Another installment, and in this one the circle is closed. Thanks to new followers: Shiranai Atsune, ccommando173, boon142, b6076b6076


Chapter 33: May the Circle Be Unbroken


Nar Shadda, Hutt Space, Eastern Outer Rim, 0 ABY 3 months, 28 days

The starship Volt Cobra was nearing its destination, the "smugglers' moon" Nar Shaddaa, located in the Hutt Space in the eastern region of the Outer Rim, after a 10-hour trip from the Monsua Nebula. Making the trip were Sana Starros, the ship's owner and pilot, along with Princess Leia Organa and smuggler Han Solo. They were fleeing from the Empire, who because of the presence of Organa and Solo, would likely consider Starros to also be part of the rebellion.

But once they were en route, Sana continued to act mysterious and had no intention of telling her passengers where she was taking them. As they dropped out of hyperspace, Leia had no idea where they were, but Han was quite familiar with Nar Shaddaa as it was a major hot spot of various syndicate activity. That didn't mean he was at all thrilled about going there, as his debt to Jabba the Hutt meant someone might well be looking for him. Sana's plan, such as it was, was to see if she might be able to claim the Imperial bounty on Leia's head by agreeing to split it with the Hutts. This area of the Galaxy was not one known for a large Imperial presence.

When her passengers came forward to protest her choice of destinations, she set her blaster on stun and proceeded to incapacitate both Han and Leia. The moon Nar Shaddaa was not large, but practically the entire surface was covered with various structures and was completely urbanized, sort of a miniature version of Coruscant without the high rises, and much seedier overall. About 30 years ago, Sana had been born on this moon into a family of smugglers. They were not terribly affluent, but she was cared for as a child and did well enough in her schooling to later leave Nar Shaddaa to pursue higher education on the Core world of Bar'leth, where she met Chelli Lona Aphra. Sana and Chelli became fast friends and eventually became lovers after a couple of years.

Once the ship had landed, Sana put out a call to a former ally and said she was carrying two valuable "properties." For a share in the bounty, this person agreed to shop them around. Word came back that Solo was wanted by the Hutts and would fetch a 5000-credit reward, but Organa was far more valuable. Sana and her friend could split one million credits between them. But also at this time, Leia had awakened and was carefully listening to the conversation unbeknownst to Sana and figured she would not have much time to make a move.


Felucia, 0 ABY 3 months, 29 days

Ahsoka and Vader prepared to leave Tatooine behind and go to Felucia for the purpose of meeting with Grand Master Shaak Ti. Vader asked what to do with his ship, the J-type Nubian, and Ahsoka told him she would accompany him, otherwise he would not be permitted to land on Felucia. Hedala and Luke would travel on the Corvala Dawn, with R8-ND handling the piloting and navigation duties. After informing Shaak that they were on their way, Ahsoka and Vader sat together in the cockpit as he entered the coordinates and they jumped to hyperspace, soon followed by Corvala Dawn.

When they reached their destination, after about 12 hours, Ahsoka took control of the Nubian and contacted Felucia ground control, who immediately recognized her and directed them to land at a pre-arranged location. Corvala Dawn then proceeded to its usual landing spot closer to Shaak's home and the Assembly hall. After the landing, Ahsoka exited the ship first and Vader followed her. The staff at the landing platform (who reported to Knight Xendar) saluted Ahsoka and a speeder was provided for them, which brought the pair to the Assembly Hall.

As Vader looked around at the new Felucian environment for the first time, he remarked, "Most impressive what the Grand Master has created here. A serene and peaceful environment. I can sense her great power everywhere in this world. But not until we landed. Now I understand why the Emperor has no perception of her."

Ahsoka nodded. "And this is just your first time, Anakin. Your eyes will be opened permanently to a greater level of understanding … the way mine were two years ago – after Malachor."

Vader took a breath. "We've never actually talked about that. About Malachor."

"True … we have not. I think we have come so far from that day. Both of us."

"I was acting from pain and hatred – hatred of what I had become. It blinded me to you … the one who had always stood by me. I will always regret what happened there."

"Anakin, for years you were operating under the lies he told you. But search your feelings. Part of you always knew you had been deceived."

"Yes. And when I realized it that day, I lashed out with the Force against him. He then told me he would destroy me if I ever did that again … so I learned to live within my new identity, and I let the hate take over."

The two of them sat quietly for a few minutes, then Shaak entered the hall. As she made her way over to them, Vader stood and then dropped to one knee before her. She extended a silk-gloved hand to him, which he gently raised up to his mask – to approximate a kiss.

"As you were, Lord Vader. Please be seated."

As he settled into the large chair, he asked, "How may I serve you, Grand Master?"

Shaak smiled, seated herself on her customary throne, then turned to Ahsoka, who noted, "You're looking well, Mother. We have much to discuss."

"That we do, my child."

She turned to Vader, then waved a hand slowly over him. He then felt the gentle surge of warmth come over him from within Shaak. It acted to relax his muscles and quickly took away any pain he had been feeling. She then spoke to him directly, in her gentle, cloying manner.

"Knight Skywalker. It is good to have you back. Though the past two decades have clouded your understanding with the limited perception of the Sith, I can sense you are now ready to leave that world behind and return to the path you were on. You ask, how may you serve me? By serving your true self. Did they once tell you that you were the Chosen One? It is said that many are called but few are chosen."

Vader took a breath cycle as he considered her words. "Most wise, Master. I had struggled to understand that meaning as well."

She chuckled slightly, then smiled. "Struggle no more, my son. The wisdom of the ages is now within your reach. At one time, I had questioned why Master Yoda assigned Ahsoka to you as Padawan. Now his reasoning is clear. Ahsoka is the bridge by which your soul returns to its correct path. As she once learned from you, now you are learning from her. This is part of what is meant by Balance in the Force. Master Yoda never took any decision with haste. He let the Force be his guide. So it is with me …"

She then was silent for a time, conducting a gentle probe of Anakin's mind, then doing the same with Ahsoka's, and finally binding both of them to hers. Their communication then took place in the subconscious. Shaak continued to emanate soft energy but even more it carried a stimulative quality that both of her subjects could immediately feel. Her overall message was one of conciliation and cooperation. When she had completed the exercise, she asked for both of them to form a circle, each taking one of her hands and then joining their remaining hands. A last burst of energy, more decisive this time, came from the GM. Bind us together, Zon Khadul, so that we may bind the Galaxy.

When their joint session had ended, Shaak invited Anakin to come alone with her to her home.


Coruscant, 0 ABY 4 months, 0 days

On Coruscant, Emperor Palpatine was growing progressively weary of waiting for Vader to report in and he had not been seen by Grand General Tagge in over two weeks. He was not sure of what had happened but he knew one thing, his apprentice was unreachable. A couple of months ago, he had decided to employ new acolytes in his service that might fill some of the duties that had customarily been Vader's, not that he thought any of them would be a suitable replacement, but more to spur his apprentice into finding his way back to his old routine.

But now, a measure of doubt was starting to creep into his consciousness. If he truly no longer had an apprentice, then how could his Empire function the way he had come to expect it to function? Was it time to start looking for a new recruit? For years, Palpatine had told himself that he wanted no more Force-sensitive people at large in the Galaxy, that anyone with that ability would always be a potential source of trouble. And yet, it was manifestly clear to him that such people were indeed roaming the Galaxy and causing a growing number of problems. They had destroyed the Death Star. They had destroyed what was a growing list of Star Destroyers. They were transmitting messages to him directly, mocking his authority and seemingly he would never have believed this possible – until now.

He started to run down the list in his mind. There were the journeyman Jedi – Bridger and Jarrus. The Emperor had not heard any reports about them in months, from the Lothal Sector or anywhere else. Perhaps Grand Admiral Thrawn had actually kept his promise and eliminated them. But then there was Ahsoka Tano, once merely Skywalker's apprentice but now a growing power in her own right and one that must be reckoned with. However, she was quite difficult to locate and Palpatine had begun to entertain another possibility: someone else, perhaps far more powerful than Tano, was out there and was skillfully concealing him or herself in the Force. One of the more recent transmissions was clearly from a female – or at the very least was using a female voice. She spoke in riddles: "One in the eye, then two will die. I am the one you cannot see. All your ways are known to me …" What did she mean by that?

Among the new acolytes the Emperor had enlisted were:

Cylo, a humanoid male doctor who cybernetically enhanced himself into an immortal system capable of assuming another body when the previous one died. He was a scientist that believed evolution was only possible for the universe if organic species were upgraded with cybernetics. Cylo had also worked on the project that cybernetically enhanced Anakin's body and turned him into Vader.

The Astarte twins, humans from the planet Celanon (on the Outer Rim toward the Galaxy's northern reaches), Aiolin and her brother Morin, whose family had funded much of Cylo's earlier work.

Karbin, a Mon Calamari that also had been cybernetically enhanced by Cylo. He had been a commander during the Clone Wars, whose developed was inspired by the late General Grievous. He had another set of robot arms that enabled him to wield four lightsabres, as had Grievous.


Felucia, 0 ABY 3 months, 29 days

After leaving Shaak and Vader, Ahsoka went to her newly-constructed home on the planet, where Tri'ku Je'har had been staying, awaiting patiently his girlfriend's return. When she saw him waiting there on the doorstep, she ran to his arms and they embraced feverishly.

"Oh … my love … how long have you been waiting?" She gasped, almost breathlessly, after they had kissed a few times.

"About two days, Shaak assured me you would be home soon, but her idea of 'soon' may not be the same as mine," he chuckled.

"I'm so sorry, but you know how crazy things have been since we knocked over Cymoon 1."

He nodded. "Yes, and I see how important Frehya has become here. She's acting like she runs the place for Shaak. Both Maris and Xendar are practically eating out of her hand."

Ahsoka laughed aloud. "I'm not surprised. I really wanted to see some of Maris now that I'm back here."

The two of them went inside and sat on the sofa and cuddled up for awhile while catching up on recent events in the Galaxy.

At the same time, Shaak and Vader arrived at her home via her custom speeder and went inside. The GM invited him to sit in one of the comfortable guest chairs.

"I'd prepare a beverage for you, Knight Anakin, but how exactly would you drink it?"

"I have some … modifications to allow that," He stated, and took out a narrow tube which he attached to a port on his mask.

Shaak nodded cheerfully, "Ah … very good, sir. Just one minute, please."

She proceeded to pour a cold herbal mix and poured some into a bottle for him, while filling her own cup.

Vader took a sip through the tube. "Quite refreshing," he noted.

Shaak swallowed some of hers and then smiled at him.

"Anakin. It's now time for you to ask any questions you might have. I want you to be comfortable with your decision to join the Order."

He paused for a bit, then spoke. "How long have you known that Luke was my son?"

"Quite long, as a fact. Well over ten years ago, I had been in contact with Bail Organa, who was in contact with Obi-Wan. We had understandable reasons to keep him hidden. Indeed, he learned only recently that you were actually Anakin."

"I see … and I understand why he was kept hidden. I would have been a grave danger to your plans to someday build him up to be able to face me … or the Emperor."

"Oh," she laughed. "He is still quite a long way from that. Would you like to assist in his training? I would imagine he would be proud to learn from his own father."

Vader seemed to shake his head. "I'm afraid I would not be able to offer the kind of training that Ahsoka is giving him at present," he seemed to almost sigh. "My mobility is far less than hers. I am impressed, however, with the young lady that is partnered with him. I sense in her a hunger …"

Now that Shaak had taken away most of his pain, he could more easily reflect on all he had lost since that fateful day on Mustafar against Obi-Wan, when the world he'd known had come to an end. He took another full breath and drank some more of the beverage, which he could readily tell was providing a relaxing effect.

"May I ask, Grand Master, what is the next stage in your plan?"

Shaak smiled and looked at him. "I want you to return to Palpatine for a bit longer. I need to have some idea of his next moves. But, not to worry, I am getting much closer to making my move on Coruscant, which should begin to undermine the sense of security he may feel he still has there."

"I am pleased to hear that, Master." Vader seemed to smile, at least that was how Shaak was interpreting his thought patterns as she intently monitored him through the Force. Her penetrations were gentle and non-threatening, and he felt as though he had known her all his life and she was like a kindly aunt. Shaak, in fact, was about 60 years of age, while Anakin was now close to 42.

"Master Shaak, I seem to remember you telling me a few months ago that my body could be repaired and I would become a younger man. Do you recall that?"

"As a matter of fact, I do indeed. Anakin, I can tell you with almost total certainty that the work of restoring you can proceed. But there will be a long recovery and physical therapy period."

"Who would be conducting these procedures?"

"I would be overseeing most of it, with droids doing the precision work."

He sat quietly for a while, seemingly mulling it over.

"And when might we start?"

She smiled. "We shall have to work that out. But it sounds like you are indeed interested, and you trust my ability, am I correct?"

"Master Shaak, I believe you only promise what you can deliver … and that you have no need to do anything else. But if this effort is successful, I will always be in your debt."

She nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. Now, there is another item I wanted to cover with you."

"Yes, Grand Master."

"You are aware that you have two children. You have met your son. Would you also like to meet your daughter?"

Vader sat straight up upon hearing that. "Grand Master. I don't know what to say …"

Shaak laughed loudly. "Say yes …" More quietly, she added, "well, she isn't here at the present time."

"Who is she? This is most gratifying, Master."

"Her name is Leia. But she doesn't know that she's yours … nor does she know Luke is her brother. Just a minute, I will have her located."

Vader was inwardly stunned. To think I was willing to have my own daughter killed. Palpatine, you have much to answer for.

At that moment, Shaak force projected to Ahsoka, who was about to retire early for the evening with Tri'ku. Where is Leia Organa? Alarmed, Ahsoka immediately responded. I have not seen her in about two weeks. I am unsure of her location. Ahsoka turned to Tri'ku and apologized. "I have to go to Mother. Maybe this won't be long."

On Nar Shaddaa, still being held prisoner aboard Sana Starros's ship Volt Cobra, Leia quietly contacted Ahsoka and sent her a text message in Basic, giving her location and telling her that she and Han desperately needed help. When she received the message, Ahsoka was walking from her home over to GM Shaak's newly enlarged residence. When she read the text, she grew more alarmed, and as she entered Shaak's home, she immediately delivered the news to both Shaak and Vader.


Nar Shadda, Hutt Space, Eastern Outer Rim, 0 ABY 3 months, 30 days

Nar Shaddaa was the primary moon of the planet Nal Hutta, and was tidally locked in its orbit around the planet so that the same face of the moon was always visible from the planet's surface. Although it was similar to Coruscant, though considerably smaller, most of Nar Shaddaa was grimy and seedy and it was a hive of various criminal activity. The Hutts had come to dominate the moon over the centuries and they were oblivious to the need for law and order, which they supplied only inasmuch as it facilitated their own activities. Despite the criminal activities on the Smugglers' Moon, it was known that many of the galaxy's most advanced technologies were actually developed on Nar Shaddaa. Corporations that wanted to avoid regulations that prohibited testing often developed dangerous and even valuable technology within the lower levels of the city of the moon.

As Han and Leia waited uneasily, Sana's contact, a fellow bounty hunter named Dengar, arrived and boarded the Volt Cobra, where he inspected the prisoners. Together, Sana and Dengar took Han and Leia into the Corellian Sector of the moon, a place Han immediately recognized, as he had once lived there during his early days as a smuggler. It was also where he had first met Sana Starros after she had first left Bar'leth. Starros and Dengar turned over Leia and Han to agents of Grakkus the Hutt and were paid the agreed-upon bounty of one million credits, delivered in separate metallic briefcases, whereupon the two of them went their separate ways. Sana returned to her ship, set her course for Vaynai, and was soon gone.

As Han and Leia were brought to Grakkus's palace, in an area called Hutta Town, Leia especially began to wonder what would happen. Why didn't I listen to Ahsoka? She thought, and wondered how Shaak would take the news. Fortunately the bounty hunters hadn't taken her com device, which she had carefully stashed inside her boot. Once things had quieted down, she took it out to check and saw that Ahsoka had responded, saying that they would be coming soon to get them.


Felucia, 0 ABY 3 months, 30 days

Back on Felucia, Shaak and Anakin were a bit alarmed to learn of Leia's predicament. Anakin wanted to come with Ahsoka and fetch his daughter from Nar Shaddaa. Shaak wanted them to get it done quickly and wondered if maybe she ought to go with them. A trio of Force users like them might border on overkill, she reasoned, and decided to remain where she was. Ahsoka decided instead to bring Luke and Hedala along with Anakin and herself. On Corvala Dawn, the trip could be made in about 4 to 5 hours, so there was no time to lose.

On the way over, Ahsoka thought Luke should only learn he had a sister once the two were face to face as she thought this would be fair to both him and Leia. She talked it over with Anakin and he agreed, and when she remarked that being a father meant he was leaving the Dark Side, he thought about it and he had to agree with that as well. Knowing he also had a daughter had brought out a strong urge to protect her and his anger burned when he thought back to how she was treated on the Death Star.


Nar Shadda, Hutt Space, Eastern Outer Rim, 0 ABY 4 months, 0 days

When they arrived, all four of them were up front surveying the area as they drew near to orbiting the moon. Ahsoka was able to detect Leia's Force signature in a general direction as they passed over Hutta Town, and Anakin also reached out and for the first time realized it was she. Feelings that he'd ignored before came through in full force. He looked over at Ahsoka and she nodded back to him. They had both located her. Soon, Corvala Dawn was touching down on the moon's surface.

"Master Tano, what is the plan?" Vader asked.

"I'd like to split up. It would be best if you were not seen directly working with us at this time. We can approach the Hutt's palace from different directions. I'm going to cloak and shield the ship so no one can do anything to it until we return."

"A wise choice, Master Ahsoka. I see your war experience still serves you well."

Hedala then asked, "What should Luke and I do?"

"You both come with me. Keep lightsabres off until I light mine or I give the signal. We will face some opposition as this area is crawling with bad guys … but I have some tricks they won't even dream of. Com units on, everyone."

Ahsoka and her apprentices started off toward the palace of gangster Grakkus the Hutt. Though the Togruta drew a few stares, no one approached the group until they were directly outside the building. A few toughs attempted to bar their entry, but Ahsoka stopped, then shoved them hard into each other with the Force. That got things going as two others aimed blasters directly at her but before they could fire, she turned to face them and opened her palms toward one of the would-be assailants. A surge of electricity leapt from her palms and dropped what appeared to be a fairly large individual to the floor, writhing in pain. Luke had never seen anything like it before and could scarcely believe his eyes. Ahsoka is more powerful than I could imagine. As they entered the palace, another burly thug attempted to attack the group from behind but Hedala drew her green lightsabre and slashed right into him, spilling blood and guts onto the floor. Luke wasted no time and moved to back up his partner with his own sabre blade. At that point, bedlam ensued as a group of a half dozen attempted to rush them, only to feel Ahsoka's mighty Force push drill this group into the wall behind them.

She then stood erect, and this time, instead of releasing an electric current, she instead caused one of the gang members to erupt in flames, sending him running from the scene screaming. "Who wants to be next?" The Togruta shouted, and this time, everyone backed off and allowed her to pass unmolested into the building before them. As they made their way through the palace, all had lightsabres drawn.

Darth Vader wasted even less time as he aggressively shoved his way in via an alternate entrance and bisected a couple of would-be attackers with his lightsabre. He had drawn a direct line through the Force and was headed to where his daughter Leia was being kept. Few tried to stand in his way as he Force-lifted and choked anyone that appeared to be a threat. As blasters were fired at him, he calmly swung his sabre and deflected the shots back into the shooters, dropping them where they stood.

On the other side, Ahsoka led Luke and Hedala into the main throne room where Grakkus was attempting to conduct business. She then demanded he release both Leia and Han and he tried to feign innocence.

"Lady Jedi, I don't know what you are talking about … which prisoners?"

"Don't play with me, Hutt. I have detected them. You have Princess Leia of Alderaan here and I know you are interested in the ten million credit bounty the Empire is offering. I am here to inform you that you will not be collecting it. In fact you will consider yourself lucky to be alive after this night is over."

Grakkus felt more than a bit uneasy, as one of his associates whispered to him about the power of the Togruta Master, and what she had already perpetrated earlier. He knew she had to be placated, somehow, but her fierce expression seemed unyielding.

Vader had succeeded in locating Leia and used his lightsabre to slash open the door of the holding cell that she and Han were being held in. Leia and Han feared for the worst, figuring that the Empire had come to take them away. But strangely enough, the man in black was instead helping them, telling her:

"Princess, this way please. Master Tano is here to release you."

Solo couldn't believe it. "It's gotta be a trap. Vader isn't our friend …"

"This way, Solo. Everything will be explained soon," the Dark Lord stated calmly.

Vader proceeded to lead both of them to the main room where Grakkus was being detained by Ahsoka.

"Luke!" Leia shouted. "We're here. Darth Vader is helping us!"

Leia and Han ran to Luke and Hedala while Vader joined Ahsoka. He then turned to the Hutt.

"I understand you have a 'collection' of valuable Jedi items … lightsabres, holocrons, texts, and such. You will turn these over to me. They are now property of the Empire."

Grakkus attempted again to feign ignorance, but Ahsoka turned to Vader.

"How did you learn of these items?"

"I had heard reports of them from earlier encounters with pirates who had sold them to the Hutt. They were attempting to gain leniency from me."

Ahsoka nodded. "The Grand Master will be most pleased." Turning to Grakkus, she snarled, "turn these over to us and you can stay alive. You would not want the Empire to leave a garrison. They will haul you off to prison and your days as a big shot will be over – permanently."

Seeing the forces arrayed against him, Grakkus had little choice but to do as he was told. Ahsoka and Hedala went to retrieve the valuable items and had them loaded into containers for transport. Leia asked Luke with astonishment:

"How did you get Darth Vader to work with us?"

"He's on our side now … once we get back to Ahsoka's ship, we'll tell you everything."


In hyperspace going to Felucia, 0 ABY 3 months, 30 days

About 15 minutes later, everyone had returned to Corvala Dawn and the precious items had been stowed in a lower compartment of the ship. Soon they had lifted off the surface of Nar Shaddaa and were setting course for Felucia. After the jump to hyperspace was made, Ahsoka asked everyone to come to the ship's lounge.

"Would you like me to do the honors, Anakin?" she asked.

"If you would be so kind," he replied.

"Leia, a few days ago, Luke learned that his father, Anakin, had become Darth Vader, shortly after Luke was born. What you are learning – now – is that Anakin was your father too."

Leia was understandably stunned to hear this. "Ahsoka … how long have you known this?"

"For about two years. Your adoptive father, Bail Organa, informed me on Alderaan. This happened during that same visit of mine there with Frehya, and when I met Hedala – after you introduced me to her. Of course, I had known her well before that, when Hedala was a four-year-old girl on Thabeska."

Leia stared, open-mouthed, at Vader. "Darth Vader … you … are my real father? How long have you known?"

Vader paused for a breath cycle. "For just a few hours. Ahsoka and Shaak informed me earlier today. When I learned that you were in trouble, I insisted on being there to rescue you ... my dear girl … search your feelings, you will know this to be true. Leia – the Force is strong with you. Just as it is with your brother …" He turned to Luke, who had come to sit by his sister's side.

Luke spoke up. "Ahsoka, how can we ever thank you? We are now together as a family. But can you tell us what happened to our mother?"

Ahsoka nodded, then glanced at Vader. "Your mother was a dear friend of mine – one of the finest people I ever knew. Her name was Padme Amidala. She was born on Naboo. But she died giving birth to you and your sister, shortly after your father turned to the Dark Side, due to the evil influence of the Emperor." She looked to Leia. "Your father and I were once very close. He was my master and trained me to become powerful in the Force … just as I am now doing with your brother. I am very much a part of your family too. I have taken the responsibility to ensure nothing happens to either one of you. But now your father will also be there for you. I know that things have been difficult for you and that, as Darth Vader, your father has done many reprehensible things. But he needs your support now – he needs our support. Soon, Grand Master Shaak will put in motion a plan to take down the Emperor and free the Galaxy from his tyranny, and your father will be part of that plan."

Leia responded. "Father – I am ready to help you. Ahsoka – I cannot begin to repay you for everything you have done to help my brother, my father, and me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and let us all go forward together. I want to also thank Grand Master Shaak when we arrive on Felucia. I would like to spend a few days there and come to learn more about myself. Ahsoka, you and Shaak can help me, I fully understand that now.

(to be continued …)