Chapter Dedication: To my friend Quillian, who wrote me one of his suggestions, hope you like how I incorporated your idea.

General Gilad Pellaeon commander of the Chimaera, Commander Praji of the Devastator, and Captain Lennox of the Tyrant discussed their plans on the way to Sullust. "Suppose the rebels don't accept us, I mean we are their enemies for Force-sake." Commander Praji wanted to know.

"If they have accepted our leader, Lord Vader, then why not us, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but our Emperor has become more insane. You heard Moff Jerjerrod, as cruel as Lord Vader can be at least he's stable and predictable. Our Emperor has become less stable and that's no way to run an Empire or an Imperial Navy." General Gilad stated.

"He's right gentlemen." Capt. Lennox stated.

"I just hope we don't get attacked between here and there." Capt. Praji stated.

xXx

Anne fell asleep in Lord Vader's arms a small line of drool was making its way down his arm. He gently gathered her into his arms and took her to bed.

"No, don't leave me." Anne cried in her sleep.

Lord Vader gently lowered her on the bed, tucking her in and placing his hand on her head. "Sleep little one, dream only sweet dreams, and know that I will always love you." Lord Vader murmured in her ear adding a bit of Force-suggestion into the request. Anne fell into a deeper sleep completely calm and serene.

xXx

Luke and Mara Jade were sipping on a cup of coffee when Princess Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca returned.

"Your presence is requested on board the Executor by Lord Vader." Princess Leia stated.

"So how was dinner?"

"It was delicious. I didn't know the old man had been through so much and to survive. He's a tough old man; I'd hate to have to battle him."

"Ah, but you did, Han." Leia laughed.

"Shut it your highness."

"What do you mean?"

"We will tell you some other time, kid. Lord Vader is not very patient is he?"

"Far from it." Luke smiled ruefully remembering his spanking.

Luke and Mara Jade boarded the Lambda class shuttle and departed for the Executor.

When they exited the shuttle, Lord Vader was there with his hands on his hips.

"Good evening, father."

"We shall see." Luke looked at his father with surprise.

"What did you do now, farmboy?" Mara Jade sent telepathically.

"I don't know." Luke plaintively wailed.

Once he reached his meditation chamber, Lord Vader sat across from his son; he could feel his anxiety continually bombard him. "I'm not here to discipline you son, you can relax."

"I guess I ought to know that since I'm not over your knee, father." Luke noted wryly.

"That can change in a moments notice, Luke." Lord Vader smiled most mischievously.

"Okay, you are really scaring me, father." Luke looked at Lord Vader sheepishly.

Lord Vader allowed a small smile grace his features before becoming serious once again.

"How was the training with Yoda?"

"Master Yoda was really amazed at the high level of training I had. He was very surprised, he said that the only things I need to learn to control were my feelings, he said that I held too much anger."

"Mm, pretty the same thing he said to me, perhaps he was right." Lord Vader stated.

Ascaron had returned to the Executor bearing some gifts, he knew that Lord Vader would probably not be pleased, but when he saw them he couldn't resist.

Anne was still struggling to remember her name and who she was. She tried to do chores but she was gently rebuffed, she couldn't remember how to read or to write, despite the many patient lessons Lord Vader, Mara Jade and even Princess Leia worked with her. Lord Vader of course noted how subdued Anne was since her rescue from the Emperor's clutches. She was afraid and completely obedient; Lord Vader missed Anne's mischievousness, though he thought he never would.

Anne spent most of her time being Lord Vader's shadow, going where he went when she was permitted. Sometimes she would just sit outside his door, waiting patiently. Anne's confidence had been obliterated; she was a shadow of her former self.

Ascaron tried to play with Anne, but she was too depressed and overly anxious about displeasing Lord Vader.

xXx

When the full complement of the Imperial Navy showed itself near Sullust, Lord Vader and company were pleasantly surprised. It was quickly surmised that the Imperials were only interested in following Lord Vader, that the insane requests from the Emperor were the deciding factor of the mutiny. After the midnight meeting, Anne was found asleep in the outside corridor.

"There's a little girl sleeping by the door, milord."

"That's Anne, my daughter." Lord Vader gently picked her up and she twitched in her sleep.

"We will continue this discussion with Alliance High Command in the morning at 0900 hours. Get some rest gentlemen."

"Yes, Lord Vader, thank you."

Lord Vader carried Anne to his quarters and to her bed.

The next morning, Ascaron awoke to find Anne sneaking into his quarters; she was wearing an oversized ebony cloak. He then heard the loud shout of Lord Vader's voice echoing down the hall. "Anne-Marie Skywalker!" the Dark Lord bellowed.

"Ascaron, you've got to save me." Anne pleaded.

"What did you do now, kiddo?" Ascaron asked concerned.

Anne lowered the hood of her cloak and Ascaron was amazed, why her hair was the prettiest petal pink as were her clothing he had ever seen.

"What happened?"

"I opened your present and unfortunately I've ruined all of Lord Vader's clothing, except this cloak, his armor and pajamas."

Ascaron started to laugh until the Dark Lord force-pushed the door wide open and he stood there like a wraith ready for vengeance. Anne had fiddled with the paint grenade that was a part of a set for paintball wars.

"Did you have to do it in my closet, Anne Marie?" Lord Vader asked slightly amused but more irritated than not.

"I'm sorry, Lord Vader." Anne prostrated. Lord Vader felt the intense fear. Ascaron looked over at his boss he was wearing black silk pajamas with a heavy black robe of cotton. "Maybe it was just as well, milord. I mean now you can get some more clothes made that are a lot less dark and foreboding; maybe something in cornflower blue or in a lovely shade of yellow." Ascaron smiled, until that is he felt the temperature drop and Lord Vader's eyes glowed yellow and red.

"On second thought, you know black suits you." Ascaron quickly ran out of his own bedroom. Lord Vader smiled he loved pulling that trick now that people could see his eyes instead of that awful mask. Anne was shivering as he gently picked her up and held her. She was truly sorry; he didn't have the heart to punish her. She leaned against him and cried.

He held her and soothed her tender feelings through the force. "I guess you are going to beat me now or I could do chores and go without my meals." Anne cried as she sent her thoughts to Lord Vader.

"You won't be punished, young one."

"You must I'm just a slave I ain't worthy of mercy."

Anne was taken to her room and she watched as Lord Vader removed his robe. Anne cried out and fell to the floor as blood gushed out of her nose.

"If Lord Vader will not punish you, slave then I will." Darth Sidious went into Anne's mind and she imagined that she was being beaten with a whip.

"You will die, slave."

Lord Vader heard his master's voice and yelled. He reached out across their bond and he allowed his dark force feelings swirl around him as he attempted to protect Anne's fragile mind and soul with his own Force abilities. Luke felt the jolt of dark side emissions and immediately joined his father as did Mara Jade.

"Oh, isn't this a pretty little picture, a former apprentice and two Jedi younglings are attempting to defeat me?" Darth Sidious growled.

Author's Note: Okay, I know I'm bad for leaving you guys a cliffhanger; but then again that's why I'm studying to be a Sith, thanks as always for the kind suggestions and reviews. I am once again playing in George Lucas' sandbox, I do not own Star Wars-–Darth Gladiator45