Anakin stared out at the skyline of Coruscant from Senator Amidala's immaculate apartment. Her quarters were spacious and had many large windows, offering a fine view of Galactic City. The walls and carpet were a soft blue, with white and gold accents.
The Senator from Naboo had come to Coruscant in order to campaign against the Military Creation Act. Increasing successions from the Galactic Republic had resulted in the creation of the bill, which authorized the creation of and Army of the Republic to aid the Jedi and security forces in keeping the peace.
Padme Amidala was a leader of the opposition for this bill, and an attempt on her life had caused the vote to be postponed. Now, despite her protests, she was being sent offworld with Padawan Anakin Skywalker as her Jedi Protector.
The young man listened in on Padme's conversation with Jar Jar Binks in the arched door way. Jar Jar was a representative of the Gungan race, who also hailed from Naboo. The amphibious creature was known for being naive and clumsy, and Anakin knew from personal experience that this was quite true. He wondered idly if Padme was making a mistake leaving him in charge.
"Mesa honored to be taking on this'a heavy burden." Jar Jar said with an odd accent, "Mesa accept this with moi moi humility, and uhh…"
"Jar Jar," Padme cut him off, much to Anakin's relief, "I don't wish to hold you up. I'm sure you have a great deal to do."
"Of course, milady." The tall humanoid bowed and departed.
Padme turned and strode briskly past Anakin. "I do not like this idea of hiding." She snapped as the rather extensive amounts of fabric in her elegant purple dress twirled with her rapid movement.
"Don't worry," the Jedi Padawan assured her, "Now that the Council has ordered an investigation, it won't take Master Obi Wan long to find this bounty hunter." Padme found his tone annoyingly calm. She strode over to her rather lavish walk in closet and began to help one of her handmaidens gather her belongings for her upcoming trip.
"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Millitary Creation Act to not be here when its fate is decided!" She seethed, as she packed her suit case.
Anakin looked at the ground. "Sometimes we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us." He looked back at the senator.
"Anakin," she turned from her task to look at him, "You've grown up."
"Master Obi Wan manages not to see it." He said as he strolled over to a low table in front of a window, where window cleaning droids were hard at work. He bent to pick up a metal sphere. He abruptly put it down with a startled expression.
"Anakin?" Padme was interrupted by a brilliant flash of light. When they regained their vision, they were startled by the sight of a young woman, 15 or 16, collapsed on the floor of Padme's apartment. Her shimmering golden hair pooled around her face. She was garbed in a pale blue tunic, with a collar that came nearly up to her ears. She wore baggy black pants and gray boots. Around her shoulders and spread out beneath her was a gray cloak. A matching gray belt was wound around her waist, and clipped on to the belt was the hilt of a lightsaber. Anakin staggered backward.
"Anakin, whats wrong? What happened? Is she a jedi?" Padme was full of questions.
Anakin shook his head as if to clear his mind. "I don't know."
"Is she okay?" Padme approached the girl.
"Be careful she could be dangerous."
Padme bent over to check her pulse anyway. The girl sprang to her feet backing away. Padme step back in surprise "Who are you?" Anakin demanded.
"Luna, Luna Anaro." The girl answered. Her sparkling blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Who are you?"
"Anakin Skywalker." She seemed to remember something, and glanced around the room as if looking for something or someone. She whirled around.
"Where is he?" She asked her eyes full of panic.
"Who?" Padme inquired, her expression confused.
"Rowan!" Luna called. When she received no response she turned to Anakin her anger exuded through the force. "Where is he?" She cried. "What have you done with him?!"
Bewildered, Anakin tried to speak, but suddenly he couldn't breath. He clutched at his throat. Padme screamed. He couldn't feel the floor beneath him. He was floating. The girls hand was raised, her fist clutching the air. She was choking him. Anakin began to panic.
"Sith!" she exclaimed glancing at his lightsaber.
"Not…sith…" Anakin managed gasping for air. Padme could only watch, frozen in place. Her horror evident on her face.
Anakin was saved by another flash of light, and the appearance of a young man. He was probably about Luna's age, and his attire was similar to her's. His dark hair was short, and he also had a lightsaber. Luna dropped Anakin, and he fell to the floor in a heap. "Rowan!" She exclaimed. She raced to his side checking his for injuries. Anakin moved forward, and she hissed leaping in front her friend. She drew her lightsaber and ignited the pale blue blade. Anakin raised his hands in a defensive posture.
"I'm not going to hurt you." He tried to reassure her.
"Lying sith!" She cried.
"I'm not a sith!" he insisted. He showed her his blue blade. She still looked suspicious.
"Mind if I check?" She asked, eyeing him warily.
He looked confused. "What?"
"You know, check your mind?"
She wanted to read his thoughts Anakin realized. After his previous experience with this mysterious force user, he was surprised she'd asked permission. Then again she probably needed him to take down his shields to gain access to his mind. Anakin wasn't sure he wanted her poking around in his head, however, it seemed to be the only way she would believe him. After a moment of hesitation he agreed.
"Fine, but be careful please." He lowered his mental shields. He almost fell over as he felt her presence in his mind. He shifted his weight back and forth as he endured the uncomfortable feeling of Luna poking about in his mind. After he was sure she had seen enough to know he was no sith, he flung her out and his mental shields slammed shut. Padme stood watching the proceedings. She was obviously confused and bewildered by what was happening.
"You are a Jedi." Without warning, the girl sank to the ground in a faint.
