There and Back Again
Chapter 3
Dreams
He ascended the great stone steps, the light breeze causing his dark robes to billow out in his wake. Behind him, the footfalls of thousands of clones, perfectly in synch with each other, sounded ominously, and echoed in the great temple hall.
The frightened screams and desperate calls of his enemies surrounded him. The sound of blaster fire and the hum of lightsabers joined the cries of dying Jedi. He didn't care, they had betrayed the Republic, and they had betrayed him. They deserved this fate....
Jett shot up from the small cot in the Millennium Falcon. He felt his whole body shaking. He closed his eyes, forcing the torturing images from his mind.
"Boss...you alright?" sounded a groggy Han.
"Im fine Han, go back to sleep," replied Jett. Han didn't need telling twice, and quickly fell back into a peaceful slumber. Jett raked his hands through his golden curls and sighed. He hadn't known a peaceful sleep in almost six years, and had quickly gotten used to it. He slowly rose from his cot, pulling on a dark blue sleep robe, and padding out towards the cockpit.
They'd been in hyperspace for about six hours now, another two, and they would be entering the Yavin system. Luckily, the trip had been an uneventful one, just as Jett had foreseen. The cargo they held was a suspicious one; it wasn't everyday three smugglers transported weaponry such as that they held. Jett chuckled at the irony of it. Organa and Mothma had for years protested the use of 'aggressive negotiations' against the separatists, and now, they were ordering masses of weaponry and technology indicating towards a planned battle.
"Ironic indeed," he mumbled. Glancing out of the viewing window, Jett noticed a particularly bright star, winking in his direction.
I wanna be the first one to see 'em all....
"I never did get to see them all Qui Gon...I doubt I ever will," mused Jett sadly. He checked their course once more, and then padded back to the small cabin out back, hoping he would at least get a little rest.
Had he stayed, he would have undoubtedly witnessed the smiling ethereal form of an old Jedi master, gazing proudly at where he had been standing.
**
"I think you wore them out," chuckled Padmé, as she entered the small, cosy living room. Ben laughed, and pulled his arm tighter around Dormé, massaging her ever growing abdomen.
"They certainly wore me out," he grinned, standing up and crossing the room to stoke the fire. Padmé sat opposite the couple, and sighed. Of course, she had been thrilled when Obi Wan and Dormé confessed their feelings for one another, but a part of her still harboured jealousy that what they had was something she would most likely never feel again. She had learned years ago that she would never love again. She couldn't. Not after Anakin. Even though he had betrayed her, had destroyed her life, almost claimed it, she knew she would never love anyone as strongly as she had loved him. Padmé had long ago resigned herself to a life of solitude, her only love being for her children and close friends.
"So, how was your trip?" asked Padmé, forcing the image of her deceased husband from her mind. Ben retreated back to his seat, and began.
"I contacted Bail; he says the move to Yavin IV is going exceptionally well. The empire has not discovered our location. Right now, Bail is trying to locate as many pilots as possible, it is his first priority."
"And the Jedi? Have any been found?" asked Padmé. Ben shook his head sadly.
"Im afraid right now it seems there is only me and master Yoda left, though im sure there are others, well hidden," he added with slight hope.
"Lets us pray there is," chided Dormé.
"So, where does that leave us?" continued Padmé.
"Bail has suggested I move you all to the base," replied Ben tentatively. Padmé sighed warily.
"I dont know Ben, I dont want my children put in any danger, and I'm sure you dont want Dormé involved in anything that could harm the baby," started Padmé.
"I understand, but I assure you Yavin is quite safe, and I would feel a lot better if you were all close at hand," explained Ben. Padmé bit her lip, but knew there was no point in protesting.
"I suppose you're right, the children will be better protected there...Agamar is simply too remote, there would be no one to help us should we need it," sighed Padmé. Dormé nodded in agreement, but still looked sceptical herself. Ben noticed this, and took her hands in his own.
"I promise you," he looked at Padmé, "both of you; I will protect you with my last breath. You're all my family and I would rather die than see any of you come to harm."
Dormé felt a warm tears slowly slip down her cheek at his obvious adoration for them all. Padmé herself felt tears threatening to make themselves known, and swallowed loudly.
"Thank you Ben, I know...I know Anakin would be very grateful for this," she whispered.
Although Padmé knew exactly what had gone down that day on Mustafar, she understood completely why Ben did what he did. Though at first she had been horrified at the thought of Obi Wan leaving Anakin to suffer like he did, she also understood how hard it must have been for Obi Wan that day, and knew that his love for Anakin got the better of him. She could see the guilt Ben still bore in his eyes, and it was that that had enabled her to forgive him. He was right; Anakin was too dangerous to be kept alive. Yet a part of her, small, and buried deep down, still believed there was good in him. But that meant nothing now.
"So, when do we leave?" she finally asked.
"Tomorrow, it won't take long to pack, and Artoo will make quick work of readying the ship," replied Ben. Padmé nodded. Tomorrow, the rebellion began.
**
On the misty planet of Dagobah, amongst the towering trees and muddy swamps, sat a small hut, looking quite out of place in such a strange world.
Inside this hut, a tiny green alien, and a tall ageing man with jet black hair sat in deep conversation, worried looks marring their features.
"We have all felt it, the elder council believes it is time to act," the tall man urged, setting down a steaming cup, "He is alive, no one can dispute that."
The small green alien brought a three clawed hand to his head, his face etched with weariness.
"Much darkness, I still sense. Confused, the Chosen One is, find him and face his fears, he must."
The tall man nodded in agreement.
"I have heard the whispers of the Rebellion, the fall to darkness has already begun," he closed his eyes momentarily, "They do not know."
Yoda eyed the tall man strangely, not knowing of what he spoke.
"A day of peace, I sense. This darkness... what is it you sense?"
The tall man glanced out of the hut window, to the starry sky above. He was bound by the journal never to reveal the future, to simply let it run its course. But he could not sit back and watch the Galaxy fall.
He had to break the code.
"If Anakin Skywalker lives, this Galaxy is doomed."
**
Jett carefully guided the Falcon into the large, busy hangar bay. To his right, Han had already gotten up, and prepared himself and Chewie to unload the cargo. Jett took several deep, calming breaths; quickly realising his time of discovery was upon him. He shut down the Falcon, and rose from his seat, his nerves beginning to get the better of him. He pulled on a large robe, pulling the hood low over his face, hoping it would disguise him enough to ward off any initial recognition.
Han eyed his boss with confusion. He never normally covered his face, you could barely see him. Thinking maybe Jett wasn't comfortable with having the rebellion know his identity; he quickly dismissed it, and began carrying the heavy boxes filled with blasters and various other weaponry from the ship.
"Solo, is that you?" called a dark haired man dressed in an orange flight suit.
"Wedge, boy am I glad to see you," grinned Han, setting down the boxes and embracing his old friend.
"How ya bin buddy, why I aint seen you since that business back on Ord Mantell," chuckled Wedge.
"Well, you know me, always on the move," beamed Han, "so, you're working for the rebellion now?"
"Yeah, dad is old friends with Organa, he got us jobs straight away," smiled Wedge proudly, "what about you, what're you doin' here?"
"Shipment. Apparently Organa needed a big order of weapons and other junk," explained Han, "I'm here with Jett."
"Good, I aint seen him in awhile too, it'll be good to have some familiar faces around here," grinned Wedge.
"I wouldn't get your hopes up, I dont think boss is too keen to stay here to long," sighed Han.
"That's too bad, maybe dad can change his mind," replied Wedge brightly.
"Maybe," mused Han. He spotted Jett descending the ramp, pulling his robe tighter around him.
Jett surveyed his surroundings, quite impressed. The alliance seemed to have acquired quite a following in such a short time. He recognised several of the pilots, having worked with them in the clone wars; luckily, they didn't seem interested in the hooded stranger.
"Hey boss, look who it is!" called Han. Jett smiled, and strode towards Han and Wedge.
"Hey Darklighter, long time no see," boomed Wedge. Jett held out his hand, smiling.
"Good to see you too Antilles, is your dad around?"
"Yeah, he's over there," replied Wedge, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. Jett nodded, and excused himself, striding towards an ageing yet powerful looking man.
"Antilles," growled Jett, smirking. Jagged turned, and grinned.
"Skywalker," he nodded quietly.
"Since when did you get in with rebels?" questioned Jett.
"Since I realised it was time to take down the imps," laughed Jagged. Jett shook his head, and pulled his old friend into an embrace.
"It's good to see you," he said gruffly.
"Good to see you too, I was beginning to think you weren't gonna show," smirked Jagged. Jett glanced around, and then moved closer.
"Do they know, who I am I mean," he whispered.
"Not a clue," replied Jagged, "I guess you dont want 'em to know either, judging by the size of that hood," chuckled Jagged.
"Now isn't the time, these people might not be as understanding as you have been my old friend," smiled Jett. Jagged nodded in understanding.
"Still, Im sure it would boost morale if the pilots knew the great Anakin Skywalker was in their midst," grinned Jagged. Anakin shook his head, chuckling.
"I wish that were so Jagged, I wish that were so."
A/N: Thank you for all the reviews on the last chapter. Hopefully after Christmas I'll be able to respond to each review personally, I just haven't had the time. This is the last post before Christmas also, so I would like you wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year, and I shall post again in 2010!
WalkerOfSky.