Anakin's Fortress - Book II (temporary cover)

Six - Umbrage

Worse than telling a lie is trying to lie to a Sith Lord.
Year 10

————

Kat

I enter the hut reluctantly and gasp when I hear the unmistakable sound of a lightsaber. I spin around to see blue shining around the hut, reflecting off everything.

"Tell me who you are, now." I wait a moment, trying to understand why I don't feel fear at the threatening weapon pointed at me. I barely even glance at it, instead meeting his eyes.

"My name is...Angel. Why won't he call me that?" Surely this man knows the answer to the question that haunted me during my first years in Vader's fortress. It is the only reason I said it instead of Kat, because I am Kat.

He blinks, looking utterly perplexed. "I, I'm afraid I don't know." Useless. I roll my eyes and plop down onto his chair, ignoring his lightsaber altogether. Though, in my opinion, it's prettier than Anakin's. Makes me want to touch it, like the beauty of a poisonous frog. When his brows furrow together, I sigh and pick up a tiny bolt of some sort from his table. What does he do here all day?

"I've had a red one of those pointed at me plenty of times," I mumble, eying another unusual metal object.

Then, I laugh. It is a genuine laugh, finding his saber humorous. "Fuck. Imagine the irony. I spend years in a literal dark fortress, but die by a Jedi." I can't help it, I drop the knickknacks and laugh more. "Do you think that's why the Jedi are gone?"

My first time off Mustafar alone, and I'm threatened by a Jedi! Oh, Anakin would be so pissed.

He pulls his blade back and sits in the chair next to me, running his hands through his graying hair and shaking his head.

"You're mad," he finally mutters into the now silent and semi-dark hut.

"I've thought that a time or two."

Our gazes lock, and for a moment, we just stare.

There was a time when this man and the one I work for were considered heroes. Not where my father worked, of course, but the HoloNews certainly thought so. Now what? Had this man given up his life to hide the kid, or protect him?

"I am the daughter of Diago Velez." His eyes show minor recognition, but I'm not looking to discuss who I am. "Who is his mother?" I should feel jealous at the thought of Anakin with another woman. For some reason, I don't. There are too many other things I need to focus on.

His eyes flash emotion, and for the first time since meeting him, I feel bad for him. The look is gone as quick as it came, and when he answers, his voice reveals nothing. "Her name was Padmé Amidala. How do you know him?"

An answer for a question. I like it. But also—was?

"I protect his home."

"You?" he scoffs before I can fire off another question. "The woman with no defensive skills, at all?"

"I made you bleed," I growl, feeling my face heat up in embarrassment. "She is dead?"

"Yes. How long have you worked for him?"

"I don't know, probably about the same amount of time you've been here. Why did he change?"

He sighs, his face revealing his reluctance with a deep frown. "I'm afraid that isn't a one-sentence answer." When he sees my blank expression, he shakes his head and lets out another sound. "Palpatine manipulated him into believing the dark side would save Padmé. But she was only ever in danger from him."