Chapter 88
Little by little Anakin's strength returned to him. Once he was on his feet again, he wasted no time in setting a plan of action into motion.
His first order of business was to draw up an official death announcement for the late emperor. Pinning the regicide on disgruntled governors in the Outer Rim territories, he even went so far as to have said governors arrested. It seemed that certain holo messages had been confiscated which were of a very incriminating nature. How the messages' existence was discovered seemed irrelevant in light of the inflammatory and highly insulting nature of the messages. While it was common knowledge that Palpatine was a fearsome man, comparing him to an Endorian blurrg seemed rather incendiary.
Having successfully deflected the assassination from himself, Anakin's next step was to assume command of the Empire. He sent orders to the commanders of each sector, summoning them to a meeting. For him it wasn't so much a matter of negotiation with these stalwarts of the Empire; no, in order to affect the changes he planned he was required to be the supreme leader, the unquestioned commander of the Empire. For all intents and purposes, he would be Darth Vader for this meeting; something which did not sit at all well with his family. While they understood the importance of Anakin asserting his authority without dissent, the thought of him assuming the persona of his dark side unnerved them. Truth be told, it unnerved Anakin as well. He had worked hard to destroy any and all vestiges of Darth Vader within him; to have to play the part of the Sith Lord once again was not something he looked forward to.
The summit was due to be held in two days' time as governors from all over the Empire made their way to the Executor. The crew of the mighty vessel had worked hard to arrange the security measures for the meeting; they knew their commander's orders well, and were not about to let him down.
The leaders of the Rebel Alliance had been informed of the impending meeting, and invited to attend. Mon Mothma and Bail Organa had returned to the ship in order to be present when the historical meeting took place. Tension was high as all on board waited, hoping that Anakin's plan would be the solution they were all hoping for.
"Ani, come to bed."
Anakin stopped his pacing and looked over at his wife who was already in bed.
"You need to rest," she continued. "Tomorrow is a big day."
"I know," he said, starting his pacing once again. "I'm just going over what I want to say in my head. I'm no politician, Padmé," he told her. "I'm not used to giving speeches. That's more your area of expertise."
Padmé smiled. "Maybe so, but you're a leader, Anakin," she assured him. "You were born to lead. Don't think of it as being a politician; think of it as being a great leader, the one that the galaxy needs to stop the conflict that has ravaged it for two decades."
Anakin stopped and looked at her. She always knew what to say; somehow she always knew the right words to calm him and soothe his troubled mind and spirit. If he didn't know better, he'd think she was Force sensitive in her ability to read his moods.
"I will try," he said at last, sitting on the side of the bed beside her. "Having you by my side will make it easier."
She smiled, and leaned forward to caress his cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Anakin," she said softly.
He smiled and picked up her hand to kiss it. "I would never have got this far without you and the kids," he said. "I can't imagine what the rest of my life would have been like had Leia's path not crossed mine. I would have spent the rest of my life in darkness, believing that you and our child had died by my hand." He stopped and frowned at this sobering thought. "I don't know how I lived so long without you all," he told her.
Padmé nodded. "I know," she said, running her hands into his hair. "But Destiny seemed to have a different path for your life, Ani. You were meant to do just what you are doing now. You were born to do it."
Anakin pulled her close, taking comfort in her presence, in her love and her support. With her he knew he could accomplish anything, even change the galaxy.
One of the enormous hangar bays had been converted into a conference room to accommodate the hundreds of officers from all over the Empire. Clone troopers stood at attention around the perimeter of the room, ready to quell the slightest hint of a problem. It was Anakin's hope that merely their presence would be enough to intimidate the visitors sufficiently.
"All set?" Leia asked as she entered the living quarters of her parents' suite.
"Yes," Anakin replied. "At least I think so."
Leia smiled and walked over to him. "You've been ready for this day for a long time, I think," she told him, smoothing down the black tabard he wore.
"To put an end to Palpatine's Empire? Yes, you're right about that." He put up the large hood of his black cloak. "Do I look the part?"
Leia nodded. "A little too much for my liking," she told him. She looked up at him, wanting to say so much to him, but knowing that time was short. "Dad, do you think that our family will ever get to just be a family?"
"What do you mean?" Anakin asked.
"I mean, do you think there will ever be a time when we can forget about duty and destiny and saving the galaxy, and just do things that regular families do?"
Anakin smiled. "We are not regular people, Leia," he told her. "Our lives are anything but typical. But I know what you mean," he said, picking up his lightsaber and clipping it onto his belt. "And I have to admit that there is a part of me that craves that too. But until the Empire is dismantled, our lives will be anything but ordinary."
"I suppose that is the price of being the family of the Chosen One," Leia commented.
Anakin nodded. "You have all paid dearly for being the family of the Chosen One already," he said. "I wish sometimes I wasn't the Chosen One," he admitted to her. "Sometimes I just wish I was an ordinary man," he told her. "Even just for one day, to see what it's like."
Leia smiled. "You'd be bored to tears, Daddy," she told him. "You know it."
Anakin laughed. "Yeah, you're probably right," he said.
Just then Padmé, Luke and Obi-Wan entered the room.
"Everyone is ready, Anakin," Obi-Wan told him. "It's time to get started."
Anakin nodded. "Very well," he said. "Looks like duty calls."
"Destiny calls," Padmé corrected him. She walked over and took his hand. "Ready?"
Anakin nodded. "Yes, I'm ready. Let's go."
Firmus Piett stood on the dais that had been erected at one end of the large hangar, the noise of a hundred different conversations all around him. He glanced at his wrist chrono, wondering where Anakin was. Firmus had spoken to a few of the men, those he knew personally, in an effort to get a feel for what they were feeling and thinking. The individuals he had spoken too all expressed shock at the death of the emperor, though none had seemed terribly saddened by it. They were somewhat surprised that Darth Vader had called a meeting, for they were expecting him to merely assume control and begin issuing orders. A meeting seemed rather diplomatic for a Sith, and it had the men wondering what he was going to say to them.
Piett saw the doors on the far side of the hangar open and Anakin and his wife enter the room. As they did so, a hush fell upon the room as all eyes turned to the pair who proceeded up to the front of the hangar and ascended the dais. The men had heard rumors that Darth Vader's injuries had been repaired; but none of the men had believed it possible. Until now. They could scarcely believe that the handsome man they saw before them now was the same one who had been the masked menace they had feared for two decades. Not only that, the former Senator Amidala was at his side. What this could mean was a mystery to them all.
"What's the mood of the men, Piett?" Anakin asked.
"They seem a little anxious," he replied, "though curious. I'm sure you'll have their undivided attention."
Anakin nodded. "Let's get this over with," he said. He looked at his wife, who stood at his side. "Here we go," he said. He walked to the front of the dais where the voice amplifier had been set up. Anakin activated the device and stood looking at the men while the last of them quieted down. And then he spoke.
"You have been summoned here today for a very simple reason," he told them. "The emperor is dead; it is time to move forward. I am assuming control of the Empire as of this moment."
A smattering of murmurs was heard throughout the room at this announcement.
"Lord Vader, do you mean you are assuming the title of emperor?" one officer asked.
Anakin shook his head. "No," he said. "I mean I am calling an immediate cease fire," he announced to the astonishment of all. "All hostilities with the Rebel Alliance are to end immediately."
The immediate response was one of stunned silence, and then there were shouts of disbelief and outrage. The clones at the edge of the room took a step forward, hoisting their blasters menacingly, and soon all was quiet again.
"This is not a discussion, gentlemen," Anakin continued. "I did not call you hear to ask your opinion on the subject. I have already had negotiations with the leaders of the Alliance," he continued, his words shocking the assembly into silence. "As of this moment, the conflict with the Alliance is over. Any further aggressive action taken against them will be considered treason and shall be dealt with as such." He waited for a moment to allow this to sink in before continuing. "If you doubt my resolve in this matter, know this: this vessel is under my command. I have the steadfast loyalty of each and every member of this crew. Should you decide to challenge my authority or my decision, you will be forced to deal with not only the Alliance, but this ship as well. Together we will crush any and all opposition." He stopped again, sensing the jumble of emotions emanating from the assembly. "I present you, then, with a choice: accept this ceasefire and be a part of the new order, or become my enemy. The choice, of course, is yours, gentlemen."
Anakin stood back and looked at Padmé as the men before them tried to recover from the shock from what they had just heard. Padmé slipped her hand into Anakin's reassuringly. It bothered her as much as he to be forced to use such strong arm tactics; but they both realized that they had little choice in the matter. This was not the time for negotiation; it was the time for authoritative action.
"I trust that you have seen that there is little room for negotiation," Anakin said at last. "The destructive conflict must be ended, and this is the only way to do it. Therefore, a treaty ordering a ceasefire will be proffered to the Rebel Alliance. Once this has been established, the Empire will be dismantled, starting with the removal of the regional governors. Control of systems will be returned to the beings inhabiting these systems."
"Lord Vader," one brave individual shouted out. "How do you expect to keep control of so many systems without local representatives to govern them?"
"I do not plan to control them," Anakin replied. "This is the end of tyrannical rule. The Senate will be reestablished, and things will run as they did in the time before the Empire."
"Are you saying you plan to create a new republic?" one incredulous officer asked.
Anakin nodded. "Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. Twenty years of futile conflict has proven that the Imperial system does not work. It is time for change."
"But Lord Vader, the Republic failed too," one officer called out. "What makes you think it will work this time?"
"The Old Republic was sabotaged from within by the very man who was entrusted with its wellbeing," Anakin replied. "Palpatine worked hard behind the scenes to plant the seeds of its destruction, as well as the destruction of the guardians of the Republic, the Jedi. I was part of his plan," he continued. "He used me to help him destroy the Republic and the Jedi, and I allowed him to do so."
"Lord Vader, I think we are all wondering what has brought about this change in you," another man asked. "For twenty years you were content being the henchman of the emperor; why now do you defame the man you once called Master?"
Anakin looked at his wife, trying to decide if he ought to divulge the whole truth.
"My reasons are my own," Anakin said at last. "Suffice it to say that I have seen the error of my ways, and want to make amends for it."
Anakin waited for further dissent, but there was none. No doubt the men were trying to digest all that had been said. "Return to your sectors," he said at last. "And contact the ships under your command. The ceasefire is to commence immediately. I have representatives stationed in each sector to ensure that this happens. I do not need to explain what will happen should these orders be ignored."
The men were silent, realizing that Lord Vader was not a man to be trifled with. He meant what he said, every word; and would not hesitate to follow through on his threats should any dissent be demonstrated. Slowly the men began filing out of the enormous room. Anakin turned to Padmé as they did so.
"Well?"
She smiled. "You were great," she said. "Authoritative without being dictatorial. You're right, Ani; there is no room for negotiation. Someone has to take charge in order to affect change; who better than you to do so?"
Anakin nodded. "I just hope I haven't created more problems than solutions," he said.
Padmé frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I just hope that we don't end up creating more rebellion this way," he said.
"I think they know you mean business, sir," Piett put in. "You made it quite clear what the consequences of dissent would be; and they know you well enough to know that you don't make idle threats."
"Let us hope so," Anakin replied. "I told Mon Mothma and Bail Organa that I meet with them after the summit concluded."
"I'm sure they will be pleased with what you've done here today, Anakin," Padmé assured him, taking his hand. "You have paved the way for peace in the galaxy."
"I'm no politician, Padmé," he told her as they left the dais. "I leave that to you and to them. I'm confident you are more than capable of rebuilding the Republic."
Padmé smiled. "It's a big job, Ani," she said. "I'm not sure I'm up to it right now."
Anakin frowned. "No? I thought you would jump at the chance to have a hand in this," he said.
"I do want to have a hand in this," Padmé assured him. "It's just that there are other things that will occupy my time now."
"Such as?" Anakin asked. Padmé smiled at him, stopping him in his tracks. "Padmé, are you trying to tell me something?" he asked, taking her by the shoulders.
Her smile grew as she nodded. "It's a miracle Ani," she said softly. "I'm pregnant!"
Anakin smiled, pulling her into his embrace. "Angel," he said, holding her close. "I knew we could do it, Padmé. It just took a little …persistence," he told her with a smile.
Padmé smiled. "You've always been a persistent man," she told him.
Anakin laughed, feeling as though the future had just brightened ten fold.