The Gift
Anakin stood before his new Jedi starfighter in the Temple hangar, admiring its angled wings and re-designed cockpit. Its wing design allowed it to move faster and maneuver easier than the old Delta 7 Aethersprites. The only sacrifice made in the design was an internal hyperdrive. Anakin altered his old Aethersprite to include a hyperdrive independent of the rings used to propel ships through hyperspace. But that and his astromech had been destroyed during his confrontation with Asajj Ventriss, Count Dooku's mysterious Sith-like assassin.
But Anakin realized speed and maneuverability were paramount in fighting Separatist forces. In fact, the designers consulted him in updating its designs for the starfighter.
Of course, he could not just accept the ship straight off the assembly line. He had to fine-tune it to perfection so that it was as much an instrument of his will as his own lightsaber. He souped up the engines and even used a different paint job on the craft. Instead of the garish blue and white on his old fighter, a tribute to the podracer of his childhood, his new ship was yellow and gray. There was a practical reason. The simpler paint job, he theorized, minimized drag on the craft, allowing it to move even faster. Obi-Wan just smiled with amusement at that one. But there was a sentimental reason as well. It was a reminder of the Naboo N-1 Royal Starfighter he flew to victory against the Trade Federation as a child. It was also a tribute to his wife's homeworld.
A familiar set of beeps and whistles made Anakin turn around. "Artoo!" The blue and white astromech rolled up to him. "What are you doing here? How did you get in the Temple?"
In reply, Artoo projected a holographic image of his beloved Padmé.
"Anakin, I wish I could be by your side through all of this, but we both know that isn't possible.
"You told me all about your new ship and how you need a new astromech. So, I am sending Artoo. He's brave, loyal, and he's already saved my life many times. He was with you when you destroyed the Trade Federation's control ship. I'll sleep better knowing he's watching your back. Besides, he is as much your droid as he is mine." She smiled bravely. "Take care of my Ani, Artoo. I love you, Anakin."
"I love you too," Anakin whispered to the flickering image frozen at the end of Padmé's message. Then it winked out.
Artoo beeped at him inquisitively and Anakin smiled, realizing what the little droid was asking him. "Of course we'll take it on a test run. Want to check it out now?" Artoo squealed and shook with excitement. "Let's go."