WHEN DARKNESS RETURNS.
Sequel to Path Of The Chosen.
Anakin and Luke, his fifteen year old son and Padawan go to Orvax IV to investigate rumours of slavery. When a Sith Lord tracks them their mission becomes a fight for survival.
PROLOGUE.
"Do you think they're really dealing with slavery?"
Looking at Luke, Anakin frowned and shook his head. "At this point, it's too early to tell."
The Senate's new anti-slavery laws had been put into effect five years ago, prohibiting slavery throughout the galaxy. A few months ago, the rumours had began; Rumours that Orvax IV had returned to slaving.
"But what do you think?" Luke asked, staring up at his father. "Is it possible?"
"Anything is possible," his past had proved that. Anakin smiled at Luke, "right now, we don't have anything other than a few vague rumours." But if the rumours were true, and Orvax IV was dealing in slavery again... "We need to be careful, just in case." Turning to R2, Anakin smiled, unclipping his lightsaber from his belt he held it out to the droid. "Look after this for me, R2."
Luke didn't need to be told, following his father's lead, he gave R2 his lightsaber.
"Let's go."
Luke nodded, trailing behind Anakin as they walked off their ship.
Prime Minister Raeth Hellman was waiting for them at the foot of the ramp, "Master Skywalker, it is an honour to have you here."
"I only wish I was here under different circumstances." Waving Luke forward, Anakin smiled, "This is my Padawan, Luke Skywalker."
"Your son..." Looking the fifteen year old up and down, Prime Minister Hellman smiled, "well, with who your father is, we can expect great things from you." Looking back to Anakin, he frowned. "You don't have your lightsabers?"
"Jedi only carry their lightsabers on dangerous missions," Anakin lied, smiling as he and Luke walked to the waiting airspeeder with Prime Minister Hellman. "I hardly think lightsabers are necessary for something as trivial as our investigation."
Settling into the speeder, Prime Minister Hellman shook his head, "I am afraid you've wasted a journey..." He looked at Anakin, "... We don't have slavery here."
"Do you know who started the rumours?" Luke asked, sitting beside his father.
"No." Sighing, the Prime Minister shook his head. "We have been unable to find the person responsible."
x
"You must be tired after your journey here," Prime Minister Hellman smiled, "I will leave you to rest..." He lead Anakin and Luke to their room, "... I hope you and your son will join me for dinner."
Anakin inclined his head to the Prime Minister, "You are most kind, Prime Minister, Luke and I would be honoured to join you."
As he left, Luke folded his arms, "he's hiding something."
"I agreed," Anakin ushered Luke into the room, Prime Minister Hellman was definitely hiding something, and his fear that he and Luke would find him out was overwhelming. But that alone didn't make him guilty of slavery. "If he is dealing with slavery, we need to push him into a mistake."
It was Luke's turn to frown, "How?"
How indeed? Anakin grinned, "At dinner, I want you to push him, make him believe that you really believe the rumours. If he is guilty, he will either reveal something then, or he'll lead us to the slaves when he tries to cover it up."
It's finally here!... Or at least beginning... The sequel we've been waiting for!
What do you think of Prime Minister Hellman?