Gates of Hell

Chapter 14 - Understandings

Author's Note: This is... a much longer chapter than usual. Enjoy! :D

~ Amina Gila

Probably the only reason Vader decided they should go to the Jedi Council is because he needs something which can distract him from Padme, from his Angel. No, she's not his anymore – not that he deserves her anyway. He never did, especially not after... what he did to her. That's another thing he'll have to tell Anakin, another thing the younger will have to hate him for. Seeing her again, alive, shook him up in more ways than he even knows. He's furious at himself for what he did to her. He'll never be able to forgive attacking her like that on Mustafar.

Whether she died by his hand or not, it was still his actions that led to her demise. Maybe, maybe if he had been more careful and thoughtful, he could have learned the power to save her life without everything else that happened. It's nice to consider, but not very realistic, given that Sidious wanted him for one purpose alone; he wanted him to be his attack dog.

Padme was a distraction, something his Master told him on many occasions after the Empire's formation when his thoughts turned to her again and he found himself mourning her. Sidious loved to torture him with the knowledge of what he did to his Angel, but he also berated him for still caring about her, claiming time and again that his lingering affection only held him back from true power.

Vader has long struggled with letting go, now especially, and he doesn't know if he even can let go of what he did to his Angel. Yes, this is the past, so he can change everything, but that doesn't mean that his own past didn't happen. Were that so, he would not be trapped in this life-support suit. Still, there is a Padme here, and he can't change his past, even though he wants to, but he can make this universe have a different fate. He can protect this Padme where he failed his own. And he will do it. He will keep her alive at any costs... except Anakin's life. Anakin matters more to him than anyone else ever has or will.

He pushes those thoughts from mind, locking them firmly away as he refocuses on the far more important situation at hand. Anakin follows him as they exit the office, the clones outside saluting them. "Captain," says Vader, "We are going to the Jedi Temple to speak with the Council. Gather a squad to join us. If we are attacked while speaking to the Council, I want you to issue Order 66 to all the clones. Arrest the Jedi, if possible, but kill them if they fight back."

"Yes, my Lord," Rex answers, not showing even the slightest hesitation externally.

Internally, however, Vader thinks he's somewhat torn. The idea of having to fight the Jedi does not sit easily with him, but he is loyal to his General. Vader knows that he will order his brothers to march on the Temple should they be attacked. How fortunate, for the clones, that Anakin has sided with Vader. It will make them question orders even less. Vader respects that very much, so he won't ask anything of them which he doesn't feel is absolutely necessary.

"Is this really necessary?" Anakin questions through their bond as they take a gunship to the Jedi Temple. He seems uncertain, uneasy.

"It is. You and I both know that if we're attacked, it will be because the Jedi refuse to listen to reason," Vader answers. He knows it won't be easy, but he hopes that their lack of allies will make them leery of doing anything so extreme against the Emperor, especially this early.

They arrive at the Temple before long, the gunship touching down outside the steps. They disembark, marching up the steps together, side-by-side. A lifetime ago, Vader walked up these steps as he led his men in Operation Knightfall. Seeing the Temple again, restored in all of its former pristine glory is... hard. It feels like it's difficult for him to breathe, which is ridiculous, because his respirator breathes for him.