Chapter Text
The swelling around Tutarf’s eye had subsided greatly when Luke next saw him. The dark, purple bruising on the side of the Abednedo’s face had gradually faded to the colour of over-ripened fruit. Now, around an oval table, Veers and Piett sat with Tutarf as his pudgy fingers fiddled with the transceiver he had been provided with.
“It’s doable,” the Resistance spy said, rubbing his fuzzy chin. “The only problem might be getting ourselves planet-side.”
“We’re still considering our options,” Piett replied, nodding. “Max and I have bandied a few ideas in regard to getting ourselves past Imperial surveillance.”
“Ourselves?” Luke asked playfully as he stepped forward to join them, the three heads turning to regard him. “I didn’t think you were so eager to wade into the action, Firmus.”
“Only a figure of speech, I can assure you.” Piett responded with a hint of nerves, as though he believed Luke thought he’d just volunteered himself.
“It’s not as though we can just sneak an army onto the capital,” Veers joined in. “Perhaps a covert unit or a strike force, though depending on the force required, we risk drawing suspicion. Too many men and we catch the eye of the Empire. Too few and our enterprise is fruitless.”
“Real pair of optimists, these two.” Tutarf glanced over his shoulder to smirk at Luke. “We’ll help in any way we can, commander.
“That’s all well and good, then.” Veers drawled, leaning forward. “I suppose the Resistance has enough fire-power to supplement a lack of reserves. A few stockpiles of heavy blasters. A hidden cache of thermal explosives. An anti-personnel tank, perhaps-”
“Max,” Piett gently scolded.
“It needs to be said,” the ex-general countered. “We risk being severely outmatched.”
“Don’t you fret yourself, Maxie,” the Abednedo reassured, “just gotta iron out the kinks, that’s all. We’ll get this off the ground.”
“Maxie?” Veers muttered, raising an eyebrow.
Luke felt the corner of his lip twitch, threatening to pull up into a smile. Shaking it off, he sat down with them. “This plan, will it work?”
“I mean, it could work,” Tutarf nodded. “The whole two prong, divide and conquer thing. Once we get there, we have every chance of pulling it off. It’s the getting there that’s a little sticky.”
“Tutarf has been relaying input from the Resistance,” Piett added.
“We have devised a strategy that should concentrate troop movements to a secondary location while the palace is breeched,” Veers further explained, “this Buffoon seems to think we have every chance.”
“Bouffon,” Tutarf corrected before turning to Luke. “Bouffon is one of the Resistance leaders planet-side, been right under the Emperor’s nose for years. He’s not the easiest guy to please but he has every confidence that we can pull this off, if by the skin of our teeth.”
“He have any ideas on how to get us down there?” Luke asked, carding a hand through his hair.
“Possibly,” the spy replied. “We’ve run a few ideas by him. We’re just trying to work that part out. Don’t want to leave ourselves short on men. That’s not to say Bouffon and his boys won’t fight, he’s more than eager.”
“The palace,” Luke scratched his beard, “there’s no way we’ll be able to just march our way in there.”
“With the strain on resources,” Piett responded, “the redistribution of garrisons off-world and such, with a sufficient enough distraction, we may well be able to pull enough focus to get in. The problem will be holding the perimeter. That will require manpower.”
“The Resistance is ready for a scrap,” Tutarf encouraged, “but we’re no army.”
“Tutarf,” Veers leaned in, clasping his hands together on the tabletop, “it’s safe to assume that there is protocol for smuggling weapons. Would there be any locations safe enough to smuggle people without arising too much suspicion?”
“I’ve only been to Courascant once or twice. For safety reasons, we were asked to keep away, in case we got caught,” Tutarf leaned back in his chair, “but I’m sure we could get some folks in, if you leave it with me.”
Piett cleared his throat. “A scattered arrival. Commercial ships, trade vessels, unmanned freighters. We could have men rendezvous with the Resistance and bide their time, bolster our forces on-world, then strike.”
“Leave it with me,” Tutarf said. “We’ll find a way to get some guys smuggled in.”
“Good man,” Piett praised, slapping the Abednedo lightly on the back.
“Now,” Tutarf said, pushing himself from his seat, “if you gentlemen would excuse me, I need a smoke. I’m gasping.”
“I’ll come with you,” Luke offered, standing. “Need some air myself.” Looking back at the two seated men, he simply smiled, “Firmus. Veers.”
“Luke,” Piett acknowledged, returning a small smile.
“Commander,” Veers nodded curtly.
Following Tutarf out of the room, they made their way down the hallway, both men walking in sync.
“So, how’d you find them?” Luke asked as he and Tutarf rounded a corner.
Tutarf just shrugged. “Seem like nice enough fellas.”
“Are you,” the young Jedi began, clearing his throat, “comfortable enough working with them? Given their past.”
“They’re not holding nothin’ against me, so why should I?” Tutarf winked, tapping the bruise on his cheek. “Sure, I got given a good kiss, but no doubt some would do much worse. Believe it or not, I met some who weren’t so bad, all things considered. Some guys are straight up cruel, others are just loyal, all be it to a nasty cause.”
Luke casually folded his arms. “As far as I’m concerned, Firmus and Veers have more than proven themselves. While they can be guarded at times and maybe a little odd, they are also dedicated and loyal, maybe to a fault once. Since they’ve been here, they’ve done right by us.
“How did they come to be here?” Tutarf asked as they made their way outside, wasting no time in pulling a small, battered box from his pocket, drawing a cigarette. “I mean, I’m pretty sure you didn’t toss out resumes and these guys just happened fit the bill.” Offering the box to Luke, he just shrugged slightly when the younger man declined, waving it off. Lighting the cigarette, he took a deep drag before exhaling slowly through his nose. “You don’t get to the rank of officer by being a flake. How’d you guys manage to sway them?”
“They were detained and we struck a bargain with them. Amnesty in return for co-operation. Convinced them that their old friends wouldn’t have their best interests.” The young man thought a moment before continuing, “my father vouched for them, personally commending their talents.”
“Big man himself.” The Abednedo paused for a moment, staring into the distance before looking to Luke. “So it’s true then? He’s actually here?”
“He is,” Luke confirmed, nestling his hands into his pockets as he relaxed his stance.
Taking another drag, Tutarf snorted. “So, what, he just decide he wanted a change of scenery or something?”
“In a way, yes.” The young man chuckled at the face Turaf was pulling; a perfect mixture of amusement and attempting to dissect the truth from an absurd statement.
“Well kid,” Tutarf blew out another cloud of smoke, “you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t find that very easy to believe.”
The younger man let out a little laugh, “I’d be a little concerned if you did.” He cleared his throat, “to cut a long story short, he saved my life and nearly gave his own to do it. He was near death. I brought him back here for aid. He’s been helping us ever since. ”
Ashing his cigarette, Tutarf stared off thoughtfully, as if trying to wrap his head around what he’d just heard. He looked at Luke after a moment. “I mean, it’s pretty hard to picture but maybe it’s a good sign. You’ll need to tell me that story after this is all over.”
Luke leaned in, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe you can ask him.”
Tutarf let out a sudden bark of laughter. “Rain check on that,” the Abednedo coughed as he took one last drag before dropping his cigarette, crushing it under heel. “There anything else I should know? Y’know, in case I run into him.”
Luke thought for a moment. “He appreciates honesty,” he began, “if you’re speaking to him, be forthright. He can be confrontational at times but it’s mostly a tactic to test people. If that happens, don’t rise to it but don’t back down either. He’ll respect that.”
“No bull, got it.”
***
Standing outside the window of the now closed off medical wing, Anakin and Madine silently looked in at the occupant in the bed, surrounded by medical staff who fanned about the room, weaving around the numerous wires and machines that kept the man stable.
They observed one of the nurses hovering over the unconscious man, carefully unfurling rows of now soiled bandages while still remaining cautious of the machines behind her that pumped air into the mask fastened securely to his face.
As she removed the bandages from his head, the full extent of the man’s injury became visible. A hideous shade of black, rimmed with red painted almost the entirety of the man’s brow. The centre of his forehead was swollen and bulbous with a deep gash in it’s centre, held shut with surgical staples.
Glancing past Madine, Anakin looked at the two guards who stood stationary outside the door, silent and unblinking as they manned their post. Beyond them, on either end of the hallway, were stationed two more guards, equally statue-like. Madine was leaving nothing to chance, just as he had done after Anakin had been attacked in the medical bay.
No one was getting in without the direct consent of the general. Not just to preserve their only link to finding out who was behind the attacks, but to preserve the safety of the assailant himself. Should his superiors find out he was giving up information, he life would be forfeit.
Both men’s focus was pulled by the sound of clicking heels, the two guards at the end of the hall standing sharply to attention. Anakin and Madine straightened as Leia approached, walking with purpose. His daughter’s new shadow, Chavez, was at her heel.
As soon as they seen her, the two guards at the door also straightened in turn, saluting sharply. Leia silently waved a hand to bring them to ease, her eyes moving to the general and her father; Madine tucked his hands behind his back formally while Anakin’s hands drifted to grip his belt.
She offered them both a nod of acknowledgement before looking to the large window, both men watching as she stepped closer to peer in. Scanning the inside of the room, she analysed the scene before her. “Has he woken at all?” She asked.
“As of yet, no,” Madine replied. “We are still waiting. Though given his injury, there is the chance of it being some time.”
“What’s the official diagnosis?”
“Frontal bone fracture. Severe concussion.” Anakin answered flatly.
Drawing her eyes away from the window, she looked at the general. “So all we can do is wait.”
“These men are under strict instructions to admit no one into this room,” Madine gestured to the small cadre of men. “Aside from medical personnel, you or myself, no one else is getting beyond this threshold. I’m taking no chances.”
“You think it was calculated?” Leia asked, glancing up at the larger of the two men. “That they were biding their time?”
“No doubt,” Anakin affirmed. “The two would have earned themselves some high value hostages. It’s not as through they lacked patience, considering how tight-lipped they’ve been. Accounting for my presence and they’d have the perfect opportunity to get their payback.”
Leia raised an eyebrow. “There’s no way they could have known you would be attending the interrogation, surely.”
“Impossible,” Madine assured. “Only Amilyn, Jorn and myself knew of Mr. Skywalker’s involvement. There’s no way our man there could have known until he saw him enter.”
“Well,” Leia sighed deeply, glancing momentarily back to the window, “the moment he regains consciousness, if he does,” she looked back at the two men, “I would like to be informed.”
“Naturally, princess.” Madine agreed, nodding before slowly stepping away. “Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I’m required elsewhere. I will be sure to relay this information back to High Command.” Inclining his head to the young woman, the general then turned on his heel and disappeared down the hall.
Leia then turned to Anakin. “Walk with me?”
The older man nodded, waiting a moment as Leia began to walk, allowing her to set the pace before slowly falling into step by her side. As father and daughter walked, Chavez remained a few feet behind, allowing them their privacy.
“How is the Vice Admiral faring?” Anakin asked, looking ahead.
“She’s still a little shaken,” Leia confessed, “but she’s doing a good deal better.”
“That’s good to hear,” her father replied. “The woman has a little steel under that silk, but even a hardened individual would be taken aback by such a sudden encounter. Do give her my regards.”
He looked down as they stepped outside, their eyes meeting. He could see a hint of surprise in his daughter’s face, though he couldn’t say it was not entirely unwarranted. It wasn’t as though he and Holdo had gotten off on the right foot. She regarded him for a moment before speaking. “And you, how are you?”
“Tired,” he admitted with a sigh. “The escapades of this little clandestine band are starting to get on my nerves. It’s making me think of how I would have dealt with this among my own ranks.”
“They don’t represent us,” her brow furrowed, “you know that. I hope you’re not suggesting-”
“Far from it,” he cut in as he reached up to massage the bridge of his nose. “If it were just me at risk, that would be one thing. Were I to be dispatched, there’s no guarantee that Firmus and Veers would be safe after. That scum gave their own princess no regard. I’ll admit, I was shocked.”
“I am sorry,” her voice softened, “about Atticus. He seemed a good soul.”
“If more than a little sarcastic,” he let out a small laugh yet couldn’t bear to pair it with a smile. “He was a good friend. I hope he knew that.”
He then felt a gentle hand on his arm. Turning to face her, he saw his daughter looking up at him. “I’m sure he did,” she reassured.
“I think, perhaps, I’m more of an optimist than I first realised,” Anakin mused. “It seems that conflict has decided to follow me, when I hoped this would earn me somewhat of a reprieve. This is my second war. I very much intend for it to be my last.”
“Well, with this new operation,” Leia casually thumped a first into her palm, “we’re hoping to finally put an end to it.”
Anakin shook his head. “If the fervour of these men is anything to go by, I doubt there would be a place for me in this new galaxy,” he said resignedly.
Looking him over for a moment, Leia paused, seemingly considering her next words. “I think that’s your choice to make,” she began. “Darth Vader would certainly not be welcome, but the more time goes by, the less I see of him. I’d like to think that the man these people have been trying to eliminate no longer exists.”
Anakin Skywalker wasn’t often hard pressed for words, but that admittance from an old enemy gave him pause. It was almost enough to help him keep some hope. He gazed down at his daughter. “I’ll see what this spy of Luke’s has turned up. We’ll try to have something more concrete drawn up soon.”
“Please do be gentle with him should you two meet,” Leia gently admonished. “I’ve heard the man’s been through quite a time of it.”
“Am I not the gentlest soul you know?” Anakin asked, unable to keep the smile from curling at the corner of his lip as he watched his daughter raise an eyebrow. “He will be in good hands, I assure you. If I’m honest, I’m quiet intrigued as to this resistance cell.”
Leia cocked her head. “You had no prior knowledge of them before?”
“There were always rabble-rousers and voices of decent, even on Coruscant.” Anakin clarified. “The old man paid very little heed. A luxury one can afford when they think themselves untouchable. To him, laughing at the futility of those words spoken against him and dolling out the occasional beating would be the worst of it.”
“Truly?” Leia asked, surprised. “The impression I had was of a man who saw enemies everywhere.”
“He was a man of great intellect, as visionary as he was treacherous.” Anakin folded his arms across his chest. “He was proud. Hubris is blinding, and why would a man like Sheev Palpatine believe real decent could breed right beneath his feet?”
“Well then, let’s hope Grand Vizier Amedda shares his Emperor’s confidence.” Leia gave him a knowing smile before growing serious. “You look tired, Anakin. Perhaps you should take some time to yourself.”
“I’m quite fine,” Anakin assured. “I should regroup with Firmus and Veers, see how they’re getting on.”
“I’m sure they can manage a while without you.” She replied, resting a hand on her hip. “I’m serious. Take some time to relax. Put any thoughts of planning and conflict aside for the day. I know Luke often meditates, that might be good for you.”
“I fear I don’t share your brother’s patience,” Anakin said, smiling softly. “Though I suppose I could give it a try.”
Satisfied, Leia slowly glanced over her shoulder. “Chavez,” she called.
The young woman approached, hands clasped behind her back, chest pushed forward. “Yes, Princess Organa?”
“I’d like to take a walk,” she said, glancing to her father. “Would you be so kind as to escort Mr. Skywalker home?”
“At once, ma’am.” Chavez saluted before regarding her new charge. “When you’re ready, sir.”
Anakin nodded, turning to leave with the woman at his heels. As he turned, he looked back at his daughter. Leia stood, hands on her hips, a small but reassuring smile on her face. It was moments like this that Anakin could see why he couldn’t beat her. How she remained tenacious and unbroken in the face of her enemy. She had hope in her, much like her brother. That hope was why he couldn’t best them, not really. It was a failure he was thankful for.