Part 2 - Truth and Consequences
Padme's been waiting for the update about the clone situation from either Riyo or Anakin as she works on the rest of her one million Senate projects. Like drafting another motion she already knows the Senate is going to ignore – she's still annoyed that Anakin's always so stubborn about it when she tries to ask him to talk to Palpatine. She doesn't understand it.
She misses when things between them were simpler. When pretty much the only time they spent together was happy because it was always so minimal. She knew when she proposed to Anakin in the first place that they make this real, that she wasn't thinking clearly and that it could easily end badly but she didn't actually believe it would. But now... everything is so different, at a time she thought things would be happier.
But now the Republic is gone, everything she ever worked for is gone, destroyed by Palpatine – the very person she helped get into power in the first place.
She's still... brooding about it, really, when she hears Anakin getting back. Hopefully, with news on the situation so she goes to find him.
"Anything?" Padme inquires, going to find him.
Something in his expression looks entirely worn. "Yes. Slip – the clone we were looking for – confirmed what Riyo was saying but he was assassinated before we could get him to safety."
"Assassinated?"
Really, she shouldn't be surprised.
Anakin nods. "And it was by another clone but something about him wasn't right. There is more going on here. I need to get to the bottom of it." He hesitates. "The information we need to present to the Senate is on board Admiral Rampart's venator. I made contact with... some others who will be able to retrieve it."
"Others?" Padme echoes curiously. The way he says it makes her think there's something more to it.
He glances around almost warily as though afraid someone's here to overhear them. "This is dangerous, Padme," Anakin says, stepping closer to her. He looks afraid. She can actually see it in his eyes this time. "Whoever was involved is going to great lengths to ensure this does not get out. I don't want you and the children in the line of danger and you will be if – if you get involved or if anyone knows that I am."
He probably isn't wrong about that. She knows how dangerous the Empire is becoming. The Republic was bad but this is much worse. And she genuinely thought Anakin didn't even pay attention to that, for how much he acts like he supports the Empire but... maybe that wasn't fully fair.
She never has had to worry about someone other than herself being in danger before but the twins... She knows they could be.
"I can tighten security here," Padme offers, anxiety twisting inside of her, "And I'll be careful but someone has to deal with this in the Senate and Riyo needs support from somewhere." She can't just back out of this.
Anakin sighs. He doesn't look any happier. "Padme, I – This is not only external anymore like the Trade Federation. I know that. If they are already going this far, if – if this goes higher up than Rampart, I don't know if there is anything that could keep you safe short of leaving with the twins until this passes."
She stills.
He's asking her to leave Coruscant?
She wants to instantly argue but she does know how dangerous this is becoming. Luke and Leia is the only thing holding her back from arguing right off. And yet – "Do you think the Emperor is involved?" she asks, bluntly, "You're closer to him than anyone. Now would be the time to use that to our advantage." This always upsets him but it's upsetting to her that it feels like he never wants to intervene where he could.
"He is my master." Past the bitterness, she can see a lingering fear in her his eyes and that's what really gives her a pause. He's mentioned that in passing before and she had questions, but she never thought much of it.
"...What do you mean?"
"This is not for anyone to – to know. he does not want it to be common knowledge," Anakin replies, still not looking at her.
Dread slowly creeps up on her. "What? What are you talking about?"
"He is a Sith. And now he is my master. I must obey him. That is the way of things. If he is. involved, if he knows what I am doing and does not want me to, he will not be pleased."
"A Sith?" She wondered because of the "master" term, but it never really clicked until right now. But she still doesn't understand Anakin's choices so far or the I must obey him. "You're his apprentice now?" she settles for finally and Anakin nods.
She knew he was teaching other Force users or something, but he never gave many details and she didn't press. She just never knew –
"But you were his friend before. That... changed entirely?"
Finally, he turns to face her. "I am his," he replies, "I know what I – am. I cannot speak to him out of line. If he is involved, if this is part of his plan, I know he will – use you against me. Or my children. I – I don't want you in that kind of danger."
And she thinks that for the first time is what slowly starts making everything click into place in her mind.
"You don't mean master the way you used it for the Jedi, do you?" A sudden numb horror is flooding her.
Anakin wordlessly shakes his head.
He means – He means –
By the goddesses, how did she not notice all this time? It's been weeks already. But she still – "I don't understand. How could he do that? How could be make you – You're more powerful than him, aren't you?"
"I do not know. And I do not want to risk my – my children or you if I fail. And he knows what I am thinking of."
Wait –
"How would he know that?"
"He knows. He always knows."
She doesn't want to know what that means. How can he even – How did Anakin manage to end up as basically a slave again and she had no idea?
"I thought he intended to make the Empire better so what I was – it did not matter if it helped. But that is not what he is doing, not if he is involved in this, but I must know first."
Doesn't matter –
What?
Okay... she thinks she needs more than few moments to process that Palatpine is Anakin's master.
"Maybe you're right about me needing to leave," Padme concedes grudgingly. She doesn't want this but they're dealing with a Sith Lord who is the leader of the entire galaxy. Who is apparently enslaving her husband "I can go on leave with the twins, maybe to Naboo."
Anakin nods, looking visibly relieved.
She goes over to him, wrapping her arms around him. Anakin returns it instantly, holding her tightly. It's been a ridiculously long time since they've done this without tension hanging between them and it feels easier now for the first time since... right after he got back from the Outer Rim sieges.
"I won't let you be hurt. Or the twins," he promises fiercely.
He's intense about everything he says or does. She finds it almost addicting sometimes.
Padme squeezes him back, still content to let him hold her.
She still can't believe this was happening and she was oblivious to it. And all that time she kept pushing him to talk to Palpatine – She suddenly feels awful now. She had no idea, and she doesn't get why he never said anything, but... He seems almost afraid of Palpatine, unless she's reading him wrong, and she doesn't know how to feel about that.
"Has he – " She doesn't even know if she wants the answer to that. "Has he hurt you?"
Anakin stills though he doesn't let her go. "Sith learn through pain. But not of – consequence."
They –
What.
He has hurt him? What does he mean not of consequence? Does that mean yes but he's saying it's not important? She doesn't know if she even wants to know though she ought to. They're family now. She's never noticed him injured, but...
"Why didn't you tell me?" she demands.
He breathes out heavily, not replying.
The answer is... understandable enough, she supposes. It's obviously not an easy thing for him to explain even now and he already said he wasn't supposed to have said anything about as is.
"I'm not leaving you in this situation," she says firmly.
Anakin stiffens. "Padme, do not – I do not want you in danger for me. There is nothing you can do. And if this is where I need to be to help the Empire, it is fine. What matters is determining what happened to Kamino and the clones. We still do not know if my master had anything to do with it."
The my master has a whole new meaning to her and she doesn't like hearing it in the slightest. Not to mention how he always used to use that phrase to refer to Obi-Wan, with a totally different meaning behind the words, and... She hates how things have changed with the galaxy and – and everything.
She huffs out a breath, pulling back to look up at him. "Regardless of whether he's involved in this, he's still the one who destroyed so much of the Republic. You know that. I can't stand by and do nothing about it."
Anakin twitches, stepping back. "Starting another conflict now if we don't have to will not help anyone."
"I didn't mean that," she objects. He doesn't need to know just how involved she's already been in... working on a Senator network in case things go downhill. She hasn't outright done anything that would be considered illegal and she doesn't intend to unless things get worse, btu the network is there. In many ways, it feels like the war starting in the first place was because of her, considering what happened on Geonosis. The galaxy is in this much of a mess because of that and she has to do something about it.
People are suffering, and Padme has to help them. She's the only one who's able or willing to do anything – okay, that's not entirely true, but there are many times it certainly feels like it, and she finds it increasingly exhausting. The Senate was always tiring, but with the Clone Wars, it's built up, and gotten so, so much worse.
"I don't want to leave you here," Padme tells him, "If Palpatine is a Sith, he could hurt you."
"I – I can handle myself."
She tells herself that every morning, whenever Anakin isn't home at night. Constantly. She trusts the Goddesses that her husband will be safe, but the worry never stops. "I already lost the Republic. I don't know how much hope the Empire has of getting any better. I don't want to lose you, too. Not when we're so close."
She doesn't want to go. Just like so many times, Padme knows what she has to do, but she doesn't want to.
Anakin's eyes soften. "I know," he whispers, hugging her tightly, "But if – if something happens to me, our children deserve at least one of their parents."
Her heart clenches sharply. "Don't say that."
"Well," Anakin says, smiling a little, though it's strained and teasing, "You're a good mother. I was only raised by Mom, too. Can't say I turned out well."
Her heart flutters a little. "You turned out fine, Anakin. You're perfect."
Anakin laughs. "You're the Angel."
Padme laughs, too, despite the heaviness in her heart.
"I'll come back, okay?" Anakin asks, holding her eyes, pressing their foreheads together. "I promise."
And like every other time, that's going to have to be enough.
**w**
He's back in the underworld with Rex. It feels wrong to be here. Rex is a traitor to the Empire. He's doing what he thinks is best, and Anakin trusts him, has faith in him no matter what he is now, but it still feels wrong.
It would be no different than helping a Separatist back in the war. They both know that. He knows how to make... temporary alliances with people, but this is hard. This is Rex and Anakin is overwhelmingly relieved to know he's alive, but there's so much more to it. It's hard to have these feelings, this worry, when it's about Rex – the one person he always trusted unconditionally.
The air is tense, and they all know exactly how fast downhill it could go. This could be going up against Sidious, and Anakin knows where it might lead, but it's the right thing to do, so he won't back down.
He did that too many times with the Jedi. Being a Sith might be a lot of things, but it's also about being free.
Rex called in the remains of Clone Force 99, and Rex introduces them to each other. They're traveling with a child now, a blond-haired girl, who allegedly is a clone as well.
"Why are we here?" Hunter inquires, and Rex motions them inside to see the assassin and explain the situation.
"Why would a clone be targeting another clone or a senator?" Echo asks, almost as baffled as Anakin himself is over the entire ordeal.
"To silence us. Admiral Rampart has the entire Senate believing Kamino was lost to a cataclysmic storm. Slip witnessed the truth. I wanted him to testify to Rampart's crimes," Riyo explains.
"We were there too, Senator. I can be your witness," Echo interjects instantly, stepping forward.
"The Senate won't listen to any of us," Hunter objects, "We're deserters."
Crosshair isn't. Anakin could talk to him, but with the inhibitor chips and all, he's not certain how wise that would be. If the wrong person heard word, it could endanger them all. "Slip told me he backed up the information i Rampart's command log," Anakin answers, "We need a covert mission aboard to retrieve it."
"Hopefully more covert than Skako Minor," Echo replies and Anakin laughs.
"Where's the Venator now?" Hunter queries. He's still short and to the point, though there's a heavy darkness to him he never used to bear. Anakin doesn't like it. Crosshair's loss is his guess. Plus, he understands how difficult it is to raise a child. Ahsoka was amazing and the best of his life, but so, so hard.
He knows she's still out there someday, and he'll never stop waiting for her to come home.
"Being retrofitted at the Imperial shipyard right here on Coruscant. Lots of security, but I know a way in," Rex explains.
"Rampart's Defense Recruitment Bill goes to a vote tomorrow," Riyo adds, "We must prove his crimes before it passes. I'll return to the Senate and garner support where I can."
"That will endanger you farther," Anakin cautions.
"Then I must be on the right track."
"I'll stay with you," he decides, "We might've taken out one assassin, but there could be more."
"Won't your... presence with her draw more attention?" Rex inquires.
"You can carry out the infiltration," Anakin answers, "I could do it myself, but if someone comes after the Senator again, we'll need someone with security clearance to be close enough to the Senate District."
"I can go, too," Omega offers, "If you're worried about attention, I can blend in. No one will notice me. If I see something, I can contact you."
"You'll need a security clearance."
"That will not be a problem," Tech interjects.
"Can't say I expected to see you still with the Empire," Hunter remarks, offhanded, eyeing him. He's a little tense. Not as though expecting an attack, but Anakin certainly wouldn't say he looks comfortable or relaxed. Not the way he did when he was younger.
"I didn't expect you to desert, either." Anakin never knew what happened to Clone Force 99, to Echo, and he hadn't dared to look, either. It was easier not to know if they died. He hadn't known until Cody told him about Crosshair.
"If you're Imperial, why are you helping us?" Echo asks. They're all on edge, and it's fair, because he could easily report them, but it still hurts. They used to be friends. Family, even, but now, all he has are Padme and his twins. Everyone else is... gone on some varying level.
"It's the right thing to do." He uncrosses his arms, turning away from the dead assassin's body – his mind still feels of darkness and death, even after he's gone, and Anakin is terrified to know what that means. "Omega, we should sync our comms. You will have to contact me if you see a threat, assuming I don't sense it first." It's unlikely he won't, but he has no way of knowing where in the building he'll be, either. Sidious will no doubt want him nearby. It's not his place to intervene in the Senate proceedings. That is the Senator's role – Anakin doesn't get involved in politics – but he can try to help her find supporters and know where to look.
"So," Omega asks when he kneels to dial their frequencies into each other's comms, "How do you sense things?"
"You feel them," Anakin answers without looking up at her. Padme asked him how the Force felt to him, and it had been a difficult question to answer. "In my heart. The same way you know what you see or smell."
"What does the Force feel like?" He's almost surprised she even knows the name. Better than Jedi osik as the clones always called it.
"Like fire. Everything is burning. I know when it dies, and when it kindles. But this fire is... wild." There's danger ahead for all of them. Anakin doesn't know what that means, but it worries him as it always does.
But to focus on the mission, he needs to assess how well-prepared Omega is. "What kinds of training do you have?"
"My brothers trained me. I have my energy bow. I can use blasters. And knives. I know how to fly, but Tech won't let me." She side-eyes her brother, who's entirely lost in his datapad and thoroughly oblivious they're discussing him.
"She's good at strategy," Hunter interrupts, his protective mode already kicking in. "If you need her to keep an eye out, she can do it."
That's not what he's afraid of. It's her being caught in the crossfire of another assassin that concerns him. She's not a Jedi, or a fully trained soldier. She's somewhere between that and a civilian. Mostly, too young to have to be dragged into a life like this. But Hunter is a good leader, and Anakin respects that. "Alright. Then let's head back for the Senate."
**w**
Omega's young and curious, Anakin will give her that. She's bright in the Force, not active, but bright enough he questions a little of her sensitivity level. It is almost surprising she was never found and taken from Kamino, but he's glad she wasn't – she belongs with her brothers, with her family, and if she were at the Temple and a Jedi, she would have been killed that night.
He would've killed her that night. Him or her brothers.
She would've killed her brothers, too.
Omega's taken to Riyo already, and Anakin shadows them around distantly. Bail Organa points Riyo to Halle Burtoni, and she and Omega attend a meeting in Riyo's apartment. Anakin keeps his careful distance, trying not to be seen or overly noticed. It's evening now and he knows Rex and the others are safely on the works. Still, it won't be long.
Padme could be a big help here, but them parting ways temporarily is far safer for everyone.
He aches to see his children again, wants that more than anything, but right now, he'll be staying here overnight.
After the Kaminoan leaves, Riyo invites them to stay overnight, though she doesn't have an available guest bedroom.
"I'll stay out here," Anakin tells her, "It's safer." That's what happened with Padme. They have to pull all-nighters frequently, and often meditate while doing so.
"I'll take the floor," Omega offers, and they both stop to look at her. Stare at her, really. "...what?" she asks self-consciously. "I've always slept on the floor."
Anakin once wouldn't have seen anything wrong with it, either, and there really isn't, but that is not... normal. The Jedi had beds. That's a normal part of living, even if Anakin and his mother went without on Tatooine.
Of course, her brothers can't give her that even, when they're living in a cramped, filthy ship and no home of their own, constantly on the run.
"Not even when you were on Kamino?" Riyo inquires. She's upset, too.
"Well, I had a crib when I was very little, to keep me from crawling away, but I outgrew that a long time ago. But I have my own room. Not even my brothers have that."
The Marauder only has one main room. It's not closed off, except the cargo hold and 'fresher. That they managed that itself is impressive. They would do anything for her. Just as they once did anything for Ahsoka.
She has so little, but she's content.
Omega, Anakin thinks, is the first person that makes him really wonder, really question – the Empire is hurting her, has hurt her, and he believes in it and what he does, but there are still people he is hurting, and she is one of them.
How many others are there? Innocent, possibly a little misguided, but roped into fighting or resisting the Empire.
"You can stay in my room," Riyo offers, "If there's a risk someone's after me, I could use the protection. There's no better way to assassinate someone." Anakin can feel she's nervous, but determined. She's not giving up.
"Make sure you get some rest, little one," Anakin reminds, squeezing her shoulder.
"I'm not little," Omega protests. "I'm thirteen."
His brows shoot up. "Rex is fourteen."
"Nala Se never altered my aging. I'm older than most of my brothers."
Having a virtually infinite number of younger siblings sounds terrifying, though Anakin wouldn't know, because he's never had any siblings, period. "The point stands," he replies, "Get some rest."
He has to try very, very hard not to think about how Crosshair is alone on the same planet.
**w**
Anakin waits in the Senate's doorway in tense silence, watching the proceedings. He can sense they're already on the way to meet up with Omega, where she's waiting in the underworld for their return, but they're still far away. Too far.
All Riyo can do until she arrives is buy time. Anakin wishes he could've dropped word off with a clone who could testify, but the only one legally able is Crosshair, who they can't afford alerting.
She accuses Rampart of having Kamino intentionally eliminated, and Anakin feels the flicker of his fear in the Force. He knew there was a risk to this, though not how pressing it was. He wishes there was a way for him to get a voice in these proceedings, too – the Jedi once would have, but there is no point constantly missing a part of his past gone forever.
"I motion that Senator Chuchi be removed from these proceedings, and she be censured for her misconduct," one of the present senators calls out.
"Oh, noi!" Jar Jar, of all people in the galaxy, protests, bringing his own pod forwards – as a representative, he's in charge until Padme returns. "Mesa thinken Senator Chuchi hassa valid point!"
Anakin can feel the Senate's nearly collective groan. Jar Jar rarely speaks in the Senate, but his childish destructiveness should buy a little bit more time. Padme asked him to help out if he could. Omega's in the building now.
"Maybe shesa bein' right! Maybe Admiral Rampart issa manipulating oursa head-thoughts with lies and misinformation!"
Voices ring through the Senate, trying to interrupt but he keeps talking.
"The clones are bombad warriors. Theysa won oursa unfortunate, unfortunate bang-bang conflict. If there issa a chance hesa had them killed, wesa owe it to them to – "
The exclamations are drowning out everything he's saying now and that's when Anakin finally sees Omega.
Bail takes what she brings him and he turns the recording on, displaying it to the Senate. Anakin watches numbly as the laser fire rains down on the Kaminoan cities and they start collapsing, falling into the ocean. It didn't feel so real until right now. And he highly doubts that Rampart took action this extreme without someone above him giving the orders.
An alarm chimes through the Senate suddenly, the floor parting to let the Emperor's pod rise into the Senate. His heart lurches instantly and he ducks back into the shadows, watching warily as Sidious' hooded figure warily. He doubts his master can see him from here but he can probably sense him, just as clearly as Anakin senses him. He's not doing anything wrong by being here but he's still afraid Sidious is going to know, as he always does.
"It would appear that Senator Chuchi's assertions are correct," Sidious says, and his voice sends a chill through him now. He misses Palpatine. Misses his gentleness. Sidious still shows that side sometimes but it's not the same anymore. He's not his friend. "This unprovoked attack on Kamino was a cowardly act by Admiral Rampart to further his own personal agenda."
Was it, or is Sidious just saying that? Something about the words does not feel true.
"Guards, arrest and detain the Admiral," the Sith orders and the Coruscant guard move forward immediately, climbing into Rampart's Senate pod to drag him away.
"I was following orders!" Rampart protests and Anakin can feel his panic, "I was – " The rest of his words are cut off but Anakin knows that isn't a lie. He feels betrayed. Someone did tell him to do this.
And he definitely deserves to be arrested after what he did but that doesn't change that someone is just using him to take the fall for their own actions. His gaze slowly shifts back to Sidious as he keeps talking, going on about how disturbed he is by these revelations.
"Admiral Rampart will face consequences for his treachery. However," his master continues, "He did not act alone. The fact that the clones under his command so blindly followed orders, inflicting such carnage without hesitation, gives me pause."
Wait – he just – what?
He's blaming the clones for blindingly following orders when he's the one who had mind-control chips implanted in them? When he's the one activated them in the first place? Sidious did this, didn't he? And now he's acting like the clones somehow had a choice?
Of course, he is – that doesn't surprise Anakin nearly as much as it fills him with a blinding, unfiltered rage. The galaxy needs an Empire, an emperor, but one who will take care of the people. That's why he helped form the Empire in the first place. For the people. To help them when no one did.
"Perhaps it is time for a change. Now more than ever, building a strong galaxy requires protection and security. Due to the nefarious actions of Admiral Rampart and the immediacy of the bill on the floor today, it is my opinion that this legislation is our future. With this momentous act, we shall usher in a new era, heralded by the Imperial stormtrooper."
That – this is what it was all about, wasn't it? Sidious wants the stormtrooper program. It's certainly far less questionable than continuing to use the clones – a slave army – but he can't believe the clones are being treated fairly anymore. Something else is happening to the ones who are disappearing. The assassin they ran into more than proves that.
But Sidious did this. He knows what's happening. Anakin can't doubt that anymore. He knows how crafty his master is. And he knows what it means. The Empire is not going to prosper, to be what it was supposed to be so long as Sidious is in control.
"What?!" Omega hisses beside him, horrified.
Anakin wishes there was something he could say to her, but his mind is of nothing but rage. He would like to help her, but that is her brother's role. Sith are not pleasant. They aren't supposed to be supportive.
They fall back from the Senate after the meeting's over.
Anakin turns off to drop by Jar Jar, who instantly smiles brightly when he sees him. "Good job," he praises, smiling, no matter how strained it feels.
"Ani!" Jar Jar greets eagerly, "Mesa so smilen' to see yousa here!"
"It's good to see you too, Jar Jar," he replies. One friend he didn't lose but – That doesn't change that his family is gone.
"Mesa hoping to stop the rest of the bill," he says and he's obviously disappointed. Anakin expects Padme must have had a long talk with him about that before going.
"You did the best you could," Anakin assures him, trying to ignore how hollow and empty he still feels inside. All of this was Palpatine's plan and they played right into it.
"Messa always gladden to help," he replies cheerily.
His cheerfulness is always contagious. It's enough for him to manage a small smile, even if it's not one he truly feels.
**w**
They're back in the Underworld now, so Anakin can see the others off.
Rex sighs. "Palpatine was one step ahead of us in the war and he's still several steps ahead of us. We played right into his hands." As always. And Anakin can see easily how much the same was... true about him.
Rex glances sideways at Anakin for a moment. Anakin's pretty sure he's thinking along the same lines. It just reminds him of how they're still technically on opposite sides and it hurts. Rex was always at his side for over three years and now he's just not anymore.
"I don't understand," Omega says, frustrated, "We did the right thing. We told the truth."
"That's what he wanted," Anakin replies numbly.
"The Emperor wanted us to implicate Rampart to get what he was after all along," Rex agrees bitterly, "Senate approval of his stormtrooper program."
"The fate of all the clones is now sealed because of us," Echo agrees.
Anakin still needs answers about what's happening to them. "I'll see what I can find from my end," he interjects, "If any of you ever need my help, you will have it."
Rex nods. He doesn't seem surprised.
"I still don't understand, sir," Echo speaks up, turning to him, "Why would you support the Empire?" He's also not happy and that hurts almost as much. Echo was once one of his closest friends among his boys.
"The Republic was falling. I saw it for years. The galaxy doesn't need another war if it can be avoided." This peace is what he fought for, for years. It's what he lost so much to get to. It's what he destroyed so much to get to and he can't believe all of that was for nothing. It can't have been. "The Empire is not... what I thought it was going to be, but I want to stay and make it better in whatever ways I can."
"But Palpatine destroyed the Jedi," Echo objects.
That is something he doesn't want to begin getting into. Of how – everything the Jedi did, everything he did there, or how every last one of the brothers Echo knew is dead there because of the Jedi.
"They did commit treason," Anakin replies quietly.
"They did?" Rex asks, taken aback.
Hunter and Echo are both staring at him now.
"They were going to seize control of the Republic. They did try to assassinate the Chancellor. I was there," Anakin replies, trying not to let his mind spiral back to that day, the day that destroyed his life. There is so much more he could tell them about that but now is hardly the time. Or place. And the truth is, he's beginning to see why there are so many who have no hope the Empire will get better. "But I know the Empire has hurt all of you and I will stand by while they hurt more of your brothers. If you need help with anything, I will be there."
He glances past Echo and Rex, to Hunter.
"That... is true for you too, Hunter." He contemplates mentioning that he ran into Crosshair but decides against it. Whatever the reason they aren't together anymore, it can't be easy for any of them to think about. Hearing where Crosshair is might just make that worse. He doesn't know what happened.
Hunter looks a little startled at the offer. He still seems a little wary but Anakin can't blame him for that. "Thank you, sir."
"I know raising a child isn't easy, especially in these kinds of circumstances," Anakin adds. His heart aches thinking of Ahsoka – of the times they were together.
Hunter nods. "It's not easy, but we make it work."
"I will keep fighting for the clones," Riyo speaks up, "You all deserve the same rights as every citizen." She steps forward, momentarily crouching in front of Omega. "I won't give up."
"If you need anything Rex, just say the word," Hunter says, before approaching Echo, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Wherever you end up, remember what I said."
Wherever he –
Oh.
He's leaving, isn't he? Coming to join the fight?
Omega steps closer, frowning in obvious confusion.
"Don't get into trouble without us," Wrecker says, nudging Echo's shoulder.
"Without us?" Omega echoes, her frown growing.
"Best of luck, Echo," Tech adds, as the boys turn to head back for the ship.
"Luck with... what?"
"I'm going with Rex," Echo explains, "The clones will need our help now more than ever. I can't turn my back on them."
Anakin steps back to give Echo and Omega privacy as she says goodbye. Seeing how upset she is about him leaving hurts. It reminds him of – of when Ahsoka left. He understood and it was for the best for her, with how much she struggled during the war. Doesn't mean it didn't hurt.
Anakin had gone through the same thing, too, when he was younger. With his mother – it was hard, but he knew it was what he had to do. He understands how it feels for families to be taken apart, and it is always hard. It hurts to see it happening to another when he's been there himself.
The Empire is the one tearing the Batch apart, though. It's because of them Echo is leaving his squad, the squad that gave him a home when he wouldn't have fit s easily back into the 501st.
He waits to speak again until Omega has gone back to the Marauder, and it takes off, flying away.
Anakin turns back to Rex and Echo. This is goodbye now, as much as he might not want it to be. Finally he approaches Rex, taking his arm in the clone handshake. Rex returns the grip firmly. He wants to say something to him, but words fail him entirely.
Rex is the first to speak. "Are you... alright, sir?"
The question almost startles him. No one's asked him that in – a long time. Padme has on occasion, but aside from her, it's been months.
"It's... different without you there," he replies quietly. There's so much he could say to that, to even begin voicing the loneliness and pain that have been tearing him apart all this time, but... now isn't the time for it.
"I could tell you the same."
"I will... be around," Anakin tells him, stepping back. He hates how awkward this everything feels now but at least... He will be working with Rex a little going forwards, even if it's nothing like how it used to be anymore.
Maybe that will change eventually, but he doesn't want to hope. All he can do is believe that the Force is going to take him wherever he needs to be, even if he doesn't understand any of what had to happen to get him there.
**w**
Vacations on Naboo are always relaxing but Padme can't find any of it at all this time. Not when she's so worried about the situation in the Senate and about Anakin. She doesn't know what's happening to him and she's worried about him, especially after what he told her. She doesn't know how he was in that kind of situation and she never even knew it. It still hardly feels like it could be real. Her own husband is basically enslaved, even if it's not officially, and there's nothing she can do to help. Not when Palpatine has all the power.
She's still trying to keep up with her Senate work from here, in between trying to spend some time actually taking care of the twins – usually her handmaids or Anakin take care of them – because she never has time for that on Coruscant. And then she feels the sound of a ship approaching.
Anakin's back.
Finally.
It's Anakin and her heart flares as she scrambles outside to meet him. "Anakin," she breathes, skidding to a stop in front of him. The weight look in his eyes is still there, just like before. "You're... here."
He pulls her into his arms without another word and she leans her head against him. She missed the days where this is always how they greeted each other, before politics started getting in the way. Anakin hasn't been in a good mental state for a while now. Now that she's finally had sometime away from the Senate to just think, she thinks that's been true for a very long time now.
"What happened?" she inquires finally, even if she's almost reluctant to break up the moment. Anakin gave her life a light that she never had before.
"We exposed Kamino to the Senate. Palpatine used the clone's involvement in that to push the stormtrooper bill through." He sounds so bitter as he says it.
Padme stills, a surge of wild indignation flooding her. She should have known. Of course, he would do that and it feels like she's reliving the start of the war all over again. Why does it feel like when it comes to Palpatine, they always lose? "I can't believe he's doing this again. There has to be something we can do."
"Something is happening to the clones they are sending away," Anakin replies, "If we can find out what it is, that may be enough for you to do something in the Senate. There is... nothing more direct we can do against Sidious. Not – not now."
"We can hope," Padme concedes, sighing. She's tired of waiting for this. She wants something to change now even if she's had to grow used to patience with so many years in the Senate. "But I can't leave my place in the Senate for long."
Anakin sighs, eyes so weighted. "I know. I don't... know what to do. I feel... lost."
She reaches up, laying a hand on his arm. He said something similar to her not long before everything fell but she never gave it nearly as much attention as maybe she should have. "What do you mean?"
"I thought following Palpatine was the right thing to do. I didn't want to do everything he asked of me but it was too late. The Empire is what I fought for. I thought it could be made better but it's – it's not."
She feels so much of that. "I trusted Palpatine for years, too. I still can't believe what he's become, or what he's doing to you. I suppose we'll figure it out together."
He smiles faintly, though he still looks worn. "Yes. But that will not keep you or the children safe."
"Anakin, we can't let fear rule our lives."
"This is not a baseless fear. I know my master. I know masters. What we are talking about doing – it is directly against him. He will not tolerate it if he learns more."
Genuinely, she's never heard Anakin sound so afraid of someone before. Or of anything. He always seemed so sure of himself. She doesn't know how that changed, and she never saw any of it. Maybe because they never really knew each other in the first place, and she's really starting to realize that now. She wishes they could have sometime to just be but then she thinks about the state of the galaxy and... It's not really possible. Like always.
"I could resign in the Senate but – There's so much to do. I don't want to leave it yet," she admits honestly.
"I... understand. I just don't want you to get hurt." His hands drop to her arms, still holding onto her.
"I know. I'll be careful, whatever I do. Extra careful. I promise." It is a real concern and she'll do what she can to take it seriously.
Anakin nods, looking away.
"What's wrong?" she asks, frowning.
"You and the children are all I have left." He sounds so... broken.
It makes her heart ache and she leans forwards, wrapping her arms around him again. "Nothing's going to happen to... any of us. I'll make sure of it. We waited this long to be together." Maybe that's more of her dream-reality than reality, but she has to say something.
She doesn't know what to say to him about everything he's lost. She can't promise he's going to get it back when she doesn't know that. She doesn't even know if Obi-Wan or Ahsoka are still alive, even if she doesn't want to think about it.
"Our entire marriage worked because of a dream," she says a little teasingly, "Maybe this time, this will work out for the same reason."
Anakin cracks a genuine smile this time. "Maybe it will." At least this time he sounds hopeful, unlike he has so much of the time before. "We can go back to Coruscant together unless you want to stay here a little longer."
"Maybe... for a day," Padme suggests, "So we have time to be together." And so she can keep Anakin away from Palpatine a little longer.
"That would be... nice," Anakin agrees, glancing away from her, to the grassy field surrounding them. They're at the Lake House, the place they first started. The balcony they're standing on... This is where everything began. From the distant look of happiness in Anakin's eyes, he's obviously thinking of the same thing. "I've wanted to come back here for a long time. This is where I thought we would live once we had a family."
"Me too," Padme admits, "Let's stay. At least for a day." She's almost rethinking her decision not to retire but – only almost. Reality will come back soon but she wants to cling to this moment for now and just stay with Anakin, especially when it's the first time he's looked almost happy in so long.
Maybe it won't last and they still have an Empire to destroy, but at least they'll be doing it together, and she'll enjoy this momentary reprieve from it while it lasts.
Author's Note: In case anyone's wondering about where the fic is going to go after this, Anakin's probably going to discreetly help Rex with his Rebellion until they have enough evidence about the Empire's crimes to destabilize Sidious' rule. There's probably gonna be a duel between him and Anakin eventually but I've gotten really tired of including that. Lol. Just rest assured that the ending will be happy eventually. :)
~ Tirana Sorki
Final Notes: Reviews are always appreciated! ^-^
Come hang out on Discord (delete spaces), discord . gg / nqSxuz2 or find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes)
We've got a YT channel for tributes! (delete the spaces) youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
ALSO: We have SW gift request forms for General, Anakin-Clones-centric, and Bad Batch fics. :D (delete spaces) bit . ly / CourtesyTrefflinFicRequests