Chapter 12 - The Death Star
Author's Note: In which... Anakin finds out what Sidious has been doing. ;)
~ Amina Gila
"What are you here for?" Maul asks, standing across from Anakin in the shadows.
"Information, if you can provide it." They have nowhere else to go. He already tried mediating, to see if the Force would show him anything of where Ahsoka is, but everything was... elusive. The Dark Side is clouding it strongly, and it's not showing him any particular planet or anything. Unless that's because she's not on one particular planet. "Jedi have been... disappearing. Do you know anything of this?"
"Sidious has a deal with the crime organizations. I do not know the... details of it," he replies, "He wants to capture as many as he can."
That's – Anakin already knew that but hearing a confirmation is worse. And why does Sidious have a deal with the crime organizations to kidnap Jedi? That sounds... "Do you know of their whereabouts?"
"I do not." It feels like the truth; he can only hope the other Sith won't try to double-cross them, but he senses no deception in that regard. "But he is taking them to his new... battle station."
Anakin's blood runs icy cold. Battle station – "What?" he demands, because suddenly he has the very sinking feeling that he knows exactly what 'battle station' Maul is talking about. How did he never think of it before?! In his mind, he sees Alderaan exploding before his eyes, knowing he can do nothing but watch, trying to tell himself that this is for the greater good though he knew it would only make the Empire fall and crumble and shatter farther.
But how could the Death Star even be operational yet? It took many more years than this last time.
"It's larger than any ship I have seen. He... moves it around. It is unlikely you will ever find it," Maul adds.
No, no – This is worse than he ever considered. Sidious is hiding on the future Death Star, and he's kidnapping Jedi for Force knows what, and Ahsoka –
That's where she is, isn't it? How would he ever find her? It explains why the Force doesn't show him a planet when he tries meditating – because there is no planet to find. She's somewhere in space, and he has no way of tracking down where it might be. Not yet.
Not unless they can get someone on board to try something, and the likelihood of that is almost impossible. For a moment, he considers what if he... just turned himself over to Sidious as a way to get out Ahsoka and figure out what's really going on. But even as he considers it, he knows he can't.
Sidious would see through it; he'd suspect a trick, and he'd be ready. And it's already a dangerous enough risk that he might... Fall again. Even if Obi-Wan stops him, there's no saying how much destruction he could cause first, and nothing is worth that. Not if he destroys everything he's trying to protect again.
He doesn't have a way to do that anyway, and it's not as if the Jedi would ever let him. Probably rightfully so.
"If you can discover any more about this... tell me," Anakin requests finally. It's the most he can ask for.
**w**
They still haven't found any traces of Ahsoka – or Sidious and his Death Star – anywhere when Anakin is sent with several Republic Senators to Mandalore for the peace negotiations. Padme is there too, and it's the first time he's been around her for more than a brief conversation.
Padme hasn't tried saying anything to him on a more... personal level since they came there, even if he can tell that she wants to. It's... easier for him like this, when she's not trying to pursue that side of their relationship, but it still feels like he's hurting her, and he doesn't want that. But somehow, it always happens. That's why he doesn't... think actually pursing it is a good idea, and even beyond that, he can't imagine being that intimate with someone again.
Anakin has his doubts about how far the negotiating will go in the first place, but he keeps it to himself – as always – focusing solely on the mission of ensuring nothing will go downhill.
He was called out to check a potential breach in security when he senses a flare of danger in the Force – it had been uneasy the entire time, but now, it's screaming. No sooner than that is he commed by Rex. "General," he reports sounding breathless, "Someone just made it through all our security points. Six are down, and Senator Amidala was taken hostage. We could be wrong, but several have confirmed that it appears to be Commander Tano."
What?! For a moment, he forgets how to breathe. Literally. He still does sometimes, and he stumbles into the wall to steady himself, struggling to force air in and out of his lungs. "Follow her!" he orders.
"We're searching for her right now."
"I'll come over," Anakin replies, cutting the connection. He doesn't need to track Ahsoka's location. He can feel her just as well with the Force, though for some reason, her presence feels dimmed, blurred over somehow. He can still sense Padme, though, and he can follow that.
Except by the time he arrives, they're already gone, though they do have some latch onto her direction.
What did Sidious do to her? That's what Anakin can't understand. Ahsoka would never willingly work for the Sith. She wouldn't do it even for Anakin himself. So, what happened to her?!
And why does her presence feel so... wrong?
He doesn't know what to do, so he does the only thing he can – he calls the Council immediately to ask what he should do.
"There is a good chance this is a trap," Master Windu points out.
"Of course, it's a trap," Obi-Wan replies, "But it's the best chance we have at locating Sidious."
He doesn't want to go, but he can already see how it's likely the best chance they have. "What will we do?" Anakin inquires.
"Follow, you should," Yoda commands, "Sense that this is the will of the Force, I do. Confront your padawan, you must."
With a start, Anakin remembers how he had gone to Yoda after his nightmares about Padme. The Grandmaster hadn't helped him at all then when he needed it. Where would they be, if he had been more... sympathetic? He can't help wondering, but in the end, it doesn't really matter. He has no right to feel resentment towards them or anyone.
"I will go alone," he says, silently begging the Force to not let this go how he's terrified it will. He can't... become Vader again.
"We will send reinforcements as soon as we can," Obi-Wan assures him, "For now, you must follow her. May the Force be with you."
His heart skips a beat on hearing that again, from Obi-Wan – he hadn't heard that since his master left for Utapau and everything fell into shambles. "If it comes to it..."
"I know."
Anakin nods. Hearing the reassurance is nearly enough to bring him to tears – he waited to hear it, had to know, but... he doesn't entirely understand why his master is actually trying to do something to make him more... comfortable, but he can't take this almost impossible to find and undeserved display of affection for granted.
"May the Force be with you," Anakin replies, somehow finding the voice to speak, before the connection fizzles off. Silently, he can only hope that this will go well. Worrying about it won't change what happens, but he can't help the nervousness eating him inside out.
But finding Ahsoka is more important than all that, so he doesn't let it stop him. He needs to get her back to safety, even if it means putting his life on the line, and that's what terrifies him so much. Both her and Padme are there, and the last time he had to protect Padme and his child...
Everything fell apart. So yes, he's terrified of it happening again, but it's what needs to be done.
That doesn't mean he's ever going to be ready to see Sidious again, either for what he reminds Anakin of or for the influence the Sith still probably has over Anakin's mind.
**w**
The Force feels... unsettled, murky, and dark when he emerges from hyperspace. No matter how much Anakin tries to let go of his fear, he can't stop the panic twisting inside him. He doesn't know how to deal with something of this magnitude.
Because this – this is Sidious himself that Anakin is about to confront again, and he doesn't know what he'll encounter on the way. It won't be anything beyond what he can handle, but what about Padme and Ahsoka? And everyone else who will be caught in the crossfire? They deserve better than to be dragged into this because of Anakin. He should've prevented that from happening, some way or another.
The structure in front of him doesn't look like the Death Star, despite its massive size. The exterior has been covered entirely. It's entirely spherical also, unlike the Death Star. It's also much smaller. How Sidious got it built so fast, Anakin has no idea – it's only been a few months since Sidious left. He must have been preparing for a while. It makes sense – he would've sensed the time travel, too.
Anakin guides the ship closer, focusing on his approach instead of the fear tearing him apart. Even Padme's presence feels oddly blurred over now. This... thing is something of a Dark Side nexus. How did Sidious do that?!
It shouldn't be possible, but then again, his once master has always been capable of doing things that should be impossible, even for the Sith. This is definitely one of them. It's something far beyond unnatural. Years ago, Vader might've been impressed. Now, all Anakin feels – beyond his fear – is a sort of disgust. This is entirely unnatural, an abomination in the Force. Machines should not be like this.
Just like the Death Star.
Sidious isn't even what the Sith once were about. He's fallen from the way, the same way the Jedi now are. The same thing that made Anakin turn on the Jedi is what made him turn on Sidious himself. Anakin doesn't know if it was Sidious or his master, or his master's master before that started twisting the Dark Side to become their own instead of trying to follow it, but either way, Sidious is willingly continuing it, and he's destroying the entire galaxy with him. It wasn't like with Vader – Sidious is doing it all of his own choice.
That won't stop Anakin from giving him the chance to find a way to be better if he can – all Vader needed was that reassurance, the faith that he could be and... permission.
Aside from a slight prickle of anxiety, he's somehow managed to make himself feel simply empty when he arrives. They catch him in a tractor beam, predictably, when they spot him. He doesn't feel, not as the ship lands and he lowers the ramp. He doesn't, until he steps off the ramp and sees Sidious standing across from him.
Fear flares through him instantly. He tries not to think about all the times Sidious tortured him. Tries not to think about... how Sidious is the one who killed him, and...
Anakin swallows back his fear – the same way he had years ago on one of Jabi'im's moons when he faced Obi-Wan – and walks forwards. Force help him.
"Impressive, is it not?" the Sith asks, approaching him. He was moving the same way on Exegol, and it takes Anakin a moment to remember that this is the past, not future.
"The extent of your stupidity, or the complete disregarding to will of the Dark Side?" It's ridiculous how much he has to fight off the urge to kneel, because it doesn't feel like he's earned the right to be standing right now.
"Ah, yes," Sidious says, almost scornfully, "Still a Jedi, my boy? You must know you are made for a life far greater."
"Of greater destruction? Possibly. But I am not yours to control." He can't help crossing his arms, drawing his cloak closer around him. It's strange to remember a time when it's brown was once a near black. "I'm just someone."
"Yes," the Sith purrs, moving closer, "You are my apprentice."
He forces himself not to twitch. "Am I?"
"You soon will be."
"And if I don't?" He can feel the darkness stronger in here, though. It's suffocating. It makes drawing on the Light much harder if he tries reaching outwards. It doesn't help how he feels no calm inside himself. Sidious did truly design this brilliantly, not as though Anakin would ever tell him so.
"It is inevitable for you to join me. It is your destiny."
Anakin stares at him, unmoved. He knows this isn't a good situation to be in, but he can't let it show.
"Come," Sidious commands, almost gloatingly, turning and walking deeper into the structure. It's massive, but Anakin doesn't think it's half as complete as it looks from the outside.
As they walk through the station, he senses more and more presences, all dark and blurred over like Ahsoka's was. They feel oddly empty. Distant, far away, and unreachable. What is Sidious doing to them?
"I know you're here for your friends," Palpatine says as they walk, "I will free them if you become my apprentice."
For the briefest moment, he considers it, but he knows better now. Sidious wouldn't fulfill his promise, either way. Anakin opts to remain silent. It's easier than outright denying a command from Sidious. He doesn't know how to do that to anyone anymore.
"I will show you the strength of the Dark Side," Sidious continues with certainty.
"Your overconfidence is your weakness," Anakin replies, working up his courage, "As is your fear of losing power. Let it go, and you will have nothing to fear." He must do this, but he's beyond terrified to. He knows Sidious will be furious, but he can't... let this go.
"I fear nothing," Sidious growls, rounding on him sharply enough that Anakin can't help flinching back from the suddenness.
"You fear losing your power," Anakin repeats, keeping his voice level despite his fear, "That is why you have... done all this." Sidious hasn't interrupted him yet, likely too stunned by the fact that someone is talking to him like this, so Anakin keeps talking. He needs to get this all out before he's stopped, since he knows the Sith won't let him talk forever. "You started this because you wanted to help, didn't you? Until you got lost in your own powers and fears. You don't have to do this. You can still make it right."
Sidious scoffs. "You know nothing of the ways of the Sith. You are blinded by the Jedi's lies, but I will teach you."
"I have nothing I need to learn from you."
The Sith is studying him consideringly in the way that always makes him feel as though he's staring through him, seeing something Anakin himself can't even imagine, something that makes his skin crawl. "We will see," he replies smugly, "If the full power of this station is against you... who will win?"
"The Force," Anakin answers automatically, "All is as the Force wills it." And if nothing else, he can believe that. Whatever happens now, it will play out as the Force deems it so.
"You were always meant to be mine," Sidious responds gloatingly, and for a moment, all Anakin can remember is all those times in the future when he felt Sidious' possessiveness over him, felt the Sith's presence hovering far too close to or inside his mind, radiating feelings of you are mine, you will always be mine. As though Anakin belonged to him.
It's no less unsettling to see now, especially not when a part of his mind keeps whispering about how Sidious is his master,and he should give in to him.
He doesn't have a moment longer to consider it before the Force flares sharply in warning, and Anakin spins around, using the Force to stop a very familiar green lightsaber from beheading him. It's Ahsoka. And her eyes are yellow, but there's something distant about them, as if she's not fully there.
She slashes at him again, and he blocks it with the Force again, shoving her back.
"Ahsoka?" Anakin asks. It reminds him of Mortis, and more than that of Malachor, but he knows this isn't her choice. Sidious is doing something to her, something that seems to have stripped away her free will.
This is his padawan. He should've protected her, but he didn't. He failed her far worse than should be possible, and she was hurt because of him. And Sidious has enslaved her, hasn't he? It's not even like what he did to Vader, because he has complete control of her mind.
She doesn't respond to her name, trying to take his head off in response.
He has to find a way to stop this, but he doesn't even know what Sidious did to her, which he won't find out by fighting her. The more he fights, the more he plays into Sidious's hand, whatever all the Sith is planning.
Anakin turns, sprinting from the room into one of the endless halls that fill the station – it's far too big for him to have gotten a feel for what it's like. He doesn't see Sidious anywhere, but he doesn't need to. He needs to find whatever he's done that's controlling Ahsoka like this, and it probably has to do with however he made this a Dark Side nexus,completely unnaturally.
Ahsoka runs into the hallway after him, right as another Jedi rounds the corner in front of him, lightsaber drawn. They look just as distant as Ahsoka, and... So this is what he's been doing to all the Jedi who've disappeared?!
How many are here?
All he knows already is that it's too many. And he can't hurt any of them. It's not their choice, and even if it was...
Somehow,he has to find a way to break this control, but he doesn't know how. He doesn't have time to think either when they're both charging for him, and he takes off down the hall again, hearing them close behind.
Anakin reaches out with the Force as he runs, trying to locate wherehe needs to be going. He can feel where the Dark Side is strongest, and he tries to head in that direction, except more Jedi are advancing on him, and he can't outrun everyone.
He shoves them back with the Force again, ducking as someone throws a lightsaber where his head was moments before. He sprints into another hall, only to come face to face with another group of Jedi.
Except now that he's here, he can make out a Sith holocron positioned near the ceiling nearby, and then, he knows. He knew it was possibleto use holocrons for mind-control like this, but he had no idea Sidious already perfected the technique. He implied he studied it once when Anakin was Vader, but what Sidious did or didn't study of the Dark Side he never really told him.
It would explain the Dark Side nexus too, and – They're probably all over the station, and somehow, he needs to destroy all of them, with the entire station on his tail.
Including Ahsoka.
This once, he can understand why Obi-Wan ran on Mapuzo
That's about all he can do now. He doesn't want to hurt them.
He ignites his lightsaber, holding the Jedi in front on both sides back with the Force as he slashes through the holocron. A ripple runs through the Force, the strength of the Dark Side dipping ever so slightly, but if anything, the Jedi only attack his Force-shield harder, trying to break through. There's too many of them, and he could hold them off for a while, but it's exhausting.
He stabs his blade into the floor, cutting a hole and jumping down to the level below before he runs. He's good at disappearing, and he cuts through the few droids he encounters, and hastily knocks the two Jedi he finds unconscious before they can sound an alarm, before he climbs into the vents, taking a moment to just breathe.
They'll find him any minute, but he needs a plan. Fighting his way through the whole station isn't going to work. If only there was someone –
Actually, there might be.
He drops down from the vent again, racing for the detention level – at least where he assumes it probably is. He destroys a couple holocrons he finds on the way but it's still not enough to break the control.
Sure enough, Padme is sitting in her cell when he arrives. She seems a little out of it, but not as much as the others. Maybe because they never fully controlled her, or maybe it's that she's not as susceptible, seeing as she's not Force-sensitive.
"Ani?" she asks, eyes widening in surprise when he hastily deactivates the ray shield. "How did you get here?"
"I followed you," he replies, heart pounding as he scans the hall. The others are coming. He can feel it all of a sudden. How did they know to come here? He can protect himself, but he doesn't know if he can protect her at the same time. And they won't hesitate to hurt her. "Come, we must go."
Padme stands and follows him into the hall a bit unsteadily. Anakin draws the Force around him again. It's murky on the outside, so he has to reach inwards instead. Inwards, like he did as a Sith, but when he tries deep enough, when he thinks of Luke, he can find that Light he needs.
Even inside himself.
When he thinks of Ahsoka and Rex and remembers that feeling of belonging, he can feel it.
And Mill, of course. The memory of another lifetime, the soft "you don't have to be the sun-dragon" rings through his mind, and he remembers that – he hadn't understood it then, but he does now. All he needed was permission. She was trying to give it to him, but he didn't believe her. He should've, but he needs to remember it now, because if he gets lost in that, his urge to protect, he'll destroy them.
That's not what he needs to be anymore. He understands that he'll never mean anything to them, and he doesn't... he's not going to fight for something he knows Obi-Wan will never be willing to give. No one will, so he has no reason to try.
Why am I only what you want me to be when I do not try, he will ask Obi-Wan later, but it doesn't matter now.
He takes that Light, drawing it in as he moves, letting it lead him to the points where the darkness is emanating from. The trail is hard, since he knows little of the station, and mostly because it leads out into areas that were never fully built and traversing them is potentially deadly. It's not as if he can leave these people here, so he does it anyway.
He'll do it until there's nothing left to do.
Ahsoka jumps him before he makes it to the holocron though, nearly throwing him off the very narrow walkway. Anakin catches her, throwing her back towards the main part of the structure, sprinting to the end of the walkway and stabbing his lightsaber down into it. There's a rush of dark energy that flings him back, and he lands near where Ahsoka is.
Ahsoka herself stumbles, nearly falling. Anakin rolls over, throwing his hair out of his face and standing upright. For a moment, he can sense a flicker of Ahsoka. "Ahsoka?" he tries, silently begging for a response.
She breathes in shakily, leaning heavily against a nearby beam. She's fighting, he realizes. Now that she can. "Padme," he calls quietly, "Do you have a blaster?"
"I found one from a droid. Why?"
"Shoot the holocrons if you find them," he orders. He glances out into the expanse around them. He senses the holocrons scattered throughout, and since some of them are out in the open, that gives him an idea.
He takes the blaster from her for a moment, reaching outwards into the Force, trying to find it's will. He can pinpoint the darkness easily, but he's not trying to destroy. He's trying to be a weapon of the Force, if he can truly be called a weapon for that.
The blaster shots won't reach much, but he takes out three more, aim hitting their targets precisely, before he hands it back over to Padme.
Behind him, Ahsoka hits the ground on her knees with a quiet gasp, hands flying to her head.
Anakin crouches in front of her, struggling to focus on something other than his surging concern.
"Master?" she asks, strained, tilting her head up to look at him.
"I'm here," he assures.
"Anakin?" She looks up, blinking a few times. "I... I'm so sorry, I –"
"It's fine," he promises, "I know it was not your choice. Remain here. The darkness here is lifting. If you leave, Sidious might possess you again."
Anakin leaves it at that, then, taking off again. He wants to wait, but the longer he waits, the more at risk they all are.
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