The Will of the Force

Chapter 3: Alderaan, Leia and the Birth of a Rebellion

As the starship – Anakin told her it was called the Extractor – dropped out of hyperspace and headed towards Alderaan, Padme observed the planet. From space, it was a spherical patchwork of green and blue, covered by swirls of white clouds; a hint of the beauty to be found on the surface. Reaching out with the force again (still a strange sensation), she concentrated on Leia. Her daughter seemed to be in the Royal Palace, safe thankfully, and she could tell that Bail and Breha were with her.

Padme turned to Anakin to discuss the plan for once they landed, but she stopped when she realized that there were now other Imperial officers on the bridge, and as she was only visible to her husband, it would appear as if he was talking to himself. Given the current state of affairs, she judged that it would be unwise to give the officers or Palpatine any reason to doubt Anakin's sanity. She recalled that he had once mentioned to her that force sensitives could communicate telepathically, and she wondered, seeing as she could now apparently use other force abilities, whether she could employ this to communicate with Anakin without him having to verbally reply.

She tentatively thought, Ani? Can you hear me?

He stiffened slightly beside, almost as if surprised. A second later, his voice appeared in her mind, not the robotic monotone, but his voice. Yes. How are you doing this?

She smiled at her success. The mysteries of the force, Ani. What're your plans when we land?

He was silent for a moment, considering his answer. I'll do whatever it takes to get Leia. I'll request to meet Bail and Breha alone and won't take too many stormtroopers. Not enough to overly threaten them, but sufficient to ensure Leia's safety if they don't cooperate. As if he sensed her apprehension, he quickly added, I won't kill the Organas straight away and I'll try for a peaceful solution first. I-I'm not Palpatine, Padme. I promise.

I know.

A few minutes later, Vader called for Lieutenant Piett. Padme appraised the man as he waited nervously for her husband's instructions. He seemed young, and he carried himself with a confidence that spoke well of his competence and abilities. Far more to his credit, in her opinion, was that she sensed his loyalty lay with Anakin before the Emperor. She didn't expect this, given that her husband had only assumed his position two days ago by her count, but it may be useful in the future. He turned her attention back to the conversation between the two.

'How long until we land on Alderaan Piett?'

'Approximately ten minutes, Lord Vader.' Padme winced at the title, and though he outwardly remained stoic, she felt Anakin inwardly do the same.

'Very good. Inform Queen Breha and Senator Organa that I require a private meeting with them as soon as we're planetside. I'll go and ready my private shuttle for departure. Have four stormtroopers arranged to accompany me.'

'Yes my Lord,' replied Piett as he hurried to carry out his orders.

Anakin turned and exited the bridge, cape billowing behind him. Padme walked next to him, finding it a strange feeling to be moving without feeling her feet contacting the floor and without anyone acknowledging her.

As they approached Anakin's private hangar, Padme felt his force presence become lighter, it was also nervous and tightly wound, but there was little sign of the darkness that had surrounded him when she first appeared. This was mirrored in the joyful, warm tone that sounded in her mind when he said let's bring Leia home.

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When the shuttle landed on Alderaan, Anakin was greeted by a platoon of Royal Guards while Padme stood by his side, marveling at how the soldiers paid her no mind – one of the advantages of being a force ghost, she guessed, was only being visible to certain people. She was building quite a list of questions to ask Qui-Gon about her current situation.