On the Wings of Valkyrie

Chapter CL

"What the hell have I missed?!?!" Luna shouted, storming into Vader's office without so much as a knock. Usually, she would have at least requested permission to enter from over their bond, but he supposed that was rather unlikely to happen nowadays.

"I see you've finally awoken," the Sith Lord rumbled, though he'd been well aware of it—difficult to overlook a bond snapping back to life after forcefully being disconnected.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Over forty-eight hours." The number alone was all the evidence Vader needed to know cutting his apprentice off from the Force had been the correct decision, even if he'd had the periodic need to check on her during that period to make sure she was in fact sleeping and hadn't disappeared again.

"....What have I missed?" Luna repeated, sounding as though she wasn't completely sure she wanted that question answered anymore. "And why is the Rebel Fleet outside?"

"The Executor had excess supplies aboard that some of the other ships needed," Vader explained, leaving out the part about Luna sleeping through that particular holocall and the trouble that had come about from explaining Valkyrie was unavailable. Thankfully, Ahsoka had been there to mediate the situation, and the meeting with Rebel High Command had been surprisingly productive. The Sith had even managed to bring his own battle plans to the table, and he was quite confident that there would be very little variation between them and the final product—plans that Luna likely wouldn't approve of considering the one requirement he had made sure would remain a constant. "Beyond that, the squadrons need to get used to working together."

"So they plan to fully combine the spatial and air attack? Have they decided on anything else?"

"Officially, no. There will be a briefing in an hour explaining the different roles and who will be playing them. After that, the fleet will head to Exegol."

"I see," Luna said, appearing collected though her Force presence betrayed her surprise and unease. "Do you have any idea of how many of us they plan to send after Palpatine? I know you, Luke, and I have to go, but will Leia and Ahsoka be joining us?"

Now that was a question, though she was wrong about part of it. "I am unsure," Vader answered, silently hating the fact he was weaving a half truth through his words. "I believe it is likely Leia will be leading the Rebel ground forces. Whether Ahsoka is tasked with backing her up or assisting us is unknown."

The Sith Lord's definition of us and his apprentice's were two very different things.

"I'd like it better if she came," Luna stated. "I've been drilling Luke on how to defend against Force attacks, and he isn't where I'd like him to be. Ahsoka has a better handle on it, and Palpatine is more likely to use the Force than the blade."

Vader was very much tempted to question Luna on her definition of drilling, but decided against it considering the fact she had taught Luke how to improve after she had humbled herself in their spars to better allow the boy a chance to try out new tricks. The Sith's son was a better duelist for it. Vader could only hope that would be enough.

"It would be nice to have her with us," he muttered, agreeing with the girl's earlier words. Silence descended on the office, static with tension.

"....I don't like this," Luna admitted after a moment, her attention on the viewport and the Rebel Fleet beyond. Vader watched in silence as her arms unconsciously moved to hug herself. "It feels like everything is moving too quickly. What if we aren't doing this right? What if everything goes wrong?"

"It won't." The Sith stated the words firmly, as though he had no doubt on the matter. The case was actually the precise opposite, but his apprentice didn't need to know that. Knowing the girl, she likely hadn't dared voice her worries before now, and the last thing Luna needed was for someone to agree with her.

"But what if it does? There isn't a failsafe for things going wrong this time. At least there was Luke last time, but—"

"Luna, I will kill Palpatine," Vader vowed. "Do not worry."

His apprentice relaxed a little at the words, taking them as a promised truth though they both knew it would take more than a few words for the Sith Lord to be successful in the endeavor. "There's still the Death Star II and—"

"Which Wedge and Calrissian successfully destroyed during Endor with the added complication of a shield; Exegol does not yet have one set up. Without the Executor, the Imperial Fleet has lost a sizable amount of firepower which has been gained by the Alliance. Unlike Endor, we are going in with proper battle plans and strategy that relies on very little luck," Vader listed. Luna wouldn't usually be acting like this right before a campaign, but the Sith knew the majority of her overwhelming fears were due to knowing what should be happening was not going to be happening. All these worries could cripple her if left unchecked. "We will win this battle."

"But what if we don't?"

"Even if the attack fails, as long as both the Emperor and Death Star have been taken out, the Alliance's victory is inevitable."

"I know you're right, it's just...." She let out a long sigh, seeming unable to put her feelings to words. "It feels like that time Obi-Wan said he was going to Utapau. The beginning of the end."

Vader paused as he recalled that moment, seeing it in his mind's eye. Watching the color draining from Luna's face as her expression locked down, the only hint to her emotions being her eyes. At the time he hadn't truly known his apprentice well, but he'd still been able to tell that she could see something coming that she didn't like.

Looking back, he could read so much more.

"Nothing more than the end of the Empire, young one. Everything will be fine."

"Right," Luna agreed, voice soft. She waited a moment, taking a breath to gather herself, before turning to look at him, her entire posture shifting from uncertain lostness to a confident-ready-to-lead air he was far more familiar with. The difference was so striking that Vader could almost believe he'd imagined the last few minutes. "Anything I can help with?"

"The usual preparations."

"As you wish," she said, bowing her head, as though the past year or so had not happened.

And with those final words, she left. Vader watched her go, silently wondering if his apprentice had finally calmed down enough to listen to him when it came to past misunderstandings. It was either that, or she was temporarily putting everything aside for the sake of the Rebellion. Regardless, it was possible their differences could be worked out. If he called her back....

Later, the Sith Lord decided after a long moment of thought. There was much to do between now and the meeting with the Rebels, and if he was wrong about Luna being ready, then it would be unwise to attempt to speak just before a battle. The consequences could be dire. We will talk after Palpatine is dealt with.