Anakin pulled the clothing on that Leia supplied for him earlier. He didn't feel like putting the armor back on, let alone startling anyone. Just about everyone on Home One knew he was onboard by now. Word had gotten around quickly. He was thankful he didn't need to wear the med ward gown. The medic had made him a portable oxygen tank that was blissfully silent. He stood after he finished pulling on the boots and walked out of the room as Leia nodded in approval. "Come on, we don't have much time to lose."

"Anakin, this came in from one of my spies in the Imperial Palace an hour ago," Leia said as she handed the flimsy over to Anakin. "I'm wondering if you heard this name before and know anything about the species?"

"You have spies in the Imperial Palace that Palpatine doesn't know about? That's impressive they managed to slip by him, he must be slipping with old age by now," Anakin commented as he accepted the flimsy plast and looked down to read. Admiral Thrawn has been called to the front to replace Vader. Two gray muscled bodyguards are with him. He crumpled the flimsy plast in his hand causing Leia to raise an eyebrow.

"I take that as a yes," Leia watched him closely as Anakin nodded. She waited patiently for an answer.

"He's a Chiss," Anakin explained as Leia raised an eyebrow. "He's the first alien to ever receive a rank in the military. He's a technical genius and the Noghri need help. They don't realize the Empire has been lying to them all these years. The planet is in disrepair. What should've only taken ten years to clean up is taking longer."

"Why is that?" Leia questioned as she stopped Anakin from walking further by placing her hand on his forearm. "Father, tell me everything. Start to finish and don't leave anything out."

"During the clone wars, one of our dreadnaughts crash landed on their planet. It poisoned the soil. They are not able to grow anything there. I recognized their skills for hunting and they do make good assassins. In exchange for them to serve the Empire, we offered to help clean the soil and grow food. The plants that are being supplied are poisoning the soil again," Anakin paused for a second as Leia's face turned pale. It was a shock to hear this secret. "As soon as we deal with Palpatine and the Death Star. We should place the Nogri on the immediate list to help. Thrawn most likely told them I betrayed the Emperor by now."

"How do you know about the plants?" Leia questioned as Anakin grimaced.

"I helped come up with the plan," Anakin answered honestly. "I ordered it myself. They found a way to replicate the plant making it look native to their home planet. They don't know the difference."

"I suspect the truth coming from you would be the best way to approach it," Leia spoke with a frown. "I'll help them the best way I can. For now it sounds like we can't quite approach them yet. Or maybe we should."

"It's too dangerous," Anakin spoke as they started walking towards the war room. "If you get caught, there will not be an easy way out. There aren't any good places to hide. Eventually I will have to tell them," dealing with the Death Star was on Ackbar's top priority list. They were headed to the war room to discuss the best way to approach this without Palpatine knowing.

"We will discuss this further later," Leia responded with a frown. "We will help them."

"All right," Anakin agreed as they approached the door that led into the war room. Leia opened the door as they stepped through. Ackbar and Madine looked up and acknowledged both with a nod.

"General Skywalker and Princess Leia, good of you to join us," Ackbar spoke as Anakin walked around the table. Leia sat down in one of the chairs. "Perhaps you can enlighten us on what you know about this second Death Star?"

"It's only half finished," Anakin explained as he pulled up the file they were able to get off of Palpatine's data pad. While he was in there, he copied as much information as possible. "It is circling the nearest moon of Endor. It is protected by an energy shield generator that is located on Endor. I'm under the impression that a proton torpedo isn't enough. They made the shield around the power core strong enough to withhold a direct hit. On the other hand, a concussion missile should be able to penetrate the shield around the power core. Your best pilot will be required for this mission. We will also need to send in a ground assault group before attempting to take out the Death Star. General Madine, I'm under the impression you should be able to get a team together?"

"General Solo has offered to lead the strike team," Madine spoke with a small smile as Anakin nodded. "We have a way in with an Imperial Shuttle we obtained recently. We have learned there is a shipment expected there in three days from now."

"Really?" Anakin felt a little intrigued as to which shuttle they managed to receive. He did find a new list of codes in Palpatine's files and he suspected Madine planned to use them instead of an older code. "I'm curious, which shuttle did you obtain?"

"Your personal shuttle off the Executor. We changed the codes and ID on it so it's not quite so obvious," Madine answered with a small smile.

Very cute, Anakin thought to himself as he shook his head. "Do we have a route for the other shuttle making its delivery? We can intercept it at the nearest jump point and hijack it sending in the other shuttle instead. We can obtain the codes they will be using for this delivery."

Madine placed a hand under his chin and glanced at Ackbar who nodded in agreement. He turned his attention back to Anakin with a curious expression. "There is a reason you're suggesting this bold move, isn't there?"

"Father, you should tell them what you told me," Leia encouraged as Anakin released a frustrated sigh.

"Admiral Thrawn has been called to the front to take my place," Anakin explained with a frown. "He's always three steps ahead of any opponent he's ever gone up against. He is an alien who found favor with Palpatine due to his tactics. He's a technical genius."

"We'll go with your plan," Madine agreed quickly as he glanced at Ackbar. "Any suggestions?"

"Rogue Squadron?" Ackbar questioned as he glanced at Anakin with a frown. "Commander Skywalker is in command of Rogue Squadron. I suspect they will be able to handle this mission easily. It's our best squadron and best pilots in the Alliance."

Anakin gave a smug grin as he heard this. "My son takes after me quite a bit I'm finding," he watched as Ackbar picked up the comlink and summoned Luke to the war room. Anakin brought up the route and pinpointed the best place to hijack the shuttle. It was not near an Imperial or Alliance base. If they disabled their long-range communicator and the engines, it would make calling for help and making an escape impossible. "They should take the Executor with them."

"They need the Executor for helping with the Death Star instead. Sending Alderaan Sunset in its place should have sufficient fire power if they run into problems," Ackbar suggested as Anakin nodded in agreement. "I do see your concern."

The door opened as Luke stepped in followed by Han. Anakin turned his attention to both as Han sat down beside Leia. "Glad you could join us."

Han studied Anakin for a second then turned his attention to Madine with a frown. "What's changed?"

"The way we're going to handle your part of the mission," Anakin answered as Han raised an eyebrow. "Is your crew ready?"

"They're ready, when do you expect us to ship out?" Han questioned as Anakin punched in calculations to see how long it would take for Han and the others to get to their destination.

"We need you to leave tomorrow morning," Anakin explained as he showed Han and Luke the intercept point. "There is a shuttle making a delivery to Endor and we need you to intercept the shuttle here. If you're there early, you have the element of surprise on your side. Alderaan Sunset will be accompanying you for backup. Luke, do you think your squadron is up to the task of disabling this craft so they can't summon help or get away?"

"We're up to the task, father," Luke answered easily.

"Excellent," Anakin glanced at Han. "General Solo, you will take your crew with Luke. From there you will go to Endor and carry out the task of taking out the generator. Admiral, ready the air strike team and chose your pilot to send in to take out the power core on the Death Star."

"Who died and put you in charge?" General Madine questioned with a frown.

"You did apparently," Anakin shot back easily.

"Anakin no," Leia quickly cut Madine off before the two could lock horns.

"My apologies Admiral. Old habits die hard," Anakin apologized quickly as Leia gave an appreciative smile.

"No apologies needed, General. I trust your judgments," Ackbar spoke with a half smile. "I know you're used to being in charge."

Anakin gave a tight smile as Madine raised an eyebrow. "How far back are we talking?"

"Clone wars," Anakin answered with a frown. "I chose my admiral and squads for the Defender. The Admiral had his duties, Obi-Wan and I was the ones coming up with the plans and ordering everyone around for the most part."

"I would like to chose two pilots for this mission," Ackbar added in quickly. "In case the first run fails, we have a second pilot for backup."

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Anakin agreed with a smug grin. "Who do you have in mind?"

"We were going to ask Fress, the medic said she's still readjusting her hormones to carrying twins and placed her off duty," Ackbar answered with a frown. "We are hoping you, Luke and Captain Antilles?"

Anakin sat back with a frustrated sigh. If he agreed to this it would mean putting the death mask back on and he really didn't like that helmet too much anymore. He glanced at Han and Leia as they watched him for his response. He didn't mind the request. It's the armor he had to wear. Leia stood up and stepped in beside him as he glanced up at her.

"You're hesitating, what's wrong, father?" Leia questioned in concern as she sat down in the chair beside him and took his hand into hers.

"It's not about the request," Anakin answered honestly as understanding crossed Leia's face.

"It's about putting the armor back on, isn't it?" Leia questioned as Anakin nodded in agreement. "I know Padme has made arrangements for you. It won't be in time for this mission, we're asking you to put the armor on one last time. Han has agreed you and Luke can fly the Falcon. Captain Antilles has agreed to be the backup runner. I have witnessed you taking out squads by yourself making you the best pilot for this mission."

"I know this is a lot to ask of you," Ackbar spoke. "I can understand you not wanting to put the mask back on. It's just the one time. I suspect you may be tired of that mask by now."

"I have an idea how to approach this," Anakin said as Padme walked into the room and closed the door behind her.

"What's that Anakin?" Padme questioned as she walked to where he and Leia were sitting.

"You won't like it," Anakin answered honestly as Padme raised an eyebrow.

"You've come up with crazy plans before. This doesn't top the one where you docked on the emergency hatch of the Malevolence when you rescued me the one time, does it?" Padme questioned with a frown as she placed a hand onto his shoulder.

"Maybe two points up from that," Anakin answered honestly. "I want to make our drop in point as close as possible to the Death Star once Han gives the signal the shield is down. It'll give us a running start before their TIES have a chance to pick up the Falcon's trail."

"Maybe I should specify. I want my ship back in one piece," Han spoke with a serious expression causing Anakin to smirk. "Not a scratch."

"On that rust bucket you call a freighter? Another scratch on the hull won't make that much of a difference. Unless you're suggesting the Falcon can't take another pot shot and will fall to pieces on me when it does?" Anakin questioned with a smug grin knowing this would be playing on Han's feelings towards the ship.

"The ship is good enough for you, old man," Han shot back with a knowing grin. "Just wait and see."

"Just make sure you get that shield down in time," Anakin shot back with a smirk as Leia shook her head sadly. "Or are you good at failing missions?"

"I'll get that shield down in time and will thank you for not destroying my ship in the process," Han shot back with a smug grin.

"Are you two done?" Padme questioned with a raised brow. "If you aren't, you are for now. Han will get the shield down in time and Anakin, if you destroy the Falcon. I'll haunt you in the afterlife if you do."

"More of a good reason for not getting the ship destroyed," Anakin said a small smile. "I promise I'll return to you in one piece."

"You better," Padme spoke with a concerned expression. "Our son is on board with you."

"Are you playing the guilt card?" Anakin questioned with a frown.

"Do you need more convincing?" Padme questioned in a smug tone.

"How far are you willing to go?" Anakin questioned in a slightly husky tone as he raised a hand gently cupped her chin.

"As far as it takes," Padme answered with a mischief twinkle in her eye as he heard someone cough interrupting them.

"Back to the business at hand," Ackbar spoke as Padme sat down in the other chair beside him. "The Executor and Alderaan Sunset will help run as much interference as possible allowing Anakin time to complete the mission. That means unleashing as many squadrons as it will take to keep the TIES from entering the Death Star behind the Falcon."

"That's good to know," Anakin spoke with a frown. "You may want to consider doubling that number. Just in case Thrawn figures out what we're up too. We need as much backup as possible. Palpatine will protect the Death Star at all costs."

"We'll see what we can do," Ackbar spoke as he stood up. "For now you have a mission to prepare for, General. Good luck."

"Thank you, Admiral," Anakin said as they all stood up from the table.

"I had the medic disinfect your armor ahead of time. In case Fey'lya had something done to it," Padme whispered causing Anakin to smile.

"You will always be my angel," Anakin whispered causing Padme to give a warm smile. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they left the room. He planned to spend these last few hours with Padme before heading out in the morning. Having Thrawn in charge was a bit worrisome. It would take a sharp witt in an attempt to keep a head of him.

Thanks for reading :)