The Power to Save Her
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. Also, not mine is dialogue that's taken directly from Empire Strikes Back.
The Imperial Fleet, led by the Executor dropped out of hyperspace before Hoth, an ice world in the Outer Rim. The star destroyers lined up, surrounding the planet below. Vader after having left Padmé to go and speak with both Ozzel and Piett was now in his hyperbaric chamber for the first time in days. Though he wouldn't admit it to himself, he'd no wish to see the accusatory look in her eyes, instead electing to catch up on some much-needed meditation. At least, that's what he told himself. The door to this room opened up, and he could feel the presence of General Veers.
"What is it, General?", Vader spoke, turning his chair to face the man.
"My lord, the fleet has moved out of light-speed. Com-Scan has detected an energy field protecting an area around the sixth planet of the Hoth system. The field is strong enough to deflect any bombardment.", replied Veers, in a rush, eager to get back to his troops.
"The Rebels are alerted to our presence.", Vader replied, feeling some anger overcome him. "Admiral Ozzel came out of light-speed too close to the system."
"H-he felt surprise was wiser...", Veers began, clearly nervous. Vader cut him off.
"He is as clumsy as he is stupid.", snapped Vader harshly. Then commanded. "General, prepare your troops for a surface attack."
"Yes, my lord.", Veers bowed and quickly left the room. The viewscreen came online and the two commanding officers appeared upon it. Ozzel was the first to speak to Vader.
"Lord Vader, the fleet has moved out of light-speed, and we're preparing to—"
Ozzel stopped, gasping, his air cut off by something.
"You have failed me for the last time, Admiral.", Vader spoke, a tone both even and fuming. He turned his attention to the first officer, barely acknowledging the life draining from Ozzel. "Captain Piett."
Piett's gaze was uneasy as he stepped forward. His thoughts were on the Admiral choking behind him. Ozzel only continued clawing at his throat as it continued to constrict.
"Yes, my lord?", began Piett, nervously.
"Make ready to land troops beyond the energy shield and deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off that system.", commanded Vader with ease, having planned on handing control over to the far more competent first officer. "You are in command now, Admiral Piett."
"Thank you, Lord Vader.", Piett gulped, not quite sure if the promotion was a good thing.
The viewscreen closed and Vader rose out of the hyperbaric chamber. Though his thoughts turned to his angel nearby, he stubbornly put it aside. For now, he needed to hunt down the Rebels and Skywalker who was among them. The shuttle awaited him.
She watched from her bed as the blue of hyperspace turned into stars and the sight of an icy planet appeared below. Though she'd never been there, she'd heard of Hoth, mainly known for its dangerous Wampas and continuous bone chilling storms. Though the planet's facts drifted to mind absently, her true thoughts turned to that of the cloaked figure that had both haunted and guided her through the most troubling of dreams as of late.
In and out of her dreams, the masked man appeared, though his breathing was ever present. She'd imagined the tomb close around her, over and over. She was clawing for breath for seeming hours. On the brink of dying, she'd always see a flash of red and the appearance of Vader, sometimes Anakin. In other dreams, he'd turn his back on her as she suffocated at his feet, whether him as Vader or Anakin. The hues of the place were both orange and red with fire. She'd awoken to two medics attending to her, their presence stiff but not unkind.
Shortly thereafter Vader had arrived, ending her conversation with the medics. The following moments had been illuminating and heartbreaking. Somewhere in her dreams, even ones where he'd abandoned her, she always believed there to be good in him, and she still believed there was… but, he'd shown a harder, more possessive edge to his presence. Worst of all, he still clung to the dark side. Her Anakin was still unremorseful at the lives he'd cost, the people he'd hurt. His steady allegiance to this view had been his downfall, and she wouldn't let herself be blind to it anymore. He was still good deep down, but even ones who were good people before could lose their way.
After he'd left, she'd cried alone for hours. This man claiming to be her husband, claiming to be the same person who'd done those horrible things in the name of the dark side. Killing younglings, the Jedi, nearly killing her. It was too much to think about then and it was too much even now. Her last image of him had been a shadow of his former self, glaring at her with this otherworldly hatred in his eyes.
She still loved him, which is why it hurt so much.
Then her thoughts turned to her children, whom she'd hidden deep in her mind. Though she'd only seen her them moments before she passed on, she remembered their cries. Named both Luke and Leia, one name picked by her and the other by Anakin. She wondered where they were now, probably hidden on a remote planet, away from the Empire. Memories of their birth came slowly back to her mind, and she remembered some people who'd been there, and she immediately felt comforted. Obi-Wan would've done right by them. She longed to know where they were but knew seeing them wasn't a possibility. Anakin was dangerous now, and she couldn't drag her children into it, no matter how badly she wished to see them. They were now grown up, and hopefully, happy.
Out the viewport, several ships flew past her window. These star destroyers, which looked similar to the Republic assault ships, were firing upon whomever was fleeing the planet. Though she didn't know who they were, she wished them well. If they were enemies of the Empire, then there was hope yet for the Galaxy taken over by Palpatine.
She glanced down at her bony hands, still wrapped in bacta, and pulled the blanket aside. The cold air rushed to greet her, so she pulled the blanket around her shoulders. Though she knew it was too soon to be walking, she decided she wished to see more of whoever it was fleeing the Empire. Her feet met the cold, black floor and she slowly approached the ledge of the glass barrier. By the time she'd sat down, after quite a struggle crossing the room, she was sweating and breathing hard. But she'd made it. Her face leaned against the cool glass and she watched listlessly as one of the star destroyers was sabotaged by what appeared to be an ion canon.
Though she rooted for their escape, she still hoped that Anakin was still okay.
They were tracking the Millennium Falcon through the asteroid field now, having taken Hoth and a few Rebels remaining as prisoners. Vader having been completely consumed by his hunt for Skywalker, had neglected to speak to his wife, who he could feel was sleeping. Her dreams as of late consumed her mind, though she'd done an admirable job at keeping them hidden. He felt a hint of pride at having taught her so well, though he conceded, most of it was due to her political background. However, now that he wanted to understand her thoughts and feelings towards him, he found himself becoming increasingly frustrated.
Solo and the others were hiding on one of the bigger asteroids he could feel, and though his men did much to search, he knew it'd be long before they revealed themselves. The captains of the other star destroyers were sweeping it at the time, and he knew that the much more competent Admiral Piett would inform him of any changes. He was approaching her room now, her feeling in the Force much more prominent.
Though she'd been less than happy with him last they spoke, he owed it to her to answer questions, should she have any. He still couldn't forget the feeling that radiated off of her when he'd confirmed her suspicions about his identity. Something ugly reared in his sense. Something dark. Who was she to question the dark side and its uses? Little did she know of its power. Vader shook himself, reminding himself that she'd not aligned herself with the Jedi intentionally. And she wasn't Force sensitive, so this conflict was beyond her. All she'd wanted what's best for him, even if she never fully understood.
He swept into his chambers, door closing behind him. Then he glanced over to the door to her room, hesitating at going in. Then, deciding he was being foolish, entered the room at last. He found her curled up on the ledge, leaning into the glass viewport. In the glow of the stars, she looked at peace, sleeping even as asteroids were dangerously close to running into the super star destroyer.
Then she stirred, as if sensing his presence, and turned her bleary eyes toward him.
"Anakin?", she asked, and he didn't answer, though didn't correct her usage of the name.
"What are you doing out of bed?", came his voice, longsuffering. She looked around, reassessing her surroundings and turned her gaze to Vader.
"I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep.", was all she said, as she stifled a yawn.
"Clearly.", replied Vader with some humor, though it couldn't be picked up by the voice modulator.
"What happened down on that planet? On Hoth.", she asked, tilting a curious look at him.
"The Empire was sent to flush out a military organization, known as the Rebel Alliance.", was all Vader said, keeping it vague. He had no wish for conflict between them again.
"The Rebel Alliance?", she asked, and Vader held back a sigh, knowing he couldn't hide anything from her.
"They're a group of individuals who believe that the Empire is unfair, cruel, and unjust, or so their propaganda says.", intoned Vader, making his opinion clear.
"Dictatorships are often seen that way.", she replied softly, glancing away. He could see the deep frown on her face.
"As a politician yourself, I encourage you to see the broader picture.", remarked Vader, not moving from the door. He felt that another argument was imminent.
She surprised him.
"In my years of knowing you Anakin, I've never known you to be this interested in politics.", she remarked, giving him the barest hints of a smile, though it was tainted by sadness. Her loose brown hair framed her face. "I wish there was a way to put this all behind us."
"It will be. Once the war is over.", Vader spoke up, encouraged by her words. His mind immediately went to the possibility of her ruling by his side.
"And when will that be?", she challenged, turning an imploring gaze his way. Though she'd gained color from the supplements, she still looked very tired. "If you destroy this Rebellion, you know another shall rise up. People will fight. Empires thrive on war; don't you see that?"
"I see that this is not a subject upon which we agree.", spoke Vader, quieting his tone. He could see the fire draining from her eyes, instantly feeling at a loss. "I do not wish to argue."
"I know.", was all she said, before turning her gaze back out to the stars, which cast a pale light on her warm features. "I just wish it didn't come between us."
"It doesn't.", insisted Vader, stepping closer, cape swirling at the motion. Her eyebrows drew together and her lips pursed.
"Anakin, you serve under one very evil purpose.", she returned, her fierce gaze upon him. Her eyes turned alight and then grew resigned. "I… I forgive you for what you did to me, but I am not in the position to reconcile the hurt you've caused the galaxy."
"You… forgive me?", Vader asked, something odd filling his chest. She looked at him puzzled. Why should he doubt that she cared for him? The sound of the respirator was loud in the otherwise quiet room. Then her gaze turned into that of understanding.
"Yes.", she said, giving him a sad smile, raising her eyebrows slightly. "I love you. I always will, and nothing you do will change that."
"Padmé, I don't deserve—"
"I know.", she interrupted, a bittersweet curve to her lips. She stood, albeit shakily. Vader took one step forward, before she held her hand up, shaking her head. Vader obeyed and watched her approach him slowly. She was soon before him now, her fingers tracing the edges of his mask. "I know there's good in you Anakin and I miss you."
"I've missed you.", Vader said, bringing his gloved hands up to her face. His fingers curled in her hair gently. "You being alive… I almost forget it's real."
"It's real… and perhaps this a second chance? For both of us.", she spoke, placing both hands on the sides of his mask. Then she echoed the words she'd spoken many years ago. "Come away with me."
Vader remained silent, suddenly feeling the chains that the Emperor held over him. Could he, after years of serving his master, just leave it all behind? Leave all this power behind? He gazed into her eyes, seeing the same pleading look from all those years ago. Vader could feel a conflict rising within him. Before he answered, there was a knock at his chamber doors. He pulled away from Padmé and swept to the door in the other room.
It hissed open to reveal Admiral Piett.
"Lord Vader.", he said by way of greeting, glancing beyond Vader.
"What is it Admiral?", Vader asked, a tinge of anger to his voice. Piett for his part, gulped, but carried on.
"The Emperor commands you make contact with him.", was all he said, glancing over Vader's shoulder again. This time Vader turned, to see Padmé standing in the doorway, which he'd not closed. Vader turned back to Piett, who looked white as a sheet. "I trust you to be discreet."
"Yes, Lord Vader.", was all he said, before moving away from this topic and back to the Emperor. "I've prepared the transmission."
"Very good Admiral. Put him through.", Vader commanded and Piett left the room to do just that.
Vader turned in the direction of Padmé to tell her to stay concealed, but there was no need. The door was sealed. Vader didn't know whether to feel relieved by this or discouraged but brushed the thoughts aside. He concentrated on hiding her presence in the Force, and properly guarded his own mind. Then he knelt before the holoprojector, waiting upon the bidding of his master.
A/N: Hey we finally get some of Padmé's perspective! I wanted to hold off on it for a little bit, seeing as this story began with mostly Vader's point of view. I'll include it more as time goes on and things get more complicated.
Special shoutout to RyanSquad who reviewed my last chapter, and many thanks to those of you who've favorited or followed my story! Also, to those who've followed and favorited me as an author! I'm still encouraged seeing the number of readers and am extremely grateful for the traffic! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read, and I hope you enjoy the story as it continues! If you liked it (or not), leave a review! It doesn't have to be a long or complicated comment. Either way, I love hearing from you guys!