Redemption

Lord Vader was meditating when he felt his youngest daughter enter his inner sanctum. He smiled at Anne's presence in the Force, though in the past her bright light would irritate his darkness; it was something that he now welcomed. Perhaps Luke had been right that there was still good in him. It was Anne's love and compassion that had made him turn from the dark side to the light. Though he doubted seriously that he would ever be a full Jedi again, he was too tainted to make a full transition. He had learned to use both sides of the Force and would not so easily turn again. Power was a heavy drug and dulled your senses and emotions and left you very alone in the galaxy. Anne gently wrapped her arms around her father's neck and kissed his cheek.

"I love you." Anne sent with all the love she could muster. It was strange, but Anne knew that he loved her, but he couldn't bring himself to say the words just yet. He sent her warm feelings of love and she sighed deeply contented.

Lord Vader sent his son and Mara Jade on a mission to find a new home for the Jedi temple; he couldn't bring himself to return to the temple on Coruscant. Too many bad memories and nightmares waited for him there. Leia was working with Mon Mothma on reestablishment of the Republic government. Lord Vader instead remained on his ship the Executor.

"Father?"

"Mm?"

"Are you going to help Luke set up the Jedi council? Are you going to teach? Are you going to be a Jedi Master?"

Lord Vader chuckled lightly at his daughter's excitement, "It depends on the will of the Force, and I will probably be an advisor only." Lord Vader felt Anne's disappointment.

"I've done many terrible things, Anne. I doubt that I could even consider myself as a Jedi for I've been a Sith for over twenty years."

Anne sighed she knew that her father would have to forgive himself, but it would take patience, love, and compassion. Her father was dark, yes, but truly evil and vile like the Emperor? The Force whispered to her that the answer was an emphatic NO. He turned to the dark side of the force for the love of a woman and returned to the light for the love of a son and a daughter. He was the patriarch of the Skywalker family and Anne knew that he would be very protective over not only Luke, but most especially her; since she was the baby of the family.

"You are right young one." Lord Vader responded hearing her deep thoughts.

Anne sighed deeply and climbed aboard her father's shoulders as he was standing.

"I am unaccustomed to having children wanting piggy-back rides."

"Well, if I'm going to be raised by an overprotective Sith for a parent; then my father will have to become accustomed to certain behaviors only I as the youngest can exhibit."

"Very well spoken for a nine year old youngling."

Anne smiled, "Admiral Piett is very impressed with my language skills, besides your library only has adult books in it; nothing with pictures."

"Sorry to disappoint you." Lord Vader noted wryly.

"No, you're not." Anne laughed.

Lord Vader shook his head, still rather amazed at the change that had taken place. He knew that he shouldn't still hold on to his Sith name, because that person didn't really exist anymore. But he wasn't quite ready to take on the name Anakin Skywalker either, though both of his children had taken the surname of Skywalker not Vader. He decided that maybe a compromise was in order, maybe he could be known as Lord Skywalker, he could keep his surname and still have the Sith title.

Anne sat on her father's shoulders enjoying the view of his great height; she knew that she would not take after her father in the regard of his height, no matter how many glasses of milk she drank or how many disgusting green vegetables she had to eat. Admiral Piett smiled gently at Anne and greeted Lord Vader.

"Good evening, milord and milady."

"Good evening, Admiral Piett. All quiet this evening?"

"Yes, milord; the third shift is my favorite, it is the most quiet and I can get the most work done."

"Yes, I know what you mean, Admiral."

Anne yawned and stretched her arms above her head, but instead of falling asleep atop her father's shoulders, she slid down to his arms and placed her head on his shoulder, closing her blue eyes.

"It looks like the little lady needs to go to bed." Admiral Piett noted as Lord Vader rubbed her back.

"Good night, Admiral Piett. Inform all personnel of my name change from Lord Vader to Lord Skywalker."

"Yes, Lord Skywalker it will be done. Don't forget the staff meeting tomorrow morning at 0800."

Lord Skywalker rolled his eyes, "That is one thing that I find most irritating about command, Admiral Piett. Please remind our staff that I still have very little patience for political maneuvering and ingratiating themselves on to me."

"Yes, milord it will be done."

Anne felt her father tuck her into bed and knew he was watching her as she slept. "Good night, father."

"Good night, young one." Lord Skywalker kissed his daughter on the forehead.

The mornings on the Executor were always bustling with activity from shift change, to talkative troopers, and officers discussing the previous evening's events. Lord Skywalker entered the conference room and took a seat at the head of the table. The other officers quietly took their seats and looked expectantly at Lord Skywalker. The few moments were tension filled as Lord Skywalker calmly looked at each one of his officers. He felt their tension and strong emotions they were emitting in the Force. It nearly bombarded him to almost overwhelming him.

"Gentlemen, as you are aware the Empire no longer exists, we have returned to a democracy and soon the Senate and its leadership will be reinstated. However, I am certain that we will still be needed to protect outlying systems. Much chaos is bound to occur especially since everything that we've known will change. Change can be positive and as of right now, I am still in charge of the Imperial Fleet. Our duty will be to serve the Republic and all its citizens. If you decide that you rather not partake in this new era of peace and change of mission. You may leave with my blessings, we will take you where you want to go, and I know that some of you haven't seen your families in years. This goes for all the men in this Imperial fleet."

xXx

Luke and Mara Jade landed on Chandrila, the beautiful home planet of Supreme Chancellor Mon Mothma. After seeking an audience with the monarch, they were given the freedom to search for a new home of the Jedi Temple. Many of the Chandrila people remembered the Jedi and remembered the blessings that the Jedi had given the Republic. It was by far the friendliest planet that the Jedi Knights had traveled to and it seemed that the Force was giving its blessing. When Luke informed his father, there was a small smile of gratitude on his face. The small towns and rural areas would be soothing for learning and teaching. There were lakes, rivers, and even deep forests. It seemed so very idyllic, Lord Skywalker agreed that it was far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Coruscant and would be good settling place.

Once Supreme Chancellor gave her blessing her people started planning the Jedi temple with the architects and many others. Luke took a swoop bike through the main fields and valleys. He found a spot that seemed to call to him. He stepped off the bike and sat crossed-legged on the ground listen to the Force.

"You have done well, young one." Obi-Wan blue glimmer of his presence came before him.

"So do you think that this will be a good beginning for the Jedi, Master Kenobi?" Luke inquired excitedly.

"Yes, Luke."

"Master Kenobi, how involved should my father be in the recreation of the Jedi Order? He still holds a lot of darkness and guilt about what he did."

"Yes and he's afraid that it could happen again. We must let him choose his own path and I do believe that it will be up to your sister Anne to help him."

"Thank you Master Kenobi."

Author's Note:I do not own Star Wars or any of the characters, places, objects therein. –Darth Gladiator45