Chapter 66:
Atrox's rage returned to him the moment he awakened. He sat up, and his eyes fell upon Mara, fast asleep, her head pillowed on the bed beside him. Touched by her devotion, he tenderly stroked her hair, his love flowing to her through their bond.
Gradually, she stirred, then came fully awake as she realized he was conscious. She mentally chastised herself for falling asleep when she was supposed to be watching over him. "Master, I…"
"Shhhhhh, my apprentice," he said softly, continuing to stroke her hair. "How long was I out?"
She glanced at the chrono, then took a closer look, incredulous. "Almost a day. Your injuries…" she shivered, remembering his convulsions. "I was so worried… they were more than I could handle." She lifted her head to look at him, searchingly. "How do you feel?"
He smirked. "As good as new," he replied, smirking at her, patting the bed as he did so, inviting her up.
She climbed into the bed, curling up contentedly next to him. "Don't scare me like that again," she scolded, half-teasingly.
Leia looked up sharply from her packing. "He's awake," she said, shortly, before going back to work.
Padmé started to reply, but noticed her daughter's terseness and thought better of it. Instead she went to check on her son, wanting to know how he was feeling. She knocked on the door, gently, not wanting to disturb him if he was busy.
Atrox looked towards the door, sensing it was his mother. "Enter," he said softly, not wanting to startle his apprentice.
"How are you doing?" Padmé asked him with a smile as she entered.
"I have recovered," he said softly. "I hear I was out for a day."
"Yes…" she said gently. "There were some touch-and-go moments that had us quite worried."
"What happened?"
Padmé hesitated. "A few hours after your… injury, you began… convulsing. Leia and your father said it was… muscle spasms as a result of the calcification from the lightning. If Mara hadn't been able to… heal you, I don't know what we would have done."
Atrox nodded, now understanding why his apprentice was so worried about him. "For that I am grateful." He said softly, "How are you holding up Mother?"
She managed a smile. "Well enough, I suppose. The last few days have been… difficult. So much is happening and changing."
"Indeed." Atrox replied. "I assume that we are going to depart soon for our mission... What will you do while we are gone?"
She shook her head. "I'm sure I'll find something. Perhaps Mara and I will be able to talk a little." Her expression softened. "I understand you're expecting twins. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Mother." He paused, turning towards Mara, "From what it feels like, they are definitely growing... and healthy. Mara tells me that they missed me when they were unable to feel my presence."
She smiled, wistfully, remembering her own pregnancy. "Parenthood is a wonderful thing. The hardest thing you may ever do, but the most rewarding. I hope… I hope you'll be able to experience it together, as your father and I could not."
Atrox shuddered at the mention of his father. "I- I can understand that I am his apprentice... but I- I also look up to him as my father." He paused, a tear falling from his eye, "He does not see me as his son... only his apprentice. If that does not change... then... I should become the master... take his mantle as Dark Lord of the Sith," he added bitterly, his pain evident.
Padmé's heart melted at the sight of her son in such anguish. Tears flooded her own eyes, and she whispered, "He does love you, more than you know. Ask… ask Mara who helped her to heal you, and who restored the Force to you so it was possible."
Atrox's burning eyes darted towards his apprentice, silently demanding an answer.
Mara had been silent throughout the exchange, but her master's suffering coupled with Padmé's words compelled her to answer. Lifting her eyes to meet his, she said in a low voice, "It was your father."
Atrox probed her mind, sensing more than she was letting on. "There is more to what you are telling me, my apprentice."
She hesitated. "I was so worried… I didn't know what to do for you. I'm not a healer. Then your father came… he… he showed me a technique to heal you, and gave you back the Force so I could reach out to you."
At that moment, the door slid open, and Vader entered. Mara tensed, and fell silent, her eyes on Vader, but her senses trained on her master. Vader nodded to his wife, calmly, then asked his son, "How are you feeling, apprentice?"
Atrox looked up, meeting his master's burning eyes with his own. "I have recovered... for the most part, master," he said, reaching out a hand to Vader.
After a moment's pause, Vader took his son's hand, allowing a rare show of affection to pierce his normally cold demeanor. "Your apprentice did a fine job in healing your injuries," he remarked, a ghost of a smile crossing his face.
"I am very proud of her, master. She will be greatly rewarded after our mission." Atrox said warmly.
"As she should be," Vader agreed. "Are you strong enough for this mission, or should it be delayed? Another day will make little difference."
"We will NOT delay it anymore. I WILL punish my friends who betrayed me," Atrox said coldly, firmly.
"Very well." Vader nodded. "I will inform the crew to have the shuttle loaded and ready, and to begin final system checks. We will leave when you have prepared yourself and anything you may require."
"As you wish, Father." He began to get out of the bed, Mara eyeing him critically. He stood up, and nearly fell as his weakened muscles gave way in protest.
Mara scowled. "You ought to stay in bed for at least another day to give yourself a chance to recover! You almost died yesterday!"
"But I didn't, and I have you to thank for it," Atrox said softly, his eyes turning towards Mara's.
Her expression softened just noticeably, though she tried to hide it in a frown. "And I want you to stay that way," she muttered under her breath.
Atrox chuckled, not wanting to get too distracted until he talked with his apprentice about what her assignment will be while he is on the surface. "Soon apprentice, but first, while I am on the surface, I want you to prepare the detention block for the prisoners I will be returning with," he said coldly, as he turned to look Mara in the eye.
"As you wish, master," she answered, meeting his eyes. "Do you have any idea how many there will be?"
"As many as I can get into the shuttle." Atrox replied.
She scowled. "We only have one force cage. I'll have to come up with something else." She eyed her master, briefly. "It will be taken care of, milord."
"Good." He nodded to his parents, ending the visit, and watched as they left the room. Alone again, Atrox began to fidget, exasperated that he still had not completely recovered from his injuries. "You did well earlier, my apprentice. How should I reward you?"
She smirked, both at his question and at his restlessness. "Oh, I don't know, Skywalker…" her fingers trailed along his arm, teasingly. "Maybe you should stay in bed an extra day, just to ensure you've fully recovered."
"Perhaps." He said softly, as the sensations Mara was creating made his heart beat faster.
Her smirk widened as she kept up the rhythm with her fingertips, quickening it. "Of course, I couldn't let you stay here by yourself…"
Atrox shuddered at her touch. "I would hope not, apprentice... However, your training has been... lax lately... something I intend to change." He replied, matching her smirk with one of his own.
"I would hope so, master," she retorted. "I don't want to have to resort to your father if I want to learn something new." She reached up and pulled down his hood, revealing his sun-bleached hair. Her eyes met his, mischief dancing deep within them. "Although… you were unconscious at the time, so I suppose you can't be held accountable…" She slowly did away with his robes, then his belt and tunic. He started to move to discard his pants, when she pinned him to the bed with a smirk. "Not so fast, master." Her hands began tracing patterns on his stomach, ever so lightly. "You're still injured. I'll take care of it." She stripped them away, then reached up to kiss him softly, then with greater passion.
He responded to her kiss with equal fervor, his hands pulling her cloak away from her and casting it aside. Once he tossed the cloak away, he wrapped his arms around her neck, pulling her closer to him as he deepened the kiss.
She willingly gave in to the overwhelming passions their kiss created in her, reaching out to touch his mind, seeking to be one with him in body and soul.
Vader hovered among the crew like the shadow of death, ensuring that the gear was packed away as quickly and efficiently as possible, and that the team which would be accompanying them was prepared as well. Suddenly emotions began tumbling into his thoughts, unrestrained. Vader's very aura seemed to darken as he roughly broke through the unwelcome emotions and addressed the source. Apprentice… if you cannot control yourself, you'll find yourself joining the Rebels on the scan grid. If you are well enough to be engaging in such… Vader's distaste was apparent as he spat the word, activities, you are well enough for the mission.
Atrox did not respond to his master, only sending his defiance. Seems to me that you and Mother had to do it in order to have me and Leia, he sent through the Force so that not only Vader and Mara could hear him, but his sister could as well.
Vader's fury blasted through every Force sensitive on board the ship. What my wife and I did in the privacy of our own home, is none of your affair.
And what we do in the privacy of our own quarters, is none of your affair. Atrox shot back with just as much rage.
It is when your… feelings are being projected to every other being within five light years, Vader snapped, darkly.
If every other being could feel them, then ask Mother if she can feel them right now. She is not Force sensitive. Atrox shot back.
A fact for which you should be grateful, apprentice, lest you wish to give her as much offense as you have your sister and myself. Vader growled, dangerously close to going straight to his son's quarters, regardless of his activities, and burning the proper respect into his skull.
Mara stirred by Atrox's side, a mixture of annoyance and fear in her eyes as she looked up at him. "Why must you provoke him like that? He almost killed you before, and the next time I may not be able to save you."
"For the same reason you are angry right now my apprentice. I do not wish to leave you like this… but I do not have a choice anymore… that is if I wish to remain unharmed." He said softly, not wanting to leave Mara, or his unborn children.
A deep scowl crossed her face, but she contained her resentment against Vader for the present. With a sigh, she leaned up and kissed his brow, tenderly. "Go, my lord, and if… when you come back to me safely, we will have time undisturbed."
"After all the interrogations... debriefings... and whatever my master demands of us." He growled as he got up, and got dressed once more.
She watched him, almost smirking at his grumbling. "Vader cannot deny you time to train your apprentice, and I'd like to see him try." A dark look flitted through her eyes at the thought.
Atrox chuckled at the thought. I am on my way, Father. Atrox replied through the Force as he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, looking towards Mara once more. "Join me, apprentice."
She slipped out of bed and dressed, quickly, before coming to her master's side. She gave him a small smile, glad to be accompanying him as far as the shuttle.
"Very good, apprentice," Vader remarked as they arrived, pleased, for once, with his son's subservience. Leia and Padmé stood a short distance away, both turning to look at them as they entered.
Atrox knelt before his master, hiding his true emotions at the moment. "What are your orders, my master?" Atrox said softly.
After a moment, Mara joined him, murmuring, "Lord Vader."
Vader stared down at them both, coldly. "Are you prepared for our departure, Lord Atrox?"
Atrox met his father's cold eyes with his own. "Yes, Father… I am most definitely ready to make the Rebel Alliance suffer," he said coldly, yet eagerly.
A sharp, horrible ache pierced Leia's heart, and she wondered why she was going on this mission if it was only to watch her friends suffer and die, along with their cause. They'll despise me.
Maybe. But what matters more to you, family… or the Rebellion? Atrox muttered inside Leia's thoughts. You are choosing to go with us… you could ask me if you would rather remain here, sister. He added.
Leia bottled her pain down inside, suppressing the agony of her decision. I'm going. She responded, stiffly. Then she softened a little, not wanting him to have the wrong impression. But… thank you.
Atrox glanced towards her. You're welcome. He sent through the Force before returning his complete attention to his master, waiting for his orders.
"Rise, apprentice," Vader commanded. "You may say your goodbyes, and then we will depart."
"Thank you, master." Atrox said as he got up, and walked over to his mother and embraced her tightly. "I love you Mother."
Padmé returned her son's embrace, and reached up to kiss his cheek. "I love you, Luke. Be careful."
Atrox continued to embrace her tightly, not wanting to lose her. "I will, Mother. I will return to you soon, I promise you. Mara Jade will protect you while we are gone."
"And you do the same for Leia and your father," she said softly. "We'll be fine here. Just come back to us safely."
"I will protect them, Mother. I will not let any harm come to them." He murmured softly, as he slowly pulled away from her. He gestured towards Leia, silently confirming his intentions with her, to protect her no matter what, as well as his master. Then he turned back towards Mara Jade, observing her from a slight distance.
Mara's eyes had never left him as she fought to overcome the anxiety she felt growing within her. When he turned to look at her, she felt a sudden surge of despair pierce her soul, and she sank to her knees at his feet. "My lord…" she whispered, unable to voice the thoughts and emotions running through her.
Atrox walked up to her, sensing her feelings as if they were her own. "I know." He murmured as he helped her to her feet. "Take care of my mother… she will also look after you if you need assistance, my love," he said softly, pulling her into an embrace.
She clung to him, unwilling to let him go. After a moment she lifted her eyes to his, burning his features into her memory. "I love you."
Atrox met her eyes, tightening their embrace. "I love you too, Mara." He placed a hand on her womb. "I love our children as well."
"And they love you, I can feel it," she whispered, placing a hand over his. She looked straight into his eyes, seriously. "Promise me you'll be safe? For the children?"
"I will return, I promise you." Atrox said, his eyes hard and serious.
She nodded, and kissed him gently. "You should go."
"I know." He said softly, and gently kissed her back. Then he slowly pulled away from her and slowly turned towards Vader, looking at him questioningly.
"Come, apprentice." Vader said. "Leia, are you ready?"
Leia hugged her mother one last time, and turned to him. "Yes, Father."
"The rest of the crew is aboard. Lord Atrox, have the shuttle prepped for takeoff, and strap yourselves in."
When his children had boarded the shuttle, Vader turned to his wife. "You will be in good hands," he assured her. "Jade will assist you in anything you require, as will Admiral Piett. We shall return as soon as possible."
Padmé nodded, quietly. "I know." She hesitated, then threw her arms around him, embracing him fiercely for an instant. "I love you, Ani. Be careful."
Vader kissed the top of her head softly. "I love you, Padmé. I will miss you every moment we are apart." He gently released her, and boarded the shuttle, the ramp closing behind him.
Padmé and Mara watched as it lifted up and took off, heading for the planet a short distance away. Mara kept her eyes on it till it vanished from sight, and soon afterward felt Atrox disappear from their bond. She tried to quell the anxiety that surged within her, as well as the twinge of unease from her stomach. She suddenly realized that she hadn't eaten in over twenty-four hours, and winced.
Padmé looked at her sympathetically, and murmured, "Come, let's see if we can fix you something in the replicator."
Leia grimaced as she lost the Force's touch, feeling as if a heavy blanket had been thrown over her, muffling her senses. She headed for the cockpit, eager to get a first glimpse of this planet where the Force did not exist.
She entered, and found her brother and father there as well, both with their former appearances restored. She watched her father out of the corner of her eye, wondering what he was thinking, and what his plan was. Neither Vader nor Atrox had spoken much about the actual implementation of their mission, at least not to her.
Biting back her reluctance, she approached her brother, and commented, "Myrkr certainly seems innocent enough on the surface, doesn't it?"
"Indeed it does." Atrox said as he turned to look Leia in the eyes, his bright blue orbs gazing softly towards her, like they did when they first met.
Leia was forced to look away; his gaze was unexpectedly disconcerting. He had changed so much since their paths had first crossed that it was strange to see him looking as he had before.
Seeing her discomfort, Atrox reached out and embraced his sister gently. She stiffened, surprised, then forced herself to relax, and returned the embrace. She didn't know how he could be so calm, so… gentle, when he was on his way to destroy the lives of people he had once called friends.
"I love you, sister," Atrox murmured in her ear.
She felt the shift as the pilot brought the ship into the planet's atmosphere. "I love you too, brother."
The pilot turned, and Leia froze, noticing him for the first time. "Anywhere special you want us to land?" Han drawled over his shoulder.
She could have struck herself for her stupidity. Of course Han would be going, he was almost as good at these types of impossible situations on the ground as he was in the air. And he would not be as handicapped as she and her family. Just the same, she didn't like it.
"Somewhere private," Vader ordered. "We don't wish to attract any unwelcome attention."
"You got it." Han set the shuttle down in the clearing of a large forest, almost jungle in its terrain.
Leia had a sinking feeling in her stomach. I have a bad feeling about this…