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Chapter 9: A Bad Feeling About This

For the next week, Vader visited almost every day, sometimes just for bedtime. The very next visit, he'd found a gray medical gown to replace his black tunic. He was dismayed at Leia's temper after he arrived that night. Luke just wanted to show off his hugs.

I sent more calm and cool when she made a face at him. "She's teething and not happy about it. It's not you, it's just normal. Luke should be starting any time, too."

"I thought it'd be simpler than this." His face crumpled as he held her when her pain changed into angry noise.

I could smile after my hours of meditations. "You must have done the same to your mother. It would have been difficult to be soothing in her situation. Elevens is a great help with physical care and advice, even if he cannot connect with their feelings or through the Force. You just have to out-wait the stormy princess. They really cannot be reasoned with at this age. Project calm and soothing, gently, please. I cannot calm her enough."

Earlier I'd used ice and cold fruit to make do, but Vader made the effort and Leia settled with her face wet from angry tears. The story time about a family at a moon festival left the three of them ready to doze off.

Two visits later, Vader arrived with a package hidden in his cloak. He came back from the fresher, wearing a different plain outfit in the same dark blue as mine. They were made in a finer material, looser than mine, and he seemed more relaxed as he fed them the brown sweetened bean mash on his own.

I was not surprised when he chose another tale of Sora, rescuing a city from Separatists.

So it continued for weeks, first Leia and then Luke got their first bottom teeth. Rex would report on major Imperial news, that Separatists were virtually destroyed, every morning more appearing quietly in the supposed Imperial Senate.

The irony was that the crushing campaign the Republican Senate resisted, ended the war rapidly. The more painful irony was that He only needed Vader to bring something that looked like peace from a great distance.

I could only witness.

I'd been giving much thought on how to improve my training while still in plain sight of guards and monitors. If I could find any of the Order's training droids in a forgotten corner, it would not help much as I had no light saber. A live opponent was better for unarmed.

Beyond that, caring for the twins took most of my time and energy.

One morning, Rex had a flimsy for me. This was an invitation for dinner with the Emperor tomorrow.

I didn't need Force-Visions to know this would not end well. I paid special attention to Leia and Luke for the rest of the day. I didn't know enough about Sith traditions to know how young they started training.

When they did, I was under no illusions that I would have outlived my usefulness. But I needed an ally outside the Palace.

Vader arrived early, taking Luke with him when he went to change. That relieved my worries about their relationship. It was quiet through the evening, and even a Duchess Sati story didn't help my mood.

"What is wrong with you tonight, old man?"

I paused before choosing how to respond. Instead, I handed him the flimsy.

Vader grinned. "That's great. He's very wise in the Force. You could learn a lot."

I banished my first thought before it formed. "I have a bad feeling about this, Vader. You know how seriously I take those warnings when I get them."

He paused, but then shook it off. "You only say that seconds before the druk flies. I haven't felt anything. You'll be in the safest place in the Empire."

That did not change what the Force whispered to me, so I remained silent for a long moment. "How long is this likely to be? I would prefer to be back for bedtime."

"Two or three hours. Longer with more people." He made another face, but the flavor of his emotions was still elusive.

It was getting clear that Vader did not have an invitation.

I needed to rest and meditate. "Good night, Vader." I was really saying those words to my lost brother as I turned to enter my room.

I meditated for hours before I slept. The insight I sought was just out of my reach. The Force comforted me and counseled patience, but nothing immediately helpful.

Rex arrived, with anger rolling off him. "Attackers spent their lives, just to attack one of our barracks. So kriffin stupid!"

I checked the drink cups before I looked at him. "Did anyone die?" I didn't blame the clones, not much of late.

"A few who were near the gate. A cargo vehicle was loaded with explosive, and crashed into a barrier. They weren't even close to getting inside."

I took a sip from my cooling tea. This wasn't the danger, but it would come today. "Be careful today, Rex. I'm sensing the coming of a disturbance."

The Captain frowned. "No other details, General?"

That was all I had, so I shook my head and looked pointedly at my bracelets.

Rex's frown became a grimace. "I have some leave time this afternoon, and was going to look in the Undercity for older children's books. The book shops don't want to let me near the children's books, and they cost so much."

"Thank you, Rex." Sometimes I missed even my small stipend.

The rest of the day seemed calm enough. I spent some time repeating the children's adjusted schedule with Elevens. They should eat and sleep early, especially if their father was away.

Luke caught my tension and clung to me, even as Vader arrived.

Vader's frown was clear as soon as he shed his black tunic. "They're done eating already?"

"I did not know if you would be here today. I don't think Vens could feed them as well alone."

Displeasure passed after an instant. "I will be here every day I am not required elsewhere.

There was nothing to say to that. I straightened my appearance, even as Luke crawled in my direction with a determined frown.

Leia was making noises at Vader, waving a stuffed animal with each arm.

When I finished grooming for the unwelcome meeting, I scooped up Luke, soothing through his curls. "I will be back later, Sunny-boy."

"Stop worrying, Bobo. You look fine in blue."

I wasn't wishing to look anything fine, I wanted to retain my dignity as a Jedi Master as much as I could. Suddenly, I was sure that I would not see Luke again for some time.

Luke started crying and reaching for my beard.

I sent more calm to him as I heard Leia hiccup her new unhappiness into Vader's irritation. I said with a tight throat, "Shh, Sunny-boy. Bobo loves you, Bobo loves Leia. Dada will keep you safe here."

"It's only a dinner." Vader's voice was unnaturally flat as he tried to control his temper.

"Of course, Lord Vader." My voice was unnaturally flat, too.

I settled Luke into his father's lap, and then I departed. Outside the door, my escort was led by CC-2224. I spent the time to cross the former Temple, purging my grief and fear and then strengthening my shields.

I entered a small dining room, stark in black and red, like the hallways.

"Ah, General Kenobi. You look healthy. Retirement looks to agree with you." Palpatine is standing beside one of the panoramic glassteele windows. A small table has small edibles and a fine liquor in brandy glasses, still chilled.

I was not familiar with the drink, but it had a smooth bite with a sweet and fruity flavor.

His face was the professional diplomat, satisfied at the status of his entertainment. In the Force, he was gloating and feeding on his relative power.

"Caring for the twins agrees with me, and it keeps me very busy."

"Indeed. I admit to some surprise that you settled so easily into your new role. I fully expected some covert actions, some sabotage from a Jedi. But you have made no effort to monitor the Empire."

My smile was not polite, but edged in ice. "You forget our tradition was to nurture life through diplomacy and protection. Leading armies was outside that."

Droids were beginning to deliver the next course.

"Still, you did it very well. At times I was concerned about my Apprentice through the massive destruction you both inspired." He mockingly saluted me. "It is almost a shame you did not turn when you defeated Maul. You might have been a better apprentice than your former Grandmaster, you lack that overweening ego that was his weakness."

Defeated? That word choice bothered me as soon as he said it.

"Why yes, Jedi. You managed to frighten the boy in the fight with your Dark potential. You ruined his potential as an Apprentice. He was not supposed to be afraid of anyone but me."

"Oops. My deepest regrets."

Palpatine chuckled and gestured toward the table where fish dishes awaited with the faintest wisp of steam. "I had the finest specimens of faynaa scalefish, imported from Naboo for the Emperor's table."

I nodded after we were seated, remembering the tee swarming just outside the life support bubble of Otoh Gunga.

"Small delicacies, small entertainments." The Emperor began to eat. "I found young Leia's decoration of my Apprentice's robes most amusing. I must have watched it at least a dozen times. And Vader was so balanced of the edge of frustrated and angry."

I ate quietly. That settled the question, we were being monitored.

He looked around the room. "Foolish remnants of the Separatists have struck earlier today. I understand most have been captured, but some might still be in the Palace.

I was worried enough that I had no interest in the dessert and I wanted to make my excuses. When I went to move, I remained sitting.

"It was terribly shocking," Palpatine's words and Force presence did not agree. "Assassins were found in the residential areas, seeking any target that might embarrass the leaders of the Empire. Nasty, evil rebels had no mercy for collaborators, and there were few enough in the Palace to attack.

I was desperate to move. I wasn't even sure if I was physically being held with the Force. -Anakin! Get them away!-

My hearing and vision were coming through a long tunnel. My Force-sense shattering as everything grayed. An earthquake in the Force came from below me, but I could not touch it.

"This is a fine time to test my apprentice, as well." A comm activated, and his voice changed timbre. "Security! Emergency. The General seems to be poisoned, in the south dining room. Send medics and troopers..."

"Hmm. Still clinging on to that Light."

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