Gates of Hell

Chapter 13 - Confrontations

Anakin waits until they're inside the office of the former Supreme Chancellor before throwing his arms around Vader and embracing him fiercely, uncaring as to the fact that Rex is watching. It doesn't matter to him; he knows the clone will never betray him. "I can't believe we did it," he breathes, pulling away from Vader and grinning up at him.

Vader chuckles, laying a hand on Anakin's shoulder. His exhilaration and excitement are far more controlled – he's not practically bouncing off the walls like Anakin is – but he's still happy. Very much so. In this moment, Anakin doesn't care that the office is saturated with Palpatine's Force signature, even if the ex-Chancellor is now dead.

"Captain Rex, I would like a report as to what happened when former Chancellor Palpatine was killed in the Works," Vader tells him.

"Right away, my Lord," the clone answers, nodding and exiting the office, leaving them alone. There are clones from the 501st guarding outside in place of the Coruscanti guard, many of whom were likely killed since their absence is glaringly obvious.

"We should tell him about you," Anakin comments, bringing himself back under control. He is well aware of the immense burden of their position. Vader is the Emperor in name – Anakin is his son, officially, so does that make him the Crown Prince or what? – and the entire galaxy is now depending on them. That is a burden which Anakin doesn't really want, but it's one which he's willing to accept. For now, their first acts will be to ensure the reintegration of the former Separatist systems into the new Galactic Empire. They have to move with caution so as not to make them feel pressured, but it should be easier given that Vader was a leader of the Separatist Alliance not long ago.

"We will," Vader promises, "Once everything settles down." He strides to the Chancellor's desk, gloved fingers tracing over the surface. He seems almost hesitant to touch anything, much less sit down, but he does. The chair creaks slightly under his weight, but it holds, and Anakin can't help but admire how intimidating Vader appears, even sitting. He looks every inch the Emperor he is.

"What are you doing?" Anakin questions as Vader begins tapping on the computer console, typing something into it.

"Splicing into Palpatine's personal files," Vader answers without looking at him. "I Forced Tarkin to talk, and he told me about the Death Star plans. If I can find the copy, I can destroy it."

Anakin leans on the edge of the desk, watching over Vader's shoulder. "You mentioned the Death Star before. What is it?"

Vader's fingers still, and one respirator cycle passes before he looks up. "It slipped my mind that you did not already know," he admits. "Theoretically, the Death Star is a moon-sized battle station which has the ability to destroy an entire planet with one shot. Kyber crystals are used refract and intensify the energy, piercing to the planet's core and detonating it. When – when I blocked away the visions the Son showed you, I saw something... vague about it. I believe it would have been successful."

Anakin shudders. "Force, that's awful," he breathes. And to think that Palpatine was involved in something like that. Even though a screwed-up part of him aches to see his mentor again, to talk to him about these confusing times, he knows that it's only a result of the trust that Palpatine knowingly cultivated to make Anakin his apprentice. The galaxy is a far better place without him in it. "Can I help you?"

"Not with this, but you can contact Sobeck and tell him to shut down the power at the Citadel," Vader answers, beginning to type again, information flashing across the screen faster than Anakin can interpret it.

"They'll escape," he says, feeling stupid for it a moment later. Of course, they'll escape. If the power is off, they'll be able to walk right out, find a shuttle, and leave. Vader knows that.