Some loose ends to tie down in this installment.

Thanks to new followers: KittenSniper, Maktair1990, DaRooster2000.


Chapter 48: Reconstruction


Felucia, The Order Medical clinic, 0 ABY, 11 months, 28 days, 12 hours

Around mid-day, Shaak Ti and Darth Vader were at the clinic, reviewing the procedures she would be performing on him. These would involve vertebra replacement, re-situating cranial nerves for his chest cavity, tissue regeneration for his lungs and new bone, muscle and skin replacement using his own DNA to give him new legs and an arm. These steps would take place over the period of about one month, as the tissue growth would not be rushed as it might lead to extreme reactions. Shaak had consulted with some of the best neuro and ortho surgeons from her home world of Shili about how best to do these and two of them flew in to scrub in on the procedure, as it was somewhat unique. No one could recall anything quite like this being done before.

Anakin had some questions for the team before he was to undergo the procedures.

"What is the recovery time? How soon will I be breathing on my own?"

Shaak responded. "If all goes well, we can have you doing that within 48 hours. You will be in a comatose state for much of that time as your body has significant healing to do."

He thought for a second. "You say the original operation left me in a compromised position. It's now been 20 years. Does this make things more difficult?"

"Yes," Shaak replied. "It complicates matters but is not a show-stopper. It means you will spend more time under observation while your body changes. We will want to ensure everything goes as planned and if we have to make adjustments, we will be in a better position to do that."

Anakin thought it over some more. "I am ready to take the risks. I've lived too long in this condition. Thank you, Master, for relieving the pain and allowing me to think more clearly. There were too many actions I took without being able to do that. Now that you have defeated our common enemy, I am ready to serve you in my full capacity."

She smiled. "Anakin, it is not really myself I want you to serve, but rather yourself. And in so doing, you serve the Galaxy … May I ask one thing?"

"Of course, Master."

"I see that you and Master Brood are now growing closer. While I am pleased with this development, I must caution you to tread lightly with her. She is as much of a daughter to me as Ahsoka is and I love her dearly."

Anakin nodded. "I understand that, Master. I now have great admiration for Master Maris. She has been an unappreciated talent for too long."

"I would agree … all the same, please remember what I have just told you."

"I will, Master. I have only good intentions where she is concerned."

Shaak nodded, then smiled at him. Vader was soon met by the medical team and they briefed him on what to expect. They would be overseeing the various monitors and the maintenance of his vitals once Shaak began the procedures. For her part, she knew this would be an incredibly long day but the plan was all mapped out.


Felucia, Ahsoka's home, 0 ABY, 11 months, 28 days, 13 hours

Most of that same day, Ahsoka was in her small home on Felucia – which was becoming quite cramped – continuing to make preparations for her new role as Crown Princess of the Galaxy. The implications of it were only starting to be felt by her, and she made a vow to herself that she would not allow them to overwhelm her. It's only the illegitimate rulers that never worry about these things, she thought, knowing that because of her conscience, she had to do the best possible job for the trillions of people all over the Galaxy. What exactly does a princess of the Galaxy do? How will I know if I'm doing it right? Ahsoka knew these answers would come to her at some point, so it was time to relax a little. After all, this position carried with it a great deal of importance and she would have her very own elite force of troopers and her own personal dreadnought – if she so desired. And, she supposed, once the "Peacekeeper" was complete, that might well be hers to command as well. This could be crucial, for Ahsoka wanted the giant station to represent the beneficial side of the Empire and she also knew it would be capable of carrying large amounts of relief supplies and troops to help with distribution on various worlds that might need assistance.

Fortunately, she now had the assistance of her two new servants – the young Togruta who had first greeted her on Avalonia when they had arrived after the Battle of Hoth. Both of these young ladies had been quite attentive to her and she realized she knew very little about them. So, while they were helping her, Ahsoka asked about their backgrounds:

"I feel kind of embarrassed about this. You two have done such a great job helping me, I don't know what I would do without you."

One of them answered. "It is our pleasure, your highness. Whatever you need, please do not hesitate to call on me or my sister."

"So you are sisters? Could you give me your names and ages, please?"

"Surely. I am Kaa'maa Muu'kah, 20 years of age." She curtsied while lifting the corners of her skirt.

Her sister did the same and spoke. "And I am Tuuraa'saa Muu'kah, 21 years old."

Tuuraa'saa had lavender and white striped lekku that stopped just short of her breast, while her sister Kaa'maa's lekku were pale blue and white striped. Each sister wore a small charm bracelet with stones to match her lekku. They were both in long, flowing dresses typical of Togruta females from well-established families on Shili.

"I am very pleased to meet you," Ahsoka said with a smile. "Shaak … the Empress … tells me you both can use the Force, is that correct?"

The older one answered. "Yes, your highness. We've known about it since we were small, but our mother told us never to use it in public."

Ahsoka nodded. "Wise lady. So, then, I think you will both be a big help to me. As my assistants, you also will have everything you need in terms of wardrobe, meals, and transport provided from the Imperial household budget, and you will be staying with me, on my ships and in my palaces. Do you two also know the young ladies assigned to the Empress?"

Kaa'maa, the younger one, responded. "Yes, my princess. They are our cousins. Our family has a long history of using the Force. Our grandfather was once very powerful, before the Empire's agents killed him. It seems he was too public about having Force ability."

Ahsoka shook her head. "I could have warned him about that. But …" she sighed, "we will now be going forward with a different attitude toward Force users in general. Using the Force will not be punished, but encouraged."

Ahsoka paused, then drew a breath. "Ladies, I don't know if anyone has yet told you, but I am planning a wedding, to Tri'ku Je'har of Almania. The ceremony will be held on Lianna. Valles Santhé has agreed to be my Maid of Honor but she is incredibly busy right now setting up the new Imperial government. Hedala Fardi, Frehya Lumoxa, Leia Organa Skywalker, and Maris Brood all want to be my bridesmaids. Tri'ku is inviting some of his old comrades from the Almanian navy to be his groomsmen."

Both of the young sisters' eyes widened, but then they quickly started processing it all in their minds. Tuuraa'saa (usually just "Rasa" to her friends) replied.

"Whatever you need us to do, my princess. Your wedding will be beautiful, just as you are. Can you tell us when it will take place?"

Kaa'maa (usually just "Kama") nodded. "Yes, sister. Her Royal Highness Ahsoka deserves the best."

Ahsoka smiled. "We haven't set a date yet, things have been so hectic. We figured about three months from now."

Rasa then asked, "I understand there are also plans for a new palace here. It will be far better for you, Princess. Do you know when this will happen?"

Ahsoka laughed. "Probably quickly, considering Frehya is planning it and the same people who built the one on Avalonia will be involved. Mother and I will be having places built all over the Galaxy for us, and the Santhé-Sienar people will be planning all of it."

Kama spoke next. "Very well, Princess. Only the best for you and the Empress, of course."

"Oh, one more thing. I would like you both to help me. Recently, my brother, Mako'ta Tano and his family were located on Shili by Knight Frehya and Master Jocasta. I need you to set up a meeting between us. He must be aware of his new position as brother to the Crown Princess."

They both nodded and curtsied to Ahsoka, then left for a bit to find Frehya.


Felucia, Hedala's home, 0 ABY, 11 months, 28 days, 13 hours

Over at her home, Hedala and Luke were having a light lunch together. When not training or fighting for the Alliance in battle, these two had been spending much time together. Now that the war seemed to be over, Luke wondered if he loved Hedala enough to consider marrying her. She had recently become a Knight, and with his progress continuing under Maris's strong direction, he could see himself becoming "Sir Luke" soon enough. The salary of a Knight of the Order was a significant amount, able to afford his own residence and perhaps to take on retainers of his own. Hedala had already talked of finding her own apprentice in the coming months.

"You know, love, we are going to be spending much more time on Coruscant," she noted. "Your Master, Maris, is to be the Empress's Hand and I imagine she will want to continue training you as part of her new duties."

Luke sighed. "I sure hope we still get to be together. Hedala, you know I love you, but maybe it's time to consider a stronger commitment to each other. How do you feel about that?"

She nodded. "I've been thinking about us too. Once you become a Knight, we will have more flexibility in making plans. But I don't want to lose you to some beauty on Lianna or Coruscant. Someone like you is going to attract a lot of attention."

He scoffed gently. "Dala – there is no one more beautiful than you. I would like to marry you."

She laughed for a second, then became serious. "You would?" She gazed at him, her green eyes as sparkling as ever, sending a Force current into him. "I say yes!"

They immediately hugged and started kissing each other in a sensual manner. "I love you so much," Luke said softly.

"But we don't have to hurry," she remarked. "I, for one, am looking forward to Master Ahsoka's wedding."

"When is that?" he asked. "I'd heard some rumors."

"I don't know exactly. She has asked me to be a bridesmaid."

"Then I must attend," Luke noted. "I owe so much to Ahsoka. She saved my Aunt and Uncle, as well as showing me the Force and how to become a warrior."


Felucia, The Order Medical clinic, 0 ABY, 11 months, 28 days, 14 hours

Elsewhere also, Leia Organa and Han Solo were together, taking a walk around the various facilities near the Assembly Hall. Solo had started rethinking his future now that the Second Empire was beginning, and Empress Shaak had made it clear she was serious about eradicating much of the piracy and organized crime around the Galaxy. This of course made smuggling potentially far less lucrative than it had been and he saw that it might be time to settle into a more reputable occupation. Perhaps a return to Corellia might yield some possibilities, but the more he thought about it, the more sense it made for Leia and him and Leia to see where their budding relationship might take them. The girl had seemingly gotten over all of the adversity of her past on Alderaan and was well connected in what would be the new government. So the way seemed to point to Coruscant.

From Leia's point-of-view, she was more than pleased with how Han had been treating her and they had moved their relationship into the "stay overnight" column. With the end of Palpatine's reign now at hand, she wanted nothing more than to take advantage of her ties to the new Empress. Her father, Darth Vader, was soon to have his operation and she wanted to be around to give him moral support. She of course had never seen what Anakin once looked like and was wondering if Shaak could really pull it off. So, as their walk had brought them to the clinic, they checked in to see how it was progressing.

As it turned out, Leia and Han got there in time before Vader was to be put under anesthesia, and they went in to see him and found Luke and Hedala also waiting. Luke smiled at his sister, who then sat down next to Hedala.

"Is he here yet?" Leia asked.

"Yes, he's inside talking to the doctors." Luke replied. "Master Shaak is not here yet, so nothing is going to happen. We could be here a long time. Hey, Han, how are you?"

"Doin all right, kid." He smiled at Hedala. "And how about you, young lady … nice to see you again."

She chuckled. "Captain Solo. How was it flying one of those TIE Defenders?"

He laughed. "They were a little counter-intuitive for me. Not like I've done anything for the Empire before. But the damn thing almost flew itself."

Luke laughed at that, as well. "Those Imperial pilots had no idea what was going on. At first they thought we were on their side." He turned to Leia. "How are you doing with Master Maris?"

Leia chuckled. "She's rough but I think she's softening up a little. Maris actually told me I can fight. But I haven't beaten Reema again. Seems like the one time I got her she went back to work. I don't think she's happy that you and her switched places with her."

Hedala spoke up. "Reema is very fast. I've been working with her now that we are both together under Master Ahsoka. You really have to outthink her because no one outworks her. Once she gets more training, she will be close to unstoppable. Ahsoka is the only one who is faster than Reema – for now."

"She's just a little bit scary," Leia noted. "Like there is some kind of anger inside her and she's got a lot to prove. Luke, have you dueled with her yet?"

"Yes. She took me down quickly the first few times we faced each other. I finally was able to battle her to a draw our last time out. I'm not scared of her but glad she's on our side."

At this point, the door to the examination area opened and Vader stepped out. Both Luke and Leia rose and approached him.

"Are you ready, father?" Luke asked.

Vader nodded. "I am. It will be a long procedure. Master Shaak has much to do."

Leia hugged him, as best she could. "You're going to be fine, dad. She knows exactly what she is doing. We're all looking forward to seeing you as you once were."

"I will no longer be Darth Vader. Anakin Skywalker returns." He then took a seat and they all awaited the arrival of Shaak Ti, the newly named Empress of the Galaxy, but at this time, also an expert neurosurgeon.

After about 15 minutes, Shaak arrived, and was in consultation with two other men, both doctors. With them was Maris, who wanted to be there for Anakin as well. Seeing the group around Vader, Shaak addressed him directly.

"Anakin, how are you feeling? Shall we get this done?"

"Yes, Master. I am ready."

"Very well. Today is the most difficult part of the process. I have been overseeing the creation of the replacement vertebra in your neck that will be made from a cast reproduction using your own bone tissue as the seed. It took about eight days for that piece to be prepared. I am going to swap out the artificial piece that Dr. Cylo installed twenty years ago and install your new No. 3 cervical. Then your cranial nerve function will be restored with the custom neurons that we have grown in the lab here. Once in place, we will rebuild one lung and reattach the nerves for it. If this goes well, the other lung will be given the same treatment. Once both are installed and working, we will keep you under observation for about eight hours. If everything is working properly, you will be taken off ventilator and your natural breathing will be restored, then we will bring you to consciousness."

Vader nodded. "I am looking most forward to it, Master."

"Then let us begin," Shaak said softly. She then turned to the others. "Everyone, I know Anakin is grateful for all of your support, and I am as well. It will be a great day when he rejoins us. He will be of major importance to the Second Empire."

Maris, who had remained silent up to this point, came up to him. She was wearing a bright red dress that matched her eyes. "Anakin. Best of luck. I will be thinking of you … I love you." The two of them clasped hands for a minute and sent Force charges into each other. As he let go of her, she sighed softly, then turned to Shaak, who gave her a quick hug.

A nurse then appeared, with an anti-grav chair. Vader was helped onto it and Shaak and the others of her team disappeared behind the door as they led him away. Leia and Luke both looked at Maris with astonishment, but she was somewhat embarrassed and turned away from them. Both of them knew better than to question her at this point, but everyone knew something had changed in the last few days. Maris, feeling uneasy, decided to leave the room as she felt everyone's eyes on her. After she left, Leia then turned to Luke and Hedala.

"What about that? I had no idea …" the former princess said slowly, then looked at Luke.

"Don't ask me …" He stated. "I had no idea. Master Maris doesn't talk much, and never about her feelings."


Felucia, Ahsoka's home, 0 ABY, 11 months, 28 days, 15 hours

Ahsoka was still at her home, continuing to make preparations, while her two maidens were off somewhere, likely with Frehya, she figured. At this point, her new apprentice, Reema Andujah, came to her door and knocked. Ahsoka, knowing it was her, called to the young woman. "Hi! Come in, please." With that, the door slid open via the Force, and Reema entered.

"Good day, Master Ahsoka. I've missed you."

"Yes, I apologize for not being able to spend time with you."

"Master, I heard that you will be a princess. What does that mean for you and me? Can we still work together?"

Ahsoka detected a small amount of anxiety in the young woman. "Yes. You are still my apprentice. How do you feel about that?"

"I feel like I'm losing focus. It didn't help to leave Master Maris. I really liked working with her. I don't mean any disrespect, Master Ahsoka."

Ahsoka thought about this for a second. Hmm. Not sure I handled this one very well. Reema seems troubled and this is a critical time for her. "I knew you were working well with Maris. But I feel I can still train you. How are you getting along with Hedala?"

"We're ok. I don't know her very well. She seems nice."

"She's actually very impressed by you. I think you and she will be a great team."

Ahsoka seemed outwardly confident, but the doubts were starting to crop up. There was no denying that young Reema Andujah was one of the brightest prospects in the entire Order. She was moving up the chart quickly and was clearly worthy of Padawan third degree, but taking her away from Maris had thrown her off balance. Even though Leia had managed to defeat Reema in a training duel, the Coruscanti swiftly recovered and soundly defeated the former princess every time since. Luke had actually managed a draw against her, but up until then he had looked bad against her. Reema not only was rapidly improving in sabre technique, her Force ability was also showing great promise. Ahsoka caught her one day lifting boulders high into the air and smashing them against each other, and she was also attempting to generate small amounts of electrical current but still falling short at this time. Underneath it all, Ahsoka could detect an under- current of anger in her new apprentice and she had to learn the origin of these feelings. If Reema felt she was being mistreated, Ahsoka had to know. She decided she had to do something.

"Reema, do you have anything you would like to tell me? Is there anything I can do?"

The younger woman avoided Ahsoka's gaze, starting to resent her new master's probing. "No, Master. This is my problem. I don't want to trouble you," she said, finally meeting Ahsoka's eyes with hers.

"Are you sure?" Ahsoka asked. "I want you to feel you can trust me."

"OK. Why did you switch me with Luke?"

Ahsoka then understood. She doesn't like me very much. I interfered with her and Maris, and made Luke and Hedala the priority.

"Well, Luke and Hedala were becoming too close. They have become lovers and I thought it best they not train together any longer as it would adversely affect their development. While we are not the Jedi, and we do support personal relationships between Members, we don't want them to interfere and push other considerations aside."

Reema seethed inside at this, but tried to cover it. So what am I, just some pawn to be shoved around? Did you even ask Maris if she agreed first? Or did you simply pull rank and force your decision on both of us? "But Master, I was doing so well with Master Maris. She and I understood each other and Grand Master Shaak assigned me to her. Why should that change?"

Ahsoka's heart sank at this. Reema was even more upset now. I've got to salvage this … somehow. But it seems I can't win no matter what I do, and I can't just reverse course. She won't respect that either. I've just got to win her over. This couldn't come at a worse time, with Shaak and I preparing to leave for Coruscant.

"Reema. I am sorry you were not consulted on this. I admire you. You have incredible talent and will be a great Knight soon. I would love the chance to work with you and help you get there. I know you and Maris cared about each other and I don't want to give the impression that she and I are just interchangeable parts. We are leaving for Coruscant in a couple of days and I expect you to come with me – and Hedala."

Reema's face contorted itself somewhat as she processed Ahsoka's long-winded answer. I see. You're a big deal now, Crown Princess and all that, so I'm just supposed to curtsy to you and say, yes, your highness. Okay …

Reema curtsied with some exaggeration and simply said, "Yes, Master Tano. My Princess."

Ahsoka sighed, then lowered her head slightly toward her apprentice in a gesture of respect. One piece at a time, 'Soka.

While this discussion was taking place, Ahsoka's maidens had returned, along with Frehya. They waited patiently outside the door, but then Ahsoka sensed them and opened the door and called to them. "Freh! Come in please, we're just finishing up."

Frehya entered, followed by Rasa and Kama, who obediently waited behind her. Reema's expression was sour as she turned to face them. "Good afternoon, Padawan Andujah" Frehya said cheerfully, and Reema then curtsied to her as well.

Ahsoka then introduced her maidens to Reema, who cursorily acknowledged them. Who are these gals? She wondered. More Togruta … wonderful. Reema rolled her eyes as Frehya sat down and Ahsoka gave her attention to the Almanian.

Reema decided she should leave and Ahsoka acknowledged it and wished her well, and said she would be waiting for the young Coruscanti, as they would be going to the capital planet together in about 48 hours.


Felucia, The Order Medical clinic, 0 ABY, 11 months, 28 days, 16 hours

In the Operating Room at the Clinic, Shaak carefully reviewed everything. Vader had been wheeled into position, and Shaak signaled to anesthesiology to put him under. His helmet and mask were then removed and he was placed on a ventilator. He was then turned over and Shaak made a pinpoint incision in his neck, after which she then isolated the artificial vertebra and carefully sliced it into two sections, each of which she removed via the Force. The next step was the insertion of the pre-prepared neurons to replace his damaged cranial nerve sections. This task was a bit trickier than anything else was thus far, but Shaak managed it via painstakingly isolating each damaged nerve and laying the new one in a parallel track next to it. At this point, once the last nerve section had been placed, she looked around to her team, who gave her thumbs-up signals. All was going well thus far. Three hours had roughly elapsed since Anakin had been put under anesthesia. Next up was the insertion of the new "natural" third cervical vertebra, which had been created in two sections. These were then slid into position to replace the artificial "bone" that had once been placed by Dr. Cylo. Once in, Shaak fused them together around Anakin's spinal cord, then closed up his neck area.

It was now time to rebuild his lungs. Shaak was able to make the necessary new lung tissue by growing several sections of alveoli in the lab and these were then brought into the OR. Anakin's body was first raised back up and then rotated around so he could lie on his back, but the new neck joint was carefully reinforced so it could heal. She then opened up his chest cavity and examined the current state of his lungs, which had been badly shriveled over the years since his injury at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar. Via careful extraction, Shaak removed most of the right lung and then began inserting the newly created tissue. As it took hold, she then sped up the growth of it via the Force and it quickly populated the area where his original right lung had been. Then she attached the new neurons and performed a test to see if his breathing could be established in concert with the ventilator. The team had now been going for over six hours. It took some time but finally the monitors indicated that his neural system was able to inflate and deflate the new right lung – a success! After another four hours, Anakin's left lung was given similar treatment, and then the entire system was finally working alongside his heart.

Shaak then called for Anakin to be taken out of the OR and into an intensive care unit for observation. It was not yet time to revive him to consciousness – that would be attempted 24 hours later. His body would rest and heal under a comatose state. But the major objectives – vertebra replacement, neuron replacement, and lung replacement, along with the connection of all of the new parts – had all been achieved. If his body could now adjust to the new reality, Anakin Skywalker was close to returning to those who loved and cared for him. Shaak was ready to report to Luke and Leia on the condition of their father.

As she came out, Luke and Leia rushed to her, while Maris, who had returned a few hours later after leaving in embarrassment, also approached her master. Shaak brought them up to date on all that had been done thus far and explained that Anakin would be resting for the next 24 hours.

"So, Master Shaak, would you say so far it has been a success?" Leia asked carefully.

Shaak smiled tentatively. "So far, so good. We will know much in 24 hours. Your father was so badly carved up by those butchers 20 years ago. I've had to reconstruct so much of him."

Luke looked worried. "Are you saying, Master, that even if you had not operated, he was in trouble, eventually?"

Shaak nodded slowly. "Very astute observation, Padawan Skywalker. I couldn't know the full extent of his situation until I went in. It seems to me he would not have lived much longer otherwise."

Maris looked to Shaak with a glimmer of hope, but she was deeply troubled. The area around her eyes was red from crying. Her voice was shaky but she asked nevertheless. "Please tell me he will be all right, Master."

Shaak put a hand on her longtime apprentice's shoulder and gently rubbed it. "I have reason to think he will, but I don't want to make that promise yet. I will do everything I can."

Luke took Maris's hand and squeezed it slightly as he looked her in the eye. "We just have to believe, Master."

She looked at him appreciatively. "I know. Luke, it must seem strange to you … and your sister," she looked at Leia. "But your father and I have grown close recently. I have forgiven him for what he has done since Order 66 and the Purge. It hasn't been easy, but in doing this, I have healed mentally. He has helped me, as I believe in his sincerity. He must recover."

Shaak then spoke. "It's been a long night. I am going to try to get some rest so I can be ready for the next phase of this operation."

"Can I see him?" Maris asked. "I know he is unconscious."

"Yes. One at a time. Maris first. Then Luke, then Leia."

Maris was shown into the ICU and she approached the bed. Upon seeing Anakin, her heart sank. He seemed completely helpless in this state. She took his good hand gently and squeezed it tenderly, then attempted to send positive energy to him via the Force, and silently prayed he would be able to respond. She held his hand for what seemed to her like an eternity but after about two minutes, a feeble response came via the Force. I will return to you soon, my love. This gave her hope and she wanted to never let go, realizing how deeply she had fallen for him. Shaak, sensing the exchange between them, reentered the room and came to her apprentice, scanning her.

"My dear Maris, what are you feeling?"

"I can't leave him, Master. I'm sorry, but I must tell you I am in love with him. It never seemed possible, but now I have someone to care for – besides you, of course."

Shaak looked at her softly. "I must say I have mixed feelings about your involvement, but no one wants to save Anakin more than I do at this point. When I look back, I now see that he was a victim of a profound evil. I have driven that evil from the Galaxy now. I will save him." After a few seconds, she turned to Maris again. "Come, my dear, his children need to spend time with him as well. We can meditate together at my home. Anakin will be here when we return later. He is gaining strength, I can sense it already."

As they walked out of the room, Luke and Leia came in together. They stayed with their father for about 15 minutes, then came out and talked with Shaak and Maris, who assured them he would pull through.

"It is the Will of the Force," Shaak said simply. She and Maris then departed for the Grand Master's home.

(to be continued …)