Vader's Palace
Anakin led the way to his Palace on Imperial Center with Rex and Ahsoka following behind him. "He must have been formidable as Vader," Rex told his wife. "He has always had this walk, this command about him. Being a General of the 501st and then becoming the second in command, power suits him."
"A Jedi does not crave power, Anakin taught me that," Ahsoka replied as she reached out and squeezed her husband's hand.
"I can't believe we're back here, following General Skywalker."
"We can trust him."
"I do, darling. I have always trusted him." Rex and Ahsoka flanked Anakin as he entered the access code allowing him access to the Palace the Emperor had insisted he acquire to show the Galaxy how the Emperor awarded those who were loyal to him. As he entered he felt rather than saw droids pointing weapons at him.
"Who are you and how did you get in here."
"I am Darth Vader, and that should be all the explanation you need."
"Submitting a DNA scan," he waited. "Proceed."
"My most trusted friends," Anakin added, "As one of the most feared men in the Galaxy you never can be too careful," Anakin told his friends. Rex and Ahsoka marveled at the sheer size of the palace. Anakin stood next to the menacing statue of Lord Vader that the Emperor had commissioned. It only towered over him by a few centimeters. Anakin couldn't seem to take his eyes off of it. Had it really just been a few months ago since he had been trapped in the Death Suit? Anakin shook his head to clear it, and strode forward to his throne and sat there. He had never noticed how uncomfortable it was, of course when his whole body was in pain, it wasn't torturous to be uncomfortable. "Feel free to look around," he told Ahsoka and Rex. "Meet me here at 2200 hours," he told them. "That's when the Moff's are due to arrive."
Ahsoka and Rex nodded as they went off to explore Vader's Palace. "He's been different since he has been from of that hideous armor," Ahsoka commented. "I think the Emperor used it somehow to keep Anakin on the dark side, it's a wonder he was able to break free and free Luke."
"As long as I've known him Skywalker has made the impossible appear merely difficult."
"I hope he's got something to eat," Ahsoka added, looking through the kitchen. She was going to cook something. She had found that she loved to cook.
Meanwhile Anakin Skywalker went to his personal chambers and retrieved Ahsoka's padawan braid and his and Padme's wedding rings. He sorted through a trunk and had droids take it aboard his shuttle. It was all that was left of his life with Padme. If he intended to bring her back, he would need some things. He put in a transmission on Naboo ordered a bouquet of leias being sent to Padme.
Leias were flowers that had grown near Padme's childhood home, that moved through shades of pink and yellow, they bloomed only once every eight three years, however he knew someone who was in the business of marketing that particular flower and Anakin would pay handsomely for it. She would have to think of him when she saw it. The petals were made of silk, and Anakin had once made a bed of those flowers as a surprise for their anniversary.
Anakin returned to his throne after he had finished, contemplating what else he could do to woo his wife. He watched as Ahsoka brought food and settled beside him, a smile on her face as she fed Rex. He laughed to before he flanked Anakin and their expressions became as grim as Anakin's own. It was time for the Moff's to filter in. And they began doing so. Anakin's lips twitched into a smile that he didn't allow himself to show as he saw Admiral Piett, he hoped Leia could find a place for him in the Alliance. Anakin left the robe over his head, hiding his features.
"Excuse me, why are we here? And who are you?" one of the Moff's commented.
"We have more important matters than to listen to you," another one said. "The Jedi are extinct, who are you kidding."
"Except for Luke," said another one.
"He's a half-baked half-trained Jedi at most," stated the first one.
"Where is Patel?" Anakin asked, not seeing him.
"Here's off on a mission. To destroy the Rebellion once and for all." Anakin frowned.
"What is the mission?" he asked.
"What are you doing in Vader's throne?" asked another one, and Anakin was having his patience tested.
"I am your Lord, Darth Vader," Anakin replied, his voice low and menacing. "Piett?" Anakin questioned.
"Yes...mi lord," Piett replied.
"I am also Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Master." The room was an outcry. "And as your Lord I am negotiating our surrender to the Alliance." There was a gasp.
"You can't."
"I can and will. Emperor Palpatine left me in charge. The time of the Empire is over, although it will not happen overnight. As my first order of business. All slavery is abolished. If you do not end it, I will. Every one deserves their freedom, and I cannot stand by and condole the slavery of another while his rights are being violated."
"But there are animals!" Admiral Thrawn stated, disgusted with Vader. Anakin reacted quickly he used the Force to pick him up.
"You are the animal, Thrawn. The only way I would allow slavery is for you and those like you to experience slavery first hand, do I make myself clear?" he added using the Force to put pressure on the former's neck as he had always done.
"Y – y-yes," Thrawn gasped.
"Good. You are to cease all attacks on the Alliance. I will not have Skywalker, Solo, or Organo become targets. If they are harmed whoever is behind it will suffer ten-fold do I make myself clear?" Anakin asked without raising his tone. Perhaps because he was so quiet that was what frightened the Imperials the most.
"Milord, may I speak to you privately?" Piett asked.
"Certainty. Oh, and I nominate Rex and Ahsoka as my second and third in command. Treat them as you would me."
Anakin listened to his Admiral's words, his face contorting in anger. "This is the truth?" he asked.
"Absolutely, I didn't want them to believe me a traitor..but you needed to know."
"Thank you, Admiral. You will have a long career ahead of you. You have my word on that."
"Thank you, milord."
"You will travel with me, Piett. Go to my shuttle, we will be leaving within the hour. Contact Commander Skywalker and Captain Solo."
"Yes, milord." Anakin returned to his throne.
"Unfortunately, I have been called away on important business. We will have to schedule a conference at a later day."
"Emperor Vader?"
"Skywalker. I am Anakin Skywalker," he repeated. "All are adjourned."
"Anakin, what's going on?" Ahsoka asked, concerned.
"We must return to Naboo and hope that everyone is unharmed. It appears without the Emperor or me around they listened to the Vizier who is intent on eliminating everyone in the Alliance."
"Sithspit," Ahsoka cursed.
"They will pay for it, but now we have to stop all assassination attempts or kidnappings," Anakin replied.
"After you, General." Anakin looked around Vader's shuttle and smiled.
"Strap yourselves in."
"Setting a course for Naboo," Ahsoka added.
"How soon can we enter light speed."
"Ten seconds, General."
"Alright. Rex check to make sure the deflector shields are working, and the weapons. Artoo, run a system check," Anakin added. "Piett, are you still here?" Anakin asked.
"He's alive, Vader," he heard as he felt a viberblade at his throat. "I could never get this close to you before but now...your life is in my hands.
"I think not," Anakin said with a smile. "You don't frighten me. You see you have no idea what I'm capable of. I could end your life before you could blink," he stated, darkly. "But the fault is not yours, but that of the Dark Side it infects everything and everyone."
"Anakin," Ahsoka stated as she used the Force to pull the vibroblade from his hand.
"Lock him up," Captain Rex said as Piett came stumbling in, too late to warn them.
"Aye, Aye sir."
"You will pay Vader. You will pay for betraying the Emperor. You will pay with your life, and the life of Skywalker."
"Ahsoka, pilot," he stated as Anakin walked over to Thrawn and punched him in the face. The Dark Side of him tasted fear, tasted blood, but Anakin recoiled from that part of himself. "You better hope no harm has come to him. Piett, take him away."
"Entering lightspeed, Anakin," he heard and he sighed in relief. At one time he would have thrown Thrawn out to the vacuum of space but now, he had to destroy the infection of the Dark Side and truly bring balance to the Force.