Bittersweet Devotion [Star Wars x Anakin Skywalker]

36.

"The ability to speak does not make you intelligent." - Qui-Gon Jinn

Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, and a freshly unfrozen Han had finally made it to the safety of the Rebel ship. The stark white corridors and the low hum of the ship's engines provided a sharp contrast to the chaos they had just escaped. The cold metal beneath their feet, the sterile smell of recycled air, and the distant sounds of the ship's crew bustling about all served as reminders that they were far from the danger they had faced. But no matter how much Luke wanted to, he couldn't bring himself to feel any relief. The only reason they had made it this far was because of Rain—his mother. The thought was both comforting and torturous.

The Rebel ship was alive with activity. The echoes of footsteps and the soft murmur of voices created a backdrop of urgency. Medics moved quickly, attending to those who had been injured during the rescue, while technicians worked diligently to ensure the ship's systems were fully operational. The dim lighting of the corridors cast long shadows, adding to the tension that seemed to permeate the very air.

Han, however, was less concerned with the environment around him. He paced back and forth in the hallway, his anger bubbling over with every step. "I'm going to kill that guy, I swear to God. I don't care if he is the most dangerous Jedi or Sith—or whatever the hell he is—that has ever lived!" His voice grew louder, his frustration palpable as he continued his tirade. The harsh lighting above only seemed to emphasize the fury etched into his features.

Luke could understand Han's anger towards Vader, but he couldn't feel the same way. Every step Han took seemed to reverberate in his mind, reminding him of the brief moment when he'd had both of his parents back. And now, just as quickly, they were gone again. The cold metal walls of the ship felt more confining with each thought. Although Luke knew Vader was the reason for this, he couldn't forget that Vader was also his father.

And despite everything, Luke still believed there was good in him. There had to be.

"Luke?" Leia's voice broke through his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. She stood nearby, concern etched across her face. "You coming? The meeting is starting."

Luke blinked, pulling himself from his reverie. "Uh—yeah, I'm coming." He forced a smile, wrapping an arm around Leia's shoulder as they moved toward the door that Han and Chewbacca had just passed through.

He tried to ignore the wrenching feeling in his gut, the weight of the sympathetic look Leia gave him from the corner of her eye. He couldn't allow himself to be the victim here. He had to find a way to fight back.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the cold, metallic corridors of the Death Star, Rain and Anakin were preparing for a mission that felt almost impossible. The battle station's endless, dimly lit hallways seemed to stretch on forever, creating a labyrinth of danger and uncertainty. Their task was clear: find the Emperor, eliminate him, and in doing so, finally free Anakin from his control and protect their children from the darkness that had already claimed so much of their lives.

But as far as a solid plan was concerned, they had nothing. All they knew for certain was that somehow, they needed to find a way to infiltrate the most secure area of the battle station and kill its leader—the Emperor. The thought was daunting, and the oppressive weight of the mission pressed down on them, even amidst the cold efficiency of the Death Star's interior.

"I mean, when you put it simply, it doesn't seem as hard, right?" Anakin tried to sound optimistic, turning to Rain with a strained smile as they moved through the dimly lit corridors. The overhead lights flickered occasionally, casting long shadows that danced along the walls.