The Power to Save Her
Chapter 28
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.
The Executor was dead ahead, it's massive form distinct among the standard sizes of star destroyers. A nearby star cast an orange glow on the otherwise grey fleet. Several TIE fighters flew in formation at the bow of the dreadnought, keeping watch over the fleet's perimeter. It was impressive how massive the convoy was.
Padmé eyed the rest of the group as they approached the hanger of the Executor. There was a tense moment while they waited for the communications to open up. Though Piett had cleared their shuttle for landing, the ship was probably being viewed with a critical eye by Imperials, which more than likely included the Emperor's spies.
"Shuttle Insurgence, this is the Executor.", came the dull tone of the operator. The ex-smuggler straightened up, knowing that he'd need to answer the officer.
"Requesting permission to land in hanger 2187A.", Captain Solo replied, keeping his voice calm. He glanced down at a small datachip in his hands. "I have clearance codes."
"No need. Admiral Piett has cleared your shuttle for landing.", replied the operator. Shortly thereafter, the channel cut out, and they waited until the deflector shields were let up.
Finally, the shields were lowered, and the ship drifted forward with Solo's guidance. Its smooth engines were able to ease them into a gentle landing. The hanger was empty, save for Piett, who was standing next to a metal crate. Padmé could see that the man was stiff from the view of the cockpit windows, though she thought nothing of it as he was usually this way in the presence of her husband. She, along with the others, descended the ramp, which extended down to the black polished floors. She was the first one out, glancing left and right to check the premises, though there was no need, as Piett had done his job and no one else was there.
Anakin came from behind and brushed past her to the waiting crate. With little ceremony, he lifted it with both arms, a crate which contained the respirator and armor. Though it was heavy he took it and went back into the shuttle they'd come in. Piett was quiet during all this, eyeing the three new visitors with thinly veiled surprise.
"Admiral Piett, it's good to see you again.", Padmé greeted and for a brief moment the man glanced over to her with a slight quirk to his lips.
"As it is you, in one piece.", replied the admiral, but he kept stealing glances at the famous Rebels. "Though I had not expected… guests."
"They're going to be working with us for… things you well know about.", Padmé replied, not wishing to speak of it so openly, despite the fact that the hanger was empty of onlookers.
"I had expected some help, though not people so very high profile.", Piett answered, still not greeting the rebels openly. If anything, he seemed wary of them.
"I'm afraid we haven't met.", Luke said, deciding to break the tension, and boldly approached the Imperial officer. "I'm Luke Skywalker, and you must be Admiral Piett. I've heard great things about you."
While he had been speaking, Luke offered a hand to shake. Though Piett didn't acknowledge it immediately, he did eventually, if hesitatingly, shake hands with the rebel. The event was clearly foreign to the high-ranking Imperial admiral.
"Great things?", Piett replied, with only a slight attempt at making himself less stiff. "I'd heard of you, though only in our quest to hunt you down."
"And how curious it may feel to be working with me towards a common goal.", Luke stated, some humor to his voice. Then he raised his eyebrows, and gestured to the other two rebels present, "This is Princess Leia Organa and Captain Han Solo."
"I'm aware, though I hadn't the notion that you'd be here. Any of you.", replied Piett, with some trepidation. Then the admiral swallowed, adverting his gaze. Padmé finally noticed that the unease hadn't left the admiral, and furrowed her brows, feeling concern.
"What's wrong?", she asked openly, even as she felt a sense of dread. Behind her, she heard Anakin descending the ramp of the ship.
Piett glanced beyond her, at the now armored man, and hesitated a moment before speaking.
"The Emperor sent another fleet four days ago, headed by Moff Zaro, to inspect the Executor.", Piett stated, seeming to find some trouble speaking of it so openly. "What they were searching for, they did not say, but the Moff overrode my authority in stopping them."
Anakin stood there, mask back on his face, respirator sounding.
"I'd say they found it, admiral.", he replied, his modulated voice a strange thing for Padmé to hear after days without it. "Four days ago, was when my shuttle was destroyed."
"You don't think the Emperor placed a tracking device on your ship?", Piett asked, his voice growing more anxious.
"He must not have," he replied, and was silent a moment before coming to a conclusion, "For why else would he try to hijack the communications between us?"
"Communications? But I deleted those messages.", objected the admiral, knowing he'd taken full precautions.
"I know you did, admiral, which tells me that yet another spy resides in communications, and he knows far more than he should."
There was a tense moment where they digested the revelation. Padmé felt herself go cold. Anakin had told her that he'd spoken with Piett about breaking the Executor away from the fleet while on Utapau. This conversation would've remained private, had the messages been deleted as they should've. However, if someone were to purposefully backup that data, and report it to the Emperor, the element of surprise was gone. The Emperor had no doubt been told of Piett's treachery, and by proxy, the treachery of the crew on the Executor.
Piett seemed to realize this at the exact same time, for he let out a shaky breath, his face ashen.
"Indeed Piett, much of what has happened cannot be undone.", Anakin surmised, his voice hiding the extent of his emotions. "We've always been playing the games of a Sith Lord and so we must continue it. He managed to topple the once great Republic and he'll have plans for traitorous Imperials."
"What do we do?", Piett asked, despite his fear.
"We keep playing his game.", Leia stated, speaking up for the first time. Then her gaze grew steely, "It will not be our demise, but his. In all his power, he was never able to destroy the Rebel Alliance."
"Surely we don't just keep with the fleet.", Piett continued, not understanding the bravery of this rebel. "If the Emperor knows, why should he keep him from snuffing us out?"
"He's known from the beginning that I would try to kill him one day.", Anakin spoke, crossing his arms. Padmé knew of this, for he often said it was the Sith way. "Now that he knows that this time is near, he wishes to provoke us. We're aware that there's spies in communications, but only because he made us so."
"Then what chance to we have?", Piett asked, echoing despair that they themselves were feeling.
"We will remove the threat and power that the spies have over the fleet.", Vader replied, his voice quite serious, though he offered no comfort for the admiral.
Piett's eyes widened.
"The entire population of the Executor alone is almost 300,000 crew members.", Piett replied, his voice growing even. Even Solo was eyeing the former Sith with some doubt. "Surely you do not have enough time to interrogate them all?"
"No, I do not.", Anakin said, almost seeming to anticipate this counterpoint. "This ship, however, can be manned by only 50,000 men."
"Yes…", Piett acknowledged, though he didn't understand where Vader was going with this.
"I told you four days ago to prepare an empty hanger.", Vader replied, though he remained ambiguous. Even Padmé didn't know where he was going with this. Then he continued, "The Rebellion is mere days away from making an alliance. If the majority of men in this fleet are their soldiers, ones cleared by them, then we shall have no fear of a mutiny. The spies will report the change, but they will not be able to turn anti-Imperials against us."
"Lord Vader… if I'm understanding you correctly, you want Rebels manning this fleet?", Piett asked, eyes widening. Even the rebels were astonished by this idea.
"That's exactly what I mean.", he replied, voice rigid. Though the mask revealed none of his facial features, Padmé could tell he was very serious about this idea. "The time is near, and the game is nearly up. The Emperor knows I plan to confront him, but he won't know, until far too late, that the Rebels have taken over."
"After this happens, then what?", Padmé asked, despite her fascination with the idea. She wanted to be realistic and didn't understand the purpose of this, though she was sure there was one. "The Rebels already plan on attacking the Death Star."
"We need a blockade around Coruscant, on the day the Emperor is confronted.", Anakin answered, his voice modulator not hiding his resolve.
"A blockade?", Piett replied, quirking an eyebrow. Then he let doubt creep into his voice as he continued, "You yourself said that our fleet couldn't fight the entire Imperial Navy."
"If the Emperor wishes to prevent a civil war within the Empire's supporters, he will not attack our ships openly.", came the former-Sith's reply.
"It's still a risk.", Piett stated, though he said it as evenly as he could.
"It's a risk we must take.", Vader retorted, continuing to cross his arms. Piett was silent a moment, as were the others, and Vader continued, motioning to the three rebels. "Before we speak with the Rebellion of these plans, we must provide uniforms for them."
Piett sighed.
"For what division?"
"Imperial pilots.", Vader replied, having decided earlier on. "Part of my squadron."
Piett bowed and left them immediately.
While Piett went to retrieve the needed uniforms, the others waited in the hanger. For a few moments there was silence interrupted only by the sound of Vader's respirator. Padmé fidgeted with the fabric of her sleeve, not knowing what to do. The few days they'd spent together consisted mainly of silence between them as a whole, though there'd been some talking in a one on one basis. Now there wasn't much to be said, as apologies had been made and decisions had been committed to. There remained an undeniable tension between the former Sith and two of the three rebels. There wasn't much to be done about this, as actions were the only clear path forward.
When the admiral at last returned, the three rebels went back into the shuttle and changed into the uniforms without objecting. One by one they took turns, each coming out with the same black jumpsuit and helmet under an arm. Solo was the last one.
"First you will begin your training with the basics of flying a TIE fighter.", Anakin announced, his voice formal. Then he turned to the ex-smuggler. "I trust this will not be difficult for you."
"Flying it, no, but taking orders from you, yes.", Solo answered, his cynicism evident, even through the helmet. Padmé winced slightly at the snarky tone, and Anakin, much to her expectations, stiffened. There was some hostility there, though it couldn't be described as new.
"I listened to you while on your ship Solo.", retorted the former Sith, trying to keep himself levelheaded. "You're on mine now."
"Fine.", replied the disguised rebel, though he continued with a quiet mutter. "Not like I wanted to spend time with you anyway."
Anakin chose to ignore it.
"I will show you to your private quarters, but tomorrow, your training begins.", he replied, before finally leading them from the hanger.
As they walked through the massive ship, Padmé noticed the continued glances being sent her way for being able to walk by Vader's side. For once, she was happy about this, for the attention was diverted away from her children and Captain Solo. She thought it strange that they all were gathered on the Executor of all places.
Through all of this decision making, Padmé hadn't really gotten the time to process the current situation. The idea that her children could be near their father would've been horrifying almost a month ago, though now it sparked some contentment now. Though strained, the relationship between them and Anakin was growing, and despite the current circumstances of the Emperor's looming threat, they'd managed to come all this way with him.
Padmé managed a slight smile.
This was as close as she'd had her family together, and while not ideal, she would make the most of it. Silently she thanked Leia for suggesting that they complete this mission under the guise of reconnaissance for the Rebel Alliance. Her daughter was clever and determined, characteristics which Padmé had seen in Anakin. Luke being the idealistic one, had made this all possible. Without him, they never would've made the progress they did, and this characteristic could be found in both herself and Anakin in their early days. In a way, both of her children reminded her of the happier times. A time where hope was high, and the galaxy hadn't been cast under a Separatist war, much less an Imperial rule.
Finally, they made it to their rooms, which were very conveniently placed next to Anakin and her own.
"Early tomorrow, your training begins, and in the evenings will be training with me.", Anakin stated, his tone not one to be argued with. Thankfully, they didn't object, seeming exhausted from their travels.
Then, they left the rebels to get some rest.
Luke finally removed his helmet, at last free of being observed. Leia and Han did likewise, the latter looking decidedly unhappy with their living arrangements. Not that the room was lacking anything, as it was far more lavish than what they had on the Rebel fleet. It was more than likely to do with the company they'd be keeping until their last attack on the Empire. Han, he supposed, had more history with the Imperials, so Luke may not comprehend the distaste he held.
Luke spotted a cot on the other side of the room and claimed it for himself. Quietly, he set the bag next to it, listening as the other two chose their cots respectively. He concealed his lightsaber in a hidden compartment, despite the fact that these were secure rooms. The training with his father would be starting the next day, and his sister would finally be joining. Leia, he could feel, did not come to that decision lightly, though he wouldn't push her away from it. He knew that she didn't do anything she hadn't already decided on her own.
Luke then thought to the training that would commence with other TIE fighter pilots and was only a little concerned. Though there'd be the added stress of keeping up appearances, he'd always had a knack for flying. Han had practiced with these fighters before, and Leia, though not often seen flying fighters, had been trained to do so for more years than he. Their skills weren't lacking, but there was a certain amount of tension when it came to staying natural around the other Imperials. Judging from the looks on both his friend's faces, he'd say their concern was the same as his own.
Soon thereafter, they went to sleep, the night not yielding a peaceful rest.
The next morning, they were up and uniformed even before there was a sound outside the door. His father was there, decked int the hated armor and respirator. He seemed unaffected by the travels of the day prior, though Luke could sense that he too had little rest knowing that their days were limited. While they followed the man, and Luke couldn't help but notice several stormtroopers clearing the way rapidly. He could feel their fear, as well as their slight disdain for his father.
There were brought to a simulation room, after which his father left to attend to his own duties. This was where they were able to practice with the controls. Initially, it was difficult, but with some of the same application he'd used on his X-Wing fighter, he was able to pass the test in no time at all. Han and Leia likewise passed, though he could tell Han was missing the Falcon. The Imperial officer seemed impressed with their work, appearing to understand why Vader had chosen them for his personal squadron. In the next hour, they were in a hanger, several sleek fighters lined and ready to fly. The officer responsible for showing them the protocols of this hanger seemed quickly satisfied with their flight knowledge and promptly allowed them the chance to fly out into space.
Luke, as the engines began whirring, knew that these fighters were fast, and clenched the controls of the ship with a mix of anticipation and dread. As their group the fighters rose from the hanger, he felt his senses heighten. Though they only practiced drills while staying in formation, it still felt like moment before a battle. Luke let adrenaline fill him and knew that time spent flying would always lift his mood and let him forget that they were even racing next to the Executor itself.
When they touched back down in the hanger, the officer training them seemed satisfied and went to report to Vader of their progress. They were dismissed for the day, though instead of going to the mess hall like the other pilots, they headed straight for their communal room. Their meals were brought to them, and shortly thereafter, his mother joined them.
"Training went well.", he answered, though she hadn't voiced the question. She smiled at the report, though didn't say much else.
"How was your day?", Leia asked, seeming uninterested in speaking of their own.
"As good as it can be.", she answered, though there was a hint of something strained in her face. "Most of my time is spent hidden away from it all, though I am given free reign."
"It's interesting that your allegiances are known and tolerated.", Leia stated, some thoughtfulness in her eyes.
"Tolerated yes, but barely.", she replied, seemingly content with the idea. "Though I hold little authority here, at least I was able to do what I planned initially."
"Which was?"
"Originally, it was to keep you both hidden from your father.", she admitted, mind returning to their earlier days after she'd awoken. Anakin had been a far different person then. So cold and callous, to even his own family. "After both Bespin and Naboo, he started changing. By then, I was able to see that he meant to keep his promises."
"He has changed a great deal.", Luke agreed, feeling thankful for it. "I knew, even after everything that had happened, that there was light in him."
Leia didn't speak, though she didn't necessarily disagree with their words. Han was seemingly out of his depth in this sort of conversation and resorted to polishing his blaster he'd brought with him. Luke and his mother gave each other knowing looks, and silently decided to drop the subject matter.
"You grew up on Naboo.", Luke began, finding a new topic to broach. "I had only a short time to visit, but it is a beautiful planet."
"I wholeheartedly agree.", his mother replied, a slight smile forming on her face. "One of the most generous and peaceful planets during the days of the Republic. It was an honor to govern them for a time."
"What as being a queen like?", Leia asked, finally speaking.
"After the blockade, all was well.", their mother answered, eyes going to a faraway place.
"The blockade?"
"In the early days of my reign, my people had war waged against them," she replied, eyes appearing to grow troubled. "Though with the help of two Jedi and Anakin, my planet was freed."
"That must've been a terrifying time.", Leia commented, seeming to empathize.
"It was, though only now do I realize it was all Palpatine's doing.", she replied, her eyes growing dark.
Suddenly, the door to their quarters opened up, and their conversation was cut short. In walked the armored man, the sound of his respirator loud. He didn't have to say anything for them to understand why he was there. Luke glanced over to Leia, and they both rose to go with him. Leia, he could feel, was reluctant to leave their mother behind, but after making a commitment, she wouldn't back down.
Now began their secondary training of the day.
Padmé was with Captain Solo now, her children having gone off with Anakin to continue their training. Though she had spoken to the smuggler before, she hadn't much time to get to know the man. He seemed honorable enough, a good person, if a little rough around the edges. Though, she immediately recognized the irony in that thought, for she herself had married Anakin, a man the epitome of those qualities. She glanced over to the captain, who seemed a little bored while cleaning his blaster.
"I thank you for coming all this way.", she began, her voice sincere. Solo glanced up, surprised, and then shrugged, not seeming to think much of it.
"Someone had to watch the kid's back, as well as the Princess's.", he replied, allowing an easy smile on his face. He seemed carefree, though she knew better. This was simply a personality he defaulted to.
"But you're mainly here for my daughter.", she stated, not thinking much of her words. The man seemed to lose the lazy smile for a second.
"Well I'm concerned, for sure.", he replied, clearing his throat. He tried shaking it off, though there was no point.
"I know about you and her.", she replied with some humor. She raised an eyebrow, allowing the barest of smiles to come over her face. "I've seen it in how you speak to each other."
"I guess I'm not a subtle as I thought I was.", he muttered, though, didn't deny it.
"Why hide it?", she stated, growing curious.
"Other than the fact that Darth Vader is looking for reasons to kill me, not much.", he replied candidly, which could be seen as irritating by some.
Padmé chuckled at this, despite the darker implications of his words.
"He'll come around, no doubt.", she assured, though her humor about it all didn't seem to assure the man. Then she thought to the reason she'd instigated a conversation and rose to her feet, "In the meantime, what say you and I take a look at the higher end TIE fighters?"
The captain glanced around conspiratorially.
"You sure that's a good idea? Leaving this room, I mean.", Han said, though she could see he was intrigued by her proposition.
"I've been doing the same thing all day, and now I have the perfect excuse to leave.", she argued, letting some impatience color her tone. "You've got the uniform and I have the credentials."
"I can't say no when you put it that way.", the man replied, a smile coming over his face. Then he stood and reached for his helmet. "Though no ship could ever compare to the Falcon."
"Of course not.", she replied with a smile, and finally they exited the room.
They took their time getting down to the hanger Padmé had in mind. They were given some looks on the way down, though no one stopped her, seeming to know exactly who she was. She was grateful for this, having hated the secrecy that she'd been forced to cling to before. Though she didn't run into any officers she knew personally, some she recognized as ones who'd been on Bespin. When they met her gaze, she hastened her footsteps and Captain Solo matched her stride easily. At last, they made it to the hanger, and the doors were opened for them.
Inside were several TIE Interceptors, all left in prime condition, though not often seen on the battlefront. She could sense the captain's appreciation for the aircrafts, as he drifted forward unprompted. She went up to one that an engineer was working on, and politely asked the man if it was alright to show the new recruit the interior. The engineer agreed easily, seeing no problem with it.
"Why don't you go on ahead?", she suggested to Solo. "I'll speak to the engineer about flying this."
"If you insist.", he replied before going ahead.
She watched as the captain climbed the ladder up to the open hatch of the fighter. He got inside alright, and she could see, even through the tinted window that he was looking at the controls, trying to learn their function.
Suddenly, the hatch closed over the fighter with a clang, and the smuggler snapped his head upwards in surprise.
Padmé furrowed her brows in confusion, even as Solo mirrored that same expression towards the closed hatch. Then he lowered his gaze to her and suddenly his eyes widened, seeming to look at something behind her. It was then that she heard footsteps coming from where the engineer had been and turned to the sound. Before her was that same man, only now he had a strange look on his face. Instead of the unassuming demeanor she'd seen before, there was something in its place that was cold and calculating.
Then, he spoke, his tone calm.
"The Emperor sends his greetings."
Then his blaster was leveled to her face.
A/N: Sorry for the delay again!
I know that the math when it comes to the population of the fleet is stretching it a little bit when it comes to the Rebels commandeering an Imperial Star Destroyer, but it is possible, given the fact that there were entire planets that supported the Rebel Alliance by this time. The base of this idea comes from one of my favorites (and frankly underrated) movies, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. In that story, when trying to outwit their enemy, they disguised themselves as a neutral vessel, and attacked their enemy when their guard was down. In this case, the Emperor will know something is up, but an open attack on the Executor will be out of the question if he wants to keep other Imperials from questioning his authority.
I've thought about the logistics of this so much that it started making me crazy, so I finally, if reluctantly, decided to let this one go. In a universe as fantastical as having the Force can exist, so too can this be a possibility ;)
Special shoutout to RyanSquad, Jeda31, (Guest), westerns never die, and ELinkA for reviewing! A big thank you to those who favorited and followed my story! What do you guys think of this chapter, and the plans spoken about? If you have any thoughts or opinions, please don't hesitate to let me know, as I always love hearing from each and every one of you! Thank you all for continuing to read :)