Chapter VIII – Greed, Grief and Grit

Darth Patruus stood on the bridge of the imperial battle cruiser, the Dauntless and gazed out of the window at the vastness of space. He often spent his time in observant silence. He would move in silence and speak with a humble tone in this voice. He moved only his eyes as recollections of his confrontation with Anakin passed into his consciousness. He remembered Anakin's movement and his reaction to the mention of his wife and unborn child. He jutted out his chin in realization of the use of this in his plan; a plan to follow in the footsteps of previous sith lords and kill the master. He wanted boundless power and most of all craved Anakin's force sensitivity. As far as he was concerned Anakin was unworthy of the gift he was given. Anakin Skywalker, the hero that knows no fear. Humph! By what standards do these fools judge? Memories of his life spent in daily arduous sith training, passed into his mind. He was never taught love and therefore lacked compassion. Eventually hatred came easily for him. He was taught to revel in the pain of others and to smile at their misfortunes. As a boy, Patruus was encouraged to strike fear in the hearts of those who dared to oppose his will. He lacked love and compassion. It was an inevitable and irrevocable plummet into the chasm that was the darkside and every molecule in Patruus's body and every piece of soul reveled in it. There was no light side for him. There was no good in him. There was only the dark and the hate that propelled him. He was Palpatine's only pupil. With much hard work and effort, he faithfully fulfilled every command and expectation. He closely watched his master and eagerly learned what he could. Patruus needed his master and hatred him for it.

When the emperor discovered how much more powerful Anakin was than his twin, Patruus became aware of the great Darth Sidious's plan. He knew he'd become the master's tool to use in acquiring his prize. Patruus's anger and hatred for the emperor and for Anakin in his loveless heart festered for months. I will not be tossed aside lightly and supplanted. Above all else he hated unrecognized talent, which he felt he was full of. He may lack the incredible connection to the force that Anakin had but he made up for it in resourcefulness and his skill with the blade. How do I rid myself of the master and Anakin? He reasoned. They are both more powerful than me. And then it came to him. He smiled maliciously. If I cannot possess the power Anakin has, I will possess one who does. It was a self-induced plummet into the chasm that was the darkside and every molecule in Patruus's body and every piece of soul reveled in it. There was no light side for him. There was no good side for him. There was only the dark and the hate the propelled him. And he regretted nothing that started him on his journey.

Admiral Niru walked along the corridor toward the bridge. The echo of each step resonated painfully in his ears as he drew nearer to Darth Patruus. He was the bearer of bad news, and due to his high rank, he was forced to accept the consequences. He stopped short of the entrance to the bridge and dabbed the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief. He took several deep breaths and ran a hand through his salt and peppered head. The lines on his face seemed to grow deeper in the span of time it took to reach Patruus.

"My lord." Admiral Niru started. "The report you've requested is ready."

"You may begin." Patruus spoke in a low tone and turned slowly from the window to face the admiral. Niru flinched slightly when the red-rimmed yellow eyes were set on him. He desperately wanted to look anywhere else but upon Patruus's face. Although handsome, Patruus bore a kind of quiet but chaotic malevolence. Niru felt as if he was being picked apart from the inside out as Patruus set his gaze upon him. However he knew from rumors around the ship that Patruus demanded the utmost attention when speaking or being spoken to. He dared not look away.

Niru swallowed as a knot in his throat that began to form. "The Jedi in the temple have been eliminated. There are few who have escaped into the maze underneath. The tunnels under the temple have been infiltrated, but were deemed too vast and intricate to successfully search and secure, as many exits have been discovered. I have ordered the tunnels to be flooded for good measure my lord."

"Where do these exits lead to?"

"There are many places, my lord, such as the Pennport, Jobine, Mokuba landing bays. It seems the exits are located in strategic locations, which faciliate movement throughout the city undetected."

"I want all landing bays thoroughly searched." Patruus's eyes narrowed. He sensed an unusual amount of dread and anxiety coming from the admiral. "What else do you have to report, admiral."

The admiral knees shook. His eyes darted back and forth from Patruus to the hilt of his lightsaber, hanging from his belt. The pit of his stomach felt hollow. He stammered, "M-my Lord, there were three ships that departed from the neighboring landing bays." He blinked and wait hesitated.

"Well?" Patruus raised an eyebrow.

"Two ships were Jedi cruisers, my lord. One was destroyed attempting to break through the blockade." He hesitated again.

"Go on."

"The other two ships made their departure before the blockade was complete. One was another Jedi cruiser, which sustained some damage. That ship escaped."

"My patience is wearing thin, admiral. What of the third?"

"The-the th-third was a - a nubian cruiser." Niru glanced at the lightsaber and at Patruus's hands. He silently begged that the distance between the two of them would sustain if not grow larger. "That ship also escaped." He swallowed again.

"Admiral Niru," Patruus took one step closer, slowly closed his eyes in disgust and spoke through clenched teeth, "You allowed it to escape?"

"We attempted to capture it. However they entered hyperspace, and - and we lost the t-trail."

Patruus's silence spoke volumes. Patruus was widely infamous for killing officers with out a second thought.

"Please accept my apologies, lord Patruus." Niru shifted on his feet and fought against the urge to relieve himself.

Patruus's glare ripped into him and suddenly softened. He smiled slightly with just an air of malice and said nonchalantly, "Of course." He winked an eye and simply turned his back as the admiral was struggling with the collar of his uniform. Darth Patruus calmly walked to the helm of the ship. The asphyxiated admiral collapsed lifelessly on the floor. Patruus addressed the captain standing over a lower ranking officer. "Captain Toslic, you will assume command from Niru. I want that Nubian cruiser found. Search the entire galaxy if you have to. As far as Coruscant is concerned, no ships are to leave or enter. I want all ships searched thoroughly for Anakin and Padme Skywalker."

"Yes my lord." Captain Toslic straightened and quickly glanced at Niru's body. "Should we search for the Jedi vessel that escaped?"

"No. That is not a priority."

"I'll put all available men and resources to the task, my lord." He nervously said.

"Good, do not fail me." Patruus looked over his shoulder at Niru's body as it was being carried away. He returned his attention to the captain and smiled.

The setting suns of tattooine and the many mountains of sand lining the horizon welcomed Padme to the desert planet. From the cockpit she could feel the intense heat when the cruiser touched down on the planet's sandy surface. She removed her seat restraints and remained in seat. She stared out through the window at the Lars farm ahead. She found it hard to leave the ship to go to the home of Owen and Beru because she had never been there without Anakin before. Tears stood in her eyes. She told herself, I must have faith. Anakin will return to me. He will. We can never be parted. He promised me, right?' She absentmindedly stood up, reasoning with herself and then a shadow of memory flashed briefly in her mind. She remembered the look on Anakin's face, his sad smile and the last words he spoke, "Have faith. We can never be parted, remember? Not in life. Not in death." Her knees felt like jelly and she held on to the back of a neighboring seat for support. Her breathing became more rapid as hot tears poured from her troubled eyes. The distant whirring of gears gradually grew louder and louder as 3p0 approached from behind.

"Mistress Padme, are you alright?" He looked at her curiously.

Padme didn't turn to face him, "I-I'm okay. Just - Just get our things from the cargo hold. I am ready to leave the ship." She struggled to regain control of herself.

"Of course Mistress." 3p0 nodded in acquiescence walked toward the back to of the ship.

Padme wiped away the remainder of her tears and slowly walked to the exit door of the ship. With a heavy heart, she pressed a button releasing the landing ramp and gingerly walked out on to the hot surface of the planet. Each step was an unforgiving reminder of her husband's absence. Owen and Beru emerged from their subterraneous home and walked side by side towards her. The looks on their sun kissed faces were lined with concern and anxiety. Padme would not allow herself to loose control in front of them. She did not want to worry them or be any more of a burden. She tapped into her senator persona to shield her agony as best she could. Beru opened her arms and wrapped them around Padme. She appeared to be on the brink of tears, "Oh Padme, are you alright?"

"Yes, Beru. I'm fine." Padme attempted a smile as Beru released her. "Thank you."

Owen leaned in and Padme a kiss on the cheek, "We heard what's happened on Coruscant. It's a wonder you made it out with your life."

Beru hit Owen on the arm and chastised, "Really Owen! Sometimes you can be such a - a nerfherder!"

"What?" Owen turned up his palms, "What'd I say?"

"Its alright Beru." Padme held Beru's hand, "Anakin couldn't make it to -to the ship." She found such difficulty forming those words, as she desperately wanted to fall to pieces. Owen and Beru's mouths opened. Padme continued, "He said he'd meet me here. He should be right behind me." She sounded as if she was trying to convince herself. She could barely keep hope in her heavy heart. She looked over her shoulder and longingly gazed at the sky.

She turned back to them, "Thank you both for taking me in. I don't mean to be a burden."

"Nonsense!" Owen placed a hand on her shoulder, "You are family and you are welcome here for as long as you like."

Beru turned to the face the house and led Padme by the hand, "Come dear, it's getting late. We should get in doors."

Reports of unsuccessful searches for Padme and Anakin constantly found its way to Darth Patruus. He was frustrated and was quickly losing his patience. He knew that time was of the essence. Patruus paced back and forth in his office.

The voice of a crewmember chimed in through the comlink on his desk, "Lord Patruus."

Patruus answered annoyed that his thoughts were interrupted, "What is it?"

"The emperor wishes to speak with you. We have received an incoming transmission."

"Very well, begin transmission." Patruus said taking a seat behind his desk. Moments later a whitish blue hologram of the emperor appeared on Patruus's desk. Apparently, he was sitting in his throne room on Coruscant and was in the midst of signing some papers.

"Lord Patruus," The emperor slowly croaked.

Patruus bowed. "Yes, my master."

"What news have you of the Jedi purge on Coruscant?"

"An underground Jedi maze was discovered. It was being used as an escape route. The tunnels have been searched and are being flooded."

"Where do the tunnels lead to?"

"The tunnels lead to various locations, master, including three separate landing bays."

The emperor paused for a moment of thought, "All those found harboring Jedi shall be executed immediately."

"Yes master." Patruus nodded slowly.

"What of Skywalker and your encounter with him?"

"He did not adjust to the news of being a twin very well. He will not turn master."

"I foresee he will prove to be difficult. There are no leads to where he may be?"

"No master. I sense he still on Coruscant, hidden. However his wife escaped before the blockade."

"It is imperative that his wife, the Nubian senator be located at all costs. Skywalker will join us or die with her." The emperor paused and said, "Allow the media access to this information. I want you to end the blockade for now. His need to go to her will be too great and will want to leave Coruscant. He must be coaxed out of hiding. Once he attempts to leave, he will be ours for the taking. Have your troops ready."

"Yes master." Patruus smiled to himself, "What of the senator?"

"She will come to you."

"Master?" Patruus furled his brow.

"She will willingly come to you. And you will bring her before me. I have foreseen it."

Patruus paused and said, "It is as you wish my master." He bowed.

When the transmission ended, Patruus smirked, "Old fool." He thought to himself, the chosen one would indeed have passed on his sensitivity to his child. I need only to take the senator. She will prove to be useful. She must live for now.

Padme stood just outside of the house during the sunset, and watched the colors bless the horizon. She watched the colors of orange, yellow, purple, green and blue meld into each other in beautiful rays of light. She sighed and looked up at the stars above. She rubbed her stomach to soothe the moving babies inside her, as they reminded her that she was not alone. She continued to gaze at the stars and silently pleaded for them to bring her husband to her. She clung onto the shred of hope still left in her. Something in her would not allow her to feel that he was forever gone from her. She looked at the jappor snippet that hung from her neck and muttered a prayer. She turned to go into the house and thought I have to be strong. I have to have faith. We cannot be parted. He will come back to me.

Padme awoke in the middle of the night. She had not had a full night's rest since she arrived. She had trouble adjusting to the heat even though the night air brought some relief. Since she could not go to sleep, she decided to turn on the holonet and watch an infomercial program in hopes of being bored to slumber. But the first thing she heard and saw when she turned it on was…

"And now back to our top news…In a stunning turn of events, the Jedi order has fallen. We have received confirmation only minutes ago that tonight, ladies and gentlemen; their light has been snuffed out. Only hours after being accused of insurrection and being declared outlaws, the Jedi temple has been destroyed. Ravaged by fire and combat, it is now an empty shell." Reported spoke grimly.

A shot of the temple ruins appeared on the screen. The temple pillars were blackened from the fire and partially crumbled. The pieces were scattered along the steps were Padme had been only four days earlier.

Reported continued, "Its been reported that the Jedi, not wanting to be taken alive, have resisted arrest, causing the deaths of troopers and countless Jedi knights. It is said that very few have made it out alive. The troopers have discovered a secret entrance into an elaborate maze located underneath the temple. These tunnels have been searched for escapees and have now been flooded. The emperor commands that anyone caught harboring a Jedi will be declared an outlaw and executed on site. Very few Jedi who have made it to the landing bays have succeeded breaking through the imperial blockade, which reportedly has been lifted in the last hour. We have exclusive footage of a Jedi battle cruiser failing an attempt to break through the blockade. Please be advised that this piece contains graphic footage."

A shot of a Jedi battle cruiser firing and being fired upon, blowing up and crashing back to the planet's surface was presented.

"There are also reports of no Jedi survivors in the outer rim sieges. Yes, we have all just witness the passing of an era…we turn now to our outer rim correspondent, Opaku Gyzmit, who…"

Her breathing became erratic and shallow. She quickly stood up and placed her hands over her ears the stifle the offending words of the reporters. She shut her eyes to suppress the sight of the ruined temple. She turned her back on the holonet as it continued on but the words were permanently recorded in her mind and the display of the temple was burned into her memory. She shook her head slowly, opened her eyes again and dropped her hands. Her chin trembled and she opened her mouth. She wanted to scream but her voice failed her. Sound could no longer register in her ears. Numbness ran through her as she could no longer sense the babies within her. Her five senses had abandoned her. She couldn't take it anymore; knowing but not knowing, feeling but not feeling. Her cheeks were overwhelmed with the silent flood of tears. It was like her heavy heart was ripped out of her and incinerated. Her entire body shook with despair. Her grief was beginning to consume her. Her trembling hand barely covered her gaping mouth before she gasped and let go out a blood curdling wail. Padme's agony outmatched any she had ever felt in her life. The last shred of hope seemed to tear away from her and she sank to her knees. She cradled her face and sobbed for her love she thought was lost. She moaned and cried out in vain for the beat of her heart. "ANAKIN!"

The Jedi were split up into two groups and were given two rooms that were side by side. They were located in a desolate section of the hotel which was created to appear as if under construction. Anakin, Obi wan and nine other Jedi shared a room while Shaak it, Kit and the rest shared another. There they remained in relative silence waiting for the time to finally come when they can escape their doom. Using four hour intervals, the knights took turns keeping a watchful eye and a viligant ear for anything or anyone that may cause one to discover their whereabouts. During Anakin third hour he found himself leaning against the windowpane and gazing out at the surrounding city. His mind dwelled upon the Patruus's threat against his unborn child; a threat that joined the waking nightmare of Padme's inevitable death.The idea ofabeing related to someone who participated in the massacre of Jediboth young and old turned his stomach and made his bloodboil. But what madehim seethe waswhatPatruus suggested of his mother. How dare he even mention her to me! He knows nothing of her! Anakinbithis lower lipas he attempted to quell the rage rising within.Hetook a deep breath and let his mind finally settle onthe factthat hisbeloved wife was out of immediate danger.He knew she was safe and that he'd join her soon. He desperately wanted to stretch out through the force to sense her but he dared not he feared the emperor or Darth Patruus may find her. He thought back to their last moments together before he went to save the younglings. He remembered her tender skin, the smell of her hair, the profound brown of her eyes and her angelic smile. He missed her so andyearned for her more now that he did before. He smiled to himself amazed at how much love dwelled in his heart for her. He realized that the easiest way to tame his temper was just by thinking of her. She was in only comfort in the midst of havoc and chaos. The thoughts of her often carried him through his lowest points when away from her as they do now in his torment. And then suddenly a reverberation in the force came to him, at first like a vague and distant echo that gradually gained more clarity. It was like backward ripples in water. And when it finally came to him, it was as if she was in that veryroom standing besidehim. 'ANAKIN!'

He slowly opened his mouth and widened his eyes. A surge of agony and grief overtook him in an ambush, knocking the air out of his chest. He clutched his heart and fell back against the wall. Obi wan was dozing off in the cot near the door. He opened one eye and on seeing Anakin, shot out of bed and raced to assist. He helped Anakin straighten and said, "Anakin what's wrong?"

"It's Padme." He looked at his former master.

"What's happened?" Concern was evidentin Obi wan's voice.

"No. I don't think so." Anakin looked out the window, panting. "She's in trouble. I-I have to go to her Obi wan."

"You don't mean the empire has found her already?"

"No. She's in some kind of pain, in agony." Anakin shook his head, "Not physically though." He looked up Obi wan again, "I must go to her."

"Anakin, it's too dangerous."

"I don't care Obi wan! She needs me!" Anakin didn't want to hear reasons for him not to go. There was more at stake than Obi wan knew. "I am going to her, now." Anakin glared at him. "I have to get to her before..." Anakin fears died on lips. He dared not to utter those words.

Obi wan sensing the intensity of Anakin's apprehension, decided to reason with him, "Anakin, the empire are hunting us. More importantly they are looking for the both of you. If you leave here to go to her, you will lead them to her. All communications are under surveillance. You know this."

"I-I just -" Anakin turned his back, "I can't stand being stuck here while danger approaches her." Tears stood in his eyes willing to run down his cheeks.

"Anakin," Obi wan paused, "I sense that there is more you have to tell me. Did something happen back at the temple? During the battle with Patruus?"

Anakin sighed wanting to spill. He collected himself and turned to face him. But before Anakin could speak there was a knock at the door.

Obi wan walked over to the door and said,"Its Sly." He opened it, and allowedSly in.

It seemed he was going to burst with anxiety, "Itsss now or never." Sly rubbed his hands together excited with the news he was carrying. "Anakin. Obi wan. I have good news. The blockade hasss been lifted."

Somehow in the midst of her tears and her agony, she felt her soul stir. Something inside her was willing her to believe that Anakin would not -- could not die, leaving her alone in this existence. Padme searched within herself and found that hope still remained. As her strength waxed, she dried her tears and stood up from the floor. She waslike a rising phoenix as her faith was restoring. It wouldn't -- couldn't have ended, not like this. I will not accept it. Anakin did not die. He will come for me. We will be together again. I must have faith. I believe in us...andI believe in him.