Chapter 13

Anchorhead as always, a bustling town situated on the desert planet of Tatooine, was teeming with activity. Merchants bartered with moisture farmers, droids whirred through the dusty streets, and the scorching sun beat down upon the sand-covered buildings. In a secluded corner of the town, a large group of former slaves gathered, their faces etched with weariness and hope.

When morning came, they would be returning to their fortress, for night had been the only time when they could embrace the mere thought of coming outside.

The sun began its descent on the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the vast desert expanse outside Anchorhead. They huddled closer together near a small campfire, their faces etched with a mix of exhaustion and newfound liberation. They had escaped the clutches of slavery, thanks to the intervention of the enigmatic Vader, but their minds were now filled with questions about the Jedi.

So far, they have remained quiet...

Word had it he would be coming today.

As the fire crackled and sparks danced in the evening air, a young Jenet named Kael couldn't took the silence anymore, his voice tinged with curiosity. "I can't help but wonder about the Jedi," he mused, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames. "Vader showed with his abilities that he was once a Jedi himself. I mean what else can kill slavers like that?"

A hush fell over the group as they pondered Kael's question. Most of them had grown up hearing tales of Jedi Knights, heroically wielding lightsabers and defending the weak. But those stories had always seemed distant, like legends from another world.

Another former slave, an Ugnaught named Kara, proclaimed, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "My parents told me a lot about them. The Jedi are revered as protectors of peace and justice," she started, her eyes gazing into the distance. "They possess a deep connection to the Force, a mystical energy. They trained for years to harness its power and used it to maintain balance in the galaxy."

A child Chalactan girl named Leena interjected, her voice filled with wonder. "I have heard about them too, Ms. Kara. Did they have unique abilities like the tales described? Like mind control or telekinesis?"

Kara smiled warmly, her wrinkled face illuminated by the flickering firelight. "Yes, young one," she replied. "The Jedi possessed extraordinary gifts; some I can't even describe. They are supposed to be peacekeepers, diplomats, and scholars, dedicated to fighting for the Republic. Their lightsabers... well let's just say you wouldn't want to get impaled by one."

Many shivered at that mere thought alone.

"But if the Jedi were so powerful," a skeptical voice of a Rattataki by the name of Teru chimed in, "how did things get so bad? How did slavery persist under their watch?"

The group fell silent, their expressions clouded with uncertainty. How could an order entrusted with protecting others allow such suffering to endure?

Kara's voice broke through the silence, her tone tinged with sadness. "I can only presume that the Jedi Order lost its way," she confessed. "They are entangled in politics and bureaucracy, their focus diverted from the very people they were meant to serve. They must be a police force for their Republic and nothing more."

"And how do we know Vader isn't different?" Teru responded sharply. "I'm not wanting to trade one master for another - most of all for a damn Jedi."

Many of them assembled grumpily agreed.

"I agree," a voice boomed from the shadows.

And they all turned to see him standing there, a figure clouded in black robes as always.

Essentially, Vader was an imposing figure in black robes, his presence commanding attention. The Jedi could prove quite terrifying when they're attempting to put effort into it just like the Sith. Add onto the resplendent height of Anakin Skywalker even before he became the monster in black, and Vader looked just as spectacular.

Suffice to say, word had spread quickly among the liberated. Vader could hear their silent contempt through the Force alone. The children could only awe at his majestic powers despite how the elders had decided to keep the truth about what he had done hidden from them to the best of their abilities to protect the remaining fragile part of their innocence.

Where had he come from? None of them known, and this was the first time that they have seen him since then, being protected by Tann and Ann.

To think, such a pure face could do so much harm against any of his enemies. Some of them shivered at the thought of being on the receiving end of his wrath while others only imagine what he could do with that sort of power.

He'd heard the entire conversation and could only grimace slightly at the reminder of the many flaws of the Jedi that Vader himself would have to tackle considering their Order in the future.

Their diverse group consisted of beings from various species, each carrying the weight of their own unique struggles. Vader now stood at the edge of the circle, aware of how malnourished many of them were, given their recovery. As he gazed upon the faces of those he had liberated, a surge of memories and emotions flooded his mind.

His eyes swoop across the group, taking in the scars both mental and physical and weariness etched upon their faces. There was a Twi'lek, her lekku resembling signs of mistreatment still healing, a Wookiee with matted fur and terrified eyes, and a Duro whose weary gaze hid a lifetime of pain. The sight of their suffering stirred something deep within Vader's heart, a familiar ache fueled by his own experiences.

He remembered the days of his youth, as Anakin Skywalker, a hopeful Jedi Knight who never gave up hope - not even after all the happenstances that destroyed his life. On Mustafar, there would have been a possibility for Obi-Wan and Padmé to save him if that insufferable damn planet wasn't so unstable and didn't pray on both Obi-Wan and Anakin's emotions especially.

On Malachor, while a small part of Vader desired for Ahsoka to join him, their camaraderie would have been short unlike with these liberated now. Ahsoka would have been a daily reminder of his failure, of all he had lost. Luke represented the future and brought back hope, something that Obi-Wan and Ahsoka just simply couldn't.

His battle with Jax Pavan at the Imperial Security Bureau had pained Anakin Skywalker deep down within Vader and perhaps that why he and his friends managed to escape him. Jax was a close friend of his throughout his time as a Padawan, ever loyal and understanding, unlike Tru Veld who he wouldn't even consider a friend, not even now. Darra Thel-Tanis came close, but she was also close with Ferus Olin and chose to remain out of the verbal spars between the two so obviously more of an acquaintance even though her death cut deep into Anakin at the time. Mill Alibeth was also another one who understood him, yet part of him feared what would have happened if he encountered her as a Sith Lord. Zule Xiss, as well - albeit to a lesser degree. Barriss Offee on Ansion before the Clone Wars, and Aayla Secura given the two bonded while meditating.

Fortunately, Vader had vowed not to give completely into darkness a second. The people who came to mind he'd cared about, yet they were loosely friends, nothing else. Going off the deep end yet again wouldn't end positively for him this time around, albeit Vader would admit that it would be possible if someone he cared about ended up in peril.

Now, watching all these slaves of various species talk about their freedom & about the Jedi reminded him of their shortcomings. The Jedi Padawans have been taught to negotiate conflict with only bits of strings that kept them connected to humanity like each of the ones he'd thought about, but they'd been so indoctrinated in the Jedi dogma and flaws, not able to see the corruption of the Order.

Perhaps in another life they could have done greater things. Perhaps in this one they still could, depending on what would happen between him and the Order when the time came.

As the freed slaves conversed among themselves, their voices filled with emotions of all types, Vader found himself yearning for the innocence he had lost so long ago. Although it had been brief, there was a time when as young Anakin he didn't mind the slavery held over their heads and just wanted to be with his mother.

A quiet voice, tinged with sadness, murmured within his thoughts, reminding him of the countless lives he had shattered, the agony he had caused. How many of them had he condemned? He was a slave - yes - but could any of them bear to look at him if they found out what the things his own Sith Master made him do, even though those lives haven't been claimed yet?

Vader's gaze shifted to the stars above, their twinkling lights a reminder of the vastness of the galaxy and the infinite potential for change. He knew he could avoid plenty of damage in this timeline, but he had known new pain could rise for others. Time travel wouldn't be without consequences.

However, at least Vader saved them just in time. Plenty of them must have been dead by the time Anakin reached nine or still in servitude. There were a lot of elders more than Vader himself remembered but there were more of the youth, some barely even enough to be considered adults just like him in this body now that he thought about it.

He would not deflect his actions, but he would express their concerns, reassure them that he is far from a typical Jedi, despite all of his mistakes. Ann and Tann have been like sisters to him, and their presences are admittedly grounding enough.

"You will be right. Despite how I was a Jedi, I was also once like you," he explained, his words carrying a weight born of personal experience. "Throughout my life, I was a slave, shackled by the chains of oppression. But I found liberation and purpose through circumstances. Whereas the Jedi may ignore your pain, whereas the Republic turn a blind eye, I will not. Not again."

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the group. They had never imagined that such a man had endured a life of servitude.

"I was trained as a Jedi and fought against the darkness that enslaved the galaxy," Vader continued, his voice filled with conviction. "But the Jedi Order failed to truly eradicate the injustices that plague us. While I wield their weapons and knowledge with me, I am no Jedi, at least not the one that they envision nor you believe. No, I am a simple man who would free as many as you as possible, who would continue to fight every day to assure that the likes of Jabba and his Hutt minions are dealt with. Now, I stand before you as Vader, not belonging to any group but still seeking to bring an end to the tyranny of Jabba the Hutt and the blight of slavery."

Anger stewed.

A young man name Remy with a notable scar across his forehead - approaching his twenties -, his face etched with bitterness, broke the silence. He had been one of many who have suffered that even the thought of freedom were catching up. "Those damned Jedi left us to suffer for so long," he spat, his voice laced with anger. "They were supposed to be the guardians of peace, but they turned a blind eye to our plight!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group as others nodded in shared frustration. The weight of their past experiences and the knowledge of the Jedi's inaction bore down on them, igniting a furious flame within their hearts.

A Togruta woman - honestly its worrying how Twi'leks and Togrutas were often ignored given both planets have representatives in one way or another in the Republic Senate - name Saria, her voice trembling with rage, accused, "Vader may have freed us and be a slave himself, but he also knows about the Jedi and their abilities! How can we trust him? He's just as guilty as they were if anything else!"

She'd be right.

The Jedi have truly wronged those in the Outer Rim and innocents across the galaxy.

Him even more so.

He had stood idly by and allowed Sidious to enslave others and did nothing but obey his own former Master. He would not lead with fear nor force any one of them for their lack of foresight, for it was definitely understandable.

He would persuade loyalty through genuineness alone. Those days of being a willing slave to the Empire or anyone else were over. While he had lost many things in his life, he would not allow those now and in the future to suffer the same hardships.

He'd heard some of their silent anger about the Jedi - momentarily directed at him. It was understandable, yet that did not remove the regretful weight off of his chest. So many of them are huddled together, expressing truthful concerns and accusations about the Jedi Order.

The campfire crackled, its flames dancing in sync with the rising tension. The freed slaves' emotions, long suppressed by the chains of their past, spilled forth in a torrent of anger and accusations.

Vader, standing amid the group, remained quiet, his figure and silent inspiration a stark contrast to their bedlam. They undoubtedly had waited, some form of justification, for even should Vader punish them, they have already witnessed countless indignities, and he would prove them right.

Vader would never...

Once everything was silent once more, Vader spoke, his voice carrying an unexpected calmness. "I understand your anger," he acknowledged, his words cutting through the inflamed atmosphere. "The Jedi failed to fulfill their duty, and their inaction allowed suffering to persist."

The former slaves glared at him, their eyes filled with a mix of scorn and skepticism. How could he claim to understand their pain when he himself had been part of the very order they cursed?

Vader continued, his voice tinged with remorse. "While it was true I was once a Jedi, I have witnessed the flaws within their ranks, the corruption that took hold. But I also saw the potential for change. That is why eventually I turned away from their path, seeking a different route to justice."

Another human girl who couldn't be more than a teenager named Asha, her voice trembling with vulnerability, spoke up. "But can we truly trust you, Vader?"

Vader's gaze turned towards Asha, his presence enveloped in an aura of solemnity. "I offer you my word," he responded, his voice unwavering. "As I told you, I have felt the weight of slavery, the pain of oppression. I bear the scars of that life. I will not rest until Jabba the Hutt is defeated and slavery is eradicated from not only Tatooine but in the Outer Rim. It may take beyond my lifetime even for that to come to completion but I would lead the charge."

The rage in the slaves' eyes began to soften, replaced by a glimmer of tentative hope. The wounds of their past were still fresh, they yearned for acceptance and resolution. They wanted so much more than having to live in the shadows but if they were spotted by any of Jabba's lackeys that would not end positively for them.

Eventually, their anger slowly transformed into a smoldering resolve. They realize that their path forward would be fraught with uncertainty, but they also recognized the power of unity and the potential for redemption.

The former slaves exchanged glances. They had known nothing but servitude their entire lives, their dreams of freedom crushed under the weight of their masters' cruelty. The prospect of joining forces with this enigmatic figure seemed both daunting and exhilarating.

"Yet, I cannot provide freedom to more of you alone. I need assistance. Marching into Jabba's palace and disposing of him can cause uproars through Tatooine," Vader continued, looking down at the sandy floor. "I have taught two who have been personal slaves to him and they have adapted quickly. Ann and Tann Gella..."

Both Twi'leks who they grew accustomed to stepped beside him, not out of any sort of fear or obedience, but out of respect. Now they are armored up in black chestplates and easily identified weapons.

"The very first day Vader freed us from our chips, he'd provided us with an opportunity to leave Tatooine if we so wish. We have refused because we can see a liberated Tatooine as a better Tatooine." Ann explained, speaking with such boldness that even Vader was proud of her. "He has shown that he cares about all of us. We are more than slaves."

"Vader is proving that all Jedi aren't like what many of you believe he is," Tann added, her voice filled with absolute loyalty as well, though with a lesser extent in some ways. "He seeks to right those wrongs. He wants to dismantle the institutions that perpetuate slavery and injustice."

Ann finished. "Can't you not say that somewhere deep down you wish to do the same?"

Many nodded in agreement, their spirits lifting at the thought of being part of a larger purpose. They had found freedom in the most unlikely of places.

Vader extended an offer, his voice resonating with determination. "I'll give you a chance to rise above your past, to forge your own destiny. Together, we can dismantle the chains that bind us and ensure a future without slavery. Or, like I offer to the girls, I will provide you with the means of transportation and survival. You don't have to accept. I am not a slaver."

It took only a moment for them to let that sink in. Their loyalty wouldn't have to be because they have to in order for survival and they would be provided with other alternatives.

One by one, many of the former slaves stepped forward, their gazes firm and resolute. They have suffered enough, and the opportunity to stand alongside someone who had risen from the same depths of despair ignited a flicker of hope within their hearts.

"I will join you," a male Cathar - Hakyrr Taso - declared, his voice filled with determination, ever that gold to yellow brown with dark stripes that his species were known for. I want to fight for a better tomorrow."

"I, too," a middle-aged Chev - Lilgen Treakna - spoke up, her eyes reflecting the weight of her years spent in bondage. "If there's a chance to strike back at those who held us captive, I'll take it."

Like the two, many of them pledged their allegiance, each voice carrying the weight of their shared suffering and newfound resolve. He nodded, acknowledging their commitment. As expected, some stayed back, and Vader would give them means of alternatives shortly.

"Remember, we must be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead," he cautioned them. "You are not alone in your struggles," he declared, his words carrying the weight of his own past. "Together, we will forge a future where freedom and justice prevail. I pledge myself to this cause, to right the wrongs I have done and to bring about the change we all seek. We will start slow, but when the time comes, our new future would be decided."

As his words settled upon the ears of the freed slaves, a glimmer of hope flickered within their eyes. They saw in Vader a complex figure, scarred by his past but still driven to make amends.

They chose to trust Vader, not in blind faith, but in the shared conviction to forge a new path, one that would honor their past and shape a future free from the chains that had bound them for far too long.

As the former slaves dispersed, Vader found himself smiling as he had convinced more than expected. Those who hadn't been swayed Vader couldn't find it within him to fault them for this choice.

Once Vader was alone, he closed his eyes and began to expel his emotions in the Force. Even after all these years, slavery was an extremely touchy matter for him.

The sound of footsteps caused Vader to turn around, facing the figure from the shadows. "At last you have arrived, and you haven't disclosed me to those of greater power. Commendable; many others would."

That earned a scoff from the individual in the shadows. "I may value wealth, but slavery is a disdainful practice that I would never claim to agree with. My own moral code demands so." A slight huff. "You know how to make a speech for sure. Anyhow, I have gotten the message and want to know how you could benefit me in the long run. Let us talk about terms."

"Indeed..."