by Forcechild
“So do I Anakin. I’ve waited a very long time to see you. I’m sorry that it took this disturbance to reunite us as well. I knew you’d been redeemed and was allowed entrance to the Netherworld, but I didn’t want to interrupt your reunion with Padme. I assumed we’d see each other eventually,” Qui-Gon replied.
“I was only a child when you died Master. I’ve missed you very much. I could’ve used your guidance. Obi-Wan did his best to teach me to be a good Jedi, but I failed him. I failed everyone. You expected great things from me, but I wasn’t strong enough to resist the Dark Side. There are immeasurable crimes I’ve committed that I can never atone for. I beg you to forgive me.” Anakin bowed deeply before Qui-Gon.
“Anakin. Please don’t bow to me. I don’t deserve such respect. It’s I who should ask your forgiveness. I should’ve recognized your sorrow when you had to leave your mother behind on Tatooine. You felt as if you’d deserted her. When she died it had an enormous impact on your life. You felt responsible, even though her death wasn’t your fault. The Council was right. You were just nine standard years old. They thought you were too old to be trained to be a Jedi, but apparently young enough to be extremely upset believing you abandoned Shmi. You loved her very much and her death affected every decision you made from that point forward.”
“No one forced me to leave my mother Qui-Gon. I knew what I was doing when I left her behind on that miserable planet. Shmi knew I was meant for something other than a life of slavery. How could she, or anyone else, foresee that I’d end up a slave to Darth Sidious? How could anyone predict how much power he’d wield over me? I was so weak willed that I let Palpatine control my every thought. I felt your presence while I was at my weakest, but I shut you out. I was aware that you were trying to warn me of the danger, but I refused to listen. I let my emotions rule me. You’re not to blame for what happened. I alone am responsible for allowing myself to be swayed to the Dark Side of the Force.”
The Jedi looked between each other and kept silent. No one disagreed with him.
Anakin turned towards Mace Windu and got on his knees before him. “Master. I’ll never be able to fully explain my traitorous act against you. My callous and selfish decision caused your death. I can’t expect absolution for that terrible deed, but I hope you can understand how and why I let this horrendous event occur. I was manipulated for years by an expert at deceit. I know that’s no excuse. I have none. My despicable acts in life are indefensible.”
“I agree Anakin. You had a part in my demise, but under the circumstances I should have expected you to save Palpatine’s life. He was your mentor for a number of years and his friendship blinded you. You couldn’t see behind the false mask he wore. You weren’t aware of just how much he’d deceived you. You wanted to go with me when I went to arrest him, but I denied you that. Though I felt your inner turmoil, I should’ve shown you more trust. Perhaps things might’ve ended differently if I had. I accept your apology, but it certainly isn’t required. I must take the responsibility for my own death. We were all deceived by this evil Sith Lord. He manipulated all of us.”
“Later of this you will talk,” Yoda said. “Concentrate on this disturbance we must. Felt by all the Jedi this has been.”
Anakin turned towards Yoda and asked, “What can we do Master?”
“Meditate. On this matter think long and hard. Search your feelings young Skywalker. The answer, come to you it will.”
“Yes Master.” Anakin did as Yoda commanded.
The Jedi Knight retreated into the forest. He found a quiet place near a brook and entered into a deep meditation. Before long, Anakin realized where he’d have to go in order to seek the answers. Returning to the Temple he told Yoda that he was leaving. When Anakin walked down the Temple steps alone, his face set with determination, Obi-Wan asked Yoda where he was going.
“The Chosen One knows.” That was all Yoda said. They all stood quietly and watched the young man walk briskly away.
*
Ben awoke the morning after the Independence Dinner with a severe headache. The sixteen year old felt as if he’d been drugged. He’d celebrated with his friends and had a few drinks, but he shouldn’t be feeling this groggy. It took him quite a while to clear his head.
He was already late for roll call and didn’t have time to check on Padmay. Knowing he’d see her at dinner, Ben decided to wait until then. The lad dressed as quickly as he could, then ran out to his speeder. Threepio was chasing after him, but he was in too much of a hurry to stop. Ben yelled back and told the droid he’d talk later as he sped away.
The day was going to be a hectic one. It seemed as if his entire squadron was suffering from certain degrees of hangovers. Ben heard quite a few moans and groans as his comrades prepared the day’s activities. His squadron was to participate in the festivities by presenting an air show over the Freedom Palace. Thousands of landscaping droids had set up the center of the grounds to look like the surface of the first Death Star. Officials had planned mock attacks. Ben had been selected to reenact the maneuver Luke Skywalker performed when he took out the first moon-sized battlestation. He was extremely honored by the request. Little did anyone know that he had special knowledge of the event.
Ben thought of his sister as he headed for his X-Wing. He wondered if she’d be here to see his performance. He hoped she was over her fears of last night. Ben couldn’t understand why she’d collapsed. Padmay wasn’t one to give in to hysterics. He couldn’t understand her panic attack at all. She’d told him she felt and evil presence. He hadn’t sensed anything strange. Perhaps taking care of Luke had taken its toll on her health, no matter how much she denied it. He’d have to hurry home this evening, instead of staying to celebrate with his squadron.
*
The day passed very quickly. Ben’s reenactment was performed without flaw. When trying to leave, he’d been sidetracked by those who wanted to applaud his performance. By the time Ben got home he was ready to fall into his bed and sleep the night away. He barely touched down on the landing platform when Threepio rushed out to him.
“Master Ben! I’m so glad you’ve finally home,” Threepio shouted excitedly. “We can’t find her anywhere.”
“Hold on a minute Threepio. I just got here. At least let me get out of the speeder.” Ben released the seat belt and got out of the sleek two-seater. “Now then, what are you so excited about?”
“I tried to tell you this morning Master Ben, but you were in such a hurry I didn’t get the chance.”
“Tell me what Threepio?”
“Miss Padmay didn’t respond to my wake-up call this morning. I assumed she wanted extra time to rest after the night’s activities so I waited twenty minutes before I tried again. I thought that amount of time would be sufficient. When I returned to her chambers she still didn’t respond. It’s very unusual for Miss Padmay to ignore me so I let myself in, but she wasn’t there. I knocked on the fresher, but there was no response there either. I peeked in and the fresher was empty as well. She was in her bed last night when I checked on her before I went into sleep mode. I always check on the mistress before I shut down for the night. We’ve searched the entire area Master Ben. I even asked the neighbors if they’d seen her. They claimed they didn’t. I just don’t know where else to look. She’s nowhere to be found. Oh dear..., oh dear.”
“Calm down Threepio. Don’t get so excited. It’s not good for your circuitry. Padmay probably just woke up early and decided to leave for the festivities without telling you. We’ll find her. Don’t worry.”
As Ben tried to calm Threepio down he started to get anxious himself. This wasn’t like Padmay. If she’d given Threepio instructions to wake her, she must have had intentions to get up when he came to her door. Why would she leave without telling him? Ben closed his eyes and concentrated, but no matter where he searched with his senses, he couldn’t feel Padmay’s presence anywhere. Where could she be? After the odd way she acted last night, Ben started to get very concerned about h
is twin.
*
They were back on Geonosis. As soon as their destroyer touched down on the planet’s surface, the Supreme Ruler nearly ran down the exit ramp almost knocking Gris over in his haste. He’d given instructions for their “passenger” to be taken to his master suite.
The Grand Moff wondered what was troubling Lord Vader. He’d been unusually quiet on their voyage back to Geonosis. He’d stood frozen at the viewport for hours on end. He’d refused all food and drink and hadn’t uttered a single word to anyone the entire journey. It was quite unsettling. Lucian knew that whatever was upsetting him had to do with this woman they’d abducted. He wondered just who she was and why she affected him so. Why was this woman so important to him? Why did he seem so distraught? It was impossible for the man to have met her having never ventured off Geonosis.
Lucian halted the men as the young woman was being taken from the ship. He had to see this mysterious passenger. He hadn’t bothered to look when they’d snatched her, but now he was most curious. He moved the blanket aside and noticed that this “woman” was just a teen, not much younger than Lord Vader himself. The Grand Moff was even more perplexed.
*
The days passed swiftly. Lucian had been extremely busy overlooking the preparations for the Death Star’s launch. Though no one had seen the Emperor since they returned from Coruscant, orders had been given to prepare the battlestation for departure.
The Sith Lord had assigned a large number of his children to positions on all eight Star Destroyers. Each vessel was ordered to continue guarding Geonosis and the surrounding systems. The children had taken over command from former captains. The men had been quite upset and grumbled among themselves. None of them dared utter their objections too loudly, especially after hearing about what happened to the crewman aboard the Grand Moff’s shuttle.
The crew assigned to the Death Star was comprised of an assortment of the men from the surviving destroyers, along with Vader’s children. Gris was very surprised that his command hadn’t been taken from him. He was told not to worry. The children had important assignments to carry out that required their full attention. Besides, he’d proven himself to the Emperor.
All was in readiness. The Grand Moff was eager to be on his way. He’d soon get his chance to seek revenge. How Gris hated the rebels. Their Rebellion had cost him so much, but he didn’t have to worry about his future now. Lord Vader had bestowed the grandest of honors on him when he promoted Lucian to Grand Moff. How he’d love to see the faces of all those who’d abused him in his youth. They’d all be trembling in fear.
The Grand Moff was filled with enormous pride as he stepped aboard “his” new battlestation and felt its tremendous power beneath his feet. He’d wandered the corridors and examined the bridge numerous times since its completion. He couldn’t find a single flaw in the craft’s design. There were quite a few changes made from the first Death Stars. Ceris pointed out these changes as they toured the vessel one last time.
A number of cloaking systems were installed on the craft. The combined systems were more powerful than the smaller ones that had been installed on the eight, experimental Star Destroyers. Ceris assured the Grand Moff, though he hardly thought it necessary, that every battleship built from this date forward would include the updated technology. It was deemed invaluable to the new Empire.
The insectoid informed Gris that there was no need for this battlestation’s defense shields to be operated from outside the vessel, as was needed on the second Death Star. Its deflector shields had been activated on Endor. The defense system installed on this vessel was operated internally. It held more than enough power to protect the vessel from all outside threats.
Ceris also proudly stated that this Death Star was built with several exhaust vents that led indirectly into the central core of the reactor. The rebels managed to breach the core on the first Death Star. A single rebel fighter shot two missiles into a vent that started a chain reaction in the reactor. It caused the craft’s complete destruction. Ceris assured the Grand Moff that the enormous reactor on this Death Star was fully contained. Each exhaust tube had a number of twists and turns. Even if an attempt was made to fire missiles into them it was impossible for them to reach the reactor. The vents were screened with a triple layer of durasteel coverings. They were barely large enough for a flitnat to squeeze through, let alone a missile. The rebels would never be able to destroy this Death Star. Unlike the others, this vessel was impenetrable.
*
While the Grand Moff was inspecting every inch of the new Death Star, the Supreme Ruler stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the arena. The cheers that rose up from his Grand Army were deafening. He held up his hands and waited for the men to quiet down as they looked up at him with complete adulation.
Lord Vader began his speech when the arena finally grew silent. “The time has come at last my children. The time has come for us to reclaim what was once ours. We shall take back what was stolen from us and devastate our adversaries. We’ll destroy the New Republic in a spectacular display of strength and superiority. I’m sending your brothers off on a mission to eliminate these renegades. The Sith shall be victorious.”
The Emperor looked over his vast army and was filled with satisfaction as his children roared out their approval. As he waited for the cheers to die down he turned towards crewmen who stood to his side. “Go now my children. You can be assured that the Force will be strong with you. I chose you because you were the first born. You’re abilities make you exceptionally powerful. Though I won’t be with you bodily, I shall be with you through the Force. I’ll be aware of every move you make. I’ll celebrate as each planet is destroyed, and our foes along with them. You’ll bring order to the galaxy through your effort and shall make me very, very proud.”
The Emperor then turned back to the crowd below him and shouted, “We shall decimate our enemies my children. The Sith shall rule once again!” Lord Vader smiled broadly as cheers reverberated throughout the arena. The Supreme Ruler was filled with enormous pride as he watched his sons march off to reclaim his domain.
Part Two
Chapter Thirteen
- Search -
~19/00/15 ABE: Nineteen years, fifteen days after the death of Emperor Palpatine.~
Ben was in the brig. He’d been arrested because he’d been absent without leave. He’d been searching for Padmay for a number of days before finally being detained. Having failed to find her anywhere on Coruscant, the young man was at his wit’s end. There just wasn't anywhere else to look. He was out of his mind with worry.
Hearing of Ben’s arrest, Lando Calrissian immediately went to the detention center. “I’ve seen your father behind cell doors lots of times, but I never expected to see you locked up,” Lando stated as he stepped up to the force field Ben was pacing behind.
“Uncle Lando. Thank the Force you’re here. You’ve got to help me.”
“You were A.W.O.L. Ben. That’s a serious offense. Can you explain why?”
“I was searching for Padmay. She’s missing. I’ve got to find her.”
“Padmay’s missing? Since when?”
“Since the night of the Independence Dinner. Padmay was acting very strange that night. The next morning she was gone. I was worried about her then, but now I’m afraid something might have happened to her. I’ve got to find her Uncle Lando. You’ve got to help me.”
“Hold on Ben. You’re not making any sense. What do you mean she’s gone? Calm down and tell me exactly what happened.”
Ben tried to control his anxiety as he explained what happened. He also told Lando about Padmay’s concerns over the nightmares they’d had, as well as how frightened she’d been that night.
“Have you asked Senator Hugo if he knows where she is?”
“Of course I did, but he hasn’t seen or heard a word from Padmay since the banquet. I’ve asked everyone she works with too. No one has a clue where she is.”
“Does
Padmay have friends you aren’t aware of? Maybe she’s staying with one of them.”
“I know every one of Padmay’s friends Uncle Lando, and I have questioned them. They haven’t seen my sister since that night either.”
“Maybe Padmay met someone that night. Someone she didn't tell you about. Maybe she’s on some kind of a fling. I know it doesn’t sound like the kind of thing she’d normally do, but how else can you explain her disappearance?”
“I can’t. I’m certain that Padmay didn’t meet anyone there. Not in the way you're thinking anyway. She would’ve told me if she planned to leave without me, even if she had met someone who’d charmed her. She knows how worried I’d be.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Padmay came home with me and went right to bed. I stayed with her until she finally fell asleep. She was extremely overwrought. The poor girl was so weary she literally passed out.”
“Passed out?” Lando asked as he raised his eyebrows quizzically.
“If you're under the impression that my sister was intoxicated you're mistaken. You know her better than that. The most she drinks is a single glass of wine, and only on special occasions.”
“I didn’t mean to imply that Padmay was inebriated. Rather that she’d indulged a little more than she normally does.”
“Padmay passed out from sheer exhaustion. She’d been standing in that reception line for over two hours. I assumed she was ill until she said something extremely odd. She told me that she’d felt something trying to invade...”
Ben suddenly recalled exactly what his sister said that night. He hadn’t believed her when she’d told him that she felt an ominous presence, but what if she had? What if there really was some kind of evil force on Coruscant? Why had Padmay sensed it and not him? A shudder of fear raced down his back. “I’ve got to get out of here Uncle Lando. Padmay needs my help. I’m certain of it. I’ve got to find her.”
“Being A.W.O.L. is a serious offense Ben, but I’ll do everything I can to get the changes against you dropped. I’m owed a lot of favors. I’ll have to tug on a few strings, but I’ll do all I can to get you released as soon as possible.”
