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ANAKIN'S REDEMPTION
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Padmeonpaper: Ok here's the thing: it's ALTERNATE universe. Alllllttterrnnaaattte! That means I don't have to stick to the canon. It's not canon, or else Anakin would be dead too. We watched him become deader than a doornail too! Anyway we didn't see Padme die, we saw her drop back and close her eyes. Maybe she was just unconscious. Or just really really tired. But anywho...it's ALTERNATE! Alternate I say! Maybe Luke will become a ballerina in my next chapter! And Leia will marry Salacious Crumb!
The Spooky Mulder: Thanks! Don't worry, I've rewritten this story so much now it doesn't matter anymore. LOL, you really don't like my Leia hahaha!
VFSNAKE : Die? ROFLOL!
SSG Michael B Jackson: Ahh, you're a wise one, nothing gets past you ;) She's making progress...or is she? Maybe she's getting WORSE! Who knows!
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CHAPTER EIGHT - Facing Facts
"Leia…what you told us about our mother…is it all true? She's alive?"
It had been a day since Leia's confession in her office. The news hadn't yet completely sunk in for Luke yet.
"Yes Luke," she sighed. "I was going to tell you when the time was right. I certainly did not mean to blurt it out in front of Vader like I did. Oh Luke, do you really believe he has changed? Have I put her in danger?" Leia's face was a picture of despair and worry.
"She's in no danger," Luke assured her. "Didn't you see his reaction when you told us? He loves her, I believe that."
"I don't believe that man could love anyone."
"You have to give him a chance," signed Luke in frustration.
"I don't have to do anything," said Leia, eyebrows raised in warning. "Luke, how can you honestly just expect me to forget everything he's done, and just welcome him with open arms, as you have? All the people he's killed, the lives he's ruined?"
"I've killed people too," pointed out Luke.
"Oh that's different," scoffed Leia. "You haven't killed innocent people."
"Yes I have. All those people on the Death Star. There were millions of people on there."
"They were all working for the Empire," said Leia airily, waving her hand dismissively.
"Yes but not all of them were military," said Luke. "There were innocent people – cleaners and builders and such."
"Oh Luke, they have droids for that stuff." Leia rolled her eyes.
Luke looked at her, exasperated. "Oh Leia, can't you put yourself in his shoes? Haven't you ever done something you regret? Something you're sorry for?"
"Nothing like THAT," said Leia stubbornly.
Luke sighed. "Leia, if you keep on with this way of thinking, you are heading for the dark side yourself."
"ME?" Leia was mortified. "How can you even say such a thing?"
"You are Force sensitive just like us. If you hold on to this anger and hatred and refuse to forgive, you will become no better than Vader and the Emperor."
"Luke, you don't know what you're talking about. I am nothing like them, and I don't intend to ever be." Leia's eyes were flashing. "Excuse me for not being able to forgive a man who tortured me for hours. Who also tortured Han, and sent him to Jabba. Who held me back as my home was destroyed. Who tried to kill my mother. Who separated me from my family. Who used me as bait to catch my brother. IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. Don't push me on this, Luke."
"Okay," Luke sighed in resignation. He knew better, after the last time they'd had this conversation."If you want to carry all this anger and hate, then do it. I just hate to see you denying yourself the chance to know your father."
"Don't – " Leia looked like she wanted to say more, but didn't. "Just don't."
---
"Have you made your move yet?"
"I have not had a clear shot at her. She has not left the temple."
"I have received word that there will be a meeting of the Galactic Senate today. She will be there. This is your chance."
"I will not fail."
---
"Today is the first meeting of the Senate since the Emperor disbanded it," Leia told everyone, her hands behind her back as she paced back and forth. "Leaders from all over the galaxy will come together to discuss how this new Republic will be managed. I would like you all to be there."
"Do I have to wear a suit?" complained Han.
"Will…all of us be attending?" said Anakin tentatively.
"Yes, you too Vader."
"Anakin…" he prompted gently.
"Or Father," added Luke.
"Vader." Leia said with a pointed look. "Though it may come as a shock to you to see how a democracy works, I think you should be there to explain to the galaxy who you are, what happened to the Emperor and what you plan to do now. More to the point, you should also stand trial for your war crimes."
"Le-ia," objected Luke. "Let it go already."
Anakin sighed. "No Luke, she is right, the Senate must decide my fate. I do have a lot of explaining to do, and reparations to make. I will not hide from it."
"That's right you won't," said Leia. "I will expect you all there at 14:00 standard time. And yes Han, you have to wear a suit."
---
Leia paced back and forth across the room. "Where are Luke and Vader? I implicitly told them to meet at 14:00."
"We're here," Luke appeared in the door. "And it's only 14:01."
Han shifted uncomfortably in his suit. "The things I do for this woman," he muttered to himself. Chewie howled in agreement.
"Now, I don't need to remind you how important this is."
"Yes, Leia," Han, Luke and Anakin chorused.
"The future of the New Republic depends on us working out an agreement."
"Yes, Leia."
"Well, let's get moving!"
"Yes, Leia." Leia marched from the room with Han, Chewie, Luke and Anakin following like younglings.
"She runs a tight ship, doesn't she?" Anakin muttered out the side of his mouth. Han swallowed a laugh. He was starting to like this guy, despite himself.
---
He was waiting for them. The assassin lined up his sights and took aim.
They had only walked a few feet when Anakin and Luke both stopped, sensing a dark intent. "Leia," they both said at once. Both turned and ran for her, but Anakin was closest. He sensed the blast approaching and reached for his lightsaber, remembering with a jolt that he'd lost it - along with his arm - down the shaft on the Death Star. He threw himself at Leia, knocking her to the ground as the blast struck him on the shoulder. He rolled and cried in pain, but pulled himself together enough to crawl over Leia and protect her with his body. Han immediately drew his blaster, looking around frantically for the source of the blast. Another blast shot out, but this time Luke got there in time and deflected the blast with his lightsaber. Han fired blindly.
There was silence. "I think he's gone," said Han, standing in a defensive position.
"Yes," agreed Luke, extinguishing his lightsaber. "I can't sense his presence anymore. But who was it?"
"It could have been anyone," replied Han. "We have a lot of enemies. Someone sympathetic to the Empire perhaps?
Leia was still lying curled up under Anakin. "Get OFF me," she hissed, trying to wriggle out from under him. "I don't need your protection." Anakin raised himself to his feet with difficulty, holding his injured shoulder.
"Are you okay, Father?" Luke rushed to his side, as Han ran to Leia, equally anxious.
"Yes, yes I'm fine," groaned Anakin.
"We need to get inside, in case our little friend with the blaster comes back," said Han, helping Leia to her feet and ushering her in.
"Come on Father," said Luke. "Can you walk?"
"Yes, really it's nothing," insisted Anakin.
Once inside Luke was adamant that he take a look at Anakin's injury. Anakin reluctantly removed his hand and allowed Luke to inspect. Underneath was a very nasty blaster burn.
"Oh!" cried Luke. "You're really hurt! We need to get you to a med droid right away."
"Oh Luke," scoffed Anakin. "It's nothing. I've spent half my life covered in burns. This little thing doesn't even bother me."
"Oh really?" said Han, grabbing Anakin's shoulder and squeezing it hard.
"Aiiiieeeearrghghh!" screamed Anakin in agony. He looked at Han in horror. "What'd you do THAT for?"
"Doesn't seem like nothing to me," Han said. "You should get that looked at." He walked over to Chewie. "Finally got him back for Bespin," he muttered under his breath to Chewie, who barked a laugh. "Luke, take him back to the med center that fixed his face. We'll go to the Senate meeting."
"Okay," nodded Luke.
"No," protested Anakin. "Whoever shot at us was after Leia. Luke, you need to stay with her."
"I can protect her," said Han confidently.
"I know that Han, but you need Luke's Jedi skills to detect an attack. No, Luke you must stay with your sister."
"We'll be fine," Leia said stubbornly. "Luke go with Vader, Han and Chewie will take care of me. We'll move fast. Come on." With that she strode towards the door.
Han shrugged. "You heard the lady."
Leia stopped and turned back.
"Oh, and if you think that your little rescue attempt is going to change my mind about you Vader, you're sadly wrong," she added. "For all I know that was one of your cronies who shot at me."
"Oh Leia," sighed Anakin. "When are you going to realize that I am here to protect you, not kill you?"
"The only protection I need is protection from YOU," snarled Leia.
"Leia, he saved your life!" protested Luke. "And he got hurt doing it. What more can you ask from him!"
"I've already told him, to stay away from me."
---
The Senate Chamber buzzed with the sound of thousands of voices once again filling its walls.
Mon Mothma's calm voice resounded through the chamber.
"I hereby call to order the first Senate meeting of the New Republic." She was greeted with thunderous applause.
"As you know, Emperor Palpatine is dead and the Empire with him." More applause, undertoned by booing from the minority factions still loyal to the old Empire.
"For over twenty five years, the Rebellion has been dedicated to the restoration of freedom and democracy throughout the galaxy. We began as the Delegation of 2000, founded by several great names as the late Bail Organa and Padme Naberrie Amidala." The crowd whooped and cheered.
"As you well know, Bail Organa's adopted daughter Princess Leia joined our cause early in life. She has worked tirelessly for our Rebellion, and was instrumental in its downfall. It is my great honor to present to you, Princess Leia Organa.
Leia rose from her place beside Mon. The moving podium they travelled in glided forward as she waved to the roaring crowd of senators.
"Thankyou Mon. It is a privilege to be here, to be certain. For the past decade the Rebellion has been my life. To finally see victory is indescribable." Her words were greeted with approval from the crowd.
"I cannot accept all the responsibility myself. A fine team of dedicated heroes have worked together to bring down the Empire. I'd like to introduce Han Solo, who led the misson to destroy the Death Star's shields."
The Senate erupted in applause as Han uncomfortably rose and waved awkwardly, before hastily taking his seat inside the floating podium.
"Lando Calrissian and Admiral Ackbar, who successfully fought Imperial Forces and destroyed the Death Star with Palpatine in it."
The podiums for Bespin and Mon Callamari respectively moved to the forefront, with Lando enjoying every second of the attention he received. He gave a theatric bow as the podium glided back to its position.
"My brother, Luke Skywalker, could not be with us today..." A murmur rippled through the crowd at this unexpected piece of news.
"But I'd like to mention him for his bravery on the Death Star, facing the Emperor himself."
"And what of Darth Vader?" a Bothan representative called out. There was instant agreement from surrounding senators.
Leia's skin rankled at the sound of his name. She ground her teeth. She had been looking forward to presenting Anakin to the crowd - and seeing him crucified.
"Yeah, where is he?"
"What do you say to reports that he escaped the Death Star?"
"Is he dead or alive?"
What should she say? That she knew exactly where he was, in a medical facility downtown? That he was her father? Then she'd have a lot of explaining to do.
Better to play dumb for now, and get him later.
"Ahem," Leia cleared her throat. "At this current stage I do not know the precice whereabouts of Darth Vader." Well, that wasn't entirely a lie. She didn't know the exact location of the med center. A grumble of disapproval echoed through the chamber.
"I assure you we are doing all we can to locate him and ensure he will be brought to justice."
The crowd went wild again with raucous cheering.