Chapter 36 - Nal Hutta

Author's Note: *cackles manically* This is the chapter I have been wanting to write since the beginning. When I first starting plotting this fic, the final scene was the one of the first ones I planned. ;) I have NO REGRETS!

Also, this fic is essentially done being written. There's 41 chapters and an epilogue, and we'll be posting every other week now. :)

The next chapter will be on September 28th. ^-^

To Plague: Hm. Well, Maul is a Sith, too, and therefore, he's on the list of People To Be Destroyed. :P

~ Amina Gila

The three days following Vos' report are filled with a flurry of preparations and meetings. Meetings with the Council to prepare for the coming battle, meetings with the clones, meetings with General Grievous, who will be leading an attack force of droids. Vader is the primary one overseeing and arranging everything, and it's a little exhausting, if he's being honest, but it'll be worth it when it's all over. Maybe then, he'll feel comfortable enough to undergo the full body treatments that Anakin talked to him about so long ago. Maybe then he'll feel like he's done enough for the galaxy so he can relax and let down his guard a little.

It's hard to constantly be on alert, expecting attacks from any and all sides – except from his family, of course. They're the only ones he can trust, the only ones he needs to trust, but still, the constant vigilance is draining.

He hardly has time to spend with anyone, just being, in the three rotations before the meeting on Nal Hutta. He talks to Omega, though, explains the situation to her and to Clone Force 99, sending them, Echo, and Fives to Naboo with Padme where they'll hopefully be safe. He talks to Ahsoka, tries to convince her not to come, but she's insistent, and he caves. Better to bring her than to leave her out and have her sneak along. He talks to Rex, to Cody, to Fox, arranging security on Coruscant for while he's gone, planning their attack.

Scouts, both clones and droids, report back from Nal Hutta with more intel, confirming Vos' report of the meeting and getting surveillance of the area so they can plan their attack properly. The one aspect that Vader dislikes most, aside from the inevitable trap that he and Anakin – and Ahsoka – will be walking into, is that Obi-Wan is one of the Jedi who was selected by the Council to go, and that means working with him, planning with him.

Vader has so many mixed feelings about him, and he… doesn't really want to be around him, but for Anakin's sake, for the galaxy's sake, he can endure it. Obi-Wan isn't openly hostile, and nor are the other Jedi who are part of the strike team, but they're not exactly friendly either. There's a sort of unspoken agreement that Maul is a threat and one they need to neutralize together. That means working together. Of course, that would be far easier if Vader wasn't so certain that the Jedi are secretly planning to stab him in the back while they're there.

Oh, they can try.

He wasn't a Jedi killer for nothing in the once future. He fought his way through the Temple and survived. He's killed more Jedi than he even can count. If they cause a problem, or threaten him or his family, they will face the consequences. He has warned them repeatedly, and if they choose not to heed his warnings, well, he cannot make choices for them. They know what the consequences will be.

It is time for him to show the galaxy once and for all that Darth Vader does not play games or take kindly to people who threaten his family or his Empire.

It will be a lesson not quickly forgotten.

**w**

En route to Nal Hutta, after rendezvousing with General Grievous and the rest of his droid forces, is the first time Anakin meets the former Separatist General. He's on the bridge, and Anakin goes to join him, not because he especially wants to interact with him, but because he's trying to hide from Obi-Wan. All this time, he's mostly evaded interacting with him, which is something he feels a little bad about, because it means Vader's been facing him alone, but he just really, really does not want to talk to Obi-Wan. It's too awkward and painful, especially knowing that Obi-Wan might well be plotting to kill Vader after they arrive.

And well, Grievous is interesting, in a way.

He is a monster, the monster that Dooku controlled, but he is still a living being. He was a good general, deadly for the Jedi and clones alike, and while Anakin will never trust him, that doesn't mean they can't coexist peacefully. Besides, he's not very confident that Grievous isn't planning to turn on Vader when he has a chance.

"General Grievous," he greets him, nodding. The cyborg is… tall, and Anakin can see how he could be as deadly as he is.

Narrowed, yellow eyes turn towards him, and in them, Anakin can only see distrust. "Anakin Skywalker," he rasps in answer. "I would not have expected you to support the Empire."

He shrugs a shoulder. "The galaxy needs strength to ensure peace, justice, and order. Vader is the only one I would trust to lead."

"The rest of the Jedi do not hold him in such high esteem," the Kaleesh notes.

"No," Anakin agrees, "They do not, and that is why I have separated myself from them. They would kill me, too, if they could."

There's a spark of curiosity from Grievous at that. "Our Emperor should wipe out the Jedi," he hisses, loathing in his voice. "They are the biggest hindrance to justice."

Anakin thinks back to what he's heard of Grievous – he researched him a little when he knew they'd be working with him on this mission. He was a warrior on his home world of Kalee, and he fought against the Yam'rii invaders who were aided by the Republic and Jedi Order. It is just another example of the corruption and oppression which the Republic tolerated – and even actively encouraged. There was no mistake about what happened there. The Jedi should never have gotten involved as they did. It was senseless, needless, except that the Senate demanded it because they could gain resources from the technologically advanced Yam'rii.

Obviously, that doesn't even begin to justify what Grievous has chosen to do, and the destruction he has caused, but after seeing Vader and helping him be better, Anakin is a little more able to look at someone, even a monster like Grievous, and see who they used to be – and the person they could be if they chose to be better.

"You are not wrong," Anakin concedes, "But Dooku's way wasn't the right way, either. Senseless destruction and warfare? The only victor would have been the Sith. Sidious would have risen up and formed an empire, and what happened to your people would have happened to people throughout the entire galaxy. Even if the Jedi failed, even if they chose to become a part of the problem by siding with the Senate over the people, at least they tried."

"And failed," Grievous snarls.

"They failed," he agrees readily, "But they still tried." He pauses. "The time of the Jedi has passed now. They act as our Emperor commands it, and if you trust him, then you must trust what the Jedi do now as well, even if you cannot trust them as people."

The Kaleesh seems to consider that for a few moments. "I will never consider them allies, after what they caused to my world," he says, "But it is true that I trust our Emperor to bring justice."

And that is really all Anakin needed to know.

**w**

Omega sulks the whole way to Naboo. Padme might not have dealt with children much, but it's obvious to her that Omega isn't happy with the current arrangement.

"What if something goes wrong?" she demands after they arrive at Varykino when Padme approaches her, trying to coax her to open up and explore a little. "What if they need my help?!"

"They're Jedi, Omega," Echo interjects before Padme can try to explain how unlikely that is. "They'll be fine."

She scowls. "But something's gonna go wrong! I can feel it."

That leaves Padme and the other clones to look at each other helplessly. None of them have the Force. None of them have any idea what it feels like or what it means when Force-sensitives start talking about "feelings" that they have. "What do you feel?" Padme asks finally, sitting next to Omega on the couch in the living room where Anakin first confessed his love for her. Being here reminds her of him, reminds her of how much they loved each other, of how happy they were to marry and be together. She misses him.

The girl's expression scrunches, her eyes going distant in that way Anakin's always do when he's sensing something. "Something dark," she answers, biting her lip. "Something bad will happen to Anakin, I think. Both of them are gonna need our help."

Both? Does she mean Anakin and Vader? It's a strange comment, but Padme shrugs it off, focusing instead on the first half, the part about something happening to Anakin. "Anakin wants you to stay here, where you'll be safe," she reminds, just as Wrecker gasps loudly.

"That's a secret!" he hisses, and Hunter – she thinks his name was Hunter anyway – smacks his shoulder, hard, with a pointed 'shut up' look. Wrecker winces. "Sorry."

Wait, what? Padme blinks, thinks back over what Omega said, and then frowns. She has the absurd thought that Omega called Vader 'Anakin', but that's ridiculous, isn't it? Vader said he's Anakin's father; maybe his real name used to be Anakin? "What secret?" Padme queries, because at least this is a safe line of questioning.

Everyone is quiet, looking at each other or the walls or the floor, and it's very obvious that they all know about this… secret and were probably instructed not to tell her.

"You'd best talk to Anakin about that, Senator," Fives tells her.

"We need to go there!" Omega insists. "There's gonna be a huge fight, and Anakin will be hurt, and he needs me! If I don't go, something even worse will happen." Her expression twists, almost like she might cry, and Hunter takes a step toward her, looking panicked.

"Kid, we have our orders to keep you safe here."

"But what if he –?" Her voice wavers, and she sniffles, unwilling to finish the sentence. "They're going into a trap. Ahsoka told me," she continues. "The Jedi are gonna try and kill all of them, and we're just going to sit here?"

"If we go, would it really matter?" Fives questions, meeting her eyes.

Padme… has no idea what to say, either. Omega has the Force, and she might be a child and overreacting a little, but at the same time, she must know what she's talking about. Maybe it really would be better for them to go to Nal Hutta, to try and help Anakin – they're talking about Anakin, right? Her Anakin? Not Vader? – from… whatever threat awaits them.

Omega closes her eyes, opening them a few minutes later, nodding. "I need to go," she states firmly, calmly, knowingly, looking at Padme. "Please?" she almost begs. "Can we go?"

Padme reaches for her hand, taking it. "It will be very dangerous for you," she warns. "That's why Anakin wanted you here."

She squeezes Padme's hand. "Yeah, but I'm not gonna be alone. We're all going."

"If the General needs us…" Fives begins, a look of determination entering his eyes.

And Padme already knows what her decision is. Yes, it's stupid and dangerous and risky to take Omega to a place like that, but if Anakin needs their help? She's not going to let him die before she has the chance to apologize for the distance between them, before she tells him again how much she loves him, how much she wants them to be together again, the way they used to be. "Okay," she concedes, "We can go, but you need to listen to us if we tell you to do something."

"I will, I promise," Omega chirps happily, leaning forward to hug her. "You're the best mom ever!"

Padme is relatively certain that Omega only said that to make sure she wouldn't change her mind, and really, after hearing that? There's no way she could. Omega is… Anakin's daughter, and hers by default. She just hopes she won't regret this.

**w**

The closer they get to the meeting spot, to the site of the battle, the worse feeling Anakin gets. Something is going to go wrong. Very wrong. He can feel it in every fiber of his being.

He's used to the feeling, though, knowing something will go wrong, knowing he'll be hurt, but he always pushes forward, regardless of the threat to himself. That's what he does, and he isn't going to stop now, especially if it means Vader will be hurt instead of him. He's stronger, and he can survive more damage to his body. If some of Vader's machinery is damaged…

Well, that's not something he's going to think about.

He sticks close to Vader, trying to ignore the way his position puts him in close proximity with Obi-Wan. The other Jedi who came with them as part of the strike team are nearby, too, though they're spread out accordingly, to give them the best advantage.

The meeting is underway when they arrive, and Vader gathers the Force to him, lashing out, shattering the window as he leaps though, lightsaber hilt in hand, landing lightly on the floor before he rises to his full height. "My invite was lost," he deadpans, and that's when the chorus of cries breaks out, demands to shoot, protests of innocence, threats of war. Vader is fazed by none of it, and Anakin smirks slightly when Vader raises a hand to silence them. He's outside, so he can't see clearly, but he can feel the Dark Side and Maul.

"I know what you are doing," Vader warns. "Surrender now or face the consequences."

There's a heartbeat of silence, and when Vader tugs lightly on their bond, Anakin follows the pull, springing lightly onto the windowsill and crouching there, other Jedi showing themselves all around the room, breaking through doors or windows – or the ceiling in some cases.

Maul rises, tall and menacing, radiating malice and fury into the Force. "Bold of you to come here, pretender," he sneers. "You might be Emperor, but you are no match for our combined strength." He reaches for his lightsaber, and Anakin can feel bitter amusement from Vader, amusement and hate. This is personal to him for some reason; Maul hurt him. Deeply. And it's not just because he killed Qui-Gon, either. No, Maul did something to Vader personally, something Anakin doesn't know about.

"You think yourself a Sith," Vader says, vocoder making the words a monotone, but there's sharpness there, too. "You are nothing more than a pawn. You are nothing." He looks around the room. "Surrender, and you might survive. Fight, and death will greet you."

One of the Pykes draws a blaster and fires, and that's when the chaos breaks loose.

Anakin whips out his lightsaber, deflecting blaster bolts when they come close to him as Vader steps forward into the fray. Clones and droids flood in, too, picking off the security, taking out all the individuals in the room, one at a time. He flips towards the Hutts, toward where they're all gathered, making a fruitless bid to escape, and he cuts them down, Vader at his side. This is personal to them, too, and when Vader stabs Gardulla, Anakin only feels relief and a vicious sense of satisfaction.

It was Gardulla who enslaved his mother, who sold her as a slave, and it was in Shmi's memory that they killed the Hutts.

He loses track of Vader as the fight progresses, fending off a number of bounty hunters who intercept him, probably ones who worked for the Hutts. It's easy to defeat them, one by one, but there's still something… something –

The Force screams of danger, and he stills, sensing the thermal detonator hidden in the room. "Get down!" he yells, diving through a nearby, shattered window and hoping that everyone else has a chance to get to cover before it's too late.

The explosion is deafening, blinding, and Anakin would have thrown up a Force shield around himself if he hadn't seen Obi-Wan out of the corner of his eye, being blasted backward. He'll be hurt, badly, and with this particular band of criminals around, chances are high that he'll be captured or killed before someone can get to him. Anakin doesn't think; he just reacts, lunging forward and tackling Obi-Wan to the ground, throwing up a Force shield around both of them as the world burns orange.

Through his bond with Vader, he feels anger, and thrum of panic, but he's okay. Of course, he is. He's strong, endurent, and together, they're unbeatable. He reaches for Ahsoka next, instinctively, because she's his kid, his sister, and she's here. But she reaches back, a flicker of reassurance accompanied by a feeling that lets him know she's winded but fine, not in danger.

The initial blast from the explosion passes over them, debris falling to the ground all around them, and Anakin thinks he ought to be able to relax, but the Force is still clamoring for his attention, still insistent, and he doesn't know what's about to happen, because the only people nearby are supposed to be allies.

But then, that's probably the problem; the Jedi are not truly allies.

He lowers the shield, ducking a piece of duracrete that's falling towards them, and that's the moment the Force blares an urgent warning: as something long and sharp slams into him, burying itself into his side, angling towards his vital organs. Anakin gasps out a pained breath, crumpling to his knees, as the initial shock fades to a burning, searing pain, the vibroknife in his side burning him from the inside out.

Well, kriff.

This was decidedly not part of the plan, and Anakin has very, very little desire to die here, but as he reaches for the hilt, feels how deeply it's buried into his body, he knows that his time is running out.

Somehow, this isn't quite how he expected to die.

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