OK I just got an email that the doc manager doesn't support certain formats. Forgive me for complaining that's a cop out. If it won't save paragraph breaks, something is wrong!


The hum of the door shield faded and the inner hatch shot open as Leia stormed in. "You said it was just an outpost!"

Anakin stared at her. "It was last time I looked." He scowled. "Why? Did you hear from that scout?"

"Yes!" She snapped. "She barely got out of there! There's a Star Destroyer in orbit and a whole full size base! Artoo actually snuck into it to send a transmission. He piggy backed it onto the Imperial frequencies. All the other's were jammed! We've got a bunch of pilots down, including Luke and the Falcon's hyperdrive is out again!"

"Good job, Artoo." Padmé said approvingly.

Anakin's brows rose in surprise and then dipped in a scowl. "Well there isn't supposed to be…" He cocked his head, thinking.

"A full size, fully stocked Imperial base does not just pop up overnight!" Leia's hands were on her hips.

"Maybe not. But that doesn't mean it was authorized." He said slowly, staring into space.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It couldn't have gotten there without the sector fleet command's knowledge." His eyes darted from side to side as if he were looking at something. "Who is in charge of that sector?" He asked slowly.

"I think you are supposed to tell us that." Leia glared.

"Moff Mendro is based in the next system over." His head rose slowly. "He could've padded his requisition requests and created an unauthorized back up base there. It's near enough to his home on Dryellus that he might've set it up if he had to retreat. He wasn't very popular."

"None of them are." Leia said flatly.

"The Emperor would've had his head for it." Anakin mused. "Not that Mendro knew about the warehouse. But the whole point of a small outpost was to guard it discreetly, not attract attention."

"Well, whatever it's attracted, it looks like Luke stirred up a gundark's nest. And he's stuck in the middle." Leia lips tightened in alarm as she looked away, arms folded around herself.

"Leia." Padmé said softly. "What about a rescue?"

"We don't have the ships available." Leia said, pained.

"We don't need a lot of ships. Too many would just attract attention. I don't suppose the shuttle with the cloak is handy?" Anakin asked.

She shook her head. "I tried that already. It's out on a mission."

Anakin frowned at her. "I can get us in." He stated firmly.

Leia stared at him. "Without giving yourself away?"

"Yes." Anakin gave her confident, humorless, smile.

"I'll get us some ships." Leia said slowly. "I wouldn't do this if there was anyone else."

"Yes you would. You just wouldn't do it with me." Anakin observed.

"Make it three. I'm going with you." Padmé interjected.

"Now wait…" Anakin objected.

"Don't bother. You've never won an argument with me yet. Besides, if I have to listen to that pushy bothan politician one more day, I might go to the Dark Side myself." Padmé stated.

Anakin's mouth hung open. He sighed and flung his hands in the air in resignation.

"You're too important." Leia objected.

"So are you. And that's my son, and my friend, in case you've forgotten."

"The best I can dig up is a couple of just repaired fighters. Can you fly one?"

"Yes, I can fly a fighter." Padmé smirked at her. "I went through a whole war before you were born. It was a basic safety precaution to learn."

"Or you could fly with me if you get a two seater." Anakin conceded.

"There you go, being protective again." Padmé crossed her arms.

"I have to have some redeeming qualities."

"The high command will never go for it." Leia argued.

"Who says they get a choice? The whole point of the Alliance was the fight for freedom to protect one's family from tyrants and have a voice in government. And this voice says she's going!" Padme countered firmly.

In spite of the danger, Anakin found his lips curling into a half smile. It was like watching two equally stubborn bantha's trying to out pull each other. Neither would give an inch.

Finally, the urgency of situation forced Leia to back down first. "Fine. I'll get the ships." She huffed, storming out. "But I guarantee the high command won't like this!"


Down on Alairyn, Obi-Wan frowned. Luke, opened his eyes and shifted on the bunk he lay on. "What's that?"

"I don't know. Something or someone strong in the Dark Side approaches."

And given that Anakin was no longer Darth Vader, they had no idea who it could be.

The dark figure commanding the Imperial Forces and in close collusion with Moff Mendro stalked silently and almost invisibly through the wood. In his wake, the troops encircled the downed rebels on speeder bike's and scout walkers. It was a wide net, but they were narrowing it down.


Anakin patted the side of the Y-Wing fighter, looked up and smiled at his wife all geared up in pilot's gear. "You look great."

"You say that no matter what I'm wearing!"

Anakin smiled but didn't respond.

"These ships are too small for what your thinking! And the seats are back to back."

"It's a two seater. You riding with me?"

She put her hands on her hips, still holding a helmet in one. "And if we have to go into battle, can you promise me that me being in with you won't hold you back? Not that preventing you from being reckless is a bad thing."

"Me, reckless?"

"Yes. Obi-Wan has told me a few things. And you two never even used flight suits!"

Anakin shrugged. "We have the Force. And remember which one of us leaped out of your window stories above Coruscant to take a ride on an assassin droid."

"Well, humor me. A little extra padding for that hard head of your's …" she wrapped a knuckle on the helmet he was holding, "Is a good thing!"

"If you insist."

Leia came up, also clad in a flight suit. She was scowling slightly. Bemused, she glanced from one to the other. "Have you decided?"

"Riding with him." Padmé smiled. "Ready?"

Leia nodded doubtfully. "We'd better hurry. Mon Mothma and Father were in a meeting. The duty officer said they were looking for you. They're sure to object when they get out. Ackbar and Rieekan weren't happy at all. She turned and mounted one of the Y-Wings. Padme and Anakin waited until her back was turned before sharing a sudden, swift passionate kiss. Then with a cocky grin, Anakin helped her into the cockpit.

"Oh, how chivalrous." Padmé teased.

Anakin leaped up after her. People looked up, mouths open as he didn't bother with the ladder.

Leia lifted off, As they leaped into hyperspace, Anakin briefly swore anyone that tried to hurt his family wouldn't get more than one warning. He'd would put them down. Obi-Wan, he knew, would not appreciate the determination he felt on that point. Loyalty was one thing. But some promises were dangerous to make, even to oneself.


Luke rose slowly, walking out to Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master was standing just outside of the ship.

"You shouldn't be up." Obi-Wan said, staring into the forest.

"Something is coming."

"I know."

"I'm not meeting it laying down."

Obi-Wan looked back at him with a wry smile. "I'm still hoping we won't have to meet it at all."

"Do you think those artifacts are really hidden behind that base?"

"If Anakin said they were, don't you?"

Luke shifted uncomfortably. "I believe he believes it. But the Emperor could've lied. Or someone could've moved them."

"In any event, we are hardly in a position to go after them now."

"We still could try infiltrating. They wouldn't expect it. It's not like we can go anywhere until Han gets the Falcon's hyperdrive fixed."

"Don't assume what they will expect, Luke. That dark power you sense is on their side. And if we can feel that darkness, then that person can also feel our light."

Darkness was creeping down around them. The yellow green leaves had faded to dark shadows. The world was lost in dark blue and purple shapes, melting together.

"I can't find Artoo." Luke said suddenly. "Wedge checked on all the ships and droids. He said Artoo was the only one not accounted for."

"That may be a good thing."

Luke looked at him.

Obi-Wan glanced at him. "Droid's imprint on their owners. Artoo-Detoo has never had a memory erase, not since Anakin had him, at least. Your droid has a good deal of initiative."

"You think he found a way to go for help?"

"Let's say if any other droid vanished I'd be more concerned they'd fallen into enemy hands. Not that it would be good if your droid did either. I'm still amazed at the sheer risk Anakin occasionally took to retrieve that droid."

Luke shifted, wishing his father was there to elaborate on that tantalizing hint of a story. Sometimes he could get more out of him than Obi-Wan. Anakin was more inclined to relive those days, as long as the tale didn't involve Palpatine. "They're going to come after dark. If we lift off, we get blasted and if we stay here, we're sitting targets like those womp rats I used to blast."

"Now you know how the rat felt."

Luke winced. "I guess so. Back then all I thought of was what a nuisance they were. And the money I could earn for the bounty."

"Well, now the Empire considers the Alliance a very big nuisance. You really should rest while you are able."

"I'm fine."

"You are stubborn. You get it from both sides."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Not always." Obi-Wan allowed.

For a moment they were silent. A light breeze rustled the leaves. But there were no nocturnal animal sounds. Not even the sound of insects. It was too quiet. Luke could sense Han and Chewbacca frantically repairing the Falcon. Occasionally a muffled curse filtered down the ramp. The uninjured pilots were encircling their ships, blasters at ready. The slightly injured were on top of the Falcon, keeping watch. That dark shadow grew closer. With Force enhanced hearing, Luke heard a soft distant whine. Even more distant an occasional mechanic thump shook the earth and trees. "Speeder bikes, a scout walker, and …"

"And that dark shape in the Force." Obi-Wan murmured.

"I know Father said there were other fallen Jedi."

"He even gave us a few names. As well as the rest of the group of Palpatine's dark side counselors and agents of the dark side. But even he acknowledged he probably didn't know all of them."

"He doesn't like to talk about it much. But he said Palpatine probably trusted him more than anyone and that wasn't saying much!"

"A Sith apprentice is supposed to kill his master to take his place." Obi-Wan said dryly. "That definitely encourages them to keep secrets from each other."

"Why don't you talk more about the past?" Luke finally asked. "Even though there are things he doesn't want to talk about, there are other things he does. Not everything about the war was bad. You had that teamwork and camaraderie. I know he missed it when he was…on the other side."

Kenobi nodded slowly. "I choose not to hang on to the past. It's difficult not to end up in a dark place."

"But shouldn't the Jedi who died for it be remembered? They were heroes. Father says even the padawans and younglings were heroes. Shouldn't people know and remember, so their legacy lives on, instead of Palpatine's lies? Shouldn't everyone who knows, share their stories so the truth is out there for the next generation of Jedi?"

"Yes, yes, we should." Obi-Wan glanced at him. "I suppose I got accustomed to not talking about it. It wasn't safe, after all."

"You've taught me so much about being a Jedi. But there must be a thousand true stories and more I could learn from. Father can only tell me what he remembers, and even he says that's only one point of view." Luke smiled faintly. "And he blushes when he hears what Mother and Ahsoka tell me!"

Obi-Wan smiled. "I should probably blush at what he tells about me! I'm glad he talks about it though. It's good for him to let go of some of the burdens of the past. Telling you gives him a chance to remember and rethink things, to see it from a new viewpoint."

"Wouldn't it…do the same for you?"

Obi-Wan looked at him, thinking. "Perhaps. Perhaps it is time." He said slowly.

to be continued