On the far reaches of the Outer Rim, sits an empty planet, known as Stobar. The only thing it's really known for is its booming spaceport, where most smugglers and pilots stop to refuel both their ships and their stomachs. It's here that an incredibly secret meeting between the leaders of three rebel cells is to take place.
Bail Organa and Raymus Antilles sat in a booth facing the door in the small diner. The other cell leaders were already there, but they couldn't risk sitting together, not with the Imperials down their necks. So instead, they would all leave at separate times, and rendez-vous at a small apartment being rented under a fake name. The other two leaders had gotten up and left, and it was just Bail and Antilles.
"You think this will work, my friend?" Bail asked, looking at Antilles, who was shoving a fork of nuna eggs into his mouth.
"Of course, Senator. I have no doubt in my mind," he replied, swallowing. "I'm willing to bet that by this time tomorrow, we'll have feet on the ground on Coruscant."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Raymus. We still need to convince these guys to join our cause." Bail huffed. "I believe it's time for us to go."
"But my omelet," Antilles murmured, eggs still in his mouth. Bail chuckled.
"Get it to go. I'm heading out though. I'll see you at the apartment." Bail got up, dropped a few credits at the counter, and walked out, Antilles running to catch up.
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Anakin jumped up as the door slid shut behind Ahsoka. Leia jerked up and yelped, as she had still been asleep on his leg. Padme slowly lifted Luke's head off her leg and let him down to the floor before standing up.
"Admiral Tano? What are you doing here?" Anakin raised his eyebrow, glancing at Padme and Obi-Wan, who were now standing beside him.
"Please, Anakin. It's Ahsoka." she replied in a hushed voice taking a step toward the others.
"Is it now?" Anakin snapped, a hard glare on his face. "Because I'm pretty sure that yesterday, it was Admiral Tano." He lifted his shirt up to show Ahsoka and the others the burned flesh across his body. Padme gasped, raising a hand to her mouth. Ahsoka faked a wince.
"Ani," Padme whispered into his ear, "hear her out." She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. She nodded to Ahsoka, a shadow of a smile on her face.
"I knew this day would come. You've never been good at hiding. I knew Palpatine would find you. It was only a matter of time. I needed to be here, so I could- so I could help you." she explained, her prosthetic hands clasped behind her. Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan, furrowing his brow.
"And, do you plan to help us?" Obi-Wan asked. Ahsoka shrugged.
"Why else would I have come?"
Anakin clenched his jaw, thinking of what to do. Damn these Force inhibitors. I need the Force. He wanted, with all his heart, to believe her. But why would she have waited this long to say something? Then again, what other choice did he have? If, if Ahsoka meant it, and if she could get them out of this hell hole, it wouldn't be so bad to listen to her. He needed to give his family, Luke and Leia, their best chance. No matter what the cost.
"Alright. What've you got?" he looked back up at the togruta before him. A smile slipped onto Ahsoka's face, but then disappeared before anyone could notice.
"Palpatine plans to see you again tomorrow. I don't know much else. Padme, Obi-Wan, and the children will be back at the prison. That's what Palpatine told me to do anyway, take you four back to the prison. Now, I will make sure that I'm the one who has to take you, Anakin, back to your cell, which will be here at the palace. Palpatine wants to keep you close. I can make sure Padme and Obi-Wan get their weapons back, and are able to get over here where we can get a ship off world.
"Anakin, I can get your lightsaber back as well as get you back to Palpatine's office. He won't be expecting it. You could-" she was cut off by Anakin.
"Woah. What do you mean?" Anakin stepped up, cocking an eyebrow. "We need to get the hell out of here, we don't have time to go on a completely separate, and futile, quest."
"Anakin," Obi-Wan set a hand on his friend's shoulder, "the prophesy. There may not be a better time to do this." Anakin sighed.
"No. You may be right, Obi-Wan, but right now my priority is getting you guys out of here." he replied, coolly, making it obvious that it was not something he wished to discuss further. Padme seemed to completely ignore his tone of voice.
"No, I think Obi-Wan and Ahsoka are right. It's like Master Yoda said, all those years ago on Onderon. You are the Chosen One, who will destroy Palpatine and bring balance to the Force. It's now or never, Anakin." she stepped forward casting an encouraging smile on her husband.
Anakin hated to admit it, but he was outnumbered on this. Maybe it was what the Force wanted, maybe this was its way of speaking to him despite the inhibitors running through his system. He inhaled sharply and huffed.
"Very well. But if this goes south, don't hesitate to leave me behind. My family's safety is far more important to me than taking down Palpatine." he hesitantly agreed, looking back at Ahsoka, "Get them to a ship, and get me into Palpatine's office. We'll see where we go from there."
"It's settled then. Tomorrow after your session with Palpatine, we'll set it all in motion." Ahsoka nodded. "For now, I'm sorry Anakin, but it's time to say goodbye to the others." Anakin frowned, but obliged and picked Luke and Leia up, waking them.
"Daddy? What's going on?" Luke asked, looking into his father's electric blue eyes. Anakin kissed his forehead.
"I'm going to have to go away again for a little bit. But don't worry. We're not going to be here for much longer," Anakin said, glancing over at Ahsoka. "Ahsoka is going to help us."
"Hey, she's that one from your stories!" Leia exclaimed, following her father's gaze, "She's your Pada-padawa-"
"She was my Padawan, yes sweetheart." Anakin grinned, kissing Leia's forehead. "Be good, follow your mother's instructions. I'll see you two soon."
"Yes, Daddy," they replied in unison as Anakin set them down. Obi-Wan quickly approached him while the children ran to Padme.
"Be on the lookout," Anakin whispered, "I don't want to say I don't trust her, but I don't trust her."
"Of course," Obi-Wan offered a smile, "Anakin, I just want to make sure you know this: I believe you can do this. There is no doubt in my mind that you are strong enough to defeat Palpatine and bring balance."
"Thank you... Obi-Wan," Anakin murmured, slightly taken aback by his old master's comment. He was reminded of Qui-Gon's visit with him. They all believe in you. He shook his head and shifted his gaze to Padme. He beamed. The two embraced.
"I told you it wouldn't be long." he chuckled, placing his hand of flesh and blood on her cheek, "We'll be out of here in no time." Padme laughed along, cherishing the warmth of her husband's hand.
"Once again, you've proven yourself too smart for me, Knight Skywalker." she grinned. It soon faded, though. "Palpatine wishes to see you again. Ani, what if he-"
"Let tomorrow worry about itself. I've made it this far, what's one more day. Everything will be fine. I'll see you when Ahsoka brings me to you."
"But Ani-" Anakin raised a hand. He replied in a hushed voice.
"I might not trust her, but I think you can. She won't hurt you or the children."
Ahsoka cleared her throat.
"It's time to go." she said softly.
"I know," Anakin replied, not turning from Padme. "I'll see you tomorrow. We'll hop on a ship and start somewhere new."
"No, Anakin. I'm tired of running. We'll hop on a ship and get in touch with the alliance. It's time we join the fight." she beamed, kissing Anakin on the cheek.
"That's my girl." Anakin remarked, grinning. He kissed her cheek and hugged her tight one more time before she moved over by the children. Ahsoka approached him.
"I'm sorry, Skyguy. If there was another way for me to do this, it'd be so much easier." she bit her lip, looking at her old master intently.
"I appreciate it, Ahsoka. Thank you for doing all this. It's truly selfless of you." he replied, nodding.
"You know, I'm going to have to make it look like you put up a fight," she said quickly, and suddenly she was worried that she sounded too eager. Anakin didn't seem to notice.
"All I have to say is make it look good," he shrugged. Before he could say anything else, Ahsoka batted the butt of her lightsaber against Anakin's head, causing him to fall to the floor, unconscious.
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"I believe we could make this work. The Mon Calamari Resistance stands with you, Senator Organa." Gial Ackbar stated, smiling toward Bail, "After all, the Mon Calamari owe it to the Skywalkers and Master Kenobi for their work in the Clone Wars." There was a collective nod in the room. There was Ackbar, the ex-captain of the Mon Calamari guard, representing the Mon Calamari Resistance. Next to him was Corellia's ex-senator and resistance leader Garm Bel Iblis, with Bail and Raymus representing the Alderaanian Resistance. They now sat around a small table in a rented apartment that rested above a seedy fuel station.
"As does the Corellian Resistance." Garm Bel Iblis nodded. Bail grinned.
"That is grand news. And I've already got word from Mon Mothma that she will provide what troops she has already on Coruscant with her. I'll turn it over to my partner, Raymus Antilles, to explain the plan." Bail nodded to his friend.
"Right. It's rather simple. Commander Iblis, you're men will provide us with air support. Your fighters will guide the transports down to the surface, while continuing an attack in the atmosphere." Iblis nodded.
"I will provide you with my most skilled pilots."
"Very good. Now, the Skywalkers are being held in the Imperial Detention Center. That's where the transports will drop us off. That is where we'll converge with Senator Mothma's troops. We'll work our way through the East cell block to a command center located not too far inside the prison. There, we will have an astromech plug into the computer and find their location. From there, once we've gotten the Skywalkers and Master Kenobi, we'll split up. Captain Ackbar, you'll take a squad and continue west as a diversion. There will be a shuttle waiting for you at the end of the entrance.
"Hopefully at this point, a majority of the guards will be concentrated on you and the cell block that held the Skywalkers. That will allow Senator Organa and the Skywalkers to slip out of the North entrance, where I will be waiting in the Tantive IV to pick them up." Raymus sighed. "Force willing, we will all rendezvous on Ansion where we can regroup."
"It's a stretch. So many variables, and so little to work with." Captain Ackbar remarked, grimacing.
"Having second thoughts, Captain?" Bail raised an eyebrow.
"Hell no, Senator. When do we leave?" Ackbar sat up in his seat, looking eager.
"Well, Raymus here believes we can have troops on the ground by tomorrow morning." Bail winked at his old friend, who smiled sheepishly at the other leaders. "Would it be possible to mobilize your troops and get going tonight?"
"My men are standing by now waiting for my call." Iblis replied.
"Wonderful. We should be getting to Coruscant by dawn. We'll organize ourselves just outside of the Imperial troops' range and be ready to attack by this time tomorrow." Bail said, standing up. "Until tonight, then."
The others stood up as well, and began shaking hands pleased with the plans and ready to get going. Iblis turned to Bail, a small grin on his face.
"You know, Senator," he began, "I believe this is the beginning of great alliance." Bail laughed.
"Come, my friend. We have an Empire to bring down."
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There was a moment of unadulterated joy for Anakin, though he couldn't quite place why he felt this way. He understood, though, when Palpatine's office materialized around him. He noticed he was holding his lightsaber, looking at Palpatine's corpse. All this disappeared, though, as there was a sudden burning sensation in his shoulder. He looked down to see a scorched hole in his tunic, just under his left shoulder. Blood surfaced under the burned skin. He suddenly felt heavier, his injuries from the past week were far too much for him to bear. He collapsed. He could hear voices, but couldn't make anything out. Blood seeped from the blaster wound. His vision turned red. He found himself gasping for air.
A new pain befell him after a while, a pain he hadn't felt since the night of the Purge. A bond had just been broken. The pain was excruciating. Something so familiar and so strong had suddenly snapped, leaving a part of him feeling empty and lost. He screamed out, hoping for an answer. He laid his head back on the ground, closing his eyes. He was too weak.
He choked on a sob, feeling the darkness edging toward him. Just as he was slipping away, he could barely hear the sound of light footsteps approach him.
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Anakin gasped, shooting up from his position on a small cot in a private holding cell. He rubbed his eyes, feeling a wetness on his cheeks. The dream had been so real, yet so unclear.
As much as it pained him to do, he ran through the dream again in his mind. The beginning was a good sign to him, he would kill Palpatine.
Or would he? What if that was Palpatine approaching him at the end? What if Palpatine was getting ready to finish him off? What if as soon as he was done with him, he'd go after the others? Fear spiked within him, his breathing got heavier. He was having a panic attack.
But no, this isn't right. Jedi don't get panic attacks. But that didn't seem to stop his chest from tightening.
You're not a Jedi, anymore. Remember? You're a Sith.
Anakin tried to stand up, but got incredibly lightheaded and slowly slid down the wall into the floor. He was hyperventilating.
The only truth in that dream is that you will die. Lord Sidious will kill you. You will fail, just as you always do.
"Stop it." Anakin muttered, rubbing his temple with his left hand. The voice was a vicious whisper, one that almost tickled his ears with every word.
He won't just stop with you. He'll get the children. And Obi-Wan. And your precious Padme. You failed them too, Anakin.
"No! Quit it! Stop!" He cried, louder now. Tears streamed down his face. "This isn't real!"
All things die, Anakin Skywalker.
Anakin looked up, terrified. "No!" He moaned, darkness beginning to overtake him. His chest stung from the lightsaber wound. His head and heart pounded to two different rhythms.
Even the stars burn out.
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His name was Tackett. Ever since joining the Imperial Guard, it had always just been Tackett. He never complained.
Tackett was sent by the Emperor himself to retrieve Skywalker. The Emperor assured him that Skywalker would be in no condition to fight today, as he'd had a pretty sleepless night. Tackett pondered about how the Emperor knew this, but knew better than to question any further.
He opened the cell door, surprised to see Skywalker lying against the wall, eyes closed. He obviously wasn't asleep, though. As soon as he heard the door open, he looked up at Tackett with exhausted eyes.
Tackett felt no sympathy for Skywalker. He had learned to feel no such things.
"Get up." He demanded. Skywalker only lowered his eyes and turned away. There was a hopelessness to the lad, but Tackett still wasn't phased. He walked over by Skywalker, and kicked him sharply in the ribs. Anakin cried out.
"I said get up, you pathetic excuse for a man!" Tackett yelled, causing Anakin to flinch. Reluctantly, Anakin stood up, grabbing the wall to support himself.
Exhaustion had set in, and he moved sluggishly toward Palpatine's office, requiring some prodding from Tackett's staff to keep him moving. They stood outside the large doors, Anakin bracing himself for whatever was waiting for him on the other side of the doors.
However, nothing could have prepared him for what he saw in the office. The doors slid open.
"Daddy!" Luke called out, a shrill squeal of delight.
He stood beside Palpatine, who had a bony hand resting in the boy's shoulder, a sly smile on his lips. Anakin looked panicked.
"No!"
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Boom. Mic drop.
Wow, writing this chapter just about whipped my ass. But it's up! Yes! Praise!
I'm so proud of how this one turned out! I'm sorry, but sometimes I just need to pat myself on the back, lol.
It's been crazy these past few weeks, but I'm now on spring break so be expecting another chapter very soon! Plans are in place to get the Skywalkers out! We gotta see where this thing is going!
I appreciate the continuing support! I can't thank you guys (and gals) enough.
Review/Follow/Favorite :)
-renny writes