Early Redemption by QueenNaberrie Chapters 41-45

[queennaberrie]

Chapter 41

Vader was on the way to his master’s office in the Senate Building when he heard voices echoing through the hallway. Recognizing the voices as being those of Leia Outlander and Bail Organa, he decided to walk closer to where the voices were coming from. He rounded the corner just in time to see Bail Organa and Leia Outlander, in white senatorial robes and her hair in a braided hair-style, emerge from the location of Aldraanean floating platform, just outside the main Senate arena.

Curious to know what their conversation was about, he backed himself around the corner to conceal his presense, so he could continue to listen unobserved. Not only because he was fascinated with Leia Outlander, but he had long suspected Bail Organa as being part of the Rebel Alliance and he was hoping to hear something that might confirm that.

“This is a joke. Why are we even here if the Emperor is going to overturn every vote we make and ignore our motions for assistance?” He heard Leia tell Bail.

“Leia, you must understand that this is the way things are now.” Bail tried to explain. “You must play the game if we’re going to get any of the assistance we need to help the refugees that are arriving on Alderaan.”

“But Bail, he didn’t even want to listen to our pleas for assistance.” Leia retorted. “We spent all that time preparing our speeches, and then he didn’t even want to hear them. I didn’t run for Respresentative of Alderaan just to be ignored.”

“I’m sorry, Leia. But it’s just the way things are, and you’re going to have accept it.” Bail tried to reason with her.

Leia sighed. “It’s just not fair.”

“Leia, I know it’s not fair.” Bail told her. “But this isn’t a democracy anymore. It’s an empire, so technically the Senate has no actual power. We basically are only here now to present grievances and keep the Emperor informed of what’s going on in the galaxy. That’s all.”

“I realized that. It just doesn’t seem right.” Leia replied.

“I know.” Bail answered her. “But perhaps we’ll have better luck tomorrow. You look very tired, Leia. Why don’t you go back to your apartment and get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” Leia agreed. “I’ll see you in the morning. Good-night.”

“Good-night.” Bail responded.

It was then that Vader heard Leia’s footsteps as she walked away, and then he listened as Bail Organa re-entered the Senate arena. Vader reflected on the conversation he had just overheard between Leia and Bail. How much like Padme she truly is. He marveled. She, too, would have been frustrated with my master’s way of running things. Vader thought to himself with a small smile behind the mask.

But then Vader sighed and turned to continue on his way to Palpatine’s office, knowing that the day’s session would be over soon. He still hadn’t found anything significant to report to him and didn’t look forward to this meeting at all. When he arrived at Palpatine’s office, the only people who were there to greet him were Palpatine’s red-guards, who, of course, let him pass so Vader could await his master inside.

And wait he did. Two standard hours went by and his master still hadn’t appeared. Vader had been sitting in a chair trying to meditate, anything to keep his mind off of Leia Outlander and his beloved. Although, no matter what he did, his thoughts still drifted back to his angel, causing tears to run down his cheek beneath the mask. How he still missed her after all these years. Blast that Leia Outlander for reminding me so much of her! Vader cursed to himself. For not even Pooja Naberrie’s arrival at the capital had stirred his emotions as much as this 14 year girl did.

But then finally Vader heard the office doors open and he turned, expecting to see Palpatine’s dark, cloaked figured emerging through the door. But instead it was his assistant who entered, a thin, arrogant fellow with dark brown eyes and hair named Varness, who Vader had an extreme dislike. “Lord Vader.” The assistant said with a bow. “I’m afraid the Emperor will not be able to see you now. He has decided to retire for the evening.”

Vader stood up and faced his master’s assistant. “Is my master unwell?” He asked with hesitance.

The assistant looked at him amusement and then chuckled. “No, Lord Vader, but he did ask me to tell you that he will meet you here tomorrow morning at 800 standard hours.” He told him, talking down to him in a derogatory manner.

It took all of Vader’s will power not to Force choke his master’s assistant right then and there for the man’s total lack of disrespect. The only thing that stopped him was that his master would never forgive him for killing his best aide. And Varness knew this…that’s why he knew he could get away with mocking the Dark Lord without retaliation. “Thank you, Varness.” Vader finally said, trying to rein in his anger. Vader then looked straight into Varness’ eyes from behind his mask. Varness seemed unmoved by this usually very intimidating stare from Vader, so Vader just strode past him and out into the hallway in irritation.

The nerve of that man! Vader thought to himself as she strode down the hallway in a huff. He kept walking down the hall, his respirator accentuating his breathing, as he continued to curse under his breath. He was so absorbed in his thoughts as to what he’d really like to do to his master’s aide that he hadn’t noticed that he’d wandered into the Senatorial Offices wing of the building.

Vader stopped and looked around the hallway. The hall was dark as many of the politicians had left for the evening, but he saw a light coming from underneath the door of the Alderaanean offices and decided to investigate further. He heard women’s voices coming from behind the door and crept closer, trying to listen to what was being said, in hopes of hearing something that might help him with his search of the Force disturbance…and also, in hopes of confirming Bail Organa’s involvement in the Rebel Alliance.

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Inside the Alderaanean Senatorial Office, Leia was sitting behind her desk talking to her mother on the holocomm. She had decided to come back to her office instead of going home after she left Bail, as she decided to revamp her speech for the following day.

It was during this time that she remembered that she had promised to comm her parents to let them know how her first days as the representative of Alderaan were going. So she was now talking with her mother about her frustrations and hoped she could offer the encouragement that Leia so desperately needed. “Mother, this is a lot harder than I ever thought it would to be. I’ll be lucky if the Emperor will ever hear my proposal.”

“Leia, dear.” Her mother tried to assure her. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. This is your first time in the political arena and, I’m sure a lot of things are going to seem unfair and completely unbelievable to you. But I know you and you love a good fight, so I’m sure you will get your proposal heard, Leia. Just continue being persistent.”

Leia laughed and then smiled at the hologram of her mother. “You almost sound like you’re speaking from experience. Were you involved in politics during the Old Republic, before Luke and I were born?”

Her mother smiled at her daughter.. “Perhaps I dabbled a little.” Padme told her with a smirk.

“Really?” Leia said in amazement. “You never told me you were in politics.”

Her mother then became serious. “It was a long time ago and I really don’t like to talk about it, Leia. It was during the Old Republic and everything is so different now.”

“Is that how you came to meet Bail?” Leia asked her.

“Yes.” Padme responded hesitantly as she desperately tried to find away to get out of this conversation before she revealed something she shouldn’t to her daughter. “But…enough about me…How are you getting settled into your apartment?” She finally asked her daughter, trying to change the subject.

Leia sighed. “Fine, I guess. It’s at 500 Republica. I understand that a lot of the representatives and senators live there.”

Padme smiled. “I know. That’s where they lived during the Old Republic too. I visited the penthouse apartment quite often. It was the apartment for the senator of Naboo at the time.”

“Oh, you mean Senator Padme Amidala?” Leia said with excitement. “So you knew her?” Padme nodded. “I’ve heard so much about her from one of the other tenants.” Leia continued but then she became serious as she looked at her mother’s apprehensive face. “Apparently, she died in childbirth on the day the Old Republic fell. The child died with her and no one ever found out who the father was. It was quite tragic, really.”

Padme looked down and then back up at her daughter with seriousness. “Yes, I know and I did know her, quite well actually. It was a tragic loss for the people of Naboo. Her people still miss her dearly.” She told her daughter with tears starting to form in her eyes…but then she became a bit fearful that her daughter might figure out that she was in fact the dearly departed former senator of Naboo and decided to inquire if Leia had done any additional research on her. “Leia?”

“Yes, Mom? Leia responded, bringing her attention back to her mother.

“Have you…I mean…have you found out any other information on Senator Amidala?” Padme asked her apprehensively.

“No…well…yes…I tried…but it seems that all record of her has been deleted from the Senate archives and I can’t even find anything about her on the HoloNet.” Leia paused with a sigh. “I couldn’t even find a picture of her.” Leia told her with a voice of disappointment and then looked off into space. “It’s like someone wanted to erase any memory of her. I wonder why that is?”

Padme let out a sigh of relief. Thank the Force for little favors. She thought to herself and then smiled nervously, shaking her head. “Who knows…perhaps the Emperor had the information erased for some reason.” Or Vader… Padme reasoned to herself.

“But that doesn’t make sense. Why would he do such at thing?” Leia asked with confusion. “She’s the only pre-Empire politician that I can’t find any information on.”

“I don’t know. Why has he done a lot of things?” Padme retorted and then sighed in thought. “Perhaps it’s because she stood for all that was right with the Old Republic and the Emperor didn’t want to remind people of that.”

“That could be possible.” Leia responded with a sad smile. “I just wished I could have found more information on her. From what I hear about her, I think I would have liked her very much.”

Padme weakly smiled at her daughter in silence. And after what seemed to be several minutes, Padme finally spoke. “Well…” Padme started. “I don’t want to keep you from your speech writing, so I suppose I should let you get back to it.”

“No, it’s ok really, Mom.” Leia tried to assure her. “I think I’m pretty much done now.” But then Leia paused, remembering that she had wanted to ask her mother about Vader and if she knew of his obsession with the Naberrie women. This part of Vader’s personality intrigued her and she wanted to find to out anything she could regarding this mysterious hold she and Pooja seem to have over him. “Mom?”

“Yes, dear.” Padme replied.

“Mom, a strange thing happened to me while I was at the Senate dinner last night. I met Darth Vader, Mom and…”

“What!” Padme interrupted with fear in her eyes at the realization that her daughter was already possibly being put in harms way.

“Mom, are you ok? You look quite pale.” Leia asked with concern.

Padme tried to calm down, taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly. We knew this would happen, get a grip Padme. She thought to herself and then turned her attentions back to her daughter. “I’m fine, Leia…Really. So you were saying you met Darth Vader…?”

Leia looked at her mother with concern, still noticing her obvious uneasiness, but decided to continue. “Yes, Mom…and I found out the most fascinating thing about him. The man is absolutely obsessed with the Naberrie women. Pooja, herself, said she noticed it when she first came to the Senate as well. Do you know why that would be?” Leia asked with curiosity. “I’m dying to know how a monster like that could have a soft spot for us.”

Padme looked at her daughter with shock. How do I answer this? And then another fearful realization hit her that made her question whether or not Vader knew Leia would, indeed, be considered a Naberrie woman. “Leia? Does Vader know you are related to the Naberries?” She asked her, almost dreading the response.

Leia looked at her mother, realizing that she had caused her mother to worry, unknowingly. “Oh no…don’t worry about that. I told him the same story Grandma told people every time we visited Naboo…that we are just family friends.”

Padme sighed and closed her eyes in relief. “Thank you…Thank you for thinking on your feet. You have no idea what danger our family would be in if he were to know the truth.”

“Mom…why is that? Why won’t you ever tell any of us?” Leia prodded. “You could at least tell Luke and me. We’re 14 years old now…I think we can handle whatever secret you and Dad are keeping from us.”

Padme shook her head. “Leia, I-I can’t tell you. Not now. Someday, yes, we will tell you…but now is not the time.”

Leia put both of her hands on her face as tears started to form in her eyes. “You don’t trust us. Is that it?”

“No, dear…It’s not that.” Padme tried to assure her. “It’s just complicated and your father and I ask that you please respect our wishes on this.”

Leia sighed and reconciled herself to the fact that there was no way she was going to convince her mother to tell her about hers and her Dad’s past. “Ok, Mom. I won’t continue to pressure you.” Leia finally replied but then she looked at her mother, thinking perhaps she could still get something out of her about Vader and his obvious obsession with the Naberrie women. “So what do you know about Vader and his connection to our family?” Leia finally asked. “If it’s ok for me to ask, that is.”

Padme took a deep breath and then sighed, trying to think of the best way to answer her question without giving too much away; and decided to tell Leia the truth…from a certain point of view. Something she had picked up from Obi-Wan over the years. “Yes…I think I can at least share some of that history.” Padme then sighed again, looking down and then back up at her daughter as her hologram flickered. “Well…” Padme finally said. “…believe it or not, I think I heard that at one time Vader had a crush on one of our Naberrie relatives and then they both fell in love.” She paused as Leia looked at her in disbelief. “But then she died and he never got over her. But that was a long time ago and before he needed to wear that suit.”

Leia looked at her mother with awe. “Oh, how tragic…I didn’t think Lord Vader ever cared about anyone but himself. Who was she?”

Padme paused, looking down in sadness. “I can’t really say…I was sworn to secrecy on the matter and don’t wish to discuss it any further.” Padme told her daughter sternly as she looked back up at her daughter.

“But Mom…” Leia protested. “I’m your daughter and also a Naberrie by descent. Surely you can tell me?”

Padme stubbornly shook her head. “No, I can’t, Leia. And please don’t ask me again.” She snapped.

Leia looked at her mother in shock. “I-I’m sorry, Mom. I-I didn’t realize this was such a sore subject for you. I won’t ask you about it again.”

Padme closed her eyes and sighed again, putting both hands over her eyes before uncovering them again and looking at her daughter. “No, Leia, I should be the one to apologize. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.” She apologized to her daughter and then paused for a moment before giving her another weak smile. “And thank you for respecting my wishes.”

“You’re welcome.” Leia said with a small smile. “And I love you, Mom.”

“And I love you, too, Leia.” Padme responded while returning Leia’s weak smile. “And I’m sorry you missed your father. I know he’ll be disappointed he missed you as well. He wanted to talk to you when you called. But you know how it is when he and your Uncle Ben get together. They lose all track of time.” Padme said with a smile and a small giggle.

Leia laughed. “Yes…where do they go? I never knew.” She asked with enthusiasm.

Padme laughed too. “Who knows.”

But then Leia, all the sudden, became serious as she felt a presence nearby, possibly standing just outside the door. “Shh…Wait.” Leia said as she moved her right index finger up to her mouth and cautiously got up from her desk, taking a blaster pistol out of the center drawer. “I sense someone outside the door.” She whispered.

“Are you sure?” Padme asked with fear evident in her eyes.

“I believe so.” Leia said as she started moving towards the door, carrying the blaster pistol behind her back. When she reached the door, she pressed her ear up against it, trying to determine if her intuition was right. Still sensing the figure standing outside the door and holding her blaster pistol behind her back with her right hand, Leia reached for the controls with her left hand to open it. Well, Leia, I sure hope you know what you’re doing?

[queennaberrie]

Chapter 42

Vader, who was frustrated by the fact that he hadn’t been able understand a word of what was being said by the muffled voices within the office, started to realize that the voices had stopped and it had become very quiet inside. It was then that the door in front of him quickly flew open, causing him to jump back as the beautiful, petite form of Leia Outlander appeared in the doorway with her both her arms behind her back.

“Lord Vader?” She asked with a surprised look on her face as she stood in the doorway, partially blocking any view he would have had into her office. “Is there something I can help you with, my lord?” She asked him once she regained her composure and looking at him with puzzlement.

Vader looked back down into Leia’s large, brown eyes that were so much like his angels. Taken back by her beauty and never taking his eyes off of her, he didn’t respond right away; but then regained his composure long enough to reply to her question. “No…actually I was just passing by. I’m sorry if I startled you.” He said with embarrassment. And then with a bow, he turned and left, walking down the hallway with his black cape floating behind him.

Leia watched the dark lord walk down the hallway and disappear around the corner with a perplexed look on her face. “How odd…” She said to herself as she shook her head in disbelief and then re-entered her office, shutting the door behind her.

She crossed the room back over to her desk and sat back in front of the hologram of her mother. “Is everything ok? Who was it?” Padme asked her daughter with concern.

“It was Vader.” Leia said as she put her blaster back in the center drawer of her desk and sat down, still in disbelief over the strange encounter.

“Vader?” Padme said with shock as she raised both hands over her mouth. “Do you think he overheard any of our conversation?” She asked Leia, moving her hands back away from her face and tears caused by fear starting to form in her eyes.

“I don’t know.” Leia said while looking back at the door with fear. “I hope not or we could be in some serious trouble.”

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That night Padme lay on her back in bed, staring at the ceiling and replaying her conversation with Leia over and over again in her head. The possibility of Vader knowing the truth about her family was terrifying to her and tears started to flow down her cheeks as she waited for Anakin to return. It was late and he hadn’t come home yet; and she desperately needed his comforting embrace and assurances that everything would be alright. But she had to make do until he did return, so she rolled over on her side and wrapped her arms around herself as she closed her eyes and tried in vein to relax.

Anakin had come inside the house not long after he and Obi-Wan had gone outside to talk after lunch. He told her that he and Obi-Wan needed to take care of some things and that he wasn’t sure when he’d be back. But now it was getting late and she was starting to worry. It was well past midnight and he still hadn’t come home. He’s never out this late. Padme thought to herself with tears still glistening in her eyes as her mindless worries switched to great fear for her husband’s safety.

It was then that she heard the front door unlock and creak open. She heard footsteps in the hall and then her heart leaped with joy as Anakin walked through the door of their bedroom. Padme sat up with a smile on her face to welcome her husband home. “You’re back.” She said with a huge smile on her face and tears still glistening in her eyes as she pulled her knees up to wrap her arms around them.

Anakin stood in the doorway with a guilty look on his face and sighed. “Sorry I’m so late getting home, Padme. Obi-Wan and I lost track of time.” He apologized after he had entered their bedroom and closed the door behind him.

“Where have you been?” Padme asked him as she grew serious and quickly threw off the covers to get up out of the bed, crossing the room and wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. “I’ve been so worried…that…that perhaps the Sand People…” She told him with tears rolling down her cheeks

Anakin put his arms around his wife and pulled her close, comforting her. “Shh…no I’m fine.” Anakin assured her as ran his left hand through her long, curly hair and then kissed her on top of the head.

“But what have you and Obi-Wan been doing all this time?” She asked him as she looked up into his guilty and sad looking blue eyes.

Anakin sighed. “Padme…Where to begin…?” Anakin said as he led her over to the bed to sit down.

“What is it, Ani?” Padme asked with concern as they sat next to each other on the edge of the bed.

Anakin looked down to the floor and then back up to his wife, who was sitting to his right. “Obi-Wan and I felt a disturbance in the Force today…one that is telling us that we should be getting ready to re-emerge from hiding soon.”

Padme looked up at her husband with disbelief and tears flowing down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist again and leaned into his embrace. “No, Anakin. Not yet…We’ve been so happy here.”

Anakin rested his head on top of Padme’s and then kissed the top of her head, pulling her closer to him to comfort her. “I know, Padme. And I don’t want things to change either. But we knew that someday this would happen.”

“But when, when do you have to leave?” Padme asked with fear as tears continued to glisten in her eyes as she looked up at her husband.

Anakin looked down at his wife, running his left hand through her hair. “I don’t have to go yet, Padme. Obi-Wan and I think we have some time…perhaps a few years…but we still need to be ready. Neither of us had touched a lightsaber in 14 years, so we decided that we needed to train and be ready for when the day comes.”

Padme sighed in relief that they still could have some time together to be happy. She tightened her arms around Anakin’s waist again, but then began to shake as she continued to cry into his chest as thoughts of losing Anakin and having to live her life without him started flooding into her mind. “I don’t want to lose you, Ani.” She told him but then thought of their duty to help the galaxy, causing her to fight back the tears. “But I know you’re right. I knew we couldn’t stay hidden here forever; and I guess I just disillusioned myself into believing that we could.”

Anakin continued to comfort his wife. “I know. A small part of me hoped the same thing.”

They both sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity just comforting each other until Padme finally broke the silence. “So, is that where you’ve been all night? Training with Obi-Wan?”

Anakin let out a little chuckle. “Yes. We dug out our old lightsabers from the storage chest at Obi-Wan’s place and then started practice sparing.” He laughed again. “We started out quite badly actually. We never dreamed that we could have gotten so out of practice. But by the end of the night, it seemed to all be coming back to us; and we were sparing in quite an advanced manner. You know, it actually scared me to think that we could have had no warning and had been sent into battle like that. We would have completely embarrassed ourselves.”

Padme weakly smiled up at her husband, while still in each other’s embrace, trying not to think of what else could have happened to them. Or killed. She thought to herself and then sighed trying to fight back her fears. “So you will be training quite regularly then?” She finally asked out of curiosity.

“Yes, we agreed to meet everyday after dinner for a few hours.” Anakin responded plainly.

“So I suppose you want to start training the children as well?” Padme added after a few moments, laying her head back on his chest.

Anakin looked down at his wife with surprise. “What makes you say that? I don’t plan on taking them into the harms way, and it’s best that they don’t know what Obi-Wan and I are doing.”

“But, Ani…eventually they will find out…when you and Obi-Wan have to leave to face Vader and the Emperor.” Padme tried to reason with him. “Why not tell them now?”

Anakin sighed. “Because I don’t want them living in constant fear that they could lose their father and ‘uncle’ at any moment. I don’t want to do that to them, Padme. It just wouldn’t be fair to them. It’s better that they live in ignorant bliss until the time comes.”

Padme snuggled into her husband’s embrace. “I just hope it doesn’t come sooner than we expect.”

“What do you mean?” Anakin asked with concern while looking down into his wife’s lovely, but tear-stricken face.

“I spoke to Leia this evening. It seems that Darth Vader has shown a keen interest in her, and it could be only a matter of time before he learns the truth about her and us. We had quite a close call this evening as it is.” Padme told him and then paused in thought. “At least, we hope and pray that it was just a close call.”

Anakin started to tense up. “What kind of close call?”

Padme sighed. “He may have overheard our conversation…and, if he did, I’m not sure how much he heard.”

Anakin sighed as fear gripped his heart for the safety of Leia and the rest of his family. “How do you know this?”

“Leia sensed someone outside the door to her office…” Padme paused. “…and when she went to investigate, she opened the door to find a very startled Darth Vader standing there.”

Anakin sighed again and then closed his eyes to try to enter a deep meditation. He reached out with the Force, trying to touch Vader’s mind. And what he saw and felt emanating from that tortured soul caused him to break free from the link before he, too, was drawn too deeply into his sorrow and the darkness of his soul. He started to have labored breathing as he tried to calm himself again.

Padme looked up at her husband with fear in her eyes as she noticed his extreme distress. “What is it, Ani? What’s wrong? What’s happening to you?”

Anakin looked down at his wife as he started to catch his breath. “I-I just tried touching Vader’s mind…to see what he may have overheard. H-He doesn’t know anything…He could only hear voices, but couldn’t determine what you were saying…or even who you were. But, Padme, he’s in such deep emotional and spiritual pain. Seeing Leia has brought back memories he’s been trying to suppress of you…or…er…I mean his Padme from the alternate universe that is.” Anakin paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. “But we’re all safe for the time being.”

“I’m so relieved.” Padme told him as she started to relax. “But Anakin…what will we do if he does find out that we’re her parents, what will happen then?”

Anakin pulled his wife closer to him, kissing the top of her head again while looking away with fear in his eyes. “We’ll just have to pray and have faith in the Force that he won’t ever discover the truth.”

We can only hope… Padme thought to herself as she and Anakin continued to comfort one another to the thought of the rocky road ahead of them.

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Vader nor the Emperor ever did discover what the Force disturbance was. And, although, this disturbed them greatly, it didn’t keep the Emperor, especially, from continuing his rein of tyranny over the galaxy, which his orders were carried out meticulously by Vader himself on various missions to various worlds, causing much death and destruction along the way.

Also, Vader was never able to find any proof of Bail Organa’s involvement in the Rebel Alliance, even though he still had his suspicions that that was the truth. He continued to investigate the senator of Alderaan; but he was outsmarted ever time, a fact that continued to irritate Vader more and more. He knew there were also other senators and representatives that were involved. Some he was able to discover and, when they were, they were arrested and immediately executed, as per the Emperor’s orders. But Bail always seemed to evade him one way or another, and this angered him even more as time went on.

As the next four years passed by, Leia continued to represent Alderaan to the best of her abilities under the circumstances of the Empire’s limited freedoms. Bail Organa eventually decided to step down from running for the Senate as he wanted to concentrate on being the viceroy of his planet as well as focus his efforts on the Alliance. So when this happened, Leia decided to run in his place.

Leia was so loved by the people of Alderaan that it was an easy win for her; and with this election, it made her the youngest Senator ever to be elected at only the young age of 18. Also, like Bail, she had become heavily involved in the Rebel Alliance, a fact that she knew Vader was becoming more and more suspicious of, so she knew she had to proceed with caution whenever she had any dealings or contact with the Alliance. This meant that she had to have her offices and apartment swept for bugs on a regular basis, a practice that was put in place long ago by Leia, even before she became a senator, as she was fearful that the location of her parents would be discovered whenever she made a comm call to them on Tatooine. The close call with Vader listening at her office door had frightened her of this possibility, so she immediately went into action by setting this procedure in place.

Pooja, of course, always played the good actress and, even though she was Rebel Alliance sympathizer, for her own safety she pretended to still be a loyal servant to the Empire as Bail and many of the other politicians involved in the Alliance had done over the years. Leia, of course, followed their lead and tried to hide her own involvement as best she could…but it was only a matter of time before Vader had enough proof to come after her as well.

As for Darth Vader’s obsession with Leia, although he still seemed to have a soft spot of her, and Pooja as well, Leia noticed that he had increasingly become more disciplined in his actions around her, trying not to show this weakness in front of people. Although, like Pooja, Leia always felt that she could stand up to him, and knew that he would grant her more leniency than he would never allow others. This proved to be quite useful to her on many occasions when she needed to get something done and/or passed in the Senate.

On occasion, Leia found that by confronting Vader, she could sometimes reason and get through to him, at least to the importance of certain issues and what needed to be done to deal with certain crisis. The first time he actually went along with her on something to convince the Emperor of what was the right course of action, astounded her; and she knew that it probably still had a good deal to do with how much she reminded him of his long, lost love…A fact that did make him seem more human to Leia, despite his outward appearance and actions in other circumstances that gave him the reputation of being more like an unfeeling machine than a human.

Back on Tatooine, Anakin and Obi-Wan continued practicing their Jedi skills everyday after dinner at Obi-Wan’s dwelling near the Dune Sea. It was hard to keep this a secret from the children, but they felt it was necessary for their own safety. They believed that this was their fight and their fight alone, not one that would put the lives of Padme or the ‘Outlander’ children in any danger.

So they continued their rigorous training with lightsabers, meditation and the manipulation of the Force to move and retrieve objects to their grasps. They were determined to ready, and ready they would be. And the time was growing near, they sensed, when they would truly be put to the test; it was just a matter of waiting on the Force to reveal to them when this time would be.

[queennaberrie]

Author¡¦s Note & Disclaimer: From this point forward, you might notice many direct quotes from Eps. IV-VI. I do not own these quotes and they are the property of George Lucas. And as always, I, in no way, am seeking any financial gain from this story. It is being written purely for my enjoyment and hopefully for the enjoyment of my readers.

And if you haven¡¦t received a response from me to your reviews or, even if you have, again, thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. I am completely humbled by the amount of attention this story has been getting. So, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart as your reviews are greatly appreciated and keep me going.

Ok¡KSo now here¡¦s what you¡¦ve all been waiting for¡Kthe start of Episode IV. Enjoy! ƒº

Chapter 43

Somewhere near Tatooine

About a year later, Senator Leia Outlander¡¦s ship was on its way to Alderaan when it was attacked by the Imperial fleet and boarded. Darth Vader had just been informed that the suspected Rebel leader, Senator Outlander, had been captured and was being escorted down the hall towards him, with her hands bound, by some armed stormtroopers. They stopped in front of the dark lord and Leia looked up at him with irritation. ¡§Darth Vader. Only you could be so bold. The Imperial Senate will not sit for this, when they hear you've attacked a diplomatic...¡¨

¡§Don't play games with me, Senator.¡¨ Vader interrupted, pointing his right index finger at her. ¡§You weren't on any mercy mission this time. You passed directly through a restricted system. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies. I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you.¡¨

Blast! Leia thought to herself as she tried to put on an innocent face. ¡§I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan...¡¨

Vader cut her off again. ¡§You're a part of the Rebel Alliance...and a traitor.¡¨ He informed her as he turned to the stormtroopers escorting her. ¡§Take her away!¡¨

The stormtroopers then complied and Leia looked at him with daggers as she was led away down the hallway and through the smoldering hole that the Imperials had blasted open to enter the ship. It was then that an Imperial Commander turned to Vader with a concerned look on his face. ¡§Holding her is dangerous. If word of this gets out, it could generate sympathy for the Rebellion in the senate.¡¨

Vader turned to the Commander and glared at him from behind the mask. ¡§I have traced the Rebel spies to her. Now she is my only link to find their secret base!¡¨

¡§She'll die before she tells you anything.¡¨ The Commander replied.

Vader sighed. ¡§Leave that to me. Send a distress signal and then inform the Senate that all aboard were killed!¡¨ He told the Commander as another officer approached them. The officers saluted each other and came to attention.

¡§Lord Vader¡K¡¨ The second officer started. ¡§¡Kthe battle station plans are not aboard this ship! And no transmissions were made. An escape pod was jettisoned during the fighting, but no life forms were aboard.¡¨

Vader turned to the Commander. ¡§She must have hidden the plans in the escape pod. Send a detachment down to retrieve them. See to it personally, Commander. There'll be no one to stop us this time.¡¨ He ordered him as he turned and stormed down the hallway Leia had just been led down.

¡§Yes, sir.¡¨ The Commander replied with a bow to Vader¡¦s retreating back.

----------------------------------------

Tatooine

Anakin, Luke and Ben were riding in their landspeeder on their way to work in Anchorhead. Luke, who was now 19 years old looked over at his father from the passenger seat with his hands crossed in front of his chest. His 10 year old brother was in the back seat just looking at the passing scenery as Luke contemplated how to ask his father again about joining the Academy for the umpteenth time.

Each time he¡¦d asked, the reply he got was that he was needed at the repair shop right now since Graven had recently taken ill over the past year and hadn¡¦t been able to work. Somehow Luke wondered if that was just an excuse to keep him here on this Force-saken sand pit. Luke hated his dull life here and craved the excitement and adventure that he would get only if he went to the Academy.

He also missed his friend, Biggs, who had joined the Academy just after high school; and listened intently when he had come to visit a few months ago as his friend told him stories of all his adventures.

But Graven had returned to work just recently, so Luke thought that perhaps now his father might agree to let him go away. No time like the present. Luke thought to himself as he turned to his father. ¡§Dad?¡¨

¡§Yes, Luke.¡¨ Anakin answered him as he glanced at him briefly out of the corner of his eye and then turned his attention back to the road.

¡§I-I was wondering¡Ksince Graven has returned to work now¡KI was hoping you¡¦d let be join the Academy.¡¨ Luke nervously asked his father.

Anakin got a concerned and worried look on his face. I can¡¦t let him leave. It¡¦s not safe right now. He thought to himself as he sighed. ¡§Luke, I don¡¦t think that¡¦s such a good idea. Graven is still not feeling that well, so I¡¦ll still need your help around the shop.¡¨

¡§But Dad.¡¨ Luke protested.

Anakin¡¦s ire rose a bit as he took a deep breath and sighed again, trying to control his irritation. ¡§Luke, we¡¦ve been over this before. Now is not the time.¡¨

¡§But¡K¡¨ Luke continued to protest.

¡§I¡¦m sorry, Luke. But your mother and I think its best that you stay here for now.¡¨ Anakin added.

¡§I¡¦m never going to get off of this sand trap!¡¨ Luke declared with frustration as he looked away from his father with his arms still folded across his chest.

Anakin sighed. Luke is so much like me it¡¦s scary sometimes. He thought to himself. ¡§I¡¦m sorry.¡¨ Was all he said as they continued the rest of their trip in silence.

Ben just sat in the back seat watching the exchange between his brother and father in silence. He felt for his brother because he, too, hoped someday to join the Academy. But somehow, unlike his older brother, he understood that his father was just trying to protect him. But he would never tell his brother that because he knew he wouldn¡¦t accept it. In fact, he¡¦d be angry about it and possibly run away to join the Academy with or without their parents¡¦ permission.

Once they reached the repair shop, Luke and Anakin worked together in silence, which didn¡¦t escape the notice of the still somewhat ailing Graven. ¡§Is everything ok between the two of you?¡¨ He asked with concern. ¡§You could cut the tension in here with a laser blade.¡¨

¡§Luke and Dad had a fight on the way to work.¡¨ Ben explained as Luke and Anakin looked in Ben¡¦s and then in Graven¡¦s direction.

Anakin weakly smiled at his, now, partner in the business. ¡§I¡¦m sorry, Graven. It¡¦s just a family disagreement.¡¨

¡§Yeah, as usual, Dad won¡¦t let me join the Academy.¡¨ Luke explained with definite irritation in his voice.

Graven looked over at Anakin with curiosity. ¡§Is that true, Aaron?¡¨

Anakin sighed. ¡§Yes.¡¨ He answered while shooting Luke a disapproving glance before turning back to his partner. ¡§We still need him here at the shop.¡¨

Graven laughed and then walked over to Anakin, patting him on the shoulder with his right hand. ¡§We can get along fine without him.¡¨ Graven told him. ¡§Ben, here, is coming along quite well¡Ka lot like his old man, he is.¡¨

Anakin shot Graven an annoyed glance. ¡§Graven, I really feel strongly about this. I don¡¦t want Luke to go to the Academy right now.¡¨

Graven sighed and shook his head. ¡§Ok, Aaron, if you say so. I know it¡¦s not really my place to question you about your family decisions.¡¨ He said, giving Luke a sad look of understanding.

Anakin sighed. ¡§No it¡¦s not.¡¨ He retorted as they all then heard the chimes of the front door to the service center.

¡§I¡¦ll go see who it is.¡¨ Luke said as he headed through the curtains.

¡§We¡¦re looking for some droids, a golden protocol droid and an astrometric droid. Have any been brought in here?¡¨ Anakin heard the familiar voice of a cloned stormtrooper ask his son.

¡§Uh, no.¡¨ Luke responded. ¡§But¡K¡¨

Anakin¡¦s eyes went wide with fear as he turned to Ben. ¡§Stay here.¡¨ He told him as he rushed out front, coming through the curtains to stand just behind his son. ¡§I¡¦m one of the partners of this repair shop. Can I help you?¡¨ Anakin asked the stormtrooper as he put his right hand on his son¡¦s right shoulder to silence him.

Luke looked up at his father with puzzlement as the stormtrooper answered him. ¡§Yes, I was just asking this boy if he¡¦d seen the two droids we¡¦re looking for.¡¨

¡§Yes, I heard you ask him from the back room and, like my son said, no droids of that description have come in here recently.¡¨ Anakin answered them as he stepped in front of his son. ¡§You have never been here and didn¡¦t see us.¡¨ Anakin said while waving his hand in front of the five stormtroopers standing on the other side of the counter.

¡§We were never here.¡¨ All the stormtroopers answered in unison in a trance-like state. ¡§And we never saw you.¡¨

Anakin waved his hand in front of them again. ¡§And the droids you are looking for are not in Anchorhead or east of here.¡¨

¡§The droids we are looking for are not in Anchorhead or east of here.¡¨ They all repeated in unison.

¡§You may go.¡¨ Anakin finished.

¡§We will go.¡¨ The Commander of the stormtroopers ordered and then they all turned, filing out of the shop in single-file.

Luke watched the whole scene with amazement. ¡§H-How did you do that?¡¨ He asked as they watched the stormtroopers leave in a daze.

Anakin abruptly turned to his son and put his hands on his shoulders as soon as the stormtroopers had left the shop. He looked directly into Luke¡¦s eyes. ¡§We have to go.¡¨ He told him as he then released his son¡¦s shoulders and walked passed him with Luke following him in a confused state. ¡§Ben, let¡¦s go. We¡¦re leaving, son.¡¨ Anakin ordered as Graven gave him a confused look.

¡§What¡¦s the matter, Aaron? You seem quite shaken about something.¡¨ Graven asked with concern.

Anakin turned to his long-time friend and partner. He then embraced him in a brotherly hug. ¡§I¡¦m sorry Graven, but we have to leave Tatooine.¡¨ He told him as he backed out of the hug, still holding onto his shoulders. ¡§I don¡¦t know if we will ever be able to return¡Kso the business is all yours. I¡¦m returning my half ownership. I¡¦m sorry, Graven. But we must go. The safety of my family depends on it.¡¨

Graven looked at Anakin in shock. ¡§Surely you¡¦re not going to let some questioning stormtroopers spook you, Aaron?¡¨

Anakin gave Graven a guilty look. ¡§I¡¦m sorry. I can¡¦t tell you why, but it¡¦s just not safe for my family here anymore. We must leave. I¡¦ll miss you my old friend.¡¨ He said with a sad smile.

Luke and Ben listened in awe and shock. ¡§Dad, what do you mean we have to leave Tatooine?¡¨ Luke asked his father with confusion.

Anakin then turned to both of his sons. ¡§I¡¦ll explain later.¡¨ He told him as he turned again to his friend. ¡§Good-bye, Graven. Perhaps we¡¦ll see each other again.¡¨ He said as he put his hands on each of his son¡¦s shoulders.

¡§Good-bye, Aaron. I¡¦ll miss you, my boy.¡¨ Graven said as he waved at Anakin and his sons, who he thought of as family.

Anakin and his sons turned to look sadly at Graven one last time from the doorway. ¡§We¡¦ll miss you too.¡¨ He said with another sad smile.

¡§Good-bye.¡¨ Both Ben and Luke said in unison as they waved in sadness while being led out the back door by their father.

As soon as they were outside, Luke turned to his father. ¡§Dad, what¡¦s going on and how did you get those stormtroopers to leave? They acted like they were hypnotized or something.¡¨

Anakin turned back to his sons with a worried look on his face. ¡§The Force has a great influence on the weak minded. Now get in the speeder.¡¨

¡§The Force?¡¨ Luke said as he and Ben climbed into the speeder with their father. ¡§What¡¦s that?¡¨

¡§It¡¦s a field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.¡¨ Anakin explained as he started the speeder and headed it out of town towards their home.

¡§I don¡¦t understand.¡¨ Ben said.

¡§Me either.¡¨ Luke added.

Anakin sighed. ¡§Luke, Ben¡KThere¡¦s something you both need to know about your mother¡¦s, mine and your Uncle Ben¡¦s past.¡¨

Luke and Ben¡¦s eyes both got wide with anticipation. Finally, he¡¦s going to tell us. Luke thought to himself and nodded at his father to continue.

¡§You¡¦re Uncle Ben and I were once Jedi knights.¡¨ Anakin started.

¡§What?¡¨ Luke replied in shock. ¡§You were both Jedi?¡¨ He asked as a huge smile of disbelief formed on his face.

¡§What¡¦s a Jedi?¡¨ Ben asked from the back seat.

¡§The Jedi were mighty warriors of the Old Republic that were believed to be totally wiped out during the Clone Wars.¡¨ Luke answered his little brother with enthusiasm.

¡§Ohhh. Cool!¡¨ Ben replied. ¡§And you and Uncle Ben were Jedi, Dad?¡¨

¡§Yes.¡¨ Anakin explained with a faint smile as he continued to frantically drive home. ¡§And what you saw me do back at the shop to get the stormtroopers to leave is a common mind trick used by the Jedi to influence the weak-minded to do things we want them to do.¡¨

Luke¡¦s smile got bigger as he thought of his father and their uncle being legendary Jedi. ¡§Wow, Dad! And all this time, I thought you¡¦d never had any adventures¡Kand you were a Jedi knight all along. Wow!¡¨ Luke exclaimed still not believing his ears.

Anakin briefly looked over at his son with concern and then looked back at the road ahead of him. ¡§Don¡¦t get too excited, Luke. Remember the Empire hunted us all practically to extinction, which means if they¡¦re here on Tatooine, we can¡¦t be.¡¨

Luke and Ben both became serious. ¡§But Dad. Where will we go?¡¨ Ben asked with fear evident in his voice.

¡§I honestly can¡¦t say, Ben.¡¨ Anakin answered his son. ¡§But wherever we go, we¡¦ll go together, ok?¡¨

¡§Ok, Dad.¡¨ Ben replied as tears started to form in his eyes from the fear he was feeling.

Luke sat in the passenger seat still in shock at hearing this new revelation about his father¡¦s and ¡¥uncle¡¦s¡¦ pasts, when a thought came to him. ¡§Dad? Is Outlander our real family name?¡¨

Anakin sighed. No sense in keeping their true heritage from them now. ¡§No.¡¨ He paused. ¡§It¡¦s Skywalker.¡¨

Luke looked at his father with amazement. ¡§Skywalker?¡¨

¡§Yes, and my real name isn¡¦t Aaron, it¡¦s Anakin.¡¨ Anakin told his sons.

Luke¡¦s jaw dropped. ¡§Anakin Skywalker? You¡¦re¡KAnakin Skywalker¡Kthe Jedi knight, known as ¡¥the Hero with No Fear¡¨ I¡¦ve heard Graven and other pilots in Anchorhead talk so much about?¡¨ Anakin nodded and smiled over at his son as another realization hit him as huge smile formed on his face. ¡§Holy Force, I don¡¦t believe it! And I¡¦m Luke Skywalker¡K¡¦the Hero with No Fear¡¦s son.¡¨

¡§Me too.¡¨ Ben added. ¡§Wow!¡¨

Luke laughed as he continued to think back on how dull he always thought his father was. ¡§And I always thought you were unadventurous. I suppose next you¡¦re going to tell me that Uncle Ben is ¡¥the Negotiator¡¦¡¨. Luke finally said kiddingly.

Anakin smiled as he continued down the road. ¡§Actually, yes, he is.¡¨

¡§WHAT!¡¨ Luke said with shock. ¡§Are you serious? I was only kidding.¡¨

Anakin chuckled. ¡§Yes, I¡¦m very serious. His real name is¡K¡¨

¡§¡KObi-Wan Kenobi.¡¨ Luke finished.

Anakin smiled. ¡§Yes.¡¨

¡§Whoa! This is just too much!¡¨ Luke continued. ¡§Ben Kenobi, Obi-Wan Kenobi¡Koh my¡Kwhy didn¡¦t I ever make the connection?¡¨

Anakin chuckled. ¡§Probably because you thought we were both a couple of old bores.¡¨

Luke sighed, while smiling at his father before becoming serious. He looked down at his boots and then back over at his father. ¡§I¡¦m sorry I thought that about you, Dad.¡¨

¡§It¡¦s ok, Luke. I didn¡¦t exactly do anything to make you think differently.¡¨ Anakin answered with a grin.

¡§Hey Dad?¡¨ Ben started. ¡§Where¡¦s all that smoke coming from over there?¡¨

Luke and Anakin then became serious. ¡§Where, Ben?¡¨ Anakin asked his youngest son trying to look around.

¡§Over there, to the left.¡¨ Ben said with concern as he pointed.

All three Skywalkers looked to their left to see a huge cloud of black smoke, billowing into the sky. ¡§OH NO!¡¨ Anakin exclaimed as he brought the speeder to an abrupt halt as all three stared at the smoke in horror. ¡§That¡¦s your Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru¡¦s farm.¡¨

¡§And Tobin said they were planning on buying a translator droid and an astrometric droid from the Jawas yesterday.¡¨ Luke said in shock as all three looked at each other with fear.

¡§Oh no.¡¨ Anakin said with fear in his voice as he quickly turned the speeder to head towards the billowing smoke. This can¡¦t be happening.

[queennaberrie]

Chapter 44

Anakin rushed towards the Lars’ farm as fast as he could get the speeder to safely go. When they arrived, the smoke was still billowing above the domed home; and not knowing what they’d find there, he stopped the speeder some distance away from the home and got out, turning to his sons. “Stay here.” He told them sternly. “I mean it.”

Luke and Ben both nodded up at their father and then watched as he walked the rest of the distance to the house. “I hope everyone’s ok.” Luke said as he looked back at his brother, who only nodded.

Anakin cautiously approached the house, wishing that he had his lightsaber with him just in case there were still Imperials around. But there was nothing he could do about it now so he just continued on with caution. The closer he came to the entrance of the home, the more he realized a horrible truth. Tears started to fill his eyes as he realized that there were two charred bodies lying face down just outside the domed entrance. “Oh no.” He said out loud as he ran closer to the house.

When he got close to the domed entrance, he stopped and looked sadly down at the two bodies before him. He bent down, trying to determine who they were, and realized that they were Beru and Owen. He put his right hand over his eyes as tears started to flow for the loss of his step-brother and his wife. But then fear started to grip him as he realized that perhaps Tobin had been killed too.

Tobin, who was now 28 years old, had been engaged to be married up until a few weeks ago when his fiancé broke it off declaring that she didn’t really want to be a farmer’s wife and then ended up eloping with a freighter pilot a week later instead. This had broken Tobin’s heart as he really did love her and wanted to marry her; but, in a way, he couldn’t blame her for not wanting to share a home with his adoptive parents as they continued to help them with the moisture farm. Anakin felt for him and, as Owen and Beru both had done, had tried to assure him that perhaps it was for the best. That he should look to the future and hope to find a wife who will love him enough that she won’t care where they live, as long as they were together.

But perhaps Tobin won’t get that chance. Anakin thought to himself as he ran into the domed entrance and down the stairs to the courtyard below in hopes that Tobin had escaped this tragedy. “Tobin!” Anakin yelled as he started to cough from the smoke and covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve. “Tobin!” He yelled repeatedly as he frantically searched the house for any sign of his ‘nephew’, trying to avoid the fire in the process; and, to his relief, he didn’t find another body or the droids that Luke said they had been planning to purchase.

Remembering Owen and Beru’s bodies above, he then grabbed a couple of blankets from one of the bedrooms and returned to the surface with them. Anakin removed his sleeve from his face as he emerged from the dome and his heart sunk as he reached the top of the stairs; sorry that he didn’t have time to give his step-brother and wife a proper burial, but thought he could perhaps at least cover their bodies. So he unfolded the blankets and covered the couples’ bodies with them before standing in silence out of respect. He folded his hands in front of him, closed his eyes and bowed his head as he said a little prayer with a tear escaping down his cheek.

But then after a few moments he sighed and opened his eyes. “Good-bye Owen and Beru. You will be missed.” He said aloud as he then turned and sadly started walking away. But then the walk soon became a run as fear started to return to him for the safety of his family. He ran up to the speeder where his sons were still waiting for him with a forlorned look on his face.

“What did you find? Is everyone ok?” Luke asked with concern as his father approached with a sad face.

Anakin looked at his son with tears still lingering in his eyes. He silently climbed back into the driver’s seat of the speeder before turning to his sons. He sighed. “I’m sorry, but your Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru are…no longer with us.”

Tears started to fill both Luke’s and Ben’s eyes. “You mean th-they’ve been killed?” Luke asked hesitantly.

Anakin sadly nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry.” He said as he turned forward again to start the speeder again.

Tears started to fill Luke’s eyes and Anakin could hear Ben start to cry in the back seat. His heart was breaking right along with them. “What about Tobin?” Luke asked as Anakin accelerated the speeder towards their home.

Anakin shook his head. “I don’t know. I didn’t find him or the droids. I only hope they are somewhere safe.”

“Me too.” Luke responded as they continued the way in silence.

When they reached home, they were relieved to find Tobin’s speeder parked in front of the garage. “Tobin’s here.” Anakin said with a smile as they all let out a sigh of relief and he pulled in next to Tobin’s speeder and stopped.

They all climbed out and hurried inside. What they found inside brought happiness to them all when they realized Tobin was safe. Obi-Wan, who still looked quite young for his 57 years, was there with him and two VERY familiar looking droids.

“Tobin!” Ben yelled as he ran over to his ‘cousin’ and embraced him. “You’re ok.” Luke ran over to greet him as well as Tobin looked at both of them with confusion.

“Of course, I’m ok. Why wouldn’t I be?” Tobin asked with puzzlement.

It was then that R2 let out an excited series of beeps upon seeing Anakin enter just behind his sons. “R2?” Anakin asked in amazement as the droid rolled over to him excitedly.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand any of this or how R2 could possibly know you.” He heard 3PO exclaim and R2 turned to answer him in a series of beeps. “What do you mean he’s my creator?”

Anakin laughed. “Hello R2, I’ve missed you too. He told the little droid as he patted R2 on the top of his dome as he passed him to go greet 3PO. “3PO! You’re looking good.” He told him as he stood in front of him with his arms crossed in front of his chest and a smile on his face.

“How could you be my creator? I do not remember you, I’m afraid.” 3PO asked in a confused manner. “Oh this is so confusing, first Senator Outlander tells us in a recording that we belonged to Ben Kenobi, but our last owner was Captain Antilles. And now R2 says you are my creator. But I’m sorry, I don’t remember you.”

Anakin laughed again and shook his head. “It’s ok 3PO. It’s not your fault. Your memory was wiped. That’s why you don’t remember me.” He told him as he patted the droid on his shoulder.

“WHAT!” 3PO replied in astonishment as Anakin then turned to Obi-Wan.

Poor 3PO. Anakin thought to himself as he then addressed Obi-Wan. “What’s going on? What’s this message R2 is carrying from Leia?” Anakin asked as Padme entered the room with Sarah, who was now 16 years old, from the kitchen with trays full of café for everyone.

“It appears that Leia has run into some trouble.” Obi-Wan told him.

Anakin got a worried look on his face. “What kind of trouble?”

Obi-Wan sighed as he motioned for Anakin to follow him over to sit on the couch. After they both sat down, he looked down and then back up at his ‘brother’. “It seems that she has been heavily involved with the Rebel Alliance for some time and her ship was attacked by Vader.” He paused. “She may be in his custody as we speak.”

Anakin looked back at his friend in horror. “This just keeps getting worse and worse.”

“I know.” Obi-Wan responded. “Apparently, she hid plans for an Imperial project called the Death Star in R2. Bail had told her to contact me if she ran into any trouble. That’s why she sent the droids. We’re to take them to Bail on Alderaan immediately as these plans are vital to secure a victory against the Empire.”

“Well, then that’s what we must do. We will go to Alderaan.” Anakin said and then paused as a thought occurred to him. “Do you think she knows…I mean about us? Who we really are?” Anakin asked.

“I don’t believe so. At least I don’t get that from the message she sent me.” Obi-Wan responded. “3PO told Tobin, after Owen bought them from the Jawas, that R2 kept rambling that they had a mission to find Ben Kenobi. And upon seeing the first part of the message from Leia, he decided to bring the droids to me first thing this morning. And you’ll be glad to know that I brought all our gear and lightsabers back here with Tobin and me. After hearing Leia’s message, I figured we’d need them.”

Anakin nodded. “Good thinking…because we’ve also got other problems.”

“What?” Obi-Wan asked with concern.

“The Imperials are looking for R2 and 3PO. They knew that Owen had purchased them and paid a visit to the farm.” Anakin said as he turned to Tobin. Tobin approached, having heard what was being said.

“What’s happened?” Tobin asked as he stopped next to his ‘uncles’ with a worried look on his face.

Anakin sighed and then got up from the couch, putting his hands on Tobin’s shoulders. He looked down and then up into Tobin’s eyes. “I’m sorry…but the Imperials attacked the farm and…Owen and Beru are…dead.”

Tobin went into immediate shock and then looked at Anakin with tears starting to form in his eyes. “They’re dead?”

Anakin sadly nodded as Obi-Wan sadly stood up as well. “Oh no, Anakin.” Obi-Wan said to Anakin and then turned to Tobin. “I’m sorry, Tobin. I know you loved them both very dearly.”

“Yes, I did. And thank you.” Tobin responded as tears started to flow down his cheeks…But then anger and determination started to grip him as his gaze became hardened. He looked away as anger started to grip at his soul; but then turned back to Anakin and Obi-Wan. “I want to go with you. I don’t want their deaths to be in vein.”

Obi-Wan and Anakin looked at each other with concern as they watched Tobin lash out in anger. “Tobin…” Anakin started. “I know how you feel, but don’t let anger rule your destiny. It’s the path to the Dark Side. And I hope you remember that from your early teachings at the Temple.”

Tobin took a deep breath and the closed his eyes, covering them with his right hand as he tried to calm down. “Yes…and I’m sorry. I do remember…and I will try to discipline myself better when it comes to my anger.”

Obi-Wan and Anakin both sighed in relief, sensing the younger man’s sincerity. “Good…Because we wouldn’t want to lose you that way.” Anakin replied with a weak smile on his face and putting his hands on Tobin’s shoulders again before taking him into a comforting embrace.

“You won’t.” Tobin replied as he cried into Anakin’s shoulder and then the men backed out of their hug and looked at each other. “I won’t allow the darkness to rule my life.”

Padme approached them, joined by Sarah and her brothers. “Aaron, what’s going on?” Padme asked.

“It’s ok, Padme. Luke and Ben know.” Anakin responded. “I told them on the way here.”

“Told them what?” Sarah asked out of confusion.

“That Dad and Uncle Ben are really Jedi.” Ben told her.

“And they’re real names are Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the ‘Hero with No Fear’ and the ‘Negotiator’. Luke added with pride.

Sarah’s jaw dropped. “What?” She then turned to her father and Obi-Wan. “Is that true, Dad?”

“Yes, Sarah, it’s true.” Anakin said with a smile. “And…your mother’s name is really Padme Amidala Naberrie Skywalker.”

“What?” Sarah and Luke said in unison and then turned to look at their mother in disbelief. Ben just stared at his mother in silence, not knowing what to say.

“That’s right. Padme is Mom’s secret name that we heard Grandma say when we were little and Dad told us not to repeat it.” Luke said in astonishment.

Padme smiled back at her children. “Yes, Luke.”

And then a realization hit Sarah. “Holy Force, Mom, that’s the name of that Old Republic senator Leia admires so much.” Sarah exclaimed as a knowing grin started to form on her face. “Wait until she hears this!”

“Wow, Mom! You were a senator too?” Luke said in awe.

Padme continued to smile at her children. “Yes and…I know, Sarah…She’s talked to me so many times about Senator Amidala that it took all my will power not to tell her the truth.” Padme replied with a smile but then became serious as she remembered the danger Leia was now in. She turned to her husband with worry on her face. “But Ani, what are we going to do? Obi-Wan told us that she was captured by Vader. We can’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Anakin turned to his wife and then pulled her into a comforting embrace, stroking the back of her head with his left hand as he kissed the top of her head. “We’ll get her back, Padme. We’re taking the droids to Alderaan and then we’re going to rescue Leia.” Anakin replied. “And you’re all coming with us. I’m not leaving you here so what happened to Owen and Beru could happen to you. I couldn’t bear losing any of you.”

Padme nodded, her head still up against Anakin’s chest, as tears started forming in her eyes. “I’ll get the children ready to go.” She told him as she released herself from their embrace and turned to the children. “Sarah, I need you to change out of that dress and into slacks and a tunic. And I want you all to pack a small bag. Take only what you really need because we need to travel light.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. But we may not be able to return here.” All three children nodded in understanding as they all walked down the hall to their rooms.

Anakin then turned to Obi-Wan. “Where’s our gear. I’ll need to get changed too. If we’re going to be Jedi again, I want to look like one.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “This way.” He told Anakin and then turned to Tobin who was still in shock over the news about the deaths of his adoptive parents. “You, too, Tobin. I have some gear for you as well.”

Tobin looked at Obi-Wan with curiosity. “What do you mean?”

Anakin smiled at Tobin. “We have a lightsaber for you. We’re going to have to finish your training if you’re going to help us.”

Tobin’s eyes became as big as saucers. “Y-You’re going to complete my Jedi training?”

“If that’s what you want, Tobin.” Obi-Wan replied.

A smile formed on Tobin’s face, a wonderful sight after seeing him so heartbroken after the loss of his adoptive parents. “Yes, of course I do. I’ve always wanted to finish my Jedi training but never dreamed it would ever happen.”

“Tobin is a Jedi too? Can I be one too?” Ben asked in awe as Luke and he emerged from the hallway.

All three men turned to look at Ben and Luke. “If you want to, Ben, of course we’ll train you.” Anakin replied with a smile and then looked at Luke. “You, too, Luke.”

Ben and Luke looked at each other and then to their father. “Oh, yes, please Dad.” Ben exclaimed.

“I’d love to, Dad.” Luke responded with excitement.

“You’d love to do what?” Sarah said as she re-emerged from her room wearing matching tan pants and tunic and her long, blonde hair styled in a single braid down her back.

Ben looked up at his sister. “Dad and Uncle Ben are going to train us to be Jedi.”

Sarah looked down at her brother in awe and then looked over at her father and Obi-Wan. “Will you train me as well?” She asked hesitantly.

“Would you like to be trained?” Anakin asked her.

Sarah looked at her father in shock and then a smile came on her face. “Yes.” She nodded. “I would love to be trained as well.”

Anakin smiled at his daughter. “Good, the more the merrier. Now where’s your mother?” He said as he became serious.

“I’m right here.” Padme said as she emerged wearing matching light blue pants and tunic, and her hair, too, was styled in a single braid down her back. Although, unlike her daughter, she was also wearing a cape and handed her daughter a brown cape, which Sarah put on.

“Good.” Anakin replied. “We’re all ready to go.”

Obi-Wan then tapped Anakin on the shoulder and he turned to look at his former master. “Eh..hem. Not everyone…I thought you wanted to get changed.”

Anakin chuckled sheepishly. “Oh yeah. Lead the way.”

Anakin and Tobin followed Obi-Wan out to Tobin’s speeder to retrieve their gear and then returned to the house. The rest of the family and the droids loaded the few belongings they were taking into the two speeders and waited for the three Jedi to emerge.

Anakin changed into his old brown Jedi attire, amazed that it still fit…well for the most part anyway. He found out the pants were just a little too small around the waist. Blast! He said to himself. Well, I’m no longer 23 so I can’t ever expect to be that thin ever again. He tried to reason with himself, so he decided to retrieve another pair of dark brown pants from his closet. This will work nicely; Obi-Wan won’t even know the difference. He thought, grinning to himself. I wonder how Obi-Wan is doing.

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan was in Luke and Ben’s room trying to get into his old gear and wasn’t having as much success. Blast! Well, I’m not 38 anymore. Although, you’d think with all the exercise Anakin and I have been getting with our practice saber fighting, I would have lost a few pounds. Well, I’ll just leave on the pants I was wearing. At least I can still fit into my old shorter tunic. Anakin will never know the difference. He thought with a grin.

A few minutes later, the two Jedi emerged with their lightsabers attached to their belts and entered the living room where Tobin awaited them. Anakin and Obi-Wan looked one another up and down. “So, old man, I see you were able to get back into your old Jedi attire.” Anakin told him with a smirk.

Obi-Wan eyed his former apprentice as well. “And I see you were able to do the same. And I wouldn’t talk if I were you. You’re not getting any younger.”

Both men just mockingly glared at each other and then laughed. “It feels good to be back in my old Jedi clothes.” Anakin finally said.

“Yes, I have to agree.” Obi-Wan said. “It almost makes me feel 20 years younger.” And then he turned to Tobin. “And I believe we said something to you about having a lightsaber for you.” Obi-Wan told him as he unhooked a second lightsaber from his belt and held it out to Tobin. “This belonged to my former master Qui-Gon Jinn. I think he’d like you to have it.”

Tobin got a huge smile on his face as he retrieved it from Obi-Wan. “Thank you.” He said as he ignited the green blade, looking at it in awe. “I-I am honored. Master Qui-Gon was quite a legend if I remember.”

Obi-Wan and Anakin smiled. “That he was in his own right. And he asked me to give it to you when you were ready.” Obi-Wan told him.

Tobin looked at him with disbelief as he turned off the lightsaber and hooked it to his belt. “He asked you to give it to me? But Master Kenobi, he died before I was even born.”

Obi-Wan smiled at Tobin. “Yes, but many things are possible with the Force. He’s been communicating with me for years as a Force spirit.”

“I’ve even spoken with him on occasion.” Anakin added with a smile. “He was my first master, you know…before he died.”

Tobin looked at them with disbelief. “Wow. I’ve never heard of that happening. I’d love to meet him if he ever appears to you again.”

Obi-Wan and Anakin looked at one another. “Perhaps you will some day.” Obi-Wan responded as they looked back at Tobin. “But we have to get going before Empire figures out the droids are here. I think we should go to Mos Eisley to hire a ship to take us to Alderaan.” He told Anakin.

Anakin nodded. “I agree.”

[queennaberrie]

Chapter 45

Death Star

In the conference room within the Death Star, eight Imperial senators and generals were sitting around the black conference table with Imperial stormtroopers standing guard around the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general, was addressing the others in the room. “Until this battle station is fully operational we are vulnerable. The Rebel Alliance is too well equipped. They're more dangerous than you realize.”

Admiral Motti twisted nervously in his chair with a bitter expression on his face. “Dangerous to your starfleet, Commander, not to this battle station!”

Tagge turned to face Admiral Motti in irritation. “The Rebellion will continue to gain a support in the Imperial Senate as long as...”

But he was cut short when they all heard the sound of the conference room doors open and all turned to look just as Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial outland regions, entered the room with Darth Vader right behind him. Out of respect, all of the generals stood and bowed before the thin, evil-looking governor as he took his place at the head of the table with the dark lord standing right behind him.

“The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us. I've just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.” Tarkin said as he looked at everyone sitting around the table.

Tagge looked at Tarkin with shock. “That's impossible! How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?”

“The regional governors now have direct control over territories.” Tarkin told them. “Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station.”

“And what of the Rebellion? If the Rebels have obtained a complete technical readout of this station, it is possible, however unlikely, that they might find a weakness and exploit it.” Tagge pointed out with concern on his face.

“The plans you refer to will soon be back in our hands.” Vader informed them with confidence.

“Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a useless gesture, no matter what technical data they've obtained. This station is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use it!” Motti exclaimed.

Vader scoffed at the idea. “Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.”

“Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the Rebel's hidden fort...” But Motti was cut short when he suddenly started to choke. He moved both hands up to his throat in a failed attempt to pry the unseen hands from his neck. Fighting for air, he started to turn blue as Vader walked closer to him and continued to hold his black gloved hand out towards him.

“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” Vader told Motti as he continued the Force choke on him.

“Enough of this! Vader, release him!” Tarkin ordered.

“As you wish.” Vader complied, lowering his hand and at the same time the Force grip on Motti’s throat. Vader then returned to his position behind Tarkin.

Tarkin looked at Vader and then the group in disgust. “This bickering is pointless. We will learn the location of the Rebel fortress, one way or another, by the time this station is operational; and then we will crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke.”

-----------------------------

Shortly after the meeting ended and the other officials left the conference room, Vader approached Tarkin before he could leave the room himself. “Let me try to get the information out of Senator Outlander another way. I know that the Emperor has given you full authority over this battle station; but I don’t see the need to destroy Alderaan just because you want to try out your new toy. The whole idea of building th-this…thing…is create fear rather than actually use it.”

Tarkin turned abruptly to Vader. “Don’t tell me how to run this battle station, Lord Vader! You may be the Emperor’s right-hand man, but I have my orders directly from the Emperor himself. He told me to show no mercy. And I will not.”

Vader sighed and then looked away with growing ire, trying to calm himself. “Just give me a chance to get the location of the Rebel base out of her my way. There’s no need for all those innocent people to die if there’s another way to accomplish our goal. Once we know the location of the Rebel base, then you can test this monstrosity on the Rebels instead.”

Tarkin sighed. “Very well, Lord Vader. Try it your way.” He said with a wave of the hand. “But I warn you. If you fail, I will carry out my original plans to destroy Alderaan.” He said with seriousness, pointing his bony finger at Vader.

Vader smiled under the mask and then bowed. “Thank you, Tarkin. I will succeed and I’ll inform you as soon as I have discovered the location.” And with another bow, Vader left the room to head towards the detention area.

-----------------------------------

Vader walked down the cell block towards Leia’s cell. Once he reached it, he nodded to the two stormtroopers who were guarding it; and they opened the electronic cell door to reveal Senator Outlander who was looking at him with defiance.

Vader then just glared at her. “And, now Senator, we will discuss the location of your hidden Rebel base.” He told her as she watched in horror as a black torture robot entered the cell just behind the dark lord. It gave off a steady beeping sound as it approached her and extended one of its arms which held a large hypodermic needle.

“I’m not going to tell you anything!” Leia told Vader with defiance as the cell door shut, leaving just her and the dark lord alone in the cell.

“Oh you will, Senator. Once I get done with you, you will.” Vader told her as he turned to the torture droid. “Give her the truth serum.”

The torture droid beeped in compliance as it approached Leia. She looked at it in horror, then started to scream as it approached her and then plunged the hypodermic into her arm, releasing the serum into her blood stream. “I’m not going to tell you anything.” Leia said again, but this time sounding a little drowsy as the serum started to take effect.

Leia, who had been sitting up at the time, started to fall as the drug finally reached its full effect. Vader caught her and then gently laid her head back onto the cot she had been laying on. “Now, Senator.” Vader began. “Now you are going to tell me the location of the Rebel base. Where is it?” He asked her as she vacantly stared up at him, unable to move.

“It-It’s…NOOOO!” Leia screamed, trying to fight the drug that had taken over her mind. She started to thrash her head back forth.

She is strong. Vader thought to himself as she continued to thrash on the bed. “Senator Outlander, you must calm down or you’re going to hurt yourself.” Vader told her as he place both of his hands on her arms to try to hold her still. But she still was throwing her head around.

“NOOOO! I-I won’t tell you….I won’t….I won’t…!” Leia continued to scream.

Vader looked directly at Leia’s beautiful face, admiring her strength of mind but still determined to get the location of the Rebel base out of her to protect the innocent citizens of Alderaan. “Listen to me, Leia. If you do NOT reveal the location of the Rebel base, the people of Alderaan could be in grave danger. Now where is the Rebel base?”

Leia started to calm down a bit, long enough to stare at Vader with wild eyes and seemed to understand what he was telling her. But rationalizing that it was just a trick to get her to talk, she continued to resist. “NOOOOO!” Leia continued to scream. “NOO-OH-OH!” She screamed again as she rolled onto her side, staring off towards the door of the cell as tears started to roll out of her eyes.

Vader sighed, knowing that he was getting no where this way, and decided to try the next best thing, probe her mind. He kneeled down beside her and closed his eyes, reaching out with the Force to try to touch her mind…but his eyes shot open when he realized he’d been stopped by a mental barrier. She truly is remarkable…and must be Force sensitive. It’s amazing she’s able to resist my mind probe without any formal training. He thought to himself as he stared down at the almost comatose Senator, who was still staring away from him and rocking herself with tears flowing down her cheeks.

Vader then stood back up and reached down to run his right hand over the top of her hair. “Rest now, Leia. I’m sorry I had to do this to you. And I’m sorry for what’s about to happen. I tried to warn you.” He told her as he then walked sadly over to the door and knocked on it. “I’m done here. Open the door.” He commanded as he then turned and took one last look at the Senator. Leia looked up at him with sadness and shock in her eyes, giving Vader an ache in his heart as he hated having to put her through what would seem to be torture to her and knowing that the Tarkin would now most likely go through with his plans to destroy Alderaan. Vader just sighed as the door opened and then went out the door, leaving Leia to recover from the trauma and cry herself to sleep.

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Tatooine

The two landspeeders carrying the Skywalker family, Tobin, Obi-Wan and the droids, made their way across the desert until the reached a bluff overlooking the spaceport of Mos Eisley. Anakin was driving one and Tobin the other as they came to a stop next to one another.

“Mos Eisley Spaceport.” Obi-Wan started from the passenger seat of Tobin’s speeder. “I despise this place. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” He declared as everyone looked at Obi-Wan with curiosity. Anakin started to chuckle, causing Obi-Wan to send Anakin a glare. “Now don’t you even…” He started as he waved his right index finger at Anakin.

“What?” Anakin replied, giving him an innocent look. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You were laughing…that’s enough.” Obi-Wan replied crossing his arms across his chest. “So don’t even bring up what happened the last time we met Kit here. You swore to me that you would never repeat it.”

Anakin’s only reply was a gleam in his eye and a smirk.

“What happened?” Luke asked with curiosity.

“Nevermind…you don’t want to know.” Anakin told his son as he shot his former master a teasing smile.

“Uh, come on, Dad, tell us.” Sarah pleaded.

Anakin shook his head, folding his arms across his chest. “Nope….sorry…You heard your Uncle Ben, I’ve been sworn to secrecy”

“Aww.” Luke, Sarah and Ben replied in unison.

Tobin was watching this whole scene with amusement and started to laugh. “You two sure have some interesting adventures together. I’d just LOVE to hear this one sometime.” Tobin told them.

“Well…that is one adventure you will never hear.” Obi-Wan said stubbornly with his arms still crossed in front of his chest as the rest of the group laughed.

“Oh dear, human behavior is so confusing.” 3PO exclaimed. “I will never understand them.”

“It’s ok 3PO.” Anakin responded. “I’m human and I don’t always understand human behavior myself.” He said with a laugh…but then he became serious as realization of the danger his family could possibly get into in Mos Eisley slowly sunk in as he became more worried about their safety. “But seriously, Obi-Wan is right. Mos Eisley isn’t a safe place. It’s different when you have a ship already waiting for you; but this time we need to find one to hire. I think it will be better if all of you wait here while Obi-Wan and I drive into town.”

“But Ani…” Padme tried to protest from the passenger seat of their speeder, looking at him with pleading eyes.

Anakin looked down at his wife and smiled, kissing her lightly on the lips. “It will be ok, Padme. We’ll be fine.” He told her as he stroked her hair with his left hand.

“But Anakin, I think we should all stay together.” Padme insisted, looking at him with troubled eyes and taking his right hand in hers.

Anakin sighed, looking down and then back into his wife’s beautiful brown eyes. “Please, Padme. Stay here…for me? I’d feel better knowing you were here and out of danger.”

Padme sighed, looking into her husband’s beautiful blue pools, as she reluctantly gave into his pleading eyes. “Yes. We’ll stay here.” She finally said, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

“Good.” Anakin said with a smile as he quickly kissed her on the cheek again, and then looked up at the rest of the group. “Now as soon and Obi-Wan and I find a ship to hire, we’ll comm you.” He told them.

“Ok, Ani.” Padme said as she gave him one more quick kiss on the lips before reluctantly getting out of their speeder. “Come on children.” She ordered as Luke, Sarah and Ben climbed out of the speeder and they all gathered next to Tobin’s speeder.

Obi-Wan then got out of Tobin’s speeder and walked over to climb into the passenger seat next to Anakin. Anakin turned to look at his family who were huddled together, looking at him with worried looks on their faces. He weakly smiled at them. “Don’t worry. This is nothing. Obi-Wan and I have gone into much worse situations than what we’ll ever find in Mos Eisley.”

Padme then weakly smiled back. “Be safe, Ani, and may the Force be with you.”

“Thank you.” Anakin replied with a smile.

Obi-Wan tried to appear miffed with a gleam in his eye. “Well…don’t I get a jolly send off too?”

Everyone laughed. “Of course, Obi-Wan.” Padme replied with a smile. “And may the Force be with you also.”

Obi-Wan chuckled and then nodded at her. “Much better.” He told her and then turned to Anakin. “So shall we?” He asked pointing his right hand towards the spaceport below.

Anakin smiled to his ‘brother’. “Yes.” And with that he turned the speeder towards Mos Eisley, hoping when they got there that they wouldn’t run into too much trouble along the way.