowing yellow eyes to Vader. "Do not fail me again, my Apprentice."
Anakin retreated for the moment, "Yes Master."
Sorry this was so long in coming- it grew difficult for me to write. And sorry it is shorter than usual.
I hope everyone had happy holidays and please let me know what you think, as usual.