The Power to Save Her

Chapter 29

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.

They'd walked a great distance towards the training room his father had told them about, having not said a whole lot on the way there. Luke was anxious to continue learning more about the Force, especially how to better conceal his presence. His sister seemed to have a better grasp of that power, though Luke supposed it to be her natural ability, just a saber combat seemed to come easier to him. Absentmindedly he reached to where his lightsaber usually hung from his belt loop, hand freezing when it wasn't there. His heart skipped a beat before he realized it, and he had to scold himself. A slight feeling of embarrassment came over him.

"I've forgotten something.", Luke stated, before they were able to enter the lift.

Both forms of his father and sister turned to him, seeming to mirror the same stiff posture. They waited quietly for the explanation, and the Jedi had to sigh. Luke informed them what he'd forgotten and with some sheepishness, he turned back to his quarters, going to retrieve his lightsaber.

His father spoke silently to him.

That weapon is your life, he heard from him in the Force.

Luke acknowledged the admonishment, though he continued his walk back anyway. Both his sister and father didn't follow, for which he was grateful, so he was able to recover from the slight lapse in memory. As he went, Stormtroopers paid him little to no mind, which was a strange thing for the Jedi, as they'd usually be fighting. Luke had to remind himself that he needed to act natural and nodded to a trooper that greeted him nonverbally.

As he neared the quarters, he thankfully encountered no problems from them.

However, upon reaching the door of his room, he noticed something strange. Luke titled his head down towards the control panel to the door, tracing his fingers around the edges of the metal. The light indicating that the door should be locked was showing the opposite sign. It was blinking green, the light hazy almost as if its power source was weakened. Then Luke closed his eyes, a slight feeling of apprehension filling him. On instinct, the Jedi reached out with his senses for a lifeform, and instantly found no one. The room was empty. Luke opened his eyes.

Still, something was wrong.

With some trepidation he walked through the entrance as the door hissed open. He walked forward, ready for something, almost a fight, and what he found was items strewn across the room. With growing wariness, he scanned the mess. All their personal belongings scattered across horizontal surfaces, almost as if someone had been looking through them meticulously, though quickly. Luke felt some fear rising from within him, even as the presence of his father was growing nearer. He heard the mechanical breathing before he saw them, and then an audible but soft gasp from his sister.

Luke glanced over to see his father taking a few strides into the room, observing the clear attempt to obtain something.

"Did they find it?", his father asked immediately, his voice low.

Luke wondered the same thing and slowly turned his head in the direction of the hidden compartment. He noticed that it looked untouched, though that didn't necessarily mean anything. Luke approached it, and gently removed the covering, by using the hidden latch. The container opened, and he peered into it. Then he sighed in relief.

"No. They did not.", he replied, almost breathless.

He pulled the lightsaber out of the compartment for them to see. The metal cylinder looked to be in the condition he left it, and he could sense no tampering with it. With some resoluteness, he used one of the deep pockets of the uniform to conceal it.

Then he felt a wave of terror in the Force. Luke turned his gaze to his father, knowing he'd felt it too. The armored man had halted his breathing, posture rigid with a deep-seated fear. Leia too seemed to understand something was wrong, though the Force had made it abundantly clear to all of them.

His mother was in danger.

"The Emperor sends his greetings."

Padmé felt cold, a sinking feeling in her chest, though she narrowed her eyes at the man who was supposed to be an ordinary engineer. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest, but she kept her demeanor calm and steady. Slowly, she raised her hands in surrender, though she knew it was of little use. He clearly planned on killing her, the blaster being level with her face. Behind her, she could hear Captain Solo furiously kicking at the blast protected glass, helpless to do a thing.

She quickly looked the engineer up and down, trying to get a few details off him, despite the dangerous situation. Immediately she noticed that his blaster hand was shaking slightly, either due to the thrill of this mission or a past injury that caused it. His face though, was stoic, she quickly decided on the latter. He was middle aged, though technically younger than herself, had the disadvantage that came with living and experiencing the years she hadn't. While he was weakened, disarming a man with a blaster, even at this close of a range, wasn't a good idea. Though she'd had some training, years of it had told her that attempts to neutralize an armed subject could still be deadly. She knew that the best thing to do would be to get out of the line of fire.

Her decision was made.

Without a moment's hesitation, she kicked a box of tools right next to her. It skidded across the polished floors, clattering loudly as it went, and the man snapped his head down, momentarily distracted. With adrenaline fueled strength, she sucker-punched him in the gut, causing him to take a few fumbling steps back. The man wheezed from having the wind knocked out of him. Swiftly, she tumbled behind a stack of cargo supplies, hearing the blaster shot buzz right past her head, narrowly missing it. The bolt had burned into the plating of the TIE fighter, metal still hot from the abuse. She snapped her head in the direction of the exit from the hanger and sighed with frustration at seeing it was blocked by blast doors.

With some growing apprehension, she considered their options, knowing there were only moments to do so. Then she noticed a flicker of movement above her and tilted her head up to the window of the TIE. The ex-smuggler was furiously working at the controls, while furtively sending her glances. When the ship sputtered to life, she realized what the captain as trying to do. Though afraid, she felt a small measure of relief overcoming her.

That relief simmered down when she heard footsteps of the engineer getting closer.

She clung to the side of the crate as she slid around the edge of it to keep the man from getting a clear shot. As she did so, she saw another crate across the hanger and felt some resolve, clenching her hands into fists. With a burst of energy, she made a run for it across the open space.

She heard the blaster firing behind her, bolts continuing to narrowly miss her. She weaved back and forth, dodging the fire as best she could, though cried out when one shot grazed her arm. Despite the stinging pain, she grasped the edge of the crate and hurtled herself over it. With a thud, she landed on the other side, taking shelter from the hail of blasterfire.

Then all she could do was listen as the running footsteps of the assassin closed in on her. If Captain Solo couldn't get the ship ready, she would have to face him alone. Silently, she braced herself for a deadly fight, taking one last deep breath. However, the engines of the TIE Interceptor flared to life completely and the footsteps of the assassin stopped. Then came a loud noise of blaster fire, going off about three times, its bolts screaming through the air. The wall adjacent to her exploded from one of the shots and was engulfed in flame.

Even through the noise, she heard the man cry out. Then there was a thud as someone hit the ground and some groaning. Though feeling a loud heartbeat in her ears, Padmé glanced around the corner of the crate, noticing the man fallen on his side. What replaced him from the assassin chasing her was a half-way charred and breathing heap on the hanger floor. His blaster was feet away from him, though he was still trying to reach for it. His fingers were brushing the edge of it, though it turned further away from him. With some urgency, she rose from her crouch and kicked the weapon away. It went skidding away from the both of them, far beyond what he could reach.

"The Emperor sends his greetings?", she asked despite how breathless she was from the encounter. She grasped her bleeding arm, feeling some bravery come over her, despite her fear of the Emperor, "I'll say hello to him myself."

After she said this the man turned his gaze away from her and continued breathing heavily, ashen as he continued staring up at the hanger lights. She let out a sigh, her heartrate slowing, as she reminded herself to relax. Something about seeing the man lying there dying sparked pity, despite the fact that he'd just attempted to kill her. The burns on him were ghastly, and the blaster shot from the TIE fighter lethal, though not quite enough to kill him instantly. She knelt next to him, not knowing what to say, while he died. When he did, it was with a shuddering breath and she reached out a hand and closed his eyes.

Then, the doors to the hanger opened and several stormtroopers filed in. They paused at the destruction, and the people in the middle of all of it. Whether or not they recognized Padmé was unspoken, though the fact that they weren't demanding answers from her told her that they didn't suspect her to be the culprit. Shaking herself, she approached them and asked for their help, motioning to the TIE Interceptor that Solo was trapped in. Two of the troopers went noticed the captain in the now powered down ship and went over to it, climbing the ladder next to it to reach the top. With some considerable effort, they managed to work the latch open with the manual override.

Finally, the captain was free, and being raised by his arms by the men in white armor. She could tell from his stiff posture while being helped from the cockpit, that he was less than thrilled to have been rescued by stormtroopers of all people. While this was happening the hanger workers came pouring in, putting out the flames immediately. There was a general confusion amongst the party of onlookers, as only two people there knew the truth. The troopers kept silent after hearing one of the officers identify her to them. Unconsciously some of them took a step back as they dared not speak to Vader's wife until he himself had arrived.

As if on cue, she spotted the armored figure entering the hanger, followed by two forms decked in TIE fighter uniforms. Though casual to most onlookers, she could tell that he was making haste while trying to appear neutral. After appearing merely moments ago, he was standing before both her and Captain Solo.

"What happened?", he demanded, though there was an edge to his voice.

"An assassin.", she answered quickly, gesturing to the man being looked over by other troopers. Not wishing to look on the body longer than necessary, she turned to Captain Solo, emphasizing the importance of his role. "If not for the quick wit of your TIE pilot, I'd probably be dead."

Then Anakin glanced over to Captain Solo, who stood rigidly at the scrutiny.

"Get this cleaned up.", Anakin then said, turning his attention to the troopers. They immediately obeyed, and then the armored figure turned back to her. "We're leaving this place."

Padmé, seeing no reason to disagree, followed him, as did the other three. The mess in the hanger was being tended to, though Anakin alerted Piett to follow up on the chaos. In complete silence they ascended the levels of the ship in a turbolift, both Captain Solo and Padmé quite shaken by the ordeal. She was unconsciously gripping the arm of Anakin, though she knew not why she'd been so terrified. She'd been in life or death situations before and had been more than trained for those encounters. Padmé furrowed her brows, glancing over to her children still in their disguises and understood the reason for her fear. She sighed and looked down at the floor of the lift. She'd already died once, abandoning them, she couldn't do so again.

When they made it back to the level that their quarters were on, they instead were guided to Vader's private quarters. Though she was surprised that Anakin would allow the whole group into a place he considered private, she understood the reasoning must be very important. Once inside, and the doors were sealed shut, he turned to her.

"It happened exactly as I said.", she stated before he had the chance to ask. She grimaced, once again clasping the wound on her arm. "Only I didn't mention what was spoken to me."

"What did he say?", Anakin asked, noticing the bloodstains. Gently he took her arm, moving the sleeve up to inspect the wound while she continued.

"He told me in more or less words, that the Emperor sent him to kill me.", she answered, though knew this was no surprise. Who else could be responsible for such a thing? Then there was a tense silence, and Padmé glanced around at the room, wondering why they were still gathered there.

"Our room was ransacked.", Luke spoke answering her silent question, his voice a little uneasy. Then he held up his own lightsaber, "The found nothing though, as this was still hidden in the room where I left it."

"Do you think Palpatine suspects?", Padmé asked, a slight feeling of queasiness coming over her, though she didn't know if it was from the wound or the general uneasiness of the situation.

"Yes, he suspects, but there's absolutely no proof that he has his hands on.", Anakin answered quietly, applying some bacta patches, which instantly soothed her. Then he continued, "Though I suspect they'll be back for more."

"Is that why we're here?", she asked, looking around at the spartan room. It still had the hyperbaric chamber in it and the holoprojector, very much the same as it once was. There was a door that led to the rooms she'd once been confined to and another that probably led to his private sleeping quarters.

"Yes, until Piett and I ensure that the room is secure.", he answered, crossing his arms.

"You're leaving to talk to him now?", she asked, feeling less than thrilled with being alone. Then she remembered the company she'd be keeping and decided to find some comfort in that.

"Piett was tasked with catching the one responsible for ransacking the quarters. He's found him by now.", Anakin answered stiffly, having great confidence in the admiral. Then he turned to Captain Solo, his voice even, and quite serious, "You have my gratitude Solo, for saving her life."

Then he walked out, not giving the surprised smuggler a chance to respond.

Anakin exited the interrogation room, frustrated. Piett stiffened at his demeanor but didn't ask. Anakin was grateful for this, as he had no wish to speak of the traitor or the way he'd evaded the mind probes for as long as possible. Anakin had broken through his mind's defenses, only to discover that this useless man knew nothing other than what a higher up had commanded. The man was a mumbling mess now, though he couldn't bring himself to care too much about it, though he knew Padmé would be most displeased by his calloused actions.

The assassin who'd tried to kill her was dead. What a pity, Anakin thought darkly, clenching his fists tighter. He'd very much preferred him alive to his mercifully quick death he'd gotten. Then Anakin grew cold, knowing that his thoughts were going down a dangerous road. Silently, he quieted his seething anger, relaxing his hands, though he very much wished to do the opposite. As he returned his mind to the present, he became very much aware of the admiral watching him and waiting worriedly.

"Piett.", he finally said, breaking the tense silence.

"Lord Vader?", asked the nervous admiral.

"Do you understand the significance of what he's done?", he asked, not sure how much the admiral already suspected.

"He tried to find Skywalker's lightsaber.", Piett nodded, though there was a quizzical expression on his face. He continued, knowing that Vader wanted something more from him, "Though it is strange, as the Emperor already knows that you were working together."

"He is not certain of the fact that the rebel is on the Executor. He's panicking, using flawed methods to know what's truly going on here.", he replied, understanding his cunning master well enough to realize that the old man was stumbling. Then he turned to Piett, deciding once and for all that the admiral deserved to know since he was already in so deep. "Skywalker and I aren't just working together. The Emperor knows of a connection between us, but he needs confirmation of his presence here."

"Connection?", Piett asked clearly bewildered by this. Anakin sighed, knowing he'd never divulged the name of his former self to the admiral, so the man had little context of the situation. Though, Anakin suspected that the admiral was willingly ignorant as to not invade on his privacy.

"You don't know my true name."

"I remember your wife saying that you were once a Jedi.", Piett acknowledged, though he didn't press the former Sith for answers.

"My real name is Anakin Skywalker.", he stated evenly, though the reaction from the admiral was surprise, but then it morphed into shock.

There were several moments of silence while they stood in the empty prisoner hold.

"Luke Skywalker is your—"

"Yes.", the armored man replied, not speaking of it openly. He didn't mention Leia, for the Emperor, as far as he knew, didn't know of this. "And the Emperor wishes to exploit that connection in the most malicious way possible."

"What can we do to stop it?", Piett asked, going back to business, trying to focus on the threat.

"The Rebellion replacing the crew.", he finally answered, though he didn't necessarily enjoy the thought of rebels, he did know they'd do anything to protect Luke and Leia.

"We'll hail them tomorrow.", Piett stated, resignation filling his voice.

"Tonight.", Anakin countered sharply.

Piett blinked for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Yes, Lord Vader. Tonight.", the admiral replied, by force of habit.

Anakin didn't comment on it. Though he no longer wished for the name designated to him by a Sith, he knew it had been as much a part of him as the name Anakin Skywalker. Though it was strange for more people to know of his former self, connecting the noble hero with the dark and evil being, he acknowledged that this was a part of him and accepting it could help him move on.

While Piett had gone off to the communications center, Anakin made his way back to his private quarters where his family and Captain Solo were waiting. He found Padmé speaking to Solo quietly, while Luke and Leia were by the open viewport, sitting in meditative positions, clearly immersed in the Force. However, upon his entrance, each one of them acknowledged his presence by glances his way.

"Did he say anything?", Padmé asked quietly, though she did so in a way that told him she knew more. Almost as if she knew that he'd gone over the line when interrogating the man.

"No.", he reported lowly. "Solo, you're coming with me."

"Me?", asked the smuggler, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes. They've been targeted enough for one day," he replied directly. "You know how to contact the Rebel Alliance."

Then the smuggler's face grew serious, glancing over to the three, his eyes lingering on his daughter for a little longer than strictly necessary. Then Solo faced Anakin nodding once and rising to his feet. The smuggler reached for his helmet, deciding not to make any smart comments about the former Sith's authority.

"We'll be back shortly.", he informed the three, though only Luke nodded. Both Padmé and Leia seemed to be communicating without words on something, though Anakin didn't pry into their thoughts.

In silence they descended to the lower levels of the ship, towards the communications center. Their messages had been hijacked before, but the only sure way of keeping this silent would be to manually delete any transmissions between themselves and the Empire's sworn enemy. Solo was next to him in the turbolift, more fidgety than usual at being alone in his presence. Anakin felt a slightly malicious smile curve at one side of his face underneath his mask.

Solo's emotions were clear, being a very easy person to read, and he'd seen the way in which than man looked at his daughter. Though he dared not claim to have any authority over her, especially after what he'd done, he still couldn't help but feel somewhat protective. He was still at a loss as to why she'd chosen the scoundrel. The smuggler was silent, seemingly eager to get away from him, and Anakin understood why.

He felt some petty comfort in this before remembering what Solo had done to save Padmé. Then he sensed some underlying resignation, having to admit that the smuggler had some redeeming qualities about him. Was he good enough for his daughter? No, but he was decent on his own, Anakin had to concede. Finally, the doors opened, and Solo stepped out, eager to get away.

They both walked through the doors of the data center. Its terminals were abandoned by all the regular workers, by the admiral's orders. Piett was there waiting for them, his posture rigid as always. He was overseeing one of the terminals, prepping it for an outgoing transmission. Behind them the door to the room hissed shut, and with a sigh, Solo removed his helmet.

He approached the terminal, glancing over to the two with a raised eyebrow. Anakin felt annoyance rising in him, but he stepped back, motioning Piett to do the same. The smuggler, satisfied, turned back to the terminal, entering the secure code to reach the rebels. For a time, there was silence, and then an image flickered to life.

It was Mon Mothma, though Anakin could sense she was not alone. In her presence was Yoda, and a few other command members, though Anakin felt relief at the former grandmaster for being there. There seemed to have been a change in their demeanor, as he sensed a great deal less of mistrust than he'd been expecting.

Before the even had the chance to begin their proposition, Mon Mothma spoke.

"High Command has already reached a verdict.", she informed, which surprised the three there.

Then Yoda came into the frame, motioning one clawed finger towards them.

"To war against the Empire, with you, we will go."

A/N: Hey again! Sorry for the delay! I was going to publish this much earlier in the day, but things just kept me from doing so. A lot of setup in the chapter, though I hope it was entertaining enough with the action at the beginning ;) I hope to make the next couple chapters less about exposition and more about action, which I'm sure you'll appreciate more.

Special shoutout to RyanSquad, ichigo urahara Shihoin, MMM73181, westerns never die, Jeda31, ELinkA, and Reconzilla117 for reviewing! A big thank you to those who favorited and followed my story! What's your opinion on the interactions of the characters in this chapter? I personally had a few favorite moments to write, but I'm curious as to what your opinions are :) As always, you all have been wonderful for continuing to read this and I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters!