Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 6! Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Shattered Peace: A Forever Destined Vignette
Part 6/7
Padme had the feeling that she was falling and jerked awake. She looked around the dimly lit warehouse that was substituting as a medical ward for the moment. She rubbed her sleep filled eyes, now remembering everything. She had fallen asleep in the chair next to her husband, who was unfortunately spending the night in the bacta tank. He had regenerators attached to his chest to repair his broken ribs and one on his abdomen, repairing the internal bleeding. The bacta itself was healing the light whip and Force lightning burns on his body. He looked like he was asleep, but being that her heart was always connected to his, she knew he was awake. She got up and ventured over to the five small cots lined along the wall. They had been set up in their little cubicle on her insistence. She wanted her children close and they wanted to be close. Jenna's thumb lay half in her mouth and Padme pulled her hand away, before gently closing her mouth. Leia and Kimberly slept peacefully. Luke had kicked the blankets off and she put them back on him. And finally Jayden lay haphazardly on his stomach, one arm and one leg hanging off the cot. Padme smiled and tucked his limbs back inside the blanket. Her eyes lingered on Jayden, as she recalled what had occurred earlier. She shivered, as she remembered the greedy, power hungry look that had glazed Sifo-Dyas' face, as he witnessed the raw eruption of power from the small child. She forced her tears back. She wasn't going to do this right now. She wasn't going to cry. The Sith had seen his power and now he would never be safe. Not only was his life in danger, but so was his innocence.
"Don't cry angel. You know I won't let anything happen to him,"
She turned, realizing her husband was speaking to her through their incredible bond.
"You should be resting," she whispered back through their link.
"I am. Watching you is hardly an exertion. Besides, it's really hard for me to sleep when I'm floating in a vat of sticky liquid," he replied. She smiled and approached the bacta tank. She pressed her hand to the glass, as she gazed in on him. She smiled, her eyes tearing, as he pressed his own palm against the glass.
"You're so beautiful, especially when you smile," he told her. She sniffed and wiped a tear away.
"Well, good thing you can't see me now, because I'm a mess," she replied. She knew he was smirking, despite not being able to see it behind the oxygen mask.
"A Jedi doesn't need his eyes to see, angel. And believe me, the word beautiful doesn't do you justice," he replied. She blushed. Even after all their years together, he could still make her blush.
"You'd really be blushing if you knew all the other things I'm thinking about you right now," he said. She blushed deeper, as he let a few of his thoughts slip to her.
"You're so bad," she scolded playfully.
"Yeah, but you love me despite that," he replied.
"Endlessly," she answered wistfully, as her eyes welled with tears again. He was about to interrogate her about whatever it was that was bothering her, though he had a pretty good idea, but the bacta tank began to beep. It was dawn and time for him to come out at last. Bant slipped into the cube and smiled at Padme. She drained the tank and turned the water spray on, rinsing the bacta from his hair and body. He stepped out of the tank and Padme met him with a towel, helping him dry off gingerly. He got rid of his wet shorts and Padme handed him a dry, clean pair. He slipped them on, followed by a pair of his favorite black pants. After that, he sat on the exam table, as Bant ran her scan on him. Barriss wrapped white, gauzy cloth around his chest and torso. His ribs were mended, but he would have to wear the bandages for a while, as they continued to heal. He was stiff and sore, but felt fine for the most part.
"Is everything okay?" Padme asked with worry. Bant smiled.
"Oh yes, he'll be fine, as usual. As a precaution, I'm placing him on inactive duty for two weeks," Bant said.
"I don't think that's necessary," Anakin replied.
"I know, that's why I told your wife. You won't defy her," Bant replied.
"She's right, because if you do, you'll be on the couch for a week," Padme threatened. He doubted that she meant it, even if she got mad enough. But he wasn't about to test it. Her emotional state at the moment was fragile and she needed him as much now as she ever had. He would put his own stubbornness aside for her.
"Fine. Can I go now?" he asked.
"Yes. Just take it easy and come get me if you start having any pain," she replied, as she left them alone. Padme gazed up at him, as his lips slowly lowered to hers. He surprised her though when he picked her up and spun her around, while kissing her passionately and deeply.
"Ani...you shouldn't be lifting me," she said, as he broke the kiss and set her on her feet.
"I'm fine and you're light as a feather," he replied.
"No, you were badly injured. And as usual, it was because of me," she said, choking back a sob.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"I worry about you so much, but yet I'm the reason you always have to fight. I'm the reason you were nearly killed yesterday," she cried, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I fight for you angel. You're my life; my very reason for living. Do you honestly think I regret our life together? That I regret those five little miracles?" he asked, pointing to their children.
"No...I know you don't. I know that you love me. It just seems like there's always someone trying to tear us apart," she sobbed.
"There usually is and there probably always will be, because our love threatens the very existence of evil. It's our love that will bring the Force back into balance, so you can bet there is going to be those who will try to destroy us. But I won't let it happen. We won't let it happen," he said passionately.
"I know. But why does Sifo-Dyas want me? I'm nothing special; not really," she insisted.
"Yes you are Padme. There is no one else like you, though I'm pretty sure our daughters will grow up to be just like you. You are far from an ordinary woman. Your beauty, grace, and compassion far exceed the capacity of normal humans. The Sith are attracted to power and Sifo-Dyas sees you as not only a prize, but a means to unlimited power. Not that it matters though, because I'm never going to let him get his hands on you or our children," Anakin replied, as he sealed the promise with a tender kiss.
"Please don't ever doubt how much you mean to me or how truly special you are," he whispered to her.
"I won't. Never again," she whispered back, as their lips met again in a long series of passion filled kisses. She felt safe and was where she belonged; right in the strong arms of her beloved husband. And when their precious children awoke, they would be going home.
~*~
"Play the recording again," Sifo ordered to his droid, as he sat in his darkened chamber. His ship's scanner had been locked onto the battlefield and had recorded the whole thing. Now, he sat studying the events with avid interest and careful scrutiny. This was the third time he had watched Palo's ultimate and final demise. Anakin and Padme fascinated him like no one ever had. The sheer, pure power that they emanated was unlike anything he'd ever seen. Sifo-Dyas prided himself on being a man who always had an answer or explanation for everything. But when he found something that he couldn't explain, he obsessed over it, until an explanation could be reached. The recording reached the part where young Jayden had displayed his incredible abilities. He wanted that power so badly. For years, he believed himself to be the Chosen One. Then when Anakin destroyed Palpatine, he was faced with the reality that he was not, despite what the elder Xalryn prophets had told him. And when they discovered Skywalker, their predictions for the future were not in his favor at all. Thankfully though, the future was always in motion and Dyas never left anything to chance. Today's defeat was just one battle in the war; a war that was still very much going in his favor. He still had many plots to unleash upon his enemies. He also now had plenty of his people inside the Republic to watch his persons of interest. They would all be overtaken with dread if they even had an inkling of all the things he had planned. But they would have no idea until it was much too late.
"Master," Ysanne bowed, as she noticed the recording was now frozen on a screen capture of Senator Skywalker. Ysanne didn't hide her scowl. She wanted nothing more than to murder that meddlesome woman and her husband.
"I didn't call for you, apprentice," Sifo said evenly.
"Yes Master. I just wanted to inform you that Kendra's surgeries were successful. She will be back to serving you soon," Ysanne informed.
"Good. See that she doesn't botch up her future assignments," Sifo replied coldly. Ysanne bristled.
"With all due respect, my Master. Kendra was brutally beaten by the Chosen One. He should pay for his attack on her," Ysanne growled.
"Kendra didn't even last two seconds against him. She was foolish to go up against him when he was at full strength. See that she's not so stupid again, because next time, my scientists won't bother saving her worthless life," Sifo spat. Ysanne growled.
"Master, your obsession with this Force blind, insignificant woman is what is foolish!" Ysanne screamed.
"Oh, but I find her most intriguing. And she is far from Force blind," he replied.
"Be that as it may, my Master, I think you should consider choosing Kendra if it is an heir that you desire," Ysanne suggested. Sifo knew that Ysanne wished for the Sidious blood line to extend for generations to come, but he would have none of it. Kendra, his spawn, was bad enough.
"I will not taint my pure Xalryn blood with that of Palpatine's," Sifo spat in disgust.
"He was a great Sith Lord. More powerful than any of our kind in a thousand years!" Ysanne protested.
"Yes, he was powerful and brilliant too, but still a fool," Sifo replied.
"And you believe this...Senator is worthy?" Ysanne questioned.
"Oh yes and believe me, I didn't make my choice lightly. She is worthy. Not only is her beauty far beyond that of a normal human woman, but she's managed to produced not one, not two, but five Force sensitive children. That is unheard of. I will be lenient today and not punish you for questioning me again. But if this behavior persists, then you will not like where it takes you," Sifo warned. Ysanne swallowed her anger and contempt.
"Forgive me, My Master," she said, bowing before turning to leave.
"Enjoy your little reign while you can Master, for Kendra and I will eventually destroy you in favor of our rule. And the true Sith heir, Palpatine's daughter, will rule," Ysanne whispered evilly.
~*~
The Republic cruiser, The Intrepid, sped through hyperspace en route to Coruscant. Aboard, it carried the Skywalkers, their extended family, the Jedi Council, and several survivors of the massacre on Bandomeer. Navy personnel and Clone Officers made up the crew, as they led the rest of the Republic fleet, also carrying Jedi and survivors, back to Coruscant. Anakin, as usual, was ignoring Bant's orders and not resting. But he was not missing the opportunity to take part in Calmek's interrogation. Mace was doubtful that they would get much out of him. But Anakin wanted the chance to try. He had a small window of opportunity while Padme was making sure her father was also resting. When she found out that he wasn't, she would hunt him down and march him back to their quarters. She would get frustrated by his lack of interest in Bant's warning and get all riled up. He smirked. That was the fun. Because then he would have to use his charm to get her to calm down and fun always ensued. It was just one of the many games they played with each other and he always played to win. His thoughts shifted to the task at hand, as he and Obi-Wan entered the interrogation room with Mace, Qui-Gon, Dooku, and Yoda observing from behind the glass.
"You won't get a word out of me, Jedi scum. I will never betray my people or my Master," Calmek spat. Anakin and Obi-Wan exchanged a glance. Their good Jedi/bad Jedi routine always worked on even the toughest perpetrator. Calmek would be tough to break, but no different.
"Oh, but he already has turned on you. You're useless to him now and therefore expendable. I'll bet he's already put a hit out on you," Anakin taunted.
"You're lying. You're just trying to scare me. But it's not going to work, pretty boy," Calmek spat back in contempt. Anakin pretended that Calmek's works bothered him and lunged at the small man. Obi-Wan held him back.
"Calm down Anakin," Obi-Wan scolded. Calmek chuckled.
"Temper, temper, young Jedi," he sneered.
"I apologize for my baby brother's behavior, but I am afraid he is quite right. You have valuable insight into the Sith operations and Sifo-Dyas will probably have you killed in prison," Obi-Wan said.
"Yeah, hear that, you pointy eared freak? You wont make it to dinner on your first day in Kessel," Anakin taunted.
"Your scare tactics aren't going to work, General Kenobi, so why don't you take the kid and beat it," Calmek spat.
"Be reasonable Calmek. If you cooperate, we are prepared to offer you a safe cell in the Jedi Temple," Obi-Wan said.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll take the deal, you puny, deformed little freak," Anakin spat, making Calmek bare his teeth.
"You should really take some lessons on manners from your brother," Calmek spat. Anakin smirked.
"I've always been a bit of a loose canon. You never know what I'm going to do, though right now, I'd give anything to bash your creepy looking skull into the wall behind you," Anakin threatened. Calmek smirked.
"I told you that you can't scare me into talking. I'll die before I reveal my Master's plans," Calmek sneered.
"I'd kill myself too if I looked like you. Talk about a face that scares small children," Anakin teased with malice.
"You do realize that if you refuse to cooperate that we will have to forcibly take the information," Obi-Wan warned.
"You can't force anything out of me," Calmek spat. Anakin stepped forward and placed his hand on Calmek's head, gripping his skull with his strong fingers. Calmek screamed in agony, as Anakin probed his mind with the Force. The screaming creature fell backwards out of his chair and onto the floor, momentarily free from Anakin's hold. The Chosen One started toward him and he cried out in terror.
"No...I'll tell you everything. Just make him leave!" Calmek screamed.
"Good. Collect yourself and I'll be back to talk. But if I'm not satisfied with what you tell me, then Anakin will get the information from you," Obi-Wan warned, as they stepped out. Calmek's shaking hand reached inside his pocket. His fingers tore open the lining inside and he pulled out a small capsule. It was poison and would cause his death in eight seconds. He couldn't let them get their hands on his people's secrets. The Chosen One already knew too much. He smirked. He would have the last laugh. He leapt up and laughed maniacally, as he swallowed the deadly capsule.
"You fools. The truth will die with me!" he yelled.
"He swallowed something!" Mace called, as Anakin busted back into the room.
"Poison," Dooku said gravely. Anakin grabbed the puny man and elbowed him in the gut, trying to get him to cough the pill up. Calmek coughed violently, but then chuckled.
"You're too late, Chosen scum," he rasped, as he fell dead to the floor.
"Dammit!" Anakin growled in frustration.
"Anakin, could you make sense of anything you saw during the mind probe?" Mace asked.
"Not much. It was mostly just flashes. They're building weapons, but I don't know where. I didn't recognize any of the star patterns in this place, but it was somewhere in space. A ship or station maybe," Anakin replied.
"It could be very remote in the outer rim or wild space," Qui-Gon suggested.
"Then we will request increased patrols in the outer rim and even detachments further out. The Senate should grant us this," Mace said.
"Not if Xizor has anything to do with it," Anakin replied.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Did you see anything else?" Dooku asked.
"Just places. Some of the people around him were deformed like him and some weren't. I didn't recognize anything specific to pinpoint which planets they were, except one," Anakin said.
"Which one?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Korriban I recognized the Sith Temple from holos I've seen in the archives. The other places were lush and green, so it could have been any number of places. They were Xalryn villages though. I could tell by the sacrificial altar in one of the memory flashes," Anakin said, looking sick.
"What is it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"In this memory of Calmek's, they were sacrificing a girl no older than Leia," he replied.
"What kind of barbarians are we dealing with? I thought all Xalryn, except Sifo-Dyas were deformed," Mace said.
"Forgotten that part, we have. All around us, people of this cult are," Yoda reminded them.
"Master Yoda is right. Xalryn was the only place where they suffered deformities. They could have dozens of settlements on dozens of planets," Dooku reminded them.
"And they're all loyal to their King," Anakin added.
"More dark and dangerous this mystery becomes. Multiply our adversaries continue to," Yoda said, a troubled look on his green face.
"I don't care what I have to do or what it takes, but I'm going to protect my family from all of them. I don't understand Sifo-Dyas' sick obsession with Padme and I and I don't want to. I don't care about his prophecies or legends or technology. None of it matters, because I won't let him win," Anakin said passionately. Dooku patted his grandson on the shoulder.
"None of us will," he promised.
~*~
"Jo, I'm fine. Quit mothering me," Riley complained, as he tried to get out of bed.
"Don't you get out of that bed, Riley Zander, or you'll be sorry," Jobal warned.
"Oh yeah and what if I do?" Riley challenged.
"You'll have a very upset daughter," Padme said, as she entered.
"Sweetness, will you tell your mother that I'm fine?" he asked.
"You're not fine Daddy. You've got a hole in your gut," she replied.
"This ain't nothing. I've had worse, much worse, including a hold in my head," he replied, indicating his eye patch.
"Be that as it may, you're going to stay put for today," Padme replied, as she sat down on the bed beside him.
"Where are the ankle biters?" he asked, changing the subject.
"With Grandma Shmi. I'll bring them by to see you later if you're good," Padme replied.
"Ha! Him? Behave? Fat chance of that happening," Jobal joked.
"I'll deal with you later," he joked back, pointing his finger at her.
"So where's that husband of yours? Are you keeping him on a leash too?" Riley joked.
"He has slipped away for the moment, but he's my next target," she replied.
"Man, I sure wish I could have been there to see him put Fett out of his misery," Riley said.
"Well, I'm sure he'll get around to telling you all the grizzly details," Padme said, as she kissed his cheek and stood up.
"Stay in bed Daddy and I'll be back later. I have a husband to track down at the moment," she said, as she left her parents alone.
~*~
To keep busy, Anakin had found his way to the ship's bridge and busied himself with the ship's operations, as well as exploring her stations and capabilities. Unfortunately, the Colonel of the ship, an old buzzard, as Rex described him behind his back, wasn't too keen on this Jedi poking his nose around his bridge.
"Master Skywalker, can I interest you in a tour of my fine ship?" the Colonel asked. He made the old boy nervous, but wasn't about to leave. He was having too much fun and so was Rex. He wondered if he brought his boys up here if it would give the old koot a heart attack?
"I'm fine Colonel. I'm always at home on the bridge of a ship," Anakin replied. Rex coughed suspiciously to cover a laugh. Cody rolled his eyes. Honestly, the two of them were worse than children. Cody swore he was going to kill them both if they decided to pull one of their pranks. Rex was a very bad example to the rest of the Clones, but he was like a little brother to Cody, much in the same way Anakin was to Obi-Wan. Neither he nor Obi-Wan approved of their antics, but neither ever stopped them either. Just as the Colonel was about to suggest that Anakin leave, though he had no authority to make him, a woman stepped onto the bridge. He rolled his eyes. What was with these people? But as he saw the Officers bow to her with respect, he realized she must be a person of importance. And she was, he realized, as she approached. He bowed out of respect, despite his dislike for spoiled politicians.
"Milady," he said. She nodded.
"There you are. I should have known you'd go for the bridge," she said to her husband. He turned and smiled at her, immediately turning on the charm.
"Angel, you're looking very beautiful, as always," he replied, as he took her in his arms.
"That's not going to work. You are supposed to be resting," she replied.
"You should listen to your wife," Rex jabbed.
"You be quiet," he jabbed back to his accomplice in crime.
"I'm fine. I'm taking it easy, I promise. Besides, we'll be landing in about thirty minutes anyway," he replied.
"Well, I suppose you can stay then. But only if I can stay with you," she replied, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. You can be my co-polit. You're much prettier than Rex," Anakin replied. Rex rolled his eyes and Padme giggled.
"With all due respect, Master Skywalker, my bridge is no place for your little romantic rendevous. I must ask that you have the lady leave," the Colonel suggested boldly. Padme saw her husband's eyebrow twitch I annoyance. She knew this meant he had about had it with the cranky Colonel.
"I don't pull rank often Colonel, but I should remind you that I am a General by rank and Command the 501st legion, who are also aboard. My entire family is on board as well, so you can bet I'm going to be present on the bridge. We are at war with the Sith and I will personally see to it that this ship lands safely. Is that clear, Colonel?" Anakin asked sternly. The aging man looked embarrassed that he had been put in his place by a man less than half his age.
"Yes General," he replied, with a salute. Rex collapsed into a very suspicious coughing fit, but to Cody's dismay, though he was also having difficulty containing his laughter. Anakin led Padme over to the view window for a breathtaking view of the stars, as they streaked by. He knew he had been a little harsh, but what he had said was painfully true. They were at war with the Sith and he would not let the people he loved become casualties. He knew that Sifo-Dyas had agents everywhere in the Senate, supporting government staff, the military, the media, and maybe even the Temple. He shuddered at that last thought. He would be vigilant in guarding the woman he loved and their children. Very few could be trusted and therefore anyone he wasn't sure about could not be trusted. Padme looked up at him, as he tightened his hold on her.
"Are you okay?" she asked. He smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"I'm always fine when I'm holding you in my arms," he replied. She smiled and cuddled against his chest. The ship came out of hyperspace and Coruscant was before them. He entrusted Rex and Cody to bring the ship in under his watch. They were home and while the dangers facing them were still there, everything was right for the moment.