User:Thefourdotelipsis/Anakin

'Now Hear This: This is not to be touched unless I provide express permission. I'm not trying to be snarky, but I actually have a system and a method for approaching this thing, and the latent autistic within will flip out if the process is thrown out of whack. If you are trying to help, I appreciate it, but please contact me on the IRC channel before doing anything. It might seem like there are mistakes and oddities within this, but understand that this is a work in progress, and NOTHING IS FINISHED.' "You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!"

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

Anakin Skywalker was a male Human Jedi Knight who would eventually become Darth Vader, the dreaded hammer of the Jedi Order and the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Hailed as the fabled Chosen One by his peers, Anakin was born a slave to Shmi Skywalker, and was bonded in servitude to Gardulla the Elder and Watto in turn. Skywalker became an adept mechanic, and made a name for himself in the Outer Rim Territories as the only Human able to pilot a Podracer. In 32 BBY, Skywalker was discovered by the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who liberated the boy and paved the way for his admission into the Jedi Order.

As a Jedi, Skywalker excelled in his studies, and garnered the attention of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. With his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, he embarked on many missions for the Galactic Republic, and, during the Separatist Crisis, he was chosen to protect Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo. Amidala and Skywalker were childhood friends, but during the crisis, their friendship blossomed into love. Love being forbidden by the Jedi Code, Skywalker and Amidala kept their relationship secret, and with the advent of the Clone Wars, married. Skywalker served admirably in the Clone Wars, and even became a poster boy for the Jedi Order, dubbed "The Hero With No Fear". He became one of the greatest pilots in the galaxy, clashed with adversaries such as Asajj Ventress and Count Dooku constantly, slaying the latter at the Battle of Coruscant. At this stage, Skywalker was haunted by premonitions of his wife dying, and so he allied himself with Palpatine, who was actually a Sith Lord. Palpatine made Skywalker his apprentice, and gave him the Sith name of "Darth Vader".

Palpatine was able to seduce Vader into turning on his friends and destroying the Jedi Order. Following a duel on Mustafar with his former Master, Kenobi, Vader suffered grievous injuries, forcing him to don a suit of life-supporting armor. His wife perished shortly thereafter, but unbeknownst to Vader, she had borne twins before dying. They were kept hidden from Vader by Masters Kenobi and Yoda however, in the hopes that they might one day be able to defeat Palpatine. Vader, on the other hand, was charged with maintaining the New Order, and was given the rank of Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet. He fought against the Alliance to Restore the Republic, but was shocked to discover his son, Luke Skywalker, alive and fighting against his Empire. He attempted to sway Skywalker to his cause, but the young Jedi in training refused, instead attempting to convert Vader back to the light. Culminating in a climactic duel on the Death Star II, Vader renounced the Sith ways, becoming Anakin Skywalker once more. He saved his son from the destructive powers of his master, but the action resulted in his own death.

Birth
"There was no father."

- Shmi Skywalker

Anakin Skywalker was born to Shmi Skywalker in 42 BBY. There was, however, no father&mdash;a phenomenon that even Shmi herself could not explain. According to a later history compiled by Galactic Federation of Free Alliances historian Voren Na'al, Skywalker was born on the planet Tatooine, in spite of the fact that according to Skywalker's recollections later on in life, Shmi was unfamiliar with Tatooine when she was brought there in 38 BBY. Na'al's history also suggested that Anakin was conceived by the midi-chlorians themselves, as a result of experiments and research initiated by a Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Plagueis, and carried on by his apprentice, Darth Sidious. In particular, Plagueis had sought to manipulate the midi-chlorians, influencing them in such a way that they would in fact create life.

As Shmi was a slave, she had little choice but to raise her child alone under the harsh circumstances she found herself in. When he was old enough to do work, Skywalker too became a slave, though he always stayed with his mother.

Coming to Tatooine
"You're not bad with your hands, kid. Not bad at all."

- Watto

Circa 38 BBY, Shmi and Anakin were in the custody of Gardulla the Elder. They were shipped to Tatooine on Gardulla's transport, although they did not known their destination at the time. During the flight, Anakin had premonitions of Podracing, and he saw a vision of himself as an older man, racing across the flats of Tatooine. Upon touching down outside Mos Espa, the Skywalkers and the other slaves witnessed an Arconan running for his life from local authorities. Anakin watched on as Gardulla's aide ordered the authorities to hold their fire, and the Arconan suddenly exploded once he got past the city perimeter. Witnessing this, the young Anakin understood the consequences of escape: the small device implanted in all slaves would surely detonate if attempts were made.

Anakin and Shmi were forced to share a small room with six of Gardulla's other slaves. Though Anakin was not altogether fond of Tatooine, he set about learning as much about the desert world as possible. He listened to traveling spacers and Gardulla's attendants, learning about the history and function of the planet in the galaxy. He heard of the Tusken Raiders, apparently bloodthirsty savages that roamed the wastelands, Jawas, krayt dragons, but the element that interested the boy the most was Podracing, descriptions of which matched his premonition. He tired quickly of Tatooine, however, and one day hoped to visit Coruscant, the galactic capital. One day, while repairing a vaporator outside Gardulla's residence, Anakin decided to take the initiative, and modify the device. His handiwork was observed by Watto, a Toydarian junk merchant who frequently gambled with Gardulla. Impressed, the Toydarian gambled for custody of the Skywalkers, and won.

Working for Watto
Watto, though cruel, was a considerably kinder master than Gardulla, and even gave the Skywalkers a hovel to themselves. Pleased with the new quarters, Anakin effectively converted his room into a workshop. Anakin always had something to do at Watto's junkshop; with his mechanical aptitude, he was often called upon to fix the unfixable. Watto kept the Skywalkers in line by threatening to let other slaves share their hovel, should they disobey him. Over the years, Anakin became familiar with the Mos Espa locals, picked up alien languages, and would often familiarize himself with the controls of starships, by "practicing" with derelict cockpits found in the junk yard. He also struck up a friendship with another slave, Kitster Banai. He would also develop friendships with W. Wald, and Amee.

In 35 BBY, Anakin began salvaging podracer parts from Watto's junk yard. He was able to obtain a pair of broken down Radon-Ulzer 620C engines, and stored the amassed parts under a tarp in the clearing behind the hovels. He was wary of Watto discovering the project, however, and was always cautious when smuggling parts out. When he had an opportunity, Anakin took a refurbished podracer for a spin around Watto's junk yard, and although the Toydarian was initially furious, he realized how well the boy piloted the vehicle. Generally, Humans weren't quick enough to pilot podracers, but Anakin was clearly the exception. Seeing a new method of generating income, Watto had Anakin race for him in the local tournaments, much to Shmi's dismay. Anakin would go onto compete in over six races, billed as the only Human podracer ever, but never finished due to either crashes or cheating on fellow racer Sebulba's part. Despite this, he caught the attention of his competitors, drawing ire particularly from Aldar Beedo. Teemto Pagalies, however, held Anakin in high regard as one of the few podracers who never cheated.

One day, Anakin programmed Watto's droids to do all his chores for him, while the Toydarian was out at a scrap auction. During the time off he had effectively created for himself, took Amee out on a picnic, near a withered old tree outside Mos Espa. When he spotted what appeared to be a sandstorm converging on the city, he and Amee returned. Their fellow slaves, however, pointed out that there had been no sandstorm, and that the slaver Krayn had visited the spaceport. Krayn's men had stolen many slaves, and in a panic, Anakin rushed home, fearing that Shmi too had been taken. Although his mother was safe, Amee's mother, Hala, had been taken.

Thought Watto did not relent in his threats, he gave Shmi an aeromagnifier that could clean computer memory devices, allowing her to operate a small private service independently of the shop. This gave the Skywalkers modest income, but Anakin began to dream of freedom for he and his mother. He began working on a scanner to locate the hidden bomb implanted in slaves, and heard of the Jedi Knights from wandering slavers. Letting his aspirations wander, Anakin resigned himself to the grim truth that he would not be leaving the desolate Tatooine too soon. He did, however plan to finish his podracer, and then build his own starfighter, with which he would spirit his mother away to freedom. Meantime, he dedicated himself to aiding those less fortunate. One day, a herd of Banthas strayed too close to the township, and Anakin, taking the initiative, climbed the Great Dune to ward them away, before the Mos Espan poachers could shoot them. Though the heat nearly killed him, Anakin had been able to save them.

While Watto was absent, Anakin would often play with his friends in the shop. One day, while Watto was visiting Jabba, Wald discovered one of the Toydarian's most recent purchases: an old lightsaber, that could only be powered with the Force. Wald attempted to activate the device to no avail, before the group heard that Sebulba had brought his new podracer into town. Anakin and his friends marveled at the machine, but Wald accidentally dropped the lightsaber into one of the engines. As Anakin attempted to retrieve it, he activated it, inadvertently damaging the podracer, before Sebulba chased the children away. Sebulba would later crash in the next race, and Watto, who had bet against him, was allowed to keep his shop, which he had previously planned to give to Jabba as payment for an old debt.

The Sith
"All I could tell was that whatever these Sith things were, they were very, very bad."

- Excerpt from Anakin Skywalker's journal

While rummaging through Watto's junk pile on day, Anakin chanced upon an ancient droid that had fallen prey to Tatooine's harsh climate. Inspecting the old model, Anakin discovered that it had an intact holoprojector, and attempted to salvage it for his Toydarian master. In doing so, however, he activated a holorecording. The image was static and broken, but the audio was intact enough to be telligible. Listening to the recording, all Anakin could make out were sounds of screams and shouts, and frequent mention of the "Sith." Both horrified and curious, Anakin repeatedly listened to the recording, until it ceased to function.

Visiting the old spacer that had initially told him about the angels of Iego, Anakin asked about the "Sith". The spacer, aghast, feared that they had returned and were on Tatooine until Anakin explained that he had only heard a recording. Pacified, the spacer told Anakin the basic history of the Sith, including their eventual destruction at Ruusan. He claimed that there were also rumours that one Sith had survived, and his "descendants" had survived for nearly a thousand years.

C-3PO
"The droid is a machine, Ani. It doesn't have feelings." "How do you know?"

- Shmi and Anakin Skywalker

One day, while chatting in the junk yard with Banai, Anakin came across a broken 3PO-series protocol droid chassis. Though he surmised that the droid was very old, he was confident that he could restore the droid. Though not totally sure as to what purpose it would serve, Anakin smuggled it back to his hovel piece by piece, making sure not to alert Watto. Shmi, apprehensive, explained that it was a protocol droid, and not very useful in their line of work. Anakin protested, claiming that the droid would be able to help with chores and converse with those using alien languages. Shmi relented, but explained to Anakin that the droid was his responsibility alone. Anakin felt that the droid was a sort of kindred spirit, speculating that he had perhaps tried to escape from his masters, but had been demolished in the process. He named the droid C-3PO, the "three" due to the fact that Anakin considered him a third member of the Skywalker family.

Podrace woes
"You fly like your name, Anakin. You walk the sky like you own it."

- Anonymous Republic spacer

In 32 BBY, Anakin raced one of Watto's pods in the Metta Drop race. Anakin was going well in the race, passing more experienced opponents such as Gasgano and Rimkar. He caught up to Sebulba, but the wily Dug flashed Watto's pod with his vents&mdash;an illegal move, but Anakin suffered from it nonetheless. His reflexes saved him, allowing him to land the pod with minimum damage&mdash;Rimkar, who had also been caught in the blast was not as lucky. Watto was furious, and he ordered Anakin to begin repairing the pod immediately.

Banai and Wald were able to distract Anakin from his work however, and took him out to the streets to buy him a ruby bliels. While enjoying their drink together, the trio encountered an old Republic spacer who had fought against the Makem Te rebellion. The spacer told them of his exploits in his younger days, and provided encouragement to young Anakin, who was disheartened after his loss. Returning home, Anakin was forced by Shmi to promise that he would never race again, but he secretly knew that Watto would call upon him again. To keep his mind off the failure, Anakin continued to work on 3PO, getting him to an operational level.

Tusken encounter
"Master Anakin, I don't think this is a good idea at all!"

- C-3PO

Watto sent Anakin out to meet the Jawas, to trade for goods, and Anakin saw it as an opportunity to put 3PO to good use. He secretly took the protocol droid along to haggle with the Jawas, who had camped out by Mochot Steep. Thanks to 3PO, Anakin was able to obtain two mechanic droids, three multipurpose droids, and a mildly damaged hyperdrive converted. On the way back to Mos Espa through the Xelric Draw, Anakin spied an incapacitated humanoid figure, with its leg trapped underneath a large boulder. As he drew nearer, he recognized the figure as a Tusken Raider. Though he had been warned about the Tuskens, Anakin chose to nurse the injured nomad back to health, using the medical kit from Watto's speeder. The purchased droids helped him free the Tusken from underneath the boulder.

As Tatooine's twin suns set, Anakin stayed with the Tusken. As the Tusken came to, he conversed with Anakin, while 3PO translated. As the Tusken explained that he feared the boy, Anakin came to the realization that he himself feared nothing, other than harm befalling his mother. That night, he had another premonition, wherin he was a Jedi Knight, and he freed the slaves. Waking up, he was surrounded by Tuskens, but they did not harm him, instead simply retrieving their injured companion. As the Tuskens left, Anakin headed back to Mos Espa. Shmi, distraught, was relieved to see her son return, and although Watto was initially furious over the delay, he saw the quality of the new droids, and was quelled.

Helping Jira
"You're a special boy."

- Jira

The following day, Watto tasked Anakin with cleaning the bins in the scrap yard. Accomapnied by fellow slave Amee, Anakin spied a womp rat caught in one of Watto's traps. He freed the rat, which led him to an intact energy binder. Anakin had been searching for an energy binder to use in his podracer. Watto subsequently summoned him and ordered him to make contact with the Jawa traders in the Mos Espa plaza. The Toydarian speculated that the Jawas had salvaged the parts from the pod Anakin had smashed up in the last race, and he wanted Anakin to right the wrong. Giving the energy binder to his mother, Anakin set out into the spaceport streets.

He was met by Wald and Banai, who offered to split a ruby bliel with him. He explained that he had to get some fruit from Jira for his mother first, and had been warned not to go to the Hutt sector of Mos Espa, but he agreed to get the drink at Maggy the Gorgon's. Jira was able to provide Anakin with the fruit he needed, but she lamented that her cooling unit had broken down. Anakin felt sorry for the old vendor and resolved to find her a new unit in the junkyard. Outside Maggie's Anakin entered into a confrontation with Sebulba, claiming that he had cheated in the previous race. As the Dug began to resort to violence, the old spacer who had told Anakin about the angels appeared and threatened Sebulba. As the Dug departed, the spacer gave Anakin a ruby bliel and told him about the angels once more, before sending him on his way.

Reaching the plaza, the trio arrived only to see the parts Watto wanted being sold to a pit droid. Returning to the shop, Anakin was chastised by the Toydarian and told to clean the bins again. He saw the womp rat again, but this time, it had led him to a new cooling unit, which he could give to Jira. Pleased, Anakin relaxed for a while and spied a spacecraft entering the atmosphere. Daydreaming, he had another premonition of himself as a Jedi Knight, led by an angel into battle. He was roused from his dreams by the cries of Watto, who had just received new customers.

The Jedi, the handmaiden, the Gungan, and the Astromech
"He was meant to help you."

- Shmi Skywalker

Four travelers had wandered Watto's Shop: a tall man, dressed as a farmer, a young peasant girl, a clumsy alien, and a stout astromech droid. While Watto quizzed the tall man, Anakin studied the peasant girl. When he noticed that she was too delicate and fair skinned to be a genuine peasant girl, he was reminded of the angel from his daydream. Querying her, Anakin conversed with her for a while, and learned that her name was Padmé Naberrie. Naberrie was a foreigner, and she found the environment of Tatooine to be alien and unfamiliar. Though he was hurt by the fact she realized he was a slave, he took to her, telling her about his love for piloting. He began to believe that he would someday marry Naberrie, and saw fit to tell her so, but she merely laughed the bold claim off. The group soon departed the shop, much to Anakin's disappointment, but Watto decided to dismiss him early.

Heading back to his hovel, Anakin saw the foreign alien again, only this time he was being accosted by Sebulba. Thinking quickly, Anakin told the Dug that the alien had connections to the Hutts, and any violent action against him would have dire consequences. Sebulba, bitter, departed, and Anakin was thanked by the tall man. Seeking to spend more time with NaberrieHe took the group to Jira's stall, and bought them some pallies. As the tall man took the gift, Anakin saw an object on his belt: a lightsaber, weapon of the Jedi Knights. Thinking that the man was on Tatooine to free the slaves, Anakin was excited by the prospect. When Jira informed him that a sandstorm was approaching the spaceport, he offered to provide the foreigners with shelter. They agreed, and he was able to escort them to his hovel just as the sandstorm struck.

He introduced the visitors to his mother and showed the peasant girl C-3PO. The rest of the strangers introduced themselves: the tall man was Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, the alien was Gungan Jar Jar Binks, and the droid was R2-D2. Naberrie was a handmaiden to Queen Amidala of Naboo. Anakin hoped that Jinn was there to free the slaves, but he soon realized that this was not the case. Amidala had been on her way to Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic, when her ship had been damaged and forced to stop over on Tatooine for repairs. The group's Republic Dataries, however, were of no use in Mos Espa, and they were stranded. Anakin, seeing an opportunity to put his skills to good use, offered to pilot his secret podracer, which was completed, in the upcoming Boonta Eve Podrace. The prize money would provide Jinn with the money needed to buy a new hyperdrive for Amidala's ship. Though Naberrie and Shmi were apprehensive, they knew it was the only way.

The following day at Watto's Shop, Jinn bartered with the Toydarian, claiming that Anakin's pod was his own. He suggested that Watto supply the entry fee and the boy, while he would provide the podracer. Jinn would submit "his" ship to Watto if Anakin lost, but if he won, the Toydarian would get the winnings, minus the cost of the repair parts. The Toydarian, seeing the situation as win-win, agreed. Returning to the hovel, Anakin finished work on his pod. Though he was derided by his friends for his efforts, he persisted, enlisting the help of R2-D2, Naberrie and Binks. Eventually, they were able to get the pod working. During his maintenance, Anakin scratched his arm, which Jinn tended to. Jinn was actually testing the blood for a midi-chlorian count, but Anakin had no knowledge of this.

That night, Anakin experienced yet another premonition. He saw a vision of Naberrie leading a large army into battle. Awaking, he told Naberrie of his dream, and she hoped that it would not come true. Her people abhorred fighting and violence, which was partly the reason as to why they had been forced to flee to Tatooine in the first place&mdash;the Queen's starship had no weapons of any kind. Finishing work on the pods, Banai visited the hovel with beasts of burden in tow, and the party set off for the arena.

Boonta Eve Classic of 32 BBY
"And a late entry, young Anakin Skywalker, the local boy."

- Fodesinbeed Annodue

The day of the race came, and Anakin, though nervous, was fully prepared. Despite his late entry and relatively poor track record, Anakin had good odds, which prompted his former master, Gardulla, to enact a sabotage operation that was ultimately fruitless. On the way to the hangar, he discussed with Naberrie the concepts of slavery and the nature of Tatooine. He was concerned when Naberrie and Binks left without notice for a while, but they returned, unharmed. R2-D2 and Binks helped transport the pod to the Mos Espa Grand Arena, and he exchanged mild banter with Sebulba before the race. Receiving encouragement from both Jinn and his mother, Anakin made his final preparations as C-3PO held his banner aloft. When Jabba the Hutt started the race, Anakin's podracer engines failed to ignite due to what he believed to be sabotage, and he was forced to watch as his opponents raced on ahead. Finally starting his engines, he set off after the other racers in speedy pursuit. Witnessing the apparent crash of Mawhonic as a result of Sebulba's machinations, Anakin passed several competitors, and completed his first lap without major incident.

On the second lap, Gasgano attempted to lead Anakin to the same fate as Mawhonic, but using an unorthodox maneuver, Anakin was able to evade defeat. He came under fire from Tusken Raiders at the Canyon Dune Turn, but it was Teemto Pagalies who would suffer the most from this transgression. Upon exiting Beggar's Canyon, Anakin's pod was struck by debris from Mars Guo's destroyed podracer. The debris severed one of the cables connecting the pod to the engines, sending the pod into an dizzying spin. Fighting for control, he was able to think quickly, and used a magnetic tool to reattach the cable, and restore his podracer to full efficiency. On the third lap, he and Sebulba were neck and neck, with the Dug resorting to the variety of tactics to throw the young Human off, and potentially kill him. Time and time again, Anakin came back, and even gained the lead at one point. Before the race, however, Sebulba had sabotaged Anakin's pod, and the results bore fruit late in the race. As Sebulba hurtled on ahead, Anakin fought to fix the damage and was able to do so with little time to spare. As the two racers headed towards the finish line, Sebulba attempted to shunt Anakin's pod off the course, and in the process, the two racers became lodged together. Anakin pulled free, and in the resulting chaos, Sebulba's pod crashed, leaving Anakin to win the race.

After the race, Watto delivered the required parts to Jinn and his companions. Celebrating his victory with the outlanders, he was soon forced to watch them leave his life, seemingly forever. This particularly affected Anakin in regards to Naberrie, with whom he was smitten. Hoping that she would return, though, Anakin hurriedly finished carving a japor snippet pendant for her to remember him by. Searching for some leather on which to hang the snippet, Anakin encountered a group of Mos Espa youngsters who had seen the race. While most of them were impressed and sang his praises, a young Rodian by the name of Greedo confronted Anakin. He claimed that the young Human had cheated, which prompted Anakin to attack and beat the other child. In reality, the apparent loss of Naberrie was what brought Anakin to such violent acts. When Jinn arrived, he did not scold Anakin, but clearly disapproved. He explained to Anakin the concept of tolerance, and told him that simply beating the other boy would not solve the problem. As they left the scene, the pair encountered three exhausted slaves being whipped by their master. Jinn, outraged, confronted the master, and used the Force to influence him into hydrating the slaves. When Anakin saw no difference between Jinn's intervention and his own, the Jedi explained that the slaves had not been able to defend themselves, so it had been an entirely different situation.

On the way back to the hovel, Jinn explained that Amidala's starship was already been repaired, and that he had sold Anakin's pod. He had also deactivated Anakin's explosive transmitter at Watto's shop, but he chose not to tell Anakin this until later. He gave the credits from the sale of the podracer to the Skywalkers in order to provide for Shmi. He also informed the Skywalkers that Anakin was free, and that he was to be taken to Coruscant. There, he would be trained as a Jedi. Jinn had wagered the pod on Anakin's winning the race against Anakin's freedom. As Watto had lost that bet, he now had custody of the boy.

Leaving Tatooine
"Don't look back."

- Shmi Skywalker

While he was at first joyous, Anakin came to realize that Shmi would not be coming along with him. Apprehensive and saddened, he bade C-3PO farewell. He found it exceptionally difficult to say goodbye, but his mother's words gave him the strength to do so. He also bid Banai, who considered Anakin his best friend, farewell. As a parting gift, he gave Banai some credits, which the boy would later use to secure his freedom. Jinn had Anakin's slave chip removed, and the pair headed off for Amidala's starship. After saying goodbye to Jira, Anakin sensed a presence following him. Jinn too detected the presence: a probe droid, the likes of which the Jedi had never seen. Though he had destroyed the probe, Jinn was worried, and the two broke into a run.

Upon reaching the ship, Anakin heard the whine of an engine behind him. Jinn ordered him to drop, and as Anakin did so, a small swoop sped overhead. The rider of the swoop, a dark, tattooed warrior, leapt of his mount and attacked Jinn with a red hued lightsaber. As Jinn defended himself from the onslaught of attacks, he ordered Anakin to have Amidala's starship take off. Anakin, haggard and exhausted, passed on the instructions to the ship's crew, and they were able to retrieve the Jedi Master before leaving Tatooine. Though the battle had spent his energy, Jinn introduced Anakin to his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Coruscant
"The boy is dangerous. They all sense it, why can't you?"

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

Skywalker found the trip to Coruscant disconcerting, though he was comforted by Naberrie. She explained the situation on Naboo: Amidala's people were dying under the Trade Federation occupation, and she had to persuade the Galactic Senate to lend aid. Thinking that they would be separated upon reaching the capital, Skywalker gave Naberrie the japor snippet. As the ship approached Coruscant, Skywalker accompanied the pilot, Ric Olié in the cockpit. He marveled at the sheer size of the ecumenopolis&mdash;a sharp contrast to the dusty and remote Mos Espa. The Queen's party was greeted by none other than Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, who was the Galactic Republic's Head of State. Unsure as to what to do in the foreign environment, Skywalker was told to stay with the Queen's party by Jinn, who traveled directly to the Jedi Temple. After a brief tour of Galactic City in a taxi, Skywalker found little to do at Senator Palpatine's quarters in the 500 Republica. While waiting, he struck up a friendship with Binks, and discussed the Gungans and his native city of Otoh Gunga. Bored with the lack of developments, he decided to eavesdrop on Amidala's discussion with Palpatine, which concerned ousting Valorum as Chancellor. The Queen's handmaidens were aware of his presence, but he was not scolded or upbraided. He was eventually summoned to the Temple, and he wished to bid Naberrie goodbye. However, he was told by the Queen that she was on an errand, and so Skywalker had to proceed without her farewell.

At the Temple, Skywalker was tested and judged by the Jedi Council. After completing a test of aptitude, Master Yoda accused Skywalker of fearing for his mother. Skywalker had hoped that the Jedi would accept him for training, but he was bitterly disappointed when Master Mace Windu informed Jinn that the boy would not be trained, due to his advanced age. This greatly disappointed Anakin, and he immediately felt resentful towards the Council. Jinn too was outraged, and insisted that Skywalker was the "Chosen One", and offered to train the boy himself. The Council, and the Jedi Code forbade such an action, however, as Jinn already had an apprentice in Kenobi. Seeking to divert the argument, Windu ordered Jinn to rejoin Amidala and the Naboo. In concluding the meeting, however, Windu mentioned the Sith, prompting memories, in Skywalker's mind, of the recording he had heard in the prior year. He began to fear greatly for Naberrie's, and the Queen's life. The Queen, having no success with the Galactic Senate, resolved to take matters into her own hands, and the Council saw fit to reassign Jinn and Kenobi to the dispute. Skywalker, however, was left without a purpose, but Jinn reassured him, explaining the significance of the midi-chlorians to the young boy. Shortly afterwards, the group departed for Naboo.

Battle of Naboo
"You will be a Jedi. I promise."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

In transit, Skywalker learned the basics of starship piloting from Olié, who was impressed by the boy's confidence and skill. The boy noticed that a rift had developed between Jinn and Kenobi following the final meeting with the council. He attempted to solve the differences himself, but failed. The Queen planned to make contact with the Gungans in the swamps, and convince them to help her retake Theed, Naboo's capital. The Gungans were intially nowhere to be found, but Binks was able to lead the party to the Gungan Sacred Place. Along the way, the small party encountered heavy Federation resistance, and met up with several units of resistance soldiers. Skywalker, along with the rest of the Naboo fugitives, were brought before Boss Nass, ruler of the Gungans. At first, it appeared that Amidala presented her case before the Gungans, but Naberrie quickly revealed that she was in fact the Queen, and that "Amidala" was simply her decoy, Sabé. She had done so to hide her identity from any potential attackers, but the fact of the matter shocked Skywalker deeply. As such, he found it difficult to talk to her before the battle.

Jinn saw fit to let Skywalker involve himself with the proceedings, and the young boy was assigned to aid a Gungan lookout. When the members of the Naboo resistance were assembled near the Gungan Sacred Place, Amidala laid out her plan to reclaim the capital. Jinn, keeping Skywalker close to him, had the boy accompany him, Amidala, Kenobi, and the rest of the small resistance force that would penetrate Theed to capture Viceroy Nute Gunray, and reclaim control of the planet. Meanwhile, Nass' Gungans amassed at Grassy Plains, in an attempt to lead bulk of the Federation occupation force out of Theed. The ruse worked, and Amidala's strike team was able to penetrate the Theed Hangar. As the skirmish spread throughout the Hangar, Jinn ordered Skywalker to find cover and safety. Anakin did so, though it was in the cockpit of an N-1 starfighter. R2-D2 followed his lead, and was mounted in the astromech slot of the fighter. As the hangar was swept clear of enemy resistance, Jinn ordered Skywalker to remain hidden in the cockpit.

Amidala's strike team was, however, confronted by the dark tattooed warrior from Tatooine. The Jedi moved onto engage the warrior, but Skywalker was left to watch helplessly as a squad of Droidekas moved to mow down the remainder of the Queen's force. Activating the starfighter's systems, he destroyed the Droidekas, but accidentally activated the craft's automatic pilot function. As R2-D2 tried to override the function, Skywalker's craft followed that of the other Naboo pilots&mdash;namely, to the Droid Control Ship. The Queen had hoped that Bravo Squadron would be able to destroy the ship, thereby deactivating all of the Federation's droids. At first, Skywalker was helpless, but R2-D2 managed to deactivate the auto-pilot in a timely manner. Not fully appreciating his dire situation, Skywalker took great joy in dogfighting with the Federation's deadly Vulture droids, but his ship was soon hit, and he was propelled into an open hangar on the Control Ship. With battle droids swarming in to capture him, he stayed hidden in the cockpit, his small frame allowing him to avoid the photoreceptors of his would-be captors. Eventually, he was able to reactivate his overheated systems, and haphazardly destroy the enemy troops. With the Force guiding his actions, he also accidentally loosed a proton torpedo into the Control Ship's main reactor. Recognizing that something was amiss, he hurriedly escaped the ship, which began to explode due to his "experimentation". With the Control Ship destroyed, and the Viceroy captured by Amidala, the day was won. Departing the scene of the battle, however, Skywalker was overcome with a pang of grief.

Returning to Naboo, Skywalker was met with the news that though he had been destroyed, the dark warrior had slain Master Jinn. In the following days, he was congratulated by no less than the Supreme Chancellor, now Palpatine. Three days after the battle, Skywalker attended the Jedi funeral of Qui-Gon Jinn, where a somber Kenobi informed him that he would be trained as a Jedi. Kenobi, fulfilling his dying master's wish, had agreed to take on Skywalker as his Padawan learner. He detected that the loss of Jinn had deepened Skywalker's desire to see his mother again, and assured the boy that he would indeed see Shmi once again, when his training was complete. The following day, a celebratory parade was held in Theed, with Skywalker in attendance. It would prove to be the last time he would see Padmé Amidala in a decade, although she would remain present in his thoughts and dreams for the next ten years.

Following the parade, Skywalker reflected on the events of the past few weeks. Realizing that he had been changed irrevocably and he would not be able to recall the extraordinary occurrences that had transpired, he decided to write a journal, chronicling from his meeting Naberrie to Jinn's funeral. When he had finished, he was summoned by his new master, Kenobi, and he departed Naboo.

Studies in the Jedi Temple
At the Jedi Temple, Skywalker was taught about the nature of the Force: the light side, and the dark side. He learned about the Sith Lords, which Jedi Investigators had identified Jinn's killer as. He was also taught about midi-chlorians, of which he, supposedly, had the highest count ever. Wishing to learn more about this advantage he was purported to have, Skywalker studied the Jedi Holocrons, and discovered the prophecy of the "Chosen One". Recalling being labelled by Jinn as the Chosen One in prior years, Skywalker took to the moniker. The prophecy claimed that the Chosen One would bring balance to the Force by destroying the Sith, and with the recent reemergence of the Dark Lords, Skywalker's claim to fame was considered all the more relevant.

Skywalker resented the fact that Kenobi had not chosen him, and was only training him out of obligation to his dead master. Since he had not been trained at the Temple since infancy, Skywalker was felt to have lax discipline, and his arrogant attitude was bemoaned by his fellow students. As a result, he was alienated from the other students and even some of the Masters. He did not take well to criticism from Kenobi, but he respected his master. Being very close to his mother for the first nine years of his life, Skywalker also found it very hard to shed his emotions, and disliked the fact that he was not allowed to return to Tatooine to see his kin. When told that the Jedi couldn't simply free one slave among many as it was not the will of the Senate, Skywalker questioned the ideal that the Jedi had to serve a government. His attatchment to his mother and other people was regarded as curious by Kenobi, who had been raised to avoid the concept altogether.

Later in 32 BBY, Skywalker met A'sharad Hett. Hett, a human in Tusken Raider's clothing, had recently lost his father, Sharad Hett, to the blade of notorious Jedi killer Aurra Sing, and found adapting to the Coruscant air difficult after being raised on Tatooine. Skywalker sympathized, and conversed with Hett briefly, before Master Ki-Adi-Mundi began quizzing the boy about podracing. Ki-Adi-Mundi and Hett would later depart for Malastare, a known podracing planet, on a mission. The Cerean Jedi Master would later reflect on the meeting, and found he was slightly concerned. He still detected the sense of danger that had initially made him side with the Council members in barring the boy from training, and he felt that Skywalker would need to be watched closely.

Skywalker found adapting to the Jedi way of life difficult, particularly in regard to shedding his emotions. Having spent several years participating in a high-octane sport, he missed the thrill of racing during his studies. He found himself outspoken when it came to matters of slavery and prejudice, and he was far more opinionated than his peers, which caused concern amongst the masters. Amongst his fellow Padawans, Skywalker was perceived as being aloof, and reserved. One fellow student, close to him in age, was Jax Pavan. Skywalker trained with Pavan frequently, and came to use the fellow student as a confidant. He told Pavan his feelings on his master, Kenobi, and felt that he was being held back from achieving his true destiny.

Another holdover from his slavery days was his love of mechanical work. Skywalker would accumulate various pieces of junk, as he had on Tatooine, and repair them, if possible. This foible was capitalized by Wilhuff Tarkin, who had a small, broken, but very expensive droid placed outside the Jedi Temple. Sure enough, Skywalker found it, repaired it, and put it to use in the building. Unbeknownst to the boy, it served Tarkin as a listening device, allowing him to keep tabs on the movements of the Order. Still, Skywalker continued repairing droids and put them to use in the Temple, earning him the ire of several Jedi Masters. A subtle hint was given when one of his droids, cleaved in two by a lightsaber, was returned to his quarters.

Despite his unorthodox admission into the Order, Skywalker was soon regarded as one of the best and most adept Padawans in the Temple. Kenobi was constantly exasperated by his charge's actions though; being more level headed than his own master in certain instances, the Jedi Knight now found the positions reversed, having to work with a brash and reckless apprentice.

As the years drove on, Skywalker began to be plagued by dreams. So much so, that he began dreading sleep. He could not meditate either; though he knew how to, whenever he did he felt he was tapping into an unfathomable well of uncontrollable energy. For some time, he kept this fact to himself.

Garbage pit races
"I'll never be this stupid again." "Tell it to the Council. I have no doubt that's where we'll both be, if we manage to accomplish six impossible things in the next two minutes."

- Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi

In 29 BBY, Skywalker decided to participate in a the races held in Galactic City's garbage pits. The indoctrination of the Jedi had not been able to purge his love for high-octane thrills, and so young Skywalker felt the need to seek his own form of entertainment. Purchasing a set of race wings from a Lemmer former champion who had broken his back, Skywalker took the apparatus back to his quarters in the Jedi Temple, and set about repairing them. After a week, they were in full working order, and had been adequately modified to fit is small frame. Sneaking out of the Temple, he made his way to one of the nearest garbage pits, and had himself entered in one of the highly illegal and exceptionally dangerous races.

After passing a hasty inspection by the Naplousean supervising the race, Skywalker suffered insult from a Blood Carver who would be competing against him. The Blood Carver suspected, correctly, that Skywalker had once been a slave, and continually mocked the young Jedi. The arrival of a construction droid delayed the race, as they could not be bribed into turning a blind eye to the illegal goings-on. The antagonism between Skywalker and the Blood Carver nearly came to blows in the interim, garnering the attention of the Naplousean. The instance the droid had left, however, the Blood Carver unexpectedly lunged at Skywalker with a twister knife. The Padawan, realizing that the Blood Carver was not there to compete, but to kill him, started the race prematurely, darting in between the high-velocity garbage canisters of the pits. The Blood Carver gave chase, but Anakin persisted as though he were competing in a regular race.

Despite the threat of a would be assassin, and a deep wound to his arm from the assailant's initial attack, Skywalker pursued his objectives: fly through the pit's multiple shield levels, and retrieve a silver scale from one of the garbage worms that dwelled in the deepest levels of the structure, before returning to the Greeter, who oversaw the races. The Padawan reveled in the race, having not experienced the high-octane thrill for nearly three years. Proceeding through the shields, he reached the pool of worms, and focused on retrieving a scale for the Greeter. In doing so, he lost track of the Blood Carver's progress, and as a result, he fell prey to the assailant's attack run. Plummeting into the worm pool, Skywalker was left stranded, with his wrecked race wings serving as the only flotation device. Resigning himself to his fate, he resolved to end the Blood Carver's life as a final act, but had that task relieved from him with the timely arrival of Master Kenobi. Skywalker's teacher and mentor swept into the pit, downed the Blood Carver, but in doing so, was forced to land in the sludge pool as well. As the worms closed in on the two Jedi, Skywalker added his remaining fuel to Kenobi's own race wings, while the elder Jedi levitated the craft out of the pool enough to prepare for an escape. Skywalker had not been taught levitation at that point in his training, but once he observed the method, he was able to apply it himself, spiriting he and his master to relative safety in a manner that astounded Kenobi.

Zonama Sekot, the rogue planet
"Where one Jedi travels alone, perhaps no cause for alarm. Where a Jedi falls silent, and other Jedi follow&hellip;mishap and adventure!"

- Charza Kwinn

Upon returning to the Jedi Temple, Skywalker and Kenobi were summoned to a disciplinary hearing in the Council chambers, to be presided over by Master Windu. Standing before a panel of four Masters, the Padawan was called upon to identify his error. As he struggled under the scrutiny of Windu, Master Thracia Cho-Leem barged in on the hearing. Before advising Skywalker that he should enjoy his childhood and act his age, (to the displeasure of Windu) Cho-Leem informed the other Masters that her former apprentice, Vergere, had gone missing following departure for a mission. She speculated that a mission would do Skywalker and Kenobi good, and the Padawan readily agreed.

Cho-Leem entrusted master and apprentice to the renowned pilot, Charza Kwinn, who had ferried Jedi for over a century. Boarding the Priapulin's ship, the Star Sea Flower, Skywalker marveled at the aquatic and damp interior or Kwinn's ship. Given dry quarters, Kenobi informed Skywalker of their mission: they were to investigate a planet that was reportedly producing exceptionally high-tech spacecraft. The planet, known as Zonama Sekot, had initially been regarded as a rumour, since it seemed to have appeared from nowhere in the Gardaji Rift, but Vergere had been able to confirm its existence before disappearing. During the voyage, Skywalker was appaled at Kwinn's operation of the ship, though it was natural for a Priapulin. Some of his offspring, would man the controls, while others would offer themselves up as food for their "father". As a result, the boy did not harbor much trust in his pilot.

Upon reaching Zonama Sekot, Kwinn gave the pair a short briefing on what was expected of them by the planet's populace. While he contacted the planet and requested landing rights, Kenobi unveiled one of the most essential pieces of equipment for their mission: three billion credit's worth of aurodium ingots, which could be used to purchase a Sekotan ship. Kenobi entrusted the money to Skywalker, warning him to take good care of it, and advised the boy to keep their Jedi identity quiet upon reaching the planet. While the Sekotan response to Kwinn was pending, Skywalker stretched out with the Force, hoping to gain some insight as to what this mission held for master and apprentice, but he only sensed that trouble lay ahead. Kwinn was then given permission to land at Zonama Sekot's northern plateau.

Upon landing, the Jedi were greeted by a middle-aged woman, who led them to a nearby building. She then tersely quizzed Kenobi, who did not tell her of his Jedi status, but by the same token, did not lie to her. She told them to leave, claiming that the Sekotans did not provide ships to "academics", but then the woman experienced a mood swing that puzzled the Jedi. She then provided them with a transport, and informed them that they would be flying south. During their trip, Skywlaker continued to detect an undefinable energy or disturbance emanating from the planet, concerning Kenobi further. They arrived shortly afterwards at the settlement of Middle Distance, which had been settled by Ferroans sixty Sekotan years prior. They were greeted by Gann, who told them that they would have to adapt to the Sekotan way of life, if they were to be deemed worthy of one of the planet's craft. Kenobi agreed, and the Jedi were given quarters for the night.

Skywalker's energy level and enthusiasm had skyrocketed since arriving at Middle Distance, and the fact was another cause of concern for his master. They noted that the structures of Middle Distance were in fact living, and Kenobi speculated that there might have been mind-altering substances in the air. Nevertheless, the two Jedi felt oddly at home on the planet, as though the atmosphere and ambiance of the planet was havoc with their senses. The following day, the Jedi were taken to Far Distance, while the citizens of Middle Distance enacted the first day of client celebration. During the short airship ride to Far Distance, Kenobi and Skywalker were introduced to Sheekla Farrs, who explained that they would first bond with their seed-partners, and then tasked with the design of their ship. Upon reaching their destination, the Ferroans explained that seed-partners emerged from a Potentium, piquing Skywalker's curiosity. The Ferroans were then paid with the ingots, and the Jedi were taken to "meet with Sekot."

Taken to a large chamber and left alone, the pair encountered the seed-partners, which were encased in spike-covered balls. Moving into the center of the chamber, the seed-partners suddenly swarmed in on them, nearly killing them in the process. When the torrent had ended, three seed-partners clung to Kenobi, but Skywalker had an unprecedented twelve, striking the Ferroans with awe. Left immobile by the sheer number clinging to him, Skywalker was carried away and the seed-partners removed. To Kenobi's relief, the boy was uninjured. The seed-partners were taken away and stored for the construction of the new craft, but their unusually strong reaction to Skywalker prompted the attention of the Magister, who oversaw the Ferroan settlers. Taken to the Magister's residence, far from Middle Distance, the Jedi took the opportunity to discuss their feelings on the mission so far. Skywalker was thorougly enthusiastic in regards to helping design and pilot what could potentially be one of the fastest space craft in existence. He had also sensed that the disturbance he had detected earlier felt more like a single wave of energy, that would affect the planet, and the mission, in some unknown way. Upon reaching the Magister's residence, the Jedi were greeted by what appeared to be a Ferroan girl by the name of "Wind." Upon meeting the Magister, the Jedi realized that they could no longer keep their occupation and allegiance a secret. Nevertheless, the Magister did not upbraid them, or bar them from purchasing a craft, leaving master and apprentice to muse on the point of the visit. On the way back to middle distance, the pair mused that the girl, and the Magister, had merely been illusions.

Jabitha
"What will you do, slave boy?" "No! Stop it, please! Help me stop it! Stop it, please! I can't hold it back any longer!"

- Ke Daiv and Anakin Skywalker

Returning to Middle Distance, Skywalker and Kenobi donned the traditional Sekotan client robes, in preparation for the design of their craft. The twelve seed-partners followed Skywalker everywhere as they grew, occasionally causing minor chaos and havoc. The following day, the Jedi were taken to see Shappa Farrs, who would help design their new craft. Master and apprentice worked for many hours on the design, with Skywalker utterly immersing himself in the process. Satisfied with their concept, the Jedi prepared for the next stage of production: the shaping. On the way to the Jentari foundries, the Sekotan factory complex, Skywalker met the real "Wind," actually named Jabitha Hal. The boy got off to a good start with Hal, who explained the concept of shaping and the significance of the boras. During the long journey down an underground river, Skywalker was afforded the opportunity to sleep peacefully, which had not done in a significant amount of time. Upon waking, he claimed that Qui-Gon Jinn had spoken to him in his dreams, though Kenobi was skeptical.

Debarking at the foundry, the Jedi were left alone to wait for the Jentari workers to arrive. In the interim, Kenobi received a message from Vergere through the seed-partners, telling him that she had left Zonama Sekot to investigate beings from "beyond the boundary." Puzzled, the Jedi continued with the ritual of forming a ship. With Langhesi shaper Vagno guiding them, Skywalker's seed partners were thrown into a shaping pit, and were then immolated with "sky fire." Vagno was exceptionally impressed, but Skywalker, through the Force, felt the pain of the twelve seed-partners. They gave him a premonition of "heat and death and resurrection," before breaking free of their shells, ready for ship-building. None had perished through the process, which was considered unusual.

The Jedi were then transferred to the custody of Vidge, who would oversee the final assembly of the craft. Kenobi and Skywalker were placed within the frame that had been sent to the Jentari by Farrs, and told to remain there until the assembly was complete. The frame was then passed from Jentari to Jentari down the valley in which they resided, with the assembly happening during the transit. The seed-partners, now seed-disks, prompted Skywalker to request specific design elements of the ship. Though he had initially lost his previous confidence, Skywalker reveled in the experience, which lasted a mere ten minutes. Despite the speed at which the ship was assembled, they had traversed twenty kilometers.

Back in the company of Ferroans, the Jedi were told that they would have to stay with the ship for forty-eight hours while the finishing touches were applied. Skywalker, however, sensed that they were in the middle of the "single wave" that he had detected earlier. As a result, Kenobi deduced that Skywalker would have to undergo some sort of unorthodox trial. As they prepared to undertake the final stages of the ritual, the Jedi were approached by Gann and the Farrs, who informed them that a small fleet was near Sekot, and that one of their new clients had caused considerable chaos elsewhere on the planets. Suspecting Jedi involvement, Gann questioned Kenobi and Skywalker, while Shappa Farrs saw fit to begin informing the Jedi of what had transpired with Vergere. Before Gann could properly object, their location was attacked by Trade Federation starfighters.

Leading the attack was Ke Daiv: the Blood Carver that had attacked Skywalker on Coruscant. Daiv incapacitated Kenobi before accosting his Padawan, taking him and Jabitha Hal hostage, and then hijacking the Sekotan ship. Skywalker was ordered by Daiv to fly the ship, which was low on fuel, to a safe place where they could replenish supplies. Flying the ship southwest, Skywalker was briefly tempted by the dark side when faced with the possibility of Hal's death at Daiv's hands. He flew the ship towards the Magister's mountain, which, accoring to Hal, held fuel supplies. In transit, Skywalker attempted to play havoc with Daiv's focus, but he was in turn distracted by an aparition of Vergere, who had imprinted herself upon the seed-partners. The apparition explained that Vergere had surrendered to the "Far Outsiders", hoping to prevent them from attacking Zonama Sekot again. Skywalker realized that the Far Outsiders had been the arbiters of the attack that had left the large gouges in the Sekotan landscape, and was likely the cause of the secretive demeanor amongst the Ferroans. Suddenly realizing that this was a major trial for him, and that Vergere had sacrificed herself so the Sekotans could live, Skywalker steeled himself in preparation for his inevitable confrontation with Daiv.

Reaching the mountain, the Skywalker and his passengers noticed that the Magister's palace was nowhere to be seen. With sky mines from the new invaders bearing down on them, Skywalker insisted on landing at the desolate mountain. Debarking, Skywalker mused to a distraught Hal that the palace they visited earlier must have been an illusion. Daiv, with no method of escape and the realization that his employers, the arbiters of the new invasion, had left him for dead, rounded on his two captives. In turn, Skywalker's rage boiled over against his own will. With nothing more than the power of the Force, he attacked Daiv, and effectively burned him to death. Shocked at his own actions, he screamed while cradling the corpse of the Blood Carver, while Hal rushed towards a set of ruins that had formerly been the Magister's palace.

Exploring the ruins, Skywalker and Hal encountered a corpse&mdash;that of the late Magister Hal, Jabitha's father. Whilst the pair pondered as to who had sent the messages to both the Ferroans and the Jedi from the palace in weeks prior, another apparition of Vergere appeared before Skywalker. It soon evolved into the form of the late Magister Hal, and then introduced itself as Sekot. Sekot claimed to be the Force-based sentience of the planet, and offered to help Skywalker somewhat during the ensuing chaos. Due to the battle between the Zonama Sekotan inhabitants and the invaders outside, the ruins began to collapse. While Sekot shored up the crumbling structure, Skywalker swiftly carried Hal out, only to be met by a mine-laying ship in the employ of the invaders, that was doubling as a landing craft. Debarking from the ship was Raith Sienar and Wilhuff Tarkin, the arbiters of the invasion. Tarkin, taking the lead, ordered his soldiers to leave Hal planetside while Skywalker and the Sekotan ship were captured, with the intent of having them taken to the invasion flagship, the Rim Merchant Einem.

In transit, Skywalker once again was visited by Sekot, who warned the Jedi that the planet's defensive countermeasures would soon be used against the invaders. Shortly thereafter, Tarkin inspected Skywalker's ship. Such was the boy's loathing for the older man that he almost unleashed the same power he had used on Ke Daiv. He kept himself in check however, and moments later, his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, barged onto the ship, having cut himself an opening in the hull. Overjoyed that his master was still alive, Skywalker set about refueling his craft with supplies from the mine-laying transport. Charza Kwinn, who had shuttled Kenobi in the Star Sea Flower, planted explosives on the mine-layer, but gave the Jedi time to escape. Skywalker, hoping to evade Tarkin's starfighters, sped towards Zonama Sekot, and was able to throw off many of his pursuers in the Jentari valley. Flying along the surface, the Jedi soon realized how the Sekot attempted to escape the attackers: the planet possessed a gargantuan hyperspace engine that would propel it away from any assailant, and into the unknown. Escaping Zonama Sekot's gravity just in time, Skywalker and Kenobi witnessed the planet depart the system. The Jedi followed suit soon afterwards.

En route to Seline, Skywalker named his ship Jabitha, as a tribute to Jabitha Hal. He also came to the realization that his ship was dying, due to severe damage sustained under fire from the Rim Merchant Einem and its fighters. On Seline, the Jedi were met by Thracia Cho-Leem, who began healing Skywalker's mind after his ordeal on Zonama Sekot. Cho-Leem would later leave the Jedi Order for unknown reasons.

Constructing a lightsaber
In 28 BBY, Skywalker prepared to construct his first lightsaber. Building the hilt and several other components first, Kenobi took his apprentice to the ice planet Ilum, as was the tradition, where he would complete the construction. Eager to finish work on his first lightsaber, Skywalker took to the task of scaling Ilum's icy slopes with enthusiasm. Within the slopes were Crystal Caves, housing the focusing crystals that were a key component of a lightsaber. Before entering, Kenobi warned his apprentice that he would have to face visions and voices, which he would have to weather if he was to successfully build his weapon.

Venturing into the caves alone, Skywalker at first came across a vision of his younger self, playing with a small bell. The bell eventually rolled over to the Padawan's feet, spilling blood all over his boots. The boy then saw his mother, Shmi, running towards him in terror, before being captured by a hulking four-eyed beast. In blind rage, Skywalker lashed out at the beast, only to have it disappear. Kenobi appeared to his apprentice, urging him to enter a trance like state, and let his feelings guide his intent. The boy did so, and was met with yet another vision: this time one of the dark warrior that had struck down Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul.

The vision of Maul taunted and mocked Skywalker, quickly destroying the boy's training lightsaber. The dark vision then offered Skywalker a new lightsaber, before insisting that the Padawan should give into his anger, and let it become a weapon to strike him down. Skywalker remained dispassionate, and dueled the apparition of Maul. The banter continued, even when Skywalker sliced through the vision with his new blade. Maul claimed that he was the master that Skywalker truly desired, but the boy would have no more of the dark vision's assertions. He shut out the vision, and was roused from his trance state. Kenobi soon found him, with a completed lightsaber in his hands. Skywalker's master was impressed, but was given little time to congratulate his apprentice before being contacted by the council, and summoned back to Coruscant.

Krayn the slaver
"Was Anakin motivated by revenge to kill Krayn? Only Anakin can answer that question truthfully."

- Siri Tachi

With their return to the Jedi Temple, Skywalker and Kenobi met with the council in their chambers, where Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was present. Palpatine wanted the Jedi to protect a Colicoid diplomatic craft, which was scheduled to travel through an area of space patrolled by the pirate Krayn, who had taken Amee's mother in years prior. Krayn was known to sell captives from ships he had boarded into slavery, and so Kenobi thought that the protection mission might be too delicate for his apprentice. Skywalker loudly protested, but Palpatine sympathized with Kenobi, and labeled the boy as a "special case." Kenobi baulked at that statement however, and agreed to take the mission.

Before departing, the pair were stopped by Adi Gallia, who asked Kenobi if he was aware of the situation of her former apprentice, Siri Tachi. Tachi had been good friends with Kenobi in her youth, and had apparently abandoned Gallia the previous year, during a mission near Kessel. Kenobi knew of this, and was also aware the fact that Tachi had aligned herself with Krayn. Boarding the Colicoid Consular-class space cruiser, the Jedi met with Captain Anf Dec, who agreed to warn his new passengers if anything unseemly entered the vessel's range. Skywalker and Kenobi were given what appeared to be the smallest quarters on the ship, but the master chose not to waste time, and tasked his apprentice with studying Krayn's organization.

His studies brought back memories of the day Hala had been taken, though Skywalker denied that he had ever encountered Krayn in the past. As the ship continued its journey, it was attacked by Krayn's craft. Waylaid by the pirate attacks, Dec and his crew began to panic as their ship continued to suffer heavy damage. Taking control of the situation, Kenobi requested use of a transport, to allow him and Skywalker to leave the cruiser, infiltrate Krayn's ship, and disable the slaver's weaponry. Dec obliged, and provided the pair with a small G-class shuttle. While the Colicoids exchanged fire with Krayn, Skywalker approached the pirate ship and infiltrated it by flying through an exhaust pipe. Landing near one of the ship's turbine engines, the Jedi stealthily made their way through the craft.

Reaching the weapons control room, Kenobi evaluated the occupants. Fourteen armed tech droids were shortly thereafter dispatched, with Skywalker putting his new lightsaber to use. Kenobi then destroyed the ship's weapons system and made ready to depart, but his apprentice lingered, insisting that Krayn needed to be destroyed. Without waiting for his master's approval, Skywalker set off on his own. However, the ship was constantly patrolled by Krayn's men, and the boy was unable to locate his target. Doubling back, he watched on as Kenobi denied a group of slaves their freedom, claiming that the situation was not suitable for a jailbreak. Skywalker was outraged, and vehemently argued that the slaves should be freed from Krayn's control as soon as possible. Kenobi however, believed that one miscalculation on his or his apprentice's part would prompt the slaver to exact revenge on his quarry. Grudgingly, Skywalker joined his master in departing the scene.

Despite his swiftness, Skywalker was unable to reach the shuttle, as he was cut off by Siri Tachi, disguised Zora, one of Krayn's employees. Kenobi had made it to the shuttle safely, but the new arrival activated the ship's turbines, causing the craft to tumble out of the large cruiser's rear end. Skywalker, now at the attacker's mercy, was promptly disarmed by Tachi shortly before Krayn arrived. Tachi claimed that Skywalker was not an intruder, but a slave she had used as a shield in a firefight with Kenobi. While Krayn inspected Skywalker, the boy noticed that the slaver wore on his belt a bell much like the one Hala had worn. Noticing the young Jedi's interest, he explained that the trinkets on his belt were kill trophies, before surmising that Skywalker would fetch a good price on Nar Shaddaa.

As Krayn ordered Tachi to lock Skywalker away, the boy began to conspiratorially converse with the former Jedi. Tachi, however, insisted that she was Zora, and that she had nothing to do with the Jedi. She then threatened Skywalker with death if he was to utter the word "Jedi" in her vicinity again. Landing on Nar Shaddaa, Skywalker, along with Krayn's slaves, watched on as the pirated made a deal with Aga Culpa, informal ruler of the moon, to obtain more storage space for his captives. Though Culpa protested that the requested areas were already residential properties, Krayn eventually got his way, and had Tachi put the slaves to work.

Once more a slave
In a Nar Shaddaa factory, Skywalker worked, as a slave once again. He saved a Twi'lek girl called Mazie, who had strayed too far from her post, when guard droids began searching for her. Skywalker's work was comparitively easy: he was given grav-sled duty, generally reserved for informants and favorites of the guards. Mazie explained to the boy that Culpa allowed Krayn to use Nar Shaddaa's factories, in order to ensure the safety of the moon's citizens. She also revealed that she had been taken in the raid on Tatooine that had claimed Hala. Mazie had known Hala, and told Skywalker that she had resisted Krayn and died as a result.

During work hours, Skywalker accepted some food from Mazie, who's daughter Berri worked in the factory's kitchen. Tachi disapproved, warning the boy not to fraternize outside breaks. Angrily, Skywalker pontificated to the older woman about her abandonment of the Jedi Order, without realizing that Krayn himself was in earshot. With Tachi's identity revealed, the slaver threw both her and Skywalker in a dungeon to await execution. While in captivity, Tachi explained to the Padawan that she had been a Jedi the whole time, and had been working undercover to stop Krayn. She also told Skywalker that the Colicoids were in a deal with the slaver: since they were taking over the spice trade, they needed Krayns' captives to process it on Nar Shaddaa.

Skywalker realized that if the Colicoids, being members of the Republic, took over the Nar Shaddaa factories, then the Smuggler's Moon would come under Republic protection. Furthermore, slavery on the moon would be outlawed. The boy surmised that the Colicoids themselves could overthrow Krayn if they were to believe that the slaver could not adequately control his slaves. To that end, Skywalker suggested to Tachi that the slaves be encouraged to Rebel. The older woman agreed, though she thought the slaves would be more willing if they were to have the support of Culpa. Shortly thereafter, the pair received a message from Berri, who wanted to help them escape. Returning the message, Skywalker instructed the Twi'lek girl to retrieve the two lightsabers from Tachi's quarters. Sure enough, the weapons were slid into the cell on a food tray, allowing the pair to break out.

They battled into Culpa's office, where Tachi used a mind trick on the moon's ruler. She influenced him to order his civilian guards to not harm the slaves during the inevitable revolt, before telling Skywalker to alert the slaves themselves. Before meeting with Mazie, he retrieved a large supply of power generating units, which he planned to use in creating an explosion. Though the Twi'lek was apprehensive, she agreed, and began trying to instill rebellion in her fellow slaves. Skywalker then used the explosives on Krayn's cruiser, damaging it severely. He then moved on to Krayn himself, confronting the hulking T'surr in the Nar Shaddaa rain.

Krayn fired on the boy several times, but Skywalker was too fast for him. The Padawan deftly plunged his lightsaber into the slaver's heart, killing him instantly. Kenobi, who had arrived on Nar Shaddaa in disguise, retrieved his apprentice, and led him away from the scene. As a result of his and Tachi's actions, Krayn's slave empire was overthrown, and Nar Shaddaa itself liberated. Palpatine himself came to the moon to congratulate the Jedi and give them passage back to Coruscant. Despite the fact that Palpatine was pleased, the Senate considered forming an independent committee that would assess the suitability of sending Padawans on potentially hazardous missions.

Outbound Flight
Over the course of his studies, Skywalker found a friend in fellow Padawan Tru Veld, and a rival in Ferus Olin, Master Tachi's apprentice.

In 27 BBY, Skywalker and Kenobi were among the Jedi aboard Outbound Flight as it began its voyage into the Unknown Regions. After the first leg of the trip, however, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine arranged to have them disembark. The ship continued its voyage under the command of Master Jorus C'boath, and then mysteriously vanished shortly afterward.

The Galactic Games
Later that year, Skywalker and Kenobi were dispatched to Euceron to oversee security at the Galactic Games. By a twist of fate, Skywalker was involved in a podrace to win the freedom of a slave.

The same year year, Skywalker and Kenobi attended the funeral of Yarael Poof. Poof had died fighting the Annoo-dat General Ashaar Khorda, who had planned to destroy Coruscant with the power of the Infant of Shaa relic. Skywalker mused out aloud that he had already seen several Jedi funerals in his short career, and began pondering his own fate.

Granta Omega
Skywalker and Kenobi, over the course of their work, gained a common enemy: Granta Omega, the son of Xanatos, a fallen apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn. Omega, despite lacking Force-sensitivity, was an expert in Sith lore, and he hoped to kill both Skywalker and Kenobi as a way of attracting the attention of the Sith Lord who was apparently still operating in that day and age. Skywalker and Kenobi confronted Omega several times over the years. One such confrontation took place on Mawan, and Master Yaddle was brought into the fray as well. Yaddle sacrificed herself on Mawan to prevent Omega from poisoning the population with dihexalon gas.

Separatist Crisis
Many citizens of the Republic grew dissatisfied with the Galactic Republic, and elected to secede. The leader of this movement, former Jedi Count Dooku, formed the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The Jedi were hard pressed to keep order.

Hunt's end
In 24 BBY, Skywalker and Kenobi were eventually able to corner Omega on Korriban, an ancient Sith world. Omega had, by that time, teamed up with scientist Jenna Zan Arbor, who was a member of the newly-formed Confederacy of Independent Systems, and was planning to meet with Count Dooku. Kenobi led a task-force of Jedi, including Skywalker, to Korriban, where they confronted Omega for the final time. Zan Arbor and Dooku were able to escape, but during the ensuing skirmish, Padawan Veld inadvertently caused the death of a fellow Padawan when his lightsaber suffered a malfunction. Both Skywalker and Ferus Olin had been aware of the malfunction before going into combat, but had neglected to tell their masters. Skywalker remained silent, but Olin stepped forward and accepted full responsibility for the mishap, resulting in his resignation from the Jedi Order.

Return to podracing
Later that year, Skywalker made a return to podracing, and raced against his old rival, Sebulba, on Ryloth.

Dual teachers
Initially, Skywalker believed that Kenobi had only taken him on as Padawan out of respect for the dying wishes of his own master, Jinn. However, Skywalker came to realize that Kenobi was the only Jedi who refused to give up on him, and he came to see the older Jedi as the father figure he had never had. The pair had developed a close friendship, and after so many missions, had become a highly effective team. Their skills ranged from both the diplomatic to the not-so-diplomatic, and they continued to be frequently called upon.

Skywalker also met with Palpatine frequently. The Supreme Chancellor did nothing but boost Skywalker's ego, but the young Jedi was not adverse to this. He also accepted advise from the Chancellor, who was more than willing to give it. Palpatine's early teachings concerned the nature of power and those who held or sought it. Individuals or organizations who wielded power, the Chancellor suggested, were always afraid of losing it.

Protecting Simon Greyshade
As 24 BBY wore on, Skywalker started using a green-bladed lightsaber briefly. Following the assassination of Senator Jheramahd Greyshade, a champion of the Financial Reform Act, Skywalker and Kenobi were summoned to Palpatine's office. Jheramahd's replacement, Simon Greyshade of the Commonality, had come to Coruscant and requested the protection of the Jedi, who offered the services of the pair. The Senate Guard was normally the agency used for such protection, but Palpatine felt that due to the importance of the Financial Reform Act, which would root out corruption in the Republic and prevent secession, the extra precaution was warranted. Greyshade himself made it clear that he would vote for the act if he was treated properly, since his predecessor had likely died due to his vocal support of it.

In the Chancelor's office, the Jedi met with Greyshade, as well as Senate Guards Sagoro Autem and Isaru Omin, who Palpatine tasked with investigating the circumstances of Jheramahd's death. The Chancellor then lauded and applauded Skywalker's abilities, expressing confidence that the young man would be able to handle the task on his own. Kenobi hoped to coordinate his protection efforts with Autem and Omin's investigation, but the latter was not interested in talking with the Jedi, and simply wanted them to do their job. Returning to Greyshade's apartment, the pair waited for any sign of danger. While Kenobi was conversing with the senator, Greyshade's THX servant droid flung open its chest plates to reveal an array of weaponry.

Placing himself between the senator and the droid, Skywalker deflected the THX's laser blasts with his blade. Another droid soon entered the room, and attacked Greyshade from another angle. Working together, the two Jedi diffused the threat and destroyed the droids. Autem and Omin arrived shortly after, but by then Skywalker had already begun investigating the wreckage of the THX. He discovered that it featured a Psicom 126 interface module, which were normally used to attach organic nerves to cybernetic limbs. The Jedi noted that it had a transceiver attached to it, impressing Autem with his knowledge. The Guards instructed the Jedi not to let any other droids near Greyshade, and informed Kenobi unearthed more information about the circumstances of the former Senator's death. Shortly before the time of his demise, he had turned off his protocol droid as he was meeting someone, and didn't want the conversation recorded. Skywalker assumed that whoever he was meeting must have been his killer, though Kenobi was not so sure.

Though he had just survived an assassination attempt, Greyshade announced that he would be going to a reception being staged in his honor, and assured the Senate Guards that "his Jedi" would protect him if anything were to occur. Skywalker bristled at the inference, much to Omin's amusement. At the reception, the young man had difficulty sensing just who was a threat to Greyshade, as all the guests were one way or another invested in the way he would vote on the Financial Reform Act. Kenobi advised Skywalker that while on the surface, the people seemed civil, their intent was malicious and greedy. Greyshade took particular interest in Princess Tsian of Old Mankoo, and made to move out onto the location's balcony with her. Skywalker attempted to stop him, but Greyshade explained that he desired the woman on a carnal level. The young man, embarrassed, relented and let the senator out into the open, alone with the princess.

Before long, Kenobi, in a panic, hurriedly demanded to know where Greyshade was, since he had just been contacted by the Senate Guard and told that Tsian was a possible assassin. Rushing out onto the balcony with his saber drawn, Skywalker was met with the sight of Greyshade being attacked by a swarm of minuscule, flying, razor-sharp droids. Kenobi warned that their lightsabers would be of little use, and so the Jedi used the Force in an attempt to ward off the droids. Autem and the Senate Guard swiftly arrived, arresting and stunning Tsian. When the princess was rendered unconscious the attack stopped, causing Kenobi to suspect that they were essentially drone controlled by Tsian. Autem scolded Skywalker for letting Greyshade out into the open, but the young man bit back, earning himself a lecture from his master about accepting responsibility.

The Jedi, hoping to get Greyshade medical attention, left the reception in an XJ-15 airspeeder. In transit, Skywalker, who was piloting the speeder, sensed a disturbance in the Force, and jinked hard to the right. Blaster bolts shot through the space that the speeder had just occupied, emanating from a Dug assassin, Keluda, who was in rapid pursuit of Greyshade. Skywalker took refuge from the attack behind a Hauler tram, while Kenobi leapt from the vehicle and confronted Keluda. While he was able to subdue the assassin and learn that the man who had hired him was Venco Autem, he was unable to save the Dug, who plummeted to the depths of Galactic City.

At the Senate Guard Headquarters, the Jedi placed Greyshade in the infirmary, and then met with Sagoro Autem, who was interrogating Tsian with the help of Commander Zalin Bey and Omin. Kenobi informed the Guard members of his discovery, and questioned just why the instigator of the assassination attempt shared a surname with the man who was supposedly investigating the case. Bey told Kenobi that Venco was a former guard and Sagoro's older brother, which Skywalker found highly convenient, though his master warned him to restrain his accusations. Bey, however, dismissed Autem and took him off the case, before launching a search for Venco.

Sabers ignited, Skywalker and Kenobi escorted Greyshade into the Grand Convocation Chamber, where the Financial Reform vote was to be decided in a matter of hours. When the senator entered his senatorial chambers, he became the Guard's duty alone. No longer concerned with guarding Greyshade directly, Skywalker and Kenobi began searching for Venco Autem. However, Droidekas began filing into the Senate Rotunda's hallways, controlled by Tsian, who had escaped, and began attacking Greyshade's bodyguards. Kenobi felt that the attack was a feint, but Omin assured him that Greyshade was perfectly safe. This was far from the truth, as Venco, disguised as a guard, had managed to get to Greyshade within the Chamber iteslf. Before he could kill the man, he was thwarted by his brother, Sagoro. Palpatine was disgusted at the state of events, although the perpetrator had been shot and killed, and Tsian had been recaptured. The vote, however, was now useless, and systems immediately began separating from the Republic.

Kashir negotiations
"This lightsaber is your life! Don't lose it again!"

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

During the Separatist Crisis, Skywalker and Kenobi were given a diplomatic mission to establish ties with the Sovereign King of Kashir. Before meeting with the Kashirim, Kenobi instructed Skywalker to wear his lightsaber in plain view, as was the Kashir custom. Given audience with King Sha-Mar Ma-Dred at the Republic Diplomatic Quarters, the Jedi were introduced to the Queens consort: Tiarri, Kheann, Mirrix, and Ashala. Ma-Dred swiftly sent his wives away for the negotiations; during the process, Ashala was able to steal Skywalker's lightsaber without the notice of the Jedi. Ma-Dred, during a meal, requested that the Jedi guard the turbolift exit of the building, ensuring that none of the King's wives leave. Kenobi accepted, but Skywalker soon realized that his saber was missing.

Sneaking into the wives' quarters, Skywalker quickly learned that it was Ashala who had stolen the saber. Tricking the King's guards, he made his way into Ma-Dred's quarters, where Ashala was staying. She attempted to seduce the Jedi, but Skywalker refused, claiming that it would go against the Jedi Code he was sworn to. Impressed, Ashala informed him that she no longer had the saber. The King's guards, alerted by the conversation, investigated, forcing Skywalker to flee. Returning to Kenobi, he was finally told that his master had taken the weapon back off Ashala as she stole it. After a brief scolding, Skywalker explained to Kenobi what had transpired, much to the latter's chagrin.

Border dispute on Ansion
In 22 BBY, there were whipsers in the Senate that the planet of Ansion would secede from the Republic. While Ansion was relatively backwater and insignificant, its diplomatic ties to other planets, and those planets ties to others made its allegiance critical in light of the Separatist Crisis. The Republic was trying to dissuade Ansion from secession, however, the planet's two factions: the Alwari nomads and the Unity of Community, both believed that the Senate was favoring the other. To establish that this was not the case, and discover whether or not outside forces were behind the disruption, the Jedi Council dispatched two master and apprentice teams to Ansion: Kenobi and Skywalker, as well as Luminara Unduli and Bariss Offee.

Unduli and Offee arrived several days ahead of Kenobi and Skywalker, but the latter pair were able to cut their trip short, and arrive two days earlier than expected. They were initially unable to find their counterparts at their quarters, and so searched for them in the city of Cuipernam. The eventually found the Jedi fighting off a batch of trained assassins in the city streets. Master and apprentice rushed to the aid of their fellow Jedi, and were able to defeat the assailants.

Eventually, Skywalker, Kenobi, Unduli and Offee were able to convince Ansion to reject the offer made by Confederate Shu Mai, and remain with the Republic.

During the mission to Ansion, Skywalker began being plagued by nightmarish premonitions about his mother.

Protecting Senator Amidala
"Who hired you? Tell us. Tell us now!"

- Anakin Skywalker

Returning from Ansion, Skywalker and Kenobi were assigned by the High Council to protect none other than Padmé Amidala, who was now a Senator. Amidala had sustained an assassination attempt upon her arrival to Coruscant, which had claimed the lives of six of her security staff. The senator had made the journey purely to vote against the Military Creation Act, which would afford Palpatine the power to form an Army of the Republic. As Skywalker and Kenobi rode the elevator up to Amidala's apartment, his master noted that Skywalker was tense, and sweating. The Padawan reminded Kenobi that he hadn't seen Amidala in a decade and was eager to see her, which amused Kenobi somewhat. Reaching the apartment, the Jedi were greeted by Jar Jar Binks, who was now serving as a representative in the senate. The Gungan was overjoyed to see Kenobi, and brought the pair in to meet with the senator and her head of security, Captain Gregar Typho. After exchanging pleasantries with Kenobi, Amidala turned her attention to Skywalker, who in turn launched into a misguided and awkward attempt to flatter the senator. Amidala shrugged off Skywalker's comment, however, and the conversation turned to more serious matters.

Typho was concerned that Amidala was considering her security as much as she should, but the senator was more interested in just who wanted her killed. Kenobi reminded her that they were only there to protect her, but Skywalker, ignoring him, promised to find who was behind the attempt on her life. Kenobi baulked at this, resulting in an argument between the two Jedi in front of the senator and her retinue. Skywalker insisted that the discovery of the assassin was implied in their mandate, as simple security routines were below the attention of Jedi, but his master upbraided him, and claimed that they would only do what the Council had instructed them to do. Amidala ended the argument by suggesting that the mere presence of the Jedi could possibly unearth the mystery behind the threat. As the senator retired to her private rooms, Typho made the security preparations with Kenobi, while Skywalker conversed with Binks. The Padawan was more concerned that Amidala had not seemed overly pleased to see him again, but both Binks and Kenobi tried to reassure him that she had been.

As night fell, Amidala approached Skywalker with the idea of using herself as bait for the potential assassins. Although the young Jedi was reluctant, he approved. He was roused by his sleep by another nightmare about his mother's plight, and decided to resume his prowling of the senator's apartment. Kenobi reported that Typho was guarding the lower entrances with his own men, and noticed that Amidala had covered the cameras in her room&mdash;Skywalker supposed that the senator had not appreciated him watching her. R2-D2, the senator's astromech droid, was in her bedroom, however, and would alert the Jedi should anything trip his sensor field. Kenobi caught on to the fact that Amidala was essentially offering herself up as bait, and questioned the wisdom of the move, but Skywalker assured him that he could sense everything going on in Amidala's bedroom. Later, Kenobi noted that Skywalker looked tired&mdash;the lack of sleep was beginning to wear on the Padawan. Although Kenobi correctly assumed that Skywalker's dreams dwelled on his mother, the young Jedi confessed that he would rather dream about Amidala&mdash;prompting another lecture from Kenobi about Skywalker's commitment to the Jedi order. Kenobi also highlighted the fact that Amidala was a politician&mdash;and therefore not trustworthy. The Padawan tired of his master's cynicism, though, and cited Palpatine as an example of an honorable politician.

While debating the assets and flaws of the Supreme Chancellor, the two Jedi sensed a disturbance in the senator's room. Dashing to the rescue, Skywalker leapt onto Amidala's bed, bisecting a pair of deadly kouhuns that had managed to infiltrate the room. Kenobi simultaneously located the source of the kouhuns&mdash;a modified ASN courier droid hovering outside the window. The Jedi Knight leaped out the window, holding on to the droid as it flew away hurriedly, while Skywalker sprinted out of the apartment to give chase. He found a XJ-6 airspeeder parked at the complex, and picked it has his vehicle of choice, roaring off into Coruscant's air traffic to find his master. He soon located Kenobi, falling through the air, as the courier droid had been destroyed by the would-be assassin. Skywalker managed to maneuver the XJ-6 so that Kenobi could safely land on its back, and his master pointed out the assassin's speeder, prompting the Padawan to immediately give chase.

The pursuit was perilous, and brought the Jedi into an industrial area. The assassin opened fire on a large power coupling, hoping to deter her pursuers, but Skywalker merely flew right through, which did not please Kenobi in the slightest. When Skywalker broke off his pursuit, Kenobi adamantly pointed out the assassin's trajectory, but the Padawan believed that if their chase persisted, their target would likely end up dead before the Jedi could question them. As such, Skywalker was heading down what he believed to be a shortcut. Although Kenobi was convinced that they had lost their quarry, Skywalker abruptly leapt out of the airspeeder, free falling until he intercepted the assassin's airspeeder in mid flight. Landing perilously atop the vehicle, Skywalker struggled to stay on the craft as the assassin tried to shake him off. While jostling for position on the airspeeder, Skywalker noticed that the assassin was a female, and possibly a changeling. Drawing his weapon, Skywalker plunged his lightsaber into the cockpit, prompting the assassin to open fire on him. The Padawan was disarmed, as his lightsaber went sailing away into the air, and he instead grappled with the assassin, forcing her to fire on her own control panel. As the craft came in for a crash landing in the seedy lower levels of Coruscant, Skywalker was knocked off, forcing him to pursue on foot.

He tracked his quarry to the Outlander Club, where Kenobi caught up with his apprentice. The Jedi Knight, who had caught Skywalker's lightsaber, returned the weapon, scolding the Padawan as he did so. Kenobi despaired at Skywalker's recklessness, but the young Jedi was humbled. He aired his suspicions about the assassin's sex and nature&mdash;revelations that concerned Kenobi somewhat. The elder Jedi had Skywalker seek her out, while he went to the bar to enjoy a drink. Skywalker's search proved to be in vain, however, when the assassin approached Kenobi at the bar, pistol drawn. The elder Jedi deftly severed his would-be attacker's right arm. The general din of the club came to a sudden halt, and as Kenobi hauled the assassin outside, Skywalker told the crowd to get back to their drinks. Outside, Kenobi questioned the assassin as to who had hired her. When she was reluctant to answer, Skywalker's temper flared. The assassin began to divulge the name of a bounty hunter, but was hit in the neck by a toxic dart, killing her instantly. The Jedi witnessed her killer escaping with a jetpack, leaving them with a very scant lead&mdash;the lethal dart.

Torment
"From the moment I met you, all those years ago, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought of you. And now that I'm with you again&hellip;I'm in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you&mdash;I can't breathe. I'm haunted by the kiss that you should never have given me. My heart is beating&hellip;hoping that kiss will not become a scar. You are in my very soul, tormenting me&hellip;what can I do? I will do anything you ask. &hellip;If you are suffering as much as I am, please, tell me."

- Anakin Skywalker

Skywalker and Kenobi reported to the Jedi Temple for a meeting with the High Council. The Council tasked Kenobi with tracking down and finding the assassin's employer, while Skywalker was to escort Amidala back to Naboo and serve as her bodyguard&mdash;the Padawan's first solo assignment. Master Windu instructed the young Jedi that he and the senator were to travel incognito&mdash;specifically, under the guise of refugees. Skywalker, however, conjectured that it would be difficult to persuade Amidala to leave Coruscant during the Military Creation vote, and Windu suggested that he head to the Senate to see if an executive order could be issued. Skywalker did so, meeting with Palpatine personally, and the Supreme Chancellor agreed to issue Amidala with the order to return home. Palpatine was pleased to learn that Skywalker had finally been given a solo assignment, and attributed it to the young man's patience, although Skywalker himself insisted that the Supreme Chancellor's guidance had been instrumental in his progress. Palpatine went on to praise Skywalker as he often did, heralding him as the greatest Jedi he had ever met, with the potential to exceed even Master Yoda.

The executive order issued, Amidala began to pack for the trip back to Naboo. While doing so, she expressed her annoyance at the way events had unfolded&mdash;she had worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act, and was livid that she would not be present to vote against it. When Skywalker suggested that she sacrifice her pride for the sake of duty, she noted that she had matured considerably since the Battle of Naboo. Skywalker took the opportunity to shift the conversation to his strenuous and embattled relationship with his master, accusing Kenobi of being insensitive to his needs and capabilities. He was also adamant that he was ready to face the Jedi Trials. When Amidala tried to console Skywalker, who was clearly frustrated, the young man's attitude quickly became flirtatious, although the senator was less than impressed. The pair then changed into their refugee disguises, and traveled to the docks with Kenobi, Typho, and Amidala's handmaiden Dormé. R2-D2 would be accompanying them on the trip. Kenobi instructed Skywalker to not partake in any divergences from his mandate without first consulting him or the Council. As they prepared to leave, Skywalker and Amidala confessed to one another that they were decidedly afraid, although their moods remained bright. Boarding the freighter Jendirian Valley, the Padawan and the senator, with an astromech droid in tow, departed the galactic capital.

As the Jendirian Valley ferried them to Naboo, Skywalker and Amidala passed the time through conversation. When Amidala queried about the constraints of Jedi life, Skywalker moved onto the topic of love, and explained that while attachment was forbidden for a Jedi, compassion was essential. As Skywalker defined compassion as unconditional love, he attempted to rationalize his theory that Jedi were in fact encouraged to love. The Jendirian Valley landed at Theed Spaceport, and a speeder bus brought them to Theed Palace. While in transit, Amidala talked about her political history, as she was conflicted over whether or not she had served her people well. Skywalker encouraged her, singing her praises as a politician, and labeling her an asset to the Republic. They then met with Queen Jamillia and her court to discuss the ongoing Separatist Crisis, the prospect of war, and Amidala's safety. When Governor Sio Bibble mistakenly addressed Skywalker as a "Master Jedi," Amidala was quick to point out the elderly Human's mistake, much to the Padawan's chagrin. The senator began to arrange her own safety measures, which prompted the young Jedi to butt in, reminding all present that he was in charge of security. Amidala responded with the simple fact that she had lived on Naboo her entire life and knew it well&mdash;the very reason the world had been chosen as her refuge. Skywalker, realizing his error, deferred to the senator.

Amidala later took Skywalker to meet her family in Theed. She initially disliked having him shadow her about, as she thought she needed no protection. They than traveled to Varykino, a Naberrie family estate in the Lake Country. Struggling to combat his growing infatuation with the senator over the past days, Skywalker threw caution to the wind, and shared a kiss with Amidala. The senator broke away after a moment, scolding herself for allowing Skywalker's advance. The young man could do little but apologize, and although he attempted to forget the kiss, the memory of it began to tear at Skywalker. The pair later ventured out into the grassy plains of Naboo for a picnic, where conversation moved to one of Amidala's earlier romances, an artist named Palo. Skywalker bristled at her wistful description of him, and wound up making a disparaging comment about politicians. When Amidala probed further into his views on politics, Skywalker suggested that the Republic move to a system that resembled dictatorship somewhat, which concerned Amidala, but the young man was able to laugh it off. The Jedi and the senator then frolicked playfully in the fields with the shaaks, before returning to Varykino.

During dinner, Skywalker began frivolously using the Force to play with the food, in further efforts to woo and impress Amidala. Later that evening, Skywalker opened up about his feelings towards the senator, but Amidala sharply refused him, stating that a relationship between them would be impossible, in light of the fact that she was a senator, and he a Jedi Knight-in-training. However, upon discovering that Amidala did indeed have feelings for him, Skywalker begged the senator to reconsider, but she was adamant. The young man then suggested that they could keep their relationship a secret, but the senator believed that such an undertaking would destroy both of them. Humbled, Skywalker agreed, and retired for the evening. The following night, Skywalker was plagued by yet another vision of his mother, tortured and pained, causing him to wake with a start. Meditating outside the next morning to collect his thoughts, Skywalker was approached by Amidala, and he found her presence calming. She had heard him calling out the previous night, and he explained that his mother was in peril&mdash;he had to journey back home to save her. The senator agreed to accompany him to Tatooine.

The Death of Shmi Skywalker
"I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mom. I wasn't strong enough. But I promise I won't fail again&hellip; I miss you so much."

- Anakin Skywalker's personal oath

Neglecting to notify Kenobi or the Council of his movements, Skywalker, accompanied by Amidala and R2-D2, departed for Tatooine in the senator's H-type Nubian yacht. They landed in Mos Espa, and traveled to Watto's Shop in a rickshaw speeder. Though the Toydarian initially did not recognize Skywalker, the young Jedi quickly repaired one of his old master's broken pit droids. Watto, noticing that he was being confronted by a Jedi, protested, until he inspected Skywalker's handiwork. Immediately recognizing it, he warmly welcomed his old slave. The Padawan was in no mood for nostalgia, however, and demanded to know where his mother is. The Toydarian suggested that the young Jedi help him get back some owed monies, but Skywalker ignored him, asking again where Shmi was. Watto revealed that he had in fact sold Shmi, several years ago, to a moisture farmer named Cliegg Lars, who lived near the township of Anchorhead. Watto had also heard that the farmer had freed and married Shmi. While the Toydarian was unsure of Cliegg's exact location, Skywalker humorlessly insisted, and so Watto went to check his records.

Given the precise location, Skywalker, Amidala, and R2-D2 then traveled to the Lars Homestead. The astromech droid waited at the ship while the Padawan and the senator approached the modest moisture farm. Approaching the home, Skywalker recognized his old droid, C-3PO, who had finally been given plating. Reunited with his creation, Skywalker queried the protocol droid as to where his mother was; C-3PO neglected to answer the question, and ushered the new arrivals into the homestead. Skywalker was introduced to Owen Lars, Cliegg's son and therefore the young Jedi's step-brother. Also present was Owen's girlfriend, Beru Whitesun. Cliegg then introduced himself, and then invited the visitors to a meal, over which he explained what had happened to Shmi. The aging farmer told Skywalker that a party of Tusken Raiders had abducted his mother while she was picking mushrooms off the vaporators, as she often did. Cliegg and 29 others had gone out after her&mdash;of the raiding party only four had survived, and Cliegg had lost his leg. He explained that he had been unable to search for Shmi as his leg had not yet healed, but Skywalker had heard enough. Rising from the table, he declared that he would find his mother&mdash;despite Cliegg's insistence that she was dead.

Skywalker had made up his mind, however. Bidding Amidala a temporary farewell, he set out on Owen's Zephyr-G swoop, riding through the evening. Meeting a group of Jawas in the Jundland Wastes, he was given leads as to the location of the Tusken camp. Locating the Raiders, he stealthily infiltrated their camp, and cut his way into the tent holding his mother. Inside, he saw Shmi, badly beaten, tied up and unconscious. Freeing his mother from her bonds, he revived her. Mother and son shared a tearful reunion, and Shmi now felt that she was "complete," having seen her son all grown up. She attempted to tell her son that she loved him one last time, but succumbed to her wounds, and died. Skywalker, aghast, was sent into a quivering rage, and immersed himself in the dark side of the Force. Emerging from the tent, he struck down several of the Tusken males, before moving on to the women and the children, wiping out all of the camp's inhabitant in a furious slaughter, letting his hatred fuel his actions. His actions and pain caused a significant disturbance in the Force, felt as far away as Coruscant, and the site of the massacre would become an informal graveyard for the Tusken Raiders in years to come.

Skywalker returned to the homestead the next day, with the body of his mother. As everyone emerged to meet him, he wordlessly entered the house, carrying Shmi's body. Privately, he blamed the Lars family for his mother's death, but he would never admit it. To keep his mind off the tragedy, he performed maintenance on the swoop's shifter, until Amidala approached him. Skywalker bemoaned his inability to save his mother with his knowledge of the Force. When the senator attempted to console him, rationalizing that there were some feats no one could achieve, the Padawan began ranting and raving, promising her that one day he would become all-powerful and would be able to cheat death itself. Furthermore, he blamed Kenobi for his failure, citing his master's reluctance to let Skywalker explore his full potential, as well as the older Jedi's jealousy of his raw talent and power. He then went on to confess his wholesale slaughter of the Tusken Raider camp, to Amidala's horror. The young Jedi then broke into tears, as he realized that as a Jedi, he should have been above his acts of violence, and his fit of pique. Shmi was buried near the homestead, and Skywalker participated in her modest funeral. After Cliegg said a few words in his mother's memory, Skywalker fell to his knees before her grave, grasping a handful of his homeworld's sand, and made a vow to never let another of his loved ones die.

R2-D2 interrupted the ceremony with news that Kenobi had made contact with them. Skywalker and Amidala returned to the yacht with C-3PO, and viewed Kenobi's message, which the senator quickly retransmitted to Coruscant as per the Jedi Knight's instructions. Kenobi had tracked the culprit behind the attacks on Amidala, bounty hunter Jango Fett, to the world of Geonosis, where he had discovered not only droid foundries, producing machines of war for the Trade Federation, but that none other than Viceroy Nute Gunray had ordered the senator's assassination. Furthermore, heads of the Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance had sworn allegiance to Count Dooku's Confederacy of Independent Systems, and were clearly gearing for war. Kenobi's recording had been interrupted, as he was confronted by droidekas on Geonosis, and presumably captured. From Coruscant, Master Windu, who had been watching the relayed message, addressed Skywalker directly, and instructed him to stay put and guard Amidala at any cost. The Padawan agreed, but as soon as Windu had broken contact, Amidala protested, pointing out that the Jedi would not be able to reach Geonosis in time, whereas Tatooine was less than a parsec away. Although he was afraid to lose his mentor so soon after losing his mother, the Padawan reminded her of Windu's instructions, but she retorted with the fact that Windu had ordered him to protect her&mdash;and since she was going to Geonosis to save Kenobi, he would have to come along as well. This brightened Skywalker's mood considerably, and the pair departed for Geonosis, with the droids in tow.

The Battle of Geonosis
"You call this a diplomatic solution?" "No, I call it 'aggressive negotiations.'"

- Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala

The approach to Geonosis was made with a minimum of fuss; upon entering the atmosphere, Amidala noted several exhaust vents, in which Skywalker chose to make his landing. Amidala, in her capacity as a senator, hoped that she would be able to find a diplomatic solution to the situation, and instructed the Padawan to follow her lead as she disembarked. As they ventured into a Geonosian complex, Skywalker detected something amiss. Suddenly, they were swarmed by Geonosians. Skywalker took his blade to them as Amidala raced down the hall, and inadvertently found herself in the droid foundries Kenobi had spoken of. As Skywalker joined her, she accidentally fell onto one of the conveyor belts, and the Jedi pursued her. He was soon beset by Geonosian warriors, and was effectively cut off from the senator. Wreaking havoc along the production line, Skywalker was eventually caught in the machinery, rendered immobile as he was carried deeper into the factory. When he finally did free himself, he noticed that his lightsaber had been cleaved in two by the machinery. Droidekas rolled up and trapped him, and the Jedi was taken in by Fett, who held him at blasterpoint. Amidala was also found and arrested.

Sentenced to death, the senator and the Jedi were brought to Petranaki arena. Before being taken into the arena proper for public execution, Amidala, now facing her own mortality, admitted that she loved Skywalker&mdash;and she wanted him to realize that before they both died. Sharing a kiss, the pair were then brought into the arena, where Kenobi had been tied up for execution as well. As Skywalker was restrained he was reunited with his master, who was less than amused at his apprentice's rescue attempt. Archduke Poggle the Lesser announced the opening of the executions, and amongst the spectators were Dooku, Gunray, and Fett. Three creatures were brought in to destroy the captives: a reek, a nexu, and an acklay. While the nexu was goaded into attacking Amidala, and the acklay likewise for Kenobi, Skywalker had to contend with the reek. As it charged towards the pillar to which he was bound, he managed to leap onto its back, saddling himself atop the beast. His chains were broken as they wrapped around the beast, and as it charged off across the arena, Skywalker fell, and was dragged behind. It eventually stopped, and Skywalker was able to placate the reek through the Force. Saddling it with his chains once again, he now had the reek under his control, and he rode it directly into the nexu harassing Amidala. She then joined him atop the beast, and shortly afterward Kenobi joined them.

Droidekas rolled into the arena, surrounding the trio atop the reek, but the execution ceremony was interrupted by the unveiling of 200 Jedi, who had infiltrated the arena, led by Master Windu. As Windu had been unable to force a surrender from Dooku, the arena erupted into a cauldron of bloody violence when the Confederate droid legions marched into the arena. Given new lightsabers by the strike team, Skywalker and Kenobi joined the fray, as did Amidala, who picked up the blaster of a fallen enemy droid. The senator quickly leapt atop one of the Geonosian orrays, which was towing an executioner cart. Skywalker, following her lead, leapt into the cart as it was pulled around the arena, cutting down droids as he went. Blaster fire killed Amidala's orray, overturning the cart and throwing Skywalker. The pair took cover in the cart, before being forced back into the center of the arena by the continual enemy advance. The Jedi numbers had dwindled, and were now concentrated in the center of the arena&mdash;surrounded, effectively, by Dooku's forces. The onslaught was brought to a halt at the count's command&mdash;he offered Windu one last chance to surrender, which the Jedi Master flatly refused. As the droids raised their guns once more, an army emerged from skies above&mdash;an army of clone troopers that Kenobi had discovered on Kamino, led into battle by Master Yoda.

As Republic gunships descended into the arena and opened fire on Dooku's droids, and clone troopers emerged to join the battle, the Jedi boarded the craft, and were lifted away from Petranki arena. Outside, the newly formed Grand Army of the Republic were moving to engage Separatist Droid Army&mdash;as the gunship carrying Skywalker, Kenobi, and Amidala approached the front line, the Padawan noticed a group of Hardcell-class interstellar transports, still in landing position. He advised the pilots to hit the transports above their external fuel cells&mdash;the tactic proved effective, and one of the craft was destroyed instantly. Their gunship then passed over the front line, heading towards several Lucrehulk-class Core Ship that were attempting to reach orbit. The gunship fired more of its rockets towards one of the core ships at Kenobi's insistence, with limited success.

When dust engulfed the battlefield following the crash of one of the gargantuan core ships later in the battle, the visibility from the trio's gunship was limited, but upon emerging, Kenobi spotted Count Dooku, racing across the dunes on a speeder bike, with an escort of Geonosian Nantex-class starfighters. Skywalker bade the gunship's pilot shoot Dooku down, but their craft had expended all its rockets. Frustrated, the Padawan ordered the pilot to chase the count. Although Amidala suggested that they call for help, Kenobi felt sure that he and Skywalker would be able to deal with Dooku. Soon, the gunship was harried by the Nantex fighters, and Amidala was thrown from the craft. Distraught, Skywalker ordered that the ship be put down, but Kenobi countermanded the order, chastising his Padawan for allowing his personal feelings to affect his judgment. Skywalker would not be placated however, and ordered the pilot to land once again, but Kenobi reminded him that he would not be able to apprehend or defeat Dooku alone. The master needed his apprentice by his side, and there was the possibility of ending the war before it had even begun in earnest. Kenobi also reminded Skywalker that he would be expelled from the Jedi Order for his new found attachment, as well as his insubordination in the face of his duty. Skywalker would have none of it however&mdash;he could not leave Amidala to her fate, but when Kenobi asked him what she would do in his place, the young man was defeated&mdash;he understood the need to do his duty to the Republic, and the Jedi.

Dooku flew into a secluded hangar&mdash;Kenobi and Skywalker followed close behind, although their gunship was destroyed almost as soon as they debarked. Running deeper into the hangar, lightsabers at the ready, they confronted Dooku. Countless Jedi had perished over the course of the protracted battle, and Skywalker was inconsolable. Enraged at Dooku's actions, he rushed to engage the count despite Kenobis' recommendation that they attack in unison. It soon became evident that Dooku had fallen to the dark side&mdash;he blasted Skywalker with a torrent of Force lightning, before throwing the Padawan into a corner. The young man was incapacitated by the blast, and left writhing in pain while his master engaged the count in a lightsaber duel. It also became evident that the count had kept up his swordsmanship skills, as he quickly gained the upper hand over Kenobi, as the Jedi Knight was disabled by a series of precise lightsaber strikes.

As Dooku moved in for the kill, however, Skywalker mustered his strength, leaping in front of the count's attack with his own blade at the ready. Kenobi then threw his own blade to Skywalker, and the Padawan briefly engaged the count with dual lightsabers. Dooku quickly destroyed Kenobi's saber, however, but the duel continued. Nevertheless, Dooku was still the superior swordsman, and he defltly sliced off Skywalker's arm, before hurling him across the room, ending the duel. Skywalker passed out, and although Yoda arrived to confront Dooku, the count escaped aboard his Punworcca 116-class sloop. And although the young Jedi was not aware of it, Yoda had saved both he and Kenobi from a falling pylon that Dooku had influenced through the Force before departing. Skywalker awoke to see Amidala, alive and well, rushing to his aid. Although the Republic had won the battle, the Clone Wars, the first pan-galactic conflict to have broken out since the New Sith Wars and the Ruusan Reformation a thousand years prior, had begun. It had also become clear, through information divulged by Count Dooku to Kenobi during the latter's captivity, that the senate was under the influence of a Sith Lord: Darth Sidious. Although the Jedi were skeptical of Dooku's revelation, as he himself had clearly fallen to the dark side, they began to pay closer attention to the movements of those in the senate. To replace the arm he had lost to Dooku, Skywalker had a prosthetic arm attached.

Marriage
With the onset of war, Skywalker and Amidala returned to Varykino, where they were wed by Pontifex Maxiron Agolerga, with R2-D2 and C-3PO as witnesses. Returning to Amidala's family in Theed afterwards, Skywalker's presence, and lack of natural hand, disturbed and upset young Pooja Naberrie. After comforting the girl, Pooja and her sister looked upon Skywalker with great respect. Shortly afterwards, Anakin built a second lightsaber for himself.

At some stage, Skywalker opted to confess his slaughter of the Tusken Raiders in vengeance for his mother's murder to the Supreme Chancellor.

Dark Reaper
In one of his ploys to gain the upper hand during the war, Dooku attempted to assemble the Dark Reaper on Thule. His first move was to try and excavate for the buried Force Harvester on Raxus Prime, which prompted Skywalker and Kenobi to launch an assault on the world. Skywalker was able to fight his way through to Dooku, but was captured by the mercenary Cydon Prax and placed in a holding cell on the count's vessel as it fled Raxus Prime. The ship's next destination was the Wookiee colony, Alaris Prime, where Dooku put his newly-excavated Force Harvester to test. Skywalker fled from the Harvester's shock wave, managing to keep pace only centimeters ahead of its increasing area of effect, and he was able to send a distress signal to the Republic. Skywalker then set about liberating the planet, and had already made considerable steps towards that goal by the time the Republic were able to send reinforcements.

Dooku, however, was able to utilize the Force Harvester on Mon Calamari, Bakura, and Agamar. Skywalker participated in a Republic counterattack on Thule, an ancient world of the Sith Empire. The Republic moved against the city of Kesiak, and met resistance from Prax, who was able to destroy Master Windu's vehicle during the battle. Skywalker came to the rescue, eliminating Prax with a fusillade of energy darts. Skywalker was then able to penetrate the Dark Reaper, and obliterate it with Republic ordinance.

Defense of Kamino
2 months after the Battle of Geonosis, Master Quinlan Vos had receiver intelligence that the Confederacy were planning to move against Kamino, the cloning world that was providing the Grand Army of the Republic with its soldiers. Skywalker and Kenobi joined the Republican defense of the planet, shooting down landing ships in their Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptors. Meanwhile, Master Shaak Ti fought at Tipoca City, while Master Oppo Rancisis launched a counterattack on the Confederate fleet with a Republic armada. The battle was won, and by the end of it General Kenobi had one of the new Advanced Recon Commandos assigned to him, Alpha-17, who Skywalker nicknamed "Alpha."

Asajj Ventress
Ten weeks after the Battle of Geonosis, two of Dooku's new allies, the bounty hunter Durge and the Dark Jedi Asajj Ventress moved against Ohma-D'un, one of the moons of Naboo. Skywalker and Kenobi were able to keep Durge at bay, but Ventress was able to kill one Jedi and maim another, before escaping the fray. Alpha, meanwhile, destroyed the ships that would have transported the Confederate "swamp gas" to Naboo proper.

Storm Fleet Rising
Four months after the Battle of Geonosis, the Republic faced a new form of harassment from the Confederacy: the Storm Fleet, which raided convoys of munitions and medicine up and down the Perlemian Trade Route. Skywalker and Kenobi encountered the fleet at the Kronex Spaceport in the Llon Nebulae during a mission layover, as it came in for refueling. Although it was against Kenobi's wishes, Skywalker pursued the Storm Fleet as it departed Kronex, and he flew his interceptor deftly between the Confederate capital ships. Asteroids demolished the bridges of two vessels, forcing the Storm Fleet to limp back to Kronex for repars. The delay allowed a Republic fleet to arrive at the Storm Fleet's target, Cyphar, in time. In the ensuing Battle of Cyphar, the Storm Fleet lost nearly lost half of its vessels, and lost the engagement, allowing Cyphar to remain an open port.

Special command over Muunilinst
"All squadrons to me."

- Commander Anakin Skywalker

At some stage, both Skywalker and Kenobi battled confederate forces on a dry planet. Leaping from a gunship, the pair proceeded to decimate an enemy force B2 super battle droids. During this stage of the war, Skywalker began piloting a modified Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor, dubbed the Azure Angel. The craft featured an in-built astromech droid, R4-P22.

Later, Skywalker joined Kenobi and Master Yoda for a meeting in the Supreme Chancellor's office, with Palpatine himself. Kenobi reported that the InterGalactic Banking Clan had hidden huge factories on Muunilinst, and were churning out a steady supply of droids and battleships for the Confederate army. In addition to this, Chairman San Hill, head of the Banking Clan and a son of Muunilinst, had turned the world into a practical fortress. Kenobi suggested to Palpatine that the Republic act quickly to quash Hill's efforts, and the Chancellor agreed, although he was unsure as to who could lead the assault, reminding the Jedi that Master Windu was still fighting the campaign on Dantooine. Yoda suggested Kenobi himself, as the general's army were already prepared and ready for departure. Palpatine concurred, and went on to suggest that Skywalker be given special command of Kenobi's space forces, citing the young man's exceptional prowess as a pilot. Skywalker welcomed the compliment, but Kenobi interjected, feeling that his apprentice was not yet ready for such a degree of responsibility. Yoda supported Kenobi on the matter, asserting that a Padawan should be at his master's side. The Grand Master qualified his statement, however, conceding that Skywalker's power was undeniable. The Chancellor had heard enough&mdash;cutting Yoda off, he saw the concession as confirmation that Skywalker would indeed by given a special command, and the rank of Commander.

As Kenobi's forces departed from Coruscant, Skywalker approached his personal interceptor, the Azure Angel, to which R2-D2 was completing maintenance. As he took off in the fighter, Skywalker flew past a window and saw his wife. With a wordless wave goodbye, Skywalker joined Kenobi's fleet. While traveling through hyperspace towards Muunilinst, Skywalker worked on the Azure Angel in the hangar of the flag Acclamator I-class assault ship of Kenobi's fleet. Noticing Kenobi approach him, Skywalker voiced his concern that his master did not share the chancellor's faith in him, and protested that he was indeed the best pilot in the Jedi Order. Kenobi argued that it was not the Padawan's skills that were in question&mdash;rather, it was his maturity.

As Kenobi's fleet reached the Muunilinst system, the Confederate forces launched Nantex-class territorial defense starfighters from the gun platforms above Muunilinst. In response, Skywalker, piloting the Azure Angel, led several squadrons of V-19 Torrent starfighter into battle, heralding the opening of the Battle of Muunilinst. Meanwhile, Kenobi led his army to the planet surface, carried aboard waves of Low Altitude Assault Transports. As the space battle raged on, the Acclamator I-class assault ships entered the fray, and Skywalker racked up kill after kill in his fighter.

The commander eventually found himself chasing two of the Nantex-class fighters around the surface of one of the gun platforms, blasting the pair as they flew free of the installment. Shortly afterwards, Gold Leader was lost to a squadron of enemy reinforcements, and the rest of Gold Squadron was harried by the new arrivals. Gold Two alerted Skywalker, and the commander ordered him and his pilots to clear out of the area, so he could engage the reinforcements himself. He had R4-P22 reroute power to the Azure Angel forward deflector shield as he flew straight into the enemy line, firing proton torpedos as he went. As he emerged the on the other side of the reinforcements, he was pursued, with the Nantex fighters firing rapidly after him. Skywalker turned the enemy fire on their own installments, running low along the surface of one of the gun platforms as the enemy fire ran close behind him. Skywalker then pulled back, looping around behind the enemy craft, and destroying them with his own cannons.

Breaking away from the gun platform, Skywalker still had the bulk of the Nentax fighters pursuing him. The commander approached the underbelly of assault ship Cruiser 8, and ordered Red Leader to have Red Squadron fire their missiles across the bow of the capital ship. Red Leader pointed out that there were no targets, but Skywalker barked the order once more. The commander raced towards Cruiser 8 as Red Squadron loosed their payload as ordered. The missiles narrowly missed the Azure Angel, but obliterated the pursuing Nantex fighters. However, Skywalker was still pursued by the missiles that had not connected with any targets, as they had locked on to his craft. The commander, cannons blazing, flew directly into the hangar bay of one of the gun platforms, and the missiles followed, wreaking havoc within the Confederate installation. Just after Skywalker flew out the other end, the gun platform exploded. Concentrated fire from Acclamator I-class ships destroyed the last of the platforms.

A report from Blue Squadron was interrupted by an attack from a Ginivex-class starfighter, a new entry in the battle zone. Blue Squadron was wiped out almost instantly, as Skywalker spotted the Ginivex fighter. Ordering his pilots to mop up the rest of the enemy fighters, Skywalker claimed the Ginivex fighter as his to destroy. The Azure Angel and the enemy craft flew headlong at one another, firing incessantly but in vain for the most part. Flying past one another, the two combatants turned and tried again, with Skywalker landing a hit. The Ginivex fighter scored a punitive series of hits on the Azure Angel however, and Skywalker, bringing his craft around, gave chase. The enemy pilot darted into Muunilinst's atmosphere with a burst of speed before Skywalker could gun them down.

The commander registered surprise, realizing that he was not facing any mere Confederate droid pilot, and had R4 divert the Azure Angel power to the main thrusters. As they approached the war-torn city of Harnaidan, Skywalker struggled to obtain a lock on the Ginivex fighter. Roaring through the streets and buildings of the city, the chase brought Skywalker near General Kenobi's position, prompting his master to contact him. Kenobi scolded Skywalker, reminding him that he was supposed to be commanding the naval forces, but the commander insisted that the situation was under control. He could detect that the enemy pilot was a Force-sensitive, and felt that he could not let them escape. Kenobi conceded that he too felt something from the pilot, but pointed out to his Padawan that the Ginivex fighter was merely baiting him. R4 interrupted, informing Skywalker that the enemy craft was entering hyperspace. The commander had his droid retrieve the Ginivex fighter's intended co-ordinates and plug them into his own ship's navicomputer, while Kenobi continued to bleat orders and Skywalker, vehemently insisting that he not follow the ship and stay in the Muunilinst system. The Padawan merely stated that his master's signal was breaking up, and shut off communications before pursuing the enemy fighter into hyperspace.

Duel on Yavin 4
"I'm going to make you pay for what you've done." "Come, Padawan. Your fall will be my ascension to the Sith."

- Anakin Skywalker and Asajj Ventress

Emerging from Hyperspace, Skywalker found himself in the Yavin system. He tracked the enemy signal to the moon Yavin 4, and had R4 determine the general vicinity in which the Confederate pilot had landed. Satisfied with the result, Skywalker landed the Azure Angel, and began exploring on foot, leaving R4 to mind the ship. As he ventured into the jungle, the commander heard a loud noise behind him, and dashed back into the landing area. He arrived to see one of Kenobi's CR-20 troop carriers landing next to the Azure Angel. A squad of clone troopers filed out of the craft, and began securing the area. Skywalker approached the sergeant, and had his suspicions confirmed&mdash;Kenobi had sent the clones to follow him. Irritated, the Padawan took command, ordering the troopers to encircle the clearing and sweep the jungle.

As Skywalker moved deeper into the jungle, he sensed a disturbance in the Force, as the troopers gradually began to disappear from sight. He heard one of the clones screaming back at the clearing, prompting the Padawan to return to the ships once more. The trooper appeared to have been dragged a long distance back to the carrier, and when Skywalker inquired as to his health, the CR-20 exploded, engulfing the trooper in flames. Immediately afterward, the Azure Angel also exploded, destroying R4 in the process. As what remained of his droid's dome rolled to his feet, Skywalker saw the culprit emerge from the flames&mdash;none other than Dooku's acolyte, Asajj Ventress. She had stealthily killed the rest of Kenobi's troopers, leaving Skywalker alone to face her. After a brief exchange of words, in which the Rattataki announced her aspiration to join the Sith, Ventress drew her twin lightsabers. Drawing his own weapon, Skywalker leapt to engage his opponent.

The two combatants dueled their way through the jungle, with Ventress hurling logs at Skywalker through the Force, although the Padawan was able to deflect most of the incoming objects. When Skywalker briefly disarmed Ventress, she leaped up into Yavin 4's treetops, and the duel resumed high above the ground. The pair even exchanged blows while flying through the air, eventually bringing their lightsaber contest to some of the planet's ruined ancient temples. The Ratataki began using the Force to hurl stones at Skywalker, battering the young man and knocking him from an elevated walkway. She then Force pushed him across the ground, further injuring the Padawan. Undaunted, Skywalker brought himself back to his feet, and rejoined the battle. He then Force pushed her off the walkway, and into one of the ruined temples.

The Padawan ventured cautiously into the darkened temple, and was able to stave off Ventress' inevitable surprise attack. The duel resumed, and the combatants began to work their way out of the temple. Ventress attempted to crush the Jedi with a large stone pillar, but Skywalker managed to push it back towards her. The Rattataki survived the counterattack, and attempted to Force push Skywalker down a stairway he was ascending. The young Jedi ran headlong into the attack, bracing himself against it as it tore away his tunic. He did likewise to Ventress, blasting her clean out of the temple, and onto one of its outer walkways. The duel's pace increased to a frenzy, as both Jedi Padawan and Dark Acolyte, robes tattered, ran up a large stairway to the ziggurat's summit. Reaching the pinnacle of the temple, Ventress managed to disarm Skywalker, but the young Jedi, in turn, wrested one of the Rattatki's blade from her grip with his mechanical hand. Taking his opponent's crimson blade, and tapping into his inner rage, Skywalker charged at Ventress with a cry, raining blows down upon her feeble defense, cracking the very stone that they were standing on. A portion of the temple's roof eventually broke off with the Dark Acolyte on it, sending her wailing to the depths below. Contemplating his victory briefly, Skywalker let out a long, anguished scream, before throwing Ventress' saber after her.

Taking Ventress' Ginivex fighter, Skywalker returned to Muunilinst, shortly after Chairman Hill's forces had surrendered. With Republic guns trained on his ship as he approached, he landed at General Kenobi's position. Approaching his master, Skywalker was immediately repentant, admitting that he had fallen headlong into a trap laid by the Sith, but he qualified his apology with the fact that he had emerged from the contest the victor. Kenobi, however, was disturbed by the apparent interest the Sith held in his apprentice, and he began upbraiding Skywalker, before being interrupted by a message from a fellow Jedi. Master Daakman Barrek, who was fighting on Hypori alongside several other Jedi. Barek requested that Kenobi urgently send an evacuation team, as the Republic forces had been decimated. Even in the holographic transmission, Barek was fighting off enemies, and he informed his fellow Jedi of what had caused the disastrous trajectory of the Republican campaign&mdash;a new droid general, who the Jedi Master described as "unstoppable." Barek's transmission became garbled, and was terminated just as a robotic arm wielding a lightsaber entered the image, bearing down on the Jedi Master. Kenobi was immediately concerned, and dispatched Captain ARC-77 and the his squad to save the remaining Jedi on Hypori.

The Assassination of Lorian Nod by the Confederate Count Dooku
Six months after the Battle of Geonosis, Skywalker and Kenobi were present on Null when Count Dooku hosted a summit between the leaders of several key Mid Rim worlds, including Junction V, Bezim, and Vicondor. It was Dooku's hope that he worlds, which were strategically critical in the ongoing war given their position at the nexus of several hyperspace lanes, would decide to join the Confederacy. He was foiled by Lorian Nod, the ruler of Junction V, who had been working with the Jedi Council to bring his fellow delegates down on the Republic's side. Dooku took punitive measures when he realized he had lost, bringing super battle droids to bear on the delegates. Skywalker and Kenobi were able to destroy the machines, while Nod pursued the count as he fled. In the process, Dooku murdered Nod. Skywalker had been given the opportunity to strike down the count during the engagement, but was stopped by Kenobi. The young Jedi was haunted by the fact that he had now had the opportunity to end the war on both Raxus Prime and now Null as well, and he swore that the count would soon meet the end of his lightsaber blade.

Champion of the Media
Nine months after the Battle of Geononsis, Skywalker fought in the Battle of Balamak. Over Balamak, situated in the Mid Rim, Skywalker destroyed a Droid Control Ship, which was carrying a prototype communications jammer that Confederacy were planning to use to eliminate an entire HoloNet node.

The Machinations of Wat Tambor
Ten months into the war, Skywalker was dispatched to investigate the operations of Jabba Desilijic Tiure. While doing so, he killed Dooku's Sith witch, Saato, and was in turn set upon by the bounty hunter Aurra Sing, who he also defeated. Returning to Coruscant, Skywalker defended the Jedi Temple from an attack by C-B3 cortosis battle droids. The young Jedi beat back the raiding party, but Coruscant's citizens were shaken by the fact that the war was now literally on their doorsteps. Skywalker was tasked by the Jedi Council with the destruction of the factory producing the droids on Metalorn. As he planted detonators, Skywalker battled more of Dooku's subordinates: Force-wielders Vinoc and Karoc, as well as the bounty hunter Vandalor. Slaying all three, Skywalker was then forced to do battle with an incensed Count Dooku. The count taunted Skywalker, provoking him into a frenzy of berzerker fury, and he struck down Dooku, only to learn later that he may have merely killed a doppelgänger of the count. Skywalker captured Wat Tambor, the leader of the Techno Union, and detonated the charges, destroying Tambor's facility and ending the production of the cortosis droids. The young Jedi then returned to Coruscant with his prisoner.

Skye walker
Over a year into the conflict, Skywalker and Kenobi were able to bring peace to the world of Skye.

The Battle of Jabiim
During the Battle of Jabiim, General Kenobi was thought killed, and Skywalker was suddenly left without a master. He was transferred to the "Padawan Pack," which was made up of other orphaned apprentices, banding together in the hope that together they could match the strength of a Jedi Knight. With the loss of Kenobi, the command of the Jabiim campaign fell to General Leska. She, in turn, moved her troops to the Razor Coast, hoping to kill the enemy leader, Alto Stratus. During the campaign, Skywalker encountered specialized A-series assassin droids. The campaign went on into its second month, and Leska was killed in action. Republic High Command ordered an evacuation of the planet, and the Padawan Pack agreed to cover the retreating action from Cobalt Station. Skywalker, however, had been directly ordered by Chancellor Palpatine to aid with the evacuation, and he escaped the fate of the rest of the padawans&mdash;death. The loyalist Jabiimi fighters were left behind on Jabiim, to face execution at Stratus' hands. While the other Jedi wounded at Jabiim were dispatched to New Holstice for medical treatment, Skywalker was paired with now-Jedi Knight A'Sharad Hett, and dispatched to Aargonar.

Tusken Guilt
Aargonar itself was not of any real strategic value, but it was, sixteen months into the war, located on the border of Republic and Confederate space. Masters Ki-Adi-Mundi and Bultar Swan were given command of the attack, with Hett and Skywalker also contributing. In the early stages of the battle Hett and Skywalker's gunship crashed behind enemy lines, leaving the pair stranded. Skywalker and Hett shared much in common&mdash;both were sons of Tatooine, and both had come to the Jedi Temple at a later age than most. Hett, however, had been raised as a Tusken, and Skywalker hated him for it, unable to shed the memory of his mother's brutalization and death. The heat of Aargonar drove Skywalker into a nightmare, and he inadvertently screamed out the secret of his massacring the Tusken Raider tribe after the death of his mother, prior to the war. Hett, however, chose to harbor Skywalker's secret, as he decided the Padawan had to bear the burden on his own.

Both Jedi made it back to the Republic line, where both Ki-Adi-Mundi and Swan held a tenuous position in the Vondar Canyon. Skywalker, looking to buy the Republic forces enough time to evacuate, summoned a gouka dragon into the fray, which broke the Confederate offensive. The Jedi and their troops successfully evacuated Aargonar, and Skywalker's concerns returned to his missing master, whom he still believe to be alive, despite the Jedi Council's pessimism regarding such a prospect. They also saw the importance of assigning Padawans to more experienced Jedi, after the deaths of the entire Padawan Pack. Consequently, Skywalker was assigned to Ki-Adi-Mundi. Although the Cerean was hardly a typical Jedi, having married and sired children, the young Jedi found it hard to connect with his new master, and would not open up to him. Ki-Adi-Mundi, furthermore, had other things to worry about beyond training a Padawan. The pair spent much of their time away from the front lines. During this time, Ventress placed a bounty on Skywalker's head of 225,000 credits.

Later, it was revealed that Kenobi was alive. Skywalker and Ki-Adi-Mundi saved him from bounty hunters, and the general was returned to the Republic, hailed as a war hero. Skywalker's apprenticeship under Ki-Adi-Mundi was terminated, and he returned to Kenobi's side. Alpha, who had also survived, was sent to Kamino to train the next batch of clones. Stemming from an offhand comment made by Kenobi about giving the clone troopers real names, all future clone commanders bore simple, one-word names. The clone trooper assigned to Kenobi, for instance, was named "Cody."

Poster boy
Although distrust of the Jedi remained rife throughout the galaxy, planets that had been liberated from the Confederacy by the Jedi Knights came to idolize them as heroes. Skywalker in particular earned much of this acclaim and attention, as the newsnet media dubbed him "The Hero With No Fear." It became an expectation across entire worlds that Skywalker would come and free them all single-handedly, and in some cases, the young Jedi delivered. Twenty-two months into the war, on Virujansi, Skywalker took command of the planet's local Rarefied Air Cavalry, and lured the enemy vulture droids into a dangerous system of mountain caverns. The move brought about the end of the Confederate occupation there, and the native Virujansi hailed Skywalker as the "warrior of the infinte."

Codebreaker
Two years and five months after the Battle of Geonosis, Skywalker and Kenobi accompanied Master Siri Tachi on a mission to acquire a foolproof codebreaker devised by Talesan Fry, a technical genius. When the three Jedi delivered the codebreaker to Azure, a spaceport under Republic control, they were caught in the middle of a Confederate offensive. The Confederacy hoped to gain the codebreaker for themselves, and although the Republic was able to repel the assault, Tachi succumbed to grievous wounds sustained in combat, and died. Kenobi, who had always loved Tachi despite the Jedi principles of non-attachment, suffered heavily from the loss.

The Praesitlyn campaign
The Republic faced a setback when Praesitlyn, a key planet that was a hub of cutting-edge communications equipment throughout the galactic quadrant, fell to a Confederate attack by Pors Tonith. The Republic would not have known of the loss, due to Tonith's blanket jamming of transmissions, but the pirate Captain Zozridor Slayke of Freedom's Sons was operating the area, and was able to alert Chancellor Palpatine to the development. The Chancellor was able to send Jedi Master Nejaa Halcyon and Padawan Skywalker, leading a force of 20,000 clone troopers, to amend the situation. Years earlier, Slayke had stolen Halcyon's ship, the Plooriod Bodkin, and so the Corellian Jedi Master saw the battle as an opportunity to regain his dignity, as Slayke had decided to prematurely move against Tonith. Skywalker, on the other hand, saw the Praesitlyn campaign as an opportunity to prove the Jedi Council once again that he was unbeatable on the battlefield.

Making planetfall, Skywalker and Halcyon's forces joined with those of Slake, who was being overwhelmed by Tonith's onslaught. Skywalker, teamed up with a company of clone troopers, secured a communications complex in which Tonith's droids were holding hostages. The triumph of the gain was soon tainted by Skywalker's rage upon learning that the droids had murdered most of the hostages with indiscriminate crossfire. Enveloping himself in hatred, Skywalker was no longer concerned with the advances of Halcyon and Slayke&mdash;on his own, he pushed deeper into Tonith's lines, penetrating the enemy's fortified headquarters. Skywalker forced a surrender from Tonith personally, and had to fight back the urge to bisect the Muun on the spot.

Halcyon then turned his attention to doing away with the Confederate fleet present above Praesitlyn. Skywalker joined the space battle, making a suicidal run on the enemy flagship's bridge. At the last minute, he made a risky, last minute hyperspace hop, narrowly avoiding the explosion that engulfed the flagship's bridge. By disregarding any value he had for his own life, Skywalker was able to secure victory for the Republic on Praesitlyn.

Journey to Vjun
Thirty months after the Battle of Geonosis, Skywalker and Kenobi were sent to Arkania, following the abandonment of the Jedi Order by fellow knight Serifa Altunen. Altunen, an Arkanian, had grown disenchanted with the path of the Jedi Order through the war, and no longer wished to serve the Galactic Republic. Altunen's departure was considered damaging, as she held sway with the Republic-aligned Arkanian government. Kenobi and Skywalker were unable to convince her to change her mind, however.

By this time, Kenobi had discovered that Skywalker was in a serious relationship with a woman on Coruscant, though he did not know who. Though he was embarassed, Skywalker did not deny the accusation. Before departing Arkania in their Chryya-class very fast courier however, the pair of Jedi learned over the HoloNet that Grand Master Yoda had perished. This was not the case however, and the news was merely part of a ruse instigated by Yoda, allowing him to travel to Vjun unnoticed. There, he was to meet with Dooku, who apparently sought a peaceful resolution to the war. Despite his feint, he was pursued from Coruscant by Asajj Ventress, who was able to kill Yoda's two escorts, Jedi Knights Maks Leem and Jai Maruk. Concerned, Palpatine requested of Master Windu that Kenobi and Skywalker be sent to take the place of the fallen Jedi.

Inbound to Coruscant, the pair received their orders from Windu, much to Skywalker's frustration. Arriving at Vjun, the duo were set by picket ships, but Skywalker was able to evade them by diving rapidly into the planet's atmosphere. Landing swiftly, Skywalker and Kenobi dispatched a squad of droids, but found that they were on poor terrain for combating reinforcements. Hastily, Skywalker threw a grenade into a cave that some of the enemy droids were using for refuge, causing a substantial collapse of underground tunnels. Hoping that his actions hadn't caused any unwanted deaths, Skywalker and his former master made their way to Château Malreaux, which Kenobi believed to house Dooku.

Making their way through the Château's main entrance, Skywalker and Kenobi were met with the sight of a furious and injured Asajj Ventress, who had been pursuing Whie Malreaux and Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy, Padawans of the late Knights Leem and Maruk. Upon seeing the two new arrivals, Ventress turned and ran in the opposite direction. Cutting through the remainder of the Château's guard compliment (and doing a considerable amount of damage to the building in the process,) Skywalker and Kenobi eventually met up with Yoda, who had battled Dooku. The Confederate leader had escaped, much to Skywalker's disappointment. Reunited with Malreaux and Enwandung-Esterhazy, the group prepared to depart Vjun, although Ventress had stolen Skywalker's Chryya-class ship, as payback for the two starfighters he and Kenobi had stolen from her. The group instead hijacked a pair of Trade Federation gunships off Vjun, traded them in for a Seltaya-class fast courier on the Hydian Way, and made their way back to Coruscant.

Knight of the Republic
"Anakin Skywalker. By the right of the Council. By the will of the Force. Dub thee I do, Jedi&hellip; Knight of the Republic."

- Grand Master Yoda

Eventually, Kenobi was appointed to serve on the Jedi Council. While his master was in a council meeting, Skywalker ventured into the planet's lower levels. While walking amongst he galactic capital's denizens, he noticed that someone was following him. Darting into an alley, he waited for the individual tailing him to pass by. As they passed Skywalker pulled the individual into the alley with him, holding his lightsaber at their throat&mdash;only to realize that it was his wife, Senator Padmé Amidala. The couple kissed and embraced in the privacy of the alley, and the young Jedi lamented the fact that he had to keep their marriage a secret, as though it were immoral. Amidala placated him, reminding Skywalker that he had been fully aware that they would have to keep their union hidden from all others. The young Jedi then heard a familiar voice&mdash;that of C-3PO, who was now serving Amidala. The protocol droid was attempting to travel incognito, having donned a hood and cape, but was unraveling his efforts by loudly calling the senator's name across the crowd. Skywalker pulled the droid into the alley, where he was surprised to note that C-3PO now donned immaculate gold plating, as he was in the service of a senator. The young Jedi then received a transmission from Kenobi, bidding him to the Jedi Temple at the Council's instruction. Reluctantly, Skywalker bade his wife farewell.

Upon his arrival at the temple, Skywalker was chided by Kenobi for being late. Master and apprentice bickered once again, resulting in the Padawan unfavorably comparing Kenobi with Qui-Gon Jinn. Immediately realizing the severity of his insult, Skywalker retracted his comment, but Kenobi was not upset. He instead cryptically informed the Padawan that their relationship as master and apprentice would be coming to an end, as he ushered Skywalker into the council chamber, which was darkened. As the young man stood in the center of the chamber, the Jedi Councilmen, Kenobi amongst them, ignited their lightsabers, in a ritualistic display of honor for the Chosen One. Yoda beckoned Skywalker to kneel before him, and the Grand Master dubbed him a Jedi Knight of the Galactic Republic, severing the young man's Padawan braid to complete the ceremony.

For months, Chancellor Palpatine had been requesting that Skywalker be promoted to Jedi Knight, but the request had been continually denied since Palpatine had no power over internal Jedi affairs. However, due to the increasing need for Generals on battlefronts, suggestions were made on the Jedi Council that the trials be forgone, to bolster the numbers of Jedi Knights, which had dwindled since the introduction of General Grievous on Hypori. Kenobi had argued for Skywalker's early promotion, even though he had lacked a conventional Jedi Trial, citing his confrontation with Ventress on Yavin 4 as a test of skill, the loss of his arm to Count Dooku on Geonosis as a Trial of the Flesh. Furthermore, Kenobi had argued that the war itself had provided numerious Trials of Courage, all of which Skywalker had passed. Although Skywalker's early promotion had been accepted by the council, the consensus was that he still had to face his last trial, in which his spirit would be tested. This was relayed to Skywalker after the ceremony, by Grand Master Yoda himself. Skywalker later had the braid delivered to Amidala as a memento. His wife returned the favor, bequeathing her droid, R2-D2, to her husband. Skywalker immediately put the astromech droid to use in his new Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor.

General Skywalker
Skywalker and Kenobi continued to work together, even though their relationship as master and apprentice had concluded. The pair were sent to Bomis Koori IV, where they mounted an attack on General Oro Dassyne's base. As they rode towards the enemy base on steeds, the Third Systems Army descended on the base, raining laser fire and destruction on Dassyne's position. Kenobi and Skywalker leaped into the base on their steeds, before dismounting and wreaking havoc in the Confederate base, winning the day for the Republic. A later engagement saw Skywalker paired with Master Saesee Tiin, as they engaged Confedereate forces in a space battle. During the dogfight, Tiin was pursued viciously by a trio of Droid tri-fighters, but Skywalker rushed to save the councilman, doing so before going on to decimate more of the enemy starfighters. At another stage, Skywalker joined Jedi Aayla Secura, Voolvif Monn, and councilman Agen Kolar in combating LM-432 crab droids equipped with Bubble wort projectors. When his three fellow Jedi were trapped in the bubbles, Skywalker went on to single-handedly destroy four of the crab droids, before freeing his compatriots.

Ventress returns
At Rendili, a shipbuilding world, a fleet of Dreadnaught-class heavy cruisers was preparing to join the Confederate fleet. However, the fleet's commander had not decided where his allegiances lay, and a Republican force was dispatched to help him make up his mind. Master Saesee Tiin was given orders to destroy the fleet, should it choose to indeed follow Dooku's Confederacy. During the resultant Battle of Rendili, Skywalker disabled the dreadnaughts, preventing them from escaping to hyperspace. The Republic gained control of the craft, which were then refitted as prisoner transports. Aftewrard, on Coruscant, Skywalker was confronted by Ventress, who wanted revenge against Kenobi for his escaping her on Rattatak. The two dueled in the bowels of Coruscant's industrial complex, and Ventress managed to land a hit on the young Jedi's face, scarring him. Skywalker responded by holding Ventress with a Force grip over an abyss, and then dropping her far into the depths below.

Skywalker then traveled to Naboo for a rendezvous with Senator Amidala. His wife met him as he landed, and saw the scar across his right eye for the first time. She caressed the wound and embraced him. Husband and wife spent the night together.

Battle of Boz Pity
Two years and seven months into the war, Kenobi had decided to finally hunt down and destroy Commander Ventress. He enlisted Skywalker's aid in doing so, and together, the pair discovered from a crime lord that Ventress would attack a space yacht. When the Jedi investigated the ship, they fell into a trap set by the bounty hunter Durge. Skywalker battled the Gen'dai, while explosive charges detonated all around the ship. The battle was a brutal one, but Skywalker was able to gain the upper hand by tapping into the dark side of the Force. He trapped Durge in an escape pod, and then launched the escape pod into a nearby star. The Jedi discovered from the ship's logs that Ventress could be located at a Confederate base on the world of Boz Pity.

Putting aside his pride, Kenobi called the Republic for support. Senator Bail Organa served as one of the mission commanders, and hoped that the campaign would eliminate Ventress, Grievous, and Dooku with one swift stroke. The ensuing battle went better than planned, as Republic troops secured various Confederate installations on the ground, giving the Jedi room to assault the headquarters. Kenobi was able to catch up with Ventress, but refused to land a killing blow, as he attempted to sway the wayward former Jedi batk to the light, but she did not relent. The actions of her allies proved far more persuasive&mdash;both Grievous and Dooku turned tail and ran, fleeing Boz Pity and leaving Ventress to her fate. The duel ensued, and Skywalker was forced to land the killing blow. Her dying words, "Defend Coruscant," provided the Jedi with some warning as to what Dooku's next move would be. Kenobi ordered that her body be delivered to Coruscant for Jedi cremation, although somewhat mysteriously, it never arrived.

A practical boy
During the Battle of Xagobah, Skywalker encountered young Boba Fett, an unaltered clone and "son" of Jango Fett, the bounty hunter who had tried to kill Amidala prior to the conflict. Skywalker helped Fett repair his damaged starship, the Slave I, and then arranged a meeting between the boy and Chancellor Palpatine.

Siege
"So, I assume the plan is to crawl through the sewer, work our way our way to the shield generator, fight our way through the defenses, blow up the generator, knocking out the shield and all our troops swarm in and overwhelm the enemy?" "Yep. Let's go."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker

Skywalker and Kenobi participated in a long siege on a bleak and dreary world that lasted for months. The Republic's advance on the planet's capital was halted by the powerful deflector shield protecting it. Skywalker, however, discovered an underground passageway through an old sewer, and sneaked into the enemy camp to retrieve victuals&mdash;living bugs and worms. While there, he also performed a degree of reconnaissance on the enemy installation. The young Jedi returned nonchalantly to Kenobi's camp and began eating, joking that it was his way of "feeding off the Living Force." Unimpressed, Kenobi, who was considerably downbeat due to the planet's damp weather, inquired as to where Skywalker was able to get the food, and the young Jedi dismissively revealed his discovery. Kenobi, startled, quickly determined the makeshift plan for final victory that Skywalker had already dreamed up&mdash;Skywalker casually agreed, and the pair set about their work.

The pair made their way through the secret entrance, unceremoniously swimming through the sewers, and emerging inside the shielded city. They then entered the shield generator complex through a hatch. Skywalker was eager to engage the B1 droids within, but Kenobi held him back, suggesting that there were alternatives to fighting. He then sent several explosives rolling around the room with the Force&mdash;just before they exploded, Skywalker and Kenobi dived back into the sewer. As the shield fell, Commander Cody's forces rallied, and descended upon the stricken city. With their army swarming in, the two Jedi strolled out casually. Once the battle was won, the weather cleared up, to Kenobi's chagrin. He soon received an urgent communication from Coruscant&mdash;Master Windu and Chancellor Palpatine wished to speak with him and Skywalker. Palpatine commended their efforts and command of the Third Army, but Windu reported that the Confederacy had made a series of lightning thrusts, gaining a world for each one that the Republic claimed. Windu also pointed out the need to stop the war at the Confederacy's source of military dominance&mdash;General Grievous. According to intelligence that Windu was skeptical about but Palpatine was sure of, Grievous had constantly visited the Outer Rim world of Nelvaan, and was there presently. As such, Skywalker and Kenobi were ordered there, but Kenobi in particular had his suspicion aroused by the fact that they and the Third Army were being dispatched on a reconnaissance mission.

The Neimoidian colonies
Skywalker and Kenobi led a series of strikes into Confederate bases still standing on Cato Neimoidia, Deko Neimoidia, and Koru Neimoidia. The Republic then assaulted Neimoidia itself, deploying AT-ATs and juggernaut tanks. The planet was overwhelmed and suffered greatly as a result; the grub-hatcheries were destroyed by the Republic, threatening the future viability of the Neimoidian race.

Trap at Beledrone
Skywalker and Kenobi's next port of call was Belderone, where they lay in wait with a Republic fleet for the arrival of General Grievous and the Separatist Council. Intelligence of the council's move was relayed to the Republic through Viceroy Gunray's captured mechno-chair, which had been accidentally left behind on Cato Neimoidia. The Battle of Belderone soon broke out, and Skywalker once again demonstrated his considerable piloting skills by braving a wall of turbolaser fire and taking shots at Grievous' flagship, the Invisible Hand. Grievous responded by having the Invisible Hand open fire on refugee transports, killing ten thousand civilians and allowing the cyborg general to flee Belderone.

Holt Kazed
"Master. I haven't always been a patient student. But I have proven myself. I am a Jedi Knight. I won't fail you." "No, Anakin. Don't fail yourself."

- Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Acting on Palpatine's information, Kenobi eventually brought the Third Army to Nelvaan, to investigate the reports of Grievous' presence. While onboard the Kenobi's flag Venator-class Star Destroyer, Commander Cody reported to the two Jedi that there were no Confederate forces in the area, but there were strange geothermal readings from Nelvaan's surface. Debarking for the planet's surface in a CR20 transport, Skywalker, Kenobi, and a detachment of troops landed near an ice lake, before endeavoring into a forest. The two Jedi noticed that several of the planet's creatures were startled, and not by the Republic incursion. A giant horax suddenly burst through the trees, killing the clone troopers with ease. Skywalker, lightsaber at the ready, slashed into one of the creature's feet, before plunging his weapon into the horax's head. Once the dust of battle had cleared, however, a group of Nelvaanians emerged, incensed at Skywalker's actions.

The Jedi were brought to the village of Rokrul on the Nelvaanian mounts. Upon arrival, Skywalker and Kenobi noted that there were only women and children&mdash;no men in sight. The chieftain, Tuzes-Adaz, led the Jedi into a cave where they met with an elder Nelvaanian, Orvos. It became evident to Kenobi, who could understand the Nelvaanese, that Skywalker had interrupted Tuzes-Adaz's son's rite of passage by slaying the horax. Translating Tuzes-Adaz's diatribe, Kenobi relayed to Skywalker that something plagued the Nelvaanian lands, and that the males had been sent out to confront it, only to never return. Tuzes-Adaz's son was to be the next to venture out into the wilderness, before Skywalker had intervened. Orvos then spoke, and although Kenobi was unsure of his translation, he informed Skywalker that he would have to "journey into fire," a prospect that startled the young Jedi.

That night, the Jedi joined the Nelvaanians in gathering around a camp fire for a ceremony conducted by Orvos. The elder began his incantation, in which he "summoned fire," and attempted to divine the true meaning behind Skywalker's arrival on Nelvaan. Orvos threw some of his powders into the fire, and the smoke formed the figure of a hand&mdash;the Nelvaanese "Holt Kazed" was whispered around the fire, which Kenobi translated to "Ghost Hand." Kenobi suddenly pulled Skywalker's right glove off, revealing the prosthetic replacement limb. This prompted recognition and shock from Orvos&mdash;Skywalker was determined to be the one to venture out, and determine what was plaguing the land. In a continuation of the Nelvaanian ritual, Skywalker was taken back into Orvos' cave, where bruise-leech crawlers were applied to his torso, arms, and face. Skywalker questioned the necessity of the ritual, but Kenobi insisted that he respect the Nelvaanian ways. As the crawlers etched markings across Skywalker's body, Orvos instructed him on the path to choose, which was delivered in the form of cryptic sayings about the "mother's cry" and other such metaphors.

Saddling his riding beast the next morning, Skywalker was approached by Kenobi, who informed him that his journey would serve as his final Jedi Trial, the Trial of the Spirit he had yet to face. Skywalker, confident, assured his former master that he would not fail in his task. As he moved deeper into the Nelvaanian wilderness, he remembered the first of Ovrvos' instructions: "you must follow the wind, for it is the mother's cry." Doing so, Skywalker was led to a frozen river, which then followed in accordance with the next instruction, "travel her tears; they are frozen with fear." This in turn led the young Jedi to a cave, which correlated with Orvos' third and final instruction: "enter the mother's mouth, to awake her inner flame." Dismounting from his riding beast, Skywalker explored the cave on foot, narrowly avoiding dangerous steam vents. As he cleared the steam that enshrouded the cave, he noticed that the walls were covered with Nelvaanian markings, depicting their culture. Suddenly, Skywalker began to experience a vision. The Nelvaanians were seen to be conducting their everyday lives, until an angular and insidious monster invaded, threatening their peace. One Nelvaanian warrior battled the beast, fighting it back to whence it came, but as he stood victorious, his arm was bitten off by the monster. It was soon replaced by an angular and dark arm that resembled the monster, which the warrior then used to conquer all variety of monsters and opponents. The arm became stronger with each victory, and when it defeated its final opponent, a horax, it began to spiral out of control, consuming the world and enveloping all the other Nelvaanians. It also claimed the warrior's loved one, and then corrupted the warrior himself, transforming him into a terrifying figure with a triangular mouthpiece. As the vision moved into its final stage, Skywalker heard Amidala's voice cry out his name, before he was sharply thrust back into reality.

When he awoke, Skywalker found himself on the edge of a large cavern, facing a gargantuan siphon generator of Confederate make. Climbing the cavern wall, Skywalker found himself in a Confederate installation, buried deep in the Nelvaanian rock. Clandestinely infiltrating the facility, Skywalker overheard several of its Skakoan overseers discussing "experiments" initiated by Grievous. He soon chanced upon several Nelvaan warriors, stored in tanks, mutated to greatly increased sizes, and with blaster cannons in replacing their left arms. The young Jedi then moved into the area in which the Nelvaanians were mutated&mdash;and watched on as the Skakoan combat engineer had an untainted Nelvaanian, named Harvos, prepared for the trans-formative process. As the Nelvaanian's tank began to fill with the chemicals, Skywalker leaped into action, dispatching the droids guarding the area, and the engineer responded by activating a squad of the mutant Nelvaanians. As they approached Skywalker and raised their weapons, the young Jedi pleaded for them to stop, as he did not wish to inflict any harm upon them.

Nonetheless, the mutated warriors opened fire on Skywalker, and he was forced to defend himself, severing their weapons and sending them flying around the room with the Force. Harvos, who was still being mutated at the time, was enraged by the plight of his fellow Nelvaanians, and broke out of the tank of his own accord. Tackling one of his mutated tribesmen, Harvos pulled strapped-on device off the Nelvaanian's chest, pulling them out of their mind-controlled stupor. Harvos attempted to explain this to Skywalker, but he failed to catch on. Harvos demonstrated once more, and it was all the prompt the young Jedi needed to take his lightsaber to the devices, swiftly and surely subduing all of the mutants. His tribsemen freed, Harvos instructed them to run rampant through the Confederate base, while pointing out to Skywalker the crystal in the middle of an energy chamber powering the installation. Immediately understanding the Nelvaanian, the young Jedi set about his new task.

Hurtling through the base, demolishing enemy droids as he went, Skywalker climbed to the top of the base's interior, and then leapt onto the main power generator's housing. Hanging upside down from the housing, he realized that he would not be able to strike at the crystal, as it was guarded by some sort of protective field. He was, however, able to put his robotic arm through the field, although it caused him a tremendous amount of pain. Summoning the crystal to his hand, Skywalker crushed it, and the resultant explosion destroyed his prosthetic replacement. Other explosions rocked all around the base, and Skywalker narrowly avoided death by nimbly leaping away to safety. By destroying the siphon generator, Skywalker instantaneously reversed the planet's climate, halting the winds, thawing the rivers, and allowing Nelvaan's sun to shine through the atmosphere once more. Emerging from an emergent fault in the ground, Skywalker saw the Skakoan engineers fleeing towards their Hardcell-class transport. Incensed by what he had witnessed in the base, the young Jedi sent the Skakoans flying, pushing them off ravines and away from their escape craft. As their supervisor attempted to pull his blaster on Skywalker, the young Jedi rounded on him, and crushed him through the Force.

The Nelvaanians, seeing their savior bereft of his "ghost hand," pulled off their cannon-equiped replacement arms, mimicking Skywalker's new found disability. They then saluted him, chanting "Holt Kazed" repeatedly. Skywalker then touched their minds through the Force, convincing them to return to their village. Upon their return, their appearance startled the Nelvaanian women, but when Harvos' child recognized him, despite his gross mutation, the returned warriors were reconciled with their families. As the Nelvaanians celebrated that night, Skywalker opted to watch on, and Kenobi wished to discuss his experiences in the cave. The young Jedi vaguely deflected the question, however, and questioned whether or not the Nelvaanians would ever be able to recover. Kenobi believed that they would, as long as they accepted themselves for what they were. In completing his Trial of the Spirit, Skywalker had demonstrated that he was indeed fit to be a Jedi Knight.

Deception at Tythe
"Battlestations! All crews to their fighters! Prepare to jump into hyperspace! Move!"

- General Anakin Skywalker

After helping Nelvaan, Skywalker and Kenobi pursued Count Dooku on the ruined world of Tythe. While working on his replacement arm with R2-D2, Skywalker was approached by Kenobi, who advised him that, despite looking inside himself back on Nelvaan and finding something that he did not like, it was his decisions that would shape his destiny. R2 interrupted with an urgent message from Coruscant&mdash;Master Windu reported that Coruscant was under siege, and that Palpatine had been abducted by General Grievous. Windu ordered Kenobi, Skywalker and the Third Army back to the galactic capital post-haste. Skywalker, thrilled by the prospect of finally confronting the droid general, snapped into action, ordering the crews to their fighters and the fleet into hyperspace.

Rescuing the chancellor
"This is where the fun begins."

- Anakin Skywalker

When Skywalker and Kenobi reached Coruscant, the battle continued to rage above Coruscant. Grievous was attempting to flee with the kidnapped chancellor, and so Kenobi and Skywalker, in their Eta-2 starfighters, joined the fray. The young Jedi soon spotted Grievous' flagship, the Invisible Hand, on which Palpatine was being held. The 501st Legion, pressed into naval service during the emergency, cleared a path for the two Jedi to Grievous' flagship. The pair made their approach, but Vulture droids and tri-fighters deployed from the flagship moved to engage. Kenobi ordered Davijaan and his pilots to form up behind them, and the group engaged the enemy craft. On Kenobi's order, Skywalker allowed the enemy fighters to pass between the Jedi, and engage Davijaan and his men. Hearing the cries of distress from the clones over the comlink as they were gunned down, Skywalker declared that he was going to aid them, but Kenobi reminded him that they were keeping the Confederate fighters engaged so that the Jedi could safely approach the Invisible Hand. Nonetheless, one vulture droid managed to loose a quartet of discord missiles at the Jedi. Although the warheads overshot the Jedi fighters, they soon doubled back, having locked on to the Republic craft. Skywalker's superior piloting ability allowed him to reverse his thrusters and put his fighter into a spin. As a result, the two missiles tailing him collided, neutralizing the threat.

Kenobi was less fortunate, however, and a swarm of buzz droids, unleashed by the missiles, covered his fighter. The droids demolished the Jedi Master's astromech, R4-P17, and began sabotaging his fighter. Kenobi urged Skywalker to go on without him, but the Jedi Knight instead elected to open fire in an attempt to clear the droids off his former master's ship. Although he destroyed some of them, he also inadvertently damaged Kenobi's fighter severely. When Kenobi protested, Skywalker opted for a new tactic&mdash;physically crushing the droids with his own fighter's fuselage. While he was able to destroy most of the droids, the lone survivor made its way onto Skywalker's craft instead, although R2-D2 was able to neutralize it. By now, the Jedi had made it to the Invisible Hand, but as Kenobi pointed out, the shields protecting its hangar bay were still active. Hastily, Skywalker opened fire on the destroyer, collapsing its hangar bay shield. A door rapidly closed to seal the breach, but both Jedi were able to fly through it in time.

The Jedi, emerging from their fighters, made short work of the B1 battle droids guarding the hangar. Meanwhile, R2 ascertained the Chancellor's position&mdash;Palpatine's signal was coming from an observation platform atop the Invisble Hand aft spire, in the communications and sensors pod. Through the Force, Skywalker sensed the presence of Count Dooku, and Kenobi sensed a trap. Without hesitation, the Jedi decided to walk headlong into it, ordering R2-D2 to stay with their fighters. Approaching the turbolifts, the Jedi were confronted by droidekas, forcing them to back their way into one of the lifts. The found it packed full of B1 droids, which they dispatched with ease. As the turbolift ascended the spire, it suddenly came to a halt, prompting Skywalker to cut his way through the ceiling, while Kenobi contacted R2 for aid. Leaping outside the turbolift, Skywalker surveyed the situation, but the lift suddenly plummeted beneath his feet. Holding on to one of the outer walls, Skywalker was soon held at blasterpoint by a pair of battle droids who emerged from above. Soon enough, the turbolift came racing back up the shaft, allowing the Jedi Knight to escape the droids and jump back on its roof. Kenobi blamed the mishap on R2, but Skywalker defended his droid's efforts, in spite of the error.

Emerging in the communications pod, Skywalker and Kenobi approached the captive Chancellor, who was locked in a chair. Skywalker made sure that Palpatine had not been harmed, and the Chancellor informed them of Dooku's presence. Sure enough, the count emerged, and approached the Jedi, requesting their surrender. Palpatine warned them that they were no match for Dooku, a Sith Lord; Skywalker and Kenobi stood firm, however, agreeing to attack him in unison after the disastrous showdown on Geonosis at the start of the war. The duel commenced, and Skywalker was confident that his powers had doubled since their previous encounter, but Dooku was able to fend both of the Jedi off, in spite of their combined efforts. Kenobi managed to destroy the battle droids escorting the count, but Dooku retaliated by incapacitating the Jedi Master, bringing a heavy gantry down on the stricken Kenobi. Skywalker, angered, kicked Dooku from the higher walkway, and pursued him with a rapid barrage of strikes. Dooku goaded him, sensing fear, as well as untapped hate and anger in the young Jedi. Redoubling his attack, Skywalker pushed Dooku back towards the captive Chancellor. Pressing his advantage, he sliced off both of the count's hands, before taking Dooku's lightsaber in his free hand and holding both blades at his defeated opponent's neck. Palpatine, pleased by the development, urged Skywalker to execute Dooku. Conflicted, the young Jedi hesitated, but the Chancellor egged him on. Uncrossing his scissored blades, Skywalker beheaded Dooku, the Confederate head of state, with a singular movement. The young Jedi was immediately repentant as he freed Palpatine from his bonds, but the Chancellor reminded him that Dooku was to dangerous to have been left alive. Skywalker, however, was aghast at the fact that he had just killed an unarmed prisoner, which was not conduct befitting a Jedi Knight. Palpatine suggested that it was only natural that Skywalker seek revenge for the loss of his right arm to the count, reminding him of his slaughter of the Tusken Raider camp before the war.

As he and Palpatine hurried out of the room, Skywalker moved to recover the unconscious Kenobi. The Chancellor protested, insisting that they get off the ship before it was too late. Skywalker, however, would not abandon his former master, and chose to carry his unconscious form. Complicating matters was the fact that the elevators were not working. As Skywalker called R2 to activate the turbolifts, the Invisible Hand was stricken while engaging in broadsides with destroyer Guarlara. As Grievous' ship began its descent towards Coruscant's atmosphere, the gravity in the ship was disrupted, forcing Skywalker and Palpatine to scramble towards the open elevator door. Working their way into the shaft, which was now horizontally aligned, they ran down it, until the Invisible Hand righted itself. Skywalker, Palpatine, and Kenobi, still unconscious, began to fall down the shaft as it returned to its vertical alignment, until Skywalker caught on to some wiring, halting their fall as Palpatine clung to his leg. Kenobi regained consciousness as an elevator began to descend rapidly towards their position. Skywalker attempted to contact R2 again, Kenobi ordered them to jump. As they fell, the Jedi produced their grappling hooks, which allowed them and Palpatine to swing into an open doorway below.

Kenobi then suggested that they make their way to the hangar bay, in the hopes of finding a craft still spaceworthy with which they could flee the Invisible Hand. Skywalker ordered R2 to join them, but as the Jedi and the Chancellor hurried down a hallway, they were trapped by ray shields. With no solution to the new problem, Skywalker opted to wait for R2 to arrive, and lower the shields. Sure enough, the astromech arrived, but with battle droids in pursuit. The Jedi, and the Chancellor by extension, were captured, and brought to the bridge to face General Grievous himself. Skywalker's and Kenobi's lightsabers were confiscated and presented to the general, who had amassed a collection of the Jedi weapons over the course of the war. Grievous riled Skywalker, expecting someone with his grandiose reputation to have been more advanced in his years; Skywalker retorted by being surprised at the towering cyborg's lack of height. As the general preened, Skywalker had R2 create a diversion, while Kenobi summoned his weapon back to his hand. The Jedi Master freed Skywalker from his bonds, allowing the Jedi Knight to arm himself as well. Grievous' IG-100 MagnaGuards moved to engage the Jedi, and Skywalker dispatched IG-102 quickly, before freeing the Chancellor. As Kenobi destroyed IG-101, Skywalker began demolishing the pilot droids helming the Invisible Hand, before he and his former master cornered the cyborg general. Defiantly, Grievous picked up a fallen electrostaff and hurled it at one of the bridge's windows, sucking both him and the oxygen out of the ship and into space.

As explosions rocked the Invisible Hand, a shutter closed over the breach, returning the bridge to its normal state. Finishing off the last of the pilot droids while the ship's captain, Lushros Dofine, fled the bridge with some other droids in tow, the Jedi noted that the escape pods had been launched by none other than Grievous, who had temporarily made his way back onto the craft. Kenobi asked Skywalker whether he knew how to fly the Providence-class destroyer&mdash;the young Jedi found the question irrelevant, as the Invisible Hand was crippled, and slowly disintegrating. Nevertheless, Skywalker took the helm, in an attempt to land what was left of the destroyer on Coruscant. He had Kenobi open all of the ship's hatches, extending the drag fins, but the ship soon suffered a major breach, tearing it in half. Skywalker fought to control the ship as it entered the atmosphere, gaining heat and speed as it bore down on Galactic City. Emergency firespeeders pulled in alongside the Invisible Hand prow as it made its approach, attempting to extinguish the flames spreading across the fuselage. The ship, hitting Coruscant's surface, skidded along an uninhabited strip, before grinding to a halt. The Chancellor was safe, the mission a success, and the achievement only served to bolster Skywalker's legend throughout the Republic.

Conflicted Councilman
"You're asking me to do something against the Jedi Code. Against the Republic. Against a mentor, and a friend. That's what's out of place here. Why are you asking this of me?" "&hellip;The Council is asking you."

- Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Skywalker, Kenobi, R2-D2 and Palpatine were ferried to the Republic Executive Building in a shuttlebus. There, Palpatine was greeted by a phalanx of dignitaries and Master Windu. Kenobi was reluctant to join the politicians, conceding that Skywalker was the hero of the hour, despite the younger Jedi's insistence to the contrary. The Jedi Master departed to report to the Council, while Skywalker conversed briefly with Senator Bail Organa. They discussed the ongoing state of the war&mdash;with Dooku dead, Grievous would assume leadership of the Confederacy. Noticing his wife hiding in the shadows, Skywalker excused himself, and was reunited with Amidala after months absent from the capital. The senator had heard rumors of her husband's death, and was relieved to see him alive. Skywalker, however, detected something unusual, and Amidala informed him that she was pregnant. The young Jedi was overjoyed&mdash;it was the happiest moment of his life, in his words, although it was clear to him that his marriage would not remain a secret for long.

Spending the night with Amidala at her apartment, Skywalker experienced a nightmare similar to the ones he had three years prior, of his mother in great pain. This time, he saw his wife, crying out for him, and dying in childbirth. Waking from his slumber with a start, he moved out to the veranda to ponder his nightmarish vision, where he was soon joined by Amidala. When she questioned him as to what exactly troubled him, the young man initially avoided the question. Eventually, he confessed what he had seen, although he was unsure whether their baby would survive or not. Amidala dismissed it as a mere dream, but Skywalker was determined no to let what he had seen come to pass. The senator conceded that their lives would change when the baby was born&mdash;Apailana, current Queen of Naboo, would likely terminate Amidala's tenure as senator, and Skywalker would probably be expelled from the Jedi Order. When the senator suggested turning to Kenobi for aid, Skywalker was dismissive.

Nevertheless, Skywalker visited Master Yoda at the Jedi Temple, seeking advice. The elderly Jedi's curiosity was piqued by Skywalker's premonitions, but the younger man was vague in his details, lest he reveal his attachment to Amidala. Essentially, Yoda advised Skywalker to let go of everything he feared to lose&mdash;as a Jedi, he should rejoice when his loved ones became joined the Force, and should not mourn their departure. Unsatisfied with the Grand Master's teachings, Skywalker then joined Kenobi after the Jedi Master had provided a briefing on the Outer Rim Sieges. Although the Republic was yielding progress, and had taken Saleucami, Skywalker sensed discontent in Kenobi. The Jedi Master was disturbed by the fact that the senate was on the brink of granting Chancellor Palpatine yet more executive powers. Skywalker saw no problem with this&mdash;he was confident that Palpatine would be able to ascertain swift and decisive victory for the Republic through his reforms, but Kenobi was not so sure of the chancellor's intentions. The Jedi Master's suspicions were heightened by the fact that Palpatine had requested a private audience with Skywalker, without going through the Council first.

As requested, Skywalker met with Palpatine. The Chancellor believed that the Jedi Council would make a grab for more power in the Republic, and as such, Palpatine asked his informal pupil for help&mdash;he appointed Skywalker to be his personal representative on the Council itself. Assuming that he would be made a Jedi Master as a result of his new appointment, Skywalker was overwhelmed with gratitude, although he was skeptical that the other Masters would accept his appointment, as they generally approached such matters internally. Palpatine had his way, though&mdash;and Skywalker's admission to the High Council was granted. Master Yoda, however, found Palpatine's request disturbing, and Master Windu informed Skywalker that although he would serve as a Councilman, he would not be granted the rank of Jedi Master. The young Jedi took great umbrage at what he perceived to be a slight against him&mdash;he railed against the Council, until Windu silenced him. Forced into silence, Skywalker dutifully took his seat. The meeting's conversation turned to the ongoing war, and it was decided that Yoda would be dispatched to Kashyyyk to aid the Wookiees against the Confederate advance.

Skywalker's ego having only been inflated over the course of the Clone Wars, he regarded the masters with a sense of ire and scorn. After the meeting, he spoke privately with Kenobi, lambasting the Council's decision to deny him Mastery. To Skywalker's knowledge, no one had ever sat on the Council while holding the rank of Jedi Knight&mdash;a fact he found to be highly insulting. Kenobi retorted, reminding him that another precedent had been set&mdash;he was the youngest Jedi to ever sit on the Council. Kenobi rationalized the Council's decision, as they felt Skywalker was too close to Palpatine, and that it was his friendship with the Chancellor that had secured him the position. Skywalker's former master went on to explain, reluctantly, that it was Palpatine's trust in the young Jedi that had prompted the Council to allow the appointment&mdash;it was their instruction that Skywalker report on all of the Chancellor's movements and dealings. The young Jedi was disgusted by the prospect, believing that his mission, which was to be strictly "off the record," was seditious and treasonous, in spite of the fact that the Jedi were meant to be loyal to the senate itself, rather than its appointed leader. The young Jedi was also applaled at the idea of having to betray a man who had guided and befriended him ever since he had arrived on the capital.

A terrible truth
"Is it possible to learn this power?" "Not from a Jedi."

- Anakin Skywalker and Palpatine

Soon, Skywalker came to believe that he was the only Jedi who trusted the Supreme Chancellor. He aired his concerns to his wife, only to find that she too had her doubts about Palpatine. Now that he was closer to the Chancellor than anyone, she implored him to persuade Palpatine to pursue a peaceful conclusion to the war. Skywalker bristled at the suggestion, and angrily dismissed it, prompting Amidala to ask what was wrong. The young man shut her out, however, keeping his reservations to himself. At night, he met with Palpatine at the Galaxies Opera House, during a performance of Squid Lake. The young Jedi joined the Chancellor in his private box, with Vice Chair Mas Amedda, Senior Administrative Aide Sly Moore, and Senator Sweitt Concorkill. Palpatine's Clone Intelligence units had located Grievous&mdash;he had sought refuge in the Utapau system. The Chancellor sought to fuel the young man's ego further, suggesting that the Council would be unwise to dispatch anyone other than Skywalker himself to destroy Grievous and end the war.

Palpatine dismissed Amedda, Moore, and Concorkill, and bade that Skywalker join him. Palpatine began to alluded to a "plot" laid by the Jedi Council, in which the Jedi were conspiring to betray the Chancellor, and seize control of the Galactic Republic. The Jedi, in the Chancellor's views, had little concern for the Republic, the Senate, or even democracy itself. Skywalker objected, but Palpatine told him to search his feelings&mdash;indeed, the young Jedi was deeply conflicted over his instructions to essentially spy on the chancellor. Palpatine was able to divine as much from Skywalker's reactions, to the Jedi Knight's surprise. The Chancellor reminded Skywalker of his early teachings&mdash;namely, that those with power feared losing it. The young man claimed that the Jedi used their powers in the service of good, but Palpatine did not feel that "good" was as concrete an idea as Skywalker apparently did. Instead, the Chancellor suggested that the Jedi bore strong resemblance to the Sith. Skywalker argued that the Sith were selfish, thinking only of themselves, while Jedi lived to serve others.

Palpatine went on to tell Skywalker "The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise," a Sith legend that told of Plagueis, a Dark Lord of the Sith who could influence the midi-chlorians to create life. Not only that, but Plagueis' knowledge extended so far that he could also prevent the death of his loved ones with the power of the dark side. This piqued Skywalker's curiosity&mdash;the young Jedi wished to know what had happened to the Dark Lord. Palpatine, with a smile, told him that Plagueis taught his apprentice all that he knew, before the apprentice killed the Dark Lord in his sleep&mdash;Plagueis had been able to save others from death, but not himself. Skywalker, intrigued, wished to know whether Darth Plagueis' powers could be learned. Palpatine insinuated that they could indeed, but not from any Jedi.

Palpatine passed on the details of Clone Intelligence's findings to Skywalker, and the young Jedi dutifully reported back to the Council with the news. A partial message from the Chairman of Utapau had confirmed Grievous' location, and Skywalker relayed Palpatine's request that he lead the Utapau campaign. Windu was uninterested in the suggestion, and Yoda suggested that a Master be sent. Ki-Adi-Mundi recommended that Kenobi be sent, and the decision was made. Skywalker accompanied his former master to the staging grounds, and apologized for his more recent conduct, which he felt had been arrogant and ungrateful. Kenobi was not annoyed at all&mdash;instead, he praised his former apprentice, telling him that he had far exceeded Kenobi's own talent as a Jedi. He also advised Skywalker to be patient, as he believed that the Council would indeed promote him to Jedi Master before long. As his former master departed, Skywalker wished Kenobi good luck, and the elder Jedi did likewise in turn.

Back at Amidala's apartment, Skywalker experienced another vision of Amidala in labor, this time with Kenobi in attendance. He correctly divined that his former master had been at the apartment the morning. According to Amidala, Kenobi was concerned about the pressure being heaped upon Skywalker. The young man confessed that he felt he had lost the trust of both his former master and the Council, a fear that was compounded by the fact that Skywalker kept wanting more than he was given&mdash;a mindset generally frowned upon by the Jedi. Amidala tried to reassure him that he expected too much of himself, but Skywalker was convinced he had found a way to save his wife from his dreams. He solemnly vowed to Amidala that she would not perish in childbirth.

At the Jedi Temple, Skywalker joined Windu in the Situation Room, where they entered a holo-conference with Masters Yoda, Ki-Ad-Mundi, and Aayla Secura. Commander Cody soon came into contact, reporting that Kenobi had engaged Grievous, and that the Third Army had commenced its assault on the world. Windu, satisfied, dispatched Skywalker to Palpatine's office, hoping that the Chancellor's reaction to the news would help the Jedi ascertain just what Palpatine intended to do next. As per his instructions, Skywalker delivered the news, and admitted to the Chancellor that he felt he should be by Kenobi's side on Utapau. Palpatine lamented the Council's lack of appreciation for Skywalker's raw talent, as well as their refusal to promote him to Jedi Master. The young Jedi believed that he was being incrementally shut out of the Council, and that they were keeping their knowledge of aspects of the Force from him.

The Chancellor suggested that the Council had seen Skywalker's future, in which he would be too strong for them to control. The older man suggested that the young Jedi seek to break through what he called the "fog of lies" the Jedi had constructed around him. He offered to help Skywalker understand the nature of the Force, and the young Jedi was taken aback, not having realized that the Chancellor was Force-sensitive. Palpatine elaborated, claiming that his master had taught him everything about the Force, including the powers of the dark side. This confounded Skywalker even further, and Palpatine argued that to truly understand the Force one needed to embrace a wider view of it, rather than the blinkered, singular approach of the Jedi. He went on to tell Skywalker that he could impart his knowledge of the Force to him, specifically the ability to save his wife from her certain death. Skywalker, shocked that Palpatine had discovered not only his secret matrimony but the visions of death, quickly realized that Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, was in fact the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, who the Jedi had been hunting since the start of the war. He drew his weapon instantly, but Palpatine implored him to denounce the ways of the Jedi, and become something greater altogether. Skywalker, furious in light of the revelation, had to hold himself back from striking down the Sith Lord where he stood, and eventually relented, deciding to turn Palpatine over to the Jedi Council instead.

Returning to the Jedi Temple, Skywalker approached Windu, who had assembled a team consisting of Masters Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin, and Agen Kolar, and was preparing to confront Palpatine and have him relinquish his emergency powers, as a recent report had indicated that Grievous was slain in the Battle of Utapau. Skywalker, however, informed him of the fact that Palpatine was in fact Sidious, the Sith Lord. Windu, incredulous, grimly accepted the fact, and Skywalker suggested that he accompany the Masters as they attempted to arrest the Chancellor. Windu sensed a great deal of conflict within the younger Jedi however, and instructed him to wait in the council chambers until he and the other Masters returned. Skywalker did as he was bidden, but as the sun set on Galactic City, he began to ponder his decision. He heard Palpatine's voice, reminding him that any chance he would have to save Amidala would be lost if the Council succeeded in arresting him. Staring out the Council Chamber windows, Skywalker looked across the city to his wife's apartment, and finally decided where his allegiances truly lay: with the Supreme Chancellor.

The new Dark Lord of the Sith
"Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth&hellip;Vader."

- Palpatine

Skywalker raced down to one of the temple hangars, taking a DC0052 speeder to the Republic Executive Building. Briskly striding into Palpatine's office, he arrived to see Windu holding Palpatine at saber point. As the Jedi Master announced the Chancellor was under arrest, Palpatine protested feebly, telling Skywalker that this was proof of the council's intent to take over the Republic. Windu was confident that Sith rule would never return to the galaxy, prompting a violent rebuttal from the Chancellor. Palpatine blasted the Jedi Master with Sith lightning&mdash;Windu defended himself with his lightsaber, reflecting the bolts back at the Chancellor. Skywalker watched on as both combatants pleaded with him, begging for his allegiance. Palpatine's reflected lightning began horrifically scarring his face, and the Chancellor was apparently in such pain that he could no longer maintain the barrage. Windu, incensed, announced his intention kill the Chancellor, but Skywalker protested, trying to persuade his superior that Palpatine should stand trial for his crimes. Windu, however, felt that Palpatine was far too dangerous to be left alive, but he readied his killing blow, Skywalker quickly intervened, shearing off the Jedi Master's right hand with his own weapon. Palpatine took the advantage, blasting the unarmed Windu with a torrent of lightning, before propelling him out the window and into the city below to his death.

Aghast at his own actions, Skywalker was approached by the now-deformed Palpatine, who urged him to become the Sith Lord's apprentice. The young man was only interested in saving his wife, and Palpatine revealed that only Plagueis had ever achieved the ability to stop death, but he was confident that if he and Skywalker worked together, they would be able to learn the ability. Giving himself into his darkest nature, Skywalker then pledged himself to Palpatine's Sith teachings, who in turn gave the young man a new, Sith name: "Darth Vader." The bequeathing of the name, and Skywalker's new allegiance to the Sith caused a disturbance in the Force. Palpatine, taking into account the fact that the council had not trusted Skywalker, believed that he alone was the only Jedi with no knowledge of their "plot." The Chancellor was confident that the Jedi Order would try to kill both he and Vader. The newly anointed Sith agreed&mdash;it was his belief that the Jedi would opt to move against the Galactic Senate itself next. Palpatine declared that all Jedi were now enemies of the Republic, and instructed Vader to go back to the Jedi Temple, in the hopes that they would catch the order off balance with an instant punitive attack. The Sith Lord advised his apprentice to show no mercy with the Jedi at the temple, as he would then have the strength to save Amidala. Palpatine also assured Vader that the other Jedi across the galaxy on the battlefronts would be dealt with, before instructing his new apprentice to travel to the Mustafar system, where he was to assassinate the entire Separatist Council, and bring an end to the Clone Wars. Vader was assured of the fact that he was doing no wrong, and that Palpatine's cause was more righteous than that of the Jedi.

Vader had command of the 501st Legion transferred over to him as part of Operation: Knightfall, and led his new army personally up the steps of the Jedi Temple. Simultaneously, Palpatine issued "Order 66," which prompted all clone troopers across the galaxy to turn on their Jedi Generals, and kill them without hesitation. Upon arrival at the temple, Vader dispatched his troops to gun down the Jedi within. The Jedi, realizing that they would inevitably fall to the attackers, attempted to destroy the Jedi archives, but Vader, acting quickly, sent troops to preserve the holo books. Retrieving several holocrons, Vader then dueled and executed three Jedi Masters. During the massacre, Vader made his way to the Room of a Thousand Fountains, where he battled and killed Whie Malreaux, Bene, and Cin Drallig. As his troops continued to gun down Jedi, Vader made his way to the High Council chamber, where several younglings were hiding. He was approached by the child Sors Bandeam, who was unaware of Vader's duplicity and sought guidance. Vader merely lit his saber, and cut down the children without mercy. When the battle had ended and the temple was taken, Palpatine himself arrived, commended Vader for his work, and bade that he go and complete his other tasks.

Before departing for Mustafar, Vader flew to Amidala's apartment, to make sure that his wife and unborn child were safe. Amidala could see the burning temple from her apartment, and had heard about the attack&mdash;she was distraught, fearing that her husband had been killed. Vader informed her of the Jedi rebellion, and that he had decided to align himself with the Chancellor rather than the insurgent Jedi force. Amidala was incredulous, and concerned about Kenobi&mdash;Vader told her that they could only hope that he had remained loyal to the Republic. The new Sith then told his wife to wait for him on Coruscant, has he was departing immediately for Mustafar to end the war.

Betrayed
"I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire!"

- Darth Vader

Arriving at Mustafar, Vader landed his fighter at the Klegger Corp Mining Facility, and instructed R2-D2 to stay with his ship. Striding into the Separatist Council War Room, Vader was greeted by none other than Viceroy Gunray. Wordlessly, the new Sith used the Force to seal the room's exits, before hewing into the assembled Confederate leadership. He met limited resistance from the security droids as he cut down Senators Po Nudo and Tikkes, Magistrate Passel Argente, Archduke Poggle the Lesser, and aide Rute Gunnay. By this point, Vader was so immersed in the dark side that his irises became yellow, and he cornered Foreman Wat Tambor in the Conference Room. The last of the Separatist Council to fall to Vader's blade was Viceroy Gunray himself, the continual tormentor of the young man's wife for over a decade. The Neimoidian pleaded with him for mercy, but Vader viciously slashed him across the chest, bringing an end to the Confederate leadership. Simultaneously, back on Coruscant, Palpatine issued the Declaration of a New Order, sealing himself in office as Emperor, with Vader as his right hand man.

Vader slowly began slipping into his new persona: an irredeemable fountain of evil, devoid of fear and craving power. After a while alone in the mining facility, Vader contacted the new Emperor, and informed him of his success. Palpatine was pleased, and instructed Vader to make contact with the fleets of the Trade Federation, and instruct them to shut down all of their battle droid units, to conclusively bring an end to the Clone Wars. As he broke communication with the Emperor, Vader noticed his wife's J-type star skiff on approach. Meeting his wife on the landing platform, the young Sith inquired as to just why Amidala had ventured out to Mustafar&mdash;she informed him that Kenobi had told her that Vader had turned to the dark side, and had slaughtered children. Vader retorted, saying that Kenobi was trying to turn her against him, but Amidala was not convinced, as she felt that the Jedi Master genuinely cared for the both of them. She confirmed that he was aware of their marriage, and Amidala's pregnancy. Vader's wife pleaded with him asking him to turn back from the path he had taken and raise their child in privacy, away from the center of the events gripping the galaxy. Vader, however, pointed out to her that they no longer had to hide their union, as he was no longer bound to the Jedi. Furthermore, Vader was confident that he was more powerful than Palpatine, and could overthrow him, leaving him to rule the galaxy with Amidala at his side.

The senator was shocked by Vader's words, stepping away from him and breaking into tears over what she was hearing from her husband. Vader grew irritable, feeling that now his wife too had turned against him. She tearfully told him that she could not follow him down his chosen path&mdash;Vader suspected it was because of Kenobi, and his suspicions were seemingly confirmed when he noticed his old master emerging from his wife's skiff. Amidala, pleaded with Vader, reminding him that she still loved him, but the young Sith was now inconsolable, and branded her a liar. He now believed that his wife had brought Kenobi to Mustafar with the intent of having him killed&mdash;feeling betrayed, he began throttling his wife through the Force, with the intent of killing her instead. At Kenobi's urging, he let her go, and she slumped to the ground, unconscious. Mad with rage, Vader accused Kenobi of turning his wife against him, and swore that his old master would not take her away from him. Kenobi, disgusted with his apprentice's actions, lambasted Vader for allowing himself to be swayed by Palpatine's words, accusing the younger man of having become the very thing he, as a Jedi, and as the Chosen One, swore to destroy. Vader, however, was adamant that he had brought peace and stability to Palpatine's new Galactic Empire. Kenobi refused to subscribe to the New Order, and defiantly drew his lightsaber. Vader did likewise, and a frenzied and violent duel commenced.

Immolation
"I hate you!" "You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you!"

- Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Exchanging blows in a violent tattoo, Vader and Kenobi moved away from the landed skiff and back into the war room. Their battle eventually brought them into the conference room, where Vader tried to physically choke the life out of his old master. The found themselves disarmed, and began violently kicking at one another before resuming the duel proper. Fighting toe-to-toe back in the war room, Vader and Kenobi then attempted to push at one another through the Force. As a result, both were sent flying, and as Vader attempted to rejoin the fight, he accidentally hit a control panel, lowering the facility's external shields, leaving the giant vanes outside vulnerable to the hot and volatile magma flowing nearby. The duel moved outside once again, this time towards the vanes themselves. The footing on which Sith and Jedi fought grew more and more perilous, until their battle took them onto one of the vanes. An eruption of lava, however, severed the vane from the facility itself, leaving Vader and Kenobi perilously clinging to it as it sailed down a molten river. Despite the the danger, the two still exchanged blows with their sabers.

Observing that the vane was about to be pulled off a perilous cliff, Kenobi leaped onto a propelled mining platform. Skywalker took more time to get off the vane, and landed on a small panning droid, which ferried him to Kenobi's position. Although the combatants were weary, the duel resumed its violent rhythm. Kenobi admitted that he had failed Vader as a master. Vader ignored him, saying that he should have realized the Jedi plot long before. Kenobi, incredulous, insisted that Palpatine was evil, but from where Vader stood, it was the Jedi who were truly evil. The young Sith then jumped on to Kenobi's platform, and the former master and apprentice once again found themselves fighting toe to toe. Kenobi eventually leaped off the platform, to an ashen embankment where he had the higher ground. Although the Jedi Master announced that the duel was over, Vader was confident that he could leap over Kenobi, and defeat him. With a yell, he launched himself into the air, but fell short of his target. Instead, Kenobi's blade intercepted him mid-air, and cleaved off his left arm, and both legs at the knee.

With only his prosthetic arm remaining, Vader tumbled down the shore, his body now close to the river of lava. Howling with pain, the young man was once again lambasted by an emotional Kenobi for his choices&mdash;the Jedi Master bemoaned the fact that his apprentice, the prophesied Chosen One, had joined the Sith instead of destroying them. As Kenobi walked away and collected Vader's discarded weapon, the young man, filled with rage, spat out that he hated Kenobi. In contrast, the Jedi Master announced that he had loved his former apprentice as a brother. Vader was now perilously close to the lava, and his tunic began to catch fire. The flames licked up the young man's back as he screamed in pain, burning away his flesh and hair. Immersed in the dark side once more, Vader was effectively immolated, as Kenobi walked away. Crippled, and close to death, Vader clawed his way up the embankment with his robotic hand. Soon, his new master, Palpatine arrived, with a squad of stormtroopers. The new Emperor urged his troops to bring a medical capsule as he made his way down the embankment to his apprentice. Vader was soon placed in the capsule, and ferried back to Coruscant in Palpatine's shuttle.

Back on Coruscant, Vader was taken to the Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center, where he underwent operations to save his life, during which he screamed continually. In order to preserve the midi-chlorians still left in his ravaged body, the medical droids did not use any anesthetic, prompting Vader to scream throughout the entire operation. He was fitted with new cybernetic replacements, and was effectively entombed in a suit of armor that allowed him to breath properly once more, although the respiratory act caused Vader considerable pain. Donning a nightmarish breath mask and helmet, through which his vision was altered significantly, his transformation was complete. Vader's first question for Palpatine was whether or not Amidala was alright. The Emperor informed him that in his anger, he had in fact killed his wife. Rocked to the core, Vader could not believe it, breaking free of his bonds and taking his first, disjointed steps with his new legs. As he howled mournfully, he destroyed the droids that had operated on him through the Force, in his rage. The news caused Vader to completely and utterly shed his former identity. Devoid of love and unable to touch anything, Vader became a cold and harsh individual. He considered the world of his birth to now be Mustafar, and looked upon "Anakin Skywalker" as an utterly separate person. Not long afterward, Vader joined Palpatine in meeting with Governor Wilhuff Tarkin, to observe development on a new project of the Emperor's&mdash;the Death Star.

Adapting to the suit
Vader found it exceptionally difficult to adapt to the new suit of armor. Since the operation had been rushed to preserve his life, the suit was cumbersome and far from being properly customized to suit him personally. Due to the fact that it was the only thing keeping him alive, Vader would not survive a transfer to a new suit of armor, and so he had to resign himself to the fact that he would permanently be locked inside the towering mass of ebon metal. His only moments of freedom came when he meditated in his hyperbaric chamber, which allowed him to remove his nightmarish mask. During moments of solitude, he would immerse himself in the dark side, and hone his skills. As he continued to adjust to his new suit, Vader constructed a new lightsaber, using a crimson Sith crystal that Palpatine had provided him with.

Shryne
Vader's earliest missions usually involved tracking down and eliminating Jedi who had survived Order 66, as Palpatine wished to test the extent to which his new apprentice's powers had survived the ordeal on Mustafar. Vader followed up on every lead, but he never came across Masters Kenobi or Yoda. He progressively pushed himself further away from his old identity as Skywalker, and instead of being influenced by pain inflicted on him, he chose to inflict it on others. Whilst few knew of his identity, the Galaxy at large soon became aware of Vader. Palpatine kept Vader working, to prevent him from wallowing in his own self-pity. One such mission sent Vader to Kashyyyk. The engagement led to the enslavement of the local Wookiees, as the Imperials were aided by the local Trandoshans. The Wookiees were later forced into labor on Imperial construction projects.

The Kessel conclave
Reports claimed that he had tracked down and killed a nest of fifty Jedi all by himself. Speculation abounded, but Vader never did anything to reveal his true identity.

The purge continues
Remaining the person to hold the highest midi-chlorian count ever, Vader set up warning flags on the Imperial MedNet, that would alert him whenever someone tried to access that particular element of Jedi culture and science.

One such Jedi that Vader tasked his agents and bounty hunters with tracking down was Sian Jeisel.

Jax Pavan
When the Elomin populace of Elom were enslaved, Vader picked one of their number out, Haninum Tyk Rhinann, to serve as his personal aide. Several months later, Vader began taking interest in the fate of his old friend, Jax Pavan, a fugitive in the wake of Operation: Knightfall. Hoping to capture Pavan, Vader devised an elaborate trap. Rumours were passed around the Coruscant underworld that the droid 10-4TO contained information vital to the Whiplash movement. In truth, the droid contained no such data, but nevertheless, the stories reached former Jedi Councilman Even Piell, who had been Pavan's master. Stormtroopers were shortly thereafter dispatched to kill Piell, but Vader hoped that the Jedi Councilman would be able to relay the importance of 10-4TO to his former apprentice.

Some time afterwards, Vader sensed the death of Piell through the Force. Subsequently, Vader summoned Rhinann to his antechamber for a report. The Elomin started by reporting on Piell's death, but Vader moved on to another subject: the capture of Jax Pavan. The Dark Lord had been able to pinpoint Pavan's location as being somewhere within the Yaam Sector of Imperial Center, but would not be able to locate his exact position through the Force, lest Pavan discovered Vader's intent. Thus, Vader assigned the task of tracking down Pavan to Rhinann.

Rhinann came back shortly afterwards with holographic imagery of an altercation between stormtroopers, wanted criminal Nick Rostu, and a man wielding a lightsaber, who Vader knew to be Pavan. Confirming the man's identity for his subordinate, Vader had Rhinann hire Captain Drach Coven to bring Rostu in. The Dark Lord intended to use Rostu to locate Pavan, but the Korunnai was not so willing at first. Using the Force, Vader invaded Rostu's mind, and then gave him two choices: he could either help the Empire hunt down and trap Pavan, or Vader would have him thrown in prison on Despayre, and Ghôsh Rostu would be exterminated. Left with little choice, Rostu left Vader's presence a broken man.

Rostu was given Coven's ship, the Far Ranger, with which to locate Pavan. Vader grew impatient however, and demanded constant updates from Rhinann. The aide was unable to confirm that Rostu had made contact with Pavan, and so in due course, the Dark Lord chose to pursue the Korunnai himself, using the subcutaneous tracer that had been planted in Rostu's body. Setting out in his Lambda-class T-4a shuttle, captained by a man named Tanna, Vader traced Rostu, and, he assumed, Pavan, to the Factory District of Imperial Center. With Rhinann and a detachment of troops tagging along, Vader had his shuttle move into position outside the building the fugitives had been tracked to. Two other ships were there, parked: the Far Ranger, and a Conqueror-class assault ship, the ''Stinger.

Vader, warning Tanna of Pavan's strong affinity for the Force, gave orders for the Jedi fugitive to be taken alive. Pavan's companions, however, were to be killed. Tanna had been told that the objective of the mission was to retrieve 10-4TO, but the Dark Lord assured him that Pavan was the primary target. After some time, Vader, Rhinann, and Tanna were met with the puzzling sight of Prince Xizor of House Sizhran fleeing the building. Vader ordered Tanna to let the prince go&mdash;being royalty, he was granted diplomatic immunity, and the context of his presence was a mystery to the Imperials. As the Dark Lord watched on, Xizor boarded the Stinger and hurriedly departed the scene. They continued to wait afterwards, until a lieutenant reported that there had been an immense buildup of heat and radioactivity from below the building, a derelict droid plant. Deducing that the reactor core was overloading, Vader supposed that in fourteen minutes the entire area would explode.

Accepting the fact that he would no longer be able to arrest Pavan alive, Vader instructed Tanna to take the shuttle out of range of the predicted blast, and then destroy the Far Ranger. As soon as the order left his vocal synthesizer, however, Pavan departed the building with his companions&mdash;Gray Paladin Laranth Tarak, protocol droid I-5YQ, Black Sun assassin Kaird, journalist Den Dhur, and Rostu, who had been recently injured during an altercation. Seizing the moment, Vader had troops dispatched to round up Pavan and his companions, in spite of the impending danger from the reactor core. The Dark Lord was unable to predict Pavan's next move however: the Jedi Knight leapt towards the shuttle, lightwhip in hand, and sliced through the shuttle's forward repulsorlift vanes.

The shuttle's crew began to panic, and Rhinann swiftly abandoned ship. Tanna and his crew continued to struggle, and tried to bypass the damaged vanes. The ship was lost, though, and Vader knew it; boarding an escape pod, he jetissoned himself free of the flailing Lambda-class ship, and out of the range of the subsequent explosion. Several months later, he decided he would enlist the services of the bounty hunter Aurra Sing, who was incarcerated in Desolation Alley, Oovo IV. In order to test Sing's suitability for the task of tracking down Pavan, he sent four assassins to Oovo IV to fight her, while he observed remotely. She didn't disappoint, incapacitating a Trandoshan assassin quickly. Vader offered her a job, and she accepted. He then had the other three assassins attack her; Sing survived, and was brought to Imperial Center.

Outsourcing the hunt
"Go now, dog, and return with the bone I sent you to find."

- Darth Vader

Vader issued Sing with Prime Civilian Immunity status on Imperial Center, and had a skylimo bring her to a secluded area in one of Imperial City's more shady districts. When she arrived, she was not immediately aware of Vader's presence, but as soon as she detected him, she ignighted one of her lightsabers in defense. The Dark Lord immediately summoned the weapon to his hand, and overloaded its crystal with the power of the Force, rendering it useless. Warning her to never raise a weapon against him again, Vader instructed her to go to the ruins of the Jedi Temple, to seek clues as to Pavan's whereabouts.

Some time later, Sing met Vader, empty-handed, in his chamber at the Imperial Palace. At first, she questioned his motives and his lifestyle, prompting nothing but mirth from the Dark Lord. Then, she demanded his respect, but Vader insisted that it be earned. The bounty hunter responded by attempting to punch the Dark Lord in the mask, but Vader was more than able to best her in hand-to-hand combat. After sparring briefly, the Dark Lord used the Force to pin her to the ground, soundly defeating her. He did not kill her, however, as he wished to know what she had learned about Pavan. It turned out to be little: she had merely begun making inquiries. Vader cared little about her methodology, and he told her so; he was only interested in results.

Afterwards, Vader was contacted by a masked Human, who was somehow masking his presence in the Force. The Human claimed that he could give Vader Jax Pavan, in exchange for five million credits. The Dark Lord, curious, agreed, and was instructed to meet with the Human at a condemned transport hangar in Sector 4G2, alone. Taking his aircar, Vader arrived at the hangar as arranged, but there was no one to be seen. He detected the Human behind him, however, on a level above him. The contact was aiming a blaster at the Dark Lord's back, and so Vader grabbed him with the Force and hurled him at a nearby wall, critically injuring his would-be assailant, who was none other than Captain Gregar Typho, the bodyguard of the Dark Lord's late wife. Typho, dying, spat blood at Vader's mask, and claimed that he had loved Amidala from afar for years. He believed that the Dark Lord had murdered Amidala and Anakin Skywalker, a belief that both amused Vader, and hurt him deeply. Choking and killing Typho, Vader's anger made a significant imprint in the Force, as he departed the hangar.

Further hunts
Vader and his troops were able to hunt down a nest of Padawans who were in the custody of the Jedi Knight Gira. Sending waves of troops after Gira, Vader interrogated the commander of the base the Jedi were using for refuge. He was able to sway the commander to his cause, and have the Jedi escape ship rigged with explosives, before setting off after Gira himself. Finding the Jedi amongst a pile of dead stormtroopers, the Dark Lord engaged Gira in a duel, eventually disarming his opponent. Holding the defeated Jedi at saber point, Vader urged Gira to serve his cause, and join the dark side, in exchange for the safety of his students. Gira submitted, but Vader had the Padawans killed anyway. As the Dark Lord left the scene of battle, Gira committed suicide.

One Jedi who managed to escape the initial stages of the purge was Empatojayos Brand. Vader, seeking to correct his error, pursued Brand, crippling his starship and mortally wounding the Knight. Despite this, Brand was able to escape and survive without Vader's notice, with the help of Ganathans.

Eventually, Palpatine and Vader no longer considered the various Jedi holdouts to be a genuine threat to their Empire, and so they no longer made a concerted effort to root them out.

The new Imperial military
Vader oversaw the expansion of the new Imperial navy, and though he held no official rank, officers knew better than to challenge his authority as Palpatine's envoy and enforcer.

Vader was also given full command over the 501st Legion, which soon earned a reputation and the name of "Vader's Fist".

Senate reformations
Vader accompanied Palpatine to important Senate meetings, but the Dark Lord had nothing but disdain for the squabbling bureaucrats.

Secret apprentice
Vader began looking for a Sith apprentice of his own, as he realized he could not overthrow Palpatine on his own. In 18 BBY, he found a worthy candidate, and the Dark Lord began training Galen Marek in secret.

Subjugation of Naboo
"With the Queen eliminated, Naboo quickly fell in line. It was the first time the 501st was called upon to "adjust" a planet's government, but it wouldn't be the last. Within months, the 501st gained a well-deserved reputation as "Vader's Fist"."

- Anonymous member of the 501st Legion

When Queen Apailana of the Naboo refused to comply with New Order standards, and began harboring Jedi fugitives against the will of the state, Vader was dispatched to bring her planet in line, and bring about her destruction. Landing his troops in Theed Plaza, Vader had the 501st swarm through the city, capturing tactical points that would allow for Apailana's swift assassination. The Queen, in retaliation, dispatched the Jedi she was hiding to thin and beat back the Imperial ranks, but they soon fell to the guns of the 501st, as did the Queen herself. Shortly thereafter, Naboo conformed with the standards of the New Order.

Dellso's Remnant
Although the Confederacy had been effectively wiped out, there were a few hardliners that refused to let go of the Separatist policy. Gizor Dellso, a Geonosian who had escaped Vader's wrath during the massacre on Mustafar in years prior, had activated one of the forgotten droid armies, and placed it under his command. Vader tracked Dellso and his army to Mustafar, where the Geonosian had also obtained a few old Confederate warships. Taking a Star Destroyer to the Mustafar system, Vader ordered the 501st Legion to engage Dellso's forces. Before the battle could begin wholesale, Dellso's droids boarded the Star Destroyer, but were soon repelled by Vader's stormtroopers. Following a brief but vicious battle over Mustafar, Vader ordered his troops to obtain one of Dellso's Belbullab-22 strike bombers. With Dellso's naval strength shattered, Vader landed his troops on Mustafar.

The Imperials quickly discovered that Dellso had siezed a Mustafar mining facility, and had converted it into a droid factory. Vader ordered the 501st to sweep through the facility, capturing key tactical points before placing a beacon, externally, that would allow the Star Destroyer to lay waste to the factory. Dellso himself attempted to defend the factory, but he was gunned down by the 501st, thereby putting an end to the would-be droid rebellion.

Experiments
"These creatures have become such an irritation that every time I see one I want to strike it down with my lightsaber."

- Excerpt from Darth Vader's log

Several elements of Anakin Skywalker's psyche were amplified in Darth Vader, such as his dislike for Toydarians. Vader developed an immense hatred for the species, but he was curious as to how they were so immune to Force-enhances persuasion. Capturing a Toydarian, he began interrogating it, but the creature resisted the Dark Lord's attempts to invade his mind. Despite this, Vader's presence and repeated attempts caused the Toydarian a great deal of discomfort, so much so that he eventually expired. Vader concluded that in spite of the Toydarian's strong will power, he was no match for the power of the Force.

Servitude
"You are my path to power, Master. I need you."

- Darth Vader

Palpatine constantly reminded Vader of his place, and the new Dark Lord understood that he could never be as powerful as his master. He established his own palace on the newly minted Imperial Center, where he would meditate. He eventually became the ultimate icon of Imperial authority, but he was still firmly under Palpatine's thumb. Despite this, Vader wanted nothing more than the opportunity to kill his opressive master. He established a private retreat, Bast Castle on Vjun, a ancient world of the Sith Empire, where he conducted his own studies of the dark side of the Force, in the hopes that one day he could turn the tables on his master. Despite this, he continued to serve with fabricated loyalty.

Vader was able to train Dark Jedi apprentices, however, and he took two such disciples: the Firrerreo Hethrir and his mate Rillao. Hethrir eventually became the Imperial Procurator of Justice, responsible for carrying out death sentences on both individuals and entire worlds.

Boba Fett
Vader was not adverse to using resources outside the Empire, such as the bounty hunter, Boba Fett. Fett had established himself as the most dangerous and effective bounty hunter in the Galaxy, and as such, Vader would frequently employ his services. In 12 BBY, a group of cloners on Kamino developed their own army of Anti-troopers to combat the Empire, as they had grown resentful of Palpatine's policies. Vader, in response, hired Fett to lead the 501st in an attack on Tipoca City, as the bounty hunter, being a clone himself, had an extensive knowledge of the facilities.

The renegade clones were butchered, and the cloning facilities were severely damaged. Vader ordered that DNA samples of the altered clones be retrieved, in the hopes that no more of them could be developed. The cloners attempted to escape, but were shot down by the 501st. In response to the Kamino uprising, the Empire began cloning from more disparate templates, leading to a more diverse Imperial Army.

Devastation on Honoghr
Vader traveled to the poisoned world of Honoghr personally to recruit the aid of the native Noghri. He promised to restore their world, which had been poisoned by deadly toxins during the Clone Wars, in exchange for their undying servitude. Vader came to be revered by the Noghri people, who believed his promises&mdash;in truth, the Dark Lord's restoration teams deliberately kept Honoghr in its state of ruin, ensuring that the Noghri remained in Imperial service indefinitely.

Massacre of Falleen
In 7 BBY, Vader was involved in a Mission to Falleen. Gunnery Sergeant Wrenga Jixton participated, and he failed in his task, resulting in imprisonment in on Kessel.

An Imperial research station accidently released toxins into the atmosphere of the planet Falleen. Vader, hoping to quarantine the planet, ordered his men to fire turbolasers at the world, killing over two hundred thousand of the Falleen natives.

Impressing the troops
"Vader's good, huh?" "Better than good. If it was him against me, I'd just overload my engine and blow myself up&mdash;that way I'd get to pick my own moment to die."

- Steel Talon ADO and Villian Dance

One day, Vader visited the Imperial City Naval Base, and observed the cadets at work in their TIE Fighters. After a while, he decided to participate in a mock battle himself. After departing from the dock, he switched off his targeting computer, allowing the Force to guide his movements. Within a matter of seconds he had downed six of the cadets, leaving only Colonel Vindoo Barvel, a decorated ace pilot, left. Vader decided to toy with Barvel for a while, before deftly shooting his craft. The stunt greatly impressed the pilots, making Vader, as Anakin Skywalker once had been, a legendary pilot amongst Navy personnel.

The Death Star
One of the most important operations overseen by Vader was the construction of the Death Star, a gargantuan moon-sized battle station that would be able to destroy entire planets. Overseen by Governor Wilhuff Tarkin, Vader had nothing but disdain for the device. Palpatine constantly dispatched Vader to oversee development on the project, which constantly shifted home for security reasons. Over the years, Tarkin tired of Vader's interventions, and became highly critical of the Dark Lord. In turn, Tarkin and his engineers lost their grasp of the installation's construction schedule. The battlestation was eventually moved to the Horuz system, over Despayre. Vader executed several workers and supervisors, ensuring that those tasked with the construction of the station paid greater attention to their details. Following Vader's visits, the Death Star's construction was back on schedule.

During one such visit, Vader was privy to Tarkin's hiring of Boba Fett to capture a fugitive from Imperial justice, Han Solo. Displeased, Vader argued that only Imperials should be engaged in such affairs, to which Tarkin suggested that Vader himself track Solo down. Following Fett, Vader traveled to the Hoth system, where a Gotal had witnessed Solo crashing a TIE Fighter a month prior. Extracting Solo's current location, Tatooine, from the Gotal, Vader laid waste to his home before moving onto his home planet. He located Fett, and Solo in a Tatooine cantina, and confronted the bounty hunter. The diversion allowed Solo to escape momentarily, while Vader battled Fett. Though he at first had the upper hand, Fett produced a lightsaber that he had taken from a slain Jedi. Solo had been trapped outside in a stasis field, so Sith Lord and bounty hunter were free to duel briefly. Vader outfenced Fett, but the bounty hunter's lightsaber was flung into the stasis field holding Solo, allowing the smuggler to escape. Vader ordered his men to track Solo, to no avail.

The master
Over the years, Vader had continued to train Galen Marek, who had been dubbed "Starkiller." The Dark Lord kept the young man hidden in the bowels of his new battleship, the Executor, which was under construction in the Scarl system. There, he would constantly punish Starkiller, putting him through rigorous exercises without reward or encouragement. As a teacher, Vader eschewed debate in favor of constant sparring with his young charge. The Dark Lord would not set his apprentice any written examination, but did give him access to surviving records from the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order. Vader did not hesitate to reveal to Starkiller that he one day planned to confront and destroy Palpatine, with the Dark Lord seating himself on his master's throne. It was Vader's hope that Starkiller would aid him in that task, and would help him overthrow the Emperor.

He gave the young man a starship, the Rogue Shadow, and a holodroid that Vader himself had programmed, named PROXY. The droid was programmed to make random attempts on Starkiller's life, but also to serve as his assistant. The young man was sent out on various missions to kill a variety of Vader's adversaries, be they spies, thieves, or high-ranking traitors.

The Bombing of Callos
"Continue your assault."

- Darth Vader

At some stage, Vader was tasked with subjugating the world of Callos. One of his handpicked pilots, Captain Juno Eclipse, led his Black Eight Squadron in the fray. Once the enemy's defenses had been destroyed, Eclipse reported that the battle was over. The Dark Lord disagreed, however, and demanded that the pilot continue the attack. Eclipse felt that continued attacks would result in an unneceassary loss of life, and so Vader offered her an alternative&mdash;she was to strike at the planetary reactor, instead of carpet bombing the world. She agreed, and the planet was successfully subjugated. A side effect of hitting the planet's reactor, however, caused the entire planet's biosphere to be destroyed.

Starkiller against Kota
"You were weak when I found you. You should never have survived my training."

- Darth Vader

At some stage, Vader came to consider the Rogue Shadow ' s current pilot as unsuitable, and had him killed. As a replacement, he enlisted Captain Eclipse, fresh off the victory at Callos. Her record had continued to impress, so he had her assigned to Starkiller and the Rogue Shadow. Shortly afterwards Vader decided to finally dispatch Starkiller to destroy a Jedi: specifically General Rahm Kota, a fugitive who had escaped Order 66 and had been attacking critical Imperial installations across the galaxy. After a fierce duel with his Starkiller, Vader had his pupil kneel before him. He informally knighted the young man, and for the first time called him his apprentice. The Dark Lord then moved onto the matter at hand: Kota. The Jedi and a group of men that followed him were attacking a critical TIE Fighter Construction Facility over Nar Shaddaa. Vader charged Starkiller with killing Kota, and retrieving the fugitive Jedi's lightsaber. At the same time, however, Vader was concerned that Palpatine would learn of Starkiller's existence, and so the Dark Lord ordered his charge to kill everyone who saw him, Imperial and Kota-aligned alike.

Starkiller returned later, his mission complete, Kota's lightsaber in hand. In the meantime, Vader's spies had located another fugitive Jedi, Kazdan Paratus, who had been hiding on Raxus Prime. He tasked his apprentice with destroying Paratus, but warned him that the Aleena Jedi Master was for more powerful than Starkiller. The Dark Lord told his charge that he did not expect him to survive the mission, but if he did, he would be one step closer to being prepared to move against the Emperor. Starkiller departed immediately, and in due course completed his mission. This time, however, Vader did not provide his apprentice a chance to return to the Executor, instead communicating directly with PROXY, who, aboard the Rogue Shadow, adopted Vader's appearance with his holoprojectors. Through the droid, the Dark Lord provided Starkiller with his next target: former Jedi Councilwoman Shaak Ti, who was hiding on Felucia. While in hiding there, Ti was training an army of her own, and so Vader had his apprentice put a stop to her operation.

Sure enough, Starkiller succeeded in his mission, slaying Ti and retrieving her lightsaber. His apprentice now having killed a former member of the Jedi Council, Vader felt that he was ready to make his move against Palpatine. He summoned Starkiller back to the Executor, and awaited his charge's arrival. The Dark Lord's plan backfired, however&mdash;the Emperor's spies had been monitoring Starkiller, and had tracked him back to the Executor. When the apprentice strode to meet Vader on the ship's bridge with PROXY at his side, Vader explained what had happened, and summarily stabbed his apprentice through the stomach with his lightsaber. He then had PROXY communicate with the Emperor, and take on his form. Palpatine was hugely displeased by Vader's betrayal, and ordered that the Dark Lord kill his secret apprentice, lest the Emperor kill them both. Left with little choice, Vader telekinetically slammed his apprentice against one of the transparisteel viewports until it gave way, sending the gravely wounded Starkiller hurtling out into space. Palpatine was satisfied, but still disappointed, and he made sure that his own apprentice knew his place. Once the transmission had ended and PROXY had adopted his original form, Vader recovered his stricken apprentice, and sent him to the secret laboratory ship, the Empirical for recovery.

A distraction
"You must assemble an army to oppose him."

- Darth Vader

For six months, Starkiller was unconscious, as Vader's droids set about "rebuilding" him. In case the apprentice refused to work for Vader once more upon reawakening, the Dark Lord made sure that his troops aboard the Empirical would try and kill Starkiller lest he attempt to escape. Meanwhile, Vader had Captain Eclipse arrested for treason, and thrown into a cell aboard the Empirical, to make sure that if Starkiller agreed to serve him once more, that he would sever all ties to his past, including the captain of his ship. While his apprentice recovered, Vader devised a new use for him: he would bring the Emperor's enemies together, so they could be crushed easily and effectively in one strike. However, knowing that Starkiller would never serve Palpatine, even indirectly, Vader concocted a fiction for the boy. When Starkiller finally awoke, Vader was not present, and instead he communicated through PROXY once again. The young man was furious, but restrained, as Vader claimed that he had only stabbed him as a ruse to satisfy the Emperor. Starkiller was still immensely displeased, but the Dark Lord warned him that should he refuse, the Empirical would self-destruct, leaving no witnesses to say that he had survived the incident aboard the Executor.

With that, Starkiller submitted himself to Vader's will once more. Vader then provided his apprentice with a new lightsaber, namely, the late General Kota's one, and then laid out his new plot before the young man. Instead of embarking on more assassination missions, Starkiller was to unite the Emperor's political enemies and form an army to oppose him. That, according to Vader, would distract Palpatine's spies long enough to allow him to move effectively against his master. As he had in teaching his pupil, Vader would not guide Starkiller through the process, instead allowing the young man to fashion the new "rebel army" without influence. Vader then broke the communication, having ordered PROXY to activate the Empirical ' s self-destruct sequence anyway, to make sure that no one but Starkiller and PROXY himself escaped the ship.

Some time later, Vader contacted Starkiller again, through PROXY. His pupil had apparently made considerable progress since they last talked&mdash;he had been able to recruit dissidents to his cause, among them Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan. Starkiller saught a viable target within the Empire to make the new rebellion known to the rest of the galaxy; Vader suggested the Raxus Prime Star Destroyer shipyard, seeing as though the Destroyers themselves were an iconic symbol of Palpatine's power. Despite being pleased with his apprentice's progress, Vader sensed conflict in the younger man, but Starkiller insisted that it was only due to minor injuries he had sustained during his exploits.

When the facility was destroyed, Palpatine was livid. Vader once again contacted his pupil, and demanded to know just who his allies were, but Starkiller refused to yield names, explaining that the Emperor's allies found that he was still alive and talking to the Dark Lord, it would spell doom for the two of them. He then claimed he would contact Vader at a later stage, and the Dark Lord grudgingly accepted the terms. He soon grew tired of waiting, though, and decided that he would make his one strike. Starkiller had managed to ally himself with former Senators Garm Bel Iblis and Mon Mothma, as well as Senator Bail Organa, and General Kota, who had survived the earlier entanglement over Nar Shaddaa. As they convened amongst a set of ruins on Corellia, Vader moved in with one of his Star Destroyers, and accompanied his troops to the planet surface. As the stormtroopers eliminated Bel Iblis', Mothma's, and Organa's guards, the Dark Lord strode in on the meeting.

Upon entering, he was fired upon by Captain Eclipse, who had eluded certain death aboard the Empirical, and was still working with Starkiller. Batting away Eclipse's shots with his lightsaber, the Dark Lord ordered his troops to take the assembled politicians alive. Before they were able to, Kota took Starkiller's lightsaber and charged towards Vader, but the Dark Lord simply grabbed the general by the throat using the Force, applied pressure, and threw the unconscious body towards his troops. A furious Bel Iblis spat at Vader, but the Dark Lord focused solely on his betrayed apprentice. He threw a large stone conference table at the boy in what would have been a killing blow, if not for the improvements Vader's technicians had made to Starkiller's body aboard the Empirical.

Moving outside the ruins, the Dark Lord approached his bloodied apprentice, who lay face-down in the snow. Vader then claimed that he had never meant to destroy the Emperor, at least not with Starkiller at his side, before throwing the boy to a nearby cliff ledge. Starkiller hung onto the ledge doggedly, and before Vader could strike him down, what appeared to be Obi-Wan Kenobi leapt towards the Dark Lord, and engaged him in a lightsaber duel. Momentarily fazed by the appearance of his former master, Vader performed a pair of sweeping strokes of the blade, easily disarming "Kenobi" and bisecting him, revealing that he was merely a holographic projection of the now-dismantled PROXY. As he turned back to the cliff, he found that Starkiller was nowhere to be seen. The threat removed, Vader returned to his ship with his new captives.

Showdown over Despayre
"I understand you now. You killed my father and kidnapped me from Kashyyyk, not just to be your apprentice, but to be a son to you. Was that how your father treated you?" "I have no father."

- Galen Marek and Darth Vader

Taking the traitors to the Death Star I, which was now being worked on over Despayre in the Horuz system, Vader brought his captives before Palpatine, who was waiting in the battlestation's throne room. As the Emperor sentenced Mothma, Bel Iblis, Organa, and Kota to death, Starkiller, who had infiltrated the battlestation, entered the room. At his master's urging, Vader moved to engage his former apprentice. The two battled furiously, sending projectiles at one another, and exchanging verbal barbs. When Starkiller alluded to Vader's father, he touched a nerve, causing the Dark Lord to redouble his attack.

Gripping his former apprentice's throat with the Force, Vader was met with a swift response in the form of a telekentic attack, that sent the Dark Lord across the room. Landing on his feet, he resumed the duel, until Starkiller managed to slash him across the throat. Laughing off the wound, he was subsequently hit by a stroke to the shoulder, and a stab to the thigh. Now seriously wounded, Vader attempted to regain his composure, but Starkiller sent his lightsaber across the floor, out of reach. He was then lifted up with the Force, and hit with a barrage of projectiles, the last of which was an energy field generator. It hit the Dark Lord with a large explosion, stripping him of large segments of his armor, and leaving him battered and bleeding. His helmet had also been shattered, and he merely stared at his former pupil, wearily.

While he lay, vulnerable, Kota caused a distraction by snatching Palpatine's own lightsaber, and killing the Royal Guards that were present. He then tried to turn the weapon on the Emperor himself, but Palpatine simply blasted the Jedi Master with Sith lightning. Organa urged Starkiller to aid Kota, and did so successfully. Palpatine relented briefly, but when he resumed his lightning attack on the Jedi Master, Starkiller leapt in the way, accepting the full force of the attack and turning some of it back onto the Emperor. Meanwhile, Vader struggled back to his feet, and lead a squad of troopers into the room. The Rogue Shadow, piloted by Eclipse, had entered the vicinity, and was the destination of the Senators and Kota. The troopers prepared to open fire on the fleeing prisoners, but Starkiller was able to turn some of the energy towards them, killing them quickly. Immediately afterwards, a massive shock wave rocked the room, causing massive structural damage. The Rogue Shadow escaped to safety, and as Vader and Palpatine picked themselves up from the rubble, they discovered Starkiller's corpse. Displeased, the Emperor realized that he would now serve as a martyr to resistance movements. As they moved away from the wreckage, Vader spotted Starkiller's lightsaber. While no one was watching, he stomped on the weapon, crushing it.

Alliance to Restore the Republic
"Sigh. These pathetic Rebels are no match for the power of the dark side. I crave a worth opponent! I desire to face Jedi with lightsaber in hand once more&mdash;!"

- Darth Vader

A resistance movement was formulated against the Empire: the Alliance to Restore the Republic. It was thought to be nothing more than a minor annoyance, but Vader was concerned with finding their secret base. Palpatine himself vested little interest in the group, but the Dark Lord thought them to be a sincere, and highly dangerous threat to the stability of the Empire.

On the planet of Vatleria, Vader set up a secret Imperial base, hoping to lure a foursome of Alliance agents: F4-MF, Falaem Onn, Soo Rcharrz and GrimGrim, into a trap. Allowing them to attack a detachment of stormtroopers, Vader unleashed a variety of weapons that quickly overcame the Rebel agents. Disappointed with the ease in which his opponents had fallen, Vader lamented the destruction of the Jedi, and longed for the thrill of single combat once more. In anger, he killed the Imperial officer present, who had suggested that what had transpired was a proud victory.

Princess Leia Organa
Vader accompanied his master to a reception at Imperial Palace, where the pair met a series of dignitaries from all over the galaxy. It was there that Vader and Palpatine first met Princess Leia Organa. She would later travel from world to world on what were termed "mercy missions," although both Vader and his master suspected that she had ties to Mothma's Rebel Alliance. They did not, however, have any proof of such a connection.

Head of the prophetess
Vader tasked the bounty hunter Boba Fett, who he had met at the Battle of Xagobah many years prior, with recovering the head of Selestrine, an Icarii prophetess. The resultant hunt had caused a battle of skill between the two.

Trachta's coup
The Dark Lord's somewhat fatalistic methods of punishment and discipline fostered discontent and disenchantment amongst the ranks of the Imperial military. Several moffs, including Trachta, formed a cabal and conspired to assassinate both Vader and the Emperor. They tried to kill Vader aboard his Star Destroyer, but the attempt was thwarted, as was their move against Palpatine. The moffs were all killed afterwards.

Construction troubles
Construction of the Death Star suffered a series of setbacks in its new home in the Horuz system. Sabotage, accidents, and other varied delays had caused the Emperor a great deal of displeasure, and so he dispatched Vader, in his warship the Devastator, to convey his feelings on the matter to now-Grand Moff Tarkin. The task, in Vader's opinion, should not have arisen, but regardless, he did his duty. En route to the battle station, Tarkin urgently contacted Vader, informing him of sabotage that had demolished an entire docking bay. As the interrogation droids had not yet arrived at the station, Tarkin requested that Vader be the one to interrogate any possible suspects. The Dark Lord grudgingly agreed, but was first led on a tour of the station, observing the medical centers and the architects at work making refinements to modules within the station. Cutting his tour short, Vader had Tarkin take him to Detention Block AA, where he interrogated the night watch lieutenant who had been supervising the dock at the time of the dock explosion. In full view of Tarkin and his guards, Vader executed the lieutenant, and ordered Tarkin to have word spread "accidentally" of the act throughout the staff working on the station. It was Vader's hope that the culprit would be lured out due to fear.

Though those responsible for the explosion were not initially identified, the output of workers on the station increased considerably following Vader's "secret" execution. The Dark Lord, satisified with his and Tarkin's work for the time being, left the Horuz system. While the Devastator was patrolling the Arkonis Sector, Vader recieved a report claiming that one of his warning flags on the MedNet had been tripped, and a doctor aboard the Death Star was researching midi-chlorians. He knew he would be returning to the Death Star soon enough, though, so he chose not to abandon his current mission.

Pursuit
"There'll be no one to stop us this time."

- Darth Vader

Vader began to suspect that Princess Leia of Alderaan had ties to the new Rebel Alliance. As such, when she traveled to Ralltiir to supply the Ralltiir High Council with medical supplies, he had a homing beacon placed on her consular ship, the Tantive IV. The Dark Lord learned that the Death Star plans had been stolen from Danuta, then smuggled to Darkknell and Toprawa in turn. Hoping to track down and retrieve the plans, he pulled the 501st from service on the Death Star, and assigned them back to his task force. Imperial Intelligence believed that the plans had been taken to Polis Massa, and were being held at a Rebel outpost there. Vader, hoping to intercept the Death Star schematics, sent the 501st to wipe out the Rebel outpost. It was discovered during the attack, however, that the plans were not at Polis Massa. Nevertheless, the outpost was destroyed, and the Rebel presence eliminated.

The Dark Lord's hunt for the plans eventually took him to Kalakar Six. Informants had revealed that the Rebels had passed the plans onto a courier there, and although Vader was suspicious of his source's validity, he personally journeyed to Kalakar Six with a detachment of his troopers. Journeying into the only structure on the planet, a fortress, Vader sensed that the location was strong with the dark side of the Force. Suddenly, his troops fell prey to the inhabitants of the fortress, a group of dark siders who claimed that Vader's Sith title was a ruse, and that he was unfit to continue the lineage of Darth Bane. They revealed their own candidate: a clone of Darth Maul, the warrior who had struck down Qui-Gon Jinn on Naboo thirty-two years prior.

Vader and Maul dueled viciously, moving deeper into the temple. The clone mocked and goaded Vader, asserting that too much of Anakin Skywalker still resided within him. Though the battle was evenly matched, Maul was able to damage Vader's suit severely, and eventually had the Dark Lord at his mercy. However, as he moved in for the kill, Vader deftly plunged his saber into Maul's stomach, killing the dopplegänger. Rounding on the dark siders who had unleashed the new Maul, Vader prepared to kill them, before they were destroyed in a blast of Force lightning. Palpatine revealed himself, and informed Vader that he had tracked him to Kalakar Six in the hopes that the Dark Lord would retrieve the plans. Vader, after informing his master of what had transpired, resumed his pursuit of the Rebel thieves.

When Vader then learned that the Rebels had attacked an Imperial convoy over Toprawa, he realized that it was only a feint, and they were trying to steal the smuggled plans from Toprawa itself. Information from the Polis Massa raid indicated that it would be Princess Leia Organa who would be collecting the plans. Taking his Star Destroyer, the Devastator to Toprawa, his men detected an incoming ship: The Tantive IV. Vader had Commander Nahdonnis Praji hail the Alderaanian vessel, which was receiving scrambled transmissions from the planet. The Tantive IV ' s captain, Raymus Antilles, claimed that the vehicle was suffering from extravehicular damage, and would depart Toprawa as soon as repairs had been completed. Antilles hastened to add that the Tantive IV was a consular ship on a diplomatic mission. In response, Vader had Praji inform the Tantive IV that they would be receiving Imperial investigators. At this demand, Antilles baulked, and warned the Devastator that his ship could not be detained due to diplomatic immunity. Acting quickly, Vader ordered his crew to pursue.

As the Tantive IV accelerated out of orbit, Praji once again contacted Antilles, but his order to heave to was not heeded. The Devastator then opened fire for minimum damage, turbolaser bolts lancing out towards the smaller CR90 Corvette. Antilles, however, quickly entered hyperspace, but the Alderaanian crew were still ignorant of the homing device planted on Ralltiir. Following the Tantive IV to its next port of call, the Devastator exited hyperspace in the Tatoo system. En route to his destination, Vader was contacted by Tarkin, who informed him that the plans had been stolen. Bemused, Vader assured him that he was already addressing the problem.

Vader was, at first, set aback at the prospect of returning to his homeworld, but he quickly regained his composure as the Devastator resumed pursuit. Organa's actions confused Vader; Tatooine had once held a Rebel base, but it had been long since abandoned. Vader ordered the captain to not destroy, but cripple the blockade runner, as the two craft exchanged fire over the desert planet. The Star Destroyer eventually dealt the Tantive IV a crippling blow. While the tractor beam of the Devastator pulled the Tantive IV into its hangar, Vader made ready to board the ship and retrieve the plans. His stormtroopers swept through the ship, killing the Alderaanian guards that stood in their way.

Boarding the corvette, Vader himself took his blade to the defenders, aiding his troops in securing the ship. Antilles was arrested and brought before Vader, who began throttling the captain. When a trooper revealed that the Death Star plans were not to be found in the Tantive IV main computer, Vader questioned the captain, trying to ascertain their location. Antilles protested, claiming that the Tantive IV was a consular ship, and on a diplomatic mission, no less. Vader was not amused, however, rhetorically asking Antilles where the ambassador was before snapping the man's neck in rage, hoping to provide an example to any prisoners who may have caught a glimpse of the interrogation. He ordered the commander to tear the ship apart in his search for the plans. Additionally, he requested that all captured passengers be brought before him. Soon enough, the princess was brought before the Dark Lord. Organa was outraged at Vader's actions, reminding him that the Imperial Senate would not tolerate his movements, but Vader cut through her act quickly&mdash;it was evident that she was not on one of her vaunted "mercy missions." When he asked her directly where the plans stolen from Toprawa were, Organa feigned ignorance, and asserted that she was on a diplomatic mission bound for Alderaan and had no inkling of the plans or their significance. Tiring of her supposed excuses and alibis, Vader angrily and openly accused her of being allied with the Alliance, and had her locked away.

Commander Daine Jir thought the move to be unwise, but Vader was confident that he would be able to get away with the attack, as he had conclusively linked the princess to the Alliance. Jir believed that Organa would likely choose to die before revealing any information to Vader, but the Dark Lord was confident nonetheless. He ordered Jir to send a distress signal from the Tantive IV, and then inform the Senate that the entire crew had perished, along with the passengers. Commander Praji approached Vader, and informed him that the Death Star tapes were not aboard the Tantive IV at all, and they had not been transmitted to another location. He also claimed that an escape pod had been jettisoned during the attack, but had not been destroyed due to there being no life forms on board. Vader quickly deduced that Organa had hidden the plans in the pod, and had Praji command detachment sent planetside to retrieve them. Confident that there was nothing on Tatooine of worth, Vader began to toy with the idea of having Tarkin's weapon obliterate the desert planet. Before departing, Vader was contacted by his master, who informed him that the Imperial Senate had just been dissolved. He ordered the Dark Lord to travel to the Horuz system and personally inform Tarkin of the news. The Emperor was also troubled&mdash;though he was usually clairvoyant, the future was not as clear as it once was. Vader, by osmosis, was also concerned, but he set about his duty nonetheless.

The captive princess
"And now, your highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden Rebel base."

- Darth Vader

On approach to the Horuz system, Vader felt an incredible disturbance in the Force, which tore through the fabric of the mystical energy field. Reverting to realspace, Vader realized that Despayre had been totally obliterated. Content that the military would now&mdash;wrongly&mdash;believe themselves to be in the possession of the greatest weapon ever made, Vader attended a meeting in one of the battle station's conference room. Inside, Admiral C. Antonio Motti was heaping praises on the destructive capability of the station, while Tarkin informed those present of the Senate's dissulution. General Cassio Tagge was incredulous&mdash;he was mystified as to just how Palpatine planned to maintain his rule without the senate, but Tarkin informed him that the regional governors would be given direct control over their territories. The Grand Moff was also sure that the Death Star would be instrumental as a deterrent. Tagge, however, was concerned that the Alliance would pose a direct threat if they had indeed recovered the Death Star data tapes. The Dark Lord interjected, assuring the general that the plans would soon be back in Imperial custody. Motti, however, cared little, as he was confident that the Alliance could pose no threat to the Death Star, even with the plans. In his words, the Death Star was now the "ultimate power in the universe." Vader chastised the admiral, reminding him that the Force was of far greater significance. Motti scorned him for his beliefs pointing out that the Force had not aided the Dark Lord in finding the data tapes, nor the hidden Alliance fortress, but Vader quickly retaliated by choking the insolent admiral. Tarkin, however, wanted no petty squabbling amongst his staff, and stopped Vader. In any other circumstance, the Dark Lord would have disregarded the Grand Moff, but as Palpatine had instructed him to merely oversee the Death Star project, he complied. Tarkin reassured his staff that Vader's interrogation of Organa would provide them with the location of the Alliance base, allowing them to decisively end the burgeoning Galactic Civil War.

After the meeting, Vader received a transmission from Tatooine in the conference room. Commander Prajji's troops had learned that the escape pod contained two droids, which they had tracked to, a group of Jawas. Much to Vader's surprise, the Jawas had sold them to the Lars family. Viewing the holographic feed, he saw Owen and Beru, now married, held at blasterpoint. He subsequently ordered their execution remembering their weakness in the instance of his mother's death. He watched the graphic execution until its completion, after which he turned to more pressing matters.

At cell block AA-23 Vader commenced his interrogation of Organa with the aid of an IT-O droid. At first using a mind probe to loosen her tongue, he began asserting that it was his intent to help the Princess. She began calling for her father, and at that point, Vader realized that her willpower was too strong for conventional torture. Though she was likely to be executed, he had a doctor attend her, and restore her to full health. Meeting with Tagge and Tarkin, Vader informed them of his failure, before Motti approached, informing them that the Death Star was now fully operational. The Grand Moff had a more persuasive technique planned for the princess's interrogation. He intended to use the Death Star on Alderaan, Organa's home planet, to both persuade the princess and set an example for other worlds. Vader protested, asserting that Palpatine should be informed if an Inner Rim world was to be destroyed. Tarkin, livid at having his authority challenged, rounded on Vader, and asserted that he was in control of the Death Star, not Palpatine.

The Dark Lord had long suspected that the Grand Moff was insane, but this latest outburst left no doubt in his mind. Nevertheless, he retrieved Organa from her cell, suffering insult from Doctor Kornell Divini in the process for his treatment of her. Brought to the Death Star's bridge by Vader, Organa traded barbs with the Grand Moff. The Princess appeared to have caved at the threat of Alderaan's destruction however, and told Tarkin that the Rebels were on Dantooine. Tarkin, regardless, proceeded with the destruction of Alderaan though as Organa watched on, aghast, and Vader was forced to restrain the princess. The act would go down in history as one of the most infamous to be committed during the Galactic Civil War, as billions of Alderaan's inhabitants instantly perished, Viceroy Bail Organa amongst them. Vader returned to the conference room with Tarkin, where he received another dispatch from Tatooine, informing him that the droids with the plans had left the planet on an unmarked and illegally modified freighter.

Reunion
"I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner, now I am the master." "Only a master of evil, Darth."

- Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Vader and Tarkin continued to verbally spar, when Officer Cass reported that scout ships at Dantooine had only found an abandoned Alliance installment. Vader reminded Tarkin that he had never believed Organa would consciously betray her allies, but the Grand Moff was furious all the same. He ordered Organa's execution to be immediate, but Vader scheduled it for an hour later, much to the Moff's chagrin. Vader and Tarkin then received reports that the freighter from Mos Eisley had been captured amongst the remains of Alderaan. The Dark Lord suspected that Rebel agents might be trying deliver the plans to Organa, pointing out that the captive princess was still of use. Inspecting the craft in Docking Bay 327, Vader noted it was a YT-1300 light freighter, the Millennium Falcon, and had been heavily modified. Captain Khurgee reported that no one was on board, and that according to the ship's logs the crew had abandoned ship immediately after their departure. It was Khurgee's suggestion that the ship was a decoy, as several of its escape pods had already been jettisoned. Curious, Vader asked if any droids had been found on board&mdash;Khurgee had not located any, and suggested that they too might have been jettisoned. Unsatisfied, Vader ordered the captain to assemble a scanning crew and thoroughly check every part of the ship. Vader had detected a presence that he had not felt since Mustafar, and deduced that Kenobi must have been on board. He also had a homing device placed on the craft, and hoped that its original occupants would use it to escape, in the hopes that he would be led to the elusive Rebel base.

Though Tarkin was skeptical, Vader was convinced that Kenobi was alive and on the station. When news reached the conference room of a security breach at cell block AA-23, Vader had all the evidence he needed of his old master's presence. Tarkin insisted that the Jedi Master not be allowed to escape, but Vader was sure that Kenobi would not try and flee&mdash;instead, the Dark Lord would have to once again face his former master. He then set about hunting down Kenobi in the corridors of the station. He waited just outside Docking Bay 327, lightsaber drawn, and sure enough, Kenobi arrived. The Dark Lord was convinced that although he had still been second to Kenobi since their last confrontation, he was now the superior. Kenobi attempted to throw Vader off by using his Sith title of "Darth", but the Dark Lord was undeterred, as he crossed blades with his master once more, nearly twenty years since their last encounter.

Vader surprised by Kenobi's resilience and strength, but the older man was clearly out of practice. The two fought a more restrained and classical duel than their barbarous encounter on Mustafar, trading barbs in between thrusts and parries. When Vader mocked Kenobi for his decision to return, the older man claimed that the Dark Lord could not win the encounter, for if the Jedi Master were to be struck down he would apparently become more powerful than Vader could imagine. Though Kenobi fought bravely, he spied a young man in 327, and moved into a position of surrender. He offered Vader nothing but a cryptic smile, and the Dark Lord took the advantage, cutting down his former master without hesitation. At first elated, Vader quickly baulked. Instead of seeing Kenobi's smoldering corpse hit the ground, the body disappeared, and nothing but empty robes remained. For the first time in many years, Vader was afraid. Wary of a trick, Vader searched for clues as to Kenobi's location, but could find none. He rounded on the young man in the Docking Bay and his companions&mdash;actually Rebels who had rescued Organa. Though he had no intent of stopping Organa from escaping, he strode towards the hangar, prompting the young man to shoot the controls to a blast door, sealing the Dark Lord off. The Millennium Falcon blasted away from the Death Star, the princess having been liberated by Kenobi's companions. As it entered hyperspace, with the homing beacon secured aboard their craft, Vader reported to Tarkin, who was anxious to see whether the Dark Lord's gambit to locate the Alliance base would work.

The Battle of Yavin
"I have you now."

- Darth Vader

As the Death Star tracked Vader's homing device to the Yavin system, the Dark Lord mused to Tarkin that it would be a "day long remembered" with the death of both Kenobi and the Alliance. He and Tarkin both believed that they would be able to end the war in a matter of days with the destruction of the main Rebel installation. Upon reaching the system, the Rebel bas was determined to be on the fourth moon of Yavin Prime, and as a result, Tarkin swiftly ordered its destruction. As the battle station moved into firing position, however, the Rebels launched fighters at the station, prompting Tarkin to have them shot down with the station's weapons emplacements. Vader was not so sure that such an action would provide ample defense, and when he was approached by Lieutenant Tanbris and informed that the Rebels were evading the station's weapons, the Dark Lord was pleased that Tarkin had proved overconfident. Vader ordered Tanbris to have the Dark Lord's personal fighter wing scrambled and dispatched to fend off the attackers.

As the battle ground on, Vader suspected that the Rebels had a definite plan and idea as to how to destroy the battle station. Believing that his own personal cadre of pilots would not be enough to stop them, he took to the field in his own TIE Advanced x1, appointing pilots Mithel and DS-61-3 as his wingmen. Noting that three Y-wings from Gold Squadron were angling for Polar Trench Twelve, he realized that they believed the location to have some critical significance. Ordering his wingmen to stay in attack formation, he flew to the trench, where the Y-wings were running the trench. As Vader approached the trench to pursue, the Death Star's defensive turrets ceased firing on the enemy craft, and the Dark Lord told his wingmen that he would take the Y-wings himself&mdash;they were only to cover him. In quick succession, he gunned down Gold Two and Gold Leader, while Gold Five pulled out of the trench. Vader maintained his pursuit, and destroyed the final Y-wing with a minimum of fuss, much to his disappointment.

Returning to the main battle, he spied an E-2T Medshuttle, 5537, leaving the station. The shuttle's pilot, Villian Dance, claimed that an incoming Imperial ship had been damaged, and the crew required medical attention, but Vader did not believe his story for a second. He ordered Dance to return to the station immediately, but the pilot, who had deserted Imperial ranks in the past fifteen minutes, continued his course. Stretching out with the Force, he detected the presence of a station architect, Teela Kaarz, and realized that the shuttle was full of deserters. Abandoning the battle for a while, he pursued 5537, ordering it once more to return to the dock. As Dance continued on his course, Vader prepared to destroy him and his compatriots. A split second before Vader fired however, Dance threw the ship into reverse, throwing off the Dark Lord's pursuit.

Before he could attack 5537 again, he detected a strong Force presence amongst the remaining Alliance pilots, strong enough to be that of a Jedi. He set off in pursuit of a trio of X-wings from Red Squadron that were now tearing down Polar Trench Twelve, ordering his wingmen to close up their formation. He shot down Red Twelve, while one of his wingmen claimed Red Ten. Red Leader, however, was able to loose torpedoes at the exhaust port at the end of the trench, although his shots missed. As the enemy pilot cleared the trench, Vader remained in pursuit and gunned down Red Leader, only to discover that the Force-sensitive was still present among the enemy.

The final three Alliance X-wings from Red Squadron entered the same trench, confirming Vader's suspicions. Once again, he set off in pursuit, and one of the Dark Lord's wingmen was able to severely damage one of the fighters. As the crippled fighter pulled out of the trench, Vader ordered his wingmen to ignore it, and remain in pursuit of the lead ship. He killed Red Three next, before focusing on the final ship, piloted by the Force-sensitive. He opened fire on the craft, hitting the enemy's astromech droid but failing to land a shot on the craft itself. Finally getting a targeting lock, Vader opened fire again, but his barrage was interrupted as DS-61-3's fighter was abruptly destroyed. The Dark Lord was shocked&mdash;it was the Millennium Falcon. As the freighter angled in towards the trench, Mithel panicked, and as he moved to evade the newcomer, his ship collided with Vader's TIE Advanced. The blow was glancing, but it caused Vader's ship to spiral out of control, propelled from the trench while Mithel was destroyed. The Force-sensitive pilot was able to fire a pair of proton torpedoes into the trench, destroying the entire battle station. Vader fought with his controls and eventually regained control of his ship, but with Tarkin dead and the entire Imperial force destroyed, he could do little but fly away from the disastrous engagement.

Lost and found
The Imperials had been soundly routed at Yavin, and Tarkin was dead. His mission had failed, but Vader allowed himself solace in the fact that the superweapon could not compare to the power of the Force. He realized that he was destined to meet the Force-sensitive pilot again, and recognized him as a significant threat to the rule of the Sith. Hoping to return to Imperial Center, Vader managed to reach an Imperial outpost on Vaal in his TIE Advanced. He later contacted his master, telling him of Tarkin's and his own failure. He did not, however, receive a return transmission, leading him to wonder whether or not the message had been properly sent. Choosing not to meet with his master personally, he prepared to find out just who it was that had fired the torpedoes that destroyed the station. He devoted himself to his new private mission for weeks.

The Dark Lord ordered a blockade of Yavin 4, although he did not want the base invaded and destroyed just yet&mdash;his new flagship, the Executor, was nearing completing in the starship yards of Fondor, and Vader intended to use the massive dreadnought as his personal sword of vengeance against the Rebellion. Vader grew irritable, though, when the heroes of the Alliance, including the pilot Vader sought and Princess Leia Organa, brought the flimsy nature of the blockade to light when they were able to breach it and make their way to The Wheel space station. As it turned out, the blockade was under the command of the House of Tagge&mdash;bitter rivals of Vader who hoped to vie for Palpatine's favor and usurp the Dark Lord. Their control over the blockade came to an end soon enough, and command was transferred to Admiral Amise Griff, who coordinated Imperial efforts from the nearby Jovan Station.

Trap at Fondor
Vader's tactical decision to delay the invasion of Yavin 4 until the Executor completion drew ire from others in the Imperial military, and it was painted as an exhibition to distract from the ineffectual blockade. Putting actions to their words, the dissatisfied admirals conspired to sabotage the Executor as it was being assembled at Fondor. Later, Vader devised a trap, wherin he hoped to learn the identification of the pilot who had destroyed the Death Star. He had Admiral Griff stage a faux defection, and provide the Alliance with key information pertaining to the construction of the Executor. A Rebel spy took the bait, but Vader's men were unable to apprehend him. Through the Force, the Dark Lord was able to determine that the spy was the same man who had destroyed the Death Star, and that he had also been trained by Kenobi.

The name
Scouring records to find the name of the pilot, Vader investigated all known leads. According to Anchorhead's municipal records, one Luke Skywalker had a registered T-16 Skyhopper, and had lived at the Lars homestead. Later, Vader discovered from a Kubaz spy that Skywalker had also sold a landspeeder to Spaceport Speeders before departing on the Millennium Falcon. An Alliance deserter, Tyler Lucian, promised to reveal the identity of the pilot, but committed suicide on Centares before either the Dark Lord or the bounty hunter Beilert Valance could bring him to a confession.

At the Museum of the Old Republic on Centares, Vader oversaw Ban Papeega's interrogation of an Alliance pilot as to the name of the pilot that destroyed the Death Star, while a pack of assorted mercenaries who had helped capture the prisoner watched on. The Dark Lord did not hear the pilot's confession immediately, but Papeega was able to provide a recording. It revealed that the name of the pilot was Skywalker, which correlated with the other evidence he had gathered earlier. Incensed, Vader sought to make sure the information did not reach the Emperor, and so he prepared to have all witnesses killed. His stormtroopers were able to gun down the bulk, but several escaped. The Dark Lord caught up to a pair of them, and swiftly dispatched them, before ordering his troops surround the The Aviary, where Papeega was hiding. He also gave the order for the captive Alliance pilot to be killed.

Vader was also aware that one Mala Mala had escaped the killings as well, but he decided to focus on Papeega for the time being. Cornering him in The Aviary, Vader summarily executed the interrogator, but was disturbed by the sound of birds singing the name of "Skywalker." Taking one of his stormtrooper's blasters, he set fire to The Aviary's dry grass, burning the structure to the ground. His troops later reported that they had been able to kill Mala Mala. Satisfied, the Dark Lord departed Centares, and returned home to Imperial Center aboard a Interdictor Star Destroyer. At the Imperial Palace, he met with Palpatine, who had not responded to his earlier report as he wished to see Vader apologize in person. Whilst the Emperor was not pleased, he did not blame the Dark Lord directly, since it had not been his fault the station's design was flawed. In turn, the Imperial propaganda machine began fabricating claims that the Death Star never existed.

During his audience with Palpatine, klaxons sounded, and Vader realized that someone had breached Imperial Center's security perimiter. Palpatine, however was not fazed in the slightest, and instead asked that Vader keep him abreast of any information having to do with the destroyer of the Death Star. Leaving the meeting, Vader watched the intruder's ship plummet towards Imperial Center's surface, before being interrupted by an officer who informed him that a garrison on Dubrava had learned that Skywalker was on Jazbina. Hurriedly, Vader returned to his Star Destroyer, and made all due haste towards the planet.

Upon entering the system, Vader sent a transmission to Prepredenko, ruler of Jazbina, demanding that Skywalker be handed over to Imperial custody alive. Afterwards, his Star Destroyer was struck lightly by a passing Z-95 Headhunter. Boarding his shuttle, the Dark Lord began his trip to the planet surface. While in transit, the Z-95 flew within the shuttle's proximity, and Vader ordered his men to shoot it down. However, the craft was able to escape into the clouds, unharmed. Touching down, Vader was brought to Jazbina palace, where he was greeted by Prepredenko personally. To the Dark Lord's horror, the Jazbinan reported that Skywalker had been executed. Livid, Vader had Prepredenko arrested, brutally and thoroughly beaten, and then jailed.

Displeasing the Dark Lord futher was the revelation that Prepredenko's personal holocam droid, 3DVO, had broadcast images of the beaten ruler expiring while in his cell. To prevent any further publicity, he sent troops down to destroy the droid. That night, there was a disturbance at a local hangar, with several stormtroopers killed. Investigating the incident personally, with a detachment of his troops brought along, Vader found Princess Syayna and a group of Jazbinans sympathetic to the Alliance helping a very much alive Skywalker to escape. Also present was a Rebel pilot, Jal Te Gniev. Vader offered to let Syayna rule in Prepredenko's place were she to surrender custody of Skywalker, but she vehemently refused. Before Vader's troops could open fire, an angry mob formed behind them, rallied by the images of their ruler's death.

While Vader and the Imperials were distracted, Te Gniev boarded an X-wing fighter, and blasted out of the hangar. Goading the princess, the Dark Lord ordered his troops to open fire on the mob, and, should that fail to convince Syayna, signal the Star Destroyer to begin bombing the planet. Skywalker surrendered just as the Stormtroopers took aim, but as he made his way towards Vader, a bright flash in the sky heralded the destruction of the Star Destroyer at the hands of Te Gniev. As far as the mob were concerned, it was the signal to attack and overpower the stormtroopers. Left alone, surrounded by a substantial mob and a group of trained freedom fighters, Vader drew his lightsaber, before realizing that he had lost the upper hand. Extinguishing his weapon, he departed Jazbina.

The false Kenobi
Trying to engineer a new trap to ensnare Skywalker, Vader enslisted the services of an actor, who would impersonate Obi-Wan Kenobi and gain Skywalker's trust. However, the plan failed.

Ruse on Aridus
Vader set up another trap on the desert world of Aridus, but Skywalker once again escaped. While on Aridus, Vader nearly perished when a tower he was in exploded. He was rendered unconscious, and when he awoke, found himself on a starship piloted by Wrenga Jixton. Jixton, who had by now abandoned the Imperial Army, had befriended the natives of Aridus, and knew that Vader's death there would bring more Imperials to the world. He promised Vader that he would do anything he was instructed, as long as the Imperials were kept away from Aridus. The Dark Lord agreed.

The Bounty Hunter Wars
Vader and Palpatine briefly diverted their attention from the war against the Alliance to focus on the supposed threat of the Bounty Hunter's Guild. Prince Xizor, overlord of the Black Sun syndicate, insisted that the Emperor do something about the guild, and so Palpatine agreed to the Falleen's plan to eliminate the guild. Vader protested the decision, but was overruled. The notorious Boba Fett proved to the the agent of the guild's destruction over the course of the bloody Bounty Hunter Wars. The guild fragmented, and Vader would in later years use various elements of the rogue bounty hunters for in his multi-varying projects.

Revenge at Yavin
"What is this?" "The surprise is mine, bucketheads!"

- Darth Vader and Jan Dodonna

Local fleet commanders grew impatient with Vader's waiting, and impressed upon him the need to strike against the Alliance as quickly as possible. The Executor construction was stepped up as a result. While inspecting the completed ship, Vader pondered over the possibility of this "Skywalker" being his son. But Skywalker was not an uncommon name, and it was possible that Shmi had other relatives. Vader decided not to tell Palpatine of his findings, as he saw this "Skywalker" as an opportunity for power over his master.

Six months after the Battle of Yavin, Vader launched the invasion of Yavin 4. Enemy admiral Ackbar staged a feint in the Vallusk Cluster, drawing away much of the Imperial forces, but the Executor nonetheless entered the system and bore down upon the Alliance base. The Rebels attempted to escape, and the majority of their forces were able to do so, thanks to the incompetency of Admiral Amise Griff. Personally leading the troops landed on the planet, Vader set about hunting down and destroying the Rebels that had been unable to leave the planet. Destroying a group of sentinel towers, Vader ordered his bombers to harry Falcon Base, Raven Base, and the main base at the Great Temple. Participating in the brief skirmishes along the path to the Great Temple, Vader saw about the destruction of Falcon Base and Raven Base, which allowed him to progressively land more reinforcements. Finally, upon reaching the Great Temple, Vader had his troops eliminate General Jan Dodonna's anti-air batteries, which would allow his bombers to utterly raze the main Rebel base.

Dodonna, however, had anticipated this, and as the bombers flew overhead, he detonated a series of bombs that he had rigged the temple with. Vader witnessed the ensuing explosion, which wiped out his bombers, and immediately had his men search the ruins for Dodonna's body. The Rebel general was found, barely alive, and was subjected to a mind probe as soon as he was recovered. The results claimed that the Alliance was planning a movement against Reytha. Thinking quickly, Vader prepared his troops for departure within the hour. He personally throttled Dodonna, who was then taken to the Lusankya prison facility on Imperial Center.

Reythan Resistance
Landing on Reytha with a detachment of troops, Vader was contacted by Governor Antes Beladar, who informed the Dark Lord of several "problem" areas across the planet. Vader and his troops cut down a large number of Rebels and razed their installations, but their force was not able to initially penetrate the defenses set up around Reytha Minor. Realizing that he would need to amass a larger force, Vader installed a garrison in the city of Yeere, and sent his troops to liberate Breeda and Teks from bandits and the Katarn Commandos, respectively. Eventually, Vader had a large enough military detachment at his disposal to take Reytha Minor. Upon conquering the city, however, Vader was contacted by Beladar once again, and protested that the Montrosa Islands were suffering from Alliance attacks. Though his patience was wearing thin, Vader once again set off to aid his Imperial comrades, as Reytha was a vital agriculture world for the Empire, and could not fall to the enemy.

The Rebels had divided their three main divisions: Navy, Air Force, and Army, across three separate Montrosa Islands. Vader and his troops set up their base of operations on one of the islands, while receiving repeated requests from Beladar. Vader was already displeased with the fact that the Alliance had been able to establish themselves on Reytha so strongly, but the fact that the Governor continually saw fit to order him about pushed the Dark Lord to extreme measures. Executing Beladar, he set about demolishing the Alliance bases, winning the Battle of Montrosa Islands for the Empire. During the battle, his forces intercepted datafiles pertinent to Alliance fleet movements.

An independent Zaloriis
Vader's discoveries took him to the Outer Rim planet of Zaloriis. The planet had failed to pay its standard tribute to Coruscant, and Vader believed that this tied in with the possibility of Zaloriis harboring Rebels. Though Zaloriis already had a garrison at the base Fondor II, under the command of Colonel Maximillian Veers, the Dark Lord was not met by Imperial troops upon landing, but by Minister Transe Decar. As Vader rendezvoused with the Zaloriis minister, militia troops surrounded his minor detachment. Decar informed Vader of Zaloriis intentions to secede from the Galactic Empire, an act that displeased the Dark Lord immensely. Murdering Decar in full view of the militiamen, he interrogated one of the late Decar's troops. Vader discovered that a detachment of stormtroopers were being held in a facility just north of the rendezvous point. After his men had dispatched the remaining militiamen, he set about rescuing the waylaid Imperial troops.

Liberating the garrisoned troops, Vader learned that Colonel Veers was being taken to the Alliance-held Zaloriis City as a prisoner. Executing the stormtrooper captain for what he considered ineptitude, Vader took the garrison and liberated Veers as he and his captors were in transit from Fondor II to Zaloriis City. The Dark Lord then reclaimed Fondor II, where his forces established themselves. While the troops were preparing to mount an assault on Zaloriis City, Veers led Vader to Camp Culroon, where the Colonel had developed a new type of AT-AT walker. The walker, merely a prototype, was taken to Fondor II, where it was outfitted with advanced weaponry. With Veers at the helm of the walker, Zaloriis City was taken by Imperial forces. Data retrieved from the razed buildings of the Alliance revealed that the fleet was moving to the Elrood system.

Private studies at Bast Castle
Vader had kept Kenobi's lightsaber since the encounter on the Death Star, and stored the weapon at Bast Castle. There, he studied a Sith holocron he had acquired.

Pacifog of Kadril
On Kadril, Vader oversaw the development of a mind-altering Pacifog.

Dark Trooper Project
Vader oversaw the construction of the Dark Troopers, robotic droid soldiers.

The Vor'Na'Tu
Vader was able to do battle with a Jedi Knight once more, confronting Echuu Shen-Jon, who had been missing since the Clone Wars. Shen-Jon had been aiding Princess Leia Organa, and had destroyed an ancient Jedi artifact known as the Vor'Na'Tu. Vader struck down Shen-Jon shortly afterwards.

A new Death Star
Over the Forest Moon of Endor, Vader was tasked with supervising the construction of the Death Star II, a larger and more powerful successor to Tarkin's weapon.

Foiled by amateurs
Reports began to surface about a data holocron that contained a list of Rebel sympathizers, located on Dantooine. Vader hoped to use the list to weed out elements of opposition to the Empire, and so tasked Inquisitor Loam Redge with finding it. Palpatine took particular interest in the hunt, and so he sent Vader to his retreat on Naboo, to check on Redge's progress. The Inquisitor had tasked Finn Darktrin with obtaining the holocron, due to his position as a double agent who had successfully infiltrated the Alliance.

Darktrin successfully retrieved the device, but was only able to transmit approximately half the names to Vader before being discovered by Alliance recruit Dusque Mistflier. Darktrin eluded capture by the Alliance and made it back to the retreat to report to the Dark Lord. Vader spared Redge's agent despite his partial failure, sensing an element of potential in the man. He then prepared to send agents out to eliminate those who had been identified by the holocron.

The Brie operation
Vader dispatched a Force-sensitive Imperial Intelligence agent, Shira Brie, to "join" the Rebellion, and discredit Skywalker. Brie had been born and raised on Imperial Center, in the Imperial Palace itself as part of an adolescent indoctrination program. She had also undergone biological alterations to make her resistant to pain, and to afford her an accelerated healing process. Due to her record breaking results when grauating from the Academy, Vader handpicked her for his plan. To provide her with a credible background, he had the city of Chinshassa, Shalyvane, completely and utterly razed. Brie was accepted by the Rebellion with open arms and a sympathetic ear, and she was even able to make her way into Rogue Squadron, Skywalker's new fighting unit.

Duel on Mimban
"I've been robbed too often."

- Darth Vader

In 2 ABY, Vader was contacted by Governor Bin Essada, who informed him that Captain-Supervisor Grammel had apprehended Skywalker and Organa on Circarpous V, better known as Mimban. The Rebels were in-system as part of an effort to have Circarpous IV join the Alliance. In their possession was the shard of a crystal that possessed what Grammel thought were curious properties. Vader had heard legend of the Kaiburr Crystal, a crimson gem that could magnify the Force a thousandfold, and, believing that the shard was from the crystal, he hoped to collect both the Rebel traitors and the jewel. He took the Executor to the Circarpous system, but upon arrival on the planet surface, he discovered that Skywalker and Organa had escaped from Grammel's custody.

Livid, Vader took direct command of Grammel's troops, and began tracking Skywalker and Organa's flight into the Mimban jungle. The trail lead directly to an underground Coway tribe, and Vader had his troops march in, with a view to recapturing the two Rebels. As the stormtroopers entered the underground caverns, however, they were set upon by the Coway, who made a coordinated effort to beat the invaders back. Seeing that the battle was lost, Vader ordered Grammel to order his troops back. He then called out across the battlefield to Skywalker, who was taking his lightsaber to the Imperials. As Vader did so, however, he was hit by a shot from Organa. The blow was a glancing one, but to Grammel's concern, the Dark Lord's cape began to smolder.

The Rebels fled, and as Vader and Grammel followed in pursuit in a landspeeder, Grammel conjured up excuses for the loss at the cave. Vader, incensed, grew tired of Grammel, and cleaved the Captain-Supervisor in half with his lightsaber. He finally caught up to them at the ancient Temple of Pomojema, home of the Kaiburr Crystal. While Skywalker, Organa, and their guide, Halla, ventured into the temple and battled a hssiss residing there, Vader deactivated their droids, C-3PO and R2-D2, killed their Yuzzem companion Kee, and mortally wounded the other Yuzzem, Hin. The Dark Lord then moved to the temple entrance, and, once Skywalker had slain the hssiss, he used the Force to drop stones from the ceiling on the young man. Vader then began taunting the pair, while displaying his impressive lightsaber skills.

Organa, however, was not easily impressed. She picked up the pinned Skywalker's lightsaber, and engaged the Dark Lord in a duel. Vader, while able to easily defend himself, found that he was losing his self-control in the presence of the Crystal. With Organa mortally wounded, he moved onto Skywalker, who had managed to free himself from the rubble with the help of Hin, who expired shortly afterward. The two exchanged blows in a frenzied duel that forced them both deeper into the temple, near a deep and dangerous pit. Vader started to tire, but the Kaiburr Crystal gave him strength. It even allowed him to emit Sith lightning from his robotic fingertips&mdash;something that would have been impossible in any other circumstance. Still, Skywalker was also strengthened by the Crystal, and was able to deflect the attack. Vader was flabbergasted, and startled when young Skywalker severed his prosthetic right arm. The Dark Lord did not give up, but while clutching at his fallen lightsaber with his remaining hand, he was distracted by the familiarity of Skywalker's own weapon. He tripped over his severed limb, and hurtled into the pit, allowing Skywalker and the healed Organa to escape his clutches once more.

He howled with rage until his sharp impact on the rocky surface at the bottom of the pit. In great pain, he realized that the Kaiburr Crystal's power had influenced him to try and kill Skywalker. He sensed that Skywalker had taken the crystal with him in his departure from Mimban. Escaping the deep cavern, he had an Imperial shuttle take him to a nearby medical center, where he was nursed back to health. But he did not consider the Mimban expedition a failure: he now understood that Skywalker would be a valuable ally should Vader turn against his master. Abandoning his efforts to learn about Skywalker, Vader simply desired to capture him, and bend the young Rebel to his will.

Torlock's defection
"My source may have been misinformed."

- Darth Vader

One of Vader's sources, Admiral Droon, informed him that Governor Lexhannen Torlock of Corulag planned to defect to the Alliance. The Dark Lord decided that he would have Torlock assassinated before he could do so, and would then frame the Alliance for the act, using the incident as propaganda against the Rebels. He had his troops summon Wrenga Jixton to his palace&mdash;but he had earlier ordered Jixton to make sure that no one knew that he worked for the Dark Lord. Predictably, Jixton arrived, having defeated the troops sent to bring him in. However, Vader was displeased when Jixton evaded the palace's security system. Confronting the Corellian with a Force choke, he instructed Jixton to kill Torlock. The Corellian was also to use drone barge G-79 to get to Corulag.

Shortly afterwards, Vader was contacted by Jixton, who requested to meet with the Dark Lord's informant, as the situaton had grown more complex. The Corellian did not give any more details over the comlink, and so Vader refused, cutting him off. Jixton later returned to Imperial Center, accompanied by large case. Inside was Droon, who had in fact faked Torlock's defection in order to gain the governor's seat for himself. The Corellian asked whether or not he should still locate Torlock, but Vader was not interested. Droon was released from the case, and Jixton presented him with a lightsaber retrieved from the admiral's own collection. Vader ignited his own saber as Jixton left the room, and then slew Droon.

Deal on Ord Mantell
"A particular Rebel interests me...Luke Skywalker"

- Darth Vader

Vader contacted the bounty hunter Boba Fett, who he hoped would be able to apprehend Skywalker. His armor fully repaired following the mishap on Mimban, Vader met with Fett on Ord Mantell. Fett was hunting Han Solo, the pilot of the Millennium Falcon, and so the bounty hunter realized that he might be able to gain two bounties for the effort of one. Fett also suggested that since Skywalker and Solo were companions, capturing one might lure the other.

Striking back
"The Empire is on the verge of success. Soon, peace and order will be restored throughout the galaxy. Even now, our capable forces, led by Darth Vader are striking back at the Rebel insurgents"

- Palpatine

As part of a new Imperial surge against Rebel installments, Vader took command of a gargantuan flotilla of starfighters, and set off, with the aid of Vice Admiral Thrawn, to destroy key enemy installations. His force came across a Rebel platform and, coordinating his attack with that of the Chiss vice admiral, the enemy was routed, with their platform destroyed.

Derra IV served as the arena for another major Imperial victory, as Vader orchestrated an attack on a supply convoy that the Alliance badly needed.

The Battle of Hoth
"Make ready to land our troops beyond the energy shield and deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off the system. You are in command now, Admiral Piett." "Thank you, Lord Vader."

- Darth Vader and Firmus Piett

Realizing that he had spent too much time obsessing over Skywalker instead of hunting the Rebels, Vader had the Death Squadron deploy probes all over the galaxy from the Elrood system, hunting for any trace of Alliance activity. The Executor later received transmissions from Hoth, displaying imagery of a large power generator. With certainty, Vader confirmed that Hoth was the location of the Rebel base. By now, he had accepted the fact that Skywalker was indeed his son, and he had no doubt that the young man was on Hoth. Admiral Kendal Ozzel, exasperated, protested, suggesting other alternatives as to what the droid had uncovered, but Vader shut him up by ordering the fleet to travel there. Ozzel entered the Hoth system far too close to the planet for a surprise attack, prompting the riled Vader to execute him and replace him with Firmus Piett.

The Rebels had already begun their evacuation when the Imperials arrived, and they were able to fend off the AT-AT assault for a considerable amount of time. But the assault persisted, the 501st, with the help of General Veers, was able to destroy the Rebels shield generator. As a result, the Imperials won the day. Vader cared little for the tactical victory, however, as he was more concerned with Skywalker. Witnessing the Milennium Falcon depart from Hoth, he sensed that the young Rebel was still alive, and decided to resort to Fett's plan, understanding that Skywalker rarely strayed from his friends Solo and Organa. Before departing the planet, however, Vader helped his men destroy one of the last Rebel transports that had been unable to escape. Returning to the Executor, he ordered his crew to give chase, and pursue the Falcon. However, the smuggler's ship entered an asteroid field, which caused Admiral Piett some concern. Vader dismissed Piett's suggestions, however, and meditated, hoping to catch a glimpse of the future. All he gleaned was that something significant would transpire in the near future.

Baiting the trap
"We would be honored if you would join us."

- Darth Vader

The Executor had to break pursuit when Vader received a top priority transmission from his master on Imperial center. Palpatine claimed to know of Skywalker, but it was his revelation that he was the offspring of Anakin Skywalker that shocked Vader. Palpatine wanted the young man dead, but Vader was able to convince his master to reconsider. Having experienced the boy's power on Mimban, Vader suggested that he would be better served as an ally, rather than dead. Palpatine agreed, and Vader pleged himself to finding and converting, or killing, Skywalker.

Vader sent out a summons to six bounty hunters across the galaxy, including Fett, instructing them to rendezvous at the Executor location in the Hoth system. Many of the hunters were now free agents following Xizor's demolishing of the Bounty Hunter's Guild. Among them was Fett, for whom Vader had a sense of respect, and a feeling of professional rivalry. They met in the bridge, where Vader instructed them to find the Falcon, not kill any of the occupants, and bring them to him. Moments later, the Falcon emerged from the field, prompting the Avenger to give chase. The Avenger lost its quarry, however, and Vader ordered the fleet to disperse. Fett, however, was not as easily fooled as the Imperial officers, and contacted Vader, claiming that he had spotted the Falcon, with a damaged hyperdrive, limping towards the Bespin system. Vader ordered Piett to hyper there with due haste.

Fett and Vader beat the Falcon to Cloud City, its supposed destination, where the Dark Lord was greeted by Baron Administrator Lando Calrissian. Vader had run a background check on Calrissian, and knew that he was a former owner of the Falcon. However, he was not surprised when Calrissian betrayed no knowledge of the ship&mdash;the man was also a seasoned gambler. The Baron Administrator was accommodating and courteous, and allowed Vader to place his troops throughout the city. The Dark Lord coerced Calrissian into playing his part in a trap laid for Solo and Organa.

Several hours later, Lieutenant Sheckil informed Vader that the Falcon had landed at Platform 327, and that Organa was Solo's only passenger of note, as well as a protocol droid. Vader ordered Sheckil to keep his troops out of sight until he was prepared to reveal himself to the Rebels. At that moment, Sheckil received a transmission from one of the stormtrooper squads, who had accidentally shot Organa's droid. Vader was displeased, and he ordered to have the droid brought to him, hoping to pick its memory for pertinent data. Fett suggested that Vader spread word of the Rebels capture, so as to lure Skywalker into the trap, but the Dark Lord was confident that such a move would not be needed. Inspecting the damaged droid, Vader was shocked to find that it was none other than C-3PO. He began to reminisce about his childhood, and the discovery of the droid, but Vader quickly suppressed his emotions, and ordered 3PO's destruction.

When Vader detected a tremor in the Force signifying Skywalker's rush to save his friends, the Dark Lord sprung his trap. He arranged Calrissian to escort the Rebels to a banquet room, where Vader revealed himself and greeted them. Solo, acting quickly, fired off several shots at Vader, but the Sith Lord calmly batted them away with his hand, before retrieving the blaster from the startled Corellian's hands. Following this, Sheckil approached Vader once more, with what he thought to be good news. Producing C-3PO's remains once more, Sheckil claimed that Solo's copilot, the Wookiee Chewbacca, had been trying desperately to retrieve the parts, and had deduced that the unit may have been of high importance to the Alliance. Vader once again dwelled on memories of his mother and childhood. He recalled the circumstances upon which he had been allowed to keep the droid, and specifically thought back on his mother's words on responsibility. In a rare moment of mercy, Vader relented, ordering the parts to be taken to the Wookiee's cell, before demanding that Solo be taken to the makeshift interrogation chamber for torture.

He asked the Corellian no questions, only inflicting pain in order to heighten Skywalker's sense of urgency. Vader also had Chewbacca tortured, hoping that the cries of his friends in the Force would stir agony and conflict in Skywalker. Concerned that the young Jedi hopeful would not survive the carbon freezing process, Vader had the Ugnaught technicians test the process on Captain Solo. When Calrissian claimed that Solo had survived the process, Vader had the machine reset for Skywalker, as Fett had the frozen Corellian carted away. An aide informed Vader that Skywalker had just landed at Cloud City, prompting the Dark Lord to have the room cleared for his arrival.

Duel on Cloud City
Sure enough, Skywalker strode into the carbon freezing chamber, blaster at the ready. When Vader revealed himself, the young Jedi holstered it, and replaced it with his lightsaber. The Dark Lord now recognized the weapon: it was the same one Kenobi had picked up on the shores of Mustafar many years prior. The two combatants dueled in the steamy and dark chamber, with Skywalker holding his own against the far more experienced Sith Lord.

Vader persisted, however, battling through the complex, hurling objects at Skywalker with the Force, and eventually pushed the young man out onto a dangerous gantry. With the Bespin winds tearing around them, the two combatants fought on, with Skywalker landing a glancing blow on Vader's chest. Vader snarled in anger, and as Skywalker backed himself into a more precarious position on the gantry, the Dark Lord lashed out, severing the young Jedi's right hand at the wrist. As the hand, and Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber hurtled into the abyss below, Vader extended an offer to the young man, urging him to join the Empire, and end the Galactic Civil War. When Skywalker refused, Vader decided that it was time to reveal Skywalker's heritage. The young Jedi was aghast, and in denial. Vader once again extended his offer, but Skywalker, unexpectedly, chose to attempt suicide instead by plumetting into the dark abyss below.

Vader sensed that he was still alive, however, and hurriedly made for his shuttle. Imperial aides informed the Dark Lord that Calrissian had betrayed them, urging all residents to leave Cloud City before the impending Imperial invasion force arrived. He had also helped Organa, 3PO, and the Wookiee escape to the Millennium Falcon. Vader, however, had already made the precaution of having the Falcon ' s hyperdrive unit sabotaged. He sent two stormtrooper squads to retrieve Skywalker, and made his way to the Executor. There, he was notified that the Falcon had retrieved Skywalker, and was preparing to leave the system. Watching the Falcon make its apparently futile attempt to escape Vader's TIEs, Vader called out to his son through the Force, beckoning him. But the Falcon unexpectedly leapt into hyperspace, leaving Vader empty-handed once more.

Brie's failure
Despite his own failure at Bespin to sway Skywalker to his cause, his mole in the Alliance, Shira Brie, still remained active. On an Alliance mission to infiltrate an Imperial fleet, however, Skywalker instinctively shot down Brie, with the Force as his guide. Vader was able to retrieve his agent, and although he was now without a spy in enemy ranks, Skywalker was stripper of his rank for firing on a fellow officer, and was regarded as a pariah by Alliance command. He eventually absolved himself by investigating Brie's past, and was cleared of all charges.

Meanwhile, on the Executor, Vader oversaw Brie's rehabilitation. She was given prosthetic replacements for limbs previously damaged, and was taught to use the Force by Vader. The Dark Lord even instructed her in the Sith ways for a short while, but he was unable to keep her a secret from Palpatine. To avoid mishap, he presented Brie, now named Lumiya, to his master as a potential Emperor's Hand. Palpatine accepted the gift.

Harkov the defector
"Greetings, Admiral Harkov. We have a matter to discuss."

- Darth Vader

Admiral Zaarin, hoping to end the war with technological developments much like Tarkin before him, had won a campaign in the Mylok system against both the Rebels and the Nharwaak. As a result, he had received the services of the Habeen, who, with the Nharwaak, had develloped new starfighter technology. Palpatine, curious, sent Vader to investigate, and Zaarin obliged. Taking Vader to a space station, he demonstrated the technology: TIE Advanced craft with hyperdrive capabilities. He informed Vader that the new Advanced fighters were seeing combat, and a new prototype was under development. Vader, curiosity piqued, requested that Zaarin provide Palpatine with one of the new prototypes as soon as possible.

The Secret Order had, since the Battle of Hoth, suspected Admiral Harkov of duplicity. Their suspicions were confirmed when pilot Maarek Stele witnessed Harkov dispatching officers to meet with the Alliance. Stele himself was firmly in the sights of Harkov, and the traitorous admiral sought to kill him. The Secret Order chose that moment to play their hand, and subsequently called in Vader to lead the campaign against Harkov in the Parmel system. As Harkov had been frittering away Navy funds for the benefit of the Rebels, Palpatine took particular interest in this campaign. Stele proved to be invaluable during initial investigations, as he had served on Harkov's flagship, the Protector. The young pilot was able to discover, during a recon mission, that Harkov was taking on supplies at the Alliance space station DS 5. Returning to Imperial Center to inform Palpatine, Vader was ordered to take Harkov alive, as the forces under his command would prove to be extensively damaging in Rebel hands.

As the Protector took on supplies at DS 5, reconnaissance squads harried Rebel convoys that would be providing equipment to Harkov. The second attack, intended to wipe out Harkov's TIE Advanced defense, determined that he had transferred to the station, leading Vader to redirect his focus. Zaarin's hyper-equipped TIE Advanced fighters proved instrumental at that particular point of the campaign, allowing the Dark Lord to launch strikes at Harkov without moving his flagship directly into harm's way. With the station's defenses cleared, Vader moved in for the kill. His forces bore down on DS 5, disabling all craft that tried to flee. Harkov was discovered to be aboard the YT-1300 Geddawai, and was in turn captured. The Alliance scrambled fighters to rescue the doomed Admiral, and even dispatched a frigate, the Olinor to defend DS 5, but it was too little, too late. The station fell to Imperial boarders, and as Vader entered the system in his flagship, the Garrett, he received Harkov. At first inquiring as to the whereabouts of the traitorous admiral's fleet, Vader merely crushed the man's windpipe with the Force, executing him in a brutal manner.

The machinations of Prince Xizor
With the Death Star II nearing completion at Endor, Palpatine instructed Vader to work with Prince Xizor, who owned the galaxy's most substantial merchant fleet. Xizor was also the head of Black Sun, and his family had been killed on Falleen during Vader's "quarantine" in years prior. The Prince had planned to let the Rebels obtain the plans to the Death Star II as part of an elaborate trap. The plans traveled on an unescorted freighter through the Both system, where they were captured by Rebels, with the aid of Bothan spies. The plans indicated that the station was not fully operational and was undefended, which was far from the truth.

When Vader learned that bounty hunters had captured Skywalker on Kothlis, he rushed there to apprehend his son. While in transit, the young Jedi escaped, leaving Vader empty-handed once again. Meanwhile, Xizor planned to discredit Vader by having Skywalker killed, and when the Dark Lord learned of this, he was incensed. The Falleen prince had tried and tested Vader's patience ad nauseum, and now, with his most brazen attempt to sully Vader's image by killing the Dark Lord's son, Vader was pushed over the edge. When Xizor's navy attempted to kill Skywalker and his companions over Imperial Center, the Dark Lord of the Sith issued a warning to the prince&mdash;that he recall his forces and surrender himself into Imperial custody, on pain of both his skyhook's destruction, and his own death. Xizor did not respond, and so Vader had the Executor open fire on the Falleen's Fist, obliterating it and killing the Falleen prince.

Zaarin the traitor
"These traitors must pay the ultimate price!"

- Darth Vader

Admiral Zaarin continued his work on the new prototype starfighters, dubbed "TIE Defenders." When the prototypes were finally completed, Vader ordered Zaarin to send a trio of them to the Emperor at Imperial Center. In transit, the fighters were almost captured by the Alliance, who had managed to set up an ambush. Though Palpatine was pleased with the new fighter, he was disappointed that security had been so lax to allow the Rebels to stage such an attack. Zaarin had informed Vader that he suspected a security breach at his headquarters, space station Research, and he also believed that the Rebels were developing their own new weapons technology. Upon hearing this, Palpatine ordered Vader to see that the Alliance did not gain the upper hand in the new arms race. Though the spy was not found, Zaarin was allowed to finish his new project in peace, granting Palpatine's starfighters Beam weapon technology. The Rebels new weapon was the Mag Pulse torpedo, develloped by Galactic Electronics. Soon enough, GE's assets in the Corporate Sector were seized, and the crisis averted.

Finally having located the Protector in the Parmel system, Vader dispatched the Immobilizer 418 cruiser Harpax to trap the flagship of ex-Admiral Harkov. Palpatine advised Vader to be cautious, and bade that he make full use of the Secret Order during his operations at Parmel. The Protector was taking on supplies from the Alliance, and so Vader had the Harpax dispatch fighters to destroy those supplies in transit. Upon the completion of this, however, the MC40a light cruiser Warhawk and the frigate Akaga arrived, wedging the Harpax between the three enemy ships. The situation was dire: if the Harpax fled, the Protector surely would too, letting it escape Vader's clutches once more. If it stayed, it would fall prey to the Protector, the Akaga, or the Warhawk. Assessing the situation, Vader dispatched pilots to reinforce the Harpax ' s complement.

While fighters were sent to bomb the Akaga, Vader sped with all due haste to the battle in the Garrett. The Akaga destroyed just prior to his arrival, Vader broadcasted a rallying message to all pilots, urging them on to victory. Shortly afterwards, the final attack was launched, resulting in the destruction of the Protector and the Warhawk. Reinforcements from Admiral Zaarin arrived after the fact, but much to the shock of the Garrett ' s crew, they sustained fire from the reinforcements. Arditi 1, Arditi 2, and Arditi 3 all engaged the Garrett, but were fended off thanks to the efforts of none other than pilot Maarek Stele. Several more waves of Zaarin's craft were destroyed, and Vader took special notice of the talented pilot. However, time for celebration was in short supply, as Vader realized that if Zaarin was trying to distract him in the Parmel system, he must be trying to attack Palpatine at Imperial Center.

Since the Garrett would not be able to make Imperial Center in time, Vader decided to take one of the new TIE Defender starfighters instead. Putting himself in Delta Squadron, call sign 6, he appointed Stele to be the leader of the group, as they sped towards a rendezvous with the frigate Osprey. At the designated point, however, they were set upon by Zaarin's Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wings, and trapped by the Interdictor Harpago. Vader and Delta Squardron battled through the waves of traitors, eventually fighting their way to the Osprey, ready to make the final leg of the journey to Imperial Center.

Reaching the Coruscant system in time, Vader flew into combat against Zaarin's forces above the Imperial capital. The Emperor's flagship, the Majestic, had been boarded by Zaarin's men, and Palpatine himself taken prisoner by the turncoat Emperor's Hand, Arden Lyn. As he was being transferred back to Zaarin's flagship, the Glory, in a shuttle from Haven Group, Stele identified his location, and Vader ordered him to immediately disable the shuttle in order to allow the Mescue to rescue his master. As the pair fought off Zaarin's TIE Advanced starfighters, Vice Admiral Thrawn entered the fray with the Imperial Star Destroyer Vanguard. Palpatine was saved, and Zaarin fled, but Thrawn was hot on his heels. As a result of his exemplary service, Stele was given a medal by the Emperor.

The Bothan connection
When an Imperial frieghter carrying top-secret encrypted data pertinent to the Death Star II project was hijacked near Imperial Center, Vader was tasked by his master to track down the perpetrators. Heading away from the capital, the Rebels and Bothans involved were arrested, and stowed aboard the Dargon. Vader sought to interrogate the prisoners himself, so he dispatched his own fighters to escort the Dargon to a rendezvous with the Garrett. While passing through the Yllotat system, the Dargon fell under attack from Rebel forces, supervised by Keeper 1 and Keeper 2. When they were beaten back by Vader's pilots, the Rebels resorted to more desperate measures. Instead of trying to rescue Vader's prisoners, they attempted to destroy it. The agent of this scheme, corvette Hut'to, was also destroyed by the Imperial pilots. The Dargon was able to make the hyperspace jump to the Garrett, but upon reverting to sublight engines, the ship's crew discovered a malfunction. Suspecting Rebel sabotage, Vader grew impatient, and sent out transports to transfer the prisoners from the waylaid Dargon. His forces came under attack from the Rebel frigate Bay Point, but the prisoners were retrieved all the same.

Acting on intelligence extracted from the prisoners, Vader then moved against a small flotilla of Bothan freighters, consisting of Botani 1, Botani 2, and Botani 3. Though the Bothans scrambled fighters to defend, they were unsuccessful, and the Dark Lord had a new batch of prisoners to question. From them, he learned that the elusive freighter had been taken to the Bothan colony of Kothlis. Bearing down on the space station Kothlis II, Vader gave orders to pilot Maarek Stele to inspect the corvette Timoth 4, which was departing the platform. After determining that the craft was carrying decryption staff, Vader let it go, and focused his attack on the station. Kothlis II fell to Imperial forces, and it was determined that the Bothans intended to pass their captured data onto the Rebels.

Locating the rendezvous point between the two parties in the Delfii system, Vader had fighters dispatched to stop the transfer. In the ensuing battle, the Bothan Dreadnought Doomer was destroyed, while the Rebel cruiser Knights was captured, and the crew taken to the Dark Lord for interrogation. Following this, Vader sent out reconnaisance flights to determine the Rebellion's movements, gauging how much importance they placed in destroying the Emperor's new weapon. The Death Star II was, of course, operational, but Palpatine had deliberately let the Rebels think that it was still floundering in construction woes, and would be vulnerable to attack. Pilot Stele's reconnaisance data determined that the Viper, the Kracken, the Lutdze and the Sullute had gathered in a staging area nearby, and the task force definitely bore members of Alliance High Command. The Rebels had also enlisted a Bothan computer expert to determine whether or not the Death Star II data was a ruse, but Stele put that ploy to an end by dispatching the hacker's craft.

Vader was satisfied, but he realized that the Rebels understood that they had been compromised, and they would try and relocate. Sullust was determined to be the final staging area for the Alliance, but the gargantuan Imperial force that was to spring the trap at Endor, where the Death Star II was being built, had not yet arrived. Vader then took steps to delay the Alliance summit. Dispatching his fighters, the Rebels lost ships such as the Red Dog, the Barker and the Shmus, with at least considerable delay to the arrival of the Dakkrakk, the Asis, as well as Floran 1, Floran 2, and Floran 3. At any rate, the Alliance effort was greatly hampered and waylaid, allowing the Imperials more time to properly set their trap at Endor. Returning to Imperial Center, Vader informed his master, who decided that he too would visit Endor to oversee what he believed would be the final destruction of the Alliance.

Final preparations
Though the Bothan trouble had been eliminated, the threat of Zaarin's splinter faction remained. Officers from deep within Navy echelons were being swayed to the rogue Admiral's cause, and eventually, some of those privy to the truth about the Emperor's trap at Endor defected to Zaarin. One such defector was Namuura Din, commander of the Zeplin. He was in possession of one of the new Missile Boat starfighters, and hoped to sell both the ship, and the information to the Rebels. He also intended to transfer the Zeplin to Rebel hands. Vader hastily pursued Din to the Iast system, launching fighters to disable the Zeplin. His pilots sighted the Rebel cruiser Link leaving the system, and were unable to stop its escape. With the Zeplin recaptured and back in Imperial hands, Vader interrogated Din. Before killing the turncoat, he learned that the Link had obtained the Missile Boat, and that its commanders now knew of the Death Star II's full functionality. Realizing that the Link had to be stopped before it could reach the main Rebel fleet, Vader, commanding the Garrett for the final time, set off in pursuit.

Luckily for Vader, the Link stopped for refueling. The Dark Lord surmised that the Link ' s commander would have kept the vital intelligence to himself, and would deem it to important to transmit to Alliance command. His assumptions were proven to be correct when his forces captured the Link, and he personally interrogated the commander. Despite the fact that the Endor intelligence had been surpressed, the Missile Boat, "Sealion," had been able to flee the battle. Sending the Link off to Imperial Intelligence for inspection, Vader had the Garrett take on resupplies from the Qork and the Mist, before setting off after the Rebel Missile Boat.

Reaching the Rebel space station Enin'sd, Vader launched fighters to remove the Alliance's defences. Maarek Stele was dispatched to determine which storage container the Rebels were hiding the Missile Boat in, and upon discovery, the cargo ferry Omega 1 was sent to recover it. Vader was curious as to whether or not the Rebels had time to disassemble the fighter and replicate the machinery; with the inevitable Battle of Endor looming, the Rebels would not be allowed an advantage. Luckilly for the Dark Lord, the fighter was retrieved intact. The Rebels dispatched the Piimi, the Keeper, and the Equator to stop the Garrett, but they were too late.

The trap at Endor
"I will not turn, and you'll be forced to kill me." "If that is your destiny."

- Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader

Palpatine dispatched Vader to oversee the final stages of construction. On the way to the battle station, Vader began recalling his previous life as Anakin Skywalker, and dwelled on what he could have done differently. He had a premonition, showing he and Skywalker as allies, being harried by Palpatine. This caused the Dark Lord a great deal of concern. Like he had its predecessor, Vader held the superweapon in contempt, and was most displeased when he learned from Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod that the construction was behind schedule. When Vader informed the Moff that Palpatine himself would soon be inspecting the weapon, Jerjerrod had his men amplify their efforts.

Shortly before Palpatine's arrival, Vader received a report from Tatooine, claiming that Jabba the Hutt had been assassinated. The Dark Lord deduced that Skywalker and his companions had succeeded in rescuing Captain Solo. Vader then greeted his master in one of the station's docking bays, and discussed both the superweapon, and Skywalker. He slowly began to realize that Palpatine would set up a situation similar to that of the Invisible Hand, many years prior, when a young Anakin Skywalker had been forced to kill Dooku, the Sith Master's former apprentice. With this revelation, Vader understood that he had to sway Skywalker to his cause.

Palpatine ordered Vader to take the Imperial fleet to the far side of Endor, despite the Dark Lord's protests that the Rebels were amassing their own attack force near Sullust. Shortly after boarding the Executor, Vader witnessed shuttle Tydirium approach to Endor. The shuttle bore an older code, and was apparently taking parts to the shield generator on the planet surface. Vader detected Skywalker's presence on the ship, but told his men to let it pass. Returning to Palpatine, he insisted that his feelings on the matter were clear, but the Emperor was not sure. He told Vader to go to the sanctuary moon, and await Skywalker's arrival, deducing that the young Jedi's compassion would draw him to his father.

Vader began to despair: he realized that even if he could sway Skywalker to his side, he would have to kill Palpatine, as there was no way of escaping him. Waiting at the energy shield generator on the moon, Vader watched an AT-AT approach, bearing his son. Whilst he was pleased to hear that the young man accepted the truth of his lineage, he realized that Luke still believed in "Anakin Skywalker", who Vader considered long dead. When Skywalker began to plead with Vader, calling him to turn back to the light, the Dark Lord realized that he was too strongly bonded to his master for redemption. He shut out the compassionate words of his son, taking refuge within the cold shell he had constructed around his own emotional state. Taking Skywalker to the Emperor, Vader prepared to meet what he thought to be his doom. Before departing, he gave the troops stationed on Endor under his command permission to open fire on the natives, and actively seek out their settlements and emplacements.

The final duel
"If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny."

- Darth Vader

Returning to the Death Star II with his son, Vader joined his master in the makeshift throne room, to view the impending Battle of Endor. As Vader delivered Skywalker's lightsaber to Palpatine, the Sith Master began to goad the young Jedi, trying to prompt his fall to the dark side. Skywalker was at first unimpressed, but when the Rebel fleet entered the system and began being dashed to pieces by the hidden Imperial fleet, his anger became evident. After Palpatine demonstrated the Death Star II's fully operational status by destroying the Liberty with a superlaser, Skywalker summoned his lightsaber, and made to strike down the Sith Master. Vader prevented this by defending his master, and engaging Skywalker in a duel.

After a brief clash of blades, Skywalker gained the upper hand by kicking his father down the large stairway leading to the Emperor's throne. Landing painfully, with a cybernetic cable in his leg broken, Vader recalled the similar situation on the Invisible Hand and resolved to prove himself the victor. Skywalker deactivated his blade, claiming that he did not want to fight his father, but Vader ignored him, and lashed out. The duel continued, with the young Jedi retreating to an overlooking gantry, in order to distance himself from the Dark Lord. Vader was not to be robbed of his victory, however, and he flung his lightsaber at the gantry, bringing it and Skywalker crashing to the ground.

As the battle raged on in the space outside, Vader focused on finding Skywalker, who had sought refuge in the maze of pillars and girders below the throne platform. Vader taunted and goaded his son, and came to a shocking revalation: Skywalker feared for the life of his sister, none other than Leia Organa. Hoping to draw Skywalker out, Vader threatened to turn Organa to the dark side, should the young Jedi not submit. This prompted an unexpected reaction from Skywalker. He leapt out of his hiding place, and charged at the Dark Lord, launching a flurry of strikes against him, forcing him to retreat into the open space. A glancing blow ruptured Vader's life support system, causing him to fall back against some railing. He was powerless to prevent Skywalker slicing off his right cybernetic hand, as revenge for what had transpired at Bespin.

Death
"I've got to save you." "You already have, Luke."

- Luke and Anakin Skywalker

As Palpatine cackled with glee, Skywalker moved to deliver a killing stroke to Vader. However, the young Jedi realized that he was slowly becoming his father, and as a result, he threw aside his lightsaber, and stood defiant and defenseless against the Emperor. Vader could do nothing but watch on as Palpatine, furious, blasted Skywalker with Sith lightning. As the young Jedi writhed in pain and cried out to his father for help, Vader shuffled to his master's side, watching on. The sight changed something in Vader's mindset: he realized that he no longer cared for his own future, but the survival of his son was tantamount, and he could not allow Palpatine to complete his gruesome torture. At that moment, Darth Vader ceased to exist, and Anakin Skywalker, figuratively, returned.

Acting quickly, Anakin picked up his former master with his remaining hand, and carried him over to one of the deep chasms in the throne room. Palpatine screamed, and continued to emit the lightning, but instead of targeting Luke, he tried to destroy Anakin. With his life support system shorted out due to the Emperor's attack, Anakin knew that he would surely die, but he continued his slow advance to the chasm, and eventually hurled his screaming master into the abyss. As Anakin lay there, waiting to die, Luke approached him, and began dragging him to a docking bay. The Endor shield generator had been destroyed by the Alliance, and fighters had penetrated the station's superstructure. Luke carried Anakin to ST321, when the mortally wounded Jedi asked his son to remove the mask of Darth Vader. For the first time, he saw his son with his naked eyes, and despite Luke's protests, he believed himself to be at peace. Anakin Skywalker then died in his son's arms.

To his surprise, Anakin then found himself in the netherworld of the Force, as a disembodied spirit. Hearing the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi, his first master, he learned how to revisit the corporeal universe as a Force spirit, in the hopes that he would be able to see his children again. He watched his own funeral, as Luke burned the armor of Darth Vader and the body of Anakin Skywalker on the Forest Moon of Endor. Then, with the specters of Kenobi and Master Yoda, he watched the celebrations that ensued. With Palpatine, and Vader dead, and the Death Star II destroyed, the Alliance had now overcome their greatest obstacles. At the celebrations, Luke saw his father again, but this time in his younger, untainted form.

Shortly afterwards, Anakin appeared to his daughter, Leia Organa. He begged her forgiveness for the crimes he had committed in his life, but Organa, who had only just learned of her true parentage inthe days prior, could not come to terms with Anakin's repentance, and would not forget that Vader had tortured her aboard the Death Star four years prior, and stood by while Wilhuff Tarkin obliterated her homeworld of Alderaan. Anakin vanished, and never appeared to his daughter again.

Legacy
It would take many years for Organa to come to terms with her legacy, but she could never forgive Darth Vader. While visiting Tatooine in 8 ABY, she experienced a dream featuring Vader. She still could not forgive the crimes of Vader, but as she came to a greater understanding of the environment in which her father had grown up, she came to understand the choices he had made, if not sympathize with them. The revelations gave her enough confidence to settle down with Captain Solo and start a family of her own. When entering politics, however, Organa faced criticisms that she was following in the footsteps of her father. Later, upon defeating a would be assassin on Coruscant several years after the Battle of Endor, she saw her reflection in the attacker's armor as a vision of Vader's mask. Organa also inherited the respect the Noghri had for Vader, and they served her as bodyguards for many years.

Many years later, while training to be a Jedi, Anakin's namesake, Anakin Solo, the youngest child of Organa and Captain Solo, was haunted by dreams of Vader.

After viewing recordings of the events of 19 BBY, Organa did however come to forgive Anakin Skywalker, believing that he was helpless to resist Palpatine.

Perceptions
"Anakin Skywalker was great. A Podracer champion, through and through. I don't know if that's important to you, but it is to me."

- Teemto Pagalies

Shortly after the Dark Nest Crisis, Voren Na'al compiled a history of the galaxy, and in it, went into great detail about Skywalker's life and the impact of his children.

While it was considered that Anakin Skywalker had fulfilled the prophecy of the Chosen One at the time of his death, the resurrection of Palpatine and the eventual re-emergence of the Sith several decades later threw that assertion into doubt. Tionne Solusar, working from information presented in Shmi Skywalker's journal, the recordings made by R2-D2 in 19 BBY, and the Great Holocron, compiled a brief biography of Skywalker's trajectory's life. In that biography, she claimed that Skywalker could no longer be considered the Chosen One, as the Sith had not been properly extinguished. In fact, one of his pupils as Vader, Lumiya, had played an important role in galactic events at the time of Solusar's chronicle, throwing the public and Jedi perception of Skywalker into even darker light.

Furthermore, Vader was seen by some taking the dark path as an inspiration, but the Jedi sought to use him as an example of why one should hold to the light.

In the eyes of his childhood friends however, such as Banai and Wald, Skywalker was remembered fondly as a kind and honorable being. Several people who had known him as a child refused to accept that he had become Darth Vader, instead remembering him for his acts of charity and selflessness.

Personality and traits
"I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further."

- Darth Vader

As a slave, Anakin was an exceptionally generous child, always seeking to aid those in need without a selfish thought. He demonstrated this in saving C-3PO from the scrap heap, and he genuinely believed that the droid had feelings. Having genuine concern for the droid, he risked he and his mother's privacy for the sake of the machine. Another instance of this generosity is his rescue of the injured Tusken Raider. Despite the constant warning from the locals that Tuskens were dangerous, he put his own safety at risk for the lone Raider. Despite gaining no reward for this venture, his offer to help Master Qui-Gon Jinn the following day would eventually grant him his freedom.

He was exceptionally indignant in regards to his status as a slave, which he thought to be something embarrassing. Being born a slave, Anakin hated the practice with a passion, but he was willing to discuss it with Naberrie. He lived in the constant hope that slavery would be abolished, and his mother would be freed.

During his apprenticeship to Obi-Wan, Anakin would often skew his priorities and put himself at odds with his superiors. Due to his unorthodox upbringing, he was opinionated on matters such as slavery, and his fascination in ships and shipbuilding drove him to distraction during the Zonama Sekot mission of 29 BBY.

Early in his life, Anakin realized he had no fear, at least not for himself. Due to this, he constantly put himself at risk, which caused Shmi to worry. If there was anything that Anakin did fear for, it was Shmi. Since she was the only real family he had, he had an exceptionally strong relationship with her. His upbringing being so, he found adapting to the Jedi way of life considerably difficult, since he was called upon to abandon all emotions, including love and fear. The death of his mother impacted him greatly, and it was evident that due to his late admission to the Jedi Order, he could not suppress his feelings suitably. This lack of control would also lead to him falling in love with Padmé Naberrie, which, in turn, caused him to fear for her as well. The fear of losing her was what drove Anakin to the dark side of the Force and Palpatine's influence, and so when she did die, Anakin, now Vader, resolved to purge himself of everything but hate.

Anakin, and Vader, hated weakness, and while he at first merely derided it, he eventually sought to punish it. He fought with Greedo the Elder, due to the fact that the young Rodian accused him of cheating, but this was frowned upon by Master Jinn. He was livid with the Lars family for allowing Shmi to be taken by the Tusken Raiders, and would later punish that transgression by having Owen and Beru Lars executed. He would also later deride the Imperial military for its faith in a superweapon; he believed that the Force was a far greater weapon.

Vader hated his master, Palpatine, but he understood that he would never be able to defeat or overcome him alone. When he gained intelligence of Luke Skywalker, he attempted to sway the young Jedi to his cause, in the hopes that he would give Vader the edge against the Sith Master. Though he tried to kill the young Jedi on Mimban, Vader believed that it was his destiny to have Luke at his side, following the revelation that they were in fact kin. When Vader realized that the alliance between them was not to be, the image of his son being slowly tortured to death prompted him to relinquish his Sith ways, and sacrifice himself for his son.

Though most spacers were loathe to, the Dark Lord enjoyed staring into the tubular void of hyperspace, as he felt it gave him solace. Such an act was said to drive men insane due to the nature of hyperspace, but Vader simply threw caution to the wind in in these instances.

As Vader, he was a particualarly polite man, and would extend standard courtesies to people he would interact with. Whether he intended it or not, his actions and demeanor would often strike fear into the hearts of his employees.

As a teacher to Galen Marek, Vader chose not to engage in debate and research, rather, continual punishment and rigorous training. The Dark Lord would never offer his charge a shred of encouragement, and was relentless in putting the young man through all manner of rigorous trials.

The subject of Vader's non-existent father was a particularly touchy one with the Dark Lord, inspiring rage in the man in the heat of combat, as demonstrated on the Death Star in combat against Marek.

Vader chose to surround himself with inorganic designs, and he had a strong belief in the binding power of order over that of credits.

Having never had a father, Skywalker initially struggled through his apprenticeship with Kenobi, as he suspected that his master had only taken him as his padawan as an obligation to Kenobi's own dying master, Jinn. During this time, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had a great influence over Skywalker, flattering the boy and continually offering advice.

When charged with protecting Senator Amidala on Naboo, Skywalker struggled with his infatuation for his charge, and could not help but fall in love with her.

During the Clone Wars, Skywalker's disobedient streak came to the fore when he directly disobeyed the wishes of his master, Kenobi, and pursued the Storm Fleet as it departed Kronex spaceport.

Over the course of the Clone Wars, Skywalker was presented with several opportunities to do away with the Confederate Head of State, Count Dooku. When his master's orders prevented him from doing so, he grew continually frustrated, and vowed that he would one day kill the count. When he battled what appeared to be Dooku on Metalorn, Skywalker worked himself up into a raging frenzy to defeat his enemy.

Skywalker's hatred for Tuskens came to the fore during the Battle of Aargonar, where a heat-induced madness brought him to confess his crimes to A'Sharad Hett. Later, when apprenticed briefly to Ki-Adi-Mundi, Skywalker found himself unable to connect with his new master, and found himself more concerned about the missing Kenobi, who was widely believed to be dead.

During the Praesitlyn campaign, Skywalker immersed himself in righteous anger and fury, allowing him to slog his way across the battlefield without any concern for his own life. He had to even hold himself back from striking down enemy officer Pors Tonith.

Skywalker also demonstrated compassion, as shown during his expedition on Nelvaan, in which he reached out in the Force and was able to persuade the mutated Nelvaanians to return to their village.

Skywalker's love for his wife, Amidala, greatly influenced his decision to renounce the Jedi ways and join Palpatine as a Sith. He panicked at the prospect of losing Palpatine to Master Windu during their duel, as Palpatine had assured him that his knowledge was the only way that Amidala could be saved from her death, which Skywalker had received visions of. As a result, Skywalker gave in to his darkest nature.

Vader sought discipline through execution&mdash;and in general, his techniques were hugely effective.

When looking to trap his son in 3 ABY, Vader looked to Skywalker's friends, and sought to inflict a great deal of pain upon them to rouse action in the young aspiring Jedi. To this end, he tortured both Captain Solo and his co-pilot, Chewbacca, without asking any questions at all.

Vader was not one for subtlety, or patience, especially when continually tried by someone like the ambitious upstart Prince Xizor.

Skywalker agreed with the assessment that he was one of the finest pilots in the galaxy, and even claimed it was so when confronted by his master, Kenobi.

Skywalker grew frustrated when faced with a pilot of considerable talent, as demonstrated when he battled Ventress over Muunilinst. The Padawan was so insistent on destroying the enemy craft that he directly disobeyed the orders of his master, who was also his superior officer. When Kenobi opted to send aid for Skywalker, the young Padawan took silent umbrage at the decision, but allowed his master's troops to aid him. He was also considerably angered when they were killed, along with his ship's built-in astromech droid, R4-P22. After besting Ventress, Skywalker was repentant upon his return to Kenobi, although he qualified his apology with a reminder that he had bested the Dark Acolyte in the encounter. Kenobi, however, was not impressed by his apprentice's audacity and defiance.

When fighting a long and bitter duel on Yavin 4 against Ventress, Skywalker gave into his rage, violently battering away at his opponent's defense.

Although he had understood that he would have to keep his union with Senator Amidala a secret, Skywalker was constantly irritated by the fact that the two of them had to sneak around clandestinely in order to be with one another.

By the end of his apprenticeship to Kenobi, Skywalker become despondent and even petulant around Kenobi, although he apologized for such behavior, such as when he unfavorably compared Kenobi to Master Jinn.

Skywalker yearned for combat, and was prone to seeking violent methods to solving problems, which contrasted with Kenobi's more clandestine approach. Skywalker would constantly leap into battle without a moment's hesitation, sometimes to less than desirable outcomes.

On the field of battle, Skywalker could be flippant and lackadaisical, purely with the intent of riling his former master. His jocular attitude was at odds with Kenobi's more serious approach to the war, although their relationship grew much more amicable in the later stages of the conflict.

Skywalker allowed his moral convictions to influence his actions during wartime, as he demonstrated on Nelvaan. After witnessing the gruesome mutation of a Nelvaanian warrior, he became so incensed that he resorted to crushing one of the Skakoans in charge of the facility. While on Nelvaan, he was also willing to sacrifice his wellbeing, namely his replacement hand, in order to restore ecological balance to the world. After experiencing a disturbing and prophetic vision in a cave on Nelvaan, Skywalker was reluctant to talk about his experiences, even with close friends such as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Upon hearing that Chancellor Palpatine was in danger, and that Coruscant was under threat from General Grievous, Skywalker was keen to engage the droid general, ordering Kenobi's troops around without a second's hesitation.

Skywalker fixated on Senator Amidala for ten years, dreaming of her and thinking of her constantly. When it finally came time to meet her over a decade, Skywalker became overly anxious, as much as he would when in a highly dangerous situation while on a mission. He and his master would often trade barbs, although their arguments had the potential to become heated and unpleasant, especially when aired in public. While protecting Amidala, Skywalker was willing to go above and beyond his mandate, as he was still smitten with the senator, and wished to please her.

Skywalker's political views clashed with those of his master. Although Kenobi widely viewed politicians as untrustworthy figures, Skywalker argued that both Palpatine and Amidala were noble figures in the senate. Skywalker also arrogantly believed that his skills matched or outclassed those of his elders and peers.

Skywalker's anger was roused when Amidala was put in danger. When interrogating her would-be attacker, he at first asked his questions in a softer voice, but his tone grew sharp as his impatience and temper flared.

Skywalker was quick to air his views on Kenobi's teachings when left to converse with Amidala, and although he was appreciative of his master's instruction, he felt that Kenobi was insensitive to his problems, as well as his sheer talent and power. When Amidala tried to console him, Skywalker moved into a ham-fisted attempt at flirting, with limited results.

Skywalker was unable to control himself upon reaching Varykino, stroking Amidala's skin before throwing caution to the wind and kissing her. The kiss itself haunted Skywalker, and preyed on his mind until he opened up to Amidala about his feelings. He was self-aware to realize, however, that he was not being rational, not could he be while around the senator. Although he entertained the idea of an open relationship with the senator, he suggested a secret one when Amidala rejected him. Although he was ultimately cowed by the senator's rejection of him, he accepted her wisdom, albeit temporarily.

Skywalker's closeness to his mother brought him to jeapordize his first solo mission, when he effectively disobeyed the direct orders of his superiors to save her.

Even while still in his teenage years, Skywalker had clear opinons on politics and politicians. He believed in a direct, and more solid form of government where people who did not agree with the status quo would be made to agree. When this concerned Amidala somewhat, Skywalker laughed off the subject.

Skywalker was considerably dedicated towards locating his mother when traveling to Tatooine after experiencing a disturbing vision of her in pain. He barely exchange pleasantries with Watto, even after having not seen him in a decade. He extended only basic courtesy towards the Lars family, and refused to accept Cliegg's insistence that Shmi was dead. Upon discovering his mother, beaten and badly wounded, Skywalker did his utmost to try and revive her, exhibiting a decidedly optimistic tone of voice, until she finally expired and died. Giving in to his emotion and rage, Skywalker's slaughter of the Tusken Raiders was fueled by his burning hatred for them. He perceived them as nothing but monsters and animals, and his massacre was indiscriminate in its range&mdash;even helpless women and children fell before his blade. Skywalker primarily was furious at himself, due to his complete and utter failure to rescue his ailing mother. The loss set Skywalker's mind upon an ultimate goal&mdash;to be able to save the ones he loved from certain death. He felt that he had this power, but had been held back deliberately by Kenobi, who he suspected was jealous of the Chosen One's raw attunement to the Force. Skywalker's self-awareness, however, led him to realize that his behavior was not befitting a Jedi Knight, much less a Padawan learner. Although Amidala reminded him that he was but a Human, Skywalker believed that a Jedi was to be held to a higher standard.

Skywalker was inconsolable after his mother's death&mdash;not even Amidala, the woman he loved, could temper him. It took the prospect of adventure and combat to brighten Skywalker's mood afterwards. Similarly, while in the heat of combat at Petranki arena, Skywalker and Amidala made light of the situation.

Skywalker faced a crisis during the Battle of Geonosis&mdash;when Amidala's life was jeopardized. He was torn between his love for Amidala, and his duty to both the Jedi and the Republic. Although he loudly defied his master, he was eventually persuaded to walk the path of duty, and essentially abandon Amidala to her fate. Skywalker was later incensed when confronting Dooku, and his arrogance led him into the count's Sith lightning attack, which caused the Padawan considerable pain.

After the Battle of Geonosis, both Amidala and Skywalker threw caution to the wind, and decided to get married, despite the fact that they would have to keep their union a secret.

By the end of the war, Skywalker had begun to care for his clone compatriots somewhat, letting their plight during the Battle of Coruscant distract him from his objective until Kenobi corrected him. Even though his apprenticeship to Kenobi had ended, Skywalker remained incredibly loyal to his former master, and refused to abandon him when the Jedi Master's fighter was stricken. During the same engagement, Skywalker gave in to the dark side once more, using it to overwhelm his opponent, Count Dooku, and Chancellor Palpatine's insistence. Although Skywalker's self-awareness allowed him to understand that what he had done was unfitting for a Jedi, his choices were actively encouraged by Palpatine.

Another attachment Skywalker formed was to his astromech droid, R2-D2, who served him faithfully throughout the latter movements of the Clone Wars. When R2 would commit a gaffe, Skywalker was quick to defend the droid.

While held captive by Grievous, Skywalker did his utmost to rile the cyborg general verbally.

When faced with incredible odds while having to land the listing Invisible Hand, Skywalker was direct and unflappable in his approach, remaining focused on his goal throughout.

Skywalker was overjoyed at the news that his wife was pregnant, and he was adamant that the baby was a blessing, rather than a curse that would bring his marriage into public view. He was reluctant to look to the Jedi for help, and received no advice of any use to him from Yoda, prompting him to seek other avenues.

Even towards the end of the war, Skywalker could be prone to petulant outbursts, as he demonstrated when he was denied the rank of Jedi Master while being accepted to the Jedi Council. He was livid when the Council had Kenobi order him to essentially spy on the Chancellor&mdash;not only because the act was treasonous, but because Palpatine had been a friend of his for many years, and a valued mentor. When it became clear that Amidala too had developed a low opinion of the Chancellor, Skywalker grew irritable, and stayed an earnest supporter of Palpatine.

Towards the end of the Clone Wars, Skywalker had grown weary of the conflict, and was pleased when it became evident that its conclusion drew near.

Although their relationship had been strained in the days leading up to Kenobi's departure to Utapau, Skywalker and his former master parted ways amicably towards the end of the Clone Wars. It would prove to be the last time he would see Kenobi as Anakin Skywalker.

As Skywalker began his fall to the dark side, he became aware that he was not meeting the standards he set for himself as a Jedi. He felt had been arrogant, rude, and selfish. As an addendum to this, he felt that the Jedi Council's conduct was unconscionable, and he suspected that they were keeping both their plans and their knowledge of the Force from him. This, combined with the fact that Skywalker had been suffering premonitions of his wife's death, is what lured Skywalker into switching his allegiance to Palpatine, who had constantly sung his praises and encouraged his development. During the tenuous final days of the Clone Wars, Skywalker was fascinated by Palpatine's stories of the Sith, particularly their quest for power, and their ability to supposedly stop people from dying. When he found out that Palpatine was a Sith Lord, he was enraged, however, and in his anger he was tempted to strike the Chancellor down immediately. Although Skywalker dutifully reported his findings to the Jedi, he could not shake the fact that Palpatine was the only one who knew how to save his wife. That fact was the primary driving force behind his decision to betray the Jedi Order, but Palpatine had also sewed doubts in his mind about their intentions&mdash;namely, Palpatine posited that they were planning to overthrow him and seize control of the Republic for themselves.

Despite disobeying Windu's order to stay at the Temple during his attempted arrest of Palpatine, Skywalker was still conflicted when it came down to actually choosing between the Jedi Master and the Chancellor. He attempted to reason with Windu, but when the Jedi Master would not relent in his attempt to kill Palpatine, Skywalker was forced into action. When Windu was then killed by Palpatine, the young man struggled to grasp the enormity of his actions, and was physically staggered by the development.

When pledging his allegiance to Palpatine, the newly christened Darth Vader's tone of voice slipped into a drone-like state, as he surrendered completely to the Chancellor's story of the Jedi rebellion. Without remorse or hesitation, he struck down his fellow Jedi, including the younglings. Vader then fed his wife the same story about the Jedi rebellion that Palpatine had convinced him of, and was confident that his married life would improve for the better in the wake of his siding with Palpatine, and his joining the ranks of the Sith Lords.

Shortly after accepting his place as Palpatine's apprentice, Vader began to believe he could overthrow his master, and aspired to do so with Amidala at his side. He was enraged when he discovered that his wife would not go along with him, however, and he was led to believe that she intended to have Kenobi kill him. Despite his wife's pleas, he inflicted grievous harm upon her by throttling her, even while she was still pregnant. Vader then flew into a fit of jealousy, believing that Kenobi intended to turn his own wife against him, even though it was his actions that had done so. In addition to this, Vader did not realize that it was his own change that had resulted in Amidala's own choices&mdash;he fully believed that it was Kenobi's fault for her apparent change of heart. He also, by that point, fully believed that the Jedi were corrupt and evil, and had indeed been plotting to kill Palpatine. In eradicating them, it was Vader's belief that he was bringing peace and stability to the galaxy.

Vader held his powers in high esteem, and believed himself to be stronger in the Force than his old master, Kenobi. This proved to be his downfall when his gauged a jump incorrectly, falling prey to Kenobi's precision lightsaber strikes. Vader was so enraged by this that he announced his hatred for Kenobi, despite the fact that they had been friends and allies since he was a boy. Vader's rage enveloped him as he was immolated, and his fury remained a constant as he was transformed into a hulking mass of black armor, encased in what was essentially a giant lung that allowed him to breathe. The news of Amidala's death destroyed Vader emotionally.

While interrogating, Vader would often grow impatient when his subjects refused to yield answers. In anger, he killed Raymus Antilles as a result of this. Vader could also be sardonic with his captives, and was able to quickly formulate plans to cover up his more aggressive actions against the likes of Leia Organa. During the hunt for the Death Star plans, Vader was confident that he would not be stopped in his quest.

Powers and abilities
"Powerful Jedi was he. Powerful Jedi."

- Yoda

Though he was by no means a seer, one of Anakin's most frequently used powers was that of Force Vision, which allowed him to see things before they happened. These visions were usually not intentional, and, due to his unusual upbringing, usually concerned his loved ones. They generally proved to be accurate, in some way, shape or form, though Anakin could rarely predict the exact outcome of events. As Vader, he still recieved these visions, though they were more obscure, and less accurate.

One of the most talented pilots in the galaxy, Skywalker began his career in the field at the very early age of seven, flying podracers for his master, Toydarian. Due to his exceptional reflexes and precognitive abilities, he was the only Human known to have been able to pilot a pod, and as such, his reputation spread. Due to his age and species, he was scorned by other more illustrious podracer pilots, but he was able to silence his critics at the Boonta Eve race of 32 BBY. His strong natural piloting ability would also serve him well during the Zonama Sekot mission of 29 BBY.

Vader possessed the same piloting skills that Skywalker had touted, and he was occasionally called upon to put them to the test. Facing insurmountable odds, he and several Imperial Ace pilots were able to battle through Zaarin's forces to save the Emperor. Vader also used his piloting skills to impress and remind aspiring pilots of the power of the Force. Without aid of a targeting computer, he would down Academy hopefuls in simulations, which eventually turned him into a figure of legend throughout the Imperial Navy.

Vader was also a skilled naval tactician, routing Rebels and Imperial traitors alike. His quick thinking allowed him to adapt to constantly changing situations during a naval battle, and his efficient use of extraordinary pilots such as Maarek Stele bought him many victories.

Skywalker was an exceptionally skilled duelist, able to hold his own and even defeat Jedi and Sith far more experienced than he ever was. He lacked the ability to fight effectively with dual blades, however, and was not particularly adept at preventing loss of limb on his part. As Vader, he continued to be a highly adept swordsman, striking down even the most skilled Jedi in combat. He became proficient in Djem So, and utilized the form with elements of Ataru, Soresu, and Makashi.

When he fell to the dark side, Anakin was able to keep himself alive using his rage.

Though he suffered several failures in the field, Vader was a highly effective interrogator. Though his victims would often expire following said interrogation, he usually obtained the information he required. With particularly resilient subjects, such as his daughter Leia Organa, Vader was unable to extract pertinent information.

Anakin was loathe to meditate, as he found he could not control the boundless power that resided within him. When this power came to the fore in the form of rage and anger, Anakin became a highly destructive ability, and even killed another being with his raw, unhoned Force strength.

Vader had the ability to short out a lightsaber by merely using the Force.

Skywalker was immeasurably strong in the Force.

Skywalker's connection to the Force allowed him, as a nine-year-old child, to accurately fire torpedoes that destroyed the Droid Control Ship during the Battle of Naboo.

Skywalker's skill in the art of combat during the Clone Wars was so revered that he was later written about by historian Voren Na'al as "the deadliest weapon" in the Republic's arsenal during the Dark Reaper campaign. He also demonstrated his considerable skills during the Praesitlyn campaign, suicidally leading the charge in the ground assault, and securing a great deal of territory for the Republic forces.

When faced with an evenly matched opponent in a duel, Skywalker could tap into his inner rage and overwhelm the opposition.

During the Battle of Aargonar, Skywalker was able to summon a gouka dragon into the engagement, to the Republic's advantage.

Skywalker's aptitude for warfare became famous, galaxy-wide, as he earned the title of "The Hero With No Fear" from the media.

Skywalker's skills as a pilot reached a new high during the Praesitlyn campaign, where he was able to perform a suicidal run on the bridge of the enemy flagship, and perform a highly dangerous micro-jump just before the resultant explosions would have engulfed his ship.

Skywalker won more renown during the climax of the Battle of Coruscant, in which he was able to pilot half of Grievous' disintegrating starship, the Invisible Hand, and land it safely on Coruscant.

Vader's tactical mind came under question during the blockade of Yavin, as he was accused of grandstanding and exhibitionism when deciding to hold off the invasion of Yavin 4 until the Executor was completed.

Skywalker's skills as a pilot won him renwown with both Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and Grand Master Yoda.

Skywalker was an accomplished duelist, fighting toe-to-toe with Ventress on Yavin 4 for a considerable amount of time, as their duel covered a considerable amount of mileage on the jungle moon. Skywalker eventually won the bout by giving in to his anger, and using his pure rage to fuel his victory.

Skywalker was able to resist a Force push attack, raising his arm to accept the blow while running headlong into it. While this took its toll on his attire, he was able to persist in his movement, undeterred.

Skywalker, over the course of the Clone Wars, developed into a great warrior, outclassing even members of the High Council on the battlefield.

Skywalker's prowess as a stealthy infiltrator was demonstrated when he was able to sneak into the Confederate base on Nelvaan undetected by the squads of B1 battle droids.

When suitably enraged, Skywalker was able to crush his victims' entire body with the Force.

Skywalker's skill as a pilot led to him blithely taking suicidal risks, which he often relished, much to the chagrin of Kenobi.

Skywalker was able to use the Force in such a way that he could perform controlled free falls, plummeting hundreds of storeys, and still land safely.

Skywalker was able to duel with two blades temporarily against Count Dooku, although his opponents superior swordsmanship soon got the better of him, costing the Padawan his right arm.

During the Battle of Coruscant, Skywalker was able to demonstrate his greatly improved skills as a duelist, as he out-fenced Count Dooku and killed him in revenge for his earlier defeat.

Skywalker's piloting skills were on full display during the Battle of Coruscant&mdash;he was able to deftly move through the enemy lines, avoiding warheads and ordinance with relative ease, and was even able to manipulate his craft in such a way that he crushed the buzz droids swarming Kenobi's fighter. Later, after Grievous had abandoned the Invisible Hand and the mammoth destroyer broke up in Coruscant's atmosphere, Skywalker was able to pilot half of the capital ship to a safe landing on the planet below.

Vader's ability to leap with the power of the Force was considerable, as he demonstrated during the duel on Mustafar, but he overestimated his own abilities when he attempted to get the drop on Kenobi, towards the end of the confrontation.

Through the Force, Vader was able to crush droids and objects when sufficiently enraged, without gesturing or facing towards his targets.

Equipment
Skywalker wielded a blue-bladed lightsaber that was destroyed on Geonosis. Later in the Clone Wars, he began wielding a lightsaber of different design, which was taken from him when he became Darth Vader by his old master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Skywalker had a metallic prosthetic right arm during the early stages of the Clone Wars. He later had to replace it, having sacrificed it to save Nelvaan. Later, as Darth Vader, he lost all of his remaining limbs, and they were replaced during the operation which saved his life and encased him in black armor.

Vader was equipped with a suit of armor that preserved his life following the grievous injuries sustained on Mustafar. Breathing in the suit caused Vader a great deal of pain, and it essentially could be described as a "walking coffin."

Skywalker had a starfighter, the Azure Angel, which he used during the early stages of the Clone Wars.

Later in the war, he was flying an Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor. When this ship was lost on the Invisible Hand, it was replaced with an identical craft.

After the formation of the Empire, Vader flew a Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor.

One of Vader's flagships was the Devastator.

Another of Vader's flagships was the gargantuan Executor.

Yet another of Vader's flagships was the Garrett.

The Long, Bad Day
As he spiraled away from the Death Star during the late stages of the Battle of Yavin, Darth Vader witnessesed the destruction of the battle station. The specter of his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, appeared and began taunting him about his failure. In frustration, Vader swatted at the miniature ghost, in the process accidentally detatching one of his ship's solar arrays. Kenobi's visage persisted, and Vader continued to attack it, accidentally launching a missile at Grand Moff Tarkin's escape pod, and destroying it. The Star Destroyer Xamural eventually found the exasperated Vader, and retrieved him.

The Emperor's Court
"This court finds you guilty and sentences you to life imprisonment, frozen in carbonite!"

- Darth Vader

Following the Battle of Yavin, Neela, mother of the late Greedo the Younger, took smuggler Han Solo, her son's killer, to court. Emperor Palpatine presided over the case, with Vader accompanying him. Despite the fact that Solo provided visual evidence of Greedo shooting first, making his attack self-denfence, Palpatine ignored the smuggler, and had Vader sentence him to life imprisonment in a block of carbonite.

Junkheap Hero
"Your orders will be carried out, exactly as you wish!" "Of course they will&hellip;your lives all depend on that!"

- Trade Federation official and Darth Vader

Traveling to a desert world following rumors of Alliance activity, Vader made contact with the Trade Federation officials there, and set about planning to root out the Rebel presence. The Federation operated an extensive droid black market on the planet from the Core Building, and the Dark Lord sought to exploit that. The Federation had plans to insert a mole amongst the Rebels, but Vader was dissatisfied with the idea, instead opting to have an Alliance droid captured and reprogrammed to relay the Rebels plans to the Imperials. He departed the planet, and although the Federation were able to enact the plan, they were foiled by Luke Skywalker.

Lunch Break
Vader also kept a diary, where he chronicled his emotions and thoughts. He also made a number of confessions in the diary that were considered startling by the few who would eventually read it. He would go onto express a disappointment in the men under his command for not recognizing simple things such as his birthday, and also admitted to attempting to call his dead mother on the HoloNet.

Behind the scenes
The character played a prominent role in Star Wars: TIE Fighter, where he was voiced by Scott Lawrence.

In 1999, Anakin's origins were told in Lucas' Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The character, nine years old in the film, was played by Jake Lloyd, and had a central role in the story. Lloyd reprised his role in the video game Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles, in which players must escort the unarmed Anakin across the treacherous wastes of Tatooine, defending him against Tusken Raiders and the like.

In 2007, Scholastic released The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader, by Ryder Windham. Windham retold the stories of all six Star Wars films through the perspective of the Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader character, and also consolidated such Expanded Universe works as Splinter of the Mind's Eye into the story as well.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Starfighter
 * Star Wars Episode I: Racer
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace novel
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace comic
 * Star Wars Manga: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars: Episode I Jedi Power Battles
 * Episode I: Anakin Skywalker
 * Podracing Tales
 * Episode I: Queen Amidala
 * Episode I: Qui-Gon Jinn
 * Episode I: The Phantom Menace ½
 * Episode I: Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Star Wars Episode I Journal: Anakin Skywalker
 * Star Wars: Republic 13: Emissaries to Malastare, Part 1
 * Rogue Planet
 * Jedi Quest comic
 * Star Wars: Zam Wesell
 * A Jedi's Weapon
 * Star Wars Republic: Honor and Duty
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight
 * Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows
 * The Force Unleashed novel
 * Death Star
 * Vader's Quest
 * Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine
 * Splinter of the Mind's Eyes comic
 * Shadow Stalker
 * Shadows of the Empire game
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM
 * The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader
 * Fury
 * Revelation
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight
 * Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows
 * The Force Unleashed novel
 * Death Star
 * Vader's Quest
 * Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine
 * Splinter of the Mind's Eyes comic
 * Shadow Stalker
 * Shadows of the Empire game
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM
 * The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader
 * Fury
 * Revelation
 * Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine
 * Splinter of the Mind's Eyes comic
 * Shadow Stalker
 * Shadows of the Empire game
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM
 * The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader
 * Fury
 * Revelation
 * Fury
 * Revelation
 * Fury
 * Revelation
 * Revelation