Chapter 37 – Vader

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD

Author's Note: In which Siri talks to Yoda and Padme, and plans are hatched... ;)

~ Amina Gila

After being rescued by Republic reinforcements which arrived far too late, Siri returns to Coruscant along with Ferus and the remainder of her men. The Council wanted to debrief them in person; besides, she needed to rejoin the rest of the 212th Battalion. She and her former Padawan were both given two weeks of leave before they'll be sent back to the front lines, barring any emergencies.

Ferus was injured in the duel with Anakin, something which a bacta treatment or two will fix, even if he has the scar for the rest of his life, and it makes her wonder. He could have died. He should have died. Anakin had no reason to spare him and yet… he did. What is he playing after? What is Obi-Wan playing after? What do they want? What are their motivations, their intentions? Endless questions circle in her mind, questions to which Siri has no answers.

Obi-Wan was adamant that Anakin is not evil or lost. She doesn't know if she can believe that, but he clearly has a great deal of self-control if he was able to restrain himself from killing Ferus after defeating him. Perhaps it was intentional on Anakin's part, to not cause as much destruction while Obi-Wan is attempting to convince her of his trustworthiness. It's not as though she believes him, but it still gives him more credibility. If he's telling the truth, then the Republic must be prudent, because should the Separatists capture Kamino, the war effort is doomed. They cannot fight a war without soldiers.

Even had Obi-Wan denied that Anakin knew about him being a double agent, she wouldn't have believed him. She knows the rumors of Death Squadron's effectiveness. There is rarely a single survivor who can testify as to what happened. The clones are taken as prisoners-of-war to an unknown location. If the Republic could only locate it, they could attempt to rescue and recover thousands of their men.

Maybe it wouldn't be worth it, but at the same time, it would make more sense than letting the Separatists keep so many clones as prisoners. That's especially true if there is an imminent attack on Kamino. This is first any of them have heard of it, and on the Chancellor's recommendation, two more Republic Star Destroyers were dispatched to Kamino to reinforce it. If Kamino falls, so does the Republic, and they cannot let that happen. Two Jedi Masters were also sent – temporarily – to ensure that the system remains secure.

Siri banishes all irrelevant thoughts as she approaches the Room of One Thousand Fountains. Master Yoda had asked to speak with her there about a matter of some urgency. The Grandmaster is sitting in meditative position next to one of the fountains, and she joins him, sitting across from him.

"Master Yoda, you asked for me," she states, announcing her presence.

"Mentioned something to me, young Olin did, and disturbing it was," Yoda informs her, opening his eyes. His ears twitch in a decidedly worried way, and that's more than enough to alarm her. It's rare to see Yoda expressing concern so openly. "Told me, he did, that mentioned a name his clone captain has. Trained by Vader, young Olin's clones were."

"Vader?" Siri echoes, frowning. "Who is Vader?" The Force seems, well not alarmed exactly, but it's humming around her in an insistent and urgent sort of way.

Yoda's ears twitch again, drooping downwards. "Know the answer we do not, but a Force sensitive he may have been."

A chill of dread electrifies her nerves before she lets it go, struggling to maintain her calm. "A Force sensitive?" she echoes, "But that's not possible. There aren't any Force sensitives involved in training the clones." The Grandmaster doesn't respond, only looking at her as if he's waiting for her to make some connection. It takes her a moment to understand, and when she does, she can't quite manage to release the wave of horror that washes over her. "Anakin," she realizes numbly. "It's – it's his Sith name. Darth Vader."

"Suspect the same I do," Yoda replies. "Answers we need and quickly. If involved the Sith are in the creation of the clone army, uncover the reason we must. Tell this to no one we can until answers we have."

This is… Siri doesn't even know. Why would the Sith want to create an army for the Republic? What would they have to gain? Was it because they want war? And if they do, for what? Too many questions. That seems to be the summary of her life this past week. Too many questions, no answers, and no means of obtaining them. It's obvious that Padme won't know anything, and until they can find someone who does, there's not much which they can do. They already talked to Shmi, and without more evidence, they can hardly arrest her for questioning. The only one who can give them answers is Anakin – Vader? – and the chances of him doing so while the war is going on are low.

Alternatively, Siri needs to find a way of encountering Obi-Wan again, because he promised to give her answers. Still, she has the feeling that he'll be doing everything in his power to avoid her, so she can't wait and hope that she'll be lucky. No, she has to do something, and she has to do something now. They cannot afford to wait. Regardless, they need to keep whatever investigating they do quiet. No one – no one can learn what they're doing.

"I'll contact Master Shaak Ti on Kamino and have her send us the files for the 501st Legion and their training," Siri tells Yoda. "I think I should also speak with Senator Amidala. She doesn't know anything, but she might have suggestions for how we can get answers from Anakin, or the best way of proceeding."

Yoda is quiet for a moment, and then he nods. "Give you permission I do to investigate this matter. Great care you must take that kept secret our actions are."

"I'll be careful, Master," she promises. They sit there in silence for another minute before Siri rises and hurries away to her quarters. She has some people to contact.

**w**

When Siri called to ask her if they could have a private meeting, something had seemed off. Padme had tried not to dwell on it, but with her curiosity piqued, she's found it hard not to think about it. With the Senate session over, Padme returns back to her apartment, waiting for the Jedi Master's arrival. She doesn't have to wait long.

Siri's expression is tense, and it's obvious that she's troubled about something. "What happened?" Padme queries after inviting her to sit down and having her astromech, Artoo Detoo, scan the area twice to ensure that no one has any listening devices nearby.

"It has come to my attention that… a trained Force sensitive may have been involved in the training of those clones who are a part of the 501st Legion under Ferus," Siri explains.

Padme frowns, the news completely unexpected. "Why would you think that?"

"Captain Del made a passing comment to Ferus that he'd thought their leader would be someone named Vader, given the special training and care he'd put into them," Siri responds. "After some additional questioning, Ferus realized that this 'Vader' was a Force sensitive, and a trained one at that. The Council is… concerned."

She can certainly see way because that revelation is quite disturbing. If the Council didn't even know about the clones until Obi-Wan went to Kamino – with the exception of Sifo Dyas who died years ago – then how could any trained Force sensitive have had access to the clones? Why would Dooku have known about it or been involved in it? That doesn't even make sense, but they're clearly missing something. Something huge.

"I know why the Council would be concerned, and I'll keep this between us," Padme assures her. "What are you… suspecting as of right now? And why are you coming to me?"

Siri takes a deep breath, as if bracing herself. "I spoke to Del myself, questioned him more intently, and it made him… rather uncomfortable. He didn't want to share any details about his trained. The same is true for the other clones who admitted having been trained by Vader. Their loyalty to him is… disturbing. From what I could glean, I suspect that Vader is Anakin."

"What?!" Padme blurts out in shock before she can stop herself. "How could you even think something like that? It can't have been Anakin because he didn't know anything about the clones." At least not that he told her. But even as she says that, she remembers a conversation they had a couple years ago, speaking about the state of the galaxy. She remembers how certain Anakin seemed to be that there would be war, how he'd admitted to taking an interest in military strategies and techniques which he'd promised to use for the Republic's benefit. Dread creeps through her, and she finds herself wondering if Anakin and Dooku were conspiring together to start a war, if Anakin was meant to be a double agent for him.

"Not that he told you," Siri counters calmly, "But we need to get to the bottom of this. If you know something, I ask you to tell me."

Padme inhales slowly, before succumbing to the inevitable. "I think he knew a lot more than he was telling me," she admits. "Do you think there's a way we could capture him, so we could question him?"

Siri's face blanks in such a way that makes Padme think she's hiding something. "I don't think that would be possible, no."

"Why not?" Padme frowns.

The Jedi Master opens and closes her mouth, suddenly seeming to be at a loss for words. Finally, she sighs, looking resigned. "The Jedi Council has issued a kill-on-sight order," she confesses. "Considering how much destruction he has caused since the beginning of the war, he's far too dangerous for us to take into custody alive."

Even in the face of the explanation, Padme feels her anger rise. "Does the Chancellor know about that?" she demands. "Does anyone except the Jedi? I told you that Anakin is not evil or lost, and you completely disregarded my personal experience, and for what? Because you're afraid of him? Because he's a Sith?" She pauses, taking a breath to reign in her fury. They could have had a chance to set a trap for Anakin to lure him in, but because of the Jedi that's not an option. It's stupid. "I don't agree with him," she continues, "But this is war. Why would he not use his abilities to their utmost?"

"Padme, I hardly you are qualified to tell the Jedi how we should deal with a dangerous threat," Siri points out bluntly. "You haven't seen him in action. You have no idea what he's like."

There's no way that she isn't going to be telling the Chancellor about this. He has the authority to order the Jedi to rescind their order, and she imagines that he would. Anakin never wanted war; he never asked for it. He's dangerous, yes, but the Jedi can be dangerous too. They can easily turn their immense power against the Republic, even if they wouldn't. Anakin has already proven that he's willing to help them, but he was too afraid of being arrested and executed for merely being a Sith to consider it. Apparently, his fears were well-founded. Perhaps he's not as wrong as she thought. If not for her unshakable faith in the Republic and democracy, she might even consider leaving to join him.

"Even an enemy deserves to be given a fair trial upon surrender," Padme reminds Siri. "You cannot go ahead and execute them. That's against Republic law."

"Perhaps," the Jedi concedes, "But as a Sith, he falls under Jedi jurisdiction. It's up to us to counter the threat he poses."

Padme glares. "It's not illegal to be a Sith," she says tightly. "I know. I looked. You cannot persecute him for his beliefs."

Siri looks irritated. "It doesn't matter anyways." Her tone is mostly neutral, but Padme can hear the underlying aggravation. "We need to find a way to discern if Anakin really is the individual named Vader who trained the clones."

"I'm not going to help you, because if he is, you'll only use that as more proof for why you have to execute him on sight." Padme gives her a hard look. "I know about kill-on-sight orders, and they are only issued in extreme circumstances and upon order of the Chancellor, since he now holds that power."

"But what if it's the key to everything?" Siri presses, leaning forwards. "What if learning the answer will help us uncover the Sith, help us uncover the truth about the war and end it?"

Padme already knows what her answer to that is. She's long known that she cannot and will not put Anakin over the restoration of peace. "If I help you, you have to promise me something," she replies. "You have to promise me that you'll try to convince the Council to rescind the order, or I'll speak to the Chancellor about it." She might do it anyways, though she doesn't tell her so. "And you have to promise me that you'll try to help Anakin."

"You have so much faith in him," Siri murmurs, shaking her head. "You and Obi-Wan both." Before Padme can ask her what she means, she keeps speaking. "Fine, I'll do it."

"Okay, so where do you think we should begin?" She has one or two ideas, but nothing concrete. She'll forgive the Jedi for this misuse of their power if Siri actually helps her.

"I think we need to talk to Anakin," the Jedi informs her. "I don't see any other way of obtaining the necessary information."

Padme laughs slightly, though it's mirthless. "I've been trying fruitlessly to open peace talks with the Separatists ever since the war began." If only it was that easy to talk to Anakin and get answers. Whenever she and her fiancé meet again, she knows that their conversation will be just as painful, if not more so, than their previous one. "If only I could talk to Senator Bonteri," she muses, wistfully.

Siri raises an eyebrow. "Who is he?"

"He is a she, a Senator in the Confederacy of Independent Systems," Padme explains.

"So, she's a Separatist then," Siri surmises with a shake of her head. "That doesn't really help. If she's allied with Dooku, she won't be able to help."

"She's not his pawn," Padme argues. "I was close with many of the Senators who left. I know the Senate made it illegal to speak with any of the Separatist Senators, but I feel that if we want to be proactive in getting answers, it's really our only choice."

"It's a shame that you can't hold peaceful talks," Siri comments. "I guess that means that we can't do anything right now?"

Padme feels a hint of excitement rise as an idea crosses her mind. It's dangerous and undoubtedly risky, but she thinks it will be worth it. "Actually, I have an idea," she declares. "You're a Jedi, which gives you special clearance."

"Right," Siri confirms a bit cautiously.

"And Jedi are allowed to travel to neutral worlds like Mandalore, where we could then board a cargo ship to a Separatist system," Padme finishes with satisfaction.

The Jedi splutters. "You want me to use my status as a Jedi to illegally smuggle you behind enemy lines?!"

"Hey, you want answers and so do I," Padme reminds her, "And you're the only one who can get us through to meet her. I haven't seen her and her family in so long…" Her voice trails off as she drifts down memory lane, recalling the last time she visited the Bonteri family. Hopefully, they haven't been too badly affected by the war.

"Where would we be going?" Siri asks warily.

"Raxus." Yes, it might be the capital of the Separatists, but they're only going to go there to see if Mina can do something to push for peace. They're not planning to spy or locate Anakin. Even if Padme would like nothing more than to speak with him, she cannot trust that he won't turn them in to Dooku.

Siri sighs. "You're insane, and this plan is insane," she states flatly.

"Do you have a better plan?" Padme inquires. She only asks for the sake of asking. She already knows that if Siri had a better plan for their next course of action, she wouldn't be here, asking Padme for suggestions and advice.

"No," admits the Jedi, "But I think going to Raxus is a bad idea."

"It's our only option," Padme insists. If they don't act now, if they choose to wait for a better option, they could be waiting for years.

"Fine," Siri concedes, "But if we're doing this, then you have to do exactly what I tell you to." Her expression makes it clear that she won't accept any arguments, not that Padme has any objections anyways. They're really going to do this. Hopefully, they won't live to regret it.

**w**

Thankfully, they arrive at Mina Bonteri's mansion without any complications for which Siri is grateful. After the Senator has her son, Lux Bonteri, take their luggage, she leads them inside her home. She seems like a very motherly, well-meaning person, and Siri can see why Padme likes her so much. She cares about her people, about justice. After they're settled inside the large sitting room, though Padme remains standing, staring out the window, while Siri takes up a position near the doorway, Mina brings in glasses for all three of them.

"He's grown so much, Mina," Padme comments, almost wistfully as she looks at Lux through the window. He's sitting outside, staring off at the trees.

"Time won't stop, even if we are at war," Mina replies, a bit sadly, "And I'm afraid these events are shaping his young life." Of course, they are. How could they not be? She sighs, and Siri can feel her pain in the Force. "He is much like his father, and since his death only a month ago on Aargonar, Lux has been struggling."

Padme winces. "I'm so sorry," she murmurs.

Mina accepts the condolences with a nod, and they move to the couch together, sitting across from one another. "So, why are you here?"

"It is a complex situation," she admits. "I have come to suspect that there is something… underhanded going on, and I think both Dooku and my fiancé, Anakin Skywalker, know about it. I want answers, but I cannot speak to Anakin directly. I hope that if we can open peace talks, it will be easier to find answers."

Mina hums quietly. "Well, they are very close," she comments. "In fact, they were here yesterday. Anakin is a very fine young man, and I think he admires Dooku more than even I do."

Siri frowns slightly at her words. They'll never get any useful information from Mina – that much is obvious – but they're not here for information. They're here to find a way to work towards peace. Padme falters momentarily, but she covers her reaction well. "Well, if you could convince your representatives to extend an olive branch of peace towards the Republic, there might be enough sympathy in the Senate to finally open negotiations," she suggests, hopefully.

"I admire your spirit, Padme," Mina says with a smile. "I can at least put the motion on the floor, though I can guarantee nothing. Many of the Separatist systems are still upset about the war, and they blame the Republic and the Jedi."

Padme's relief echoes into the Force. "Thank you, Mina. That's all I ask."

"To peace, then," Mina declares standing and lifting her cup.

"To hope," Padme echoes.

Siri can only pray that it will be so easy. Somehow, she doubts it.

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