Padmé, one of the rebellion's founders and secret leaders, manages to both bring Vader to the Light and the rebellion.

When Darth Vader himself steps off of Padmé's Nubian cruiser, Mon Mothma knows it's over. Not only for her dear friend, but there's no chance she can evacuate their base before his slaughter begins. He'll kill every last rebel, destroy every ship they've gathered. The fight has been for nothing after all.

But then Padmé walks off beside him, her hands out in surrender as she faces the blasters pointed at the Dark Lord. "Wait, wait! He won't hurt anyone!"

Now this, Mothma didn't expect. She hesitates, but eventually signals for the rebels to put their weapons aside.

Padmé relaxes, if only a fraction. She walks in front of Vader as they exit her ship, her expression carefully neutral. Once she stops in front of Mothma, the former Senator nods to the nearest private room. "I'd like to explain…sooner than later."

Lord Vader doesn't speak. In fact, he doesn't even look around him, analyzing their bass. He simply stands behind Padmé like he would the kriffing Emperor.

"Yes." Mon Mothma nods, moving quickly to privacy. Only once they're locked in does she realize Vader has force suppression cuffs on. Did Padmé actually manage to arrest him?!

For a painful moment, Padmé and Vader exchange glances. They seem to be having a silent conversation; though, how that's possible with a mask between them is beyond Mothma.

Finally, Vader speaks. "I have betrayed my master."

Padmé gives him a look. "Really?" She sighs, then makes eye contact with a thoroughly confused Mothma. "I was able to get in contact with The Executor and exchange my freedom for Yavin's protection, as I said I would."

The Empire had gotten dangerously close to figuring them out. Of course, Padmé has suggested she personally wager her former relationship to who once was her husband -a messy situation to say the least- in order to redirect the Empire's fleets.

Why Organa let her go, Mothma still isn't sure, but he seemed to have been right. She had Darth Vader standing by her side.

"Things sort of…came together after that. And when Palpatine started realizing his loyal slave wasn't being truthful, well…we ran. He vowed to help us any way he can, so long as I'm here with him."

They hold hands, those black gloves nearly covering Padmé's brown ones entirely. It's completely bizarre and if Mothma didn't trust her friend -and whatever force magic seems to be at play- then she would've sent them straight back out into space and moved their base again. But…

"Is that true?" She asks Vader, now.

The Dark Lord nods. "The Empire's secrets are yours. Any detail you wish will be given at your command. I…" He pauses, the rotation of his breathing the only thing to fill the silence. "I cannot return your rebels' lives, but I will atone any way possible."

Mothma still isn't so sure. "What of your inquisitors?" She knows they'd had trouble with at least a handful.

"They will be dealt with." Vader says darkly.

"And if I command you leave them alive? If I order you to stay here, locked away in a cell until the Empire either wins this battle or faces defeat?"

The answer isn't as quick this time. "I will…see it is done. Whatever you ask."

"But that won't happen." Padmé argues, her eyes intense. "You'll get proper medical treatment, first. Then, we'll allow him to fight for what he'd like to do for this rebellion."

If she had not been a senator among the most absurd politicians, Mothma would've gaped at her friend. "Pardon?" She asks, bewildered by such a claim.

"Anakin has been a slave for long enough. If he agrees to be locked away, then he can, but he has the right to defend himself." Padmé then turns to her husband. "And you'll stay in the light. Keep meditating and focus on feeling peace. We'll work on the rest together."

"Yes, Angel."

Padmé still looks upset, but she doesn't comment further. "Is this reasonable, Mothma?" She asks the other woman.

As if there's much choice. These secrets are too valuable, even coming from Vader.

"…Alright. I'll set him through the defecting process. He'll likely need constant supervision, but I'm sure you have that covered?" Padmé nods. "Then…welcome to the rebellion, Darth Vader."

"I prefer Skywalker...Senator."

Mothma smiles, surprising herself with how genuine it is. "Of course, Skywalker. I'll explain this to the others as you see to our medical droids. And after that, I believe there are some people who would like to meet with you."

Oh, Phoenix Squadron will have a heyday with this.