The doors slid open to admit Anakin Skywalker, but the sight of the former Lord Vader sent shudders through the room. Without preamble, he raised his arm and dropped a severed head on the table with a wet thump.

"There. Teradoc was the last of them. No more."

Swallowing hard and unable to tear his eyes from the gaping mouth of the former Grand Moff Teradoc, Senator Rathuir was the first to break the silence.

"Special Agent Skywalker, congratulations on your successful-"

"Do not patronize me. This is all that's left of the Imperial Warlords, and I won't play hired assassin anymore. Find a new butcher."

"It is only with your extensive knowledge of Imperial tactics and Stormtrooper maneuvers that the New Republic is able to-"

"There are no more Stormtroopers!" Vader roared, bringing his fist down against the table. Pens shook, glasses fell, and General Teradoc's head rolled towards a Twi'lek senator, who in turn scooted his chair back. "Those that didn't defect are all dead. Teradoc and his ilk are using reserve recruits from far-flung planets that don't know the war is over yet! I paid for your 'peace' with the lives of sixteen-year-old boys. No more."

"Skywalker," Mon Mothma cut in, "when you joined the New Republic you agreed-"

"I did not agree to murder children. Not unless the Chancellor I serve now is no better than the one that promised us peace twenty-five years ago."

He raised his head to where Chancellor Leia Organa sat at the head of the table and tilted his mask forward, the permanent scowl becoming even more menacing. The gaze of the politicians followed like a ripple of water, and Leia wished more than anything she could teleport her biological father to a planet on the opposite side of the galaxy.

"Agent Skywalker," she replied coolly, "we came to an end of negotiations on that matter some time ago. If you wish to discuss the terms of our agreement, then a meeting can be scheduled-"

"Unless Agent Skywalker is suggesting he wishes to withdraw his support from the Republic." Senator (and former Rebel General) Dodonna interrupted. The unspoken threat in his words was not lost on Anakin.

"If you think I will stand by while this coward holds worthless treaties over my head like a treat for a pet kath hound, then you are sadly mistaken," Anakin hissed. Dodonna, to his credit, held his ground, but he was starting to look a little pale.

"That is enough!" Leia bellowed, trying to keep the severed head count in of the room down to one. "We will speak civilly to each other when- Agent Skywalker!"

Anakin ignored her and with a swish of his cloak disappeared into the corridor.

Kriffing hell! Leia thought, and bit down hard on her tongue to keep from speaking it aloud. Instead, she stood and tapped her gavel for silence.

"We are taking a brief recess. We will deal with Senator Calrissian's proposal in a quarter-hour's time. Nobody leave." she added, as firmly as she could without her losing her serene Supreme Chancellor aura. She immediately broke into a very un-serene sprint in pursuit of her father, and managed to corner him in a rather secluded alcove.

"Do you really think it helps my image as Chancellor when my father brings body parts to the bargaining table? Is that how you plan on being professional? By throwing a temper tantrum and storming out every time-"

"I can go wherever I please, and the Nine Hells can take your profession!" Anakin spat, leaning with his face towards the wall and breathing heavily. He had removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm. Leia seldom saw him take full advantage of the months of tinkering needed to make him slightly more human. "I am leaving. Immediately."

"Where would you go? Are you going to prove Dodonna right and skip out on your contract? You have a duty-"

"I won't take orders from any sniveling politicians who can't stomach the murders they arrange!"

"You joined the New Republic Army! You took an oath! You signed the contract with terms you established! Why is that suddenly unbearable?" Leia demanded.

Anakin's breathing slowed, and he lowered his forehead all the way to the cool stone of the Senate building.

"It has been a long time since I was the one taking orders," he said, finally achieving a fragile calm. "I…had forgotten how ill-suited I am to public service."

Leia wished her brother was here. Luke always seemed to help when Anakin's mood changed drastically. She didn't know what had set Anakin off initially, and didn't have any idea of how to keep him from hitting the ceiling again.

"When you were in the Empire-"

"Please, your Grace." Anakin muttered, his voice icy, "Despite my earlier comments, I do not believe you should adopt tactics as brutal as those of our late Emperor."

"You know damn well that's not what I want to talk to you about. Would you just tell me if something if wrong? Is there some aspect of Imperial Rule you keep pining for? Don't glare," she snapped, noticing his look, "You are the one who stormed in and started threatening defection. If you have an issue you would like to take up, take it up with me. I know you are bored by such things as elections for Supreme Chancellorship, but I just happened to win the last one. I think I might be able to help you."

"I don't need your help-"

"You need somebody's help, but I don't have the appropriate medical qualifications to give it to you!"

"If you are looking for an apology, fine. I am sorry I protested the waste of Republic resources on slaughtering its own children." Anakin turned, but Leia grabbed his shoulder.

"Anakin, look at me. No, turn around and look at me."

Reluctantly, he obeyed.

"Every day we come closer to real, galaxy-wide peace, not just stalemates and temporary cease-fires," she finally said. "We need you here, at the front. I can put in a request for leave if you feel -"

"No," he sighed, and pulled his helmet back on. He shut the clamps with a snap and turned the mask towards Leia. "This is the third time I have been asked to aid this galaxy. I will not fail again."

"Well…good," Leia replied, taken a little off-guard by his sudden heroism. "Very good."

"I suppose…we should go back now."

"I was hoping to get Lando's proposition passed today…" Leia paused. "…Anakin?"

"Yes?"

"Why don't you go…find Luke? Tell him whatever it is you aren't telling me."

Anakin's expression was unreadable under his mask.

"It is something I wish I didn't have to burden either of you with, but if you wish…I will go immediately, your Grace."

"Don't be flippant; I just saved you from a very irate Dodonna." Leia murmured ominously as Anakin set off down the hall.