Part XXI
"A potentially dark time has befallen our great Empire. After four years of peaceful leadership, Emperor Palpatine was murdered by his one-time apprentice, Darth Vader. The truth of Vader's identity has been in question since his first appearance during the initial rise of the Galactic Empire. It will be a shock to many of you to learn that beneath the mask of Darth Vader hides the face of the former Jedi General Anakin Skywalker..."
Anakin was far more restrained while watching the HoloNet broadcast than Obi-Wan had expected. None of the tremors that usually heralded Anakin's outrage shook the small cottage; however, his anger visibly simmered within the depths of his gaze. Obi-Wan could not recall the last time he'd seen Anakin manage to contain such strong emotions.
After seeing the HoloNet broadcast for himself on the Imperial starfighter, Obi-Wan had hesitated showing it to Anakin. They'd both known that new of Palpatine's death would eventually be announced, but Obi-Wan certainly hadn't expected the truth of it to be twisted about in such a way. It was inevitable that Anakin see the broadcast since they'd need to decide how to handle the fall-out.
Obi-Wan had waited for Luke to go to bed before giving Anakin the datachip. While Anakin watched Tarkin's false version of what had happened on the Death Star, Obi-Wan had made himself a cup of tea. He'd have much rather had a strong drink, but the cottage didn't contain any. When he'd returned from the kitchenette, Anakin was slumped on the sofa, his eyes glued on the datapad. Obi-Wan sat down across from him on one of the chairs, carefully sipping his tea.
"... difficult to say just what it is that incited Lord Vader to turn against our beloved Emperor. Perhaps, though, we should not be so surprised since he was unable to maintain his vows to either the Jedi Order or the former Republic. Whatever name he goes by, Anakin Skywalker or Darth Vader, he is an enemy of the Empire and should be hunted down and killed as such."
"We should leave at first light," Obi-Wan suggested once Anakin had tossed aside the datapad. "Find a remote place where we can keep Luke safe until the worst of this has faded. You were right when you said earlier that we were far too close to the Death Star for comfort."
The younger man's continued silence was starting to worry Obi-Wan. It never turned out well for anyone when Anakin went quiet. Obi-Wan could only hope that being around Luke had curbed Anakin's somewhat erratic behaviour at least a bit. Enough so they wouldn't need to risk Luke's safety any more than necessary in the following weeks. That meant foregoing some sentimentality on his part and leaving their lightsabers behind. Luke and Anakin's safety was far more important than a bit of metal and circuitry.
"You should take Luke and run," Anakin announced suddenly into the silence. "Don't tell me where you're going, just go. Right now they're only looking for me and I want it to stay that way."
Obi-Wan was shaking his head before Anakin had even finished speaking. No matter his frustrations with his former partner, he was not prepared to have Anakin torn from his life again so soon.
"You cannot expect me to stand aside while you walk needlessly to your death," Obi-Wan scoffed, doing what he could to keep his voice down so they wouldn't wake Luke. Only decades of Jedi training prevented Obi-Wan from attempting to shake some sense into Anakin. "We both know that Tarkin will not allow you to live, and that broadcast proves it. He has set the whole galaxy against you and I will not lose you again."
Anakin looked truly startled by his words, the younger man's mouth moving as he struggled to find a proper comeback.
"We can figure this out together," Obi-Wan pressed while Anakin was still sorting out his own thoughts. He set his cup down on the table, leaning forward with his forearms resting on his knees. "In a way that won't take you away from your son."
Bringing Luke into it was an underhanded tactic on his part, but Obi-Wan had no intentions of standing by while Anakin all but threw himself to a horde of vicious nexu. Tarkin had made his intent very clear with the official HoloNet broadcast of Palpatine's death. The new self-appointed emperor had made quite sure that everyone knew what had become of Anakin Skywalker following the fall of the Republic, ensuring that it would be that much more difficult for his former partner to find peace.
"Why are you so insistent?" Anakin questioned, leaning back further into his seat. "You should be glad this happened. That I'll be hunted wherever I go. I destroyed everything—your life and the entire Jedi Order. You should hate me and hand me over to Tarkin yourself. You're the one who left me to die on Mustafar!"
Obi-Wan sat there, momentarily stunned by Anakin's outburst. He had expected Anakin's anger for how things had ended on Mustafar, but his last accusation was laced with betrayal. As though Obi-Wan was the one who'd destroyed them.
"Anakin, I—"
The younger man shook his head, his eyes flashing briefly. Just as quickly, Anakin seemed to collect himself, his eyes shifting back to the clear blue Obi-Wan remembered so well.
"So far Tarkin has only set his dogs on me. There's no mention of you or Luke. You're both still safe."
"And right now so are you."
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It shouldn't have surprised him that Obi-Wan refused to listen. His former master was incapable of believing that he was ever wrong. Obi-Wan and the rest of that Sithspawn Council had always thought they knew better than everyone else, supposed paragons of perfection.
"For once, can you just do what I ask?" Anakin demanded as he launched himself off the sofa. "I know Tarkin better that you—I've been forced to endure him since the fall of the Republic—so I know better than you how to handle this situation."
Obi-Wan pursed his lips, huffing silently. The older man was silently stewing in his seat, obviously annoyed, but not furthering his argument. And for a man renowned throughout the galaxy for his ability to argue any point, the fact that Obi-Wan wasn't trying to press his side meant that Anakin was winning.
A very rare feat since Obi-Wan hated to lose arguments and Anakin never won them. At least not when arguing with Obi-Wan.
"There has to be some type of compromise," Obi-Wan hedged, the Negotiator coming to the fore once again. "Some way that we can keep both you and Luke safe from the Empire."
"Now who's talking us in circles," Anakin sneered as he stalked about the small common room.
"I'm trying to find a solution that won't tear you and Luke apart," Obi-Wan pleaded, following Anakin's movements with his eyes.
Obi-Wan lifted his right hand to cup his jaw, smoothing his fingers over his skin the same way he'd once tugged at his beard. It was such a familiar gesture. One that once would have made Anakin try and coax him into shaving the beard off since it had always made him look at least a decade older than he actually was. Anakin had hated the beard from the first moment Obi-Wan had begun growing, back when Anakin was about twelve. Hated that Obi-Wan had felt the need to try and make himself appear older. Hated that Obi-Wan had never believed he was good enough. Obi-Wan was the Sith Slayer. He'd killed Maul while he was still a padawan, when even Qui Gon hadn't been able to defeat him.
Anakin shook his head, pushing such thoughts from his mind. Obi-Wan had betrayed him—sided with the Council and everybody else against him. Turned Padmé against him.
"There is no solution. Tarkin saw to that. He's destroyed both Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker. So, please. Just take Luke and run. Run far away where he can't find you."
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"My Lord Emperor, there are reports coming in throughout the Empire of Lord Vader's presence in hundreds of systems."
Tarkin glanced up at his aide, setting aside the reports he'd been sent from Palpatine's network of spies earlier that morning. None of them had any clue where Vader was at the moment and Tarkin doubted very much that any of the newer reports would be anymore forthcoming. It was too soon for there to be any reliable reports. Skywalker and Kenobi were far too adept at avoiding detection. It would take some time to ferret them out.
"Go through the reports and highlight the ones that you believe have the potential to be at least partially true," Tarkin instructed his fellow Eriaduian. "The galaxy must believe that Vader is nearly within our grasp."
The other man nodded, slipping back out of the room with the datapad clutched to his chest.
"Very soon, Vader," Tarkin murmured, sliding his fingers across the screen on his own datapad, flipping the screen to the next file. "Very soon."
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"Daddy, where's Papa?"
Luke hadn't seen Papa since he'd gone to sleep last night. He almost remembered Daddy and Papa talking angry at each other, but couldn't figure out what they'd said. He hadn't been awake enough. Now him and Daddy were getting back on the spaceship they'd stolen from the bad men.
Only Papa wasn't with them.
"Your father will be following after us," Daddy said as he began fiddling with all the buttons on the console.
"But Papa doesn't have a ship," Luke pointed out, looking intently up at Daddy. There was a funny look on Daddy's face. One that Luke didn't know. Even more confused, he asked, "How come Papa's not coming with us?"
"There are some things your father needs to deal with before he can join us."
Raising himself up onto his knees, Luke turned and clutched at the bottom edge of the window, scanning the trees for any signs of Papa. Papa should have come with them. He loved them both and wouldn't leave them. Daddy wouldn't leave Papa behind, either. Luke had listened to the whole story on the Holonovel. Daddy had almost died because he wouldn't leave Papa behind when the bald serious man told him to. Daddy had laughed at the serious man then went to go get Papa.
"Daddy, we can't leave Papa," Luke pleaded, glancing over his should at his father. "Papa needs to come with us."
The sudden whir of the engines starting filled the ship.
At the very edge of the trees, Papa stepped out. Papa wasn't looking at him, though. Papa was looking at Daddy. Luke saw Daddy's reflection in the window nod and then Papa looked at him. His eyes were sad again. Papa didn't want them to go, but he wasn't trying to stop them. He was letting them go away without him.
"Papa!" Luke shouted, slapping his hands against the glass.
The ship started shaking and lifted a bit off the ground. As it got higher, Papa stepped back into the trees.
"Daddy, we can't leave Papa!"
"We won't."
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Anakin stood on the outer edge of the clearing, watching as Obi-Wan's stolen starfighter began to lift off. He was still somewhat amazed that he'd been able to convince Obi-Wan to agree to his terms, no matter how temporarily. In the end, Anakin knew that it had more to do with Luke than Anakin's own arguments the night before. He'd counted on Obi-Wan's devotion to the boy to get his own way, but now that they were leaving, Anakin was no longer quite so sure it had been the right option.
As much as he wanted to keep Luke safe from whatever Tarkin was planning, he couldn't help but remember all the times he and Obi-Wan had won battles that had been deemed unwinnable. Between them, they'd always found a way. Right now, though, Luke was more important. Anakin ultimately didn't care what happened to him so long as Luke was kept safe from Tarkin and his plotting.
Once the starfighter disappeared from sight, Anakin started back towards the cottage. After Obi-Wan had eventually capitulated to his demands, the two of them had stayed awake a while longer, figuring out how to divide their limited resources. Necessity dictated that Obi-Wan take the starfighter, but the ship had been outfitted for a mission and contained a fair amount of supplies.
"This is yours," Obi-Wan said, handing Anakin the lightsaber that he'd kept concealed since they'd left the Death Star. Not that Anakin had tried very hard to find it. "I'm surprised you kept its design so close to your original."
Anakin fingered the familiar hilt of the lightsaber, sliding his thumb between two of the ridges that ringed the bottom of it. "I may no longer be a Jedi, but the design has always served me well."
"It has," Obi-Wan murmured, returning to sorting through the box of supplies. "You've been able to beat me since you were fifteen."
"Only because you let me. You were always the victor when it counted."
Obi-Wan bowed his head, dropping a small container back into the box. He crouched, head down, for several long minutes before sitting back on his heels. A moment later, Obi-Wan dropped down onto his rear, resting his forearms on his upraised knees. The older man took several deep breaths before raising his eyes to meet Anakin's.
"I never wanted to fight you, Anakin. You were closer to me than any other soul I've ever known—in many ways you still are. In the end—the mou kei—Anakin, you have to know that I could see no other way to stop it. If I thought you would have listened to me... but after you almost killed Padmé... How did it go so wrong so quickly?"
The only time Anakin could ever remember seeing Obi-Wan so wretched was just after Qui Gon's death. He was curled in on himself, his blue-green eyes suspiciously glassy. The white bandage on Obi-Wan's right hand stood out starkly in the harsh overhead lighting on the starfighter. Anakin still didn't know how Obi-Wan had come to hurt his hand, even asking Luke hadn't gained him any insight. It baffled him that it had even happened. Obi-Wan had never been particularly self-destructive.
"I believed the lies that Palpatine fed me."
It was not an admission that Anakin had ever thought to make—especially to Obi-Wan—but he couldn't deny the truth of it. Palpatine had played on all his fears, twisting them to suit his own purposes. Vader had been created out of Anakin's fear of losing those that he loved most.
"It wasn't entirely your fault."
Obi-Wan's words were so quiet that, at first, Anakin almost didn't hear him.
"There was always more I could have done... At the very least I could have listened to you."
More himself now than he had been since the beginning of the Great Jedi Purge, Anakin couldn't deny the fact that he would rather be heading off to face Tarkin with Obi-Wan by his side. Together, Tarkin's defeat would have been inevitable. As the HoloNet had once proclaimed time and again, they were The Team.
Shouldering his pack more securely, Anakin started in the direction of the nearby village. Once there he could catch a transport to the Forest Moon's largest down then book passage off the moon entirely. Anakin still wasn't sure how he was going to go about confronting Tarkin—a fact that he was all too aware that Obi-Wan had picked up on. Thankfully, Luke was Obi-Wan's primary concern and the older man didn't force the issue.
Anakin knew, just as well, that Obi-Wan would come after him eventually. Once he was sure that Luke was safe, Anakin had no doubt that Obi-Wan would attempt to track him down. With luck, Anakin would have finished with Tarkin before Obi-Wan was able to find him again.
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For the tenth time in as many minutes, Obi-Wan glanced down at the small screen near the bottom left of the console. There was a steady red light flickering at regular intervals just off center of the screen.
A homing beacon.
Even while he'd still been listening to Tarkin's HoloNet broadcast of Palpatine's death, Obi-Wan had known that Anakin would want to go off on his own to deal with the situation. And while Obi-Wan could see the sense in one of them avoiding the coming conflict in order to keep Luke safe, he couldn't let Anakin face Tarkin and the entire Imperial Army on his own. So before returning to the cabin, he'd taken one of the small, unobtrusive homing beacons located in the starfighter's arsenal and installed it within the inner workings of Vader's lightsaber.
He would find Anakin again.
Once he and Luke had safely made the jump to hyperspace, Obi-Wan dialed up a frequency that he'd hoped to not use for many years. It took several minutes, but someone on the other end responded to his signal. Unlike himself, the person on the other end of the transmission didn't appear to have changed much since their last meeting on Polis Massa.
"Obi-Wan? I almost didn't recognize you."
Obi-Wan inclined his head briefly, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "Hello, Bail."