Remade

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 59

“Redeemed, he is. Anakin Skywalker he has become again.”

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui G’on Jinn, in their ghostly, ethereal form now, looked at one another as Yoda pronounced this incredible declaration.

“Master Yoda, are you sure about this?” Obi-Wan asked. “It hasn’t been that long since he and I fought on board the Death Star. I sensed nothing but darkness from him, nothing but evil.”

“No doubt there is,” Yoda insisted.

“I agree with Yoda,” Qui-G’on told his former padawan. “I have watched him for a long time, and this change in him is genuine, Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan wasn’t so convinced. “And yet he killed Jabba the Hutt in cold blood,” he pointed out. “Are those the actions of a redeemed man? Of a Jedi Knight?”

Yoda sighed tiredly. “Understand him, you do not, Obi-Wan,” he said. “Talk to him, you should. Then see for yourself you shall.”

Obi-Wan didn’t like the idea of talking to Anakin again, not after their last meeting, not after Mustafar. But if both Yoda and Qui-G’on believed that he had been redeemed, then perhaps it was possible.

“Anakin means to rebuild the Jedi Order,” Qui-G’on told Kenobi. “And he will need our help to do it, Obi-Wan. You and he must put the past behind you if we are to succeed.”

“Yes, to Qui-G’on you listen,” Yoda instructed Kenobi. “Like brothers you and Anakin were. Forgive one another you must.”

Obi-Wan looked out the vast window of the cabin that Yoda had taken up temporary residence in on board the Rebel command ship. He had suffered nightmares about Mustafar for the past twenty years, even though Jedi were not supposed to have nightmares. The cries of Anakin’s pain still rang in his ears; the sight of his body engulfed in flames haunted him to that very day. But it was more than Anakin’s physical ruin that Kenobi suffered over; the loss of his best friend’s soul ate at his own soul, and had done so for two decades. How did I not see it coming? How could I have allowed him to slip away like that without noticing?? If it were possible that Anakin was his true self again, then he owed it to his former padawan to try to make amends for the past.

“You’re right, of course,” Obi-Wan said at last, turning back to the two other Jedi. “I will speak with Anakin. I only hope you are right about him.”

“Doubt us still you do,” Yoda observed wryly.

Obi-Wan smiled. “No, Master, it’s not that. I suppose it’s just that…it’s too good to be true.”

Qui-G’on nodded. “I can see how you would feel that way, Obi-Wan,” he told him. “But he is the Chosen One, remember; perhaps his decent into the darkness was part of the prophecy, a part that we did not anticipate.”

“Perhaps,” Obi-Wan conceded. “I will speak to him.”
Yoda nodded. “Glad I am to hear it,” he said.

“So tell us about your search for younglings,” Qui-G’on said, addressing Yoda. “I understand you’ve been quite busy these past few weeks, Master.”

“Indeed I have,” Yoda replied. “Hope for the Order, there is.”

************************************************

“Luke, I think we made a mistake. This is a bad idea.”

“Come on, Leia, it will be fun,” Luke countered as he and his twin practiced with their lightsabers in the palace’s gymnasium.

“Fun?” Leia retorted. “What’s so fun about getting our butts kicked?”

Luke laughed. “What makes you think he’ll kick our butts? It’s two against one, remember? I think we’ll be a good match for him.”

Leia shook her head. “Ever the optimist,” she said. “Well don’t say I didn’t warn you when we are humiliated.”

Luke grinned. “Jedi don’t have pride, Leia,” he reminded her. “If we lose, we will still benefit from the experience. Think of all he can teach us, and what better way then in an actual duel.”

“Not an actual duel,” Leia pointed out. “I won’t fight with a real saber, not against you and him. I’m afraid I’d hurt one of you, or myself.”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Leia,” Luke told her. “You are a natural, as Father has said many times. You just have to let go and let the Force do all the work.”

“I don’t think I can do that,” she replied. “I don’t know how to do it.”

“That’s not true,” Luke said. “How else did you open the door to get to Mon Mothma?”

Leia frowned. “That was fluke,” she said. “And besides, Father said it was the Dark Side that enabled me to do those things. How am I to know the good side from the bad?”

Luke smiled, remembering how he had asked Yoda that very same question.

“Master Yoda told me that I would know, I would just…know. But you have to be calm, at peace. Anger will summon the Dark Side, Leia; anger, fear, aggression are all dark emotions. You must avoid them, for the Dark Side is a part of them. Does that make sense?”

“I guess,” she said, frowning slightly. This was all so new to her, so strange and foreign still; yet both Luke and their father believed that she had the abilities that they both possessed. “I will do my best,” she said at last, assuming her stance once again to ready herself for Luke’s attack. “Come on, let’s try that again.”




“There’s not a doubt in my mind, she is suffering from deep psychosis,” Xanathe Kimer informed Generals Reikan, Dodonna, Admiral Ackbar and Han Solo. “She is irrational, delusional, and full of anger. In my professional opinion, I would say that she ought to be considered very dangerous in her present state.”

“So what do we do with her?” Han asked, cutting to the chase. “She’s already proven how dangerous she can be. We can’t give her another chance to do so.”

“Agreed,” Reikan replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “What is your suggestion, Doctor?”

“Well, medication might help,” Kimer began. “But she may resist taking it if she suspects that you are attempting to alter her behavior. Besides, it wouldn’t change her condition, only make it manageable.”

“What exactly is her condition?” Ackbar asked. “Are we talking about mental illness here?”

“Absolutely,” Kimer replied. “There are several possibilities, but all of them mean the same thing; she can’t be trusted, not in her present state.”

“So you think we need to lock her up? Keep an eye on her?” Solo asked.

“Most definitely keep her confined,” Kimer replied. “In her present state she is capable of anything, including homicide.”

“I don’t believe that,” Dodonna spoke up. “I have known her for more than twenty years, and she has never shown any sign of violent tendencies. She would not kill! I know it!”

“You forget how she took a shot at me, General,” Han spoke up. “That blaster wasn’t set on stun, you know!”

“She shot you in the shoulder, Solo,” Dodonna replied tersely. “If she’d intended to kill you, she’d have done so; she’s not exactly unfamiliar with weapons.”

“Jan, I have to tell you that you’re line of thinking is alarming me,” Reikan said to his friend. “I’ve known her almost as long as you have, but that doesn’t mean that we know her now. You heard what Doctor Kimer just said; she’s suffering from mental illness. We can’t assume that just because we knew the person she was, we can trust the person she has become.”

“I just hate the thought of turning our back on the founder of this Alliance,” Dodonna said, shaking his head ruefully. “She was the Supreme Commander of the Alliance! How can we just lock her away somewhere and pretend she doesn’t exist anymore?”

“How? I’ll tell you how,” Han spoke up, getting angry at Dodonna’s bleeding heart point of view. “She’s a dangerous, unpredictable woman, General. She has already abducted a pregnant woman, and nearly caused her to miscarry; she took a shot at me, and has nothing but contempt and hatred for every member of the Skywalker family, including Anakin, who saved her life. I know how important she has been to this Alliance; but that doesn’t erase the fact that she is a loose cannon. If we ever want there to be an end to the fighting in the galaxy, we need to back up Anakin and his family, you know that as well as the rest of us. If Mothma has her way, Anakin and Padmé’s plans will be sabotaged simply because of her own personal vendetta against them. If that isn’t insanity, I don’t know what is.”

Dodonna sighed, realizing that Solo was right. “Let me talk to her,” he said at last. “Maybe I can get through to her; we’ve been friends a long time.”

Han, Reikan and the others exchanged a look.

“I suppose that would be acceptable,” Ackbar said at last. “Just so long as you keep your guard up, Jan. Don’t think that you can count on your friendship to protect you from her. She’s a dangerous, desperate woman. Keep that in mind.”

“You don’t need to tell me that,” Dodonna replied, getting annoyed at Ackbar’s perceived condescension. “I know her better than anyone.”

Kimer shook her head. “No you don’t, General; no one knows her anymore. That is the problem.”

“I understand,” Dodonna replied. “And I promise I’ll be careful. I’ll even carry a weapon if that makes you feel any better.”

“It does,” Reikan replied. “I’m sorry it has to be this way, Jan; but surely you can understand our position.”

Dodonna nodded. “I do. Just let me have this one chance, one last opportunity to get through to the woman we all know is deep inside her before we lock her away.”

“Very well,” Ackbar replied. “I suppose we can permit that much.”

Han did not voice his opinion, but inside he felt warning signs. I don’t know why, but I have a bad feeling about this…a really bad feeling.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 60

“Now remember, this was your idea, Padmé,” Anakin said as he limbered up in the gymnasium. “I’m not sure you’re going to enjoy this.”

Padmé lifted one eyebrow. “And why not?” she asked. “Are you so certain that it will be entirely one sided?”

Anakin grinned. “Of course,” he replied. “They are both padawans, Padmé, they don’t have even a fraction of the skill I have.”

Padmé shook her head. “Such arrogance,” she said. “We’ll see. Maybe you’ll be in for a rude awakening, Ani. Maybe they’ll end up embarrassing you.”

“Perhaps,” Anakin said, twirling the practice saber around in his hand effortlessly. “But somehow I doubt it.”

“I just hope you don’t eat your words, Anakin,” Padmé said with a smile. “You know how grumpy you get when you’re proven wrong. Besides, what would Obi-Wan say about such cockiness?”

Anakin sighed, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I miss him, Padmé,” he told her softly. “I’ve been thinking about him a lot lately. I wish I had the chance to apologize to him for everyone,” he said, stopping and looking down at the saber in his hand. “I …I killed him, Padmé,” he said, frowning at the memory, his eyes cast downward. “I killed my master, the closest thing I ever had to a father.” He looked back up at her. “How can I live with myself knowing that now?”

Padmé shook her head. “I don’t know, Ani,” she said. “But you weren’t yourself when that happened, you were Darth Vader.”

“Does that excuse what I did?” Anakin replied. “I cannot justify a lifetime of crimes simply because I was known by another name.”

“No, Ani, it was not just a matter of a different name; you were a different person, a person consumed by anger, by darkness; a person full of pain. Obi-Wan of all people would realize that.”

Anakin smiled at his wife, grateful beyond measure that she had found it in her heart to forgive him for his unthinkable betrayal, for a life time he robbed her of with their children.

“Perhaps,” Anakin replied at last, looking at the saber in his hand. “I suppose I shall never know one way or the other.”

“Well let me ask you this,” Padmé said. “Do you forgive him for what he did to you on Mustafar?”

Anakin looked at her, considering her question. That dark day on Mustafar was like a nightmare to him now, one that he’d sooner forget altogether. Obi-Wan left me to die, mutilated me and let me burn beyond human recognition…can I forgive that?

“I’m not sure,” he replied truthfully. “That day changed my life irrevocably. I’m not sure I will ever be able to put it behind me.”

Padmé sighed, disappointed to hear him say it. “I have,” she said at last. “And if I can, then why can’t you?”

Anakin frowned, unsure of how to respond. Because you have a pure heart…because the darkness never touched your soul…because you’re better than me…

“I am trying,” he replied at last.

“I know you are,” she said, putting her hands on his chest.

“Okay let’s get this over with,” Leia announced as she entered the room.

Anakin and Padmé looked over at her with a smile.

“Such enthusiasm,” Anakin remarked with a smile.

Leia couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, I’m not exactly any match for you, Father,” she said. “As I showed you the other night.”

“But you’ve been practicing since then, Leia,” Padmé pointed out. “Don’t short change yourself.”

“And you will have your brother fighting with you,” Anakin added. “Luke is a little more experienced than you and will make a fine partner.”

“Let’s hope so,” Luke remarked as he joined the rest of the family. “Don’t tell me Leia is trying to back out of this,” he said, winking at Anakin.

“I think she is,” Anakin replied, eyeing Leia thoughtfully. “Already conceded the victory. That was the easiest duel I’ve ever won.”

“Alright, alright,” Leia said at last, putting her hands up to stop them both. “I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t at least try.”

“You’ve got that right,” Luke teased, giving her a light tug on the braid she wore down her back.

Padmé laughed, loving the easy manner with which her children interacted with one another. It was hard to believe that they had spent a lifetime apart, for they were so connected now.

“Are we ready then?” she said, as the three combatants did some stretches to limber up.

“I’ve been ready for an hour,” Anakin quipped.

“Anxious, aren’t you?” Leia remarked, smirking at her father.

“You bet I am,” Anakin replied, readying himself for attack. “Shall we?”

Padmé moved back to the bench that was situated along one wall of the gymnasium to watch. Although it had been she who had suggested this contest, she had very ambivalent feelings now. For one thing, how could she possibly be partial to either side? Her children versus her Ani? The fact that they were fighting with practice sabers made her feel somewhat better, but even practice sabers could cause injury if not used with caution. But perhaps more than anything, it was Leia that caused her the most concern. Padmé had seen changes in her daughter over the past several weeks, since Padmé herself had been abducted by the agents of Mon Mothma. There was an edge to Leia now that hadn’t existed before, or if it had, had been too negligible to notice. Leia had always reminded Padmé of Anakin, their personalities were very much alike; but now she was beginning to see the same dark tendencies in Leia that she had once seen in Anakin, and it frightened her. There was no doubt in Padmé’s mind that Anakin would win this contest; his skill and strength were unmatched. While Luke would no doubt see it as a learning experience, Padmé wasn’t so sure Leia’s reaction would be as positive. She was a proud young woman, a woman who had always done things well, and had always been in control of her situation. Suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of her father, even just in a mock battle, would no doubt bruise that ego. Padmé could only hope that it wouldn’t go further than that. What if she tries so hard to win that she invokes the Dark Side to do it? Would she even recognize that darkness were it to tempt her? Does she have the strength to resist its lure?

“Padmé? Everything okay?”

Padmé looked over to see Anakin and the twins looking at her expectantly.

“Yes, of course,” she said. “Please, begin.”

“Just wait,” Anakin said as a thought suddenly occurred to him. He walked over to the side of the room where a number of practice weapons were displayed in a cabinet. He opened it and withdrew a second weapon, tested it briefly, and then returned to his children.

“Two lightsabers?” Leia asked, one hand on her hip. “You’re going to fight with two?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Anakin told her. “Besides, there are two of you, so I need two sabers.”

Leia exchanged a look with Luke, feeling even less sure of herself than before.

“Shall we begin?” Anakin suggested.

Luke and Leia took the attack stance as Anakin assumed one of defense. The twins moved away from one another in an attempt to surround their father. Anakin watched one, and then the other, keeping his sense tuned to them both to predict what they would do. And then it began.

Luke came in at Anakin first, using an overhead slash that Anakin easily blocked, while Leia engaged her father from closer at hand, forcing him to back peddle. Anakin was pleased at her determination, and decided not to test her too easily in the match, lest she lose confidence.

Padmé watched from the side with baited breath. She could tell that Anakin was holding back, for he seemed content merely to counter parry each move the twins attempted, and had not yet gone on the offensive. I guess he realizes that it will be all over at that point, she mused.

As for Luke and Leia, they too sensed that their father was going too easy on them, and decided to press him harder. As though in silent communication with one another, Luke and Leia made identical feints at precisely the same moment, forcing Anakin to hold them both at bay. He simply smiled at them. “Is that the best you’ve got?” he teased.

The harder they pushed, the more he smiled. Luke, being the stronger of the two, managed to get his saber to within striking distance before Anakin finally summoned the Force to push them both off. The twins stumbled back, frustrated, but determined not to be put off. They came at Anakin with more aggression this time, only to have Anakin repel them again. This time, as they fought to maintain their equilibrium, he came at them. With speed and agility that astonished Luke and Leia, Anakin attacked, the muted hue of both blades flashing as he forced each of this two children to assume a defensive stance. Doing their best just to parry the blitzkrieg, the both back peddled, allowing their father the advantage of position. It didn’t take long for Anakin to disarm Leia, and did so before Leia even know what had happened.

“Luke, here,” Anakin said, directing Leia’s fallen weapon to his free hand. Luke caught the saber easily and brought it up to meet his father’s second blade.

“I’ve never fought with two,” Luke admitted.

“First time for everything,” Anakin replied, pushing Luke away easily.

Leia moved away from the battle, winded and disappointed by the brevity of the contest. She leaned against the wall and watched her father and brother as they continued to fight, four sabers clashing and twirling.

“Come on, Luke!” she urged from the sideline. “Don’t let him win so easily!”

Luke didn’t acknowledge his twin’s words, but Anakin sensed his son’s determination rise another notch, as though he was now fighting for both of them.

“Had enough?” Anakin asked as he and Luke circled one another, both holding their lightsabers aloft.

Luke shook his head. “Not on your life,” he replied with a grin.

Anakin grinned back, enjoying his son’s enthusiasm.

Leia, meanwhile, had gone to sit with her mother. Padmé looked up at Leia who still stood with her eyes riveted on the battle.

“There are plenty of weapons over there,” Padmé said.

Leia looked down at her mother. “What did you say?”

Padmé smiled, knowing how disappointed Leia was to be left out of the skirmish. “You heard me,” Padmé said. “Go on, your father loves a challenge.”

Leia smiled. “But, that would be cheating, wouldn’t it?” she asked.

Padmé shrugged. “I don’t know about that,” she replied. “I’d
call it being creative.”

That was all Leia needed to hear. She sprinted over to the cabinet where Anakin had obtained his second weapon and withdrew a saber, igniting it and moving over to join her father and her brother.

“Welcome back,” Anakin said without looking at her, but sensing her presence nonetheless.

“Didn’t want to miss all the fun,” Leia replied, moving in with her brother to attack Anakin.

I’m not as young as I used to be, Anakin reflected as he began to get tired. While he definitely had the advantages of skill, strength and experience, Luke and Leia had the advantage of youth. If I don’t end this soon I may end up being embarrassed. Anakin reflected as he forced his children back, attempting to disarm them.

“Had enough?” Luke asked, smiling at his father.

Anakin laughed. “Not quite,” he said.

“You’re not as young as you used to be, you know,” Leia put in.

Anakin shook his head. “No, but still young enough to put the two of you in your place,” he said, summoning his strength and flipping over the two of them, forcing them to take the defense as he suddenly appeared behind them.

“I’ll take that,” he said, stripping Luke of the weapon in his left hand and sending it flying across the room. Luke saw it out of the corner of his eye, but forced himself to keep his focus on his father, whose attack had taken on another level of intensity. He glanced at his sister, whose face bore an expression of determination matched by his own. I have a bad feeling about this, he said to her through their mental connection. She glanced at him briefly, not acknowledging his admission, refusing at admit that she shared his feelings.

Anakin, however, had also heard the admission, and it urged him of even further. “Your skills are impressive,” he told them both. “But not quite impressive enough,” he added, goading them on.

Leia and Luke merely grew more determined under Anakin’s taunts, but it was quickly becoming evident that their father was right. While they both showed enormous potential, neither of them was a match for him, even combined. Yet, they were determined not about to concede victory not yet. They worked furiously, pushing back together against their father, engaging him at close range. Anakin held each of them back, the blades of his weapons grinding against those of his children. He could sense their strength starting to falter, particularly Leia’s, and pushed even more, summoning the Force to add more leverage. With one final push, he sent both of them back. They rushed him again, this time reaching an invisible wall of energy that sent them both flying back again. Exhausted, they tried on final time, only to have their father maneuver their weapons out of their hands.

“I’ve had enough,” Leia said, her hands resting on her thighs, trying to catch her breath. “I concede.”

“Yeah, me too,” Luke said begrudgingly. “I know when I’ve been beat.”

Anakin was secretly delighted that the battle had ended, for he too was tired. He nodded and straightened up, smiling at his children. “You did very well,” he said. “I’m very proud of you both.”

Luke and Leia were pleased by their father’s praise, and returned his smile.

“I told you that you were a natural,” Anakin told Leia, putting an arm around his shoulder. “Those were some pretty impressive moves.”

“You think so?” Leia replied.

Anakin nodded. “Absolutely. And you,” he said, turning to Luke next, putting his other arm around his son’s shoulders. “Very impressive with two weapons. That’s a very advanced skill, and you did a great job for your first time.”

Luke smiled, immensely gratified to hear his father’s’ words of praise.

“Well, that was certainly something to behold,” Padmé said, standing up and walking over to them.

Anakin looked over to her and smiled. “They were amazing, weren’t they?” he asked, the pride evident in his voice.

Padmé nodded. “Yes, they were,” she said, looking at her children with a smile. “And so were you.”

Anakin shrugged as he released his children. “Not bad for an old man I suppose.”

“Old man??” Padmé replied. “Oh please,” she said shaking her head. “You are anything but old.”

Anakin laughed. “Well, I’m glad you think so,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

“Well I need a shower,” Leia said. “That was incredibly hard work.”

“But it was fun, wasn’t it?” Luke asked.

Leia nodded with a smile. “Yeah, it was. Thanks, Father. Thanks for going easy on us.”

Anakin raised his eyebrows. “What makes you think I did that?” he asked.

“The fact that it lasted more than 30 seconds,” Leia replied with a smile.

Luke laughed. “I’m starving,” he announced, to the surprise of none. “I’m going to find myself a snack. You coming up, Dad?”

Anakin shook his head. “I’ll be up shortly,” he said. “Just want to put these away.”

“Need a hand?” Luke asked.

“No, you go on up,” Anakin said. “I don’t want to deprive a growing boy his snack,” he added with a grin.

Luke laughed as he and Leia headed upstairs.

“Tell me the truth,” Padmé said when the twins were out of earshot. “Did you go easy on them?”

Anakin looked down at her. “What do you think?” he asked.

Padmé smiled, and then got on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. “You’re a good father,” she said. “And I love you.”

“Thank you angel,” he said, touching her face lightly. “It means
a lot to hear you say that.’

“Well it’s true,” she said. “Are you coming up? Baby needs a snack too.”

Anakin smiled. “I’ll be there in a bit. You go on up.”

Padmé nodded, and then turned and left Anakin alone. With a sigh he turned around, summoned the discarded weapons to his hand, and walked over to the wall to replace them, more tired than he wanted to admit to anyone, even himself.

[therealthing]

Chapter 61

Anakin closed the cabinet, having replaced the practice weapons.

“That was quite an impressive display.”

Anakin turned around to see the ethereal image of Obi-Wan Kenobi standing in the gymnasium. A jumble of emotions rippled through him, memories both recent and distant flashing through his mind at the sight of his former master.

“Thanks,” Anakin said at last, feeling awkward, not knowing what to say.

Obi-Wan shared Anakin’s uneasiness. He could sense the change in his old friend, but was uncertain how to talk to him, or even what to say. There was so much that needed to be said, however. Where do I start? he wondered.

“It’s good to see you,” Obi-Wan said at last.

Anakin nodded. “You too,” he returned, running a hand through his sweaty hair. “This is ….this is kind of awkward, isn’t it?” he admitted at last, a small smile on his face.

Obi-Wan smiled in response. “It is,” he agreed. “I think we need to talk though, Anakin,” he added. “We both have a lot to say.”

“I agree,” Anakin said. “Let me start by apologizing for what I did to you on the Death Star,” he said, looking down at his boots, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “There are no words really to express my regret over that; no excuse I can offer.”

“The Dark Side was working through you, Anakin,” Obi-Wan responded.

“That may be, but it doesn’t excuse what I did to you,” Anakin replied, looking back up at Obi-Wan. “Nor what I did twenty years ago,” he added, looking away again. “Nothing can excuse that.”

“Anakin, you’re not the only one who has something to atone for,” Obi-Wan replied. “I feel partly responsible for what happened to you,” he admitted, speaking the words aloud for the first time in more than two decades. “I was your master, Anakin; I should have seen what was happening before it was too late.”

Anakin looked back at him, shaking his head. “Don’t blame yourself for the choices I made, Obi-Wan,” he said. “I never was reasonable.”

“No, that’s certainly true," Obi-Wan agreed wryly. "But Mustafar…that was another matter.”

Anakin frowned, the memory of that terrible day too dreadful to remember. “That day was the worst of my life,” he reflected quietly. “I would give anything to go back in time to change it.”

“So would I, Anakin,” Obi-Wan replied. “But neither one of us can do that. I just want you to know that I have regretted what happened there every day of my life.”

“So have I,” Anakin returned. “But I have vowed to dedicate the rest of my life to atoning for that day, to my wife, to my children, and to the rest of the galaxy.”

Obi-Wan nodded approvingly. “I know of your plans to destroy the Empire,” he said. “It seems you have the full approval of Master Yoda and Master Qui Gon.”

“And what about you?” Anakin asked pointedly. “Do I have yours as well?”

Obi-Wan ran a hand over his beard thoughtfully before he responded. “To be honest with you, Anakin, I had my doubts when Yoda first told me about your redemption,” he said. “I wasn’t certain that I could believe it, and felt that I needed to talk to you to decide for myself.”

“Decide what?” Anakin asked.

“If you were truly redeemed,” Obi-Wan replied. “Or if this was just an elaborate ruse to fool the Alliance into trusting you.”

Obi-Wan watched Anakin closely for his reaction, half expecting him to fly into an angry rage. But he did not. Perhaps Yoda was right after all, he reflected.

“I only want to heal the galaxy,” Anakin said at last. “To try to repair the damage that I helped inflict.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Yes, I can see that now. I don’t believe anyone has ever returned from the Dark Side, Anakin; the fact that you have done so proves that you are the Chosen One. You have destroyed the Sith, not in the manner that we all expected, but you did it nonetheless.”

“Yes, I did,” Anakin acknowledged. “But I’m not sure it would have happened had it not been for the knowledge of my family. I lived all those years thinking they were dead; when I learned that my children were alive, it changed me forever. It gave me another reason to live, a reason not forged in Darkness. It has been the love and support of my family that has allowed me to get this far, to reject the Dark Side irrevocably.”

“It makes me wonder if the Jedi Council was wrong all those years,” Obi-Wan commented. “Perhaps emotional attachments are more valuable than they thought.”

“There is no doubt in my mind,” Anakin averred. “Were it not for the love of my wife and children, I would not be redeemed, not entirely.”

“Something to consider when we rebuild the Order,” Obi-Wan remarked with a smile. “Assuming that is part of your plans.”

Anakin smiled. “It most certainly is,” he replied. “Master Yoda has already begun to search for Force sensitive beings to start the process.”

“Yes, he told me,” Obi-Wan replied. “Your own two children will make fine Jedi,” he added. “Young Luke has already shown tremendous promise.”

“He has,” Anakin agreed. “Leia is just as gifted; I worry about her, though,” he said with a frown. “She reminds me so much of myself at her age.”

“You mean she is cocky and hot-tempered?” Obi-Wan asked wryly.

Anakin laughed. “Well, that wasn’t exactly what I meant,” he replied. “Though her temper is rather reminiscent of my own. I worry that this will lead her to the Dark Side, Obi-Wan.”

“With your guidance, that won’t happen,” Obi-wan averred. “You better than anyone know how to prevent that from happening. She will benefit from your experience.”

“I hope so,” Anakin replied. “I will do everything I can to keep her from the Darkness.”

Obi-Wan smiled, folding his arms over his chest. “So, my young headstrong padawan has finally grown up,” he said. “You have much to be proud of, Anakin. Not just your redemption, but your children as well. They will be instrumental in reforming the Order.”

“Yes, they will,” Anakin agreed. “I’m just grateful that them and Padmé are willing to allow me a second chance. Did you know that we are expecting another child?” he asked with a smile.

Obi-Wan shook his head. “No, I did not,” he replied. “Congratulations,” he added with a smile. “You seem to have your life in order, Anakin. After what happened the last time we met, I never would have imagined that you would have come so far.”

“Neither would I,” Anakin admitted with a smile. “But here I am, emperor of the Galactic Empire, laying the groundwork of its eventual disintegration.”

“Rather fitting, don’t you think?” Obi-Wan observed. “That you would be the instrument of its destruction?”

“Yes, I think so,” Anakin replied. “I only hope that our plans are not sabotaged along the way.”

Obi-Wan frowned. “By whom?”

Anakin proceeded to tell his former master of the troubles that they’d had with Mon Mothma, and his fears that she would do something to undermine the efforts he and Padmé had made to remake the galaxy.

“She has obviously lost her mind,” Obi-Wan commented. “Madness is a dangerous thing; it can turn a rational, level-headed person into a dangerous enemy. I hope the Alliance has her well contained.”
“
"Yes, so do I,” Anakin replied. “I can’t tell you how good it is to see you, Obi-Wan. I’ve been thinking of you a lot lately.”

Obi-Wan smiled. “I’ve missed you as well, old friend. We have a lot of years to make up for, you and me.”

Anakin nodded. “Yes, we do indeed. I will need your help if I am going to rebuild the Jedi Order.”

“And you shall have it,” Obi-Wan replied. “Nothing would please me more, Anakin.”

***************************************************

“Be careful, General,” the security guard outside of Mon Mothma’s room cautioned Jan Dodonna. “She’s been pretty agitated today. Has refused to eat a thing all day.”

Dodonna frowned. “Why is that??”

“She thinks the food is poisoned,” the guard replied. “She thinks I don’t notice, but she’s been flushing it down the toilet. I tell you sir, she’s crazy. Watch yourself,” he concluded.

“The commander and I have been friends for many years,” Dodonna told the guard. “I’m not worried.”

“You’re armed, aren’t you sir?”

“I am,” Dodonna replied. “But only because General Reikan insisted upon it.”

“Good,” the guard said, deactivating the door. “Keep your eyes open, sir. She’s pretty crafty.”

Dodonna nodded his understanding. He walked in, looking around the room as he did so. When he saw Mon Mothma, he stopped in his tracks.

“Mon?”

Mon Mothma looked up, her bloodshot eyes staring at him, appraising him coldly as though she had never seen him before in her life. “What do you want?” she asked suspiciously.

Dodonna approached her cautiously, alarmed by the vacant expression in her eyes. “I just want to talk to you,” he said. “Can we talk?”

“I have nothing to say to you,” she said, narrowing her eyes as he drew closer to her.

“We’ve been friends for a long time, Mon,” he said, trying to smile. “Surely we can have a little chat.”

“Friends?? You’re not my friend,” she spat. “Friends don’t stab each other in the back! You’re as bad as the rest of them,” she said. “Just leave me alone!”

“Mon, please,” Dodonna pleaded. “If only you would just listen to reason, we could make this so much easier for everyone. Don’t you know how it kills me to see you like this? Locked up like a criminal?”

Mothma stared at him, the wheels in her head starting to turn. He still cares…he still has compassion for me…the fool…

“I’m sorry,” She said contritely, hanging her head. “I …I’m just so scared, Jan. What’s going to happen to me?”

I knew I could reach her, Dodonna thought with relief. I knew she was still in there somewhere.

“It’s going to be okay, Mon,” he said reassuringly. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I won’t let them lock you away.”

Lock me away?? Is that what they have planned? She thought in desperation. I’m not going to let that happen, no matter what it takes...

Playing the part to the hilt, she buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as she began to weep. Dodonna, heart sick at the sight of his dear friend’s emotional collapse, approached her to embrace her.

“There, there,” he said, reaching out to her. “It’s okay,” he said. “It’s…” he stopped as Mothma’s knee connected with his groin. Pain ricocheted through his body, and he doubled over.

“Spare me your sympathy, General!” she snarled as she brought her knee to his face, kicking his nose square on, shattering it and sending shards of cartilage and bone into his frontal lobe. Dodonna fell to the floor, dead before his body made contact with the cold tile. Mothma searched him, realizing that he was undoubtedly armed. Finding the blaster that Reikan had foisted upon the hapless general, she made her way to the door. Aiming it squarely at the door, she activated the door, revealing the alarmed security guard standing there. She didn’t hesitate for a moment and shot him squarely in the chest, killing him instantly. And then she started running.

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 62

It wasn’t long before the catastrophe was discovered. Alarm klaxons sounded as the search for the fugitive Mon Mothma raged on.

“This is my fault,” Reikan said as he and Han watched the medics carry out the bodies of General Dodonna and the security guard. “If he hadn’t been armed, this would not have happened.”

“You can’t blame yourself, General,” Han replied. “Jan was too trusting of her. He should have never let his guard down.”

Reikan shook his head. “I can’t believe she did this to him,” he said angrily. “I want her found, even if it takes every last man on this ship to do it!”

“General Reikan!”

“What is it?” Reikan replied, looking at the young technician who had joined him and Han.

“The droids assigned to the search have found no sign of the commander,” he reported. “Their sensors cannot detect her aboard this vessel.”

Reikan and Han exchanged a look.

“She’ll head straight for Coruscant,” Reikan declared.

“No, I don’t think she will,” Han replied thoughtfully. “She’s going to the imperial high command. She’ll need their help if she’s going to bring down Anakin.”

“You mean think that she’d reveal his identity to them? Just out of spite??” Reikan asked incredulously.

Han nodded. “I’d bet my last credit on it.”

“Then how can we stop her without being blasted out of the sky by the Empire?” asked the technician.

“I don’t know,” Han replied. “But I think before we start to formulate a plan, we need to let Anakin and Padmé know what has happened. They need to know that Mon Mothma is on the loose.”

Reikan nodded solemnly. “Yes, you’re right, Solo. Send word at once.”
******************************************************
“Ani, please don’t worry,” Padmé said as she and Anakin walked hand in hand down the staircase. “Leia is here, the security has been tripled; I’ll be fine.”

“I know, I know,” Anakin replied with a sigh. “I can’t help it, Padmé. I will always worry about you; it’s just the way I am. Especially now that you are carrying another child,” he added, placing a hand on her abdomen with a smile.

Padmé smiled. “And he will be fine too,” she assured him. “I received a glowing report from my doctor just yesterday, so rest assured that little Ani is doing very well.”

“Little Ani,” Anakin repeated. “Have I told you how happy I am that you and I are having another child, Padmé?”

“Not in so many words,” she replied. “But I rather had the impression you felt that way. To tell you the truth, Ani, I wasn’t sure how you would react.”

Anakin frowned. “What do you mean? Surely you realized I’d be thrilled.”

Padmé shrugged. “I’d hoped you would be, but our lives are rather complicated right now. And we didn’t exactly plan this.”

Anakin smiled. “Perhaps we didn’t, but I think this child was meant to be, Padmé. And I for one cannot wait to hold him in my arms and rock him to sleep, and do all the things with him that I never had the chance to do with Luke and Leia.”

“Does that include changing diapers?” Padmé asked with a smile.

Anakin laughed. “Yes, absolutely.”

Padmé nodded, her face becoming thoughtful. “I missed all those things too, Ani,” she said softly. “I didn’t even get to hold Luke and Leia even once when they were born.”

“I’m so sorry, Padmé,” Anakin said, touching her face. “That was thoughtless of me.”

Padmé shook her head and looked back up at him, trying to smile. “But that’s the past,” she said, trying to be brave. “And this child is the future. Just think of how spoiled he will be.”

Anakin nodded with smile. “Yes, I plan to see to that personally.”

Padmé laughed. “I will miss you,” she said, fighting back the tears that seemed to come so easily in her present condition.

“And I you,” Anakin replied. “I will be back in two weeks, no matter what. I promise.”

Padmé nodded. “Okay, have a safe trip,” she said.

Anakin pulled her close. “I will,” he replied, kissing the top of her head. “I love you, Padmé.”

Padmé smiled as the tears came despite her best efforts to keep them in check. “I love you too, Anakin. Be safe.”


Anakin and Luke left within the hour, on their way back to the Outer Rim to continue their quest to clean up the galaxy. Anakin felt uneasy about leaving his wife, even for a short time; though he realized how important his mission was. Leia won’t let anything happen, he reasoned. She will protect her mother well, even if she needs to kill to do it. The thought of this brought a frown to his face as he remembered how close his daughter had come to killing Mon Mothma. The sight of her eyes turned a sithly yellow was one he would never forget.

“You’re worried about Leia, aren’t you?”

Anakin looked up to see Luke who was watching him closely.

“Yes,” Anakin replied simply. “I am.”

Luke nodded as he sat down with his father. “Me too,” he admitted. “The stronger she gets, the more I worry. I wish Han was around to keep an eye on her.”

“That would certainly make me feel better,” Anakin replied. “But so long as Mon Mothma remains a threat, he is needed on the Rebel Command ship to ensure that she remains contained.”

Luke nodded. “I know,” he replied. “I only hope the other Rebel leaders don’t do something foolish.”

Anakin frowned. “Like what?”

Luke shrugged. “I don’t know,” he replied. “But I can’t shake a bad feeling about that situation. Mon Mothma is a very resourceful woman. She’s more dangerous than they are willing to admit.”

Anakin’s anxiety level raise a notch, as his frown deepened. Luke’s insight was almost as keen as his own; if he felt that there was cause for worry, then that did not bode well.

“Let’s contact your mother,” Anakin said at last. “I want to make sure everything is alright.”

“Okay,” Luke replied, moving to the comm. screen. He stopped as a thought struck him, and he turned back to face his father. “You realize that it’s the middle of the night on Coruscant.”

“That’s right,” Anakin replied in frustrating. “Damn, I forgot.” He thought for a moment. “I suppose it will have to wait until morning then.”


The Imperial Palace was dark and silent, all members of the household asleep. Outside the Imperial guard kept their watch with vigilance, each entrance way secure.

In the office of the Emperor a holographic message appeared on the desk. It was Han Solo. No one, however, was there to receive the message, and so Han’s dire news of the escape of Mon Mothma went unanswered and unnoticed for the time being.

“I suppose it will have to wait until morning,” Han thought in frustration as he received no reply. “Damn it,” he muttered softly, rubbing a hand over his bristly chin. “I think maybe I should deliver this message personally.”

Chewbacca replied with an enthusiastic. “Yes, and about time I might say, young one.”

Han stood up. “Yeah, yeah,” he said to his wookiee companion. “Come on, let’s let Reikan know we’re leaving.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 63

“I don’t care what you were promised by Palpatine, he is dead, in case you have forgotten,” Piett told Grand Moff Jerjerrod calmly as he sat behind his desk. “The plans for the new Death Star have been scraped. There will be no new Death Star.”

Jerjerrod glared across the table at Piett. “You seem awfully sure of yourself, Admiral,” he snapped. “For someone who mere weeks ago was simply another one of Vader’s flunkies. Come to think of it, you’re still one of his flunkies, aren’t you?”

Piett narrowed his eyes at the slimy little man. “If you call Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet as well as the emperor’s right hand a flunkey, then a flunkey be I.”

“Don’t try to impress me with your titles, Piett,” Jerjerrod replied. “Everyone knows that you got to where you are by being Vader’s lap dog.”

Piett was amused by the man’s obvious jealousy and insecurity and merely smiled at his outburst. “Regardless of how I attained the titles, they are mine, nonetheless,” he replied at last. “And part of my position includes keeping over ambitious… pretenders in line.”

Jerjerrod’s face turned red with rage, but he bit back his words. Regardless of how he felt about Piett, he was Vader’s right hand, and Vader was now the emperor. To defy Piett was akin to defying Vader. And defying Vader was never a good idea.

“I can assure you that I have been nothing but loyal to the Empire,” Jerjerrod said vehemently. “And I resent you implying otherwise.”

Piett merely lifted his eyebrows in response.

“May I ask why the Death Star project has been scarped?” Jerjerrod asked hesitantly.

“You may ask,” Piett said, picking up a data pad and scanning over it briefly. “However sometimes it is best not to question the Emperor’s decisions, don’t you think?”

Jerjerrod’s frustration level shot up to new heights, yet he said nothing in response. “May I ask, in that case, what my new assignment is since I will obviously not be needed to oversee the construction of the Empire?”

Piett looked up from the datapad. “Funny you should ask that,” Piett replied. “I was just reading your service record right here,” he said, holding up the datapad. “According to this,” he said. “You have been quite involved in the brutalization of Rebel prisoners recently,” he read. “In fact, there are some reports that you have even gone so far as to take sadistic pleasure in such brutalization, including that of female prisoners.” He looked up at Jerjerrod, the disgust for the man plain on his face.

Jerjerrod made no response at first as his mind worked frantically to find an appropriate reply.

“Rebel scum deserves respect, do they?” he asked at last with a disdainful sneer.

Piett felt a flash of anger for the first time since his interview with the Moff had begun. “Yes, they do,” he snapped. “And your blatant disregard for sentient life is highly inappropriate. In case you weren’t aware of it, there are conventions governing the treatment of prisoners, conventions which you have blatantly disregarded.”

Jerjerrod did not reply, but the tone of Peitt’s voice began to make him feel that the consequences of these actions would be far direr than he had ever anticipated.

“Cut out the crap, Piett,” he snapped at last. “What are you driving at? What is it Vader wants from me anyway?”

“He wants nothing from you,” Piett replied, taking his seat again. “Nothing except your sorry carcass in prison.”

Jerjerrod’s eyebrows shot up. “What??” he exclaimed. “On what charges??”

“Do I need to spell it out for you?” Piett replied. “Abuse of prisoners, as well as violations of war conventions. I’m sure if I dug around, I would find several other crimes that could be added to your charges,” he said calmly.

Jerjerrod made no reply, knowing that he truly had not defense to offer.

“Take the Grand Moff to a cell,” Piett ordered the guards who stood at the door. “Be sure that he is made as comfortable as he always made his own prisoners,” he added.

Jerjerrod looked back one last time at Piett as the guard lead him away, hatred filling him. Piett met his gaze, relieved that the vile man was being taken away and out of his presence.

“Admiral Piett, we have a most unusual situation,” Piett’s aide told him as he entered the room.

Piett looked up. “What is that?” he asked.

“We have a Rebel defector who has requested a meeting.”

Piett frowned. “A meeting? The emperor is in the Outer Rim,” he began. “He hasn’t got time to…”

“It isn’t the Emperor she wants to meet with sir,” the aide replied. “It’s you, sir.”

Me?? Piett though in surprise. What is this all about?

“Where is this defector right now?” he asked at last.

“Just left the Sullust System, sir. She is requesting our coordinates. What should I do?”

Piett thought for a moment. This doesn’t sound right…

“Nothing yet,” he replied. “I will need to consult the Emperor first.”

“Should I tell her that?” the aide replied.

Piett shook his head. “No,” he said. “Tell her nothing. If she’s serious, then she will contact us again. If not, then we will have avoided a possible security risk. Carry on, lieutenant.”

“Yes sir.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 64

“Come on; don’t be afraid to hurt me, Luke. I can take it,” Anakin urged him as the two circled one another, their light sabers held aloft. “You’re holding back, I can tell.”

“Well yeah, these aren’t practice sabers, Dad,” Luke reminded him. “I don’t want to cut off anything important.”

Anakin laughed. “Neither do I,” he replied. “But it’s all part of the training, son. You need to hone your skills, and that is best done with a real saber.”

Luke nodded, bracing himself for another round. The two Skywalkers met, their sabers clashing against one another. Anakin, having the advantages of strength, height and experience, easily repelled each of his son’s attacks, teaching him through his counter moves.

“How do you do that?!” Luke asked in exasperation as his father disarmed him easily for the second time in as many matches.

Anakin smiled as he held his hand out and brought Luke’s lightsaber to his hand with the Force.

“Patience,” he replied. “Experience. In time you’ll be disarming me, Luke.”

“Somehow I doubt it,” Luke muttered, wiping his brown with the back of his hand.

Anakin smiled. “Had enough?” he asked.

“For now,” Luke replied. “I’m determined to beat you yet, Dad.”

“Yes, I know you are,” he replied with a smile. “All in good time, my boy; all in good time,” he said putting an arm around Luke’s shoulders as they left the practice room.

“Your majesty, there is a message from Admiral Piett waiting for you,” reported one of the many clones who comprised the crew of the royal cruiser.

“I’ll take it in my quarters,” Anakin replied. “Let’s go,” he said to Luke.

Father and son walked to the emperor’s quarters and sat down at the communications console. Piett’s calm face was on the screen, waiting patiently for Anakin to appear.

“Ah, your majesty,” Piett said as he saw Anakin. “So good to see you. I have some rather interesting news.”

“What is it, Piett?” Anakin asked without preamble.

“A member of the Rebel Alliance has made contact with this vessel,” Piett continued. “She is in our tractor beam right now. She is claiming to be interested in changing allegiance. She said she wants to talk to me personally.”

“Did you say she wants to talk to you?” Luke said.

“Yes, Luke, it’s a woman. What are you thinking?” Piett asked.

Anakin and Luke exchanged a look. Mon Mothma? Luke asked his father.

Impossible, Anakin responded. She is in the brig. Unless…

“Piett, stand by,” Anakin replied at last. “I will contact you within the hour. There is something I need to check on.”

“Very good, sir,” Piett replied, and then his face faded from the screen.

“You don’t think she escaped, do you Dad?” Luke asked.

“I don’t know,” Anakin replied as he hailed the Rebel Command ship. “But I mean to find out.” Within a few moments the face of General Reikan appeared. He seemed quite distraught, and more than a little surprised to be receiving a personal message from the emperor.

“Anakin,” Reikan said. “So you’ve heard, then.”

“Heard?” Anakin replied. “What? What has happened? We’ve heard nothing.”

“Mon Mothma is at large,” Reikan replied. “She killed Jan Dodonna as well as the security guard in charge of her cell. From what we can tell she took one of the Imperial shuttles we’ve managed to acquire and has left the system. We have no idea where she is.”

“We know exactly where she is,” Luke replied.

“Where??” Reikan asked at once.

“Waiting to be brought on board the Executor,” Anakin replied. “She’s defecting. Or at least that’s what she is pretending to do.”

“Don’t let her on board that ship, Anakin,” Reikan warned. “She’ll blow your cover sky high. She’s mad, I tell you; utterly mad. She wants revenge on you, on Padmé, on your whole family.”

“Revenge for what??” Luke exclaimed. “What is behind this hostility of hers??”

“It seems she disapproved of your parents’ clandestine relationship,” Reikan replied. “And blames your parents for the destruction of the Republic.”

“That’s preposterous,” Anakin retorted hotly. “Padmé had nothing to do with that! I can understand her hating me, but why Padmé??”

“I think jealousy is a large part of it, sir,” Reikan replied. “But it’s hard to say; she’s crazy, her motivations are not rational.”

Anakin ran a hand through his hair in frustration. And then a thought struck him. “Don’t worry, General,” he said. “We have the situation in control.”

“Keep me posted,” Reikan said.

“We will,” Luke replied as he discontinued the contact. He looked at his father. “You were right,” he said.

“Yes, unfortunately,” Anakin muttered, raising Piett again. “Piett, it’s Mon Mothma, she’s escaped.”

“Indeed,” Piett replied, his ever calm demeanor not registering any surprise. “This does make for an interesting situation, doesn’t it?”

Anakin smiled. “Yes, it does indeed,” he replied. “Obviously she doesn’t know that you know who I am, otherwise she’d not have come to you.”

Piett nodded. “Obviously not,” he concurred. “What should I do? Bring her on board?”

Anakin thought for a moment. “What are your coordinates?” he asked.

Piett transmitted them at once.

“He’s less than two parsecs away,” Anakin said to Luke.

“Yeah, so?” Luke replied, and then he realized what his father meant to do. “You are a genius,” he said simply in amazement.

Anakin smiled. “Piett, bring her on board, keep her in confinement. And I do mean confinement; she is dangerous and liable to do anything. Post 5 or 6 clones to her. I will rendezvous with you in….4.5 hours.”

Piett’s face registered surprise for the first time during the entire conversation. “Understood, sir. I look forward to seeing you both.”

“Let’s go,” Anakin said, standing up. “I want to make sure we’re there as soon as possible even if I have to sit on the hyperdrive to keep it warm.”

Luke laughed. “Now that I’d like to see.”

[therealthing]

CHAPTER 65

“Good morning ladies.”

Padmé and Leia looked up from their breakfast to see Han Solo and Chewbacca standing in the room.

“Han!!” Leia exclaimed, jumping from her seat to greet him. “What are you doing here?” she asked after giving him an enormous hug.

“Well, the truth of it is,” Han replied as he and Chewbacca sat down. “Chewie here could smell this delicious breakfast all the way from Sullust, and I couldn’t hold him back,” he joked.

Chewbacca rolled his eyes and quipped, if that’s your idea of humor, small one, you are sadly mistaken, as usual. He did, however, help himself to the platter of freshly baked scones within his reach.

Padmé only smiled, knowing Han well enough by now that he often made jokes, even poor ones, when he was worried about something. Must be really bad after that stinker, she mused.

“All kidding aside,” Han said, “I’m afraid I have some bad news. Mon Mothma has managed to escape.”

Leia and her mother exchanged a look of alarm. “Escape??” Leia exclaimed. “How did that happen??”

“General Dodonna went to see her,” Han explained. “He was convinced that he could get her to see reason. She killed him,” he said, his outrage over the senseless death returning. “She killed the man in cold blood, took his blaster and killed the security guard, and then took off.”

“She left the ship? You’re certain of this?” Padmé asked, trying to remain calm.

Han nodded. “I’m afraid so,” he replied. “Sensor sweeps couldn’t locate her anywhere on the ship, and it wasn’t long after her break out that it was discovered that one of the Imperial shuttles was missing. She’s gone, Padmé. Where she is, is anyone’s guess.”

Leia frowned, feeling her own outrage at this dire news welling up within her. “I think I can guess,” she said. “She’s probably on her way here right now.”

“I don’t think so, Leia,” Padmé replied. “She must realize that we would expect such a move, and that the security measures we have in place now would preclude her from attempting anything here. No, I’m afraid she’s set her sites a little higher this time.”

“What do you mean?” Leia asked.

“She’s going after your father,” Han said, following Padmé’s line of thinking. “She’s going to expose him for who he truly is to the Imperial high command. At least that’s my guess.”

“I think it’s a sound one,” Padmé concurred. “Does Anakin know about this?”

“I don’t know,” Han replied. “I left the command ship to come here because I was unable to raise you. I guess everybody was asleep.”

Leia frowned. “There should have been someone manning that comm. station,” she muttered, frustrated with the oversight.

Han smiled. “Yeah, maybe,” he agreed. “But it gave me an excuse to come and see you, didn’t it?”

Leia looked at him and smiled. “Yes, it did that,” she replied, reaching out and taking his hand. “What are we going to do now?”

“We must contact your father,” Padmé said, standing up. “If he doesn’t already know, he must be warned.”

“Where are Anakin and Luke now?” Han asked as he and Leia stood up to join Padmé.

“I will have to check his itinerary,” Padmé replied. “He left me a very detailed one,” she added with a smile.

“Come on, Chewie!” Han said when they reached the doorway. “You can eat later!”

Reluctantly, Chewbacca stood up and left the delicious meal before him, grumbling under his breath about the bossiness of one Corellian pilot.




“Welcome to the Executor, your majesty,” Piett declared formally as he and the detachment of clones and officers knelt before Anakin and Luke as they descended the ramp from their shuttle.

“Stand up, Piett,” Anakin muttered, embarrassed by all the ostentation. “You’re over doing it just a little, don’t you think?”

Piett stood up and smiled. “Nothing is too grand for the galactic emperor, sir,” he quipped.

Anakin shook his head. “do you have her on board?”

“Yes sir,” he replied. “She’s fit to be tied, I must warn you.”

“What’s the problem?” Luke asked.

Piett sighed. “Well, I think she was expecting a much warmer reception,” he remarked. “The fact that she is locked up with half a dozen storm troopers outside her door is rather insulting to her.”

Luke snorted. “Too bad,” he countered. “It should be an entire legion after what she has done.”

“What exactly has she done, sir?” Piett asked. “I’m assuming sating has happened that enabled her to escape.”

“She killed one of her comrades,” Anakin replied. “Jan Dodonna, one of the other Rebel commanders. Killed him in cold blood, and then took his weapon, using it to secure her escape.”

Piett shook his head. “Incredible,” he muttered. “She truly has lost her mind, then, hasn’t she?”

“She lost it a long time ago,” Luke replied “when she kidnapped my mother.”

Anakin nodded. “I agree,” he replied.

“So what are you going to do with her?” Piett asked. “She obviously isn’t a woman you can take lightly.”

“No, she isn’t,” Anakin concurred. “the old Darth Vader would have killed her long ago.”

“And the new one?” Luke asked.

Anakin remained silent as he considered this. “I don’t know yet, Luke,” he admitted. “Let’s talk to her first, and then we can decide upon our course of action. No doubt seeing me will bring out the worst in her.”

Luke smiled. “Yes, no doubt it will. I can’t wait to see the look on her face.”





“He’s not in the sector he’s scheduled to be in,” Padmé reported, a frown on her face. “Where could he be?”

“Contact the ship,” Han suggested. “Maybe something came up.”
Leia and Padmé looked at one another. Something came up... Was this a euphemism for disaster??

Padmé raised the royal cruiser, and it wasn’t long before she was speaking to one of Anakin’s aides.

“What can I do for you, your majesty?” the man asked obsequiously.

“I need to speak with my husband,” Padmé replied without preamble. “At once.”

“I’m afraid that isn’t possible,” the aide replied. “Emperor Vader is not on board.”

Padmé’s alarm increased. “Where is he?? Is Lord Vengeance available?”

The aide shook his head. “No, my lady, both Emperor Vader and Lord Vengeance are currently on board the Executor.”

“The Executor??” Padmé replied. “Why?? What is going on?”

“A rebel defector has been brought on board, my empress,” the aide explained. “The emperor and his apprentice have gone there to interrogate her.”

Her?? “Thank you,” Padmé said, turning off the screen. She turned to Han and Leia. “There’s only one person he can be talking about,” she said.

Leia nodded. “Yes, Mothma. You were right, Mother; both of you were right,” she added, turning to Han. “She’s gone to the Empire.”

Han nodded. “Yeah, but remember who’s in charge of that ship now, sweetheart. Admiral Piett.”

Padmé nodded, a smile starting on her face. “Yes, of all the people in the Empire she chose to go to, she could not have chosen better.”

Leia understood what her mother meant; Piett was loyal to Anakin beyond question, and would not allow Mon Mothma to cause any trouble for him or the rest of the Skywalker family. Their secret was more than safe with Firmus Piett. So why does the thought of my father speaking to that mad woman bother me so much?

“I have a bad feeling about this,” she said at last.

“Don’t worry,” Han assured her, putting a hand on her shoulder. “No way is that nut job going to get off that ship. I’ll bet Piett has an entire legion outside her door right now.”

“You’re probably right,” Leia concurred. But somehow that doesn’t make me feel any better.

“Come on, let’s go finish our breakfast,” Padmé said. “Baby Ani is still hungry. I’m sure your father will contact us as soon as his meeting with her is over, Leia. Try not to worry.”

Leia stood up and walked out of the office with Han and her mother, doing her best to quell the feelings of unease that were blooming within her.

[therealthing]

Chapter 66

Mon Mothma paced about in her cell. She was furious that the Empire had locked her up like a criminal; didn’t they know who she was?? Surely they realized someone of her importance was not made to wait like this, someone who had the sort of information that she had should not be treated like a prisoner and locked up like a common thief. Fools…she thought contemptuously. If they think this is the way to win my allegiance, they have another thing coming…

Her twisted musings were interrupted by the door opening, and the entrance of several clone troopers. She stood up, eying them closely, seeing who it was that had come to speak with her at last. It had better be Piett; he’d better not have sent one of his underlings to me, or I won’t tell him a bloody thing.

The clones stepped aside, revealing Piett standing alongside a large figure in an ebony cloak, along with a smaller man dressed in the same manner. There was no mistaking who the huge imposing man was; there was only one man who could command such authority and power without saying a single word. Anakin Skywalker.

“So nice to see you again, Commander,” the large cloaked figure said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “I understand you have some burning need to speak to someone in charge?”

Mothma stood trembling with rage. Betrayed….Piett had betrayed her!!! He knew, all along he knew!!! She turned to Piett, loathing him utterly, despising the mild mannered expression on his face.

“You,” she said, walking towards him slowly. “You used me…you knew all along that he was the emperor, didn’t you? And yet you reeled me in!”

“It was actually quite considerate of you to turn yourself in, Commander,” Piett remarked. “I understand you are wanted on several felonies now, including murder. Our ….incarceration of you will go a long way to paving the road to peace with the Rebel Alliance.”

“The Rebel Alliance will never make peace with the Empire,” she spat. “Not so long as Anakin Skywalker is Emperor!”

“You short sighted fool,” Piett snapped. “Anakin Skywalker is the only hope the galaxy has for peace. If peace is what you truly wanted, then you’d see that. Obviously you are just too bent on revenge for something from the past that you can’t see the truth right before your eyes.”

“The past??” Mothma said, holding up her prosthetic hand. “This happened less than a month ago, I hardly consider that the past. His daughter did this to me,” she cried, pointing at Anakin. “A Sith, just like her father!”

“My sister is not a Sith!!” Luke exclaimed, stepping forward, unable to hold his tongue any longer. “can you blame her for attacking you after what you did to Han? To our mother?? You’re lucky she didn’t cut you to pieces when she had the chance.”

“Well she did try to,” Mothma said, indicating her hand once again. “And I see you are following in Daddy’s footsteps too, Luke. How charming; no doubt the new Skywalker brat will be just as talented in the ways of the Sith arts.”

“Enough!!” Anakin roared, furious at the woman’s ranting. “I’ve heard enough of your slander!”

“Mon Mothma,” Piett intoned. “You are hereby sentenced to be executed by lethal injection. Execution shall be carried out at….”

“NO!!” Mothma screamed, rushing at Piett. Before he could react, the mad woman had wrapped her hands around his throat, and was squeezing with all her might. “You’ll pay for your treachery, Pi…” She didn’t even finish her threat, as all 8 storm troopers in the room open fire on her. Within moments, she was dead, her body riddled with holes.

Piett coughed, trying to regain his breath, shaken up by what had just occurred. Anakin came over to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Are you alright??” he asked anxiously.

Piett nodded, taking deep breaths. “I…I think so,” he replied, looking down with horror at the smoking remains of his dead assailant. “She was truly mad,” he muttered, shaking his head.

“Yes, she was,” Anakin said, looking down at her as well. After a moment he looked up at the clones. “Get rid of the body,” he said. Why wouldn’t you listen to reason, Commander? Why did you let it come to this? He turned to his son. “Come, Lord Vengeance,” he said. “We’d best inform the Rebel Alliance of what has happened here.”

Luke nodded, and followed his father out of the cell along with a still shaken Piett, leaving the clones to clean up the mess of the carnage within.
********************************************************

“Anakin?? Oh Ani, I’m so relieved to see you!!” Padmé said as she saw her husband’s face materialize on the comm. screen. “Did you meet with Mon Mothma?? Your aide told us how she was on board the Executor, and that…”

“Mon Mothma is dead, Padmé,” Anakin interjected. “She died less than half an hour ago.”

“What?? How? What happened??” Padmé asked as Leia and Han looked at one another in surprise.

“She was shot dead when she attacked Piett,” Anakin replied. “She was mad, Padmé; truly and completely mad. She came here thinking she could betray me to the Empire; the only thing was she didn’t count on my right hand man knowing my true identity.”

Padmé shook her head. “Is Firmus alright?” she asked. “How did she attack him?”

“He will be,” Anakin assured her. “She tried to choke him with her bare hands, Padmé,” Anakin said, hardly believing it himself despite the fact that he had witnessed the intense, bizarre episode. “The clones opened fire on her, eight of them, and killed her in seconds.”

Padmé could not help but feel a twinge of sadness at the passing of Mothma, despite all that she had put her family through. Padmé remembered the Mon Mothma from years earlier, the vibrant, strong woman she had been, the woman who had forged the Rebel Alliance and taken on the Empire; but that woman had ceased to exist many months earlier. The Mon Mothma who had died so horribly on board the Executor was a shadow of the great woman she had once been, a woman who’d had such high hopes for peace in the galaxy, who’d dedicated her life to achieving it. How was it possible that she could have fallen so far?

“Well that’s a relief,” Han said at last, voicing everyone’s sentiments. “Does Reikan know?” he asked.

Anakin shook his head. “No, not yet,” he replied. “Perhaps you could relay the message to him, Han. It would probably be best coming from you.”

Han nodded. “Sure thing, Anakin,” he replied. “I’ll let him know right away.”

“Anakin, come home,” Padmé said, seeing the exhaustion and stress in his face. “Forget the mission right now, just come home.”

Anakin nodded. “I was thinking that very same thing,” he said with a smile. “I think Luke and I could use a few days off.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Padmé replied with a smile. “Hurry home.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 67

“Dead? How? What happened, Solo?”

Han sighed deeply, rubbing his chin with his hand. “Just as I predicted, she went straight to the Empire. Only she didn’t realize that the new commander of the Imperial fleet is one of Anakin’s strongest supporters, Firmus Piett. Piett brought her on board the flagship and contacted Anakin, who came as soon as he found out that Piett had Mothma in his custody. When she saw Anakin and Luke, she put it together that Piett had tricked her, and that he and Anakin were in fact allies. That’s when she lost it. She attacked Piett during the interrogation,” Han explained. “Tried to choke him to death, so the storm troopers just let her have it. It was over in a matter of seconds from what I understand.”

Reikan frowned deeply, nodding his understanding. “I can’t believe it came down to this,” he said sadly. “She was such a great woman, such a great leader…”

“She was,” Han agreed. “But in the end, she went crazy, General; you know that. She was a murderer, she killed one of her best friends in cold blood. There was no way she could be left unchecked.”

“No, of course not,” Reikan replied. “But shot down like a common criminal by clone troopers? Hardly a fitting end for such a remarkable woman.”

Han didn’t know what to say. While he understood Reikan’s sadness over the loss of the woman who had once been his comrade and friend, it almost seemed as though Reikan had forgotten all that Mothma had put them all through in recent weeks.

“I suppose,” Han said at last. “But she’s gone, General; and the galaxy is a lot safer now that she is.”

“You’re right, Solo,” Reikan said. “I can’t deny that. I only hope that with her gone negotiations with the Empire can finally get started.”

“I know how anxious Anakin is to make that happen,” Han told him. “He is on his way home.”

Reikan nodded. “Good. Perhaps now that the danger is past, we can start the peace process.”

Yeah, let’s hope so¸ Han thought. He closed off the communications and returned to Leia and Padmé.

“How did he take the news?” Padmé asked.

Han shrugged. “Just as you’d imagine,” he replied. “He’s hopeful that this will mean peace talks can start soon.”

Leia nodded. “Yes, we all hope that. But father still has a lot of work to do to clean up the Empire before that can happen. He’s only just begun the process.”

“Yeah, I know,” Han replied.

“But the fact that he is doing it at shows the Alliance how serious he is about repairing the galaxy,” Padmé put in. “And hopefully the leaders who are left will see that.”

“Let’s hope so,” Leia said. “But I can’t shake this feeling that we’re not out of the woods yet.”

“Will you relax!” Han said, putting his arm around her. “I know how you felt about Mothma, what a danger she posed to your family; but she’s gone now, Leia. She’s dead.”

“I know that,” Leia replied tersely. “But she had allies, Han; or have you forgotten that? I can’t help but think that those allies will come out of the woodwork now that she is dead.”

Padmé felt a chill go up her spine at her daughter’s comment, remembering suddenly the ruthless manner in which that nameless woman had abducted her; and who had been behind the abduction? Mon Mothma. What had happened to that woman? Where was she? Did she know what had befallen Mon Mothma? Suddenly Padmé didn’t feel safe anymore, and wondered if she ever would again.

“Damn, I forgot about that,” Han muttered, looking at Padmé. “We can’t let out guard down for a moment. Mothma will no doubt be a martyr to them now.”

Padmé nodded her understanding, realizing that the situation was now much worse than it had been. How many allies did she have? What orders had they been left with? And when would they strike? There was no way of knowing, she realized with consternation. No way at all. Hurry home, Anakin…I need you now more than ever.



Anakin and Luke arrived at the Imperial Palace the next day. Anakin found Padmé reading over a report in the garden. She looked up suddenly when she heard footsteps, and relaxed immediately when she saw that it was Anakin. She smiled and stood up to meet him.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” she said as he embraced her warmly.

Anakin frowned, sensing the great waves of anxiety emanating from his wife. He held her at arms length and looked at her face. “What is it, Padmé? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said, trying to shake off her fears. He’s here now, everything will be fine… “Just hormones,” she added with a smile.

“Why do I think there’s more to it?” he replied, not convinced.

Padmé looked up at him, unable to hide her feelings from him. “I’m frightened, Ani,” she said quietly.

Anakin had known Padmé for many years, and in that time there had only been a handful of times that he had ever seen her genuinely afraid, and even fewer times that she’d actually admitted it. It unnerved him.

“Mon Mothma is dead, Padmé,” he assured her gently. “I saw her get blasted to Hell by eight storm troopers; I promise you, she wont’ harm you again.”

“I know that,” Padmé replied. “But what about that woman who abducted me, Anakin? What if she’s still out there? She told me she had three colleagues; what if there are more??”

Anakin frowned, angry with himself for not thinking of this. No wonder she is so afraid…those maniacs could be anywhere.

“I’m sorry angel,” he said, “I guess in my preoccupation with catching Mon Mothma, I forgot about that.”

“I did too,” Padmé admitted. “It was Leia who remembered, not me. What are we going to do, Ani? They could be anywhere! How can we guard against someone like that??”

Anakin released her and commenced pacing. It frustrated him greatly that he had not thought of this, and even more so that the situation was so complicated. How do I protect my wife from an unknown assailant who could be anywhere?

“We’ll find a way, Padmé,” he said at last. “I promise you. I won’t let anyone harm you, never again.”

“I know you won’t,” she said, stepping over to him again. “I’m so glad you’re home,” she added as he held her close once again.

[therealthing]

Chapter 68

“No Padmé, no way,” Anakin said, shaking his head as he paced in their bedroom. “I will not allow it! End of story!”

Padmé folded her arms as she watched him from their bed. “Anakin, will you just listen at least? This is perfect! How else are we going to find these people?”

Anakin stopped his pacing and turned to his wife. “I will find them, Padmé,” he vowed. “Make no mistake about it. But this idea of yours is just too damn dangerous!”

“How much danger can I possibly be in with three Jedi protecting me?” she said with a smile. “Four if you count Leia, who is practically one already. Not to mention all the clone troopers, all the royal guards…”

“Padmé, these are devious, desperate people,” he averred. “They don’t care about their own deaths, so long as they meet their objective. And if they are allies of Mon Mothma, then they are sure to be crazy, just like she was. I simply won’t stand for you putting yourself in jeopardy this way!”

Padmé sighed, growing frustrated with her husband’s refusal to see things from her point of view. “Anakin, put yourself in my position,” she said. “Do you think I enjoy living in constant fear? It’s not good for me, Ani; it’s not good for the baby. This kind of stress isn’t good for either of us. By giving these maniacs an opportunity to strike, we are drawing them into a trap. It’s perfect! Don’t you remember how we drew the assassins back when you and Obi-Wan were protecting me? That worked, didn’t it?”

Anakin frowned. “Yes, but you were only centimeters away from being bitten by those deadly kohuns, as I recall,” he reminded her. “And would have died instantly if they’d reached you before I did.”

“But they didn’t,” she said. “And you did reach me in time. You always will, Ani; and Luke and Leia will be there helping you, as well as Master Yoda, Han, Chewbacca….it’s foolproof!”

Anakin sighed. I hate it when she’s right, he thought to himself. “I will go along this under one condition, Padmé,” he said at last.

“What is that?” she asked.

“That once this mess is all behind us, you retire from politics until the baby is born,” he said.

Padmé was about to object, but she looked at him, and could see in his eyes just how serious he was, how afraid he was. This must be eating him alive, she thought. All he wants to do is protect me…protect us.

“If that’s what you want, Ani,” she replied at last. “Then I will do it.”

Anakin smiled and nodded his head. “Thanks, angel,” he said.

She held her hand out to him and he took it, climbing back into bed with her. “I only want what is best for you, Padmé,” he told her as she snuggled up against him. “You know that, don’t you?”

“I know,” she said, kissing his bare chest.

“I’ve never forgiven myself for what happened, Padmé,” he continued, needing to get it off his chest. “I was supposed to be protecting you then, and all I ended up doing was nearly destroying you, you and the twins. As it was, I forced you to live half your life alone, away from your children…”

“Ani, don’t,” she said, laying a finger over his lips. “We all know what happened in the past. And I know it still eats away at you. But you are different man now, Anakin; a remade man. You can’t compare yourself to the person you were back then, for you are not the same person. Please don’t underestimate the remarkable man you have become, Ani.”

Anakin looked down at the woman in his arms and smiled. “You’re the remarkable one, Padmé,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “And I count myself blessed every day to have you back in my life again.”

Padmé smiled. “That’s nice to know,” she said, nestling into his strong, warm embrace.

Anakin stroked her hair gently, his mind deep in thought. “You think Solo could learn to use a lightsaber?” he asked “What about the wookiee?”

Padmé looked up at him. “I think you need to get your mind off of this,” she said with a smile.

“And how exactly do you propose I do that?” he asked.

“I have an idea,” she said, pulling him down to kiss him.

****************************************************

“I don’t think this is such a good idea,” Han said as he and Chewbacca stood in the gymnasium, each holding a practice lightsaber in their hands.

“Why not?” asked Luke. “You’ve used a lightsaber before.”

“Yeah, once,” Han grumbled, looking down at the foreign object in his hand. “Slicing through a dead tauntaun ain’t exactly the same as fighting though, kid. Besides, what’s wrong with blasters? Blasters are good.”

Luke and Leia exchanged an amused look.

“Just think of it as expanding your horizons,” Luke said, twirling his weapon in his hand.

“Nothing wrong with that, is there small one?” Chewbacca asked, already feeling quite comfortable.

“No, it’s not that,” Han replied. “It’s just that…hell, I don’t want to cut off anything vital if you know what I mean.”

Luke laughed, remembering himself saying the same thing to his father.

“It’s okay, Han,” Leia said, hand on her hip. “It you’re too scared to try, we understand, don’t we Luke?”

“Yep, no problem at all,” Luke replied, following his sister’s lead. “Nothing wrong with being scared.”

Chewbacca chuckled, earning a dirty look from Han. “Traitor,” he grumbled. He sighed, realizing that his reputation not to mention his ego was on the line. “Alright, alright,” he said at last, gripping the practice saber tighter. “Let’s do this.”



Padmé walked through the Great Hall, inspecting the arrangements that had begun to come together. After nearly a month of preparations, the stage was almost set. What was being billed as the emperor’s birthday party was already being touted as the social event of the year. Padmé had made certain that no expense had been spared, and that the media had been given plenty of information about the upcoming event. There wasn’t a being in the Core who didn’t know about the party; which had been Padmé’s goal all along.

The month since Mon Mothma’s death had been quiet, far too quiet for Anakin and Padmé liking. Whoever the allies of the dead commander were, they were keeping a low profile. Anakin was hoping that this was a sign that they were merely biding their time, waiting for an opportunity to strike. With over 100 guests present, there was bound to be such an opportunity at the emperor’s party.

Anakin had spent many anxious, fitful nights during this time as the big day grew near. Yes, security was tight as a drumhead; yes, there would be four Jedi present, as well as Han Solo and Chewbacca. There was no way anyone could get close to Padmé, no way at all. So why can’t I get rid of this bad feelings?

“I’ll be so happy when this party is behind us,” Padmé said as she emerged from the fresher.

From the bed, Anakin watched his wife as she stood before him brushing her hair. He smiled as his eyes rested on the bump that was now visible on her tiny frame.

“Me too,” he said. “You know how much I love parties.”

Padmé laughed. “Yes, only too well,” she replied, setting her brush down. She walked over to the bed, stopping suddenly when she reached the end of it.

“What is it?” Anakin asked, concerned by the look on her face.

Padmé smiled. “Come here,” she said.

Anakin moved to the end of the bed and swung his legs over the edge.

“Feel this,” Padmé said as she took his hand and placed it on her bump.

Anakin spread his hand open, excited to feel his tiny son’s movements for the first time. Padmé of course had been feeling them for weeks, but it had never been strong enough for him to feel; until now. But try as he might, all Anakin could feel was the silk of his wife’s nightgown and the warmth of her body underneath.

“I don’t feel anything…” he stopped as he felt a slight, barely perceptive movement. It was very light, but definitely there. He smiled, awed by this evidence of new life. “That’s incredible,” he said, looking up at her with an enormous grin.

Padmé nodded. “Already doing his Jedi calisthenics,” she said with a smile.

Anakin nodded. “Yes, it seems so,” he said. He felt another movement, like the brushing of a bird’s wings against his finger tips. “He’s strong,” he commented, paternal pride filling him.

Padmé smiled. “His father’s son,” she commented.

Anakin grinned. “I can’t wait for this baby to be born, Padmé,” he said. “I can’t wait to see him, to hold him.”

“Neither can I,” she said. “Though I have to admit that I don’t look forward to labor again,” she added, frowning at the memory of the agony she went through giving birth to Luke and Leia.

Anakin frowned. “Oh yeah,” he said. “I’m sure that isn’t exactly a picnic, is it?”

Padmé shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t say so. But it won’t be so hard this time. For one thing, there’s only one. And for another, you’ll be with me. You will be with me when he’s born, won’t you Ani?”

“Of course I will,” he replied, more than a little anxious at the thought of seeing his beloved wife in such pain. “I’ll be right there at your side, where I should have been when Luke and Leia were born.”

Padmé put her hand over his. “This will be the start of a whole new life for us, Ani.”

Anakin nodded. A whole new life…one I won’t mess up this time.

“Come on, time to get some sleep,” she said, climbing into bed. “Tomorrow is a big day.”

Anakin felt his anxiety level shoot up again at the thought of what the next day would bring. “Yes, so it is,” he said, as Padmé nestled into his arms.

[therealthing]

Chapter 69

A live orchestra was performing on the terrace behind the palace, the doors were open and the scent of summer blossoms wafted into the Great Hall. Guests mingled inside, on the terrace, and down in the garden area below. To the outsider it seemed like a grand affair, a spectacular celebration of the emperor’s birthday. To the members of the household it was an evening full of tension and dreadful anticipation.

Anakin had not left his wife’s side the entire evening, not trusting even the Imperial guards with her safety. Yoda, Luke and Leia had each taken an area to patrol, with Chewbacca, Han and Piett as backup. Han had eventually given up on the lightsaber, assuring Luke and Leia that he was far more lethal with a blaster. They had agreed. Chewbacca, however, had quite taken to this new weapon and wielded it like a master.

“Perhaps we were wrong about this,” Padmé said, starting to feel fatigued as the evening wore on. “Maybe we’ve all bee worried for nothing.”

Anakin shook his head, his eyes never leaving the scattered groups of guests before them. “They have to be here, Padmé,” he told her, despite the doubt starting to form in his mind. “This is their perfect chance. They are just waiting for the right moment.”

Padmé could feel the hair on the back of her neck stand on end at his pronouncement. “Maybe,” she replied. “But maybe not. Maybe this is too obvious.”

Anakin looked at her. She’s right, he thought. They are too clever not to realize that we’d expect them to strike here. “I suppose that’s a possibility,” he conceded at last.

“But if not now, then when? When?” she asked in exasperation.

Anakin frowned, frustration filling him. “I don’t know,” he muttered, hating the thought of this unbearable tension going on indefinitely. “I thought this would be the perfect way to draw them out, but perhaps we’ve underestimated them. I won’t do that again.”

Padmé sighed, frustrated that her hunch had been wrong. “

“Sire, the fireworks display is about to commence.”

Anakin turned to the servant. “You may commence,” he told the servant. Was this it? He wondered. Could this be the moment of truth? His eyes surveyed the room, his Jedi senses attuned to the slightest change, the slightest elevation in tension. But there was no sign of either; the room seemed as calm as ever, with all present merely enjoying the evening, anticipating the upcoming pyrotechnics display.

“Shall we, your majesty?” he asked, offering his arm to Padmé.

She took his arm and they walked out onto the terrace to enjoy the fireworks, Imperial guards flanking them.

From across the room, the Imperial royal couple was being watched by a pair of men disguised as delegates from the Anoat System.

“Too many Jedi here,” one of them said quietly to the other. “This isn’t going to work.”

The other man nodded. “Time to abort and get the hell out of here.”

“Agreed,” the first man said, activating a COM link.

On the other side of the room, a woman responded. “What?” she asked.

“Too hot in here, Tyria. Abort mission and get out. Do you copy?”

“I copy,” she replied. “I’m moving out.”

The guests applauded as the fireworks display drew to an end. No one thought it strange that a group of three delegates, two men and a woman, left before they had concluded.


“Well, that was a painful experience,” Han said as he and Leia stood outside on the terrace later that night. The guests had departed, and everyone else had gone to bed. “I was sure they’d show up.”

“Dad figures it was too obvious,” Leia replied, leaning on the railing. “I think he’s right.”

“So all this was for nothing then,” Han said.

Leia shrugged. “Well, my father got a huge pile of gifts,” she said with a smile. “That I’m sure he’ll just love opening,” she added wryly.

Han laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure. You know what this means, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she replied. “It means we’ll have to be looking over our shoulders all the time now, until they decide to make their move, whenever that will be.”

“I think that’s their idea,” Han said. “They probably figure if they lay low long enough we’ll get complacent and forget about them.”

Leia snorted. “Fat chance,” she said. “My father won’t rest until they are caught. He’s rather single minded when he gets something in his mind, too.”

“Runs in the family,” Han commented with a grin.

Leia smiled. “I guess so.” She frowned as she thought of her mother. “This will be so hard for Mother,” she said. “She shouldn’t have to worry about this with the baby coming.”

“Your mom is a very strong woman,” Han said. “She won’t let this ruin the experience.”

“I hope not,” Leia replied. “Things weren’t exactly stress free for her when she was expecting Luke and I either. I guess being the wife of the Chosen One has its challenges.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” Han agreed. “I wonder what being the wife of a scruffy looking nerf herder would be like.”

Leia frowned. “Han, what are you talking about??”

Han shuffled his feet, shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away from her. “Well, I just wondering if …well, if you’d be interested in finding out.”

“Han, will you just speak plainly? For once?” Leia said in exasperation.

“You don’t like to make anything easy, do you your highnessness?” Han retorted. “I’m trying to ask you to marry me! Is that plain enough?”

Leia stared at him, unsure she’d heard him correctly. “You…you want me to marry you?” she asked.

Han nodded. “Yeah, what do you say, Leia? Will you marry me?”

Leia smiled. “You mean it? Really?”

Han rolled his eyes. “Yes! Geez Leia, could you cut me a break here? I’m putting myself out on a limb!”

She laughed and came over to him at once. “Yes, Han,” she said at last. “I will.”

Han sighed with relief. “Now, was that so hard?” he said, as he pulled her to him for a kiss.

[therealthing]

Chapter 70

Anakin awoke the next morning alone in the bed. He turned and looked at the chrono on the side of the bed and saw that it was still quite early. Where is Padmé? He wondered.

Just then she emerged from the fresher, looking quite pale.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned at once by her pallor.

She nodded. “Yes,” she said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Just little Ani saying good morning,” she added with a wan smile.

“How long does this last?” Anakin asked, moving over to her and rubbing her back gently. “This morning sickness?”

“With Luke and Leia it was about six weeks,” she said. “I started feeling better around the middle of the fourth month. So soon, Ani, soon. Don’t worry, this is perfectly natural.”

“That doesn’t make me worry any less, Padmé,” he grumbled. “And I do not like the idea of leaving you here,” he added. “Those vermin are probably just waiting for me to do so, and then they’ll make their move. I know how scum like that thinks, Padmé. The fact that you are pregnant won’t matter to them; they will use that to their advantage.”

Padmé sat at the vanity with her back to him. His words bothered her; not simply because they were frightening, but also because they revealed just how terrified he was that something would happen to her. He was terrified of losing me once before…and that drove him to the Dark Side.

“Ani, the palace is crawling with clone troopers and royal guards,” she pointed out to him. “Not only that, Leia, Han and Chewbacca are here. If we are ever to dissolve this sham of an Empire, you have to continue the dismantling process that you and Luke have started. I don’t want to spend the next ten years as Empress; do you want to be emperor indefinitely?”

“No, of course not,” he replied. “But neither do I want to put you in danger. Not for anything.”

Padmé turned to him. “Ani, did you ever consider that perhaps it is you who are the target, not me?”

Anakin frowned. “Me?” he said. “What makes you think so?”

Padmé stood up and walked over to where he sat on the edge of their bed. “Because you are the emperor,” she said, putting he hands on his shoulders. “Because you have a past that these people cannot forget nor forgive,” she continued. “And because you aren’t expecting it to be you that they attack.”

Anakin sighed. “Well, even if you’re right, they don’t stand a chance,” he told her. “Not with Luke at my side, the royal guards around, the clone troopers…” he stopped and smiled. “Ah, I think I see the point you were making earlier.”

Padmé laughed. “Good, now come on downstairs, little Ani is hungry.”

Anakin and Padmé were met on the stairs by Han Solo, who seemed rather edgy, and looked as though he had been waiting for them to appear.

“Good morning, Han,” Padmé greeted him. “Coming down for breakfast?”

“Uh, yes, in a few minutes, thanks,” he replied. “I was kinda hoping I could talk to you first, Anakin, sir, in private.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow and looked at Padmé. This better not be what I think it is, he thought. “Whatever you need to say to me, you can say to my wife as well, Solo,” he replied.

“Oh okay,” Han replied, wiping his palms on his pants nervously. “Sure thing.”

“Shall we?” Padmé said, leading the two men into a nearby sitting room.

Anakin sat down with his wife, enjoying Han’s discomfiture immensely. He knew exactly what the ex-smuggler wanted to talk about, and yet he wanted Han to dance for as long as possible. This kind of entertainment doesn’t come around too often, he told himself.

“We’re listening,” Anakin said at last, looking Han straight in the eye in the way he knew made the young man nervous.

“Well, here’s the thing,” Han began, pacing the room. “Leia and me, and I…no, and me…well we…we’ve kind of had a thing going,” he stopped as the look in Anakin’s eyes nearly sent him running from the room. “No, not that kind of thing, I swear!” he averred, starting to really sweat. “It’s just that…I love her, I love your daughter,” he said at last, letting his feelings speak for him. “She drives me crazy, but I love her, and she loves me. At least most of the time…well anyway, I was hoping that, well I’ve asked her already and she…what I mean to say, or rather to ask is…”

“You want to marry our daughter, is that what you’re trying to say?” Anakin asked calmly.

Han sighed. “Yes sir, that’s it exactly,” he said. “Well? What do you say? I promise I’ll be good to her; no more gambling, or drinking…I swear it. She’s a princess and I’ll treat her like one, you have my word.”

Anakin looked at Padmé, who was smiling. “Then I suppose you have our blessing,” he said at last.

Han nearly doubled over with relief. “Oh, thank you sir, thank you,” he said, shaking Anakin’s hand furiously.

“Congratulations, Han,” Padmé said, kissing him on the cheek. “I know you’ll make Leia very happy.”

Han finally smiled. “I’ll do my best, m’am.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 71

“No Han, higher, hold it higher,” Luke urged his friend. “I know you can do this.”

Han held the practice saber high above his head. “Like this?” he said.

Luke nodded. “Yeah, that’s it,” he said. “Now come at me again, only this time move your feet.”

Han tried the maneuver, and managed to make contact with Luke’s weapon this time.

“Not bad, not bad,” Luke said encouragingly.

“I can’t believe you talked me into this,” Han grumbled as both men stepped back.

Luke laughed. “Well think of it this way,” Luke suggested. “One day when your kids are trained as Jedi, you’ll be able to keep up with them.”

Han snorted. “What makes you think my kids will be Jedi?” he asked. “Don’t I have a say in it?”

“Not when their grandfather is the Chosen One,” Luke replied. “You can’t fight genetics, Han.”

“Great,” Han said. “Come on, let’s get back to this.”



“I’m really quite surprised that nothing happened, sir,” Piett told Anakin as they sat in the palace’s office. “Although I was very relieved as well,” he added, looking at Padmé who was also present.

“It was too obvious,” Anakin said. “I should have known that they wouldn’t have taken a chance with so many Jedi present.”

Piett nodded. “I suppose that would have stopped them,” he replied. “So what now?”

“We can’t just sit around waiting for them to attack,” Anakin said. “I won’t put Padmé through that,” he added, looking at his wife. “These people must be stopped.” He stopped as he gathered his thoughts. “Piett, I want you to take a team with you to the Rebel command ship,” he instructed. “I will alert Reikan that you are coming. I want you to search their personnel files thoroughly, look for any connections to Mon Mothma, no matter how tenuous. I want these people found, and I want these people apprehended.”

“Ani, if Firmus shows up at the Rebel command ship, don’t you think that would raise a few questions?” Padmé commented. “Won’t that jeopardize your plans?”

Anakin considered his wife’s words, and then uttered a Huttese curse. “Of course it would,” he grumbled, frustrated with himself for not thinking straight. He rubbed a hand over his chin. “What then?” he asked in exasperation. “How do we find them?”

“Perhaps the Rebel leaders themselves could track them down,” suggested Piett. “They have access to the files, plus they know these people, they know where their allegiances lie. Perhaps it would be best to leave it up to them.”

“Perhaps,” Anakin said, standing up and pacing in the room. “But can we trust them to do the right thing?”

“That depends on what you mean by the right thing,” Piett replied.

Anakin turned and looked at him. “I think you know what I mean, Piett,” he replied. “These are ruthless people; they must be dealt with in a ruthless manner.”

Padmé felt a chill go up her spine at the tone of his voice. “Anakin, I don’t like the sound of this,” she began.

“What would you have me do, Padmé?” he asked in frustration. “Just wait for them to strike? Meanwhile our whole family is living in the fear that something will happen. I won’t stand for it, Padmé. We must be proactive, we must strike first, not allow them to do so.”

“We could still send an investigative team sir,” Piett suggested tentatively. “So long as it is done covertly,” he added.

Anakin nodded. “Yes, of course,” he said. “Let’s do it, then. I will contact Reikan and let him know to expect the team. I want this done as soon as possible, Piett.”

“Of course, sir,” Piett replied. “I will see to it personally.” He stood up to leave. “Oh, one more thing,” he added, turning back to Anakin. “Once found, what do you want done with these people?”

“Bring them to me,” Anakin answered at once. “I will deal with them myself.”

Piett nodded his understanding and then left the room.

Anakin looked back at his wife, who sat without saying a word, a troubled look on her face. He walked over to her and sat down on the desk to face her. “Don’t worry, Padmé,” he said. “We will find them, they will be stopped.”

She nodded. “I know,” she said. “Just promise me something,” she said, standing up and taking his face in her hands.

“Anything,” he replied.

“Promise me your desire for revenge won’t destroy you, Anakin,” she said. “Because you sounded like Darth Vader just now, and it scares me to think that you could become him again.”

Anakin frowned. “That will never happen Padmé,” he told her. “Never!”

She nodded, searching in his eyes for the truth. I hope not Anakin…I couldn’t bear to lose you again. ****************************************************

“Luke tells me your getting better,” Leia said as she and Han walked through the gardens later that evening. “I’m so glad you decided to give the lightsaber another try.”

Han shrugged. “Well, according to Luke, I don’t have much choice in the matter.”

“Of course you do,” Leia replied. “Why would you think otherwise?”

“Something about genetics,” Han said. “I guess he figures our kids will be Jedi, so I’d better learn how to use one of those things.”

Leia smiled. “Well, that’s definitely a possibility. I hope that’s not something you’d have a problem with.”

Han shrugged. “They can do what they want, Leia,” he said. “If they want to be Jedi, then I won’t stop them. Besides, I don’t think your dad would appreciate it if I did.”

“You’re not still intimidated by him are you?” she asked.

“Well, maybe a little,” Han admitted. “He sure made me sweat yesterday when I asked about marrying you. Man! I think he was enjoying seeing me squirm.”

Leia smiled to herself. I’m sure he did, she reflected, knowing her father’s sense of humor well. “Well he said yes, didn’t he?” Leia reminded him.

“Yeah,” Han replied.

“So don’t worry about it,” Leia said, slipping her arm around his waist. “You have to know my father; he’s…not exactly typical. But he thinks highly of you, I know that.”

“Well so long as you’re convinced,” he replied.

“I am,” she said. “So stop stewing about this okay?”

“Okay sweetheart,” Han replied. “I’ll do my best.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 72

Firmus Piett was becoming frustrated. Doing his utmost to remain professional, he nevertheless was finding the mistrust of the Rebel Alliance extremely exasperating. They know the potential danger that Mon Mothma’s allies represent; so why are they being so uncooperative? Why don’t they just give us access to their records and let us find them?

The reports that he had been receiving all contained the same message, couched of course in diplomatic jargon; they have no leads. Piett refused to believe this. He refused to believe that an organization as well structured as the Rebel Alliance would not know the allegiances of all their members. They know, they just don’t trust us enough to tell us.

What made the situation worse for Piett was the pressure he was receiving from the emperor. Piett had known the current emperor for many years, had witnessed his remarkable metamorphosis and subsequent redemption; yet he knew that despite all the changes, Anakin Skywalker was not, nor had ever been, a patient man. Particularly when it came to his family.

With the impending birth of his new son, Anakin had spent his time divided between his three main priorities: his family, cleaning up the galaxy, and ensuring that those responsible for the empress’ abduction were found and brought to justice. Piett was feeling the pressure mounting as the weeks went by, as the Empire was being systematically dismantled from within by the Skywalker family. Piett knew that the emperor’s patience was wearing thin. The stress of reshaping the galaxy was difficult enough; but Skywalker had the added pressure of a new child to occupy his thoughts. Piett knew that things had to happen soon or Anakin would take matters into his own hands, no matter what the consequences.

Coruscant

“That looks beautiful, Leia,” Padmé said as Leia modeled a long white gown and headpiece for her.

“You don’t think it’s too simple?” Leia asked, looking over her shoulder at her reflection in the mirror.

Padmé stood up and walked over to her daughter. “No, not at all,” she said, adjusting the headpiece for her. “It suits you.”

Leia smiled. “I think so too,” she replied.

Padmé took Leia’s hands in hers. “I wish I could give you my dress,” she told her wistfully. “But your father thinks going to Naboo would raise too many questions. He’s probably right.”

“I understand,” Leia replied. “What was it like? It was hard to see any detail in the short holo that Artoo showed us.”

“It was pretty simple too, actually,” Padmé remembered. “Long lace-edged sleeves, a fitted lace headpiece.” She smiled as she thought back to that day that seemed so long ago now. “I remember that day like it was yesterday,” she said.

“Were you nervous, Mum?” Leia asked, taking off the headpiece and handing it to her mother.

“Of course,” Padmé replied, taking the headpiece from her and setting it on a nearby table. “We were both so young, and your father was going against his Jedi vows to marry me. We couldn’t tell anyone, not even our families.”

“That must have been difficult,” Leia commented. “I suppose it’s a testament to your love for one another that you were willing to go through all that.”

“I suppose so,” Padmé replied. She looked at Leia. “You’re not nervous about marriage, are you honey?”

Leia shrugged. “Maybe a little,” she replied. “I love Han; I have no doubt that he’s the one I want. It’s just that…well; he’s older than me, and more…experienced.”

Padmé smiled. “I think I understand,” she said.

Leia’s face grew pink. “Do you?” she asked. “Were you…nervous the first time too?”

“Yes I was,” Padmé replied. “We both were. But when two people are in love, things just have a way of …progressing naturally.”

Leia nodded. “I think I understand,” she said.

Padmé took Leia’s face in her hands and smiled at her. “Han loves you, Leia,” she told her. “He respects you. Don’t worry, love. It’s a beautiful thing, Leia; a way of growing closer to your spouse unlike any other. You’ll see, I promise.”

Leia smiled. “Thanks Mum,” she said, hugging Padmé. “I feel better now. I don’t know how I lived so much of my life without you.”

Padmé closed her eyes and hugged her daughter as tightly as her rounded belly would permit. “No, neither do I,” she said softly, growing emotional at Leia’s declaration. “But we are together now, Leia; and nothing will ever separate us again.”

Leia nodded, her throat too constricted to speak for a moment. “I love you, Mum,” she said at last.

“I love you too, Leia,” Padmé replied. She pulled back and looked at her with a smile, wiping the tears from her face. “Look at me; I’m such an emotional mess these days.”

Leia laughed, wiping her own tears. “I know what you mean,” she said. “Come on; give me a hand with this dress. I’m ready for lunch, how about you?”

“Do you even need to ask?” Padmé asked, causing Leia to laugh again.


Panic filled Luke as he searched the room. Finally he saw Leia. She had a young man in her custody, and seemed to be interrogating him. Luke could sense her anger clear from across the room and it unnerved him.

“What’s going on?” Padmé asked, looking in the direction that Luke was. “Does Leia have someone with her?”

Luke nodded. “It seems so,” he said. “But I highly doubt he is working alone.”

“You’re right there.”

Padmé and Luke turned to see a pair of armed men standing behind them. Before either of them could react, each of them felt the end of a blaster shoved into their backs. “Say one word and you’ll both die,” one of the men whispered. “And you, Lord Vengeance, try one of your fancy sorcerer’s tricks and your mother will die instantly.”

Padmé looked up at Luke, the fear plain in her eyes. Luke looked back at her. Don’t worry, he tried to tell her. Nothing will happen.

“Now, your majesty, kindly step onto the dais, you have an announcement to make,” the second man told them. “It’s time the Empire knew the real identity of their emperor.”

From across the room, Luke could see his father. He was watching them with a deadly look in his eyes. He knows, Luke thought with certainty. He won’t let anything happen to Mother…Luke searched out the room for his sister, and saw her handing over a man to Han who took him away at blaster point. Leia, hear me…!

Leia looked directly at her brother, hearing him clearly. She then turned to her father, and Luke could tell that they were communicating Luke felt the fury filling them both as they realized what was happening. Anakin looked across at him, telling him silently to stand ready. Luke looked to his sister, unnerved by the look of silent fury in her dark eyes. At that moment, she and their father looked so alike, their auras both bristling with anger, with darkness. She looked back at Anakin, her dark eyes boring into his blue. Choke him, Luke heard him tell her. The one on the right, I’ll take the one on the left.

Luke’s eyes widened in horror as he realized what she was doing. No, Father! Don’t use the Dark Side!

Would you rather see your mother shot? Those men will kill her! Don’t be a fool, Luke! Only the Dark Side can save her now…

Within seconds the two assailants were dead, and when Luke looked up again, both his sister and his father were looking at him. Their eyes were Sith yellow.

Luke sat up, gasping for breath. He was bathed in sweat, breathing hard from the terror of his dream. It was only a dream, he told himself, trying to use the Force to calm himself. He ran his trembling hands through his sweat soaked hair, forcing the images from his mind. The Dark Side will not win, he told himself. It will not take my father from me again…it will not take my sister from me…so long as I live, I won’t let it triumph.

[therealthing]

Chapter 73

Imperial Royal Cruiser

“So when are you going to tell me what is bothering you?”

Luke looked at his father, surprised by the question.

“What makes you think something is?” he asked.

“Come on Luke, do you really need to ask me that?” Anakin replied. “You haven’t been yourself since we left Coruscant three weeks ago.”

Luke shrugged. “I guess not,” he said with a sigh. “I haven’t been sleeping well lately,” he said at last.

Anakin frowned. “Bad dreams,” he said, not as a question but rather as a statement of fact.

Luke nodded. “How did you know?”

“Just a hunch,” Anakin replied. “I’ve had a few myself over the years,” he added. “What are they about?”

“Leia,” Luke replied. “Mainly.”

Anakin nodded. “You have reservations about her marrying Solo?” he asked.

“Oh no, not at all,” Luke replied at once. “Han is a great guy, he’s perfect for her. You don’t have reservations of your own, do you Dad?”

Anakin was thoughtful for a moment before responding. “Not exactly,” he said at last. “I suppose every father has mixed feelings when his only daughter gets married. I have nothing against Solo, though I sense he is rather uneasy around me.”

Luke grinned. “No kidding,” he replied. “You’re the only person I know who can make him jumpy.”

Anakin smiled. “Good, that will keep him in line,” he commented.

Luke laughed out loud at his father’s comment, and for a moment was able to put aside the troubling visions he’d been having recently.

“So if it’s not about her wedding, what is it then?” Anakin asked, not about to let it go.

Luke looked down at his hands folded in his lap. “I’ve had dreams about her using the Dark Side,” he said at last.

Anakin was alarmed by his son’s words. “Do you think they are visions? Or merely fears manifesting themselves?”

“I don’t know,” Luke admitted. “I wish I did. But it’s not just Leia I’ve dreamed of Dad; it’s you too.”

Anakin frowned. “Me?? You’ve dreamed of me turning back to the Dark Side?”

Luke nodded. “Yes, more than once.”

Anakin ran a hand through his hair, disturbed by his son’s revelation. “Do you have doubts about me, Luke?” he asked pointedly.

“On a conscious level, no,” Luke responded. “But on a subconscious level….maybe I do. I don’t know, Dad. I only know that I’ve had the same dream or versions of it four times since we left Coruscant.”

“I can promise you Luke that I have renounced the Dark Side,” Anakin averred. “You needn’t worry about that.”

“I know that, Dad, and I believe you,” Luke replied earnestly. “I believe in you. I don’t understand why this dream keeps recurring.”

“Obi-Wan used to tell me that dreams pass in time,” Anakin reflected. “I think perhaps he was right; sometimes dreams are just dreams, and they don’t mean anything at all. The mind gets in a rut and projects images into our dreams that we might not be consciously thinking about.”

Luke nodded. “Let’s hope that’s all it is,” he said. “I can’t think of the alternative; I won’t think of it.”

“No, neither can I,” Anakin replied. While he had no doubts about his own ability to resist the lure of the Darkness, he was not so certain about Leia. The sight of her eyes turned Sith yellow had haunted him for months.

“Excuse me your majesty; Admiral Piett has arrived,” an aide announced as he entered the room.

“Good,” Anakin said. “Show him in.”

“Maybe he has good news,” Luke commented.

“We can only hope,” Anakin replied, concerned that Piett’s reports had become sporadic lately. That can’t be good news, he reflected as he waited for Piett to appear.

Coruscant

“Did you see that?” Leia asked in astonishment. “He waved to me!”

Padmé laughed, looking up at the holographic image projected above her. “I don’t think he was actually waving, Leia,” she said.

“Well it looked like it to me,” Leia said, smiling at her mother. “He knows how much his big sister is going to spoil him.”

“Oh no, not you too,” Padmé said with a shake of her head. “Your father is going to be out of control, I just know it.”

Leia laughed. “Well you know he and I are so much alike,” she said. “You’ll have both of us to contend with I think. Not to mention Luke.”

“Oh boy,” Padmé said as she allowed the droid to help her up into a sitting position. “This baby will be so spoiled.”

“He looks wonderful, Padmé,” the physician told her. “He looks pretty big for his age though; are you sure about your dates?”

“I believe so,” Padmé said as Leia helped her off the examination table. “Why, do you think I’m further along?”

“Could be,” the physician replied, studying the data the computer had gathered on the status of the fetus. “Let me see here,” she said reading over the information.

“It looks to me like he’s about four weeks older than we thought,” the physician announced at last. “I hope you have your nursery ready, Padmé.”

Padmé looked at Leia. “I guess that’s our next project then,” Leia said.

Padmé nodded with a smile. “Yes, I guess so. At least we know what color to decorate it with.”

“That’s true,” Leia said as she helped Padmé on with her cloak. “So two more months? Is that what you’re telling us?”

“Yes, about then,” the physician replied. “But your mother tells me that you and your twin brother were a few weeks early,” she pointed out. “So this baby could be as well.”

Padmé nodded her understanding. “Thank you doctor,” she said. “I’ll see you in a month’s time.”

“Dad will be even more nervous when he hears this,” Leia commented as they left the doctor’s office. “Is he still coming home today?”

Padmé shook her head. “No, not until the day after tomorrow,” she replied. “He had a meeting with Firmus today. I wonder how that went.”

“Hopefully he’s found out the whereabouts of that woman who abducted you,” Leia commented as she opened the speeder door for her mother. “I’ll start looking for her myself if he hasn’t.”

Padmé climbed into the speeder, something that was becoming more and more difficult with each passing week. “I’m sure Firmus will have this mess straightened out soon, if he hasn’t already,” she said. “He’s very efficient.”

Leia nodded. “I hope you’re right, Mum,” she said. “The last thing we need is this hanging over your head with Anakin’s birth around the corner.”

Padmé nodded, the thought of that ruthless woman unnerving her and ruining her happy mood. “Take me home, Leia,” she said, suddenly feeling very tired. “I want to go home.”

Imperial Royal Cruiser

“You haven’t any leads, is that what you’re telling us Piett?” Anakin asked, fighting to keep the anger out of his voice.

“I’m afraid so, sir,” Piett replied miserably. “The Rebel leaders are not being terribly helpful I’m afraid.”

Anakin frowned. “The fools,” he muttered, shaking his head. “When are they going to trust me?? I thought that after that disaster with Mon Mothma that we had reached an understanding with these people. Obviously I was wrong.”

“Sir, if I may make a suggestion,” Piett began tentatively.

“What is it?” Anakin asked.

“Perhaps one of your own children may have better luck unraveling this mystery,” he suggested. “There is a history there, after all; and both Luke and Leia are far more familiar with the rebel protocol than any of my men.”

“That’s a great idea,” Luke said. “What do you think, Dad?”

Anakin considered this for a moment. “I suppose that would make sense,” he conceded at last.

“Perhaps both of them together would work even better than one alone,” Piett put in. “Two Skywalkers working together – quite an indomitable force, if you’ll excuse the expression.”

Anakin had to smile. “You always did have a way with words, Piett.” He looked at his son. “What do you think, Luke?”

“I’m all for it,” he said. “But will you be able to convince Leia to leave Mother?”

“Yes, because I’ll be staying with her,” Anakin replied.

“That would do it,” Luke agreed with a smile.

“Perfect,” Piett commented. “Shall I contact General Reikan and inform him of our plan?”

Anakin nodded. “Yes, do so at once, Piett. I want this situation cleaned up as soon as possible; it’s gone on far too long as it is. I won’t have this hanging over our heads any longer, not with a new baby and a wedding coming up.”

Piett nodded. “Yes, I completely understand, sir. I will contact him at once.”

Anakin watched him leave, the frown not leaving his face. This had better work, Piett, or I will search for them myself. And I will stop at nothing until they are found. Then he too left the room, without another word to his son.

Luke watched his father, hearing the ominous vow he had made, and the images from his dream sprang to mind. You promised me, Father, you promised all of us…don’t let vengeance destroy you all over again. This family won’t survive if we lose you now.