Order 66: A Star Wars Story

The aftermath

The temple was on fire, the Jedi bodies had been left to rot and Vader was on his way to see his wife.
Through the cockpit of his Jedi starfighter, Vader had time to reflect on the decisions he had made that brought him to this point in his life.
Looking out at the window, he watched people go about their daily lives on the streets of Coruscant from the rich people getting into their personal air taxis to be taken to their jobs, to the poor people going about their business, entering garbage cans picking out any food they could to get by.
We will be doing you all a favour, Vader thought.
    Sidious had told Vader of his plan. When the time was right, he would inform the entire galaxy of the Jedi's plot to overthrow the chancellor, and in doing so, he will explain the slaughter at the Jedi temple as an act to execute the Jedi traitors. It was a brilliant plan and even though deep down Vader knew Sidious had been manipulating him ever since their first meeting on Naboo after Obi-Wan "killed" Darth Maul, Vader still had to respect the brilliance of it all and even commended Sidious' genius plan secretly. Though, his lies and deceit would not go unpunished and Vader would eventually exact revenge.
    The apartment was beautiful and he could see Padme rushing out towards the balcony to meet him there. Good old C3PO travelling not too far behind her.

Padme was standing there, watching the Jedi temple go up in flames as a huge thick cloud of smoke travelled up into the night sky like a beacon.
    Tears flowed through her eyes and she couldn't help but wonder where Anakin was. If someone could do this type of damage to the Jedi temple, where hundereds of Jedi were, then what chance did Anakin have? After all, he may have been the chosen one but he wasn't invincible.
    So many thing ran through her mind. Not just Anakin. Was Obi-Wan alright? Master Yoda? Ashoka? Friends that she had known years could have been snuffed out like a candle in a sandstorm.
On top of that, her friends in the senate ran through her minds. How was the chancellor going to react to this?
'Excuse me, Mistress Padme.' C3PO called out in his friendly than ever tone of voice.
Padme turned to see the creation Anakin had built on tatooine over twenty years ago. He stood there beside her on the balcony. The night lights of Coruscant shone down on his golden plating giving him a pristine look.
'I do believe I have spotted Master Anakin in his ship coming here.'
Padme looked back out and beyond a cluster of air taxis, vehicals and other transport, she could see his yellow Star Fighter and R2D2 sitting in the astromech chamber.
Her heart and stomach had unclenched and an overwhelming sense of relief had washed over her that began tears of happiness.

When her husband stepped out the cockpit, she could already tell he had changed. For better or worse, she didn't know. But the way he looked and the way he carried himself was much different. She knew Anakin hadn't slept in days because of the dreams he had of her dying. But this was something else.
'Anakin!' She said, rushing to his arms.
His warm embrace was a comfort in these dark times and she lay her head into his chest. Their lips locked onto eachother for a brief moment when Artoo and Threepo began talking.
'I saw the temple. The smoke... I thought...I-'
A single finger had been pressed against her lips.
'You needn't worry about me, Padme. I'm okay.'
The way he said that was different, almost as if it came from a different voice.
'The temple, Anakin... what happened?' She asked.
Anakin had looked away and walked off as if to think about what he was going to say next. Padme felt uneasy.
'The Jedi have attempted to assassinate Chancellor Palpatine.'
Padme felt as if she had been slapped across the face. Her jaw hit the floor and her eyes widened.
'That's not true! They would never betray the republic!' She protested.
Anakin turned and she could see darkness in his eyes that turned her stomach.
'I saw Master Windu attempt to kill the chancellor with my own eyes.' He said.
    Her mind reeled. The room became larger and smaller and began spinning, soon she felt faint. She had to take refuge in Anakin's arms once again.
    'Anakin... what are we going to do?' She asked, desperate for anything.
    Padme was one of the strongest and most capable women in the galaxy. Her single voice could sway the opinions of millions. To the outside world, she was courages and bold and determined. She had no fear much like her secret husband and wasn't afraid to oppose people in higher power when it came to galactic politics. On top of that, she could handle herself in a fight.
    But here, on her own when she didn't have to put on a brave front, she became terrified and would only show Anakin this side of herself.
    Anakin used his hand to bring her face up to meet his gaze. 'I will not betray the republic,' he said, 'my loyalties rely with the republic, the chancellor, and with you.' He said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
    'But, what about Obi-Wan?' She asked.
    At this question, Anakin had released her from their hug and turned around.
    'I don't know. We can only hope he has stayed faithful to the chancellor.'
    'And the temple?' She asked.
    'The Jedi have been brought to justice. When me and my men in the "five oh first" attempted to arrest them, they resisted. They attacked us and we were forced to execute them.'
    More tears flooded Padme's eyes and she felt her legs begin to wobble.
    'The chancellor has sent me on a very important mission,' Anakin said, 'the separatist leaders are gathered on the Mustafar system. I'm going there to end this war, once and for all.'
    Padme could see Anakin knew she wasn't entirely convinced.
    'Have faith my love,' He said, placing his hands on her cheeks, 'everything will soon be set right.'
    The way he spoke wasn't human. It was as if a changling had taken form of Anakin's body and was trying it's very hardest to mimic him.
    Was this Anakin? She wasn't so sure. But it certainly looked like him. Though his skin seemed paler than normal and there was something in his eyes... something dark. She was very worried. No, not worried, afraid. Afraid for Anakin? Partially, but also, afraid of him.

Vader was satisfied with the story he had falsified for Padme. At the end of the day, she wouldn't understand. The power he needed to save her required him to do things most wouldn't even consider. How would she react to him killing younglings? She was too pure a person to see such misdeeds as a cause for the greater good.
He certainly couldn't tell her that he even enjoyed what he was doing to some extent. He hated what he had become but at the same time, he loved it. He loved feeling in control. He loved using all those years worth of anger he had stored up inside himself like a bottle to finally release it all over the galaxy. People shrinking in fear of him.
But the best is yet to come. He thought to himself as he was descending to the landing platform on Mustafar.
    The firey lakes of the volcanic planet were in full force. Crashing into the molten river banks and structures created by the Sith no doubt. The only thing stopping the lava from melting the tower the separatists were hiding in was a ray shield designed specifically for lava.
    Vader exited his star fighter and lifted his hood up. Artoo had popped out the star fighter and began to trail along side him when he stopped the droid.
    'Artoo, stay with the ship.' He said.

The hallways were brightly lit and mouse droids had scattered along, running from his direction and into the room where Nute Gunray and the other separatist slimes were hidden.
    'Welcome, Lord Vader,' Gunray greeter, 'we have been expecting you.'
    Vader said nothing. Instead replying in a terrifying way by using the force to shut all doors, leaving the separatists trapped.
    A blade of pure blue plasma activated from the opening of Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber, and the slaughter began.

The end