Chapter 15: Preparations

-I don't think they're Separatists anymore, Master. They're rebels, even on Core worlds.-

I lay on my bed on my side, curled as if to sleep. He'd just gotten back from a third off-planet mission in the last week and flopped on the other bed in the now crowded room, well after the younglings had gone to bed.

My slow breath had to stand-in for a sigh. -Yes, Anakin. They cannot choose the future for themselves or their children. They're afraid, afraid of being punished for something they didn't do, or just existing. Few have any hope, you can see their fear in the holonet, too. They're angrier, from short tempers to criminal acts. Or they retreat to fantasy of the old days that never existed… -

-There's still the damn Senate!-

-Really? How often can Senators be critical of the Emperor or military actions without fearing for their lives? Or their children's lives? What useful laws can they pass if they can't debate problems?-

He shifted away. -They never did anything useful.-

-You know Padmé worked hard and celebrated when she got a good law passed.-

That sorrow wasn't as angry this time. -I need to see them in the morning. I'm shipping out to Kashyyyk.-

I wanted to ask him why, but preferred not to wake the mask. -The Separatists attacked them hard. They are an honorable people, and I am fond of their Shi-shok fruits.-

-Most of them went Separatist-Rebel, condemned to hard labor instead of executed… but. I do not want to return to those swamps.- The pain and fear and guilt surged into a storm.

I forced calm on myself to prevent an echo in the Force. -Leia will be proud to show off her new skill in the morning.-

He rolled over to look at me with tired eyes. -Really?-

-They keep growing, even if you are away.- This was a major step for her, but I didn't want to spoil his surprise. -We should be awake before them, if you can wait long enough for them to impress you before you leave...-

He smiled and held a thin glow of hope as his eyes closed.

I meditated with my own thin hope before sleep.

In the dawn light, I felt the bright light of Sunny run and jump up onto Vader's bed, waking him in a hurry. I suspected the boy was using the Force to help with the leap, but I didn't feel the need to point it out to the groaning Sith.

Luke was giggling and trying to tickle him, making his father laugh from the attempts.

I felt a little pang in the doorway.

Leia was doing her little wriggle dance in the doorway, shifting from one bare foot to the other. Demanding. "Daddy show me!"

This could not wait and Luke stopped playing. His not caring about this was a blessing. Vader scrambled out of his bed and rushed to the Fresher with his daughter.

"Daddy will help, Princess." -Just sit next to her on the bigger seat and encourage her. Especially for success. Hurry!- I moved over to collect Luke for his own change.

He crowed, "Suh-prize Daddy!"

"Yes, Daddy never expected you to wake him today."

When we were done, Luke sadly held his arms out to be picked up. "Daddy go. Daddy sad for fruit."

Once, being this precocious was a gift from the Force. Now I worried this was too much too young. "Daddy's happy now, right? Leia's happy."

"Bobo go see," he agreed.

Leia was so proud of herself and showed us the dry and white spot. We all said she was a big girl and that Luke was a big boy. She chattered something at him as she was dressed and he pouted.

Vader was bemused. "They're growing so fast."

"Their birthday is in less then two months."

That shocked him, and I could feel him getting angry.

"Hungry, Daddy!" Leia told him, pulling him out to eat and chattering about the bugs on the roof and their families.

He was quiet, and left as soon as we finished eating.

Luke was quiet and clung to me.

Rex and Wolffe came to report and escort us up to the rooftop for play and training. There, Rex played ball with the younglings as Cody and the others kept watch around the perimeter.

Wolffe scanned the area as a trooper placed the mat and the training droids were unpacked and powered up. "I got those new boots you wanted, with hidden holsters. Untraced blasters will take longer." He kept his voice casual and light- and quiet.

"Good man." I wished I had a better way to thank him. The blasters would be expected, but I thought it might be something else as a hold out. "How are you holding up?"

His wiseacre smirk faded. "No civvy dares to be more than rude near the palace. Then again, most everyone just wants to be a good soldier and aren't amusing off duty. They enjoy hazing the pouch-born recruits. Not fun anymore, even by accident."

"Any new Brothers?"

"No, new Troopers lately. I think Cody's getting dissatisfied, and a few others. But I'm still not sure if Kix is clear or not."

I'd sound him out soon, and then Cody. I needed more I could trust, and a medic would be essential of we were on the run. Six or ten would allow a larger ship. I'd feel better if I could 'borrow' Artoo, but I hadn't seen him in a long time. "See if you and Rex can keep an eye on where Artoo's attached. I don't have a plausible reason to request him. Not until the younglings are older."

I watched Luke and Leia as they balanced on the edges of the raised beds. They needed other equipment, and I wondered if any from the creche survived while I trained.

Weeks passed, and Vader had not returned. Nor was there news, and I was beyond uneasy as the next Empire day quickly approached.

I was worried, this was one of the longest times I had not not heard from him.

So much that I cautiously booted the old Order's system I'd kept hidden all these months. I could and did set it to watch for agitators and analyze for pending unrest or attacks within this quarter. It retained few connections to the holonet and security, and I would not trust it too far. I had to accept that it was compromised. I set a dissonant chime if danger seemed immanent. If Palpatine deigned to ignore it, I might start analyzing the remnants of the Senate. I did not want to draw attention to rebel actions.

I fully expected something to go badly for the anniversary, and wanted a warning this time about unrest or attacks. I felt sure some passages remained undiscovered if the attack was critical. There had to be a fallback bunker or vehicle for the Emperor, I would find the same for Vader's children.

If I had to. Rebels would probably not care about my mission.

A cough from Rex caught my attention when I finished the form as I thought, and I noticed how much the sun had moved. Leia and Luke were not playing together. Luke was spinning, rolling, and swinging his arms, imitating my drill. Leia was talking to Wolffe about a particular toy in her hand.

Again our group passed the pleased Emperor in the hall as some officer delivered a report.

A vaguely familiar Dark Force user trailed behind, fuming, and glared at me. His hand twitched, for his light saber or to choke me was unclear. The bile and anger that flowed from him was much more visceral than Maul or Ventress had been.

I wasn't afraid for myself, I was sad for the former brother so trapped in the dark.

Palpatine smiled at the twins as they walked beside me, ignoring both the admiral and lesser Sith. "Lord Vader's children are growing so fast, aren't they, General? I look forward to seeing which parent they favor. The resemblances are quite strong already."

"Yes and no, but they are still too young for anything more complex than colors." I knew some things could not be changed, even by the Darkness. "And their new potties are quite timely..."

The Sith smiled slightly, in knowledge if not understanding when he interrupted. "I see." He could not leave us fast enough.

That was a comfort, that the Emperor did not like to hear some reports. These were part of Life and the Light, and he fled.

I had to grin with my small victory as they settled to nap.

Alone with the sleeping twins and charging droid, I decided to search through the accumulated items Vader had gradually brought back with him into the apartment. I hoped to find his Jedi light saber, as proof he had not totally disavowed that past. I hoped he had not destroyed it or corrupted the crystal. Most of what he brought was tools and clothing, but I found no objects from his former life.

I supposed I was the memento of that.

Vader was still absent days later when Empire Day came again. I received notice that we were expected to be put on display again. It was formally phrased, but that was the meaning. I did not know what Sidious planned, but I could feel something would happen. I ordered Wolffe and Rex to get them home as soon as any weapons were drawn.

In some ways it was anti-climatic when it broke. I'd waited for the food and guests to thin before walking Leia and Luke to the cake table. The event had been subdued enough that I was beginning to consider that Vader's absence was the reason for the quiet.

"Once a traitor, always a traitor. What sabotage have you triggered?" His anger made it clear that this was the darksider reporting to the Emperor recently. The active light saber in a lava red was not a comfort.

I doubted the humanoid had any mercy… or common sense. "I'm sorry, I would appreciate knowing who I have offended. I'm afraid my days of sabotage are long past. I am merely a retired General, living quietly."

As Rex begin to drag the twins away, the Darksider snarled. "Doesn't matter what you were. I, Jeronic Monmou, will prove how weak and useless you are without those traitors and frauds in Jedi!"

"Mr. Mommou, this is a celebration. And these other guests should not be put at risk today. Surely you heard, we are at peace now?" I noted that many of the guests were moving back, but I knew there was not enough time for them to leave to safety.

"Useless hack." He leaped up to bring more force down into his cut to my neck.

Bringing my blade out for the parry barely needed a thought. "Young Mommou, this is not wise of you. I doubt the Force approves..."

"Kriff approval! I command the Force now with my power and you are weak," He disengaged and swung for my knees.

I cast a slightest of glances to the smirking Emperor as I leapt over that and turned around the young fool drunk on his power, His Force shove was ineffective and knocked someone over the edge of the terrace.

That was enough. After a few more exchanges it was clear that his altered base of Ataru was not enough. He was getting sloppy as he got more frustrated. With an internal sigh, I took his hand off with my next riposte.

Anger escalating as he tried to retrieve his blade with his off hand. I snapped a kick to his head in his distraction to finish the fight.

The remaining crowd was silent, and the Emperor started the clapping for my success. That wave of sound left me unsettled. The guests held an ugly mix of expressions on their faces: glee, blood lust, fear, and hatred. Few appeared neutral, including both the Emperor and Bail.

I returned my saber to my belt, and bowed shallowly to the audience. "Apologies for the disruption to the festivities. I am still unclear as to how chasing small twins around could be offensive."

Discussion started up again and medics arrived to take my opponent for treatment. My blue uniform was both fitted and undamaged enough that there was little to straighten. Rex had departed, but I did not want to draw more attention by leaving so quickly. After selecting a drink from a serving droid I found a quiet eddy.

"Still wearing a fortune in jewelry, I see."

I didn't want an argument with my former friend, but no one was near and I finished my drink. "A joke of the Sith, Bail. They're Force suppressors, plus the twins are hostages for my staying quiet in my prison." I waved to another droid for a drink and finally looked him in the eye. "So, how is Breha? Did you adopt, as you were thinking of?"

Bail looked away, sorrow clear in the Force. "No. She has lost heart and sees little reason to continue with our hands cuffed like this. No one-" He started, and flicked a glance at my cuffs with some guilt.

I waved a dismissal of that. "Younglings are very effective at bringing hope. Collect some proteges or refugees, with young children or siblings. They could bring hope to her, and they would gain training and polish. Adoptions could reintroduced later." Grinning at him, I added, "Vader dealing with diapers and being jumped on to wake up have brightened many of my days."

Face freezing with shock, Bail was surprised when his diplomatic laughter exploded into guffaws. His hand clapped my shoulder as he had trouble standing straight.

I felt better as his contempt melted away, and sipped my drink.

"I needed that, General." Bail wiped his tears and hugged me. "Thank you."

"Glad to be of assistance." I could feel I was away too long, and spoke with regret as I stepped back. "I must get some cake for the twins and return. I hope I may see you before next year, these are the social highlight of my year."

Bail's voice was a sad whisper. "Force be with you, Obi-Wan..."

The next few days were quiet again. I could feel the darksider's rage from the infirmary. I was holding the twin's gifts until Vader returned.

I could feel his anger before he landed, and I shooed them to play in their room as the storm of anger swamped the palace.

What was he angry about this time?