A Destiny Rewritten

chapter ix: bloodlines.

The Millennium Falcon arrives on Yavin IV, and the group of rebels are met with a fully prepared and determined Alliance. The base is located inside of the Great Temple, a former Massassi building originally constructed five thousand years ago. Rebels bustle about, readying the X-wings for the attack on the Death Star.

Han Solo has already decided to leave the Alliance, since he has now collected his reward for rescuing Leia and Padmé. But that was to be expected—though Han would be a useful pilot, he has unfinished business to attend to. Luke seemed rather perplexed by Han's announcement to leave, but Padmé was more neutral on the matter.

Like Captain Solo, Padmé has unfinished business, too, which she must take care of before the battle begins. Padmé knows she doesn't have much time to talk to her children, but she also doesn't want to wait any longer. If one of them died before knowing the truth, it would weigh down on her forever. Luke is the one who is in the most danger here, since he has volunteered to pilot one of the X-wings that will be attempting to take down the Death Star.

But when the Death Star is destroyed, will her husband be destroyed along with it? She hopes not, but she has accepted that it is a possibility. If she had stayed, she might be in danger, too. Padmé can't stop the most important attack on the Empire to save one man. She does not have the authority to do so, either; Padmé is a member of a council of several other rebel leaders, who would never agree to stop the attack. It would be illogical, for the Empire would just crush them anyway.

Obi-Wan seems to catch the grim look on Padmé's face. She hadn't realized that she had been frowning. "He will probably survive the attack, Padmé," he reassures her in a low voice so that they are not overheard by the rebels around them. They are still standing in the hangar, which is full of rebel maintenance crews and pilots. "The Empire will have to destroy the X-wings ship to ship, since they are so small. I'm sure he will be one of the pilots going after them."

She nods. Obi-Wan is very knowledgeable, more so than she is, about space combat.

"You don't want him to live, though," she says quietly but bitterly. She knows it's true; Obi-Wan wouldn't shed a single tear over Vader dying.

He doesn't verbally agree or disagree with her, but he doesn't need to for her to know his stance on the matter. "I'm simply stating that he always makes it, despite how perilous the circumstances are—he is very resourceful." It is Obi-Wan's version of being supportive,

It is somewhat comforting that Obi-Wan is most likely correct. Surely, Vader would be smart enough to not be aboard the Death Star. He is a Sith; hopefully, his sense of self-preservation would motivate him to be elsewhere while the attack on the Death Star is taking place.

"Anyway," she says, shaking her head. "After Leia is finished briefing the pilots, I was wondering if you would help me talk to Luke and Leia. I want them to know the truth."

Obi-Wan looks at her, his features contorted with worry. "The whole truth?" He knits his eyebrows together. "Padmé, I don't think..."

"No. Just the part about me—I know they're not ready to hear about the rest," she tells him. It isn't necessary for her to say Darth Vader's name; Obi-Wan knows exactly what she means by 'the rest.'

The Jedi master places a hand on his chin in contemplation. After a few moments, he says, "Alright, if that is what you think is best. I support your judgement."

She smiles at Obi-Wan as a thank you. "Years ago, Bail recorded a message for Leia, explaining almost everything. Artoo should still be storing it—I'll go retrieve Artoo, and you can find Leia and Luke. They should be finishing up with the briefing in a few minutes. Meet me on the roof of the temple. It's one of the few places where we won't be disturbed." The rebel base is lacking in private areas, but the temple roof should do just fine for a meeting place.