The Power to Save Her

Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any dialogue from Empire Strikes Back.

Important Note: I will not follow comics/legends characters or concepts closely, if at all. My knowledge is strictly on the that of the movies and a more mainstream knowledge of Star Wars. Though I may reference events and things outside of the movies, I do not claim to know the material on a deeper level.

The Executor dropped out of hyperspace and the orange gas planet appeared. The rest of the fleet appeared beside them moments later. The star destroyers drifted closer to the planet, the nearby star illuminating their entire fleet as it came out of darkness. Padmé was back in her room after hours of hyperspace travel to Bespin. Since she was alone, she could think with some semblance of peace.

Earlier, she had been surprised that Anakin had allowed her anywhere near a hanger, but after she'd arrived, she noticed it to be as heavily guarded as he said it would be. There'd been no act of trust there, but she reminded herself to be patient. Anakin was still acting out of fear and his fear had made him do far more terrible things. When at the hanger, she turned over the instructions Piett had written and returned to the bridge. She resorted to ignoring him again, not allowing herself to be angry over this. Several hours later, after her shift, she was now able to enjoy the peace and quiet.

The planet below was a swirl of orange and tan colors, dancing in a storm that'd been happening for thousands of years. It strongly contrasted the grey and dismal interior of the Imperial ship. Its light permeated the cold room, almost blinding in its brilliance. After hiding away, Padmé shed her uniformed attire for something more comfortable, a black set of clothes, hating to wear anything marked by the Empire. The light of this planet momentarily distracted her from her current situation.

Suddenly, the door to her room hissed open, and she stood, watching as her husband marched right in without apology.

"What's going on?", she demanded, feeling slightly annoyed.

"You're joining me on Bespin.", he stated quite sure of himself, his armor glinting in the orange light.

"Why?", she questioned, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Think I'd leave you alone after what's happened?", he demanded, and Padmé thought to the communications center attempt.

"That was luck.", she declared, giving a slight shrug to her shoulders.

"There's no such thing as luck.", Vader stated evenly, shaking his head. Then, he motioned her forward. "Come. We're leaving now."

Padmé sighed but didn't argue. Quickly, she shouldered on the grey uniform once more and pulled her hair up neatly. All the while, Vader waited patiently, though she'd really wished he'd given her a warning that she was leaving the ship, or at least leave without gawking. Inwardly, she urged herself to let it go. Though disappointed at his reasoning for it, she couldn't argue the chance to get off the ship and see the world outside of the Imperial lens.

Once ready, she followed Vader out the door to the hanger. Once there, she noticed several other ships prepping to depart and several troopers waiting to board. The sheer number of troopers' present was astounding, despite the fact that she knew this ship was manned by thousands of people. In the midst of the soldiers, Anakin stood a head taller than the rest, and he guided her to the right shuttle. She climbed up the ramp behind her husband, and it closed up the entryway behind her.

All around the inside of the shuttle troopers lined the enclosed space and Anakin walked past them like they didn't exist. Deciding she need not follow anymore, she found the nearest wall and leaned against it as he moved away from her. Shortly thereafter, the ship lifted itself out of the hanger and set its course for Bespin. It was a relatively uneventful trip, though there was turbulence as they broke through the atmosphere.

She could feel the jolt when they landed and Vader filed out first, while she followed closely. The troopers then exited, as it seemed Vader made a point to best the first to lead. Something his men no doubt respected about him.

The landing platform was empty, as they'd not been expected, but that was soon changed when a man, followed by his security stepped out to greet them. The stranger was dressed in some fashionable attire and put forward a good fake smile towards her husband. With ease, Padmé observed the tenseness of his posture.

"I'm Lando Calrissian, the administrator of this city. I believe we've spoken before. What do we owe the pleasure of the Empire's visit?", he began, charismatically keeping his face friendly.

"Dispense with the pleasantries. We are using this mining colony as a base of operations."

"Of course, Lord Vader, though the deal that Cloud City will be allowed to continue its operations still stands?", asked the man, his face instantly serious.

"It does.", the Sith replied, stepping forward. Calrissian stepped back unconsciously. "Your role in keeping Solo here is of the utmost importance."

"So, no harm shall come to him?", the man asked, eyes carefully watching the Emperor's second in command.

"I require Skywalker only.", Vader stated, causing Padmé to give him a sharp glance. She could recognize his subtle manipulation right away. "Solo must be here to ensure his cooperation."

"Very well.", the man called Calrissian agreed and turned to motion them forward.

Padmé followed Vader, though angry thoughts grew in her mind. Despite his claims of keeping Luke away from the Emperor, he still very much involved the Imperials in this venture. His hunt for his own son was reprehensible at best, but the blatant inclusion of the Imperial troops only caused her anger to grow. Underneath she was feeling this way, but she kept her face neutral. She knew that her husband felt her anger due to the way he stiffened when she glanced at his back. She instantly quieted her unhappiness.

Despite her thoughts being focused on the situation, she noticed that this place was quite beautiful. Deciding this would calm her, she observed the many people milling about in the city below the platform. Her gaze shifted to the administrator. Though clearly acting to save his operations, she gave him credit for trying to look after these people.

They made it inside, the doors sealing shut behind them.

It didn't take them long to set up hidden bases throughout the city. Different troops were stationed at the locations and the fleet of star destroyers sent away to avoid being spotted. This was done right under the people's noses. They were left in the dark about the possible warzone. Padmé watched all this with mild disdain but said nothing. Her husband met up with the bounty hunter in one of these hidden bases.

"Solo is almost here?", the Sith demanded.

"Should be in less than a day.", replied the person in Mandalorian armor.

Vader turned apparently getting all he needed and Padmé followed, feeling more and more helpless. Quickly she shook herself, refusing to give in to despair. She had to focus on helping them. With that in mind, she memorized the locations of the stormtrooper posts, logging it away for future use. Plans began formulating in her mind, but they were limited to circumstantial strategies.

One of the realities is that her husband needed the man named Solo to draw Luke in. To save Luke, she'd do everything she could to warn them or help him and whoever was with him escape. Sending a message like she did last time wouldn't work, as all the communications had been taken away from her. She was given free reign of the city so long as she was with Vader. Though she was freer right now, she didn't put it past Anakin to hide her away in some room. To avoid this, she had to ensure he trusted her enough not to run.

With these facts in mind, she followed Vader as he communicated with his men.

Hours later, she found herself residing in some sort of dining room with her husband and the bounty hunter. Presently, Anakin was speaking with said bounty hunter, discussing something to do with Jabba the Hutt.

People who worked at Cloud City brought in food, while they were talking, though none of the room's occupants ate. Finally, Boba Fett stood and left the room, claiming to need a few minutes, and it was just her and Anakin. She rested against a wall with her arms crossed, and he paced past her without saying a word. His pacing continued before she stopped him on his tracks.

"Are you breaking your promise to me?", she asked calmly, watching his body language.

"No.", he replied with a shake of his head. "I will not turn him over to the Emperor."

"You've said as much," she nodded, but cocked her head at him. "Though you haven't elaborated on why you're still hunting him."

"The Emperor must believe my hunt for Skywalker is ongoing."

"There's more to it, and we both know it.", she replied disapproving of his careful phrasing and the way he called his own son Skywalker instead of Luke.

"I need him to overthrow the Emperor.", Vader admitted, turning to face her.

"You planned on taking him to the Emperor anyway?", she asked, not surprised, but closing her eyes in disappointment.

"You misunderstand me.", her husband assured, approaching her. "I will not turn him over. He is to fight with me. Do not tell me you think Palpatine should live?"

"By no means should he continue to hold power," she conceded this point, though continued, hoping that he'd see the likely outcome. "But Anakin, what if Luke refuses to fight with you? What then?"

"He will be made to see reason.", he replied, quite certain.

"He won't trust you.", she stated, just as certain. "Why should he?"

"I will give him the truth of his heritage.", he answered, and she felt some form of dismay overcome her.

"He's not ready.", she muttered, despite knowing it was wrong to lie to Luke.

"He will have to be.", he answered firmly, hands on his lightsaber belt. "After he knows, I will train him in the ways of the Force."

"He's only a tool to you!", she accused, brows furrowed.

"That's not true!", insisted Vader, his voice rising, fists curling at his sides.

"Then you must promise to me you will not hurt him.", she replied, balling her hands into fists as well. "If he refuses, you must let him go."

"He will not refuse.", came his confident reply again.

"You don't know that.", she insisted, and was about to reply when the door hissed open. Boba Fett strolled back into the room and she grew quiet.

The bounty hunter paused looking between them, knowing he'd interrupted something, before shaking it off.

"They're arriving.", Fett informed the Sith.

Quietly, the bounty hunter went to a corner and began cleaning his blaster. The silence was tense between two of the room's occupants, but the third person payed it no heed. Padmé decided upon reading from a datapad, while trying to keep calm and plan her next move. Anakin just stood still, seeming to meditate, though he too was scheming. For several hours they waited for the administrator to lure in the unknowing subjects who were to be used as bait for Luke. Solo and his friends would be ensnared by the friendliness of this place, not aware of the snakes hiding within.

Just when she wondered when they'd arrive, the door hissed open.

"…I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here forever.", came the voice of the administrator.

Padmé watched as a man, she could only guess was Captain Solo fire immediately on Anakin. She sucked in a quick breath as the blaster bolts were deflected by the Sith's hand and he used the Force to yank the weapon out of the man's grasp. The blaster was set aside by the Sith, it's barrel still smoking.

"We would be honored if you would join us.", Vader spoke, tone clearly insincere. Troopers filed behind the new prisoners trapping them in place. Both groups were tense.

"I had no choice. They arrived right before you did. I'm sorry.", Calrissian informed, shifting the blame.

"I'm sorry, too.", Solo remarked, giving the administrator a less than friendly look.

It was only then when they were done speaking that Padmé noticed the Wookie and the woman behind them. The Wookie wasn't anyone she'd met before but this woman she felt was strangely familiar. She had a face that seemed similar to someone she'd met, though she knew she'd never once seen her before. She couldn't understand why but her mind was telling her that this person was important. While Padmé was watching her openly, the woman was fearfully gazing at Vader.

Briefly, she turned her gaze to Padmé, before doing a double take.

Padmé saw the woman's eyes widen, seeming to find some recognition as well.

The prisoners were forced into the room by the troopers behind them, taking seats awkwardly around the table. Vader for his part, stayed at the head offering no word or welcome. Not that this surprised her, but it was strange seeing him outside of the context of the Imperial Navy. There was food there, a generous supply, though no one ate. Lando picked up a glass of wine, but otherwise the food went untouched. The prisoners watched Vader with some fear, though the woman among them kept stealing glances at Padmé.

"What do you want with us?", demanded Solo, boldly glaring at Vader. His posture seemed casual, almost lazy, despite his predicament.

"You're my guests.", Vader replied, refusing any real information.

"We don't know the location of the Rebellion.", the woman spoke boldly, eyes flashing with righteous indignation. "They've moved beyond the rendezvous point by now."

"I'm aware.", replied Vader coolly.

"Then why are we here?", she demanded, narrowing her eyes. "To sate your bloodthirst? Killing us will only make the Rebellion fight harder."

"Leia…", muttered Solo, putting a hand on her shoulder, almost trying to shield her.

Instantly, Padmé knew.

Leia…, Padmé thought, suddenly feeling both wonderment and dread at the same time.

She looked at the brown-haired woman across from her, truly looked, and began seeing the similarities between Leia and Naberrie family genes. Though she could see some Anakin in her, the rest had definitely come from her side of the family. Padmé hands curled into fists under the table and felt some moisture come to her eyes at the sight of her grown daughter. She did not know whether to be proud or scared.

She decided she could be both.

Padmé saw her husband glance at her, questioningly, clearly sensing a sudden emotional change in the Force. Quickly she hid her thoughts and emotions, quieting the fear she felt for her daughter's safety. He could not know, not now when his daughter was in his clutches. Padmé had high hopes that she was far across the galaxy, hiding from this war, but clearly the brash Skywalker gene had been passed down to both of her children, as both were involved in this Rebellion.

She found herself reaching for a glass of wine, hand shaking slightly.

At her movement, Solo finally glanced her way, also recognizing her. Most likely he knew who she was from the hologram message on his ship, though he said nothing. He eyed her Imperial uniform questioningly, though quickly turned back his gaze to watch Vader carefully.

The room had been quiet after Leia's bold declaration, though no less tense. No one was saying anything or eating. The whole meal gesture by Calrissian seemed a bit of a waste, she thought, though it showed some concern he possessed, even if it was meager concern. Finally ending the tense silence, Vader ordered the three to be taken away, put into holding cells. Stormtroopers filed in and started dragging the three from the room.

"Wait.", Vader called, halting their progress. "Take Captain Solo to the scan grid."

They were pulled from the room, Captain Solo and her daughter giving each other anxious looks. Padmé turned on her husband despite the present company of other Imperials. Nobody would dare to express the look she was currently giving Vader.

All filed out eventually, Boba Fett giving both of them a long stare through his helmet before leaving.

The doors finally closed.

"Anakin, they don't know where Luke is. Captain Solo knows nothing.", she implored, placing her hands on his arms.

"I'm aware of this fact.", he replied, seemingly unconcerned.

"Then what?", she asked, eyes searching his masked face. "He won't help you get Luke."

"On the contrary," Vader spoke, removing her hands from his arms. "It's the only thing that will draw him out."

"What does Captain Solo have to do with a scan grid?", she asked, taking a step forward, and Vader held his ground, but was silent. The quiet was meaningful, so she closed her eyes. "Please… don't kill him."

"I do not plan on it.", he dismissed.

"That's hardly a promise.", Padmé declared, shaking her head.

"Why do you care? You don't know him."

"It doesn't matter!", she insisted, crossing her arms. "Promise me you won't kill him."

"Fine.", conceded the Sith, relenting, and Padmé felt a sense of relief.

While she stood there, her husband turned and drifted to the edge of the room. Thinking she was to be with him to speak with Solo, she followed. Suddenly, he came to a halt at the door, and turned to face her. She came up short, almost running into his back.

"Make a report to Piett that the Rebels have been found.", he said over his shoulder, not looking at her. Padmé felt her jaw clench, clearly seeing what he was doing.

"My communications—"

"The communication center in sector four will suffice.", he insisted, still not looking at her. "Return here."

"I'm surprised you trust me.", Padmé replied, knowing his reason for sending her away was so that he could carry out terrible acts against the Captain. Though she wanted to stop this now, she knew doing so wouldn't save her daughter.

"You have nowhere to go.", he stated casually. "This city is on lockdown."

Knowing she had nothing else to say to him, she turned away from him, marching towards the communication center. The cogs in her mind began forming again. She knew where the holding cells were, and though she didn't know the location of the Millennium Falcon, she could bet that the prisoners did. It would be a risky move, but if it meant getting her daughter out and keeping her son from ever coming to this awful place, she'd take it.

First step would be to get inside those cells, and there was one person who wasn't Imperial and had access to the entire workings of Cloud City.

A/N: Ugh, this chapter took me forever to get right, though I'm fairly certain this is the best version I can give you. The reason it's so difficult is because it's more action based, whereas the last chapters have been heavy with dialogue. I think that Anakin and Padmé have said a lot of what's needed to be said, and only actions can declare if there are any change in morals in Vader/Anakin. Sorry for the delay!

All I can wonder about the dinner is down to an unused draft script by Leigh Brackett. Though not sure of its complete legitimacy, I thought I wouldn't base my scene on its dialogue, due to the fact that they don't seem to know Vader wants Luke until Lando explains this to them later. In this draft, it seems Vader gives away his motives right away, which seems dumb on Vader's part. Probably why they scrapped it.

Special shoutout to RyanSquad and Jeda31 for reviewing my last chapter! I appreciate your continued feedback! Thank you to those who've favorited and followed my story! Let me know if you have any thoughts about this chapter and don't be afraid to tell me what you liked or disliked about it. I'm always open for constructive criticism, though I enjoy hearing all sorts of feedback! Thank you all for reading :)