Deception | Anakin Skywalker x Reader

|26| Empire day

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I don't see Vader again for the rest of the week.

According to Fives, he was sent off on an extremely important secret mission a few days after he had healed the wounds on my back and was due to arrive back at the fortress on the same day Trilla and I were given a temporary reassignment to Coruscant, just until after the annual Ascension Week.

So far I have spent most of the week stuck in boring meetings, trying desperately not to let the wave of sadness drag me down into the dark depths, about how this week is important to highlight the unity of the Empire. In particular I have been assigned the task of leading the team, which consists of a handful of Stormtroopers (and Rex and Fives), Trilla and a few of the other Inquisitors. Our job is to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.

Yesterday I had to lead a set of horrific house searches, ensuring that the people of Coruscant were planning to attend Empire day celebrations. According to the Stormtrooper who I had assigned to conduct house searches a couple of blocks away one Twi'lek female refused to take part in the celebration and all that it represented. The Stormtrooper then proceeded to murder her in her home.

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This is the first time that I am taking part in the 'celebration' that is Ascension Week and I would be lying if I said it wasn't difficult, meticulously preparing for what is essentially a week long party in honour of Empire Day, a day that signifies the death of so many people.

But this year is even worse because the Emperor wants it to be 'bigger and better' than the last as it is the fifth anniversary that saw the war come to an end and the countless innocent lives lost.

Five years since I lost the only family I had ever known.

It's a hard pill to swallow but as the temporary Grand Inquisitor I have to remain strong, all eyes, including Vader's and the Emperor's, will be on me for the next seven days. I have to pretend that the life I thought I would always have didn't get completely destroyed by the people I now feign loyalty to.

I have to pretend that I haven't also taken innocent lives in my mission to take back the galaxy. I have to pretend that this day doesn't remind me of all the pain I have caused.

Despite the pain I feel, I also feel a small glimmer of hope. Hope that if everything goes well this year with my plan, this should be the last Empire Day to ever exist. As soon as I have achieved my goal of getting closer to the Emperor, close enough to kill him, especially if I can somehow get Vader to work with me to take the man down, there will be no more bullshit mandatory celebrations.

There will be freedom and if luck is on my side, any Jedi who had to go into hiding will return and the galaxy will be balanced once more.

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At least Fifth Brother isn't here to make matters worse I think to myself as I stand off to the side of a large gathering of people, each awaiting the Emperor's annual broadcast to begin the 'celebrations'.

According to Trilla, who heard it from Fives, who heard it from Rex (you get the picture), Fifth Brother's actions on Lothal were not taken lightly. Apparently Vader was the one to deal him his punishment which I am currently refusing to think about what this means. My brain might just explode if I give anything else any other thought this week.

The crowds erupt with excitement when the old Jedi Temple is lit up with a projection of a room with a black and red colour scheme. I stand up from my lean against the adjacent building, glancing around to ensure there are no signs of violence while the Emperor is delivering what is said to be an 'impassioned speech'. I notice Trilla in the crowd and give her a brief wave to which she waves back.