The Power to Save Her
Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
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.
He held her, limp in his arms, briskly going in the direction of the shuttle. He could sense his men racing to hunt down the rebels who'd found the landing pad. He sensed that his son was gingerly climbing into his X-Wing, not hunted, for he was far better at evading.
Padmé's face was ashen, her skin cold. Several officers openly watched as Vader, who normally treated his men as disposable, cradle this female officer. They wisely said nothing as he passed by, though he could feel their curiosity in the Force. He cast it aside however, as his main attention was on his wife, who's heartbeat was slow.
He took the shuttle without the pilot present and it surged towards the Executor. In his private hanger, Piett was already waiting for him with the two medics in question. Before Padmé had been put in his private quarters. This time, the medics tended to her inside of the shuttle, and their examination began immediately.
Piett was watching it all with a tinge of worry, though for her wellbeing or the Sith's rage, Vader couldn't tell. Regardless, it didn't matter. He was doing his job. While they waited, the medics took devices out to analyze the wound, and Vader paced the small space of the shuttle.
"Lord Vader.", one of the medics spoke, his voice meek. "It struck several major organs. She needs them replaced, or she'll die."
"We don't have that here.", remarked the other medic. "We need a donor, or at least a cloning facility."
"Piett.", Vader called, and the admiral straightened. "Prepare my personal shuttle."
The admiral moved to do just that, not once looking back. In minutes, the lightspeed capable shuttle was prepped and Vader carried Padmé without the assistance of the medics. They both followed Vader reluctantly. They would tend to her well, for they very well knew what would happen to them should she die at their incompetence.
Promptly, the shuttle left the hanger and then that sector of space entirely.
Luke followed the Millennium Falcon out of the mess of TIE fighters chasing them, wondering why on earth they hadn't jumped to lightspeed. All he heard was cursing on the other end as Han attempted to do just that.
Luke could do so, even without Artoo, though it was difficult with his injury. He knew that the little astromech was on the Falcon, as Leia had told him with all the shouting in the background. She also gave the coordinates, should they miraculously be able to jump.
After short work from Artoo, the Falcon jumped to lightspeed and Luke soon followed. The Rebel Alliance fleet was before them and the Imperial Navy lightyears behind. Luke breathed a sigh of relief as they landed in the hanger.
He was hugged fiercely by Leia, who fussed over his wound, while Han gave him a worried look. Chewie hugged him from behind. Eventually, they made their way to the med bay, too exhausted to explain what had happened to each other.
Padmé first came into consciousness with the feeling of cold air surrounding her. She wiggled her toes and fingers, touching the smooth fabric cocooning her. The next thing she was aware of was the sound of heavy rainfall, a torrent really, beating against a hard surface. She stretched her stiff muscles and then opened her eyes to absorb the environment around her.
The room was dark and small. Some light emanated from the window on her right, of which displayed a violent storm with flashes of lightening rolling through the sky. Though the room was dark, there were signs of machinery, various buttons and displays on the far wall. To her left was a door, sealed shut.
Her mind was fuzzy as to what had led up to this point, for a moment she thought she'd just fallen asleep while reading Senate report, but then realization set in. She knew that it had been decades since she served in the Senate. Memories filled her mind. She had been in Cloud City, helping her daughter and friends escape. Then, there was Luke, for who she'd shot at Anakin to save.
Did she have any regrets?
Absolutely not when it came time to save her children. The fact that she had to resort to attacking the person, with whom she'd once put so much trust and love, was devastating. The blaster bolt had been redirected back at her, but she knew it was an accident. If he truly meant to hurt her, he wouldn't have ceased the battle with Luke to hold her. This wasn't what he'd done on Mustafar. Through the pain, she'd heard him as he lamented his actions but by that point, she'd barely enough strength to tell Luke to run.
Luke.
Her first glimpse of Luke was that of a young man who seemed to have inherited many of his father's features and a few of her own. Though he had bruises and cuts lining his face, she could tell which side of the family he favored. She cherished seeing him, even if she only had a small moment to look at him. Then, he'd walked away, after almost killing Anakin, his expression broken. Now she breathed out slowly, content in the knowledge that Anakin had not resorted to killing his own son.
The rain outside the room showed no sign of letting up.
Her mind was clearer now, and her senses heightened. There was some pain in her body. She let her fingers drift to her midsection, where she felt a bacta patch, held in place by a bandage.
"It's a miracle you are alive.", came a voice to her right.
She snapped her head to see Anakin sitting right by the window, hidden in the darker part of the frame. She quickly realized she hadn't heard him due to the loudness of the rain, but now there was no mistaking the respirator. His posture was defeated, and head bowed in reverence.
"The Kaminoans told me that cell regeneration like yours shouldn't have been possible after being dead so long.", Vader continued, not looking at her. "The Force brought you back to me, despite the fact that I left it in darkness. And what do I do? I almost kill you, again."
Here she could see him wringing his fingers.
"I've done a lot of meditating lately Padmé," Vader continued speaking, leveling his gaze with hers. "And you're right, I can't love you and lust after power."
"What are you saying Anakin?", she asked, keeping her emotions reserved. A dangerous feeling of hope began forming.
"I almost killed Luke and you, and for that, I am sorry.", Vader replied, in a voice that showed he meant it. "I will face the Emperor alone if I have to, but you and Luke are to run. Get as far away from me as you can."
"Anakin…", she reached out a hand, touching the cold metal of his mask. "You don't need to isolate yourself from us."
"I don't trust myself.", he answered immediately, and she could see him draw away from her.
"Then don't.", she said simply, leaning closer to the edge of the bed. "Trust in your love for us."
"That's what pushed me to the dark side.", he answered, shaking his head.
"No, it wasn't love that pushed you there, it was selfishness.", Padmé replied, not holding back the truth, knowing it would hurt him. It was what he needed to hear. "What happened was a choice then, but you still have a choice. You always will."
"I don't know what the next step is.", Vader replied honestly.
"I don't know either Anakin," she responded, but gave a reassuring smile. "But I do know it ends with atoning for your mistakes, by ending this Empire."
"I will do anything to get you to forgive me.", he replied and she almost sighed. He needed to see beyond his wrongs towards her.
"I already have Anakin but as I said before, it's not to me you have to make amends."
"Why are you so willing to forgive, after what I've done to you?", Vader continued, almost ignoring her point.
"Because I know that you didn't mean to hurt me.", she replied, knowing full well he wasn't speaking about just the accident. "But more than that, please know that I love you."
"It doesn't excuse me."
"I know it doesn't," she said simply, and continued pressing her earlier point for the third time. "But the forgiveness I offer is my choice, just as it is your choice to free the galaxy."
"You believe I'm capable of it?", Vader asked, doubt filling his voice.
"I know you are.", she affirmed, nodding her head. "It's your, it's our, responsibility."
"In my quest to overthrow the Emperor, I mangled our son.", Vader stated and here Padmé sucked in a breath. For this, she wasn't ready to let go. Not yet.
"Yes. You did.", she replied tersely.
"And yet, you still hope for the good in me?", Vader remarked, and she could her the self-loathing in his voice.
"I may not trust you Anakin," she began and then thought to some of the moments where he'd done good. "But I know the man you were deep down, still exists."
"I'm machine more than man.", Vader replied grimly.
"Is there nothing that can be done?", she asked, taking in the full detail of the suit.
"I don't know."
"You mean you've never looked into it?", she asked, surprised.
"The Emperor chose this confinement for a reason." Vader replied candidly. "If any changes or improvements are made, he'd surely provide consequences."
"You've never cared about disobeying him in other ways.", Padmé remarked, feeling that there was more to it. The respirator, the suit, it was an act of atonement. "You feel you deserve it."
Vader glanced away.
"I do."
"Anakin, this isn't the way to atone for your choices.", she stated evenly, trying to be practical. "You need every advantage when you face Palpatine."
The dark figure didn't answer, but she could tell he was thinking about it.
"I just want to be able to see you.", she sighed, at the adjacent wall. There were scorch marks from long ago blaster fire.
"You do not want to see me.", Vader replied, almost disgusted with himself. He could only imagine her reaction to the pitiful creature beneath. She didn't deserve it.
"I know you're not ready, but please know, I don't care what you look like.", she implored, giving a half-smile, and placed her hand on his mask again. He clasped it, and then held her hand in both of his palms. She didn't pull away.
"Padmé, I promise you, I'll kill the Emperor, and when I do, we'll run."
"Where will we go?", she asked, choosing in that moment believe him. Deep down she knew that he wasn't fully rid of his lust for power. She also knew, that running away from their responsibilities could never happen, but she entertained the fantasy for a moment.
"Anywhere. Maybe someplace green, like Naboo."
"I'd like that.", she replied wistfully, then she glanced at the rainy view behind him. After a flash of lightening, the fantasy ended. She frowned. "Why are we on Kamino?"
"The blaster wound was fatal.", Vader replied coming to grips with himself. She could see that her near death experience shook him. "Kamino had the capabilities to grow your replacement organs."
"How long have we been here?"
"A week. I've kept you in a Force trance to accelerate your healing.", Vader replied, and she tilted her head, having only a basic understanding of the Force. Then her mind returned to the fleet, which they'd left behind for a time.
"What of the spies on the Executor?"
"Piett has maintained to everyone that I'm aboard, but wish not to be disturbed.", Vader replied easily. "We came here by way of an Imperial Shuttle, while the fleet continues searching for the Rebel Alliance."
"Of course.", she sighed, relaxing more into the bed. "But Anakin, your men saw me on Cloud City. There's nothing to hide that."
"Until that is resolved, you will remain in my quarters.", he replied, already seeing the protesting on her face. "For the time being. Then I'll find you a suitable planet to hide on."
"I'm not hiding.", she asserted, shaking her head.
"The Emperor will want to see you dead. I can't lose you.", Vader implored. She could hear the desperation in his voice. "Not again."
"Do you truly believe he'd do so openly?", she countered, not trying to discredit his feelings, but also wanting to be realistic.
"I know he would use you against me.", Vader responded with certainty. "He's conniving."
"If he has spies aboard your ship, then he already knows of my existence.", Padmé reasoned with a bitter smile. "No amount of hiding me away will change that."
"You're suggesting you openly profess your attachment to me?", Vader asked derisive.
"Don't pretend you wouldn't be overjoyed to share that with your men.", she responded dryly.
"You'll be the target of all who hate me.", he warned, still not willing to concede.
"I've been targeted before, multiple times in fact.", she answered easily. She thought to the kindly old man, who'd turned into a monster. "Besides, Palpatine would feed off your fear for me. It's a political tactic, as well as a Sith one if I'm not mistaken."
"Then what? His threat disappears?", Vader countered, and she had to admit he had a point.
"Of course not, but it is one less thing to worry about.", she replied, determination in her voice. "And I don't have to hide who I am."
"You mean your Rebel affiliations?", Vader stated darkly.
"I am not sorry for helping them.", she responded firmly. "I did what I needed to protect our child. Do not tell me you still believe your hunt for Luke was entirely justified?"
"I regret my actions."
"That wasn't the question.", she shook her head, gaze steady.
"The chances of defeating the Emperor are better with him but…", Vader paused, deciding to concede. "I was wrong for trying to force his hand."
"Yes, you were.", she nodded sternly, but inwardly she felt relief. "I don't ever want to see you hurt my son again."
Vader silently flinched at this, but he believed he deserved it.
"He is my son first.", the Sith nodded. "He will help me defeat the Emperor on his own terms."
She sighed and then smiled at him, a feeling of both pride and relief overwhelming her.
Suddenly, two medics stepped through the doors to their left, and Vader pulled away. However, before he could release Padmé's hand, she held on. The Sith glanced down at their entwined fingers and felt the two medics growing confusion in the Force. They said nothing, but Vader could see the furtive looks they were giving.
Quietly the medics went about their work of checking vitals before they finished the examination.
"One more day of bed rest, and she's ready to walk. Her recovery it's quite remarkable.", relayed the medic, with eyebrows raised. "No one's sustained an injury like this and walked this soon."
Vader looked down to Padmé.
"We return to the fleet tomorrow."
Luke, still in the medical frigate after receiving a new prosthetic hand quietly contemplated all he'd seen and heard. He'd barely spoken of the event to his friends, who thank the Force, were alive and well. He'd been unwilling to speak, though he'd promised them they would talk once he was released by the medical staff.
Of course, it'd be a heavily edited version of the story.
Since he was released, he was finally able to change into his own clothes and head for high command, where his friends would be. Though reluctant to discuss what had happened, he knew the importance of giving an account for the cause. With some reluctance, he left the safety of the med bay. As he made his way to where the Rebel leaders were congregated, he was greeted by some of his team and various others who knew him.
Finally, he made it to the room in question and passed through the doors and into the chamber. There he could see Leia, Han, and Chewie, as well as a new ally called Lando Calrissian. From what little he heard, Lando was instrumental in helping them escape. Artoo was there too, while Threepio were elsewhere, getting some much-needed repairs to his battered coverings.
"Welcome Commander Skywalker.", greeted Mon Mothma, inclining her head. "Now that we're all present, we can begin with what exactly happened on Bespin."
"I'll begin.", Leia offered and the Alliance leader nodded assent.
She began by explaining how they were drawn to Cloud City due to a broken hyperdrive, and then graciously described how Lando Calrissian was forced into compliance by Darth Vader. The alliance leaders grew sympathetic when she explained the torture that Han was forced to endure, and then she arrived at the moment of their rescue.
"Lando and a woman claiming to be Padmé Amidala offered their services to help us escape."
"Padmé Amidala?", uttered Mon Mothma, eyes widening.
"Yes, I believe you knew her.", Leia replied, curiosity in her voice. To Luke the name seemed important.
"I did. She was one of the early opposers of the Emperors policies.", the older woman explained, eyes growing distant. "Do you have any holo of her?"
"We do.", Han said, and motioned to Artoo. "A message sent to the Falcon before we saw her in person. This pertains to you too kid."
"Me?", Luke asked, and the smuggler nodded, motioning once again to the astromech droid.
Artoo rolled forward and began projecting a message. A woman flickered to life on the small display. She was dressed in elegant attire, explaining to them that they needed to keep Luke Skywalker away from the Empire. Luke jolted in recognition. This was the same woman who'd distracted Vader back in Cloud City. The message ended with little information.
"I know her.", Luke muttered after the message ended. All eyes were on him now. "She's the same woman who distracted Vader so I could escape."
"What happened to her?", Leia asked, almost urgently.
"She was wounded by Vader, but alive.", he relayed, wishing he'd done more.
"That was Padmé Amidala.", interjected Mon Mothma, who's face was haunted. "She's even wearing the same clothes from her funeral."
"What does this mean?", Leia asked, eyes turning to Luke for some reason. Mon Mothma was the one who answered.
"Somehow… she managed to come back to life.", the Rebel leader stated. "I don't know how."
"Then she needs to be rescued.", Leia stated firmly.
"Commander Skywalker, you saw her last. Do you believe she's still alive?"
"Yes, though…", Luke cut himself off, not sure what to reveal.
"What is it?", the leader asked, brows furrowed.
"This is going to sound strange," Luke began, testing the words in his mouth. "But Vader almost seemed to care about her."
"What?", Han asked, arching an eyebrow. Luke couldn't blame the cynicism. Han was tortured by Vader… his father.
"She fired on him, but he deflected it back at her.", Luke informed, mind going back to the very strange encounter. "After this, Vader was tending to her wound."
"You saw no opportunity to dispatch of Vader?", questioned Madine, who looked genuinely curious. In the moment, Luke's mind went back to that even where he'd felt utter hopelessness and betrayal. He'd lost his hand and the idolization he'd had for his Jedi father. His emotions were rising, but he quickly forced himself to be serene.
"I lost my weapon.", was all Luke said, though neglected to mention that he'd had Vader's temporarily. Leia, seeming to sense this omission, glanced at him briefly.
"We will have our spies try to locate a woman matching her description, but in the meantime, we'll prepare a team should she be located.", announced Mon Mothma.
After this, both sides finished their accounts of the story, detailing their escapes on the Millennium Falcon and X-Wing fighter respectively. The high command all listened raptly as they finished their accounts, especially Vader's fight with Luke. Then they were dismissed, before Mon Mothma spoke over the departing ruckus.
"Commander Skywalker, Princess Organa, may I have a word? R2-D2, could you stay a moment?"
Both Luke and Leia glanced at each other questioningly but obeyed. The crowd filtered out, both Han and Lando giving them curious looks. Luke could feel Leia's confusion in the Force and a determination coming from the Rebel leader.
"Padmé was a good friend of mine but I have to know, did she give any indications that she was who she said she was?"
"She claimed to know my father.", Leia indulged, though it pained her to bring him up. "Somehow, she knew I was adopted, which is common knowledge I know, but the way she said it was almost as if she was hearing it for the first time."
"She and Bail Organa were good friends before she died.", nodded Mon Mothma, though she didn't seem satisfied.
"Artoo seemed to know who she was.", Leia pointed out and the astromech made a series of beeps and whistles, of which none of them could understand. Quickly they summoned a rather cantankerous protocol droid.
"Artoo, can you tell us what you know?", asked Leia and again Artoo answered in binary.
"He says that he knows her but is restricted from showing further holos."
"You have other holos of her?", asked Mon Mothma, astonished. "Who is authorized to these?"
"The owner at the time of recording.", translated Threepio.
"Who was your owner before Luke Skywalker?"
"Captain Antilles.", Threepio answered.
"Before that.", Leia pressed, a little impatiently. Luke watched as Artoo gave the name.
"Anakin Skywalker."
Both Mon Mothma and Leia looked over to Luke.
"My father.", Luke breathed, shocked by the knowledge he'd been given. Something clicked into place, though Luke wasn't told directly. He could feel that this was the truth. Vader didn't just care for this woman. He loved her.
Vader was alone, meditating in the Force, using the smaller hyperbaric chamber on the shuttle. While Padmé rested, he made full use of this time. He reached through the Force, testing his connection with the Emperor. It was there, though the presence of his master was distant.
He brought himself away from the older Sith, and instead Focused on the world around him on Kamino. The ocean creatures swarmed with life beneath the waves, and the air breathing dwellers were few on this damaged and practically abandoned city around him. He could feel the Force between it all, and something else. Something familiar.
Vader focused on this thing, noting immediately that it wasn't the presence of his wife, nor any other living thing on this planet. It eluded him yet stayed close by when he tried to focus. Then it disappeared all together as he grew angry and impatient. He could've sworn he'd sensed the presence of someone he knew.
Vader opened his eyes, realization dawning in his blue eyes.
It had been the presence of his old master.
Obi-Wan Kenobi.
A/N: I've gone over this monster of a chapter several times, and I hope it's interesting! I thought it'd be good to see the aftermath of this with the Rebel side of things, since we've been focusing in on the Imperials a lot. There won't be a ton of the Rebels, as the story is mainly about Vader/Anakin and Padmé, but they will be brought up when they add something, I feel is important.
So, I did research on what happened to Kamino after the fall of the Old Republic and found that there was an uprising by Kaminoans who created an army to fight Palpatine's. Long story short, they were defeated by the Empire, with the aid of Boba Fett, and Kamino was taken back over by the Imperials. Apparently afterwards there was a second fight back where the Rebels beat the Imperials and Tamira City was damaged/destroyed by a tidal wave. The Rebels then left Kamino for Dantooine. It says that after the fall of the Empire, Kamino's economy crumbled, but it still existed up until that point, serving the Empire. In essence, I did a little research to be sure that Kamino was still around and at this point, I'm assuming from the research, that the facilities existed and were somewhat functional. All this for one scene on Kamino ;)
Special shoutout to RyanSquad, Fortunate Son, Jeda31, DawnDayrider, and searth05 for reviewing! I appreciate your continued feedback! And a big thank you to those who've favorited and followed my story! I love seeing that there are numerous people still reading the story, so a huge thank you for taking the time to do so! Don't forget to review with your thoughts :)