The Trace Which Remains

Chapter 23: ... vulnerable hearts...

"Yes, we can."

Three simple words, in the low rumble of the voice of Anakin Skywalker.

Skywalker, who had once been Vader.

Crix Madine shook his head vehemently. "You have no say in this matter. You are a prisoner, and as such, if you speak out of turn, you will be taken away for disorderly behavior."

Mon Mothma raised her hand, cutting Madine off. "He is a prisoner- but he has also been a target of this Sith Lord. It is natural for him to be interested."

"It has to be a Sith trap!" He was about to speak more, but he noticed Skywalker's eyes on him, narrowed and angry.

"You believe that I would partake in a trap that would leave my son tortured, beaten, and raped? I may not be the model father... but I would NEVER permit anyone to rape another person, especially my son. If you accuse me of arranging something like this... you sicken me."

Madine swallowed, and tried to look away, but Skywalker held his gaze steady, and Madine was forced to stand down. "I... apologize. But can you blame me for believing you to be involved?"

"I do not blame you for your suspicion, but I ask that I am given one chance to prove that this is no trap. I have an idea."

****

"And what if you do betray us?" Mon Mothma asked Anakin, looking upon him with an exhausted expression on her face. "How should we protect ourselves from you if you have not truly changed?"

Anakin had no answer for that, until Luke strode up to his side.

"I am his next of kin. Mon Mothma... I accept all responsibility for my father's actions during this time. I will keep him from betraying us- or you may transfer any penalty you decide is correct for his actions... to me."

Anakin gasped, and stared at Luke with horror. Although he certainly didn't plan on betraying the Alliance, Anakin was terrified. What if he was framed for something again?

But Luke's expression and stance suggested that it wasn't open to questioning. Anakin heard Luke's voice in his heart, soothingly smooth. 'Don't worry, Father. I have faith in you... in US.'

Hanging his head in defeat, Anakin murmured, "I hope that I don't cause you more trouble, son."

Luke's arm snaked around his waist, and he leaned into the support.

Mon Mothma conferred with the rest of High Command, and Anakin was certain that they would decline... until Mon Mothma turned back to him, and asked, "What is your plan?"

****

"As Vader, I had knowledge of the various codes of the shield protecting Coruscant from invasion. I myself was responsible for the calibration of those codes, so they could not have been changed by now." Myka watched Anakin Skywalker with a large amount of admiration. Even through all of the problems that he faced, Skywalker was still able to take charge.

"I also trained the pilots who guard Coruscant. The defenses of Coruscant were directly inspired by the tactics utilized by the Alliance in the Battle of Yavin- small starfighters to take out larger ships. I designed the fighters that they pilot, the TIE Annihilators."

"Also, the majority of the Imperial fleet was tied up in this battle- as part of the trap for the Alliance. My former master was of the opinion that it would not be escapable. The remains of the fleet- I assume they surrendered unconditionally?"

"Yes," Mon Mothma nodded.

"We'll be able to use them well. With the manpower and firepower of the Imperial fleet, the Alliance WILL be able to take Coruscant with minimal damage."

That fool Madine interrupted again. "But what if they turn on us?"

Anakin stared at him again, a look of insulted pride in his eyes. "They had no love for the Emperor. They had no love for me- but they respected me, to a large point. I was commanded to make them fear me- an easy accomplishment with the armor I was forced into."

"And?"

"If it comes down to it... I will command them in my old name, for the sake of the Alliance."

The High Command turned back to their huddle, before Mon Mothma sighed, and said, "Commander Skywalker... and Pilot Skywalker... our fate is in your hands. You shall take the call sign of Rogue X."

****

As Luke and Anakin turned to head to the hangar, Luke felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Crix Madine.

"If he betrays us," the Corellian general warned, "shoot him out of the sky."

Luke's breath caught in his throat, but he bit his lip, forced himself to remain calm... and nodded in understanding. But he gave Madine a steady look of consternation.

"My father will NOT betray us."

****

Leia watched her brother and father as they prepared for battle. Cross-legged on the floor, Anakin was pointing up through a large holomap of the Coruscant defenses.

"You see this gap? Do NOT try to slip through. The Nixers leave that gap open as a decoy. There's not much of a real gap... but there's a pattern in which you can fire at the Nixers and cause them to MAKE a gap. They don't know this- but I left it there in case I ever needed to escape."

Several of the Rogues laughed, and Leia smiled. Anakin was a likeable person- and she hoped that they would be able to trust him. Based upon how intently they listened to him... she was sure he'd do fine.

She felt Han before his arms wrapped around her, and leaned into the warmth of his embrace. "Seems like your dad's got a lot of people on his side."

"I hope so."

Wedge Antilles gave a smirk from the conference, and waved the two of them over. He leaned down and quietly asked, "How're you holding up? I heard about the murders from Mon Mothma- she said that you've been busting your hump to solve them."

"I had to- the murderer was responsible for a serious attack on Luke."

Wedge gaped. "Luke was attacked? No wonder he looks like hell."

Luke looked up and grinned. "You should have seen me before Leia and Myka helped heal me. I was a total wreck."

"I bet."

Han clapped Luke on the shoulder, and asked, "So, Leia's learning to use the Force, I see. You training her to be a Jedi?"

Leia bit her lip.

Luke shook his head. "I was unconscious for most of the time. Myka trained her in some healing."

"Myka?"

With a crutch under his arm, Myka limped into the conversation. "Dr. Myka Severeth, third-year professional physician."

"Cripes, kid... what the hell happened to you?"

Myka hung his head. "My... former master happened. She bowled me over on her way out of the auditorium."

Wedge stiffened, and asked tentatively, "Your former... master? The Sith?"

"Y...yes." Leia could see how much it hurt Myka to admit the fact that he had even HAD a master. She rested her hand on his noninjured shoulder.

"It's not your fault. If it weren't for you, then I couldn't have proven who she was."

"I know... it's just... I thought I could deal with things. I thought she wouldn't find me..."

"She didn't... did she?"

Myka looked away, before squeezing his eyes shut. "She found out about me... from T'Ayha. My guess is that T'Ay was jealous... so she ratted me out."

"She betrayed you?" Leia gasped.

"I can't think of any other way. T'Ay... was killed by Morata. She confronted me- I couldn't fight her. She said..." He paused, bringing a hand to his head. "She said that she was going to kill Luke if I didn't confirm the evidence that Anakin raped the sister of Granns."

Luke swallowed, before asking, "Were you going to?" Leia saw tears in his eyes.

Myka hung his head, scowling. "I couldn't find a way out of it."

Luke squared his shoulders and his jaw, and Leia saw a flash of anger pass over his face. "If you betray my family... you betray me."

Eyes still downcast, Myka nodded.

"But you didn't." Luke ruffled the young Sith's hair.

"I was going to!" Myka's head snapped up in shock.

"Did you want to?"

"Of course not!"

Luke smiled. "Then it doesn't matter. You're still welcome to be my friend..."

"Friend?" Anakin strode over to the group, before grabbing Myka firmly by the intact shoulder. For an instant, Leia was worried that he was about to hurt Myka, until he grinned.

"Hell... you're family, kiddo."

Myka stared, jaw hanging open, until it sunk in. He let out a shaky smile and laugh, and Leia could tell that he was relieved.

"Family... I kind of... like that."

****

"All right. After Rogue X transmits the shield release code, we let Rogue Squadron force the gap in the Nix Squadron's defenses. Then, we set the _Falcon_ down at the prearranged location, and Rogue Squadron will rendezvous with the _Falcon_ there." Leia felt an odd sense of deja vu as she explained the overall strategy to the group of Rebels surrounding her. It was an almost direct imitation of her act before the Battle of Hoth, except this time, they weren't evacuating...

They were invading.

"Once on planet, we follow Luke, Rogue X, and Dr. Severeth, where they will confront Morata, while the rest of us cover their backs. Destroy all cameras. Leave no witnesses. Then, we will make our way to the Imperial Palace, where Rogue X will deactivate the planetary shield so the fleet can begin the siege. Any questions?"

There were none, so Leia gave a grim smile. "Then to your ships, and may the Force be with you."

****

Luke watched as Anakin strode up to the vacant X-wing, biting his lip. "It's been a long time since I've flown naturally."

"You'll do fine, Father. 'Best starpilot in the galaxy,' remember?"

"What other propaganda did Obi-Wan feed you, boy?"

Luke grinned, leaning towards Anakin. "He also said you were a good friend... and that you were dead sexy."

Luke couldn't keep from laughing when Anakin nearly choked on his breath. "You're not serious!"

Smacking Anakin lightly on the shoulder, Luke shook his head, still chuckling. "Not at all... but I'll bet you five that he DID find you hot."

"What do you base that assumption upon?"

Luke leaned forward, pressing Anakin against the starfighter and licking the base of his neck. "I base that statement upon something that's... as hard as a rock." Backing away, he winked and gave a deliberate leer at Anakin's body. He was rewarded with a blush that crept up Anakin's neck.

"Ehhem... perhaps we should... get to business, son. As much as I would like nothing more than to hold you forever, we need to get moving."

Luke smiled, and leaned into Anakin's arms. "I know... but it's been so hard, having you here but apart."

"We're never apart now, son. You will always hold a large portion of my soul within your heart. Never forget that, boy. And I will always support your soul with my heart."

Luke couldn't help melting at these words. He clutched Anakin tightly, reveling in the sensation of that strong heartbeat throbbing in his ear. "Just promise me... if we can, let's get away from all of this once it's over. No war, no danger... somewhere quiet."

Anakin pulled Luke's chin up with a smooth finger, and pressed their lips together. "I know a perfect place. But for now... we must still fight. Let us fight together... for once."

"Forever, Father." Luke pulled Anakin down for a deep kiss, sealing their hearts together. It seemed like an agonizingly short moment before he had to pull away for his own ship.

Switching on his com, he commanded, "Rogue Leader to Rogue group, it's time to take this show on the road."

***********************

If you don't have an AFF account, you can reach me at the_skywolves@yahoo.com. I would love to hear what you think!