Ahsoka told herself she was strong enough to do this. Anakin had endured far worse for two whole years. She twirled around quickly to deflect a series of laser bolts that attacked her rear.
The training droids twirled around her, not giving her a chance to catch her breath. Her two blades danced around her, like the black fabric of her tunic.
The hood that hid her montrals also hid that she had broken into sweat, for which she was grateful. Maul was watching her, studying her weaknesses, no doubt he was planning to use them against her someday.
She was determined not to present him any. Unexpectedly, all of the droids stopped. Ahsoka commanded her heart to slow down as she put her sabers to her belt.
"The Emperor requested your presence in the throne room.", a dignitary reported to Maul, Ahsoka and Safye. Safye was the third, Sidious wanted to train. She had been the last survivor after Sidious had armed everyone that Maul hadn't killed.
She hadn't said much, but Ahsoka knew exactly why. She felt her distress, how horrified she was. Ahsoka had desperately waited for a chance to tell Anakin and the others about all of this. That Sidious had left his palace.
That there were two other apprentices, one of which was Darth Maul. And what horrid plans Sidious still had in stock. It had been her reason to come here. She had wanted to infiltrate, spy and assist her friends when the time came.
But until now, she had never been unmonitored. Clearly, she wasn't trusted, none of them were. Ahsoka force jumped out of the training ground to join Maul and Safye that had already begun walking towards the throne room.
Ahsoka ensured that all of her mental barriers were put in place. She still feared that Sidious would discover why she was really here. While they were marching through the transitions of the giant battle station, Ahsoka wondered why the Emperor had called them.
He didn't bother to put up with them without a good reason. When they entered, they kneeled down next to each other, even though Sidious wasn't even facing them. "I have been deceived, betrayed.", he snarled.
Immediately, Ahsoka's heart raced faster than ever. Had he found out? "I was made to believe, Vader and the children of Anakin Skywalker had died in the bombing of his fortress on Mustafar.", he continued.
Ahsoka tried hard not to show her shock. Sidious hadn't found out about her, no, it was far worse than that. "Yet, I know the children still live." How? How would he know, Ahsoka cried out silently.
"They are on Naboo, apparently without capable protection. Their signatures were veiled before, but not now." Idiots! They had the single job of keeping the twins safe, and they just left them behind.
"All of you will go there, and bring them here alive. If you find Vader, don't try to kill him, you won't succeed." None of them moved, for Sidious hadn't dismissed them yet. "Now!", he barked.
Jobal and Ruwee had returned from their affairs in the city. Padmé had stayed behind with the twins like always. "You're back earlier than usual.", she remarked. It didn't take her long to notice how worried her parents were.
"What's wrong?", she asked. "An imperial shuttle just landed in Theed. With plenty of clones and three of what looked like sith." Padmé's eyes widened.
"Three sith? That's impossible." The only sith was Sidious, and Ahsoka who was pretending. "You and the twins have to hide!", Jobal urged. Padmé doubted it was that serious. Why would they search for her.
Officially, she was just as dead as the twins. "Mom...", she began her complaint. "Please, Padmé. I'm worried." Padmé sighed, but then nodded. "Thank you.", Jobal mouthed silently before Padmé scooped up both of her children.
She climbed the stairs then sat down before a window. There was a roof of the lower story, just beneath the window, so she could leave through it if necessary.
She could still hear what was said downstairs, which right now were hurried whispers of her parents. "You need to be very silent now.", Padmé pressed to her twins. "Are the scary white men coming?", Luke asked.
"I don't know.", Padmé admitted as she began stroking the hair of the children. A few minutes passed, without anything happening. Padmé was about to release the tension building up in her when she heard how the front door opened.
"Who are you?", she heard Ruwee demanding. "It's me.", she heard another voice. She believed it was Ahsoka who had spoken.
"I convinced the others to split up, but it won't be long before they are done searching. Where are the twins?" There was no reply for a while. "Please, there is no time, they have to run. I'm on your side.", Ahsoka insisted.
Padmé didn't move a muscle. "Upstairs.", Jobal said barely audible. "Thank you. Now you must flee, they will take you if they learn of your affiliation with Padmé." "I won't leave my daughter.", Ruwee stated.
Padmé took her children to go downstairs. As she guessed, it was Ahsoka in sith garments who had entered. She was alone. "Trust her.", Padmé urged her parents. "Padmé!", Ahsoka called out.
"Listen, Sidious knows the twins live, and he sent us to find them, and bring them to him, to the death star. You must get away, we don't have long." Padmé twirled to her parents. "Leave.", she called. "They aren't after you, please!"
Ruwee opened his mouth, but Jobal only hugged Padmé tightly before pulling her husband through the exit. "How did he know?", Padmé asked. "Where is Anakin?", Ahsoka asked as reply. "Hoth.", Padmé answered shortly.
"That idiot!", Ahsoka called out. "Did he expect the twins to veil their own signatures?" Padmé began running for the exit, realizing the danger, her twins were in. She barely noticed how Ahsoka suddenly froze.
"Too late. He's here.", she whiffed. Padmé had just begun to ask who was here, when a red zabrak was towering over her. "You found her, jedi child.", he snarled. "Of course I did, Maul.", Ahsoka said, sure of herself.
"The Emperor was right, there is no capable protection." A slight smirk revealed a row of yellow teeth. "Take the children, I shall enjoy dealing with the woman." He ignited his red lightsaber. "Wait!", Ahsoka urged.
"We should bring her as well.", Ahsoka stated. Maul snarled angrily. "Why?", he demanded. "The Emperor said nothing of a woman." "Think about it! If she's with the children, she might know something about Vader."
Reluctantly, Maul pulled back his saber. "If this displeases him, you take the responsibility." Ahsoka nodded. Slowly Maul stepped out of the hall again.
"I'm sorry I couldn't think of anything better. I couldn't let him kill you.", Ahsoka whispered as she put a hand on Padmé's arm. "Thank you.", Padmé replied. "At least my parents got away."
"I'll find a way for you to escape, I promise.", Ahsoka ensured. "I trust you, Ahsoka. I'm glad you made it." Ahsoka brought them to the shuttle, her parents had talked about, where Maul and some Iktotchi were waiting.
"We should get going quickly.", Obi Wan reminded Anakin. He understood that Anakin worried about Padmé and the twins, but there were more important things at the moment.
"Just check they're fine, refresh the veil on their signatures and then we get going." Anakin nodded. "Don't worry, I get it. It won't take long." Obi Wan lowered the ramp, which Anakin rushed down. Obi Wan followed him calmly.
He waited on the landing platform for a while, but Anakin didn't return. Obi Wan rolled his eyes, before strolling towards the entry. To his surprise, Jobal and Ruwee Naberrie were the only ones Anakin was with.
"When did this happen?", Anakin urged. "Earlier, only today.", Jobal replied, tears streaming over her face. Anakin turned his head to look at Obi Wan who only gave him a questioning look.
"Sidious has them.", Anakin said. Obi Wan's eyes widened. "What?", he called out. "Apparently Ahsoka is one of three apprentices, who were all sent here." "But the rule of...", Obi Wan began with visible confusion.
"I don't understand either!", Anakin intercepted. "Ahsoka tried helping us, but when we were back, Padmé and the twins were gone.", Ruwee explained. "I underestimated the intensity of their signatures.", Anakin murmured.
"Do you know where they were taken?", Obi Wan asked. "Ahsoka said the Emperor ordered them to him, onto that battle station." Obi Wan took a second to process. "They are on the station, we're planning to destroy.", he clarified.
"What do you suggest we do?", Anakin pressed. "Please, don't let them die.", Jobal cried. "We can't allow the death star to be completed.", Obi Wan insisted. "It's not an option, Obi Wan!", Anakin warned.
"They will not die.", he snarled. Obi Wan felt the anger pulsing from Anakin. "We'll find a way to get them out.", Obi Wan promised. "Ahsoka is there too, she can help them." "What do we do then?", Anakin asked again, a bit calmer.
"What we were going to do anyway. We join the rebels an plan the assault on the deathstar. We can trust Ahsoka to keep Padmé and the twins from being hurt until we have a plan." Anakin sighed.
"Let's go then. There is no time." "I know.", Obi Wan murmured after Anakin had already rushed past him. To Obi Wan's surprise, Anakin wasn't heading for the exit. Curiously, Obi Wan followed him.
When he found Anakin, he was crouching before R2, in the process of activating him. "Why is he here?", Obi Wan wondered. "After Padmé left him and 3PO on Polus Massa, we send them back to Coruscant."
"Her belongings were brought to her relatives.", Anakin answered simply. "And why are you activating him now?", Obi Wan pushed. "If we're going to assault the death star, I will need him.", Anakin smirked.
"It'll be like the good old days.", Obi Wan murmured, trying to sound at least a little enthusiastic. "Still don't like flying?", Anakin teased, before R2 woke up. First he turned his head and let out a few whistles.
Then he realized who he was with. His whistles grew louder and faster, and he moved forwards and backwards rapidly. "Yes I know.", Obi Wan said. "I know I messed up. Big time.", Anakin sighed.
"But there is no time for your complaints now. A lot of time passed since you were activated, and I need your help now."
Padmé was absolutely silent, while the twins cried. Ahsoka felt how hard it was for her to just stand there, the painful love was almost overwhelming. Ahsoka too, felt the urge to somehow comfort them, to protect them.
But she couldn't blow her cover now. Everything would have been for nothing, and she wouldn't even be able to defeat Maul and Safye. Maul's skills were about equal to hers, and Safye had proven great ability as well.
Ahsoka had to find a passive or secret way to help them. Although she had no idea how. "I wonder, why she of all people, was with those children.", Maul snarled. Ahsoka arched a brow.
"Do you know her?", she asked. "I was meant to kill her a long time ago.", Maul only replied. "I remember.", Ahsoka said, as if she had just thought of it. "It was when you fought Obi Wan and his master, right?"
Maul's head twirled to face her, his eyes burning in a brighter yellow than ever. "How would you know that, you must have been an infant."
"You know I fought with Obi Wan for years. He told me of your glorious victory.", she teased while obviously studying his metal legs. Ahsoka enjoyed provoking him more than she should.
"You should have seen your friend's face when I impaled his master.", Maul spat, before stamping towards the cockpit. "So sensitive.", Ahsoka murmured. Safye looked after him for a few seconds.
"Was that when he lost his legs?", she asked. Ahsoka was almost startled that she had spoken but then nodded. "Apparently he still can't handle that he was defeated by a padawan back then.", she explained.
Ahsoka wasn't quite sure, but maybe there was a tiny smirk on Safye's lips. "We have arrived.", a clone captain announced through the passage. "Good.", Ahsoka said dryly, leaning back in her seat.
She glanced over to Padmé, who looked directly into her eyes. She knew what would happen now. After all, it was the Emperor who was awaiting them.
The rebel base was not as pathetic as Anakin had expected. Even from above, he could make out a few almost decent gunships, and a building that looked surprisingly sturdy.
"I'm gonna leave the talking to you.", Anakin sighed as Obi Wan engaged the landing. "I might not be the best person to convince them to do anything.", he mused. "No worries, you were never the talker, Anakin.", Obi Wan smiled.
"Unidentified vehicle, state your business.", a voice demanded through the com channel. "Were jedi, friends of Admiral Ackbar.", Obi Wan replied. "We've come to help destroying the death star." There was a pause.
"Only our leaders know of that operation, it's highly restricted." "We helped gathering the information on it.", Obi Wan explained. "I'll have you cleared by the Admiral.", the voice said.
"Why would the death star be kept a secret?", Anakin wondered. Obi Wan shrugged. "You can ask Ackbar in a moment." "If he allows the landing.", Anakin added.
"Always the pessimist.", Obi Wan snorted. After a short while, the voice returned. "Landing permit granted." Obi Wan shot a triumphant glance at Anakin.
To their surprise they weren't awaited by a group of soldiers, but only a familiar mirialan, who's gentle smile disappeared when spotting Anakin.
"With what right did you bring him with you?", she demanded icily. One of her green fingers was already wandering to the comlink on her arm, but Anakin rushed forward. He put his hands on her shoulders, then fell into a quiet voice.
"I know you don't trust me, Nuha, You have no reason to." Her eyes narrowed, but she stayed her hand. "Give me a good reason not to have you arrested.", she hissed. "Sidious has my family.", Anakin pressed, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
Nuha's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Padmé and the twins are on that death star, and trust me when I tell you, I'm ready to do anything to free them. You can doubt my belief in your cause all you want, but don't doubt my loyalty to my family."
Ever so slowly, Nuha nodded. "I guess that does ensure you will keep fighting on our side.", she muttered. "And besides, you need every help you can get if you really want to take that thing out." Obi Wan came down the ramp. "Is it settled?", he asked. Nuha sighed.
"For now.", she said reluctantly. Obi Wan gave her a bright smile. "Wonderful. Now, I assume, you are just as desperate to start planning, as we are." Nuha nodded. "Follow me. Admiral Ackbar was delighted to hear of your arrival, he already assembled the highest ranks to discuss the mission."
Nuha led them off the landing platform, towards what appeared to be the main building of the perimeters. "We were rather surprised to hear of your arrival.", Nuha began. "We assumed you would have other, more urgent matters to attend to.
"I just told you, why there is nothing more urgent at the moment.", Anakin countered. "So this is your personal matter.", Nuha concluded. "How unfortunate. We were hoping even more Jedi would come as reinforcements." "Oh, they will.", Obi Wan ensured.
"They want the Emperor defeated more than anyone, you can rely on their support. Nuha arched a brow. "Really? I would have thought they would refuse fighting at Vader's side." Anakin said nothing. There was still no point in defending himself.
The grudges most people held against Darth Vader were more than justified. "What a ridiculous assumption.", Obi Wan murmured.
Nuha decided not to reply to that. "Considering what you just told me, blowing the thing up is not an option.", she continued. "Absolutely not.", Anakin confirmed. "That means, you want to infiltrate an imperial battle station, using rebel troops."
"You make it sound as if this was my idea.", Anakin retorted. "It was your Admiral who insisted on attacking the death star. Nuha's glance shot around her. "Be more quiet about that.", she hissed. "Why would you keep that operation a secret?", Anakin asked.
"To prevent a mass panic. If people found out we were going against something capable of blowing up planets, and without a proper plan, they would jump into their fighters to get away." "But we will have a plan soon.", Obi Wan smiled.
"And the deathstar can't blow up anything yet. It might still take decades.", Anakin reminded. Nuha turned to look at him. "Of course.", she said. Nuha stayed at the entrance of a door, showing them to enter. Only a few faces were familiar to Anakin.
Ackbar, Mon Mothma and to his surprise, Commander Madine. He had been an imperial officer before disappearing. So this was, where he had gone to. He wasn't startled to see Anakin, so he presumed Ackbar had told them nothing of his other identity.
Only Ackbar shot an alarmed glance at Nuha, who reassured him silently. "Well then.", Ackbar said and rose from his seat. "I propose we get to work immediately."