Chapter 54
The Falcon lands on the surface, and only Vader, Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon await. Siri and Bant didn't know what honestly was going on, and quite frankly it is none of their business because they never met Anakin, and although saying that they hate him is a stretch, they likely do hold some personal feelings for Skywalker causing Obi-Wan to start focusing on attachments.
As soon as Threepio walks off of the ship, Vader almost feels something within him becoming cold. How land has it been since Threepio had an oil bath? Oh well, at least Vader found a leak that can lead them directly to Anakin.
"Lord Vader," Threepio acknowledges, bowing his head down before the man in question. "Lord Skywalker sent me but I have saved the coordinates. It would take some time before he can arrive to his location."
It's better late than never.
"Threepio, I'm glad to see you safe. We have encountered some things that we shall bring on board." Vader replies, placing a hand on his Droid. No matter what lifetime Threepio is, Vader would always consider the Droid as his Droid, just like he would do the same with Artoo.
"I must say that this objective bemused me, my Lord," Threepio declares, and Vader can detect the slight faint of concern in the Droid's tone. He is desperate to return to his original Master as always, and even Vader cannot replace the absolute loyalty that the golden Droid has for his Master.
Vader grimaces. "It does to me as well, Threepio, but we need to save Anakin before it is too late."
Vader knows that if Anakin completely fallen, the galaxy would never shine as bright, until he is stopped by someone. He doesn't even what to think about that topic, for Anakin is tied to him so directly that if the man dies, it is likely that Vader's lifespan would either be cut short or he would have just died on the spot.
"I am placed temporarily under your command, Lord Vader, however even I am impatient. I would not hesitate to rush off and rescue you, my Master." Good Droid. Anakin has taught him well. Loyalty runs strongly in Anakin Skywalker and his beliefs, and Vader never realized how jealous he is of Anakin's capability of being so moral that he managed to reach his Droid.
Vader would have loved to be like that again but he knows that Anakin is meant to be the light that he could now never be. Anakin has become like another child of his just like Luke and Leia, but their bond runs even stronger, and even though Vader doesn't know his location, nothing can sever that bond.
Walking behind his loyal Droid, Vader plants his hands behind his back, being as patient as possible. The Droid likely has a few screws loose so it is amazing that he managed to reach this far.
"Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, go get Siri and Bant," Vader commands, keeping his hands folded behind his back, and his tone brooks no argument so both of them goes away. Vader hates to treat them with such hostility but right now his main focus is to discover Anakin's location.
"While the name of the planet escapes me, Master, the coordinates are safe within my database." Threepio says, making Vader sigh in relief. He seriously needs to go on vacation after all of this.
"Good, I take it that the Falcon is under good work," Vader replies, knowing that the Droid likely stopped at a spaceport along the way as he is also expertise in flying. A quick confirmation make Vader's next command suddenly take a weight off his chest. "Very well. Soon, we shall leave this place."
"Ouch!"
The sound of a balled up fist connecting with a cheek echoing throughout the training room of the Millennium Falcon is comes after a soft laugh of pride coming from the person on the receiving end of said punch.
"Heh! Nice one!" Shmi Skywalker says as she comes forward, throwing her own fists forward in a trio of strikes, each of which are intercepted by agile hands.
"You know despite being prevent you fight good." Siri says in return as she evades around the pregnant woman, launching another volley of strikes of her own, but knowing that Obi-Wan would literally kill her if she accidentally hurts Shmi.
"Maybe." Shmi replies as she ducks under the first three punches, before absorbing the fourth with an open palm and delivering a counter blow to Siri's abdomen, forcing her back. "But not even the Jedi teachings can save your rump all the time."
Siri laughs despite the slight ache from Shmi's punch, before she again advances upon the woman, breaking through her defenses faster than usual with a sharp kick to her leg that sends her trailing off-course.
Siri trails backwards, the grin never leaving his face, even as Shmi attacks again, her fist connecting with his jaw again.
"Damn! You've clearly been practicing! I can't help but wonder if you have your limits!"
"A girl gotta keep her secrets," Shmi says in a manner that Siri never heard before from the older woman. "Besides, I have to keep myself in shape somehow now that I'm not running errands for slavers anymore."
"Don't lie. Your stomach is probably about to burst." Siri responds with sarcasm as they start again, trading blows that were easily deflected. It has been Siri's suggestion that they spar to entertain themselves. Both she and Shmi has been going stir crazy on the Millennium Falcon with nothing to do. The trip to wherever they are going would take just under ten days, if Threepio's plan operates correctly. If they didn't, then they would become a floating chunk of space debris.
Shmi counters another series of assaults from Siri, one of which broke through and catch her side, causing her to grunt in discomfort. The break in her defenses allows Siri an opportunity to deal yet another assault. A blow to her arm causes Shmi to wince in agony again, before Siri seizes her and places her against the wall slightly gently. She didn't want the baby to accidentally get killed because of her.
"You are a strong one, girl!"
"You were the one that suggested full contact sparring, Shmi! If you can't handle a few bruises then…"
Siri didn't get an opportunity to respond as she steps away from Shmi, not as Shmi pours all of her strength into a sharp swing, one that connected again with Siri's jaw, sending her flying backwards and onto her rear end.
Siri moans from the impact as she sits back up, a small amount of blood seeping out of her lips. But even still, she has a warm grin on his face.
"Why are you such a child catching someone off-guard? Cheater!"
"Wow, you are truly a smart one! Maybe the next time you disarm me, slam me onto the ground!"
"Bullkriff!"
"Wanna go again, Shmi?"
"You know it!"
Siri is back on his feet in moments, crouching into a ready position, before gesturing with a mock towards Shmi, one that she takes.
Shmi lunges forward with a right hook, before bringing her left leg up in an attempt to force Siri onto the defensive.
The older woman however has other ideas. At the sight of Siri's punch coming her way, she steps back, reaching one of her hands out to catch her ankle in the process.
"Oh kriff!" Shmi shouts as she is forced onto the ground, pinned by Siri on top of her stomach. While slightly winding her, it doesn't hurt as Shmi pushes herself upon, a typical submissive tactic.
"Dirty move, Siri! You could have dislocated my back!"
"Says the woman who somehow possessed the means to almost dislocate my jaw!"
"I may be old but I have class!"
"Are you two done yet? Maybe learning how to grow up, ya know!" Another voice, the one belonging to Bant echoes around the training room as she approaches the two.
"Done?" Siri replies, taking Bant's attempted taunt and running with it. "Oh, how brave of you, young lady, to ensure that we have begun!"
"Oh, how old are you again!" Shmi says as she moves with lighting speed towards Bant suddenly, surprising the trooper with the sudden assault.
Siri watches as the two grappled briefly for a few moments before Shmi gains the upper hand, wrenching Bant's arm backwards and slipping her up into the air before she hits her head hard onto the ground.
"Sloppy, Bant. Really sloppy!"
"Oh she only caught me by surprise while she almost busted your jaw!"
"Oh right, sorry. I forget that an enemy will ask if you are ready to fight!"
"Come on, Siri, leave her alone and pick on someone your own size. She is right, you know, you almost got defeated by little ol' me, someone who is not even a Force Sensitive. I would consider that even more humiliating." Shmi replies humorously.
"Oh, come on. Let's show who is the best between us."
Siri smiles at Shmi, who is rising from his position pinning Bant, and advancing back towards her friend, unleashing a harsh left hook at her torso, one she blocks with ease, countering with a rapid series of blows of her own, some of which are simply blocked by Bant's forearms, but some not.
The woman grunts as Bant's fist makes contact with her spine, before both combatants launches a simultaneous assault on one another, ending with them locked together in a grapple, hands wrapped around each other's forearms as they push against each other.
"You ever thought about training to be a professional fighter? You'd almost broke my hip once! Master Gallia was pissed!"
"Not my fault that you were stupid enough to challenge me to a fight! You should know! I fight as a last resort!"
"Says the woman who went against our code in every manner and always have been quite the rogue! We've only been in hyperspace four days!"
"You were just as bored as I was, Bant, even though you won't ever admit it!"
"I was enjoying the peace and quiet! If you remember, every mission with Obi-Wan ended quite crazily!"
"In that case…" Siri begins to reply before a heavy weight crash into both her and Bant, sending them both tumbling to the ground below.
"Ha! I win! Take that!" Shmi is now standing above both of them, and both former Jedi cannot help but wonder how she managed to do that. Oh kriff, is her son also like this?!
Part of Siri wants to jump right back to her feet and teach Shmi a lesson. The other more sensible part of her however reminds her that Shmi has to take it easy and that beating her after she delivers the child is still a possibility. Also, she and Shmi had been sparring for close to three hours before Bant had arrived, and as much fun as it is, she knew she needed a break.
Judging by the way Shmi is panting too, so did she, though she wouldn't like to admit it.
"Nice one, Shmi! No wonder you have survived as long as you did. Help us up?" Siri declares, offering her hand to Shmi in the process.
Shmi accepts the hand in an instant, and pay the price for her arrogance when Siri jolts her forward and off of her feet.
Shmi crashes to the ground below back first, but the smirk eases any concern that Siri has for the woman. Also, she hopes Obi-Wan doesn't happen to watch security cameras as he may unleashes a tirade on her for that.
Shmi's face is set by winded and surprise for a split second but there appears to be no damage other than perhaps to her ego, but Siri's worries are assuaged when a gentle smile crosses the woman's lips.
"Damn! Nice one, Siri. Remind me never to make you angry!"
"That is why you never cross a Jedi." Siri quips in response as she accepts a water bottle offered to her by Bant, who then do the same in question to Shmi, and likewise to herself.
"Lesson noted, though I have a feeling Vader and Qui-Gon would freak if they see this." Shmi replies, grunting at the intense pains that crawl up her skin. The woman unscrews the cap of his water bottle and slowly slips at the liquid within, rehydrating herself after the sparring. Smiling to herself, Shmi never realized that such a drink can taste so good after.
"Let pops worry about it. You can still walk fine." Bant replies with a roll of her eyes.
"It's no problem. I always had fun sparring with you." Siri admits with her own smile. "Speaking of which, may I ask what your son is like?" Siri likes Shmi but she is worried about what the threat that Anakin Skywalker can represent. Bant is likewise.
Shmi knows that this would have come at one point. She had felt both the apprehension of both Jedi around Vader, and had seen the way Siri reacted when she was dragged back to the ship. Perhaps it had not been the most professional thing to do, especially in the middle of an important briefing, but she didn't care. She didn't want them to have views of her son that he is an evil man even though he is one of the most selfless beings in the galaxy.
Besides, her son is powerful but he does have compassion. Shmi hopes that their first meeting with Anakin would go well even though she knows that it is likely that Siri and Bant may act aggressively. She couldn't blame them for that as she has been raised around slavery culture even though there was a time where she had a chance to be raised around something else.
"Anakin always tried his hardest no matter what and he isn't what you both think he is." Shmi finally replies, hoping to avoid the topic. She trusts both of them, no question, but she didn't want to bother them, not with her own problems. "Forgive me if I seem rude. I don't like talking about my son especially in this difficult time."
Besides, if she told them, and they don't take the news well, it may impact their relationship with Obi-Wan.
"Fair enough, Shmi, but if you want to speak…" Bant says awkwardly as they both shares a look of skepticism regarding the woman's dismissal as she plants a large hand on the woman's shoulder. It never occurred to Shmi that she could easily break her arm if she wanted. "You know you can talk to us, yeah?"
"I know Bant, and thanks… again."
The taller Mon Calmarian smiles back at her as she takes a sizable gulp of water from the bottle, something Siri immediately scolded him for.
Shmi watches as the two start to argue over the 'well-being of her' and another thing. She has always enjoyed spending time with them as she can see that these are two young women who done Obi-Wan good. The Jedi could not strip them of their independence as a whole and she can see that they could have been normal individuals if not dragged into the lives of the Jedi.
"Wow, you two are the most childish people I have ever met!"
"Ha, says the one who keeps making her baby's life a living disaster by not resting," Bant replies as she diverts her attention to her.
"I am not scared of this pregnancy!" Shmi shouts.
"Leave her alone, Bant. You want to know something hilarious? You are a mind healer but keeps trying to avoid them even when you are injured." Siri adds.
"I was busy with keeping others safe!"
"Uh huh?"
Shaking her head with silent laughter, Shmi takes a small sip of the water, sensing her stomach agree with her choice of hygiene, despite how she may regret sparring with a Jedi with her pregnancy.
It had only been four days so far, but already it felt like she was back at home. Anakin would have either have a panic attack if he had seen her right now as he had pretty much commanded that she takes it easy.
However, in those four days, Shmi had noticed some differences as well. Vader is noticeably stressed out and Shmi would break out into cold sweats more and more throughout the nights, something that made Qui-Gon worried. Although marriage escapes her aside from the books on the Millennium Falcon, Shmi heard Vader bringing it up with Qui-Gon a few times.
The differences are subtle, and right now she can see two sitting right before her.
"Hey, I've got a question for you both... Do you have any plan for life after all of this bullied is over?"
At her question, both of them appears to freeze up, their eyes widening in shock. What is that about?
"Um… what do you mean, madam?" Bant questions for the, eyes darting back and forth between Siri and Shmi. She has never thought about it that way as she had only imagined being left with an Order of some sort of trying to be the keeper of the peace.
"You know do you have any dreams?" Shmi asks, giving a slight knowing smile to Siri, before looking at Bant. "Come on, Bant, you are also young. Surely you had thought about finding someone."
Bant gulps. "I-I..."
"You have dreams right," Shmi presses forward, knowing that she is getting closer to the heart of the issue.
Bant clenches her hands up into fists before replying. "Yes. I have met a girl who I ran into the past... she was a great girl and I had even thought of leaving the Jedi Order for her. We'd argued with one another when I made it clear and m she had stormed away, declaring that she had never wanted to see me again."
"Oh, Bant," Siri replies sympathetically, pushing her hand against the Mon Calmarian's arm. "Why have you never told me? You are like my..." she clearly didn't know how to phase it correctly.
"Sister," Shmi concludes. She can see that Siri and Bant care about each other and that the latter doesn't want to acknowledge it while the former is beginning to make obvious changes. She's becoming more like Obi-Wan and less of a believer of the Jedi Code. "Come now, Bant, you don't need to become like this. You keep running from Obi-Wan and Siri, you are going to enter a little shell."
"I-I," Bant has been determined to remain like the Jedi she have been for the past decades.
"You wanted a human girlfriend?" Shmi asks, narrowing her eyes in the woman's direction. "Go for it. You don't have to be alone in your journey. You would have people who would always support you."
Shmi walks out of the room, leaving Bant to think about it.
The Jedi Code is meant to ground all of their students, and even now Bant still obeys the command that the code have been imbedded in her since she was a child.
Bant really misses Master Kit Fisto.
It is crammed inside of Qui-Gon and Shmi's private quarters. He really hopes that everything would go as planned, but since his young days, that hardly ever happen.
He'd been in there for far longer than he wished to, alone, with no one for company but his own thoughts as Bant and Siri have actually surprisingly got along well with Shmi. He resists the urge to fall asleep even though he is exhausted. But the prospect of tormenting through those terrible nightmares again is just too frightening. He is sure that, if they repeated themselves, he would just lose his mind.
Qui-Gon think about how everything has changed. It is so painful. He couldn't fancy the thought that him and Shmi would not be able to raise their child. Protecting both of them is primarily his obligation, and the Maverick would tear the galaxy apart for both the woman who he slept with and his unborn child.
He takes his hand to the bedrest before him, but ultimately resists the impulse of walking of the quarters and just go to Shmi.
Blast it, Qui-Gon almost slam his head against the wall! He shouldn't have gotten Shmi pregnant! It gave him a night of pleasure when it happened but it complicated their relationship greatly, and Shmi had practically been taken advantage of by her saviour! When he'd saw her all those years ago, he didn't think that their relationship would turn romantic but rather a simply friendship and a leaning hand of compassion!
Even after all of these years, Qui-Gon never realized that he so desperately needed his Master. Dooku is always the type who passed off rough truths but Qui-Gon really does need him in his dark hour. Why Dooku stayed away throughout Obi-Wan's Apprenticeship is something that still hurts, but Qui-Gon wouldn't want for him to stay away yet again.
Why couldn't he have come with them to save the galaxy? Doesn't he see how much Qui-Gon is hurt by him being gone?
Yet, he couldn't fault his old Master this time. Dooku might have felt like he was filling up unnecessary space and allowing his Apprentice to flourish is a better idea than babying Qui-Gon all his life. For his younger days, Qui-Gon had witnessed Dooku's display of coldness but overprotective instinct and trying his hardest to become the best Jedi he could be.
Now, he can see why he had always felt something dark around his Master. Perhaps it was always Dooku's destiny to become a Sith.
Pushing himself up to his feet and ignoring his rising headache, Qui-Gon walks out of his quarters, tempted to contact this Master but wanting to speak to Vader immediately.
Qui-Gon isn't surprised when he finds him at the storage compartment. He isn't certain what he is doing there but he doesn't care for right now.
"Vader," Qui-Gon speaks, placing a hand on his back and slightly pushing him down.
"You believe that we need allies and your plan is to contact the Sith," Vader speaks without preamble, stunning Qui-Gon and making his voice almost goes pale. Blast it, Qui-Gon had warned him not to read his mind... "My ship, my crew. I like to ensure everyone onboard is alright."
Qui-Gon hesitates for a moment before speaking as well. "You don't disagree..."
"Qui-Gon, I acknowledge that Tor Valum might be too much for everyone here," Vader replies, placing a hand on his arm now. "Besides, you were never quite the duelist."
Qui-Gon can hear the slight snippiness in his tone. This is the part of Vader who he wishes to see more often. Vader is often in seclusion even though he tries to avoid depression and surround himself with as much positivity as possible. Perhaps if Anakin was here, Vader would have been able to do so
"I managed to last as long as I could against Maul," Qui-Gon says meekly, knowing that Vader has a response planned.
"Until Obi-Wan saved you, you mean," Vader replies, chuckling slightly. "Perhaps you should have more confidence in your student."
"Hey, and perhaps you should have more confidence in me," Qui-Gon replies, hearing the sound of crashing outside. "What the kark was that?!"
"I see that our female companions happen to be enjoying ourselves," Vader replies, halting Qui-Gon before he would have run outside, undoubtedly about to check on Shmi. "Perhaps you should think of something else."
"I have plans to talk to Dooku still," Qui-Gon says after a second before reaching inside of his cloak for his holocommunicator. "He always knows what to do."
Vader sighs but nods, knowing that Qui-Gon and Dooku's relationship have to be one of the most historical bonds in the Jedi Order if not history itself.
Qui-Gon can hear the air coming in and out of his lungs and his heart thumping in his chest. He looks at her but can't speak. In the moment it takes him to gather his thoughts Dooku's hologram appears.
The Jedi stares into his Master's eyes and he feels tears forming behind his own. He felt so betrayed. He had trusted him with his most inner deep secrets and now he could see it. He had always said just the right thing, he had even destined to plant seeds of misguidance and distrust in the Jedi Council. Well, he had actually succeeded. And he almost was able to make him distrust his own Master. The man who had raised him, who had loved him since he was just a child. The one who had taken care of him and taught him everything he knew these days.
He felt like a moron!
"Master, we need your help. There is a great danger out there. He has one of our own."
"This is unexpecting!" Dooku's voice come, incredulous, dumbstruck.
"Yet again, the Sith deceived us all, Master. He's planning to destroy the Jedi. But I don't know how. We are going before him now. We have to end this.
"Qui-Gon, you can't leave! You are placing yourself in great danger as you have never even confronted a Sith! Turn that ship around and do the right thing!" Dooku pleads. Would that be the last time he would be with his Master? "Vader, you are not going to get my Apprentice kill!"
"If you refuse this, I would go regardless!" He snaps. What would happen to the galaxy without him? He would keep going forward no matter of what his Master claims. But if he went, there were too many variables. Even minutes before he wasn't able to control himself and he had touched the dark side. This is placing all of them in great danger.
No, Vader knows he might be straining the relationship between the two men further. And nothing pained him more than willingly abandoning everything and everyone he loved. All because he is weak... weak and foolish.
"I'm sure I do. Turn around now, Qui-Gon." The Jedi Master orders, crossing his arms across his chest.
Vader stares at him even without saying anything, the older man's expression is decided. There would be no convincing him but it's not what he wants. "And go where?"
"I don't know. Anywhere, but keep that information to yourself. Qui-Gon. If we fail, you are the last hope of the Jedi Order. You are the last hope of the Republic."
Qui-Gon's heart drops and suddenly he feels the defeat and the loss rushing through him. He didn't ever imagine going against his Master again. That heated argument from so many years ago is still at the front of his mind and it never imagined that it would still hurt so much.
He understands that Dooku is doing what he thinks is right, but Qui-Gon knows that he cannot continue to run. Regardless of what Dooku calls himself this time, Qui-Gon cannot deny that the Count is still very much the same as he was all those years ago. He still wants to save this galaxy no matter of the fact that it is wrong.
"No, Master, we cannot leave," Qui-Gon replies defiantly, clenching his hands up into fists. "We had contacted you because we needed assistance to stop this monster, not because we have to run. Master, you cannot come here alone and presume that you would be able to save the galaxy."
"No, but Plagueis have massive Sith Armies. The Republic must stand." Dooku replies in a slight snappish tone, wishing that Qui-Gon couldn't be so disobedient. "Why don't you ever listen to me, Qui-Gon? Can't you see that I try to keep you from getting hurt or killed?"
Qui-Gon snaps. "Master, you need to understand that we are not Jedi anymore. We are not listening to some sort of a Council. I have the right to fight!"
Dooku wants to clearly argue before sighing and throwing up his hands in exasperation. "Just send me your coordinates and we would bring the fastest ships there as possible."
Vader can honestly sympathize with the Count on a very relatable level. The prospect of putting the ones that you care about in trouble is difficult but he knows that Qui-Gon has a point as well. Continuing to run would only place them in danger, and he cannot allow Anakin to die because of his wrong decision making.
"Master, that would be mean waiting for over-" Qui-Gon stares at Vader for assistance. That can prolong Anakin's suffering.
"That is a great idea," Vader admits. "We need to surround this monster. If this Sith have great allies, we would need someone like Plagueis and your old Master to help us."
The next few days passes by rather impatiently. Thankfully, Dooku kept true to his word and is coming to them day by day. While Vader has no doubt of the Falcon's capabilities, he is sure that Plagueis has access to larger ships that are rather insignificant to the Falcon's capabilities.
Reaching across to a small table in his quarters, Vader scoops up his lightsaber, before attaching the hilt to his belt. He has warned each of his companions, including Siri and Bant to wear the armour that they have gathered up. A meeting had been called regarding the mission as soon as the Dreadnoughts that once belonged to the Trade Federation come right to their direction to another planet that they have managed to find.
Said meeting has been called by Plagueis and Dooku, who had apparently come up with an alternate plan for when they reached the planet of that monster. Considering the nature of the operation, and the dangers they are likely to face, any alterations to the plan they currently have, especially ones that could benefit them all are welcome suggestions, and from experience Vader knows that Plagueis and Dooku are of strong minds and can do the galaxy great damage if they so wish.
Opening the door to the quarters, Vader stride out and begin to make his way to the bridge, head held high. Several Sith passes by and acknowledge him with respect. Vader returns each and every gesture with one of her own. The Sith are also someone with independent minds of their own and Vader had to severely warned Siri and Bant to start a fight.
Upon entering the atrium to the bridge, Vader finds Plagueis and Dooku waiting, surveying the holomap of the mysterious planet.
"Do you sense him?" Plagueis asks, and both knows who they are talking about.
"Yes. He is still powerful and I'm pretty sure that he has a plan waiting." Vader replies, digging deeper to see if Anakin is also there and isn't disappointed when his Force Signature becomes intertwine with his own. "If we are not careful, we might not be able to stop him, and what's worse is that he has thousands of years of knowledge."
"Maybe we can turn the planets themselves against him," Plagueis says, the darkness swelling up and causing his eyes to become crimson.
The sound of the door opening behind them catch Vader's attention as Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Bant, and Siri storms in. They each look beautiful for Vader's veteran eyes, and their armour would keep them safe from anything that might try to harm them. Siri and Bant both eyes Plagueis, sensing his darkness, but not allowing their untamed feelings to take hold.
"Let's do this," Obi-Wan states as he joins the rest at the holomap, hand coming to rest on his chin in his usual stance of deep thought.
"Yes," Plagueis begin, bringing the conversation back around to why they are there in the first place. "Dooku and I have been going over the plans to stop this Sith and we have decided we don't know which trickery he may harbor. Just storming down there alone could get each of you killed, and even though I respect you, Vader, not even you can stop everything."
"We knew that may be a problem but maybe we can sneak in." Qui-Gon responds, eyes moving over the map. In truth, he didn't know what to do as this planet is on the very edge of the galaxy. Who knows how close they are to a black hole?
Dooku turns to Qui-Gon's direction, glaring at him, still not happy that Qui-Gon is willing to place himself in harm's way throughout this whole operation.
"Actually, my old student, that's where you are wrong. Yes, we would storm in, but there has to be someone outside. We need a strike team to confront this Sith, and me and Plagueis have volunteered ourselves, but the other Sith can block the exits."
"That Sith can very well drain them like Darth Nihilus was known to do back during the Old Republic era…" Qui-Gon argues after Dooku's suggestion, his lips turning into a scowl. Everyone in the room can tell that the scowl is not directed to Dooku but rather to the stress of the situation. Qui-Gon after all is about to be a father and he didn't fancy the thought of placing himself in danger.
Vader wishes there is a way to evade the Clone Wars for that precise reason of Qui-Gon might having to get involved with the war, but he can tell that the Force wishes for the war to bring enlightenment to the Jedi Order and the Republic. It was always going to happen, even with Sidious being killed earlier on in this timeline. Even if Plagueis was killed alongside Sidious and Maul survived, the Clone Wars would have come to be a thing eventually.
"You want to place the galaxy in danger instead of trusting my instincts, you go right ahead," Dooku interjects, moving over to Qui-Gon and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Qui-Gon, I know that you care about the Skywalkers, but Shmi would be safe on another ship that would be prepared to leave if we don't report back. We can stop this today and now. Besides, she deserves her son, don't you agree?"
"Fine, we both disapprove of each other's plans and we have so much we need to sort out later. I'm tired of always arguing with you." Qui-Gon replies, receiving a nod of agreement from Dooku.
"Siri, any recommendations?" Obi-Wan asks, causing all of their eyes to turn to her.
Siri glares at Obi-Wan stupidly before coming forward and finally speaking for the first time, sensing that Plagueis today very well might not be a threat. "Valum would be expecting Vader and Plagueis, but if we enter with more Sith, that might be an issue as well. The Sith of now are valiant for their teamwork, I take it." An affirmative from Dooku. "Then that can still cause problems as their concentrated teamwork can be their undoing."
"Do you have gunships?" Vader asks in obvious agreement, placing his hands on his belt. "That way your Sith can position themselves outside while we can enter the fortress of darkness."
"We have gunships," Dooku affirms, and he spins round to Qui-Gon's direction. "And absolutely not, I would not allow you to go!"
Oh boy here we go again...
And Vader thought that him and Obi-Wan was bad. Bad communication must run in the lineage...
"Master! I am not a boy anymore!" Qui-Gon scoffs, tired of Dooku's overprotective nature. "If anything, I should be worried that you volunteered to go onto this mission!"
Vader sighs. "If you both would stop being at each other's throats and start communicating properly..." That is a problem with many Jedi. They lacked how to properly comfort their students, and while Anakin was furious with Vader for his lies, they had always communicated beforehand. Anakin had only been blinded by anger. "Listen, you both are going to follow and we know no amount of debate from one another would stop that. Just protect one another flank."
It is with that Vader, Plagueis, Dooku, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Siri, and Bant make their way to a gunship that have been waiting for them. The other Sith are armed as well, either with their lightsabers or weapons, and Vader can see the individual that have been General Grievous in another time. Vader had never anticipated that Plagueis would have made that machine this powerful.
It makes him even consider suggesting to bring Grievous, but Vader can sense that doing so may bring too much unwanted space. And the Sith has to get Shmi out of here if this does truly get out of hand. Vader didn't like the thought of that but he is determined not to leave the fate of his mother on these Sith who may execute her when the time comes for the child to be born.
But all of the Jedi would rather want his head as of the moment, and they may not be the kindest alternative considering the woman and her child as well. Vader would make sure to see the birth of his sibling, this blasted galaxy be damned. But first saving Anakin and making sure that he sees the birth as well is something that Vader considers hsi objective. P
"Wait!" A shrill voice shouts, and Vader turns to see Shmi Skywalker pushing herself along, two Sith medics trailing behind her, trying to calm her down. "Vader, you can't go without me! Let me come!"
"I have to," Vader replies, watching as the two Sith wrap their hands around Shmi's shoulders. He would hate having to force his mother to be placed on bed rest but he knows that Shmi coming along would lead to her assured death. Vader has no plans of joining the Force yet again today but if that is his destiny...
Vader can sense the motherly concern she has for him as well, but knowing what Sith are known to do, her coming would just place yet another burden on the main battle.
"Shmi, you coming would place you in unnecessary danger. We have no intent to leave Anakin there and would drag him back if we have to." Qui-Gon replies, sensing that the woman's anxiety and fury didn't lessen as she gives him a stare. Blast it, Anakin and her have the scariest glares!
"For now, you must rest," Vader declares as strongly as possible, feeling his heart shattering into millions of pieces. "Worry about your yet to be born child. We would save your first one."
The final look of utter despair from Shmi is something that would always linger on Vader's mind as the door closes.
'I'm coming, Anakin.'