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Chapter 15

At the very least, the freed were safely locked away on the Millennium Falcon.

Luke sensed a faint dissatisfaction surrounding his old friend and realized it was not just because of the random strangers boarding his ship, nor the death of Jabba, but rather, the slaves.

He understood.

When Han started working for Jabba, one of his terms for employment was that he would not transport slaves. He was a cold bounty hunter, never a slave trafficker, especially not Wookiees.

Vader had already taken a speeder to return to the largest slave market in Mos Espa and was waiting in the shadows for Luke's next move.

Speaking of which, Chewie was in the back, helping the slaves get accustomed to the Falcon for now. Threepio shut down for a while, while Artoo was up to his usual antics.

And he knew Solo wouldn't leave them behind. Even if he technically wasn't his friend yet, Luke doubted that Chewie would let him do it without a fight. Chewie. Always the voice of reason. He missed that Wookiee...

"Luke, how long is this going to take?" Leia asked. When Luke's eyes fell on her, she immediately added. "Forgive me. I do understand that you are trying to free slaves, but I have to get back to Alderaan."

"The Princess might be right for a change," Solo scoffed. "I'd rather leave this dust ball behind."

"Hopefully, not that long," Luke answered.

"Every moment, the Death Star poses a great risk to the galaxy," Leia protested, but without much bite.

Kriff, they'd forgotten to tell her...

"The Death Star was destroyed," Luke answered.

"What? How?" Before the time traveler could respond to that, she frowned. "Did he do it? Something else you didn't bring up?"

"Yes. I didn't give him much of a choice," Luke answered with a reassuring smile. "I couldn't let what happened last time happen again."

Bafflement crossed the Princess's face. "What happened last time?"

Luke barely resisted facepalming. Damn... he didn't want to risk her finding out about Alderaan, at least not until she was able to accept the circumstances and the familial connection between them.

"Ah, so you two have history?" Solo asked bitingly.

"She's my sister," Luke replied, almost instinctively. He had to lay any thoughts about them to rest this time around.

"Your... sister?" Han became flabbergasted. "Boy, you two don't look alike. How old are you apart?"

"Twins." Luke answered.

"Well, you seem to know the basics about Tatooine and our spoiled passenger seems to be entitled to get whatever she wants. What's the deal?"

"We weren't raised together," Leia said flatly, not wanting to entertain the smuggler.

"What?!" Han blabbered. "Wow, some long family reunion or something? That's weird..."

"You can call it that," Luke smirked.

Han smirked. "Who is the oldest?"

Oh boy, this long argument went on for years between the siblings. Since his father, Obi-Wan, and Yoda's Force Ghosts didn't remain around for long, he never found out who was the oldest. He would have to ask Ben when the old man came around and accept the reality of the situation. Hopefully, if he ever did.

Did Han just have to bring it back?

"We don't know," Luke answered.

"I bet it's me," Leia stated.

Luke huffed. "I'm taller. You're as short as a stud."

"Hey!" Leia exclaimed. "At least, my ego isn't tall."

Solo grumbled, "Alright, alright, I shouldn't have asked."

Solo landed them back on Docking Bay 94 and lowered the hangar ramp, allowing Luke to stand up, but not without argument.

"Wait, I want to come with you," Leia protested, placing a hand on his arm.

Luke was about to refuse, but he knew that wouldn't work for his sister. The woman was a magnet for trouble. Might as well keep her safe under his watch.

"You have questions about us?" Luke asked as they walked through the city.

"Yes," she admitted.

"Let me do something really quickly," he typed in something on his comlink. "That should prevent alarms."

He stared at her and nodded. "You may start."

"How can you forgive him so easily?" Leia asked. "He's a monster. He has doomed countless lives."

Luke fought a wince. Of course, he couldn't be angry at his sister. He was slightly annoyed last time when she refused to attend their father's funeral as he was still a young man. At the time, he hadn't considered her perspective. He'd thought that the fanciful dream of bringing his father to Endor, redeemed, would have appeased them all. Instead, while she gave him a torch to light Vader's body aflame, it hadn't been anyone else but him at his father's pyre.

Now, with the wisdom and galaxy-view he once had cruelly shattered at the core, Luke came there were different perspectives. Someone who may be a hero to one side was a villain to another. What was usually referred to as good or evil could be looked at from a wider view...

If he had realized this sooner, perhaps the Vong War wouldn't have lasted so long.

Perhaps, the galaxy could have been prepared for any threat that loomed on the horizon.

"He is still a person, Leia, and I understand you want justice..."

"It's only right."

"But you think that Darth Vader deserves to pay for his actions by atoning instead of locking him away or killing him and throwing away the key?"

Leia looked speechless for a moment before she shook her head. "He's not reliable, Luke. He's done countless horrible things. I can't even imagine what he would still be doing now if it wasn't for you."

"I lived that life, Leia, and believe me, later threats are worse than Vader."

"The Yuuzhan Vong?" she repeated the mantle Luke let slip prior. "Who are they?"

"A good story for another time, I'm afraid," Luke obliged, sensing her scowl turn upwards. "We have many threats to focus on."

"What made him turn out like that?" Leia brought the conversation back to the topic at hand.

Leia watched, captivated as Luke recounted Anakin Skywalker's entire life story, starting from his conception by Shmi Skywalker and his discovery by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn on Tatooine. He then told her of Anakin's years as a Jedi, the tragic loss of his mother to the Tusken Raiders, and his and his mother's secret love and marriage.

Afterward, he told how their father had been given a Padawan; a young Togruta, Ahsoka Tano, and how she eventually departed from the Jedi Order after being falsely accused of a terrorist bombing, which ruined much of Anakin's perception of the Jedi and forced him further into the hands of the Emperor.

Alas, how Anakin had killed Count Dooku at the instigation of Palpatine and was plagued by visions of Padmé Amidala's death, similar to those he had about his mother. In his mad desperation to stop it, along with his frustrations with the Jedi Council and the Republic as a whole, he was left vulnerable to the temptations of the Dark Side. He took on the name Darth Vader after killing Jedi Master Mace Windu in the Chancellor's office.

And finally, there was Order 66, and Obi-Wan's horrible duel with Anakin on Mustafar, leading to the latter receiving grievous injuries, and his simultaneous transformation into the black, armored cyborg that officially made him Darth Vader.

Once Luke had finally finished his tale, short of the tower, Leia found herself completely at a loss for words.

"That... that..." she bit her lip, many shattering revelations coming to pass.

Luke's story altered her view of Darth Vader.

Leia had always hated Vader, so much that she dismissed his Force Ghost appearing to her during the truce on Bakura; but this was a different Leia. A Leia who didn't have to witness her home planet being blown up while the mechanical form of her father forced her to watch. It was not as personal for her.

At most, she'd sometimes pondered just how such a murderer had come to be. If Luke remembered correctly, she'd always believed it was due to Palpatine's sick fascination with super weapons that Vader became a mechanical cyborg. The General Grievous of the Dark Times Era and whatever followed afterward. She hadn't ever considered there may have been a human who, through fear of loss, turned his back on his friends and family, going off to save someone he'd cared about.

And for the first time, she actually felt pity for Darth Vader.

But after a longer moment of reflection, the two found that while her righteous anger at Vader had somewhat diminished, it had not evaporated, for whatever the man known as Anakin Skywalker had endured in his life before, it did not vindicate him of two decades worth of indignities across the galaxy. Luke understood and believed in that too, even though he was taking a much different approach.

"Whoever he was, Luke..." Leia said at last, "That is not who he is now."

"I didn't argue that, Leia, but imagine what he could do for the Rebellion. He was an amazing tactician in the Clone Wars and even now a warlord. Besides, the Rebellion wouldn't have any possible way to sedate him. His suit being removed doesn't mean he's helpless. If anything, it makes him even more powerful."

"Do you believe he would have done the same if I were in your place and he had found out the truth?"

"Yes, Anakin Skywalker's loved ones were always his greatest strength and weakness," Luke retorted.

"You're saying Vader loves me?" Leia queried.

"Knowing about us, about you, changed his priorities," Luke relented. "He knew that I wouldn't have turned to the Dark Side."

"And he just accepted that?" Leia asked.

"Yes," he nodded, "the death of our grandmother and his mother has been on his mind for years. Anakin Skywalker is still in there. Anyhow, we have other things to worry about."

Leia nodded, looking at the tower and frowning in consideration. Her face still contemplative, she asked, "Are you going to do what you did on that Star Destroyer?"

"No," Luke answered, walking up and waving his hand.

The two guards collapsed in heaps. Luke moved on. Multiple guards were stationed down the halls, holding blasters tightly in their hands. Cameras were in the halls, but Luke tilted them to the side, once again dominating the minds of the watchers.

They made it to the top of the tower, and only then did Luke allow his face to screw up in contained anger as he brought the guard to him, hand outstretched—a meter away from the time traveler.

"What is the code?"

The Klatoonian gasped in fear as he looked up at the suddenly intimidating man before speaking.

Leia nodded and moved over, having a few technical skills herself. She may not have known what she was doing on first instinct, but she could read and gather information quickly. She finally clicked on a button and nodded with a slight smirk.

"Done."

"Show-off," Luke teased.

The time traveler reached out through the Force, tugging at the familiar form of his father.

"Father, it's done."

"Very well."

Leia rubbed the side of her head, her eyes flashing with bewilderment. "Hey, what was that? I almost heard you... and was that Vader?"

Luke grinned, "Allow me to explain Force Bonds."

The twin suns of Tatooine beat down mercilessly, casting long shadows across the bustling streets of Mos Espa. A wretched hive of scum and villainy, dominated by the galaxy's most infamous slavers, if Vader did say so himself. The Grand Slave Bazaar, a sprawling market at the center of the city, occupied the largest of these. High sandstone walls circumscribed this den of misery, where beings from countless worlds were bought and sold like mere commodities.

The Bazaar was a nest of despair, where the cries of the enslaved echoed against the walls, blending with the shouts of traders and the clinking of chains.

Vader strode through it all.

The people of Mos Espa were none the wiser for what was to come. Sheltered figures were far from uncommon on this wretched planet. Most of them were criminals or people who knew better than to mind their own business. For the few passers-by who eyed him, it was nothing to raise eyebrows about besides some dealer probably pissing the wrong guy off. Oh, how wrong they were...

As he approached the towering gates of the Grand Slave Bazaar, the guards stationed there stiffened. These were hard men, accustomed to dealing with the dregs of the galaxy, but they hesitated at his approaching form. Taking out of Luke's agenda, Vader telepathically crushed the wires in the cameras before they could record him, allowing him to proceed with this extraction without issue.

One of the guards, a burly Aqualish with a jagged scar across his face, stepped forward, his blaster rifle at the ready. "Hey, buddy, what do you want?"

Vader's response was swift and silent. With a mere gesture of his hand, the Aqualish was lifted off his feet, his breath caught in his throat as an invisible force squeezed the life out of him. His body was slammed against the gate, smashing it open with a deafening crash.

The other guards weren't able to think fast enough. When they finally did, they scrambled to react, raising their weapons, but it was already too late. Vader's red lightsaber ignited with a snap-hiss, and in a blur of motion, he cut them down with cold precision. The Dark Side entirely at his command, Vader stood amidst the carnage, the bodies of his foes lying motionless on the ground.

The slavers, mercenaries, bounty hunters, and others, realizing the threat, started to shout orders and draw their weapons, but their bravado faltered as Vader stepped into the open. His lightsaber hummed with deadly intent as he moved through the market, each strike of his blade cutting down those who sought to profit from the suffering of others.

Eager to defend their property, they drew attention and rushed Vader. He reacted without mercy, ignoring their pleas. He slammed his lightsaber against the first and swung it around, feeling no remorse for their fallacies.

The few stragglers of his initial assault gathered around, blasters poised. Vader angled his lightsaber at the ground. Shards broke off and came flying at them, impaling them through the chest, head, spine, and all imaginable areas. With his right hand, Vader slammed his lightsaber against a Rodian, Sephi, and a human, using his left to absorb the shot. One fell due to a shot through the chest. He slammed his lightsaber against the throat of the lizard-like scum that Vader didn't care to reminisce to remember the name of, the creature being the last one Vader had to cut down before walking inside the corridor.

As he approached the central auction platform, the largest in the market, he extinguished his lightsaber and surveyed the huddled masses before him. Here, the most valuable slaves were contained—those with skills or beauty that had the highest prices. They stared at him with a mix of fear and perplexity, unsure of what to expect from this figure who had single-handedly slain through the Bazaar's defenses.

Vader's gaze swept over them. The temptation to free them from bondage by death arose. However, it wasn't as appealing as expected. For, he saw a boy with sandy hair, and everything else faded.

'I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back here and freed all the slaves.'

No.

Vader eradicated that shadow with the Force, sneering in utter disdain. Anakin Skywalker was dead. Vader had destroyed him. He was too weak and foolish. It would not, could not be Anakin Skywalker who protected his children. Just as he had done with his mother, Padawan, and Padmé, no, it would be Vader; the one who wasn't bound by anyone.

Vader was considerably different from the Sith he was not too long ago. Luke provided him with an out, something that Vader would take gleefully without the shadow of the Emperor looming over him. Soon, Darth Sidious would pay for his deceptions.

Alas, Vader wouldn't kill them. Not only was it pointless, but it would show his children that he was no better than Darth Vader. His daughter must come to acknowledge their parental connection. He also didn't need to risk his son's psychological condition.

With a wave of his hand, the locks on the cages snapped open, and the chains binding the slaves clattered to the ground. A murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd, quickly growing into a roar of astonishment and surprise.

"You are free," Vader said without emotion.

He would be far better than Anakin Skywalker.

The slaves hesitated, many of them too accustomed to their shackles to believe that freedom could come so easily. Some stepped back, fearing it was a cruel trick, while others, emboldened by the sight of their fallen captors, began moving toward the open gates.

A young boy, no older than eight, stepped forward from the crowd and stared up at him. The boy obviously had experience that intimidation couldn't imprint fear inside of him. "Will you help us?" he asked. "Will you lead us?"

Vader looked down at the boy, more memories of Skywalker's childhood flashing before him—memories of slavery, fear, and the power they now wielded.

"Yes," he said slowly. "I will lead you."

Vader turned to face the throng of freed slaves.

"Deactivate as many transmitters as you can."

The slaves scurried to do just that. It took thirty minutes to but all were deactivated.

"Follow me," Vader commanded, and with the Force as his guide, he led them out of the Grand Slave Bazaar, through the shattered gates, and snuck through the streets. It disgusted him to move with secrecy as if he couldn't crush all of these bugs, but doing so would result in unnecessary casualties.

As they moved through the streets, the liberated slaves followed him. It was understandable. They had no proper demonstration of Vader's abilities.

Vader walked in silence.

Soon, they reached Docking Bay 74, and Solo's freighter waited.

"Heh, kid, you-"

The man himself hadn't seen him until his eyes met him.

"Oh, it's you," Solo said, keeping his neutrality.

"The slaves," Vader said bluntly, getting straight to the point.

Solo looked up at the Wookiee and ordered with a slight wave of the hand. "Chewie, lead them on board." he added with sarcasm, "Apparently, we're an anti-slaving taxi now."

Vader turned to face the new passengers. The boy who had spoken to him earlier looked up at him, no longer trembling but with a newfound fondness in his eyes.

"Thank you," the boy whispered.

He tilted his head, but only slightly. It was far too late for any praise to move him.

At the Wookiee's kind motioning, the slaves moved past on board. Despite his comment, Vader could sense the Captain's determination to protect them and bring them to a safer location. If there was anything he'd agreed with this lowlife about, it was his resentment of slavery. He would crush that slug's windpipe over and over again if he could.

"You seem unsettled," Vader stated controversially.

Solo licked his lips. "Look, I don't know where the hell you've came from, golden-eyes, but I know you mean business after you and your boy killed Jabba. Ain't my problem as long as you don't kill me too."

"Shall you continue to be an asset, Solo, your life will be spared yet."

"Well, that's good to know."

"But-" Vader growled, "harm my family or hinder our efforts, and you may consider yourself relieved of this debt you have with my son. My daughter is mine, and you will cease eyeing her like a predator. Do I make myself clear?"

Solo huffed, "Geez, feel bad for her future boyfriend."

The man didn't realize how much those words infuriated Vader. He pointed his index finger at Solo. "Do you take me as the type who plays games?"

Solo shrugged. "Alright, alright, man, lay it off. Boy, I'm surprised your children ain't as all brooding as you."

He growled, "My son is a wise man, if only too attached. Be appreciative of his presence. Were it not for him, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Solo rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm pretty sure I will be dead with this Force you keep rambling about." Vader glared at him, and his golden eyes flashed. "What happened between you and your daughter anyway? She doesn't seem to like you very much."

Vader gritted his teeth. Why did this scum dare sound like he had a choice and chose to abandon her? To abandon any of his children? Of course, Vader doubted that the smuggler knew the meaning of loyalty.

"That is none of your concern. Don't ask questions. Just follow my commands."

Solo's jaw clenched. "Watch yourself."

"I can say the same as you," Vader left the threat in the air. "Do you have to means to remove their transmitters?"

"Already ahead of you. I have borrowed some droids from Jabba."

Competent, Vader could admit as much.

"How can your ship withhold all of those slaves?"

"We have smuggling compartments," Solo murmured unhappily. "They should be enough. Others, we can put on autopilot."

"Good."

Before Solo could say anything else, Vader turned and moved back into the city, not wishing to entrust his children, especially his obviously untrained daughter, to this lawless population of the galaxy. Moreover, there were many more insects to annihilate.