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Chapter 22
Summary: Alternate World: The Empire Prevails and the Jedi have all been in hiding for thirty years. Emperor Palptaine searches for a way to live long past his dying body through cloning technology and his attempts at descendants. One of his " experiments' ' escapes and comes to live a slave's life on Naboo. He will meet and forever his destiny changed by the fateful meeting with none other than one young Naberrie girl…
Location: Imperial Center, Coruscant
Imperial Prison, Interrogation Cells
Month 4 Day 13 Year 28 BBY
The rebel's screams fill the room as he is tortured by his captor. The deep baritone voice resonances over his screams, " Tell me the location of the rebel base."
The young man's screams do not stop as his hands reflect the burn marks on him. His captor does not hide in the shadows and he is not intimidated by any rebel. His captor smirks at the man's agony, as if he is enjoying this moment. Those sharp icy blue eyes hold no warmth for his victim as his voice booms, " Where are the rebel scum hiding?"
Those sharp blue eyes are inches from his own brown ones. The man shudders with fear from his captor. The man in front of him is Commander Skywalker whom he's heard recent terror stories of how Inquisitor Maul is training him to become just like him. The rebel had heard stories of Maul' s of torture, shock, being choked or rather stabbed by several melee knives the man kept on his person. Most rebels know Inquisitor Maul is not one to be trifled with. Most men would rather die than face the inquisitor. And it seems that the protege' is following in his trainer's footsteps.
The rebel's screams halt as does the humming of the red lightsaber in his hand. He shudders in agony and pleads, " Please just kill me already."
The vile sickening sound of the man's voice makes the air lower a few degrees. He hisses to the scum, " I will, after you tell me the location of the rebel base."
The rebel cries like a pitiful squalling bird. Anakin's cold eyes stare into his as the rebel replies, " I don't have any connections to the base itself, but I can give you the location of the armory. It is located on the moon of Sullest. "
Anakin smirks at this knowledge and utters, " Good- very good- you may be of use to me."
The man shudders and whimpers, " But I thought you were done with me."
Anakin's hard eyes pierce through him as he retorts, " Not until you've told me the location of the rebel's base. I know you have connections- but for today I think I've had enough questions answered."
The man whimpers and begs him for his death. Anakin Skywalker opens the cell door and leaves the pitiful creature to his poor thoughts. He had the location of the armory and now, would send a crew to destroy it. He wipes his hands of any blood and meets Inquisitor Maul's satisfied expression.
Maul leans casually against the prison cell's hallways. He eyes his mentee and comments, " Excellent work, your training is coming along nicely."
Anakin's eyes lift to meet him and he comments, " I know where their armory and weapons are stored. It is a start, but I plan on breaking the rest of the information out of him."
Inquisitor Maul's cold cackle fills the halls. " Of course you will. Now you should clean up, your presence has been requested by Emperor Palaptine within the hour."
Anakin's blood runs cold. The Emperor hadn't bothered with him prior to this. He is concerned that the Emperor might sense his allegiances to the Jedi or worse figure out who is actually his father.
Maul pats his back in a friendly manner- very out of character for him. He suggests, " He is impressed by your work. He does not compliment everyone so enjoy the gracehood. You don't want to be on the other side of the Emperor's curiosity."
Anakin gulps- sheer terror running through him. He has no time to discuss the matter with his father. He isn't ready for this- but when will he ever be?
Location: Imperial Throne Room, Imperial Palace
The lift opens up to a black marble floor. Anakin blinks back the harsh illumination of the room. His eyes adjust to the brightness as he is escorted to the front of the throne room of the Imperial Palace. Anakin blinks back the painful tears of his eyes adjusting to the light and his eyes land on the Emperor. Anakin eyes the elder man sitting upon his throne. The Emperor wears a red cloak to hide his scarred features from what appears to be force lightning. His face is paler than most men of his age, but his eyes shine red with a yellow hue around them.
Interrogator Maul kneels before the Emperor. Anakin follows his example, keeping his eyes down and off the Emperor. He can sense the power reeking from the old man. The sheer darkness is choking as he senses his force aura. He is cloaked in the dark side of the force- and powerful- but Anakin senses the cracks. He can see the machines within the throne- helping the Emperor breathe life into him. He also senses the diminishing of his life force- the old man doesn't have as much time as he desires. Although if he were to perform this so-called Sith transference as his father had explained to him, then he'd be able to go on taking control of Anakin's body and continuing his ruling until he made a new form to control his rule- a sense of immortality in a way.
The Emperor searches the force signature of the boy standing in front of him. He must be close to 20 standard years and his eyes are a piercing blue. But what stuck out to the older Sith is the force sensitivity the boy possesses; a raw uncontrollable power- which is able to tap into either side. He has begun his path to the dark side- he feels the cloud of darkness shrouding the boy.
Yes, Skywalker, you are home.
" You may rise Interrogator Maul and Commander Skywalker, " Emperor Palpatine croaks out.
Both life forms stand from their kneeling state at the same time. Anakin lays his eyes on the man who could have been his father and he appreciates the knowledge of his kinship.
The Emperor cackles out loud and states, " I have heard your training has gone well. Inquisitor Maul believes you will exceed your training come the end of the semester."
Anakin clears his throat and announces, " Thank you, your majesty, but I still have to pass my exams and mentoring."
The Emperor's yellow beady eyes bare down on the boy. He proclaims, " You can mentor another possible trainee for the Inquisitor program. Maul do you believe Commander Skywalker ahould be given the rank of Inquisitor?"
Inquisitor Maul's golden gaze flickers to Anakin and back to the Emperor. His excellency is indeed aware of the little time he has on this planet. Maul is aware of the possibility that Anakin is a possible match for the Emperor's capability of transference. If Anakin is seen well-known by the Empire over time then it is likely that he will be accepted as their new emperor when the time comes.
Inquisitor Maul inclines his head and murmurs, " I believe that is wise, your excellency. Commander Skywalker broke a rebel today without my help. Most trainees take an entire year before they are prepared for interrogations on their own and Commander Skywalker has handled five on his own since the beginning of his training."
The Emperor turns to his new interrogator and suggests, " What do you think of my offer, young Skywalker?"
Anakin bows graciously and requests, " Sire, with all due respect I am humbled by your offer."
The Emperor smirks and allows a deep cackle to over take him. The room is chilly and if a winter storm had blown through it would have frozen everything to solid sheer ice. His laughter is like that- sinister and plotting.
Anakin bows in respect, but his core is shaken. Qui-gon had planned on training him all summer so that he could prepare him for more training. This changes everything- but to have some insider knowledge, he'll be able to help the rebellion. He has to. He has to return to speak to his father about the planned attack on Sullust.
Location: Jinn Safehouse, Coruscant
It had taken a few hours to complete his entire shift and at this point at night he is exhausted. He eyes the chrono on the control panel. 2300 hours
Qui-gon hadn't been reluctant to meet this late, although Obi-wan had. He had been woken up by the sheer continuous beeping of his com. link going off every few seconds which had woken him up and his fiancee'. Obi-wan had cadets to train in a matter of hours. Who in their right mind would call a meeting unless it was urgent?
Obi-wan leans against the wall, looking heavy eyed as he had only slept two hours and knowing Anakin and Qui-gon this meeting would be for some time. Great- training with little sleep.
Qui-gon rubs the sleep out of his own eyes, and notices how exhausted his son seems. The dark side hangs over him, which means whatever has occurred happened during an interrogation.
" I was requested by the Emperor to see him," Anakin murmurs quietly in the silence.
Obi-wan's eyes widen and he asks, " Why?"
Qui-gon answers for him. " He wants you to graduate early, to become an Inquisitor starting this summer. Maul has already sent me the file."
Obi-wan's gaze flickers between Anakin and his mentor. " He's not ready! He'll be discovered."
Qui-gon shakes his head. " We will train harder in the meantime. This is good news."
Anakin nods, comprehending where his father's thoughts trail. Ben's orbs are confused. " How is this good news?"
Anakin mutters, " The old man is dying. I felt it through the force. He isn't despartate yet, but if doesn't promote me at an accelerated pace, then I won't be known by the Imperial Navy as well. If I become an asset, down the line if the transference were to be done they'd be accepting of my rule."
His mind reeling and questioning, " Is this the bloody reason I was woken up?"
Anakin narrows his eyes at his grumbling friend. He retorts, " No, I was interrogating a rebel this evening and was provided with the location of an armory on Sullust."
Obi-wan sighs again and mutters, " You mean you tortured the spy and he pleaded with you to kill him and he gave you the location of the armory."
Qui-gon listens to their bickering and speaks up. " Enough, Anakin, this is excellent in-tell. I will inform the Jedi Council. Obi-wan unfortunately the part of Anakin's job he can't escape is torturing others. Using the dark side will forever be a part of him, until we end the Empire. This meeting is adjourned as two of us must return in the morning for our duties."
Anakin crosses his arms. " That's it? What about those countless lives that will be lost at the cost of losing one of the Rebellion's armories? The Imperial Navy will send a destroyer to Sullust and it will be gone in a matter of two days."
Qui-gon nods and mutters, " I am well aware of the costs Anakin. But as Jedi we do not interfere unless asked to do so."
Anakin's fury is evident. His eyes blaze. His teeth clench together. " It sounds like the Jedi need to learn a few things from the Sith teachings then."
Qui-gon eyes his son and preaches, " That isn't our way. You chose to follow the Jedi way and cannot interfere. You're drawing a line again between the darkness and the light."
Anakin scolds, " Isn't that why I'm here? I'm supposed to bring balance to the force, am I not? I am powerful enough to cross the line into the darkness and still come out the other end."
Obi-wan argues, " No one comes out of the darkness without being tainted by it."
Anakin, frustrated, turns his eyes across the room. His eyes fall on the dark soulless holes of the space suit. He blinks and blinks twice more. He has been training in the suit- perhaps it can be used to create a distract here on Coruscant to bide the Rebels on Sullust time to evacuate.
" Maybe he can." He murmurs, forming a plan in his mind.
He steps closer to the suit and picks up the helmet. His own reflection shimmers back at him through the face of the creature. He can see the frown upon his own features and the rage shimmer in his eyes.
" Anakin, what are you suggesting?" Qui-gon questions.
Anakin turns to his father and best friend. He says simply. " Every Imperial Star Destoryer's Navicomputer is linked to the control towers nearby. There is one main control tower surrounding the Imperial Shipyard and spaceport used to store our ships. If I can get to the control tower and blow it up then it should scramble every navicomputer on the Imperial Star Destroyer for a time and give them time to get word to the armory and evacuate."
Obi-wan mutters, " If this is our only option I'll agree. It is just one in line of the insane plans you've had."
Anakin smirks at his best friend. " It is an insane plan, but it might just work. Qui-gon what do you think?"
Qui-gon sighs exasperated. He knows he can't talk his son out of going through with this plan. He states, " But keep the casualties to zero if you can. We don't need to cause too much attention to this- creature as you call it."
Anakin shrugs and heads to the back room to change. As he disappears from sight, Obi-wan turns his eyes on his mentor. He knows something is amiss. He would have never gotten Qui-gon to agree to such nonsense a few years ago. And again- something is amiss in his mind. The bond between them had changed in the past few weeks and nothing had been said. He is patient and knows he should not ask such questions but he desires to know why this sudden change has taken place between them.
He senses Anakin in the other room busy and not paying any mind to their conversation. He turns his eyes onto his mentor and inquires, " Why did you agree with his insane plan? This isn't like you."
Qui-gon rubs his tired gray eyes murmuring, " Because if I disagreed with his plan, he would have done it anyway. You and I both know how he can be. He wants to help others and doesn't see the danger in putting himself in the fire."
Obi-wan's reddish eyebrow lifts in concern. " This is true, but if I had insisted on this plan, you wouldn't have given me permission to go. Why has your opinion about Anakin's suggestions changed?"
Qui-gon sighs and knows Obi-wan has sensed the closeness between him and Anakin since his return. Obi-wan has every right to know the truth.
He rubs his tired gray eyes and stares up at the young man. He keeps his voice low so Anakin isn't aware of the conversation happening in the next room. " I know you have felt the change in our relationship and what I'm about to tell you stays between you, myself and Anakin. If anyone else were to know the truth it would put everything we are working for in danger."
Obi-wan crosses his arms and leans his back against the computer panel. He nods and states, " Of course Qui-gon. You know you have my trust, just as well as Anakin knows."
Qui-gon murmurs, " You are aware that I knew Shimi Skywaker during her time on Coruscant and that I helped her escape when she fell pregnant with Anakin."
Obi-wan nods confirming what he already knew. He listens as his mentor continues, " The part you did not know, and neither did Anakin until recently, was that Shimi and I were involved prior to helping her escape."
Obi-wan blinks and allows the information to sink into the pit of his stomach. He thinks back to the change he felt within their bond a few weeks back. It had been an opening within the force, almost as if Qui-gon had been holding onto for so long.
" Are you saying that Anakin could be your biological son and not the Emperor's?"
Qui-gon nods and murmurs, " It was confirmed when I did a blood test on him a few months ago."
Obi-wan leans heavily against the paneling and suggests, " If Palpatine discovers this- he'll have no use for Anakin."
Qui-gon shakes his head. " Not necessarily. Anakin is an extremely powerful force user. He could still use him in the transference because he is a powerful force user, whether or not he survives is another matter."
Obi-wan smiles and suggests, " I'm happy for the two of you. It is good to know that there are some non reckless genes within his DNA."
The two men chuckle together lightly and notice the person being spoken about returning to the room. His steps are heavier within the black boots. His breathing is extremely loud and filtered through the respirator, though the usage of the suit was designed to be used for interactions on a vessel outside of the contents of an oxygen filled planet, and gravity heavy world. They are used to the sounds of the terrifying creature as Anakin has been training for weeks within the suit.
His voice is deep and distorted by the mic within the helmet. " Qui-gon, do you think you can gain access to the Imperial Spaceport? I need the code to access the gate." His voice sounds menacing through the helmet, though Qui-gon knows his son isn't trying so hard to sound like him.
He leans back in his chair and states, " I think I can manage that."
The suit's movement is limited, but Anakin had become accustomed to it. Anakin tries to nod, but The movement appears more like the upper movement of the shoulders and the cape also wisps behind him. Anakin uses the force and reaches his black gloved hand out for his lightsaber. He hadn't ever used his lightsaber in combat outside of training and torturing others within the confines of the prison and the thought of using it tonight thrills him. He won't admit that to either his father or best friend.
He replies, " Good, use the comms linked with the computer. The system within this suit is now connected to your servers."
Obi-wan calls out prior to him leaving, " Be careful."
Anakin smiles through the helmet and assures him. " I'll try to come back in one piece."
Obi-wan snorts and hides his worry behind a placate smile. There are times he always felt like an older brother to Anakin, and now, knowing the truth of his origins he felt after their conflict tonight is over, he will discuss it with him then.
To Be Continued.